Author: JoshIVM

February 28, 2008

REVIEW : As I Lay Dying - An Ocean Between Us

Band: As I Lay Dying Title: An Ocean Between Us Label: Metal Blade Review By: JoshIVM Tracklisting: 01. Separation 02. Nothing 03. An Ocean Between Us 04. Within Destruction 05. Forsaken 06. Comfort Betrays 07. I Never Wanted 08. Bury Us All 09. The South Of Truth 010. Departed 11. Wrath Upon Ourselves 12. This Is Who We Are Members/Duties: Tim Lambesis: Vocals Nick Hipa: Guitar Jordan Mancino: Drums Phil Sgrosso: Guitar Josh Gilbert: Bass, Vocals I must first say that As I Lay Dying have been one of my favorite metal bands in the past few years.… Continued →

REVIEW : A Thousand Times Repent - Virtue Has Few Friends

Band: A Thousand Times Repent Title: Virtue Has Few Friends Label: Tribunal Records Releases: 3/11/2008 Review By: JoshIVM Tracklisting: 01. Curses! Another Shape-Shifting Wraith! 02. A Band Of Hunters Stalk In Edo 03. Take Me To The Witch Of The Waste… We Have Much To Discuss 04. That Was The Night Everything Changed… 05. So Much For Middle-Earth 06. Complete Relinquish. Utter Abandon. Members/Duties: Nate: Guitar Dowd: Guitar Chris: Guitar Jeremy: Bass Shannon: Drums Darsen: Vocals I just happened across these guys on Myspace sometime early last year.… Continued →

REVIEW : Once Nothing - First Came The Law

Band: Once Nothing Title: First Came The Law Label: Solid State Released: 1/15/2008 Review By: JoshIVM Tracklisting: 01. The Intimidator 02. Avoid Me Like The Plague 03. Juliet Or At Least What’s Left Of Her 04. Gunfire Is The Sound of Freedom 05. The Dust Of A Town 06. My Sweet Medusa 07. Columbus Wasn’t Looking For America 08. Then There Were Nine 09. All My Heroes Are Cowboys 10. The Truth About Me Or Someone Like Me 11. Whiskey Breath 12. …And Then Came Grace Members/Duties: Todd Lowry: Vocals Josh Branas: Guitar Giuseppe Capolupo: Drums Steve Lucarelli: Bass David Burkes: Guitar Upon first listen I started the first song and then quickly moved to the second.… Continued →

REVIEW : Ivoryline - There Came A Lion

Band: Ivoryline Title: There Came A Lion Label: Tooth & Nail Released: 2/5/2008 Review By: JoshIVM Tracklisting: 01. Days End 02. We Both Know 03. Parade 04. All You Ever Hear 05. Be Still And Breathe 06. Remind Me I’m Alive 07. Left Us Falling 08. And The Truth 09. Bravery 10. Hearts And Minds 11. The Last Word Members/Duties: Scott Socia: Guitar Jeremy Gray: Vocals Wes Hard: Drums Robert Woodward: Bass Dusty Kittle: Guitar Ivoryline is one of the many new signings that the Tooth & Nail empire will be releasing upon the masses this year.… Continued →

REVIEW : The Classic Crime - Acoustic EP

Band: The Classic Crime Title: Acoustic EP: Seattle Sessions Label: Tooth & Nail Review By: JoshIVM Tracklisting: 1. Seattle 2. Blindfolded 3. The Test 4. Wake Up (Shipwreck) 5. The Drink In My Hand (Live) 6. When The Time Comes 7. Far From Home Members/Duties: Matt MacDonald: Vocals Justin DuQue: Guitar Robbie Negrin: Guitar Skip Erickson: Drums Alan Clark: Bass The Classic Crime have decided to go against the norm and forego a true sophmore effort by releasing an acoustic EP. The band had already stated these songs didn’t fit the sound they normally presented so they needed to do it this way.… Continued →

February 11, 2008

REVIEW : Thieves & Liars - When Dreams Become Reality

Band: Thieves & Liars Title: When Dreams Become Reality Label: Dreamt Music Released: 1/22/08 Review By: JoshIVM Tracklisting: 01. The Dream 02. Betrayed By Blood 03. Road To Nowhere 04. Slavin’ Away 05. Run 06. Alone 07. Forgotten 08. When Dreams Become Reality 09. Good Times 10. Seven Long Years 11. Reconciled 12. The Author Of Dreams Members/Duties: Corey Edelmann: Guitar Joey Bradford: Bass, Vocals Kyle Rosa: Drums Thieves & Liars, a rock band out of the San Diego area, are here to show that rock ‘n roll is not dead but much the opposite.… Continued →

