Metal Riot

On my death bed I will probably ask the people planning on chiseling some silly bullshit on my headstone to instead use some Hatebreed lyrics: You want me to hold my tongue/Then why the fuck am I here?

Haha. But in all seriousness, Hatebreed are back with a new video for “Seven Enemies”. Check it out below. It is particularly Hatebreedy, so turn it up and get reminded what dedication to hardcore means.

Miss May I have always seemed confident in who they want to be as a band. The group work hard to connect with fans, stay their course and release album after album with a dedication not so common these days when fair weather scene tourists run amok. Currently on the road winding up a run with Obey The Brave and Auras, Miss May I are continuing to prove that supporting them is to support a band who are invested in making a long term impact in the metalcore and hard rock scenes.

Now you can check out the new title track from the band’s perhaps most mature effort yet Shadows Inside. The album is perhaps the most assured the band have ever sounded. The fast parts are faster, the guitar playing is near impeccable and the arrangements maximize energy as well as set up the hooks for numerous pay offs throughout the release.

Speaking about the title track for Shadows Inside, MISS MAY I lead vocalist Levi Benton states, “Not only does this song open up our new record, it also sets the tone for the record. This album is all about changes throughout life, good and bad. It’s about the past that lives within everyone; their ‘Shadows Inside’. The lyrics talk about how great new things can give light to your past and put you in a better place.”

Sharing some details about the creation of the music video for “Shadows Inside”, Levi adds:

“We have quite a few videos and we’re always trying to change things up. With this video for ‘Shadows Inside’ we not only wanted to recreate the cover of the record in real life, but we also wanted the performance to be abstract. We had black lights and used old lens effects from the 90’s to achieve a very classic look and something totally different for us.”

European metalcore band The Royal‘s new album Seven  sees the band growing even more formidable and driven. “Viridian” is one of the most impressive tracks and fans of Parkway Drive, faster As I Lay Dying, Misery Signals, Blessthefall and more will surely add this band to their list of must haves.

For this generation a lot of self-esteem comes from the phone or a picture like on Instagram. A Facebook comment. Since we didn’t have that when I was a kid we would talk about bands, shows, ideas. So I try to get back to that with my daughter or my circle of friends. – Jamey Jasta.

It’s always a pleasure to interview Hatebreed as one of the most consistently heavy, scowling bands in the world are actually some of the most down to Earth and grateful dudes in the business. Hatebreed are a band whose (cough) perseverance makes me never believe haters or doubters in my own life who say things can’t be
accomplished, the worm-tongue types or divider who will whisper negative mantras or lazy couch warriors who give up too soon for want of trying rather than take a hard
fucking look at why they are such losers.

New album The Concrete Confessional proves this unkillable band never settle for living in the past or resting on their laurels. It is a barrage of meaningful and
impactful tunes that will earn more praise and respect from anyone worth a shit. There are some bad ass pre-order packages up HERE.

Album deets from the press release:

The Concrete Confessional was recorded in Connecticut, produced by long-time collaborator Zeuss (Rob Zombie, Suicide Silence, Whitechapel), and mixed by Josh Wilbur(Lamb of God, Megadeth). Artwork was created by Marcelo Vasco (Slayer). The new music is crushing and heavy with provocative lyrics that touch upon a number of topics that have become front-and-center in today’s New Normal: the rise of terrorism, police brutality, moral decay, greed and betrayal, increased divisiveness, and the fading promise of the American Dream, potently covered on the track “A.D.”

Read more below.

At the end of the day Killswitch Engage are on top because regardless of whoever is at the mic the band simply have better songs than most of their peers. New tune “Cut Me Loose” continues this tradition with some awesome performances and varied sounds from the whole band.

One thing that is cool about Incarnate‘s tracks we have heard so far is that it doesn’t sound like the band tried to make Disarm The Descent or Alive And Just Breathing pt. 2 with Jesse. That would be a mistake as those records are great on their own.

Still, the new stuff fits well within KSE’s very well established vibe.

There is even a beautiful reservoir shot  at the end that looks like where I grew up in Upstate, NY and kind of sets a tone for holding strength when set against the raging near deathcore heavy hardcore clang of the end riff.

Metalcore trench fighters Walls Of Jericho have a new song perfect for relentlessly moshing or relentlessly never giving up and weight lifting, etc. Which might sound patronizing except it is awesome and will make you want to get jacked and defeat all your demons. That is always a good thing in this dumb world of morons.

Their new record is called No One Can Save You From Yourself, due out on March 25 on Napalm.

According to vocalist Candace Kucsulain, “This is dedicated to my brother Larry Kucsulain who lost his battle to cancer this day last year.” 

My dad also died of Cancer about this time last year, so #fuckcancer and three cheers to WoJ. They slew when I saw them open for Life Of Agony recently.

This band is kicking ass hard again lately and we are lucky because they have always been a guiding light for inspiration and acceptance in the scene. Plus, they always bring the mosh and have done their time in the underground with pride instead of whining.

Make no mistake, it was truly Hatebreed who broke metalcore open wide to the younger generation. While bands like Biohazard, D.R.I. and most famously Suicidal Tendencies popularized crossover and great bands like Unearth, All Out War and, say, Earth Crisis , Chain Of Strength or even Emmure also went as heavy, only perhaps newer Suicide Silence or KSE has connected to people across the spectrum of metal and hardcore to persevere with such a focused message of “You can pull through.”

We are stoked for The Concrete Confessional and wanted to give the guys some love.

Now that Pantera is perhaps irredeemably stained for some and other people, as much as they like Slipknot, can’t get over the grown men in jumpsuits and masks thing (I personally love Slipknot), who is still here that can unite the tribes with such force? Five Finger Death Punch are too goofy or conservative for many people, despite great big riffs and groove. Thrash is cool and probably the overall most popular style of metal ever yet some people want even heavier than the Lamb Of God style hybrid. Well, guess what? We still have mighty Hatebreed. This band went from Satisfaction… days to fucking opening for KISS (at least I think Frank told me they did when I interviewed him in Poughkeepsie once for Crusher).

Anyway, Hatebreed are always powerful live. I have never been let down by one of their shows, ever. Not to mention Matt Byrne is one of the friendliest dudes and the whole band genuinely live to spread a good message and get the Led out, so to speak. Unity above the bullshit.

Fuckin’ represent with these 3 Hatebreed DEEP CUTS bangers! Remain Steadfast!

More BELOW.

“Hate By Design” is here with a great lyrical message for the whole world/scene.
Watch now at www.killswitchengage.com (and see sick new merch) or below.

Incarnate – now available for pre-order.
It is unleashed 3/11/16 via Roadrunner Records.

Feelin’ Jesse’s Only Living Witness shirt in the clip. And the verse riffage is maximum kill.