Well smack me sideways and get me a drink! Mark Tremonti is back with a follow up to a very successful debut album. Always knowing that Mark had a heavy side to his music, I was very happy when he originally broke from that generic Creed hard rock sound and opted for the likes of Alter Bridge. If that collaboration between Myles Kennedy and himself wasn't enough, he hired a group of talented musicians, jumped on the microphone himself, and dove deeper into his love for thrash and speed metal with tracks such as "Wish You Well".
Now having concluded his touring schedule for Alter Bridge and their latest album "Fortress" has given Mark some time to focus on more solo material and pump out another set of amazing tracks. Those tracks would be later formed into his upcoming album "Cauterize", which is scheduled for a June 9th, 2015 release via Fret12 Records.
We've pieced together through the preview videos and websites what the album is going to look and sound like. So far we've got some album artwork, a track listing (as seen in the video above), a sample clip of the track "Flying Monkeys", and a the first official single "Another Heart" (lyric video), which you can check out below.
(Album artwork courtesy of Fret 12 and Mark Tremonti)
1. Radical Change 2. Flying Monkeys 3. Cauterize 4. Arm Yourself 5. Dark Trip 6. Another Heart 7. Fall Again 8. Tie The Noose 9. Sympathy 10. Providence
So far, it seems to be shaping up exactly the way I anticipated Tremonti would. I have recently found Mark to be like a fine wine. He is definitely getting better with age and shows no signs of stopping since his solo career has really taken a turn for the best. With talent such as his, I am very glad he at one point stepped out of the Creed limelight (as did the other Creed members) and showcase some of his own work.
Well, that's a misleading statement. While Creed riffs were composed by Tremonti, it had to follow a certain formula that would appeal to Creed fans/radio. Now with his solo work, all formulas can be thrown to the side and make way for some heavy hitting tracks. Be sure to catch him on tour if he is coming through your town!
OK, so this article heading was sitting in front of me the day I found out that U2 had forcefully placed their new album (ironically named "Songs of Innocence") on to people's iTunes libraries, and phones. Some people probably thought 'sweet, new music for free', where as others did not react so positively to the forced music.
Were they wrong in thinking that though? Since we have all now become part of this new age in music where whole albums can be grabbed in the blink of an eye from a website, did handing out free music really infringe on people's rights and freedoms? Did they believe that it was similar to a virus being forcefully infiltrated in your music catalog?
There was a lot of questions to be asked that really had no answer. It was a matter of perspective. We get free music in a lot of different ways around the world. Play copies, free downloads, PWYC (pay what you can), online streams, free handouts, and many other forms are ways from labels and bands to share their music with you. The difference between all those forms listed above is a very simple concept...choice.
I get it though. U2 is a worldwide known band. They have some of the greatest singles in the history of music and have sold well over 150+ million records. They have 17+ million Facebook followers and expected a large percentage of fans to accept and enjoy the music. But someone like myself who respects U2 without listening to their music would take an issue to a company like Apple just making it a part of your catalog. It's not cool and feels a little more the recommendation of music. Of course fans had the option to delete the album from their phones and iTunes. I don't want this to turn into sour grapes and first world problems. But who's to say the next Beyonce, One Direction, or Nickelback album could be automatically uploaded to your list. As Christopher Hitchens (a man I reference to quite a bit) once said:
"I hope I've made it clear that I'm perfectly happy for people to have these toys and to play with them at home and hug them to themselves and so on and share them with other people who come around and play with the toys, so that's absolutely fine. They are not to make me play with these toys. I will not play with the toys. Don't bring the toys to my house. Don't say my children must play with these toys. I'm not going to have any of that."
One of the main driving factors behind online music is choice and selection. Users wanted more choice when picking their daily playlist. Radio did great job of promoting new music, but fell short of free choice for folks (kind of how call-in requests helped guide radio stations).
In the end, I will choose what music I want to listen to. There are a lot of questions that come to mind that I am still trying to wrap my head around.
- Laws from Canada, US, or worldwide have any wrongdoing against invasion of privacy?
- Does terms and agreements of iTunes and Apple constitute the allowance of such behaviour?
- Will this continue? Will this be the new phase of marketing? Will this be adopted into mainstream culture?
- Will artists willingly release albums such as this in order to gain exposure for their labels/promotions?
- Do I foresee bands and artists that could and would do this based on past agreements with Apple or marketing such as this?
"But it highlights a vital aspect to the whole idea of music in the 21st century. What's also interesting is that Apple seem to have got off scot-free. No one's blaming them. Apple has done great things, but it has also contributed to the devaluation process." -Nick Mason (Pink Floyd)
Going through my playlist at the end of a work week is like the toast to the weekend; especially when you have been gone away on vacation for the past week with no contact with the outside world. YouTube playlists and subscriptions coming out my ears so sometimes it's rather hard to follow each upload unless doing a round up such as this. I hope this will make the starting of your weekend energetic, whether you are going into work or escaping from it.
