Review #35: Take The Earth Beneath Us - EP

Album: EP 

Artist: Take The Earth Beneath Us
Year: 2011
Origin: Vancouver/Canada

Genre: Progressive/Melodic/Hardcore

For fans of: Adaliah, Makers, Dead Kings, Counterparts

Tracklist:

1. You've Started A War

2. So Quickly We Forget

3. Reckless

4. Half Hearted

5. Distance

>> Download <<

Review:

MINDBLOWING & HONEST MUSIC!

Take The Earth Beneath Us, really smashed out a great work.

Digging deep into my library, they have a lot of elements, reminding to an old

favorite band, called "Dead Kings". I really waited for a new release by them, but 

probably i will not have to wait any longer. TTEBU already did, what Dead Kings

could have done on their next release, which will sadly never come.

Heavy impacted riffing, layered with deep growls, filled with honest lyrics. 

Melodic progressions, well fitting overlays between the riffs and a well used clean voice giving the 5 tracks a very original touch!

I see a lot of potential coming from these guys, hoping they go on, working as hard as they did on these tracks.

Also i wish to see a full length this year. Talented guys, which i would like to see on stage with bands from today, such as Counterparts or Adaliah. 

Don't miss this ep!

Thanks for hitting me up guys!

Review #34: Awakening The Revenant - The Procreated [EP]

Album: The Procreated [EP]

Artist: Awakening The Revenant

Year: 2011

Origin: Huntington/WV/United States

Genre: Deathcore/Death Metal/Hardcore

For fans of: Fall Before Your Creator, Isla Sorna

Tracklist:

1. Intro

2. This City Screams War

3. The Great Deceiver (feat. Trenton Allen Heck)

4. Conqueror

5. Your Demise

6. My Redemption

>> BUY! <<

(seriously supporting these guys, means you safe at least 1 square meter of the Rain Forest in the dusty Desert of the Antarctica!)

These guys deserve your money, the money of your friends, the friends friends and their pets!

YOU SHOULD ALL GET THIS, BECAUSE OTHERWISE YOU SUCK!

Review:

A long time ago, Awakening The Revenant announced the release of a first record, which finally came out in late December. The Procreated offers the broadest range of different kinds, to play Deathcore in just 5 Tracks (excluding the Intro). Groundbreaking Breakdowns, dramatic ones and a lot of blast beats at it's finest, this is what your first impressions would look like. But actually behind these deadly walls is a lot more then guessed and considered as "generic Deathcore". A very special and positive feature, which is also pretty rare to find within this kind of music, are the clean sung vocals in the songs "The Great Deceiver" and "Conqueror".

The sound for a first release is pretty solid. The quality in the tone of the guitars sounds pretty massive.

Coming to the intense moments. They're present! In masses. 

From the scream in the beginning of "This City Screams War", to the end of the EP. 

Indeed, these guys do more then Deathcore, there's a definite prove of classical Moshriffing, that leans to Hardcore bands such as The Acacia Strain, Betrayal and so on. Well layered riffage all in all.

I would highly suggest, checking this band out, also if you aren't into Deathcore at all, or even hate it.

There is no Suicide Silence or other shit influence to hear.

Awakening The Revenant offer a pretty original and steadfast sound!

Period.

Review #33: Across The Obsession - We See What We Want

Album: We See What We Want

Artist: Across The Obsession

Year: 2011
Origin: Russia
Genre: Melodic/Post-Hardcore/Instrumental/Metal/Hardcore/Progressive/Technical/Metalcore

(Just undefinable good!)

For fans of: Between The Buried And Me, Adept, 

Tracklist:

1. Trails (feat. Anatoly Borisov from Sarah Where Is My Tea)

2. Bleeding Inside

3. To The Stars

4. All That Becomes Us (feat. Pasha Shipilin)

5. Dreams

6. Closed

7. Between The Words

8. Eternally Awaiting Dawn

9. Home

10. Captive Of Bondage

11. The Letter

12. We See What We Want

>> Download <<

>> Instrumental Version <<

Review:

Across The Obsession only do what they want!

These guys have fun in what they're doing and they are showing this at their best, at their Debut Album

entitled "We See What We Want"! 

Hailing from the Country of the most surprising bands, these young Russians really created everything new and brought the heavy scene to a new era!

Starting as a instrumental band in lack of a singer, just to show what is possible as a band with incomplete line up. Yet a singer, wasn't missed on the old records, now they just perfected what they were working at. Also they're giving out the instrumental version of the album, for those who like to enjoy the musical side of them.

