Johnny Cage is a Fake Reviews:

"In today's scene it's refreshing to come across a band who utilizes the mathematical approach to songwriting in heavy music without taking the ridiculously over the top route that many "tech" bands use to separate themselves from the pack. Many times bands of the latter nature end up trying so hard that the tracks they write can hardly be called songs because they're almost not listenable. Johnny Cage is a Fake is a band who decided to make their debut full-length part of the tasteful bunch instead of the look-how-fast-I-can-do-this spazz crowd. Hailing from the Big Apple, Johnny Cage's debut for Purity Records is a good lesson to other newcomers in how to create a debut album that is memorable and doesn't suck. It is one part heavy and one part sheer intensity, with crafty musicianship to back it up. Think of Breather Resist in its loud and heavy moments and a little bit of Botch in its more subdued moments. Sometimes a similar sound to bands like The Now can also be heard. But don't stop there. Johnny Cage puts in plenty of their own spin throughout the album such that any direct comparison to another band would ultimately fall short. Certain elements particularly stand out, like the remarkable bass playing and its interplay with the guitar. The songs are different in terms of riffs and feel, and cause the listener to want to return for repeat listens. One of the few drawbacks to this album though is that the band occasionally falls back on the all too tired breakdown to change things up. If this band musically explores a little beyond the scope of this debut, then future efforts should really showcase Johnny Cage in a light of their own. Bottom Line: This is a good, solid debut that should be paid attention. Listeners of mathy hardcore that tends to remain slightly outside the box will surely like this. Those looking for more simplistic music might want to approach this with caution. Either way, Johnny Cage is on the right path."
7/10
-www.lambgoat.com

Hailing from new york city and playing hardcore of any shape and size can be a blessing and a curse. the citys rich history when it comes to hardcore can be both a stepping stone for a new band , or just get you lost in the crowd right away. if theres one thing thats clear by the second song of johnny cage is a fake's first record is that they dont have to worry too much about getting lost in any pack musically.their music doesnt throw you any real odd knuckle balls per se, but its just off kilter enough throughout to make it really hard to nail them down. the vocals especially are grating and reminiscent of more serious north eastern metalcore. musically they use a combination of strong , occasionaly slapped bass lines and solid (but sometimes hard to predict) drumming to lay the foundation for each of their songs. the guitar lines are even harder to predict than the rhythm section , with some basic chugga-chugga parts, though they're few and far between. most of the songs are actually covered by fast arpeggios or riffs that seem to start and stop out of nowhere, only to reappear later in the song. the guitar tone is also notable and i think it will actually be something that alot of hardcore fans will love or hate right away. shying away from typical, overdrive-drenched metal/hardcore guitar tone, guitarist dean landry uses a much more clear and bright tone than you'd expect from everything going on around it. at first , this made the recording seem a little hollow, but the more i listened to this the more i liked it. the more crisp and bright sounds leaves more space for the bass and drum parts to cut through in the mix . it also keeps many of those fast arpeggios and stop/start riffs from sounding muddy and ambigious. heavy distortion is the oldest trick in the book for guitarists that try to play a little beyond their ability , especially in heavier bands and i think thats some of the reason its become such a genre standard (even in studio settings). structurally the songs aree allover the place from one section to the next , which brings to mind a less imposing breather resist . "destruction of steps" is probably the most engaging song here, though "sex with a mannequin" and "holy water slip-n-slide" are good starting points as well. there are a number of things here that seemed a little odd when i first put this in and tried (in my usual record reveiwer way) to cram neatly into some sub genre . though its definatley "eclectic hardcore" there are a thousand little nooks and crannies to this which makes it so unique , as well as something most hardcore kids will love or hate right away , and im sure johnny cage is a fake will have it no other way
The New Scheme

Creating the sounds of a rush hour traffic jam in midtown Manhattan via spastic bursts of metallic hardcore and left of center jam freakouts, the four members of Johnny Cage is a Fake radiate the feel of living in the Big Apple via song. On the quartet’s 10-track offering, a smattering of noisecore’s adventurous nature, hardcore’s bombastic dynamics, hints of crusty punk, and metallic screamo are very much apparent in the slash and burn rhythms and disjointed six-string sting of such roller coaster tracks like “So Far So Bad” and “Niggaplease”. A desolate feel devoid of hope and reason pervades throughout the entire collection, much like a more unorthodox, less technical version of Meshuggah, especially present on the final breakdown of “Bitchslap the World”. As destructive as a steamroller and armed with the musical firepower that would make most hardcore bands jealous, Johnny Cage is a Fake take the ball Botch brought to the game and drag it through the five boroughs, giving their self-titled release that unmistakable NYC attitude.
Mike SOS (various ezines)

