Burning Rain Epic Obsession Album Review

        Burning Rain is an American hard rock band that formed in 1999 from Los Angeles. I am reviewing there last record Epic Obsession which came out in 2013. After listening to Burning Rain I have noticed that their sound is one that not only pays homage to the grunge bands of the 90's era but also has many musical elements of the the 80's era of hard rock making it a very diverse and entertaining album to listen to.

The first song I'd like to point out is entitled "My Lust Your Fate," the minute this song kicks off it has a hard rock vibe that immediately reminded me of the intro riffs in Tool. Combine that with a more raspy vocalist and you've got a new diverse take on a classic sound. This song also has a vibe to it that will immediately transport your mind to some of the great bands of the eighties, as the chorus anthemic rhythm and easily chant-able lyrics will quickly get this song stuck in your head.

The next song that really caught my attention was called "Till You Die" the intro for this song is very fast and sounds like the beginning of an early Motley Crue song. Not to mention the lyrics that chant about living fast till you die. This song is sure to be a hit with any fans of eighties hard rock and metal and even if you are not a fan of that era of music (I dont know how you can't be) this song would be a great way to introduce you to the style that was vastly used in that era. When the guitar breaks out over the drums in an amazing power metal solo your sure to be banging your head like a crazy man.

Then we have the song "Too Hard To Break" which gives us the ballad that we were all craving as we listened to this rocking album. The ballad serves as a great change of pace in the album and slows the music down but doesn't cross the overall rocking vibe on the album. Also I use this term "ballad" lightly because the track is not some horny teenager confessing his love for his fourteen year old girlfriend but a song of actual substance. With lyrics that dont make us feel embarrassed for the singer but actually help us connect with the music on a deeper level.

Then there was of course the track "Our Time Is Gonna Come" the song has an acoustic intro and this really allows for the main vocalist to show case his voice and how impressive his vocal ability is. Since the song is slower then the other songs on the album he is able to sing with more depth and it is very impressive to hear a voice that can not only give off a great raspy sound but also be so clear and calming. The talent of this vocalist is very impressive and this song serves as a great way for a listener to really hear the emotion in the song.

In conclusion Burning Rain is a new hard rock band that is staying true to the sound of there predecessors while adding in some of their own individual flare. Needless to say this creates a very enjoyable listen, if you are still on the fence about downloading the band you can youtube their complete album. Thanks for reading.

Headbangers Heaven Productions.
2016 All Rights Reserved.
Eric Snelling.

Black Sabbath The End Concert Review

For as long as I can remember I've listened to Black Sabbath, I remember clearly the first time I heard Paranoid was on Guitar Hero 3 and since that moment I've been hooked. I started fanatically researching the band getting as much info as I could, and that was my first step in going over to the dark side of the music world. When I saw that this would be Black Sabbaths last tour I jumped on my computer and immediately bought a ticket to see the fathers of heavy metal. The show was a beautiful array of everything I thought a Sabbath show would be. From the very first second that the church bells dinged It was an evil journey through the twisted minds of the men who are credited with starting the genre that we all love.

The first song that opened up was "Black Sabbath" which in my opinion is the perfect opener for the band, the slow and evil song had everyone in the audience singing along. Within the first few moments Black Sabbath had established their eery presence, for a band that is mostly in their late sixties they put on a performance that would put most modern metal bands to shame. Ozzy's voice was as clear as ever and the amazingly talented Tony Iommi and Geezer Butler shredded their guitars. The opening few minutes of the concert reminded everyone in the audience why these men are the rock gods that they are.

After which Ozzy introduced the band members to the sound of thunderous applause and yelled out God bless you all which seemed a little odd after hearing such a dark song. None the less the masses yelled out our love and approval for these monsters of rock. Then "Fairies Wear Boots" began and Ozzy through his trench coat to the side and started to full body head bang. This was when everything kicked off as Tony played the intro to this song with ease and perfection and the entire crowd moved as one as the savage drum fills made our teeth chatter.

The next song I'm going to highlight is "War Pigs" which is one of Black Sabbaths most famous hits, I dont think a single person in the crowd wasn't shrieking the words to this song at the top of their lungs. The opening verse of this song is easily my favourite song chant and apparently everyone else in the amphitheatre thought so as well. As nearly 30 000 voices became one and yelled out the all to iconic "Generals gathered in their Masses, Just like witches at Black Masses" and even the seasoned veterans on stage couldn't hold back their smiles as we all joined together in our love for Sabbath.

