AFGM's Most Anticipated Albums of 2015

So I have seen quite the amount of "top lists" rolling out as 2014 comes to a close.  I'm sure that if you are like me an follow a fair amount of music websites, you will see a stunning collections of "Best albums/artists/songs/videos of 2014" as well as most anticipated releases for 2015.  While that's all fine and dandy, I think everyone (including AFGM) has a different POV when regarding their "favourites".

So that being said, I feel equally inclined to share what I will be looking forward to hearing in the new year.  Some of these will likely not be on the top lists of major sites such as iTunes, Amazon, HMV, Rolling Stone, etc.  Some of these I have been eagerly waiting like the metal fanboy I am, while others are going to be staples in morning commutes and/or long distance travelling.  Here are the top albums AFGM will be on the lookout for:


2Cellos - Celloverse
(Due out on January 27th, 2015)

"A visually dynamic act, 2CELLOS will create a music video for every song on the album. The deluxe edition of Celloverse features seven of their most popular videos including two live performances from sold out arena shows in their native Croatia.

2CELLOS playing style has broken down the boundaries between different genres of music, from classical and film music to pop and rock. They have no limits when it comes to performing live and are equally as impressive when playing Bach and Vivaldi as they are when rocking out." -2Cellos

10 Years - From Birth To Burial
(Due out in spring, 2015)

"This time around, it felt like we were an unsigned artist again and we were able to do whatever the hell we wanted to do.  Complete freedom, complete control — there's not a track on this record that we're not just super-proud of. It was such a pleasant experience this time, we really had fun." -Lewis Cosby

36 Crazyfists - Time & Trauma
(Due out on February 17th, 2015)

"Hi friends! Time and Trauma is available to pre-order today!

The album is unleashing February 16th and February 17th in the US.

Pre-order bundles can be found here: http://36crazyfists.net/" -36CF



All That Remains - The Order of Things
(Due out on February 24th, 2015)

"Personally, I think we have a lot of songs that are better. We've got 12 songs and there’s probably four or five that are beginning-to-end singing. There's some screaming worked into two or three." -Labonte



Cancer Bats - Searching For Zero
(Due out on March 10th, 2015)

"What Is Up World! Welcome to the new Mutha Fuckin Cancer Bats Site! We are way too excited to get this shit going and start playing OUR NEW RECORD for everyone!

For those of you who didn’t know, the reason we’ve been gone for so long was to craft our 5th full length! We worked our asses off making a serious banger that we could all party the fuck out of! We even went down to Venice Beach to record with Ross Robinson so it would sound extra dope…..which it does! If you don’t know him, google Ross cus his CV will blow your mind (as it did ours.) He also has a great dog named Carl." -Cancer Bats



Bob Dylan - Shadows in the Night
(Due out on February 3rd, 2015)

“It was a real privilege to make this album. I've wanted to do something like this for a long time but was never brave enough to approach 30-piece complicated arrangements and refine them down for a 5-piece band. That's the key to all these performances. We knew these songs extremely well. It was all done live. Maybe one or two takes. No overdubbing. No vocal booths. No headphones. No separate tracking, and, for the most part, mixed as it was recorded. I don't see myself as covering these songs in any way. They've been covered enough. Buried, as a matter a fact. What me and my band are basically doing is uncovering them. Lifting them out of the grave and bringing them into the light of day.” -Dylan



Danko Jones - Fire Music
(Due out on February 10th, 2015)

"We’re extremely excited to announce the release of our new album “Fire Music” out February 6-11th 2015. Equally excited to be able to share a track, “Gonna Be A Fight Tonight”, from the album with you this early. Below is a teaser clip with footage from the 2014 Motörhead Motörboat cruise, our show at Gröna Lund in Stockholm in May this year and the recording of the new album. Enjoy!" -dankojones.com



Periphery - Juggernaut (Alpha)
(Due out on January 27th, 2015)

"'Juggernaut' is a story that is told through our music, and we want our audience to fully digest the whole experience.

Because 'Juggernaut' is very detailed and dense in terms of character development, peaks and valleys, climaxes and resolutions we've divided the story and music in two, in the form of two separate albums." -Matt Halpern

AFGM: Periphery - Juggernaut


Periphery - Juggernaut (Omega)
(Due out on January 27th, 2015)

"'Juggernaut: Alpha', the first part of the story, focuses on the back story and character development, while part two/album two, 'Juggernaut: Omega', focuses on some pretty serious and gut-wrenching events, taking you for a thrill ride along the main character's complex journey.

Although the albums are split in two physically, the story is only complete when the albums are digested consecutively, allowing the listener to recognize and hear the lyrical and musical overlapping themes, foreshadowing, and connected ideas." -Halpern



Stone Sour - Meanwhile in Burbank
(Due out in early 2015)

"We've been talking about [recording a collection of covers] forever. I mean, this is something that we've been talking about since the first album came out, with STONE SOUR. We've always wanted to do this. Even as people have come, people have gone, this is still something we've always come back to, and we just never had the opportunity to do it. And we just kind of said, 'Well, screw it.'

Roy's been slowly but surely kind of building his house studio. So we just started doing it like that — fucking low dough, and it sounds killer. There's no fucking pressure. You're just having fun. You're going back to these songs that you just love to listen to, not only just sing. And that's why it's called 'Meanwhile In Burbank', because, without giving too much away, that's where Roy lives — he lives in the Valley — so that's why we call it that. Because it's, like, that's what we're doing right now." -Taylor

***

Is there anything you are looking forward to hearing in 2015?

Music Releases For December 16th, 2014

Good morning folks.  I hate to be the bearer of bad news but it has come to that time in the year where labels, distribution, and bands have taken a break for the Christmas holidays.

So I am assuming there will be no major releases between now and 2015.  If anything comes up then I'll be sure to share.  Cheers!

