Author: Badger

I am a 37 Year old metal head who has been listening and playing metal for the better part of 25 years. I have been playing the drums since '93 and have been in metal bands. I listen to all music respectively however I am passionate about metal. For me it is all about the music, the scene, the lifestyle, and spreading the word. To keep metal bands touring, and putting out great music. I run this website because I believe that metal needs as much support as possible, to keep the bands we love playing and making music, and also everyone's favorite bands started out as a local unknown band that would grind their way to making a name for themselves. I take pride in the format I write reviews, each song deserves to be recognized. This is to inform the listeners about what they can expect. If you are in a band and want us to review your E.P. or album send us an email at badgersmetalbreakdown@gmail.com we will always accept and handle your music with integrity. We do receive a lot of submissions daily and can't always review everything we receive, we try our best to cover everything we can. We will premier songs if you have an album getting near the release date and we also do interviews. If you love metal, we hope you enjoy your visit to our site.

This weeks metal news stories

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September 14th:

Metal lost a great drummer  this week

Martin ” Kiddie” Kearns (March 7, 1977 – September 14, 2015) was a drummer playing death metal and  known for his style while playing for  the band Bolthrower

Kearns joined Bolt Thrower when Andrew Whale left in 1994

Kearns died unexpectedly at the age of 38 on September 14, 2015

September 15th:

Metal Allegiance released a video for the song  The Gift Of Pain

check it out

Cattle Decapitation kicked off a huge North American tour

CATTLE DECAPITATION – The North American Extinction Tour 2015
w/ King Parrot, Black Crown Initiate, Dark Sermon:
9/15/2015 Boardwalk – Sacramento, CA
9/16/2015 Analog – Portland, OR
9/17/2015 El Corazon – Seattle, WA
9/18/2015 Rickshaw Theater – Vancouver, BC
9/19/2015 Level – Kelowna, BC
9/20/2015 Nite Owl – Calgary, AB
9/21/2015 Starlite – Edmonton, AB
9/22/2015 Exchange – Regina, SK
9/23/2015 The Zoo – Winnipeg, MB
9/24/2015 Q & Z Center – Ringle, WI
9/25/2015 Reggie’s – Chicago, IL
9/26/2015 Mac’s – Lansing, MI
9/27/2015 Hard Luck – Toronto, ON
9/28/2015 Mavericks – Ottawa, ON
9/29/2015 L’Anti – Quebec City, QC
10/01/2015 Club Metronome – Burlington, VT
10/02/2015 Basement Transmissions – Erie, PA
10/03/2015 Broadway Joe’s – Buffalo, NY
10/04/2015 Cafe 611 – Frederick, MD
10/05/2015 Brighton Music Hall – Allston, MA
10/07/2015 Masquerade – Atlanta, GA
End Tour
w/ Cannibal Corpse, Soreption:
10/08/2015 Underbelly – Jacksonville, FL
10/09/2015 Motorco – Durham, NC
10/10/2015 Ziggy’s – Winston-Salem, NC
10/12/2015 The Broadberry – Richmond, VA
10/13/2015 Reverb – Reading, PA
10/14/2015 The Emporium – The Emporium – Long Island, NY
10/15/2015 The Met – Pawtucket, RI
10/16/2015 The Chance Theater – Poughkeepsie, NY
10/17/2015 The Lost Horizon – Syracuse, NY
10/19/2015 VClub Live – Huntington, WV
10/20/2015 The Warehouse – Clarksville, TN
10/21/2015 New Daisy Theatre – Memphis, TN
10/23/2015 Tricky Falls – El Paso, TX
10/24/2015 Club XS – Tucson, AZ
10/25/2015 KnotFest – San Bernardino, CA
10/27/2015 Top Deck – Farmington, NM
10/28/2015 The Black Sheep – Colorado Springs, CO
10/29/2015 The Waiting Room – Omaha, NE
10/30/2015 Durty Nellies – Palatine, IL
10/31/2015 Big Shots – Valparaiso, IN
11/01/2015 The Pyramid Scheme – Grand Rapids, MI
11/02/2015 Ace Of Cups – Columbus, OH *
11/03/2015 Altar Bar – Pittsburgh, PA
11/04/2015 Expo Five – Louisville, KY
11/05/2015 Zydeco – Birmingham, AL
11/06/2015 Vinyl Music Hall – Pensacola, FL
11/07/2015 Venue 578 – Orlando, FL
End Tour
11/08/2015 Orpheum – Tampa, FL *
w/ Abiotic:
11/09/2015 The Atlantic – Gainesville, FL
11/10/2015 Side Bar – Tallahassee, FL
11/11/2015 The Levee – Longview, TX
11/12/2015 Dirty Dog – Austin, TX
11/13/2015 Rail Club – Fort Worth, TX
11/14/2015 Launchpad – Albuquerque, NM
11/15/2015 Club Red – Tempe, AZ * CATTLE headlining date with Hate Eternal
* CATTLE DECAPITATION headlining date

Epica cancelled all remaining North American tour dates due to a family emergency.

