Blessthefall Releases Music Video For The Reign

This week Blessthefall released a music video for "The Reign" off their 3rd full length album Awakening and if you ask me this video perfectly captures the energy and intensity of one of their live shows. As I said before, Blessthefall is one of the best bands to see live. Their shows are packed full of energy, brutal pits and crazy moments. One of the craziest moments I can remember from a Blessthefall show is that at one of their shows, vocalist Beau Bokan climbed up to one of the balconies in the venue and did a front flip into the crowd. Jumping off the highest part of the stage into the crowd is something that Bokan is known for and is a reason why their shows are so crazy. The video for "The Reign" has moments like Bokan diving into the crowd, some moshing and even a line of fan girls running on stage to kiss guitarist Elliot Gruenberg. I can't stress this enough but Blessthefall is one of those bands that I fell everyone should see live before they die because they are that incredible live and you always leave their shows knowing you had a good time and that is what going to shows is all about.  So if your going to Warped Tour this year then be sure to catch Blessthefall's set or you will miss out on one of the best live bands and a great time.

Scream It Like You Mean It 2012 And Lineup Confirmed

If  fans thought last years Scream It Like You Mean It was good, then just wait to you see what Scream It Like You Mean It has in stores for 2012. Last years show was like an ordinary tour and had about 5-6 bands on it. The show was headlined by Chiodos and Breathe Carolina and had I See Stars as one of the support bands. I'm not going to lie all the bands put on a great show last year and I felt that SILYMI 2012 would have a hard time topping last years show. For 2012, SILYMI was completely revamped. This year the show features 18 bands and is to be formatted like a festival probably like Warped Tour or The All Stars Tour. Let me tell you this I am completely stoked for this show based on the lineup. The two main headliners are Attack Attack! and We Came As Romans which are to incredible bands to see live ( last year at Warped Tour Attack Attack! almost caused a riot during their set when they shot AA! dollars into the crowd. The AA! dollars could be used to get free merch from their merch tent and caused a lot of fighting). To make the lineup even more insane, Woe Is Me, In Fear And Faith, Secrets, Abandon All Ships, For All Those Sleeping and Like Moths To Flames were announced as part of the tour. This lineup is one of the heaviest lineups and is going to be one hell of a show if you ask me. One new band that is on the tour that I'm curious to see is Glass Cloud. Glass Cloud is the new band of ex-Of Mice & Men vocalist Jerry Roush and based on the two songs they released so far sounds pretty sick. I know they're going to be incredible live because when I saw OM&M live with Jerry as vocalist, the show was crazy. One thing I like better about Roush then current OM&M vocalist Austin Carlile is that Roush has more energy on stage. Roush is spazzing out on stage and it makes the set that more enjoyable. For more information on Scream It Like You Mean It 2012 like the complete lineup click here. As of right now dates and tickets are not available but when they are I'll be sure to post them here. With three killer summer shows, this is going to one unforgettable and brutal summer!  Check out For All Those Sleeping's music video for "I'm not dead yet" below.

Matt's Warped Tour Survival Guide

Since its getting warmer out and summer is almost upon us, that means it's almost time for the start of the Vans Warped Tour, which is my favorite thing about summer! As someone who has been attending Warped Tour every year since 2006, I decided that I should help those who are new to Warped so that they can make the most of their day.
1) Dress accordingly- I'm not going to lie as funny as it is to watch that guy dressed in a teletubbies costume mosh with a guy in a gorilla suit, on hot days it's not the smartest idea to be one of those guys. Its best to wear light comfortable clothes so you don't pass out from the heat.
2)Bring bottled water and a small backpack- Since its the middle of summer, it can and will get really hot out so you're going to want to stay hydrated. I would recommend bringing a small backpack filled with bottled water to the venue since water can be expensive at the venue.
3) Bring sunscreen and apply it regularly- Bringing sunscreen is a necessity since you're out in the sun all day, you will get burned pretty easily out there. I learned this lesson the hard way at my first Warped Tour and came back with massive sunburns. It's also important to apply it regularly to prevent sunburns. Last year I got lazy and as a result came home with wicked sunburns on my arms and shoulders.
4) Get to the venue early- I highly recommend that you get to the venue early so that you do not have to wait on that long line to get in. Most venues open around 10:30 or 11, so get there early. If you end up having to wait in the long line because you got there late, there is always the possibility that you could miss your favorite band's set.
5)Check out at least one band you never heard before- While many people are there to see the bands that they like, it is highly recommended that you check out a band that you never heard of before. This is a great opportunity to check out new music and you never know you might find one of your new favorite bands. This is how i discovered the electro-rock band Breathe Carolina and I've been a fan since.
6)Check the merch tents for signings-  One of the best thing about Warped Tour is that basically all the bands have signings for the fans. By taking advantage of this you have the opportunity to meet some of your favorite bands. Last year I met former Woe Is Me members Michael Bohn and Ben Ferris who were just chilling at their merch tent and they have to be the nicest and most down to earth musicians that I met.
7)Look out for crowd surfers- One thing about Warped is that there are crowd surfers everywhere in the crowd. If your not paying attention, someone can get hurt. You don't want to let the surfer fall or you don't want to get dropkicked in the face by one (like i was two years ago).
8)Don't go into the pits if your not comfortable- Take it from me, the pits can get wild. You have people moshing and going crazy and if you don't know what your doing in one you can get hurt. I've seen people get knocked out, start to bleed and even hit girls ( not everyone hits girls, but there can be that crazy guy who doesn't care who he hits) in mosh pits. So if you do not feel comfortable going in, then I wouldn't recommend going in. Also do not bring a camera or a phone in the pits as they will get broken.
9) Have fun- The most obvious piece of advice is to just have fun and enjoy yourself and all the awesome music.
For more information on Warped Tour including the lineup and where to buy tickets click here. I'll see anyone coming to the July 21st date at Nassau Colosseum in the pits.

