Bullet For My Valentine and All That Remains 7/28

It has been a very long while since I had gone to a show, let alone bought (ok they were bought for me, but still) tickets to a show. But on a balmy Tuesday evening All That Remains and Bullet For My Valentine rolled into the Starland Ballroom in Sayreville, New Jersey for a sold out show with a ton of promise.

Let’s start with surprises before we get into the show review.

1. I have never seen so many other “That Guys” in my life. I saw about 1000 Bullet T-Shirts on, and that is sadly not an exaggeration.

2. Sad news: Jason Costa, drummer of All That Remains, broke his hand and is out for the next few months. He was replaced by Tony Laureano, who best known for his work with Dimmu Borgir and Nile.

3. Bullet For my Valentine debuted a new song that they claimed “has never been heard by anyone outside of the band.” They never gave the song a title, but based on the chorus, it is safe to assume it will be called “Who Do You Think You Are?” The song has a classic Bullet sound, with a very riffy, thrashy intro, screaming verse and interesting melodic chorus. The song does not sound exactly like anything they have done before, yet keeps the B4MV sound.

ANYWAY… back to a show review. The place was too mobbed, making the amazing acts slightly unenjoyable. Since Jason Costa was out of the lineup, All That Remains had to cut their set short, so there was a long wait time before and after the band.

The set started off great with “This Calling” and other favorites like the Guitar Hero “Six,” as well as new favorites like “Undone”, “Forever in Your Hands” and the closer “2 Weeks”. During the end of the set, a patron appeared to be hurt and singer Phil Labonte stopped the show to make sure the person was ok. Class Act band.

Bullet For My Valentine came on to a raucous applause. They opened with “Waking the Demon” off the latest album Scream, Aim, Fire and played other crowd favorites like “Hearts Burst Into Fire”, “4 Words (To Choke Upon)”, “Tears Don’t Fall” and the hit single “Scream, Aim, Fire”.

I have heard few crowds that matched the sheer volume of the Bullet fans. Every chorus was drowned out by the ever increasingly rowdy fans. The set sounded crisp, (All That Remains at times sounded either too loud, not loud enough or like there was a jumble of both at certain points) with a good flow of songs. Bullet played some deep tracks off their slightly limited catalogue, getting a rare chance to headline a large scale venue.

The show looks to be a good lead in to Mayhem, creating a buzz for the 2nd stages to go along with the classic WSOU classic bands (Killswitch, God Forbid), the heavy stuff (White Chapel, Job For a Cowboy) and anything and everything in between. Camden will be the place to be, for once, for anyone looking for a great show August 7th.

Reviewed: Maylene and the Sons of Disaster's new album

The third album from Alabama’s six-piece Maylene And The Sons Of Disaster (creatively titled “III”) is a tough one to classify. While Maylene’s previous efforts can be easily described as “southern-fried metalcore,” “III” has the band led by ex-Underoath vocalist Dallas Taylor branching out into different territory.

To start with, Taylor’s vocals on the album are a bit more diverse than the typical “scream the verse/sing the chorus” formula that (let’s face it) some of your favorite bands are addicted to. While fans of Underoath and He Is Legend will feel right at home with the throaty screaming on “Settling Scores By Burning Bridges” and “Just A Shock,” these are more than balanced out by tracks like the half-bluegrass “Oh Lonely Grave” and the straight-up Southern rock songs “No Good Son” and “Listen Close.”

No, this is not one of those metal albums where every track sounds just like the one before it. “III” is sometimes metal, sometimes country/bluegrass-core, and sometimes rock n’ roll. It’s as much Lynyrd Skynyrd as it is Every Time I Die, and that’s not a bad thing.

Then there’s the guitars. Having three of them in a band may seem gimmicky, but the trio of Chad Huff, Kelly Scott Nunn and Jake Duncan does not disappoint. From the banjos on “Waiting On My Deathbed” and “Step Up (I’m On It)” to the acoustic, bluesy “Oh Lonely Grave,” this record offers a lot more than Maylene’s previous efforts. But don’t worry, the metal riffs haven’t gone anywhere - I dare you not to bang your head to “Settling Scores By Burning Bridges.”

