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