The Color Morale - Know Hope

Artist: The Color Morale
Album: Know Hope
Release Date: 25th March 2013
Rating: 1 Star - Shocking // 2 Star - Average // 3 Star - Solid // 4 Star - Amazing // 5 Star - Legendary

Overview:

Reminding you of cliche metalcore but completely swinging the bat to uniquely composed because of it's distinctly different breakdowns and addictive tone.

Tracklist:

Burn Victims - The whole song is one big breakdown but differentiating in consistency and individuality. This, including the low and high screams of Garret Rapp are tremendously executed which makes for an outstanding collaboration.
Smoke And Mirrors - Harder and edgier, you will feel the need explode like a child on a sugar rush.
Learned Behavior - The memorable chorus in line with the uplifting lyrics is enough to effortlessly compete for the most notable song off the album.
Living Breathing Something - The breakdowns in conjunction with the gloomy lyrics forces you to into a metal bubble where it's just you and the music and nothing else matters.
Strange Comfort - Your average TCM melody but idiosyncratically adding the reoccurring tranquil element throughout the song suits perfectly to make this unforgettable.
Light In Me - Nothing amazingly out of the ordinary but the melodic guitar work is heard for the first time which spices up the expected breakdowns.
Silver Lining - Steve Carey climaxing on the drums to an almost punk/ alternative rock commencement makes for a surprisingly good alteration. A progressive metal tone is then proceeded by a half way double bonus breakdown, oh my gosh the sheer madness! Summing this up; punch a wall and scream, 'KEEP THE HELL AWAY FROM ME!'
Steadfast - Popularly accepted because of its immediate catchiness including the pop-rock flavour, it secures the song to be constantly engaging. All cleans except backing screams throughout, cause this to become more exclusive than the rest.
Hole Hearted -  A jumbled mess that for a second could be mistaken as unique but after a couple of listens is entirely poor and quite frankly, gets lost in the greatness of the other songs.
Saviorself -  An individualised opening that instantly grows on you and gives you high hopes for the rest of the duration. Garret shows off his vocal abilities in partnership with the quietly melodic collaboration of the guitar and drums is superbly completed.
Have.Will - Ugh, boring. If i could put my finger on it, it would be the lack of venturing. Around the half way mark it gets semi-reasonable but then rapidly declines in its unadventurous-ness.
Never Enders - The lyrics and the vocals become the ear focal point but that alone couldn't cross it over the greatness line because of the instruments leisurely playing average music. A truly astonishingly dreadful song to end the album to.

 Listen to the full album of "The Color Morale - Know Hope" below

The Used - The Ocean Of The Sky EP

Artist: The Used
Album: The Ocean Of They Sky EP
Release Date: 9th July 2013
Rating: 1 Star - Shocking // 2 Star - Average // 3 Star - Solid // 4 Star - Amazing // 5 Star - Legendary

Overview:

With glimpses of gold but descents of confusion. This album is full of surprises.

Tracklist:
Iddy Biddy - This song grows on you the more you listen. Where should i start? How about the tremendous introduction that makes you reminisce to their very first self titled EP! Or the extravently memorable chorus that'll have you howling the lyrics. From start to finish, it is insanely preposterous in the best way possible.
Quixotica - A similar introduction to "Iddy Biddy" but uniquely positively ostracised from the rest. A dirty rock-n-roll chorus with an edgy 3rd verse breakdown including poetically persuasive and witty lyrics will have you marvelling over the brilliance.

Thought Criminal - An "In Love And Death" taste was not enough to keep this song afloat. Bert McCrackens voice does not suit the dramatic ballad type nature in the slightest. The older you get, the richer the voice is certainly not present here.

The Ocean Of The Sky - An almost recycled introduction from "Artwork", it struggles to explore creativeness. Experimenting with technical sounds also did not play out well. What could have been unique, turned into cheap, bleak and a waste of time. But the grungy instruments make for a much needed adrenaline rush.

Tethys - I do not know why this is on here or what the point of it is but it's ridiculously deficient and unnecessary. So much talent is wasted on this confusement of a song. Extremely disappointing is all that can be said.

 Listen to the full album of "The Used - The Ocean Of The Sky" below

 

August Burns Red - Rescue & Restore

Artist: August Burns Red
Album: Rescue & Restore
Release Date: 25th June 2013
Rating: 1 Star - Shocking // 2 Star - Average // 3 Star - Solid // 4 Star - Amazing // 5 Star - Legendary

Overview:

ABR are one of those bands that consistently release albums that increase in greatness. This album has not broken the trend.

