10 years ago seems like it has passed within an instant. Some of these albums listed below are forgotten hits and some are still being played today. This list are my recommendations and mine alone. Feel free to disagree with my selections. Check out some of these now “classic” albums from the year 2008, below. The Best of 2008: 10 Years, A Look Back. Brave Saint Saturn as #1?
All you fans of solid underground music don’t forget to check out the Indie Vision Music Webstore for a ton of great deals. New Small Wars 7″ Vinyl is now only $5ea. Plus new and recent albums from the likes of Light The Way, Mainframe, Must Build Jacuzzi, At The Wayside, and The Prettybads. Continued →
In honor of our great country’s independence and the 18th Birthday of Indie Vision Music, I have released both of the new “Family & Friends Samplers” through all digital networks and streaming sites. Plus it is up on bandcamp as well, right here. These compilations are jam packed with awesome new and unreleased music from a variety of bands spanning on sorts of genres and musical styles. There is literally something for EVERYONE! Check out the IVM Spotify Playlist below featuring all 3 samplers. You can also purchase on iTunes, Amazon, and Google Play where I would hope you might write a nice review? That would be cool ;). The CD versions of the two new samplers will be shipped to me on July 11th so all of you with current orders in the storenvy webstore will have them shipped out shortly after. Thanks again everyone for supporting what I have done for the past 18 years here at this website. I know the site has gone through countless changes, alterations, logo swaps, staff member changes, on and off label releases, entertaining comments, but most of all a beautiful community and one that I treasure deeply. I have seen so many trials, errors, personal struggles, professional mistakes and mishaps, sadness and stress, but there has always been a heavy dose of perseverance on my part. I haven’t give much thought to the negativity or anyone who has put down what I’ve attempted to accomplish these past 18 years. It didn’t matter then and doesn’t matter now. I do what I do because I love this music we share and the passion I have for sharing this Faith I’ve grown to embrace regardless of my shortcomings. I’ll never give up the fight even long after this site retires someday and I hope in some small trivial way that IVM has touched a few people across the globe and hopefully for the better. We are all so different and from unique backgrounds but inside, we’re all the same. No matter where you’re at or where you’ve come from, there is a God who loves you and cares for you. Let this music speak to you and Don’t give up the fight! #IVMFOREVER Also, in celebration of our 18th Birthday there are a handful of new/old tshirts, hoodies, kid’s tees, and women’s tees over here in our Storefrontier site. Please pick some up and help support Indie Vision Music
Chicago-based indie/ambient rock project Qajaq will be performing at Audiofeed in just a few days – but even if you can’t make it out, their 2015 debut The Light of Everything certainly deserves a listen. The band melds post-rock subtleties with elements of folk and chamber pop. Continued →
Archabald showcases a heavier, darker direction on “Carcosa”, due July 13. Check out a new single here!
Post-hardcore is a genre of stigmas – on one hand, the easycore bands tend to dominate modern perception. On the other hand, people might form expectations around Fugazi. Arguably, the staple of modern post-hardcore borrows from hardcore but throws in a stronger melodic focus. Continued →
Between the Trees – 2005-2010
RIYL – Mae, Copeland, The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus
In 2009, we saw a great change in a band’s sound that for some went by unnoticed. When it comes to love songs, bands and artists often draw from the same inspiration which is loss. Continued →
Though it has been posited that an emo revival has been occurring for the past eight years, there still remain to be many worthwhile releases from years prior. As the title of this piece indicates, I want to bring to the forefront some notable releases that I believe have been obscured in some way or another. Continued →
Dawning Of The Age of Modern Elitism (and it’s many annoyances) Reading the cesspool of comments online whether it be Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, Instagram, or heck even old school “www” websites (remember those?), one is left with a dilemma….do I bite my tongue or join in with the crazy circus monkeys? Hopefully not the latter, am I right?……
