MetalSucks

Some unorganized observations about this video by Australian shredder lady Orianthi, sent to me by Zena Metal:

• Is that a sequined PRS? Good lord! Hideous.
• What’s with the guitar neck protruding out into all the shots? Is that an attempt to relate to the Guitar Hero generation? If so, how come none of it matches up with the song??
• She can definitely play!
• Nice dive bomb at the 3:00 mark.
• Apparently she was to be Michael Jackson’s guitarist for his This Is It shows. Eddie Van Halen… Steve Stevens… Slash… Orianthi. Hmmm. That’s some pretty righteous company.
• So many 12 year old dudes are going to have raging hard-ons for her. 12 year old Vince would’ve been ALL over this!
• All things considered, this isn’t bad. It’s middle of the road guitar/power pop made for tweens. Even if not for the shred it’d still be alright. If kids are listening to this over Ashley Tisdale, that’s a step in the right direction. But hey, this coming from the guy who genuinely enjoyed Avril Lavigne’s first record… so don’t trust me too much.

-VN

So, uh… apparently Portland, OR epic doomsters Agalloch — perennial MetalSucks favorites — have a new DVD out called The Silence of Forgotten Landscapes. The band’s official website makes no mention of it, nor does the band’s MySpace page (save an inclusion on the discography). No other metal sites seem to be reporting on it, and a Google search of “Agalloch The Silence of Forgotten Landscapes” turns up a bunch of torrent sites and, finally, a buy page on The Omega Order. Save the wise tip of MS reader Daniel Guzman, I never would’ve known about this release, Agalloch’s first into the visual realm.

Leave it up to the members of Agalloch’s Fan Page to actually provide some real info about this release:

First-ever DVD from the mighty Agalloch. The main feature of this DVD is a show recorded on March 29, 2008 in Belgium — eight tracks culled from the band’s three albums to date, totaling over 70 minutes. Features another 50 minutes of extra material, which includes about 10 minutes of original music written and performed by John Haughm. [By request of the band, $2.50 of each DVD sale will be donated to a nature preservation society that protects parts of northern Belgium and southern Holland.]

Well, what gives, dudes? There are lots of folks I know who would be interested in this release if only they knew about it. Way to completely drop the ball. The DVD’s been out for a week now and I haven’t seen a single press release or article. Maybe the DVD really sucks and they’re ashamed of it? Who knows. If any readers have the DVD, please tell us how it is in the comments.

Since neither the band or record label seem to care enough to share this information with you, we have the tracklisting and a list of bonus features after the jump, taken from the fan page.

Click to read more…

I don’t want traditional black metal when I listen to Sigh. I want to feel like I’ve lost my fucking mind, like I’m on a bad acid trip that will never end, like I can’t tell if I’m dreaming or awake.

Ladies and gentlemen, I give you “L’art de Mourir,” the new Sigh song which is streaming here. It comes off of the band’s new album, Scenes from Hell, and it is even better than I’d hoped. I have no fucking idea what drug gives this band their inspiration, but I want some, and I want some now. Smoke it, snort it, shoot it, shove it up my ass, I don’t care – I want I want I want. ‘Cause this song is just SO FUCKING COOL.

Scenes from Hell comes out January 19 on The End. I cannot fucking wait.

And if you haven’t already done so, please check out the exclusive in-studio blogs we posted from Sigh’s Mirai Kawashima.

-AR

Awaken, the new album from Empire Shall Fall (featuring original Killswitch Engage vocalist Jesse Leach), is now streaming in its entirety over at Metal Injection. I’ve been putting off listening to this album for a long time, but now that I am listening as I type this, I can safely say it’s not what I expected – in other words, it’s not just Alive or Just Breathing, Part 2. So shame on me for initially ignoring these dudes.

Go give the album a listen, then come back here and let us know what you think. Awaken comes out November 17 via Angle Side Side Records.

-AR

I know that opinions about Slash are decidedly mixed. Some people never liked Guns N’ Roses, or hate Slash’s Snakepit, or hate Velvet Revolver, or whatever – I bet that of the five people who remember what the fuck Slash’s Blues Ball was, at least two or three of them hate that, too.

