THROWBACK THURSDAY - HEAVY COVERS

What does one make of cover songs?  It seems like a common response to most covers is, "this is terrible, the original is so much better".  Well obviously!  99 percent of the time a cover is not going to be as great as the original, but it seems to me that many people are not looking at it from the right perspective.  Instead of shitting on a cover song for not being as good as the original, people should really consider how cool it is that a classic song is being covered in the first place.  Heavy metal has its fair share of classics, and they're classics for a reason; they were influential.  Cover songs are interesting to listen to because it gives the listener an opportunity to discover some of the influences of their favorite bands.  Below are a collection of cover songs that I found to be particularly interesting.

1. Upon a Burning Body - 5 Minutes Alone (Pantera Cover)

Pantera is easily one of the most influential metal bands from the 1990's.  5 Minutes Alone is easily one of their crunchiest tunes.  It's only natural that the Texas based deathcore act Upon a Burning Body would cover this song. This is a cover that definitely did the original justice.  And the fact that they gave the late Dimebag Darrell a shout out in the middle of the the song is nothing short of heartwarming.  Check it out!

Links: Pantera Facebook // Official Website // iTunes
Upon A Burning Body Facebook // Twitter // iTunes

2. The Dillinger Escape Plan - Paranoid (Black Sabbath Cover)

Boy has this cover gotten shit over the years.  It's understandable; how can The Dillinger Escape Plan cover a Black Sabbath song?  Part of the beauty of this cover comes from the fact that they didn't try to stay true to the original.  Dillinger has their own unique sound and it seems as though they stick to that even while doing covers.  Yeah, it's gonna piss off some old school metal fans but this is a cover definitely worth checking out.

Links: The Dillinger Escape Plan Facebook // Twitter // Official Website
Black Sabbath Facebook // Official Website // iTunes

3. Periphery - New Millenium Cyanide Christ (Meshuggah Cover)

Djent dj djent dj djent dj djent djent djent bowww... Well, you know where I'm going with this.  Periphery covering a classic Meshuggah song, how appropriate!  Meshuggah is one of those bands that only comes around once in a life time.  They are responsible for the creation of the sound that is commonly referred to as djent, and Periphery is partially responsible for bringing that sound into the mainstream.  Two great bands, one awesome tone, and one excellent cover!

Links: Meshuggah Facebook // Twitter // iTunes
Periphery Facebook // Twitter // iTunes

4. As I Lay Dying - Electric Eye (Judas Priest Cover)

"A Judas Priest cover? The nerve!  These little metalcore kids can't possible cover a song written by the metal gods". - elitist douche.

Yes, Judas Priest is awesome, but so is this cover.  In the contemporary metal scene, As I Lay Dying is one helluva band.  If anyone were to cover a Priest song I'm glad it was them.  As I Lay Dying demonstrates impressive technical skill, and as a whole, they are capable of covering some of the best heavy metal tunes.

Links: Judas Priest Facebook // Official Website // Twitter // iTunes 
As I Lay Dying Facebook // Official Website // iTunes

5. Children of Bodom - Aces High (Iron Maiden Cover)

If you spit in the air the chances are it's going to land on somebody that's an Iron Maiden fan.  Seriously though, who wasn't influenced by this band?  Just about every power metal and melodic death metal band was, therefore it wouldn't be surprising to hear band that embodies elements from both of those sub-genres cover a classic Maiden tune.  Children of Bodom not only did the original justice with this cover, they made it their own.  The keyboard especially added a nice touch.

Links: Iron Maiden Facebook // Twitter // iTunes // Official Website
Children of Bodom Facebook // Official Website // Merch

6. Killswitch Engage - Holy Diver (Dio Cover)

It takes guts to even decide to record a cover of Dio.  The man's voice is legendary.  Well in 2007 Killswitch Engage pulled it off, successfully.  Obviously no mortal man can top Dio, but Howard Jones did a damn good job as far as cover standards are concerned (and I don't mean that in a condescending way, Howard is an excellent vocalist).  The cover was very well received by critics and fans, and six years later Killswitch is still playing it live.  I can't speak for the masses, but I hope it helped to turn the younger generation of metal heads onto the classic metal act that is Dio.

