Category Archives: Bands You Should Hear

05.11.13
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[MUSIC REVIEW] Frank Turner – Tape Deck Heart (Deluxe Edition)

FRANK TURNER
Tape Deck Heart (Deluxe)
[Epitaph Records]
Verdict: 9.5/10

frank turnerFor the last month or two, I’ve been listening to Tape Deck Heart repeatedly. This is definitely one of the best records I’ve heard in a long while (and it came just in time, considering I’m going through an indie/folk rock phase currently). It’s sad I haven’t listened to much of Frank Turner before this, and therefore can’t compare it to his previous material. However, as this collection stands, it’s damn near perfect. Kicking off with the instant hit, “Recovery”, Tape Deck Heart comes with memorable lick after lick. These songs will easily be stuck in your head for weeks to come, especially “The Way I Tend To Be”, “Plain Sailing Weather” (I am fucking obsessed with this particular track), “Good & Gone”, “Tell Tale Signs”, and “Four Simple Words” (the loud, punk rock anthem that will get everyone dancing). In its later tracks, the album does slow down, which could possibly turn off some listeners. That being admitted, even Frank’s more reserved tracks offer something profound and intricate. Lyrically, the man is a genius, touching upon both the basic and complicated aspects of every day life. Even topics sung by every artists out there seem fresh when performed by Frank. He has a way with words, that’s for sure. As for the version of Tape Deck Heart I had acquired, it was the deluxe edition; it came with a total of eighteen tracks, making for a long record. It’s a bit daunting, actually. Out of those additions, “Tattoos” and “Time Machine” would have to be the obvious winners. Tape Deck Heart is a masterpiece, to say at the least. In relation, Frank Turner is a genius. Enough said. – by Nathaniel Lay

Most Recommended: “Recovery”, “The Way I Tend To Be”, “Plain Sailing Weather”, “Good & Gone”, “Tell Tale Signs”, “Four Simple Words”, “Tattoos”, “Time Machine
Release: Available Now
In Conclusion: Frank Turner has created an absolutely amazing record with Tape Deck Heart. It’s a true experience to play these songs over and over.

05.11.13
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[REVIEW] American Fangs – S/T

american fangsAMERICAN FANGS
American Fangs
[In De Goot Recordings/RED Distribution]
Verdict: 9/10

It’s been months I’ve been listening to this record, preparing for its review. Now that the album release is next week, it’s time I sit down and express my love for newcomers American Fangs. If you were to rewind to the early 2000′s and listen to the bands dominating the indie scenes for rock and punk, you’d find the perfect home for American Fangs. Like a cross between Maxeen and Letterkills, this record is full of high adrenaline, edgy sounding rock, while keeping up full frontal anthems and melody. Tracks like “Riot Food” and “Pomona” have that mainstream rock appeal, while “Le Kick” and “Gimme Gimme” drip more with a grungy, sex appeal to their power antics. Of course, no proper rock record wouldn’t be complete without at least one slow song. With this American Fangs self titled effort, the first comes early with “Sorry”; this particular track has all the makings of a radio hit. “Man In The Sun” would be its tight competition, certainly. As a complete work, this debut is a fantastic start to a hopefully bright career for American Fangs. It comes as a surprise that brings you coming back for more and more, months after you’ve first spun it. – by Nathaniel Lay

Most Recommended: “Riot Food”, “Le Kick”, “Sorry”, “Man In The Sun”
Release: May 14, 2013
In Conclusion: Fans of the Warped Tour compilations from the early 2000′s will find American Fangs fit in perfectly with that older scene. Their brand of edgy rock, mixed with punk anthems, works wonderfully on their debut record.

05.01.13
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[QUICKIE REVIEWS] Alkaline Trio, Dark New Day, Authority Zero, Shai Hulud

This collection of short reviews features several releases from over a month or two back that I’ve been meaning to get around to. Well, finally, I’ve knocked some of them out. Some great records to be found below! — by Nathaniel Lay

alkaline-trio-my-shame-is-true-580x580ALKALINE TRIO – My Shame Is True
[Epitaph Records] – Verdict: 9.5/10
The really great thing about the new A3 album is just how much of a flashback appeal it has. Fans from the days of Goddammit will find that My Shame Is True has a lot of old school shine to it that is reminiscent of the band’s earlier material. Kicking off with “She Lied To The FBI”, Alkaline Trio reel in the listener with their light and honest punk/rock that made them so memorable back before they were famous. The record only gets better from there, bringing in new elements and influences along the way. For example, “I Wanna Be A Warhol” sounds like a lost +44 song, and “I, Pessimist” plays fast and hard like Rise Against (and even features Tim on guest vocals). My Shame Is True is essentially hit after hit. This is the best A3 record in fuckin’ years.

