NYS Music 20​11

Category: Features

  • Local Limelight: Utica’s Shattered Envy

    Local Limelight: Utica’s Shattered Envy

    Formed in 2009, in Utica, Shattered Envy is making some serious noise in the Upstate metal scene. They are currently ranked #1 on ReverbNation’s metal charts for Utica. The band has shared the stage with bands like Smile Empty Soul, Ice Nine Kills, Taproot and Taking Dawn among others. Shattered Envy also lists band such as Killswitch Engage, Slayer, Megadeth, Metallica, Soilwork, and In Flames as major influences. I believe that to be quite accurate as I can hear a little bit of all of those bands in their sound.

    Serious attempts are being made by the band to make themselves a stitched and engrained name in other NY cities and beyond. Shattered Envy plans to tour the southern states, and head out west during a tour being planned for this summer. Also of note, triumphant news has broke out since the planning of this very piece. The band has a tentative release date of January 28th for their new CD, Make Your Peace. The recording of this CD has been a long and labored process.

    “We are working on the master as we speak. We have spent almost a year working on it.” vocalist Fred Marriott says. “We had some line-up changes that slowed us down, but we are in full force now.”

    After listening to some of the new tracks that are in place for the band’s upcoming CD, I am sold that they will be able to navigate their path with ease. First off, the verbal assault that Fred Marriot lays down is thick and of major substance. When listening to the new track, My Congregation, and hearing the inspiring determination lyrically contained, I was jazzed. Over vicious driving grooves, Mr. Marriott proclaims, “You complicate me, With your insecurities, I have the right to disagree, I will disagree.”  I was highly surprised to hear of the inspiration for many of the tunes that will be included on the album.

    “When we write a thrash song, I insist on going the traditional political setting route. On songs like Haunting and Fragments, I draw from personal experiences. On some of the other songs like Make Your Peace and Will of Man, I drew from my childhood,” Fred says. He added, “My parents used to make me read passages from the bible before bedtime, not as a punishment though! I also draw from my high school days of being bullied.”

    Thematically, the lyrics mash well with an aggressive and brash sound that is somewhat reminiscent of Sirens and Sailors, and Nine Round at times. Chris Marriott and Chris Walters are adept at providing guitar mastery within the framework of the band’s concise sound. Likewise, drummer Kevin Cackett and bassist, Chris Kimball secure a galloping pocket of backbeat magic and chaos.  On the aptly titled track, Defiance, the rage is juxtaposed in a verse screaming, “Like a fist in the mouth, I have this determination.” I am convinced of that indefinitely by the rage that is created within.

    Keep up an eye open for the January release of Make Your Peace, and check out Shattered Envy online!

    For more information on Shattered Envy-
    Facebook: www.facebook.com/shatteredenvy

    -Erik Jensen

  • Featured Band: Burn Everything

    Featured Band: Burn Everything

    Rochester’s Burn Everything was formed in the spring of 2007 from the ashes of the band Fallguy. Conisisting of Matt Dalberth handling vocal duties, Damian Marinaccio and Charlie Street On Guitars, Mike Gifaldi as bassist and drummer Tony Castronova, Burn Everything released a 5 song Self-Titled release in August of 2008. Mathy, heavy, and guitar driven, it both stands on its own and shows great potential for the next release all at the same time.

    That next release came along in July of 2011 with Last Run Through The Ruins, a 6 song work that feels much more like potential fulfilled. I hate to use a word already in overuse, misuse and overall abuse but from the first runs in Ghost Of the Waves, this effort strikes me as progressive. Sudden tempo changes throughout feel not at all disjointed, which would be far easier to pull off than this effortless sounding, yet extremely astutely played collection of songs. The vocals buck the trend of cookie monster with laryngitis and a dildo filled rectum that most bands in this field resort to. Matt Dalberth’s delivery conveys competent urgency. The lyrical content is dark, well written and vague. Filled with post apocalyptic images of monsters, carnage and death. Just as it should be. Almost every mathy band out there gets compared to Dillinger Escape Plan. This is one of the few bands that deserves the comparison.

    Both the Self-titled and Last Run Through The Ruins are available for free download on bandcamp. See the link below to grab them!

