Smash Corps-No Peace Until Tomorrow

Post #128
Smash Corps are an independent thrash/hardcore metal band from the Chicago area. No Peace Until Tomorrow is their 2nd full-length album, and 3rd release overall. If you're a fan of Disturbed, Pantera, or classic-80's thrash metal, then this band is worth checking out. Now for a closer look at No Peace Until Tomorrow...


This album starts off with 'Darkside of Truth', a good, heavy song with lyrics that show some social commentary on cynicism. The album just gets better from here on! Smash Corps tear into some heavy grooves that truely remind me of one of my all-time favorite bands: PANTERA. They are more about 'heavy' than 'speed' in their formula. They also know when to change things up a bit, as most songs feature good guitar solos and melodic break-downs.

No Peace Until Tomorrow offers you plenty of fist-pumping, headbanging, hardcore/thrash songs. Their influence from bands like Black Sabbath to Metallica, Pantera to Iron Maiden is clearly evident throughout. Vocalist Tim Smith has a voice that reminds me of Tool's Maynard James Keenan, but the delivery is more strict in the thrash/hardcore/groove-metal genre. Their strongest talent is probably their ability to deliver heavy-yet-melodic, infectiouos riffs.

Here are my annotated, personal recommendations from No Peace Until Tomorrow:
-Darkside of Truth (a slow, grinding thrasher, lyrics with a bit of social criticism, good guitar solos)
-Otherside (More of a straight-up groove-metal number. Headbanging required!)
-Face Your Demons (Another heavy tune, built upon infectious riffs. Cuts to an elegant, melodic breakdown at about two & a half minutes in, with a great melodic guitar solo... perhaps my top pick!)
-New Soul/Just Wait (Another slow-grinder, also with breakdown segment and talented soloing.)
-Left in a Ditch (One of the faster tracks on the album. More great riffage!)
-No Peace Until Tomorrow (On the title track, you find more heavy riffs galore, yet the song retains a strong sense of melody, while still keeping it heavy.)

Check out these songs and more at Smash Corps' myspace page below!
http://www.myspace.com/smashcorps

KOPEK touring in the US, opening for HINDER!!!

Post #127
Hot new rockers, KOPEK, embark on first US tour in support of Hinder- ON TOUR NOW!!!

Hinder's current tour supporting their new album, All American Nightmare, is in progress now. They are hitting several major US cities throughout January & February. Special guests on this tour include Saving Abel, My Darkest Days, and KOPEK!!!

For tour dates, shows & venues, please check out any of the bands' websites:
Hinder: http://www.hindermusic.com/home/index.shtml
Saving Abel: http://www.savingabel.com/main.aspx
My Darkest Days: http://www.mydarkestdays.com/
KOPEK: http://www.kopekofficial.com/

DEADMANSWAKE, Judas Beast & Others this Friday!

Post #126
Catch another night of great local talent at the Clearwater Theater in West Dundee, IL!
This Friday, January 28th. Show starts 6:30pm.

Heavy Metal 107's myspace band of the year, DEADMANSWAKE will be opening for JUDAS BEAST, a Chicago-based tribute band covering metal classics from Iron Maiden & Judas Priest. Other local bands appearing include Centaurus & Eli.

See more information at the link below:

http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/event.php?eid=194111883937398

The Stone Foxes-Bears and Bulls

Post #125
I'm going to take a moment here for a little departure and review a band that is much more a blues-based rock band, The Stone Foxes. Though I love metal like no other music, I do retain an ecclectic range of music that I enjoy. I was raised on classic rock, and that genre (as well as several heavy metal artists) are often influenced by the blues. The Stone Foxes appeal to me through those roots of the blues...

The Stone Foxes are a new blues-rock band out of San Francisco, CA. Their second full-length album, Bears & Bulls, offers 12 tracks that illustrate their style and direction. The Stone Foxes comfortably blend rock music with blues, blue-grass, or a hint of country/folk rock in a fashion that remotely conjures comparisons to The Eagles in my mind. Overall I'd say that they stick much closer to strick blues that The Eagles, though.

This albums opens with the up-beat 'Stomp', which is an apt title, as you'll quickly tell if you give it a listen: a brisk drum-clap-drum-clap rhythym carries the tune (much like Queen's 'We Will Rock You', if you need a point of reference). The band comes in with a harmonized 'Whao-oh-o-oh..', and touches of a bluesy slide guitar complete the formula for this simple, yet addictive track.

