Lamb Of God - Strum Und Drang

You One of the greatest Extreme Metal bands, Lamb of God have finally relased their much anticipated VII: Strum Und Drang album. After a long absense and incredible drama after singer Randy Blythes incarceration overseas, Lamb of God have comeback with full force and with one of the best Lamb of God albums.

Featuring guest artists Chino Moreno of Deftones and Greg from Dillinger Escape, this album is by far one of the best releases of 2015, and will be on my top album list at the end of the year. If you are a fan of Lamb of God you will be happy to know that they still keep their signature sound, while delving into more melodic elements. One track in particular has Randy accually singing, and its incredible. Please, if yoir a metal fan, go buy this record NOW

Score: 10/10

Heaviness: 7/10

Thy Art Is Murder - Holy War Review

I'm Thy Art is Murder or as fans like to call them "Thy Art", is one of those bands quickly grabbing the attention of the metal mainstream. Their new Album "Holy War" is a homage to Black Metal, while keeping their signature style, fully intact. 

The new album features some intense guitar riffs and chorus lines that give the band a more mature and stable sound than their previous albums. Each track gets more and more interesting as the album progresses. Seeing TAIM mature into a great deathcore band has been a truly awesome experiance. I suggest checking out this new record as soon as you can. 

Score: 8/10

Heaviness: 8/10

We Butter The Bread With Butter - Weider Geil! Review

Have you ever had a friend tell you "have you ever heard of this band"? Then they show you the band and it sticks with you for awile. Thats how I felt about We Butter The Bread With Butter. This is a truely unique band from the heart of Germany. They have been around for awile now, but have been trying to gain some momentum in the US, and have been doing a good job so far. Their 4th album, which just came out a couple weeks ago is a must listen.

Their extreme use of electronic music is a welcome additive to a energetic european metal sound. The electronic sound is not like most electronicore bands, WBTBWB acually put time in their use of a DJ and it shows in this release. The album is also incredibly heavy. Although each track is in German, i found myself not caring, and thinking back to listening to Rammstein. Defiantly give this album a check. 

Score: 9/10

Heaviness: 8/10

Rockstar Energy Mayhem Festival 2015

With Mayhem Fest only a week away, I decided to do a countdown of the artists playing this festivals, best albums. Mayhem Fest started in 2008 with Slipknot and Disturbed headlining. I have since been to every Mayhem Fest since 2008 (excluding 2009) and am excited to take part in the 2015 festivities. Lets take a look at some of the bands playing, and their best albums.

1) Sworn In - The Death Card

The bands album that catapulted them to major popularity. What can I say, a great release and a well put together album.

2) Feed Her to the Sharks - Fortitude

This might be my favorite album of 2015 as a whole. I cant tell you how amazing this album is as a whole. 

3) Whitechapel - A New Era Of Corruption

With "End of Flesh" one of my favorite Deathcore songs, you cannot go wrong with this solid release. 

4) Jungle Rot - Kill on Command

One of Jungle Rots later albums, but one of their best. The album has a strong Hardcore influence, with intense breakdowns, rarely heard in Death MetaL.

5) Thy Art Is Murder - Hate

One of my favorite bands from down under (besides FHTTS), their most recent release HATE is a great deathcore album which leans more toward a more Death Metal (Cannibal Corpse) sound.

6) Slayer - South Of Heaven

I think a lot of people would agree with me on this choice.

There you have it, some of my favorite albums by bands playing this summer at Mayhem. While this may not be Mayhem's best lineup, you still have some solid bands here that need to be noticed. If you have a few bucks lying around, make sure to check out Mayhem Fest this summer.

Gift Giver - S**tlife: Review

The A new style of metalcore is emerging from the underground and rising to the tops. The genre employs deathcore, hardcore, metalcore, and Post-Hardcore styles. 2 bands have so far made it to "Hot Topic" status. One being the band Sworn In, the other being Gift Giver. 

