ANIMALS AS LEADERS AND THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN COLLAB

We posted up interviews with Animals As Leaders and The Dillinger Escape Plan respectively last week. But most people missed the breaking news contained within.

After wrapping up the interview with Ben (Guitarist from Dillinger), I mentioned I'd be talking with Animals As Leaders later on. With a grin, he told me to ask Javier about the project they were working on. Needless to say, my interest was piqued.

A few hours later we were in the green room with both Javier and Tosin of Animals As Leaders. You can find the interview below. But if you skip to 4:28, you'll find that Ben and Javier do indeed have a new project up their sleeves. It may not be what you're expecting but it should be pretty damn awesome regardless. It's really cool witnessing the cohesive nature of Sumerian artists and what they can ultimately create. Stay tuned for more!

"Old world Europe making babies" - Tosin Abasi

Links: Animals As Leaders Facebook // Twitter // iTunes
The Dillinger Escape Plan Facebook // Twitter // Official Website

ANIMALS AS LEADERS TALK NEW ALBUM + MUCH MORE!

We sat down with Animals As Leaders in the green room at The Fillmore last month to talk some music. I had the chance to ask a few questions about their highly anticipated, upcoming album along with some questions about side projects and Summer Slaughter. You may be pleasantly surprised by some of the details including a brand new project between Javier Reyes and Ben from The Dillinger Escape Plan. Tune in.

Links: Facebook // Twitter // iTunes

PROGRESSIVE NATION AT SEA 2014

Ahoy there! Are you a prog head? Yes? Well imagine your festival of dreams... on a boat... at sea. Ohhh yeeeah! Progressive Nation At Sea will be hitting the open water in February of next year! Coined as the "Prog Event of the Millennium", this is one you don't want to miss. Unless if you're poor like me... but even then, you don't want to miss it!

Captain Transatlantic will take charge with First Mate PSMS (Mike Portnoy, Billy Sheehan, Tony Macalpine, and Derek Shernian) and Second Mate Jon Anderson (ex-Yes). They have the finest crew possible with names such as Devin Townsend, Adrian Belew's Power Trio, Periphery, Animals As Leaders, King's X, Spock's Beard, The Safety Fire, etc.

If this is sounding like a worthy aquatic venture to you, extract further info and ye seafaring grab tickets from the Official Website!

 
Links: Facebook // Official Website // Twitter

MISHA MANSOOR AND TOSIN ABASI COLLABORATION! “PESSIMIST” AND “OPTIMIST” STREAMING

Here's a follow up to the recent Guitar World EP news.

Jaw-drop in 3...2...1...Tosin Abasi (Animals As Leaders) and Misha Monsor (Periphery) just released not just one, but 2 songs together! This probably wins news of the month! The songs are called “Optimist” and “Pessimist” and will be featured on a forthcoming compilation for Guitar World Magazine.

These two brilliant guitarists have already been working together considering they're now both signed to Sumerian Records. Misha also produced the Animals As Leaders debut album and is producing their next one. You just can't miss these new tracks. Stand by and see if there's something more to come from this incredible combo.

One of the tracks, “Optimist”, has also surfaced on YouTube. Check it out below. In any case you can listen to both songs on Tumblr here and here.

- MATTIA

Links: Periphery Facebook // Twitter // iTunes
Animals As Leaders Facebook // Twitter // iTunes

GUITAR WORLD EP - SOUNDGARDEN, PERIPHERY, THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN, ANIMALS AS LEADERS

MASSIVE collaborations here! Guitar World has brought together the masterminds behind Soundgarden, Periphery, The Dillinger Escape Plan, and Animals As Leaders for the sake of making some awesome music. Dweezil Zappa even makes an appearance!
__________________________________________________________________________________

“Optimist” – Tosin Abasi (Animals As Leaders) & Misha Mansoor (Periphery)
“Pessimist” – Tosin Abasi (Animals As Leaders) & Misha Mansoor (Periphery)
“Nanna Banana” – Ben Weinman (The Dillinger Escape Plan & Kim Thayil (Soundgarden)
“Vices” – Ben Weinman (The Dillinger Escape Plan & Dweezil Zappa
__________________________________________________________________________________

You can get the tracks as a part of an exclusive subscription offer which can be viewed right here.

