Video Source: Myspacetv

Post from: Metal Martyr

With all the “extreme Metal” bands out there today it’s tough to do reviews. Some are so far out there that  when you first hear them you immediately want to push eject and some have that factor that grabs on to you instantly with something different. This is one of those bands. Neuraxis have a sound that sets them apart from other metal bands with technicality in playing that doesn’t over do it. You know, those modern metal bands that can seem to have so much going on that it can actually distract you from the music and makes you lose interest?

Neuraxis’ Thin Line Between has a technical beauty to it. The leads that are catchy enough to mix well with simple rhythm. Vocals that aren’t over-done, yet keep the brutality factor at all times. Drums with great rhythm that don’t overpower and take anything away from the rest of the music. The double bass kicks and kicks hard but doesn’t become boring and redundant like a lot of metal blast beats have become these days. There are a few acoustic arrangements here and there that become an essential part of the music that builds up into a fury of crunchy, ripping rhythm. Confused yet? Don’t be. It all comes together in a masterpiece that Neuraxis and Prosthetic Records can be proud of for years to come.

Darkness Prevails starts things off great with a thundering drum beat to move into a slicing rhythm of technical guitars riffs. Have I said technical enough yet? Wicked creeps in with acoustic guitar that turns into a nice slow distorted groove and then rips into a cutting edge beat down. The lyrics read through the song like such: “Then the machine walked / And the children cried? Over old warm stone / Shattered and half buried / Their bodies lay broke /covered with dust aside the road“. The title track, The Thin Line Between leaves no time to rest and is an all out assault, tearing a new boundary. As one line says, this song is “Genius and Maniacal”. Standing Despite gives your neck a slight rest between Dreaming End and Oracle with a cool but short instrumental that has a soothing effect…that is until Oracle kicks in and the gloves are off again. The last song, All and nothing has another acoustic arrangement at the beginning that has you thinking that your poor banging head is getting another rest. It is…but it’s a short intermission before getting back to the ass kicking with guest vocals from Chris Alsop from Torn Within.

Alex Leblanc’s vocals are not really different from some other extreme metal vocalists out there but they are consistently brutal (I know, that word is over-used in metal these days…but until we find a better word we’re going to keep using it) and sounds great. Rob Milley and William Segher work well together and both know how to rip the solos through and through. Yan Thiel has to be a skilled athlete on the Bass Guitar in order to keep up with William and Rob. lastly Tommy McKinnon’s drumming is amazing to say the least. Lyrically this album is nothing short of brilliant. This record is well produced and well taken.

The Thin Line Between Gets 4 for 4 

Download Neuraxis -Darkness Prevails

Neuraxis Info

Neuraxis Myspace

Neuraxis Official Webpage

Album Image Source: Amazon.com

Band Photo Courtesy Of Prosthetic Records

Post from: Metal Martyr

Way Too Loud

WTL: Well, since the first new thing I’m noticing is the handle bar mustache, you’ve got to explain that. It’s huge! You look like a Hell’s Angel!

Jordan: (Laughs) I was growing a beard in December, and then we had a photo shoot for DW ( the drum company), and I didn’t want a beard for that, so I shaved it into a moustache just for fun, and it just kind of grew on me for a couple of days. They were digging it, so I was like “Sweet!” Then they said they wanted me to do a commercial too! It’s been cool because it’s getting me work!

WTL: The video for “Nothing Left” debuted recently. What’s it like shooting a video, especially from the position of the drummer? And does Tim scream or lip-sync?

Jordan: Sometimes he screams, sometimes he doesn’t. We’ve got to run through the song so many times that he’ll blow out his voice if he screams the whole time. Usually you just play along with the track, nothing is miked, and no sound is coming out. As far as I’m concerned, I could not shoot another video, ever! If I could do that, I’d be happy! I just don’t like shooting videos, I like the end result product, because it looks really cool. I have to play the song so many times, and I get so exhausted after the 15th run-through. Being the drummer, I’m always in the background, even if they’re doing a close-up of the guitar player or the singer, I’m always in the background while everyone else gets to take a break, because even if no one else is in the shot, I’m always in the background. Those are my cranky days. I’m usually in pretty good spirits most days. I might not like it, but I’m not going to complain about it too much!

WTL: You’ve toured with Satanic bands before, more specially Behemoth twice, and I’ve heard you’ve had a good time hanging out with them, and they even put you on the thank you list in the back of one of their albums (more specifically in “Demigod”). Do you think you’re sending a different kind of message, a good message, by touring with bands who have such different religious views?

Jordan: Yeah! I think we’re sending the right message, whether or not it’s different from what other bands have said, I don’t know. I think there’s a portion of the Christian community that’s very un-accepting to that kind of stuff. They’ll say don’t touch it, don’t get near it, don’t be involve with it, don’t affiliate yourself with it , but as a band and as Christians, it doesn’t matter to us. They’re a band, whether they’re a Christian band or a Satanic band, it doesn’t matter to us. We want to play with those bands, we want to become friends with those bands. If we happen to create a friendship, that’s awesome!

Me personally, I’ve had several very good conversations about Christianity, and what they believe, an anti-Christian viewpoint from Nergal. We’ve talked a lot, and as far as philosophies of religion and life go, I don’t think there was much progress on either of our ends, but we were able to understand each other, and where we were coming from. I understand his viewpoint a lot more, and I understand where he comes from, and at the end of the conversation, we still had a mutual respect for one another. We come from opposite ends of the spectrum, but we still have respect for each other, and we still want to play music with each other.

You don’t necessarily have to agree with someone to be their friend and accept them. As a Christian as well, what good does it do to preach to the choir? And the same thing with them. If they were to go around and play for instance, only in Satanic churches every day, what good would their message be? They’re passionate about what they do, so they want to go play to a different audience, where they can express what they believe to that audience. It’s up to the audience to whether or not they look into what their beliefs are, and the same thing with us. They’re looking for opportunities to look out for what they believe in and share what they believe in, and they’re passionate about it, the same way we are.

That’s kind of a long answer!

Read the rest of this interview here.

Image Source: Newscom.com

And yes, I know the picture is not Jordan Mancino, but it was the best pic I could find that I can legally use.

Post from: Metal Martyr