All Have Sinned EP Release "Desecrate Their Graves" Oct 25, 2014

Alright! Got my pre-released copy of the new EP "Desecrate Their Graves" from the Oklahoma City band, All Have Sinned. I've really been anxious to hear this output from the band. I liked the demo CD they put out a lot. Things have been really busy around here, and my first few attempts to listen to it were interrupted. So the third time I listened, finally it was just me and the headphones, and nothing else. I was upstairs in my loft, and didn't even realize that there were no lights on until the EP began. There are some pretty creepy sounds at the beginning, sounding like tortured souls, and comparable to the "sounds of hell recorded in Siberia" footage that is circulating around on YouTube right now. So yes, a few lights came on. But upon the first notes of the first song, I had forgotten about being scared.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kbg_8pbvIjo

"Transmission Exorcism" kicks off the EP. It's very heavy at the beginning, with dissonant chunks and growling vocals. There are some great tempo change ups, and the song form is varied and avoids predictability. I noticed very quickly that this EP has some excellent sound production. The balance between the instruments is precise, and the kick drum cuts through really well. The guitars have lots of beef, and vocals are clear and at the perfect level.

"Image of Idolatry", the second song, has even more ultra fast speed ups, and a neck breaking breakdown that should come with a warning sticker. It also sports some pretty sick riffage, solid heavy chugging with some good bending intertwined. Next up is "Sepulcher", which starts with a cool guitar motif, and some of my favorite high screams on the EP. The song is broken up well by the different parts, not just tempo changes, but also some differing riffs, at one point emulating the popular and familiar funeral dirge that everyone has heard. "Despair" has some very cool guitar work at the beginning and throughout, with vocalist Daniel Gates letting out a "BBLLLEEEEAACCCGHHH" that sounds like his esophogus just turned inside out, followed by a sure and convincing message, "Lucifer... I DON'T FEAR YOU!" "The Lion and the Lamb" begins with a 300 bpm blast beat and super solid riff, and continues the heaviness and frantic-ness. There are also some great dual vocals throughout the song.

This is a great release by a great bunch of guys that really do have a focus on their music as their ministry, and definitely a band that's not afraid to be the "light shining in the darkness". They play with lots of excitement and conviction, and are very good at being a "witness by their actions". Although guitarist Dakota Whiteside has decided to leave the band and continue ministry in another direction, I would expect that this band will not be a one EP wonder, and will continue to play heavy music with a message of hope and salvation! Get the new EP at the release show at The Conservatory on October 25th. Or go to the AHS facebook page on ordering info.

https://www.facebook.com/AllHaveSinnedOK

Former Members of Romero Form New Band, All Have Sinned, Preview is Impressive!

Well, Dylan and Dakota formerly of Romero are now involved in a new project called "All Have Sinned". They have joined forced with Daniel Gates, the vocalist, Matt Robinson, guitar and Austin Fillipone on bass. On their facebook page, they have released a new song via YouTube. I did like Romero, but this new outfit is really far out. This is the kind of music I seek out. I think this band is going to amaze us with their album or EP release, whichever comes first. It has lots of unexpected tempo changes and the vocals are intense! Guitar work sounds really cool too. Go check this new song out on their facebook page NOW  !!! Righteous!! https://www.facebook.com/AllHaveSinnedOK

Blessthefall Latest Album "Hollow Bodies" Hitting Shelves, BTF Hitting Warped Tour

The release date for BTF's new album is August 20, 2013. It features several guest appearances including Jake of August Burns Red. In their latest interview, they seemed very excited about and satisfied with the new effort. They all seemed to agree that this was musically a step forward for the band, and presented new challenges to the members. Below is the cover and song list that they have just posted on their facebook page. Right now it looks like preorders are only available at the Warped Tour shows, where they will be doing meet and greets. Here is the cover...

Broken Flesh Warbound CD Physical Copy Full Review

Just picked up my copy of Broken Flesh's new CD 'Warbound' from drummer Brandon Lopez a little while ago. Popped it in the car CD player and turned it up! The first song was one they had released on video for a preview, but it sounded better pumping through the car system! Head bangin!!

From the first burst, this CD takes off in a direction upward from their last release. Recording, songwriting, everything is made perfect on this one. The song structures are much more free, and the tempo and time changes are interesting and more unpredictable. There are some very cool riffs here, and well coordinated with the drums. It's sounds like the songwriting included everyone, and utilized the strengths of the individual members.

On the 3rd song, we start to hear some shredding of sweeps and scales by studio guitarist, Steve Giddens (of the band Horde Casket). He hits some nice sweeps and runs, and it gives the music a well timed boost of heaviness. The 4th song, Warbound, begins with a traditional sounding crunchy intro riffage that is perfectly accompanied by a resounding battle cry, "WAR!!" After an enthralling speed-death frenzy, you get to hear a monster metal scream-gutsqueal duet featuring high screams by bassist Joshua Mathes. I think it's one of the standout songs on the album, though all of the songs have their own distinct things about them.

I liked their use of the semi-famous Bell Labs for the drum recording. They sound excellent! The kick is tremendous, cymbals cutting through but not taking your eardrums out. Another local secret, Pirated Audio, was used for other recordings. The album has an excellent balance in volume and frequencies, it sounds very well mastered. The cover art, which you have seen a preview of, is really cool, and it extends around the back and sides. A complete lyric sheet for those who dare to follow, and a sticker of the album cover that is the same size as the CD! I'm glad to have held out for the hard copy. Go get your copy Saturday, June 15th at The Chameleon Room! Or grab it here at Big Cartel! DO IT!