Asking Alexandria's previously unreleased EP "Under The Influence: A Tribute To The Legends of Hard Rock" is also a part of the package.

Links: Guitar World Facebook // Twitter // Ultimate Sub Offer

EMG PICKUPS - PLAY THROUGH BUFFET

Big shout to the guys at EMG pickups for consistently supporting and spreading awesome music on a mass scale. Not to mention for producing sweet gear... Check their official website for more details.

Some of you have probably ran into these videos before but EMG Pickups is renowned for bringing incredible talents into their studio to do what they do best.... Check out amazing performances from Tosin Abasi (Animals As Leaders), Jeff Loomis, Evan Brewer (The Faceless), Chris Letchford (Scale The Summit), and Alex Laiho (Children of Bodom) down below and check EMG on Youtube for more!

Links: EMG Pickups Facebook // Official Website // Twitter

GUITAR PORN - PLAY THROUGH BUFFET

Here's a great collection of play throughs from a collection of great musicians. They all have a unique progressive, instrumental focus and skills that will melt your brain. Check 'em out and show your support if you enjoy \m/

Links: Animals As Leaders Facebook // Twitter // iTunes

Links: Sarah Longfield Facebook // Youtube // Bandcamp

Links: Pomegranate Tiger Facebook // Twitter // Pre-Order

Links: Outrun The Sunlight Facebook // Twitter // Bandcamp // Rogue Records America

Links: Fountainhead Facebook // Official Website // Bandcamp

THE SUMMER SLAUGHTER TOUR 2013

The line up for Summer Slaughter was recently announced and GOD DAMN this year is going to be huge! This grouping of bands is probably not what people were expecting. There's much more of a focus on variety rather than Death Metal which has its ups and downs. But Summer Slaughter is an extreme metal tour, not purely Death Metal.

The headliner this year will be The Dillinger Escape Plan! The supporting acts include Animals As Leaders, Periphery, Norma Jean, Cattle Decapitation, The Ocean, Revocation, and Aeon.

If that doesn't sound great enough, you also get to vote for the opening act! There's a poll of 18 bands that you can find on the official Summer Slaughter Facebook page. So far it's looking heavy with Rings of Saturn and Australia's Thy Art Is Murder in the lead (UPDATE - Both Rings of Saturn and Thy Art Is Murder will be on the tour).

Check out the flyer along with some music down below! We'll see you in the pit.

 

Links: Facebook // Twitter

MOST ANTICIPATED RELEASES OF 2013 - PART 3

Here is the final installment of our most anticipated releases for 2013. This is a list of five bands with upcoming albums / EPs that will most likely land in 2013. We've also included the most recent music / announcements from each group, whether from upcoming or past releases. Let us know your most anticipated releases!

After The Burial - TBA

 Links: Facebook // Twitter // iTunes

Tesseract - Altered State

Links: Facebook // Twitter // Official Website

 
Animals As Leaders - TBA

Links: Facebook // Twitter // iTunes

Protest The Hero - TBA

 Links: Facebook // Twitter // iTunes
 

Crossing The Event Horizon - TBA

Links: Facebook // Bandcamp // Soundcloud // Soundclick // Youtube 

TROY WRIGHT DRUMS

You want some ridiculous talent? Here's some ridiculous talent. Australia's very own Troy Wright has been ripping it up for awhile now, providing spot on covers via his Youtube channel and lessons for aspiring musicians. He's easily one of the best drummers without a band. Highly recommended to anyone who enjoys observing raw skill. He just released an incredible drum medley for Meshuggah's newest record "Koloss". Go ahead and watch it along with some more amazing covers. Also be sure to check out the official Wright Drums website!

