I was shocked when I realised The Ghost Inside hadn't yet featured as most played artist of the week; after all, they are my second-most played artist of all time alongside No Harm Done and Fact. The difference with TGI however, is that nearly all my top-played artists reached their places through multiple albums - whereas TGI have crawled to the top on a single album alone, Fury And The Fallen Ones. With an average of 150 plays for each song of the album, it's shocking I'm not sick of them yet: and don't plan to be either. With their second album Returners (which I highly anticipate) dropping mid this year, who knows what ridiculous heights of plays they'll reach. The thing I love about TGI, is that unlike the melodic hardcore/metalcore bands they share the scene with, they don't adopt any kind of "tough guise", and are as straight-up and down-to-earth on stage as they are in person. None of this arms-crossed, sombre-faced business for them; they still play as though they were teenagers in high-school, for no other reason it seems, than for the pure fun of it all.The Ghost Inside my sanity.
I was shocked when I realised The Ghost Inside hadn't yet featured as most played artist of the week; after all, they are my second-most played artist of all time alongside No Harm Done and Fact. The difference with TGI however, is that nearly all my top-played artists reached their places through multiple albums - whereas TGI have crawled to the top on a single album alone, Fury And The Fallen Ones. With an average of 150 plays for each song of the album, it's shocking I'm not sick of them yet: and don't plan to be either. With their second album Returners (which I highly anticipate) dropping mid this year, who knows what ridiculous heights of plays they'll reach. The thing I love about TGI, is that unlike the melodic hardcore/metalcore bands they share the scene with, they don't adopt any kind of "tough guise", and are as straight-up and down-to-earth on stage as they are in person. None of this arms-crossed, sombre-faced business for them; they still play as though they were teenagers in high-school, for no other reason it seems, than for the pure fun of it all.
Havoc wrought upon my sanity.
Weekly "this artist keeps me sane" goes to Wreak Havoc. There's not much to say about this band. To me, they basically sound like a cross between Ceremony and Modern Life Is War; combining anger and speed with melodic guitars and slower passages, with overtones of anger, cynicism and philosophy. I wouldn't think it too far to also compare them to bands like Gold Kids, Blacklisted, Betrayed, Comeback Kid, Have Heart... the list goes on. So, if they basically sound like a mash-up of modern hardcore, then what's so good about them? There's an honesty about this band. An expression of pure suffering. Their music spans the adrenalin-pumping and heart-crushing moments of human life and summarises them in the form of song: a powerfully cathartic experience from the start of an album right til the end.Versus the insanity.
Winners this week are ex-rock band Versus The Mirror. When I mention post-hardcore or screamo, most will probably instantly assume I'm refering to the make-up-and-fringes scene that appears to popular today. In VTM's case, I will warn you now: your assumptions couldn't be more wrong. VTM turned this genre on it's head with their highly-unconventional approach. To the traditional screamo fanatics - don't worry. Though the main body of their music is gritty post-hardcore, they frequently punctuate it with beautiful, atmospheric post-rock passages, reminiscent of many "true" screamo bands. Unlike most post-hardcore bands, there are no whiny, nasally-sung vocals: just harsh, powerful screams. There are no overly-trippy guitar effects or heavy distortion: just organic, chuggy, raw instrumentation. This band is what hardcore music should be about - no frills or sugar coating, yet still driven with pure emotion.A Sane Scream
Weekly "this artist keeps me sane" had been postponed until now, thanks to my unhealthy addiction to a certain video game. Sorry guys, I'll try my best to keep this blog alive.
This week it's delivered to Massachusetts punk band A Wilhelm Scream. One of the first punk bands I ever really got into years back, I hadn't really listened to them often until seeing them recently at Soundwave 2010. Seeing their zany, energetic stage antics shed new light on their music and what it's about: fun. Possibly one of the most professional and tight bands in the business, each member flawlessly portrays mastery of their respective instruments whilst still retaining a playful "anti-despair" mood about their music. These five musicians present a style of punk rock that instrumentally is heavily technical and melodic, and lyrically is dripping with wit, satire, metaphors and cynical statements. These five musicians present a style of punk rock with thought and substance beyond the crazy, energetic facade.
This week it's delivered to Massachusetts punk band A Wilhelm Scream. One of the first punk bands I ever really got into years back, I hadn't really listened to them often until seeing them recently at Soundwave 2010. Seeing their zany, energetic stage antics shed new light on their music and what it's about: fun. Possibly one of the most professional and tight bands in the business, each member flawlessly portrays mastery of their respective instruments whilst still retaining a playful "anti-despair" mood about their music. These five musicians present a style of punk rock that instrumentally is heavily technical and melodic, and lyrically is dripping with wit, satire, metaphors and cynical statements. These five musicians present a style of punk rock with thought and substance beyond the crazy, energetic facade.