Ceremonial Snips/Delegates - Checkpoint Change

1. F*ck With The Rose

2. Sniper

This is a split album Ceremonial Snips did with The Delegates. This only focuses on Ceremonial Snips songs as the other band are not from Ontario. This is their third  release to date. Listening to this album, they have a heavy fast ska feel to these two songs here. These guys decided to go all out for the song. They have a similar feel to that of early Goldfinger or a Big D and The Kids Table, so if you like those artists, you could like this half of the album. They did an alright job on this album half. When looking at the recording quality here, the songs seem to have a big of a different quality to each. Sniper feels like a bit of a better quality, while F With the Rose seems sloppy, fast and raw. Both songs need a little rock and having a louder, clearer sound. The instrumentation in these two songs is really pretty solid. With the fast metal/punk like playing, the brass and the regular band, it's a bit more complex than your average band. Now onto the vocals and the lyrics, the vocalist here went for a fast delivery of his lyrics, while still keeping them clear enough for you to hear them. He can sing this ska punk sound and his voice works for it. With the lyrics, the band goes for really punk lyrics and just letting out your anger, while F with the rose is more about being punk and saying this is what we chose and will will live and breathe it. If you are looking for a single to this album, there isn't one, so just listen to both songs really, it's only about 5 mins, and then you will get what they are going for here. Ceremonial Snips have put out their third release featuring two songs that are fast ska punk songs and really give you that true punk feel. A decent job was done with these, so we can't wait to here when the next full album comes out. Listen to these two songs to decide for yourself what you think of them. They have since called it quits (R.I.P.)

Genre: Ska/Punk

Release Date: 2005

Location: Welland, Ontario

Label: None

Ceremonial Snips - Fuck The Pain Bring The Noise

1. Bring The Noise
2. Ripped From My Heart
3. Fuck With The Rose
4. Multiply Is How I Die
5. Paint It Black And Feed The Fire

Ceremonial Snips debut album is a rock filled ska album that really brings the noise as the album title states. This band seems to be doing their own kind of spin on ska so its hard to really connect their sound to another band. They sound pretty good on the album though. When looking at the recording of this album, the band have done a pretty good job of it, it just seems to not be loud enough or have enough production really. With the lyrics, there doesn't seem to be enough in the songs either, but the instrumentation seems to be pretty good. The one thing about this album is that there just doesn't seem to be one song that really stands out here, so if you are looking for a single, there isn't one, just pick a song and listen to it so you get the albums feel. Ceremonial Snips have done a pretty good job on this album, they have a feel and sound thats a little different then regular ska and hopefully if they can just write that one stand out song, they will hit it, because with this sound they could go further here. Give this album a listen to see what you think of it yourself. They have since called it quits (R.I.P.)

Genre: Ska/Punk
Release Date: August 11th, 2004
Location: Welland, Ontario
Label: None

Ceremonial Snips - ...The Skill To Kill

1. All In Good Time

2. The Way We Are

3. Degree In Death

4. The Rebel That Was

5. Fuck Off, Unless It's Fried

6. Zombie Feast

Ceremonial Snips have released their first album titled "...The Skill To Kill." This album is one that has the very typical ska and punk rock mix to it. These guys have a sound that is not too popular but it still works for the type of music they are trying to do. This album has the same sort of sound as that of Less Than Jake and Big D & The Kids Table, so if you are into those bands, you could like this album. They have done an okay job on this album. When looking at the recording quality of this album, the album has been recorded to a very poor standard. Although you can hear it and what they are saying, it is very quiet and low quality. The instrumentation is what you would expect from a ska band as well, nothing really over the top and brass instruments. Now onto the vocals and lyrics, the vocals are not bad here. They are probably the highlight of this album as they are clear and able to understand. With the lyrics, they have a different sort of way with them. The lyrics don't really mean much and are just for fun with some of the songs, while other ones are just about being independent or being screwed. These are typical lyrics in this style of music. If you are looking for a single to this album, there isn't one, so just pick a song and give it a listen to get the feel of the album. Ceremonial Snips have made an album that is very basic and pretty much just tells what they are trying to do in their music. A lot of work is needed here, but with a better recording, this could be quite decent. Listen to this album to decide for yourself what you think of it. They have since called it quits (R.I.P.)

Genre: Punk/Ska/Rock

Release Date: 2003
Location: Welland, Ontario

Label: None