I definitely grew up in an era when nu-metal ruled the radio as well as the music video channels.
While bands like Korn and Deftones paved the way for this sound in the mid-90s, I was more influenced by the two big players that came at the turn of the millenium: Linkin Park and Limp Bizkit.
Limp Bizkit receive unprecedented hatred by a number of music fans because of lead singer Fred Durst's reputation as a "douche", and while it might be true - other metal artists (Max Cavalera) seem to have this opinion - it does not take away from the band's fantastic work.
Break Stuff is one of Limp Bizkit's signature songs, coming from their big-selling second album, Significant Other.
There's a groove formed by the guitar riff and drums that pulses continuously throughout the song which allows Durst's rapping to come through nicely during the verses.
I love how raw all the instruments sound - and the mix is fantastic - you can just about her all the instruments, but it all sounds cohesive and locked in especially during the choruses.
Break Stuff
Wednesday, 30 January 2013
Monday, 21 January 2013
Daily Heavy: Comeback Kid - Wake The Dead
It took me a while to get into/appreciate hardcore punk, but after I saw Comeback Kid supporting Parkway Drive in concert, I was converted.
They rocked and the energy they had on stage had to be seen to be believed.
It was so impressive to see a punk band in the middle of a mostly metalcore and deathcore lineup - they got the crowd going more than any of the other supports.
When they played this song, the pit went f**king nuts!
And I'm sure you can hear why - chant-a-long choruses, catchy guitars and relentless drumming at a very high tempo just makes you want to mosh hard.
I checked out some of CBK's other material and it is seriously good stuff. The album Wake The Dead is brilliant and opened my ears to a whole genre of music I thought was just basic guitars and shouty lead singers - how wrong was I?
Wake The Dead
They rocked and the energy they had on stage had to be seen to be believed.
It was so impressive to see a punk band in the middle of a mostly metalcore and deathcore lineup - they got the crowd going more than any of the other supports.
When they played this song, the pit went f**king nuts!
And I'm sure you can hear why - chant-a-long choruses, catchy guitars and relentless drumming at a very high tempo just makes you want to mosh hard.
I checked out some of CBK's other material and it is seriously good stuff. The album Wake The Dead is brilliant and opened my ears to a whole genre of music I thought was just basic guitars and shouty lead singers - how wrong was I?
Wake The Dead
Friday, 18 January 2013
Daily Ghetto: Lil Scrappy - No Problem
Lil Scrappy is one of Lil Jon's affiliates.
He was signed to Lil Jon's record label, BME Recordings.
This song comes from the split album with fellow Atlanta rappers Trillville.
This song has a menacing beat, it combines that old school horrorcore sound with a more typically crunk sound during the choruses.
Scrappy raps in a heavy Southern accent and makes dog noises during the chorus - what's not to like?
The video - Cadillacs , hos and grillz - business as usual.
No Problem
He was signed to Lil Jon's record label, BME Recordings.
This song comes from the split album with fellow Atlanta rappers Trillville.
This song has a menacing beat, it combines that old school horrorcore sound with a more typically crunk sound during the choruses.
Scrappy raps in a heavy Southern accent and makes dog noises during the chorus - what's not to like?
The video - Cadillacs , hos and grillz - business as usual.
No Problem
Thursday, 17 January 2013
Daily Ghetto: Bone Crusher - Never Scared
"I told that muthafucka, I ain't never scared"
Boom!
Big fat Atlanta rapper Bone Crusher growls the chorus to this song in a way that makes you want to fight.
You know to expect a dirty bass-blasting beat when listening to Atlanta hip hop and this song has some nasty bass.
Killer Mike and T.I. come in one the second and third verses respectively - it is amazing to hear T.I. before he got big.
Never Scared
Boom!
Big fat Atlanta rapper Bone Crusher growls the chorus to this song in a way that makes you want to fight.
You know to expect a dirty bass-blasting beat when listening to Atlanta hip hop and this song has some nasty bass.
Killer Mike and T.I. come in one the second and third verses respectively - it is amazing to hear T.I. before he got big.