DNDHailmarycoverDARK NEW DAY – Hail Mary
[Pavement Entertainment] – Verdict: 7/10
Having never listened to this band before, it was nice going into it knowing it featured members of several good hard/rock bands, such as Evanescence. Hail Mary is about what I expected, considering where these guys had come from originally. The music here is all quite solid, whether you’re more interested in the heavier writing (“Goodbye”, “Saddest Song”), the lighter stuff (“On My Way”, “Dear Addy”), or the in-between/anthem-like tracks (“Simple”, “Outside”). Now, hard rock hasn’t been my cup of tea for years, but Dark New Day are doing it justice. So if this genre is your thing, chances are high you will love this record.

ShaiHulud-ReachBeyondTheSunSHAI HULUD – Reach Beyond the Sun
[Metal Blade Records] – Verdict: 9/10
Believe it or not, I’ve never listened to Shai Hulud before this record. For whatever reason, I always thought they played that deep, guttural metal I can’t stand. Instead, they are very much hardcore in their presentation: fast, aggressive, hard-hitting, and memorable. Reach Beyond the Sun was quite the surprise, as a result. Shai Hulud have instantly gone up on my list, making the top 10 hardcore acts killing it right now. After the somewhat disappointing recent release by Stick To Your Guns, I think it’s safe to say Shai Hulud have even surpassed them with this record.

az_thetippingpoint1000-635x635AUTHORITY ZERO – The Tipping Point
[Hardline Entertainment] – Verdict: 9/10
Like the days of Siren Song by Rise Against, The Tipping Point has a very strong punk rock fuel that makes the songs both memorable and fist pumping. While tracks “Undivided”, “For the Kids”, “Struggle”, “Lift One Up”, and “Today We Heard The News” feature the best moments of The Tipping Point, the album is a fantastic ride from start to finish. This is probably the best Authority Zero have been, so pay attention.

04.30.13
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[NEWS] Insult To Injury Announce Tour Dates

insult toiInsult To Injury Announces Summer Tours

Pittsburgh Metalcore outfit Insult To Injury has announced that they will be hitting the road in June and July with plans to hit most of the US. The June tour, named “Touraholics,” will feature Burn False Idols and cover the east coast by beginning in Morgantown, WV June 12th, and ending in Canton, OH June 23rd. Insult To Injury will follow that stint with their July tour, entitled “The Hoodrats & Hoodlums Tour,” that will feature Royal/Revise and cover the midwest and southwest states. “The Hoodrats & Hoodlums Tour” will begin July 5th in Toledo, OH and end July 20th in Pittsburgh, OH. Insult To Injury Guitarist Cody commented on the tours by saying, “When Insult To Injury formed, we had big city dreams to tour around the country one day, and with these tours those dreams are coming true. For some of us, we’ve haven’t traveled away from the east coast and to have this opportunity to tour several time zones over the US, we could not be more thankful.”

TOUR DATES

(with Burn False Idols)
June 12 – Morgantown, WV – TBA
June 13 – Charleston, WV – TBA
June 14 – Woodbridge, VA – Q-balls Cafe
June 15 – Greensboro, NC – TBA
June 16 – Fayetteville, NC – TBA
June 17 – Aiken, SC – HIC Skate Park
June 18 – Knoxville, TN – Longbrach
June 19 – Charlotte, NC – TBA
June 20 – Georgetown, KY – Party Right
June 21 – Indianapolis, IN – TBA
June 22 – Marion, OH – Club Polish
June 23 – Canton, OH – TBA

