Customer Reviews

Headspace

5 star:		(38)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

This cd is amazing; don't listen to these haters. I mean, zrayed listens to Breaking Benjamin, and trying to communicate with him would be like trying to communicate with a fetus: he's dumb and wouldn't understand anything more than "mommy". These guys are not generic at all, their style of nu-metal is way beyond anything else in the genre. The song writing abilities are amazing, and the way the bass and guitars blend together is simply amazing and produces a great sound. And me being a drummer, I can truly appreciate the drumming on this cd. "Acceptance" and "Finding My Place" shine with complex, techno-influenced beats that take great skill to replicate.

Some reviewers said the lyrics are all about "I hate life, it sucks, my parents suck". You obviously have not read the lyrics then. Zo Vizza writes amazingly good, deep lyrics with metaphorical imagery that skates circles around Breaking Benjamin and all other crappy nu-metal bands (read "Never the Culprit", "Slip In Sin", and "Despot" to see the simple, yet dramatic canvas Zo weaves with his words). This band is the real deal. They were discovered by Taproot, and carry somewhat of a similiarity, but far outshine them.

Next time you review a cd kid, LISTEN TO IT. And listen with an open mind except with a preconcieved notion that all the music in a specific category sucks. Believe me, you'll miss a lot of good music that way.

Canada's music isn't really associated with any type of rock. It's mostly techno and rave. But, Pulse Ultra breaks those grounds. The 4 person band blasts out of canada with an excellent debut. Singer Zo Vissa writes beautifal and meaningful lyrics. Guitarist Dominic Ciffarelli plays tasteful riffs and has style like no. Drummer Maxx Zinno plays with very tasteful double to compliment the guitar. The bass also sounds very good mixed with the music. The music is like no other. Combining ethereal atmospheres and some crazy hooks, which is why there my favorite band.

heres how i rate the songs.

1. Acceptance(phase 1)- very good but short 9/10
2. Finding my place(phase 2)-excellent song with some crazy guitar 9/10
3. Put it off- it's ok 7/10
4. Big Brother- this is a good song with a techno beginning
5. Never the culprit- good song. slow at first but then it speeds up 8/10
6. Slip in sin- this my 2nd favorite song on the cd 10/10
7. prelude- a slow instrumental 7/10
8. void- it's ok 7/10
9. Build your cages- 3rd best on cd awesome guitar riffs 10/10
10.tired- this is really good song with a true meaning behind it 9/10
11.Interlude- another instrumental. this one is better. 8/10
12.look closer- i don't reaaly like this song. 5/10
13. glass door- worst song on the cd. it is really annoying and too punkish. 3/10
14.Despot- my favorite song on the cd. It is so true. listen to the lyrics closely. The music is super good too 11/10

Wow. Absolutely awesome, they are now one of my favorite bands. It is so easy to get hooked to this album. I cannot say that they sound like anyone else because I have never heard anything like it before, the music AND the vocals are both unique. In a time when a lot of rock bands are starting to have the same kind of sound, Pulse Ultra starts a completely new sound. I would have to say that it sounds like a cross between metal/hard rock with a few effects thrown in. But don't let that turn you off, the effects actually add to the song in a smooth way, not like a Linkin Park kind of way. You can get lost in the ambient guitars and singing... and the lyrics, you can tell, are very well thought-out and he took the time to write them. Another thing that makes them sound unique is their use of strange chords and uncommon time signatures.

A review of each individual song:

