As some of you have seen I was able to interview Chris and Flo from Cryptopsy, now for my third interview I was able to ask Oli a few questions. and to talk about their current indiegogo campaign ( http://igg.me/at/Cryptopsy/x/10796470 )
When I saw these guys in Syracuse, I got a chance to really talk to all of them, and also get some impressions from all of them. To watch these guys on stage is just a great show. For all the people in the crowd just thrashing and head banging, a pit only broke out a few times, but for the most part there was a group of people myself included just really taking in the whole experience. These guys give it their all, and part of that is because they are an independent band. They do not have a label backing them up and supporting them. They have the fans as their support. When they get the support they need, they want to give back, and that’s what helps with their energy to put on a great show. Oli was in the zone, what I mean is that he was like a different person on stage. After their show when I talked to him, he was just the most down to earth guy. I asked him what one of the first things he would do when he got back home after the tour ended, showered unpacked etc. and he said go to his favorite pub with good friends. After they got back home I ended up reaching out to all of the guys from Cryptopsy, and this is how it went with Oli.
Badger- Did you have fun while you were on the Back to the U.S. tour? Also you had a birthday so what was that like while being on the road touring and promoting the new E.P. and crowd funding campaign.?
Olivier-Lot of fun , old and new friends! The crowd were amazing, I think on that tour we got a bunch of new fans ….And for the birthday , it was an awesome night ,We played Amytiville that night and the guys from Suffocation, Internal Bleeding and Dehumanized show up, good times!!
Badger-I have been both a Cryptopsy fan, and a Neuraxis fan for some time. The technical metal coming from Canada has been just brutal (which is why I like it so much) For you how did it feel going from one killer metal band like Neuraxis, to then playing the bass for the legendary Cryptopsy? And how did you get involved with Cryptopsy?
Olivier- Neuraxis recorded the album ”ASYLON” during the summer of 2010 at Garage Studio with Chris Donaldson . I love to think that he liked working with me , otherwise I don’t think that he would have called me for Cryptopsy haha!
But yeah , the trasition was huge , It was a big challenge for me to play with those guys. I spent a lot of days at Jon Levasseur place’s to learn the old stuff and write the bass line for the Self-Titled as well ….So I didn’t have time to waste!!
Badger- Have you always been a fan of metal? Who are your influences for metal, as well as playing the bass?
Now , I’m still interested in the underground scene , bands like Ulcerate , Dead Congregation , Gigan are constantly in my CD player!
Badger- After the E.P. is released will we be seeing any play through videos from you in the near future?
Olivier-Maybe , maybe not haha. I’m actually not a big fan of play through video . I understand why people like that …but for me, magic happen on stage in front of people , not behind a camera in my basement.
Badger- If you could describe The Book Of Suffering E.P. in five words. What would those five words be? Again I want to thank you for your time to answer my questions, I wish you guys the best, I hope you guys make it to your goal, and wish you safe travels for your next trip of touring to promote the new music.
Olivier- Extreme , Dark , Groovy , Fresh , Brutal
Thanks , see ya on the road!
So there you go, words from the bassist extraordinaire himself, Olivier Pinard, The guy is just killer on the bass, and a really cool cat. I personally cannot wait until the E.P. comes out, I have been a Cryptopsy fan for a long time. When other bands were playing typical “death metal ” styles, Cryptopsy was playing a much more technical style of metal.
The pricing is pretty fair, you have to figure the cost of things these days, everything is going up. And these guys are trying to keep the prices competitive as well. The cost of Gasoline, and all other goods out there, everything is expensive these days. However the way I look at it. I am a sucker for a physical CD. for $20.00 I will get my E.P. shipped to me with a digital download, and while some may argue its too expensive. I believe in spending a little more to get a better quality. These guys offer a better quality, and raise the bar every time. Even if you don’t have 20 dollars for the CD. Do some research, a lot of bands are doing digital E.P.’s for $5.00 So Cryptopsy is on point with that, I have never been disappointed by these guys, and i will always be a fan. So whether all you have is $5.00, or not even that, they have a perk for $1.00 contributions. That way you can at least be a part of something cool, and help out one of the pioneering bands of technical death metal.
I got a chance to speak with Flo about Cryptopsy, playing the drums, going independent etc. So allow me to get right down to it.
Badger-So Flo 2015 has been pretty productive for you guys, and with the touring as well as the indiegogo campaign. You guys have been pretty busy and it looks as though 2015 will be a nonstop ride for you guys. So with that said I just have a few questions I would like to ask you.
Badger- You have been with Cryptopsy since 1992. You have seen Cryptopsy evolve into what it is today. What has that been like for you?
Flo: It’s definitely been a trip to be a part of and experience the ups and downs of Cryptopsy for over 20 years. I’ve worked with a lot of different people during this time , in and out of the band, and I’ve learnt a few things on the way ; )
Badger- You are essentially like the father of Cryptopsy, watching it grow, and shaping it for the future. How has that affected you being a part of something this big?