(with Royal/Revise)
July 5 – Toledo, OH
July 6 – Chicago, IL
July 7 – Des Moines, IA
July 8 – North Platte, NE
July 9 – Denver, CO
July 10 – Durango, CO
July 12 – Albuguerque, NM
July 13 – Amarillo, TX
July 14 – Dallas, TX
July 15 – Little Rock, AR
July 17 – Nashville, TN
July 18 – Lexington, KY
July 19 – Columbus, OH
July 20 – Pittsburgh, PA

Formed from the ashes of several former Pittsburgh bands in January 2012, Insult To Injury originally went under the moniker of I, Creator. With numerous shows and heavy promotion, the metalcore outfit quickly rose up the ranks in their first ten months as a band. During that time, I, Creator attracted the interest of Voices & Vessels’ guitarist Cody Cavanaugh and Fort Charter Records. On November 23rd, 2012, the band announced that they would be changing their name to Insult To Injury, had added Cody Cavanaugh on guitars, signed with Fort Charter Records, and would be releasing their debut on January 15th, 2013.

The debut, entitled Dead Weight, featured pummeling breakdowns, technical guitar runs and leads, and mincing vocals. While Dead Weight was originally expected to be released on Fort Charter Records, the label was bought by JRS Solutions/One Day Savior Records and Insult To Injury was left to self-release the EP. Since the release, the band has seen a couple of member changes, but has kept the core of Geremy Andreaco (Vocals), Cody Cavanaugh (Guitar), Marc Liscio (Guitar), and Charlie Strauser (Bass). The band will be recording their follow-up release, entitled Burning The Family Tree, will be recorded in May before the band heads out for constant summer touring.

LINKS
https://www.facebook.com/#!/insultto

04.24.13
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[MUSIC REVIEW] Deez Nuts – Bout It!

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DEEZ NUTS
Bout It!
[UNFD (AUS) // Century Media (EU/UK)]
Verdict: 8/10
RIYL: Madball, Terror, Beastie Boys & having fun living life

DEEZ NUTS have been somewhat of an enigma since the world first caught a taste of them in 2007. It was a true shot to the head for fans of I KILLED THE PROM QUEEN’s metalcore style. Fans either hated it or loved it. Most just didn’t, and still don’t, get it. JJ Peters never intended to re-create IKTPQ, he wanted to something fun, something new. With DEEZ NUTS he has accomplished it with Bout It!, the bands newest,it  is a more focused re-imagining of what DN have been doing all along. Hyper and intense old school hardcore tinged with tough guy MC style vocals. Bout It! takes it to a whole new level, making it’s listeners really feel what’s happening here. This is a way for JJ Peters to vent and stay busy. Which is how ALL good music needs to be. I’ve read several reviews calling DN juvenile and basically, “not good”. Well, those people take themselves WAY to seriously and obviously have no real passion for this. DEEZ NUTS capture the true spirit of hardcore by doing things the way they want to and not giving a fuck what you think.      – by Jon Hole

Recommended listening: ‘Not A Face In The Crowd’ & ‘Go Fuck Yourself’
Guest appearances: Freddy Cricien of Madball/Hazen Street on ‘Not A Face In The Crowd’; Lord Ezac aka Danny Diablo of Crown of Thornz/Skarhead on ‘Go Fuck Yourself’; Jonathan Blake of On Broken Wings & Mark ‘Face Face’ Heylmun on ‘Streets Are Watching’; Hoya Roc of Madball on ‘Public Service Announcement’; Sean Murphy & Wayne Lozinak of Hatebreed on ‘Unfuckwithable’ & Sam carter of Architects (UK) on ‘Band Of Brothers.
Production credits: Produced by Shane Frisby (BURY YOUR DEAD, THE GHOST INSIDE) at The Brick Hit House in Massachusetts
Release date: April 16, 2013
In conclusion…If you aren’t narrow minded and can appreciate good, fun hardcore then DEEZ NUTS are what you need.