Apologies in advance for those who loathe my video articles but there are just too many great clips out there to ignore. So if you do not have the bandwidth to watch this video, then too bad! Hahaha just kidding.
So for the slower connections just load the article, go for a coffee/glass of water, return, play and enjoy! This will surely be one of my playlists for the end of the work day and hopefully doesn't keep your eyes glued to the screen for too long. Cheers and happy Friday!
*Please click on the hyperlinks of each video to find out more about the artist and album releases.*
"Break Down These Walls" is taken from Aprire's upcoming album "Make Your Move", which will be released on April 7th, 2014 via Alternative Empire Inc./Outerloop.
"Curb Crusher" is taken from Killer Be Killed's self-titled debut album "Killer Be Killed", which was released on May 13th, 2014 via Nuclear Blast Records.
"No Holy Man" is taken from live album "Live With The Curse", which will be released on March 13th (EUR) and April 14th (North America), 2015 via AFM Records.
I really hope you all get the chance to ht up a local record store this week, because from what I have heard thus far, this has been a great week for music releases. Sampling albums such as The Gentle Storm, CHON, Action Bronson, and Oceano have given the opportunity to discover new music and also look into some bands I wasn't necessarily a fan of.
It is also worth noting a special release this week. The Sonics have released their first album in 35 years (1980). The group has been alive and kicking since 1960, with a few lineup changes. I still feel that is worth mentioning consider the timeline between albums.
The Gentle Storm is also worth mentioning since it's double album is a very diverse and fascinating project by singer and Anneke van Giersbergen, and composer Arjen Anthony Lucassen. I highly recommend a few of their tracks in your day as well.
To say that this album is derivative of other Mancunian acts would be completely inappropriate. Instead, there is something purposefully, intentionally collectivist about Hinterland. LoneLady here does not seek to disassociate herself from Manchester's past, but rather, through it become part of the city which she has adopted for herself. What the album falls down on slightly is a lack of dynamics. Although standalone each song is catchy and refreshingly danceable, they don't add up towards a comprehensive album experience. There is little variation from the funk-punk, and slower tracks like 'Flee!' feel weaker to their more nervy counterparts. -The 405
(The Sonics - This Is The Sonics)
Now, nearly 50 years after its predecessor, the iconic garage rock outfit is set to return with a brand new album: Entitled This is the Sonics, it will be available March 31st via Revox Records. The 12-track effort was produced by Detroit’s Jim Diamond (The White Stripes, The Dirtbombs) and features original Sonics members Jerry Roslie (keyboards, vocals), Larry Parypa (guitar, vocals), and Rob Lind (sax, harmonica, vocals). -Consequence of Sound
(Action Bronson - Mr. Wonderful)
Mr. Wonderful acknowledges this artistic self-doubt and question of authenticity with tracks like “City Boy Blues” and “A Light in the Addict.” However, Bronson emerges proudly from the morass with a bold ego and confident delivery. He certainly sounds a great deal like Ghostface Killah, but unlike other artists accused recently of co-opting hip-hop sensibilities purely for fame, Queens-born Bronson comes across as a genuine, appreciative product of his environment, as evidenced by the snippets of curbside conversation and shoutouts to Billy Joel and Chuck Knoblauch that pepper his songs. Self-aware in all of the right ways and delightfully crass in all of the wrong ones, Mr. Wonderful is ultimately a bit of a lark, but it is also far more enjoyable, far more self-aware, and far wittier than it needed to be. -Pretty Much Amazing
(CHON - Grow)
The most tasteful aspect of the output, in my opinion, is the pure and natural sound of the music in itself. The group clearly understands and adores analogue sensibilities. Whereas their contemporaries Sithu Aye and Polyphia often use electronic elements to supplant the music, CHON completely ignore and avoid any such elements. As a result, the album sounds and feels as if it is being performed right in front of you, for you. This ability to take advantage of the space within the tracks allows for immediate self-reflection and listener’s absorption into the motifs of the music. -Sputnik Music
(The Gentle Storm - The Diary)
The Gentle Storm manages to offer exactly what we would’ve expected from this sort of collaborative experience, as well as few things that we wouldn’t have. So while you’re still waiting for another Ayreon or Star One record to come, this massive effort will more than tide you over. It’s a breathtaking effort that should undoubtedly cement itself as one of the best releases of 2015 and there’s simply nothing quite like it, and there never will be. -New Noise Magazine
