A pretty big release today is Black Label Society's Order of the Black. Zakk Wylde's band has now churned out eight albums and should be excited about this next installment after their last album Shot to Hell reached 21st on U.S. charts.
Also released today is The Binary Code's EP Priest and Bonded By Blood's Exiled to Earth.
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Friday, August 6, 2010
Featured Artist: RAMMSTEIN
Rammstein. One of the world's most popular and most controversial metal bands. In my mind, music just doesn't get much better than the German sextet.
Started by guitarist Richard Z. Kruspe, he quickly found singer Till Lindemann who was playing drums in the band First Arsch. At the time, Kruspe was living with bassist Oliver Riedel and drummer Christoph "Doom" Schneider. In 1994, the group entered a contest to win a 4 track demo recorded in a professional studio. After winning, they grabbed the attention of guitarist Paul Landers who really wanted to join the band. To complete their sound, they asked Christian "Flake" Lorenz to play keyboard, as he previously played in the band Feeling B with Landers.
In September of 1995, the band released their first album, Herzeleid, which went platinum in Germany. To support the album, the band toured through most of Europe, including a short headlining tour in Germany.
Their second album, Sehnsucht, is what prompted the band's success in the United States. Sehnsucht reached platinum is several countries, including the U.S., and even double platinum in Switzerland. The band continued to tour steadily and produced their first live DVD, Live Aus Berlin. The success of Sehnsucht was further solidified by their nomination of Du Hast for Best Metal Performance at the Grammy Awards.
In mid 2000, Rammstein recorded their third studio album, Mutter, which was released on September 21, 2001. The album found even more success as the previous, going double platinum in Germany. For the film xXx, starring Vin Diesel, they performed the song Feuer Frei! live; the song was released as the first single from the xXx soundtrack.
September of 2004 brought the band's fourth album, Reise, Reise, which had slightly less success than Mutter, after the previous album was found disappointing by some of the bands fans. Still, like their previous two albums, Reise, Reise reached number 1 on German charts. Rammstein received their second Grammy Nomination for Mein Teil, the first single from the album.
Barely more than a year later, the album Rosenrot was released, the band saying they had many great songs written for Reise, Reise, but couldn't fit them all on the album. Rosenrot reached number one on German charts and Rammstein rode its popularity straight into the release of their second live DVD titled Volkerball.
Taking some time off in 2006, the band returned in 2007 as strong as ever, writing and recording in preparation for their sixth album, Liebe ist Fur Alle Da, which was released in October of 2009. Possibly their best album to date, Liebe Ist Fur Alle Da was extremely successful worldwide, once again reaching number one on German charts. The band has been touring in support of the album for more than a year and recently added shows in South American in late November/early December, with North American dates expected in November...
The band, described as Neue Deutsche Harte because of their mixing of heavy metal with dance and electronic sounds, is known for their wild performances and controversial lyrics. Unfortunately, their last U.S. show was before I was old enough to go to most metal shows so I have never been able to see them live, but if you have the chance to catch them, don't miss it, because you'll be in for something special! Rammstein is one of the world's staples of industrial metal and will be forever engraved in Metal's history as one the greatest bands of all time.
Started by guitarist Richard Z. Kruspe, he quickly found singer Till Lindemann who was playing drums in the band First Arsch. At the time, Kruspe was living with bassist Oliver Riedel and drummer Christoph "Doom" Schneider. In 1994, the group entered a contest to win a 4 track demo recorded in a professional studio. After winning, they grabbed the attention of guitarist Paul Landers who really wanted to join the band. To complete their sound, they asked Christian "Flake" Lorenz to play keyboard, as he previously played in the band Feeling B with Landers.
In September of 1995, the band released their first album, Herzeleid, which went platinum in Germany. To support the album, the band toured through most of Europe, including a short headlining tour in Germany.
Their second album, Sehnsucht, is what prompted the band's success in the United States. Sehnsucht reached platinum is several countries, including the U.S., and even double platinum in Switzerland. The band continued to tour steadily and produced their first live DVD, Live Aus Berlin. The success of Sehnsucht was further solidified by their nomination of Du Hast for Best Metal Performance at the Grammy Awards.
In mid 2000, Rammstein recorded their third studio album, Mutter, which was released on September 21, 2001. The album found even more success as the previous, going double platinum in Germany. For the film xXx, starring Vin Diesel, they performed the song Feuer Frei! live; the song was released as the first single from the xXx soundtrack.
September of 2004 brought the band's fourth album, Reise, Reise, which had slightly less success than Mutter, after the previous album was found disappointing by some of the bands fans. Still, like their previous two albums, Reise, Reise reached number 1 on German charts. Rammstein received their second Grammy Nomination for Mein Teil, the first single from the album.
