Tag Archives: Christian Metal

Impending Doom – The Sin and Doom Vol II

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When it comes to Deathcore, artists only have so many areas to explore with such confined boundaries. Impending Doom has continued to stay within those confines with their blend of “Christian” deathcore. Their latest album, The Sin and Doom Vol II (eOne), maintains this pattern across ten new tracks. Overall, the record is a fun deathcore album instrumentally and vocally which I returned to quite a few times. However, I found lyrically that this band continues to be on the cringe-y side in some tracks more than others.Continue reading →


Blessthefall – To Those Left Behind

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Metalcore is one of the most popular alternative music genres nowadays, with thousands upon thousands of bands attempting to sound ‘edgy’. It is easy to get sick of the genre really quickly, but there is occasionally a new album which comes out and proves that the genre is still going strong. That album would be To Those Left Behind (Fearless) by Blessthefall. Seriously.

Opening track ‘Decayer’ is powerful, brutal and energetic from the get-go. Although Blessthefall’s previous albums were enjoyable to listen to, there is something different about ‘To Those Left Behind’: it is easy to hear how much their sound has progressed in just a short space of time. Their sound is not only heavier, but it also sounds much more passionate.

‘Up In Flames’ was the first single to be released from the new album and it still remains one of the most exciting songs. The fusion of melodic vocals, harsh screams and heavy riffs stays true to the original Blessthefall style whilst still managing to sound fresh. Frontman Beau Bokan has stated that they do not want to be classed as a Christian metal band, but their lyrics could be seen to be of a religious theme: “Don’t drag me through your nightmare; don’t tear apart what I am. You’ve got your demons, they parallel mine. You’re not the victim, you’re my parasite.”

When a band releases a new album it is easy to say that it is either their best or worst album to date, however, Blessthefall have truly created an album to be proud of. The harsh vocals are some of the best that they have ever done and it is safe to say that Blessthefall are at the top of their game right now.

 

7.5/10

JULIA CONOPO


Underoath Confirms Full Reunion Tour, Playing Two Classic Albums

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Underoath, photo credit by Joshua Weaver

Underoath, photo credit by Joshua Weaver

Post-hardcore heroes Underoath, fresh off last weeks announcement of two reunion shows, have revealed a full slate of 2016 tour dates dubbed “The Rebirth” tour. The band, led by returning founding/drummer Aaron Gillespie, will perform both of their now classic albums They’re Only Chasing Safety (Solid State) and Divide The Great Line (Tooth And Nail) at very show. Pre-sales are live now via http://underoath.merchline.com. A general on-sale date of 8/28 will see all tickets on sale to the public at 10 AM. VIP packages featuring an assortment of items including an exclusive, limited edition, double vinyl reissue of the two releases as well as t-shirts, sound check access, etc (full details below).

The band commented on the reunion tour:

Tim McTeague: “I think the thought of Underoath playing again seemed really exciting We never thought we’d ever even want to play together again, much less be as excited to do so. It was a really cool feeling, and when discussing what this tour could be, it just felt right to play the two albums that our fans have held dearly for so many years. I think it’s going to be really special.”


Spencer Chaamberlain: “I hated the idea of Underoath being ‘over’ and I’m not sure what we are, but we are all friends again and that’s really the most important thing. That being said, we felt like now is a great time to do a tour and celebrate Define The Great Line turning ten.”

 

Underoath “The Rebirth Tour” tour dates
Mar 16: Jannus Live – St. Petersburg, FL
Mar 19: 2016 Self Help Festival – San Bernardino, CA
Mar 20: South By So What – Dallas, TX
Mar 21: Warehouse Live – Houston, TX
Mar 22: Cain’s Ballroom – Tulsa, OK
Mar 23: The Aztec Theater – San Antonio, TX
Mar 25: The Marquee – Phoenix, AZ
Mar 26: Brooklyn Bowl – Las Vegas, NV
Mar 28: The Regency Ballroom – San Francisco, CA
Mar 30: Showbox SODO – Seattle, WA
Mar 31: Crystal Ballroom – Portland, OR
Apr 01: Knitting Factory – Boise, ID
Apr 02: The Complex – Salt Lake City, UT
Apr 03: Ogden Theatre – Denver, CO
Apr 04: Arvest Bank Theatre – Kansas City, MO
Apr 06: Skyway Theatre – Minneapolis, MN
Apr 07: Riviera Theatre – Chicago, IL
Apr 08: Royal Oak Music Theatre – Royal Oak, MI
Apr 09: Orbit Room – Grand Rapids, MO
Apr 10: The Pageant – St. Louis, MO
Apr 11: Rocketown – Nashville, TN
Apr 13: Agora Theatre – Cleveland, OH
Apr 14: Best Buy Theater – New York, NY
Apr 15: Starland Ballroom – Sayreville, NJ
Apr 16: Electric Factory – Philadelphia, PA
Apr 17: House of Blues – Boston, MA
Apr 19: The Phoenix- Toronto, ON
Apr 20: The Fillmore – Silver Spring, MD
Apr 21: The NorVA – Norfolk, VA
Apr 22: Amos Southend – Charlotte, NC
Apr 23:Tabernacle – Atlanta, GA

