Category: Special

HEAL THESE WOUNDS self titled release is determined

Albany, NY based hardcore band Heal These Wounds (Innerstrength Records) play it like they mean it. Their self-titled 8 song release (12 songs if you ask my iTunes library…what the fuck?) is 33 minutes of crunchy riffs, heavy breakdowns, gut-in-throat vocals, and some solid melodic guitar interplay.

The group finds a good balance between the Metalcore of yesteryear and the newer sounding hardcore bands of today. A great band for fans of the harder side. Though there isn’t much dynamic range in the vocals, and the music isn’t groundbreaking by any means, Heal These Wounds bring the heavy.

Overall, this recording is very good, certainly worth the $7 they are asking for it. There are a few moments when some of the tracks loosen up a bit, but pay no mind. I’d wager a guess it’s because the 5-piece puts in as much heart in the studio as they do on stage, making every attempt to destroy themselves as they tear through their songs. Something tells me if you put these guys in front of the right crowd, the ground will be a mighty shade of crimson by the time they finish up. Watch out for the UFC hopefuls in the pit during “Aurora.”

By the way, the Gary Coleman long sleeve and booty shorts with their name across the back in their merch options are totally rad, too. Smackity smackity. Check those out at Big Cartel, and give Heal These Wounds a “Like” at their Facebook.

http://healthesewounds.bigcartel.com/

https://www.facebook.com/healthesewoundsny

-Greg Allis

December 24, 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
WHERE THE OCEAN MEETS THE SKY calls it quits

There was sad news announced yesterday in the world of underground metal. The New Jersey based phenomenon, Where the Ocean Meets The sky, has decided to part ways as a band. In a post made on Facebook, the band made the following announcement:

“In case you missed it yesterday. With a heavy heart I must say that this band has broken up. I started this band with Marc 5 years ago and I never dreamed it would take me this far. We’ve toured through 2 countries and 27 states. Met countless amazing people and had the best fans in the world. You guys made our dreams come true. Thank you so much for your support. We will be having one or two final shows that we will be announcing shortly. Also, below you will see a link to the final song we recorded. It’s unmixed/unmastered, but enjoy it. We love you all. We never would have amounted to anything if it wasn’t for all of you. Goodbye my friends.”

The final song that WHERE THE OCEAN MEETS THE SKY recorded together was Beggars and Kings. Even in it’s raw unfinished studio state, this is a great representation of the power that the band brought to the table.

To hear the track, check out this link: http://soundcloud.com/imblakemartin/beggars-and-kings

-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
RISE TO REMAIN announce debut release and as well as their first U.S. tour

RISE TO REMAIN has teamed up with Revolver Magazine to launch all four of the band’s music videos in the US. The four videos will appear on RevolverMag.com with the first video for “The Serpent” up now. The music video for “The Serpent” can be seen here. The three other videos for “Nothing Left”, “Power Through Fear” and “This Day Is Mine” will be launching on January 3rd, January 10th and January 17th, leading up to the release of RISE TO REMAIN’s debut album, City of Vultures on January 24th

City of Vultures , the Century Media Records debut delivers twelve electrifying tracks with the US edition including two additional bonus tracks, as well as all of the band’s videos as an exclusive download. In support of the release, RISE TO REMAIN will be coming overseas for their first ever US tour. Heading out with MACHINE HEAD, DARKEST HOUR and label-mates SUICIDE SILENCE, the tour lasts for a little over a month beginning on January 15th and wrapping up on February 18th. A full list of dates can be seen below.

