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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

Mayhem Fest: Blood, Boobs and Noxious Fumes

The Mayhem Festival has become the biggest and baddest summer tour that features heavy metal music. This was only the second year since it has existed and it has already blown the now defunct Ozzfest out of the water. In fact I think it is better than the Warped Tour despite its longevity and loyal fan base. This year the crowd was even bigger, more violent and more in to the music than any festival that I’ve ever been to. The legendary status of last year’s shows must have spread amongst the metal and hardcore scenes and during this deep recession, people find strength and release in music (especially this type). I don’t think I need to mention that most of the people that go to these shows are down to get smelly, dirty and violent (myself included). The line outside the show was a sea of black that included goths, hardcore punks, old school metalheads, metal nerds (like me), metal chicks and of course neo-nazis, rednecks and general scumbags.

Since the lineup included many different styles of metal, fans from these many scenes showed up to support their favorite bands and mosh in the hot sun. There are really only two types of people at these shows: open-minded people and diehard close-minded people. Now don’t get me wrong, I have no problem if someone only came out to the show to see Slayer. I do have a problem when people yell insults at other bands and act like the one band they came to see is the greatest thing on Earth. Slayer was pretty good but after they played these fans proceeded to insult Marilyn Manson and scream obscenities. They should have just left the show with a smile on their face instead of making Slayer look bad by proving how ignorant their fan base is. Diehard Slayer fans are the scum of the Earth and their close-minded, racist and bigoted slurs just supported this stereotype. The sieg heils did not help either nor did burning piles of trash and angrily dancing around it.

Even so, these people did not ruin my experience at Mayhem but they definitely annoyed me. The Mayhem Fest creators need to figure out a safe and effective way to stop people from burning piles of plastic trash. Not only were the fires themselves a danger to the entire crowd and venue but also the noxious fumes made breathing difficult, gave people headaches and burned eyes like acid. I was coughing up shit for several hours after the show and many of the fumes released from burning plastic are known carcinogens. I came to see some really good bands play music, not to increase my chances of getting cancer. I really hope people will complain about this problem because it is a serious hazard to health and nearly ruined the experience for me and my friends.

My other grievance with the Mayhem Festival is the fact that they give out free energy drinks all day but access to free drinking water was very difficult. We finally settled for sketchy tap water from a hidden water fountain since bottled water was ridiculously overpriced. They should both allow and encourage people to bring their own water into the venues or they should sell water at a reasonable price. They can still make tons of money selling bottles for $1 yet they charge $4 and the price of food and beer ($11) is more than enough of a profit margin. The free energy drinks are nice but they really dehydrate you and in the hot summer sun I am certain they caused several people to have heat stroke. Also, they shouldn’t be giving these drinks to younger kids (my friend saw a 3 or 4 year old drinking one). Access to water and shade would greatly add to the comfort and safety of the concertgoers and the costs would be negligible.

Still, I think that this is one of the better festivals because unlike the Warped Tour and Ozzfest, there is no way to miss any band (other than arriving late). The two side stages alternate so people can simply go from one to the other and the main stage bands don’t come out until the other bands finish. My advice is to get to the show early so you can get through the huge line and see all of the bands. My friends and I wound up being about an hour late and so we completely missed Whitechapel and Job for a Cowboy and only saw three songs of God Forbid’s set. The best thing to do is to arrive at the venue at about noon and tailgate with beers, water and food while rocking out to your own music. This way you don’t have to pay the outrageous prices and you can jump in line just before the gates open.

Whenever you go to a festival you want to get your money’s worth and as long as you’re open-minded you might as well go check out bands that you’ve never heard. I was familiar with the music of all the bands at the show so I got more than enough for the 25 bones that I threw down for lawn tickets. Hell, I would pay $50 just to see Marilyn Manson and I was able to see 9 other bands (since I missed 2), although the sets are a bit short at a half an hour for the side stage bands, about 40 minutes for the opening main stage bands (this year Killswitch Engage & Bullet for My Valentine) and an hour each for the two headlining bands (this year Slayer & Marilyn Manson). Festivals are a great way to see a lot of good bands in a short amount of time and the bands themselves are able to get wide exposure to many people that may have never otherwise heard their music.

