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Let me give you Thrash metal junkies an advice aside from your age; if you are into acts capable of manufacturing a bridge between the old and the new school with elevated technical skills practically and not only by the words of a biography, do yourself a favour and get the debut-CD of this Cincinnati's band. The review might end here but as usual I feel obliged to give more details, especially considering that we're dealing with the first effort of a band; they are actually seasoned musicians and it shows in every second and they've chosen the easy way on a local label after releasing a self-titled demo a while ago.
A sad and somber violin is the unusual manner of opening and closing a CD, and the opener "Choose Your Path" is meant to make clear that nothing here is as you would expect; the calm before the storm and viceversa. The next tracks are a sonic assault from start to finish with just a coupla exceptions.
From the following "Dying Hope" you can immediately enjoy highly Techno-thrash metal riffs and axe solos, several stop 'n' goes and a healthy alternation of semi-clean and rawer vocals. Nothing is outa place and every utilized note appears to be there for a precise reason behind, and "Moshpit Mafia" is the best pattern to this explanation, moving between Anacrusis' rifferama and drumming a là Glenn Tipton (Fight era).
Of course everything is perfectible as they are humans, and therefore the only mark I feel like suggesting them is that main vocalist Brandon Neeley needs to try and be more various stylistically; this limit is plainly hearable in "When Sand Turns to Glass", a composition that lives different moments and sensations as expressed by the lively guitars, and consequently could have sounded better with vocals not constantly aggressive; the right direction is walked in "Tick" tho, an original piece with a tough vocal duet with lead 6-stringer Chris Brown. This composition is surmounted in beauty only by "Camp Pain", a stupefying hybrid of Thrash and Groove Metal-core containing superb guitar solos reminding the Marty Friedman of Megadeth's "Rust In Peace"; I don't exaggerate if I declare this song connects Megadeth, Slipknot and Biohazard and is worth buying the CD alone!
"Seal of Disapproval" is a semi-ballad in the vein of Down, which bursts and grows like the Pantera of the good ol' times, while "S.P.I.H." recurs to the more wicked vocals of the album, and "Forfeit the Hate" is nothing but deluxe Thrash with two diverse vocalists; its riffs break your neck and back, the rhythmic section makes an awesome work of hammering, the high vocals reach the quality peaks of Flotsam and Jetsam's Eric, and the piercing axe solos make in 1,000 pieces what's left of you.
"Tears of the Fallen Angel" is an instrumental piano song, a realxing interlude to the stolen (sorry) riff from "Reign In Blood", following a good introductory one; on the other hand, the rest of "Distorted Perception" is personal enough, and displays the more modern side of Pain Link, in line with As I Lay Dying, Shadows Fall and so on, yet with an old-fashioned footprint within the same song (as for the refrain and other riffs); what makes it quite desirable is the positive use of the two guitars, in this case playing a different guitar plot and not the same line doubled as before.
"The Burden of Sin" is one of those records growing slow, flowing smoothly in your ears only at the third listen. Had it come out before 1990, it would've become an historical album, notwithstanding I'm confident the ripe musicianship in it won't get unobserved nowadays either. Acquire the disc now and you're gonna feel all the wiser when hapless heads begin to roll.
MARKUS GANZHERRLICH - 20th March 2006 - rockmetalbands.com
Let me give you Thrash metal junkies an advice aside from your age; if you are into acts capable of manufacturing a bridge between the old and the new school with elevated technical skills practically and not only by the words of a biography, do yourself a favour and get the debut-CD of this Cincinnati's band. The review might end here but as usual I feel obliged to give more details, especially considering that we're dealing with the first effort of a band; they are actually seasoned musicians and it shows in every second and they've chosen the easy way on a local label after releasing a self-titled demo a while ago.
A sad and somber violin is the unusual manner of opening and closing a CD, and the opener "Choose Your Path" is meant to make clear that nothing here is as you would expect; the calm before the storm and viceversa. The next tracks are a sonic assault from start to finish with just a coupla exceptions.
From the following "Dying Hope" you can immediately enjoy highly Techno-thrash metal riffs and axe solos, several stop 'n' goes and a healthy alternation of semi-clean and rawer vocals. Nothing is outa place and every utilized note appears to be there for a precise reason behind, and "Moshpit Mafia" is the best pattern to this explanation, moving between Anacrusis' rifferama and drumming a là Glenn Tipton (Fight era).
