Free Metal Monday: Heavyskies-Heavy Demo

Self-Release/Independent
2018

Heavyskies is a California heavy/thrash metal band that is comprised of Chris Dauenhauer (guitar/vocals), Gabriel Moreira (guitar, vocals), Matt Barnhart (bass), and Josh Josten (drums). Formed in late 2016, this San Jose-based group lists it's influences as Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden, Anthrax, Slayer, and Metallica. Based on what "Heavy Demo" has to offer (and it's a solid amount of promise) I'd say that the group's biggest influence would be (post-Master Of Puppets) Metallica (up to and including the Load/Re-Load period of this once great thrash metal band). Either way this four-track EP is free to download.

Free Metal Morning: Mournful Cries-They Horror Come

Self-Release/Independent
2018

Mournful Cries is a doom metal/heavy metal band from Santa Rosa, California. The group is lead by vocalist/guitarist Luis Olguin (Sepulchre) and includes the rhythm section of bassist Matt Lasserre (Scrape the Earth) and drummer Alex Hernandez. Preceded in life by the 2017 demo "Budlust/Evil Confessor",   "They Horror Come" is the group's latest release. It includes two song ("Hallowed Tomb" and "Witches Herbs") that are A: Heavy & hard on the doom metal side of things and B: Heavy & harsh on the (slightly-fuzzed over) heavy metal aspect of this trio. While the vocals are a bit hit or miss (you'll either like them or loathe them), "They Horror Come" is (music-wise) incredibly solid. Available to download for free by clicking here, this two-song release clocks in at nearly twenty minutes! Can you say epic doom/heavy metal!!!!

Draghkar-World Unraveled

2017

This is a three track demo from California's Draghkar. This is old style death metal with a definite early-mid 90's influences all stamped all over it. Wings over Malkier is a riff-driven slugfest that smashes away with a brief, but well down slow bit in the middle. Cowering in the town of blinded eyes roars on next with more pace changes then the opener, but maintains the high intensity level. Towards the end of this one they toss some controlled bursts before the end and they were great and I almost wished they had put in the song at an earlier point. World Unraveled closes out the tape and it's likely my favorite of the three just because it's equally as heavy as the other two, but has a bit more direction. This is raw cavernous style death metal with a lot to recommend about it. The biggest downside may have been the sound quality was decent, but not great which can be expected from a demo at times. I would definitely like to hear what they can do on a  full length album.

Til Death-Photograhs

Self-Release/Independent
2017

Formed from the ashes of Ohio’s own The Approach and the Execution, Till Death is a four-piece heavy rock/metal band from California that is starting to make a name for itself. The group is lead by vocalist/lyricist Mike Notte* and in addition to being a finalist in The Battle For Warped Tour 2017, Til Death was recently featured in Alternative Press magazine as part of the "10 up-and-coming heavy bands that you need to check out". Skilled-musicians Dalton Jamies (guitars), Nick Kozono (bass), and Travis Knalson (drums) round things out for this modern and fresh outfit that is is everything that one could  hope for given the group's background! Produced, engineered, and mixed by Charles "Kallaghan" Massabo, "Photographs" is the strong studio debut for this talented young act and it was just released last month. Til Death's first release is a EP that includes not only the deeply-personal and reflective title cut, but the songs "Never Be Broken", "Ghost In Old Sin City", and "For The Wolves". Aided by guest members of the French outfit Ze Gran Zef (backing vocals), Chris Westfall (guitar solo on the title track), and producer Charles "Kallghan" Massabo (additional guitars and synthesizers), Til Death has crafted a rich and rewarding debut that is bound to turn more than a few heads. Thanks to influences that seem to run the gamut from (street fighting) hard rock to (alternative-tinged) hard and heavy modern metal, “Photograghs” should also appeal to a wide range of tastes! Strong songwriting and impressive performances from all of the musicians helps make this EP stand out from all of the competition. It will be interesting to see where Til Death goes from here, but as far as debuts go you could’ve ask for anything better than this.


*The clean and crystal clear vocal delivery of front-man Mike Notte is a real bonus.

