The Word Alive - Life Cycles
The Arizona metalcore band, The Word Alive, delivering an epic fist punching sophomore album, Life Cycles. Before heading into the studio they lost both their keyboardist and drummer. If you thought that was going to slow them down, think the opposite, they turned up the heat bringing everything they've got. Matt Horn did the drums for the album since Luke Holland joined the band after the studio sessions were completed. Working with big time producer Joey Sturgis, I was little worried at first that he was going to put in too much of his electronics/synths. Thankfully I was wrong as he put the right amount in every song, not once overdoing it. Very pleased to see bassist Daniel Shapiro have more of an impact on the album noticing the bass a lot more this time around. Dynamic Duo guitarists Zack Hansen and Tony Pizzuti do some straight shredding on this album that's quite impressive. The once underrated Telle Smith finally getting the respect and attention he deserves taking his already impressive vocals to the next level, both screams and cleans.
I'm going to be honest I got the chills listening to the opening track, "Dragon Spell," when Telle screams "I'm still the king of the world!" The heavy verses and deep screams go right into a huge drum blasting chorus that makes you want to sing along. I also liked how Telle takes the line from "Like Father, Like Son" on Deciever and plugs it right into the 2nd verse "This is a family/Don't fuck with family!" The first single, the love song "Entirety," when I first heard it, I knew this album was going to be everything I wanted it to be and I loved the bass in the song, just perfect. "For Your Health" has to be the smoothest song on the album with catchy verses as Telle plays the Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. "Bar Fight" is one of my favorites on this album a heavy pre-chorus that jumps into a piano-led chorus that makes you wanna dance or let alone start a fight in a bar. I can only imagine what the mosh pits are going to be like to that song live. The title track is the anthem of the album starting out with "I'd rather die for what I believe/Then live a life without meaning," and then the song just takes off with remarkable instrumentals. My favorite part of the song is the bridge, the banging on the toms that leads up to a moment of silence, then boom! Telle screams so deep "So far away!" "Evolution" is the heaviest and most hateful song but I can't help to love the lyrics since we all wanna scream the lyrics to that one person we hate. "Hidden Lakes," a song about Telle's grandfather is one of my all-time favorites. The guitar work by Zack Hansen and Tony Pizzuti is perfect followed by the huge chorus with the background synth, the unexpecting transmission voice in the bridge, I wouldn't change a thing about the song. "Belong," has my favorite lyrics, since there's a point in time where we all just want to belong and find our place in this world. The best part about the song is the breakdown in the bridge, easily the best by these guys in my opinion. Don't forget about the bonus tracks, the Egyptian "Smoke Monster" and "The Conscience." When it comes to quality, you can't go wrong with those.
The Word Alive have put out an incredible record, possible AOTY contention, one of my favorites all-time. This is still just the beginning for these guys which is the best part. Can YouTube phenom Luke Holland set the table for the drums on the next record? That to me will be the biggest question, not saying he can't since he is really talented. For now though, I'm just going to blast this record over and over again for as long as I can.
I give this album a 9.7/10
Listen to - Dragon Spell
Bar Fight
Belong
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Yellowcard - Southern Air
One of my favorite bands is back with yet another album. This was the most excited I’ve ever been for
an album from these guys and I couldn’t know why. When I finally listened to it, I knew why I
didn’t have an answer before, because I was in complete shock on how great it
was. Yellowcard’s Southern Air is
arguably their best release to date. Coming
off their hiatus with their solid 2011 release, When You’re Through Thinking,
Say Yes, the band wanted to keep the ball rolling and take that momentum into
the studio not even a year later. This
is a band that has already accomplished so much with albums such as Ocean
Avenue and Paper Walls, but they always knew they could do more. A handful of these songs are the best the
band has ever written. Ryan Key digs
deep into himself to write the best and most personal lyrics to date, letting
it all out on the table. Vocally, he
took it to a whole new level belting out his lungs from song to song. Instrumentally,
I love how they always keep their same sound while always being creative with
it as drummer LPIII gets more and more technical as the album progresses. The most underrated part about the band/album
is they really do write the best bridges that make your jaw drop to the floor.
The first song, “Awakening,” a song that old fans will
thoroughly enjoy showing nothing but fast-paced instrumentals and high energy
vocals. Key starts it off singing “Bottoms
up tonight/I drink to you and I,” and that’s how I feel every time I listen to
the album. “Surface of the Sun” has one
of my favorite choruses ever written, lyrically so inspiring. It’s a perfect example of how less is always
more as it explodes into such a huge bridge where this is the first instance of
many on how far Key takes his vocals. “Always
Summer,” showing the appreciation to the fans for always being loyal and
sticking around, with Sean Macklin going off with an impressive violin solo in
the bridge. Tay Jardine of We Are the in
Crowd is featured on the radio-pop friendly, “Here I Am Alive,” co-written with
Patrick Stump about the bands high and low points. The song is one of the catchiest choruses they’ve
written to date. The middle track, “Sleep in the Snow,” one of
the best songs all-around, displays just how far the band has come. Putting together an incredible bridge followed
by an amazing unexpecting piano outro where Key sings at his best, “You think
you can leave me here/but I know I’ll be back next year.” Key wrote about his Aunt Stephanie again in “Telescope,”
you can feel the emotion throughout the whole song and understand the impact
she had on him as he sings, “My only hope/You’re my telescope,” along with the
rest of the chorus. This is the most
technical song I’ve ever heard LPIII put a beat to. “Rivertown Blues,” being
the most explosive track starting off with an epic intro followed by a
fantastic chorus as Key sings “Back when we built something new/the world was
ours to conquer/and we were not afraid to lose ourselves.” Underrated guitarist Ryan Mendez ends the
song with a ridiculously good guitar solo!
The acoustic led, “Ten,” has the most brutal lyrics written to date, a
song about losing a child before birth.
You don’t know what to do with yourself after listening to the song. The closing title track about home and
family, another killer closer that makes you want to sing to the chorus while
still not forgetting about the great musicianship including the great jam
session at the end of the song.
This album has all the components in life thrown into
one. Southern Air could be the album
that showcases the whole band’s accomplishments. They are growing up just like we are, you
always know right then and there how they are feeling, what they are going
through. Yellowcard is one of those
exceptions that should never ever change their producer. Neal Avron to me is the secret weapon, always
pushing the band and taking them to heights that far exceeded anyone’s
expectations. As a bonus, they also did
a cover of Coldplay’s “Fix You,” which
is easily one of the best covers I’ve ever heard.
I give this album a 9.5/10
Listen to - Well I would list 3 songs, but in this case you should really listen to the whole album
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You Me At Six, the British once pop punk, now alternative rock band with their third full length album with producer, Garth Richardson (Atreyu, Haste the Day, Rise Against). Frontman Josh Franceschi is one of my favorite lyricists with such clever, hateful, blunt lyrics showing he isn't afraid to say what he means to say. Bring Me The Horizon's Oli Sykes and Parkway Drive's Winston McCall are featured on this album, showing the band taking it up a notch, stepping outside of the pop punk genre. Yet the album still contains the catchiness from time to time that they had in the past two albums, with darker lyrics.
