Deafening Sound

Here's a look at what I've been listening to this past month. See what you think, sample a bit of it...it's good stuff.

1. Bitter Tea (The Fiery Furnaces)

This is a band that I still have trouble wrapping my brain around. I'm not going to attempt to describe them to you...just picture an indie combination of between the buried and me, the number twelve looks like you and sufjan stevens. that's the best explanation i can give you...and even that doesn't quite cover the band's musical diversity. get into it.

2. Thrill Seeker (August Burns Red)

This band is sick with talent. They're probably one of the heaviest metalcore bands ever, and they're easily the best band on SolidState's roster (although the new Underoath is a strong second place for good music, I'll admit that) With some pummeling instrumentals and downright scary vocals and fast paced tunes that destroy any stereo they come through...August Burns Red's music is a must have for fans of heavy music.

3. III: In The Eyes Of Fire (Unearth)

I've gotta say...Unearth is a great band. While it does need to be pointed out that they've been sticking to the same formula for the past few years, you've also got to say that that formula never REALLY gets old. You can't deny that Ken Susi and Buz McGrath are two total guitar whiz kids, and Mike Justian can kill a drum kit like nobody's business. While I haven't heard this whole album...what I have heard will destroy you.

4. Unhallowed (The Black Dahlia Murder)

I was never one of those people who hopped on The BDM's band wagon at first. But after awhile, the fact that they're so...well, corny really doesn't matter as much and you can fully appreciate the sick drum fills and the catchy melodic death metal guitar riffs of their killer debut, Unhallowed. This is a really good cd, and they're a really good band. Just don't waste your money seeing them live.

5. Beauty And The Breakdown (Bury Your Dead)

I've said it before and I'll say it again. If an album has a sticker recommending an album for fans of other bands...ignore it. Especially if Victory Records is the label that put the sticker on there. These are the people who recommended With Honor to people who like AFI and Rise Against...and they dropped the ball pretty badly on the new Bury Your Dead, recommending it to fans of Slipknot and Korn...if you saw that...punch someone close to you, then ignore it and buy the album. This cd is killer...one of the best of 2006 so far, and well worth getting, even if you do happen to be one of those people who likes Korn.

6. Self Destructive Pattern (Spineshank)

Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know they're numetal. But I think we've reached the point where that's no longer a taboo classification. Numetal or not...this is a really, really good album. The opening track 'Violent Mood Swings' is really well written, as is radio-friendly 'Beginning Of The End', and frankly, if you can get into The Agony Scene, you really ought to be able to get into Spineshank...they're really really similar in a lot of ways. Whatever your feelings about numetal...Spineshank is amazing. Check this out.

7. From Russia With Love (Cold War)

In the last few weeks I've listened to this album literally every day. It's so good. Best lyrics, unbelievable musicianship...well, ok...not 'unbelievable'...but really, really good. These guys have some of the best vocals and some pretty sick instrumentals going down as well...I'd recommend this 100% to anyone who likes metal or metalcore of any kind.

8. This Is The Spark Of Life (Zombie Apocalypse)

This is another album that I've been listening to every day...which isn't hard to do...it's not very long, only about eleven minutes. It features ex and current members of Shai Hulud and one of my personal favorites, Shallow Water Grave, and it's unbelievable. Picture a cross between Shai Hulud (the older stuff, like their split with Another Victim or Hearts Once Nourished With Hope And Compassion) and The Misfits. That's basically what you get with Zombie Apocalypse, and it sounds just as good as you'd think it would.

9. Rebirth of the Temple (Silent Civilian)

As you can see, I'm on a big Jonny Santos kick. After the release of Self Destructive Pattern, Santos decided to leave Spineshank. I don't know why exactly, and I don't really care either. After a short disappearance from the music scene, he reappeared with a pretty Trivium/guitar solo-fueled metalcore band called Silent Civilian, who just released this album earlier this year. If you enjoy guitar solos, and singalongs that consist of almost unnecessary use of the word 'Hey' ...this is the album for you. Great stuff, no doubt about it.

10. We Will Become Happy Endings (Brothers + Sisters)

Right now this band's actual album (if there is one) isn't in my possession...yet. But the songs they have on myspace.com that I've listened to are infectious and they remind me of the feeling I had the first time I listened to Minus The Bear...it's catchy, it's minimalist...but at the same time...there are a billion and one layers. I love this band, and I hope everyone at least checks them out. www.myspace.com/brotherssisters

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