2013 has been another great year in the world of heavy metal and rock music. Here's a list of albums that I find noteworthy. Granted, there are a few bizarre and surprising choices but that's the whole point in doing these isn't it?
Artist - Album Title
Acranius - When Mutation Becomes Homicidal
After The Burial - Wolves Within
All Pigs Must Die - Nothing Violates This Nature
Altar of Plagues - Teeth, Glory & Injury
Amon Amarth - Deceiver of the Gods
Amorphis - Circle
Antigama - Meteor
Arcane Roots - Blood & Chemistry
August Burns Red - Rescue & Restore
The Black Dahlia Murder - Everblack
Bleed From Within - Uprising
Born of Osiris - Tomorrow We Die Alive
Bring Me The Horizon - Sempiternal (No. 1 Album)
Brotherhood of the Lake - Desperation is the English Way, Vol. 2
Carcass - Surgical Steel
The Catharsis - Romance
Chimaira - Crown of Phantoms
Circles - Infinitas
Clutch - Earth Rocker (No. 2 Album)
Coheed and Cambria - The Afterman: Descension
Counterparts - The Difference Between Hell and Home
Dance Gavin Dance - Acceptance Speech
A Day To Remember - Common Courtesy
Dead Letter Circus - The Catalyst Fire
Deafheaven - Sunbather (No. 4 Album)
Deicide - In The Minds of Evil
The Devil Wears Prada - 8:18
The Dillinger Escape Plan - One of Us is the Killer (No. 3 Album)
Dinosaur Pile-Up - Nature Nurture
Disfiguring The Goddess - Black Earth Child / Deprive (Double Album)
Dream Theater - Dream Theater
Erra - Augment
Evergreen Terrace - Dead Horses
Exivious - Liminal
False Tongues - In Which We Speak EP
Filter - The Sun Comes Out Tonight
Fit For An Autopsy - Hellbound
Fleshgod Apocalypse - Labyrinth
Ghost B.C. - Infestissumam
Glass Cloud - Perfect War Forever EP
God is an Astronaut - Origins
Gorguts - Coloured Sands
Hacride - Back To Where You've Never Been
Hatebreed - The Divinity of Purpose
Heart of a Coward - Severance (No. 5 Album)
Heights - Old Lies For Young Lives
Howl - Bloodlines
I Killed Everyone - Necrospire
Ihsahn - Das Seelenbrechen
Immolation - Kingdom of Conspiracy
Impending Doom - Death Will Reign
In Vain - Aenigma
Inquisition - Obscure Verses for the Multiverse
iwrestledabearonce - Late For Nothing
Jamie Lenman - Muscle Memory
Kanye West - Yeezus
Killswitch Engage - Disarm the Descent
Korn - The Paradigm Shift
Kvelertak - Meir
letlive. - The Blackest Beautiful
Liferuiner - Future Revisionists
Lord Dying - Summon the Faithless
Ludovico Einaudi - In a Time Lapse
Malevolence - Reign of Suffering
Mammoth Grinder - Underworlds
Ministry - From Beer to Eternity
Misery Signals - Absent Light
Nails - Abandon All Life
Norma Jean - Wrongdoers
Northlane - Singularity
Oathbreaker - Eros Anteros
The Ocean - Pelagial
Pelican - Forever Becoming
Pestilence - Obsideo
Philip H. Anselmo & The Illegals - Walk Through Exits Only
Plastic Mind Frequencies - Plastic Mind Frequencies
Pomegranate Tiger - Entities
Protest the Hero - Volition
Red - Release the Panic
The Resistance - Scars
Revocation - Revocation
Rotting Out - The Wrong Way
Russian Circles - Memorial
The Safety Fire - Mouth of Swords
Satyricon - Satyricon
Scale the Summit - The Migration
Seasick Steve - Hubcap Music
Seeker - Unloved
Sepultura - The Mediator Between Head and Hands Must Be the Heart
Skeletonwitch - Serpents Unleashed
Sodom - Epitome of Torture
Stone Sour - House of Gold & Bones, Part 2
The Story So Far - What You Don't See
Sub Focus - Torus
Suffocation - Pinnacle of Bedlam
Svart Crown - Profane
TesseracT - Altered State
This Is Hell - The Enforcer EP
Thy Art Is Murder - Hate
Touche Amore - Is Survived By
Toxic Holocaust - Chemistry of Consciousness
Ulcerate - Vermis
Uneven Structure - 8 (Reissue)
Vanna - The Few and Far Between
Vastum - Patricidal Lust
vildhjarta - Thousands of Evils
Voivod - Target Earth
Watain - The Wild Hunt
Within the Ruins - Elite
The Wonder Years - The Greatest Generation
Wormed - Exodromos
Wounds - Die Young
It's a very extensive list, but if you've made it this far I salute you! (And that's with forgetting a few) Hope you enjoyed, thanks.
Sunday 22 December 2013
Album Review - Common Courtesy by A Day To Remember
A Day To Remember are one of the more notoriously marmite-like bands on the current metal scene, you either love them or you hate them. They're also a tad schizophrenic leaping from pop-punk ballads to meaty metalcore barrages. But take away the ever so slight poser-boy image of the band and you have one of the hardest working groups today. Much like Bring Me The Horizon, they aren't taken anywhere near seriously enough and after their new release, Common Courtesy, recognition is more than deserved.
The hailing Florida post-harcore quintet have surprised many across the globe with their latest outing. From the largely adored Homesick and anthemic What Separates Me From You, where could they possibly go? Common Courtesy sees ADTR maturing, taking their musical experience and making it an expertise. The tightness of musicianship and flow of the album is just too incredible to ignore. City of Ocala seamlessly gliding through into Right Back At It Again is one of the best transitions to be heard on a record, not to mention the tracks are absolute bangers too.
Jeremy McKinnon's vocals, as usual, are perfect. From dirty wolf-like howls to soft harmonies he is vastly overlooked as a leading vocalist in the metal community. His lyrics are deep, personal and rhythmic. And more often than not, despite the instrumentals of the songs being very well executed, you'll find it's his voice that carries the melody. A true representation of what it means to sing.
Although labelled as being a post-hardcore group, A Day To Remember are just as genre-binding as say Enter Shikari. They do heavy well. They do pop-punk well. Even their intricate and sweet acoustic tracks alone are enough to make you well up. And yet, underneath all that overwhelming music, the production levels are spot on. With short spells of the band sharing jokes and smiles, even a dog barking in the studio, makes the whole experience filled with intimacy and surety that this band will not go lightly. They are the best of friends and you feel a part of that.
