Skillet - Rise

I'll be straight with you, I haven't been a huge Skillet fan since they release Alien Youth. I loved the band's alternative/grunge self-titled debut. When the band went with a more electronic sound, I was with them. Hey You, I Love Your Soul and Invincible are great records! But when the band shifted into the hard rock arena... I jumped off the train. The band's has released songs that I really like. But their albums as a whole haven't worked for me.

Rise has similar traits to the previous 3 Skillet records. Arena hard rock at it's core. And there's nothing wrong with that. I actually like the anthemic rock and roll. From the time you hit play, Skillet is offering an call to arms. The title track kicks off the record and it's sets the theme. It's time to rise up, not give up, and make a difference. The 911 call and newscast that ends the track is eerie and an attention grabber. Then the album's lead single Sick Of It hits you. A great rock and roll anthem. It's what Skillet does best.

Songs like Not Gonna Die, Circus For A Psycho, and Madness In Me are the rock and roll gems. The songs are hard hitting, rock anthems that will get arenas pumped.

Where Skillet's always lost me in the past are the ballads. They've had some solid ballads but it seems that each record gets weighed down. Good To Be Alive is pretty solid. More of a long drive in your car, summer time ballad than a true heart wrenching ballad. American Noise is more of what I've come to expect from Skillet. Piano driven verses with a big catchy hook.

After Madness In Me we get mostly ballads. Skillet breaks it up with My Religion. My Religion is an interesting, old school, swing type rock song. It's completely different from anything I've ever heard Skillet do. It's a fun/interesting song.

Rise has some of my favorite Skillet songs since Invincible and I love the big rock songs. But the ballads weigh down the back end of the album. Skillet fans will love Rise. I just wish Rise had a couple more arena rock anthems.

August Burns Red - Rescue and Restore

I like August Burns Red. As I said when I reviewed Leveler, you know exactly what you're getting when you listen to ABR. That's not a negative. The band is consistently good. And while I've never been blown away or would consider myself a huge fan, I genuinely like August Burns Red.

Rescue and Restore is another solid outing for ABR. It's their signature brand of metalcore but the band takes the new elements from Leveler and adds to them, continuing to grow and mature.

It's songs like Treatment, which features a beautiful string quartet "breakdown" and Creative Captivity, which is more of a ballad than any of the band's previous work, that are real standout tracks and make you listen extra carefully. Spirit Break is my personal favorite song on the record. It feels like a hit song.  I can't explain exactly what it is, but when I hear it, it sounds like a hit.

The record on a whole is fantastic. There's great technical guitar and drum work, as there always is. The guitar solos are nice and tasty. And Jake Luhrs' vocals and lyrics are as strong as they've always been.

August Burns Red is one of the most consistent band's in metal and Rescue and Restore is another gem in a solid discography.

Extol - Extol

The return of Extol is nothing but I a good thing. How could the metal legends returning not be?

The band's self-titled new record is perfect. The only way to come into listening to Extol was to know that it was going to be a great metal record and that's it. Not hoping for Undeceived part two or a reprise of The Blueprint Dives or anything in between.

Extol is the next progression. There's more groove than anything the band's written previously. And that groove kicks in right on the album's opener, Betrayal. Peter Espevoll's vocals sound great. And the cleans on the chorus add a great element. The return of Ole Børud on guitar is welcomed and his solo and Betrayal is fantastic. Open The Gates is a fun song (can Extol be fun?) that features a very Queen sounding hook. The guitar solo on Wastelands is beautiful. There's a hint of classic Metallica on Faltering Moves and Behold the Sun brings back the Queen inspired vocals. The band even brought back some classical elements and darker tones that made Undeceived such a killer record (on Extol and Unveiling the Obscure). 

Extol's return is every bit as awesome as I could've hoped for. The band has stepped forward and progressed their sound once again (which is to be expected after the layoff), but they still produced an excellent metal record worthy of being in the great Extol discography. Older metal heads like myself will love Extol's return. And I think younger fans will also connect with this record. 