Music News and New Music For December 15th, 2014

So of course, when running your own blog it can be tough to keep up with the s**tload of stuff that comes across our ears over a weekend!  Some good, some bad, some not even worth mentioning.  I guess that's how I use AFGM in general.  These articles that I go through everyday from various sites (Blabbermouth, CBC, National Post, AV Club, Google, Wired, Exclaim, Music News, Rolling Stone, etc.) and sort of "filter" some of the nonsense news such as the latest fashion design, who's got beef with who and who ISN'T doing music...still.

These articles brought forth are for a few different reasons:

1. It is relevant music information that pertains to you as a reader, no matter the level of intent or the genre.

2. They are relevant to the music I would be currently listening to or a genre I have put some attention and focus on.

3. I am rather patriotic about my Canadian music, so that always comes as a first for me.  I enjoy music from all parts of the world respectively, but I still have to promote local if I can.  Canadian music rocks!

4. Because it's humorous and we can always use a good laugh.  Rarely will it be at someone's expense...but then again I am just the guy talking about it.  They're the ones causing the comments.

So in closing, I trust you all will not read EVERY single article posted here.  But I hope you find something of use here and keep the conversation going by forwarding it onto someone else.  Click on each article heading for redirection to the full article.  Cheers!

Canada's Only Vinyl Pressing Plant RIP-V to Close:

"This news doesn't come as a complete surprise, since rumours have recently been swirling that the company would be selling its equipment to a U.S. company. Exclaim! reached out to RIP-V for a comment last week, but we received no comment on the matter. Now, the bad news has been confirmed."


Why we love hating the music we hate as much as we love loving the music we love:

"It’s all gone now, of course. Not just the magazines themselves, but the legendary bile and high-handedness of old-school rock criticism have been swept from the map. Such magazines as survive are ‘fearful of alienating the readers and advertisers they still have, whereas music magazines of the pre-internet age could alienate their readers and advertisers all they liked, secure in the knowledge that there was nowhere else for their readers and advertisers to go. But it’s a logic that denies a fundamental truth of the relationship that the sort of people who buy music magazines have with music: they love hating the music they hate nearly as much as they love loving the music they love.’"


R.I.P. Island Records Co-Founder and Pioneering Reggae Engineer Graeme Goodall:

"Goodall was born in Australia and later moved to England. In the '50s, he went to Kingston, Jamaica, to set up a commercial FM radio network. He later took a job at the Jamaica Broadcasting Corporation and engineered some classic early reggae recordings. His credits include Bob Marley & the Wailers, Toots & the Maytals, the Skatalites, Jimmy Cliff, Derrick Morgan, Prince Buster, Millie, Desmond Dekker and many more."


The Internet, Not the Labels, Hurt the Music Industry:

"But maybe this music shouldn’t be heard. The Internet has enabled anyone with a computer, a kazoo and an untuned guitar to flood the market, no matter how horrible or simply unready the music is. This devalues the great music that is truly worthy of being heard, promoted and sold. And it is much more than just an endless supply of choices. The Internet has become a forum for all, regardless of talent. Anyone can be a writer. Anyone with GarageBand can make a record."


Red Hot Chili Peppers' Chad Smith Answers Your Twitter Questions:

"I would love to do some more Chickenfoot, but it takes four people to be in the same place at the same time. Sam [Hagar] does other things and, of course, I'm busy with my band. Joe [Satriani] has his solo career. Mike [Anthony], I think, is pretty open; he's kind of hanging. But it was a really fun thing to do. I haven't been very available. They had to get a different drummer, Kenny Aronoff, to tour the last record. I wouldn't be able to do any extensive touring with them, but I would love to make another record. I love the creative process, and I hope that we can do that in the future. But right now there's no plans for any new Chickenfoot stuff." -Smith


Fall Out Boy Detail 'American Beauty/American Psycho' LP, Share New Single:

1. Irresistible
2. American Beauty/American Psycho
3. Centuries
4. The Kids Aren't Alright
5. Uma Thurman
6. Jet Pack Blues
7. Novocaine
8. Fourth of July
9. Favorite Record
10. Immortals
11. Twin Skeleton's (Hotel In NYC)

"this photo was meant to capture the threshold between the american beauty and the american psycho… what rages on the inside- how we what we all feel is permanent and impermanent all at once. we can change but do we really want to? activate yourself, protect your dreaminess. or break it- 'because without the cracks the light couldnt get out.'

Rock and roll doesn't necessarily mean a band. It doesn't mean a singer and it doesn't mean a lyric, really. It's that question of trying to be immortal." -Malcom McLaren




Pirate Bay Has Been Raided and Taken Down: Here’s What We Know:

"But just last month, Neij was arrested at the Thailand-Laos border on the 2009 conviction.

And last week a French court ordered ISPs in that country to block access to Pirate Bay, as well as any of its mirror sites, from within French territory.

Then days ago Google removed and banned a number of third-party Pirate Bay file-sharing apps from the Google Play store. The apps help users circumvent blocks instated by ISPs to prevent users from accessing Pirate Bay."


'Each time police shut Pirate Bay, we’ll multiply other servers':

“It was already shut down in 2005, and the result was the creation of a party called Pirate Party coming with all the ideas of sharing of information, of knowledge and culture on the internet. And freedom on the internet.

So they came up with this: basically, each time you shut the Pirate Bay down, we will multiply." -Kramm


Apple Pulls White-Power Music From iTunes:

"An Apple spokesperson confirmed to Rolling Stone that music was removed. The company was not involved in the creation of SPLC's report, but took some of the music down as a result of the publication. A SPLC spokesperson tells Rolling Stone that he compiled the list from monitoring 15 to 20 white-power websites, combing through the catalogs of defunct white-power label Resistance Records and cross-checking to see if they were hateful."


Christmas music in stores: Lifting spirits or boosting sales?:

"But that affinity for Deck the Halls in the shopping malls varies amongst age groups and the sexes. While older shoppers said they enjoyed Christmas music at the mall, younger people said they preferred more variety to their holiday tunes. And men, more than women, would pass on the Christmas melodies as they wander the malls, said the report.

Some shoppers --29 per cent --said they stayed in a store longer because they enjoyed the Christmas music, while 36 per cent left because of it.

The new poll may be interesting for stores that choose to skip Christmas music altogether."


