More crazy Canadian metal! DERELICT for the kill!

DERELICT - Unspoken Words (2010)
Year Of The Sun
Written by: Matt Haines (c) 

I had no knowledge of DERELICT beforehand. After looking through I found what metal was really about, moderate breakdowns, guitar onslaught, and medieval vocals to match. Not saying that DERELICT stands out above every other metal band, but it’s nice to hear a band going straight to the roots of where metal started out. Granted Unspoken Words has good aspects but it also has some negative ones. Now no album can be absolutely perfect down to the last detail but that is easily over-looked. This four-piece entourage hails from Canada and brings a viscous force along with them. The Canadian invasion has begun and hopefully with a bit of luck, DERELICT can come out and surprise many with Unspoken Words.


First off, not knowing what DERELICT sounds like I wasn’t exactly sure what to expect when the first track played. It was something that hasn’t been heard from a modern metal band in some time. A metal band playing actual metal, it felt like something new to me. Hearing all of these bands now a day playing nothing but breakdown, chug, gang vocals, it was a refreshing change. So the first track "Machete" really helped set the tone for the rest of the album. While listening to this I kept my attention on the vocalist, Eric Burnet. His vocals reminded me of a young Trevor from Black Dahlia Murder back in the days of Unhallowed. Me being an advent BDM fan, found this strangely appealing.

As Unspoken Words progresses it keeps up with the same tempo and unrelentless progressiveness. I’m listening to the album thinking, “Dang these guys are actually keeping my attention, and I have to listen to more.” This album is good; I mean really good, its very diverse and helps spread out the attention across the spectrum. For example in the song "Unspoken Words Part 1: Demonized", everything is defined and clear to understand, none of that slushy, crunched together sound that most bands have because they want to speed through a song to play as fast as possible. All the transitions are smooth, unique, and clear to understand. They even use old tricks that bands never use anymore, like; cymbal holds, counteracting melodies, and a bass guitar you can actually hear! Crazy I know.

But with every good album there are little nit-picky aspects that I noticed. In some songs there is a bit repetitive guitar work that gets old after hearing it for the third time in a minute. In the 42 second song; "Unspoken Words Part 0: Ripe With Martyrs", it’s nothing but static which really offset the mood for me. I mean here is this album that is great and consistent, but this song just totally stole away from the mood. The vocalist has little range to help expand the album to the fullest limits and capabilities that he can use. So with that said the negative aspects of this album are nowhere near close to outweighing the positives of Unspoken Words. It’s a great album that everyone needs to own, so go out and buy it and check them out on tour currently.

Check out DERELICT’s music video for “Machette” and check out their crazy intensity!


((( Headbang here: http://www.myspace.com/derelictmetal )))

ANVIL + LIVE NATION bring us the METAL ON METAL!

Written by: Alex Gilbert

Heavy metal legends ANVIL and concert producing giants LIVE NATION have teamed up for one of the coolest giveaways around! The giveaway is pretty self explanatory where fans must tell why they are ANVIL’s #1 fan, and why you want to take all your friends to an ANVIL concert. The prize is 11 tickets to an ANVIL show of your choice! Sorry youngins, you must be 18+ to enter. Being a longtime fan myself as well as being over 18 years old, I’m rushing over to sign up for my chance to win (you should all sign up, too!) Boy oh boy I hope I win, but of course I’m happy for whoever wins. Anyways, you can enter to win here – contest ends Feb 7, 2010 @ 11:59 (PST) so hurry: http://www.facebook.com/LiveNation?v=app_48008362724. Thanks LIVE NATION!

Now some love for the band. ANVIL has created the best music documentary of 2009 called Anvil! The Story of Anvil and it could be the best music documentary ever. It’s too bad they didn’t get as big as they deserved, pioneering such a fast and aggressive heavy metal sound that many people/bands take for granite. Now the metal monsters seem to be getting more of the exposure they deserved in the first place, and the movie has definitely helped boost ANVIL into their long awaited stardom. ANVIL’s metal is classic, and if you’ve known this all along or just learned this recently, you know that ANVIL are true icons in metal culture.

Check out the trailer for Anvil! The Story of Anvil and if you haven't seen this brilliant documentary, watch the trailer and that should be enough to suck you in.

((( Headbang here: http://www.myspace.com/anvilmetal )))

((( Headbang here: http://www.livenation.com/ )))

Exclusive interview with UK metallers, THE EYES OF A TRAITOR

Recently, HeadbangHere.net rebel Matt Haines got the chance to interview Stephen Whitworth, one of the guitarists in the lightning UK metal act, THE EYES OF A TRAITOR, who in 2009 put out a damn fine album via our buddies Listenable Records with A Clear Perception. Take a look into Matt’s here exclusive interview and grab an even clearer perception into the band. They’ve been turning a lot of heads lately, so if you are still unfamiliar with the band, make sure you check them out now!


Matt: How does it feel to be on a global label with some of the finest European bands?

Steve: Feels great especially our pals in Gojira, we are pretty stoked to release the next album, its all fully written, so we can't wait to get it out there.

Matt: A Clear Perception has a completely different sound and feel than By Sunset, how was the writing process that lead to such a well-rounded album to get the sound?

Steve: Thanks very much! It was all written very individually, with members adding to stuff on their own, at their computers. It's a process we've tried to get away from with this album, this one is much more organic and written together.

