Happy Haunting 2012: An Interview With Descend

Alright everyone, don't think for a second that I would NOT do something fun for the Halloween season on the day where it matters most.  I had my good time over the weekend, dressing up as a lumberjack that was ravaged by the dead, something straight out of a Resident Evil movie.  I should have probably went to the Zombie Walk a few weeks ago, but ahh there's always next years.  Anyways, for my special treat last year I got the chance to interview a band from Sweden that was exactly what I was looking for in regards to Halloween.  Dark, ominous, growls, blast beats and whaling guitar pieces.  Of course I am talking about my good buddies in DESCEND!

For those for you unaware of them, be sure to check out last year's interview with them and the release of their debut record "Through The Eyes of The Burdened".  With trying to put my bias aside, I was blown away by the album and it's (almost inevitable) European metal sound (you metal kids know what I'm talking about).  My long time friend and former music collaborator (Justin Biggs) had joined the band years ago when he said goodbye to Canada in hopes of finding a better life for himself as a musician.  Dammit if perseverance didn't pay off.

Well, as luck would have it I got in touch with Justin a few weeks ago and asked him if the guys had any new stuff on the go and some new news that we could compile into an interview.  So without further delay, AFGM brings you the 2nd annual scariest interview of the year...DECEND 2.0!

***

-OK guys, it's been a year since we spoke last on the state of the band.  From what I've heard through Justin, 2012 seemed like a very productive year for you guys.

Justin: Yea, we’ve been pretty busy.

Nima: It has been indeed a productive year with great shows and new material.

-So, what are you up to today?

Justin: We are currently mixing our second album.

Nima: We’re having shirts printed and looking at booking shows for 2013.


-So last time, we discussed the release of "Through The Eyes of Burdened", how has the album been received?  A lot of positive feedback from the album?

Justin: Through the eyes… Generated lots of great feedback, all in all it was well received here in Europe and across the pond as well.

-Any tracks in particular stand out in your minds as a favourite?  And why?

Justin: I think the stand out track off Through The Eyes … is “A Sudden Sense of Clarity”, seems to be the best blend of our writing in one song and the fans seem to really enjoy it.

-Any tracks in particular stand out in your fans' minds as a favourite?

Nima: Among the Ruins, A Sudden Sense of Clarity and The Life Delusion. Among the Ruins was somewhat of a surprise ‘cause we didn’t realize people liked it until the line-check at Metaltown and the audience started cheering when we played a segment from it.



-So, word has it that a new album is in the works?  Can we get any details thus far? (artwork, album title, track listing, release date, etc)

Nima: We’ve got a title for it, which we won’t tell for now, since we recently picked it and even though we have all agreed upon it there is still a possibility we might change it. As for the number of songs we recorded eight songs.

-So the same recording studio (Escape Route Studios in UK) you used for TTEOTB?

Justin: We did the recording with the same technicians Dan Abela and Joseph Smyth at their studio Legacy London.



-How far along is the recording process?  Are you guys taking as much time/less/more than TTEOTB?

Justin: We are taking a lot more time with this record than with Through The Eyes. We want this record to be the best and that, understandably, draws out the best in us. So far, the album is in the mixing and mastering stages. We hope to have it all complete by the end of this year.

Andreas: We were more picky and with the recording process and on this record compared to TTEOTB the song are more technical and longer.

-Was there anything different (lyrics, inspiration, song writing/structure) during the recording process versus the last album?

Nima: The lyrics are much more personal on a different level. Instead of me expressing my opinions on stuff that isn’t directly affecting me, I write about a lot of stuff happening in my personal life. I think you could say it came to me from the music because the music has, in my opinion, more feeling to it and it touched me in another way than the songs on TTEOTB.

The record also features a song with the lyrics written by Andreas, which would be the first time anyone except for myself has written lyrics on our records.



-So for the new album, we got Justin quoted at Spread The Metal saying it was going to be a 'heavy, heavy, heavy record'.  can you give us some reasons why this album might be considered a little more 'heavy' that TTEOTB?  Darker lyrics?  Breakdowns?  Higher BPM/blast beats?

Andreas: We’re tuned down to Open D sus (DADGAD) which could contribute to a heavier sound and the songs are much more cohesive than the previous record.

Justin: Yea, the groove is definitely there. In terms of lyrical content, the music, and the overall feeling of the record I think those who have listened to TTEOTB will find this one much more heavier and darker.

Nima: There isn’t so much clean singing on this one, lots more growling!



-Are you guys looking to add some more acoustic pieces to the album?  Ascend To Obscurity had a great piece for the intro to the album! (as well as A Piece Of Knowledge Absent.  Great track!)

Andreas: There are definitely acoustic guitars and clean electric guitars throughout the album.

-You guys are in the market for a new label as well correct? (shout out here to labels looking for a reputable act to sign!)

Justin: We have parted ways with Supernova Records, quite some time ago.  They really helped us get our foot in the door and established us to the point where people could start discovering us.

We’re not going out of our way to search for a label or anything like that. We have a few in mind and have contacted them but in the long run when the right deal comes along and it feels right for all of those involved then we’ll take it.

-Give us a lil bit of insight into your Metaltown festival performance.  Must have been one hell of an experience to play along the ranks of In Flames, Lamb of God, etc.

Justin: Metaltown was an awesome experience. It really opened our eyes and taught us a lot, being a relatively new band. Everyone, even the “big” musicians, were all really nice and down to earth.

