Tag Archives: as i lay dying

10/30/2011

[MUSIC] Mandalay Victory – Feels Like Home [UNSIGNED REVIEW]

By lmpmagazine

MANDALAY VICTORY
Feels Like Home
[Unsigned]
Verdict: 8/10

In the past few years, it has become almost painfully apparent that there is something either in the air or the water that allows Australia to consistently produce bands of worth and value. MANDALAY VICTORY can now be added to the rapidly growing list. With the release of their second record Feels Like Home, MANDALAY VICTORY are making a point to the world that they are going to be a valuable asset to the melodic hardcore genre. Having a unique mix of THE GHOST INSIDE’s passion and fury and HASTE THE DAY’s infectious melody MANDALY have unleashed a record full of driving rhythms, hardcore swagger and super tight musicianship. Tracks like ‘Lower Your Guard’ set the bar high as they stomp around bouncy, catchy tones and Dane Warren’s hardcore gravely throated vocals. Adding a smattering of clean vocals to up the ante. Every song on Feels Like Home makes you want to sing along and dance. ‘All Or Nothing’ shows the most diversity as it presents amazing gang vocals and that recognizable HASTE THE DAY melodic rhythm inter twinned with a dirty groove that causes floors to erupt into chaos worldwide, but never imitating, instead making it their own. On the flip side, ‘The Hearts We Left Behind’ explodes out from the speakers like a hidden and pleasantly unexpected treat. Just one listen and you’ll be hooked. It’s the pure, unadulterated passion and heart that is in everyone one of the records 10 high energy tracks that will make people take notice (and hopefully a label). Having already shared stages with PARKWAY DRIVE, THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA and AS I LAY DYING, it’ll only be a matter of time before these Perth boys blow up. -by Jon Hole

Recommended listening: ALL 10 Tracks. Seriously.
Guest appearances: Nick Norsnell of Miles Away on ‘Davey Jones’ Locker’
In conclusion…Mandalay Victory prove that once again, Australia is hot bed of talent with the release of their second, very impressive record Feels Like Home. It’s almost criminal that something this good isn’t signed…

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10/27/2011

[MUSIC] Carnifex – Until I Feel Nothing [REVIEW]

By lmpmagazine

CARNIFEX
Until I Feel Nothing
[Victory Records]
Verdict: 7.5/10

It’s a sad thing that ‘internet tough guys’ and ‘keyboard warriors’ hold so much influence over “whats hot and whats not” these days. Blogs world wide are filled to the brim with these ‘bandwagon haters’, disliking bands and generally trashing them because they ‘sound too much like so and so’ or ‘so and so sold out’…pfft. Bands in the hardcore and deathcore genres appear to catch the most flak. Why? Haters. CARNIFEX are amongst these bands that receive hate and severe criticism for no real reason other than the fact that people just can. With the release of Until I Feel Nothing, the bands 4th full length in 4 years, nothing has really changed. Except for the fact that CARNIFEX have started their rise to be one of this genres truly talented and emerging stars. Finally embracing their death metal roots by blistering the drums and shredding the guitars to ruin, only to be followed by earth moving breakdowns. Starting off this very metal record is the intro track ‘Deathwish’, with it’s eerie horror movie intro and destructive breakdown that leads into ‘We Spoke Of Lies’. It only hints at whats to come as it immediately makes it’s presence felt. Scott Lewis’ vocals are stronger than ever and rip and tear as the band follows suit and attempts to decimate the listeners eardrums. The carnage doesn’t stop here though as CARNIFEX deliver 10 crushing blows to the skull with their thunderous poison. Tracks like ‘Never Forgive Me’ just absolutely destroy the speakers as it drops bombs, in the vein of Hiroshima, in it’s ungodly brutality. Blending the ‘death’ aspect’s of what they do beautifully with the ‘core’ aspect’s, making it a volatile combination. It’s album closer ‘Curse My Name’ that stands apart as a very mature song in that it embraces a small dose of symphonic sounds and almost black metal vocals. Not enough to destroy the dynamic of what CARNIFEX are known for, but enough to prove to the ‘haters’ that this is a band to be reckoned with. CARNIFEX’s Until I Feel Nothing is a great record for both death metal purists that hate the whiny, poppy vocals so present in today’s heavier music and for the two stepping masses that love a crushing, floor destroying breakdown.     -by Jon Hole

