Bodysnatcher - Bleed-Abide

 

Bodysnatcher have won the hearts of metalheads around the globe in the last few years with a sonic assault that speaks to the state of modern deathcore. What I mean by this is - the band leans further into hardcore than many of their musical ancestors, but also isn't afraid to throw in nu metal jump riffs. Throw in a few classic death metal moments and some monster breakdowns (Seriously, "E.D.A" rules!) and you've got yourself a band who are going to be kicking up crazed mosh pits around the country for years to come. 

Bleed-Abide may adhere to many of the genres tropes, but those tropes tend to be a lot of fun. It's a delight to really hear the band grooving along and rocking out on tracks like "Wired For Destruction". These are songs that are written for the stage, but also which will get you head bobbing along at home. There is a very clear sense of groove that drives these songs, and a vision that helps to ensure a driving power behind these offerings. What Bodysnatcher have done is take their sound and polish it to a sheen. Now it's an unrelenting assault that speaks to exactly how much they've grown as musicians and what they are capable of. 

This album is, if nothing else, a crusher. It's hyper refined, tightly produced and a testament to all that deathcore has been and what it will become. They have taken every element of their sound that ruled and worked hard to drill it down into thirteen focused throat slitting anthems. Bodysnatcher have gone above and beyond here, encapsulating a movement and leaving listeners thrilled at what more is going to come from these Floridian skull crushers. Letting yourself get lost in the hate is thrilling. Turn this one all the way up. 

Pre-order the album!

https://www.bleed-abide.com/

Crafting The Conspiracy - The Cosmic Key II

 

Man it's been a while since I heard a proper deathcore album, but I gotta say, I'm still very much in love with the format. the genre always had a lot of potential and the performance on The Cosmic Key II the latest from Crafting The Conspiracy has me itching to get back into Thy Art Is Murder, Whitechapel and and Fallujah. The intensity that they deliver on with this new record is exciting and while the band very much leans into some of the traditional genre tropes, it's a blast to really sink your teeth into what they are all about and start to see that Crafting The Conspiracy have the potential to really be among the greats of their generation of deathcore.

What will get you right off the bat is the flashy guitar playing. The flourish of the angular riffing of a track like 'Serenisis' is delectable. The punchy production and blasting drums work together to ensure something that is exciting and powerful. The Cosmic Key II surprisingly has a much broader dynamic range than many of the bands peers too. The execution here is exciting simply because, while the band do not betray any of their roots, they do fantastic job of leaning into some of the more tasteful and exciting elements of their genre of choice. Toss in lyrics that view humanity as a virus and look into the conspiracy against the common man and you see that Crafting The Conspiracy are onto something truly special. 

The Cosmic Key II is a thriller from top to bottom. Even when they bring in more conventional metalcore elements on a track like 'Equilibrium (Earthbound II)' it is clear that the band know how to write songs really goddamn well. This is an album that acts as a wonderful summation of what makes the deathcore genre so appealing in the first place. Yes there are a lot of tropes at play, but I kind of love those tropes, they were what so many of us were raised on. This is a masterful offering - what more can I say? If you like deathcore, you're gonna have a good time. 

Find them on Facebook!

https://www.facebook.com/CTCbandofficial

Viscera - Obsidian

I always find it interesting when bands are able to fuse clean vocals with death growls in a tasteful way. Especially when they wind up multilayered. Toss in some truly interesting guitar work and tight songwriting and you have yourself a recipe for an interesting record. Unique Leader's particular brand of deathcore isn't necessarily my thing, but Viscera are clearly a very talented band making some very solid music. The band are clearly extremely goddamn talented and it's fun to watch them showcase their chops across the entirety of a record.

The sense of swagger the band brings on a track like 'Silentium' is really fun and it's nicely counterbalance by when the group shows their more artsy side. This is a band who clearly have their guitar nerd shit on lockdown, but they don't forget to prioritize songwriting. Obsidian is a masterful release that continually seems to hint at new heights for the band and focuses on top notch execution. Viscera is not only an interesting release, it's a record that shows there is so much more to be done in the genre and that the band have the capacity to craft some next level artistry that elevates the dialogue around the genre.

Obsidian is a masterful release. It pays attention to genre tropes and builds on them. The band is early in their career and I get the impression that they could build a lot on this release. This is a record that hints at oodles of talent and which seems to suggest the group has a well of ideas in the early Fallujah or even Sylosis vein (Which would make sense given their frontman used to be in the latter band!) In brief - if you dig deathcore or even heavier prog metal, you'll find something to dig here - give it a spin.