We played on what was called “The Death Stage” which had a capacity of 1200.  It was different seeing people singing to your songs and that they actually knew who you were. It was a very gratifying experience to say the least.

Along with playing a great gig we also got to meet and see some of our favourite bands, bands that we look up to.

-You guys also had the chance to give Canada a taste of Descend.  Can you give us some details and experiences surrounding your charity show with Morbid Angel, Kataklysm, Cryptopsy, Blackguard, etc?


Justin: This was put together by a guy named Matt Day, Founder and CEO of Spread The Metal Records. He has been involved in charity work for quite sometime and also happens to be a huge metal head.

He showcased many of the bands that are signed to his label and there were also other acts from Diminished Fifth Records as well as Morbid Angel, Cryptopsy, and Black Guard. This was also a great experience. We played one of the best sets in our career at that gig.

Canada really welcomed us with open arms and we got the best response from fans and made a lot of new fans along the way.

North America metal fans are so different. They are really into it and want to be a part of the whole experience. Whether it be waiting to outdoors in the rain to talk to bands, drinking a beer inside with the bands or just having a good time moshing and cheering the bands on.



Nima: We also did an open mic night in Saint John, New Brunswick. It was just me, Andreas and Jonathan. We played 3 songs and for being an open mic people loved it

-Any other shows in the works for either North America or Europe?

Justin: I think the main focus is on the record. This time around we’re not just coming out of the studio and commencing the writing on the next record. We think and believe this is the strongest material to date and want it to be perfect.  So, that being said when the record is complete and all is said and done then I think we will look into touring in 2013.


-Other than dropping the new album, what's the next move for Descend?

Andreas: Planning for 2013. We will of course, drop the album and we are looking into touring and building up our Merch.

Nima: We’d like to build up a larger fan base by gigging of course and as Andreas said build up so merch to get out to the fans!

-I never got the chance to ask this last time.  Since musicians like yourselves are always going to be considered an inspiration to fans and music lovers alike, what words of wisdom can you offer those young ones who want to pursue a life of music?

Justin: I think the best thing you can do is invest your time, energy, money and life into music. It doesn’t all happen over night and there are no guarantees.  But, you can at least try and when you step back and look at the bigger picture whether or not you’ve been signed or not you can still make some great music and have fun doing it.

***

Thanks again guys for send answering all my questions.  I personally cannot wait to hear what they got on the go next.  If it`s anticipated to be heavier than the first album, then I`ll be putting in my pre-order very soon.  Get in touch with Descend either through social media (Facebook, YouTube) or through their official website.  Show them some support and drop them a line, send em some comments and questions.  They`re always up for chatting with new fans.  Happy Haunting everyone!

Music Releases For October 30th, 2012

Don't you wish pay days were on a Tuesday?  The hole burning in your wallet wouldn't be so bad at that point (haha).  So were back with another string of albums coming out today.  So far, there have only been a handful of these album I have had the chance to go through, but from what I am hearing, it's going to be a great day today.

As you can see from some of the album covers, the Halloween spirit has left the building and already we're seeing the holiday albums starting to surface.  I am always in the mood to check out Trans Siberian Orchestra for this occasion, simply because of the amazing light show they display when performing live.  The music also has a great rock style twist on winter classics (as well as their own original material).

Parkway Drive, Flyleaf, Kamelot and West End Motel are great choices for this week's collection and encourage to pick any of them (as well as others) at your local record shop and/or online retailer.

"That focus aside, Cradle of Filth’s music is getting pretty predictable after 10 full-length albums. It’s to the point where a listener can probably guess ahead of time when a track will open with Dani Filth’s drawn-out and high-pitched scream, when a girl will start moaning in the background, when a female vocalist will tell a story segment, etc. The only real twist comes from 'Huge Onyx Wings Behind Despair,' which doesn’t bother waiting for the inevitable remix EP to bring out the electronic/industrial sounds.

It’s a good bet that any Cradle of Filth fans who liked 'Darkly, Darkly, Venus Aversa' or 'Godspeed on the Devil’s Thunder' will thoroughly dig the sound presented here. The less black metal-oriented guitar work and the removal of the overtly cheesy elements also gives the album a potentially wider appeal, but overall, this is just Cradle being Cradle, with a few of the window dressings changed." -Metal Underground

"2012 holiday EP from the Progressive/Symphonic Rock band. Nearly 20 years after they first formed, TSO continue to dominate the holiday music market with their inventive mix of Classical, Metal and Progressive Rock. Their clever approach to Christmas music has introduced Symphonic Rock/Metal to a whole new audience who would normally have avoided the genre entirely." -Amazon

"While I tentatively look forward to hearing what else these guys have to offer I’m pretty skeptical about the longevity of this project. The lyrics were a little weak at times, and I feel like the unclean vocals could have been utilized more. It feels like they intentionally set out to create a band who fits the description for the kinds of post hardcore bands that are being signed to labels in boat loads right now. Whether or not that’s the case, at least they managed to create something of their own that has some potential. Maybe." -Under The Gun

"Even when the cuts feel a bit derivative, such as with 'Iron' — where it sounds as if Harris’ ears had perhaps overdosed on Daft Punk‘s Tron soundtrack — there’s enough hook and melody among the squiggling synths to keep things from becoming derailed.