Recommended listening: ‘Deathwish’, ‘We Spoke Of Lies’ & ‘Curse My Name’
Produced by: Tim Lambesis (of As I Lay Dying)
Release date: October 25, 2011
In conclusion…Carnifex, along with bands like I Declare War and Chelsea Grin, have taken the reigns as the new leaders of the reinvigorated deathcore ‘movement’. With the release of Until I Feel Nothing, Carnifex have firmly established themselves as a force not to be taken for granted.

SECOND OPINION REVIEW
Verdict: 8/10
Carnifex come from a genre I generally do not care for, but there’s something about these guys that I can’t resist. Like Suicide Silence, Carnifex do the formula as we’ve come to expect, but they do it better than others. Until I Feel Nothing is a brutal assault with a lot of energy and fury throughout. There may not be a lot of variation to be heard, but you can bet that the songs will get you pumped as long as you pay attention to all the heavy sounds blasting from your stereo. It’s easy to just “casually” listen to the music and have it all blend together, so the trick is to really allow yourself to get sucked in. Once you have, Carnifex will get you thrashing and screaming along for the ride. – By Nathaniel Lay

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10/24/2011

[MUSIC] As I Lay Dying – decas [REVIEW]

By lmpmagazine

AS I LAY DYING
decas
[Metal Blade Records]
Verdict: 7/10

In honor of AS I LAY DYING’s 10 year anniversary as a band, they assembled a collection of songs for mass consumption. decas, which is meant as a gift to the bands fans includes 3 new tracks, 4 covers, a re-recorded song and 4 remixes (5 if you own the iTunes version). The 3 new tracks are what AILD fans have come to expect, driving rythm’s, Tim Lambesis’ strong vocal presence and the awesome clean vocals. Out of the 3, ‘Moving Forward’ will be the most intriguing as it features a majority of cleanly sung vocals, but it’s no less amazing. If this is a preview of whats to come on a new record, the world may not be ready. The covers, including the blistering ‘War Ensemble’, originally by SLAYER and released on the limited edition Homefront: Songs For The Resistance soundtrack. Other covers include 2 JUDAS PRIEST tracks and a gnarly DESCENDANTS cover. One of the real gems on this collection is a re-recorded medley of ‘Beneath The Encasing Of Ashes’. Obviously the band took bits and pieces from the 2001 record of the same name and gave em new life, ala 1991 era METALLICA’s live shows where they would medley out …And Justice For All. Brilliant. The only thing that deters this from getting a perfect 10/10 is the inclusion of the remixes. AS I LAY DYING have always been on the cusp of ‘hotness’ and have never strayed too far from whats made them the force they are. To have a few of the remixes is kinda insane (to me) but it’s whats popular and what may possible garner the band more fans and attention. Dub style remixes by INNERPARTYSYSTEM, BIG CHOCOLATE, KELLY ‘CARNAGE’ CAIRNS and THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN’s Ben Weinman wobble between genius and annoying, with Ben Weinman and BIG CHOCOLATE’s being the best. The iTunes edition includes a IRON KRILL exclusive remix. AS I LAY DYING made a name for themselves through hard work, devotion and never forgetting their fans, with the release of decas they are sure to keep these same fans happy and dreaming of the next 10 years. -by Jon Hole

Recommended listening: ‘Paralyzed’, ‘From Shapeless To Breakable’, Moving Forward’ & ‘Beneath The Encasing Of Ashes’
Produced by: Adam Dutkiewicz & Tim Lambesis
Release date: November 8, 2011 (US)
In conclusion…As I Lay Dying in celebration of their 10 year anniversary have released an impressive collection of songs for the fans. A must to be heard.

And now, LMP proudly gives you, A Second Opinion!

Verdict: 8/10
RIYL: Do you really not know what to expect?

