ARSIS "SCORNSTAR" MUSIC VIDEO

Is there a lack of metal in your life? This is a problem. Watch this music video.

"Yeah, that's the best shit I've seen since Pantera in '96! Yeeeah!"

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HELP ARSIS STAY ON TOUR!

The time has come for you, yes you, to help Arsis stay on tour. James Malone and his band of merry metallers need your support, your help and your money! The guys in Arsis are about to begin a huge tour with Wintersun and Fleshgod Apocalypse. And it seems as if this tour has a large overhead and maybe even bus requirements because Arsis has stated that circumstance has prevented them from “road dogging” it in a van. So they need more money.

So Arsis has started an Indiegogo to fund this tour. The goal has been set at 12,800 dollars, the amount needed to allow Arsis to partake in this tour without shackling themselves with debt. This isn’t a huge sum of money, but it’s definitely still large for just a tour. But it’s Arsis so I won’t question the necessity of the funding. These guys have been the definition of road warriors for the last ten years. There’s been no shortage of struggle for Arsis, but they’ve definitely managed to come out on top.

Arsis has had some bad luck earlier this year already. The first tour they were to embark on in support of their new record “Unwelcome” was not without issue. Headliners and direct support Hypocrisy and Aborted respectively were forced to drop off the tour due to issues related to travel and the overseas distance.

Arsis’ “Unwelcome” is a fantastic offering, I gave it a 10/10 read my review here and this tour with Wintersun and Fleshgod gives them the perfect chance to properly tour in support of their most recent success. The bands indiegogo has some ridiculously awesome prize packs like a guest solo on your song, the opportunity to force Arsis to cover any song, the chance to play a game of velcro ball with the guys and a haircut from James Malone. This is a campaign you should support, so do it. Give Arsis all your money here.

-Trisolino

Links: Facebook // Indiegogo // Merch

BEST OF 2013 (SO FAR)

It’s the start of July already. We’re already over halfway through 2013. Jeez time really does fly. The amount of metal of the highest quality that has hit the stores already is astounding. We've been doing our best to keep up with all the notable releases of the year and I think we've been doing a pretty decent job. Not too much has flown under the radar and I’ve personally had time to digest mostly everything I was excited for at the beginning of the year. I’ve been surprised by a lot of the music I’ve really been enjoying, some of which is a lot lighter than I ever would have predicted. Without further ado, here are the Best Of lists and some song highlights from our four main writers starting with my own (albums in no particular order). If you’ve missed any of these, definitely check em out.

Trisolino's List

Albums

Intronaut - “Habitual Levitations (Instilling Words With Tones)” [LISTEN HERE]
Coheed and Cambria - “The Afterman: Descension” [LISTEN HERE]
Wormed - “Exodromos” [LISTEN HERE]
Anciients - “Heart of Oak” [LISTEN HERE]
Leprous - “Coal” [LISTEN HERE]
Arsis - “Unwelcome” [LISTEN HERE]
Heaven Shall Burn - “VETO” [LISTEN HERE]
The Ocean - “Pelagial” [LISTEN HERE]
The Monolith Deathcult - “Tetragrammaton” [LISTEN HERE]
A Pale Horse Named Death - “Lay My Soul to Waste” [LISTEN HERE]
Tesseract - “Altered State” [LISTEN HERE]
The Black Dahlia Murder - “Everblack” [LISTEN HERE]
Scale the Summit - “The Migration” [LISTEN HERE]
August Burns Red - “Rescue & Restore” [LISTEN HERE]
Palms - “Palms” [LISTEN HERE]

EPs

Fallujah “Nomadic” [LISTEN HERE]