Flo: well I’ve never looked at it as being big or small. I look at Cryptopsy just like my playing, it’s always a work in progress. So I feel very critical about the whole thing. So it’s affect is in a way to try to be better from year to year, tour to tour and album to album.
Badger- You are a phenomenal drummer, and I have been a fan since first listening to “ Emaciate” with that said, what sort of process do you have for writing new music?
Flo: thanks for the kind words! We have used different ways of writing in the past. For the newer stuff we actually sit in studio and go over riff that Chris has recorded. We then try to structure them and piece things together. Some are already a series of riffs that fit, some are alone. So we do a general structure. When we’re happy with that we ll start throwing in traps and different bridges and more tech elements. During this whole process beats and fills come to me. Then I take the riffs home to practice and establish my parts.
Badger-Do you have a game plan for raising the bar every time?
Flo: no real game plan. If the guys and I practice hard enough from one recording to another, you ll be able to tell. In Cryptopsy we concentrate on writing songs first then speed and tech.
Badger-Because as a long time listener I can say the bar gets raised every time without a doubt.
Flo: thanks a lot, well we try and this EP has new stuff that’s pretty sick and so will the next series of EPs promise!!
Badger- Who are some of your influences for the drums?
Flo: I have so many influences it’s not even fair to name just a few but I will. In metal, Sean Reinhert, Gene Hoglan, Kenny Schalk, in other styles, Dennis Chambers, John Bonham, Dave Weckl, Chris Coleman.
Badger-I have heard the jazz in the self-titled album, so you must have some a variety of influences for both jazz and metal.
Flo: I try and enjoy listening to all sorts of different musical styles. It just expands your influential pallet therefore your creativity and ability as well.
Badger- Now that you guys have been independent. Has it made the writing process any different? Trying to deliver only the absolute best and what you want the fans to hear?
Flo: there’s less pressure to deliver something but more pressure on us to make it as good and as marketable (package wise) as possible. We have worked with a lot of different artists in the past and still have yet to find the go to guy, lol
Badger-Is there a lot of songs that you guys end up putting on a back burner as a result?
Flo: I wouldn’t say many songs cause it doesn’t get that far, but many riffs yes have been canned.
Badger-Is it more rewarding, not financially but rather emotionally and mentally putting out new music and playing out, and getting the fans reactions?
Flo: it’s totally cool when we believe in something and are happy about a new creation then see that our fans are just as stocked as we are!! Great feeling!!
Badger-And my last question which I have asked all the guys is;
If you can describe The Book Of Suffering E.P. in only five words. What would those five words be?
Flo: brutally fresh and truly catchy!
Badger-Thank you for taking the time to answer these questions if there is anything else you would like to add feel free, because the fans are listening.
Flo: thanks for the years of support, keep it coming we have lots more to offer!!!
Badger-Thanks again Flo look forward to hearing the E.P. when it comes out and seeing what the future holds for Cryptopsy.
There you have it the E.P sounds killer ( they played a song at their show in Syracuse, and it was truly a badass tune. Flo is an incredible drummer, there are tons of videos on you tube of him playing live, or in a studio, he also has his own instructional DVD for extreme metal drumming techniques.
Make sure to check out their indiegogo page to help get this E.P. brought to life by clicking on this link here; http://igg.me/at/Cryptopsy/x/10796470
check out a video of Flo and Chris explaining in their words about the campaign
There is only 12 days left on the campaign. So definitely check out the perks, the pricing is very reasonable, and lets say you cant do a campaign shirt option, but you want to help out $1.00 will help out, and you will get a thank you video, $5.00 gets you the E.P. in digital download form. Me i am a sucker for the physical disc, but even that is $20.00 (includes shipping) and still I get the digital download. So all the options are a great deal.
So really what ever option you choose you can at least feel good to be helping out a great band, that is very influential to up and coming musicians.
I recently got a chance to reach out to Chris Donaldson, the skilled guitar shredder for Cryptopsy. With the band being an independent band, they are always busy, this is there 9-5 only its more of a 24-7 job. So they are busy trying to make a living, and have a life. They are back from the most recent tour and i wanted to get a quick interview in while the members had some free time.
This is my interview with Chris,
Alright Chris so I did get a brief chance to talk to you at your last U.S. show but I wanted to ask you a few questions to help the fans get more connected.
Badger- So how has 2015 been for you so far?
Chris- 2015, mmmm it must have been amazing probably, I can’t even figure out what month we are(in), (I should put windows in my studio! Hehe)
Badger- After the Book Of Suffering E.P. is released will we be seeing any more youtube play through videos of you?
Chris – we don’t have any plans for that now, but if the demand is there, I will shred that axe for you!!
