Maximum Metal Rating Legend
5 Excellent - Masterpiece. A classic.
4.5-4 Great - Almost perfect records but there's probably a lacking.
3.5 Good - Most of the record is good, but there may be some filler.
3 Average - Some good songs, some bad ones at about a half/half ratio.
2.5-2 Fair - Worth a listen, but best obtained by collectors.
1.5-1 Bad - Major problems with music, lyrics, production, etc.
0 Terrible - Waste of your life and time.

Note: Reviews are graded from 0-5, anything higher or not showing is from our old style. Scores, however, do not reveal the important features. The written review that accompanies the ratings is the best source of information regarding the music on our site. Reviewing is opinionated, not a qualitative science, so scores are personal to the reviewer and could reflect anything from being technically brilliant to gloriously cheesy fun.

Demos and independent releases get some slack since the bands are often spent broke supporting themselves and trying to improve. Major releases usually have big financial backing, so they may be judged by a heavier hand. All scores can be eventually adjusted up or down by comparison of subsequent releases by the same band. We attempt to keep biases out of reviews and be advocates of the consumer without the undo influence of any band, label, management, promoter, etc.

The best way to determine how much you may like certain music is to listen to it yourself.
Band
Out of the Lair
Title
Psychotears
Type
LP/EP
Company
Independent
YOR
2003
Style
Power
3/17/2004 - Review by: Anthony Burke
Out Of The Lair Psychotears 2003 reviewed by: IcedMojo

Track Listing
1. Intronoise – X
2. Flying Surf
3. G.O.D.
4. Nosferatu
5. Wolverine’s Knights
6. Vampire Lady
7. Last Time of Fire Child
8. Psychotears
9. Out of the Lair
10. Pc-CDRom Multimedia track
Let’s begin with the packaging, since after all; it is the first thing seen. Self-funded? They did an absolute incredible job. It even comes in a cool little slipcase. I can name a few well established bands that don’t even put this much effort into what their cd looks like. All artwork was courtesy of Chris Karietis. Phenomenal art...is this a sign as to what I am in store for?

Not exactly. Trust me, I am keeping in mind this is a self funded release. Some of this album reminded me of when I was in the eighth grade. I will be glad to explain, but first a short history lesson on the group. The boys from Thessaloniki, Greece formed a band in 1995, and called themselves “Wolverine”. Founded by Spyros(guitar – vocals), Dionysis Nikolaidis(Drums), John Ayiub(guitar) and Nikos Fronimos(bass), they changed the band name to Out Of The Lair, after George Kantzios replaced Nikos on bass in 2000. In 2002, the group added guitarist Dim (Former Desertomen and Transcending Bizarre?) to complete the group.

Musically, an extremely talented group; vocally, I, personally, am still on the fence with them. Thunderous rhythm ala Children of Bodom from Dionysis, along with hellacious speed riffs and squeals ala Sinner/Primal Fear by John, makes for one great melody set, however, melodies are not everything. And then comes the vocals. Spyros has incredible vocal range and it shows on songs like G.O.D. and Wolverine Knights blasting through like a young Matthew Barlow (former vocalist for Iced Earth). The thing that’s gets me about Spyros vocals, it seems to me like he is bouncing into punk rock vocals. There are times when it reminds me of listening to Cro-Mags or Dag Nasty (both punk rock group around the aforementioned time period).  The sound is unique and powerful at time, if you are willing to give it time

Rating: this actually has 3 parts for me, musically, the entire package the first time I heard it, and the fourth time I heard it. Musically, 9/10. Excellent power and talent involved. Overall, the first impression was to trash the cd (and if it were mine, I might have), but after I checked it out again and it grew on me, I will say 7/10. Worth a listen, it just took me a while to get into that band. Who knows, maybe it was the Greece metal thing.


--IcedMojo 03.17.04
  • 1 :REVIEW COUNT
    N/A :AVE RATING

ALL REVIEWS FOR: OUT OF THE LAIR
TITLE
DOR
COMPANY
REVIEWER DATE MADE RATING
Psychotears
2003
Independent
Anthony Burke3/17/2004
-

ALL INTERVIEWS FOR: OUT OF THE LAIR
INTERVIEW INTERVIEWER DATE TAGLINE


<< back >>