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Ok, first of all thank you to everyone who checked out the MATSOD comp. If you you listened to it, I hope you enjoyed. Next entry is about a band I got into a couple years back but let pass by the wayside for a bit. I recently re-discovered them and now I realize that they are awesome. The band formed in Hertfordshire, England in 2003 and have released two ep's and one full length album on Tiny Evil records. I have posted some youtube videos below. They combine elements of Electronica, Post-Hardcore, Pop-punk, and Metalcore. Ladies and gentleman:

Enter Shikari

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Album Review


With their fouth major release, Haste the Day has seemed to have gotten back to its roots. After straying into more commercial radio-friendly territory on their previous release, 2007's Pressure the Hinges, it seems as if the band has decided that's not were they want to be. While they do grow and show forward progression with the album, they at the same time, manage to put in bits and pieces of what made them famous in the first place. Stephen Keech has most definately settled in as the bands new front man and one can tell he's no longer concerned with filling the shoes of previous frontman Jimmy Ryan. This is Keech's band now, and he is doing his best to move the band forward in a possitive manner, while keeping their old school fans and the infamous Indy sceensters pleased. The album features less cheesy predictable breakdowns than previous releases, but still manages to advertise most of its vocal swaps between Keech's robust and front-heavy screams into guitarist Brennan Chaulks singing vocals fairly obviously. Instead, most parts that could be misconstrued as a breakdown take on a sort of progressive feel. Adding dynamics to songs rather than boring one to death with chugging. There is a fair amount of chug-a-lug on the album and it is complimented by none other than its best friend, double bass kicks. But hey, we're still talking about Haste The Day here they are still a metalcore band.

'68' is a great opening track that screams "We're back!" within seconds. They were obviously trying to send a message to their listeners and old fans who were not happy with the last release. 'Haunting' and 'Resolve' are both stand out tracks, keeping the mood of the album alive and kicking. Washing away any doubt that '68' may have left you with. 'Adult Tree' is one of the weaker tracks on the album, not enough to deter you from listening on, but does not stand up to the stature of the first three songs. 'Babylon' is one of my favorites on the album, nice and heavy with good undertones provided by Brennan and a great chorus melody. 'Invoke Reform' and 'Sons of the Fallen Nation' are two nice heavy tracks that follow nicely. Up to this point we still haven't heard anything too repetitive or overly generic. 'Labyrinth' is by far the biggest departure Haste The Day has ever done, it pulls a complete 180 on everything we have heard thus far, yet it adds to the album rather than take away. Just when it seemed like things were starting to get repetitive and bland, they throw in this indie-rock sounding gem and pull you right back into the mix. The intro to 'Porcelain' follows up the mellow track nicely, but the song soon explodes into complete madness and we are back rocking on another track that proves to sound like a real progression for the band. Progressive elements can be seen on this track, as they use dynamics very well to add more to the album yet again. 'Autumn' is the albums closing track. An acoustic piece that I saw performed by Brennan at of their shows a couple years back, I'm so glad to see this get recorded finally. Although it's slightly longer and changed a bit thanI remember it. It's a fantastic acoustic track that adds yet more dynamics to the record. 'Autumn' is the most stand out track on the entire album, and closes beautifully.

All in all I think this is one of HTD's best overall releases. Maybe even the best, next to When Everything Falls. But there's no denying that the band as travelled a long way and become a much more refined and in-touch band. This album pleases all.

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Crash's Song of The Day - 15 JUN 2009


A true American worksong circa 1969, Merle Haggard's raspy and down-home voice belts out the lyrics to to this workin mans ballad in a way that noone could argue that he doesn't mean every damn word of it. The truth in the song is clearly evident, the man relates to the hard working class of southern America in the 1960's. His tales of hard work, beer drinkin', and tough times are something that every coal miner, factory worker, and truck driver probably used as a crutch at one point in time. I grew up listening to my grandpa play this around the campfire, and I never realized the gravity of this song and how much of a reality it is for so many people.