Extol's back!!

The Meltdown 121

New music from Skillet, Flyleaf, Norma Jean, Listener, Platoon 1107, and more.

Sigur Rós - Kveikur

Sigur Rós continues to amaze me. I loved the band's 2012 return, Valtari. It's was a beautiful ambient, minimal record. I was shocked, but more so excited, to see that the band was following that record up so quickly. And when I heard Brennisteinn, my jaw dropped. Had Sigur Rós gone metal? Obviously that statement is ridiculous but Brennisteinn is what I imagine Sigur Rós attempting to be metal to be.

So what would the rest of Kveikur sound like?

In short... Brilliant. Amazing. Beautiful. Everything we've come to expect from Sigur Rós and more.

The pounding darkness that is Brennisteinn opens up the record. It's dark and gritty but Jonsi's vocal shine through like the light at the end of the tunnel adding this depth of beauty. It's like being lost in a dark cave and someone turning on the flashlight to reveal the beauty all around you.

Overall, Kveikur will appeal to the fan who's missed the lush, building suspense from Takk and ( ). Kveikur has more peaks and valleys than the band's previous work. There's more drama. Hrafntinna follows Brennisteinn. It has the same dark undertone but without that glimpse of light. The song itself is less overbearing. Where Brennisteinn is menacing, driving and heavy, Hrafntinna is the aftermath. It's surveying the destruction from Brennisteinn. In continuing that theme, Ísjaki would be the hope in the rebuilding. Upbeat and joyous in sound.

Kveikur is a great soundtrack that showcases Sigur Rós' dynamic ability. From the dramatic heaviness of the title track to the parade/party vibe of Rafstraumur to the beautifully sweeping ambience of Var, Kveikur has a little bit of everything.

I don't think people will be saying it's the band's best work to date anytime soon (As I think people still have a great affinity for ( ) Untitled) but Kveikur is an impressive new step for Sigur Rós.

Platoon 1107 / The Cants - Split

The Platoon 1107/Cants split is really a tale of two eps. One amazing ep and one that falls a little short.

Platoon 1107 kicks off the record and they kick it off well. Twenty Six Counts of Battery comes blazing in punk intensity and fury. Each of the band's six songs hits hard, musically and lyrically. Taking on politics and Americanism. It's meaningful, socially aware, punk rock. It's what punk rock is supposed to be. Separatist is a great closer to Platoon's portion of the record. It's the calling out of American politicians and celebrities.

And then we get to The Cants.

I don't hate The Cants songs. In fact they're quite good. It's less biting and more fun than Platoon 1107. The songs are upbeat, not quite catchy, but have a great summer time vibe.

But what bothers me is the way their songs were recorded, mixed, and mastered. If the ep was on its own, I wouldn't give it a second thought. It would just be an awesome, lo-fi punk record. But Platoon 1107's songs are so hard hitting and "polished" that when The Cants songs start, its jarring and takes me out of the record.

It's a fun record and worth picking up for Platoon's songs alone. And I do, genuinely like The Cants. I just wish these had been two separate eps and not a split...

Listener - Time Is A Machine

I think like a majority of people, Wooden Hearts turned me onto Listener. Quirky spoken word/hip-hop with a wide variety of instruments and musical accompaniment, Listener offered something different and appealing. Lyrically deep and musically interesting is always a winning combo and Wooden HEart hit home for myself and a lot of people. I think it's the same draw that mewithoutYou has. Just something askew that makes it completely compelling.

Time Is A Machine is a little more "traditional" musically speaking. It's a little more straightforward rock and roll. My comparison to mewithoutYou feels more fitting when listening to Time Is A Machine. We still get Dan Smith's unique delivery and great poetic lyrics. But the score that made Wooden Heart a fantastic listen is gone.

That doesn't mean Time Is a Machine isn't a great record. But it is different. And it took me a couple listens before I got over mourning what this record wasn't. Because the record is very good and my want for something else shouldn't diminish how good Time Is A Machine is.