A Day To Remember are hugely under-rated despite being so big (massively due to screaming 15 year old scene girls). But don't that let put you off, and allow yourself to be open-minded to the genre-hopping. Common Courtesy is their best material thus far. A gathering of their perfected sound, maturation and intimacy. Engross yourself. They cater all moods. Brilliant. 9/10
Check Out: Right Back At It Again
The hailing Florida post-harcore quintet have surprised many across the globe with their latest outing. From the largely adored Homesick and anthemic What Separates Me From You, where could they possibly go? Common Courtesy sees ADTR maturing, taking their musical experience and making it an expertise. The tightness of musicianship and flow of the album is just too incredible to ignore. City of Ocala seamlessly gliding through into Right Back At It Again is one of the best transitions to be heard on a record, not to mention the tracks are absolute bangers too.
Jeremy McKinnon's vocals, as usual, are perfect. From dirty wolf-like howls to soft harmonies he is vastly overlooked as a leading vocalist in the metal community. His lyrics are deep, personal and rhythmic. And more often than not, despite the instrumentals of the songs being very well executed, you'll find it's his voice that carries the melody. A true representation of what it means to sing.
Although labelled as being a post-hardcore group, A Day To Remember are just as genre-binding as say Enter Shikari. They do heavy well. They do pop-punk well. Even their intricate and sweet acoustic tracks alone are enough to make you well up. And yet, underneath all that overwhelming music, the production levels are spot on. With short spells of the band sharing jokes and smiles, even a dog barking in the studio, makes the whole experience filled with intimacy and surety that this band will not go lightly. They are the best of friends and you feel a part of that.
A Day To Remember are hugely under-rated despite being so big (massively due to screaming 15 year old scene girls). But don't that let put you off, and allow yourself to be open-minded to the genre-hopping. Common Courtesy is their best material thus far. A gathering of their perfected sound, maturation and intimacy. Engross yourself. They cater all moods. Brilliant. 9/10
Check Out: Right Back At It Again
Tuesday 2 April 2013
Album Review - Sempiternal by Bring Me The Horizon
At the root of almost everything there is an opinion. Opinions are good, but let's throw them out the window at this moment in time. Bring Me The Horizon are definitely not to everyone's tastes, but being coined as 'not metal' is absurd. Whether or not a band just has flourishes of metal elements or they play purely metal songs, the fact of the matter is it's metal. The Sheffield greats come out to play with our opinions once again on their fourth outing, Sempiternal. Showing an array of several different experimentations the metalcore quintet prove that maturity, having fun and simply doing as they wish makes a perfect combination on creating their best album to date.
Having Jordan Fish join the band as keyboardist in place of now ex-guitarist, Jona Weinhofen, one should have anticipated a difference in their new sound. And one may also have expected that a synth player could make things worse giving that bands like Asking Alexandria enjoy being chaotic, and frankly, terrible on the keyboards. But in actual fact, Fish's contribution adds an extra depth and balance to BMTH's brand of metalcore. It's not cheesy and it's not over used. The synths create ambient textures drawing you in closely, making it all sound massive yet slightly claustrophobic at the same time. The catchiest you'll hear the synths are on opening track Can You Feel My Heart, but even then it works.
Despite losing Jona, an obviously great metalcore guitarist, Lee Malia doesn't seem to show signs of burning out or needing support. In fact, he proves just how great a songwriter he is by messing around with several tunings and types of riffs, his guitar sound on Sempiternal is another leap forward since There Is A Hell.. in 2010. It seems as though Lee has been allowed to write freely without much dictation resulting in epic tunes such as the punchy The House Of Wolves, groovy single Shadow Moses and even the slightly Hatebreed-esque Antivist which even shows off a short solo somewhat reminiscent of what a lot of deathcore bands do but can't do very well.
Another hugely under-rated member of the band is vocalist, Oli Sykes. In recent years Oli has suffered some difficulty with his vocals especially on the recordings for There Is A Hell.. which only took him three days to record his entire vocals. However, after some rest and quite obvious practise he his back and his voice is the best it's ever sounded. His screams and shouts are now pronounced with clarity and defiance, and believe it or not, but he can even sing. Who'd have guessed that after the bands abysmal debut effort, Count Your Blessings? He may come across as arrogant, but his lyrics suggest he certainly does have a heart, and a very warm, caring and strong heart that is. Oli's voice is flawless throughout, but he really comes into his own on tracks such as Sleepwalking, Shadow Moses and And The Snakes Start To Sing. One of the best vocalists in recent and upcoming metal history? Without a doubt.
Let's not forget that Matt Kean (bassist) and Matt Nicholls (drummer) have also wrote a large part of this album, showing that the band as a whole are incredibly gifted yet remain hugely misunderstood and under-rated. If you haven't given Sempiternal a chance yet, then do so now. It's a real testament to a band that against all odds have proven themselves worthy as great songwriters. Whether in reference to the ongoing divide of opinion, or that they and their fans believe that their music is everlasting, Sempiternal does exactly what it says on the tin. 9/10
Having Jordan Fish join the band as keyboardist in place of now ex-guitarist, Jona Weinhofen, one should have anticipated a difference in their new sound. And one may also have expected that a synth player could make things worse giving that bands like Asking Alexandria enjoy being chaotic, and frankly, terrible on the keyboards. But in actual fact, Fish's contribution adds an extra depth and balance to BMTH's brand of metalcore. It's not cheesy and it's not over used. The synths create ambient textures drawing you in closely, making it all sound massive yet slightly claustrophobic at the same time. The catchiest you'll hear the synths are on opening track Can You Feel My Heart, but even then it works.
Despite losing Jona, an obviously great metalcore guitarist, Lee Malia doesn't seem to show signs of burning out or needing support. In fact, he proves just how great a songwriter he is by messing around with several tunings and types of riffs, his guitar sound on Sempiternal is another leap forward since There Is A Hell.. in 2010. It seems as though Lee has been allowed to write freely without much dictation resulting in epic tunes such as the punchy The House Of Wolves, groovy single Shadow Moses and even the slightly Hatebreed-esque Antivist which even shows off a short solo somewhat reminiscent of what a lot of deathcore bands do but can't do very well.
Another hugely under-rated member of the band is vocalist, Oli Sykes. In recent years Oli has suffered some difficulty with his vocals especially on the recordings for There Is A Hell.. which only took him three days to record his entire vocals. However, after some rest and quite obvious practise he his back and his voice is the best it's ever sounded. His screams and shouts are now pronounced with clarity and defiance, and believe it or not, but he can even sing. Who'd have guessed that after the bands abysmal debut effort, Count Your Blessings? He may come across as arrogant, but his lyrics suggest he certainly does have a heart, and a very warm, caring and strong heart that is. Oli's voice is flawless throughout, but he really comes into his own on tracks such as Sleepwalking, Shadow Moses and And The Snakes Start To Sing. One of the best vocalists in recent and upcoming metal history? Without a doubt.
