Category: Profiles

Local Limelight: Buffalo’s Come Honor

Buffalo is the home of many different musical scenes that all share in a blue collar approach to the songwriting process. You can hear it in the lyrics, the sound, and in the way they promote their projects. Come Honor can be added to a long list of names that share this incredible ethics based determination. This mammoth 6 headed post-punk gargantuan is armed with what it takes to make the city proud. However, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the fact that I am sure they are hading to a much larger listening audience. A fact that was driven home after my numerous listens to their album, Self/Release.

Self/Release is a six song album that clocks in just under the 15 minute mark. But what a glorious 15 minutes it is! The band is the conglomeration of all kinds of influence. In fact, too many to list. I hear Thrice, I hear Thursday, and at times, I hear R.E.M. in their raw 80’s glory. Comparisons are irrelevant to what they have done here. This sound belongs to them.

On tracks like Third Time’s The Harm and Right for Your Fight, the band is triumphantly pushed forward by the surging vocal work of Angelo and Ryan C. The tag team lyrical approach is one key component of the success that lies within. Unlike most up and coming bands, harmonies of simultaneous rage and rampant melody works to perfection on these songs. No clutter here! The closing track of the album, Self/Release is a nice sprawling narrative piece that recalls some of the earlier works of Fugazi. Of course a lyrical statement like “It’s hard to trust anyone, when I can not trust myself,” fits into the aggro-natured self analysis of idols past. I find that truly easy to appreciate.

Things are going well for Come Honor! Expect to hear some more great music in the next year. Also, make an effort to see these guys live. The studio is a nice place for them to sculpt, but the live environment is some place where these guys take it to the next level.

For more information on Come Honor-
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/comehonor

-Erik Jensen

December 29, 2011
Local Limelight: The Nightlife

When does all of this great music that I was not familiar with, come to an end? The answer seems to be never…as of today! I just listened to The Nightlife latest release, Among Safe Secrets. It is so mature and advanced, that I started questioning how the hell I could have overlooked these gentlemen for such a long time.

The music is best described as melodic hardcore for a better lack of phrases. However, when one listens to this for the first time, you will see all the tell tale signs of a band raised on Alternative metal FM stations. This is not a knock by any means. The subtle commercialism that shows it’s face within the music they have created, is both exhilarating and timeless. It is also testament to an era that manifests maturity at a rapidity of post graduate architects.

The seeds were planted for this greatness close to ten years ago in Albany. The band’s Facebook page reiterates, “ Forged from handwork and determination, a high school obsession quickly became the only career path, their one reality.”

That reality and The Nightlife’s unwavering will to succeed has put the band in good company on their journey. The band has played close to 400 shows including great exposure gigs on Warped Tour and at the Bamboozle festival.

I think that the best quotes I have ever seen about the band are located right on their Facebook page. They are completely to the point, and most fascinating because of their ability to identify their strengths. One such quote reads, “In a world where most strive to fit in, The Nightlife rises above the generic masses.”

Some may view this as self absorbed arrogance. I do not! Check out the band, they bring the goods! You will quickly realize that the depth of their material is a good reason for the confidence that The Nightlife possesses.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vMv7VF2sw5I&w=420&h=315]

For more information on The Nightlife-
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/thenightlife518

-Erik Jenen

December 29, 2011
FEATURED BAND: Sadgiqacea (sad-juh-kay-sha)

Being in a power duo can be a tough task when yearning for the addition of constructive and creational depth. The great ones all share some pretty common traits. When listening to bands like The White Stripes, No Age, and The Black Keys; you notice that the ruckus being created sounds much larger than the sum of their parts. In the studio, these bands also tend to raise the bar with unparalleled, and open minded additional accompaniment. Unlike the traditional (hash it out) work ethics of much larger bands, sometimes texture is added from a secondary glance at the original structure of the song. This has allowed these types of bands to continually push the boundaries of what the conventional duo can do. Enter Sadgiqacea! In my opinion, these guys are poised to add their names to the aforementioned list of heralded songwriters.