“III” is a heavy Southern rock album, period. It’s one of the most diverse offerings I’ve heard in a while, and without a new Volbeat album slated for 2009, it might be the most Southern thing released this year.

-- Morgan S.--

As Cities Burn Calling It Quits

(photo by thailand josh)

Louisiana band As Cities Burn announced last week on their MySpace page that they have decided to call it quits. Their statement indicates that the directions of the band members’ lives (as well as their wives) influenced this decision.

As Cities Burn recorded and toured for six years, eventually progressing from their post-hardcore roots to a more indie-rock sound. Says the band: “Thanks to anyone who has come out to a show, had words to say, or bought a cd to help us fill the tank.”

What is presumably the band’s final album, Hell or High Water, was released in April of this year.

http://www.myspace.com/ascitiesburn

—Gesina Phillips

THERE HAS BEEN AN ANTHRAX OUTBREAK! (Don’t panic, there really wasn’t an outbreak of the deadly disease)

There was so much talk, and so much hype for the end of the summer and fall for New York City thrash legends Anthrax. Anthrax, who was slated to embark on a late summer US tour with Slipknot and the Black Dahlia Murder, have dropped off of the bill, and also canceled 3 European Festival dates. This may not be the best of moves considering they are set to release their long awaited follow-up to 2003’s We’ve Come For You All, entitled Worship Music via Nuclear Blast Records. Armed and ready with new lead singer Dan nelson, who replaced former fulltime vocalist John Bush (1992-2005), the band was set to turn some heads and come back into the scene. But strangely after performing in a few US clubs and about to embark overseas, Dan Nelson informed the band and tour manager that he had become “seriously ill” (a case of Anthrax maybe???) and would not be able to perform. Members of Anthrax released an official statement about his illness and the shamefulness of canceling these highly anticipated shows. But there is always a light at the end of the tunnel, because Anthrax’s manager released a statement that they would be performing at the popular U.K Sonisphere festival on August 1^st to compensate for the 3 cancelations. Dan Nelson reportedly has left the band, and John Bush has stepped forward to man the mic, but only for this one time gig. This news left fans ecstatic to hear John Bush has returned to Anthrax, only to disappoint them when news was reported that he would not be full time, and they still had not fond a singer, therefore having to cancel their US tour with Slipknot. In amidst of all this, Dan Nelson decided to come forward and release a statement saying he in fact was never actually ill and he was ready willing and able to do his job. According to Nelson, the members of Anthrax decided to go forward and release these statements and cancel the shows and announce his departure without his discretion. So now what started as such an optimistic time for anthrax has turned into grammar school bickering. Guitarist Scott Ian then released a statement in an interview that the members of Anthrax did not fire Dan Nelson, rather he quit. He also stated that he was so thrilled to have John Bush return for the Sonisphere performance, and related back to the joy he felt when they performed together in Anthrax’s reunion tour back in 2007. So now, who is telling the truth and who’s being real to the other members of the band? Was this all just a ploy to get John Bush to ultimately return to the band, or was there really a lot of conflict between Nelson and other members. Whatever it may be, ‘Thrax fans are waiting, patiently waiting, for a conclusion to this ever so annoying feud.

-Steve Stracquatanio

Dethklok News!

This past week was huge for fans of Metalocalypse and Dethklok. Before Monday fans of the Williams Street TV show knew that the third season of the show would be extended from 15-minute to 30-minute episodes and would premiere in November, but three big announcements came down since Monday:

Dethnouncement #1) Williams Street Records will release “Dethklok: The Dethalbum II” on September 8. It’s a little light on tracks (only 12 this time around) but the co-creator of the series Brendon Small had drummer Gene Hoglan back for the recording process. Here’s the track listing, my personal favorite title being #6:

1. Bloodlines

2. The Gears

3. Burn the Earth

4. Laser Canon Deth Sentence

5. Black Fire Upon Us

6. Deth Support

7. The Cyborg Slayers

8. I Tamper with the Evidence at the Murder Site of Odin

9. Murmaider II: The Water God

10. Comet Song

11. Symmetry

Dethnouncement #2) This week saw the release of “Dethklok vs. The Goon”, a single-issue comic book put out by Dark Horse Comics. But more love is coming to Dethklok fans on the comic book front - Friday’s proceedings at the San Diego Comic Convention included the announcement stating that a new Dethklok comic will be released by Dark Horse in the coming months. The book will be an on-going series (meaning it will keep being published monthly). No release date was given, but previous rumors of November for the series seem a little out of reach to me – as a reader myself, these announcements usually come 6-12 months before the actual series hits, so I would expect it in the winter or early spring.

Dethnouncement #3) Lastly, Brendon Small is working with Konami on a Metalocalypse game for PS3 and Xbox360. It’ll expand on the plot of the show but also reportedly follow a bunch of Dethklok roadies too, which sounds like a great idea to me.

What’s it going to be called?

Dethgame.

(Honestly,what did you expect?)

Gojira Upcoming Tour

French metalers Gojira have announced a series of headlining tour
dates to fill their off dates from the Metallica/Lamb of God tour. The
tour will run from September 14 to October 12. Supporting the band is
Zoroaster and Burst. The band makes a stop at Music Hall of
Williamsburg in Brooklyn on Sept. 21. Tickets are $13 in advance, $15
the day of the show. The show is on-sale this Friday, 7/24 at noon.
More information on the show is available here:

http://www.musichallofwilliamsburg.com/event/3343

The band’s latest album, The Way of All Flesh, released last October
is out on Prosthetic Records now.

Spotlight on Warped Tour Bands

Warped Tour 2009

Bayside

Touring in support of their new album titled Shudder released last September, Bayside have shown with their sixth album that an honest approach and disregard for genre pigeonholing can prevail even against the waves of trends and fads. Using the raw energy of their teen years combined with what they have learned about song writing over their career, to the relief of fans, this band has remained undeniably Bayside.

All Time Low

There are at least two things the world of pop-punk doesn’t get tired of, stupid scene haircuts and Blink-182 rip off bands… nothing personal. It is refreshing however to see that Baltimore’s own All Time Low have something of a self-deprecating sense of humor in their new music video for the song “Weightless” of their new album titled Nothing Personal released earlier this month. The band appears to be having as much fun with the tongue-in-cheek titled as they do performing. Check it out at myspace.com/alltimelow.

Anti Flag

If you are the kind of person who is tired bands that grandstand about political issues then Anti Flag is not for you. Come to think of it, you are not the kind of person who belongs at a punk rock show at all. Anti Flag, who started and fell apart in 1988 then reformed in 1993 and broke out of obscurity in 2001, are veterans of the big summer punk tours. Promoting their latest anti-capitalist record The People or the Gun, Anti Flag are as active as ever and on a much grander scale.

Chiodos

One of the most versatile bands on the card for this year’s Warped Tour, Chiodos, has found their way on tour with artists as diverse as Linkin Park, Nine Inch Nails, Alice In Chains, Coheed and Cambria, and now Bad Religion and many others. Their emo influenced brand of metalcore features tons of breakdowns and the high pitched singing and screaming of front man Craig Owens. They are on tour in support of the album Bone Palace Ballet: Grand Coda released in October, 2008.

Senses Fail

One of New Jersey’s workhorse post-hardcore bands, Senses Fail has come a long way from taking gigs at skate parks and churches just to get a chance to perform. Fronted by lead-whiner, the introspective Buddy Nielsen, the band has captured the hearts of preteens and run of the mill emo kids alike. Promoting their latest record, the well-received, Life Is Not a Waiting Room, Senses Fail is not going anywhere.

Madina Lake

Hailing from Chicago, Madina Lake found a unique way to fund the recording of their first demo. Singer Nathan Leone and bassist Matthew Leone appeared on a special edition of the game show, Fear Factor in 2006 and won the grand prize of $50,000. Shortly after the demo was released the band landed a recording contract with Roadrunner Records and are now on the road supporting their second album Attics to Eden released in May, 2009.

