Archive for current metal music

SHOTGUN CURE – METAL BAND LOOKING TO RISE AND CONQUER WITH “DEPRAVITY UNLEASHED” EP

Posted in hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal music, heavy metal news, heavy metal videos, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock music with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on June 9, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

SHOTGUN CURE – It’s always a great Metal feeling, to come across a young band of Thrashers that feed off their Old School Thrash and Metal influences and put it to good Metal use. Shotgun Cure is a Metal Band that does just this and they are doing it damn well too. Originating from Toronto, Canada, Shotgun Cure is not out trying to reinvent any Metal historic genres, instead they are grabbing the Metal torch and running with it… and I only hope they don’t stop for ‘nuthin or nobody. Sure, their five song EP – Depravity Unleashed is raw… however, isn’t that how all the legends of Metal Music used to sound like in the beginning? Plus, how often are we now hearing the veteran Thrash Metal Bands wanting to return to their roots and rediscover their raw energy they once captured and assaulted our Metal senses with?

Having a raw sound is not a negative, it’s being real and blue collar. That’s Metal. There is plenty of time ahead for Shotgun Cure to polish their outer crust a bit… just about every veteran Metal Band has done so eventually. It’s what I hear within the inner core of Shotgun Cure’s Metal that counts. A sound and feel of talent that hits me with a brick load of credibility. With influences that range from Iron Maiden to Opeth, with Pantera, Slayer and Kreator inbetween, Shotgun Cure knows about which bands to learn a thing or two from.

These guys are not looking to be hobby musicians anytime soon. Shotgun Cure brings an energy that comes across as genuine, no pretensions, with aspirations of success spilling out from the vocals and guitar of Harut Savchenko, the thunderous bass playing of James Tulloch and the furious drumming of Kyle Lecourt.

Sustainment has the riff… one that opens up this song with an uncanny reminder that all is well for the future of Metal Music, thanks to rising bands like Shotgun Cure. Add the speed guitar solo from Harut, with a pummeling bass and drums and Sustainment shall sustain any Metalhead’s attention – no questions asked. Unswayed is the 7:35 Metal epic on Depravity Unleashed, forging it’s power and Metal might upon my ears without any remorse. The guitar play of Harut swelters with Thrash enormity of Old School days gone by on Unswayed, just a fine example of how tight Shotgun Cure can play on this song.

Shotgun Cure is a song that elevates this EP to a higher level, with it’s melodic guitar leads and ever memorable riffs. It is only fitting that a standout song on Depravity Unleashed is also the name of the band. Iron Shadow is an all-out Thrash blitz that distinguishes Harut as a natural when it comes to having Thrash Metal vocals… nothing is forced or contrived, it’s all authentic to these ears. Kyle on drums makes his presence quite heard on Iron Shadow, as ballistic as he is on time. Exercise This is an exercise in raw and force driven energy that is channeled through the Metal from Shotgun Cure with no compromises… no slacking on the speed here. If one is to headbang to Exercise This, they might as well order their neck brace in advance. This song is a welcomed punishment to my senses.

The reality heard in Depravity Unleashed, is that of a band giving their all. The unreal cool thought is what the future holds for Shotgun Cure… a future that should find this Canadian Metal Band making headway not only across North America but across the Atlantic as well. Only Metal time will tell, however, as I will be rooting for Shotgun Cure all the way.

* Metal Odyssey gives Shotgun Cure – Depravity Unleashed EP 4 out of 5 Metal Fists!

It’s the younger generation of Metal Bands like Shotgun Cure, that will ensure the music we Old School Metalheads cherish, will continue to reign for decades to come.

Track Listing For Depravity Unleashed EP:

Sustainment

Exercise This

Unswayed

Shotgun Cure

Iron Shadow

* Check out Shotgun Cure – Sustainment – Live by clicking the cool box below… oh yeah… don’t forget to crank this Metal up LOUD too!

* You can check out more cool info on Shotgun Cure and also purchase the Depravity Unleashed EP, plus more merch by clicking the link below:

SHOTGUN CURE – MySpace Music Page

Left to right: James Tulloch (bass), Harut Savchenko (vocals & guitar), Kyle Lecourt (drums).

Stone.

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MORPHINE KILLER – A Metal Odyssey Interview!

