Thursday, July 24th, 2008 at 1:23pm by Corey Mitchell
What is the dorkiest thing you have ever done to show your love of metal?
I’ve had a few supreme dork moments of metal in my 42 years of geekdom. I once made myself up as King Diamond for the big Halloween street bash on Sixth Street in Austin, Texas, way back in 1985. Out of more than 100,000 revelers, a whopping 13 people knew who the hell I was dressed up as.
My dorkiest moment, however, took place way back in 1984, when I was seventeen years old.
Thursday, July 24th, 2008 at 10:45am by Axl Rosenberg
There are really only two things I know about Winds of Plague:
Their hot chick keyboard player was briefly the hot chick keyboard player in Abigail Williams before Abigail Williams’ original hot chick keyboard player returned to that band.
No one can ever refer to them simply by their initials, as it is so fashionable to do these days, without risking the wrath of angry Italian metalheads everywhere.
Still, as soon as I saw Winds of Plague’s new (”Banned by MTV!”) video for “The Impaler,” I knew I had to post it; I actually think the song is decent-if-generic deathcore (and surely some of you will hate them for that alone), but the lead singer doesn’t seem to be doing the whole white-hip-hop-dude thing with any sense of irony (then again, neither are the fellas in Despised Icon and I still really like that band, so…), and, well, Vince and I really really really like watching you guys argue in our comments section. So watch the video and then weigh in below.
Thursday, July 24th, 2008 at 9:48am by Vince Neilstein
Waltham, MA’s ferocious “dirtcore” metal band Graveyard BBQ hit NYC tonight at Arlene’s Grocery on the Lower East Side. These guys are one of my favorite up and coming bands, so catch ‘em while they’re hot before they get signed so you can say you knew them when. This is not a show to be missed. It starts at 7pm sharp; we’ll see you there.
Wednesday, July 23rd, 2008 at 4:48pm by Vince Neilstein
Since we all seem to be in agreement that the new Chris Cornell / Timbaland joint is a steaming pile of dog turds, let’s harken back to better times, shall we? Are you a fan of the early, raw Soundgarden featuring Mr. Cornell running around in combat boots with his shirt off, or the proggier, trippier Soundgarden of the mid ’90s? You tell us.
Wednesday, July 23rd, 2008 at 3:48pm by Dallas Coyle
What’s up party peoples? I just got back from LA after finishing up the vocals for the new album. After hearing this record for almost a year now I can say I’m tired of it and excited for it at the same time. Is that possible?
We worked on the vocals for a month when we thought it would take two weeks. This has been the M.O. with this record. The label is pissed off because we didn’t meet certain deadlines, we’re pissed because the person who was supposed to mix it pulled out on us last minute. In all honesty, we deserved it because we did the same thing to him when we couldn’t finish up everything before the Death Angel tour. The tit for tat was well deserved. Karma.
With a ridiculously saturated fall schedule it may be a blessing. Metallica, Trivium, All That Remains, Mastodon, Gojira, Dragon Force, etc, etc. Would you want to put out a record with all of those records coming out too? We seem to be a band that gets lost in a shuffle if our timing is shit.
Wednesday, July 23rd, 2008 at 1:54pm by Vince Neilstein
So I totally snoozed yesterday on the fact that After The Burial’s new album Rareform was finally released. If you guys haven’t checked out After the Burial yet, I highly recommend you do so this instant; it’s like Meshuggah’s rhythm section decided to have a three-way with John Petrucci and Bloodjinn vocalist Joel Collins. The results are phenomenal, striking that ever-delicate balance of musicianship and songwriting. It’s some truly invigorating shit! Seriously; more bands should be this good.
After the Burial will be out on this summer’s Thrash and Burn Tour (with Darkest Hour), so if you’re planning on hitting that up be sure to get there early… And let us know how they are live. In the meantime listen to the three songs from Rareform posted on their MySpace, and prepare to be be bludgeoned.
Wednesday, July 23rd, 2008 at 12:47pm by Axl Rosenberg
Alright alright alright: I don’t wanna hear any more bitching that we’re too mean to Metallica, I don’t wanna hear anyone else say we need to give their album a chance. We will give it a chance, and if it’s awesome, we will apologize for all the shit we’ve talked.
But we won’t have to apologize.
