My 2012 year-in-review is really just the latter-half-of-2012-in-review, considering I was all but dead while finishing the thesis for my MFA degree throughout the first five months. Even when I emerged from the black depths of self-induced sequester, my caffeine-laden, sleep-deprived, student-loan-indebted soul didn’t get a chance to hear many of this year’s new albums. But that certainly doesn’t mean I didn’t find my favorites! (more…)
Tag Archives: Jim Semonik
:Music Review: Rein[Forced] – X Amount of Stab Wounds in the Back
Rein[Forced] – X Amount of Stab Wounds in the Back
Release Date: August 14, 2012
Label: WTII Records
Website: www.facebook.com/reinforced66
Review by: Maresa Whitehead
Even if you’ve long been a member of the electronic music scene, you may not be familiar with Pittsburgh-based Rein[Forced]. But one thing’s for sure—you’ve almost certainly heard the name of its passionate, talented, and selfless front man, Jim Semonik. Yes, that Jim who kicked cancer’s ass. The Jim who turned his traumatic experience into two massive compilations you might have heard of: the Electronic Saviors releases from Metropolis Records. The Jim who donated proceeds from those compilations to cancer-related charities. And the Jim who has shared the stage with the scene’s biggest and most influential artists. I dare you to open every industrial CD you own and see how many of the bands thank him in their acknowledgements. (more…)
:Music Review: Various Artists – Fight, Survive and Live
Various Artists – Fight, Survive and Live
Release Date: May 18, 2012
Label: Engraved Ritual
Website: engravedritual.com
Review By: Grant V. Ziegler
For this review I should just be able to tell you that you can get 13 heart-pounding, boot-stomping industrial/EBM tracks for a mere $1.50 and that would be the end of it. You could go to the site listed here, pay what might equal bus fare in some cities and enjoy your download. However, the Fight, Survive, and Live compilation goes much deeper than just a good deal. (more…)
:Music News: The Dark Clan Hogs The Covers
Dan Clark is one busy man, while working as a guitarist for Stromkern and Null Device, he also collaborates with for some of our favorite artists including The Gothscicles, Caustic and many many more. Now, his project The Dark Clan is gearing up to record and release a new full length album for which three songs are in the can and another three in production. (more…)
:Music Review: Various Artists – Electronic Saviors Volume II Recurrence
Various Artists – Electronic Saviors Volume II Recurrence
Release Date: May 8, 2012
Label: Metropolis Records
Website: electronicsaviors.com
Review by: DeVico
Jim Semonik is back with the second compilation installment of Electronic Saviors and this time, the ceiling has been lifted to become an even huger and massive compilation. With proceeds going to at least two charities: Gilda’s Club/Cancer Support Community and The Bone Marrow Foundation you get the chance to help others and build your music library. ES Volume 1 was a sold out product on Metropolis Records and with good fortune, I am hoping they have the same scenario with ES Volume 2. The premium edition of ES 2 comes with six CD’s and two digital discs. This compilation clocks at 142 tracks with over 10 hours of play. Seriously, this is a juggernaut of music. (more…)