(Hit The Lights - Summer Bones)
Summer Bones, the band's fourth studio long-player and first outing for Pure Noise Records, effectively seals the deal, offering up an 11-track set of slickly produced, earworm-heavy, festival-ready singalongs shot through with enough good old-fashioned punk/hardcore spirit to make the transition easy for old-schoolers looking for a respite from breakdown town. Similar in tone to bands like Sleeping with Sirens and the Story So Far, Hit the Lights have no interest in wallowing in the oft-excavated pit of youthful despair; rather, they exist in a sort of amped-up, devil-may-care vacuum of good-times/bad-times soul-searching that leans more heavily toward the former. -All Music
(Michael Schenker's Temple of Rock - Spirit On A Mission)
Tastefully seasoned with tints of Blues, almost literally drenched in fine melodies and laden with instrumental prowess, Spirit On A Mission by Michael Schenker’s Temple Of Rock is a clear example of how the veterans of the Hard Rock scene can continue to compete with the new generation and, perhaps, even win in the end. Let’s only hope the upcoming live performances in support of the album will result in quite a few UFO, Scorpions and MSG classics dropping from the concert set lists. As much as we adore “Lovedrive,” “Doctor Doctor” and “Assault Attack,” there’s an urgent necessity for a handful of tracks off Spirit On A Mission to find their way into the Temple Of Rock’s gig schedules. As far as their finding the way into the hearts of Hard Rock fans is concerned, there is no doubt about the titular ‘mission’ being doomed to succeed. -Hard Rock Haven
(Oceano - Ascendants)
The intensity cranked all the way up, the guitars just somehow move me with their slamming riffs and quick techniques at times. The album really excels at vocals and drumming. Vocalist Adam Warren just sounds like a raging beast on this album, really giving Ascendants a very death metal/brutal death/slam vibe. Drummer (I am assuming Chason Westmoreland, since I cannot find who their current drummer is and he was the most recent) offers a punishing delivery of double bass patterns and blast beats over the riffs. Really the vocals and drumming shine over everything else, making them the focus point for me as they were the more entertaining and enjoyable aspects of the album. -Headband Or GTFO
Anniversary Re-Issue:
(Thursday - Waiting: 15 Year Anniversary Edition)
The Collect Records edition preserves the nine-song tracklisting as is, but the package will also add a three-song 7-inch featuring demo recordings of the album's "This Side of Brightness" and "Dying in New Brunswick," as well as a cut called "Mass as Shadows" that had previously popped up on a 1999 tour EP.
The LP also comes with new artwork, which you can see up above, as well the original liner notes. It's been remastered and will be pressed on 180-gram "blood orange" vinyl, as well as on turquoise. -Exclaim
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!
Formed in San Diego, CA, CHON has only recently signed with Sumerian Records for this debut album. You can check out previous work over at their Bandcamp page. CHON gained a well established following after many successful tours with artists such as Animals As Leaders, After The Burial, and Conquering Dystopia. The debut album "Grow" was released on March 24th, 2015. Band members for the effort are:
Mario Camarena - Guitar | Erick Hansel - Guitar
Drew Pelisek - Bass | Nathan Camarena - Drums
(Album artwork courtesy of CHON and Sumerian Records)
1. Drift 2. Story* 3. Fall 4. Book (Feat. Matt Garstka) 5. Can't Wait* 6. Suda* 7. Knot 8. Moon 9. Splash 10. Perfect Pillow 11. Echo 12. But (Feat. Matt Garstka)
(* = AFGM Recommendations)
You need to listen to Grow as an album, listen to it in order as it was created and let yourself be submerged in the waves of guitars and drums. As a largely instrumental album you’ll find the guitar riffs can speak a thousand words better than lyrics ever could. The textured riffs will hit you emotionally and tug at your heart strings. That said, ‘Echo’ which features vocals predominately as its hook could be considered the standout and most instantaneous tracks on Grow. -Alt Dialogue
Doesn’t stray too far from the CHON we know and love, but experiments with new sounds too. The re-recordings of older songs are different enough for even the most loyal fans to appreciate as new tracks. Vocals, while scarce, are significantly improved upon since the last record’s attempts! Better range and annunciation, by far. -It Djents
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!