The guitar work in the song is absolutelty stellar, as for traditional country guitar playing goes, you just don't get any better than this. The driving bass line keeps you grooving through the tune seamlessly, and the drums are faint but there enough to add the perfect feel to the song. The way the band comes together on this track is remarkable. Speaking in terms of traditional country, this song is perfect from start to finish, everything an old country fan ever could want from the genre.

I'm posting the video of a live performance because, well honestly Merle kicks ass live, and the instrumental breaks are incredible (ever try finger/sweep picking a tele?). I am also linking up the album version of the song so if you're interested, you can add it to your library.



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10/10 - Crash certified Must Have Track

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Flower Child

Your Workin Man Blues review.........perfect. This makes me such a proud member of MB. You are exactly right when you say this is a reality for so many people, including my family. My Dad has worked at the Farmers Coop in my town for as long as I can remember and that line in Workin Man Blues that goes "I aint never been on welfare, thats one place I wont be, and I'll go back workin.." is always a favorite of his. Again, great review, made my day.

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Crash's Band Spotlight - 25 JUN 2009


Now, I know a lot of you out there don't like the whole christian/metalcore scene, but please understand that this was part of my growing up. I played in a metalcore band (slightly christian infulenced) in high school and still love some of the classic bands. That being said, here goes.

Zao is probably the most important band as far as bringing metal into the christian mainstream, but also deserves credit for being arguably the single biggest influence on the metalcore/ post-hardcore scene of the early 2000's. Recording on dirty tracks and coming from humble beginnings, Zao crafted a style of hardcore punk/post-hardocre music that transformed the way heavy music was seen in the late nineties. Recordings like 1996's 'All Else Failed" and 1997's 'The Slinter Shards The Birth of Separation' opened new doors into realms previously unknown. Allowing post-hardcore to bridge with some new type of metal that featured not only slow crunching riffs, distorted basslines, and growling vocals; but added heavily christian influenced vocals and sound clips reminiscent of White Zombie. This instantly gained Zao a cult following and inspired copy-cat bands that remain countless to this day. While the band shows they take influence in bands like Carcass and Earth Crisis, Zao twists and turns whatever influence they may have taken into something completely unique and edgy. While the band early recordings are rare and didn't recieve much public acclaim, their early live performances remain legendary amongst the underground scene in which they flourished from around 1995 until 1999-2000.

The band received their first semi-big hit record with 1999's Liberate Te Ex Infernis (Save Yourself From Hell). Zao has remained zigilant into the late 2000's, changing band members many times but never sacrificing their beliefs, creative and religious alike, and maintaining a solid following to this day. Zao is truly a staple of modern metal/metalcore music and is largely responsible for igniting a new scene in the underground. Below I have included recommended albums, videos, and a short intro to Zao compilation. Thank you for reading and hope you enjoy.

Album Recommendations:

All Else Failed (1996)
Where Blood and Fire Bring Rest (1998)
Liberate Te Ex Ifernis (1999)
Parade of Chaos (2002)
The Funeral of God (2004)

Some footage of a very underground show (circa 1998). Enjoy.

A song from 'Where Blood and Fire Bring Rest' - Ravage Ritual



Link to the Crash Course Of Zao:
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The Abominal Homan sent me:

This album is basically a smorgasborg of different genres which the band switches between whenever they see fit. At times having a jazzy feel, occasionally polka, grindcore, metal, folk and whatever else they feel like it seems. This album will bore you to the verge of death and then pull a complete 180 on you and leave you sayin wtf?, this formula pretty much repeats until the album is finished. They also throw a 'cover' type song of some Hank Williams for a minute. Overall this album was... Intersting, but quite the task to avoid skipping over some tracks. Not bad for a one time listen but I can't see myself wanting to listen to this again.

Overall 4/10

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Arya Stark

Something unfortunate:

The band I quit last year is now opening for Enter Shikari. xD

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Wow, sorry to hear that. Enter Shikari is a very up and coming band, they certainly have coat-tails to be ridden. Maybe your next band will open for U2 or something popular like that. Think big.

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Arya Stark

The fact that we would have opened for them wasn't worth satying in the band,. anyway. They trated me like ****, and I hate girlfriends tagging along at practices, you know?

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Worst. Thing. Ever.

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