Up And Coming Bands: Make Me Famous

There are a lot of new bands hitting the scene each year and I personally feel that one of the hottest new bands on the scene right now is Make Me Famous. Hailing from Ukraine, Make Me Famous was able to make an impact in the United States thanks to sites like Youtube and Facebook. The band started when Vocalist/guitarist Denis Shaforostov decided to post videos of him singing to Youtube and gained a fanbase from those videos. Using the fame that he got from Youtube, Shaforostov decided it was time to form a band and that's how Make Me Famous was formed. The band then used Facebook to gain a lot of attention and become one of the quickest rising unsigned bands since Woe Is Me. Make Me Famous have not been touring for a long time, and I have had the pleasure of seeing them twice already. The first time I saw them was on their first tour ever with I See Stars back in January and I just recently saw them this past Friday when they came to New York City with A Skylit Drive. I was impressed with these guys the very first time I saw them back in January and I could tell how passionately they wanted to make a name for themselves just by watching their performance. Another reason why I feel that Make Me Famous is going to make it in this music scene is because of their sound. Make Me Famous combines elements of hardcore, metal and electronic to create a sound that is unique and nowhere near generic ( I'm not going to lie a lot of bands in the heavy genres sound alike, but Make Me Famous is able to stand out). For more information on Make Me Famous click here. Also if you're heading out to the Bamboozle music festival this year, then you should check out Make Me Famous who were just recently added for Saturday May 18th. 

Band Of The Week: Mayday Parade

This weeks honor of being band of the week goes to pop rock band Mayday Parade from Tallahassee Florida. I'm not going to lie, Mayday Parade is the softest band that I chose for band of the week but that does not take away from how awesome they are. Mayday Parade is one of those bands that has songs that will make you want to sing along (especially while driving, I'm not going to lie I'm guilty of this). Songs like "Jamie All Over", "Oh Well, Oh Well" and "Jersey" are perfect examples of feel good pop rock anthems that are to be blasted and sung along to. There is something about vocalist Derek Sanders voice that makes listeners want to keep listening especially female fans. When I saw them at Warped Tour back in 2010, some crazy fangirl was screaming crazy fangirl things to Derek that included wanting to have his babies, her address and when her parents would be away (yeah I know pretty creepy right). Eventhough some fans prefer their earlier works which include co-lead vocalist Jason Landcaster to their newer stuff, I like all their stuff regardless of the vocalist.
Members:
Derek Sanders-Lead Vocals/Keyboards/Piano
Brooks Betts- Rhythm Guitar
Jake Bundrick-Vocals/Drums
Alex Garcia-Lead Guitar
Jeremy Lenzo-Bass/Vocals
Discography:
Tales Told By Dead Friends EP (2006) (Self Released)
A Lesson In Romantics (2007) (Fearless Records)
Anywhere But Here (2009) (Fearless Records)
Valdosta Ep (2011) (Fearless Records)
Mayday Parade (2011) (Fearless/Atlantic Records)
I would highly recommend checking out Mayday Parade especially if you're a fan of pop rock. Their live shows are incredible and in my opinion are one of the best pop rock bands live. Also if you're attending Warped Tour this summer, then you better take some time out to catch their set because it will be insane. Below check out their music video for their hit single "Jamie All Over" and click here for more information including tour dates.

