Tag Archives: mediaskare records

03.14.13
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[MUSIC REVIEW] Reign Supreme – Sky Burial EP

ReignSupreme_SkyBurial_Cover

REIGN SUPREME
Sky Burial EP
[Mediaskare Records]
Verdict: 9/10
RIYL: Crowbar, Everything In Slow Motion, Thick As Blood, Terror & Betrayal

REIGN SUPREME have had an intense fanbase for more than a handful of years now and not without good reason. Their brash mix of crushing metallic hardcore and groove laden metalcore has gone relatively untouched by many of their peers. The release of the Sky Burial EP is a sweet relief for the band and fans alike,as  it was originally slated for release in 2011, and it has been worth the wait. Not to disappoint, Sky Burial starts strong and never lets go throughout it’s blisteringly heavy 7 tracks. It’s an incredible mix of early 90′s era metalcore and punishing hardcore vocals that will leave the listener tired and begging for more. What makes REIGN SUPREME stand out though, is this isn’t just random  ’tough guy’ hardcore. The little elements mixed in of melody and metal are small enough to not be blatent but add enough ‘meat and weight’ to create a crushing, and at times, devastating wall of sound that one can’t help but to be instantly drawn in. The Sky Burial EP has been a while in the making but it is more than worth the wait. REIGN SUPREME are here to stay, and this should easily prove that as a fact.   – by Jon Hole

Reommended Listening: ‘It Feels Like A Thousand Years’, ‘Heartsick’ & ‘In Tongues’
Production Credits: Produced by Will Putney (Stray From The Path, Hundredth)
Guest Appearances: Scott Wade of Comeback Kid, Chris Colohan of Cursed/Burning Love, and Mike Moynihan/Steve Muscemi of Hollow Earth.
Release Date: March 19, 2013
In Conclusion…Pits around the world should be prepared for the beating that REIGN SUPREME are bringing when they crush stages with the insanely heavy material from the Sky Burial EP. You have been warned!

03.13.13
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[MUSIC REVIEW] Hundredth – Revolt EP

revolt

HUNDREDTH
Revolt EP
[Mediaskare Records/No Sleep Records (Vinyl release)]
Verdict: 9/10
RIYL: Stick To Your Guns and any other fully involved melodic hardcore band

HUNDREDTH have long been one of melodic hardcore’s shining stars, although not widely known, among their peers and fans, they have cut a swathe of impressive live shows and awe inspiring records. It’s this energy and commitment to their craft that has kept their fans salivating for more. Not unlike their West Coast brothers in Stick To Your Guns, HUNDREDTH aren’t merely satisfied with writting pit moving music. They write music with a message. Not a message of self pity or full of ‘Fuck You’s'…they touch on serious topics such as the sad state of affair we live in. Our world and pointing fingers at, ultimately, ourselves. With the release of the 5 track Revolt EP, HUNDREDTH are here to make a mark. They have taken what they do and finely tuned it so that Chadwick’s vocals are more emotionally charged and the music is even more furious and thunderous than before. HUNDREDTH arn’t out to change the world, they just want us to know that we can. Don’t sleep on this. — by Jon Hole

Recommended Listening: ‘Euclid (Slave Song)’
Production Credits: Recorded at the legendary studio The Blasting Room in Fort Collins, CO with producers Bill Stevenson (Rise Against, Black Flag) and Jason Livermore (Stick To Your Guns)
Release Date: March 19, 2013
In Conclusion…HUNDREDTH’s Revolt EP is easily one of the most profound and energetic releases of 2013. Coupled with the upcoming Resist EP, we are in store for one epic release.

03.29.12
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[MUSIC REVIEW] Exotic Animal Petting Zoo – Tree of Tongues

EXOTIC ANIMAL PETTING ZOO
Tree of Tongues
[Mediaskare Records]
Verdict: 8/10

This experimental/prog/rock band from Indiana has pulled together a good gathering over the last few years with their unique and crazy styles. With a new label, EAPZ have returned with a very welcome addition to their discography. Tree of Tongues has even more chaotic and peaceful moments, bringing to mind a cross between The Number 12 Looks Like You and Fear Before. The heavier moments, like with “The Great Explainer” and “Whores of Babylon”, are easily the most fun tracks of the record. Lyrically, vocally, and instrumentally, these guys are at their best when all over the place. It makes for a unique and originally interesting album. Of course, EAPZ do slow things down from time to time as well. Such laid back tracks include “Through the Thicket…Across Endless Mountains” and “Gypsy Among the Pines”, both of which show a very relaxing and tranquil side of the band. This mixture of over-the-top behavior and winding-down works wonders, making Tree of Tongues a very entertaining record to explore. – by Nathaniel Lay

>> Recommended Tracks: “The Great Explainer”, “Whores of Babylon”, “Gypsy Among the Pines”, “Arcology”
>> Release: May 8, 2012
>> In Conclusion: Exotic Animal Petting Zoo have proved once again that they are unique and relevant with Tree of Tongues. These guys have a lot of talent and wide range of sounds played with during this entertaining record.

