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      

THE WEEKEND MOSH IV

These are all songs picked by the followers, for the followers... MOSH!

Links: Facebook // Twitter // iTunes

Links: Facebook // Twitter // iTunes

Links: Facebook // Official Website // Twitter // Merch

Links: Facebook // Twitter // Merch

Links: Facebook // Twitter // iTunes

Links: Facebook // Twitter // iTunes

Links: Facebook // Twitter // Official Website // iTunes

Links: Facebook // Twitter // Merch

Links: Facebook // Official Website

Links: Facebook // Twitter // iTunes

Links: Facebook // Twitter // iTunes

Links: Facebook // Twitter // Official Store // iTunes

Links: Facebook // Twitter // iTunes  

Links: Facebook // Twitter // iTunes

Links: Facebook // Merch // iTunes

Links: Facebook // Official Website // iTunes

HOWARD JONES (EX- KILLSWITCH ENGAGE) SET TO RETURN!

Big news here! If you couldn't tell from the headline, Howard Jones (ex-Killswitch Engage) will be making a return with a new band. But wait... it gets better. Guitarist Francesco Artusato (All Shall Perish) and drummer John Sankey (Devolved) will be joining forces with him! Should be nuts.

The band will officially be known as Devil You Know. And rumor has it they're planning to have an album out sometime later this year. Stay tuned for that! There's plenty more info yet to come. In the mean time, check out some music from the three men involved.

KILLSWITCH ENGAGE TO TOUR USA WITH AS I LAY DYING AND MORE...

After their crazy European tour with Sylosis and Heartist, Killswitch Engage will be traveling around the US on an even bigger tour! This time they'll hit the road with metalcore legends As I Lay Dying along with support from two more fantastic bands being Miss May I and Affiance!

The tour will begin at the end of May and will endure until the middle of the summer in July! After the comeback of original vocalist Jesse Leech, Killswitch Engage just released a new brilliant album "Disarm The Descent". You can take a look at our official review right here.

Be sure to check the dates along with music from the bands down below. Get stoked and go purchase your ticket for one of the sickest tours of this upcoming summer!

-MATTIA

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Thu/May-30 Oklahoma City, OK @ Diamond Ballroom
Fri/May-31 Austin, TX @ Stubb's Waller Creek Amphitheater
Sat/Jun-01 Houston, TX @ House of Blues
Mon/Jun-03 Lake Buena Vista, FL @ House Of Blues
Tue/Jun-04 Ft. Lauderdale, FL @ Revolution
Thu/Jun-06 Richmond, VA @ The National
Fri/Jun-07 Syracuse, NY @ F Shed at the Market
Sat/Jun-08 Hampton Beach, NH @ Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom
Sun/Jun-09 Philadelphia, PA @ Trocadero
Tue/Jun-11 New York, NY @ Best Buy Theater
Wed/Jun-12 Silver Spring, MD @ The Fillmore - Silver Spring
Sat/Jun-15 Guelph, ON @ Guelph Concert Theatre
Sun/Jun-16 Grand Rapids, MI @ The Intersection
Mon/Jun-17 Cincinnati, OH @ Bogarts
Tue/Jun-18 Sauget, IL @ Pop's Nightclub
Thu/Jun-20 Denver, CO @ The Summit Music Hall
Fri/Jun-21 Magna, UT @ The Great Salt Air
Sat/Jun-22 Las Vegas, NV @ House of Blues
Sun/Jun-23 Tempe, AZ @ The Marquee
Tue/Jun-25 San Francisco, CA @ The Regency Ballroom
Thu/Jun-27 Vancouver, BC @ Commodore Ballroom
Fri/Jun-28 Spokane, WA @ Knitting Factory Concert House
Sat/Jun-29 Billings, MT @ Shrine Auditorium
Mon/Jul-01 Fargo, ND @ The Venue
Tue/Jul-02 Omaha, NE @ Sokol Auditorium
Wed/Jul-03 Wichita, KS @ The Cotillion
Fri/Jul-05 Milwaukee, WI @ The Rave
Sat/Jul-06 Cleveland, OH @ House Of Blues
Sun/Jul-07 Pontiac, MI @ The Crofoot
Mon/Jul-08 Joliet, IL @ Mojoes
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Links: Killswitch Engage Facebook // Twitter // iTunes
As I Lay Dying Facebook // Official Website // iTunes
Miss May I Facebook // Twitter // iTunes
Affiance Facebook // Twitter // Merch
 

KILLSWITCH ENGAGE - HUGE EUROPEAN TOUR

Last month Killswitch Engage announced their forthcoming European / UK tour in support of their new album "Disarm The Descent" which drops on April 2nd. The band will be hitting Europe for the first time since the old vocalist Jesse Leach came back with the band. We all hope the high quality of the new single "In Due Time" will be endured both on the album and on stage.