Matt: What are some of the influences that helped the writing process and > development of A Clear Perception?

Steve: I wouldn't count there being many conscious influences on the album, it's not something we like to get involved with. Sounds cheesy, but we just played what came out, and then refined it with each members input.

Matt: Each show you guys play has some of the most intensity that has been brought to the music scene. How does it feel to know seeing kids sing every song and mosh as hard as they can to your music?

Steve: Our live show is the aspect that we enjoy the most, it's what being in a band is all about, and why we started it. Seeing kids go crazy to it is the best feeling, and there’s no better feeling than walking away from an awesome show.

Matt: A Clear Perception came out in early February, what will the new music have in store that will keep your dedicated fans loving every minute of it?

Steve: The album was delayed quite a bit due to reasons out of our control which sucked, but eventually it came out. We are pretty proud with how it did. We are going into the studio 1st of February to record the next one. Trust me, it's awesome. It's more mature, heavier with better structures. Haha.

Matt: You guys are ready to embark on the Santa Slaughter Tour all over the UK, when can we expect a complete U.S. domination tour in the future?

Steve: We've actually finished that tour now. It was awesome, make sure you go check the guys in YOUR DEMISE who are about to hit your fine country with The Ghost Inside. Hopefully it will be soon, we'd love to, but there aren’t any promises!

Matt: You guys have received a bunch of criticism from numerous people, magazines, online sites, etc. that you guys are too young for the scene, but in return you showed that you aren’t afraid and completely dominated UK metal charts and American charts. How does this make you feel in a sense of accomplishment?

Steve: Like I said earlier, we are pretty proud with how we did on the CD. It was definitely a great feeling, knowing that we'd sold quite a bunch, and made a load of new fans. We just can't wait for people to hear the next one!


Check out THE EYES OF A TRAITOR play their song “Echoes” off of their 2009 Listenable Records release, A Clear Perception, and check out their intensity on stage!


((( Headbang here: http://www.myspace.com/theeyesofatraitor )))

Welcome to HeadbangHere.net!!

Hello, all. We've finally got a new domain name, which we are now the almighty HeadbangHere.net. It just seemed right to change it to the tagline that we use pretty much everywhere. Don't worry, it will still be run by the same sexy manly metal men that you know so well (Alex, Tanner, Matt), and we all look forward to sharing a great 2010 with you.

Publicists, no need to worry. All the links from this website we've sent to you in the past will automatically re-format to the new domain, while keeping the same killer content. And to our brothers in metal (a.k.a. blogroll), if you could please change our link exchanges accordingly to the name "HeadbangHere.net", we'd really appreciate it.

So no more [http://www.allaboutthemusic24.blogspot.com] or in other words too long to type, but this is still the place to headbang here. On the subject of the ol' blogspot, a good bunch of you have asked me why there was a 24 in the url. Why?? It's my lucky number, but that's not the real reason. It's because KOBE BRYANT is the best basketball player ever, on the best basketball team ever, which is the LOS ANGELES LAKERS. Also veeeery coincidentally each year I've played basketball (about every year until college), I seemed to always have the number 8 or 24, and you know when you were a young buck that pretty much the coach tossed a random jersey your way and that was that. Well that must have been a sign, because we are like KOBE BRYANT and the LA LAKERS, CHAMPIONS, or just blog champions I guess.

We thank you all once again for such a great 2009, and we'll see you all soon.  Now it's time for me to dunk on some fools.

((( Headbang here: http://www.nba.com/lakers )))

((( Headbang here: http://www.headbanghere.net/ )))

THE BINARY CODE is kickin some prog ass!!

THE BINARY CODE - Suspension of Disbelief (2009)
Unsigned
Written by: Tanner Fisher ©

Why would no record label sign these guys? It seems crazy to me that our buddies at Metalsucks.net had no choice but to help the band by digitally releasing this album. If MetalSucks believes in a band this much, you better take notice. It seems preposterous that bands like Attack Attack! and Brokencyde can easily get signed, and quality bands such as THE BINARY CODE can’t. While I know these aforementioned bands confusingly have a huge fanbase, it still seems like with the Sumeriancore explosion going on right now that a record label wouldn’t hop on this band. (For those who don’t know, Sumeriancore is progressive technical death metal, named after the musical trend of many Sumerian Records artists).

While I won’t say that THE BINARY CODE is exclusively Sumeriancore, I’ll say they take that sound, and adding more odd polyrhythmic patterns, and using a little more experimentation than say, Veil of Maya or Circle of Contempt. Track three, titled, “Mechanical Seas” sounds, I would even argue takes the Sumeriancore sound, and combines it with a sound similar to The Number 12 Looks Like You. This track sticks out from the pack, because it lacks “beef” to the sound, while the other ones pack more of a punch. This a great track, but it seems somewhat out of place. “Void I” is an intermission track, to break up the noise, but instead of using any cliché means of doing so (electronic sounds, etc.), this track is two minutes and forty-eight seconds of straight up jazz, with a little progressive flavor. This track definitely shows that the band is multifaceted, and they have musical knowledge beyond what is popular in today’s metal scene. “The Story” combines the Born of Osiris choppiness with hints of The Faceless. This by far my favorite track off of Suspension of Disbelief. The rhythm of the song is odd, yet so catchy, and they get it just right. They use some spoken word passages that The Faceless, and newcomers Periphery utilize as well. At around the 3:15 mark, the song gets all ambient and jazzy, just to get violently interrupted by a shriek of a madman. The song concludes with an epiphany of sounds, and it truly the accomplished piece the band has put out to date. Following the highlight track “Awaiting Necropolis”, “Void II” ends the album on a soft note. This wonderfully eerie and ambient track is a perfect way to end this noisy beast of a record. The song beautifully vanishes into the mist, and the listener is left feeling satisfied.

