Music Releases For April 10th, 2012

Well slap me sideways!  This Tuesday proved to be very interesting as we see a huge selection of music coming out today!  Make sure to head to your local record store or online to grab a couple of these albums. I know I will be as soon as this post is done haha

(Demon Hunter - True Defiance)

(Job For A Cowboy - Demonocracy)

Emmure: Slave To The Game

Tomorrow marks the release of Emmure's fifth studio album, "Slave To The Game", across stores in North America via Victory Records.  The guys have already successfully launched a music video and a single for the track "Protoman".  Now comes the second single/lyric video for the track, "I Am Onslaught", which you can check out below:



"It’s just a heavy fucking record. It’s another Emmure record that hopefully people get to enjoy with us, because we dig it and that’s what it comes down to. We just make albums we try to enjoy and hopefully people can come along for the ride." -Frankie Palmeri

Track listing for "Slave To The Game":

1. Insert Coin
2. Protoman
3. She Gave Her Heart to Deadpool
4. I Am Onslaught
5. Bison Diaries
6. Poltergeist
7. Cross Over Attack
8. Umar Dumps Dormammu
9. Blackheart Reigns
10. MDMA
11. War Begins With You
12. A.I.


"Still, there is solid work in Slave To The Game, excluding 'Poltergeist' and several bizarre dialogue drops. 'Cross Over Attack' and 'MDMA' (the pharmaceutical abbreviation for that rave-favorite, ecstasy) are in the same league as 'Protoman,' though it might have been prudent to drop the faders a little faster on the end of 'MDMA.'

Slave To The Game is neither a step forward nor a step back for Emmure. The fan base should be well-pleased." -About.com


As of July 9th, 2012, Emmure dropped a new music video in support of the track "MDMA".  Check it out below:

I Come Alive

The Used released their latest album ("Vulnerable") on March 26th, 2012 via Hopeless Records.  The new album has revived a genre that seemed long gone since the early 2000 era and the "emo" phase that everyone went through.  Nonetheless, The Used have managed to complete a very successful album and now starting to focus on promotion (aka touring) and debuting their new music video, "I Come Alive", which you can check out below.

As you can hear in the new single, the band manages to keep their dark, emo side visible, while at the same time, still incorporating those old school punk beats and some pop based riffs for the lil ones that just wanna sing along.  Burt's vocals sound spot on as usual and the hooks have a few more screams and harsh vocals then what we have been used (eh eh!) to in recent album releases.  This album could very well bring them back to a "Maybe Memories" structured band.





1. I Come Alive
2. This Fire
3. Hands and Faces
4. Put Me Out
5. Shine
6. Now That You're Dead
7. Give Me Love
8. Moving On
9. Getting Over You
10. Kiss It Goodbye
11. Hurt No One
12. Together Burning Bright

Woods 5

Anyone in Toronto reading this tonight, make sure to make your way over to The Annex Wreckroom to pay respects to a fallen musician, David Gold, as well as a CD release party for the final album of "Woods of Ypres - Woods 5".  For more information, check out the Facebook event page.

"David Gold, Founder and Front Man of Woods OF Ypres tragically left this earth on December 21st 2011.

His 5th and Final (full) Composition, Woods 5: Grey Skies and Electric Light is due for release on Earache records. Already critically acclaimed as a Masterpiece from the early reviews,. it is only fitting the record be given a proper release.

A celebration of David's life and a tribute memorial concert will take place for friends, family, and fans to come together as well to participate in a listening of Woods 5 in its entirety over a venue sound system.

Scheduled is a Headline Performance by Chicago's Novembers Doom, as well as tribute performances by Eclipse Eternal, Empyrean Plague, Gypsy Chief Goliath, Hallows Die, Kittie, Morgan Rider, Musk Ox, Pagan Ritual, Panzerfaust, SIxes And Sevens plus more artists TBA - As well as a possible surprise performance that may happen

Admission is solely by donation, and proceeds will be given to the Gold family to help cover the expenses of David's final arrangements, and to support the annual David Gold Music Scholarship made available to Sault College students.

Should anyone wish to contribute any photo's they have to a multimedia display that will be running through the evening, please email to: d_g_photos@bell.net

Should you have any inquiries, please contact Marie Gold, Noel Peters, or Rich Gaggi"

***

For those unaware of David Gold or Woods of Ypres, check out the last released music video below:


"I Was Buried In Mt. Pleasant Cemetary"

Remembering Layne Staley

AIC - Them Bones


AIC - Would?

