Tag Archives: Overkill

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

HAVOK – A BAND THAT MADE ME SAY DAMN…

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Sometimes a band impacts you, sometimes very hard. HAVOK accomplished this on me on 10/25/12 when I caught their live show. Straight out of the gate I was hooked. mid-set I went to their merch table and purchased their two CD’s POINT OF NO RETURN and TIME IS UP. 

Formed in Colorado in 2004, the band put out two self-released discs and quickly garnered interest from UK label Candlelight records. BURN was released in 2009 bringing forth an onslaught of brutal guitar riffs, chest crushing bass lines, jackhammer drums, and vocals from the depths of hell itself! 2011 brought forth their second album TIME IS UP. Front to back this CD smokes. One can really appreciate the technical skill put forth on this album. Remember the first time you heard Metallica, Exodus, Overkill, Anthrax, Testament, or Obituary? HAVOK takes you back with this one. They deliver the same “We will crush you to the ground” punch on this one. In 2012 HAVOK put out the EP POINT OF NO RETURN. Though it only has four tracks (one of which pays homage to Slayer’s “Reigning Blood”) it satisfies your need for metal.

Listening to the CD’s gives one a chance to appreciate the technical prowess of HAVOK but it is their live show that will completely blow you away. Energetic, engaging, powerful are but only a few words to describe them live. You HAVE to see them live given the chance.

HAVOK is comprised of David Sanchez – Lead vocals / Guitars, Jesse De Los Santos – Lead bass / Vocals, Pete Webber – Lead drums, and Reece Scruggs – Lead guitar / Vocals. I was able to speak for a moment with Jesse and Reece about their performance. They were very humble and grateful to my words of praise for them. They graciously signed my newly purchased copy of TIME IS UP. It was a great evening.

In conclusion, I would like to thank HAVOK for carrying the torch of Thrash that their forefathers lit for them.

Be sure and check out their Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/HavokOfficial and their website: http://havokband.com/

Here the video for “Covering Fire” enjoy!

the Hellion