RISE TO ADDICTION :: View topic - "A New Shade of Black for the Soul" Reviews!!

Site Admin Joined: 14 Jun 2006 Posts: 91

LAST FM (PL)

http://www.lastfm.pl/user/ironlemon/journal/2007/10/2/539695/

Site Admin Joined: 14 Jun 2006 Posts: 91

DIGITAL STEEL (NL)

http://www.digital-steel.com/DS/index.php?headpage=albumrevs&id=483

Site Admin Joined: 14 Jun 2006 Posts: 91

UNDER SOCIETY (FR)

http://undersociety.free.fr/_MUSIQUES/CHRONIQUES/0267.html

Site Admin Joined: 14 Jun 2006 Posts: 91

DERBYSHIRE TIMES (UK)

http://www.derbyshiretimes.co.uk/times-out-no2?articleid=3059868

Site Admin Joined: 14 Jun 2006 Posts: 91

BLABBERMOUTH (USA)

From what I gather, there is has been a fair amount of hype in the European press for this English band's debut full-length, "A New Shade of Black for the Soul". RISE TO ADDICTION falls squarely into the modern hard rock category, given more muscle with some tough, crunchy riffs, thanks in part to Andy Sneap's mix. I'm not completely convinced of this one's worth, mainly because of the number of similarities heard to the numerous radio-friendly bands out there today. Even so, "A New Shade of Black for the Soul" offers more in the way of songwriting, even if it gets old at the halfway point.

As it turns out, the opening proper track ("A New Shade" is a very brief intro), "Cold Season" is the finest heard on the disc. Thick, heavy riffing, and a slamming tempo combine with a fairly infectious chorus. The tunes that follow are, for the most part, decent, but the formula does begin to wear thin. The soulful vocal style of Leigh Oates, is what will make most folks peg this band as a radio-rock outfit. His voice and some of the guitar structures will remind at times of acts like SEVENDUST and at other times like any host of modern bands that will give you that déjà vu feeling of having heard the style somewhere before. It is hard to complain about the fat bass lines, melodic guitars, and chunky riffs heard all over the album though. RISE TO ADDICTION has certainly taken care to assemble these pieces in a way that keeps several tunes from sounding overly generic.

The problem is that just as many songs do in fact have that vanilla flavoring. As always though, an album's worth is in the ear of the beholder. Folks that listen to modern hard rock exclusively will undoubtedly dub RISE TO ADDICTION the new kings. Everyone else (the metal crowd in the particular) will write off "A New Shade of Black for the Soul" as commercial drivel, which is not necessarily fair either, as this is not a bad album by any means. It is just one that is difficult to embrace, especially after you've heard the first several tracks. Objectively speaking, "A New Shade of Black" still manages to rise, if just a bit, above the mundane.

- Scott Alisoglu

Site Admin Joined: 14 Jun 2006 Posts: 91

BALLBUSTER (USA)

http://www.ballbusterhardmusic.com/hard_announcements/metal_to_the_bone/01-2008.html#rise_to_addiction

Joined: 17 Jun 2006 Posts: 25

admin wrote:

BLABBERMOUTH (USA)

From what I gather, there is has been a fair amount of hype in the European press for this English band's debut full-length, "A New Shade of Black for the Soul". RISE TO ADDICTION falls squarely into the modern hard rock category, given more muscle with some tough, crunchy riffs, thanks in part to Andy Sneap's mix. I'm not completely convinced of this one's worth, mainly because of the number of similarities heard to the numerous radio-friendly bands out there today. Even so, "A New Shade of Black for the Soul" offers more in the way of songwriting, even if it gets old at the halfway point.