We See What We Want contains 12 captive songs of emotion and creativity.

Looking back to their old instrumental EP "The Road", these guys just changed the instrumental work a little bit, to come together with the vocals.

Melodic and technical guitar licks all over the songs. Progressions in vein of BTBAM and showing a softer side of putting breakdowns into the rhythm guitar, these are only some words to describe the sound of them.

The vocals are neither screamed, nor shouted or growled. They sing - in their own way. Emotive, yet angerfilled yelling could explain it a little.

All in all, this Album must be heard, to say you like it or not!

A catchy band and the most original sound/music i've ever heard. One of the most talented and hard working bands i know. Get them bigger and show some love at Facebook, Myspace or anywhere else!

Links:

Facebook

LastFM

Myspace

Twitter

VK

YouTube

DIY Review #1: Finisher - Doomsayer EP (2011)

Here's something special for you!

Hope you can read this.

Finisher are such a great band, you should all support and love them!

Tracklist:

1. Ragnarok

2. Doomsayer (feat. Aaron from Postmortem Promises)

3. Waste Of Space

4. Rhino

>> Download <<

Review #31: What The Sea Left Over - Selftitled EP (2011)

Album: What The Sea Left Over [EP]

Artist: What The Sea Left Over

Year: 2011

Origin: Vienna/Austria

Genre: Melodic Metalcore/Hardcore

Tracklist:

1. Fragility (Intro)

2. Courtesy

3. Story With Two Endings

4. To The Shore

5. My Sweet Decay

6. July, 22nd

7. See Through You

>> Download <<

Review:

I recently fall over these guys. Still dunno how, but it was more than worth it.

What The Sea Left Over are a 5 Dude combo, hailing from the capital of Austria, also known as Vienna.

Their first release, for free on their Facebook page, includes 7 Tracks of melodic modern Metalcore, overlaid with a lot of atmosphere.

It starts with an quite Intro, which has a well chosen name. Fragility leads the listener into the depths of the sea, to start the journey of this EP.

Followed by a slower Riff the real recordings finally start. 

The effort, these young guys put into this, really can be shown everywhere.

A quite solid sound of dark tuned guitars. The two dudes Henrik and Wolfgang know how to compose stuff fitting to a theme. The songs all in all keep a slower speed, but they are done with really wonderful harmonic riffs. 

WTSLO also got a rid of the typical Metalcore riffing, yet there are a lot of riffs that sound that way, they put in an own note of originality, which i find is really cool.

A highlight within the first 3 songs is the harmonic main part of the song "Story With Two Endings" this keeps in my ear and lets the song on repeat, you want to hear the rest too.

The melodies and the speed of the songs lets the band musically be settled as melodic Hardcore band too, yet they play a really Metalcore sound. 

Shorter and longer guitar solos give the songs some faster feelings, the mood of this record all in all is really cold and reminds of the apocalypse. You can hear that these guys are influenced by Melodic Death Metal too. They tried to bring up every single point of music they like and put it into one, and thats well done.

Florians vocals are low sounding growls and some lower screams. You can't compare them with all this scene crap all around here today, they sound like Metalcore and fit really well to the sound, they keep the originality of the record as well as the guitars do.

 Coming to the drums. Sebastian is the guy sitting behind them, he's the man, who is responsible for the full feeling of letting this be a Metalcore band, or better to let this record be a Metal record. Typical and well used and placed double bass kicks between the riff lines of the guitars and down-tempo parts while the guitars are kicking down their hooks. This guy has talent, and so the rest of the band has too. Sebastian contributes a lot to the sound of What The Sea Left Over.

 Last but not least, Bassist Bernhard rounds up all riffs of the guitars and drums. His musical voice behind the instruments gives the full and complete feeling what makes the band. Not too fast played but really deep and solid bass is an important factor for a band!

My personal conclusion and wish to the band is "Don't stop"

I really love the ep, the solos and the fast and slow moments on it. The ep has a lot of originality and you guys all show a lot of potential!

Thumbs up. 

This record is more than worth a listen! 

Support the band!

Seriously. 

Review #30: Sleep Serapis Sleep - Pariah's Vow

Album: Pariah's Vow

Artist: Sleep Serapis Sleep

Year: 2011

Origin: Milwaukee/USA

Genre: Deathcore 

Tracklist:

1. Pariah's Vow

2. Lost In The Call

3. Cold-Blooded

4. 80-Proof Ocean

5. Confinement

6. Valediction

7. The Solace Of Uncertainty

8. Indulgence

9. No Rest For The Ruthless

10. Maleficium

>> Buy on iTunes or Merch here <<

Review:

I generally hate this genre, but since i heard SSS for years now, i seriously looking forward to this new release by the guys of Milwaukee.

