ThouShaltNot - New World EP

After catching a fairly lively performance of ThouShaltNot in Baltimore, MD, I picked up a copy of their new, limited-edition EP entitled "New World". I was pretty psyched to get a copy of the newer songs I had just seen live.

Unfortunately, the strength and presence of the live show just did not follow through on the recording. Though several of the songs are catchy and interesting, the production work on this EP is the worst I've heard in years - especially from an established act. The volume was terribly low, and the vocals and bassline much too thin. Save your money and hope the full length has a little more effort put into it.

Suggested Tracks:
"April We Can Break Through If We Try"

Everything Goes Cold - Prepare to be Refrigerated

And...coldwave makes a comeback! For fans of some of the original stylings of bands like 16 Volt and Acumen, it's a return to the glory of some of the best of early industrial. After hearing the free mp3 of the Out Out remix of 'Fail', there was no doubt this CD would be a winner. Crunchy guitars, booming electronics, harsh vocals, and lot of humor comprise this new project founding by Eric Gottesman (formerly of Psyclon Nine, Ayria, and others).

Everything Goes Cold's debut release (out through Sonic Mainline) is a bit unconventional; with a handful of originals and a whole lot more remixes, it provides a lot of good material...just not for one sitting. The most comment complaint - both heard and shared - is that a dozen or so remixes of the same songs is just a little too much at once. So don't plan on listening to the whole thing straight through - rip it to your computer or iPod, hit shuffle, and enjoy!

Suggested Tracks:
"Fail"
"I've Sold Your Organs on the Black Market to Finance the Purchase of a Used Minivan"

Panic Lift / genCAB - Initialize EP

Hive Records really got it right on this one; with a new wave of free albums and EPs hitting the internet in an attempt to recruit more fans, various labels and bands are releasing more than just a few mp3s to make their music known above the masses. Hive Records has released this free joint EP in anticipation of both genCAB's and Panic Lift's next full lengths.

The EP has a little something for everyone - remixes for the DJs, B-sides for the hardcore fans, and brand new tracks to attract new listeners. And it definitely worked; after getting a taste of some of the great music to come as well as seeing such a great response on the club floor, there was no way I couldn't get both new CDs.

Suggested tracks:
genCAB - Perish the Thought
Panic Lift - No Trace to Love