This album is quite the accomplishment for a new band. On the other hand, it seems like they have many influences, and they still need to learn to perfectly blend them together to make their own sound. That is but a small criticism in comparison to what they did right. Suspension of Disbelief is a fantastic debut album, and I bet Sumerian Records are scrambling to sign these guys right now.

Check out THE BINARY CODE play “Suspension Of Disbelief” and then move into “The Story”. Sick footage was shot by our homies in Metal Injection.


((( Headbang here: http://www.myspace.com/thebinarycodenj )))

Catch THE BINARY CODE on the METAL AS ART Tour with Hypno5e and Revocation!! You better do it!! Our sexy asses (Tanner, Matt, Alex) will be at The Hayloft date on Sat, Jan 10th, so mark your calendar and come buy us lots and lots of drinks!



Wednesday, January 6 - Brooklyn, NY @ Knitting Factory
Thursday, January 7 - Allentown, PA @ Crocodile Rock
Friday, January 8 - Buffalo, NY @ Broadway Joe’s
Saturday, January 9 - Akron, OH @ Annabell’s Bar and Lounge – FREE
Sunday, January 10 - Mt. Clemons, MI @ Hayloft
Monday, January 11 - Chicago, IL @ Empty Bottle – FREE
Tuesday, January 12 - St. Louis, MO @ Fubar (w/ LYE BY MISTAKE)
Wednesday, January 13 - Fayetteville, AR @ George’s Majestic Lounge
Thursday, January 14 - Oklahoma City, OK @ Conservatory
Friday, January 15 - Dallas, TX @ The Lounge on Elm
Saturday, January 16 - San Antonio, TX @ Zombies
Sunday, January 17 - Austin, TX @ TBA
Monday, January 18 - Amarillo, TX @ War Legion
Tuesday, January 19 - Gallup, NM @ Juggernaut
January 20 - TBA
Thursday, January 21 - Los Angeles, CA @ Cobalt Cafe
Friday, January 22 - Ramona, CA @ Ramona Mainstage
Saturday, January 23 - Santa Cruz, CA @ The Parish
Sunday, January 24 - Sparks, NV @ New Oasis
Monday, January 25 - Portland, OR @ Ash Street Saloon
Tuesday, January 26 - Seattle, WA @ Studio Seven
Wednesday, January 27 - Spokane, WA @ The Cretin Hop
Thursday, January 28 - Boise, ID @ Gusto’s Bar
Friday, January 29 - Salt Lake City, UT @ The Outer Rim (w/ GAZA)
Saturday, January 30 - Denver, CO @ Lion’s Lair
Sunday, January 31 - Lawrence, KS @ Replay Lounge
Monday, February 1 - Des Moines, IA @ Vaudeville Mews
Tuesday, February 2 - Kansas City, MO @ Riot Room
Wednesday, February 3 - Nashville, TN @ The Muse
Thursday, February 4 - Cincinnati, OH @ Dirty Jacks
Friday, February 5 - Baltimore, MD @ Sidebar
Saturday, February 6 - Trenton, NJ @ The Championship

REIGN SUPREME tests the limits of Infinite!

Reign Supreme - Testing the Limits of Infinite (2009)
Deathwish Inc.
Written by: Tanner Fisher ©

Jacob Bannon is a musical genius. If any hardcore fan disagrees with this statement, then they clearly just don’t get it. He has influenced so many in his band, Converge, and with his record label, Deathwish, Inc. he exclusively releases hardcore that tops all the competition. REIGN SUPREME is one of these up-and-coming hardcore bands that Mr. Bannon has his hands on.

The band plays their own brand of modern hardcore. No clean singing. No choruses. Just total destruction from beginning to end.

It seems pointless to point out highlight tracks, considering that the album flows together, and it plays like one colossal, cohesive piece of music, but I feel compelled to do so anyway. Track four, title “Apostle” just seems like the perfect hardcore song. Fast? Check. Gang vocals? Check. Earth shattering breakdowns? Oh hell yes. In fact the build up the final breakdown should be captured and put in a steel cage, so little hardcore children can walk up to it in a hardcore museum, and stare at it with amazement. Hardcore wannabes take note. This is how you do hardcore.

“And Come What May” is a song that slightly switches up the style towards the end. The band implements a little Comeback Kid-style melody to its speed. This was expertly executed, as it bleeds right in to the next track, “False Prophets”, a song that kicks up the speed right from the get-go. This contrast adds some serious oomph to the flow when listened to straight through.

The album ends with “A Ghost in the City”, and it definitely is a fitting closing track. It showcases every aspect of the band, in four minutes and seven seconds. The song starts off with a really fast tempo, and then it slows down to a nice breakdown. In the tail end of the song, it gets a little melodic and then the (somewhat predictable) repeated chants cue in the listener that this is the closer of the album. Some songs you can just sense that they close out the album and this is totally one of these songs.

