Author Archives: Steve Savage

About Steve Savage

Writer and music enthusiast based out of the San Francisco Bay Area, always interested in discovering new and different music no matter what the genre. Hit me up anytime if you know about something I should be listening to or if you just wanna talk music in general. Peace!

Review: WILL HAVEN – ‘Muerte’ [Album Stream]

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Set to release their sixth full-length studio album, ‘Muerte,’ on March 23rd, 2018 are Sacramento, CA noise metal veterans, Will Haven. Bringing a sound that is often dark and depressive, but equally relenting in its groove and atmosphere is a style of metal that unapologetically showcases the ugliness in music. While not for the faint of heart, the aptly titled ‘Muerte’ (Spanish for death), combines thick, grooving basslines and rhythms; slow to mid-paced, often sludgey tempos; heavily downtuned, doomily dissonant, alt-metal riffing; agonizingly pained, screaming vocals; and hauntingly dramatic, atmospheric backdrops for a sound that is hypnotically unsettling. Its sonic indulgences are sure to please fans whose musical taste buds crave the most twisted of pleasures. Continue reading →

Interview: Oli Beaudoin Of KATAKLYSM, Reveals New Album Release Date, Upcoming Music Videos [Audio Stream]

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I recently had the great pleasure of interviewing Oli Beaudoin, drummer for Canadian death metal band, Kataklysm; who are about to release their 13th studio album, ‘Meditations’ in June, 2018  on Nuclear Blast Records (no official release date yet). The album was originally scheduled for an April release, but was pushed back to June to finish mixing and mastering. Link to full audio interview below. Continue reading →

Album Review: DISASTROID – ‘Screen’ [Album Stream]

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Recently this band came onto my radar after having their latest, September 2017 CD release essentially dropped into my lap by my editor here at Metal Nexus. Upon first listen, I was pleasantly surprised by their throwback, sludgey, stoner sound often reminiscent of Melvins and early Soundgarden. I’ve since given the album several more listens and each time discover more and more interesting nuances to enjoy. What stands out above all else with Disastroid’s ‘Screen’ is vibe. From front to back, this album emanates a heavy and relenting, chilled out, stoner vibe, while at times delving into well-placed moments of intense psychedelia. Like a VW bus hotboxed in a thick cloud of bong smoke, this record will envelope and intoxicate you as you succumb to its dark, dank, euphoric moods. Continue reading →

HARM’S WAY At “Gilman” In Berkeley, CA With QUEENSWAY, VEIN, & RINGWORM [Review & Photo Gallery]

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Last Friday night (March 9th) I attended the Harm’s Way show at the Alternative Music Foundation in Berkeley, CA. The “Gilman,” as it is locally referred to because of its Gilman Street address, is a small, historical punk/hardcore venue that has hosted countless significant names in music for over the last thirty years. Groundbreaking and trendsetting acts that have gone on to receive huge notoriety or commercial success have roots that trace all the way back to early career performances there. Monumental names such as Green Day, The Offspring, AFI, Bad Religion, and Operation Ivy have all graced the Gilman stage at one time or another. Last Friday night, however, providing the metal-infused, adrenaline-fueled energy to lead today’s current generation of hardcore music was Chicago’s own Harm’s Way. Continue reading →

MADBALL Finish Recording New Album ‘For The Cause’ Featuring ICE-T Guest Appearance

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New York hardcore veterans, Madball have finished recording their upcoming album, ‘For the Cause,’ which will feature a guest appearance from rapper/Body Count frontman, Ice-T.  About being featured on the record, Ice-T commented, “It‘s an honor to record with the legendary Madball. Body Count draws its closest similarities to NY Hardcore. This is a natural.” Singer, Freddy Cricien added, “It’s truly an honor to have Ice-T on our record! I grew up on his music from his early hip hop stuff till now. He’s an iconic figure but also a ‘class act’, you don’t always get both at once. Ice has a great respect for NYHC and Madball, means the world. This was meant to happen…. real recognizes real.” Continue reading →

State Of The Art: Georgia’s GUILLOTINE [Album Stream]

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*This is part of our State Of The Art series, showcasing bands every Monday from the featured state*

This month’s State is Georgia!