Posted in extreme metal music, gothic metal music, hard rock bands, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal music, heavy metal news, interviews, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, rock music interviews with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on May 16, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

MORPHINE KILLER – Belle Roka is a singer and plays keyboards. Eski, he too is a singer and also plays bass, guitar and drums. These two talents combined have created what I consider to be one dynamic Metal Band… Morphine Killer. If diversity is the key to success, Morphine Killer is on the fast track. From Extreme Metal to Rock, this Stanton, California Metal Band is making some serious Heavy Music, so good in fact they caught my Metal attention with ease. Add in the pluses of contagious enthusiasm for music, a deep respect for Classic Rock and the roots of Rock ‘N’ Roll, Belle and Eski have the discipline, skills and foresight to make Morphine Killer soar.

With their 2009 EP releases of Unapologetic and Nightmares, a brand new single Throw It All Away released in March of 2010 and a new album to be released towards the end of this year, Morphine Killer is steadily building a credible catalog of Heavy Music. I caught up to Eski and Belle recently, as they took the time out of their hectic schedule to chat to Metal Odyssey. Here is what they had to say:

Metal Odyssey: Where and how did Belle and Eski cross musical paths?

Belle: We met through mutual friends. It was right away, that we began talking about music, Eski said he could record me and I said great!

Eski: Both of our musical projects were coming to an end, so it just made sense and felt right that we should make music together.

Metal Odyssey Note: Eski’s two previous bands were Reckoning Day and Honor The Fallen. Belle’s previous music project was Xob.

Metal Odyssey: Your band name Morphine Killer just screams Metal, how did this name come about?

Eski: Originally, when there was no name for our band, I was looking at song titles, like Nightmare and In Silent Agony. Then we went with Morphine Killer. In Silent Agony was just too depressing!

Metal Odyssey: Is your new single “Throw It All Away”, which Rocks the hell out me by the way, a prelude to an upcoming album or EP?

Eski: We’re finishing up on a full length album now, with a release date towards the end of the year. There will be ten or eleven new songs on this album and Throw It All Away is included on it. We never considered putting any of the songs from our two EP’s on this upcoming album, it just would not sit right with us.

Metal Odyssey: Yeah, I’ve seen so many bands over the years do just that, put a previously released EP on a future album. It’s like paying for the songs twice if your a fan.

Eski: I agree.

Metal Odyssey: Does Eski and Bell agree to disagree?

Belle: We don’t always agree, most of the time it all gels together and in the name of music it’s totally worth it.

Eski: We have a song that is slower than anything that we have ever done, more of a ballad, that’s on our upcoming album. The slow ones, those are the songs you really have to work on.

Belle: To the benefit of the song, we work things out.

Metal Odyssey: Morphine Killer has fused together, rather seamlessly, two separate worlds of vocals. The dark and extreme can really coexist with soothing harmony, can’t it?

Belle: Yeah!

Eski: Definitely.

Belle: We have been exposed to an underground L.A. Metal scene that has beautiful sounds of screaming and harmony together.

Eski: Out in Europe, I like looking at what Epica and After Forever have done with vocals.

Belle: We really love bringing something different to music. We wouldn’t be pushing the boundaries of music if we both sounded the same.

Metal Odyssey: “Clutching Defeat” from the “Nightmares” EP seems to be the heaviest and angriest Morphine Killer song. Where did you draw the extreme inspirtation for this intensely great Metal song?

Eski: “Clutching Defeat” has an Old School, Thrash vibe, with a Metallica like riff. It’s a song I took on all myself. It’s a song about knowing you get defeated all the time and you are always being close to winning, then something takes it away.

Metal Odyssey: How supportive has Final Breath Records been to Morphine Killer?

Eski: That’s our company!

Metal Odyssey: Hey, great for you guys! That’s very cool.

Eski: We started this label to back our own stuff.

Belle: It’s being entrepreneurs and we really enjoy knowing we can do this.

Eski: To be taken seriously as musicians, we have to do this and have control of our music.

Metal Odyssey: A rising band like Morphine Killer can utilize a vast array of internet platforms to gain exposure. Does utilizing the internet for promotion take away some of the stress of needing to get your name and music out to the world?

Eski: Sometimes, only there are a lot of other people using the same platforms as us. Interviews and reviews do help of course!

