Something Beautiful, Oleander’s first release in over a decade, finds the band sounding all things rejuvenated and reenergized, and, in so many words, this is the best the band has ever sounded. If you’re of the close minded camp that thought Oleander hit their apex at the turn of the century with February Son and/or Unwind, then literally, you haven’t seen nothing yet. It’s evident that the bands self-imposed hiatus was time away well spent, as Something Beautiful offers something for fan of all shapes, sizes and tastes, from penetrating aggro-rockers driven by unrestrained riffs (“Fight,”...

When Red Line Chemistry released their 2011 debut, Dying for a Living, it didn’t exactly make an impact or leave a lasting taste in the mouths of rock fans everywhere, but their sophomore release, Tug Of War, is an emphatic stamp on the scene. The boys show they mean business this time out with “Quiet Hurricane,” a perfect track to set the table for Tug Of War and a harbinger of things to come – booming hooks, stirring vocals and stellar guitar work. The subsequent “Black Roses,” along with the deep cut “Through the Haze,” play like the best songs Earshot and Chevelle never wrote (do NOT mi...

Cryptic, like Here Come the Mummies, a 12-person funk/R&B outfit known for appearing on stage in full mummy attire in an effort to hide their true identities since several members of the band are Grammy nominees due to contract obligations, is incredibly eclectic. Cryptic is hardwired to get you moving via a number of infectious tunes laced with uber-melodic hooks fueled by the vocal work of frontman Mummy Cass (“Devil Better Run,” “Infinity,” “You Know the Drill”). The band can ramp up the funk factor when need be, adding in some horn play to really hammer their point home (“Cruel Old Sun,...

Rainbow’s Live In Munich 1977 finds the band performing in about as raw a setting as they possibly could perform in. There’s not really much production value here to speak of, and to be honest that’s a strength of this live release. Live In Munich 1977 is brimming with towering 1970’s rock, including some of the best renditions of these songs Rainbow has ever performed (“Sixteenth Century Greensleeves,” “Kill The King,” “Mistreated,” “Catch the Rainbow”), though it’s really not until the second disc of this set that Live In Munich 1977 really takes off. A brilliant rendition of "Man on the ...

Chart topping darlings Lady Antebellum are the toast of the country world these days, having sold millions of records and won countless awards, and their debut DVD release, Own the Night World Tour is the perfect showcase as to why they are in the position they are. The majority of the 90-minute concert from Little Rock, Arkansas finds the group firing off hit after hit, including a seemingly endless barrage of No. 1 singles – “Need You Now,” “American Honey,” “I Run To You,” “Our Kind of Love,” “Just a Kiss” and “We Owned the Night,” and, as a matter of fact, there isn’t much performed her...

Patti Smith’s Live at Montreux 2005 is a no-frills DVD full of Patti Smith being Patti Smith, one built for the hardcores due to its simple construction. If you want to get in, watch a short but very sweet live set of Patti Smith material, and get out in relatively short order, then Live at Montreux 2005 is the release for you. This DVD houses a dozen tracks, a smooth mix of cover tunes places her own stamp on, including Buddy Holly's "Not Fade Away" and Bob Dylan's "Like a Rolling Stone,” as well a number of originals such as “Dancing Barefoot,” “Free Money” and “Beneath the Southern Cross...

Well, we’re over halfway through April, and you know what that means – we’re mere weeks away the joyous embrace of summer and now is the time to shore up your track for soaking in the sun’s rays. As we enter the season of blaring pop-punk jams through your stereo’s speakers, there’s no better time for Light Years to release the Parking Lots EP. The new release is just what pop-punk should be – effectively short (2 songs and 1 acoustic), and unapologetically straight to the point, with the opening duo of “Parking Lots” and “Put Myself Together” showcasing what fans can expect from Light Year...

Within a few minutes of Bat Sabbath – Bastards of Reality, Cancer Bats’ five-song homage to some of Black Sabbath’s finest work, it’s clear these Toronto, Canada natives are more than just a group of mere fanboys. The bands picture perfect take on “Children of the Grave,” the initial foray into Bat Sabbath – Bastards of Reality, shows such attention to detail, such painstaking sonic caretaking, that its clear this isn’t just another covers or tribute album – this is flat out Sabbath worship, plain and simple. Hell, can you blame them? Who doesn’t worship Black Sabbath? Frontman Liam Cormier...

If you’re reading this and are a fan of As I Lay Dying, then there is a better than good chance that you’re aware of singer Tim Lambesis’ side-project, well one of them, Austrian Death Machine. After Total Brutal and Double Brutal, now comes Triple Brutal, the next chapter of Lambesis’ sheer man-love for all things Arnold Schwarzenegger and his classic action flicks.

Lambesis is now giving you the chance to contribute to the next ADM album, and not only do you have the chance to contribute, you have the chance to even appear on the record, and furthermore, thanks to Indiegog and Lambesis’ ...