Interview: Lance Eason from The Hard Ponys

Photo © 2011 Jeff Spirer

Band: The Hard Ponys

Genre: Rock 'n' Roll

Hometown: San Francisco

Influences: Dead Boys, Ramones, Black Sabbath, Guns 'n' Roses, New York Dolls, The Stooges, Danzig, Cheap Trick, Nashville Pussy, Motorhead, Tom Petty, Sea Hags, Junkyard, Nymphs, Misfits, Ozzy Osbourne, AC/DC

Website: http://www.thehardponys.com

Interview with: Lance Eason (Vocals)

Interview through Twitter:

What is it like to be in a Rock band? "Being in a rock band is the best "job" in the world. It's so good that at least half the people who do it, do it for free. Or pay to do it."

How did you come up with the name The Hard Ponys? "We came up with the name by arguing until we wanted to kill each other. It's supposed to mean someone that wants to be tough but isn't."

What was the game plan when you went to record your depute album? "When we went in to record, we just wanted to capture the feelings that went into the songs. Assuming we remember what they meant."

What is Psychdoll about? ""Psychodoll" is about the joys of dating the clinically insane. No, just about being in a crazed relationship and how it gets addictive"

I would like to thank Lance Eason from The Hard Ponys for doing this interview. I hope that they never stop Rockin'


Jeff Spirer: spirer.com/

Band of the Day: Hel

Band: Hel

Country: Germany

Year Started: 1994

Genre: Pagan Black Metal

Number of Albums: 4

Number of Demos/EP: 2 Demos, 1 EP

Bands Status: Active

Websites: http://www.pagan-midgard-art.de/

http://www.facebook.com/Hel.music

http://www.myspace.com/bandhel

Work cited

http://www.metal-archives.com/band/view/id/7801

Interview: Ray from Outliar

Band: Outliar

Genre: Thrash Metal

Year Started: 2002

Hometown: Raleigh, NC

Influences: Lamb Of God, Machine Head, early era Metallica, Testament, Death Angel, Kreator, Havok, Bay Area Thrash, Death Metal

Label: Unsigned  

Website: http://www.outliar.com

www.reverbnation.com/outliarmetal

www.twitter.com/outliarmetal

Interview with: Ray from Outliar

Interview Through Email:

How did you get into Thrash Metal? "I first got into thrash metal back in the late 80's when I started listening to Metallica - Master of Puppets. From there, I wanted to hear more aggressive and faster music that still had melody and was unique. Back then everything was so fresh and raw. Whether it was Testament, Vio-lence, Nuclear Assault or Kreator it was all unique and thrashing with authority."

Is it hard being a Thrash Metal band in this decade? "Being in a thrash band today is certainly far more difficult than it was when ideas were very unique and there were people buying records as opposed to so much downloading done today. People came to shows much more back then too, it seems. Having said that, it doesn't deter us from writing the best music we can and thrashing as much as possible."

What band/bands would you love to tour with? "A dream tour for us would be Death Angel, Kreator, Lamb of God and Testament. Some newer bands like Havok and Diamond Plate would be awesome as well."

What was it like working with James Murphy (Testament, Death, Obituary, Cancer, Disincarnate)? "Working with James Murphy was awesome. He has been my idol for years now so it was truly a dream come true. He gave us a lot of guidance and was such a great guy, we'd love to have him on every record if we could work it out."

I would like to thank Ray and Outliar. I hope your Thrash Metal days never end!

And don't forget to pick up a copy of there album "Provoked to Anger" Just click on the link below.

http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/provoked-to-anger/id498525749

 

Interview: Duncan Nisbet from Core 10

Band: Core 10

Year Formed: 2003

Genre: Metal/alt

Hometown: Orange County

Influences: Tool, Godsmack, Rollins Band, System, Rage

Websites: http://www.myspace.com/core10

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Core-10/136689093080285

http://www.core10theband.com

Interview with: Duncan Nisbet (Vocals)

Interview through Twitter:

What is your favorite song to play that you have written and why? "My Favorite song at the moment is live a lie...it has a real slow heavy groove, and i get to put some real rage style vocals on it...It's about someone who started pretending to be something he's not..to the point where he completely lost who he really is."