Badger-Was the Back to the U.S tour special in the sense that we haven’t seen Cryptopsy in a few years. Was it as special for you, and the rest of the band?
Chris- It was special is a sense that it was a bill that we choose in majority. It was awesome to tour with all our friends. The vibe was just fantastic! He hope all the fans felt that too!
Badger- When the Back to the U.S. tour ended, you guys drove home, unpacked, showered etc. Is there any one thing you like to do first? For example go to your favorite restaurant, listen to a local radio station, catch up on your favorite tv shows, spend time with family etc?
Chris- It really depends on where was that tour, and what time who are back home. Majority of the time, we are dead tired (for example you spent 2 hung-over days in an airport to go back to your house plus the jetlag!) so I would say, sleep! But other than that, me and Oli like to go drink at our favorite pub in Montreal “le saint-elisabeth”!!
Badger-And my last question If you can describe The Book Of Suffering E.P. in five words. What would those five words be?
Chris- brutal, fast, dark, melodic, experimental
Thank you very much you guys are some really stand up down to earth cool individuals, and I thoroughly enjoyed seeing you guys in Syracuse. And I look forward to hearing the new music when it comes out. I want to thank you for taking the time to answer these questions.
Chris – Peace man !!!
So there you have it, make sure you check out their indiegogo campaign, and make a contribution. They even have an option for $1.00 which they will send you a thank you video for. here’s the link http://igg.me/at/Cryptopsy/x/10796470
but seriously if you look at the pricing, for the digital E.P. or even the physical, its a pretty damn good price. Only you can feel better that you are helping the band out.
The release of WRVTH today is one that will have a monumental impact for the rest of 2015. These guys bring so much to the table with this album its not even close to anything, or anyone else has offered to us so far. To get right down to it, I have been listening to this album on repeat for at least the past 4 hours or so. Without any further to do, here it is.
1) Harrowing winds, the first track on the album. It starts out with a very mellow, melodic trance like guitar melody, and light ride cymbal rhythms. Then boom right into distortion, and a great beat. Vocals kick in and its just a banshee of a wail. It keeps you on the edge of your seat, setting you up for some quick blast beats and fast riffs. This is only 2:32 into the song and already I am smiling and moving to the pace. This is like a metal kid in a record store type of excitement right here, The riffs are perfect, not over the top technical, but the intensity of the technicality is right there. They progress, in a way that much like a an explosion under water. The force over comes the water and pushes outward, then the water pushes back shrinking the gas expulsion, to which forces back out. The song takes you a step back into a comfort zone like no other, then tries to seduce you with a funk like feel. Showcasing the talent of the bass and drums, Right into a solo, that is not trying to take give you an epileptic episode, its just trying to persistently tickle your senses. This is a great track to start an album out with. If you had to listen to one track to make up your mind, these guys nailed it. With the short attention span of the world. We collectively need to be blown away or the album will collect dust. Not the case for this one, I see this being in top ten lists for the remainder of 2015.
2) Malaise rolls right into it with a gloomy trance like guitar riff and a drum beat that’s subtle, yet you know will branch out into something heavy momentarily. Aaaaand it sets that theory up perfectly. Holy hell Batman this is bad ass on a professional level. Blast beat into a riff like something you heard off of BTBAM’s Silent Circus album. Brings you right back down, so far these guys really want to bring you up slowly, and then launch you like a roller-coaster meeting the apex of the highest point in the track and letting you go for the ride. The slow melodic section hits you, giving you that moment of bliss, and then bam! Back into the heavy blender effect of just head banging and hearing the guitars and drums swirling around you in sync. The thought behind this track, what inspired this song? However they came about writing this song, they were definitely thinking about cause and effect.
3) Looming Sigils is a track that is an ominous rolling beat then picks up its pace 3/4 the way through. Accenting the bass and drums with finesse.
4) Ongoing Dissension starts with a drum fill into heavy vocals and guitar riffs. Picking up that double time feel in seconds, then changing direction again. Blast beat and high guitar tones fast picking, intricate riffs, the song is progressing at a rate that once you get acclimated to the sound it changes. Yet the basic rhythm is the same, until about 2:05 when it takes on a different stop motion feel for almost 15 seconds and into a refreshing riff. This track has so much to offer!
5) Endless Haze starts out eerie sounding, makes me think of the album cover art. Like you are walking up to the house and when you get to the door, elements just start coming out at you. Unwavering just like all instruments and vocals. It’s hard to put into words how to describe this song. It could have a different effect on everybody. This track is a menacing psychological thriller of musical direction. Haunting vocals and guitars slow down to a lull.
