END YEAR REVIEW: Personal Best Albums Of 2011

Here are my best albums of 2011, with all the great releases it was hard to narrow it down to just 10 albums so i picked the ones that i remembered the most.


10. Bury Your Dead - Mosh N Roll

It's safe to say this band totally redeemed itself with the return of vocalist Mat Bruso and a return to their old style, which is what most fans really wanted i think.
In my personal opinion that nu metal shit from ''It's Nothing Personal'' ruined this band, like so many other bands got ruined because of member changes or ''evolving'' their music style, Im just happy BYD isnt one of those bands anymore.
It's not perfect, but this album is still worth checking out, it has a good hardcore sound and plenty of ''FUCKS'' in the lyrics to satisfy your angry music needs.


9. Confession - The Long Way Home

An album that turned out to be a suprisingly good release.
While i do consider their previous album ''cancer'' a VERY enjoyable album i didnt think they could pull it off a second time,
specialy after hearing the ''Break Stuff'' cover which was just painfully bad and boring, but thankfully they went with their own unique style again on this release.
Even though it has weird pop punk cleans which are kinda terrible and a bit to frequent in most of the songs, i can somewhat tolerate it because the previous album had the same singing.
But along with some other experimental shit, the lovely hardcore vocals and bouncy riffs still dominate and makes the album catchy as fuck, it provides a overall nice flow that keeps me coming back.


8. Suffokate - Return to Despair

This probably wouldve been higher on the list if they kept their style from ''No Mercy No Forgiveness''
Which is one of my all-time favorite albums because of the agressive hardcore / groovy sound i immediately fell in love with.
This new release however, needed some time to grow on me. While it still has those groovy parts in SOME songs,
the majority of the music is more melodic / death metal oriented now, and that doesnt really make the songs stand out from one another.
with that being said its not a bad or terrible album by any means, but i guess my expectations were just a little different.
But to name some more positive things of this release: it doesnt have cleans (LOL), i like the production alot and the highs really improved aswell.
Also im impressed they released this album fairly quick compared to the HUGE gap between the last two albums (FU mediaskare XD).
If you didnt check this album out yet, give it an honest chance, its a good album deserving attention, just dont expect anything mindblowing.


7. My Autumn - Oblivion Era

This album made me wish i could understand russian, being one of the more known russian deathcore bands, they have yet to dissapoint me.
Like Confession they dont really bring anything new to the table with this new release but i just cant say no to music with a good flow in it, and that makes for good replay value!
The only thing i dont get about this album is the cleans, its only a MINOR annoyance since they can only be briefly heard in two of the songs (which makes you wonder why they were put in there at all, kinda pointless really)
Dont let that stop you from enjoying it tho, if your like me and want some good no-nonsense deathcore this album will be one of your favs of 2011 for sure!


6. Catalepsy - Bleed

This album is all about production and agressiveness, some say the production quality of this album is not that good,
but while it was intentional or not, that is exacly the reason it sets itself apart from the other dime a dozen hardcore / metal (or ''emmure'') bands.
I admit the album needed to grow on me because i was expecting something a little more deathcore styled, like their last album 'iniquity'.
But that doesnt mean its any less agressive (far from it) , though sadly you wont hear as much anti christian lyrics ,
the songs are still about fucking shit up and it helps set the mood to punch babies in the face nicely.


5. Depths - Resurgence

Out of the two (or three w/e) metal bands called Depths, this death metal one is by far the best!
With its crushing vocals, atmosphere and the occasional epic guitar sweep, this is the best thing to come out of New Zealand since...FOREVER!
A great thing about this little gem are the lyrics, they are more than just your average angry death metal lyrics you might expect at first,if you look closer youll see it goes a bit deeper than that.
With topics like a man struggling to keep his sanity, to the end of humanity itself, the lyrics set a great undertone to this bone splitting production that turned out better than i ever expected.


4. Apparitions - The Human Collapse

With all the wonderfull deathcore that has been given us this year, this is one of the better (and unexpected late year) releases.
There are two mistakes you can make with this album, the first one being you ignored it because its ''just another generic deathcore band'' and the second is never hearing of it!
With a solid metalcore/deathcore sound with some occasional technical influences, its a well crafted masterpiece from start to finish (which ends with a VERY nice Deftones cover btw)
Fans of Boris The Blade (they released a solid EP aswell go listen to it!) should definitely check this one out, since their sound seems to be a great influence.
Theres not much more i can say about this, just go listen to it and enjoy the cum flowing from your ears!


3. Breakdown Of Sanity - Mirrors

After hearing their last album 'The Last Sunset' i figured this band would never improve much.
Well it seems they did improve, ALOT on their new album 'Mirrors'.
In fact they improved EVERYTHING from the last release.
Not much more things can be said, the whole album is just a masterpiece from beginning to end.
Though it has some clean singing and melodic riffs (elements that are spammed alot with new bands and releases lately),
its never to the point where it gets boring or feels overused.The song structure is just right and sounds amazing!
So if you didnt hear this underated piece of sexyness yet and your into metal at all i highly recommend it!


2. Fit For An Autopsy - The process of Human Extermination

In a year where clean vocals and cheap melodic riffs seem to be the main selling point of many bands (*cough* FTFD *cough*),
This band stays down to earth and delivers one of the most crushing deathcore albums of the year!
The whole album from beginning to end is a relentless rollercoaster ride that stays fresh and intense with every song,
dont listen to it with pants on because you WILL soil them, some critics nag about it being 'dated' and filled with 'lame' breakdowns.
I say FUCK THEM! This is a perfect example of what metal is all about, agressive and soul sucking vocals, orgasmic lyrics , harsh breakdowns and brutal riffs, and thats all i expect from a metal band, simple as that.
If you havent heard this album, go check it out now by any means necessary!
You will not be dissapointed!