No Surrender

Taproot are getting set to release their latest album, "The Episodes", on Tuesday (April 10th, 2012) via Victory Records.  As part of the promo, Taproot has released the first music video for the album, featuring the track "No Surrender".  Check it out below:



"The video follows the story of the song, in which our main character is in dire need of escaping his dark and mysterious hotel room (not knowing what'd happened there, but feels something bad).  He is running away, unsure towards what, but longing for a sense of security and safety.  Do or die, No Surrender!" -Stephen Richards (vocals)



Track listing is as follows:

S01/E01: Good Morning
S01/E02: No Surrender
S01/E03: Lost Boy
S01/E04: Memorial Park
S01/E05: The Everlasting
S01/E06: Around the Bend
S01/E07: A Kiss from the Sky
S01/E08: Strange & Fascinating
S01/E09: A Golden Grey
S01/E10: We don’t Belong Here

In regards to the making of this album, guitarist Mike DeWolf stated the following (during and Loudwire interview):

"It's a life journey kind of concept about growing up and making choices and the effects of the choices you make in your life - one way or the other. It's got three main characters and it's something that hopefully each person can take something different away from - something that can be special to each person individually."

So how hard/easy was the making of this album?

"It came together a thousand times faster than any other album. We did everything completely different. We had this idea - 'What if we wrote a story, broke it into ten pieces, and then wrote the music around that?' Instead of the opposite because the music always comes pretty easy to us but the lyrics usually take a little while longer. We were kind of getting the hard part out of the way right off the bat and having fun with it all the rest of the way. It came together, literally, in 15 days - written and demoed."

No Reflection

Marilyn Manson has kept his dark/drama image with his latest music video "No Reflection".  This comes off Manson's latest release, "Born Villain", which will be released on May 1st, 2012 via Cooking Vinyl Records



Track listing for the album is as follows:

- Hey Cruel World…
- No Reflection
- Pistol Whipped
- Overneath The Path Of Misery
- Slo Mo Tion
- The Gardener
- The Flowers Of Evil
- Children Of Cain
- Disengaged
- Lay Down Your Goddamn Arms
- Murders Are Getting Prettier Every Day
- Born Villain
- Breaking The Same Old Ground

You can also check out the official Born Villain website here.

Cry Thunder

"The Power Within" is set to be released by DragonForce on April 15th, 2012 and will mark the first album with new UK front man Marc Hudson.  Below you can check out their newly debuted music video for the single "Cry Thunder".

Below you can check out the album artwork and the track listing for the upcoming LP.  You can also pre-order a copy of the album here.




1. Holding On
2. Fallen World
3. Cry Thunder
4. Give Me the Night
5. Wings of Liberty
6. Seasons
7. Heart of the Storm
8. Die by the Sword
9. Last Man Stands
10. Seasons (Acoustic Version)
11. Power Of The Ninja Sword (Shadow Warriors cover, Japanese bonus track)

Digital and vinyl bonus tracks:

1. Cry Thunder (Live Rehearsal)
2. Heart of the Storm (Alternative Chorus Version)
3. Avant La Tempête (Instrumental)

Music Releases For April 3rd, 2012

So there wasn't a whole heap of albums that hit stores yesterday, but a good cross section of diversity for sure.  Check out [below] what was released yesterday in stores and online everywhere:

A Strat Is Born

Anyone curious as to how a Fender Strat is created/born?  The guitar(s) are assembled in Corona, California in their 'manufacturing facility'.  Check out the video below:



You can check out other great educational videos from Fender's YouTube channel.

Allegro Molto in C Major

Now being that I am big fan of classical, I had to share this one.  Uncovered by BBC News last week, there are sides to Mozart that we have not discovered yet.  In the video below, you can check out a previously unknown composition of Mozart's "Allegro Molto in C Major", which was written at age 10!  Scholars believe the piece to be written between 1767 & 1768.



The piece was found in an attic and performed by Austrian musician Florian Birsak on the Mozart’s original childhood piano.

Once Upon A Time In Mexico

And they delivered!  San Antonio's Upon A Burning Body has debuted their new music video for "Once Upon A Time In Mexico".



Check out the video below:



"Once Upon a Time In Mexico" comes from their new album (dropping on April 10th, 2012) via Sumerian Records.  Check out the album artwork and track listing below.  I personally can't wait to hear the rest of this album!

