CD Review - Interstelar - "Resin"

Interstelar - "Resin" as reviewed on September 14th, 2016.

As far as the band's bio is concerned, I humbly refer you to their Facebook Page found here.

The Review: 

Favorite songs: High Horse, Opposite Daze

The guys of Interstelar refer to their music as "shoegazy", "doomy", "sludgey" and other various adjectives.  I describe their music as hard rock with gentler tendencies.  This album is a collection of nearly every emotion that one could put into rock music without losing their status as awesome.  "Resin" is a continuous groove of excellence that I haven't heard in a while.  The syncopated rhythms in the melody in Opposite Daze, gives "Resin" a particularly unique quality to its overall sound. 

In a world where today's hard rock sounds like it was created by cookie cutter corporate heels that only appeal to the sheep who will listen, Interstelar is breaking that mold to do something better than the norm.  I expect great things from this band who has already proven that they can compete with those who have been around for a while.

If you haven't done so, go and grab this album, right now.  Sit in a quiet room and absorb the energy that is "Resin" 

On Erosion Factory I gave this album 4.5 out of 5 stars.  I should be shot.  5 stars!

CD Review - LoboLoto "Even the Stones Fall"

It is with great pleasure that I present to you my CD review of "Even the Stones Fall" by LoboLoto.

Band bio: 

 Where is the band from?
LoboLoto is from Ferrara, a city near Bologna (Italy).

Who are the band members?
I'm the only band member. My name is Alice Lobo and I composed and wrote (music and lyrics) every single track of LoboLoto.  For live gigs, I'm accompanied by other two musicians whose names are Matteo mangherini (guitars) and Edoardo Cavallari (drums).

How long has the band been together?
From June, 2016.

Did any members of the band work in other musical projects before this?
Yes. Matteo has a duo called 'Duo Orchestra' and Edoardo a duo called "Endless Mind' (The are both amazing!)
As for me, I played in a lot of music projects, but the most important that brought me to my sound was the last, named "The Maimers'. It was an electronic duo from me at Lyrics and melody and Alberto Nemo, who wrote the music.
One of the songs that we wrote together, 'Can You Save me?" (I was particularly close ot that) is included in the new album 'Even the Stones Fall'.

Where was the album made?
The album 'Even the Stones Fall' was made in my home studio. Then, to record the guitars, the mixing ad the master, I leaned againt the Animal house Studio of Federico Viola.  In some songs, like ' Farewell', 'Please Me', 'Can You Save Me?' and 'Se-Me' the guitars were played by Mattia Cenacchi e Matteo Maragno.  You can listen to the drums of Italo Graziana in the song "Please Me' and to the piano of Friedrich Cane in 'Farewell' and 'Anna'.

Who produced the album?
The album was entirely written and composed by me.

Who does the songwriting?
I do the songwriting except for 'Anna', that's a cover song of Lucio Battisti, and Italian musician of the '60s-'70s and for 'Tacheles', wrote together with Artan Rroku.

Who are your musical influences?
It's really difficult for me to answer because I think that music is born from the experiences and emotions of who produce it, which are later mixed with those of the listener, but I don't believe that the music of some artist can influence the writing and composing of another's.  However, I don't listen to much music, and I think that the one that listen is completely different by mine, like Jeff Buckley, Nick Drake, David Bowie, Antony and the Johnsons, Pink Floyd, Brian Eno...I also listen to a lot of classical music, like Franz Liszt, Frederich Chopin, Johann Sebastian Bach, Sergei Rachmaninoff and many others.

What was the message or goal of this album?
I think that music is the most important thing. I think that is the origin of all things. In the recent years, the man has turned away from listening to the music, thus losing the sense of humanity, empathy, that serves to give a meaning to life and to everything that we do. My goal is, in my small way, to rekindle the hidden emotions, those of which we no longer speak, that lie to the sense of shame and fear, leading to the historical period we are living...

Do you plan on touring to promote this album?
Yes!
In Italy is increasingly difficult ot find events and pubs or clubs that are available to 'risk' with emerging artists, but never give up is one of my mottos, and I hope this could be the beginning of a lot of gigs to promote my album 'Even the Stones Fall'.

What are your goals for the future?
A lot of live gigs and...A second album.

