Review: Liferuiner - Future Revisionists

Liferuiner’s latest release “Future Revisionists” has proved to be a solid album to fit in the hardcore genre. Anyone looking for a new hardcore band to spice up their usual mix of things will enjoy the Parkway Drive/The Ghost Inside-esque style that Liferuiner represents. They have a very old-hardcore sound that will please any nostalgic listener of the genre. Songs like “Harvest Famine” will fully represent the bands melodic/hardcore sound with its screamy cleans and progressive guitar. This type of style can be heard consistently throughout the album with songs like their opener “Vacant”. This song starts the album off in a good direction, plunging the listener right into the sound that Liferuiner has created.

Once you get past the mediocre recording quality of the album, you will soon find that the punk beat verses and ambient guitar mirror a certain The Ghost Inside quality. Liferuiner creates the same atmosphere of honesty and encouragement that can be heard in The Ghost Inside’s “Get What You Give”. Though this is a compliment, Liferuiner isn’t 100% there yet. The band has a style that borderlines musical immaturity and professionalism. They have the song structure of a local band but the content that resembles masters of the genre. The vocals of the album are a bit monotone and some of the breakdowns will bore a listener after a while but overall this band has a unique potential in them. The ambient guitar, while not innovative, smoothly moves the album along. This certain instrumentation is done very well on the album and it keeps the listener entertained and mesmerized.

The closing song “Self Purgatory” ends the album off in a bang, leaving the listener in a daze. Though this band has a long way to go in terms of maturity and progression, so far “Future Revisionists” is something that I recommend be picked up if you are in need of a new sound. If you are a fan of The Ghost Inside or Parkway Drive you will probably enjoy this band’s latest release. Keep an eye on this band and what’s yet to come of their discography as the potential in “Future Revisionists” is very promising.

Rating 7.5/10

Show Review: Parkway Drive w/ The Word Alive, Veil of Maya (Atlanta, GA)

The venue was packed before the first band ever graced the stage. Tons of kids in line waiting for a band that hadn’t since their fall US tour with Bring Me The Horizon, and Architects UK.

While She Sleeps, a metal band from Sheffield, England were up first. The vocalist, Lawrence Taylor mentioned during their set that it was the band’s first time in USA and were loving the reactions from different crowds and cities. They got the crowd off their feet and moshing, which is suprising for an opener. In case you missed this tour, you can catch them on the entire Vans Warped Tour this summer.

Veil of Maya put on a perfect show, in every sense of the word. Marc Okubo's guitar playing was phenomenal, Danny Hauser was slappin’ da bass like a boss, Sam Applebaum hit the drums like Chris Brown hit Rihanna and Brandon Butler screamed his way through a mix of old and new hits. Opening with the instrumental, “Pillars” from their second album, “The Common Man’s Collapse" and transitioned in to another song from that album, "We Bow In Its Aura". The rest of their set included a few of my favorites such as "Unbreakable", "Crawl Back", "It’s Not Safe to Swim Today", and fan favorite, "Punisher"

The Word Alive came on stage next and frontman Telle Smith commanded the crowd with “2012”, a song from their 2010 debut, “Deceiver”. Their set included a majority of songs from their latest record, “Life Cycles”. He didn’t do his signature back flip but they still put on an amazing show.

After what seem liked forever, it was Parkway Drive's turn to play. The crowd was already push-moshing before the band came on while “Sparks”, the intro track to their newest record, “Atlas” played over the PA. “Old Ghost/New Regrets” was up next on the setlist. Winston McCall, the ferocious vocalist, noted he had been coughing up blood the last few days but the band sounded better than the last two times I had seen them. During the end of the set, Winston asked the crowd if they'd rather hear a new song, “Swing” or an old song, “Romance Is Dead”. The crowd opted for the latter and erupted in the pit when guitarists Luke and Jeff played the opening riffs.

Winston also added it had been two years since Parkway Drive had made it from down under for a North American tour. Tons of crowd surfing, stage dives (when the security guards weren’t looking), and sing-a longs made the night unforgettable. Don’t miss the rest of this tour!

KTM Presents: Top 10 Songs for Anti-Valentine's Day

Tired of hearing the same, old love songs this Valentine’s Day? This list is for all the guys/gals flying solo this time of the year.