Broken Hope released some live concert footage to promote their upcoming DVD

September 16th:

A promotional video flooded the internet about a great Horror/ Metal style documentary. while it was officially published on youtube September 6th, it went viral  on the 16th and could be seen on every major metal new outlet.

here’s the promo video

September 17th:

Children Of Bodom premier a lyric video for the song ” I Hurt”

Killswitch Engages’ s Jesse Leach  posts on instagram  the ills of being a vocalist on the road with this post;

“Well now that is over with and I am sighing for relief, here is one of the issues. This is my throat (top) and vocal folds (bottom…yes it looks like something else, we all see it). I have had a bit of blood come out of my mouth on the last tour, that freaked me out. Also as of yesterday I felt physically off and my throat was feeling irritated. I looked in the mirror with a light and saw the white splotches and kind of freaked. Mind you I am aware white splotches usually mean an infection, but I can not help thinking the worse when it comes to my voice (as it is super important to my life)! So it contributed to an already mentally and physically off day yesterday! Turns out is is strep throat with some swollen folds. Im on the appropriate medications and will only have a one day set back for recording! Very thankful for my doctor who is the man! #DrScottKessler this guy has been my doctor for over a decade and has saved me many times from potential damage and sickness! Feeling a great deal better knowing what’s going on! I’m not sorry for sharing these gross photos ha ha! Peace everyone, keep on the grind! #kserecordingsessions #VocalFolds #Throat #Gross #VocalVagina #ISaidIt #SickMan #IKeepsItReal”

September 18th:

New Black Dahlia Murder ” Abysmal” album is released today and the band premiers the video for ” Receipt”

Some of the metal that is released today:

Atreyu – Long Live (Spinefarm)

The Black Dahlia Murder – Abysmal (Metal Blade)

Blessthefall – To Those Left Behind (Fearless)
Broken Hope – Live Disease at Brutal Assault DVD (Century Media)

Christian Mistress – To Your Death (Relapse)

Deep Purple – From the Setting Sun…(In Wacken) (earMusic)
Deep Purple – …To The Rising Sun (In Tokyo) (earMusic)

Harlott – Proliferation (Metal Blade)

Metal Allegiance – Metal Allegiance (Nuclear Blast)

Operation Mindcrime – The Key (Frontiers

Scale The Summit – V (Prosthetic)

Serial Butcher – Brute Force Lobotomy (Unique Leader)

Tesseract – Polaris (eOne)

Windhand – Grief’s Infernal Flower (Relapse)

-Badger \m/
http://www.badgersmetalbreakdown.com

Scale The Summit premier video for “Blue Sun”

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Scale The Summit have premiered a video for the song ” Blue Sun” off of their upcoming album ” V”  due out September 18th.

The song is a solid track for these guys, really displaying their blend of prog instrumetal talents.

Take a look for yourselves and make sure to get in on the album by pre ordering

pre order here: Official Scale The Summit Store

-Badger \m/
http://www.badgersmetalbreakdown.com

TBDM Indiemerch tour Pt. 2 2015 @iron_reagan @goatwhorenola @bdmmetal @arti_brain @entheosofficial

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The Black Dahlia Murder announce the second leg of their Indiemerch tour;

INDIEMERCH TOUR 2015: PART II
The Black Dahlia Murder, Goatwhore, Iron Reagan, Entheos & Artificial Brain
Tickets on sale Friday, September 11th
11/27 : Joliet, IL @ The Tree
11/28 : Minneapolis, MN @ Mill City Nights
11/29 : Lawrence, KS @ Granada Theater
11/30 : Denver, CO @ Marquis Theater
12/03 : San Francisco, CA @ DNA Lounge
12/04 : Los Angeles, CA @ Regent Theater
12/05 : Phoenix, AZ @ The Pressroom
12/07 : San Antonio, TX @ Alamo City Music Hall
12/08 : Dallas, TX @ Trees
12/09 : Houston, TX @ Warehouse Live
12/11 : Atlanta, GA @ Masquerade
12/12 : Tampa, FL @ The Orpheum
12/14 : Baltimore, MD @ Baltimore Soundstage
12/15 : Philadelphia, PA @ Union Transfer
12/16 : New York, NY @ Gramercy Theatre
12/17 : Boston, MA @ The Sinclair
12/18 : Buffalo, NY @ Waiting Room
12/19 : Pittsburgh, PA @ Mr. Smalls
12/20 : Cleveland, OH @ Agora Theatre

Check out the tour and click on some links here;

http://www.tbdmofficial.com
http://www.facebook.com/theblackdahliamurderofficial
http://twitter.com/bdmmetal
https://instagram.com/theblackdahliamurder_official

-Badger \m/
http://www.badgersmetalbreakdown.com

The Anthropocene Extincion Review @cattledecap @EarsplitPR

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This is a little album review I have done for the folks over at The Metal Syndicate

check it out

1: Manufactured extinct

This song starts out with waves crashing on a beach, giving you the refreshing feeling. Then the absolutely sinister guitar riffs kick in. David is delivering a slow creeping pace on the drums. A bloodthirsty growl is dispatched by Travis as the tempo picks it up a notch. “In the beginning, of this!”  The verse is a solid vocal track as the guitar riff is utterly faultless.  David administers a barrage of blast beats that will melt your face. David McGraw may not be the world’s best drummer, but man he can grind the hell out of those blasts. He can make a song like this sound brutal, bad ass, and remarkable. This song has that filthy yet satisfactory feel. The chorus is first class and catchy, which is why I love it.  This song is badass, with a groove you can move to.

2: Prophets of loss

Without delay Travis hits us with a banshee-like scream, while blast beats pummel at our senses. All this is going on and the guitar gives us a great driving riff.  This is a solid quick tempo song without a single blemish. Even during the spoken dialogue the guitars and drums are strategically bad-ass. David McGraw is incredible on the drums, absolutely impressive. This song is brutal and fast all the while maintaining a groove regardless of changes. At 1:30 in, this song has gone from a grim, brutal song to an even more impressive gut wrenching brutal metal track. The chorus is great as Travis is using his unorthodox high pitch guttural vocals to enhance the feel. This song is awesome, I love it.