What is your inspiration to write songs? "Inspiration to write songs usually comes from mistakes I've made... Try to learn from them and turn them into something positive... I've made/make a lot of mistakes...haha so yeah should be plenty more songs to come."

Where was your first show? If you can remember. "The first show that this incarnation of Core 10 played was last July 30th at Hollywood house of blues...we had just taken a 4 year break... And it was kind of a comeback show...we were bringing Sean Lenhoff into the band and hadn't practiced much...hahha But we still had a big crowd and it sounded all right... It was a lot of fun I think I forgot how much I missed it."

How do you get ready for a show? "I usually get ready for shows early...meaning hours before we go on I'll hit the gym and go on a run... That seems to help me focus... Then by the time we're on stage I feel like I've been ready to go for hours...kinda chomping at the bit to get out there!"

Do you have any music available to download? "Yeah We have a 3 song EP that you can find on iTunes...it was produced by Ronnie King (Offspring, Rancid, Pepper), and mastered by Eric Valentine(Queens of the Stone Age, Slash, Good Charlotte) at thunder underground studios in palm desert. We had a really great production team and it came out great."

Thank you Duncan and Core 10 for the interview. I wish you guys nothing but the best of luck!

Metal Album Review: Kreator: Phantom Antichrist

Band: Kreator

Album: Phantom Antichrist

Year Released: 2012

Label: Nuclear Blast

Producer: Jens Bogren

Genre: Thrash Metal

Album Number: 13

Number of Tracks: 10

Favorite Track: Phantom Antichrist, Civilisation Collapse, United In Hate, The Few, The Proud, The Broken, Victory Will Come

Rating: 9/10

Reason for the Rating: These guys are not trying to reinvent the wheel, they are just keeping it going with a strong album. This album is for real Thrash Metal fans, it you're a fan of Glam Metal or something like that, don't not listen to it. The speed of this album will kill you!! The production value is really good. And for being the 13 album these guys still have the drive to make good Thrash Metal. So if you like Thrash Metal then you need to give this album a listen to.

work cited

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phantom_Antichrist

Metal Album Review: Sonata Arctica: Stones Grow Her Name

Band: Sonata Arctica

Album: Stones Grow Her Name

Year Released: 2012

Label: Nuclear Blast

Producer: Sonata Arctica

Genre: Power/Heavy Metal

Album Number: 7

Length of Album: 53:16

Number of Tracks: 11

Favorite Tracks: Only the Broken Hearts (Make You Beautiful), Losing My Insanity, Somewhere Close To You, Cinderblox,Wildfire, Part: III - Wildfire Town, Population: 0

Rating: 8.5/10

Reason for the Rating: Power Metal is for a small group of Metalheads, but this album could be loved by everyone who likes Heavy Metal. The Production is great. And the guitarist in this band are just some of the best guitarist out there, some of these solos with just make your jaw drop. This album may not be what that get famous for in there early days, but true Sonata Arctica fans will love this album. And to the Metal fan who wants to get into Power Metal they should start with this album.

work cited

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stones_Grow_Her_Name

Metal Album Review: Candlemass: Psalms for the Dead

Band: Candlemass

Album: Psalms for the Dead

Year Released: 2012

Label: Napalm

Genre: Doom Metal

Album Number: 11

Length of Album: 50:13

Number of Tracks: 9

Favorite Tracks: Prophet, Dancing In The Temple (Of The Mad Queen Bee), Waterwitch, Psalms for the Dead, The Killing of the Sun, Black as Time

Rating: 9.5/10

Reason for the Rating: The band has stated that this is going to be ther last album, what a way to go out. The production value is great, better than a lot of other Doom Metal bands out there. The riffs the play will remindthe listener of Black Sabbath. Every Metal fan needs to have this album. The lead singer has to have the best vocals in Doom Metal. Maybe one of the Top lead singers in Metal. And don't forget to listen to the solo in Prophet, just some great guitarist in this band.