Audiam Raises Additional $1 Million From Music Biz Investors:

"Some of those investors already contributed to the $2 million the company had previously raised since its launching in the first quarter of 2013. Audiam initially targeted the opportunities created by user-generated videos on YouTube, whereby its automated system seem to only catch and identify about 50% of the videos that use music. But Audiam has since diversified into the broad music publishing administration sector. Its clients include Metallica, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Trent Reznor, Steve Miller Band, the Four Seasons, Victory Records, Epitaph Records, as well as publishers like Imagem, House of Hassle Publishing."


Microsoft's giving 100 more insanely great music albums away for free:

"The terms of the deal are the same as before. You’ll need access to Microsoft’s Music Deals app to see the freebies, which then bumps you over to the Xbox Music app when you select a free album—meaning you’ll need Windows 8 or Windows Phone 8. You’ll also need a Microsoft Account to snag the songs. The last giveaway was a U.S-only deal, and it's very likely this one is as well, though I've yet to confirm that."


Chris Martin: David Bowie Rejected Coldplay Collaboration:

"Martin made the revelation at the inaugural BBC Music Awards on December 11th during a video tribute to Bowie, a nominee for the British Artist of the Year award. "One time I sent him a song to ask him to sing on it. He called me and said, 'It's not one of your best,'" Martin admitted (via NME). "He's got very high standards and I appreciate that. It inspires the rest of us to keep our standards high." Martin didn't elaborate which Coldplay song Bowie had turned down."


Standing At The Intersection Of Music And Tech:

"By virtue of the aggravating competition, it’s my estimation that a TuneLaunch commercial will stick out against the din of car insurance plugs and campaign advertising—for a TuneLaunch spot features something mainstream radio supposedly champions (unadorned music, front and center) and something it palpably doesn’t (independent music you haven’t heard before)."


Awesome Lego Album Covers:

(Photo courtesy of legoalbums.tumblr.com)

Click on title for more albums.


Nearly half of Canadian web users now streaming music, most using mobile:

"According to a telephone poll conducted late last year by the Media Technology Monitor, Google's YouTube was far and away the most popular source for streaming music online.

Half of the anglophone Canadians who told MTM that they listened to music online said they used YouTube for streaming, while only about 20 per cent said they used a specialized music streaming service."


Former Apple engineer tells court that tech giant DID block rival music on iTunes - but insists it was just a security measure:

"Apple is accused of abusing its monopoly position in the digital music player market, and only earlier this month lawyers claimed the firm deliberately deleted rivals' song from iPods.

The case went to trial in California last month, after being filed a decade ago.

Plaintiffs are claiming Apple's restrictive software froze out competitors and allowed it to sell iPods at inflated prices.

They are seeking $350 million (£224m) in damages, which could be tripled if the jury finds Apple broke federal anti-trust law."


It's Too Hard to Manage Music Now:

"If I'm out and about and listening to music via headphones, those songs get interrupted by text message notifications and email dings all the time. I'm so used to it, but when I think about it for a second, I realize how crazy that is (and yes, I know I can turn my phone sounds off, but sometimes I have to be alerted to things quickly). Apologies if I sound like Andy Rooney, but the truth is I’m not railing against newfangled tech or yearning for a distant past—I’m frustrated to have to abandon a recent solution. It wasn’t long ago that I’d get annoyed when music skipped on Discman as I walked to school. The iPod was the answer. That's when we fixed all these problems."


Sirius XM: Its Free Music Counterparts Less Of A Threat:

"In addition to music, Sirius XM offers a variety of other content such as talk shows, news, sports shows etc., the full range of which is a disincentive to switch to a streaming-only alternative. The satellite radio provider’s business is much more sustainable than free music services, which indicates that while Sirius XM is well equipped for the long run, the future of free streaming services is somewhat uncertain. To this end, the most recent example is the proposed rise in royalty rates for Pandora, that has put a question mark on its future profitability. In addition, Sirius XM still has substantial room for growth in form of the used car market, which should ensure that its subscriber growth is not be affected by what free music providers are doing."


Shazam Overhauls Its App to Take on iTunes and Pandora:

"On Wednesday, Shazam launched an update to both its app and its website. Until now, people have primarily used the app to identify songs and keep lists of songs they’ve previously identified. But the new app emphasizes finding new music—not just identifying what you’ve already found—with charts that show which tracks are trending in the app, when, and where. It also includes an Amazon-style recommendation engine to help users discover new music. Through an integration with Spotify, it will now let you actually play those tracks within Shazam itself (if you’re a Spotify member). And the company is launching its own music Hall of Fame for songs that have been Shazamed at least 5 million times."


Shazam update brings Spotify integration, real-time music data, & better song discovery:

“People don’t tag songs they already know and love, so that presented us with some interesting challenges.  Shazam won’t give you the top 100 hottest tracks, but what we’re hoping to do is give you the next 100 songs that people are listening to." -Daniel Danker


Jack White Releases 3D Virtual Reality App:



"The app has rather specific compatibility requirements to use properly, since an announcement notes that it works only with recent Android phones (five-inch or six-inch) using a Google Cardboard virtual reality headset. Without the headset, it works in regular 2D, or it's possible to make your own Cardboard-style headset. Meanwhile, iOS users are out of luck."


CIA Torture Songs - How Music Was Used To Create A 'Sense Of Hopelessness':

"A cable described Abu Zubaydah's cell as white with no natural lighting or windows, but with four halogen lights pointed into the cell. An air conditioner was also in the room. A white curtain separated the interrogation room from the cell. The interrogation cell had three padlocks. Abu Zubaydah was also provided with one of two chairs that were rotated based on his level of cooperation (one described as more comfortable than the other). Security officers wore all black uniforms, including boots, gloves, balaclavas and goggles to keep Abu Zubaydah from identifying the officers, as well as to prevent Abu Zubaydah "from seeing the security guards as individuals who he may attempt to establish a relationship or dialogue with.” The security officers communicated by hand signals when they were with Abu Zubaydah and used handcuffs and leg shackles to maintain control. In addition, either loud rock music was played or noise generators were used to enhance Abu Zubaydah's "sense of hopelessness." Abu Zubaydah was typically kept naked and sleep deprived."