1. Exodus - No Love

2. Killswitch Engage - My Curse

 3. Pantera - This Love

 4. Bon Jovi - You Give Love a Bad Name

 5. Atreyu - Ex’s & Oh’s

 6. Like Moths To Flames - You Won’t Be Missed

 7. Defiler - Cryomancer

 8. Emmure – 10 Signs You Should Leave

 9. Parkway Drive - Romance Is Dead

 10. Gotye - Somebody That I Used To Know

KTM Staff Albums of the Year List

2012 has came and disappeared as fast it entered and there were great albums to go along with it. We’ve compiled several lists below; enjoy!
Top 10 Albums

Awakening - As I Lay Dying

As I Lay Dying went what they know for this record and that’s creating straight up metalcore. Circle pit riffs, crushing double bass, powerful vocals and a live experience to back it up. It’s worth noting there’s much clean vocals on this record than previous releases.

Listen to: A Greater Foundation

Get What You Give - The Ghost Inside

One of my favorite hardcore bands (despite Scott Vogel’s irrelevant opinion) in recent years, The Ghost Inside decided to change it up on Get What You Give with clean vocal choruses and some group shouts but still retaining their melodic/breakdown driven song structures

Listen to: Engine 45

The Royal Thousand - Glass Cloud

When I heard two of the members graduated from Berklee College of Music; I immediately became hooked after hearing the first single, “White Flag”. You may know the talented guitarist, Joshua Travis from his old band, The Tony Danza Tapdance Extravaganza. His 8 string antics really add dynamics to a genre plagued by Hot Topic kids with swoop haircuts and V-necks. It must really suck to be Of Mice & Men right now.

Listen to: Ivy & Wine

Parkway Drive - Atlas

Australia has some of the best bands (Hands Like Houses, The Amity Affliction, I Killed The Prom Queen) and Parkway Drive are no exception. I’m truly convinced Winston McCall gargles some really fine Australian sand before he does a show because his vocals are some of the best I’ve heard.

Listen to: Old Ghost/New Regrets

Veil of Maya - Eclipse

A lot of people didn’t like this record cause they thought it was basically Periphery with Brandon Butler on vocals since Misha Mansoor co-wrote/produced this album. It’s some of their best work yet with lone guitarist Marc Okubo ripping up the fretboard. Sumeriancore at it’s best, at least until the new After The Burial comes out.

Listen to: Punisher

Whitechapel - Whitechapel

Lamb of God - Resolution

The Chariot - One Wing

Every Time I Die - Ex Lives

Periphery - Periphery II: This Time It’s Personal

Best New Band

Glass Cloud; they put out of the most impressive debuts for their respective genre.

Best Record Label

Sumerian Records; they have some of the most talented (and not so talented..) bands on their diverse roster.

Best PR/Publicist

George Vallee - Sumerian Records

PR people don’t get the recognition they deserve. Without them, we wouldn’t be able to cover shows and interview bands

Most Anticipated of 2013

Animals As Leaders
Austrian Death Machine
Born of Osiris
A Day to Remember
The Dillinger Escape Plan
Brand New
My Chemical Romance
Slipknot

___________________

The following list is from fellow contributor, Emily Bunn

Best Album: Deftones “Koi No Yokan”

The guys of Deftones did not disappoint with their follow up to 2010’s “Diamond Eyes”. “Koi No Yokan” fits right in with the sound that the Deftones made their own with “White Pony” and their self-titled. This album embodies everything I love about Deftones and I couldn’t be more happy with the album.

Best Tour: Taking Back Sunday - Tell All Your Friends 10 Year Anniversary Tour

I was only 11 years old when I first heard “You’re So Last Summer” From Tell All your Friends. This was the first album I ever bought with my own money and the first album I ever obsessed over. It’s still one of my favorite albums. To see the band perform it live from beginning to end was indescribable. The 11-year-old in me was beyond ecstatic.

Best New Band: Dead Sara

Dead Sara have had a huge year with the release of their first full length, acting as tour support for some big names, and taking part in the Vans Warped Tour over the summer. Their sound is not what you have come to expect with a female-fronted band, but it’s pure rock’n’roll.

