Ugly-Butcher

Self-Release/Independent
2017

Ugly is a new sludge metal/doom metal band from Prescott, Arizona that is lead by black metal vocalist Krysta and comprised of Chris (guitars), Brandon (bass/vox), and Ben (drums). I just stumbled across the group's debut EP, "Butcher", and there was no way in hell that I could keep such good news to myself! In addition to the slow burn that is this EP's fiendish title track(!), "Butcher" includes the cuts "They Will Find Me", "Time To Run", "Remember Him", and "Your Job". All of the tracks are good in their own way, but it was "Time To Run" and "Your Job" that made me want to share this EP with our readers. "Your Time" is the only track on "Butcher" to feature clean vocals* and "Time To Run" (with it's clever use of samples) has a certain flow about it that points towards bigger and better things for this four-piece band. If I was reading things correctly then Ugly will be recording it's full-length album sometime in 2017. From what I hear on this EP, "Butcher" might just be the first few steps in this band's journey towards proper recognition and respect. Anyway that is into sludge metal and/or (blackened) doom metal should give this one a spin.



*I have no issues whatsoever with Krysta's voice. It's perfectly suited for this band. "Your Job" merely shows off a different side of the group. The track "Butcher", which opens this highly-recommend EP, works as well as it does because of the bleak and blackened voice of Ugly's lead singer.    

Free Metal Monday: Murkocet-"The Beginning" Single

Self-Release/Independent
2015

Murkocet's "The Beginning" was actually released back on October 8, 2015, but having just covered this band as part of my Saturday Singles I couldn't pass up the opportunity to share more from this BRUTAL Arizona quartet! If you didn't read Saturday's posting then you can check it out here , but more of less what we are talking about is one HEAVY ASS band that seems to have been custom-built for fans of Lamb Of God and Parkway Drive! Unfortunately it seems as this group only has a few singles to it's name, but if Murkocet keeps putting out cool stuff like "The Beginning" somebody is bound to take notice and scoop them up for a full-length or two!

Saturday Singles: Murkocet-Strip Club Massacre

Self-Release/Independent
2016

This Saturday Single moment will be as short and direct as it's subject matter is. Murkocet's groove-heavy "Strip Club Massacre" is the theme song of the upcoming horror film of the same name and it's sure to be a crowd pleasure for fans of Parkway Drive, Bloodsimple, and Lamb of God. While I won't comment of the the actual quality (or lack thereof) of the movie after which it is named, "Strip Club Massacre" is a powerful slice of pure heavy f**kin' metal that is awarded extra points for it's Motörhead-inspired bass lines (courtesy of one Brandon Raeburn) and the fearsome vocal delivery of lead singer Richie Jano!  Drummer Mike Mays and guitarist Nate Garrett round out this Chandler, Arizona' foursome that can be found online by heading here. Meanwhile you can find "Strip Club Massacre" on the group's bandcamp page or at places like iTunes.

Free Metal Monday: Swamp Wolf-Demo 2015

Self-Release/Independent
2015

More free metal from Flagstaff, Arizona? You bet your sweet ass! First we had the epic/power metal band Ice Sword with their brand new demo and now we have the latest release from Swamp Wolf. It's another name-your-own-price digital download, but whereas Ice Sword's recording was all about style and grace this particular tour demo runs straight towards you like a homicidal lunatic with an ax to grind! While the members of Swamp Wolf boldly claim "We just want to shred" on their Facebook info page they leave off the part at the end which says until you're good and dead! But then again that's just the nature of the beast when you are discussing punk/hardcore-tinged (heavy) thrash metal that's been soaked in street metal, black metal and the blood of a thousand vanquished enemies! Ah, good times......

Free Metal Monday: Ice Sword-Demo (2015)

Self-Release/Independent
2015

It's time for this week's Free Metal Monday feature and I have just one question for all of you. Is there anyone out there that might fancy some "Power/High Fantasy Metal"? If you answered yes to that question then by all means just drop what you are doing and head here. By clicking on that link you will be instantly transported to a land of mystery and magic where wizards, knights and dragons engage in an epic battle for complete dominance! Or to put it another way, "Demo (2015)" is 6-tracks of  epic/power metal and it's 100% free! Of course that would be thanks to generosity of Flagstaff, Arizona's Ice Sword. A five-piece band with style and class, Ice Sword gives off a vintage vibe that is really appealing and on their recently-released demo the group shows off a classy style of fantasy metal that is sure to open new doors and bring about plenty of new fans! If  you would like to be one of those new fans after hearing this extended-EP then be sure to head over to the group's Facebook page and give them a like.