Links: Facebook // Twitter // Youtube // Official Website

MESGUGGAH & ANIMALS AS LEADERS TOUR

There's a massive tour set to hit the United States and beyond very soon. Meshuggah will be tearing across North America with Animals As Leaders and Intronaut on the The Ophidian Trek 2013 (The 2nd Slightering). The tour will launch in February and run through March. The level of talent between the three bands is beyond ridiculous. Should be one helluva show. Check out music from all the bands along with a flyer and tour dates below.

________________

February 11 – Orlando, FL @ The Beacham
February 12 – Atlanta, GA @ Center Stage Theatre
February 13 – Charlotte, NC @ The Fillmore
February 14 – Philadelphia, PA @ Theatre of Living Arts
February 15 – New York, NY @ Roseland Ballroom
February 16 – Silver Springs, MD @ The Fillmore
February 17 – Boston, MA @ House of Blues
February 19 – Toronto, ON @ Sound Academy
February 20 – Cleveland, OH @ House of Blues
February 21 – Cincinnati, OH @ Bogart’s
February 22 – Chicago, IL @ House Of Blues
February 23 – Sauget, IL @ Pop’s
February 24 – Minneapolis, MN @ Mill City Nights
February 26 – Edmonton, AB @ Union Hall
February 27 – Calgary, AB @ MacEwan Hall Ballroom
March 1 – Sacramento, CA @ Ace Of Spades
March 2 – Los Angeles, CA @ Wiltern Theater
March 3 – Las Vegas, NV @ House Of Blues
________________

Links: Meshuggah Facebook // Twitter // iTunes // Animals As Leaders Facebook // iTunes // Intronaut Facebook

TOP 10 ALBUMS OF 2011 - RECAP

In the weeks leading up to the end of 2012 and our top 10 list of the year, we're giving credit to the past couple years as well. 2011 was a landmark year for music, making this list the hardest to construct so far. Without further adieu, here are the top ten albums of 2011, no shits given about whiny elitist opinions. Also check out our top 10 of 2009 and 2010.

   1   
UNEVEN STRUCTURE - FEBRUUS

This album is too good for words. It is the definition of ethereal beauty with an intelligent, heavy groove laced throughout. Uneven Structure's full-length debut "Februus" is an hour and a half long masterpiece spanning across two discs. This French musical unit put 2 years of meticulous effort into constructing "Februus", making for one of the most surreal packages to ever bless human ears. Everything about this record is perfect. There's a vast amount of ground across the uneven soundscapes for ears and brains to explore. Every single track on this album is huge and awe-inspiring. "Februus" gets the award for 2011's album of the year.

  Links: Facebook // Twitter // iTunes

   2   
TESSERACT - ONE

Tesseract's debut full-length "One" is easily one of the best records to drop in 2011. Actually almost the best. With genius level songwriting and the magical vocal work of Daniel Tompkins (now ex-Tesseract), this record excelled in every way. From the huge amounts of deep groove to the fascinating use of atmosphere within the music. All the tracks coalesce into a haunting, modern masterpiece. Ones such as "Lament", "Nascent", "April", "Eden", and the six phenomenal parts of "Concealing Fate" stand out especially. After giving this album a good listen it's hard to resist the urge to listen again... and again.

Links: Facebook // Twitter // iTunes 

   3   
TEXTURES - DUALISM

We we're lucky enough to be in the first crowd to ever see this band preform in the U.S. It was shortly before this record struck, but we got an early glimpse of the genius to come. "Dualism" is an absolutely brilliant addition to the archives of heavy music. With the addition of new vocalist Daniël de Jongh to the mix, the band really stepped up to create this work of art. Textures have already earned their place as Progressive Metal gods. This album backed up that position 110%. Huge tracks like "Arms of the Sea", "Singularity", "Reaching Home", and "Sketches from a Motionless Statue" are all reasons why this album is a modern metal classic.

