Music Street Journal - Music News & Reviews

Metal/Prog Metal CD Reviews

Blake Red The Cradle Review by Gary Hill This artist is based somewhat near me, in the Chicago area. She is apparently billed as alternative rock, but I think heavy metal is a better classification, at least based on this set of four songs. However you label her music, though, Blake Red's sound is powerful and fresh. I am definitely interested in hearing more from her in the future. This review is available in book (paperback and hardcover) form in Music Street Journal: 2021 Volume 6. More information and purchase links can be found at: garyhillauthor.com/Music-Street-Journal-2021.

Track by Track Review

The Cradle This fires out with a hard-edged metal riffing. There are multiple layers of vocals in the arrangement here. This is dramatic and powerful. It has a real epic metal feeling to it in a lot of ways. The guitar soloing later is both fierce and incendiary.

This Reincarnation I think I like the metal opening of this even more than I liked the intro to the opener. The vocals have an almost operatic angle to them at times. This is a bit meaner feeling tune. It is perhaps a little less effective than the opener was, but it still rocks. The instrumental break on this is a real powerhouse.

The Darkness Whjle I'd consider this more alternative rock than metal, there is still plenty of heavy metal here. The distorted vocals are an interesting change. The cut has some of the strongest hooks of the whole EP. It is another potent piece of music.

Follow Me Here we have another metallic stomper. This has some cool riffs and hooks. It's a strong tune on a sest with no weak music.

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