Where can people buy your music?
Here you ca find my music or put a 'like' to my socials:
FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/alicelobomusic
YOUTUBE: www.youtube.com/channel/UC3GKDM6aUPL2TZPrzsSq9iQ
BANDCAMP: https://loboloto.bandcamp.com
SOUNDCLOUD: https://soundcloud.com/alice-lobo-4



The Review: 

  Sultry, sexy voice of Alice Lobo.  This fabulous artist is from Ferrera, Italy.  She describes her music mostly as experimental, but I consider it a little bit of most genres, but mostly darkwave.  There are beautiful melodies of piano and other synths that create some of the most eerie and beautifully tailored atmospheres that I have heard in a while.  This is an album worthy of any music collector.  Oh, and I hope that you have brushed up on your Italian before listening to the song Anna.  "Even the Stones Fall" is a reviving breath of fresh air that will enlighten the soul and give the listener reason to ponder. 
This album has it all!

This is definitely an album that is best listened to in a dark room or while pondering the meaning of life.  It is the perfect blend of darkness and light......

Artist Spotlight (August 10th, 2016) - FREELITE

Chosen with care, this week's Artist Spotlight:

Freelite

Seriously, though. Not much is known about this amazing rock band from Belarus.  You'll just have to check them out for yourselves. Click on their picture to go to their Facebook page!

Artist Spotlight (August, 3rd, 2016) CHAOS DELIVERY MACHINE

Proudly bringing you this week's Spotlight Artist: 

Chaos Delivery Machine

Bio:

This Hermosa Beach, CA based trio has released an album that has taken an exhausting and life-threatening journey of over 8 years to complete. Created by former 98 Mute band mates Jason Page (guitarist/music) and Justin Thirsk (throat/drummer/ words), whose older brother, Jason Thirsk (R.I.P.), was the founding member and former lyricist/bassist of Pennywise. The lineup is rounded out by Pennywise co-founder and guitarist Fletcher Dragge (co-throat/bass/producer.)

If you love punk rock, you're going to love Chaos Delivery Machine. They are amazing!

CD Review - (August 3rd, 2016) Blue Helix - A Tale of Two Halves

Blue Helix

Bio:
Blue Helix is a musical quartet on the cutting edge of modern rock with a uniquely potent blend of the core genre and its many sub-genres. Following in the hallowed footsteps of instrumental pioneers from Threshold to Led Zeppelin, their energy derives from the steel-on-steel sparks where rock fights itself for raw dominance - technique locked tooth-in-claw with a fierce need to be apart from the establishment, partly for its own sake and partly to stay just as righteous as it always wanted to be. Yet in the fight to stand out, there is also a struggle to learn and to be understood. In the indomitable spirit of strength that embodies rock, Washington's Blue Helix stand against the darkness and for something much greater. Thriving on the energies and individual personalities of each member, Blue Helix reigns as a tribute both to its members's lives and to their vision. 

CD Review: 

Favorites Songs: Escape, Bullets

A Tale of two Halves is exactly what hard rock should sound like.  Don’t get me wrong, this album has plenty of tender moments that may bring a tear to a cold heart’s eye. 

Lyrics on A Tale of Two Hearts are thought-provoking, passionate and beautifully written.  There seems to be an ongoing theme of unreciprocated love.  I think we’ve all been there at one point or another.  These songs are sung with so much heartfelt emotion that it is difficult not to give this album one’s full attention…many times….

Each track brings its own individual tone an quality that brings the album together full circle. If you have not had the chance to listen to this album yet, visit their Soundcloud page, or better yet, buy their album wherever it is sold, such as iTunes, CDbaby or Reverbnation. You won't be sorry you did.

CD Review (July 17th, 2016) - THE SWEETEST CONDITION - 'EDGE OF THE WORLD"

Ordinarily, I save my CD reviews for Erosion Factory Radio Show, however, due to the two week hiatus I decided that it would be a wonderful idea to do a CD review for my other show A Walk on the Dark Side.  So here it is in all its glory:

The Sweetest Condition:


BIO:
(As lovingly borrowed from their Facebook Page):

THE SWEETEST CONDITION is an industrial + synthpop + darkwave band, featuring Jason Reed Milner (music + synths) and Leslie ...I. Benson (lyrics + vocals), which blends iconic sounds of the ’80s, industrial muscle of the ’90s, and cinematic soundscapes. The band derives inspiration from Depeche Mode, Nine Inch Nails, The Birthday Massacre and others.

