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.

What is Metalcore

Recently a friend asked me to make an informational post about these sub- genres because it is sometimes confusing for people who have lives (unlike me) to understand. It is also hard considering that there is a lot of arguing when it comes down to it. This post will give brief summaries of multiple genres to let you make your own informed decisions. Here you go Xuian (go check out his sweetass blog at here)

A little history-
Metalcore originally started as a joke term to describe hardcore with metallic elements. Coined by Shai Hulud if I remember correctly. Since, it has evolved into something so much more.

Metal-
A broad term used to describe many types of music with various sounds. Usually heavy and downtuned, with some technicality thrown in. Dark atmosphere. Too much to type really. Many sub- genres have been created to describe all kinds of different sounds. The music usually depends on the written music itself. Examples: Dream Theatre, Dark Tranquillity, Scar Symmetry.

Hardcore-
A deviation of punk music with a much more aggressive attitude. The music isn't based on any sort of theory or skill, it is all pure emotion; negative or positive. It is completely based on the attitude you put in. Beats are very simple and riffs are generally only chord- derived with shout- out choruses and much crowd participation.. Examples: Crime in Stereo, H2O, Comeback Kid

Metalcore-
An amalgamation of both aforementioned genres, metal and hardcore, the genres tries to blend the best of both worlds. A metallic twinge with the musical skill and heaviness, plus the attitude and presentation of hardcore. Metalcore has a MASSIVE spectrum. Bands range from the more metal side (Killswitch Engage), to more hardcore (Earth Crisis), and everywhere in between. Elitism arises often on both sides, and for some reason don't like the other. They try and shove metalcore to a sub- genre of one or the other, but truth is, it is BOTH. Examples: August Burns Red, I Killed The Prom Queen, Parkway Drive.

Deathcore-
This can either be a mix of hardcore and death metal, or metalcore and death metal. The music almost always relies on it's brutality, and can either range from just very heavy and energetic, to blindingly technical or atmospheric. Vocals are typically a lot more death metal oriented. Utilizes tremolo picking, sweeping solos, fast double bass, blast beats and chromatic rhythms. Examples: Beneath the Massacre, Winds of Plague, Despised Icon.

Post- hardcore-
Generally utilizing any of the other core genres, and blending them with post- rock elements. Utilizes plenty of clean singing as well as screaming. Melodies are plentiful and often beautiful. The music is often very well written. Examples: Lower Definition, Dance Gavin Dance, Silverstein.

Djent-
Term coined by one of the Meshuggah guitarists to describe Catch 22. Not exactly a genre, but it is a sound you get when you mute notes in a certain manner. Instead of the usual "jun - juns", it comes out as a sharp muted noise "djent - djent." Pronounced like gent with a hard D sound. Examples: Periphery, Meshuggah, Permillisecond, Cloudkicker.

Tags-
Various extra tags can be thrown in before these genres to further describe their sound. Some included are: technical, melodic, progressive, generic.

Notes-
First of all, these should only be to describe the general sound of a band, and the band should not be pigeon- holed into sounding exactly like every other band like them. Debating is stupid, because most of the time it is a matter of opinion. Don't let the label keep you from listening. Secondly, and I will say this with some passion, NOTHING IS DEPENDENT ON BREAKDOWNS. Breakdowns have occurred in both father genres for decades upon decades. Only in the past decade have they been utilized in the manner specifically for the crowd to react to. They are just fun to throw down to.

New Periphery Song

Progressive metal/ djent/ shredcore band Periphery has released a new song. This track "Frak the Gods" is going to be put out on their forthcoming ep Icarus EP. I am not gonna lie to you, this track is beyond sick. It far surpasses anything else on their first full length put out by Sumerian. Great production, amazing vocals, and as always, Bulb never fails to deliver some crazy guitar work. Here is the link to the Metalsucks post with the song in it. Happy listening!

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

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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