Formed in 1995, Story of the Year have been a constant name in the punk/rock/metal industry since their debut hit single "Until the Day I Die" (taken from their debut label album "Page Avenue"). "The Constant" is the fourth album by SOTY and was released on February 16th, 2010 via Epitaph Records. It went on the debut at #42 on the Billboard top 200 charts and pushed 14,000+ records. For "The Constant", the band consisted of:
Dan Marsala – lead vocals | Ryan Phillips - lead guitar | Philip Sneed – guitar, piano, vocals
Adam Russell – bass, backing vocals | Josh Wills – drums, percussion
"Music is the constant thing in life for us. When I go to bed I think about music and when I wake up it's the first thing on my mind," he continues. "The Constant can mean anything; hopefully our band will go on forever and we want music to remain a constant thing in our lives no matter what." -Dan Marsala
(Album artwork courtesy of Story of the Year and Epitaph Records)
1. The Children Sing* 2. The Ghost of You and I 3. I’m Alive* 4. To The Burial* 5. The Dream Is Over 6. Remember a Time 7. Holding on to You 8. Won Threw Ate 9. Ten Years Down* 10. Time Goes On 11. Eye For An Eye 12. Your Unsung Friend (Bonus track) 13. Tonight We Fall (Bonus track)
(* = AFGM Recommendations)
Their fourth studio album (and second for indie giant Epitaph), The Constant finds Story of the Year making a comfortable return to the modern post-hardcore landscape. Like their last album, The Black Swan, the band seems to have settled into their own sound, effortlessly blending in touches of metal, pop-punk, and power pop to give the listener something that’s more eclectic and engaging than the usual collection of anthemic rock that’s become so common within the genre.
While Story of the Year may not be doing too much experimenting with their sound these days, they’ve more than shown their consistency as solid songwriters. With its driving guitars and massive choruses, The Constant is yet another highly catchy album from Story of the Year that will easily live up to their fans' expectations while making converts out of those unfamiliar with them. -All Music
Going through my playlist at the end of a work week is like the toast to the weekend; especially when you have been gone away on vacation for the past week with no contact with the outside world. YouTube playlists and subscriptions coming out my ears so sometimes it's rather hard to follow each upload unless doing a round up such as this. I hope this will make the starting of your weekend energetic, whether you are going into work or escaping from it.
Apologies in advance for those who loathe my video articles but there are just too many great clips out there to ignore. So if you do not have the bandwidth to watch this video, then too bad! Hahaha just kidding.
So for the slower connections just load the article, go for a coffee/glass of water, return, play and enjoy! This will surely be one of my playlists for the end of the work day and hopefully doesn't keep your eyes glued to the screen for too long. Cheers and happy Friday!
*Please click on the hyperlinks of each video to find out more about the artist and album releases.*
"As Bright As The Darkness" is taken from Devil You Know's debut album "The Beauty of Destruction", which was released on April 25th, 2014 via Nuclear Blast Records.
Scala, London, UK is the battlefield chosen. November 6th, 2014 was the date for record.
The return of Daniel Tompkins to front man status has really got some fans excited for what is to come for TesseracT. Not knocking either Elliot or Ashe in their time as vocalist, but I discovered these guys when Tompkins was fronting the band, so it only makes sense that I would be excited for his return. So what a better way to mark the return with a live visual!
TesseracT have finally announced their first live album titled "Scala/Odyssey", which will be released on May 19th, 2015 via Century Media Records. Damn if that doesn't get you grooving today, I don't know what will?! From what I gathered from setlist.fm, here is what the band performed that evening.
(Album artwork courtesy of TesseracT, and Century Media Records)
1. Of Energy - Singularity 2. Concealing Fate, Part 2: Deception 3. Concealing Fate, Part 3: The Impossible 4. Concealing Fate, Part 4: Perfection 5. Concealing Fate, Part 5: Epiphany 6. Concealing Fate, Part 6: Origin 7. Of Matter - Proxy 8. Of Matter - Retrospect 9. Of Matter - Resist 10. April 11. Of Mind - Nocturne 12. Concealing Fate, Part 1: Acceptance
As of April 10th, TesseracT have given another taste of what is to come from their Odyssey/Scala performance. It has gotten me even more hyped for this live performance to hit shelves soon, as this is one of my favourite pieces composed by the group. Below, you can check "Concealing Fate: Part II & III". Clocking in at 11 minutes, I hope you all feel as excited as I am!
And another clip from the performance, launched on May 7th, 2015, for the track "Nocturne". Check it out below.
Be sure to check back on the site as more information is added and new tracks are released. Cheers!
(Photo courtesy of TesseracT and Century Media Records)
Texas has its fair share of rock and metal fans. It is a notorious region where many great artists call home, such as Fair To Midland, Drowning Pool, A Dozen Furies, Scorpion Child, Upon A Burning Body, Unloco, Hellyeah, The Sword, Texas Hippie Coalition, and of course Pantera. I am sure if you are involved in the rock/metal scene you would know a few (if not all) of these names. They also have a string of decent music festivals as well to promote their iconic metal sound such as Brutiful Metal Fest (Fort Worth), Chaos in Tejas (Austin), SXSW (Austin), West Texas Death Fest (Amarillo), and of course the touring festivals like Family Values, Gigantour, Rockstar Energy Mayhem, Ozzfest, Uproar, and more.
That iconic sound I was referring to is GENERALLY a find blend of distortion and twang. The country influence of the area tends to seep into the music and all for the better. Much like Gothenburg and their signature style of melodic death metal, Texas metal is a beast unto itself.