    For more on Burn Everything:

    http://www.facebook.com/#!/burneverythingnow

    http://burneverything.bandcamp.com/album/last-run-through-the-ruins

    – Brian Lawrence

  • RESTLESS STREETS to headline show at Valentines, Albany, New York- Last show before they head out to record

    RESTLESS STREETS to headline show at Valentines, Albany, New York- Last show before they head out to record

    As obsessed with Restless Streets as we are? Well we have some fantastic news for you Albany. Restless Streets has been set to headline an amazing line up on January 11th, 2012 at Valentines. Playing alongside them will be Our Longest Hours, Tradewinds, Decades and I Am The Anchor. This will be Restless Streets’ last show before they leave to record, more reason to be hyped as anticipation of this bands next release is huge .  Show starts at 6:30, and doors are 16+, well priced for $8 in advance, $10 at the door. Tickets are available through all locals. Excellent last minute Christmas gift for sure!

    restless streets valentines Event link: http://www.facebook.com/events/128840593898278/

    [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nj2Jvb5_CiM&w=560&h=315]
    You can check out more on the bands listed above here-
    Restless Streets: http://www.facebook.com/RESTLESSSTREETS
    Decades: http://www.facebook.com/DecadesNY
    I Am The Anchor: http://www.facebook.com/iamtheanchor518
    Tradewinds: http://www.facebook.com/tradewindsmusic
    Our Longest Hours: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100002201032101

    -Christine Palmer

  • GWAR “RETURN OF THE WORLD MAGGOT” EUROPEAN TOUR CANCELLED

    The European leg of GWAR’s “Return of the World Maggot” tour, scheduled to kick off in January 2012 has been cancelled after several promoters pulled the plug on shows, citing poor ticket sales.

    GWAR spokesman Dave Brockie commented on the tour’s cancellation:

    “Several of the promoters were alarmed by the low ticket sales, and they decided to start pulling the plug on shows. It got to the point where we had lost so many shows that we simply could not afford to do the tour.”

    Brockie continued:

    “We are super disappointed that this happened, and we apologize to all of our European fans for cancelling the tour. We did everything we could possibly do to save it, but it just didn’t work out. The tickets are fully refundable so make sure you get your money back!”

    In other GWAR related news, Oderus and Balsac were recently “hired” by MTV’s Next Movie to review the new Steven Spielberg’s new epic, “War Horse”. Are your Mutant Overlords the next Siskel and Ebert???

    -Erik Jensen

  • AUSTRIAN DEATH MACHINE releases Jingle All The Way, available for purchase

    AUSTRIAN DEATH MACHINE releases Jingle All The Way, available for purchase

    “The one and only Austrian Death Machine spent some time in the studio recently, mostly to lift weights, but also to record a few new songs. The songs are based on the ultimate holiday movie, Jingle All the Way, which stars Ahhnold, of course! The songs are a regaling tale of the pursuit of a one “Turbo Man” doll, sung by Tim Lambesis and Ahhnold.

    The digital version of Jingle All the Way will be available for download wherever downloads are sold and the limited 7″ vinyl singleAUSTRIAN DEATH MACHINE can be ordered now. This piece of vinyl will be the perfect stocking-stuffer for the most brutal of friends and family. Ahhnold only asks that the vinyl not be gifted to “puny wimps” or “girly men”.”(Metalblade)

    Guitar solo on “I’m Not A Pervert” by Jason Suecof and Eyal Levi
    Guitar solo on “It’s Turbo Time” and “Who Told You You Could Eat My Cookies?” by Mark MacDonald
    Rhythm guitars redone by James “JP” Gericke
    Drums redone by Jerad Buckwalter
    Vocals by Tim Lambesis
    Ahhnold by Josh Robert Thompson (It’s Turbo Time) and Chad Ackerman (I’m Not A Pervert)
    Tracked and mixed at Lambesis Studios in San Diego, CA
    Mastered by Alan Douches at West Westside Music

    Now that all of that is done with, these songs can make you laugh your balls or side smile off at the same time as you slam yourself through a wall. This stuff kicks it hard and fast. “I’m Not A Pervert” is more than worthy of creating a circle of death anywhere. Ahhnold is all over the place and the music sounds like an imminent assault is gathering along the borders. “It’s Turbo Time” rips your facial skin off. Plain and simple. Love the old school speed metal drums on this, kind of reminded me of old Anthrax on an energy shot. “Who Told You You Could Eat My Cookies” is just brutal metal. Hints of Slipknot filled my ears and then sped up to rapid-fire attacks of riffs and solo’s that make most guitar players just smile and shake their head. Check this bad ass music out. NOW!

