Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Rules and Regulations

     Hello! To avoid any confusion, I thought I would post some of the guidelines I have been and will be following on this blog, and the direction I want to take with it. I have been seeing some other blogs about metal, or Christian music, so I would like to clarify my purpose.
     First of all, lets not make this a debate about what bands are 'righteous' or not. I am relying on lyrical content mostly, and also the attitude and direction of the band members themselves as shown in interviews and social media posts. I realize many people that are Christians do things sometimes that are 'un-Christian', 'sinful', or just questionable. I want to stay away from judging, and give people the benefit of the doubt. If in comments someone wants to say something about a bands personalities or off-stage antics, I believe that is up to them. I just will not get involved with such debates.
    Second thing I should mention. My definition of Christian is "Christ-In". I don't feel we all have to believe the same things, or band together in pushing our beliefs onto the public like some political party. There are many denominations of the Christian church, and there are many religions that center around Jesus and his teachings. I wouldn't want to refrain from reviewing an artists music because of a minor difference in theology. I am extremely open minded, and enjoy listening to different perspectives from my own. Be aware that I may use the term 'righteous metal' more loosely than some others would.
    Last point I wish to make. I may also use the term 'metal' loosely. Included in my definition would be metal-core, death-metal, death-core, thrash, and possibly some post-hardcore or melodic-core music. I probably will not spend much time specifying sub-genres very much, and will instead try to focus on getting across what I like about the music.
     Thanks for checking it out.    -Sean

    

Friday, October 26, 2012

How's the new As I Lay Dying sound?




     Well finally, the release of the new album 'Awakened', from As I Lay Dying! The last album was more like an EP because the second side was all different covers of old metal tunes so, only it was only a half a record of new stuff. This album makes up for the wait! Many have heard the preview song "Cauterize". While that is a great track, the album gets better as it goes on. The second song "A Greater Foundation", which the band released a video of, brings it up a notch, and doesn't let go all the way until the end. The riffage is pretty new sounding, even if you are getting used to their style and songwriting formulae. There are more 'clean' vocals on this album, and that would only bother me if the choruses weren't so good. Much like older albums, the sing alongs carry the melodic part of the album, and contrast the heaviness well. Some of the soloing on this one is more blazing, while keeping the tonality we have been hearing from this band as they improve. The song 'Whispering Silence' is almost catchy enough to earn a spot on the radio! Hope that doesn't scare you off. 'No Lungs To Breathe' should get you back into the grind. Even though I see this album as more accessible, it doesn't mean that its less 'heavy'.
     I have seen a lot of positive comments about the production of this album, and for good reason. It is a very 'clean' production, but also very even and upfront. Nothing is hidden such as the aggressivness of the guitars, or the pounding of the drums. Many people are even saying that this is AILD's best album. At this point I cannot disagree with that point of view. I'm pretty hooked on it, and don't often 'revert back' to an older album. The sing-a-longs are immediately catchy, a few listens and you got the words. The seemingly 'predictable' parts that you know are coming, arrive differently than you expected. It is an album that sounds like there was a lot of hard work put into it. This is definitely a must listen for anyone who liked any of the older albums. And, if I was to play some AILD for someone who had never heard them, I might start them off with a few songs from this album.



I Built The Cross Releases EP

     A few months ago, Nevada band I Built The Cross released 'Banish The Disconnect', their new 5 song EP follow up to their much loved album 'Bridging The Gap'. For those not familiar, IBTC is a fiercely original metal band, featuring a unique sound and guitar style by Reed Mitchell. Some of the riffs are backed by sweeping arpeggios or a melodic run of some sort, that gives it a unique feel. Also, the vocals are also a huge asset to the sound. Singer Garrett McGeein flows through high screams and gutterals and everything in between with intent. Their lyrics provoke thought, and are never too redundant or predictable. The current lineup features the ultra-solid rhythm section of Zak Campbell on bass and Nathan Gillotti on drums.The band has recently signed to the label 'Rise And Conquer Records'.
     Reed and Garrett began the formation of IBTC in 2008, at the age of 17. The concept for the name is that Jesus not only died for our sins, but credited his righteousness to us. So therefore, it is us that 'built the cross'. I Built The Cross is very intent on providing a ministry. On their facebook webpage they invite people to email them with questions, thoughts and prayer requests, and are open to chatting online. They respond to all types of comments made on their facebook page, even 'atheist' comments, and are never derogatory or condescending towards the commenter.
    Although their tour has been postponed, it is likely we will see this band out on the circuit soon. They have a ton of ambition towards this project and it is doubtful that they will let it stagnate. Be sure to keep up with their facebook page for tour dates and lots of great music!

http://www.facebook.com/ibuiltthecrossmusic

Wednesday, August 1, 2012

As Hell Retreats / A Plea For Purging Double Breakup - Volition Album

     Officially known as the "Quit Your Band, Get A Real Job" tour, two great hardcore/ metal acts out of Nashville, As Hell Retreats and A Plea For Purging, are breaking up. A Plea For Purging has released six albums, and As Hell Retreats have released two. The tour is not coming through Oklahoma, but there is a stop at Tomcats West in Ft Worth, TX. Since this is the last chance for anyone to get to see them, I want to give my short review of As Hell Retreats' year old album, Volition, and hopefully entice more people to catch both bands for their last show.

