FIT FOR AN AUTOPSY ANNOUNCE ALL NEW LP THE GREAT COLLAPSE DUE MARCH 17, 2017
COVER ART REVEALED
New Jersey metal act FIT FOR AN AUTOPSY have announced an all new LP titled THE GREAT COLLAPSE due out this spring. “The Great Collapse is a reflection on the current chaotic state of mankind’s relationship with the world, and it’s effect both outward and inward,” says guitarist and producer Will Putney. “It’s a dark and unsettling record that encapsulates a variety of approaches to aggressive music, and a definite expansion of our capabilities as a band.”
The Great Collapse will be the the band’s fourth full length record, continuing the momentum gained from a solid 200+ days of worldwide touring backing the buzz-worthy release of Absolute Hope Absolute Hell in late 2015, as well The Depression Sessions, a split release with The Acacia Strain and Thy Art Is Murder in 2016. “It’s going to be the strongest record in our catalog. The overall mood and atmosphere of this album feels fully realized and emotionally stirring.”
The crushing music of Fit For An Autopsy is for any fan of extreme metal, as it’s devoid of preachy politics or grandstanding soapboxing, but its sound and fury is absolutely unflinching in purpose. The band expertly blends excessive-force fueled death metal with atmospheric groove and impassioned personal diatribes, reflecting back the dark state of current events. Their fourth album, The Great Collapse, doesn’t waste time with fantasy bullshit or cliché gore horror. Fit For An Autopsy are metal guys, to be certain, but they grew up in the hardcore scene. They embrace the responsibility to put as much devoted purpose into their lyrics and message as they do into their dense, heady, songs, forging a magnificently powerful new post-deathcore.
“When I write a song, I’m trying to feel emotionally connected to it. I really don’t like saying things that don’t matter over music that I want to matter,” says Putney, guitarist, principal songwriter and cofounder. “We’ve always addressed serious topics going back to our first album. We aren’t a politically charged band up on a podium yelling at people – anybody can relate to the aggression, anger, frustration, and sadness often communicated in our music. But we absolutely raise important questions in the lyrics. Those themes are there to discover.”
Putney’s fellow guitarist/cofounder, Patrick Sheridan, strongly agrees. He emphasizes that while the music of Fit For An Autopsy may evolve it will always be aggressive and will always have purpose. “We think it’s important to carry that torch. Somebody’s got to say something about the shit that’s going on. If you’re not using your music, which is a great platform, for something meaningful that you care about on some level, then you’re kind of wasting it.”
The six-men of the New Jersey based group – which includes vocalist Joe Badolato, bassist Peter Spinazola, third guitarist Tim Howley, and drummer Josean Orta – put maximum intentionality into everything they do. They are constantly challenging themselves as musicians, adding to the band’s overall creative arsenal, connecting with audiences around the world, and supporting one another in the band as individual people.
An album review looking at interstellar communicators Starset and their sophomore release Vessels.
https://vimeo.com/200349710
Text Review:
Back in 2014 we were given a debut album entitled Transmissions by a group of spacemen. Now two and a half years later and a huge amount of radio play from the singles “My Demons”, “Carnivore” and “Halo” ALONG with the novel “The Prox Transmissions” and an upcoming graphic novel from Marvel, we are once again heading to space with Starset’s sophomore album Vessels. Produced by Rob Graves who also helped with big names like Halestorm and Red, Vessels is a strong continuation from a well-mixed and absorbing debut. Through static and electronic backgrounds under deep riffs and extremely heavy bass, Starset are now one of the strongest forces in a style that perfectly combines hard rock with electronic fury and an actual narrative in writing.
While Starset isn’t the first to combine an overarching story like future planets and transmissions to Earth, this time it comes from people who KNOW how to write about space and have more than just the music to back them up with so much involved from novels and comics to a full stage show including band members who look like they are begging to have their jet packs launch them to Mars mid-song. Now in the beginning of 2017 Vessels was made with the singular intent to push boundaries, according to the albums press release. And in 15 tracks running well over an hour that include separate stories all reaching together through interstellar communication, it’s easy to understand how Starset’s intention to push boundaries is easily achieved.
Before Vessels’ release we were given three songs from the upcoming album that prove Starset are continuing the standard that Transmissions set. The main single “Monster” released back in October of 2016 instantly gained massive radio play and for good reason. It included everything fans loved about Starset and demonstrated the dynamic that the band can create through a build up to an enormous chorus.