Never Scared
Wednesday, 16 January 2013
Daily Heavy: Keith Merrow - The Piscator
Keith Merrow is one of the slew of "Youtube guitarists" that gear nerds such as myself go nuts over, not just for their fantastic playing, but also for their tasty custom shop guitars and nice rack gear.
This song comes from Merrow's self released album Awaken The Stone King, which is a prog/melodeath sounding instrumental gem.
Blending Arabian style lead lines over tight staccato riffing comes out sounding amazing and although the rest of the song plays out in a sort of technical death metal meets prog metal, it gives keeps the listener interested throughout.
If you like Merrow, you'll be glad to hear that he is planning a collaborative album with legendary shredder Jeff Loomis in the near future - oh my!
The Piscator
This song comes from Merrow's self released album Awaken The Stone King, which is a prog/melodeath sounding instrumental gem.
Blending Arabian style lead lines over tight staccato riffing comes out sounding amazing and although the rest of the song plays out in a sort of technical death metal meets prog metal, it gives keeps the listener interested throughout.
If you like Merrow, you'll be glad to hear that he is planning a collaborative album with legendary shredder Jeff Loomis in the near future - oh my!
The Piscator
Tuesday, 15 January 2013
Daily Heavy: Parkway Drive - Horizons
Parkway Drive are a sick Aussie metalcore band that have elevated themselves to one of the best bands in their scene, on a par with the likes of As I Lay Dying and Killswitch Engage.
I've seen these guys twice in concert and they slay.
I find that they exemplify that there shouldn't be any stereotypes when it comes to who plays hardcore and metal music; I mean you wouldn't really expect it from a bunch of surfer dudes that wear flip flops and board shorts on stage.
This song comes from Parkway's album of the same name and really puts the icing on an outstanding release of melodic metalcore.
Parkway so often find ways to contrast the brutality of the vocals with tastefully layered guitars and tempo shifts and this song has it all.
From the slow, clean guitar laden intro, to the typically hard hitting riffing during the verses and the thumping breakdown, down tuned guitar chugging and all, this song forms a path that leads up to my favourite passage of music on the album.
The last couple of minutes has the song slow right down and the lead guitarist employs some sweep picking and tapping over the octaves of the rhythm guitar to wonderful effect, paired with the harmonized guitar riff and this is what makes Horizons one of Parkway Drive's best songs.
Horizons
I've seen these guys twice in concert and they slay.
I find that they exemplify that there shouldn't be any stereotypes when it comes to who plays hardcore and metal music; I mean you wouldn't really expect it from a bunch of surfer dudes that wear flip flops and board shorts on stage.
This song comes from Parkway's album of the same name and really puts the icing on an outstanding release of melodic metalcore.
Parkway so often find ways to contrast the brutality of the vocals with tastefully layered guitars and tempo shifts and this song has it all.
From the slow, clean guitar laden intro, to the typically hard hitting riffing during the verses and the thumping breakdown, down tuned guitar chugging and all, this song forms a path that leads up to my favourite passage of music on the album.
The last couple of minutes has the song slow right down and the lead guitarist employs some sweep picking and tapping over the octaves of the rhythm guitar to wonderful effect, paired with the harmonized guitar riff and this is what makes Horizons one of Parkway Drive's best songs.
Horizons
Monday, 14 January 2013
Daily Heavy: Sepultura - Refuse/Resist
Old school (Max Cavalera) era Sepultura are one of my favourite thrash bands of all time.
Max almost barks out his politically charged lyrics with such power that you can feel it in your chest when you have a Sepultura song on full blast.
There is something so primal sounding about this song.
Notice how the mix is so good - you can hear the bass because both guitarists, Andreas and Max, have such a buzzsaw, mid heavy guitar tone and the drums sound tribal - about right for a Brazilian thrash metal band!
The riffs are so groovy and powerful and the up tempo bridge, with that typically crazy sounding wah laiden guitar solo from Andrea Kisser add a nice twist to what is quite an uncomplicated song.
Refuse/Resist
Max almost barks out his politically charged lyrics with such power that you can feel it in your chest when you have a Sepultura song on full blast.
There is something so primal sounding about this song.
Notice how the mix is so good - you can hear the bass because both guitarists, Andreas and Max, have such a buzzsaw, mid heavy guitar tone and the drums sound tribal - about right for a Brazilian thrash metal band!