Starting with the artwork, i immediately thought back to their older releases "The Dark Awakening" or "Dead Man Walking" which had a similar cruelty, we can see a cruel looking image with a lot of fire. This is also a big part of their musical work on this CD. 

You might think back to a lot of bands from this genre and see this as a copycat of them all, just of you be a douche bag and only give one song a few seconds to listen.

But to our luck, SSS put in so much more effort into this then expected.

Deep low vocals in vein of bands such as JFAC and screams as massive and impressing as Hester Prynne, As Blood Runs Back and many others offer, which actually would really be proud of this record.

This album offers SSS in their full strength! 

 The guitar work grew so big, we can hear some really great melodic solos in songs such as "Confinement", "Valediction" or "Maleficium", which bring a lot of variety into the musical part, between the hammering and ground breaking riffs and breakdowns, which are catchy and not too sustained. This gives a fresh sound and kinda rebirth of an own original sound, without coming from the path to djenty music. This is how the Deathcore sounded i knew and listened to, years ago and also this is how Deathcore should sound like!

The album in whole, offers 10 similar, yet different songs, all deposited by very catchy and fast drums. No boredom for granted! For the bigger fans of the genre, really a Must-have, at least a Must-listen album of a really talented and hardworking band, which is surprisingly still unsigned!

So get the fuck out and buy this CD! 

Support these guys! 

Review #29: Fall City Fall - 1629

 

Album: 1629 

Artist: Fall City Fall

Year: 2010 

Origin: Canada

Genre: Hardcore

For fans of: La Dispute, Breakdowns

Tracklist:

1. The Gate

2. Dead Eyes

3. Blackout

4. Trodden Black

5. The Body Discourse

 6. From The Dust, To The Grave

 7. Still Life In Stop Motion

8. 1629

>> Download << 

 2 NEW TRACKS!

>> Download <<

DEMOS

>> Download << 

Review:

 Fall City Fall from Calgary, Canada are a band that quietly played themselves a quite big fan base over the 4 years of their being. Coming up with a solid sound, which i've never heard before, is this CD a masterpiece and a must have album for every Hardcore fan!

Fall City Fall, created a sound of melodic and aggressive Hardcore, layered with massive breakdowns and great melodic and fast riffing.

Their vocals are kind of special in their own way. Using low metal growls and well sounding Hardcore shouting and also a special way of clean vocals during the verses, that comes near to Jordan Dreyer's voice, from La Dispute.

This band shortly combines the dimensions of Hardcore, Metalcore and a unique and very well fitting Clean voice.

 "1629" offers 8 Tracks of Fall City Fall's ability. It offers great composed heaviness in all the songs, that force to listen to the end!

Check these guys out! 

Here a preview of their music! 

Fall City Fall - Dead Eyes 

  

 

Review #28: Glorified! - Realisations

Album: Realisations

Artist: Glorified!

Year: 2011

Origin: Australia

Genre: Progressive Metalcore

For fans of: The Human Abstract, Textures, Aussie Metal 

Tracklist:

1. Beauty
2. Modern Fortress
3. Control
4. The Light
5. Darkness
6. Purity
7. Failure to Change
8. Realisations

Hit up the band on Facebook, to get the album!

Review:

Australia, is praised with a lot of great Artists around the Metalcore and Hardcore scene, but Glorified! are definitely a few steps further then all of them, what is affected to the genre and the style of the band.

Most of the bands are Newcomers and this band sounds in their "early years" like a professional metal outfit.

Started playing shows in 2010 and released a debut album already on year later, lets us know, this band knows what they want and they do it fucking great!

Glorified!'s debut release is titled "Realisations" and offers the listener 8 pretty sweet composed tracks, that are completely unexpected. 

Using elements from Metalcore and Hardcore and taking a lot of progressions to it, refined with a lot of keys, that could just be a short introduction to the sound of this freshly recognized band.

Modern and classy chug riffs as know from too many bands, that try to sound like Messhuggah just to be "Djent" can be found on this release in a complete different dimension.

Smooth breakdowns followed by keyboard melodies or an progressive guitar lick - this is what you'll find very often, but they all sound different. Pretty rare stuff. The yelling screams and short growls of their signer fit very well, also to not forget the clean parts, that are pretty impressing and give the album kind of a mystic touch. 

The CD can be put into the midtempo section, yet there are many riffs that gain a pretty impressing fast speed.

