Well, since it is the end of the year and a shit ton of great records came out in many genres, I've decided to create a few Best of 2009 lists by genre (sort of). I tried to pick the best albums from both established bands and newer groups that have a growing underground buzz. Some of the bands are a mixture of styles so they really could be on multiple lists. For instance, the new Thrice record should really be considered post-hardcore or alt rock, but I threw them into the Punk list. They are listed in no particular order and it was very difficult to narrow the lists down. I will continue to listen to all these albums well into 2010 and beyond. You should too if you know what's good for you. Plese talk shit to me if you disagree or think I left an epic album out.
Best of Punk Rock/Pop-Punk:
Brand New - Daisy
Thrice - Beggars
NOFX - Coaster
New Found Glory - Not Without A Fight
Saosin - In Search of Solid Ground
Dead to Me - African Elephants
Strike Anywhere - Iron Front
Propagandhi - Supporting Caste
Set Your Goals - This Will Be the Death of Us
Polar Bear Club - Chasing Hamburg
Best EP: A Wilhelm Scream - A Wilhelm Scream
Best of Hardcore Punk:
Gallows - Grey Britain
Horse the Band - Desperate Living
Fear Before - Fear Before (2008)
Paint It Black - Amnesia/Surrender
Blacklisted - No One Deserves to Be Here More Than Me
Defeater - Solid Ground (EP)
Evergreen Terrace - Almost Home
Every Time I Die - New Junk Aesthetic
Rise and Fall - Our Circle Is Vicious
Alexisonfire - Old Crows / Young Cardinals
Best of (Extreme) Metal:
Poison the Well - The Tropic Rot
The Black Dahlia Murder - Deflorate
Winds of Plague - The Great Stone War
Converge - Axe to Fall
Broadcast the Nightmare - Twenty Twelve
God Forbid - Earthsblood
Mastodon - Crack the Skye
Between the Buried and Me - The Great Misdirect
August Burns Red - Constellations
After the Burial - Rareform (Reissue)
Best of Rock/Alternative:
Marilyn Manson - The High End of Low
He is Legend - It Hates You
Manchester Orchestra - Mean Everything to Nothing
Dave Matthews Band - The Big Whiskey and the GrooGrux King
Muse - The Resistance
311 - Uplifter
MGMT - Oracular Spectacular (2007)
Modest Mouse - No One's First and You're Next (EP)
Emery - In Shallow Seas We Sail
Animals As Leaders - Animals As Leaders
Some Honorable Mentions:
Shadows Fall - Retribution
Dethklok - The Dethalbum II
Castevet - Summer Fences
Banner Pilot - Collapser
AFI - Crash Love
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Innovative Deathcore Bands
Oh, hey, since my blog still exists I might as well throw down a new entry for my legion of dedicated fans. I know, I know, you can’t thank me enough for these great recommendations of incredible bands and now that you’ve listened to all the albums that I reviewed until your ears bled black…You simply crave another review of some skull-crushingly brilliant artists. The notion that you could be out of new and interesting music to listen to is utterly foreign to me since I consistently listen to new albums as soon as they are available. My greatest worry is that I will pass up some really great music and wind up listening to something mediocre instead. And yet, I find myself returning to older artists and bands that I “missed out” on in their heyday and surprisingly often, I discover some excellent bands. So, my message to people out there today is to check out some older shit if you seek inspiration from another time period. Don’t get me wrong though, I’m not saying you should listen to 80’s music (just puked in my mouth), but if you search for some of the original artists of your favorite (sub)genres you begin to hear and understand musical influences. I don’t think I truly understood hardcore punk until my friend told me to check out some early 90’s Refused albums. Anyways, I’m going to briefly promote a few of my favorite Death Metal/Metalcore albums of the Fall to get the nastiness flowing.
With the demonic presence of Halloween still in the air, what better way to celebrate the darker side of life than with some delectably apocalyptic deathcore albums. The following bands I would certainly consider deathcore in many respects but they also push the boundaries of the subgenre with their respective unique approaches. As I have said in previous posts, deathcore is certainly an acquired taste and the majority of people are too close-eared to even consider listening to it. But like all the finer things in life, when you approach it the right way consistently, it becomes a part of you and you cannot imagine your life without it. Deathcore must be listened to at a very loud level, to the point where you risk damaging your ears. It also sounds best if you are doing an activity that matches its rapid rhythms such as exercising, playing sports or blowing people’s heads off in a video game. Some people forget how your mood not only effects your perception of the music you are listening to, but if you are truly open-eared, the music itself will dictate your own mood. Three bands that always seemed to get me pumped up no matter what my mood are The Black Dahlia Murder, Winds of Plague, and After the Burial. These are perhaps the three most interesting and talented bands in extreme metal and they certainly all push the envelope of the subgenre’s rapidly evolving style.
The Black Dahlia Murder has become one of my favorite bands mainly because of their energy, passion and unique approach to metal. They remain one of the fastest, heaviest and most interesting bands and the energy of their live shows is simply contagious. Their style is mainly rooted in death metal but there are also influences from black metal, thrash metal and even hardcore. Their vocalist, Trevor Strnad, mainly does high shrieks but occasionally adds deeper growls to accent specific parts of their songs. The drumming is extremely fast and tight with enough blast beats to give you a heart attack. Their lyrics are most similar to gore and black metal due to their love of extremely dark and fucked up themes such as zombies and death itself. They recently added Ryan Knight (ex-Arsis) to their lineup and his excellent guitar solos have made their most recent album, Deflorate, their best to date. You have been living under a rock if you haven't heard of this mighty band.
Winds of Plague are a bit newer to the scene than BDM but definitely spun heads when they re-recorded several songs from their debut as well as new material to create the ridiculously epic album, Decimate the Weak, which was released in 2008. They are a band that has the epic black metal power of Dimmu Borgir (both relying on symphonic elements and keyboard) with the breakdown forte of Unearth, and a brutally refreshing yet deathly ugly vocal style. Their latest effort, The Great Stone War, though not as epic as Decimate, certainly continues their brutal yet melodic take on deathcore. Though I have yet to see this band live, I hear that they have quite a presence on stage and really get the mosh moving. If you are really into dark and heavy music that doesn’t sacrifice melody for brutality (they have a great balance), definitely check out this band.
After the Burial is certainly the most progressive of the three bands and is also the closest to Metalcore. I started hearing a buzz about this band several months ago but put off checking them out until mid-summer. When I finally got a hold of their second album, Rareform, it simply blew my mind. My favorite thing about this band is their guitar work, which is very heavy and melodic but more importantly it is surprising and progressive. In other words, they don’t follow the standard metalcore format and are not afraid to experiment with song structure. The drumming and bass guitar also perfectly accentuates the energy and innovation of the guitars. Although I am not very impressed by their vocalist or lyrics (I think he could easily be replaced), his more traditional death growl has begun to grow on me. Listen to their song Berzerker and you will immediately recognize this band’s raw talent.
All three of these bands are innovative, interesting and fucking epic. Each of their albums is certified Nasty! and get a 10/10 for their excellent contributions to deathcore.
Non-Metal Moment: I’ve been listening to Saosin’s latest album In Search of Solid Ground almost every day. This album is essential for fans of pop-punk, post-hardcore and alternative. The drumming and vocals are simply outstanding.
