| bst spotlight band. Looking for a band that makes your ears bleed but keeps you begging for more? How about Massachusetts' All That Remains? Vocalist Philip Labonte says "I think it is safe to say that All That Remains is a metalcore band." The band's diverse offering of metalcore is best exhibited on their latest album, This Darkened Heart. Blast beats, breakdowns, singing, you name it, it's all here. The band will be heading out over the summer as part of the Sounds of the Underground tour. For more info about the band, follow the links below. all that remains official website |
Friday, April 22, 2005
Spotlight: All That Remains
Friday, March 18, 2005
Interview: A Static Lullaby
 bst interviews a static lullaby by rob tatum Recently, bst had the chance to interview Joe Brown, the vocalist of A Static Lullaby, when the band hit Denver as part of the Taste of Chaos tour. We asked Joe about the band's upcoming album, the current tour, as well as some other things. The following is a recap of the interview. If you are interested in learning more about and listening to A Static Lullaby, visit the band's official website, and Columbia Records. bst: Please state your name and instrument. Joe: I’m Joe and I sing.  bst: How has working with Columbia been?Joe: Amazing. We’ve been with them for over a year now. They let us do what we want. We can see their support for the new album and we’re really excited for the release. bst: It’s been quite a while between releases for you guys, do you think that has helped or hurt the overall perception of the band? Do you think it has created a high level of anticipation from listeners? What should listeners expect from the new album? Joe: A year or year and half between releases is pretty common for bands, so although we waited a little longer, we think it was worth it. We were touring a lot and waiting allowed us to record when we were ready as a band. It may have hurt us a little, but at the same time, it may have fueled anticipation. bst: What do you think is the biggest difference between And Don’t Forget to Breathe and Faso Latido? What do you attribute to this change? Joe: People can expect whatever they want, but they should expect to hear A Static Lullaby after two years of changing and maturing. The songs are full of emotion, there are some pissed off lyrics, but it’s still us just more mature. bst: How has the tour been? Do you like touring with a variety of bands? Or do you get a better reception at any particular types of shows? Do you think that diverse shows help or hurt the music community?  Joe: This tour is great. It is a new experience for us. Before this we wouldn’t have really known what to say, but now we have an understanding of what a bigger tour is about. It’s kind of nice to see the same fifty faces a day instead of just ten or fifteen. We headlined for a year, so we got used to that, so it’s nice to see new faces and a new crowd. We have gotten a great response thus far, and we honestly don’t care who we play for as long there is someone out there who wants to see us. bst: With more and more bands signing to larger labels, the resurgence of Headbanger’s Ball, and the success of big tours like the Warped Tour, do you see the quality of music being sacrificed to get into the limelight? Joe: I really think music went downhill for a couple of years. There was a lot of cookie-cutter shit out there. The way that I see it though is that as long as you have something behind your music, I have to give you respect. The music industry really flooded the world with trash, but things are getting better. Bands like Unearth and those metal bands are doing great things with Headbanger’s Ball and what not. bst: I’m not sure how big of Pantera fans you are, but even just as musicians, what are you thoughts on the tragic death of Dimebag Darrell? Has it affected your comfort level playing on stage? Do you think it was just an isolated incident, or do you think larger measures need to be implemented to prevent it from happening to someone else? Joe: (Impersonates Phil Anselmo singing). I watch Pantera every time before I go on stage. I have all of their videos. The whole thing really fucks with my head. Dimebag was a great guy that loved to drink, shred, and make music. I feel I relate to that. It freaked me out. That band had so much integrity and for a fan to latch on to all of their greatness and then do something like that is crazy. I wish that he was still alive. I wish Pantera was still together. bst: What has been the biggest obstacle that you have overcome as a band? What would you consider the band’s greatest achievement to this point? Where do you see yourself 5 years from now? Joe: When our drummer, Brett, left the band, it led to a lot of personal shit while we were touring. When he came back, it was a huge relief on us all. I’m the type of person that sets goals for myself, so three years ago when we played Hellfest, that was great. Then we released a record. Now I can go to any state and there are people that show to see us play. Those are all great things, but if I say that we’ve had our greatest achievement, then I think we’re done. I’d have to set down my mic and say it’s over. In five years… probably dead from cirrhosis of the liver… no really, I hope I’m sitting around with my friends having a good time, enjoying life. bst: What are your plans at the conclusion of this tour? More touring? R&R? Joe: We get three weeks to rest before we go back out on tour. We are hitting the road with Sum 41. Then Europe with Funeral for a Friend. We are staying very busy. bst: How do you guys feel about the internet and mp3’s? Do you feel that it is an asset to bands (specifically up-and-coming ones), or do you see it as a problem? Joe: When our band began, word of mouth was the biggest thing that helped us and we can attribute some of that to the internet. I mean, I handed out demo CD’s when I went out on tour with Finch selling merch to try and get the word out, so anything like that really helps. Sure it can be bad when people download your album early, but as long as people have our music and come see us, there’s nothing more we can ask. bst: Anything else you would like to add? Joe: No man, thanks a lot, take care. bst: Thanks so much for sitting down with us and answering the questions. |