Links: DIO Facebook // Twitter // iTunesKillswitch Engage Facebook // Twitter // iTunes      

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

CHILDREN OF BODOM “HALO OF BLOOD” ALBUM REVIEW

When the news of a new Children of Bodom made the rounds, a few birdies kept chirping in typical nit-picking fashion about how this band never learns and how they should have quit while they were still ahead in the game. “Halo of Blood” pricked my interest because, for one, Children of Bodom has been one of those initiatory bands for me, and two, Alexi Laiho made it known on an interview that “Halo of Blood” was all about going back to the roots that defined the Children of Bodom sound prior to “Relentless, Reckless Forever”. I also had the opportunity to interview them before they release the album. You can read up here.

“Waste of Skin” pulls the lid off “Halo of Blood” and how. Right off the bat, the band exhibits all the signature Bodom elements that one usually looks out for on their albums. The band has thankfully retained all of its good “Thrash” –y qualities and rounded them off with their penchant for melodic lead-work and tasteful keys: Exhibit A- The intro to “Scream for Silence”. “Transference” would be one of those tracks for me that define the “Bodom” sound. Half the charm of a Bodom album is made of Alexi and Roope’s mad guitar chops; them Neo-classical shred-skills are what won fans over in the first place. Again, this also provides somewhat of a solid base to the opinion that he may not be the best Metal vocalist or guitarist out there, but Alexi “Wildchild” Laiho can execute them near-flawlessly in unison. “Bodom Blue Moon” marks the return of another recurring feature in CoB albums, a track about Bodom itself. Another surprise that awaited me on the album would be the track “Dead Man’s Hand On Your Shoulder”. This takes a detour from the standard CoB sound, and not in a negative way: The Funeral- Doomy chorus was not bad at all. Another personal favourite would be “Damaged Beyond Repair”, because if that intro riff isn’t a throwback to the old CoB sound when they produced tracks like “In Your Face”, then I don’t know what is. Also, this track is plenty evidence that Alexi Laiho can still teach a thing or two to most of the vocalists out there right now. The album also features two covers, Roxette’s “Sleeping In My Car”, and Loudness’ “Crazy Nights”. Even though I have never much cared for the band’s quirk of eccentric covers, this time I sat up and took notice and with good reason. The Roxette cover is probably better than anything on the “Relentless, Reckless Forever” album.

While “Halo of Blood” cannot be touted as the best or even the second best record in CoB’s kitty, it definitely packs enough good solid Melodic Death Metal to make up for the blunder that was “Relentless, Reckless Forever”. The shitstorm that fans kicked up when the previous album was released was predicted by many to be the final nail in the Bodom coffin. While most of this was harsh criticism that fans ranted, was just for the sake of critiquing, some of it was justified. The Death ‘n’ Roll meets Power Metal sound texture fell through because, let’s face it, no one’s going to buy that the same band that produced “HateCrew Deathroll” and “Relentless, Reckless Forever”.

“Halo of Blood” is a WIN for me due to two reasons:

1.      The band has made a stellar comeback that rivals compositions from “Blooddrunk” and “Are You Dead Yet?”

2.      The band does give more than two hoots about how the fans perceive them and their sound.

I would not have cited the abovementioned second point had it not been for the fact that the response towards Children of Bodom is twofold: Either the listeners hail them for what they once were or they mock them for the band’s tongue-in-cheek style of pulling material out their... (Read: Covers). While most would find a Roxette cover to be the bone of contention for ruined palettes, I feel most fans who have grown to love CoB for what they are would welcome this quirk of theirs with open arms, and not to mention, ears.

Children of Bodom clearly knew which way they were going to go with the response they received to their previous record. “Halo of Blood” marks the return of one of the bands that define Melodic Death Metal for me. While the album does not achieve anything genre-bending, the band has clearly pulled out all stops and played to its strength. While most pundits would suggest, again, that they should quit while they are ahead, I’d hold firm ground with the belief that I am more than ready for the next chapter in the Chronicles of Bodom.