I love this song. The lyric writing is solid, the verses lead into the chorus beautifully and the chorus itself is loud and memorable. The rhythm along with the light piano keys and electronic effects all prove my earlier description about Starset’s combination of hard rock with electronic intensity. This is what everyone who enjoyed the debut Transmissions was hoping for in the next new song from an upcoming album.
On top of what I just said, one factor that is noticeable in “Monster” and throughout Vessels is the improved singing of Dustin Bates. His delivery sounds cleaner and a smoother range is delivered throughout the album and this song helps prove that. So along with pushing boundaries in writing and progression it appears that the band has also been practicing to improve as well. As with many thematic and multinarrative albums, there is a lot to take in from the very beginning. It was listening to the opening tracks “The Order” and “Satellite” that made me realize just how much Starset are capable of. While I loved the song “Monster” it was listening to the beginning of Vessels that I realized that this band has a world of talent and creativity ready to be explored.
The bouncing bass that leads to some great drum work by Adam Gilbert make “Satellite” stand out for both the impact it has as the true opening song and how memorable the chorus is. You want to sing along even if it’s the first time you’ve ever heard the song. Tracks like “Starlight” and “Back To Earth” also have that instant connection featuring a deep rhythm and memorable high points. There may be some listeners who are new to Starset after hearing them on FM or Sirius rock stations. While Vessels still combines hard rock and the electronic side beautifully, there are a few tracks you should be made aware of. Songs like “Into The Unknown”, “Gravity Of You” and “Telepathic” have enough effects to qualify it as future EDM with undoubted future remixes, but the rock side still comes out in the delivery. As a whole, it’s hard not go get sucked into the gravity of this album.
Young bands getting a debut album to reach a big audience is a monumental task and for the same band to survive their first few years AND continue with a solid sophomore release is even more impressive. Doing so while writing novels and comics AND creating an intergalactic stage show only adds to the impressive spectacle that Starset is quickly becoming. Overall, Vessels amplifies the electric style while diving further into space. You may blow a subwoofer out while playing it at full volume with the massive amounts of bass and deep riffs, but you will enjoy almost every second of music that Starset has created. The band’s second transmission has been received and it’s one worth getting excited about.
MARCH 17, 18, 19 AT OC FAIR & EVENT CENTER IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
FEATURING PERFORMANCES BY NOFX, THE USED,
BAD RELIGION, PENNYWISE & MORE
America’s largest tattoo and music festival, Travis Barker’s MUSINK, presented by KROQ, is coming to the OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa, CA where it will celebrate its 10th year on March 17, 18, and 19, 2017. The three-day tattoo convention, car show and concert will feature hundreds of world-renowned tattoo artists, Famous Stars and Strapspresents theLow ‘N’ Slow Car Show, a vendor village and music from headliners NOFX, The Used, Bad Religion, Pennywise, and more.
An impressive initial list of tattoo artists can be seen below, with a number of them flying in from around the world to partake in this year’s festival. Participants include: Jack Rudy, Robert Atkinson, Shamrock Social Club, Nikko Hurtado, Juan Puente, Small Paul, Holie Glory Tattoo, Franco Vescovi, Baba, Corey Miller, Vic Back, Eddie Tana, Elm Street Tattoo, Britton McFetridge, Alex Trufant, Spotlight Tattoo, ChueyQuintanar, Eric Gonzalez, True Tattoo, Little Frank, Lynn King, Yushi Tattoo, Rich Pineda, Shawn Barber, Kim Saigh, Royal Peacock Tattoo Parlor, Big Gus, Bob Tyrrell, Goethe and many more…
Oliver Peck, judge on the hit television show Ink Master on Spike TV, MUSINK alumni, acclaimed tattoo artist and owner of Elm Street Tattoo and True Tattoo says, “MUSINK is one of my faves. Always busy, always fun, always has great music and of course, a lot of the best tattooers in the world.”
Famous Stars And Straps and Tribal Streetwear have announced the return of The Low ‘N’ Slow Car Show at this year’s MUSINK. The show will display the best selection of custom rides, American classics and lowriders in Southern California, handpicked by Travis Barker and Bobby Tribal.