  Links: Facebook // Twitter // iTunes

   4   
EVER FORTHRIGHT - SELF TITLED

Yet another modern masterpiece comes from New York City's Ever Forthright. Their self-titled debut feels far ahead of it's time. It is a technical mind fuck with serious musicality to boot. There's a very unique, ambitious feel to this record with the inclusion of jazzy segments and mind bending, chaotic, shreddy composition. Chris Baretto (ex-Periphery) even whips out the sax at points when he's not singing / screaming his lungs out. This album has a very addictive quality to it. For example, "All Eyes on Earth", "The Little Albert Experiment", and "Screen Scenarios" will have you hooked. Add it all together and BOOM! You have a classic.

  Links: Facebook // Twitter // iTunes

   5   
THE HUMAN ABSTRACT - DIGITAL VEIL

Neo-classical titans, The Human Abstract, came back stronger than ever with their third studio full-length, "Digital Veil". One of the biggest game changers with this record was the return of the classically trained, genius guitar virtuoso A.J. Minette. With his influence, this record took that classical influence and blended it with a very modern, technical sound, making for some insanely good music. "Digital Veil" is filled with aural pleasures and mind bending composition. "Complex Terms", "Digital Veil", "Horizon To Zenith", "Faust", and "Holographic Sight" are some great examples. All in all, "Digital Veil" is a must listen.

  Links: Facebook // Twitter // iTunes

   6   
VILDHJARTA - Måsstaden

To start with... THALL. Needed to get that out of my system. Hailing from Sweden, Vildhjarta's full-length debut "Måsstaden" was one of the most evil, heaviest, strangest metal records ever conceived \m/ It is one helluva experience to say the least. Packing in coldly calculated musical segments with a deadly edge, the sensation of just being surrounded by this unnaturally heavy music is an experience within itself. Some highly recommended tracks include the lethal "Dagger", updated "Traces", heavy edged "All These Feelings", and eeevil "Benblåst". If you managed to miss out on "Måsstaden", you need to get some thall in your life... now.

  Links: Facebook // Twitter // iTunes

   7   
FALLUJAH - THE HARVEST WOMBS

Californian Death Metal innovators Fallujah were a must for this list with their legendary record, "The Harvest Wombs". This extreme metal experience is easily one of the best to come out in 2011 with it's face smashing edge and impressive display of musical command. Fallujah has the ability to seamlessly transition from heavy as hell Death Metal segments into an explosion of utterly beautiful, inspiring music. There are several "holy shit!" moments on this one. A couple examples can be found in the tracks "Alpha Incipient", "Cerebral Hybridization", "The Flame Surreal", and "Assemblage of Wolves". Highly recommended \m/

  Links: Facebook // Twitter // iTunes

   8   
ANIMALS AS LEADERS - WEIGHTLESS

After the godly Animals As Leaders debut, the band took a side step that almost no one expected in "Weightless". This album is an experimental tour de force which moved away from their original "djent" influence and brought out amazing results. It's hard to imagine this music was actually written by human beings as it offers a virtuosic detour into previously unexplored grounds of extreme technicality, fusion, and out of the box songwriting. "An Infinite Regression", "Odessa", "Do Not Go Gently", "Isolated Incidents", "Cylindrical Sea", and "Weightless" are just a few of the incredible experiences on this album.

  Links: Facebook // Twitter // iTunes

   9   
PROTEST THE HERO - SCURRILOUS

Protest The Hero is a god damn insane band. The high level of talent here is hard to believe. And just like the massive "Fortress", "Scurrilous" delivers on so many fronts. From the seemingly constant shredding and next level musical command from the instrumental corps to the Dio-esque vocals and damn near limitless range of Rody Walker, this record is a mind shattering experience. Among many greats, some favorites include the shreddy "C'est La Vie", "Hair-Trigger", "Sex Tapes", and "Tongue Slipper" with it's hilarious outro (Speak! Ohhh yeeaaah). If you're jonesing for some shred heavy goods, Protest The Hero is sure to satisfy.