As it turns out, the opening proper track ("A New Shade" is a very brief intro), "Cold Season" is the finest heard on the disc. Thick, heavy riffing, and a slamming tempo combine with a fairly infectious chorus. The tunes that follow are, for the most part, decent, but the formula does begin to wear thin. The soulful vocal style of Leigh Oates, is what will make most folks peg this band as a radio-rock outfit. His voice and some of the guitar structures will remind at times of acts like SEVENDUST and at other times like any host of modern bands that will give you that déjà vu feeling of having heard the style somewhere before. It is hard to complain about the fat bass lines, melodic guitars, and chunky riffs heard all over the album though. RISE TO ADDICTION has certainly taken care to assemble these pieces in a way that keeps several tunes from sounding overly generic.

The problem is that just as many songs do in fact have that vanilla flavoring. As always though, an album's worth is in the ear of the beholder. Folks that listen to modern hard rock exclusively will undoubtedly dub RISE TO ADDICTION the new kings. Everyone else (the metal crowd in the particular) will write off "A New Shade of Black for the Soul" as commercial drivel, which is not necessarily fair either, as this is not a bad album by any means. It is just one that is difficult to embrace, especially after you've heard the first several tracks. Objectively speaking, "A New Shade of Black" still manages to rise, if just a bit, above the mundane.

- Scott Alisoglu

Pfft.

Site Admin Joined: 14 Jun 2006 Posts: 91

METALCORE FANZINE (USA)

http://www.metalcorefanzine.com/reviews35.html

RISE TO ADDICTION/A New Shade Of Black For The Soul (Mausoleum Records) This was a really good modern rock/metal band. The band play catchy rock with a metal edge that has tons of hooks and melodies along with some strong vocals. I am a sucker for good riffs and you will find lots of them on this baby. The music is still heavy and stuff and I really got into this as this sucked me and didn't let me go. This isn't groove nor any trendy stuff, just good to great solid rock/metal that can kick ass at times.

Site Admin Joined: 14 Jun 2006 Posts: 91

HARDER BEAT (USA)

http://www.harderbeat.com/html/cd_reviews.html

Rise To Addiction, combines metal, rock and grunge to create their latest release, A New Shade Of Black For The Soul. Leigh Oates has an incredible voice and can hit all ranges. John Slater and Steve Wray (guitars) are impressive with heavy riffs and stellar soloing as shown on “Cold Season” and “One Sweet Minute.” Joel Graham (bass) and Aynsley Dickenson (drums) round out the quintet and lay down a solid foundation.

Rise To Addiction has released an impressive disc full of emotion, drive and great musicianship. Highlights include “Falling As One,” the slow groove of “The Hive” and the upbeat “This Ride.” If you like great vocals and killer guitar work, this is the disc for you.

Site Admin Joined: 14 Jun 2006 Posts: 91

UNBOUND (CAN)

http://www.unboundzine.com/nr159.html

Rise to Addiction-A New Shade of Black for the Soul
(Mausoleum Records, 2007)

With all of the subgenres of metal these days it's rare when an album comes along that could be summed up as hard rock. But that is the easiest way to describe the Rise to Addiction sound. With a chunky yet melodic guitar approach, a driving rhythm section and a dynamic vocal approach, the band is an impressive combination of heavy groove riffs and incredibly melodic choruses.

While this might be the debut album from the band, one listen will prove that this isn't a band of rookies. Members of this band were involved have played with Blaze Bailey and the experience certainly shows. The songwriting is first class and for a band of this style the guitar solos are fierce and much more involved than you might expect. Sweep picking is used to great lengths and it makes a nice contrast between the rhythmic riffs used underneath. At the end of the day no one can say that this isnt a talented band whose songwriting chops are just as good as their playing ability.

If you enjoy the harsher side of metal this one definitely isnt for you. But if you enjoy rhythmic and melodic metal with killer guitar solos and catchy choruses this one is definitely for you. The band has an accessible and familiar sound without cloning any band in particular.

Site Admin Joined: 14 Jun 2006 Posts: 91

THE MOSH PIT (USA)

http://www.moshpitradio.com/moshpit/categories/reviews/

It’s not all out heavy, but for “hard rock” it does lean towards the heavy side, and it’s definitely catchy. Guitar solos and that sorta thing are present and cool. The vocals are pretty much clean, no harsh/abrasive growly stuff going on. Picture the heaviness on par with normal Dream Theater stuff, just not so wanky and screamy!

