Death of Paris - S/T

 

“Give yourself a hand ‘cause you gave up on this.  It was dying wish and still you called it quits”.  With the first few notes sung by Jayna Doyle over the notes brought forth by the talented Blake Arambula’s dark synth and guitar work, I was hooked.  This synth-rock band isn’t some pop outfit.  It’s a band with a message and the edge necessary to connect with fans all over the world. 

I’ll admit, I usually loath synth rock.  It always feels too bright and too forced.  However, Death of Paris doesn’t give me that feeling at all.  The music sounds a bit like old Orgy.  Dark rock.  However, Jayna Doyle pushes this band beyond that level. 

Her voice is amazing.  Her lyrics are amazing.  The performance she puts forth on this album crushes anything put out by Paramore.  She’s a rock diva, and people will see that soon. 

However, a great vocalist doesn’t mean much if there isn’t a talented group of musicians behind her.  Luckily for her, she’s found her crew.  While the musical parts aren’t overly complicated, they are orchestrated in such a way that they create an almost symphonic feel.  Especially the synthesizers.  They are all over the place, and Arambula has some truly impressive runs. 

On  the album, Arambula does the guitar work as well.  It’s quite amazing to see one musician put so much work into an album.  He has some runs and nice licks, but he sits back and rocks out with the best of them, allowing the music to mesh together and work as a singular piece of sound.  The drumming is intense and meshes well with the electronica sound.  Patrick Beardsley handles the guitar work live, and he’s equally amazing. 

Another thing I love about this band is the sheer amount of things they do well.  From the amazingly catchy East or West, to the straight rock of Narcoleptic, to the beauty of Oubliette, this band can do it all, and do it well. 

On top of the incredible music, they put on a hell of a show.  They have an incredible light show that goes with the performance and really cranks up the drama.  It’s a very visceral and well thought out program.  This is a highly intelligent band who knows how to interact with fans. 

Overall, this is one of my greatest surprises I have heard this year.  You really need to do yourself a favor and check these guys out.  Death of Paris gets my highest commendations. 



--The Professor

Yngwie Johan Malmsteen-Concerto Suite For Electric Guitar and Orchestra in E Flat Minor Op. 1

This shred metal Johan pulled a Bach.

Pull out your best headphones, turn down the lights, close the door and sit in your most comfortable chair.  We are going on a journey into genius with a virtuoso guitarist.

Yngwie Johan Malmsteen is one of the greatest technical guitarists ever to grace the earth. Born in Sweden in 1963, he gained stardom in the mid-1980’s with his neo-classical approach to heavy metal guitar.  His best known album is Odyssey and, if you haven’t heard it, you should or, for that matter listen to any of his other heavy metal releases. He continues to produce one amazing release after another and his stage shows are legendary. However, even he will tell you that his masterpiece was not a heavy metal album.

In 1998 Malmsteen wrote Concerto Suite For Electric Guitar and Orchestra in E Flat Minor Opus 1 and performed and recorded it with the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra in Prague.  Here is Malmsteen at his most expressive.  On just the first of twelve tracks, or should I say movements, “Icarus Dream Fanfare,” he makes his guitar sound like a violin, a cello, and somehow it is still amazing clean shred metal guitar backed by a complete orchestra that gives the entire production classic majesty and grace.  Like any great classical music it brings you through dramatic highs and lows and you get lost in the music.

The second movement, “Cavalino Rampante,” is an unusual piece akin to a rushed dirge.  You  can feel the lonesome landscape of Sweden in the fading Arctic winter light as Malmsteen plays counterpoint to the orchestra’s clipped strings and building tension.

The piece “Fugue” speeds down a slope in a waltz of frantically pick strings and twirls in unison as echoed voices rise to the call of the percussion.  It’s like Disney’s “Fantasia” with Mickey playing an electric guitar instead of a pail and mop.

The fourth track “Prelude to April” promises a sad romance. Malmsteen plays a nylon string acoustic guitar. He and the orchestra take us on a faintly classical Spanish journey with a sustained eeriness and building rush.  It is followed by another movement, “Toccata,” where Malmsteen’s nylon string guitar fronts a sustained orchestral eeriness in order to showcase Malmsteen’s guitar virtuosity.

For “Andante” Malmsteen pulls out the electric guitar.  This is a soaring composition with a repeated melody.  I can close my eyes and see armies on the march.