 Links: Facebook // Twitter // iTunes

   10   
BORN OF OSIRIS - THE DISCOVERY

The third and longest full-length album from Born of Osiris may also be their best to date. "The Discovery" is a heavy, punishing listening experience filled with shreddy goods and acute technical flair. Not to mention it also has some awesome album artwork! The collision of minds between Lee McKinney, Cameron Losch, and Jason Richardson (ex-Born of Osiris) was a HUGE one. They displayed much growth in their songwriting and execution, cranking out greats such as the visualized perfection of "Recreate", hard hitting "Two Worlds of Design", directional "Follow The Signs", and massive closer "Behold". Follow the signs to The Discovery.

  Links: Facebook // Twitter // iTunes

ANIMALS AS LEADERS SIGN WITH SUMERIAN RECORDS!

Massive news today! What was bound to happen eventually has finally happened. Virtuosic instrumental heavy weights Animals as Leaders have officially inked with Sumerian Records! And when two legends collide, great things happen. It's already been made public that Tosin Abasi and crew are working on a new album along with the help of Misha Mansoor. Now we know which label will be doing the deed of releasing it. Do some reading up on the record here and stay tuned for more news! We also have some AAL goods below. Enjoy the tunes \m/

Links: Facebook // Twitter // iTunes

TOP 10 ALBUMS OF 2009 - RECAP

In the weeks leading up to the end of 2012 and our top 10 list of the year, we decided to give credit to the past couple years too. Here's the top ten albums of 2009, no shits given about whiny elitist opinions.

   1    
ANIMALS AS LEADERS - SELF TITLED

The album that almost didn't happen is our top album of 2009. Thank the metal gods it did! The Animals as Leaders self-titled debut is nothing short of perfection. Powered by Tosin Abasi's incredible songwriting and unreal, virtuosic talent level while backed by Misha Mansoor's superior production skills, this album is pure intellectual ear candy. Boasting solid gold masterpieces such as "CAFO", "On Impulse", "Tempting Time", and so on, this record pushed musical boundaries from beginning to end. There was a lot of amazing music in 2009, but no real comparison to the genius complexities of "Animals As Leaders".

  Links: Facebook // Twitter // iTunes

   2   
CIRCLE OF CONTEMPT - ARTIFACTS IN MOTION 

This album is a devastating, ruthless tech storm which ripped minds apart nerve by nerve. Circle Of Contempt emerged from Finland as immediate heavyweights of the metal underground with this absolute genius contribution to heavy music. "Artifacts In Motion" was serious, groundbreaking material for the time. And this record is still scary good, featuring some of the biggest skull cracking segments in metal to date. Songs such as "Color Lines", "The Pendulum Swing", "Concealed", and "Nothing Imminent" among others were responsible for several hospital visits over the years. Complex and solid, "Artifacts in Motion" is a classic.

Links: Facebook // Twitter // iTunes 

   3   
CHIMP SPANNER - AT THE DREAM'S EDGE

Without a doubt, musical genius / producer Paul Ortiz brought his very best on this Chimp Spanner record. "At The Dream's Edge" sounds like a dream itself. Technically proficient and musically sound with perfect use of ambiance, this album is a treat for the ears from "Galaxy Rise" to the ender, "All Good Things". In between, the album packs several other classics such as "Supererogation", "Far From Home", "Under One Sky" and the three epic parts of "Terminus". Chimp Spanner's "At The Dream's Edge" easily stands out as one of the year's brightest and is highly recommended for anyone who loves awesome music.

  Links: Facebook // Twitter // iTunes

   4   
BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME - THE GREAT MISDIRECT

North Carolina's Between The Buried And Me always brings an interesting listening experience with their music. "The Great Misdirect" is no exception. One of the best things about this band is they don't just think outside the box, they live way out there with an unusually high talent level to match. This is an hours worth of incredible, original heavy music. The lengthy tracks found on this record all bring a classic quality with them. In particular, "Obfuscation", "Disease, Injury, Madness", "Desert of Song", and the huge closer "Swim To The Moon" stand out. If you enjoy outgoing, intelligent Progressive Metal, you'll enjoy this record.

