NYS Music 20​17

Author: Steven Smith

  • Hearing Aide: Suffocation ‘…Of The Dark Light’

    We all have heard of the many wonders of New York City. From the beautiful architecture of the towering skyscrapers to the world famous restaurants for those who desire nothing but the best in taste bud stimulation. But beneath the beauty of this majestic place lurks something ugly, distorted, and heavy; death metal! N.Y. has always been a generator of some of the best death metal bands since the birth of the genre. From bands like Immolation and Mortician, this city bleeds for it’s death metal community.  Now with the release of Suffocation’s latest blistering piece, ….of The Dark Light, it shows NYDM will never die!

    Suffocation Of The Dark Light…Of The Dark Light (via Nuclear Blast)  is the eighth studio album from the NYDM legends. This is a long awaited follow-up from the band’s crushing 2013’s album Pinnacle of Bedlam (via Nuclear Records). Recorded at Full Force Studio with the expertise of Joe Cinecotta, you can bet those walls were rattling like a crazy mother from those devastating sonic assaults. Just by looking at the magnificent artwork cover by Collin Mark, the design will catch your attention. It features a beautiful humanoid in a dark blacken blue abyss, slowly becoming one with the unknown. You can just feel the hairs stand on end when you look at this artwork, knowing it will be one hell of a journey. The album starts off on a highly aggressive and technical foot with the track “Clarity Through Deprivation.” You can hear the quick precision from both Terrance Hobbs and Charlie Errigo finger work all across this sonic barrage!  It proves the young bands still can learn a few things from their death metal ancestors in perfect timing and song construction.
    Like most old-school death metal fans, I need some deadly grooves to get my rotten corpse moving in the pit. Lucky for us, groove is not forgotten on this little gem! We have the track ‘Return To The Abyss’ to have you breaking some bones. This song is powered by the blood, sweat, and sacrifices of Eric Morotti (drums) and Derek Boyer (Bass) with their enriched flavor of rhythmic sauce! From the very start to the dreadful end, the track will make your neck muscles spasm and will cause one hell of a head rush. Prepare that icepack after blasting this beast!
    Frank Mullen’s vocals are still more intense and demonic than any singer I know in the death metal genre. His vocals all over this album are perfectly executed with so much testosterone and energy, especially on the tracks “…Of The Dark Light” and “Return To The Abyss,”  it will melt your face so much that even Leatherface will need a backup!
    With the legends in extreme metal going strong like Obituary, Cannibal Corpse, and Dying Fetus still vomitting out great albums, death metal will never die! I give this album 5 tombstones out of 5. Check out the band on tour right now and pick up this album at your local store or buy it through the official band site and to check out the tour dates for a show by you!
    Key Tracks: Clarity Through Deprivation, Your Last Breaths, …Of The Dark Light

  • Hearing Aide: Danzig ‘Black Laden Crown’

    You find yourself in bed with the wind screaming outside your bedroom window like a banshee. Shadows dancing and morphing into sinister shapes upon the walls . Indeed the world is different once the warm embrace of the sun abandons us in the hands of the unknown abyss. Demons both of man and out of this world come out to play. Seducing  the weak and creating nightmares that no man should ever experience, but there will always be some who seek out these dreaded apparitions. For them there is a soundtrack that catches the beauty of the night, I am speaking of Danzig’s 2017 release Black Laden Crown (released via Evilive Records). Here is another album review for those who love all things metal and dark!

    Black Laden Crown is Danzig’s first original album since 2010’s release of Deth Red Sabaoth. The album features Glenn on vocals as usual and Tommy Victor behind the devil’s axe. You have Johnny Kelly, Joey Castillo, Karl  Rokfist, and Dirk Verbeuren featured on this release for drumming sessions on the album. Recorded at East West Studios in Hollywood, California, Danzig once again generated his own brand of metal mixed with blues with the help from the undead! The track that really sets the mood for the album is the first single, “Devil On Hwy 9,” which first premiered on Full Metal Jackie’s show Whiplash on April 02, 2017. This song starts with a strong, straight for the throat blues-induced attack. The guitar solo by Victor and the slow bass playing really creates that sense of becoming dangerous for the listener. The drumming on this track by Castillo is a savage skull beating, which no man can help but feel the tribal need to go out on a hunt. With the lyrics being so simple and addicting, fans will imagine themselves behind the wheel on a forbidden highway with demons flying by and cursing through the night. With Glenn’s vocals being so raw and deeply disturbing, it gives the track a real element of morbid obsession.  A perfect song to drive late at night. Just make sure you keep your eyes on the line!