Copyright Law Is Being Rewritten Right Now, and You Can Help:

"Copyright isn’t just about pirating music or downloading DVDs anymore. Like a creature alive, copyright is evolving and expanding. Traditional “dumb” products are being replaced by an internet of things — and copyright is hitching along for the ride. Its DNA is being woven through the programming that powers your car, the firmware in your phone, the code in your kid’s talking teddy bear, and the software that calibrates your hearing aid."


Musx overhauls its streaming music app, raises $500K:

"Today the startup is rolling out a major overhaul for the app, which features a new home screen with a “Play Stream” button to get you listening to music aggregated by friends faster. You’ll also be able to favorite songs as they play so you can return to them later, navigate to other users’ playlists, find music more easily with an improved search tool, and more."


Coal Chamber To Tour North America With Filter, Combichrist, American Head Charge:

Mar. 06 - Tempe, AZ @ Marquee
Mar. 07 - Los Angeles, CA @ House of Blues
Mar. 08 - San Francisco, CA @ Regency Grand
Mar. 09 - Sacramento, CA @ Ace of Spades
Mar. 11 - Seattle, WA @ Showbox at the Market
Mar. 12 - Portland, OR @ Roseland Theater
Mar. 13 - Spokane, WA @ Knitting Factory
Mar. 14 - Boise, ID @ Knitting Factory
Mar. 16 - Denver, CO @ Summit Music Hall
Mar. 17 - Wichita, KS @ The Cottillion
Mar. 18 - Tulsa, OK @ Cains Ballroom
Mar. 20 - Milwaukee, WI @ Rave
Mar. 21 - Detroit, MI @ Harpos
Mar. 22 - Joliet, IL @ Mojoes
Mar. 23 - Minneapolis, MN @ First Avenue*
Mar. 25 - Columbus, OH @ Newport Music Hall
Mar. 26 - Toronto, ON @ Opera House
Mar. 27 - Niagara Falls, NY @ Rapids Theater
Mar. 28 - Worcester, MA @ Palladium
Mar. 29 - New York, NY @ Webster Hall
Mar. 31 - Baltimore, MD @ Rams Head Live
Apr. 01 - Hartford, CT @ The Webster
Apr. 02 - Patchogue, NY @ The Emporium
Apr. 03 - Sayreville, NJ @ Starland Ballroom
Apr. 04 - Philadelphia, PA @ Trocadero
Apr. 06 - Pittsburgh, PA @ Mr. Smalls
Apr. 07 - Norfolk, VA @ The Norva
Apr. 08 - Charlotte, NC @ The Fillmore Charlotte
Apr. 09 - Atlanta, GA @ Masquerade
Apr. 10 - Pensacola, FL @ Vinyl Music Hall
Apr. 11 - Houston, TX @ Warehouse Live
Apr. 12 - Dallas, TX @ Gas Monkey Live

Tickets are on sale now!


Alrosa Villa rampage a decade ago has left scars, bonds among 3 men:

"The three men, who didn’t know one another before that night, refer to themselves not just as friends but as family. Halk and Niggemeyer are in the same fantasy football league and played together in an adult baseball league. Both occasionally attend concerts at Alrosa Villa to support and reconnect with Cautela.

The friendships are among the reasons that Halk focuses on the positive when he speaks about the events that occurred 10 years ago today at the nightclub on Sinclair Road."


YouTube For Android Gets Offline Playback… But In India, Indonesia And Philippines Only:

“Asia has proven itself to be a mobile-first world in terms of smartphone adoption, but access to high-speed, affordable data remains a big challenge. In response, we’ve been working on ways to lessen the demands of speed and data for people using our products in places where there are challenges to access." -Google


Spotify Now Converts What Friends Listen To Into A “Top Tracks In Your Network” Playlist:

"To make it easier to find people to Follow on Spotify, the music streaming service now shows the faces of friends who listen to the artists and playlists you play. You can quickly click or tap through to Follow them and start getting their listening habits in your “Top Tracks In Your Network” playlist. It looks at the past week of what the people you follow listened to, and tries to pull out tracks played by many people you follow, or that one person listened to over and over. You’ll find the playlist if you go into the Browse feature in the navigation menu, then click the Top Tracks button."


Warner Music Says It Loves Streaming Music — As Long as Listeners Are Paying for It:

"In our view, right now, enabling meaningful global growth in the number of paying subscribers is the best option for artists, for songwriters, for copyright owners and for the services themselves. Subscription streaming is not only a fantastic offering for music fans, it will propel the long-term health of the music industry. We look forward to continuing to work closely with our partners to turbo-charge the adoption rate for subscription streaming.

We were pleased that two of the biggest streaming services in the world have taken meaningful steps to convert segments of their massive customer bases into paying subscribers." -Stephen Cooper


Century Media Records Release Burning Church Snow Globe For The Holidays:

"Keeping it warm since ’88, celebrate the holiday season with this black metal themed snowglobe. Limited to 500 pieces, all of which are hand numbered. Shake it up to see the fire and ash circle around this burning church surrounded by black fencing and tombstones.. A 3” diameter glass + 1 ½ inch base/poly resin globe that will be housed inside a box with a polybag and Styrofoam (2014)."


