Music Video Round Up For May 29th, 2015

Going through my playlist is the toast to the week/weekend.  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!

*Please click on the hyperlinks of each video to find out more about the artist and album releases.*


Celldweller - Lost in Time:



"Lost In Time" is taken from Celldweller's multi-album series titled "End of An Empire".  The first installment/chapter, "Time", was released on September 16th, 2014 via FiXT Music.


Scooter and Vassy - Radiate:



"Radiate" is the latest single from collaboration Scooter and Vassy.  It was released as a stand alone single on May 29th, 2015 via Sheffield Tunes/Kontor Records GmbH.


Refused - Françafrique:



"Françafrique" is taken from the upcoming Refused album titled "Freedom", which will be released on June 29th, 2015 via Epitaph Records.


Pyramaze - Disciples of the Sun:



"Disciples of the Sun" is the self titled single from Pyramaze's latest album "Disciples of the Sun", which was released on May 26th, 2015.


The Ongoing Concept - Unwanted:



"Unwanted" is taken from The Ongoing Concept's upcoming record "Handmade", which will be released on June 16th, 2015 via Solid State Records.


Make Them Suffer - Old Souls:



"Olds Souls" is taken from Make Them Suffer's upcoming album "Old Souls", which will be released on May 29th, 2015 via Roadrunner Records.


Serious Black - Older & Wiser (Live):



"Older & Wiser" is taken from Serious Black's latest album "As Daylight Breaks", which was released on January 16th, 2015 via AFM Records.


Once Human - The Life I Remember (Lyric Video):



"The Life I Remember" is the self-titled single to Once Human's debut album "The Life I Remember", which will be released on September 4th, 2015 via earMUSIC.


Memphis May Fire - My Generation (Lyric Video):



"My Generation" is taken from Memphis May Fire's upcoming deluxe edition release of "Unconditional", which will be released on July 17th, 2015 via Rise Records.


Symphony X - Nevermore (Lyric Video):



"Nevermore" is taken from Symphony X's upcoming album "Underworld", which will be released on July 24th, 2015 via Nuclear Blast Records.


Hundredth - Inside Out (Audio Visualizer):



"Inside Out" is taken from Hundreth's upcoming album titled "Free", which will be available on June 16th, 2015 via Hopeless Records.


Battlecross - Not Your Slave (Audio Only):


"Not Your Slave" is taken from Battlecross' upcoming album titled "Rise To Power", which will be released on August 21st, 2015 via Metal Blade Records.


(*NSFW*) Lindemann - Praise Abort (*NSFW*):



"Praise Abort" is the debut music from newly created project Lindemann.  The debut album "Skills In Pills" will be released on June 23rd, 2015 via Warner Bros. Records.

A True Survivor

I have to give credit where credit is due.  I was never much of an 80's music fan.  Sure we all had our guilty pleasures like Depeche Mode, Tears For Fears, and New Order, but I really thought this fad was done and over once grunge made it's way into the music world.  However, 2015 proved to be quite the year for musical comebacks, especially 80's electronic music.  Go figure that a few decades pass and you can still create some catchy ass riffs.

(Photo courtesy of David Hasselhoff, and Kuny Fury)

Popular Kickstarter film Kung Fury was released on YouTube last night, and seems to be taking the internet by storm with it's epic action scenes and throwback setting.  The theme song for the film was released shortly before on April 16th, 2015, and performed by none other than David Hasselhoff.

Since it's release, the video has already gathered 11,000,000+ hits, and is considered by some to be one of the greatest 80's song ever written.  It encompasses everything of the 80's action; from car flipping, to dinosaur riding, and even kick some major Nazi ass!  Check it out below if you don't believe me.



Not too shabby eh?  I have probably watched this about a dozen times since last night (after watching the film) and will likely listen to this track a few more times before the day is done.  I am not sure why, other than the fact you really shouldn't Hassle the Hoff...plain and simple.



So how could this get any more epic?

Well, my love of rock/metal came into play for the second half of this post.  A duo by the name of Vale and Rocco posted a video on April 24th adding their own signature touch to the song with some shredding, and a great set of vocals (in my opinion).  Check it out below, and remember to be a True Survivor!

Full Album Stream: SIXX:A.M. - Modern Vintage

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

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

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


(Artwork by AFGM.  Photo courtesy of Wikipedia)

Sixx:A.M. was formed in 2007 in Los Angeles, California by  Nikki Sixx, DJ Ashba, and James Michael.  This is also the main side project for bassist Nikki Sixx, who is also the bassist of rock group Motley Crue.  Since it's inception, the group has released three studio albums and tours regularly throughout North America. Their latest album "Modern Vintage" was released on October 7th, 2014 via Eleven Seven Music.  The album was produced by vocalist James Michael (and has also produced artsists such as Papa Roach, Scorpions, The Exies, and Inhale).  The lineup for Modern Vintage is as follows:

Nikki Sixx – Bass/Vocals | James Michael – Vocals/Guitar/Keyboards/Drums

DJ Ashba – Guitar/ Vocals | Jeff Fabb – Drums (studio ONLY)