word cited

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psalms_for_the_Dead

Metal Album Review: Kill Devil Hill: Kill Devil Hill

Band: Kill Devil Hill

Album: Kill Devil Hill

Year Released: 2012

Genre: Heavy Metal

Label: Steamhammer  

Album Number: 1

Length of Album: 46:20 

Number of Track: 12

Favorite Tracks: War Machine, Hangman, Rise from the Shadows, Strange, Old Man, Revenge

Rating: 9/10

Reason for the Rating: If you like the feel of old school Metal then you will like this album. This album has a flow with, all of the songs fit together. Not on of those albums that that band just throws songs next to each other. The lyrics are Strong, instruments are on point. And it has a great production value. If you are a fan of Heavy Metal then you need to pick these album up and give it a listening to.

 Work cited

http://www.killdevilhillmusic.com/

Metal Album Review: Miss May I: At Heart

Band: Miss May I

Album: At Heart

Year Released: 2012

Label: Rise Records

Genre: Metalcore

Producer: Machine

Album Number: 3

Length of Album: 44:38

Number of Tracks: 13

Favorite Tracks: Hey Mister, Road of the Lost, Gold to Rust,Ballad of a Broken Man 

Rating: 6/10

Reason for the Rating: Every song sounds closely similar to each other. They don't really bring anything new to the table. If you are looking for the same band in that made Monument, not going to find them. If you are wanting to get into Miss May I, you may not want to start with this album. Now having said that, is it a bad album? No, it's a pretty good album. But they could do better.

Work cited

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monument_(Miss_May_I_album)

Metal Album Review: Murderdolls: Women and Children Last

Band: Murderdolls

Album: Women and Children Last

Year Released: 2010

Genre: Heavy Metal/Horror Punk

Producer: Chirs "Zeuss: Harris

Label: Roadrunner

Album Number: 2

Length of Album: 47:35

Number of Tracks: 15

Favorite Tracks: Chapel of Blood, Bored 'Til Death, Drug Me to Hell, Blood Stained Valentine, Pieces of You, Rock N Roll is All I Got

Rating: 9.5/10

Reason for the Rating: Pretty much this is Wednesday 13 but with a different name for the band. If you like Wednesday 13 then this album is a must have. The production is the best for any album. Lyrical are some of the must creative the listener well hear. We will go as far as saying if you like Motley Crue then there is a chance that you will like this band. Just give this band a listen to, they are worth your time.

work cited

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Women_and_Children_Last

Interview: Imran from Four Nights Gone

Band: Four Nights Gone

Hometown: Staten Island  

Genre: Alternative Rock/Hard Rock

Influences: Three Days Grace, Chevelle, Breaking Benjamin, Tool, Staind, Linkin Park

Websites: http://www.fournightsgone.com/

http://www.facebook.com/FourNightsGone

http://www.reverbnation.com/#!/fournightsgone

http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.darkfame.com%2Fprofile%2Ffournightsgone&h=LAQFH7unL 

Interview with: Imran (Guitarist)

Interview through Twitter:

Why did you start this band? "We started this band because we were four teenagers who loved music and wanted nothing more than to play shows to people."

What has been the biggest hill you had to over come so far? "One of the biggest hills we've had to overcome was getting better and better and learning how to really write our own original music."

What is the goal for the band? "Our goal is to be able to release music, tour, and be able to do this full time one day."

What is your dream tour? "A dream tour would be with Breaking Benjamin (if they get back together) and Linking Park."

I would like to thank Imran and Four Night Gone for doing this interview. And I wish them the best of luck on achieving there goals.

Interview: Dante from War Hammers

Band: War Hammers

Country of Origin: Mexico

Genre: Death/Thrash Metal

Label: Independent

Websites:http://www.facebook.com/warhammersband

http://www.reverbnation.com/warhammers

Interview with: Dante (Guitar and Vocals)

Interview over Twitter:

What bands influenced you? Amon Amarth, Týr, Exodus, Kreator.