Saturday, January 29, 2005
Interview: Norma Jean
 bst interviews norma jean by rob tatum On January 29th, we had the chance to talk with Cory Brandan , the new vocalist of Norma Jean. We spent some time talking about the band's new album, their upcoming tour, and the resurgance of heavy music. The following is a recap of the interview. If you are interested in learning more about and listening to Norma Jean, visit the band's official website, and Solid State Records. *Note: As always, interview responses reflect the ideas and feelings of individual bands and their members. Responses do not represent anything regarding the bst staff. bst: Please state your name and instrument. Cory: Cory Brandan and I use the vocal chord instrument.  bst: Tell us what listeners should expect from the new album. Cory: They should expect a diverse record; we went all the way and did whatever we wanted and with no expectations. We experimented musically and feel like we made a good record that we love. Can’t ask for much more. bst: It’s been quite a while between releases for you guys, do you think that has helped or hurt the overall perception of the band? Do you think it has created a high level of anticipation from listeners? Cory: I am the new guy, and from an outside looking in perspective, I think it’s definitely helped. The band as a whole has progressed musically, after touring on one record for such a long time, everyone has mastered their instruments a little more and their musical perception as well. The new record shows that. As far as anticipation goes... if Norma Jean has created anticipation… then that means we have good fans who look forward to hearing what we created. That is an incredible thing in our opinion. bst: I know you guys just shot a video recently. There are many that believe that hardcore/metal has become part of the mainstream with the resurgence of Headbanger’s Ball and the success of Ozzfest. Do you agree/disagree with this statement? Cory: I do think it is a lot more “mainstream”, but it’s pretty far from Brittney and Avril. I mean... it’s not that mainstream. This style of music may not be as trendy as mainstream radio but I think there will always have a group of people who breathe the music and live the life. bst: Has it affected you in any way? Do you think this popularity will dilute the quality of music that is being released?  Cory: No, it hasn't affected us. Maybe it will dilute it, but only on Tuesdays... bst: I’m not sure how big of Pantera fans you are, but even just as musicians, what are you thoughts on the tragic death of Dimebag Darrell? Has it affected your comfort level playing on stage? Do you think it was just an isolated incident, or do you think larger measures need to implemented to prevent it from happening to someone else? Cory: Dang, I don’t know. I haven’t played on stage since that happened seeing as we’ve been in the studio and everything, but I unquestionably think it’s pretty scary and really sad. I am certainly a big Pantera fan and generally it really just pisses me off. There is no rational motive for that by any means. bst: Since I mentioned playing on stage, you guys are known for your entertaining stage presence and antics. What are the worst injuries you have suffered on stage? Cory: Minor cuts and bruises typically, I feel like we have the on stage animation down as far as “antics” go... but before the Solid State tour last year I hurt my ankle pretty bad and had to wear a brace the whole tour. So, I hurt my ankle even more numerous more times throughout that tour, just from jumping off too many high things. Man, that was a fun tour bst: I know there is a lot of anticipation for the record release, but are you excited about the upcoming tour? Do you prefer playing the larger tours at the larger venues, or do you feel more at home at a smaller clubs? Cory: We are always excited about tour! We like everywhere… it just depends on how you feel. Sometimes its fun being on a big stage and sometimes its cool to be in a smaller setting... Either way we are going to try and bring everyone closer to us musically and personally. Playing live means everything to us. bst: What are your plans at the conclusion of this tour? More touring? Some R&R? Cory: We don’t neglect our breaks. In may we will spend time with our families and rest. I think if you are always touring then you may miss out on why you are touring. If I don’t get to see my family then I feel like there is no balance. That’s just me. If I get to rest it makes the next tour just as exciting as any and I feel like I have my energy back. bst: Anything else you would like to add? Cory: We like BBQ, Halo 2, and we believe in a real God who has done real great things for us. All glory is to Him. bst: Thanks a ton for taking the time to answer our questions. We really appreciate it. See you guys in Denver. Cory: Thank you… can’t wait to be there. |
