Douglas Bales has a 2 track single, a tribute to Joe Strummer.

About Doug Bales

Doug Bales has been a drummer, he reckons, for about 35 years. For much of that time, he’s been playing behind his mates in Uncle Lightnin’. Friends since childhood, the band made music together in the early 1990s. About seven years ago he began playing with Travis Kilgore and Mark “Porkchop” Holder in the trio MPH. But most recently he’s played a couple of gigs with a band of his own called Doug Bales and The Upstarts. He’s written a bunch of songs ( several of which date back to the days when he was with Uncle Lightnin’) and recently released an EP. The lead song on the Ep is a tribute to Joe Strummer. He played that song and a number of the other new songs in the studio in the library with Uncle Lightnin’ playing behind him. At some point, he figures to put his own band together and take them on the road. In the meantime for this session he’s back with the band he calls his “family.”
 

Link: https://open.spotify.com/album/0lWfanpFwGJee9GxbFptKB?si=Rprgns1zRb2SNOaRzQ8bvA

The Review

The first track from this single I'll be reviewing is, "Saint Joe" (A Tribute To Joe Strummer). This track  starts out with drums and a guitar hum setting the stage for this track. then comes in the drums, that leads into the vocals. This bands sound is like early 90's punk rock. the lyrics at the break states, (Saint Joe, Saint Joe, We Need You More Than Ever.." This track has a rich guitar sound along with with that punk style vibe. The drums are phenomenal and the bass line dances with vocals and  drums. If your into punk rock, I definitely recommend you listen to this track, you won't be disappointed.

The second track that I reviewed is, "Sing This Song".  This song starts out with a piano, guitar and the vocalist. The piano play chords in a soft manner. Along with the piano what is being sung is, " Ain't enough pints in heaven, To Help Me Sleep Tonight". God know I relate. I've been there once or twice in my life. This song is just Beautiful with the piano and guitar playing together in a bluesy fashion. This track is amazing with the piano melody and the guitar leads stetting the mood fro the track. This track is just piano, guitar, bass, and the vocalist singing about hardship.. This has to be my favorite track on this two song single. This track is a must listen to.

In conclusion, this two track single is amazing. The style between the two singles is different in nature. But it seems from my point of view that they are both about the same subject, one needing a saint more that ever, and the other track about the blues of life. I think we can relate to these two track to our own lives. At least I did, readers give Doug Bales tracks a listen and sit back and think to yourself about the hard time's and the longing for better in all our lives.

Review by: SchizoFranic
Link: https://linktr.ee/SchizoFranic

pMad has an album..."Who Why Were What"

Getting to know pMad...

 Paul Dillon is a solo artist called pMad is based in Portumna, Co. Galway, Ireland

Paul has been in bands The Suicidal Dufflecoats, Starve the Barber to now being a member of The Greeting & his solo project pMad.

His debut album 'Who Why Where What' was recently released worldwide on cd and as a download.

Recorded the album in the middle of a pandemic and it is created in collaboration with Ireland (Zedakube Recording), Germany (Protonaut Studio) & Mexico (Elith Mastering Labs) without ever being in the same room together.

 There is the influence of The Mission / Killing Joke and the sound of Post-Punk and a bit of New Wave in there – There’s even Bauhaus, Blondie, Cabaret Voltaire, Siouxsie And The Banshees and Waterglass and The Horatii & the bass-led sound of the Sisters Of Mercy, and the puckish sense of humor of The Cure on ‘Except Me’. Bits of Joy Division in the vocal performances as well as The Undertones in the phrasing of the singing & so many more!! Some might say!

 pMad singles ‘Who Am I’, ‘Medicine’, ‘Broken’, ‘Horror’, ‘Sisters’, ‘Youth’ and ‘Except Me’ has now got radio plays worldwide in over 80 countries and his debut album is getting critical acclaim. The album and tracks have been played on many national radio stations, #1 in many Indie Charts and Top 10 and 25 in lots of charts in the UK, USA and worldwide in songs of the year compilations.


