Dead Light Shines' Debut Will Blind You

Dead Light Shines

The debut album by Dead Light Shines will catch you by surprise.  This Arizona-based progressive metal band may be newcomers on the scene, but they are at the top of their game.  "Fall To Rise" is a complex musical collection, held together with tight composition and arrangements.  The songs flow seamlessly together to create a brilliant concept album.

I have long said that metal is the new classical music.  This genre is the vehicle for the creation of symphonies of sound every bit as intricate as anything composed by Mozart.  This is evident in the ear-blasting songs by Dead Light Shines.  There is a trick that they do - I don't know how they do it.  Take the pounding drums of Jeremy Wall and the bass-slapping of Kelly Morales and combine these into a lurching rhythm that is like the gears of a race car engine with no oil, about to explode.  Then combine these with the buzzing riffs of Norm Wall.  It's like clockwork with components spinning and careening, threatening to collide and fall apart.  But it all stays together and creates a sonic landscape that is at once tachychardic and evocative.

I had the privilege of watching some of these guys growing up as musicians in the small cow town of Saint Johns on the Arizona/ New Mexico border, the nearest incorporated town to my ranch.  They always had tastes in music that went beyond the pop/ country that seemed prevalent in their hometown.  Kelly once told me, in regard to the thrash metal movement of the '80s, "I was born 10 years too late."

But after listening to "Fall to Rise", I am convinced that they were born right on time.  These songs are sometimes dreamy and contemplative and sometimes explosive and raw, sometimes reminiscent of great bands like Tool or Dream Theater.  Bree Cole's mournful vocals dominates most of the album while Shaina Rock-Wall lends her pipes to three of the tracks.  Guest vocalist Greg Norris sings on the final track, "Too Deep", which is one of my favorite songs on this collection.  Other favorite tracks are "Where I Belong", "The Descent", "Lost In You", "Even If I Die", and "In the Dark".  But, really, the whole album is good.

This album is a strong opening.  If it is any indication of how good, I can't stop listening to it.  Right now, the band is in the studio, putting together a collection of new songs (which I will review).  The band also has a new line-up.  I am excited to see what else they will do.  Definitely check them out.

Less Is Better: Review of Jess Williamson's "Native State"

Jess Williamson

Whenever I need new music, I contact my music guru, Nikki, and she sends new music my way.  One of the acts she shuffled my direction was Texas-native, Jess Williamson, one of the many performers at this year's prestigious SXSW festival in Austin, Texas.  I downloaded her debut album, "Native State", which came out last year.

First of all, I must say that this is my kind of music - very folksy, very minimalist.  It reminds me of the acts I used to see on 6th Street in Austin, or at Bandaloop's in Salt Lake City, or Fiddler's Dream in Phoenix.  Musicians who would get up with very few instruments and spin stories and emotions with haunting voices and as few notes as possible, crafting it seemingly out of nothing, out of cigarette smoke, the smell of coffee, and the attention of a mesmerized audience, caught in the glow of the music.

This aptly describes Jess Williamson's music.  There is a guitar here and there, or maybe a banjo.  She relies on her quavering voice and earthy lyrics to paint an impressionistic, gestalten image.  This is mood music, and what a mood I get when I listen to this.  It reminds me of other minimalist, artsy bands of the '80s that I used to listen to - like Area or Hugo Largo.

There are only seven songs on this album, and each one is resplendent.  Notable songs are "Blood Song" and "Native State".  My favorite, though, is "Field", with its use of strings.  It is absolutely haunting.

Word is that she is in the studio, recording new music.  I can't wait to see what she produces.  I'm willing to bet - if you haven't heard of Jess Williamson, you will soon.