With the demonic presence of Halloween still in the air, what better way to celebrate the darker side of life than with some delectably apocalyptic deathcore albums. The following bands I would certainly consider deathcore in many respects but they also push the boundaries of the subgenre with their respective unique approaches. As I have said in previous posts, deathcore is certainly an acquired taste and the majority of people are too close-eared to even consider listening to it. But like all the finer things in life, when you approach it the right way consistently, it becomes a part of you and you cannot imagine your life without it. Deathcore must be listened to at a very loud level, to the point where you risk damaging your ears. It also sounds best if you are doing an activity that matches its rapid rhythms such as exercising, playing sports or blowing people’s heads off in a video game. Some people forget how your mood not only effects your perception of the music you are listening to, but if you are truly open-eared, the music itself will dictate your own mood. Three bands that always seemed to get me pumped up no matter what my mood are The Black Dahlia Murder, Winds of Plague, and After the Burial. These are perhaps the three most interesting and talented bands in extreme metal and they certainly all push the envelope of the subgenre’s rapidly evolving style.
The Black Dahlia Murder has become one of my favorite bands mainly because of their energy, passion and unique approach to metal. They remain one of the fastest, heaviest and most interesting bands and the energy of their live shows is simply contagious. Their style is mainly rooted in death metal but there are also influences from black metal, thrash metal and even hardcore. Their vocalist, Trevor Strnad, mainly does high shrieks but occasionally adds deeper growls to accent specific parts of their songs. The drumming is extremely fast and tight with enough blast beats to give you a heart attack. Their lyrics are most similar to gore and black metal due to their love of extremely dark and fucked up themes such as zombies and death itself. They recently added Ryan Knight (ex-Arsis) to their lineup and his excellent guitar solos have made their most recent album, Deflorate, their best to date. You have been living under a rock if you haven't heard of this mighty band.
Winds of Plague are a bit newer to the scene than BDM but definitely spun heads when they re-recorded several songs from their debut as well as new material to create the ridiculously epic album, Decimate the Weak, which was released in 2008. They are a band that has the epic black metal power of Dimmu Borgir (both relying on symphonic elements and keyboard) with the breakdown forte of Unearth, and a brutally refreshing yet deathly ugly vocal style. Their latest effort, The Great Stone War, though not as epic as Decimate, certainly continues their brutal yet melodic take on deathcore. Though I have yet to see this band live, I hear that they have quite a presence on stage and really get the mosh moving. If you are really into dark and heavy music that doesn’t sacrifice melody for brutality (they have a great balance), definitely check out this band.
After the Burial is certainly the most progressive of the three bands and is also the closest to Metalcore. I started hearing a buzz about this band several months ago but put off checking them out until mid-summer. When I finally got a hold of their second album, Rareform, it simply blew my mind. My favorite thing about this band is their guitar work, which is very heavy and melodic but more importantly it is surprising and progressive. In other words, they don’t follow the standard metalcore format and are not afraid to experiment with song structure. The drumming and bass guitar also perfectly accentuates the energy and innovation of the guitars. Although I am not very impressed by their vocalist or lyrics (I think he could easily be replaced), his more traditional death growl has begun to grow on me. Listen to their song Berzerker and you will immediately recognize this band’s raw talent.
All three of these bands are innovative, interesting and fucking epic. Each of their albums is certified Nasty! and get a 10/10 for their excellent contributions to deathcore.
Non-Metal Moment: I’ve been listening to Saosin’s latest album In Search of Solid Ground almost every day. This album is essential for fans of pop-punk, post-hardcore and alternative. The drumming and vocals are simply outstanding.
Friday, July 31, 2009
I’ll Pop Your Punk
I love Pop-Punk almost as much as metal and although I used to be ashamed of it like it was a bad habit, I have come to terms with it and feel no shame. As I stated in another entry, it is ridiculous to be ashamed of what music you dig and you should be proud of whatever tastes you have. For me Pop-Punk was the first genre that truly captivated me when I was in about 6th grade and listened to Blink 182’s Enema of the State while playing N64 at a friend’s house. I’d never heard anything quite so catchy, fast and uplifting so I immediately became a huge Blink fan, listening to all their albums over and over. Eventually I discovered many other Pop-Punk bands and began attending shows where I got my ass handed to me in mosh pits but loved every minute. The simplicity of so-called power chords and the up-tempo drumming perfectly complement the emphasis on melody rich vocals and teen angst lyrics. During high school I went through phases where I thought only heavy metal was worth listening to but these periods were brief and I always returned to Pop-Punk if not for nostalgia, for its contrast to Metalcore. While metal is dark, dense, more intense and certainly more complicated, I love Pop-Punk for its simplicity, the uplifting tempo and of course the clean and corny vocals. Today I will be discussing one of my long-time favorite pop-punk bands as well as two more that I have more recently discovered and thoroughly enjoy.
New Found Glory has been in the pantheon of Pop-Punk gods for almost as long as Blink 182 and after a friend burned me their album in like 8th grade I became addicted. Although many people dislike them because of Jordan Pundik’s “whiny” vocals, I think he is a great vocalist and the lyrics are so cheesy that I have to love it. They definitely helped me get through some of that delicious teenage angst that most people felt during their first rocky relationships. I was worried about this band after Coming Home came out because a lot of people disliked its more mellow style and almost melancholy tone (similar to Blink 182’s self-titled album). I dug it but I often listened to it at night to help me sleep, which is not when I listen to the rest of their discography that is mainly upbeat. They came out with a split album last year that included the band switching instruments and calling themselves International Superheroes of Hardcore paying homage to hardcore punk rock. I enjoyed this album but the latest record really blows it out of the water and shows that NFG isn’t leaving the music scene anytime soon. Not Without a Fight is most similar to Sticks and Stones, which was an amazing album, but their hardcore punk influence is much more apparent. They even went on a tour entitled Softcore, which references their style that contains some hXc rhythms but the vocals tend to remains very much Pop-Punk. The lyrics are as cheesy as ever but extremely catchy and I think the guitar work is some of their best yet due to the bouncy and skank pit sound that would surely make a crowd airborne. I really like most of the songs, even the slower debbie downer tracks and this can definitely be considered a return to form. Stand out tracks are Listen To Your Friends, Don’t Let Her Pull You Down, Such A Mess.
Dillinger Four is very different from NFG especially in their approach to vocals and their more classic punk rock sound and vibe. Their early recordings are borderline grungy and sound like they were recorded inside of a dumpster in someone’s garage, but that is what I love about them. The vocals are extremely raspy (2 packs a day status) and their two vocalists generally alternate on who sings and writes the songs, similar to the standard Blink 182 formula. However, their vocals and lyrics are much more punk than pop-punk meaning that they deal with anti-system themes, politics and general motivational anthems. Yet sometimes they do throw in some sadder girl problem songs as well as great odes to drinking. I also like how they often throw in random sound samples from really old tv, documentary and movie clips which create an interesting punk vibe from the start. The guitar is perfectly pop-punk with very simple power chords that are catchy as hell. The latest album, C I V I L W A R, contains constantly upbeat drumming and low-volume vocals but is much better produced and engineered. They still have that grungy garage punk sound but you can actually make out the vocals and I think they accidently got better at singing. Most punk fans have hailed it as their best effort so far and I have to agree. I’ve listened to the album dozens of times and I’m still not tired of it, getting totally amped every time that I throw it on. Anyone who digs punk rock or thinks that it has died must listen to this band, as they are very impressive and refreshing.
