All That Remains – Overcome: This was one of my “Highly Anticipated” releases for 2008. After really enjoying The Fall Of Ideals and This Darkened Heart, I couldn’t wait to see what was next. When the first two singles dropped I really liked them. The sound was a bit different and I couldn’t wait for the album. When I got it I was pretty stoked. I wrote a great review for it and said it surpassed their previous releases. While the album is different from the previous two and is good in it’s own right, it lacks longevity. I wouldn’t call it “uninspired” as many others have, but it It doesn’t having the lasting effect that The Fall Of Ideals has.

The Acacia Strain – Continent: This is another one of those albums that doesn’t have the lasting effect. It’s heavy and brutal, but it lacks the hooks that I feel is necessary to make an album stand the test of time. The vocals and lyrics are great, but a good chorus or breakdown is needed for me to truly appreciate this album. Like The Dead Walk, I really dug it at first listen but it’s easily forgotten within a week or so.

Austrian Death Machine – Total Brutal: Tim Lambesis side project with Ahhnold was fun at first few listens. The music is cool and there are a lot of guest solos in the mix. Paul Raven (From The Critics Den) kind of opened my eyes up a bit more on this album. In his review he states that it is one of those albums that get’s passed around by teenage metalheads and that the novelty of it doesn’t last very long. He was exactly right. It’s a “Solid thrash album”, as he says in the comments of my review but it doesn’t last long and gets thrown in with the stack of things such as Beatallica, the Jerkie Boys and such. Funny, yes. Overwhelmingly wowing…’fraid not.

Soulfly – Conquer: I stated in my review that this is probably Soulfly’s best release ever…and I still feel that way. If you ever plan on getting a Soulfly album then start with this. If you want to reach in to their back catalog, then go for their self titled debut. Everything in between is garbage in my opinion. Conquer brings a thrashier feel to it as if Max and Igor Cavalera Conspiracy release resurrected something inside of him. Let’s not forget that Marc Rizzo is a complete bad-ass guitar player too.

Withered – Folie Circulaire: This one was really tough to get in to. The blackened death metal genre is something I’m fairly new to and if your not totally in to that music then it will either take some time to get used to or it will just not sink in at all. The Funeral Pyre is the same way. Their 2008 release Wounds has that strange effect where it takes some time. Prosthetic Records signs acts that stand out from the rest. That’s where bands like Lamb Of God and All That Remains got their big start. Other bands that made their Prosthetic label debut this year that deserve a listen are Book Of Black Earth with Horoskopus and The Antagonist with Exist.

Children Of Bodom – Blooddrunk: This album seemed to fall short of my expectation upon first listen. I honestly don’t know what I expected of this album considering that I only heard Hate Crew Deathroll and Are You Dead Yet? before I got BloodDrunk. I bought it and the same day immediately after first listen wrote a review saying that it was mediocre. A day or two later I wrote a quick re-review, something I don’t often do. The album grew on me and I was really getting in to it. While it’s still not my favorite COB release it’s a good release nonetheless. After I bought Blooddrunk I went on the search and bought the remaining C.O.B. re-releases of the albums I didn’t have.

Finally Slipknot and Metallica: I loved the old Metallica like a million others have. I’ve also been disappointed like a million others have since the release of Load, Reload and St. Anger. What I expected of Death Magnetic was another over-hyped piece of dog excrement. What we got was a not-so-bad album with a more thrash feel than the previous four Metallica studio album with it’s ups and downs. This album proved that Metallica haven’t totally lost touch with their past, but are still far from re-achieving the expectations of a lot of their hardcore following fans from the beginning. At some points is seems as they are trying too hard and some times it seems they aren’t trying hard enough. Better than expected but still no enough to quench the hunger of a dying Metallica fan. Progress has been made but they might never make another Master Of Puppets and that’s something we all need to live with. To name this as “Album Of The Year” is just plain idiotic.

Slipknot really disappointed me this year. All Hope Is Gone was hyped and hyped some more. The best songs were released as singles and most everything else on the album felt like a rushed filler. We’ve seen a different progression of the band since MFKR, but this one was a giant step sideways instead of forward. Iowa had me wanting more and Vol. 3 made me a happy fan. The Stone Sour releases in between sufficed but All Hope Is Gone made me second guess myself as a fan of this band. I don’t really know if I will anticipate the next one as much as I have in the past. Also I have found so many more bands and releases this year that it was almost easy to forget how much I disliked this record and that makes me feel as if perhaps I’m growing away from Slipknot, which ultimately is not necessarily a bad thing. All Hope Is not Gone, but on more release like this and it may be.