3: Plagueborne

This song starts out with a sound clip; just a trashy sounding, fuzzy drum beat. With a 1.2.3.4 on the floor tom and the snare to bring the song into its brutal beginning. A quick drum roll transitions into the first verse. The first verse is a supersonic gravity blast filled section that is pleasing to the listener. The second verse is the same as the first.  The song has a pre chorus that has a rapid fire double bass roll and drum beat. This section exposes a brutal grinding blasting assault. Just when you think the song didn’t get any more brutal, the chorus begins. Travis is rocking those high pitched vocals that could not work for anyone.  For cattle Decapitation, nothing is off limits.  The breakdown has a killer punchy feel to it. Thus begins the double bass rolling and gravity blasting to pick the tempo up. As the song peaks it drops back into the chorus, a slower feel to the song but man those vocals just make it.  After the chorus, Travis is just letting out a low guttural and high pitched vocal mixture. That blends like you wouldn’t expect it to. The conclusion of the song has those high pitched vocals. This is a great song I have found myself listening to over and over again.

4: Clandestine ways (Krokodil Rot)

The song starts out with David blasting away for a few bars with a fill, and then more blasting. A very brief pause sets up the first verse. The verse has a nice up tempo feel, with mid-range vocals. The verse doesn’t seem to last long before it goes into a pre chorus for a few bars. It sets up for a high pitched banshee scream that rings out, while high pitched vocals are laying down some thought provoking lines. There is a short lived setup here and the song slows down to a punchy feel with low guttural vocals. This song has quite a few changes but they are not going overboard with the amount of changes. This song has a cool feel to it. Like a relentless gravity blast serenade of guttural vocals and filth.  This is a cool song, it might not be everyone’s favorite but it has all the characteristics of a great tune.

5: Circo Inhumanitas.

David gives us a quick drum fill which is then followed by blast beats. Immediately after, Travis hits us with the cut-throat mid-range vocals. Every track has a brutal and menacing driving guitar riff.  Those punchy guitar riffs for those moments when bodies are going to be moving hard and heavy are also present. The chorus to this song has those unyielding high pitched vocals that cut deep. With rapid fire double bass and blast beats I’d say David takes home a trophy for his work on this album. At 2:10 this song takes on a change that is just absolutely brutal, a slower feel for a few bars. At the same time Travis is giving us low and mid-range vocals for a few bars and then the high pitched for a bar or two. This is a great song. This album so far has 5 out of 5 songs that are very impressive.

6: The Burden Of Seven Billion

This is a very gloomy, sinister and chilling instrumental track. It has the feel of a murder scene in a horror movie giving you time to contemplate the song title. This is one of those instrumental tracks that is just the right length. Not too short, not too long or drawn out. Without a doubt a great addition to the album.

7: Mammals In Babylon

The way this song starts it has that driving forceful rhythm for a few bars. The verse is a solid tempo that you can move and the second verse is the same as the first in the way that it is solid and on point. By the time the pre chorus hits, it is set up well to the beginnings of a banshee scream, and some blast beats. Following that, Travis hits us with high pitches… guttural high. They are different sounding then the usual high pitched vocals. The chorus is very enjoyable as it is a solid catchy chorus. This song possesses that groove you can really rock out to.  This song is great; an unwavering brutal metal masterpiece.

8: Mutual Assured Destruction

A quick drum introduces us to the feel of the song. Cattle Decapitation does not ease the listener into the blast filled assault they are about to fall victim to. Travis is giving it all with his mid-range vocals all the while as a driving guitar riff engineers to keep the bodies moving. While the pre chorus feels like it is holding something back, the chorus delivers unforgiving brutality.

9: Not Suitable For Life

Travis explodes with growls while vicious drums and a heavy guitar riff hit hard. That seems to be the pattern so far with this album. They get right into the brutality without any fluff. The verse is solid with an even more evil sounding chorus. The lyrical content of the chorus has a villainous feel. The second time the chorus hits we experience a few more bars of this slow, and brutal onslaught. This is definitely a solid and brutal track that I am enjoying.

10: Apex Blasphemy

This song punches its way in with mind numbing guitar riffs and blast beats. The vocals that you hear first are the consistent mid-range vocals.  With the first change I am really enjoying the guitar riff, and then Travis gives us one of those vomitus vocal bursts. The uncompromised high vocals hit us hard and fast. I am personally really enjoying the drums on this song. With how rapid fire this song is, you can still move to it. I am trying to refrain from head banging right now. This song is appropriately titled as it is the apex of blasphemous reverberation.

11: Axe Exitium

The sound of waves are crashing again however this has a depressing feel to it. The dismal and somber melody on the guitar lulls you into feelings of hopelessness. Everything about this song is cool except the vocals. I just don’t care for them. I understand the reasoning behind them but I just feel that this song could have been a cool instrumental album ender. It’s definitely not one of those songs you skip past though.

12: Pacific Grim

Just like most of the other tracks it kicks into high gear right out of the gate. By no means do they attempt to hold back. This song has a very solid verse, and the pre chorus is equally as satisfactory.  This song has an unsurpassable groove, which matches the guttural brutality of it. David McGraw handles the drums with surgical precision and grace.

    After all is said and done, this album is a masterpiece. This is one of those few albums that you can listen from start to finish without skipping.  The vocal range that Travis possesses is incredible. He nails the highs, the lows, the guttural deep lows, and the banshee like screeches. David is relentless on the drums, a well executing drum machine. This is one of my top albums of 2015 hands down. This album has all the right qualities that blend perfectly.  This album is damn near perfect. If you haven’t gotten this album yet and are looking for a great album to buy, make this be the one.