The Loved Ones on the other hand are different from D4 and NFG in their stylistic approach. Not only do they lean more towards the alternative rock side of punk but they also have a noticeable southern twang. They are based out of Philly and their frontman and guitarist actually used to be in the amazing hardcore band Paint It Black. It is interesting because aside from the fast rhythms on their debut album, Keep Your Heart, I don’t hear much of a hardcore punk influence. Their latest LP, Build & Burn is the record where they really find their original sound that contains both an alternative vibe as well as a pop-punk tone that can be embraced by fans of both genres. I think they have an interesting approach and a pretty original sound which is why I decided to recommended them to all you punkers out there. The lyrics are generally about relationships but also contain some nice life lesson themes that can be quite motivational. Fat Mike actually signed them to his label, Fat Wreck Chords, after seeing them live and has become good friends with them all, even referencing them on NOFX’s latest album Coaster. This is definitely a band to pay attention to and they might even get big someday due to their dedication and passion to stay original. They are the least well known of the three bands but have gained a lot of attention on punknews.org, which I follow but disagree with a lot of the people who post and review. I think Build & Burn and the latest EP are worth checking out if you dig punk that is more on the alternative side, sometimes I think they should just be called a rock band and drop any commitment to a particular genre. Please check them out because you will probably dig their interesting sound and vibe.
Yet again, I chose three winning records so all are certified Nasty! New Found Glory receives a 9/10 for an incredible return to form, Dillinger Four gets a 10/10 for being their best effort yet and for being my favorite punk album of last year, finally The Loved Ones get an 8.5 for their original sound and passion. Non-Metal Moment: Check out Bela Fleck and the Fleckstones really interesting eclectic style of bluegrass, fusion and jazz. I have never heard anything like them but they are really awesome for anyone open-minded to great music.
New Found Glory has been in the pantheon of Pop-Punk gods for almost as long as Blink 182 and after a friend burned me their album in like 8th grade I became addicted. Although many people dislike them because of Jordan Pundik’s “whiny” vocals, I think he is a great vocalist and the lyrics are so cheesy that I have to love it. They definitely helped me get through some of that delicious teenage angst that most people felt during their first rocky relationships. I was worried about this band after Coming Home came out because a lot of people disliked its more mellow style and almost melancholy tone (similar to Blink 182’s self-titled album). I dug it but I often listened to it at night to help me sleep, which is not when I listen to the rest of their discography that is mainly upbeat. They came out with a split album last year that included the band switching instruments and calling themselves International Superheroes of Hardcore paying homage to hardcore punk rock. I enjoyed this album but the latest record really blows it out of the water and shows that NFG isn’t leaving the music scene anytime soon. Not Without a Fight is most similar to Sticks and Stones, which was an amazing album, but their hardcore punk influence is much more apparent. They even went on a tour entitled Softcore, which references their style that contains some hXc rhythms but the vocals tend to remains very much Pop-Punk. The lyrics are as cheesy as ever but extremely catchy and I think the guitar work is some of their best yet due to the bouncy and skank pit sound that would surely make a crowd airborne. I really like most of the songs, even the slower debbie downer tracks and this can definitely be considered a return to form. Stand out tracks are Listen To Your Friends, Don’t Let Her Pull You Down, Such A Mess.
Dillinger Four is very different from NFG especially in their approach to vocals and their more classic punk rock sound and vibe. Their early recordings are borderline grungy and sound like they were recorded inside of a dumpster in someone’s garage, but that is what I love about them. The vocals are extremely raspy (2 packs a day status) and their two vocalists generally alternate on who sings and writes the songs, similar to the standard Blink 182 formula. However, their vocals and lyrics are much more punk than pop-punk meaning that they deal with anti-system themes, politics and general motivational anthems. Yet sometimes they do throw in some sadder girl problem songs as well as great odes to drinking. I also like how they often throw in random sound samples from really old tv, documentary and movie clips which create an interesting punk vibe from the start. The guitar is perfectly pop-punk with very simple power chords that are catchy as hell. The latest album, C I V I L W A R, contains constantly upbeat drumming and low-volume vocals but is much better produced and engineered. They still have that grungy garage punk sound but you can actually make out the vocals and I think they accidently got better at singing. Most punk fans have hailed it as their best effort so far and I have to agree. I’ve listened to the album dozens of times and I’m still not tired of it, getting totally amped every time that I throw it on. Anyone who digs punk rock or thinks that it has died must listen to this band, as they are very impressive and refreshing.
The Loved Ones on the other hand are different from D4 and NFG in their stylistic approach. Not only do they lean more towards the alternative rock side of punk but they also have a noticeable southern twang. They are based out of Philly and their frontman and guitarist actually used to be in the amazing hardcore band Paint It Black. It is interesting because aside from the fast rhythms on their debut album, Keep Your Heart, I don’t hear much of a hardcore punk influence. Their latest LP, Build & Burn is the record where they really find their original sound that contains both an alternative vibe as well as a pop-punk tone that can be embraced by fans of both genres. I think they have an interesting approach and a pretty original sound which is why I decided to recommended them to all you punkers out there. The lyrics are generally about relationships but also contain some nice life lesson themes that can be quite motivational. Fat Mike actually signed them to his label, Fat Wreck Chords, after seeing them live and has become good friends with them all, even referencing them on NOFX’s latest album Coaster. This is definitely a band to pay attention to and they might even get big someday due to their dedication and passion to stay original. They are the least well known of the three bands but have gained a lot of attention on punknews.org, which I follow but disagree with a lot of the people who post and review. I think Build & Burn and the latest EP are worth checking out if you dig punk that is more on the alternative side, sometimes I think they should just be called a rock band and drop any commitment to a particular genre. Please check them out because you will probably dig their interesting sound and vibe.
Yet again, I chose three winning records so all are certified Nasty! New Found Glory receives a 9/10 for an incredible return to form, Dillinger Four gets a 10/10 for being their best effort yet and for being my favorite punk album of last year, finally The Loved Ones get an 8.5 for their original sound and passion. Non-Metal Moment: Check out Bela Fleck and the Fleckstones really interesting eclectic style of bluegrass, fusion and jazz. I have never heard anything like them but they are really awesome for anyone open-minded to great music.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
WTF is Deathcore?
I’ve been hearing people who know about music and people who don’t dropping this relatively new term in reference to a lot of metal bands. It has certainly become a trendy way to describe Metalcore bands that are heavier and more extreme in their approach. I think it is pretty cool that these types of bands have achieved a firm degree of popularity in the metal scene, especially at a time when post-hardcore and so-called screamo bands are taking over. Today, I decided to comment on three bands that perfectly exemplify this style, Suicide Silence, Carnifex, and Whitechapel. Beware that these bands are not for the weak stomached and you may experience symptoms such as bleeding ears, bulging eyes or uncontrollable defecation. I will create another blog post of three bands that are on the experimental side of Deathcore in the future.
Deathcore is, as its name implies, a mixture between death metal and hardcore punk but it is far more extreme than this simple definition. These bands breakdown their breakdowns while utilizing very heavy (and dark in tone) death metal and even black metal guitar riffs. The emphasis on the breakdown, which is specifically created for brutal mosh pits and highly energetic atmospheres during live shows, is very classic in the subgenre. Most bands avoid clean vocals all together and stray from melodic elements (as this would place them closer to the Metalcore subgenre). These bands are the essence of what “extreme” music has come to mean in contemporary times. The drumbeats are very very fast and riddled with typical death metal blast beats that can make anyone want to shake their fist at the sky. Suicide Silence, Carnifex, and Whitechapel have a lot in common, namely they are heavier than uranium and will blow your face off with their intensity.
Suicide Silence has built up quite a following in the last few years by constantly touring with more popular Metalcore bands and securing spots on festivals such as Mayhem. They have explosive performances and truly rock out and their mosh pits are borderline dangerous, its like being in a battle scene from Braveheart. When I first began listening to them a couple years ago, I didn’t really like the vocals and found them a bit monotonous. Seeing them live quickly changed my mind and their breakthrough album The Cleansing is ridiculously intense. Their latest album, No Time to Bleed is even better and features a richer depth of style, more interesting song structures as well as cleaner production. For a lot of people it is difficult to get used to their mainly shrieking vocals, but they utilize deeper growls also and their vocalist is ridiculously passionate. My favorite tracks right now are Wake Up, Suffer and Lifted and I like the increased presence of keyboard and sound effects; it is certainly more interesting than their last album.
