First Impressions is a collection of whiz-bang reviews, primarily of shorter albums (EPs and singles) which are given a review after a single listen. This is a great way for TGEFM to showcase some of the releases which wouldn't get a full review on their own.
Have an album or release you want reviewed? Send it to us HERE.
Review: Death Kill Overdrive – “Zero Dollars and Zero Cents”
Bloated Kat Records, 17 March 2021
“Zero Dollars and Zero Cents” is a really exciting song to introduce Death Kill Overdrive. The song has some fantastic sounding guitars and the drums are pummeling and gashing, like they really might leave a head wound. Most importantly, the song is fantastic and fantastically structured, shifting between frantic pacings and melodic pop bits and oozing pure energy. The vocals sound wonderful, too, dropping hooks that are going to be singalongable with more listens. They even find time to drop in some great lead guitar. Good stuff.
Favorite song: “Zero Dollars and Zero Cents”
Review: Grim Deeds – “Ignivomous”
Self-released, 16 March 2021
Deeds makes no secret of his love of metal music and certain elements make their way into his songs sometimes. But his newest single dives all in. “Ignivomous” is pure metal of the blackened speed variety. The guitars are abrasive and the chugging riffs are straight evil, adorned late in the song by a mind-breaking lead. The drums rattle the ribcage and the cymbals lacerate the brain and Deeds vocal turn is primal and sinister. It's twisted and vile and a lot of sick fun.
Favorite song: “Ignivomous”
Review: the SUCK – “Fantasy Beer League”
Mom's Basement Records, 8 March 2021
the SUCK have a new album coming called Boris Sprinkler and the band has been kind enough to drop an early single, called “Fantasy Beer League”. The song is a beer-fueled rager with a melodic verse and a catchy as all-get-out chorus. The whole song is bolstered by the cadence hooks and the pure buzz of the song. In the name of honesty, I was lukewarm on the SUCK's previous In-Cog-Neat-O. But I really like this song. Has me looking forward to Boris Sprinkler.
Favorite song: “Fantasy Beer League”
Review: Scott Reynolds – “If I'm Alright”
Nonexistant Records, 19 March 2021
Scott Reynolds‘ (of ALL, Pavers, etc) new song “If I'm Alright” is a sweet shuffling acoustic number that drips with nostalgia. It's a great showcase for Reynolds' voice, sung in a restrained and melodic manner. I love the little part half way through where Reynolds announces a music part that “goes like this” and then sings a “la la la” vocal melody. Makes me smile. I don't typically seek this sort of thing out, but I can't lie, this song feels good.
Favorite song: “If I'm Alright”
Review: Devon Kay & the Solutions – “Parchment & Petroleum”
Self-released, 19 March 2021
Devon Kay & the Solutions are back at it with a new single. This crew seems to cram all the celebration they can into their songs, like some sort of joyous weirdos. And this one fills all the right senses. I know this is maybe an odd reference point, but the start makes me think of Polyphonic Spree. The vocal melodies on the song are catchy and unique in just the right ways, the synths (both atmospheric and melodic) sound great, and the guitar lead part way through and again at the end is a good time. Viva celebrations!
Favorite song: “Parchment & Petroleum”
ryan is a reviewer and news editor for TGEFM. He's very secretive, he might be an alien.