 Dustin Steinke – Drums (touring ONLY)

(Album artwork courtesy of SIXX: A.M. and Eleven Seven Music)

1. Stars*
2. Gotta Get It Right
3. Relief
4. Get Ya Some
5. Let's Go
6. Drive (The Cars cover)*
7. Give Me a Love
8. Hyperventilate
9. High on the Music*
10. Miracle
11. Before It's Over
12. Before It's Over (Piano Ballad)^
13. Stars (Cinematic)^
14. Gotta Get It Right (Acoustic)^
15. Let It Haunt You (So Beautiful)^

(^ = Deluxe Digital Edition)

(* = AFGM Recommendations)

DJ Ashba is sensational throughout with his silky guitar skills and brilliantly placed solo’s, Nikki Sixx is Nikki Sixx; one of the best bassists in rock history and James Michael is reveling in being a captivating frontman. A special mention also has to go to Jeff Fabb (Black Label Society, In This Moment) who was brought in to play the drums, and his performance is sublime.

Millions of fans will still be coming to terms with the soon-to-be closure of the Mötley Crüe circus, but if Modern Vintage is anything to go by, Nikki Sixx won’t be going anywhere and neither will Sixx:A.M. because, this right here, is the best album of 2014. -Hard Rock Haven



Modern Vintage is bombastic, dude-rock tailor made for the county fair and that’s not a snarky dismissal, it’s just a matter of fact and another way of saying the record totally rules.

With Modern Vintage, Nikki Sixx is not making a soundtrack to a heroin nightmare; instead it’s more suited to a case of Bud and a pick up truck. Not that there’s anything wrong with that: in fact it may be all too right. -Metal Injection

Music Releases For May 26th, 2015

So I have to admit that I wasn't 100% confident about this week's releases.  I spent a few minutes going through my normal reference sites and was coming up with nothing (at least from an AFGM perspective).  It seems as if I was reaching for alum I would never listen to only to add some flair to the article.  However, I stopped myself in advance and did a little more digging through some different sources.  I was quite happy with the outcome.  

Between some new Lifehouse, A$AP Rocky, and Anti-Flag, I thought this was a well rounded release week.  That and the fact I came across four new albums that I am eager to listen to such as The Vaccines, Worldview, Pyramaze, and the Bloodborne Soundtrack.

(Artwork by AFGM. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia)

So be a doll like usual and go to your local record store, online retailer, or trusted digital source to grab a few copies of these albums.  Cheers and enjoy discovering music!

(Lifehouse - Out of the Wasteland)

The music features upbeat melodies and they certainly know how to pen an instant song like lead single ‘Hurricane’.  ‘Runaways’ sounds like Snow Patrol at their best, whilst ‘Fight’ has a hint of the Goo Goo Dolls (Lifehouse’s drummer toured with that band during the band’s hiatus).

Lifehouse know their way around a good tune and this album should certainly further help their music get wider recognition in the UK.  A lot of these songs would sit easily on BBC Radio 2′s playlist and digital stations like Planet Rock. -Get Ready To Rock!

(The Vaccines - English Graffiti)

English Graffiti has multiple personalities—a contemporary characteristic of a single-based rather than album-driven music world. And for an album meant to be of today, it jumps around decades, musical styles, and delivers mixed messages. English Graffiti kicks off like a revving motorcycle with singer Justin Hayward-Young’s taunting cry, which sounds like he could be yelling “batter batter batter” on repeat, but he’s really prepping listeners for the declaration that he is “Handsome.” This is the warm-up for “Dream Lover,” a track that swaggers like Joan Jett & The Blackhearts’ version of “I Love Rock ’N’ Roll” but with a slower roll and sonar twinkles. The Ramones are channeled on “Radio Bikini” with its punk-y bounce and bizarrely, Foreigner’s emotive synthesizer arena rock is what comes to mind when listening to “Give Me A Sign.” -AV Club

(A$AP Rocky - At. Long. Last. ASAP)

It is indicative of a blurring of musical lines currently going on in hip hop, and a new wave of rappers who have arisen in the wake of Kanye West, who see melody as just another tool to lubricate their lyrical flow. Following on from Drake’s moodily introspective If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late and Kendrick Lamar’s funky higher consciousness masterpiece To Pimp a Butterfly, A$AP Rocky’s sprawling, psychedelic 18 track epic is the third musically dense, stylistically progressive and technically audacious hip hop album this year.