Record label Razor & Tie sent me a promotional copy of their newest acquisition Sons of Texas. Not really expecting much (as I try not to get my hopes up with promo material), I downloaded the promo copy and gave the self-titled single "Baptized In the Rio Grande" a spin.
The first few seconds of the album had that signature twang I was expecting, but not much after that. I became increasingly intrigued after listening for approximately a minute or two. I was now grasping what kind of sound these guys were attempting. It was a mix between modern metal (higher paced BPMs and more breakdowns) while saluting previous Texas metal icons like Pantera and Drowning Pool. You know what I mean when you hear the vocal output from front man Mark Morales.
Born and raised
In the bowels of the states
Where glory days
And doom are hand in hand
When I've lost my way
All I need, is within me
Born and raised
Baptized in the Rio Grande
Here are some details surround that debut release. "Baptized In the Rio Grande" was released on March 3rd, 2015 via Razor & Tie Records. The group hails from Mcallen, TX and has been a regular in the music scene since 2011. The band consists of:
Mark Morales: Vocals | Mike Villarreal: Drums | Nick Villarreal: Bass
Jon Olivares: Guitar | Jes De Hoyos: Guitar
The young quintet’s debut, Baptized In The Rio Grande—produced by the iconic Josh Wilbur (Lamb Of God, Crowbar, Chiodos, Hatebreed)—is a Texas-sized portion of power metal grooves, dazzling guitar solos, strip joint/tailgate sing-along choruses, and soulfully charred vocal melodies. It took Wilbur 20 seconds of a YouTube clip to recognize this young band truly inherited the gonads of its Lone Star forefathers and sign on to work with the quintet. -Sons of Texas(band profile)
(Album artwork courtesy of Sons of Texas and Razor & Tie Records)
1. Never Bury the Hatchet* 2. Pull It and Fire 3. Baptized in the Rio Grande* 4. Nothing King* 5. The Vestryman 6. Blameshift* 7. Breathing Through My Wounds 8. Morals of the Helpless Kind 9. Drag the Blade 10. September 11. Texas Trim
(* = AFGM Recommendations)
Sons Of Texas combine filthy southern metal grooves with a modern rock flair that is dangerously infectious. Although Baptized in the Rio Grande has a couple blemishes, for a debut record, Sons Of Texas have delivered an album capable of going toe-to-toe with any upcoming southern metal album this year. After numerous listens to Baptized in the Rio Grande, it's clear – everything is bigger in Texas – even southern metal! -Pure Grain Audio
I was not disappointed in the rest of their debut album "Baptized In the Rio Grande", as each song had little to no complaints for moi. The track listing flowed exceptional, and each song had it's own signature hook to get attached to. I think the only complaint I could give here is not hearing enough material from these guys. As a longtime fans of Texas metal (I have an extensive catalog of all those bands previously listed above), I am glad to see a real injection of what Texas can produce. Minus the stereotypical redneck, gun loving, confederate flag waving, whiskey drankin SOBs, the music is great and I hope one day to venture to the deep south for some of this southern hospitality.
Electronic in the broadest of terms is been one of my guilty pleasures over the years. There is nothing in particular that I enjoy about it. I guess because of the great beats and sounds that artists can create seems endless, especially with a digital hand. As the years have progressed with electronic, the argument could be made that artists have changed but the sound is fundamentally the same. I remember in the early introduction with artist like Scooter when was eleven years old and watching "Mortal Kombat: Annihilation".
So my usual scouring the net for good tunes had me land upon an artist by the name of Celldweller. It is the stage name and current project of Scott Albert, aka Klayton. I know there are a lot of names here, but for the sake of this post, I am going to leave the name of Celldweller. At first glance, I was quite happy to see a Detroit based artist progressing from a recently increasing appetite for electronic music such as Detroit (which is how I came to find out about the Electronic Music Festival). I was also instantly intrigued as Celldweller tends to blend metal, rock, and electronic music. All you metal fist bumpers know what I'm talking about. haha
Project Celldweller has been on the scene for some time now, originating back in 1999. To dive more into that blend I was talking about earlier, I was very entertained with the different elements he brings to the track. Whether it's a metal scream or a few stringed instruments, he seems to bring it all full circle with a mix of EDM, dub-step, and DnB.
You may or may not have listened to Celldweller before. During his early stages of Celldweller, Klayton would collaborate/compose for the soundtrack of Criss Angel: Mindfreak. While Jonathan Davis was responsible for the 60 second intro clip on the show, Klayton re-produced and re-engineered the track and turned it into a full track, which was followed by a music video. Criss and Kalyton also had a project together called Angeldust. But that's going into another tangent.