11.07.11
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Music Review: MUREAU – Rumors and Reputations

MUREAU
Rumors and Reputations
[Mediaskare Records]
Verdict: 8.5/10
Like a cross between The Bled, Dancing With Paris, and Of Mice & Men, Mureau have an excellent metalcore sound fueling their label debut, Rumors and Reputations. Right from the start, this album is extremely entertaining and satisfying with the memorable opener, “California”. The vocal work, as usual, is the first to stand out for me, personally. The screaming is what reminds me of my favorites, The Bled, while the singing is very smooth and darkly melodic. The chorus during this track is also one of the best heard on the album, so putting this as the first song was a smart move by the band and label. The instrumental work is also very impressive, luckily. The guitar work isn’t boring and straight forward like most bands of this genre, but instead keeps fairly varied and interesting throughout. The overall performance package for Mureau is surprisingly brutal, melodic, and original sounding (even with its similarities to some other great bands). “Intruders” is another standout track with its unique, post-hardcore-esque opening and strained vocal work a little passed the half way mark. Still, this record is full of great moments. The title track, for example, has some very intense and brutal moments that can’t be forgotten. Rumors and Reputations is not only an excellent introduction to listeners, but the kind of great album a band requires to get rightful attention these days. Expect to hear more of Mureau once this album hits shelves and starts tearing up people’s digital devices. – by Nathaniel Lay
>>Recommended Tracks: “California”, “Intruders”, “Rumors and Reputations”, “Vessel”, “Claws and Chemicals”, “Zombies”, “Castles in the Sky”
>>Release Date: November 8, 2011
>>Bottom Line: Mureau have instantly made a name in our books. Rumors and Reputations is an excellent metalcore release with plenty of awesome moments worth returning to again and again. Just check out my “Recommended Tracks” note above. Personally, I try not to list many outstanding tracks, but I mentioned a handful there. That doesn’t happen often.

09.28.11
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[MUSIC] Confession – The Long Way Home [REVIEW]

CONFESSION
The Long Way Home
[Mediaskare & Resist Records]
Verdict: 9/10

It’s not very often that when an integral member of any band leaves, and ends up thrust into the spotlight as well as the subject of rumors upon rumors, and ends up in a new band that, well, kicks ass. Welcome to the world of Michael Crafter. After fronting Australia’s I KILLED THE PROM QUEEN he ended up briefly fronting BURY YOUR DEAD and then starting CONFESSION. Can’t Live, Can’t Breathe was released in 2008 and showed the world that Crafter was not done. 2009 saw the release of Cancer, it showed more of what the band could do as it mixed not only groove heavy riffs but a panache for a little clean singing still, which he gave us in IKTPQ. Enter 2011 and (finally) an American record label with the balls to release CONFESSION upon the world with the amazing The Long Way Home. This record gives more of the thunderous (Thunder From Down Under, there, it was said) crushing grooves we as music fans love as well as more melody and style. This newly refined sound is shown on the first single, ‘Asthma Attack’. It has more nasty groove than a majority of the wanna-be’s out there and more heart in the cleans and melody. Crafter’s easily recognizable vocals aggressively lash out and slaughter anything in their way. It’s hard to try and pigeon hole just one or two tracks that fully represent the full on aural assault CONFESSION have unleashed upon the masses. The Long Way Home isn’t childish heaviness for the sake of being heavy nor is it full of melody and clean singing because it’s ‘the cool thing to do’…these are traits that come naturally and the 11 tracks presented here easily speak for themselves. CONFESSION are on a quest to make their presence felt, with the passion and fury here, The Long Way Home will be a pleasant trip. -by Jon Hole

Recommended listening: (honestly, all 11 tracks, but…) ‘I Created This Horror’, ‘Asthma Attack’, ‘Nearly 30′ and ‘The Long Way Home’
Produced by: (The Legendary) Fredrik Nordström @ Gothenburg Studios
Release date: September 27, 2011 (USA)
In conclusion…if heavy and real music like fellow Australian’s Parkway Drive is your cup ‘o’ tea, then ‘The Long Way Home’ is right up your alley.