-Aurko

Links: Facebook // Official Website // Pre-Orders

NEW MUSIC TUESDAY - JUNE 11TH

Today is a one ridiculously solid Tuesday in the metal world. Three extremely notable releases drop today and there’s plenty more including the first Black Sabbath album featuring Ozzy in like a million years. Today is a day for buying metal.

The Black Dahlia Murder are death metal legends at this point in their career. 2011 album “Ritual” was a fantastic work of modern death metal, influenced both by the American death metal scenes of Florida and New York and the Swedish melodic death metal scene. The Black Dahlia Murder have 100 percent forged a completely unique and awesome signature sound. Metalblade records released a temporary stream of the bands newest album released today, titled “Everblack”, and I can assure you this album will not disappoint. The signature sound is further honed and expanded on. This album is worth your money. Buy it.

Links: Facebook // Twitter // Merch

Instrumental, progressive, “adventure metal” band Scale the Summit is back again with their newest album “The Migration” out today! This album features some of the most beautiful music I’ve heard in a long time. Single “Atlas Novus” is just ridiculous. These guys are immensely talented players ad songwriters. “The Migration” clearly is a very large step above all of Scale the Summit’s previous work. The production on what I’ve heard so far is also fantastic and a new high point for the band. Overall “The Migration” looks to be a fantastic album. Fans of instrumental music, melodic playing, and progressive metal should get in their cars, begin moving to a record store by whatever mode of transportation you favor, immediately and purchase this new album.

Links: Facebook // Official Website // Merch // More Merch

Children of Bodom are back, and this time with a higher content of your daily requirement of metal. The melodic death metal veterans return with “Halo of Blood” today. Much controversy has surrounded CoB and their recent releases. The previous albums certainly haven’t had the same drive and fury that the original CoB had that made melodic death metal classics. This time, Alexi Laiho and cohorts have released a record that looks to have a little more oomph. The black metal influence on lead single “Transference” gives a pretty solid indication that Children of Bodom has delivered with this one. This is another album worth buying.

Links: Facebook // Official Website // Mercb

-Trisolino

CHILDREN OF BODOM “HALO OF BLOOD” ALBUM PREVIEW

Melodic death metallers Children of Bodom are set to release their 8th studio album, titled “Halo of Blood” on June 11th through Nuclear Blast. Much debate has surrounded the quality of the last few CoB albums however I’ve heard plenty of people praise each album as being a return to form. From what’s been heard so far, “Halo of Blood” may be some of Children of Bodom’s heaviest work in a while.

Guitarist, composer, and vocalist Alexi Laiho has promised that the upcoming album contains both the fastest and slowest Bodom songs yet. Don’t worry fans, there’s still plenty of melody. Single "Transference" contains plenty of keyboards and a keyboard solo. The Bodom sound is still present here. Judging from what’s available at the moment, so far so good.

“Halo of Blood” is out June 11th on Nuclear Blast and you can preorder it here. If you’re a fan of Children of Bodom, you should enjoy “Halo of Blood.” If you’re not, I can’t promise the band’s 8th studio album bringing you in. Worth a listen though.

-Trisolinio

Links: Facebook // Official Website // Pre-Orders

MAYHEM FESTIVAL 2013

So, the line up of Mayhem Festival 2013 has officially been announced and it's looking like a year worth going to. Usually the Festival is hit or miss, but they brought on Mastodon, Amon Amarth, Machine Head, Children of Bodom, Behemoth, Job for a Cowboy, and Born of Osiris among others for the event this summer.

Not to say there aren't some less favorable additions. Should be hilarious to see Emmure take the stage before Behemoth.

Check out the flyer along with some heavy music down below. And if you want to go to Mayhem 2013, be sure to head over to their Official Website and grab some tickets sooner than later!

Links: Facebook // Twitter // Official Website