Cinemechanica are a math-rock quartet from Athens, Georgia. They are responsible for one of the most aurally exciting albums of the year. The Martial Arts is an exercise in both energy and audacity. While their sound is very reminiscent of early Q and Not U or Drive Like Jehu, Cinemechanica exceed these comparisons with an organically post-modern interpretation of a fundamentally exhausted genre. The Martial Arts begins with a swift, four track sonic bombardment that effectively eradicates everything in its path. The technically taut, dual-guitar attack of Andy Pruett and Bryant Williamson is on full display within the first ten seconds. The duo's sing/shout vocals feverishly cling to the equally systematic rhythm section. After successfully clearing their way, Cinemechanica quietly ease into the album's completely instrumental midsection. "Take me to the Hospital" gently builds to an anxiously melodic crossroad where it is abruptly sabotaged by the chaotic, double drum kit driven "Get Outta Here Hitler." The remainder of the album extends its fiercely mechanical energy with a sporadic vocal approach. The Martial Arts concludes as promptly as it began, leaving only the unnecessary shards of a superfluous genre in its wake. Within a mere half-hour, Cinemechanica have not only proven … Read more
I like to look at pretty girls. It's easy for me; I live near a college and work at a … Read more
You could see this coming. You could see it from miles away if you listened closely and or fanatically collected … Read more
According to the press blurb provided with Four Thirty, Midwestern natives The Great Crusades approached the songwriting process for their … Read more
Archetypal scene dude: So yeah these guys are like super huge in Europe; I am sure they are going to … Read more
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A year ago, Jesu was only a blip on the radar for most of the music world. And then, as if out of nowhere, Justin Broadrick emerged from the swirling rumors in the darkness with his latest project in the form of Heart Ache, a forty minute EP comprised of only two tracks. While the acclaim was limited at first, Jesu's next album steadily climbed to the top of many individuals' most anticipated releases of 2005. Jesu's opener, "Your Path to Divinity," begins with slow moving, droney guitars while simplistic, yet well placed drumming of former Swans member Ted Parson compliments the crawling tones. The song slowly twists its way along before it comes to a close with notes from an organ that has been playing underneath the music for … Read more
Everybody's got a little something to say about Robert Pollard these days. Drunk, father, master singer-vocalist. Many years ago, long before the advent of the Internet a close friend remarked how Pollard could basically do no wrong as he has the gift of having the voice of a bell. True enough. Once again, it's all here on display in Blues … Read more
By now all of should know who Isis is and what to expect from them in terms of their music output. A good number of you are probably familiar with Aereogramme - for those of you not, they're a Scottish band that mixes punishing metal with melodic moments and alt-rock vocals. So what's the deal with this In the Fishtank … Read more
For those that did not hear The Hope Conspiracy's recent teaser 7" Hang Your Cross (which was later released as a CD and in digital format), now is your chance. Let me just say, WOW! I figured that the new full-length, Death Knows Your Name, would be good (this opinion was solely based off of the quality of said 7"), … Read more
It is an awful shame that so many great indie bands often go unnoticed. As Tall as Lions is the perfect example of one of these bands. Here is a group who's already coming out on a small label, but also a label whose target audience is the complete opposite crowd that As Tall as Lions would normally appeal to. … Read more
Lamb of God and I go back a long way. Their second album, As the Palaces Burn, was the album that really got me into them. Actually, it was the album that got me into metal in general. It is one of the select few albums from the so-called "New Wave of American Metal" that has stood the test of … Read more
Spanish is a very musical language. It flows naturally with any rhythm and can accentuate the beauty of a melody like no other. For any artist, this particular romance language is a highly favorable ally. Nueva Etica, an aggressive hardcore/metal band from Argentina, fully embraces their native language. They are also relentlessly direct in their approach to the hardcore genre. … Read more
Sound Weave is a collaboration between Theta Naught and poet Alex Caldiero. Combining cello and bass ambiance with occasional drum theatrics, bewildering soundscapes, and the ardour and insanity of improvisational poetry, it aims to combine a musical experiment "in a symbiotic form with creative language-based explorations." In other words, it sets the words of Alex Caldiero to the music of … Read more
Within hardcore there lies a style of music that has come to known as beatdown. It is an interesting but narrow-minded sub-genre to the whole hardcore realm. Musically, the bands that play this style of music rely heavily on having ridiculously huge breakdowns. I wouldn't be surprised if they wrote the breakdowns first and then surrounded them with the rest … Read more
I haven't paid much attention to anything that Deep Elm has put out since Emo Diaries Volume #5. I always thought this label's marketing of the term "emo" was cheeky as they pawned off any band that had black-rimmed glasses as the next poster boys for shy teenage girls to adorn their room with. Then I heard a buzz floating … Read more
CAUTION: This review was written by someone who DID NOT agree with the Scene Point Blank reviews of New Found Glory's previous album Catalyst. I am all about New Found Glory's discography, start to finish. With that being said, here is the review. You have been warned! When I was younger and up until I listened to this album, I … Read more
Mastodon is on a major label. Does anyone else think this is weird? Good for them, I just think it is strange. So what do they have to show for themselves with their first record for Warner Brothers? Blood Mountain might be the perfect major label debut, well, at least it is for this band. While it is not one … Read more
Lostprophets: a rock critic's dream? If it's not the glossy pop production and so-hook-laden-you-could-fish-with-them songs, we can go the other way and ridicule their male model good looks, painstakingly straightened haircuts and clothing deals, and apparent desire to appear American to unknowing fans. Of course, here at Scene Point Blank we're above such polarities, opting for the neutral middle ground. … Read more
On their latest effort, Now You are One of Us, The Paper Chase's Congleton tells a story about a family trapped inside a ghostly house that is literally out to get them. And in the end they ultimately become one of them. Southern Records describes the album as "the sonic equivalent to George A. Romero's classic zombie films." That's not … Read more
It seemed as though the robots had short-circuited after their debut release. They toured non-stop for a year or two and then disappeared. Many thought the junk yard was the fate for these robots, but it turns out they were just doing maintenance, upgrading and such. Best friends and the only remaining original members, vocalist, Alex Ebert, and guitarist, Timmy … Read more
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