There is a lot to take in on this big, bold, madly ambitious album, but Rocky has made a frequently dazzling spectacle, another reminder that hip hop is currently setting the bar very high indeed. -Telegraph

(Anti-Flag - American Spring)

Twenty years into their career, it’s incredible a band can make something so relevant. “Set Yourself on Fire” seems to be their battle cry. A song that encompasses plenty of their beliefs but also encourages individuality and never settling for less. Well, these guys sound as vital as always. A band like Anti-Flag already has a loyal following. They are old enough to be a band you “haven’t listened to since high school,” but American Spring is reason to catch up. This isn’t a throwback record or something to be overlooked. It’s a record made by a band who just got an injection of adrenaline. Who are still making the music they want to make. Who aren’t getting less relevant as we head into another election season. American Spring is a great record. Do yourself a favor and give this a chance, and I’ll see you in the pit screaming along. -Punk News

(Pyramaze - Disciples of the Sun)

Disciples of the Sun has very little in common with their past, aside from still falling into the prog-power genre generally. Gone is the heavy crunch of Immortal and the Euro-power frills of Legends, and in their place is something akin to recent Anubis Gate and Pagan’s Mind mixed with traces of indie rock.

All the songs are written to stick in the mental crawlspaces you can never fully clear out, and stick they do. This is an album that gets better every time it’s played and soon enough it has you in its clutches. There’s the perfect mix of heavy, technical and melodic running through all the songs and there isn’t a sour note to be found over the album’s 52 minute runtime. That’s quite a rare feat. -Angry Metal Guy

(Worldview - The Chosen Few)

True to the roots of traditional melodic metal, Worldview often brings in a nice rock groove at times. This is particulaly strong within The Last Cry, but more so in the very catchy Walk Through Fire. Mentioned earlier, Back In Time shows the band's flair for the dramatic with violin at the start, then yielding to the moderate paced melodic power metal number with soaring vocals. Also of note is the opener Mortality where Worldview gives you this nice Middle East vibe starting a the start but really evovling after the midpoint. For something different, in his vocal performance within Illusions of Love, Parra takes on the voice of lead but also the sneering demonic growls of the antagonist. More could be said of the songs, with even great detail, but it's probably better to pique your interest than bore you with more of my rambling. Worldview's The Chosen Few is simply a strong effort: creative, enjoyable, and entertaining melodic heavy metal from some quite talented musicians. Easily recommended. -Danger Dog

(Bloodborne - Official Game Soundtrack)

There are many more cues that I could mention like ‘Soothing Hymn’ by Ryan Amon which is a creepy vocal track, but the point I’m trying to make is that this is an excellent dark, gothic and sometimes nightmare-ish score in a very good way. I enjoyed this world immensely even though I haven’t really been in it except musically. There’s so much to discover here and listening to it just once isn’t enough. I can just imagine what the music does to me inside the game, because outside of it, it truly wows me, scares me and sometimes shocks me. I wish the score was available outside of the Playstation store. It really needs a bigger audience, not just those who has a Playstation, but everyone who loves this kind of music (and I know there’s quite a few). -Soundtrack Geek

Music Video Round Up For May 26th, 2015

Going through my playlist is the toast to the week/weekend.  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!

*Please click on the hyperlinks of each video to find out more about the artist and album releases.*


Snoop Dogg - California Roll (ft. Stevie Wonder):



"California Roll (feat. Stevie Wonder)" is taken from Snoop Dogg's latest album "Bush", which was released on May 12th, 2015 via Doggystyle/i am OTHER/Columbia Records.


Gangstagrass - Banks of The Ohio:



"Banks of The Ohio" is taken from Gangstagrass' album "Broken Hearts and Stolen Money", which was released on January 28th, 2014 via Rench Audio


ATICA - Fire:



ATICA's "Fire" is featured on Spinnin Records' upcoming Talent Pool imprint, which will be out on June 8th, 2015.


Insane Clown Posse - Explosions:



"Explosions" is taken from ICP's latest album "The Marvelous Missing Link: Lost", which was released on April 28th, 2015 via Psychopathic Records.


The Tea Party - The Ocean At The End:



"The Ocean At The End" is the title track to the latest Tea Party album "The Ocean At The End", which was released on September 8th, 2014 via Anthem Entertainment.


Taking Back Sunday - Better Homes And Gardens:



"Better Homes and Gardens" is taken from Taking Back Sunday's latest album "Happiness Is", which was released on March 18th, 2014 via Hopeless Records.


Palisades - No Chaser:



"No Chaser" is taken from Palisade's latest album "Mind Games", which was released on January 13th, 2015 via Rise Records.


Godsmack - Generation Day:



"Generation Day" is taken from Godsmack's latest album "1000HP", which was released on August 5th, 2014 via Republic/Spinefarm Records.


Impellitteri - We Own the Night:



"We Own The Night" is taken from Impellitteri's latest album "Venom", which was released on April 17th, 2015 via Frontier Records.


Helloween - My God-Given Right:

"My God-Given Right" is the self-titled track taken from Helloween's latest album "My God-Given Right", which will be released on May 29th, 2015 via Nuclear Blast Records.

Texas In July - Nooses:



"Nooses" is taken from Texas In July's latest [and final] album "Bloodwork", which was released on September 16th, 2014 via Equal Vision Records.


Black Veil Brides - Faithless (Live):



This live cut of "Faithless" is taken from Black Veil Brides' upcoming DVD/Blu-Ray titled "Alive And Burning", which will be released on July 10th, 2015.


