Cattle - Band Review

I was unsure of what to expect when I first listened to Leeds based 3-piece ‘Cattle’. The band label themselves as “noise rock” and, after extensive listening, I agree that this is certainly the most accurate way to describe them.

Considering that the band produced all aspects of the EP themselves, the sound quality is incredible. The drums sound just like a live drum set; which can be a very difficult sound to reproduce, without spending thousands upon thousands of pounds on the best recording equipment. And, in terms of recording quality, the EP would not sound out of place among professional recordings. My only criticism in terms of production is that sometimes the vocals are a bit too quiet - but that's me being picky.

However, things are different in terms of the material that has been recorded for the EP. There is no doubt that the music that Cattle play certainly caters to an acquired taste – unfortunately, it's not really my cup of tea. The first connection that was made in my head, when listening to the self-titled EP, is how similar the vocals are to the audio in the viral YouTube video 'Goats Yelling like Humans'. Though Cattle have done very well to produce the tracks so that they still have a reasonable amount of texture (even though the only instruments used are drums and bass guitar) such a bare line up of instruments does limit the diversity of the sound of the songs. All four tracks are very repetitive and I found myself mistaking them for one long song. I must say though, that Cattle is comprised of two very skilled musicians; the time signature switches are amazing, they sound difficult but are executed perfectly.

I think that Cattle could be very popular were their music to be exposed to the right crowd. As I have before mentioned, they cater to an acquired taste. Though I found it hard to get into the EP, I can appreciate the skill of the musicians and the spectacular production of the band’s debut release. I look forward to hearing Cattle's sound mature with time and seeing what they produce in years to come.

Riff Rating: R R (Two R's)

Review by Connor Langham.

ED WOOD / MONOLITIAN Split EP Review

ED WOOD

ED WOOD at first sounds like old school punk/hardcore, forced vocals and a dull droning sound then as 

we go through the EP progressively gets more thrash. 

"Talking to the void" is the first song on the EP sounding like a dulled down Black Flag with more 

forced vocals, and that's saying something. A little ambient at first then you get hit with the 

strained vocals, like a cross between a funeral procession and an old clock you hear a DING - DONG 

thus making it an entirely unpleasent song to listen to. You're not Sabbath, don't steal the "Black 

Sabbath Riff.

1/5

"When good times go bad" is a little better, the vocals fit better in time with the song, making it 

listenable, the kick drum however seems very out of place, everythings all dull and refined then you 

hear the kick in the background perfectly undistorted. It sounds like really early punk.

2/5

Track number 3. "Dissconnection Notice" is by far the best on this EP, the vocals are bearable, and 

the music isn't horrible, ED - a message to you, if you want people to listen to you, this is the 

track to base it all on.

4/5

"little Mirrors" Sounds like nails down a chalkboard I couldn't stand it for more than 10 seconds, 

ED, Don't make music - Ever.

0/5

Artwork was sick, and whoever designed it ED, would probably play better than you aswell

WATCH THIS SPACE, YOU'RE ABOUT TO SEE THIS CRASH AND BURN, EVERYONE LOVES A FIRE SHOW.

MONOLITIAN

Monolitian "Sea Of Trees" now here's a band with potential, your vocals are good maybe a little weak 

but good. the music itself is put together nicely, fitting perfectly with the vocals, great sound.

Word of advice though guys, don't pair with ED, he'll bring you down.

