By Zach Shaw

While it isn’t exactly the mega historic tour featuring the big four (Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer and Anthrax) everyone was gossiping about, getting half of that lineup is still pretty unbelievable. Tickets officially went on sale last week for the American Carnage Tour featuring Slayer, Megadeth and Testament. The landmark tour will be taking place this coming January and February. Slayer and Megadeth already did the unthinkable by performing together (despite their slew of heated words for one another) on mini tours in Canada and Australia/New Zealand. So we can thank god that they are giving U.S. fans the chance to see both thrash titans share the stage once again. I myself have already purchased my ticket for their stop in Lowell, MA on February 14 (best part: I only spent a little above $10 for good seats!!! Haha).

Seeing Megadeth and Slayer on their own (let alone together) is enough to make fans storm to a venue. Combine the two with Testament … well HELLZ YEAH! As amazing as this lineup is though, I personally would have liked to have seen one more act added. Not that this line up needs another act to make it any better (umm, did I tell you that Megadeth, Slayer and Testament are playing together?!). However, it would be cool to see the elder gods of metal pass the torch to an up and coming metal band, as a way to put the spotlight on the future of metal.

So who should be the fourth addition who represents the new generation amongst a line up of legends? Well here are a few suggestions of likely candidates and bands I simply would love to see added:

-Machine Head: These guys would probably be everyone’s first choice for multiple reasons. 1. Machine Head already took part in Slayer and Megadeth’s previous tours. 2. Both Slayer and Megadeth have praised them not stop for their greatness. 3. fans simply cannot get enough of them (rightfully so) And 4. to simply put it: THEY ARE AWSOME!!! The only reason why they probably wouldn’t take part in this tour is because they have been touring non-stop for the past 3 years (you name the band, they probably were on tour with them recently). As much as I love The Blackening, I’d recommend that the band takes a tiny rest and record another great album. The more music from Machine Head the better!

-Shadows Fall: These guys would probably be one of my first choices. Hot off of their latest release Retribution, the boys from Mass have proven that they are ready to be the next big metal icons. Being part of such a major tour would be great exposure to a band who put on a top-notch show and have grown as musicians and song writers. Hopefully the band will get on Mayhem Fest next year (maybe we could also start a campaign to get them on this tour? I’d be down to push!).

-Suicide Silence: These guys would be a likely choice because they also served as openers (along with Machine Head) on Slayer and Megadeth’s previous tours this past year. They are an up and coming band who has received both critical and fan praise for their music and live show.

-God Forbid: Call me biased, but I would love to see my fellow NJ thrashers on such a line up. Not only do they put on an energy packed show, but they have continue to grow musically (I dare you to listen to their latest release Earthsblood and tell me it isn’t spectacular). God Forbid is a band that should be amongst the top of their generation (always just shy of getting the rightful exposure), and being a part of this tour would help get them there faster.

-Devildriver: Mixing melody with hardcore death metal, Devildriver has always stood out amongst the crowd. Always releasing incredible albums (listen to their recent release Pray For Villains asap!), they have always been just shy of getting the exposure they deserve. With their intense live shows, Devildriver would have made a great addition to an already amazing tour. Sadly, these guys will definitely not be apart of this tour for they just announced a tour with Suffocation that will occur during the same time. A shame, but hell: a Devildriver and Suffocation tour is pretty awesome as well!!!

-High On Fire: These guys are also likely candidates for being a late addition since they were rumored to be on the lineup before the American Carnage tour was confirmed (only to not be included in the official press release). While they wouldn’t be my first choice, High On Fire are a great band and know how to put on a hell of a show. Plus, with their sludge metal sound, the band would stand out in a lineup filled with thrash metal.

-Trivium: Admit it, once you saw the name in front of this you screamed out loud “Oh Hell Yeah!”. Trivium’s mix of screaming and melodic thrash would be a perfect addition to this tour (maybe too perfect if that’s possible). Add in their powerful performance (see my review of their show in Worcester, MA) and you’d get even the pickiest old metal fans believing they saw the second coming. As perfect as this may seem, this addition may be unlikely for Trivium announced the most recent leg of Into The Mouth Of Hell We Tour as their last tour in support of the album Shogun. Then again, I would probably change around my schedule if I got offered to open for Slayer AND Megadeth.

