Apparently, The Faceless made their Canadian tour not entirely in Canada. More tour dates were announced for their tour with Withing The Ruins, Rings of Saturn, and Today I Caught The Plague. Dates in Poughkeepsie, NY and Worchester, MA join the primarily Canadian tour. But hey, that's great news for fans in the states.
The Faceless is currently on tour with The Dillinger Escape Plan until June 1st which is a huge accomplishment. Next is this headliner in Canada/two dates in the US. The band honestly is one of the heavier bands to live on Sumerian Records' roster and hopefully they'll be around for some time. Below is the tour poster with dates so be sure to try and catch this brutal tour!
The Summer Slaughter Tour had opened up a poll of 18 bands to determine who would open this years festival. The talent was stacked high and the competition was fierce. Now the contest has ended and the votes are in. Rings of Saturn and Thy Art Is Murder were running neck and neck throughout, but the aliencore moguls in Rings of Saturn pulled off the victory by a hair.
This years tour should be entertaining to say the least. Check out our preview here for more information and get your dose of cracked out, space infused Death Metal from Rings of Saturn down below!
"We won the vote! We will be seeing all of you on The Summer Slaughter Tour 2013! We only won the vote by 1%, so it would be amazing if Thy Art Is Murder
could also be on the tour with us somehow since it was so close and we
love those dudes. Thanks for everyone who voted for us, we wouldn't be
anywhere with out the continuous support you guys have shown us ♥"
It's finally here. These are our top 10 albums of 2012. It's been one helluva year for the heavy music community and now it's time to celebrate the cream of the crop. Here are the top 10 albums of
2012, no shits given about whiny elitist opinions. Also check out our
top 10 of 2009, 2010, and 2011.
1 PERIPHERY - PERIPHERY II: THIS TIME IT'S PERSONAL
This wasn't just an album, it was an event. The anticipation was so high for this record you could have cut it with a chainsaw. And when it hit, it hit hard. There's division amongst the metal community, but it's hard to deny the musical excellence without being an elitist (refer to the intro of the segment). "Periphery II: This Time It's Personal" was damn near perfect. Every virtuosic member of this band progressed significantly, making serious contributions to form a masterpiece. Intelligently crafted and executed, every track offers something unique and awe-inspiring. "Periphery II" deserves album of the year. Easy.
From the very first time Sumerian Records announced The HAARP Machine, it was evident they would become a metal juggernaut. But at the time, there was no way of telling just how amazing they would be. "Disclosure" is everything you could hope for and some. Providing a cutting edge Progressive sound and a serious, shred heavy Technical approach along with Mike Semesky's amazing vocal work, Abdullah Al Mu'min and crew created one of the best albums to come out in 2012. This is a masterpiece through and through. This is evinced by tracks like "Pleiadian Keys", "The Escapist Notion", "Disclosure", and "Esoteric Agenda".
3 SKYHARBOR - BLINDING WHITE NOISE: ILLUSION & CHAOS
Coming out of India, Skyharbor made a huge debut. Featuring the flawless voice of Daniel Tompkins (ex-Tesseract) and boasting massive guest spots from Marty Friedmen (ex-Megadeth) among others, they formed a masterpiece. Actually it wouldn't be a stretch to call Skyharbor's debut, "Blinding White Noise", music of the gods with it's ethereal beauty and unique approach of songwriting. Split into two parts, "Illusion" for beauty and "Chaos" for heaviness, this album is so unlike what you've heard before. It's encouraged you give it a listen or seven. You'll thank us after hearing songs like "Dots", "Maeva", "Aurora" and "Celestial".
There's so much to say about this album. The Safety Fire made one of the strongest debuts all year with their full-length, "Grind The Ocean". Years in the making, they have managed to create a stand out masterpiece. Bringing next level creativity and writing some of the best riffs known to man, this UK musical unit is easily one of the most promising bands out there. "Grind The Ocean" covered so much ground both musically and thematically, making for an abundance of classics on this record. "Huge Hammers", "Circassian Beauties", "Floods of Colour", and the rehashed versions of "Sections" and "DMP (FDP)" are just a few greats among many.
Aliens, man.... aliens. Rings of Saturn write some of the sharpest, most technically proficient Death Metal that will ever bless your ears (...or shred them). "Dingir" is absolute brutal chaos from start to finish. This band shreds like no other \m/ Plain and simple. Actually they do it so well we're convinced they aren't human beings. Thus aliencore. Songs like "Objective To Harvest", "Faces Imploding", "Peeling Arteries", and "Hyperforms" should be locked up in Area 51. You can actually stream the ENTIRE album below and see why. This is definitely recommended if you have forty minutes to kill (bad Death Metal pun intended).