1. Acceptance (Phase I) - Great opener. A little different from the other stuff on the album, but something to take a good listen to. Obviously a very difficult song to get the timing right.
2. Finding My Place(Phase II) - Listening to the lyrics, you understand how #1 and #2 are related. Anyways, one of my favorite tracks on the album, thoughtful lyrics, hooking melodies, you will find yourself singing along sooner or later. Very melodic.
3. Put It Off - First song on the album that has a pure metal edge to it. The lyrics aren't as good as some of the other songs on the album, but a decent song nevertheless. I don't like the chorus that much either.
4. Big Brother - What the hell is with the techno beginning? Anyways it's a good song, with a bit of a more metal edge to it, and the lead singer's voice is the rawest of any of the songs on the album. The lyrics are good... however I thought the melody line could have been reworked a little bit.
5. Never The Culprit - This is my favorite song on the album. I LOVE it. The lyrics are so true, and the guitar lines are SOOOO hooking. It must take some real talent to play this song, since the time signature seems to switch every phrase and there are filler measures in which the time signature changes just for one or two measures. Anyways one of the best songs on here if not the best. Love the little "guitar solo" at the end.
6. Slip In Sin - Another one of my favorites. Is it 8/4 time in the beginning and then it switches to 3/4? There are very few bands I have heard that plays with timing like this band does. I love the bridge in this song. The timing is so offbeat, and the guitar solo is awesome.
7. Prelude - A little break. Nice soft piano with a very haunting melody. Cool little idea for a dividing track. I like the "reverse-echo" effect they put on the piano's notes.
8. Void - Don't skip this song. (As a matter of fact don't skip any on this album...) Some metal riffs throughout the song, but more of a depressing, melodic song with some soft guitar in teh background. Very good though. Another one of my favorites. Awesome lyrics.
9. Build Your Cages - The beginning few seconds kinda build this song up. I like that. This song was obviously written with attention to details... "Sacrifice every thing you know, you love... the dream incises you to give yourself away... sacrifice everything you know, you love... you missed the things you hated long ago..." love the lyrics. Probably my second favorite.
10. Tired - Good song. I love the music to it, it gets addictive, you can really sing along to this one. Also a good song to play when you're in the car. I don't know why either. Lol. Another one of the standout tracks.
11. Interlude - Another little break. Nice little drum beat, I seriously think this should have been a base melody for an entire song. Better than "Prelude".
12. Look Closer - Nothing special about this track. It's ok. Filler kind of song.
13. Glass Door - I really like the music to this one, but I hate the effects on the singer's voice, and I don't care for the lyrics, but the music to this one is awesome enough to make me listen to it. Like the singer's voice in the chorus however.
14. Despot - Who COULDN'T like this song?! This is my third favorite. The lyrics are some of the best I've ever heard. "If only they knew the power that they had" "How can something so beautiful, shine on something so dreadful?". And I love how the style of the song shifts from soft in the beginning to a metal edge to a standard rock sound and back and forth and back and forth. You might find yourself singing to this one too.

All in all. If you don't have it, buy it. It's as simple as that. No matter what your tastes in rock music are, I guarantee you will like it. Overall rating: 10/10.

i honestly had no idea what to think when i put this album in my cd player. i had not heard anything from this band and really knew nothing about them at all. i was completely blown away by the guitar work, the odd-time drumming, and overall balance between heaviness and melodiousness (is that a word?). not much else to say except that this album proves that the music industry is one lost soul right now, floundering around promoting the wrong bands in the wrong market... no wonder they are losing money. to check out another very good band you've never heard of go to www.jadetrees.com.

I first saw Pulse Ultra open for System in Hamilton, ON. Amazed that i had never heard of them i went to every music store within 50km. When i listened to this album i was amazed by not only the complex and beautifully crafted melodic guitar lines and excellent bass riffs but also Zo's voice and his lyrics (which are usually wasted on hate and death by most "popular" heavy bands). Lyrics, just like the name of the band, promote life as a gift and tribulations the band has had. These guys are heavy yet promote an almost out of body experience with their music similar to A Perfect Circle. An awesome debut album for a great band.

Based out of Montreal, Canada, Pulse Ultra first originated in 1997 as a three-piece under the moniker Headspace. After releasing one demo in 1998, the group, which featured guitarist Dominic Cifarelli, bassist Jeff Feldman, and drummer Max Zinno, then acquired the talents of frontman Zo Vizza in early 1999, thus completing the lineup. Soon after, the quartet recorded a couple of demos that garnered the praise of such reputed individuals as Mike DeWolf of Taproot, Dave Henning & Ian Thornley from Big Wreck, Jim Root of Slipknot, and drummer/producer Robin Dimaggio (Steve Vai, Mariah Carey). Before long, the group had secured a management deal with Velvet Hammer (Taproot, System Of A Down, Pome) and soon after, a record deal with Velvet Hammer / Atlantic. In July 2001, the newly renamed Pulse Ultra entered the studio in Los Angeles with producer Neal Avron (A New Found Glory) to record their debut album, titled Headspace, which is set for release on July 16, 2002.