-The Black Dahlia Murder: After seeing them on Mayhem Fest this past summer, I have been hooked. Black Dahlia Murder’s music and performance would simply make them a great addition to such a lineup. ENOUGH SAID!

-Chimaira: The boys from Cleveland, Ohio would tear the stage apart night after night (see my review of their opening slot at Trivium’s show for more on their awsome live performance). With its mix of sludge and hardcore, Chimaira would stand out amongst the lineup of legends. Additionally, Slayer guitarist Kerry King has praised them many times over the past few years (thus making their chances a lot stronger).

So these are who I would suggest to be the new addition to an already amazing bill. To repeat, I am not saying that the American Carnage Tour needs to acquire an additional band (the three thrash gods are wwaayy more than enough). I am just saying it would be cool to see a newer band get the chance to be exposed to a wider audience.

Is there a band I left off that you feel deserves to be considered? Which up and coming band would you want to see go on tour with Megadeth, Slayer and Testament? Leave a comment and let your choice be heard!

Estilo:

Death Metal

Tamanho:

62.18mb

Tracklist:
1. Black Valor
2. Necropolis
3. A Selection Unnatural
4. Denounced, Disgraced
5. Christ Deformed
6. Death Panorama
7. Throne Of Lunacy
8. Eyes Of Thousand
9. That Which Erodes The Most Tender
10. I Will Return

Preview (MySpace)

DOWNLOAD (MEDIAFIRE)

Yes, folks, it’s true: As the shock-rock veteran poses for our camera, he oc­casionally stretches his hand toward a helpful-looking young fellow whose only job appears to be passing Manson a gob­let filled with a few fingers of Mansinthe, the neon-green absinthe that he produc­es in Switzerland. Slayer guitarist Kerry King, Killswitch Engage singer Howard Jones, Trivium frontman Matt Heafy — each arrived at our shoot with a publicist or manager (or both) in tow. Tom Araya even brought his wife and kids, who watch the Slayer frontman throw devil horns with the seen-it-all indifference of a bunch of roadies. But only Manson rolled up with a guy to hold his cup.

Of course, if that’s the kind of excess it takes to produce work as brilliantly twisted as Manson’s new The High End of Low (Interscope) —his first album with bassist Twiggy Ramirez since 2000’s Holy Wood, and the only one so far this year to lead with a single titled “Arma-goddamn-motherfuckin-geddon” — then we whole­heartedly endorse the practice. In fact, if the economy doesn’t improve, we might even consider applying for the gig.

Fortunately for headbangers with money problems of their own, this year’s Mayhem lineup promises a seriously righteous bang-to-buck ratio: In addition to Manson, Slayer, Killswitch, and Triv­ium, the month-long trek —which kicks off July 10 in Sacramento and wraps up August 15 in Dallas —also features Bul­let for My Valentine, Job for a Cowboy, All That Remains, Cannibal Corpse, Behemoth, God Forbid, Whitechapel, the Black Dahlia Murder, and Mushroom-head. Thirsty for details (and maybe a little Mansinthe), Revolver sat down with Manson, King, and Araya, as well as a handful of other Mayhem heavy-hitters, for a series of in-depth chats about what showgoers can expect.

As a life long Metalhead, whenever you see a Heavy Metal Band crack the Billboard Top 200 Album Chart it is cause for Metal celebration. With that said, whenever I witness an Extreme Metal Band crack this same album chart, well, the world suddenly becomes a better place indeed. Step in The Black Dahlia Murder… please. Their newest album – Deflorate, (Metal Blade Records), debuted at #43 on the Billboard Top 200 Album Chart the week of September 15, 2009. (12,000 units were sold in the first week of this albums release). YEAH! In the midst of dozens of bubble gum – Pop Music new releases, there arises… The Black Dahlia Murder. Let this debut week showing of this incredible band and album, be a Metal reminder to the commercial Pop/Elevator Music world, that Extreme Music lurks around every corner, back road, corn field, city street and CD aisle. Earlier this year, Cannibal Corpse cracked this same Billboard Top 200 Album Chart as well, I see an Extreme Metal pattern of awareness starting to develop here in 2009. Metal Odyssey is Extreme Metal proud of The Black Dahlia Murder, (and still damn Metal proud of Cannibal Corpse too). Real music… Metal Music. All of us Metalheads and the Metal Bands we follow are not going away anytime soon… METAL RULES.

