Review: AMARANTHE – ‘Helix’ [Official Music Videos]

Who thought that combining death metal and pop/rock would be one of the greatest things ever combined? Amaranthe is back after releasing their 2016 record ‘Maximalism’ to continue down a different path while holding on tight to some of their roots. So let’s get right into their upcoming album ‘Helix’ which got released via Spinefarm Records!

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Album Review: Behemoth “I Loved You At Your Darkest”

Behemoth is just one of those bands that really do not require an introduction.  Spawning from pure darkness in Gdansk Poland in 1991 and emerging on to the black metal scene with raw, unfiltered ferocity, they maintained this style with heathen lyrical content into the late 90’s where they shifted to occult, and thelemic inspiration and showed that they could also be a reckoning force in the death metal scene with the release of “Satanica. At this time the world also quickly came to realize that Behemoth was unique in it’s own way thanks to the drum styling of Inferno, multi layered vocals and some middle eastern influence. Behemoth is now comprised of Nergal (vocals/guitar), Orion (bass/vocals), and Inferno (drums).  There are plenty of those who would like to say that Behemoth is a blackened death metal project, but Nergal prefers to consider them without a label, which to me is completely acceptable when facing a true artist who does in no way conform to the status quo. Behemoth has released 10 studio albums since conception, and tomorrow, October 5th 2018, they grace the world with their 11th release “I Loved You At Your Darkest” via Metal Blade Records. Continue reading

BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE & BAD OMENS In Maplewood, Minnesota! [Review & Gallery]

Bullet For My Valentine

Bullet For My Valentine is currently making a run through the United States in support of the new release “Gravity”. This Tour was billed with We Came As Romans and Bad Omens. It was just announced that We Came As Romans will join this tour as planned, despite the passing of singer Kyle Pavone, but they did not appear at this show. Bad Omens, from Los Angeles, moved up a slot in the bill and provided direct support. Continue reading

NOTHING MORE & BAD WOLVES In Lexington, Kentucky [Review & Photo Gallery]

 

Is there a better way to spend the Sunday night of Labor Day weekend than to spend it with four bands at Manchester Music Hall in Lexington Kentucky? If there is a better way I don’t know what it would be! Nothing More, Bad Wolves, Eyes Set to Kill and Indigo Storm had this sold out crowd rocking from the very first note, it was going to be a great night! Continue reading

Exclusive Premier: DOWNTREND – “Back For More” [Lyric Video]

 

Downtrend formed in 2004 and has went through a few lineup changes since then. The band retains founding members Josh Crum and Jeremy Chaney. Long time member drummer J.D. Hall takes his seat behind the drum kit adding his style and showmanship to the band. Hall and Chaney were also formerly bandmates in the crushingly heavy group Voices Of Aggression. The chemistry among these three gents is amazing, which can be heard in their music and seen live when they take the stage. Mike Jackson has been the longtime voice of the band, after a brief departure from the band he has returned to his home behind the microphone. In the bands 10+ years their sound has changed and progressed but the biggest thing about the band is the heart and passion they have for music. The bands most recent release is ‘Southern Fried Hell Ride: Live’ was recorded in West Virginia and truly captures the bands ability to perform live. Downtrend with over a decade of live performance experience the band has been the opening act for various legends in rock and metal. Some include Adema, Nonpoint, Sevendust, 10 Years, Otherwise, Lynch Mob, Jake E. Lee’s Red Dragon Cartel, and various others. In addition to these past shows the band also has upcoming shows schedule with Devildriver and Jinjer in Lexington, Kentucky at Manchester Music Hall on October 30th, and with Doyle on November 15th in Huntington, West Virginia at The V Club. You can message the band directly for ticket info.  Continue reading

State Of The Art: West Virginia’s ZEROKING

ZEROKING

*This is part of our State Of The Art series, showcasing bands every Monday from the featured state. This month’s state is West Virginia.*

ZEROKING is a four piece Hard Rock outfit hailing from the city of Charleston WV.  Formed in 2004 by guitarist Shane Day and drummer Chris Webb.  The band’s core lineup was  finalized in September of that year with the addition of vocalist Andy Haught. The next two years saw the group writing original material and performing anywhere and everywhere they could.  After writing only a few songs together it was clearly defined which direction the sound of the band would go in for years to come.  Mid-2006 saw the release of their debut EP ‘The Sweet Sale of Excess’.   After a few personnel changes on bass over the course of the two years, ZEROKING finally added bass player Paul First to the fold. This lineup would prove to be the classic lineup.  More shows and writing followed over the course of the next several years.  The band saw itself billed with some of the biggest names in the rock world, playing shows with major artists such as DROWNING POOL, BLACK STONE CHERRY and POPEVIL to name a few.  All the while the foursome feverishly strived to improve their sound and complete songs for their first full-length album.

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State Of The Art: GHOST ROAD [Album Stream]

*This is part of our State Of The Art series, showcasing bands every Monday from the featured state. This month’s state is West Virginia.*

When you think off West Virginia, the first thing that comes to mind is some good old backwoods bluegrass and country music. What you don’t expect is that deep within the hollers, there’s a band who’s music sounds will take you back to the beginning’s of punk with the fusion of the horror genre into their image. Ghost Road is a punk rock horror band that’s based out of Morgantown, WV and they will take you out of the stereotypes of West Virginia music. Continue reading

KNOCKED LOOSE Invades Cardiff, United Kingdom [Photo Gallery]

Knocked Loose

Lets start this by saying today the UK had a heatwave which started on route to Cardiff. My car’s temp gauge was saying it was 35 degrees c outside, but thanks to air conditioning I was comfy. I arrived and parked at the venue Clwb Ifor Bach located in the city center. I was there early and so were the fans. There was a sea of fans all enjoying cold beers in the local surrounding bars on this hot night. I went straight into the club and set my gear up in the green room, where members of all the bands were chilling. Upstairs to the venue was a lot cooler to start with, but then the fans came swarming in to witness the first band on the bill Guilt Trip. Continue reading

Review: ORANGE GOBLIN – ‘The Wolf Bites Back’ [Track Stream]

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Formed in 1995, Orange Goblin are easily one of the most recognizable and influential names in stoner rock! Although it’s been quite some time since the last studio album, the London based doomsters haven’t been sitting around doing nothing. From 2014 onwards the band has been actively touring and growing in presence. With ‘The Wolf Bites Back’ Orange Goblin have released an album that is all killer and no filler and is perhaps their most aggressive album to date! The album released June 15, 2018 via Spinefarm/Candlelight.  Continue reading