The full music lineup for MUSINK is as follows:
Friday, March 17: NOFX, The Vandals, Lagwagon, A Wilhelm Scream
Saturday, March 18: The Used, Glassjaw, Goldfinger, Story of the Year, Hell or Highwater
Sunday, March 19: Bad Religion, Pennywise, Swingin’ Utters
A number of general and VIP ticketing options are available for purchase at http://www.MusinkFest.com.
All ages are welcome, and kids 7 years old and under get in free.
MUSINK hours are 3:00 PM – 10:00 PM on Friday, March 17, 12:00 PM – 10:00 PM on Saturday, March 18, and 12:00 PM – 9:00 PM on Sunday, March 19.
MUSINK 2017 is produced by Bill Hardie, Travis Barker, John Reese,and Sean Akhavan. MUSINK partners include: Rockstar Energy Drink, DIXXON Flannel Company, Cosmic Fog, Golden Crown Barber Shop, Famous Stars and Straps, Johnny’s Saloon, and more.
The OC Fair & Event Center is centrally located in Southern California, just off the 405 and 55 freeways at 88 Fair Drive in Costa Mesa. The venue is convenient to all in Orange County, as well as Los Angeles, San Diego, San Bernardino and Riverside Counties. John Wayne Airport in Irvine, CA is also easily accessible for those traveling from other parts of the U.S. and the world.
Featuring Support from The Convalescence, The World Over and One Day Waiting
New Album Generation Doom out Now via Napalm Records
Groundbreaking art-rock performer, author and spoken word artist OTEP will embark on a 30+ date U.S. headline run this February and March as part of her “The Resistance World Tour”. The tour will begin in Mesa, AZ on February 14 and come to a close on March 23 in Las Vegas, NV. The Convalescence, The World Over and One Day Waiting will perform as support on select dates, and Hatebreed will join to headline in two cities. Tickets are on sale now via www.oteploves.me.
OTEP states, “The music and message for this tour is simple: when they come for one of us, they come for all of us. We will fight for our right to exist.”
Before the tour hits Flint, MI on March 8, OTEP will stock up on cases of water at each venue and accept donations from fans with plans to donate every case of water to the Flint Water Crisis.
OTEP “The Resistance” World Tour U.S. Dates w/ The Convalescence
One Day Waiting support 2/14 – 2/28
2/14 – Mesa, AZ @ Club Red
2/15 – El Paso, TX @ Lowbrow Palace
2/17 – San Antonio, TX @ Paper Tiger – Hatebreed headlining, tour support not performing
2/18 – Amarillo, TX @ Ink Life Tour @ Amarillo Civic Center – Hatebreed headlining, tour support not performing
2/19 – Colorado Springs, CO @ Sunshine Studios
2/20 – Denver, CO @ Marquis Theatre
2/21 – Fort Collins, CO @ Hodi’s Half Note
2/23 – Salt Lake City, UT @ Urban Lounge
2/24 – Jerome, ID @ Diamondz Event Center
2/26 – Petaluma, CA @ The Phoenix Theater
2/28 – Eugene, OR @ Hi Fi Music Hall
The World Over support 3/1 – 3/23
3/1 – Portland, OR @ Bossanova Ballroom
3/2 – Seattle, WA @ Studio 7
3/4 – Billing, MT @ Pub Station
3/5 – Sioux Falls, SD @ Bigs Bar
3/6 – Chippewa Falls, WI @ Every Buddy’s Bar
3/7 – Janesville, WI @ Back Bar
3/8 – Flint, MI @ Machine Shop
3/9 – Battle Creek, MI @ Music Factory
3/10 – Traverse City, MI @ Streeters
3/11 – Columbus, OH @ Alrosa Villa
3/12 – St Louis, MO @ Firebird
3/13 – Clarksville, TN @ Warehouse
3/15 – Dallas, TX @ Gas Monkey
3/16 – Houston, TX @ Scout Bar
3/17 – Austin, TX @ SXSW (3Thirteen Showcase), Dirty Dog Bar
3/18 – Lubbock, TX @ Jakes
3/20 – Los Angeles, CA @ Whiskey a Go Go
3/21 – Tuscon, AZ @ The Rock
3/22 – Flagstaff, AZ @ The Green Room
3/23 – Las Vegas, NV @ Vinyl @ Hard Rock
OTEP is touring in support of her band’s most recent full-length release, Generation Doom, which hit stores in April 2016 via Napalm Records (order here). With OTEP Shamaya’s multifaceted vocal approach – ranging from gut wrenching roars to soft seductive poetry and beautiful singing showcasing her evolution as a writer and story teller – Generation Doom erupts with thunderous, punishing grooves that harmoniously detonate into dark industrial fury with magma flows of hard rock melodies that seamlessly shapeshift into a mysterious musical beast.
