Metal Riot

Dustin Kensrue and the Thrice boys lead the pack for me this month. It was my favorite hard rock record of September, even though it also has some very quiet moments. I know there was a lot of super good heavier stuff out this month (Pig Destroyer, Bangladeafy and the proggy, great new Voivod or rowdy Clutch releases of course deserve a tip of the hat) but pound for pound I think Thrice’s first release for Epitaph is a fantastic release and probably my favorite from the band since way back around The Artist In The Ambulance.  That is not to say they haven’t released anything good since then, far from it. I just happened to really connect with these new songs and think it is a damn fine rock album, as great a release from a band ten albums into their celebrated career of expectation upturning as you are ever likely to hear.

I can remember around the time of The Illusion Of Safety or maybe Artist when they were working with Island that there was chatter in the press they were gonna be the next Metallica. I thought that was a bit much of an expectation to hoist on the dudes and people should prob just let them do their own thing and develop. In 2018 a song like “Everything Belongs” might make you think they are the next Coldplay. I for one love Coldplay but that would also be kind of ambitious. Not to say Thrice can’t still sell a buttload of records. This album has plenty of room for hit material, but also makes interesting statements and musically is an excellent balance between accessible and far from bland artistry. Heck, Emma Ruth Rundle is even on it and everything she touches is amazing.

Read more BELOW.

Every Time I Die has parted ways with drummer Daniel Davidson. Keith Buckley announced the member change last night in Portland, ME.

Currently the band is playing live with Norma Jean’s terrific Clayton Holyoak, who has commented:

“There have been a few people that have been curious as of what I’ve been up to musically lately. I Was in San Diego writing with some friends less than a week ago when I got a text. I finished the time we had writing and flew to buffalo to learn 17 songs in the 4 days I had before we left for tour. I know there’s no footage of me but I swear I’m that little rocker in the back. Thank you to everyone who has supported me and cheered me a long the way! I really don’t know how I would convince myself this was possible if it wasn’t for you. @lexilazaro @dreudamn @johnaldfinn and my amazing mother that constantly reminds me that I can do anything. It’s been a stressful past 5 days but this shit pays off! Keep following your dreams!”

Roadburn 2016 is lookin’ sexy as usual with Black Mountain, Brothers of the Sonic Cloth and other killer acts slated to appear, but many people will be drooling about a full set of Jane Doe from some band called Converge you may have heard of. While that is cool, I think all the emphasis on that record takes away from how many of their other albums are just as awesome (Axe To Fall and You Fail Me in particular). But hey, it’s still rad. But I’m much more keen on the second announcement which finds the band teaming up with some awesome guests to reinterpret some of their weirder tunes.

To celebrate the upcoming 15 year anniversary of their legendary Jane Doe album, CONVERGE will perform the album in its entirety for the first and last time. The album is considered a classic that defined the metallic hardcore genre as we know it today. This special set is exclusive to the Roadburn Festival and will not be played again anywhere, ever.

CONVERGE will play the Jane Doe album live in its entirety at Roadburn 2016 on Thursday, April 14. 

CONVERGE “Blood Moon” is a collaboration between members Jacob Bannon, Kurt Ballou, Nate Newton, and Ben Koller and guest musicians Chelsea Wolfe, Ben Chisholm, Stephen Brodsky, and Steve Von Till. Together as a multi-instrumental group they will create renditions of existing CONVERGE material focusing on the band’s slower, more ambitious work within their legendary catalogue. 
CONVERGE “Blood Moon” will perform live at Roadburn 2016 on Saturday, April 16.

To find out more about CONVERGE at Roadburn, click HERE

Your favorite and my favorite band of Aussie metalcore champs, Parkway Drive have announced a N. American tour in support of new record IRE.

Dates BELOW.

Bring Me The Horizon have a new single for ya, “Drown,” which will officially be released on December 7. I like these Yorkshire boys and think that they give it hard on stage, where it matters most. They have drive and don’t deserve to drown. We are real quick to tear one another down. Heavy music needs to evolve and be vetted and critiqued, sure…but we also need to support the scene together in its’ various forms. I’m bringing this up because of the big national news today in American college football about the racism faced recently from haters and rivals of Devin Gardner and also because I can’t believe I am writing a BMTH article to distract myself from how bummed I am about Tyson from Scary Kids dying and also some potential trouble in the Skeletonwitch ranks (they cancelled their Albany date and have been playing as a 4 piece). Thank God that Exodus have cracked the U.S. Billboard top 40 with their new record (a miracle of thrash justice). But seriously, let’s be happy for heavy bands that can inspire like BMTH and bring people together. This video has some cool twists and is fun, even as the song is moody and lonely as heck at times.

Click HERE for “Drown” (which is not a Smashing Pumpkins cover, but still cool).