Let's not forget that Matt Kean (bassist) and Matt Nicholls (drummer) have also wrote a large part of this album, showing that the band as a whole are incredibly gifted yet remain hugely misunderstood and under-rated. If you haven't given Sempiternal a chance yet, then do so now. It's a real testament to a band that against all odds have proven themselves worthy as great songwriters. Whether in reference to the ongoing divide of opinion, or that they and their fans believe that their music is everlasting, Sempiternal does exactly what it says on the tin. 9/10
Sunday 24 March 2013
Album Review - Earth Rocker by Clutch
With a career spanning around 20 years, US riff-lords, Clutch, just go from strength to strength. And it looks like Earth Rocker could be their strongest outing yet..
Clutch have always made it seem easy to spew out some Southern rock riffage and have never had bad material. But despite 2009's Strange Cousins From the West slightly lowering the tone Clutch have come back in 2013 with one of the best rock albums ever recorded. The title-track starts our journey through a subtle introduction only to be followed by a bouncing wall of sound. Neil Fallon's vocals teasing, weaving and mischieving bringing you an immensely grand chorus - 'I'm an Earth Rocker, everybody get the message?' - and it sounds as though his and the bands' intent is true. And the anthems don't stop there, tracks such as Mr Freedom and Unto The Breach throw massive riffs at you with a good splashing of Southern twang. Tim Sult's guitar playing, despite being less metal and more rock, even gives Zakk Wylde a run for his money. D.C. Sound Attack! is the epitome of what American rock should sound like - infectious riffs, punchy yet catchy vocals and a healthy helping of harmonica. Possibly sounding what the guys from Deliverance would sound like if given some intelligence and amps! A mellow halfway break is given through Gone Cold and though giving a change of direction and theme, it only readies you for the second pummelling of the album.. The journey doesn't last long enough and before you know it The Wolf Man Kindly Requests leaves you hanging on the edge of your seat for more. It's a sudden and crashing end but to only hint at more to come.
Earth Rocker is a fantastic album on record, but it's quite obvious to say that it's going to sound even better live. Clutch have sped up and now placed themselves comfortably in fifth gear - buckle up!
9/10
Check Out: D.C. Sound Attack!
Clutch have always made it seem easy to spew out some Southern rock riffage and have never had bad material. But despite 2009's Strange Cousins From the West slightly lowering the tone Clutch have come back in 2013 with one of the best rock albums ever recorded. The title-track starts our journey through a subtle introduction only to be followed by a bouncing wall of sound. Neil Fallon's vocals teasing, weaving and mischieving bringing you an immensely grand chorus - 'I'm an Earth Rocker, everybody get the message?' - and it sounds as though his and the bands' intent is true. And the anthems don't stop there, tracks such as Mr Freedom and Unto The Breach throw massive riffs at you with a good splashing of Southern twang. Tim Sult's guitar playing, despite being less metal and more rock, even gives Zakk Wylde a run for his money. D.C. Sound Attack! is the epitome of what American rock should sound like - infectious riffs, punchy yet catchy vocals and a healthy helping of harmonica. Possibly sounding what the guys from Deliverance would sound like if given some intelligence and amps! A mellow halfway break is given through Gone Cold and though giving a change of direction and theme, it only readies you for the second pummelling of the album.. The journey doesn't last long enough and before you know it The Wolf Man Kindly Requests leaves you hanging on the edge of your seat for more. It's a sudden and crashing end but to only hint at more to come.
Earth Rocker is a fantastic album on record, but it's quite obvious to say that it's going to sound even better live. Clutch have sped up and now placed themselves comfortably in fifth gear - buckle up!
9/10
Check Out: D.C. Sound Attack!
Sunday 3 February 2013
Album Review - Die Young by Wounds
Wounds are an upcoming British hardcore outfit. Starting their career's with a bang due to their newly released debut album, Die Young, they are set to make an impact on the refreshed hardcore scene in Britain.
Die Young by Wounds -
A lot of hardcore bands can sound a bit too generic nowadays, it's the same for any scene and genre. But for such a new and young band, Wounds have created a sound that is both unique and contains the essentials for enjoying great hardcore. Long awaited since their Dead Dead Fucking Dead - EP in 2010, Die Young is finally here and it's something else! Pictured on the album art is Wounds' guitarist James showing off the scar on his torso as a result from a balcony fall a few years back. But despite having a loved one 'wounded' it has gone to no effect on their performance here. Pissed off and full of energy all Hell is loose and in your face as the first track says it all with the agenda of a Killing Spree going to take place. Vocals are much like old-school hardcore bands until it becomes guttural where the screams surge right through you. Catchy riffs are Wounds' main arsenal, reminiscing mostly of modern hardcore heroes Gallows. Every song has it's burst of anger and pain, but stand out tracks such as Dead Dead Fucking Dead, No Future and Dead Road carry huge anthemic choruses which will stick in your head for days. Desperate Times and Binge shows off their touch with hardcore pioneers Black Flag, lyrically as well as instrumentally. And yet, although seemingly sticking to the usual hardcore ethics and themes, Wounds still manage to play around - usually through percussion and some unusual vocals - highlighting their difference and hopefully that will cause them to stand out amongst the rest. 8/10
Check Out: Dead Dead Fucking Dead
Die Young by Wounds -
A lot of hardcore bands can sound a bit too generic nowadays, it's the same for any scene and genre. But for such a new and young band, Wounds have created a sound that is both unique and contains the essentials for enjoying great hardcore. Long awaited since their Dead Dead Fucking Dead - EP in 2010, Die Young is finally here and it's something else! Pictured on the album art is Wounds' guitarist James showing off the scar on his torso as a result from a balcony fall a few years back. But despite having a loved one 'wounded' it has gone to no effect on their performance here. Pissed off and full of energy all Hell is loose and in your face as the first track says it all with the agenda of a Killing Spree going to take place. Vocals are much like old-school hardcore bands until it becomes guttural where the screams surge right through you. Catchy riffs are Wounds' main arsenal, reminiscing mostly of modern hardcore heroes Gallows. Every song has it's burst of anger and pain, but stand out tracks such as Dead Dead Fucking Dead, No Future and Dead Road carry huge anthemic choruses which will stick in your head for days. Desperate Times and Binge shows off their touch with hardcore pioneers Black Flag, lyrically as well as instrumentally. And yet, although seemingly sticking to the usual hardcore ethics and themes, Wounds still manage to play around - usually through percussion and some unusual vocals - highlighting their difference and hopefully that will cause them to stand out amongst the rest. 8/10
Check Out: Dead Dead Fucking Dead
Album Review - Oddfellows by Tomahawk
For those of you who may not be familiar with the rock/metal supergroup, Tomahawk, they are comprised of members from Fantômas, Melvins and Faith No More most notably. Their experimentation of grunge, sludge, punk and metal makes them a diverse and interesting listen. Tomahawk have just very recently released their fourth album, Oddfellows, and by the sounds of things, it could be in the running for album of the year already...
Oddfellows by Tomahawk -
Just about six long years since their last record in 2007, Anonymous, Tomahawk may have started to show signs of slowing down. But with the surprise of their new album just last week, it seems they are back in business. Still unknown to many people, the US supergroup could be labelled as being one of those 'under-rated' bands out there. Oddfellows proves this notion, the musicianship is utterly captivating and people need to hear it. The title and first track on the record begins by delivering a slow grunge riff and wailed vocals, typical of Black Sabbath. Something we all love, right? It may sound boring to some of you just now, but the quirky melodic guitar over-lays and atmospheres catch your attention and buckle you in for the ride that is to follow. Their single, Stone Letter, arrives afterwards to bring genius juxtaposition in which verses of spoken word and funky/eerie guitars are thrown backward to a wall of catchy-as-fuck, loud choruses, presenting an influence of beloved band that was Faith No More. These ghostly atmospheric passages, diverse vocals and thick detuned riffs are used throughout but to no lack of interest in sight. Let's be honest, Tomahawk couldn't possibly go wrong giving their gifted musical roots and influences - Black Sabbath and My War-era Black Flag being the most noteworthy and obvious. Echoey and slow tunes give a momentary breather, such as I.O.U. and Baby Let's Play. And then others turn you upside-down and inside-out, as heard on White Hats/Black Hats and Waratorium. These thirteen tracks chuck you into an inferno of grunge and sludge kept alight by experimental genius of Tomahawk's extremely talented members. Fans of anything weird but structured, varied but harmonised, and damn good tunes you will relish in Oddfellows.
Check Out: Stone Letter
Oddfellows by Tomahawk -
Just about six long years since their last record in 2007, Anonymous, Tomahawk may have started to show signs of slowing down. But with the surprise of their new album just last week, it seems they are back in business. Still unknown to many people, the US supergroup could be labelled as being one of those 'under-rated' bands out there. Oddfellows proves this notion, the musicianship is utterly captivating and people need to hear it. The title and first track on the record begins by delivering a slow grunge riff and wailed vocals, typical of Black Sabbath. Something we all love, right? It may sound boring to some of you just now, but the quirky melodic guitar over-lays and atmospheres catch your attention and buckle you in for the ride that is to follow. Their single, Stone Letter, arrives afterwards to bring genius juxtaposition in which verses of spoken word and funky/eerie guitars are thrown backward to a wall of catchy-as-fuck, loud choruses, presenting an influence of beloved band that was Faith No More. These ghostly atmospheric passages, diverse vocals and thick detuned riffs are used throughout but to no lack of interest in sight. Let's be honest, Tomahawk couldn't possibly go wrong giving their gifted musical roots and influences - Black Sabbath and My War-era Black Flag being the most noteworthy and obvious. Echoey and slow tunes give a momentary breather, such as I.O.U. and Baby Let's Play. And then others turn you upside-down and inside-out, as heard on White Hats/Black Hats and Waratorium. These thirteen tracks chuck you into an inferno of grunge and sludge kept alight by experimental genius of Tomahawk's extremely talented members. Fans of anything weird but structured, varied but harmonised, and damn good tunes you will relish in Oddfellows.
Check Out: Stone Letter
Sunday 6 January 2013
Album Review - You Disgust Me by Carnivores
'Ello 'ello.
For this album review I have chosen the small Scottish rock trio, Carnivores, with their recently released debut full-length effort entitled You Disgust Me. Carnivores have been a huge love of mine for the past year. From the moment I heard their material on their EP's I knew they were going to be something special. And fortunately, they live up to all expectations on their debut album. If you're into dirty rock riffs and mental-strong Scottish accents then you're in for a treat.
You Disgust Me by Carnivores -
Carnivores have written an exquisitely quirky rock album here. With extremely talented musicianship they have created the perfect platform on which to build their careers. Reminiscent of old and new Biffy Clyro, Carnivores display tunes of all stature. From full-on square-go rocking out to big choruses to heavy breakdowns to just pure absurd brilliance. Anyone Up For An Exorcism? grabs our attention through an edgy riff and echoed vocals from singer/guitarist, Kenny Leckie. Only to be followed by the title track, their most popular tune to date, Scottish Football, which I may just say is a fucking class tune. Huge choruses from tracks such as Lion Tamer and Horses Of The Galaxy will stick in your head for days. But in this case, it's a fucking good thing! Carnivores deserve to be recognised for this album. It's bouncy, raw, infectious and generally fun to listen to. Although the Paisley rockers have taken inspiration from their Scottish neighbouring bands, they have created a very distinct sound and personality. These guys urgently need to be listened to. And if you don't, 'you disgust me'..
Check Out: No nonsense shit here, listen to the whole bloody album.
Thanks.
Stewart Toner
Saturday 5 January 2013
The Most Annoying Thing in the Universe (Vol. 2)
Right, I thought I'd do a second one of these sooner than planned because it's something that's angered me for a while now. So, here it is..
I am sick and tired of people coming out with comments such as 'aw i wish mitch lucker was here' or 'why do all the legends die?' or 'kurt was beautiful, come back!'. Let's get one fucking thing straight - Everyone fucking dies. Whether it be young or old, accidental or suicide. Anything. Death isn't something we want, if you do you're just sick. But we can't change what's happened? So, why suddenly pretend to be a huge fucking fan of someone immediately after their death?
Yes, Mitch Lucker was an awesome frontman and vocalist, but how many of you actually 'fucking loved him' so much that you preach now before he had his unfortunate accident? Not very many, I can tell you that much.
And how many of you were even in existence when Nirvana were at their peak and Kurt Cobain around? Would you have appreciated them as much as you claim you do back then if you were there?
And what about Paul Gray? Did you fucking know he was main songwriter of Slipknot along with Joey before he died? Not a lot of you fucking do, he was just the bassist in a huge band called Slipknot to you, 'til he died.
It's the same for anyone famous. It's a sick ongoing pattern that nobody seems to speak up about. I don't fucking care if talking about death seems too harsh for you. You don't have to agree, but you have to understand that there are far too many people saying these things for fucking attention. It just highlights how weak, pathetic, blindingly stupid the human race really is.