Upon release,Generation Doom debuted at #10 on the Billboard Independent Chart, #7 on the Rock Chart, #4 on the Hard Rock Chart and #109 on the Top 200 Albums Chart. Watch the music video for the powerful single “Zero” below.
FRIDAY, JULY 14, SATURDAY, JULY 15 AND SUNDAY, JULY 16
AT TOYOTA PARK IN BRIDGEVIEW, IL
TICKETS ON SALE FRIDAY, JANUARY 20
The second annual Chicago Open Air will bring together an all-star lineup of rock’s top artists on Friday, July 14, Saturday, July 15 and Sunday, July 16 at Toyota Park in Bridgeview, IL, just outside Chicago. The three-day music, craft beer and Gourmet Man Food festival will feature over 40 performances, including legendary rock artists Ozzy Osbourne, KISS, and Korn, along with Rob Zombie, Slayer,Godsmack, Stone Sour, Megadeth, Lamb Of God, Seether, Meshuggah, Anthrax,Clutch, Body Count, and many more.
Tickets for Chicago Open Air go on sale Friday, January 20 at Noon CT at www.ChicagoOpenAir.com.
In addition to three days of nonstop rock, Chicago Open Air’s celebration of everything loud will also include Gourmet Man Food featuring local and regional cuisine, the Headbangers Bier Hall highlighting top brews from the region, other entertainment and fan experiences, and will be hosted by SiriusXM’s Jose Mangin. The weekend gets started with The Chicago Open Air Kick Off Fiesta (details to be announced in February) and the official Chicago Open Air Pre-Party at Concord Music Hall on Thursday, July 13.
The daily band lineup (subject to change) is as follows:
Friday, July 14: KISS, Rob Zombie, Megadeth, Anthrax, Meshuggah, The Dillinger Escape Plan, Falling In Reverse, Vimic, Suicide Silence, Whitechapel, Crobot, Code Orange, Hell or Highwater, Failure Anthem
Saturday, July 15: Korn, Godsmack, Seether, Clutch, Steel Panther, Body Count, Avatar, Mushroomhead, Metal Church, Pig Destroyer, Dragonforce, Cane Hill, Night Verses, Black Map
Sunday, July 16: Ozzy Osbourne, Slayer, Stone Sour, Lamb Of God, Amon Amarth, Behemoth, Hellyeah, Demon Hunter, DevilDriver, KYNG, Norma Jean, Whores., DED
Here’s what some of Chicago Open Air’s top artists have to say about playing the festival:
Corey Taylor, Stone Sour: “We are beyond stoked to be a part of Chicago Open Air this year. If you’ve never seen Stone Sour before, you’re in for a goddamn treat. If you HAVE seen Stone Sour before, forget what you’re expecting. It’s a whole new ballgame. See you all soon!”
Dave Mustaine, Megadeth: “This year’s Chicago Open Air festival is going to kick so much ass! I mean, KISS, Megadeth, Anthrax, and Rob Zombie?! If I wasn’t playing, I would want to go just to be part of the party!!
Randy Blythe, Lamb Of God: “Wassup Chicago! We’re stoked to be playing the Chicago Open Air this year. It’ll be nice to be outside in Illinois for a change, especially since it won’t be 10 below, haha. So come on out and bring your baggies, bikinis and suntan lotion, and surfboards (ok, so you can leave the surfboards at home). See ya there!”
Danny Wimmer, Founder of Danny Wimmer Presents said, “Walking through the site last year, I saw people from all over the world. Different ages, different races – people celebrating rock culture. When curating the 2017 version of Chicago Open Air, we wanted to find that balance for everyone who attends the festival. From iconic artists like Ozzy, KISS, Korn and Slayer to Rob Zombie, Godsmack and Stone Sour to Amon Amarth, Meshuggah and Behemoth. If you are a rock fan, this is a must see experience.”
“Rock is clearly alive and well in Chicagoland, and year two of Chicago Open Air promises to build on where we left off in creating one of America’s best destination hard rock festivals,” said Jason Wright, Live Nation’s Midwest President.
