Today is a good day to be a fan of the progressive. Let’s get right down to it…

It’s not difficult to hear that Ludicra and Hammers of Misfortune share guitarist John Cobbett; the bands sound very different from one another, but there’s a certain harmonic connection that’s apparent on first listen of Hammers of Misfortune’s new track “The Grain.” And this is a good thing. Just as Ludicra’s stunning 2010 release The Tenant was singular in its Ludicra-ness, Hammers of Misfortune have a sound all their own, a bit more on the progressive, NWOBHM and folk-influenced side than Cobbett’s other band. 17th Street comes out on October 25th via Metal Blade (pre-order here).

Hammers of Misfortune “The Grain” by Metal Blade Records

Click to read more…

Click play on the above YouTube video. Do it if you like good metal.

If “In Crude, I Remain” by Orwell reminds you a tad bit of their fellow Wisconsonians in Iron Thrones you’ve actually hit the nail right on the head: Iron Thrones guitarist Steve Henningsgard produced their forthcoming album AVOHFASIH (out September 6th). No surprise then that Orwell kicks so much ass, as I wouldn’t expect Henningsgard to attach his name to anything that didn’t completely rule. Which isn’t to say that Orwell sound just like Iron Thrones — they’ve got their own thing happening — it’s just that there are clearly some sonic similarities. And that is a good thing.

Listen to the above track and let us know your thoughts.

-VN

Photo by Jeremy Saffer

The latest sign for Guy Kozowyk’s Black Market Activities label is New Jersey’s Fit for an Autopsy. The band is notable for several reasons (besides the fact that they’re good, I mean), namely:

• They are that rarest of breeds — a good deathcore band. After seeing them live last year, our own Sammy O’Hagar said that “the band’s brutal, glowering take on [deathcore] reminded one of the squandered potential of the genre,” noting that “hardcore grooves and swagger, when incorporated correctly, blend quite well with death metal.” Sammy also complimented front man Nate Johnson, asserting that Johnson’s “serrated vocals provided the oomph needed to put the band over the top.” Oceano: take note.

Click to read more…

With all the blabbering on we did about the Scion No Label Needed Contest in the first half of this year there’s no way you missed hearing about Iron Thrones, a band so deserving of winning the contest that my faith in the intelligence of the average metalhead on the Internet is [somewhat, almost] restored. But it’s very possible that amidst all the Internet noise you never actually got to listen to the resulting album, the positively fantastic The Wretched Sun. Uncle Vince here to remind you about it just in time to compile your year-end “best of” lists.

Here’s the simplest way I can describe Iron Thrones; they channel the spirit of Opeth — with a distinct sense of musicality and bent for the progressive, often atmospheric — but they do so with a modern awareness that takes into account all the best metal that’s been made since Opeth first started making waves. There are really no misfires at all on The Wretched Sun; the songwriting concise, the playing top-notch, the arrangements just right, and the production crisp, clear but full of life. In short, everything is tasteful.

Click to read more…

Image from J. Randall’s blog. I’m assuming he made this; the car model is actually called the “Hako.”

Hey, remember yesterday, when we told you about that free EP that Magrudergrind are giving away in conjunction with Scion? Well Agoraphobic Nosebleed’s J. Randall apparently isn’t too happy about Magrudergrind associating themselves with the corporate entity — or any metal band associating themselves with the corporate entity.

In a recent blog, Randall criticizes Integrity for failing to live up to their name “w/ their recent Scion showcase at the ROXY,” and then takes Magrudergrind to task for working with Scion, too: “Heres a band that was to ‘punk’ to give Relapse a record but is down to float a fuckin’ ‘SCION’ logo on the front of their album cover? WTF?” Randall doesn’t even think Scion is getting anything out the deal:

Click to read more…

Wow, guys. I am honestly shocked. A couple of weeks ago six of you were able to successfully identify the most unreadable band logo we’ve ever run — but not a single one of you got last week’s logo, which belongs to the band Spermtomitosis. Way to let me down.

So: that means we still have three copies of Iron Thrones‘ latest, The Wretched Sun, to give away! This band rules. They won the Scion “No Label Needed” contest, which we participated in, and I’m very happy to report that this resulting record kicks ass all up and down the boulevard. And the band is just about to start a tour with Hero Destroyed (poster to your right — click to enlarge and get dates!), so now is a great opportunity for you to get hip to a really talented band… assuming you’re not hip to them already.

All you gots to do to win is identify the name of the band whose logo appears below, then shoot me an e-mail at axl AT metalsucks DOT net with your answer, your name, and your address. ALL ENTRIES WITHOUT AN ADDRESS WILL BE DISQUALIFIED. From everyone who gets it right, we’ll randomly select three winners and announce their names next week. And a very special thanks to longtime MetalSucks Maniac Pokesmot for setting up this week’s prize!