The lead single and opening track, "Loverboy" has a crafty bass intro with such great lyrics, and a great bridge that instrumentally shows their alternative rock side while "Jaws On The Floor" provides catchy and dark verses. "Bite My Tongue" is one of my favorites on this album and the heaviest song that You Me At Six has written to date which hateful lyrics that I love. You know when Oli Sykes picks up the microphone shit is going to go down with the bridge being one of my favorites ever, everything about that song is so good! "This Is The First Thing" shows the band going back to the old with pop punk but taking it down a notch as well just like in "No One Does It Better." The catchiest songs on this album are easily "Little Death" and "Reckless" providing solid guitar riffs. "Little Death" is a song that almost didn't make the album which surprises me because I think its also one of the best on the album. The guitar riffs and the chorus are so good "We are not your lovers, we are not your friends/We are just sinners, we're condemned to death/We are not your lovers, we are not your friends/Fuck what you believe in, cause this is the end" If you were looking for another "Fireworks" from their previous album, well both "Crash" and "Little Bit Of Truth" are twice as good, such masterpieces from the instrumentals to the amazing lyrics. Don't forget about the band taking it up a notch like they did in the beginning of the album, they pick it right back up with "Time Is Money" with catchy verses and the ending Winston McCall picks up the microphone and goes even heavier than Oli Sykes! The acoustic led "The Dilemma" surprises you with the trumpets at the end of the song providing something fresh! The longest track and last track on the album "When We Were Younger" is another slow song that Josh Franceschi nails with the lyrics. "Takes One To Know One" is a bonus track that is another all-around great song!
Sinners Never Sleep is their best album to date, the band stepped it up showing great maturity, jumping out of the pop punk genre. Once again Josh Franceschi continues through every song to write great lyrics. I believe the band can even go heavier and wish they would do that in their next record.
I give this album a 9.1/10
Listen to - Bite My Tongue
Little Death
Crash
Review by - Sean Graham
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When you think of female vocalists in bands you think of Hayley Williams, Cassadee Pope, Sierra Kusterbeck and Juliet Simms, etc. Well now you can add another one to the list, Jenna McDougall. Tonight Alive has slowly been making a name for themselves playing at Bamboozle this past year, I saw them there and they did a phenomenal job live, and getting signed to Fearless Records. The pop punk band from Australia has made a solid first album filled with lots of energy, showing no signs of slowing down from start to finish. The album has very catchy guitar riffs and drummer Matt Best did a heck of a job on the drums, being so crafty and creative with every beat making the album so smooth. It also helps when Mark Trombino is your producer (Blink-182, Jimmy Eat World, Silverstein) and the fact that Mark Hoppus is featured on the album!
"Breaking & Entering" and "Starlight" are great tracks that provides everything you want to hear in it when it comes to the genre. "Sure As Hell" and "Let It Land" are extremely catchy with "Let It Land" having a sweet pop punk breakdown! "Fake It" gives the album that edge, both instrumentally and lyrically, something you wanna see especially with a female vocalist, showing that they aren't messing around. The love ballad "Safe and Sound" is one of my favorites being the smoothest song on the album, the instrumentals and the lyrics are just perfect. "Thank You and Goodnight" and "Amelia" are the glue that keeps this album together with Mark Hoppus featured on "Thank You and Goodnight." The closer, the album title track, is my favorite track on the album, such a perfect closer with an anthem-like chorus. I also love the bridge where she sings "I used to be scared, I used to be like you/I used to care then I came unglued/Well it’s something we all have to learn to do."
Overall, they proved themselves to everyone that they are for real and are going to be sticking around in the long run. This is one of my favorite pop punk albums to date. I do wish they would incorporate the double bass on the drums. Personally I think it would give it even a better sound, but that's just my opinion. Tonight Alive is a band that you keep hearing their name in the future, expect them to be headlining tours and by headlining tours I'm not just saying Australia.
I give this album a 8.7/10
Listen to - What Are You So Scared Of?
Breaking & Entering
Safe and Sound
Review by Sean Graham
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The alternative Hit The Lights, that were once a pop punk band, moving in a different direction with this album, showing a sign that the band has been growing up. Must I say it wasn't a bad decision making the switch to alternative as Invicta proves to be an enjoying album but a bit repetitive at times. Slow-building verses to big, fun choruses, while still leaving some catchiness here and there! The album throws positive/inspirational lyrics filled with anthem-like choruses, having that space-like theme to it. They did a great job on not having too much electronics but noticeable to add something more to the songs. I also thought Nick Thompson did a phenomenal job vocally singing the songs at the right spots every time.
"Invincible" the first track on the album, a big way to start off the album with drummer Nate Van Damme's hard-hitting toms, filled with lyrics that speak for themselves. "Gravity" my favorite song on the album, the most polished song out of all of them. The band shows the use of the electronics that compliments the chorus perfectly. "Earthquake" has an electrifying chorus filled with an inspirational bridge both instrumentally and lyrically (I'll make the Earth quake/Even power lines can't hold me down/Even gravity can't pull me down). The album slows down just a bit with the instrumentally calming "So Guilty" with very relateable lyrics. The second half of "Get To You" has a punky bridge that leads to a great outro. "Float Through Me" is another one of my favorites on my album because of Nick Thompson's big vocals throughout the song along with the great structure of the song itself! "Should've Known" starts off slow but then has an epic second half with Nick Thompson's powerful vocals and great guitar work. "All The Weight" has the catchiest chorus hands down, showing their old pop-punk with a spice of alternative. "Faster Now" is just your typical slow pop song while "Take Control" is simple but yet fun to listen to. The closer "Oh My God" throws up a bit of a question mark, but hey, whatever works.
Invicta is a step in the right direction from making the switch to alternative, as it provides the band with a fresh new sound that fans should accept if haven't already. Yes the album does seem to get a little repetitive at times but fans won't notice it because they will be too busy enjoying this all-around solid album!
I give this album a 8.9/10
Listen to - Gravity
Earthquake
Float Through Me
Review by Sean Graham
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Massachusetts bound A Loss For Words coming off their first album, The Kids Can't Lose in 2009, an album that was just your typical pop-punk album. Well No Sanctuary, through Rise Records, is a sophomore slam dunk. Every aspect of this album blows their first album out of the water, deserving all the respect they deserve. Vocalist Matt Arsenault delivers great vocals, being one of the best in the pop-punk genre, and diverse lyrics. Instrumentally, this album is phenomenal, a huge step for this band in all the right ways.
The first track, "Honeymoon Eyes" delivering a great chorus followed by an even better bridge with such true lyrics (You will stay because you think you’re happy/You will stay because it’s comforting/You will stay because you think you’re happy/You will stay because you don’t want to be alone). "Piroutte" and "Raining Excuses" just make you want to sing along! "The Hammers Fall" is one of, if not the best song on the album, polished so well! "The Lost Cause I Used To Be" is so catchy that I can't even describe how catchy it is! The short "No Sanctuary" gives the album something different with the screaming vocals, providing some edge to the album. The love-ballad "Jetsetter" starting off slow then just takes off with the powerful drums showing the true emotions behind the song along with the ending lyrics (I'd have you sing along to every ten cent song/Your eyes would signal me like a transistor radio/We'd drink ourselves to sleep/We'd drink ourselves complete/If only you would be here now). The last two songs, "Finite" and "Wrightsville Beach" close the album on a bang, showing no signs of slowing down, especially the bridge in "Wrightsville Beach" one of my favorite parts of the album!
