Metal music

5 Bands/Artists You Should Be Following (#7)

June 5, 2018 — Leave a comment

This installment could get rather lengthy. I saw three of the featured bands a few weeks ago, so I have a lot to say.

1. Locust Grove

A hard rock band from Oklahoma. These guys put on a kick ass live show, and they mean it when they say they’re bringing heavy guitar riffs back to rock. Lots of hair, gritty yet melodic vocals, and riffs reminiscent of Five Finger Death Punch, Sevendust, etc., Locust Grove could easily be your new favorite band. Check out the tracks “Monster” and “Menace of Society” below.

Facebook – Instagram – YouTube

2. Joyous Wolf

A rock band from California. These guys have been setting the world on fire this spring, being signed to a major label and playing such festivals as Carolina Rebellion and Rocklahoma. Joyous Wolf puts on one of the most energetic performances I’ve ever seen, in addition to their raw talent. I will not compare them to anyone else, but I will tell you they blend rock-n-roll, blues, and southern rock masterfully. The guys have currently left the road to record their first album. Here’s a taste of what you can expect.

Facebook – Instagram – YouTube

3. Blacktop Mojo

A hard rock/Southern rock band from Texas. You may have heard their cover of Aerosmith’s “Dream On,” thanks to Sirius XM Octane. Blacktop Mojo employs all the best elements of classic rock, rock-n-roll, and Southern rock to bring fans a sound that is pure joy to the ears. They put on a fantastic show, doing whatever it takes and giving 110% every time. It’s no wonder they have already cultivated quite the following. You can look at their tour dates on Facebook…and if you’re going to Louder Than Life in September, you will see them there!

4. Icon For Hire

A pop/rock/alternative band from Tennessee. For fans of Paramore, Pink, PVRIS, etc. Icon For Hire just finished a spring tour. Listen to them below and keep your eyes open for updates/announcements!

5. Dead Like Juliet

A hard rock/metal band from Italy. For fans of Bring Me the Horizon, The Amity Affliction, early Asking Alexandria, etc. You can get Dead Like Juliet’s latest album, Stranger Shores, now! Here is the most recent single, “Unwanted.”

And just because I like it…

Facebook – Instagram – YouTube

Bands You Should Know: Hot Gospel

June 3, 2018 — Leave a comment

Hot Gospel reached out to me via Instagram, requesting that I give them a listen. What they didn’t know is…they were already on my list of bands to check out. Based on my love of Asking Alexandria, Every Time I Die, and others, Hot Gospel seemed to fit the bill nicely.

I jumped on YouTube and listened to the songs available there, just to get a taste. I started with “Thanks For The Blood.” The opening riff hooked me immediately, and while I fully appreciate the growling screams, the clean vocals were very nice, reminiscent of early era M. Shadows (Avenged Sevenfold) mixed with Ben Bruce (Asking Alexandria). Honestly, the track filled me with the urge to dive into a mosh pit.

I followed the link to their Bandcamp for more. The best thing about Hot Gospel, in my humble opinion, is the fact that they don’t fall into the standard metal/hardcore sound. Many bands tend to become complacent, but thus far, Hot Gospel is nowhere close. They include the elements of several genres, then add their own unique twist to tie it all together.

I would highly recommend Hot Gospel to anyone who appreciates a fresh approach to a favorite genre. The band is currently recording a new EP, to be released in August/September. A single and music video will be out even sooner, so keep your eyes peeled; you know I’ll be sharing it here!

Check out the songs below and be sure to visit Hot Gospel on Facebook, Instagram, Spotify, and their official site. If you sign up for their mailing list, you will get free stuff and merch discount codes!

10 Songs to Help You Through Hard Times

June 2, 2018 — Leave a comment

I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately, as I haven’t been in the best place mentally or emotionally for the past month. Music is the only thing that makes sense anymore.

I know we all have those songs that make us feel good, but what about the ones that are like a balm to our bruised hearts/souls? My recent struggles have led me to a few discoveries, one of which surprised me very much.

Alter Bridge: “I Know It Hurts”

Myles Kennedy is the king of uplifting lyrics. I can name a track from each Alter Bridge album that could be on this list, but “I Know It Hurts” takes the spot because of one simple line: “Now is not forever.” Sometimes, that is the best thing to remember.

Alter Bridge: “All Ends Well”

I said Myles was the king, right? “If you believe in nothing else, just keep believing in yourself.”

Almost Kings: “Better Than This”

There are actually a couple of songs from these Georgia natives that I could have chosen. However, “Better Than This” immediately struck a chord in me. I understand it so much more now.

Asking Alexandria: “Alone in a Room”

I know, I know. I haven’t shut up about this band or this song, but the lyrics describe my mindset so accurately that it’s scary.

Linkin Park: “Heavy”

Honestly, isn’t it nice to know you’re not the only one? This song has brought me to tears more than once, especially following Chester’s death.

