Breakdown of Sanity - Perception Review

I found this band on Lastfm, i believe i was looking up Caliban or anyother european metalcore band, and these guys came up. I listened to them on itunes and was immediatly hooked. These guys have so much talent and unique feel. If you have not heard of them, please start off listening to their previous albums.

Perception, is the bands 3rd album, and staying true to what they started, this album is all around good fun. From the intense breakdowns, to the anger fueld vocals, BOS adds yet another good album to their roster, and i am impressed. 

All tracks have pure heaviness, and once you think its calming down (With the track "hero") it immediatly picks up the heaviness. Great new album from an already great band

Score: 9/10

Heaviness: 8/10

The Devil Wears Prada: 8:18 Review

TDWP has come a. Long way since their first album in 2006. They came on into the metalcore genre right around the time it was picking up. With bands like As I Lay Dying and Killswitch Engage gaining popularity around this time, it was inevitable, a band from Ohio would make its way in. 

TDWP new album 8:18 takes some of the flaws that their previous album (Dead Throne) and totally erases them. Their last album lacked creativity and felt rushed, but 8:18 seems like TDWP best album yet, and shows how TDWP has matured as a band. With intense breakdowns as well as their signature melodic parts, the new albun is a welcome to the bands already successful discography. I enjoyed listening to this album not only for the heaviness, but for the slow melodic parts as well. If you are a fan of TDWP this is a must own CD. Even if you are not, the album will sure try and make you a fan.

Score: 9/10

Heaviness: 7/10

Examples of Punk/Hardcore seen through Death Metal

So I was listening to some death metal today and heard a song by mu favorite Death metal band, Dying Fetus. Noticing that they incorporate many features of punk into their extreme genre of death metal. This begged the question, how many more bands use this Death Metal with hardcore undertones. The answer, not many. Looking through my albums on my ipod, i could literally only find four.

Jungle Rot, they are a really good death metal act. Most of their songs have insane hardcore breakdowns as well as quick fast paced guitar riffs.

Skinless, another good death metal band. They only have a few albums but most of them have good hardcore breakdowns. 

Dying Fetus, the band which you can see a heavy influence of hatdcore punk in. The band has breakdowns in almost all their songs as well as distorted, fast paced guitar riffs

Aborted, these guys have very few hardcore influenced songs, but none the less, they do have some hardcore breakdowns as well as their singing which has some glimpses of hardcore influence as well.

There should be more band throwing in subtle hardcore elements into the death metal genre. Not so much that it becomes deathcore, but just enough to say "wow is that hardcore i hear"

  

While the Heart Becomes - The Sinking Review

Not many bands that come from Mexico make it that far. I mean aside from the underground cult following of the death metal act Brujeria. However, im here to tell you about an up and coming metalcore band called While the Heart Becomes. These guys need to be watched out for. Their first album "The sinking" to me, brings back pure metalcore with no electronic, progressive, death metal, or whatever metalcore bands throw in now a days, in their music. This album is amazing and there is a glistening whisper of Old style Killswitch Engage (with Howard) and All that Remains. Please go check these guys out.

Score: 10/10

Heaviness: 8/10

Saving Grace - The Urgency Review

Let me start off by saying I love saving grace. They do not nearly get enough publicity and respect as they should. I believe that Australia has mastered the metalcore genre in my opion. Listening to their new album "The Urgency" i expected their usual combination of hardcore punk and metalcore, and of course i was not disappointed. The new album seems more mature than their last, and has some heavy tracks. I love how they are so professional in their music and this new album shows it. All tracks are as good as the last. This is a great new album by a band that needs more light shined on them.

Score: 9.5/10

Heaviness: 8/10

 

White Metal Contradiction: Being Christian and Being into Metal

In my previous posts you have seen how metal has been extremly Anti Christian. Metal is a known genre to include satanic and occult imagery. This is how metal has been since the 70s with Black Sabbath, and the occult and Led Zeppelin with Jummy Page delving into the occult. Then came the openly satanic black metal genre. Its safe to say metal has become notorious for being devilish, and rightfully so. 

