I have taken this opportunity, to do a brief write up on a handful of bands that I feel, are the future of "Metal." These bands cover all grounds, from the Industrial end of things to Hard Core to basic Metal. So after reading this, do yourself a favor & check out any of these artists, they need your support.
Spread the word.
Sybreed-Slave Design 2004
Reality Entertainment
www.sybreed.com/
Freakhouse-Beautiful Misery 2003
Reality Entertainment
www.freakhouse.com/
for both bands:
www.reality-entertainment.com/
www.harshrealitytour.com/
Sybreed is a band that blends the best of in the industrial genre along with modern elements. They are what their label calls a "hybrid." It’s not too far from the truth, they are a unique sounding band in a time where, it seems, everyother band sounds like the previous one you heard. Their music is like a sonic storm of sound, that literally overwhelms your sense of hearing. The band is an acquired taste, fans of Nine Inch Nails, Meshuggah, Ministry & contemporary rock would fall in love with this band like I did. Their labelmates, Freakhouse, are on the other end of the sonic spectrum. Freakhouse leans more toward the Nu-Metal, with a different spin. You see, they add melodic "power" pop elements to their song structures, along with a bit of techno/dance overtones. Truly something that must be heard to really appreciate. Freakhouse, while they might be marketed under the Nu-Metal banner, they aren’t one dimensional like 95% of their peers. I highly recommend Beautiful Misery. Look for this band on tour later in the year with Sybreed & Lyzanxia, later this year on "The Harsh Reality Tour, sponsored by Metal Maniacs, Metal Edge & Epiphone Guitars. There will be two kinds of people, the ones that made it & the ones that wish they had.
Shinedown-Leave a Whisper 2003
Atlantic Records
www.shinedown.com/
Shinedown is the result of a band that was clearly raised on heavy doses of Alice in Chains, Days of the New & Soundgarden. Their influence bleed through the speakers. Shinedown, however, should not be written off as another post grunge cookie cutter band. They offers some high quality, melodic, yet rocking tracks, that you can’t help, but adore. I really appreciate what they are about, it’s also notable, that the next generation has some folks out there are not satisfied with the present rock scene. Shinedown is one of those bands willing to take a chance in doing something that is against the grain.
Dropbox-Dropbox 2004
Universal
www.dropboxmusic.com/
The first thing that caught my attention about this band is the unusual name. What the heck is a Dropbox?! Right off the blocks, their record kicks off with the "punch" that is very much reminiscent of the mighty Alice I Chains. While, their material on their debut record, is not as abrasive as A.I.C.’s debut, they do offer hope that major labels might be looking for bands with more substance than what we had been bombarded with over the last few years. There’s no poppy corporate punk hooks on here record. Just detuned guitars, bass, drums & a singer that will remind you of the glory days of grunge! The band was assisted by Godsmack’s Sully Erna, by playing drums on about 50% of the record & signing them to his imprint distributed by Universal. Please don’t allow that to prevent you from buying this record & or checking out this band. So what’s a Dropbox? Well, I found out it has something to do with a part of the female anatomy. Who would have thought?
Titanium Black-Bleed for You 2004
Great Dane Records
www.titaniumblack.com/
Titanium Black is one of the select few bands that upon, fits listen, you know you’re in for something special. From the opening of "Cracks of Light," you’re hooked, the band’s singer Terry Michael LeRoi, sounds like a cross between David Drainman, the singer from Odin & Shok Paris singer Vic Hix. Needless to say, the vocals are powerful & display extraordinary range, the musicianship is top notch & classy. The songs are very memorable & catchy, old school, yet contemporary, either Terry Michael LeRoi has endured some hard lessons in life or he is the most the most brilliant lyricists of all time. Michael Wangener produced this record, known for his previous work with Accept, Dokken, Great White & countless other bands, he mixed this record in 5.1 surround sound, which by the way, will enhance your listening pleasure. Even with this sonic addition to the recording, this record stands by it’s self as one of the best records of the year 2004. If there is a metal god in the heavens this band will be a household name by the end of this year. Watch out for their release of the DVD audio of Bleed for You, with a bonus cut, later in the year.
100 Demons-s/t 2004
Deathwish
www.deathwishinc.com/
www.100demons.com/
100 Demons has a fitting name, they are heavy as hell & their sound is that of the official house band in hell. It’s skull crushing, grinding, piercing, bludgeoning hard core at it’s best. This band will be going places, in the future watch out for them. When they land a decent tour with a established band they will hit the roof. Produced by Zeus, who most recently hit the jack pot with his work with Shadows Fall. He has definitely assisted getting this band’s sound across on record. This is a band that I look forward to seeing live down the road. Fans of Hatebreed should love this band. I think that 100 Demons would even make that "baby faced" Jasta soil his britches upon first listen. Look these guys up, they are doing a great job of keeping the hard core genre going.
Innerself-Emotional Disorder 2004
Locomotive Music
www.locomotivemusic.com/
Innerself is a fantastic new talent from Spain on the Locomotive Label. To begin with, clearly this band’s second language is English, I have nothing but the utmost respect for ANY band that is willing to take a risk, by writing, recording & performing material, outside of their comfort level. Their songs are fluid, well written & will appeal to the anglo market, as well, as to fans of the Latin Metal scene. Innerself is bar none the most impressive band I have ever heard from Spain. The songs structures are powerful, aggressive & are melodic. While you’ll hear no solos on this record, this is proof that if you have a well written song, there’s no need! This band is probably what Metallica were shooting for, when they were in the studio for years, writing St. Anger. You don’t need a big name producer, you don’t need an outrageous budget, you don’t need to have a major label, if you have solid songs, remarkable musicianship, a vision, you’ll have a great product. I get the identical feeling that I got when I fist heard Sepultura. I was that delighted & if there’s any justice these guys will achieve just as much success & then some.