Henry Metal-Wizard Vs. Demon

Self-Release/Independent
2017

Henry Metal is a California-based metal project that was just formed this year. The five-track EP, "Wizard vs. Demon" is the second release from this mysterious band in as many months. It follows the full-length album "So It Hath Begun" and clocks in at around 20 minutes. Influences seemingly range from Megadeth and Metallica to any number of hair metal bands and (weirdly enough folks) that all works on this short release. Where Henry Metal drops the ball is the song lyrics. On a scale of 1 to 10 this EP's lyrics barely pulls itself up over a 4. And to be honest I'm being extremely generous with that grade! It's harsh I realize, but "Wizard vs. Demon" reads as if it was written by a teenage drama club member with an over-inflated ego! Said lyrics suck the life right out of this EP which is a real tragic affair! Whoever Henry Metal is (whether it is one person of a couple of people) they would be better suited bringing in a proper songwriter. Seeing how strong the band's actual music is, "Wizard vs. Demon" could have been a great argument for why the NWOTHM scene is better than every. I wish that had been the case, but as it stands now this EP gets a C rating.     

Free Metal Monday: Nomanic-Nomanic

Self-Release/Independent
2017

Nomanic is a up-and-coming heavy/thrash metal band from Orange County, California that has "Huge potential for success!" written all over it! Members include Ryan Rangel, Chris Bramlett, Eddie Chacon, Morgen Chiaravolloti, and Nick Wheatley. The group's (highly-recommended) self-titled EP, which was just released last month and is free to download, showcases a hungry and talented young band that won't be pigeonholed and isn't afraid to shake up the thrash metal scene! While the EP itself is a bit rough around the edges production-wise, "Nomanic" features strong material that is expertly performed by a group of skilled (if seemingly sincere) musicians. With one eye pointed toward perfection, Nomanic has all of the tools needed to go the distance...especially if they are as good live as they are on tape.

Serpent Crown-Incantations of Vengeance

Horror Pain Gore Death  Productions
2016

It has been a long-time coming, but "Incantations of Vengeance" is the sophomore album of California metal band Serpent Crown. With a total running time of twenty seven minutes and fifteen seconds this six-track release was recorded at Green Dot Studios and it serves as the proper follow-up to Serpent Crown's 2013 self-titled debut*. The new album finds band founder Dara Santha** (vocals/guitars) joining up with bass player Tommy and the well-traveled drummer "Woz" (I Klatus, Lair of the Minotaur, ex-Earthen Grave, ex-Trifog, ex-Blood of Martyrs, ex-Left Testicle Syndrome). Despite the three year gap between releases, "Incantations of Vengeance" actually picks right up where Dara's band last left off and for longtime fans of this sludge-laden thrash metal group that of course means more soul crushing material that is as fearsome as it is fascinating! On album number two Dara sounds just as menacing as she did the first time around (if not more so!) and that applies as much to her guitar playing as it does her voice!! With the help of her new crew and a nice production that does it's job by not stepping on the toes of Serpent Crown's fiery front-lady (!), Dara Santha has showed the heavy metal community not only what this California band has to offer, but women in general!! In a scene that is still far too dominated by men, heavy metal in general needs more terrific musicians like Dara Santha so that we might encourage young women to step up and get involved. There's a huge reason why Serpent Crown is as intense and imposing as it is and that has everything to do Dara Santha. As the mastermind behind this acid-spitting mythological beast, Dara wields all the power and when it's fully unleashed on the unsuspecting public at large it is best to simply stop what you're doing, turn around and face the wall of heavy fucking metal as it comes crashing down upon you! Like "Serpent Crown" before it, "Incantations of Vengeance" packs a real wallop and it is one of those ear exploding albums that you will want to hear over and over again. In closing I would just like to say welcome back Serpent Crown. What took you so long? 





*As you can see by clicking here, 2013 was a great year as far as heavy metal music was concerned. If you scroll down through my list best of the year list you will find "Serpent Crown" and for good reason! Serpent Crown's debut is a one hell of a album and just like "Incantations of Vengeance"it comes with my highest recommendation!

**Back in August of 2013 I had the pleasure of interviewing Dara Santha. If you have never read that piece then you can find it here.