Belle: There is always going to be equal stress, we still have to be going to places for promoting ourselves. The internet is a fantastic gateway of course, the best gateway right now is selling on itunes. It’s the way of the future and we use the technology to our most advantage. Eski is in charge of our marketing and promotion, he’s our publicist as well. Eski is the one behind our website and Myspace Music Page. The amount of exposure Morphine Killer has generated in just two years, is remarkable.

Metal Odyssey: No one can say the two of you are lazy, that’s for sure! I give both of you enormous credit for taking charge and making it happen.

Eski and Belle: Thanks!

Metal Odyssey: “She’s Slipping Away” just resonates with emotion in both Belle’s vocals and the lyrics. Is this song about a personal experience?

Belle: Yes it is. This is a song I wrote about my Mom. She passed away a couple of years ago from cancer. It was a terrible experience, to watch someone I love so much suffer and die this way.

Metal Odyssey: I’m very sorry to hear that Belle. I’m sorry for your loss.

Belle: I wanted to really put my emotions in song for others to hear it, so people could relate. Instead of sitting around at home and doing nothing about what I was feeling and going through, I wrote this song, both the music and lyrics. I do want people to take away whatever inspiration they want from this song, fans don’t have to relate it to my personal loss.

Metal Odyssey: Eski, you and Belle are without question, multi-talented musically, the “Nightmares” and “Unapologetic” EP’s prove this. With that said, would you ever consider adding musicians to Morphine Killer?

Eski: I would like to. It would be a different vibe, as opposed to playing instruments back to you vs. a live environment.

Metal Odyssey: Eski, what is your favorite instrument to play?

Eski: I’m trying to make the bass more fun. I’m more inclined to play the bass live.

Metal Odyssey: You have posted many of your music influences on the Morphine Killer Myspace Music Page. Which band or what musician is your most personal influence?

Eski: Metallica! I especially like “Master Of Puppets”, it’s just awesome! Avenged Sevenfold as well.

Belle: I like Classic Rock. Heart and more recently, Gwen Stefani. Vocally, it’s Ann Wilson and Gwen Stefani, I love those two women! I was raised on Classic Rock because of my parents. Classic Rock was imbedded in our minds, it was the music our parents played in the car and at home.

Eski: As a kid growing up, I knew about bands like Boston and Deep Purple before I knew of Metal!

Metal Odyssey: What band or bands are you aspiring to tour with down the Metal road?

Belle: Good question!

Eski: Metallica, someday!

Metal Odyssey: Hey, there’s nothing wrong with aiming high!

Belle: Avenged Sevenfold is what Eski always says as well. Nine Inch Nails would be great!

Eski: Deathklok, just because of the way their assembled. I really admire what Brendon Small has accomplished with Deathklok, just the way he built that band.

Metal Odyssey: Where will Morphine Killer be in ten years?

Eski: Hopefully on the radio!

Belle: Oh yeah!

Metal Odyssey: Well, something tells me you will be. Especially with the talent and attitude you both have.

Stone.

* You can check out more Morphine Killer by clicking onto their official website and Myspace Music Page links below!

MORPHINE KILLER – Official Website

MORPHINE KILLER – Myspace music

LONG LIVE MORPHINE KILLER!

Stone.

 

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STYGIAN – “FURY RISING” RISES WITH SOLID, HEAVY SONGS WORTH CATCHING ONTO

Posted in Hard Rock, hard rock albums, hard rock bands, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal music, heavy metal news, heavy metal songs, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock music with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on May 14, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

STYGIAN – At first glance of this Stygian – Fury Rising album cover, one would guess the music within is Death Metal. Stygian instead, is a Hard Rock fused with Heavy Metal band, their music can go either way, depending on the song. As I hear it, Stygian’s Hard Rock and Heavy Metal is heavy in the vein of Metallica’s Load and ReLoad. This comparison sounds rather exemplary, sure, only Fury Rising is still more rough around the edges than any Metallica album from the ’90’s… and that is not a bad thing. After all, Stygian like so many bands before them, are going to be influenced by greatness such as Metallica, while trying to differentiate themselves from the pack. If I had a dime for every time I’ve read an interview of a band and/or musician who states The Beatles are their influence, I would be a rich Metalhead for certain. Metallica has taken the reins over the years… as being that influence to so many new and young bands. It’s a Metal fact of life and I’m down with it.

