Tag Archives: Remembering Never

08.21.12
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[MUSIC REVIEW] American Me – III

AMERICAN ME
III
[Rise Records]
Verdict: 8.5/10
RIYL: LEGEND, MARTYR A.D. & THE ACACIA STRAIN

Since AMERICAN ME first hit the scene in 2007 with their 3 Song Demo/Sampler, they have displayed a knack for writing short bursts of powerful and angry punk influenced metal-hardcore, the band themselves call this brand of music Nu-Core. The release of III is no different. More than a handful of people have been trash talking and saying that AMERICAN ME are not as ‘angry as they used to be’ and that the new material is lacking the aggression that made them popular. Not being to sure of why these people are saying this is one of the first questions one must ask themselves by the time track 2, ‘Broken Moral Compass’, kicks into to full gear. The riffs are just as heavy and thick as they ever were, and Tony’s vocals are still on the cusp of being the voice of the tortured millions throughout the world. Once track 3 grinds to a halt, all misconceptions that III was a desperate attempt to stay relevant should go right out the proverbial window. III is more destructive and brutal than over half of whats out there these days and they manage to do it all by staying true to themselves and the music they create is as genuine as it gets. The AM boys even include a nod towards their musical roots by doing a blisteringly awesome cover of very underrated band MARTYR A.D.’s ‘Montreal Screw Job’, if you haven’t heard them before, now is as good a time as any. What AMERICAN ME have achieved with III is a more mature pit stomper of a record and the soundtrack to a good beat-down. Two-step friendly and filled to the brim with what makes most pits look like a karate competition gone wrong, III is a must hear.            -by Jon Hole

Classification: Nu-Core; Hardcore/Concrete
Recommended listening: ‘Broken Moral Compass’, Submissioner’ & ‘Narcota Night Life’
Guest appearances: Vincent Bennett of THE ACACIA STRAIN on ‘Submissioner’; Ian Fike of IT PREVAILS on ‘Natural Enemy’; Jamie Hanks of I DECLARE WAR on ‘Veni Vidi Vici’ and Peter Kowalski of REMEMBERING NEVER on ‘Son Of A Machine Gun Pt. III’
Produced by: American Me
In conclusion…AMERICAN ME’s newest slab of monstrous hardcore/metalcore, III, should do more than excite, it should inspire and cause controlled chaos for years to come.

08.23.11
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[MUSIC] Make It Reign – Sound Asleep As The World Burns [REVIEW]

MAKE IT REIGN
Sound Asleep As The World Burns
[Dead Truth Recordings]
Verdict: 7.5/10

When xAFBx announced that they were coming to an end back in 2009, the Straight Edge world, as well as a few music lovers were devastated. I’m sure another huge amount of people breathed a sigh of relief. Little did the world know that from these ashes, vocalist and tattooist, Tony Battle would once again front another band. That band, named MAKE IT REIGN started posting demo tracks, even giving fans the DOOMilition EP for free. It was heavy. It was abrasive. It was dirty. It was what we’ve been waiting for. Even bringing on board a few freinds, Johnny Plague of WINDS OF PLAGUE and Mean Pete of REMEMBERING NEVER/xBISHOPx. After what seems forever, Sound Asleep As The World Burns is unleashed. Like the Kraken, its sole purpose is to devastate and destroy everything and everyone in its path. Tony has become the frontman most people should be scared of. His vocals make you listen as if by doing so there will be some message of safety but all you find is misanthropic anguish and horror. And its a wonderful thing. The music thrashes and bubbles with its own pieces of hate, reminding you of the New Orleans sludge mastered by the mighty CROWBAR and the deep seething hatred for life found in any THE ACACIA STRAIN song. Theres even a good mix of thrash sensibility thrown in for good measure. Sound Asleep… is full of dance floor worthy stomping and two stepping as well as headbanging goodness. A few choice samples thrown into the mix help set off this monster of an album. From the killer intro to the beautifully executed ‘A Hell Of Heaven’ this album is without a doubt a must have for ANY and ALL hardcore and metal fans. Sound Asleep As The World Burns is a scary record. And if you arent too scared, you should do yourself a favor…buy this. Welcome to the end of the world. -by Jon Hole

08.23.11
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[MUSIC] Forty Winters – Reflection [REVIEW]

FORTY WINTERS
Reflection
[Dead Truth Recordings]
Verdict: 8/10

Pure Chaos.
Those are the last two words on the bands facebook page under biography. Those two words speak volumes about this Coral Springs, FL band. FORTY WINTERS have mastered the art of mixing metal, hardcore, punk and sludge into a nasty mix. From down-tuned grinding guitars to the pulsing, pounding bass and drum combo and the guttural vocals, this band have created a masterpiece of hate. They also employed the use of haunting melodies that add atmosphere to their already bleak sound. This is an angry record. Anger that is focused and drives you to the brink and its a great ride. This is 11 tracks of uncomfortable metal/hardcore that has you yearning for more once its over. FORTY WINTERS managed to balance the fine line, teetering between the doom-chaos of CONVERGE and the metal power of DARKEST HOUR. The first real track, ‘Resume Carnage’ gallops and kicks its ugly head but sets the bar high. And at that high point is where Reflection stays, constantly giving you the ass beating we secretly desire from our music. FORTY WINTERS sets themselves apart from the normal pack of metal mavens and hardcore imitators by never relenting or faltering with any weak spots. The band also manages to boast having Mean Pete of REMEMBERING NEVER/xBISHOPx (dudes everywhere) and Mike of SHAI HALUD doing guest vocals. This is the type of music that made you want to be in a band when you were a kid headbanging and bouncing around in your room as a kid instead of doing homework. Enjoy the chaos for yourself. -by Jon Hole