Emmure are part of the slew of deathcore bands that followed the lead of Suicide Silence.
This is one of Emmure's more melodic songs - i.e. one where they are not chugging the crap out of the lowest guitar/bass string all the way through.
There is nice layering of the guitar riffs and drums.
I feel that after their debut album (from which this song comes), Goodbye To The Gallows, Emmure's music has gone downhill and become very predictable.
This is the material that is worth a listen and it's a shame that Emmure have started to use the excessive breakdowns in their songs to fill out their live setlists and more recent albums.
Goodbye To The Gallows is where it's at as far as Emmure goes - enjoy one of its best songs.
Rusted Over Wet Dreams
Sunday 30 September 2012
Monday 24 September 2012
Daily Ghetto: The Game - It's Okay (One Blood)
Today I'm posting my favourite Game track.
This song has the hardest beat - play it through a system with a massive sub and you'll hear why.
Since The Game dropped his first album, The Documentary, and back when he was a member of G-Unit, I was hooked. He's one of those distinctive rappers, who has such a signature flow and voice that you know it is him when he features on a track.
This song came off The Game's second album, The Doctor's Advocate, and Game goes in - he calls out 50 Cent, Dr. Dre, Lil Jon and the Atlanta rap scene as well as Jay-Z.
This song disses Game's old record label, Aftermath, and is a West Coast anthem.
If you don't understand how crazy the beef between The Game and the other members of G-Unit got, then check out some of the freestyle disses that were fired back and forth between these guys - there are no holds barred. This song barely scratches the surface of it.
Enjoy a deep one, from one of the West Coast's best.
It's Okay (One Blood)
This song has the hardest beat - play it through a system with a massive sub and you'll hear why.
Since The Game dropped his first album, The Documentary, and back when he was a member of G-Unit, I was hooked. He's one of those distinctive rappers, who has such a signature flow and voice that you know it is him when he features on a track.
This song came off The Game's second album, The Doctor's Advocate, and Game goes in - he calls out 50 Cent, Dr. Dre, Lil Jon and the Atlanta rap scene as well as Jay-Z.
This song disses Game's old record label, Aftermath, and is a West Coast anthem.
If you don't understand how crazy the beef between The Game and the other members of G-Unit got, then check out some of the freestyle disses that were fired back and forth between these guys - there are no holds barred. This song barely scratches the surface of it.
Enjoy a deep one, from one of the West Coast's best.
It's Okay (One Blood)
Sunday 23 September 2012
Daily Heavy: Sacred Mother Tongue - Two Thousand Eight Hundred
You guys may have realized by now that I love metalcore.
This band, to my ears, are like the British All That Remains. The riffing and song structure are very similar.
This song combines all the pedal-tone riffs you come to expect from this genre, a nice mix of screamed and clean vocals, a tasty guitar solo from guitar god Andy James and then a brutal, mean sounding breakdown that makes me want to fight somebody after I hear it.
This is a very old Sacred Mother Tongue song and their new stuff is better written in my opinion.
These guys are definitely part of British metal's revival along with the likes of Evile and Rise To Remain - check them out!
Two Thousand Eight Hundred
This band, to my ears, are like the British All That Remains. The riffing and song structure are very similar.
This song combines all the pedal-tone riffs you come to expect from this genre, a nice mix of screamed and clean vocals, a tasty guitar solo from guitar god Andy James and then a brutal, mean sounding breakdown that makes me want to fight somebody after I hear it.
This is a very old Sacred Mother Tongue song and their new stuff is better written in my opinion.
These guys are definitely part of British metal's revival along with the likes of Evile and Rise To Remain - check them out!
Two Thousand Eight Hundred
Friday 21 September 2012
Daily Smooth: Frank Ocean - Pyramids
I must admit after hearing the song Swim Good from Frank Ocean's EP Nostalgia/Ultra, I was hooked. As a composer and songwriter he is incontestable among modern artists.
This song is unusually long for an R&B artist, clocking in at over 9 minutes. But for me this is the pick of the bunch from Ocean's first album, Channel Orange.
The intro leads beautifully into an almost bassline-style drop to kick the song off. The song's hook gets repeated a lot but it is catchy and the synths and beat keep the listener interested and the song moving. Ocean's smooth voice is predominant during the verses and the song is capped off by a subdued, but perfectly fitting, guitar solo from none other than John Mayer.
This is well written, well composed and well produced music right here.
Any of you oldies who think that modern music sucks, then this sort of song proves that it does not, even if it gets distilled by all the chart rubbish from the likes of Justin Bieber and One Direction.