Innerpartysystem

Taking their name from George Orwell’s novel 1984, Pennsylvania industrial rock/electronica band Innerpartysystem first surfaced in 2007 with the release of The Download EP. Their exciting live performances feature unique light and video shows which the band has gained a measurable amount of recognition for making way for a well-received self-titled album released last September.

Dance Gavin Dance

You probably are not going to see anyone moon walking or doing the robot (people still do those right?) at a Dance Gavin Dance show but it would likely not be the most welcoming environment for letting loose and expressing yourself. The screamo/post-hardcore sextet is as capricious as any band at this year’s Warped Tour as shown with the release of their latest album titled Happiness thanks to its constant switching between soaring emo vocals and hardcore screams.

---By, Andrew Magnotta

Band of Skulls Album Review

It becomes apparent from the opening riffs and vocals of Band of Skulls’ album “Baby Darling Doll Face Honey” (Shangri-La Records) that hyper-production and grand arrangement are not idols for the trio from Southampton, England. In fact, the grinding start of “The Light of the Morning” evokes an empty stage the day after a festival – the live-ins on the festival grounds are all still passed out in their tents, the light morning sun still unable to penetrate their eyelids after their final-night bender. A reveille of guitar and lo-fi voice fills their ears, reminding the masses that they actually have to drive their old Jeeps and Buick junkers back to another life they left behind mere days before. That’s the ambience that came through my speakers when I let BoS’s debut album play from beginning to end. This album sounds like the start of something – the start of a new day, the start of a road trip, the start of a band’s career – whatever that something is, it sounds pretty good.

After the rusty-Tin-Man start that is “Light of the Morning”, BoS marches into White Stripes territory with “Death by Diamonds and Pearls”, but quickly escapes the readymade comparisons with the soothing “Honest” and the groove-chic “Patterns”. In fact, these two songs, though buried in the middle of the album, are vital to hearing the sonic profile of Band of Skulls. The “hey” shouts in the cool-hot-cool-hot “Hollywood Ball” are some of the highest parts of the record. Plus, the soaring choruses of “Impossible” keep some of the other tracks on the back end of the album from sagging too low into Black Keys-esque fuzz-grunge noise.

The vocals of Russell Marsden and Emma Richardson are worth mentioning. Each of them alternates between soulful and ghostly, their harmonies are distinctive, and when they play off each other in rapid-fire fashion (like in the verses of “I Know What I Am”) the strength of Band of Skulls becomes apparent – as a drum-and-guitar trio, they do so much with so very little. Their music is fairly basic in structure, but “Baby Darling Doll Face Honey” seems to be the poster child for the idea of “Less is more”. It sounds roughly cut, and in the days of auto-tune, it’s almost a blessing to hear. I’m intrigued for their second album to see if their sound becomes more elaborate, or if it will maintain the simpler set-up that they established on their debut. Time will only tell, but for now, I’m going to put “Impossible” back on and enjoy heat of summer.

RATING: 3.5/5 stars

-Scarecrow

Killswitch Engage Album Review

If you’re a fan of Killswitch Engage, don’t worry, you aren’t having déjà vu. The Massachusetts metalcore masters have released a new album, donning the same name as their debut album entitled Killswitch Engage. But this album is by far nothing similar to the original work. Actually, this album is unlike any other killswitch engage albums, even from the Jessee Leach days. If you really admire and appreciate Howard Jones’ vocals and songwriting capabilities and the wild musical talents of everyone’s favorite cape wearing guitarist Adam Dutkiewicz, then this album is for you. On the downside, there are more pop-chorus ballads than tracks most likely to start a circle pit. Opening track Never Again gets the energy flowing for the album, but it slowly song by song begins to fuse out, as Howard’s voice becomes more and more melodic. Tracks such as Starting Over , Save Me, and Take Me Away are very melody driven. Single A light in a darkened world is currently being spinned on WSOU’s regular rotation, and our listeners are loving it. In a musical aspect, this album has everything you could ever ask for; Precise timing, flawless guitars, and a great range in melody. This album does not get the blood pumping as previous Killswitch records have. The guys of KSE have definetly matured and are breaking out of the shell and demonstrating what musicians they really are. This isn’t a bad thing; it’s actually a good thing. Don’t shun this album because of the fact that you aren’t going to punch holes in the walls, but rather you will help mend the ones you’ve already created from before.