And to make the news even better, it has been confirmed that KSE will be supported by two amazing acts: Sylosis and Heartist. The UK's Sylosis are starting to become a household name. They will be promoting their most recent album "Monolith" all tour long (2012, Nuclear Blast Records). This impressive progressive metal unit should also be playing some of their older songs from albums like "Edge Of The Earth" and "Conclusion Og An Age". On the other hand, Heartist might not be as well known. They're a young and fresh forthcoming band form Orange County, CA. They released their debut EP "Nothing You Didn't Deserve" (2012, Roadrunner Records) (!!!). They bring some very good modern metal to the table with a heavy sound and memorable melodies.

Check the dates on the flyer below along with music from all the bands. And if you reside in Europe or the UK, get stoked for what's sure to be an amazing show and buy your ticket as soon as you can! These shows are likely to sell out. Stay tuned because we'll be posting a live report for one of the shows around the end of April!

- MATTIA

Links: Killswitch Engage Facebook // Twitter // iTunes
Sylosis Facebook // Twitter // iTunes
Heartist Facebook // Twitter // iTunes

KILLSWITCH ENGAGE "IN DUE TIME" SINGLE

Hell yeah \m/ Killswitch Engage just dropped the first official single for their upcoming record "Disarm The Descent". Read our full album preview here and check out my good friend Mike Thallbaker's thoughts on Jesse Leach's return here. "In Due Time" serves as an awesome single and hopefully a good indication of what's to come. The song will officially be available for purchase February 5th. Give it a listen below along with the demo version of "No End In Sight". It's safe to say we haven't been this stoked for a Metalcore record in awhile. Stay tuned for more Killswitch Engage news and prepare your ear holes for April 2nd!

Links: Facebook // Twitter // iTunes

MOST ANTICIPATED RELEASES OF 2013 - PART 1

Here are some of our most anticipated releases of 2013. In no particular order, 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. This is part one out of three. Let us know your most anticipated releases for the year!

Killswitch Engage - Disarm The Descent

Links: Facebook // Twitter // iTunes

 

Within The Ruins - Elite

Links: Facebook // Twitter // iTunes

 
Vildhjarta - TBA 

Links: Facebook // Twitter // iTunes

 
The Dillinger Escape Plan - TBA

Links: Facebook // Twitter // iTunes

 
Cynic - TBA 

Links: Facebook // Official Website // iTunes  

CIRCLE PIT vs MOSH PIT

Time for some education. It's come to our attention that some of you have never moshed a day in your life. That's okay. Furthermore, some of you don't even know the difference between pits. That's not okay. This is where The Circle Pit comes in. We're going to show you the difference between a circle pit and your everyday mosh pit right here, right now.

First off... #1 rule of any pit is if you see someone fall, you pick them up. You might be pushing and shoving but moshing is fun, not angry. If you're an angry little douche in the pit, take out your sexual frustrations somewhere else.

Now onto business...

Circle Pit - We post a wide variety of music on this site, but this pit is reserved for the fast and the furious. When the drums and riffs fly at the speed of sound and the crowd starts spinning counter clockwise, welcome to the circle pit. But don't just stand there, fall in or move out of the way. First time? Run laps and push. Good workout, good fun.

You're doing it right

You're doing it wrong

Mosh Pit - There are all sorts of variations on moshing, but we're gonna keep this simple with the mosh philosophy of push pits over ninja kicks. Hardcore dancing can be alright, but if you're just out to hurt people refer to the second part of rule #1. If you go to shows to have fun, refer to the first part of rule #1 because this is where the pushing really comes in. Mosh pits can open up anytime, anywhere so stay on your toes. Jumping in is like entering a violent, crazed shove cyclone. First time? Push people. Yet again - Good workout, good fun.

You're doing it right (with somewhat unfitting music)

You're doing it wrong

Then there's the wall of death... We'll save that for the next lesson.

KILLSWITCH ENGAGE "DISARM THE DESCENT" ALBUM PREVIEW

“It is with a grateful spirit that we prepare for this record’s release. From the music, to the lyrics, to the artwork, we are all proud of what we have accomplished. To me this is by far my best vocal performance, much thanks to Adam’s guidance and faith in my abilities. I am very grateful to be where I am in life, back in an amazing band with a record we are all excited for the world to hear. Thanks to all the fans for their warm welcome back and their undying love for Killswitch Engage.” - Jesse Leach

Killswitch Engage are coming back with their first album since 2009. Not only that, this will be their first record since the return of original front man Jesse Leach. Click here to read our special on the Killswitch vocalist change. "Disarm The Descent" will officially be released April 2nd of this year! Not a bad a wait at all. And a new single from the album, "In Due Time", will be dropped digitally on February 5th! The track listing has also been made available. Stay tuned for more KSE news! And while you're waiting, blast the demo version of "No End In Sight" down below.