The riffs are so groovy and powerful and the up tempo bridge, with that typically crazy sounding wah laiden guitar solo from Andrea Kisser add a nice twist to what is quite an uncomplicated song.
Refuse/Resist
Thursday, 10 January 2013
Daily Smooth: Lupe Fiasco - Superstar
The NBA used this song a few years ago for their Allstar Weekend. It took me ages to find out who it was by, but I was so glad to have come across Lupe Fiasco.
This song features Matthew Santos on vocals during the chorus and he sounds amazing. Then Lupe comes in with some good lyrics and great flow.
But I have to say, this song sounds even better when you listen to it as part of the album it comes from, The Cool, which is a fantastic piece of music from start to finish.
Superstar
This song features Matthew Santos on vocals during the chorus and he sounds amazing. Then Lupe comes in with some good lyrics and great flow.
But I have to say, this song sounds even better when you listen to it as part of the album it comes from, The Cool, which is a fantastic piece of music from start to finish.
Superstar
Wednesday, 9 January 2013
Daily Ghetto: Drake, Kanye West, Lil Wayne and Eminem - Forever
This is a rundown of crap rapper, decent rapper, good rapper and amazing rapper.
I think it is fairly obvious which is which on this track.
Before I even get to the rappers on this song, I have to give props to the massive beat.
The synth bass during the chorus sounds nasty!
And now onto the rappers:
Drake - weak, but at least he "sings" the chorus on this one, sounds ok.
Kanye - hard! clever bars, but using his standard flow and feels he has to announce himself: "Mr. West is in tha building" Kanye we know you have a massive ego, chill.
Lil Wayne - dire, crap bars, slow and droning flow, they could have done without this trash on this track.
Eminem - smacked it outta the park, basically shows up the other three. Brutal flow, best lyrics, vocal syncopation which chops through the beat.
Lesson to all sub par rappers - if you invite any of the following rappers onto your song, be on your game, or get showed up:
Dr. Dre, Ice Cube, Eminem, Jay-Z, Nas, Big Boi, Krayzie Bone, Twista, Kendrick Lamar and that's only the alive ones!
Forever
I think it is fairly obvious which is which on this track.
Before I even get to the rappers on this song, I have to give props to the massive beat.
The synth bass during the chorus sounds nasty!
And now onto the rappers:
Drake - weak, but at least he "sings" the chorus on this one, sounds ok.
Kanye - hard! clever bars, but using his standard flow and feels he has to announce himself: "Mr. West is in tha building" Kanye we know you have a massive ego, chill.
Lil Wayne - dire, crap bars, slow and droning flow, they could have done without this trash on this track.
Eminem - smacked it outta the park, basically shows up the other three. Brutal flow, best lyrics, vocal syncopation which chops through the beat.
Lesson to all sub par rappers - if you invite any of the following rappers onto your song, be on your game, or get showed up:
Dr. Dre, Ice Cube, Eminem, Jay-Z, Nas, Big Boi, Krayzie Bone, Twista, Kendrick Lamar and that's only the alive ones!
Forever
Tuesday, 8 January 2013
Daily Ghetto: Gucci Mane and Waka Flocka Flame - Mud Musik
Let's get serious, this track would be ghetto enough with Gucci Mane and Waka Flocka on it already, but then to have a verse from 2 Chainz at the end makes this song super-hood.
The laid back beat of this song is about appropriate for a song about drank - if you do not know what drank is then get on urban dictionary and educate yourself about some hood culture.
I'm going to call out Gucci Mane on this song; he can't rap
I cannot overstate this enough - Gucci Mane is weak. When Waka Flocka and 2 Chainz make you look bad then you know something is wrong.
Fortunately this song's heavy beat makes up for the disappointing middle verse by Gucci and at the very least, everybody's favourite rapper 2 Chainz saves the song with a decent last verse.
Mud Musik
The laid back beat of this song is about appropriate for a song about drank - if you do not know what drank is then get on urban dictionary and educate yourself about some hood culture.
I'm going to call out Gucci Mane on this song; he can't rap
I cannot overstate this enough - Gucci Mane is weak. When Waka Flocka and 2 Chainz make you look bad then you know something is wrong.