Barely more than a year later, the album Rosenrot was released, the band saying they had many great songs written for Reise, Reise, but couldn't fit them all on the album. Rosenrot reached number one on German charts and Rammstein rode its popularity straight into the release of their second live DVD titled Volkerball.
Taking some time off in 2006, the band returned in 2007 as strong as ever, writing and recording in preparation for their sixth album, Liebe ist Fur Alle Da, which was released in October of 2009. Possibly their best album to date, Liebe Ist Fur Alle Da was extremely successful worldwide, once again reaching number one on German charts. The band has been touring in support of the album for more than a year and recently added shows in South American in late November/early December, with North American dates expected in November...
The band, described as Neue Deutsche Harte because of their mixing of heavy metal with dance and electronic sounds, is known for their wild performances and controversial lyrics. Unfortunately, their last U.S. show was before I was old enough to go to most metal shows so I have never been able to see them live, but if you have the chance to catch them, don't miss it, because you'll be in for something special! Rammstein is one of the world's staples of industrial metal and will be forever engraved in Metal's history as one the greatest bands of all time.
Upcoming Show: OT3P @ Ridglea Theater
For all you Fort Worth/Dallas metalheads, get ready for Otep at Ridglea Theater in Fort Worth! Tuesday night the 10th, doors open at 5:30pm. Supporting will be The Agonist, With These Words, Eighth Circuit, and Diotrephes. This will be Otep's fourth time to shake the walls of Ridglea in the last 27 months, and it's going to be awesome! I have been fortunate enough to witness the previous two shows and they were masterpieces. Be there!
Friday, July 30, 2010
Featured Song: Whatever You Do Don't Push the Red Button
This coming Monday I'll be heading to the House of Blues in Dallas to see Thrash and Burn Tour, which should be worthwhile for every Screamo/Metalcore fan out there.
One band I'm really looking forward to is actually one of the first bands on the schedule, Motionless in White. I saw them play the last twenty minutes of their set this past winter when touring with In This Moment and I loved them! They have an awesome, heavy sound, mixed with the vocal harmonies of an emo band.
To prep you guys for Thrash and Burn, the featured song is Whatever You Do Don't Push the Red Button, my favorite song by the band. The lyrics are dark and morbid, but that doesn't at all take away from the song which is heavy throughout. Lead singer Chris's alternating screaming and singing is brilliant and their chugging guitar rivals many hardcore bands out there. Listen to it and check out upcoming Thrash and Burn dates!
One band I'm really looking forward to is actually one of the first bands on the schedule, Motionless in White. I saw them play the last twenty minutes of their set this past winter when touring with In This Moment and I loved them! They have an awesome, heavy sound, mixed with the vocal harmonies of an emo band.
To prep you guys for Thrash and Burn, the featured song is Whatever You Do Don't Push the Red Button, my favorite song by the band. The lyrics are dark and morbid, but that doesn't at all take away from the song which is heavy throughout. Lead singer Chris's alternating screaming and singing is brilliant and their chugging guitar rivals many hardcore bands out there. Listen to it and check out upcoming Thrash and Burn dates!
Releases This Week
This week was pretty calm in terms of album releases. There are only four new albums to report.
36 Crazyfists and Avenged Sevenfold both turned out their fifth albums, Collisions and Castaways, and Nightmare, respectively. Also being released was Decrepit Birth's Polarity and Blind Guardian's At the Edge of Time. Check them out!
36 Crazyfists and Avenged Sevenfold both turned out their fifth albums, Collisions and Castaways, and Nightmare, respectively. Also being released was Decrepit Birth's Polarity and Blind Guardian's At the Edge of Time. Check them out!
Friday, July 23, 2010
Live Show: NEKROMANTIX
Last week I went to go see the Nekromantix at Trees, a little bar in Dallas. I saw them once before when they supported Rob Zombie this past fall. They were good then, but they were AMAZING last week. Seeing them up close in a small venue was great. The sound was surprisingly good and they really knew how to perform. Playing their fast, relatively quick songs, they went through at least twenty songs in their 75 minute performance.
As for their supporting acts, I can't quite say the same. The Howlers definitely had some talent, but you could see why they weren't the headlining act. The Mutilators were a waste of time. They didn't quite have the musical ability of the bands and the singer needed some underwear, to say the least.
The Nekromantix are touring through September, so if they're coming to your city, they're worth checking out. On my long list of bands seen, I think they rank in the top 15, maybe even the top 10.
As for their supporting acts, I can't quite say the same. The Howlers definitely had some talent, but you could see why they weren't the headlining act. The Mutilators were a waste of time. They didn't quite have the musical ability of the bands and the singer needed some underwear, to say the least.
The Nekromantix are touring through September, so if they're coming to your city, they're worth checking out. On my long list of bands seen, I think they rank in the top 15, maybe even the top 10.
