Band Of The Week

Band Of The Week: Socionic

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Socionic is a genre bending band with influences ranging from Tool, Deftones, Nine Inch Nails, the very underrated Porcupine Tree and soundtrack maestro Clint Mansell.  Their music is a classically heavy, all the while adding a melodic sense that carries their artistic vision throughout their songs. You can tell from listening that this band is extremely passionate in how their music sounds and is delivered. Their recent EP release Identity, was produced by Rhys Fulber (Fear Factory, Frontline Assembly, etc) and helps to show their knack for the aggressive side of modern metal and the dark contrasts of industrial. These guys have a sound and the music to really go far.  Socionic is currently gearing up to release a new album this year.
Socionic: Epiphany

 


Check out their music on Reverb Nation:

https://www.reverbnation.com/socionic

https://www.facebook.com/socionic

http://www.socionicband.com/

 

By: Brian Lacy

Band Of The Week: Sweet Cobra

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It’s truly great to have bands coming out that really get what it means to write pure honest songs, and make music that has real meaning and depth. Enter Chicago’s Sweet Cobra. The band was founded in 2003, and came charging out the gates with the fury and passionate qualities of their hardcore/noise-rock/metal roots mixed with a more straightforward rock delivery. Over the course of their career, Sweet Cobra has played with bands such as Pelican, Russian Circles, Coliseum, Black Cobra, Doomriders, The Life And Times, Young Widows and many more. Sweet Cobra toured relentlessly throughout the beginning of their career and released a myriad  of recorded material, including three LPs, 2004’s Praise through Seventh Rule Recordings, 2007’s Forever through Hawthorne Street Records, and 2010’s Mercy on Blackmarket Activities, not to mention splits with Doomriders, Young Widows among others. Sadly, tragedy struck in 2009 when second guitarist Mat Arluck lost his ongoing fight with cancer. Sweet Cobra went on as a three piece and pushed forward, playing shows, constructing new material, and exploring new sounds. Now in 2014 the band is gearing up to release Earth through Magic Bullet Records. The band’s triumphant new LP was recorded and produced by Matt Talbot of Hum and Kurt Ballou of Converge, and also features guest musical contributions from each artist. This album is sure to be a sonic blast of genuine awesomeness.

 

 

https://www.facebook.com/sweetcobra

 

By: Brian Lacy

Band Of The Week: A Light Within

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A Light Within is a Kansas City, Missouri based shoegaze/alternative rock band known for songs that tap into the darker side of being, all the while creating a sound that is epic and flush with beauty. With influences like Pink Floyd, Palms, Porcupine Tree, Isis, Mogwai, and Deftones, you can really get a sense of where they are coming from. Their debut EP, “Preface”,  was released in the spring of 2013. According to the band, the EP is a concept based upon a reflection of one’s life after dealing with significant love and loss. A Light Within is currently recording a follow up EP and hope to release it in early 2015.



 

https://www.facebook.com/ALWaudio

http://alightwithin.bandcamp.com/

 

By: Brian Lacy

Band Of The Week: Haster

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Haster of Orange County, California was formed in late 2010. With influences such as Chevelle, Deftones, Tool, and Korn, their sound plays off those influences into a solid alternative metal foundation. I’d even compare them to a newer band like Nothing More.  Their main goal is to incorporate  ambient feel, heavy foundation, and a performance intent on telling a story, evoking a rich experience that creates an insatiable desire for more.  In addition to releasing their full length album Let It Go in 2014, Haster has amassed some acclaim with Best Metal Band Nominee at the Orange County Music Awards in 2014, Best Metal Band of Artists In Music Awards in 2013 and Artist of the Year & Best Metal Band Nominee at the Artists In Music Awards in 2012.

 

Within These Walls:

 

Medicine:

 

https://www.facebook.com/Hasterband

http://www.reverbnation.com/Haster

http://www.hastermusic.com/

Band Of The Week: Malaki

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Female fronted bands a lot of the times seem to be very gimmicky, but Malaki is a strong exception to the rule. This melodic metal 5 piece is leaving their mark all over Los Angeles. The band recently released their BLUE EP which is chock full of melody, heavy riffs, and soaring vocals. With an EP and live show as strong as they have, I’m sure they will fast become a must see.

https://www.facebook.com/Malakiband

Sunshine:

Full Live Show At The Troubadour:

 

By: Brian Lacy

 

Band Of The Week: Ancillary Theorem

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Los Angeles’s Ancillary Theorem is bringing something artistic and thought provoking to the Hard Rock/Metal world suffering from the same stale monotony. The band’s sound incorporates hardcore and thrash metal, subtle texturing combined with aggressive screams, melodic lines, and ambient vocals, which comes across strong and determined. Currently the band is working on a double album entitled Lions, the follow up to their album Infinite. This is one band that should be on your radar if you are a fan of heavy melodic music.

 

 

https://www.facebook.com/Ancillary-Theorem

http://www.reverbnation.com/ancillarytheorem

By: Brian Lacy

Band Of The Week: Tidalwave

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Hailing from Charlotte, North Carolina, Tidalwave is causing some waves. This 2 piece (yes I said 2 piece), has crunchy rhythmic riffs and a generous amount of melody. Tidalwave has a modern rock approach to their music, similar to Chevelle and even another two piece band Local H. Their self titled debut EP produced by Jaime King (Between The Buried And Me) is a sharp melodic burst of energy. This is the type of band that is radio ready but also has enough of an edge to still retain their hard rock principles.

 

 

https://www.facebook.com/itsatidalwave

 

 

 

By: Brian Lacy

Band Of The Week: Dedvolt

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Dedvolt is a heavy rock band based out of Sacramento, CA. Their mix of aggressive, heavy yet melodic music, blends into a very dynamic sound. Influenced by bands such as Deftones, Sevendust, Shinedown and Chevelle, Dedvolt has a sound that will surely grab the attention of fans of heavy rock. Since the formation of the band in December 2011, Dedvolt have begun putting miles on the road playing shows through out the West Coast and everywhere they can gaining fans from their live shows. Their debut album Bleeding Heart was released in July 0f 2014. Dedvolt has come out at the right time, especially when melody is missing from a lot of heavy music these days. 

 

Carving The Waters:

 

https://www.facebook.com/DEDVOLT

http://www.reverbnation.com/dedvolt

 

 

By: Brian Lacy

Band Of The Week: Before The Mourning

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The ability to mix melody and heavy music is tricky. You want to be able to keep the edge without betraying the heaviness but all the while make it full and coherent. Los Angeles’s Before The Mourning have been able to do just that. Lyrically you can hear the pain and anguish. The riffs and rhythms are fast, heavy and mosh inciting.  The bands influences of Swedish metal bands like In Flames and Soilwork mixed with the groove and melody are in the way the songs are written. The bands live show is full of energy and is very intriguing. Their debut album Etherial End was co-produced by Logan Mader and will be out in the fall. If you are into melodic metal, definitely check these guys out!

 

 

https://www.facebook.com/BeforeTheMourning

 

By: Brian Lacy

Band Of The Week: Ghost Parade

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The ability to write hooky melodic songs that actually have substance is not an easy task. There are plenty of bands that try but fall flat on their face. One band that I’ve come across has been able to combine both and maintain a heavy edge is San Francisco’s Ghost Parade. Their meld of progressive rock, alternative rock and even subtle pop moments is infectious and catchy. Ghost Parade are on to something here.. The band’s Foundations EP showcases the a band that seem to only have scratched the surface. The vocals are clear and coherent. The guitars ring bright and the bass adds some tasty rhythms to balance out the drums precise rock swing. I’m really interested to see where they go next.

 

 

 

http://ghostparade.net/

https://www.facebook.com/GhostParade

 

By: Brian Lacy