I haven't said any of this in hate towards the aforementioned artists who have passed away, before you make that idiotic assumption. But claiming love for someone who's died to make yourself popular?
Get a fucking grip.
Stewart Toner
I am sick and tired of people coming out with comments such as 'aw i wish mitch lucker was here' or 'why do all the legends die?' or 'kurt was beautiful, come back!'. Let's get one fucking thing straight - Everyone fucking dies. Whether it be young or old, accidental or suicide. Anything. Death isn't something we want, if you do you're just sick. But we can't change what's happened? So, why suddenly pretend to be a huge fucking fan of someone immediately after their death?
Yes, Mitch Lucker was an awesome frontman and vocalist, but how many of you actually 'fucking loved him' so much that you preach now before he had his unfortunate accident? Not very many, I can tell you that much.
And how many of you were even in existence when Nirvana were at their peak and Kurt Cobain around? Would you have appreciated them as much as you claim you do back then if you were there?
And what about Paul Gray? Did you fucking know he was main songwriter of Slipknot along with Joey before he died? Not a lot of you fucking do, he was just the bassist in a huge band called Slipknot to you, 'til he died.
It's the same for anyone famous. It's a sick ongoing pattern that nobody seems to speak up about. I don't fucking care if talking about death seems too harsh for you. You don't have to agree, but you have to understand that there are far too many people saying these things for fucking attention. It just highlights how weak, pathetic, blindingly stupid the human race really is.
I haven't said any of this in hate towards the aforementioned artists who have passed away, before you make that idiotic assumption. But claiming love for someone who's died to make yourself popular?
Get a fucking grip.
Stewart Toner
Album Review - Torture by Cannibal Corpse
Hey guys.
Lately, I've been listening to a lot of death and black metal and it occurred to me that I hadn't listened to Cannibal Corpse's 2012 release, Torture, yet. So, the past few days I have listened to this album around 3/4 times in full now and I thought I would share my thoughts on it.
The reason I've chose this album is pretty simple - It's by a legendary death metal band and I pretty much love it. So, here it goes..
Torture (2012) - Cannibal Corpse
First of all, you have to take into account that for as widespread and varied death metal has now become it can also be a very generic sounding genre to the newcomer. But this is something Cannibal Corpse are definitely not. Not only do they write some of the most explicit and gruesome lyrics and publish extremely disturbing album art, Cannibal Corpse are still an evermore changing musical machine. Admittedly, I was never attracted, per say, to the whole image Cannibal Corpse displayed. But rather more curious at the hype. And now, it's fair to say that they are by far one of my favourite death metal acts. Although I've always enjoyed their dirty heavy riffing, thunderous drumming and demonic growling that death metal always offers, I still urged for that little bit more experimentation hinted on albums such as Evisceration Plague and especially, Kill. They were beginning to head in the right direction for my liking, but I just hoped they would live up to it. And to put it quite plainly, they've done exceedingly well at doing so on Torture.
Despite Torture being their 12th full-length, there is still no sign of the gory quintet slowing down. From the off, Demented Aggression carries out an intro most likely heard on a Slayer album and the riff that follows rips your bloody face off. Everything is technical. The tempos change enough to keep you interested, yet are played through perfectly to give you time for a good old mosh. And to make things even better, guitarist Pat O'Brien, regurgitates an awesome solo to finish off the song. Sarcophagic Frenzy and Scourge The Iron follow up with sublime intensity, and now I understand why Cannibal Corpse have played these 3 tracks consecutively to commence their live sets in 2012. Their are tracks that conjure up rapid-fire head-banging mayhem including As Deep As The Knife Goes, Rabid and Torn Through. However, there are some interesting play-abouts as heard on Followed Home Then Killed, which begins with an eery, slow guitar intro only to be followed (excuse the pun) by expected fury. The instrumentals it seems are well executed. Solos, memorable riffs, finely played drums and even a short bass solo on The Strangulation Chair. However, throughout the album George Fisher's vocals never hint at letting you down. Despite being a replacement to Chris Barnes back in '95, I don't think anyone could imagine a more ideal successor. Especially here, he shows his true intent and will to bring superb death metal growls and morbid lyrics that we always hope for.
For all you death metal virgins, so to speak, I can strongly recommend this album as a starting point for the genre and this band. Torture gives you Cannibal Corpse' signature gore, brutality and technicality through some of their best songwriting to date. An incredible extreme metal album. Get on it. 8/10
Check Out: Followed Home Then Killed or Demented Aggression
Hope my first full album review lived up to any slight expectations you may have had! And as always, any feedback is well appreciated. Thanks.
Stewart Toner
Lately, I've been listening to a lot of death and black metal and it occurred to me that I hadn't listened to Cannibal Corpse's 2012 release, Torture, yet. So, the past few days I have listened to this album around 3/4 times in full now and I thought I would share my thoughts on it.
The reason I've chose this album is pretty simple - It's by a legendary death metal band and I pretty much love it. So, here it goes..
Torture (2012) - Cannibal Corpse
First of all, you have to take into account that for as widespread and varied death metal has now become it can also be a very generic sounding genre to the newcomer. But this is something Cannibal Corpse are definitely not. Not only do they write some of the most explicit and gruesome lyrics and publish extremely disturbing album art, Cannibal Corpse are still an evermore changing musical machine. Admittedly, I was never attracted, per say, to the whole image Cannibal Corpse displayed. But rather more curious at the hype. And now, it's fair to say that they are by far one of my favourite death metal acts. Although I've always enjoyed their dirty heavy riffing, thunderous drumming and demonic growling that death metal always offers, I still urged for that little bit more experimentation hinted on albums such as Evisceration Plague and especially, Kill. They were beginning to head in the right direction for my liking, but I just hoped they would live up to it. And to put it quite plainly, they've done exceedingly well at doing so on Torture.
Despite Torture being their 12th full-length, there is still no sign of the gory quintet slowing down. From the off, Demented Aggression carries out an intro most likely heard on a Slayer album and the riff that follows rips your bloody face off. Everything is technical. The tempos change enough to keep you interested, yet are played through perfectly to give you time for a good old mosh. And to make things even better, guitarist Pat O'Brien, regurgitates an awesome solo to finish off the song. Sarcophagic Frenzy and Scourge The Iron follow up with sublime intensity, and now I understand why Cannibal Corpse have played these 3 tracks consecutively to commence their live sets in 2012. Their are tracks that conjure up rapid-fire head-banging mayhem including As Deep As The Knife Goes, Rabid and Torn Through. However, there are some interesting play-abouts as heard on Followed Home Then Killed, which begins with an eery, slow guitar intro only to be followed (excuse the pun) by expected fury. The instrumentals it seems are well executed. Solos, memorable riffs, finely played drums and even a short bass solo on The Strangulation Chair. However, throughout the album George Fisher's vocals never hint at letting you down. Despite being a replacement to Chris Barnes back in '95, I don't think anyone could imagine a more ideal successor. Especially here, he shows his true intent and will to bring superb death metal growls and morbid lyrics that we always hope for.
