CHELSEA GRIN, a deathcore outing from the land where fun goes to die (also known as SLC, Utah), has grown (in)famous since their Cesarian section birth in 2007, which divided the Extreme music listening world in two camps: Those who loved CHELSEA GRIN and dug their chugtastic formula, and those who wished an untimely death upon GAZA’s fellow townsmen. I remained impartial, since they haven’t proved themselves worthy of capital punishment, just court jesters in the realm of Deathcore. Boasting two albums and an EPs all in 5 years leads to a lot of rushing, recycling and no time to actually, y’know, write good songs. A challenger by the name of Jason Richardson, hailing from Progressive Deathcore contemporaries BORN OF OSIRIS has joined the ranks, playing guitar better than Ziggy. Could this be the redemption this band needs to go from drab to fab? Could the title of this EP be a sign that they’re done writing the same breakdown over and over, and are willing to push their limits to uncomfortable, but ballsy places? Let’s begin, and mind your head.
“The Second Coming” opens up with some cheesy strings, and a breakdown that sounds as though it was written for BORN OF OSIRIS’ newest release, The Discovery. In fact, the keys, synth accents, and twinkles that decorate the breakdowns like hood ornaments on a tank are telltale signs that Mr. Richardson had a lot of say in how this album was written. It’s almost a note-for-note clone of something that came from BORN OF OSIRIS’ more forgettable tunes, but that’s still a major step up for CG, who were once content to write the wimpiest breakdowns known to deathcore. Speaking of breakdowns, I’d be a fool not to mention that those have actually improved vastly. Where they were once monotonous interrupted chugging, on this track they allow more room for the low end to come in and provide punch. I always said CG would be better if they wrote heavier breakdowns at least. Maybe they read my Christmas letters.
Up next is the track that was released as a promotional tidbit to get everyone excited, “Lilith“. Having heard this when it came out, my feelings were mixed, as this track starts out directly aping their peers SUICIDE SILENCE in every arena, from the vocals to the tempo of the riff and drums that kicks in at about 50 seconds. It’s a bit of a drop in quality for the time being, until Alex’s clean vocals came in. Yes, you heard that right, and if you hadn’t already checked it out, do so at once. Like their pals in ALL SHALL PERISH, BRING ME THE HORIZON, and EMMURE, they’ve decided to break the vocal monochromaticism and inject some soul. Surprisingly enough, they’re not too bad, and the sweep behind them is well written, and not stolen from an earlier song, like so many of them are. Overall, they were wise to put this track out first, even if it doesn’t display the proficiency they keep locked away tighter than a Mormon virginity.
“S.H.O.T.” immediately opens with a jumpdafuckup, proving old habits die hard. Shortly after that nonsense they come back to the BORN OF OSIRIS worship, only to run headfirst into another everybody-fuckin’-bounce, and repeat as needed for pain. CHELSEA GRIN have always liked to tease with being able to play their instruments but then subsequently ignite a bro mosh. This track toggles from melodic technical noodling to wifebeater chugs. Take my pick as to which I liked better.
The opening breakdown to “Confession” sounds like it was written for them by a collaboration between No Time To Bleed-era SUICIDE SILENCE and OCEANO. Pure laziness takes the stage here with some left/right trade-offs and a of sweeping behind the plainly bored breakdown. Following that is what I swear is a splice from the beginning riff of AFTER THE BURIAL’s “Berzerker”, and then another uninspired frat boy chug. Remember, kids, CHELSEA GRIN are actually decent musicians, they’re just part of this ADHD generation. I’m only reviewing an EP, but it feels like that moment in the middle of an album where the band seems painted in a corner of their own good ideas. Vocalist Alex’s vocals aren’t usually particularly good, but it feels like he’s half-assing this song. I can practically hear them phoning in their lunch order by the end.
“Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” is CHELSEA GRIN’s pop song (quite literally), and once again, we’ve made The Discovery our main course, gentlemen, and women. Can’t forget the women, that’d be sexist. From this track I get an odd J-Rock vibe, namely bands like D’ESPAIRSRAY and PHANTASMAGORIA, as well as that of a Christcore band by the name of FOR TODAY when they start getting hymnal. It gets a bit repetitive at around the 3 and a half minute mark and if it were shorter, it’d be a perfect celebration of their… evolution. After that is a remix of “The Human Condition”, which is a track I never particularly cared for, and if anything it just sounds even worse, so not exactly essential listening. I suspect they only threw it in so the album would end on a heavier note, but sometimes, like the time honoured sport of coitus, it’s better to go out soft.
THE VERDICT: Ripping off others more talented are in their field and stumbling on gold is what some do best. Just ask Jim Theis.
Perhaps more than any other metal related thing in 2012 except for the now complicated BLACK SABBATH reunion, I have been looking forward to a full-deal MACHINE HEAD tour. I have been one of the lucky few to have seen the band do a rare headline show in the last five years, but it hasn’t been nearly enough. I even needled Dave McClain about it in an interview with him last summer and he was a good sport about it. The success of The Blackening (Roadrunner) brought a lot of good opportunities to the band and they never got to strike out on their own. Well they have more than made up for that with a solid lineup and the 8th Plague Tour. Tonight’s show at the Worcester Palladium was part of an extensive run of what promises to be the start of many more shows for US fans this and future years.
Since the original openers RISE TO REMAIN dropped out due to lineup changes, fans were treated to longer sets by the openers instead of a replacement fourth band. This was especially appreciated by me in the form of a longer set by DARKEST HOUR, one of the best live bands around. Following up last year’s solid album The Human Romance (eOne) with the relentless roadwork they are known for, they always put out a total band effort as a live prospect. Tearing the lid off the night with the opener “The World Engulfed In Flames” the band presented themselves as more than worthy. Front man John Henry is one of the best there is at ruling the stage and connecting with the crowd. Coming back with “No God” from the excellent Eternal Return album was a good choice and the crowd was digging it. I consider DH to be the fathers of modern metalcore, something they have never shied away from, but evolved towards a more mature unit over time. Special props go out to fill-in drummer Timothy Java (DEAD TO FALL) covering for the recently departed from the band Ryan Parrish. Replacing a mainstay and a beloved by the fans personality is a tough job, but Tim did well. I also have to single out Mike “Lonestar” Carrigan who can handle a six-string on the level of the headliners. They burned through their set quickly and although I was bummed they missed a few standards I love to hear they closed up strong with “Doomsayer”. Realistically this band shouldn’t be the opener on this or very many tours anymore, unless they want to. They are that good.
Set List:
The World Engulfed in Flames
No God
Savor the Kill
With a Thousand Words to Say but One
Violent by Nature
Love as a Weapon
Your Everyday Disaster
Doomsayer (The Beginning of the End)
SUICIDE SILENCE was up next and they had a ton of heads in the house. Although I find them to bit a bit formulaic in their style, they always put on a terrific live show and tonight would be no different. The build up to their entrance on the stage was intense and they arrived as you would imagine to a roaring crowd. Opening with their hit “You Only Live Once” the pit opened up and people were off and running. Front man Mitch Lucker has a commanding presence and kind of looks like he is conducting a symphony of chaos by really emoting how the music and lyrics make him feel. You can see why so many people are down for this band of deathcore acolytes when you watch Mitch and then see the crowd react back to him. The band tore through some of their best known songs like “Wake Up”, “OCD”, “Lifted” and “Smoke” which Mitch dedicated to the weed lovers in the house. Perhaps taking out a page from the HAEBREED playbook, the band has figured out how to make their songs more memorable with sing-a-long lyrics, although a touch more angry and less positive. Still, you have to give it to them when it comes to fan engagement and I nearly thought they would tire out the fans before the main event. Perhaps even including Lucker the top talent in the band if drummer Alex Lopez whose razor sharp robotic playing calls to mind the speed and tightness of original FEAR FACTORY skinsman Raymond Herrera. In the end their songs tend to blend all together to me between the slow groovy breakdowns, too many bass drops and the never varying screams of the singer. Yeah, I’m all set for seeing these guys for a while now. Entertaining to the last, despite the over-long set.