Some semblance of Thrash is mixed about on Fury Rising, with plenty of Old School riffs and leads of speed. Just don’t go looking for Overkill’s legendary style of Thrash Metal… (I’m only trying to dissect the sound and music style as best as I Metal can here). Overall, Fury Rising is as solid and muscular of a Heavy Metal album as they come, especially from a young band that seems to wear their influences on their sleeves. There is nothing wrong with a young band exhibiting some slices of Old School Metal in their songs.

Frank Leary on vocals and guitar does come across as the ever competent front man. His vocals have the strength and potency to make the songs on this album all the more bolder. On Fever Slide, Frank Leary adapts his vocals to accommodate this song’s tempered Rock energy, essentially a hardened ballad is Fever Slide. Patrick Hayden on lead guitar just pulls me in like a Metal vacuum, lean and mean licks abound. The song Fury Rising is a Metal attention grabber, a highlight on this album for my Metal ears and definitely my favorite.

Stygian is a band that could easily open up for Godsmack, Saliva as well as Metallica. Stygian has the sound, songs and obvious talent to keep moving forward, with all the Metal confidence in the world. Fury Rising is a fistful of memorable songs, with heavy grooves aplenty. After a few listens to Fury Rising, you just may agree with me, that this is an album that is bursting out at the seams with quality written and played songs. I look forward to hearing more from Stygian in the years to come, a band that sounds this good now can’t possibly resist striving for greatness… just like their influences.

* STYGIAN – Fury Rising, was released on February 9, 2010 on Mortal Music.

* STYGIAN means: dark or gloomy, infernal; hellish. (source: Dictionary.com)

* This STYGIAN band is not to be confused with the other STYGIAN band from the mid 1990’s, which released an album titled: Planetary Destruction, released in 1994.

* For more info on STYGIAN, click here: STYGIAN – Myspace Music Page

STYGIAN ARE:

Frank Leary – vocals & guitar

Patrick Hayden – lead guitar

Mike Stewart – bass

Steve Bacchia – drums

Track Listing For Fury Rising:

Suffer Patiently

Fury Rising

Crimson Sand

My Regret

One More Shot

Last Redemption

Unstrung Hero

The Fear

Glass Legacy

Fever Slide

Stone.

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MORPHINE KILLER – NEW SINGLE “THROW IT ALL AWAY” IS OUT NOW AND CAN’T MISS!

Posted in hard rock bands, hard rock music, hard rock songs, Heavy Metal, heavy metal bands, heavy metal music, heavy metal songs, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock & roll, rock 'n' roll, rock and roll, rock music with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on May 9, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

MORPHINE KILLER/Final Breath Records:

Released this past March, 2010, the NEW and unreal solid single from Stanton California’s very own Morphine Killer – Throw It All Away is out now and available for purchase through the following cool outlets:

* MORPHINE KILLER – Official Website

* iTunes

* Amazon.com

* ReverbNation

In my Metal opinion, this is THE song that should catapult Morphine Killer onto an entirely new level of Metal notoriety. This song for all Metal intents and purposes… ROCKS. The vocals of Belle have never sounded more alluring. She has proved to this veteran Metalhead, that she can be counted as one of the top new female vocalists in Heavy Music today. Metal be thy name.

Eski’s tireless work ethic and Metal Music prowess shines through on Throw It All Away, with extremely contagious riffs and a melodic, driving sound. The outer crust of Throw It All Away has the flavor of Old School and that makes it all the better. Polished, while still delivering the Hard & Heavy, this single is one of the best introductions to those unfamiliar with Morphine Killer. This single can easily be one of the Hard Rock/Heavy Metal songs of 2010 that fans of Heavy Music shouldn’t miss!

IF THE FUTURE OF HEAVY MUSIC IS IN THE HANDS OF BANDS LIKE MORPHINE KILLER, THEN I CAN SLEEP WELL AT NIGHT.

Stone.

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MORPHINE KILLER “NIGHTMARES” EP – UNLEASHES UNREAL METAL EXTREMITY!

Posted in Extreme Metal, extreme metal bands, extreme metal music, gothic metal bands, gothic metal music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal music, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock music with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on April 23, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

MORPHINE KILLER – released their Nightmares EP back in October of 2009, on Final Breath Records. What makes this duo of Belle Roka, ( Vocals, Keyboards) and Eski, (Vocals, Guitar, Bass, Drums) stand out is their undying Extreme Metal delivery… which is all structured and written quite well on the five songs heard on this Nightmares EP. Morphine Killer has incorporated all the dark ambiance within their heavy riffs and cyclone guitar leads… just one listen to Clutching Defeat should make the non-believers fall to their weakened knees. Eski exhalts his no compromise Extreme vocals to a prolific level of Metal Grind purity.