6) Lured by Knaves is just right out of the gate intense blast beats, yet melodic rhythmic guitar riffs. Vocals are just piercing you. Slow it down now entering an unknown realm full of mystery. Boom boom boom right into a a heavy dose of haymaker mosh pit flailing fists. This song has so much going on it could be considered a schizophrenic prodigious beautiful mind in perpetual motion. The way this song progresses, and then into some saxophone filled jazz. This a work of art right here. Metal, Jazz, Funk, saxophone, and double bass into a heavy chorus. WTF is there nothing off limits here? WRVTH is willing to take the world by storm. A metal/jazz infused storm, and I would buy tickets to that ride without any second thoughts.
7) Forlorn is that a flute? Wind instrument? It is peaceful, cue the drums. slow but steady, picking up the beat pattern slightly but using swells with the guitars to encourage you to reach for it. The drum fills are getting a little bit more involved and it sounds great. Just perfectly balanced fills into a subtle prog rock feel. This song could appeal to so many. The bright guitar riffs flash into a heavy blackened metal sound that makes me think of Emperor meets animals As Leaders. This song is awesome, and it just keeps getting better. Got a jazzy feel going on right now with the beat picking up to a nice blast beat and guitar riffing bridge into a heavy head moving rhythm. Slowing down with the drums just letting you down gently until they keep you at this level with light drum fills.
8) Larkspur Breaks right into distorted guitars heavy drums lead up to a melodic guitar riff and the banshee like vocals. Continuing the journey with blast beats into a short, but ruthlessly heavy riff. This song builds, and builds. I challenge you to at this point in the album tell me what your favorite track is so far. Because the songs are abundantly unique and full of soul.
9) Amber Glow starts out slow, with emphasis on the ride cymbal pattern and the funk feel to the drums, and drawn out guitar tones. Jazz saxophone playing to their hearts content. Really soulfully dazzling melody blossoming into a peaceful tune. At 3:18 the song is not very long, but man they could really keep this going if they wanted to. This song captivates, serenades, and exhilarates the senses. Spine tingling impressively great tune, just showing off the skills of this band. Not only as a metal band, but very talented musicians with their goal to create very thought out music.
10) Into Bloom maintains the same guitar sound but has the vocals and drums keeping the pace up there. Slowing down for only a moment, into an orchestral black metal feel. ” Left in the gravel we walk through!” The set up here is great, the blast beats and the guitars are really doing it for me here. Oh wait new direction with a great drum beat and a guitar riff to match. Into that blackened blast beat sound that I encountered and thoroughly enjoyed. The way the song flows is mesmerizing. This is like taking a blender, putting King Crimson, Emperor, Scale The summit, Abigail Williams, and a few other notable acts and getting only the finest of symphonically sonic smoothies. The song takes on another direction that has a hardcore in your face approach. back into the melodic progression that has been prevalent throughout the entire album so far. This track is amazing.
11) Cease to Exist.
I want you to go out and get this album, and with the way this album has been so far. I really think something should be left a mystery for you to unravel on your own. All I will say is this. The song appropriately wraps up the album. The way it starts out, the changes. It sums things up, and puts the album in perspective. This album is worth the buy. This is one of those albums you can listen to while working out, sitting and thinking, trying to relax, trying to get amped up before a fight. This is like the Swiss army knife of metal albums. So the last song I will not tell you how it goes and what changes happen when. That’s up to you, to go out and listen on your own. Get blown away by the talent, get captivated by the astronomic musicianship and life breathed into this album.
WRVTH is going to be one of the best albums of 2015 mark my words. This should be in every metal fans collection. This should be played for everyone, as the diversity reaches beyond just metal. The jazz, the funk, the melodic progression is out of this world. And I for one cannot wait to see what these guys have up their sleeves for the future.
This album is badass, taking a progressive technical metal genre to its limits. With the opening track ” Harrowing Winds” I think I have just discovered some killer new listening material. This album does not dissapoint, I have made it through the first six tracks so far and I am loving what I am hearing. Metal like this, releases like this, gets me excited. When you get some serious talent involved in making a record you end up with albums like this. Up until a few months ago i hadn’t even heard of this band. But I stumbled upon them, and told myself after hearing a track that i would make time to listen to the entire album once it was available. Man am I glad I did, this is outstandingly fantastic. They take a progressive sound, with a melodic, doom style and mix it with the brutality of technical death metal. This album is defintely one of the best releases of 2015. You really ought to do yourself a favor and take a listen to this album, because it is worth it. I myself am jumping onto the WRVTH train and going for an epic metal ride.
Metal Injection wanted to get to the bottom of the Revocation line up rumor and reached out to Phil about whether or not he was parting ways with the band. This is the statement he gave them
It is with a heavy heart that I’m announcing I will be leaving Revocation. This was by far the most difficult decision I’ve ever made in my life, but after much soul searching I’ve decided that it is no longer the right path for me, so I will be moving forward to pursue new musical projects. I remain close friends with my brothers in the band, and support them 100% in all their future endeavors. I know such a talented group of guys will have a long and prosperous career, and I look forward to watching Revocation continue to grow and evolve.