Of course everything is perfectible as they are humans, and therefore the only mark I feel like suggesting them is that main vocalist Brandon Neeley needs to try and be more various stylistically; this limit is plainly hearable in "When Sand Turns to Glass", a composition that lives different moments and sensations as expressed by the lively guitars, and consequently could have sounded better with vocals not constantly aggressive; the right direction is walked in "Tick" tho, an original piece with a tough vocal duet with lead 6-stringer Chris Brown. This composition is surmounted in beauty only by "Camp Pain", a stupefying hybrid of Thrash and Groove Metal-core containing superb guitar solos reminding the Marty Friedman of Megadeth's "Rust In Peace"; I don't exaggerate if I declare this song connects Megadeth, Slipknot and Biohazard and is worth buying the CD alone!
"Seal of Disapproval" is a semi-ballad in the vein of Down, which bursts and grows like the Pantera of the good ol' times, while "S.P.I.H." recurs to the more wicked vocals of the album, and "Forfeit the Hate" is nothing but deluxe Thrash with two diverse vocalists; its riffs break your neck and back, the rhythmic section makes an awesome work of hammering, the high vocals reach the quality peaks of Flotsam and Jetsam's Eric, and the piercing axe solos make in 1,000 pieces what's left of you.
"Tears of the Fallen Angel" is an instrumental piano song, a realxing interlude to the stolen (sorry) riff from "Reign In Blood", following a good introductory one; on the other hand, the rest of "Distorted Perception" is personal enough, and displays the more modern side of Pain Link, in line with As I Lay Dying, Shadows Fall and so on, yet with an old-fashioned footprint within the same song (as for the refrain and other riffs); what makes it quite desirable is the positive use of the two guitars, in this case playing a different guitar plot and not the same line doubled as before.
"The Burden of Sin" is one of those records growing slow, flowing smoothly in your ears only at the third listen. Had it come out before 1990, it would've become an historical album, notwithstanding I'm confident the ripe musicianship in it won't get unobserved nowadays either. Acquire the disc now and you're gonna feel all the wiser when hapless heads begin to roll.
MARKUS GANZHERRLICH - 20th March 2006 - rockmetalbands.com
Tuesday, September 20, 2005
Pain Link CD review from Splendid e-zine (www.splendidezine.com)
Category: Music
PAIN LINK-"The Burden of Sin"
"When the violence in the moshpit explodes," Pain Link's vocalist Brandon Neeley explains in "Moshpit Mafia", "I'm not the motherfucker you want to know." On paper it looks like testosterone-fueled braggadocio, but Neeley and the rest of Pain Link really sell this lyric as a legitimate warning. Neeley's voice is meaty and gruff like grizzly bear's; yes, it sounds like he's capable of hurting others.
The Burden of Sin, the group's debut, is a leaden metal album in the tradition of scary thrashers from eras past -- bands like Slayer, Nuclear Assault and Motörhead. While their sound isn't completely rooted in retro metal stylings, they definitely know how to properly pay homage to their ancestors. "Dying Hope" features mirrored guitar solos by Chris Brown and Greg Neeley that could have been lifted straight from a Pantera record. Brown's backing vocals on "Tick" come out of nowhere with a crystal clear '80s metal howl that not only offers a nice countermelody to Neeley's growl, but sounds uncannily like Iron Maiden's Steve Harris. It's a tasteful tribute, handled with a surprisingly confident hand.
The true sign that Pain Link is a post-millennial metal band is their ability to sprinkle a little emo introspection around their aggressive headbanging ditties. "Choose Your Path" features solo violin work that's so soaked in reverb, the tone is more molasses drip than typical orchestral howl. Instrumental piano ballad "Tears of the Fallen Angel" is another surprise; if it weren't sandwiched between two brutal nosebleed-inducing tunes, it would almost be wussy.
- Splendid E-Zine
Tuesday, September 20, 2005
Pain Link CD review from Splendid e-zine (www.splendidezine.com)
Category: Music
PAIN LINK-"The Burden of Sin"
"When the violence in the moshpit explodes," Pain Link's vocalist Brandon Neeley explains in "Moshpit Mafia", "I'm not the motherfucker you want to know." On paper it looks like testosterone-fueled braggadocio, but Neeley and the rest of Pain Link really sell this lyric as a legitimate warning. Neeley's voice is meaty and gruff like grizzly bear's; yes, it sounds like he's capable of hurting others.
The Burden of Sin, the group's debut, is a leaden metal album in the tradition of scary thrashers from eras past -- bands like Slayer, Nuclear Assault and Motörhead. While their sound isn't completely rooted in retro metal stylings, they definitely know how to properly pay homage to their ancestors. "Dying Hope" features mirrored guitar solos by Chris Brown and Greg Neeley that could have been lifted straight from a Pantera record. Brown's backing vocals on "Tick" come out of nowhere with a crystal clear '80s metal howl that not only offers a nice countermelody to Neeley's growl, but sounds uncannily like Iron Maiden's Steve Harris. It's a tasteful tribute, handled with a surprisingly confident hand.