With influences ranging from Red Hot Chili Peppers, Jamiroquai, Baxter, Portishead, and Bjork to Dream Theater, Queensryche, Parliament and Extreme as well as such modern acts as Incubus, Tool, and the Deftones, it is no small wonder that Pulse Ultra emerges as a unique amalgamation between melodic, hard rock and progressive metal, with traces of funk, trip-hop, and ethnic influences permeating their sound. Comparison wise, Pulse Ultra may possess the dark, melodic undertones of a Staind or Taproot, the idiosyncratic nature of The Apex Theory, and the creative ambition of the more artistically-minded Tool or Rush, yet as a whole, the band manages to defy classification with their eclectic brand of music. Sonically, Pulse Ultra utilizes a potent blend of intelligent songwriting, skilled musicianship and unconventional song arrangements to craft thought-provoking compositions that are a riveting display of sharp hooks, bombastic riffs & compelling melodies warring with hypnotic rhythms & diligent, yet inventive drum work, while a dynamic array of uncharacteristic tempo shifts, intriguing breakdowns and atmospheric effects complete the sonic maelstrom. Brilliantly contrasting this cathartic and forceful-minded soundscape are the provocative vocal harmonics and reflective lyrics of standout presence Zo Vizza, whose blend of hypnotic melodies, offbeat vocal stylings & seething anger, traverses boundaries comparable to an Aaron Lewis, Stephen Richards (Taproot) or J. Lynn Johnston (Mad At Gravity). Overall, Pulse Ultra has refined their own distinctive musical style that fearlessly defies your typical commercial-friendly ideas and sets a new precedence for the face of Rock and Metal.

Titled after their former moniker, Headspace, the debut album by Pulse Ultra, is an intriguing 14-track record that manages to be at the same time, both forceful and melodically sensible, as well as thought-provoking and alluring. Containing an assortment of both old, reworked songs and brand new material, Headspace delivers a captivating glimpse into the band's past, present, and future. Of the reworked material, the album features such songs as the two opening tracks, Acceptance (Phase I) and Finding My Place (Phase II), both of which are dynamic songs, offset by odd-time beats, convulsive guitarplay and melodic vocals with the latter containing contagious choruses, whereas Big Brother (Demo 2-2000) is a tempo-laden, hard rock-driven anthem featuring powerful vocals and a progressive-like breakdown. Other reworked tracks includes the groove-oriented, melodically driven Slip In Sin with its catchy, emotional choruses and innovative, ethnic-influenced interlude & finale, while Look Closer is a slower-paced, melodically-driven ballad with beautiful harmonies and excellent guitarplay & percussive work. Rounding out the last of the reworked material is the eclectic track Glass Door, a System of a Down-like creation marked by erratic beats, off-kilter tempo shifts, and a chaotic mix of dark, electronic-tinged spoken word, powerful melodies and snarling aggression. Showcasing a marked improvement compared to their older material are such tracks as Put It Off, with its funk-induced, hook-driven verses, unconventional arrangements and riveting, melodic choruses, while Never The Culprit is a more accessible, semi-upbeat song composed of a melodic intro, energetic choruses and catchy guitar effects. Following the Prelude, which, along with Interlude, is one of two "filler" tracks, the album shifts into the slower-paced, beautiful melodic-driven song Void, followed by the riveting Build Your Cages with its progressive riffs and infectious choruses, and then by Tired, another melodically-inspired song, complete with dramatic rock choruses & powerful harmonies. Ending the album is the stunning track Despot, a ballad-like song with tender melodies contrasted by a progressive-like background and ultra-catchy choruses. Overall, Headspace is an impressive debut effort, though it is an album that needs to be thoroughly listened to several times in order to fully appreciate the brilliance of the group's craftsmanship and musical skills, otherwise, because of the band's innovative concepts & lack of commercial appeal, listeners may be quick to write the band off as derivative or unappealing. In the end, given the opportunity to experience Pulse Ultra, listeners will be rewarded with a refreshingly unique and timeless experience that is poised to set new standards for years to come...