Upcoming Albums: Miss May I and The Word Alive

Two upcoming albums that I'm really excited for are Miss May I's At Heart and The Word Alive's Life Cycles. Both of these albums are looking to be brutal and some of the heaviest material released by both bands. I have had the privilege of being able to see both of these bands live and they both know how to put on a killer show. Judging from their past releases and their live performances I have a feeling that both of these albums are going to be insane and can't miss albums. Miss May I's blend of brutal metal is what caused the band to rise to the top of the metal scene and is also the reason why the band was selected to play this years Warped Tour on the main stage. The Word Alive and their blend of metal, melodic vocals and electronics have made them one of the best bands to see live ( I've seen them multiple times and each time they keep on getting better and better). The tracklist for At Heart is currently unknown, however the following is know about Life Cycles. There are to be two versions of Life Cycles both released at the same time, the standard version will include 14 tracks while the deluxe version will include 17 tracks. One known track off Life Cycles is entitled "Wishmaster" as it was performed recently at the Extreme Thing festival in Vegas on March 31st and last night on the This World Is Our Tour in Buffalo. I know for a fact that both of these albums will be incredible and that if you miss picking both of these albums up you're going to regret it. At Heart drops on June 12th while Life Cycles will be available on July 3rd.

Band Of The Week: Blessthefall

This weeks lucky band is Phoenix Arizona metalcore band Blessthefall. I'm going to start this off by saying Blessthefall has to be one of the best live bands out there. Out of all the bands I've seen live (and I've seen many bands), Blessthefall is in my top three best bands to see live. Their live shows are packed full of crazy amounts of energy and usually include vocalist Beau Bokan jumping off the highest part of the stage into the crowd. Not only are their live shows a lot of fun, their songs are just amazing. From the brutal "Bottomfeeder" to "Hey Baby, Here's That Song You Wanted", which makes you want to sing along, their songs are something you should not pass up. When it comes to deciding who is the better lead vocalist for Blessthefall between ex-vocalist, and current Escape The Fate vocalist Craig Mabbitt or current vocalist Beau Bokan, I prefer Bokan as vocalist and feel that their two albums with Bokan are better than their one album with Mabbitt. I like all their albums but i think that Bokan is more suited as vocalist and has a better voice in my opinion.
Members:
Beau Bokan-Lead Vocals
Eric Lambert- Lead Guitar/Vocals
Jared Warth-Vocals/Bass
Matt Traynor-Drums
Elliott Gruenberg-Rhythm Guitar
Discography:
His Last Walk (2008) (Science Records
Witness(2009) (Fearless Records)
Awakening (2011) (Fearless Records)
Blessthefall is one of those bands that I would highly recommend that you check out especially live since their live shows are that incredible. Since Blessthefall is confirmed to play the entire Warped Tour, i highly recommend that you take the time to catch their set, since it is something that you will not regret. Below check out their hilarious music video for "Hey Baby, Here's That Song You Wanted" which is an awesome parody of The Hangover. Also for more information including tour dates click here

Is Tyler Carter Forming A New Band With Other Ex- Woe Is Me Members?

A rumor floating around the internet is that Tyler Carter (ex-Woe Is Me vocalist) might be forming a new band with the members that recently quit (Ben Ferris, vocals/keys, Michael Bohn, vocals and Cory Ferris, bass). Rumors of this new band forming started when Carter posted some tweets that hinted to a new band, and mentioned Bohn and the Ferris brothers in the tweets. I will be the first to say that I hope that these rumors are true. If the rumors are true, then I will be beyond excited since I am a huge fan of Woe Is Me's debut album Number[s] which featured the original lineup. I am a huge fan between the chemistry between the vocals of Carter, Bohn and Ferris which helped make Number[s] an amazing album and which helped to catapult Woe Is Me to the top of the heavy music scene. As I said in my post about the recent departures, it is possible that other former Woe Is Me members like guitarist Tim Sherrill could join up with Carter, Bohn and the Ferris brothers since it is speculated that drummer Austin Thorton was the cause of all the tension in the band and could be responsible for the string of departures. If this band does happen then it could mean that Tyler Carter is going to have to put his solo career and his plan to be the next Usher on hold, which I'm fine with because I would rather listen to Carter singing in a band than as an R&B/pop solo artist (Don't get me wrong his solo songs are good, it's not my number one choice of music to listen to.). I'll keep my fingers crossed and hopefully this rumored band will actually happen, in the meantime click here to read the tweets that Carter sent out.