The seventh movement, “Sarabande,” returns Malmsteen to the acoustic guitar.  This time he displays some of the fastest musical acoustical lead progressions that I have ever heard. 

The “Allegro” explodes and the “Adagio” complains.  Concerto themes are repeated and Malmsteen adds an electric guitar that wails, cries and talks to the orchestra.  There is a conversation going on and you’re right in the middle of it.

The start of “Vivance” is thunderous.  The guitar playing is exacting and frenetic. The tenth movement builds and then, as if clouds have parted, Malmsteen’s guitar is allowed to shine and plea. Then the orchestra answers. 

“Presto Vivace” is the penultimate, the track that leads to the “Finale.”  Here, Malmsteen brings all of his themes together. It is a fast and furious gathering with echoed voices, swirling guitar, flying fingers, flying notes, bursts of timpani and cymbal and, ultimately, the “Finale” grace note.
This is the album that Malmsteen calls his “pièce de résistance.”  Who am I to argue with that?

- Old School

ROYAL THUNDER PREMIERE "BLUE" VIDEO VIA PITCHFORK; ANNOUNCE NORTH AMERICAN AND EUROPEAN TOUR DATES

Royal Thunder, the Atlanta-based co-ed quartet whose debut album (CVI) landed on Best of 2012 lists from Decibel, Pitchfork, Spin, Revolver and the Village Voice,  premiere their video for "Blue" via Pitchfork (http://pitchfork.com/tv/youtube/13-music-videos/630-royal-thunder-blue-official-music-video/).

The clip comes as news of the band's first European tour is confirmed.  Royal Thunder will perform a handful of mid-April dates with Pallbearer including a stop at Roadburn on Apr. 18.  The band also kick off a month of North American dates, joining Enslaved and Pallbearer for a trek that launches on Jan. 30 at Underground Arts in Philadelphia.

"This is a long awaited tour for both Royal Thunder and the many European fans who have reached out to us over the past couple of years," said singer/guitar player Mlny Parsonz of the band's first European tour. "Roadburn is a wild dream come true.  Anyone I have talked to that has played Roadburn always has exciting and positive feedback on the festival.  Europe or Bust!  Here we come!"







Royal Thunder 2013 tour dates:

dates w/Enslaved and Pallbearer
Jan. 30    Philadelphia, PA    Underground Arts
Jan. 31    Baltimore, MD    Ottobar
Feb. 1    Pittsburgh, PA    Mr. Small's Theatre
Feb. 2    Detroit, MI    The Magic Stick
Feb. 3    Chicago, IL    Reggie's Rock Club
Feb. 4    Minneapolis, MN    Mill City Nights
Feb. 6    Denver, CO    Marquis Theatre
Feb. 8    Los Angeles, CA    Troubadour
Feb. 9    San Francisco, CA    Slim's
Feb. 10    Portland, OR    Branx
Feb. 11    Seattle, WA    Highline Bar
Feb. 12    Vancouver, BC    Biltmore Cabaret
Feb. 14    Edmonton, AB    Pawn Shop
Feb. 15    Calgary, AB    Dickens Pub
Feb. 16    Regina, SK    The Exchange
Feb. 17    Winnipeg, MB    The Osborne Village Inn
Feb. 19    Toronto, ON    Opera House
Feb. 20    Montreal, QC    Les Foufounes Electriques
Feb. 21    Boston, MA    The Sinclair
Feb. 22    New York, NY    Bowery Ballroom

dates with Pallbearer (except Roadburn)
Apr. 10    London, UK    Borderline
Apr. 11    Antwerp, Belgium    Trix
Apr. 12    Leipzig, Germany    Connewitz
Apr. 13    Berlin, Germany    Bi Nuu
Apr. 14    Linz, Austria    Posthof
Apr. 15    Bologna, Italy    Freakout Club
Apr. 16    Aarau, Switzerland    K.i.F.F.
Apr. 17    Germany    TBA
Apr. 18    Tilburg, Netherlands    Roadburn

BUTCHER BABIES to Tour with Marilyn Manson; Band Added to Hell & Heaven Metal Fest 2013

With heavy metal and horror-inspired theatrics fascinating crowds worldwide, the BUTCHER BABIES has emerged as one of the biggest draws on the Sunset Strip in their hometown of Los Angeles, CA.  Within a few short weeks BUTCHER BABIES has made two huge announcements: a record deal with metal label CENTURY MEDIA RECORDS and a 2013 North American tour with shock-rock icon MARILYN MANSON.  A list of confirmed dates can be seen below.