After releasing their five-song EP, “Truth & Light,” in April 2013, the female-fronted duo moved from Indianapolis, Ind., to Nashville, Tenn., where they teamed up with producer and sound engineer Joel Lauver of Burning Bridge Recordings to produce their debut full-length album, “Edge of the World,” which was released on Aug. 28, 2015. A second album, currently in the works, is set for release in 2016.

DISCOGRAPHY:
- New Album: For Release in 2016!
- "Edge of the World" Debut Album: Released on Aug. 28, 2015.
- "Truth & Light" EP: Released April 30, 2013.

CD Review: EDGE OF THE WORLD

Favorite songs: Miles Away, Now, Control

After having discovered this album several months ago, it is one that I have not got a week without playing in its entirety at least three times a week.  It's dark, it's edgy, it's got a darker pop vibe that cannot be ignored.  And, with influences such as Depeche Mode, Nine Inch Nails, Portishead and The Cure among others, it is hard to deny the excellence that is Edge of the World. 

Leslie brings a passion to the songs with a voice that is as sultry as it is commanding. Topics of every song on the album are easily identifiable with experiences in my own personal life.  Especially Miles Away.  I think we've all known someone like that.

Let's not forget Jason's incredible way of bringing the music to life with his use of synths.  Together they bring a blend of imaginative songs that are simply outstanding.

Edge of the World brings a mountain of danceable songs that will kill on any dance floor.  Who can resist the upbeat rhythms, stompy basslines or melodies that take you away to another world? Not this girl!  It's an amazing collection of songs that are gripping from beginning to end.

In short, Edge of the World is worthy of any goth/synthpop/industrial collection.  Check them out on Facebook by clicking on their picture above!

Spotlight Artist (July 6th, 2016) MOUCE

After pondering for a span of minutes, I bring you Erosion Factory's featured artist:

Mouce

Stealthily borrowed from their Facebook page:

There are those among us who grind to make their dreams of being an artist a reality. With that being said,, I introduce you to one of those people - Mouce aka Mouce Trap.

This Orlando native began selling homemade cds and tapes made on a karaoke machine in high school. Shortly after, Mouce started his own record company Low-G Records.

To see my review of their CD "Black Tiger" click here.

CD Review - Oira 317 - "Torment of Wingless Angel"

"Torment of Wingless Angel" by Oira 317 as reviewed on June 15th, 2016.

Artist Bio:

Where is the band from?

-The band is from very south of Poland, evey member of our group 317utc is from here (we are little 'secret society', so we prefer to not show our real names and city yet), people who helped me develop Oira 317 or Zrodzony - Matsumarii, V.

Who are the band members?

-Currently the band members are Oira Threeoneseven (at the beginning known as Michail Janovich) - me, and V. who works with me on production and samples. 

How long has the band been together?

-The band exists since march of 2014, after Zrodzony's pause in activity. And of course exist now too. 

Did any members of the band work in other musical projects before this?

-I worked in Zrodzony before i started Oira 317. 

Are any of the members of the band currently in any side projects?

-Yes, I am working again in Zrodzony, and both with V. we are part of The Red Union project.

Where was the album made?

-Album was made in our 'little home studio' - so we can just say that our music is homemade.

Who produced the album?

-Album was produced by me (Oira) and V. But also - all the people who helped us sound better - we asked our friends about quite lot of things, for example - volume of vocals. I want to say 'thank you' to them all. 

Who does the songwriting?

-All songs are written by Oira 317.

Who are your musical influences?

-Musical influences are mainly Blam Honey, 2Bullet, Skinny Puppy, Gackt, Schwarz Stein, last time I feel I am a lot inspired by Stillborn Diz. But also we have been inspired by Stabbing Westward, Black Tower and Moderl Talking! 

What was the message or goal of this album?

-We wanted so make a physical album with best (IMO) songs from our albums from past - it was sealing of past and beginning od new era of project (I hope). It contains also unreleased yet songs! At most songs are very symbolical - politics + emotions + philosophy in a Fairy Tale convention.

Do you plan on touring to promote this album?

-We never played live yet and probably in close future we will not.

What are your goals for the future?

-We want to get more fans and people who will show us love, also as part of Elektro Villain group we want to promote this label/compilations and promote great artists connected to it. We want to develope and bring to people some good music and souvenirs. Make new friends and - in future - start to play live.

Where can people buy your music?

