As They Sleep - Blacken The Sun - Album Review

As They Sleep - Blacken The Sun (2008)

Album Year: 2008

Genre: Deathcore/Melodic Death Metal 

Location: Detroit, Michigan 

 



As They Sleep's 2008 album 'Blacken The Sun' is one of the many reasons why the underground scene is so highly important. If you're unaware of this melodic death metal act I think it's about time you start waking up to the talent that's coming for you. Surpassing plenty of thrill-seeking genres to create a vibrant sound that hardly any other thriving bands are able to establish is nothing more than what could be described as an easy task for As They Sleep. This rare fuse has genuinely made the entire band progress from this album as a whole and even helped them score a recent record deal with UK label Siege Of Amida, who have signed some great talent in the past such as; Annotations Of An Autopsy, Martyr Defiled and The Bridal Procession. However fussy you may be with the amount of genres in the world at the moment, it is essential that you ignore whatever fancy core characteristics come abouts when comparing As They Sleep to anything else, because the entire album is nothing short of brutal, honest and original.

Technical, epic, and demonic is the first track to the album which is simply a short intro that boasts of a decent variety of riffs and blast beats. 'A Thousand Deaths' is where the vocals soon kick in - delivering shriek high pitched screams as well as guttural lows and the occasional hardcore shouting. These vocals are somewhat similar to All Shall Perish's Eddie Hermida with a pinch of hardcore brutality from Acacia Strain's Vincent Bennet...if you could imagine? If not - simply check the music for yourself. 'Companion Of The Fire' introduces the rare use of mainstream clean vocals - but not enough to consider this of the metalcore genre, it's still death metal.

The album spins into insanity after the first several tracks, revealing more and more of what is to offer. One of the more favourable tracks 'Sins 'N Needles', proves more worth than most songs with its beautiful guitar solo and mind boggling riffs throughout defining the track as a stand out from the rest. Whereas tracks such as 'Sweet Misery', in my opinion, take a slightly more thrash metal approach - which again adds to their powerful, and clever use of diversity. Instrumental track 'Dawn' relieves the listener at a calm pace using a piano whilst slowly building up to a monstrously impressive array of riffs and solos, ending the album on an all time high.

Breakdowns may not be the key element used in As They Sleep's music, but the occasional use of the breakdown simply becomes a treat to the listener at most. Advancing with certain techniques that most bands in this genred category simply cannot keep up with is one thing that As They Sleep are proportionate of. It comes as no surprise that they are still able to create albums even after this majestic masterpiece, and yet everything still manages to feel refreshing as if it's never been done before.

Tracklist:

 

1. Dusk (intro) 01:59
2. A Thousand Deaths 04:00
3. Companion of the Fire 05:09
4. Pangaea 05:02
5. Sins N' Needles 04:27
6. Seeds of Hate 03:34
7. Sweet Misery 05:33
8. Hollow 04:21
9. Revelations 03:04
10. Blacken the Sun 05:07
11. Dawn (outro) 04:14
Total playing time 46:30

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dygo6ki8dWs

 

As They Sleep - Dynasty - Album Review

Album Year: 2010

Genre: Death Metal

Location: Detroit, MI

Tracklist:

1: Oracle Of The Dead
2: To The Republic
3: The Third Reich
4: Bedlam At The Nile
5: The Darkest Ages
6: Ritual
7: The Offering
8: Attila
9: Poseidon
10: God Of War
11: The Unseen

As a whole, Dynasty is not a bad album. As They Sleep delivers on many songs, but also disappoints on others. The members of As They Sleep reference their Christian beliefs in some songs, but these ideas are usually in the background, allowing the listener to interpret the lyrics however they please.

Dynasty follows the rise and fall of several great societies, real and fictional. Each song not only describes a certain era, but also comments on it. Dynasty starts off strong with “Oracle Of The Dead”. This song is one of the “more Christian” songs on Dynasty. “Oracle Of The Dead” focuses mainly on Hell and Man’s quest for immortality. This quest for immortality is a common theme throughout the entire album, mainly as a result of a certain ruler’s desire for power.

Throughout the rest of the album, the lyrics are rather predictable if you just read the song title. The ideas are predictable, but the lyrics are very well written for the most part. Some songs, like “To The Republic” and “The Unseen” focus more on modern Christianity and the world today, while “The Third Reich” and “Attila” are definitely historic events and are not meant to be interpreted as much.