Gift Giver has not had as mich commerical success as Sworn in but is a great band nonetheless. Their new album entitled Shitlife, is a great album to a new and upcoming style of music. The lyrics (Like Sworn In) have to do with hatred for people and hatred for ones own life. Other than that, the album is straight forward. 

I really enjoyed how unique each song was in this album. While not each song delivers that head banging moment in your head, I still feel that was a solid release for Gift Giver, and with guest appearances by Frankie from Emmure you really cant go wrong.

Score: 8/10

Heaviness: 6/10

The Black Dahlia Murder - Best Albums Countdown

Black Dahlia Murder just announced their new album Abysmal, which drops this fall. I am a huge fan of TBDM, as a matter of fact, they are my favorite metal band of all time. Needless to say, this countdown will be difficult for me. Im going to come to this with a mindset of someone who does not listen to TBDM, and are interested in getting into them. Here are my picks of TBDMs best albums in order from worst (actually really good) to best (actually amazing).

6. Unhollowed

TBDMs first album would have to be their "worst" even though none of their albums are bad. The album has a sound before TBDM found their unique style. 

5: Everblack

The bands most recent album was really good but lacked those catchy songs we all know and love by TBDM

4: Ritual

The album was great in all aspects, but again lacked those catchy memorable tunes. Except Moonlight Equilibrium. A must hear for any metal head.  

3: Miasma

One of TBDMs most heavy albums. This has one of my favorite songs Miasma. 

2: Nocturnal

Possibly TBDM most famous album, which contains some of thier most popular songs. This album is considered the album that put them on the map.

1: Deflorate

The best TBDM album ever. Each song is memorable, and unique. The band could make a sing a long DVD of this album and I would buy it. 

There you have it. These are my top TBDM albums. Keep in mind, each album is great, and deserves all the attention you give the number one spot. This is by far one of the greatest metal bands of all time. If you have not heard them yet, please do yourself a favor, stop what you are doing, and go listen to this  band. 

 

The Acacia Strain - Best Albums Countdown

When one thinks about loved and cherished metal bands of the 2000s, you cant help to think of Killswitch Engage, or All that Remains, or As I Lay Dying, but does anyone ever think of The Acacia Strain? 

The band has been around for well over a decade now, and has gained huge cult following. I guess you can consider The Acacia Strain, the Big Labowski of Metal, or the Starship Troopers of metal. The band has had their share of Okay albums, and amazing albums, and Im here to give you my countdown of Acacia Strain's best albums countdown. 

7: Coma Witch (2014) 

AS latest release is by far their worst, however, that does not make the album bad, as a matter of fact its a pretty interesting album. The lyrics are full of deep meanings and the band chose a more mature approach to their musical style, its just not the AS we know and love.

6: Death is Only Mortal

Lets face it, AS second most recent album is a far cry from their good stuff. The sound of the album sounds as though they were trying to find their niche.

5: The Dead Walk

The album that saw AS move from Hardcore, to a more death Metal and metalcore sound. 

4: ...And Life is very Long

One of AS classics and defiantly a must to listen to, however, not their best.

3: Continent

The album that got AS a ton of new fans and is considered a great AS classic, even if it was only released 8 years ago.

 

2: 3750

The most Hardcore of AS albums and their first unique sound that made me like them in the furst place. A must for any AS fan, or anyone of that matter.

1: Wormwood

My personal Favorite AS album. Each track has a unique sound and a funny track title. This really showcased AS sound. The album is definitely where the band should call home.   

So there you have it, Acacia Strain's best albums from worst to greatest. If you do not know this band yet (you most likely live under a rock) please check them out. If you ever get a chance to see them live, they put on amazing and intense shows. 

Immoralist - Widow EP Review

A new fad has emerged from the Deathcore scene, down-tempo, and its crazy. The whole down-tempo hardcore/deathcore started with Acacia Strain and went on to be shown in many different veteran bands such as Suicide Silence's new album "You Cant Stop Me". Bands such as The Last Ten Seconds Of Life have mastered the sound, and more and more are poping up. one band in particular has gained some speed strictly by their EP, Widow.