The true sign that Pain Link is a post-millennial metal band is their ability to sprinkle a little emo introspection around their aggressive headbanging ditties. "Choose Your Path" features solo violin work that's so soaked in reverb, the tone is more molasses drip than typical orchestral howl. Instrumental piano ballad "Tears of the Fallen Angel" is another surprise; if it weren't sandwiched between two brutal nosebleed-inducing tunes, it would almost be wussy.
- Splendid E-Zine
PAIN LINK BURDEN OF SIN
RECORD LABEL- PEACE OR DIE RECORDS
RELEASE DATE- JANUARY 2006
WEBSITE www.painlink.net
MYSPACE www.myspace.com/painlink
3 1/2 Stars
By Kristin
Pain Link from Kentucky definitely have their shit kicking boots on and from the sound of it their kicks are complete with steel toe to bust you open with. They were a quarter finalist in Zippo's:"Hot Tour" contest. I sincerely wish them the best of luck. Pain Links new CD "The Burden Of Sin" is available online at cdbaby.com. This five piece thrash band is metal is to the core forming a sound that happens to appeal to variety of metal fans. Pain Link is influenced by Judas Priest, Shadow's Fall, Pantera, and Chimaira. The band wrote, recorded, and produced "Burden Of Sin" all by their lonesome and it sounds smashing. The cd is played on a few radio stations but is widely distributed on the internets music stations.
These hard asses feel a bond with fans since they relate with a lot of personal and societal issues with older and young fans alike. In a short time Pain link have been named "Top local releases of 2005" in City Beat a local Cincinnati's music paper. The Band is currently playing shows within a 400 mile radius of old Cincinnati so run, run and catch them if you can. Snapper (aka Paul Parece the bass player) was interviewed by Localmetal.com, he explained how the band are a 100% all team players and share all the duties such as expenses, responsibilities, and assets. He also states he is a mellow- laid back kind of guy, he is just very outspoken on the things he believes in and has refused to bite his tongue on that.
Pain Link have been together a few years and don't fight each other they just fight for the causes they strongly believe in. When making this album they wanted to go back to their roots and to simply add a new tasty ass flavor for fans to treat themselves to. "Choose your Path." tricks you into thinking your listening to a some classical masterpiece. So what I did was leave it in my mom's car (inside the cd with player on) so she'd go "Oh what's this?", then the beats of "Dying Hope" would come on and make her jump out of her skin- Let's just say it worked well enough for her to want to smack me upside my head. All practical jokes aside, I think a lot of people will generally reach out and embrace this cd with open arms.
1. Choose your Path
2. Dying Hope
3. Moshpit Mafia
4. When sand turns to Glass
5. Tick
6. Camp Pain
7. Seal of Disapproval
8. S.P.I.H.
9. Forfeit the Hate
10. Tears of the fallen Angel
11. Distorted Perception - bacstagepass.com
PAIN LINK BURDEN OF SIN
RECORD LABEL- PEACE OR DIE RECORDS
RELEASE DATE- JANUARY 2006
WEBSITE www.painlink.net
MYSPACE www.myspace.com/painlink
3 1/2 Stars
By Kristin
Pain Link from Kentucky definitely have their shit kicking boots on and from the sound of it their kicks are complete with steel toe to bust you open with. They were a quarter finalist in Zippo's:"Hot Tour" contest. I sincerely wish them the best of luck. Pain Links new CD "The Burden Of Sin" is available online at cdbaby.com. This five piece thrash band is metal is to the core forming a sound that happens to appeal to variety of metal fans. Pain Link is influenced by Judas Priest, Shadow's Fall, Pantera, and Chimaira. The band wrote, recorded, and produced "Burden Of Sin" all by their lonesome and it sounds smashing. The cd is played on a few radio stations but is widely distributed on the internets music stations.
These hard asses feel a bond with fans since they relate with a lot of personal and societal issues with older and young fans alike. In a short time Pain link have been named "Top local releases of 2005" in City Beat a local Cincinnati's music paper. The Band is currently playing shows within a 400 mile radius of old Cincinnati so run, run and catch them if you can. Snapper (aka Paul Parece the bass player) was interviewed by Localmetal.com, he explained how the band are a 100% all team players and share all the duties such as expenses, responsibilities, and assets. He also states he is a mellow- laid back kind of guy, he is just very outspoken on the things he believes in and has refused to bite his tongue on that.
Pain Link have been together a few years and don't fight each other they just fight for the causes they strongly believe in. When making this album they wanted to go back to their roots and to simply add a new tasty ass flavor for fans to treat themselves to. "Choose your Path." tricks you into thinking your listening to a some classical masterpiece. So what I did was leave it in my mom's car (inside the cd with player on) so she'd go "Oh what's this?", then the beats of "Dying Hope" would come on and make her jump out of her skin- Let's just say it worked well enough for her to want to smack me upside my head. All practical jokes aside, I think a lot of people will generally reach out and embrace this cd with open arms.
