Entropia's Crimson Empire (Review)

We could write over 2500 words and it would not relay the depth of this masterpiece.   So before you read the review, listen to the music.

Good listen? Now when your body is able to be still again, you will realize this is by far the best work from Vancouver's Entropia (http://www.myspace.com/entropiametal).  We've seen this band many times and have followed them from the days of their first album Disciples of Agression through to the Electric Circus.  With the beginning of the third CD the band is finding it's own sound and has truly solidified as a unit.

Darin Wall plays a thundering bass at speeds that would frighten hummingbirds.   Angus's vocals have the ability to range from the melodic Rob Halford to the most guttural crunge (we had to invent a word to describe it).  Dave Watson and company fill in the rest of the band with a deep talent pool.  Despite the complexity of their music, this is not a typical metal band that stands on stage.  Entropia delivers live  with a vigor and energy second to none.

Back to Crimson empire, the band clearly stems from early Iron Maiden influences yet has found their own sound.   By the time a band has settled in to a third album this is to be expected and the staying power is a testament to their strong will and dedication.  In our opinion, this will be one of the best releases in 2013.  A solid 9.5/10 for this track.

To compare from earlier Entropia, watch the video Ashes below.


Ashes

ENTROPIA (ELECTRIC CHAOS AVAILABLE NOW!) | Myspace Music Videos

DOA, Rebel Spell, Randy Rampage and Fierce Creep

Friday Jan 18, 2013 will go down in Vancouver music history.  It is simply one of the best rock/punk shows ever held in the terminal city and those lucky enough to get tickets to the event witnessed rock history in the making.  To recap the evening, it was billed as DOA's last show.  Two of DOA's original founders were there, Joey Shithead and Randy Rampage.   Chuck Biscuits failed to make an appearance however yet several of DOA's members did.


The show started out with what can only be described as a phenomenal evolution of the band known as The White Stripes called Fierce Creep.   The trio can only be described as the "best 3 piece quartet" one will ever hear.  Consisting only of drums, often heavily distorted bass and the piercing vocals of Karla, they sound more like a four piece act.  High energy from start to finish with blistering bass riffs and thundering, syncopated drumming accented by a driving undertone that makes it impossible to stand still.  Fierce Creep is self described as a semi-serious jam band but our impression is they have not yet realized how talented and original they are.

The second act was DOA co-founder Randy Rampage's new band simply billed as "Rampage".  The band consists of veteran drummer Zippy Pinhead, lead guitarist Duane Chaos and Tim Bitz on bass.   When !Rampage took to the stage, the audience energy and size had built to the point the theatre was full.  Opening up with one of Randy's classic songs "Bytor", the antics of Randy pushed the crowd over the edge with a 200 person strong mosh pit breaking out by the time they hit their second song "Slave to my Dick", originally from the Subhumans.  An epic rendition of Randy's Fox Seeds winning My Evil Ways also sent the crowd over the edge with tight rhythm and blistering heavy metal quality lead guitar work.    The band's climax came as they dropped into another anthemic Subhumans song "Fuck You!".  The band was quickly brought back for two encores by a hungry crowd.

The Rebel Spell mesmerized us as they launched into a psuedo celtic punk set.  The Rebel Spell  released their first album, Expression in Laymen’s Terms way back in 2003. This was followed by 2005's Days of Rage and the 2007 EP Four Songs about Freedom.  2011 saw the release of It’s a Beautiful Future.  Despite being in an awkward position to continue to build energy after the first two acts, the Rebel Spell conquered the stage and drove the audience into a frenzy.  Normally a four piece, the celtic feel partly came from the addition of a fiddle.

After the three opening acts, chants of "Joey, Joey, Joey" started to erupt through the theatre.  The intensity level now amplified by the expectations of a two hour DOA set had reached a climax.  By the time Floor Tom Jones, Dangerous Dan Yaramenko and Joey hit the stage, room was literally upside down.   DOA always performs well live and this show held up to expectations.  Thrashing around with more energy that most teenagers,  Joe Keithley and crew played to perfection.  Instead of sticking to the tried and true formula of playing only recent songs, the band chose to mix in relatively obscure and older songs to the delight of all.  Songs like Human Bomb, 13, I'm right, you're wrong and He's got a gun.  It also struck us as odd that Dan appears to be about 30 years old.  He was likely born 6 years after DOA's first show yet he fit in as if he was bred for yet a single purpose.  His bass playing is phenomenal and whatever he does next, we'll be there to watch.

The grand finale happened when several ex DOA members and friends including Randy Rampage and Wimpy Roy (aka "Brian Goble") showed up on stage for the encores.  Truly a set to be remembered.