What's your favorite song that you have written? and Why? Oden. Beause is the favorite of our fans.

What is a band you want to tour with? Kreator

How did you come up with your name? For a game of words, "War" "Hammer."

What's your favorite type of instrument to use? Guitar.

How did you get started with your band? From my dream, my dream to be listened in all the world.

What are your goals with this band? Play and be listen in all the world...

Whats has been the biggest hill you have over came in your band's career so far? Recording our demos, and so many shows in all the country.

I would like to thank Dante of War Hammers for doing this interview with me. I wish them nothing but good things for the rest of there careers. And don't forget to check them out on FaceBook.

Band of the Day: Fornost Arnor

Band: Fornost Arnor

Counrty: United Kindgom

Genre: Progessive Metal

Year Formed: 2005

Label: Witch-King Records

Number of Albums: 2

Demos/EP: 0

Status of the Band: Active 

Website: www.myspace.com/fornostarnor

Work cited



http://www.metal-archives.com/band/view/id/3540296333

Metal Album Review: Anthrax: Worship Music

Band: Anthrax

Album: Worship Music

Genre: Heavy/Thrash Metal

Label: Mageforce (U.S.), Nuclear Blast (Europe)

Producer: Anthrax, Scrap 60, Jay Ruston

Year Released: 2011

Album Number: 10

Number of Tracks: 14

Length of the Album: 60:45

Favorite Track: The Devil You Know, Fight 'Em 'Til You Can't, In the End, Judas Priest, The Constant

Rating: 9/10

Reason for the Rating: Anthrax really fell off the Thrash Metal scene for a while, but with this album you have to talk about Anthrax now. With Joey Belladonna back on the vocals for this band, it really gives them there old school feel back.And since Joey was there when Anthrax was making there best albums, you could say before this album was to come out that this album was going to be good. Not only that but you can't talk about Anthrax without bringing up this album as one of there best album, not there best album but it is in there top 5. With the guitars, bass, and drums giving the listener the feel of old school Anthrax, the listener would think that these songs were made in the 80's. This album is a must have for any Metal fan.

work cited

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Worship_Music_(Anthrax_album)

Metal Album Review: Goatwhore: Blood for the Master

Band: Goatwhore

Album: Blood for the Master

Genre: Blackened Death Metal

Year Released: 2012

Album Number: 5

Label: Metal Blade

Number of Tracks: 10

Favorite Tracks: Collapse in Eternal Worth, In Deathless Tradition, Judgement of the Bleeding Crown, Death to the Architects of Heaven, My Name Is Frightful Among the Believers

Rating: 8.5/10

Reason for the Rating: This is the band's most Aggressive album to this date, and it looks like there is no slowing down this band. The album starts off strong as soon as you press play with Collapse in Eternal Worth. With the guitars mixture of Black and Thrash Metal riffs. This album is only for true Black Metal fans.

work cited

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blood_for_the_Master

Metal Album Review: Iced Earth: Dystopia

Band: Iced Earth

Album: Dystopia

Year Released: 2011

Genre: Heavy Metal/Power Metal

Label: Century Media

Producer: Jim Morris, Jon Schaffer

Number of Tracks: 10

Length of Album: 45:06

Favorite Tracks: Dystopia, Anthem, Boiling Point, Anguish of Youth, Dark City

Rating: 9.5/10

Reason for the Rating: If you have not listen to this album, What the Hell are you waiting for???? This is one of the best Iced Earth albums. This is the first album with Stu Block on vocals and he does a great job, you don't see to many lead singers hitting the notes that he is hitting. And the drums, guitars, and bass are all on point. This album will change the way you look at Iced Earth. This album gave them a new following.