Best Record Label: Sumerian Records

The people at Sumerian handled the Falling in Reverse/I See Stars debacle really well. They stood up for I See Stars and supported them throughout the situation and were quick to support the band’s statements on the whole issue. It’s always great when a label thoroughly supports their artists in tough situations like this.

Most Anticipated of 2013: Bring Me the Horizon

If “Shadow Moses” is anything to go by, the new BMTH album is going to be one of the best albums of 2013. Their last release leaves big shoes to fill, but from the little information the band has released about the new album it’s sure to live up to the expectations.

Song of the Year: Enter Shikari “Arguing with Thermometers"

Enter Shikari’s latest album is amazing from beginning to end, but “Arguing with Thermometers” has to be my favorite track. Not only is it a banger of a song, but the lyrics send a strong message about how corrupt our society has become and the effect we are having on our environment. The world needs more songs like this.

Artist of the Year: Pierce the Veil

Pierce the Veil played the main stage at the Vans Warped Tour, released their newest album “Collide With The Sky”, and sold out almost all of the dates on their headlining tour of the same name in 2012. They’ve proved that they are a forced to be reckoned with and they’re not going anywhere. I can’t wait to see what 2013 has in store for the quartet.

Review: Parkway Drive - Atlas

The fourth album from Australian metalcore outfit Parkway Drive gives both fans of the band’s early releases and fans of the more experimental side shown in their last album Deep Blue something to enjoy. With 12 diverse tracks that offer any metal enthusiast something to chew on, Atlas may become Parkway Drive fans’ favorite album to date.

The opening track “Sparks” serves as the perfect introduction to the album, leading into the aggressive “Old Ghosts/New Regrets.” Vocalist Winston McCall’s guttural screams of “We’re born with nothing and we die alone” grab the attention of the listener and leave a lasting impression. Parkway Drive changes it up with the more melodic “Dream Run” before leading into “Wild Eyes.” Perhaps the best track Atlas has to offer, “Wild Eyes” brings gang vocals into the mix of hard hitting drums and punching guitars that characterize a classic Parkway Drive song. “Dark Days” picks things up with endless double-bass kicks, plenty of growling, and the necessary breakdown or two.

“The River” starts off things with melodic, even atmospheric, music and includes a choir section, a nice rest from the break-neck pace and harshness of the rest of the album. More standard tracks that you would expect from Parkway Drive follow, but the quintet offers another change in pace with the title track. The incorporation of the string section gives an almost celestial feel to the song, a complete 180 from the high-intensity of the previous two tracks. The album finishes strong with “Snake Oil and Holy Water,” a thrasher from beginning to end, and “Blue and the Grey,” the final and longest track of the album that combines trumpets into the mix.

 While Atlas includes tracks that embody what Parkway Drive is all about and why they are so respected in the metalcore scene, it is in the moments that the band steps away from the consistent fast-paced metalcore standard that really makes Atlas stand out.

Emmure Prepare For 1,000th Show

New York’s EMMURE has been touring relentlessly across the world since their signing to Victory Records back in August 2006.  With five solid studio albums under their belt, these deathcore giants prove that hard work, dedication and determination along with millions of amazing and loyal fans pays off. They will be celebrating their 1000^th show this Saturday in London at Roundhouse. Watch this video message from vocalist Frankie Palmeri and get ready for another great year!

EMMURE is currently on tour with PARKWAY DRIVE throughout the UK and Europe. After a pair of holiday shows with HATEBREED, they will join WHITECHAPEL on the BROTHERS OF BRUTALITY tour in January/February 2013 with dates to be announced soon.  See a full listing of current tour dates here. Make sure to pick up your limited edition holiday sweater and t-shirt through the Victory Records Webstore. Order now!

Interview: Levi Benton of Miss May I

Miss May I are currently out on tour with Parkway Drive, and we had a chance to interview Miss May I from the road. Levi and I spoke about the tour, finishing their new album in the studio, meaning of the album art, future touring, and more!

State your name and role in the band, please.

Levi Benton Vocalist in Miss May I

You’re currently on tour with Parkway Drive; how is the tour going for you guys? Is it nice playing to a different crowd than maybe you guys are used to?