The short EP is stained with Djent sounding guitars and lurics that will make you want to go out and commit crimes against humanity. The EP has some pretty intense tracks and is a solid release for the up and coming band, however, I believe the EP tracks sound a bit to a like from one another. Even though the EP is short and shows off some impressive tallent, it looses steam to fast to regain. Check out one of the bands songs, and that will be all that you need, at least until their Full length is released. 

Score: 7/10

Heaviness: 8/10

The Last Ten Seconds Of Life - Soulless Hymns

I have said numerous times, the deathcore scene is saturated with bands. Since Deathcore's incarnation way back in the early 2000s with Despised Icon, the genre has had its share of amazing and amazingly crappy bands. I refuse to name any, however I am not here to pass judgment on those bands. Music is an art form, and if you truly appreciate music, you should respect peoples style. With all that being said, let me introduce you to The Last Ten Seconds Of Life. 

The band has been around for awile, but just recently released their third full legth album. I have not heard in my years of listening to metal, such a deep and musically engaging album. Each track on Soulless Hymns is unique with strong emphasis on lyrical themes. TLTSOL, write songs as if they have been doing it for decades. It seems the band went out and perfected the lyrics before they wrote the actual music. 

Musically, the album hits REALLY hard, and this new down-tempo deathcore is a major welcome to the genre. Each track makes you feel like you are listening to the actual energy perforating from the bands head. This is a must Listen album and might go down as the best metal album of 2015, we will see. 

Score:10/10

Heaviness: 9/10

Veil of Maya - Matriarch Review

A really underrated band in my opinion, Veil of Maya released their 5th studio album this month. After a rough year, losing their Main singer, Veil Of Maya decided to start work on a new album, and out of all honesty, it is one of the best VOM albums out. The album has some amazing instrument work which adds a more progressive side to the once pure deathcore band. The new style is much welcomed in a saturated genre of metal. New singer, Lukas Magyar adds some great harmonies to the still heavy instruments. Think of a mixture of suicide silence, of Mice and Men, and Opeth, on this new album. Each track seems like a new style in its own, leaving you wondering what the next song will have in store. Check out VOMs new album, its well worth your time.

Score: 10/10

Heaviness: 8/10

In Hearts Wake: Skydancer - Review

I listened to In hearts wake when they released their first album. I was blown away by their really mature sound and great breakdowns. However, I thought that this great band would not amount to much, seeing as the metalcore scene is so watered down these days. I stood corrected when the bands 2nd album Skydancer reached #1 on itunes top metal albums. I decided to check out their second album since I loved the first.

Skydancer is a great sophomore release for In hearts wake, mainly because its so memorable. Not just is there intense breakdowns, but the band has some great melodic parts in each song which bring a sort of "beauty" to each track. The lyrics of each song deals with some great world problems, such as sour relationships, suicide, and negativity, making this a really personal release.

If you are a fan of great metalcore, or even a fan of bands such as Devil Wears Prada, or Asking Alexandria, or even Parkway Drive, you will love this release.

Score: 9/10

Heaviness: 7/10

Feed Her to the Sharks - Fortitude: Review

Killswitch Engage, As I Lay Dying, All that Remains, Bleeding Through, Atreyu. When you think of Metalcore you think of the Best of the Best. Unfortunately these bands are on the way off the thrones. Killswitch have changed, As I Lay Dying and Bleeding Through are No more, it seems the metalcore genre is dying. Im offically here as a reviewer to crown one band, as the new king of metalcore, and thats Australia's Feed Her to The Sharks.

Their 3rd album "Fortitude" is prime example of pure metalcore madness.

Each track has uniquness and heaviness not seen since As I Lay Dyings Awakened Album. I was constantly enjoying each teack individually and enjoying every moment of the albums 13 tracks. I encourage all As I Lay Dying, Killswitch, Bleeding Through, All that Remains fans to check out this awesome band, specifically this album. 