*Deflorate also debuted at #5 on Billboard’s Top Independent Albums Chart.

*Deflorate also debuted at #4 on Billboard’s Top Hard Music Albums Chart.

*Source: Metal Blade Records News Update  - Newsletter - dated September 25, 2009.

THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER is:

Trevor Strnad - vocals
Brian Eschbach – guitar
Ryan Knight – guitar
Ryan “Bart” Williams – bass
Shannon Lucas - – drums

Here are this week’s new music releases:

Air Supply – The Singer and the Song
All-4-One – No Regrets
The Band of Heathens – One Foor in the Ether
The Best is Yet to Come: The Songs of Cy Coleman
Big Scoop – Tech N9ne Presents Big Scoop Monsterifik
The Black Dahlia Murder – Deflorate
Bring it On: Fight to the Finish soundtrack album
Butterfly Boucher – Scary Fragile
Cain’s Offering – Gather the Faithful
Dada Life – Just Do the Dada
Dappled Cities – Zounds
Marié Digby – Breathing Underwater
Dodos – Time to Die
The Elms – The Great American Midrange
Every Time I Die – New Junk Aesthetic
Renée Fleming – Verismo
Ace Frehley – Anomaly
Gary Go – Gary Go
The Grates – Teeth Lost, Hearts Won
Honor Society – Fashionably Late
Bruce Hornsby & The Noisemakers – Levitate
Infected Mushroom – Legend of the Black Shawarma
Mason Jennings – Blood of Man
Jupiter One – Sunshower
Kid Cudi – Man on the Moon: The End of Day
Kittie – In the Black
Mark Knopfler – Get Lucky
Living Colour – The Chair in the Doorway
The Lovemakers – Let’s Be Friends
Manic Street Preachers – Journal for Plague Lovers
John Mayall – Tough
Megadeth – Endgame
Moneen – The World I Want to Leave Behind
Muse – The Resistance
Orange – Phoenix
Outloud! – Outloud!
Passafire – Everyone on Everynight
Porcupine Tree – The Incident
Q-Tip – Kamaal the Abstract
The Rifles – Great Escape
Royal Bangs – Let It Beep
Rubik – Dada Bandits
Tom Russell – Blood and Candle Smoke
Shadows Fall – Retribution
The 69 Eyes – Back In Blood
Shudder to Think – Live From Home
Simian Mobile Disco – Temporary Pleasure
Chad Smith’s Bombastic Meatbats – Meet the Meatbats
Sonos – SonoSings
Stars of Track and Field – A Time for Lions
Super 400 – Sweet Fist
David Sylvian – Manafon
Thrice – Beggars
Trick Daddy – Finally Famous: Born a Thug, Still a Thug
Uncle Kracker – Happy Hour
Pete Yorn & Scarlett Johansson – Break Up

The Black Dahlia Murder - Deflorate

I do like The Black Dahlia Murder it must be said. I discovered them purely by accident a few years ago when their debut Unhallowed was released and I was taken back by them. I like this band because they are a pure death metal band (not metalcore like many naysayers chime on about) and they are fun and I think that’s where their appeal to me lies. Too many damn bands take themselves too seriously.

If you’ve had the pleasure of seeing their DVD Majesty, it shows they’re just a fun loving band. Because they’re so fun and seemingly upbeat, you have to wonder what the hell is going on in their minds that makes them so pissed off as to release a record as dark as Deflorate. This is the bands fourth full length and probably their most aggressive to date.

