Walking With Strangers - Buried, Dead & Done [2010]

Genre: Melodic Metalcore
Label: Snapping Fingers Snapping Necks
URL: http://www.myspace.com/walkingwithmusic
Country: Trolhättan, Sweden

First hearing from these guys on the swedish-band compilation Burn All The Small Towns, they stood out over even big acts such as Adept, Herbrightskies and Chemical Vocation. Even then, I knew this band had some serious potentional. I was on the lookout for any releases they had done, and I found Turning Point, their first EP. Even though Turning Point was incredible, I have to say Buried, Dead & Done is a whole lot better.
They have improved in every aspect since their first EP, and I never thought I would see a swedish band in this genre that could even sound as awesome as Walking With Strangers do.
It seems as though they are not afraid of getting in touch with their melodic side either! Some songs are pretty melodic a la Parkway Drive, with the characteristic melodic, yet heavy, riffs, breakdowns and sweeps. Big plus!
Alright, time for some negative stuff. I read the lyrics of The Provider... .. Well, all I can say is that I'm NOT a fan of people bragging about their alcohol experiences. I just don't see the point. Good thing I'm not adept at hearing what people scream through the speakers (so it won't bug me anymore), so I'm just gonna blow past it and enjoy the song which is awesome in every other way.
That's it. Nothing else to complain about.
Another huge plus is that, apart from MANY other bands, WWS manage to make every song have their own sound. Instead of albums sounding like one entire song, it gives it depth and variation. This is very important, atleast to me, that the band care enough and have significant capabilities to make every song unique. This only proves how talented they actually are.

All in all, this is one of the mightiest EP's out there at the moment. I only feel lucky I live in Sweden and actually have a chance to see them live at the time being, before they tour the world - because it's only a matter of time.

Best track: Buried, Dead & Done
Score: 9/10

Place Your Bet$ - Demo [2010]

Genre: Electronic/Metalcore
Label: Unsigned
URL: http://www.myspace.com/pybuk
Country: UK

One-man band Place Your Bet$ may have a questionable name, but it's pretty goddamn awesome music he's creating. Mr. Jenkin, bassist of This City Is Burning, does all vocals, guitars, bass, keys and programming by himself. And I gotta say, even though he "just got discovered" he's already rising above most other bands in the genre. A sweet blend of crushing breakdowns, deep growls, clean singing (although pretty much autotuning, which is a minus) and Nintendo- and techno-influenced samples makes it not only innovative, but better than many other bands who try to combine the above. Even though he's only one person, it sounds better than a lot of other bands that have a full crew.
This is worth checking out, and I'm looking forward to hearing a lot more from Place Your Bet$.

Best track: I Am Stronger
Score: 8/10

Of Machines - As If Everything Was Held In Place [2009]

Genre: Post-Hardcore/Electronic/Progressive
Label: Rise Records
URL: http://www.myspace.com/ofmachinestheband
Country: Georgia, USA

After hearing a lot of talk about Of Machines sounding a lot like Oceana... After last.fm decided to put them on my Recommended list... I can't just let them slip by. I had to check them out.
Shortly after signing to Rise Records in late '08, they released their debut album in March '09, named As If Everything Was Held In Place. With modest electronic influences and ambient approach, Of Machines develop a pretty characteristic sound. Music-wise, it seems pretty Oceana-influenced, with a touch of I See Stars' post-hardcore/pop punkish sound. And I just gotta say, when the clean vocals rise to almost scream-high key, it sounds goddamn amazing. The screaming itself is pretty damn decent too.
There's not much that Of Machines need to improve. Awesome vocals, musically incredible, and genre-merging. They use pretty obvious references though, in both good and bad ways.

Best track: Things Too Visible To See
Score: 8,5/10

Dana Walker - A Ghost Among Us [2009]

Genre: Metalcore/Progressive
Label: Unsigned(!)
URL: http://www.myspace.com/danawalkerband
Country: Kilmarnock, Scotland

Scottish quintet Dana Walker's recently released eight-track A Ghost Among Us is exactly what the music business needs. As themselves state, they are not driven by following trends, which can surely be heard. Dana Walker delivers metalcore at it's finest, and leave you unable to associate them with anything else - they have their own true sound. Ranging from sometimes-out-of-key clean vocals to deep growling, aswell as smooth interludes and heavy melodies to match. You'll also find a one-and-a-half-minute beautiful piano intermission half way in.
A Ghost Among Us is a new and fresh metalcore album that stand listening over and over again.
Dana Walker was recently seen touring with post-hardcore giants Confide, aswell as up-and-coming Bury Tomorrow. It won't be long until they're as big!