I think the behavior of the crowd is a good indicator of the times. The crowd was very violent and I witnessed several people become very bloody after taking an elbow or stray fist to the face. All metal shows have a level of violence but it is also complimented by a sense of camaraderie since everyone is there for the music and to have a good time. As soon as a person fell down there would be 10 hands quickly lifting them back to their feet. I think the recession and the more difficult economic times made this show very important to the fans and so they were very passionate in their moshing and in their display of violence (and beer certainly helped). But with violence comes sex and metal chicks like to show their boobs; no show would be complete without seeing at least one pair of breasticles. This was a nice change especially after seeing a bunch of fat, hairy man-boobs jiggling around the mosh pits. Even with this level of intensity, I think the festival was quite a success and I had a great time. I will be discussing the bands performances in my next blog entry so stay tuned!!

All That Remains, Trivium, God Forbid

I’m going to the Mayhem Festival tomorrow in San Bernardino, CA and the lineup is definitely the best of all the summer tours. So, I decided to do another tripler and review three albums from three of the bands on the tour. Since I just wrote an entry about some of the best Metalcore bands, I’m going to continue with a review of All That Remains, Trivium and God Forbid. Although God Forbid was the only one to release an album this year, ATR and Trivium came out with incredible albums last Fall that I must discuss.

All That Remains is definitely one of the best bands in Metalcore and each album has a unique feel to it. All of their albums are extremely catchy and their guitarist Oli Herbet writes some incredible guitar riffs. Their most recent album, Overcome, is criticized for being their “lightest” effort but to say that they have sold out is completely wrong. Phil Labonte has become a vocalist with a great range of styles and showcases them on this album and he complements this with his excellent lyrics. Although it is more melodic and catchy, they still retain their pounding drums and excellent solos. I had the chance to see them live when Overcome first came out and they hit every note and chord perfectly. I think this would be a great album for Metalcore newbie’s because its lighter and melodic nature is simply easier to listen to for untrained ears. Interestingly the band has used Guitar Hero to gain many new fans and although some people criticize this type of promotion, I think it’s a great way to bring in new fans to more underground genres. I still must say that I like previous album, The Fall of Ideals, better simply because it has a perfect balance between heaviness and melody (a 10/10 album). Ironically I think that “Believe in Nothing” is the best song on the album despite the fact that it is very light; the lyrics are mind blowingly good and Labonte pours his soul into it. ATR fans will not be disappointed and I am very stoked to see them shred tomorrow!

Trivium has always been an interesting band and I love listening to their music evolve and change. The new album, Shogun, is their most eclectic release to date and showcases a mixture of the various styles they have used. Of course, they were heavily criticized for their album The Crusade due to its blatant imitation of Metallica. In fact, I didn’t like the album my first few listens but it really grew on me and I think it was a solid album. This album blows it out of the water though and is probably Trivium’s best album, although I love Ascendancy. The songs on Shogun are longer, better written and more technical than anything they have ever done. Their vocals are a perfect mix of screaming, harsh vocals and singing and their lyrics are brutal in the best of ways. My favorite track on the album is "Kirisute Gomen", which I think highlights the stylistic mix of the album. Even their drummer, Travis Smith, has gotten better (he was often criticized for being shitty) and I’m really looking forward to seeing how the band plays tomorrow. The Japanese influence of Matt Heafy makes for an interesting concept album and each track actually sounds different. The greater role of Corey Beaulieu’s backing vocals also helps complement the more eclectic style and he does some very aggressive death growls.

