Boys Night Out
Boys Night Out
Ferret

Boys Night Out’s second record was their masterpiece. “Train Wreck” was a mature, dark, innovative and ultimately poppy record. It had the perfect mix of arena rock choruses, beautifully layered guitars and amazing periods of female vocals and synthesizers mixing things up. “Boys Night Out” is the band’s third full length on Ferret and not only have they outdone themselves here, but they may have put out the record of their career.

Boys Night Out dropped the lovely Kara Dupuy (boo!) on vocals and streamlined their line-up a bit. Having re-invented themselves for a third time it’s hard to ignore just how great this band is. Gone is the concept album, in is a much poppier sound that almost reverts back to the screamier “Make Yourself Sick.” “Get Your Head Straight,” “Up With Me” and “Fall for the Drinker” deal with the dark and welcomed subject matter of alcoholism and drug addiction. “Apartment” is a brilliant Alkaline Trio-inspired pop song about apartment living. “It Won’t Be Long,” the album-closer, is a long drawn out, “hold your lighter in the air” jam that should have you singing along in no time.

The Great White North’s Boys Night Out (it’s a really bad name I know) may be thrown into the emo crowd, but they’re better and different then the rest of the pack. Back when bands like Knapsack, Braid, The Get-Up Kids, and The Promise Ring were in their glory Boys Night Out would have fit right in and they would have been drunker, higher, and better then every single one of those great bands. Go see them this Summer and for the love of god can a major label sign them already?

Doesn’t Rock l Kinda Rocks l Rocks l Really Rocks

The Destro
As the Coil Unwinds
Iron Clad/Metal Blade

The Destro are a new band signed to Trevor Phipps of Unearth’s Ironclad Records. If you were a betting man you could probably guess that this sounds like Lamb of God or Pantera’s bastard child.

This is sludgy metal destruction with a Texas flavor. The vocals are as gruff and brutal as you’d expect accompanied by heavy guitars, but something is off with the drumming. The double bass pedal sounds really shitty and it stands out above everything else. We’re talking Lars Ulrich on the last shitty Metallica record bad. “Rivers Bottom” shows the bands heavy groove rock side while the absolute standout track is the thrashy “The Offering.”

If The Destro fixed the awkward drumming and shortened things up a bit and just went with an all out thrash assault they’d be a better band, but they’ve go plenty of time to work on things as this is their first proper release. Interesting albeit a bit mediocre, “As the Coil Unwinds” is a solid attempt that can and should be better next time.

Doesn’t Rock l Kinda Rocks l Rocks l Really Rocks

Pierce the Veil
A Flair for the Dramatic
Equal Vision

Equal Vision has made a critical mistake when signing new bands. Pierce the Veil is a shining example of when a label forgets about integrity and honest rock and roll and signs a flash in the pan with no real substance. You’re not gonna find the next Saves the Day or Coheed and Cambria here folks.

“A Flair For the Dramatic” should sound familiar to you as it sounds exactly like half of the shit that passes for “punk rock” these days. Whiny vocals, lamer lyrics, cookie cutter drums, and an embarrassing look are among Pierce the Veil’s many faults. “Chemical Kids and Mechanical Brides” starts the record with a whimper and its all downhill from there. When singer Vic Feuntes cites Silverchair as one of his main influences you know there’s something wrong. Read the rest of this entry »