Mike Thall's List

Albums

Pomegranate Tiger - "Entities" [LISTEN HERE]
Oblivion - "Called To Rise" [LISTEN HERE]
Arsis - "Unwelcome" [LISTEN HERE]
Scale The Summit - "The Migration" [LISTEN HERE]
Intronaut - "Habitual Levitations (Instilling Words With Tones)" [LISTEN HERE]
Tesseract - "Altered State" [LISTEN HERE]
Ade - "Spartacus" [LISTEN HERE]
Means End - "The Didact" [LISTEN HERE]
The Dillinger Escape Plan - "One Of Us Is The Killer" [LISTEN HERE]
Immolation - "Kingdom Of Conspiracy" [LISTEN HERE]
August Burns Red - "Rescue & Restore" [LISTEN HERE]
Disperse - "Living Mirrors" [LISTEN HERE]
The Black Dahlia Murder - "Everblack" [LISTEN HERE]
Killswitch Engage - "Disarm The Descent" [LISTEN HERE]
The Schoenberg Automaton - "Vela" [LISTEN HERE]
Nemertines - “Death, My Love” [LISTEN HERE]
Amon Amarth - "Deceiver Of The Gods" [LISTEN HERE]
Northlane - “Singularity” [LISTEN HERE]
No Consequence - “IO” [LISTEN HERE]
Within The Ruins – “Elite” [LISTEN HERE] 
The Bridal Procession - "Descent Into Arcologies" [LISTEN HERE]
Anup Sastry - “Ghost” [LISTEN HERE]

EPs

Fallujah - "Nomadic" [LISTEN HERE]
Uneven Structure - "8" [LISTEN HERE]
Plini - "Other Things" [LISTEN HERE]
Polyphia - "Inspire" [LISTEN HERE]
CHON - "Newborn Sun" [LISTEN HERE]
Auras – “Panacea” [LISTEN HERE]

Mattia's List

Albums

Coheed And Cambria – “The Afterman: Descension” [LISTEN HERE]
The Holy Guile – “FSU” [LISTEN HERE]
Dreamshade – “The Gift Of Life” [LISTEN HERE]
Soilwork – “The Living Infinite” [LISTEN HERE]
Within The Ruins – “Elite” [LISTEN HERE]
Atlantis Chronicles – “Ten Miles Underwater” [LISTEN HERE]
Anup Sastry – “Ghost” [LISTEN HERE]
Nemertines – “Death, My Love” [LISTEN HERE]
The Ocean – “Pelagial” [LISTEN HERE]
Northlane – “Singularity” [LISTEN HERE]
Benea Reach – “The Possession” [LISTEN HERE]
No Consequence – “IO” [LISTEN HERE]
Tesseract – “Altered States” [LISTEN HERE]
Lifeforms – “Multidimensional” [LISTEN HERE]
Liferuiner – “Future Rvisionist” [LISTEN HERE]
Damned Spring Fragrantia – “Divergences” [LISTEN HERE]
Letlive – “The Blackest Beautiful” [LISTEN HERE]

EPs

Bend The Sky – “Observatory” [LISTEN HERE]
Sylar – “Deadbeat” [LISTEN HERE]
Mask Of Judas - “Axis” [LISTEN HERE]
After The Burial – “This Life Is All We Have” [LISTEN HERE]

Tyler's List

Albums

Disperse – “Living Mirrors” [LISTEN HERE]
No Consequence – “IO” [LISTEN HERE]
Scale The Summit – “The Migration” [LISTEN HERE]
Warp Prism – “Infinite II” [LISTEN HERE]
The Schoenberg Automation – “Vela” [LISTEN HERE]
Intronaut – “Habitual Leviatations” [LISTEN HERE]
Killswitch Engage – “Disarm The Descent” [LISTEN HERE]
Northlane – “Singularity” [LISTEN HERE]
Of Glaciers – “Heart Museum” [LISTEN HERE]
Tesseract – “Altered State” [LISTEN HERE]
Within The Ruins – “Elite” [LISTEN HERE]