But nothing – and I mean absolutely, unarguably NOTHING – that Slash has ever done has been as bad as this re-recording of “Paradise City” with Cypress Hill and Fergie Methfacerson:

HOLY FUCKING SHIT, DID ANYONE REALLY THINK IT WAS OKAY TO BEGIN ANY VERSION OF “PARADISE CITY” WITH A RAPPER SAYING “YES YES Y’ALL?” IS THIS ONE OF THE BEST HARD ROCK ANTHEMS EVER, OR A FUCKING LIMP BIZKIT SONG?!?! HOW THE FUCK DID FERGIE END UP NOT BEING THE WORST PART OF THIS?!?!

If I was Duff McKagan – who actually wrote the main riff for “Paradise City” – I would kick Slash in the nuts. And then, when he was doing on the ground clutching his bruised testicles, I’d kick him again, and demand that this recording can only be released if done so under the title “Paradise Shitty.”

This re-recording, which makes me wish I was a fan of Disturbed or Drowning Pool so that I’d feel a little more dignified than I do for supporting Slash, comes from a two-song CD single that was released in Japan this week. After the jump is the other song from the single, “Sahara,” which features some Japanese vocalist I’ve never heard it. It’s also a terrible song, but at least it a) doesn’t rape any of my childhood memories and leave them weeping on the cold tile floor and b) has a guitar solo that sounds like every other Slash guitar solo, which is okay because I love Slash guitar solos.

Click to read more…

Altitude TV [via Blabbermouth] has posted some footage of Deftones performing a new song called “Rocket Skates” at the MetalSucks co-sponsored Smokeout Festival a couple of weekends back. It’s pretty fuckin’ heavy and, not surprisingly, it’s a step forward for a band that’s always sought to push musical boundaries (though it still sounds distinctly Deftones). I mean it’s not as if the Deftones have suddenly gone prog, but… you get the point… as far as Deftones songs go, this one doesn’t sound like the band is trying to re-live or re-create the past so much as take the next step.

For those wondering, I believe that’s Quicksand bassist Sergio Vega stepping in for the still-ailing Chi Cheng. And hey doesn’t Chino look like he’s in awesome shape? For reasons that aren’t entirely clear, Deftones have shelved their completed but unreleased album Eros and are said to be working on something else. It’s never easy for those guys to release a record, is it?

-VN

It’s been a while since we’ve reported on the current Fear Factory drama because, well, it got boring re-hashing the same old shit over and over again just to get you guys all hot and bothered in the comments (whoops, did I just say that?). To summarize, in case you didn’t read this site missed out over the summer: Dino re-friends Burton Bell and the two start working on new music under the “Fear Factory” name, while Christian and Raymond — currently working on their Arkaea project — rightly object because Fear Factory is supposedly a four-way partnership. Lawsuits and public shit-talking ensue.

Last I checked a resolution between the two warring Fear Factions hadn’t been reached. So either the four men have settled, or Dino and Burton — let’s just call them the baby-eating Fear Faction — just don’t give a fuck. The baby-eating Fear Faction, along with latter-day FF cohorts Byron Stroud [Strapping Young Lad] and Gene Hoglan [Strapping Young Lad, Dethklok, every fucking band ever] — just announced that they have a new album called Mechanized coming out on February 9th via Candlelight Records (!?!).

The new song “Powershifter” has been making the Internet rounds all weekend; stream it below. Unsurprisingly, it sounds a lot like Fear Factory. I imagine some of you will love it and some of you will hate it; place me firmly in the “meh” camp. I loves me some Demanufcature and Obsolete, but 10 years later there are tons of metal bands out there that are way better, more interesting, and more worthy of my listening time.

-VN

In Axl’s post the other day about chicks in metal who rule harder than Leaves Eyes’ Liv Kristine, he asked our readers to share their favorite metal bands with females… and only ONE of you mentioned the fantastic To-Mera from the UK (clap clap clap for “Choronzon”!). To-Mera easily smoke any of the weak bands you all posted; they’re progressive, they’re inventive, they’re talented, and their singer Julie Kiss is a gifted and unique talent.