Friday, January 28, 2005
Interview: Unearth
 bst interviews unearth by rob tatum Recently, bst had the chance to interview Trevor Phipps, the vocalist of the almighty Unearth. We spent some time asking Trevor about the band's upcoming tour, as well as hitting other topics such as Metal Blade Records, the resurgance of heavy music, and the tragedy of Dimebag Darrell. The following is a recap of the interview. If you are interested in learning more about and listening to Unearth, visit the band's official website, and Metal Blade Records. bst: Please state your name and role in the band. Trevor: Trevor Phipps - vocals  bst: How was working with Metal Blade been?Trevor: The entire staff rules. They know what they are doing and have treated us like family. bst: What should listeners expect in the next album? Trevor: Who knows?!? We are pushing the fuck out of this album and will continue to do so. If I were to guess, our next record will be an extension of what we do now. Perhaps the use of more blast beats and slower more crushing southern fried break downs, ala Crowbar style. bst: Some have said that hardcore/metal has become part of the mainstream with the resurgence of Headbanger’s Ball and the success of Ozzfest. How has this affected you? Do you agree/disagree with this statement? Trevor: Music this heavy is too brash to ever be mainstream. I agree that people are paying more attention to this music than they have in the past 10 years, but metal was huge in the 80's and early 90's. I think the major labels and major entertainment mediums finally realized that people want to hear real, hard rocking, metal music and no more of the cookie cutter "rock" they have been feeding us for the past decade. bst: Along the same lines, as the hardcore/metal genres continue to gain popularity through those outlets and larger labels are signing more and more bands, do you the quality of music suffering as a result? Why or why not?  Trevor: Hell no. The bands that are getting popular today are bands that have been around for years and fucking years. Bands like us, Lamb of God, Killswitch Engage, God Forbid, Bleeding Through, Every Time I Die, Shadows Fall, Throwdown, All That Remains, etc..., have been around and doing what we do for a long, long time. We all come from the underground and have hardcore roots. We won't ever sell out; this scene won't ever sell out. This music is real and we will not compromise our music for some bullshit producer or record company that thinks they can make a radio hit out of our sound. We are all getting recognition for not following the "sell-out" paths that bands like Metallica and Megadeth have taken before. We all grew up loving those bands and know how it felt when we heard their sell out records. We know how much it hurts to hear bands you admire play pop bullshit. Those bands and many others turned their backs on their roots. We never will. If anything we would love to follow the mold of bands like Pantera, Testament and Slayer. Those bands got as big as you can get without ever compromising their integrity. bst: I’m not sure how big of Pantera fans you are, but even just as musicians, what are you thoughts on the tragic death of Dimebag Darrell? Has it affected your comfort level playing on stage? Do you think it was just an isolated incident, or do you think larger measures need to implemented to prevent it from happening to someone else? Trevor: Dimebag was a friend of ours. He lit up our lives with his musicianship and friendship. We will forever miss both his music and simply hanging out with him. Pantera is and more than likely forever will be my #1 influence in metal. The world is worse off with the loss of Dimebag. As far as comfort on stage, I try not to think about it. I just hope clubs will understand that 99.999% of people are there for fun and to rock out, but every once in a while there is a weirdo lurking. Security needs to be tighter, on every entrance in the club. bst: Onto a less gloomy subject, are you excited about the upcoming tour? Do you prefer playing the larger tours at the larger venues, or do you feel more at home at a smaller show? Or does it even matter? Trevor: We are stoked to go back on the road. We always will prefer the intimacy of the smaller clubs. You can feel the energy of the crowd more. However, if a crowd at a bigger venue is pumped for the show, it can also be an amazing and different experience. bst: What are your plans at the conclusion of this tour? More touring? Recording? R&R? Trevor: We are headed to Japan and Australia for a tour with Atreyu and Norma Jean. After that more tours will follow, I just have no idea what they will be just yet. bst: Anything else you would like to add? Trevor: Go get our record and come see us on the road. bst: Thanks a ton for taking the time to answer the questions. We really appreciate it. |
Thursday, January 13, 2005
Review: Maroon - Endorsed by Hate
