Stone 588 Reviews
Courtesy of Veronika of Wake
Excerpts from various reviews of Stone 588 Releases in both national and international press. We have left in any incorrect information which actually appeared in the printed article, (though sometimes with our comments for clarification) and also the creative wording of foreign journalists for authenticity's sake. We also encourage you to check out our links page to visit the cyberspace dwellings of these fine publications. Enjoy!
2002Rozznet
Review of Stone 588's cover of Christian Death's "Dream for Mother" which will appear on the forthcoming Rozznet Rozz Tribute cd (and on the already released vinyl version) "The Tongue Acheives the Dialect."
Maybe one of the best known bands on these records are STONE 588,
who open for Side C . Great band, which covers "Dream For Mother" , a
wonderful mixture of early Christian Death sound and a heavy
Siouxsie And The Banshees feeling. One of the greatest songs here.
2001 Deathrock.Com
Review of "Momento Mori" on Cleopatra Poe Tribute "Songs of Terror."
Stone 588 bite back with 'Momento Mori', a song that sounds like Christian Death (musically) meets Cocteau Twins (vocally), which is on the more deathrock side of things. I've overlooked Stone 588 for some time now, unduly so! This song is quite possibly one of the best here. The guitars and bells are awesome, and the fluttery female vocals are impressive.
Wrapped in Wire (ezine) Jan '98
Wrapped in Wire Interview Online Band: STONE 588 Album: "Door In The Dragon's Throat" (1995) Label: Lithic Music Style: Goth Songs: 21 Rating: B (In an A to F Rating)
Right when this album begins it has a familar sound to it. It's traditional goth music with beautiful female vocals. Think of maybe Siouxsie with a darker edge and less of a pop vibe. The music is created strictly with guitar, bass and drums. Although I prefer goth music with keyboards used to add a dramatic, orchestrated and haunting edge, Stone 588 is able to create mood with their organic instruments. There is talent here and it's proven on each of the 21 tracks. While the music creates the overall feel, Terri Kennedy helps to carry the songs along with her diverse and emotional voice. This band is indeed a team effort and mix all of their skills together to create some very powerful songs. Everything is good here. There is nothing that you will want to skip past. Once you press play on your stereo you are lost in the world that this band creates and can't help but continue listening. There is a lot of variety to be enjoyed due to the fact that there are songs here that rock hard and heavy as well as songs that are more melodic, beautiful and soothing. The bottom line is that if you like goth music, you just can't go wrong with this album.
Flux Europa Review by Rik June 1997.
"STONE 588 Stone 588 is a post-punk goth-rock foursome formed in 1992 in Fullerton, California, and centred around singer-songwriter Terri Kennedy and guitarist Dave Rhine. They appear on many compilations but their most important recording to date is the excellent Door in the Dragon's Throat (1995), a 21-song album which comprised remixes and re-releases of earlier material as well as six new tracks. Terri's distinctive voice is sonorous and powerful and has more than a hint of Siouxsie-Sioux. The music, which is influenced by Catholic choral music, is also suggestive of Dead Can Dance. Terri has no particular axe to grind, but is a Europhile and draws inspiration from classical literature and personal experience, with the usual goth leitmotifs. Besides the group, Terri also runs a gothic fashion/retail record store and has a site on the Web."
RIK Dated: 18 June 1997
The Aether Sanctum Review of the Plastichead Music compilation "Darkend" Gothic Rock part 2 on which appeared the Stone 588 track "For Madmen Only." By Hayden 3-10-99.
"America's Stone 588 have the benefit of Terri Kennedy as an aural footprint - her voice is unique. 'For Madmen Only' is a new song, which continues along in the vein of their Door In The Dragons Mouth album. It may be nothing new, but at least its well presented."