SUICIDE SILENCE is all about the high energy live show.
Set List:
Intro (March to the Black Crown)
You Only Live Once
Wake up
Unanswered
OCD
Bludgeoned to Death
Slaves To Substance
Lifted
Smoke
Disengage
Fuck everything
No Pity For A coward
At last it was time for the big dogs to come out. The stage looked cool with a blend of the Unto The Locust (Roadrunner) artwork, plus a massive video screen that stood about twenty-five feet tall by my estimate. Fog filled up the venue and as the lights went down “I Am Hell (Sonata in C#)” began to play over the PA. The first hint of the awesomeness of the night happened as the screen looked like it was bleeding! What it was bleeding out was the MACHINE HEAD logo crest. This was great and built up the drama even more as the band took the stage the band took their spots to the still full building (I was worried the SUICIDE SILENCE kids would bolt). The four man crew took their places and readied for war. As the intro of the song died down and the massive chords kicked in it felt like a total rush as the stage was awash in red lights. When Robb Flynn sang the open verse of “I……Am….Hell” there was a a gnarly vocal effect and a ton of reverb that made his voice sound monstrous. It was a little over the top, but it did set the tone for what was to follow. After the opening grooves the band did what they do best: open up a can of whoop ass with their take on modern neo-thrash inspired jams. The interplay between the guitar tone of Flynn and Phil Demmel and the crushing beats from McClain was in essence the pure sound of the band. “I Am Hell” is kind of a mini-greatest hits all in one song, at least as thread you can pull from their early career to more recent times. What a killer way to start off a long, loud night!
Robb Flynn readies for musical war.
Coming back with another new song “Be Still And Know” was cool. The Demmel penned song is equal parts progressive and thrashy, but best of all it has amazing melodies. To hear the entire crowd sing it loudly was chilling. Demmel and bassist Adam Duce really mesh well with Flynn on the vocal harmonies. Flynn is of course at the height of his powers as he leads the charge. It’s not really a comeback story for the band anymore as much as it is whether they are the best American metal band these days or not. They certainly must be counted in the conversation. Coming right back with the track that started this entire era for them, “Imperium” was another good call. The video screen played accompanying visuals to each song and the ones for this song were perfect.
Adam Duce is the glue that holds the band together.
“Beautiful Morning” was up next and was also sick. I guess I shouldn’t be shocked that every voice in the crowd was singing these songs from 2004 and beyond with a passion and a lust like they were tracks of the first album. Next up was MH concert favorite “The Blood, The Sweat, The Tears” or beers as Flynn likes to say these days. I was hanging with some of my fellow metal scribes and mused aloud that I still love The Burning Red and Supercharger and would still love to hear those live. I may be in the minority with that one, but as a fan I never cut and run on this act. The single “Locust” was played next with the excellent video playing behind them. Despite the catchyness of the chorus, the song’s breakdown/ending riffs are heavy as hell. “This Is The End” may be the most purely thrash song the band has written, especially the breakdown and solo riffs. The song over is just crazy with thrash, shred, prog and even some black metal influence heard. McClain needs to get mentioned more regularly when discussing the finest drummers in metal. He not only plays tight and is a great song writer, but he still beats heavy as hell in this age of light hitters and guys dependent on triggers. “Aesthetics of Hate” was started off by a chant of “DIMEBAG….DIMEBAG” and was also strong. Oddly enough you could tell who the real old-school fans were during “Old” as few heads really new the words of this essential song in the bands catalog. As great as these recent albums have been and as proud of their resurgence as I am, Burn My Eyes still stands unmatched to my ears. This new ear of fans of the band need to learn their history better. Finishing this segment of the show there were powerful takes on “Darkness Within”, “Bulldozer”, the classic “Ten Ton Hammer”, and “Who We Are” with all of the faces from the crowd in the opening video segment. The band played almost all of the new album and despite the novelty of it, I think it would be neat to hear the entire thing live someday.
