| CD REVIEW The Other |
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Band : The Other I first came in contact with this real fine Koln based Horror Punk/ Metal act through their previous release, The Place To Bleed (review posted 22/06/2008). I’ve no idea what the band’s been up to since that album’s release (don’t you just hate it when you log onto a band’s own website and are immediately re-directed to their MySpace page, where you can only find info going back a couple of months?), but I’m sure the band has been playing all around Germany, including several festivals (possibly even outside their native country). Just under two years after that previous album (regular like clockwork, those guys!) the gloomy quartet is back with their 4th full-length, recorded with producer Waldemar Sorychta (formerly a member of Grip Inc., he’s made himself quite a reputation producing landmark albums by the likes of the Gathering, Therion, and Lacuna Coil…to name but a few). The band itself is simply ecstatic about the album and frankly, they have every reason to be, because what they offer on New Blood is simply envigorating. Following the wacky instrumental album opening title track (which sounds like it’s been written for some horror version of a Star Wars movie – hey, actually there’s some similarities with the theme music for tv series Star Gate…), the band shoves into their usual gear of melodic yet up-tempo paced horror anthems, which sees the band push the level of their playing that little notch higher with truly catchy lead guitar allover the place, and plenty of great backing vocals which simply invite to sing along! As on the previous album, they also again do a track (“Hier kommt die Dunkelheit”) in their own language. This band may have started as a Danzig/ Misfits cover act, but personally I feel they’ve grown far beyond that (remember I mentioned I have a personal thing agaist Glenn Danzig?), and I simply wished I had a little more time to listen to this and enjoy all the horrid little spooky details…but as things are, there’s too many reviews to be made, and too little time to make ‘em in. Nevertheless, two thumbs up for New Blood, which knew to captivate my attention from start to finish each of the three times I was able to listen to the album! Check out the 5 new songs the band posted at myspace.com/theother, and dare tell me you don’t feel the same (obviously, you’re free to have your own opinion, but if indeed you have made the trouble to start reading this review, it means you múst have a connection to the band already, and I’m sure you’ll agree the band’s evolution is a positive one)!? Yo, by the way, The Other will again perform at several festivals this Summer…dare to go watch ‘em and enlarge the hordes of the musical undead? Oh, and by the way…if you feel up to it, besides being released as a regular CD with 14 tracks, this album is also released in a limited 2-CD version with 5 bonus tracks. If you’re into vinyl, the double gatefold LP has two bonus tracks…gun fun galore!!! 90/100 Tony. |