Hailing from Philadelphia, the band is a musical rarity within the world of creative duos. Sadgiqacea is a progressive sludge based metal machine. Gone are the preconceptions of anything that are simple in nature. These guys write epic numbers that are as equally grand in scope, as the best bands within this scene. Essentially, if you were loading your I-POD’s shuffle mode with bands like Mastodon or Neurosis, Sadgiqacea would fit in quite well. I say this because you would not be able to decipher the fact that this band is not already superstars on a larger national stage. It would also be tough to identify the fact that they are but two in number!

Being a fan of a crunchy well written prog metal masterpieces, I search for bands like this with reckless abandon. I recently had the opportunity to get my hands on the split EP release of Sadgiqacea and Grass. Both of these bands from Philadelphia share a love for sonic overload, and tight metallic improvisational glory. It is no surprise that Anthropic Records would release these two bands on an EP that would cater to fans of both. Although I like Grass, and the approach of the band’s delivery, I was mesmerized by the two Sadgiqacea tracks on this release. The Great Divide and Avianizer are two of the best tracks I have heard all year.

Since early 2010, Sadgiqacea have slowly built their empire by playing 70 plus shows. In the next year and a half, the band will up the ante. The band is planning on a national tour this summer, and a full length release in 2013. Also of note is the fact that they will be featured on the Anthropic records compilation release, “Anthrosphere III.” That record will be released in January of 2012.

Check out this band now!

For more information on Sadgiqacea-
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/sadgiqacea

-Erik Jensen

December 28, 2011
Local Limelight: Elmira’s Divot

Golly, I miss the over abundance of melodically great alternative metal bands that used to fill the airwaves. Over the last ten years, most of that scene has morphed into the forsaken ground of emulated mathematics. Often at times, the result is dreadful. When I hear a band like Elmira’s Divot, it gives me hope for the integrity of hook filled 4 minute anthems. Although the undeniable influence of bands like Chevelle, The Deftones, and Trapt are present within the band’s music, it is catapulted jubilantly with an intensity lacking in most modern music.

Divot is another band that is growing it’s fan base at an accelerated and somewhat exciting pace. The three piece aims to please, and they do it with conviction on their recently released single, Second Opinion. Stunning progressions and rich harmonious balance lead the way on this precursor to their upcoming EP release. The collection of Divot tunes is slated for a January drop date. The band went to California to record the EP with Peter Charell of Trapt fame. If the rest of their record is as good as Second Opinion, we will undoubtedly be seeing great things on the horizon for these guys.

The sky is the limit here. After only six months of playing together, the band has played with national acts Psychostick and Hawthorne Heights. Divot has also logged an impressive amount of crucial shows under their belts. Check the band out online!

Cliff Hodson – Vocals/Guitar
Paul Felix – Bass/Backing Vocals
Korey Hunsinger – Drums

For more information on Divot –
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/divotOFFICIAL

-Erik Jensen

December 28, 2011
FEATURED BAND: Dead Superstar

Eclecticism is a mother fucker. It can be one of two things to bands that bask in it’s glow. Sometimes, a band can be musically strangled by having to prove that they are so many different things in one package. On the other hand, if done correctly, your influences evolve into something that can only be called one thing. That thing, is an original sound. The evolution of influential similarities into something genuinely qualifying as unique, is hard to pull off. The layers of sound that Dead Superstar bring to the table are nostalgic, yet fresh. And yes, they fall into that category of a band that has pulled off such a tremendous feat.

Dead Superstar was formed by bassist Troi Mosby and vocalist Terence Keith in 2005. The pair had recently come out of their experience with the band Perseverance. If you are not familiar with Perseverance, you missed out back then. I remember catching the band in an opening slot for Hatebreed back in the day. Perseverance was polished and doing it well. The band also managed to open up shows for national bands like Biohazard and Sick of It All, among others.

Of course, when you taste that kind of success, you are tempted to make changes in the dynamics of what you want to do musically. So, Troi and Terence set out on a path to create music that was aggressive in nature, but friendly to the radio rock markets that would help support them along the way. The result was Dead Superstar. By 2007 the band began to, “perfect their art with a hard rock sound that was heavy, melodic and packed with controversial lyrics about the human condition.” I figured I might as well quote this from their webpage as it is the perfect description.