One item that left an impression with us is Joe's move into politics.  Joe is a statesmen, representing a large segment of people.  He has probably set the world record for the most charity or fundraising gigs of any musician in his 35 year career with DOA.  His stance on education being the pillar of a rich nation is not original; in fact it has been proven successful in India and China as they transitioned their population to prosperity.  As much as we hate to see what could be our last DOA show ever, we support Joe and urge everyone in Coquitlam to get to know Joe.  He is very approachable and a breathe of fresh air is required in BC politics.    Joe's political page.

--30--

Vancouver Music Blog

Notable live music events around Vancouver this month

22nd Century will be playing with new guitarist Jesus Krysler at the Shark Club Friday Jan 13. This event is part of the annual Tunjifuze Skoolaid project to raise funds for building education facilities in Africa. More info at http://dreambigmontessori.wordpress.com/

The Left will perform with Cycles, January 28, at the Biltmore.

Fourth Of July Toilet at the Waldorf, Jan. 12.

Steph Macpherson, Redbird and Ma Petite (Railway Club, January 22)

Tim Readman and Jennie Bice have collaborated on a commendable merging of trad and contemporary UK folk called Out Of The Green. Readman and band, now called Out Of The Green, are at St. James Hall, Jan. 27.

For more listing see http://www.straight.com/timeout/search/events/

Upcoming for Dec 2011

Several Vancouver bands have received good press lately in Punk Globe magazine, an LA based magazine with a long history. Bands include Little Guitar Army, I, Braineater and 22nd Century.

Magnetized Productions is putting on a few shows including one night at the Troubadour Nightclub
in Langely, BC Friday, January 20th

Playing will be:

Versus The Nothing
www.myspace.com/versusthenothing

Edges of Seven
www.myspace.com/edgesofseven

Quartered
www.myspace.com/quartered

Azimyth
www.azmyth.ca

Jesus Krysler, Little Guitar Army, I, Braineater and Lady Starlight

Selected New Gigs, Upcoming:

November 9 BIG TROUBLES LIVE AT ZULU RECORDS! Wednesday 6:00pm - 9:00pm Zulu Records is super excited to present Slumberland recording artists Big Troubles! The handsomest boys in Jersey are stopping by after their show with Real Estate to play an all-ages set among the finest collection of vinyl and CDs Vancouver has to offer!

Nov 17 Mr M & The All Nighters, High Society and Katelyn Molgard at The Railway.

Nov 18/19 Jesus Krysler (CFOX Seeds finalists) will be at the Princeton Pub in November for a weekend of comedy and music and getting together with some friends to play and have a good time show at the Princeton Pub on Fri./Sat. Nov.18th/19th. It will be a low/dough affair with a $5 cover to make it easy. Rock and Roll in the record shop - don't miss it!

What just happened:

Little Guitar Army, I, Braineater, the Deadcats and East Vamps rocked the Chapel Arts (304 Dunlevy Street) on Friday night. LGA once again performed a brilliant set with the Deadcats ramping the audience up in classic punkabilly style.

Lady Starlight, DJ to Lady Gaga and support on tour for Judas Priest, faced a truly appreciative crowd at Joseph Richards Sunday night along with I, Braineater and an onslaught of fashion. During the same night members of Judas Priest and Joyce Collingwood shared stories and drinks - http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=553970275.

Vancouver punk Rock Reunion!

For those in the know (actually in the 'in crowd' enough to be invited to this private event), the 3rd annual punk rock reunion was a complete smash.  The list of performers read like the who's who list of the "anti" west coast music scene.  We were lucky enough to be invited and got to interact with some great people.  The only disappointment was that some music greats, like Randy Rampage (DOA, Annihilator) and Mellow Friesen and Sonny Dean (Little Guitar Army), were not even performing and there to enjoy the show.  The Rothschilds Darryl Stapleton was on hand as always and big Doug Smith brought the crowd to it's knees with a great performance by The Strugglers.  Strugglers front man, known only as the Bert Man, closed their set with a wicked rendition of TurboNegros' "The Age of Pamparius" with Orchard Pinkish grinding out guitar tones worthy of TurboNegro lead guitarist "Euro-Boy".

Photo: Christine Percival

Super punk girl Gerry-Jenn Wilson (below left) joined I, Braineater's Jimmy Cummins with stellar lineup of Duane Chaos (Guitar), Zippy Pinhead (drums) and Tim Plommer (bass) for the finale.

I, Braineater, playing in nothing but metal and black leather, are in the studio to complete a CD dude out before the end of 2011.  For those who missed this show, talk to your friends and get on the guest list for next year.  In the meantime, there is a not so secret event Sept 9 at the Fairview pub for Zippy Pinhead's birthday bash which will surely be a blowout to celebrate the end of summer.  The lineup is believed to be The Rothschilds, Vancouver's all girl punk band Joyce Collingwood, I, Braineater and more.  Not to be missed.