This release should really be checked out be fans of progressive and many guitar solos, those who like it a bit more melodic, and also by all those fans of aussie metal(core)

Glorified are just at the beginning of their career and their future will be pretty huge!

Realisations is in my opinion a bringer of hope to the metal scene, because there are many ways to not just copy sounds. This band shows that creativity, the will to be different are the key to create an own and unique sound. And this one's solid also. These guys love music and exactly know what they want to do! 

Check out these Dudes!

Check out my favorite songs by them:

Glorified! - Darkness

Glorified! - Realisations

Also listen to their songs on Facebook!

Review #27: Constellations - Failure & Consequences [EP]

Album: Failure & Consequences [EP]

Artist: Constellations

Year: 2011

Origin: Berlin/Germany

Genre: Progressive Metalcore/Hardcore

Tracklist:

1. Failure

2. Consequences

3. The Let-Down

4. For The Worse

5. Holding On

Buy here or in iTunes! 

Review:

Constellations, haling from Berlin, Germany's capital, are a massive addon into the big game called heavy music!

Their 5 track debut EP contains almost everything for a fan of modern progressive Metalcore!

Beginning at the various kind of guitar techniques that are used, such as a lot of fast and clever set sweep licks, between a big load of heavy breakdowns and also used within some catchy guitar solos that are played behind a  a structure of heavy riffs and also used the typical riffing for Metalcore is everything included. They built their songs in a great and catchy structure, what gives a fresh touch into their music!

 The drums are hold fast and contain a lot of double bass lines and short double bass parts to speed up the songs.

A well done opening with the intro song called "Failure" which is a 33 second acoustic riff leading into the opener "Consequences" which starts with a very fast sweep lick. This probably is one of the top notch moments on this sadly too short CD. But for a first release of the band this is an impressing start. Also who knows whats coming up from them, in my opinion these guys have what it takes to be an international act!

Weblinks:

Facebook

Myspace

Merchstore

YouTube

Check out their opener and in my opinion the best song of the EP...

Constellations - Consequences

 Support these awesome Dudes! ♥

Review #26: Teratological Nightmare - Self Titled [EP]

Album: Self Titled [EP]

Artist: Teratological Nightmare

Year: 2011

Origin: USA

Genre: Brutal Death Metal/Technical Death Metal/Grindcore 

Tracklist: 

1. Intro 

 2. Ethereal Being

 3. Mephistophelic Command

 4. Hark! The Utopia Crumbles

 5. Malanxia

 6. Phantasmagoria

 7. Reverting To Extinction

>>Listen and buy here!<< 

Review:

All hail brutality! This is the perfect soundtrack to your nightmares!

Teratological Nightmare are kind of a band that is not for the weak.

The band name's origin is from the Teratology, a word that seems to be an enigma for those who hear it first. 

"Teratology - is the study of abnormalities of physiological development.
In other words, it is the study of birth defects".

But the music of them is anything but an enigma, these guys know what they want to do and they fulfill it to their name - a brew of hellish Brutal Technical Death Metal!

Killing low Death Metal growls accompanied with fast guitar riffs, that have a touch of good old Thrash Metal, this bands slays down their enemies with one sick song after another.

Almost every song is filled with blasting drums and the riffing is kinda rad thrashy, but well fitting to the vocals.

A great point is the low bass, that is pretty good to hear within the songs. This gives an rare sound to all of it! 

An really surprising song is the fifth, entitled "Malanxia". The song is an calm interlude and a perfect opener for the hammering following song "Phantasmagoria", which is leaning back to the calm and slowness of the previous, yet keeping it fast. The song is pretty old school! 

 This band is a real earcandy for Death Metal fans (and also for those, who have listened a lot to it during the past, such as me) 

Check out this extreme composition of bone breaking Death Metal.

Review #25: A Cripple Stole My Leg - Ribbons [EP]

Album: Ribbons [EP]

Artist: A Cripple Stole My Leg

Year: 2010

Origin: Belgium

Genre: Metalcore

Tracklist:

1. It's Allright, The Leg Is Mostly Puss

2. The Carpentry Of Life

3. Less Than Life

4. As A Warrior

5. Freedom Of Speech

6. Shallow Whispers

7. Watching, Waiting And Blooming.

8. Ribbons

Review:

"Fuck fashioncore"

As it's written down on their Facebook, these guys are pretty much setting a kind of an attitude to new and upcoming bands. Though they all don't know about it yet.