Carnifex has also been causing many people to soil their pants for the last few years that they have been in the extreme metal scene. I actually dig their vocalist, Scott Lewis, more than Suicide Silence’s Mitch Lucker because he does more deep growls in the vein of death metal (I find this more soothing). Some people have argued that this band is more of a death metal band but the prevalence of breakdowns as well as their popularity in the hardcore scene places them in the ranks of quintessential Deathcore bands. They are much less popular than Suicide Silence (who debuted at #32 on the billboard chart) but I think their death metal riffs are catchier. I have yet to see them live but I think we can all assume that the mosh pit would churn with the thickness of molasses. Check them out if you are into Deathcore, they are a very solid band despite some early on line-up changes. Their latest album, which was released last year, The Diseased and The Poisoned will probably cause your ears to bleed profusely.
Of these three bands, Whitechapel is my current favorite and I have been listening to them a lot more the past few weeks. They actually come from Tennessee, instead of Southern California like the other two, and they have a very intriguing sound, yet they are heavier than Michael Moore. Their name is actually not religious at all and references the district in London where Jack the Ripper carried out his gruesome murders (if that isn’t metal, I don’t know what is). I think their vocalist has the greatest range of the three bands and he does a great job balancing deep growls with higher screams. Unfortunately, I missed their performance at the Mayhem Festival because they were one of the first bands and I arrived about an hour late. I noticed that tons of people were wearing their shirts so they are creating quite a stir in the scene. They have brutal breakdowns, delicious death metal riffs and tremendous drumbeats that are not for the faint of heart. Their album is titled This Is Exile and deals with typical death metal themes lyrically and is very dark in tone. All of these bands seem to have anti-religious messages embedded in their lyrics but I don’t listen to them for the lyrics, since you can barely understand them even after a dozen listens. My favorite tracks are Father of Lies, Possession and This is Exile.
All three of the bands are certified Nasty! Whitechapel’s album gets a 9/10 since it is the most interesting in my humble opinion, while Suicide Silence receives an 8.5/10 since it is better than their last album and Carnifex gets an 8/10 because I said so. My non-metal moment today is about electronic group Pendulum who utilize mainly drum and bass style to create some catchy and very fast dance tunes. They hail from Australia, check out their albums In Silico and Hold Your Colour.
Deathcore is, as its name implies, a mixture between death metal and hardcore punk but it is far more extreme than this simple definition. These bands breakdown their breakdowns while utilizing very heavy (and dark in tone) death metal and even black metal guitar riffs. The emphasis on the breakdown, which is specifically created for brutal mosh pits and highly energetic atmospheres during live shows, is very classic in the subgenre. Most bands avoid clean vocals all together and stray from melodic elements (as this would place them closer to the Metalcore subgenre). These bands are the essence of what “extreme” music has come to mean in contemporary times. The drumbeats are very very fast and riddled with typical death metal blast beats that can make anyone want to shake their fist at the sky. Suicide Silence, Carnifex, and Whitechapel have a lot in common, namely they are heavier than uranium and will blow your face off with their intensity.
Suicide Silence has built up quite a following in the last few years by constantly touring with more popular Metalcore bands and securing spots on festivals such as Mayhem. They have explosive performances and truly rock out and their mosh pits are borderline dangerous, its like being in a battle scene from Braveheart. When I first began listening to them a couple years ago, I didn’t really like the vocals and found them a bit monotonous. Seeing them live quickly changed my mind and their breakthrough album The Cleansing is ridiculously intense. Their latest album, No Time to Bleed is even better and features a richer depth of style, more interesting song structures as well as cleaner production. For a lot of people it is difficult to get used to their mainly shrieking vocals, but they utilize deeper growls also and their vocalist is ridiculously passionate. My favorite tracks right now are Wake Up, Suffer and Lifted and I like the increased presence of keyboard and sound effects; it is certainly more interesting than their last album.
Carnifex has also been causing many people to soil their pants for the last few years that they have been in the extreme metal scene. I actually dig their vocalist, Scott Lewis, more than Suicide Silence’s Mitch Lucker because he does more deep growls in the vein of death metal (I find this more soothing). Some people have argued that this band is more of a death metal band but the prevalence of breakdowns as well as their popularity in the hardcore scene places them in the ranks of quintessential Deathcore bands. They are much less popular than Suicide Silence (who debuted at #32 on the billboard chart) but I think their death metal riffs are catchier. I have yet to see them live but I think we can all assume that the mosh pit would churn with the thickness of molasses. Check them out if you are into Deathcore, they are a very solid band despite some early on line-up changes. Their latest album, which was released last year, The Diseased and The Poisoned will probably cause your ears to bleed profusely.
Of these three bands, Whitechapel is my current favorite and I have been listening to them a lot more the past few weeks. They actually come from Tennessee, instead of Southern California like the other two, and they have a very intriguing sound, yet they are heavier than Michael Moore. Their name is actually not religious at all and references the district in London where Jack the Ripper carried out his gruesome murders (if that isn’t metal, I don’t know what is). I think their vocalist has the greatest range of the three bands and he does a great job balancing deep growls with higher screams. Unfortunately, I missed their performance at the Mayhem Festival because they were one of the first bands and I arrived about an hour late. I noticed that tons of people were wearing their shirts so they are creating quite a stir in the scene. They have brutal breakdowns, delicious death metal riffs and tremendous drumbeats that are not for the faint of heart. Their album is titled This Is Exile and deals with typical death metal themes lyrically and is very dark in tone. All of these bands seem to have anti-religious messages embedded in their lyrics but I don’t listen to them for the lyrics, since you can barely understand them even after a dozen listens. My favorite tracks are Father of Lies, Possession and This is Exile.
All three of the bands are certified Nasty! Whitechapel’s album gets a 9/10 since it is the most interesting in my humble opinion, while Suicide Silence receives an 8.5/10 since it is better than their last album and Carnifex gets an 8/10 because I said so. My non-metal moment today is about electronic group Pendulum who utilize mainly drum and bass style to create some catchy and very fast dance tunes. They hail from Australia, check out their albums In Silico and Hold Your Colour.
Sunday, July 19, 2009
311 and Dave Matthews Band
As I was chilling by the pool on this beautiful lazy Sunday in Southern California I needed an album to complement the summer mood. Then I remembered that 311 had put out a new album called Uplifter that I had only listened to a couple times. To my surprise it has the perfect summer vibe and I knew that I would have to review it. I also decided that I would discuss the latest Dave Matthews Band album that puts me into a similar state of relaxation. These two bands actually have a lot in common despite sounding nothing like one another. They both blend several genres to create completely original music and I’ve never heard a band that has come close to either of their sound. They are also stereotyped as having stoner fans that are loyal to the core and own all of their records. This is true to a certain extent but you don’t have to smoke the green stuff in order to enjoy these bands.
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311 hail from Omaha, Nebraska and are influenced by several different genres including reggae, punk, hard rock and hip-hop. They utilize all of these elements to varying degrees across their diverse catalogue of 13 records over 20 years (plus a live album and a greatest hits album). I’ve had the chance to see them live twice and they are amazing performers that really know how to rock a crowd. Some people pass them off as a Sublime wannabe reggae/punk band but they are much more innovative and unique than Sublime ever was. Some of the guitar riffs they use are heavy, for lack of a better word, since they utilize the pounding style of hard rock to make crowd-bouncing songs. Even so, they certainly have some incredible stoner-reggae songs that cause the entire audience to simultaneously burn one down. To add to this they also have a funk and hip-hop influence that comes through strongly in certain songs. Although some people dislike SA Martinez’s pseudo-rapping style, on the last few records he has proven he can sing and harmonize with lead singer Nick Hexum and he also acts as the band’s DJ. This band has never compromised their unique style, has been unaffected by trends, and continue to create great music today. Some have criticized the last couple records as being more poppy or radio friendly but the truth is they write really catchy songs on all their albums, they’re simply more well-known now.