    With “Devil On Hwy 9” being such a direct approach of pure danger and blood boiling elements, we see this element in some other songs like “But A Nightmare” (Dirk on drums). Now we all do love Danzig for his slower stuff as well. I am a blues and a metal fan at heart, but sometimes the slower songs can be much heavier in terms of approach compared to the aggressive counterparts. With the second single “Last Ride,” it has that eerie sensation running down your spine as if death is waiting for you to greet him in your blacken room. It is very much in the veins of Black Sabbath and The Doors with the slow bass line and  a wall of sound from the experienced mixing hand of Chris Rakestraw, which helps develops the vibe of the track.  You see this same direction on the final track on the album, “Pull The Sun.” These two songs contain so much dismay and loathing  you will find yourself drinking to these tunes at the bar with your friends. Pray that it is not your last drink my friend!

    This album is a solid release from start to finish. This album is perfect for both metal fans and blues fans. With so much influence from past and new releases, this album is in my top ten of favorite albums to be released  halfway through 2017. This album gets 4.5 out of 5 stars in terms of production, lyrics, and imagery. If you haven’t picked this beauty up, then you are missing out on something that is both dark and beautiful. Pick it up now through the  Danzig official site.

    Key Tracks: Last Ride, Devil On Hwy 9, Pull The Sun

  • Hearing Aide: Mastodon ‘Emperor of Sand’

    With 2017 underway we already have seen so many great releases in the metal world. We had Kreator’s Gods of Violence, Obituary’s self-titled album, and even Overkill with their thrashing hit The Grinding Wheel. Now it is time for perhaps the most anticipated sludge and progressive metal album this year. If you are a fan of those genres then you know exactly which album I am speaking of! Mastodon’s seventh studio album Emperor of Sand released March 31 has given many people a metalgasm! Might need to clean yourself up after checking out this album review.

    mastadon Emperor_of_sand_coverEmperor of Sand (released via Reprise records) is a follow up from the band’s 2014 hit Once Around The Sun (released via Reprise). This album has started an uproar since it was teased with such singles like “Sultan’s Curse” and “Show Yourself.” As the clock hit midnight and my phone notified me it was ready to be viewed on Google Play Music, damn skippy I played it as soon it was ready for my puny mortal ears to binge on. The album continues the progression the band has been going with for sometime with more audible vocals approach and a more lean guitar sound. It has created a great energy of soothing jams like “Show Yourself” and “Steambreather” taking center stage for this formula in perfect harmony. The combination of Brent Hinds and Bill Kelliher’s vocals really shows the band’s strong suit making catchy song structures while keeping the skilled technical foundation strong. This album is perfect for those who enjoy bands like Red Fang and Baronness. American sludge progressive metal bands like these are slowly taking over the metal scene once again.

    Sure the album may have some mellow songs, but these guys still know how to get some sweet aggressive playing going on. “Clandestiny” is the dose of heavy sludge that the doctor ordered! With the great drumming work of Brann Dailer and the bass playing from Troy Sanders it is one solid heavy sludge tune. It is for the fans that need some progressive in their life mixed with some heavy licks to get them stoned or drunk. Hey perfect tune to try to drink the Mastodon beer to! Cheers! This album is pure awesome with a side of bad ass and it will quickly climb to the top of the metal charts and hard rock. It would not shock me if it becomes the number one release in it’s genre. I will put money on that! You can say all you want about the boys, but they will always remain a steamroller force of pure genius!

    This album gets a solid 5 out of 5 from Black Metal Steve. Go buy the album from your local record store or from the band’s website.

    Key Tracks: Show Yourself, Sultan’s Curse, Steambreather

  • Hearing Aide: Obituary ‘Obituary’

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  • Hearing Aide: Havok “Conformicide”

    Remember the days when music used to have some kind of aggression towards the normal and mundane of everyday life of conformity? Everyone is dressing, speaking, and even thinking the same. It can literally numb the senses to some human rights which we never knew which are robbed of like free speech and the removal of censorship.

