A*Star
A*Star are one of those bands that you have to hear to believe. They are also one of those bands that it is very hard to categorize. It is impossible to fit them into any one genre. Their music carries a heavy and dark sound that seems to almost flirt with grunge at times, but then they can hit you with quieter, more straight forward rock tunes at a moments notice. With blistering guitar work, and some of the most amazing vocals that these ears have ever heard, A*Star are a band very deserving of national exposure.
Their newest song "Black And Blue" is a hard rock tune that sounds like an eighties tune with much heavier music. Some very killer guitar work throughout, with a very solid rhythm section moving the song forward. The vocals, as with all A*Star songs, compliment the music very nicely. This song is one of my favorite songs of 2013 so far.
"Winter Radio" is another killer tune that starts out with some amazing guitar work before the band kicks in with the vocals. The vocals are more of a spoken poem, with some background harmonizing, a very cool effect. There is some very cool stuff going on in the background of this song, while the guitar just tears it up throughout. "Winter Radio" is the first song I heard from A*Star, and still my 2nd favorite.
"Flashbulb" dials the heavy back a notch, and is a very cool rock tune. The vocals are absolutely stunning on this one, and as always, the guitars are just killer (seems to be a pattern with this band). This song also features my favorite A*Star drum performance.
"Panic Sun Rise" kicks off with some horrifying atmospheric sounds before the band kicks in. This tune is another heavy one, that almost seems a bit grungy to me. The vocals fit into this one almost as if they were an instrument of their own. Another killer song to say the least.
"Drive It Deep" is a very cool tune, a much quieter song, but still somehow rocking out (this is why it is so hard to categorize this band... which I love!), with the rhythm section stepping up their A game. There is a bass line that just grooves... I love it. Also in evidence is a very cool synth part that doesn't overpower the song, but just seems to work so well. There is so much amazing guitar playing on this song, and the vocals are just perfect. Another damn fine song.
"Days Of" is an all out hard rock tune with an amazing tone. The entire band works so great together on this one (not that they don't on all the others, believe me). My favorite part on this one is the phenomenal guitar solo. Reminds me very much of late 90's Lifeson for some reason. Definitely another great track.
I saved my favorite song for last, "Lotus". This song is such a powerhouse, there is so much to love. Heavy, blistering music, powerfully melodic vocals, and a very cool verse section. This is another one of those A*Star songs that make this band so hard to categorize. The way the vocals work with the music on this one, and the driving force of the guitars are further proof that this band deserves some major exposure.
At this point, I don't know that there is a CD available of their work (though they have a 7" single coming out very soon), but I hope there soon will be, as I'm a physical copy collector, and I would LOVE to add the music of these VERY talented musicians to my collection.
Their newest song "Black And Blue" is a hard rock tune that sounds like an eighties tune with much heavier music. Some very killer guitar work throughout, with a very solid rhythm section moving the song forward. The vocals, as with all A*Star songs, compliment the music very nicely. This song is one of my favorite songs of 2013 so far.
"Winter Radio" is another killer tune that starts out with some amazing guitar work before the band kicks in with the vocals. The vocals are more of a spoken poem, with some background harmonizing, a very cool effect. There is some very cool stuff going on in the background of this song, while the guitar just tears it up throughout. "Winter Radio" is the first song I heard from A*Star, and still my 2nd favorite.
"Flashbulb" dials the heavy back a notch, and is a very cool rock tune. The vocals are absolutely stunning on this one, and as always, the guitars are just killer (seems to be a pattern with this band). This song also features my favorite A*Star drum performance.
"Panic Sun Rise" kicks off with some horrifying atmospheric sounds before the band kicks in. This tune is another heavy one, that almost seems a bit grungy to me. The vocals fit into this one almost as if they were an instrument of their own. Another killer song to say the least.
"Drive It Deep" is a very cool tune, a much quieter song, but still somehow rocking out (this is why it is so hard to categorize this band... which I love!), with the rhythm section stepping up their A game. There is a bass line that just grooves... I love it. Also in evidence is a very cool synth part that doesn't overpower the song, but just seems to work so well. There is so much amazing guitar playing on this song, and the vocals are just perfect. Another damn fine song.
"Days Of" is an all out hard rock tune with an amazing tone. The entire band works so great together on this one (not that they don't on all the others, believe me). My favorite part on this one is the phenomenal guitar solo. Reminds me very much of late 90's Lifeson for some reason. Definitely another great track.
I saved my favorite song for last, "Lotus". This song is such a powerhouse, there is so much to love. Heavy, blistering music, powerfully melodic vocals, and a very cool verse section. This is another one of those A*Star songs that make this band so hard to categorize. The way the vocals work with the music on this one, and the driving force of the guitars are further proof that this band deserves some major exposure.
At this point, I don't know that there is a CD available of their work (though they have a 7" single coming out very soon), but I hope there soon will be, as I'm a physical copy collector, and I would LOVE to add the music of these VERY talented musicians to my collection.