Stick To Your Guns Entering the Studio

Stick To Your Guns will be entering the studio tomorrow, February 5th, with producer John Feldmann (The Used, Story of the Year) to start recording their next full-length album

Founding member and vocalist Jesse Barnett comments: "Personally this seems like the next logical step for our band. The five of us aren't a group that has ever been ok with doing just enough or even entertain the thought of doing the same thing over and over again. We like to push ourselves. We like to ask ourselves, now what? What can we do to be better? With all of that being said, we are very excited about going into the studio with John. He has proven his expertise in punk music and that he takes bands and gets the absolute best out of them. I think I speak for all of us when I say the band that comes out of the studio will not be the same band going in. We will be bigger, faster, harder and more crushing. This is what we strive for and this is what John will help us achieve."

Review: After The Burial - Wolves Within

After The Burial are one of those bands which you aren't quite sure what type of music they're meant to be. One minute they're playing Melodic Metalcore, the next they're a strange mix between Melodic Death Metal and Technical Metalcore. Although catergorized into the Metalcore genre, After The Burial are still one of the more versatile bands around, producing nothing short of hard-hitting slabs of progressive, melodic and interesting Metal. This is a band which takes the best of standard Metal genres and of the Core genres and blends them together. 'Wolves Within' is the bands fourth studio album (5th if you want to include their E.P) and nine tracks packed with Metal goodness. 'Wolves Within' is probably the most interesting and unique Metalcore album of the year, featuring so many different elements from other forms of Metal and being able to blend it all effectively together.

The nine track affair begins with 'Anti-Pattern'. This song immediately cuts out any nonsense and just gets straight on with it. It has a creepy and daunting build up that kicks into some fine chugs. It's strange to go from creepy, melodic intros into chug-chug riffs but yet After The Burial make it seem like a match made in heaven. There is the perfect balance between heaviness and melody to keep the song interesting and exciting. Although this sets the template up for the album, don't be fooled into expecting the formula being the same throughout every song. Every song has something new to offer, making it a consistent, exciting and often mind-blowing album. The album moves into Technical Metalcore-meets-Melodic Death Metal track 'Of Fearful Men'. Lasting nearly four and a half minutes, this track has the excellent riffs, hints of technicality, the melodies, the progressive side of Metal, the solos and, of course, the chugs.

All of this crammed into a song that isn't even four and a half minutes in length is a huge challenge but the track goes on so flawlessly, creating the perfect balance. It's everything a modern Metal band should be aiming for. The next few tracks, 'Pennyweight', 'Disconnect', 'Nine Summers', 'Virga', 'Neo Seoul' and 'Parise', are all heavy hitters. Songs here range from Sylosis-styled Melo-Prog-Thrash-Death to Metalcore-Power Metal crossovers, creating an epic album that doesn't fail to deliver. Final track, 'A Wolf Amongst Ravens', starts with a sense of hauntingly beautiful atmosphere before going into chugs, under-lined with atmospheric melodies. The rest of the track speaks for itself... In terms of musicianship, this album proves that the band are versatile whilst still remaining faithful to the Metalcore roots wedged deep into their DNA. The bass on the album is intense and always present, helping to beef up the album. It has fast parts, melodies and even some technical parts, keeping the bass-lines interesting. The guitar work is insane, with serious amounts of time being spent to help make the riffs, breakdowns and solos as versatile as possible whilst still remaining within the confines of the Metalcore sub-genre.

They are the what adds the atmosphere, the crunchiness and the melody to the entire album, forcing it's listeners to keep on listening. The drumming is what provides the back bone of the album. Instead of trying to astonish us with blast-beats or three-hundred beats-per-minute double bass pedals, the drumming is planned, fitting perfectly with every track. It helps to provide the constant, often infectious, sense of groove and melody that dominate throughout the album. As for vocals, they seem similar to the vocals of Lamb Of God's Randy Blythe, yet with a bit more added bite to it. The vocal performance is terrific and is something for any vocalist to admire.

After a long year in the music scene, it has been rare that a Metalcore has really grabbed me in ways I never thought were possible. However, with 'Wolves Within', After The Burial not only grabbed me, they took me on a lesson on how to create a quality, versatile Metal album. With the amount of albums released this year, it is astonishing to think how amazing this album is compared to most other recent releases. With an intense sound, progression, technicality and melody dominating on every track and a feeling of brutal, haunting atmosphere, After The Burial have crafted the perfect Metalcore album in recent years, making this a triumph for the band. If you're a fan, you'll love this. However, if you've never listened to them but love Metal, than I recommend you do. Don't let the Metalcore tag fool you, there is so much more to this album than meets the eye. Surprising, mesmerizing, refreshing.