The next song, 'Patience', kicks it up a bit, and the band jams this one out with some heavier electric guitar. I would almost compare their electric/amped songs to late-80's Aerosmith, if perhaps they had a stronger blues influence themselves. From here on out The Stone Foxes display numerous incarnations of twang-infused blues, mixed with good-old rock & roll. It is really a great musical formular that must be heard to be fully appreciated.

I have several tracks from Bears & Bulls that I would highly recommend. They are as follows:
-Stomp
-Patience
-I Killed Robert Johnson (a clever, narrative blues number, that both pays homage to the Blues Legend, while also telling a little tale that plays upon the Faustian legend connected with Robert Johnson himself.)
-Reno (this song is a bit of a ballad. The Stone Foxes show us what their softer side is like.)
-Little Red Rooster (This one is straight-up, 100% blues to the core. Much like Hendrix's 'Red House', or SRV's 'Pride and Joy', this song belts out an infections groove, that may not bring anything new to the blues, but harnesses the crux so well you can't help but sing along with it, much like those classics of yore had done before...)

Don't miss out on this great new blues-rock band! Check out their webpages today!
http://www.thestonefoxes.com/
http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/The-Stone-Foxes/121833977860695

Iron Maiden-The Final Frontier

Post #124
Iron Maiden, living legends of modern heavy metal, have recently released their 15th studio album, The Final Frontier. The last Iron Maiden album I reviewed, A Matter of Life and Death, I called the best Iron Maiden album ever. That's saying a lot for a band with such albums as The Number of the Beast, Piece of Mind, and Powerslave in their back-catalog. Do I dare to make such a bold claim again with The Final Frontier? Perhaps this time I'll digress, but not without being strongly tempted! This album continues to solidify the band's reputation for always being able to deliver a quality metal album with well-blended elements of classic, progressive and melodic metal.

If you have followed Maiden's recent works since Bruce Dickinson rejoined the band in 2000, then you may think you know what to expect. However, as The Final Frontier opens with the epic, sci-fi themed "Satellite 15... The Final Frontier", Iron Maiden immediately (and boldly!) go somewhere they've never been before, musically speaking. Drummer Nicko McBrain performs such a unique, intense, and thundrous cacophany of a drum intro the likes of which I've never heard in heavy metal. As this intro builds layer upon layer, as instruments join in, one by one, the listener is drawn in to the song with a truely gravitational force. About two-and-a-half minutes in, there's a bit of a lull during which Bruce's voice comes in and sets the lyrical context of the song, followed with the resumption of the drum-theme, but intensified two-fold. The song builds further like a wave about to break. Then, at the four-and-a-half minute mark, they shift gears for the title track, which rocks out like classic Iron Maiden!

Before you have a chance to catch your breath, the next track, "El Dorado", picks up where the first one left off, and raises the intensity even higher. The guitar riffs are a bit heavier, almost thrash-metal paced. Bruce's vocals soar with the kind of powerful delivery Iron Maiden's fans are used to. By this point you know you're in for an excellent listening experience, and your head should already be in motion!

By turns and twists, this album goes on to explore different facets of epic heavy metal. From intricate guitar solos to the always-masterful vocals of Bruce Dickinson; from the thundering drums to the driving bass riffs, this album has everything. Many songs are built upon melodic, lead-guitar passages, while others take root from Steve Harris' ingenious bass-lines. Thematically and lyrically, The Final Frontier focuses mostly on topics of fiction and fantasy, with the exception of the last number, "When the Wild Wind Blows", whose lyrics read like an indictment of today's current events & politics.

I shouldn't forget to mention that this album is available as a 'Mission-Edition', a version of the CD w/ special packaging (a windowed, tin CD case) that includes a code for special online content, music video, interview, and video game.

Check out this new masterpiece from Iron Maiden, and do not miss out on these recommended songs:
-Satellite 15... The Final Frontier
-El Dorado
-Mother of Mercy
-Coming Home (Bruce's lyrics on this one come straight from his perspective as a jet pilot)
-Starblind
-When The Wild Wind Blows

http://www.ironmaiden.com/index.php?categoryid=1

WILL ROCK FOR RESCUES (January 8 2011)

Post #123

DEADMANSWAKE performing for charity!

Post #122
ATTENTION!! This Saturday, January 8th, 2011, don't miss your chance to see DEADMANSWAKE as part of a benefit show at LIVE 59 MUSIC CLUB in Plainfield, IL. This event is benefiting the Will County Humane Society. Part of the $8.00 admission goes toward the Humane Society, but other donations of food and pet supplies are welcome.