A Loss For Words should be proud of themselves hands down for this record they put out, this is one of those albums you can listen straight through without skipping any songs! I would have wanted the album to be longer since it only is 34 mins long with no songs over 4 minutes, but I mean we always want more music, especially if it is an album like this one!
I give this album a 8.8/10
Listen to - The Hammers Fall
The Lost Cause I Used To Be
Wrightsville Beach
Review by Sean Graham
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The Story So Far - Under Soil And DirtPop-punkers The Story So Far out of California with their first full-length album through Pure Noise Records. Under Soil and Dirt is an all-around solid album in the genre of pop-punk, being one of the best pop-punk albums in 2011. From hateful lyrics to great instrumentals and everything in between it is hard to find diversity in pop-punk these days where a lot of songs will usually sound the same for the most part, but these guys for the most part didn't let that happen.
While the first three tracks (not including the intro track) have the same fast-paced instrumentals, their only problem with diversity, the chorus for "Quicksand" sticks out the most for being the catchiest and lyrically the chorus for "Swords and Pens" is one of the best on the album. Those things try to help being diverse, but still a little too much alike. The album really picks up with "High Regard" with each song on the rest of the album being diverse instrumentally, thus making each song stand out in their own way. "Daughters" is the best song instrumentally with the second half of it being absolutely awesome. "Mt. Diablo" is the golden gem on this album, the only one over four minutes long. With the powerful intro as if you are walking into a coliseum and great lyrics "Do you look yourself straight in the eyes and think about who you let between your thighs?/Cut the shit be real with me/You're the only one I ever fucking judge." "Four Years" and "Rally Cap" are your solid all-around pop-punk songs, while the acoustic led "Placeholder" delivers the deepest lyrics on the album.
This album is one of the best pop-punk albums of 2011 as their biggest challenge will not to fall in that "sophomore slump" with their next album, whenever it will be. However though, I think they won't fall into that category because these guys are going to be on the rise, don't be surprised if you hear their name more and more in the future.
I give this album a 8.3/10
Listen to - Mt. Diablo
Daughters
Quicksand
Review by Sean Graham
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When I got a request to do this album by the lead singer, I almost shit my pants. The first thing I thought to myself was, ‘Thank God I like this band!’
We Are Defiance released their first album with Tragic Hero Records back in March of 2011 titled Trust in Few. Trust in Few was produced, engineered, mixed, and mastered by ex-A Day to Remember guitarist Tom Denney. Trust in Few has a good amount of breakdowns and catchy choruses, but they are more than just your average metalcore band; they have two powerful lead vocalists that help carry the rest of the band. While the drums are nice and crisp to help give a nice full sound to all the songs, the guitar parts are heavy, yet have a good ambient feel to them which adds an aspect to the songs to keep you moving. Brian Calzini, who is the unclean vocalist, uses his rough growls to deliver the delightfully hateful lyrics that woos the listeners.
The catchiness of the song The Weight of the Sea is phenomenal, lyrically and instrumentally, and one of my favorite tracks on the album. My favorite vocalist, Tyler "Telle" Smith of The Word Alive worked on the song Not another Song about You. You have to love the closing track, Sincerity. Sincerity is the perfect song to finish the album Trust in Few, because it is so smooth and the flow of the song is perfect.
The biggest downside is the length of the album, its only ten tracks plus the intro and amounts to a little over 30 minutes, I love the music so I would like to hear more of it. Also, it is extremely hard to be original in the underground music scene these days, but We Are Defiance is a hard working group, and in the next year or so, they'll be towards the top of the music scene. The upside triumphs over the downside on this album. We Are Defiance’s lyrics have an A Day to Remember-esque feel to it—full of hate and anger. For me personally, that’s my favorite part of the album; I just love the lyrics because they are honest and true. I'm excited to see where this band goes and ends up.
I give this album a 8.6/10
Songs to listen to - Not Another Song About You
The Weight of the Sea
Sincerity
Review by Brian Clemmons
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This album is not safe for children or Grandmas. These southern outlaws released their newest and fourth album, Outlawed, this past summer. It is their first album that was produced, engineered, mixed, and mastered by Joey Sturgis. This album is Rage (which you can read my review on that on here as well) Part Two but is much nastier and a hell of a lot better. Attila has continued their partying attitudes and are all about the sex, drugs, and violence.
The drumming is near perfect with a ton of downbeats to keep you moving and dancing. The guitar riffs and solos are nasty with their southern twang. They have also even added more faster paced breakdowns in Outlawed. They have showed that they are versatile and can play more than just basic metal riffs. Lyrically, Outlawed is the same as Rage: it is all about violence, women, booze, and weed. Now on to one of my favorite vocalists and the main reason I listen to Attila, Fronz.
Fronz beasted the vocals on Outlawed and out did himself. Every song vocally sounds different then the next, he has showcased more vocal range on Outlawed then he did on Rage, Soundtrack to a Party, and Fallacy combined. His vocals have improved tenfold, and they will only continue to be getting better. Fronz does not seem to be forcing his vocals as much as what he was on Rage. He also improved greatly on his highs; they are not as whiney as what they use to be. They have created an even better party album than Rage, and possibly the best party album ever; they bring the heat and energy.
I give this album a 9.1/10
Listen to - Payback
Smokeout
Another Round
Review by Brian Clemmons
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The Maine - Pioneer
Arizona rock band, The Maine, has finally evolved into a solid, genuinely unique set of musicians. The band’s previous album, Black and White, seems to have gone largely unnoticed. This may be due to the change in direction from the 2008 release of Can’t Stop Won’t Stop. The change, however, was certainly for the best. They have not only musically progressed, but also lyrically evolved (“Misery” is a perfect example of both lyrical and instrumental progression…I’ll save the joy of the interpretation for you the listener). The band has most certainly come back with a vengeance and provided the public with expert musicianship on their third studio release, Pioneer.
The album begins with a bang in the song “Identify”, discrediting the old cliché of “the good die young.” This song, along with “Some Days” bring the listener back to late 90’s and early 2000’s with a sound that follows the beats and rhythms of a solid Weezer track. My middle school self has officially fallen in love with the tracks that follow this familiar sound.
This is not only the sound that the band has produced however. They have managed to keep us “listening to rock & roll.” With songs such as “My Heroine” The Maine has managed to keep good old fashioned rock and roll alive. The sound is definitely reminiscent of their 2009 cover of “Pour Some Sugar on Me.” This is a distinct sound that only The Maine seems to be comfortable with.
All-in-all this album is unyielding work of art that has broken the radio based pop-punk mold that most people had placed them in. The lyrics are darker/more “real” (for the most part) and the musicianship is unique. Anyone who was longing for “CSWS” is looking in the wrong place. Evolution has occurred and there is no sign of decline in sight. It is most certainly an album worth listening to. I rate this highly within the genre!
