Review: WITHIN SHADOWS – ‘Mind = Enemy’ [Album Stream]

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Photo Credit: Jess Lynne

WITHIN SHADOWS was originally a solo project started by Sean Farias (Vocals, Guitar), starting in 2012 . The Canadian band then started to morph from a solo project into more of a band. The project became a two-piece band once drummer Jordan Heffernan joined in 2014. At the end of Summer 2015, they began to collaborate with Jordan’s very good friend Brad Tiessen. Brad and Jordan are lifelong friends, which provided WITHIN SHADOWS with a perfect fit to have him in the band shredding guitar. They recently added latest member, bassist Jacob Bailey nearing the end of Summer 2016. They finished and released their debut EP ‘Release The Disease’ in November 2015. This is where this band sets themselves apart from others in the music industry. The profits made from CD sales went directly to the Harrow Food Bank as a donation from the band. They band also mentions that the donation was made possible by the fans, friends and family who supported the album. The band now has a brand new LP that released December 21, 2016 titled ‘Mind = Enemy’. The band truly prides themselves on creating a variation of different styles within their music. The songs range from easycore, to heavy metal, to hardcore, to light metal, to pop punk to ballad instrumental, to djent and more. After reading that you probably think this album is scatterbrained and all over the place but it’s a truly cohesive album that works.  Continue reading →

Review: MEMORIAM – ‘For The Fallen’

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Following the death of drummer Martin “Kiddie” Kearns, old school death metal band Bolt Thrower came to its end in 2016. A few weeks later, Frank Healy’s (Benediction) father passed away. Since then, Bolt Thrower vocalist Karl Willets and Healy have joined forces to create a new project featuring members of Benediction, Life Denied, and Bolt Thrower. Memoriam is in a similar vein to Bolt Thrower boasting their brutal death metal sound and super heavy guitar tone. Their main focuses in their songs are on themes like death, loss, and war. The UK band formed in 2016 and has since released two demos. The first full length album, ‘For the Fallen’ is set to be released via Nuclear Blast Records on March 24th. The album was recorded in about two weeks at Hellfire Studios but took four weeks to get the mix finished exactly as they wanted it done. ‘For the Fallen’ was produced by Ajeet Gill (Hellbastard, Dark Forest, Element) and artwork was created by Dan Seagrave (Benediction, Dismember, Hypocrisy, Suffocation). You can pre-order the album here.    Continue reading →

Review: NEO NOIRE – ‘Element’ [Lyric Video Included]

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NEO NOIRE is a brand new band formed by rock and metal masterminds Vocal/Guitarist Frederyk Rotter (Zatokrev, The Leaving, Crown) and Vocalist/Guitarist Thomas Baumgartner (Ex-GurD, Erotic Jesus, Undergod). The lineup of the swiss rock outfit is completed by bassist Franky Kalwies (Ex-Disgroove) and drummer David Burger (Ex-Slag In Cullet). It was in the autumn of 2016 that the band played their first live show and put the finishing touches on their debut album ‘Element’ which is set to release worldwide on May 5th, 2017 via Czar Of Revelations. The album was recorded at MyRoom Studios with Raphael Bovey. ‘Element’ has already drawn mass attention from fans as well as the media. NEO NOIRE mix a variation of styles on their debut outing including alternative, post/psychedelic rock and metal. They don’t only include these styles but they bridge the gap between them. NEO NOIRE want to truly bring back the golden age of music and have been at times compared to Smashing Pumpkins and Jane’s Addiction without the gaudiness these bands were trapped in. Continue reading →

UK Heavy Rockers MALLEN Release Video For “Jack of Cards”

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UK Heavy rock band MALLEN has released the Official Video for their Debut Single, “Jack of Cards”. Recorded and produced by David Radahd (aka Johnny Rocker, Heavens Basement) of Red City Recordings. This band truly has staying power in the music world. With strong aggresive female lead vocals and the unstrumental talents of the other members make this band a must hear for anyone. The heaviness of their music and melodies and punchy choruses will appeal to a variety of fans. Formed in late 2013, the empowering, anthemic music of songwriter Dann Pritchard and the captivating vocals of frontwoman Kelly Jane were brought to life with the addition of bassist Dean Ellis and drummer Tom Crowfoot. A mutual love for Hot-rods. February 2015 saw the release of MALLEN’s debut EP Ignition, which was well received between reviewers and radio stations alike. This sparked a stream of gigs for the band, including some great opening slots for bands like Toseland and Funeral for a Friend as well as the slot at the LG Forum stage at the Birmingham NEC during Mötley Crüe ’s farewell tour. After which, guitarist Rhys Broomhall joined the band. November 2016 Mallen released the single “Jack of Cards”. The new single sets a new bar for Mallen’s sound. Groove filled riffs, sweeping, melodic verses and punchy choruses create a song that fans of Halestorm and Alterbridge would love. MALLEN really brings together some anthem-esque lyrics and heavy hitting guitars that is sure to be a delicacy to any metalheads ears.  Continue reading →

JINJER Releases A Special Live Session Video of Their Track “Pisces”!