1.(AOTY!) Molotov Solution - Insurrection

To keep it short: this is a MINDBLOWING FUCKFEST OF AWESOMENESS TIMES INFINITY!
In my opinion THIS is how deathcore in 2011 should sound!
I havent jammed a cd in the car so many times since This Is Exile got released, and thats really saying something!
It has everything: agressive vocals, good lyrical content, epic breakdowns, sick riffage and most importantly diversity!
Even after hearing it so many times already, i still find myself mindlessly headbanging to all the songs, you cant hear all of the greatness in just one go.
I have nothing but praise for this band, having made two previous albums which i both consider masterpieces they've really outdone themselves this time around.
You can really tell alot of devotion and hard work went into this, and imo it paid off!
This album is living proof that deathcore is indeed still sexy and far from dead! \m/ >_< \m/


If you somehow found the time to read all of this and dont agree, here is some music more suitable to your tastes :)

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REVIEW: Keeping Secrets - The Last Transmission

Band: Keeping Secrets

Album: The Last Transmission

Rating:

Buy: iTunes
BigCartel

Tracklisting:

1. Mayday! Mayday!

2. Chris West

3. Hollywood

4. The Last Transmission

5. Crisis of Faith

6. Number 6

If you haven't heard of Keeping Secrets and you are a fan of the electronic/post-hardcore genres, you're really missing out! From first listen this band has captivated audiences like no band in the Seattle area in quite awhile (myself included). When my friend, Willie, showed me their music over 2 years ago, I was immediately captured and drawn in. Their debut album The Rescue which was released on August 4th, 2009 on Victory Records was a breath of fresh air to a scene that seemed to be dying. These guys put everything they have into their music and so much more. They love what they do and they do a wonderful job of keeping their fans happy! Their new EP The Last Transmission, released on November 26th, 2011, is no exception to this. With a new sound, new image, and having more accomplished this time around, they come out swinging and leave no stone unturned and seem to be gaining an even LARGER fan base! Without further ado, here is my review of The Last Transmission, hope you guys enjoy!

Key Tracks:

Chris West: This song was written as a memorial to a dear fallen friend. You can feel the emotion in every word and lick of this track. This track captured my attention after hearing the chorus "You are the warm sun on our shoulders. You've touched our lives, you'll live forever" I didn't know him but you can tell he meant alot to the band. Listen carefully when taking in this track.

The Last Transmission: This was the first single chosen for the EP and rightly so. From the beginning, you're pulled in and taken over by the catchy nature of the track. Not the best track on the EP but definitely far from the worst. Don't get me wrong, there's not a track on this EP that is bad. This just happens to be one of the ones that was a little less hard-hitting than the others.

Final Thoughts:

For an EP, which I normally don't take a chance to listen to, let alone download or buy, it really blew me away. These guys have never disappointed. From the first listen of The Rescue, to the maiden voyage that was the first listen of The Last Transmission, these guys are nothing short of spectacular. Don't just take my word for it though, as always, GO SUPPORT THE ARTIST! Pick up your copy of The Last Transmission on iTunes or go to BigCartel for a hard copy!

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REVIEW: Like Moths to Flames - When We Don't Exist

Band: Like Moths To Flames

Album: When We Don't Exist

Buy: Amazon

iTunes

Rating: 4/5

Tracklisting:

1. The Worst In Me

2. GNF

3. No Hope

4. You Won't Be Missed

5. Faithless Living

6. Your Existence

7. Trophy Child

8. My Own Grave

9. Something To Live For

10. Real Talk

11. Praise Feeder

Like Moths to Flames, from Columbus, OH is one of those metal bands that was out there making a name for themselves long before they were discovered. When I first heard them back in 09 on a couple demos...I was blown away! But the progression from their debut EP Sweet Talker to the release of their debut full-length, When We Don't Exist is just incredible. The EP took me to a whole different level on current metalcore but hearing the album blew all pre-conceived notions of this band completely out of the water. Like Moths to Flames has found, in my opinion of course, a suitable home on Rise Records. I'm proud to bring you my review of this truly phenomenal album, so sit back and enjoy!

Key Tracks:

You Won't Be Missed: The first single released on the album, starting with a simple riff and exploding into Chris's memorable vocals. This song's meaning is pretty clear by the title but it's about a relationship that went sour and the narrator is just moving on by telling the girl not to come crawling back to him when things get tough. I'm sure we've all had that "I don't give a fuck" attitude after a break-up...especially a bad one, quite obviously the reason here was cheating. This song is a big "FUCK YOU" to the people in your life who have made you feel this way.

Trophy Child: This song seems to me to be about people who don't take good advice. The narrator seems to be telling the person, who is in a bad way due to not taking his advice, that he doesn't feel sorry for the person. Have you ever had that feeling you had really good advice for someone and you KNEW they wouldn't listen but you told them anyway? Think about how many times this has happened to you and how many times you saw things play out EXACTLY the way you figured they would when they didn't. This song is about YOUR perspective of that situation. Bottom line is an old saying: "You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink" You can try to help a person but in the end, the only person who can help them is themself.

Final Thoughts:

The bottom line about this album is: If you thought you liked the band or even KNEW you liked the band when you first heard them, you will LOVE them now. The high-energy, aggressive in your face band they were in the beginning is completely revamped and recharged on this album. It explodes with fury and yet is melodic enough to tempt a good bit of previously unlikely listeners. Definitely give this album a listen! Check out When We Don't Exist out now on Rise Records and prepare your ears for one hell of a treat!

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INTERVIEW: Andrew Wilson of Dancing With Paris

So we were approached with the opportunity to interview the band Dancing With Paris from Toronto. Here's that interview with guitarist Andrew Wilson:

First of all, I want to thank you guys for taking the time out of your busy schedules to do this interview for us.

No problem guys, we always will find the time to answer any questions that people have about the band or for advice of sorts.

You're getting ready to go on tour with Famous Last Words on December. How did this tour come together and what's your favorite part about touring?

I guess you could say that we are getting ready for the tour. We have been doing weekend stints since the end of October in support of our new album 'The Drought'. So when we hit the road with the Famous Last Guys people will be in for quite the treat when they come out to the show. As for how the tour came together CB Booking approached out manager about teaming up with FLW for the tour and after a couple emails back and forth things were already on the roll.

You recently released a new album "The Drought" why was that title chosen and how was the writing process for the record?

There are a couple meanings/reasons why we went with the album name 'The Drought'. If you look up the definition of Drought you will see a couple meanings, a period of dry weather, an extreme shortage, or a thirst. When we read definitions we all felt that in one way or another they also defined how we feel about the state of the music scene today, and our 'thirst' to make a solid impact on the scene today. It also tired very nice together with the title of our first EP, There's Something In The Water.

