Rumors About Elysia's Return..

It has been rumored that deathcore stalwarts Elysia may return to the stage. While this may not be too wow- inducing considering their last album was a lot less enjoyable than Masochist, vocalist Zach Vargas is said to be returning as well, which is exciting enough in itself to make up for it. So you may now once again proudly don your "Elysia Hates You/ You Make Me Fucking Sick" tees.

TWA Seeks a New Bass Player

Phoenix metalcore quintet The Word Alive has parted ways with their bassist and is now seeking another. If you are interested and meet the criteria posted by them, shoot them an email at twatryout@yahoo.com

Canadian Band 'Counterparts' Releases New Matierial

As of the past few weeks, Canadian young- bloods Counterparts have released two new songs that were not on their full length entitled "Prophets." Support this tremendously good band and go earn them some listens. The first song is called To The Grave, and the second is (You Think You're) John Fucking Locke.

FOR FANS OFMisery Signals, The Ghost Inside, For The Fallen Dreams

Runner- Ups for 2010

Here are some albums that were also great from the past year, but just didn't quite make it into my top 10. Here are the 5 that I wish I could have picked, but just didn't quite hit the mark.

I recommend these 5 albums to anyone who loved the previous albums from these bands.

Still Remains to Reunite

It seems as though metalcore pioneers Still Remains have gotten back together for... well... "x" amount of time. It is unsure whether or not this change will be permanent or just for the last tour of Haste The Day. The best part about this is that they have gotten back together with a majority of the line- up from their best album, Of Love and Lunacy. I personally hope they can throw another great album together. They are one of the few gateway bands who got me into any sort of heavy music.

xMERRYCHRISTMASx

To anyone who had even looked at this damned thing so far, thank you and merry Christmas. Have a brutal one.

Figured it might be relevant to mention that Emmure has finished their new album, and it will be released in February. Hoping it isn't really awful because I loved The Respect Issue and Goodbye To The Gallows. Felony definitely wasn't the best on album, but they are pretty sick. I feel like trying to rap was a bad idea.

Happy holidays!

My Top 10 of 2010

So, I feel each year there are many relevant releases when it comes to core albums. Some range from extremely talented musicians, to ones that have the ability to write a riff that doesn't ever leave your head. While I feel that my love for technically proficient music may overshadow some of the more catchy options, here is my.... drum roll please!

TOP TENT LIST FOR 2010

#10

Album - Invade

Band - Within The Ruins

Short Description:

I have always enjoyed the furious wankery of Within The Ruins. Creature unleashed a flurry of complicated and equally brutal riffs. This years album, Invade, also does just that.Catchy and technical.

#9

Album - Oceans
Band - Beneath The Surface

Short description:
Deathcore can be a very hit- and- miss genre for most people. Lately, even myself has grown a bit tired of it. This album saved my hope for deathcore and is pretty awesome. Nothing is particularly inventive, but it is still a fun listen.

#8
Album - Option Paralysis
Band - The Dillinger Escape Plan

Short Description:
Dillinger always manages to put out a unique record. End of story.

#7
Album - There is a Hell, Believe My I've Seen It. There is a Heaven Let's Keep It a Secret
Band - Bring Me The Horizon

Short Description:
Bring Me The Horizon. Many of you may or may not like the band. Regardless, you have to recognize how much an improvement was made on this album. Some of the songs are not so great, but the good ones are really GOOD. Enough to make this at number 7. The songwriting has moved passed the generic deathcore, and then an album that only consisted of Bury Your Dead and UnderOATH rip- offs.
Listen to the single and decide whether or not you like the change.

#6
Album - Perspectives
Band - House Vs. Hurricane

Short Description:
Synth- laden post- hardcore. What isn't to like? Don't judge it by the millions of other really bad bands that use the same formula, because this band is... well... fucking sick to say the least. A few complicated melodies and synth to add a sort of dystopian atmosphere. Best of all, it comes from Australia!

#5
Album - Symptoms + Cures
Band - Comeback Kid

Short Description:
In short, CK is in touch with their roots. While this album may not be as good as Wake The Dead, it sure as hell holds up to the standards created for them. Throw in a little more melodic punk influence than the usual hardcore formula, and songs such as Balance are what you get. A record that is strong enough to stand on it's own, and will get many plays from anyone who can appreciate the band.

#4
Album - Breathless
Band - The Eyes of a Traitor

Short Description:
TEOAT is a band I have had my eye on for a while. The 5- piece powerhouse has consistently written fresh music. While the last album saw our young blood writing in a more melo- death style, this years Breathless really shows what the band has got. Some djent, some melody, some atmosphere. Not every song is a hit, about 85% of the album is more than enough to keep me replaying it.

#3
Album -S/ T
Band - Periphery

Short Description:
Oh Bulb, how you have done it again. Meshuggah needs to move out of the way, because I feel Periphery may catch up to their legacy in the coming years. Mind blowing drums and lead lines cover groovy rhythms, and music that twists and turns with the vocal stylings of Spencer Sotelo.


#2
Album - Exoplanet
Band - The Contortionist

Short Description:
I won't lie, I hated this album at first. While that is a strong word, I feel the only reason is because they changed up their sound a lot from the spacey deathcore that it used to be. Now it has grown on me a little bit, and while it cannot compare to Apparition, it is still really fucking good. The new vocalist needs a little work, but the rest of the band proves to be more than capable of writing a good piece of music. I mean, they would have had to considering Ken Susi agreed to produce them.

And now for #1.
WARNING: Fanboy- ism ahead

Album - [Id]
Band - Veil Of Maya

Short Description:
And while I wait for the new Misery Signals to drop, this is one of the few albums I listen to on a regular basis. Veil Of Maya blindsides you in a RIGHT- IN- THE- FUCKING face kind of way, with the title song. Complicated rhythms lead into the song "Unbreakable", which is probably one of the strongest on the record. Technicality and a very unique style are displayed by the only guitarist in the band, Mark Okubo. The vocalist spits out positive sounding lyrics. The drums play some mind blowing polyrhythms and make the album a whole. Codex is my personal favorite song, as it reminds me a lot of The Common Mans Collapse and is probably the most melodic of all the songs. In my opinion it exemplifies most the sound that Veil Of Maya has created.

Thus concludes 2010 in review. While there are still many albums I would have liked to put on here, I find that these 10 are easily the best. Thank you for reading!

 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Getting started...

Today is the day I finally decided to create this blog, something I have been wanting to do for a while now. Hoorah! Now that is out of the way and I can get on to the point. "Clear The Pit" will be my means of writing review for albums and live shows that I have seen recently, or listened to recently. For the most part, the content will be about or involving music that have been stamped with the label -core. Some posts may be about a live show, some may be about an album, who knows? Even some new posts maybe, if they are relevant.

Anyway, the point being is that this will be my place to jot down everything I feel about bands as I see or hear them. I have quite an unhealthy lust for the genre, and is one of the few things I can honestly say I know a lot about. I see shows often. I perform in a band called Dawn Brings Revenge, and intend to take our show on the road. I wish to share my knowledge and opinions with people who may see the music the same way I do.

Okay Chris, enough rambling about yourself here...

ANYWAY
The next post will come fairly soon. As I have yet to keep a consistent schedule for myself, this blog will be updating regularly, but with no set agenda. I have no idea what this next post will be, but you'll know as soon as some crazy idea pops into my head.