Last Insane-Demo 2016

Self-Release/Independent
2016


Last Insane is a unsigned three-piece garage rock/alternative rock band from Vallejo, California. The group  is comprised of three longtime friends and the four-track EP "Demo 2016" looks as if it is Last Insane's only release to date. Words like "lose" and "laid back" come to mind when listening to "Demo 2016" and as far as I see things this unsigned trio it could easily be a part of the garage rock revival scene that is now flourishing throughout the US and Europe! While their one song, "Narce", reminded me a bit too much of Jet's "Are you Gonna Be My Girl", Last Insane's "Door", "My Feet Smell", and "You Drive Me Insane" make up for this small misstep thanks to the wonderful combination of witty lyrics and enthusiastic garage rock. For a first effort this short EP certainly hits plenty of high notes and it does this while simultaneously achieving this young band's goal of bring old fashioned rock and roll back to the forefront where it belongs! With "Demo 2016" Last Insane is off to a promising start....

Angerhead-Fueled by Rage

Self-Release/Independent
2016

Angerhead is a California heavy metal band that was formed back in February of 2011 by lead vocalist Paul Hastey (Plaster) and guitarist Eric Beard (Bomb and Scary, Dr.Chunk, Xzanthus). Bassist Jim Pegram (Mudface, Imagika, Skinner) and drummer David O'Neal (Stormy Strong) round things out for this San Jose-based four-piece that now has a catalog that consists of three extreme EPs. Angerhead's latest release was produced by Juan Urteaga (Machine Head, Testament) and this ear-splitting 5-song EP is a fitting follow-up to equally enjoyable (and just as brutal!) "Headful of Hate". Both EPs feature Angerhead's patented brand of crossover thrash metal even if their new studio recording here has a bit more going for it thanks to the inclusion of one choice cover! For those of you who have not been paying attention we are talking about Angerhead's stylistic take on "Iron Fist" and that classic Motörhead number closes this EP out in grand style!! That's the end though so where do we begin with the heavy-hitting "Fueled by Rage"? Well, how about we start with this EP's take on death metal-infused punk thrash metal? That crushing bit of metal anarchy is "So Cold" and it BLASTS it's way into the picture! From there we have "Face The Fear" with it's unmerciful combination of speed metal, thrash and hardcore, "Legacy of Hate" (old school thrash meets extreme hardcore fury!) and some headbanging crossover thrash from hell in "Take Me As I Am"! With these four legit songs on the front end and that head-splitting cover of "Iron Fist" on the back end there is no way in hell that you can go wrong with "Fueled by Rage"! Angerhead's new five-track release just SCREAMS to be played LOUD and fucking PROUD and if this BEAST of a EP doesn't get this band noticed then I'm afraid nothing will!

Free Metal Monday: Angerhead - "Iron Fist" (Motörhead cover)

Active since February of 2011, Angerhead is a stone-cold killer San Jose, California-based metal band that is lead by mad-man Paul Hastey and rounded out by guitarist Eric Beard (Bomb and Scary, Dr. Chunk), bassist Jim Pegram (Patryk deRosa) and drummer Ron Redeen (ex-Brother Cain). This heavy-rockin' four-piece has two top-quality  EPs to it's name (2012's "Pissed Off!" and 2014's "Angerhead") and both recordings (which BTW are highly-recommended kids!) were independently-released. While these two distinct EPs have helped set this punk/hardcore-infused heavy metal/thrash quartet apart from the pack chances are good that it's Angerhead's soon to be released 3rd EP, "Fueled by Rage", that will be the real game changer! In addition to three original compositions, "Fueled by Rage" includes a choice cover of Motörhead's "Iron Fist". As a life-long fan of Motörhead I just have to say that as far as covers go this one is fanFUCKINGtastic! If ever a band did right by Lemmy and the lads then this is it! It's quite obvious that the members of Angerhead are big-time fans of Motörhead as they put a shit-load of heart and soul into this classic cover song that you can/should download for free by clicking here. Even if the other three songs on "Fueled by Rage" are merely so-so this incredibly heart-felt tribute to Motörhead will be enough to push Angerhead out in front of the crowd! Granted I don't foresee that happening (the other three songs being decent at best and what not) as everything that I have heard from Angerhead has so far been solid. Hopefully I will get a chance to review "Fueled by Rage", but in the meantime be sure to give this ass-kicking cover a chance.