Tickets are priced as follows:
3-day General Admission Field: starting at $209.50
3-day General Admission Bowl: starting at $119.50
3-day VIP: starting at $425.00
Single Day General Admission Bowl: starting at $50.00
All VIP tickets include: VIP entrance lanes into the event, access to a VIP lounge area featuring dedicated food and beverage offerings (for additional purchase), field and stadium level viewing areas of the main stage, dedicated restroom facilities, and a commemorative Chicago Open Air VIP-only laminate.
No Service Fee tickets will be available at the Chicago Open Air Official Pop-Up Party at Kuma’s Corner downtown (666 W. Diversey Pkwy., Chicago) on Friday, January 20, starting at Noon. In addition, all three Chicago-area Kuma’s locations (http://www.kumascorner.com/locations.html) will be selling No Service Fee tickets and exclusive Chicago Open Air / Kuma’s merchandise.
Discounted hotel rates are also available through Curadora. Visit www.ChicagoOpenAir.com for details.
Here’s a preliminary list of Chicago Open Air special events, Gourmet Man Food and craft beer partners, as well as onsite experiences and nonprofit organizations with a presence at Chicago Open Air:
Chicago Open Air Kick Off Fiesta, hosted by Jose Mangin: Kick off the Chicago Open Air weekend with this fiesta. This intimate dinner will be hosted by SiriusXM’s Liquid Metal DJ Jose Mangin. The menu and more information will be announced in the coming weeks.
Chicago Open Air Official Pre-Party & After-Show Events: The official Chicago Open Air Pre-Party will be held at Concord Music Hall on Thursday, July 13. Bands and more details will be announced soon. In addition, official after-show events will be held at Double Door on Friday, The Metro on Saturday, and the official afterparty will be at House of Blues in Chicago on Sunday.
Gourmet Man Food: The initial Gourmet Man Food lineup includes selections from Chicago favorites such as: Bruges Brothers, Chicago Doghouse, Crème of the Crop, Dia De Los Tamales, Dinky’s Donuts, Kuma’s Corner, Pizano’s (Chicago deep dish), and Yum Dum. Additional Gourmet Man Food vendors from around the country will include: Aporkalypse Now, BBD’s Restaurant, Ben’s Burrito Bowl, Cheeze Louise, Cravin’ Cajun,Master of Patties, Ollie’s Tots, Pie Baby (wood-fired pizza), Sweet Pete’s, and The Big Cheesy.
Headbangers Bier Hall: This unique METAL themed dive bar is returning to Chicago Open Air. Headbangers Bier Hall will feature national and regional craft beers and artist inspired beverages including: Goose Island (Chicago – 312 Urban Wheat Ale, Four Star Pils), Half Acre Beer Company (Chicago – Daisy Cutter Pale Ale, Vallejo IPA, Pony Pilsner), Iron Maiden’s Trooper Beer, Lagunitas (Petaluma, CA – IPA, A Little Sumpin’ Sumpin’), Motörhead Wine, Revolution Brewing (Chicago – Fist City, Rev Pils), Surly (Minneapolis – Surly Hell Lager, Surly Furious IPA), Two Brothers Brewing (Chicago – Sidekick Extra Pale Ale, Dog Days Dortmunder Style Lager), and more to be announced. Look for unique experiences throughout the weekend.
Monster Energy Experience: Fueling the festival experience with energy, the Monster Energy Experience offers free Monster drink samples and artist signings. Stop by the Monster Energy Experience and get energized for Chicago Open Air!
Kuma’s Corner: Kuma’s Corner will be returning to serve their signature metal themed burgers.
The Music Experience: The Music Experience features all the elements that are involved in making music in a professional band setting. The interactive exhibit features guitars, basses, amps, drums, keyboards, and electronic gear that are used by today’s most popular bands. After laying your hands on the hottest equipment available, you will walk away feeling like a rock star and you may even see one there, too! Come and meet your favorite band members from the festival at the Music Experience Tent. You can win free amps, free guitars and get tons of other free stuff, as well.
FYE Fan Experience: FYE will be hosting the ultimate fan and artist interactive experiences throughout the festival! FYE is the only place at the festival to get your favorite band’s music, and maybe even get to meet your favorite Chicago Open Air performer!
