Rock And Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2014 songwriter Yusuf Islam (formerly known as Cat Stevens) is streaming his latest album Tell ‘Em I’m Gonehere. The album which was Co-Produced by acclaimed producer Rick Rubin will drop October 27.
This marks Yusuf Islam’s first album since 2009’s Roadsinger. Tell ‘Em I’m Gone is a mix between original material and covers.
As previously reported, Yusuf Islam is embarking on the “Peace Train…Late Again” Tour. The tour will start overseas in Europe in November, but will reach the United States in December at select cities. No dates in New York as the New York City show December 7th is cancelled. Closest stops from the Upstate NY region will be December 1st in Toronto, December 4th in Philadelphia, and December 7th in Boston.
Yusuf Islam released the following statement on his official website:
“Unfortunately I will not be performing in NYC this time around but I am looking forward to playing for fans in Philadelphia on December 4 and hope to return to NYC at a future date. My fans will understand and I thank them for informing me about the extortionate tickets prices already being listed on some websites. I have been a longtime supporter of paperless tickets to my shows worldwide and avoiding scalpers. Unfortunately NY has a state law that requires all tickets sold for shows in NYC to be paper, enabling them to be bought and sold at inflated prices. I’m sorry about not being able to now play in NYC but hope to find an opportunity that aligns with my support of this issue in the near future, God willing. Looks like the Peace Train is going to arrive at New York a little bit later than expected.”
North American tour dates as follows:
Dec 01 • Toronto Massey Hall
Dec 04 • Philadelphia Tower Theatre
Dec 07 • Boston Wang Theatre (New Date)
Dec 09 • Chicago Chicago Theatre
Dec 12 • San Francisco Masonic Auditorium
Dec 14 • Los Angeles Nokia Theatre
Dopapod axe-man Rob Compa motions towards the left side of Rochester’s Water Street Music Hall’s floor -“Right there! As a kid, I stood right there and watched Umphrey’s McGee play.”
Rob’s hometown enthusiasm (Rob is from East Rochester) would carry through a blistering two set/multiple encore night that even Light/Sound man extraordinaire Luke Stratton proclaimed on Twitter as “Best show of the tour so far!” – and that dude sees every show. 2014 has been a rocket ship year for Dopapod – filled with top festival spots and packed shows – and their performance on a warm Fall night in ROC-city showed abundant proof why.
Before the aforementioned Dopa-storm occurred, two other excellent performances would foreplay the crowd nicely. Stereo Nest – a one man looping experience project by multi-instrumentalist Collin Jones (also of Ocupanther and Haewa) – played an energetic set of organic jamtronica fusion as the floor filled up and got the people moving. Think Keller Williams gone EDM. Only a few shows deep into existence, Stereo Nest is proving to be a force to track.
After a fast 15 minute changeover NYC’s Consider the Source came out and immediately laid into an extended middle eastern infused spooky-as-hell jam that perfectly complemented October’s arrival. Everyone stared, transfixed by the bands mind numbing instrumentation. Silence made an odd and welcome entrance throughout the crowd if only for a few fleeting minutes: People – in the rarest of occasions at a modern musical show – actually shut up and listened to the band. CTS is mental music at its absolute peak which can bring the listeners to the frayed edges of sanity. Much like an unexpected hostel tryst with a sexy debonair stranger – they might not always be exactly sure what’s going on, but they know they like it and they want it to keep going. Highlights of the set included a mash-up of “Miserlou” (popularly known as “that Pulp Fiction Song”) and the Beach boys “God Only Knows” along with a blazing outro jam replete with Star Wars teases. An apropos ending for three gentleman who have obviously attained Jedi powers.
