alternative metal

5 Bands/Artists You Should Be Following (#10)

June 20, 2018 — Leave a comment

I can’t believe this is the tenth installment! Thank you to the fans and the bands for the response!

1. American Grim

Rock band from New Jersey. For fans of The Murderdolls, Marilyn Manson, etc. American Grim is currently on the Beauty and the Beast Tour with Hail Sagan. Check out “Freakshow,” from the album of the same name, and “Burn Hollywood.”

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2. Davey Suicide

Goth rock from California. For fans of Wednesday 13, Deadstar Assembly, Dope, etc. Davey Suicide will be touring this winter in support of their latest record, Made From Fire. Here is the third single, “No Angel,” along with my favorite Davey Suicide song, “Hustler Queen.”

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3. Throw the Fight

A rock/metal/alternative band from Minnesota. For fans of Thrice, early Black Veil Brides, Nonpoint, etc. Throw the Fight is playing the Music Fights Back Festival in Wisconsin on June 23rd. Listen to “Don’t Let Me Down” and “Bury Me Alive.”

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4. TrueHeights

An alternative rock band from the UK. For fans of You Me At Six, 30 Seconds to Mars, I Prevail, etc. TrueHeights just released their second EP, Days We Found, in April. Here are the tracks “Exit Route” and “Still Moving Colour.”

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5. Bitch Queens

A punk rock band from Switzerland. For fans of Turbonegro, The Stooges, the Ramones, etc. Bitch Queens will be playing Marina Basel in July, then they’re heading to the UK in September. Enjoy their latest single, “Techno is Dead,” featuring David Baguetta!

And “Anti-Social,” the first song by Bitch Queens I heard:

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5 Bands/Artists You Should Be Following (#9)

June 17, 2018 — Leave a comment

I decided to do a post honoring female-fronted bands. Most of those listed probably don’t need my help, but maybe this will help them gain a few new fans.

1. City of the Weak

A rock/alternative band from Minnesota. For fans of Paramore, The Distillers, Fit For Rivals, etc. City of the Weak is releasing their debut album, Pulling Teeth, on June 22nd. Check out their cover of Incubus’s “Pardon Me” and 2017’s “Ungrateful.”

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2. Hail Sagan

An electronic rock band from California. For fans of Bring Me the Horizon, Flyleaf, The Relentless, etc. Hail Sagan is currently on The Beauty and the Beast Tour, alongside American Grim.

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3. New Years Day

A hard rock band from California. For fans of Evanescence, The Pretty Reckless, etc. New Years Day will be on the road with In This Moment and Halestorm later this summer!

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4. Stitched Up Heart

A rock band from California. Of a similar vibe to New Years Day, so if you like Evanescence, Halestorm, etc., give Stitched Up Heart a chance. The band has begun writing new stuff.

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5. Butcher Babies

A metal band from California. For fans of Arch Enemy, Cradle of Filth, In This Moment, etc. Butcher Babies are playing the Gathering of the Juggalos, which is taking place July 18th – 21st in Ohio. They also just released their album Lilith. Check out the title track below.

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Album Review: Tremonti’s A Dying Machine

June 9, 2018 — Leave a comment

Band: Tremonti

Album: A Dying Machine

Genre: Rock/Metal

Release Date: June 8, 2018

Standout Tracks: “Desolation,” “Traipse,” “A Dying Machine,” “Trust,” “The First The Last,” “As the Silence Becomes Me,” and “A Lot Like Sin”

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I have labeled half of the album as “standout,” if that is any indication of my love for Tremonti’s A Dying Machine. I had a pretty good idea from the moment the title track, which is the core of this rock opera, was released that I was going to adore this record, but nothing could have prepared me for the perfection that would soon be gracing my ears. A Dying Machine kicks off with the hard-hitting “Bringer of War” and carries the listener on an intriguing musical journey, concluding with the instrumental “Found.” In the middle is some of the best work I have heard from Tremonti.

While staying true to their metal influences with such songs as “From the Sky” and the blistering “The Day When Legions Burned,” Tremonti also takes a left turn into the unexpected (“Take You With Me”) and the emotional (“Desolation”). They have used everything in their creative arsenal to tell us this story.

A Dying Machine is the perfect lovechild of its predecessors, yet it surpasses all of them. With each album, the band — consisting of Mark Tremonti, Eric Friedman, and Garrett Whitlock — has evolved. Their musical prowess has reached new levels, enabling them to take chances that certainly have paid off. Mark has grown as a lyricist, and his vocals on this latest effort are magnificent. His performance on the title track from Dust, as well as “Unable to See,” heralded what was to come; however, he pushes himself further on A Dying Machine, using his voice to evoke emotion more than he ever has before.

I can’t praise Tremonti enough for their unwavering dedication to this new wave of metal, heavy and melodic, unafraid to include a softer, more vulnerable side, or to bring in elements that supposedly have no place in the genre (something Mark has been doing with Alter Bridge for years). These unique inclusions are what make Tremonti stand out. In fact, they make the band rise above many of its contemporaries.

Offering a breath of fresh air to the hard rock/metal scene, A Dying Machine is my pick for Album of the Year. I’m sure it’s no surprise that I rate this record 5/5 stars.

And keep your eyes open: there will be a book based on A Dying Machine.

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!