Anti-Flag Add Canadian Leg to 'Terror State' Anniversary Tour:

01/02 San Francisco, CA - Slim's *
01/03 Los Angeles, CA - Troubadour *
01/04 Mesa, AZ - The Nile Theater *
01/06 Albuquerque, NM - Sunshine Theatre ^
01/08 Austin, TX - Mohawk ^
01/09 Dallas, TX - Gas Monkey ^
01/10 Houston, TX - Fitzgerald's ^
01/11 New Orleans, LA - Tipitina's Uptown ^
01/13 Jacksonville, FL - Free Bird Live ^
01/15 Fort Pierce, FL - The Inlet ^
01/16 Tampa, FL - The Cuban Club ^
01/17 Orlando, FL - Plaza Live ^
01/18 Atlanta, GA - The Masquerade ^
01/19 Charlotte, NC - Visulite Theatre *
01/29 Cleveland, OH - Grog Shop *
01/30 Indianapolis, IN - Emerson Theater *
01/31 Chicago, IL - Reggie's Rock Club *
02/4 Asbury Park, NJ - Asbury Lanes *
02/5 New York, NY - The Gramercy Theatre *
02/12 Toronto, ON - The Legendary Horseshoe Tavern *
02/13 Montreal, QC - Les Foufounes Electriques *
02/14 Peterborough, ON - The Red Dog *
02/15 Hamilton, ON - Club Absinthe *
02/17 London, ON - Call The Office *
02/18 St. Catharines, ON - L3 Nightclub *
05/29-31 Nürburgring, Germany - DER RING - Grüne Hölle Rock
05/29-31 München, Germany - Rockavaria (Olympiapark)
08/06-09 Blackpool, UK - Rebellion Festival

* The Terror State show
^ with Pennywise, A Wilhelm Scream


THE EXPLOITED To Release New Studio Album Next Summer:

"It was very important for us that Wattie cures completely. Now he's recovered and we can go on working with new power.

We're totally hooked to enter the studio to record new songs, and, of course, we're thrilled to play the upcoming live shows.

Watch out / get ready, THE EXPLOITED is back — better than ever!"


Bose is staffing up to launch new music streaming service:

"Audio manufacturer Bose is hiring staff and moving 'quickly' to build and launch its own 'next generation streaming music platform'. While Bose could integrate their music service within their own audio products, the company still faces very steep competition. And this new move is likely to displease Apple, who recently pulled and then reinstated Bose products from its Apple stores. 

Bose is currently advertising for a Senior User Experience Designer of Cloud Music Services. According to the ad, the company is 'seeking an expert Experience Designer to lead design and prototyping of our next generation streaming music platform and ecosystem of products.'"

Music Video Round Up For December 12th, 2014

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.  We have a long list of artists today to focus on so take your time and click on their links for more information on album releases, singles, social media, and touring!

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!

*NOTE: There are hyperlinks in each title in case you want to stream directly from YouTube*


2CELLOS - Shape Of My Heart:



Luka Sulic and Stjepan Hauser playing their arrangement of Shape Of My Heart by Sting.


New Found Glory - Snow:



"Snow" is a holiday track released by New Found Glory on December 9th, 2014 via Hopeless Records.


ThePianoGuys - Angels We Have Heard on High:



"A HUGE thanks to all of you who volunteered your time and expertise. In just 4 weeks over 1300 people donated over 10,000+ hours to bring this project to life!" -TPG


Wu-Tang Clan - A Better Tomorrow:



"A Better Tomorrow" is the titled track from the Wu-Tang Clan's latest album "A Better Tomorrow", which was released on December 2nd, 2014 via Warner Bros Records.


Eminem - Guts Over Fear (ft. Sia):



"Guts Over Fear" is taken from Eminem's compilation album "Shady XV", which was released on November 24th, 2014 via Shady/Interscope Records.


Paul McCartney - Hope For The Future:



"Hope For The Future" is taken from first-person shooting game "Destiny", which Paul composed the soundtrack for.  It was released on September 11th, 2014.


Paramore - Hate To See Your Heart Break (ft. Joy Williams ):



"Hate to See Your Heart Break" is taken from Paramore's latest [self-titled] album "Paramore", which was released on November 5th, 2013 via Fueled By Ramen/Warner Bros Records.


Anberlin – We Are Destroyer:



Anberlin's final album "Lowborn" was released on July 22nd, 2014 via Tooth & Nail Records.


OFF! - Over Our Heads:



"Over Our Heads" is taken from the latest record from Off!  "Wasted Years" was released on April 8th, 2014 via Vice Records.


Stick To Your Guns - What Choice Did You Give Us?:



Stick To Your Guns will release their new album "Disobedient" on February 10th, 2015 via Sumerian Records.


Tear Out The Heart - Feel Real:



"Feel Real" is taken from Tear Out The Heart's upcoming album, "Dead, Everywhere", which will be released in stores January 27th, 2015 via Victory Records.


Mouth Of The South - Hollow Veins:



"Hollow Veins" is taken from MOTS's full length album "Struggle Well", which was released on August 5th, 2014 via Facedown Records.


Malefice - Heroes:



"Heroes" is taken from Malefice's new EP Gravitas, which was released on November 3rd, 2014 via Transcend Music.


Battlecross - My Vaccine:



"My Vaccine" is taken from Battlecross' latest album "War of Will" which was released on July 5th, 2013 via Metal Blade Records.


Fleshgod Apocalypse - Epilogue:



"Epilogue" is taken from Fleshgod Apocalypse's latest album "Labyrinth", which was released on August 16th, 2013 via Nuclear Blast Records.


Crown The Empire - Initiation (Live Music Video):



"Initiation" is taken from Crown The Empire's latest album "The Resistance: Rise of The Runaways", which was released on July 22nd, 2014 via Rise Records.


Linkin Park - Final Masquerade (Live on Guitar Center Sessions):




Linkin Park - Until It’s Gone (Live on Guitar Center Sessions):




In This Moment - Closer (Live NIN Cover):



In This Moment performing a cover of Nine Inch Nails‘s "Closer" during their November 19th, 2014 show at Webster Hall in New York City.


Palisades - Player Haters' Ball (Lyric Video):



"Player Haters' Ball" is the new single from Palisades and their upcoming album "Mind Games", which will be released on January 13th, 2015 via Rise Records.

Random Music Quotes: Root

"You don't even know are we going to have a career.  Are we going to be able to sell records? Are we going to have a label? I mean, labels are [shutting down] all the time. It takes like pop and rap to keep these labels going because those are the only people that are buying records anymore.