Pre-sale package details:

Uø Rebirth Tour: Tocs X Dtgl 2 X Lp Double Vinyl
• 2 x 180 gram white colorway vinyl with They’re Only Chasing Safety and Define The Great Line
• Both Define The Great Line and They’re Only Chasing Safety full-length albums
• Machine numbered limited edition vinyl
• Triple gatefold
• Die-cut inner and outer jackets
• Brand new re-imagined artwork and layout by Kyle Crawford of kyleisez.com


Rebirth Vip Package 1
• General Admission ticket via will call on day of show [*NYC tickets will be mailed]
• VIP exclusive laminate that will be available at will call on day of show
• VIP exclusive front of the line access! Your laminate will allow you to be in the front of the line prior to doors so you can get the best seat in the house!
• Option to reserve your copy of the exclusive Rebirth Tour Edition TOCS x DTGL 2xLP vinyl


Rebirth Vip Package 2
• Limited edition VIP exclusive Rebirth Tour Edition t-shirt
• Limited edition VIP exclusive Rebirth Tour Edition numbered enamel pin
• General Admission ticket via will call on day of show [*NYC tickets will be mailed]
• VIP exclusive laminate that will be available at will call on day of show
• VIP exclusive front of the line access! Your laminate will allow you to be in the front of the line prior to doors so you can get the best seat in the house!
• Option to reserve your copy of the exclusive Rebirth Tour Edition TOCS x DTGL 2xLP vinyl


Rebirth Vip Package 3
• Early entry to the show to watch sound check as well as a meet and greet with the band
• Early entry pre-doors access to the merchandise table
• Limited edition VIP exclusive Rebirth Tour Edition t-shirt
• Limited edition VIP exclusive Rebirth Tour Edition numbered enamel pin
• General Admission ticket via will call on day of show [*NYC tickets will be mailed]
• VIP exclusive laminate that will be available at will call on day of show
• VIP exclusive front of the line access! Your laminate will allow you to be in the front of the line prior to doors so you can get the best seat in the house!
• Option to reserve your copy of the exclusive Rebirth Tour Edition TOCS x DTGL 2xLP vinyl

 

Underoath online
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Underoath on Twitter

Underoath on Instagram

 

 


Sleeping Giant – Finished People

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Christian Metal is a marginalised genre at the best of times. Is it all a marketing ploy? Hardcore is a good medium for faith-based metal. It’s easy to convey the passion you have, and they have that in spades, but recent claims from As I Lay Dying frontman Tim Lambesis that “maybe one in ten Christian bands” are genuine have not done the scene any favours. Sleeping Giant seem to mean it though. Finished People (Century Media) is the fourth album from the trio (Tom Green – Vocals, Geoff Brouillette – Guitar, Matt Weir – Drums).

Opener ‘Clutches’ builds from a slow start to a high octane crusher; Green doesn’t take long to start singing about spreading Christian love, but his vocal range is impressive nonetheless and he maintains a positive vibe throughout. Repeated breakdowns are to be expected and are delivered on a regular basis and as is often the case, their constant appearances can become fatiguing. But there are also melodic passages on the likes of ‘Overthrow’ or ‘Finished People’ reminiscent of Jamey Jasta’s solo album as well as thrashy elements on ‘Death Knell’ and ‘Brother’s Keeper.’

Overall there’s a good balance between the usual hardcore genre expectations and melody, but there’s plenty of bite in their sound. ‘Son of God, Son of Man’ is a highlight, as are ‘Christus Victor’ and ‘Victory.’ However there are plenty of overly generic, anonymous moments where it’s mostly shouting and breakdowns. The only outright bad song is ‘Violence’; an overblown and pretentious spoken word passage.

Whether they “mean it” or not, Sleeping Giant have made a respectable album full of energy and zeal with a positive message. They’ve also made an album lacking any new ideas and occasionally straying into pretentiousness or generic breakdowns. There a lot worse albums out there, but it’s a decent effort.

 

6.5/10

Sleeping Giant on Facebook

 

DAN SWINHOE