    Havok ConformicideFrom the old muckrakers back in the day exposing the dangers of child labor in the factories, this type of political awareness has taken many forms and music has become the biggest medium to voice opinions on such issues. In the metal world, the genre that comes to mind being the most activist driven is no other than the monstrous force of thrash! Taking the most controversial subject matter in the media and turning it into an audio masterpiece can be difficult.  There is one band in the modern age of metal that pulls no punches when creating such volatile music, I am speaking of which the beast from Colorado, Havok, and with their new album dubbed Conformicide, it is time to break down the system with this album review. Get ready for one hell of a ride!

    Being the band’s forth studio album, Conformicide, delivers one of the best modern thrash albums to come out so far in 2017. Along with Kreator’s Gods of Violence (released via Nuclear Blast) and Power Trip’s Nightmare Logic ( released via Southern Lord), Havok’s latest release is adding their own special flavor to the genre. The boys did extremely well with their 2013’s release Unnatural Selection (via Candlelight). With it getting such great reviews from the old schoolers and new fans to the thrash genre, the band is showing absolutely no signs of taking the foot off the gas pedal. The album starts off with “F.P.C,” a rebellious hymn against the horrors of censorship and loss of free speech. The song starts off with a very funky bass line from Nick Schendzielos and a beautiful acoustic guitar riff  which helps to set you up  for a major beating of your senses. Combined with the groove induced drumming of Pete Webber, you will find yourself protesting in front of your local government building in no time flat with your faded battle vest as your flag of anarchy.

    My personal favorite track on Conformicide, which goes for the throat with jaws wide open, without a shadow of a doubt is “Dogmaniacal”. If you want something that is heavy and speaks about how the modern world is these days, look no further. This track addresses the violent  nature between the different religious sects in such a way you can feel the anger run through you body as the violent chugging with hypnotic shredding from both David Sanchez and Reece Scruggs on guitar  unmasks an ugly truth of human life. I listened to this song the most as it is the most addicting piece on the album in my honest opinion. There has been many times I was in the break room at work giving myself whiplash, but hey if this song doesn’t cause you to become a wind-turbine, I have no idea what will! In the next couple weeks I can this song being the favorite among the other tracks on this release; Sweet!

    Indeed the band first two albums Burn (released 2009 via Candlelight and Time Is Up (released 2011 via Candlelight), had their own type of  style that differs from  the band’s last two releases, but this album does have a great set of songs that combines both eras of the band styles. Tracks like “Intention to Deceive” and “Masterplan” combine the shredding aspects of Burn and Time Is Up with the more grooved oriented workings of Unnatural Selection, it will be ear candy for the fans who want the best of both worlds! This album for me is my favorite from the guys of Havok. I have not stop listening to it since I got it at the Soundgarden in downtown Syracuse, NY. If you think thrash is dead guess again! With Conformicide you are getting the same aggression the forefathers created in the 80’s, but with more of a powerful message as well a new approach. The thrash revival moment is gaining strength bands like Havok making waves leading the charge. Time to thrash one more time!

    I will give this album 4.5 stars out of 5 stars. It is a solid album from start to finish. If you have not picked it up yet you can get from your local record store or at the band’s page. Keep on thrashing!

    Key Tracks: Dogmanicial, F.P.C,  Masterplan

  • Hearing Aide: Battle Beast ‘Bringer of Pain’

    Imagine this scenario if you may: you are about to enter an epic battle of man vs the world. You have your leather wrist bands and your battle vest prepared for combat. The boots are all laced and ready to kick up the mud. Deep inside you know something is missing. What could it be? Suddenly the answer came from the metal gods, a wicked and powerful soundtrack to capture the energy of a true warrior. The battle hymn of choice goes by the name, Bringer of Pain from Finland’s own Battle Beast! Today we shall fight for the metal.