Fxck Cancer / Dyin 2 Live: The Dyin 2 Live Dreams program is a wish-granting organization whose purpose is to try and enrich the lives of those fighting cancer by offering them an experience that will bring hope and inspiration to their lives. In doing this, we hope it can help give them a chance to forget, even if it’s only for a day. Through our extensive network of friends, supporters, and affiliates, we are able to reach out to individuals and present them with one of a kind experiences and opportunities that arise. We feel a Dyin 2 Live Dream can offer a source of inspiration for those undergoing difficult medical treatments and be a positive force that offers a life-changing impact not only for them, but also the family to overcome their obstacles. If you are currently fighting cancer or know of someone in the fight who could benefit from a Dyin 2 Live Dream, please submit your story and tell us why and how a Dyin 2 Live day would help. Also, anyone interested in being a supporter, volunteer or donor, please contact us at mywish@dyin2live.org.
Take Me Home: Take Me Home (TMH) has been saving the lives of homeless animals since 2001. TMH was founded as an animal rights advocacy foundation saving orphaned animals and striving to end animal overpopulation. TMH works in conjunction with shelters and rescues throughout California and beyond to help save animals on death row, on the streets, or in unsafe living conditions. Stop by their booth for custom gear and contribute to a great cause
Chicago Open Air is produced by Danny Wimmer Presents, Live Nation, and Toyota Park, with the support of the Village of Bridgeview and Bridgeview Mayor Steven Landek.
Chicago Open Air is fueled by Monster Energy. Additional 2017 sponsors include: Jack Daniel’s, FYE, The Music Experience, Fxck Cancer, Take Me Home, Soho Concessions and more.
UK act, Deaf Havana premiere video for new track, “Fever”
taken from the forthcoming album,
“All These Countless Nights” due Jan 27, 2017
Deaf Havana’s new album All These Countless Nights is still a couple weeks away, but the group has given us another glimpse at what the album is going to sound like with the video debut of “Fever”
The new video is actually part three of a bigger story, with “Sing” and “Trigger” being parts one and two.
“I always loved the idea of having several videos that were all part of a bigger story, I felt like the three singles, (“Sing”, “Trigger” and “Fever”) were perfect for this as they all shared and underlying theme of feeling alienated and out of control,” said lead vocalist/rhythm guitarist James Veck-Gilodi.
Veck-Gilodi also remarked that “Fever” is the darkest song on the record and is about heavy drinking and how a visit to his mother helped bring change to his lifestyle.
All These Countless Nights will be the band’s first album released through SO Recordings.
“This album needs to take us to a higher level,” asserts Veck-Gilodi. “Not necessarily in terms of chart positions, because I don’t care about that. I just can’t wait for people to hear the album. We appreciate the fact that everyone’s waited this out with us. It’s going to be great.”
All These Countless Nights can be preordered here and features several different pre-order bundles, including a gorgeous red vinyl record, along with a rad art print. The album will be released on January 27.”
Brazil’s thrash legend Sepultura bring the band’s fourteenth album Machine Messiah.
https://vimeo.com/199193560
Text Review:
The resurgence of legendary thrash metal bands last year came as a rewarding breath of fresh air as many new albums from long running bands were able to win listeners over. And now at the beginning of 2017 Sepultura has decided to give their newest entry in Machine Messiah; the fourteenth full album under the band’s name and it also is the first new album from Sepultura since 2013. Brazil’s Sepultura is a unique entity however in that it is one of the few long running bands that has no original founding members in the lineup. With the Cavalera brothers long gone from the group the name Sepultura continues on and in theory could keep going for many years. For long time fans of the name and lovers of thrash this is a good thing, but according to Max Cavalera it’s not exactly what people should be happy about. At the very end of last year, Max fired a shot at his former band and talked about how he hadn’t heard anything from them in years. He then added the statement: “tell me one great song they have written since I left? Name one great album they have put out after that? I haven’t seen anything. I don’t know one name of one song as popular as “Roots Bloody Roots”.
While there still appears to be bad blood from the former Sepultura founders, it should be said that the name has still carried on for many years even without any of its founding members. In fact the band name has been going out without the Cavaleras since 2009’s A-Lex. So it’s not like the current members have been sitting around collecting royalty checks. With brief history and opinions out of the way, Machine Messiah is the new album in this legendary thrash metal band’s history. There is definitely enough talent to create something brutal and fast and along with so many strong entries from other thrash legends last year, it’s understandable to get your hopes up. It’s in the albums’ highlighted single “I Am The Enemy” that we got a glimpse at what Sepultura has to offer on their fourteenth LP.
