Author: Zac Zinn

Sad news today, as legendary band mewithoutYou has announced on their Facebook page that the following year will be their final one as an active band. Their message reads, “To whom it may concern, we have decided on next year as our last as an active band. We nevertheless have many plans in the interim, the details of which are forthcoming. Thank you, mewithoutYou” We’ll all have to be in the lookout to see what they have planned. If you haven’t experienced their live show, I strongly recommend trying to see them before it’s over.… Continued →

Longtime metalcore band The Devil Wears Prada is back with an incredible album that should be the surprise of the year. Let’s be honest, metalcore has become somewhat predictable with only a few bands making quality music. Even still, it’s become stagnant as there has been very little growth in the genre over the past decade. This is where The Act comes into play. The group’s 7th album travels into unknown territory and gives us a glimpse of what metalcore can be. The Act is a multi-dimmensional album spitting of fury, emotion, and angst.… Continued →

Coming off of their undeniably best album to date, Wolves at the Gate is back with their fourth release. Eclipse begins with “The Cure,” which was the first single released for the album. Already, lyrics are beaming from the album. “I can taste the misery, spitting out the remedy. All I’ve been through, all that I’ve seen, these eyes, this heart still can’t dispel the lies.” The opening song serves as what to expect for the rest of the album in respect to the lyrical tone.… Continued →

There’s really no need for any introduction to these giants. However over the years, Demon Hunter’s sound has slowly transformed from that signature “DH” sound to a cleaner vocal driven sound. With mixed responses, Ryan Clark has continued to showcase his pipes with an impressive vocal range and control. So here we are not even two years after Outlive with two brand new albums from the band. The two are musically separated into two categories. War handles the heavier side of Demon Hunter, while Peace handles the softer side.… Continued →

Metal giants Demon Hunter surprised us recently with the announcement that they will be releasing not one album, but two on the same day. The albums titled War and Peace contrast each other with a heavier sound and a softer one respectively. Today, they released a track from each. “On My Side” is a hard hitting melodic piece from War that features one of the most infectious and memorable choruses in Demon Hunter history. From Peace, the title track is reminiscent of “The Heart of a Graveyard.”… Continued →

Pennsylvania-based metalcore band My Heart to Fear is planning on releasing their third LP titled Violent Hallucination on Luxor Records this coming winter. The album features a stripped metal sound of just guitars, bass, drums, and vocals. “The goal was to have a record that we can play live exactly how it sounds on the album,” Frontman Trevor Pool says. Violent Hallucination is an 11 track story-based concept album that will also feature specific artwork for each track. The artwork will be available in digital and physical editions – including vinyl.… Continued →

(Actual album cover in review. Edited Cover provided by our friends at JesusFreakHideout ) The southern emo/screamo/rock/alternative/however you decide to classify them boys have returned after three years from their last full length release. You’ve read the controversy, you’ve seen it, and so what is there to say about this album? Well, a lot. “Is This The Real Life” sets the general tone of Eve; and that is mellow and thoughtful. The lyrics of the song at first seem to be rather ambiguous in form of stream-thought.… Continued →

Over the last 5 years, there hasn’t been many bands in the metal scene to remain as active as the growing juggernaut that is Fit For A King. With this fifth release, the band brings all of their strengths to the front and showcase their heaviest work yet. As is the case with every album the band has put out since signing with Solid State Records, the record boasts of a crisp and clean production that is sought for by many, but in one way or another, too few achieve.… Continued →

Weathered is Facedown Records newest addition and is unarguably the most anticipated release in some time in the scene. While Facedown prides itself on an always esteemed roster of metal bands, the signing of Weathered might be a head scratcher, if the album wasn’t so good. Starting the Minnesota 4-piece’s first LP, “Burn” prepares the listener for what the album has to offer. The first track starts off with clean and reverb-filled guitar as vocalist Justin Hieb sings with an eeriness and creates an atmosphere the likes of which Brand New would be jealous.… Continued →

Between the Trees – 2005-2010 RIYL – Mae, Copeland, The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus In 2009, we saw a great change in a band’s sound that for some went by unnoticed. When it comes to love songs, bands and artists often draw from the same inspiration which is loss. The songs are sad, depressing, and infecting. Now while some of these songs may be exceptional and memorable; I myself am a huge sucker for sad songs – Between the Trees did something different for their second and ultimately final album.… Continued →

LOYALS may fill the hole in your musical heart that longs for good pop music. No, we’re not talking about computer generated beats with autotune. We’re talking about real musicians that play memorable songs that are beyond catchy. The first couple of songs offer a few glimpses of what LOYALS has to offer. They’re fairly catchy, however the highlights of the album begins with the single “Skyline.” The song is a lighthearted account of a first date gone wrong. Lyrically, it’s a story that many can relate with and it’s that kind of nostalgia that will keep this song in the heads of many.… Continued →

With the coming of I Am, one of the most influential metal bands in the scene has come to pass. What a big hole they leave in their absence. But let us get to the album that begins with the gang vocals yelling “Sleeping giant!” Preachcore Lives! begins the final album with a message to be left behind for the next bands to rise up. With phrases like, “Kingdom over everything,” “Recognition of the one true name,” and “Don’t perform for the crowd, but for the crown.”… Continued →

Although TAKE has been around for some time, this review will serve as an introduction to many. In the current climate of the long standing pillars of Christian metal being slowly eroded away with time, (Sleeping Giant, Haste the Day, For Today, Hands) it is vital that new bands come and pick up where they left off. Not only continuing Christian metal, but metal with such a strong stance in faith; this is where Take comes into play. The 2017 EP The Dead Will Rise is anthem of what can be accomplished in faith.… Continued →

You probably didn’t realize it, but Phinehas has been around for nearly 18 years. Although they only rose from obscurity in 2011 with their debut album Thegodmachine, Phinehas has now put out another reason why they are becoming the giants in the genre. Freshly signed to Solid State Records, the California metal band puts out their most technical and stunning release to date. Dark Flag is a concept album that doesn’t necessarily tell a story, but follows a theme of struggle in a violent and oppressing regime.… Continued →

Last year, a new addition to Tooth & Nail’s growing roster released their second album, and let me tell you that it’s not getting the credit it deserves. “You Wouldn’t Believe What Privilege Costs” by Civilian is one of the best T&N releases in years and here’s why. From the moment the album begins, there’s a feel to the songs that’s hard to pin down. I once related the band to Starflyer 59 in an attempt to figure it out, but that was wrong. They’re heavier and much more layered than the shoegaze SF59.… Continued →

Zao is quite the story. They began 24 years ago and are still kicking, releasing music. And it should be said that they’re not just still kicking, they’re bashing the doors in and reminding their fans that there is more to metal than repeated breakdowns and over-produced, cookie-cutter nonsense. Returning with “Pyrrhic Victory,” a five track EP, Zao holds nothing back. It’s five songs of relentless screams from Daniel Weydant, and riffs and riffs and riffs. There’s something special and simple of this type of release.… Continued →

For over 10 years, Red has been a staple in the music scene rising quickly to fame from their incredible debut album. Over these years they’ve released relatively consistent solid albums. The only exception is the 2013 “Release the Panic;” a subpar and disappointing effort. On the adverse, 2015’s “Of Beauty & Rage” was the band’s greatest achievement. It was a journey through hell and escaping to heaven much like The Divine Comedy – a theme from their music since “Innocence & Instinct” in 2008. Coming off from their strongest album, how does this newest LP hold up?… Continued →

“But I’m still dirtier than I thought I’d ever be. I keep hiding from the cross cause deep down I don’t want to be free. I wanna hold on to this darkness; scream it loud so I am heard. If I’m gonna be honest, it’s the same song I just rearrange the words.” Words like these found in Empty Words, are generously scattered throughout this quietly brilliant album. If you haven’t given this album a chance yet, you owe it to yourself to immerse yourself into this album of self-reflection.… Continued →

It’s been five years since metalcore giants MyChildren MyBride have released new music. The absence has been felt twice as hard with the hiatus of too many bands in the same genre. Down to just two band members, MCMB travels into uncharted territory with this long awaited album. The theme of the album becomes clear during the first song, and it’s dramatic and hard to relate to. The world of gothic vampires surrounds the entire album in both lyrics and the musical waters. It could pass nicely for a song or two, but throughout the album it becomes too much.… Continued →