To-Mera’s 2008 release Delusions actually received an “honorable mention” in my year-end favorites list for that year; the record is that good. And apparently they just released a new EP called Earthbound. I’ve seen little to no press about this EP which is a shame because I definitely would’ve written about it leading up to its release. Following some investigation, I’ve discovered that the band parted ways with Candlelight Records after Delusions which would explain the lack of promotion behind Earthbound. I haven’t heard Earthbound yet but To-Mera do have the new song “Arcane Solace” and an album teaser streaming on their MySpace page, both of which sound like a logical continuation of Delusions. Gonna go buy the new EP on Amazon now… back for more later. [UPDATE: Apparently Earthbound isn't available digitally. What the fuck?? It's 2009, dudes. You just lost a potential sale, To-Mera. BOO.]

-VN

I’m not entirely sure what a “frost hammer” is – it sounds like the name of a band I wouldn’t like, actually – but it’s apparently the title of a new High on Fire song. You can watch bootleg footage of it being played live below, courtesy Blabbermouth.

Meanwhile, Snakes for the Divine has been announced as the tentative title of HOF’s new album, which will be out on E1 next year. Greg Fidelman, who produced the new Slayer album and worked on Metallica’s Death Mehgnetic, is producing. HOF are doing that whole Dethklok/Mastodon tour right now – if you’ve yet to see Matt Pike shake his flabby shirtless body, definitely go check it out.

-AR

MS reader AcidBeagle sent us the below YouTube embed of a brand new Them Crooked Vultures track called “Mind Eraser.” It’s pretty good (pretty, pretty, pretty good!), but that’s about as far as I’m going to go with it.

While the prospect of a Grohl/Homme/JPJ union was indeed tantalizing in theory, the partnership has turned out to be pretty “meh” in practice. It’s perfectly fine boogie/blues/whatever rock music, but would anyone ultimately give a shit if not for the star-studded cast of characters involved? Methinksnot, but you be judge.

-VN

So warneth Noisecreep, who debuted the new track “The Kicking Legs” by Salt Lake City, UT’s Gaza this morning. Gaza fit snugly between NeurIsis post-metal and Dillinger mathcore, mixing raw, lo-fi punk-inspired aggression with precise, spastic, calculated arrangements. Not my usual fare, but I can’t help but dig the juxtaposition of styles; the end result is something wholly fresh to these ears.

Stream “The Kicking Legs” on Noisecreep or download it for free here. The track comes from He Is Never Coming Back, out November 10th on Black Market Activities.

-VN

Pros and cons of streaming the new Throwdown album, Deathless:

Click to read more…

There’s nothing terribly innovative or groundbreaking about Italy’s Disarmonia Mundi but sometimes a healthy dose of pop-melodeath is just what I need (and God no, I’d never listen to that Sonic Syndicate abortion). More known for often partnering up with Soilwork vocalist Bjorn “Speed” Strid than anything else, Disarmonia Mundi are actually quite good at what they do even if they are essentially to Soilwork as Soilwork are to In Flames, a slightly poppier version of their forebears. I stumbled upon Disarmonia Mundi years ago because I was totally obsessed with Soilwork — ok fine I still totally love everything Soilwork do — and uncovered their linked histories via that bastion of music minutae AllMusic.com.

So Disarmonia Mundi have a new album on the way December 9th called The Isolation Game. The new record does in fact feature guest appearances by Speed Strid, a press release tells us, but to what extent isn’t quite clear. The band has a couple of new tracks streaming up on their MySpace. If you like this sort of music I imagine you’ll eat this up. If not… sucks for you.

-VN

Three cheers for Coalesce: they took a decade in between 0:12 Revolution in Just Listening and this year’s killer Ox, but now they’re making up for lost time.