Epic!
After leaving the stage briefly and returning to a chant of “machinefuckinghead!” by the crowd, the band played a horns worthy encore. After a gut wrenching take on “Halo” it was time for “Davidian”. One last good circle pit, the classic pinch harmonics, a lot of headbanging grooves and the crazy crowd was spent after almost two straight hours of the final performance.
Set List:
I Am Hell (Sonata in C#)
Be Still and Know
Imperium
Beautiful Mourning
The Blood, The Sweat, The Tears
Locust
This Is The End
Aesthetics of Hate
Old
Darkness Within
Declaration
Bulldozer
Ten Ton Hammer
Who We Are
BEAVIS AND BUTTHEAD are officially back, new episodes will start on October 27th and I, for one am very excited about this! However, this season will not feature the guys talking about their favorite music videos. Instead, they will evolve (just as MTV has over the years) and the guys will now be watching popular MTV shows like JERSEY SHORE, TEEN MOM and 16 AND PREGNANT. I know a lot of metal fans don’t watch these shows, but will you still watch the new season of BEAVIS AND BUTTHEAD?
After watching the clip above, which is from the new season, I will most definitely be watching this because it was absolutely hysterical. However, it did make me start to miss the old school days of BEAVIS AND BUTTHEAD and the hilarious comments they made about some of our scene’s best bands. It also made me think of how funny it would be to see the world’s most famous teenagers comment on today’s metal scene and bands like LAMB OF GOD, MASTODON, SLIPKNOT and SUICIDE SILENCE. I have to believe they would continue to make us laugh at our favorite bands and the bands we think suck.
In honor of the new season, I have compiled some of my favorite videos with their commentary. Check them out below and let me know what your favorite video was that BEAVIS and BUTTHEAD ever watched.
Once again I headed to the MAYHEM FESTIVAL stoked for a full day of metally goodness, rock n roll shenanigans, blazing temperatures and once again pissing in the eye of death and trying not to die of heatstroke. I had enough SPF 50 on my pasty body that I looked like a walking mayonnaise sandwich on Wonder bread in the cloudless, 100 degree day in Mansfield, MA. Yes, that is a gross image even to me. Sorry for that! Still, I was ready to rock and was determined to stay hydrated and covered up. Especially for the early part of the day at the side stages on the Comcast Center blacktop. That was my goal at least. This year I have grouped the reviews by stage, which is in contrast to the alternating stage method the festival uses. I have to say this was one of the better run shows I’ve ever been to, at least from the Mayhem staff point of view. The venue people and their behavior is another story entirely, but I digress.
Since I was busy conducting a bunch of band interviews I missed the “Jager band” DEADSEASON. All for the best since it was hot as Hades out there. RED FANG was the first up on this stage and I was worried they would have their work cut out for them. As a straight up old-school stoner rock on a side stage full of hardcore, tech death, sludge, deathcore, melodic metal and thrash influenced music I wondered if the growing masses would “get” what they do. Well they went over great with people moshing in the early afternoon heat and headbanging like mad. It’s tough to be a band that has to a lot of hype to live up to, but I’d say so far they have done a great job. This was my second time seeing them and they were even better this time playing baddass tracks like “Into The Eye” and “Sharks”. Although everyone was waiting to hear their “hit” “Prehistoric Dog” (likely due to its hilarious video) I much preferred the mini-epic “Good to Die”. Overall they were excellent and I am looking forward to catching them again. Next up on this stage was KINGDOM OF SORROW whom I saw last at last summers quasi-disastrous OZZFEST. Since Kirk Windstein was on the road with DOWN last summer he didn’t make that trek. This time around we were treated to the full compliment of the band which of course includes front man Jamey Jasta on vocals. Opening with “Behind The Blackest Tears” the band sounded great and Jamey as always was killer. He incited a ton of crowd surfers and moshers despite the oppressive conditions. Windstein sounded amazing on guitar and he occasionally chipped in some of his unmistakable vocals too. Strangely, during “Free The Fallen” the power to the stage went out. When the power came on a few minutes later the band went right into “Enlightened to Extinction” which was totally kickass. I think Jasta and Windstein really achieved a true marriage of their two styles, especially on album number two. “Monuments of Ash” helped Jasta keep the energy up high. Then for a nice surprise they played a track off of Jasta’s recently released solo album entitled “Mourn the Illusion” and it went over really well. For those wondering he sang his ass off and it was cool to hear this new facet of his game. They ended with “Lead the Ghosts Astray” and it was a fitting closer for the set.