With Eski and Belle sharing vocal duties, it’s soft harmony and a swift, crushing extreme blow to my Metal ears that keeps me coming back for more. Morphine Killer has incorporated a mix of Metal genres into their one-two Extreme thunder strike… with convincing and serious results. I have posted the song Pride Comes Before A Fall, on April 15, 2010, realizing that Belle’s luringly tender vocals sucks me into the Extreme Metal explosiveness that their music brandishes. Listening to this Morphine Killer – Nightmares EP is like entering valley of the Extreme Metal grooves, not one song replicates the other, each Metal corner turned seems to be better than the last.

One listen to Home and I can envision Morphine Killer opening for Kittie… and that would be a killer show of Metal proportions. Can I make a fair comparison of Belle Roka to Morgan Lander of Kittie? I certainly can, despite each being unique vocalists… this comparison is a compliment to both of these Metal divas. The influence nod to Classic Rock icon Heart is posted on Morphine Killer’s myspace music page… and I can understand why, each time I hear Belle sing. What is refreshing about Morphine Killer is that they apparently are climbing the Metal ladder the old school way, with their obvious musical talent guiding them each Extreme step of the way.

She’s Slipping Away opens up with a Traditional Metal approach, doom ridden riffs and thunderous drum beats are sewn with a quaking bass that only becomes more deliriously addicting once Belle begins to vocalize the lyrics. Oh, yes, you better watch your Metal back however, the semi-growling and sneering backing vocals are evident courtesy of Eski… dark, creepy and a necessary Metal musical additive. I’m a sucker for the emotions that a keyboard can bring to music. Belle adds just this to She’s Slipping Away, with melancholy atmospherics in the background.

In Silent Agony concludes this Nightmares EP and does so with an Extreme Metal exclamation point. Eski is showcased on vocals throughout In Silent Agony, jumping out from the onset like a catastrophic furnace blast… no warning… and I’m not running, just consumed with Extreme satisfaction, Metal be thy name.

We live on a planet where there are quite a few Metal bands doing their thing and going with the flow… Morphine Killer is doing their thing alright, only their sound and diversity pushes them out in front of the up and coming Metal pack. Anytime a young Metal band creates quality songs through musical talent, while embedding slivers of Old School, I’m going to Metal endorse them to the fullest. It should not take the Metal world too long to grasp with their ears what Morphine Killer is creating here, a Metal sound that encompasses the dark and the light… which makes this Metal fanatic Extremely pleased with their discovery.

* You can purchase Morphine Killer – Nightmares EP directly on the Morphine Killer website or at Amazon.com.

MORPHINE KILLER – Official Website

Stone.

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MORPHINE KILLER – “PRIDE COMES BEFORE A FALL” – TAKE A METAL LISTEN!

Posted in extreme metal music, hard rock music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal bands, heavy metal music, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock music with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on April 15, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

Here is an up and coming Metal Band from California that crossed my Metal path on Wednesday… MORPHINE KILLER. This song you can listen to below, (by clicking on that magic You Tube box) – Pride Comes Before A Fall is from their Nightmares EP, released in October 2009. This song is heavy, with an infectious groove happening from the opening riff. With co-vocalists Belle Roko and Eski, this song shimmers with crooning and rages with Metal extremity as well. I hope you like this Morphine Killer song as much as I do… so give it a Metal listen and crank it LOUD mutha’s!!

I’ll be posting a larger review on Morphine Killer in the very near future… stay Metal tuned!

Morphine Killer is:

Belle Roko – vocals, keyboards

Eski – vocals, guitar, bass, drums

Find out more about Morphine Killer by clicking on this link below:

MORPHINE KILLER – Official Website

Stone.

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IWREASTELEDABEARONCE – “YOU AIN’T NO FAMILY” MUSIC VIDEO!