(Photo courtesy of Wikipedia)

To have a No. 1 with 130,000 copies sold is, you know, I remember when we first started selling records, in order to have a No. 1, you'd have to sell at least a half a million if not more, for the rock side of things.  And now it's a fraction of that. So it kind of really shows you the state of where everything's at. I don't put too much into that anyway because we don't see a penny off of record sales and we never have. For us it's all about touring." -Jim Root

POD - SoCal Sessions

This has got to be one of the best crowd funded albums I have heard hitting the internet thus far.  While I understand there are sooooo many decent albums that have been crowd funded over the years, I have thoroughly enjoyed and appreciated this album.  Not only has POD been a major influence on me over the years, the fact they were able to take old hit singles and morph them into completely different vibes has got me ecstatic!



"I think it actually just started out as something fun. We were jamming like this 22 years ago just for fun, doing covers of War and Santana and Band of Gypsies just for fun and obviously get on the road and radio stations to do things differently with sessions. So you kind of go through your catalog of songs that you could do acoustically and there is a handful of songs that we were doing that were fun so we wanted to get something out there for fun." -Sandoval



This is a usual avenue that bands tend to take as they grow and develop.  You will tend to see acts on the road for 10+ years do three things; a live album, a greatest hits, and an acoustic.  Since POD accomplished the live (Rhapsody Originals, 2008) and greatest hits (Greatest Hits: The Atlantic Years, 2006), it was only a matter of time before the trinity unfolded. haha

The album has a fine blend of everything that I can see as SoCal from an outside perspective.  Certain songs such as "Higher" and "It Can't Rain Everyday" not only give you that extra step in your stride on a bummer day, but they can also transport your visually to a place on a California beach where you would be listening to this with a drink in hand.  Either that or jamming a tune just like this over an open fire overlooking to ocean.

I think that's why this album appealed to me so much.  It's a much different feeling than what we are experiencing on a cold December day here in Toronto.  We are not getting that sunshine, beaches, or warm vibes.  So if I can't afford to go travelling to these places, I will mentally transport myself dammit!



I think another reason why this album (and others from POD) have appealed to me in the past.  The lyrical content is not something to be ignored.  The group obviously has religious ties to their music that some people (like myself) do not have that same relationship.  However, the music speaks to me louder than the religious connotations behind it.  Sandoval has a way with words to say the least.  Some songs such as "Beautiful" and "Youth of a Nation" tell a story.  They are stories you hear and try to empathize with.  I think that's one of the main reasons that POD has continued in my playlist and many others.

"Last day of the rest of my life

I wish I would've known

Cause I didn't kiss my mama goodbye

I didn't tell her that I loved her and how much I care

Or thank my pops for all the talks

And all the wisdom he shared."

So will this be one of your top albums of the year?  Maybe, maybe not.  All I know is that this album has been on my phone since it's release day and I have no foreseeable plans to be removing it from my playlist.  It's my "go to" album in the morning and also my after work relaxation.  Now, time to start my own Socal session here at the office.

"SoCal Sessions" was released on November 17th, 2014 via T-Boy Records/Universal Music Enterprises.

1. Panic 'n Run

2. Will You

3. Youth of a Nation

4. No Ordinary Love Song

5. Strength of My Life

6. Alive

7. Higher

8. It Can't Rain Every Day

9. Lost in Forever

10. I'll Be Ready

11. Beautiful

12. Set Your Eyes to Zion

"We didn’t do a million takes, normally when you do a studio record it’s like you do a million takes, then you dissect it and find the best one. Doubles of this, triples of that, this was just dude – set up a mic. I think I even sang with Louis, he’s our backup. We even sang together as far as harmonies. You punch in a few things here and there but it was very natural and I think that comes across as a very warm sounding album." -Sandoval

Things I Miss: The Black Maria - Lead Us To Reason

A fair amount of new music that I discovered in my youth was through the record store I worked for.  The store gave folks the option of cracking open a new CD to check out (we had shrink wrapping in the back to seal it all back up for customers looking to buy as a gift afterwards), or whatever was playing on the speakers in the store at any given time.  Since my boss was not fond of my hard rock/heavy metal vibes, she asked me to keep them on the down low until she was gone and I was running the night shift.

So back to the discovery of new bands.  We would get record labels dropping us promotional copies to play in the stores of the newest bands they have signed.  One band that Victory Records was promoting at the time was The Black Maria.  A Toronto based band that (in all honestly wasn't that heavy) produced two albums in it's short time span and definitely caught my attention.  It was even better that no one else on my staff wanted the album, so after the play copy promo was finished I got myself a copy of the album too.  Bonus!

"As a catalyst for generations of great art, music and literature, psychic pain and anxiety are not uncommon. Under the relentless strain of the road, many a rock musician has battled crippling paranoia and dark thoughts. The Black Maria stand out from the pack by creating music of epic beauty and fierce power, transforming fear and psychic brutality into songs that explode from the speakers with a symphonic vengeance. The Black Maria assimilates the orchestral elements, electronics and off-beat song effect experiments on their 2005 debut, Lead Us To Reason, and marries them to their hard rock base, creating a gorgeous, layered musical framework that walks the razor edge of rock genres toward their own precise statement." -Victory Records

Like I mentioned previously, The Black Maria came from the greater Toronto area and released their debut record "Lead Us To Reason" on January 25th, 2005 via Victory Records.  They sold 50,000+ copies of the debut record and managed to tour with the likes of Queens of the Stone Age, MxPx, The Distillers, Goldfinger, Paramore, Alexisonfire, Rise Against, Silverstein, The Alkaline Trio, Chevelle, Taproot, Evanescence, and Stone Sour.

