Author: JoshIVM
February 28, 2008
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 →