INCOGNITO THEORY
From the ashes of SPEED CHAMBER and a few other local New Jersey metal bands rises INCOGNITO THEORY. The song writing and performance team of Dave "Incognito" and Jay Prussack (both former SPEED CHAMBER) are back with a different blend of music. Dave has dropped the Death Metal vocals for a clean, soaring vocal style, filled with soal and passion. Jay has come to the fold recently, as I have noticed the only guitar credits go to Ron BlakkFoxx. Ron has a slew of guitar licks and melodies that really spice things up. Six tracks of what can be called Heavy Rock are the offering on this band's debut album.
Track One: Forsaken
The title track of this album has a stong influence of DISTURBED with a dash of IRON MAIDEN. This song is about being out in the unknown and starting things over. The chorus is strong and very catchy:
Track Two: Hell In High Heels
An evil vixen who spins her web.....who doesn't know one of those??? Another short but sweet song, "Hell..." is a great nod to that particual someone you may know who you'll never forget. Once again, Dave shows some soaring vocal talent.
Another catchy tune comes our way with "Fire Within". Some parts of this song use the "Chorus" effect to give the vocals an added punch, and it works VERY nicely. The guitar throws in some pinch-harmonics and finger-tapping, which go great with the song. Pay attention to the drum work - it's pretty damn good. "Fire..." is another winner!
Track Four: Rest 11:28
After a spoken word intro, some semi-acoustic guitar with a little reverb gives "Rest..." a nice overtone. The vocals are very passionate again. Some added guitar licks are thrown in at just the right moments, and the solo is awesome.
Track Five: Harbinger Of Lies
Harbinger..." starts off with some opening drum and some up-beat guitar chords. The chorus is strong, just as heard throughout the album on every other song, but I felt this song could have used a little more power in the vocal execution. The vocals almost sound a little bored. However, at the very end of the song, when "The devil's harbinger of lies" is echoed a few times to a fade out, I thought, "Wow...that sounded good". A little more balance and power is needed here.
Track Six: Nine Ways Sideways
Rock out with this balls in your face tune about exactly what you think the song title implies. Another fantastic chorus is rounded by great guitar work (and a very nice solo too) and foot-tabbing drum work. At just over three minutes, "Nine..." is a great song to put a smile on your face and groove to your step.
What can be said here for this band's debut album that isn't already covered?? Well, for starters, after hearing the album a few times I must admit that I am eager to see how INCOGNITO THEORY grows and develops over time. "Forsaken" is a GREAT debut album, showcasing a new sound for some musicians and stirring in some mainstay influences to give a fresh Heavy Rock feel. Keep an eye on this band; I anticipate they will be turning heads.
RATING: 8 of 10
MYSPACE PAGE
Review by - Anthony DeLuca
CAGE
California's CAGE has always had a buzz around their name. Throughout their existance, I never bothered to pick up any of their albums. It wasn't a lack of interest or disliking to their music, but the simple fact that I cannont go out and purchase every album of every band. So, CAGE slipped through my fingers and past my ears all this time, until now.
I happened to turn on the radio one morning on the way to work and heard this amazing song. It reminded me of Ripper Owens but with a little something different. I called the radio station and discovered I had heard "New music from CAGE". That weekend, I received an email from CAGE management, and here we are: one album under my belt and I am LOVING what I am hearing.
Track One: (Intro) The Power That Feeds
So, our world is about to be destroyed and we are all doomed. The spoken word intro gets right to the point, sets an evil tone, and then "Planet Crusher" sets the pace for a powerful heavy metal album. Immediately, you've got soaring vocals with fast guitar. The screams in the beginning of the song are both strong and reminicent of Halford with lots of aggression. The drum work is very fast and can be compared to Priest's Painkiller work.
Track Three: Scarlet Witch
The song that started it all for me was "Scarlet Witch". The fast pace of the album continues with this song. The chorus really starts to show the vocalist's rang, complete with both screams and soulful execution. The sing-along chorus is very catchy; look for crowd participation in a live setting. The solos are very melodic and have an Iced Earth overtone.
Track Four: Spirit of Vengeance
Some chugging, palm-muted guitar melodies start off "Spirit", which continues to showcase vocalist Sean Peck's rang. Some Helloween overtones can be heard here.
This song has an AWESOME chorus. Straight out of a Children of the Corn movie, "Black..." discusses zombie children that are pure f'ing evil. The fast pace of this song is absolutely awesome and fits well with the lyrical content. There's even some demonic narration thrown in for added atmosphere. The chorus really does it for me "Little Children....It's in their eyes....Why won't they die....." etc. Very cool. The time-change toward the end of the song reminds me of Metallica's "Nothing Else Matters" way too much. That's is my only complaint here.
Track Six: Operation Overlord
The title says it all here - CAGE's tribute to D-Day. This song really puts you right at Normandy, using some killer imagry. The huge chorus is a sing-along powerhouse that really hits home. Nothing else can be said here - just listen to this song!
Track Seven: Power of a God
"Power..." has some killer screams in it. Lots of palm-muted guitar and heavy chords really give a strong presence to this song. Some evil vocals are once again used to give that extra edge that I am noticing CAGE has. This is a really nice element that seperates this band from a sea of variety.
Track Eight: Speed Kills
With a song called "Speed Kills", I would hope to hear a fast-paced song. Fear not, because this is a nicely fast-paced song with lots of killer guitar licks, fast finger tapping, crazy double-bass drums, and yet another huge chorus. Headbang with caution.......
Track Nine: Stranger In Black
"Stranger..." is my favorite song on this album. Simply put away your Manowar albums and forget the heavy metal anthums out there.....CAGE has DEFINED the ULTIMATE BAD-ASS song!! PERIOD!!!!! Addiction, theft, gambling, smoking, car crashes, wrecking havock, and SO much more are highlighted in this bone-crushing song. Be warned that you will be enticed to set this song on REPEAT and enduldge in its greatness over and over again!!!
Track Ten: Die Glocke
Soaring vocals and heavy guitar give "Die..." a certain edge as one of the heavier songs on this album. Part of the chorus - "Fight....fight for your life!!!" really provokes the feelings of raw emotion and resistance this song discusses.
Track Eleven: Spectre of War
This trilogy starts off slow with some soalful vocals in "Spectre...". I liked how the pace gradually quickens to the flow of the rest of the album by the time "Science..." is reached. All the aforementioned elements are found in this song - huge choruses, evil narrations/overtones, fast double-bass drums, heavy and melodic guitars, and powerful vocals. The guitar work in this song actually reminds me of something I would hear from Crimson Glory. At the end of this trilogy, "Edge..." is a spoken word outro backed by "Science..."'s guitar melody and hints of it's chorus repeated thoroughout. The song closes with "Spectre..."'s guitar riff. This entire Trilogy has come full circle and is executed perfectly.
Check out this band, and by all means - get this album. The art work is pure heavy metal.
RATING: 10 of 10
MYSPACE PAGE
OFFICIAL SITE
Review by - Anthony DeLuca
Forsaken
(c) 2009 Independent
"I fordged myself a new road...out here on my own"
...really hits a personal note. The solo is short but very sweet. "Forsaken" is a GREAT opening track!
Track Three: Fire Within
Science of Annihilation
(c) 2009 Music By Mail
Track Two: Planet Crusher
Track Five: Black River Falls
Track Twelve: Science of Annihilation
Track Thirteen: Edge of Infinite
