Tag Archives: Maine

Review: DRIVETRAIN – ‘Muscles Big’ [Album Stream]

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The 70s and 80s were both staple decades in the evolution of rock that most consider as the “classic” era for rock bands. Killer riffs and heavy drums are what made the music, and Portland, Maine’s Drivetrain are continuing those great characteristics that made the 70s and 80s rock. Since forming the group in 2012, Drivetrain has decided to unleash their killer debut album, ‘Muscles Big.’ Taking inspiration on the traditional aspects of loud cars and even louder rock, this debut is one of my favorite first albums from a band. With Kevin Beling handling vocals and rhythm guitar, Alex Fabish beating the hell out of the drums, Butch Fabish tackling lead guitar duties, and Ben Philbrick on the thunderous bass, they have released this mayhem on January 21, 2019. Continue reading →

Fifth Freedom “Heartbreak & Hellfire” Review!

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Photo Credit: Sugar Skull Photography

Photo Credit: Sugar Skull Photography

A few months ago I let you know about a band that is bringing good old fashioned rock n roll back to its rightful place at the top. Fifth Freedom call Portland, Maine home, but their roots are most certainly in the South. The band has the type of guitar work that will bring you to your knees. The term “Fifth Freedom” is a permit to disregard to any law to accomplish the mission, and that’s exactly what the band does. Regardless what is popular the band has set its sights on their sound, put their hearts into it and journeyed forward. As a listener and fan I’m already thankful for what they have done for music. They are already reaping the rewards as they have an incredible fan base both in their home state and across the country. The band recently released their sophomore record “Heartbreak & Hellfire”, a follow up to their self-titled debut from 2014. The album was recorded with Jon Wyman at The Halo Studios and mastered by Grammy Award winning mastering engineer, Adam Ayan and the renowned Gateway Mastering Studios in Portland, Maine. The songs on the album are a window into frontman Alan Jones’s soul. The heart wrenching and powerful lyrics play right along with the bluesy American rock n roll sound they have so gracefully created. Continue reading →

State of the Art: RC.Budaka

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*This is part of our State Of The Art series, showcasing bands every Monday from the featured State*

This month’s State is Maine!

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Since this is the last week of our State of the Art: Maine series, I wanted something special. Something different. Something spectacularly good. I won’t lie. It took me hours upon hours to find what I was looking for. Hell, at more than one point I was about ready to give up and use others that were good, but not what I was looking for. So glad I kept looking because what I found is the best Roots Rock band I have heard in years. Brilliant guitar, soulful and emotive vocals; all done with the true feeling associated with 70’s Rock and Hard Rock that is all too often lost today and so hard to emulate. RC.Budaka is that band and their recently released debut CD “Right Hear Right Now” is way too damned good to be any band’s first album. Continue reading →

State of the Art: RipFence

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 *This is part of our State Of The Art series, showcasing bands every Monday from the featured State*

This month’s State is Maine!

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Lewiston, Maine. North of Portland, South of Augusta and Bangor. It is the second largest city in Maine with a population just South of 40,000. Only about 92 square miles and sits squarely in the middle of Androscoggin County. A quaint, historic town founded in 1854. Sigh. That is until you start digging around. Back in the corner, where the dust and cobwebs reside (and what is that aweful smell?!?) and it is found that this town is not immune from a brutal form of Melodic Death Metal outfit called RipFence.

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State Of The Art: DEAD SEASON

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This is part of our State Of The Art series, showcasing bands every Monday from the featured State.

This month’s State is Maine!

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Formed in 2003 DEAD SEASON was Founded by brothers Matt and Ian Truman. Ian is the lead vocalist for the group while Matt plays guitar and does backing vocals. They were later joined by bassist Steven Church (2007) and drummer Dustin Fitzpatrick (2014). DEAD SEASON has sold over 25,000 cd’s, an amazing feat considering the band has done it all on their own w/out the help of a record label. The group hail from Paris, ME and have held their own with some of the biggest names in hard rock history. In their 13 year history they have managed to score gigs on the “ROCKSTAR MAYHEM FESTIVAL” and DISTURBED’S “MUSIC AS A WEAPON TOUR” to name only a few. They have also played gigs with and shared the bill with rock icons like SLIPKNOT, AVENEGED SEVENFOLD, GODSMACK, KORN, MEGADETH and MOTORHEAD. Trust me, that was the short list. These guys have played with everyone.