Posted in avant-garde metal music, Extreme Metal, extreme metal bands, extreme metal music, extreme music, heavy metal music, Metal, metal music, metal odyssey, metalcore music, Music with tags , , , , , , , , , , on March 24, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

IWREASTLEDABEARONCE – An Avant-Garde Metal Band, they do not disappoint on the Extreme whatsoever. Just one listen to You Ain’t No Family will prove this point… very clearly. I always like wandering regularly, into the Extreme Metal side of the Universe. IWREASTLEDABEARONCE has caught my Metal attention and I really do not know how this band could become any heavier or more extreme. Is IWREASTLEDABEARONCE the future of Metal? In my Metal opinion, nope. However, this amazingly Extreme Metal Band is gonna make a run… at being at least a part of the future of Metal!

If you have neighbors that have been really annoying you lately, just turn the volume up very high on You Ain’t No Family, with the repeat button within reach, with your house windows up. This will make anyone aware instantly, that Extreme Metal exists and is not going away anytime soon!

I hope you enjoy this song and video of You Ain’t No Family as much as I do!

WARNING: This video and song is not meant for ABBA fans.

IWREASTLEDABEARONCE released their first full-length studio album – It’s All Happening on June 2, 2009, on Century Media Records. You Ain’t No Family is on this album. IWREASTLEDABEARONCE utilizes an array of music styles, from Metalcore to mellow interludes, only the end result is still the same… Extreme Metal. Avant-Garde, yes, only very Extreme!

LONG LIVE EXTREME METAL!

Stone.

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SKYFIRE – “Under A Pitch Black Sky” Progressive Death Metal Song That Cured My Funk

Posted in black metal music, cool album covers, creepy album covers, current death meal bands, current death metal albums, current death metal music, current extreme metal albums, current extreme metal music, Death Metal, death metal 2009, death metal albums 2009, death metal music, death metal vocalists, death metal vocals, extreme metal bands, extreme metal music, extreme metal music albums, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal history, heavy metal music, heavy metal videos, melodic death metal albums, melodic death metal bands, melodic death metal music, Metal, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, progressive death metal bands, progressive death metal music with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on February 4, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

Based on the type of funky day I’ve been having, coming across the song Under A Pitch Black Sky by SKYFIRE was all the Metal elixir I needed, to get that funk out of my day. This song is from Skyfire’s 2009 release – Esoteric. Skyfire is a Progressive Death Metal Band, originating from Sweden. I first heard Under A Pitch Black Sky from a compilation CD of Metal songs, courtesy from an issue of Metal Hammer that I picked up, sometime back in 2009. (Getting free Metal compilation CD’s from an issue of Metal Hammer… or from any source, is a very cool Metal deal). I really enjoy the Death Metal genre, throw in melodic and it suits me just the same. There is the atmospheric element of Symphonic Metal heard throughout this great song. Lead vocalist Joakim Karlsson sounds brilliant on Under A Pitch Black Sky, some may equate his vocals to having a touch of Black Metal fire as well. The blistering guitars are a focal point of this song… just one listen and you shall understand my Metal glee. At the end of the Metal day, SKYFIRE is an excellent Progressive Death Metal Band for me. I hope you enjoy Under A Pitch Black Sky as much as I do… crank this Metal up and it might get the funk out of your day too!

LONG LIVE SKYFIRE!

SKYFIRE:

Joakim Karlsson – (Vocals)

Martin Hanner – (Bass & Keyboards)

Andreas Edlund – (guitars & keyboards)

Johan Reinholdz – (Guitars)

Joakim Jonsson – (Drums)

To find out more about SKYFIRE, just click on this link that takes you to their MySpace Music page: SKYFIRE

It is METAL Music and bands like SKYFIRE, that never let me down…

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SCARS ON BROADWAY – “THEY SAY” 2008 7″ PICTURE DISC SINGLE & VIDEO I’D LIKE TO SHOW YA’

Posted in 1990's alternative metal bands, alternative metal bands, alternative metal music, cool album covers, current heavy metal bands, hard rock bands, hard rock music, heavy metal album covers, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal history, heavy metal legends, heavy metal music, heavy metal picture discs, heavy metal records, heavy metal songs 2008, heavy metal videos, metal music, metal music albums, metal odyssey, Music, rock music with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on February 2, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

SCARS ON BROADWAY. Daron Malakian, (guitar, bass guitar, keyboards, organs and vocalist) and John Dolmayan, (drums), need no formal introduction, due to their legendary careers with System of a Down. The debut and self titled album Scars On Broadway was released back on July 29, 2008. The single from their debut album – They Say was also released as a 7″ picture disc back in 2008. My picture disc version of They Say, is shown below – both sides. (There is a U.K. version that is limited to 2,000 pressings, with a different image as well) (My picture disc version of They Say has no exact number to it’s limited pressing, to the best of my Metal knowledge). This picture disc was released by Velvethammer with the song licensed to Interscope Records.