Tour Dates with MACHINE HEAD, DARKEST HOUR, SUICIDE SILENCE
1/15/2012 – Denver, CO @ Summit Music Hall
1/17/2012 – Sauget, IL @ Pop’s
1/19/2012 – St. Paul, MN @ Station 4
1/20/2012 – Milwaukee, WI @ The Rave Ballroom Grounds
1/21/2012 – Royal Oaks, MI @ Royal Oak Music Theatre
1/22/2012 – Chicago, IL @ House of Blues
1/24/2012 – Columbus, OH @ Newport Music Hall
1/26/2012 – Portland, ME @ The State Theatre
1/27/2012 – Montreal, QC, Canada @ Metropolis
1/28/2012 – Toronto, ON, Canada @ Sound Academy
1/29/2012 – Buffalo, NY @ Town Ballroom
1/31/2012 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Stage AE -Indoor Stage
2/1/2012 – Baltimore, MD @ Rams Head Live!
2/2/2012 – Philadelphia, PA @ The Trocadero
2/3/2012 – New York, NY @ Best Buy Theater
2/4/2012 – Worcester, WA @ The Palladium
2/6/2012 – Norfolk, VA @ The NorVa
2/7/2012 – Charlotte, NC @ The Fillmore Charlotte
2/8/2012 – Atlanta, GA @ The Masquerade
2/10/2012 – New Orleans, LA @ House of Blues
2/11/2012 – Houston, TX @ House of Blues
2/12/2012 – San Antonio, TX @ Backstage Live
2/13/2012 – Dallas, TX @ House of Blues
2/16/2012 – Tucson, AZ @ Rialto Theatre
2/17/2012 – Los Angeles, CA @ The Avalon
2/18/2012 – San Francisco, CA @ The Warfield

-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
SHOW REVIEW: Ominous Seapods @ Valentine’s – 12/17/11

For potentially the last time, the Ominous Seapods were together again back at their old stomping grounds in Albany at Valentine’s on New Scotland Ave. Forming in 1989 and breaking up in 2001, the band has had reunion shows here and there in recent years, performing at moe.down in 2009 and various locales in Upstate New York. But this may be the last time as co-founder and guitarist Dana Monteith is off to Australia, so any reuniting will be long distance and difficult to anticipate, although with their recent history of reuniting for gigs, the next one looks to be years off into the future. The theme for the night was a send off and featured covers by Men at Work, AC/DC and The Angels, as well as all the hits fans would expect to hear the last time the band played, potentially ever. The beer of choice for the night was very apropos as well: Fosters oil cans.

“Since they split about 10 years ago, they’ve played these reunion shows once a year or once every two years. They hardly sound like a nostalgia act. Sure, you’re partying with friends and the sounds that you had so fun with in 1990s, but the songs have lasted. They don’t sound dated. And what really amazes me about the Seapods is that after all these years and life, you can still put these guys on stage together and it’s inherently weird and spontaneous. When they take the stage it comes with built-in surprises and opportunity for improvisational magic.” Mike McKinley, State of Mind Music

The Seapods’ crowd is older now, many in their 30s and 40s who grew up with jambands like the Seapods. When they played alongside moe. and others in the 90s, either band seemed poised to rise to stardom and although moe. has lasted as a result, it is fair to argue that Ominous Seapods would have gone the same direction. When I first saw them at Hungry Charlies in Syracuse in the fall of 1997, I wasn’t hooked, but I knew enough to pick up an album and get to know this band. In the next few years, I saw them when they came to town and connected with the music and the crowd, much like I was doing at Phish shows and festivals at the same time. Indeed the 90s were kind to jambands and incredible memories are had by many who were able to see the Seapods and dozens of other acts perform on a regular basis in the Northeast. Thus, having fans from California, Oregon, Texas, all across the East Coast and Northeast in attendance to give the band a sendoff was expected, as what stands to be most likely the last Seapods show without a follow up reuniting gig in the near future.

“The most memorable Seapods moments I can think of would be the Mimi Fishman glaucoma gig in Syracuse when Damon’s stomach got super red from a wire whisk bashing together (bellybucking) with Max; the reuniting at Gathering of the Vibes in 2005; a group of us were crowded around the stage with tears in our eyes; it was like they had never stopped playing at all. Had they not broken up, I think they would be beyond where moe is now. ” Kat Griffin, Queensbury, NY

The first set opened up with a Jet Smooth Ride to kick the show off followed by Blackberry Brandy and its refrain “I’m home again” providing an early theme to the show. After Match Maker, the band thanked the crowd and mused “Everyone come to Seapods down under”, albeit on a budget freighter, since a reunion gig there in Australia, while sounding awesome, would be one of the most expensive shows although with this fanbase, it is hard to rule even that out. Long Way to the Top was the perfect cover for the night and represented a look back at the history of the Seapods when they were on the rise over a decade ago. If I had a Smile was a grand instrumental composition before moving into a jam followed by a seamless transition into Guide to Roadside Ecology and Michael Murphy III.