What makes this album so refreshing is that, while they are still are fairly young band, they have such a no-bullshit approach to the genre. While they do have a full length and a 7” under their belt (pun intended), the band has released them in such a short amount of time, they are still fresh faced, but they can still hang with the toughest, most veteran hardcore acts out there.

There is no reason for any hardcore fan not the have this album.

Check out REIGN SUPREME’s song, “And Come What May”, off of their 2009 Deathwish Inc. release, Testing The Limits Of Infinity, and boy do they test ‘em!



((( Headbang here: http://www.myspace.com/reignsupremehardcore )))

All About The Music's best of 2009 lists!!

Well folks, seems like 2009 has been a really kickass year for metal, and a bitch to compile the year’s best lists for sure! Filled with plenty of brilliant albums ranging from metal’s most consistent and credible (Hatebreed, Cannibal Corpse, etc.), plenty of young, fresh, and innovative talent to pave the future (Enfold Darkness, Born Of
Osiris, Revocation, etc.), plenty of raw and straight to your face no chase hardcore (Hatebreed, Converge, everything from Deathwish Inc., etc.), plenty of grinding madness (Mumakil, Napalm Death, etc.), plenty of real death metal (Dying Fetus, Hypocrisy, Blood Red Throne, etc.), plenty of killer new booze fueled thrash bands (Evile, Mantic Ritual, etc.), plenty of NWOBHM (Cauldon, etc.) plenty of great instrumental progressive metal albums (Animals As Leaders, Dysrhythmia, etc.), plenty of tr00/kvlt black metal (Behemoth, Marduk, Gorgoroth, everything from the Moribund Cult, Way To End, etc.), plenty of unsung heroes (This Ending, The Few Against Many, etc.) and even plenty of the legends of metal quite coincidentally seemed to comeback (Megadeth, Slayer, Anvil’s epic as fuck documentary, etc.), or attempt to comeback (Kiss), and can’t forget the hotties (Paramore). And trust me, there are plenty of great albums we are leaving out (hence all our etc.’s), so leave a comment with your top 20 list of 2009, and help us point out some treasures that we missed! Here’s to 2010, which I'll also take this opportunity to say I CAN’T WAIT to hear the new Withered!


Alex Gilbert’s Top 20 Albums of 2009


1. BARONESS – Blue Record (Relapse Records)

Simply beautiful, moving, artistic, and yup, perfect.

2. ENFOLD DARKNESS – Our Cursed Rapture (Sumerian Records)

In my eyes, ENFOLD DARKNESS is one of the most exciting new faces in death metal. Their future will be huge.

3. BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME – The Great Misdirect (Victory Records)

BTBAM still gives me hope that there is more creativity to be unleashed in metal, by all means of epic.

4. HATEBREED – Hatebreed (E1)

Honestly, still one of the most honest, brutal, and authentic hardcore bands out there. Right next to Converge, HATEBREED’s self-titled is the best hardcore album of the year. Haters, fight me and I will win!

5. BORN OF OSIRIS – A Higher Place (Sumerian Records)

Sumeriancore at its near best. These guys are redefining the future of extreme, and A Higher Place shows BOO at their most progressive, stylistic, and innovative! This is my kind of metal!

6. THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER – Deflorate (Metal Blade)

Adding ex Arsis guitarist Ryan Knight was a big plus, because their shred factor has raised to ten fold.

7. REVOCATION – Existence Is Futile (Relapse Records)

How a three piece creates such great death metal and shredding thrash virtuosity, while delivering the badass in every which way.

8. THE AMENTA – Non (Listenable Records)

Australian extremists THE AMENTA definitely take the award for the most powerful release of the year, and without a doubt is the fucking future of industrial metal.

9. WINDS OF PLAGUE – The Great Stone War (Century Media)

The epic and powerful force of WINDS OF PLAGUE has really taken their game to the next level, while also creating one of the heaviest releases of the year.

10. IT DIES TODAY – Lividity (Trustkill Records)

Soooo catchy, moving and badass. With the addition of new vocalist Jason Wood, metalcore vets IT DIES TODAY remain and shall remain one of the best in the genre.

11. DYING FETUS – Descend Into Depravity (Relapse Records)

Descend Into Depravity marks DYING FETUS’s best to date, and their spot into death metal culture. Being consistent and true to death metal for so long, you wonder why they aren’t as big as Cannibal Corpse?!…

12. EVILE – Infected Nations (Earache Records)

Easily the best thrash album of the year. So fast, skilled, and all in all, metal as fuck!

13. HYPOCRISY – A Taste Of Extreme Divinity (Nuclear Blast)

These death metal legends continue to push the boundaries. A Taste Of Extreme Divinity hands down sounds like a death metal classic.

14. LEWD ACTS – Black Eye Blues (Deathwish Inc.)

A concept punk/hardcore album that keeps its sound and ethics? (not American Idiot) Count me in!

15. CHIMAIRA – The Infection (Ferret)

These Ohio lads continue to take big steps from album to album.

16. DEVILDRIVER – Pray For Villians (Roadrunner Records)

Fast and furious, yet melodic and very moving American metal. These guys are starting to push the boundaries, and Dez is at the top of his game!