Writing reviews is not as an easy process as some might think. After you have written so quite a few it’s tough to come up with creative ways to say just how “Brutal” or shitty an album really is. For some it comes easy and for others like myself it’s not always a piece of cake. You also have to battle your own feelings sometimes and try not to second guess yourself in fear of drawing a negative response from someone that doesn’t feel the same way about an album. At times you read a comment from someone after you’ve posted a review and it’s get’s you thinking about that album. You go back and you think to yourself, “Damn, they’re right.”. You don’t want to change your mind but sometimes you have to bite the bullet and either say so or just ignore the fact. Some albums deserve a full track-by-track review and other just need a simple explanation that the album slays. With the Internet it’s fairly easy to find reviews before you buy a cd. Who’s advice you take is solely up to you and your liking. If ever you agree read a review in Rolling Stone Magazine and it says nothing but negative things about the album…chances is are that the album is great. If they say and album is innovative and spectacular…buyer beware.

All Images: Amazon.com

Post from: Metal Martyr

Southern California’s THE FUNERAL PYRE have posted an in-depth update at the band’s official blog (http://thefuneralpyre666.blogspot.com/), which includes touring plans for November with fellow Californians EARLY GRAVES on the Manifest Blasphemy Tour, as well as two new recordings of material to supplement the recent release of ‘Wounds,’ the band’s latest full-length album, which saw a late May release through Prosthetic Records. For details on the band’s upcoming recording plans, visit THE FUNERAL PYRE’s blog (http://thefuneralpyre666.blogspot.com/). Meanwhile, the tentative routing for the upcomingWest Coast tour is as follows. Anyone that can assist in booking can contact the band via forestmoonproducts@hotmail.com:

THE FUNERAL PYRE on tour

(Manifest Blasphemy Tour with The Funeral Pyre, Early Graves)

• 11/06 San Francisco/Oakland, CA
• 11/07 Chico, CA
• 11/08 Medford/Eugene, OR
• 11/09 Portland, OR
• 11/10 Seattle, WA
• 11/11 Boise, ID
• 11/12 Salt Lake City, UT
• 11/13 Cheyenne, WY
• 11/14 Denver, CO
• 11/15 Colorado Springs, CO
• 11/16 Albuquerque, NM
• 11/17 El Paso, TX
• 11/18 Tucson, AZ
• 11/19 Phoenix, AZ
• 11/20 Las Vegas, NV
• 11/21 Los Angeles, CA

Image courtesy of Prosthetic Records

Post from: Metal Martyr

Southern California’s ANTAGONIST has posted “Bomb Shelter,” a new track from the band’s forthcoming record, ‘Exist,’ online at the band’s official MySpace page (http://www.myspace.com/antagonist). Slated for a Sept. 30 release through Prosthetic Records, ‘Exist’ is the band’s fourth full-length among a swath collection of EPs and demos over the course of the band’s 10 year history. Pre-orders, featuring two exclusive t-shirt artwork packages, are now available here (http://www.prostheticrecords.com/antagonistsplash.html).

“After waiting impatiently, we’ve finally posted a new track off our album ‘Exist,’” frontman Carlos Garcia says. “It’s the opening track, entitled ‘Bomb Shelter,’ and it’s a damn good representation of what we’re sounding like these days. We really hope you dig the new tunes, and we can’t wait to get out on the road and play them for you.” ANTAGONIST is currently wrapping up a preemptive tour, dubbed the Where Dynasties Are Made Tour, with Sea of Treachery and labelmates, and fellow SoCal metal vets THE FUNERAL PYRE.

ANTAGONIST’s Prosthetic debut, was produced by Fred Archambault (Avenged Sevenfold, The Confession, Deftones), and is the follow-up to ‘An Envy of Innocence,’ which saw a 2006 release via Dwell Records. Live rehearsal footage of ANTAGONIST playing clips from some of their new material, as well as prior material and live footage can be seen on the band’s YouTube channel and on the band’s official MySpace page. ANTAGONIST plans on touring heavily after the recording of ‘Exist,’ and details on venues and cities will be available shortly.

ANTAGONIST on tour

(Where Dynasties Are Made Tour with Antagonist, Sea of Treachery, The Funeral Pyre)

• 7/28 Fresno, CA – The Exit
• 7/29 Soledad, CA – The Castle (The Funeral Pyre headlines)
• 7/30 San Jose, CA – San Jose Skate

Image Source: Prosthetic Records

Post from: Metal Martyr

 

ANTAGONIST, THE FUNERAL PYRE to depart for tour in July with Sea of Treachery

Fresh upon returning from a three week tour in support of the release of the band’s new album, ‘Wounds,’ Los Angeles’ THE FUNERAL PYRE will again head out on the road in July with labelmates, and fellow Southern Californians, ANTAGONIST for a two and-a-half week tour across the Southwest and West Coast. THE FUNERAL PYRE will continue to support their May 27 release of ‘Wounds,’ while ANTAGONIST will be on tour in anticipation of the band’s Prosthetic Records debut, ‘Exist,’ due for a fall release through the label.

THE FUNERAL PYRE’s frontman chimed in on the band’s upcoming tour plans and has also issued several updates from the road in June at the band’s online weblog. The previous updates can be seen here (http://thefuneralpyre666.blogspot.com/), while the newest update is available below:

“So, I didn’t really manage to find time to write about what happened in the last few shows,” the band says. “Just know that they were all really good, we had a fun time and then the tour ended. Yeah, I know, not a good wrap up. Oh well. But I’ll wrap the rest of this up. We had a fun three week tour in support of our new record ‘Wounds’ which came out on May 27. If you haven’t checked it out, please do. We’ll be hitting the road here in a few weeks with our best friends in ANTAGONIST and we’ll be teaming up with Sea Of Treachery. This will be another 2 1/2 week tour or so, so if you didn’t manage to catch us on the last run, come out to these shows. We’re pretty busy at the moment! Come check out the shows, have a good time. I’m sure we’ll be on tour sometime in September as well.”

In the meantime, THE FUNERAL PYRE will play two Southern California shows with Cattle Decapitation in the coming week and ANTAGONIST will be playing a hometown show this weekend before heading up north for a show later this month. Both bands’ music can be heard at the ANTAGONIST MySpace page (http://www.myspace.com/antagonist) and at THE FUNERAL PYRE’s MySpace page (http://www.myspace.com/thefuneralpyre), including the new song “Black Earth,” from ‘Wounds.’

ANTAGONIST on tour

• 6/21 Whittier, CA – The Red Cross (with Exmortis, Tyrant, more)
• 6/28 Salinas, CA – Jump n’ Around (with Arsonists Get All The Girls, Moria)

(Where Dynasties Are Made Tour with Antagonist, Sea of Treachery, The Funeral Pyre)

• 7/12 Oklahoma City, OK – The Factory
• 7/13 Dallas, TX – Fat Daddy’s
• 7/14 Austin, TX – Emo’s
• 7/15 Amarillo, TX – The War Legion Underground
• 7/16 El Paso, TX – TBA
• 7/17 Albuquerque, NM – Launch Pad
• 7/18 Scottsdale, AZ – Vertical Venue
• 7/19 Rancho Cucamonga, CA – Nitty Gritty
• 7/22 Los Angeles, CA – The Whisky
• 7/23 Palmdale, CA – Palmdale Vets Hall
• 7/24 San Marcos, CA – Jumping Turtle
• 7/25 Anaheim, CA – Chain Reaction (with Conducting >From The Grave)
• 7/27 Bakersfield, CA – The Dome
• 7/28 Fresno, CA – The Exit
• 7/29 Soledad, CA – The Castle (The Funeral Pyre headlines)
• 7/30 San Jose, CA – San Jose Skate

THE FUNERAL PYRE on tour

• 6/22 Salinas, CA – The Jumping Turtle (with Cattle Decapitation)
• 6/23 Hollywood, CA – Knitting Factory (with Cattle Decapitation, Phobia, Skarp)
• 7/10 Hollywood, CA – The Relax Bar (with Thou, Leech, more)

(Where Dynasties Are Made Tour with Antagonist, Sea of Treachery, The Funeral Pyre)

• 7/12 Oklahoma City, OK – The Factory
• 7/13 Dallas, TX – Fat Daddy’s
• 7/14 Austin, TX – Emo’s
• 7/15 Amarillo, TX – The War Legion Underground
• 7/16 El Paso, TX – TBA
• 7/17 Albuquerque, NM – Launch Pad
• 7/18 Scottsdale, AZ – Vertical Venue
• 7/19 Rancho Cucamonga, CA – Nitty Gritty
• 7/22 Los Angeles, CA – The Whisky
• 7/23 Palmdale, CA – Palmdale Vets Hall
• 7/24 San Marcos, CA – Jumping Turtle
• 7/25 Anaheim, CA – Chain Reaction (with Conducting >From The Grave)
• 7/27 Bakersfield, CA – The Dome
• 7/28 Fresno, CA – The Exit
• 7/29 Soledad, CA – The Castle (The Funeral Pyre headlines)
• 7/30 San Jose, CA – San Jose Skate

Post from: Metal Martyr

Kataklysm – Prevail on Nuclear Blast Records

The Funeral Pyre – Wounds on Prosthetic Records

Tiamat – Amenethes on Nuclear Blast Records

Blood Stands Still – Salvation Through Struggle on Century Media

The Best Of Strapping Young Lad ‘94-’06 – CD/DVD on Century Media

Hatchet – Awaiting Evil on Metalblade Records

Shai Hulud – Misanthropy Pure on Metalblade Records

Post from: Metal Martyr

Graveworm – Fragile Side from Nuclear Blast records

Suffocation – Synthetically Revived from Relapse Records

The Funeral Pyre – Plague That Leads To Extinction From Prosthetic Records

Ultralord – Growing Under The Gallows from Dark Reign Records

Aborted – The Saw And The Damage Done from Century Media from the upcoming recording Goremageddon

Image ©Metalmartyr.com

Post from: Metal Martyr

The Funeral Pyre’s ‘Wounds’

For ‘Wounds‘, the band has put the keyboards of the former years behind them and went with a more experimental approach with ‘Wounds‘ and has also added a guitar in the mix for more fills and solos. If your in to extreme metal, death metal or black metal I think you’ll really dig The Funeral Pyres ‘Wounds’. You can preorder it and get the CD/ T-shirt combo for $15.

Post from: Metal Martyr

The third full length offering from Los Angeles’ THE FUNERAL PYRE is their most ambitious to date. Bringing to mind the sounds of Dissection, Dawn and earlier At The Gates, this is a blackened death metal record that is as vicious as it is melodic.

You can preorder the shirt and cd for only $15! Click the link below!
Funeral Pyre CD Preorder

Image Used with permission from Prosthetic Records

Post from: Metal Martyr

 

The Funeral Pyre, a band on the Creator-Destructor Label has posted a new song titled Black Earth. You can check it out here The Funeral Pyre’s Myspace

Image Used By Permission from Prosthetic Records

Post from: Metal Martyr

 

THE FUNERAL PYRE debuts new music from forthcoming album

Los Angeles’ THE FUNERAL PYRE has posted a track from the band’s forthcoming record, ‘Wounds,’ online at the band’s MySpace page (http://www.myspace.com/thefuneralpyre), entitled “Black Earth.” Scheduled for a May 27 release through Prosthetic Records, ‘Wounds’ is the follow-up to 2006’s ‘The Nature of Betrayal,’ which saw an early 2007 re-release through a distribution deal with Creator Destructor Records.

Recorded in February and March with producer John Haddad (Intronaut, Eyes of Fire, Abysmal Dawn), ‘Wounds’ was mixed by metal legend Erik Rutan (Hate Eternal, Cannibal Corpse, Through The Eyes of the Dead) and mastered by Alan Douches (Shadows Fall, Converge, Municipal Waste). Having most recently completed a West Coast tour with Book of Black Earth, THE FUNERAL PYRE is slated to be part of Los Angeles Murderfest alongside Converge, Baroness, The Red Chord, Genghis Tron April 18 and will be embarking on a CD release-based tour in May and June throughout the United States. Booking inquiries for TBA dates can be directed to the band’s MySpace page (http://www.myspace.com/thefuneralpyre).

THE FUNERAL PYRE

4/18 Hollywood, CA – The Knitting Factory (Murderfest day one with Converge, The Red Chord, Baroness, Genghis Tron, more)

(Wounds US tour)

5/23 Los Angeles, CA – Relax Bar

5/24 Phoenix, AZ – TBA

5/25 Albuquerque, NM – TBA

5/26 Denver, CO – The Kingdom of Doom

5/27 Omaha, NE – TBA

5/28 Salina, KS – The Blue Goat

5/29 Tulsa, OK – Under The Mooch

5/30 Dallas, TX – TBA

5/31 Houston, TX – TBA

6/01 Beaumont, TX – TBA

6/02 Austin, TX – Red 7

6/03 San Antonio, TX – TBA

6/04 Corpus Christi, TX – The Compound

6/05 El Paso, TX – Corona

6/06 Tucson, AZ – TBA

6/07 Yuma, AZ – Bucklin Park

6/08 Las Vegas, NV – TBA

6/09 Stateline, NV – Tahoe Underground

6/10 Portland, OR – Rotture (Joe Preston’s Mancampus)

6/11 Eugene, OR – TBA

6/12 San Francisco, CA – Annie’s Social Club

6/13 Fresno, CA – The Exit

Image Used By Permission From Prosthetic Records

Post from: Metal Martyr