Silence Is Arson

Six Feet Under’s “Death Rituals,” is by far one of the most interesting and brutalizing records of this time span. “Death Rituals,”  is a surprising album overall going back to the old routes its not being a re-invention or anything but it does go back to their older material. “Involuntary Movement Of Dead Flesh,” takes the intensity dividing it up exposing it more than ever before having the vocals more in depth with killer tones that grab you kicking your teeth in and having the guitar and drumming be exactly in beat with one another is just pure beauty. “Shot In The Head,” is a funny tune that expresses a phone ringing waiting for someone to eagerly pick it up but no one does which goes off into a killer guitar riff with drumming blasting that cannot be controlled. Rather than plopping down a steaming pile of death n’ roll riffs, “Death Rituals,” is filled with simple down tuned Obituary and Bolt Thrower-styled bass heavy chugging riffs. Six Feet Under’s newest accomplishment brings the band home and delivers an album that rocks out with pure death in its name.

Many of us have come across Veteran’s one’s who’ve traveled far and wide and some have fought in the wars protecting our country. But these Veteran’s are totally different from all the rest! From the easy breeze oceans of San Francisco, comes from the water shallowly depths a set of thrash masters mixed in with death metal heart pulsing action, known only as EXODUS. EXODUS’s brings together Rob Dukes (Vocals), Gary Holt (Guitar), Lee Altus (Guitar), Jack Gibson (Bass), with Tom Hunting (Drums), these guys formed in 1980 and have brought seven LP’s among a ton of demo and EP releases that have all swept everyone to pieces blowing them back into the ocean and its sea creatures just waiting to sink their teeth into their flesh. As soon as the blood lands upon the taste buds, lyrical themes causing total violence, politics, killing, Metal, and Satan himself wrap it all up into one combination you’ll never forget. Going into their eighth LP entitled “Let There Be Blood,” continues to let the blood run fast and wide, letting this 9-track torture chamber rattle with shrieking screams from the tormenting beatings. Founder/guitarist Gary Holt commented on bringing this blood shredder to life: “When Tom Hunting (Drums), and I finished the drum tracks for “Let There Be Blood”, we had a half a day of studio time left, we tried to come up with something to record with the spare time we had. One thing led to another, and next thing you know I started playing the opening riff to “Hell’s Breath”, which is when we both said “Hell yeah!” Funny thing is, neither of us had played the song for two-plus decades, so we were going by memory on the exact arrangement of the song. It wasn’t until I started deciphering my old lyrics from some live MP3s that a friend had sent me that I realized we had gotten the original solo section wrong! Just slightly different, but overall, this one came out so killer, almost makes me want to track some more of those old classics!” That being said leaves us in wonderland on if possible in the near future the whole collection of EXODUS will re-surface. “Let There Be Blood,” goes off in several directions riding into “Metal Command,” the title alone sets the proper scene, controlling the listener by all costs to listen and command the ways and lifestyle of the metal universe. The guitar riffs rip and tear their way from start to finish as the drums gallop along in the backdrop, as the vocals ride easily atop as the song plays through, going off to teaching is a very variable lesson. A “Lesson in Violence,” we all know the saying “Violence is not the answer,” but EXODUS think otherwise. The first pound from the blasting drums erupts instantly as the guitar picks up the pace keeping up as the music slowly unfolds itself as the vocals come running in and brings the fast energy flowing through our blood stream. The two-headed beast slated across the album cover, brings out “Strike Of The Beast,” which takes the rough and wild side of EXODUS and destroys everything letting this beast run freely causing as much mischief and mayhem as possible. The guitars and drums pick up again, playing a fast racing tempo causing the blood to overflow. All in all EXODUS throws out another killer album and leaves their mark for everyone to see, stating as their title claims “There Will Be Blood”.