3/5

Watch this space (Not for the same reason as ED WOOD)

Overall 1/5 ED

3/5 Mono

Sean

We Were Beautiful - This Town EP

We Were Beautiful – This Town EP
Released 4th February 2013
Tack listing

1. This Town
2. The Wolves
3. Death Do Us Part
4. Jealousy

After supporting the likes of Lower Than Atlantis and Deaf Havana, the bar was set high for Liverpudlian rockers We Were Beautiful’s debut EP but it’s fair to say that the band have easily outstripped expectations with This Town.
From the very first note of This Town, the record flows effortlessly in a string of upbeat choruses and beautiful lyrics that highlight the discernible influences of Biffy Clyro and Funeral For A Friend – a doubtful combination that works perfectly in crafting a masterpiece of a debut that will certainly charm fans of every genre. Fantastic heart-felt belter Death Do Us Part juxtaposes brilliantly with Jealousy, a heavier tune that will induce instinctive head banging and have you singing it for the rest of the day.
Not a single second of this superb record is simply average. It’s clear that We Were Beautiful have incredible talent and the future looks promising for the band who look prepared to pull out all the stops on their voyage to get balls deep within the heart of the alternative music scene.

Abbie Harrop

Exist Immortal EP Review

“London tech-metallers Exist Immortal fuse catchy melodies, soaring vocals, epic soundscapes, technical riffs and all-out grooves to create a unique maelstrom of musicianship, which has quickly earned them the reputation of being the UK's rising tech-metal stars.”

This is a quote from the press release sent, along with extracts from other high rating magazines such as Metal Hammer. I’ve personally never heard of this band, so it was a lot to live up to after reading that introducing paragraph.
I can now say though, that they happily lived up to the hype that they’ve created for themselves, with this new release, in the form of Dream Sequence, a 7-track EP/short album. Dream Sequence combines a wide range of elements from different genres, which I haven’t heard a band do in a long time, and it’s refreshing to see it work so well too.

A Timeless Voyage starts the EP, with a slow build up of piano, strings and then hits with a synth part that you’d expect from your everyday metalcore band, which is fair enough, until you hear the vocals hit, which thickens the track. As it builds up, you expect the drop anytime soon, and when it hits, you can imagine the band stood onstage and the room erupting, with guitars and drums you can bounce up and down too, and then a majestic and impressive guitar solo to go with. This is only track one!
Throughout this expedition of musical exploration, you get balls to the wall guitar tones and solos, massive drums, bowel destroying bass and soaring clean vocals, not to mention the devastating screams and lows singer, Meyrick de la Fuente and Tom Montgomery both provide. Stand out track; The Fracture (going into Terminate) is the perfect portrayal of all the things listed above. Immediately hitting with growls un-matched by most mainstream metal acts. The instruments in the back provide snappy djent guitar riffs, with some funky, slap bass punching through the mix in the background. Then throwing in a high-pitched melody from a synth, just to be sure that they’ve covered all the conventions of the genres they smash together to form what is, Exist Immortal.

It’s a real shame that I can’t write a full review, because all in all, it would probably consist of about seven pages, filled with every adjective under the sun. With this EP, Exist Immortal have gained one more fan, and will no doubt gain more fame upon it’s release, combining Enter Shikari synth with Periphery’s guitars and Memphis May Fire’s vocal style. They’ve explored boundaries and broken them to create this unique fusion of tech-metal, which is severely un-appreciated when it produces this kind of band, where each song keeps you enticed and wanting more. But, don’t take my word for it, experience the Dream Sequence yourself when it’s released 28th January 2013.

Adam Jones

RIFF ANNUAL REVIEW - 2012 

The year 2012 has seen many things accomplished for us all here at Riff Media, our third successful year of operating, the launch or re-launch if you will of Riff Records, our new website which we love went live and we have made contact with near enough every record label out there! not to mention the additions to the team, the announcement of the Riff Media Webzine and soon to be Magazine and our ever growing social family. So how to round up such an incredible year into a nice readable review?
We had our most successful year since forming with our very first acceptance to cover a festival [Hevy Fest and Merthyr Rocks] and have already been accepted on to more in the new year! We have begun running gigs again and have plans for tours and to open our own local venue space and tonnes of more amazing things to announce.

As always we love to give little shout outs to bands that we think have really opened our eyes and ears in the year with their releases, and of course we wouldn't be anything without all of the bands we work with and all of our fans and family that stick by us and are interested in what we do! 

