Coming from Australia are one of the greatest if not the best metalcore band named Polaris. So far they have managed to break free with only their deput EP ‘Dichotomy’, second EP ‘The Guilt & The Grief’ and their latest and first album ‘The Mortal Coil’. These guys are truly insane and they are ready to take over!
Kentucky punk trio Baby Bones formed around 2016. Band members Dave Rucinski (guitar/vocals), Thomas Burgos (guitar/vocals/bass) and Badnewz Brandum (drums) are veterans in the Louisville music scene for years. In 2016 the trio recorded the song “Pay Us In Dimes” for the ‘We Have a Bevin Problem’ compilation under the mantle of Baby Bones, rocketing themselves into an unknown future. Of course “Bevin” refers to the current governor Matt Bevin of the Bluegrass state who hasn’t been too well received by the majority of the Commonwealth of Kentucky. He is only the second Republican to hold the office in over 40 years. As we know punk bands are often inspired by political themes and rebelling against the powers the be, and Baby Bones is no different. That compilation created a consumer demand for more of what Baby Bones was offering; Therefore it ignited the trio to invest more time into the group and release more material. The band has went into the studio at Tin Pan Basement and recorded with Dave Rucinski. They have finalized their debut EP titled ‘Curse of the Crystal Teeth’ and it will release on April 14th, 2018 via Gubbey Records.
Dangerous Curves is an 80’s and 90’s hard rock/classic metal band from the Maryland or D.C. area that creates their own original songs inspired by that decade of great bands. The band has a passion for hard hitting, high energy music that they grew up with. They name drop songs like AC/DC’s “Dirty Deeds” and Ratt’s “Round And Round” as some of the specific tracks that inspired them to form the band and also their unique sound. They remember the days of singing along in your car to the hot new cassette you just bought. They are inspired to re-create songs that you went to sing along to. John Jamison, Chris Gamble, Linwood Turner and Randy Snowman love that distinct hard-to-play sound that came out of that 80’s/90’s era. The band says “Let’s be unique and do the HARD stuff!” Like Iron Maiden, Motley Crue, Megadeth, Metallica, Triumph, Van Halen? The band knows that not everyone is in love with the harder side of the genre like they are, but they try to add elements that will satisfy every band. Coincidentally Dangerous Curves is also the name of Lita Ford’s fifth studio album released in 1991, so the bands name could be a nod in respect to her since the bands unique style and sound comes from that very era of music. Strap in, put your helmet on, and hang on to something, this is going to be one hell of a ride! Continue reading
Exit Empire is a three piece post hardcore band currently based in the Czech Republic founded in 2016 by two brothers Timmy Ruzicka on guitar and vocals, Premysl Ruzicka, Jr. on drums and their best friend Rafael Eimut on lead vocals. The band is planning to make the move to the U.S. particularly Los Angeles and tour both the U.S. and the world. Exit Empire are a dyi band and have even kept the production of their videos within the band. They dropped their debut music video “Ignore Me” in May of 2017. The next music video “Shut Up” was released a few months later in July. These songs are taken from their self-titled debut album released in October 2017. Both audio and video is produced by the band at Exit Empire Studios, keeping every bit of creative control under their belt. In the bands mission statement they have said “We create music that moves people, both in heart and at a concert. Our goal is to achieve greatness no band from Czech Republic tried to before. Through sharing a complete dedication and passion within the band and with our fans, we believe it’s possible. Our songs tell personal stories through the sound of modern alternative metal. It’s full of heavy riffs and singable melodies, with electro background for epic atmosphere that feels bigger than life.” Exit Empire has some tour dates coming up one of which includes American rap rockers Crazytown and UK based band Death Remains if you are in the Czech Republic make sure to get out and see these guys live.