I See Stars, The Word Alive And A Skylit Drive Confirmed For All Stars Tour

Last summer saw the birth of a new outdoor summer music festival The All Stars Tour to compete against Warped Tour. All Stars was headlined last year by bands like Blessthefall, Motionless In White and Sleeping With Sirens ( all of which will be playing this summers Warped Tour) and was a really fun and crazy show. If you were wondering if All Stars would be back and how it would compete with warped, then you've come to the right place. All Stars is back and is promising to be bigger and badder than ever by having three of the biggest bands with some of the craziest fans. All Stars have confirmed that I See Stars, The Word Alive and A Skylit Drive will be shredding all summer long on the tour. This lineup has gotten me really stoked because all three bands are incredible live (especially The Word Alive, who happen to be one of my favorite metal bands). As a long time fan and attendee of Warped Tour, the one thing that All Stars does better is that their lineup is consisted entirely of  heavier bands. Unlike Warped Tour, no pop rock, punk rock, pop artists, techno band or rappers are anywhere to be found on All Stars. Keeping it all heavy is one thing that I really like because I mainly see the heavier bands on Warped Tour ( I'll occasionally see a different band at Warped  like pop rock band Mayday Parade). All three of these bands bring something unique to the mix that I feel is going to make All Stars an extremely fun and insane show. You have the sheer brutality from the Word Alive, the electronica/techno fused with metal from I See Stars and one of the highest vocal ranges and catchy lyrics from A Skylit Drive. At the moment no dates, venues or ticket information are available but should be announced in the weeks to come. I know that I will definitely be there and will be in the pits going crazy. All Stars is shaping up to be a can't miss show of the summer. For more information including some of the support bands click here here

Falling In Reverse, Of Mice & Men and Pierce The Veil Confirmed For Warped Tour

As we're getting closer to summer and warmer weather, it is the start of outdoor music festival season. One of the biggest and longest running outdoor music festivals is the Vans Warped Tour, something I've been attending every year since 2006. This week it was confirmed that three big bands are scheduled to play the tour. Falling In Reverse, Of Mice & Men and Pierce The Veil are all confirmed to play this years Warped Tour, with all three bands getting the honor and the privilege to play on the main stage. Playing on the main stage is where all the biggest bands get the opportunity to play and being on the main stage grants the bands a longer set. I'm really excited about having all three of these bands on the main stage because all three bands really know how to put on a show and I've had the chance to see each of these bands live. Falling In Reverse brings along some of the catchiest melodies that make you want to sing along, while Of Mice & Men bring the brutality with their breakdowns and vocals while Pierce The Veil puts on a show full of intense energy and a set filled with Mexican jokes ( Its ok for them to make Mexican jokes since all four members of PTV are Mexican). I know I'm counting down the days until July 21st when Warped Tour stops at Nassau Colosseum since this years lineup looks to be one the the best lineups in recent years. For more information about Warped Tour including dates, venues, the full lineup and where you can buy your ticket click here. To anyone coming out to the Uniondale New York date, I'll see you in the pits!

I See Stars Digital Renegade Album Review

Tracklist:
1. Gnars Attacks
2. NZT48
3. Digital Renegade
4. Endless Sky (featuring Danny Worsnop of Asking Alexandria)
5. Underneath Every Smile
6. Mystery Wall
7. iBelieve
8. Summer Died In Connersville
9. Electric Forest (featuring Cassadee Pope of Hey Monday)
10. Filth Friends Unite

I See Stars's sophomore album The End Of The World Party was a hit or a miss for fans. Some fans enjoyed the poppy/electronic sound while others longed for the heavier sound found on their 2009 debut 3-D. Leading up to the release of Digital Renegade, I See Stars promised fans a return to their heavy sound, and with the release of Digital Renegade they definitely delivered.I'm going to say this right off the bat, Digital Renegade completely blows 3-D away in every aspect.  Everything about Digital Renegade seems heavier. From the heavy riffs to the unclean vocals from keyboardist Zach Johnson. Personally, I was a fan of The End Of The World Party but each time I listened to it, I felt that something was missing and that it could have been better. The thing that The End Of The World Party was missing is that Zach Johnson's unclean vocals were drastically under utilized. For all those ISS fans that wanted more of Johnson's vocals (myself included), than Digital Renegade is the album for you. Johnson's vocals are utilized way more and it shows off his talents and growth as a vocalist. The unclean vocals are ten times better than they were on 3-D, and songs such as "Mystery Wall", "Endless Sky" and "NZT48" really show off his talents. For those of you that are worrying that  they are abandoning their electronic parts for a more metal sound, then you have nothing to worry about. The electronica/techno parts on the album is one of the main reasons why this album is so addicting. I See Stars really stepped up their electronica/ techno parts and they go perfectly with the heavier parts and are a blast to listen to. From the electronica/techno driven "Electric Forest" which features guest vocals from Cassadee Pope of Hey Monday, to "Filth Friends Unite" which features rave beats to "Gnars Attacks" which has a techno breakdown that will make you want to fist pump along, the electronica/techno parts have been taken to the next level.. Another improvement is the clean vocals of Devin Oliver. Oliver has also grown as a vocalist and is now hitting notes that he was not able to on 3-D. Also Oliver's voice is less auto-tuned and it really gives the album a more live feel. Oliver really shines on the title track "Digital Renegade"and hits some impressive high notes that remind me of ex-Saosin vocalist Cove Rebber.  One of the most enjoyable tracks is "iBelieve" which is a straight up techno/electronica song and is a lot of fun to listen to. The only problem I have with "iBelieve" is that it could have been longer but is still a great song. My personal favorites off Digital Renegade are "Endless Sky", "Electric Forest" and "Gnars Attacks". "Endless Sky" really stands out to me because it has a perfect mixture of everything (breakdowns, unclean vocals, techno and clean vocals) and features Asking Alexandria vocalist Danny Worsnop who just adds to the awesomness of the track. Digital Renegade is a huge step forward for the band and is a lot of fun to listen to. I would go so far to say that as of now it is my favorite album so far this year and it's going to take something really amazing to dethrone Digital Renegade. I highly recommend that you go pick up a copy of Digital Renegade because you do not want to miss out on an album this amazing.

