Music Releases For May 5th, 2015

Well cello everyone and happy Tuesday release day.  Having not looked at the releases prior to this morning, I am very eager to put a few of these albums on my phone and give em a spin.

Some newcomers to the table are The Proclaimers and Fireflight.  While neither are new to the music scene, they are artists I have not really been accustomed to.  I don't think saying I know "I Would Walk 500 Miles" makes the cut for knowing The Proclaimers.  As for Fireflight, I never shy away from religious music.  If the music is good, it's good.  Lyrical content can be ignored/bypassed if you are that against it.

(Artwork by AFGM. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia)

Other albums I am keen on hearing are The Bloodline (formerly named Dirge Within), Korpiklaani, and even the live Satyricon performance.  While Satyricon's music is not really my taste, I have been watching the YouTube clips of the performance.  The Norwegian National Opera Chorus does an amazing job!

I also wanted to give a quick shout out to Canadian boys Auras, who are celebrating their debut label release titled "Crestfallen".  I had the chance to check them out a year or two ago when they opened for Periphery.  This marks the starting of a new journey for them as they begin some major touring cycles with some big names.

And as always folks, bands need the love from you.  So be sure to stop by a local record store, online retailer, or a trusted digital source to show that love.  Cheers and have a great week discovering music!

(Fireflight - Innova)

INNOVA is a latin term meaning ‘renew,’ and the word seems very fitting to where the band finds themselves. Having moved away from their major label production, Fireflight engendered renewed enthusiasm from fans as they reached 125% of their PledgeMusic campaign goal. They have also had to renew their faith and focus as they faced a season of “pain, uncertainty, and frustration.” Even their sound itself also has some renewed elements to it, as they have taken what has worked well in the past and forged ahead with renewed vision. -Indie Vision Music

(The Proclaimers - Let's Hear It For The Dogs)

Instantly recognisable visually and musically, identical twins Craig and Charlie Reid have settled into their roles as Scotland’s musical conscience. Let’s Hear it for the Dogs rattles more furiously than they have in a while: indeed they’ve never rocked as hard as they do on the walloping opener You Built Me Up. Elsewhere they tackle defrocked Seventies presenters on Then Again, which rhymes “television” with “prison” and they harmonise with aggression and beauty on Tuesday Afternoon. What School? is the Reids at their most idiosyncratic, taking in ruminations regarding Scottish religious tension and Robert Plant (“I know he’s a big Wolves fan, but does he favour rebel songs or marching flute bands?”) before evoking Henry Kissinger and Charles-Maurice Talleyrand.  There’s still no danger of them getting mistaken for anyone else. -The Standard

(Korpiklaani - Noita)

Now one thing about KORPIKLAANI's music is the absolute "hookiness" of it. It's very rhythmic and melodic all set to an upbeat, almost Polka tempo. The liberal use of the accordion, the hurdy gurdy, fiddle, and woodwind instruments provide a very international and cultured element to the sound you would expect from them. This is a well-organized cornucopia of vibrant sounds that give life to the speakers and have an overall positive vibe that makes people want to dance and crank up the mosh pit at the same time. There are a couple of slower tunes that allow the listener to enjoy the music but not hurt them while they're hungover, but the majority of songs here present that fast-paced energy that drives us to drink! -Metal Temple

(The Bloodline - We Are One)

If you like heavy metal or hard rock, this is a perfect album to add to your collection. The Bloodline have their own sound, but I'd most compare them to like Atreyu or early Trivium. My favorite songs from the album are Divided and With Fire (Comes Absolution.)

At twelve tracks, it's the perfect length for an album, especially at a time when bands are making them shorter and shorter. There are a bunch of tracks that stand out for me, I especially love the intro and guitar parts in The Blackout. I find myself humming that song quite often. This is thus far my favorite release of 2015! So definitely give The Bloodline a listen. -Metalhead Blog

(In This Moment - Rise of the Blood Legion: Greatest Hits Chapter 1)

Ten years, five full-length albums and over 700,000 units moved in the U.S. alone since their auspicious beginnings, and they are on top of the world and the charts. The intensity and vulnerability of frontwoman Maria Brink’s emotional vocals complimented by the catchy and powerful hooks give the Blood Legion, one of the most loyal and vocal fanbases in modern hard rock, their soundtrack. This Greatest Hits collection of the band’s most iconic songs and videos is hand-chosen by the band, specifically for them. This is In This Moment’s love letter to their fans, and Century Media’s thank you to both the band and fans for this incredible chapter of their history. -CM Distro

(Slaves - Through Art We Are All Equals: Deluxe Edition)

Full Album Stream: Slaves - Through Art We Are All Equals

Like many other long-time fans, I was both excited and apprehensive for what Slaves would be. It’s safe to say that fans can rest easy with their debut release, and Craig seems to be committed to putting his time and energy into this new endeavor. Long time fans can also get a hint of the short-lived post-hardcore supergroup Isles and Glaciers with the guest vocals from Vic Fuentes in the track “Starving for Friends,” which is a nice little trip down memory lane. -Mind Equals Blown

EPs:

(Auras - Crestfallen)

*no reviews as of yet

CD/DVD/Blu-Ray:

(Satyricon - Live At The Opera)

I have to be honest, I have never been a big fan of the band and I am not too familiar with their catalog, but after watching this performance in its entirety my opinion of the them has completely changed. Everything about this show is top-notch; the band turns in a terrific performance, the Opera singers are fantastic, and the lighting perfectly compliments and enhances the dark, ethereal vibe.

This is more than just a live concert, there is something really cool and unique about the mixing of the two genres that makes it a hauntingly heavy, almost theatrical experience. I really enjoyed this DVD and can honestly say that, after watching it, I plan on revisiting the band's entire catalog to reacquaint myself with their work. -Pure Grain Audio