I give this album a 9.5/10
Listen to - Identify
Some Days
My Heroine
Review by Tiger Shark
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Go Radio - Lucky StreetWe all knew Jason Lancaster knew how to write lyrics and sing and play guitar. What we did not know however was if he could start a band from scratch and get back to Mayday Parade status. While Mayday Parade right now is on top of the world and headlining every concert they do, Go Radio is easily making their way up the ladder of success. One of my biggest fears for Go Radio is that they would end up sounding a lot like Mayday Parade, but thank God it is completely different! I kept thinking in my mind that this would be one sad song after the next about past relationships and broken hearts. I'm glad that Mr. Lancaster was able to provide us with a little more variety.
Jason Lancaster has managed to wow me with his powerful and mesmerizing voice. Jason has that type of voice that when he starts singing you know who it is. Let's be honest, no one really cares about anyone else in the band because Jason Lancaster is the band. With his catchy lyrics and his simple guitar work plus the rest of the band he really turned this album into a masterpiece.
In my opinion the album starts off with its weakest track, which is not really all that weak, Lucky Street. It then leads into its most lyrically powerful track, Any Other Heart. From beginning to end, there is lyrical magic going on. The only thing I have a problem with on this album is Forever My Father, only because there are two versions of it on the album and it was also on their self produced E.P., Welcome to Life. It opens with a bang and ends with a powerful song. Jason put all of his emotion into this album and it shows with this masterpiece.
I give this album a 9.1/10
Listen to - Any Other Heart
Strength to Stay
Kill the Beast
Review by Brian Clemmons
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Say Anything - Anarchy, My DearThe well-known Max Bemis and the rest of the punk rockers from California in Say Anything coming off their 2009 self-titled release. Bringing back Tim O' Heir, who produced "...Is A Real Boy," Anarchy, My Dear is one of those well-produced records from the usual deep, emotional lyrics to great instrumentals that shape the album up to arguably be one of their best records. They managed perfectly in having just the right amount in each song without adding too much to the song and without having too little really shows the growth of the band.
The first track and lead single, "Burn A Miracle" has those funny verses that remind you of their old work (Pleasured himself to the music/Of well-dressed, inbred college students/As his girlfriend starved on the altar/To his blog of the sickening things he will call her) while Max Bemis screaming to burn America in the chorus, to a well-rounded outro both lyrically and instrumentally. The acoustic-led "Say Anything" with a great chorus that has Max pleads his case "I'll do anything for you" with backing vocals that compliment it so well with an awesome bridge that just makes you want to rock out. The emotional "Night's Song" makes you only wanna listen it during the night, with the calming structure of the song. The album picks it up again with the punky, fast paced "Admit It Again" where Max is filled with anger that just needs to get it all out with an outro that just takes the song in a complete different direction. The love-ballad "So Good" one of my all-time favorite tracks by these guys is just a masterpiece to me, one that we can all relate to. The short, catchy "Sheep" with complimenting electronics, giving the album something a little different. "Of Steel" talks about Max's struggles in hopes he can be saved, with a creative bridge with the toms and those emotional lyrics, followed by backing vocals. The ending and longest track "The Stephen Hawking" surprises you with all the different directions the song takes, but still a fun track to listen to!
Overall this is a polished record, and my favorite album from these guys. I think they really nailed it and should be proud of themselves. I say that because this album, if you haven't know already, doesn't come out until March. As The Tour Bus, we cannot give you the source of where we got the album in respect of Max Bemis and Say Anything because being a musician isn't easy money, and we wish you would all buy the album if you are going to support them, even if that means waiting until March.
I give this album a 8.4/10
Listen to - Say Anything
So Good
Of Steel
Review by Sean Graham
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The UK post-hardcore Enter Shikari delivering their third full-length and their first through Hopeless Records. A band that likes to include electronic/dubstep influences along with vocalist Rou Reynolds doing the usual talking/rapping. When Rou actually sings, this band can soar high with flying colors. So with that in mind let me just sum this up is one sentence. This is their best record hands down, filled with energetic choruses, electronic breakdowns and creative synths that just make you take a step back as this band takes you by surprise!
The first two tracks, "System..." and "...Meltdown" are two tracks that are basically one big track that sets the stage for the rest of the album to hit you with an eye-opening chorus that takes you away. "Sssnakepit" turns things up a notch where the guitars come into play along with Rou's screams that lead into a solid, fast paced sing-along chorus that just gets your adrenaline running. "Search Party" is just one of those all-around good songs that starts out with the great electronics and Rou's singing complimenting it with a solid breakdown. "Arguing With Thermometers" showcases the political views with the arctic/ice caps/oil with the need for energy resources. "Stalemate" is a beauty starting with the acoustic guitar and then the electric guitars take over for the 2nd half of the song, showcasing great musicianship! "Gandhi Mate, Gandhi" shows Rou bring his attitude to table as a wake up call to everyone else (Respect me and fear me/Fuck you/We have no respect/And when tomorrow comes/We're gonna stamp on your head). The last track, the ballad, "Constellations," such a powerful song lyrically (And we'll start a world so equal and free/Every inch of this earth is yours all the land and all the sea/Imagine no restrictions but the climate and the weather/Then we can explore space together/Forever).
Enter Shikari already has the best start to 2012, delivering an overall great record, one I reccomend you take a listen to as they are back on the radar. I wish Rou would write more about life rather than ranting about politics and sing more, but that is just me.
I give this album a 8.2/10
Listen to - ...Meltdown
Sssnakepit
Stalemate
Review by Sean Graham
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Attack Attack! - This Means War
Attack Attack! The metalcore band delivers their third full-length album through Rise Records produced by frontman Caleb Shomo himself in his home studio and not by the well-known Joey Sturgis who did their first two albums. This is the first album without clean vocalist Johnny Franck as Caleb Shomo takes over both duties as screamer and clean vocalist. Although this album has the anger you would want and expect from these guys, This Means War doesn't have enough diversity and creativity for the songs to stand out on their own.
"The Abudction" and "The Family" are the heaviest and shortest tracks on the album with all screaming and no clean vocals. "The Eradication," "The Motivation" are the most diverse providing with a little bit of something different, from the toms in "The Eradication" to the piano led intro in "The Motivation." While "The Wretched" being the best track on the album that stands out the most from the drum rolls to incorporating the synth more and finishing it off with the piano. However with the rest of the album, all the choruses and the breakdowns are the same but you keep listening in hope of hearing something different.
Caleb Shomo does deserve a lot of credit for trying to produce this record on his own, something that is no simple task of doing. It would have been helpful though if he would have gotten some outside help/advice. I personally miss Johnny Franck's clean auto-tuned voice that made the songs catchier and smoother, but that doesn't mean Caleb Shomo can't sing. The lack of diversity and creativity not just with the music but the lyrics as well just makes this another album, but if you are a fan of Attack Attack! then you should surely listen to it.
I give this album a 6.5/10
Listen to - The Wretched, The Motivation, The Betrayal
Review by Sean Graham
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The uprising Dangerous Summer, a band that has been slowly making a name for themselves, especially after this album. An album that is instrumentally very well put together with the creativity of drummer Tyler Minsberg using the most of his toms to make the songs sound smoother and powerful. Take that and factor in when vocalist/guitarist AJ Perdomo shows so much honesty in all his lyrics, even if all the songs on the album are sad, but at least he's letting it all out and wants to be heard. Those two pieces put together along with great guitar work complementing each song makes this one powerful album.