Best track: We Die Alone
Score: 8,5/10

The Subtle Way - Thus Far, The Channels Speak [2009]

Genre: Metalcore/Electronic
Label: Negative Progression
URL: http://www.myspace.com/thesubtleway
Country: California, USA

Fourth-in-line from Californian The Subtle Way, and they've taken a big step into the generic metalcore/post-hardcore scene. Now with even more auto tune!
There's no denying it, it is catchy. But nothing really catches your attention, and I can only hear their thoughts on writing this album: "Hm, not crowd-friendly enough. Let's add some electronics. And let's rip off some other generic metalcore bands, that way we'll get a lot of listeners!".
Songs like The Breath And The Breathing and The Getaway is what makes me want to turn it off and listen to something else. Extreme use of unnecessary auto tuning that makes it sound as if a computer is singing is not enjoyable. Having it on in the background whilst doing something else and not entirely focusing on what you're actually listening to makes it a nice album. Otherwise, no no.
However, if you enjoy that kind of music and autotuning doesn't bother you then you'd probably think The Subtle Way's newest is pretty awesome. I, on the other hand, am pretty sick of it.

Best track: Clockwork
Score: 5/10

Greezminh - Formaldehyde [2009]

Genre: Electronic/Instrumental/Cybergrind
Label: Unsigned
URL: http://www.myspace.com/greezminh
Country: Toulouse, France
Note: Band request

First of all, I'm not quite sure what Greezminh means (if it actually means anything), but I feel a little repulsed by the name. It doesn't appeal me in any way or form, and if I was only to use the name as a base, I wouldn't give it a try.
Having a total of 5 self-released albums, I'd say Greezminh has it's stack of fans (not only judging by the half naked girls posing with various bodyparts signed GREEZMINH on his myspace page).

As me and my friend are planning on starting our own cybergrind band, I have some hopes that maybe Greezminh will give us some inspiration, and perhaps a good listen. Musically, it's pretty calm and synthish, which is both a plus and a minus. Not a big fan of synth in it's purest form, but some calm cybergrind isn't what you come across very often. Although a very thin line to cross into Cybergrind, there are some elements, like blastbeats and double bass pedals.
What this one-man band is missing is some vocals. Not sure if Lowi is capable doing them himself, but I think it'd be a good addition. However, some instrumental bands are better off without vocals. But maybe he should venture a try.

On a side note, I have to say that almost all songs sound pretty much the same. Pretty monotone, nothing that stands out, it's just the same noises over and over again, which gets pretty boring after a while.

What to think about: Maybe add some vocals, atleast on one song to see how it works. Second, create something that stands out in the songs. Don't make it sound like one neverending song. And maybe decide on a specific genre to lean more to. If you want to be a Cybergrind band, then add guitars and more drums a la wecamewithbrokenteeth. If you want to be a synth band, then... do that. It's a pretty weird combination right now that doesn't quite add up.

Best track: Ex Nihilis
Score: 4/10

The Devil Wears Prada/Your Demise/Jesaiah Live @ Klubben, Stockholm

After arriving rather late, I found out Jesaiah had already begun playing.
Not really fond of their sound, I thought their performance was pretty mediocre. Not was it only I who seemed to think like this, since the whole crowd was basically standing still, with maybe someone bobbing their head. I was expecting a little more from such a known band here in Sweden.
When it was time for Your Demise to enter the stage, the whole crowd went wild. This is what many was waiting for, and they put up quite a show. The vocalist was wearing a flanell shirt, and I though "How the hell can he wear one of those while performing? It oughtta be friggin hot". Turns out it was, and he took it off after the first song, heh.
As I mentioned, Your Demise was pretty darn good live performers. However, having listened to their latest album not too much, I hardly recognized the songs. But it was good nonetheless, although seemed very short.
Headlining The Devil Wears Prada made a good live performance, but the acting leaves A LOT to wish for. First of all, Mike made some extremely ugly faces through his screams. And I mean - UGLY. I could've survived without watching that. Second, James, Mr. Keyboardist, tried a little too much reaching for the crowd. He constantly climbed his keys and pointed out at people in the crowd thinking they adore only him. It was kind of awkward, and he only looked stupid. Third. Sweden isn't a christian country, thus you keep your preaching on-stage to yourself. Seriously. Other than that, they performed very well and they really kept the crowd going. They didn't play as many of the songs I would've loved to hear, but they played just enough.
Overall, pretty solid live show, though left some to wish for. It seemed very short, and I think I would've liked the show a lot more if I wasn't a wuss standing on the side taking pictures and being annoyed by small things the bands did.






(Also, Mike did some devil horns. Isn't that pretty weird for christians to do? Just saying.)