Clearly this is Calvin’s moment, and there’s no cooler go-to guy in pop, currently. So it’s nice to hear him making the most of his talents by pushing himself to produce quality tracks that don’t all sound the same, where others in his position would perhaps default to spreading themselves too thin." -Idolator

"Silverthorn surprised me. I had begun the writing off process for these guys even with Khan in the band and didn’t expect this to be as good as it is. In fact, this is the best Kamelot release since The Black Halo and its gone a long way toward bringing me back into the fold. If you prefered the early, more power metal-y material, this will be right in your wheelhouse. If you like more bombast and chamber music than metal in your metal, you may want to look in the Frilly Shirt Department of your local music store. Way to go guys, you done good." -Angry Metal Guy

AFGM - Parkway Drive: Atlas

"Coming from an avid fan of Parkway Drive that had extremely high expectations for the band's new release, Atlas exceeded my expectations and silenced every minor doubt that I had in the back of my mind. By far, it is the most diverse Parkway Drive album, and for many metal fans - myself included - it will go down in history as one of the best metalcore albums, alongside Parkway Drive's Horizons. This band is clearly in it for the long run and I'm excited to hear (or see) what they come up with next." -Megusta Reviews

"This is a really enjoyable live record and a good way to listen to a mix of all things Thrice but as you may have gathered from this review, the mid to late career songs are where the band sound at their best and most 'into – it'. If you used to be, or still are a Thrice fan  or are indeed curious about what they are all about then this is a good purchase.

We can only hope that front man, Dustin Kensrue’s, promise that Thrice are only going on hiatus and NOT breaking up for good is one he keeps. In the meantime, enjoy a special band’s Anthology." -Daily Dischord

"HOLIDAYS RULE, a deliciously diverse collection of seasonal music featuring an array of glittering contributions from across the musical spectrum, will be released by Hear Music/Concord Music Group on October 30th, 2012.

The set boasts 17 all-new recordings, including pop phenoms fun., the legendary Paul McCartney, indie-pop luminaries The Shins, Americana favorites The Civil Wars, adored singer-songwriter Rufus Wainwright (with Sharon Van Etten), playful popsters Fruit Bats, bluegrass revisionists Punch Brothers, soul icon Irma Thomas (with The Preservation Hall Jazz Band), cinematic rockers Calexico, eclectic troubadour Andrew Bird, Latin neo-traditionalists Y La Bamba, Texas twang-rock troupe Heartless Bastards, alterna-folk standard-bearer Holly Golightly, roots quintet Black Prairie (featuring Sallie Ford), choral revival collective AgesAndAges, Fiery Furnaces alumna Eleanor Friedberger and Seattle Americana outfit The Head and the Heart. 

Holidays Rule delves into an unusually rich assemblage of Americana, alt-pop, folk, electronica, country, American standards, singer-songwriter, New Orleans gospel, garage rock and more. Holidays Rule is the most exciting, and highly anticipated, all-new holiday album of the year!" -Amazon

"Befitting their position as perhaps the last true titans of extreme metal, 'Honor Found in Decay' is a crushing reminder that Neurosis have gone to the furthest points in the metal universe and not only survived but grown in strength. This may not be their best record, so to speak, but it perhaps proves the band’s point more effectively than any of its predecessors. As a mission statement of the extraordinary talents Neurosis have to offer, this is unbeatable. As a demonstration of all that extreme music (in all its stylistic forms) can do, it stands alongside Swans’ 'The Seer' at the very pinnacle of provocative, exploratory sound in 2012. For the hour long duration of this record, Neurosis make almost every other band on the face of the planet sound completely irrelevant and unnecessary. Maybe, after listening to this, you will come to believe that they actually are..." -Stereoboard

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"The harder-edged tracks are where guitarists Sameer Bhattacharya and Jared Hartmann excel.  Flyleaf approach metal territory with ‘Green Heart,’ which is probably the most aggressive track they have done. The guitar duo is able to shift smoothly from gritty riffs on that song to more shimmering tones on mellower songs such as ‘Cage on the Ground.’

Sturm’s strongest performance is on ‘Freedom.’ She transitions from earnest to aggressive and back again, showing both vulnerability and attitude. Her voice has a unique and distinctive sound, which will be hard to replace.

‘New Horizons’ (available at iTunes) is a bittersweet album for Flyleaf fans. Sturm’s exit is a bitter pill to swallow, but the band has delivered some of the strongest songs of their career. It’s a great legacy for Sturm, and provides ample hope for for the future of the group." -Loudwire

"The hope of bliss is generally audible. The clunker She’s Always Dancing, for example, gets tantalizingly close to the heights of Like a Hurricane for a few moments of its relatively economical 8½ minutes. But it soon sinks in some sludgy Crazy Horse quicksand.

The shorter pieces are far more successful, and an album of those might have been a real pleasure. The title track — anchored by the same chord riff Young used for Sign of Love on the superb Le Noise — has a psychedelic charm (look out for all that phasing and panning), Born in Ontario is downright catchy and Twisted Road has a ragged hayseed strut that recalls Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere. Best of all is For the Love of Man, a tuneful, acoustic beauty that actually sounds like Crazy Horse was on a coffee break.