Find them on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/VisceraUK/

Whitechapel - The Valley

So I'll be honest - I haven't listened to Whitechapel in a helluva long time but I have always thought that they were a really special and interesting band. Now as they set forth on their seventh album it becomes clear that these deathcore masters have evolved far beyond their roots to craft something incredibly heavy and emotionally powerful. The Valley is a stunner, a deeply personal release that I certainly wasn't expecting from the band. Personal, challenging and a clear step forward, this is a testament to just how good this band always was.

What gets me about this record is how straight up dark it is. This is a record that seems to delve far beyond the traditional tropes of the band and really forces the listener to choke on the sheer intensity of the ban.d With songs that are spectacularly written and with a sort of inherent bleakness worthy of the most twisted black metal album, it's hard not to be fascinated by the many layers of The Valley. The synths that pad out tracks like Doom Woods speak to a band who have matured and who are ready to unleash hell as you try to come to terms with an album that is at times ethereal and at others a punch in the fucking gut.

The Valley seems to revel in its own inherent madness. As you join the band on a harsh journey through a sort of sonic wasteland it's hard not to have these songs resonate within you. While yes, Whitechapel might not be the sort of thing I normally listen too I can't help but to eel impressed. It's an album that seems to push for new boundaries for the band and shows that more than a decade into their career, Whitechapel are still able to unleash some of their most poignant and powerful work to date.

Find them on Facebook! 
https://www.facebook.com/whitechapelmetal/

Chronic Xorn - For These Sins Who Must die

Chronic Xorn have been grinding hard for the last decade to become one of the premier acts in the Indian deathcore scene. With their second full length and third release overall hitting my ear drums now it becomes clear why it took the band five years to put out this record. It's the sort of massive statement that crushes your skull with riffs upon riffs. There is a certain sense of swagger and authority which comes with For these Sins Who Must Die, Chronic Xorn know who they are in this scene and deliver the punishment time and time again.

I think what really gets me about this record is the mix of modern death metal and deathcore. the breakdown on a track like Justice by The Act Of Violence is an exciting counterbalance to more groove metal oriented ideas. Meanwhile there is a certain triumph to the manic almost At The Gates inspired riffing that defines a lot of these tracks. Of course -we don't have a lot to really sift through, with under thirty minutes of music and only five real songs. That being said - Chronic Xorn take advantage of the time they have to make a point about the state of the Indian extreme metal underground in 2018.

There is something about this recotrd that I think speaks to the deathcore kid deep inside me, but also elements that reflect the metal fan I am today. there is a depth to the composition here that Chronic Xorn has never before had and which deathcore as a whole doesn't really embrace. It gives you something to really sink your teeth into despite the relatively short time frame. That all being said, For These Sins Who Must Die rapidly transforms into the sort of album that you want to spin again and again. Dig it.

Find them on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/chronicxorn/

Earth Caller - Crystal Death

It's been interesting to see how the deathcore scene has evolved from its late 2000's heyday to where it's at today. Interesting stuff is still being done in the genre and there is still a lot to unpack, but it's also a genre that requires a lot of thought and encourages listeners to delve. A genre always focused on songwriting Crystal Death sees the band pushing their own unique brand of punk infused deathcore madness. Dedicated to the scene and relentlessly ferocious Earth Caller are bringing hardcore to a new generation of kids.

While the record might be a little bit on the nose that's a huge part of the appeal. Earth Caller is the sort of band who understand exactly what the fans want and then deliver it with no strings attached. That being said, Crystal Death has some top notch production. The execution on tracks like No Forgiveness is powerful and speaks to a more grandiose future for the band and their direction. There is a certain subtle poetry to this record that exists as an undercurrent to some of the more mundane and typical elements that define it. Earth Caller fascinate the listener and time and time again draw us deeper into the music.

Forcing people to confront the brutal realities of 2017 is important. This is a dark time and we are running into all sorts of deep and dark problems time and time again. Crystal Death is a record that speaks to the nations youth, a disenfranchised mass who need people to be speaking to what they are trying to do, who will reach out and prove that there is a hope for this lost generation. When it comes down to it there is a path forward, we just need to get our shit together enough to properly embrace it, and Crystal Death might be the light to guide the way.

