The aspirations of young bands are usually to become the best in their genre and achieve widespread recognition. It’s not often that bands reach these aspirations very quickly, though, due to the highly competitive nature of the modern metal world. Usually it takes years of touring, new albums, and consistent promotion to reach the top. One of today’s top artists is an example of such an ethos, having spent years working in all of his projects to become one of the biggest names in all of heavy music.
The two groups leading today’s list, though, got to where they are by the exact opposite path. Both groups caused massive sensations when they first hit the metal scene, and they are still considered to be at the top of their games. In fact, these two bands are counted by most critics as being at the top of their respective genres, outclassing most of their peers and setting the defining standards of excellence. With such greatness leading today’s list, it’s a great day on New & Noteworthy!
All Shall Perish, This is Where it Ends (Nuclear Blast)
From a critical standpoint, All Shall Perish is the best, most consistent deathcore band in the country. All three of their albums thus far have received overwhelmingly positive reviews from all over the metal world. Even non-metal reviewing sources like AllMusic and PureGrainAudio gave good reviews to The Price of Existence and Awaken the Dreamers. However, the height of praise came when Metallica guitarist Kirk Hammett named Awaken the Dreamers as one of his Top 25 albums of the decade. This is Where it Ends will undoubtedly join its predecessors in furthering the stellar reputation that All Shall Perish carries.
Iwrestledabearonce, Ruining it for Everybody (Century Media)
On It’s All Happening, the inimitable Iwrestledabearonce made a statement that they would play whatever the hell they felt like playing, and to hell with the consequences. Somehow, that attitude succeeded in making them one of the biggest instant hits of 2009, and also set them up for a worldwide touring circuit and two remix albums. But as most of you know by now, IWABO are huge comedians, and so they doctored up a black metal style shift with our friends at MetalSucks. When it was revealed to be a hoax, some were amused, some were indifferent, and some were infuriated. Knowing that the style shift isn’t real, you can expect the unexpected on Ruining it for Everybody, with as many different styles represented as the band decides to use. It will be quite an interesting ride for everyone!
Jasta, Jasta (eOne)
Jamey Jasta has been the face of hardcore for nearly a decade, with Hatebreed being the most prolific and widely recognized hardcore band in the world. Jasta’s other band, Kingdomof Sorrow, has garnered plenty of accolades on their own as well, with their blend of hardcore and sludge metal. Jasta’s self-titled solo album is mostly similar to the material of his two main bands, with a few divergences on various songs. What adds a great deal to the album, though, is the list of guest performers. Featuring appearances by Phil Labonte of All That Remains, Tim Lambesis of As I Lay Dying, Mark Morton and D. Randall Blythe of Lamb of God, Zakk Wylde of Black Label Society, and professional skateboarder Mike Vallely, the second half of Jasta reads like a Who’s Who in Modern American Metal.
World Under Blood, Tactical (Nuclear Blast)
On paper, it doesn’t seem possible that CKY guitarist Deron Miller and Divine Heresy/Morbid Angel drummer Tim Yeung could have any musical interests in common, let alone having enough in common to start a band. However, that’s exactly what happened in 2006, after Miller and Yeung met each other in Hollywoodand discovered their mutual interest in heavy, intense melodic death metal. Scheduling conflicts prevented the pair from making steady progress on Tactical, although they did add ex-Decrepit Birth bassist Risha Eryavac and Sleep Terror guitarist Luke Jaeger to the lineup. Promotion on the group’s MySpace page and various other outlets led to a contract with Nuclear Blast in 2009, and now, Tactical is finally complete and ready to be unleashed.
Also being released this week:
Rival Sons, Pressure & Time (Earache)
Premonition 13, 13 (Volcom)
As Hell Retreats, Volition (Ain’t No Grave)
The Quill, Full Circle (Metalville)
Dead Letter Circus, This is the Warning (Sumerian)
The Living Fields, Running Out of Daylight (Candlelight)
Weird Owl, Build Your Beast a Fire (Tee Pee)
Hail Hornet, Disperse the Curse (Relapse)
Zounds, The Redemption of Zounds (Plastic Head)
Next Week: Be ready for a number of rising stars to make their presence known with heavily-promoted new albums. A few bigger names also have new releases coming out, so prepare for a complete list!
