Melodic Revolution Records Feature Band |November 2016 (Pt 2)
Sunshine & Bullets | “The Centauri Conspiracies: Part 1“ 2016
Label: Melodic Revolution Records
Release Year: 2016
Country: USA
Genre: Alternative/Hard Rock/Indie Kill Metal/Female and Male Fronted
Band Members
Rich Keane Jr – Vocals/Guitar
Amanda Hamers – Vocals/Bass
Kyle Wolfram – Drums
Track Listing
Everyone’s Watching
You Wanted A War
Heads In The Sand
Divided We Stand
Paralyzed
Let The Giants Sleep
Contact Links
Sunshine & Bullets Official Website
Sunshine & Bullets Official Melodic Revolution Records Profile
Sunshine & Bullets Official Facebook Page
Sunshine & Bullets Official Reverbnation Profile
Sunshine & Bullets Official Twitter
Sunshine & Bullets Official YouTube Channel
Melodic Revolution Records Official Website
Melodic Revolution Records Official Store
When I last left off with my review to Sunshine & Bullets Triangulum Mechanism, I gave a detailed history into the musical heritage in Florida and how it had a influence on Sunshine & Bullets. It seems that Florida is a area of musical pioneers or innovators that pride themselves into maintaining a uniqueness about themselves. Sunshine & Bullets are certainly every definition to this and by no means an exception to this rule.
This time they go full on with Part 1 of a two part conceptual (EP) series titled “The Centauri Conspiracies: Part 1“ (The Awakening). Part 2 of this series will see a release sometime in 2017 along with the full album of both parts on one offering. “The Centauri Conspiracies: Part 1“ (The Awakening) is far more heavy and brutal than Triangulum Mechanism. This offering sees the band really tapping more into their alternative metal side along with all the brilliant post rock elements they employed on their debut Triangulum Mechanism.
The style, sound, delivery and presentation of “The Centauri Conspiracies: Part 1“ (The Awakening) also is continual proof that Melodic Revolution Records refuses to be pigeonholed into the genre or selection of talent they scout. While appealing to the older progressive rock/metal purists they also go into the area of modern rock and metal. IF I had to compare Sunshine & Bullets to any band I would say think Disturbed meets Shinedown with a twist of Flyleaf and The Letter Black without the grunts or growls.
However that comparison there does not tarnish the utter brutality that “The Centauri Conspiracies: Part 1“ (The Awakening) contains therein. Although this only has six songs it is the perfect set up for the full concept that will be released in 2017. The Centauri Conspiracies: Part 1 – (The Awakening) is a passionate album inspired by the propaganda imposed on us by the media and leadership. As usual, we hope to enlighten and help you get through turmoil but see through the distractions. Now without any further delay I would like to point out some highlights to “The Centauri Conspiracies: Part 1“ (The Awakening) with a track to track analysis.
Everyone’s Watching opens up with a sequence of sound and effects giving the listener the illusion that a television set is auto tuning. The band really does a creative job depicting this very effect with the instrumental tools at their call. The instrumental narrative really hooks the listener at the first not preparing them for a lyrical narrative that is truth meets sarcasm. I think whoever listens to this one will be able to identify with this track as a collective.
You Wanted A War stays on point with the conceptual narrative of the world being so interconnected yet with all the technological advances and communication their is still a present ignorance. The extremely tuned down rhythm section will appeal to Generation X and Millennials under the spell of its sonic discourse. The vocal harmonies are both beautiful and creative. The vocals give the illusion of Amanda and Rich delivering them through a megaphone from time to time like a call to action.
Heads In The Sand opens up with a blistering rhythm section compounded by some , at times, almost prog rock time signatures. The harmony between male and female vocals both allow for the listener to experience this track both from a masculine side and a feminine side. The vocal harmonies are tight. The lyrical narrative explores mankind’s complacency in the face of enlightenment.
Divided We Stand begins with a heavily psychedelic element before the blistering rhythm section kicks in. Amanda has this uncanny ability to use her bass both as a melodic instrument or percussive instrument to perfectly compliment Kyle’s wicked drum work. There is almost a NWOAHM or New Wave Of American Heavy Metal vibe about this one. The sweetener to the track is the spoken word narrative in the middle.
Paralyzed is probably the most nostalgia driven track. It sounds like a 1980’s alternative or a heavier New Wave chord progression in the vein of INXS and U2 meets modern hard rock. The band does a great job bringing all the older rock elements and putting a more relevant and modern flavor to it so it appeals to a younger listener.
Let The Giants Sleep opens up with a brooding tuned down rhythm section. Kyle – Drums and Amanda – Bass really do a great job interchanging between melodic rhythm progression to a all out assault with a more percussive rhythm narrative. At times chord progressions remind me of later Lacuna Coil.
After listening to Sunshine & Bullets “The Centauri Conspiracies: Part 1“ (The Awakening) and after experiencing Triangulum Mechanism the first half of this feature, I am convinced that Sunshine & Bullets are at the forefront of another significant musical movement coming out of Florida. I believe that they are perhaps a tour or a festival away from placing Florida again on the ‘Musical Map‘. With such youth within the band they display such a veteran presence both in the delivery of the instrumental and painting the picture lyrically within the senses of the listener. Sunshine & Bullets “The Centauri Conspiracies: Part 1“ (The Awakening) does not get a rating yet. In the interest of fairness I will reserve a rating until the entire album and other Part 2 is released.