Site Admin Joined: 14 Jun 2006 Posts: 91

DIGITAL METAL (USA)

http://www.eclipsemagazine.ws/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1058

Rise to Addiction – "A New Shade of Black for the Soul"

Mausoleum Records

The Mausoleum debut of U.K. band Rise to Addiction, produced by Andy Sneap, has all the hallmarks of a band on the edge of great success. It has guitar riffs that are heavy enough to get the attention of metalheads and hooks that are big enough to stick in the head of mainstream rock fans. It’s a combustible combination that could find them on a radio station near you soon.

The opening of A New Shade of Black for the Soul suggests that this is going to be a catchy, mainstream brand of metal. The memorable “Cold Season,” which opens the record, would certainly be on the heavier end of the radio spectrum, but not at all out of place there. The following song, “Moth to a Flame,” cranks down the amps a little with an even more mainstream friendly chorus. Then, the band starts to offer up a little more meat for the metal fans.

The bouncing riff of “Falling as One,” and particularly the vocal delivery of Leigh Oates, reminds me a bit of the Anacrusis tune “Release.” The song has some progressive overtones on the chorus and some nice energetic riffing. Other songs on the record put me in mind of a cross between Cuatro or Drift-era Flotsam and Jetsam and Badmotorfinger-era Soundgarden, and that’s not a bad combination at all as far as I’m concerned. “One Sweet Minute” in particular opens with a plodding bass line and a vocal delivery that’s reminiscent of Soundgarden’s better work. “This Ride,” on the other hand, would have fit right in on either of the aforementioned F&J records, but brings in some of the Soundgarden sound on the chorus. The progressive sounds come out even more toward the end of the record with the laid-back bluesy jam of “Fessonia” and album closer “The Hive.”

Oates’ vocals are incredibly solid throughout the record, the guitar work of John Slater and Steve Wray is solid and bass player Joel Graham’s licks are dark and ever-present, but the real strength of A New Shade of Black for the Soul is in the songwriting. Nearly every song on the record is memorable in some way, whether it be the Zakk Wylde influenced riffing of the opening “Everlasting Wave” or the undeniable chorus hook of “To a God Unknown.” The band offers up great grooves, memorable choruses and an appeal that cuts across a variety of different genres from progressive to thrash to mainstream rock.

If you’re a fan of catchy, melodic metal with solid riffs, great vocals and big hooks, this is a release worthy of your attention. Go get it, ASAP.

By Fred Phillips

Site Admin Joined: 14 Jun 2006 Posts: 91

HALL OF THE MOUNTAIN KING (USA)

http://spychocyco.blogspot.com/2008/01/review-rise-to-addiction-new-shade-of.html

Site Admin Joined: 14 Jun 2006 Posts: 91

ABSOLUTE ZERO MEDIA (USA)

http://magazine.absolutezeromedia.us/01%2013%202008.htm

RISE TO ADDICTION - A New Shade of Black for the Soul -CD (Mausoleum Records)

This one is yet another catchy and groove filled heavy rock record if you could mix all the best of bands like Alice in Chains, Daughtry and Sevendust then you have a very good idea what your in store for this looks to be a few ex member of Blaze Bayley band " Blaze" .

This full of thick and melodic guitar riff, Deep and heavy bass lines, A very steady and tight drummer never overplaying his parts and a Powerful Bluesy Hard Rock vocalist.

This is what late 80's metal was all about it has many similar influences to bands likes of those Metal Blade and Megaforce bands of the period. Armored Saint , Warrior Soul and Lizzy Borden esp.

" A New Shade of Black for the Soul" is just simply a great rock record with more of a Metal slant and you know what it's about time the genre gets a kick in the ass.

This band will be a force to watch in the coming year.

Site Admin Joined: 14 Jun 2006 Posts: 91

METALEATER (USA)

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