Find them on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/EarthCaller/

The Hell - Brutopia

I don't think I fully understand The Hell - I mean, I get the joke, and I think it's funny, and their latest record Brutopia sees them taking it to new levels - but these guys are great musicians too. So why do they continue this? Maybe that's why they're in a buzzing metal band and I'm not. That being said - The Hell are fucking brilliant and it's impossible not fall in love with their wonderfully ridiculous songwriting and surprisingly on point riffage. The initial cry of "We're back!" that kicks off this record is The Hell's "Victory Or Die" and sees them pushing the magic to new extremes.

Here's the thing - though The Hell pay attention to every one of the tropes in the genres they are poking fun at - they pull them off with grace. There is something inherently menacing about what this band does - as if our collective hatred for modern metal has turned upon itself and created this weird self effacing reality that we all have to deal with. What I think I'm trying to say is that The Hell make a fucked up point about our reality - and I'm frankly okay with that. After all - I've been calling for a return of skits in metal for year, so bits like the DH1 Classic Albums track are refreshing and help us see exactly how intelligent The Hell are.

Despite it all - you can tell that The Hell are true fans of the music they parody - or at least consume it voraciously. The way that they perfectly mimic Attila-esque breakdowns (And evidently call out their lead singer on I've Got Loads Of Money) is delicious. You find yourself reveling in the murk and bouncing along to the fun grooves and the sense of down tuned madness that makes their music so eerily endearing. The Hell are a heavy metal band for the modern age - strangely addictive and wonderfully fucked up... can you dig it?

Find them on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/thehellthehellthehell?fref=ts

Frontal - Death Eaters

Swirling and chunky death metal with more than a few touches of both progressive metal and hardcore, Death Eaters is a finely crafted release that sees a young band pushing it to the limit as they uncover their own potential. The songs on this record are extremely intricate and interesting, reflective of the power of the genre. Frontal have a fairly distinct attack and its easy to sink into the intricate soundscapes they craft. This is what metal is about, forward thinking and exciting, music for a modern age.

When the band kicks in with some of their wonderfully harsh riffs and buzzing guitars its hard to be let down. Songs like Psychopath Army have a demented energy to them that shows a band who have worked hard to hone a record to near perfection. There is no filler to be found on Death Eaters and the deeper you delve into its mysteries the more magic you uncover. Though the bones of the album are primarily death metal and deathcore the flesh and blood is made up of prog and jazz. It makes for music that is always interesting, even three or four listens deep. Death Eaters is endlessly interesting, and it proves to me how great these guys really are.

So let it wash over you, feel the grooves and move your body with the rhythms that Frontal slam out. Ranging between all out sonic assaults and delicately crafted jazz oriented riffs, Death Eaters will never fail to engage the mind. Chugging and thrashing its way to victory, Frontal leave me begging for more. As they continue to color their sound and refine it to something a bit grander, and perhaps simultaneously easier upon first listen, they will surely climb through the ranks. Frontal play death metal at its finest and I'm excited for what the future holds for them!

Find them on Facebook!

https://www.facebook.com/frontalband

Discord Curse - Burnt Offerings

How cool it is to find a band that mixes atmosphere and straightforward deathcore together to create something that stands out amongst the myriad of bands piggybacking off of Suicide Silence?  REALLY fucking cool.  Being relative newbies in the deathcore scene (Hell, they've only been on Facebook since April 19th of this year), Discord Curse have come to our doorstep to bestow upon us a truly entertaining and refreshing EP.  Burnt Offerings, the band's freshman effort, showcases a maturity not quite expected from such an unknown, and young, outfit.

While it is, in parts, typical deathcore fare, Burnt Offerings has much more to put on the table than pig squeals over chuggy riffs.  There's a bit of djent here and there, which is more than welcome in the grand scheme of things due in part to its minimalistic approach.  Although some of the lyrics are rather childish, we do have to take into consideration that this is a pretty young band in the underground arena, and there are bound to be growing pains throughout their career.

The musical composition is surprisingly mature, with a focus on using influence from death metal and hardcore in conjunction rather than attempting an awkward fusion of the two.  This is especially apparent during Forsaken, where there is a somewhat slowed hardcore riff about halfway in that is quickly torn to pieces by a distinctly death metal riff layered over shredding double bass pedals.  This kind of switch-up shows that Discord Curse is not just a group of kids fucking around with their influences - they are a tightly focused unit that pride themselves on the progression of deathcore as a genre.

Burnt Offerings leaves a pleasant taste in your mouth, even if it is a bit bumpy at times.  The clean vocals used in the second and third tracks were sometimes painful to listen to, but ultimately only detracted a small amount from the EP's luster.  Though it is not my place to speak the future, I feel I can safely say that Discord Curse have a bright career ahead of them so long as they continue to innovate and challenge themselves to improve upon the already mildly impressive work they've done so far.