The catchiest songs and the best songs on this album are "No One's Gonna Need You More" and "Miscommunication." Both are very upbeat songs that are the gems, with "No One's Gonna Need You More" as the most relateable (I couldn’t make it past those eyes/I think I feel like the wind/sometimes, I wish we’d try to begin/no one’s gonna need you more). The most powerful songs are "Work In Progress" and "Parachute" where AJ really gets deep with his lyrics (I parachute alone/I’m a life that’s not worth saving/It’s apparent I won’t slow down yet/I take control of that feeling you don’t care to believe in). "Good Things" and "Siren" have my favorite choruses, with the drummer going off on the toms in "Good Things." With "I Should Leave Right Now" have the best guitar lines hands down and the closer "Waves" that has a little bit of everything to wrap up this solid album.
The only thing I would ask for is AJ to write a happy song, life isn't so bad every now and then. Also, to create a little more diversity with the songs, but that isn't too much of a problem. The Dangerous Summer have a bright future for themselves and have the potential to be one of those big upcoming bands. More people should take a listen to these guys, because they will be satisfied.
I give this album a 8.0/10
Listen to - No One's Gonna Need You More
Miscommunication
Parachute
Review by Sean Graham
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Angels & Airwaves - LOVE (Parts 1 and 2)The ambitious Angels & Airwaves, the supergroup led by Blink-182's Tom Delonge. A band known for their epic intros, with anthem-like choruses. From thrilling guitar riffs that take you on a ride to the powerful drums, this band is Tom Delonge's attempt to change the world and start a movement. The LOVE project (Parts 1 and 2 and the movie), truly defines what it is like to be a space rock band, a band that you get the best out of when you listen to them during the night. One album was "rushed" while the other one wasn't, and one album is clearly better than the other. What was missing in WDNTW and I-Empire was electrifying/upbeat choruses, and they clearly made up for that in LOVE.
The first track, "Flight of Apollo" led by a heavy electronic intro and chorus, with lyrics that uses great metaphors one after the next flowing right into my personal favorite, "Young London." The blink-182 influenced song with an opening guitar riff simliar to AC/DC's "Thunderstruck" that has fast, catchy verses with an unbelievable bridge/closing to the song, both instrumentally and lyrically. "Epic Holiday" might just have the most epic intro I've ever heard that has an electrifying chorus just like the lead single, "Hallucinations." "The Moon Atomic" has great build-up verses that just lead to such a disappointing/bland chorus, one of the few mistakes on the album just like "Clever Love" that has nothing special about it. The last three tracks, three very good tracks that close Part 1 with a bang, from the yodeling "Soul Survivor," to the fast-paced, excellent instrumental in "Letters to God, Part II," finishing with the hard hitting drums of "Some Origins of Fire," a song I like to call, The Adventure Part III, since they are similar in many ways.
Part II opens up with "Saturday Love," the cinematic bomb-blasting intro that just takes you away with the fast/hard hitting drums complimenting it with an incredible guitar riff, similar to "Heaven." That's just not all to the song, the verses and chorus are incredible, but lacking a weak bridge. "Surrender" led by the anthem choruses, but that is the only plus to the song as they could have done so much more with everything else to the song. The lead single on Part II, "Anxiety" is a masterpiece and the first time I heard it I really thought Part II was going to be their best album, but I was wrong. The piano-led "My Heroine" is another brilliant song with slow verses that just build-up to the 2nd half of the song that just takes you by complete surprise. Unfortunately after that song is where the album takes a turn downhill. "Dry Your Eyes" has a chorus that is exactly like "Everything's Magic," I guess Tom thought he could get away with it even though it is way too noticeable. On the bright side, "The Revelator" does have a really catchy pre-chorus with a creative drum beat from Atom. "One Last Thing" is just terrible instrumentally and who would have ever thought AVA made a song not even 3 mins long? I find that pretty weak. "Inertia" has that big intro, but it just isn't enough to hold up for the rest of the song. "Behold A Pale Horse" is my favorite though, with the 80's-influence synth that has lyrics influenced from the book of Revelations. A song that also has punchy verses to an unbelievable chorus. The closing track, "All That We Are" led by the piano, gets boring quickly when Tom says the same thing over and over again and couldn't just add more lyrics to it. However though the second half of the song led by the great guitar solo shows the band could be possibly moving in a new direction as it ends a new era and stars a new one.
Overall, Part 1 is much better than Part 2. AVA didn't go overboard with the synth in Part 1 and complimented it perfectly to each song while still being able to do what they do best with the guitars and the blasting drums. I feel like in Part 2 almost all the bridges are the same, some of the songs don't have that "epic factor" or yet alone have barely any guitar to make the songs stand out because they went overboard on the electronics. Tom though has been a very busy man the past 2 years with the LOVE project and Blink-182 so his brain could have been fried of ideas, but you can't make excuses. If AVA does go in a new direction, fans don't know what is going to hit them.
I give Part 1 a 9.5/10
I give Part 2 a 7.5/10
Listen to on Part 1 - Young London, Epic Holiday, Hallucinations
Listen to on Part 2 - Behold a Pale Horse, Saturday Love, Anxiety
Review by - Sean Graham
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Taking Back Sunday - Self TitledThe famous Taking Back Sunday, some will say this is their 5th album, while others say this is their 2nd album, I'll let you decide that. No one ever thought the original lineup from "Tell All Your Friends" was going to form again for another album, but it happened. Adam Lazzara and John Nolan back together in action. Fans have be dreaming of this since most have been disappointed with their albums besides their first. However, if you thought this was going to be another Tell All Your Friends, well it isn't.
The radio friendly, fan favorite, "Faith (When I Let You Down)," has that 30 Seconds to Mars feel to it with the intro and the bridge, while everything else just clicks, from the lyrics that everyone can relate, to the great musicianship by the band itself. The track "Best Places to Be A Mom," one of my favorites on the album, yes the lyrics are what you think it is to a point (I don't wanna talk/peel back your skin/invite me in), but still catchy with fantastic guitar riffs! The build up verses to the well-structured chorus in "Who Are You Anyway," finally shows the vocals going back and forth with Adam and John along with the religion-influenced lyrics "This Is All Now." Although "It Doesn't Feel A Thing Like Falling" has guitar riffs that are similar to Jimmy Eat World's "Futures," but the incredible bridge that I can't get over easily makes up for it. The best track on this album is "Since You're Gone." From the piano, the powerful lyrics, to the emotional closing, this is easily one of my favorite songs of 2011, and I advise all of you to take a chance to listen to the song! The last two tracks of the album, the catchy pop-punk "You Got Me" and the ballad "Call Me In the Morning," gives the album something different.
Overall, fans don't have to worry about Taking Back Sunday putting out anything below par anymore. This album is a great refresher for fans and should be excited about the future of the band again. However, I do hope for next album John Nolan has more vocals, I feel like this album lacked that big time and need to make up for it, get back to the roots of the old days. Songs like "Sad Savior" and "Money (Let It Go)," are the weakest links, weak lyrics and instrumentals that are frustrating to listen to, but the rest of the album makes you forget about the cons and just the pros.