For all you death metal virgins, so to speak, I can strongly recommend this album as a starting point for the genre and this band. Torture gives you Cannibal Corpse' signature gore, brutality and technicality through some of their best songwriting to date. An incredible extreme metal album. Get on it. 8/10
Check Out: Followed Home Then Killed or Demented Aggression
Hope my first full album review lived up to any slight expectations you may have had! And as always, any feedback is well appreciated. Thanks.
Stewart Toner
Thursday 3 January 2013
Why Ed Sheeran is over-rated.
Why Ed Sheeran is over-rated.
- He cannot sing. Why do people enjoy his over-breathy, whispered/talked 'singing' technique? Anyone can do that.
- He isn't that good at guitar. I'm not exactly one to judge who's good at guitar and who isn't, but I think we all know good guitar playing when we hear it. Okay, he can strum and use around 4 chords. But it's repetitive and limited.
- His live show is boring. I understand being alone on stage with just your guitar can be slightly difficult to use the whole stage to, but if you have such 'great hits' why does he just stand there and play them boringly. No one can dance to that.
- His lyrics are unimaginative. He can put words together that rhyme and make even the most idiotic people to understand them. Singing about love so blatantly is not original, and again, very boring and repetitive.
- His hair is so thin you can see his scalp.
I'm just so fed up of hearin' Ed Sheeran.
The Most Annoying Thing in the Universe
The Most Annoying Thing in the Universe -
Yes, I'm going to have rants on my blog and here is my first.
The most annoying thing in the universe has to be what the internet calls 'fangirls'. Did you see that coming? If not, then you're a fangirl (can be a male also).
Fangirls can be categorised into several types. There are those who base how good a band is on their looks. There are those who display signs of insanity when a band member looks at them for a single second. There are those who find a man singing like Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz extremely attractive. And there are those who just never seem to shut the fuck up.
But firstly, let's all be honest with ourselves. We have all had our episodes of 'fangirl-ism' and immediately afterwards we all look at ourselves in our mirrors and question 'Why did I just do that?' Well, we did that because we are humans, and humans are complete arse-twats. But it's those fangirls that do it 50% or more of the time that really grind our teeth. Those things on Twitter with 'bios' like so - PTV | SWS | YMAS | MCR | BOTDF | Breathe Carolina | ATL - just seem to highlight the fact why we should not follow them. They have a list of bands who are in fact shite. They're obviously too lazy or illiterate. And 9 times out of 10, they will use these after most tweets - XD :') rawr lol :P
FUCK OFF.
The scary fact is that if we don't act now will these possessed beings continue to spread and ultimately take over the music industry and therefore the world?! It's frightening and sickening to even suggest such a thing. But hypothetically speaking, it could work (of course not, I'm just being funny).
Anyway what I'm trying to say is that these fuck-wits ruin my time on Twitter, the social network I so dearly love. And I wish I could just tazer every person who shows any signs of fangirl-ism just to keep order. I have had enough of their frustratingly incorrect statements, their illiteracy, their denial and their level of immaturity. We should have a site called Fangirls-R-US.com to keep them at bay.
Fuck off you pricks.
Thanks.
Wednesday 2 January 2013
My Top 20 Albums of 2012.
Seeing as it's just newly turned to 2013, it feels a more than satisfactory time to make a 'Top 20 Albums of 2012' list. After a lot of consideration and debate, amongst me, myself and I, I have finally constructed my list.
It was extremely hard as you can imagine. Previously, I did create a list but after assessing it I realised I was a tad too biased towards the hardcore punk material released last year. And now, here is my final draft of 'My Top 20 Albums of 2012'. Enjoy.
20. Moonspell - Alpha Noir 19. Stone Sour - House of Gold & Bones, Pt. 1
18. Enter Shikari - A Flash Flood of Colour 17. Gallows - Gallows
16. Indian Handcrafts - Civil Disobedience For Losers 15. Being As An Ocean - Dear G-d
14. Fear Factory - The Industrialist 13. Sylosis - Monolith
12. Black Breath - Sentenced To Life 11. Every Time I Die - Ex Lives
10. Lamb of God - Resolution
This album being one of the first major releases of 2012 and under a lot of speculation, Lamb of God have set the tone for 2012 profoundly. As usual, they deliver mind-blowing heavy riffing with the odd solo accompanied with crushing drumming, as heard on Desolation and Invictus. Randy Blythe's spine-shivering vocals are on top form, which allows him to remain one of the most talented vocalists in recent metal history. Not only have Lamb of God gave us what they're great at, but they have also experimented in small parts to broaden the listening ear. For instance, an acoustic intro followed by a rhino-charged riff creates the perfect mosh-pit tune that is Ghost Walking. And King Me rounds off the album perfectly with atmospheric tones, spoken word and grand sounding guitars. All in all, a very satisfying listen.
Check Out: Ghost Walking
9. Neurosis - Honor Found In Decay
Admittedly, this was the first Neurosis album I had completely listened to. But after two listens it really dawned on me the skill of musicianship on this album. I had always been intrigued by this band reading how respected and popular they are. Now, although it may seem a daunting task to listen to this album in one shot (giving that the shortest song is just short of 6 minutes), but once you receive your first hearing you'll be gripped to found out how the album progresses. By using moody guitar tones, mid-to-slow tempo rhythms, some classical instrumentals and synths, it all moulds together creating a very compelling listen. Compelling, but only listen when seeking a complex musical experience.
Check Out: All Is Found... In Time
8. Gojira - L'enfant Sauvage
L'enfant Sauvage, directly translated to Wild Child, is an album that does exactly what it says on the tin. The opening track, Explosia, is an explosion of heavily chugged riffs, heavily shrieked vocals and heavily blasted drums. And the rest of the record is no different... Gojira deliver a bombardment of crazy prog. metal with each track having it's own personality while keeping the set heaviness, resulting in no stand out tracks. With the odd atmospheric bridge linking each breakdown to another, Gojira continue to prove themselves as prog. metal pioneers. It's heavy. It's self-explanatory. It's Gojira.
Check Out: They're all brilliant.