Atala-Shaman's Path of the Serpent

Self-Release/Independent
2016

Atala is a stoner rock/desert rock trio that hails from Twentynine Palms, California and is fronted by guitarist/vocalist Kyle Stratton (Domiculumn, Rise Of The Willing). The forthcoming "Shaman's Path of the Serpent" is Atala's latest release and this "show no mercy" slab of emotionally heavy (and raw as fuck!) rock  was engineered by none other than Billy Anderson (Sleep, Melvins, Mastodon). Bassist John Chavarria (Sons Of Serro) and drummer Jeff Tedtaotao (Forever Came Calling) round things out and for a "simple" power trio this California act sure kicks up a shit ton of dirt and debris! When it comes to this (fuzzed to all fuck!) four-song release it would be best to strap yourself in tightly and prepare yourself for one hell of a deadly sandstorm! Especially seeing as "Shaman's Path of the Serpent" is about as unrelenting as stoner & desert rock gets! 

Catatonic Society-Baptistina

End Times Records
2015

Issued back in March of this year, "Baptistina" is the latest offering from the heavy metal trio known as Catatonic Society. Serving as the group's long-anticipated debut album, "Baptistina" was recorded at Sharkbite Studios in the band's hometown of Oakland, California and it finds the line-up of Jay Dickinson  (guitars, vocals), Kenny Onesko (drums), and Sergiy Trushel (bass) in fine form. This full-length follows in the footsteps of the previously-released single, "Mandrake" as well as the band's first studio outing, 2014's "Demo-nology". In addition to the riff-heavy "Mandrake" and the four equally thrashtastic tracks off of "Demo-nology" ("Left Hand Path", "Lost at Sea", "Baptistina" and "Ashes") the band's new album has hard hitting cuts like "Gravity", "Solomon's Temple", "Lazarus Frankenstein", "Last Stand", and "Shiva the Destroyer". With a run-time that is over fifty five minutes (!), "Baptistina" finds Catatonic Society moving beyond the self-imposed limits of the 2014 demo with all of the various tracks working better in this context. Initially sold to me as "High on Fire meets (some) Mastodon, meets purely old school....with hooks", "Baptistina" is as much that (fairly-accurate) description as it is a great example of how well modern metal can work when you have actual musicians with talent and a knack for songwriting at the helm! With a run-time that is over fifty five minutes (!), "Baptistina" is a real treat to the senses in addition to being one of those cool albums where you will want to give it a few spins in order to pick up on all of it's subtle nuances. If only more heavy metal/modern metal bands put this amount of effort into their craft....  

The Ghost Next Door-The Ghost Next Door

Mausoleum Records
2015

The Ghost Next Door is a California four-piece that features former Skinlab member Gary Wendt* within it's ranks. The self-titled "The Ghost Next Door" is the long-awaited debut album from this reformed and restrengthened quartet whose long list of influences range from the likes of Rush, Tool and Pink Floyd to bands such as Alice In Chains, Metallica and Machine Head. In addition to Gary Wendt (vocals and guitars) this Berkley-based group features Aaron Asghari on guitar, Seanan Gridley on bass, and Paula Sisson on drums and on the band's new album they blend together elements as diverse as post-rock and Bay Area thrash! With a sound that is as spooky as the album's artwork and the band's name** suggests, "The Ghost Next Door" actually played out well for everyone within earshot of the promo's initial streaming. While I loved the album's overall heaviness and it's adventurous take on melancholy metal the teenagers that dwell within my household were drawn to it's riff-rock underbelly and the post-grunge/nineties alternative rock construction job that held it all together. Each and everyone of us took something unique away from the music of The Ghost Next Door and even though they might have been vastly different experiences they were all distinctly positive. For all that I have in common with these teens musically (a shared love for eighties rock for example) it should nonetheless be mentioned that the kids and I have vastly different tastes when it comes to today's music scene. So the fact that we can all agree upon something like "The Ghost Next Door" is amazing! But, when you have this cool alternative heavy metal/thrash/modern metal band that is drawing from everyone from Catherine Wheel to Jane's Addiction to Iron Maiden, Randy Rhodes and then even Killing Joke it does make sense how we can all find something to love about this release!! Such diversity on the part of The Ghost Next Door is far from accidental. Each and every member of this Berkley-based band brings something different to the party. Or as the band's Facebook page puts it: "Each member brings unique influences from across the modern music spectrum: from punk to jazz, progressive metal to sadcore, modern rock to thrash. Their influences and playing styles combine into meter-bending, riff-driven rock & roll breaking out from under the bare skin of abrasively honest lyrics". All of which makes this clever album a easy thing to recommend. Need a little extra encouragement? Well, be sure to check out the official video for "Eleven O' Clock Blues" then! You can thank me later!!!!