Only a few of Young’s contemporaries remain as prolific, interesting and vital. But the downside of brilliance must, alas, always be a willingness to fail." -Montreal Gazette

"The anticipated second release from Mastodon's Brent Hinds. West End Motel is a conglomerate of losers and poets and hobo-sexuals. Tom Cheshire met Brent Hinds in Atlanta on a corner under a bridge in 1993. They were panhandling and drinking cough syrup and songs just started spewing out of them. Songs were written on an acoustic guitar and a bucket for drums with the occasional toy piano in the background. They write and sing for the underdog and give the listener a glimmer of hope. The songs have taken on a life of their own and have never sounded the same twice; the music is honest." -Amazon

Demoraliser: The House Always Wins

So did any of the hardcore kids check out the new Demoraliser music video?  I don't know but for some reason I have been hooked on this new album ('A Living Nightmare') since it's release on October 8th, 2012 via Siege of Amida Records.

It's your 'meat and potatoes' kind of album to satisfy all your low end, heavy breakdowns, matched with a very distinct and clear vocalist James Dexter.  Metal Hammer put it best today when they said "don't blame us for any whiplash that may occur".

Demoraliser is:

James Dexter - Vocals | Nathan Smith - Guitar | Sam Jarvis - Guitar | John Stark - Bass | Mat Ombler - Drums

Demoraliser fuse city levelling riffs with Melodic Hardcore sensibilities, and since their formation they self released two EPs:

'Reform.Repent.Revenge' and 'Conveyance' ...the Grimsby bruisers caught SOAR's eye in 2011 and a deal was inked for the release of their debut album due in the Spring of 2012.

Fans of For The Fallen Dreams, The Ghost Inside, Terror, Bury Your Dead...take heed. Demoraliser are on their way to being the leading Hardcore band in the UK.

1. Pretender
2. A Living Nightmare
3. Checkmate
4. The House Always Wins
5. Early Years
6. Eye To Eye
7. Mother's Ruin
8. Reap What You Sow
9. Blind Sighted
10. Blood Meridian

Check out the video for the forth track on the album "The House Always Wins":

Heartist: Nothing You Didn't Deserve

So, what's everyone think about Roadrunner Records' newest addition Heartist, and their music video for the title track "Nothing You Didn't Deserve"?

"Southern California based Heartist is a good fit on Roadrunner Records’ current artist roster.  And it’s an equally good fit for fans of bands the likes of As I Lay Dying, My Chemical Romance, and Set It Off.  The way that the band melds together its guitars and screaming vocals with the more melodic keyboard parts and actual singing makes the band’s debut EP, Nothing You Didn’t Deserve a record that metalcore and emo fans will appreciate." -WNCT

1. Disconnected
2. Rhinestone
3. The Answer
4. Where Did I Go Wrong
5. Nothing You Didn't Deserve
6. Heart Of Gold
7. Tangled (Bonus Track)
8. Disconnected (Edit)



and their new music video "The Answer" which was released on Nov. 14th on YouTube:

Love & Death: Between Here & Lost

So, I'm sure you all remember Brian "Head" Welch?  The former guitarist of Korn till his departure in '05 due to drug addiction and constant touring.  Well, long story short is he found God, kicked the bad habits and kept his music life alive.  Being that Korn had moved on and started going down the path of totality (haha), he decided that he wanted to take music into his own hands, which would come in the form of the project (simply titled) "Head".

"I knew it was going to be nothing near as big as Korn, but I was proud of it. It's got some heavy riffs and it's got a lot more emotion than I've ever put in music. I'm an emotional guy (and) it was cool to be able to put it in there. It was cool how people were surprised by it. A lot of people thought I was gonna come out with some 'Kumbaya,' Jesus music." -Welch

1. L.O.V.E.
2. Flush
3. Loyalty
4. Re-Bel
5. Home
6. Save Me from Myself
7. Die Religion Die
8. Adonai
9. Money
10. Shake
11. Washed by Blood

The music video for the album "Flush", got quite the flack for its depictions and even had retailers pulling the album off shelves.  Of course, Brian wanted to shed some light on why he chose the music video to go in this direction...



"The video for 'Flush' is about crystal meth addiction and the crazy things anyone addicted to meth will do while they're high or to get their fix. Everything the models were doing in the video is what I was wrapped up in while I was addicted to meth. The video is a very realistic look at the addiction and where it will lead you if you get hooked. I understand the images of the models may be too much for some people, but honestly, I was just trying to be real with what happened in my life and show where I was, as well as where I am at now. I was totally imprisoned by meth ... I would do anything to get my meth ... I believe I would be dead right now if I continued using meth, but instead, I chose to surrender my life to Christ and die to myself so He could share His resurrection with me ... Significantly, the images also go along with what the kids (not actors) at the beginning of the video were honestly saying about their addictions."

Eventually, Welch ultimately decided to change the name of the project to "Love & Death", with explanations on why he chose the name...

"the name 'Love and Death' symbolizes everything we've been through as a band over the last few years. We love this band so much and we'll go through hell to connect with our fans. Many people have confused my speaking dates and our band dates because they were both being booked as Brian Head Welch. I have wanted to use a band name for branding my music for a few years. Now with the new music coming out, its [sic] time to really separate the things I do. I want the music to be about music. I will still be doing public speaking under Brian Head Welch. I am happy that all the confusion will be over."

Welch took to the online world to recruit his members for L&D back in '09.  He elaborates further when he “picked the guys and then had a jam session in Phoenix.  Over the last couple of years, there have been a few line up changes as we went through normal growing pains. The current band has been together and touring for a while now and they are a big part of the new music and the future of this new brand.”