Opening with “Black Valor”, The Black Dahlia Murder smash your face apart with a tantalizingly syncopated behemoth. It’s fucking angry. Did I mention it was fucking angry? It’s hard to get a grip on what’s going on as it’s fast and ballsy. This is pretty straight forward death metal but executed so damn well; lots of riffs, lot’s of widdly solos where widdly solos should be and a tone Jesus Christ himself would turn to the dark side for. This is the sort of music that gives you wankers cramp (that’s jerking, America) because you’ve been unaware you’ve been punching the air for the duration of the album. Tracks like “A Selection Unnatural” are so in your face and blast beat laden it’s enough to send you in to an uncontrollable rage, which I assume the band are aiming for.

The production is super crisp and the band, although already very tight, both live and on record, sound harder than ever before. Vocalist Trevor Strnad is sounding much more butch than previous releases and maintains the style of one man/dual vocals; guttural roars and piercing shrieks aplenty and a complete shunning of pig squealing. Good, frankly. The addition of new guitarist Ryan Knight has clearly added something more to the melodic side of the songs (it’s not U2 by any stretch of the imagination, but melody is there) and the band sound much more,  I dunno, ‘complete’ than ever before, for want of a better phrase.

A truly great metal release which is sure to win them new fans and keep the veterans and cynics at bay.

The Black Dahlia Murder- Deflorate

Someone went on a bad trip...

With album number four, The Black Dahlia Murder have cemented themselves as one of the top US death metal bands. Deflorate hits you hard from the get go and doesn’t let up once in its 34 minutes and the boys in TBDM wouldn’t have it any other way.

From album opener “Black Valor” it becomes apparent that TBDM are on the same mission they embarked upon with Nocturnal, which is to create some bone crushing, modern day At the Gates style American death metal. Follower “Necropolis,” and lead single, follows in similar fashion but ups the melo-death quotient while also showcasing the tasty and well-placed guitar soloing by new axe man Ryan Knight (ex-Arsis). “A Selection Unnatural” showcases the bands songwriting prowess and is one of the standout tracks of the album, hitting all the elements that make TBDM such a quality act. The solo in “Christ Deformed” is another highpoint and shows Knights’ ability to carefully pick the right notes to make the solo fit, but not be too showoffy. Closer “I Will Return” is a slower, more melodic epic-by-this-album’s standards track and perfectly encapsulates the album as whole.

While Deflorate is an excellent slab of modern American by way of Sweden death metal, it is precisely that. In essence, if you heard Nocturnal then you know what to expect here. That the band can make an album that so closely resemble their former work and make it sound interesting and energetic should be more than enough evidence for their place on the top of the modern death metal echelon. With the addition of Knight on guitar, the band finally have a soloist who adds to the songs, instead of simply filling in at best and being unnecessary at worst. Delforate doesn’t reinvent the wheel of US death metal, but it’s a great and satisfying serving of it, and really, what more could you want?
-Dan

“Necropolis” er den nye videon fra det amerikanske metal bandet The Black Dahlia Murder, videon er nå ute på nett.

Videon ble regissert av Robbie Tassaro.

Necropolis kommer fra The Black Dahlia Murder’s kommende skive “Deflorate”, som kommer 15. September via Metal Blade Records.

2010. január 18-án újabb masszív csomag érkezik Budapestre. A Bonecrusher Festival névre keresztelt fesztiválturnén a következő zenekarok lépnek fel: The Black Dahlia Murder (USA), 3 Inches Of Blood (CAN), Necrophobic (S), Origin (USA), Carnifex (USA), Obscura (D). További infók hamarosan!

Skeletonwitch and Trap Them will be hitting the road this fall to support The Black Dahlia Murder. Toxic Holocaust are also on the bill. Skeletonwitch vocalist Chance Garnette commented, “This is something we’ve wanted to do for some time. We’re stoked to be a part of such a great tour package. It’s awesome start to finish! I can’t think of a better way to unleash our new album, ‘Breathing the Fire’, than with Trap Them, Toxic Holocaust and The Black Dahlia Murder! This tour kicks major ass, it’s defiantly a liver killer!! Let’s get it started! This thing will absolutely crush you beyond dust!” Ryan Mckenney, vocalist of Trap Them said, “After a fairly extensive year of being on the road, this package of distortion and blasphemy seems like an amazing way to end 2009. We’re very excited to have the opportunity to be on this tour with The Black Dahlia Murder, Skeletonwitch and Toxic Holocaust. Every band rages hard and we’re ready to invade each and every city. Let’s get vicious.”