Listen to the whole of Channel Orange if you can - it is fantastic stuff - in the meantime enjoy its best track.
Pyramids
This song is unusually long for an R&B artist, clocking in at over 9 minutes. But for me this is the pick of the bunch from Ocean's first album, Channel Orange.
The intro leads beautifully into an almost bassline-style drop to kick the song off. The song's hook gets repeated a lot but it is catchy and the synths and beat keep the listener interested and the song moving. Ocean's smooth voice is predominant during the verses and the song is capped off by a subdued, but perfectly fitting, guitar solo from none other than John Mayer.
This is well written, well composed and well produced music right here.
Any of you oldies who think that modern music sucks, then this sort of song proves that it does not, even if it gets distilled by all the chart rubbish from the likes of Justin Bieber and One Direction.
Listen to the whole of Channel Orange if you can - it is fantastic stuff - in the meantime enjoy its best track.
Pyramids
Wednesday 19 September 2012
Daily Heavy: August Burns Red - Composure
August Burns Red are one of the many metalcore bands that came out in the wake of the almighty Killswitch Engage.
With their odd time signatures and killer riffing, ABR manage to sound unique in a now almost over-saturated metal subgenre.
The drumming in this song is off the chain and the guitars are tight and midrangey.
The lead work towards the end of this song is tasteful and the final breakdown is mosh-pit inducing.
Enjoy listening to one of modern metal's best bands.
Composure
With their odd time signatures and killer riffing, ABR manage to sound unique in a now almost over-saturated metal subgenre.
The drumming in this song is off the chain and the guitars are tight and midrangey.
The lead work towards the end of this song is tasteful and the final breakdown is mosh-pit inducing.
Enjoy listening to one of modern metal's best bands.
Composure
Tuesday 18 September 2012
Daily Ghetto: Meek Mill - A1 Everything
Here's one of my favourite artists from Rick Ross' Maybach Music Group label.
Meek Mill features heavily on MMG's Self Made Vol.1 and his Dreamchasers series of mixtapes have been top stuff.
This song comes from Dreamchasers 2 and features Kendrick Lamar (who goes so hard in the second verse).
Meek raps about how he fucks the best hoes and drives the hottest whips - there's no message here, just a heavy beat and pure bragging.
Put this on in your car and you'll feel like a bawz.
A1 Everything
Meek Mill features heavily on MMG's Self Made Vol.1 and his Dreamchasers series of mixtapes have been top stuff.
This song comes from Dreamchasers 2 and features Kendrick Lamar (who goes so hard in the second verse).
Meek raps about how he fucks the best hoes and drives the hottest whips - there's no message here, just a heavy beat and pure bragging.
Put this on in your car and you'll feel like a bawz.
A1 Everything
Monday 17 September 2012
Daily Heavy: In Flames - Sounds of a Playground Fading
So today we have the title track from melodic death metal giant's, In Flames, most recent album.
A lot of older In Flames fans will notice that this album is the first, and only, not to feature original guitarist Jesper Strömblad.
As far as I'm concerned, along with bands like Dark Tranquility and At The Gates, In Flames characterize Scandinavian melodic death metal.
I love this kind of music because it so frequently produces songs with fantastic dual guitar work and amazing riffs.
Plus most metal subgenres don't include passages of music such as the one that opens this song - some nice chorus laden arpeggiated chords.
Give this song a listen and be sure to check out some older In Flames songs as well.
Sounds of a Playground Fading
A lot of older In Flames fans will notice that this album is the first, and only, not to feature original guitarist Jesper Strömblad.
As far as I'm concerned, along with bands like Dark Tranquility and At The Gates, In Flames characterize Scandinavian melodic death metal.
I love this kind of music because it so frequently produces songs with fantastic dual guitar work and amazing riffs.
Plus most metal subgenres don't include passages of music such as the one that opens this song - some nice chorus laden arpeggiated chords.
Give this song a listen and be sure to check out some older In Flames songs as well.
Sounds of a Playground Fading
Sunday 16 September 2012
Daily Smooth: A-ha - Take On Me
I love 80s synth pop and A-ha's 1985 debut album, Hunting High And Low, is quite possibly my favourite.
As much as this is a killer song, what is really memorable is the accompanying video.
The skteched animation that turns into real life has been parodied beyond belief - anybody remember it appearing in Family Guy?
Enjoy this gem of the 80s!
Take On Me
As much as this is a killer song, what is really memorable is the accompanying video.
