Avoider - 2012 Demo

After witnessing  New Jersey's Avoider turn an opening spot at Maxwell's into a showcase of headlining promise. I was eager to dig a little deeper in order to see what the band had to offer.
Upon hearing this demo I see a band who's potential seems limitless. Avoider mixes elements of Metal, Hardcore, Sludge and Stoner Rock perfectly. Dishing out some really impressive results.
One can revel in the guitar work Arben Colaku displays on these six tracks. Switching up gears and varying from a full on Metal assault to a sludgier, somewhat evil grind. In particular, I really dug the swampy riffs that
"Toxic Sludge" offered. Warren Swan's vocal style rivals the oft baritone sound of his contemporaries with style that had me thinking back to the days of Leeway's Eddie Sutton. With song titles like "Pervert in a Candy Shop" and "Dick Parade", How can you possibly go wrong? Go download the bands demo on Bandcamp and be sure to check them out live. You will not be disappointed. James Damion

Avoider  Facebook

Sick Jerk? - Frauds

I picked up a copy of 'Frauds' after experiencing a less than stellar set they played at a friends garage show. Let's just say the cost of two dollars and my morbid curiosity got the best of me on that night. Upon listening to ten tracks on this DIY disc I can't help but think,

"I could have gotten two Cokes and a Snickers with that two bucks."

As the disc opens you are lulled into a false sense of security. Reassuring yourself, "This isn't bad." "I mean I'm getting a little Dead Milkmen meets Ween on horse tranquilizers here." But that sense of hope quickly fades as the disc drags you into what feels like an endless bad trip.

Rockaway, New Jersey's 'Sick Jerk?'s sound is laid back, jangly, lazy and drags throughout. On "In Space No One Can Here You Say AHHHHH", a 5:27 minute descent into hell, you feel as if you're going to slit your throat just to save your ears from any more pain. 'Believe the Lie' and 'Buckshot Party' are the only standout tracks on here. The fact that they're buried towards the back doesn't do nearly enough to bring you back from your deep sleep. It's very rare when I can't find anything good to say about a release but I will have to make an exception here. Judge for yourself, if you dare.

James Damion

Sick Jerk Facebook

The Ugly's - Rejects Demo

Though "Rejects" was released back in 2009, this little gem of a demo was given to me less than twenty four hours ago, Thus making it completely new to my ears and worthy of a few thoughts. Though virtually unknown to the Jersey Metal scene The Ugly's legacy traces way back to the late eighties, early nineties when the bands singer and drummer were members of the highly regarded Metal act Ripping Corpse.

All history aside, The Ugly's prove you're never too old to Rock n' Roll. These guys may be in there fifties but they deliver the goods on this demo with some fast paced Metal that's both hard and relentless. The demo features five tracks 1. 55454 2. Same Old Trouble 3. The Boris Karloff Theory 4. and 5. Drillbit. Each song coming in under 3:00 minutes. Same Old... being the standout track.

Like I stated before I found little to no information on this band.

Perhaps searching Ripping Course would reveal more. Regardless the band does some good work on these tracks and I thought it should be noticed. James Damion

The Ugly's - Rejects Demo Download

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