Review: WHITECHAPEL – ‘The Valley’ [Album Review & Video Stream]

 

Since their inception in 2007, Whitechapel have embraced darkness unlike many other bands have been able to do, and their forthcoming seventh studio release, The Valley, is no different. Let’s set the record straight for a second, though. There aren’t many, “happy,” things about their music to start with, but when you start to dig deeper than the music and the lyrics, and begin to strike a personal connection with the stories they tell, you begin to feel like you’re one with the grim tales that they narrate in their music. For frontman Phil Bozeman, this is as personal of an album as ever, giving you an inside look at events that he went through as a child growing up in Knoxville, Tennessee, with a new perspective on life and how his childhood traumas have molded him into the human being he is now. From his putrid relationship with his step father, to diving deep into analyzing his mother’s multiple personality syndromes, it is nothing short of a lyrical masterpiece that exceeds any and all expectations from a modern Deathcore band in today’s music scene. The Valley, based on true events by Whitechapel, is an overwhelming, emotional, and cut-throat look into the darkest side of a person’s mind.

The album begins with the opening track, When A Demon Defiles A Witch, a song that Bozeman wrote about his mother’s personal demon. A gruesome tale that properly sets the mood for the unrelenting and over the top musical onslaught that you will face when listening to this album. To make things perfectly clear, this song has nothing to do with his stepfather, but it is about a demon by the name of, “Mycar,” that used to haunt her in their home. Bozeman’s mother had journals that she kept writings in of all the things that she experienced with this being, and these journals actually contained lines and phrases that Bozeman would use as lyrics for the track in certain places, (“Burn the bed, burn everything, it’s a lie anyway.”) the original writings of the journal concur that she referred to herself as a witch, and talk about how the demon would sexually assault her in her bed. Continue reading

WHITECHAPEL Release “Black Bear” From Upcoming Album ‘The Valley’ [Song Stream]

 

On March 29th, Whitechapel will release their 7th full-length, ‘The Valley’, via Metal Blade Records. Mixed by David Castillo, mastered by Ted Jensen, and produced once again by Mark Lewis (Cannibal Corpse, The Black Dahlia Murder), ‘The Valley’ is a reference to the part of Hardin Valley (west of Knoxville, Tennessee) where vocalist Phil Bozeman grew up. Set against this backdrop, he approaches his subject matter unflinchingly, building upon everything that came before, making it clear that he has survived that which he was forced to endure and is not afraid to confront it. “Phil has been upfront in his lyrics in the past about hardships he endured in his life as a child, and I believe with this record we tried to paint a better picture of that,” says guitarist Alex Wade, who alongside his bandmates, stands 100% behind everything their vocalist has to say. “I feel our music is Phil’s release from his past, being able to get it out and speak about it, and hopefully anyone who hears it that may have gone through similar experiences can find some release in it as well.” This is the second track released from the upcoming album, the first of which was “Brimstone” which can be streamed here. Continue reading

Review: DECONBRIO – ‘Hail To The Liars Throne’ [Stream]

Deconbrio is a Coldwave / Industrial Rock band from Knoxville, Tennessee headed by frontman Danny Rendo. The vocalist also writes, produces and records the music. Since the band’s last release they have added some new members to the already talented group. Second guitarist Wolfegang and new bassist Kevin Humler have rounded out their live lineup while the band recently unveiled their latest release ‘Hail To The Liars Throne’ which was issued on November 9, 2016. The album is a slight change from the band’s 2012 EP “Voyeur” which showcased ample amounts of anger within the music. While ‘Hail To The Liars Throne’ does carry with it an aggressive tone, it takes you through a wide range of emotions from the time the track begins and ends. It’s a roller coaster ride of emotionally filled industrial rock that you are sure to enjoy.  Continue reading

DIVIDED WE STAND Release Music Video for “New Era”!

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Photo Credit: NVK Photography

A few months ago we were fortunate enough to see Divided We Stand at the Summer Slam Festival in Johnson City, Tennessee. The band has a unique and melodic style that is appealing to almost any ear. The beautiful melodic vocals by singer Joseph Turner is surrounded by amazing musicians playing their instruments with the greatest precision. The Knoxville based band has just released a music video for their song “New Era”. The song is the newest release by the band who last released ‘Civil Unrest’ back in 2011. The song could certainly standalone without any visualization, but the video makes it all that much more appealing. Both in the video and in a live setting you can see and feel the passion the band has for their music. You will often see a smile on their face. They not only make great music but they have some of the best on stage chemistry you will ever see. The video was made possible by Spider Studios and Post Retro Productions who put together an amazing quality music video that has great cinematography and keeps viewer’s attention. Enjoy the video and make sure to follow Divided We Stand online so you won’t miss anything this up and coming band has going on. Continue reading

Soulfly Release Lyric Video From New Album [Video]

 

 

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“Archangel” will be the 10th studio album by Max Cavalera’s band Soulfly since forming in 1997. They have released a lyric video for the track “We Sold Our Souls To Metal” which is also the name of the upcoming tour they will headline. Archangel was produced and mixed by Matt Hyde (Slayer, Behemoth, Children of Bodom).

 

Max stated via Faceebook:

“I feel it is my most mystic album since Prophecy. The guest collaborations have always been a trademark of SOULFLY and Archangel is no different! We can’t wait to play this live for the worldwide tribe!”

“Archangel” track listing:

01. We Sold Our Souls To Metal
02. Archangel
03. Sodomites (feat. Todd Jones of NAILS)
04. Ishtar Rising
05. Live Life Hard! (feat. Matt Young of KING PARROT)
06. Shamash
07. Bethlehem’s Blood
08. Titans
09. Deceiver
10. Mother Of Dragons (feat. Richie Cavalera of Incite, Igor Cavalera of Lody Kong)

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The We Sold Our Souls To Metal 2015 Tour kicks off in Los Angeles, California on September 30th. with Soilwork, Decapitated, and Shattered Sun. This will be an amazing tour that you will not want to miss. We will be catching this tour in Knoxville, Tennessee on October 22nd at The International. Expect a review of the show to follow. See you there!

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