Tour dates are as follows:
10/13     San Diego, CA – Soma
10/14     Victorville, CA – Karma
10/15     San Luis Obispo, CA – Downtown Brewing Co
10/17     Orangevale, CA – The Boardwalk (no Toxic Holocaust)
10/19     Murray, UT – Murray Theater
10/20     Colorado Springs, CO – The Black Sheep
10/22     Iowa City, IA – Picador
10/24     Madison, WI – Orpheum Stage Door
10/25     Columbus, OH – The Basement
10/26     Evansville, IN – Boney Junes
10/27     Nashville, TN – Rocketown
10/29     Metairie, LA – The High Ground
10/30     Jacksonville, FL – Jack Rabbits
10/31     Augusta, GA – Sector 7G
11/01     Wilmington, NC – The Soapbox Laundrolounge
11/02     Baltimore, MD – The Ottobar
11/03     Farmingdale, NY – The Crazy Donkey
11/04     Hartford, CT – Webster Underground
11/06     Cleveland, OH – Peabody’s Down Under
11/07     Grand Rapids, MI- The Intersection
11/08     Louisville, KY – Uncle Pleasants
11/10     Syracuse, NY – Lost Horizon
11/11     Buffalo, NY – Mohawk Place
11/12     Poughkeepsie, NY – The Chance
11/13     Bucksport, ME – The Kave

Skeletonwitch and The Black Dahlia Murder are also supporting Children Of Bodom from September 18th through October 12th. Skeletonwitch’s new album, “Breathing The Fire” hits the streets on the first day of the tour, October 13th.

To no surprise, there are metal bands that I don’t know, some of which I probably should know (yeah, I can admit it). I am positive you are the same way. While I cannot take some valued one-on-one time to run down a list of metal essentials (you can actually find these all over the ‘net), I can provide you a list with some pretty rad bands you should check out if you do not know them already. If you have heard a band before, but formed an opinion about them already, please feel free to share your thoughts. Think I should have included another band (or two, or three)? Let me know! Anyway, here’s a list, in no particular order, of thirteen metal bands you should know:

1. The Black Dahlia Murder
   The Black Dahlia Murder are a perfect example of dudes who just get it. Their music is pure metal, and the guys in the band clearly love to do what they are doing, but still have a very good sense of getting done what needs doing. I first heard these guys when Miasma came out, and was not too impressed. I listened to Unhallowed, which is quite a good album. Nocturnal, which came out in 2007, really sealed the deal for me. From start to finish, Nocturnal is pure, unadulterated, metal. Since I first heard that album it has been in constant circulation in my listening habits. It also doesn’t hurt that their most recent DVD, Majesty, might be the best metal DVD I have ever seen. Yet, some people still discount them, and lump them in with all the -core genres out there. Clean your ears out, folks.
2. Textures
   I first heard Textures a few weeks back on Last.fm Radio iPhone Application. The first song I heard was “Circular” from their 2006 release Drawing Circles. There are only a small handful of bands out there today that I can say truly do their own thing, and Textures is for sure one of these bands. Combining all things heavy and brutal about metal and combining it with all things catchy in extreme music – flawlessly. Naturally, once I heard one song I like, I felt compelled to check out the rest of their stuff. I don’t really care for their first full-length all that much (Polars in 2003), but Drawing Circles and Silhouettes are both amazing albums suitable for the metal fan of all tastes – especially fans of the more progressive stuff. Wish I would have heard them sooner, Silhouettes would have made my top ten of 2008 for sure.
3. Himsa
   Originally lumped into the “Metalcore” crowd when the scene was emerging, Himsa really did foot that bill with their first full-length, Ground Breaking Ceremony, this was really their last Metalcore album. From there on out, starting with Courting Tragedy and Disaster, the band was full-on Melodic Death Metal (or something awfully close to it). Better with each record, Himsa was one of the best bands on the scene with their 2007 release Summon In Thunder. Unfortunately, that was their last album, as the band officially broke up in mid 2008. With great solos, and great videos, Himsa really were well-equipped to be one of the best metal band of the last couple decades.
4. Razormaze
   A new and awesome band from Boston (as you can find out from my review of their album I recently did). Amazing live show, played with Revocation before Relapse signed them. This is what metal is supposed to be: awesome, badass, fun, thrashing, etc. I would tell you more, but I covered most everything there is in my review of The True Speed of Steel. One thing to mention, though: at their last live show, the rhythm guitarist/vocalists’ guitar broke, so they continued the set, playing 1-guitar covers of Metallica’s “Seek and Destroy” and Motörhead’s “Ace of Spades” – BAD ASS. The crowd was absolutely insane. Never experienced anything like it in my life. I still don’t really know if this band has some footing and is gaining popularity or not, but I can’t see them staying unknown for much longer (if they are). With a new album on the way, who knows where they’ll go.
5. 3 Inches of Blood
   Songs about destroying Orcs and mythical beasts from the year 4055, you might not exactly expect to hear what you do from this band. A mixture of all things heavy and thrashing in metal, vocalist Cam Pipes (yes, Cam fucking Pipes is the vocalist’s name), sounds similar to Rob Halford at times, but does so much more on the mic. Every song is big, loud, furious, and balls-to-the-wall. Their most recent album (but not for long) is called Advance and Vanquish, which it most definitely makes its listener want to do.
6. Arsis
   I am pretty sure this band fits into the “technical death metal” umbrella, but I feel like that doesn’t at all describe their sound. If I had to name their sound, I would say “blackened technical thrash death” if such a thing exists. If it didn’t before, it sure does now, thanks to Arsis. They are certainly technical (James Malone is an expert in the field of shred), and every song is completely unrelenting. Somehow, amidst all of the shred and brutality, this band manages to be catchy (e.g. the chorus of “Maddening Disdain” from 2004’s A Celebration of Guilt). If you have been checking my blog for a while now, you may recall that this band made the top five for my albums of 2008 list with We Are The Nightmare, which is quite a feat considering most Arsis fans thought it was their weakest effort to date (somewhat true). Any fan of the heavier thrash bands, death metal, or extreme metal in general are almost guaranteed to like this band.
7. Into Eternity
   The second Canadian band on this list with an absolute monster of a vocalist (Stu Block in this case). Before 2005, Tim Roth was on lead vocal duties. Both dudes absolutely wail. Need proof? Check this outrageous number. For added effect, he executes it FLAWLESSLY live, which is pretty amazing – always makes me love a band more when they are awesome live. Not really a fan of their latest album The Incurable Tragedy but it has a couple great cuts on it. All five of this band’s albums are at least above par, and all uniquely theirs. Definitely a band for fans of melodic death with a hint of Geddy Lee/Rob Halford.
8. The Tony Danza Tapdance Extravaganza
   All you really need to understand this are this and this. For those not not in a situation bone-crushing videos at the moment (and for the sake of consistency), I’ll fill you in. TDTDE are a bunch of hick kids from backwoods Tennessee. Because of this, they have become obscenely proficient at their instruments. With lots of hilarious jokes at the expense of hicks, as well as a whole lot of musical chaos, this band is clearly head and shoulders above the rest of their “grindcore” and “deathcore” brethren. Danza II: The Electric Boogaloo does two things: brutalizes you with music, and gives you a second to breathe with hilarious skits of a pissed off alcoholic midget who knows too much about pool. If that doesn’t sound like a good time, you have a poor taste in life. New album soon, I can only hope for record levels of depravity and chaos, as well as hick-ery.
9. The Faceless
   Upon a first listen, The Faceless might seem like your average, friendly neighborhood technical death metal band – and you might be right to an extent. Through the band’s two albums there are a lot of parts that scream “we’re more than boring tech-death!” – which is spot-on. Especially apparent on Akeldama, The Faceless are both machine-like in terms of skill, and visionaries in terms of technical death metal. Writing catchy and evocative riffs and song structures, this band is clearly aware enough to avoid the “SHRED SHRED SHRED BLAST BEAT” mantra of most technical death metal bands today, bringing new hope to a genre being held together by the likes of Necrophagist. Well, eat it, Necrophagist! The new sheriff is in town, and there isn’t room for the both of you! (just kidding, guys, I love you – bring your friends along if you like)
10. Derelict
    Yet another awesome progressive Canadian band I have already covered. Yawn. BUT NOT REALLY! For those of you out there who like Strapping Young Lad, Derelict will be right up your ally. (I mean, honestly, who does not like Devin Townsend? Losers. That’s who.) Somehow this band is completely unknown in the US, but have some pretty strong hometown followers throughout Canadialand. Boy do those people like their metal (and breed some amazing bands, too!). Now, I’m not all that up on trendiness, but I really think these Canucks are onto something here. I think Derelict should most definitely be the next big act to come out of Canada. Unspoken Words might be in the top ten greatest metal debuts I have ever heard, it is that good. Now if they can only get working Visas to tour the US so people might actually find them.
11. Cynic
    Being that I was only five years old when Cynic released their first album, Focus, in 1993, I can’t say for sure how popular Cynic were then. I can say that they are less-than-well-known now, which is a horrible. Focus is a great album, and Cynic’s second album, Traced In Air (2008, long story on the delay) is even better. It took my top spot for albums in 2008, and is an album I strongly believe all the praise it gets and more. Progressive metal at its finest, the album’s only flaw is that it runs too short (only about 34 minutes in total). If you are completely against vocoders and auto-tune, you have to give this album a listen. If you love them, you still have to listen. In no way can anyone ever regret hearing Traced In Air it is so mammoth, albeit a very densely-packed mammoth. Every note on the album is planned out and perfect. Every drum strike even, every nuance just enough.
12. High On Fire
    Ever wonder what Matt Pike has been up to since his stonerific days in Sleep? Well, he joined another stonerific band called High On Fire. This time, he is making music with a bit more gusto. Think of High on Fire as Sleep, but with a need for anger management classes or some sedatives. Lots of cool tribal drumming and signature Matt Pike riffing and vocals, this band disappoints at no point on any of their three albums. With a very vintage sound, Pike is clearly trying to help with the revolution to bring back good ol’ drinkin’ metal and succeeding. The most amazing part about High On Fire is the incredibly thick sound they have for only being a three man outfit. If you were not living under a rock in 2007, you probably at least heard of all the commotion Death is this Communion got, and rightfully so. If you never listened to them then, you now have no excuse.
13. Protest the Hero
    Yeah, yeah, I know. Another Canadian Prog Metal band. So sue me. Regardless, this band is way more talented than even the band themselves can handle, causing them to create frenetic hook-ridden, shred-laden, everything-metal that leaves everything in its wake. Coming up with a way to describe Protest the Hero is not hard, but nothing I can say would give these boys the credit they deserve. Sadly, I did not find out about these guys until after I made my Top of ‘08 list, of these guys would have rivaled Cynic’s Traced in Air for the top spot with Fortress. An album more memorable than any album I have heard that came from the last decade. PERIOD.