Set-break ensued while people happily refilled their beers and rested their limbs for the last time that night. Water Street had gone a long time without the fizzy stuff due to an ownership change and it was great to throw back some brews yet again at one of Rochester’s most historic of venues. Dopapod came out with the 2009 song “Roid Rage” – a song that starts off jazzy and unassuming before barreling into the fusion/prog/rock hodgepodge typical of ‘Pods genre-wildcard style. Dopapod is one of those crossover bands that should give those fans that are music lovers but have a natural disdain for bands labeled as “jam” a reason to consider. This band is no Phish, no Dead – this band is a culmination of influences across the spectrum. Imagine if all your favorite bands played at once and you get a sense of what ‘pod is all about. As the set continued the band visited several tracks off their upcoming release Never Odd or Even – “Psycho Nature” “Hey Zeus” and perhaps one of the most epic songs ever – “FABA”. “FABA” – an instrumental which no one seems to want to reveal what the acronym stands for – typically exceeds the ten minute mark and is a dictionary level study in the science of musical contrast. Filled with more goose bump inducing air guitar raging peaks then the Alps, this song grabs the mind heart and soul and does not let go. As if that wasn’t enough, the set ended with an exclamation mark – an absolutely mm/ rendition of Black Sabbath’s “War Pigs” with all three members of Consider the Source joining the fun on stage.
At this point – being 12:30 AM on a weekday – sadly this reporter had to head to bed. The band continued with a full second set filled with some of the most revered songs according to the bands fan club – Dopafam – with enthusiastic reports on excellent versions of “Nuggy Jawson” “Onionhead” and “French Bowling” as well as a rare “Carolina” second encore that ended after 2 AM. When the ‘pod hits the area again, that next day is getting taken off.
Dopapod Set List
Set 1:Roid Rage, Trapper Keeper, Psycho Nature, Hey Zeus!, FABA, Grow, Vol. 3 #86, War Pigs* Set 2: Nuggy Jawson, Priorities->Off the Cuff->Priorities, Onionhead, French Bowling Encore: Nerds, Carolina
* Black Sabbath, w/With Gabe, John, and Jeff from CTS[FinalTilesGallery id=’26’]
Some would say that good music is fast, or energetic, or any other adjective to describe their favorite band. While some of the fastest guitar players in the world have notoriety based on their immense talent, other bands have an amazing knack of sparking an emotional response for listeners. Beartooth, on a lyrical and musical level, brings out this idea — that even if an album is simple, it can still be “good.” Especially in the metal and hardcore community, where ‘shredding’ guitars have quite the prominence, this may be a foreign concept, but some of the best metal records of all time still capture an emotional response, no matter what exactly the musicians are doing. Beartooth’s debut album, Disgusting, is a prime example.
The driving sounds of the music kick off into the leading track, aptly titled “The Lines,” a sad song about an addiction. The album came out in June, but its sounds are just now making rounds. The music is simple, but quite interesting. It will please fans of old hardcore, such as Black Flag; it draws influence from a more brash act such as Slipknot (especially “Body Bag”), as the band has mentioned; and the emotional melodies are reminiscent of bands like Linkin Park, Falling Up, and other powerful alternative acts (“In Between,” “Sick and Disgusting”). Overall, Disgusting should be praised as a strong debut and will be enjoyed by a wide variety of people both for musical and lyrical content.
“We are the sons/We are the daughters/The generation of disorder,” Shomo screams toward the end of the first track. These lyrics alone give rise to the tensity of the rest of the album. Many of the words, written by Shomo, surround personal struggles which many can relate. “Beaten in Lips,” Shomo said, is about child abuse. “This is for the kids with the beaten in lips/Whose parents try to shut them up using their fists/Keep living loud and proud/They never can hold you down.” But don’t let select positivity fool you. That same track further encourages said victims to “wipe the walls with kerosene,” and notes that “this is the sound of your children revolting,” before the rest of the band launches into a rhythmic assault.
On a musical level, this album is not dynamic. It is in your face. It is loud and vulgar. It is an example of how to write an emotional melody (especially on the chorus of “In Between”) while adding enough angry chaos through noisy dissidents close to obnoxious leads at some points. Rhythmically as well, Disgusting approaches a high level of integrity as it boarders — in a few spots in progressive influenced patterns, whereas some of it is simply fast and fight – starting. For an example, check out “Relapsing.” Further, one of the best tracks on the album for its quality, musically, and lyrically is “One More.” It’s the anthem of the album and could be enjoyed by even those who despise this genre.