Celldweller has been working on a multi-series of releases titled "End of An Empire" (EOAE). I myself only recently discovered these albums since I have not heard new music from Celldweller recently. The overall project is still currently in production but so far, Celldweller has released three of the four albums; "Time", "Love", and "Dreams". The final installment, "Death", will be released on July 17th, 2015. This marks the final piece for EOAE, after which Celldweller will move onto another series; hopefully something that conveys a fantasy world like this.
"Time, Love, Dreams, Death
Space, Mind, Scene, Tech"
Who knows, maybe fans of Celldweller will be extra lucky and treated with Space, Mind, Scene, Tech as well. Even though I can not confirm that might already be in the works (or may not be at all). Since the "Wish Upon A Blackstar" were released by 2012, you can see that Celldweller wasted no time getting to work on EOAE. The series is set to a fictional world created by Celldweller known as "Atiria", dealing with various story lines such as an Emperor, a Siren, and Overseer, etc.
(Album artwork courtesy of Celldweller)
This is quite the elaborate story isn't it? This is why I have been so captivated by this release. It not only tells a story like many albums do, but an entire fictional story, artwork, and stories have been created surrounding EOAE. Keeping in mind that each albums only features a handful of original songs, each installment has also a generous amount of remixes and instrumental tracks. Who knows, maybe one of those instrumental tracks could lead to your next remix. Many notable artists are featured on the albums such as Combichrist, Breathe Carolina, Aestehtic Perfection, and more.
(Album artwork courtesy of Celldweller)
1. Faction 01 2. End of an Empire 3. Lost in Time 4. Faction 02 5. Faction 03 (Instrumental) 6. End of an Empire (Comaduster Remix) 7. Lost in Time (KJ Sawka Remix) 8. End of an Empire (Breathe Carolina Remix) 9. Lost in Time (OCTiV Remix) 10. End of an Empire (Instrumental) 11. Lost in Time (Instrumental) 12. End of an Empire (Comaduster Remix) (Instrumental) 13. Lost in Time (KJ Sawka Remix) (Instrumental) 14. End of an Empire (Breathe Carolina Remix) (Instrumental) 15. Lost in Time (OCTiV Remix) (Instrumental)
Right in line with his previous work, Celldweller’s audio pieces are indeed designed for a master Rave setting taking things further with its influence of metal guitars, synthesized audio jaunts and electronic drum beats.
The core tracks are reused in ways that transform into completely new pieces with each careful remix edit session,. So much that at times you wouldn’t be able to tell the similarities from one to the next. This is a good thing as we get a barrage of audio explorations driven by Klayton’s vision. We also get versions that include vocal tracks giving a whole new surface layer to the instrumentals leading up. -Horror News
(Album artwork courtesy of Celldweller)
1. Faction 04
2. Down to Earth
3. Heart On
4. Faction 05
5. Faction 06
6. Down to Earth (Celldweller Remix)
7. Heart On (Aesthetic Perfection Remix)
8. Down to Earth (KATFYR Remix)
9. Heart On (SeamlessR Remix)
10. Heart On (Mister Faux Remix)
11. Heart On (Clean)
12. Faction 04 (Instrumental)
13. Down to Earth (Instrumental)
14. Heart On (Instrumental)
15. Faction 06 (Instrumental)
16. Down to Earth (Klayton Remix Instrumental)
17. Heart On (Aesthetic Perfection Remix Instrumental)
18. Down to Earth (KATFYR Remix Instrumental)
19. Heart On (SeamlessR Remix Instrumental)
20. Heart On (Mister Faux Remix Instrumental)
It's very hard to describe Celldweller's sound & that's why I am a big fan of Klayton's music. Every time I listen to his songs they take me to a different time period somewhere in another galaxy. I find myself dancing to the groovy electronics while banging my head to the hard synths and guitar riffs. This album does not disappoint in any way. Both "Down To Earth" & "Heart On" are catchy & great in their own way. I usually don't enjoy remixes, but the ones here were much better done than the ones in Chapter One. Even though Faction 04 was very short & didn't have an instrumental track, Faction 05 & Faction 06 made up for it. I'm a big fan of epic score music & Klayton's hybrid fusion of epicness will make you feel like you can take on army of cyborgs & robots. I look forward to hearing the rest of the End Of An Empire soon. -LoneStar(Amazon customer review Dec 7, 2014)