Kirk Windstein and Jamey Jasta rip it up live with KINGDOM OF SORROW.
Playing basically in their backyard since they are from just north of Boston, UNEARTH came out of the blocks like a killing machine of metal! They were pumped up and played a lot of songs off of their new album Darkness In The Light (Metal Blade). They got a heroes welcome from the crowd which was cool since I will say that Massachusetts always represents for their bands. Coming on stage to the strains of intro piece “Equinox” you could see how jacked up they were. “My Will Be Done” is always a great song live, but as the opener here it was even more effective. Vocalist Trevor Phipps is just a beast and terrific at working the crowd into a lather. Guitarists Ken Susi and Buz Osbourne were running and jumping all over the stage as always and soloing their asses off. They even made use of the stacks of gear flanking the sides of the stage to come out into the crowd a little more. “Sanctity of Brothers” was next and also killed. Behind the kit for the new album and this tour is Justin Foley (KILLSWITCH ENGAGE/BLOOD HAS BEEN SHED) and he was just awesome. He hit all the familiar beats and played with a bit more finesse than previous guys on the drum throne in this band. He was also sporting a dope beard as per usual! Next was the classic track “This Lying World” Phipps came out into the crowd to the railing to lead the charge on the song and it was down right inspiring watching him. He had openly addressed the crowd saying he wasn’t sure they were gonna be able to rage as much as usual with the heat, but gave them respect for beating his expectations. After this the band played a few new songs like “Watch It Burn” and “Eyes of Black” and these tracks meshed perfectly with the older material. When Susi jumped on the microphone to add some melodic singing it took me right back to the days of The Oncoming Storm. Bassist John “Slo” Maggard was solid as ever and also contributed fine backing vocals.Even though they eschewed some of their more well known singles on this day gems like “Endless” and the finale “The Great Dividers” more than made up for it. UNEARTH are collectively first rate showmen and performers and never disappoint live.
UNEARTH get the welcome that hometown heroes deserve.
Set List:
Equinox (intro)
My Will Be Done
Sanctity Of Brothers
This Lying World
Watch It Burn
Endless
Eyes Of Black
The Great Dividers
The last band on Jagermeister stage was IN FLAMES. Out of respect for them, MACHINE HEAD and TRIVIUM the three bands are in rotation for the main stage opening slot, followed by a headline stint each on the side stage. This modicum of fairness didn’t affect Gottenburg’s melo-death masters. Sounding as ferocious as they have at any point in their career they came on stage led by singer Andres Friden who let loose a demonic scream to announce their arrival. He held this scream for a full minute and the band arrived with lots of energy and fire. This woke up the crowd the honestly might have been flagging a bit by now. Opening with perhaps their most popular song of the latter half of their career “Cloud Connected” kicked things off with a bang. It was cool to hear thousands of people sing the chorus and the band was just going off like I hadn’t seen them do in a while. The rhythm section of drummer Daniel Svensson and bassist Peter Iwers just lock down the low end and they propel a majority of these songs. Another recent jam, “Alias” soon followed with the band sounding great. With Jesper Strombland now departed from the group, guitarist Niklas Engelin is a full fledged member and he is a terrific performer and player. Coupled with mainstay Bjorn Gelotte they form an impressive duo and handle all of the fretboard acrobatics for the band. There were fully on point and missed nothing you would expect. This proved handy with the classic “Pinball Map” from the Clayman album up next. The old-school fans in the crowd seemingly awoke for this song and sang along loudly. Friden sounded as good as ever here, disputing the notion that he has lost anything from a vocal standpoint. He is just in a different place now as a singer and prefers melody over screaming on the new material from Sounds of A Playground Fading (Century Media). Jumping forward to the present day with the current single “Deliver Us” again the entire crowd got into it which was cool. Then they took it way back with “Hive” from my favorite album Whoracle. The track sounded perfect and one gets the feeling the band will be doing a lot more of this type of thing when they headline, so do not miss them! Friden was lively between songs, telling jokes and generally looking really happy for the band to be back on the road in America. Another deep cut off of the new album,“Where the Dead Ships Dwell” was a nice, out of the box addition to the set. Closing with popular songs like “The Quiet Place” and the cathartic “Take This Life” the band wrapped a top notch showing that certainly was worthy of closing out the first part of the day.