I look back on my time with Revocation with nothing but fond memories, and feel incredibly lucky to have been part of something so special. I would like to thank the enormous amount of people who have helped us over the years: from everyone we’ve worked with at Relapse and Metal Blade, to our manager Shawn Carrano and our booking agent Dan Rozenblum, to all the amazing bands we’ve toured with over the years, and to our very supportive families who have been with us all the way through this incredible journey. Most of all I would like to thank all of our amazing fans that have made our career in music possible. To everyone who has ever picked up a record, come out to a show, bought a t-shirt, and even taken us into their homes when we didn’t have a place to stay, thank you all so much for helping us turn our dreams into a reality. I’m humbled and moved beyond words knowing that what we started in my parents dining room when we were 14 years old has resonated with so many people and allowed us to travel the world sharing our passion. I look forward to continuing my career in music and can’t wait to get back out playing shows, see you all on the road with whatever comes next!
-Phil
In other line up change news Morbid Angel has just lost drummer Tim, and founding Morbid Angel bassist and vocalist David Vincent is leaving the band
Tim Yeung has officially left MORBID ANGEL, five years after he joined the band as the replacement for the group’s longtime drummer, Pedro “Pete” Sandoval. No information on who the new drummer will be but rumor is that the band will be reuniting with Steve Tucker. Now from what i have seen so far via twitter and facebook. Not many people are happy with David leaving the band and having Steve come back. But there are still plenty of mixed reactions Now i am just paraphrasing here but such quotes as
” Guys, Steve Tucker’s last record was terrible and Trey hasn’t delivered a good Morbid Angel album in 15 years.”
“I’m psyched that Morbid Angel reunited w/ Steve Tucker. Formulas and Gateways are both great albums & Heretic isn’t as bad as people say.”
and of course “Aww this means David Vincent will stop favouriting my tweets every time I mention Morbid Angel.”
Lots of interesting things happening lately. Might not be metal news but Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl fell off a stage, broke his leg and then finished up the show. You have to give anyone credit for being a badass if they play with a freshly broken leg.
now moving forward, Skinless put a track up on the facebook page for their new album Only the ruthless Remain. The title of the track is ” The Beast Smells Blood” i am currently listening to this track right now, and it sounds great. This has Skinless brand metal written all over it. I am really digging this song. so for your enjoyment i have the Audio for it right here, but with visuals including merch and ordering information for the album.
John Coffey would fit more in the post hardcore, punk, indie sound however regardless of sound, a video surfaced of the vocalist catching a beer. This is just pretty bad ass all in itself. Shit if Stevie Wonder were to catch a beer like this i would have it on my metal blog too.
In other news Hivesmasher will be calling it a day with their last show on June 26th. They will be playing a ” the party is over” show and if you are interested check this out
Revocation drummer or ex drummer? havent heard anything official as of yet. But Phil has changed his profile on instagram, and has also left out any mention of Revocation in his bio. while it used to read that he was the drummer it now has no omention of that. We know he was unable to play the drums for some time when he broke his arm, and had Alex Rudinger fill in while the band was on tour. As well as Jon Rice filling in when he could also. So while ther has not been any official statement, it may be safe to say there is something going on, and we may hear more about it soon.
For fans of Into Eternity it looks as though they just signed to Kolony Records recently. They just finished up the recording for a 2015 album release Sirens, and they have announced that they signed with Italian record label Kolony records. The band is planning on actively touring and getting ready for the release of the new album.
Kolony records seems like they have been making some good business decisions, as they had signed Orpheus Omega back in April. Their upcoming album PARTUM VITA MORTEM’, out on July 24 sounds pretty badass so far. here is a single off the new album for you to check out
Metal Alliance tour news;
So it does not seem like Deicide kick Entombed A.D. off the tour like all the spreading rumors had stated. So based on several FB posts by Deicide it paints a different picture all together. It seems as though the organizers are the ones to blame, and while Deicide could have just said ” Pound Sand” and went home, they dont want to dissapoint any fans. However Deicide had these statements posted so you can decide for your self
“These are the final dates to this tour, we could have just said fuck this whole mess, and been done with it! We don’t do business like that and believe there is honor in finishing it not for ourselves but for the fans who deserve to see the band and who expect us to show up! This will be our last U.S. TOUR FOR A LONG LONG LONG TIME, come on out and support these great bands”
“What happen with this tour is this…the agents put together a package that the local promoters had no faith in and couldn’t afford and we’re all asking to cancel their dates, so to keep it going and finish it out entombed were told to go home not by us. But by the agents that set up this tour so the local promoters could still do the shows, we are all in this mess together and I can assure you we will never get involved in anything like this ever again.”