Band Of The Week: We Came As Romans

We Came As Romans are currently one of the hottest metalcore bands on the scene. With their blend of metal along with their signature fusion of keyboards and symphonic parts, We Came As Romans have created one of the most dynamic sounds out there. Out of all the bands on the scene today (and there are a lot of bands out there), We Came As Romans are in my top three favorite bands. I'm a big fan of there music which includes positive themes such as hope, brotherhood and love. I know it's odd for metal bands to be singing about positive messages since most metal bands songs are about death and other dark themes, but WCAR's music is a breath of fresh air to the genre. We Came As Romans combines perfectly a perfect blend of clean and unclean vocals which make their songs all the more awesome. I personally feel that unclean vocalist Dave Stephens is one of the best unclean vocalists in the metalcore genre since he infuses his own style in his vocals and does not sound generic like many bands in the scene. One thing that I highly recommend is attending one of We Came As Romans shows because they infuse their performance with tons of energy and you always walk away having a good time.
Members:
Joshua Moore- Lead Guitar
Dave Stephens- Unclean Vocals
Kyle Pavone- Clean Vocals/ Keyboards/Synthesizer
Andy Glass- Bass
Lou Cotton- Rhythm Guitar
Eric Choi- Drums
Discography:
Dreams Ep (2008) (Self Released)
To Plant A Seed (2009) (Equal Vision Records)
Understanding What We've Grown To Be (2011) (Equal Vision Records)
Below check out their music video for "To Plant A Seed", which is one of my favorite songs by them. I'm a really big fan of the positive messages that the song has along with the excellent keyboard parts from Kyle Pavone just make the song enjoyable. To check out their tour schedule and other news click here because you do not want to miss one of their live shows.

Woe For Woe Is Me

It's a sad day for fans of Woe Is Me as the once seven piece band has now lost three members. As of March 7th, vocalist Michael Bohn, Vocalist/keyboardist Ben Ferris and bassist Cory Ferris are no longer a part of Woe Is Me. As a huge fan of Woe Is Me, this is devastating news. Just this past summer, Woe Is Me suffered the loss of vocalist Tyler Carter and lead guitarist Geoffrey Higgins but were able to rebound with the addition vocalist Hance Alligood and lead guitarist Andrew Paiano ( in my opinion, Paiano was not really the best choice for lead guitarist because he is unable to play some of the lead parts which resulted in him also playing the rhythm part. Basically it is like the band has two rhythm guitarists in the band.). One of the reasons I am a huge fan of Woe Is Me is because of their unique decision to have three vocalist, which made their music and their live shows all the more awesome. I personally loved the chemistry between vocalist Michael Bohn and vocalist/keyboardist Ben Ferris. Bohn and Ferris would employ dual screams (Bohn would do the highs while Ferris did the lows) which would blend together really well which made their music all the more intense. This past summer at Warped Tour, I had the pleasure to meet Michael and Ben and I have to admit they are two of the nicest, down to earth guys I know unlike most guys in bands who are stuck up. I do not just speak for myself but for all fans of Woe Is Me when I say that Ben, Michael and Cory will be missed. I will still be a fan of Woe Is Me even though they suffered a hard loss and it will be hard to replace Bohn and Ferris on vocals.  Michael, Ben and Cory all plan to continue making music and I can guess that the three of them will start up their own band. One guess that I could make is that former Woe Is Me guitarists Tim Sherrill and Geoffrey Higgins could join up with them since they all left WIM because they did not get along with some members of the band ( which is the same reason why Bohn and the Ferris brothers left the band). To read a full statement from Ben Ferris click here.