    – Dave Garlow

    source:

    http://www.metalblade.com/english/artists/austriandeathmachine/releases.php

  • LIVE FAST, DIE FAST’s “The End Of What We Know” inspires nostaglia, modern NYHC

    LIVE FAST, DIE FAST’s “The End Of What We Know” inspires nostaglia, modern NYHC

    Live Fast Die Fast wants you to know they’re NYHC. They want you to know this so much, in fact, that in the first song of this album, they tell you they are. Along with Agnostic Front’s Vinny Stigma and This Is Hell’s Rik Jimenez. Furthermore, AF’s Mike Gallo Produced this. Clearly they have the friends, the pedigree and the location to claim NYHC. But, I once told my girlfriend I was hung like a horse only to be proven wrong on a disastrous trip to the stables. So, I began to listen to this release with an open mind, but a ‘going to the stables’ mentality.

    The album opens with the lyrics “New York Hardcore, 2011. We’ll never let this die.” I find myself partly relieved and partly doubtful of this. In 2011, many bands who call themselves hardcore are playing less technical metal and wearing makeup. If your preshow routine is sitting in front of your grandmother’s vanity with a Mary Kay case, I’d rather you didn’t call yourself hardcore. Because you’re not. Also, this album won’t be for you. Short songs referencing real hardcore topics such as ‘the struggles’, ‘the streets,’ unity and brotherhood pervade this entire release. Unfortunate reality sinks in on “Song of our Youth” where the lyrics talk about about trudging on despite the pressure to change, while remaining true to who you are. It’s a shame when hardcore bands feel persecuted within the hardcore community for being actual fucking hardcore bands.

    I find myself getting angry listening to this album, but not in the way 12 year old me did when first listening to Age Of Quarrel. I find myself getting mad that this album inspires nostalgia in me. Because this is what hardcore is. The song Seenster especially inspires this with lyrics like “There was a time not too long ago/Where I felt no life,not even at a show/no heart, no calling, no unity/kids showing up just to be seen”. No frills, no downtuned guitars, many songs clocking in under two and a half minutes, this album is a great example of NYHC somehow living and breathing in 2011. And in the form of a new band and not an old band putting out a new record that’s just not as good as their classics. It reminds me of the first time I heard Underdog or Agnostic Front. This album says hardcore isn’t about feelings or fashion or having connections with the right labels. It’s about going through shit in life, realizing you’re not alone and coming through it scarred and stronger.

    Listening to this album a few times, I find myself not wanting to get too in depth with the who’s and what’s. What the guitarist is doing, what the drummer is doing. Is this 4 chord rock? None of that is important. So many bands focus on that and lose sight of the fact that they do not play appealing songs. I don’t care if it’s gourmet food in your turd, if it fucking smells like shit it smells like shit. Wipe your ass, flush and get out of the bathroom. I’ll only cheer when the door’s closed and you’re gone. Live Fast Die Fast have put together a great collection of short, angry NYHC anthems that will undoubtedly stand up to a trip to the stables any day.

    Live Fast Die Fast – Lenny Leonardi, Rich Allegretta, Marc Divito, Paul Turano, Nickel Yeomans

    Track Listing:

    only the strong survive
    call to action
    battle lines
    charades
    times of glory
    blood collar crime
    kings and coyotes
    seenster
    song of our youth
    road less traveled
    no hope
    depression

    -Brian Lawrence

  • THE DEVESTATED prepare for their new release by dropping chaos on the Fuck All Your Friends tour

    THE DEVESTATED prepare for their new release by dropping chaos on the Fuck All Your Friends tour

    Southern California certainly gives us it’s fair share of metal legends. The Devastated are one of those said bands. If you have not seen the band live, the time is now folks. The band will be heading out on the road for the Fuck! All Your Friends tour this winter. There is no shortage of talent on this tremendous tour as the The Devastated will be joined by Dr. Acula, and Design The Skyline for nightly debauchery. Select dates will also bring In Dying Arms to the stage as well. One show of particular note will be the one taking place in Upstate, NY on March 9th. That night will be the closing night of the tour and the show will take place in Poughkeepsie at The Loft. It should be a sweaty affair as the bands and venue involved are at the top of their collective games.

    The Devastated will be previewing new tunes from their Century Media Records debut, Devil’s Messenger. A formal announcement on the release of the new record is pending, but news on a drop date is rumored to be coming forth in the next couple of weeks. For now, you can check out the Facebook page of The Devastated where the band has posted two fresh tracks from the upcoming album. The intentionally dropped promotional tracks, Pseudo Smile Campaign, and Roof Top Panty Drop, are beautifully brutal representations of the raw power that the band possesses. Check out the tracks, and get your ass to a tour date!