Recycle Your Ears Review March 19, 2000
Recycle Your Ears Review Online
"Door in the Dragon's Throat" is a compilation of 21 old, rare or sampler tracks by the veteran American gothic rock band Stone 588. On this CD, Terri Kennedy's band shows a panel of their important collection of songs, as well as the different steps the bands has done throughout is now long history. Without an hesitation, these 21 tracks are pure soft gothic rock in the american way. The band relies mostly and Terry's voice, which is, at time, very reminiscent of Siouxsie, and Dave Rhine's guitar, which reminds me of Mephisto Walz's. However, there is a clear evolution in this "Door in the dragon's throat". In my opinion, the first songs show a heavy influence of the softiest sides of goths or cold waves. As you go on through the record, the rhythms gets slighlty faster, and the guitars slighlty more aggressive. Even if the sound of the band remains almost the same, the second half the CD is far better, as more energy and originality is put in the tracks. Even though Stone 588 don't really sound up to date with this collection, it would be dishonest to say that the songs are bad or boring. These 21 tracks are a good testimony of what this band can do (and has done), and should appeal to any fan of soft goth rock. People into Die Laughing or the latest Mephisto Walz release should be pleased by this "Door in the dragon's throat". Nicolas, March 19, 2000
MACABRE MANSE
Bangor, ME, USA, The Best of Gothika Magazine -October 1996 Issue
Stone 588-Door in the Dragon's Throat
Why is it that the most excellent material is always the toughest to review? Perhaps it is because Stone 588's Door in the Dragon's Throat CD does excel and exceed all expectations that it defies the standard comparisions which are the reviewer's stock in trade. To make an attempt, let me say that vocalist Terri Kennedy serves up a performance Siouxsie would die for, with a trick of turning into a nightmare Amy Mann as she reshapes words into her own bizarre image and jumps pitch with high-priestess perfection. Seriously, kids, this is the disc I played constantly while putting together this book, this and no other. The opening track, Lightning Rails, and the later Night Behind the Mind, stay with me the longest after each hearing for their sheer musical originality, but perhaps Paradise Fields, Ruination and Blur Red are most appreciated for their penetrating, burgundy-edged lyrics, each one a poem in its own right, worthy and reminiscent of Hoagie. Did I mention you have to think to listen with this one? Songwriter Kennedy has a vocabulary only a true Drac Packer could admire. Tracks like Stygian Darkness, a piece of dark elegance and simplicity, join Of the Ambush of God (what a title) with its oceanic background and Buffy-Saint_Marie delivery to contrast wickedly with the depth-pounding power drivers like Scales of Justice and Posthumous, whose commanding instrumental intensity true monster-heads will find addictive. I'll never forget listening to the disc all the way through for the first time, feet up in my dark garret study, wine glass almost neglected, eyes closed, with no other sound in the house but that of my white--well, dog, for the sake of argument, though she is something more wild than tame--gnawing peacefully on a four-foot shank bone at my feet. If you're looking for something delicious and strange, and I know all my children are, Stone 588's Door in the Dragon's Throat is it and more. Don't dare miss it.
FIGHT AMNESIA
Darmstadt, Germany, Winter/Spring '95 Fight Amnesia Review Online
Stone 588-Catharsis Cassette
"Let me drink of the spirit of that music, oh more-I am thirsting yet." Those words by P.B. Shelley describe that which I am unable to express in my own words when listening to this band. From Fullerton, in California hail Stone 588 and since I received the tape I really can't do without listening to it over and over again. The music of Stone 588 has its roots in the post-punk era of Killing Joke and Siouxsie. The rhythm section is of the very tight sort, while the guitars have a John McGeough touch and even remind me of The Chameleons or early Christian Death. Terri Kennedy's brilliant voice stands out showing some influences of All About Eve, Siouxsie and Dead Can Dance but most of all having a unique character to be heard on the very different vocal variations that shall leave you speechless with surprise! I'm sure that this tape is a must for all friends of great psychedelic music and not for goths only! And it wouldn't be too much to say that this is the best we've received in the last months. Highly recommended!- Janis
CHAOTIK WEBZINE
Finland, Issue 5, 1997
Stone 588-Door in the Dragon's Throat (1995) CD
Stone 588 is a four piece gothic band from US with a female lead singer Terri. Door in the Dragon's Throat is a massive 21 song and 75 minute release containing all the previous material of the band [actually, not everything!-ed.]and some new tracks giving you a full profile of what the band is about.