The show begins at 7pm, with DEADMANSWAKE performing at 9:30pm.

Also appearing: Desolate Sky & Delightful Downfall

For more information visit one of the links below:

http://triblocal.com/plainfield/calendar/2011/01/08/will-rock-for-rescues-benefit-for-the-will-county-humane-society/

http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/event.php?eid=170262346329052

Help Losing Scarlet open for Buckcherry & Hellyeah!!

Post #121
Losing Scarlet (last year's Myspace.com poll-winner) are in an online Battle of the Bands contest on Rock108 radio in Iowa. The winner will get an opening slot on the JAGERMEISTER MUSICTOUR featuring Buckcherry, Hellyeah, ALL THAT REMAINS and others. The contest only runs until January 13th, so DO NOT DELAY!

I've seen Losing Scarlet perform live before, and they really rock the house! Please show your support for them again, and vote for LOSING SCARLET at the link below:

http://www.rock108.com/battleofthebands

You can only vote ONCE, but make it count, and share the link with your friends!

If you're not convinced, click the Losing Scarlet label at the end of the post, and listen to some of their music online.

Bruce Dickinson- Heavy Metal 107's 2nd President!!

Post #120 [Poll Winner: Heavy Metal Election 2010-Favorite Frontman]
Bruce Dickinson's Inauguration:
In a landslide reader's poll, Bruce Dickinson scored a decisive victory for president of this blog. This convincing result came in timely fashion, as Iron Maiden have recently enjoyed much acclaim for their newest album, The Final Frontier.

Whether this album title may indicate that Maiden are nearing the end of their career remains to be seen. However, for the next 2 years, Bruce will hold office here at happyheadbanger. In the meantime, keep enjoying Iron Maiden's music as well as Bruce's solo material.

Bruce Dickinson would like to thank every reader of happyheadbanger/Heavy Metal 107 who voted for him. Holding the office previously held by James Hetfield will be a welcomed challenge. May the metal music of Iron Maiden stand as my testament to the enduring quality of heavy metal! To use a lyric as my theme for this term as President, here's one from the song 'Born in '58'

"Justice and liberty. You can buy - but you don't get free."

DEADMANSWAKE-It Comes to This

Post #119 Poll Winner: Favorite Independent/Myspace band (2010).
As you may already know, DEADMANSWAKE are a local band in the Chicago/suburban area that are making a name for themselves in the last couple years. They've been around for a few years, as early as '03, then called Dead Issue. They've also gone by the name Encircled before finally changing their name to DEADMANSWAKE. A couple changes in personnel over the years have solidified the band's creative core: JP Soule & Josh Barker on guitars, Troll on bass, and lead vocalist Kryssie Ridolfi.

In the last couple years they've opened for the likes of Scar Symmetry, Eyes Set to Kill and A.D.D. as well as other female-fronted metal bands such as In This Moment and Epica. They were also featured in Chicago's Dame Nation and Dame Nation Redux shows (a multi-band concert that features female-fronted Chicago-area metal bands).

It Comes To This is the self-produced debut album from DEADMANSWAKE, the 2010 winner of this blog's myspace-bands reader's poll. After having a chance to hear this album in its entirety, let me say, WOW! This band delivers some great metal music! Their sound reflects strong influence from the classic NWOBHM and Thrash-metal scenes. Heavy riffs are the backbone of most of their songs, but they do change it up with plenty of melodic, clean-guitar passages here and there. Kryssie's bluesy voice keeps a melodic element at the forefront of the mix, delivered with great enthusiasm & emotion. Josh & JP trade back & forth on their guitar solos so smoothly you'd think they've been playing together for a decade. The drum & bass rhythm section keeps a heavy groove driving the music onward.

DEADMANSWAKE establish a trademark sound of melodic metal that's easy to sing along to, while still providing plenty of energy that lends itself well for emotional venting. This formula, combined with the immense talent that is aparent on this recording, leads me to say these guys will soon find themselves playing bigger & better shows if they stick with it.

The band already have plans in the works for an EP of cover tunes. I can't wait to hear what suprises they have lined up for that project. For now, I'm quite pleased with It Comes To This. I also plan on seeing a few of their live shows over the next couple years. I hope many of you will do the same. From now until next year's Myspace-band reader's poll, I intend to keep promoting DMW's shows through this blog. Watch for these upcoming shows right here at happyheadbanger!