IN FLAMES played a diverse set honoring their entire career.
Set List:
Cloud Connected
Alias
Pinball Map
Deliver Us
The Hive
Where The Dead Ships Dwell
The Quiet Place
Take This Life
With everyone and their mother scrambling to get a piece of California’s Suicide Silence these days, it really comes as no surprise to uncover that the band was able to score guest appearances from Suffocation’s Frank Mullen and Korn’s Jonathan Davis for this, the band’s third record since their 2002 formation.
What might disappoint most of the band’s detractors even more is how much The Black Crown seems intent on stripping things down to a more palatable level of extremity; something which makes Suicide Silence even more marketable in the malls and mass-produced fests criss-crossing the good ol’ U.S. of A.
While still inundated with jagged, hyper-brutal riffing and blasting drums, The Black Crown also tends to dwell more in the mid-pace grind than ever before, simplifying the Suicide Silence formula to a polished sheen. Yet, the overall attack of the band remains supremely one-dimensional; a pony whose one deathcore trick has already passed its sell-by date, and is slowly becoming a quaint thing of the past.
While a track like “Human Violence” is a plenty-powerful example of modern extreme metal, the overall mediocrity of bands like Suicide Silence and their ilk has become abundantly clear at this point, and no album like The Black Crown is going to be doing much to change this fact anytime soon. Deathcore is a dead scene, yet-ironically enough-it’s probably only a matter of time before an even larger label comes calling, swoops up the band and brings the genre kicking and screaming into the Midwest to die. Adios.
I have been very curious to hear the new SUICIDE SILENCE record for quite a while now. As with anything with a lot of hype behind it, you always wonder if it will live up to its potential. Admittedly I have never been the biggest fan of the band before. They are very intense and entertaining live and as much as I enjoy a bunch of different death core bands, I have never found them overly compelling for whatever reason. However, once I heard the first few songs off of The Black Crown, I felt I might be about to change my tune.
