Of Mice & Men-You're Not Alone (Single)

 

Austin Carlile and the band have come a long way from Costa Mesa, California.  Having

traveled all over the map, touring with many band, including an upcoming smash run with the popular band BRING ME THE HORIZON in 2014, the band has a new record set for release.  The new album, slated currently for a January 28th, 2014 shelf and digital release date, will no doubt be highly anticipated!  The new single from that upcoming release is titled, "You're Not Alone".  This is a major departure from the fan's expectations, and I must admit and keep to my honesty policy I believe it is a let down.  However, musically, it's pretty solid.  I will not give it a failing grade, so please Austin, don't come after me man, lol.  There is intensity in this track and it does own an edge, but lack the scream, the anger, and I feel a turn for the band.  I sense the album may be in this same way, but let us hope not.  Overall, try it out, it may grow on you, it has grown on me, so it is worth the purchase, for now.  Bring it, grab that buck or buck and twenty-nine cents and put more new tunes in those ears!!

RATING:8/10

 

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Soy Suspenso-The Anchor (feat. Tim Rosales III of I Am Ghost) (Single)

 

Hailing from the musically eclectic world of Mexico, Omar Montanez and his band, Soy Suspenso, have a "charged up" record called HOTEL VENGANZA.  The first single, "The Anchor", is a solid rocker, and delivers nothing short of an edge!  If you have heard of Omar's name before in the United States, it's because he's the gritty vocalist behind the California band, Fiction Killer, another one you should check out!  Soy Suspenso are incredible at what they do.  "The Anchor" kicks off with a catchy ass beat, guitar riffs, and the vocals make you want to jam from the very beginning.  The style is very similar to the beats and rhythms of some I Am Ghost tracks, if you were a fan of that band, I highly suggest this artist as well.  This is well done, immaculate, and deserves more recognition than it has gotten, there is no doubt.  I could see Soy Suspenso on future Warped Tour dates, and even some Taste of Chaos dates as well, yes, they are that good.  "The Anchor" is a fitting lead single, it gets you immediately hooked, and your there to enjoy the scenery of Soy Suspenso, all the fucking way from Mexico, which goes to show me, and you all that talent comes from anywhere, and like I've already said, this is a smash hit.....check them out at a link below!!

RATING: 10/10

 

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Ghost Of April-Dead Philosophy

 

Amar Okanovic, the lead vocalist for the band Ghost of April, promised a different approach on this album, and boy, we sure have gotten that delivered.  The band, which features members like Ian Gardea, who has multiple duties within the band on electronics, lead guitar, and most recordings.  Joshua Ray lays out his heart and soul on the drums, especially on the track from DEAD PHLOSOPHY, titled "The Game".  Kicking this full throttle record into gear is the pulsating music in the song "Breathe".  This is a killer track, and combined with their sound overall, it seems to push this record to a much higher degree than their prior releases.  Amar is more passionate about this record then any other previous release by his band.  This is more of an alternative, screamer, and it would definitely have fit on the Warped Tour, at least from the 2012-2013 eras.  The album cover is nice, and the uniqueness of it draws fans into their style.   This is exactly what Ghost of April needs, and they definitely get it from this record!  "Erased" and "Drowning" are fully killer songs, with explosive attitudes, and have definite tones that make you want to pound your fucking skull into the air!!  Let the music roll in, and twirl the angst in the sky, and dance into the river of the music skys filled with melodies like "Strong", and sit your ass down and take some lessons in some "Dead Philosophy".!!

RATING: 9.40/10

 

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The Used-The Ocean Of The Sky

 