I See Stars Post Album Preview For Digital Renegade

Only eleven days remain until I See Stars release their highly anticipated third album Digital Renegade and to give fans a taste of what's to come, the band released a preview of all ten tracks on the album. After listening to the preview, I'm completely stoked for this album and can not wait for March 13th to get here. I'm not going to lie but Digital Renegade is one of the albums that is on my "Albums I Can not Wait For List". After hearing a preview for all the tracks, the ones that I'm most excited for are "Digital Renegade", "Endless Sky", "Electric Forest", "Summer Died In Connersville" and "Mystery Wall". One track that I'm curious about is "iBelieve". The preview for that track is the only one to not include any vocals and it has me wondering if the track is just an interlude or if it will be a track with singing. Personally I never really listened to any interlude tracks on albums but if it is one I'll give it a listen because the music sounds pretty cool. I know that after listening to the preview, I'm glad I decided to pre-order the album. My full review for Digital Renegade will be posted once the album is released on March 13th.

Band Of The Week: Sleeping With Sirens

After not having a band of the week for the past two weeks mainly because A Day To Remember is that awesome and need more than a week, this weeks lucky band is Sleeping With Sirens. Hailing from Orlando Florida, Sleeping With Sirens plans to change the game by taking a different approach to the post hardcore genre. Unlike most post hardcore bands who place an emphasis on breakdowns so that their music is heavy, Sleeping With Sirens choose to place an emphasis on vocalist Kellin Quinn and his amazing vocal range. Unlike many vocalists, Quinn possess a unique vocal range that I feel makes their songs all the more enjoyable. Personally I find Quinn's voice to be calming and soothing especially in their acoustic songs like "Let Love Bleed Red" and "All My Heart". Even though SWS places most of their emphasis on their melodic vocals, they can still get heavy. They still have breakdowns in their music and use unclean vocals when they are necessary. I feel that by doing those things, that is what makes Sleeping With Sirens stand out in the post hardcore music scene today.
Members:
Kellin Quinn- Lead Vocals
Jack Fowler- Lead Guitar
Jesse Lawson- Rhythm Guitar, Backing Vocals
Gabe Barham- Drums
Justin Hills- Bass
Discography:
With Ears To See And Eyes To Hear (2010) (Rise Records)
Let's Cheer To This (2011) (Rise Records)
Check out their new music video for "Do It Now, Remember It Later" below and click here for more information including tour dates because you do not want to miss the opportunity to see them live. I would highly recommend checking out Sleeping With Sirens if your in the mood for some brand new music or a different take on the heavy genres of music. Also I would recommend you not miss the opportunity to see them live when they come to New York City on March 7th. I know I'll be there!

I See Stars Release NZT48

Michigan based electronicore band I See Stars have released the second single off their upcoming third album Digital Renegade. The new single entitled NZT48 (which is a refrence to the drug in the film Limitless) was released after the band kept hinting on their Facebook that they were dropping a new song sometime this week. This song has proven that the band kept their promise that this album would be their heaviest album to date. After eagerly anticipating the new song, it was worth waiting for. NZT48 is full of catchy choruses and insane breakdowns which include ISS's signature fusion of electronica, techno, dub-step and metal. Personally I'm a huge fan of I See Stars because I find their style which is a mix of pop, techno, electronica, dub-step and metal all combined ( I know it's a weird combination but it works the way they pull it off) different and enjoyable to listen to. After listening to this song, you can tell that the band was influenced by the Occupy Movement of last fall. The lyrics are filled of references to the movement and supports the movement. Their new album Digital Renegade drops March 13th and I seriously can not wait. When Digital Renegade drops, I'll have my album review posted. Click here to listen to their other single from Digital Renegade "Filth Friends Unite".

Asking Alexandria Releases Promo For The Still Reckless Tour

On March 9th, things are about to get reckless as Asking Alexandria's Still Reckless Tour kicks off in Chico California. For this tour Asking Alexandria are bringing along some of the biggest and hottest bands on the scene to ensure that the shows are complete and utter insanity. The lineup consists of Asking Alexandria, Trivium, I See Stars, Motionless In White and The Amity Affliction. Since the tour is not hitting New York City, I'm fully prepared to make the trip out to  New Jersey to make sure I do not miss this crazy show. I've had the privilege of  seeing all of these bands live and all of them know how to put on one hell of a show. The last time I saw Asking Alexandria, some kid got knocked unconscious in the mosh pit on the very first song. That alone proves how crazy and wild the shows are, especially in the pits. I highly recommend that  no one misses this show and that the drive to either New Jersey or Albany is worth it. Click here to buy your tickets now before the're all sold out. To anyone coming out to the New Jersey date, I'll see you in the pits.