People can find our music (digital and physical in very attractive price) on our bandcamp:  317utcrecords.bandcamp.com  - or contact us directly on facebook or on oira.electro@gmail.com

CD Review:

Favorite songs: Delusional Fermentality, Beloved Mother

When it comes to industrial music, most people think of Germany.  However, that is not always the case as Oira317 proves.  Hailing from Poland, this amazing artist breaks the stereotype and brings us Torment of Wingless Angel.  But, if you're looking for a soft, delicate flower go find a rose garden.

This albums features all that one would expect from a heavy hitting industrial piece.  Eerie synths melodies, low growly vocals and heavy, distorted drumlines, which in themselves gives this album its own unique flavor. Like those found in Beloved Mother and Delusional Fermentality. Perfect blends of everything that is great about industrial music. Great feeling can be heard in Wingless Angel.  It's one of the tracks that I play repeatedly throughout the day. 

I enjoyed Torment of Wingless Angel very much and keep Oira 317 in a constant rotation on SoundCloud.  I definitely recommend this album to anyone who enjoys the likes of Skinny Puppy, Combichrist etc... 

Spotlight Artist (June 29th, 2016) ZEN ROBBI

Chosen with a loving heart, I give you this week's Spotlight Artist:

Zen Robbi

From Los Angeles, CA emerges the nastiest power trio rock and roll has seen sin...ce the dawn of the millennium. For nearly 8 years now, the titanic trio have been terrorizing audiences across America with their rambunctious funk and ridiculous good looks. Led by the notorious pirate Captain Mic Dangerously, Scott Wittenberg and Timmy "Too Tall" Baker are the back bone to a beast of a band that is on the road to musical superstardom. Fusing rock, soul, swing, jazz and funk these boys can play, and they mean business.

Go ahead and give them a like an a listen.  Next time they play, be sure to go out and support their show!

CD Review - PreCog - "Are We Lost"

This week's CD review comes to us from one of my favorite new bands:

PreCog

Artist Bio:

Where is the band from?

The band is based out of Nashville, TN. However I (Jason) live in Louisville, KY.  Both Gerald and Raevynn live in Nashville. 

Who are the band members?

The band originally started with Just Gerald and I. We recently started gearing up for live shows and after running through a few practice sets we felt like something was missing. So we started looking for a third. Raevynn tried out two weeks ago and both Gerald and I were blown away. She brings a ton to our music, great harmonies & live strings.

So now PreCog has gone from a Duo to Trio.

Jason Thomas- Vocals/synth/Composer
Gerald Josef- Piano/synth/Composer/Programmer
Raevynn Nicole-Piano/Synth/Violin/Vocals

How long has the band been together?

Gerald and I started PreCog late December 2015. We finished our first album mid-February 2016.  Overall we have been playing together for little over six months. 

Did any members of the band work in other musical projects before this?

I have had a few projects. The most recent being my wife and I’s group Citadel. We recorded several songs together. A few originals and several covers, and it’s actually because of citadel that Gerald messaged me to work together in the first place. Some songs from this project have been adapted for PreCog, and we kept the lovely vocals of my wife Diana Thomas in the tracks as harmonies. You can hear tracks from Citadel here.
https://soundcloud.com/the_citadel

Gerald has been in TONS of music projects.  Gerald's music career began in Detroit in 1985 when he formed his first synth/pop band, Line Society. Gerald worked for Prince with George Clinton on songs for the movie, Graffiti Bridge, in 1989. A year later, Gerald toured Berlin playing with many of his synth heroes. In the early 1990's, Gerald formed Clockhouse and signed to the German label, Crilex. Additionally, he co-authored four No.1 Christian songs with Code of Ethics. In 2013, Gerald co-wrote and produced a five-song EP with Austin Gibbs, entitled With Butter (available on iTunes). In 2014, he formed Turncoat Taylor & Sound Agency, Both 80's synth/pop band.  You can hear several of his tracks from various projects here

https://soundcloud.com/gerald-josef

Raevynn has worked on solo projects in the past as well as a combination of originals and covers. Raevynn has also played piano and violin for a few other group projects, most notably for indie artist T.F. Pauly

Are any of the members of the band currently in any side projects?

Both Raevynn & I have currently dropped all other group projects to focus on PreCog. However Gerald still writes and records for Sound Agency and Clockhouse. 

Where was the album made?

The album was made in two different Locations, My home Studio where I recorded all the vocals and composed several tracks, As well as Gerald’s Home Studio where he did the same. All the mixing and Mastering was done by Gerald though. He has a gift for making everything sound perfect. 

 Who produced the album?