Then Sabbath made their way into "N.I.B." which for those of you unfamiliar with the track is about the devil professing his love for a woman. It also happens to have the grooviest bass riff I think I've ever heard. Although the track is lesser known then some of the bigger hits Sabbath has released this is in no way a reflection of how awesome this song is. The lyrics are pure evil and beautiful and combine that with the expert musical beats and riffs and you have the perfect song both live and studio versions are exceptional. however something about the way that the gods of metal play this song live cause an extra chill in the air as the music really has an extra element of evil to it.

Of course we have to mention one of the most iconic songs ever "Iron Man" which is one of the few Sabbath songs that pretty well everyone knows. Theres not much to say about this song other then it was perfectly played as can be expected, Ozzy's voice was dead on and it sounded as though it was straight out of the studio.

For the encore we were given the gift of one of the biggest rock songs of all time "Paranoid" which is hands down the biggest hit Sabbath ever released as pretty well everyone on earth recognizes that signature opening riff. I dont think I've ever screamed a song louder then in that moment, as the near 15 years of being a Black Sabbath fan surfaced and I was eight years old again screaming the lyrics at the top of my lungs with a stupid smile plastered on my face. I couldn't believe how phenomenal this song sounded live in an age of auto tune and bands sounding nothing like their studio albums it was refreshing to see a band doing it right. The voice, riffs and drums were perfect and as the final notes of that concert ran out and the band said their good byes. I couldn't help feel a touch of sadness as I realized that this possibly was the first and last time I will ever see one of the greatest Rock bands ever to walk this earth. Needless to say I was deaf and had that dumb smile on my faxe for the next week or so as I thought back to one of the best concerts I had attended.

Headbangers Heaven Productions.
Eric Snelling.
2016 All Rights Reserved.

Drag The Lake album review "I Am Violence"

         Drag The Lake is a Canadian death metal band from Northern Ontario. The bands  EP "I Am Violence" is one of my favourite death metal albums that I currently own. I've listened to them for roughly two years and have seen them perform live once. When I saw them it was one of the coolest shows I've been  oo to date. Because they are an underground band the venue was above a bowling alley, they had about six-seven bands on the bill. Drag The Lake was the headliner of the show and they got on at about midnight.  There were no barriers security or any real separation between the bands and the fans. In between sets the band members were among the crowd listening to the other bands play. Still one of my fondest memories of any concert was at their show.  I was moshing and tripped onto the stage (the stage is only 2-3 feet off the ground.) Without missing a beat the lead singer Mike threw his arm over me and pushed the mic into my face and had me sing a few verses from the song "I am Violence."

It was such a cool experience and is now the reason why I listen to underground music and was a huge inspiration to me on why I write this blog. After seeing Drag The Lake and seeing the talent they possessed and the caliber of their character as a band, I wanted to give underground bands a voice and let people see how talented they are. To me that show showcased what metal should be there was no ego or anger it was just a bunch of people jamming out and celebrating something they love. Which was just downright amazing. I also briefly met the lead singer Mike after his set and for a band that plays such violent and brutal music they are the niecest guys. So as you can tell Im a bit of a fan girl but none the less I'll get on with the actual EP now, thanks for bearing with me.

The first song on the EP is entitled "Widowmaker" and holy crap is it a great intro, the drums and guitar start, comeing in short quick flashes that get your head instantaneously banging. Then the lyrics open up with the verse "I am a monster" and I kid you not the growl will send shivers down your spine, it sounds like it came directly from the pits of hell. From there the song only gets heavier as it progresses. With the vocals switching in between piq squeals and growls and the guitars and drums doing spaced out slow heavy riffs that make you feel like your moving in slow motion. This song is an insanely heavy start to an insanely heavy album and it only gets better.

The next song is called "Deathrow" and it starts just as heavy as "Widowmaker" sending the listener into a trance as they are taken away by the musical brutality that is being thrust upon them. The lyrics to this song are evil at best and are a perfect match for the music. The drums kick off with some inhuman double kicks that makes my feet sore just thinking about. They'r aren't as many pig squeals in this song as "Widowmaker" but it gives us a much needed eardrum rest. Then about three quarters of the way into the song a guitar solo rises above the tuned down guitars which gives a little bit of an eighties hair metal feel. The solo is very well done and the drummer does a great job of keeping a simple pattern during this time period so as not to overshadow the soloist. 

