SAINT BLASPHEMER - Theotokos




Self-released

This band from Santa Ana, CA is comprised of Thomas Monroe (vocals), John Castellon (guitar), Steve Shell (bass), and Steve Ybarra (drums). They've been playing shows since February 2016 and have two releases out now with Theotokos being the newest.

The band has a ‘90s alternative sound to them, but not enough to make them sound retro or tired, more like familiar, which is good since being a new band, having that sound, makes you think that you’ve known them a long time. They have a very sexy and cool swagger to their music, kind of walking in and knowing that they’re right and about what they’re doing, not that stupid “swag” that kids think is hip nowadays. The band is tight, the vocals are clear, crisp and full of energy and don’t overpower the music, matter of fact, everything is mixed perfectly and has more than enough juice to light up a city, not to mention your ears. The mix of alternative and metal work together far better on here than on most of the other albums that I’ve heard try to mix it up; usually it becomes a battle of which one takes over the song/album, but these guys temper the mix perfectly. The more that I listened to this album, the more that they reminded me of Jane’s Addiction, mostly in the music, not the vocals so much, but not to the point of being copyists.

If you have a soft spot for ‘90s music, or just want to hear a band that has their shit together and can play the hell out of their instruments with feeling and conviction, then you need to grab this one. If they keep on this path, there is no doubt that people will catch on and they will become powerhouses.

-Rick Ecker

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