It’s been great so far on this tour and HUGE! Also yes it’s been so nice to play to a real metal crowd and the fans are being great to us as well. Most of them are seeing us for the first time and they are great! Can’t wait to come back!

I noticed the release date for At Heart has been pushed back to June 12th; was it due to a change in the album cover? I know numerous people have wanted the lion to come back.

I know we have been bashed quite a bit on the new album cover but I feel like since we are finally having an OFFICIAL Lion Logo for Miss May I then the story and meaning of At Heart would be lost with just the logo. Also the packaging is great so just you wait ;) The push back was due to some last minute changes on the album.

Speaking of: what’s the significance behind the album title, and how does it tie in with the album art?

Throughout the album artwork it shows how each song is sang from the heart and that is all that matters. No more just trying to be tough and in a metal band but play music worth playing and feeling. The child on the cover shows that even from the beginning of life you have to speak from the heart.

What’s one thing that you can tell us about the album that everyone wouldn’t know on their own?

The album is actually all recorded with the same microphone I play with live a SM58 and its the first time I ever held a mic in hand and recorded on a album.

How is At Heart a progression from your last album, Monument?

Well, we definitely spent way more time on this album more than we have ever spent on a album before. We actually got a chance to do pre-production and sit back and listen to the album before we tracked it so we made sure the best of the best made it to the album.

What song changed the most during the recording process?

The biggest track of the album and the most meaningful song “Hey Mister” probably changed the most and got rearranged at least 3-5 times before ever officially tracking. But the final product turned out great!

What guest vocals did you have on the record, if any? I’m guessing Telle from The Word Alive returned the favor since you appeared on “2012”.

We actually didn’t have any guest vocals this time on the record. We are more about playing live as good as possible and we feel the more guest vocals that clutter the album the more it would not sound the same live.

Did you return the favor on Attack Attack’s newest album? (not This Means War; they made an announcement that they have completed ten songs, produced by John Feldmann, for another album)

Actually I didn’t and I wish I could have!

At Heart is your third album on Rise; that being said is your contract fulfilled, or can we expect another album on the label?

It is our last album on Rise Records but we have not yet looked into new labels yet. WE have put most of our time into making At Heart as large as possible first.

Any more songs about video games like Rust?

Not yet haha. If it was up to us though there would be one about Skyrim or Battlefield 3 on this record.

In your live performances, as soon as your start screaming, you have a much harder time doing more demanding vocal parts. Eventually by the end of the set it sounds like you find it almost impossible to hold a scream out. What impact has this had on how you arrange your set list, and how you take care of your voice outside of your performance? Have you considered going to Melissa Cross for vocal lessons?

I have went to Melissa Cross and I have had a great performance ever since!

I’ve read in other interviews that you’re influenced by As I Lay Dying but what do you say to the critics who think you’re a watered-down version of AILD?

Well we are very big fans of AILD and I know sometimes it seems like we are alike but I guess thats what happens when you are inspired.

What do you hope the remainder of the year holds for MMI, with a new album looming and everything?

Well we will have the year packed with tours and magazine press and have some surprises already scheduled so keep your eyes peeled.

Last question: What are one book and one band that you’d recommend to anyone that listens to your band?

I don’t read books and As I Lay Dying.

Miss May I to enter studio in January

OH’s Miss May I will enter The Machine Shop studios starting in early January to begin work on their 3^rd release for Rise Records, which is tentatively scheduled to drop in spring 2012. The LP will be produced by Machine (Chiodos, Every Time I Die, Lamb Of God, Four Year Strong) and according to bassist/clean vocalist Ryan Neff, will be the band’s “most metal and dynamic release thus far.”

Miss May I has been writing songs since the spring of 2011 and began pre-production with Chris Rubey of The Devil Wears Prada during the summer while out on the Vans Warped Tour. 

The forthcoming release will serve as the follow-up to the band’s breakthrough sophomore effort, Monument, which debuted at #76 on the Billboard Top 200. With combined sales of nearly 100,000 units over the course of their burgeoning career and a highly buzzed about stint on Warped Tour 2011, Miss May I is currently canvassing the country on their nearly sold-out No Guts, No Glory tour.