-Badger \m/
http://www.badgersmetalbreakdown.com

Haunted Cellar – Infernal Delusions Review

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Haunted cellar : INFERNAL DELUSIONS

Haunted Cellar is:

Khodor Nashar – Lead Guitar & Backing Vocals.
Rodi Mestrih- Drums & Percussion.
Walid Sandakly – Lead Vocals.
Aboud Kabbas – Bass Guitar.

1: The Divinity of Loneliness

The song starts out with a wholesome and melodic, guitar rhythm being played for about 18 seconds until the distorted guitars and drums jump in. This has a mid tempo feel to it, for a few bars, and then as the drums stop playing, the guitars give us a riff that builds up to the first verse. The vocals for the verse are a low almost guttural sound to them. The recording quality is not the greatest. I am really enjoying this tempo and when the chorus approaches, I am noticing that it is catchy as hell. I could easily find myself humming, whistling, or singing along. After the chorus the song slows down, to give it a more punchy attack. The guitar solo is a simple yet tasteful addition to the song. When the other guitar comes in the harmonics of this section are cool. This song is a good tune, I have enjoyed it during my time listening.

2:The Way of the Swarm

This song starts out with a 1-2 cymbal splash and then a cymbal crash beginning the slow and stringent rhythm. The song goes through a few changes in the drum patterns before the verse begins. This song has a slower feel for the most part until the first verse lets loose. Going into the next verse, it has the same structure, until right out of the second verse. The song slows down to give you a slower punchy feel, more than how the song began. Right around the half-way point, the song takes on a change that is actually the highlight of the song in my opinion. I like the double bass and driving beat it has to it. The vocals are a little higher and tighter. At 3:28 seconds the song transitions back in to the feel and pattern that made up the first verse. It then picks up into a death metal rhythm with a blast beat laden breakdown. This carries on for a solid minute until it slows and abruptly stops.

3 Path to Oblivion

This song has what sounds like a really gritty distortion on the guitars. A riff that sounds like it is going to fade out for only a brief moment until it comes right back in and plays a fluid, mid tempo riff. The vocals join in and it takes on an old school death metal feel. We get hit by a bar of blast beats then winds down to the guitar solo. Not a bad song by any means, but this is the one song that started to lose me.

4: Haunted Cellar

This song has a darker approach to it, with a cool guitar riff in the background then vacates to open up for a solid driving guitar riff, mid tempo drums, and a nice feel to it. The vocals are low and grim sounding. This song maintains the sludgy death metal feel and mid tempo pace for the entire song. Not bad, maybe not the best track they have in my opinion.

These guys have some serious potential and it sounds like they recorded this themselves. One thing I do want to point out is that this band is from Syria. This is not a band on U.S soil where there are tons of places and studios to do recording mixing and mastering. In fact I was only able to find one studio. So take that into consideration when you listen to these guys. Metal may not be the most accepted art form over there, and the resources are not easy to come by either. Especially when it comes to metal band recording studios. If these guys had a chance with more of a variety of studios these songs may sound different. I think they sound pretty damn good considering. They are fresh and have plenty to offer, if this is just a debut of their sound. We could definitely see some serious metal coming from these guys in the future. I personally cant wait to hear more from these guys and see what they have up their sleeves.

you can check them out on facebook

on soundcloud/Haunted-Cellar

and twitter.com/Haunted_Cellar

-Badger \m/
http://www.badgersmetalbreakdown.com

Rivers Of Nihil Review

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Track 1: Heirless

This is one of those ominous gloomy, atmospheric tracks. I really don’t care much for songs that don’t have a sense of purpose. I am sure that with a title like Heirless it is supposed to have that sort of feel to it. But as a listener, it could have been a 30 second sound clip instead of a 2:24 long track. I feel like I am at a show and the band is going through a sound check, just jamming riffs that flow but without any actual song that is on the set list. Not the way I would start an album. End an album with it maybe but I would not want to set the bar low to begin an album. This will go down in history as the skip song. That song on some albums you just always skip.

Track 2: Perpetual Growth Machine

The track starts out with a mid tempo chugging and a solid beat double bass for a few bars then into blast beat intro with a guitar riff in the background. Panning the guitars, drum fill in the first verse. Few bars of mid tempo into blast beats. It is definitely a groove you can move to but so far it doesn’t have that “wow” factor. The vocals are not bad but a bit one dimensional. A nice little guitar solo which has that old school feel to the solo. Now the vocals have gained a bit more dimension but not mind blowing. The range is still in the same vicinity as the first verse. I will say there is a hearty amount of changes.  I will say that they do have a good song structure to this track. Then twenty seconds of looming bass line.

Track 3: Reign of Dreams

Blast beats and ominous guitar riffing. When the vocals kick in they feel like they are behind the instruments. The song really maintains the same feel throughout the majority of the song. Same groove and riffs with minor noticeable changes. I let out a big sigh and let the song finish with hopes track 4 has more to offer.

Track 4: Sand Baptism

Guitars fade in with nice little cymbal pattern on the drums to a melodic guitar riff. Then right into some distortion. Drum beats rolling off the toms into a double bass rollout then back into a drum beat, setting things up and into the verse. I still feel as though the vocals are behind the instruments. This is until right before the 1:30 mark that’s when the vocals seem to be in front of the instruments. Maybe that’s what they are going for to add dimension the vocals. I am not sure. Just to be on the safe side I will be listening to this album through other forms of audio delivery such as ear buds, headphones, speakers, car speakers, etc. I do enjoy the lyrics to this song. I just don’t know if they are trying to merge death metal with prog metal, technical metal and a dash of atmospheric ambiance. I feel like they just didn’t know what to do, so let’s do it all.