The new album Uplifter, like their previous albums is an eclectic mix of styles and influences and included several hard rock based songs, several reggae based songs and everything rock n’ roll in between. When I first listened to Uplifter I wasn’t very impressed but really liked the first two songs “Hey You” and “Its Alright”, which became instant radio hits. After a few more listens I think that it is better than Don’t Tread On Me and signifies the long-lasting integrity of the band. My favorite mellow songs on the album include Its Alright, Golden Sunlight, Never Ending Summer, and the more hard rock based songs I dig are India Ink, Jackpot, Something Out of Nothing. The whole album is such a nice mixture of style that it is perfect to play at a party, especially an outside BBQ or pool shindig. They really are simply a great rock band and this album certainly uplifts the listener. If you’ve tried out this band in the past and don’t dig them, give them another try and check out their greatest hits album. I think this was another solid effort by the band and I don’t see them going away anytime soon.
Dave Matthews Band is also utterly unique and known for their diverse blend of jazz, folk, jam and pop rock. They have an even more diehard fan base and their shows are infamous for the improvisation of their studio songs into often double their original length. Of course, the mellow nature of their music along with the omnipresence of Jazz elements has made them a legendary stoner jam band. But like 311, you don’t need to hit the bong to jam out to their music but at their shows there will certainly be a thick cloud of smoke. Over their 18-year career they have recorded 8 studio albums and 13 live albums, which include extended and improvised versions of the original songs. Last year the band suffered a great loss when LeRoi Moore, DMB’s beloved saxophonist, died due to complications stemming from an ATV accident in August of 2008. In his place the band has added Grammy award winner Jeff Coffin of Bela Fleck and the Fleckstones. Jazz guitarist Tim Reynolds also joined the band in 2008 after years of collaborations with DMB and is an excellent addition. Rashawn Ross began playing with DMB in 2005 as their trumpet player and is now a permanent member. The band also gives tons of live recordings away over the Internet and gained a lot of notoriety amongst college students by allowing them to record their live shows, thereby spreading their music.
This record is titled Big Whiskey and the GrooGrux King and is a fantastic return to form for the band and showcases the newer members talents. This album has a much stronger jazz influence than the last few records unlike Stand Up (which was more folk based) and Busted Stuff (which had a poppier feel). However, I think all of their albums are a great mix of many styles and I am oversimplifying based on the tone of the records. I began listening to this band when I was about 13 when Everyday was released and since then I have been an avid fan. Dave Matthews is a brilliant song-writer and his lyrics have always amazed me in their passion and down to Earth feel. He is one of the best vocalists I’ve ever heard and his vocal range is simply incredible. Drummer Carter Beauford has some serious chops and could probably out drum just about anyone. I also must mention the always-solid basslines by Stefan Lessard and of course the vibrant electric violin playing of Boyd Tinsley. This is a band that you must see live if you consider yourself a true music fan. In fact you can check out an entire 3 hour performance for free on Hulu.com and I strongly suggest you do so.
The GrooGrux King is the nickname of Moore, and the album serves as a tribute to his memory. It is a very passionate and innovative album that has the intense feel of some of my favorite songs from their other records. For instance "Squirm" has the psychedelic vibe of "What You Are" and "Shake Me Like A Monkey" has the uptempo goodness of "Everyday". But really the album has its own unique feel to it, as all the records do, and the stand out tracks are "Why I Am", "Funny the Way It Is", and "Time Bomb". I really dig the entire album and it is great for chilling out after a long day. This was the 5th consecutive DMB record to debut at #1 on the Billboard chart, so this is certainly not a small band. After listening to 311 at your BBQ Party, you should head into your bedroom with your significant other and throw in any DMB album to set the mood right if you know what I mean. Ain’t nothing like making sweet sweet love to the jazzy sexiness of Dave Matthews Band.
Both of these albums are certified Nasty! Big Whiskey gets a 9/10 and Uplifter gets an 8/10. If you dig these albums definitely check out their earlier records since they have both been around for nearly two decades.
Non-Metal Moment: I listened to Los Bunkers album Barrio Estacion today (vocals in Spanish). They are a small latin rock band from Concepcion, Chile and have a uniquely Chilean sound inspired by The Beatles and Los Tres.
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311 hail from Omaha, Nebraska and are influenced by several different genres including reggae, punk, hard rock and hip-hop. They utilize all of these elements to varying degrees across their diverse catalogue of 13 records over 20 years (plus a live album and a greatest hits album). I’ve had the chance to see them live twice and they are amazing performers that really know how to rock a crowd. Some people pass them off as a Sublime wannabe reggae/punk band but they are much more innovative and unique than Sublime ever was. Some of the guitar riffs they use are heavy, for lack of a better word, since they utilize the pounding style of hard rock to make crowd-bouncing songs. Even so, they certainly have some incredible stoner-reggae songs that cause the entire audience to simultaneously burn one down. To add to this they also have a funk and hip-hop influence that comes through strongly in certain songs. Although some people dislike SA Martinez’s pseudo-rapping style, on the last few records he has proven he can sing and harmonize with lead singer Nick Hexum and he also acts as the band’s DJ. This band has never compromised their unique style, has been unaffected by trends, and continue to create great music today. Some have criticized the last couple records as being more poppy or radio friendly but the truth is they write really catchy songs on all their albums, they’re simply more well-known now.
The new album Uplifter, like their previous albums is an eclectic mix of styles and influences and included several hard rock based songs, several reggae based songs and everything rock n’ roll in between. When I first listened to Uplifter I wasn’t very impressed but really liked the first two songs “Hey You” and “Its Alright”, which became instant radio hits. After a few more listens I think that it is better than Don’t Tread On Me and signifies the long-lasting integrity of the band. My favorite mellow songs on the album include Its Alright, Golden Sunlight, Never Ending Summer, and the more hard rock based songs I dig are India Ink, Jackpot, Something Out of Nothing. The whole album is such a nice mixture of style that it is perfect to play at a party, especially an outside BBQ or pool shindig. They really are simply a great rock band and this album certainly uplifts the listener. If you’ve tried out this band in the past and don’t dig them, give them another try and check out their greatest hits album. I think this was another solid effort by the band and I don’t see them going away anytime soon.
Dave Matthews Band is also utterly unique and known for their diverse blend of jazz, folk, jam and pop rock. They have an even more diehard fan base and their shows are infamous for the improvisation of their studio songs into often double their original length. Of course, the mellow nature of their music along with the omnipresence of Jazz elements has made them a legendary stoner jam band. But like 311, you don’t need to hit the bong to jam out to their music but at their shows there will certainly be a thick cloud of smoke. Over their 18-year career they have recorded 8 studio albums and 13 live albums, which include extended and improvised versions of the original songs. Last year the band suffered a great loss when LeRoi Moore, DMB’s beloved saxophonist, died due to complications stemming from an ATV accident in August of 2008. In his place the band has added Grammy award winner Jeff Coffin of Bela Fleck and the Fleckstones. Jazz guitarist Tim Reynolds also joined the band in 2008 after years of collaborations with DMB and is an excellent addition. Rashawn Ross began playing with DMB in 2005 as their trumpet player and is now a permanent member. The band also gives tons of live recordings away over the Internet and gained a lot of notoriety amongst college students by allowing them to record their live shows, thereby spreading their music.
