Review: DANZIG – ‘Black Laden Crown’ [Select Tracks Streaming]

What is there to say about Danzig? For most hard rock/heavy metal fans, they have become synonymous with Misfits in a sense, and for obvious reason. Danzig came about after singer Glenn Danzig departed the Misfits to form the band Samhain, which later became known as Danzig. The band was formed in Lodi, New Jersey in 1983 and grew to be known for their unique mixture of bluesy doom metal and hard rock. This eventually led to the band becoming a staple in the heavy metal scene with hits like “Am I Demon”, “She Rides”, and the very well-known “Mother”. Continue reading

Review: Through Fire – ‘Breathe: Deluxe Edition’ [Tracks Streaming]

Through Fire was first known under the name Emphatic. Founded by guitarist-songwriter Justin McCain in 2004. Their major label debut record ‘Damage’ for Atlantic reached No. 9 on Billboard Top Heatseekers chart in 2011. From 2012-2014 Toryn Green (Fuel, Apocalyptica ) took over vocal duties. The band made headlines again when their second album Another Life climbed to No. 8 on Top Heatseekers chart in 2013. Grant Joshua Kendrick stepped back up and took over the vocals in 2014. He had filled in previously for singer Patrick Wilson when he had a vocal injury. It was a couple years later when Emphatic announced they were changing their name and continuing as Through Fire in December 2015. They on with Sumerian Records and released their debut record in 2016. ‘Breathe’ was the band’s debut under their new name. It released in July 2016. From here on business was back to normal as the band was right back to topping the charts. Their debut single “Stronger” peaked in the top 30 on the mainstream rock chart. Fast forward to 2017 and the band has now released a deluxe edition of the album and included several acoustic tracks and an amazing cover. The original version of the album spanned 10 tracks, included 9 original tracks (including an intro track titled “Reborn”) and a cover of Ellie Goulding’s electropop anthem, “Lights.” The title track, “Breathe” has reached #16 on the billboard charts. The deluxe edition of ‘Breathe’ released on April 7th which includes five bonus songs, alternate artwork and a guitar tab booklet. Trust me that these 5 tracks is well worth getting the deluxe edition of the album.  Continue reading

Review: OCEANO – ‘Revelation’ [Official Videos]

Oceano is THE band you need to listen to when you are in love with lows as much as I am. This band uses almost only low vocals and damn it sounds brutal. This band is really fighting with Enterprise Earth over the most brutal album at this moment yet they are very different from them. Adam Warren makes the difference because this guy has vocals straight from the pit of hell and to make it even better he goes straight against the metal stereotypes being a black vocalist. I mean, how awesome is that? Finally a black vocalist in one of the top deathcore bands from this moment, I absolutely love when people break stereotypes. We shouldn’t forget about the other band members though because without them Adam wouldn’t be anywhere. Chris Wagner is the bassist of the band and I have a strong feeling that he finally found his spot in the band, he fits the dark message perfectly. Besides that we have drummer Andrew Holzbaur and guitarist Scott Smith, both are really underrated because they mean so much for the band. Without the drum line or the dark and fierce guitar riffs the band would sound dull and boring. They have always released songs and albums via the record label Earache but times have changed so they went with Sumerian Records which their latest album ‘Revelation’ is featured on. Oceano has been known as a grindcore band after their debut album got released which is called ‘Depths’ but after that album they choose to go with brutal deathcore. Albums like ‘Contagion’, ‘Incisions’ and ‘Ascendants’ have all been brutal deathcore and what I like the most about the change in genre is the transition, you can clearly hear some grindcore influences on the albums after their debut album ‘Depths’.

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Interview With AJ Channing Of FIRE FROM THE GODS! [Video]

FIRE FROM THE GODS are truly hitting the ground running. Some are compelled to put a label on the band and often it doesn’t fit their unique sound. Rap metal, nu metal, hardcore, or a combination of all of the above still doesn’t define this undefinable band. The quintet’s unique approach to music delivers a familiar but original sound. Calling Austin, Texas home, the band has set out to bring a bigger, more important message to metal that they feel has been lacking. Lead vocalist AJ Channer had this to say about the upcoming record: Continue reading

Review: GOD DETHRONED – ‘The World Ablaze’ [Official Videos]

God Dethroned is a blackened deathmetal band that got formed in 1990 by vocalist and guitarist Henri Sattler, the band is the most populair band from Holland and that really gets to show in their new album ‘The World Ablaze’ that got released on the 5th of May this year. Their debut album ‘The Christhunt’ got out with help of a small label from Gemany, besides that they have released all their albums on one of the best labels that are currently out there Metal Blade Records. They have changed their line-up multiple times but their singer Henri Sattler always stuck with the band. Till this date they have made 9 albums besides their latest one ‘The World Ablaze’, If you are new to this band I would highly recomment you to give those albums a listen. ‘Passiondale’ from 2009 for example is full of melodies and agression where ‘The Toxic Touch’ is more focused on the lyrical aspect of the songs, such as depression, religion and hatred. They may have changed things up from time to time but they always remained a band with a lot of talent lyrically and instrumentally. The agressive vibes from the songs gives you the feeling of power, of being more than just human. The feeling of reigning an entire universe. Wonder who made those raw vibes? It got created by drummer Michiel van der Plicht, bassist Jeroen Pomper and guitarist Mike Ferguson. Not a band you would just walk past without noticing, they truly are the definition of Dutch blackened deathmetal!