Bert McCracken is known for antics, and doing whatever he seemingly wants to do.  That's what he and his band mates have accomplished with their latest, independently released effort, the EP titled, THE OCEAN OF THE SKY.  Without a doubt, the lyrical content of this release is down right to the point, and explicit.  I love it!  I mean, lots of artists these days seem to sell out to what labels want, and this band, though they have their own music group, titled Anger Music Group, still gives the fans the music they knew when the band started out over thirteen years ago.  This release, which is released through Hopeless Records, was not even released in retail stores, at least not as of the date of this review.  Check the links below, as to where you may purchase it, of course it's available digitally online most everywhere.  The lead track, "Iddy Biddy", is a definite lyrical smack in the face of religion and emotional issues, without a doubt.  Without repeating the exact words, it lashes out about Jesus, Muslim faiths, the mental health disorder of "cutting yourself", and starvation.  Yet, this is my favorite song off the EP, simply because the musical arrangement tears it up, it rocks, and the addictiveness is outstanding!  Follow that up with "Quixotica", the second song, and you get another solid outing......a great one-two punch.  Drums rattling, beating from the get go, this song is a thriller, and reminds us of the early material from The Used.  "The EP's title track, "The Ocean of The Sky", is quite a different take for the band.  It is not as aggressive in nature, almost has a feel for their famous track, "All That I've Got", but is a little more slower in the beginning.  This song is well written, and deeper in meaning, and fits well within the five song frame of the release.  To complete the EP is a long, over twenty minute instrumental track called "Tethys".  It's a bit strange sounding to the ear, but a bit disappointing to be on an EP, if you ask me....however, to look at this as an art, I can see where it fits the "piece of work".  Pick up your copy today, if you didn't grab it at the Warped Tour this past Summer, check it out, it's pretty solid!!

RATING: 9.25/10

 

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Blessthefall-Hollow Bodies

 

Well, if you have been to the Warped Tour recently, you know this band well.  They headlined, they

crushed the stage, they crowd surfed, they shredded mics, they tore shit up, and now they have written all their blood into a little album they penned as HOLLOW BODIES.  This one, my friends, is quite the masterpiece, in a beautiful, brutal way.  It features guest appearances from the beautiful voice of Lights, and the hardcore vocals from the Stick To Your Guns' front man, Jesse Barnett.  Their first single, cleverly titled "You Wear a Crown, but You're No King", blisters your mind with rage and excitement.  It makes your hair quiver and the earth around you shake.  Jump, jump, you know that you wanna!!  Kicking the record into high gear, is the powerful tune, "Exodus" !  This one if quite simply, filthy.  My favorites of the album are the third off the album, the title of the album, "Hollow Bodies", and the song the features the harmonies of the females vocalist Lights, titled "Open Water".  These are my highlights off this August 20th release.  There are some obvious fillers, such as the songs "The Sound of Starting Over" and "See You on The Outside".  However, to really appreciate this album, there is a song called "Buried in These Walls".  This song is incredibly well pieced together, and quite the masterpiece overall.  It is one of there best efforts to date.  HOLLOW BODIES shows definite growth as a band for Blessthefall, and I know the fans will not come out of this purchase disappointed at all, and will feel quite rewarded.

Rating: 9.5/10

 

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Senses Fail-Renacer

 

Senses Fail have returned in a rather angry way.  This album, being their first since

their "best of" release, shows angst, aggression, and progression within their writing and vocals as well.  Their first single, "Mi Amor", has done pretty well at modern rock radio, and is holding steady at the digital download stores.  The album itself is due in stores on March 26th, 2013.  The record features twelve tracks, and a bunch of excellent music collectively as well.  My favorite song from this album has got to be a tough choice for me, but I am going to go with the well written, angry-filled song, "Glass".  The song is lyrically brilliant, at times it's unclear what is being said, but you pretty much get the idea and a sense of what the point is.  Another great couple of songs are "Holy Mountain", "Snake Bite", and "Courage Of The Knife".  The album's title name comes from the Spanish word, meaning "Reborn", by the way.  I would highly suggest picking this record up in stores, my guess is that it will go for around $10.99-$12.99 most places.  It is well worth it, but if you're into digital only, it's going to be worth it as well....check out the links below, preorder now, and check out some samples.....It's good to have the boys in Senses Fail back to tear shit up!!

RATING: 9.5/10

 

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Bring Me The Horizon-Sempiternal

 

Bring Me The Horizon are going to hit us hard this April with their new release,

SEMPITERNAL.  The first single from this rocking album, "Shadow Moses", is incredible!  The music video is incredible as well, and is featured below.  The album is full of tracks that rake the ground and spit hardcore spirits in your fucking face!  For example, the song, "The House of Wolves", lyrically one of their best ever, has the band tearing the walls down with every ounce of energy that never seemed reachable.  Wow, what an album!  "Go to Hell, For Heaven's Sake" is a little less brilliant lyrically, but overall, the screaming is deafening, and the track is easily my favorite on the album, especially the way it fits on this record.  I truly enjoyed this release, and hope and believe that you will as well.  So, that I do not give too much away, a final track that I believe will rip your roofs off, is the song ""Hospital For Souls".  This is one hell of a track and the fact that it's the standard version's ending track, is fitting, as you will soon see once you acquire the record.  I highly recommend you pick this record up, somewhere toward the end of April, it's a must!