LINKS:

https://linktr.ee/pMadtheband
https://open.spotify.com/artist/3Aa4yRuvDQBCj7o0uip3fW 

https://www.youtube.com/c/pmadtheband
https://www.facebook.com/pMadtheband/
https://twitter.com/pmadtheband
https://www.instagram.com/pmadtheband/
https://www.tiktok.com/@pmadtheband
https://soundcloud.com/pmadtheband

The review..."Who Why Were What" The Album

This Album has 13 tracks on it. I'll be reviewing two of the one's I like the best.. So lets get to it!!

The first track that I'll be reviewing is actually the first track "Who Am I" This song starts out with an amazing bass line...that leads to the guitars and vocals. The vocals start out singing.."Woo H ooh...then he sings "Why Do You Bring Me Down, Why Do You Leave Me Bound, Your Living A Lie" as to state a broken relationship or situation gone sour. This track has outstanding effects played in the background similar to the Cure. the percussion is brilliant with pounding drums that sucks you into the song and gets you bobbing your head. All through this track the bass is just pumping, sounds absolutely outstanding. I can't stress that enough. You readers have to check this track out. It is a rocking track.

The second track I'll be reviewing is..." I Am." This Track is absolutely great and kinda controversial. Again it starts out with an amazing bass line along with a guitar that sounds like Joy Division. This track is about how other's see your sexuality. The vocals start out stating...."You would see me as you want to, life see me as they want to, I am a boy, and I am a girl." a bit controversial as I said before but, you readers get to hear the other side of the coin. later in the track pMad sings..."I Am A Straight Boy, I Am A Gay Boy." That's in your face reality of how the other side of the coin... lives their life every day in today's society, no matter where you live. latter in the track he also states.."I Am Me" telling the listener who this person relates him or herself personally. This track is bold and taboo in today's society, but, pMad puts it out there. Readers give it a listen, see how the other side of the coin feels about how they feel about themselves plus, how society sees them.

In conclusion, I really liked this Album. I liked the honesty and in your face truth about sexuality and troubled relationships. Tracks that are bold and not for the faint of the heart. This is an album about real life situations that nobody wants to talk about because it is considered taboo. I must say it is straight forward in your face topics. But, I respect that in your face tracks about life and all that life has in it. Hats off pMad for making this amazing album.


Review by: SchizoFranic
Link: https://linktr.ee/SchizoFranic

SWELTR has a debut single ...What's It Gonna Be?

 A Bit About SWELTR...

SWELTR are a two piece band from the North Dublin region, officially announced to the world on Thursday the 27th of October and released the debut single on Halloween October 31st.
Taking inspiration from what they experienced as children, teens, and now somewhat adults, SWELTR are not afraid to embrace who they truly are.
Shaped by the sites and sounds around them, SWELTR are inspired by even the most outlandish thoughts and ideas, anything is food for thought to these guys.

Former members of the Dublin Post-Punk scene, Noel and Tony are back with a new and fresh understanding and take on the Punk sound, while maintaining the same gut wrenching energy and thump they carried in their previous project. The lads have worked extremely hard and are now ready to begin their journey starting with a ferocious debut single - “What's It Gonna Be?” produced by the band themselves and mixed and mastered by Tony Keyes.

Where to find SWELTR:
https://linktr.ee/sweltrband

The Review... "What's it Gonna Be?"

