Its that time of the month again and the b5 Music channel is publishing the top tens of each channel. I decided to kind of do my own thing and list the top ten songs I’ve been listening to lately and the top ten cd’s I’ve been diggin as well. So far in 2008 I’ve tried to expand what metal I’ve been listening to. Exploring new bands and even sub-genres like Black Metal that I normally talk a lot of trash about. Sometimes you come to like the things you previously disliked and you have to take it with …read more

Repost From Prosthetic Records Newsletter:

THE ACACIA STRAIN
No current shows.
ALL THAT REMAINS
(with Chimaira, Divine Heresy)
2/15 Denver, CO – Gothic
2/16 Salt Lake City, UT – The Avalon
2/17 Boise, ID – Big Easy Concert House
2/18 Spokane, WA – Big Easy Concert House
2/19 Vancouver, BC – Croatian Cultural Centre
(with Chimaira, Light This City)
2/21 San Francisco, CA – Slims
2/22 San Diego, CA – SOMA
2/23 Las Vegas, NV – Jillian’s
2/25 Los Angeles, CA – House of Blues
2/26 Phoenix, AZ – Marquee
2/28 Dallas, TX – The Door
2/29 San Antonio, TX – White Rabbit
3/01 Houston, TX – Meridian
3/03 Orlando, FL – House of Blues
3/04 Atlanta, GA – The …read more

YAKUZA posts “Black Market Liver” music video online
Chicago’s YAKUZA has posted a video for the track “Black Market Liver,” which appears on the band’s latest effort, ‘Transmutations.’ Directed by Sara Jean, the four-minute clip features video imagery, apt to YAKUZA’s unique sound.
Also in YAZKUA news, the band is currently in the midst of booking tour dates to head down south for the South By Southwest music festival before heading up the West Coast and into Canada. A handful of dates have been confirmed already, and more will be available shortly. YAKUZA has been confirmed to share the stage this weekend …read more

Below are a few tour dates posted from Yakuza’s Myspace site. They say more are to come. I’d love to see thme come my way, but then again I’m sure everyone would. Give ‘em time. Also a vinyl available in limited print. Below are the details:
“SAMSARA vinyl is available!!! go to www.eyesofsound.com now! only 500 avail! lets go! james plotkin remix of ‘back to the mountain’ kills.”

Feb 10 2008 5:30P
house of blues w/ ALL THAT REMAINS & CHIMAIRA all ages chicago, Illinois
Feb 23 2008 8:00P
kelley’s Irish Pub Blue Island
Feb 29 2008 8:00P
METRO chicago, Illinois
Mar 9 2008 …read more

Nevermore – Poison God Machine
Turisas – To Holmgard And Beyond
Death Breath – Coffins Of The Unembalmed Dead
Infernaeon – Sleeping God
Yakuza – Cancer of Industry

When it comes to the basics of Metal there are the staple foods of heavy metal that everyone should experience. If I was to recommend some bands the a metal newcomer that is new to the music and has had his/her interest peaked by a band or two, I would recommend the basics. The basics being like I said the “staple food” of a head banger. Metallica, Megadeth, Pantera, Black Sabbath, Judas Priest Iron Maiden, Slayer, Anthrax, Testament, Danzig, etc., etc. However I would also recommend some not metal artists Like Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd just to give the person …read more

I have dumped a bunch of money into CDs this past year, probably more than I have in a long time. I have discovered and re-discovered bands that I’ve been missing out on and was even introduced to new music by record labels that sent me CDs to review (Thanks Bob at Prosthetic and Taylor at Dwell). While most of these albums didn’t come out in 2007, 2007 was the year I bought them and therefore; the first list will be my Favorite Buys Of 2007. The second list is a short one. It’s my favorite Debut records of 2007. …read more

It’s been awhile since I’ve done this and this always helps me find out what others are listening to, what I may be missing and what I should maybe cover a bit more. Here’s what I’ve been into as of late.
All That Remains, I’m really diggin Phil Labonte’s vocals and over all this band is pretty cool.
As I Lay Dying. I just picked up Shadows Are Security after Oceans Between Us impressed me.
Hail!Hornet. Dwell Records sent me this to review and at first I didn’t like Troy Medlin’s vocals, it kinda grew on me and I can’t stop listening. Simply …read more

You saw the review. If you didn’t then check it out if you like. This is my favorite song off of Yakuza’s newest release Transmutations. This song starts off kinda cool, calm and collective. Jazzy, with the sax and everything and just when your about to fall asleep in a state of Zen, it gives kick into over drive with a shot of nitrous oxide . Like I said in the review, this band is not for everyone so don’t come bitchin’ to me if you don’t like it. It’s almost 8 minutes long. Enjoy it courtesy of Prosthetic Records.
Yakuza: …read more

Yakuza is not for everybody. Let’s start with that. Not traditional metal, Yakuza bring their own form and function from the windy city of Chicago. Let me elaborate…
Take a little bit of Mushroomhead, add some Ziggy Stardust, a pinch of jazz and a whole can of Whoop-ass and you have Yakuza. A saxophone, bass clarinet, a moog and a sakuhachi in a metal band. WTF is a moog and sakuhachi…google it!
I told you they were different…but wait. Different in a good way. Every song on Transmutations can go from moderate to stampede in the drop of a dime. You …read more