As a whole, As They Sleep sounds a bit too much like a death metal version of Parkway Drive. This is mostly a result of their guitar sound and riff ideas. The vocals and drumming are quite different though. Breakdowns are used quite sparingly, in keeping with death metal tradition. Although As They Sleep is a death metal band, they are definitely influenced more by current music ideas than those of earlier death metal acts.

Dynasty would have been better if there were more melodic parts, like in “The Unseen” and “Ritual” (instrumental). As They Sleep sure can write interesting and enjoyable riffs, which is why I think they should be brought more to the forefront.

Rating: 3.5/5

Good Will Hunting- Our Expectations (New song 2012)

Album Year: 2012

Genre: Metalcore/Hardcore

Location: Australia

Tracklist:

1. Our Expectations

Preview Link:

Download Link:


Comments: For fans of The Devil Wears Prada, or For the Fallen Dreams.

As I Lay Dying “Awakened” Out September 25, 2012!

Global metal titans As I Lay Dying kick off their second decade together with Awakened, the sixth and hands-down most powerful release of a stunning career. Seething with metallic vitriol, overflowing with energy, and rich with the kind of melody that irrevocably implants itself in the listener's mind, it is the sound of a band pushing themselves to outdo everything that has come before, be it their own previous work, or that of their contemporaries, and daring all to do better.

 

From the flurry of blastbeats and mauled guitar that kick off opener "Cauterize" to the epic darkness of closer "Tear Out My Eyes", the musicianship and arrangements are consistently riveting, the band showcasing their strengths while subtly introducing thrilling new elements to their sound. "We wanted something that was a lot bigger and more open sounding, and that's exactly what we achieved."

  

Official As I Lay Dying:

http://www.metalblade.com/asilaydying

http://www.facebook.com/asilaydying

https://twitter.com/asilaydyingband
       
 

Sarkophagus - A Dirge For Mankind - EP Review

Album Year: 2012

Genre: Metalcore

Location: Ireland

Recently signed to Triangle Eye Records!
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Triangle-Eye-Records/231717793615046

Tracklist:
1. Anima
2. Motions Of A Siren
3. Dirge
4. Terra

'A Dirge For Mankind' is the four-tracked EP by heavy enthusiastic metalers Sarkophagus. Diversing their sound from the infamous genre djent, to the gritty heaviness of a more metalcore atmospheric sound. Ranging from a clever variety of clean vocals as well as harsh screams fueled by punchy riffs, is one of the ways EP opener 'Anima' stands out.

Instrumental track 'Motions Of A Siren' backs out of the heavy side of things, using a heavenly array of peaceful noises, instead of the brutality that surrounds the rest of the EP. This short break fails to last long when eventually 'Dirge' blares. Focusing mostly on the atmospheric synths and the growling ferocious vocals that defines Sarkophagus as a unique band on the scene; a band deserving a larger fanbase. Any symptoms of weakness throughout the EP are simply devoured by the captivity of how immense Sarkophagus are, in terms of being experimental and extreme. This is shown in final track 'Terra', once again proving this band are more than willing to show off their unique, and riddled instrument progression.



The only unfortunate listing being the shortness of the EP, yet at the same time this boasts the band's ego, in the hope that other listener's won't think the whole EP would become a chore, as some albums in the same genre could suggest. In some ways it would appear Sarkophagus are ahead of their game, whilst their fan base may be lacking a few too many - I wouldn't be so surprised if the numbers doubled within the next couple of months, prior to hearing what these encouraging metalers have to offer. 

Buy Link:

Upon The Shore- Letting Go ( New single 2012)

Album Year: 2012

Genre: Proggressive Metal-core

Location: Southampton, UK

Tracklist:
1. Letting Go

Download Link:

Step 4-Step 4 (2012)

Album Year: 2012

Genre: Djent/Deathcore

Location: Dubai, UAE

Tracklist:

1. Fade
2. Peng
3. Surrounded By
4. Deterioration Imminent

Download Link:

Whose Manatee is Drowning?-The Protagonist EP (2012)

Album Year: 2012

Genre: Post Hardcore

Location: Michigan, USA

Tracklist:

1. The Scribe

We are a post-hardcore/metal band from Michigan and would love to be featured on your site. Your site is an amazing promotional tool and we hope to be priveledged enough to make it onto your page. We have included a link to our music video which we would like to have posted of our song, "The Scribe." Currently, this is the only track we're released off of our Protagonist EP but hope to release the rest of the tracks later this year. We know we aren't the heaviest band by any stretch of the word, but this was a video that we shot, editted, and produced entirely on our own and we would be extremely grateful if you take the time to watch it. Than you so much!! -Ethan

The Modern Prometheus - The Fall of Mankind (Review)

Album Year: 2012

Genre: Melodic Deathcore

Location: Fullerton, CA

Tracklist:

1. The Fall of Mankind
2. Poveglia
3. Judgement Day
4. Bringer of Death
5. The Rise


The Modern Prometheus, a 5-piece band from Fullerton, California, has unleashed their brand of melodic deathcore onto the Southern California metal scene. The Fall of Mankind is the band’s first release and it is an impressive debut. When I first listened to The Modern Prometheus, the first thing that I noticed were the raw yet brutal vocals. The vocals are just downright nasty and the other members of the band compliment the vocals with just as nasty guitar and drum work. The fact that this is only the band’s first release shocks me because the band blends so well together.

The intro to the album, “The Fall of Mankind” is short and heavy. The song starts off right away with a very slow breakdown and it mostly continues throughout the opening track. This kind of intro has been done before but it does get you excited for what is to come.

“Poveglia” starts off with a quick drum fill and then its on to what The Modern Prometheus is, crushing melodic deathcore. The song teeter-totters between mind melting riffs which is then proceeded by a crushing breakdown. This formula does happen three times in this song which may be a little much to some people but “Poveglia” is a five minute song so the riff to breakdown formula is not rushed at all.

The first song I ever heard from The Modern Prometheus was “Judgement Day,” the third song on the e.p. The song starts off with the heaviest breakdown on the album and goes into a circle pit inducing riff after that. While the formula for “Judgement Day” is somewhat the same as “Poveglia,” there is something about the riffs and the breakdowns on this track that just stand out. The riffs are catchier, the drums are more enhanced and technical, and the breakdowns are overall better.

The fourth song, “Bringer of Death” brings even more finesse than the two previous songs. Gone is the riff to breakdown formula. “Bringer of Death” is almost all sweet melodic riffs. The first guitar solo of this e.p appears at the 50 second mark. After all the breakdowns on the album, the solo was definitely a nice breath of fresh air.

The final song “The Rise” follows the same formula as “Bringer of Death," in that the song has more melodic parts than breakdowns. Out of all the songs on this e.p, the guitarists stand out on this track. Some really great riffs in the beginning of the song, which is then followed by some evil sounding end-of-the-world type riffs. The song and e.p concludes with another heavy breakdown.

The Modern Prometheus have proven with this album that they can stand tall in the So Cal metal scene. At times, The Fall of Mankind can be a little repetitious, but the riffs these guys put out are good enough to where you can forgive them for being a little repetitive. This band already has a good start and if they can change up their song structure just a little bit then these guys can go far.

Rating: 8/10

Download Link:

The Omega Particle- Cremation Of Worlds (2012)

Album Year: 2012

Genre: Deathcore

Location: Manchester, UK

Tracklist
1. Drone City

Comments: This is our latest track, Drone City. It's heavy. We hope you like it.

Al Goregrind- Serious Sexual Harassment (2012)

Album Year: 2012

Genre: Death Metal/ Randomness

Location: Germany

Tracklist:

1. Meat the Band
2. Rise of the Clones
3. Man Train
4. Decaying Wounds
5. Man Train (acoustic)
6. Bam Bam Peasie

Download Link

Comments: BROOTAL RANDOMNESS DELIVERED.

SIDEEFFECT-Desire World (2012)

Album Year: 2012

Genre: Deathcore

Location: Taiwan

Tracklist:

1. Intro
2. Desire World
3. Illusion
4. Blackjack
5. This Is The Sign
6. Apocalypse

Download Link

SWINGLOW-The Hope EP (2012)

Album Year: 2012

Genre: Hardcore/Melodic

Location: Tacoma, WA

Tracklist:

1. The Purpose
2. Hope
3. This Heart
4.The Message
5. Distances (ft. Tanner Murphy of To The Wind)
6. Finite
7. Infinite
8. Dry Season

Download Link

The Ascension of Isaiah-Fleshcrown (2012)

Album Year: 2012

Genre: Deathcore

Location: Sunderland, UK

Tracklist:

1, Intro
2. Fleshcrown
3. Damnation
4. Failed Servitude
5. Interlude
6. Swallow the World
7. Portrait of Souls
8. Vessel (ft. Gary King)
9. Pseudepigrapha

   

Comments: Debut album out now for FREE

Things We Lost- Near the Fair and Not Being Able To Walk

Album Year: 2012

Genre: Melodic Hardcore

Location: Turin, North Italy

Tracklist:

1. My Last (Chance)
2. Take Courage
3. Step, A Hurdle
4. For Tommorow
5. It's Working ( Feat. Sara Ormea)
6. Rescue (Feat. November from Notfound)

Download Link:

Putting Turin, Italy on the map for intense, passionate hardcore, Things We Lost (ex No Half Measures) have been making a name for themselves since forming in Sept. of 2011.