(Album artwork courtesy of Celldweller)
1. Faction 07 2. Good L_ck (Yo_’re F_cked) 3. Just Like You 4. Faction 08 5. Faction 09 6. Good L_ck (Yo_’re F_cked) (Hecq Remix) 7. Just Like You (Tom Player Remix) 8. Good L_ck (Yo_’re F_cked) (Combichrist Remix) 9. Just Like You (Mobthrow Remix) 10. Good L_ck (Yo_’re F_cked) (Clean) 11. Faction 07 (Instrumental) 12. Good L_ck (Yo_’re F_cked) (Instrumental) 13. Just Like You (Instrumental) 14. Faction 09 (Instrumental) 15. Good L_ck (Yo_’re F_cked) (Hecq Remix Instrumental) 16. Just Like You (Tom Player Remix Instrumental) 17. Good L_ck (Yo_’re F_cked) (Combichrist Remix Instrumental) 18. Just Like You (Mobthrow Remix Instrumental)
...the third chapter in this series is titled Dreams, but don't expect any music that will try to put you asleep. Faction 07 is a quick thirty second intro song to the album that has some alien like qualities to it; you can easily imagine a space ship hovering over a field of clouds as creatures from a far off world lay their feet (or tentacles...Or whatever) onto the ground of Earth for the first time. But, that's just my over imaginative mind at work right there. Not without its flaws, the third chapter in the End of an Empire series has managed to impress me. I don't have any serious complaints about it, and I praise it more than I criticize it. So, with that said, Celldweller, the music cranking machine he is, has managed to impress me once more. So, good on him, and I look forward to the next chapter in the series. -Brutal Resonance
(Album artwork courtesy of Celldweller)
1. Faction 10 2. New Elysium 3. Precious One 4. Faction 11 5. Faction 12 6. New Elysium (Zardonic Remix) 7. Precious One (Drumcorps Remix) 8. New Elysium (The Algorithm Remix) 9. Precious One (Rhys Fulber Remix) 10. Faction 10 (Instrumental) 11. New Elysium (Instrumental) 12. Precious One (Instrumental) 13. New Elysium (Zardonic Remix Instrumental) 14. Precious One (Drumcorps Remix Instrumental) 15. New Elysium (The Algorithm Remix Instrumental) 16. Precious One (Rhys Fulber Remix Instrumental)
The album opens with unnerving and mysterious sound design, as well as the voice of the haunting Gatekeeper, before throwing you right into the action with "New Elysium,” the psy-trance and metal hybrid that will make you ready to mosh as much as rave. As the vocals, arpeggios and heavy guitar feedback begin to ground you, "Precious One" takes End of an Empire to a place Celldweller has never before ventured with an eerie organ and heavy drum fill that both deliver on the tone set by the chapter's title - "Death". -FiXT
"Death"'s remixes keep the energy alive from the very first drop with Zardonic's pulse-pounding take on "New Elysium". From there, the nomadic Drumcorps glitches "Precious One" nearly beyond the point of recognition with a unique artistry, before The Algorithm turns "New Elysium" up to 11 with epic chugging guitar and otherworldly synth lines. The album ends with the incredible Rhys Fulber (Front Line Assembly, Delerium, Conjure One) and his ethereal and transcendent remix of "Precious One" that takes you all through endless time and leaves you begging for more. -FiXT
So hopefully this provides you with enough information to dive right into Celldweller's catalog and see what other great music he has composed since 1999. I am sure that you will enjoy the sounds and blend that originally caught my attention with this guy.
PS - Check out Celldweller's YouTube page. He has quite the extensive video collection and a few full album streams.
Only one metal album for my list this week. Are you all surprised? haha
While I am most definitely excited for the first live album (and recorded concert) for Soilwork, I am also very happy and excited to hear some guaranteed quality albums like Marcus Miller, Joel Plaskett, and AWOLNATION. I have not had the opportunity to listen to ANY of these albums yet so it will make for a full and eventful work week. Be sure to take some time and go through this week's collection; whether that be on your way to work, way home, on lunch, before bed, in the shower, or wherever you get some free time.
