Tag Archives: Michael Wagener

MINDCAGE – Our Own Devices CD review

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I receive a lot of CDs for review. Sometimes there are those which stand out from others. Our Own Devices is one such CD. While I have been hesitant about putting a genre to bands. sometimes it has to be done. I have had a while to digest this CD and delve into its depths and it falls into the Progressive Metal category. From the opening it grabs a hold of you. The formula that came together to make this CD come to life is nothing short of miraculous. The musicianship and vocal work are world-class and the world should step up and take notice. The CD is full of songs that are uniquely Mindcage and yet familiar to the ears. Just when you are lost within the dystopian  world Mindcage paints with Our Own Devices its over and you find yourself back in your own everyday world reaching for the replay button to hear it all again. Stellar vocals, killer riffs, chest crushing bass and thunderous drums all included.   There is a very cool story being told in this CD and I challenge you all to find it and come back here and post about your thoughts and musings.  Here is the track listing:

1.    Cadence March

2.    For All Mankind (The Dark Design)

3.    Our Own Devices

4.    The Human Race

5.    At Full Steam

6.    Firefly

7.    The One Constant

8.    Arabella’s Arc

9.    The Serenity Sequence (Renaissance Pt. I)

10.  The Grand Restoration (Renaissance Pt. II)

     I have been trying to pick some standout tracks and there are only two that I can put above any of the others. “The Human Race” and “Firefly” love ’em both and I think you will as well. Kudos to Mindcage for an OUTSTANDING piece of work.

Be sure to check Mindcage out online at: http://www.mindcagemusic.com and https://www.facebook.com/mindcageband and if that isn’t enough check out the video for “The Human Race” :

     Special shout outs to Kinematic Music for getting behind a band like Mindcage and to Michael Wagener for incredible mixing and production.

     “Our Own Devices from Mindcage will leave you breathless and wanting more.” – the Hellion

MINDCAGE RELEASES EPIC VIDEO FOR “THE HUMAN RACE;” OUR OWN DEVICES DROPS TUESDAY

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MINDCAGE RELEASES EPIC VIDEO FOR “THE HUMAN RACE;”

OUR OWN DEVICES DROPS TUESDAY

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The official video for “The Human Race” from Florida-based progressive metallers Mindcage is now online athttp://youtu.be/uczkeEevnGc  The full album, OUR OWN DEVICES, drops Tuesday, September 17.

A dark and powerful short movie, the video introduces the character of Arabella Vash, a young woman who exists in a utilitarian clockwork society.  She is becoming empowered by visions and dreams, and about to start her journey to find the band of rebels, The One Constant (portrayed by the band), that she will lead.  “The Human Race” is her awakening, and call to power. 

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In search of an appropriate post apocalyptic steam punk setting for their video, Mindcage chose to film in the historical district of their hometown of Pensacola FL. With the vision, creativity and costuming skills of Airship Isabella [http://airshipisabella.com/], an authentic and innovative steam-punk troupe from New Orleans, Mindcage was able to convey their vision of The One Constant and the dystopian world in which they live.

Jason Thomsen directed and edited “The Human Race.”   He recently served as assistant director on “Girl from Iceland” (a Kinematic Entertainment Production).  The track features vocals by Hydrogyn’s Julie Westlake.

OUR OWN DEVICES is mixed by rock legend Michael Wagener (Ozzy Osbourne, Metallica, Alice Cooper, Megadeth, Dokken, and Overkill).  The core members of Mindcage – Dietrick Hardwick (writer, guitarist), Brian Howell (bass) and Craig Nudo (drums) – have been connected personally and through music for almost thirty years.  Jeff Hignite, a recent but important addition, brought not only lyrical contribution but also his powerhouse vocals.

TRACK LIST:

1.    Cadence March

2.    For All Mankind (The Dark Design)

3.    Our Own Devices

4.    The Human Race

5.    At Full Steam

6.    Firefly

7.    The One Constant

8.    Arabella’s Arc

9.    The Serenity Sequence (Renaissance Pt. I)

10.  The Grand Restoration (Renaissance Pt. II)

Dangerdog Music Reviews:  5/5 stars

Our Own Devices is quite impressive: between the idea, lyrics, vocal arrangements, brisk guitar, and accomplished arrangements, it easily stands in the fine tradition of conceptual progressive metal albums like Queensryche’s Operation Mindcrime. Very recommended.Mindcage

OUR OWN DEVICES will be available on the band’s website www.mindcagemusic.com,

iTunes https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/the-human-race-single/id692323537, amazon.comhttp://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00F7CDATY  and at your favorite record store.

 

I have had the chance to listen to this CD and it is GREAT! Review coming soon!

-the Hellion

BABYJANE – MAKE IT SICK!

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     http://www.facebook.com/pages/BABYJANE/110902428925603

http://www.babyjane.com.au/

Babyjane – Australia’s rawest and explosive hard rock act – have come out of the rusty gate with all guns blazing…

Andy Smith (no singer comes closer to the swagger of Jagger and the presence of Plant than THIS one); John Gerasolo (rock’s next guitar hero — forget the Top Hat); Paul Judge (a snarling Sid Vicious who can really play the bass) and Nik ‘Animal’ Kats (the bombast of John Bonham meets the terror of Tommy Lee) unleashed their debut scorcher Are You Listening in 2011. Mixed by famed American producer Michael Wagener (Metallica/Janet Jackson/Ozzy Osbourne/Extreme) it features 11 tracks of hard rock at its absolute best (including ‘can’t stop singing it’ classic Can You Keep a Secret?)

A rousing support gig with Skid Row’s Sebastian Bach in Perth (2008) left the word on everyone’s lips that ‘Babyjane are the band to watch’. Recently, they have gone from strength to strength – securing airplay on American radio, global release of the album, a week-long prime-time spot on WA’s number one radio station 96FM and over 5000 Youtube views of their video single (Are You Listening).

Now, Babyjane have stepped it up a notch. 11 track second album, Make It Sick, was recorded in Nashville, 2012 with Michael Wagener handling production duties from start to finish – the end result is what one industry-insider has described as “the most balls-to-the-wall rock album since Guns n’ Roses Appetite For Destruction”… with one-time Motley Crue/Union singer John Corabi making a rousing appearance on the title track.

Corabis’ appearance alone reached first-page news on rock website Blabbermouth.com and unprecedented attention on Google.com in June. Featuring a sound only a world-class producer can muster, hugely commercial tracks like Bad Woman and She’s Just A Liar, and a well-oiled 4-piece band behind it, Babyjane are ready to step into the big league.

Road-tested and set for world domination, Babyjane are just gathering steam. Are you listening? You soon will be…

Here’s the video for the new single “She’s a Liar”:

Full review of the of the record SOON!

the Hellion