Run 2 Cover-Lovesick

KBB Records
2015

Based in Phoenix, Arizona and made up of brothers Christian and Brandon Iverson (lead vocals and bass & drums and vocals respectively) and Colin Shaw (guitar and vocals), Run 2 Cover is a extremely talented modern pop rock/pop-punk trio that was first formed in 2010 and began life as a heavy metal outfit. "Lovesick" is the full-length debut from this 3-piece teenage band and this radio-friendly release was produced by Matt Good (From First To Last, Destroy Rebuild Until God Shows) at Good Sound Studios. Having played alongside the likes of Escape The Fate, Eyes Set To Kill, IM5, and Alien Ant Farm, Run 2 Cover has already amassed a loyal following and with each new date added that list seems to be growing at steady pace! Just going by this band's catchy debut here it's plain as day as far as why that's the case and with a crap-load of live shows on the horizon (see below) this up-and-coming pop rock and roll band should easily win the hearts of our teenage daughters before they even know what hit them! The way I look at it things could be worse. At least were not talking about another One Direction or anything! And then there's the fact that A) This band plays their own instruments so it's not like this is a pro-tools type of pop album and B) There are legitimate rock hooks to be found on an album like "Lovesick"! Sure, there is a lot of bubblegum pop going on here and you are going to have to wade through it. No one in good conscious can deny that. But, every once in awhile this young trio starts to reminisce about the "good old days" and when that happens...well, let's just say there's some powerful stuff going on! While true blue metal fans will likely want to pass on this I will say that there is plenty to like about Run 2 Cover if you are into the more guitar-driven side of pop rock and/or pop-punk. Seeing as my tastes generally range from Slayer to the Go-Go's I actually enjoyed this album as a nice change of pace kind of option. If you are the same way (meaning your collection is like mine with Iron Maiden's "Number of the Beast" sitting comfortably next to the soundtrack for Saturday Night Fever!) then why not give this one a spin? You can find out more Run 2 Cover on the band's Facebook page or over on the group's official web site. 

As promised I've included the band's upcoming tour schedule. 


Burn Halo, Heartist, Courage My Love, Run 2 Cover
9/5/15 – Anaheim, CA @ Chain Reaction
9/6/2015 – Las Vegas, NV @ LVCS
9/9/2015 – San Diego, CA @ Brick By Brick
9/11/2015 – Albuquerque, NM @ The Jam Spot
9/12/2015 – El Paso, TX @ Mesa Music Hall

One Eyed Doll, Stitched Up Heart, Run 2 Cover
9/18/2015 – Portland, OR @ Hawthorne Theatre
9/19/2015 – Seattle, WA @ Studio Seven
9/22/2015 – Missoula, MT @ Stage 112
9/23/2015 – Billings, MT @ Pub Station
9/25/2015 – Des Moines, IA @ Vaudeville Mews
9/26/2015 – Danville, IL @ Vintage Villains (Danville Comic Con)
9/27/2015 – Lansing, MI @ The Loft *
9/29/2015 – Westland, MI @ The Token Lounge
9/30/2015 – Cleveland, OH @ Agora Ballroom
10/1/2015 – Toronto, ON @ Velvet Underground
10/2/2015 – Ottawa, ON @ Mavericks
10/3/2015 – Clifton Park, NY @ Trickshots
10/4/2015 – New York, NY @ Webster Hall
10/5/2015 – Trenton, NY @ Championships Bar *
10/6/2015 – Akron, OH @ Empire Concert Club *
10/7/2015 – Newport, KY @ Thompson House
10/8/2015 – South Bend, IN @ Cheers Pub
10/9/2015 – Louisville, KY @ Expo Five
10/10/2015 – St. Louis, MO @ Firebird
10/11/2015 – Springfield, MO @ Outland Ballroom
10/14/2015 – New Orleans, LA @ Southport Hall
10/16/2015 – Fort Worth, TX @ The Rail Club
10/17/2015 – Austin, TX @ Dirty Dog Bar
10/18/2015 – Houston, TX @ Scout Bar
10/19/2015 – Corpus Christi, TX @ House Of Rock *
10/20/2015 – McAllen, TX @ The Thirsty Monkey *
10/21/2015 – San Antonio, TX @ Fitzgerald’s
10/22/2015 – Lubbock, TX @ Jake’s Backroom
10/23/2015 – Tulsa, OK @ The Vanguard
10/24/2015 – Merriam, KS @ Aftershock
10/25/2015 – Wichita, KS @ The Elbow Room
10/27/2015 – Colorado Springs, CO @ Sunshine Studios Live
10/28/2015 – Englewood, CO @ Moe’s
10/29/2015 – Salt Lake City, UT @ Area 51
10/30/2015 – Las Vegas, NV @ The Dive Bar