1. Choose your Path
2. Dying Hope
3. Moshpit Mafia
4. When sand turns to Glass
5. Tick
6. Camp Pain
7. Seal of Disapproval
8. S.P.I.H.
9. Forfeit the Hate
10. Tears of the fallen Angel
11. Distorted Perception - bacstagepass.com
From The August 2006 Edition of Metal Edge Magazine.
The Burden of Sin is the first full-length album from Pain Link. With a list of influences that range from Slayer, Pantera, and Maiden, to new school metal like Lamb Of God, Shadows Fall, and Chimaira, you know that they’ve got their heads on straight. With some serious intensity, they deal with more than just anger, they are unafraid to speak on personal and societal issues as well. “When Sand Turns To Glass” is a standout track, appealing to the listener not only musically, but through the lyrics on religion and martyrdom. - Metal Edge Magazine
From The August 2006 Edition of Metal Edge Magazine.
The Burden of Sin is the first full-length album from Pain Link. With a list of influences that range from Slayer, Pantera, and Maiden, to new school metal like Lamb Of God, Shadows Fall, and Chimaira, you know that they’ve got their heads on straight. With some serious intensity, they deal with more than just anger, they are unafraid to speak on personal and societal issues as well. “When Sand Turns To Glass” is a standout track, appealing to the listener not only musically, but through the lyrics on religion and martyrdom. - Metal Edge Magazine
Discography
Pain Link - Demo 2003
Pain Link - The Burden of Sin 2005 (full-length)
Pain Link - Uncivil Servant (four song, video enhanced EP)
Photos
Bio
PAIN LINK honors the groundwork laid by the metal forefathers while embracing the future of heavy music with open arms. They combine a unique blend of styles to form a sound that appeals to a wide variety of metal fans.
In the spring of 2003, Pain Link released their self-titled debut effort in the form of a seven-song demo. The band wrote, recorded, and produced the album in its entirety. Since its release, the band has distributed over 3000 copies both locally and abroad. The release has received airplay on several conventional radio stations, and countless internet stations, where it has been well received.
There has not been a single member change in Pain Link since its formation - a testament to the band's strong bond and work ethic. The insatiable drive of this band has led them through 300+ shows in the past 4 years including many opening slots for national acts such as Metal Church, Macabre, God Forbid, Unearth, The Black Dahlia Murder, Goatwhore, A Life Once Lost, Skeletonwitch, Misery Index, Three Inches of Blood, Estuary, Beneath the Sky, Suffocate Faster, Psyopus, Into the Moat, Animosity, Summer's End, Vampire Moose, & Dirty Rig. During this time they have focused on a regional following, scheduling shows in Cincinnati and in the surrounding areas of the Midwest.
In 2004 Pain Link won the "Bogart's Rumble", which is the largest talent contest in the city of Cincinnati encompassing bands from all genres. In December 2005, Pain Link was nominated for two Cincinnati Entertainment Awards in the following categories: Best Hard Rock/Metal Act & Best Live Act. In November 2006 they were nominated again in the Best Hard Rock/Metal category. Although ambitious, the band is also compassionate and socially aware. Consequently, they have participated in several fund raising benefit shows for various local and global causes.
Pain Link released their first full-length album The Burden of Sin in January 2005. With this effort, the band had reached a new level of musical maturity with their stylistic approach to the merging of various metal sub-genres. Pain Link feels a bond with the fans due to the subject matter of the band's lyrics, and that bond was taken to even greater heights. Drawing off of personal struggles, societal issues, and the attitudes of the metal subculture, Pain Link addresses issues that younger & older fans alike can relate to.
In December 2005, The Burden of Sin was named one of the "Top Local Releases of 2005" in Cincinnati music newspaper City Beat. In August 2006, The Burden of Sin was well received with a review in the world renowned, Metal Edge Magazine. The Burden of Sin is currently available at BestBuy.com, CDBaby.com, Akomprod.com, PainLink.net, and over 30 of the top digital download sites such as iTunes, Rhapsody, Sony Connect, MSN Music, etc.
Currently, Pain Link is booking shows within a 400-mile radius of Cincinnati. The band has also just released a video enhanced four song EP titled "Uncivil Servant. This EP includes a video for the single "The Power Lies Within. In a very short time Pain Link has become one of the Cincinnati Tri-State's best and most professional metal acts. Now they wish to set their scope on the Midwest as a whole while shopping their new material to labels that embrace heavy music.
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