New A Wolf. A Liar. release streaming live now!

I've been waiting for a chance to give this one a full listen-thru. The new album from A Wolf A Liar made its appearance on iTunes this week, which I don't use much at all. The previews sounded great, but I like to hold out for the physical copy. Well I'm not sure if I will get a copy before their show opening for Impending Doom on June 25 at The Chameleon Room (tickets here). But thanks to Under The Gun website, the entire album is streaming free. I had a hard time getting the songs to play on the above link, but here is the link to UTG's soundcloud page, which may work better.

The type of scream vocals used on this album are, in my opinion, a little harder to pull off. I like the screams a lot, the lyrics are decipherable to attentive listeners. The music is quite faithful to the metalcore genre, but has some really interesting breaks from the norm, like the title track, "Persevere". It takes you on an atmospheric, ambient journey far away from low tuned tritone powerchords, even utilizing some electronic drums and synth sounds. I'm a little less of a fan of the clean vocals on this album, but I don't dislike them. They are used well and in the right spots.

So right now is the time to give this one a listen for free! They did a great job and took their time to get everything right. I will really be looking forward to getting my hard copy of "Persevere", and seeing them open up for the great Impending Doom!!! Pics to follow!

New Upcoming Righteous Metal Releases, from Traditional to DeathCore

Hey! Blog stalled, sorry. May got busy with my birthday and now a natural disaster hits very close to home. Oklahoma is unbelievable when it comes to helping those in need. Just send your prayers our way and we will make it through! Now on with some new music I've been waiting anxiously to hear.

A new Trouble album will be out July 16th. It features a new vocalist, Kyle Thomas, whom original member Rick Wartell says has an unbelievable range, and the whole band seems really excited about him, and the new music they are producing. They haven't put out an album since 2007, and this one should be worth the wait. Rick also said that this one was written with the same freedom of expression as the early albums. In an interview, Rick said that outside influences can stand in the way of your own creativity, and they felt that they have avoided those kinds of blockades in the making of "The Distortion Field".

Impending Doom has been in the studio working on a new album, which they seem super excited about. I would assume they plan on getting it all done this month because they are due out on tour in June. Hopefully their proficiency in the studio will have a good outcome.

Locally, Broken Flesh has their album out now on iTunes. Listening to the previews of the digital iTunes version, it sounds like the band has advanced from their former EP "Stripped. Stabbed. Crucified." This album contains a little better songwriting, more squeals within the licks, and low growl, gutteral vocals. I'm holding out for the hard copy, which will be out in a month or so.

A Wolf A Liar new 8 song album soon called "Persevere." Recently, they have released a new song from the album, "Passion", which you can listen to here on YouTube. I have heard them do a few more songs from this album live and I like the interplay between their clean and scream vocals. The guitar holds down some low, solid chords and non-complicated musical structures. I still like their progressions, they utilize the music around the basic structure well.

Some other national acts with new releases to look out for are Ark Of The Covenant, coming out with a new CD on May 26th, just around the corner! The Burial is releasing a new one on Facedown Records July 9th, and have released a lyric video here on YouTube that is a metal contender for sure! I Built The Cross is threatening new material, as is This Divided World. As They Sleep was in the studio a few months ago, but I haven't heard another word about that endeavor except for the Billy Squier cover they released as a free single. Hopefully we'll get a new one from them soon too.

Well, within a month I will be on metal overload, and I'll probably have some reviews and such to post on here, along with some of my famous phone pics/ vids of some killer bands making their way through the state. Everyone take care, be safe, all that goodness.

Pics from the A Hill To Die Upon concert

Walking in the door at The Conservatory, I knew I would have to take it easy. My neck still sore from the headbanging last weekend, and back still hurting from the fall I took in the pit, restraint was rough at this show. I got there in time for most of A Wolf. A Liar.'s set. They have worked up some new tunes that rock! I like the voice changes between the singers screams and the guitarists cleans. They are releasing a new album this year, and I'll be eager to check that out.

I expected Commotio Cordis to be the next band, but they switched with AHTDU, since a lot of local CC followers were there, and they wanted to make them stick around. I like their strategy!! hehehehe. Commotio Cordis played as the headliner, and lived up to it! Their new songs kick, and I am ready to hear this new album they have been pouring their sweat into! Anyhow I think I grabbed a few cool pics to share, all of A Hill To Die Upon. Have a look.

 

They have a cool older style blackened-metal sound. I was into their show a lot. Afterwards, they went to hang at the merch table. This band is going on my 'nicest bands I've ever met' list. They are very genuine, pure at heart people. Sometimes people get into arguments about how Christians and metal mix together, and what message do they send to all of the listeners. Jesus said that we would be a witness by our actions. I think that its true for so many of these bands I meet, whether they are Christians in a metal band, or an actual Christian band or just a band that proclaims Jesus, some of these bands witness by their actions incredibly well offstage. And I am sure that there are some that do not do such a great job of that, but it's often something that I read about when non-Christian music writers interview or interact with a Christian band that they liked. A lot of the time they talk about how nice the band was, how they weren't looking down on them or anything and were very welcoming. That sounds like a great 'witness-by-actions' to me, and very Christ-like. Hope everyone liked the photos!!