January 12, 2008

REVIEW : Remove The Veil "Another Way Home"

Band: Remove The Veil Title: Another Way Home Label: Facedown Review By: JoshIVM Tracklisting: 01. The Crux 02. A Rage Scene Retold 03. Vampire 04. How To Jump A Ravine 05. Burn It Told 06. Watauga 07. Devil Child 08. Wait To Wake 09. The Revision 10. Another Way Home 11. The Secret Syndrome Members/Duties: Mark Hendrix: Vocals/Guitar Cliff McCall: Bass Pat Hood: Guitar Mark Coxwell: Drums Remove The Veil formed just 2 years ago, released an EP and then signed to Facedown. The band plays a punk-metal hybrid with a lot of Southern flare.… Continued →

REVIEW : A Plea For Purging "A Critique Of Mind And Thought"

Band: A Plea For Purging Title: A Critique Of Mind And Thought Label: Facedown Review By: JoshIVM Tracklisting: 01. Sons Of Vipers, How Will You Escape The Judgment Of Hell 02. While The Sparrow Sleeps 03. The Slaying Of The Serpentine Dragon 04. The Betrayers 05. Perseverance 06. Resurrection Of The Beast 07. A Hymn Of Praise 08. Death Has Been Swallowed Up In Victory 09. Everything And Nothing 10. Turn It Down Members/Duties: Andy: Vocals John: Bass Blake: Guitar Lyle: Guitar Aaron: Drums Let there be shred!… Continued →

REVIEW : Impending Doom "Nailed. Dead. Risen"

Band: Impending Doom Title: Nailed. Dead. Risen. Label: Facedown Review By: JoshIVM Tracklisting: 01. Left Behind 02. My Nemesis 03. In Reverence Of 04. Feeding The Decomposing 05. Nailed. Dead. Risen. 06. For All Have Sinned 07. At The Churches’ End 08. The Mark Of The Faithful 09. Condemned 10. Silence The Oppressors 11. He’s Coming Back Members/Duties: Brook Reeves: Vocals Manny Contreras: Guitar Greg Pewthers: Guitar David Sittig: Bass Andy Hegg: Drums Finally one of the popular Christian related labels have ventured into more brutal forms of metal!… Continued →

REVIEW : Immortal Souls "Wintereich"

Band: Immortal Souls Title: Wintereich Label: Facedown Records Review By: JoshIVM Tracklisting: Chapter I – The Awakening 01. Nightfrost 02. Feareaper 03. Frozen Inside Chapter II – Relections Of Doom 04. Icon Of Ice 05. Color Of My Sky 06. Constant Chapter III – The Shadow Of The Valley Of Death 07. Idlestate 08. Heart Of Cold Chapter IV – The Passage 09. Winter Of My Discontent 10. Black Water 11. Wintereich Members/Duties: A. Sarkioja: Vocals/Bass E. Sarkioja: Lead Guitar Pete: Rhythm Guitar Kronqvist: Drums Facedown have once again teamed up with these Finnish metalheads.… Continued →

REVIEW : Inked In Blood "Sometimes We Are Beautiful"

Band: Inked In Blood Title: Sometimes We Are Beautiful Label: Facedown Records Review By: JoshIVM Tracklisting: 01. Call To Arms 02. Angel Of Lost Hopes 03. Altars 04. To Be Your One And Only 05. Instrumental 06. This Moment 07. Somewhere Familiar 08. With Devils 09. In The Wake Of The Loss 10. Paradise Regained Members/Duties: Joey Trump: Vocals Matt McDonnell: Guitar Steven Gosvener: Bass Kelly Mullinix: Guitar/Vocals Stephen Poole: Drums Inked In Blood are yet another upstream from Strike First Records. After releasing a 5 song EP, they were brought up to Facedown and released 2005’s ‘Lay Waste The Poets’.… Continued →

REVIEW : War Of Ages "Fire From The Tomb"