From an overall view, Disgusting is a strong debut. Shomo’s gifts as a producer, lyricist, and musician are clear, but the band has room to grow. We’re looking forward to seeing this promising band evolve.
Key tracks: The Lines, In Between, One More
The album can be purchased on iTunes, in stores, and from the band.
Unearth, hailing from Eastern Massachusetts, are primed to hit the road on tour in support of their new album, Watchers of Rule, from eOne Entertainment on Oct. 27. A week before the tour started, I got the chance to sit down with the singer and guitarist, Trevor Phipps and Buz McGrath respectively, to have a fun chat about what was in store for the tour and the album.
Tour starts October 13.
Jeff Ayers: So your tour starts in a week, are you guys pumped?
Trevor Phipps: Yea super pumped.
Buz McGrath: Fully pumped, i mean, we got Darkest Hour, the realist motherfuckers in the game –
JA: Yea, can you guys speak a little bit about how this tour lineup came to be? It seems really well put together.
BG: We went through a hundred lineup changes, and everyone canceled on us, so Darkest Hour, we suckered them into it.
TP: [laughs]
BG: Then they agreed, and it was supposed to be a month, but they [could only do] twelve shows. But everyone on this tour is awesome.
JA: I actually got the opportunity to talk with Jason Keyser, the singer of Origin on their last tour, and he said he was excited to hit the road with these bands, being such a different kind of lineup.
BG: His last name is Keyser?
JA: Yea, Jason.
BG: Oh I can’t wait to meet him, I am just gonna call him KEYSER all day.
JA: [laughs] He will probably love it.
BG: Yeah, we never met them, but we are hoping to make some new friends there.
JA: I bet you will, they are great dudes. This tour is going to end with the Housecore Horror Film Festival. Were you guys on that last year, and what is that going to be like?
TP: No, this is our first time. Horror movies and heavy metal! How can you go wrong?
JA: So let’s talk a little bit about Watchers of Rule. Where did the name come from?
BG: It was originally called Breakdown Lane, but we changed it to something more epic. [laugh] But [Trevor] Phipps is going to tell you more about that.
TP: Yeah, Watchers of Rule came from the entire record being about personal experiences and current events, not politics. Watchers of Rule to me means those that have the power to watch over us, are actually the ones with the power.
JA: Very cool. I love the album artwork as well, who was the artist?
TP: That’s Richey Beckett, he is from the U.K., he did the album artwork for a band on my label IronClad Recordings, called Armed for Apocalypse, and the album was The Road Will End. It was killer cover, and everyone in Unearth liked what he had to offer, and it turned out he was a fan of the band as well, so he drew up a cover for our record.
JA: Awesome, it totally fits the sound. I listened to the whole record, and I thought you guys brought a solid full album experience on this. What is your writing process? Do you hit the studio with a ton of ideas or does it take shape in the recording process?
BG: We have a lot of it down before we hit the studio, but a lot of the ‘detail’ stuff happens in the studio while you are doing it. But ninety percent of the music is there before we get into the studio.
JA: Lyrically speaking too, do you go into an album with an overall idea lyrically? Or does that kind of morph as the music is being written?
TP: It kind of morphs as the music evolves. It is a mood a might feel with a specific song. Also though, it does reflect the past year or two before the record was written. On tour, if I come across something that inspires me, I’ll just jot down a note that might impact me at that time, and I will go back and revisit that and if it matches up how I feel about a certain song, I’ll jot down some lyrics to it.
JA: So I am sure you have been playing some of this new material out, and getting the crowd feel for it. My favorite track on the record is “Guards of Contagion”, I think that you guys bring everything that Unearth is about with that track. Is there any track you guys are excited to start working into sets?
BG: Yeah that is one of them!
TP: That is the second single that is coming out, in a month or two.
JA: Awesome!
BG: We haven’t played that one live yet, we are playing it on this upcoming tour, and it should be fun.
JA: Speaking of this tour, what’s next for you guys after this wraps up?