04.24.13
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[MUSIC REVIEW] Immoralist – Widow EP

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IMMORALIST
Widow EP
[We Are Triumphant Records}
Verdict: 7.5/10
RIYL: The Acacia Strain, Prophet & Shinto Katana

Beating listeners to an aural bloody pulp is the name of the game with IMMORALIST. Crushingly terrifying riffs and gutteral vocal belches assault the ears from the first few seconds of Widow’s opener, ’145′, all the way through, till it’s demise with ‘Son Of Misery’. What IMMORALIST do isn’t ground breaking or new , but what they do accomplish is giving the heavy music genre an seriously much needed swift kick in the balls. Not content to just ‘pound-n-ground’ the listener, like so many others do, IMMORALIST manage to add a flair of originality by actually adding some melody into the chaos, as well as a few other tiny but noticeable flourishes of effects. Don’t misread this though, this shit’s as heavy as a ten ton hammer smashing your pinky finger! The only downfall here? It’s too short, as is to be expected with an EP. It’s merely a taste of the carnage to come on a full length, or to a town near you. – by Jon Hole

Recommended listening: ‘Slumlord’ & ‘Death Spitter’
Guest appearances: James Mislow & Chris Whited of King Conquer on ‘Death Spitter’
Release date: April 23, 2013I
In conclusion…If you are in serious need of some new music to bend metal bars to or just get pumped up to, IMMORALIST’s Widow EP is beckoning you.

04.23.13
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[QUICKIE REVIEWS] A Rocket To The Moon, Turnover, The Story So Far, Close Up On The Quiet Ones

Slowly but gradually catching up on all these albums from the last two months (even if it does mean a shorter review than normal)! — All reviews below by Nathaniel Lay

close up on theCLOSE UP ON THE QUIET ONES – Land Ho
[Independent] – Verdict: 8/10
CUOTQO have an early 2000′s screamo sound to them that could have easily propelled them to stardom within that scene (if it were still around). Their sophomore EP, Land Ho, shows a lot of potential for the band. The vocals are both melodic and strained at times, which works great. Instrumentally, the band shows a capable variety to expand into further genres whenever they choose to do so. “Your Own Personal Coma”, the opening track, is one of the most memorable and energetic tracks of the bunch; however, I think the slow song, “If You Play That Card, I Swear (Featuring Dee Marie)”, is the best song of the album. It’s quite beautiful, and Dee’s contributing vocals are wonderful (The Ethnographers!). Land Ho becomes increasingly more entertaining with repeated listens, so definitely give it a chance. There’s a good distance covered in their formula, fitting them nicely into several genres.

tuniverTURNOVER – Magnolia
[Run For Cover Records] – Verdict: 6.5/10
Turnover features some very smooth vocal work, and the instruments have a great indie rock groove to them, but the overall feel of the album is much too interchangeable throughout. A good chunk of the tracks seem to start the similarly (and play out similarly for that matter), making it hard to differentiate between songs. The thing is that the members all play into one another brilliantly, which causes a lack of variety in the album. There are some stand out tracks, though. There’s “Seed” (a solid, slower song), “Like A Whisper” (which has a young-angst grab to it), and “Flicker and Fade” (the acoustic track near the end of the record). Magnolia isn’t a bad record at all, but it does have trouble making a memorable impression (even with repeated spins). Maybe with another year or two of touring behind their backs, the band will return with something more varied.

story so farTHE STORY SO FAR – What You Don’t See
[Pure Noise Records] – Verdict: 8.5/10
For those not yet familiar with The Story So Far, they have a gruff and energetic punk rock sound that is both engaging and catchy, despite their minimal use of the “pop hook” or “swimming melody” many other bands of the genre rely upon these days. As a result, this band has a very honest grab to them. “Small Talk” has a jab to its structure, making it easily memorable; “Playing the Victim” is one of the catchiest anthems of the record; and “Empty Space” sounds like a mix between a call to arms and a punk anthem about giving up. What You Don’t See is a very enjoyable punk rock record worthy of the underground elites, and mainstream hard hitters.

a rocketA ROCKET TO THE MOON – Wild & Free
[Fueled By Ramen] – Verdict: 8/10
A Rocket To The Moon have really grown over the years. Early on, they were very much a pop/electro mix (when that formula was crazy popular for a couple years), but on Wild & Free, the band sounds more country than anything else. Considering that is a genre I usually dislike, I was surprised to find how much I enjoyed this record. Everything is very smooth, melodic, and sweet sounding. In fact, this rocket is composed of some excellent writers and players. That much is instantly clear with the opening track, “Going Out”. All of the songs are upbeat and catchy (even the slower ones are, in their own merit), and would play perfectly with a warm, breezy day on the beach. Speaking of which, you really should blast “Whole Lotta You” the next time you go to the sands and ocean. “Another Set of Wings” is another favorite, even if it is a little similar sounding. Much of Wild & Free is fun, beautiful, and soothing. That’s a good combination, in my opinion. Like with their last release, A Rocket To The Moon have surprised me. There is a lot more to these guys than I thought possible in their early days. Definitely check out Wild & Free, even if country and pop isn’t your cup of tea. You may just find these songs stuck in your head as well.