    “F*ck All Your Friends Tour”

    2/1 – Barrington, IL @ The Penny Road Pub
    2/2 – Peoria, IL @ The Brass Rail
    2/3 – Des Moines, IA @ Vaudville Mews
    2/7 – Ogden, UT @ Mojo’s Gallery
    2/8 – Boise, ID @ The Venue
    2/9  – Seattle, WA @ Studio 7
    2/11 – Medford, OR @ Musichead
    2/12 – Orangevale, CA @ The Boardwalk
    2/13 – Simi Valley, CA @ Dream 118
    2/15 – Las Vegas, NV @ Hypnotic Lounge
    2/16 – Mesa, AZ @ The Underground
    2/18 – Las Cruces, NM @ Event Center
    2/19 – San Antonio, TX @ White Rabbit
    2/20 – Fort Worth, TX @ Tomcats
    2/21 – Houston, TX @ Vinyl Junkie
    2/22 – Little Rock, AR @ Downtown Music
    2/23 – Clarksville, TN @ The Coupe
    2/25 – Atlanta, GA @ Swayzes
    2/26 – Tampa, FL @ Transition Art Gallery
    2/27 – Daytona Beach, FL @ Port Orange Elks
    2/28 – Charleston, SC @ Jimbo’s Rock Lounge
    2/29 – Spartanburg, SC @ Ground Zero
    3/1 – Virginia Beach, VA @ Shakes
    3/2 – Richmond, VA @ Kingdoms
    3/3 – Viceland, NJ @ Hangar 84
    3/4 – Lemoyne, PA @ The Champ
    3/5 – Fullerton, PA @ Planet Trog
    3/6 – Danbury, CT @ Tuxedo Junction
    3/7 – Providence, RI @ PVD Social Club
    3/8 – Long Island, NY @ Broadway Bar
    3/9 – Poughkeepsie, NY @ The Loft

    Check out The Devestated here:

    [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsPDGqDJw48&w=420&h=315]

    -Erik Jensen

  • THE INTERSPHERE: Big Sound, Unlimited potential

    THE INTERSPHERE: Big Sound, Unlimited potential

    Upstate Metal is in the envious position of receiving hundreds of band submissions of some form, every week. I found that out this week when we happened upon the magnificently authentic German powerhouse, The Intersphere. To sum it up with great ease, the band’s sound seems to be a conglomeration of a sperm bank cocktail containing the DNA of Incubus, Muse, and the early progressive works of Megadeth. It is easy to pick out the influences within the music. However, you will be blown away by how the band weaves a web of grandeur and originality while emulating the icons that are stapled to their heart. This was evident on the track, Sleeping God, which is being streamed on the Noisecreep website. The song’s release is a precursor to the big news that is on the band’s horizon these days.

    Sleeping God is a pre-release teaser of the The Intersphere’s brand spanking new release, Hold On Liberty. The album, which is the third release for the band, will hit the North American market on January 31st. Long Branch Records/SPV is the label lucky enough to be bringing this mesmerizing act to your auditory devices.

    Note the press release:

    “After playing over 350 live shows all over Europe including major festival appearances at Rock Am Ring and FM4 Frequency the critically acclaimed German alternative band THE INTERSPHERE returns.”

    “On “Hold on, Liberty” the band has developed their style between boundless energy, rigorously complex songwriting and melodic esthetics. And almost irreverently, they succeed in giving their catchy melodies and rousing songs true depth and complexity.  On top of all this, they capped their perfectionist tendencies by recording the entire album – in seven days – completely live in the studio.  No corrections and no fixed edges – making this a subtly warm and engaging listen for realists as well as dreamers alike.”

    We look forward to listening to the new record soon. A review will be posted in the near future. It is well worth listening to the tracks they have leaked out. You will see that the band is on the verge of something special. Check out the tracks, We Are, and Sleeping God.

    [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=huzZ5NdURVk&w=560&h=315]

    -Erik Jensen

  • EVERY TIME I DIE releases statement about confrontation at annual Christmas show in Buffalo, New York

    As we previously posted, Every Time I Die had a run in with Club Infinity security at their annual Christmas show in Buffalo, New York. The video was posted and opinions were formed, and in a recent email to Upstate Metal the band had to say this about the incident:

    “Apparently there’s an Internet. And on it, there seems to be a video floating around from our Christmas show in Buffalo last Friday. Is it of us playing a brand new song for the first time? No. It’s of a bunch of people pushing and pulling other people. It’s hardly a fight. It was a misunderstanding manifested in an aggressive fashion. The club had a strict “no people on stage” policy which we were not made aware of…we have a strict “we love when people get on stage” policy that security was not made aware of. While outside earlier that evening, a certain security guard even told me how awesome the last “Five Finger Death Punch” show was because people rushed the stage. There has always been a rule in Every Time I Die and that is “do what Five Finger Death Punch does. No more, no less”. Therefore, I fully expected that with fair warning (which I can be seen giving) kids would be allowed to join us in typical ETID/FFDP fashion. Security was not having it. With the safety of our fans being top priority, we tried to ameliorate the situation. It was hot and confusing and irrational and immediate as most fights are and in retrospect we have discovered that it was all due to a lack of communication. We respect the venue, the promoter and the securities obligation to keep the band safe. Had they been informed of our complete disregard for our own lives, however, perhaps they wouldn’t have seen the stage raiders as a threat, but they did, and interests clashed. To the venue, we are sorry for the unfortunate miscommunication between us and your staff. To the people that travelled, we are sorry about our set being cut short and the fact that most of you didn’t get to receive a Shitty Secret Santa gift…to our friends, how much fucking fun was that?”

    From the stand point of watching the video, it’s pretty simply put that the video makes the entire mishap seem a bit worse than what it was. It wasn’t a matter of “security brutality”, and it was clearly a miscommunication. Did the staff overreact? Quite possibly. To be human is to err. Of course with the ever rising costs of overhead to keep a venue up and running, I suppose a touch of panic was understandable. However, if a venue is going to book hardcore or metal bands, they shouldn’t bitch about the crowd getting so into it. After all, it IS Every Time I Die.

    For more information on Every Time I Die-
    Facebook: www.facebook.com/everytimeidie

    -Christine Palmer

  • Jamband prodigies The McLovins announce lineup changes for 2012

    Jamband prodigies The McLovins announce lineup changes for 2012

    In surprise to fans of the McLovins, the trio of music prodigies from Hartford, CT, the band announced a lineup change. Jeff Howard, guitarist known as AxLovin will be leaving the band following their December 30th show at Pearl Street in Northampton, MA. Jeff was one of the founding members of the group, which became an online sensation when they posted a basement cover of Phish’s ‘You Enjoy Myself’, played so well that the band quickly grew an online following and soon began playing shows as their tour allowed. Recent years have seen the trio perform at StrangeCreek, Gathering of the Vibes, numerous shows at Nectars in Burlington (where Phish got their start) and venues across New England and New York State.

    jeff howard mclovinsOn a personal note, it is sad to see Jeff leave the band he founded. When I first saw the video, I was in the midst of planning the book release party for PhanArt at Revolution Hall in Troy. With Phish cover band The Flow, from Long Island, slated to play the show, I inquired about having The McLovins open for them. Greg Bell handled everything and they opened up the show, with Jeff, Jason and Jake giving an all instrumental performance for the 200+ in attendance. With Jake unable to sing due to a passing cold, the three members stuck to their instruments and played their first set outside of Connecticut. Playing Oye Como Va, Caravan, Birdland, Cissy Strut, Cliff of Dover, originals Purple Trees and Guillotine Machine and a set ending You Enjoy Myself, the audience was enthralled and the possibilities for this trio became endless. Having seen the band grow from Internet sensation to bona fide jamband has been quite a ride.

    NYS Music wishes Jeff the best in the future and looks forward to seeing The McLovins new lineup performing across New York in the coming year.

    Statement from The McLovins, 12/17/11

    The McLovins Announce Changes for 2012

    Citing the need to focus more on school and other interests, Jeff Howard, the beloved guitarist for The McLovins, will be leaving the band following their December 30th Pearl Street performance. We are sad to see our close friend and bandmate, Jeffrey, leave. He is a truly remarkable guitarist and has been an integral part of an extraordinary journey that the McLovins embarked on three years ago. We will always share incredible memories of that journey, and we want to sincerely thank Jeffrey and wish him all the best in the future.

    As The McLovins move forward, we are also excited about our new lineup for the band. Beginning December 31, the McLovins will evolve into a four member group. Seasoned guitarists Justin Berger, originally from Philadelphia, and Atticus Kelley, from New Britain, Connecticut, will join the band, bringing with them significant performance experience. Justin, who has played with bands in the Philadelphia area, is currently at the Hartt School of Music and will also be sharing singing with us on stage. Atticus, a multi-instrumentalist, is a studying at the Hartt School as well and will also add singing depth to the group.

    The band is so thankful for the love and support from the McLovins families, fans and friends who have helped to bring us to this point in just three short but amazing years. We look forward to continuing our journey, seeking venues beyond our New England base and great opportunities in 2012.

    Happy Holidays and Peace to You All,
    The McLovins