As for the song itself… great song! I simply get into this song like there is no tomorrow! The lyrics of They Say basically speaks exactly how I feel about the nightly news and all the depressing information and disinformation, that is fed into the minds of people, on a constant, daily basis. Through the lyrics of They Say, Daron Malakian is honestly stating that the world’s news isn’t all peaches and cream. Lyrical reality about society can and does exist in Metal and Hard Rock songs. When expressed in matter of fact language, such as They Say, the points are driven home and are related quite easily for my interpretation. Sure, They Say Rocks hard and gets me psyched out… yet it also makes me stop to think – about the reality of the world we live in. In my Metal opinion, this song is riveting.

Check out, if you so choose, the still music video for They Say below. It is a still video, showing the debut/self titled album cover – Scars On Broadway, with this great song being played with NO lyrics being edited… crank it LOUD!

Here is what my 7″ picture disc looks like, Scars On Broadway – They Say:

Daron Malakian is pictured on the left, John Dolmayan is pictured on the right of this picture disc photo.

*This picture disc version contains They Say on both sides.

I bought this picture disc sometime back in 2008… guess where? Hot Topic. If you guessed Office Depot or Walgreens Pharmacy… you were way off.

* For more info, music, videos, news and images of Scars On Broadway, click on the link below for a direct visit to their official website:

SCARS ON BROADWAY

As for the entire debut and self titled album – Scars On Broadway, I will praise it on a future post… it’s that darn good! Here’s what the Scars On Broadway album cover looks like:

Thanks for visiting and/or making return visits to Metal Odyssey! It’s Metal appreciated, believe me.

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DISTURBED – Indestructible Metal

Posted in Album Review, cool album covers, cover songs, current heavy metal albums, current heavy metal music, current metal albums, essential heavy metal albums, Heavy Metal, heavy metal album covers, heavy metal album review, heavy metal albums, heavy metal guitarists, heavy metal music, heavy metal music 2009, Heavy Metal Reviews, heavy metal this decade, heavy metal vocalists, Metal, metal concerts, metal music, metal music today, Metal Reviews, Music, new heavy metal album, recent heavy metal albums, Vocals with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on June 7, 2009 by Metal Odyssey

main-150My wife is a loyal fan of Heavy Metal. (Thank goodness). Well, I knew this over 20 years ago before we ever married. This turned out to be quite the Metal bonus, having my wife being a fellow Metalhead. I get cool Metal gifts for my birthday and Christmas from her and she encourages and nurtures the love I have for Metal music. I am a very fortunate Metalhead to have a wife like her. Her favorite Heavy Metal band of all-time has always been Def Leppard… until I introduced her to Disturbed. (I still believe both these bands are tied for my wife’s favorite). So, as I write away with Metal Odyssey, she keeps looking over my shoulder… waiting to see when Disturbed makes it to this blog. I without further Metal ado… will give my Metal opinion on Disturbed. I feel Disturbed is an excellent Metal band. Sure, Disturbed came around during the Nu-Metal phenomenon, yet I still never would classify them as such. No matter how much I try to dissect it… Disturbed holds up as being Metal.

The debut album from Disturbed, “The Sickness”, (released in 2000), has it’s Nu-Metal appeal… regardless, I am not buying into this label. “The Sickness” for me, is a fabulous album that brought about a Metal sound that I never heard before. This sound I am talking about is truly derived from the vocals of David Draiman, I honestly have never heard anyone else sing like him. The sound effects that David Draiman belts out vocally are to me, unique. This guy can sing, I am not going to ever dispute this. The deep rooted emotion and anger has always been a believable staple with David’s vocals, in my Metal opinion. Usually a band has to do a knock out, killer job of covering a tune from years past to impress me… Disturbed blows away the original version of “Shout” from Tears for Fears. There is no comparison. Man, this song gets me Metal pumped, that is how it affects me, so shall it be. The “Ten Thousand Fists” album (released in 2005), cuts the Metal mustard for me as well. Hey, I always thought Genesis was a cool Progressive Rock band… I would give this band a listen from time to time. Then, when I first heard the cover version of “Land of Confusion” done by Disturbed – again, blown away. The Genesis original version of this song I always found to be intriguing, it is Disturbed that made it a Metal treat for my ears.

