Pretty New Things

Just a quick update on a few new items that are most impressive:

- Young Widows 7" vinyl series (Temporary Residence)
- Pelican- Ephemeral 12" EP (Southern Lord)
- Coliseum- True Quiet/Last Wave 7" (Deathwish)
- Champions of Sound 2x7"- Unreleased gems from Stove Bredsky, Zozobra, Pelican and Kayo Dot (Hydra Head)
- Pearl Jam- Fan Club X-Mas 7" (Monkeywrench), yes just arrived in July...The Christmas single. Even late for Flag Day this year, dudes.
- Poison The Well- The Tropic Rot (Ferret)
- Killswitch Engage- s/t (Roadrunner)
- Disappearer- The Clearing (Magic Bullet)

Here's to a great week!

Disappearer- Unreleased Demo Track/Video:

Testicular Tuesday: Sunday School Edition

Why is it that us Jews love the Christian Metal and Hardcore? Is it that they're screaming their gospel at us? Is it that Jesus IS really awesome? I tend to think that it's the pent up sexual frustration they hold inside. No pre-marital sex, no drugs, no sex, no temple, no sex...I get it. The question is, why aren't they angrier?

Today we focus on Demon Hunter. I love this band. They balance singing and screaming in a similar fashion that Killswitch Engage does, but very different at the same time. For one, they're not as good...Sorry. Secondly, they rarely tour and have this silent mystique about them. I mean, these dudes toured for 45 days this past year and felt the need to document it with a 2DVD/CD package called...45 Days. Awesome, yes. Smart, maybe.

I know for a fact that the band and I have VERY different views on religion, politics, etc...But we agree on the fact that they fucking kill it and to prove this, you will now watch this great video from their best song. Also, Brock from 36 Crazyfists sings on their 2004 LP "Summer of Darkness". That dude rules. Seems trustworthy, I dunno.

Check this. Happy Tuesday!

"Not Ready To Die":

Howard Jones Rules

Let's set the record straight: I'm talking about Killswitch Engage's Howard Jones, not the 80's pop singer. I guess he's pretty ok too. Most people know Howard for his ridiculously fantastic vocals for KSE, but long before he joined their ranks he fronted (and I belive still does) Blood Has Been Shed. Brutal, complex and beautiful are a few words one can describe BHBS with. Justin Foley (who now plays drums for KSE) is also Blood's skinsman. He fucking rules too. Dude rocks a serious beard. Oh and by the way, these guys have enough chops and purse talent to send Prog-dorks like Yes and Dream Theater (whom I do enjoy) running for their D&D playbooks.

They have put out three records, the self-released and ultra-rare (I have an original copy, thank you very much) " I Dwell On Thoughts Of You", their Ferret debut "Novella of Uriel" and their masterpiece, "Spirals". I swear to God, "She Speaks To Me" is one of heaviest fucking things you've ever heard, yet hit the pinnacle of the record with the biggest and brightest soaring vocals you've ever heard. Howard has this way of channeling Mike Patton, but in a way all his own.

I love both bands he fronts. I think Killswitch is where American metal is at (along with Lamb of God and a few others), but I would kill to get a new BHBS LP. Rumors of a new EP have been floating around but rumors are just that sometimes.

Check this shit: "She Speaks To Me"