Atlanta-based Guillotine offers bass-heavy, blackened death/doom metal with heavy doses of groove. Weaved seamlessly into the band’s sound are a unique blend of musical influences such as old school American death metal, Scandinavian black metal, and Southern sludge. Their songs often bounce between slow/doomy evilness to mid-tempo aggression. While typically never delving into super high-velocity thrashing speeds or blast beats, alternately their use of grooving riffs and double-bass rhythms gives Guillotine a signature sound of their own that is equally dark and punishing. Continue reading →

Album Review: MINISTRY ‘AmeriKKKant’ [Video Stream]

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Industrial pioneers, Ministry return with the highly topical and timely release of their fourteenth full-length studio album, ‘AmeriKKKant’ –  scheduled to drop on March 9th, 2018 via Nuclear Blast Records.  Coming out during a time when the political climate in America is at its most volatile in recent years, “Uncle Al” and co. are clearly pissed off at the current state of things and are not at all interested in sugar-coating or holding back their anger on this record.  The resulting tone, presented cynically throughout ‘AmeriKKKant,’ is a hypnotically and grittily electronic, apocalyptic waltz of anarchist protest. Continue reading →

Review: THE CROWN ‘Cobra Speed Venom’ [Video Stream]

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Swedish death metal veterans, The Crown return with their tenth full-length studio album, ‘Cobra Speed Venom,’ scheduled for release March 16, 2018 via Metal Blade Records.  Since originally forming in 1990 under the name Crown of Thornes, the band has gone through various metamorphoses but once again manage to bring their unique rock n’ roll attitude and sensibility to their sound which is, without a doubt, unabashedly and unapologetically “metal.”  By incorporating the aggressive and speedier elements of thrash, the brutality of old school American and Swedish death metal, and the groove and inhibition of arena rock; The Crown takes a refreshing approach to their own distinctive brand of death metal.  There is virtually zero pretense to be heard and it’s clear while listening to this album that the group is actually having fun playing music the way they want to.  As highly skilled and experienced musicians with an impressive discography to prove it, they deliver an amazingly powerful thirteen-track, hour-long annihilator of a record that will immediately satisfy and impress metal fans ranging anywhere from the casual to the über elite.   Continue reading →

Aftershock Festival Tease SYSTEM OF A DOWN, Announce Lineup Reveal Date!

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Just announced – The Monster Energy Aftershock Festival 2018 will be held Saturday, October 13th and Sunday, October 14th.  The complete 2018 lineup is scheduled to be announced on April 9th, 2018, however, there is a strong indication that System of a Down will be amongst this year’s surprise headliners, due to the placement of a sound clip of their track, “Prison Song” in the teaser video seen below. Continue reading →

Interview: Justin Graves of VEXES [Audio Stream]

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I recently had the great pleasure of interviewing Justin Graves, drummer for the band Vexes; who are about to release their full-length debut album, ‘Ancient Geometry’ tomorrow, February 23, 2018.  Metal Nexus also featured a review of the album last month which, in case you missed it, you can check out here.

During our conversation, Justin shared some great insights into the band’s writing and recording process with me, as well as what’s to come for Vexes in the future, and more.

Vexes originally formed in 2016 from the ashes of A Life Once Lost, Vessl, Fury of Five, and Downstage.  Lineup consists of Charlie Berezansky (vocals/guitar/keyboard), Justin Graves (drums), John Klagholz (guitar/keyboard), and Bobby Carpenter (bass).  Their sound is modern but proudly pays homage to their 90’s influences including Deftones, Cave In, Thrice, and Helmet.  For those of us who grew up in the era from where much of this music draws its inspiration, listening to this album will bring a warm sense of nostalgia as it transports you back into high school with your baggy jeans and Puma Suedes.  For newcomers, expect a moody and oftentimes melancholic hard rock/metal experience with powerfully melodic choruses and crooning vocals.  Continue reading →