Tracklist:
Provision - Oh the breakdowns and melodic guitar work that rings so sweet in my ears. Classic ABR to start the album!
Treatment - A Mexican groove awaits mid song that you expect will lead to a breakdown but instead receiving a repeat of the previous guitar work? What a let down. To the plus side, Matt Greiner shows off his immense drumming talent including the high and low growls of Jake Luhrs make for an excellent combination.
Spirit Breaker - A violin introduction is a refreshing start. Killing it on the bass, Dustin Davidson is the ear focal point that would give any wannabe bassist a run for their money. A richly slower song, it makes for an exemplary live performance.
Count It All As Lost - The lyrics stand out in this magnificent explanation of broken promises and regaining strength. This, in conjunction with the arioso musicianship is enormously impressive and quite frankly could become a favourite after the first listen.
Sincerity - Fast paced guitar and drumming with the backing vocals adding the final touch. Including a mid song breakdown contributing to the ABR standard. A very mediocre song in comparison.
Creative Captivity - Musicianship discrepancy could be mistaken as a spark of creativity and unique musical approach. But when the fluff is removed, all that remains is a run of the mill intermission. Nothing more.
Fault Line - Cliche seems to be the most appropriate word for this song but of course ABR manage to pull off the breakdowns as one-of-a-kind. Oh the placebo effect.
Beauty In Tragedy - Although i do not understand the point of slowly speaking while faking to be out of breath completed by lackluster words, this is the most harmonic and memorable chorus off the album. The whole song flows so beautifully because of the perfect harmonising.
Animals - Metalcore doesn't get much better than this.
Echoes - Extreme musical elements are all present, from fast paced to a gentle melodic nature. One of the more soothing songs off the album, it is quite a highlight.
The First Step - Oh my gosh that 1/2 way breakdown is the dirtest sound to my ears then followed by a slick guitar solo, could life get much sweeter? What an ending!

 Watch the official music video for "August Burns Red - Provision" below

Killswitch Engage - Disarm The Descent

Artist: Killswitch Engage
Album: Disarm The Descent
Release Date: 2nd April 2013
Rating: 1 Star - Shocking // 2 Star - Average // 3 Star - Solid // 4 Star - Amazing // 5 Star - Legendary

Overview:

This album has a lot to prove since the loss of Jeff Howard and the re-gain of original lead singer Jesse Leach. Flawless musicianship got them there but unqiueness couldnt keep them there.

Tracklist:
The Hell In Me - Intense hardcore introduction that slightly steps sidewards from original KSE but will brightly excite metal fans. Ear-grabbing chorus that gives true KSE fans a chance to put all their hope and expectations in.
Beyond The Flames - Just your classic metal being re-tweaked with melodic guitar and harmonising vocals, nothing alarmingly out of the ordinary here. However, it briefly reconfirms that they are in fact coming back stronger than ever despite the loss of their most well-known lead singer, Jeff Howard.
New Awakening -  This brings you back to 'The End Of Heartache'. The most exciting and heart-jolting song off the whole album! Absolutely brilliant. Unfathomable brilliance.
In Due Time - Squeaky notes. Profoundly crystal clean vocals. Unified cooperation of instrumental genius. Not bad, not bad at all.
A Tribute To The Fallen - Don't let the 20 seconds of guitar work fool you into making this song a top hit. Although lyrically the strongest, the drums are being severally underappreicated with less than average guitar work.
The Turning Point - One of the more darkly composed musically with a KSE twist. An easy contender for top track off the album.
All That We Have - Chorus is surprisingly poorly written and collaborated. Unoriginal riffs shameably brings down the whole album flow. Give this song a miss, you wont miss out on much.
You Don't Bleed For Me - The musicianship will get you through this song because vocally it is not up to expectation or the typical standard for that matter. A greater depth of maturity could have been presented but was unfortunately not met.
The Call - Chorus seems like it is abruptly cut short with oddly placed backing vocals. Each to their own on this one.
No End In Sight - Superlative alteration between screaming and clean vocals with the 3/4 break down giving the song a much needed boost.
Always - Magnificantly and collectively written with the lyrics and the vocals being the focal point. Clearly distingushing this song from the rest, it makes its obvious impression on the rest of the album.
Time Will Not Remain - Earth shaking? Ground breaking? None of the above. KSE have got to stop adding a guitar solo and thinking that will up the song quality. Honestly a horrible song to end the album to.

Watch the official music video for "Killswitch Engage - Always" below

Mallory Knox - Signals

Artist: Mallory Knox
Album: Signals
Release Date: 21st January 2013
Rating: 1 Star - Shocking // 2 Star - Average // 3 Star - Solid // 4 Star - Amazing // 5 Star - Legendary

Overview:

The greatest full-length album I have listened to in 2013. Album of the year award is well deserved.

Tracklist:

Beggars - Killer introduction that makes you bang your head every time. Excellent riffing to perfectly timed singing that makes all elements of this song in sync. And just when you think the song couldn't get any more catchy, Verse 3 hits and you find yourself blown back by shear musicianship. What a start.