"The Debut from new yorks own johnny cage is a fake is phenomenal. The sound that the band delivers is a different uniqe sound in the bland chug a chug break down of NYC.The record starts off with the sonic driven nigga please and gradutes to the jazz driven odd timing of sex with a mannequin.The gutar work by dean is unreal very creative, the vocals by ryan are ear shattering the lyrics are some of the craziest shit you will ever hear, the bass and the drumms stand out the most on the record will and G.G do a great job on keeping the sound locked in. Johnny cage is a fake is a band everybody should just watch and listen too instead of looking like a monkey in the pit."
-A Scream to a Whisper
Visit http://www.ascreamtoawhisper.com/main.htm for an interview as well


"I really had no idea what to expect upon seeing the Johnny Cage is A Fake album. I had no idea what I was about to experience. Purity Records is a label I'm not familiar with at all, the band's name gave no sort of indication of their sound, and the album art was quite different. Sometimes it seems as if a band is trying too hard to be original by any combination of a few things, such as "strange" artwork, "odd" lyrics, extreme technicality, and more. Well, Johnny Cage is A Fake has used these techniques and wholly succeeded in being original. The artwork is truly strange, featuring disproportional characters, oddly colored cartoons, and just a general aura of randomness. There are plenty of bands out there toying around with odd time signatures, random, clean guitar chords, jazz interludes and other things; all in the name of chaos. Johnny Cage is A Fake has achieved success in the chaos department, but has also managed to not overdo things. One can realistically listen to Johnny Cage is A Fake for more than a song or two and not feel too spaced out or drained. To me, Dillinger Escape Plan are obviously fantastic musicians, but I can't listen to them for long periods because it becomes overwhelming after a bit. Johnny Cage is A Fake relies more on strange song structures and a full use of their instruments to achieve their chaotic edge. There are no passages of extremely heavy guitar chugs, no clean, jazz guitar interludes, yet chaos still ensues. The vocalist's style of a raspy, somewhat deep scream fits perfectly over the wildly distorted noise. I can't comment on the lyrics, as there are none in the inside jacket of the album. I would imagine them to be as strange as everything else about this band. From their name to their music and artwork, Johnny Cage is A Fake has come out with a great end product. Also, I can't end this review without mentioning the strong resemblance to Botch at times. Get into it."
8/10
-www.geekburger.com

Forever I Burn Reviews:

"Screamy metalcore burgeoned with unmistakable Converge and Zao influence"
- Metal Maniacs

We've heard all of the complaints before. Hardcore has lost its substance. Hardcore doesn't speak to important issues anymore (unless you subscribe to the tired diatribes of the straight edge movement). Hardcore has been redu2004ced to a bunch of posturing and rocking out. Hardcore doesn't have feeling anymore. Well, while every stereotype has a grain of truth, the above critiques are not entirely true. One instance of this is Forever I Burn.

Their newest release, The Tragedy Dialogs, starts off surprisingly fast. I'm not speaking of the standard issue blast beat catering to the look-how-fast-I-can-go crowd. I'm referring to a straight, fast beat reminiscent of early hardcore bands. The riffing is equally as tight and fast. When the first vocals appear, it is clear the vocalist isn't playing around. The vocals are an all out scream akin to Jacob Bannon, instead of the overused, forced growl so popular today.

Perhaps the best thing about The Tragedy Diaries is that the intensity remains throughout the record. There is the occasional breakdown, though they are not heavily relied on, and this recording is even complete with faster dance parts that never slack. While there are many positive things about this release, it is too close to Converge for comfort at times. Some of the guitar phrasing in certain songs sounds as if it was taken directly from the Converge songbook. And while it might not bother some people, there is a little too much singing for this style of hardcore.