6 BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME - THE PARALLAX II: FUTURE SEQUENCE
Between The Buried And Me always seem to expand and improve with every release. Which is saying a lot considering they're practically gods of Progressive Metal already. This is true as ever with their epic full-length "The Parallax II: Future Sequence". The band's sixth studio album is also the second part of the band's interstellar space saga. And it's safe to say it expands upon the concept of the original EP brilliantly. The release is teeming with master level classics. "Astral Body", "Telos", "Goodbye To Everything", and "Extremophile Elite" are just a few examples of the absolute greatness on "The Parallax II". Welcome to hyperspace.
The Contortionist are certainly standing out as one of the premiere bands of the metal underground. They have expanded and grown much since their debut, moving away from their Deathcore roots in favor of a Progressive approach and pure creativity. Not to say there isn't extreme heaviness to be found on "Intrinsic", just twice as much genius. This album is mind-blowing on so many levels (more puns). "Intrinsic" is a high-octane adventure through the inner workings of the human consciousness, providing captivating soundscapes for brains to explore. "A secret dimension of noise" - That lyric pretty much sums it up.
The masters of Math Metal never seem to disappoint. We're actually fairly convinced Meshuggah are robots, void of humanity, designed by the Swedish government to decimate the eardrums of metal listeners worldwide. Listening to Meshuggah is like receiving a heavy brain massage. Listening to "Koloss" is like having your brain massaged by a robotic titan. Expect massive grooves, mechanical technicality, and unparalleled polyrhythms. This is a prime example of Meshuggah doing what they do best. They crank out goods like "Do Not Look Down", "Break Those Bones Whose Sinews Gave It Motion", and "Demiurge" for this colossal experience.
The Faceless came back as strong and creative as ever with their third full-length "Autotheism". This album seemingly took forever to be released, but was well worth the wait when it hit. There were serious line up changes, but The Keene Machine raised the bar with Evan Brewer and Wes Hauch in the mix. In many ways, this is really a side step for the band. "Autotheism" is an unexpected treat to listen to with an increased focus on melody and a theatrical approach. It opens up with singing for christ sake. Who honestly expected that? When all the factors are added up, it makes for a phenomenal listening experience.
Deftones has been in the business of making awesome music for over two decades and they haven't even come close to losing their spark. Their tenth studio album, "Koi No Yokan", is perfect evidence of that. This record delivers in all the ways that matter. It is the complete package from flying through the air with "Swerve City" to the genius, floaty closer "What Happened To You?". All the songs in between are outstanding as well. "Leathers", "Tempest", and "Entombed" just to name a few. This album is just plain amazing. It's recommended you give it a good listen but watch out... you may end up falling in love after listening (get it?).
In the weeks leading up to the end of the yearand our top 10 list of 2012, we're giving credit to the past couple years too. Here's the top ten albums of 2010, no shits given about whiny elitist opinions. Also have a look back at 2009.
1 PERIPHERY - SELF TITLED
Periphery's debut was more than just an album, it was the the trigger of the entire modern tech-metal movement. Love it or hate it, this is what largely popularized the "djent" tone. That aside, the album itself is just plain incredible. It offers such a diverse variety of music from the lighter end on "Jetpacks Was Yes!" and "All New Materials" to the heavy chaos of "Zyglrox" and "The Walk" along with everything in between. Every track had something unique and genius to offer. Other great examples are "Icarus Lives!" and the 15 minute epic "Racecar". Add it all up and you get the top album of 2010. This is a metal classic through and through.
Rings of Saturn writes music on an apocalyptic scale. This is massive, crushing, tech death centered around the xenocide of the human race \m/ The band could be described as The Faceless on crack. The Rings of Saturn debut was an absolutely world crushing experience. "Embryonic Anomaly" is fast, focused, and coldly calculated with a great deal of complete insanity in the mix. When you get down to it, this record is scary good. Stand out tracks include "Seized and Devoured", "Abducted", and the title track among many other greats. If you consider yourself a fan of Tech Death, "Embryonic Anomaly" is a must. Aliens man, aliens.
Easily described as an alternative to Animals As Leaders, Poland's very own Gru aka Piotrek Gruszka is an amazing artist in his own right. His debut "Cosmogeneis" is a mind blowing, virtuosic ride across the universe and back again. This record comes across as genius level art in every way. From the intro to the amazing "Zeta Reticuli", the album is an awe-inspiring musical experience. There are several other classics such as the explosive opener "Nebula", aural giant "Stellar", and the galactic pleasures of "Andromeda". "Cosmogenesis" is filled to the brim with tasty, intellectual ear candy. This record is highly recommended!
It would be a crime not to include The Dillinger Escape Plan's fourth studio album on this list. The anger, paranoia, anxiousness, expressed on "Option Paralysis" are far beyond most anything you're accustomed to hearing. As to be expected, they bring the heavy, off-time chaos and creativity and excel at doing so. This record is a trip into complete insanity. The drumming, guitar, and bass work are psychotically good as the vocals seethe with raw, unchecked emotion. "Farewell, Mona Lisa", "Gold Teeth on a Bum", "Good Neighbor", "Crystal Morning" and "Widower" are several reasons why this record is a Mathcore classic.
The Contortionist's huge debut "Exoplanet" certainly caused quite a commotion as it spread through space and every corner of the metal underground. This isn't an album, it's an interstellar adventure. The excellent balance between extreme heaviness and beautiful melodic segments on this record is undeniable. And the musicianship displayed by the band from song to song is phenomenal. Tracks like "Flourish", "Primal Directive", "Oscillator", and the three epic parts of the title track stood out especially. "Exoplanet" is a brilliant album with a brilliant concept behind it, putting The Contortionist on the map in a big way.
Businessman by day, polyrythmical genius by night, Cloudkicker aka Ben Sharp never fails to impress with his brand of complex music. Some would consider the record "Beacons" to be his best work to date. It's the first full-length in which he really began to move away from his "Melodic Meshuggah" sound in favor of a more progressive, ambient approach. And it yielded some amazing aural results. "Beacons" is filled with melodic tension and pure greatness from beginning to end. Must listens on this record include "Push It Way Up!", "We're Going In. We're Going Down.", and "It's Bad. We're Hit, Man, We Are Hit." Great titles, even better record.
While we agree with much of the metal community that After The Burial's follow up to the classic "Rareform" didn't quite compare, there's no denying that "In Dreams" is one helluva album. Not to mention it has the best album artwork ever made. "In Dreams" brought a big time groove with it, punishing the listeners ear with pure metal greatness from track to track \m/ There were huge stand outs like the vicious opener "My Frailty", "Bread Crumbs & White Stones", "Encased In Ice", the emotionally charged "To Carry You Away", and someone gets hit by a train in "Your Troubles Will Cease And Fortune Will Smile Upon You". Great stuff.
Coming off the legendary "Common Man's Collapse", Veil of Maya made a very strong return with "[id]". This album is a heavy as hell journey through the human consciousness, pushing technicality to it's extreme limits. VoM also took the strangeness and creativity they're known for and went all out with them, making "[id]" anything but a linear musical experience. With synapse ripping tracks such as "Unbreakable", "Dark Passenger", "Mowgli", "Namaste" laced between some hard hitting interludes, there's a risk of permanent brain damage while listening to this record (in the best way possible \m/) Get with the Veil or get out of the pit.
Deftones have been making top notch music for a long time now. And their sixth studio album "Diamond Eyes" lived up to their reputation 100%. This album is just as enjoyable today as it was back in 2010. Unique in it's fusion of rage and beauty, Deftones entwined Progressive Rock and Metal damn near perfectly on this album. There were no limitations as they experimented in several directions from track to track. Stand outs include the title track opener, "You've Seen The Butcher", "Beauty School", "Sextape", and the dangerous "Rocket Skates". "Diamond Eyes" flows seamlessly all the way through and leaves you wanting to listen again.
There's a lot to say about this incredible record. The Ghost Inside's sophomore effort "Returners" is a staple of the modern day hardcore scene. Packing a heavy punch on every track, this album is filled with mosh worthy segments. There's also great use of melody in the mix. And it's hard to deny the powerfully uplifting lyrics from Johnathan Vigil. Tracks such as "Between The Lines", "Unspoken", "Greater Distance", "Chrono", and "Overlooked" are just plain strong and inspiring. This is a band that literally gives their all in everything they do. And they do it all for their fans. "Returners" is heavy music with meaning backing it.
This cat is a tank behind the kit! Someone get him a treat! Oh wait... Watch the kitty blast through tracks from Thy Art Is Murder, Rings of Saturn, and Abiotic right meow.
It's time to feast your brains on some insane Tech Death! We're serving up a play through buffet of the unbelievably talented Rings of Saturn ripping through segments of their upcoming record "Dingir". Check out our full album review right here and enjoy the shred below! \m/ Just don't play the aliencore too loud... You might attract the mothership.
So if you haven't heard, there is some stupid drama going on with Rings of Saturn and their (presumably jealous) ex-drummer, Brent Silletto. Accusations and responses have been made. You can read through the ex-drummer's accusations on Metalsucks, and the Rings of Saturn response below. Make up your own mind. As far as I'm concerned, Rings of Saturn are aliens and Brent wasn't an alien. You gotta be an alien to play aliencore, bro. End of story. The proof is all down there. The band just put out an incredible record, "Dingir". Listen to the whole thing right here, right now and check out our review of the metalness here! Some awesome full speed shit!
"Some of you may have seen on Metalsucks that
now our ex drummer has been making all kinds of accusations about the
band now too saying that we recorded our material half-speed, we can't play it live etc.
Our studio engineer from Mayhemeness Recording Studios for both
Embryonic Anomaly, and Dingir, has already made a statement (pictured
below) saying that everything found on both our albums is in fact legit
and recorded in full time --BESIDES-- our ex drummers drums which are
only on our first album Embryonic Anomaly. This was the reason why the
entire band made the decision to kick him out. He couldn't play our
material at all in the studio, and by the time we toured, he could
barely get through the songs live. It's amazing how he is trying to flip
this story back on us when it is really about him.
Along with
the all of the audience uploaded videos on Youtube of our hundreds of
live performances that are easily assessable to everyone, Below we have
posted videos of each member playing our material WITH ACTUAL AUDIO that
metalsucks had already shared as well along with our recording
engineers statement. The guitar video was made years ago at the time
where our ex drummer was in the band."
Guitarists Joel and Lucas playing Seized and Devoured out of shitty 15 watt yamaha practice amps.
Also Lucas playing the main lead off of Embryonic Anomaly which is considered to be the hardest riff from the first album.
Rings of Saturn write music on an apocalyptic scale. Massive, crushing,
tech death around the xenocide of the human race. After crushing the world with their debut "Embryonic Anomoly", Rings of
Saturn have come back strong with their new album,
"Dingir" (pronounced din-jeer). It clocks in
at 42 minutes of mind blowing heavy goodness. The album was recorded, produced, mixed and mastered by the beastly Robert Swanson of Mayhemeness Recording Studios. The record will officially be unleashed
upon the masses February 5th by Unique Leader Records. The release date was pushed back due to legal issues. Rings of Saturn decided to stream it early on the internet because of that and the leak of a low quality, pre-production version of the album. The band was also tired of waiting so the album is now available for your earholes! You can listen to "Dingir" in it's entirety right here! ...Or you can keep reading the review.
Rings of Saturn sound like The Faceless on crack. They are an extreme tech death force writing shreddy, chaotic, heavy aliencore shit. This is metal through and through \m/ The band is led into a shreddy side of space by guitarists Lucas Mann and Joel Omans. They give a huge, next level performance throughout the record. Ian Baker is a tank behind the kit, breezing through complex rhythmic segmentss like a pro. The frontman and second Ian in the band, Ian Bearer keeps it brutal with low laying growls and ripping screams. And you can't forget Sean Martinez with the rumble from down under. This dude is a bass master (metal, not fish).
This record is actually a step up from "Embryonic Anomaly" in some ways. I really didn't believe that was possible before getting my face melted off. It takes all of the elements from that debut and expands upon them while venturing into some new territories. There are several experimental, heavy sections as to be expected. This is evident right from the start as "Objective To Harvest" rips open the album as a stand out track. Every song on "Dingir" offers something awesome. For example, "Shards Of Scorched Flesh" has carpal tunnel inducing shred work and "Peeling Arteries" has some of the most razor sharp rhythmic patterns I've heard in awhile. There's also a few more awesome melodic segments amongst the madness this time. This is evident in songs such as the fore-mentioned "Objective To Harvest" and the incredible instrumental album ender "Utopia". It's definitely recommended you sit your ass down and blast through these songs. Incredible stuff.
There aren't any real flaws in this album. It's an extremely good effort from beginning to end with serious attention to detail. Some people are saying the drums sound programmed. Fact is, Ian Baker is an alien, he doesn't fake his drums.
And the verdict is... this will probably be one of the top 10 records of next year (even if you're listening this year). Insanely good. If you dig technicality and heaviness as much as me, "Dingir" will be a must buy come February 5th. It's a crazy ass, moshable experience. If you read this much of the review and don't give it a listen, consider therapy. If you blast it loud enough you might have an alien encounter! (Not recommended, they might have probes)