This week’s logo was suggested by reader Jordan Amandes. Hopefully you’ll do better with it than you did the last one…

-AR

Congrats to Brandon Mickman, who correctly identified last week’s logo as belonging to the band Paediatrician. Brandon wins one copy each of two new projects from Pyramids’ R. Loren — Sailors with Wax Wings‘ self-titled CD (which you can also order here) and White Moth‘s self-titled CD (which can be purchased here). YYYYYAAAAAYYYYY BRANDON!!!

I’m very stoked about this week’s prize: three copies of Iron Thrones‘ latest, The Wretched Sun! This band rules. They won the Scion “No Label Needed” contest, which we participated in, and I’m very happy to report that this resulting record kicks ass all up and down the boulevard. And the band is just about to start a tour with Hero Destroyed (poster to your right — click to enlarge and get dates!), so now is a great opportunity for you to get hip to a really talented band… assuming you’re not hip to them already.

All you gots to do to win is identify the name of the band whose logo appears below, then shoot me an e-mail at axl AT metalsucks DOT net with your answer, your name, and your address. ALL ENTRIES WITHOUT AN ADDRESS WILL BE DISQUALIFIED. From everyone who gets it right, we’ll randomly select three winners and announce their names next week. And a very special thanks to longtime MetalSucks Maniac Pokesmot for setting up this week’s prize!

This week’s charmer of a logo was suggested by the always-reliable David Foust. Your mother must be proud, David.

-AR

FRIENDLY REMINDER: Vince and I are taking over WSOU tomorrow from 4 -8! It’s the only radio station on the eastern seaboard that’s actually worth a damn, and it’s gonna have the awesomeness that is US, so listen in!!! We’ll be taking callers, too. If you live in the area, it’s 89.5 FM on your radio; everyone else can listen on the Internet right here.

And now here’s some things we did this week:

• We spoke to Decapitated’s Vogg, All Shall Perish’s Ben Orum, Within the Ruins’ Tim Goergen and Joe Cocchi, and Iron Thrones’ Steve Henningsgard.
• We debuted a new track by Moth Eater.
• We wondered, “What’s the big deal about Lady Gaga?” as she danced to Metallica.
• We rocked out to a newly-released Soundgarden song, and we couldn’t believe that the new Limp Bizkit song has a guitar solo!
• We commended Australia for its populations’ collective child-rearing skills.
• We marveled at this nine year’s old review of Reign in Blood.
• We sang Monster Magnet’s praises.
• We asked you to help us complete this Metal Map of America.
• We watched Kiss put the “ass” in “Massachusetts.”
• We wished Behemoth’s Nergal a speedy recovery.

Okay. I hope to hear some of your voices tomorrow! Seriously, guys. Listen. Call. Don’t make me sad. If you do, we’ll schedule Nu Metal Week to take place ASAP.

-AR

That’s Steve’s manly beard on the far left!

At this point Scion No Label Needed Contest winners Iron Thrones need no introduction. Their resulting debut full-length The Wretched Sun is fantastic, and you should check it out immediately if you haven’t already done so. We’re really happy that the band that won this contest is actually deserving of all the attention.

I caught up with Iron Thrones guitarist Steve Henningsgard via phone at the end of July when the band had just set out on their first East Coast tour with Last Chance to Reason. We spoke about the contest, the attention it’s brought them, the new album, working with a real producer, and the challenges and long road ahead the band still faces. Our chat after the jump.

Click to read more…

Holy shit, is it seriously August already? It’s gonna start getting cold soon. Motherfucker. Here’s what we did this week when we should have been enjoying the sunshine and fresh air:

• We’re streaming Dementia/Dyslexia, the Metal Blade debut of Fleshwrought,  a new project from Animosity/Animals as Leaders’ Navene Koperweis and Job for a Cowboy’s Jonny Davy.
• We debuted an EPK for Iron Thrones’ The Wretched Sun.
• We also debuted “Fear, Emptiness, Decibel,” a new column from the editors of our favorite metal rag.
• We had a little beard on beard action with Andy Williams from Every Time I Die and Liam Wilson from The Dillinger Escape Plan. We also spoke to Avenged Sevenfold’s Johnny Christ, The Dillinger Escape Plan’s Jeff Tuttle and Pathology’s Dave Astor.
• We checked out the latest releases from Chimaira and Decrepit Birth.
• We schooled Korn’s Jonathan Davis on the BP Oil Spill.
• We questioned the sincerity of Max Cavalera’s claim that his collaboration with Fred Durst is all Ross Robinson’s fault.
• We questioned Glenn Danzig’s sanity. Again.
• We got pissy that Eddie’s not on the cover of the new Maiden album.
• We got boners watching 72 minutes of pro-shot Gojira footage.
• We did not get boners looking at Emmure noodz.
• We found the best bass player in the history of forever-ever-ever.