I give this album a 8.3/10
Listen to - Since You're Gone
Best Places To Be A Mom
Faith (When I Let You Down)
Review by - Sean Graham
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Skrillex - Scary Monsters and Nice SpritesSonny Moore, also known as Skrillex, is one of the most popular Dubstep producers of all-time. His debut album (released in December of 2010), that was once a previous mixtape, is off the chain. Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites features a 9-track earfull of synth-womping and bass-stomping. Skrillex is known for his unique way of making his music "talk" and his intense, raving drops.
Skrillex opens up this explosive album with "Rock 'n' Roll", a friendly, up-beat song that features the line "Hello again to all my friends, together we can play some rock and roll". It's inviting and the chorus is party-bumping. The following song, named after the album itself, is quite interesting. The drops are low and inconsistent each time, which I think is key to a dubstep production, and the noticable talking synths ae sweet. You'll find two remixes of this song at the end of the album featuring Noisa and Zedd. "Kill Everybody" is my personal favorite. The drop is intense, but almost halts to switch up the groove with a nice womp-stop. "Scatta" features Foreign Beggars, a somewhat hip-hop type dubstep co-producer. It's a dirty track with a sick drop with a monster-like synth lead up. "All I Ask of You" and "With You, Friends" are longer, more dance-like tracks which you could listen to forever. They're smooth, have neat choruses and showcase more of Sonny Moore's ability to make his synths "talk".
Overall, this is a sweet album to jam to, although a little short considering there are only 6 original tracks and the rest are remixes.
I give this album an 8.0/10
Check out the popular "Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites song here!
Reviewed by Cody McNulty
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Atilla - Rage
The self-proclaimed Party-Death Metal boys from Atlanta, Georgia released their third album in May of 2010. It was, however, their first release through Artery Recordings. In order to enjoy their music, you have to have a good sense of humor and a love for life. These southern boys love to party and have fun. The first thing that you will notice about this band is the vocalist Chris Fronzak aka Fronz. I have never heard such a wide range of screaming vocals in my life. He can do the gutturals, the highs, the lows, and he can even rap scream faster than most rappers can rap. His lyrics are all about having fun, getting wasted, and smoking dope. The breakdowns that the guitarist play are your typical breakdowns, but they are still breakdowns and they are not sloppy; you have to love it! You can tell that the drummer is a beast when you listen to their songs that make you nod your head.
Not everyone is going to enjoy these guys, because not everyone is into partying or death metal. I would like to see more versatility in their lyrics and branch out and show more anger like they do in the song Girl's Don't Lie; but I would still love to hear the party hard lyrics. Also, it would have been better if the album was longer than twenty-six minutes.
Their lyrics are something that, for me personally, I can relate to more than any other deathcore or death metal band. These guys do not care what people thing about them or their lyrics as shown in the song Make It Sick: "I don’t give a fuck if you like this song/Is it heavy, is it heavy!?/I don’t give a fuck if you like this song/Is it heavy enough for you?" Attila is not your typical metal band by any means, Fronz knows how to use his vocal range and utilizes it to the maximum level. If you want music to listen to while you are raging, this is the album to rage to.
Songs to check out: Make It Sick, Rage, and Girl's Don't Lie. These catchy songs will be running through your head for hours on end or even days on end.
I give this album an 8.6/10
Review by - Brian Clemmons
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Yellowcard - When You're Through Thinking, Say YesYou always need that one factor that separates one band from the others, and Yellowcard is the perfect example with violinist Sean Macklin. Nobody would have ever imagined of a violinist in an alternative/pop punk band, but if you are like Yellowcard surrounded by great talents such as lead singer Ryan Key and the extremely talented drummer, Longineu Parsons III, along with the rest of the band, then it can totally happen. It also helps when you create songs like Ocean Avenue and Only One that everyone will remember forever. A band like Yellowcard should never break up, but it can happen. Coming off their 2 year hiatus from April 2008 to August 2010, and replacing former bassist Peter Mosley with newcomer Sean O' Donnell, this album picks up right where they left off on their previous release, Paper Walls.
When I saw Yellowcard in concert last March at the Chameleon Club, I remember Ryan Key saying that he had to come back because his best work is when he writes songs about girls that have screwed him over. I laughed but completely agree with him as he does it again in this record, songs we can all relate to. These guys clearly still know how to rock out. Songs like "For You, and Your Denial," "Life of Leaving Home," and "Soundtrack" bringing full of energy as if the band was rejuvenated. But my favorites are "With You Around", and "See Me Smiling." I like to call "With You Around," ocean avenue part two because of the similarity of the lyrics and of course, both choruses are just too catchy! Ryan Mendez great guitar craftsmanship on "See Me Smiling" along with the rest of the album is one of the best parts about the album, as he nailed just about every song on the guitar. You can't forget about the ballad "Sing For Me" as Ryan Key talks about his Aunt Stephanie's struggle with cancer, unfortunately she passed away a little over a month ago. The closing track "Be the Young" really makes the album go out in a bang with the smooth verses thanks to LP drum play, and the ending really showed the band coming together as one.
Overall, it is great to see Yellowcard back making music as they always stay true to themselves. It was a little disappointing to see this album was short since there are 10 tracks (plus one b-side "Promises") and only 2 are over 4 minutes long, however it is understandable. This album helped get them back on the map plus more as they prepare to go into the studio March 1st, 2012 for their next album.
I give this album an 8.8/10
Listen to - For You, and Your Denial
With You Around
See Me Smiling
Review by Sean Graham
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Mayday Parade - Self TitledMayday Parade, the band you listen to on a rainy day or when you're feeling down about that special someone. However, they have been on quite the roller coaster the past 2 or 3 years with the departure of former singer Jason Lancaster (Go Radio), had very little control over their 2nd album, Anywhere But Here, because of the terrible power the record label has. They then left the record label and did this album the way they wanted to. Well lets just say thank god they did that because this is their best work, with a refreshing sound that brings catchy choruses and punk verses but also can't forget about the great lyrics just like their first album, A Lesson In Romantics.
The lead single "Oh Well, Oh Well" released in the summer, was an instant hit as it showed the band going back to their old ways but this time doing it twice as good. They recorded this album in Florida so of course they had to throw on some southern style guitar like they did in the song "No Heroes Allowed" as its the intro of the song but then has such a smooth transition into a very upbeat chorus. But everyone always wants to hear about the ballad because that is what they perfect, with songs like "Miserable At Best" and "Terrible Things" in previous works. Once again they do it again, "Stay" such a great song with the piano and the slow build up as lead singer Derek Sanders says "Please understand I've been drinking again and all I do is hope" and then just goes into this huge, powerful ending with Derek going all out on the vocals, showing complete emotion and passion for the song. My favorite song on the album is easily "I'd Rather Make Mistakes Than Nothing At All" hands down. This song is such a gem from start to finish, catchy guitar work on the verses leading into the fast paced, electrifying chorus, but the best part about this song is the "Middle 8" (part after the second chorus). Honestly, I can't even describe it, there are no words I could even use, everything about it is just perfect.