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Photographer Mariika Mint

JINJER is by far one of the most beautifully fierce bands I have heard in some time. They have these beautiful melodic vocals, followed up by deep and thundering screams via lead vocalist Tatiana Shmailyuk. JINJER has easily become my favorite female fronted band. Tatiana has two incredibly different styles that are at complete opposite ends of the spectrum. She first welcomes you in with her beautiful clean singing voice and then blows your mind with her deep screaming tone. It’s just an amazing thing to witness when she bellows those harsh screams. The Ukrainian band was formed in 2009, but wasn’t truly complete until Tatiana joined the band in 2010. JINJER released their debut ‘Inhale. Don’t Breathe’ in 2013, and followed that up in 2014 with ‘Cloud’. They also took home the the Best Ukrainian Metal Band of 2013 award. The band’s most recent release is ‘King Of Everything’ which released July 29th, 2016 and is their Napalm Records debut. The band is considered one of Ukraine’s best kept extreme metal secrets, the technically sophisticated four-piece JINJER represent an incredibly catchy mix of metalcore, djent, hardcore, and groove metal. Don’t even begin to compare them to any other female fronted band you’ve ever heard, they are their own breed of band. The band has now released a live intimate video of “Pisces” from their recent album. The song gives you a musical tour of everything the band is truly capable of. The band will be touring again starting end of March – check out all dates here.

 Follow JINJER on Facebook here.

Deafheaven, Emma Ruth Rundle and This Will Destroy You In Baltimore, Maryland!

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Deafheaven

Last Sunday night, the genre defying maestros of Deafheaven enchanted the crowd at Baltimore Soundstage. On this current tour, in support of their excellent last album ‘New Bermuda’, they are joined by Emma Ruth Rundle and This Will Destroy You. This was a night to behold, so let me dive straight in to the review without further ado. Continue reading →

Review: VIBRANT HEELS – ‘Driven’ [Album Stream]

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Photo Credit: Catherine Pelchat

Vibrant Heels hasn’t been around all that long, and you’d never know that from hearing their music. The Alt rock / Metal band hails from Canada and formed in 2015. They claim they are the band that just doesn’t fit in. They blend catch lyrical melodies, heaviness & groove filled rhythms all at the same time. They are like the guys next door really, just normal guys trying to create their own niche in music and they are truly headed in the right direction. The bands latest release ‘Driven’ released on February 10, 2017. The album was recorded at Broil Audio by Raphael Malenfant & Michael Fontaine (Frequance Production) and also mixed by Raphael Malenfant and mastered by François C. Fortin. Vibrant Heels truly blends a variation of sounds, and upon the first listen of the album it may seem a little obscure, but as you continue down the rabbit whole of music they have created it becomes more and more addictive.  Continue reading →

NECROPHAGIST Vinyl Reissue Of “Epitaph” Arrives Via Relapse Records

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Well, my friends… The time has come. Relapse Records has now released the long-awaited vinyl reissue of Necrophagist’s Epitaph– the monumental second album by the technical death metal titans. It’s been over a decade since this masterpiece has seen an analog release, and I know it will be a great pleasure for Necrophagist followers to spin this timeless gem on the phono. I, myself, did not preorder the LP via Relapse, as money is tight at the moment; however, I do envy those who are spinning Epitaph today. It has to be refreshing to hear an official, newly pressed release from the innovative tech death masters. Without a doubt, the announcement of the Epitaph reissue ignited a small spark of optimism within all of our pessimistic hearts – that we may someday hear new material from the beast that is Necrophagist. Continue reading →

Chicago Open Air Spotlight: DED

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*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 DED!

We have a nu metal/hardcore revival on our hands! DED will be performing at Chicago Open Air on Sunday, July 16th along with legendary acts like Ozzy Osbourne and Slayer. The band formed in Phoenix, AZ two years ago with the goal of putting listeners on edge. In the last few months they have taken the music scene by storm with their two recently released songs. Their live performances and EP led to a quick amount of success including shows with Beartooth, Atreyu, Every Time I Die, and more. This summer they will be hitting the road with Korn on several different tours, playing alongside acts like Stone Sour, Skillet, and Animals as Leaders. Continue reading →

CONDEMNED – His Divine Shadow LP Review (+Stream!)

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I’m no expert in brutality, but I do enjoy the occasional brutal death metal album. With that said – when I happen to be in the brutal mood per se, I REALLY enjoy the blast beats and guttural-infested vocals that are such distinguishing staples of the subgenre. So enough about my white belt in all things gore; let’s plunge head first into Unique Leader Records’ latest offering of death in Condemned’s third full length, His Divine Shadow. Founding member, Steve Crow, delivers some of the sickest riffs I’ve heard all year on this wooly mammoth of an album. Plus, His Divine Shadow is Condemned’s first LP to feature newer members – bassist Ryan Tyler, vocalist Sam Townsley, and drummer Tyson Jupin.  Continue reading →