Eyes To The Ground For Change and Good News First are both blistering rock songs. Good News First has a small breakdown that reminds me of mewithoutYou's Paper Hanger. Not Today is a beautifully simple song. A single guitar and Smith's voice before building to a lovely crescendo. There's something classic about the song. Very mid-90's emo. Tornado is a great description of what you get musically from the song of the same name. A whirlwind that lulls you in at calm moments before the song explodes. I Think It's Called Survival has this great punk rock fury.

Time Is A Machine is unexpected... And I think that's what Listener wanted. They delivered a fantastic rock record while keeping Smith's unique vocal stylings. It's still talk music, as the band self describes themselves, but it's a different musical direction. And it's great.

The Meltdown 120

New music from The Burial, Jars of Clay, Sainthood Reps, Heath McNease, and more.

Jimmy Eat World - Damage

I remember sitting in a car with a buddy of mine coming back from a youth group retreat my senior year of high school and him playing Jimmy Eat World's Clarity. I was instantly hooked. The beautiful melodies, the great harmonies, the catchy hooks. Everything about Clarity worked for me.

I've been a fan of the band ever since then and there's always been something about every record they've released that I've liked. From the big rock anthems of Bleed American, to the 80's pop inspired themes of Futures. Both Chase This Light and Invented had great moments of catchy hook laden rock and roll. I've never not liked a Jimmy Eat World record.

And Damage is no different.

Damage might be the closest the band has come to recapturing the magic of Clarity. In no way should you read that and assume that Damage sounds like Clarity, because it doesn't. But it was that perfect indie/pop/rock/emo charm that Clarity had. It's catchy and hook laden.It has rock songs and beautiful balads. It's everything you'd expect a Jimmy Eat World record to be. In other words, it's perfect. (...If you're a Jimmy Eat World fan).

Appreciation starts the record off on a strong note. Nothing fancy but the melody line on the chorus is beautiful and is something I haven't heard from the band since Clarity. It doesn't take long into the title track to realize that this is a special record. Damage (the song) is another hook driven piece of pop perfection. The song feels like a relaxing car drive in the spring with the windows rolled down and good friends by your side.

Well there are songs and moments the feel like they could have ended up on other Jimmy Eat World records (most notably Lean, which feels like a Futures b-side), there's an element to Damage that reminds me of Clarity. The melody to No, Never almost feels like I'm listening to a track from Clarity.

Damage is a flawless record.

Norma Jean to Release Wrongdoers on August 6th

I've stated here before that Norma Jean is hands down the best in the metal/hardcore/loud genre currently. No one's been more consistent while continuing to grow as a band.

Today the band announced that their new record, Wrongdoers, will hit stores in August 6th via Razor and Tie Records.

Norma Jean will release their new studio album,Wrongdoers on August 6^th through Razor & Tie.  The album was recorded at Covenant Recording Studios in Kansas City with producer Josh Barber and was mixed by Jeremy Griffith.   Wrongdoers is the band’s sixth full length album and their second Razor & Tie album to date. The album is the follow-up to the band’s critically acclaimed 2010 release, Meridional.

Pre-Order Wrongdoers now in various bundles that include at MerchNow  (http://normajean.merchnow.com). Available items include t-shirts, the digipak edition of the album, a poster as well as limited edition vinyl pressed in purple, blue/grey swirl and clear.  There is also an exclusive limited edition special 3.5” vinyl featuring B-sides “AHHH! SHARK BITE AHHH!”  and “Chug On Three.” 

The Atlanta based, Grammy-nominated act has sold over 416,000 combined units in the United States and are esteemed for their aggressively artful sound which has garnered critical praise around the world as evidenced by the overwhelmingly positive press that greeted the band’s previous R&T albumMeridional which Alternative Press called, “Norma Jean’s first true masterpiece.”. A.P. also named it one of their Top 10 “Essential Albums of 2010” along with naming Cory Brandan “Best Vocalist” in their MVR’s (Most Valuable Rockers) of 2010.