“Tonight was very bittersweet; a rollercoaster of emotions, people came out of the woodwork, possibly for the last time. I think they’re leaving the door open and I will be there next time they take the stage together. I will say that the band was very tight for the very limited rehearsal they had, and that I really loved the variety of the band’s setlist, bringing songs from all points of their career into the mix! It was so awesome to see lots of old school hard core Seapods fans, some who came out of the woodwork to give the band and Dana a proper send off!! ” Rich Lemire, Albany, NY

Set 2 started with banter from Dana talking about New Years Eve at Valentines long ago with Dr. Jah and Moonboot Lover and talked about the backroom with pot brownies, Jagermeister and who knows what else before being taken down the stairs to end the night, something all who have partied at Valentines can relate to. The band laughed about old memories that fans shared during setbreak, laughing all the while before breaking into Bong Hits and Porn, picking up right where they left off. A reinvigorated crowd back in from the cold was transplanted into 1999 to the jammy number while Dana waved his guitar into the speaker for distortion. Adirondack Blue seamlessly segued from Waiting for da Bomb 2 Drop brought to the stage old friends in the form of Josh Himmelback on mandolin and Vinny Amico from moe. on drums. Buddhaful Belly mellowed things out for a short while with long, deep and spacey grooves. The funk kicked in with Your Life has been Cancelled due to a Lack of Interest and provided a sandwich of Land Down Under that was met with great enthusiasm following banter over the music towards Dana and what he will be missing (among other things, Saranac beer). Josephine’s Grand Motion had Streets of Cairo teases and the set was capped off by a 13 minute version of Leaving the Monopole, one last time.

“My favorite memory of the Seapods was ‘Rock the Vote’ in Syracuse with moe., Moonboot Lover and Ominous Seapods did ‘Big Bottoms’ on stage with Bass ass-slapping and all three bands on stage. My favorite moment tonight however was Bong Hits & Porn, which always was and forever will be my favorite Seapods song. It was stellar. ” Marcy D, Brunswick, NY

Am I Ever Going to See Your Face Again? by Australian group The Angels (google the video) was a rare and very appropriate cover for the night’s encore, which was followed up by a call back to the stage for a 20 minute foursome of songs. The highlights of the second encore included Money to Burn with a solid Another Brick in the Wall Part 2 segment led by Todd who was making faces throughout. The finale of the night, Ship, included longtime Albany promoter Greg Bell on backup vocals of “Don’t want to swim in shit no more!” The crowd and band gave Dana a proper sendoff to Australia, filing out into the streets at close to 3 in the morning.

The last Ominous Seapods show capped off a great year of live music in Albany. New Years brings Timbre Coup and Dirty Paris to Consider the Source. Over the course of two weeks, the torch has been passed from one generation of jambands to another. Happy and prosperous New Years to all the readers of NYS Music.

I had a great time, great to know people still listen to it and enjoy it.
– Dana Monteith, soon to be resident of Australia.

Setlist:
Set 1:
Jet Smooth Ride, Blackberry Brandy-> As I Stand Here Now, Match maker, Taste Sensation Overload*#, Out of Myself*, Out of myself, It’s a Long Way to the Top (If you Wanna Rock N Roll)*^, If I had a Smile-> jam ->The Guide to Roadside Ecology->Michael Murphy III, Cary Suite

Set 2:
Bong hits and Porn*, Waiting for da Bomb 2 Drop*->, The Pull from Adirondack Blue+, Anything is Possible*, Buddhaful Belly, Your Life has been Cancelled Due to a Lack of Interest*->Land Down Under**-> Your Life has been Cancelled Due to a Lack of Interest*, It’s Good to be Alive (For a Change), Josephine’s Grand Motion% -> Room of Ruins, Leaving the Monopole