Well, that is that, folks. Thirteen bands to get your metal on with. Did you already know them? Let me know your thoughts! Weigh in on the high praise I give to these bands. I encourage “heated debate” – it is the easiest way to find out what you love and hate.

Also, any great bands you could add to the list would be rad, since I’m always on the hunt for new and great metal.

Horns to the heavens and beers to the mouth, kiddies! \m/

[Note: I commend you if you actually made it through this post. That was a lot of shit.]

The Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Fest hit Hartford, CT to melt faces on August 8, 2009. With 13 bands playing daily, the festival has something to offer for anyone who can appreciate music with a heavier edge. From White Chapel to Marilyn Manson, the event left little to be disappointed in.

United Music got the chance to catch up with: White Chapel, Soul Made Visible, Behemoth, God Forbid, The Black Dahlia Murder, All That Remains, Job For A Cowboy, Trivium, Cannibal Corpse, Bullet For My Valentine, Killswitch Engage, Slayer, and Marilyn Manson.

White Chapel weren’t able to play the Massachusetts date a few days back, but the band were back in full force in Connecticut. Though being the first band of the day, the group have what many would refer to as stage presence. Utilizing risers at the front and thrashing their way around the stage, this band is one whose set attendees absolutely shouldn’t miss. If the double shot expresso you had earlier didn’t wake you up, White Chapel sure will.

