MOTD - Defeatist: The Best and Finest Grindcore

Mp3 Of The Day

Band/Artist: Defeatist
Song: Extinction Throne
Album: Sixth Extinction
Style: Grindcore
country/location: New York City, NY, US
release: 2010

I love grindcore. That raw and abrasive sound instantly grabs me whenever I listen to it. The grinding tone, the dirty feeling, the blasts of unrelenting beautiful noise. I love it all!

New York's Defeatist is easily one of my favorite grind bands out right now, and I would even argue that they're one of best and finest of the genre. Their brand of grindcore is so fuckin well done and they perform with such punch and balls, even those not into this style find an appreciation for them. This 3 dudes are masters of their instruments and yet are so in tune with one another that they create a smart and tight ferocity. The crusty, crunchy, chaotic riffs explode in your face, angry words are not yelled or screamed but expelled and spewed from bloody lungs, the drums are precision machine guns of interchanging rhythms. With an incredible production job, you can hear every element crisp and clear without sacrificing the raw and uncompromising. As a result, the highly intelligent and seemingly improvisational jazz band comes forth underneath the musical malice. Even more impressively, Defeatist rips and destroys on the stage. They are easily one of my favorite live bands, sounding so fuckin loud and powerful in the flesh. If you have a chance to see them live, do it! You will NOT be disappointed! And if you're looking for a band to book for your metal/hardcore show, they will easily be a highlight of your show!

Defeatist - Extinction Throne

MOTD - Grief Of Emerald: A Slab Of Black/Death

Mp3 Of The Day

Band/Artist: Grief Of Emerald
Song: Deformed Imaginations
Album: Christian Termination
Style: Black/Death Metal
country/location: Uddevalla, Sweden
release: 2002

Time for some anti-religious, keyboard backed, evil sounding blackened deathened metal! Came across this band not too long ago, and figured I'd share them.

Grief Of Emerald hails from Sweden playing an evil and haunting brand of semi symphonic/melodic black/death metal, with a lyrical focus on the downfall of religion. The guitarist presents simple but effective chunky death grooves as well as light but bleak melodic passages, p. The drummer keeps the mid-paced tempo steady while throwing in a generous amount of blast beats and machine-gun double bass drum action. A rattling mid-ranged black metal rasp is utilized to preach the unholy and blasphemous message. To help round out their evil sound, the bass and very subtle keyboards provide that vast feel that comes with bands of this style. Can't say Grief Of Emerald is the most original of bands, but they provide a nice slab of black/death metal to whoever are fans of that style. Check it out!

Grief Of Emerald - Deformed Imaginations

MOTD - Boris: MOTD returns with a surprise!

Mp3 Of The Day

Band/Artist: Boris
Song: Black Original
Album: New Album
Style: Very different then the "usual" Boris Dance pop electronica weirdness
country/location: Tokyo, Japan
release: 2011

So it's been another blog hiatus for me! I really gotta stop these hiatuses, but at least nothing is forced!

Anyway what better way to end this particular dry spell than with a highly prolific, respectfully bizarre band. No band has changed genres and styles more than Boris. This Japanese trio has done drone doom, stoner rock, psychedelic rock, ambient music, noise, combination of all the above. Every album is completely different then the last, yet still 100% Boris. That said, they've really brought about a surprise. Among the 3 other full lengths they've already released or are going to release, their strangely titled "New Album" goes into bizarre places that even I was like "what the fuck am I listening to? Is this really Boris?!" If you want to be completely surprised at what you hear (assuming you haven't heard), I won't spoil it for you! For those who want to read about it, highlight the description below and/or read the comment below: Basically Boris has released a Jpop/Jrock record. Tons of super catchy hooks, dance beats, cheesy moments, indie rock like ballads! This song in particular "Black Original" is probably the biggest departure for them (if that's possible and/or true). Starting off with a European flavored synth, it goes into a hugely danceable beat with super processed robotic autotuned vocals. One could easily hear this on top 40 radio, it's catchy and fun. If it was any other band, you could say that they sold out (which a lot of fans say they have). I personally love this album just for having the audacity to do something like this, even outside of the complete randomness of it, it's 100% better then a lot of top 40 pop music that is around. It's a well constructed and well written pop/rock album! Check it out!

Boris - Black Original

MOTD - Acido: Ol' Epic Heavy Metal From Italy

Mp3 Of The Day

Band/Artist: Acido
Song: I Culi Aumentano
Album: Acido Demo '86
Style: Heavy Metal
country/location: Alessandria, Piedmont, Italy
release: 1986

I stumbled across this quaint little Italian heavy metal band about a year ago and recently rediscovered in my massive music library (random play is a wonderful thing haha). I was like "hey let's post this!"