Right out of the gate “Slaves to Substance” surprised me. Tons heavier than their previous work, their brand of deathcore is now bolstered by tech-death influences and even grindcore at times. Vocalist Mitch Lucker’s throat stripping screams are high in range and in the mix as usual, and frankly not my favorite style. On the plus side his low range sounds great and complements the band well. Another plus it that it seems that band is backing away from the bass drop laden breakdowns that were getting played out to the max. Good work. “O.C.D.” is about Lucker’s second favorite topic, his issues with his illness. The song has a dirge like quality to its slow pummeling beats and riffs. Again, the band fills the song with lots of sonic and emotional gravitas which is their calling card. Drummer Alex Lopez proves he is the zenith talent in the band, just battering his kit to the fullest on every song. Guitarists Chris Garza and Mark Heylmun have added to their arsenal of chugging, low tuned riffs complementing them with lots of tricky licks and obtuse parts. On the ripping “Human Violence” there are even, gasp, great guitar solos and some parts that will call to mind the glory days of PANTERA. Yup, they went there. The single “You Only Live Once” song is unforgiving, harsh and is another lyrical call to arms. The band seems to have settled on the mid-tempo groove for much of the album and it works to their advantage. “Fuck Everything” is yet, another riff heavy, hostile anthem for modern times and modern kids. “March To the Black Crown” is a cool scary, musical soundscape and would be great entrance music for the band. In the first of two interesting guest spots on the album, “Witness the Addiction” features Jonathan Davis of KORN. The combination of Davis and Lucker is excellent, both playing different parts of their ranges against the other. In a weird turn, the song is not as commercial as you’d expect, except for the epic chorus. “Cross-Eyed Catastrophe” is another spiraling out of control riff fest that has a few hints of black metal. Next up is “Smashed” featuring Frank Mullen of SUFFOCATION fame. The track is over the top crushing and again I think even long time fans of death metal might be surprised how righteous the track is. For another surprise “The Only Thing That Sets Us Apart” has ethereal, creepy parts more likely to be heard on an ANIMALS AS LEADERS or a BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME album. The closing song “Cancerous Skies” is another hurricane of riffs, blast beats and Lucker screaming his guts out. Overall this album is a big step forward for the band and one that sees them answering their critics (like me) and pleasing their fans at equal measures.
Fit For An Autopsy-The Process of Human Extermination (Black Market)
If we can give Fit For An Autopsy one thing, it’s their truth in advertising, for there is indeed very little of the human spirit left here on the band’s debut.
Sounding soulless and mechanically driven, The Process of Human Extermination is very much a product of today’s clinical, Pro-Tools obsessed death metal culture; a network of musicians and bands who seem content writing and creating their art via impersonal means, with the end results reflecting as such the distinct lack of human contact.
There is very little emotion or raw feeling present within the songwriting of Fit For An Autopsy, and The Process of Human Extermination seems to revel in this, utilizing the same, breakdown-fed formula of neo-DM songwriting to sing their apocalyptic tales of destruction. The real problem is that all of this has been done to death already, and Fit For An Autopsy offer very little originality of their own to change this fact, or turn the tide in their favor.
Apart from the admittedly brutal vocal prowess of Nate Johnson from Through the Eyes of the Dead, this modern death collective bore rather than slay, offering little more than another eye-rolling addition to the ‘been there, done that’ pile of suck.
Welcome to ‘Hella Stoked’ day on Metal Army! I’m going to be walking you through some of the most exciting things in the coming months in metal. Easy enough, right?
First up!
SUICIDE SILENCE is set to release a new album (their third) this summer on Century. This is a sneak peak at a new song called “Fuck Everything”. The drops in this sound like they are heavily influenced by KoRn and Slipknot… which they are. AND the song is catchy as fuck. I have a feeling that this song (and album) is going to be the big breakout record that SUICIDE SILENCE have been waiting for! The new biggest band in metal has arrived!
The band will also be decimating audiences across North America as part of this year’s Rockstar Energy Mayhem Festival. Get ready!
Despite kicking black metal stalwart SATANIC WARMASTER to the curb, the event has brought forth a pretty impressive lineup of bands this year. The thing that baffles me though, is that the lineup is so cool until you get to the main stages and see the pure embarrassment that ends each night. I’ll break it down like this…
Awesome Bands: Architects (UK), The Cult, Ozzy Osbourne, Judas Priest, Morbid Angel, Meshuggah, Coroner, The Haunted, Opeth, Anathema, Orphaned Land, Turisas, Atheist, Mayhem, Gorguts, Unleashed, Dodheimsgard, Bolt Thrower, Triptykon, 1349, Septic Flesh, Lock Up, Exhumed, Morgoth, Tsjuder, Corrosion of Conformity, Eyehategod, Converge, Terror, Comeback Kid, Deez Nuts, Kyuss, Goatsnake, Electric Wizard, Kylesa, BuzzOv-en, Knut, Red Fang, The Gates of Slumber, Ancestors, Morne
Leave it at that and you’ve got an awesome festival!