OXEP, a new, seven-song EP which I’m guessing consists of songs that were recorded during the Ox sessions and just didn’t make the final cut for whatever reason, comes out November 10 on Relapse, but Lambgoat is streaming it right now. So if it’s another ten years ’til the band makes another full-length, at least we got an abundance of Coalesce in ‘09.

Now go give it a listen.

-AR

Since I’m not really a Dark Funeral fan, I have absolutely nothing intelligent to say about “Stigmata,” the new song that is now streaming on the band’s MySpace page, so I’ll just tell this completely inappropriate joke instead.

Jesus walks into an inn. He hands the Inn Keeper three nails and says, “Can you put me up for the night?” Rimshot!

Feel free to share your own tasteless Jesus jokes in the comments section below. Or just, y’know, talk about the actual music.

“Stigmata” comes off of Dark Funeral’s new, Peter Tägtgren-produced album, Angelus Exuro pro Eternus. It comes out November 18 on Regain.

-AR

Why don’t I listen to Ihsahn’s angL more often? That shit is hot, yo! It’s epic and melodic and hooky… it’s just a swell record. Damn you, lack of free time! DAMN YOU!!!

In case you’re wondering “Why is Axl talking about this,” it’s because Ihsahn has a new song, “Frozen Lakes on Mars,” currently streaming here (It is not, as far as I can tell, about a Total Recall winter getaway. Bummer.). And I’m listening to it as I type this, and, jeepers, it’s just terrific. Just terrific. That Ihsahn is a helluva guy.

Anyways, I suggest you check it out. It comes off of Ihsahn’s new album, After, which comes out January 26 on Candlelight.

I’m sure we’ll discuss more as that release date grows closer…

-AR

I have had Mutiny Within’s self-titled debut at the Mansion for about two weeks now, and I’m absolutely loving it. Loving it! Now’s your chance to experience a taste of what I’ve been jamming with a free download of album-opener “Awake,” available today only as a free download at RoadrunnerRecords.com.

This is the best “commercial” — for lack of a better word — metal record that I’ve heard in quite some time. While the mainstream metal canon has mostly stagnated over the past few years with rehash after rehash of umpteenth generation metalcore or breakdown-dominated deathcore, Mutiny Within have come along and finally added something different to the mix, adding a power Euro touch to their brand of American metal. The songs are top-notch, fist in the sky productions, led by the band’s razor-tight attack and Chris Clancy’s operatic vocals (for a sample of his vocal talents, check out this video). These songs aren’t catchy because the band are trying to write overtly catchy melodies… they’re catchy because they come from a genuine place (or at least I can surmise… who am I to make assumptions?).

Check out the free download of “Awake” while you still can, then come back here and let us know what you think. The band is currently on tour with Soulfly and will be making the rounds on the MetalSucks-sponsored Arch Enemy / Exodus / Arsis tour in early 2010. We’ve seen them locally here in NYC for years now, and they are not to be missed… that big sound you hear on “Awake” is not studio chicanery; it’s real.

-VN

So as if you didn’t know, the new Slayer album, World Painted Blood, comes out this Tuesday (or I guess Monday if you’re in Europe). But as usually happens these days, the record is now streaming in full right here. Go check it out.

I’ll have a full review next week, but allow me to stir shit up right off the bat:

World Painted Blood > Endgame > Death Magnetic

If only Anthrax had actually gotten an album out this year…

-AR

Thanks to the reader known only as “L” for the tip.

A little birdy came and told me that Karl Sanders has never been to Egypt.

What what WHAT?!?!

This perplexing nugget of information came up in conversation because yours truly just booked a flight to Cairo in February. There will definitely be a serious Nile listening session in effect when I visit the pyramids, and, if Egypt’s mobile technology allows, blog and Twitter updates from The Middle East will be aplenty. Better yet, I’ll be traveling with someone who lived there for 2 years and speaks Arabic, and for at least part of the time I’ll be staying with a local metalhead. I’m really looking forward to exploring the underbelly of Egyptian metal culture, whatever that entails… I’ll probably get a lot of confused looks when I tell folks I run a website called “Metal Sucks.”

