Quick Hiatus

Sorry about that quick hiatus everyone, got a little absorbed in life for a bit, but I am back and should be updating about every other day at the least. In the meantime, please check out the new video of the week. Defiler is a pretty sick up- and- coming band.

New Arsonists Get All The Girls Song

Arsonists Get All the Girls have been in the scene for a while and have always been pretty different from most bands in their similar genre. This time around, they have cut most of the breakdowns out and have paved the way for a more groove- laden album. Check out their new songs on their Facebook. It requires a "like" to listen.

Monsters Decide to Call it Quits

Deathcore/ Nu Metal band Monsters has decided to end the band. Not much was said in their statement, so I won't even bother. Apparently it is on good terms, and they all just decided to part ways. There will also be a farewell show. I am a little confused, because they just released an album a few months ago, as well as signed themselves to Emmure frontman, Frankie Palmeri's label. New album was kinda bad anyway. But I will still spin The Righteous Dead once in a while.

The Endless Steppe

Some of you may know just how it feels to have a genuinely small music scene where you live. My town is no exception. In my opinion, it is very rare for a band in this genre of music to create music that is catchy, and has some talent behind it. Well there is one band here doing just that. They may have dumbed their sound down a little bit to bring out that catchy element, but my good friends in The Endless Steppe have released a record to be reckoned with. While my opinion may be a bit biased since they are such good friends of mine, I personally think it is only a matter of time before they go places.

NOTE: While this is (yes), a deathcore, please do not let the term scare you away. Give them a chance. I mean it's free, what do you have to lose?

The Endless Steppe
'Momentum'

Carne Asada Fries
Godzilla
Beneath The Hide
Delusion
Oceans
Deuce No Challenge No Blitz
John WB/ Harvey Djent
Momentum
Macho Man Randy Savage

Download:
http://www.mediafire.com/?a3ihjeiykzzobg8#2
Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Endless-Steppe/150735068294824

Misery Signals, The Acacia Strain, The Ghost Inside and More Announced...

To release some cover songs for Homefront. Bands included are: Misery Signals (HOORAAAAAAYYYYYY AGGGGH *seizure*) Veil of Maya, As I Lay Dying, Periphery, The Ghost Inside, The Dillinger Escape Plan and many more. Here is the article posted on theprp.com.

"A number of heavy bands look to be involved with the soundtrack to the upcoming video game “Homefront“. Misery Signals most recently entered the studio to track an as-yet unspecified cover for the game. Other artists expected to appear on the soundtrack include As I Lay Dying, The Acacia Strain, Periphery, The Ghost Inside and more.
Further details are expected soon, while the game is on course for a March 08th release date on Xbox 360, Playstation 3 and PC platforms."

New Emmure Single

...-Core (as to not start fights) band Emmure has released a new single, and I am not gonna lie. I am really stoked on it. It took what I liked about The Respect Issue and Goodbye To The Gallows, and put it into this song. Their new album comes out relatively soon. I would buy it if I were you. It is gonna be sweet. Do it. NOW. DOOOOOOO IT. Anyway, heres the song...

New Monsters S/ T

The new release from deathcore band Monsters has just been released through Franki Palmeri's record label False Prophet. If you want my completely honest opinion, it is definitely a little lack- luster. I was pretty excited for this album, but it is kind of forgettable. The first release they made was really good. It was catchy with some good tech parts. I just can't get into the whole I- am- gonna- rap- while- playing- this- breakdown kind of thing. Maybe it will grow on me. Who knows. Give it a try for yourself.

The Dillinger Escape Plan on Tour

A band with a truly indeterminable genre. If I had to give them one, it would probably be metal-pop-math-beer-steroid-insane-prog-post-fuckasscore.

Moving on....

TDEP is going on tour this summer with Deftones. What an odd combination (even though it's fucking sweet) I highly recommend going to see them, they put on one of the most wil live shows I have ever seen.

Here are some dates:

4/14 Seattle, WA @ Paramount Theatre
4/16 Portland, OR @ Crystal Ballroom
4/18 Vancouver, BC @ Commodore Ballroom
4/22 Denver, CO @ Ogden Theatre
4/25 Kansas City, MO @ Harrah's
4/26 St. Louis, MO @ The Pageant
4/28 Minneapolis, MN @ First Avenue
4/29 Milwaukee, WI @ The Rave
4/30 Chicago, IL @ Riviera Theatre
5/1 Detroit, MI @ Fillmore Theatre
5/4 Montreal, QC @ Metropolis
5/5 Hampton, NH @ Hampton Beach Casino
5/6 Providence, RI @ Lupo's
5/7 Hartford, CT @ Webster Theatre
5/9 Boston, MA @ House of Blues
5/10 Philadelphia, PA @ Electric Factory
5/11 Sayreville, NJ @ Starland Ballroom
5/13 New York, NY @ Best Buy Theater
5/14 New York, NY @ Best Buy Theater

Whitechapel Replaces Drummer

Deathcore enthusiasts Whitechapel will be replacing their former drummer Kevin Lane. The only reason I could seem to dig up so far is that he would like to return to school in their home state of Tennessee. He will be replaced by more- than- capable- ex- drummer of Knights Of The Abyss, Ben Harclerode. It seems that there is a lot of action stirring up with some of the older deathcore bands nowadays. I still hope Elysia gets back together.

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

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!

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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.