First Encore
Am I Ever Going to See Your Face Again?^^

Second Encore
Money to Burn*, Sneakin Sally Through the Alley*, I Hope I Shall Arrive Soon*, Ship*@

* Todd Pasternack on guitar and vocals
# Whisk on guitar
^ AC/DC cover, Brian Mangini on lead vocals and Melodica
+ Josh Himmelsbach on mandolin and Vinny Amico (moe.) on drums
** Men at Work cover
% Streets of Cairo tease
^^ The Angels cover
@ greg bell on backup vocals

DOWNLOAD THIS SHOW HERE

December 22, 2011
BJ Carter, Michele Sestito of THE UNTOLD LIES discuss beginings, influences

The Untold Lies is based out of the fertile metal playground that is the Finger Lakes region. BJ Carter(guitar) and Michele Sestito(vocals) are veterans of the Upstate New York metal scene. BJ was instrumental in the late 90’s and early 00’s in bands such as 40 oz. Failure and Torment The Vain. Michele has been in several projects as well and is the daughter of Dave Sestito, the inventor of DLS Effects. Over the course of the last year, the band has grown into a unit that is ready to conquer the regional and national music scene at large. I caught up with BJ and Michele last week to talk about the evolution of the band.

Erik: I know that both of you come from a diverse musical background? Tell me about your beginnings in musical education through the bands you were in to this point?

Michele: I started off playing guitar for a band at the age of 13. It was an alternative rock band and it helped really develop a certain style of music I wanted to perform. I also have always been an acoustic writer and singer so I like to combine the heavy feel with beautiful music. Through the years, I have learned what sounds best with my vocals.

BJ: I also started playing guitar at 13. My first band was a cover band doing everything from Guns n’ Roses and Motley Crue to Alice in Chains and Pearl Jam as well as Metallica and Megadeth. Shortly after that band broke up I started writing more groove oriented metal riffs in my room. This lead to me being in bands like 40oz. and Torment the Vein. After taking a 5 year break, I wanted to start writing again and started getting back to my roots, but with a modern feel.

Erik: Michele, How is it growing up with someone who was very important in the evolutionary process of helping create the rock band? More importantly, how did that effect the goals you have set for yourself in the music industry in general?

Michele: It made it a lot easier. I grew up always wanting to be a musician like my father, starting at the age of 2 banging on my little piano. It really came natural to write and perform and having the great support and wisdom of a talented musician, helped me a lot. It really made me realistic and devoted to accomplishing something that people will hopefully understand and relate too.

Erik: BJ, like many musicians, the road to where you are going, compared to where you have been…can be a real carousel of ups and downs? How did the band come together originally, and what process did you go through in putting together what would become The Untold Lies?

BJ: It started off as Glenn Paddock and I jamming in his apt just coming up with riffs and a few vocals. We jammed with various singers and drummers but it took a year to complete the current line-up and get people that were all on the same page musically. Ultimately you have to all be happy with the music you are making. If one person feels they are compromising their beliefs then they become unhappy and it makes everyone unhappy. The lineup we have now is diverse in styles but we blend together better than any band I have ever been in.

Erik: You can hear a ton of influences in what you are doing. As far as the development of the sound you were looking to create, are there any preconceived ideas of what you were looking to achieve? Also, I read someone’s comment on your live show the other day. They called the band, “Evanescence with balls!“ What do you make of this good hearted comment!

Michele: Really, we as a band developed our style together, and we all have ideas which make our sound as a whole. I think if you listen to the album you will hear many different influences from one song to the next. And I love the fact that we are being compared to such a great band! We will continue to put forth our all in live shows to entertain and hopefully make great impressions.

BJ: I remember when I sat down to start writing I told myself I wanted to have the rawness and honesty of Guns n Roses, Appetite For Destruction. I figured if I aimed at that album and it came out even 1/4 as good, we were doing a good job. That is the album that made me pick up a guitar in the first place. It is also what me pick it up again 5 years after not playing at all. Being compared to Evanescence is definitely flattering to us especially since we are just starting out.