Then we have my favourite song on the EP "I am violence." This song has the most brutal intro not only on the record but in my opinion out of most death metal artists. I can't even explain to you how juiced this song will make you. Within seconds it kicks off and you are on one rage filled journey and the anger just builds at no point in this song is there a lull in the hardcore elements. It is a freight train from hell and it's got no intention of slowing down. The musical elements of this song are exceptional to as the drums and guitar hammer away in burst having brief pauses only to smash right back into it. The guitars are on quick rapid loops that give this track a thrash metal feel. Especially the kicks in this song. They are once again disgustingly fast and would make bands like Slayer and Hatebreed to have a drummer like this in their genre. The song has no let down and stays heavy till the last second which is absolutely fantastic. If you haven't heard of Drag The Lake before this would be a great song to have their talents showcased.

Then the album finishes off with a song called "To the Crows" which the song title is a pretty good indicator for what your in for. The song is fast angry and brutal and has the signature elements that are in all the other tracks on the EP. The short loops, extremely fast kicks and the vocals that make your skin crawl. In this song though about three quarters into the song there is a guest vocalist. His screams aren't as deep but fit in perfectly with the section of the song that he comes in for. The way they've set up his vocals it sounds like he's almost screaming in pain and trust me when I say when you hear this song it will make perfect sense why it fits in so well. Then they have the breakdown to end all breakdowns. There is about a five second pause of all music and then it hits like a tsunami. This breakdown is on par with bands like Pantera and Carnifex. I challenge anyone here not to head bang during this break down. It can't be done. It's just to perfectly put together.

Over all this band is killer and I think anyone here that's into metal should give this band a listen. Even if your not into metal give it a listen, this album very well could turn you to the dark side and next thing you know your dressed in all black in a jean vest that went out of style forty years ago. For more reviews and updates follow me on Instagram @headbangersheaven 

Thanks for reading.

Headbangers Heaven productions.

Eric Snelling

2016 All Rights Reserved.

Burden Of Sanity Album review "Decimate"

          Today I listened to a band named "Burden Of Sanity" from Miami Florida. The best I could describe the genre of music they play is probably hardcore Punk with some influences of hard rock and some definite grunge. The thing I really liked about this album is the band used their music as a chance to get a message across where as many Punk bands sing about stupid cliches and getting wasted. Burden Of Sanity in no way stooped to the level of filling their music with stupid lyrics about doing drugs in high school or about how there eighth grade girl friend Susan broke their heart. The music has a layer of seriousness and reminded me slightly of Rage Against The Machine.

The first track on the album is called "MLK" and is a great intro to the album as it plays some of Martin Luther King Jr's. famous speeches to the background of a continuous synth loop before slowly the voice becomes over taken by static and we are thrown into the next song.

The next song on the album is entitled "Feel This" and it is awesome, the structure very much reminded me of the drowning pool song "Bodies" but with a new and fresh spin. The song has abrupt starts and stops to the music while the lead singer whispers the trade mark phrase from the song Feel This. The drumming is a very simple and effective pattern that combined with the guitars gradually grows and climbs as the singers vocals become stronger as the song progresses. About a third of the way into the song we are met with a toned down guitar solo of sorts as it shreds quickly and effectively while the drums keep time and make sure that our heads never stop banging even for a second.

The next song that caught my attention was "Sleep Now" which has a slower start with the drums doing the intro to the song and the song maintains it's slow tempo. What it lacks in speed it makes up for in musical capabilities. The guitarist of this band absolutely shreds throughout the entire track constantly changing volume chords with some expert distortion. The guitar in "Sleep Now" definitely makes the track.Then right near the end of the song the tempo completely changes the drums pick up as a savagely beautiful double kick beat bashes through the music and the guitar drops to a lower tempo giving the song a much more hardcore punk feel.

The last song on the album is entitled "Ease The Pain" the intro is again an off beat start that pays homage to bands like Tool but the slow intro is short lived as the guitars kick in. The tempo slightly increases but maintains a mellow sort of transleucent feel that left me feeling like I was in a trance. The drums keep an aggressive and steady beat for the entire song making sure that everyone knows when and how hard to bang their heads.

Over all it was a very good and unique album and if your a fan of Punk or have an interest in unique music I would highly recommend it. If your still on the fence about the album I've attached the sound cloud link below.

 For more posts and information follow me on Instagram @headbangersheaven


Burden Of Sanity sound cloud -----> https://soundcloud.com/jervis_b_o_s/albums

Headbangers Heaven Productions.
Eric Snelling.
2016 All Rights Reserved