Have you ever listened to an album and been utterly confused as what they were supposed to be or what they were trying to do, or simply just it was in general? Well, that just happened to me as I was listening to the album Crystals by a band called Eskimo Callboy. Granted, I was wondering “What?” just based on the band name. What does that even mean? I don’t know, I am not sure I want to know, and ultimately don’t think it really matters. The music, on the other hand, just leaves me shaking my head. I do not like it, but it is rather infectious. 
Earlier this year The Plot In You released their debut album for Rise Records. The album is called First Born and delivers a sound that is firmly entrenched in the hardcore/metalcore world. It seems these days that metalcore is something of a dirt word in the metal world' the once dominant sub genre has been falling out of favor with big metal aficionados. I am no so sure I fall in the same camp, but there is certainly something to be said for the style and the fact the market is saturated with a lot of bands ha sound the same.
At first glancing listen, Adept sounded like a band I was really going to enjoy. Then I took the time to listen to the whole thing through and I realized thar while some of it was fun, it was not something I could not get somewhere else, better. The entirety of it sounds all too familiar and while there are bits and pieces that I liked, the project as a while failed to raise above the mediocre. Sure, I could go easy and say that they play a style that I am a fan of and Death Dealers is a solid slice of what I love, but that would just be going to easy, going on the superficial rather than what is really there. It is best to go by what's there rather than rest on genre cliches that you happen to enjoy.
Prior to getting my hands on this, I had never heard of Across the Sun before. Now, after listening to Before the Night Takes Us, I cannot shake the feeling that I have heard them before. There is something strangely familiar about their particular mash up of genres, but I cannot quite put my finger on it. In any case, the album is perfectly listenable, easy to get into, and they show a good deal of technical skill. However, with that said, I do not feel they are living up to the skills hinted at across the album.
Not exactly a new album, but for some reason or another it is only now that it has crossed my path. With that said, I have a bone to pick with all of you. Why didn't you tell me? Huh? Why did you wait so long to let me in on the secret? In all seriousness, The Empire Shall Fall is not the second coming or anything like that, but it is a sound that is right up my alley with a flavor that feels fresh, original and passionate. It is just what the metalcore genre needs and if you are a champion of the great things that genre has to offer, this is an absolute must have. Sure, there are touches of Meshuggah throughout, but there is nothing wrong with letting influences shine a bit, particularly when they are of the Meshuggah caliber.
Full Blown Chaos is one of those bands that I swear I have heard before. The name rings so familiar and I just know they have been around for awhile, but for the life of me I cannot place them. Perhaps I have just seen the name so many times I have convinced myself I know them. Whatever the case may be, I have to consider their latest release, the cleverly titled Full Blown Chaos, my first official introduction to the band. It is a decent one, if not a terribly exciting one.
When I first listened to The Very End's sophomore release I had no idea what to expect. After all I have never heard their debut album nor had I ever hard of them. I must admit that a lot of my new listens of late have come with their fair share of trepidation. So many bands are just don't grab me in any meaningful way, this makes it hard to get worked up about the next listen as I am generally not expecting a positive experience. It didn't help that I saw a lot of middling reactions to this album around the web. Well, consider me surprised and impressed by what I found. I did not need to worry or be concerned with those mediocre reactions. Mercy and Misery is a solid album that covers a lot of different ground and is involving all the way through.
California's Antagonist have delivered a healthy dose of thrashcore (is that a genre?) that delivers the goods. It is eminently listenable, endlessly angry, and just a little bit bleak. This is a record I cannot say I had high expectations for. I am pleased to report that my lack of hope was baseless as this is really a very good record. Heavy riffs, good grooves, face-melting solos, and plenty of attitude. World in Decline doesn't pander to -core crowds or "scene" kids but comes across as pretty accessible to all.
With the opening sounds of "Beast" I can picture a pit full of hardcore kids letting out a roar, arms raised to the sky with balled fists, followed by a quick burst of applause, a flash of light and the start of a violent fury that will not end. A swirl of bodies, fists and feet pierce the air over their heads, bodies getting tossed like rag dolls. All of this happens while The Acacia Strain turn the stage into splinters. This music is angry, violent, and goes right for the throat. If you like a god dose of chug with your metal, get yourself a cup full of this strain. You won't be disappointed.
Hey! Who new that nu-metal was still a genre for up and comers? I realize that pretty much every genre will have its practitioners new and old, but there is a cyclical nature to these sort of things. In the case of nu-metal and its ilk, they are definitely on a down swing, a way down swing. There are few acts that can get away with these elements today and it is the few that rose to fame when the genre was fresh and have been able to adapt their sound and keep fresh elements in their sound. You know, bands like Korn, Slipknot, Mushroomhead, perhaps Disturbed and their ilk. Yes, I like those bands and nu-metal may not be the best way to describe their sound, but you know what I am saying, you recognize that the style is not as widespread as it was.
As I Lay Dying is a really good band. They have seemingly found that perfect balance between mainstream appeal and street cred. This is evidenced by their ability to draw crowds on big package tours like Sounds to the Underground as well as on the stages of those big European metal festivals like Wacken. However, when it is all said and done, it doesn't matter what types of crowds they draw, it is the recorded music that will ultimately dictate their worthiness. I must say, The Powerless Rise is as good a reason as any to like them and give them the benefit of the doubt.
As the summer tour season heats up, Hot Topic is carrying the official Sounds of the Underground compilation. Two CDs and one DVD filled with metal, and related genres, music and videos. I may not like everything that is included on the set, but there is no denying there is some killer tracks included. So, if you aren't going to any of the shows, this is the next best thing, letting you get a little taste of the chaos you are missing. For those who are going, this will likely be a nice set to remind you of the blood that was left out on the floor. 31 songs and 15 videos, how can you go wrong?