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Germany’s Maroon might not be a household name in the hardcore/metal world just yet, but trust me, those of you who enjoy the heavy breakdowns and powerful energy of Throwdown, Hatebreed, or Until the End, will fall in love with this band immediately. Endorsed by Hate is a brutal assault on your ears. Blast beats, breakdowns, metal riffs, and deep, raspy vocals (think along the lines of Throwdown with Keith) are all here to get you moving. As many of you have learned from reading my reviews, I prefer to hear technical, melodic bands, but somewhere lost in space is that dark side of me that can’t get enough of the in-your-face style of music that Maroon brings on this album. Sure the music isn’t super technical, and sure the vocals might take some getting used to (Andre’s voice is pretty deep), but the decent song structures and high energy are enough to appease my ears. For those of you who are straight edge, this band will suit you well lyrically as well. The songs on this album are full of passion and energy that is matched by few. Singer Andre Moraweck’s angry vocals fit the heavy, fast-paced songs perfectly. The guitar work is pretty impressive throughout, and the drumming is strong. Endorsed by Hate may not be my usual cup of tea, but I will certainly turn to it the next time I want something to get me moving. |
Monday, January 10, 2005
Review: Caliban - The Opposite From Within
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For anyone that has previously listened to Germany’s Caliban, The Opposite from Within may not please the ear on the first listen. The band is known for their unrelenting metal riffs and pure energy. They haven’t strayed from this formula entirely on this record, but they have incorporated much more melody and singing to their songs than on their previous releases. I happen to own all of Caliban’s previous releases and to be honest, I didn’t expect the transition, but after I few listens, I am very impressed by this album When I say that the band has added more melody and singing, don’t think that they have gone soft. This band is still just as powerful as ever, but think Killswitch Engage styled melodies. It took some getting used to, but the more that Caliban uses guitarist Denis Schmidt’s singing to compliment Andy Dorner’s raspy screams, the better the music flows. I’m sure that there are the skeptics out there saying they have gone soft or that they are just trying to sell records and all that bullshit, but I honestly think The Opposite from Within is the band’s most mature album. I had trouble listening to their previous albums (A Small Boy and a Grey Heaven, Vent, Shadow Hearts) on a regular basis, but I have found myself listening to this record quite frequently. Caliban’s biggest improvement on this record is definitely the songwriting. No longer do I skip to one particular song and ignore a chunk of the record. I genuinely enjoy every song on this album. Musically the band still carries Slayer-esque metal riffs and tempos, but the heavier emphasis on the hardcore and melody makes the music seem more complete than their previous releases. Lyrically things have remained largely the same with a little more focus on love hardships than before, but with the addition of the clean vocals, it seems to be fitting on this record. This is a very complete album and a must for any fan of metalcore or Caliban. |
Wednesday, November 17, 2004
Review: Strung Out - Exile in Oblivion
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I can still remember the first time that I heard Strung Out’s Twisted by Design when I was a sophomore in high school. I thought to myself at that time, this band isn’t just a punk band, they are way more talented than the other Fat Wreck Chords bands and their music is just amazing. Fast forward seven years and my thoughts are still the same. Exile in Oblivion, the band’s most recent work, pulls you in right away with catchy, melodic hooks and keeps you guessing with some heavy double bass and fast flowing metal riffs throughout. Strung Out’s strongest weapon has always been their ability to write songs that you can’t help but sing along to. This album is no different. Each of the fourteen tracks is solid and will have you echoing every word from singer Jason Cruz’s mouth. His voice still carries the same power and energy as it did ten years ago when Strung Out formed. There are occasional screams that bring back memories of the Elements of Sonic Defiance EP from a few years ago, but the majority of the songs carry the same emotional vocals as Twisted by Design and are accented with great backing vocal harmonies. Musically, Strung Out has relied strongly on a similar formula for years, but it has evolved greatly with the addition of heavy beats (and even the occasional breakdown) and the timely use of metal riffs and solos. Don’t get me wrong, I would never consider Strung Out to be called hardcore or metal, but certainly don’t refer to them as just another punk band. The songwriting exhibited in the past ten years is rivaled by few bands and continues to be leagues ahead of a great majority of bands out there. Jason’s lyrics have progressively become darker through the years, but his ability to make them catchy is a staple of the band’s sound. I doubt that there are many of you out there that haven’t heard a Strung Out album, but if there are, this is great album to showcase what you have been missing for the past decade. Even after so many albums, the band is as strong as ever. Songs such as “Never Speak Again” and “Swan Dive” will show you the entire spectrum of the band’s sound. As with any Strung Out record, Exile in Oblivion will make sure that you won’t be listening to another record for quite some time. |
Tuesday, November 2, 2004
Review: Hopesfall - A Types
