CONSPIRACY OF THOUGHT - NOTHING MORE THAN LIGHT

Ok this isn’t the normal bill of fare here at White Throne, but every once in a while I come across something that falls outside the norm that really grabs me. Coriolis and Leper were two previous excursions into the unknown, Conspiracy of Thought is another.

Short punchy songs with good hooks dot the landscape of their 2009 release Nothing More than Light. Yes this disc is from 2009, but having just landed in my hands the urge to share the wealth was great. With a sound more akin to Linkin Park or POD than Slipknot, Conspiracy of Thought have crafted a fine album.

Plenty of powerful guitar with strong melodic arrangements that are more memorable than worthy. However elements of funk and hip hop swim to the surface as well, yet the indelible mark of rock n roll remains intact.

With lyrics that demand social action and thought provoking questions, the spiritual element is quite evident through out. Nothing More than Light isn’t a one trick pony lyrically. A lyric sheet wasn’t provided with my copy, but the vocals of Ben Stewart are a huge standout. His vocal tone is superior, and his annunciation is of high note.

Conspiracy of Thought are a fine band and Nothing More Than Light is a solid album. Hopefully they’ll get to perform a Northern California show and I can give a live review, but at this point I would really encourage you to check out Nothing More Than Light. A good album that shows promise of something even better in the offing. Recommended.

7 axes

FIVESTAR PROPHET - ENEMY

Delivering a solid one two punch of high energy rock n roll and strong memorable melodies Fivestar Prophet offer up an album of hope. With a strong lyrical message wrapped in a driving metal package Fivestar Prophet's album, Enemy is the real deal.

Along the lines of Avenged Sevenfold, Skillet or Disturbed; FP have produced a release of world class proportions. The hooks run deep and definitely are strong. Enemy discusses issues of living in this world, while trying to maintain a vital faith, at times succeeding at times failing. The world view isn’t a vain attempt at trying to gloss life up.

There are praise songs but not of the generic kind. These songs, As Long as I Live comes to mind, are honest attempts at living a life that honors God in this messed up place we live in. On the bands website they play down themselves as ‘heroes’ of any kind and desire to point the message to the King of Kings.

The production values are strong with some top notch tones. Enemy has a tight and strong sound which is punchy and deliberate. The guitars are up front and demand your attention.

If you want some strong hard rock n roll, with lyrical content above the norm, Fivestar Prophet's Enemy should be in your purchasing sights. Youngside Records are the North America label and have found another gem from across the Atlantic. Enemy is hard edged stuff that should appeal to a large swath of the music community.

7 axes.

GRAVE ROBBER - EXHUMED

Well those robbers of your bad dreams from Indiana have unleashed another collection of spine chilling whimsy. Grave Robber delivers again and shows that they mean business. Their punky metal ala The Misfits, is a sure fire combination to cross many musical genres.

Exhumed is the title of their latest. Currently a download only, there is a very limited CD pressing that you might still be able to get in on. Several re-recorded songs appear here, Altered States, Army of The Dead as well as some demo versions of I, Zombie and Screams of the Voiceless. There are some slight arrangement changes and Army of the Dead has a bit more of a swinging vibe to it.

Some new songs are here as well, Fill This Place with Blood, They Hate You are two examples. However they’re not the only newbie’s to appear, Lion of Judah is a full on punk crossover barn burner that shows Grave Robber is able to put a strong melody in just about anything. Crank this one and play it loudly, I see a ghoulish pit starting already!

11 songs in total provide a pure sonic adrenaline rush that will definitely have you cheering and screaming in delight before the end. Their version of ‘The Grinch’ appears as well and is so much fun that I often forget these were the guys who threatened me with Shovel.

Now Wretched all I said was it looked like his handle was broken, I didn’t mean to insult your customization of Shovels lower appendage but it was an honest mistake.

The production on a few of tracks is a little uneven, but those tracks are labeled DEMO, so there shouldn’t be any complaining. Just a little FYI if you know what I mean. About half the release are demo versions and about half are the full monty.

Exhumed is a nice way to tide the faithful over until their next full length album release. It’s my hope that it comes sooner rather than later. Of final note is that you MUST see them live. I had a chance last year and wasn’t disappointed in the least. Quite honestly my appreciation of them went sky high. Grave Robber are a fantastic band, an original concept that digs deep, in the well of spiritual allegory.

8 axe….