Bottom Line: In all, Forever I Burn's newest release has the feeling that lacks in so many hardcore bands. The music is intense, powerful, and emotive. It is not groundbreaking in terms of music or creativity, and nothing is said in the lyrics that hasn't been said before. However, this is a solid release that is delivered with passion, which says a lot these days.
Lambgoat - 2004

"Chaos, speed, more breakdowns than you can count, making it a chaotic-moshing-hardcore-metal-band." - Inside Knowledge

"While most bands play noisecore just to be loud, these guys actually thrive on creating sounds for a purpose, as evidenced by their dedication to changing things up and the emotional content on display for all to hear. If you're not feeling that, you're not alive. Burning emotion and a passion for their music in their collective gas tank, Forever I Burn have something special going." - HitThePit.com

"About a year ago I gave up on hardcore. I didn't have faith in it anymore. It had all been done, and no one was ever going to do it better. Boy was I wrong. Leave it to five kids from Pennsylvania to prove that to me. This CD deserves to be enshrined somewhere, as it should single-handedly save what was once a dying and stagnant genre. Zao may have been the region's finest metal/hardcore band to date, but Forever I Burn is sure giving them a run for their money." - 1340mag.com

"One of the best independent metal/hardcore releases that I've seen in a long time. Very well done" - SanDiegoPunk.com

"Devastating guitars and insane high-pitched screaming. Then, out of nowhere, comes an awesome dance breakdown! It's the kind of shit that just makes you just want to say "fuck yeah" and do the metal sign, no lie." - PAHardcore.com

"This is some pretty damn diverse metalcore with equal parts intense melody, chugging rhythms, and scathing dissonance, to mention but a few facets. There's also relentless screaming vocals, grinding blasts and flat out metal riffs, dual guitar harmonies, a scarce few melodic Swedish death metal runs, etc. But these guys have much better writing than most of these bands because they keep things moving with an ample amount of changes that transition well without feeling cluttered, and there are a lot of pretty powerful riffs, plus, while somewhat Converge-esque, the vocals aren't really irritating at all" - Aversion Online

"Straight from Pennsylvania, Forever I Burn feature ex-members of XIII PFP and deliver a sound that pretty much captures all the best elements of the emo and hardcore scenes. Screaming and bellowing through their noise, the quintet stamp their mark on the hardcore scene with a sound that is both brutal and catchy. Their current CD, The Tragedy Dialogs, is certainly going to be stuck in the Planet Loud CD player for a while" - Planet Loud

"In a genre filled with wannabes and sound-a-likes now a days, this album truly shines above the rest. Forever I Burn's debut CD "The Tragedy Dialogs" is nothing short of amazing. Fans of Slayer, As I Lay Dying and Converge, you must hear this album. Beyond the amazing music, the CD includes a lyrics book, with an impressive layout, which is just further incentive to go BUY this album." - Black Empire Mag

"BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME, HATEBREED, DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN, ATREYU & CANDIRIA. If your a fan of any of these bands, you will love FOREVER I BURN!!!" - Beowulf Productions

"A brutal car wreck of old school hardcore speed with a taste of grind added to make them a most enjoyable listen. FIB take hardcore up a notch, with technicality, brutal screams that last for minutes it seems and heavy eratic thrashing; any fan of converge or Botch will definitely want to check out this band." - NewYorkHardcoreScene.com

"This brutality drives Forever I Burn to one of my personal favourite metalcore acts out there. This is album is a must buy to fans of Forever Is Forgotten and to all the people who listen to metalcore. This album was one of the top releases on metalcore year 2003!" - HardcoreSounds.net

"It's always a nice surprise to find a band who gives a fuck. Philadelphia's Forever I Burn are a quintet who's pure integrity drips from every discordant, dirty note on this album, and their professionalism is conspicuous through some of the most beautifully constructed artwork I've seen on a CD for months. This is a more focused and honed affair than anything I've heard from the members previously, and the songwriting is as strong and unerring as you'll find, but it is the passion that creates the moments that set the band apart from their peers. Brutal and technically brilliant beatdowns, to more rare old school true-metal breaks. Caliban's 'Shadow Hearts' and Hatebreed's 'Perseverance' have nothing on the sheer ferociousness of the riffage contained within 'The Tragedy Dialogs.' Sign up here if you feel an overwhelming desire to have your face ripped off" - Big and Clever Zine