 

*A founding member of  Sacrilege B.C. and Release, Gary Wendt grew up in the Bay Area and over the years this talented guitarist has developed his own unique style of playing. 

** When Gary Wendt found out that the house next door to him was supposedly haunted he decided to name his new band The Ghost Next Door.

Night Demon-Curse Of The Damned

Century Media Records
2015

"Curse Of the Damned" is the long-awaited debut album from Ventura, California's Night Demon. Following in the footsteps of the phenomenal Night Demon this recently-released full-length LP is also the soundtrack to the non-motion-picture graphic novel "Blood Sacrifice". At least that is what the booklet reports. "Soundtrack" or not this 47-minute plus CD (which I am listening to as we speak with the aptly-title anthem "Heavy Metal Heat" just killing it!) is an absolute stone cold-sensation from killer opener "Screams In The Night" (a rocket-fueled speed metal number that beautifully rips your head off!) through album closer (and "bonus track") "Road Racin'". Everything that there was to love about the group's independently-released 2012 EP "Night Demon" has been modified and amplified here on this 12-track CD with the wide-open range of influences sure to appeal to anyone and everyone claiming to be a heavy metal maniac! On Night Demon's first album (available on CD as well as LP friends!) lead vocalist/bassist Jarvis Leatherby channels a young Sean Harris (Diamond Head) while his bandmates (guitarist Brent Woodward and drummer Dustin Squires) help navigate "Curse Of The Damned" through wave after wave of N.W.O.B.H.M-inspired & influenced numbers with the likes of Iron Maiden, Saxon and Judas Priest resting comfortably next to bands such as Angel Witch, Satan, Jaguar, U.F.O., (early) Demon, Grim Reaper and the aforementioned Diamond Head! That said, it's not just the N.W.O.B.H.M. movement that gives this album such a bright glow as influences such as Dokken, Motörhead, Kiss, Riot, Black Sabbath, Metallica and even Budgie squirm their way into the mix making "Curse Of the Damned" a must-own! Naming just one or two fave numbers would be a near impossible task when it comes to a release like this one as there is really no dub to be had and whether we are talking about the title track (80's metal anyone?) or a number like "Save Me Now" (more magical 80's metal that features sort of spooky guest keyboards from one Owen Bucey) you simply can't go wrong! Heavy rock and roller "Satan" actually reminds me of the band Satan only with some (again early) Demon tossed in for good measure while "Full Speed Ahead" plays like a time-honored/"We're your biggest fans guys and we're not afraid to show it!" tribute to N.W.O.B.H.M. heroes Diamond Head! Yes, "Full Speed Ahead" does dip into the likes of Maiden and Priest, but it's Diamond Head all the same (as if there is anything wrong with that!). Black Sabbath is somewhat mirrored in the epic metal track "The Howling Man" and on "Run For Your Life" (a sweet as can be speed-rocker with fantastic gang vocals from Blade Killer members Jonathan Rubio and Carlos Gutierrez!) we're treated to some faint hints of what could just be "Kill Em All" days Metallica! And yet despite all of these influences a band like Night Demon sounds remarkably like no one other than Night Demon. All of these different influences simply blend together like the perfect after-dinner cocktail with the sweet taste of  "Mastermind", "Killer" and "Heavy Metal Heart" not once disguising the higher-than-average alcohol content of this "Drink it up lads as if there is no tomorrow!" intoxicating party-pleasure! There are no after-affects with this mix though! I mean other than the fact that you might find some of these songs stuck in your head even days later! Theirs is the sound of sincere, honest-to-goodness true/traditional heavy metal and just like 1999-era Lex Luger it is "The Total Package"! Catchy, hook-heavy and highly enjoyable/addictive heavy metal like this has few equals and just going by a memorable number like "Run For Your Life" this debut album has hit release written all over it! Anytime you come to the party this prepared you know that there is nowhere to go but up so predicting big things for the trio Night Demon isn't rocket science! No bones about it these guys will be huge soon enough so now is the best time to join in on the festivities! You can find these guys online at their Facebook page here
or at their official site here. As far as picking up a copy of "Curse Of the Damned" for yourself goes either check out their webpage or head to places like Amazon or Ebay. Rightly so this album is everywhere
so there is no good or justifiable reason why you shouldn't own a copy of this A+ masterpiece by weeks end!