Score: 10/10

Heaviness: 8/10

Best Metal Albums of 2014

I was reading a bunch of "best of" lists online and I found that some albums were on the same lists while others were far out albums of bands I have never even heard of. I did everyone a favor and listened to most of these albums to bring you MY best of 2014.  

Emmure - Eternal Enemies. 

While Emmure's albums have fluctuated in quality over the years, I was highly impressed with their latest release, which was a hard hitting "break everything in the vicinity" album

Mastodon - Once More Round the Sun

While Mastodon might be my least favorite metal band, they did release such a good record that even non metal fans would fall in love with. 

Behemoth - The Satanist 

I have to admit, I refused to Listen to about 4 songs off this album. It targets only Christianity, and the lyrics get dull VERY fast, and its not because I am a Christian, its because, don't Behemoth have anything else to sing about besides bashing Christianity? I mean can you have a few songs about vikings and medieval stuff for once? With that being said, this is one of Behemoth's best albums, and is one of their heaviest to date. Lyrics aside, I enjoyed this release.  

Caliban - Ghost Empire

One of my favorite German bands, Caliban relased a great album this year. Most metal sites skipped right over these seniors of the metalcore scene. This was a great well put together album that deserved at least a nod. 

Benighted - Carnivore Sublime

I am not a big fan of pig squeal vocals, but Benighted can be my exception. They have truly out done themselves with this great Death metal / Death Grind release. Again, no metal site acknowledged them. 

I Killed the Prom Queen - Beloved

My personal favorite album of 2014. IKTPQ has proven to be one of the best most under-appreciated metal acts. Their return album Beloved flew under the radar, but should be a album EVERY metalhead should own.

Demon Hunter - Extremist

Demon Hunter has become a well respected Christian metal act. They have played with numerous secular acts and have even collaborated with Killswitch Engage. Their 7th release "Extremist"  

had some heavy and catchy tracks, littered with all that Demon Hunter sound you know and love.

Devil You Know - Beauty of Destruction

Speaking of Killswitch, Howard formed his own band, who released their debut album this year. The album has some catchy tracks and is a good taste of what is yet to come. 

Aborted - The Necrotic Manifesto

One of my favorite death metal acts, Aborted, also released an amazing album this year. The record has some intense tracks they almost make your nose bleed.

Misery Index - The Killing Gods

What can I say, Misery Index is amazing. A lot of people do not know this band. This album, is the exact reason why you should know Misery Index

Vader - Tibi Et Ingi

While we're on the death metal kick, Vader released an awesome album this year as well. The albums hits Hard and is sure to entertain the most hardcore death metal fans.  

Goatwhore - Constructing Rage of the Merciless

Another good death metal release of 2014. Man, this must be a death metal year. While Goatwhore adds a sprinkle of Black metal into their songs, this album is sure to impress.

As Blood Runs Black - Ground Zero

Took ABRB a long time and a good amount of drama to release their final full length album. Still, the only band to be considered "melodic deathcore" and for a good reason, Only ABRB can pull it off with such style.

Darkest Hour - Darkest Hour

Darkest Hour has been around for a century or two (thats a joke obviously) their new album was REALLY good and did not get any recognition, but should be on the top of any best of 2014 list.

Obituary - Inked in Blood

Yet another Death metal album that was amazing. Obituary came out somewhere in the 1700's and are considered one of the masters of the genre, and their 2014 album certainly showed off what they are made of. 

Saving Grace - The Urgency 

A magnificent release by New Zealands best metal act. The album is crazy heavy and each track gets better and better. What more can you want from a album?

Fallujah - The Flesh Prevails

Like my review said, beautiful should never be used to describe a death metal album, but it works perfectly to describe the Bay Areas Fallujah's lastest release. 

For Today - Fight the Silence

With Metalcore on the decline, its hard to find bands that really stand out. However For Today have more than shown us that they have what it takes to stand with the greatest such as August Burns Red, Unearth and Killswitch Engage. Their 2014 album "fight the silence" shows just how good they can be.