17. THE FUNERAL PYRE – December (Creator Destructor)

Here’s some real true black/death metal. They combine influences from some of metal’s truest, and I thoroughly enjoy how they create such a colossal sound from start to finish. Plus they love the LA Lakers, but not as much as me!

18. WAY TO END – (Debemur Morti Productions)

I love France, especially for their metal and their women. On the metal side, WAY TO END shows that black metal has an extremely creative presence in France. Their execution is near flawless, and to me they define a whole new heaviness in black metal.

19. OBSCURA – Cosmogenesis (Relapse Records)

Frickin’ genius death metal with incredible technicality, virtuosity, and futuristic calculations. It’s soooo good!

20. SKELETONWITCH – Breathing The Fire (Prosthetic Records)

SKELETONWITCH has taken their blackened thrash formula and have seriously made it as solid as can be! Like I’ve said before, worship the witch, bitch!


Matt Haines’s Top 20 Albums of 2009


1. THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER – Deflorate (Metal Blade)

Without a doubt the best album that Black Dahlia Murder has ever released. Crushing guitars and brutal lyrics.

2. SET YOUR GOALS - This Will Be The Death Of Us (Epitaph Records)

Such great influences that they expanded on more than Mutiny. Perfect mix of pop punk and hardcore.

3. THE CRIMSON ARMADA – Guardian (Metal Blade)

Break-through Metal Blade artist of the year. Definitely surprised me with how the instrumentals were and how the lyrics reminded me of Black Dahlia Murder.

4. FOR THE FALLEN DREAMS – Relentless (Rise Records)

Harder melodic hardcore that hits home with catchy melodies that just make you want to mosh.

5. SUICIDE SILENCE - No Time To Bleed (Century Media)

Amazing balance from heavy breakdowns to simple yet metal guitars. Best release yet from Suicide Silence.

6. WIZ KHALIFA - Flight School (Rostrum Records)

Best hip-hop album of the year by far. Real lyrics and catchy beats that everyone can jam too.

7. WITHIN THE RUINS – Creature (Victory Records)

Best progressive band on the face of the planet. "Tractor Pull" says it all.

8. REVOCATION - Existence Is Futile (Relapse Records)

Best three piece metal band that should be classified as battle metal. Amazing work for only three members.

9. THE EYES OF A TRAITOR - A Clear Perception (Listenable Records)

Best UK band ever! A different sound and more in depth songs from the heart. Perfect album.

10. EVERGREEN TERRACE - Almost Home (Metal Blade)

I really liked the fact that they went back to their punk sound but still keeping the metal/hardcore influences.

11. JOB FOR A COWBOY – Ruination (Metal Blade)

Best album from this band by far. They have came a long way since "Entombment Of A Machine."

12. ME VS HERO – This One’s For Our Friend (Unsigned)

My new favorite pop punk band that has vicious breakdowns and bright upbeat pop involved. Like Four Year Strong but more hyped up.

13. OCEANO – Depths (Earache Records)

True death metal that has the most power by far in this list. Just raw power that can't be matched.

14. AMARNA REIGN – Atonement (Unsigned)

WHY ISN'T THIS BAND SIGNED?! Amazing guitar work along with drums to keep the album interesting.

15. xREPRESENTx – The New Inquisition (Seventh Dagger)

Best straight edge band current to date. True songs about brotherhood that everybody can relate to.

16. PROTEST THE HERO – Gallop Meets The Earth (Underground Operations/Vagrant)

How can Protest The Hero get even more inventive and crazy? Just release a live album with new songs and a DVD.. that works.

17. JOHN MAYER – Battle Studies (Aware/Columbia Records)

Best acoustic album to date that I've ever listened too. A good mix of acoustic and blues along with some funny songs that everybody will like.

18. THE RED SHORE – Lost Verses (Rise Records)

Better than Parkway Drive and I Killed The Prom Queen mixed. That's right I said it.

19. FIREWORKS – All I Have To Offer Is My Own Confusion (Triple Crown Records)

There will always be a soft spot in my heart for my home state pop punk bands. Fireworks did a beautiful job that reinventing their sound to please all their fans.

20. FLESHGOD APOCLAPYSE – Oracles (Candlelight Records)

True metal. Best Italian band that keeps true to the roots of metal. No breakdowns, melodies, or high singing, just amazing metal.


Tanner Fisher’s Top 20 Albums of 2009


1. THE RED CHORD - Fed Through the Teeth Machine (Metal Blade)

Without a doubt, this is The Red Chord’s finest release to date. This is everything you previously loved about The Red Chord, only leagues better.

2. ANIMALS AS LEADERS - S/T (Prosthetic Records)

Have you heard this? Tosin Abasi’s guitarwork is simply amazing, and this is definitely the best unheard album of the year.

3. BARONESS - The Blue Album (Relapse Records)

Just like on The Red Album, Baroness is able to make another gorgeous album. This album has the ability to really suck you in.

4. THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER – Deflorate (Metal Blade)

Oh Black Dahlia Murder. With the addition of Brian Knight, BDM somehow managed to make their music faster and more extreme. This is also their musically tightest album, and no fan of the band will be disappointed.