Band: War Of Ages Title: Fire From The Tomb Label: Facedown Records Review By: JoshIVM Tracklisting: 01. Intro 02. Stand Your Ground 03. Brothers In Arms 04. The Awakening 05. False Prophet 06. Only The Strong Survive 07. My Solitude 08. Battle On 09. One Day 10. Scars Of Tomorrow 11. Broken Before You 12. Second Chance Members/Duties: Leroy Hamp: Vocals Steve Brown: Guitar Johnathan Lynch: Guitar TJ Alford: Bass Alex Hamp: Drums War Of Ages is a pretty household name now in the hardcore scene.… Continued →

REVIEW : Sleeping Giant "Dread Champions Of The Last Days"

Band: Sleeping Giant Title: Dread Champions Of Last Days Label: Facedown Records Review By: JoshIVM Tracklisting: 01. The Army Of One 02. This Calls For Patient Endurance On The Part Of The Saints 03. Narrow Road 04. Whoremonger 05. Behold The Pale Horse 06. Dynasty 07. Covenant 08. Blame It On The Holy Rollers 09. The Power Of Prayer 10. Sleeping Giant 11. No Sleep From My Eyes 12. King Of Kings 13. Oh Praise Him 14. This Is The Word Members/Duties: Thom Green: Vocals Travis Boyd: Drums Geoff Brouillette: Guitar J.R.… Continued →

November 18, 2007

REVIEW : The Devil Wears Prada "Plagues"

Band: The Devil Wears Prada Title: Plagues Label: Rise Records Review By: JoshIVM Tracklisting: 01. Goats On A Boat 02. Number Three, Never Forget 03. HTML Rulez Dood 04. Hey John, What’s Your Name Again? 05. Don’t Oink And Dance 06. You Can’t Spell Crap Without “C” 07. This Song Is Called 08. Reptar, King Of The Ozone 09. The Scorpion Deathlock 10. Nickels Is Money Too Members/Duties: Mike Hranica: Vocals Chris Rubey: Guitar Jeremy DePoyster: Guitar/Vocals James Baney: Keys Daniel Williams: Drums Andy Trick: Bass The Devil Wears Prada showed up on the metalcore scene with their debut “Dear Love: A Beautiful Discord” in 2006.… Continued →

REVIEW : Facedown Records - Something Worth Fighting For

Band: Various Title: Something Worth Fighting For (CD/DVD) Label: Facedown Records Review By: JoshIVM Tracklisting: CD: 01. Means “These Are The Words” 02. War Of Ages “Absence Of Fear” 03. xDeathstarx “Burn Everything” 04. Bloodlined Calligraphy “Frienemies” 05. Comeback Kid “Step Ahead” 06. Seventh Star “Now At Hand” 07. Inked In Blood “Lest I Sleep The Sleep Of Death” 08. Sleeping Giant “The Power Of Prayer” 09. No Innocent Victim “Set Apart” 10. xLooking Forwardx “All Aces” 11. Nodes Of Ranvier “Dolores” 12. Symphony In Peril “Stiletto” 13.… Continued →

REVIEW : Nodes Of Ranvier "Defined By Struggle"

Band: Nodes Of Ranvier Title: Defined By Struggle Label: Victory Review By: JoshIVM Tracklisting: 01. Sermon 02. Valjean 03. Endless Faith 04. Purpose In Pain 05. Wrathbearer 06. Defined By Struggle 07. Archegos 08. Sergeant Sorrow 09. Nagheenanajar 10. Confront 11. Infidelity Members/Duties: Kyle Benecke: Vocals Jake Stefek: Guitar Josh Ferrie: Drums Jon Parker: Guitar Brady Murphy: Bass I shouldn’t have been surprised when I heard the first single off of “Defined By Struggle”. The band has pretty much changed on every album since their debut, so I should be used to it by now right?… Continued →

November 15, 2007

INTERVIEW : Jason Dunn (Facedown Records)

JoshIVM: You began the label while with No Innocent Victim, what’s the state of the band currently? We know you guys won’t be touring but will we see any more albums? Jason: We are all so busy with other things that NIV is on hold for a little bit. We’re definitely not calling it quits or anything, just focusing on other areas of our lives. Tim (guitar) got married this spring and is both a full time youth pastor and painter, I have my hands full with Facedown, Jason Moody (Singer) has 4 kids and is building a house right now, and working 60 hours a week, etc… All of us are married with mortgages and bills and not enough time in our schedules.… Continued →

May 20, 2007

REVIEW : The Almost "Southern Weather"