Just when I thought my dread for Metallica’s Death Magnetic couldn’t be any greater, the band has revealed the album’s track list, and the big news from just glancing at the song titles is that the album will feature “Unforgiven III,” the second prequel to the semi-power ballad off of the band’s self-titled black album.
I’m not sure why the fuck Metallica feel the need to keep revisiting this particular song - maybe they feel unforgiven for shitting all over their legacy during the past seventeen years, or maybe they’re just really, really big Clint Eastwood fans - but I do know that “Unforgiven II” was one of those songs that made me wish Hetfield and Ulrich had met fates similar to the late, great Cliff Burton.
Seriously. “Unforgiven II” has to be one of the silliest songs ever recorded by a once-respectable band.
In case you somehow managed to magically avoid “Unforgiven II” upon its initial release, check out the ridiculously retarded video below and dread the inevitable day when “Unforgiven III” is released as a single; then wash the foul taste out of your mouth by watching the video for the original “Unforgiven” after the jump.
Wednesday, July 23rd, 2008 at 12:00pm by Vince Neilstein
If not, you should be; this extremely progressive stoner jazz metal band (got that?) recently signed with Century Media, and their new album Prehistoricisms is set to drop on September 16th. Our own Kip W. has been raving about this band for some time, and their Challenger EP even made his 2007 year-end top albums list. The band is fucking fresh; unique and inventive, br00tal and talented through and through.
Lucky for you, GuitarWorld.com is hosting a full mp3 download of “Australopithecus” from the new album. Enjoy it below. Also check out some videos of the band jamming on their official website, and check out their MySpace for some older (but no less awesome) tunes.
Wednesday, July 23rd, 2008 at 11:44am by Sammy O'Hagar
DragonForce, like most good bands, either hits you the right way or doesn’t. And one could totally understand how their music could hit someone the wrong way - when looking at DragonForce from a distance (unendingly optimistic metal played at relentless speed, nuts-in-a-vice vocals, keyboards straight out of Mega Man 4, the fact that the name of the band is DragonForce, etc.), they are undoubtedly obnoxious on paper. But as those of us who like them know, the band’s execution usually ascends that obnoxiousness to come up with a seemingly infinite canon of uplifting, complexly performed power metal songs. So it’s good to know that at the very least, DragonForce haven’t done anything drastic to their formula for their latest fell length, Ultra Beatdown. In fact, in its best moments, the album showcases the band’s most enjoyable material, which for a band that is at the moment best known by the general populous as the hardest part of Guitar Hero III, is quite refreshing.
Wednesday, July 23rd, 2008 at 9:49am by Vince Neilstein
It’s hot in the MetalSucks Mansion today. Real hot. And fucking humid too. But thankfully we have some classic Megadeth to cut through the haze. First time I saw this video I thought it was pretty much the coolest thing ever accomplished in the history of music video, especially that part in the middle where the camera keeps zooming out through a succession of prison doors, cheesy early ’90s video effects be damned. Also, am I the only one who finds that scene at the end where there are 6 Daves in the same room completely creepy and petrifying?
Tuesday, July 22nd, 2008 at 4:50pm by Axl Rosenberg
I thought that last week’s logo, for the band Mala Fides, was way too easy, but I guess I was wrong: most of you were just way off base with your guesses (Atreyu? Really, guys?). Luckily for them, MetalSucks Maniacs Alex Gellman, Chris John and Roger Adrian all got it right, and all win one copy of Airbourne’s Runnin’ Wild.
This week, the very nice people at Roadrunner Records have given us one last copy of Opeth’s Watershed to give away. People are killing one another in the streets over this album, so you obviously need to own a copy if you want to be considered a real live human being.
All you have to do to win is identify the name of the band whose logo appears below, then shoot me an e-mail with your answer, your name and address at axl [at] metalsucks.net. We’ll randomly select one winner from everyone who gets it right, and announce their name next Monday.
Because I’m feeling generous this week, I’ll even give you guys a hint: it’s not Atreyu.
Tuesday, July 22nd, 2008 at 4:26pm by Axl Rosenberg
At the risk of sounding like an overzealous Pantera fan, $lash performing “Sweet Child O’Mine” with that scary looking manimal (I refused to believe it’s a woman) from the Black Eyed Peas is where I draw the line. Unless he saw a freak that bore some vague resemblance to a white lady and thought he was doing another gig with Michael Jackson. I guess that’s forgivable.