BG: I don’t know, do you know any bands that need someone to tour with them?
JA: [laughs] I could put the word out!
BG: Tell em Unearth is looking for gigs!
TP: We don’t have anything solid, but we will be touring on this record, so keep an eye out.
Unearth in South Africa
JA: You guys are usually busy, touring and playing as much as you can. Do you have any favorite places to play?
BG: I like Los Angeles. Just because it’s kind of shitty, and Hollywood. It’s fun to visit once a year, and be a “hollywood” band.
TP: I also like Japan. It’s like a different country there. Most countries around the world are either very American or very European, and there is something different about Japan, unique from the rest of the world.
BG: Keith Buckley put it best. When we toured with Every Time I Die in Japan, Keith said ‘If you gave a five year old girl ecstasy, and then constructed everything she rambled on about, you would have Japan.’
JA: [laughs] Wow. I love that!
BG: It’s perfect.
JA: Final question. Are there any bands that are currently in constant rotation on your IPod or whatever?
TP: The band I discovered [recently], our merch guy showed us the band Nails, and I know they have a few records out now, and they are ridiculously heavy. Very much enjoying them right now.
BG: Solid band, that is. Let me tell you about another band, called Nails. [laughs] They are so heavy. [laughs]
JA: Also, I consider myself lucky to be in this area, because there is always a budding metal scene in Albany and the surrounding areas, so I get to see a lot of great, talented bands.
BG: Do you know Ted E. Toll?
JA: Oh yeah!
BG: Good ol’ Teddy. [in a Ted impression] Hot Shit!
JA: Ha! [my impression] Have ya met my dog?
BG: Everyone has an impression of that guy! He was one of the first guys that brought us out there. I remember we showed up to Albany, and the first time I’ve been there, and he shows up with an envelope of money, to give us to play, and then gave us beer –
TP: And Oreo cookies!
BG: Yeah! Before we even played. I was like this is great!
JA: What was the venue?
BG: Valentines. We got to thank Ted for doing that for us and other bands, great guy. Great area to play.
Consider the Source has been hard at work, creating a massive three-part album that is sure to be as exploratory as the Sci-Fi/Middle Eastern Fusion band has been in their tenure together. The album, a three-disc sonic journey entitled World War Trio, will be the groups first release in four years and was successfully funded by a strong Indiegogo campaign. The trio is strategically planning on staggering the release though with disc one being released on Halloween this year and discs two and three arriving in the Fall of 2015. The first track, “Put Another Rock in That Bag (Single Edit)” is out now.
The first release will coincide with a stop in Albany, NY at the Parish Public House where they will play it in its entirety before heading to Buffalo the following night. The EP will contain a six-movement, 25-minute prog-rock epic, titled “Put Another Rock in that Bag”. For longtime fans, the EP will be a different flavor from a band that has been known to touch on various genres. This release focuses on their progressive rock side, featuring a section written by Jan Zehrfeldt of Panzerballet, while still intertwining that virtuosic fusion fans have come to love.
Today, the band released the single, “Put Another Rock in that Bag, pt. 1”, which displays a preview of the six-part beast that is looming in just two short weeks. After listening myself, I can say that Consider the Source has taken a CONSIDERable step forward in terms of composition, talent, and overall cohesiveness. Visit their site here to download the single right now for free! And if you just can’t wait for your browser to open another site, click the YouTube video below to watch now featuring cover art from the new album.
