The Audio Nut
May 30th,
2005
I had been hoping that 2005 would be an astonishing year for music
fans and the industry both. After a pretty good start to the campaign the surplus
of new releases has started to get a little mundane. Here’s hoping that the rest
of the year will bring us some incredible music. Nonetheless I am excited to bring
you the new installment of The Audio Nut.
Remember all comments and questions are always welcome.
theaudionut@nutzworld.net
jsohn@nutzworld.net
1. Audioslave
2. System of a Down
3. Falling Up
4. The Persihers
5. Radiohead
6. Black Flag
7. Scattered Ink
8. Debra DeSalvo
9. Darque Carnival
10. Young Elderz
Interviews with:
Who Killed Marilyn?, Torn, Mark Roberts and Reino
Ermitaño.
Message Board: I have been encouraging
bands to post information about themselves on the
message board. Please check
it out and also post anything on there if you wish. You don’t have to be in a band
to post something. You can be a fan of a band or just post anything on there musically
related.
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Reviews |
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Audioslave
Out of Exile
2005 Interscope Records
Grade: C+
http://www.audioslave.com
http://www.sonycoennection.com/audioslave (exclusive downloads)
I was really and truly hoping that this release was
going to be fabulous. I’m glad I didn’t hold my breath. By now you know
that Audioslave has come about after the demise of the bands Soundgarden
and Rage Against The Machine. So far Audioslave hasn’t put out an effort
anywhere near the caliber of either of their predecessors. Out of Exile
is sadly a run of the mill album for some musicians that know they can
do better; or at least I hope they know. I guess I will have to wait and
keep on hoping that album number three will truly be what I expect from
these four amazing musicians. Until then I will have to stay in exile from
the Audioslave bandwagon and keep listening to my Soundgarden and Rage Against
The Machine c.d.’s.
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System of a Down
Mezmerize (Parental Advisory)
2005 Sony Records
Grade: B
http://www.systemofadown.com
When System of a Down released their self-titled debut
in 1998 it was received as a breathe of fresh air in the hard rock and heavy
metal communities. The band has trudged along over the past seven years
and helped ‘metal’ make a comeback in the recording industry, while making
themselves household names worldwide. Now with the release of Mezmerize,
the first disc of two due out this year, the band has come out to please
fans again. With songs like “Cigaro,” “Radio/Video” and the single “B.Y.O.B.”
System of a Down or SOAD to fans have brought a wider variety of styles
into their music and have included more harmony into the vocals with guitarist
Daron Malakian contributing a lot in that department. I am sure that fans
of the group will surely enjoy this release.
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Falling Up
Crashings
2005 BEC Recordings
Grade: B+
http://www.fallingupcrashings.com
http://www.becrecordings.com
This is a pretty good release for fans of straight
up rock music. The vocals have a little bit of a flow similar to that of
rap/rock bands, but the singing is good and the song writing is above average.
I can over look the rap/rock comparisons here because it seems to fit the
songs nicely and it really isn’t over done. “Places,” “Bittersweet,” “Ambience”
and the single “Broken Heart” are all good songs. While the album isn’t
a mind blowing experience it is still pretty good and worth a listen or
three.
Falling Up reminds me of a mix of Earthsuit and Reliant
K and will be a good addition for fans of those bands and other bands like
12 Stones and Pillar.
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The Perishers
Let There Be Morning
2005 NettWerk Records
Grade: D+
http://www.theperishers.com
The Perishers are another version of bands like Coldplay,
Radiohead and Keane. Let There Be Morning is a dull attempt at trying
to break into the U.S. market place. I’m sure the band will be making many
fans as the tour with Sarah McLachlan, which is fine because that is the
audience that this group needs to be targeted at. The c.d. is filled melancholy
displays of guitar strumming and whispery soft vocals. Fans of the above
mentioned artists and groups might enjoy, however I am sort of feeling bad
for including The Perishers in the same sentence with Radiohead. Check
them out if you like to burn candles and sit in dark rooms or if you are
in need of mellow music and don’t want to hear your “Sounds of the Rain
Forest” c.d. again.