OK, so Love & Death have been building a fan base (pushing 7,800 copies of "Save Me From Myself" and now totaling 23,000+ fans on Facebook) and continually pumping out new music.  Everything seemed to come one after the other when it came to announcements.  First, you had the re-branding of the band name, followed by the "Chemicals EP" (released on April 24th, 2012), followed by the ink deal with Tooth & Nail Records and finally, the debut full length album under the new band name.

(Photo courtesy Caleb Kuhl)

Love & Death currently consists of:

Brian 'Head' Welch – vocals, guitars | JR Bareis - lead guitar | Michael Valentine - bass guitar, backing vocals | Dan Johnson - drums



So, now were up to speed (and hoping I provided enough info for you).  The new album will be titled "Between Here & Lost" and will see a release date of January 22nd, 2013 via (newly inked) Tooth & Nail Records.



1. The Abandoning
2. Whip It (*Devo cover)
3. Watching The Bottom Fall
4. By The Way... 
5. Meltdown
6. My Disaster
7. I W8 4 U (featuring Mattie Montgomery of For Today)
8. Fading Away
9. Paralyzed
10. Chemicals
11. Bruises

"This record was birthed from trials, tribulations, pain, suffering, anxiety, depression, and drama.  However, we came out on top and the end result is a very real, raw & honest record. We are so stoked for people to hear it! From our opening song 'The Abandoning', to our cover of Devo's 'Whip it', to our collaboration with Mattie Montgomery from For Today on 'I W8 4 U', It's an exciting piece of art and the listener will feel the different range of emotions with the lyrics & melodies of each song." -Welch


(Photo courtesy Caleb Kuhl)

In light of the new photos and album information, the band also released a new music video for the opening track "The Abandoning", which you can view below:



I ultimately decided to write about this project now rather than earlier only because the music has (little by little) started to get hooked in my head.  Social media has allowed Welch to essentially come out of hiding and make his projects known on a large scale.  I don't think he had the intention of leaving music all together.  As a fellow music enthusiast (and part time musician), I can understand where guys/gals come from when they step away from a project.  You never really get away from the music, its a love that will remain constant if you will.  Much respect to Welch for getting his shit in order and pumping out new music.



Anyways, now we got the jist of what is to come from the former Korn guitarist and his quest.  More information will be added as it comes in.  L&D are looking to greatly expand their touring ground as well, so be sure to keep an eye out for them in your area (either headline gigs or touring support).

Canary Mine: Residency @ C'est What

Alright, so where do I begin?

I am not usually one for sitting down and collectively thinking about what to write for a review.  Most of the time, it generally starts and ends with "These guys rocked!  Can't wait to see them again!".  But for this one, I figured to shed a little more of a spotlight on what was one heck of a genre ride last night.  I was invited by my good buddy Tim to finally see him perform live.  He informed me he was filling bass for a band called CANARY MINE.  Like most local acts throughout the city, I had little to know idea what I was getting into.  Anyways, I made my way down to local bar C'est What (Front & Church), grabbed a couple of Sawdust Mill pints and was introduced to about 6 people in a matter of minutes.  Haha, I'll even admit I was a little stone faced at first (being in a new bar, looking to get a pint and meeting lots of new faces).  Nonetheless, I got my spot at the bar and found myself planted there for the next 2+ hours.

Lead vocalist James Labro (aka Jimi Maze), alongside bassist Vera Thomsen and drummer Carl Welch took the stage for the first 30 minutes or so to kick off the evening with some great renditions of classic artists such as The Cure, June Carter, The Beatles and many other great tracks.  I have to admit that the trio was very much in sync and knew how to read each other if they decided to improv a bit on stage.  Overall, it was a great start up for the night and I got a feel of what kind of music to expect.

Did I mention that the theme for the evening was old school hip-hop?  So how did June Carter and The Cure mix in with old school hip-hop?  The only answer I could think of was 'quite easy'.  Jimi's vocal ability, along with Vera and Carl's impromptu abilities allowed the songs to flow quite easily and with a great twist on classic artists.

This eventually just led into Canary Mine jumping on stage no more than 10-15 minutes later.  With a new pint being ordered and the amps turned on, I was set for the funk/hip-hop/folk/country mash up that was to follow.  The addition of Tim on bass, as well as Mim on the keyboards proved to fill the whole bar with amazing vocal synchronization (Jimi, Mim and Carl), while Tim was off in the corner just funkin away!  Even though I remained quiet for most of the evening, even shy if you will, I was very much impressed with the versatility that the group brought forth.  The timing was spot on, the tracks flowed right into each other and above all, they had fun playing!

I think that's one thing that caught my attention more than anything else.  The bar was not sold out by any means.  Aside from myself, there were a good handful of family, friends and regular bar attendees that totaled to maybe 30 or so.  But the sound, energy and fun they were having could have easily suited a larger venue with a much larger crowd.  Overall, I had a great time and was very fortunate enough to be invited to the bar on a shitty weather Tuesday night in the big city.  The band(s) easily made me forget about getting my ass up the next morning for work.  Well played folks...well played.

(Canary Mine performing at The Horseshoe Tavern)

For more information on Canary Mine, be sure to follow them on Facebook (www.facebook.com/CanaryMine) and check out their material over at their official site (www.canarymine.com) and pick up an album.