I'm gonna be honest, I can't stand the music today. It just doesn't compare to the good old days (and this is coming froma 17 year old). Nowadays, music is all about image, and being able to play good music isn't necessary to gain chart success. Nu-metal is killing rock music, which is why I'm so pleased that Pule Ultra have released something that's worth listening to, and it is. Pulse Ultra have a unique style which stands out from half-assed manufactured bands like Linkin Park, Staind, Evanescence, etc. I can't think of a band who they can really be compared with.

I first heard 'Build Your Cages' on the Need For Speed: HP2 Soundtrack and I was hooked, so I checked out Amazon, found they had an album, and bought it. I'm glad I did, there isn't a bad song on here.

1. Acceptance (Phase 1):A nice song to start the album with, pretty heavy. Fast drums and quirky guitars add to the really catchy chorus. 5/5

2. Finding My Place (Phase 2): A nice continuation of Acceptance, a little slower, with clever lyrics. 5/5

3. Put It Off: I love this one, it's one of the album's really standout tracks for originality from the start. A slower song with nice guitars, and some cool lyrics. 5/5

4. Big Brohter: I'm not as fussed on this one. It has a nice techno-ish intro leading into what at first sounds like another good song, but change of pace makes the chorus sound out of place and the song doesn't flow as well as a result. 3/5

5. Never The Culprit: This one starts off slowly, but it picks up a little. This song isn't as moody as a lot of the songs and it's a nice change. 5/5

6. Slip N Sin: I love this song, it has a really dark sound, with a very nice chorus and some impressive lyrics. 5/5

7. Prelude: A piano interlude. Nothing more, nothing less

8. Void: A lot like Never The Culprit. The chorus is a catchy one, dropped in between moody slow verses, in which the havey guitars are kept to a minimum which makes the song sound even better when they kick in for the chorus. 5/5

9. Build Your Cages: My second faourite song, I don't quite understand the meaning of the lyrics but the bassline playing throughout makes up for that, this song is really enjoyable. 5/5

10. Tired: Another standout track. Very nice to listen to, even if the lyrics are somewhat sick in places. 5/5

11. Interlude: Kinda self explanatory really. Nice and mellow though, I quite like this one

12. Look Closer: This is the only song that can really be compared to mainstream nu-metal, because it is a litle dull and predictable, but still way beter than most. 4/5

13. Glass Door: The most recognizable song on Headspace, the lyrics are fast, but the production has left them muffled during the verses. This song is very fast paced but doesn't really sit well with the rest of the album.

14. Despot: Brilliant. Spectacular. Pulse Ultra has saved the best for last here. Despot is the centerpiece of the whole album. The lyrics are beautifully written and go well with the guitars and punchy bass. Not only does Despot get better as it goes on, but it gets better everytime I hear it. 5/5

Overall, you shouldn't pass up the opertunity to own Headspace if you've had enough of samey nu-metal. The lead singer has now left the band (shock and horror), but according to the website they are looking for a replacement and hopefully we'll hear from them again soon.

If you want more original rock bands check out: Sinch, Element Eighty, Audioslave and Course Of Nature. They don't sound like Pulse Ultra but they play good music.

In the midst of all this AFI, Linkin Park bulls**t playing on the radio comes a band like Pulse Ultra to bring a new sound into the world of nu-metal. i was a litttle skeptic at first to buy the CD since i had only heard a demo cut of 'Big Brother' and 'Finding My Place' but i said hey what the hell might as well give them a try. and wow was i impresed at their sound. they are all great and talented musicians with a very bright future.

i think the stand out track on this record, for me at least, is 'Big Brother'. in this song, all their creative juice come together to form a great song and they join for the rest of the album. Stephen Richards from TapRoot adds a nice touch to the vocal in this song.

All in all the CD is amazing. highly recomended

I've known about this band for about a month now, and I can't believe I've been missing out for so long! This CD completely blew me away the first time I listened to it. I love the 'atmospheric' sound. Lead singer Zo has a great voice and the drums, bass, and guitars are awesome as well. There isn't one song I ever skip over, but my favorites are "Acceptance (Phase I)", "Never The Culprit", "Void", "Build Your Cages", and "Look Closer". Give these guys a listen, you won't be disappointed!

everyone who wants to support should check out www.pulseultra.com for any news/upcoming shows, message board, etc....oh yeah, the cd kicks ass!!!!
p.s.: new album should hit stores around may/june 2004....stay posted