Lighthouse - Joe Savins knocking it out of the park with his vocal ability. Thinking the song has settled, you'll find yourself just sitting back and admiring his voice. But the song manages to reach a new level when the last verse hits and all guns come firing to bring the song to a fabulous close.

Death Rattle - This song has the hardcore signature with the classic rock mellow nature. Belting the chorus like there's no tomorrow, especially while you're violently fist pumping is completely normal. Easily a most memorable chorus off the album.

Wolves - Average MK couple of minutes. Although average is still great, you can't help but ponder the next step of greatness it could have taken. The highlight is the almost poetic ending of the chorus that'll have you repeating the song purely for the last 30 seconds.

1949 - It could be the charismatic lyrics or the softness of the melody that sells you after the first time play. Just don't let the lack of edginess throw you off. Enable this song to grow on you and it can easily become your favourite off the album.

Wake Up - Growling Verse 2 vocals add to the almost metal flavour but of course spicing it down with impeccable background hymns and above standard guitar and drum harmonising.

Hello - Nothing musically exceptional, perhaps it's the lack of experimentation to venture outside the typical MK groove. But once again Joe brings it home and makes this song worth listening to over and over again.

Misdemeanour - Short and sweet song that represents all that MK are set to achieve. Not overaly astonishing musically or lyrically but definitely worth a listen.

Bury Your Head - A soft and gentle interlude that a lot more lyrically could have been done to make this song stand out. Lyrics had no fundamental root which made it unrelatable and therefore brought down the whole album atmosphere. Although for the bands cult followers or unknowledgable fans, this song could be mistaken as top notch quality.

Signals - Interesting choice to title your album after but is understable after a few listens.
Creeper - Everything classic MK, sprinkled with rock and whitty lyrics rolled into one outstanding song. Superb ending that leaves you wanting more.

 Listen to the full album of "Mallory Knox - Signals" below

I The Mighty - Satori

Artist: I The Mighty
Album: Satori
Release Date: 11th June 2013
Rating: 1 Star - Shocking // 2 Star - Average // 3 Star - Solid // 4 Star - Amazing // 5 Star - Legendary

Overview: 

What a step up from their EP "Karma Never Sleeps"! Who would have thought their killer EP could have possibly been better? This much anticipated album has truly out-done their musicanship and song-writing capabilities.

Tracklist:
Speak To Me - Brent Walsh deciding to add back up screaming vocals and rightly so at that! It adds the perfect edgyness to the first track of the album. Plus, not to mention that soft yet memorable bridge to continue onto the kick ass chorus. This song will force your ipod on repeat.
Failures - Although they did release this song as their second single, this was one of the let down songs. Uplifting lyrics for the underage fans yet missing the evergreen musical element. This song is easily forgotton and left behind in comparison with the rest of the album.
Some Say It's Your Loss - The drums stand out as Blake Dahlinger shows off his talent while the guitar plays the same notes throughout the whole song. Yet somehow ITM manage to make it all come together. The chorus will 100% keep you coming back to this song.
Ivy - One of the best songs that lyrically shows off their song writing ability. The lyrics in mesh with the impecable timing of musicanship makes this song quite memorable despite the otherwise not immediate ear-catching chorus.
Artful Temptress (Paint Me Senseless) - Verses and the chorus almost seem like they are taken from two different songs. Quite a clumpy collabortion that would have worked if they were more well-known but ended up making it one of the weaker songs off the album.
The Frame II: Keep Breathing - Brent showing off the beauty of this voice and the ranges it can go in an almost ballad-like way. Excellent vocal and music flow with a suprise guitar solo and the only hardcore breakdown in the whole album. Give this song a couple of listens and this will easily become one of the album hits.
Four Letter Words - The vocal contrast in the bridge is beautifully done between Brent and Colleen D'Agostino of The Material and is by far the highlight. This is the number 1 song to have you belting the lyrics from start to finish.
Echoes - Album would have stood out more without this song as there is nothing unique about it.
Occupatience - Interlude song. Nothing more.
A Spoonfull Of Shallow Makes Your Head An Empty Space - The only thing that is keeping this song as 'good' is the chorus. During the verses you find yourself drifting off and wishing the chorus catchiness could have been translated to the rest of the song. Still worth a listen but is only for the die-hard ITM fans.
Embers - The real ITM kicks back in again with a slick introduction and head tilting rhythm guitar. A calmer song to the album that fits perfectly on the car ride home playlist.
Between The Lines - Lyrcially darker than typical ITM but making it add perfectly together with the usual music. Not memorable, but bareable.
The Quick Fix - Starting off slow but rocking out in blades of glory, not just musically but also lyrically. An excellent finish that leaves you on a massive high.

Watch the official music video for "I The Mighty - Speak To Me" below