Erik: The songs you have recorded thus far that I have heard are quite mature. I am a big fan of “Undevoted.” What can we expect from the band as far as studio output in the near future?

Michele: THE UNTOLD LIES are at a creative peak and the album is almost done. I can promise some more great songs to come!

BJ: I agree. Every new song we say “This is the best one.” We are on a roll creatively and we are going to keep writing and hope to have the album out by late winter.

Erik: There are alot of bands making noise in the Upstate Metal music scene? Being veterans of this scene, what makes this area so special for the both of you? There is a camaraderie that can not be matched anywhere on the East Coast?

Michele: It’s my home. I love the people in the scene and there is such great undiscovered talent here. People just need to see! I started as a baby in this city and now I am an adult and still find so much love and support. It’s moving.

BJ: The upstate fans have always been rabid fans. They make you want to put in the extra effort live and in the studio. I got my start in high school playing places like The Rum Runner, Cooley’s and The Lost Horizon. Then after High School, making the Penny Arcade a second home it seems. I couldn’t wait to get back out and play live again. It was like part of me was dead for the last 5 years as I sat stagnant with no avenue to just let it all out.

For more information on THE UNTOLD LIES-
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TheUntoldLies11

-Erik Jensen

December 21, 2011
OPETH’s “Heritage” is a Gift

Do you want to buy a last minute Christmas gift that will challenge your near and dear fan of Metal music? No, I am not talking about Lulu, that incredibly awful piece of art rock garbage starring Metallica with Lou Reed. I am going to suggest an album by a metal band that has taken a chance that most in the genre would not dare take. Quite simply, I am recommending that you pick up a copy of Opeth’s newest record, Heritage, for your beloved metal fan.

Gone are the screams and howls of front man Mikael Akerfeldt. As matter of fact, a lot has been jettisoned and re-tooled here. Although the band still has quick brilliant outbursts of maximum crunchiness, the metal is gone for the most part. Ultimately, what the band has achieved, is taking what they have become famous for and dropping the loudness right out of the equation. Strangely enough, the result is one that works to perfection. Fans of Opeth’s rich metal driven back catalog, are having all kinds of reactions to this new album. Three camps of thinking are creeping up here: 1) Close mindedness to the new direction (a minority group at this point) 2) Unbelievable praise on the highest of levels for musical bravery and 3) People who did not dig it initially, who now understand that this is the band’s ultimate masterwork (the majority) In any case, it is a departure that is welcome and shows the band’s passion to create the best possible record that they can.

Now after getting all of the objectionable questions out of the way, it is easy to speak freely about what makes the record so timeless. It is beautifully dark, progressive, sprawling, and loud when it needs to be. The songwriting is a touch more reminiscent of the band’s overall influences. After listening to a song like The Devil’s Orchard, all I could think about was the King Crimson record, Red. It has that kind of vibe. In fact, that vibe is felt on a majority of this record. The use of Mellotron and Hammond based piano, helps paint a dark eerie landscape that accentuates the stop and start approach of attack. Also of note is the way in which the band has conceptually pieced together Heritage. It is obvious that this record was intended to be listened to in it’s entirety.

It’s a slightly old school idea but when we put out a record there are no ‘key songs.’ It’s the album that matters,” states Akerfeldt. “We’ll never have a ‘hit single.’ By no means would I want one song to be more important than another. We always put out an album and I personally enjoy listening to entire records. That is the kind of art that I like. I like bands with strong albums as opposed to just a couple of strong songs.”

There is a bottom line to this: give it a chance if you have heard it is not good. Other than Mastodon’s newest release, The Hunter, I can not think of an album that is anywhere near as good as this in 2011. Buy it as a gift, and watch your recipient try to figure out what is going on. It may take a couple of listens to let it fully absorb, but if that feeling of worth resonates…you will not hear the end of it!

-Erik Jensen

December 21, 2011
Dr. Acula Release Music Video Clip & Announce U.S. Headlining Tour with Design The Skyline

My friends over at Victory Records have announced one kick ass looking tour. You know you crave the scatter attack of Dr. Acula, so here are the particulars.