“We had nothing to do with entombed being kicked off tour blame metal alliance, there fucking mess!”
“METAL ALLIANCE IS WHO YOU SHOULD BE ANGRY WITH, THIS FUCKING TOUR IS THERE BIG FUCKING MESS, NOT DEICIDE WE ARE ONLY GUILTY OF AGREEING TO DO THE TOUR!”
So Deicide dont seem too happy about this whole mess either.
Lamb of God news! It seems like every week there is something to mention about this band. So it has been reported that Lamb of God will have guess vocals from none other than Chin Morneo (Deftones) and Greg Puciato (Dillinger Escape Plan). That just makes this album seem that more promising, with these guys offering their vocals to some tracks. Greg will be on the track ” Torches” and Chino will be on ” Embers”. I for one think that this album will be killer. You already have so much that has fueled the writing for this record, and then to add two frontman from great bands. This album just seems to be getting better and better as the release date gets closer.
Full Terror Assault open air festival will take place 9/10/15-9/12/15 at Cave-In Rock Illinois. There are three days, and three stages with 75 bands listed.
Welcome to this weeks edition Of the Badgers Metal Breakdown Throwback Thursday playlist. Many of us metal fans got into metal by hearing a song or seeing an album at a local record store. Some of us had that one friend who introduced us to bands, or you simply heard something playing and it sounded so good you had to hear it again. For some of us those songs mean something to you some way some how. Maybe it’s a song or an album you haven’t listen to in years, but as soon as you listen to the song it brings you right back to a specific time in your metal fan history. This is my playlist with videos, or at least audio clips of songs from bands that bring me back. Some of the songs are from local bands that I would go to shows, and others are from some of the first metal cd’s I bought. With that said lets jump into the pit of memory lane.
First up is a song by Sepultura, I bought the album when I was in the 6th grade. This was one of the first metal cd’s I bought. Shortly after I jumped head first into metal and have never looked back since. By this time I had already been playing the drums since 1993 and this album was the first metal album I would learn the drums to. The 1996 gateway metal album for many is none other than Roots. This album is well known for the song “ Roots Bloody Roots” which to many is that signature song everyone knows. I will be honest this is the first metal song I learned on the drums. Igor had a simple but heavy sound to make the song a classic. I remember sitting at my drum set and just playing this song over and over and over. Then playing the drums to Attitude this song was just so badass to play at the time. The rest of the album had some killer tracks like Cutthroat, Ratamahatta, and Born Stubborn to name a few. So here is a video for Attitude
Now Fault is a band that got started around my hometown of Atkinson, NH.
These guys were that band that because they were local you tried to go to any and every show you could. They had a killer sound, Tim was merciless on the drums, the samples at the beginning of the songs were perfect. This was one of those homegrown bands that just killed it. Now trying to find videos for their songs is next to impossible. I’m just glad I have always kept every CD I have ever owned, and also their album “ Sensory Deprivation” is also on Spotify, so if you have/Subscribe to Spotify take a listen to their whole album. I really would have liked to find something for the song Children of the Corn, or Purgatory. But the only video I found is for just the audio for the song Cyanide. Which is still a badass song that can hold its own. I just feel as though Purgatory shows off the talent of Tim on drums more, and of course being a drummer I do lean more towards the drums. At any rate here is Cyanide of the 1998 album Sensory Deprivation. Enjoy and if you like this, some of the members ended up starting a band called the_network. A great album worth listening to is Bishop Kent Manning.
Now for a band that blew me away when I picked up a victory records sampler while I was much younger. Back before EMO was thought of, we had hardcore, metal, and the crossover bands that fit both. Like Bloodlet, and Integrity did and both were on that victory records sampler. The song on the sampler was that introduction to Bloodlet and I ended up going to a Newbury Comics and picking up the album Entheogen. The album came out in 1996 and I instantly got hooked on the 9th track “ (95”. This was and still is one of the songs I love playing the drums to. The vocals are different than most other bands, the bass has a heavy presence at times. Drums are great, and fun to play along to. This will always be one of my favorite songs to listen to. It just has a groove to it that I can’t sit still when I listen to the song. So enough chat because I just need to get the video/Audio clip up so you can listen for yourself. For some of you, you may have been a fan, if not I can tell you this particular song takes me back big time. This song thoroughly makes my day when I listen.
Now to bring it back a few more years is the album that I discovered my absolute favorite live song. Yes it is a live album, and although I really do not care for live albums, this one solidified its impact on me with the song “Fear of the Dark” For some of you I do not need to name names. You know what band I am talking about, and you may even know the album it came from but if not then let me educate you. The year was 1998, Iron Maiden put out A Real Live Dead One. Live songs while they were touring in 1992 and 1993. Now Iron Maiden will and forever be one of my favorite bands ever. They may not be death metal, grind, metalcore blackmetal what have you. They are simply put. METAL! \M/ Now this particular song was recorded live in Finland in 1992. This song to me is so powerful, when you listen to it, you can almost imagine you were there. when the song starts and Bruce starts singing, the crowd is too, and you can hear them perfectly. It demonstrates the dedication the fans have for something they believe in, and love. They sing the melody, and even when Bruce says “ You” at the 1:39 mark in the beginning you know everyone in that crowd sang “ Fear of the Dark”. This song is a great display of musicianship, and just how favored Iron Maiden is.