     I picked up the CD, Volition, one day after I had listened to a few of their videos on YouTube. I was actually hoping at the time to get the first album, Revival, but they didn't have it in stock. I'm glad they didn't because, although it wasn't quite what I expected, I now feel it is much improved over their first release. This album takes off freely in its own direction, and does not seemed to be tied down by musical stereotypes of the genre. The vocals are powerful and understandable, but there are no pig squeals, no harmonized growls with hi pitched screams, as they are successful at maintaining originality. The phrasing doesn't get tiresome, and has some great shout-a-long lines throughout.
     The guitar lines are pretty non-typical. Not everything is in a minor key, and their aren't overused tritones during the (very few) breakdowns on the album. Some of the guitar playing is very melodic and usually the perfect amount of "edge" is placed in the tone. The songwriting is cohesive, all of the elements fit together very well. The lyrical content stays far from any 'preachy-ness', but is emotional and real.


     Some of the standout songs, or my favorites, are the two part "A Beggar..." and "...And His Faith", which starts out emotional and slow, and then picks up to be one of the hardest thrashers on the album. The 'hit single' is the song "Matriarch", which they made an interesting video for. It ends with "Only Hope", a hard ballad which finishes the album off very nicely with male/female duet vocals, and shows off their ability to sound 'clean', and still remain powerful. The album moves through its songs very well, maintaining a flow that carries you through its tracks. For anyone looking for something differently melodic in the hardcore/metalcore genre, this is one you should definitely check out. 

       Go see them LIVE
           Sean

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

“White” Metal in The New Millennium


 Christian rock has always been an interesting part of my life. Even at many times when I have not aligned myself with the church or organized religion, I have always aligned myself with God and a strong spirituality. I’ve always been a big metal fan, and I’ll admit, there are times where I found myself turned off by messages being sent in the music. Being a very tonal person, I have avoided lyrics easily in my life, and now as an adult, I am not easily offended by 'movie quality' Satanism or gore anymore. But there was a time or two in my life where I sought out music with better lyrical content. At first, it was very hard to find bands on Christian recording labels that could match up to those in the secular market. The heavy metal market was relatively thin anyways, so the search was mostly a failure.  As my taste became more obscure, I found that the choices were even fewer and the music was mostly of less quality. Recently, through my regular musical research of local touring acts, I have realized that the imbalance of talent between Christian and non-Christian heavy metal acts no longer exists as it once did. In fact it may have shifted…toward the light.
    
     I did have a little success in the early days finding some good 'white' metal bands. My heart warmed and filled with joy the day I played my new white vinyl copy of the first album by Illinois metal band, Trouble. It is extremely heavy sounding, like a lot of the Metal Blade bands. It was a huge inspiration for me in my life, and gave me hope to find music that I enjoyed both the style and the lyrics. But usually, the other bands I found weren’t near as exciting to listen to. There was a lot of hype over White Cross and Stryper, but neither band excited my musical taste buds much. This deficiency did seem to carry on through the 90s, when I wasn't paying much attention. But those that are growing up searching for more holy bands in the new millennium, within the genre of ‘extreme’ metal, are fortunate not to face such a dilemma. Many of these bands are so good at what they do, they gather non-Christian listeners as well. Often the Christian metal bands today tour with other non-Christian acts. Knowing the content of a lot of heavy metal, it could seem like a clash for the bands, and one might think it wouldn’t work. But actually, it seems to work out rather well, for the listeners and the touring musicians. For Christian bands today, they are not restrained to “preaching to the choir”, and have abundant opportunities to be "a witness by their actions". There also seems to be a high amount of respect between the bands, often seen wearing each others t-shirts on stage. Since the bands aren't overly preachy and judgmental, they all seem to get along fine on tour and back stage together. 

     In this blog, I will review and share bands and releases that are in the 'holy' metal category. This includes bands that have Christian members all the way to bands that lean toward 'praise and worship' music. But mostly, the bands promoted on this blog will be metal of the 'extreme' variety. Some older, defunct bands I will review if I feel they need highlighting, and may have been missed. But hopefully I will bring you newer, undiscovered talent and releases. Enjoy the music!