7. Torche - Harmonicraft
Harmonicraft is an album that you could listen to in any mood. It can be heavy, it can be melodic. Torche have given everything you need. The extremely deep guitar tuning works in surprisingly perfect harmony (excuse the pun) with the contradictory high melodic overtones, as heard on Snakes Are Charmed for example. But the album can take a sudden change of direction becoming a sped up array of sludge rock riffs giving you that extra punch of 'Oh yeah'. The vocals are a positively melodic affair, as are the lyrics. For Mastodon and Baroness fans alike, you will relish in the delights of this album and this band. Torche still have a lot more to offer.
Check Out: Snakes Are Charmed
6. While She Sleeps - This Is The Six
After the release of their mini-album The North Stands For Nothing back in 2010, we knew While She Sleeps were onto something, but who knew it would be this? Although they set the foundations of their sound within metallic hardcore, While She Sleeps have surprised us all on their debut by becoming more metal than expected yet more experimental as expected also. On this album the band have used thrashy riffs with Taylor's vocals growled on top alongside some piano and atmospheric experimentation with their guitars. Tracks like Dead Behind The Eyes and The Plague of a New Age display how metal they really are, yet tracks such as Seven Hills and Our Courage, Our Cancer, show how melodic and intricate they can also be. For such a young band they are plentiful of mature song writing. But this begs the question, can they top this?
Check Out: Seven Hills
5. The Menzingers - On The Impossible Past
The melodic punk rockers have done superbly on their third full-length effort, On The Impossible Past. They have stuck with their original song writing ethics, but they have somehow wrote some of the best material they may ever write on this album. It is a very melancholic affair, yet it has opposite effect on you. Instead it picks you up with its uplifting guitar chords and shouted vocals. The lyrics are at large pretty clever, relatable and create very clear imagery. It's a simple, but very effective and infectious album. Tune after tune, you can't help but put this album on repeat basically.
Check Out: Burn After Writing
4. Deftones - Koi No Yokan
Deftones are a marmite band, to put it plainly. You either like them, or you don't. And for as anticipated as Koi No Yokan was, it was always going to be an album that fans of Deftones will love. In short terms, they have displayed exactly what they have done in the past but to absolute perfection. It's heavy, it's progressive and it's clever. Chino Moreno and the gang have wrote some of their best stuff here. Swerve City opens the album with a catchy riff guaranteed to keep your ears peeled for more. It can be absurdly heavy too by trying their hand at 'djent' on Poltergeist. Then it develops into atmospheric breaks to keep you alert on Entombed and Gauze. And as always Chino's angelic singing satisfies you more than ever. Deftones, finally escaped the shadows of White Pony, have become a perfection incarnation of themselves on Koi No Yokan.
Check Out: Swerve City
3. Converge - All We Love We Leave Behind
The pioneers of mathcore/hardcore are back, and they mean business. Their 2001 release, Jane Doe, has been recognised as the pinnacle of their career, up until now that is. All We Love.. grabs your attention from the off and throws you into a black hole of chaos, you may want to get out but you can't! Mathcore is a sub-genre that can be pretty difficult to get to grips of, but Converge have made things easier for you here by layering melodic overtones on top of their signature grinding guitar riffs and drums. Converge have always produced good music, but this takes them back to the absolute forefront of metal and rock music once more. All We Love We Leave Behind at the very least equals that of Jane Doe, if not surpasses it.
Check Out: Trespasses
2. Meshuggah - Koloss
Arguably the most influential band of the last two decades, Meshuggah are back. Following up on 2008's full-length, obZen, they have continued their journey down into the depths of guitar tuning. They are back with their famously known deep guitar riffs (deepest sound in the universe second only to the sound waves of black holes), time signatures sometimes too difficult to follow and Kidman's robotic growls. All the tracks, but best noted, Marrow and Demiurge, deliver catchy heaviness enough to shatter the Earth's crust. And through the constant heavy weaponry, the album comes to a tranquil conclusion on The Last Vigil, perfect to reattach your ears to without fear of being harmed. By the sounds of things it's everything you need from a Meshuggah record, however there is some sort of refreshing feel to it all. It may have been recorded in one of the members getaway homes, but the production levels are some of the best you'll ever experience. It's the best Meshuggah record to date. Simple as.
Check Out: Marrow
And now for my Top Album of 2012, it goes to...
1. Cancer Bats - Dead Set On Living
Yes, the Canadian hardcore punk quartet that is Cancer Bats. From the moment I first heard this album I knew it would be an incredibly hard task for anyone to top it. It's shoves you into a pissed off, 'Fuck you' type of mood with R.A.T.S. as the albums opener. Liam Cormier's vocals sound like a fucked off shrieking wolf which accompany Scott Middleton's riffs with perfection. The riffs on this record are just immense. And as for one of their singles, Road Sick, it just takes the album to a whole other level. Although it may come across as very melodic, it is still very much a punk record. I need not explain this band and record any further, you'll understand when you hear it.
Check Out: Road Sick
Thank you very much for taking the time to read this review. I hope you enjoyed it and, as you should know, any feedback is well appreciated.
Stewart Toner.
It was extremely hard as you can imagine. Previously, I did create a list but after assessing it I realised I was a tad too biased towards the hardcore punk material released last year. And now, here is my final draft of 'My Top 20 Albums of 2012'. Enjoy.
20. Moonspell - Alpha Noir 19. Stone Sour - House of Gold & Bones, Pt. 1
18. Enter Shikari - A Flash Flood of Colour 17. Gallows - Gallows
16. Indian Handcrafts - Civil Disobedience For Losers 15. Being As An Ocean - Dear G-d
14. Fear Factory - The Industrialist 13. Sylosis - Monolith
12. Black Breath - Sentenced To Life 11. Every Time I Die - Ex Lives
10. Lamb of God - Resolution
This album being one of the first major releases of 2012 and under a lot of speculation, Lamb of God have set the tone for 2012 profoundly. As usual, they deliver mind-blowing heavy riffing with the odd solo accompanied with crushing drumming, as heard on Desolation and Invictus. Randy Blythe's spine-shivering vocals are on top form, which allows him to remain one of the most talented vocalists in recent metal history. Not only have Lamb of God gave us what they're great at, but they have also experimented in small parts to broaden the listening ear. For instance, an acoustic intro followed by a rhino-charged riff creates the perfect mosh-pit tune that is Ghost Walking. And King Me rounds off the album perfectly with atmospheric tones, spoken word and grand sounding guitars. All in all, a very satisfying listen.
Check Out: Ghost Walking
9. Neurosis - Honor Found In Decay
Admittedly, this was the first Neurosis album I had completely listened to. But after two listens it really dawned on me the skill of musicianship on this album. I had always been intrigued by this band reading how respected and popular they are. Now, although it may seem a daunting task to listen to this album in one shot (giving that the shortest song is just short of 6 minutes), but once you receive your first hearing you'll be gripped to found out how the album progresses. By using moody guitar tones, mid-to-slow tempo rhythms, some classical instrumentals and synths, it all moulds together creating a very compelling listen. Compelling, but only listen when seeking a complex musical experience.