Hidden beneath the depths of the music scene lived a world hardly witnessed by human eyes. The ones who witnessed this sight were amazed and praised for it to branch out and expand its force and energy to whoever was willing to watch, this world is known as the underground scene. Bands from all genres start from the bottom making their way up to the top of the charts one band being from Winthrop, Massachusetts. Trevor Phipps (Vocals) Buz McGrath (Guitar), Ken Susi (Guitar), John Maggard (Bass), along with Derek Kerswill (Drums) formed in 1998 a genre so vale and cruel no name would suit it better than UNEARTH. Their mixture of modern metal and hardcore created a style known as metalcore and UNEARTH hasn’t given up that style to anyone but themselves exposing the power and pure force of what UNEARTH truly are capable of pursuing. First attack brought forth “The Stings of Conscience,” (2001) then “The Oncoming Storm,” (2004) then “III: In the Eyes of Fire,” (2006) being the mighty year of the beast made UNEARTH known across all the lands and roads this world could withstand. But that was the passed and this is now and brings out “The March.” The theme this time around goes into symbolizing both the evil and hopeful sides of humanity. Singer Trevor Phipps describes “The Evil: With the constant balancing act of power within government, religion and our financial institutions, there lies the chance of those most hungry for power to alter and restrict our freedoms for their gain. The Hopeful: This represents the faith in mankind as the most powerful force on the planet. If we come together and do not fight over religion, class and borders then we hold the key to a peaceful world. There are two possible futures in store; either a March of power and greed or a March of a unified human race.” When it comes to breaking apart the 11-tracks offered we get taken and thrown amongst the other soldiers being ordered to march and spread the word of this force that can’t be contained much longer. Opener “My Will Be Done,” explains the meaning of what exactly must be done in order to get this march up and running, in between ordering everyone around, the guitars build up a fast pacing beat and tempo as the drums back them up in the background while the vocals break in between the two pulsing out vocal chords that gush out the blood spraying it everywhere in sight. After the blood has been spilled, “Grave of Opportunity,” takes over letting the creatures of the night life make themselves at home and run wild and free. The drums come roaring in sending out drumming solos as the guitars glide their ways in and out as the vocals dance atop falling into place. “Letting Go,” lumbers its way through as the song unfolds sprinkling some mellow drifts fading in and out showing a more lighter side of UNEARTH which is promising to impress any metalhead. UNEARTH’s “The March,” brings the marching soldiers to an end letting them file out spreading the world of METALCORE metalers UNEARTH!

Where Angels Fall, where do they fall because I know for a fact that Angels fly, not fall down. According to Where Angels Fall standards being the gothic electro band erupting from the midnight skyline, their previous works “Illuminate,” (2006) was a tale with twisted paths expanding into the far end horizon of our detrained world, grabbing a hold of guitar riffs that break into solos ripping off into drumming blast beating actions with mellow soothing vocal skills that places your body at ease. That album brought hope to Where Angels Fall and brought forth their next attempt “Marionettes”. Consisting of 9-tracks continuing a path that led us down several paths that “Illuminate,” had done, except this album has a more in depth tone with melodic meaningful lyrics with more detailed instruments segments shown throughout. Each melody being played the vocals easily floating above the instruments notes being expressed, especially on these tracks “Feed on Depression,” “Path of Sorrow,” and “Female Stigma,” each expanding further than their previous works showing what their instrumental creative minds can really deliver. Each song details and expresses the true feelings and emotions these musicians have faced and feared having the lyrics be so touching and emotional it draws a tear to your eye. The guitars building up the adrenaline and aggression that pulse outward, the vocals carrying out a soft essence that mellows out a sorrow that cannot be contained. Going into each track as soon as the last note has been played, Where Angels Falls, falls into our hearts with these lyrical meanings and instrumental riffs and roars that tears right into our soul.  Bandmates Eirin (Vocals), and Andre Bendigtsen (Guitar), Espen Lohne (Bass), and Jarle Byberg (Drums) throw together a unique style that brings to mind similarities of The 69 Eyes with a mixture of Cradle Of Filth with a dash of Within Temptation. “Marionettes,” continues to led us down a path of wonder and mystery, taking us to a whole another level, that these Angeles have given to us, showing a new dimension, of raw heart felt energy that has been polished again and again leaving behind elements of sheer true beauty that cannot be replaced.