Find them on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/DiscordCurse/

Metalsphere 4 Festival

Yesterday a little after noon I left my visiting grandparents behind, hopped into the car with some friends and made my way to my first outdoor festival of the season. Metalsphere was an exciting little festival featuring twelve top notch bands (I'll only be covering 8 I think) and got me out doing a bunch of interviews, meeting a lot of cool people, and banging my head for hours on end. As I sit here the morning after, (Well more like several hours after, I got home just before 2) my ears are ringing and my neck hurts. In other words, Metalsphere 4 was most definitely worth attending.

The first band I saw was Ianwill, a groovy death metal act who weren't afraid to bring in touches of hardcore to a very tight and exciting sound. Obviously being the first band of the afternoon on the smaller stage (There were 2) is always a challenge, but Ianwill seem to have gotten a good grasp on it. They had a great attack and a healthy amount of energy on stage. By the end of their set a mosh pit had broken out and they were really starting to do some good things. Ianwill seem to have a clear sense of their musical direction, and if the last song of yesterdays set is any indication, they will continue to evolve and dominate, perhaps one day becoming true metal masters.

Next up was When Reasons Collapse. Now, I've heard a lot about this band as one of the movers and shakers on the local scene, however, asides from reviewing their record I'd never really gotten a chance to see them life. Well now the time had come and I was immediately stunned by the incredible energy they bring to the stage. Be it in their vocalist, Cristina's vicious whirlwinds or the guitarists and bassists incredible hardcore derived stomp, these guys roared out as a death metal band who will not be quashed. They bring the mosh with a destructive, oftentimes misanthropic, attack that comes out of nowhere and leaves the listener feeling beat over the head and covered in blood.

The next band I really enjoyed was Acyl, now, I'd seen them back in the summer at a smaller venue, so seeing them play in the open air environment with their traditional Algerian instruments was a pleasure. These guys are true innovators and I love watching them do their thing. The entire crowd seemed into it, bodies moving and dancing with the music. It's always cool to watch people clapping in unison, inspired by something far older than metal, or really any other form of popular music. They were a highlight of my day, speaking to the eternal power of the music of their homeland, but also the beauty of their unique fusion of genres.

The Walking Dead Orchestra were a new band for me, and by god did I find them incredible. Their deathcore sound reminded me of my adolescence, listening to Suicide Silence with friends in middle school. These guys bring a lot of energy to the stage and they really know how to rage. The bands vocalist brings an attack that should not be trifled with, his vocals alternating between pig squeals and huge bottom end filled death growls. These guys will rip your head off your body as you are forced into windmilling, body thrashing to the might of a true deathcore sound. These guys have a great grasp of their own sound and will capture the heart of any deathcore fan.

Awakening Sun were another great discovery, this band of young Lithuanians (and one Dutch dude) none of whom were older than 22, brought an exciting genre spanning death metal set to the smaller Moat Stage and certainly got the crowd going. Their melodic guitar lines and tasty riffs showed the power of the band as a musical force. Their is something a little deeper going on in the Awakening Sun sound, they have a certain understanding of death metal and its core concepts that few of their peers can touch on, and this is what will make them rise to the top. Ferociously dedicated, Lithuanias biggest death metal band is certainly a force to be reckoned with.

The sixth band that I'll cover was Svart Crown, a band I've wanted to see for a good long while. These French blackened death metal heroes put on an awesome show, getting bodies to fly and heads to bang, this is the sort of heavy metal good time for all involved. These guys have a great sense of bombast, in some ways the dynamic live show almost reminded me of Iron Maiden. The synchronized whirlwind headbanging of the guitarists and bassist brought a memorable attack filled with roaring growls, explosive screams and guitar riffs that are simply to die for. These guys get what it means to bring a heavy metal attack and I think that is going to help them get huge.

Now we arrive at the penultimate band of the festival, the almighty Regarde Les Hommes Tomber. Their doom inflected black metal was utterly transcendent, especially under the starry skies of the festival. These guys were loud, vicious, and very tight. The vocals, replete with all sorts of cool effects, had a sort of incredibly evil might behind them, something that showed a band who would not give in to the bone grinding crunch of modern life. Regarde Les Hommes Tomber are a veritable musical force, seeing them takes you to another world and it really turned me on to the further magic of French black metal, if you don't know it already this is a scene you need to check out!