09.19.11
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[MUSIC] Deserters – Fail Yourself EP [REVIEW]

DESERTERS
Fail Yourself EP
[Rite Of Passage/Mediaskare Records]
Verdict: 8.5/10

Starting off this incredibly angry EP with a sample then blazing right into the destructive metalcore/hardcore stomp of ‘Broken Knuckles & No One’s Proud’ is an intense way to start off the Fail Yourself EP. DESERTERS, hailing from Southern California know how to write pissed off and brutal music without it sounding contrived or prefabricated. Every one of Fail Yourself‘s 6 songs make one want to smash and destroy everything within reach, if only to purge inner demons. To describe the music that makes up this EP is easy. No frills. To use a line on the bands Facebook page: “Scream the things you could never say. No gimmicks, no bullshit.” That about sums up DESERTERS take on music. And this EP. The music on the Fail Yourself EP is actually a year old as the band sat on it waiting for the right label to back them and help spread their music to a wider audience without getting shafted. They found a good home. DESERTERS have managed to release an EP of uncompromisingly aggressive and incendiary music that makes you want to move and scream. The Fail Yourself EP is therapy in a world of garbage. -by Jon Hole

Recommended listening: tracks 1 through 6 (once again!)
Guest appearances by: unknown
Release date: September 27, 2011
In conclusion…if angry, pissed off therapeutic music that’s every bit as heavy as 3 rhino’s wrestling is what you are in search of…look no further. Fail Yourself is just what the doctor ordered.

09.19.11
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[MUSIC] Darasuum – Bite Back EP [REVIEW]

DARASUUM
Bite Back EP
[Rite Of Passage/Mediaskare Records]
Verdict: 8.5/10

When looking up the meaning of the name DARASUUM, i came across the Wookieepedia phrase “Kote Darasuum” which translates into ‘Glory Eternal’, an ancient Mandalorian war chant. Yes, it’s a Star Wars reference in case you didn’t catch that. For the purposes of this review of the new 6 song Bite Back EP, war chant is beyond perfect. DARASUUM encompass everything right about hardcore. Fast. Abrasive. In your face. Brutal. Songs like ‘Dwelling’ have a decidedly strong COMEBACK KID vibe, as it mixes the high energy explosion of punk with the extra charge that hardcore is well known for. Every song on Bite Back is a fast paced battle for the listeners attention. From EP opener ‘Sleeping With Faith’ to the minute and a half burst of the title track, on down to the instrumental closer ‘This Was Never Meant To Last’, DARASUUM assume command of the battle field and unleash hell upon all those that oppose. The Bite Back EP will serve as a great starting point for hardcore fans wanting something new and slightly dangerous. -by Jon Hole

Recommended listening: tracks 1 through 6
Guest appearances by: Matthew Hasting of MyChildren MyBride on ‘A Pace Called Home’ and Ken Sorceron of Abigail Williams on ‘This Was Never Meant To Last’ on bowed guitar.
Release date: September 27, 2011
In conclusion…for hardcore fans fiending for something pure, short and sweet, look no further. DARASUUM are here for you. Also of note, head to the bands Facebook page and find their link to the other 2 fantastic EP’s.

09.19.11
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[MUSIC] Hundredth – Let Go [REVIEW]

HUNDREDTH
Let Go
[Mediaskare Records]
Verdict: 7.5/10

Mediaskare Records has an uncanny ability to sign some amazingly hot as shit bands. The only problem here is that almost all the labels releases get pushed back, for one reason or another. The plus to this is that the demand for these releases, which usually are well beyond worth the wait, increases and when it drops? They explode. Let Go, HUNDREDTH’s second release is indeed on the ‘Hotly Anticipated Releases’ list for a vast majority of fans. Let Go begins with an all to short (almost 30 second) intro before gliding into the first song, ‘Weathered Town’. It’s immediately noticeable what direction HUNDREDTH have gone in. Gone are the nasally cleans and the heavier side of a meaty breakdown/riff. The heaviness is replaced by more melody and rhythm. It’s a style and sound that work well for them as the bands brand of melodic hardcore inherently becomes more melodic and ‘grown up’. ‘Monumental Part I’ serves as a cool instrumental interlude with a great sample running throughout it to add flair, as a killer gang chorus builds up the track and finishes it off as it leads into ‘Monumental Part II’, which serves as an example of why HUNDREDTH are the great band that they are. High energy punk-like hardcore, soaring chorus mixed with Chadwick Johnson’s hardcore scream make this 2 part song amazing. Throughout Let Go this style is as in your face as it gets. Admittedly though, a few songs get lost as the over use of melodic guitars kinda takes charge. Standout track, ‘I Hold The Key’ is a prime example of the sound they should tap into and experiment with more. If they had managed to mix the meatiness of 2010′s When Will We Surrender with this new found sense of melody, like on ‘I Hold The Key’,  Let Go would easily be a 10 out of 10. They even toss in a little bonus gem, an awesome rendition of NINE INCH NAILS’ ‘Hurt’. Although this version comes nowhere near the epic-ness of JOHNNY CASH’s cover, this one is very impressive and needs to be heard. This is what puts HUNDREDTH in league with bands like THE GHOST INSIDE and STICK TO YOUR GUNS. All respect goes to HUNDREDTH as they have managed to put out a quality record with Let Go, proving that one doesn’t need to lyrically always talk about the negative aspects of life, but that there is positivity in the world as well.  – by Jon Hole

Recommended listening: ‘Monumental Part I & II’ and ‘I Hold The Key’
Guest appearances by: unknown
Release date: September 27, 2011
In conclusion…if you like your hardcore more on the melodic and positive side, Let Go is the record for you.