This record is titled Big Whiskey and the GrooGrux King and is a fantastic return to form for the band and showcases the newer members talents. This album has a much stronger jazz influence than the last few records unlike Stand Up (which was more folk based) and Busted Stuff (which had a poppier feel). However, I think all of their albums are a great mix of many styles and I am oversimplifying based on the tone of the records. I began listening to this band when I was about 13 when Everyday was released and since then I have been an avid fan. Dave Matthews is a brilliant song-writer and his lyrics have always amazed me in their passion and down to Earth feel. He is one of the best vocalists I’ve ever heard and his vocal range is simply incredible. Drummer Carter Beauford has some serious chops and could probably out drum just about anyone. I also must mention the always-solid basslines by Stefan Lessard and of course the vibrant electric violin playing of Boyd Tinsley. This is a band that you must see live if you consider yourself a true music fan. In fact you can check out an entire 3 hour performance for free on Hulu.com and I strongly suggest you do so.
The GrooGrux King is the nickname of Moore, and the album serves as a tribute to his memory. It is a very passionate and innovative album that has the intense feel of some of my favorite songs from their other records. For instance "Squirm" has the psychedelic vibe of "What You Are" and "Shake Me Like A Monkey" has the uptempo goodness of "Everyday". But really the album has its own unique feel to it, as all the records do, and the stand out tracks are "Why I Am", "Funny the Way It Is", and "Time Bomb". I really dig the entire album and it is great for chilling out after a long day. This was the 5th consecutive DMB record to debut at #1 on the Billboard chart, so this is certainly not a small band. After listening to 311 at your BBQ Party, you should head into your bedroom with your significant other and throw in any DMB album to set the mood right if you know what I mean. Ain’t nothing like making sweet sweet love to the jazzy sexiness of Dave Matthews Band.
Both of these albums are certified Nasty! Big Whiskey gets a 9/10 and Uplifter gets an 8/10. If you dig these albums definitely check out their earlier records since they have both been around for nearly two decades.
Non-Metal Moment: I listened to Los Bunkers album Barrio Estacion today (vocals in Spanish). They are a small latin rock band from Concepcion, Chile and have a uniquely Chilean sound inspired by The Beatles and Los Tres.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Expanding Your Music Tastes
Today I’m going to write about the nature of music tastes and how to expand the scope and styles of music you listen to. I think the best way to begin is with a metaphor to wine and food tastes and how this is similar to your ear’s tastes. In wine tasting and food people often talk about developing their palate so that they can not only discover more discreet and interesting flavors but also so they can actually enjoy them. The same goes for music and like wine you must actively acquire these tastes (your ear's have a palate of their own).
Food is the same way, for instance I tried sushi maybe three times in my life and hated it. Then about two years ago my sister decided to take me out for sushi but this time she covered mine in ginger and wasabi (knowing that I prefer strong and spicy flavors) and now I am addicted to Sushi and don’t even need to overpower it with spice, instead I enjoy the flavor of sushi itself. The same thing happened to me with melodic death metal but in a different way. My friend played me some Children of Bodom and In Flames songs and the guitar work really impressed me. However, I thought the vocals were horrible and the darker tone of the music was a bit disconcerting at first. Soon the guitar melodies got caught in my head and I HAD to listen to more melodic death metal. Eventually, I began to tolerate and accept the vocals as a different and unique stylistic approach. Now I am obsessed with harsh vocals and I’ve critiqued all kinds of screams, growls and shrieks in past entries. I also dove head first into bands that create darker moods and morbid lyrics, thus expanding my “ear palate”. Don’t get me wrong though, I am not saying that death metal is for everyone, sushi certainly isn’t and I think cauliflower is terrible.
We each have our own tastes, our own palates but with an open-minded approach, we can also expand these flavors over time. I’m still shocked to find kids that have never had Indian food but as they grow older they get exposed to more exotic foods and eventually decide whether or not they like them. The point I’m trying to make is that you should trust in your own palate but also consciously pursue new and different flavors or in the case of music, different styles and genres. Even my own tastes in music have evolved dramatically in the past couple of years. During middle school I began listening to punk rock and then discovered heavy metal in high school and finally the floodgates burst open and I started bumping industrial, reggae/ska, hip-hop and electronic music. The same thing has happened to me with wine, which is the ultimate in acquired tastes. At first I couldn’t tell the difference between Carlo Rossi and Opus One but now I can pick out subtle flavors and describe them to other people accurately. It took my own conscious tasting of hundreds of different wine varietals and vineyards but now I can tell you why I like California Pinot Noir over an Italian Chianti. Just like music genres and bands, I am discovering new and different wines that I didn’t even know existed.
Even now I find myself more open-minded than ever to listen to different styles and types of music, doing away with my snobbish Metal mentality. I still think Heavy Metal is the best and most interesting genre, but there are thousands of other styles out there that I have yet to experience. People that know me personally have heard me trash talk female vocalists in the past and recently I have realized that there are amazing female singers and songwriters so I am still evolving my music taste. I think the other important thing to realize is that there is no such thing as “guilty pleasure” music. It doesn’t make sense to feel guilty about the types of music you like and you should be proud of whatever it is that rocks your world. Shit, I’ll admit that one of my favorite bands is Blink 182 not only because they were one of the first bands that I got into but because I’ve enjoyed all their albums (they are THE Gods of Pop-punk).
So here is my message: Embrace whatever music styles you like and don’t be afraid to expand your musical horizons. The worst thing that can happen is you will find new amazing bands and will be compelled to purchase their music and attend their shows. My new goal is to begin reviewing more diverse bands and different genres since I’ve really only written about metal and punk so far.
P.S. I’m going to add a new little comment to each entry known as my Non-Metal Moment. Since I write mostly about more extreme music, I’m going to admit to liking other genres or artists that a pure metalhead or punk rocker would never dare mention. Today I will admit that I dig the music of British singer/songwriter Dido. Check out her album No Angel, she has an incredible voice and writes really interesting songs.
EXPAND YOUR MUSIC TASTES AND CONTINUE LOVING THE MUSIC THAT ROCKS YOUR WORLD!
Food is the same way, for instance I tried sushi maybe three times in my life and hated it. Then about two years ago my sister decided to take me out for sushi but this time she covered mine in ginger and wasabi (knowing that I prefer strong and spicy flavors) and now I am addicted to Sushi and don’t even need to overpower it with spice, instead I enjoy the flavor of sushi itself. The same thing happened to me with melodic death metal but in a different way. My friend played me some Children of Bodom and In Flames songs and the guitar work really impressed me. However, I thought the vocals were horrible and the darker tone of the music was a bit disconcerting at first. Soon the guitar melodies got caught in my head and I HAD to listen to more melodic death metal. Eventually, I began to tolerate and accept the vocals as a different and unique stylistic approach. Now I am obsessed with harsh vocals and I’ve critiqued all kinds of screams, growls and shrieks in past entries. I also dove head first into bands that create darker moods and morbid lyrics, thus expanding my “ear palate”. Don’t get me wrong though, I am not saying that death metal is for everyone, sushi certainly isn’t and I think cauliflower is terrible.