Finally we have Trepalium, a band who have essentially become French death metal legends. Their jazz inspired groove metal attack is fronted by a deranged dreaded crusty who has a voice that can only be called unholy. As opposed to their records, I found that in this performance they were all about the groove. I definitely got a heavy Pantera vibe on a lot of these songs and one or two where even reminiscent of Lamb of God. When the dudes in Trepalium want to bring it hard, they do, and I'm still reeling from a set that was loud and proud, heavy metal for the masses, groovy enough to engage the casual fan, heavy enough to keep elitists satisfied.

As we walked out of the festival, me having utterly destroyed my curfew by this point, I started to reflect a bit on the magic I had witnessed, the cool people I had met (Especially the dudes in When Reasons Collapse, Awakening Sun and Acyl all of whom I had interviewed during the day) and the gallons of beer drunk. This is the sort of thing that makes heavy metal worth it, even if you are standing in the sun for 12 hours. As my drunk friend went around, asking people to kiss him 'properly' on the cheek I thought to myself "Kissing drunk dudes at one in the morning, miles from home, this sounds about right".

Find the bands on Facebook!

Ianwill: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Ianwill/313791168748183

When Reasons Collapse: https://www.facebook.com/WhenReasonsCollapse

Acyl: https://www.facebook.com/AcylOfficial

Awakening Sun: https://www.facebook.com/awakeningsun

The Walking Dead Orchestra: https://www.facebook.com/TheWalkingDeadOrchestraOFFICIAL

Svart Crown: https://www.facebook.com/SVARTCROWN

Regarde Les Hommes Tomber: https://www.facebook.com/rlhtband

Trepalium: https://www.facebook.com/TREPALIUMBAND

Deep In Hate-Chronicles of Oblivion

Deep In Hate are one of the most legendary bands on my local scene, so I jumped at the chance to review their new record Chronicles of Oblivion. This is the kind of deathcore that rips out throats. Reminiscent of groups like Suicide Silence and All Shall Perish, Deep In Hate are the sort of group who have that crushing bottom end that will always appeal to metalheads across the globe. With a fondness for super tight blast beats and crunching grooves, Deep In Hate will capture your heart and then skewer it on a stick, all the better for roasting.

The influence of bands like Whitechapel has always been very clear in the Deep In Hate sound, and this record is no exception. But in the punishing rhythms of tracks like The Cattle Procession, we start to get a sense that Deep In Hate are in fact finding themselves. As they dig deeper to put out top notch material, Deep In Hate is finding all sorts of powerful musical twists and turns that take them well out of the standard deathcore vibe that they pursued for so long. There is something wonderfully oppressive about these guys, their sound crushes the bones and leaves you weak, a victim to the all powerful forces of the French metal scene and truly extreme music.

Toss in some hyper technical frills, powerful growls, and you start to realize, Deep In Hate have used Chronicles of Oblivion to somehow summon the true spirit of deathcore. This record is right and has a lot of showy passages (In particular, Bastos's drumming is mindboggling. So dig in and relish the blood, Deep In Hate are finding themselves and we all will profit. Chronicles of Oblivion may very well be the greatest deathcore record of the year. This is the sort of thing that makes me proud of the French scene and reminds me heavy metal will never die.

Find them on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/DeepInHate

Oestre-La Derniere Renaissance

France has just been churning out some top notch death metal bands lately, not the least of which is the up and coming new prog influenced death metal group Oestre. Their powerful sound brings in a variety of elements and even gives us a few touches of djent. (Is it wrong that I feel a little bit nostalgic for djent these days?) With strange and sometimes atonal solos, their new record La Derniere Renaissance breaks boundaries and busts skulls, the sort of death metal record that really gets what constitutes good death metal in 2014.

What I find really interesting about Oestre, is even in their proggiest and most abstract moments, like on the intro to the seventh track, Palbe (La Derniere Renaissance) they manage to maintain a sort of poignant hardcore stomp. It gives the band a certain humanity beyond the spiraling chord progressions and industrial breaks. See, Oestre, while they may be inspired by Meshuggah and their ilk, there is still something very human here, giving a taste of the pit, even in the most bizarre and hard to understand moments. This speaks to the magic of the band, that they can fuse these ideas and come out stronger, metallers who have seen it all and can do more.

