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
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)