Monday, July 19, 2010
Album Review: A STAR-CROSSED WASTELAND
Awesome! That sums up this albums completely. In This Moment, one of the best female-fronted bands in metal, has blown metalheads away with their third album release, A Star-crossed Wasteland. In the buildup to its release, the CD was described as being a combination of the band's previous records, A Beautiful Tragedy and The Dream. I think that is an extremely fitting description as beautiful melodies and chugging guitars are combined perfectly in this masterpiece. I also assume that I am not the only person who missed Maria Brink's screaming vocals on The Dream. They're back. All the way. Almost every song is touched with the high pitched cry of the band's lead singer.
My favorite songs on the album are Gunshow, Blazin', and Iron Army, but I will say that it's very hard to choose as each song is amazing, and as is the ITM custom, in very different ways. The songs A Star-Crossed Wasteland and World In Flames bring the tempo down and relax the mood in the middle and end of this barrage of a heavy, but still very musical, album.
If you get the special edition you will be treated to a bonus track Remember which is another one of my favorites along with a live acoustic performance of A Star-Crossed Wasteland. Also in the special edition is a DVD with interviews and the making of the Gunshow video, among other things. I haven't checked out the DVD yet because I have been too enthralled with the album itself for the past week, but I intend to check it out soon.
I give this album a solid A. I think it's better than an A- but doesn't quite deserve a perfect rating, although it's probably as close as you can get. It's available in most music stores and online. Pick it up!
My favorite songs on the album are Gunshow, Blazin', and Iron Army, but I will say that it's very hard to choose as each song is amazing, and as is the ITM custom, in very different ways. The songs A Star-Crossed Wasteland and World In Flames bring the tempo down and relax the mood in the middle and end of this barrage of a heavy, but still very musical, album.
If you get the special edition you will be treated to a bonus track Remember which is another one of my favorites along with a live acoustic performance of A Star-Crossed Wasteland. Also in the special edition is a DVD with interviews and the making of the Gunshow video, among other things. I haven't checked out the DVD yet because I have been too enthralled with the album itself for the past week, but I intend to check it out soon.
I give this album a solid A. I think it's better than an A- but doesn't quite deserve a perfect rating, although it's probably as close as you can get. It's available in most music stores and online. Pick it up!
Friday, July 16, 2010
Releases: IN THIS MOMENT, KORN
This week has been a big week for album releases. Probably the most exciting is the release of In This Moment's third album, A Starcrossed Wasteland, which has been talked about as one of the most highly anticipated albums of the year. Also coming out Tuesday was Korn's KornIII: Remember Who You Are. Kerrang! has rated both albums, giving A Starcrossed Wasteland a perfect 5/5 and Remember Who You Are 4/5.
Other releases this week include albums by Norma Jean (Meridional), Canvas Solaris (Irradiance), Hell Within (God Grant Me Vengeance), Hellyeah (Stampede), and Darkseed (Poison Awaits).
Check back for a review of A Starcrossed Wasteland very soon!
Other releases this week include albums by Norma Jean (Meridional), Canvas Solaris (Irradiance), Hell Within (God Grant Me Vengeance), Hellyeah (Stampede), and Darkseed (Poison Awaits).
Check back for a review of A Starcrossed Wasteland very soon!
Monday, July 12, 2010
Featured Song #5: Prayers
Today's featured song is Prayers by the metalcore band In This Moment. It was the first song ever released by the band back in 2006 and appeared on their debut album Beautiful Tragedy, which catapulted the band to the top of metal charts. Prayers has an awesome melody and mixes well with heavy guitar riffs and the alternating vocals of Maria Brink as she exhibits her beautiful singing voice and unbeatable screaming sound. Check this song out as you prepare for the release of their third studio album A Starcrossed Wasteland which will be released tomorrow!
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Top Ten List: Rob Zombie
In honor of our current featured artist, Rob Zombie, here's a list of what I believe to be his top ten songs of all time, including the White Zombie days.
10. DRAGULA – One of Rob Zombie’s biggest hits, Dragula has to make the list of his greatest songs. A song about Herman Munster’s race car, Dragula was Zombie’s first solo single and became an instant hit with a music video featuring footage from that very episode of the Munsters. The song reached number 6 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks (BMSRT) in 1998.
9. SUPERBEAST – Another early Zombie hit, Superbeast is known to be one of Rob’s heavier songs and is high up on my list of favorites. The song peaked at 26 on BMSRT in 1999 when it was released as a single.
8. SICK BUBBLEGUM – Coming off Zombie’s newest album, Hellbilly Deluxe 2, Sick Bubble Gum was one of the songs he played on the album’s supporting tour predating the album’s release. This is definitely one of his better performances and has the old school Zombie feel.
7. DEMON SPEEDING – Demon Speeding is still a Zombie staple after being released on Zombie's second solo album, The Sinister Urge. It always gets the crowd riled up and is a must listen for all Zombie fans. Released as a single in 2001 with House of 1000 Corpses on its B-side, Demon Speeding reached 13th on BMSRT.