“DR. ACULA will kick off 2012 with a headlining tour across the U.S. joined by DESIGN THE SKYLINE & more. The February tour begins in Illinois and hits Seattle, Las Vegas, Houston and more, ending in Poughkeepsie in early March.

DR. ACULA is gearing up for the release of their new music video recently shot in Chicago for “Party 2.0” off of their 2011 release, Slander.

Watch an exclusive clip of the upcoming music video here.

F*ck All Your Friends Tour Dates

with DR. ACULA, DESIGN THE SKYLINE, THE DEVASTATED & IN DYING ARMS:

01/15/2012 – Baltimore, MD, US @ Sonar

01/18/2012 – Albany, NY, US @ Valentines

01/20/2012 – Franklin, NH, US @ The Meeting House

01/21/2012 – Montreal, QC, CA @ Underworld

01/22/2012 – Quebec City, QC, CA @ Cafe L’Agitee

01/23/2012 – Ottawa, ON, CA @ Cafe Dekcuf

01/25/2012 – Peterborough, ON, CA @ Red Dog

01/26/2012 – Hamilton, ON, CA @ Absinthe

01/27/2012 – Cambridge, ON, CA @ 515 Concert Club

01/28/2012 – Toronto, ON, CA @ The Rockpile

01/29/2012 – London, ON, CA @ The Music Box

01/30/2012 – Niagara Falls, ON, CA @ Q Club

02/01/2012 – S. Barrington, IL, US @ PENNY ROAD PUB

02/02/2012 – Peoria, IL, US @ The Brass Rail

02/03/2012 – Des Moines, IA, US @ VAUDEVILLE MEWS

02/07/2012 – Ogden, UT, US @ Mojo’s

02/08/2012 – Boise, ID, US @ The Venue

02/09/2012 – Seattle, WA, US @ Studio Seven

02/11/2012 – Medford, OR, US @ Music Head

02/12/2012 – Orangevale, CA, US @ Boardwalk

02/13/2012 – Simi Valley, CA, US @ Dream 118

02/15/2012 – Las Vegas, NV, US @ Hypnotic

02/16/2012 – Mesa, AZ, US @ The Undeground

02/18/2012 – Las Cruces, NM, US @ Las Cruces Events Center

02/19/2012 – San Antonio, TX, US @ The White Rabbit

02/20/2012 – Fort Worth, TX, US @ TomCats West

02/21/2012 – Houston, TX, US @ Vinyl Junkie

02/23/2012 – Clarksville, TN, US @ The Coup

02/25/2012 – Marietta, GA, US @ Swayze’s

02/26/2012 – Tampa, FL, US @ Transitions Art Gallery

02/27/2012 – Port Orange, FL, US @ Port Orange Elks

02/28/2012 – Charleston, SC, US @ Jimbo’s Rock Lounge

02/29/2012 – Spartanburg, SC, US @ Ground Zero

03/01/2012 – Virginia Beach, VA, US @ Shaka’s

03/02/2012 – Richmond, VA, US @ Kingdom

03/03/2012 – Vineland, NJ, US @ Hangar 84

03/04/2012 – Lemoyne, PA, US @ The Champ

03/05/2012 – Whitehall, PA, US @ Planet Trog

03/06/2012 – Danbury, CT, US @ Tuxedo Junction

03/07/2012 – Providence, RI, US @ PVD Social Club

03/08/2012 – Amityville, NY, US @ Broadway Bar

03/09/2012 – Poughkeepsie, NY, US @ The Loft

Listen to the full version of DR. ACULA’s recent cover of Wiz Khalifa’s “No Sleep” now.

Watch the newest video from DESIGN THE SKYLINE for “Break Free From Your Life” right here.

For more information on DR. ACULA:

http://www.facebook.com/draculaband

http://www.victoryrecords.com/dracula

For more information on DESIGN THE SKYLINE:

http://www.facebook.com/designtheskyline

http://www.victoryrecords.com/designtheskyline

– Dave Garlow

December 21, 2011