The skteched animation that turns into real life has been parodied beyond belief - anybody remember it appearing in Family Guy?
Enjoy this gem of the 80s!
Take On Me
Thursday 13 September 2012
Daily Ghetto: Ghetts and Devlin - Piping Up
Two of my favourite MCs from the Movement team up for this track.
This song comes from Ghetts' most recent mixtape, Momentum, and showcases Ghetts' and Devlin's pure fire on the mic.
Devlin goes hard in the first verse and then Ghetts follows up nicely in the second.
Then in the last verse things get wild when these MCs split the bars.
There will be plenty more from these two MCs in the future on this blog, as both have tons of fantastic tracks.
In the meantime, take a listen to this fire!
Piping Up
This song comes from Ghetts' most recent mixtape, Momentum, and showcases Ghetts' and Devlin's pure fire on the mic.
Devlin goes hard in the first verse and then Ghetts follows up nicely in the second.
Then in the last verse things get wild when these MCs split the bars.
There will be plenty more from these two MCs in the future on this blog, as both have tons of fantastic tracks.
In the meantime, take a listen to this fire!
Piping Up
Wednesday 12 September 2012
Daily Heavy: Black Sabbath - Black Sabbath
Legends of Heavy Metal's second post comes in the form of the band that birthed a genre - Black Sabbath.
Is this the song that started metal as we know it?
Quite possibly.
The main guitar riff sounds like evil-incarnate - and for all you music theory nerds, it is because that most evil of sounding intervals (the tritone, or augmented fourth) is used heavily in it.
Tony Iommi's legendary riffs coupled with Ozzy Osbourne's inimitable voice gives this song an eerie feel. The slow tempo of Black Sabbath, really makes the song heavy, without the need for a shit-ton of distortion on the guitar and bass, as is so commonly found in modern metal.
With the release of their debut album of the same name, Black Sabbath ushered in a new sound - harder than hard rock, with lyrics referencing Satan, and the occult in general, heavy metal was born.
Any young metal head who is unaware of this band's legacy, needs to educate themselves.
And I urge any aspiring metal guitarist that has not cracked out the main riff of this song, to turn the lights off in their bedroom, crank the master volume on their amp, and feel the doom pulsating through their hands as they play, in my opinion, heavy metal's signature riff.
Enjoy!
Black Sabbath
Is this the song that started metal as we know it?
Quite possibly.
The main guitar riff sounds like evil-incarnate - and for all you music theory nerds, it is because that most evil of sounding intervals (the tritone, or augmented fourth) is used heavily in it.
Tony Iommi's legendary riffs coupled with Ozzy Osbourne's inimitable voice gives this song an eerie feel. The slow tempo of Black Sabbath, really makes the song heavy, without the need for a shit-ton of distortion on the guitar and bass, as is so commonly found in modern metal.
With the release of their debut album of the same name, Black Sabbath ushered in a new sound - harder than hard rock, with lyrics referencing Satan, and the occult in general, heavy metal was born.
Any young metal head who is unaware of this band's legacy, needs to educate themselves.
And I urge any aspiring metal guitarist that has not cracked out the main riff of this song, to turn the lights off in their bedroom, crank the master volume on their amp, and feel the doom pulsating through their hands as they play, in my opinion, heavy metal's signature riff.
Enjoy!
Black Sabbath
Tuesday 11 September 2012
Daily Smooth: The Knife - Heartbeats
So here's a song that not many people realise is actually the original.
Jose Gonzales famously covered this song for a famous TV advert and it got HUGE!
The original by Swedish electro group, The Knife, has a fat pulsating synth bass, and soaring, haunting female vocals.
Plus the video for this song is whacked out - the director must have been on a trip to have come up with something like this.
Heartbeats
Jose Gonzales famously covered this song for a famous TV advert and it got HUGE!
The original by Swedish electro group, The Knife, has a fat pulsating synth bass, and soaring, haunting female vocals.
Plus the video for this song is whacked out - the director must have been on a trip to have come up with something like this.
Heartbeats
Monday 10 September 2012
Daily Ghetto: Dappy - I'm Coming (Tarzan Part 2)
Haven't done a daily ghetto post for a while - so I thought I'd drop a song from North London's top hoodrat, Dappy.
For those of you that have been living under a rock for the past 5 years, Dappy is the talent and driving force from UK hip-hop group N-Dubz.
All three members have decided to go solo for a bit, and even though Dappy's cousin and bandmate, Tulisa, is likely to do better on her own (being a judge on the X Factor and having a crappy celebrity sex-tape gets you far these days), Dappy's solo stuff has turned out to be the best.