EPs

The Obelisk – “Microcosm” [LISTEN HERE]
The Northern – “Imperium” [LISTEN HERE]
Auras – “Panacea” [LISTEN HERE]
Entities – “Aether” [LISTEN HERE]
Save Us From The Archon – “some things…..” [LISTEN HERE]
Mega Beardo – “Ledjent of Zelda” [LISTEN HERE]
Plini – “Other Things” [LISTEN HERE]
Fallujah – “Nomadic” [LISTEN HERE]
Sectioned “Outlier” [LISTEN HERE]
The Korea – “Saturnus” [LISTEN HERE]
Polyphia – “Inspire” [LISTEN HERE]
Bend They Sky – “Observatory” [LISTEN HERE]

ARSIS DRUMMER SHAWN PRIEST RELEASES DRUM PLAYTHROUGH

Arsis drummer Shawn Priest has been filmed playing the title track for the band's new album “Unwelcome.” The video was filmed this year on tour at the DNA Lounge in San Francisco. Priest is a relatively recent addition to the band. The talented skinsman, though in his second tenure with the band, has only played on the two most recent releases, the “Lepers Caress” EP and the band’s 2013 full length “Unwelcome,” that I reviewed. It was a glowing 10/10 review might I add. Read it here.

This video is of superb quality and gives great insight into the skill of Mr. Priest for those who may be unsure of the drummer’s talents or those who are interested in playing this tune for themselves. Priest’s drumming on “Unwelcome” was masterful. I didn’t really hit on this during the review of the album but the solid drumming is obviously responsible for the very well done changes in song rhythm and intensity. The blasting is not overdone. So the sections where Priest plays a blastbeat smack you in the face with maximum effect. The drummers rhythm also adds plenty to the feel of the album and “Unwelcome” is the perfect example of a Priest’s handiwork.

The video also features the playing of guitarist, vocalist, and band mastermind James Malone who has been been to forced to miss tour dates while the band continued to play without him. It’s nice to hear a high quality video with Malone’s vocals high in the mix as well. If you’re new to Arsis, check out “Unwelcome,” it’s a masterpiece, or start with the drum playthrough or the two tracks I’ve linked.

-Trisolino

Links: Facebook // Twitter // Merch

ARSIS “UNWELCOME” ALBUM REVIEW

Another album released on April 30th, another fantastic disc and potential album of the year contender for me. It’s like April 30th was the best day ever. Well not really but whatever, I’m immensely enjoying three albums released on that day so I’m happy. The other two were “Pelagial” by The Ocean and “Veto” by Heaven Shall Burn, both reviewed by me here and here respectively. Arsis’ “Unwelcome” may very well be the best of them all!

“Unwelcome” is a return to form in many ways. The band has mostly dropped the glam influenced sound they played with on “Starve for the Devil.” The influence is there but it is incorporated, and integrated with the melodic death metal style that made early Arsis releases so solid, much more tastefully. The material is also a lot more focused and powerful. Composer, guitarist, and vocalist is solely responsible for this. Emerging victorious from drinking problems and struggles with anorexia that have plagued Malone and derailed the momentum of Arsis in previous years, Malone has laid to tape some of the most focused on solid material ever released by the band. You can find Malone’s own comments regarding the matter within this interview with metalsucks.net, found here.

Arsis’ new album features all the elements of their sound that them such a solid band in the past. Technical riffing, something that was lacking on “Starve for the Devil” is abundant on the album. Classic melodic riffing, similar to Arsis’ earliest and highly acclaimed releases, is prominently featured. Like I said earlier, the glam influenced parts are still around, but used more sparsely and more tastefully. The drumming is solid and certainly nothing to complain about. Malone changes the tempo often as well to keep “Unwelcome” interesting in that dimension. The blistering speed and technicality mixes well with the grooving or melodic riffs. However whether the riffs are fast, slow, technical, thrashy, glam influenced, or extremely melodic, everything Malone has written is extremely catchy. And who can forget the shred. There’s a ton of amazing soloing, featuring plenty of  Malone’s signature tapping. The lead work is the best its ever been. Tracks ‘Carve My Cross’ and ‘Handbook for the Recently Deceased’ both have some excellent solos. Overall, “Unwelcome” is just heavy, metal, and quite fun to listen to.