Acido is a fairly unknown 5 piece band from the mid to late 1980s. Released a couple demos in their lifetime, but unfortunately didn't go much further than that. A shame really for they had talent and an excellent sense of melody and song composition, though it's hard to know how their lyrics are as they are in Italian (which is pretty nifty! If any of my followers know Italian care to translate!). Lots of classic galloping riffs and epic solos here for heavy metal fans to feast on. The vocalist has a mid ranged raspy/gruff style that works really well. Old school metal fans will easily hear that they were fans of Dark Quarterer, as they definitely took that awesome sense of epic build and riffs that grow on each other. Again, it's too bad they didn't get a chance to at least record a full length, I could totally see that album being a favorite among metalheads. Oh well, this demo will definitely please folk!

Acido - I Culi Aumentano

MOTD - W.: I'm now 26, here's some Christian death/grind sorta

Mp3 Of The Day

Band/Artist: W.
Song: 26 Years
Album: Circle of Dead Demons
Style: Brutal Death Metal/Grindcore
country/location: Lockport, Illinois, US
release: 2008

So today I've made it around the sun on this pathetic little planet 26 times without dying! Go me! A lot has happened in those 26 revolutions. Too much for me to jokingly list. Well, I suppose I should honor this special day with a post of 26. Much to my surprise, I found a song called "26 Years" which is perfect for this day. This band/project is a bit unusual and honestly not sure how I feel about it. W. is a Christian themed death/grind/core solo band based out of Lockport, Illinois. Can't say I've run into many Christian death/grind bands, but that aspect isn't too prominent I guess. While it's not the best thing I've heard, this ain't bad. The riffs are chunky shredding at points death metal with the occasional deathcore like chuggy breakdown (which is slightly unnecessary cus the other riffs are impressive). I like the vocals which are guttural deep. The drums are clearly machine based, blasting like a grind band. Honestly there's better death/grind, but again you can do far worse and some might enjoy this! I know I enjoyed it enough to post it! 26 Years of being on this Earth is pretty worth it I think!

W. - 26 Years

MOTD - Firehouse: My Valentine's Day Gift!

Mp3 Of The Day

Band/Artist: Firehouse
Song: Love Of A Lifetime
Album: Firehouse
Style: Glam/Hair Metal
country/location: Charlotte, North Carolina
release: 1991

Man, it's been awhile since I've made a post! I apologize, but since there's no time like the present, let's get to it!

Today is Valentine's Day! That wonderful day that celebrates love. Love is what brings us together today. Love is what causes two people to go to movies, make out in the seats until the staff bring in the air horn. Love is what causes CVS to sell out their chocolates. Love is what causes 80s hair metal bands to write super sappy songs that cause punks to explode with rage. For glam/hair metal band Firehouse, they have finally found the love of a lifetime! Firehouse was probably the last great glam/hair metal band before grunge took over the airwaves (some would say that they were indirectly responsible for grunge). Everything about their sound is perfectly cheesy and fun. Irresistible melodies, clean and sharp production, a powerhouse frontman, what's not to love (or hate) about them. And like all great hair bands, they had their signature ballad. This song is so sappy and syrupy, it's wonderful. Perfect for a day like today, so this is my Valentine's Day gift to you! I hope you all find your love of a lifetime!

Firehouse - Love Of A Lifetime

MOTD - Angelica: God Dammit It's Catchy!

Mp3 Of The Day

Band/Artist: Angelica
Song: Walkin' In Faith
Album: Walkin' In Faith
Style: Melodic Heavy Metal/Hard Rock/AOR
country/location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
release: 1990

First mp3 of the day of 2011! (besides Saturday's quicky grind) And it's uber catchy Christian heavy metal! tee hee. There's really no good reason for me posting this, but god dammit (lolz) it's too catchy and I felt like posting it.

Angelica was a Jesus loving band from Ontario featuring a revolving cast of vocalists (including Rob Rock though not on this song/album), a melodic-riffed/shredding Yngwie styled guitarist, a slap bassist, and a purely 80s metal drummer. All this coming together to create anthemic, melodic as fuck, radio friendly heavy metal. One could say that they have more in common with Journey and Def Leppard then they do Iron Maiden or even hair bands like Cinderella, but the metal elements are definitely there (well at least enough for me). The guitarist has a gift of writing semi-simple catchy riffs as well as pulling out some shredding solos that recall Yngwie Malmsteen. The vocals are completely soaring and crisp, sounding like a combination of Steve Perry and John Arch. The bass stands out quite a bit as it sounds like he's utilizing some slap-bass techniques which gives a nice groove feel. And like all Christian/religious bands, the lyrics are quite sappy and God approving, however if those who want to avoid the religious nature, the chorus of this particular song can sound like he's saying "Walkin' in pain" hehe. Fans of ultra melodic metal bands will probably enjoy this, those who aren't probably will be sickened by it. I myself find this band incredibly addictive, maybe you will too haha.

Angelica - Walkin In Faith