5. MASTODON - Crack the Skye (Warner Brothers)

This is Mastodon at their most progressive, and it truly is great. If you dug Blood Mountain at its strangest, then you will love this album.

6. BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME - The Great Misdirect (Victory Records)

While not quite the opus that is Colors, The Great Misdirect still is quite the album.

7. REVOCATION - Existence is Futile (Relapse Records)

It’s amazing that a three piece can create such a colossal sound. Any fan of thrash and death metal should pick this up.

8. CONVERGE - Axe to Fall (Epitaph/Deathwish Inc.)

While not No Heroes and certainly not Jane Doe, this release what you’d want from a Converge album: fast, heavy, and absolutely crazy.

9. BEHEMOTH – Evangelion (Metal Blade)

With this release, the band continue with their blackened death metal sound, but this time, they come out with an album that is refined and incredibly focused. If you don’t own this, pick it up.

10. BORN OF OSIRIS - A Higher Place (Sumerian Records)

These “Bow Down” kids took some extra time on this release, and you can definitely see the maturity they went through on this record. This is much more progressive, and extremely less “-core”. Our boys grew up so fast…

11. WRETCHED - The Exodus of Autonomy (Victory Records)

Modern death metal from young kids that can play the shit out of their instruments.

12. AFTER THE BURIAL - Rareform (Re-Release) (Sumerian Records)

Re-recording with the new vocalist and live drums made the world of difference to this 2008 gem.

13. ENFOLD DARKNESS - Our Cursed Rapture (Sumerian Records)

Sumeriancore meets blackened death metal? Count me in.

14. SUNN O))) - Monoliths & Dimensions (Southern Lord)

Their most expansive and musical, Monoliths & Dimensions is quite the album,

15. AUGUST BURNS RED – Constellations (Solid State)

On this album they took their Messengers sound, and expanded it. Pepper in some BTBAM flavor, establishing more variety to their mix, and now you have the ingredients for a great record.

16. BURNT FROM THE SUN - Heart of Darkness (Relapse Records)

Fucking ferocious from start to finish.

17. VIATROPHY - S/T (Candlelight Records/SOAR)

These British imports could put on seminars on how to successfully experiment with the death metal sound. Melody in death metal never sounded so right.

18. WOE OF TYRANTS - Kingdom of Might (Metal Blade)

Death metal with Dragonforce-style solos. Where’s my six sided dice?

19. REIGN SUPREME - Testing the Limits of Infinite (Deathwish Inc.)

No bullshit hardcore, and it kills.

20. GRAVES OF VALOR - Salarian Gate (Relapse Records)

Dropping the “From” at the beginning of their name was a good idea. Along with the “From” with the “-core” from their sound, with benefitted them greatly.



The label that kicked the most ass in 2009 award goes to…
RELAPSE RECORDS

REAL blackened thrash = NOCTURNAL FEAR!

NOCTURNAL FEAR – Metal Of Honor (2009)
Moribund Cult
Written by: Alex Gilbert ©

Finally, some REAL blackened thrash! The term blackened thrash in my opinion is highly overused, where a band is usually way more thrash or way more black metal; in most cases, the band is simply thrash metal with a rasp or two. NOCTURNAL FEAR definitely falls under the blackened thrash category. Underground icons NOCTURNAL FEAR are back to declare war with their latest masterpiece, Metal Of Honor, which is an album full of blackened thrash greatness! Despite all the line-up changes, enter in Doomy G. Blackthrash and his hellish rasps, and NOCTURAL FEAR sure seems to be back at full speed.

“Death Before Dishonor” is a beast of a song, and prepare yourself for a ton of fast action. I mean, this is the raw to the bone kind of thrash that I love to hear, and NOCTURNAL FEAR’s experienced shredding stands out brightly, earning them the metal of honor. And oh my does the main riff really get the adrenaline pumping, the blood flowing, and the chaos erupting. Jump into the pit for this one!

Shredding along, the ludicrous speed and metallic assaults in “Triumph Of Steel” spill blood all over the battlefield! From the shredding solos to the dark and glorious rhythm section, it’s incredible how NOCTURNAL FEAR can make their thrash sound so fvcking evil!

Seeing that these guys are from Michigan (so am I!), I’m now starting to think… Damn Alex, why haven’t you heard of/caught these guys in concert yet? I hope to take a road trip down to see these guys soon or better yet, I hope they land a killer thrash tour, for they definitely have the chops and credibility to. But back to Metal Of Honor, because NOCTURNAL FEAR has crafted one of the best thrash albums of the year.

Check out some live NOCTURNAL FEAR action from this year. Sorry, could not find any new embeddable material online :-(, but hey, shredding is still shredding :-)


((( Headbang here: http://www.myspace.com/nocturnalfear )))

Me love me pizza and me TENEBRAE IN PERPETUUM!

TENEBRAE IN PERPETUUM – L’eterno Maligno Silenzio (2009)
Debemur Morti Productions
Written by: Alex Gilbert ©

Well folks, its black metal Sunday so scarf down your deviled eggs, bacon, and orange juice. For today’s evil we head to Italy, bringing you TENEBRAE IN PERPETUUM and their latest, L’Eterno Maligno Silenzio. Italy, like we’ve been saying lately is really starting to make itself a mecca for all things underground. Where does all the hate within the Italian angst ridden youth come from? A part of it could be for the Italian government, a part of it could he hatred to our close minded country (the United States of Fucking America), a part of it could just be personal, but all in all the music helps us look above and beyond all the bullshit, so we can truly express ourselves. But boy do I love Italy, and whether it’s their metal, their food, Cristina Scabbia, or my new found love, TENEBRAE IN PERPETUUM.