  Links: Facebook // Twitter // iTunes

   5   
CONVERGE - AXE TO FALL

Converge's "Axe To Fall" hits like it already fell. This extremely talented chaotic hardcore four piece pulled off a whirlwind of a record with this one. Absolutely ruthless, energetic, and creative with it's delivery, this album spread across the heavy music community like wildfire. Most of the songs are very short in the typical hardcore fashion but they all pack one helluva punch. However, there are a few that span up to 4-7 mins of pure original greatness. Tracks such as "Dark Horse", "Reap What You Sew", the title track, and the lighter epics such as "Cruel Bloom" stand out. Get chaotic with Converge if you haven't already.

  Links: Facebook // Twitter // iTunes

   6   
THE ARUSHA ACCORD - THE ECHO VERSES

In many ways, this album was before it's time. Bringing a ridiculously tech heavy sound with an energetic hardcore edge, The Arusha Accord debut is one for the record books. "The Echo Verses" came across with the subtleness of a bomb, striking many listeners off guard with it's rampant chaos and creativity. Big time stand outs "Dead To Me", "Night of the Long Knives", "The Tightrope", and the epic closer "The Last Rise of the Fallen King" are all reasons why this album is still relevant to this day. There's no doubt "The Echo Verses" is an explosive heavy listening experience from start to finish. A real classic through and through.

  Links: Facebook // Twitter // iTunes

   7   
DREAM THEATER - BLACK CLOUDS & SILVER LININGS

Dream Theater has been going strong for a long time. Their tenth studio album "Black Clouds & Silver Linings" is an epic musical experience to say the least. It clocks in at well over an hour of absolutely solid Progressive Metal. Not to mention this was back when Mike Portnoy was still drumming in the band. There are so many awesome moments on this record from the edges of "The Shattered Fortress" to the mind blowing closer "The Count of Tuscany". Even the more accessible tracks such as "A Rite of Passage" and "Wither" are outstanding. All in all, it would be a crime not to include this Dream Theater record among the best of 2009.

  Links: Facebook // Twitter // iTunes

   8   
AUGUST BURNS RED - CONSTELLATIONS

In many ways this was August Burns Red's transitioning record between the revolutionary "Messengers" and their latest juggernaut "Leveler". "Constellations" marks when the band began discovering their own unique musical push instead of going for crazy breakdown after breakdown. There's still plenty of that, but ABR really put their all into this record to grow as musicians. Tracks such as "Marianas Trench", "Meddler", "Thirty and Seven", and "The Escape Artist" showed how far this band stood above the Metalcore pack. And they still do. "Constellations" is an absolutely phenomenal heavy listening experience.

  Links: Facebook // Twitter // iTunes

   9   
WITHIN THE RUINS - CREATURE

The Within The Ruins debut full-length emerged to breathe new life into an ever staling sub-genre of metal. The band immediately became top notch innovators with their classic "Creature" feature. Boasting next level talent and technicality to match their intense rhythmic segments and driving riffs, they put themselves on the map with a signature sound. Heavy as hell segments made ears bleed without mercy (in a good way \m/). For example, the intense opener "The Book Of Books", and stand outs such as "Tractor Pull", "Arsenal", and "Extinguish Them" all caused major blood loss. Within The Ruins will satisfy your heavy cravings.

  Links: Facebook // Twitter // iTunes

   10   
STRAY FROM THE PATH - MAKE YOUR OWN HISTORY

Long Island Hardcore giants Stray From The Path certainly made their own history with this stand out album. "Make Your Own History" is pissed off beyond words, but it has a lot to say. In the tried and true hardcore fashion, Stray From The Path packs honest, gritty commentaries while musically pushing the limits of the genre itself with creative off time rhythms and chaotic guitar work. Titles such as "Negative & Violent", "Fraudulent", "Black Anchor" and "Lucid Dreaming" all pack a punch. And I have to say there's nothing like moshing to "Damien". If you consider yourself a fan of hardcore, this record is a must for your music collection.

  Links: Facebook // Twitter // iTunes