We started writing this album last winter while still playing off dates. There was a lot of thought put into it. For the month of January we started really going over part ideas and getting song skeletons laid out in James' basement. February and the first couple weeks in March we left the basement and rented a jam hall to start to fully get the feel of what we had been writing. At the jam space or the Litter Box which we called it, because of the everlasting damp carpet smell. We were writing/tweeking 10 of the songs that are on the album, the other two 'Speculation and Lights To Lights were written in the studio. We were spending roughly 40 hours a week jamming, demoing out songs for our producer Shawn Lefebvre (Cancer Bats, Billy Tallent, Muse, LA Guns), really making sure that everyone was happy with what we were going into the studio with. We tracked drums the last weekend in March and Shawn headed back to Ottawa for a week to edit and semi mix the drums for us to start to track the remainder of the album. Just over a week later we headed back the Pocket for another 10 days to finish the guitar, bass, vocals and group vocals. After tracking on average 12 hour day to finish everything we had planned, Shawn headed back in Ottawa to mix the album which took about 2 weeks. The album was then emailed over to Noah Mintz at Lacqure Channel in Toronto. This pretty much sums up the writing and recording of the album in a nut shell.

How do you feel about self-releasing things versus being on a label? What are the pros and cons to both?

There are advantages and disadvantages with having a label behind you. The advantage is they will help or fund the full cost for you to record and marketing of the new album, and any tour band knows it's hard to come up with X amount of dollars to record that next album let alone write the new album on the road. With a label fronting all this money for the project most bands are forever in debut to the label and end up never owning their masters which means they have very little say what happens with the tracks or seeing profits from the album. When releasing everything on your own you have 100% creative control and final say on everything. With the digital age we live in today any band is available to get their tunes on iTunes, Bandcamp Facebook, it really is endless.

We chose to released and record 'The Drought' on our own, there were some offers on the table but no one was offering us anything that we weren't already able to do on our own. We are a very DIY band and have been from day one and recommend that every band do it DIY as long as you can. You are going to learn a lot more and have an upper hand when labels, management, PR companies come knocking at your door.

If you could change anything about the recording process for your next record, what would it be and why?

I wouldn't necessarily change anything about the process. There are things that you learn as you go and things that you remember to do differently the next time around. For me its about the learning experience and all about the trial and error. Personally, I would like to take more time in the studio to make sure everything is perfect and have time to sit on it and listen for a couple months because changes will always come up.

What's the cruelest thing a band or band member has done to you guys on tour, whether out of fun or just to be cruel?

No one has ever done anything cruel to us on tour, the 'cruelest' thing that we have done would be playing this game Wet Sack that we came up with on our last tour. It's sort of like tag but with water. The way the game works is the person that was 'it' needs to strategically find a way to toss water on their victims crouch, making it look like they have peed their pants to some degree. Also there are no tag back, and if the 'it' person misses their victim or the victim, doges the water they are still it but don't have to deal with the Wet Sack for a couple of hours. We also had it that the 'it' person was not allowed to be 'it' for more then 12 hours, keeping everyone on their toes for the full tour. It's a great way to pass time and to get to really know the other bans(s) you are on the road with.

We also hear alot about bands pulling pranks on their management. What is the funniest thing you guys have pulled on your manager and how did he react to it?

We never have pulled any pranks on our management or manager sorry we don't have any funny stories there. If anything we pull pranks on each other or just make fun of each like every other band does. With us John gets the worst of it, if you ever get the chance ask him what the meaning to the song title Lights To Lights that is on the new album.

Well, it's been a pleasure sitting down and doing this interview with you guys. Anything else you'd like our readers to know before we wrap it up?

No worries guys thanks for talking with us about the new album and the upcoming tour! If you are into see some cool and unique art head over to Wilson Art (https://www.facebook.com/wilsonmedia). This is what Wilson gets up to on his down time from the band. If you ever are looking for a custom tattoo, painting, sketch, drop us or him a line!

Go pick up their new album "The Drought" now on iTunes and give them a "like" on facebook at Dancing With Paris!

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REVIEW: Struc/Tures - Divided By

Band: Structures

Album: Divided By

Rating: 4/5

Buy: Amazon
iTunes

Tracklist:

1. At Las[t]

2. Hydroplaning

3. Encounter...

4. Paralyzed____

5. In Pursuit Of

6. Clockwork (feat. Alex Erian of Despised Icon and Kevin McCaughhey of Ion Dissonance)

7. Relapse;Signs (feat. Frankie Palmeri of Emmure)

8. Tunnel Vision

9. I.N.T.E.N.T.

10. /

Canadian 5-piece progressive metal outfit Structures is a band that was out there making a name for itself long before they inked to Sumerian Records in early 2011. They recorded and self-released a 5-song EP titled All of the Above, which was released shortly before their signing and were touring and destroying cities all over Canada. Now they've toured the US and pretty much the whole world, making them a force to be reckoned with. I'm not a stranger to heavy, in your face angry metal, but I have to say this one threw me for a loop when I heard the clean vocals. Honestly, I'd have left them out if I were them but they still fit pretty well on the album. Divided By sees guest vocalists Alex Erian of Despised Icon, Kevin McCaughhey of Ion Dissonance, and who else? Frankie Palmeri of Emmure...the king of getting guest vocal spots lately. Overall, this album has a very angry feel to it which I love to see on a metal album, but it also hits home with some killer lyrics (too many to cite so I'll post a link to them at the end of the review).

Key Tracks:

Encounter...: One of the original 5, re-recorded for use on the album, this happens to be my 2nd favorite song on the album. "Make it a mission to be the change you want to see. Lay down the foundation and where you wish to be." Seems to be a message to all those bitching about their lives all the times and just sit back on their asses letting the world collapse around them. It's a message to take life by the balls and do something about your life instead of just sitting back and watching everything crumble around you.

Relapse;Signs: This is my favorite track on the album, not only because it features Frankie, but because it's the hardest hitting of the 10 songs, in my opinion. Seems to me, the narrator is waking up and realizing what a hell this world has become. He's remembering his dream world and what it was like before all of the wars over nothing. It brings to mind the same question we all are asking ourselves and the government; If we got rid of the person causing the main problems, what are we still fighting for? I'm a big advocate of defeating terrorism, but I, like so many other Americans, think that enough is enough. We've got to make our voices heard. We've got to give the world the wake up call that it so desperately needs before it's too late.

Final Thoughts:

This album is heavy, in your face, features amazing guest vocalists, and the band is on a great label. Need I say more? The lyrics are meaningful, the instrumentals are perfect, the breakdowns are all in the right spot and not in great numbers, the only reason I decided to give this album 1 less star than what it truly deserves is because of the clean vocals. They are in the right spot, but they don't fit in with the overall theme of the album, in my opinion. In any case, you don't have to take my word for it, go pick up your copy of Divided By out on Sumerian Records now!

