Monday, December 15, 2008
SHAI HULUD
Misanthropy Pure
MetalBlade Records
The revolving door of post-hardcore sound slams one home with Misanthropy Pure. The human race hating group who has had more lineup changes than Madonna has had sex partners puts it all together for one hell of a progressive hardcore sound. (First recording with vocalist Matt Ian mazalli). I never understood the "post-hardcore" label. I mean does that mean the said band happened after hardcore? If i had to describe Shai Hulud it would be "Post Apocalyptical Hardcore". Misanthropy Pure is something to listen to when the end of days nears and the great Kutulu arises from the depths of the sea...or you can just listen to it like I do when driving recklessly and have to get someplace in a hurry. Shai's off-timed beats and misnthropic lyrics are abundant throughout but the drastic breakdowns are what draws my attention. Nicely done and well worth the wait.
TOP TRACKS: Venomspreader, Misanthropy Pure, We Who Finish Last, Set Your Body Ablaze (the new guy gets a crack at the best SH song ever!)
GDEVIL'S VERDICT: If you have never heard Shai Hulud before and are into that whole math rock, metalcore stuff being pumped out now, Misanthropy Pure is a great addition. These guys pioneered the sound so many bands have copied an put forth as their own.
SCARLET GREY
Limited:Black
Self Released
Glam chick rock by a bunch of dudes. I got turned on to this band by a friend of mine who did a photo shoot for God's Girls.com. Reason being they have a song entitled, yep you guessed it, God's Girls. I felt obligated since she is hot although I was a bit apprehensive when she said "Your not gonna like this but give it a listen anyway." Way to sell a band! While Scarlet Grey isn't my usual cup of whiskey, they are certainly deserving of some praise with their album Limited:Black. A bit pop, a bit glam, a bunch of ooooooo's and ahhhhhhh's to line each track. Yes your girlfriend will probably like it more, but she may be that much happier you turned off the metal for once and showed your soft side.
TOP TRACKS: Mr. Sinister, God's Girls, She's Liquor
GDEVIL'S VERDICT: As much as I make fun of them I can't stop listening to them. Kind of reminds me of Alkaline Trio minus all the talk of killing yourself or your loved one. Not bad at all.
ALL THAT REMAINS
Overcome
Prosthetic Records
I wait for a new ATR album like a kid waits for Santa on Christmas morning. I have raved about this band in the past for both its albums and its live performances (although I was a bit peeved that they dropped off their tour with In Flames recently). Bottom line however, if you like metal, you more than likely have an appreciation for ATR. So Overcome is no surprise a pretty good album. What's different on it you ask? Well for one they parted ways with Killswitch Engage mainstay, producer Adam Dutkiewicz. Instead they elected the services of Jason Suecof (Bury Your Dead, Cannae, Devildriver). I'm not sure how much influence he had on the sound of this album but it definitely gives off a more mainstream vibe, take that for whatever its worth.
TOP TRACKS: Before the Damned, Undone, Relinquish
GDEVIL'S VERDICT: While its not a bad album by any means, I don't think its ATR's best. I was expecting something a bit more brutal and less melodic. Then again, melody ain't such a bad thing, and no one really does it better than All That Remains. All hail Oli!
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