RATING: 9/10

 

 

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Crown The Empire-The Fallout

 

Wow, what a record!  Crown The Empire has laced up their hardcore,

electronic boots and began kicking music's ass all over the place.  Currently finishing up the Take Action Tour, which featured We Came As Romans and The Used, the band are set for another major tour announcement to come within weeks.  Their singles are "The Fallout", "Oh, Catastrophe", "Makeshift Chemistry", and "Memories Of A Broken Heart".  They have, or soon will have, videos for the mentioned tracks.  My favorite song on this album has got to be none other than, "Makeshift Chemistry".  The line toward the end of the song where the vocalist simply states, and somewhat screams, "....I don't give a fuck!!!!...."-love it, love it!!  There is much energy, rage, and lyrical passion on this album.  Now, the band does have a previous release titled, LIMITLESS, which was an EP, and it did quite well for being an independent release.  It featured the upbeat and angry, "Johnny Ringo" track, which is still played live these days by the band.  Over time they have gathered an immense following, creating a popularity amongst many hardcore fans, and even some bands love their music.  I enjoy the artwork on their latest album personally, myself.  I highly suggest you pick this album up, it's only a $9.99 to $11.99 physical CD in most stores.  However, if you prefer digital, I am sure the price is around the same, if not a tad lower.  Grab up the "Empire" today!!

RATING: 9.5/10

 

 

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Picture Me Broken-Mannequins

                   Picture Me Broken are back with their second release, this time an EP titled, MANNEQUINS.  This, though being  only four tracks deep, is just as solid as their debut release, WIDE AWAKE, which saw the smash hit "Dearest (I'm So Sorry)" released.  MANNEQUINS is only available digitally, unless you are able to catch them on tour, which is currently set to kick off  within days with One Eyed Doll and OTEP-should be a good show to catch!  The band will admit, the song that's getting the most attention off this EP, and it so happens to be my favorite as well, was not expected to be a single, or to gain as much attention.  That track, the EP title track, "Mannequins", is full of pumped up energy, angst, and lyrically is composed well.  I loved the track the first time through the EP.  I plan to catch them on the OTEP tour, so I hope to get a hold of a hard copy of the EP, if anyone has one....leave me a comment, would love to get a hold of it as soon as possible.  I call it a hobby, lol.  The song that is my least favorite on this effort, has got to be "Torture".  I find this odd, because it is the lead track, the first song on the EP, but it just lacks that "impact" for me, it doesn't really "reel" me into the composition of MANNEQUINS as a whole.  I mean, don't get me wrong, all four songs are good enough for the just under four bucks it costs for the EP, but if you had to leave one out, I would recommend the first track be left off the "team".  Overall, I say the EP is worth it, I wish it was an entire album, but hopefully lead singer, Brooklyn, can get it all back together, and we'll see success rise again, and things will build for an album soon enough.  So, go download this EP, and jam to "Mannequins"!

RATING: 8.5/10

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BearTooth-"I Have A Problem" (Single)

           Now, this is a band with an attitude.  Hailing from central Ohio, Beartooth may sound familiar to you, and that's simply because their vocalist should.  Caleb Shomo, the angst that fronts this band, was the former vocalist for the Rise Records' artist, Attack Attack!.  Beartooth's first I-tunes single, titled "I Have A Problem", is very much what fans of Caleb needed.  When I first heard of his departure, I was frustrated, but nevertheless, he is back with a vengeance!  Beartooth will play their first live show January 31st, 2013 in Columbus with another familiar band, My Ticket Home.  If possible, you'll for certain want to check that out.  This debut single pounds the speakers, shreds the air, and rearranges your sky.  Lyrically, the song is very strong, pouring out words and phrases like "it wants me to die....but I wanna be alive....".  The song is so strong vocally, being put on repeat wouldn't be abnormal.  "My stomach is bleeding.....but I'm still drinking..." are some of Caleb's best screams to date.  I highly recommend a stop at the I-tunes store today, just check out their facebook link, or the I-tunes link below, and spend your dollar wisely.  This is one song, that you'll make people take notice from!

     RATING: 10/10                                                 Facebook

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