Powerglove Total Pwnage EP
Self-Released 2005
By Jason Jordan
While not a trend because its often well-conceived and well-done, the form of music known as videogame metal is only gaining in popularity. Massachusetts-based Powerglove are yet another outfit exploring past Nintendo eras, morphing electronic beeps and blips into full-on metal tunes, and are also one of the finest examples of this newfound subgenre. Similar to Minibosses, Entertainment System, Armcannon, and a host of others, the Total Pwnage EP evidences a band willing to invest in a niche that some would say isnt going anywhere. After all, no matter how good the music is, the success of videogame metal hinges almost entirely on nostalgia.
Frankly, however, Im thrilled with what Powerglove are doing. Posing as a PlayStation 2 game, the packaging of Total Pwnage EP is top-notch, and the tracks were culled from games such as Tetris, F-Zero, Final Fantasy VII, and Mega Man X. My favorites are, of course, the songs that I remember listening to a million times during my extensive videogame-playing history Themes B and C (Tetris), Birth of a God (Final Fantasy VII), and Storm Eagle (Mega Man X). Clocking in at roughly 22 minutes, the EP presents seven tracks total.
So on the whole Total Pwnage EP is definitely worth pwning for numerous reasons. Nintendo junkies will undoubtedly appreciate the transformations that Powerglove have imposed upon several of the finest tunes from videogame days gone by, as will those who require distortion and loudness to glean any sort of enjoyment. Its true the production could use some tinkering the length is bittersweet, too but these guys have something special on their hands, and it aint a PowerGlove.
8/10
UMs Review Rating Scale
Official Powerglove Website
Official Powerglove MySpace Website
Self-Released 2005
By Jason Jordan
While not a trend because its often well-conceived and well-done, the form of music known as videogame metal is only gaining in popularity. Massachusetts-based Powerglove are yet another outfit exploring past Nintendo eras, morphing electronic beeps and blips into full-on metal tunes, and are also one of the finest examples of this newfound subgenre. Similar to Minibosses, Entertainment System, Armcannon, and a host of others, the Total Pwnage EP evidences a band willing to invest in a niche that some would say isnt going anywhere. After all, no matter how good the music is, the success of videogame metal hinges almost entirely on nostalgia.
Frankly, however, Im thrilled with what Powerglove are doing. Posing as a PlayStation 2 game, the packaging of Total Pwnage EP is top-notch, and the tracks were culled from games such as Tetris, F-Zero, Final Fantasy VII, and Mega Man X. My favorites are, of course, the songs that I remember listening to a million times during my extensive videogame-playing history Themes B and C (Tetris), Birth of a God (Final Fantasy VII), and Storm Eagle (Mega Man X). Clocking in at roughly 22 minutes, the EP presents seven tracks total.
So on the whole Total Pwnage EP is definitely worth pwning for numerous reasons. Nintendo junkies will undoubtedly appreciate the transformations that Powerglove have imposed upon several of the finest tunes from videogame days gone by, as will those who require distortion and loudness to glean any sort of enjoyment. Its true the production could use some tinkering the length is bittersweet, too but these guys have something special on their hands, and it aint a PowerGlove.
8/10
UMs Review Rating Scale
Official Powerglove Website
Official Powerglove MySpace Website