Mia Doi Todd-Floresta

City Zen Records
2014

Just released a few weeks back, "Floresta" is a choice collection of Brazilian covers from inspiration singer-songwriter Mia Doi Todd. Featuring this (indie folk/word music) artists' favorite moments, it is also the latest in a long line of highly-respected/well-loved albums from the always evolving Mia Doi Todd. Inspired by a 2009 tour to Brazil (as well as a life-long love of Brazil, it's culture and of course it's music!), "Floresta" finds this L.A.-native strolling about at a leisurely pace where ideals such as comfort and hospitality are but a given! This collection also goes a long ways toward further cementing this graceful singer's status as a creative (read: endless creativity from this beautiful soul!) and wonderfully imaginable artist. As bold and colorful as the country that inspired it, "Floresta" is simultaneously invigorating and relaxing and thanks to a "cast of all-native players" it ends up feeling as authentic as the woman who helped mold and shape this charming collection! For a true artist who has conquered every musical challenge that appeared before her with pride and heartfelt determination, Mia Doi Todd's latest work should stand the test of time and end up being a release that many people will no doubt turn to in times of joy and distress. "Floresta" is long-over and well-deserved vacation where the listener is able to travel far away from the ordinary and mundane in order to land in world where peace, love and understanding not only exist, but ultimately reign supreme and unchallenged. Thank you Mia Doi Todd for allowing us to pick up our bags and our burdens and journey there with you so that we too can freely share in all the peace and love that our hearts have been longing for!

Luicidal-Luicidal

1-800 Prime CD
2014

Luicidal is a punk rock band from Venice, California that was formed in 2012 by ex-Suicidal Tendencies' bassist, Louiche Mayorga.  Prior to releasing their self-tiled, 12-track debut-album here the group (which also features former Suicidal Tendencies' drummer RJ Herrera) apparently spent it's time playing songs from Suicidal Tendencies' first three studio albums ("Suicidal Tendencies", "Join the Army" and "How Will I Laugh Tomorrow When I Can't Even Smile Today"). Lest you think the cleverly-titled Luicidal is simply Suicidal Tendencies version 2.0 let's clear the air out of that bubble. This is old-school (as in early eighties friends) punk rock first and foremost and other than let's say "Live For Today" and "Least to Succeed" this particular disc doesn't sound at all like Suicidal Tendencies. And no, that is not a bad thing. Not in the least. Sure, it is more than a little  surprising considering all of the former Suicidal Tendencies members that play of "Luicidal". In addition to Mayorga and Herrera you've got Rocky George (coolness!), Amery Smith and Grant Estes. Naturally One would think that an album featuring all of these one-time Suicidal Tendencies members would have a similar flow. But no. Instead we are treated (and I mean treated!) to great punk rock and that starts the very moment that "Westside Familia" kicks in! This frenzied slab of California punk clocks in at under two minutes, but man alive is it ever a banger! The previously mentioned "Live For Today" comes out to bat next followed by the band's punk rock cover of "Kumbaya"! The first of two covers of this track on this one album(!), "Kumbaya" might seem like a odd cover choice, but in hands of Luicidal it actually works rather well! From there it's a mash-up of slow crushers like "Changed World" (featuring Dale Henderson of Beowülf on vocals and guitar!), "Knife Fight" and "Least to Succeed" and fast thrashers like "Green Light" and "Killing Skating Machine". Besides featuring former members of Suicidal Tendencies and the aforementioned Dale Henderson, "Luicidal" is blessed by appearances from the likes of Keven Guercio (No Mercy), Mando Ochoa (Sick Sense) and the one and only HR of Bad Brains fame! It's actually the second version of "Kumbaya" where we find HR doing his thing and this cool reggae/hip-hop fusion piece closes out "Luicidal" on a high note! While hard copies of this album will not be released until mid-October you can download it right now off of iTunes and Amazon. "Luicidal" is a great first-step for bassist Louiche Mayorga and his band-mates and for fans of Venice Beach punk rock or old-school punk in general this one is a real no-brainer!


https://www.facebook.com/LuicidalOffical

Metal News: Dead Inside Records announces the signing of hard rock/groove metal band Muckagee!

