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While this is being described by the label as “Norwegian death metal”, honestly that is a bit misleading. To my ears, what we have here is a hybrid form of extreme metal. For instance, you have some down-tuned nu metal rhythms, but they’re heavier than most. Continued →
If you have not yet heard of the Melodic/Post Hardcore band Meadows from Birmingham, Alabama, then this ep is a great place to start. This band has been active since 2012. This is their 4th release to date that is the first volume of a 3 part story of tragedy, perserverance, and hope found in a hopeless time.
(This review is short due to the fact that words themselves cannot do this release justice, but to give you an idea of what it entails. Recommend listening to yourself.)
“The Flood” begins the tragic story of loss in this first installment . The song itself musically brings to mind Idle Threat. and Time Spent era Household.
“The Raven” continues this tragic story at full force then breaks down to a slower rhtyhm and back up. Reminds me so much of Ruiner. (Sidenote: I haven’t always just listened to Christian music)
“The Dove” ends this ep beautifully beginning with ambient guitar reverting similarly to how this ep began sounding like Idle Threat. and Time Spent era Household. This song seems to be the precursor to lead to volume II of the story on perserverance ending with the lyrics, She cried, “Our Father, who art in Heaven, give us the strength to live today. God, help us carry on.”
Overall, this band just gets better release after release! Start with this ep then check out their back catalog. Fans of Household, Idle Threat., and Ruiner will be pleased. Fans of Being As An Ocean will also love their older releases.
(Actual album cover in review. Edited Cover provided by our friends at JesusFreakHideout )
The southern emo/screamo/rock/alternative/however you decide to classify them boys have returned after three years from their last full length release. You’ve read the controversy, you’ve seen it, and so what is there to say about this album? Continued →
For those who don’t know, Desiring Dead Flesh are a 3-piece hardcore punk band from Michigan, entirely made up of family members Bryan (vocals, father), Adam (drums, son), and Ravyn (guitar, daughter). Yep, just drums, guitar and vox—no bass or anything else. Continued →
Ascending King is a one-man extreme metal project from Texas. Stylistically it’s a straight-up 50/50 mix of raw black metal and funeral doom. What’s strange about that mix is just how incredibly well it works here. Slower tempos overall and crushing heaviness reminiscent of sludge without the leftfield tendencies of that subgenre, but with occasional mid-paced blastbeats? Continued →
This is a fun record, that’s really easy to listen to. It’s not really ground-breaking, just straight-forward indie rock with really warm guitar tones. While there’s not a lot of distinction between the guitar and bass, for some reason that’s not a bad thing, it just adds to the simplicity. Continued →
Over the last 5 years, there hasn’t been many bands in the metal scene to remain as active as the growing juggernaut that is Fit For A King.
With this fifth release, the band brings all of their strengths to the front and showcase their heaviest work yet. Continued →
Nuoro’s debut offering shows promise with an eclectic electronic sound, but it falls short a bit due to lack of cohesion.
Having initially formed in 1992 as simply Outrage, the band released 2 independent releases by 1995 when they sadly broke up. Reuniting as the newly-christened Outrage AD in 2013, the band quickly began work on New Blood. On this debut the Canadian band apportion some classic thrash metal, with touches of crossover and groove metal. Continued →
Atlas is an artsy mix of post-rock and strong percussion grooves, paired with numerous sing-along moments.
Adjy’s wordy, four-track EP is a whirlwind of driving percussion and proof that you didn’t pay attention in English class.
Weathered is Facedown Records newest addition and is unarguably the most anticipated release in some time in the scene. While Facedown prides itself on an always esteemed roster of metal bands, the signing of Weathered might be a head scratcher, if the album wasn’t so good. Continued →
Not Beneath is an exciting new project featuring ex-members of Narcissus, Outcry, North Meadow Park, and Vessel. In 2018 those names might not mean very much but if you were into hardcore/metalcore in the late 90s or early 00s, you’ll recognize them for sure. Continued →
The world is full of grit, seriousness, and dark themes within media. Whenever something “fun” comes around, it’s a nice change of pace. The Protest’s debut album on Rockfest records, Legacy, provides a Christ-centered, lighthearted yet heavy hitting album that’s perfect for some summertime head-banging. Continued →
Archabald flirts with hardcore influences on their latest conceptual EP.
Kevin Schlereth’s newest EP is an intimate mix of Scripture-based acoustic songs.
DENS’ Facedown debut release proves that the label’s decision to expand beyond their metal foundation is truly paying off.
On their debut full length, Hostile Array tackles tough topics while providing an anthemic and rebellious soundtrack perfect to vent these injustices to.
Songs of Water sends listeners on a journey around the world on their latest EP.
“Today is the day of salvation. Today is the day of restoration.” These words echo true in our modern world and there has never been more of a time for revival than now. Check out this incredibly relevant and in your face spirit filled hardcore release from new So. Cal. band – Lifelong
Like a Chuck Norris roundhouse straight to the kisser, one might wonder, where the heck that ferocious beat down just came from. 2Minute Minor in similar fashion, lets loose a barrage of straight to your face, knock you on your butt hardcore punk tracks. Continued →
Captain the Sky’s deluxe re-release of “Lions & Foxes” blends the best of post-hardcore and math rock technicality with fun acoustic jams.
DIRE, a metal band from Quitam, GA, released an EP titled “Depths” this past November. “Depths” is the band’s first offering since being signed to Sancrosanct Records earlier that year and is an impressive label debut. “Depths”, however, is preceded by a full length the band released in 2016, titled, “Volume 1” and an earlier, self-titled ep in 2013. Continued →
Lael’s newest EP lacks artistic form and overindulges in pop clichés.
Off Road Minivan proves you can’t always judge a band by its name on their debut EP which mixes indie and post-hardcore elements.
When it was announced that Jen Ledger would be releasing her debut solo ep, it filled many with a sense of excitement, rivaled only by an insatiable curiosity as to what we could expect from it. Would it be hard rock, similar in nature to her band Skillet? Continued →
This Friday, April 13th, 2018, horror-punk band Grave Robber returns with their first album in 7 years, titled “Escaping the Grave”. How fitting is it for these guys to re-emerge after seven years of silence on a Friday the 13th? This release is an album that has been long awaited and anticipated by many, myself included. Continued →
Whale Bones’ ambitious debut EP is a refreshing, dynamic amalgamation of post-hardcore, indie, post-rock, alternative, and pop-punk that reaffirms the Indiana rock scene is still thriving.
First things first. Have you heard there’s a new Stavesacre album out? Yeah? I bet you’re wondering who played on it? This is the classic 5-member line-up:
Mark Salomon – vocals
Sam West – drums
Dirk Lemmenes- Bass
Ryan Dennee – guitar
Jeff Bellew – guitar
Besides the Against the Silence EP in 2009, this line-up hasn’t made a record together since Speakeasy. Continued →
Benjamin James’ “Change is Everything” is an explosive sleeper hit of 2017 that melds chamber pop and electronic elements into a dynamic listening experience.