We’ll be hanging out at the Summer Slaughter show this Sunday here in NYC; if you spot us, please bring us presents. We like presents. Thanks.

-AR

I know it’s a trite thing to say, but it really does seem like just yesterday that we kicked off this whole Scion No Label Needed Contest back in January — and now, nearly 7 months later here we are at the release day of The Wretched Sun, the amazing new album by contest winners Iron Thrones. In case you’ve somehow missed the gobs of praise we’ve heaped upon these Minnesotans, there really couldn’t be a more deserving band to win this contest. We wish ‘em all the best in the future.

To wrap things up we’re premiering a short EPK for Iron Thrones that wraps up their experience with the Scion No Label Needed Contest and recording their album. Make sure you also check out a premiere of the song “I Once Had the Crown” on Noisecreep and “Like A Moth to Flame” on MySpace.

Their two-week tour kicks off this Thursday in Chicago and rolls through New York on Monday, August 2nd with a very special one-night-only bill we’re beside ourselves for: Iron Thrones, The Binary Code, East of the Wall, Meek is Murder, Name and Last Chance to Reason — holy shite! Get the rest of the tour dates here.

-VN

[This exclusive has now ended.]

Photo credit: Jeremy Saffer

We know we’re a little late to the party here, but cut us some slack… we were way too busy being nice to everyone yesterday! Not that there’s any reason not to be nice to Iron Thrones. But, ya know, we were pre-occupied. So forgive us for being a little tardy to the party.

Two weeks ago we gave you samples of new Iron Thrones music, and today we give you an entire new song called “Like A Moth to Flame” (although it’s been posted since Wednesday). It’s the opening track on The Wretched Sun, and it’s a helluva way to start off an album. I’m really impressed with the absolutely GIGANTIC sound captured courtesy of the production, recording and mixing wizardry of Will Putney… this record sounds absolutely massive, powerful and clear, just the way it should to capture the dense sound of this band. The composition, of course, speaks for itself… but we knew it would, as these are a massively talented bunch of dudes which is why we chose them (or helped to, anyway) to win this contest in the first place.

Stream “Like a Moth to Flame” on their nifty new Sons of Nero-designed MySpace page. The Wretched Sun comes out on July 27th. You WANT this record. Though we’ve had the music digitally for a while, I just got my physical copy of The Wretched Sun in the mail and it looks fucking sweeeeeeet!

-VN

I have heard the entire new Iron Thrones album, The Wretched Sun. And it is good. Very good.

Now you can get a taste of it too in a “making of” clip video premiered by our proteges at The Number of the Blog. The track “I Once Had the Crown” serves as the background music for the 3-minute clip, which features various shots of the band in the studio and goofing around. It sounds fantastic, courtesy a stellar mixing job by Machine Shop producer Will Putney.

I’ve only had a chance to listen to The Wretched Sun once since I got my hands on it, but it’s definitely the kind of the album that’s going to take multiple listens to fully wrap my head around. It’s what we’ve been waiting for since we started this Scion “No Label Needed” business back in January, and I think the results are definitely worth the wait.

-VN

As part of our ongoing coverage of the Scion No Label Needed series, today we’ve got the latest video documenting the music industry crash-course bestowed upon much-deserved contest winners Iron Thrones. In this installment, Iron Thrones drummer Pete Clarke lays down drum tracks with Machine Shop producer Will Putney behind the boards.

Remember in Some Kind of Monster when Lars bitches about having to play his drums for too long? Well, in this video, Pete says he’s gonna have to spend nine hours playing to meet the day’s recording schedule. If only aging rock stars could hold onto that youthful joie de vivre, maybe we’d be able to avoid stuff like Death Craptastic.

Stay tuned for continuing video updates from Metal Injection.

-AR

As part of our ongoing coverage of the Scion No Label Needed series, today we’ve got the latest video documenting the music industry crash-course bestowed upon much-deserved contest winners Iron Thrones. In this installment, the band gets to take some new pics with renowned metal photographer Jeremy Saffer.

I love this kinda shit, ’cause I’ve never been to a band photo session, and, in all likelihood, I will never go to a band photo session; I also know little to nothing about photography (hell, until five minutes ago I’d never actually seen a photo of Saffer or heard his voice). So getting to listen to Saffer talk about his methods for shooting bands… well, that’s some vicarious livin’ for me.