For now, I'll leave you with my recommended tracks from It Comes To This:

-Amy (First track-a real fast-paced thrashy song. Always good to hear a band kick off their album with one of their best songs!)
-Back to Blood (Another thrasher. Love the lyrics. This song is quoted on the band's T-shirt, which you can buy directly from their website!)
-Far Be It From Me (Here is where DMW lighten up & show a little of their softer side. A great power-ballad of sorts.)
-Flowers (Stand Between Us) (Another good song with heavy sound and very catchy melodies. Lyrics use the line '...it comes to this', making it somewhat of a pseudo-title track)
-Why Didn't You Say So?
-Homeless (This one is an acoustic bonus track. Shows the band's versatility.)

Don't forget to visit the band's websites for streaming music, merchandise available for purchase, and upcoming shows!
http://deadmanswake.com/
http://www.myspace.com/deadmanswakechicago
http://www.facebook.com/DEADMANSWAKE

Catch DEADMANSWAKE Live in Milwaukee!

Post #118
This Sunday, November 28th, DEADMANSWAKE will be part of a huge show at The Rave in Milwaukee, WI.

DMW, along with other local rock bands, will help build up the intensity for a great night of heavy metal mayhem, headlined by Epica! Other bands on the bill include: Scar Symmetry, Blackguard, and The Agonist.

Show starts at 6pm!!! More details in the link below:
http://www.therave.com/concert_details.asp?id=4266

The New Czars-Doomsday Revolution (2010)

Post #117
The New Czars may be a new band, but they could be considered a supergroup in a sense. The members of this 3-piece band are actually veteran producers & songwriters who have produced music for an impressive variety of big-time artists: from the likes of Alice Cooper, Bruce Dickinson, & Puddle of Mudd, to Pink and Lita Ford.

With some other material they had composed independently, they decided to try their hand at being rock stars instead of just working for them. After whittling down their numerous compositions from more than 30 to 16, and reworking some tracks to incorporate more vocals, they ended up with Doomsday Revolution, an impressive debut hard-rock album.

The New Czars incorporate an ecclectic range of inspiration into a well-refined, almost methodical hard rock sound. Singer/guitarist Greg Hampton has a bit of a throw-back vocal style. On some tracks he sounds like he'd fit right in with some of the most popular late 80's pop-metal bands, while on others he brings a melodic post-grunge vibe. In every instance, though, they deliver the music so cohesively, you'd think they've been playing together for years.

Here are my top recommended tracks from Doomsday Revolution:

-Keep on Going (A great heavy track kicks of the album! I love the mantra: I'll keep on going... wonder what makes me tick?)

-Desperate

-Why Do U Have 2 Lie (One of the ballads. They show their versatility on tracks like this.)

-Brush with the Devil (Another heavy tune, perhaps my favorite of them all!)

-Abstract Prague (This one's instrumental, and almost reminds me of Soundgarden sometimes.)

-Doomsday Revolution (It's the title track, and another great, heavy-rock song.)

Check out some of these songs on their myspace webpage:

http://www.myspace.com/thenewczars

Judas Priest-Hell Bent For Leather

Post #116 Poll Winner: Favorite Judas Priest album from the 70's.
In the late 70's one of the most important movements in heavy metal developed: the New Wave of British Heavy Metal. One band that was quite instrumental in the development of this style of metal was Judas Priest. Starting as a heavy, blues-based rock band, in much the same was as Black Sabbath did, they took the style to a more technically advanced level.

With the combined talents of Glen Tipton & KK Downing trading guitar solos, along with Rob Halford's amazing vocal range, the heavy metal genre was given a new path down which to grow & develop. Over the course of a few years, multiple British bands took inspiration from Priest's sound and helped further expand this movement within heavy metal.

Hell Bent For Leather (titled Killing Machine in the UK), was released in 1979, and is now viewed as Priest's crowning achievement from that inspiring decade. By this time, Judas Priest had developed a versatile formula, composing songs that were often heavy and fast paced, but also featured some tunes that were more melodic or anthemic. These were elements they would perfect further in the coming 80's.

My top picks from this classic album:
-Delivering the Goods
-Hell Bent for Leather
-Burnin' Up
-The Green Manalishi (With the Two-Pronged Crown) [Originally a Fleetwood Mac song, Judas Priest perform it so well that many don't realize it's a cover]
-Running Wild
-Before the Dawn