15 years ago a collection of what can now be determined as “classic hits” were unleashed on a crowd that had an insatiable appetite for what was new and and considered “ROCK” music. This was sorta near the end of the Bye Bye Byes and I’m Not That Innocent, charting new territory into the popular spectrum by a bunch of bands not exactly ready for that sort of success. This was a pivotal year for music in general and in my opinion was that comeback Rock needed at the perfect time. As much as people needed their Nu-Metal, Pop, Rap/Hip Hop, Hard Rock, etc., those of us in the underground music scene desired something new and something different. These bands were just that and sparked a change in direction. This is my list. This is 2003. A snapshot of the greatest year in music post-new millennium. Make sure to scroll all the way to bottom for special IVM Playlist of songs from 2003. Be Strong, Believe……
A little known independent band by the name of Blood and Water from Nor Cal splashed onto the scene towards the end of the last decade with a few indie releases (one of which can be found here) before signing with upstart new label Eden Records and releasing their label debut “In Character” in 2010. This critically acclaimed and fan adored full length has come to be accepted as one of the finer independent releases of the past decade. It’s incredible how much connects people and this band did just that. Although they didn’t tour much outside of California or top billboard charts, their music certainly won over fans like me and the impact has been felt. With captivating energy, uncompromising passion, and all around good vibes, you can’t help but be mesmerized by the music of Blood and Water. They had this certain likeable quality and a sound not easily replicated. In fact, their genre bending pull on alternative rock music was one of a kind. This music was certainly “commercial” enough to be accepted by the masses but like all good stories this one came to an abrupt halt after just this album (and song ‘Traffic’). While some people embrace the music of Talkie (featuring members of Blood and Water), I’ll forever be connected to this band and pray for a time that these guys will reunite to bless us all with an undeniable good time. Check out some of their music below and reminisce about the time you first discovered this band.
Good morning everyone and Happy New Year! Just thought i’d post a little blurb about an alarming “trend” I have seen in recent months. A few artists/bands have hooked up with some marketing firms, more like infomercial style marketing if you are looking for a definition. Anyway, I have been blasted with these ads for whatever reason on Facebook due to my young teenage demographic that I so lovingly belong to. I’m almost 40 going on almost 20, am I right? I have nothing against promoting art/music/products on social media and the web in general, I’ve done it myself for IVM and friends/labels do it for their bands all the time. What I take issue with is this infomercial style barrage of marketing where it sort of amounts to a gimmick. I am not about to attack any one artist (cough cough Manafest cough cough) or call people out for this brand of “hype” but I just wanted to gather everyone’s opinions on this. This does not amount to DIY ethics nor does it promote open and honest dialogue with fans. You can’t “buy” fans or followers on social media. You can “promote” your brand (do we call it that?) and share what you do with people who may have never heard about it but we don’t go beyond that and say “Check out IVM for $49.99 but if you act now we will DOUBLE your offer for same price of $49.99 (you pay shipping and handling). You’ve heard it all before on TV and Radio so let’s leave it out of music. See below for examples of what I’m talking about.
1. The Ongoing Concept – Places
This is how you make a rock album. Whereas Saloon can be a bit too intense and Handmade a little reserved, Places finds the sweet spot. You can check out my five star review here. Continued →
Here is a small selection of originals and covers throughout the years by some of our favorite artists.
I love “best of” lists. But I hate waiting until the end of the year for them. Hence my new monthly feature “What Did You Listen To?” Leave a comment and let me know what you listened to this month. Here are few of my favorite releases from November 2017:
Kingslynn – Into the White LightWhat Did You Listen to? Continued →
We’re proud to celebrate the (second) one-year anniversary of IVM. Take a look at some of our most-read content and share your own memories.
