So Much New Junk. So much.

Well, it's clearly been a long fucking time since I've updated this blog. So much has happened since my last update, I don't even know where to begin. So instead of going on and on about shit that only I care about, I want to talk about some new jams that making living extremely pleasurable these days:

- Slayer-World Painted Blood
If you don't like Slayer, you have no business listening to, reading about or discussing anything that even remotely comes across as metal. This is the best Slayer album since Diabolus and possibly since Seasons in the Abyss (www.slayer.net)
- Katatonia-Night Is The New Day
Best unheard of band of the last ten years. Why this group isn't as big as Opeth or Porcupine Tree is beyond me. Better songs, better hooks, more mass appeal. Could be their best effort yet (www.nightisthenewday.com)
- Converge-Axe To Fall
Another stellar album from start to finish. Just as brutal as No Heroes and perhaps more diverse (www.convergecult.com)
- Kowloon Walled City-Gambling On The Richter Scale
Like Unsane, Helmet, Crowbar, Jesus Lizard, Tad and The Melvins? I thought you might. Think about all of this, summed up in one band...then add 10 times the heavy. Oh, and they write songs, not just sludgy riff after riff. This is killer shit from SF. (www.inthewalledcity.com)
- Matthew Good- Vancouver
The follow-up to Hospital Music blows it out of the water. Heartfelt and honest, like he always is. An homage to his city, one that he loves and despises. Great stuff (www.matthewgood.org)
- Living Colour- The Chair in the Doorway
Like Sly and the Family Stone...But with balls. Big balls. Truck nut style (www.livingcolour.net)

Also jamming on new releases from: Armed For Apocalypse, Fight Amp, Russian Circles, Doomriders, Om, Saviours, Baroness, Thrice, Long Distance Calling, Ghost Brigade and more.

What a great year for music.

Converge "Axe To Fall":

Katatonia The Day and Then The Shade":

Converge Doesn't Fail Me

Holy shit. I'm speechless. Check this out. New pants will be needed. New Converge LP this year via Epitaph for CD and Deathwish for vinyl.

CONVERGE New album out soon on Epitaph/Deathwish

Testicular Tuesday!

I spent a nice portion of my day today listening to Converge. You should too. They are punk as fuck. Everyone seems to hate on their 2004 release, "You Fail Me", but the truth is that record really HAD to be made. After a career-defining "Jane Doe", they had nowhere else to go but way off the map and shake everything up right quick. This record redefined the band as a creative force and a band not afraid to take chances then 13 years into their career, a milestone for any band, let alone a hardcore group.

Converge have somehow figured out how to sell a decent amount of records, never sell out and never lose their fan base...All while taking unbelievable chances and throwing curveball after curveball at their audience.

Bottom line, hundreds if not thousands of bands owe their sound and if not that, their DIY ethic to Converge.

Enjoy this. It was a good Monday for hardcore.

"Eagles Become Vultures":

I'm Re-Learning Science

You can too, thanks to The Ocean and their latest installment, the 2-disc ass-rumbling behemoth they call Precambrian. Disc one is 22 minutes of traditional sick metal and hardcore, while the second disc is a lot of new ground to cover, bringing in elements of classical, atmospheric shoegazer rock, piano interludes and a lot more. Not the usual fare for a hc/metal band from Germany. Of course, The Ocean is not a usual band. It's made up of 1,245 dudes (seriously, about 20) at any given time. They have many guest vocalists, including Caleb (Cave In, Zozobra, Old Man Gloom), Nate (Converge, Doomriders) and Sean (Coalesce)...Right there I was sold.

Precambrian is a complex concept record, following their sophomore release ad Metal Blade debut, Aeolian. These dudes are like, smart and stuff.

I actually have to go listen to this now, as typing about it doesn't do it justice. Heavy where you want it to be, mellow where you'd never expect it. Simple chords strung together, woven with odd-time breaks and quite impressive chops. This is progressive metal at its finest. I don't mean Prog, I mean true metal music transcending all genres, yet still kicking you square in your nuts.

Buy this record and support THE OCEAN and go check 'em out: The Ocean Collective

2006 live clip:

Converge Makes Me Look Pretty

This isn't a fashion blog. I wear jeans and t-shirts and shorts below the knee and hoodies. I'm a fucking dude. I know what I think looks good and I wear it. My wife dresses me up in nice stuff because she knows what's up. Anyway, hardcore/metal/thrashy/punk Gods, Converge, now also dress me.

I just got my Converge zip-up hoodie in the mail from Deathwish Inc, and I couldn't be happier. $25 for a hoodie. Fuck you, big rock bands. This is how it's done. Check this thing out:
Mine is red instead and says "Converge" on the top of the hood, so I can look extra badass when I wear it.

If you're not familiar with this band, you need to go check them out immediately. "Jane Doe", "Petitioning The Empty Sky", and their new joint "No Heroes" are all instant classics. "Jane Doe" is the "Master of Puppets" of hardcore. Hands down.

Check out this clip..."No Heroes" from their new LP. Recognize.