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REVIEW: The Life & Death of A Plea For Purging - A Plea For Purging

Band: A Plea For Purging

Album: The Life & Death of A Plea For Purging

Rating: 5/5
Buy: Amazon
MerchNow

Tracklisting:

1. The Life

2. Music City

3. Heart of a Child

4. Miss Fortune

5. My Song (feat. Chad Johnson of HUNDREDTH)

6. Skin & Bones

7. Room for the Dead

8. A Fight for Peace

9. Hell at Our Backs

10. Words Misread

11. Hands & Feet

12. Living the Dream

13. The Death (feat. Chad Urich of Venia)

14. The Setting Sun

Now before I review this album, you must understand I wasn't that into the band when I went into this. However, The Life & Death of A Plea For Purging changed everything I knew about them. The follow-up to 2009's The Marriage of Heaven and Hell, this album explodes in a way I never previously thought possible from this band. Heavy, yet melodic; Soft, yet somehow still powerful. This album has it all including some guest vocals that make those particular tracks stand out even more (My Song which features guest vocals from Chad Johnson of the band HUNDREDTH (on Mediaskare Records) and The Death featuring guest vocals from Chad Urich of Venia (on Blood & Ink Records). This album warped my perception of A Plea For Purging and turned it into possibly one of my favorite albums of 2011 thus far.

Key Tracks:

My Song: Immediately after the soft and subtle interlude that is Miss Fortune, a guitar riff pounds into your ears and sends you into a "break stuff" type of mood. Heavy and moderately paced, My Song was one of my favorite on the album and just when I thought it couldn't get any better, Chad's guest vocals ripped into the song and made it that more devastating and powerful!

Skin & Bones: One of the slowest songs on the album, but that doesn't stop it's power. Completely acoustic and almost eerie, Skin & Bones is a message to the faithful that this body is only a vessel until we pass over to the next life. This song sent chills down my spine the first time I listened to it and (now on my 6th listen of the album), it still does so.

Final Thoughts:

The bottom line is that if there was something you didn't like about Plea before, this album could very well be the one to change your opinion. With crushing guitars, shredding solos, acoustics that will melt your soul, and amazing guest vocals; this album is, in my opinion, one of the best metal albums of 2011 so far. Pick up your copy of The Life & Death of A Plea For Purging on Nov. 8th when it sees its release via FaceDown Records and see for yourself!

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Finders Keepers - Fourth Quarter Comeback: REVIEW

Band: Fourth Quarter Comeback (Facebook)

Album: Finders Keepers

Rating: 5/5

Buy: iTunes

1. When I Fall

2. All I Know

3. New York, New York

4. Finders Keepers

5. You and I

If you're a fan of bands like Motion City Soundtrack and New Found Glory, Fairfax, VA's Fourth Quarter Comeback is definitely a must for you! This band is yet more proof that pop/punk is NOT dead and will never be! The band's debut EP, Finders Keepers, is a must-have for any pop/punk fan young or old. With everything you'd expect from an album in the genre: Catchy and infectious choruses, danceable beats, and meaningful, yet fun lyrics, Finders Keepers will have you falling in love with pop/punk all over again, even if you already were!

Overview:

From the amazingly catchy first track "When I Fall" to the final track on the EP "You and I", there is alot going on in this album. This is the perfect example of what a good up and coming pop-punk band sounds like! The guitars are pefectly on pitch, the lyrics are everything you'd expect from this genre, the drums stay at a rhythm that could be very easy to dance to, and it's overall a fun ride through and through.

Key Tracks:

When I Fall: Easily my favorite track on the EP and rightly so. The keyboards remind me of old-school Motion City Soundtrack and the vocals remind me very much of Chad Gilbert. For those of you who don't know who that is, he is the vocalist for New Found Glory. Being one of my favorite vocalists in the genre, it's no surprise that this track and this EP in general would keep my attention. The chorus of "I still remember what you said last year. It took me higher than I though, so will you catch me when I fall?" signals to me about a love that was lost and he's trying to get her back.

New York, New York: A bit faster than "When I Fall", but still just as catchy and infectious, possibly moreso to some than others. With lines like "I'd kill myself for your affection, just to hear you, just to hear you say", this also seems to be another attempt at winning over the girl from the earlier mention. It shows that he doesn't wanna give up on the one he know he loves. We have all felt the pain of rejection and loss, it's rumored that when you find "the one" you know it. Well it seems to me that he has found that special someone and is not giving up until he gets her.

Final Thoughts:

Pop Punk is FAR from dead and this album is one piece of evidence of that fact. With catchy choruses and beats, fun and meaningful lyrics, and amazingly talented guys on the instruments, what's there not to love? But don't just take my word for it; Go out and download Finders Keepers on iTunes now and find yourself falling in love with Pop/Punk all over again!

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EP - We, The Reflection: REVIEW

Band: We, The Reflection (Facebook)
Album: 2011 EP

Rating: 4/5

1. Hope(s)

2. Reflection(s)

3. Ambition(s)

4. Departure(s)

You don't hear very many good metalcore bands out there anymore, so when I was approached with the opportunity to review Wallingford, CT's We, The Reflection's new EP, I was highly hopeful. Not for nothing, this band brings something to the table that has been missing in metalcore for a good while now. What's that, you may ask? Originality, great clean vocals without auto-tune, and an overall raw sound! While being one of the roughest EP's I've ever reviewed, it's also one of the best I've listened to all year. Get ready, because this band is going to be a household name if they keep things up the way they are. The best part of it all being that they do it ALL for the fans. The money isn't a big deal to them and, as you have read in past reviews, that makes me respect bands tons more. Ready for this? Then read on, guys.

Overview:

What do you think of when you hear the term "metalcore"? My guess is that you think of boring open-notes, breakdowns, and a shitload of auto-tune right? Well when I think metalcore, I think of bands such as A Static Lullaby and The Agony Scene, way back before any of that started. That's why this band threw me for a loop when I threw on their EP and immediately was impressed. There's so much lack of creativity these days in metalcore! It's great to see a band who are willing to give it their all for the fans and create the type of sound that TRUE metalcore fans have missed for the past few years. This band destroys that stereotype and reshapes the genre into what it once was. I suggest picking up this EP or going to see these guys at a show because you will not be disappointed.

This will be the first EP I will not do key tracks for because, bottom line is: All of the tracks are amazing. I was highly impressed by this band from the first listen on their Facebook to getting the EP for review. Definitely give it a listen guys!

Final Thoughts:

In a world where money is king and lack of creativity is running rampant, We, The Reflection break through and truly shine. This is what I like to hear in a metalcore EP or album for that matter. Definitely go give them a like on Facebook and talk to them, they'll be household names before you know it!