Track 5: Ancestral I

This starts right out with growls and blast beats. This song really maintains the same groove feel for 4:33 minutes. This is an average song, not above average by any means. This track is really teetering on the fine line of below average and average. Just when I thought the song couldn’t have been any more of a let down, the song ends. This song ended about the same way the HBO series the Sopranos ended. It left me scratching my head only with this I didn’t enjoy it until its final moment.

Track 6: Dehydrate

Nice guitar riff for starters. Wait! It’s over. Blast beats, I will say this, Alan does have talent for being a drummer. The guitars also seem to be talented. I can hear the bass through and Adam sounds pretty decent on drums. I just feel like this album so far was not their best work. I won’t waste your time for a breakdown of this song. It is just average, just like the last one.

Track 7: Monarchy

Ahh! Here we have an interesting beat. A nice guitar riff with a cool groove and a guitar solo to accompany. Then the one dimensional vocals kick in. I really enjoy the atmospheric groove to the song when it is present. The problem is that it diminishes to a death metal feel without any indication.  You have a pleasant groove, everything sounds good and boom! Death metal just kicked the door down and forced its way into the song. I get it they are a metal band but you need to set up these changes so that they are actually enjoyable by people with a lot of background in music.

Track 8: Terrestria II : Thrive

We have a hi-hat pattern and a atmospheric loom bass line with guitars swelling in. Now a cool groove, this has a nice groove to it so far. They set this up better than previous tracks; with how it changes into the distortion and heaviness of the song. Blast beats, a brutal yet atmospheric riff to it. I don’t want to speak to soon but I think we made it to the best track on the album. Guitar solo that fits well, double bass rolling out and a good bass presence. I am enjoying this song very much so far. More than half way through and this song is great with every change no matter how atmospheric, or heavy.  It maintains that great song structure. It does come with a catch though… there are no vocals on this song. No matter how many times we get blast beats and heavy riffing it has a cool feel to it that you can thoroughly enjoy. This is the one song I wish it didn’t end when it did. This is the top track hands down. They should have kept the whole album like this. This song is what makes this album get a better grade.

Track 9: Circles in the Sky

Ominous atmospheric riff, bass line comes in and fades into a distorted guitar solo, no drums yet, but this has a cool feel. A quick drum fill into a heavy drum beat double bass with a bar of a punchy quick double bass set up and the vocals kick in. Not bad though back to having an average sound.   Right around the half-way point it takes on its original cool groove.  The vocals kick back in and they are almost trying to maintain that cool groove while adding in the vocals. The more I listen to this song it does grow on you but I think it is because they are keeping that progressive atmospheric groove to it. This seems to be a much better track than the tracks earlier on.

Track 10: Suntold

This song also starts out with a nice groove, atmospheric and enjoyable to listen to. The vocals kick in around the :45 second mark. Keeping the groove while still keeping it heavy I feel like they found the right formula unfortunately not soon enough. This song is not as great as the previous two tracks but still a solid track to listen to.

After listening to this album I listened to it again and again and again, each time with a different set of headphones and speakers. I understand the concept behind the album, they are continuing with the concept/ storyline with their albums. Cool concept but not exactly original either.

 An album written about a futuristic time where the earth is a barren wasteland. I think I have heard that idea before

I feel as though this album was more of a disappointment, maybe they wanted the vocals to be over shadowed most of the time. If that is the case then they succeeded. However I did not enjoy that aspect of the album.  All in all the majority of the album is average at best, with three songs that were enjoyable. The talent is definitely there, but not their best work in my opinion.

-Badger \m/
http://www.badgersmetalbreakdown.com

also on The Metal Syndicate \m/

Hate Eternal : Infernus album review

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This is a little album review I have done for the folks over at The Metal Syndicate

check it out

1: Locust Swarm

This track starts out with a solid death metal riff and blast beats. Great verse that has a good tempo, something you can move to.  A short guitar solo back in to the verse with lots of blast beats during the majority of the song. Vocals are on point, precise and clear. I am enjoying this track up to the chorus, a great track to listen to. Now the break down begins, it slows down; and has a punchy feel with some drum rollouts. The song continuously slows down in tempo giving it a brutal effect.  The song ends with a note ringing out from the guitar.

2: The Stygian Deep

As the song fades in it has a slower feel to it but only for about 30 seconds. That’s when things pick up, with the verse and the blast beats kick in hard. I do enjoy when the bass of a metal band can be heard and not drowned out. When we reach the chorus the vocal pattern mixes with the guitar riffs. Think of it here as a complimenting symbiosis if you will as they are not trying to experiment with anything. They seem to want to make death metal the way they want to do it with no outside influences. Straight up death metal…no chaser.

3: Pathogenic Apathy

This one has a nice little drum intro to start the song off, no fading in, no guitar riff; just a one bar drum intro. As the guitars come in, the song takes on a mid tempo feel.  Even when the verse begins, vocals come in and blast beats begin. Same feel to it and it maintains that same tempo; the few changes they make don’t seem to change the tempo so far. This is another song you can move to, be it head-banging or moshing. Pretty much whatever turns your crank… or wrecks it. The chorus has a loving feel to it as it has a menacing experience to it, I love that guitar riff. Three songs in and this album has yet to lose my interest. They don’t seem to be stepping out of their comfort zone by focusing on keeping the pace and the brutal feel to it.  This is a solid track, I like it.