Deep at the heart of “compilation” albums usually underlies a desire for a band (read: label) to make some easy money off of fans of a particular band. There is the requisite new song or two mixed in with greatest hits and occasionally a remix or a cover. Basically, it’s a waste of money. Even as a fan of the band, I rolled my eyes and sighed heavily when I heard that AS I LAY DYING was hopping on the compilation bandwagon. AS I LAY DYING have offered up Decas, which celebrates the band surviving ten years in the industry. Think about that for a second- it’s pretty damn impressive that the band has lasted this long, and while the group certainly has a sound that is noticeable throughout their discography, AS I LAY DYING has been able to continually hone their sound with each release. Even if you don’t enjoy what the band has to offer, unlike almost every modern metal group, they haven’t released anything remotely close to a dud. With that in mind, how is Decas? Surprisingly, it’s really well done. It features three new songs, each of which are well done and showcase the band’s thrash-influenced metalcore. All three new tracks are solidly done. There isn’t much new ground covered in a sense, as you know what you’re getting with the band, but some tweaks to their signature sound are distinguishable. “Moving Forward” features a heavy dose of melody and might be the catchiest song the group has released in a long time. “From Shapeless to Breakable” features an Egyptian-flavored guitar lick which is more than welcome. Decas contains covers of songs by DESCENDANTS, JUDAS PRIEST and SLAYER. SLAYER’s “War Ensemble” is very well done, sounding as if it would fit very easily within either of the groups two latest thrashier albums. JUDAS PRIEST’s “Helion/Electric Eye” is easily a highlight. For those that think classic metal can’t compare to modern music, then take heed of how awesome JUDAS PREIST’s back catalog really was. The electronic remixes are competent but are not the best tracks by any means. The best part of this release is that instead of featuring re-hashed old tracks in a “greatest hits” style package, AS I LAY DYING gives fans the full package: showing off their future directions, showing appreciation for their influences, and reimagining their past. All of this come together to create one hell of a package deal by a band that continues to impress.     -by Nicholas Senior

Most Recommended Tracks: “Moving Forward” and “Hellion/Electric Eye”
Release Date: November 8, 2011
In Conclusion: Bucking the trend in compilation albums, AS I LAY DYING have released a great album that is a treat for their fans instead of a trick from their label.

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03/24/2011

[UNSIGNED REVIEW] Drayton Sawyer – 5,000 lbs of Respect

By lmpmagazine

DRAYTON SAWYER
5,000 lbs of Respect
[Self-Released]
Verdict: 9/10

In an age where being DIY has become more important in self success and sanity, Drayton Sawyer are rising quickly. While milestones such as large record sales and worldwide tours may not be under their belts (yet), this is a metal act that certainly deserves your short attention span. For their debut EP, titled 5000 lbs of Respect, Drayton Sawyer cut through the crowd of genre imposters to bring you something quite brutal, intense, and surprisingly vast. While the band isn’t throwing in a bunch of extra instruments and electronics to receive a “unique” labeling from some, they are competing just as well using what is at hand for their type of music. Keeping fast and loud, Drayton Sawyer shriek, growl, and sing through some very explosive breakdowns and bass slams. While the singing portions could use some tightening (such as being put more on the front lines at times), they show a band willing to expand vocally and melodically (which is very important these days). The heavier stuff is, of course, quite powerful and tremendous sounding. Influences from Haste the Day and Parkway Drive are fairly obvious, but do not hinder the excitement of it all. Instead of hurting the band with comparisons, it would be best to say that Drayton Sawyer manage to be expansive in genre melds and usage. 5000 lbs of Respect may only be four tracks in length, but they are damn enticing and impressive. Drayton Sawyer shouldn’t have any problem booking those big tours soon enough. (Stream “Mirrors”) – by Nathaniel Lay

Check out our stream of this full album – http://lmpmagazine.com/full-streams/drayton-sawyer/  

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09/07/2010

ALL THAT REMAINS – Tour Dates

By lmpmagazine


For We Are Many, the highly anticipated album from All That Remains will be released October 12th, the same day the band will head out on a month-long headlining tour throughout the United States. All That Remains will kick off the tour in San Francisco, CA at The Regency Ballroom on release day and hit venues throughout the country before their final US date of 2010 in New York, NY on November 11th. Supporting All That Remains will be Asking Alexandria and And She Whispered, with Unearth and Born Of Osiris on select dates of the tour.