"The Tragedy Dialogs is a good, healthy mix of a lot of different styles: there are a lot of breakdowns, but also some singing, some punk influences, some metalcore, hardcore, screamo, the high-pitched vocals and the strong, often slower guitars throw the whole sound slightly off-balance, but it works perfectly. There's a lot of energy and aggression, but also a lot of emotion. All in all, The Tragedy Dialogs is great. It doesn't fit in the confines of generic metalcore, it's not something generic enough to cast out immediately (or at all, in my opinion), and it exhibits a lot of qualities and styles that stray from what's being put out today." - Undevoured Zine

"Forever I Burn's musicianship is evident all over the record. Absolutely full of passion. If you have any place in your heart for good metal, check this disc out." - Static Void

"Dear friends, this is the sound of terror. If you were to wake up in an unfamiliar room with these sounds blaring, you would be so scared that you wouldn't know what to do. I'm not kidding about this either... Everyone in this band is amazing at their respective instruments, and it shows. The rhythm section tears out your stomach by the scoopful while the remainder of the band plucks out your arteries from one end and scrapes them with a razorblade. That might sound like a cheesy, heavy metal description, but it's the mental image I get." - Corn Zine

"Forever I Burn is ruining my theory of being able to write off a band based on their cliché hardcore name. And damn them for it. This music seriously just kicks ass. It has everything about metal/metalcore/hardcore that's good, and none of the baggage. First of all, the vocals aren't the typical throat cancer vocals that I abhor. Instead, they are of the higher pitched scream/shot variety more akin to Refused than Zao. I'm serious. Next, the high guitar riffs (and the low ones too) are absolutely insane. Not only do they manage to be badass, but they present a technicality that is almost jaw-dropping. Honestly. We're almost talking Van Halen or Dokken worthy. Also, the song writing catches you off guard by sailing into breakneck speed verses from ultra slow and heavy breakdowns. Finally, the drums are near flawless. They encompass the entire sound of the band and tie everything together smoothly and create a complete metal/metalcore/hardcore package that'll knock your socks off. All the fills are amazing. The technicality of this band is beyond words." - PunkNews.org

Locked in a Vacancy Reviews:

This is pure, brutal, New York hardcore. Melody lines fighting each other for supremecy, while time changesjostle the listener like cranked up moshers. And if the guitar licks recall early Metallica, well that's just part of what raises Locked in a Vacancy above their peers...
Richard Sanfilippo Revolver Nov/Dec 2002

...basically you could say that the sound on this CD is perfect for Relapse fans. Take the technical metal mix in plenty of grind and some good ole fashioned straight up metal and you have "Ethos". One of the most surprising tracks is "Everything I Know About Sex I Learned By Watching Porno". Don't let the name fool you, its actually an amazingly written song. The song shows a new melodic approach that caught me completely off-guard. The song feeatures some seriously dynamic guitar work coupled with the screaming of Dyami. The two blend together so effortlessly that it makes this song my favorite on the CD.
The greatest attribute to LIAV is Dyami's lyrical ability. Half the time I have to break out my dictionary to know what he's talking about, but you can always be assured that there is more to the lyrics than your typical heartbroken emo approach....

-through these eyes.net Nov 2002

Displaying disjointed and irreverent melodies that meld NYHC, Euro Metal, punk, and straight-up brutal metal, LIAV's approach is decisively scattered and carefully chaotic. Always keeping you guessing, the band opts to work in a wide array of styles, where breakdowns come out of nowhere anbd anything can happen. Taking the unsuspecting listener for a loud and wild ride through the collective mind of this juggernaut is no small task, yet LIAV manages to do so by mixing Dillenger Escape Plan, Iron Maiden, Candiria,and at the gates for a challenging and alltogether satisfying listen.

-Mike SOS Skratch Magazine, Dec 2002

Finally, NYC has a band worthy of mention with the
Hellfest sect. Hailing from Brooklyn, LIAV has upped
the metal to their Shai Halud meets Motive sound to
create something that stands out on its own. There's no
denying the genius of this album and how it is laid
out with its well-timed samples, breakdowns,
Maiden-esque guitar trills, and overall songwriting
execution. At times seemingly chaotic, a thread can
be found holding it all together.

