Broken Neck Radio EP Review:
“Acts of Tragedy: Cursed Words” EP release date: July 2, 2013
Reviewed by Reverend Rock
One of the great joys of being a freelance writer is that I get to pick and choose the releases I review; I’ve not got an egomaniacal editor looming over the finished work. What that basically means is that, especially for independent releases, the publication of a review means that the subject has already met a high standard of excellence, which is totally subjective and set by me. Where independent acts are concerned I will simply not write a bad review; it is difficult enough for bands trying to ‘make it’ without a critic kicking them in the genitalia, and yes, I have refused to review several releases over the last year.
With the preamble out of the way it is now my great pleasure to introduce to you Italian metal band Acts of Tragedy. I’ve had their debut EP in my possession for a couple of weeks now and have heard it at least a dozen times. That in and of itself speaks to the appeal of the EP titled, “Cursed Words” set for release in North America this coming Tuesday, July 2, 2013.
As you’ve not likely heard them before you are probably asking, who the hell is Acts of Tragedy? To answer here is the band’s bio, taken directly from their ReverbNation space: “Formed in 2005 under the name of "Slivers", Acts of Tragedy, after several lineup changes, found stability in 2013, with the choice of a new name that better represents the band's ideas. Groove Metal band with Prog Metal, Metalcore and Mathcore influences, are preparing now to the implementation of the new EP, with the participation of drummer Kevin Talley (Dying Fetus, Misery Index, Chimaira, etc...)”
I would agree with their assessment of genre as well as the assertion that they are influenced by the likes of Lamb of God, Pantera and Nevermore. When I play them on Broken Neck Radio, which I fully intend to do, I see them fitting into a set with any of those bands as well as one of my personal favourites, Soilwork. The “Cursed Words” EP is a hard hitting take on the human condition, its lyrics dealing with themes of universal social relevance such as greed, angst, religion and the elusive search for joy. Each of the six songs is well-constructed and recorded with outstanding production values. The only negative criticism that I can muster up is that, the band not being native English speakers, some of the lyrics are pronounced oddly. That however may actually add to the appeal for some.
Acts of Tragedy is set to release an excellent debut EP that is definitely worth checking out. The official video for the EP’s opening track, “My Modest Proposal” can be found here: http://www.reverbnation.com/actsoftragedy or on YouTube here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y7_VfK57pXY
Reverend Rock’s Rating: 4/5 – Check It Out!
“Acts of Tragedy: Cursed Words” EP release date: July 2, 2013
Reviewed by Reverend Rock
One of the great joys of being a freelance writer is that I get to pick and choose the releases I review; I’ve not got an egomaniacal editor looming over the finished work. What that basically means is that, especially for independent releases, the publication of a review means that the subject has already met a high standard of excellence, which is totally subjective and set by me. Where independent acts are concerned I will simply not write a bad review; it is difficult enough for bands trying to ‘make it’ without a critic kicking them in the genitalia, and yes, I have refused to review several releases over the last year.
With the preamble out of the way it is now my great pleasure to introduce to you Italian metal band Acts of Tragedy. I’ve had their debut EP in my possession for a couple of weeks now and have heard it at least a dozen times. That in and of itself speaks to the appeal of the EP titled, “Cursed Words” set for release in North America this coming Tuesday, July 2, 2013.
As you’ve not likely heard them before you are probably asking, who the hell is Acts of Tragedy? To answer here is the band’s bio, taken directly from their ReverbNation space: “Formed in 2005 under the name of "Slivers", Acts of Tragedy, after several lineup changes, found stability in 2013, with the choice of a new name that better represents the band's ideas. Groove Metal band with Prog Metal, Metalcore and Mathcore influences, are preparing now to the implementation of the new EP, with the participation of drummer Kevin Talley (Dying Fetus, Misery Index, Chimaira, etc...)”
I would agree with their assessment of genre as well as the assertion that they are influenced by the likes of Lamb of God, Pantera and Nevermore. When I play them on Broken Neck Radio, which I fully intend to do, I see them fitting into a set with any of those bands as well as one of my personal favourites, Soilwork. The “Cursed Words” EP is a hard hitting take on the human condition, its lyrics dealing with themes of universal social relevance such as greed, angst, religion and the elusive search for joy. Each of the six songs is well-constructed and recorded with outstanding production values. The only negative criticism that I can muster up is that, the band not being native English speakers, some of the lyrics are pronounced oddly. That however may actually add to the appeal for some.
Acts of Tragedy is set to release an excellent debut EP that is definitely worth checking out. The official video for the EP’s opening track, “My Modest Proposal” can be found here: http://www.reverbnation.com/actsoftragedy or on YouTube here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y7_VfK57pXY
Reverend Rock’s Rating: 4/5 – Check It Out!