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The Double Dose |
| This time we are taking a double dose of Radiohead
I knew I wanted to feature Radiohead here after hearing plenty of Radiohead
styled bands getting praise for originality and quality lately. I just didn’t
know which two releases I wanted to feature, so I wrote all their albums down
on pieces of paper and drew two out of a hat.
Radiohead
The Bends
1995 Capitol Records
Grade: A
http://www.radiohead.com
http://www.radiohead.tv (videos)
The Bends
is a musical masterpiece. Songs like “High
& Dry,” “Bends,” “Fake Plastic Trees” and “My Iron Lung” are all exceptional
songs. In fact there is not a bad moment on this recording. Radiohead has an
excellent mix of rock, pop, noise and soul in just about every song that they
write. Sure there are plenty of people that aren’t fans of the group and I’ll
admit sometimes you might have to be in the right mood to tolerate a full serving
of the band; but they are quality artists with an extraordinary talent for songwriting.
If you have been sucked into the ‘mess’ of new music like Coldplay, Keane, The
Killers or Muse then you should get into Radiohead. Other releases from the
band include Hail to the Thief, Kid A and Amnesiac. The
debut album Pablo Honey isn’t a bad record, but the group hadn’t really
gotten into their own sound and style at that point. It does however feature
probably the most popular and noticeable Radiohead song in America “Creep”.
I guess what I am trying to say is, if you don’t have any music by Radiohead
I urge you to start adding them to your music collection today.
Ok Computer
1997 Capitol Records
Grade: A
Ok Computer
is my favorite album by this world known,
multi-million album selling group. Radiohead takes you on a strange and cosmic
journey with songs like “Subterranean Homesick Alien,” “Paranoid Android,” “Exit
Music (for a Film)” and “Let Down”. Just like The Bends and every other
effort before and after this album there isn’t a bad song on it. The only spot
I tend to pass on is track # 7 “Fitter Happier”, with it’s multi-layered spoken
word tracks that are no doubt designed to either drive you crazy or just to
kill a little time. Most people have already heard the song “Karma Police” at
one time or another, so when you get this c.d. you’ll probably recognize that
song more than any of the others. The group is allegedly in the process of writing
new songs for an upcoming release, I don’t have any specifics on it, but you
can bet it will be in The Audio Nut and there is a really, really good chance
that it’ll be an awesome album.
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Blast From The Past |
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This time we take a step back and salute the mighty Black
Flag!
Black Flag
Damaged
1981 SST Records
Grade: A
http://www.21361.com
http://www.sstrecords.com
They don’t make punk rock
like this anymore that’s for sure. Legends of the punk scene Black Flag had
plenty of member changes and inner turmoil, but they had to be one of the best
punk bands ever. I’m not talking Green Day, My Chemical Romance or Blink 182
punk here either. I’m talking about gritty; in your face anti-establishment
angst at it’s finest. “Six Pack,” “TV Party,” “Rise Above,” “Police Story” and
“Gimmie Gimmie Gimmie” are all some of the best songs to ever come from this
genre of music. Other Black Flag albums worth checking out are My War,
In My Head and Loose Nut. If you don’t want to take the risk on
getting one of those c.d.’s, but you’d like to hear some of the groups ‘finer’
work I would recommend getting The First Four Years or Wasted…Again
which are retrospective releases.
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The Underground Spotlight |
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To be considered for The
Underground Spotlight send me an e-mail with contact information to
jsohn@nutzworld.net
or
theaudionut@nutzworld.net
 Scattered Ink
Save Naïve
2005 Unsigned band
Grade: A
http://www.scatteredink.com
http://www.myspace.com/scatteredink
Scattered Ink has put out an outstanding
release with Save Naïve. This eleven-song disc is packed with diverse
musical dynamics and blends various styles of music into a superb album. All
the members of the group are extremely sought after studio musicians and
music teachers in New York and I am suspecting that those jobs might end up
on hold once this recording starts to get into the hands of major label
bigwigs and they get a glimpse at what this powerful group is capable of
doing. I am still amazed that this an unsigned and independent band on here.