If you like the music you heard in the teaser, check out the full songs.
Asking Alexandria- "Reckless & Relentless"
Trivium- "In Waves"
I See Stars-"The Common Hours"
Motionless In White-"Immaculate Misconception"
The Amity Affliction-"Youngbloods"

Happy Birthday To Kurt Cobain, A Music Legend

Today is the birthday of Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain, a man who has had a monumental impact on the music scene. Cobain and Nirvana changed the rock/ alternative music with their unique sound and were on of the major players in the grunge movement. Their hit single "Smells Like Teen Spirit" is the most well known song and dominated the charts. The music video for "Smells Like Teen Spirit" is one of the most well known music videos. Personally Nirvana's music has influenced me greatly. I grew up listening to bands like Nirvana and their music is one of the reasons that led me to pick up a guitar and learn to play. I wanted to be in a band and one day hopefully write amazing songs like Kurt Cobain did. Still to this day I still listen to Nirvana and play their songs on guitar. Happy 37th birthday Kurt Cobain, may your music still influence many generations to come.

Motionless In White and Chunk! No, Captain Chunk! Added To Warped Tour

 Gothic metalcore band Motionless In White and pop-punk/hardcore band Chunk! No, Captain Chunk! were announced this week to play this years Warped Tour. Motionless In White are Warped Tour veterans having played the last two years (even if they only played a few select dates each year that excluded New York, which made me quite upset) while Chunk! No, Captain Chunk! ( I'm not going to lie they have one of the most bizarre band names out there) is playing their first Warped Tour. I've had the pleasure of seeing both bands live this past November on The Fearless Friends Tour and both bands put on an amazing show. At that show i was really surprised by how good Chunk! No, Captain Chunk! was. I was honestly not expecting them to be any good since I had never heard of them before and didn't take them seriously because of their ridiculous name. I've seen Motionless In White several times and it's safe to say that they have some of the wildest mosh pits out there. Both bands are confirmed to play the entire tour this year. I also recommend anyone who is going to check out both bands once they put aside the silly band name and the creepy makeup  because both bands know how to put on a great show. For more information about Warped Tour including the dates, lineup and ticket information click here

Can Of Mice & Men Rebound

After losing vocalist/ bassist Shayley Bourget last week will Of Mice & Men be able to recover after the loss?  Many times when a band loses their vocalist, their sound usually is not the same and their new music is not as amazing as it was before. Personally, i believe that the guys in Of Mice & Men will be able to recover from this loss and come back better than ever. I'm not going to lie, I was upset when I read about Bourget's departure because there was something special with his voice that made me want to keep playing their songs on repeat. The energy that he brought to their live performances was amazing and I'm glad I got to see them live several times. However the band still plans on moving forward and are currently working on some new songs according to their Facebook. As long as vocalist Austin Carlile is still part of OM&M, the band is still going to be amazing and I'll still be a fan. As of right now, there has not been an announcement for who will be Bourget's replacement, if there is going to be one. If I got to choose anyone to be Bourget's  replacement, I would choose ex- Confide vocalist/drummer Joel Piper since his voice complimented the band nicley. This past November Piper covered for Bourget for a tour, which I had the pleasure to attend, and was amazing.

                                           Joel Piper filling in on bass and vocals

Band Of The Week: A Day To Remember

Hailing from Ocala Florida, A Day To Remember is one of the biggest bands currently in the music scene. A Day To Remember is well known for their unusual combination of pop punk and metal to create a genre that the fans called "pop-mosh". To date the band has released four studio albums and have played several big festivals including Warped Tour and The Bamboozle.
Members:
Jeremy McKinnon -Lead Vocals
Alex Shelnutt-Drums
Neil Westfall- Guitar
Joshua Woodard- Bass
Kevin Skaff- Guitar
Discography:
And Their Name Was Treason (2005) (Indianola Records)
For Those That Have Heart (2007) (Victory Records)
Homesick (2009) (Victory Records)
What Separates Me From You  (2010) (Victory Records)
Check out their music video for "All Signs Point To Lauderdale" below off their album What Separates Me From You below and check them out on Facebook.

Of Mice & Men and Shayley Bourget Part Ways

Vocalist/Bassist Shayley Bourget announced via YouTube his departure from Of Mice & Men. The reasons for his departure are personal reasons and Bourget and the rest of the band remain as good friends.

Sleeping With Sirens Finishing Up New Acoustic Album

Sleeping With Sirens plan to finish up their acoustic album today according to singer Kellin Quinn's Twitter account.

Jonny Craig Is Not Out Of Dance Gavin Dance

Despite all the rumors swirling around on the internet, Jonny Craig has not been kicked out of Dance Gavin Dance. According to an anonymous blog, Craig had been kicked out because of excessive heroin use among other things. To combat all these rumors the band issued a statement that explained that Jonny was still in the band but he would not be performing on their upcoming tour. His place will be filled by A Lot Like Birds/ ex-Dance Gavin Dance vocalist Kurt Travis. Click here to read the official statement from the band and some of the rumors surrounding Craig.