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REVIEW: I Kill Giants- Let It out

https://www.facebook.com/pages/I-Kill-Giants/149981718396618

Rating: 4/5

Fusing jazz and punk elements, Boston MA's, I Kill Giants are in a form, one of the most talented bands I have ever heard. This band has 295 likes on Facebook. That is absolutely appalling, and they rightfully deserve more. I have never quite heard a sound this unique before. Their jazz influenced sounds are so dynamic. They just released their debut ep, Let It Out. I was very fortunate to stumble onto this album on bandcamp. I was blown away. In this review, I'll tell you about some of my favorite songs on the album, and what to expect from these guys in the future. Lets do it!

Overview

This whole album is very fun and delighting to listen to. I enjoy the grove beats, the guitar solos and the free form style. The musicianship is incredible and I'm shocked to know that not a lot of people know who these guys are. I would best explain their sound as a Jazz/Punk. Lots of swing and sweeps, and not much singing. Their lyrics about relationships and basically the album name is befitting for their feelings. This is a very short Ep, too short in my opinion. I thoroughly inspected this piece of work for almost 2 hours. I found so many things I loved.

Key Track: Covaleski

If I could explain this song in one word: Epic. An instrumental song, this is by far some of the greatest form of free form jazz and punk I have ever heard. Lots of drum solos and guitar swings. Tempo changes are a common matter in Jazz, and these guys are no stranger as well. The song has a great 4 time beat, then it does a complete 180 and goes to a 8/4 beat. The song has a very weird tone and I love it. Its one of those songs you put on when you want to be deep in thought or logic. It has all the makings of a very intelligent song. The riffs and sweeps are very impressive and the guitars and drums are spot on, no lags and no beat problems. This song has been on repeat for the last 30 minutes, I simply love it.

Final Thoughts

There are so many bands do the same thing, over and over again. Reproducing the watered down garbage we all are guilty of entertaining. I Kill Giants are a breath of very fresh air. I see this band blowing up and becoming huge in the next few years, if they play their cards right. The table is set for them. Why? Because their sound separates them from the other generic breakdown bands. This band brings passion, grove, soul, and meaning to its music. This 5 song ep, is a great ride. I do however, have one problem. The production is very sketchy to me. Low budget and really bassy at times. Obviously its a self produced cd, but I still think the drums and the vocals could have been a little better. Overall, this band gets a great 4/5 rating from the Transcendence. Give these guys a few years, and I just bet you they will be one of the bigger punk bands in the Boston area. Make sure you go to their facebook page and buy their ep! Great Job guys!

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Interview: NEW YORK RIVALS

https://www.facebook.com/newyorkrivals

Well this week I had the pleasure to talk to the guys in NEW YORK RIVALS, an Rock/Indie group out of Brooklyn. The band has some great sounds and a lot of Nirvana and Smashing Pumpkins roots, and they just wrapped up their newest self titled album, and we're stoked to talk with these guys! Lets get to it!

Dave: Okay, first of all, introduce yourselves, and give us a brief history of the band.

Band: I'm Josh I sing and Play guitar.

I'm Gianni and I play Bass

I'm Erik, I play lead guitar.

I'm Nash and I play drums.

We started the band about 5 weeks ago...Played a couple shows around NYC and caught the eye of our booking agent and here we are. On tour with The Lemonheads. It's pretty incredible.


Dave: Where is the band name derived from?


Band: The last few weeks leading up to the forming of this band were pure HELL. I had my Bike stolen, Wallet Stolen, Got scammed for a Van and crossed paths with a really sketchy crowd of dirt bags. They made me sick of certain spots of the city because I was running into some of them so often that "NEW YORK RIVALS" seemed fitting.


Dave: I heard you guys just got done recording an album, tell us about that.


Band: It was amazing. We recorded half of it with MACHINE in NJ. He really helped us find a sound. He's truly amazing, He can get the whole band hyped up in 5 seconds. He just makes recording fun which is really important. The other half was recorded in Brooklyn at Mission Sound with Jon Kaplan and Oliver Straus. That studio is amazzzzing. If your looking to record in NYC that's the spot.


Dave: How was the writing process, given you guys are on the more experimental side?


Band: I(Josh) Write all the songs but everyone always ends up putting a cool/unique spin on it.

It's a culmination of things.

They never turn out how we think they're going to.


Dave: What are the bands inspirations, and each of your personal inspirations? for example, faith, politics, religious claims, poetry, ect?


Band: We are really new so right now we just want to stay on the road and not over think things.
We are just happy to be able to tour.
I don't give a shit about the money.
Working a shitty office job will never happen for me whether this band makes it or not.

Josh: I'm inspired by all kinds of art and also culture. I find myself learning a lot while I travel and constantly meeting people that continually change my outlooks.

Gianni: Life inspires me. The ups and downs keep me grounded.

Erik: Mostly other bands and artists inspire to get better and constantly progress in my playing.

Nash: I'm gonna go with other musicians as well. When you play with bands that inspire you always end up walking away learning something new.


Dave: What kind of bands are you playing with? Are they mostly your genre? or a wide range of music?

Band: Right now we are on tour with The Lemonheads so it's straight 90's which is amazing because that's our favorite era for music.

Other than that we have just been playing with anyone that will have us around NYC.

Dave: How do you feel about the term "generic"? And how does it seem to affect bands?


Band: It's really easy for bands to rely on technology nowadays. It's less personal and kids are definitely starting to catch on. Like all fads I think this will fade away. Music is in such a terrible place lately...I really hope that someone can bring good old rock and roll to the forefront and just plug in and play.


Dave: So you're going on tour! Congrats! Tell us a little about that and maybe where we can catch you guys at a show!


Band: This tour has been amazing so far. We are still in the south right now and I must say these people are incredibly hospitable.

People have taken us in left and right.

It's a good feeling for our first run.

You can find all the dates on @NEWYORKRIVALS and our Facebook Page.


Dave: What do you guys have planed aside from a tour in the fall?


Band: When we are playing shows we will be recording non stop.

I write ALOT so I'm always pushing to lay the ideas the down the second they are done.

My focus is on Touring but if we aren't on the road Recording is the next best thing.

We're also trying to get a music video done when we get back.



Dave: Any special shout outs or thank- you's?



Band: Yes.

Steve Kaul & Brooks Roach for believing in a new band and giving us a shot

MACHINE for being such a killer guy. This band wouldn't have happened if he didn't take us in.



thanks!!



Hope you got what you need.

Thanks for your time!