If you want to catch Consider the Source on tour this Fall, check out their tour dates below:
10/31 – Albany, NY – The Parish Public House 11/1 – Buffalo, NY – The Waiting Room
11/4 – Lansing, MI – The Loft
11/5 – Kalamazoo, MI – Shakespeare’s Lower Level
11/6 – Covington, KY – The Madison Theater
11/7 – Chicago, IL – Tonic Room
11/8 – Indianapolis, IN – The Mouse Trap
11/9 – Columbus, OH – Scarlet and Grey
11/12 – Harrisburg, PA – The Abbey
11/13 – Baltimore, MD – The 8 x 10 11/14 – Brooklyn, NY – The Knitting Factory
11/15 – Northhampton, MA – Pearl Street Nightclub
11/20 – Portland, ME – Big Easy
11/21 – Boston, MA – The Church
11/22 – Providence, RI – The Spot
11/28 – Greensboro, NC – The Blind Tiger
11/29 – Knoxville, TN – The Concourse
12/2 – Boone, NC – The Local
12/3 – Greenville, SC – Gottrocks
12/4 – Greenville. NC – Peasant’s Pub
12/5 – Asheville, NC – New Mountain Theater
12/6 – Savannah, GA – The Barrel House South
12/7 – Charleston, SC – The Pour House
12/10 – Boca Raton, FL – Funky Biscuit
12/11 – Jacksonville, FL – 1904 Music Hall
12/12 – Longwood, FL – Hourglass Brewery
12/13 – Tallahassee, FL – Side Bar Theater
12/14 – Dunedin, FL – Dunedin Brewery
12/17 – Atlanta, GA – Terminal West
12/18 – Raleigh, NC – Southland Ballroom
12/20 – Philadelphia, PA – Ardmore Music Hall 12/31 – Kerhonkson, NY – Rock N Roll Resort “The Ball Drop”
OK Go, the American alternative rock group, performed in Upstate New York on Tuesday Oct 14th in support of their new album, Hungry Ghosts. Upstate Concert Hall was their only stop in New York and was lucky enough to host their unofficial release party as their new album launched that same day. The Capital District crowd was eager to hear the alternative rock pop group as cheers started with the lights dimming on two huge screens on stage. Short video clips of famous pop culture scenes were cast on the screens with the only words being said: ‘OK’, ‘Go’ and the musicians names, frontman and guitarist Damian Kulash, bassist Tim Nordwind, drummer Dan Konopka and keyboardist/guitarist Andy Ross.
The quartet started the night with “Upside Down & Inside Out”, a slamming song that channels everyone’s inner Miley Cyrus with screaming lyrics “Can’t stop, won’t stop” with a massive rainstorm of confetti and smoke. Tuning into their classic surfer punk song, “You’re So Damn Hot” before smashing into “Writings on the Wall”, an upbeat groove with a build up of explosive laser sounds and steady vocals. OK Go celebrated hosts WEQX on their 30th anniversary and gave thanks by performing the electrifying cosmic funky song “I Won’t Let You Down” which can often be heard on their station. New song, “Obsession”, is more of a dark pop with hushed vocals, deep bass and lighthearted cowbell. The bright and colorful melody of “This Too Shall Pass” caused a crowd singalong reminding those of their past performance at Tulip Fest 2010.
“This next song requires my phone cause we are nerds like that” Kulash said as he began to record the crowds various orchestrated stomps and claps to create a unique beat box breakdown. OK Go and guests didn’t prepare to blow out the PA system but that didn’t stop Kulash from diving into the middle of the crowd with his acoustic guitar for a cutesy ballad surrounded by the glow of cell phones. With everything back up and running, OK Go wasted no time gearing up the crowd again with “Get Over It” and “Skyscraper”. The set ended with sincere harmonies and classic rock guitar solos from “Turn Up The Radio”. The crowd demanded more and OK Go quickly returned for a humorous acoustic performance of “The Confrontation” from Les Miserables. The night ended with their original hit and climactic “Here We Go Again”, aka ‘The Treadmill Song’ as fans were invited on stage for a organized mess of a closer.
An OK Go show is just as entertaining and unpredictable as their music videos if not more. My new dream job is to be the person controlling the nonstop confetti storm throughout the entire night, which is also biodegradable. These musicians are scientists of sound, using every physical object to create original and fresh music. They are very personable, taking breaks between each song to tell jokes, stories, beard advice, pose for pictures, etc… OK Go put a tremendous amount of effort into their show performances with big smiles on their faces. You can stream their new album, Hungry Ghosts for free on YouTube, Spotify or Soundcloud. CD’s are $13 and vinyl is $25 on their website, with instant MP3 downloads included.
