Author Archives: Fist

About Fist

Greetings and salutations. Call me Fist, I'm a proud Kentuckian and I've used metal to help me get through the suffering of living in the bible belt. I am an encyclopedia of metal. I'm a fan of all types of metal. My main goal here is to help people find more music they will fall in love with. Hope you enjoy our words! \m/

The Bucketlist With KRASHKARMA’s Nicole Skistimas!

By | |
Comments Off on The Bucketlist With KRASHKARMA’s Nicole Skistimas!

Los Angeles based Alternative Metal Duo KRASHKARMA has been coined as “The White Stripes of Metal” with their singing female drummer intertwining with a guitar sound Frankenstein could take credit for creating. The dynamic on stage between the two vocalists capture a yin and yang that keeps your eyes peeled, your head banging and your lips belting out your new favorite songs. Energy and passion meets explosive guitar riffs – with their debut album, ‘Straight To The Blood’, KRASHKARMA have establishing themselves as one of the hottest touring acts. Made up of Ralf Dietel (vocals, guitars) and Niki Skistimas (vocals, drums) are radiating waves of excitement – especially in Germany and the surrounding countries. Ralf also formerly played guitar for Nine Inch Nails in 2015. Bleeding guitars, crushing rhythms and choruses that go straight for the throat fuse together creating an adrenaline-driven show that lies somewhere between heaven and hell. The band over 450 live performances under their belt and has even licensed music to Fox Sports. After their debut album in 2011 and extensive touring throughout the US and Europe – even representing the metal scene in Morocco, Africa – they stand, poised to strike – ready to tear down new borders with their second album “Paint The Devil”. The album released Oct 16, 2015 via Splitnail Records. The band has an aggressive alternative sound that you have to see in person to believe. The vocal harmonies between the duo is complete perfection.  Continue reading →

Review: OLD BLOOD – S/T [Album Stream]

By | |
Comments Off on Review: OLD BLOOD – S/T [Album Stream]

OLD BLOOD is multi-dimensional band that incorporates blues, stoner rock, doom and acid rock into one beautiful package. They formed in 2014 in Los Angeles, California. OLD BLOOD quickly signed to DHU Records in Europe after the critically acclaimed release of two demo tracks on Bandcamp and a Youtube video for their song “Glowplug”. OLD BLOOD takes a push into unknown territory in the genre with the addition of crystal clear vocals, keyboards and emphasis on heavy grooves and an extensive live stage show featuring The Rigomortettes beyond the wall of amplifiers. The soaring vocals by Feathers are the perfect pairing to the bands groove and doom elements within their music. OLD BLOOD incorporates various elements into their sound that makes them almost impossible to pigeon hole to one genre. They have been slapped with the label of “Acid Doom” and that is likely the most fitting. OLD BLOOD’s debut album was recorded and mixed by Frankie Siragusa at The Lab Studios in Hollywood, CA and mastered by renowned Los Angeles record mastering engineer Mike Wells at Mike Wells Mastering in North Hollywood, CA. The debut released on August 27, 2016. Continue reading →

State Of The Art: APE CAVE [Album Stream & Behind The Scenes Video]

By | |
Comments Off on State Of The Art: APE CAVE [Album Stream & Behind The Scenes Video]

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

This month’s State is Oregon!

Ape Cave are a talented band from the musically rich city of Portland, Oregon. The band’s debut release was on May 31, 2015 in the form of an EP titled ‘Primordium’. It was engineered by Ryan Grunest and The Human and mixed/mastered by The Human at Human Studios. “Primordium” has been described as an eighteen minute long embarkment spanning over bountiful sonic landscapes – listeners will find themselves immersed in formidable singing, kaleidoscopic guitar solos and rigid rhythms. I have become addicted to their unique sound since hearing their latest release ‘Pillars of Evolution’. It was engineered/mixed by Fester at Haywire Studios and mastered by Stephan Hawkes at Interlace Audio. The band describes the album “Prepare to undertake a momentous odyssey through Kashmir’s bluffs, devastating Egyptian plains and volcanic panorama in Ape Cave’s LP ‘Pillars of Evolution.’ The psychedelic guitar work, roaring bass lines, thunderous percussion and dark vocals soaring to pyramidal heights are just a fraction of the elements that will leave listeners captivated. The tale of a wanderer experiencing an intensely hallucinogenic, trans-continental journey is yet to be unraveled.” Continue reading →

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

By | |
Comments Off on 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 →

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

By | |
Comments Off on 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 →

Chicago Open Air Spotlight: BODY COUNT

By | |
Comments Off on 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 →

The Bucketlist With Dylan And Steve Of I Prevail! [Video]

By | |
Comments Off on The Bucketlist With Dylan And Steve Of I Prevail! [Video]