Side Note: let us know what we are doing wrong.

work cited

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dystopia_(Iced_Earth_album)

Metal Album Review: Trivium: In Waves

Band: Trivium

Album: In Waves

Year Released: 2011

Genre: Thrash Metal/Metalcore

Label: Roadrunner

Producer: Colin Richardson, Martyn "Ginge" Ford

Number of Tracks: 13

Length of Album: 51.21

Favorite Tracks: In Waves, Watch the World Burn, Black, Built to Fall, Of All These Yesterdays

Rating: 9/10

Reason for the Rating: Not going to lie, big Trivium, have been telling people for a long time that these guys are the "New Age Metallica", but that has nothing to do with the rating. After releasing there last album Shogun, didn't really see them doing any better than that album. Tho in our eyes this album is not as good as Shogun, it is a step in the right direction. With the lead singer yelling at you in the first song "IN WAVES!!!!" you can feel that is album is going to make your heart race. But the songs are well put together, this album we leave you wanting more Trivium.

Listen to this Album Here:  http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=UUccfHiepBC2nBFaqZKRwwcQ&feature=plcp

Side Note: Let us know what we can do better.

Work cited

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/In_Waves

Metal Album Review: Impending Doom: Baptized in Filth

Band: Impending Doom

Album: Baptized in Filth

Year Released: 2012

Genre: Death Metal/Metalcore

Label: E1 Music

Producer: Andreas Magnusson

Number of Tracks: 10

Length of Album: 34:34

Favorite Tracks: Murderer, For the Wicked, Chaos: Reborn, My Light Unseen, Death. Ascension. Resurrection.

Rating: 8/10

Reason for the Rating: When first listening to this album you would never guess that this band is a Christian band, but they are. But even tho they are Christian the band is still bringing you the Death Metal sound. If you are a fan of Death Metal or Metalcore and you are a Christian then you should give this band a listen to. And here is a question, how can there be Christian Death Metal? Seems strange but it must work.

Side Note: like always tell us what we did wrong, where we can improve. Thank you

work cited

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baptized_in_Filth

Metal Album Review: Kingdom of Sorrow: Behind the Blackest Tears

Band: Kingdom of Sorrow

Album: Behind the Blackest Tears

Year Released: 2010

Genre: Sludge Metal/Metalcore

Label: Relapse

Producer: Jamey Jasta, Kingdom of Sorrow

Number of Tracks: 12
Lenght: 40:30

Favorite Songs: Enlightened to Extinction, God's Law in the Devil's Land, Behind the Blackest Tears, Sleeping Beast, Torchlight Procession

Rating: 9.0/10

Reason for the Rating: With the vocals from Jamey Jasta, from Hatebreed, and the guiatar playing of Kirk Windstein, from Crowbar and Down, you get a great cambonation that is like no other. From the intro of Enlightened to Extinction to the last song Salvation Denied this album keeps your heart racing. This album is all power. If you are a fan of Hatebreed then you are going to love this album. 

Listen to the Album Here: http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL9BFD00E63A1E2C55

Side Note: Please let us know where we car improve on. Anything at all would be every help full. We are still new at this.

Work Cited

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Behind_the_Blackest_Tears

Band of the Day: Knelt Rote

Band Name: Knelt Rote

Year Formed: 2008

Number of Albums: 2 (From Without and Insignificance)

Demos/EP: 1 (Knelt Rote)

Country of Origin: United Status

Genre: Power Electronics/Noisegrind (early)/ Black Metal/Grindcore (Later)

Current Label: Nuclear War Now! Productions

Status: Active

Website: http://kneltrote.com/

Side Note: Please let us know how we can make our blog better. Any comments would help out a lot, we are still new at this.

Work Cited

www.Metal-archives.com

Metal Album Review: Lamb Of God Resolution

Year: 2012

Genre: Groove/Thrash Metal

Label: Roadrunner

Lenght: 56:12

Producer: Josh Wilbur

Rating: 8.5/10

Favorite Tracks: Desolation, The Undertow, The Number Six

Reson for the Rating: If you think that Lamb of God could not get any better then you wrong. This is Lamb of God at their finest. On Metacritic, the album attained an overall score of 73 out of 100, based on 17 reviews from professional critics. Give this album a chance and you will love it.

work citied

http://www.lamb-of-god.com/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Resolution_(Lamb_of_God_album)