Overall, it is a big step in the right direction as they proved to myself and everyone else that they can be successful without Jason Lancaster. The choruses do sound repetitive though throughout the album, something they need to improve on for next album. Also, Mayday Parade has to not write every song about that someone no matter how good they are at it, and try to start writing about other things. But this album is their best work, and you will be hearing more and more from them in the future.
I give this album an 8.7/10
Listen to - I'd Rather Make Mistakes Than Nothing At All
Oh Well, Oh Well
Stay
Review by Sean Graham
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Passive Me, Aggressive You - The Naked and Famous'Young Blood' if you will. That's not only the name of their hit-single, but what they actually are to the music industry. A New Zealand band formed in 2008 released their debut album, Passive Me, Aggressive You, in 2010. It debuted at number one in New Zealand. The album features ambient rock music, psychodelic vibes, and euphoric pop-rock. The only down part is there are really only a hand full of solid songs, but those six or seven songs (13 tracks) are pretty impressive and are hopefully a sign for what is to come from them. I should do a Post-Show Recap for them as well. I saw them this summer in Philadelphia for the 104.5 Radio free show with The Airborne Toxic Event. The Naked and Famous was up there on my list of best perfromances. I recommend this band to all of you!
I do really enjoy their music and am excited for a sophomore album. Half of this album sounds amazing but the other half is just mediocre to good. If they can get a complete album of epic, then they'll easily have a ten out of ten, but for now...
This is a 7.5/10
Reviewed by Mike Wieder
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August Burns Red released this incredible album mid-June of 2011. What this talented band brings to the table in this album is much different than previous albums. When I first listened to it, I thought "....". I was speechless. The guitarists compliment each other extremely well and have the capability to put together unique melodic riffs and ultimately "kill it" in the studio. Matt Greiner does an amazing job with his drumming as he is one of the most versatile and creative drummers to date and Jake Luhrs' vocals are raw and leave a lasting impression.
Leveler opens with "Empire", a typical start to any album, displaying a variety of musical riffs and an inviting chorus that makes you want to sing along. The hit track "Internal Cannon" was the one that caught my attention instantly. Jumping right into their melodic thrash and Matt Greiner showing off his capability of off-pattern beats and fills, the song invites you to a refreshing new twist with folk-like acoustic grooves that quite honestly couldn't have impressed me one bit more. "Leveler" ends the main album with a bang, as if they were to perform their last encore with meaning. Other songs such as "Divisions", "Carpe Diem", "Salt & Light" and "Boys of Fall" (and pretty much every other song on this album) show an abundance of musical and melodic riffs, quick, mixed drum patterns, outstanding vocals, and a sense of emotion.
Another thing about this album is the songs flow into eachother about as smooth as the next chapter in a book relates to the last, it's just one big musical story. The only flaw to this album is the midi version of "Empire" featured in their bonus tracks, it honestly makes me want to rip my ears off. Overall, this album is groundbreaking and the lyrics as always show faith in yourself as well as faith in religion and separating the darkness from the light. On one last note, August Burns Red has never overdone it with their brutal breakdowns and they don't come by too often, but you won't be dissatisfied when you've heard the few devastating ones in Leveler that can literally level anything in it's path.
I give this album a perfect 10/10
Check out the "Internal Cannon" music video here!
Reviewed by Cody McNulty
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Once upon a time, a time so distant in the past, As I Lay Dying once reigned supreme of the Metal business with songs like "94 Hours" and "Forever." (In fact, as a Junior in high school I remember using "94 Hours" for my interpretive-hardcore dance about the failing economy...only it was the 'flailing' economy) But over the passed few years they have fallen out of the spotlight and back into an opener spot on most tours (minus their headlining tour now for Decas). Decas, if you can't figure it out, is for their decade of existence. Mearly a shit compilation album with three orginal songs and the rest covers or remixes. (p.s. Metal doesn't do remixes) They do nothing but shame the respectable artists in which they cover; such as Judas Priest and the all mighty thrash gods, Slayer. Please don't waste your time or money on this album. Pure and utter garbage.
I give this album a 3.5/10
- To clarify such a high rating, one point for each original song (its like spelling your name right on the SAT's) and a half point for attempting to cover Slayer.
Reviewed by Mike Wieder
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"Enough with all this pussy shit," said the All Shall Perish fan. After years of touring, change in band members, and now on their fourth album, All Shall Perish is at the top of their game with This is Where it Ends. ASP is known for their intricate riffs and sweeps, heavy political influence, and their dislike for the countries definition of 'justice.' Unlike the cliche lyrics from the Boys Like Girls, All Shall Perish has some truly hard meaning behind their words. Freshly added on lead guitar, Francesco Artusato exemplifies the political influence just like Jimi Hendrix did; blaring his guitar to express his angst, but this time around, it's fucking metal. Believe me, All Shall Perish is not for the weak-hearted. With their new album ASP has quickly stepped onto the top stage of metalcore with the likes of August Burns Red, Born of Osiris, and Parkway Drive. Don't worry guys, they're not going anywhere from that stage for awhile. Also noted, ASP, has two versions of "Royalty in Exile" on the album; one in English and the other in Spanish. Check them out!
I give this one a RARE 10/10
This Review By Mike Wieder
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The Word Alive - Deceiver
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Reviewed by Cody McNulty
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Blink-182 - Neighborhoods
Punk Goes Pop, Vol. 4
This year's volume of Punk Goes Pop (realeased November 21) is surely impressive and has already made the top 60 albums sold on iTunes. With featuring bands like Pierce the Veil, Tonight Alive, Woe, Is Me and more, Fearless Records have done it again. Some of the most popular Top 40 songs to date have been rerecorded under the minds and talents of each band. The creative use of unique riffs, heavy breakdowns and lyrical changes have made these once known "pop" songs into a great listening alternative for all rockers alike. Although I think Fearless Records could have gotten they're hands on some heavier bands to cover, the lighter tracks seem to work in very beautifully and I think everyone will enjoy it!
I give this album an 8.0/10
Here's a notable taste of the album, Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.) by Woe, Is Me
Reviewed by Cody McNulty
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After bringing Elliot Gruenberg, formerly of Behind Their Eyes, on to play guitar in replace of Mike Frisby, Blessthefall released their third album Awakening. Also notably the sophomore album for front man Beau Bokan. It's easy to say that this is Blessthefall's best album. The album is filled with thicker breakdowns, heavier riffs, and a more technical approach to the guitar. They really turned this album up to 11 blowing Beau's first album, Witness, out of the water not only musically but in sales too. One thing that did not make the leap to the next level was the percussion. It's still Matt Traynor's rhythmic excellence yet a lack of variety that we've seen on all three albums now. That being said, each song bleeds into the next with some of the best transitions I've heard in awhile from a hardcore band.
I give this album an 8.0/10
Reviewed by Mike Wieder
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Blue Slide Park - Mac Miller
Blue Slide Park (BSP), is Mac Miller's debut studio album under independent record label, Rostrum records. Other popular releases where his solo mixtapes K.I.D.S. (Kickin' Incredible Dope Shit) (2010) and Best Day Ever (2011). On BSP, Miller showcases his young talents at the top of the game. It debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 in the U.S. and number eight in Canada.