In addition, BUTCHER BABIES is proud to announce that they have been confirmed to play Hell & Heaven Metal Fest 2013.  The festival is on May 18th and 19th in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico.  MOTӦRHEAD, ANTHRAX, SUICIDAL TENDENCIES, and MOONSPELL are already confirmed for the festival along with a number of other key acts.  Additional details on Hell & Heaven Metal Fest 2013 will be released and more information on the event can be found here: www.hellandheavenfest.com


Fronted by Carla Harvey and Heidi Shepherd - named two of the year's 'Hottest Women in Rock' by Revolver Magazine - BUTCHER BABIES has brought their show worldwide wowing UK fans at this year's Download Festival and as support for ANTHRAX in Cardiff.  Following their UK appearances, the band returned to America as direct support for OTEP and just wrapped up their first headlining tour.


Butcher Babies' track "Axe Wound" (listen here) is currently in rotation on Sirius XM Liquid Metal, and their short movie/video for the track "Mr. Slowdeath" can be seen here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YttVe6v31Yk.  The band - vocalists Harvey and Shepherd, guitarist Henry Flury, bassist Jason Klein and drummer Chris Warner - is currently working on their full-length debut, slated for a worldwide release in Summer 2013 via Century Media Records.

Dates with Marilyn Manson:

01/18/13 - Milwaukee, WI @ Eagle's Ballroom
01/19/13 - Cincinnati, OH @ Bogart's
01/20/13 - Columbus, OH @ The LC Pavilion
01/22/13 - Detroit, MI @ The Fillmore
01/23/13 - Cleveland, OH @ House of Blues
01/25/13 - Wallingford, CT @ The Dome
01/26/13 - Boston, MA @ House of Blues
01/28/13 - Montreal, QC, CA @ Metropolis
01/29/13 - Oshawa, ON, CA @ General Motors Centre
01/30/13 - Hamilton, ON, CA @ Hamilton Place Theatre
02/01/13 - Sudbury, ON, CA @ Sudbury Arena
02/04/13 - Winnipeg, MB, CA @ MTS Centre
02/05/13 - Moose Jaw, SK, CA @ Mosiac Place
02/06/13 - Saskatoon, SK, CA @ TCU Place
02/08/13 - Calgary, AB, CA @ Stampede Corral
02/09/13 - Edmonton, AB, CA @ Shaw Conference Centre
02/11/13 - Vancouver, BC, CA @ Queen Elizabeth Theatre
02/13/13 - Portland, OR @ Roseland Theatre
02/19/13 - San Francisco, CA @ Warfield Theatre
02/20/13 - Anaheim, CA @ The Grove of Anaheim
02/21/13 - Los Angeles, CA @ Club Nokia
02/23/13 - Las Vegas, NV @ House of Blues


Hell & Heaven Metal Fest 2013:

*Butcher Babies performance date TBA.  The festival is 05/18/13 and 05/19/13.

For more information on BUTCHER BABIES, please visit:
www.facebook.com/butcherbabiesmusic
www.twitter.com/butcherbabies
www.centurymedia.com

EDM/Rock Retailer/Label FiXT Partners with Groupees.com for Newtown, CT Shooting Benefit

January 3rd, 2013 - In response to the recent, tragic events that took place at the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, EDM/Rock (Electronic Dance Music) Retailer/Label FiXT has partnered with Groupees.com and over 50 other various artists to help raise support for the victim's families and community, giving 100% of donations to the official Sandy Hook School Support Fund.

Support comes in the form of the #ToNewtownWithLove Bundle that features an extensive collection of music donated by artists and record labels like Celldweller, Blue Stahli, Savant, Sluggo, Cyanotic, Hard Dance Nation, Bit Riot Records & more, representing over 7 different countries and genres ranging from Rock/Metal to EDM/Dubstep.

Donors can purchase the #ToNewtownWithLove Bundle through Groupees.com, beginning January 3rd and running through January 17, 2013, for a minimum $1 donation with added bonuses for larger donations.