Fortunately this song's heavy beat makes up for the disappointing middle verse by Gucci and at the very least, everybody's favourite rapper 2 Chainz saves the song with a decent last verse.
Mud Musik
Monday, 7 January 2013
Daily Heavy: Fightstar - Palahniuk's Laughter
A brief history of the post hardcore band Fightstar:
Much to the dismay of teenage girls around the UK, Charlie Simpson left teen pop punk band Busted in 2005 and about a year later put out the first Fightstar album as an outlet to write, record and perform the music he really wanted to.
Simply put it was a good move, because Fightstar's debut album, Grand Unification, is up there with some of the best debut albums from modern British bands.
I've chosen a song from the EP that preceded Grand Unification because I feel that it captures the raw sound of a newly formed band and has an almost demo-like feel to it.
Palahniuk's Laughter is a very emotionally charged song, both musically and lyrically. The guitar riffs span from super heavy and chugging, to mid-gained powerchords, to clean arpeggiated chords.
Simpson's voice ranges from clean and choral to a strained shout during the choruses.
I recall that the lyrics are referring to a breakup that Charlie went through and the song is being directed at the woman that slighted him; don't quote me on that, I think I read it in an interview Fighstar did for Kerrang magazine ages ago. Either way the power with which they are delivered is impressive.
Palahniuk's Laughter
Much to the dismay of teenage girls around the UK, Charlie Simpson left teen pop punk band Busted in 2005 and about a year later put out the first Fightstar album as an outlet to write, record and perform the music he really wanted to.
Simply put it was a good move, because Fightstar's debut album, Grand Unification, is up there with some of the best debut albums from modern British bands.
I've chosen a song from the EP that preceded Grand Unification because I feel that it captures the raw sound of a newly formed band and has an almost demo-like feel to it.
Palahniuk's Laughter is a very emotionally charged song, both musically and lyrically. The guitar riffs span from super heavy and chugging, to mid-gained powerchords, to clean arpeggiated chords.
Simpson's voice ranges from clean and choral to a strained shout during the choruses.
I recall that the lyrics are referring to a breakup that Charlie went through and the song is being directed at the woman that slighted him; don't quote me on that, I think I read it in an interview Fighstar did for Kerrang magazine ages ago. Either way the power with which they are delivered is impressive.
Palahniuk's Laughter
Sunday, 6 January 2013
Daily Ghetto: Jibbs - King Kong
The title of this song refers to a sound system in the back hoodrat Jibbs' car, not the oversized gorilla.
The beat is about as heavy as King Kong the gorilla, which is somehow appropriate.
Jibbs is a pretty one dimensional rapper, so fortunately the much more skilled Chamillionaire makes an appearance on this song to liven things up.
The bass on this song is earth-shaking if you blast it through a good system.
I'm also fairly sure that after listening to this song, you'll want to go ridin in your car with it blasting, at least I do anyway.
Now for the video - it looks like an extended trailer for an episode of Pimp My Ride crossed with excerpts from The Fast and The Furious.
That is until Chamillionaire's verse, where it descends into grillz, ice, whips and surprisingly few hoes!
King Kong
The beat is about as heavy as King Kong the gorilla, which is somehow appropriate.
Jibbs is a pretty one dimensional rapper, so fortunately the much more skilled Chamillionaire makes an appearance on this song to liven things up.
The bass on this song is earth-shaking if you blast it through a good system.
I'm also fairly sure that after listening to this song, you'll want to go ridin in your car with it blasting, at least I do anyway.
Now for the video - it looks like an extended trailer for an episode of Pimp My Ride crossed with excerpts from The Fast and The Furious.
That is until Chamillionaire's verse, where it descends into grillz, ice, whips and surprisingly few hoes!
King Kong
Saturday, 5 January 2013
Daily Heavy: All That Remains - This Calling
I love bands like All That Remains, who fuse elements from many metal subgenres into their mainly metalcore sound.
This song has strong thrash (the verse guitar riffs), death metal (the drums for the whole song), and melodic death metal (the breakdown guitar riffs and solo) influences.