10/10

- Asa

Wolves Within

$10.00

By After the Burial

Buy on Amazon

After The Burial Premiere New Song

After The Burial have returned with what is being hailed as their career defining album, Wolves Within, which is now set for a Dec 17th release. It’s been three years since the band has released any new material, but upon first listen it’s very evident that it’s been well worth the wait. The tech wizardry is amped way up, the breakdowns are massive and face melting and the vocal delivery is the most devastating yet. Already lauded for their technically impressive yet well structured style of songwriting, AFTER THE BURIAL certainly takes things up a notch or two with this newest outing.

AFTER THE BURIAL has also re-signed with longtime label Sumerian Records and will hit the road across North America this week with DevilDriver and Trivium. A brand new AFTER THE BURIAL track, “A Wolf Amongst Ravens,” can be heard now at the link below and be sure to visit www.facebook.com/aftertheburial to view all tourdates.

Sumerian Records Sign ††† (Crosses)

Sumerian Records have signed Chino Moreno’s (Deftones/Palms) side project, ††† (Crosses). Check out a teaser below

Veil of Maya to Headline This Year's Sumerian Tour

This year’s Sumerian Records tour will feature Veil of Maya, Structures, and Northlane. It takes place before the Protest The Hero and Architects (UK) tour will possibly feature The Kindred. Dates/venues will be announced soon.

Show Review: Every Time I Die (All Stars Tour - Atlanta, GA)

Full disclosure; I showed up late and missed the first few bands.

When I finally arrived, For All Those Sleeping were in the middle of their set. I walked around and checked out merch for a bit. To be honest, I didn’t watch the next two bands, IWABO or CTC, for obvious reasons. Stray From The Path finally took the stage and got the crowd going with their new single, Badge and A Bullet. Which is very Rage Against The Machine influenced, if you ask me. Before they played, I made a comment to their guitarist Tom about dedicating their song iMember to CTC and FATS, which he thought was hilarious but they didn’t play the song unfortunately.

Up next was the legendary hardcore band, Terror. Scott Vogel, the vocalist, called for many stage dives, which the crowd happily obliged to. I was impressed that an actual hardcore band, let alone Terror, were playing this tour; I guess they were high up on the bill so they didn’t care who they played with.

Veil of Maya, who I have seen many times, were up next. The crowd noticeably dwindled down for them but I’m sure that the kids that left were the ones with the trendy Keepers of The Faith hoodies.

Cardona, a local GA metal band that played downstairs in the venue, were kicking butt as they headlined the local stage that night. After them, I walked back upstairs to see Chelsea Grin. Alex’s vocals actually sounded really good compared to when I saw then on their headliner last year. The newer material was awesome; Jason’s influence has definitely made the band step it up musically.

The lights go out. Paul Engemann’s “Push It To The Limit" is blaring over the PA. Every Time I Die walk on stage; chaos ensues. Buffalo, NY’s finest open their set with We’rewolf from “The Big Dirty” and the crowd goes nuts. The band convinced the venue to allow stage diving that night, which made the show so much better. The band played 23 songs, 12 of which were all from albums ranging from “Gutter Phenomenon” to their latest release, “Ex-Lives”. After the first 12 songs, they walked off stage for a short intermission and then returned to play their 2003 release, “Hot Damn!”, front to back. Nothing more needs to be said.

KTM Podcast - Episode 8 with Daniel McBride

Daniel McBride, in-house graphic designer for Sumerian Records talks about his work, and what’s it like seeing album covers he’s created on t-shirts. Past episodes can be found here. We are also on Stitcher.

Play here

Top 10 Must See Bands At Warped Tour 2013

Warped Tour starts this weekend and we’ve the got the best bands to watch when the tour comes through your town this summer!

1. Architects (UK)

Architects did an Almost World Tour that barely hit the US with Enter Shikari but can you catch them on every date this summer!

2. August Burns Red

This will be August Burns Red’s third year on Warped Tour and second on the main stage. Plenty of mosh pits will be started during their set!

3. Bring Me The Horizon

BMTH return to the states once again to dominate the main stage and gain even more fans in the process.

4. letlive

One of most energetic bands to see live, second only to The Chariot

5. The Chariot

One does not simply stand still while watching The Chariot.

6. Story of The Year

After a brief hiatus, Story of The Year are back and will be doing a 10 year anniversary tour for Page Avenue later this year. They will also have a new album out sometime this year.

7. The Black Dahlia Murder

Undoubtedly, the heaviest band on the tour, The Black Dahlia Murder are playing Warped Tour for the first time ever this year!

8. Stick to Your Guns

Fans of hardcore will appreciate STYG for their honest lyrics and intelligent frontman, Jessie Barnett

9. Volumes

Bounce up and down to their “djenty” riffs!

10. The Story So Far

Easily one of the biggest bands in pop punk right now

Shouting At Satellites announce tour dates

Shouting At Satellites (featuring Carly Krantz from Atlanta rock band, Kenotia), have a announced a short string of dates which can be seen below.

March 24th - Red Line Tap, Chicago
March 25th- Live!, Ann Arbor
March 26th- Beale St, Indianapolis

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.