Band: The Almost Title: Southern Weather Release Date: 4.3.07 Review By: JoshIVM Tracklisting: 01. Say This Sooner 02. Drive There Now 03. Dirty And Left Out 04. I Mostly Copy Other People 05. Southern Weather 06. Stop It 07. Amazing Because It Is 08. Everyone Here Smells Like A Rat 09. Never Say “I Told You So” 10. Call Back When I’m Honest 11. Everything That Makes Me Sick I had been wishing since the days of “Changing Of Times“, that Aaron would do a side project.… Continued →

REVIEW : A Plea For Purging "Quick Is The Word Steady Is The Action"

Band: A Plea For Purging Title: Quick Is The Word; Steady Is The Action Release Date: 2007 Review By: JoshIVM Tracklisting: 01. Resurrection Of The Beast 02. Quick Is The Word 03. Interlude 04. The Betrayars 05. Mystery – Great Babylon, Mother Of Prostitutes And All Abominations Of The Earth 06. Death Has Been Swallowed Up In Victory Members/Duties: Andrew Atkins: Vocals Aaron Eckermann: Drums Blake Martin: Guitar Lyle Paschal: Guitar John Wand: Bass A Plea For Purging is an up-and-coming metalcore outfit formed in 2005 in the music hub of Nashville, TN.… Continued →

REVIEW : Family Force 5 "Business Up Front...(Diamond Edition)"

Band: Family Force 5 Title: Business Up Front, Party In The Back (Diamond Edition) Release Date: 3.20.07 Review By: JoshIVM Tracklisting: 01. Cadillac Phunque 02. Kountry Gentleman 03. X-Girlfriend 04. Drama Queen 05. Put Ur Hands Up 06. Love Addict 07. Earthquake 08. Replace Me 09. Lose Urself 10. Peachy 11. Supersonic 12. Numb 13. I Love You To Death (Bonus) 14. Face Down (Bonus) 15. Never Let Me Go (Bonus) Members/Duties: Solomon Olds (aka Soul Glow Activatur): Vocals, Guitar Jacob Olds (aka Crouton): Drums, Vocals Joshua Olds (Fatty): Bass, Background Vocals Nathan Currin: (Nadaddy): DJ, Keytar Derek Mount (Chap Stique): Lead Guitar I have previously reviewed the regular edition of this album which can be viewed here.… Continued →

April 24, 2007

INTERVIEW : War Of Ages

Email interview with Johnathan of War Of Ages (April 2007) JoshIVM: Let’s go back in War Of Ages history for a second. How did you guys initially get hooked up with Strike First/Facedown Records? Johnathan: Our friends in Jesus Wept (at the time xDisciplex AD) were good friends with the team at Facedown records. They told us to hook them up with a demo and put in a good word for us. Strikefirst then became interested in us and gave us a contract. We then started to tour relentlessly and got Facedown to take note of us.… Continued →

April 4, 2007

INTERVIEW : The Showdown

Email Interview with David Bunton of The Showdown (April 2007) JoshIVM: Well I’m sure you knew this question would be coming, but let’s talk about your new direction in sound. What brought about the change from the metal of “A Chorus Of Obliteration” to the more hard rock sound in “Temptation Come My Way”? Was it something that was decided upon soon after release of your first album or a gradual change? David: We wrote “Breath Of The Swamp” and “I, Victim” in March ‘05. So basically right after the record came out we just started doing the new stuff… It didn’t take us very long to figure out what we really wanted to be doing.… Continued →

April 3, 2007

REVIEW : Live: Still Remains/The Showdown

I recently was able to check out The Showdown & Still Remains along with The Acacia Strain and Shadows Fall in Johnson City, NY. I was pretty happy about it because I liked all of the bands and secondly, the venue is only 20 minutes from my house. Many of you probably don’t find that odd, but normally I drive well over an hour to get to any show of interest. Usually it’s 2 or more hours. Needless to say, it was bound to be a good night, regardless that there was a snow storm going on and that we arrrived an hour earlier than needed due to a misprint on the venue’s tickets.… Continued →

INTERVIEW : Comeback Kid

Email Interview with Andrew Neufeld of Comeback Kid (March 2007) JoshIVM: How did Comeback Kid initially get started? Andrew: We started around 2001 but only decided to fully embrace doing this band full time in 2003. Before that, it was just playing local shows… once our first record was out we started touring. JoshIVM: When did you make the decision to make CK your full-time focus in music? Andrew: It wasn’t really a conscious decision. I was doing Figure Four and Comeback Kid at the same time.… Continued →

March 26, 2007

REVIEW : Life In Your Way "Waking Giants"