Evil Invaders - Fabulous Disaster (Live Exodus Cover):



"Playing this Exodus song at our last headlining show was one of our most intense moments on stage so far! It's hard to describe what happens to you when tons of adrenaline are pumping through your veins when over 600 fans are going completely INSANE together with you. Afterwards we even heard that people got carried away because of the madness in the crowd. This is the way Speed/Thrash Metal shows should be like! It's all about the adrenaline, the intensity and maniacs going completely WILD! We're currently touring throughout Europe so hopefully a lot of Thrashers will show up and join the party haha!" -Evil Invaders


Soilwork - Let This River Flow (Live):



"Let This River Flow (feat Floor Jansen)" is taken from Soilwork's live CD/DVD/Blu-Ray released titled "Live In The Heart of Helsinki", which was released on April 7th, 2015 via Nuclear Blast Records.


Lamb of God - Still Echoes (Lyric Video):



"Still Echoes" is the latest single from the upcoming Lamb of God album "VII: Sturm und Drang", which will be released on July 24th, 2015 via Epic/Nuclear Blast Records.


Coal Chamber - The Bridges You Burn (Lyric Video):



"The Bridges You Burn" is taken from Coal Chamber's latest album "Rivals", which was released on May 19th, 2015 via Napalm Records.


Starkill - Winter Desolation (Lyric Video):



"Winter Desolation" is taken from the latest Starkill album "Virus of the Mind", which was released on October 14th, 2014 via Century Media Records.


Revocation - Madness Opus (Lyric Video):



"Madness Opus" is taken from Revocation's latest album "Deathless", which was released on October 14th, 2014 via Metal Blade Records.

Full Album Stream: Haste The Day - Coward

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

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

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

(Artwork by AFGM.  Photo courtesy of Wikipedia)

AFGM: Haste The Day - Coward

After many ups and down of Haste The Day's career, the group decided to hang up the instruments and call it a day back in 2011.  After a 3/4 year hiatus, the group once again got the itch to put together a new record and feature members from multiple eras of the band.  The group spent most of 2014 putting together what would be titled as "Coward".  This also marked the first time that Haste The Day would feature two vocalists; original vocalist Jimmy Ryan, and replacement Stephen Keech.  The group crowd funded the new album through an IndieGogo campaign that raised $139,276 out of their $65,000 goal for a completion of 214%.

The group currently consists of:

Jimmy Ryan – Vocals | Stephen Keech – Clean Vocals | Brennan Chaulk – Guitar/Vocals

Scotty Whelan – Guitar/Vocals | Dave Krysl – Guitar |

Mike Murphy – Bass/Vocals | Giuseppe Capolupo – Drums

"Coward" was released on May 19th, 2015 via Solid State Records.

(Album artwork courtesy of Haste The Day and Solid State Records)

1. Begin
2. Take
3. World*
4. Coward
5. Lost*
6. Reconcile
7. Shadow*
8. Fail
9. Accept
10. Secret
11. Gnaw*

(* = AFGM Recommendations)

It would be unfair to call Coward a disappointment. When a band as loved and missed as Haste the Day decides to make a comeback, it's a pleasure to hear a new album from them even if it isn't their best work. Perhaps a more accurate word to describe Coward would be "decent." It's not a walk-off home run, like Living Sacrifice hit when they staged a comeback with The Infinite Order, but it's still a pretty good album. At ts worst, it's an uninspiring case of songwriting that isn't tight enough, but at its best, it's just a really fun metalcore album from a band that's good at making them. -Jesus Freak Hideout



Begin doesn’t quite pick up where Attack of the Wolf King left. The riff feels more technical and mature. At times I hear what it was that I loved about Haste the Day on this track, but I mostly hear something refreshing and renewed. It’s definitely a new era of Haste the Day and the longer the track plays, the more I’m in love with it! Take is the first time we hear the “new” band with Ryan back at the helm and he sounds great! Take will get the circle pit going. With Ryan on vocals, Take has a Converge vibe to it. Of course the cleans come in on the hook and that Converge vibe disappears. It’s a great reminder that Haste the Day is blazing their own path. -The Meltdown Music

Full Album Stream: Veil of Maya - Matriarch

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

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

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

(Artwork by AFGM.  Photo courtesy of Wikipedia)

Veil of Maya have been one of my heavy guilty pleasures since the arrival of "The Common Man's Collapse" back in 2008. The band has toured countless times across the world with notable artists, even with the loss of their front man Brandon Butler.  Shortly after Butler's departure in 2014, VoM announced the addition of Lukas Magyar as their lead vocalist. The group currently consists of:

Marc Okubo – Guitars | Sam Applebaum – Drums

Danny Hauser – Bass | Lukas Magyar – Vocals

The end result was "Matriarch", which was released on May 12th, 2015 via Sumerian Records.  I have to say on a personal level that this is one of my favourite albums from VoM yet!  The fine blend of melody to the album does not pool them into every other metalcore/prog metal band, but only furthers their capability of versatility, and ultimately their ability to create new work. While core sounds and originality play a major factor in music, you cannot progress with the same formula over and over again.