Terri's mesmerizing unique dark voice combined with ethereal, flowing and haunting melodies takes you a trip thru this 75 minute release. It doesn't sound like a collection of individual songs really and this is not just because the manufacture error of this promo copy, I have which doesn't have individual tracking encoding, but the feeling and the melodies thru the album are the same focusing on the vocals of Terri. Her vocals are a bit like a mixture of Lisa Gerrard of Dead Can Dance and Kate Bush, but stronger and more daring and hitting higher and darker notes. The band is not too pop for metal fans to listen as it has a real drummer and guitarist whose riffs aren't very catchy in the traditional sense but serves more like a background guitar "noise." Making this kind of compilation album is always nice for the fans but tends to be a bit much at once for the average listener. -Mega
AETHER SANCTUM E-zine
November 1996 Aether Sanctum Review Online
Stone 588-Door in the Dragon's Throat
Stone 588's debut to the cd format is divine. It radiates a charm that has caused it to become glued to my CD player. 21 tracks long and not one a dud. From the pounding opening of Lightning Rails to the intense spoken word Stygian Darkness we are hurled into a journey beyond the abyss into a world of pounding dark wave rhythms that cut through the air with the aid of Terri Kennedy's amazing vocal range and versatility. Tracks have been recorded over the past two years and show the essential ability of the band to create dark slabs of powerful music unparalleled. At its finest moments this CD is nothing short of genius. The lyrics are influenced by romantic poetry Heroines of Strength wept from his pen/ Anguished in the affliction in the words of a man. The mystic world awaits you in this CD. Soaring operatic vocals, and songs that cover as wide a range as topics exist. One of the albums of the year. Comparisons are empty and worthless in this case." - Zillah
BATS AND RED VELVET
Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, UK, Issue 19, October 1997
Stone 588-Door in the Dragon's Throat CD Album
I'd never heard this before, but I gather they're quite big in the States. The first listen to their CD was like a trip back to the early Siouxsie and the Banshees albums! Terri, the vocalist, has a very mystical voice, taking influences from Siouxsie, Julianne Regan and even sounding like Kate Bush in places! The music is typical goth rock with swirling guitar over tribal type drumming. The CD contains a mega 21 tracks - too many to go into details, but every one is well worth a listen, and are all unique and original. The CD features both slow and fast tracks, spoken vocals, and wailing reminding me of Lisa Gerrard's work (Dead Can Dance). An excellent release, and especially recommended if you like Siouxsie, Mephisto Walz, etc. - Jess
THE BLACK BOX
Madrid-Spain, Fall 1997
Stone 588-Door in the Dragon's Throat
We finally have our hands on this complete CD of Stone 588 after appearing in diverse compilations. Nothing less than 21 great tracks of recording made between 1994 and 1996, which will delight fans of Siouxsie for their vocal similarity, although this girl is more alive and with more shades. With the continuing presence of some granting guitars in style Mephisto Walz and Co. they make a cocktail of songs full of power, for the worshippers of the purest death-rock without preservatives.
CHAOTIK CRITIQUES
British Columbia, Canada
Door in the Dragon's Throat
Captivating post-punk goth that perches atop a dark granite wall of melodic vocals and tribal rhythms, weaving a shifting tapestry of intricate beguiling music that glows with poisonous beauty. Lyrical imagery plummets through the soundscapes like a marble being drummed through a shimmering bubble, as Terri Kennedy's evocative vocal delivery creates a supernatural atmosphere that can send chills down the spine, as heard on Icon Bleeds. Stone 588 unravels a multifaceted delivery that can be thoughtful and intense one moment, and embracing enchanted mantras the next, with each neurotic lullaby rounded out by the starkly vivid poetry of Kennedy, who paints dark, swirling pictures. "And the rats that tasted your flesh in your cell/Now bite the throat of madness and hurl you to the depths of hell." (From Scales of Justice) The twenty-one songs (over seventy minutes!) of music includes tracks from Stone 588's previous demos (Eyes of a Statue, Eden Lost and Catharsis) in addition to compilation contributions and six new tunes. This CD goes for $14.99 plus $2.50 freight and there are also tee-shirts and old demos available.
LAST SIGH E-ZINE
USA
Door in the Dragon's Throat
Review of Door in the Dragon's Throat from Last Sigh Ezine's Kim Alexander in May 1999. Last Sigh Review Online Evidence that musical styles truly never do completely disappear, Stone 588 is, in many ways, a return to a different gothic age. Shorn of the electronic/synthetic elements, and aggressive dance beat so prevalent in many current goth projects, this veteran musical presence is strongly reminiscent of the classic early 80's goth-rock sounds of groups such as Siouxsie and the Banshees, The Cure, Bauhaus, and other seminal bands. And on the whole, rather than a simple pastiche, the result is a comfortable one indeed. Musically, the album "Door In the Dragon's Throat" is dominated by two elements, the emotive vocals of Terri Kennedy, and the liquid electric guitar of David Rhine. Both are effective, but Kennedy's vocals, in particular, are striking, rich and appealing. Expanding from the conventional celtic forms, a near tribal, middle eastern tone is found in certain tracks, offering an elegant variation in tone and tenor. Lyrical subject matter is consistent with the conventional goth modes, poetic, addressing topics including the supernatural, mythic, ceremonial, but most certainly, dark, without approaching an excessively theatric tone. Never aggressive, Stone 588 ranges from a mellow flow, to periodically atmospheric, at some times ethereal. While the pace is likely slow for dance, the album itself offers a pleasant, relaxed listening experience, with sufficient variation to avoid a sense of homogeneity. Another simple delight is the album length - in a day and age when 45 minutes of music equates full price, this CD is at the physical limit of the medium - over 74 minutes, without a host of disinteresting and repetitive remixes. Those fond of the vocals and musical forms of Lisa Gerard of Dead Can Dance and Rhea's Obsession will likely find familiar territory within Door to the Dragon's Throat, the flowing guitar presence is in no way intrusive. Similarly, listeners to goth projects led by female artists such as Die Laughing, and Athamay should enjoy Stone 588 gentle compositions, as will those who find yourselves drifting to the CD racks to re-examine the musical developments which led to this persistent and creative subculture.Back to the homepage