God Forbid is the most underrated of all the Metalcore bands that I’ve reviewed so far. I’m not sure why they have not achieved greater recognition and popularity but the latest album, Earthsblood, is, for lack of better words, fucking awesome. Let’s not forget how epic their previous concept album, IV: Constitution of Treason was with its very unique style and thought provoking lyrics. I would say this is in the same vein, but it isn’t really because I think they have progressed their own sound even further. This album has more thrash elements and an even better balance between brutality and melody. Byron Davis really goes all out with extremely passionate and powerful vocals and lyrics. The Earth’s blood he is referring to is of course oil and there is a clear environmental message as well as political criticism of war and capitalism, which comprise the album’s conceptual base. I think it is a very worldly album that is promoting a greater human consciousness of what we are doing to Gaia (Mother-Earth) and to each other. I think it has as much power as Gojira’s From Mars to Sirius that deals with similar themes at the same level of seriousness. And don’t worry kids, there are some decimating breakdowns and delicious guitar solos that complement the amazing passion of the band. I must mention the fact that most of the band are black, which is notable because metal is stereotypically a very “white” genre. This band along with KSE and others prove that it doesn’t matter what your skin color is, you can create amazing metal if you are passionate about your music. Unfortunately, they recently lost Dallas Coyle, who was a major part of the band, so it will be interesting to see how they perform tomorrow. Check out this interview with Guitaris Doc Coyle: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3PjB1t_rvUU

I’m going to give all three of these albums 9/10 and certify them Nasty! Amazing efforts by all of the bands and they have proven that they can evolve and innovate their own styles to make incredible records. I can’t wait to see them all tomorrow along with Marilyn Manson, Slayer and all the other bands.

Killswitch Engage, Darkest Hour, Unearth

Today’s entry is going to be a bit different. I’m going to review 3 albums from 3 different bands that are all juggernauts of the genre known as Metalcore. They will be short and sweet reviews because these are solid and well-known bands. I have seen them all live multiple times and they absolutely rock.

Killswitch Engage is perhaps the most popular Metalcore band and they certainly have attracted fans of other genres with their eclectic style. This album (Self-Titled), although not noticeably different from their previous releases, is solid and very catchy. Howard Jones brings such depth to his vocals (I used to call him the Opera man of metal) and his lyrics are usually motivational and sometimes about relationships. Adam D does a great job making some pretty catchy riffs and produces the album brilliantly. The thing I love about this band is how they can be very melodic; yet still utilize pretty heavy riffs. I think it is a better album than their last one, As Daylight Dies, but they don’t push the envelope or experiment much with style. If you are a KSE fan you won’t be disappointed but don’t expect anything groundbreaking. My favorite track right now is Starting Over since it often gets stuck in my head. The Self-Titled album debuted at #7 on the billboard 200, incredible for a metal band.

Darkest Hour has been on the metal scene since 1995 and has evolved from a melodic death metal style towards a more interesting mix of hardcore and metal. Their latest album, The Eternal Return, seems to explore their roots in death metal and is certainly heavier than their last album, Deliver Us. Honestly, this album fucking shreds and will likely bring a lot of attention to this consistently great band. They’re lyrics are amazing and I am always shocked by how good they are when I look them up. My only real criticism is of the vocalist, who has never been that interesting to me, although he is very passionate. I love the guitar solos on this record and I think it really showcases how great of musicians these guys really are. It is certainly darker in tone compared with their past couple releases and I really dig it.

Unearth is certainly one of the best Metalcore bands ever. I can still remember the first few times I listened to The Oncoming Storm and how much it blew my mind. Their live performances are incredible and they never cease to churn the mosh pit like their trying to make a shit load of butter. This is their fourth album and although it was released in 2008, I decided it is important and relevant to review it. The March is possibly their best album to date and certainly the most technical. Like all of the great bands in the world, they get better and better at playing their instruments and writing great songs. Their breakdowns are unparalleled in the Metalcore genre and you would be hard pressed to find a fan of the genre that dislikes them. With this album Buz Mcgrath writes even better and catchier riffs yet they retain their heaviness and as usual they hold it down with some colossal breakdowns. They also bring in some impressive guitar solos and Trevor Phipps pours his soul into his vocals and lyrics. He has a unique voice that is really fun to scream along with and perfectly complements the other instruments.