1/25/13 UPDATE

The official "Disarm The Descent" album artwork has been unveiled and a new teaser video has been unleashed. You can view both of the above, below!

2/28/13 UPDATE

Killswitch Engage just released a brand new music video for the single "In Due Time"! Check it out down below.
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1 - The Hell In Me
2 - Beyond the Flames
3 - New Awakening
4 - In Due Time
5 - A Tribute to the Fallen
6 - The Turning Point
7 - All That We Have
8 - You Don’t Bleed for Me
9 - The Call
10 - No End in Sight
11 - Always
12 - Time Will Not Remain
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Links: Facebook // Twitter // iTunes

KILLSWITCH ENGAGE, PERIPHERY, SHADOWS FALL, ACARO LIVE EXPERIENCE

We went to see Killswitch Engage, Periphery, Shadows Fall, and Acaro the other night in Baltimore, MD. Here's the footage we got along with music videos from all the bands \m/

 
Links: KSE Facebook // Periphery Facebook // Shadows Fall Facebook // Acaro Facebook

CALIFORNIA METALFEST VI

Everyone living out on the west coast should definitely check out this festival. California Metalfest VI has a huge line up of great, and not so great bands. The bands worth seeing include Killswitch Engage (who will be playing the classic KSE album "Alive or just Breathing" in it's entirety), As I Lay Dying, The Dillinger Escape Plan, Unearth, Born of Osiris, The Faceless, Shadows Fall, Veil of Maya, For Today, Suicide Silence, Memphis May Fire, Upon a Burning Body, and Volumes among others. The festival will be taking place on November 24th in San Bernardino, Californ-i-a. Check out the festival poster and the music we have for you under that.

Links: Facebook // Twitter // Official Website

"STARTING OVER" THE JESSE LEACH VERSION - THOUGHTS ON THE KILLSWITCH ENGAGE VOCALIST CHANGE

Jesse is back!! Of course, this news isn't new seeing as how the reuniting of Killswitch Engage with former vocalist Jesse Leach was announced back in January, but what the hey I'm gonna talk about it.  Killswitch is one of my favorite metal bands of all time, and even though I started listening to them during the Howard Jones era I have grown to enjoy Leach's vocals as well.  I've noticed that there are a lot of mixed feelings among the fans about this change, and it's understandable. When Jones joined the band back in 2002 he helped to change the band's sound by infusing more melodic singing into their songs.  With songs like "The End of Heartache" and "Rose of Sharyn" on their albums, Killswitch was definitely becoming a more accessible band.  Even though more people were falling in love with this new sound, a lot of older fans missed the pure intensity and aggression that Leach brought to the equation.

So now that I'm done stating the obvious, let's talk about the pros and cons of this current era in KSE history.  Before I continue let me state that this is all my opinion.  Starting off the list of pros, Leach has really improved his vocal style and delivery.  Almost every fan is aware of the infamous moment 10 years ago when Leach temporarily damaged his vocals as a result of improper deliver due to his depression.  Well anybody who has followed him since his departure from KSE has had the opportunity to watch him grow as a vocalist through bands such as the Seemless and The Empire Shall Fall.  Leach has mastered both clean and harsh vocals during his decade absence from Killswitch.  Another good reason for this change is the simple fact that Howard Jones no longer has any creative ideas to put forth with Killswitch Engage.  No disrespect to Jones (I personally love his vocals), but he really fell short lyrically with the latest self-titled release.  The End of Heartache and As Daylight Dies are masterpieces in my eyes but I believe this is officially the end of the Jones' era.  I wish him the best of luck and I'm really looking forward to what he makes in the future.  Maybe some more Blood Has Been Shed?

My only concern about this change can be spelled out with three words.  Times of Grace.  Anybody that's a huge fan of Killswitch is probably familiar with guitarist Adam D.'s side project Times of Grace featuring Jesse Leach on vocals.  The reason I bring this up is because I am actually a fan of Times of Grace, but now that Leach is back with KSE I fear that one of two things might happen.  Either 1.) the two bands might end up sharing too many similarities to be distinguishable from one another, or 2.) both Adam D. and Jesse will be too busy with Killswitch to put any time into another Times of Grace album.  Regardless of what happens I'm still excited to see what Killswitch Engage puts forth next. 

Here's a little preview:

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NEW PLAYLIST - METALCORE

Listen to our new metalcore playlist from Thall Baker.

Bang your f#@king head here.

Playlist: Metalcore