4: La Tempestad

Instant blast beats with mean riffing to start off. When the vocals come in they are relentless. This is a song that will be cool to hear live. This is a driving, no holds barred death metal song that willing to cut down everything in its path. I like it; no frills, nothing flashy. This is just a killer track that cuts to the bone. This is one of those songs containing 100% intensity till the very end.

5: Infernus

The title track starts out with a guitar riff as well as some spoken dialogue. It actually reminds me of Johan Hegg from Amon Amarth. However the beginning is a bit drawn out for my liking. When the metal vocals do come in; they are joined by a heavier riff from the guitar and a slower paced vibe that somehow still remains brutal.  Right around the half-way point we witness a change of direction. We have nice little section of guitar riffing paired with drumming adding fills on every other bar.  As if this song wasn’t already a decent tune it then reaches a whole other level during the second half. This song is so bad-ass I find myself being violated by the repeat button. I wish the whole song was like this… brutal and more brutal.

6: The Chosen One

The addition of Chason on drums was a great choice. The way this song starts out has so much intensity, energetic and yet it is precise with no hint of any sloppiness. This may be the only track I don’t care for the vocals as much. This song really brings back that old school Florida death metal feel. But I just don’t care for the vocals on this track.

7: Zealot, Crusader of War

   The song starts out with some double bass rolling and a guitar riff; mid-tempo but not too fast or slow and chuggy. By the time the vocals come in the blast beats begin. The song is not bad, it just doesn’t really keep my attention. The chorus is rather enjoyable with mid section guitar riff at the half way mark is a nice classic solo. The change at the 2:50 minute mark takes on a different feel that I do not really care for. From that point on the song goes downhill.

8: Order of The Arcane Scripture

   This has a riff I can get into right away. The drums I can get in to also. The vocals are better on this track (so far). This album really brings back that Florida death metal feel, in many ways this album is enjoyable because of that. Hate Eternal was not conforming to the industry standards for this albums sound and style. They seem to be just doing what they know how to do. Make relentless metal for sport.

 9: Chaos Theory

  A quite unexpected start to this track as it doesn’t have that typical death metal feel, the groove is different. One minute into the song and no vocals; quick tempo for this song keeps it interesting. This seems to be an instrumental track and an impressive one at that. This is not a melodic “let’s mellow out for a moment” track. What we call a solid fast paced metal instrumental bliss. I am still tremendously enjoying this song as it ends well. The last hit on the bell of a cymbal was the icing on the cake if you will.

 10: O’Majestic Being, Hear My Call

  This song starts out with a cool effect. A talk box for the guitars or a pedal effect, either way they start this song off oddly for the first thirty seconds… that is until the drums come in with a short fill to hit us with a blast beats. The guitar riff that is playing is nothing intricate as it just flows well to a not so mind blowing capacity. When the guitar solo happens I feel as though the song changes for the better. It seems like it will finish up strong. Maybe not as strong as I expected but the second half of the song is still pretty solid and makes up for it.

   After listening to the cd, I can honestly say I have never been a huge fan of theirs nor have owned anything by them. I never thought they were that bad, just Hate Eternal is not my style of preference. I expected to listen to this and feel un-moved. From the day they released a track to stream, I wasn’t blown away. But, I must admit this album grew on me a little and for the better now that I’ve had the chance to get in a few more listens.
Mind blowing? No, but a solid no frills death metal album yes.

If you like what you see check out The Metal Syndicate online radio show, interviews, news and reviews \m/

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stay brutal friends

-Badger \m/
http://www.badgersmetalbreakdown.com

reviewing the Eric Pellegrini projects latest E.P.

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One band member makes up the Eric Pellegrini project, Eric reached out and asked that I give the songs a listen.

Power Games: Starts out with an ominous organ, for a few bars, until the distorted guitars and drums kick in. drums are programmed. So while I am not a fan of this style let it be known that bands like Agoraphobic Nosebleed were doing this also. So while I like that natural drum feel, programming the drums is not an easy task by any means. Vocals come in with that low raspy guttural sound. Right around the 4:18 minute mark the drums take on a different groove to the beat. Right here is where I would say the highlight of the song is, Eric adding a guitar solo into the mix, with a driving rhythm. Really sounds like Eric is experimenting with a doom, symphonic death metal genre. While also limited to just himself doing all instruments and vocals.

War of Kings : Now this organ sound I like better than the one used for power games. Drums and guitars kick in. he programmed the drum fills. Not bad at all the guitar solo that comes in is a nice fit for the pace the song is taking. Double bass rollout every other bar. Snare on the down beat. Nothing over the top in terms of going overboard. But the guitar solo is nice. Vocals kick in and the rhythm changes. Blast beats picking up the pace. I think I would have to hold this song above power games. I am enjoying this song more. Really sounds like he spent more time on this song. Now don’t get me wrong. This is one guy, doing everything. As a drummer I would be laying down different types of fills, but get me on a guitar. Game over. So to be doing everything really is a challenge all on its own. At the 4:52 minute mark it takes on a good change. Then a perfect guitar solo right after, you have death metal blast beats and a guitar solo. The harmonizing guitar solo adds another dimension to the song. The way the song plays out for the last 2 minutes of the song is great. I think this track has a lot of potential if the rest of the song writing is similar in style to this one.