So while I could write pages worth of information about the band or album or even the song I will leave it up to the video to explain.
My next video is for a song off of Sevendust’s debut album. The whole album was great, but the song “ Black” is probably the song that got everyone’s attention. Iremember hearing it on a local radio station that would play heavy stuff in the evenings. Needless to say I also picked this album up from a Newbury Comics, as that was the record store that had metal and hardcore bands and everything in between. It is still my favorite store to go to due to their selection. They were so ahead of their time that I don’t think an official was ever made. Nowadays youtube has everything you could ever want from a kid putting a glow stick in the microwave, a goat screaming, and an autotune version of Antoine Dodson on the news. But there is no official video for Black. So while this weeks TBT playlist does not have a lot of “ official” videos. There are some great tunes, worth listening to. Here is a clip for Black.
Napalm Death is my next selection, now to be fair, I had heard them many times. They actually to me had a grind sound to them, that wasn’t widely used among metal bands. While everyone else was doing the “Death” metal style these guys were doing their own thing. These guys have been around for a long time and are still doing it. They recently put out “Apex Predator” so they haven’t slowed down one bit. We can talk about Greed killing, More than meets the eye and many other songs. But the video I have for is from 1997 The album was Inside the Torn Apart and the track is ‘ Breed to Breathe” I heard this song off an Earache Records sampler “ Earplugged 2” I picked this album up that year at a Strawberries one town over. And would listen to this album and from there I discovered more Earache Records bands. Napalm Death just had a different sound then the other bands. It wasn’t totally different, but it was like adding a different spice to a sound that made them unique. They still aim to deliver metal, and I don’t see them slowing down either. Here is the video for Breed to Breathe;
Up next is a great album from the band Today is the Day.
So for all those Mastodon fans out there stick around because Brann Dailor, and Bill Kelliher actually played in Today is the Day before Mastodon was even formed. You had those two guys teamed up with Steve Austin ( who also did vocals on “Terror and Hubris in the House of Frank Pollard”, production, mixing, engineering, analog editing, digital editing, and mastering of the album New American Gospel” by Lamb of God in 2000) and made In The Eyes Of God a rollercoaster of an album. They are listed on Wikipedia as noisecore now this is where I get hung up on sub-genre’s. Look if its metal, call it metal, I understand black metal, death metal, grind etc. But once you start calling something post hardcore bible thumping sludge pop noisecore. Im going to just say “ its metal” . So without any great quality video of this song, I have audio for the song “ Going to Hell”
My Own Victim may not ring a bell to some of you but I heard these guys off a century media sampler compilation. I ended up buying their 1997 album “ No Voice, No Rights, No Freedom” while they may be more hardcore than metal, they fit in to the category because hardcore was a sound between punk and metal. I could go on about the similarities the history but who gives a damn. I am just playing a song that brings me back to my younger days. That good old rebellious hardcore sound. These guys are a Kentucky band who got started in 1995 with all the great influences of hardcore, and what they did was put out a great hardcore sound for that album. I really enjoyed this album. Nothing too fancy over the top or trying to make everyone else happy. So instead of just a video or audio clip. Since I can’t find the song I am looking for, then what I have is the audio for the entire No Voice album. So either skim through. Listen to the whole thing or do what you want, but just know this album has some killer hardcore tracks on it.