Singer Phil Labonte takes cues from his contemporaries Jesse Leach and Brian Fair of Killswitch Engage and Shadows Fall respectively. He mixes those hardcore shouts with sublime clean vocals, that match this song's progression wonderfully - and this is what cements this song as having your typical metalcore sound.
The instrumentation is predictably tight and precise - listen to how locked in the drums, guitars and bass are during the intro/verse passages. It has everything to make you want to circle headbang and mosh.
Give the album this song comes from a listen, The Fall Of Ideals, is a fantastic melodic metalcore release, produced by none other than the legendary Adam D from Killswitch Engage.
This Calling
This song has strong thrash (the verse guitar riffs), death metal (the drums for the whole song), and melodic death metal (the breakdown guitar riffs and solo) influences.
Singer Phil Labonte takes cues from his contemporaries Jesse Leach and Brian Fair of Killswitch Engage and Shadows Fall respectively. He mixes those hardcore shouts with sublime clean vocals, that match this song's progression wonderfully - and this is what cements this song as having your typical metalcore sound.
The instrumentation is predictably tight and precise - listen to how locked in the drums, guitars and bass are during the intro/verse passages. It has everything to make you want to circle headbang and mosh.
Give the album this song comes from a listen, The Fall Of Ideals, is a fantastic melodic metalcore release, produced by none other than the legendary Adam D from Killswitch Engage.
This Calling
Thursday, 3 January 2013
Daily Heavy: Lamb Of God - Desolation
Oh my, I had a hard time picking just one Lamb Of God song for this post, but I had to go with a song from their new album, Resolution, just because of how much it captures this band's sound.
Desolation, has one of the bounciest, grooviest guitar riffs, that just begs you to headbang.
There aren't many bands that come close to having the groove found in Lamb Of God's songs - only legendary bands like Pantera and Machine Head are on a par.
The drumming here is precise and hard hitting as ever and vocalist Randy Blythe's harsh screams cap off the sonic mayhem of this song.
Amazing stuff from the tastiest riff writers since Dimebag Darrell's untimely passing.
Desolation
Desolation, has one of the bounciest, grooviest guitar riffs, that just begs you to headbang.
There aren't many bands that come close to having the groove found in Lamb Of God's songs - only legendary bands like Pantera and Machine Head are on a par.
The drumming here is precise and hard hitting as ever and vocalist Randy Blythe's harsh screams cap off the sonic mayhem of this song.
Amazing stuff from the tastiest riff writers since Dimebag Darrell's untimely passing.
Desolation
Wednesday, 2 January 2013
Daily Smooth: Corbin Bleu - Speed Of Light
Yes that is the kid from High School Musical.
You may be surprised to know that he can actually sing fairly well.
As autotuned as this song is, the beat is sick and the whole thing reminds me of Justin Timberlake or JLS.
This makes me want to get up and dance, just pop and snap hard!
Speed Of Light
You may be surprised to know that he can actually sing fairly well.
As autotuned as this song is, the beat is sick and the whole thing reminds me of Justin Timberlake or JLS.
This makes me want to get up and dance, just pop and snap hard!
Speed Of Light
Tuesday, 1 January 2013
Daily Heavy: Deftones - When Girls Telephone Boys
Unbelievably I haven't posted a song from possibly my favorite metal band, Deftones.
I've chosen When Girls Telephone Boys from their 2003 self titled album, because I can not get over how heavy the chorus riff is - it is the sonic equivalent of an earthquake.
This band goes way beyond the sound you hear on this song; elements of hip hop, electronica, trance and alternative rock can be found throughout their back catalogue.
Their songwriting and composition is quite simple, but it is executed so well, and most importantly, is very catchy - the guitar riffs are very memorable.
When Girls Telephone Boys
I've chosen When Girls Telephone Boys from their 2003 self titled album, because I can not get over how heavy the chorus riff is - it is the sonic equivalent of an earthquake.
This band goes way beyond the sound you hear on this song; elements of hip hop, electronica, trance and alternative rock can be found throughout their back catalogue.
Their songwriting and composition is quite simple, but it is executed so well, and most importantly, is very catchy - the guitar riffs are very memorable.
When Girls Telephone Boys
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