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It would be an understatement for me to say that I eagerly anticipated this release. In fact, it would be a gross understatement. I peronsally viewed A Types as a potential creative plateau for hopesfall, and I couldn't help but wonder what kind of revolutionary advancements they would incorporate into their already unique melodic hardcore sound. |
Sunday, July 18, 2004
Interview: Letter Kills
 bst interviews letter kills. by rob tatum Recently, bst had the chance to interview Kyle Duckworth, the bassist of Letter Kills, during the band's stop in Denver as part of this year's Warped Tour. We spent some time asking Kyle about the band's new album, The Bridge, as well as hitting other topics such as touring, Island Records, and mp3's. The following is a recap of the interview. If you are interested in learning more about and listening to Letter Kills, visit the band's official website, and Island Records. This interview took place on July 18th, 2004 at Invesco Field in Denver, CO. bst: Your new album, The Bridge, hits stores next week, what do have to say to someone who is thinking about picking it up? Kyle: We feel that the album offers a little something for everyone. Our goal with the album was to breakdown barriers and touch base with numerous genres. That was a big part of the reason behind the album’s title.  bst: You guys hail from Southern California, do you find it difficult to stand out from the stereotypes that are given to bands from that area?Kyle: We’ve heard just about everything, but we really try to distance ourselves from that. It takes away from the scene and it really has little effect on the band. bst: I know that you guys toured pretty relentlessly last year before the album was recorded. How did the break from touring effect the recording of the album? Kyle: It was the best thing for us as a band. The touring allowed us to build chemistry and helped make the songs tighter. We were stubborn kids and we wanted to record right away, but after all that has happened we’re really glad we waited. bst: Speaking of tours, how was this year’s Warped Tour been so far? Anything out of the ordinary? Kyle: Nothing too bad. We had a lot of lightning in Salt Lake City, but nothing compared to the rain that hit last year in St. Louis during Warped. bst: Do you think the diversity of the bands on big tours like Warped Tour helps the music community or do you think it drives some fans away with such short sets and so many bands?  Kyle: The tour is great for up and coming bands. It’s a great way to get your name out there and introduce people to your music. As for the established bands, it’s a different story. They are better suited for headlining shows in clubs, not cramming a few songs into a half an hour set. bst: How has working with Island been? Kyle: Island has been great. They treat us really well. We made the right choice. bst: How do you feel about internet music sites/zines? Do you feel that mp3’s are an asset to up-and-coming bands? Kyle: The music sites and online zines are great for the music community because they help bands build a fan base. Instead of dumping all their money into tours, bands can establish a following by posting some songs for download. Obviously stealing music is bad, but I’m all for bands having the opportunity to expose themselves if they want to. bst: Thanks for taking time to speak with us. |
Saturday, July 17, 2004
Review: Unearth - The Oncoming Storm
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By far one of the most anticipated releases of the year, Unearth’s The Oncoming Storm is the band’s debut on Metal Blade. The band had a tough act to follow, as the band’s previous release, The Stings of Conscience, propelled the band to forefront in the metalcore scene. The transition to Metal Blade did little to compromise the band’s sound or direction as the album crushes any doubts. The Oncoming Storm is leaps and bounds ahead of any metal or hardcore release of the year thus far. From the blistering intro in “The Great Dividers” to the last breakdown in “False Idols,” the album is a roller coaster of metal riffs, breakdowns, and powerful masterpieces. I’m sure that many fans would have liked this album to have been released much sooner, but after one listen, it’s easy to see the time spent on this album was well worth it. The tight knit songs contain everything you’ve come to expect from Unearth, but with much more purpose. The album flows much better than The Stings of Conscience and the songs sound much more complete. Trevor’s powerful voice bellows angry lyrics and enhances the songs with authority. The lyrics are very refined and remind the listener that Unearth isn’t about love songs. Of course the lyrics are not the first indication of Unearth’s power, as the music explodes in chaotic barrages. Breakdowns are plentiful, as are the metal riffs Although this album is not really anything new for Unearth, it is so far ahead of the other bands in the genre, you can’t help but want more. There’s some melody here and there, but it really goes unnoticed in the swing of things. The only parts of the album that I didn’t like are the mellow “Aries” that seems out of place and the fact you can't hear the cymbals very well in any song. Otherwise as an Unearth fan, I couldn’t be happier. The re-recorded version of Endless is excellent. Even the cheesy call out of breakdown in "This Lying World” couldn’t sway this listener. The best band in metalcore had only gotten better. |