We each have our own tastes, our own palates but with an open-minded approach, we can also expand these flavors over time. I’m still shocked to find kids that have never had Indian food but as they grow older they get exposed to more exotic foods and eventually decide whether or not they like them. The point I’m trying to make is that you should trust in your own palate but also consciously pursue new and different flavors or in the case of music, different styles and genres. Even my own tastes in music have evolved dramatically in the past couple of years. During middle school I began listening to punk rock and then discovered heavy metal in high school and finally the floodgates burst open and I started bumping industrial, reggae/ska, hip-hop and electronic music. The same thing has happened to me with wine, which is the ultimate in acquired tastes. At first I couldn’t tell the difference between Carlo Rossi and Opus One but now I can pick out subtle flavors and describe them to other people accurately. It took my own conscious tasting of hundreds of different wine varietals and vineyards but now I can tell you why I like California Pinot Noir over an Italian Chianti. Just like music genres and bands, I am discovering new and different wines that I didn’t even know existed.
Even now I find myself more open-minded than ever to listen to different styles and types of music, doing away with my snobbish Metal mentality. I still think Heavy Metal is the best and most interesting genre, but there are thousands of other styles out there that I have yet to experience. People that know me personally have heard me trash talk female vocalists in the past and recently I have realized that there are amazing female singers and songwriters so I am still evolving my music taste. I think the other important thing to realize is that there is no such thing as “guilty pleasure” music. It doesn’t make sense to feel guilty about the types of music you like and you should be proud of whatever it is that rocks your world. Shit, I’ll admit that one of my favorite bands is Blink 182 not only because they were one of the first bands that I got into but because I’ve enjoyed all their albums (they are THE Gods of Pop-punk).
So here is my message: Embrace whatever music styles you like and don’t be afraid to expand your musical horizons. The worst thing that can happen is you will find new amazing bands and will be compelled to purchase their music and attend their shows. My new goal is to begin reviewing more diverse bands and different genres since I’ve really only written about metal and punk so far.
P.S. I’m going to add a new little comment to each entry known as my Non-Metal Moment. Since I write mostly about more extreme music, I’m going to admit to liking other genres or artists that a pure metalhead or punk rocker would never dare mention. Today I will admit that I dig the music of British singer/songwriter Dido. Check out her album No Angel, she has an incredible voice and writes really interesting songs.
EXPAND YOUR MUSIC TASTES AND CONTINUE LOVING THE MUSIC THAT ROCKS YOUR WORLD!
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Mayhem Fest: The Performances
The best part of Mayhem Fest is, of course, the actual bands’ performances. I went off on a tangent full of rants about the festival in my last entry, but really it is the music that matters the most. Unfortunately it took my friends and I a long time to leave so we showed up at the show about an hour late. We missed Whitechapel and Job for a Cowboy, which was a little disappointing because I’d really wanted to see them both. Whitechapel, a relatively new band hailing from the UK is a very heavy and interesting deathcore band that has been gaining a lot of attention in the extreme metal scene. In fact I noticed that lots of people were wearing their shirts at the festival, which was a big surprise since I thought they were still pretty small (I even saw a 40+ Mom wearing one). My advice like I said before is to get to the venue a couple hours early so you can get a good parking spot and then tailgate with your own food and drinks. This way you can jump in line before the gates open and see the opening bands plus you won’t need to buy food or drinks for a while. I wasn’t as bummed about missing JFAC because I’ve seen them before and I don’t like the direction their music has gone. They went from a really unique grindcore band (complete with pig squeals) to a pretty generic death metal band. By the way, I will be discussing this new subgenre trend known as "Deathcore" in my next entry including a review of Whitechapel's latest record.
Since we had will call tickets and really wanted to get into the show, we just sort of jumped in line near the front after grabbing the tickets rather than walking to the end of the nearly mile long line. I practically ran across the lawn when I realized that God Forbid was already playing. By the time I got to the front of the crowd by slam dancing across the pit, they only had three songs left. They sounded amazing despite having lost one of their core members, Dallas Coyle. However, between Byron Davis and Doc Coyle they rocked really hard although I missed hearing any of their new songs. At the end of the set Doc Coyle threw his pick into the crowd and I happen to grab it! This makes my level of awesomeness triple what it was before and I will definitely attend the next tour that God Forbid goes on so I can experience a full set. I headed to the next stage where Behemoth began playing their very dark and insane set. I respect them but I don’t really like their music and they are hit or miss for most people due to their heavy black metal influence. Their painted faces and weird masks were certainly a spectacle.
Next came All That Remains, one of my favorite bands to see live, and they seriously performed well. They mostly played songs from their latest album Overcome and their previous release The Fall of Ideals and the crowd responded really well. Most people seem to know their music and their lyrics and I bonded with some random people as we sang “Two Weeks” at the top of our lungs. The best surprise was the band that came next, The Black Dahlia Murder, who are one of my favorite extreme metal bands. My friends and I thought we had missed them because the Mayhem website had listed them below Behemoth (which I thought was weird knowing that BDM was a much bigger band in the scene). I grabbed my friend Alex, the guitarist of Nekrogoblikon, and we rushed headfirst and fists flailing into the mosh pit. It wound up being the most intense pit of the show and I was breathless for most of it since I was screaming the lyrics half the time and moshing during the rest. Even so, I got a decent 12 second video of the pit but I was afraid of getting knocked over and breaking my camera (which almost happens in the video). They are one of the best death metal bands to see live and they have quite a stage presence. I especially like how much their vocalist gets into the music and his growls and shrieks are unparalleled. I almost lost my voice during my favorite song of theirs, "What a Horrible Night To Have a Curse".
Right after this amazing set, Trivium came out and put on a decent performance. They sounded pretty good but I was a little upset with their set list because they didn’t play many of the songs that I really like. This is weird because since they only had a 30 minute set I would think the band would want to play their best songs. The highlights were "Down From the Sky" and their finale of Pull Harder on the Strings of Your Martyr turned into a huge mosh pit that was ridiculously fun. I want to make it clear that I don’t simply listen to music and take pictures at shows, I participate and live the experience. I still remember getting knocked on my ass in the first mosh pit that I had ever been in when I was about 13 and I have always gone back for more. I think my mosh skills are at a new level of badassery since I wasn’t knocked over a single time and went toe-to-toe with some monster human beings. Next came Cannibal Corpse and although their synchronized head banging and hair twirling was a cool sight, I don’t like their music and their vocals annoy me.
The mainstage performances were all excellent beginning with the other UK band on the tour, Bullet for My Valentine. They played several songs from each of their albums opening with "Waking the Demon," and although a lot of the crowd on the lawn were talking shit about them (damn diehard Slayer fans) they really sounded great. They did extra screaming vocals on parts that were clean on the album in order to sound heavier to this type of crowd, which I thought was a solid move. I would definitely like to see them on a regular tour sometime. Next came the mighty Killswitch Engage who completely rocked the whole crowd with their incredible music. They played several songs from the new self-titled album including "Starting Over" but also played a few songs from all their albums. They opened with "My Last Serenade" and closed with their incredible cover of Dio’s "Holy Diver" that even the Slayer kids were compelled to dig.
Finally Slayer came out and the neo-nazis and diehard fans went crazy, reciting every word of their songs and dancing demonically around plastic trash fires. I’m not really a Slayer fan but I respect them and I know they influenced a lot of the bands that I listen to. Kerry King’s guitar solos were pretty awesome to see live and the pyro and lighting effects were cool. I realized that I do in fact like more of their songs than I thought before the show, but I find pure thrash metal to be pretty boring. I’d much rather listen to bands that have the influence and borrow some of its elements but the lack of melodies and monotone vocals just don’t do it for me. My favorite songs by them were “Angel of Death” and “Raining Blood”, their most well known tracks. Their lyrics are kind of stupid in my opinion and I feel like they try to make disturbing and f*cked up lyrics just for the shock factor. It may have been interesting in 1988 but its getting old and they really haven’t altered their sound at all. I like bands that evolve and this band has stagnated almost to the point of being boring. I definitely crossed off seeing Slayer live from my list of Metal things to do before I die.