In what will most certainly be a win-win situation for all parties involved, Dead End Records (a fantastic new independent label based in the San Francisco Bay Area that was built by musicians for musicians!) has 

announced the recent signing of San Jose, California's own Muckagee. With one full-length CD already to their name (2012's well-received "What you See") and a new EP entitled "Twisted Control" in the works, Muckagee (pronounced: "Muck-ah-jee") is all set to bring their grove-infused hard rock/alternative blues metal to the main stage for all to hear and (damn-straight!) enjoy! In the meantime the hard & heavy group has released the official video for their track "Over". Appearing on the group's 2012 debut-album, "What You See", "Over" is a groove-heavy pressure cooker where lead vocalist Mzao "Mo" Waters (a one-man wrecking machine with a powerful set of pipes!) and crew slowly turn up the heat before burning it all down! With Bob Lemos and Alvin Gatewood scorching the lines on guitars and the tight rhythm section Dave Wilson and Art Williams (bass and drums respectively) providing a blistering back end this California five-piece has all of the tools necessary to take that next big step!

Otoño-Something Metal This Way Comes

Human Cyborg Productions
2013

The month of May might seem like an odd time to cover a Halloween-themed album, but if we can keep the spirit of Christmas alive in all of us year long then why not a whimsical night when all the little ghouls and goblins come out to play? For sure it isn't always about Halloween for Hollister, California's Otoño (Spanish for "autumn"), even if this trio (first formed in 2003 as Human Cyborg Relations before the name change in 2009) seems to be generally inspired by horror, but here on their latest/second overall full-length release the band does it right by covering tracks like "This is Halloween", "Phantom of the Opera" and "Ghostbusters" and including samples from movies such as "Evil Dead",  "Hellraiser III: Hell on Earth", "A Nightmare on Elm Street", "The Shining", "The Exorcist" and The Omen"! Oh, and did I mention the fact that Otoño also pays tribute to Peter Steele with a sweet little cover of  Type O Negative's "Black No.1"? I didn't? Well, I am now and I'll tell you what else my friends, there is a lot going on for this group (even if they are off of most peoples radars). For a group whose roots run deep down into the depths of high school (talk about a real hell on Earth for many of us!), when founding members/guitarists/vocalists Eldridge and Bangulo covered their fave groups (Metallica, Slayer and Diamond Head) while looking for that one magical line-up to take them to the top (enter bassist/vocalist Angel in 2008), and one which started off as more of a straight-forward (if slightly enhanced by black metal and thrash elements) melodic death band, "Something Metal This Way Comes" is a real charm, a progressively-enhanced ambient charm! Said to be inspired by "different genres of music ranging from metal to classical… and snippets of everything in between" or, better yet folks, "a fusion of various musical influences" (Opeth, Gwar, Persefone, Metallica, Sepultura, Agalloch, Edge of Sanity, Liquid Tension Experiment, Torchbearer, Machine Head, Buckethead, Katatonia ) Otoño tires on a sore's worth of different hats on "Something Metal This Way Comes". And it's that exact reason why Otoño should be setting off alarms on people's (metal) radar! To be sure a band like Otoño is probably best described as (melodic) death metal first and foremost (so as to offer fair warning to anyone who might be scared off by such an "extreme" format), but this trio doesn't exactly follow any standard set of rules other then say, paying homage to many a great film, book (or, in the case of a number like "Room 237"*, both film and books!) and band. And why not? It's these different forms of media that helped groom the band for what would come about, later on, and it's all done in a manor so that everything just meshes together! Available for free right here: http://otono.bandcamp.com/ this is one of those release which is clever and, yes, plain fun! Sure, Xentrix first did it back in the early nineties, but doing a headbanging version of the theme from "Ghostbusters" is just awesome! As is the band's instrumental take on "Phantom of the Opera". Featuring some killer solo work**, which shows up on just about EVERY track here(!), "Phantom of the Opera" is covered in metallic fashion and while it might not be my fave moment here (I love "The Book of the Dead" which also features stunning lead work!) it's still a nice addition to "Something Metal This Way Comes". Most assuredly this album is worth downloading and for Otoño it's a great addition to an every growing catalog***. Moving forward Otoño could/should deliver on the promise of an album like this one and REALLY make a hell of dent on the melodic death metal scene, but who can say for sure? Today's scene is so fickle and for every worthy (and original/interesting!) band that pops up doesn't it just seem like labels bypass them in order to scoop up and sign a dozen bands who all look and sound alike? Yeah, it sucks. So, like I always say support band's like this! Get up and go! See them live, buy their merch and show them real love! And with that you can follow these guys via these links:
www.otonometal.com 