I have heard this c.d. at least twenty or thirty times since I got an
advance copy of it. Picks hits for me on here include “Fragments,” “Scorn,”
“Merlot” and “Nemesis”. There is an excellent mix of heavy rhythms,
astounding lead guitar parts and melodic vocal harmonies. Save Naïve is well
worth the money and should be on your must get list. It’s for sale now from
the band on their website and I would urge you to get it if you are into
bands like Tool, A Perfect Circle, Evanescence or Incubus.
Note: Check out an interview with Scattered Ink in
Issue 12
Debra DeSalvo
Electric Goddess EP
2005 Unsigned artist
 Grade: A
http://www.debradesalvo.com
http://www.jamwave.com/debradesalvo (See video for “Take it Off)
http://www.myspace.com/debradesalvo
http://www.guitar.com (for columns
by Debra)
http://www.cdbaby.com/ddesalvo
(to purchase)
Debra DeSalvo is a guitar machine with an
original voice to boot. She does all the guitar work on this release and
impresses upon listeners that women can rock just as good as men. Her work
has been featured in various documentaries and television specials while her
opinions are valued by none other than Guitar.com, where she has contributed
numerous articles about guitar playing. DeSalvo is also authoring a book
that is due out in 2006, but you’ll have to come back for an interview with
her in the next issue to get some information about that. Ok, I’ll get on
with the review.
This four-song EP is an outstanding display of Debra’s talents as a singer,
songwriter and guitarist. “Take It Off,” “Demon In The Sack,” “Get Free” and
“ In Motion” are equally great and I personally cannot pick a favorite from
the four. DeSalvo has a knack for grabbing your attention with her lyrics
and masterful musicianship. The songs aren’t over done and they all exhibit
a unique charm to them. Fans of Lita Ford, The Great Kat and other
phenomenal guitar players in general will truly get captivated by Debra
DeSalvo THE Electric Goddess.
Darque Carnival
All For Naught
2005 Unsigned band
![[Darque Carnival]](http://www.garageband.com/imgserver?|pe1|XsLRPXLrvP2rYVa-Y2FhAo5raUvOd5ZjDNGHz8nL6oGyuQU) Grade: A
http://www.darquecarnival12.com
http://www.myspace.com/darquecarnival
http://cdbaby.com/cd/darquecarnival (to purchase)
http://www.garageband.com/artist/darque_carnival
Hailing from the dark corners of Reno,
Nevada comes Darque Carnival. D.C. as known by fans weighs in very heavy for
this title bought with your emotions and ears. The group lands all of the
punches thrown in this five-song disc, which is a great display of
thundering drum beats, supersonic bass licks and intense guitar riffs. They
don’t let up on you as every song pummels your senses, yet leaves you
begging for more. The singer has departed, but the group has found a
permanent and amazing replacement so expect some more killer music coming
your way later this year or early 2006. The group will be doing some tour
stops in the Midwest and West Coast this summer, so be sure to lock up the
kids and be prepared for an amazing live show. Fans of Prong, older
Sepultura, Pantera and Demon Hunter should get a kick out of their
experience with Darque Carnival.
Young Elderz
Children of Rastafari
2004 Kwaz-Muzik
Grade: B+
http://www.young-elderz.com
http://www.kwaz-muzik.com
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/youngelderz (to purchase)
http://www.nattylovephotos.com
Reggae group Young Elderz is all about the
positive vibe that the world is lacking today. This fifteen-song c.d. has a
great combination of harmony and character by stirring up a variety of
influences in Island and Reggae music alike. Songs like “Revolutionary,”
“The Crossing,” and the title track “Children of Rastafari” are all
fantastic songs with optimistic messages and smooth and soulful composition.
The letter that I got with the c.d. called the group Caribbean-Folk Reggae
and I will agree with that description of the group wholeheartedly. Fans of
Bob Marley, Black Uhuru, and Morgan Heritage should benefit from getting to
know the Young Elderz.
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7 Questions With... |
Who Killed Marilyn?
Q. Who are you and what do you do in the band?
A. I'm Christopher and I do the singing, the lead guitar and pretty much
manage this party!
Q. How did you decide on the name, Who Killed Marilyn?
A. Well we were putting ideas in a hat a little over a year ago when we
were coming up with a name for our un-titled group. We had some interesting
choices; I liked WKM? due to my sincere love of The Misfits, both young and
old! I'm happy we've chosen the name it brings a lot of publicity.