Tracker seems like Mark Knopfler at his most personal and yet the furthest away from stardom. By celebrating the life of late bloomers – critically speaking – like Bainbridge, he is affirming his place as a song writing nomad who’s writing is enabled as and when the inspiration takes him. Still adorned in his best brown baggies and platform soles, Knopfler can still make the guitar cry and sing without airs and graces. -Drowned In Sound
(Marcus Miller - Afrodeezia)
Miller’s more profound work on Afrodeezia speaks loudly. An African choir and Miller on bass clarinet enhance some unusual textures for the almost unplugged “Preacher’s Kid Song (Song for William H),” touched up with gospel and blues overtones. Though known for his ear-defying bass tapping and popping, Miller’s sensitive bass approach is another of his strongest suits, as demonstrated on the opening of “B’s River,” highlighted by a plucked acoustic bass hook. “We Were There” further spotlights Miller’s bass skill set, switching between bass popping, warm tones and complex layering. Unfortunately, “Xtraordinary” is fairly ordinary with the patent smooth jazz runs, despite shining moments from the brass section and nice contributions from Miller’s bass, sax, vocals and marimba toward the end. -Soul Tracks
(Xavier Rudd & The United Nations - Nanna)
Boasting a supergroup of musicians from around the world, Nanna may be bereft of self-sufficient acoustic pop/folk gems like Follow The Sun or Messages, though strip the joyful Rusty Hammer of its flute riff, brass flourishes and didge breakdown and the bones of Rudd’s instinctive feel for a tidy pop progression are revealed. Flag is strong – robust, in fact, in message and in structure, particularly given Georgia Corowa and Alicia Mellor’s classy harmonies that elsewhere, on the sun-drenched While I’m Gone, offer a warm and deeply feminine anchor. Lead single, Come People is typical of Rudd’s lyrical sense of spirit, land and community – as is Nanna on the whole – and it offers some surprising instrumentation in the form of classic piano tones that one would not normally associate with reggae styling; the entire record goes a long way to challenging preconceptions of the instrumentation and tropes of the genre. -The Music
(AWOLNATION - Run)
The album isn’t perfect, however, and there are a few missteps: the tonal mashup of Windows is good, but the song feels a little like more of what was nailed on earlier tracks like I Am or Headrest For My Soul. Woman Woman is another stumble – although Bruno’s vocal delivery is impressive, there is something slightly flat about the electronic arrangement, and the song moves in largely predictable ways. But these quibbles shouldn’t dissuade expectant fans from the album. Ultimately, RUN is a demented, delirious pop rock delight. I came to it reluctantly, having never really been an Awolnation fan; the fact that it won me over as quickly and completely as it did is a compliment indeed. -Renowned For Sound
(Joel Plaskett & The Park Avenue Sobriety Test)
But for those seeking familiar territory (and frankly, rock and roll), rest assured that the Emergency's rhythm section, Dave Marsh and Chris Pennell, are on about half of the album. "Alright OK" in particular will make longtime fans feel at home, combining those great call and response-style vocals from Three with some suitably ramshackle rock. -Exclaim
(Modest Mouse - Strangers to Ourselves)
Brock’s concerns with not knowing, his homespun wisdom and constant mentions of ghosts, of making a mess of things and making amends. Throughout there’s uncertainty but a shining sense of hope. And on ‘Shit In Your Cut’ he sings about having to “ride this winter out.” There are tough times sure, but there’s always something new on the horizon. ‘Strangers to Ourselves’ might have been a long time in the making but listening to it, it doesn’t feel like it has – and that’s a good thing. It’s bruised and brilliant, idiosyncratic and anthemic, sloppy and heartfelt. It’s an album only Modest Mouse could make. -DIY Magazine
CD/DVD/Blu-Ray:
(Soilwork - Live In The Heart of Helsinki)
At twenty-three songs in length, ‘Live in the heart of Helsinki’ is a pristine and lengthy reminder of just how impressive a band Soilwork are. The frequent shots of the crowd show an audience in rapture at the band’s immense performance and you can’t help wonder why more live DVDs are not so well shot and performed. In terms of quality, thanks to the stunning sound mix and the near perfect image quality this is very near reference quality and it is very much one for the fans. Whilst the uninitiated would be better heading for one of the band’s many excellent albums (I’d start with ‘predator’s portrait’ or ‘figure number five’), 8fans of the band will need no encouragement to track down this excellent package which features both the DVD/Blu ray and a double CD of the band’s set. This may be a belated foray into the world of live releases for Soilwork, but it truly does underscore the old adage that good things come to those who wait. Outstanding. -Sonic Abuse
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!
Formed in 2009, AWOLNATION is fronted and founded by lead vocalist Aaron Bruno in Los Angeles, CA. Since then, Bruno has recruited members (for live and studio work), and released two LPs ("Megalithic Symphony", and "Run"). His latest album, "Run", was released today (March 17th, 2015) via Red Bull Records. AWOLNATION is:
Aaron Bruno (AWOL) – vocals, guitar, bass | Drew Stewart (Drublood) – guitar, vocals
(Album artwork courtesy of AWOLNATION and Red Bull Records)
1. Run 2. Fat Face 3. Hollow Moon (Bad Wolf)* 4. Jailbreak* 5. KOOKSEVERYWHERE!!!! 6. I Am 7. Headrest for My Soul 8. Dreamers 9. Windows 10. Holy Roller* 11. Woman Woman 12. Lie Love Live Love 13. Like People, Like Plastic 14. Drinking Lightning
(* = AFGM Recommendations)
The music sounds too cohesive even if the album is filled with different textures and tones that work together nicely to create a lush palette of feelings. It also has a more aggressive sound. Aaron Bruno’s vocals effects are once again impressive. The album also has a smooth balance between energy and slight moments. Holy Roller is a haunting atmospheric moment. Bruno reveals a more vulnerable side on the acoustic guitar-driven track, Headrest for My Soul while standout songs like Jailbreak and I Am , take the listener on a cinematic journey. -Evigshed