The band has also been confirmed as direct support on Whitechapel’s Recorrupter U.S. Tour and will join the lineup on Parkway Drive’s UK/European Tour, both of which kick off this spring (see dates below.) 

As they prepare to start work on their biggest and heaviest release yet, 2012 is already shaping up to be another monumental year for Miss May I.

No Guts No Glory Tour Dates:

Dec 08           St. Andrews Hall     Detroit, MI                           

Dec 09           The Bottom Lounge          Chicago, IL                         

Dec 10           The Cabooze           Minneapolis, MN    

Dec 12           The Summit Music Hall     Denver, CO                        

Dec 13           In the Venue            Salt Lake City, UT                         

Dec 15           El Corazon   Seattle, WA                         

Dec 16           Hawthorne Theatre           Portland, OR                                   

Dec 31           The Attic       Dayton, OH 

Recorrupter (Leg One) w/ Whitechapel, After The Burial, Within The Ruins, The Plot In You

3/10 Memphis, TN- Newby’s

3/11 Knoxville, TN- The Valarium

3/13 Grand Rapids, MI- The Intersection

3/14 Indianapolis, IN- Egyptian Room- Old National Centre

3/15 Springfield, MO- Outland Ballroom

3/16 Kansas City, MO- The Beaumont Club

3/17 Wichita, KS- The Scene-ary

3/20 Reno, NV- The Knitting Factory

3/21 Sacramento, CA- Ace of Spades

3/22 Ventura, CA- Ventura Theater

3/23 Fresno, CA- Club Retro

3/24 Tucson, AZ- Rialto Theatre

3/25 Las Vegas, NV-  Hard Rock Café- Vegas Strip

3/27 Farmington, NM- Top Deck

3/28 San Antonio, TX- White Rabbit

3/29 McAllen, TX- El Rey Theatre

3/30 Corpus Christi, TX- House of Rock

Parkway Drive European Headliner w/ The Ghost Inside, Confession

4/6 Amsterdam, Netherlands- Melkweg

4/7 London, UK- Indigo2

4/8 Birmingham, UK- HMV Institute

4/9 Glasgow, UK- O2 ABC

4/10 Manchester, UK- Academy

4/11 Cardiff, UK- Uni Great Hall

4/12 Oberhausen, Germany- Turbinehalle

4/13 Paris, France- Bataclan

4/14 Lyon, France- Transbordeur Rockstorm Fest

4/15 Madrid, Spain- Sala Heineken

4/16 Barcelona, Spain- Sala Razzmatazz

4/17 La Valette Du Var, France- Le Vox

4/18 Milano, Italy- Alcatraz

4/19  Maschen, Germany- Tonhalle

4/20 Wien, Austria- Gasometer

4/21 Leipzig, Germany- Agra, Impericon Fest

4/22 Wurzburg, Germany- Posthalle

4/23 Copenhagen, Denmark- Pumpehuset

4/24 Gothenburg, Sweden- Tradgarn

4/25 Sankt Hanshagen, Norway- John Dee

4/26 Stockholm, Sweden- Klubben

4/27 Hamburg, Germany- Grobe Feiheit 36

Recorrupter (Leg Two) w/ Whitechapel, After The Burial, Structures, The Plot In You

5/3 Louisville, KY- Expo Five

5/4 Asheville, NC- The Orange Peel

5/5 Birmingham, AL- Zydeco

5/8 Lake Buena Vista, FL- House of Blues

5/9 Jacksonville, FL- Freebird Live

5/10 Charleston, SC- The Music Farm

5/12 Columbus, OH- Newport Music Hall

5/13 Huntington, WV- Big Sandy Supercenter Grand

5/15 Clifton Park, NY- Northern Lights

5/16 South Berlington, VT- Higher Ground

5/17 Portland, ME- State Theatre

www.facebook.com/MissMayIMusic

www.riserecords.com

Interview: Michael Crafter from Confession

 

If you like Parkway Drive, you have Michael Crafter to thank for discovering them. After I Killed The Prom Queen went on hiatus (and now back together), Crafter formed Confession. We discussed his UFC/MMA background, brutal reviews, and his clothing label, Mistake Clothing.

State your name and position in the band.