Q. What would you like to share with us about your upcoming c.d. "The
Transition Diaries”?
A. Well "the transition diaries..." is a collection of 5 songs that best
represent the new style of music WKM? has been playing for the past several
months. At first I started writing simple punk songs with no base to them. A
close working relationship with Rick Thomas, Stitch of Mushroomhead, and
Steve Rauckhorst, of Ringworm and Integrity fame had possessed me to expand
my writing abilities into what the songs are now. "Diaries" features 5
diverse but intense tracks that capture the period we are in now. Every band
evolves, and we are doing the same, this is the transition into the next
evolution for the band. We are all hoping our next evolution goes national,
hah!
Q. You guys about to hit the road for the SystemDown Clothing tour. Is there
anything you'd like to tell us about that?
A. The pre-production for this tour has been insane. Eric and I have
taken the booking into our own hands. We obviously cannot afford a booking
agent so we went the only way we know...D.I.Y. Hell, we built a 14 foot long
enclosed trailer, that’s determination. As of today I'm three months into
booking this tour, and I realize why it's so hard for bands to make it to
the next level...my hat is off for those who have! This industry is tough,
but we've made some great friends already and I'm sure we are bound to make
more! We want to see new faces at the shows so we can kiss them! Hah!
Q. Who are some of your influences both musically and non-musical?
A. For me, it's so strange. My love for diverse music shows through so
much. Influences are so important. You can hear my love for Megadeth, cKy,
and Faith No More in a lot of the music. I love real metal. Fast picking,
quick chord changes, and well thought out solos. But I also love the vocal
patterns of Jimmy Eat World. I really like smart music, Zepplin-esque rock
songs. That's what I strive for. Plainness is dime a dozen these days, it's
not often enough you can put on a CD and have diversity. A lot of modern
diversity died with At the Drive In. Just listen to the music, and maybe
you'll hear it differently than me!
Q. What are you listening to these days?
A. There’s two albums I cannot get out of my cd player. Bury Your Dead –
“Cover Your Tracks” and Reggie and the Full Effect – “Songs Not To Get
Married To…” Both albums are well written, well produced, and have
longevity. I can't get enough of them. I'm sure I'm going to drive someone
nuts on tour by listening to these discs. Other than that it's the usual
Faith No More, Ministry, Head Automatica, and New Found Glory. A lot of
people give me $h*t for NFG, but I could care less, they are really
inspiring. I'm waiting for the new Michael Graves and cKy albums to come
out. I have to pick them up while we are on tour!
http://www.whokilledmarilyn.com
http://www.myspace.com/wkm
http://www.purevolume.com/whokilledmarilyn
http://www.systemdownclothing.com
Torn
Q. Who are you and what do you do in the band?
A. Nathaniel Byers Vocals
Q. How did you come up with the name Torn?
A. We actually plan on changing the name soon, however we came up with
Torn as a sort of one word punchy name that could put a name to the powerful
music we wrote.
Q. What was it like moving the band all the way across the country to help
get things going on a bigger scale?
A. Difficult, it is hard to leave your home, family and friends for a
great unknown. I had family in New England but Caleb (guitar) and Jason
(bass) did not know anyone and with in a month were living with our new
drummer who they did not know. We faced many difficult times and continue to
face new and challenging problems day to day, but we have a vision for where
we want this band to go and that keeps us strong and focused on our goal of
becoming a national major label artist.
Q. Who are some of your influences both musically and non-musical?
A. Our taste as a band range, Alice in Chains, Godsmack, Nine Inch Nails,
Dream Theater, Disturbed, Korn, Sevendust, System of a Down and many others.
We incorporate all of our different influences to create Torn.
Non-musically I am influenced by anyone who has a dream and puts all their
heart into making it a reality.
Q. If you could be anyone in world history who would you be? Why?
A. Cptn. Morgan I get to wear those cool boots and ask all the ladies if
they want a little captin in them.