-Josh



--


-J-

@NEWYORKRIVALS

Make sure to catch NEW YORK RIVALS on tour this fall!

10/03 Nashville, TN @ Mercy Lounge *
10/04 Charlotte, NC @ Neighborhood Theatre *
10/05 Atlanta, GA @ The Earl *
10/07 Washington, DC @ Black Cat *
10/08 Philadelphia, PA @ North Star Bar *
10/09 New York, NY @ Bowery Ballroom *
10/10 New York, NY @ Bowery Ballroom *
10/12 Boston, MA @ Paradise Rock Club *
10/13 Milford, CT @ Daniel Street *
10/14 Providence, RI @ Met Cafe *
10/15 Northampton, MA @ Pearl Street Club Room *
11/16 Brooklyn, NY @ Knitting Factory ^

* with The Lemonheads
^ with Sam Roberts Band, Zeus

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Outlaws & Prodigals EP - Kiros: REVIEW

Band: Kiros (Facebook)

Album: Outlaws and Prodigals EP

Buy: iTunes

Amazon

Rating: 4/5

1. Outlaws and Prodigals

2. Desperation Calls

3. Outlaw and Prodigals (Acoustic)

Kiros are a breath of fresh air to the Christian rock scene. Whereas most Christian rock bands tend to want to cover old hymns and worship songs, Kiros isn't like the rest. Their new 3-song EP, Outlaws and Prodigals is 2 tracks of original music that shares the message of Christ in a fun way. The lyrics seem to be about the struggle that all Christians face. That is, to stay true to your religion when things get rough.

Key Track:

Desperation Calls: This is my favorite track on the album. It's a message about how Christ is our strength when everything else seems to fall apart. "You are my all, always there to break my fall and the rescuer when desperation calls." This serves as a message to not get down on yourself when things aren't going your way, but instead, pray about it and remember that the Lord is looking down on you.

Final Thoughts:

There aren't very many Christian rock albums that impress me now-a-days due to the fact many bands tend to do the cover thing, but this is an exception. I'm not knocking Christian rock because alot of these bands do a wonderful job on the covers. It's great to hear some originality in a genre that seemed to be losing it. I definitely recommend this EP to anyone of any age. It has something everyone can enjoy! Pick up Outlaws and Prodigals, out now on Ain't No Grave Records!

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Revenge EP - Girl On Fire: REVIEW

Band: Girl On Fire (Facebook)

Album: Revenge EP

Buy: iTunes

Rating: 3/5

1. Revenge

2. Tragic Ending

3. Medicate

4. Secret Lies

5. Close Your Eyes

Up-and-Coming rock band Girl on Fire from Seattle, WA have just recently released their debut EP, Revenge on Hollywood Waste. The vocals on the EP are reminiscent of Chester Bennington of Linkin Park and wiL Francis of Aiden. The guitars are fast, heavy and angry and the drum beats are explosive and crashing. It shows what can happen when a band gets signed by a label who can really shoot them in the right direction.

Key Tracks:

Revenge: Beginning with a soft piano intro and evolving into possibly one of the heaviest tracks on the EP, Revenge is about just that. Getting your revenge for something that has happened to you. This is my favorite track on the EP and, being the first one, it immediately caught my attention. It's pretty cool that the vocals sound alot like Chester of Linkin Park in this one, but it shows a lack of creativity which we don't see in many bands these days, unfortunately.

Final Thoughts:

A bit on the generic side as far as lyrical content and melody goes but overall it's a fun listen. I only gave this EP 3 stars because it doesn't really stand out to me. There's so many bands out there who strive to be like other bands and not enough who strive to be themselves. The vocals seem like he was trying hard to be Chester or wiL and that turned me off of being able to enjoy the album as much as I probably could have. But would I recommend it? Yes, and here's why: The band is very talented and you can also tell that they have fun doing what they do and I believe that if they are themselves, they can truly get somewhere. I'm not knocking them at all, I'm just doing my job and being a critic. Check out Revenge by Girl On Fire out now on Hollywood Waste!

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Awakening - Blessthefall: REVIEW

Band: Blessthefall (Facebook)

Album: Awakening

Rating: 5/5

Buy: iTunes
Amazon


01. Awakening
02. Promised Ones
03. Bottomfeeder
04. I’m Bad News, in the Best Way
05. The Reign
06. 40 Days…
07. Bones Crew
08. Don’t Say Goodbye
09. Undefeated
10. ‘Till the Death of Me
11. Flatline
12. Meet Me at the Gates

From their humble beginnings in 2003 with Craig Mabbitt and the release of His Last Walk until now, Blessthefall has always been a force to be reckoned with. Since the departure of Mabbitt in 2009, the band has been defining themselves as one of the most influential post-hardcore bands currently on the scene. Spreading heavy guitars, infectious sing-along lyrics, and the message of Christ all in one big package. Currently signed to Fearless Records, the band has just released their 3rd and possibly most powerful album, Awakening. They are out to prove something with this record. In this review, I'll take a look at the lyrical content, instrumentals, and the powerful message that the band is trying to spread.

Anyone who knows the band from the past knows that this is a band full of Christian beliefs and that they are out to spread the word of the Lord in a way that everyone can enjoy. This album, however, and it's title Awakening suggests that we need to wake up and realize that something big is fast-approaching. The lyrics suggest that we need to be ready for a war, no, not a military war, but a spiritual war like none other we've ever seen. The band as well as many others in the "Christ-core" genre are trying to spread this message and prepare us for it. From the opening title track to the explosive ending "Meet Me at the Gates", Blessthefall is out to show us what is coming and that we need to devote our lives to a higher purpose in order to truly be ready for it.

Key Tracks:

Promised Ones: The first single from the album and possibly one of the hardest-hitting lyrically. "We are the promised ones and nothing's in our way. They can try but they'll never stop us. Tell all our enemies, we're ready for a war. We've been there and we'll never die." The signal to our enemies that us Christians are ready for the war. Nothing will stop us and nothing will stand in our way from getting to Heaven. This is a battle cry of sorts. Telling our enemies to beware because we won't go down when we begin this fight.

The Reign: Possibly one of the most melodic tracks on the album, but none less powerful lyrically than the ones before it. It's about the acceptance of our Savior into our lives. Asking for forgiveness for our sins and letting him reign in our lives forevermore. "So let your love reign in my hollow land. Been waiting all my life to feel this, make me whole again!" is the chorus and it tugs the heart-strings pretty hard.