Band: Life In Your Way Title: Waking Giants Label: Solid State Release Date: 3.6.07 Review By: Josh IndieVision Tracklisting: 01. Reach The End 02. Worthwhile 03. We Don’t Believe 04. Making Waves 05. The Shame 06. Salty Grave 07. Help! The Arm Of The Almighty 08. Threads Of Sincerity 09. The Beauty Of Grace 10. Judas 11. Beneath It All Members/Duties: James Allen: Guitars, Vocals Joshua Kellam: Vocals David Swanson: Guitar, Vocals Jeremy Kellam: Bass, Vocals John Gaskill: Drums Life In Your Way is by no means, new to the scene.… Continued →

REVIEW : Brothers Martin "The Brothers Martin"

Band: The Brothers Martin Title: The Brothers Martin Label: Tooth & Nail Release Date: 1.23.07 Review By: Josh IndieVision Tracklisting: 01. Communication 02. The Harsh Effects Of Time 03. The Missionary 04. The Deaf, They Will Hear 05. The Plot That Weaves 06. Fears To Remember 07. Opportunities 08. The Behavior Explains 09. Get The Money 10. Life On Strings Members/Duties: Jason Martin: Vocals, Guitar, Electric Bass Ronnie Martin: Vocals, Synthesizer, Drum Machine, Bass Programming This eclectic duo, of Ronnie and Jason Martin, have united yet again for a project.… Continued →

REVIEW : Haste The Day "Pressure The Hinges"

Band: Haste The Day Title: Pressure The Hinges Release Date: 3.20.07 Review By: Josh IndieVision Tracklisting: 01. Eye Of The Needle 02. Pressure The Hinges 03. The Minor Prophets 04. The Oracle 05. White Collar 06. Needles 07. Janet’s Planet 08. Servant Ties 09. Stitches 10. Vertigo 11. Akeldema 12. Eremus 13. Chorus Of Angels Members/Duties: Stephen Keech: Vocals Devin Chaulk: Drums Brennan Chaulk: Guitar Jason Barnes: Guitar Mike Murphy: Bass Haste The Day is back with their third full length on Solid State Records. After the departure of frontman Jimmy Ryan, the future looked bleak for the band.… Continued →

March 25, 2007

REVIEW : Means "Sending You Strength"

Band: Means Title: Sending You Strength Label: Facedown Release Date: 3.6.07 Review By: Josh IndieVision Tracklisting: 01. Looking For Life 02. Learning To Be Brave 03. The Promise 04. Connected 05. Where Truth Is Told 06. Cadences 07. These Are The Words 08. Throw Open The Gates 09. Through The Wires 10. I Choose Her Over Light 11. Down To The Spark 12. On The Broken Members/Duties: Dylan Johnstone: Vocals Todd Wells: Bass Matt Goud: Guitars, Vocals Aaron Friesen: Drums Means, a melodic hardcore quartet from Regina, Canada, have invaded the U.S.… Continued →

REVIEW : The Showdown "Temptation Come My Way"

Band: The Showdown Title: Temptation Come My Way Label: Mono Vs. Stereo Release Date: 2.20.07 Review By: Josh IndieVision Tracklisting: 01. Fanatics And Whores 02. Head Down 03. Six Feet Under 04. We Die Young 05. Breath Of The Swamp 06. It Drinks From Me 07. Temptation Come My Way 08. Forget My Name 09. Spitting In The Wind 10. I, Victim (Here’s To The Year) 11. Carry On Wayward Son 12. Death Finds Us Breathing Members/Duties: David Bunton: Vocals Josh Childers: Guitar, Vocals Travis Bailey: Guitar, Vocals Eric Koruschak: Bass, Vocals A.J.… Continued →

REVIEW : The Heartstring Band "Aurora Songs Vol. 1"

Band: Title: Aurora Songs Vol. 1 Release Date: 2006 Review By: Josh IndieVision Tracklisting: 01. Storm Song 02. Breathe On 03. Thousand Candles 04. Where Did Your Love Go? Members/Duties: Justin Kline: Vocals, Guitar, Acoustic Guitar Eric Kline: Guitar Dan Wax: Bass Steve Bourque: Drums The Heartstring Band is a Maryland pop-rock quartet, who seem to have captured some early 60’s rock sounds with “undeniably catchy songs loaded with tons of harmony”. After being together for a little over a year, they got together and recorded this short 4 song EP.… Continued →