1. The Memento
2. Betrayal
3. Organs
4. Our Commitment's a Sickness
5. The Distance from the Bottom
6. The Lines We Cross
7. Mirrors and Cameras
8. Sirens
To Have Loved
10. Ash
11. Rats in the Prison

Boasting one-time Grade frontman Kyle Bishop, the Black Maria achieves a comfortable balance of alluring hooks and sonic chaos on its impressive entry, Lead Us to Reason. Airwave-ripe screamo is in abundance here, as evidenced by the accessible roar of "Betrayal" and the aggressive opener "The Memento." If the latter's bleak lyrical tone ("I have this overwhelming urge/To suck in one good breath and scream/There is no love left inside of me") permeates the album, the dark albeit big rock roar of tunes like "Organs" and "Ash" are a perfect match. By lending pop subtleties to metallic punk, the Black Maria has proved its motives come closer to crafting a top-notch disc than reaching for the brass-ring peers like My Chemical Romance and the Used have already snagged. Financial rewards may be imminent, but they are also well warranted. -All Music



The group disbanded in 2007 after their second release "A Shared History of Tragedy" back in 2006.  Keep in mind the members maintained that they would not be recording or touring, but remaining active in the music industry and in various projects.

"In the last year of touring, we have learned more about ourselves and the kind of men we are than you could possibly imagine. We have worked, sacrificed, won and lost more than most trying to live a sometimes impossible dream. We shared in all of this together." -Chris Gray

Westfield Massacre

So this article has been sitting on the back shelves collecting dust when it should have been thrown out there much sooner.  As an avid fan of Divine Heresy and it's ongoing work, I was very happy to see drummer Tim Yeung and former vocalist Tommy Vext were collaborating together once again in a new project called Westfield Massacre.

For those interested in a history lesson, the Westfield High Massacre is a fictional story based on the TV series American Horror Story where character Tate Langdon murders fifteen fellow students with a shotgun back in 1994.  And for a little more background on the name, Seung-Hui Cho, who committed 32 murders at Virgina Tech (circa 2007) was an alumni of Westfield High School, Virginia.


(Photo courtesy of Alectra Busey)

"The Westfield Massacre is a name I had come up with for a graphic novel idea. Coincidentally it turned out to also be the name of an episode of American Horror Story. In their episode Westfield High is the stage for a school shooting." -Vext

So back to the music.  Most of us seeing the updates and photos online thought for sure that Tim and Tommy were planning to revive Divine Heresy before Dino Cazares put that to rest, as he cited himself and Travis Neal were working on new DH material.  So we are left with Westfield Massacre instead, and to be honest I am enjoying just as much as DH's debut album release (which featured Tim and Tommy).



Tommy is a fantastic vocalist and is always interested in discussing music with people as I had the chance to interview him back in 2012 about his solo project VEXT.  You can read that interview here:

AFGM: In The End - An Interview With Tommy VEXT

Westfield Massacre consists of:

(Photo courtesy of Alectra Busey)

Vocals – Tommy Vext (Vext, ex-Divine Heresy/Snot)
Guitars – Bill Hudson II (ex-Savatage, etc.)
Guitars – Rick DiMarco (ex-Death Division)
Drums – Tim Yeung (ex-Divine Heresy/Hate Eternal, etc)

The band is on the hunt for a bassist to fill the slot and has been accepting submissions from people to fill the vacancy.  Be sure to keep an eye out for these guys and their debut release.  Here is a sample of what they got so far.  Check out the music video for "Darkness Divides".

Revealing Identities

Slipknot is a band that takes their secrecy and images very seriously.  In their earlier years, the guys would not even hint at their real identities and their faces behind the masks.  I think that's what made the band one of the top acts they are today.  Not just the shock value that they brought to the table with outrageous and eccentric masks/stage show, but the fact that EVERY fan wanted to see who the people were creating the music they loved.  So as time went on, some of the more vocal members had their identities revealed over time (like Corey, Shawn, Joey, Jim, etc.).

So when it was announced that the drum and bass positions for Slipknot have been filed (in the absence of Joey leaving, and Paul passing away), the band wanted to reintroduce this secrecy of the "new members".  I think in this day and age of instant online access/information, it wasn't going to pan out the same as 10/15+ years ago when the band first started out.  However, they did a pretty good job at keeping it under wraps.

That changed on December 3rd, 2014 when a former drum tech of the band decided to publicly call out those "new members".

Followed by another post:



So now that the internet had a field day over the weekend with these photos, it's time to see what Slipknot's response is going to be.  They might just say "f** it" and come out with the revealing, or take the high road and pretend like it didn't happen.  I am not really sure why they are keeping these guys out of the spotlight anyways.  I kind of feel by this point either they are in the group or they are not.  It was kind of like Korn when they had their additional members wearing masks on set.  I know that Slipknot and Korn have different POVs with regards to masks, but the principal is the same.  If the new member is dedicated, hard working, fits well, and can tour/record with the band, then out with it!

But I ask you all, is this a dick move by a disgruntled drum tech or giving the band the jump start to finally introduce the new members?  I guess we will wait and see from the Slipknot camp.

Random Music Quotes: Grohl

"First of all, I'm so goddamn busy I can't spend time thinking about anything outside of what I have to do today. There are times where I will sit down, take a deep breath, drop my shoulders, and I just kind of breathe and deflate. But I'm not kidding—that happens about once a year for three and a half minutes. In that time, I can really appreciate it... 

I'm very proud of what I've accomplished. But I still don't think I've done my best thing yet. I've always felt like that. I've always felt like the next record is going to be the last record. You have to say, "This next one is going to be the last one, so we have to make it good." We've said that eight times in the Foo Fighters across 20 years, every record. Just keep moving. 

(Photo courtesy of Wikipedia)

There's so much more to look forward to. That's something I learned after Nirvana was over. When Kurt died, I had this whole new outlook at life, that we're all so lucky to be here. You can't take life for granted. It's short. It's fragile. And you don't know when it's going to be taken away from you. So the short time that you're here? You just have to kick ass the whole time and not look back. That's basically what I try to do. I'm not ready to stop, but if it all ended today, I'd be the happiest person in the world." -Dave Grohl

Music Releases For December 9th, 2014

The last of the 2014 releases are starting to trickle through on these last few Tuesdays.  While not knocking or negating any of the releases (regardless of time frame for release), it's definitely the slow time for releases and more focus on special editions, vinyl, box sets, and anything else people can grab their hands on for their loved ones.