The band creates this eerie and downright evil black metal, and I love how twisted and demented their musical direction is. The band slays with precision on a slower tempo, and they can sure pick up on the Devil’s speed, too. TENEBRAE IN PERPETUUM also adds in quite a bit of spoken chant, which can get pretty weird, but it’s a good kind of weird, ya know? Opening with “Percepire La Luce Attraverso Il Sepolcro”, which we will just call “PLLAIS”, the band proves right off the bat that they are way more expansive, creative, and epic. Pay close attention to guitarist Atratus’s work on “PLLAIS”, because he weaves this clever path throughout all the chaos. The harmonization is incredible, and it’s like a warning signal repeatedly telling you to be careful for what’s to come. Be careful indeed, because the insanity L’Eterno Maligno Silenzio is about to increase…

“Incubo Rosso Cupo” comes out giving a demonic tremolo picking riff that opens the eyes, and expands the mind. Following soon after, a pretty good guitar lead with some stunning trills summons the insanity, and TENEBRAE IN PERPETUUM jumps back into their mystical land. Atratus’s guitar tones really shimmer as TENEBRAE IN PERPETUUM guides you through the darkness.

“Il Morto Cthulhu Aspetta Sognando”, which we’ll call this one “IMCAS”, is where I see TENEBRAE IN PERPETUUM at their most expansive. The dark ambient touches really envelope the listener, while the slaying tones terrify the soul. “IMCAS” is the perfect example of how you don’t have to play fast and technical to be heavy, because this song is heavy as fuck in both an emotional and droning sense.

TENEBRAE IN PERPETUUM and their latest Debemur Morti release, L’eterno Maligno Silenzio is bound to turn some heads. Right now I’m putting these guys on my list of crazy good Italian metal alongside Fleshgod Apocalypse, Idols Are Dead, Awaken Demons, and Hiems. Regardless of origin, TENEBRAE IN PERPETUUM knows how to play their black metal, and I’m sure these guys will continue to expand…

Listen to my favorite song off of their 2009 Debemur Morti release, L’eterno Maligno Silenzio, “Il Morto Cthulhu Aspetta Sognando”, and listen to them expand into the beyond!!


((( Headbang here: where is their myspace? )))

**I know it’s not rocket science, but if you have a lead where their myspace may be, drop me a line, both for my posting and listening purposes. Band is killer!

A BACKWARD GLANCE ON A TRAVEL ROAD...

A BACKWARD GLANCE ON A TRAVEL ROAD - A Backward Glance On A Travel Road (2009)
unsigned
Written by: Tanner Fisher ©

Right off the bat, I must inform all prospective listeners that this should be listened to with headphones, and all of your attention must be going towards the music. No distractions. You would be doing a disservice to hear this any other way.

A BACKWARD GLANCE ON A TRAVEL ROAD (ABGOATR), while being an extremely long acronym, is also an ambient rock band that uses many experimental elements, including flutes, various string instruments, and other bizarre, yet fitting directions to create a sound that is truly their own. Since the band is from France, there are many spoken passages exclusively in their native language. English speaking skeptics, no need to worry, because there are many English parts, and other elements, that while unique, aren’t too abstract that they will lose the listener.

This Self Titled offering includes many bright spots throughout its entirety. At around the two minute mark in the song “Johnny Got His Gun”, you start to sense something build up, and shortly after, the song kicks in with and somewhat Latin influenced crescendo that just builds and builds. The song ends with a truly creepy English monologue that will give the listener the chills (especially if using headphones, like instructed).


“Hier Régnant Désert” is an interesting song. It starts off with the audio of a man trying to talk while performing, but he is unable to because of noisy hecklers. A second man interjects, saying “Later, you can talk. Right now, let him talk”. Immediately after this the song starts, showcasing fast, aggressive drums, accompanied by an acoustic guitar, to make the part heavy, but not too heavy. The voice of the second man consistently runs in and out of the song. The song masterfully combines beautiful ambient pieces together with heavier rock elements. The use of the soft voices over top of the delicate music puts the finishing touches on this gem.

To close off the album, ABGOATR chose “Approximativement Moi”, which is 4 minutes and 41 seconds of soft string instruments with ambient gospel chants. Mysteriously, there is the sound of a single person’s footsteps for about twenty seconds towards the end. While it may initially seems like a disappointing ending, you have to realize that this band does not go about doing things in a conventional manner, so judging how this band does anything by the generic structure of things would be unfair.

ABGOATR, as you could guess, is not your run-of-the-mill rock bands. They intended on creating a different listening experience, and they succeeded, hands down. Like the best abstract art, there are parts that sometimes won’t make much sense to the average listener, but that’s just fine. There are some things that we just are supposed to get. It’s all of the confusion that makes this album stand out, and this has left me pleasantly confused.

Check out trailers from ABGOATR’s debut, and live the imagery they incorporate into their music.





((( Headbang here: http://www.myspace.com/backwardglancetravelroad )))

THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER owns you!!

THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER – Deflorate (2009)
Metal Blade Records
Written by: Alex Gilbert ©

THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER has always been one of those bands to unleash the power at full force, and with their latest, Deflorate, the band has reached new heights. Deflorate shows the band with better riffs, song arrangements, and a ton of epic and bonecrushing composition. A huge part of their improvement is due to Ex-Arsis guitarist Ryan Knight joining THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER ranks, and that dude can seriously shred! THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER’s guitar solos show a ton more fretboard wizardry, the guitar riffs more technical while more melodic at the same time, and the tones itself are incredible! Also to note, Trevor Strnad’s vocals have never sounded more solid, sincere, and both his high rasps and low guttural growls are at their best.


“Denounced, Disgraced” is my favorite track on Deflorate, and unleashes all sorts of hell. The intro riffs stun with huge blasts of power, while the verses take an epic stomp that breaks off into even more chaos and destruction. Knight’s shredding guitar solo fits the picture perfectly, and his soaring lead really takes this song into metal greatness. “Denounced, Disgraced” is THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER at their most memorable, and the song structure is unbreakable! Put this one on repeat.

“Eyes of Thousand” is another strongpoint on Deflorate, and blasts out of the gates with some deep chugging madness and death metal excellence. The production is ace, and without a doubt THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER’s musical direction is at an all time high on Deflorate. The guitar counterattacks are absolutely killer, add in some dark melodies, and “Eyes Of Thousand” really let’s THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER’s strength show.

Closing on “I Will Return” the song is downright epic! THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER really makes their mark, and let’s us know that they mean business. The verses are insane with death metal glory, and the low ended tremolo picking really lets the metal flow in your veins. THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER will return as an even bigger beast at some point, and “I Will Return” leaves me super hungry for more.

Being a Michigander myself and following the band from the early days (Yes, before Unhallowed), it feels great to see them make it big, because these guys deserve every bit of it. If there’s a band that has the potential to change the face of death metal, it’s THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER. Their future is going to continue to grow even bigger, and I’m super stoked to see what’s next.

Go bowling with THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER in their latest music video, “Necropolis”, off of their 2009 Metal Blade release, Deflorate. The song/video is killer!


((( Headbang here: http://www.myspace.com/blackdahliamurder )))

WINDS OF PLAGUE is badass!! – haters, fight me!

WINDS OF PLAGUE – The Great Stone War (2009)
Century Media
Written by: Alex Gilbert ©

WINDS OF PLAGUE is one of those bands who deserve the [BADASS] stamp in many ways. The band has always unleashed the power at maximum force, as their last full length Decimate The Weak sure did, and now with their latest, The Great Stone War, WINDS OF PLAGUE has truly evolved into an even bigger beast. The Great Stone War is a concept album about the final battle before the apocalypse, and the storyline really adds depth to this release. And they still give it all, give it all they got (“Angels Of Debauchery” quote btw - love that song)! Keyboardist Kristen Randall’s compositions are very striking, touching both the heart and the soul. The guitar teamwork unleashes such a monstrous and epic stomp, and their technicality really shines on The Great Stone War. Johnny Plague is really becoming a signature metal vocalist to be known, and as he let’s out all hell he’s letting you know that WINDS OF PLAGUE is coming. As a whole, The Great Stone War is one of the heaviest releases of the year.

“Soldiers Of Doomday” shows Randall’s piano work at her catchiest, and it’s epic as fuck! But don’t mistake it as background noise, because she helps paint the emotion of the fight. As the rest of the band storm in after Randall’s intro, the beast known as WINDS OF PLAGUE is loose. Massive chugs charge forward as the mosh glory attitude proceeds to get the adrenaline pumping. The guitar riffs also give this aggressive death metal sound, while their melodies have this medieval/Egyptian kind of sound at times. I have nothing but great things to say about the guitar tones, and I believe WINDS OF PLAGUE has found their sound.

WINDS OF PLAGUE unleashes all sorts of hell with their fist pumping anthem “Our Requiem”. Massive symphonic compositions, bruising breakdowns, and one hell of a vocal authority by Johnny Plague make this song a beast! As if the song were their last, WINDS OF PLAGUE ends “Our Requiem” with a bang.

Closing The Great Stone War is the epic “Tides Of Change”, which if you’ve been paying close attention, you will see why this is the album closer. The breakdowns add such a punch to the already moving and powerful atmosphere, and WINDS OF PLAGUE makes their mark!

Though many people (idiots) label the band as deathcore, WINDS OF PLAGUE is much more than the typical chug. These guys have huge potential to rise far above their peers, and deserve every bit of cred! Progressive, epic and thrilling theatrics, shredding guitar solos, memorable melodies, and a hardcore (tough guy) attitude. How WINDS OF PLAGUE combines all of this into one big knockout punch is what makes me a fan. Both from a studio and live perspective, these guys are the real deal, and on the way to becoming invincible. The Great Stone War is one of the year’s bests without a doubt.

Listen to the powerful anthem in “Our Requiem”, and know now that there is no turning back! Killer song!!


((( Headbang here: http://www.myspace.com/windsofplague )))

UPCOMING 533649 SHOWS AND TOUR DATES