Sabbath Assembly – “Ye Are Gods” (2012)

Label : Svart Records/The Ajna Offensive

Review by Luisa Mercier

Four are the entities of God: Christ, Jehova, Satan and Lucifer and each of them can be found in human nature shaped as hate, love, joy and pain. This vision, that reminds me of the Manichean Church of the origins of Christianity, was typical of the Process Church of the Final Judgement, one of the most unique and controversial cults of the latest decades. It was rumored to be linked to Charles Manson and Satanism, but now it is dissolved and what remains are its rites. Sabbath Asssembly have put in music the most sacred texts of the Church and also have revamped some of their most revered hymns, stuff reserved to the most important members. The songwriting is quite simple, mostly based on acoustic music, to be played in church and it is also background to reading of sacred texts. The overall experience is quite alienating as all good cults should be while Jamie Myers vocals are sweet, versatile, really beautiful, I appreciated that are so different from the vocals usually found in occult acts. Genesis P-Orridge delivers readings throughout the album, giving the effect of call-and-response between priest and flock.  I do not know the exact aim of this album, maybe it is just a tribute to the Church, but it is powerfully effective.

Rating – 80/100

Tracklist

1. Let Us All Give Praise and Validation
2. We Come From the One
3. Bless Our Lord and Master
4. We Give Our Lives
5. Exit
6. Christ You Bring the End
7. And the Clarion Calls
8. In the Time of Abaddon II
9. Transcendence
10. For the Love of the Gods

Line Up

• Jamie Myers – vocals
• Dave Nuss – guitars

Links

BandCamp * Facebook 

Rhode Island Red – “Rhode Island Red” (2010)

Independent Release

Review by Tony Cannella

Rhode Island Red are a London, England based unit. Their self-titled debut has just been issued and it features 10-songs and 41-minutes worth of classic sounding hard rock, led by the soulful and quite expressive vocals of Lyla D’Souza. Musically, Rhode Island Red is a bit of a throwback to classic rock bands of the 70’s. Lyla D’Souza has a bit of a Bluesy quality to her voice. Their songs have been described as The Cult meets Garbage, and that is a fair assessment I suppose. The songs have a definite raw energy and power to them, but the band also has shown some great attention to the melodic end of the spectrum. Highlights include: “Kerosene”, “Slip Away”, “Over & Over” and the acoustically ballad “Fate Insists” which closes the CD. With their debut album, Rhode Island Red has released a strong rock record that pays homage to a bygone era, while still keeping their feet planted firmly in the present.  

Rating – 78/100

Tracklist

1. Kerosene
2. Slip Away
3. Stalemate
4. Over & Over
5. Hollow Man
6. Little Wizard
7. Too Far Gone
8. Untouchables
9. Supernatural
10. Fate Insists

Line Up

• Lyla D’Souza – Vocals
• Dave Garfield – Guitar
• Andrea Basiola – Guitar
• Mike McGinness – Bass
• Marco Tiano – Drums

Links

Rhode Island Red : MySpace * Facebook * Site

Kill for Eden : ReverbNation * Facebook * Twitter * Site