-John Murren Chord Magazine, July 2001

Comparisons will be made to other math bands like Botch, DEP, etc., and
maybe the occasional
reference to Zao and at times they have a little Bloodlet in them, but in my
opinion these guys have
something completely new and original to offer to the hardcore masses. I
wouldn't be surprised if
you see these guys turning pretty big in the next year or so. I definitely
think everyone should check
out these guys. If you are into more metal-based hardcore, this is one that
is a must-have for your
CD collection.
Through These Eyes – web zine, April 2001

Thank you to Alex at LambGoat.com for voting LIAV "Exit the Futility Ward" as album of the week!
April 1, 2001

We're not sure what to call this strange and unpredictable blend of metal, hardcore, death, and oddness. This New York City group is one of those bands that appears to dislike repetition or musical stability as they seem to change riffs about every 5 seconds. It's difficult to determine if they're simply unsure of what to do, or if they've got some master scheme. There's a fine line between rambling songwriting and ambitious song structuring, and Locked In A Vacancy appears to straddle that line at every turn.

The menacing chaos of this album is evident right from the start as the first track, "Beware The Jabberwock, My Son...",
combines machine gun snare drums, growling vocals, and tempo changes o'plenty. Layered above the frantic grooves are simultaneously melodic and dissonant guitar leads, which further accentuate Locked In A Vacancy's diverse style. So when a rolling bass and a tight drum beat briefly form a catchy groove to kick off track 2, listeners will no doubt wonder where this album is headed. In reality, this record is headed everywhere. From jagged metal to strange fits of noise and muted dialogue, categorizing this band is impossible. The percussion is sometimes fast and precise, sometimes slow and driving. The guitars run the gamut from traditional metal leads and palm-muted riffs to technical scales and power chords. Meanwhile, vocalist Dyami Bryant uses death growls, hardcore yelling, and high-pitched screams to give the already multi-faceted music an added dimension.

Don't expect to be humming these tracks anytime soon. This music is thick, dark, heavy, and full of hostility. The album's lyrical content doesn't do anything to brighten the mood as standard themes include conformity, death, and segregation. While nothing is remotely "catchy", don't be surprised when infectiously confusing tracks like "Lincoln Zelda" slowly begin to grow on you.

Bottom Line: While these guys may not be doing any one thing that hasn't been done before, the abstract music Locked In A Vacancy constructs with these "things" is truly original. Give these guys a bit more recording time in a better studio and
they could deliver something extraordinary. (www.LambGoat.com)

Bum-rushing from the streets of Crooklyn like a bat outta hell (sorry, Meat Loaf), Locked In A Vacancy uses extreme metalcore to encourage discourse, forgoing melody and easy listening for sonic dischord and strife. Though tailor-made for moshing at CBGB's, the primordial Exit The Futility Ward is more thought-out than a lot of the chugga-chugga meathead hardcore that's so popular in NYHC these days. We wouldn't be surprised if singer Dyami Bryant popped a few blood vessels in his eyes and neck while recording this baby. Don a tourniquet and give "Office Politics" and "The Fine Art Of Self-Segregation" a whirl. - Amy Sciarretto: CMJ New Music Report Issue: 698 - Jan 22, 2001

I was first introduced to this awesome NY band a little less than a year ago and they really rocked
me. I have always been one for heavy, metallic hardcore, and Locked In A Vacancy rubbed me the
right way when it came to that. So then I get their new CD and kind of put off reviewing it for
whatever reason. But, as always, I'm quite sorry I did, because this disc really rocks me! They are
really all over the place. There is a lot of heaviness, a lot of hardcore, some is slow, some is fast, and
some is mid-paced. But in the end, it's quite good. They mix a lot of styles to create a pretty new
sound when it comes to hardcore, and I like it a lot and definitely commend them for doing so. There
are breakdowns as much as there are techy wanky type stuff. There are really low vocals just as
much as there are screams. Very far from average, and very good. If you like hardcore that is far
from generic, and if you want a disc that will definitely keep you interested for its entirety, I'd say
this album is a great candidate for you. The album has good production as well. Not crystal clear but
not mud either, and frankly I'd say they definitely laid down a winner here.
-Loudnet.com