Check out OK Go’s latest music video, “The Writings On The Wall” from their new album, Hungry Ghosts.
Every rocker/ninja’s favorite band, Kung Fu, kicks off its fall tour this weekend and Upstate New York gets two of the first three shows.
The Fu will provide musical therapy to Baltimore, whose Orioles just fell a step short of the World Series, on Thursday night. Friday, Kung Fu brings their high-octane funk fusion to Syracuse’s Westcott Theater before wrapping up the weekend at The Hollow in Albany on Saturday.
Like every great funk outfit, the band has a bassist, Chris DeAngelis, who will send vibrations through your bones and shake up your soul. Each show gets more than slightly Stoop-ed as Todd Stoops handles the keys and Robert Somerville will be center stage crushing the tenor sax. Adrian Tramontano is absurdly relentless on the drums and Tim Palmieri, who just added a newborn ninja to his family last week, rounds out the band on guitar.
If you’re not following Kung Fu on Facebook yet, you’re missing out. Earlier this week, the band offered free tickets and 10% commission to volunteers for manning its merch booth all weekend. Wednesday, Stoops took to the social media site to give away free tickets to anyone who asked — no contest or duties involved.
For more information or to check out Kung Fu’s new album, Tsar Bomba, visit the band’s website.
Tickets to Syracuse’s show can be purchased here. Click here to purchase Albany tickets.
And in case you can’t catch them this weekend in Syracuse or Albany, the band is heading to Western New York later in the tour for a stop in Buffalo on Nov. 13. Click here for tickets to their show at The Waiting Room.
Southern rockers Drive By Truckers will perform at The Egg Performing Arts Center on Sunday, October 19th at 7:30 PM as part of the American Roots & Branches concert series.
Drive by Truckers boast a mix of Southern pride, history, folklore, politics, and character studies and have quickly risen to become one of today foremost alternative country-rock bands. This will be their debut performance at The Egg in support of their new, critically acclaimed recording English Oceans. Read a review of Drive by Truckers’ latest album English Oceans by Garrett K. Woodward.
Tickets are $29.50 and are available at The Egg Box Office at the Empire State Plaza, by telephone – 518-473-1845 – or online.
Drive by Truckers start things off in NYC at the famous Beacon Theater on Friday, then head to the Electric Factory in Philadelphia this Saturday before making their way north to the Capital Region. For the full tour schedule, check out the bands website.
Cut Chemist, founder of Jurassic 5 and helped to form the Grammy winning Ozomatli, with his 7″ size record partner Josh “DJ Shadow” Davis have added dates to their current “Renegades of Rhythm” tour. This “vinyl-only” tour honoring Afrika Bambaataa’s influence on hip-hop’s beginnings is spreading to new markets through November in the U.S. and Canada. The big news is the DJs are using Bambaataa’a actual vinyl collection for this tour.
Their performances are garnering critical acclaim, especially the two sold-out tour openers at Irving Plaza in NYC with Bambaataa in the audience while they spun beats from his legendary vinyl collection. Rolling Stone recently gave high praise for the turntablists, saying “Deep into their September 4th set at New York’s Irving Plaza, as DJ Shadow bent over his spread of turntables, cueing the next sequence of beats, his partner in spin, Cut Chemist, gingerly lifted a piece of 12-inch vinyl from one of his decks and held it aloft, like a round, black equivalent of the Ten Commandments. He had, in fact, just played a religious object.”
The list of new dates is expansive and includes stops at The Town Ballroom, Buffalo on 11/11 and The Westcott Theater in Syracuse on 11/10. Check the deets and beats at their websites, DJ Shadow and Cut Chemist. There is a ton of info available on each, both historical and the story of Bambaataa’s influence to them both as it’s being told through this tour.