Exodus - Blood in Blood Out

Anyone want Exodus to replace Anthrax on the big 4 lineup? No offense to Anthrax, but Exodus is a amazing band who deserves the title. Their new album is one of the best Thrash Metal relases of the decade. 

Unearth - Watchers Of Rule

Like I said, metalcore has been on the decline over the years, but Unearth show us that it will never fade away. Their new album shows us that the one of the originators of the metalcore genre still have what it takes to stay on top.

Machine Head - Bloodstone & Diamonds

Easily the best album of 2014. Sad thing is Machine Head flew under the radar with this one causing it to be the most over looked album of 2014. Please everyone go listen to this record...like NOW

Well, there it is MY best of 2014 list. These albums are all good and definatly should not be skipped over. As we have learned, 2014 was the year for death metal. So sit back, put on some Beats by Dre and listen to some good old Obituary. 

 

   

 

  

Slipknot: .5 The Gray Chapter - Review

Its been 6 years since slipknot has released new original material. Its been almost 10 years since Tool has released anything but thats a different blog. Anyway, it was worth the wait for slipknot. Their new album .5 the Gray chapter (a homage to deceased band memeber Paul Gray) is a well put together album. You can tell that slipknot really cares about their fans and their music. The whole album is littered with catchy slipknot songs you know and love. Slipknots new lineup is also a great addition. The "new" slipknot sound more heavier than ever. This new album is easily going to be one of the best albums of 2014.

Score: 8/10

Heaviness: 5-6/10

My First Audio Podcast. Official Episode 1

Check Out my first Audio podcast here:

and be sure to check out all the bands i have shown in the podcast. They are available on Amazon.com or Itunes.

By the way, since it is my first Audio Podcast, I do sound a bit boring, but be sure, i am Excited



Exotype


Kingdom of Giants


A Body Divided



Beyond Creation




Blinded Colony

MTLRadioBlog: episode 1

Welcome to my new Radio Blog. I Guess you can call it a podcast or whatever you wish. This is the first episode so I thought id start out with some good Metalcore bands that i have found around the internet. 

First lets start out with a awesome band I found. I reviewed their album and gave it a REALLY high score. These guys have some serious talent. This is While The Heart Becomes from Mexico

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=00f_BHhIlZE

Their stuff is yet to be available to purchase (at the time of this blog) but you can losten to their whole album on Youtube. Hopefully these guys make it because they have a chance to bring Metalcore back to its roots

Next we have a Aussie band. These guys  are amazing. They have yet to make it to the US to do any shows but heres hoping. This is In Hearts Wake and their song "Traveller" 

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=EV4U_gmUkH8

You can find In Hearts Wake's stuff on iTunes and Amazon

These guys are from good ol' Facedown records. I am thinking of doing a complete show on Facedown's wondeful library of bands. But for now lets check out Altars 

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=zzHJpwX-Llg

You can purchase Altars new album on iTunes and Amazon  

Alright, now we move to another new Metalcore act, hailing from the UK, this is Heaven Asunder and their song "Sevenate"

 https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=E5u5jTr3V3s

Hope your enjoying these awseome songs hand picked by none other than... Well... Me. Next up is a metalcore/Electronic band from Japan. Japanese metalcore is extrmly rare and although there are numerous Japanese metal bands (also known as J-Metal) there is rarely bands who fuse the elemental Hardcore punk into the mix. Here is Crossfaith and their song "Monolith"

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Yu1CgWt26VI

Great band. Now you can pick up Crossfaith's three awesome albums on itunes and Amazon as well as Heaven Asunders

 We have another Facedown Records band here. They really do have some great bands, and I think i might do a blog on strictly their record Label, but until then, heres We The Gathered

 https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=rLKT7_3Fcf4

You can check out Facedown records great lineup on their website at Facedownrecords.com as well as get their awesome sampler with great bands included on it.

