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The Bled

So, The Bled broke up.  Bummer.  Normally, when any insert-core band breaks up, I couldn’t give half a shit.  But, I did go through a ‘core phase in the early/mid-00s and a few of those bands have stuck around and continued to enjoy a few rotations now and then.  The Bled are one of those lucky few.  Pass the Flask is really the only album of theirs I really got into.  I tried the others, but nothing got me like this one.

The Bled

Yes, it’s fringy metalcore packed full of “I’m pissed and sad at the same time!” lyrics, but it still rules.  Not sure exactly why.  They have breakdowns (which I generally hate), they lack guitar solos (which I love and, in bands like this, are replaced by breakdowns), but Pass the Flask is a record I can listen to from start to finish and not mind the attributes of these bands that I generally hate.  Zao is another.  Earlier As I Lay Dying as well.  Some of them survive the swell of impending doom that consists of 10,000 cookie cutter bands with the same sound.  There are always a few gems and they’re not always the guys that started the whole movement/genre.

Anyway, if I wasn’t on antibiotics and unable to drink, I’d pour one out for The Bled.

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Posted on Friday, August 12, 2011 by , Reply

Morbid Angel Scares Me

Morbid Angel is one of those bands that, in my beginning stages of listening to death metal, I was inundated with by friends.  ”You have to listen to this shit!” was the cry from many a metalhead.  And, I did.  And I loved it.  I still listen to everything up to and sometimes (rarely, actually) including Heretic.  Domination kicks my ass every time I play it and Formulas Fatal to the Flesh makes my day on a regular basis.

Boy fucking howdy, though.  I’ve only heard two tracks from the new album.  It’s one of those records that I’ve been so pumped for, I knew the hype would do one of two things; force me to love it or let me down in a major way.

The death of Morbid Angel?

I’ve remained undecided after the two tracks.  I’m not one to be swayed by reviews, but the overwhelming hatred for Illud Divinum Insanus is soul-crushing…and not in a good way.  It’s apparently so bad that there’s even been a Facebook group created to commemorate the death of Morbid Angel as we know it.  Sad.

Regardless of whether or not Morbid Angel regain their death metal crown (from Behemoth) or fall into the shitfilled depths with In Flames and their ilk, there are death metal bands releasing albums that completely destroy and continue to keep the genre alive (Vomitory, Autopsy) and bands like Arch Enemy continue to shred with another killer this year.

***EDIT***

Ok, I just read MetalSucks’ review of Illud Divinum Insanus.  While I have my problems with MS (I have problems with everything, though), they posted such an awesome review that I had to link it.  Just listened to the whole album on Rhapsody.  I wanted this shit to be good in such a huge way.  Massive disappointment.  Massive.  Listen to the album and read the MS review.  Pour one out for Trey and the boys.  Let’s hope for a comeback.

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Posted on Tuesday, June 7, 2011 by , Reply

Trapped Under a Kid Jumping on Me

Great news for hardcore fans who plan to go to the Terror/Stick to Your Guns/Trapped Under Ice/Close Your Eyes/Your Demise show in Huntington at HYAMP.  First, I want to clarify that, although I’m not a huge hardcore fan despite a 3.5 second phase in the early 2000s, I’m pumped for this show. HYAMP is an all-ages venue that used to get some of the best hardcore/metalcore and, yes, indie acts in the business.  I saw quite a few really good shows there and, despite being constantly subjected to total fucking morons and a legion of ninja dancers, it was pretty awesome.

However, the extracurricular idiocy that accompanies pretending that interpretive, high octane Tourette’s is really dancing tends to fuck up the vibe of a show and really ruin the whole fucking thing for people that are actually there to hear music.  Enter Justice Trip (hurr durr durr), singer for Trapped Under Ice.  Apparently, at a show in Germany, he fucked some kid up because he claims he was “jumped on”.  Awesome.  Now, not only are the fans of this stuff so overzealous about being stupid, they’re being encouraged and validated by guys like Trip.  Granted, shit can happen at a show.  Especially when aggressive music like hardcore or metal is being played.  I’m not singling out hardcore as some blight on human senses that causes violence like a zombie plague.  It’s not that.  But, I’ve been to a decent amount of hardcore shows and even more metal shows and the fight count is DEFINITELY heavier on the hardcore side.  There are fights at metal shows, but it’s mostly because people are totally shitfaced, fat and sweaty and fight because that’s what drunk people do (especially when the fat/sweat level reaches its peak).  At hardcore shows, it’s because you didn’t windmill your arms the right way or because you lit a cigarette around a squadron of ultra-violent, straight edge guys.  Or maybe you chose to bring your McGriddles to a Cattle Decapitation show and Team Vegan lost what was left of their minds, forcing them to beat the shit out of you.  I had a really good friend get jumped by a platoon of ninja homos at a Throwdown/Norma Jean show because he got in the pit and didn’t “dance” right.  He got his ass kicked so hard and by so many people that Throwdown stopped the show.  It was fucking ridiculous.  And, guess who got kicked out of the venue?  My buddy.  Maybe he should’ve had an electrical taped “X” on his hand.  Probably would’ve gotten him a few apologies and maybe a jumping high five.

I don’t want people to think I’m against hardcore shows coming to town.  Especially with HYAMP reopening.  I support them fully in their endeavor and, while I don’t know the owners extremely well, I trust that they’ll do all they can to prevent fighting and general stupidity at their shows.  But, on May 25, when Trapped Under Ice takes the stage, HYAMP and its supporters should make sure that the shit he pulled in Germany doesn’t happen, whether Justice gets “jumped on” or not.

 

 

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Posted on Monday, March 28, 2011 by , Reply

Surtur is Rising…for Free

Amon Amarth are streaming their new album, Surtur Rising, at Bloodydisgusting.com.  It’s awesome.  I’ve been a huge Amon Amarth fan for a long time, so unless they put out a Cold Lake equivalent, I’m going to continue pillaging with the Guardians of Asgaard.

The Battle of Svolder

Viking metal has always appealed to me.  For one, I’m a colossal nerd when it comes to fantasy settings.  I’m the 31 year old guy who still plays D&D. So the swords, magic and wrath of gods aspect of Amon Amarth and other viking acts has always been right up my alley.  Thanks to bands like Bathory, Borknagar and Turisas, I’ve got shitloads of pillaging and killing in the name if Odin on a regular basis.

And, even if viking metal gets played out (it never will, by the way), I’ve always got Blind Guardian and their ilk to fulfill my sword and sorcery musical needs.

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Posted on Sunday, March 27, 2011 by , Reply

Into Eternity Take the Pussy Way Out

I personally think Into Eternity totally kick ass.  They’re an insane prog mash-up of death and power metal.  The vocals range from screamy-screams-a-lot to growlfest to maddeningly good harmonies.  But, despite being musically awesome and different in the days of insertcore, that apparently doesn’t keep them from being total cocksuckers.

I just read on Blabbermouth that drummer Steve Bolognese found out he was fired via…Blabbermouth.  What kind of silly, mindfuckery is that?  He found out that the band for which he’d played some seriously punishing drums had hired a new drummer via a metal news site.  And, to follow up that dagger in the gut, when he finally received a response from the band, he got one, emotionless e-mail.  What a fucking douchesquad, Into Eternity is.  I’ll still listen to them, but the respect level has just dropped to Axl Rose levels.

Into Eternity, your new break-up music.

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Posted on Sunday, March 27, 2011 by , Reply