Oestre are not a band to be taken lightly, and its hard to really grasp what they're on about at first listen. There are a lot of layers to unfold here and Oestre are not afraid to add in cleans when appropriate, making them sound like a totally different band. Yet they inject it all with their own unique flavor, showing that these guys won't be stopped by hell or high water. Instead they will simply reach out, rage, and hold their listener in thrall, victim to the almighty power of Oestres unique musical stylings. La Derniere Renaissance is one of the coolest French prog records I have heard all year, so come on in and enjoy the ride!

Find them on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/Oestrefr

Worms Eat Her

I've had this idea for a little while now, to write up the 'rules' of death metal. One of these rules might very well be "Any band with the words "Worm" in the name is guaranteed to be awesome". Worms Eat Her seem to prove this sentiment with their new three song EP, known only as WEH-EP02 (Which, for the uninitiated basically means its the second Worms Eat Her EP) See, Worms Eat Her get at brutality in a simply primitive way. They eviscerate children with their guitars, their growls are filled with hate, and the primeval evil here is simply something you don't want to mess around with. Worms Eat Her are filled with an appetite for destruction, and their is no stopping these French men. Their stripped down and violent approach to death metal is a lot of fun to listen too and reveals the sort of bare bones blackness that we all love so much. There are no frills here, barely even any production, Worms Eat Her are going to tear your hair off and knee you in the face, so jump on in the pit and let your body shake!

Find them on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/WormsEatHer/app_204974879526524

All Dogmas We Hate-Human Wrath

All Dogmas We Hate have long been one of the premier proggy deathcore groups in France, veritable lords of an exciting and wonderfully twisted scene. All Dogmas We Hate have put out something strangely remarkable with their new full length, Human Wrath, it mixes in a few djent elements to an overall deathcore attack to get something that is technical, progressive, and also easy to listen too. It makes for an album that keeps the listener interested because it simply operates on so many levels, a product of excellent production and even better songwriting.

When you really start to dig into the songwriting here you start o get a sense for how simply impressive All Dogmas We Hate are as a unit. The way that the songs are structure is really promising, showcasing djenty riffs alongside more standard death metal ones. The angular attack of songs like Total Eclipse will thrash your body into a sort of unholy motion. The bottom end here is colossal, it gives the group a primal power that resonates within the core of your being. Yet this is contrasted by wonderful soaring guitar lines, bringing an almost atmospheric aura into the sound and granting the entire album a nearly transcendent quality, going beyond proggy deathcore to become something more.

In closing, Human Wrath is an exciting release filled to the brim with exciting riff ideas and innovative songwriting. While All Dogmas We Hate are certainly aware of the maxims of deathcore, it does not seem to limit their sound or prevent them from innovating. Their combination of ideas from a variety of genres makes for a record that is as good as it is diverse, something you can really dig into and headbang along with. I think that while this band could still evolve a bit more and take out all elements of mainstream metal, they are well along the path of becoming the new French metal gods.

Find them on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/alldogmaswehate?fref=ts

Inside the Artist's Head-Filth& Lies

Inside the Artist's Head, now there is an interesting band name. Yet, this group is more than that, Inside the Artist's Head is a veritable death metal force. From the first, their new record Filth & Lies proves to be some of the most exciting hardcore infused death metal to come out in a good long while. Make no mistake though, this group does not conform to the maxims of modern deathcore, to call this group a deathcore band at all would be a mistake unless you meant it in the purest sense of the word. Inside the Artist's Head manage to unite two of my favorite genres into something greater than the sum of its parts.

This is a record that doesn't really play by any specific rules. Inside the Artist's Head do what they want, and come across as something greater. If I was to compare them to anyone, I would say they are almost a heavier Hatebreed. Dishing out social lessons and societal criticisms to a brutarian stomp allow the might of Inside the Artist's Head to really shine. There is a long tradition of top notch extreme bands from Sweden, and Inside the Artist's Head are the latest and greatest. Yet they work with stuff that doesn't really fit within the Swedish scene, they are exploring new ideas that too few of their peers would be willing to touch on, and this allows them to really stand out.

In closing, Inside the Artist's Head aren't going to let themselves be limited or held back by peers who indulge in other genres. This groups unique and profound groove gives them a wonderful humanity, driving Filth & Lies to a new level of brilliance. It makes this record a statement, four songs that speak to the eternal magic of metallic hardcore. There is a real desperation here, an incredible power, headbanging destruction that will tear your throat out and leave you on the floor, bleeding, trying to find a noble escape from the darkness.