(Album artwork courtesy of Veil of Maya and Sumerian Records)

1. NYU*
2. Leeloo*
3. Ellie
4. Lucy
5. Mikasa*
6. Aeris
7. Three-Fifty
8. Phoenix
9. Matriarch
10. Teleute*
11. Daenerys
12. Lisbeth*

(* = AFGM recommendations)

I would not have been excited about anything that sounded like a clone of any of their previous work. Change is good, and Veil did it right by taking a risk in clean vocals, while still maintaining the rest of their signature sound. The argument can be made that Matriarch sounds more like a Marc Okubo side project than a Veil of Maya album, though I found it reignited my overall interest in the band. I am sure the change will win over a whole new wave of fans, thus giving new life to Veil for (hopefully) years to come. -It Djents



There is a cinematic concept behind the song title scheme. 8 of the 12 songs use female first names as titles, such as “Leeloo” from the Fifth Element, “Lucy” from the Scarlett Johansson thriller and so on. The album’s finest track and one of the best ‘core songs since anything on Bring Me The Horizon’s Sempiternal, “Mikasa,” is either named after the Japanese adult film actress or a brand of dishware. -About.com

Music Releases For May 19th, 2015

And we finally come around to the music releases round up this week.  As you can no doubt see, there is quite a bit of quality albums hitting shelves this week.  Between Faith No More, Sammy Hagar, Steve N Seagulls, Mr. Irish Bastard, Coal Chamber, Haste The Day, and TesseracT, there seems to be too much of a good thing.  Just kidding; there is never enough good quality music.  It just takes more time to get through it all! haha

(Artwork by AFGM. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia)

So like usual folks, in a world of crowd funding and smaller budgets for bands to make music on, it can be tough to put out an album and reap the rewards from it.  So be a doll and go to your local record store for your purchases.  If not, then please find an online retailer, or a trusted digital source.  Cheers and enjoy your week of discovering new music!

(Faith No More - Sol Invictus)

Long term fans of the band will not be disappointed, this is an album that does pretty much everything you would expect from Faith No More. Cone Of Shame for example is a slow burner that initially hides the disturbing imagery of Patton’s lyrics. This is nothing new, he’s been talking about bizarre sexual practices and the darker side of life whilst cloaking it in pop hooks or carefully picked metaphor for years. This time it’s not quite so well camolflaged so by the track’s close, Patton’s careful dismantling of the object of his desire, described in lines like “I like to peel the skin off/I like to strip the bone…” is genuinely disturbing. -Music OMH

(Jeff Beck - Live +)

I could write an essay about all the different sounds and feelings Jeff Beck conveys through one instrument but I really don’t think I can do him justice. His instrumental music speaks for itself. If you haven’t listened to Jeff Beck much before, this album is a great place to start. You’ll hear some familiar tracks made famous by other artists and I’d wager you’ll appreciate how Jeff Back makes them his own. And if you’re a fan you may be excited by the two new tracks Tribal and My Tiled White Floor which may be teasers for what will hopefully be released later this year. -Renowned For Sound

(Sammy Hagar & The Circle - At Your Service)

*no reviews as of yet*

(Gangstagrass - American Music)

With their fourth album, Gangstagrass is only getting better. American Music is an amazing mix of Bluegrass and Hip Hop. It works. The album is upbeat and showcases the artists' talents. The album starts off strong with Pulling Everything with Me and the remake of Long Hard Times to Come. Dan Whitener's You Can Never Go Home Again is a very strong offering from the band's banjo player. Ain't Going to Heaven When I Die is a fun song featuring fourteen different MCs. Nuts. The band really is something you need to experience. Having just saw them recently live, they are a fun group of guys and gals and this is their best album to date. Looking forward to the next! -Amazon (customer review)

(Steve 'n' Seagulls - Farm Machine)

*Originally released on May 12th, 2015 (digitally).*

While excellent musician ship elevates the songs on Farm Machine above being a novelty album, it’s the fun injected into these songs that make them easy to listen to time and time again.  Dio’s “Holy Diver” is played impeccably, but with a whimsy that Ronnie would have never integrated into his music.  AC/DC’s “Thunderstruck” is offered in a spot on performance that includes majestic harmony vocals that give this acoustic rendition a majestic, and just plain fun, sound.  The Guns’N’Roses classic “Paradise City” has a swing that gives the song a rolling flow that is great replace for the driving crunch of the original recording. Steve’n’Seagulls have injected a light-hearted feel into these songs, and in doing so have made an album that is catchy and listenable. -Burning Point Online

(Mr. Irish Bastard - The World, The Flesh, & The Devil)

Well the latest offering from Mr. Irish Bastard ‘The World, The Flesh & The Devil’ definitely doesn’t disappoint. 2015 has been quite a year so far for celtic-punk album releases but I think it’s safe to say that Mr Irish Bastard will be appearing in the top 10 celtic-punk albums for 2015 at the end of the year. If I’m wrong I can’t wait to hear what is coming from the competition in the next 8 months. The album is packed with 13 tunes with 3 bonus tunes if you feel flush and want to splash out on the deluxe version. -London Celtic Punks

(Emery - You Were Never Alone)

You Were Never Alone pays homage to “old” Emery – full of fight, with dueling vocals and poppy hooks. It’s not a perfect album, nor is it the best release of the band’s career, but it works.