Keep them separated: Starts out just the way it should but only a heavier version. This reminds me of Six Feet Under’s graveyard classics. While I am a fan of metal covers of non metal songs. Sometimes the vocals just don’t match the song even as a metal version. I am a fan of this song in general, this takes on a different doom sounding style, but with the pace of the song being a more energetic song. Its not bad, its certainly hard to make a cover sound great in the first place. Not bad,

I think on this three song E.P. we have the different sounding songs. One of which is a cover song. the other two do not sound like each other really. All in all, not bad. Nothing to really write home about, however it does have a lot of potential. If a few dedicated members joined it could take on a powerful form. I am interested in seeing what will become of this project in the future. Lets not forget,  Arsis started out as two guys. Anything with potential can become something big.

Not enough tracks to give this a rating, but it has plenty of potential.

Check it out for your self  at ericpellegrini.bandcamp

-Badger \m/
http://www.badgersmetalbreakdown.com

Interviewing Vehemence from Arizona. Pre order their new album! @vehemenceAZ

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Back when I was in college I went to a metal festival near where I live. Bands , promoters, labels they were handing out cd samplers left and right. I came across a 25 song sampler CD with a song by a band that would blow my mind. The Band was Vehemence and the song was ” I Must Not Live”. After listening to that song, I immediately bought their album ” God Was Created”, and it forever will be in my top ten best metal albums of all time. After that album they put out another titled “Helping The World To See” which was also a solid album. Then the unexpected happened, they split up. That was devastating news, one of my favorite metal bands breaking up.

Flash forward ten years later and they have gotten back together. They recently announced they are putting out a new album. With incredible news like that I made it a priority to get in touch with them and set up this interview.

Welcome back guys I first heard God was Created in college and it absolutely blew me away. That is one hell of a brutal metal album. And will always be in my top ten best metal albums. Every element about it, Andy on drums , the guitars were sick. I mean just the song writing for the guitars was incredible.  I would say textbook in the sense that wish other bands had taken notes. Mark doing backing vocals while playing bass. And of course Nathan’s sinister brutal vocals.  So, I am just pumped for the band to be back making new music.

  1. Since you guys split, years back it looks like now that you are back together you have a newer member to the group. Does he bring an element to the mix that was not there before?

Bjorn – Definitely! Kyle originally joined the band when we first regrouped, back in 2007. He left in 2009 but came back in 2012. He adds a new dimension for sure with his lead playing. He also wrote a track on the album called “It’s All My Fault”. He brings a more technical lead style to the fold. He is really a great player. Also was a major contributor the the recording process of this album.

  1.     What brought you guys back together in the first place?

Bjorn – Well, basically we are all really good friends. We all live in the same city, and enjoy just hanging out and jammin songs. Why not you know? It was difficult carrying on when Nathan originally quit to focus on family. We tried to continue on, but just weren’t feeling it. For a while, we started focusing our energy on different projects, but eventually we got that itch again to continue.

  1.   God was created always felt like (for lack of better words) a concept album, and it was just amazing. Is the new album going to have that same vibe/feel to it?

Bjorn – The new album is not a concept album, however it definitely has the Vehemence “vibe”, but I feel it just comes across as more refined this time. It has elements of all our albums I believe, with some new things brought to the table as well. It does not sound out of place in our catalog. Most of the material was written between 2007 and 2011, with the exception of 1 song, which was written during the Helping The World To See touring cycle.

  1.   Mark had been doing backing vocals before I mean  you can see that in the video for “ By your bedside”  will Mark still be doing backing vocals?

Bjorn – Mark doesn’t do vocals on this album. His voice has changed over the years, and it was decided that Nathan would handle all the vocal duties on this album.

  1.     I have to say his delivery and sound is just a perfect contrast between Nathans vocals, and his. It really adds another layer to the songs in my opinion.

Bjorn – I agree! But it wasn’t going to sound the same this time around. Age happens, and hitting those high screams aren’t easy!

  1.     You guys were on Metal blade records before, now you guys are on Battleground Records. In the ten years that has passed, do you feel that Battleground has really gotten you guys where you want to be as a band coming back?

Bjorn – Absolutely! We are really happy with what Battleground has shown us so far. They really are like a 6th member of the band. This is such a simpler deal, less middle-man, if that makes sense. And we still own the rights to our music, which was very important to us in signing a new deal.

  1.     What has the general (public/ fans) reaction been regarding the return of Vehemence?

Bjorn – So far, so good! We will see what they think of the new material! But overall, its amazing that we even still have fans after this much time off hah!

  1.     Will we see Vehemence do any touring in the near future?

Bjorn – Hard to say. Lengthy touring, no. We all have families and jobs to keep. I’d like to think we can do a short run of dates, and some one-off shows for festivals and things like that. Time will tell!

  1. What’s the metal scene like out in Arizona, are you guys getting some good shows in?

Bjorn – Metal scene is great out here! Lots of great bands, and super talented musicians. Bands like Lago, Through The Earth, Sorrower all of which are playing our album release show. Its been a couple years since we have last played a show. We took time off from shows so we could focus on this record. It was hard to focus on getting this album finished when we were always playing shows and concentrating on practicing a set list. But we’re excited to get back out there, and finally have a new product to share!

  1. Will you be playing any of the new material  at shows leading up to the release, or are you saving that until the album drops?

Bjorn – Nope, our next show is the album release on Oct 24th!

  1. What are the  musical influences you guys have ( does not need to be just metal)?

Bjorn – Hmm. Well that can go from Black Sabbath, to Propagandhi, to Carcass, to Sunny Day Real Estate hah. We all love a variety of different music. Not strictly just death metal 24/7 ha.