04.12.13
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[DOUBLE REVIEW] Senses Fail – Renacer

sensesfail_renacerSENSES FAIL
Renacer
[Staple]
Verdict: 8/10
RIYL: The Used, Funeral for a Friend, A Static Lullaby

Like many of their ilk, New Jersey’s screamers SENSES FAIL seem to have peaked at its inception. Let It Enfold You is probably a classic of the nu-screamo scene that erupted in the early-to-mid 2000s. The band tried experimenting and carrying on, but the energy and raw emotion dripping from the band’s debut will stick out for most fans. I would not have pegged the band to have this in them, but they are back, and back with an absolute vengeance. Sure, the riffs and melodies are all here, but there are two major differences that showcase Renacer is from a newfound band. The most immediate change is in the album’s sound. SENSES FAIL has never been this heavy. There are very few breakdowns, but the riffs, the aggression, and the energy are all at an all-time high for the band. Thankfully, SENSES FAIL lets it be known right away, with the opening title track racing things off. Sure, the sound is not altogether new or exceptionally mind-blowing, but the furious energy is apparent throughout the album. This aggression allows the melody to be more impactful. Buddy Nielsen’s clean vocals were never the best of the genre, but he was always able to carry a tune. Here, because the harsh elements are more prevalent, his melodies certainly carry more weight. The more important element of the group’s new direction is Buddy’s newfound (did ever have it?) positivity. Buddy’s heart-on-my-sleeve lyrics were often the scorn of most screamo detractors. They were never awful; however, his lyrics have not aged well. Somehow, Buddy has found happiness in his older age. His voice has found something close to contentment, and the lyrics mirror the focus the rest of the band has shown on Renacer. The album carries the sound of a group who has done exactly what it wants. This is no longer a group who is trying to replicate past successes. Renacer could very well end up being the group’s best effort yet. SENSES FAIL has certainly served up another great surprise for 2013. – by Nick Senior

>> Classification: Post-hardcore
>> Recommended Tracks: “Ancient Tombs”, “Renacer” and “Mi Amor”

……………………………………………………………..

SECOND OPINION
Verdict: 9/10

The first ten times I spun through this record a couple months back, I was absolutely stunned by it. I loved how the band had embraced their hardcore influences so much with Renacer, I was just damn impressed. However, now that I have played this album through probably a hundred times total, it has grown slightly tiresome in some areas. Primarily, these problems arose during the sections where the band chose to bring forward their famous melody. It is still dark and well constructed, but felt out of place at times. “Mi Amor”, for example, has kind of a catchy chorus, and despite the song being very memorable, it also messes with the album’s flow a bit. These aren’t major issues, of course. I’m grasping at straws (look at the score I gave it)! This is a fantastic album from a fantastic band I’ve been listening to closely since middle school. I love Senses Fail, and that will probably never change. The band is back and heavier than ever with Renacer. It seems that the band will only continue to mold themselves with every passing release, and if this is the kind of result we can expect, then I embrace their desire to frequently evolve. — by Nathaniel Lay

04.03.13
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[REVIEW] Cartel – Collider

cartelcolliderCARTEL
Collider
[Self-Released]
Verdict: 9/10
RIYL: Jimmy Eat World, Anberlin, New Found Glory