Q. What are you listening to in your home/car stereo these days?
A. Nine Inch Nails “With Teeth” new System of a Down and Audioslave.
Q. Is there anything else that you'd like to share with us about Torn?
A. Our CD Reincarnate is still in most Target stores for a $1.00 pick up
a copy before they sell out.
http://www.tornband.com
http://www.myspace.com/torn
Note: Check out a review for the c.d. Reincarnate in
Issue 11
Mark Roberts
Q. What do you do?
A. I'm a touring guitarist which means I am hired on for tour dates by
different bands and I play for the tour only...I have done some small tours
and some really big ones, but while I was touring I was writing a lot of
songs and the right people heard them and believed in me so here I am now...
Q. I see that you are working on a new c.d. How is that going and what are
you willing to share with us about it?
A. I am working on my debut album due out this time next year called The
Biggest Comedown...I want to take as much time as possible. This is my debut
so I want it to be perfect. I've written a lot of songs and have been
working with a few different producers so far but we are still in the early
stages of pre-production. We are writing close to 70 songs just to narrow it
down to 10-12 so right now things are going great, we are just really taking
our time on it...
Q. Any plans for an upcoming tour or live shows?
A. I'm back and forth from L.A. to the East Coast which is where I’m
recording, so not a lot of time for shows...but you never know, I could pop
up anywhere at a show as a guest. That happened a few weeks ago at a music
festival where I saw Eric McFadden who was playing that night and he invited
me on stage to play some guitar and mandolin...but there are no definite
tour dates so far...
Q. Who are some of your influences both musically and non-musical?
A. Musical- Hendrix, Ray Charles, EVERYONE that did something
revolutionary...
Non-Musical- Bob Marley for his activism, and EVERYONE that changed the
world in a positive way.
Q. If you could be anyone on world history who would you be? Why?
A. I would be George Bush, and I wouldn't have done what he did....
Q. Have you read any good books lately?
A. I read Brave New World (Aldous Huxley) over again, great book...one of
those 2nd time arounders...unless you are a literature buff...hey, I play
guitar man...
Q. What are you listening to in your car/home these days?
A. Three Days Grace, The Exies, Trust Company, My Chemical Romance, Green
Day, Audioslave, Social D...there's a lot of GREAT music out right now.
http://www.myspace.com/markroberts
Note: You can download “What Makes You” on the website above. If it is any
indication of what Roberts is going to release expect some crafty
songwriting accompanied by some stellar guitar work. I hope you’ll take the
time and get over to his page and take a listen for yourself. Not to mention
you can get some free music out of the deal!
Reino Ermitaño
Q. Who are you and what do you do in the band?
A. Hey. I'm Marcos. I play Bass.
Q. How did you come up with the name Reino Ermitaño?
A. It came from one of our lyrics, actually. It means Hermit Kingdom, in
Spanish. It's refers to living in isolation to an exterior reality, to keep
living in your dreams, in your unconscious, oblivious to the common
consensus of whatever the f**k's out there.
Q. I see that you have been working on a new c.d. What are you willing to
tell us about it?
A. Yeah, we just finished recording our second CD, titled "Brujas del
Mar". It's still in the process of getting mixed and mastered, but we expect
to have it out in a couple of months. It's longer, heavier and, I suppose,
darker than the first in some ways, but with all the defining qualities of
the band still in there. I'm really happy about the way this one's coming
out. I'll leave it at that.
Q. Who are some of your influences both musically and non-musical?
A. Musically, I'm all for the 70's Heavies, starting with Sabbath and
Zeppelin, Deep Purple, Uriah Heep and all those, but both myself and the
rest of the band listen to a lot of different things, much of them. Metal of
all kinds, from Celtic Frost to Venom, Motorhead and Slayer, and also prog,
folk and plenty of different, traditional, non-rock music, Latin American,
Celtic, etc. There's also a growing international Stoner Rock and Doom scene
today, with a lot of excellent bands like YOB, Solace, Witchcraft, Starchild,
Buried At Sea and the such. We listen to that, too.
Non-musical? I suppose every member would have to answer that one
individually. Many authors. Sabato, García Márquez, Borges, Cortazar,
Kundera, Nietsche, Vallejo, Ribeyro, Arguedas... you get the idea. There's a
good deal of a "mystical" (for lack of a better term) drive about Reino
Ermitaño, that translates into it's sound. Some subtle Peruvian influences,
too. We just do whatever we want to do and it all comes out together in this
strange Doom form, heh.