Asking Alexandria: “Under Denver”

“Just wait and see, just sit and breathe.”

Andy Black: “Put the Gun Down”

This was the one that surprised me. I hadn’t listened to Andy’s solo record, then I randomly decided to let it play on Amazon. I ended up with this song on repeat. I couldn’t have found it at a better moment.

Blink-182: “Adam’s Song”

Self-explanatory.

Fun: “Carry On”

“May your past be the sound of your feet upon the ground. Carry on.”

Modest Mouse: “Float On”

My line has always been “Don’t worry, even if things end up a bit too heavy. We’ll all float on alright.”

New Music (5/28 — 6/3)

June 1, 2018 — Leave a comment

Sisters Doll: “Strutt”

Asking Alexandria: “Someone, Somewhere” (Acoustic)

Wayward Sons: “Don’t Wanna Go”

Kamelot: “Amnesiac”

Gwenmarie White: “Skjemt Blod” (Bad Blood)

BrokenRail: “Ghosts of Tomorrow”

Trophy Eyes: “You Can Count On Me”

Halestorm: “Uncomfortable”

Veld: “Hatred Forever Dispersed”

Coheed & Cambria: “The Dark Sentencer”

Good Charlotte: “Actual Pain”

Bad Wolves: “Change (In the House of Flies)”

Slightly Stoopid ft. Chali 2na: “Higher Now”

Tremonti: “As the Silence Becomes Me”

Jesus Piece: “Curse of the Serpent”

Bury Tomorrow: “Knife of Gold”

Kataklysm: “Outsider”

Leprous: “Golden Prayers”

Hollywood Undead: “Gotta Let Go”

Atrocity: “Bloodshed and Triumph”

The 1975: “Give Yourself a Try”

Chelsea Grin: “Hostage”

Bad Wolves: “Remember When”

Fit For a King: “Tower of Pain”

Gorillaz: “Humility”

Mayday Parade: “It’s Hard To Be Religious When Certain People Are Never Incinerated By Bolts Of Lightning”

At Most Fear ft. Fronzilla: “Wicked”

Playlist Challenge, Day 389

June 1, 2018 — Leave a comment

Lord of the Lost — “Miss Machine”

5 Bands/Artists You Should Be Following (#6)

May 30, 2018 — Leave a comment

1. Midnight Blackout

A post hardcore/math rock band from France. For fans of Every Time I Die, The Dillinger Escape Plan, Converge, etc. You can listen to their debut EP, Hangover, on Spotify or YouTube. For a taste of what you can expect, check out “Lorenzo.”

Facebook — Instagram

2. Amerakin Overdose

AOD is a mix of industrial, hard rock, metal, and even a bit of pop. They hail from Oregon. For fans of Nine Inch Nails, Mushroomhead, Static-X, etc. Amerakin Overdose will be hitting the road for a summer tour, kicking off June 29th. Here is my favorite song from them, “Letting Go.”

Facebook — Instagram — YouTube

3. Advocates

A hard rock/metal/post hardcore band from Australia. For fans of early Atreyu, Memphis May Fire, Blessthefall, etc. Check out “Destructive Tendencies” from 2016’s The Complex Truth.

Facebook — Instagram — YouTube

4. Values

A melodic metal/hardcore band from the UK. For fans of early Asking Alexandria, Mastodon, Beartooth, etc. Listen to the latest single, “Hopeless,” below!

Facebook — Instagram

5. Marquis of Vaudeville

A truly unique band from Dallas. Best described as alternative/carnivalesque rock/psychedelic punk cabaret. I don’t know how to do a “for fans of,” but perhaps I can say if you liked the music from The Devil’s Carnival, or just Emilie Autumn, you’ll like Marquis of Vaudeville. I’m sharing the first song I listened to, and I highly encourage you to check out more.

Facebook — Instagram — YouTube

Let’s Talk Covers (Asking Alexandria Edition)

May 29, 2018 — Leave a comment

I know I’ve been posting about Asking Alexandria a lot lately — and here’s another one!

But seriously. I stumbled across the video of them covering Ed Sheeran and it made me wonder what other covers they had done. So here we are.

1. “Perfect” (Ed Sheeran cover)

2. “What I’ve Done” (Linkin Park cover)

3. “Right Now” (Akon cover)

4. “Closer” (Nine Inch Nails cover)

5. “Duality” (Slipknot cover)

There are several more. Hop on over to YouTube and check them out. You won’t regret it.

Album of the Week: Asking Alexandria’s Stand Up and Scream

May 28, 2018 — Leave a comment

“Final Episode (Let’s Change the Channel)” and “Not the American Average” are enough reason for me to choose Stand Up and Scream as my album of the week… And that’s before adding in “A Candlelit Dinner with Inamorta” and “A Single Moment of Sincerity.” ❤

Playlist Challenge, Day 384

May 27, 2018 — Leave a comment

Pinkly Smooth — “McFly”