Last Summer of 2008, when Disturbed released “Indestructible”, I fell Metal victim again… the entire album was exactly what I was hoping for – the heaviest Disturbed yet. I will will say this much, without any hesitation, that “Indestructible” was one of the finest Metal albums released in 2008. Every song on this album is heavy duty and powerful, I could not endorse this album any louder than that. Dan Donegan on lead guitar is tremendously good… I cannot ignore this fact. John Moyer on bass and Mike Wengren on drums smack it down with the rhythm section, they are tremendous players as well. David Draiman sings to maximum Metal capacity too, always has. As a Metal side note, I feel it is extremely cool, that Disturbed has played for our U.S. troops overseas. To wrap this Disturbed post up, yup, I am a fan. I am not trying to sound like a fart head when I say – what is there not to like? Disturbed has released four very cool Metal albums in a row, that is quite the Metal task. Yes, music is always a personal preference, my personal belief is that Disturbed is as their newest album suggests… indestructible.

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CKY “Carver City” is diverse, macabre Metal at it’s finest

Posted in Album Review, cool album covers, current heavy metal albums, current heavy metal music, current progressive metal albums, hard rock album review, Heavy Metal, heavy metal album review, heavy metal albums, heavy metal guitarists, heavy metal music, Heavy Metal Reviews, heavy metal vocalists, Metal, metal music, metal music today, Metal Reviews, Music, progressive metal, progressive metal albums, progressive metal music with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on May 21, 2009 by Metal Odyssey

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I am hopelessly addicted to Metal music. CKY is just another reason why my Metal addiction will never cease. I grabbed, uh, bought my copy of “Carver City” – smack dab on the actual release date of May 19, 2009. You betcha. I was innocently wandering the CD aisles of Wal-Mart, minding my own business, then CKY “Carver City” came into view. I could not resist, nor did I want to try hunting down this new CKY for a cheaper price. For it was there, so shall I buy. I am a steadfast and loyal enthusiast of all Metal, that is why I am very intrigued by CKY and “Carver City”. CKY brings to the Heavy Music table a whole bunch of Metal genres woven into one. These guys are giving Metal fans something different, a change of pace, a stray from the Metal norm, in my Metal opinion.

“The Era Of An End” is heavily saturated with what I will call spooky synthesizer sounds. This is the closing track on this album, a fitting end to an overall macabre Metal work of genius. “Old Carver’s Bones” is heavy, again with sci-fi atmospherics meets creepy synthesizer music and sound effects. The vocals on this tune are enough to not make me want to walk alone at night on a deserted road. Good stuff. “A#1 Roller Rager” is more commercially acceptable, melodic and harmonious. I find this tune to be quite catchy, again different from what is currently flooding the Metal market today. The vocals on “A#1 Roller Rager” sound familiar to the style of 1980’s Arena Rock, yet I am not complaining. (I said earlier CKY is different). “Hellions On Parade”, the opening track that every Metal fan should have heard by now, (due to it being on the internet everywhere prior to the release), works it’s melodic, Metal thumping magic for me. The synthetic textures of music found here on “Carver City” are such an integral style of CKY, that without them, this Metal would not sound so good. “Carver City” is loaded with plenty of cool riffs, impressive backing vocals and heavy ambiance. Everything CKY did here musically seems to seamlessly blend together, forming an imaginative and macabre sound scape of Metal, that I cannot get enough of. The stylistic and progressive theme that CKY ventures into on “Carver City” makes me appreciate this total package here. As a side note, the artwork on the front/back cover and inside the liner notes are perfect, this art fits right into the “Carver City” theme and musical environment. This is a cool, new, Metal album to own for the Summer of 2009 and beyond.

Now I want to call out the names of these guys – they get a gigantic Metal thank you from me for creating “Carver City”: Deron Miller on lead vocals, guitar, bass, moogs, orchestration * Chad I Ginsburg (CIG) on lead guitar, bass, moogs, orchestration and backing vocals * Jess Margera on drums * Matt Deis on bass. RoadRunner Records has yet another amazing Metal band on their roster, this label knows great music when they hear it.

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