Michael: Michael Crafter, I sing and generally boss everyone around.

What are some of your music influences and how involved in music were you growing up?

blink-182, Pennywise and a bunch of local stuff in Adelaide mainly.

How did you break into doing music; what made you turn it into more than a hobby?

Just did a band and things just happened. I didn’t wake up one day and go, “hey I’m going to tour the world or whatever.” Things just happened and kept happening. I don’t think anyone has a grand plan to make it big in a band or do well. I think it either happens or doesn’t.

How was the music scene back home in Australia?

Depends what you call scene. There’s the hardcore scene that’s small and then their is the stadium metalcore scene haha. Both seem to be doing pretty good. 

Where do you view Confession’s role in the worldwide hardcore scene?

We ain’t Madball, Agnostic Front and so on who have a role in what the scene is today. We are just another band playing heavy music; what we play isn’t hardcore. It’s metalcore, mosh metal and whatever else. But hardcore is more like band’s who love hardcore sing about it etc. Like Terror is the biggest hardcore band in the last 10 years; we ain’t that kinda band, we don’t sing about that kinda stuff.

What’s the current status of your clothing company, Mistake Clothing? Are we going to see any new designs anytime soon?

There’s some new stuff on its way; no real status of it. Just ticks over.

Who are a few bands that you feel everyone should be listening and/or not listening to right now? I know you like to jokingly “brutal review” bands on Twitter.

Honestly, I cant say this band or that band cause there’s so many band’s killing it right now. I don’t listen to much heavy shit at all. If any. So my opinion is pretty pointless haha. My iPod is usually on shuffle between Parkway Drive, Eminem, The Game, ADTR, blink 182 and Bury Your Dead.

Speaking of brutal reviews; is true you’re doing a podcast for it?

Maybe or a radio show; haven’t worked it out as yet.

What were you first reactions to I Killed The Prom Queen getting back together?

It’s been years since I was in the band and good luck to those dudes with what they do with IKTPQ. I’ve been asked this heaps and there isn’t a real answer I can give.

If you could change something about the music industry, what would it be?

Most people in it suck. Band’s get egos after pulling 10 payers, people see that and try capitalize on it. Music is fun it shouldn’t be about cash and shit so much.Do a band and play shows to ya mates.. That’s what it still is about for me.

I think this would make a great tour: Parkway Drive, I Killed The Prom Queen, Confession, The Amity Affliction, and 50 Lions. They could call it the Thunder From Down Under tour. What do you think of it? 

That tour would never happen hahahaha.

Speaking of tours; any plans to come to the USA soon? If so, could you tell us who you would be touring with?

Couldn’t tell you yes or no cause we have no plans at this time. 

What’s one band that you’d recommend to anyone that listens to Confession?

Bury your Dead and Parkway Drive

How did you get involved in the UFC/MMA? Is it something you would do full-time if you weren’t in a band?

We all love fighting sports, we watch it and train different things. I’ve done Muay Thai/kickboxing for years off and on. I just like training; I dont care enough for it to do it for real and get up early to train etc for fights. I like sleeping in haha

Last question; pick two songs; one from your catalog, that you want new fans to check out after reading this interview. And one song from any band/genre.

From my band - The Long Way Home and blink-182 - Dammit is the best song ever.

Bring Me The Horizon Triva Contest!

Answer all 10 questions correctly and email them to jordan@killthemusic.net. Five winners will be chosen to win a pair of tickets to see Bring Me The Horizon at The Tabernacle in Atlanta, GA on Sept 25th! Winners will be announced on Wednesday!

1. This song came out in 2004, on the album Adoration, it was for quite some time believed to have been a Bring Me the Horizon song. What song is it?

2. Ian Sykes, (Oli’s dad) got his first ever tattoo; what was it?

3. Where did the band get their name from?

4. What band is Jona Weinhofen originally from?

5. What two artists did guest vocals on “There is a Hell..”?

6. What is the concept behind the video for “The Sadness Will Never End”?

7. Where did the song “Football Season Is Over” get its title from?

8. “Who Wants Flowers When You’re Dead? Nobody.” is a quote from what book?

9. What was the song “Liquor & Love Lost” was originally known as?

10. Who is the song “Blacklist” about?