Bury Tomorrow - Portraits [2009]

Genre: Melodic Metalcore
Label: Basick Records
URL: http://www.myspace.com/burytomorrowband
Country: Southampton/Portsmouth, UK

Up and coming UK act Bury Tomorrow have gained a lot of renown lately. Reviews at Kerrang!, posted in Best New Music-section in Rock Sound and, of course, the awesome blog And then i heard it., helped BT come into the scene.
Bury Tomorrow is a very melodic kind of metalcore with symphonic clean vocals and heavy, deep screams. As BT themself claim, many bands dare not put too much melody in their music, especially vocal-wise, but Bury Tomorrow take no risks. While keeping it brutal, they embrace their melodic side aswell.
Portraits is a solid metalcore album, which stands a lot of listens. Don't wear it out though, because the possibility of it becomes a minus.


Best track: Confessions
Score: 8,5/10

Gwen Stacy - A Dialogue [2009]

Genre: Metalcore/Christian
Label: Solid State Records
URL: http://www.myspace.com/gwenstacy
Country: Indiana, USA

Christian metalcore act Gwen Stacy's second full lenght came as a complete surprise to me. I had no idea they were making new material, and out of the blue dropped a new album. Reading 'Gwen Stacy' and '2009' didn't even catch my attention because I was certain it was something old by some reason.
A Dialogue starts with a very melodic piece, The First Words, which has a pretty fitting title for a starter track, don't you think? It has it's melodic parts, but still they don't stray too far from their heavy sound. What starts with clean singing and catchy melody turns into a brick to the face. This is the general rule with Gwen Stacy and their A Dialogue. Very melodic, yet heavy breakdowns and powerful vocals.
When hearing this album it really makes me wonder why I hesitated and decided not to go when they came to play in Sweden. I've heard them before, I liked what I heard, so why I didn't go troubles me. If you get a chance to see them, don't let the moment pass. I know I won't.

Side note: Don't be scared by the christian tag. A lot of people frown upon christian bands, but try to be a little open minded. You will most likely not be disappointed.

Best track: A Dialogue
Score: 7/10

The Arusha Accord - The Echo Verses [2009]

Genre: Technical Metalcore
Label: A Wolf At Your Door Records
URL: http://www.myspace.com/thearushaaccorduk
Country: Reading, UK

First full length release after a split and an EP, UK metalcore act The Arusha Accord strengthens the bond between TAA and fellow countrymen Architects even more.
At 0:01 in the opening track Dead To Me the word 'Architects' appear in my mind. Pretty similar riffs, same technical metalcore style, similar vocals. One thing different though is the dual-vocal approach, which should always expect a warm welcome. This is however nothing new, but something to be noted. As I've not seen this band live (or any other band that has two main vocalists for that matter) it oughta be pretty awesome.
Even though similar to other bands in the same genre, it has a pretty unique sound to it. The two vocalists each have their own "area", one of them have pretty high screams, while the other do the lows, and both do awesome clean vocals.

I'm a little disappointed though as most songs sound pretty the much the same. There are no "weird" intermissions, nothing that stands out. A pretty darn decent album though, and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to anyone.


Best track: Dead To Me
Score: 7/10

Across The Sun - Pestilence & Rapture [2009]

Genre: Symphonic Metalcore/Progressive
Label: Authentik
URL: http://www.myspace.com/acrossthesun
Country: Oregon, USA

What caught my attention on this album is the beautiful cover artwork. I really like it when bands put some effort in creating a good looking cover for their album, and that's why I decided to go for it.
I have to admit, the first listen wasn't very pleasing. As I heard the somewhat out-of-genre clean vocals in the first song May Silence Keep You, I thought "what the hell is this?". It didn't fit in the sound of the band at all.
Then comes the most catchy and awesome song for a long time. The Ardent Optimist. I have to say that the clean vocals really DO sound amazing, and that this song made me realize how unique and awesome his voice actually is. Heavy riffs and growling in the verse parts, soothing and enthralling through the chorus.

Something I don't get is that they only have around 13,000 plays on last.fm, and ~as many on their Myspace. Having released three albums in total should yield a little more listens than that. Nevertheless, these numbers will shoot through the sky, I'm pretty darn sure of it.

Best track: The Ardent Optimist
Score: 9/10

How Things Proceed - Live at Kafé 44, Stockholm (Last show)

Genre - Metalcore/Progressive/Experimental
Label: Unsigned - broken up
URL - http://www.myspace.com/howthingsproceed
Country - Stockholm, Sweden
Note: Last show


Really sad to see these guys breaking up when they're on top. After a pretty big lineup change they've changed their sound, going from pretty melodic and regular metalcore to a more chaotic and even more progressive and experimental version. The reason they're breaking up is because the vocalist and the guitarrist don't have time to be in a band anymore, and the remaining two members feel like they can't find any members dedicated enough to steer it all up.

To the show itself. As usual when you see HTP play, you want more. More more more. 4 songs isn't enough, and you feel like you could keep listening to it for many hours without stop, where the only time to you have to leave is because your ears are bleeding.
I don't know what else to say. I'm really sad they decided to break up and I hope they'll come back some time!

Until then, feel free to check out the guitarrist Oscars other band, Played Out!.