Written By Christian Cole, OOTB Publications The last few years have seen a handful of bands make returns after decades long breaks. The Jesus Lizard came back after 26 years, Black Pacific made their long awaited return, and now after twenty odd years, we are seeing the return of post-hardcore band Spark Of Life. In 2003 Spark of Life released their studio  LP Promises Made. Promises Kept. , a largely hardcore leaning record with a massive sound.  The band followed up the record with a two-song single EP in 2006 titled  Things Ain’t What They Seem  before seemingly disappearing from the music scene for good.  Now, nineteen years after that last EP, we see the band reunited for a new record with a lighter sound than the former years.  Plagued By The Human Condition  is a bit less in-your-face and a bit less angsty than its predecessor, something to be expected from aging punk rockers. While it IS more lighthearted, it is still very much a fun an...

 

 

  By Rob O’Brien ( PhatsPhoto.com ), OOTB Publications  On a rainy and gross Tuesday evening (April 29, 2025) in Columbus, The Aristocrats—Guthrie Govan (guitar), Bryan Beller (bass), and Marco Minnemann (drums)—rolled their Duck Tour into Skully's Music Diner, a nice intimate venue in the Short North I once frequented before fatherhood filled up most of my evenings. The big difference this time was the seats—I’d previously only been in lots of tight, moving, dancing crowds.   The Aristocrats, well-known to their fans for their instrumental virtuosity, showcased their signature blend of prog rock, jazz, and metal influences, delivering a performance filled with technical prowess and improvisational flair. Their set included tracks from their latest concept album,  Duck , which narrates the whimsical tale of a web-footed Antarctic native's adventures in New York City. The crowd was engaged and appreciative, reveling in the band's intricate compositions and humoro...

  Written By Christian Cole, OOTB Publications   Thirty-four years in and Behemoth is still pedaling out music with a brutality so young and crisp that it’s quite honestly refreshing. It seems like a lot of metal bands with a long career like these guys dull themselves out over time, or buy into the pop-laced ideologies of metalcore; but, not Behemoth.  The Polish extreme metal, blackened metal giants Behemoth have released their latest 8-song LP  The Shit Ov God (Nuclear Blast Records) and it’s a shockingly impressive listen from front to back.  The album kicks off with “The Shadow Elite” and its eerie ambience rolling into machine gun drums and absolutely furious black metal riffage. Immediately, we are welcomed into the pits of despair—common territory for the extreme metal veterans.  The  Shit Ov God  is an explosive listen with black metal tendencies, while not ever forcing itself into that exact hovel. This is a band that is so clearly in l...

  Written By Neil Shumate, OOTB Publications

  B*Ez (Brecian Faggs) begun his music journey in Marion, Ohio at the age of 10 in a rap group formed with all cousins, called the “Mark Street Rappers.” This led to other ventures and areas of music—following his uncle, the late great Clinton Faggs II, in the DJ part of music. Emerging as a powerful voice in the R&B and Hip-Hop scene, B*Ez has quickly carved out a distinct niche for himself with a fresh blend of melodic rhythms and lyrical depth. Drawing inspiration from legendary artists like DJ Quik, T.I., D Nice, Michael Jackson, Jadakiss, Nas, Big L, and 2Pac, B*Ez embodies a fusion of classic and contemporary influences that resonate across generations. B*Ez’s music is a reflection of his journey, infused with authenticity and raw emotion. Each track serves as a testament to their dedication to storytelling, showcasing his ability to weave personal experiences with universal themes. His sound is characterized by smooth vocals, intricate beats, and a lyrical prowess that h...

  By Beca Stein, OOTB Publications