I’ll get this out of the way: I definitely get nostalgic about Chroma. CARTEL’s debut might be one of my favorite pop/rock albums of my college years, as each song struck the near-perfect balance between fun and memorable. Like many bands that peaked too early, the rest of the band’s career has been bogged down by unfair comparisons to the past. For my money, CARTEL has been one of the more consistent bands of the past decade. Every album has been at least solid, though not quite living up to the success of Chroma. That is until now. Collider is easily the group’s slickest album. The production is cleaner than even a FALL OUT BOY album. Don’t be afraid of studio tricks, however, as this is clearly a band that is talented enough to push through the polish. Will Pugh sounds better than he ever has, his voice sounding as vital as it did when he beckoned listeners to be honest. His melodies are probably some of the best of the band’s career, even if they occasionally lack the immediacy one would expect from CARTEL. These are the types of vocal lines that are not diabetes-inducing. No, these sugary lines are more like a healthy smoothie- full of nutrition and delightfully sweet. All of this would be for naught if the rest of the band weren’t up to snuff. Thankfully, they have brought their A game. Joseph Pepper’s guitars are catchy yet slightly refined. You will not find a whole lot of complex work here, but they are surprisingly well done. The rhythm section is probably what will go most unnoticed on the album. It’s not that Nic and Kevin are slouches on the bass and drums, yet their work is merely competent enough to keep up with what Will and Joseph are doing. And what they are doing is excellent. The second half of the album, starting with “Uninspired” is easily the most inspired the band has ever sounded. Each of these six songs highlight what CARTEL has offered up best throughout its career: intelligent pop songs that don’t make the listener feel guilty for singing along. These tracks showcase the sound of a band surprisingly hitting its stride nearly ten years after its debut. Take a listen to Collider; it may be one of the best albums of the year, not just a great album for nostalgia’s sake. – by Nick Senior

Classification: Pop/Rock of Yesteryear
Recommended Tracks: The Whole Damn Thing

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SECOND OPINION
Verdict: 8.5/10

Listening to Collider makes me think of early high school, when I was constantly out in the sun skateboarding to Cartel’s smooth melodies. This a band known for their smooth pop rock, and that’s because they are kings at executing the formula. Not many others can match this band, and it’s been that way for years. Though the band hasn’t put out as many albums as I would have expected (considering how long I’ve been listening to them), they always put out something well worth the wait. Collider is a great ride that will keep you smiling and bobbing your head along through it entirely. Right from the upbeat kick off, “Second Chances”, to its punk rock fused “Uninspired”, to its sweet finale “A Thousand Suns”, Cartel continue to impress and excite. Collider is another fine piece of art you really must hear. — by Nathaniel Lay

03.21.13
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[MUSIC REVIEW] Adept – Silence The World

A

ADEPT
Silence The World
[Panic & Action]
Verdict: 7.5/10
RIYL: Bring Me The Horizon, In Hearts Wake & Architects (UK)

The metalcore genre is one of the more commonly added to genres amongst the myriad of genres out there. Any writer worth their weight in salt actually will cringe at the use of the term, as it covers such a broad spectrum of bands. But at it’s ‘core’ (ha.ha.) is the metal elements mixed with the bouncy core elments that have been heavily borrowed from the now legendary PANTERA track ‘Domination’ (grow up haters and do some research -JH). ADEPT are no exception to the rule here, but what makes their new record, Silence The World stand out a little more, is how they manage to make it obvious that they are hungry. This isn’t a record made just to pull a few scene kids in as fans, this was made out of th pure love for a good swinging groove and memorable choruses. Another plus is that this is not the typical and boringly formulatic ‘heavy-clean-heavy-clean-breakdown’ type of band. The breakdowns, while heavy, remain only a small part of what ADEPT are. The overall atmosphere in this record is enough to keep the listener interested for more than just one or two tracks and might even entice more than just one or two listens. Like IN HEARTS WAKE, ADEPT took a little while to find a sound that wasn’t rehashed and weak. In turn, Silence The World comes off as a strong outing and deserves more than just a passing glance.     -by Jon Hole

Recommended listening: ‘Secrets’ & ‘Dead Planet’ With a nod to the instrumental ‘Orion’
Production credits: Fredrik Nordström and Henrik Udd at Studio Fredman (Bring Me The Horizon, In Flames, Dimmu Borghir, Hammerfall, Dark Tranquility etc)
Release date: March 22, 2013
In conclusion…In an attempt to beat the boring, and oft times, mundane state of metalcore, ADEPT have released a record that should easily renew any belief you may have once had in the genre.