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
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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 .