Next we have one of my favorite bands in the genre. These guys have some extreme talent, however, have yet to tour the good ol' USA. Here is Confession 

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=eMXvY15lqHI

Well we have come to the end of my first radio blog. Hope you enjoyed it. I have one more band to show you and they are a great band at that. Hailing from the Swiss alps (or maybe not the mountain part, but thr city parts) this is Breakdown of Sanity 

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=klUkjwhISF0

Metal Blog Radio station

I will be starting a blog radio station. I believe it will be the first of its kind. Im hoping that it will bring new and upcoming artists to the masses. Twice a week (im going to try) and make a blog with numerous songs and music videos which you can watch and listen to whenever you wish. 

I introduce to you MTLRadioBlog

All blogs do contain copywrited material. I do not profit AT ALL from posting these. I merely deliver good music to people that want to hear and explore. Tracks can be purchased and downloaded Via iTunes, or other sources. Please support the artist and Purchase their material. 

10 Best Black Metal Bands of All Time (As chosen by a Christian)

Well like the title says, im going to run down the best Black Metal bands. Now, before i start, everyone who reads my blog knows that I am a Christian, and most of these bands are "evil" in a sense and have engaged in activities that are against my beliefs. However, i am solely choosing these top 10 bands for their sound and how well they hold up through time. So, without further ado , here are my top 10 best Black Metal bands of all time. 

10: Carpathian Forest 

Although they use that stupid "Rough cut" sound, I believe these guys have talent and if you can get passed that all to familiar " Recorded with a 10 dollar yape recorder" than you will find a sort of diamond in the rough with these guys.

9: Judas Iscariot

One of the only known American Black metal bands, these guys have some talent that sound like the snowy mountains of Norway

8: 1349

A truly good BM band who has not recieved nearly enough popularity (if you can call it that) as they deserve. 1349 is one of those bands who should be among the top 10 in all BM lists but sadly are looked over. 

7: Antestor 

A Norweigion Christian BM band who is loved by Christians and Satanists alike. They were even produced by Norwegian BM legends Immortal

6: Mayhem

Although I will not hear the end of it for putting these guys so far up on my list, I believe they are not the best. Sure they have been around forever and a day but they are certainly not the best. Although that does not mean these guys do not have talent, I mean what other band do you know puts their Friends Suicide picture as their album cover?

5: Old mans Child

One of the first BM bands who thought, "wow this recording with a childrens winnie the pooh recorder is kind of retarded" these guys released some amazing tracks that definatly stand the trials of time, and is easily one of the best BM bands

4: Emporer

Another band who thought Dollar store recorders to record full 60 minuete albums was stupid. These guys have not released a album for awile, but still have some of the best BM sounds out of the 100,000 BM bands out there. 

3: Watain

Had to put the kings of nasty on here. I mean these guys bury their clothes for years at a time, then wear them in order to smell like the stenches of hell. Aside from their weirdness, they are a really talented BM band

2: Gorgorath 

One of the original Norweigion BM bands, these guys have had an amazing run and their sound is as heavy as the next Band, and can easily be one of the best. 

1: Immortal

Not only my favorite BM band, they are easily the best. They have stayed true to BM genre without straying from the path. The best part about these guys is the fact that they seperated themselves from the Norweigion Church burings and other anti christian acts which still curse many BM bands to this day. They decided to put their minds to the music rather than the look and fads of BM. Hats off to these talented guys 

Well there you have it, the best BM bands of all time. Now I know i didnt include good Ol' Dark Throne, or Burzum, or Bathory or even the Originators Venom, but in all honesty, those bands all changed from BM to another genre. Dark Throne left the BM scene to be a more punk oriented band. Burzum (Varg) became more of electonic ambiant music. Bathory went the Amon Amarth way and went toward melodic viking metal, and Venom went straight to thrash heavy metal. Sure they had a major impact of the genre but they did not stay and eventually said screw it, and left their metal genre behind.