* = Stitched Up Heart, Run 2 Cover

Free Metal Monday: Lilith-Bloom

Self-Release/Independent
2014

Now signed to 6131 Records (http://6131records.com/site/), and with an upcoming tour in support of this 5-track demo EP being talked about, self-proclaimed "feminist doom punk" Lilith hail from Phoenix, Arizona with the 14-minute "Bloom" serving notice that five-piece is here and that they have no plans of going anywhere anytime soon! The two minute plus "Wolves' Den" serves as Lilith's introduction to the scene at hand (or dare we even say the world!) with lead vocalist Sarah M. demanding the listener's attention as she urgently tackles issues still facing modern day women in a (sadly far too dominated by hard-nosed males who remain misogynists even in this day and age) scene that should be way more tolerating then it is! That's not the only topic that Sarah (with a refreshing with an air of honesty!) takes head on (she also touches on bigotry), but it's obvious by the passion and power in her voice and in her delivery that such issues drive her and her devotion. And why shouldn't they? We are talking about 2014 after all and by now we really should have moved beyond such BS as to whether or not women should have a place in punk, hardcore and metal! Unfortunately there's still work to be done and, with an all-male backing band providing the relevant noise* that's needed for her to deliver these (all too important) message at hand, Sarah rallies the troops on "Bloom" making this 5-track EP more of a battle cry then anything else! Hardcore/punk fanatics (as well as those that love doom-laden "alternative" projects) would be well advised to check "Bloom" out as this 14-minute monster of an EP is a one-punch KNOCK-OUT blow to today's male-dominated scene! It offers up a  real fury of a soundtrack to go with it's sincere message that change is needed and it's needed now! One can tell that for Lilith (Sarah, guitarists Andre R. and Samad A., bassist Mike H. and drummer Make H.) there's so much more to be said even with "Bloom" being as good as it is! In fact it comes across as just the beginning of this band's journey and if I was a betting man I'd throw it all down (every last cent!) that "Bloom" is just the start of what will be one remarkable career!


*"Bloom" is constructed from jagged pieces/parts of old-school/classic punk rock and (street-fighting) hardcore with ample amounts of post-Pentagram doom added into the mix so that the maximum amount of damage possible can be achieved with just one click of the word "Play"!

http://lilithphx.bandcamp.com/

Black Orchid-Wake

Self-Release
2013


Hailing from Flagstaff, Arizona, which might just make them the most successful heavy metal band to come out of that city (Google sure as hell didn't bring up that many suggestions/names to begin with, but the few suggestions they did have placed Black Orchid up near the top), this 4-piece band first saw the light of day in early 2002. Since then Black Orchid (who are not to be confused with the Gothic metal band of the same name that hails from Adelaide, South Australia) has seen it's fair share of shake-ups with the current line-up featuring Matt Babcock on vocals and bass, Ryan Smith and Steven Haigh on guitars and Stephen Brannen on drums. The group's upcoming album "Wake" has the distinction of being Black Orchid's fifth independent release! That's the true sign of a D.I.Y. heavy metal band although it must be noted that it's not a lack of talent on the part of Black Orchid that has kept them from being scooped up being some record label, indie or major. I'm actually having a hard time figuring that one out (the band still being unsigned and all), but I've been at this long enough to know that when it comes to the music industry the only thing that you can truly count on is the fact that for every good unsigned band that comes along there will always be a dozen plus dreadfully awful signed bands! Let's not dwell on that sad reality though. Instead let's do a quick run down on Black Orchid's back catalog. There has been demos of course, but (as far as full-length albums go) it was after a self-titled debut that the band would release "Confidence In Death". That would be followed by a third album, "Where This Life is Leading", which was produced, engineered and mastered by Whitechapel's Ben Harclerode! Incidentally, Whitechapel is just one of many bands that could be sued to help describe Black Orchid's sound, but we'll get to that part a little further on down. With their new album "Wake", which is due for release on Friday September 6th, Black Orchid sounds more like a younger, more energized and down right hungry band then one that has been going at it for 11 years! That right there say's quite a bit about this bunch as their skilled delivery is perfectly matched by their overall drive. Musically this is a band that relies on full blown RAGE just about as much as they do these subtle, and down-right beautiful, melodic interludes! That much can be ascertained by the group's first single, "Good Intentions", which is streaming here: http://metalholic.com/black-orchid-premieres-good-intentions-from-upcoming-new-album/ . If you've never heard this bunch before then that single is a good place to start. Of course "Good Intentions" is only one track. As for the rest of this album? Influences would seem to run along these lines (all of which were picked up from their ReverbNation page): Machine Head, Soulfly, Pantera, Mudvayne and Hatebreed. All of those bands do slide in (as far as influences go), but then again I picked up on this Killswitch Engage (without the metalcore breakdones) vibe, some Merauder, the previously mentioned Whitechapel (to be fair Black Orchid was around before Whitechapel) and, in regards to backing vocals only (and this was only occasionally folks!), Rage Against The Machine! Taken as a whole this is an album that combines melodic death metal, metalcore, deathcore, thrash, regular heavy metal and modern metal into a (thanks to having 11 years to hone their style!) distinct sound that can only be described as sounding like Arizona's Black Orchid! And thanks to the album's emotionally volatile nature it's also a release that is bound to hit rather close to home for more than a few metalheads. Overall "Wake" feels emotionally raw, honest and, when it comes right down to both it's approach and delivery, brutal. This is one of those rare moments where you can tell that a band has dug deep inside to pull off  an album where their honesty can bleed for all to see. Still though the band, or at least their front-man, is able to sum it all up better so we'll close this review by getting everything straight from the source. As vocalist Matt Babcock puts it (in regards to the overall theme of the new album): "Wake reflects a very difficult time in our lives. It expresses the challenges and hardships we have survived over the past few years. In addition to being brutally honest and introspective, Wake is extremely well recorded and proves that Black Orchid will never move in any other direction than forward. After 11 years of perseverance this album leaves Black Orchid proud, humble, and as hungry as ever."
http://blackorchidmetal.com/