Dappy calls out a lot of other celebrities in this song - including a very funny diss directed towards Simon Cowell.
The video for this song is brilliant - check the link below.
Look out for Dappy's solo album Bad Intentions, dropping this October.
I'm Coming (Tarzan Part 2)
For those of you that have been living under a rock for the past 5 years, Dappy is the talent and driving force from UK hip-hop group N-Dubz.
All three members have decided to go solo for a bit, and even though Dappy's cousin and bandmate, Tulisa, is likely to do better on her own (being a judge on the X Factor and having a crappy celebrity sex-tape gets you far these days), Dappy's solo stuff has turned out to be the best.
Dappy calls out a lot of other celebrities in this song - including a very funny diss directed towards Simon Cowell.
The video for this song is brilliant - check the link below.
Look out for Dappy's solo album Bad Intentions, dropping this October.
I'm Coming (Tarzan Part 2)
Saturday 8 September 2012
Daily Heavy: Anaal Nathrakh - So Be It
Today I'm posting another new band I discovered through a metalhead friend of mine (cheers Adam).
Anaal Nathrakh are, to my ears, a straight up death metal band.
This song features are the crazy-fast guitar work and blasting drums one comes to expect from bands like Anaal Nathrakh.
These guys have a massive discography, with their earlier works having a more black metal feel, definitely check out the album this song comes from - In The Constellation Of The Black Widow.
So Be It
Anaal Nathrakh are, to my ears, a straight up death metal band.
This song features are the crazy-fast guitar work and blasting drums one comes to expect from bands like Anaal Nathrakh.
These guys have a massive discography, with their earlier works having a more black metal feel, definitely check out the album this song comes from - In The Constellation Of The Black Widow.
So Be It
Thursday 6 September 2012
Daily Smooth: Blazin' Squad - Let's Start Again
Who remembers Blazin' Squad?
Flip Reverse it anyone?
The new incarnation of this group is almost unrecognizable - gone are half of the members (ten down to five), gone are the chavvy tracksuits and Reebok classic trainers, gone are the awful rap lyrics.
This revised lineup of Blazin' Squad used this great song as their "comeback".
Ok so it did not work, but for what it is worth, this is the best song this group have put out, and it's a shame they weren't picked up by a record label for very long - I would have loved to have listened to an album's worth of music like this.
Who knows - maybe with the right promotion we could witness a full reunion of all ten members of this somewhat one-hit-wonder group.
Let's Start Again
Flip Reverse it anyone?
The new incarnation of this group is almost unrecognizable - gone are half of the members (ten down to five), gone are the chavvy tracksuits and Reebok classic trainers, gone are the awful rap lyrics.
This revised lineup of Blazin' Squad used this great song as their "comeback".
Ok so it did not work, but for what it is worth, this is the best song this group have put out, and it's a shame they weren't picked up by a record label for very long - I would have loved to have listened to an album's worth of music like this.
Who knows - maybe with the right promotion we could witness a full reunion of all ten members of this somewhat one-hit-wonder group.
Let's Start Again
Wednesday 5 September 2012
Daily Heavy: For The Fallen Dreams - Brothers In Arms
My best mate introduced me to this fantastic hardcore band, and they become one of my favorites.
This is such a driving song, that really gets me pumped.
It's a shame that this band does not come over to Europe on tour that often - I would love to see them live.
The whole of the album this song comes from, Changes, is excellent, and is definitely worth a listen.
This is such a fun song to play on guitar as well - any hardcore fans should give it a go.
Brothers In Arms
This is such a driving song, that really gets me pumped.
It's a shame that this band does not come over to Europe on tour that often - I would love to see them live.
The whole of the album this song comes from, Changes, is excellent, and is definitely worth a listen.
This is such a fun song to play on guitar as well - any hardcore fans should give it a go.
Brothers In Arms
Tuesday 4 September 2012
Daily Smooth: Guy - Teddy's Jam
Teddy Riley still stands as one of the biggest producers of the late 80s and early 90s.
The most successful record he produced was Michael Jackson's 1991 album Dangerous, which was absolutely huge.
Here is Riley with his own group, Guy, this mostly instrumental song showcases all of his signature production techniques.
Riley went on to form Blackstreet, who are one of my all time favorite groups, but his influence on music extended far beyond performing in Guy and Blackstreet - just take a look at his production discography.
Teddy's Jam
The most successful record he produced was Michael Jackson's 1991 album Dangerous, which was absolutely huge.