Stay tuned for continuing video updates from Metal Injection.

-AR

Hey, unsigned bands: pay attention to this post! You could learn something.

As part of our ongoing coverage of the Scion No Label Needed series, today we’ve got the latest video documenting the music industry crash-course bestowed upon much-deserved contest winners Iron Thrones. Today’s video features a mentoring session with Big Machine Media PR honchos Jamie Roberts and Leo Lavoro, who offer the band members tips about how to effectively market themselves and what makes a good PR campaign. (full disclosure: we regularly work with Big Machine Media and their artists, but they really are some of the best in the biz). How do you make the best use of your band’s social networking sites? How do you write a good bio? How do you get the attention of journalists? Answers to these questions and more in the above video.

There are some really good tips in here that a band at any level can benefit from, so if you’re in an unsigned band out there I recommend paying close attention. It’s amazing how many publicists and bands get it so, so wrong. Big Machine Media will also be handling the PR for Iron Thrones’ new record once it’s been recorded. It goes without saying that we can’t wait to hear the record!

-VN

After their mentoring session with Shadows Fall, Scion No Label Needed Contest winners Iron Thrones visited New York City a few weekends ago for a little fashion upgrade. Blasko and Maria Brink came along to offer fashion advice and Scion provided the dollar bills for the whole affair. Even if the dirty metal dudes in Iron Thrones took the fashion tips with a grain of salt, how can you complain about getting to shop for new clothes on someone else’s dime? Watch Iron Thrones on their shopping escapade below, and stay tuned for continuing video updates from Metal Injection.

-VN

It’s been a month since MetalSucks-faves Iron Thrones were announced as the winners of the Scion No Label Needed contest. So what have the dudes been up to since?

Our Stuck Bro-jos over at MetalInjection have been documenting the band’s life since winning the contest, including a mentoring sessions with Shadows Fall, a recording session at world-famous Machine Shop studio, a style consultation with Maria Brink (blue dress not included) and the rest of the paid-for perks that come with their contest prize package.

MetalInjection published two videos over the past couple of days. The first is an introduction to the band that provides a glimpse into their motivations and aspirations as artists, and the second is their sit-down with Shadows Fall, in which Iron Thrones ask questions about life in a band and the industry in general that many of you in unsigned bands are probably wondering as well.

-VN

The contest portion of the Scion No Label Needed Contest and Series is over! Earlier today our friends over at Metal Insider announced Iron Thrones as the winners. The band will now be mentored by Shadows Fall, record an EP that will be produced by The Machine Shop’s Will Putney and Machine, have new merch and website designs created for them, and much more. The band’s ongoing journey will be documented in both videos and (web) print, so hopefully all you other would-be metal stars can continue to learn a little sumpin’ sumpin’ for this whole shebang. So congrats to the dudes in Iron Thrones! Their victory is well-earned, and we’re sure a certain MetalSucks instigator is very pleased.

And on somewhat of a side note, we’d like to remind you that many other excellent bands participated in this contest. Each MetalSucks staff writer selected one to endorse; you can read those blogs here. There’s always more great unsigned bands out in the world…

-Axl, Vince, and Everyone at MetalSucks

Although the editors of MetalSucks get a vote in the Scion No Label Needed Contest, the staff of MetalSucks, alas, does not. Thus, over the course of the next few days, each MetalSucks writer will post an endorsement for his favorite finalist for the contest. You can check out all the finalists, and vote for your personal favorite, here.

When I received my latest homework assignment from the mansion (thanks, Gary), I knew there was only one way to go about it — completely blind. I was determined to only listen to the twenty tunes up for grabs. I had no interest in looking at band photos, music videos, or websites that gave me any background information on the bands involved. I wanted this to strictly be about the music.

As a result, only three bands actually caught my ear: Reciprocal, Scorched-Earth Policy, and Iron Thrones.

It’s been far too long since I’ve gotten a solid dose of a new Godspeed! You Cult of NeurIsis fix. I can safely say that Iron Thrones’ 12-minute post-apocalyptic acid-drenched gutter sludge track, “Cover of Smoke,” has sated my jones.

Amidst the swirling chaos of crunching guitars and throat-shredding vocals hovers a hint of melodic beauty that can’t quite disguise the band’s apparent love of cinematic soundscapes ala Explosions in the Sky.

It’s brutal. It’s beautiful. Brutiful.

Hands down, Iron Thrones “smokes” the competition.

Be sure to vote for Iron Thrones here.

Download their entire album at the Iron Thrones website.

-CM

Corey Mitchell is a best-selling author of true crime books and founder of In Cold Blog. Join him on Facebook and Twitter. His next book, SAVAGE SON, can be pre-ordered now.