    Battle Beast Bringer Of PainNo strangers to the way of steel, Bringer of Pain, is the fourth installment to be added to the band’s ever growing discography. This follow up from their 2015 release Unholy Savior (via Nuclear Blast) and my personal favorite Battle Beast (2013 via Nuclear Blast), they once again present their own unique brand of heavy and power metal to the metal masses. The vocal approach by Noora Louhimo will capture the hearts of the male fans and inspired many females lurking in the genre to take up the horns. With such powerful tracks like “We Will Fight” and “God of War,” they will ignite a flame inside the listener  that will burn brighter than any other star in the sky. The guitar work of Juuso Soinio and the drumming of Pyry Vikki will remind you of Odin’s eight hooved horse galloping to crush the enemies of metal. You will find yourself doing your battle cry as you raise your sword or roll a d20 while playing DND, as each soaring guitar solo with the help of bone crushing war drum makes the opposition tremble before you. Critical hit; victory is yours.

    When it comes to power metal, you know there will be some songs that hit you hard straight into your soul. The track on the album that puts the emphasis of emotion is the very passionate song “Far From Heaven.” The vocals mixed with the guitar skills of Vikki and Björkroth created a masterpiece of melody and melancholy resonance. I am a big scary looking guy and let me tell you, this track makes me feel like a hopeful teenage boy again; simply beautiful. I do admit this is my personal favorite from the new release. Another track that has a wonderful executed dread-filled painted landscape is “Lost in Wars” which features Tomi Joutsen (Amphoris). His deep sorrowful vocals mold a dark picture where a world lost all hope and light because of man’s own doing. It will send chills down your spine with the bass playing of Sipilä giving the song as if it was a funeral dirge. I do see this song  becoming the most popular one on the album in the coming weeks as well as help the band grow their devoted fan base.

    If I could give this album a rating, it would be a solid 5 out of 5. You may order it from the band’s page and your local record store. Buy it and together we will fight with Odin!

    Key Tracks: Bringer of Pain, Lost in Wars, We Will Fight

  • Hearing Aide: Overkill “The Grinding Wheel”

    It is already the second month of 2017 and it is already showing this year is the year of the thrash! With Kreator’s Gods Of Violence and Sepulutura’s Machine Messiah released in January, both are perfect examples why the genre will never go down without a fight. Now it is time for another thrash/speed heavyweight to show the spirit of cheap beer and denim is still alive. I am speaking of course of the mighty Overkill with their latest album, The Grinding Wheel, released via Nuclear Blast. Time to give this giant a well deserved review.

    Being the eighteenth studio album from Bobby “Blitz” and the boys, it is safe to say these veterans of the genre know what makes the name Overkill so great. A great follow up from White Devil Armory (released 2014 via Nuclear Blast), this album has their brand of metal written all over it. The groove aspects of D.D Verni (bass guitar) and Derek Tailer (rhythm guitar) gives the album many memorable tracks. The most dominant tracks on the album that showcase their type of approach are the tracks “Come Heavy” and “Red White and Blue.” With “Blitz” vocals, you will find yourself singing along while the general public just stares at you. Let them stare! You are a thrasher. These tracks just keep you bobbing your head more than a headbanger from “Brütal Legend”. It is called heavy metal.

    Another key element of this album are the 80s classic thrash riffs that makes you wanna toss your friend in the circle pit while you hold his beer. You totally got it dude! The single off the album, “Our Finest Hour,” is the powerhouse staple that drives the aggression from start to finish on this shred-tastic release. The machine gun style drumming of Eddy Garcia, always keeping up the groove and the pace of the song, is like a kick in the jaw. . Every snare and cymbal hit sounds as if a storm is coming over the horizon. You might as well get a mouth guard while listening to it. It is a a non-stop ride of pure danger, but we know you love the abuse.

    There are so many tracks on this work of art which which will keep you windmilling for days. It is safe to say this album will constantly be blasted by those who are thirsty for the glory days of American thrash. Prepare those neck muscles. This album gets a 4.5 out of 5 stars. Pick it up now via Nuclear Blast or at your local record store.

    Key Tracks: Come On Heavy, Our Finest Hour, Red White and Blue.

    Overkill is currently on a North American tour w/ Nile, Amorphis and Swallow The Sun.
    Overkil. Hitting up Clifton Park at Upstate Concert Hall on September 3rd, 2017.

    For all concert check the band’s page. http://wreckingcrew.com/Ironbound