Arkona Releases 7th Studio Album Yav

Arkona released their 7th studio album yesterday and I can't believe I didn't hear about this until now! The band posted this status in regards to the new album, Yav:

"Yesterday it was a very important event for us – release of our 7th studio album, "YAV"! A lot of efforts, time and emotions we put in that album. Music, as always, differs from the previous albums, and this time, perhaps, much stronger than ever. Not everyone liked it, but many of you are willing to grow with us . In any case, all that we do, we do with a pure heart and with love to music and art. We thank all those who have accepted our new creation, also apologizing to those who waited the repeat of old albums. Our story continues!"

There you have it! Apparently it's on Spotify. If you get a chance to listen to it let me know! Hopefully I'll be able to catch a minute to check it out sometime today. Folk metal always puts me in a better mood. \m/

In Flames Unveils Track Listing for New Album Siren Charms

In Flames has released the names of the tracks that are to be on their upcoming album "Siren Charms", out on September 5th of this year. They are expected to come out with a single for the track "Rusted Nail" ahead of the release on June 13th, which I'll post up when I see it!

For now though, here are the soon-to-be tracks for Siren Charms:

01. In Plain View
02. Everything's Gone
03. Paralyzed
04. Through Oblivion
05. With Eyes Wide Open
06. Siren Charms
07. When The World Explodes
08. Rusted Nail
09. Dead Eyes
10. Monsters In The Ballroom
11. Filtered Truth

In Flames has always been hit-or-miss for me. I really dig a lot of their songs, but there are songs every now and then that aren't really my cup o' tea. Regardless, I'll still be keeping my eyes peeled for Rusted Nail to see how their sound has changed this time around!

Original article here.


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Summer Slaughter Tour Bands/Dates Announced

So this year, The Summer Slaughter Tour will be played by Morbid Angel, The Faceless, Goatwhore, Fallujah, Within the Ruins, Thy Art Is Murder, Dying Fetus, Origin and Decrepit Birth! Not bad, says I.

I'll be the most excited to see The Faceless, but Morbid Angel is pretty cool too and Goatwhore is always a good time. Most of the bands are solid.

Thus far, the only known dates are 7/19 in LA and 8/8 in NYC. I will letcha know of the new dates when they are announced. Fingers crossed they pick a place within a 2-hour drive from here! If they know what's good for them, though, I think we can bet on them passing through here somewhere.


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Lzzy Hale Collaborates With Lindsey Stirling

Yeah, I know it's not metal, but we all listen to non-metal sometimes. Also I fucking love Lindsey Stirling and Lzzy Hale so this is getting a mention - and a well deserved one, at that. I think you'll agree, even if just on Lzzy's awesome vocals and Lindsey's incredible skill at commanding a violin.

The only major issue I take with Stirling is her use of dubstep, which in it's common form is abhorrent and is not an accepted style of music for my part. To her credit, however, she uses it sparingly, and it's more or less done quite tastefully in most of her songs. Not to mention her absolutely mastery of strings completely overshadows all of it, so I can forgive it just this once.

Think of it as not liking broccoli, but then you eat something amazing and discover broccoli was an ingredient in said amazing dish. Listening to Lindsey Stirling is kind of like that.

Lzzy Hale, as always, brings powerful vocals to this piece; pleasantly gut-wrenching and complete with all the feels. I simply adore her attitude and her ability to infuse her vocals with so much strength and emotion. She also seems like an awesome person to chill with, and that's always an added bonus!

Even the video was well done! For something as far-reaching and mainstream as this, the video is free from commercialization and emptiness and does not feel overproduced in the slightest. The visuals are very complimentary of the music and no one is trying too hard. They seem like they played off of genuine thoughts and feelings for inspiration, and everything smacked of gritty honesty.

If you like the sounds of Apocalyptica or are just a fan of orchestral wizardry and shit that sounds bleak and beautiful with a little extra energy thrown in, you will love this. It's far from a chicky pop song - it is more something to which pop music should aspire. It's fucking beautiful.


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Wake 'N Bake Tune of the Day: Weedeater, "Hot Doughnuts Now"

Pack yourself a nice big bowl, roll a spliff or two, and know that you won't hear any music until at least a minute into the video which gives you plenty of time to cough it out before jamming to this sticky nug of stoner metal:

Damn. Now I really want some doughnuts.


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Between The Buried And Me Premiers New Video for "Lay Your Ghosts To Rest"

Check it out:

"Lay Your Ghosts To Rest" was one of my favorite songs off this album. This video will really make people like me feel really bad about having missed their live shows when they came to town. I love their whole "blue darkness" theme they seem to always have going on.

I believe they're coming back this way again sometime soon. Don't quote me on that, but check the local calendar just in case.


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First New Song From Slayer in 5 Years

Here it is... the first new song from Slayer in five whole years:

What do you think? To me, it kinda sounds like they were trying to do another "Raining Blood" as it sounds almost identical to that song. It's not super spectacular, but it's not bad, either. It's just... Slayer. It's everything you'd expect it to sound like.

Anyway, yay for Slayer for sticking to doing what they do best - pure, unadulterated old-school thrash.


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