Even though it's more my love for the films than anything else, Howard Shore's release of the final installment of The Hobbit has got me all ready to hit the theatres for opening night.  And it doesn't hurt if Shore created a brilliant soundtrack to go along with the film!  I am also happy to see the release day come for the anticipated sophomore album of Emigrate as I have been listening to the same single over and over again.  And with special guests on the album such as Marilyn Manson, Lemmy Kilmister, Peaches, and Jonathan Davis, how could not want to dive head first into the material?!

So be a doll and show some love to these artists by purchasing their work at your local record store, online retailer, or trusted digital source.  Cheers and happy Tuesday!

(Howard Shore - The Hobbit: Battle of the Five Armies)

The music is slowly starting to reach the levels of Lord Of The Rings, but it’s not quite there yet. Still, this is up there with Desolation Of Smaug. The best themes were created in An Unexpected Journey and Desolation Of Smaug but the best action is in this one. The darker bad guy material sounds excellent here as always. Shore has never had any trouble creating excellent bad guy material. ‘Bred For War’ is one kick-ass action/bad guy theme and so is ‘Battle For The Mountain’ and ‘Sons Of Durin’. There’s some new material here, but not something that really blows me away. I like the new bad-guy material and the new Bard and Dain material is decent, but the action material is the key factor for this score. It excels at it. -Soundtrack Geek

(Smashing Pumpkins - Monuments to an Elegy)

Instead, ‘Monuments To An Elegy’ is essentially a Corgan solo record which shows flashes of his old power, while also straying into some seriously dodgy attempts to update the Pumpkins sound for 2014. ‘Tiberius’ is a promising start, employing a Pixies-esque loud-quiet-loud dynamic and sounding fittingly imperious for a song named after a Roman emperor. ‘Being Beige’, where Corgan rails against modern, selfie-obsessed narcissism, is the album’s strongest moment, casting the 47-year-old on familiar territory as the erudite outsider, always his greatest strength. 'Anaise!' catches Corgan at his most romantic, while closer 'Anti-Hero' is the album's most raucous, most punk moment. -NME


(Ghostface Killah - 36 Seasons)

36 Seasons may not be Ghostface’s greatest project, but it is another notable addition to his extensive body of work. Rapping alongside Kool G Rap and AZ for the bulk of the album is certainly a treat, and the two have their own moments of glory. Production, on the other hand, simply does not hold on to the lyrical dynamism present between Ghost, Pharoahe Monch, AZ and G. The Revelations do an admirable job, but the neat vignettes steal away some of the raw kinetics that drive a superlative Ghost project. -Hip Hop DX

(Emigrate - Silent So Long)

AFGM: Emigrate - Silent So Long

With metal juggernauts like Marilyn Manson, Lemmy Kilmister of Motorhead and Jonathan Davis of Korn lending their vocals, Emigrate have created a lyrically potent and awesomely harrowing musical journey that we don’t want to end. However, the album shows varying levels of influence from each guest vocalist starting with the funky and melodic impressions of Seeed’s Frank Delle in ‘Eat You Alive’, a dark yet lively track that sets the bar very high for the remainder of the album with a solid, volcanic sound building up to Delle’s vocals and exploding toward the end of the song. -Sound Sphere Magazine

(Lynch Mob - Sun Red Sun)

This new collection of songs is a continuation of the Lynch Mob’s musical style, offering gritty, Bluesy Hard Rock that is infused with Lynch’s use of exotic scales and legato phrasing. When paired with Logan’s Bluesy vocals, the duo is more than “icing on the cake.” Their collaborations are magical and in line with other famous singer-guitarist duos, including Jagger/Richards, Plant/Page, etc. It’s a match made in Heaven, if you believe in that sort of thing. -Hard Rock Haven

(Various Artists - Midnight Clear)

AFGM: Solid State Streaming "Midnight Clear" Holiday Album In Full!

Midnight Clear is a fun Christmas album for metalheads or those wanting something very different this Christmas. And while it’s true that a lot of Christmas albums featuring various artists (traditional or heavy) are simply a showcase of the bands/artists in the hopes of selling albums, I get the feeling that this album was put together by Solid State Records to give their fans something special at this time of year. A great release that will be getting more than a few plays in the Christian Review office! -Christian Review

Solid State Streaming "Midnight Clear" Holiday Album In Full!

It only make sense that Christian based record label would compile together some of the top religious holiday songs of the season for a compilation release.  Solid State did just that for all it's fans.  Even though bands on their label (such as August Burns Red) have released Christmas music in the past, this marks the first release by the label as a whole.

"Solid State Records is proud to release their very first Christmas compilation titled Midnight Clear, which will be available in stores and online November 25th, 2014. Comprised of songs by metal greats August Burns Red, Memphis May Fire, For Today, Fit For A King, and others with total combined sales of over 1 million albums, Midnight Clear features new original arrangements of both new and old Christmas songs alike. -Solid State

Now let's just quickly clarify here.  I don't really care for Christmas music in general.  I cannot stand retail stores playing it, elevator banks, waiting rooms, and family members when visiting.  It's all humbug as far as I am concerned.  I don't see the relevance in this day and age of a boy who travels across friggen desert, following a star, all the play a drum beat for a little infant.  Seems like a fun fairy tale to be told if anything...but I'll leave my cynicism at the door to be respectful.

So back to the album.  I chose to throw this up on AFGM because I have a lot of readers who do enjoy holiday music, or at least look for something more than the version of Burl Ives.  Sorry Burl, I like you and all but the same music over and over again can become a little tiring.  I enjoy seeing new(er) bands taking on classic covers and putting them into a genre worth listening to!

The album title is "Midnight Clear" and features bands such as August Burns Red, Fit For A King, Wolves At The Gate, The Ongoing Concept, Forevermore, Becoming The Archetype, and other label bands such as  Memphis May Fire, and For Today.  It was released on November 24th, 2014.  So thank you Solid State for posting the entire album online for the public to listen to (and of course purchase a copy if they like it so much).

"Thats right, our very first Solid State Record's Christmas compilation is SICK and its out in stores NOW! -Solid State

Check out the entire album streaming below: