Band Of The Week

Band Of The Week: The Arson Choir

When it comes to heavy music these days, bands have to bring something more to the table than just the “heavy.” Thankfully, a lot of bands have started to incorporate other elements to make them stand out. One such band that has been doing that is The Arson Choir. These guys have taken the metallic hardcore vibe and added some interesting time signatures, and the right amount of “noise” to make something a bit different than the rest of the pack. To perfectly describe them it’s as though The Dillinger Escape Plan, Every Time I Die and Botch all morphed into one. Their most recent EP, Invisible Monsters (out now via War Against Records) is a righteous slab of in your face riffs, rhythms and vocals. The Arson Choir is definitely on the right track with what they are doing. By incorporating different elements and stepping outside their comfort zone a bit, they will for sure be a band to be reckoned with. I can’t wait till shows are allowed again so I can go see these guys live. I have a feeling these songs will be huge live and the energy will be off the charts.

The Arson Choir- Invisible Monsters EP:

Band Of The Week: Comatose
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I love it when a band can be inspired and influenced by a certain period of time and it doesn’t sound forced or like it’s a complete derivative of that era. Enter Minnesota’s, Comatose. This four piece delivers a sound that is heavy and fuzz driven with the right amounts of melody, atmosphere and aggressiveness that packs a walloping punch. Their new album, A Way Back is eight songs of pure rock that is sure to peak anyone’s interest that needs some good rock music in their day. There’s a complexity to this record as well that, the more you listen, you get a different perspective. The riffs compliment the punchy and tight rhythms and the vocals add the right amount texture. Comatose is the type of band that is needed in today’s musical climate. A band that lets their music do the talking and showing a lot of others how to do 90’s style rock the right way.

Comatose- A Way Back:

The Other Side: Lady Lazarus

True artistry is not easy to find these days. So many supposed artists lack the depth, honesty, and creativity to make something truly compelling. A while back I found an artist that captures all those things and then some. Enter Lady Lazarus aka Melissa Ann Sweat. Since her debut album Mantic in 2011, Melissa has been honing her craft and delving deeper and deeper with each album. When you listen to her music there is a real sense of courage, urgency and truth pouring out of her. There’s also a journey taking place as you venture into the albums. There’s a darkness within the songs but, a feeling of hope and light at the end. The words conveyed are poetic and somber while the voice channels different energies and feelings to really encapsulate the mood. Musically, the minimalistic approach makes everything stand out and the chills that it gives is worth it. If you are looking for something that’s inspiring and hopeful, than Lady Lazarus is just what you need.


Impossible Journey Of My Soul Tonight:

Miracles:

All My Love In Half Light:

Mantic:

Band Of The Week: Invent Animate
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One of the most intriguing things about heavy music and its many sub-genres is the ability to take from all of them and make something fun and interesting. Recently I came across a band that has taken bits of metalcore and added some really cool prog elements as well as a tinge of ambience to find a balance that hits you like a ton of bricks when it all kicks in. That band is Invent Animate. Since their inception, they have played and toured with bands like Silent Planet, Northlane, Erra, Currents, After The Burial and many others. Their new album, Greyview (out now via Tragic Hero Records), is a summation of the description above but offers more than what you’d expect. The arrangements and space on these new songs showcase a band that is truly dedicated to writing deep and lasting songs. Invent Animate is a band that is on the verge of truly finding their sound and separating themselves from their peers.

Invent Animate- Greyview:

Band Of The Week: Enforced
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Heavy music is a huge favorite of mine, in case you didn’t notice. The sheer energy and magnitude from that genre really hits home. One sub-genre that I’ve always been fond of is the Thrash Metal. There’s something about the speed, intensity and prowess that pulls it all together. Recently, I was introduced to a band hailing from Virginia that has nailed the Thrash style. Enforced is a band that has all the right stuff down to the blazing riffs, pummeling breakdowns, and hard pounding rhythms. They remind me a little of the band Power Trip (R.I.P. Riley Gale) as well as early Slayer and Kill Em All era Metallica. Enforced will be releasing their new album, Kill Grid on March 12 (via Century Media). These guys are primed to become one hell of a band to see live, once shows are allowed again. In the mean time check out the these two songs from their upcoming album.


Enforced- Hemorrhage:


Enforced- Malignance:

Band Of The Week: Silent Trust
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One thing I’ve always found interesting is hearing bands from different places. Sometimes, the band from the oddest place, really finds a way to carve their own niche. Which brings me to Mississippi’s own Silent Trust. Hailing from the Gulf side of the state, these guys have taken their love of epic 80’s anthems, 90’s grunge, bits of metal and the modern contemporaries of today to bring a heaviness and an edge to what they do. The music is ripe with melody and riffs to go along with a thunderous almost hurricane like storm of emotions. The band’s debut album was produced by Jim Wirt (Incubus, Hoobastank, and many more) and it captures the sound these guys have been dreaming of. The first single, “My Enemy” is a great encapsulation of what this band is all about. The realness in the lyrics and delivery not just vocally, makes this stand out amongst their peers and especially in their home state. Silent Trust is just beginning to scratch the surface of what they can do and this is the right step forward.

Silent Trust- My Enemy:

Listen on Apple Music:

Listen on Spotify:

Band Of The Week: Blunt Razors

I love a good side project. More often than not, the side project allows the artist to explore a different side and see where that experiment goes. It’s quite interesting to hear this other side and experience something you aren’t used to hearing from that person. Which leads me to the band of the week, Blunt Razors. I’ve long been a fan of the band Planes Mistaken For Stars and when I heard that Gared O’Donnell and Neil Keener were working on new music that wasn’t going to be Planes material, I became very intrigued. While quarantined together throughout 2020 in Peoria, IL, they wrote and recorded a plethora of incredible songs. Sonically, some were enough of a departure from Planes Mistaken For Stars, that the pair felt it deserved a different name. And with that, Blunt Razors was conceived. Their debut release, Early Aught, is comprised of five gut-wrenching originals that have the grit and charm that Gared and Neil are known for. The two songs released so far, “Speeding” and “Amber Waves” show that there is a whole other level of creativity to these two talented writers. Their debut is out on November 20 (via Deathwish Inc).


Blunt Razors- Speeding:


Blunt Razors- Amber Waves:

Band Of The Week: Strangelight

One of the best things about rock music is the ability to mix different genres and styles. The end result of these concoctions often times end up making for some really intriguing bands. Which is exactly why I’m really digging the band Strangelight. They’ve been able to take rock n roll music and add bits of punk and an anthemic tinge and made something fun, lively and thought provoking. Their debut album, Adult Themes, is chock full of hard hitting rhythms, crunchy riffs and impactful vocals. The production on the album courtesy of Scott Evans (you might recognize him from his work in Kowloon Walled City) gives these songs the added realness their already raw and direct delivery. There are moments when listening to Strangelight, that you pick up on the inspiration and influence of bands like Fugazi, Hot Snakes and Rocket From The Crypt but, it’s apparent in a flattering way and not a straight up rip. Strangelight are the type of band that, I’m sure if you saw them live, they would straight up rip the roof off the venues they play.

Strangelight- Adult Themes:


Band Of The Week: Sound & Shape

In a time when people are saying rock is dead, they obviously aren’t looking in the right places. Rock music is very much alive. Enter Sound & Shape, this three piece band hailing from Nashville, Tennesse, have the right amount of heaviness, soul and melody to keep rock music going. Through the course of the band’s career, they’ve released three full length albums along with two EP’s. They’ve also had the pleasure of touring with bands like Sparta, Kings X, and The Spill Canvas. One of the things that really intrigues me about Sound & Shape is the vocal harmonies. Those harmonies are striking and smooth and have this really cool 70’s vibe that has a nice bit of soul and r&b to them, thus making it stand out. Their new song “All Day Morning,”features those quite well I must say. Sound & Shape are the type of rock band that is needed to keep rock n roll music going.

Sound & Shape- All Day Morning:


https://soundandshape.bandcamp.com/

Band Of The Week: Spirit Adrift

I love a good throwback sound. Especially when it’s done in a fresh way but still retains the core of what the band is trying to convey. With heavy metal, there is a chance it can go either way but, it seems that Spirit Adrift have mastered it perfectly. Spirt Adrift have taken their love of metal from the 70’s, 80’s and even a bit of the 90’s and crafted an album that has invoked that spirit (pun totally intended), and let it run free. The bands upcoming album, Enlightened In Eternity, is chock full of great songs, melodies, riffs, solos, and so much more. There’s a fun playful vibe to this band but, at the same time you can definitely hear the serious nature of the songs. You can feel and hear the blood, sweat and soul poured into this album, just based on the three songs released so far, “Screaming From Beyond,” “Astral Levitation,” and “Harmony Of The Spheres.” Spirit Adrift have really made an album that stands out from the rest of their peers. Enlightened In Eternity is an album that will leave a lasting impact on those who listen. This band is on fire and they will have you wanting to rock out the moment you put this album on.


Screaming From Beyond:




Astral Levitation:



Harmony Of The Spheres: