Anticipating Music in 2013

As we get closer to summer, I figure to write down some bands that I'm looking forward to listening to.  Now most of them are local act.  I really don't want to focus on the more established act.  These are bands that are cutting their teeth and make a name for themselves.

KYNG

Glad to see these lads are working on their sophomore album.  "Trample Sun" was a amazing album and won a bunch of fans from across the nation.  I can only imagine that this album will be more rocking.  Being a fan of Kyng for so long, I know they will bring something new and that is what I'm anticipating the most.  With Tony Castaneda being 100% after his car accident, I'm sure they are going to give their fans another kick-arse hard rock album.

AKEM MANAH

Next month, Akem Manah will release their new album, "Demon of the Sabbat - Part 1".  After hearing "Reign in Terror" and "Worship in Fire", I know it's going to be a heavy album.  On this album, Dead Nedry is assisted by Chris Lollis (ex-Nile) on bass and Ivan de Prume (ex-White Zombie) on drums.  Also on the new album is Scott Von Heldt (Head) doing leads for two tracks.  And Adam Richardson of Ramesses, doing guest vocals on "Demon Rise"

E.N.V.Y

 Last I check, the boys from West Virginia are working on some new material.  They've already put out a new track called "The Problem".  And it's a killer track.  Don't know if the new release is going to be another e.p. or a full-length.  And they haven't set a date for a release.  Really looking forward to some new E.N.V.Y.

THE DEAL

The Deal features members of a band I fell in love with called El Death.  I was saddened to hear they no longer exist.  But I did hear that some members started a new band.  This band puts on a killer show.  So most likely their album will be just killer, too.  Can't wait to hear the finished product.

LIGHTS AND THE WINDOWS

It's great to see that my pal, Devin Stannard, has found a stable line-up.  Before, I knew them as A City Alive; a great instrumental band who's intensity reminded me of Pelican.  With Lights and the Windows, there is more layers now with a vocalist who plays keyboard and guitar.  Not sure when they're going to put out a demo or ep/full-length, but it's something I'm looking forward to hearing.

HELLBEARD

"Scarecrow" was a bad-arse album.  I can only guess that their follow-up will just as crushing.  Of course  awhile back, their guitarist was in a bad accident and hand to heal is arm.  Also there were other personal issue that some of the band members had to take care of.  Now as everything is sorted out, Hellbeard are back on stage and destroying the Bay Area.  So far, the only new material I've heard is "Black Snail".  Hopefully by the end of the year, they'll get back in the studio and record something.

HEAD TRANSFER PROCESS

With Chixxie Dixx being on hiatus soon, I hope to hear something new from Head Transfer Process.  It's been awhile since I've heard anything from them.  Not sure how busy some of the members are, but I hope they get back together to work on some new tunes.

STEAL ANOTHER DAY

Steal Another Day is a new band started by Casey Burke (ex-E.N.V.Y)  From the teaser, Steal Another Day sound like a straight-forward hard rock band.  Very different from E.N.V.Y.  I like what Casey is going with this and would like to hear more from Steal Another Day.  

Like these bands on facebook for more info on upcoming shows and releases;

https://www.facebook.com/KyngRocks

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Akem-Manah/355303345364?fref=ts

https://www.facebook.com/envywv

https://www.facebook.com/thedealrocknroll

https://www.facebook.com/hellbeardband

https://www.facebook.com/Lightsandthewindows

https://www.facebook.com/HeadTransferProcess

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Steal-Another-Day/570536312965699?fref=ts

Ghost- "Infestissumam" (2013)

It was about a few years ago that Ghost took the underground rock world by storm.  Was praised by Darkthrone's skin man, Fenriz.  Later a lot of major acts started to take notice (Phil Anselmo, James Hetfield, etc).  They were signed by Lee Dorian's label, Rise Above.  And Metal Blade made sure their debut album, "Opus Eponymous", got a decent distribution here in the US.  And of course there was the mad love they were getting from Decibel magazine ( who had them on the cover, twice).  

Last year, it was reported that Ghost got signed to Republic Records for a lot of cash.  Fans were now wondering if Ghost will outdo Opus.  And people who weren't familiar with them, were wondering if they were worth the hype.  Despite the over-the-top Satanic image, Ghost can really write some really catchy tunes.

As soon as I put in the cd, I knew I was going to enjoy this album once I heard the opening track.  One thing I notice was that the production didn't have that old school sound like the first album.  But it still had that Ghost feel.  "Secular Haze" is a way better song than "Ritual".  And "Year Zero is now my favorite Ghost track (before that, it was "Satan's Prayer").  And of course the chorus for "Monstrous Clock" was a great way to end the album.  Of course if you have the deluxe version, you also get two bonus songs (which includes a ABBA songs).   The lyrics still have a Satanic theme, but there are more church/Hammond organ than in the first one.

If you're a fan of Mercyful Fate and Blue Oyster Cult, you will dig this.  Most metal fans will be put off because they aren't a death metal/black metal band.  But if you can get pass their image, you will really like this band.  And I do have to admit, their image does bring something to their live shows.  "Infestissumam" totally gets "5 Hitlers punched in the face".  Come together, together as one.  Come together, for Lucifer's Son.

Django Unchained (2012)

 So Tarantino finally does a spaghetti western.  But with a touch of soul.  I'm aware that a lot of people on the internet complain that Tarantino is unoriginal or overrated.  In my opinion, Quentin makes some decent flicks.  And I like listening to the dialogues between his characters.

I'm also aware that Django Unchained got a lot of heat for the over-use of the "N" word.  Luckily, lead actor, Jamie Foxx came to Quentin's rescue.  I do have to say that most of the characters who use the "N" word are very hateful characters.  And they do get what they deserve.

So the movie is about Django, a slave during the 1800's.  He is rescued by Dr. King Schultz, a bounty hunter  disguised as a dentist.  Schultz takes Django in as his assistant and they ride around killing white folks who are slave traders, collect their bounty and then sell the bodies to doctors.  While going around and killing, Schultz is also trying to help Django look for his wife, who was sold by their previous owner.  Dr. Schultz finds out that a plantation owner by the name of Calvin Candie, owns a slave that speaks German.  They visit Candie and offer him to buy one of his slaves.  When Candie's house slave, Stephen finds out the real reason why Dr. Schultz and Django are there, he tell's Candie and everything turns to a bloody mess.

I have to say that Tarantino has really made up for Death Proof (which was one of his weakest films).  Christoph Waltz is just lovable.  Bette than his "Jew Hunter" character in "Inglorious Basterds".  Jamie Foxx is a bad arse.  And Leonardo DiCaprio did an amazing job as Calvin Candie.  And even though it was a small role (but effective), Samuel L. Jackson was fun to watch, too.

If you're familiar with Quentin Tarantino's films and enjoy his dialogues and violence, then you will love Django Unchained.  The soundtrack was also great.  I have to say that Tarantino has some good taste in music.  And just because a movie says the "N" word like a hundred times, it doesn't mean the movie is racist.

Code 415 Podcast Episode #4

Today's is a Wrestling Theme episode.  So most of the music are intro music from some of your favorite wrestlers.  So while you wait for Wrestlemania 29 to begin, kick back and listen to music from CM Punk, Chris Jericho, and Daniel Bryan's old theme song from ROH.  Enjoy the podcast.

Bajo La Sal (2008)

I really need to start checking out some thrillers from Mexico.  Especially the newer one.  Yesterday I checked out a movie called "Bajo La Sal" (Under the Salt) on Netflix.  This was directed by Mario Munoz and was released by Warner Bros. Mexico.  I have to say, it did not disappoint.

A body is found at a salt mine, which the police have linked it to one of four girls who have been missing at the town of Santa Rosa de la Sal.  Jefe Salazar brings in Comandante Truijillo to help him out with the investigation.  We also meet Victor.  A troubled youth that works at his father's mortuary.  He also creates stop-motion slasher films, which looks really cool.  After the death of his mother, Victor has been having problems at school and his father, who is also dealing with the death of his wife (Victor's mom).  While returning from school, he meets Truijillo and Salazar at the mortuary, who brought the corpse to see if they can find the identity.  Truijillo finds a tattoo, which the police might think it's someone who works at the town's brothel.  Later the body was identified by the girl's boss/pimp.  It seems that Victor is familiar with the girl as he becomes interested in the investigation.  There's also another person who is familiar with the dead girl, named Isabel, who Victor takes a fancy in.  Meanwhile, Truijillo and Salazar go to the home of the dead girl to find some clues.  Truijillo finds a book from the school library and a note.  Since then, Truijillo finds out that there is a link between the town's school and the missing girls.  The problem is that he's having trouble since the old school records were burnt during a fire.  After that, the suspense starts to get bigger as we find out the school's backstory and the interaction between Victor and Isabel.  Also when the killer is reveled 

"Bajo La Sal" is very well made with some good production, great acting, and a awesome soundtrack.  This is probably the best film to come out of Mexico.  If you're interested in watching a foreign thriller, totally check out "Bajo La Sal".  It should be streaming on Netflix.

Antibodies (2005)

I have to admit, when I read about this on Rue Morgue, it almost sound just like "Silence of the Lamb".  But being a fan of psycho-thrillers, I had to check it out.  And I have to say, it's better than I expected.

The movie is about a small town cop name Michael Martens, who lives in the country side of Germany.  The town folks caught news that police have caught killer who had murdered a little girl in their town.  So Michael is sent to the big city to interrogate serial killer Gabriel Engel, who had admitted to killing 12 boys.

Gabriel Engel is one sick individual.  Most of his victims are 13 yr old boys.  He paints portraits with his victims blood.  And in one scene, he gets turned on when talking about his killings.  He also plays mind games, which upsets the police department.

When Michael and Gabriel meet, Gabriel sets some rules for Michael if he expects him to get a answer.  Gabriel wants to know every detail about Michael's personal life.  But Michael refuses to play his game.  He asks Engel if he killed the little girl, but Engel denies it.  Gabriel then tries to give Michael some clues of who murderer was.

Back home, Michael dealing with some problems with his marriage and his son, who happens to be showing signs of a serial killer.  Michael is also haunted of the memories of when he found the dead body.  He's hoping to find some closure when he knows the killer has been captured.  He goes into Gabriel's apartment and found the underwear that belonged to the dead girl.  While the lab was looking for semen samples, Michael becomes shocked when he finds out about the result.

I really have to say that the ending was really heart-bumping.  A great performance by Andre Hennicke.  And the script by director Christian Alvert was greet, too.  Totally recommended if you're a fan of psycho-thrillers.  Believe me, this will have you glued to the screen.

Destitute- "Left For Dead" (2010)

As years go by, I'm starting to really appreciate the Portland, OR music scene.  I've been a huge fan of bands like Agalloch, The Decemberist, and Trees.  And you can add Foxcore/punk band, destitute to that list.

For a while, their debut ep, "Left For Dead", has been playing in my car's CD player.  I'm a huge fan of their Riot Grrl influence.  Also love the raw/lo-fi production.  It gives this ep some attitude.  The first three tracks ("I Don't Want To Play With You Anymore" "Junkie For Jesus", and "Absence") are great.  "Moral Decay" sounds like a good track, too.  But the mix is a bit low.  If they do a full-length, hopefully they'll turn it up a notch.

If you're a fan of the Riot Grrl scene during the 90's, you will totally love destitute.  It's loud and kick arse.  Just the way a bloke like myself loves it.  Really looking forward to their next release.  But I may have to wait awhile since they are in hiatus.  Last time I checked, they got a new drummer.  But until then, "Left For Dead" will be in repeat rotation in my car.  Destitute gets "5 Hitlers Punched in the Face"

Like and buy some destitute merch.

Fb Page: https://www.facebook.com/destituteband

Website: http://unrepentantrecords.com/destitute.html