This World Is Ours Tour Dates Are Released

Escape The Fate and Attack Attack! released the dates for their upcoming This World Is Ours tour with The Word Alive, Secrets and Mest. Check out the complete list of dates below.
 April 5 – Niagara Falls, NY @ Rapids Theatre

April 6 – Cincinnati, OH @ Bogarts

April 7 – Pontiac, MI @ Clutch Cargo’s

April 9 – Minneapolis, MN @ First Avenue

April 10 – Chicago, IL @ House of Blues – Chicago

April 11 – Sauget, IL @ Pop’s

April 12 – Kansas City, MO @ Beaumont Club

April 13 – Denver, CO @ The Summit Music Hall

April 14 – Salt Lake City, UT @ In The Venue

April 16 – Seattle, WA @ The Showbox at the Market

April 17 – Portland, OR @ Roseland Theater

April 18 – Chico, CA @ Senator Theatre

April 19 – San Francisco, CA @ Regency Ballroom

April 20 – San Diego, CA @ Soma

April 22 – Tempe, AZ @ Marquee Theatre

April 24 – Oklahoma City, OK @ Diamond Ballroom

April 25 – Dallas, TX @ House of Blues – Dallas

April 26 – San Antonio, TX @ White Rabbit

April 27 – Houston, TX @ House of Blues – Houston

April 28 – Memphis, TN @ New Daisy Theatre

April 30 – Ft. Lauderdale, FL @ Revolution

May 1 – Lake Buena Vista, FL @ House of Blues

May 3 – Norfolk, VA @ The NorVa

May 4 – Sayreville, NJ @ Starland Ballroom

May 5 – Philadelphia, PA @ Theatre of Living Arts

May 6 – New York, NY @ Irving Plaza

May 7 – Toronto, ON @ The Sound Academy

May 8 – Montreal, QC @ Club Soda

May 11 – Winnipeg, MB @ Garrick Events Theatre

May 13 – Edmonton, AB @ Edmonton Events Centre

May 14 - Calgary, AL @ Macewan Hall Ballroom

May 16 – Vancouver, BC @ Vogue Theatre

Secrets Release New Music Video

The five piece band from San Diego released a music video for the single "Somewhere In Hiding" off their debut album The Ascent.

Escape The Fate Announce New Tour

Escape The Fate announced that they will be co-headlining the This World Is Ours Tour with Attack Attack! and are bringing along The Word Alive, Secrets and Mest as supporting bands. Stay tuned for the full list of dates when they are announced.

D.R.U.G.S plan to work on next album in April

Despite recently losing bassist Adam Russell and leaving their label Decaydance , Destroy Rebuild Until God Shows aka D.R.U.G.S have no intentions of calling it quits. In a recent interview, the band plans to start working on some new songs for an upcoming release. The band has already released one new song "Scream If You're Crazy" which was supposed to be off an upcoming EP, but had to be canceled due to the departure of Russel and the departure from Decaydance. Click here to read a statement from lead singer Craig Owens and check out the new single "Scream If You're Crazy" below.

The Word Alive Parts Ways With Drummer and Keyboardist

Things just don't seem to be going the way Tyler "Telle" Smith and the rest of The Word Alive had planned. With only a week to go before the band is set to hit the studio to record the follow up to 2010's Deceiver, the once six man lineup has now been reduced to a four man lineup. As of February 2nd, Smith confirmed that drummer Justin Salinas and keyboardist Dusty Riach are no longer part of The Word Alive. To read an official statement from frontman Telle Smith click here

We Came As Romans Premiere New Music Video

The six piece metal band from Detroit Michigan released the music video for "Understanding What We've Grown To Be", which is the third single off their album with same name.

Band Of The Week: Secrets

For the first band of the week, the honor goes to Secrets, the five piece post-hardcore band from San Diego California. The group was formed less than one year ago in San Diego by frontman Xander Bourgeois. Despite being a relatively new band on the music scene, Secrets has already made an impact. They have signed with Rise/Velocity Records and released their debut album The Ascent on January 17th 2012. Secrets packs their music full of catchy choruses, brutal breakdowns, powerful and dynamic vocals and tons of energy in their live performances.
Members:
Xander Bourgeois- Vocals
Richard Rogers- Vocals, Guitar
Michael Sherman-Guitar
Marc Koch-Bass
Joe English- Drums
Discography:
The Ascent (2012) (Rise/Velocity Records)
Check out the song "Somewhere In Hiding" off their debut album The Ascent. Be sure to check Secrets out on  Facebook for more information and be sure to follow them on Twitter. Also if you like what you hear, then buy/ download their debut album The Ascent on iTunes