Find them on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/Insidetheartistshead

F.O.A.D.-The Bringer of Death

F.O.A.D. is the kind of death metal band who are not afraid to mix in more than a touch of that trademark hardcore sound to get a crossover attack that is a blast to listen too. Their new record The Bringer of Death is one of the latest, and greatest things to come off the rapidly rising French record label M&O Music. These Frenchmen are more than just metalheads or skinheads, their music goes beyond that and so they are a living embodiment of Billy Milano's legendary words. It doesn't matter how you wear your hair it's what's inside your head.

A large part of the appeal of this record, for me at least, is in how willfully offensive it is Their are choruses here that simple reek of punk rock madness. Gleeful in its gore, F.O.A.D.'s lyrics are actually pretty interesting at times, providing a counterpoint to the child screaming "Fuck off and die" at the beginning of the albums title track. The grooves here are also impressive. F.O.A.D. do an excellent job of combining hardcore with metal in a way that is distinctly different than deathcore or metalcore bands. This is much more pure and direct. On many levels, the music found on The Bringer of Death seems like a logical extension of that of bands like The Cro Mags or Bad Brains.

Heavy to an extreme and unafraid to get mind numbingly fast, F.O.A.D. are more than just another metal band trying to make good. these guys are pumping out exciting new ideas at a lighting speed. I'm curious to see what they produce next simply because F.O.A.D. are breaking exciting new ground in what was supposed to be a relatively dead genre. Prepare to bang your heads until the day of judgement comes, these guys are going to start the mosh and never let it die. Brothers and sisters, come  join in the fun, F.O.A.D. is the perfect mixture of death metal and hardcore for 2014.

Find them on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/pages/FOAD/48472728516

Defeat the Earth-Beyond Creation

Roaring death metal that is occasionally punctuated by a breakdown. One of the fastest rising metal bands in France. A group directed by an ex-trucker, incredibly determined to succeed and ready to pull all the stops in realizing his dream. This is not death metal for the light of heart, replete with crazed blast beats, roaring drums, and a dedication to all things brutal, Defeat the Earth have crafted a truly stunning debut with Beyond Creation Clearly ready to take the world by storm, this record seems to be the predecessor of great things to come!

The thing that really gets me going with this record is the crazed approach to riffing it has. Songs like Brutal as just Began showcase a primeval heaviness that not a lot of bands can really get at. At times though this leads to the record almost feeling too short, the tracks are so brutal and blast heavy that once the record runs its course you're left begging for more. Its insane to think that this law of sheer heaviness can be obtained by a mere four piece. Yet the grooves and the explosions that make Beyond Creation what it is do not lie, this is brutal death metal redemption. Providing no escape and no mercy, Defeat the Earth are not a band to be taken lightly, and as they charge forward what can you do but prepare yourself for the assault?

Though this may only be an EP Defeat the Earth clearly have the talent and the drive to dominate the globe. Not a lot of bands have this level of raw hatred and destruction behind their music. Even the few breakdowns the band break out are brilliantly executed. The best example is probably on the track Defeat the Earth which beautifully contrasts a huge and crunchy half time part with blazing riffs. Defeat the Earth have a clear artistic direction, and manage to sound different in a genre where too many bands sound similar, prepare to throw out your necks boys and girls, Defeat the Earth is here to stay.

Find them on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/DefeatTheEarth

Sound of Memories, Inner Reflections, Bleed and Dagara at Le Klub

Another night, another show. This time it was back to Le Klub, that legendary metal venue that I love oh so very much. This time in the much darker, dungeonlike lower room, I got to see some good friends and check out four top notch local bands, one, Sound of Memories, who I have covered many times before, another, Bleed, whose singer I am tight with, and two more, groups that full imprressed me with developed and interesting sounds. This was a great evening made special by some fresh top notch talent showing the magic of the underground.

Sound of Memories were the first band to play, fresh out of an interview with the noble Sons of Metal Webzine. This was the first time I got to see them play a full forty five minute long set. They debuted a new song and played a lot of their upcoming material. Let's just say that Sound of Memories have a bright future ahead of them, not only is this a band who grasp the unrelenting magic of melodic death metal, but they can deliver live. So while, sure, they still have a few minor issues they're working out because they are a new band, they are still a blast to see live. This is not a band to be taken lightly, and as they get more live experience in their upcoming French tour I can see them becoming a true metal force.