I remember scouring the internet back in the days of aol, and windows 95 trying to find metal any way I could. You would come across bands that never get big, and then bands that changed lineups or names. For example there used to be a website mp3.com it may still be active but I guarantee its not the way it used to be, and I actually downloaded Burn The Priest’s first album. Who knew they would Later become Lamb of God. So while I would use that site I discovered so many bands. And one of those bands was Ebony Tears. They had a similar black metal sound like At The Gates that piqued my metal interest. I came across the song Harvester of Pain, and I just really liked the way it was written. Very simple, yet has fast attacks, but mostly besides the drums which I am normally locked onto, but the guitars. I really like the guitar sound on this song. They have a fuzzy distortion similar to a buzz saw which some bands can pull of. This guitar sound is why I like Trap Them’s guitars because they have that guitar distortion sound. The band is now split up and the members went on to form Dog Faced Gods which sounds nothing like Ebony Tears. Sometimes the direction is totally different. At any rate I could only find a lyric video so here is the lyric video for Harvester of Pain, enjoy;
My last video, is for an entire album worth of audio, I can’t find this album anywhere, and I loved it. I was in highschool, and heard the Slaughter of the Weak album my freshman year, I saw them play a show freshman year, and when their next album came out I knew I was goin to go out and buy it. So sure enough the album Dead and Buried came out in 2001 and I picked it up at none other than my favorite Newbury Comics. And I played the shit out of this album. So why am I doing audio for the whole album? Because I can’t find audio or video of the one song I really wanted to do which is Circle of Death/ Jungle Rot. So if you want to go straight to that song just skip to the 31:57 minute mark. But I do recommend just playing the whole album because the intro to the album is a great sample. These guys play a style of metal that is not the popular lets do everything faster and do pig squeal vocals and blast beats, and everything that everybody else is doing. These guys have that slow groove style death metal similar to Sodom, Monstrosity and Grave. They did however just put out a track for their new album which sounds pretty good. They have always stuck to their signature sound which is what I like. They have never changed for anything. Just still pumping away heavy badass metal. check out their new track “Fight where you stand” from Decibel Magazine.
That wraps up this weeks Throwback Thursday metal edition, This wont be a weekly thing but every few weeks or so its fun to listen to metal that takes you to a different time.
The band announced today the name of the album as well as a release date of September 18th worldwide release. It has been suggested that pre-orders and a new track may be available around June 24th so stick around for that. I will be sure to set my calander for that because TBDM is a band i can never get enough of, its like a guilty pleasure, i will always buy their album becuase they are a killer band, with great songs, and they are a bunch of goofy bastards that love metal as well. So yep i’m in i will be getting in on that action. This summer has been great for new music announcements and releases and pre orders and streaming albums and songs, and videos. Travor had this to say about the music;
“I get a lot of inspiration from our continuing success as a band. There is a tremendous pressure to deliver for our fans. I want to wow them every time we come back and for our new material to keep them excited about us. I have had a long, intimate love affair with death metal and I enjoy sharing my continued excitement for it through this outlet. I am still obsessed with the macabre and the darker side of life, and I revel in creating dark lyrical content that makes the listener react in some way. I enjoy straddling the line between fantastic elements and real life horror, as there is constant atrocity all around us in the human experience. You don’t have to look far to find something that is happening in the modern world that can fill ones sails with disgust.”
Now after reading this makes me get excited becuase they do seem to raise the bar with every album.
Gojira fans sorry to dissapoint but all the posts the band made over the months about recording, they just recently announced they scrapped the songs. Now to be honest it wasn’t becuase of any errors or disputes or drama. The band decided to record songs 10, and then figured lets do another one, and another one. but then they had songs recorded that they didnt feel were up to par. So by scrapping the songs, they are essentially trying to deliver only the best to the fans. So no need to worry about an album that only has 100% effort put in, they are taking longer to record because they are putting in 200%. So its good news and bad news balancing themselves out to have an album as early as october, but most likely in the beginning on 2016.
Meshuggah are planning on releasing an album in 2016! Now with that said, they were planning on being in the studio now recording. But they are currently playing festivals. So really lets be honest with eachother, Touring and playing big shows are essential to a band, so all they are doing is just taking a little recording studio detour to allow fans to come see them play a killer show at some big festivals. The band state that it may not be in the beginning of 2016 but we could possibly see an album this time next year to the fall of 2016. Either way Koloss was a great album is was only released 3 years ago, so we aren’t talking 5+ years between albums. Just keep rocking out to ” The demons name is surveillance” and a new album will be here in 2016.
Children of Bodom are set to release their album I Worship Chaos in October. Specifically a date of October 2nd was listed with the album being released via Nuclear Blast Records.
Angel Vivaldi will be playing a show July 5th in Camberidge Mass at the Middle East with my good friends Alterius. That will be a killer show, On one hand you have Angel who is an absolute great guitarist, and then with Alterius you have the guitar team that is (in no particular order) Nick and Henry. i havent had a chance to listen to the other bands but there will be some killer guitar riffs getting played that day guaranteed! If you want more information here’s a link for the event.
Black Tongue released a new lyric video for the song L’appel du Vide from their upcoming album ‘The Unconquerable Dark’.
Out September 4th worldwide via Century Media Records. have a listen for yourselves it sounds pretty good from what i am hearing so far.
Dew Scented have a new album to be released June 30th via Prosthetic records in the U.S. If its anything like their last album 2013’s Insurgent than we could be in for a great album.
Thats all for now, busy day today lots going on. but tomorrow i will be doing a throwback Thursday metal edition again. So i will be putting up serveal videos, or audio clips of some metal that i grew up listening to. Metal that was so good when i listen to it again, i instantly get pulled right back into a time of being younger and witnessing metals finest contributors and their works of art. Shaping the metal scene and actracting fans like myself.
The Metal Breakdown 