As creators, we understand that art can provide joy, inspiration and meaning to people. However, as powerful of medium as the arts can be, they cannot undo the loss of life or the impact a tragedy like this has on the victims’ families, friends, community, and the rest of the world. Our goal for this promotion is to support, uplift, and memorialize the spirits of the victims and their families as well as shine a bright and enduring light on the community of Newtown. May the World not simply stop for a moment to take pity on a small town and its people, but rather may we all be reminded everyday by the work of these artists that change is needed to prevent tragedies like this from ever happening again anywhere and everywhere. - To Newtown With Love - Mission Statement

All content has been donated & 100% of donations will be donated to the Sandy Hook School Support Fund, a charitable fund established jointly by United Way of Western Connecticut and Newtown Savings Bank to support the Newtown community following the Sandy Hook School tragedy.

To Donate & For More Info, visit:

http://groupees.com/newtown

Relapse Symphony - Time’s Running Out

I will begin with full disclosure here.  I have a nasty habit of taking a look at the members of a band and writing them off.  I’m only human.  I took one look at the makeup clad, bandanna wearing, hair teased rockers with the tag “this is what rock is all about” in their press kit and almost skipped them. 
I like natural looking rockers.  It makes it more relatable and feels less fake. 

However, I am really glad I didn’t, because these guys are good.  They have a LostProphets vibe to them, with more solos and even more energy.  In fact, their whole ensemble sort of reminds me of the UK behemoths. 

That’s a good thing.  Lostprophets makes some pretty catchy rock-pop-electronic tunes. 
It’s no different here. 

The album opens on a high note, with a rocking introduction to their music.  A nice, sludgy riff breaks into some nice singing melodies and heavy hooks.  This is very accessible music.  You can really find yourself lost in the groove of it all. 

There are plenty of A Day to Remember style breakdowns thrown in throughout.  The only difference is that while A Day to Remember tries way too hard to seem like a “metal” band and only come off as forced breakdowns to seem “cool” and “scene”, these guys are natural about it. 

Then they break into solo sections.  This is when this band truly shines.  The guitar work is awesome.  These boys can truly play.  That sets them apart from the usual pop-rock “faux metal” groups.  There’s even some late 90’s early 00’s Ataris on songs like The Other Side of Town which is ridiculously catchy and hasn’t left my brain since I heard it. 

This is definitely slightly sugary-heavy music.  This is very poppy in nature but has enough musicality to sustain the rock purists.  This type of music isn’t my favorite, but these guys really grabbed on to me. 
My only complaint about the experience is the singing.  The man has an awesome voice, but for some reason, they decided to throw a ton of effects over it.  While I enjoy vocal effects to add some texture to the music, this is present throughout the EP.  I’m going to keep up with this crew and hope that they release a more natural sounding album.  I’d probably get hooked. 

Check these guys out if you love A Day to Remember, The Ataris, Lostprophets, or any other band of that nature. 

--The Professor

CORRECTIONS HOUSE: Members Of Eyehategod, Neurosis, Nachtmystium, Yakuza Unite; Winter Tour Dates Confirmed

CORRECTIONS HOUSE, the new collective featuring Mike IX Williams (Eyehategod), Scott Kelly (Neurosis), Sanford Parker (Nachtmystium) and Bruce Lamont (Yakuza), today confirm a string a rare live shows. The 19-date trek will commence on January 21, 2013 in Brooklyn, New York and wind its way through much of the of the East Coast before concluding in Denver, Colorado. Special solo sets by Parker, Lamont, Kelly and Williams will be performed prior to closing each night as CORRECTIONS HOUSE. Further info on CORRECTIONS HOUSE to be announced in the coming days.


CORRECTIONS HOUSE Winter Tour 2013

1/21/2013 Saint Vitus Bar - Brooklyn, NY

1/22/2013 Great Scott - Boston, MA

1/23/2013 BAR - New Haven, CT

1/24/2013 Metro Gallery - Baltimore, MD

1/25/2013 DC9 - Washington, DC

1/26/2013 Strange Matter - Richmond, VA

1/27/2013  Kings Barcade – Raleigh, NC

1/28/2013 The Atlantic - Gainesville, FL

1/30/2013 Churchill’s - Miami, FL

1/31/2013 Crowbar - Tampa, FL

2/02/2013 Bottletree - Birmingham, AL

2/06/2013 Siberia - New Orleans, LA

2/07/2013 Rudyyards - Houston, TX

2/08/2013 Korova - San Antonio, TX

2/09/2013 Red 7 - Austin, TX

2/10/2013 Bryan Street Tavern - Dallas, TX

2/11/2013 Opolis – Norman, OK

2/13/2013 Slowdown - Omaha, NE

2/15/2013 Moon Room - Denver, CO