16 illinoisentertainer . com april 2022
REPENTANCE Volume I – Reborn
( Noble Demon )
Chicago ’ s melodic groove metal band , Repentance , has recently resurfaced with an all-new lineup to deliver its new , faceripping five-track EP Volume I – Reborn . Led by local journeyman musician Shaun Glass ( ex-Broken Hope , ex-SOIL , ex-Dirge Within ), the quintet continues its shredfest it displayed on its 2020 well-received debut full-length album God For A Day . On Reborn , Repentance has been reinvigorated with new blood , and it shows on these tunes . The opener “ All the Misery " fades in with a hint of Metallica ’ s “ Orion ” by creating an anticipated buildup before unleashing a riff-a-rama extravaganza of intricate melodies and vicious chugging riffs . New vocalist Adam Gilley ( Product of Hate ) is aggressive and commanding behind the microphone , topping it all of with a hellacious , elongated scream that closes out the track . The anthemic title track , featuring a guest guitar solo by Corey Beaulieu of Trivium , will completely rip your head off . Reborn doesn ’ t let up from there either , with the mid-paced , knuckle-dragging “ Down in the Water ” and the edgy “ No Innocence ” pushing the aggressiveness to the brink of destruction . Album closer “ This Is Hell ” ends the 19- plus minute affair in fine fashion with its sharp riffing and relentless rhythmic thrust . On Reborn , Repentance proves that it fits right in with the fabulous list of killer bands in this abundantly metal-rich city with its own brand of high-energy modern metal .
– Kelley Simms
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STEREOPHONICS Oochya !
( Ignition Records Ltd )
Though the Welsh band Stereophonics scored five consecutive number one albums in the United Kingdom , that never translated to success in America . They represent the fading 1990s trend of regionalism in rock music , where a band could have massive sales in one country and not even go gold in another while only having their music available as super expensive import CDs . Where Nirvana started a massive record label signing rush in the states after Nevermind hit , the same thing happened in the UK after Radiohead hit with OK Computer . Every record label was looking for the next earnest yet tuneful Britrock band with paranoid musings about the coming millennium . So bands like Coldplay , Travis , Muse , Super Furry Animals , and Stereophonics all scored major label deals . Stereophonics went from playing coffee shops to playing Cardiff Castle in Wales in front of 10,000 people in a matter of a year . However , they never had their “ Yellow ,” a hit on both sides of the pond . Singer Kelly Jones ’ whiskey-soaked vocals were perfectly executed while the songs sometimes lacked originality . Their new release ** Oochya ! is immaculately produced but ultimately somewhat faceless . The opening track “ Hanging On Your Hinges ” has a catchy garage rock riff yet it comes off like a lower-tier copy of a 2003 garage rock track from Jet , The Vines or The Hives , or countless others . Jones ’ voice remains remarkable at times conjuring some of Chris Cornell ’ s soulfulness , yet it ’ s not enough to put Oochya ! up there with Stereophonics ’ high watermark , 2005 ’ s