Monday, October 23, 2017

Full Album Stream: Volumes - Different Animals

So one of the new(er) 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 Los Angeles, California, the six piece djent metal band Volumes has made great success with Mediaskare Records since their debut EP in 2009, titled The Concept of Dreaming.  Their blend of djent, rap, and funk give this group some versatility through their past two albums, Via, and No Sleep.  The group is known for its bouncy riffs, and catchy melody hooks.

The group had a slight change up in vocals, but for the past few years, the lineup has been:

Gus Farias – Vocals | Diego Farias – Guitar, keyboards | Raad Soudani – Bass
Nick Ursich – Drums | Myke Terry - Vocals

Different Animals was released on June 9th, 2017 via (newly inked) Fearless Records.  The album was produced by Brandon Paddock and Diego Farias.

(Album artwork is courtesy of Volumes and Fearless Records)

1. Waves Control
2. Finite
3. Feels Good*
4. Disaster Vehicle
5. Pieces
6. Interlude
7. Hope
8. Tide's Change
9. On Her Mind (ft. Pouya)*
10. Heavy Silence
11. Pullin' Shades*
12. Left for Dead

(* = AFGM Recommendations)

"That’s exactly what you get with the second and second-to-last tracks, with Terry’s vocals bouncing off buoyant hip hop production. “Finite” and “Pullin’ Shades” are two of Volumes’ best tracks to date and push their sound to new and more adventurous territory. The djent/prog metalcore undertone and groove is still there, but these songs are smooth, silky numbers first and foremost. I hesitate to call it urban metalcore because that gives the notion that this is nu nu-metal…" -New Noise Magazine



"I wouldn’t say this is a themed album, so much as it’s really well-balanced. Every song compliments the others without being filler, and they don’t jam all the heavy or all the tearful together. My only gripe would be that they end the album one song late – “Pullin’ Shades” is an incredible album finisher, but then we get another, perfectly acceptable “metal” track to round out the album." -Heavy Mag