As scene veterans, Emery have earned the right to experiment and forge their own path. The process continues on You Were Never Alone, but this feels as much like an album for the fans as any you’ll hear this year. The combination of new and old suits the band well in 2015 and solidifies their status as songwriting pros in the post-hardcore scene. -It's All Dead

 
(Silverstein - I Am Alive In Everything I Touch)

The bulk of ‘I Am Alive in Everything I Touch’ is easily digestible popcorn post-hardcore, but comes off as neither hackneyed nor melodramatic. ‘Face of the Earth’, ‘Buried At Sea’ and more omit the monotone open-note hammering that’s standard fare for the genre nowadays in favour of melodic riffs and simple but never obvious guitar patterns, the rhythm section likewise shining without ever really taking prominence. Shane Told’s vocals are perfect for the music because of the force of will he injects into each line, perfectly exemplified on the screams of the album’s title on “Millstone”. He also has a knack for very visual lyrics ideal for the narrative concept. “A Midwestern State of Emergency” is the best example among a batch of choruses straightforward in melody but made immeasurably more interesting by the words applied to the melodies. -Caliber TV

(Coal Chamber - Rivals)

AFGM: Coal Chamber - Rivals

With a guest appearance by MINISTRY's Al Jourgensen, the question remains, "How good can this album actually be?" The upbeat answer is, it's pretty darned good, if slightly flawed.

COAL CHAMBER fans will rejoice the band sounds this tight, much less sounds like anything at all. Dez Fafara appears to be having fun and the rest of the band too. Despite its duplications, "Rivals" is a flashback bundle of energy. DEVILDRIVER is hardly finished, however, which leaves reason to believe "Rivals" is, at best, a rowdy trip down nu metal memory lane in the interest of leaving the worst of COAL CHAMBER's past exactly there. -Blabbermouth

(Will Haven - Open The Mind To Discomfort)

Now that thats out the way, this 9 track EP is about some of the most spectacularly crushing music I have heard this year, dripping with dark waves of doom laden riffs, tracks like Soul Leach showcase Will Haven’s most menacing sound that I can ever think of. This track keeps coming at you in waves of unrelenting thunder that you’d be forgiven for wanting to lay down in a darkened room after hearing this number.

Open The Mind to Discomfort could very well be the finest release I have heard all year, it certainly is my first 5 star release and if I could give it 6 then I would personally staple the extra star directly on this webpage. -Rock N Reel Reviews

(Haste The Day - Coward)

AFGM: Haste The Day - Coward

Foundationally, Coward is as solid as you would expect from a veteran band. The riffing is strong, the lyrics are compelling, and the musicianship is commendable across the board. Unfortunately, the songwriting is a bit of an uneven mishmash. Perhaps this is because Coward represents an attempt to reconcile the two very different musical approaches the band has taken in the past. A great example of this is the track "Take." The majority of the harsh vocals in the song are delivered by Jimmy, and his raw, vicious approach is both fun and effective. But the aggression of the song is squandered in the chorus, with a clean-singing gang vocal melody that is far too simple and really clashes with the atmosphere set in the verses. It's great one moment, then lackluster the next. -Jesus Freak Hideout

CD/DVD/Blu-Ray:

(TesseracT - Odyssey/Scala)

AFGM: TesseracT - Odyssey/Scala

Full Concert Stream: TesseracT - Odyssey/Scala

Scala, which sees the band performing the same set list as contained on Odyssey, achieves that goal. I think it was as the second song “Deception – Concealing Fate” kicked in that, with my surround-sound cranked up, I legitimately felt like I was seeing the band play in front of me…..albeit on a puny flat screen television (I can only imagine how awesome it would be with a much larger screen). Tiny televisions aside, Scala is easily the most visually stunning of any live DVD release I’ve seen thus far, with footage from multiple angles beautifully edited into one cohesive, immersive live concert experience. -New Noise Magazine

David Letterman Says Farewell

As most of you have probably been watching throughout the last few days, late night television host David Letterman has been enjoying the multitude of farewells as his 33 year career comes to an end.  Letterman hosted over 6,000 episodes and had some of the greatest musicians featured throughout the years.

(Photo courtesy of Wikipedia, and CBS)

So last night was the airing of the final episode, and David couldn't help but have his favourite band to say their goodbyes.  Below, you can check out the Foo Fighters and their emotional rendition of "Everlong".



Cheers to Dave and all his years of wonderful entertainment.  Television will never be the same...