For We Are Many will be released through Prosthetic Records / Razor & Tie and can be preordered now via Prosthetic Records (http://store.prostheticrecords.com/). Decibel Magazine called the new album “Proof that neck-snapping tempos, thoughtful soloing and a catchy chorus or three can co-exist.” An exclusive version of the album will go live on iTunes September 14th which will include a bonus track available only to those who preorder the album, and an instant download of the album’s debut single “Hold On.” The video for “Hold On” will be filmed during the first week of September and will debut later in the fall.

The album was recorded this spring at Zing Studios in Massachusetts and produced by Killswitch Engage guitarist Adam Dutkiewicz, who also handled This Darkened Heart and The Fall of Ideals. Prior to their headlining tour, All That Remains will join As I Lay Dying and Unearth on a nationwide tour in September and October. After their headlining US tour, the band will head to Europe for dates in November and December.

The five-piece metal band is Phil Labonte (vocals), Oli Herbert (guitar), Mike Martin (guitar), Jeanne Sagan (bass) and Jason Costa (drums). Prior to For We Are Many, the band has released four albums, selling over 650,000 records. 2008′s Overcome, All That Remains’ last studio album, has sold nearly 240,000 copies to date, debuting at #16 on the Billboard 200, and yielding the Top 10 active rock smash “Two Weeks.”

ALL THAT REMAINS TOUR DATES

Oct 12 – San Francisco, CA – The Regency Ballroom
Oct 15 – San Diego, CA – Soma
Oct 16 – West Hollywood, CA – House of Blues
Oct 17 – Las Vegas, NV – Fremont East District
Oct 20 – Denver, CO – The Summit Music Hall
Oct 22 – Albuquerque, NM – Sunshine Theater
Oct 23 – Phoenix, AZ – Phoenix Event Complex
Oct 25 – Austin, TX – Emo’s Alternative Lounging
Oct 26 – Houston, TX – Warehouse Live
Oct 27 – Dallas, TX – The Palladium Showroom
Oct 29 – Atlanta, GA – The Masquerade
Oct 30 – Orlando, FL – The Club at Firestone
Oct 31 – Charlotte, NC – Amos’ Southend
Nov 6 – Hartford, CT – Webster Theater
Nov 11 – New York, NY – Best Buy Theater
10/12 -> 10/17 – All That Remains with Asking Alexandria, Unearth & And She Whispered
10/20 -> 11/11 – All That Remains with Asking Alexandria, Born Of Osiris & And She Whispered

PRECEDING TOUR DATES WITH AS I LAY DYING AND UNEARTH

Sept 14 – El Paso, TX – Club 101
Sept 15 – Odessa, TX – Dos Amigos
Sept 16 – Abilene, TX – Midnight Rodeo
Sept 18 – Memphis, TN – New Daisy Theater
Sept 19 – Knoxville, TN – Valarium
Sept 20 – Convington, KY – Madison Theater
Sept 21 – Grand Rapids, MI – Orbit Room
Sept 23 – Buffalo, NY – Town Ballroom
Sept 24 – Clifton Park, NY – Northern Lights
Sept 26 – Quebec City, QC – Theater Imperial
Sept 27 – Montreal, QC – Metropolis
Sept 28 – Ottawa, ON – Capital Music Hall
Sept 29 – London, ON – Cowboy’s
Oct 1 – Winnipeg, MB – Garrick Centre
Oct 3 – Saskatoon, SK – Odeon Events Centre
Oct 4 – Calgary, AB – MacEwan Hall Ballroom
Oct 5 – Edmonton, AB – Edmonton Events Centre
Oct 7 – Vancouver, BC – Vogue Theater
Oct 8 – Seattle, WA – El Corazon
Oct 10 – Portland, OR – Roseland Theater

ALL THAT REMAINS LINKS

http://www.allthatremainsonline.com

http://www.myspace.com/allthatremains

http://www.facebook.com/allthatremains

http://www.youtube.com/user/allthatremainsmusic

http://www.twitter.com/philthatremains

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