Crown The Liar - Dead World Anthology - Promo Review

Album Year: 2012

Genre: Mathcore

Location: Atlanta, GA

Tracklist:

1. Deadbeat Messiah

2. Is He A Shamus Or A Toxophilite

3. Parli del Diavolo, Sputano Le Corna

4. Bizarre: Plight of the Filth Peddler

5. Dead Tooth Grime

6. Crow's Throat

Offering unique explosive elements of several mind boggling genres, Crown The Liar are an exciting new taste to erupt within the underground metal scene. The EP titled 'Dead World Anthology', reels in six detonating tracks of carnage filled noise-core. As if this genre hasn't been tampered with enough, it's just as well that Crown The Liar sound as rare as they come.

 Starting track 'Deadbeat Messiah' proves there's enough spastic fueled guitar nonsense to pummel the listener's ears with such a furious racket. Driven by a vocalist who is clearly talented using an intense range of screams - both highs and lows, as well as shouts and talking vocals, revealing a mere interesting personality to the band.

 Although it's difficult to tell the difference between most of the tracks there's still something here keeping you asking for more. The mathcore influences from legendary metalers The Dillinger Escape Plan are easily noticeable throughout. Whilst also mashing together a sound that early Arsonists Get All The Girls would approve of.

 Favourable track amongst them all is most certainly 'Dead Tooth Grime', despite the silly title the track offers relentless and deranged promise with its short, yet interesting style of mathcore meets berserk instrument abuse. Final song 'Crow's Throat' bellows more of a breather than the previous tracks, using more of the talkative vocals and calming guitar riffs to really satisfy throughout. Infact, the track takes pretty much a completely different direction from the others, nearly sounding like Bring Me The Horizon.

 Crown The Liar would serve to fit many looking to broaden their horizon of genres, but it would appear some of the talent becomes wasted when the music appears somewhat sloppy. Don't be fooled into thinking this EP is total tosh as I'm sure this is the start of a decent band full of determination heading for bigger things.

Buy Link:

Oblivionized - Nullify The Cycle - Promo Review

Album Year: 2012

Genre: Deathgrind / Grindcore

Location: London

Tracklist:

1: The Nullification of Philanthropy
2: Cycle of Deprivation
3: Nullify The Cycle

Nullify The Cycle is a masterpiece of technical ability and sheer brutality. Oblivionized combines death metal and grindcore in unique way which doesn’t let one overpower the other. The grindcore and death metal influences feel equally represented, even down to the vocals. Zac’s grindcore shriek is matched by guitarist Sammy’s death metal lows. Throughout the whole promo, it never feels like any of the members are slacking off or not playing to the best of their ability.

The first song, “The Nullification of Philanthropy” is unsurprisingly very fast and technical. There are a few breakdowns as well as several tempo changes. Lyrically the song focuses on politics and misanthropy, although the lyrics are vague enough to be open to interpretation. At roughly three and a half minutes, “The Nullification of Philanthropy” isn’t too drawn out or too brief.

The second song, “Cycle of Deprivation” is rather similar. There are a few more breakdowns and tempo changes, but the formula is largely the same. That being said, it is not similar to the point of being repetitive. Lyrically the song sticks to the title, expressing disgust for those who blindly follow, who have “no aspiration to change”. The cycle continues on.

“Nullify The Cycle” is a huge surprise, especially since it is the title track. “Nullify The Cycle” is a moody five minute song with no screaming. Instead, Zac pulls off some excellent singing which matches the mood more. Industrial-sounding noises are added, making the listener think of a slow moving machine. Pianos are also present, as well as what sounds like an acoustic guitar. This does not mean, however, that it is an upbeat song in any way. The lyrics continue the theme of senselessly following the will of society, unable to change a life “sculpted, not by my hands”. Overall “Nullify The Cycle” is an excellent rest after two incredibly intense songs which helps let the listener unwind and reflect upon what they just listened to.

Nullify The Cycle is unfortunately rather short. Overall, I found it quite good. Anyone who enjoys it should not be disappointed, since Oblivionized also released an EP entitled “Abhorrent Evolution” last year and is set to release a split with Plague Widow towards the end of the year.

Rating: 4.5/5