With the band rolling on all cylinders, they entered the studio in 2009 to record with producer Joey Z, of Life of Agony fame. The ending result is Tribulations, an album of anthem like prowess that soars on every level.

I was highly impressed after my first listen to this intensely solid piece of musical craft work. Songs like Crossroads, Catch The Fire, and Redemption are rock radio friendly masterpieces that are begging to be heard in this mundane age of regurgitated mediocrity. One can only hope that the band’s exposure while playing with bands like Five Finger Death Punch, Lacuna Coil, and Taproot, will propel them into an even higher plain of recognition within the scene. The guys tour like gangbusters, so that will surely speed the process along as well. Download Tribulations, and tell them Upstate Metal sent you!

Terence Keith – Vocals

Troi Mosby – Bass

Todd Bowes – Guitar

Jared Feldman – Drums

http://www.deadsuperstar.net
http://www.reverbnation.com/deadsupersta…
http://www.myspace.com/deadsuperstarmusic

-Erik Jensen

December 23, 2011
Featured Band: The Harteck

Hooray for somewhat new bands that kick ass out of the gate. That is the story that is becoming a reality in the southern tier city of Elmira. In a short period of just about six months, The Harteck has achieved success that few of their peers have seen in such a minimal amount of time.

The journey started back in June of this year. An impromptu jam session between friends would ultimately lead to the creation of The Harteck. These friends, who were already established in many different bands of varying genres, agreed that they had something aggressively diverse to give the scene. After a few tweaks here and there, the band is completely ready to roll now.

On January 14^th, the band will release their debut EP, 490, on Irrelephant Records. Upon the album’s release, the band will set it’s sights on touring the Northeast. With management company, The Truth By Blood Agency handling the booking chores, there is no telling where the band will end up over the next year.

Check out this great hardcore/metal band online!

Jeremy Stanton- Vocals
Nick Bollock- Guitar
Josh Wolcott- Guitar
Tim Mucci- Drums
Brad Moore – Bass

http://www.reverbnation.com/theharteck

-Erik Jensen

December 23, 2011
Doug Rice, Stephanie Tupper of ARMED WITH VALOR discuss creation of band, time off to

Based out of Syracuse, Armed With Valor has seen a great amount of success in the short year that they have been performing together. As individual musicians, they are workhorse veterans that have been involved within the regional music game for years. The buzz in Upstate about this band is picking up on a daily basis. Fans of bands like In This Moment, Arch Enemy, and Walls of Jericho, will find much joy in what Armed with Valor is bringing to the table. I had a chance recently to talk to vocalist Stephanie Tupper and bassist, Doug Rice about the early origins of the band, and the promise of things to come.

Erik: It has been a quick moving first year for the band, and things have gone extremely well for you. How did the band come together out of the ashes of your previous bands?

Doug – Well, it was last fall (2010) that the band I was in with Fred and Brad (Torment the Vein) started winding down. Our singer/2nd guitarist announced that he was leaving and we were basically finishing off the shows we had for the remainder of the year. By the time we got down to our last few shows, the three of us had pretty much decided that we were NOT going to continue on with that band.

Stephanie -My band (Amelia Is Dead) was going through something similar in that right around the time TTV called it quits, we basically lost our rhythm section. We played our last show in January with fill-ins, but then things just kind of started to fizzle out afterwards. I guess that was a few weeks into February.

Doug – By March, Armed with Valor had gotten a few songs together and had started discussing what we were going to do for a singer. A few days later, we had started hearing rumblings that Amelia had broken up, so I called Stephanie up immediately. Our bands had played a few shows together in the past so we already had a bit of a working relationship. I basically just told her that we were doing something COMPLETELY different from our old band and wanted her to come check it out. Likewise, she also wanted to try something different from her previous project, so… we sent her a recording of one of the songs. She showed up 2 weeks later with some ideas and by the end of practice, that was that. Offered her to join right then and there and Armed with Valor was born. Spent a few months writing and hashing shit out and by July, we were just dying to get out and do it. Been going pretty much balls out ever since.