I’m going to certify all three of these albums as Nasty! Killswitch Engage receives an 8/10, Darkest Hour receives an 8.5/10 and I’m going to give Unearth a 9/10 because I think it is one of their best records thus far. I’m thinking of using this format once a week so that I can review more bands in less time. Content is king and I will continue to dish out quality reviews of the best bands and albums.

Broadcast the Nightmare – Twenty Twelve

This is my favorite new metalcore band and one of the best releases (so far) in 2009 in its genre. Twenty Twelve is their first album and it literally will knock your socks off with its immense and refreshing sound. I find it an incredible album to listen to anytime, but it is highly motivational so I often listen to it while working out. Broadcast the Nightmare is different and innovative for a metalcore band and although they use the standard elements of the genre, they do so in an exceptional way. The song structures are interesting and each track takes the listener to a different place, sometimes they utilize clean vocals and progressive elements. The great thing about them is they have not become formulaic; the album is solid from front to back. Unlike Killswitch Engage’s new self-titled album, which is more of the same standard metalcore formula (although it is a decent album), this band has set themselves apart.

They remind me of a lot of really talented metal bands since they are very technical and utilize their highly skilled musicianship to create crushing breakdowns and delicious guitar riffs. August Burns Red comes to mind as a metalcore band with excellent technical elements, but this band does a better job at straying from any formula. The pounding drums are spot on and that’s one of the reasons I recommend listening to this band while pumping iron or doing cardio. I have not seen them live but I bet that they have an explosive and rocking live show that would absolutely churn the mosh pit.

Their vocals are excellent and refreshing in a way I can’t really describe. Their vocalist, Justin Mazlik, has a great range and he varies where he places clean vocals within the strong structure and makes them stylistically different on every song (one song even reminds me of early Poison the Well). Of course, this band is rooted in breakdowns that would make for an incredible live show. If you aren’t a fan of breakdowns then you won’t like this band, although they are closer to Unearth’s style than to the ridiculous ever-present breakdown model of Bury Your Dead (although their new album is far more melodic than their previous releases). The point is that this band blends amazing melodies (in the vein of In Flames) with technical and annihilating breakdowns. This is the reason why I love metalcore so much, this elemental contrast is so compelling and beautiful sounding. They even have progressive and jazz elements in a few parts that are reminiscent of Between the Buried and Me.

I don’t know what else to say about this band except to check them out. I would talk about individual songs but I absolutely love every track. I haven’t been able to find a good site with their lyrics on it so if anyone knows, please link it up. I really like the lyrics in the clean vocals but I haven’t been able to make out the harsh vocals. I’m going to give this Twenty Twelve a 9/10 and certify the album Nasty! I would give them a 10 but I think they have so much potential that they will make an even greater album in the future. I also need to see them live to confirm their awesomeness.

A Day To Remember – Homesick

I really didn’t want to like this band since they are considered trendy and poppy by the more orthodox metal and hardcore fans. However, after I saw them live at the Warped Tour last weekend my mind has changed. I’ve been listening to their album quite a bit to figure out what is so catchy and remarkable about A Day To Remember. I realized that it is two things: the excellent way they blend seemingly opposing musical styles and the fact that they are clearly influenced by a lot of good bands. They certainly have the pop-punk sensibilities of some of the best and I hear (at least implicitly) the influences of Blink 182, New Found Glory, Taking Back Sunday and Good Charlotte. On the other hand they are clearly influenced by melodic hardcore and metalcore bands to generate their crushing breakdowns and they share similarities with Underoath, From Autumn to Ashes, Silverstein, The Devil Wears Prad and maybe a little taste of Unearth and Parkway Drive’s raw mosh power.

