Continued from page 24 to the stress of living up to the hype.
The black-clad threesome are( were?) all that was right about an English indie band in 2009, humble, sexual, asexual, mixed gender, and full of incredible 4AD- like pop hooks and minimalist dance beats.
I See You is marred by forced, overwrought emotions blueprinted by clunkers " Brave For You "( Disney music factory anyone?) " Dangerous "( Stock, Aitken, Waterman for a new generation) and " On Hold "( Hall & Oates samples, really?). The band sounds its best when stripped-down emotions ring true, like Oliver Sims battles with alcohol on " A Violent Noise."
ISee You intends to casts a net as wide as possible, bringing together blue-eyed R & B sensibility with Jamie xx ' s dancefloor logic. It never quite hits its target though. You ' ll need some cream for those blemishes.
Appearing 5 / 1 Aragon Ballroom, Chicago
– John Vernon
4
KREATOR Gods Of Violence
( Nuclear Blast)
German metal warriors Kreator have been churning out brutal thrash for threeplus decades. On its 14th studio album, Gods Of Violence, the Teutonic thrashers continue their signature melodic metal approach. Founder / guitarist / vocalist Mille Petrozza sounds as vicious as ever on its 11 tracks. While the one-plus minute symphonic instrumental“ Apocalypticon”
is an enticing intro, first song proper“ World War Now” is what Kreator does best. Immediately exploding out of the gate with blistering riffs, furious drum beats and a catchy chorus, Gods Of Violence is off to a fine start. The ominous“ Satan Is Real”’ s haunting chorus is rather memorable while the pinnacle of the album would have to be the title track. Decorated with a melodic acoustic guitar intro and menacing riffs, the insanely chantable prechorus will live inside your head long after the track has ended.“ Totalitarian Terror,”“ Army Of Storms” and“ Fallen Brother” are equally as memorable while the sevenplus minute closer“ Death Becomes My Light” wraps the album up nicely. There’ s a nice balance between the band’ s early aggression and its current contemporary melodic sound. Plus, there are plenty of tasty guitar solos, face-pounding riffs and fist-pumping choruses throughout the album, proving that Kreator can still pack a powerful punch.
Appearing 4 / 17 at House Of Blues, Chicago
8
40
3 W. Streamwood Blvd. Streamwood, IL( 630) 837-3733
www. GoodtimeMusicStore. com
New 3-channel, 50w EL-34 head / combo
★★★ Triple Crown TC-50
Largest Selection of Mesa in Chicago!!!
• Mark Series in stock!
• Rectifier Series in stock!
• Expess Series in stock!
• Lone Star Series in stock!
• CabClone in stock!
• 50 + Boogies In Stock!!
Serious Amps, Serious Guitars, Serious Tone
New from NAMM 2017 Ibanez RG Premium & Ltd. Edition RG Premium
• Ltd Edition appointments: Figured maple top & swamp ash body • Gotoh tuners • Edge-Zero II trem • DiMarzio pickups • Wizard neck • 24 jumbo frets • Figured maple fretboard.
Mesa JP-2C Signature by John Petrucci
Standard or Ltd. Edition Head
illinoisentertainer. com february 2017
Continued from page 38
IE: You’ ll be playing at Portage Theater on the 14th. This will be one hell of a Valentine’ s Day! What do you like most about playing here? Dez Fafara: I love Chicago, and I don’ t just say that in every interview about every city. I always said that if you could make it in LA, New York or Chicago— and get things thrown at you— then you can have a future! And it’ s surely true. For us playing the House of Blues back in the day to playing all over the city wherever we can go, has always been a great time for us. The people really come out for DevilDriver. And I’ m hoping they come and have a good time because this is a great package for Chicago.
Appearing 2 / 14 Portage Theater, Chicago.
MOSH-WORTHY RELEASES: Sepultura Machine Messiah( Nuclear Blast), Firewind Immortals( Century Media), Grave Digger Healed by Metal( Napalm Records).
MOSH-WORTHY LIVE: Striker( The Cobra Lounge, 02 / 09), Dead Horse Trauma( Penny Road Pub, 02 / 18), Darkest Hour, Ringworm, Rotten Sound, Rivers Of Nihil( Reggies, 02 / 23).
MENTION-WORTHY NEWS: German guitar pioneer Michael Schenker will be releasing Michael Schenker Fest“ Live” Tokyo on March 24. It features three of his past vocalists— Gary Barden, Graham Bonnet and Robin McAuley— performing some of Schenker’ s solo material plus a few Scorpions and UFO tunes. Underground Inc., a ' 90s alt-rock
Michael Schenker documentary, has started a Kickstarter campaign to get the movie funded. The film uses a unique angle on alternative music from that decade and an honest look at the scene which features extensive interviews from various artists from the Clinton-era.