I PREVAIL has been taking over stages all across the country since their cover of Taylor Swift’s “Blank Space” went viral. That certainly isn’t the only thing the band has up their sleep either. Prior to the release of ‘Lifelines on October 21st, 2016 via Fearless Records the band released 3 incredible singles. “Scars”, “Stuck In Your Head” and the incredibly heavy track “Come And Get It”. Prior to that album releasing the band also got the news that their cover of “Blank Space” went gold. The band really has been able to showcase the power of the single, and have more original music as well to back it up. Since the release of the album the band has been on tour with Islander, Wage War, and also had a headlining tour supported by Starset, Vamps, and As Lions. After closing out the festival season last year at Louisville, Kentucky’s Louder Than Life Festival we was able to catch them early on the festival circuit this year at Carolina Rebellion. Again they shared the stage with numerous legendary acts like In Flames, Sum 41, Def Leppard, Rivals Sons and Dillinger Escape Plan. It’s easy to see that I Prevail get the opportunity to enjoy a wide array of bands while they are on tour across the globe. Continue reading →

BYZANTINE Release New Video For “New Ways to Bear Witness”!

By | |
Comments Off on BYZANTINE Release New Video For “New Ways to Bear Witness”!

 

On July 28th, Byzantine will release their new album, ‘The Cicada Tree’, via Metal Blade Records. Heralded as the most underrated band from the New Wave of American Heavy Metal Movement, Byzantine has slowly gained a cult-like following after releasing 5 genre-bending albums. 16 years underground, it’s finally time for the world to hear Byzantine! For a first preview of The Cicada Tree, a new video for the single “New Ways to Bear Witness” (featuring a cameo by Skeletonwitch’s Dustin Boltjes, as well as ex-Byzantine drummer Matt Wolfe) has been launched online. Directed/edited by Holly Siders, the filming of “New Ways to Bear Witness” resulted in Chris “OJ” Ojeda (vocals, rhythm guitar) suffering a concussion. OJ comments about the experience:

“So, we came up with an idea of having our old drummer do a cameo appearance in the music video. Matt Wolfe left the band right before we signed with Metal Blade and had occupied the drum seat for the last 12 years. We felt it was a perfect opportunity to let fans know that we still love Matt and he’s still welcome and important to our band. What’s the best way to have an ousted band member make a cameo? To hit me with a vehicle, of course! We set up the scene and did about 5 or 6 takes of Wolfe hitting me with the vehicle and me rolling off the vehicle. I didn’t know until we wrapped shooting the next day that something was wrong and had a very hard time driving home. I contacted an ER doctor friend of mine who told me I needed to come see him ASAP. After a CT Scan and an EKG, he let me know I had a standard sports type concussion from repeatedly hitting my head during the video shoot. I got 3 days off work and a cool story out of it! Rock!” Continue reading →

Review: WHEN ICARUS FALLS – ‘Resilience’ [Album Stream]

By | |
Comments Off on Review: WHEN ICARUS FALLS – ‘Resilience’ [Album Stream]

Formed in 2007 in Lausanne, Switzerland. When Icarus Falls materializes the exploration of dark musical universes, oscillating between hazy atmospheres and heavy riffs. When Icarus Falls‘ musicians are well known for their intense stage performances. The band released their debut EP ‘Over The Frozen Seas’ in 2000, and followed that up with the incredible concept album ‘Aegean’. That release is based on the work of Elisabeth Kübler-Ross, a famous psychiatrist who described the five stages of dying: denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance; five steps defining the atmosphere of the five main songs of the album. The band then went on to release another EP ‘Circles’ in 2014. The band has now release yet another EP via Czar Of Bullets titled ‘Resilience’. It was recorded in July 2016 by Chris Noth at the Bikini Test in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland. Mixed and mastered by Magnus Lindberg in Stockholm, Sweden. It released April 21, 2017. Continue reading →

State Of The Art: WITCH MOUNTAIN

By | |
Comments Off on State Of The Art: WITCH MOUNTAIN

 

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

This month’s State is Oregon!

Witch Mountain was formed in 1997 and became a household name in the city that keeps it weird, Portland, Oregon. The doom crew had just released mostly likely the best album thus far since the formation of the band in the 2014 release ‘Mobile of Angels’ their 8th album. Singer Uta Plotkin was belting out all the vocals on the most recent albums. Her voice became the definition of doom to most within the scene. Uta announced she would be leaving the band prior to the release of ‘Mobile of Angels’ in September of 2014. If that wasn’t already enough bassist Charles Thomas was leaving the band as well. This left only drummer Nathan Carson and guitarist Rob Wrong. Uta left some huge shoes to fill for whoever would eventually take her place. The band had a few months to look around for a singer prior to Uta leaving the band. They were in no immediate hurry to fill the spot and just wanting to ensure they had the right person. Less than a week after receiving a video audition from Kayla Dixon she was to become the new singer of Witch Mountain. Dixon spent some time with the Cleveland based band Demons Within, but the majority of her career was in theatre acting. The 19 year old Dixon was flown out to join the band and newly added bass player Justin Brown from the Portland band Lamprey. Once again the band was complete. Continue reading →