40 Days...: This song is about the struggle of keeping Jesus Christ in our lives when things get rough. It's a reminder to pray and keep your head up and give it all to Him instead of letting it overwhelm you.

Meet Me at the Gates: My personal favorite on the album. This song is about what will happen when the smoke clears. In the bible it says the sky will open up and the Lord will call his faithful home. "The sky will open up, I've waited long to feel your touch. So meet me at the gates and wash my tears away" The battle is over and the faithful are being called home.

Final Thoughts:

Whether you just like post-hardcore music or you are a Christian yourself or even both, this album has something for everyone. From heavy guitars and screams to amazing instrumentals and melodies unlike anything I've heard this year so far, Awakening is a high contender for my album of they year. I definitely recommend you pick up a copy!

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Skeletonwitch- Forever Abomination REVIEW

Band: Skeletonwitch
Album: Forever Abomination
Genre: Blackened Thrash Metal/Death Metal
Buy: iTunes/Official Store
Rating: 4.5/5

Tracklisting:
1. This Horrifying Force (the Desire To Kill) (4:10)
2. Reduced To The Failure Of Prayer (2:52)
3. Of Ash And Torment (2:55)
4. Choke Beyond Betrayal (2:36)
5. Erased And Forgotten (2:24)
6. The Infernal Resurrection (2:52)
7. Rejoice In Misery (2:47)
8. Cleaver Of Souls (3:49)
9. Shredding Sacred Flesh (2:34)
10. Sink Beneath Insanity (2:55)
11. My Skin Of Deceit (2:12)

Total Time: 32:02




Good new age thrash bands are hard to come by these days as being a slowly dying genre (unfortunately) but Skeletonwitch are a breath of fresh air and I thank bands like this among several others for keeping thrash alive. Since the band formed in 2003 they have always been the underdogs as far as new age thrash tetal goes and their new CD "Forever Abomination" will be their key to success. I am personally very impressed with the classic thrash riffs, vocals that remind me of several older black metal bands (where the "blackened thrash" comes from), amazing song structure, catchy hooks and with the addition of their new drummer Dustin Boltjes; Skeletonwitch will move their way up into modern thrash fame alongside other bands such as Warbringer, Havok and Evile.


Review:
I haven't been too fond of this band up until recently when they opened for Arch Enemy and Devildriver in NYC. A few days later to my luck their CD was put up online so I got it and listened to it all the way through. To say the least I am thoroughly impressed. The production on the album is about the same from their 2009 CD "Breathing The Fire" only with the addition of new drummer Dustin Boltjes adding his own brand of drumming on Forever Abomination. The vocals are very raw on this CD which is my personal preference but they do take getting used to for newcomers to this band. Chance Garnett delivers a relentless assault of high shrieking and low growling throughout as his brother Nate Garnett and 2nd guitarist Scott Hedrick deliver fast catchy classic thrash riffs (see Of Ash And Torment, Rejoice In Misery and My Skin Of Deceit for merely an example). A lot of the songs sound different which is a good thing as far as thrash goes since a lot of thrash riffs sound the same/recycled. All in all Forever Abomination is a force to be reckoned with. Be sure to pick up the record when it officially gets released on 10/11!! I know I will!


Key Tracks:

1. This Horrifying Force (The Desire To Kill): This is the opener for the album and my personal favorite. Starting off with a slow intro and picking up at :35 where Chance and the rest of the band come in this track gives you exactly what to expect from the album. This song has everything both death metal fans and thrash fans alike will love. The verses, bridge and everything about this song all falls together perfectly.

3. Of Ash And Torment: This track opens with a classic thrash riff and goes right into a short solo and back to the riff and at :32 the tempo change of the song which changes several times throughout the song again shows their talent as musicians and progression from their last album. This is my personal favorite track on the album as well as the fastest as well.

Final Thoughts:
If your looking for a new metal band that will quickly become your favorite all you will need is Skeletonwitch. This has everything that you and I both look for in this type of music. Between the fast riffs, solos, crushing vocals, great drumming and song structure I'm not even sure what my favorite would be. 20 years from now this will go down as one of the classic albums just as other bands such as Slayer, Anthrax and more have became legends so will Skeletonwitch in due time. Worship the 'WITCH!

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Forefathers EP - Forefathers: REVIEW

Band: Forefathers (Facebook)
Album: Forefathers - EP

Buy: iTunes
Official Store

Rating: 5/5

1. Dust Mending

2. Arrows in the Water

3. The Rejuvenation Chamber

4. Pirates

5. The Nurturer

If you like good hardcore music and can't seem to find any newer bands that suit that need, look no further! Kentucky's own Forefathers take anger and aggression to otherworldly levels with crushing vocals, shredding guitars, and explosive drum beats! Channeling pure and raw emotion into musical form, this band is on their way to greater things. Released on January 1st, 2011, their debut self-titled EP is anything but ordinary. Remember when music wasn't generic? When riffs and melodies were original and not ripped off? Well, be prepared to be taken back to that time as I explore this impressive 5-song EP!

Key Tracks:

Arrows in the Water: The 2nd track and the one that seemed to find itself on repeat the most, this is easily my favorite track on this EP. Starting with a simple riff and immediately unleashing fury with Justin Wisdom's raw and edgy vocals. This song is, to me, the heaviest on the EP and definitely worth a listen if you're trying to decide whether or not you like the band. This song reminds me of what it's like to listen to good music, not just the typical open-note, breakdown, chorus, breakdown, ending type of music we seem to see so much of these days.

Final Thoughts:

If you're a fan of aggressive music, this EP is for you. These guys are on their way to bigger and better things and will definitely be a name to remember in the future. They're currently recording a new album to destroy our speakers, but for now, check out Forefathers on iTunes and be prepared to be blown away by true musicianship!

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REVIEW: The Sons Of Katie Elder- The Eye Of The Beholder

Rating: 4/5

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What is in a name? In today's society, a lot. That's exactly what you get from Bronx, NY's The Sons Of Katie Elder. Fusing Metal/Hardcore, these guys have a great sound. Their debut Ep, The Eye Of The Beholder, is a testament to their hard work and dedication to make great music. In this review, I'll take a look at the 5 song Ep, pick out my favorite tracks and give some things I feel could be better. Are you ready? If so, then read on!

Overview

This Ep is very good but sadly very short! Hector has amazing vocals and the guitars are seemingly flawless. There is a ton of melodic traits and I honestly hear a lot of Sovereign Strength and The Red October in this music. Musicianship is a plus and I don't hear too many off beats or dead riffs. As far as how the songs are put together, I loved it. Everything flows very smoothly and gems such as "High Tide" and "The Irony" speak for themselves!