Watchable Bands: Iggy and the Stooges, Rob Zombie, Valient Thorr, Cavalera Conspiracy, Doro, Firewind, Angel Witch, Suicide Silence, Kreator, Sodom, Destruction, Municipal Waste, Therion, Pain of Salvation, Audrey Horne, Belphegor, Vader, Krisiun, Malevolent Creation, Skyforger, Skeletonwitch, Grave, Hail of Bullets, Monster Magnent, The Melvins, Clutch, In Solitude, Bad Brains, DRI, Times of Grace, Shai Huluud, Hawkwind, Grand Magus, Black Dahlia Murder
I don’t care about these, but I’ll watch who I can without feeling disappointed if I miss one.
Who Cares: Scorpions, Apocalyptica, Black Label Society, Hammerfall, The Exploited, Dagoba, The Dwarves, Svart Crown, Total Fuckin Destruction, Korpiklaani, Cradle of Filth, Your Demise, Nasty
I get why they’re on the bill, I just don’t care that they’re on the bill.
What the fuck?: Disturbed, Alter Bridge, Trust, UFO, Blackrain, Crucified Barbara, Mr. Big, SUP, Maximum The Horomone, Klone, Mekong Delta, Lyzanxia, Arkona, Impureza, The Young Gods, Karma to Burn, Masters of Reality, Church of Misery, Kruger, My Sleeping Karma, Hangman’s Chair, US Bombs, Raw Power, Arma Gathas
I don’t get why they’re on the bill and I don’t give a fuck that they’re there either. Seriously??? Disturbed, Alter Bridge and Mr. Big??? WHAT THE FUCK???
Well, the big reveal was supposed to be tomorrow but the festival planners didn’t want to be overshadowed by the announcement of the Big Bore I presume, so the real announcement is now coming on Monday. However, the initial names have slipped out as we get closer and the ROCKSTAR ENERGY MAYHEM FESTIVAL is shaping up like this:
Disturbed – Just saw them with KoRn, Sevendust and In This Moment. They were one of the most boring live acts I have ever seen and I can’t wait to go home early from this fest!
Godsmack – Not going to lie here, I used to like these guys – however, I used to shit my pants when I was a kid so what did I know? I’ll be skipping…
Megadeth – WHOA! This summer you can see Mustaine open for Slayer and Metallica…. or you can see him open for Disturbed and Godsmack. Easy decision, huh?
Machine Head – Hmm… the bottom end of this festival looks to be getting better. I love this band. I can’t believe we still don’t have a new record from them but I love them all the same. Maybe it’s worth coming out after all.
In Flames – Now here’s a band I’m curious to see. They will have a new record, although it has a terribly lame title. I loved this band back in the day so hopefully they’ll play something off Clayman and I’ll get to jump around like a kid.
Suicide Silence – I dig these guys. Out of deathcore bands, SS are certainly the best. I can dig it!
Unearth – Do you think they’re butthurt that they have to open for SS even though they’ve been around much longer? I’ll watch ‘em!
Straight Line Stitch – SERIOUSLY!?!? WHAT. THE. FUCK. All I can say is: [lambgoat/] Van flip. haha funny joke, Mayhem Fest! Ultimate van flip! [/lambgoat]
All Shall Perish – More deathcore, although still not a bad choice. This band is solid and will be a fun show to watch, I’m sure. Have SS and ASP ever been on the same bill? Should be fun!
Kingdom of Sorrow – I like these guys a lot…. but, c’mon! We wanted to see CROWBAR!!!!
All in all, the lineup so far isn’t that bad. There’s some good bands and a smattering of shit that will allow for me to go to the bathroom, grab a drink and go home early. No complaints here so far. However, there are roughly 3-4 more bands to be announced so we’ll see what happens come Monday the 31st!