Their vocalist is up there with the best of the pop-punk bands and has more of a range since he does most of the screaming vocals as well. The guitar work on Homesick is amazing, the riffs are interesting and it is a real feat to be able to blend their heavy hardcore elements with very melodic and poppy choruses. The drumming is spot on as well and is the driving force of their live show, especially during breakdowns. My favorite track is “The Downfall of Us All” since it is extremely catchy and has an awesome breakdown. The heavier tracks that I really dig are “Mr. Highway’s Thinking About the End” and “Welcome to the Family”, so people who doubt the heaviness of this band should check them out. I also really like “I’m Made of Wax…” and “My Life For Hire” which have great catchy choruses yet still bring in heavier hardcore parts to the songs.

I’m sure a lot of people may criticize my opinion of this band as “trendy pop-core” but just think about that concept. You’re telling me that it is now trendy for bands to add hardcore elements to their songs…and that’s a bad thing? It’s not like this band was ever a pure hardcore band or a pure pop-punk band, they have always utilized a hybrid style that does set them apart from a lot of other bands. And nor is this style a “new” trend, this band is simply getting more attention because they actually do a good job at it and probably have excellent marketing. Even so, their live show and the response from fans is evidence enough that this band is very solid and will not be going away anytime soon.

If you’ve read this review, listened to the album a few times and still don’t like the band that is fine; I tried not to like them myself. But please analyze what it is that makes you dislike them and share your opinion. Also, think about other bands that have combined pop-punk attributes with metalcore that you actually liked (From Autumn To Ashes, Thrice, Underoath) and consider the differences. Or how about comparing their style to more recent bands like Chiodos, Scary Kids Scaring Kids, Sky Eats Airplane, and The Devil Wears Prada. Some people consider the band to be "post-hardcore", I do not and I will discuss the concept behind this genre in a later entry.

This album is certified 8/10 Nasty! A Day To Remember have created an interesting blending of genres, although not exactly groundbreaking. The album is well written and has catchy melodic parts balanced with brutal hardcore breakdowns. It is a better album than their first two releases but if you like it, definitely check them out. What more could a fan of metalcore and pop-punk ask for?

Gallows – Grey Britain

This is probably the best hardcore punk album released in the past few years and this band will certainly be going somewhere. Every time that I listen to this album, I like it more and its highly motivational sound makes it great to listen to when you want to get pumped up. I think it is much better than their first release, Orchestra of Wolves, which I loved but lacked the outstanding musicianship of Grey Britain. I think the reason is pretty simple: Gallows got better at playing their instruments and being a band. This is certainly evidenced by the intensity of their live show that I recently described in the Warped Tour Part 2 entry.

Gallows hail from the UK and formed in 2004 out of the ashes of a couple of punk bands. Their first album got the attention of Bad Religion’s guitarist, Brett Gurewitz, who helped get it released in the U.S. on Epitaph Records. They turned some heads and knocked some socks off at the 2007 Warped Tour and began to get some serious attention (I saw them at Warped and loved them). I think this album is what is really going to propel this band into a hardcore scene legend.

I want to talk briefly on what hardcore punk is for those who may not know (most people outside the scene don’t have a clue). When I use the word hardcore or say “hardcore band” I am not using it as the commonly used adjective. I am making a reference to the genre of hardcore punk, which most people simply refer to as hardcore or hXc. Of course, it is a more hardcore version of punk rock, but it has a very specific style that has evolved dramatically over the years. I consider Black Flag and Bad Brains to be the first hardcore bands and their styles along with the genre itself has influenced nearly every punk or heavy band. In contemporary music the most obvious nod to hardcore is the breakdown, which powers the mosh pit! Find out more at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hardcore_punk

