The Meltdown 2.40

New music from Anberlin, Propaganda, Number One Gun, True Liberty, and Rhema.

Propaganda - Crimson Cord

It's no secret that I think Humble Beast is the top of the Christian hip-hop food chain. Each release stabilizes and cements the labels place to go for real, quality hip-hop. Propaganda's Crimson Cord is another gem in a stacked discography.

I was in love with Prop's collaboration album with Odd Thomas (Art Ambidextrous) and I was so excited for Excellent... But Excellent was underwhelming. I liked a lot of things about the album, but it just didn't hit me as this great piece of work the same way Art Ambidextrous did. Yet I was still excited for Crimson Cord. Something felt different in it's release. There was an air of expectancy surrounding it, and that translated to me being excited for the album.

There was a passion and an intensity about Art Ambidextrous that just seemed lacking on Excellent. But it's back on Crimson Cord. From the start, the album's spoken word opener, You Mock Me, is vicious and painful, powerful and honest. There's an overcoming that's been birthed in pain that shines through the track. Which carries right into the album's title track. The beat isn't complicated and almost hidden in the background as Prop spits vicious verse after vicious verse. There's a subtle change in tone as the hook hits. It's not catchy like a pop song, but the theme and repetitive nature of the hook will stick in your ears.

Daywalkers is a bouncy upbeat song that features Lecrae. And when I say upbeat, I mean in tone and for the record. Because there's a bitterness on all of the tracks on Crimson Cord. Musically the song is upbeat and redemptive. Make has a 90's vibe that's extremely compelling and draws you in to what Prop is saying on the track. Bored Of Education is one of those angry, political, change needs to happen songs that I loved so much about Art Ambidextrous.

The hope in the pain within songs like I Ain't Gave Up On You Yet, Framed Stretch Marks, and Three Cord Bond make you trap for the lyrics to see what Prop is trying to convey. You can hear raw honest pain. Not always a pain in that life has gone wrong for him, but a pain that people don't always see there beauty. Songs like those, plus the honest questioning in tracks like How Did We Get Here are what make Crimson Cord such an interesting a compelling listen.

Tell Me Yours closes out the record. It's Prop's story. Everything from his salvation to his love for hip-hop and dealing with racism. It's his thank you to all the people who shaped him into who he is today. It's a beautiful way to close the record.

Crimson Cord is a powerful record. Lyrically heavy, but it;s beautiful and the honesty in Propaganda's lyrics are compelling to the listener. Musically interesting, at time old school, and overall Crimson Cord is a masterpiece.

You can download Crimson Cord at http://www.humblebeast.com/downloads/propaganda-crimson-cord/

Flesh and Bone to Release Sky Flying By's "Can You Say It With One Word?"

New label, Flesh and Bone Records, have announced that their first release will be Boston's Sky Flying By's ep Can You Say It With One Word? The ep was originally released independently last year but the re-release will include a new track called Detour. The album will be available on black and silver swirl cassette tape (50 only) in June, but you can stream and download a digital version of the album now at the label's bandcamp page (http://fleshandbone.bandcamp.com). 

RIYL - Sigur Ros, Olafur Arnalds, Mono, Caspian

The Meltdown 2.39

Music from Fine China, mewithoutYou, Mortification, Doug Burr, Tiffany Thompson, and much more!

True Liberty releases new album "Give Me True Liberty or Give Me Death"

True Liberty announces the release of their fifth album “Give Me True Liberty or Give Me Death!”   The new album includes three new original studio recordings plus 16 greatest hits recorded live.  Firmly committed to living their beliefs, this album documents the band in all of its spiritual passion and fury.  The live portion of the album was recorded at Destination Central, on February 10, 2013, in Colonial Heights, Virginia, several months prior to Aaron Liberty’s departure with his family for full-time missionary service to the people of central Costa Rica.  An awe-inspiring, resolute call for unity and service to others for God’s glory.  

The track listing is:

1. Loud and Proud

2. Unite

3. Standing Tall

4. God's Gonna Cut You Down (Live)

5. Revolution (Live)

6. Here to Stay (Live)

7. Suicide King (Live)

8. Fist Fight In the Dirt (Live)

9. Put It to Death (Live)

10. Broken Dreams (Live)

11. Johnny B. Goode (Live)

12. Ball and Chain (Live)

13. To the Front (Live)

14. Take It Back (Live)

15. Lost (Live)

16. Unite (Live)

17. Just a Sinner (Live)

18. Amazing Grace (Live)

19. Summary (Live)

Purchase copies of the CD from the TPR webstore:  http://thumperpunkrecords.storenvy.com/collections/35134-all-products/products/7093949-true-liberty-give-me-true-liberty-or-give-me-death

Rhema Joins OnTheAttack Records

OnTheAttack Records is pleased to announce that Rochester, New York, based Rhema is the latest to join the OTA family of bands.  Stylistically, Rhema is a hybrid of sorts, layering elements of often dark, emotional hardcore over early metallic hardcore.  At times fast… at times emotive and angst- ridden.  Always powerful.  Lyrically, Rhema deals with difficult issues and raw personal struggles of band members with an unfiltered and sometimes painful honesty.