The Mexican deathcore band My Place Was Taken has joined the roster of Rottweiler Records. The band formed in 2014 with Guitarist Abraham Barberi and Vocalist Jesus Salas.They came together to see if they could help change the drug, alcohol and violent part of their home town, Matamoros, Mexico: the metal scene. Continued →
The extreme progressive metal band, The Beckoning have announced the new title of their upcoming re-release, their first release through their new label, Nosral Recordings. The album is a release of their EPs, Desolate and War, put together and simply titled The Desolation of War. Continued →
How many of you are fans of extreme metal bands that have solo projects totally not metal? Luke Weeks of As Earth Fades has a new project coming. But not a deathcore project. While the band is on a brief hiatus, Weeks has decided to do something in his spare time. Continued →
Symphony of Heaven and Nosral Recordings have decided to join up with us here at Indie Vision Music and reveal exclusively the artwork of Symphony of Heaven’s debut album. With re-recorded tracks from …of scars and soil… and remastered tracks, courtesy of Luke Dinan of Children of Wrath, the new album sounds like Devin Townsend and Fleshgod Apocalypse. Continued →
Hello friends. I just wanted to announce that I am hosting a special “fundraising campaign” via our Teeblaster page (Click here). I have two different tshirts designed by Joshua T Design posted for sale and a zippered hoodie. Continued →
It’s a little slow with music news the past few days so I am going to talk about Star Wars: The Last Jedi. That’s right friends, one of my favorite franchise series of films has dropped the brand new trailer to the 8th film in the Skywalker saga for “The Last Jedi”. Watch the trailer below and comment with your love (or disgust) of all things Star Wars. Personally I absolutely can’t wait till this is released on December 15th. In fact, I just bought tickets last night for IMAX 3D once the Fandango site was back up and we are officially going December 15th at 4pm!! Whoo hoo! Now I know there is a small minority of people that didn’t feel satisfied with “The Force Awakens” and I weep for your disconnection to all things good ;) These films are meant as pure entertainment and are used as tools to get your butts in theater seats. George Lucas was always about big budget action films and the connected merchandising over exposure of the Star Wars universe. Nothing has changed and these films still continue to entertain not to mention motivating most people to purchase a ticket for the full theater experience. Now about this trailer, I have a lot of questions as do many of you. So watch it and let’s discuss in the comments. Oh and check out the brand new poster, below.
Yep, the list you’ve all been waiting for (not really) is finally here. Feel free to offer up some laughs and critical remarks for the music I listened to the most 20 years ago. You’ll notice a heavy T&N presence and I just couldn’t help myself. There were a lot of albums and releases I found myself spinning back then and still getting plays today. I think that’s where this list falls in place, it’s the albums that had the longest lasting impact with me and had a catchy sound that I just couldn’t get enough of. I ride more on the commercial, melodic side of the market rather than all that arty ear splitting noise rock ;) I created a special Spotify play list that you can find near the end of the article. Some of these titles are out of print and only available in YouTube form so enjoy those unheard hits within the article. Remember kids, “some” of these releases may not have the best language so if you get queasy at the thought of dirty words from the general market (do we still use the word ‘secular’?) bands, you may want to skip those parts. So check out my faves below and don’t forget to check out “The Best of 2007” list which can be found here. Hop in your time machine and let’s get ready to party like its 1997!
Do you like heavy hitting metalcore? Well take a listen to O, House of Jacob, self proclaimed metalcore for Christ. The band released their debut EP, after forming in June 2016. The EP is titled A Parable Discourse and it also features Ryan Kirby of Fit For A King. Continued →
RIYL: Emery, Scary Kids Scaring Kids, Microwave, Kids in the Way, The Classic Crime
In 2001, before anyone in the Tooth & Nail community and crowd realized, one of the most under appreciated bands formed for an 8 year existence. Far-Less put out a total of 2 EPs, 2 full lengths, and one final EP that was never released. Continued →
You’d be surprised how many bands go unnoticed.
In this new segment, we’ll take a look at a classic band and a modern band with a similar style.
Though the article was first published in late February of 2016, Rapzilla linked to it yesterday on Facebook, asking followers the same question. The response from both staff and followers has been pretty diverse and fun to read, and so, I thought it would be apt to continue the conversation here. Continued →
Glasslands is a band formed by former members of Beartooth, Icon For Hire, and Before Their Eyes. They have a hard rock sound with vocals reminiscent of bands like Spoken and Memphis May Fire. Their debut album, “Pariah” was released in September of 2016 and was met with a very positive response by critics and fans alike and features a track with a guest spot by Fit For A King’s Ryan Kirby. Continued →
2007 was definitely a strong year for music. As much as I enjoyed some of the more popular releases of the year, the lesser known albums certainly held a place in my heart. The albums listed below are a mix of independent, underground, and mostly over looked releases from the year 2007. Feel free to dissect and discuss below in the comments. Oh and I left off 2 important 2007 honorary IVM releases because that would be self-promotion am I right? Quick and the Dead “Going Home“, and “Hearts Bleed Passion Vol. 2” both released in the year 2007 on CD, toward the end of the year. All in all, a very solid year in music but then again, isn’t every year? Playlist for this list follows at end of article.