SIXXSWINE-\m/
Spread the word.
Sybreed-Slave Design 2004
Reality Entertainment
www.sybreed.com/
Freakhouse-Beautiful Misery 2003
Reality Entertainment
www.freakhouse.com/
for both bands:
www.reality-entertainment.com/
www.harshrealitytour.com/
Sybreed is a band that blends the best of in the industrial genre along with modern elements. They are what their label calls a "hybrid." It’s not too far from the truth, they are a unique sounding band in a time where, it seems, everyother band sounds like the previous one you heard. Their music is like a sonic storm of sound, that literally overwhelms your sense of hearing. The band is an acquired taste, fans of Nine Inch Nails, Meshuggah, Ministry & contemporary rock would fall in love with this band like I did. Their labelmates, Freakhouse, are on the other end of the sonic spectrum. Freakhouse leans more toward the Nu-Metal, with a different spin. You see, they add melodic "power" pop elements to their song structures, along with a bit of techno/dance overtones. Truly something that must be heard to really appreciate. Freakhouse, while they might be marketed under the Nu-Metal banner, they aren’t one dimensional like 95% of their peers. I highly recommend Beautiful Misery. Look for this band on tour later in the year with Sybreed & Lyzanxia, later this year on "The Harsh Reality Tour, sponsored by Metal Maniacs, Metal Edge & Epiphone Guitars. There will be two kinds of people, the ones that made it & the ones that wish they had.
Shinedown-Leave a Whisper 2003
Atlantic Records
www.shinedown.com/
Shinedown is the result of a band that was clearly raised on heavy doses of Alice in Chains, Days of the New & Soundgarden. Their influence bleed through the speakers. Shinedown, however, should not be written off as another post grunge cookie cutter band. They offers some high quality, melodic, yet rocking tracks, that you can’t help, but adore. I really appreciate what they are about, it’s also notable, that the next generation has some folks out there are not satisfied with the present rock scene. Shinedown is one of those bands willing to take a chance in doing something that is against the grain.
Dropbox-Dropbox 2004
Universal
www.dropboxmusic.com/
The first thing that caught my attention about this band is the unusual name. What the heck is a Dropbox?! Right off the blocks, their record kicks off with the "punch" that is very much reminiscent of the mighty Alice I Chains. While, their material on their debut record, is not as abrasive as A.I.C.’s debut, they do offer hope that major labels might be looking for bands with more substance than what we had been bombarded with over the last few years. There’s no poppy corporate punk hooks on here record. Just detuned guitars, bass, drums & a singer that will remind you of the glory days of grunge! The band was assisted by Godsmack’s Sully Erna, by playing drums on about 50% of the record & signing them to his imprint distributed by Universal. Please don’t allow that to prevent you from buying this record & or checking out this band. So what’s a Dropbox? Well, I found out it has something to do with a part of the female anatomy. Who would have thought?
Titanium Black-Bleed for You 2004
Great Dane Records
www.titaniumblack.com/
Titanium Black is one of the select few bands that upon, fits listen, you know you’re in for something special. From the opening of "Cracks of Light," you’re hooked, the band’s singer Terry Michael LeRoi, sounds like a cross between David Drainman, the singer from Odin & Shok Paris singer Vic Hix. Needless to say, the vocals are powerful & display extraordinary range, the musicianship is top notch & classy. The songs are very memorable & catchy, old school, yet contemporary, either Terry Michael LeRoi has endured some hard lessons in life or he is the most the most brilliant lyricists of all time. Michael Wangener produced this record, known for his previous work with Accept, Dokken, Great White & countless other bands, he mixed this record in 5.1 surround sound, which by the way, will enhance your listening pleasure. Even with this sonic addition to the recording, this record stands by it’s self as one of the best records of the year 2004. If there is a metal god in the heavens this band will be a household name by the end of this year. Watch out for their release of the DVD audio of Bleed for You, with a bonus cut, later in the year.
100 Demons-s/t 2004
Deathwish
www.deathwishinc.com/
www.100demons.com/
100 Demons has a fitting name, they are heavy as hell & their sound is that of the official house band in hell. It’s skull crushing, grinding, piercing, bludgeoning hard core at it’s best. This band will be going places, in the future watch out for them. When they land a decent tour with a established band they will hit the roof. Produced by Zeus, who most recently hit the jack pot with his work with Shadows Fall. He has definitely assisted getting this band’s sound across on record. This is a band that I look forward to seeing live down the road. Fans of Hatebreed should love this band. I think that 100 Demons would even make that "baby faced" Jasta soil his britches upon first listen. Look these guys up, they are doing a great job of keeping the hard core genre going.
Innerself-Emotional Disorder 2004
Locomotive Music
www.locomotivemusic.com/
Innerself is a fantastic new talent from Spain on the Locomotive Label. To begin with, clearly this band’s second language is English, I have nothing but the utmost respect for ANY band that is willing to take a risk, by writing, recording & performing material, outside of their comfort level. Their songs are fluid, well written & will appeal to the anglo market, as well, as to fans of the Latin Metal scene. Innerself is bar none the most impressive band I have ever heard from Spain. The songs structures are powerful, aggressive & are melodic. While you’ll hear no solos on this record, this is proof that if you have a well written song, there’s no need! This band is probably what Metallica were shooting for, when they were in the studio for years, writing St. Anger. You don’t need a big name producer, you don’t need an outrageous budget, you don’t need to have a major label, if you have solid songs, remarkable musicianship, a vision, you’ll have a great product. I get the identical feeling that I got when I fist heard Sepultura. I was that delighted & if there’s any justice these guys will achieve just as much success & then some.
SIXXSWINE-\m/
and drummer Bobby Jarzombek