Tag Archives: Jake Kussmaul

It had taken Canada’s Ann Taylor a backpacking trip across Europe to harness her vocal abilities, and that feat is a testament to her artistic merit. Ever since her undertaking, the 22-year-old Alberta-based singer/songwriter has continually showcased only her most poignant sentiments. Such talent has earned Taylor two YYC Music …

After a five-year lapse, Deuce has returned. His upcoming sophomore solo album, Invincible, sees release on December 1st, and features a tightly-strewn, revitalized blend of rock riffs atop a hip hop foundation. Since starting anew with TAG Publicity through his label, Better Noise Records, the Los Angeles-bred, Portland-based rapper deemed …

Underground rock has amassed hope in Barb Wire Dolls, an emerging Greek quintet signed by the late great Lemmy Kilmister of Motorhead. What solidifies the band’s legacy today is a tribute in music video form, that of their single “Fade Away” (off Rub My Mind). Its release coincides with the …

Sons of Texas have taken their brand of southern metal to greater levels of sonic potential. Armed with a five-man lineup (vocalist Mark Morales, guitarists Jes De Hoyos and Jon Olivares, bassist Nick Villarreal and brother Mike on drums), the McAllen outfit implements newly seasoned live dynamics onto an already …

In preparation for their new album, For The Demented, Ottawa, Ontario’s Annihilator has followed up with an explicit accompaniment to its fourth track, “Pieces of You.” How this nature is delivered proves not only blunt, but wholly gruesome – from the perspective of a cannibal. Pieces, in this context, refers …

Last week, my review of Thor’s latest album, Beyond The Pain Barrier, was shared by the man himself. I’d reached out to Thor via Facebook, and not only did he enjoy the review; he’d also accepted my proposal for a follow-up interview, thus making what’s presented here possible. Having initially …

For over four decades, Canadian strongman Jon Mikl has performed as Thor, an act that combines pro-tier muscular strength with upstanding heavy metal musicianship. These days, Thor as a stage name is synonymous with Mikl himself, rather than a solid band entity, as he has fronted both classic and erstwhile …

The Persian Leaps encompass a journey of patience and humility, but among any contending descriptor, persistence. Their mastermind, singer-guitarist Drew Forsberg, scribbled the phrase down in his Greek Archaeology notebook, simply hoping to one day write music under that name. Some 20 years later, Forsberg finally realized a band permutation …

Tom Petty, a multiplatinum singer-songwriter whose career spanned over four decades, had been unconscious in full cardiac arrest since early Tuesday morning. After initial reports leaked of Petty’s exhibiting zero brain activity while on life support, he was presumed dead by multiple news outlets. However, his death was officially confirmed …

For over three decades, Tom Keifer has been best recognized as the front man for glam metallers Cinderella. The Philadelphia quartet achieved multi-platinum success in the mid to late 80s, bolstered by the success of such hits as “Shake Me,” “Nobody’s Fool,” “Don’t Know What You Got (‘Til It’s Gone)” …

This past Saturday, Charles Bradley, often dubbed the Screaming Eagle of Soul, had lost an otherwise optimistic, year-long battle against stomach cancer. The Gainesville-bred, Brooklyn-based singer was 68 years old, having achieved a belated, yet well-deserved ride of success since his 2010 career acclaim. Back in May, a revitalized Bradley …

Continuing their newfound journey as Hostile Array, the Maryland metal quintet followed up with “Herd Instinct,” the sophomore single to lead their second permutation’s upcoming debut album. It is chock full of dark, pounding metal riffs, while conveying a theme of faith among the ignorance of a collective society. Yesterday, …