Track listing:

1.  Game Over
2.  Sin City
3.  Once Upon a Time in Mexico
4.  Texas Blood Money
5.  El Mariachi
6.  Desperdao
7.  Mimic
8.  Predators
9.  From Dusk Till Dawn
10.  Planet Terror
11.  The Island of Lost Dreams

10 Years: Minus The Machine

Good thing this a blog and you get to discuss anything you want or else this post would be crawling with trollers (haha).  One of my favourite hard rock acts, 10 Years, have announced they are planning to drop a new alum, "Minus The Machine," on August 7th, 2012 via Palehorse Records (in conjunction with ILG).

And as of July 27th, 2012, 10 Years has graced the music world with a new music video for "Blacklash":


"We wanted to create an album that has no boundaries.  When you feel like you’re being told to go through motions and jump through hoops, it takes the heart out of it. It’s better to do what comes naturally and then figure out the after-effect.

We're proud of this album in its entirety. That speaks volumes to us because we're our own worst critics. We pick everything apart. An album is your child, it's your baby, and you know it better than anyone. To sit back and be 100 percent proud of what we've accomplished is so gratifying, and we think everything else will fall into place." -Jesse Hasek

1. Minus the Machine
2. Battle Lust
3. Forever Fields (Sowing Season)
4. Backlash
5. Writing On the Walls
6. Dancing with the Dead
7. Sleeper
8. Soma
9. Tightrope
10. Knives
11. Birth--Death
12. ...And All the Other Colors




10 Years consists of:

Jesse Hasek - vocals | Ryan "Tater" Johnson - guitar, backing vocals | Lewis "Big Lew" Cosby - bass | Brian Vodinh - rhythm guitar, drums

In the meantime, 10 Years just finished touring solo in May and then supported by Fair To Midland and Kyng.  Here's how the rest of their tour is capping off with:

08/04 - Disc Exchange, Knoxville, TN
08/11 - Shadow Hill Ranch, Twin Cities, MN
09/16 - WXEG X-Fest, Dayton, OH

Now in regards to the switch from major label Universal Music to their new home at Palehorse, bassist Lewis Cosby broke it down to Pulse of the Radio as such:

"When it starts really becoming a business, the labels treat the music as a business as well, and it kills the creativity within the band.  It kills it when you have people coming to you saying, 'Hey, we need a three-and-a-half minute ballad, we need a three-and-a-half minute hard rock song and then a midtempo ballad,' and you're just sitting there going, 'Are you kidding me?' You know, it just stifles every creative bone in your body."

Nice to see some musicians still ave the integrity to walk away when they feel their music is being exploited rather than enjoyed and embraced.

***

In case you're not sure who these guys are, check out some of their latest music videos (taken from their previous album "Feeding The Wolves"):


(Shoot It Out)


(Fix Me)

Tree Music

We all know how vinyls are created and played, but what if someone was to attempt to play the rings of a tree as an LP?




"What would the trunk of a tree sound like if a cross section of it were played like an LP? With his creation Years, Bartholomäus Traubeck attempts to answer that question by using a turntable, PlayStation Eye Camera, a stepper motor to control the arm, and computer running Ableton Live. As you’ll hear in the video above, the rings of the tree trunk, as interpreted by this piece, create an eerie and ominous piano track that sounds like it was taken from psychological horror film. Who knew trees were so emo?" (blog.makezine.com/2012/01/19/play-the-rings-of-a-tree-trunk-like-a-record/)

The Junos: 2012

So the 2012 edition of the Juno Awards have now come to a close and the respected parties are now dealing with their hangovers.  The awards were hosted at the Scotiabank Place in Ottawa, ON and featured some notable performances by (click to watch performances):  Anjulie, Blue Rodeo, City and Colour, deadmau5 (with Lights, MC Flipside), Dragonette, Feist, Hedley, Hey Rosetta!, JRDN, K'naan, Mia Martina, Sarah McLachlan, Nickelback, Alyssa Reid and Simple Plan.

This also marked a milestone for Blue Rodeo as they were inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame.

Mr. Shatner seemed in high spirits as he played host to the award ceremony last night and [in my opinion] was one of the best choices you could have for his love of Canadian heritage and culture.  So, for those of you who missed last night's ceremonies, here is a complete list of the winners from Ottawa last night:

SINGLE OF THE YEAR: The Sheepdogs, “I Don’t Know.”

ALBUM OF THE YEAR: Michael Bublé, Christmas.

DANCE RECORDING OF THE YEAR: Martin Solveig and Dragonette, “Hello.” 

ARTIST OF THE YEAR: Feist

SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR: Dallas Green for “We Found Each Other” and “Weightless,” from Little Hell.

NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR: Dan Mangan 

JUNO FAN CHOICE: Justin Bieber

GROUP OF THE YEAR: Arkells

METAL/HARD MUSIC ALBUM OF THE YEAR: KEN mode, Venerable.

***

All other winners were previously announced on the Saturday night.  Check them out below:

INTERNATIONAL ALBUM OF THE YEAR: Adele, 21.

NEW GROUP OF THE YEAR: The Sheepdogs.

COUNTRY ALBUM OF THE YEAR: Terri Clark, Roots and Wings.

ADULT ALTERNATIVE ALBUM OF THE YEAR: Feist, Metals.

ALTERNATIVE ALBUM OF THE YEAR: Dan Mangan, Oh Fortune.

POP ALBUM OF THE YEAR: Hedley, Storms.

ROCK ALBUM OF THE YEAR: The Sheepdogs, Learn & Burn.

VOCAL JAZZ ALBUM OF THE YEAR: Sonia Johnson, Le carré de nos amours.

CONTEMPORARY JAZZ ALBUM OF THE YEAR: Phil Dwyer Orchestra featuring Mark Fewer, Changing Seasons.

TRADITIONAL JAZZ ALBUM OF THE YEAR: David Braid, Verge.

INSTRUMENTAL ALBUM OF THE YEAR: Stretch Orchetstra, Stretch Orchestra.

FRANCOPHONE ALBUM OF THE YEAR: Malajube, La caverne.

CHILDREN’S ALBUM OF THE YEAR: Charlie Hope, Songs Stories and Friends: Let’s Go Play!

CLASSICAL ALBUM OF THE YEAR, SOLO OR CHAMBER ENSEMBLE: Marc André Hamelin, Liszt Piano Sonata.

CLASSICAL ALBUM OF THE YEAR, LARGE ENSEMBLE OR SOLOIST(S) WITH LARGE ENSEMBLE ACCOMPANIMENT: Alexandre Da Costa/Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal, Daugherty: Fire and Blood.

CLASSICAL ALBUM OF THE YEAR: VOCAL OR CHORAL PERFORMANCE: Jan Archibald/Orchestre Symphonique Bienne/Thomas Rosner, Haydn Arias.

CLASSICAL COMPOSITION OF THE YEAR: Derek Charke, “Sepia Fragments,” Sea to Sea.

RAP RECORDING OF THE YEAR: Drake, Take Care.

R&B/SOUL RECORDING OF THE YEAR: Melanie Fiona, Gone and Never Coming Back.

REGGAE RECORDING OF THE YEAR: Exco Levi, Bleaching Shop.

ABORIGINAL ALBUM OF THE YEAR: Murray Porter, Songs Lived & Life Played.

ROOTS AND TRADITIONAL ALBUM OF THE YEAR, SOLO: Bruce Cockburn, Small Source of Comfort.

ROOTS AND TRADITIONAL ALBUM OF THE YEAR, GROUP: The Wailin’ Jennys, Bright Morning Stars.

BLUES ALBUM OF THE YEAR: MonkeyJunk, To Behold.

CONTEMPORARY CHRISTIAN/GOSPEL ALBUM OF THE YEAR: Downhere, On the Altar of Love.

WORLD MUSIC ALBUM OF THE YEAR: Kiran Ahluwalia, Aam Zameen: common ground.

JACK RICHARDSON PRODUCER OF THE YEAR: Brian Howes for Hedley, “Heavens Gonna Wait” (from Storms) and Nickelback, “Trying Not to Love You” (from Here and Now).

RECORDING ENGINEER OF THE YEAR: George Seara for Michael Kaeshammer, “A Little Bit of Love” (from Kaeshammer) and Laila Biali, “Let Go” (from Tracing Light).

VIDEO OF THE YEAR: The Sadies, “Rumbleseat,” directed by Mike Roberts.

MUSIC DVD OF THE YEAR: Feist:Look What the Light Did Now.

ELECTRONIC ALBUM OF THE YEAR: Tim Hecker, Ravedeath, 1972.

WALT GREALIS LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD: Gary Slaight

ALLAN WATERS HUMANITARIAN AWARD: Simple Plan

Paganfest 2012 Hits Toronto

For those of you Toronto folk that have recovered from the Asking Alexadria/Trivium show on Sunday night, get your fists ready again as Paganfest: North America hits The Opera House tonight!  Paganfest will see performances by Turisas, Alestorm, Ex Deo, Arkona, Huntress and Protokult.

As you can see from Inertia Entertainment's poster, the all ages event will have doors opening at 5pm.  Tickets can be purchased through Rotate This or Ticketmaster.