I Am Ghost’s prominent rock/post hardcore goth acts in the music industry has made them known with the success of their last record “Lover’s Requiem,” but the passed is now dead and buried and has brought the future upon us with “Those We Leave Behind,” which opens up fast and wide never taking the time to slow down and take a breather. Each track along with its lyrics consumes you and makes you listen in to all the words and meanings they have to express. I Am Ghost doesn’t hold anything back on this release, this is a total jump into the firey pit, showing their audiences a whole new side and feeling. They expose a very serious and in depth look brining out their ability of how destructive and aggressive their music can be, having you want to riddle out the answers that each lyric and song possess. The first half contains the pulsing and sourcing energy waves as does the second half maintaing that fast rush of progression that doesn’t want to slow down. When it comes down to the spooky path of “Bone Garden,” it takes you down a path of pure coldness as your spine shivers with fear, as the guitars giving a rolling sense never giving up as the drums keep up the pace and keep the mayhem rushing throughout. “Rock N’ Roll High School Murder,” takes a terrible twist bringing the fear even closer to you spraying it directly in your face having the blasting beating rapture of the guitars riffs give a senseation of pure hard rock and roll force you can’t resist. “They Always Come Back,” and ‘Set Me Free,” go together, as “They Always Come Back,” displays the pure energy that I Am Ghost has expressed and is making their name known by showing and proving that they have indeed returned and shall remain to stay and conquer us all. As to when ‘Set Me Free,” allows their returning power to spread wide and open setting them free to expose their returning glory to whoever wants to listen. Overall “Those We Leave Behind,” places everything in its proper place and I Am Ghost has shown their musical ability well, so well they’re a band to keep an eye out for, from now on.

Twelve years into their grind breaking rip-hip-hop punk career the Kottonmouth Kings release their tenth LP release entitled “The Green Album,” consisting of 20-tracks of outrageous musical tunes that will get your body moving to the beat. The Kings are at the top of their game and career when they went and created this album, having a total blend of some creative styles, ranging from earth shattering hip-hop “Rock Like Us,” to “Trippin,” down to the melodic and acoustic vibrations of “Pack Your Bowls,” “Stand,” and “Freeworld.” Mixing a ton of new elements along with some old ones not leaving their punk rock routes in the dust. Breaking out into some other tracks including: “Super Hero,” and “Plant A Seed,” which bring out their punk rock moves and beats sending the pulse of the music flowing through your blood stream. To make this album’s effort even more special, the band decided to denote all the makings that “The Green Album,” sells to various environmental causes to help our planet be more healthy and protected from getting caught up in their fiery blazes and getting chopped into wood and dust. Not only is this album a must have to your CD collection, but the Kottonmouth King’s invited some friends to collaborate, Tech N9ne and X-Clan Brother J stopped by to throw in their skills making their album even better for the listening ear waves.  Taking The Kottonmouth Kings popularity shall continue to rise and conquer and divide over all the rest being a massive musical act that wills defy all the odds thrown against them blowing them to pieces one by one.  The Kottonmouth King’s have blossomed into a mature set of musicians which shall expand into the musical movement spreading their creative and body grooving style across the dance floor.

Artist Vs Poet is excited to announce their debut EP’s release, now available at iTunes and instores. For more info, head to the Artist Vs Poet myspace at www.myspace.com/artistvspoet.

Reggie and the Full Effect have posted their new music video for their song “Congratulations Smack & Katy.” Check out the new video below.

Hey! Now is the time where we have decide what were going to do after we graduate, so it’s been kind of hectic at least for me. So I apologize for the infrequent posts, but I’m trying my best to keep you guys up to date with all the new things happening for all your favorite bands. If you haven’t noticed, I have posted a few new music videos including Paramore’s new video “Decode,” which I must say is an amazing song. We also have a new featured band, Sing It Loud, who I decided to choose after seeing them live on the Sassyback tour.

On another note, Silence Is Arson needs new staff members to help run the site and keep it more updated. So if you’re interested please email me at tamlyn@silenceisarson.com and I’ll be sure to get back to you. Keep in mind I’ll be gone till Tuesday, so it may take me awhile to get back to you, but I promise I will.

Thanks!

~Tamlyn

Funeral For A Friend post their new video for their song “Kicking And Screaming” from their album memory and humanity.