- http://www.myspace.com/canarymine
- https://twitter.com/canarymineband
- http://www.youtube.com/canaryminevideos
- http://soundcloud.com/canary-mine
- http://www.reverbnation.com/canarymine
- http://music.cbc.ca/#/bands/Canary-Mine

Music Releases For October 23rd, 2012 (Part II)

Remember when I mentioned a second part to album releases today?

Well folks, like I mentioned this morning on AFGM Facebook, there seems to be quite the amount of new music coming to your ears today via music stores and online retailers.  There was even enough material here for me to split it into TWO articles.  We're going to leave most of the hard n' heavy stuff for part one and 'all the rest' for the second (haha).  Seems fair right?  Anyways...

***

…And You Will Know Us By The The Trail Of Dead - Lost Songs



"But Trail Of Dead hasn’t abandoned its prog ambitions—it’s refined them. The best songs here (the tongue-tied melodic assault of 'Pinhole Cameras,' the dizzying 'Up To Infinity') traverse sonic peaks and valleys, often building to a roaring climax and quieting to an atmospheric hush, just before firing back up again. Keely’s written some of his most emotionally direct songs to date, pulling lyrical inspiration from American cynicism and the social freedom he’s experienced living in Cambodia. But Lost Songs’ MVP is Reece, who—frenzied drumming aside—re-emerges as a dynamic frontman foil: On 'A Place To Rest,' he screams himself hoarse over proggy guitar squeals. Meanwhile, on the relentless 'Catatonic,' he alternates between a victorious yelp and a soothing melodic calm, rallying against pampered modern complacency. Even at its most polarizing, Trail Of Dead has never lacked thrilling ideas. But with Lost Songs, it’s rekindled the raw, unflinching spirit that, a decade ago, placed the group among rock’s elite." -AV Club

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Incubus - The Essential Incubus



"Arriving hot on the heels of the celebratory live anniversary set Incubus HQ Live is the retrospective The Essential Incubus, a 28-track collection rounding up highlights from the group's six albums and three EPs. Unlike the 2009 collection Monuments & Melodies, which attempted to please fans by digging into uncollected rarities, Essential focuses on Incubus' main body of work, presenting it in thorough detail, then annotating the journey with liner notes from Gary Graff. All of the group's charting Billboard singles -- including 'Pardon Me,' 'Drive,' 'Talk Shows on Mute,' 'Megalomaniac,' 'Anna Molly,' 'Dig,' 'Love Hurts,' and 'Adolescents' -- are here, along with judiciously selected album and non-LP tracks, making this Essential a true representation of Incubus at their best." -All Music

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Gary Clark Jr. - Blak and Blu



AFGM - Gary Clark Jr: Doesn't Owe You A Thing

"If you’re all things fuzzy, loud, blues and rock ‘n’ roll, Blak and Blu is your go-to album. Gary Clark Jr. proves that he is versatile. He is also able to bring modern influences to the rock ‘n’ roll sound. Presenting the style in a way that is respectful to the rock ‘n’ roll genre, but also in a way that captures the ears of the new generation. Black and Blu is reminiscent of the true blues and rock ‘n’ roll days and is definitely worth a listen to." -Music Feeds

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Swedish House Mafia - Until Now



"Having recently announced their split, Swedish House Mafia are releasing this compilation to accompany their farewell tour. Around a third of Until Now is their own music, as embodied by Greyhound – best summed up as John Barry meets the Chemical Brothers – and the jaunty Primark house of this week's No 1 single, Don't You Worry, Child. The rest is remixes and retweaked old hits, such as Miami 2 Ibiza, which has sprouted a soft-rock verse lifted from Dirty South's Walking Alone. All are subjected to the same heavy hand on the tiller: beats are stonkingly four-to-the-floor, singers wail, breakdowns shudder. The apotheosis is The Island, a blaring remix for Pendulum, which presumes anyone listening will be so trolleyed they won't notice its manifest lack of soul or brains. That said, it all has a headbanging urgency that induces anyone listening to tap a foot, so Until Now can probably be classed as a triumph for the band." -The Guardian

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The Doors - Live At The Bowl 68



"This concert, which is believed to be the band's finest show caught on film, has been restored by using original camera negatives. The audio has been remixed and mastered from original multi-tracks by the group’s engineer, Bruce Botnick.

The Doors Live At The Bowl '68 also will include three previously unreleased tracks from the performance; they weren't released in the past because of technical issues with the recording. Those tracks are 'Hello, I Love You,' 'The WASP (Texas Radio And The Big Beat)' and 'Spanish Caravan.'" -Guitar World

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RZA - The Man With The Iron Fists



"There's tension within the songs, there is emotion and nuance in sound, a bit like a full-scale assault on one's imagination. Call it a friendly takeover. Songs like 'Rivers of Blood,' 'Built for This' and 'Tick, Tock' walk a fine line between atmospheric Western tunes and steam punk hip-hop. RZA and Flatbush Zombies' 'Just Blowin' in the Wind' is disturbing in the way its deconstructed sound hisses threateningly, but the eerie-sound song is still a winner. 'White Dress' finds West rapping with auto-tune about a damsel closely resembling his own girlfriend, and it's the album's only misstep.

RZA's works have always had a distinctive cinematic quality, but this record digs for iron and comes up with gold. It's kinetic, mesmeric and chimeric." -SF Gate

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Shiny Toy Guns- III



"The album flows well and you do feel as if you have been on the same 3 year journey as the band though the album. It has its ups and downs but ultimately STG are back, and that comes across in the album like the pieces of a jigsaw are being put back together after a long time apart. Just like We Are Pilots none of the tracks are bad, some stand out more than others and are definite ‘single realise’ tracks compared to other more album based tracks. As a whole it feels like the album doesn’t have enough base to it- where We are Pilots on full make your chest rumble and the floor shake, this doesn’t quite go that far. This is the second album fans wanted with Carah back in lead vocals and now part of the creative circle of the band." -No Flash Photography

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Hunter Valentine - Collide and Conquer



"As I listened to the album enjoying it’s radio-ready hooks and rock aggression, coupled with it’s pop sensibilities and sensitivities, I hypothesized that if you reduced or removed the distortion from the vocals and the overall mastering (which I’m still on the fence about), and added an 80′s cover song, you’d have something very similar to the album 'Falling Uphill' made famous by fellow Canadians Lillix in 2004 (they were the girl band that covered 'What I Like About You'). Quantity is not always quality though, and what Lillix may have had in production value, Hunter Valentine make up for on Collide and Conquer in lyrical depth and a very ‘teeth-to-the-grind’ type performance and attitude." -Infectious Magazine

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Nero - Welcome Reality



"Despite all the prog allusions and big concepts, it turns out what Nero are really good at is something all the prog allusions and big concepts suggest they might disdain: pop music. Welcome Reality's highlights invariably involve Stephens's girlfriend, vocalist Alana Watson. It's not just that Nero can write melodies, although they can: big, hook-laden tunes you find on My Eyes or Must Be the Feeling. It's that they come up with intriguing ways to present them. Guilt takes a euphoric hands-in-the-air breakdown and stretches it into a song: the effect is both familiar and slightly dislocated. Scorpions sets Watson's densely effected vocals against a huge, echoing guitar solo. Her voice on Crush is pitched so high it recalls the sped-up R&B samples that permeated hardcore in the early 90s; what's going on behind it, meanwhile, sounds like a mid-80s freestyle track unraveling amid a series of atonal electronic honks and squeals. Then, unexpectedly and rather thrillingly, everything shifts: what appeared to be a whole track turns out to be merely an abstract intro to a Day-Glo, wildly commercial song. You listen to it and think: these two could be genuinely amazing, innovative pop producers, something the world perhaps needs more urgently than a quasi-classical dubstep track called Fugue State. Whether that's what Nero want to be, however, is a moot point." -The Guardian

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Did you get all that info?  Can your bank account afford a selection like this? (haha) Cheers to you all and make sure to crank your favourite album today!

Music Releases For October 23rd (Part I)

Well folks, like I mentioned this morning on AFGM Facebook, there seems to be quite the amount of new music coming to your ears today via music stores and online retailers.  There was even enough material here for me to split it into TWO articles.  We're going to leave most of the hard n' heavy stuff for the one article and 'all the rest' for another (haha).  Seems fair right?  Anyways...

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A Life Once Lost - Ecstatic Trance



"I understand if particular people take issue with some elements of Ecstatic Trance. Some people may be wishing for more 'Firewater Joyride,' and become disappointed when they discover that A Life Once Lost is not the same band anymore. Some people may find the Trance aspect of the album too repetitive, but that’s okay. This is metal, not top 40, it’s not supposed to appeal across the board. Ecstatic Trance is profound, engaging, and original, and that’s what I believe is important." -The New Review

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Bison b.c. - Lovelessness



Each successive Bison album has had a slightly longer average track length, indicative of their letting songs breathe with open, crawling passages that last for aeons, taking a more prominent role in their songs. The pounding fury that gives them their namesake still exists in droves, but on this record we’re given more pause in between those moments where the tension builds more fully, rattling the listener all the more when it finally breaks with rage bursting forth. Bison is completely coming into their own sound; once a band that sounded like one of many Mastodon clones – albeit one of the better ones – they now retain only vestigial similarities inherent to occupying the same broad genre, possessing a gritty drive that marks anything they touch with the indignant trudge of Bison B.C.

The band lays its outlook bare on this record, making you feel it through the construction of their songs and a wall of sound that pushes forward relentlessly like a tidal wave. It’s an almost shamefully satisfying record, like smashing something in a brief spasm of rage. It’s a sick, twisted beast; a hate-drunk bull treating the human heart as a china shop, ill content until everything we value is ground to dust under hoof and horn. -Axis of Metal

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Heartist - Nothing You Didn’t Deserve [EP]



"Southern California based Heartist is a good fit on Roadrunner Records’ current artist roster.  And it’s an equally good fit for fans of bands the likes of As I Lay Dying, My Chemical Romance, and Set It Off.  The way that the band melds together its guitars and screaming vocals with the more melodic keyboard parts and actual singing makes the band’s debut EP, Nothing You Didn’t Deserve a record that metalcore and emo fans will appreciate." -WNCT

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Ill Niño - Epidemia



AFGM - Ill Nino: Epidemia

"The songs are freshly compounded prescriptions of what the formula provides. Great drumming from the under-rated Dave Chavarri mixed with croonin’ Christian Machado, richly smothered in a stopwatch sauce of strongly seasoned loud and soft. Actual dynamics riding on a power jazz rhythm built atop a thinly disguised backbone of pop melody became nü metal and Ill Nino’s Latin infusion gave them a foot up on everyone when they entered the genre." -About.com