RIFF MEDIA'S TOP FIVE FROM 2012 (IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER)

1. Jonny Gill - Jonny has been a Riff favourite since we began working together, and this year has been huge for him, he released some amazing music and has stuck with us to perform at our gigs.
2. Sulu Babylon - The boys from our own back garden, Sulu have stood by us in many ways, playing our gigs, sending us music to review and front man Phil is always on hand to share some wisdom on how to improve and better ourselves 
3. The Drama State - Our best friends from the states, The Drama State have had a huge year, formerly known as Remember Paris the guys have regrouped and renamed and brought out their debut album 'Stories' which will definitely be their stepping stone to greater things
4. Kids With Machetes - these guys have really stepped up this year with their new release 'Jager Behaviour' and are always on hand to help us out.
5. In Search Of Sunrise - Our boys are back and ready to hit back hard, after playing our last gig of the year as their comeback gig I think it is safe to say Riff and ISOS are teaming up for the foreseeable future.
6. Chris Kendall Magic - He may not be a musician, but since venturing into magic this year we have worked very closely with Chris and he has wowed crowds at our events and soon he will be out conducting magic with some of the top bands on tour with our assistance.

Of course we love and appreciate all the bands we work with but if we were to list them all I would be here all day.

So as a quick round-up, 2012 was awesome, bands improved massively, work load increased ridiculously and we took a step forward in the industry, thank you so much to everyone that is part of this, and lets make 2013 something extra special! 

Best Band of 2012 - THE DRAMA STATE

Best Album of 2012 - THE DRAMA STATE, STORIES. 

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year Riffers! 

- The Riff Team

Mallory Knox - Signals Album Review

We were sent over Mallory Knox's debut album 'Signals' due for release on January 21st 2013.

The band have had a very successful year in 2012 and have fans eagerly awaiting for the release of their debut album 'Signals' of which they have released a single from titled 'Wake Up' which has received amazing feedback so far.

Signals is an 11 track release packed to the brim with brilliantly written music that will definitely make you get off your arse and dance about and sign along.

TRACK LISTING
Beggars 
Lighthouse 
Death Rattles
Wolves 
1949
Wake Up
Hello
Misdemeanour
Bury Your Head
Signals 
Creeper 

Kicking off with Beggars the band really set the tone for the album, energetically perfect and lyrically beautiful, giving a false sense of pace at the beginning for about two seconds before erupting into a masterpiece, the band keep the flow going throughout the album up to '1949' where they drop the pace for a beautiful, soft track which is very easy on the ears. After that they pick up the pace again.

I think it is a safe bet to say 'Signals' will be one of the best releases of 2013, and it will probably be one of the first releases in the year! if you are a fan or not I am sure at least one of the tracks on the album will win your heart and change your opinion of Mallory Knox who will undoubtedly cement their place in the UK rock scene with this brilliant, elegant and beautiful album, a great way to kick off their release collection.

Riff final rating: R R R R R *Ones to watch in 2013*

Signals is due for release on the 21st Jan 2013 via A Wolf At Your Door Records.

-Adam 

Avenged Sevenfold - Carry On

Alternative Rock superstars Avenged Sevenfold are back with a bang, almost quite literally with their brand new single Carry On, which features on what is anticipated to be the years highest rated game; Call Of Duty: Black Ops 2.

The band are featured in the end credits along side characters from the game.

Carry On definitely sounds like Avenged are hitting out some killer singles again sounding tighter than ever before with both hints of a new direction sound wise with influences from previous albums also included, it seems like the band have settled down and have begun writing songs that will easily win over some new fans and keep the old ones happy and eager to hear more, not to mention the standard Syn Gates master class in guitar solos included.

It would appear Avenged Sevenfold will ‘Carry On’ … see what I did there? And maintain their status as quite possibly the greatest, complete sounding rock band in the modern age, brilliant stuff and a single worthy of their status. 

To view the video yourself here is the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJbrTgUL0Dk&feature=youtu.be

Riff Final Review: R R R R *Glad to see a gigantic band still throwing effort into songs*

Adam