Current Video Reviews
Cryptopsy - "The Pestilence That Walketh in Darkness"
The Unseen - "You Can't Go Home"
Artist: Cryptopsy
Video: "The Pestilence That Walketh in Darkness"
If you’ve ever wondered what “death metal” is all about, look no further. The pace is brisk, but not frantic. The production is clean, not muddy the way some metal bands are. Jon Levasseur and Miguel Roy are a formidable guitar duo, and they understand teamwork. Metal by definition is guitar oriented rock, and these guys understand it and have developed a sound that allows them both to shine.
Visually, its somewhat foreboding, but, in contrast to a lot of videos in the genre, it doesn’t rely on extremes of light and shadow or loads of FX to give it the scary movie feel. That task is done very well by front man Mike Disalvo with the help of a few pseudo religious props and a handful of worms. Some might find this off putting, but for what it is, it’s really very good indeed.– Rick BrownCheck it out for yourself at: http://music.yahoo.com/ar-289107-videos--Cryptopsy
Artist: Diecast
Video: "These Days"
Diecast have been rocking New England for close to a decade now, and in the last few years have been garnering increasing national attention from hard rock fans. Their sound is undeniably heavy, but it incorporates elements of hardcore punk as well as straight ahead metal. Colin Schliefler can growl with the best, but the choruses of “These Days” give him an opportunity to do some genuine singing, and he makes the most of it.
Visually, it’s pretty much a performance clip, alternatng between an arena stage and an outdoor urban setting. While not particularly original or innovative in this respect, the clip does showcase the band’s energy and stage presence to good effect. – Rick Brown
Check it out for yourself at: http://music.yahoo.com/ar-274954-videos--Diecast
Artist: In Flames
Video: "Take This Life"
It never ceases to amaze me how much good music, cutting across all stylistic borders, keeps coming out of Scandinavia. This rowdy gang of Swedes are just one more example of that. First formed in the late 1980s by veteran metal guitarist Jesper Stormblad, they’ve been through several line up changes over the intervening years. One thing that hasn’t changed is their high energy hack and slash approach.
That take no prisoners style is readily apparent in the new clip “Take This Life”. Set amid the bright lights of a big city, this vid starts is on full afterburner right from the start. It’s three and a half minutes of aggressive, percussion heavy head-banging. Nothing subtle about this one, but it will certainly get you moving. – Rick Brown
Check it out for yourself at: http://music.yahoo.com/ar-271695-videos--In-Flames
Artist: P.O.D.
Video: "Goodbye For Now"
Director: Meiert Avis
Some fans may be nonplussed, or even disappointed by this clip, but I found it fascinating. One thing to keep in mind about this band is that they never seem to be content with any sort of formula. Indeed, their signature sound is that they don’t have one. P.O.D. (it stands for “Payable On Death”) are not afraid to add elements of punk, reggae, hip hop, or practically anything else into their music. The members are all committed Christians, but, please, don’t call them Christian rock.
“Goodbye For Now” is mainly an anthemic power ballad as opposed to the high octane scorchers normally dealt with here. P.O.D. reveal, indeed revel in their “sensitive” side. It’d be easy for that to get really maudlin in a big hurry, but they don’t allow that to happen. The result is a powerful and engaging video that shouldn’t be missed. – Rick Brown
Check it out for yourself at: http://music.yahoo.com/ar-292977-videos--POD
Artist: The Unseen
Video: "You Can't Go Home"
Director: Ian McFarland & Anthony Moreschi
There’s been something of a trend recently toward what might be called an 80s revival. (Some would say they never really went away) In any event, the new clip from Boston’s The Unseen fits right in with that trend. That city has always had an active punk scene, dating back to seminal bands like The Lyres and SSD, and The Unseen are leading lights of the new generation that have picked up the torch.
As you’ve no doubt surmised, the clip is hardcore punk, more than metal, but it has many of the same elements and labels just get in the way. It’s loud, guitar driven, fast, and, most of all, its fun! This is an endearing low budget thrash fest – what punk used to be all about. Enjoy it for what it is. – Rick Brown
Check it out for yourself at: http://music.yahoo.com/ar-300461-videos--The-Unseen