This verse is the meaning of creating an own sound as musician or band, what A Cripple Stole My Leg definitely have reached! Instead of copying styles and sounds, because of favoring bands, these guys have accomplished all their creativity to come up with some really fresh and technical and pretty heavy music, leaning onto the actual metal genres, though the members also have their favorite bands and heroes.

Endorsed with an funny sounding name, ACSML have composed a heavy EP of modern metal, which can be rated as general Metalcore, but there is much more behind it, than just Metalcore.

The CD entitled "Ribbons" is a broad spectrum of technical and melodic guitar work, which sound pretty well to the Vocalists singing. 

 As usual for Metalcore, the voice is mainly shouted and screamed. The screams aren't too high and shouldn't be any higher and the shouts end in deeper growls at many parts of the eight songs.

 Variations on the riffs keep the dullness away. The riffs aren't played too long at any part. 

You'll find breakdowns in slow and fast ways and a lot of great technical and fast hooks. Great speed changes and surprising melody kick ins. Definitely a great release for every Metalcore fan.

ACSML have a name, that forces to take a listen, and the crap in the first thought will immediately change to be a fan of this great band!

A lot of fresh ideas, that are new to Metalcore and catchy songs make this a solid release!

Check out these guys! 

A 100% worth it!

Listen to them now!

A Cripple Stole My Leg - As A Warrior

Stay tuned! 

Review #24: With His Blood - Decrepancies

Album: Decrepations [EP]

Artist: With His Blood

Year: 2011

Origin: Tennessee/USA

Genre: Deathcore/Hardcore

For fans of: The Acacia Strain, Oceano, Of Salt And Swine

Tracklist:

1. Discrepancies
2. Cypridophobia
3. Antagonist
4. Burning Bridges
5. Outro

Review:

A giant breakdown!

With His Blood, from Nashville, Tennessee are going to hammer you into the ground.

Deathcore filled with Elements of Hardcore, in the manner of The Acacia Strain, but a little more filthier in the terms of the Deathcore part.

 The songs are generally composed of a lot of breakdowns, and modern hardcore riffing.

Here and there some technical elements to round up the things.

With His Blood set their sound in downtempo breakdowns, that can be used for instant moshing.

The double bass keeps the speed within the breakdowns. Fast and slow to super slow, yet without big breaks as used from Chelsea Grin.

The vocals of Josh are just deep and low growls and shouts, what actually keeps the sound of their songs very brutal. 

This band is definitely worth being checked out, if you are into heavy Deathcore music. Like moshing at home or on concerts and definitely for lovers of breakdown structured songs.

Additionally i am personally not the biggest fan of deathcore, but the Hardcore styled guitar works on this EP are pretty interesting. Also i'm not a fan of scene Deathcore bands, only rarely listening to them, but this band has something unique or a rarely used type of tone, which i really like and recommend to check out!

Give these guys a try and spread the fucking word for them!

Thanks ♥

Hendrik. 

Review #23: Up River - Demo

Album: Demo

Artist: Up River

Year: 2011

Origin: UK

Genre: Melodic Hardcore

Tracklist:

1. Old Friends

2. The Last Lights

3. A Worthless Cause

4. Rough Ground

>> Download <<

Review:

Letting out all the feelings, after releasing the prisoner out of the cage...

This Demo is full of emotions and surely comes from the heart.

Up River, an upcoming act in the Melodic Hardcore scene, unleashes so much energy and potential, unbelievable for a Demotape!

Four songs, running about 12 minutes, that are able to carry away and lead into thinking.

Very clear voice, while screaming out everything from the heart, this is how Alex' vocals are sounding like. 

Calm passages and fast build ups are keeping the interest in listening through all the songs.

Hardcore and punk in a very melodic way, for fans of bands, such as Defeater, More Than Life or Modern Life Is War, just to name some more known bands. 

In my opinion, these songs are addictive and while having the 4 songs on repeat, they are not getting boring after listening a fourth or fifth time to them. Pretty impressing

Another great point to add is, that these guys are lyrically bringing some dramatic, yet up pushing songs!

Music that comes from the heart!

Check them out!

Review #22: Last Remains - The False Concept Of Life

Album: The False Concept Of Life

Artist: Last Remains

Year: 2011

Origin: Bulgaria

Genre: Metalcore/Deathcore

Tracklist:

1. Introduction

2. Sinless War

3. Useless Promises

4. Forgive Them

5. A Day To Change

6. Death's Embrace

7. If I Gave A Shit, You'd Be The First Person I'd Give It To

8. Judgement

9. Between Life And Death

10. Delta "White"

Purchase it by hitting up the band on Facebook!

Review: 

Brutal Bulgarian Bonebreaker Band!

