CD Review: Hail The Villain's "Declining" Debut

Canadian rockers Hail The Villain have just released their debut album "Population: Declining" on Roadrunner Records. The band holds nothing back as the album is filled with pure hard rock energy.

The single "Take Back The Fear" sets the stage for an assault in sound. Bryan Crouch's vocals are strong throughout the albums' 12 tracks as the band follows suit in "16 Cradles" and "Evil Has A Name." The energy of "Try Hating The World" is hard to ignore. The song "Swan Dive Suicide" features deep, dark groove as the band follows the musical layout of Black Sabbath. The closing song "Social Graces" just pulsates rock and keep you wanting more.

Hail The Villain have just finished a run of shows in Canada before joining the Rockstar Energy Drink Uproar Festival in August. Check out the band's website (hailthevillain.com) and myspace page (myspace.com/hailthevillain) for dates, information and gear featuring the artwork from Rune Entertainment and bassist Chad Taylor.

CD Review: Soulfly Hits Hard With "Omen"

Soulfly's new album "Omen" hits you right in the face with its deep heavy metal screams and back-breaking sound. The lyrics of songs like "Bloodbath & Beyond" and "Rise Of The Fallen" are simple and repetitive enough to shout them out after only a few listens. But, the lyrics fall second to the band's musicianship. The energy that the band puts out during "Great Depression" and "Vulture Culture" is almost unmatched in metal music today. The album's dark lyrics only entice the overall sound of songs like "Lethal Injection" and "Jeffery Dahmer." Soulfly's album is hard-hitting from beginning 'til almost the end. The instrumental "Soulfly VII" seems out of place, but shows a different side to the band's sound.

Soulfly's new album is available now on Roadrunner Records. The band is currently on tour in Europe. Please visit the band's website (www.soulflyweb.com) for more information.

CD Review: Marcy Playground Is "Leaving Wonderland"

Marcy Playground hit it big in 1997 with the song "Sex & Candy" from their debut album. Since then, the band has tried to recapture that notoriety with minimal success. After their sophomore slump "Shapeshifter," they released the album "MP3" in 2004. After some minor comeback success, Marcy Playground released "Leaving Wonderland...In A Fit Of Rage" in 2009.

The album begins with the lead-off single "Blackbird." Fans will be happy with the band's sound as they stick close to their roots of success. The passion front-man John Wozniak has for this record is felt in the songs "Gin And Money" and "Emporer" containing some of the album's most powerful vocals. The songs "Star Baby" and "I Must Have Been Dreaming" have a sweet, playfulness quality to them. The gentleness of "Irene" and "Good Times" are welcome additions to the band's overall alternative sound. "Memphis," originally released as a b-side, was resurrected for this album and is the strongest song on the album. The stripped down acoustic sound brings out the song's wonderful lyrics.

Marcy Playground will be performing at the Alive At Five in Stamford, CT on July 1st. Also fans can expect an album of "b-sides" and previously unreleased songs expanding through the band's entire 13-year career to be released later this year. For a full list of tour dates and information, check out the band's website www.marcyplayground.com.

Concert Review: Ringo Starr Shines At Mohegan Sun

Sunday night, the Mohegan Sun Arena featured the return of the former Beatle along with the 11th version of his All-Starr Band. The band featured new members like guitarist Rick Derringer, guitarist Wally Palmer and bassist Richard Page. Also returning was former members Gary Wright on keyboards, Edgar Winter on keyboards and sax and drummer Greg Bissonette.

The night was like a musical time machine with songs performed from every era and many of them were number one hits. Each member of the All-Starr Band received their moment in the spotlight performing two of their classic songs. Some of the highlights were Wally Palmer’s energetic “What I Like About You”, Rick Derringer’s ‘60s sing along “Hang On Sloopy” and Gary Wright’s subdued “Dream Weaver.” But, it was Ringo’s solo hits and Beatles’ classics that stole the show. Beginning with “It Don’t Come Easy” and “Honey Don’t,” Ringo easily won the hearts of the audience. The Beatles’ songs “I Wanna Be You Man” and "Yellow Submarine” brought the fans to their feet to sing along. With such a wide catalog of music to choose from, Ringo managed to add two songs from his newest album “Y Not” into the set list, the autobiographical “The Other Side of Liverpool” and the playful “Peace Dream.” The only songs that rivaled the applause for Ringo was an all-out performance of Edgar Winter’s “Frankenstein” and Rick Derringers’s “Rock And Roll Hoochie Koo.” highlighted by his outstanding guitar skills. The harmonizing between the band members was also very impressive during Mr. Mister’s “Kyrie” and The Beatles’ song, “Boys.”

Ringo ended the evening as only a formal Beatle could, with a #1 solo hit (Photograph), and rare b-side (Act Naturally) and closing with the song he is most know for (With A Little Help From My Friends.) The band finished with “Give Peace A Chance” as Ringo wished “peace and love” to all in attendance. As fans exited the arena, many caught a glimpse of the newly added star on the Mohegan Sun Walk of Fame to which Ringo was inducted to earlier in the evening.

Setlist:
It Don’t Come Easy (Ringo Starr)
Honey Don’t (Starr)
Choose Love (Starr)
Hang On Sloopy (Rick Derringer)
Free Ride (Edgar Winter)
Talking In Your Sleep (Wally Palmer)
I Wanna Be Your Man (Starr)
Dream Weaver (Gary Wright)
Kyrie (Richard Page)
The Other Side Of Liverpool (Starr)
Yellow Submarine (Starr)
Frankenstein (Winter)
Peace Dream (Starr)
Back Off Boogaloo (Starr)
What I Like About You (Palmer)
Rock And Roll Hoochie Koo (Derringer)
Boys (Starr)
Love Is Alive (Wright)
Broken Wings (Page)
Photograph (Starr)
Act Naturally (Starr)
With A Little Help From My Friends (Starr)
Give Peace A Chance (All-Starr Band)

CD Review: "Twilight Saga: Eclipse" Soundtrack Full Of Young Talent

One of the biggest movie phenomena's since Harry Potter has captured the youth of this country. The latest movie in the "Twilight" series will be released on June 30 entitled "Eclipse." So, why shouldn't the soundtrack attract some of the most popular alternative music acts of today.

The "Twilight Saga: Eclipse" soundtrack contains songs exclusively recorded for this album. New songs by Metric, and Muse start things off with their alternative pop sounds. The industrial sounds of Florence + The Machine's "Heavy In Your Arms" is a nice contrast to the gentleness of Sia's "My Love." The playful sound of Fan Farlo's "Atlas" is also a nice touch to the mostly alt-rock soundtrack. The album's highlights appear in the middle with songs from The Black Keys and The Dead Weather. Both songs carry the feel of the movie's overall supernatural vibe. The soundtrack finishes with a welcome addition by Cee Lo Green (Gnarls Barkley), "What Part of Forever" and "Jacob's Theme, " the only instrumental song by Howard Shore.

The soundtrack is available now on Chop Shop records in association with Summit Entertainment and Atlantic Records. Please visit www.eclipsesoundtrack.com for more information.