Things I Miss: Blessed By A Broken Heart - Feel The Power

It's been quite some time since I have put these guys on my phone due to the overload of music on a weekly basis coming to my inbox.  However, it's always refreshing and reassuring to throw some albums that you might have cranked in the past few years.  One of those bands happens to be Montreal's Blessed By A Broken Heart.

Formed back in 2003, the group had a steady climb to fame in the Canadian metal industry.  They had many great labels for promotion such as Blood & Ink, Century Media, and Tooth & Nail Records. The group went through a few lineup changes over the years, but a core group of members remained consistent during their climb to popularity.

Now I discovered these guys as they were promoting their 2008 album "Pedal To The Metal" and their hit single "She Wolf". A hard hitting track with a great amount of throwback vibe straight out of the 80's with the flashy album covers, and the distinct synth backing tracks.  Tony Gambino's vocals had me hooked right from the get go, as it seemed to compliment the music very well. That and the added shredding of Maier and Ryder only added to the awesomeness tat was this group.

So the album that I have been spinning again these past few days was their third and final album titled "Feel The Power".  The imagery was very post-apocalyptic with leather, motorcycles, and all the elements that would have made for a great cameo (or soundtrack single) in the new Mad Max movie. The music videos saw them a little more stripped down though to straight up rock n roll clothing, as seen in their music video "Forever".



Even though the world of synth-rock sound does grow stale from time to time, Blessed By A Broken Heart prove they have a lot to offer with Feel The Power. By not only managing to blur the lines between between modern and classic rock, but doing so without sacrificing the accessibility or catchiness of a single track, BBABH have set themselves apart in a time where many cannot. Seek them out, give Feel The Power a chance, and, even if it is something you end up purchasing, rest soundly knowing there are still great realms of sonic exploration to be heard. -Under The Gun

The glam aspect really came through on this track I found, especially with the tones and sound of the instruments.  The chorus also sounded like something that would have been straight out of a Whitesnake, or Poison hit track.  All in all, there was something about this group that had me reaching back to my very early years of RnR.

"Feel The Power" was released on January 24th, 2012 via Tooth & Nail Records.  The lineup for this album was:

Tony Gambino - Vocals | "Shred" Sean Maier - Guitar | Sam Ryder - Guitar/Vocals

Tyler Hoare - Bass/Vocals | Slater - Drums/Vocals

Glam Rock/Metal is a genre that not many active artists are actively pursuing, but it’s great to see Blessed By A Broken Heart helping to revitalize this genre for younger generations that may not have grown up in the latter part of the 20th Century. It may not be the Glam music that you (or your parents) grew up listening to in your Walkman, but for what it’s worth this is a great modernization of a previous genre. -Indie Vision Music

The album landed on the US Heat Charts, but ultimately fell short of industry expectations as the group disbanded shortly after it's release.  Well, I wouldn't say right after the release.  Gambino left in July, 2012 for personal reasons, which led to the band breakup announcement from Sean Maier in September, 2013.  For all intents and purposes, I think this album was a great success.

(Album artwork is courtesy of BBABH and Tooth & Nail Records)

1. Deathwish
2. Shut Up and Rock
3. Love Nightmare
4. Forever
5. Thunder Dome
6. Holdin' Back for Nothin'
7. I've Got You
8. Rockin' All Night
9. Scream It Like You Mean It
10. Skate Or Die
11. Innocent Blood
12. Sleepless Nights

For fans of 80s Metal it will be easy to get caught in the web of “Feel The Power”. It is easy, fluent and it has these tough moments of Hardcore bearing an old personality of blood & guts. Despite the fact that it is hard to isolate the greatest tracks, I propose to have a go on “Sleepless Nights”, “Deathwish”, “Shut Up and Rock”, “Holdin' Back For Nothin'”, “Love Nightmare” and “Skate Or Die”. If you want war you got it but if you want true Metal and Hard Rock along with a little dose mustard on the side, this album is for you, go for it now. BLESSED BY A BROKEN HEART are on the right way to capture many hearts, I know that they caught mine and I am glad they did. -Metal Temple



So I hope you all got a chance to check these guys out, and hopefully agree with me when I say I would have liked to see more of these guys in the future.  I know the group stated lack of promotion and legalities with record labels (which could be argued from either side of the coin) but with this day and age of self promotion, I hope they crowd fund an album from their dedicated fans and throw something together.  I would surely contribute towards it.

VUHAUS

If you have been following for some time, you will notice that I am a big fan of streaming music videos, music, and many other forms of free music.  I have covered a multitude of sites that offer these free sources such as Music Vault, Map of Metal, VEVO, and the more popular YouTube.

Well, I am just about to add another link to the dozens that I already have one the blog.  This one comes by the name of VUHAUS.  So what is it?

"VuHaus is a non-profit, digital music video service that introduces emerging and established artists to new audiences. Through a website and mobile app, VuHaus aggregates performance videos and interviews from leading "Music Discovery" public radio stations from markets across the U.S. Unique video channels will include nationally curated playlists, local market playlists, and custom playlists from artists and others. VuHaus will also live video stream concerts and events through our partner stations.