Here is Riley with his own group, Guy, this mostly instrumental song showcases all of his signature production techniques.
Riley went on to form Blackstreet, who are one of my all time favorite groups, but his influence on music extended far beyond performing in Guy and Blackstreet - just take a look at his production discography.
Teddy's Jam
Monday 3 September 2012
Daily Heavy: Judas Priest - Electric Eye
Today is my first Legends of Heavy Metal post.
I've gone for Judas Priest because, along with Black Sabbath, they are about as classic as you can get with metal bands.
The lead guitar duo of K.K. Downing and Glenn Tipton are up there with the best to have ever existed. These guys pioneered the harmonized guitars found so heavily in lots of metal subgenres today and inspired countless generations of guitarists who would go on to play things like thrash, death and power metal.
Rob Halford, along with Ronnie James Dio and Ozzy Osbourne, is considered to be a phenomenal lead singer - having a range that far exceeded most rock frontmen at the time, and a certain growl and uniqueness to his voice.
Plus - who do you think started all the leather wearing and chain swinging that all the 80s metal and rock bands adhered to?
Enjoy one of heavy metal's legend's best songs.
Electric Eye
I've gone for Judas Priest because, along with Black Sabbath, they are about as classic as you can get with metal bands.
The lead guitar duo of K.K. Downing and Glenn Tipton are up there with the best to have ever existed. These guys pioneered the harmonized guitars found so heavily in lots of metal subgenres today and inspired countless generations of guitarists who would go on to play things like thrash, death and power metal.
Rob Halford, along with Ronnie James Dio and Ozzy Osbourne, is considered to be a phenomenal lead singer - having a range that far exceeded most rock frontmen at the time, and a certain growl and uniqueness to his voice.
Plus - who do you think started all the leather wearing and chain swinging that all the 80s metal and rock bands adhered to?
Enjoy one of heavy metal's legend's best songs.
Electric Eye
Sunday 2 September 2012
Daily Ghetto: Three 6 Mafia - Stay High
Today I'm posting my favorite ghetto track because it is my birthday.
Three 6 Mafia have been posted by me before on this blog, but I felt that today they needed a repost, with none other than the almighty Stay High from their outstanding 2005 released album Most Known Unknown.
This track features Young Buck as well as 8 Ball and MJG.
All these rappers (the members of Three 6 included) hail from the dirty South.
The beat is so catchy, the lyrics are on point and the flow of the rappers is immense.
This song gets me so damn pumped I can't help but start rapping the lyrics when it comes on.
So Happy Birthday to me and you guys enjoy some of Southern rap's finest go in HARD!
Stay High
Three 6 Mafia have been posted by me before on this blog, but I felt that today they needed a repost, with none other than the almighty Stay High from their outstanding 2005 released album Most Known Unknown.
This track features Young Buck as well as 8 Ball and MJG.
All these rappers (the members of Three 6 included) hail from the dirty South.
The beat is so catchy, the lyrics are on point and the flow of the rappers is immense.
This song gets me so damn pumped I can't help but start rapping the lyrics when it comes on.
So Happy Birthday to me and you guys enjoy some of Southern rap's finest go in HARD!
Stay High
Saturday 1 September 2012
Daily Heavy: As I Lay Dying - Paralyzed
Today I'm posting one of metalcore's legends.
As I Lay Dying have honed and perfected the well balanced and catchy brand of metalcore they put out.
I've seen them live and their songs, as well as frontman Tim Lambesis' energetic performances, really get a crowd going. They are a band who you can tell are having fun whilst on tour - and that's all you can ask from a rock or metal band.
I love the balance of Lambesis' screams and bassist Josh Gilbert's clean vocals.
The guitar riffs and drums are tight and driving.
This is a very recent song from the band - it comes from the semi compilation/cover album Decas which was released last year.
If you get the chance to see this band live - do it, you will not be disappointed.
Paralyzed
As I Lay Dying have honed and perfected the well balanced and catchy brand of metalcore they put out.
I've seen them live and their songs, as well as frontman Tim Lambesis' energetic performances, really get a crowd going. They are a band who you can tell are having fun whilst on tour - and that's all you can ask from a rock or metal band.
I love the balance of Lambesis' screams and bassist Josh Gilbert's clean vocals.
The guitar riffs and drums are tight and driving.
This is a very recent song from the band - it comes from the semi compilation/cover album Decas which was released last year.
If you get the chance to see this band live - do it, you will not be disappointed.
Paralyzed
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