Grey Britain is one of those albums that stands out in the hardcore genre, especially during this time period. Some believed that hardcore would not progress anymore and would simply be abandoned for newer forms like post-hardcore or metal-core. This is simply not the case and Gallows is the reason! They are a band that isn’t afraid to utilize classical elements like symphonic samples and piano, yet nearly every track can make a mosh pit churn. The album’s intro opens up with a slow build of an orchestral sample, then pounding drums and the shriek of Frank Carter’s vocals. The next track is f*cking nasty! It is one of my favorites on the album and really moved the pit at the Warped Tour. It exemplifies their tough-guy, we don’t give a damn attitude, yet it is uniquely British and reminds me of pub fights and football hooligans. Lyrically Carter attempts to expose the deep-seated political issues in Britain but his dark tone is fueled by anger (very much a hardcore punk element). Sometimes the songs do not seem to go as deep but simply conjure up images of fighting in dark alleys in London’s rain soaked streets (listen to “Black Eye”). “I Dread The Night” follows a similar theme but the lyrics are much better and it is a standout track on the album, absolutely amazing live. The Vulture is perhaps the most stylistically different on the album and Carter actually sings, but it is a haunting and melancholy track. I would talk about every track but I honestly think they are all incredible and it is an album that is meant to be listened to from front to back.

So please check out this album, it is incredible and even if you’re not into hardcore it will probably grow on you. I am certifying this album as 10/10 Deliciously Nasty! It is a great achievement in hardcore punk rock and is only Gallows second album. This band will be huge, at least in the punk and hxc scene.

NOFX - Coaster

NOFX has been one of my favorite punk rock bands for almost as long as I have been listening to music. Their unique style of pop melodies mixed with grungy garage punk rock as well as their provocative lyrics and sense of humor has elevated this band to legendary status. Not to mention the fact that their frontman, Fat Mike, has his own label (Fat Wreck Chords) that is helping countless underground bands get exposure and has promoted DIY as an alternative to major labels. Although they will probably never top their pivotal album, “Punk in Drublic”, I believe that their entire catalogue is essential to anyone who really loves punk music.

This album is classically NOFX yet they always seem to be moving forward musically and lyrically. Fat Mike’s vocals seem to get better on every album and his diverse lyrics that deal with everything from humor and sex to family relationships and organized religion are quite thought provoking. What is truly amazing about this band is how each of their albums is very eclectic stylistically so they never run into the “every song sounds the same” problem. This album is a great example of this and each song sounds different AND deals with a different subject matter lyrically. The drumming by Erik Sandin is great and really keeps their fast and staccato punk rock style solid (in all their albums). The guitar work by their token Mexican El Jefe is outstanding and even Eric Melvin got more creative (and continues to do supporting vocals. As a band they have never sounded tighter and as usual pull off the fast and happy tone of punk rock in each song but the mood is distinct and matches the lyrical content.

Coaster opens with “We Called it America” and Fat Mike continues his liberal political commentary that he has become more passionate about over the span of their last few albums. It’s a great punk rock track and if you dig this song, you will probably like most of their music. The most emotional track on the album is “My Orphan Year”, which describes the year that Mike lost both of his parents; it is very serious and melodically delicious. The song ‘First Call” is an alcoholics anthem that is very funny and complements their other comedic song, “Creeping Out Sara”. This song is very poppy but very fun to listen to and jokes about meeting the band Tegan and Sarah and creeping them out with a conversation on drugs and sex. “Blasphemy” is a great anti-organized religion track that points out the ridiculousness of choosing faith over reason (although everyone is entitled to their own opinion). “Best God in Show” carries a similar theme but showcases their rendition of the reaggae/ska style. The whole album is great from front to back and closes with “One Million Coasters”, which nostalgically speaks of the end of old music mediums, notably the CD that has now become a mere coaster due to the domination of digital music.

I think this album perfectly reflects what punk music is in this day and age when many people think that it is dead. As long as NOFX keeps putting out amazing albums, it will certainly live on! It’s amazing that despite all the various trends in music, NOFX has always done their own thing and they do it better than most bands. I am certainly biased because I love this band but I am open to any criticisms anyone might have. Please comment!

Coaster by NOFX receives a 9/10 and is certified NASTY. It is definitely better than their last release and the different styles of each song make it a very enjoyable listen.