US Doom super-group Vessel Of Light is the new collaboratory project born from the unlikely pairing of Dan Lorenzo (Hades, Non-Fiction, and The Cursed) and Nathan Opposition (Ancient VVisdom). Their debut 6-track EP releases this Friday 3rd November on Argonauta Records (pre-orders available here) and is a hauntingly atmospheric concoction of sludgy doom-rock, heavily laden with murderous lyrics and old-school hooks. They premiered their first single “Meant To Be” at the end of August (available now on iTunes) and have recently just released a lyric video to “Dead Flesh And Bones”, the second track taken from this most intriguing record. Watch both hauntingly delightful videos below. Continue reading
“The upstart rockers have a promising future and they are delivering one of the more intense and emotionally raw videos you’ll see this year…”– Loudwire
So Cal rockers The Black Hand have just dropped another emotionally charged video for the song “Where Are You Now?” the second to be taken from their debut ‘Self-titled’ album which is out now and available across all platforms. The Rick Gomez directed video features Michael Cudlitz, best known for his role as ‘Abraham’ in the hit television series The Walking Dead. Lead vocalist Chris Hughes describes, “Working on this video was heavy. Everyone involved left it all on the set. As soon as you walked in the room you felt it. Cudlitz is as real as it gets, a true artist who goes all in every time.” Watch the full video below. Continue reading
Let’s welcome Moonscape to the world of melodic metal! Moonscape has just released their debut album, “Entity” on October 2nd and I have only good things to tell you. They are actually one man, Håvard Lunde. He is a multi-instrumentalist native to Gjøvik, Norway. And Moonscape itself is considered a prog/melodic metal solo artist.
Hogan’s Goat is named after a tale from Scottish folklore. The band initially formed in late 2014. As the story goes, a farmer (Hogan) owned a goat rumored to have an odor said to travel miles away. The goat’s been described as having patchy fur, an eye out of socket, and flies abound. For the band, this perfectly symbolized their unorthodox style, that which is anything but unnoticeable. They couldn’t have picked a better fable for their namesake. More like a powerful mountain ram the band roams through various styles of music never staying in one place too long. Their first show (at SXSW, on the rooftop of The Blind Pig) was part of an all Nashville (non-country) showcase. Soon after, Hogan’s Goat returned to Nashville, they competed in BMI’s “Road To Bonnaroo” (winning the fan vote) and played many other shows around the Nashville area. While most people think Nashville is only a country town, there is a vibrant rock and metal scene there as well. Hogan’s Goat has hoofed their way out of sea of country music to spread their music to the masses. While the band is based in Nashville it’s members migrated from all around the country like Billings, Montana, Denton, Texas , Southern Pines, North Carolina as well as Nashville. Like their music their roots run further than the eye can see. In March of 2016, Hogan’s Goat began recording their first LP, ‘Hogan’s Goat’ which is set to release July 18th, 2017. The album was self-produced, mixed by Alex Gilson and Nathan Zensen at Gold Cassette and mastered by Tommy Dorsey. The band looks to tour regionally, nationally, and globally. Continue reading
*This is part of our State Of The Art series, showcasing bands every Monday from the featured State*
This month’s State is Idaho
Traitors Gate is:
Ken Mansfield – Guitars
Tim Allan – Drums
Colby Dees – Bass
Mister Y– Vocals
Alright my Metalhead friends, I have a special treat for this week’s State of the Art: Idaho series. Not only do I have a killer band that you are sure to dig, but also am including a review of of their new, self-titled debut! I have never done this before but the opportunity presented itself and I sure as hell was going to take advantage of it! New band AND new music?!? Good stuff. Let’s get to it. This week, from Boise, ID, comes Traitors Gate.
Buffalo, New York is home to some iconic things. Wings, the neighboring city to Niagara Falls and the loveable losers the Buffalo Bills. Well soon enough the great Northern city will be put on the map yet again. The unbelievably kick ass doomsters Bastard Lord have released their debut EP via Twin Earth Records. The band has their own signature branded doom sound. The incredible riffs created by Mike Hermann are something of legendary status. On songs like “Wormwood” the guitar riffs teleport you toward the doom filled psychedelic vocals by singer and bassist David Braymiller. The song even lets the feedback shine through adding that raw edge to their music. The vocals aren’t all up front and in your face but slightly retreated from the instruments and it works beautifully. The bands overall sound is something fresh and fierce in the world of sludge and doom. They have taken inspiration from modern metal added their own twist and vibe and it has birthed what we now know as Bastard Lord. The first track on the album “Cimmerian” has an eerie riff that slowly trickles into full blown doom. The song is a 13 minute tour of what the band is all about. We only get 4 tracks on this EP, but it is a perfect example of what to expect with a full length. The three peice has really carved out a sound that is unmatched currently, especially in the North East. They are like a Frankenstein of Crowbar and Pallbearer with other little tid bits of kick ass thrown in here and there. If you are a fan of sludge, doom or anything psychedelic we fully recommend this album. I refer to Bastard Lord’s riffs as a sweet sweet nectar that is overwhelmingly addictive. We look very forward to catching these guys live and in the flesh.
