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