Inner Reflections were the next band up and their unique brand of modern thrash metal certainly got a mosh pit started. The thing that really appealed to me about this band was the amount of raw energy they brought to the stage. More than that, they are extremely tight live, the riffs executes with sniper like precision. Furthermore, the chainsaw guitars brought down lines torn from the guitar of the late great Hanneman. One thing I really dug with this band was the solos, they were extremely tasty and showed off a wonderful understanding of the magic of metal guitar. All in all, Inner Reflections gave more than just a metal show, they brought forth a full fledged transcendent experience.

Bleed were the penultimate group to play, and while I am familiar with their singers other group, Thanatic Eyes, it was my first time seeing these guys do their thing live. I was pleasantly surprised by the professionalism and tight set that they had. The bass attack is especially tight, giving a strong bottom end with a stunning forward momentum. Their is almost a Slayer like vibes at times giving added might to Bleed's unique brand of Death/Thrash. Though there weren't a lot of people in the room the mosh pit got pretty violent. I'd be excited to see them with a larger and more violent audience so more stage diving madness could occur.

The final band of this fine Thursday night was Dagara, a rather unique group who fuse African elements with a nu metal tinged brand of death metal and use two vocalists. Contrary to what that description might have you think, Dagara is actually really tight live and have a lot of cool ideas. While I would like to see them use the djembe more I liked a lot of their tracks as they were. This is the sort of group who you could go see again and again and still get something new out of their show. It was impressive to see that they had a lot of dedicated fans their too. Dagara are certainly starting to make an impact in the local scene and it would be excited to see them rip up the stage once more.

All in all, this was a great soiree showcasing groups who understand the spirit of the underground. Sound of Memories are rising stars, young men who get the spirit of melodeath in a way that too few modern bands really grasp. Inner Reflections are crafting new and unique sounds in a way that not a lot of their contemporaries really do, I'm excited to have gotten their album to review. Bleed showed me that Unscarred is not the only good Parisian thrash act and left me begging for more, hopefully they'll have a headlining gig soon! Finally, Dagara are unique, powerful, and very interesting, who knows where they'll go next? So dear reader I leave you with this, if the underground is what we live for, then tonight made my life worth living.

Find the bands on Facebook!

Sound of Memories: https://www.facebook.com/soundofmemoriesofficiel?ref=ts&fref=ts

Inner Reflections: https://www.facebook.com/InnerReflectionsOfficial

Bleed: https://www.facebook.com/bleedparis

Dagara: https://www.facebook.com/DagaraOfficial

Quintessence of Versatility-Reveal the Truth

What? Pummeling extreme metal with incredibly harsh growls and powerful deathcore grooves? Well, my day just got a whole lot better. Quintessence of Versatility is the kind of band who bring the rage in a way that few of their competitors could ever dream of. Touring furiously since 2008, these Frenchmen have honed a fine and powerful sound. Their new record, Reveal the Truth is a tight five song EP which captures the magic of the band and leaves you begging for more.

One of the most impressive aspects of this EP, and the Quintessence of Versatility sound in general is the huge bottom end that the band is able to bring forth. Not a lot of bands can get as crushingly heave as Quintessence of Versatility do. Furthermore, Reveal the Truth showcases some of the bands best songwriting to date. It very much shows off the new line up and all that the band is capable of. These guys realize that they are a part of something much larger than themselves and embrace it, showing off a sound that is triumphant and unforgiving, metal for the devotee.

So, if you want to get your mosh on, break your skull, and feel the incredible power of deathcore at its finest then look no further. Quintessence of Versatility have put out what it is possibly their best release to date. Reveal the Truth features powerful riffs, a crushing bottom end and a dedication to a genre that many have forsaken as poser territory. Quintessence of Versatility prove that there is an enduring magic to deathcore, and that their unique brand of extreme metal will never die.

Find them on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/QoVofficial

Abandoned World

Abandoned World is a deathcore band from Sweden who are just starting to see the first tastes of real success. With a powerful groove driven sound these guys continue to blast, roar and explode with little consideration for the world around them. Abandoned World seem destined to take over deathcore scenes across the globe, how else could a band only just formed in 2012 have already toured such far flung places as Bangladesh. I especially like their more Suicide Silence derived epic which feature some moody atmospherics contrasted by harsher growls. However the delivery could be ameliorated on songs like Blackened Sky. That being said, the songwriting is as a whole very tight, the guitar lines in particular add a lot of flavor to the music. Their is a lot of exciting stuff going on with this band and I think with a little more work and a little more polish they could really do something big. Their new song Haunted is a great example of this, showing that Abandoned World are ready to bring crisp and powerful deathcore to all the metal loving masses!

Find them on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/AbandonedWorld