Red Collar on The Campus Buzz this Sunday (7/12)

Hey listeners,

Raggedy Annie and The Scarecrow be speaking with Jason Kutchma of Red Collar this Sunday night @ 8:30ish on the Campus Buzz.

Red Collar hails from Durham, NC, where the husband and wife duo of Jason and Beth Kutchma eventually built their current lineup through the magic of Craigslist (Guitarist Mike Jackson) and the power of their live shows (Jonathan Truesdale). They've developed a strong following close to home, and earlier this year released their first full-length album, Pilgrim. They've toured quite a bit east of the Mississippi, and have made their

Raggedy Annie and The Scarecrow have described their sound as being somewhat "old-school". It seems to avoid sub-classification upon sub-classification ("post-hardcore-indie-core", etc.), coming across as something best described as simply "rock and roll". The Scarecrow said that if you are a fan of The Hold Steady or My Morning Jacket (or for a big name, Bruce Springsteen) you'll probably find something enjoyable in Red Collar.

They're playing two nights in the area. They're live shows are known to be energetic and stomp-worthy, so check them out if you're looking for something to do:


Monday 7/13 @ The Chesterton, Brooklyn
Tuesday 7/14 @ Piano's, NYC


Remember, Sunday night. Campus Buzz. Jason of Red Collar.

Campus Buzz starts at 7, interview will be in the 8 pm hour. Listen in!

Poison The Well

Poison the Well just released their new album "The Tropic Rot" this week. WSOU has been spinning their song "Cinema." Star Child will be interviewing the band this Friday at 11am. If you have any questions please leave a comment and remember to post your name and where you're from. If you're outside of the area, stream the interview on-line at wsou.net

That night you can see the band at Terminal 5 in NYC for the 10 bands for $10 tour. Also, performing are Madball, Terror, Vision, This is Hell, Death Before Dishonor, Trapped Under Ice, Crime in Stereo, The Ghost Inside, War of Ages.

New Jersey fans will have to wait until August 8th when the tour comes to The Starland Ballroom, this time with Vision Of Disorder and The Mongoloids.

Evergreen Terrace Drummer Injured

Kyle Mims, drummer for Florida hardcore band Evergreen Terrace, was involved in a serious bike accident on July 1, just before the band began touring in anticipation of their upcoming album release. After being rushed to the emergency room, Mims was found to have broken his clavicle in three places. Mims’ other injuries include a twice-fractured elbow, a gash above his eye that required “a load of stitches” according to his band mates, and serious road burn. However, the clavicle injury will prevent the drummer from joining the band for their upcoming shows, including the Summer Slob Tour where they will be performing with The Acacia Strain. According to the band’s MySpace, Caleb James (“long time roadie and drummer for Casey Jones”) will be filling in for Mims.

Mims will be undergoing surgery to repair his collarbone, followed by several weeks of physical therapy. As he did not yet have health insurance, Mims’ family has set up a donation site for those interested in helping out with the substantial hospital bills. Otherwise, the band asks fans to keep their injured band mate in their thoughts and wish him a quick recovery.

Evergreen Terrace’s new album, Almost Home, will be released on September 29. The stateside portion of the band’s tour runs through August 1.

Visit Evergreen Terrace’s MySpace:

http://www.myspace.com/evergreenterrace

Donate:

http://www.staceyandmark.com/KylesClavicle.htm

WELCOME ALLLLLLLL

So this is the official start to the WSOU blog, and what better way to start this off then with some loud rock...