Formed in August 2013, Rhema features Jonathan Barefoot (guitars), David McPherson (vocals), Caleb Barefoot (drums) and Adam Kramer (bass).  Rhema has plans to enter the studio in the coming months for a full scale release later this year.

Rhema
https://www.facebook.com/Rhemasfhc

Download a free copy of the band’s debut 5 song demo EP at:
http://rhemasfhc.bandcamp.com/album/2014-demo

The Meltdown 2.38

New music from New Empire, Artifex Pero, and more. Plus tracks from Mxpx, Dogwood, and Alert.

The Meltdown 2.37

New music from Propaganda, Ethan Luck, No Punk Influences, The Overseer, and more

“Chainsaw The Musical” Joins OnTheAttack Records

OnTheAttack Records is pleased to announce that Missouri-based hard music band Chainsaw The Musical has joined its roster.  Defying conventional description, Chainsaw The Musical stands on the musical shoulders of metalcore delivering creative yet filthy guitar hooks, passionate vocal passages, and thunderous precision and pace from bass and drums.  

“We felt that Chainsaw The Musical was the perfect addition to our growing roster,” said OnTheAttack Records.  “Passionate.  Purpose-filled, heavy hardcore. Much like what you’d expect if your favorite heavy math-rock band also had a sense of poetic whimsy.  We’re looking forward to supporting the band as they prepare for their full length debut album later this year.”  Chainsaw The Musical features Steven Hackworth (vocals), Austin Williams (guitar), James Davis (bass), and Jon Waggoner (drums).

Chainsaw The Musical
www.facebook.com/ChainsawTheMusical

Download a free copy of the band’s debut demo EP “The Beauty of Absolution Above All Things Is Bittersweet” at (http://chainsawthemusical.bandcamp.com/album/the-beauty-of-absolution-above-all-things-is-bittersweet).

No Punk Influences - Fight Within

Old school punk seems to be on the rise. No Punk Influences is old school. Bring to mind bands like The Crucified (when they were punk), Officer Negative, and Bad Brains, Fight Within will get your blood pumping and your mosh pit rocking.

The raw grit in the record only adds to the old school feel of the record. More Than Conquerors starts with the band introducing themselves before inciting a mass riot in the pit. If that didn't get things rocking, One By One picks up the pace just slightly for full on circle pit action. Evil Dead changes rhythm without losing speed. But it's not just fast, gritty punk. No Punk Influences has created a soundtrack that at any moment you can leave the pit, work your way to the front of the stage and sing-a-long. The chorus to Evil Dead is super catchy, and the hook of yelling "smash" on Smash Hit is sure to be a fan favorite. Pull Us Through includes a dancey breakdown, that adds a fun elements.

Fight Within is fun. It's great old school punk. But it's not just shallow, fun punk. The heart and message in the lyrics also remind me of the Crucified and Officer Negative. That sold out, Christ centered message, delivered with honest aggression.

No Punk Influences is instantly one of my favorite bands on Thumper Punk Records. Fight Within isn't flashy, but it's punk. And it has everything that got me in to punk in the first place. Moshy, catchy, fast. A great debut!

You can pick up Fight Within at https://thumperpunkrecords.bandcamp.com/album/fight-within

Ethan Luck - Hard Seas

Ethan Luck's been busy. In between all his work on the road as a tech for Kings of Leon, Luck has found a way to pretty steadily release a stream of EPs. Following Wounds & Fears and Greetings From the Garage (Luck's cover EP), Luck has released Hard Seas, an EP of songs about his struggle with anxiety. (You can read about the EP here)

As much as I've enjoyed Luck's work up to this point, Hard Seas is my favorite of the three EPs. Less on the country western vibe (although it's still there) and more on the punk/Social Distortion vibe.

The opening track, At Least I'm Yours, is an upbeat punk influenced tune with a positive spin. It's Luck feeling grateful for his wife (possibly God, who knows). That in the midst of chaos and anxiety, he has a rock that's standing beside him. It's a great track. Can't Sleep Sound is more biting and bitter in tone. A mix of punk fury, country twang, and some spanish guitar flair, all mixed with Luck sounding more pained than I've ever heard him sing before. When I Let You Down is the true country song on the album. Acoustic guitar with the driving country rhythm on the snare drum creating a classic country sound. The intro to Crooks and Kings is a little weird, as it sounds like Luck is having trouble picking up the rhythm of the guitar strum for the song, but by the time the verse hits, the song is beautiful. Just a great ballad. Very Social D. Set Free is almost this cry for help. The desire to put the anxiety and pain behind him. A sense of hurt and pain but you can feel hope in the chorus.

Another great EP from Ethan Luck. I'm sure this won't be the last.

You can download Hard Seas at http://ethanluck.bandcamp.com/album/hard-seas

The Meltdown 2.36

Music from mewithoutYou, Jesus Wept, The Dingees, My Epic, and more.