Friday, August 21, 2015

Full Album Stream: Miss May I - Deathless

So one of the newest sections I created was "Full Album Streams".  Not only did this gave folks something to listen to when they are cruising the site (being that the original intention of this site was to acts as a hub to explore), but also a chance for people to explore new artists, new genres, and new albums before deciding to purchase them (also from links on AFGM's site).

Full album streams seem to be a new fad that a lot of internet savvy people are jumping on.  It can be in the form of a Soundcloud widget, a YouTube playlist, or even a single YouTube video.  This often gives record labels a chance to promote new artists and for people to subscribe to their social media pages.  So hopefully this provides you access to some new music, bands, and/or artists.  Cheers!

PS - Feel free to send us an email if you have any albums you think you should be on this list or a new one coming out we missed.  We're always listening!

(Artwork by AFGM.  Photo courtesy of Wikipedia)

Hailing from Troy, Ohio, Miss May I is a five piece metalcore group signed to Rise Records.  The group formed in 2007, and have been on a steady warpath to conquer the metal world.  The group saw commercial success with the release of their sophomore album Monument, and have continued that success with subsequent releases such as At Heart, and Rise of the Lion.  The group currently consists of:

Justin Aufdemkampe – Guitar | Levi Benton – Vocals | Jerod Boyd – Drums
Ryan Neff – Bass/Vocals | B.J. Stead – Guitar

Their latest album, Deathless, was released on August 7th, 2015 via Rise Records.  The album was produced by Joey Sturgis, who has also worked with artists such as Asking Alexandria, Of Mice & Men, Emmure, We Came As Romans, The Devil Wears Prada, and many more.  Sturgis also produced the first two albums from MMI (Apologies Are for the Weak, and Monument).  The album peaked at #2 on the Billboard US Top Hard Rock Albums, and #5 on Top Rock Albums.

"This record is about how the last two years have tested us on many levels and how we have come through it all stronger and better. That's where the title comes from, because we are deathless."-Levi Benton

(Album artwork courtesy of Miss May I and Rise Records)

1. I.H.E.*
2. Trust My Heart (Never Hope to Die)
3. Psychotic Romantic
4. Deathless*
5. Bastards Left Behind
6. Arise*
7. Turn Back the Time
8. Empty Promises*
9. The Artificial
10. Born from Nothing

(* = AFGM Recommendations)

Tracks like “I.H.E.” creates a thrashy vibe broken up by an isolated guitar that slowly transitions into a solo that could carry the record alone if need be. Luckily, it isn’t the only milestone solo on the album. “Bastards Left Behind,” which serves as a nice lyrical continuation to the themes touched upon on 2012’s “Hey Mister” (At Heart), emphasizes a solid djenty riff that fades into a solo working to compliment Benton’s unclean vocals on the bridge. Layering levels like this not only exemplify the production talents of Joey Sturgis, but they add a depth to this record that was significantly absent in the more monochromatic Rise of the Lion. -New Noise Magazine



Deathless is an album that firmly fits Miss May I into many genres across the metal world. They can tour with metal elites like Trivium, Killswitch Engage and Bullet For My Valentine and still look right at home at Warped Tour. This album shows development and is the most vastly accessible body of work to date that will surely plant them even further on the popularity pedestal for modern day metal. -Back Seat Mafia

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