Album Review: Strikken - Long Story Short

Strikken is a Columbus-based band that has achieved the oh-so rarely obtained "melodic metal" sound that huge bands like Killswitch Engage, Five Finger Death Punch, and Sevendust managed to create with their music, yet they have still managed to find their own unique sound that demands your attention.  The vocalist has a curious blend of Nothingface-styled growls, and awesome Five Finger Death Punch-like vocals. It's all backed by a perfectly executed bass line.  This band is going to be huge as long as they can continue to produce albums half as good as their first one, and based on their 10-year history, I believe that they will be around and growing for a while.  Check out the preview box below to give them a listen.

Voice of the Angel:

This song has awesome guitar riffs, supported by a very strong drumline.  The Vocalist growls like Nothingface (Blue Skin comes to mind.)  Then, something strange happens, the vocalist makes a complete switch and sings like Killswitch Engage.  The sounds blend so much better than I ever could have imagined.  It's like the frosty meeting the french fry.  Seriously, it's that awesome.

"The vocalist has a curious blend of Nothingface-styled growls, and awesome Five Finger Death Punch-like vocals."

Ashes:

Breaks the album up with a more melodic song.  The vocalist doesn't really scream in this one as much, the drum line is a little slower, and the guitars seem to be in a higher key.  Pretty awesome guitar solo, to boot!

Forever in lies

Probably my favorite song on the album.  The chorus has a good harmony that reminds me very much of Killswitch Engage.  The guitar riff freaking rocks.

"It's like the frosty meeting the french fry. 

Seriously, it's that awesome."

Machine:

The opening instrumentation reminds me of something from Korn (sounds crazy I know, but it is only until the vocals come out, of course.) This song is where I really hear the Five Finger Death Punch sound from this band, and makes it another of my personal favorites.

Support Strikken by purchasing Long Story Short on Amazon
  

Or support Strikken by purchasing Long Story Short on iTunes

 

Album Review: Degradation - The Juggernaut

Degradation’s album, “Juggernaut” comes out with a bang, full of ripping guitar riffs that demand your attention with fast-paced drums, growling vocals, and blood boiling speed. The band tends to sound like a curious blend of Lamb of God, Slayer, and even Metallica on occasion. Degredation has produced the best old skool metal I’ve heard so far this year, and are sure to bring the mosh pits out when performing live. They definitely deserve a good listen from old skool metal fans everywhere.  Especially for the low price their album is on Amazon’s site.

 

Here’s my thoughts on each track, as well as a sample of each track. feel free to listen for yourself:

Samples of each track:
 

“A Necessary Evil”

great opening to a great album. With a  Lamb of God sound to the guitar, and Slayer-sounding vocals. The song is  Brutal, fast, and full of headbanging awesomeness. with a chorus that got my blood flowing.

“Juggernaut.”

The album’s title track is very reminiscent of old Metallica in the chorus, and as a result instantly became one of my favorite tracks on the album.

“The Reckoning”

Another “guitar demanding” track. Occasional breaks in the track bring a lot of contrast to the song.

“…The band tends to sound like
a curious blend of Lamb of God,
Slayer, and even Metallica on occasion.”

  

“Rise to Fall”

Opening with drums, progresses into a cool guitar riff.  Vocals match the previous fairly well, and the chorus has some lyrics that boiled my blood. I was ready to take on the world after this one.

“Trail of Sin”

The chorus touches a slight touch of harmony, guitar solo has harmonics, with a bridge full of hammer-ons, breaking back into a verse.

“Executioner…Slayer of the Night”

another very slayer-esque track. The repetitive chorus gets thoroughly jammed in your head, but when metal is this good, who cares?  Has quite possibly the craziest solo on the album, and that’s saying something.

 

“Degradation definitely deserves a
good listen from metal fans everywhere.
Especially for the low price their
album is on Amazon’s site.”
 

 

“Degradation”

Guitar riffs that demand your attention. More slayer-esque vocals. Yet another high-energy chorus.  They proudly announce who they are, and will likely open with this live.

“Thrill of the Kill”

Opens with a tweak to their sound by adjusting the vocals. the breakup comes just in time, and proves the band has more than one sound, and has some depth to them. The vocals progress up in intensity ever-so-slightly, all the way to the explosion of chorus.
All in all, I’d have to say my favorite songs are Executioner…Slayer of the Night, Juggernaut, and Degredation.

Juggernaut - Degredation on Amazon.com 
Juggernaut - Degradation On iTunes
Support Degredation by Listening to Juggernaut for Free using MOG.