By creating exposure for these acts, VuHaus provides a unique window into the country's most vibrant music scenes." -VUHAUS.com

(Image courtesy of VUHAUS)

So there you have it.  This is a great way for music buffs and entry level lovers to get involved with some of the latest and greatest musicians.  So far, I have seen a few artists catching my eye such as Hippo Campus, Vampire Weekend, KT Tunstall, and some more notable artists such as Steve Earle, and Queens of the Stone Age.  All in all, it's yet another way for us in this amazing digital age to watch plenty of live music from across the globe.  Be sure to drop some comments on your favourite discoveries through VUHAUS!

Full Concert Stream: TesseracT - Odyssey/Scala

So as you may or may not have been following my recent posts lately, TesseracT has been hard at work with a live concert performance after the announcement of their original front man Daniel Tompkins. The guys have gone through a few vocal changes over the past few years , so I have reason to believe they are looking to make a big splash return to the fold.  You can check out the article and CD/DVD/Blu-Ray information here:

AFGM: TesseracT - Odyssey/Scala

Well, as luck would have it, the fine folks down at Century Media Records have been so kind as to post the ENTIRE concert on YouTube for your streaming pleasure.  So hopefully you enjoy he tunes, sights, and sounds.  It is quite the show from the previews I have seen thus far.  Enjoy!

Music Video Round Up For May 18th, 2015

Going through my playlist is the toast to the week/weekend.  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!

*Please click on the hyperlinks of each video to find out more about the artist and album releases.*


CHON - Splash:



"Splash" is taken from CHON's debut album "Grow", which was released on March 24th, 2015 via Sumerian Records.


Tech N9ne - Hood Go Crazy (feat. B.o.B., 2 Chainz):



"Hood Go Crazy" (featuring 2 Chainz & B.o.B) is taken from Tech N9ne's fifteenth (and latest) album "Special Effects", which was released on May 4th, 2015 via Strange Music.


Sailors - Feels So Good:



"Feels so Good" is the latest single by EDM duo Sailors.  It was released as a single on April 28th, 2015 via Ultra Music.


Snoop Dogg - So Many Pros:



"So Many Pros" is taken from Snoop Dogg's thirteenth (and latest) album "Bush", which was released on May 12th, 2014 via Doggystyle/i am OTHER/Columbia Records.


Tech N9ne - On The Bible (feat. T.I. & Zuse):



"On the Bible" (featuring T.I. & Zuse) is taken from Tech N9ne's fifteenth (and latest) album "Special Effects", which was released on May 4th, 2015 via Strange Music.


Muse - Dead Inside:



"Dead Inside" is the latest single from Muse' upcoming seventh album "Drones", which will be released on June 5th, 2015 via Warner Bros/Helium-3 Records.


Soundgarden - Night Surf:



"Night Surf" is taken from Soundgarden's massive box set "Echo of Miles: Scattered Tracks Across the Path"; a collection of rarities, B-sides, live tracks, and more.  It was released November 24th, 2014 via A&M Records.


Silverstein - Face of the Earth:



"Face of the Earth" is taken from Silverstein's eighth (and latest) album "I Am Alive in Everything I Touch", which will be released on May 19th, 2015 via Rise Records.


Amaranthe - Digital World:



"Digital World" is taken from Amaranthe's third (and latest) album "Massive Addictive", which was released on October 21st, 2014 via Spinefarm Records.


Civil War - Bay of Pigs:

"Bay of Pigs" is taken from Civil War's latest album "Gods And Generals", which was released on May 12th, 2015 via Napalm Records/Handels GmbH.
 

Cradle of Filth - Right Wing Of The Garden Triptych:



"Right Wing of the Garden Triptych" is taken from Cradle of Filth's upcoming eleventh album titled "Hammer of the Witches", which will be released on July 10th, 2015 via Nuclear Blast Records.


Coal Chamber - I.O.U. Nothing:



"I.O.U. Nothing" is taken from Coal Chamber's upcoming fourth album "Rivals", which will be released on May 19th, 2015 via Napalm Records.


We Butter The Bread With Butter - Berlin, Berlin!:



"Belin, Berlin!" is the latest single from WBTBWB's upcoming fourth album "Wieder Geil", which will be released on May 22nd, 2015 via AFM Records.


Between the Buried and Me - The Coma Machine:



"The Coma Machine" is taken from BTBAM's upcoming seventh (and latest) album "Coma Ecliptic", which will be released on July 7th, 2015 via Metal Blade Records.


BABYMETAL - Road of Resistance (Live):



The live video of "Road of Resistance" was taken at Saitama Super Arena in Japan.  The song is featured on BABYMETAL's debut album "BABYMETAL", which was released on February 26th, 2015 via BMD Fox Records.


Yes - Heart of the Sunrise (Live):



The live track of "Heart of the Sunrise" is taken from Yes' upcoming album "Like It Is: Yes at the Mesa Arts Center", which will be released (in CD/DVD/Blu-Ray) on July 10th, 2015 via Frontiers Records.