Some might say if you are a Christian, "why do you listen to devil music?" Or "God does not like you listening to that stuff". Its difficult to juggle enjoying metal, and your beliefs. I am here to explain that you should NEVER compromise your relationship with God for anything. The bible says to Love God with everything you have (Mark 12:30). The verse says it all, never let anything interfere with you and God. 

Now, enjoying metal music can be difficult wit that in mind. The way i see it, if you are a christian and enjoy bands such as Suicide Silence, or Cannibal Corpse, then you should not take in to consideration, ANY of the lyrics and simply enjoy the sound. Most metal heads do not listen to metal for the lyrics so, its easier for them. However, some lyrics can be contradiction to your beliefs such as Suicide Silence song "Unanswered" where the lyrics state "Where is your God" and can be heard pretty clear. To these songs, I would avoid. Its hard to tell metalhead Christian's to pick abd choose songs, but it helps in the long run. I choose to listen to Suicide Silence albums but i never look at the lyrics of most of them, in fear of hearing more disrespect towards God. Thats why i pick and choose songs. If i hear most of the album bashing God, i will not Listen to it. I believe that you CAN be a chistian and enjoy all types of metal, just has respect for God first and foremost and avoid songs (ot bands) who are blatantly against God. 

If you are a Christian and enjoy Black Metal, then it can be twice as difficult. There are many good black metal bands who I will not listen to a lot, due to their God bashing. Bands such as 1349, Dark Funeral, Behemoth, Dimmu Borgir, and Watain, have amazingly good albums but all of these bands are known to be satanic. My favorite Black metal band, and in my opinion, the best is Immortal. Although they are not by any means christian, they tend to stay away from satanic themes in their music. 

Christian alternative... 

Now, if you do not want to delve into any part of the secular metal scene, then there are some AMAZING christian oriented (or christian all together) bands out there. Christian Metal has had a boom in popularity for the past 7 years and is only getting more popular. I would suggest if your a new metal head to listen to chriatian metal or positive metal before you venture into the darkness. Remember to always keep Christ in your heart and any bad influence out. Thats how I can be a Christian and be into metal.

Here are some bands I would stay away from if you are a Christian Metal Head

Deicide 

Dark Funeral

Behemoth

Dimmu Borgir

Mayhem

Vital Remains

Goatwhore

Aeon

Skeletonwitch

Possessed

As well as the bands with obscene names which i will not discuss.

Remember that God always comes first. Never give up your beliefs for anything and as always HEADBANG 

Dynasty - Beyond Measure Review

Hardcore has been, to me, one of the most intense genres of music. You got its violent roots cemented in Black Flag, and its less violent counterparts, christian hardcore. Being a christian myself, I enjoy seeing my fellow believers express themselves in good music. Facedown records has seen its share of amazing bands that have come and gone but one newer band (formed in 2005) stood out to me. 

Hailing from Los Angeles, Dynasty came up with an amazing EP which took old style hardcore roots and fused them with todays. Listening to thier first album, i was eager to hear more. Their newest album "Beyond Measure" was a great addition to a noteworthy band. If you are into hardcore, or love hardcore but do not like all the new bands, then listen to these guys. In all the tracks you can hear remnants of old school hardcore with a new twist. Although the album may loose its speed on some tracks, this is a all around awesome album.

Score: 8/10

Heaviness: 7/10

  

Whitechapel - Self-Titled Album Review

I decided to head back a little bit to 2012 and review this album. Being a fan of whitechapel, i was eager to see what energy their new album had. I was not disappointed. Although they steer away from the whitechapel of the old, they do have the same feel and tone. I enjoyed this album. It had a healthy mix of not only their usual deathcore, but also metalcore, death metal and even some good hardcore breakdowns. Although a couple tracks seemed out, overall it was a good release. All whitechapel fans who think their new stuff sucks, needs to listen to this album and understand that they are a evolving and maturing band

Score: 8/10

Heaviness: 10/10