Metal Martyr » exist

Getting Antagonized | Antagonist: Exist Review

Scott — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 16:26:59 +0000

September 30th will mark the release of a few highly anticipated metal albums this year. One of the releases that will have to contend with Amon Amarth, Trivium, Bleeding Through and In This Moment is Antagonist’s Exist, with their first release on Prosthetic Records. This isn’t the first record though. This So-Cal band has been around for a decade and have self-released 3 Ep’s, a full length and one full length on Dwell Records. So what does Antagonist have to offer us with Exist?

Let’s introduce the band real quick. Carlos Garcia takes on the tasks of vocals and guitars with Paul Salem on Bass and Backing Vocals. Matt Lopez rips on guitars and Orlando “lond” plays drums. Now on to Exist.

Exist is a melting pot of genre-mixing metal. A little thrash, a little hardcore and a wee bit of death metal (Vocally). The guitars blend great head-banging rhythms with melodic lead hooks and solos that scream experience and skill. Garcia vocals and Salem’s backing, alternate between screams, clean vocal chorus and bridges, to the low guttural growls. Bass and Drums hold everything together with heavy lows and no over-use of the double bass pedal. If there is one thing I can not stand when I listen to a song is over-use of a double bass in spots that feel out of place and out of sync. None here. Tight breakdowns and bridges keep things interesting while intelligently written lyrics and clean guitar breaks make for a great listening experience.

Antagonist have only a handful of tour dates coming up in California and recently wrapped up their summer tour. Look for Exist in stores September 30th and if you dig them, check out a live set and show your support.

You can listen to the first two tracks Bomb Shelter and title track Exist on Atagonist’s Myspace. The mix sounds a bit rough online but the cd sounds much better. You can also download Bomb Shelter courtesy of Prosthetic Records website.

Notice a slight resemblance between Antagonist Exist art and All That Remain’s Overcome art? You should. They are both the work of Century’s Carson Slovack.

Post from: Metal Martyr

End Of Week Run-Down

Scott — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 01:41:05 +0000

Just a few things to close out the week. It’s been a hectic two weeks here but some good things have come about. This week has been a very busy run-around week and I haven’t been able to post as many good quality posts here. With the server issues finally being ironed out from the beginning of this month to the stupid pop-ups being fixed, this whole month has been kind of crazy. Not to mention both of my kids got sick last week so my hands have been pretty full. Hopefully next week things will run a lot smoother. Much more after the fold…

Death Magnetic was finally released and aside from all the trash-talk and anticipated disappointment, I actually kind of like most of it. I listened to it the other night from beginning to end while working. Still have a problem with James Hetfield’s vocals at some points and hate where some of the songs go after the first 4 minutes but it’s much better than anything they have done in a long time. I never thought I would actually like any new Metallica that would come out these days but every now and then I have to be truthful and admit when I’m wrong. It’s not some epic metal, but as I said, it’s better than most anything they have done in a long time and that’s more than most expected.

Finally got my review for All That Remains’ Overcome out and I can’t get some of the choruses out of my head, like the one in Chiron. A bit different from their last three but that’s a really good thing.

I got an advance copy of Tom Morello’s new Nightwatchman solo album to review at the rock dose. That’s a really cool album, nothing like anything Rage has done and Tom has a rather nice voice.

Also got an advance of David Gilmour’s Live In Dansk, Poland that is simply amazing. If you dig Pink Floyd or live Pink Floyd you might want to check that out when it hit’s the stores. Richard Wright, one of the founding members of Pink Floyd died on Monday from cancer. He performed on the CD/DVD as well.

I never did get around to posting my reviews for Prosthetic Record’s artists Antagonist and Book Of Black Earth and I just received Gojira’s new album The Way Of The Flesh in the mail today. So far that’s a really cool album too. Chances are if you like Gojira and From Mars To Sirius you’ll like The Way Of The Flesh. I’ll try to get those reviews up by mid-week.

I picked up Amon Amarth’s 2004 release Fate Of Norns. I’m not feeling it as much as With Oden On Our Side, but it’s still a good album. Also picked up Suffocation’s latest release on Relapse Records. If you’re in to good brutal deathmetal/Grindcore You’ll probably like that as well. Check it out sometime.

AC/DC has been kickin’ ass on the charts with a lot of their older stuff and with their new/old DVD ‘No Bull’

Image Sourve: My Webcam

Post from: Metal Martyr

In Review: Book Of Black Earth, Antagonist and All That Remains

Scott — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 00:56:29 +0000

In the next day or so I’ll be posting reviews on three upcoming albums from the Prosthetic Record label.

First up will be All That Remains September 16th release, Overcome. I’ve been eager to hear this and I can say that I am very disappointed…that it’s not as long as I wish it was. “That’s what she said.” (I love The Office)

Next up will be Antagonist’s Exist due out September 30th. after that I have Book Of Black Earth’s Horoskopus due out October 14th.

Post from: Metal Martyr