Wrongdoers Track List:

1. Hive Minds

2. If You Got It At Five, You Got It

3. Wrongdoers

4. Potter Has No Hands

5. Sword In Mouth, Fire Eyes

6. Afterhour Animals

7. The Lash Whistled Like A Singing

8. Neck In the Hemp

9. Triffids

10. Funeral Singer

11. Sun Dies, Blood Moon

Here's a video revealing the album artwork and a preview of some new music.

Colossus - Time & Eternal

I'm never sure what to expect when Facedown signs a new band. 95% of the time I'm on board and love the bands Facedown signs. But there's always a band or two that just doesn't do it for me (See my Fallstar review). So I always approach new bands cautiously. Even if I've heard a song I like (you always put your best foot forward, right?).

Time & Eternal is both hot and cold for me. There are moments that I absolutely love the record. But there are songs that make me go "meh". In fact, some songs are hot and cold.

I love the way Time, the album's opener, starts. A pick guitar and scattered tom hits under the vocals. Very Hands esque. But when the track fully kicks in, it loses it's appeal to me. It's not bad, but the track started different than most heavy records you hear these days. So for the song to just veer into something a little more standard is a little disappointing. But my disappointment doesn't last long but the song finishes strong. A couple times I've had to look at iTunes to make sure I was still listening to the same track.

Superficial Savior and Counterfeit Kingdoms are both deathcore... ish songs. Breakdowns and gated guitars. Neither is a bad track, but neither of them stand out in any way. Dirge is a throwaway instrumental track. Bereavement is an interesting track. The initial open isn't anything to write home about but the songs opens up slowly. First taking on a melodic hardcore feel before busting wide opening into a straight forward hardcore song. It's an unexpected and welcome turn of events. The hook hits and its the first time I'd call anything beautiful on Time & Eternal. And then we get some lead guitar. A short lead but I love guitar solos. It's a great song. The opening riff to Transgressor is quirky, almost something you'd expect from Korn... But better. The songs goes from mediocre deathcore to a great melodic hardcore hook. It's a two-sided song. It has these great, interesting elements that make the song compelling. The good outweighs the bad and makes it a killer track.

Pentecostal is another instrumental, but it's a beautiful ambient piece that gives way to a great opening riff on Beacons. Beacons is my favorite track on the record. Just a solid hardcore song. The last three songs on the album (Beacon included) is where Colossus really shines.

Time & Eternal is a reminder why the album is important. A 30 second preview of each track on iTunes or just listening to one or two tracks, or just the youtube clips, and I would've been turned off by Colossus and wouldn't have given Time & Eternal a second thought. But the album has a lot of great quirks and melodies that get lost in some of the early tracks on the record. And the last couple of songs on the record are absolutely beautiful.

Time and Eternal is worth listening to. It's worth the "effort".

The Almost - Fear Inside Our Bones

I like The Almost. It took a while but I like the band. There were moments on Aaron Gillespie's first solo venture as The Almost that I really enjoyed. There were also moments where I wasn't sure. Monster Monster was more enjoyable. And the more I've listened to the Almost over the last couple of years, the more I like the band. 

The band's third full-length, Fear Inside Our Bones, is easily the band's best record to date. It's a gritty rock and roll record. Aaron and the rest of the guys in The Almost have finally moved away from any sort of "scene" sound and have given us a straight forward rock and roll record.  


Ghost has a slow, sludgey, old school rock and roll vibe to it. The tom intro and fret hits on the guitar to open the song (and record) are perfect. While Gillespie has always sung with passion, there's something different about it on this record. There's a grit... Almost a scream, of giving it all he's got. The title track, starts with just a guitar track and Gillespie's vocals before Aaron screams and the track opens up and bursts through your speakers. I'm Down has an almost dancey guitar riff on the verse, but the song is 100% southern rock. But real southern rock. Not the southern inspired themes from Southern Weather, but actual souther rock. The Florida Sun is a beautiful ballad about renewal. It's the only none full on rock and roll track on Fear Inside Our Bones. And even than the bridge builds and crescendos nicely.