  1. What are you listening to these days?

Bjorn – Honestly, its been a while since I’ve been totally captivated by a record. It bums me out! I need some goddamn new music! The next 2 albums I’m getting though are the new Cattle Decapitation and the new Faith No More.

  1. How did it feel to be back in the studio again as a band?

Bjorn – It was really good to be productive again. This time we approached the recording process in a completely different way. Home recording has come a long way since the last album we put out. We did the drums in a real recording studio, but everything else we did in our homes. We took our time getting it done, and spent countless hours tweaking it. Its one of the great things about home recording, however having all this unlimited time makes it hard to finally stop fucking with it and call it a day ha.

  1. In the past it seemed like Bjorn did the majority of the writing and Nathan Did the lyrics. Has the formula changed or is it still that winning combination of Bjorn’s musical talents, and Nathans brutal vocals and grizzly vocabulary?

Bjorn – For the most part, that formula hasn’t changed. There is a song on the album called, “It’s All My Fault” that Kyle wrote, but his influences are heard throughout the album. There is also a song written by our old guitarist Jake, who was in the band from 2010 – 2012 called “In The Shadows We Dwell”

  1. Going from huge label like Metalblade to a more independent label like Battleground records. DO you feel like with the small roster, that Battlegrounds is a more involved with you guys?

Bjorn – Bigtime. Metalblade obviously is a huge name, and has great distribution. But at this point in our lives, the expectations a label like that would have would not fit with our needs, or theirs. Battleground has been such a pleasure to work with, and David and Ryan (the guys who run the label) are so up front, and honest. Its very refreshing. They want the best for you. Its not about money. They have passion behind their bands. And another thing going into this, we wanted to own the rights to our music. That was very important to us. We don’t have goals of being a huge band. We just want to get this record out to the people that appreciate what we do. And we are so grateful that Battleground believes in us and this album.

  1. It looks like you guys are putting out a video later on this month, are we going to see other videos for this album in the future?

Bjorn – Not sure. Its not impossible. I’d like to do another one, but we will see!

  1. The new album is a long awaited album, would you compare it to God was Created, or Helping the world to see? Or both?

Bjorn – Definitely both. It seems like the natural progression, having elements of both albums along with something new. Some parts and some melodies will definitely stand out and sound like GWC era, or HTWTS era for sure.

  1. With the time that has passed since Helping The World To See was released. Would you say the music for the new album is a more mature in how it will sound?

Bjorn – Yes it is definitely a more mature effort. We scrutinized the fuck out of these songs ha. This is really the best that we could do. Of our entire catalog, this is the album I am most proud of. It is us firing on all cylinders, delivering the best performance and the best songs that we possibly could.

  1.   something I like to ask all the bands I interview, especially with new music coming out. In five words ( if all members contribute I will take the top 5 used) describe the new album?

Bjorn – passionate, dark, diverse, evolved, melodic.

  1. And lastly is there anything you want to tell the fans, about the band, the album the future of Vehemence?

Bjorn – I just hope its well received by people that enjoy our previous efforts! We put a lot of hard work into getting this done. And it’s still hard to believe that we actually did it, because we talked about it forever hah. Hope you dig it! Out October 24th on Battleground Records!

It was great to talk to the Bjorn, I personally will be getting on that pre ordering asap. I can’t wait to hear the new album. It will be brutal.

So go on pre order it today by clicking here Vehemence pre orders

you can also pre order the digital album and get bonus tracks by purchasing it from Bandcamp \m/

Check out Vehemence on Facebook

Check them out on Twitter

Head on over to Battleground records here click here \m/

-Badger \m/

http://www.badgersmetalbreakdown.com

The Metal Syndicate

Danzig’s ” Blackest of the Black” Tour annouced with direct support from Superjoint, and Prong

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Following the Facebook page of Danzig , it was posted that the tour would kick off October 3rd and run through till Halloween.

Bands include Superjoint, Prong, Veil of Maya, and Witch Mountain. Looking like they will be in Worcester for the Rock and Shock show.

TOUR DATES OCTOBER 2015

3 SAT. – PHOENIX, AZ. MARQUEE THEATRE
5 MON. – AUSTIN, TX. STUBBS WALLER CREEK AMPHITHEATRE
7 WED. – MEMPHIS, TN. MINGLEWOOD HALL
9 FRI.- NEW ORLEANS, LA. CIVIC THEATRE
11 SUN. – BIRMINGHAM, AL. IRON CITY
12 MON. – ORLANDO, FL. HARD ROCK LIVE
14 WED. – CHARLOTTE, N.C.. THE FILLMORE
16 FRI.- PHILADELPHIA, PA. ELECTRIC FACTORY
17 SAT. – WORCESTER, MA. ‘ROCK & SHOCK’ THE PALLADIUM
18 SUN.- MONTREAL, QC. METROPOLIS
20 TUES.- PORTLAND, ME. STATE THEATRE
21 WED. – NYC, N.Y. BEST BUY THEATRE
23 FRI.- CLEVELAND, OH. AGORA THEATRE
24 SAT. – MILWAUKEE, WI. THE RAVE
25 SUN.- OMAHA, NE. SOKOL AUDITORIUM
27 TUES. – BOULDER, CO. BOULDER THEATRE
29 THUR.- SAN JOSE, CA. CITY NATIONAL CIVIC
31 SAT. HALLOWEEN- LOS ANGELES, CA. MICROSOFT THEATRE

-Badger \m/
http://www.badgersmetalbreakdown.com