Wow. This is rather insane, opening immediately with technical riffing and tons of dual guitar interaction. The vocals are very intense shouts, at times leaning towards death metal growls. The writing contains a constant flurry of changes that may include technical Dillinger Escape Plan styled chaos, melodic Swedish riffing and harmonies, or dense rhythm patterns, among other things. The lyrics are extremely intelligent and well posed - somewhat political at times, but always with personal perspectives: "I refuse to be just another cog in the wheel of our consumer infrastructure, I'll take the arduous path every time." The underlying intent seems aimed at provoking thought at any cost, with no concern for consequence.
-Aversion Online, extreme music magazine

Locked In A Vacancy sounds like Converge, Indecision, & Shai Hulud all rolled up into one. I don't know how long these guys have been around but they seem to have their shit together in the recording studio. (State Of Mind, Volume 1 Issue 2, January 1999)

I like this because they add a touch of melody or something catchy to the metalcore that they are cranking, making it possible to distinguish one song from the next. I would definitely say that Deadguy is an influence. These guys have potential. (Guillotine, Issue #18)

Brutal hardcore with a huge Norwegian Metal influence. I hear influences of At The Gates, Dead Guy and Motive. This is some powerful hardcore laced metal with really introspective lyrics. The guitar work is catchy, and you'll find yourself humming it at work. One of the best bands out of NYC in a long time. -Bystander Fanzine, Issue Number 5

LIAV play a slow and grinding hardcore. They have some elements of the more spastic hardcore, but the chaos gets tempered by the traditional hardcore. (ennobled mind zine, #13)

Locked in a Vacancy: This is actually very good. It's hardcore played a little slower than most with lots of emotion and heaviness. The vocals are awesome. Screams from the thoat that match the music perfectly. The music is pretty cool. Not your average chugga-chugga heaviness. They have some weird sounds from their guitars and some pretty heavy drums going. I'd check them out if you like sincere hardcore that doesn't sound like everything else. (demo reviews, www.loudnet.com)

LOCKED IN A VACANCY - exit the futility ward This is, hands down, one of the best albums I have heard in the past couple
of years. I cannot say enough about this band. The singing is insane! Dyami Bryant has one of the most versatile and powerful voices I have ever heard. The only comparison I can muster up is Mike Olender (Burnt by the Sun), because of the way the tone and pitch of their voices change throughout the song, but that doesn't even begin to describe what's going on here. The guitar work is amazing; there is this dueling guitar feel with these crazy atonal harmonies (think Thin Lizzy meets The Dillinger Escape Plan). The rhythm section provides a solid foundation for the hectic song structures. In addition to laying out a nice bottom end to the guitars, the bass player adds some noteworthy licks of his own, a rarity in metal/hardcore music these days. At the same time, the drummer pounds out steady beats despite some awkward time signatures and tempo changes. The lyrics are in the sociopolitical vein, and Tom Sheehan (of Most Precious Blood fame) supplies guest vocals on one song. Electronics and sound samples are used very effectively throughout the entire album. If you're looking for a comparison, the closest I can provide is.....the Dillinger Escape Plan, but only because these two bands both have the same kind of crazy, demented circus feel to them. Trust me, you have never heard anything like this before. A masterpiece. (Skank and Destroy, CT)

"A New Approach":

"If there is any justice in this scene, "A New Approach" will be remembered as one of the more valuable and valid hardcore compilations ever. Featuring a slew of bands on the cuff of being noticed, this comp. shows the metalcore thing being brought to the next level. Who better to open such a compilation than Neck? This unreleased track again shows why Neck is one of the more mathematically challenging bands going, with their chaos meeting serenity. And the opener is a prelude of what's to come. While all of the bands have a similar approach, it's undeniable that all have their own sound going on. Unsound may be the next best Jersey export, while Beyond Reason and Locked In a Vacancy stray far from what you'd expect New York City to offer. Proof of Purchase adds elements to deathcore that are yearning for you to feel. Compression destroys with their Sabbathy riffs on what might be their heaviest song to date! It's an amazing collection of songs (most bands provide two unreleased songs) that needs to be heard. Purity Records might have something special brewing. Other bands of note: Lariat, The End, and Kid Gorgeous." -Chord Magazine