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Wintersun - Time I



"TIME: The answer is yes. Though the lack of 'time' is annoying after such a long wait, knowing that there is another impending release on the way puts my final judgment on hold until I take the two in tandem. The material presented on 'Time I' achieves some of the highest musicianship and production values I have heard. The songs are slow and sweeping, atmospheric and airy, but lack more of the extreme side found on the band’s debut LP, which is more of an informational adjudication and not a complaint. However, part of the band’s uniqueness has been lost though 'time,' and Wintersun finds itself trying to catch up with so many other acts just from the band’s own homeland. Despite the loss of 'time,' the effort is still stunning." -Metal Underground

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Pig Destroyer - Book Burner



"The one thing that's hard to deny is that Book Burner's even less user-friendly than Phantom Limb, which wasn't exactly a freindly how-do. It's like PD decided to take the innovations of Limb-- the massive and unashamed riffage, the body-bruising weight-- and apply it to the chewed-and-chopped frenzy of their first few, more traditionally grind LPs. One thing for sure though is that PD continue to play with an invention and intensity that sucks the breath out of fans, a dedication to both grind's visceral appeal and shaping it into new forms that puts them leagues beyond most of their peers. It's that raging conviction, the totalizing whomp of their sound, one you can feel in your gut as much as hear, that makes them powerful, above and beyond however much their sense of rock groove and rock drama nudges their genre's self-imposed boundaries forward." -Pitchfork

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Sister Sin - Now And Forever



"A short and snappy review but what do I think? Sister Sin definitely has a different look on Metal. More melodic than thrash which is slightly more easy listening compared to having to be in an angry mood to listen to. Something more similar to The Damned Things where singer Keith Buckley’s gruff vocals make more of an impact than the guitars and instruments, to what you normally associate with ‘Metal’ bands. Hopefully you don’t have to be a Tool listening, black-hoody wearing metal head to enjoy and hopefully you will have another ‘most listened’ to album in your iTunes playlist." -What Culture

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Stone Sour - House Of Gold And Bones: Part 1



AFGM - Stone Sour: House of Gold & Bones

"...even touching on the jagged ferocity of early Slipknot in places. However, it maintains the personality and swagger of Stone Sour and certainly touches on influences such as Alice In Chains, especially on the crunching neo-grunge of lead single 'Absolute Zero' that manages the neat trick of marrying an infectious chorus with tech metal and breakdowns. 'Gold Sovereign', on the other hand, is a galloping metal cut in the vein of Judas Priest or Iron Maiden, with Taylor doing his best Dicko over the top. Perhaps what's most immediate upon listening to 'House Of Gold & Bones' is the sheer step up that Stone Sour have made as musicians. The likes of 'RU 486' and 'Tired' simply would not have been possible if they'd been attempted by the band in their 2006 'Come What(ever) May' period. Simply astounding." -Big Cheese Magazine

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The Sword - Apocryphon



"There are some subtle electronic elements on the album, including the title track. ‘Dying Earth’ has a trippy synth intro before kicking into a fairly straightforward and catchy song. Speaking of catchy, ‘Execrator’ is packed with memorable hooks. It’s lean and mean, and you’ll find yourself singing along to the chorus after just a couple of listens.

‘Apocryphon’ is the Sword’s best album to-date. Their existing fan base will love it, and it will be a big draw for stoner metal fans. In addition, fans of classic rock, hard rock and traditional metal will find plenty to sink their teeth into, as well." -Loudwire

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The Tony Danza Tapdance Extravaganza - Danza IIII: The Alpha – The Omega



"If 'IIII' is truly the final THE TONY DANZA TAPDANCE EXTRAVAGANZA album, then so be it, but it should be noted that Josh Travis and Jesse Freeland’s concluding Mathcore opus is a beast, and an exclamation point that exemplifies everything great about the oft-ridiculed Core subgenres. Congrats to the band – they’re one of the few who were able to save the best for last." -Metal Observer

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Upon This Dawning - To Keep Us Safe



"Production quality of this album is as good as any other of the genre and scene. The screamer has a powerful voice, the clean vocalist albeit a bit whiny also adds a good quality voice to their music. Guitars sound good, but don’t bring about a lot of innovation which is rather disappointing. Drums of course are of high quality, so you won’t have to worry about this album sounding scratchy or muffled in your headphones or speakers.

To Keep Us Safe is one of those albums that don’t bring anything new to the table, but take what was made before, recycle it, and make it their own. I can’t say that the album is bad in any way, it’s certainly listenable, and sounds good, but it’s definitely not a genre innovator, and in my opinion, artists should strive to bring something unique and different to the game. I know I’ve definitely heard this before just in other bands like Make Me Famous, or That’s Outrageous!. To Keep Us Safe is a decent metalcore release and if you’re the type of person to like hearing what the newest thing of that genre is, this is for you." -Kill The Music

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Motörhead - Vol. 2-World Is Ours



"The band rock it out performing songs from all eras of their career, the crowd rocks out with them and delights in every fist pounding and head banging note.

Few bands rank with Motorhead when it comes to pure testosterone fueled hard rock. Lemmy may claim the band’s music is just rock and roll but the truth is Motorhead is much more than that. It is rock and roll with a twist of Lemmy, that twist consisting of sweat, blood, piss, vinegar and jizz." -Classic Rock Revisited

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Stay tuned for Part II...