Nov. 6 – Pawtucket, R.I. – The Met
Nov. 8 – Montreal, Quebec – Corona
Nov. 10 – Syracuse, N.Y. – The Westcott Theater
Nov. 11 – Buffalo, N.Y. – Town Ballroom
Nov. 14 – Pittsburgh, Pa. – Mr. Smalls Theatre
Nov. 15 – Charlottesville, Va. – Jefferson Theater
Nov. 17 – Athens, Ga. – Georgia Theatre
Nov. 20 – Winnipeg, Manitoba – Garrick Centre
Nov. 21 – Saskatoon, Saskatchewan – O’Brien’s Event Centre
Nov. 22 – Edmonton, Alberta – Encore at WEM
Nov. 23 – Calgary, Alberta – Flames Central
Nov. 25 – Oakland, Calif. – The Fox
Unearth has remained present in the metal landscape for over fifteen years. This has everything to do with their work ethic, constant touring, and producing quality albums for that entire time. Their newest record, Watchers of Rule, is another incredible heavy masterpiece from this band that has consistently kept metalcore music heavy as ever.
The forty-second intro works as a bridge, dragging the listener to the top of the mountain to prepare them for the first single from the album, “The Swarm”. This track launches itself from high above the already lofty expectations from such a talented band. Incredible double guitar attacks revel in their technical prowess, but never get lost; the beautiful chaos bleeds seamlessly into crushing breakdowns with unwavering double bass drum beats. Metal at it’s best keeps the listener entertained, and Unearth does that to perfection on this record.
There are also more straightforward genre songs. “Lifetime in Ruins” is a great example of a well-worn groove with an unshakeable rhythm section, but it delivers exactly what it sets out to achieve. The nice thing about a record like this, is that you go into it believing you will get a specific type of heavy metal, and Unearth never deviates from that plan. They sing about the oncoming assault of Hell with dragons and demons laying waste to kings and their kingdoms, heavy with metaphors on life and personal experience. Their music reflects those sentiments as well, never falling away from the metalcore ethos they have carved out throughout their career. This record is a culmination of everything they have achieved thus far, and where they plan to go.
With Mark Lewis at the helm, producing and engineering this project, it has the polished feel of a well crafted record. He has worked with DevilDriver, Whitechapel, Deicide and many more, most recently producing Cannibal Corpse’s new record, A Skeletal Domain. (check out our review of that record here.) The vocals, done by up to three other members with Trevor Phipps taking lead, sit perfectly in the middle of the audio onslaught. Heavy music of this calibre is so vital in the metal scene because poorly produced metal albums lose so much of what was put into them. This record shines through and gives the listener a true representation of everything that happens between the five musicians. It will be interesting to see these songs performed live as the band prepares to embark on their next tour.
Tour starts October 13.
“Guards of Contagion” is a track that allows the whole band to bring all their tricks to the table, with unstoppable guitars blending into a heavy, sludge-riddled low-end, and vocals that eat at your core. The title track is the bookend to a record that doesn’t pull punches, and remains true to its core from the first song to the last. Just when you think you are sufficiently destroyed by all this record has to offer, “Watchers of Rule” brings everything even higher.
“They aim to save the world” the song explains, and Unearth just might achieve that with such a generous offering of brutally infectious metal. The intense precision permeates each song, but many tracks are rooted in heavy groove metal, making it impossible to keep still while listening. This record should come with a disclaimer: Listen at your own risk, for your body will not be able to stop moving. You will sing along, you will bang your head, and if you listen to this in your car, you will speed.
Key tracks: The Swarm, Guards of Contagion, Burial Lines, Never Cease
Watchers of Rule will be available from eOne Music on Oct. 27. You can pre-order the album and special merchandise here.
If you’re in the Upstate area and looking to catch these guys live, the band will be playing a show at Montage Music Hall in Rochester on Friday, Oct. 17. Opening the night will be Darkest Hour, Carnifex, Origin, I, The Breather, Black Crown Initiate, and local support from Order of the Dead. Tickets can be purchased here for $22 and the show starts at 7pm.
Rock And Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2014 songwriter Yusuf Islam (formerly known as Cat Stevens) is streaming his latest album Tell ‘Em I’m Gone here. The album which was Co-Produced by acclaimed producer Rick Rubin will drop October 27.