Check Out: All Is Found... In Time
8. Gojira - L'enfant Sauvage
L'enfant Sauvage, directly translated to Wild Child, is an album that does exactly what it says on the tin. The opening track, Explosia, is an explosion of heavily chugged riffs, heavily shrieked vocals and heavily blasted drums. And the rest of the record is no different... Gojira deliver a bombardment of crazy prog. metal with each track having it's own personality while keeping the set heaviness, resulting in no stand out tracks. With the odd atmospheric bridge linking each breakdown to another, Gojira continue to prove themselves as prog. metal pioneers. It's heavy. It's self-explanatory. It's Gojira.
Check Out: They're all brilliant.
7. Torche - Harmonicraft
Harmonicraft is an album that you could listen to in any mood. It can be heavy, it can be melodic. Torche have given everything you need. The extremely deep guitar tuning works in surprisingly perfect harmony (excuse the pun) with the contradictory high melodic overtones, as heard on Snakes Are Charmed for example. But the album can take a sudden change of direction becoming a sped up array of sludge rock riffs giving you that extra punch of 'Oh yeah'. The vocals are a positively melodic affair, as are the lyrics. For Mastodon and Baroness fans alike, you will relish in the delights of this album and this band. Torche still have a lot more to offer.
Check Out: Snakes Are Charmed
6. While She Sleeps - This Is The Six
After the release of their mini-album The North Stands For Nothing back in 2010, we knew While She Sleeps were onto something, but who knew it would be this? Although they set the foundations of their sound within metallic hardcore, While She Sleeps have surprised us all on their debut by becoming more metal than expected yet more experimental as expected also. On this album the band have used thrashy riffs with Taylor's vocals growled on top alongside some piano and atmospheric experimentation with their guitars. Tracks like Dead Behind The Eyes and The Plague of a New Age display how metal they really are, yet tracks such as Seven Hills and Our Courage, Our Cancer, show how melodic and intricate they can also be. For such a young band they are plentiful of mature song writing. But this begs the question, can they top this?
Check Out: Seven Hills
5. The Menzingers - On The Impossible Past
The melodic punk rockers have done superbly on their third full-length effort, On The Impossible Past. They have stuck with their original song writing ethics, but they have somehow wrote some of the best material they may ever write on this album. It is a very melancholic affair, yet it has opposite effect on you. Instead it picks you up with its uplifting guitar chords and shouted vocals. The lyrics are at large pretty clever, relatable and create very clear imagery. It's a simple, but very effective and infectious album. Tune after tune, you can't help but put this album on repeat basically.
Check Out: Burn After Writing
4. Deftones - Koi No Yokan
Deftones are a marmite band, to put it plainly. You either like them, or you don't. And for as anticipated as Koi No Yokan was, it was always going to be an album that fans of Deftones will love. In short terms, they have displayed exactly what they have done in the past but to absolute perfection. It's heavy, it's progressive and it's clever. Chino Moreno and the gang have wrote some of their best stuff here. Swerve City opens the album with a catchy riff guaranteed to keep your ears peeled for more. It can be absurdly heavy too by trying their hand at 'djent' on Poltergeist. Then it develops into atmospheric breaks to keep you alert on Entombed and Gauze. And as always Chino's angelic singing satisfies you more than ever. Deftones, finally escaped the shadows of White Pony, have become a perfection incarnation of themselves on Koi No Yokan.
Check Out: Swerve City
3. Converge - All We Love We Leave Behind
The pioneers of mathcore/hardcore are back, and they mean business. Their 2001 release, Jane Doe, has been recognised as the pinnacle of their career, up until now that is. All We Love.. grabs your attention from the off and throws you into a black hole of chaos, you may want to get out but you can't! Mathcore is a sub-genre that can be pretty difficult to get to grips of, but Converge have made things easier for you here by layering melodic overtones on top of their signature grinding guitar riffs and drums. Converge have always produced good music, but this takes them back to the absolute forefront of metal and rock music once more. All We Love We Leave Behind at the very least equals that of Jane Doe, if not surpasses it.
Check Out: Trespasses
2. Meshuggah - Koloss
Arguably the most influential band of the last two decades, Meshuggah are back. Following up on 2008's full-length, obZen, they have continued their journey down into the depths of guitar tuning. They are back with their famously known deep guitar riffs (deepest sound in the universe second only to the sound waves of black holes), time signatures sometimes too difficult to follow and Kidman's robotic growls. All the tracks, but best noted, Marrow and Demiurge, deliver catchy heaviness enough to shatter the Earth's crust. And through the constant heavy weaponry, the album comes to a tranquil conclusion on The Last Vigil, perfect to reattach your ears to without fear of being harmed. By the sounds of things it's everything you need from a Meshuggah record, however there is some sort of refreshing feel to it all. It may have been recorded in one of the members getaway homes, but the production levels are some of the best you'll ever experience. It's the best Meshuggah record to date. Simple as.
Check Out: Marrow
And now for my Top Album of 2012, it goes to...
1. Cancer Bats - Dead Set On Living
Yes, the Canadian hardcore punk quartet that is Cancer Bats. From the moment I first heard this album I knew it would be an incredibly hard task for anyone to top it. It's shoves you into a pissed off, 'Fuck you' type of mood with R.A.T.S. as the albums opener. Liam Cormier's vocals sound like a fucked off shrieking wolf which accompany Scott Middleton's riffs with perfection. The riffs on this record are just immense. And as for one of their singles, Road Sick, it just takes the album to a whole other level. Although it may come across as very melodic, it is still very much a punk record. I need not explain this band and record any further, you'll understand when you hear it.
Check Out: Road Sick
Thank you very much for taking the time to read this review. I hope you enjoyed it and, as you should know, any feedback is well appreciated.
Stewart Toner.
Introduction to destruction.
Hi there, everyone!
I've been meaning to start a blog for a while now, it was just a matter of actually creating one. And now, here I am!
The purpose of my blog will be to share my keen interest of music, mostly rock and metal. And thus, I will try my hardest to write adequate album reviews and other things on those lines.
I hope you enjoy what I offer, and any constructive criticism is welcomed!
Thanks,
Stewart Toner.
I've been meaning to start a blog for a while now, it was just a matter of actually creating one. And now, here I am!
The purpose of my blog will be to share my keen interest of music, mostly rock and metal. And thus, I will try my hardest to write adequate album reviews and other things on those lines.
I hope you enjoy what I offer, and any constructive criticism is welcomed!
Thanks,
Stewart Toner.
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