Gerald and I took care of everything ourselves. 

Who does the songwriting?

It’s a huge mix of us both. Usually I will start on a song and send it over to him to write on and Vice Versa. This allows us to give a general direction of where we want the song to go & the overall feel. Then we usually just let one another run free and see what we can come up with. I have never had a song come back from Gerald that I disliked. We both think so much alike musically that everything seems to always fall into place. 

Who are your musical influences?

I am heavily influenced vocally by groups like Active Child, Aqualung, & Dan Black. The way they bend their notes and also their falsetto sound has always been a huge inspiration for me. Musically I take a lot away from groups like Massive Attack, Little Dragon, Gorillaz, & Depeche Mode.

Gerald is heavily influenced musically by groups such as Depeche Mode, Tori Amos, Peter Gabriel, & Kate Bush. Bringing several aspects from each group out in his composing and playing styles. 

What was the message or goal of this album?

Are we lost is based on personal struggles, whether my own personal problems, or those of others I heard about in one way or another. It’s the journey of facing your inner demons and pushing yourself above, because in some way all of us are lost, but we aren’t lost forever. We always find our way.

For instance, Broken sun is a song about (after a short period of me being the worst person in the world) I began looking back on the relationships it destroyed and the people I hurt, and it felt as if I had destroyed my entire universe. Then making the journey of seeking forgiveness from those I hurt.

Whereas Little Devil is about our inability to make decisions for ourselves that are positive. We are constantly hearing ways that we can improve our life; & grow to be a better person. Yet the more you look at the world, the more you see that we are happily sprinting so far in the other direction. Even though we know it’s going to kill us, we bend, break, and beat our bodies till there is nothing left and once the damage is done we look back and think “Well crap..why did I do any of that?”

Each song tells its own story of internal struggles. 

Do you plan on touring to promote this album?

I think we are interested in possibly a small tour. However Gerald and I both have families to take care of. They have & always will come first.  So we are currently looking at options for touring, but making sure to keep it reasonable so we can also keep up with our familial obligations. 

What are your goals for the future?

We are currently looking at signing with a European label to further promote our music overseas. We do feel like our music would do better over there just seeing to how our style of music is a little more widely accepted. However we do see the beginnings of a movement bringing back genres such as synthpop/synthwave/darkwave/dark electronica, & we would love to be part of that movement!

Where can people buy your music?

They can stop by our band camp https://precog.bandcamp.com and grab our 14 track debut album Are We Lost for 8 dollars. We have had quite a response on there & its been a little overwhelming. Even though its not much both Gerald and I never expected to make more than $0.00 with our music. We want to thank all those whom supported our music these past few months. Also we would like to personally thank you both Onyx & Raven. We truly appreciate the support you have shown us! 

CD Review:

Favorite Songs: Monster, Little Fragments

Usually, when I review a CD for Erosion Factory (on air) I have a long (or sometimes short) piece written out ahead of time because I have trouble at times finding the words I wish to convey about the album I am reviewing.  This did not happen with PreCog's "Are We Lost".  I have listened to this wonderful debut album everyday for two months at least.  Yes, it is THAT amazing!

One need only listen to the combination of synths, melodies and harmonies, to know that Depeche Mode is a huge influence for this group.  Now, some people might not wish to be compared to other artists, but there are times when it just cannot be helped.  Now, this is not to say that PreCog is not completely individualistic.  They truly bring a unique flavor to a genre of music that spans well over three decades. Their perspective on the ongoing theme that we are all monsters on the inside at some point.  It is something that really hits me close to home.

For those that are looking for something a bit more dancey, they will be pleasantly surprised. I would recommend "Dig In" and for those looking for something introspective, "Filthy Pig" and "Monster" are just what the doctor ordered. 

As previously mentioned, the harmonies on every song are brilliantly executed and some of the most beautiful I have heard in a while.  It is almost difficult to believe that these come from Jason, as I have heard is speaking voice and I am pleasantly surprised by the beauty that pours forth from his soul. 

I am very excited to see what Raevynn brings to the PreCog table in their next album.  In my opinion it can only help to enhance what Gerald and Jason have already done and in such a minimal amount of time.  It is quite difficult to believe that they have only been around since December of 2015

I cannot say enough wonderful things about "Are We Lost".  You will just have to do yourselves a favor and check them out on your own.  I know that they have a few shows coming up. If you are in the Nashville area, go out and support them!  I know I would if I could!