Mixing many different beats, riffs, and sounds that blends generations of music on BSP, Miller deserves to be considered for a 'Rookie of the Year' award if there were one to be given. A noticeable influence of early 90's rap music can be heard with psychedelic-progressive melodies overlaying the beats. The album is one of few albums these days that from start to finish is complete and whole. There is no stop to his flow or lulls in any tracks. There are little to no disappointment on this album.
I give this album a 9.1/10
Singles:
"Frick Park Market"
"Smile Back"
"Party on Fifth Ave."
Reviewed by Mike Wieder
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The Word Alive - Deceiver
Deceiver is the first album from the metalcore band The Word Alive. The Arizona natives were able to successfully blend metalcore, thrash metal, groove metal, and even some ambient. The metalcore genre can get repetitive when it comes to the chugging breakdowns, double kick drum, and clean to unclean vocals. But The Word Alive has a secret weapon known as Dusty Riach, the keyboardist. I am not really a fan of the synthesizer when it comes to metalcore or post-hardcore, but for some crazy reason, The Word Alive was able to make it work. From the electronic beats to the dubstep beats, Riach has pulled off what so many others have tried. Lead guitarist, Zack Hansen, is a beast and shreds the guitar apart from the first track to the last track. With the help of his side kick Tony Pizzuti, they unleash a fury of guitar masterwork. The best part of the band is the vocalist and lyricist, Tyler "Telle" Smith. His lyrics cover a wide arrange of emotions and feelings.
Songs such as The Hounds Of Anubis, The Wretched, and Battle Royale will get your blood flowing and make you hate as much as Telle Smith hates. In the songs Like Father, Like Son and Lights And Stones (my personal favorite) you feel the power and strength, of Telle's lyrics. What is a metal band without a ballad? You're All I See is The Word Alive's ballad.
The only down sides to this album are the lack of drum and bass; they need to be more of a presence to get an even fuller sound out of the band. Also, the Deluxe Edition of the album was a hit and miss for me. Lights And Stones and Apologician are quite possibly the best songs on the album and they were part of the deluxe edition. But the dubstep remixes of the songs The Wretched, 2012, and The Hounds Of Anubis are terrible; the album would have been much better if they were excluded from it.
In my opinion this was a contender for AOTY.
I give this album an 9.5/10
Review by - Brian Clemmons
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The Devil Wears Prada - Dead Throne
The Devil Wears Prada released this explosive full-length album mid-September of this year. Dead Throne is easily their most brutal album following an exciting and powerful Zombie EP. It's loaded with deep and technical strings, explosive drums, dramatizing keyboards and of course the extreme outburst of Mike Hranica's vocals.
The first song, named after the album title, chugs along an intense melody and makes for a great intro to to album with the war-like pounding of the drums. "Born to Lose" has a unique riff and outstanding chorus, along with ups and downs with rhythm. The technicality of the guitars are showcased in "Untidaled" as the deep chugs throughout stop and go with intricate and fast work on the frets. "Mammoth" delivers the punch as it's the heaviest title and somehow shows a little remorse during the chorus. "Forever Decay" has brutal breakdowns and striking climaxes and "Constance" shows the unique guitar skills as there is a very clean, deep riff mid-song. The lyrical potency that TDWP has put into this album are incredible. The use of symbolism is important throughout and the intense emotions that Mike Hranica did such a fantastic job on with his vocals.
Overall, Dead Throne is the most powerful and best album realeased yet by The Devil Wears Prada and they have finally found the last piece of the puzzle that has been missing.
I give this album a 9.3/10
Take a listen to "Born to Lose" here!
Reviewed by Cody McNulty
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Blink-182, three completely different guys, with opposite music tastes come together, to make this brilliant album. An album we thought was never going to come. This isn't the old blink where they tell you to fuck dogs and that your mom is a whore. Nope, believe it or not they have finally grown up. They want to be known as a rock band and not a pop punk band anymore. They've been through a lot in their 4 year hiatus, from Travis Barker's plane crash, to their only producer they ever used Jerry Finn passing away in 2008, and Neighborhoods clearly shows how much they matured.
Where to start on the self-produced album? Easy, the opening track, "Ghost on the Dance Floor." From the epic intro, to the stadium-rock like chorus, they clearly wanted everyone to make sure they were back, and back for a while. "Heart's All Gone" and "Natives" show blink trying to bring back the old-school, fast paced songs from the early 90s in an attempt to stay loyal to the fans of the old. The lead single "Up All Night" released in the summer, had a lot of people confused on the heavily AVA-influenced chorus, and was worried about the future of the album. But it's songs like "After Midnight" and "Even If She Falls" that just win you over, so perfectly orchestrated. "Wishing Well" and "This Is Home" are just so catchy and make you wanna bop your head, but "Love Is Dangerous" and "Fighting the Gravity" throw up a big question mark. Both are just honestly useless, and serve no purpose to the album.
Overall, this album will be one of my all-time favorites. It shows their progression as musicians both instrumentally and lyrically. This just gets you even more excited for what the next album will be like, it won't be like this because they finally got the past behind them, the 3 can co-exist and take over the world once again.
I give this album an 9.2/10
Listen to - Ghost on the Dance Floor, After Midnight, Even If She Falls
Review by Sean Graham
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I give this album an 8.0/10
Here's a notable taste of the album, Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.) by Woe, Is Me
Reviewed by Cody McNulty
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Awakening - Blessthefall
After bringing Elliot Gruenberg, formerly of Behind Their Eyes, on to play guitar in replace of Mike Frisby, Blessthefall released their third album Awakening. Also notably the sophomore album for front man Beau Bokan. It's easy to say that this is Blessthefall's best album. The album is filled with thicker breakdowns, heavier riffs, and a more technical approach to the guitar. They really turned this album up to 11 blowing Beau's first album, Witness, out of the water not only musically but in sales too. One thing that did not make the leap to the next level was the percussion. It's still Matt Traynor's rhythmic excellence yet a lack of variety that we've seen on all three albums now. That being said, each song bleeds into the next with some of the best transitions I've heard in awhile from a hardcore band.
I give this album an 8.0/10
Reviewed by Mike Wieder
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Blue Slide Park - Mac Miller
Blue Slide Park (BSP), is Mac Miller's debut studio album under independent record label, Rostrum records. Other popular releases where his solo mixtapes K.I.D.S. (Kickin' Incredible Dope Shit) (2010) and Best Day Ever (2011). On BSP, Miller showcases his young talents at the top of the game. It debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 in the U.S. and number eight in Canada.
Mixing many different beats, riffs, and sounds that blends generations of music on BSP, Miller deserves to be considered for a 'Rookie of the Year' award if there were one to be given. A noticeable influence of early 90's rap music can be heard with psychedelic-progressive melodies overlaying the beats. The album is one of few albums these days that from start to finish is complete and whole. There is no stop to his flow or lulls in any tracks. There are little to no disappointment on this album.
I give this album a 9.1/10
Singles:
"Frick Park Market"
"Smile Back"
"Party on Fifth Ave."
Reviewed by Mike Wieder