The entire image of this album captures the idea very well. From the first moments of the first track, the title track ‘Unwelcome,’ the production and mix produces a very discerning feeling. The guitar tone is certainly the opposite of welcoming. There isn’t warmth in the tone. Nope, just an unwelcoming, blistering mass of metal. The fact that it isn’t immediately easy to distinguish what’s going on in the two riffs being played adds to this effect. It’s like Arsis doesn’t want you to, or you are unwelcome to, listen to this album. Malone’s vocals only help the furtherance of this idea. The harsh, high vocals are powerful and raspy. Just how I love them. Also check out the album cover. The black and gray certainly isn’t warm and fuzzy in the least.

There’s also some interesting songs included with the album. First off, the entire “Lepers Caress” EP, previously released for free by Scion AV last year, is included as bonus tracks. A reworked version of ‘Carve My Cross’ is the second track on the “Unwelcome” tracklist as well. If you haven’t heard this material, the first with new drummer Shawn Priest and guitarist Brandon Ellis who play on “Unwelcome,” Arsis makes it easy for you by including it with the album as bonus tracks. The first bonus track is a rerecording of ‘The Face of My Innocence.’ This track is the first track from highly acclaimed debut album “A Celebration of Guilt.” This song directly proceeds “Unwelcome” and makes it quite easy to examine the two bookends, the first and most recent songs, released by Arsis. You can easily hear the progression the band has made and see the beginnings of the signature style that defines Arsis. Included in the final cut for “Unwelcome” is a cover of ‘Sunglasses at Night’ by Corey Hart. The cover, being a death metal cover, very obviously brings a new style and idea to the song. What’s more surprising is that the vibe of the song stays basically the same. A ripping guitar solo tops the cover off. It’s a damn good cover honestly. When asked about covering Corey Hart Arsis mastermind James Malone responded “Everyone loves Corey Hart, whether or not they admit it.  If you say you don’t like Corey Hart, then I don’t trust you.  It’s that simple.”

“Unwelcome” is a blistering, vicious return to form. Malone and friends are back and better than ever with this one. Arsis is a band that has always been fantastic at being technical yet still catchy. Not many bands can do it all, and even fewer better than Arsis. “Unwelcome” is the perfect return to form, very possibly the best release by the band as of yet and almost definitely one of my top ten albums of the year. Pick this album up if you haven’t yet and see Arsis on tour. “Unwelcome” gets a perfect 10/10.

-Trisolino

Links: Facebook // Twitter // Merch

EUROBLAST FESTIVAL 2013 - THE LINE UP SO FAR

Cologne's Euroblast Festival doesn't need an introduction for many of you, so I'll put it this way... One of Europe's most mind-blowing metal festivals will unleash all of its energy on the crowd from the 11th til the 13th of October. It seems like this forthcoming ninth edition is going to be another blast!

In fact, the guys at the Euroblast Collective have announced a good portion of this year's line up and two of the headliners. Textures will be performing their only German show of 2013 here. The second headliner is Germany's very own The Ocean. The rest of the unveiled line up is stacked as well, making this an unmissable event. Euroblast 2013 will feature international names like Threat Signal, The Agonist, Twelve Foot Ninja, Arsis, Hacride, Benea Reach, Mnemic, Feared, Xerath, Lifeforms, Aliases, Humanity's Last Breath, Syqem, The Omega Experiment, Deathember, Der Weg Einer Freheit, Dawn Heist, Hord,  Overdown, Pomegranate Tiger, Tardive Dyskinesia, Cyclamen, Kartikeya, Heights, and Third Ear.

Last year's line up featured more than 40 bands. This year is currently at 28. So the only thing you need to do is stay tuned for the announcement of the third headliner / rest of the line up, coming very soon. If you live in Europe, you should definitely start thinking about buying tickets. This is the kind of event you don't want to miss!

- MATTIA

Links: Facebook // Official Website