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CELLAR DARLING feat. Ex-Eluveitie Members Release New Song Off Upcoming Album [Official Music Video]

CELLAR DARLING from Switzerland comprising of long term ex-Eluveitie members Anna Murphy, the hurdy gurdy player also singer, drummer Merlin Sutter and guitarist Ivo Henzi has put out their much anticipated first single, ‘Black Moon‘, off their debut album, ‘This Is The Sound‘, which is yet to be released on June 30th, 2017 out via Nuclear Blast Records. The three members were one of the very well known faces and long term members of the folk metal band Eluveitie from the same country. On May 5, 2016, Anna Murphy, Ivo Henzi and Merlin Sutter announced on social media platform, Facebook, that they had decided to quit the band and henceforth pursue their own projects and interests in music. The reason for quitting Eluveitie, was sparked due to “constant clash of interests” that built up among them lately, as stated by the band’s official facebook page post. As much as this came as a shocker for fans of the band, many were left wondering about Anna, Ivo and Merlin’s further musical endeavours. They did not wait for much long and after a month of settling things on the trio’s camp, they announced that their new band will be called as CELLAR DARLING. They soon released their first single titled, ‘Challenge’, followed by  the bonus track Fire, Wind & Earth, released in September 2016, to be quickly followed by their first ever concert performances as a group in winter of 2016 in Switzerland and The Netherlands.

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Chicago Open Air Spotlight: BODY COUNT

*Every Thursday from now until Chicago Open Air gets here we will be releasing an article about a band playing the festival to get you familiar with them.*

This week’s artist is Body Count.

Body Count is an Los Angeles based metal band formed in 1990. The group is fronted by Ice-T, who co-founded the group with lead guitarist Ernie C . Ice-T first made his stamp on the music industry as a rapper and moved on to metal when he formed Body Count. If you think Ice-T looks familiar you may have seen him on Law & Order from the year 2000 and forward. Ice-T took his talents to cable tv and has since become even more of a household name. Body Count released its self-titled debut album in 1992. The band encountered controversy over their track “Cop Killer”, which was thought to glamorize killing police officers. Because of this song Body Count was banned from playing anywhere in L.A. The band was already star studded but this news made them even more popular. In a recent interview with Cathouse owner and former Headbanger’s Ball host Riki Rachtman he mentioned how the band was banned and he had them play in Hollywood anyway. “Cop Killer” also cause a disturbance once in Italy when they began to play the song live and an audience member spit at Ice-T. The show was cancelled and their tour bus was vandalized by audience members and the band barely escaped unharmed. The song had got the attention of the label, several police organizations and both the president and vice president at the time. (H.W. Bush, Quayle). Ice-T decided to drop the song from the album. In an interview, Ice-T stated that “I didn’t want my band to get pigeon-holed as that’s the only reason that record sold. It just got outta hand and I was just tired of hearing it. I said, ‘fuck it,’ I mean they’re saying we did it for money, and we didn’t. I’d gave the record away, ya know, let’s move on, let’s get back to real issues, not a record but the cops that are out there killing people.” Continue reading

RED FANG Release Hilarious “Cut It Short” Music Video

Stoner metal outfit RED FANG from Portland, Oregon has released another hilarious, comedic video titled, “Cut It Short“, thus adding one more to their jovial jukebox of funny music videos, but yet true their musical propensities. This video is taken from their latest album ‘Only Ghosts‘ released last fall among a lot of appreciation via Relapse Records. The album has ten amazing songs in it and has been produced by Ross Robinson (At The Drive-In, The Cure, Slipknot) and mixed by Joe Barresi (Queens of the Stone Age, Tool, Melvins). Nerdist dubbed Only Ghosts a “supremely excellent new album,” Revolver said ‘Flies’ might be one of the heaviest and catchiest things the band has ever put on record” and Outburn called the release “swaggering” and “heavy but catchy.”

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TANKARD Release Title Track Off The Upcoming Record [Official Music Video]

Teutonic thrash metal giants TANKARD from the holy land of Germany has released their second single, which also happens to be the title track, “One Foot In The Grave” off their new upcoming new album of the same name. The album, One Foot In The Grave“, coming out on June 2nd, 2017, via Nuclear Blast Records, will be their 17th feather addition on their massive discography. One of the ‘Big Four of Teutonic Thrash’ in the German scene, TANKARD have been consistent and a flag bearer in their genre among the other likes of Kreator, Sodom and Destruction. Singing about alcohol since their inception they have a massive fan following all over the world, all singing and headbanging in the glory and name of alcohol in an unison. Even after three decades of thrashing around, wasted concerts and drenched in beer they have not decided to stop this freak train, which in itself is extremely remarkable and commendable!

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An Interview With Mitch Hull of SOFTEN THE GLARE!

Mitch Hull is a drummer based in North Carolina whose musical resume includes everything from metal to country. Currently, he’s one of the busiest musicians out there – playing with everyone from unknowns to legends (Ryan Martinie & Bon Lozaga in their new band Soften the Glare). To meet Mitch, you’ll immediately find a friendly, kind, unassuming guy, yet within a few minutes of conversation, discover that he’s had a pretty enviable career (and, even had a hand in starting one for a now well-known recording engineer). STG’s highly anticipated first album, ‘Making Faces‘, is set to release Spring of 2017.

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