6. SUPER-CHARGER HEAVEN – This one is really old, going back to the White Zombie days and the album Astro Creep 2000. It’s probably the best song that the now disbanded group produced. Fast-paced and heavy throughout, SCH is a thrill ride of metal about the Japanese Super Hero Devilman. It reached 39th on BMSRT in 1995.
5. DEMONOID PHENOMENON - Coming off the original Hellbilly Deluxe, Demonoid Phenomenon is one of my all-time favorites. It's heavy, fast, and full of action. Though it was never released as a single, it is still a regular song in his live show.
4. LIVING DEAD GIRL - One of Zombie's biggest hits, Living Dead Girl reached number 7 on BMSRT in 1998 and was the second single off Hellbilly Deluxe. The song's video is quite entertaining as it features Rob's wife Sheri Moon as the Living Dead Girl and Rob as the...magician who brings her to life, causing the townspeople to chase him away.
3. THE LORDS OF SALEM - While never being released as a single, Lords of Salem is one of Zombie's most successful songs after being nominated for a Grammy in 2009 for Best Hard Rock Performance. It's slow and brutally heavy, with the story focusing mainly around the Salem Witch Trials of the 1600s.
2. AMERICAN WITCH - Released as Zombie's second single on the album Educated Horses, American Witch reached 12 on BMSRT. One of my favorite songs across all bands, American Witch is one of only a couple songs on its album that really fits the bill of classic Zombie. Its music video features clips of live performances from several shows on the American Witch Tour in 2006.
1. WHAT LURKS ON CHANNEL X? - This is another song not released as a single, but it's my personal favorite Zombie song. Short but heavy, the song has a great drum beat and awesome guitar riff. Check it out on Hellbilly Deluxe!
Honorable Mentions: House of 1000 Corpses, Werewolf Women of the SS, What?
10. DRAGULA – One of Rob Zombie’s biggest hits, Dragula has to make the list of his greatest songs. A song about Herman Munster’s race car, Dragula was Zombie’s first solo single and became an instant hit with a music video featuring footage from that very episode of the Munsters. The song reached number 6 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks (BMSRT) in 1998.
9. SUPERBEAST – Another early Zombie hit, Superbeast is known to be one of Rob’s heavier songs and is high up on my list of favorites. The song peaked at 26 on BMSRT in 1999 when it was released as a single.
8. SICK BUBBLEGUM – Coming off Zombie’s newest album, Hellbilly Deluxe 2, Sick Bubble Gum was one of the songs he played on the album’s supporting tour predating the album’s release. This is definitely one of his better performances and has the old school Zombie feel.
7. DEMON SPEEDING – Demon Speeding is still a Zombie staple after being released on Zombie's second solo album, The Sinister Urge. It always gets the crowd riled up and is a must listen for all Zombie fans. Released as a single in 2001 with House of 1000 Corpses on its B-side, Demon Speeding reached 13th on BMSRT.
6. SUPER-CHARGER HEAVEN – This one is really old, going back to the White Zombie days and the album Astro Creep 2000. It’s probably the best song that the now disbanded group produced. Fast-paced and heavy throughout, SCH is a thrill ride of metal about the Japanese Super Hero Devilman. It reached 39th on BMSRT in 1995.
5. DEMONOID PHENOMENON - Coming off the original Hellbilly Deluxe, Demonoid Phenomenon is one of my all-time favorites. It's heavy, fast, and full of action. Though it was never released as a single, it is still a regular song in his live show.
4. LIVING DEAD GIRL - One of Zombie's biggest hits, Living Dead Girl reached number 7 on BMSRT in 1998 and was the second single off Hellbilly Deluxe. The song's video is quite entertaining as it features Rob's wife Sheri Moon as the Living Dead Girl and Rob as the...magician who brings her to life, causing the townspeople to chase him away.
3. THE LORDS OF SALEM - While never being released as a single, Lords of Salem is one of Zombie's most successful songs after being nominated for a Grammy in 2009 for Best Hard Rock Performance. It's slow and brutally heavy, with the story focusing mainly around the Salem Witch Trials of the 1600s.
2. AMERICAN WITCH - Released as Zombie's second single on the album Educated Horses, American Witch reached 12 on BMSRT. One of my favorite songs across all bands, American Witch is one of only a couple songs on its album that really fits the bill of classic Zombie. Its music video features clips of live performances from several shows on the American Witch Tour in 2006.
1. WHAT LURKS ON CHANNEL X? - This is another song not released as a single, but it's my personal favorite Zombie song. Short but heavy, the song has a great drum beat and awesome guitar riff. Check it out on Hellbilly Deluxe!
Honorable Mentions: House of 1000 Corpses, Werewolf Women of the SS, What?
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