 "The False Concept Of Life", the first release of Last Remains, is a very good example of the existence of good modern metal genres within the area of Russia, Ukraine, Bulgaria and so on.

A first listen to the band, might sound like normal Deathcore, as known from before, but exactly this is the mistake, most people do - listening to a few seconds of a song and then decide if they like it or not.

"The False Concept Of Life" keeps it heavy and brutal from the first second on, straight to the end of track ten.

A brew with a concept behind. The listeners get a heavy load of breakdown based riffs into their ears and after a few listens, they will find out a positive message within the lyrics.

Actually the album contains a lot of surprising moments, which are pretty unexpected for the band, if you don't know them.

As said, the basement riffing contains a lot of breakdowns, which should be at least one positive aspect for breakdown and Deathcore fans.

The riffing is often and mostly followed by a great double bass line, and as usual the tempo is from fast to slow. The riffs are long enough to keep bang the head, without getting of the timing!

Also the album contains a lot of elements, which are usual for the Metalcore genre.

Fast tremolo/speed picking riffs, melodic and simple, yet elegantly placed between the heavy breakdowns.

Another piece that has to be attracted, there are a lot of untypical and original licks between the riffs, kinda melodic and kinda "celestial". Hardcore riffs for moshpits are also included!

Vocally the band keeps it simple with deep and heavy growls. Aggressive screams, yet not high, but well fitting to the music. And at some points there are some quite parts with clean voice waiting. 

My conclusion:

For a band of their area definitely one of the best. This album contains a lot of breakdowns, which aren't only chugs, they are moving between two genres. There will be some Metalcore-Breakdowns and also a lot of Deathcore-Breakdowns.

Last Remains show, that they are brutal enough, to conquer your attention, if you are into heavy music, that is able to blast away the neighborhood. These guys aren't a band just for teens and scenes, they play modern genres and keep it metal. For those who dig Death Metal, this album will also be worth at least a listen!

I would recommend to read the interview i did with these guys too, to learn a bit about them. These guys are a hardworking band, that cares a lot about nice and good reputation and is also there for a talk. Leave them a comment if you visit them at Facebook!

Check them out! 

Review #21: A Vital Message - Distances [EP]

 Album: Distances [EP]

Artist: A Vital Message

Year: 2011

Origin: Florida/USA

Genre: Metalcore/Post-Hardcore

For fans of: Legacy, August Burns Red, Woe Is Me, Memphis May Fire

Tracklist:

1. The Blind

2. 2009

3. Who You Are

4. It's Legal, If It's On Camera

>> Download <<

Review:

 Kickstarter band straight into the skies!

As there are nearly too many bands around, playing Metalcore or Post-Hardcore, many bands sound similar or even same. A Vital Message are a band that truly sound different.

They worked pretty hard on this first EP.

An original sound is definitely there, also pretty catchy riffing.

Starting on the vocals, these guys bring out a clean voice that is really memorizing.

Especially the chorus part in the third song entitled "Who You Are".

The guitar work is pretty technical, yet they kept it sounding like simple riffing.

Typical chord strums and breakdowns keep the rhythm through all tracks. Sophisticating short sweeps and other tricky guitar parts in the songs, make this short yet effective EP a total earcatcher. 

Melodies during choruses and breakdowns as usual for the genre bring some variety also.

My conclusion, definitely worth at least being checked out. If you are into that genre, you will totally dig this stuff! For a newcomer bands these guys have put a lot of time into this and the result can really be shown to the people out there! Such a great effort. Be nice and check these guys out and show some love!

I recommend checking out their song "Who You Are", because it's addictive! At my first listen to the chorus i got stoked, whats behind all their other songs. I really like these guys and finally there is another band sounding different, but also leaning to the scene, so everyone can enjoy their efforts!

Thanks a lot for your attention guys!

Hendrik. ♥ 

Review #20: Rose Maylie - Ambitions [EP]

Album: Ambitions [EP]

Artist: Rose Maylie

Year: 2011

Origin: Indiana/USA

Genre: Metalcore

For fans of: Amarna Reign, Along Came A Spider, Destroy The Runner, Tides Of Virtue

Tracklist:

1. Provisions

2. Convictions

3. Relinquish

4. Ambitions

5. Disheartening

6. Solace

Review:

Old Metalcore is still alive!

 As too many bands jump over into some groovy Djent Metalcore, or just create chugriff songs or even mix up their Genre, there are still some newcomer bands, who play the good old Metalcore, as everything began, such as in the beginning of As I Lay Dying.