RIYL: Emery, Scary Kids Scaring Kids, Microwave, Kids in the Way, The Classic Crime In 2001, before anyone in the Tooth & Nail community and crowd realized, one of the most under appreciated bands formed for an 8 year existence. Far-Less put out a total of 2 EPs, 2 full lengths, and one final EP that was never released. Bands that ended too soon, Far-Less, it’s your turn. When Far-Less was signed, they were actually signed to Solid State Records. That’s a testament of how heavy they once were.… Continued →

To Speak of Wolves have been around for ten years and have now released 3 albums on Solid State Records. They are the pure definition of a sleeper band. Those who know them await every release because they know they’ve found a top quality metal band. Now, they’re coming off a thunderous return to the music scene with an EP last year, and a full length on their home label – Solid State Records. The sophomore album Find Your Worth, Come Home was and is an incredible piece of art that should hold a place near the top of Solid State’s most treasured albums.… Continued →

K I D S (formerly Kids In The Way) have announced on their Facebook that they are releasing another EP this coming October. If you haven’t heard, the boys from KITW are back with a new name and a new style. Check out Lost Boy, their single from their latest release. … Continued →

To Speak Of Wolves have finally released some information about their new album after resigning with Solid State Records. “Dead In The Shadow” will be coming out on July 21st, and they just released the first single from the LP called, “Haunt Me.” Here it is in all it’s glory over at Revolver Mag.  … Continued →

It’s been a long time since the once main-stay metal act, The Showdown put out an album. In fact, it’s nearly been 7 years since Blood In The Gears was released. Feel old yet? Well something is going on and hopefully it means another album. On March 26, without warning The Showdown’s Facebook page went live. It was two members including vocalist David Bunton playing an acoustic version of We Die Young, a song from the classic rock influenced album, Temptation Come My Way. Following this video, there have been a few videos shared from their Instagram with Blunton recording vocals with hashtags involving the words the showdown.… Continued →

Decyfer Down is keeping busy with another release coming in just a few weeks. On June 23rd, they will be putting out an acoustic album, simply titled Acoustic EP. This is a very promising release considering their most recent album featured an impressive and beautiful version of Burn Back The Sun – a song from their debut album.… Continued →

It’s been nearly five years since mainstay rockers, The Classic Crime has put out new material. For avid fans of the band, it was an interminable wait. We can rejoice because the hiatus is over and we have a new album from one of the few remaining bands from the pop/rock, Tooth & Nail era. So the question lingers in the air – was the wait worth it? Here’s why it’s a frustrating “no.” After a forty second intro track, How To Be Human kicks off with their first and for obvious reasons, controversial single.… Continued →

Terminal 1998-2006 RIYL – old school Anberlin, Dead Poetic, Jimmy Eat World, Number One Gun In this new series, we will be bringing to light many bands that showed us a brief but bright gem of music before disbanding. This entry is about the Tooth & Nail band – Terminal. Don’t let the years above confuse you, though the band was active for 8 years, they only had 1 full length release. Terminal was a band that erupted quickly and died the same. In 2005, their debut and only album titled How The Lonely Keep released on Tooth & Nail Records.… Continued →

Hearts Like Lions largely widened their audience reach when they signed with Tooth and Nail Records in 2015. They released an EP titled These Hands and as impressive and fulfilling as an EP can be, These Hands sufficiently succeeded in both. The sound was a mix of The Almost and My Epic, a combination that is every bit intriguing as it is effective. So here we are with their first full length album. Did they keep up with the momentum and release an album worth following a great EP?… Continued →

To Speak Of Wolves has signed back with their previous label Solid State Records. The band will also be returning to the studio in April after touring with Rival Choir to record their third full length album. Matt McClellan will be producing the album. McCllellan produced the band’s raw and intense sophomore effort, Find Your Worth Come Home.… Continued →

It’s been a quiet 5 years for The Classic Crime besides releasing an album of reworked fan favorites. The quiet has ended with the announce of their 5th full length album titled ‘How To Be Human’ on BC Records. The LP will feature 12 songs that are reportedly in the vein of Death Cab For Cutie mixed with Motion City Soundtrack. This continues the trend of The Classic Crime venturing further from pop/punk/rock to an indie rock sound that began with their 2010 release, Vagabonds.… Continued →