Peace Was Never An Option (2013)

Hey fuckers,

I've been away for a while. Started a new 10-hours-a-day job and I've found myself with precious little time on my hands lately.

Wa wa wa... Go cry about it somewhere else, right? Right.

Let's get to it, I've got a real treat for you today.

Let me keep this short and sweet. MMD play technical Death/Grind in the vein of Misery Index, with the balls-out aggressiveness of The Red Chord, and the experimental side of Cephalic Carnage. If any of those names mean anything to you, you already know what this is gonna sound like: Fucking awesome.

There's not much to to say, this record slays from beginning to end. Killer riffs, the right amount of melody, Napalm Death influenced vocals, and amazing song writing.  Unpredictable and uncompromising, this album manages to be brawny AND brainy at the same time.

What are you wating for? Grind your head off.

Absence Makes The Hate Grow Stronger

Old (2013)

Another one for New-Music-Monday...

Danny Brown.....THIS fuckin guy, holy shit. I actually have not heard his previous proper album, "XXX", but I sure as hell will be getting it now. I'd only actually ever heard Danny Brown's random verses on other rappers' albums, up to this point, most notable, on a handful of Mr. Muthafuckin eXXquire, Action Bronson and A$AP Rocky songs. I always loved his random tid-bits, particularly because of his distinguishable flow and cadence, in addition to the fact that he is downright hilarious and sounds like he could be a supervillain from the Batman television show in the 60s. 

I guess I was slightly reluctant to listen to a Danny Brown solo record at the fear of it being overkill or even monotonous to hear his particular "flavor" for an entire 45 minute-long duration. I was wrong! He even gets slightly laid back on certain tracks. Obviously still completely wild on others though. Daniel collaborates with awesome musicans and fellow rappers, including Purity Ring and A$AP and just delivers a solid album from start to finish. This dude is hilarious and awesome. If you're looking for some super thought-provoking hip-hop album, this isn't the one, get Immortal Technique - Revolutionary Pt. 1, if that's what you're looking for. If you're in search of a new, original sounding, fun rap maniac, though, check out this crazy guy.

 

Ramen noodles for dinner.

New Worlds of Fear (2013)

Following the Halloween theme of the month, and also my wanting to post a semi-new record, here's the newest effort from Boston's reigning AFI/Ignite worshippers, Energy. I was under the ignorant assumption that this band had been defunct since after 2007's Invasions of the Mind, as I'd not seen much talk of anymore touring after I saw them and played with them a handful of times during 2006/7. Being that I think they pull off the whole melodic & fast punk with soprano/alto vocals thing better than anyone I've heard since their predecessors, I was slightly annoyed at the prediction they'd never release anything again. 

Not only was I wrong, but they released this incredibly bright and upbeat EP (while still maintaining their 'horror' themed sensibility) alongside an EP of covers, which they included one of in the recording and tracklisting of the New Levels of Fear EP, an awesome and accurately respectable rendition of The Ramones iconic "Pet Sematary" from the movie of the same name, where Tank's vocal range is an entire octave higher than that of Joey Ramone's recognizable vocals, adding a nice spin to the already infectious tune. 

As for the original material on the EP, Energy have easily matured to some of my favorite punk songwriters. They don't resort to any copouts as far as their music goes. Awesome craftsmanship in the riffs, smooth transitions, polished playing, insanely catchy vocal rhythms and hooks...If you are a fan of Black Sails/Art of Drowning-era AFI, Ignite, and the Misfits, scoop this up and try to catch them live, if you ever get the chance.

                           

 If we could only see