Fear Inside Our Bones is an epic rock record. It's gritty and upbeat. Songs attack you and make you listen. It's more reminiscent of Foo Fighters than anything else The Almost has done (and given the Grohl/Gillespie comparison on the band's debuts, this comparison finally works). Fans of The Almost and Gillespie will love this record. But even people who have been on the fence about the Almost, or have never liked the band previously, might find themselves enjoying Fear Inside Our Bones. It's a great rock and roll record. Who can hate that?

The Meltdown 119

New music from The Almost, The Order of Elijah, No Lost Cause, Colossus, and more.

Denison Witmer - Denison Witmer

There are certain artists that I could sit and listen to all day. Denison Witmer is one of them. Witmer's the kind of artist you buy on vinyl, put on your record player and listen to for hours while you read and drink wine. Witmer live is a similar experience. You just sit quietly with your drink in hand and enjoy yourself as Witmer serenades you with lullabies all night.

Dension's new self-titled record is his most laid back record since 2002's Philadelphia Songs (my personal favorite). It's a simpler record than Witmer's last couple of records. Not that Denison's ever released something crazy or gone way off script, but long time fans will hear his new record and understand what I'm talking about.

Ambient piano giving way to Witmer's familiar finger picking on the acoustic guitar open up Born Without Words before  Witmer's voice, drenched in reverb comes. It's a beautiful song about being yourself and not comparing yourself to those around you. Keep Moving Brother, Keep Moving Sister continues in the same vain. The song is a little more groove based (a little) but lyrically the song is about moving forward and becoming what you're supposed to be. The self-titled nature of the record is this brilliant play on words, as lyrically Witmer is addressing the issue of being one's self and moving forward.

Take Yourself Seriously closes the record. It's a song inspired by Rainer Maria Rilke's Letters To A Young Poet. Rilke is my favorite poet and Witmer does him justice. The song is beautiful with a hint of whimsy. A fantastic album closer.

In my opinion, this is Witmer's best record since Philadelphia Songs. Beautifully crafted indie folk songs with a theme of identity and being who you were created to be. An absolutely delightful listen.

Better Off Signs with 6131 Records

Better Off (formerly Friends) has signed with 6131 Records.

6131 Records have announced the signing of Nashville, Tennessee alternative indie rock outfit BETTER OFF to their label roster. The band will be releasing their debut effort, a full length entitled (I Think) I’m Leaving, via the label on August 27th.

The members of BETTER OFF are no stranger to the Nashville alternative rock scene, having played in various other projects in the area in recent years, but this new incarnation undoubtedly sees this group of musicians at their peak… or on their way to it. The album they’ve created in (I Think) I’m Leaving feels remarkably mature and developed for a debut release, sure to excite fans of a wide range of tastes. Comparisons to the likes of Jimmy Eat World, Brand New, and Knapsack seem fitting, yet BETTER OFF provide enough of their own take on the sound to create their own brand of emotional rock. These are stirring, well-crafted songs that get reveal themselves more and more on each subsequent listen.

BETTER OFF have plans for touring throughout the Southeast U.S. (dates below) with more extensive tour expected to be announced soon.

06/06 Nashville, TN @ The Owl Farm
09/02 Tampa, FL @ Ball Pit
09/03 Pembroke Pines, FL @ Talent Farm
09/05 Atlanta, GA @ WonderRoot
09/06 Chattanooga, TN @ Sluggo’s

According to Blood and Ink's twitter page this will be a joint release between the two labels. I was a huge fan of Friends' debut "Better Off Alone" and I'm pretty excited for the Better Off's debut. 

This is the band's first single from (I Think) I'm Leaving. 

No Lost Cause - NLC

When Thumper Punk announced that they were releasing music from their first ska-core band, I was so stoked. I'm a huge ska fan. I was mildly disappointed to find out it was New Jersey's No Lost Cause, a three piece ska/punk outfit. Not that I have any issue with the band, but listening to a three piece ska outfit when you're looking forward to a seven piece band with a horn section... You can see where minor disappointment comes in.