What's it Gonna be starts out with amazing roaring guitars introducing the vocalist. Tony sings "Clear as the day gets, clear as the mind could be." As the track go to the verse Tony signs as if he is facing adversity and how he feels about it, frustrated. In a strong belting voice gives the listener the feeling of what Tony is going through. Which I can relate to it I've been there once or twice in my life. the drums in this track is outstanding, well played! SWELTR does amazing vocals with guitars pausing then vocals come in sound outrageously good at the chorus. At the chorus Tony sings. "What's it gonna be...?" in a roaring voice. Singing like he just had enough of whatever the situation is, possibly a woman. Tony sounds as if he is taking a stand and wants to know, "What's it gonna be..?

in conclusion, This is a really outstanding punk duo. I really enjoyed this track because it is in your face truth. SWELTR'S  track is a track we all can relate to, possibly some might be going though what this track message is about. I really loved their roaring guitar's  all through the track. The drums and bass was phenomenal they get your head bobbin. In my opinion this is a really good punk band. If you want to jam this is the band that will take you there.


Article by: SchizoFranic
Link: https://linktr.ee/SchizoFranic

KNETX - "Ruined"

6 out 5

You know, during my twenty years in the music business I've heard about a million grunge bands that all claim to be the next Nirvana and obviously, 99% of those don't even come close. This is why I don't go for this genre very often. The problem is that usually, even though always loud, these track, fort the most part at least, lack real fire and the explosive energy that you need to hear in order for your brain to register that you are listening to grunge. If you open your dictionaries, the definition for the word grunge is: dirt. Michael Monroe of Hanoi Rocks once sung about "life getting you dirty." I feel that grunge should do the same thing. It should get you dirty.

"Ruined" by KNETX (how you pronounce the name of the group is beyond me) is a track that's sleazy enough to get the job done: you'll get dirty. That of course is not the track's real merit. The real merit is that this song is a brilliantly written pop/rock tune that's played and sung with such vigour and passion that it won't leave anybody cold. In fact, it's such an electrifying performance that if you feel unmoved when listening to it, you need to get your head and heart examined. 

Listen here: "Ruined" by KNETX

News post by Tom Tikka for MBTM

Reign of the Hated

PUNK IS BACK!
by Anthony Hurney

Reign of the Hated is an upcoming punk / metal band hailing from New Jersey, USA. They have just released their debut EP 'Manic Psychosis' which features tracks such as 'There for You' and of course the title release 'Manic Psychosis'. Frontman Cain and bassist Ophelia advocate for positive mental health awareness and support anti-bullying campaigns in all forms, and this is clearly presented within their music and social media presence.

I managed to approach Reign of the Hated earlier today and here is what frontman Cain had to say about the band and their debut EP release...

"I have always had a passion for metal music since the age of 13 and after first hearing the band 'Children of Bodom', I instantly knew that I wanted my own metal band and started working on my vocal techniques in around 2007. My girlfriend made the suggestion that I use the name 'Reign of the Hated' and I started to perform some acoustic sets here and there. It wasn't until after the pandemic started that the band officially came together. Upon recovering from a near fatal experience with COVID-19, I was struggling to find a line-up for the band so Ophelia agreed to help me, and since June 2020 we have been writing songs together."

It was great to catch up with Reign of the Hated and hear their story about how the band was formed. It is clear that they use music as an outlet to talk about their life experiences and things that have affected them and the people close to them.

Since the release of the debut EP, the band hopes to perform at various music festivals throughout 2022 with a keen goal to be represented by a record label. Most of all, Reign of the Hated wishes that their music touches fans and aims to help listeners relate to their music.

Their sound is edgy and emotional and I couldn't help pick up on a range of influences from artists that have inspired me over the years such as Deftones and Mudvayne to name but a few. When I asked the band what influences them the most, they told me that their music is strongly driven by life, love but also the stories of their fans too. For Ophelia, her main inspiration is her late Grandfather who sadly passed away during the pandemic, he too was a keen musician which she took much inspiration from, later ending up using her talents to help Cain in the band.

Reign of the Hated are an upcoming metal band from Port Reading in New Jersey and are not to be missed!

You can follow them on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/OfHated

You can also access their debut EP 'Manic Psychosis' on major streaming services now.

Article by Anthony Hurney The Coherent Alliance (@COHERENT_MUSIC) / Twitter