“I Am The Enemy” starts off ferocious. The opening few seconds with Derrick Green’s growl and a prominent drum pound by Eloy Casagrande set a great pace for the track. There are some quick burst solos that help add some higher pitch to a fast single that clocks in under two and a half minutes., also marking the shortest track on Machine Messiah. There definitely feels like a passion and intensity was given in this song, but after listening several times you start to realize that this feels like it is heading in a different direction than the Sepultura from the 80’s and 90’s. That is not a negative statement about the song “I Am The Enemy”, but it is definitely hard to not notice as you listen to this song and album that the style is changing from the past. As you go down the track list and hear varied elements like flamenco guitar in “Iceberg Dances” and string sections in “Phantom Self” you can hear how the thrash sound is slowly being placed in the backseat while other styles in metal and overall music take the wheel.
When I listened to Machine Messiah from the beginning it was when I got to “Sworn Oath” that it really hit how Sepultura is not only different from what it was decades ago, but that it will continue to change. This song like the others are not bad or poor in quality, but there isn’t much to really get involved with. It’s a very status quo style of thrash that has a hard time keeping your attention. For every sequence in a song that feels like the intensity is going to pick up or the breakdown is coming and we’ll get something strong, it’s either stifled or just continues at the same pace to the point where nothing feels like it progresses. And then before you know if the songs just fly by and the album is over. There isn’t anything jarring or awful, but there also isn’t anything fantastic.
When people now hear the name Sepultura it will come with phrases like “which version” or “original or the current one”. That stretches past member lineups now. Machine Messiah proves that Sepultura, while still a strong band, is not the same group and dynamic that it was. And while I reiterate that the songs and this album are not bad, there isn’t much to connect with outside of a strong drum rhythm or the occasional guitar sequence. Overall, Machine Messiah will appease most diehard Sepultura fans who have stuck with the band through thick and thin. And while the majority of thrash and metal fans who were hoping for the next strong album from a great band like Sepultura will find several tracks worth replaying, they will for the most part be looking for a return to their roots.
BAND HELMED BY MAYNARD JAMES KEENAN AND BILLY HOWERDEL EMBARK ON FIRST NATIONAL TOUR IN SIX YEARS
Jan. 9, 2017, LOS ANGELES – A Perfect Circle will trek across North America this Spring in the outfit’s first tour since 2011, with the month long outing kicking off at The Pearl in Las Vegas (April 7 and 8).
The band previously announced a May 7 performance at the Hollywood Bowl as well as a trio of festival dates: Welcome to Rockville (April 29), Fort Rock (April 30) and Carolina Rebellion (May 5).
The tour news arrives as the band begins work on their first new album since 2004’s eMOTIVe. “Getting back to writing music with A Perfect Circle is a great way to start the new year,” APC co-founder and guitar player Billy Howerdel said.
Tour dates:
April 7 & 8 Las Vegas, NV The Pearl
April 10 Phoenix, AZ Comerica Theatre
April 11 San Diego, CA Open Air Theatre
April 13 San Francisco Bill Graham Civic
April 14 Reno, NV Reno Event Center
April 15 Salt Lake City Maverik Center
April 17 Denver, CO 1st Bank Center
April 19 Kansas City, MO Starlight Amphitheatre
April 20 St. Louis, MO Chafietz Arena
April 22 Tulsa, OK BOK Center
April 23 Grand Prairie, TX Verizon Theatre
April 25 Austin, TX HEB Center at Cedar Park
April 26 San Antonio, TX Freeman Coliseum
April 27 Houston, TX Smart Financial Center
April 29 Jacksonville, FL Welcome to Rockville
April 30 Ft. Myers, FL Fort Rock Festival
May 2 Atlanta, GA Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre
May 3 Nashville, TN Bridgestone Arena
May 5 Charlotte, NC Carolina Rebellion
May 7 Los Angeles, CA Hollywood Bowl
A Perfect Circle’s current line-up is Maynard James Keenan (Tool, Puscifer), Billy Howerdel (Ashes Divide), James Iha (Tinted Windows, ex-Smashing Pumpkins), Jeff Friedl (Puscifer, The Beta Machine) and Matt McJunkins (Eagles of Death Metal, The Beta Machine).
Tickets for all non-festival shows are on-sale this Friday, Jan. 13 at 10 am local time. Tickets for the Hollywood Bowl show are on-sale now.
The band re-launched their website and webstore over the weekend, which can be viewed at aperfectcircle.com.