Q. If you could be anyone in world history who would you be? Why?
A. An obscure medieval drunk. Why? Why not? Love the music from Gothic
England, and I'm sure they had good Ale.
Q. What are you listening to these days in your home/car stereo?
A. A bit of everything. Today I was listening to the Misfits' Legacy of
Brutality, yesterday I was into Old Man Gloom's Christmas and Starchild's
Self-Titled. Some Sabbath before that, too.
Q. Is there anything else you'd like to tell the world about Reino Ermitaño?
A. I think all we want to say, we say through our lyrics and the music.
Just that we're out there.
http://www.reinoermitano.com
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Mission
Statement
©1997-2005 NutzMedia, Inc
Parental Advisory Note:
Artists and/or their record companies place Parental Advisory and Explicit Lyrics
stickers on the recordings. I will note it next to the title of the recording
when it is posted on the recording or album artwork its self. Some of the recordings
received by The Audio Nut are not in the original packaging and therefore may
not include the Parental Advisory warning next to the title. Please take this
into consideration when purchasing a disc that has been reviewed on this page.
Disclaimer:
The opinions stated
above are that of J Sohn and The Audio Nut. They are not the opinions of NutzWorld,
EntertainmentNutz or any of the above listed bands/artists; their record labels
or associates unless other wise noted. J Sohn, The Audio Nut, NutzWorld and
EntertainmentNutz are not responsible in any way for the actions or business
practices of the above listed bands/artists etc.
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The Audio
Nut
Message
Board
1. Weezer
2. Dave Matthews Band
3. The Starting Line
4. Limp Bizkit
5. Deftones
6. Jethro Tull
7. LeAnna Mosley
8. Toast
9. SoulStream
Interviews with:
Monet Madrid Madagascar, Scattered
Ink and Blessed By A Broken Heart.
1. Nine Inch Nails
2. 4th Ave. Jones
3. John Prine
4. Mondo Generator
5. Sonic Youth
6. Anacrusis
7. The Showdown
8. Coded
9. Torn
Interviews with: Summer Blanket, roAE, Neck and
Alterior Motive.
1. Garbage
2. American Hi-Fi
3. Starlight Run
4. Mudvayne
5. At The Drive-In
6. Frank Zappa & The Mothers of Invention
7. Richard’s Nixon
8. Do Unto Others
Interviews with:
Modern Day Zero, Kids in the Way, Peculiar People Band and Deadworks.
1. Beck
2. Eisley
3. Modern Day Zero
4. Kathleen Edwards
5. Prong
6. Fastway
7. Jah Root
8. Monet, Madrid, Madagascar
9. Chaos Order
Interviews with:
The Juliet Dagger, Mankind is Obsolete and Quiver of Jasper.
1. Queens of the Stone
Age
2. He is Legend
3. Shooter Jennings
4. NOMEANSNO
5. Mankind is Obsolete
6.
roAE
7. Alterior Motive
Plus Interviews
with:
Calico System, Given and Inkognito
1. Rise Against
2. Ivy
3. (hed) P.E.
4. Grascals
5. Primus
6. Rush
7. Drivin’ Rain
8. Fists of Phoenix
Plus Interviews with:
Ryan Clark from Demon Hunter and Dick Witham from The Curse of Western Culture.
Mars Volta
Jack Johnson
Interpol
Thievery Corporation
Blindside
Deep Purple
Quiver of Jasper
Plus an interview
with the band, This, Is A Virtue.
3 Doors Down
The Zutons
Shadows Fall
Alison Kraus and Union Station
P.J. Harvey
Fugazi
Driven to Her Death
and you
will know us..
Tobymac
Killswitch Engage
Kelly Clarkson
Kenny Chesney
James Gang
Underoath
U2
Green Day
Slipknot
Gwen Stefani
Blake Shelton
Mudhoney
Given
The Audio Nut - Issue 2 -
featuring reviews from:
Chevelle
Cake
Ministry
Bad Brains
Byproduct
The Audio Nut
- Issue 1 - featuring reviews from:
Muse
Brand New
Demon Hunter
Shellac
Emaciation
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when a new page gets posted
click here and e-mail
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