Rose Maylie, probably one band, that should be taken as archetype of Metalcore!

A typical name for a good Metalcore band is always mysterious. Rose Maylie, named to the character Rose Fleming Maylie from Charles Dickens' novel 'Oliver Twist'.

These guys actually come up with a pretty refreshing style, that remains to the good old times where Metalcore was new and unexplored.

Catchy riffs, less breakdowns.

Fast alternate picking parts and typical Metalcore riffs, brought together, as i haven't heard them for quite a while.

A pretty good job on the vocals. Straight and aggressive growls and screams, which are still understandable. Here and there is a clean part coming up. 

Musically Rose Maylie deliver a good sound, yet it's similar to many bands. 

In my opinion these guys deserve some good reputation, for being one of the less bands of the genre, who aren't actually mixing up the style. They play their own thing and do it pretty well!

Their EP "Ambitions" is available on iTunes! (Didn't find the link)

Take a listen to them:

Rose Maylie - Ambitions

 Check them out if you are a fan of Metalcore, in the way it was before some years!

Seriously! 

Review #19: Jameson - Down For The Count

Album: Down For The Count

Artist: Jameson

Year: 2008

Origin: California/USA

Genre: Heavy Metal/Groove/Hardcore/Modern

Rating: 5/5 > You MUST check them out!

Tracklist:

1. Insaneoflex

2. Lord Humongous (Greetings From)

3. Blood Of The Queen

4. Seven

5. Get To The Choppah

6. Rocktimus Prime

7. Return To Mexico

8. Fleshbeast

9. Morphium

10. The Boston Tea Party

11. Beat It (Michael Jackson Cover)

Review

"I've never heart something like this before!"

Jameson, should have been much bigger then now.

Offering a unique sound, with putting together so many types of metal , without sounding experimental.

These guys really bring back good old Heavy Metal. More of that, they should be the bringers of metal. 

But actually these guys are more then just a Heavy Metal band...

Jameson sound is heavy. Influenced by the modern and the old metalscene, these guys combine the time line perfectly.

"Down For The Count", the debut album, released in 2008 is a big step forward to many bands in this time.

You'll find a lot of hardcore riffing, breakdowns and a bunch of great guitar solos. 

A lot of riffs to bang the head, one heavier then the other keeps the album being the entertainment system for a whole evening. The vocals of their singer Matt lean on a mixture of sick skirling and gnarly serious screaming. Chimaira's singer could be envy to this guy!

A big highlight are the guitar solos of "Get To The Choppah" and "Rocktimus Prime", which both are pulled into the length. This is pretty impressing. Also the last track, the Michael Jackson Cover is a great tribute to the King Of Pop. These guys master it, writing a nearly own composition of the song "Beat It". They truly beat it. The song is impressing and memorable, also it is recognizable to the original.

These guys truly have their own sound, associated with Hardcore, Nu-metal, Metalcore, and with groovy and heavy luster. For an unsigned band, a band, whose sound remains in the head. Also funny titled songs, make this a great cd.

Another important point, what has to be said, is that the solos start calm and get longer and heavier, also the calm moments on this cd are perfectly positioned.

I ma normally not so much into metal, but this cd is full of haunting moments and melodies. 

You have to check these guys out! 

Seriously! 

Review #18: Drown My Day - Forgotten [EP] + Download

Album: Forgotten [EP]

Artist: Drown My Day

Year: 2010

Origin: Poland 

Genre: Progressive Deathcore

1. Intro

2. Nobody Fucks

3. Interlude

4. Forgotten But Not Forgiven

5. Feel Poisoned

6. Tear The Flesh

>> Download << 

Review:

Music that gives you the killerfeeling!

 Drown My Day are definitely a badn to keep an eye on in the future.

They have had a great start with their first EP. In 2010 they released their second EP entitled "Forgotten" .

This could truly be the soundtrack to a killing spree.

Drown My Day actually have a big fanbase within Poland, but also got mentioned on sites from the United States too.

Forgotten offers Drown My Days fully expanded sound.

Fast and aggressive Deathcore with a lot of catchy parts such as the sweep intro of the song "Forgotten But Not Forgiven".

Deep growls and murderous screams combined with double bass drum lines leading into breakdowns that give you the feeling of stabbing your enemies eyes out. 

Another great highlight is the refrain of song six "Tear The Flesh". The words gonna blow out brains and they stuck in the head for quite a while. To cap it all off, these guys put in some nice electric effects.

Overall this release has so much power and it is just a great Death Metal EP. Too bad that this isn't a album. More songs could really round it off.