Marilyn Manson was my favorite performance of the show. Not only did Twiggy Ramirez come back to the band to help write the new album but he also delivered his crucial touch to their live performance of their older songs. My friend commented that they only played songs from albums where Twiggy had been a part of the band. They didn’t play any songs from Eat Me, Drink Me or The Golden Age of Grotesque, which was a bit disappointing. However, they played many songs from Anti-Christ Superstar including “Tourniquet”, “Irresponsible Hate Anthem” and “Little Horn”. Brian Warner (Manson himself) has an immense stage presence and came out wearing a grim reaper looking hood. He also used various hats throughout the show and his mic doubled as a dagger. The sets they used were really elaborate and included a dismal version of the American flag for his first song of the set, “We’re From America”, which brutally critiques American culture. The lighting effects also added to the darker mood of the show and it left me mesmerized. I’ve been a Manson fan for about 6 years and since this was the first time I was seeing them live, I was certainly prejudiced towards liking their performance. Warner’s vocals sounded immense and his shrieks were hauntingly beautiful live. I also liked the fact that he doesn’t sing the same way as he does on the studio albums and prefers to change up his style and improv a bit. When the set was over after only an hour I really wanted more and stood baffled by the grandiose experience. I definitely want to check out their next headlining tour so that I can hear more of my favorite songs. Marilyn Manson’s lyrics are beautiful, poetic and filled with deep meanings despite his shock rocker image. I will be reviewing his latest album soon!
Pictures and Videos will be posted soon. Mayhem Fest was Nasty! 9/10. The only reason it loses a point is due to the plastic fires and lack of water.
Since we had will call tickets and really wanted to get into the show, we just sort of jumped in line near the front after grabbing the tickets rather than walking to the end of the nearly mile long line. I practically ran across the lawn when I realized that God Forbid was already playing. By the time I got to the front of the crowd by slam dancing across the pit, they only had three songs left. They sounded amazing despite having lost one of their core members, Dallas Coyle. However, between Byron Davis and Doc Coyle they rocked really hard although I missed hearing any of their new songs. At the end of the set Doc Coyle threw his pick into the crowd and I happen to grab it! This makes my level of awesomeness triple what it was before and I will definitely attend the next tour that God Forbid goes on so I can experience a full set. I headed to the next stage where Behemoth began playing their very dark and insane set. I respect them but I don’t really like their music and they are hit or miss for most people due to their heavy black metal influence. Their painted faces and weird masks were certainly a spectacle.
Next came All That Remains, one of my favorite bands to see live, and they seriously performed well. They mostly played songs from their latest album Overcome and their previous release The Fall of Ideals and the crowd responded really well. Most people seem to know their music and their lyrics and I bonded with some random people as we sang “Two Weeks” at the top of our lungs. The best surprise was the band that came next, The Black Dahlia Murder, who are one of my favorite extreme metal bands. My friends and I thought we had missed them because the Mayhem website had listed them below Behemoth (which I thought was weird knowing that BDM was a much bigger band in the scene). I grabbed my friend Alex, the guitarist of Nekrogoblikon, and we rushed headfirst and fists flailing into the mosh pit. It wound up being the most intense pit of the show and I was breathless for most of it since I was screaming the lyrics half the time and moshing during the rest. Even so, I got a decent 12 second video of the pit but I was afraid of getting knocked over and breaking my camera (which almost happens in the video). They are one of the best death metal bands to see live and they have quite a stage presence. I especially like how much their vocalist gets into the music and his growls and shrieks are unparalleled. I almost lost my voice during my favorite song of theirs, "What a Horrible Night To Have a Curse".
Right after this amazing set, Trivium came out and put on a decent performance. They sounded pretty good but I was a little upset with their set list because they didn’t play many of the songs that I really like. This is weird because since they only had a 30 minute set I would think the band would want to play their best songs. The highlights were "Down From the Sky" and their finale of Pull Harder on the Strings of Your Martyr turned into a huge mosh pit that was ridiculously fun. I want to make it clear that I don’t simply listen to music and take pictures at shows, I participate and live the experience. I still remember getting knocked on my ass in the first mosh pit that I had ever been in when I was about 13 and I have always gone back for more. I think my mosh skills are at a new level of badassery since I wasn’t knocked over a single time and went toe-to-toe with some monster human beings. Next came Cannibal Corpse and although their synchronized head banging and hair twirling was a cool sight, I don’t like their music and their vocals annoy me.
The mainstage performances were all excellent beginning with the other UK band on the tour, Bullet for My Valentine. They played several songs from each of their albums opening with "Waking the Demon," and although a lot of the crowd on the lawn were talking shit about them (damn diehard Slayer fans) they really sounded great. They did extra screaming vocals on parts that were clean on the album in order to sound heavier to this type of crowd, which I thought was a solid move. I would definitely like to see them on a regular tour sometime. Next came the mighty Killswitch Engage who completely rocked the whole crowd with their incredible music. They played several songs from the new self-titled album including "Starting Over" but also played a few songs from all their albums. They opened with "My Last Serenade" and closed with their incredible cover of Dio’s "Holy Diver" that even the Slayer kids were compelled to dig.
Finally Slayer came out and the neo-nazis and diehard fans went crazy, reciting every word of their songs and dancing demonically around plastic trash fires. I’m not really a Slayer fan but I respect them and I know they influenced a lot of the bands that I listen to. Kerry King’s guitar solos were pretty awesome to see live and the pyro and lighting effects were cool. I realized that I do in fact like more of their songs than I thought before the show, but I find pure thrash metal to be pretty boring. I’d much rather listen to bands that have the influence and borrow some of its elements but the lack of melodies and monotone vocals just don’t do it for me. My favorite songs by them were “Angel of Death” and “Raining Blood”, their most well known tracks. Their lyrics are kind of stupid in my opinion and I feel like they try to make disturbing and f*cked up lyrics just for the shock factor. It may have been interesting in 1988 but its getting old and they really haven’t altered their sound at all. I like bands that evolve and this band has stagnated almost to the point of being boring. I definitely crossed off seeing Slayer live from my list of Metal things to do before I die.
Marilyn Manson was my favorite performance of the show. Not only did Twiggy Ramirez come back to the band to help write the new album but he also delivered his crucial touch to their live performance of their older songs. My friend commented that they only played songs from albums where Twiggy had been a part of the band. They didn’t play any songs from Eat Me, Drink Me or The Golden Age of Grotesque, which was a bit disappointing. However, they played many songs from Anti-Christ Superstar including “Tourniquet”, “Irresponsible Hate Anthem” and “Little Horn”. Brian Warner (Manson himself) has an immense stage presence and came out wearing a grim reaper looking hood. He also used various hats throughout the show and his mic doubled as a dagger. The sets they used were really elaborate and included a dismal version of the American flag for his first song of the set, “We’re From America”, which brutally critiques American culture. The lighting effects also added to the darker mood of the show and it left me mesmerized. I’ve been a Manson fan for about 6 years and since this was the first time I was seeing them live, I was certainly prejudiced towards liking their performance. Warner’s vocals sounded immense and his shrieks were hauntingly beautiful live. I also liked the fact that he doesn’t sing the same way as he does on the studio albums and prefers to change up his style and improv a bit. When the set was over after only an hour I really wanted more and stood baffled by the grandiose experience. I definitely want to check out their next headlining tour so that I can hear more of my favorite songs. Marilyn Manson’s lyrics are beautiful, poetic and filled with deep meanings despite his shock rocker image. I will be reviewing his latest album soon!
Pictures and Videos will be posted soon. Mayhem Fest was Nasty! 9/10. The only reason it loses a point is due to the plastic fires and lack of water.
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