What's not disappointing is the band's debut ep, NLC. While maybe not the ska I was hoping for, No Lost Cause will appeal to fans of Value Pac, Tasty Snax, Goldfinger, and possible old school Squad Five-O fans.

Anywhere But Here is a great punk song with a catchy hook. It's a great introduction to No Lost Cause and the perfect way to start the ep. You're instantly hooked. The One Who Rescues brings in the ska upbeats and will get you skanking. The upbeats on Fight Alone have a great flange/delay effect that give the track a rocksteady/reggae vibe on the verses before the distortion kicks in and you find yourself singing along to the chorus. No Weapon is great punk song that reminds me of Officer Negative's debut record. The call and response chant on the chorus is perfect. My Strength is ska through and through. A great, danceable track that is the perfect album closer. But it's not the album's last song. No Lost Cause gives us an acoustic version of Fight Alone.

Minor disappointment turn into tons of enjoyment. NLC is a fantastic ep. It's fun music. Perfect for any summer playlist.

You can stream NLC at http://www.indievisionmusic.com/2013/05/20/ivm-presents-no-lost-cause-ep-stream/

Ark Of The Covenant - Self Harvest

To say I wasn't a fan of Ark of the Covenant's debut ep, Separation, is being nice. The Potential was there but nothing about the ep was making me a fan or had me looking forward to more music from the band.

The potential that was barely peaking on Separation really shows itself on Self Harvest. It's like I'm listening to a different band. For those worried about that statement, don't be. Ark of the Covenant is still a heavy band playing a deathcoore dominated style of music. But there's an integration of new elements and a maturity of playing together that takes Ark of the Covenant from generic scene band, to something special.

The death metal influence of Self Harvest is almost subtle but clearly there, sprinkled in the various tracks, adding flavor to the album.

Abandoned is pretty straight forward deathcore to kick off Self Harvest. Choppy guitar riffs that give the impression you're listening to a metal version of Korn. But there's an ambience running throughout the song that gives it an eerie dimension that is compelling to me for some reason. Even if the track didn't have that ambient layer, the song is a million times better than anything Ark of the Covenant released on Separation.

There's more gated guitars on the short instrumental, Fire, and I'm starting to wonder if Ark of the Covenant has anything else to show me. But Parasite comes trudging in with a solid (medium speed) blast beat. Transgressors has a killer melodic guitar line kicking the song off. Sentient's opening riff is pretty chill, in the way you'd say the Deftones are chill. The dynamics give the song this beautiful layer of sound.

Ark of the Covenant's growth as a band is evident and Self Harvest is a huge leap from where the band was on Separation. A solid record top to bottom.

The Meltdown 118

New music from Extol, Listener, August Burns Red, Eisley, and Paramore.

A Common Goal - Blessings and Battles

A Common Goal is a cool, old school, greaser punk band. The kind that always reminds you of Social Distortion. Blessing and Battles is a great easy listening record that carries a nice edge and intensity when needed.

ACG is like a punch in the face when you hit play. It's a great hard hitting song with a catchy hook. It's about as crazy as A Common Goal gets. The rest of Blessing and Battles is a solid, easy to listen to record. Frame Of Mind is a fun song about the great times in life.  Hope is a great song about how no matter what is going on in the world, there is still hope and goodness in Christ. The track starts off with news clips of terrible tragedies in the world. Musically there's a great intro lead kick the song off and a catchy chorus to help get the message of hope across. Problems has a fantastic country western slide guitar that gives it an extra dimension and adds something more to A Common Goal's sound. That's followed by Nothing Left, which is the only real circle pit punk song on the record.

Blessings and Battles is full of catchy choruses, songs of remembering the past and having hope for the future. The title of the album is a beautiful description of the lyrical content and just the nature of life. A Common Goal have done Boston proud with Blessings and Battles. A fun, laid back punk record.