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State of the Art: FIFTH FREEDOM

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Photo Credit: Sugar Skull Photography

Photo Credit: Sugar Skull Photography

This is part of our State Of The Art series, showcasing bands every Monday from the featured State.|

This month’s State is Maine!

Great American rock bands have been on the decline in the music world for the past several years. Fifth Freedom have put the state of Maine on the map and brought some attention back to good old fashioned rock-n-roll. The band may call the great north home but their music has it’s roots in the south. The mixture of classic rock and southern rock is a great way to describe their sound. The band went on tour with Kentuckians Black Stone Cherry for two months, that tour put the spotlight on Fifth Freedom and brought some well deserved attention to the band. They have had various lineup changes through the bands existence but long time members Alan Jones (vocals/guitar) and Gary Marston (drums) have remained fully invested in the band. The group released their self titled debut in 2014 and it was an immediate success in the state of Maine.  It debuted at No.1 at Bull Moose music (a 12 location New England record store chain). Continue reading →

State of the Art: Destination: Void

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|This is part of our State Of The Art series, showcasing bands every Monday from the featured State.|

This month’s State is Maine!

Destination: Void is a Progressive Metal band that calls the Southern part of Maine home. They have been working really hard to make their way into becoming a big part of the local Metal Scene in Maine. The band originally formed in 2009. They have been preforming with their current line-up since 2013. Their current line-up includes 5 members: Ryan Cummings (Guitar), Caleb Ring (Guitar), Nick Crosen (Bass), Seth Perkins (Drums) and Luc Damen (Vocals). The band really has a sound that is purely their own. Their song titled “Hive Mother [annihilation] is available on Bandcamp for free download with the “Name you price” of zero dollars. This track is also a part of their Album entitled “TEMPVS FVGIT” that is set to release later this year. The band has a consistently heavy sound throughout this track. From listening to the band I have concluded that I can hear some Mastodon influence in their music. The melodic and harsh vocals give a great contrast to their sound. The overall sound has a smooth yet abrasive overtone. The band is definitely guitar driven, so if you are a guitar enthusiast your mouth will water over this band! We will soon be reviewing their upcoming album, so make sure to keep an eye out for it!

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State of the Art: FALLS OF RAUROS

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|This is part of our State Of The Art series, showcasing bands every Monday from the featured State.|

This month’s State is Maine!

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Falls of Rauros is a Folk and Black Metal band hailing from Portland, Maine. The band was formed in 2005 and  is comprised of four members: Evan, Aaron, Ray and Jordan. The band released an Album titled “Believe in No Coming Shore” in 2014 that includes 6 tracks. Throughout this album you are exposed to a great mix of Folk and Black Metal. The combination of folk elements and black metal riffs combines nicely for a bad ass sound. Not to mention the raspy sounds of the scream vocals in the background that really takes their sound to another level. Their combination of folk melodies and the raw sound of black metal really shows their creativity. The most unique aspect of the band is that every member is a multi-instrumentalist. One person isn’t tied to any one instrument. They prefer to keep it open and just call their self a “Band” with each member pulling equal weight.  Their sound is something I definitely look forward to hearing more of.  The band will start touring on the West Coast for the first time later this month with the band Wayfarer kicking off in Denver, CO on June 30th. Be sure to give this band a listen and check out one of their upcoming shows!
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State of the Art: Dead Season

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 *This is part of our State Of The Art series, showcasing bands every Monday from the featured State*

This month’s State is Maine!

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So June’s State of the Art starts with Maine. Where does the time go? Half way through 2016 already. So many great bands discovered over our great country already. This is why I really love this series. Find interesting music where I would not normally look and share it. What could be more Metal than that? Grass roots head banging at its best. Well, my first band jumped up in about thirty seconds of searching. A real no-brainer to write about. If you are not from the upper, east coast, you may not have ever heard of them. If you are, however, you already know who I am talking about. That’s right. It could only be Dead Season. This is a “holy-shit” good band!

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