Key Track: The Irony

This song is really good and I was very impressed at how good the guitars actually sounded! Right out of the gate, a great opening riff starts us out! The lead guitar has a great melody going and the drums are spot on with double beats! The line " Push me away!" really defines the song. Not a ton of melody in this song, its just a great hard hitting song to let some anger out! This song has so many different tempos from slow breakdown, to fast paced hammer-ons. Great song and great effort by the band. Loved it!

Key Track: High Tide

Easily my favorite track! This song has so much melody and it has a lot of drive behind. Starting off the song is a great riff and a great lead! Drums are definitely the most impressive. You can really hear the passion in Hectors voice as he sings in this song. Matter of fact, you can tell the band has perfected their sound with this song! I honestly believe that " High Tide" is a must hear! Words won't do it justice! Tempo changes a-plenty. The chorus is really impressive and has a great beat to it. Overall this song has a great vibe, and I love the ending breakdown, probably the best part of the song!

Final Thoughts

The Sons Of Katie Elder have a great sound and a great drive behind them. Hector is a very cool and passionate guy just from casual conversations with him. I give this ep 4/5 for the great effort and sound. The thing I have to say I didn't like was the overall production and mix of the songs. Not bad for a debut but still a little disappointing and when you factor in this band has so much talent. Drums were mixed a little to wet to me, and the bass of the song is on the low side. Coming from a guy who produces his own music and local bands, I have to say its overall solid. This band has the potential to be one of New York's finest bands if they establish a great foundation. What better place to start a band than the Bronx!?! Be on the lookout for these guys in the fall! Great things coming! Download or buy the album by getting in contact with the band via their facebook page! The Sons Of Katie Elder, remember that name! Great things to come!

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Radiosurgery - New Found Glory: REVIEW

Band: New Found Glory (Facebook)

Album: Radiosurgery

Buy: Amazon
iTunes

1. Radiosurgery

2. Anthem for the Unwanted

3. Drill It in My Brain

4. I'm Not the One

5. Ready, Aim, Fire!

6. Dumped

7. Summer Fling, Don't Mean a Thing

8. Caught in the Act

9. Memories and Battle Scars

10. Trainwreck

11. Map of Your Body

If you're a fan of the pop-punk genre, New Found Glory is all but a new name to you. With 6 albums under their belt, half of which were certified Gold by the RIAA, their 7th album, Radiosurgery, had a lot to live up to. However, they stepped up to the plate and knocked it out of the park! Not only did they create a fun and catchy album you will quickly get hooked on, but they also managed to pack a meaningful edge into the lyrics and overall tone. Radiosurgery is nothing short of a masterpiece. A 33-min roller coaster ride of emotions that takes you from the highest of highs to the lowest of lows. I'm very excited and honored to review this album for you all!

Key Tracks:

Radiosurgery: The title track and appropriately chosen first single from the album. It seems that Chad is wanting to let a girl from his past go and it's loads harder than he could've imagined. As most of you already know, it can be hard to get over the past when something good comes into your life. This song is about that struggle. Most of you already know, but Chad Gilbert of New Found Glory has been in a relationship with Hayley Williams of Paramore for the past 3 and a half years and it's been a hell of a ride for them both.

Summer Fling, Don't Mean a Thing: This song is about the longing for something more than a one-night stand. Everyone wants a real relationship, am I right? Something meaningful that will stand the test of time and will remain true through good as well as bad? This song is about that feeling. Not wanting to be used for the Summer and thrown away after she's done with him. This is probably one of my favorite tracks on the album.

Final Thoughts:

If you're looking for an amazing pop-punk record, look no further. This has everything that pop-punk fans look for: Meaningful and fun lyrics, catchy beats, and great, fun themes. Don't download this album for free, go buy it. Show that you still support your favorite artists. This will quickly become a classic. I honestly have to say that anyone who decides to buy this album will definitely be proud of themselves for doing so. Pick up your copy of Radiosurgery out on Epitaph Records on October 4th!

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Molotov Solution - Insurrection - REVIEW

Molotov Solution
Insurrection
Genre: Deathcore

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BUY HERE

Tracklist

	Sin & Sacrifice
	Injustice For All
	The Final Hour
	The Blood of Tyrants
	Divide & Conquer
	Insurrection
	Cruor Viaticus
	Prophetic Illusions
	Collapse
	Signals
	Rise

Insurrection is the story told by Nick about the coming of days. Not the end, just the beginning of an onslaught of total devastation. You could say this is the a copy of Wormworld, by The Acacia Strain or Fit For An Autopsy, but in the eyes of a person who is finally realizing what is taking place and what they think about it. The CD will strike your heart where it hurts most, and it will destroy your beliefs of this almighty nation. Nick has had time to prepare for this release. From the release of their self-titled CD to their previous release, The Harbinger, Nick has been warning every one of his thoughts and what he deems is the new coming age of man, friend against friend pitting each other to death just to make a point only to be torn down.

The lyrics to this CD are just something I love in the deathcore genre. Sure you have the occasional love/hate, I fucking want to kill you lyrics, but this is a FUCKING MESSAGE to the masses. This CD is warning all the people of the coming final hour. Stating when each will be tested of their beliefs and shot for their commitment to this great nation of bloodshed. Throughout this CD you will be shocked, smashed into the ground and thrown into the fucking air by those beastly breakdowns. Accompanied by this onslaught is the message that we will fail, and we will fall for trying to seek our beliefs. The real message to divide and conquer, the almighty truth of how the justice is for all those who swear by it, or for us to finally take a stand fight for something and FUCKING RISE

The key tracks in this masterpiece are Insurrection and Cruor Viaticus. I honed in and instantly fell in love with these two songs, not only because of the fade out with the screams of Nick, but because of the actual message they are trying to get across. They don’t want to live in a world of mediocrity they want to prove there is a reason to exist. As stated, fuck your world you can have it. Cruor Viaticus is the story of how our nation is buying security and bloodshed, senseless blood shed is the collateral that coincides with this spreading of lies that will NEVER FUCKING BLEED US DRY.

This CD is for everyone, whether or not you listen to this genre, once you read the lyrics you will be hooked. I look at this CD as being the offspring of the many bands who also try to state a message of warning, that all of which need to heed. Such bands consist of The Acacia Strain, Fit For An Autopsy and the late Rage Against The Machine. Sure they’re not in the same genre group, but their lyrics are all a warning of what is coming and will happen if we choose to follow blindlessly and let the nation decide our demise.

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