Fans of old-school Epica and Within Temptation are going to lose their minds over North Carolina’s best kept secret; American Empire. North Carolina has bred some top notch metal over the years but nothing that sounds quite like this. With the exception of Kamelot, most North American symphonic metal bands just seem to be missing something. But think again, American Empire is packing some seriously fantastic Euro-sounding metal down in Durham. 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 North Carolina.*
STELLAR CIRCUITS formed in 2015 in order to create progressively-minded music. The name “Stellar Circuits” is derived from the eight-circuit model of consciousness, a theory proposed in the 1970’s about expanding consciousness and understanding the process of our mind as it relates to existentialism.
*This is part of our State Of The Art series, showcasing bands every Monday from the featured state. This month’s state is North Carolina.*
Hailing from Raleigh, North Carolina, Mo’ynoq delivers a blistering form of American black metal whose self-proclaimed influences include Immortal, Nachtmystium, and Wolves in the Throne Room. Their style, which competently pays homage to the greats, embodies a vast, darkened soundscape of gothic proportions and atmospheric tension that envelops its listener like a dense fog. Since their inception in 2016, Mo’ynoq has released a couple of EPs, and in January of this year, their debut full-length album entitled ‘Dreaming in a Dead Language.’ Continue reading
Hatebreed
Hardcore heavyweights Hatebreed are celebrating 25 years of music. Two and a half decades worth of music that is certified to make you want to kick someone’s ass. In the world of hardcore and metal, that’s no small accomplishment. What better way to celebrate an achievement like this than to tour the country with some of the most influential bands from the world of underground music; Terror, Cro-Mags*, and Obituary. This tour stopped in Charlotte, North Carolina, last week to celebrate the last 25 years with a sold-out venue. Here’s how it went. Continue reading
*This is part of the Epicenter Festival Spotlight segment where we help you get to know some of the non-headlining bands performing at the festival. This week we introduce you to Boston Manor!*
Boston Manor is a pop punk band which formed in Blackpool, Lancashire, England in 2013. The band certainly isn’t of the heavier variety of bands performing at the Epicenter Festival, but they help give a break in all the heaviness throughout the day. Boston Manor released their debut EP ‘Here/Now’ the same year they formed in 2013. In 2014, the five piece released both a split with the band Throwing Stuff, as well as another EP titled ‘Driftwood.’ Then in 2015, Boston Manor signed to Pure Noise Records and released a four-track EP titled ‘Saudade.’ In 2016, Boston Manor released their first full-length album titled ‘Be Nothing.’ Continue reading
Weedeater was formed by front-man/bassist “Dixie” Dave Collins also formerly of Buzzoven. Following the release of their 2001 debut ‘…And Justice For Y’All’, Weedeater immediately established themselves as a force in the U.S. tour circuit and quickly gained notoriety in the American metal scene. In the time since, the band have released three critically-acclaimed albums: ‘Sixteen Tons’ (2002), ‘God Luck And Good Speed’ (2007), and ‘Jason… The Dragon’ (2011), and toured around the world with the likes of Down, Saint Vitus, High On Fire, The Melvins, Hank III, and more. The band has played prestigious festivals such as Maryland Deathfest, Hopscotch Festival, Stoned From The Underground, Asymmetry Festival, Roadburn Festival, Hellfest, and many more. Weedeater has sludged their way up the ranks from a underground band with a cult following to one of metal’s most sought after bands to see live. Frontman “Dixie” Dave is an all around entertainer when on stage with his puzzling looks and gravely pitch, combine that with the guitar shredding genius of Dave “Shep” Shepherd and your night is bound to be a memory you won’t soon forget. Continue reading
How much do you love Metalcore? Well, no matter what your answer is, allow us to make you love it even more! Written In Gray have just unleashed a music video for their smashing new single, What’s Done Is Done. An underground act out of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, putting the foot to the accelerator and not looking back on this ripping new track! The band has been around for a few years now, and, despite some roster changes throughout the years, have showed us that they’re ready to make a statement in the genre and put their names into everyone’s music library. ‘The One Has Risen‘, was a demo released in mid-2015, around the time they solidified their official lineup we know today. They have taken the North Carolina metal scene by storm, opening for names such as Arch Enemy and John 5! They have since released an EP entitled, ‘Sea of Embers‘. Continue reading
Founded in 2013 Reason|Define is a catchy all female hard rock band based in Charlotte, North Carolina. The band incorporates catchy rock-style riffs, powerful melodic vocals, and some of the best drumming you’ve ever heard. Even before the band released their debut album they were voted Carolina Music Awards Rock Band of the Year for 2016. The band then released their debut album ‘Far From Strangers’ in March of 2017. The band lists Tonight Alive, Every Time I Die, State Champs, and Beartooth as some of their influences. The 5 piece band is comprised of Paolina Massaro – Vocals, Caitlin Rutkowski – Bass/Back Up Vocals, Savannah Ruff – Guitar/Back Up Vocals, Shelby McVicker – Guitar and Sydney McVicker – Drums. The band has recently been in the studio working on their follow up album.
Behemoth
The Ecclesia Diabolica America tour stopped at The Underground in Charlotte, NC, just a couple days before Halloween, and brought with it a three of the biggest names in the underground metal scene. Wolves In The Throne Room, At the Gates, and Behemoth brought the club to near capacity as the Carolinas showed that they appreciate a great tour when it comes through. Continue reading
Mike Shinoda
Fans of all ages packed The Fillmore in Charlotte, NC as Mike Shinoda brought his Post Traumatic tour to the Queen City. Walking into this one I knew that I was in store for an emotional night but I didn’t know that it would be as much of an emotional roller coaster as it was. Continue reading