We’re trying mightily to get Mr. Sanders to accompany us on our journey. We’ll see how that pans out. In the meantime, Noisecreep is streaming Nile’s new track “Utterances of the Crawling Dead” which comes from Nile’s new album Those Whom the Gods Detest, out November 3rd. You should listen to it whilst imagining the hilarity of this Jewish metalhead traipsing around Egypt this coming Winter.

-VN

UPDATE: HERE’S A QUOTE FROM DEVIN HIMSELF:

Oh ok…here it is. ‘Bend It Like Bender’

(You! …in the Nasum shirt! …look away!!!)

I know…I know…it’s a pretty bippy-boppy-Euro-type dance track, but you know? guilty as charged when it comes to loving that stuff. I remember hearing The Vengaboys ‘We Like To Party’ back when it came out and it nearly brought me to tears (I was cutting onions at the time…) something about EASY, FUN music that takes very little effort to enjoy…or detest as the case may well end up being .

So yeah, I wrote a song like that. ppppttthhhhhhhhhpppppppphhhhhhhh…..

I’m working on album three of the DTP quartet right now, Deconstruction. And it’s such brained out, complicated nonsense, that while I was writing it (all 4 albums were written during the same period) I remember just finishing the track ‘Traestorz’ (Deconstruction) and my brain was reeling. Super complicated metal madness, and I was like, ‘ENOUGH!!!’ and threw my lube down in revulsion and laid into Bender with a ‘phat ass beat’ y’all.

‘We are one and we have found they only wanted you around
To hold it down, so hold your ground,
We won’t be here forever!
We are young and we have fun and all we’ve found in being around is ‘All and all’ and ‘Holy cows’ While things keep getting heavy! Hang on to your man and Hang on to your woman and HANG ON!!!’

Whats it about? Ah, indeed young knave, gather ye round and I shall dispense the benevolent meaning of this cosmic connundrum upon thee:

ready..?

It’s a play on the title ‘Bend It Like Beckham’ and the robot from Futurama named ‘Bender’, because he’s into partying, and the records called ‘Addicted’. Yup. Oh…and ‘Bender’ and ‘Bekham’ both start with the letter ‘B’.

Anneke VanGeirbergen ladies and Germs…Anneke VanGeirbergen. Did I mention I love Abba as well? Well I do. AND we’re still metal.

Again, all 4 records were written together…which was good for me, because when I would get all antsy with Ki, I would unload with Deconstruction, then get offended by my own pretension and rock some good vibes with Addicted, then when I would feel like it was ALL stupid, I’d write for Ghost, and make some dead country voices.

So yeah, enjoy. Or don’t. I do.

Lastly, There’s a time and a place for fat, shirtless men with head tattoos to bump into each other and yell, and a time and a place for women to move like the beautiful creatures they are.

…just sayin’

dev.

SECOND UPDATE: I THINK THAT’S THE FIRST TIME DEVIN HAS ANNOUNCED GHOST AS THE TITLE OF THE FOURTH TDTP ALBUM. HOO-RAY!

The first time I heard “Bend It Like Bender” from The Devin Townsend Project’s Addicted, I honestly didn’t get the reference. I mean, I understood the play on the phrase “Bend It Like Beckham,” but I had no idea who “Bender” was. Vince and I grew up with a kid named “Bender,” but I was fairly certain that a) Devin Townsend does not know our Bender, and b) our Bender never bent anything of significance.

So I Googled the phrase Bender, and learned that the robot character from Matt Groening’s Futurama is named Bender Bending Rodríguez:

I never really got into Futurama, but if Devin Townsend likes it, I have to assume I’ve been missing out on something awesome.

ANYWAY, this is all me taking way too long to tell you that “Bend It Like Bender” is now streaming on Townsend’s MySpace page. But be careful before you listen to it – it’s so catchy you may only be able to get it out of your head if you blow your brains out.

Addicted comes out November 17 on InsideOutMusic. MetalSucks is still hosting an exclusive stream of the track “Universe in a Ball,” which you should definitely check out.

-AR