www.facebook.com/otonometal 

 https://twitter.com/OtonoMetal



*Audio sample on "Room 237" were taken from 1980's "The Shining" and the track also features excerpts taken from the novel. "The red death held sway over all" (originally in Edgar Allan Poe "The Masque of the Red Death") was used by Stephen King in the novel. 

** Solo on "Phantom of the Opera" by virtuoso guitarist Allen "Robot" Van Wert.

***The band also appears on Sinister Path Promotion's "Unsigned Metal Band Compilation Volume 1" https://sinisterpathpromotions.bandcamp.com/album/sinister-path-promotions-unsigned-metal-band-compilation-volume-1

Skinner-The Enemy Within

Self-Released/Independent
2013

Named after it's lead singer Norman Skinner, San Jose, California act Skinner was formed in 2010. Having seen power/thrash act Imagika call it a day, Norman scooped up some local talent and picked up where Imagika left off! With Skinner it's all about the metal. Heavy power metal that is! Heavy power metal that borders on thrash more often then not, but power metal all the same! On this 5-track EP, which was written and recorded during 2011 and (technically speaking) released in 2012 (with a wider release taking place in 2013 most likely (hence the date above) so that's why we'll roll with that date!), Norman Skinner and his band-mates* jump right into the pit from opener "Sleepwalkers" onwards! There's never a dull moment on "The Enemy Within" and with tracks like "Hell in My Hands" and "Breath the Lie" literately plunging right at you it's one fun ride! Speaking of "Breath the Lie", Alfred Luis San Miguel does a guest solo on the track with the results being nothing short of awesome! Actually, all three of the guitarists that appear on this 5-track EP do a stellar job and you can tell that Norman Skinner filled out this band's line-up with the best local musicians that he could find! With a full-length album due to be released sometime in the next few months (which I'll hopefully land my hands on!) "The Enemy Within" is a nice slab of U.S. power metal from one of heavy metal's hardest working front men!

*Robert and Grant Kolowitz-guitars 
  Elena Repetto-bass
  Noe Luna on drums

Lionheart-Welcome to the West Coast

FastBreak! Records
2014

Longing for the days when hardcore was still real, street-wise and honest to a fault? Well then how about we have a look-see at West Coast bangers Lionheart. Lead by Rob Watson, and calling Northern California home, this five-piece cuts straight to the point on opening "The Truth" and, in 16 minutes flat(!), proceeds to drill seven metal-laced hardcore tracks right into the base of your skull! What they do next to your skull I will leave up to your imagination, but needless to say on cuts like "Rat" these California natives do not mince words! Paying tribute to their scene on "Lhhc" we find the band (Watson, guitarists Nick Warner & Evan Krejci, bassist Brandon Wells and drummer Jay Scott) outdoing the likes of Hatebreed as they throw down the gauntlet! Less an album then a total shout-out to their hardcore posse, "Welcome to the West Coast" rattles heavy metal's cages on "I Am Forever" and "Hail Mary" by delivering crushing riffs and brutal beat-downs! When "Wasteland" shows up to finish the job once and for all you find yourself left wondering "What the HELL was that?". Swapping out Madball guitar solos for Motörhead-like bass riffs (all while reflecting back on what made the hardcore scene of the nineties so legit to begin with!) Lionheart, who have a (half-crazed and hellbent for flesh and blood!!!) pit bull with a solid-gold heart in front-man Rob Watson, prove that it's still possible to find bands with street cred even in this day and age! Hardcore with a message, and the muscle to back it up, "Welcome to the West Coast" is the real thing in a scene filled to overflowing with pathetic imitators