High Vis, Body of Light, Choir Boy, Spice and More Featured on Dais Records and Retrospekt Cassette Compilation, Out Now


LA/NYC based label, Dais Records, has teamed up with product-design studio, Retrospekt, for the release of a limited edition, CP-81 tape player, with its own compilation. The collection, DAIS223, includes new music from High Vis, Spice, Choir Boy, RIKI, Drew McDowall, Helm, Tor Lundvall, VR Sex, Cold Showers, ADULT., SRSQ, Body of Light, and more. Keep reading below for further information.

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Crossfaith – Xeno


Crossfaith Xeno album cover 2015

Confession time. Up until two days ago when my editor sent me this assignment I had never heard of Crossfaith. So yeah, for a band that has been kicking since 2006 and consistently on tour it took me until their fourth LP Xeno (Razor & Tie) to acknowledge their existence. I am the definition of timeliness.

Anyways, during my lunch break I browsed the web out of boredom and realized that Crossfaith’s sound has been described as renown for combining metalcore and electronic dance music. Naturally when reading that combination of genres the first thing that comes to mind is “I’ve died and gone to hell.” Immediate visions of laptopcore bands like The Browning and Blood on the Dance Floor flooded the brain. Fuck me.

But don’t knock it till you try it, or at least that’s what the girl as the grocery store seems to always tell me. Look at the bright side, Crossfaith is from Osaka, Japan and the land of the rising son has fostered plenty of eclectic and talented metal bands such as X-Japan, Dir en Grey, and Maximum the Hormone. Just press play.

You only get one chance to make a first impression and Crossfaith for the most part hits the mark. Instead of the Hot Topic goth dance party I was dreading the music on Xeno was actually listenable. Multifarious to a fault, but still listenable. Pretty good, actually. However if you are looking for some dance party action then check out ‘Wildfire’ (featuring Skindred’s Benji Webbe) and it’s unholy matrimony of EDM and Reggae. And I can say with no shame that I blasted it out loud in my car.

Crossfaith band 2015

That being said the tunes here are more in line with Slipknot, mid-career Soilwork and even some Linkin Park for good measure. Frontman Kenta “Ken” Koie leans more on his singing voice on this effort and it helps elevate songs like ‘Raise Your Voice,’ ‘Devil’s Party’ and the excellent title track to radio rock anthem status. In addition to Koie’s strong performance, much attention should also be paid to drummer Tatsuya Amano’s frantic bursts of aggression and producer Josh Wilbur’s (Avenged Sevenfold, Lamb of God) masterful work behind the studio board.

The one moment on Xeno that lost me was power ballad ‘Tears Fall.’ It’s an excellent showcase for Koie’s pipes and it does feature a tuneful solo from guitarist Kazuki Takemura, but it’s way too sappy to fully take seriously. So much so that you could sell it for parts to Bullet for My Valentine. While that gamble doesn’t pay off, Crossfaith pick up the pace again with ‘Paint it Black’ and the drumming showcase that is ‘Vanguard.’ But before the album comes to a close these Osaka natives get a another chance to play with dynamics and texture on ‘Calm the Store’ a melodic track that is much more in line with the aforementioned Linkin Park or Dead Letter Circus.

I feel slightly less hesitant about the melding of electronics and metalcore. Slightly. You done good, Crossfaith.

8.0/10

HANSEL LOPEZ


Audio: Crossfaith Streams New Album- Xeno, Out Next Week


Crossfaith Xeno album cover 2015

Crossfaith have streamed their entire new album Xeno, due out next week from Razor & Tie. You can hear the album at this link or below:

Xeno track listing:

01. System X
02. Xeno
03. Raise Your Voice
04. Devil’s Party
05. Ghost In The Mirror (feat. Caleb Shomo from Beartooth)
06. Dystopia
07. Wildfire (feat. Benji Webbe from Skindred)
08. Tears Fall
09. Paint It Black
10. Vanguard
11. Calm The Storm
12. Astral Heaven

Crossfaith band 2015

 

Pre-order the album and get ‘Ghost In The Mirror’ and ‘Xeno’ and an instant grat download: http://smarturl.it/CrossfaithXENO

Tour dates are pending for a UK tour with Skindred this fall.

 

Crossfaith online

Crossfaith on Facebook

Crossfaith on Twitter

Crossfaith on Instagram

Crossfaith on YouTube


Video: Crossfaith Releases Devil’s Party Video


crossfaithdevilsvid_638

 

Crossfaith have released a new video for their song Devil’s Party, the first clip from their forthcoming album Xeno (Razor & Tie) due out on September 18th. You can watch the Devil’s party video at this link or below:

 

 

Front man Kenta “Ken” Koie commented on the video:

“This is the first music video from our new album, ‘Xeno’, and we put a lot of effort into it. I’m certain that you can feel our vision/concept of the album through this music video. Learn the words and sing with me at the show!”

 

Crossfaith Xeno album cover 2015

Xeno track listing:

01. System X
02. Xeno
03. Raise Your Voice
04. Devil’s Party
05. Ghost In The Mirror (feat. Caleb Shomo from Beartooth)
06. Dystopia
07. Wildfire (feat. Benji Webbe from Skindred)
08. Tears Fall
09. Paint It Black
10. Vanguard
11. Calm The Storm
12. Astral Heaven


Audio: Crossfaith Featuring Caleb Shomo – Ghost In The Mirror


Crossfaith band 2015

Crossfaith has released the first single from their forthcoming album Xeno (Razor & Tie), due out on September 18th. ‘Ghost In The Mirror’ features Beartooth vocalist Caleb Shomo. You can hear the track at this link or below:

 

 

 

Crossfaith front man Frontman Kenta ‘Ken’ Koie has commented on ‘Ghost In The Mirror’:

This song is about the fight against myself. Everyone has some bad habits, and self-control can be very difficult for humans. And we invited our new best friend, Caleb Shomo of Beartooth, to contribute a guest vocal on the track. His voice made this song more aggressive and offensive. I can’t wait to play this song with him at our show.”

 

Pre-order the album and get ‘Ghost In The Mirror’ and ‘Xeno’ and an instant grat download: http://smarturl.it/CrossfaithXENO

 

Crossfaith has been performing ‘Ghost In The Mirror’ this summer with Shomo on the Vans Warped Tour. The band is also planning a UK tour with Skindred this fall.

 

Crossfaith online

Crossfaith on Facebook

Crossfaith on Twitter

Crossfaith on Instagram

Crossfaith on YouTube