In my opinion, Drown My Day have a pretty original style. Their vocals aren't as every Deathcore band, they artfully use deep voices and combine it with a not too high throat. Also there are riffs, that are similar to many bands, so probably nothing for haters of similarity within bands. But these guys cleverly put in their sound into these similarities, which make this a unique cd. Definitely worth a listen. For those who like their Deathcore a bot more technical and artistic and also for those, who like their Death Metal more modern!

Spread the word for these dudes! 

Review #17: Hunting Area Brain County - Ages

Album: Ages
Artist: Hunting Area Brain County
(Facebook | Myspace)
Year: 2010
Origin: Germany
Genre: Deathcore
For fans of:
The Black Dahlia Murder, Whitechapel, Job For A Cowboy, Suicide Silence

Tracklist:
1. Escalator
2. Descendent Of Falseness
3.Blasphemic Incarnation
4. Silberstadt
5. Immune Eyes For The Strenth To Haunt
6. Neo Corruptor
7. On A Sudden Impulse
8. Infinty

>> Download <<

Review:

Hunting Area Brain County are a hardworking band, who never lost any attraction, while expanding their sound.

They have come so far, released at least one EP in a year and they put in so much effort in getting better and producing a high quality sound. They have grown so big during their carrier.

In 2010, they finally pressed their first CD - Ages. 

Ages has 8 songs, contained all the energy and potential of Hunting Area Brain County.

Great melodic riffs, adorned with solos and pretty well build breakbeat riffs, with The Black Dahlia Murder flavor. Technical breakdowns and impressing guitarwork, which could come from the masters hand of Whitechapel or Job For A Cowboy, from such a small band. This release will blow all your expectations. 

The cover artwork pretty shows whats to find on this CD. A heavy and brutal, yet melodic and fresh album of modern Death Metal.

To sweeten the whole thing, these guys came up with a fresh idea. The fourth song, titled "Silberstadt" has german lyrics. This might be interesting for those who like to research on different languages.

Comparing this release with their others, this is surely is my personal favorite. 

I  can really recommend this to all fans of the above named bands!

Hunting Area Brain County offer a well balanced, yet perfect mixture of Melodic and Technical Deathcore/Death Metal. They will definitely get very big, when they go on bringing out such great music.

Review #16: Hound Of Hades - Keeper Of The Gates

Album: Keeper Of The Gates

Artist: Hound Of Hades

Year: 2011

Origin: Arizona/USA

Genre: Death Metal, Melodic Deathcore

For fans of: The Black Dahlia Murder, Woe Of Tyrants, almost everything thats brutal and melodic.

Tracklist:

1. Galton's Theory

2. Mantracker
3. A Blessing, A Curse
4. Lens Of Truth
5. In Loving Memory
6. The Most Dangerous Game
7. Prophecies
8. Keeper Of The Gates

Review:

"Keeper Of The Gates" is a brew of 8 songs that could directly come from hell. 

As the cover speaks for itself, this album seems really much promising. This beast is unleashing hell!

Hound Of Hades' first release may just be a preview of what's coming in their future as band.

From the characteristics of the modern metal and core scene, this album would end really fast in the category Deathcore. But these guys are more then just Deathcore. 

The mixture of heavy breakdowns and mind blowing fast guitar solos makes this release a great modern Death Metal album!

As fast as a blastbeat ends in a breakdown, the breakdown already leads into a great harmonic solo.
Great sweeps and catchy ideas. The riffing is pretty fast, no songs has a slower passage, this album keeps smashing through the music player. 

Hound Of Hades come up with a lot of energy, which will be in evidence from the first song.

The vocals contain every type of brutal voices. Deep and long growls that wish to slit your throat, perverse and fucked up great screams in The Black Dahlia Murder style will also rip the listeners bodies apart. There should be something for everyone, though you're not a fag, because then this is a step to hard for you. So NO clean vocals, as expected. And this has to be!

 The instrumental work from the members is impressing and surprisingly pretty capable. For a first release these guys really show up enormous potential.

All songs are similar to each other. But a band should not change the style that often, and never within one release. Expanding their style and working on themselves, these guys can really grow big. And i wish it for them. For me this album is just a great release and the bands' effort paid itself. One of the less "Deathcore" albums, which is not breakdown-overloaded. I also wouldn't call this Deathcore. Maybe something between, Deathcore, Metalcore, Death Metal and Melodic. They have similarity to The Black Dahlia Murder, and since i have always been a big fan of them, i really dig these guys! Keep it going like this guys!

Support these guys and definitely check them out! ♥