Tuesday, July 22nd, 2008 at 4:13pm by Axl Rosenberg
According to a press release that just arrived at the MetalSucks Mansion, VH1 is looking for “beautiful babes” (which would be a step up from past seasons) for a third edition of Rock of Love with Bret Michaels. But why would any woman in her right mind wanna be on that show? Obviously you’re not really gonna make Bret Michaels fall in love with you, if the first two seasons are any indication.
So, instead, we propose that all women looking to degrade themselves and/or hang out with Z list “celebrities” audition for Cock of Love with Axl and Vince. Like Rock of Love, this will be a reality show in which a few dozen slutty strippers/porn stars/single mothers/crack addicts compete for the affections of a man (or, in this case, men); unlike Rock of Love, we’ll just dispense with the ridiculousness of pretending that mud football or talent contests actually have anything to do with love and just get right into the nitty gritty of it: our contestants will be judged solely based on their ability to provide a wide range of horrific, scar-you-for life sexual acts, including but not limited to Chinese fingercuffs, donkey punches, Houdinis, attending concerts performed by NYC’s infamous death/grind masters Lake Bukkake, and, of course, our mutual favorite, The Messy Matzoh (think “Ookie Cookie,” but Jewier). The show won’t be on VH1 but we’re fairly certain we could get the dudes from Metal Injection to film it all for us.
Interested parties should write their phone number on the wall of their local men’s room and wait to be contacted.
Tuesday, July 22nd, 2008 at 1:02pm by Axl Rosenberg
Our bro-bros over at Metal Injection recently captured some awesome live footage of one of our favorite up and coming young bands, Born of Osiris, on the Summer Slaughter tour. As usual, MI’s live shit is top notch, and if it convinces any of you to check out BOO’s debut LP, The New Reign, well, then, I’ll be satisfied.
Here’s Born of Osiris performing “Bow Down;” head over to Metal Injection to check out a whopping four additional clips, plus lots more footage from Summer Slaughter.
Tuesday, July 22nd, 2008 at 12:19pm by Axl Rosenberg
So Ozzy is apparently gonna make another record… and it seems like just yesterday that I listened to Black Rain once and decided I never needed to listen to it again. Since the Oz Man hasn’t really recorded anything worth anyone’s time since 1991’s No More Tears, I thought I’d offer my expertise (read: complete fucking arrogance) and make some suggestions to ensure that this new album doesn’t make me long for the day when I read the headline that Jack Osbourne finally offed his entire family.
Tuesday, July 22nd, 2008 at 10:23am by Axl Rosenberg
Here’s a dilemma: I think I finally figured out the phrase stupid people will use to describe Abigail Williams’ particular style of metal, but I’m afraid that if I share said phrase with anyone, then I’ll be the stupid person who coined it. What do I do, what do I do? Go for the cheap joke? Or be a little more dignified-like and just let you all know that “Into the Ashes,” the new song the band just debuted on their MySpace page, is awesome and totally worth your time?
Aw, fuck it. I know this is MetalSucks, but for once, I don’t wanna be the smart-ass.
Monday, July 21st, 2008 at 5:19pm by Axl Rosenberg
I know some people that are absolutely fuckin’ fanatical about All That Remains, the Masshole group fronted by former Shadows Fall front dude/devout Christian/self-professed porn addict Phil Labonte (who actually seems to have found a fairly stable line-up for the band after years of constant member changes). I’ve always had a lot of respect for the band, but never quite got to a point where I was as into them as some of their American New Wave peers; maybe that’s because, as much as I’ve enjoyed their albums (particularly 2004’s This Darkened Heart), I’ve seen them live a few times and they never exactly knocked my socks off. Still, I’ll take them over As I Lay Dying any day of the week.
ANYWAY, ATR have a new album, Overcome, coming out on Prosthetic on September 16, and now two new songs from said album, entitled “Before the Damned” and “Relinquish,” have made their way onto the band’s MySpace page.
Monday, July 21st, 2008 at 4:17pm by Vince Neilstein
Are you guys excited about the new Human Abstract album Midheaven yet? Because holy crapticles, it’s going to be awesome. The madness begins on August 19th (Hopeless Records); but for now there’s a new video teaser to tide you over thanks to Hot Topic. Does it make up for adorning thousands of pre-pubescent teens in Slipknot hoodies and parachute pants? No; but at least Hot Topic’s done something good for metal.