Behemoth were one of the first acts of the day on the Hot Topic stage, but don’t let the fact that they’re on a smaller stage fool you: these guys bring an energy packed performance that kept the crowd going strong despite only playing six songs. Slathered up in body paint and later dowsing the front row of the crowd in fake blood, Behemoth are one band not to be missed on this tour – provided you’re not afraid to get down and dirty with them during their performance. God Forbid were not quite as forward with the element of shock value, but between the jumping around onstage and throwing up the horns between songs, the crowd seemed just as excited to be there. This band’s strongest asset for the day was their ability to connect with their crowd.

During The Black Dahlia Murder crowd surfing was at an all time high – but with such an infectiously heavy rhythm, could you really blame attendees? Out of the smaller bands on the tour, this group’s crowd was one of the largest and with thousand looking for a good show, the band definitely delivered by making sure to engage their viewers just like God Forbid. All That Remains busted out the platforms and drum risers to give their performance an especially epic feel. This band was also particularly rowdy onstage, but if you asked fans it’s doubtful they would have had any complaints. Job For A Cowboy was another band who drew a very large crowd – and with good reason too. As the time for the headlining acts’ performances neared, the band only added to the hype by joking around onstage and communicating as much as possible with those who had come out to see them.

Trivium by far gave the best set of the afternoon on the smaller stages. Throughout their time onstage, it was obvious just how much of a camaraderie there was between the band as they high-fived and laughed their way through their six songs. With extra platforms for the band members to utilize, this band offered the crowd the most intimate performance of the day. The last smaller band of the day, Cannibal Corpse stood out amongst the others who had played prior to them… and not in a good way. With little energy onstage and the same routine movements for 20 minutes, the band had seemingly nothing to offer for those who had never heard of them before showing up that day. However, their fans seemed really into what was going onstage, bringing the mosh… as long as the kids were enjoying themselves, that’s all that mattered right?

Bullet For My Valentine was the first of four main stage bands in the amphitheater. Rallying the crowd to throw up the middle finger and joking around onstage, the band were a fun segue into the last bands of the night. 

Killswitch Engage busted out the spotlights, larger-than-life backlighting, and pyrotechnics for the show. Coming in from outside into the amphitheater, the Comcast Theatre’s arena was certainly fitting for a band that commanded the stage as their own. Killswitch Engage’s set was one of the most welcome later in the night as they were one of the only bands that made the crowd feel like they were welcome and among equals. Joking around and letting their appreciation for the crowd be known, the band rounded of their hour with a performance that was energy-packed from first song to closer.

When thrash metal kings Slayer hit the stage, anticipation soared. Throughout the night the band were particularly quiet but played fan favorites nonetheless. When you’re Slayer, you don’t need to be obnoxious onstage – your music is enough. Finally as the last act of the night, Marilyn Manson graced the stage as a chant broke out from the crowd and quickly swept across the whole arena. As the intro to “We’re From America” can be heard, Manson can be seen by a few photographers from behind the curtain, taking swigs from a liquor bottle with the rest of his band… then the curtain drops and all hell breaks loose. Paying face time to both sides of the crowd and taking the time to run out on the catwalk that extended into the crowd, Manson took the time to hold hands and share the mic with the front row. One thing is clear: Manson doesn’t give less than 100 percent in a performance and even if he did, the crowd would probably still chant his name.

All in all, Mayhem Fest is well worth the money to get an up close and personal chance to rock out with your favorite names in metal. Some acts are better than others but the beauty of it is that if you don’t like a band, 20 minutes later a new band is going to take the stage. Mayhem has a little bit of something to offer everyone and even if you aren’t a fan of any of the bands, if you look hard enough you will find something that excites you.

White Chapel

Soul Made Visible

Behemoth

God Forbid

The Black Dahlia Murder

All That Remains

Job For A Cowboy

Trivium

Cannibal Corpse

Bullet For My Valentine

Killswitch Engage

Slayer

Marilyn Manson

Words & photos by Victoria Morse

To view all of the full sets from the day click on any image.