Erik: Response to your EP has been really impressive in Upstate NY forums. Tell me about the recording process, and what you set out to achieve when entering the studio.

Doug : The CD idea more or less came just from the fact that we didn’t want to be out and about for long without a GOOD recording. That being said, we were also totally broke. I mean, we had all just gotten out of two serious regional bands at the time and without doing shows, we just didn’t have a lot of dough for the process. Luckily, my friend Matt Corey and I had been discussing doing some recording for a long time previous. I basically negotiated with him to see what he could do for us, discussed it with everyone and decided to do a 3 song demo/EP.

Stephanie – We all decided on 3 songs not just because of the money situation, but more to the point, we REALLY only had about 4 songs that we felt great about. We basically just took the 3 that best went together and went with those. Ironically, the three we used turned out to be our “lightest” songs. It wasn’t totally by design, it just kind of happened. Regardless, we had already been recording and re-recording stuff for months in Fred’s basement as we were writing, so we had already kind of been doing pre-production all that time. It was a pretty simple process. Matt was awesome to work with. Just went in and got it done. Tracked the three songs in three days.

Doug – Yeah, we think it turned out great. We talked with Matt a lot about what we wanted to do with it and how we wanted it to sound and he just nailed it. For a three song demo, we couldn’t be happier… especially considering that we hadn’t even played our first show at the time.

Erik: You are spreading out rather quickly within the scene. Tell me about the bands that have you played with, and the brotherhood you have formed with many of them? What impresses you most about the scene?

Doug – Yeah, we’ve tried to get back out and into a lot of the areas our old bands used to play frequently. We’ve tried to reconnect with some of the bands we used to play with in those previous projects. Oddly in just the short time we were away, some of those bands didn’t even exist anymore… or they don’t quite jive with what THIS band is doing now. That being said, we haven’t had any problem making new friends.

Stephanie – Probably what impresses me most about the scene is it’s diversity. I mean, a lot of the bands do SIMILAR styles, but most of them find a way to make it their own somehow. That and the pure caliber of a lot of the bands out there is super high. There are some absolutely amazing young bands out in the area that play way above their years. On the other hand, you’ve got some real veterans out there that continually raise the bar and set an example.

Doug – We have had the good fortune to play with some awesome bands already in our short time out. As I said, some of our friends we’ve been able to get hooked back up with are going strong. Nine Round, is one of those veteran type bands that really brings it. Cry to the Blind, is getting ready to release a new record and they’re sounding great. Then you’ve got, Neon Guillotine, out of Cortland. Young from both the band and individual standpoint, but immensely talented. Divot, a three piece out of Elmira, is really great. Razed in Hell, is extremely young, but one of the most promising bands in the area, I think. Bruce Campbell, Made in China, Walking With Titans… the list goes on and on.

Erik: I understand that you are taking some time off in January and February, what do you have in the works during that time frame?

Stephanie – Uh, not too much. LOL. I think the most important thing is writing. Basically, since we got to the point where we started doing shows, we just haven’t found the time to be as focused in our writing process and making new music. We’re REALLY picky so it’s not easy.

Doug – Some bands can shit out a song in one sitting. I wish we could do that. I suppose on the positive side of it though, we’re really able to come up with stuff that sticks, I think. I mean, sometimes we catch ourselves and are like, “Are we overthinking this?”, but most of the time if we’re all digging it by the end we’d like to think that others will too.

Stephanie – Yeah, so writing and really just taking a little break. We’ve been going nonstop since July, so a recharging of the batteries doesn’t hurt either. We want to be even better when we come back out by the end of February.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5U_ggxeiPxc&w=420&h=315]

Check out Armed with Valor-
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/armedwithvalor

-Erik Jensen

December 23, 2011
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 28^th 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

December 21, 2011
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

December 21, 2011
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 31^st. 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

December 19, 2011