What’s “On Tap” For The Future!
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By: Michael D. Vogel
© September 8, 2005. Michael D. Vogel. All Rights Reserved
Published in:
Radio & Records Magazine – September 30, 2005
With much due respect and influence to Spinal Tap, here’s a list of some of the hottest new metal bands that might break through to the masses:
Atreyu (Victory Records)
In 2002, Atreyu exploded out of Southern California grabbing the attention of a wide spectrum of music fans by demolishing the barriers between rock, melodic hardcore and metal, crafting a sound much closer to Agnostic Front or Hatebreed. The band released their debut album, Suicide Notes and Butterfly Kisses, which has already scanned 90,000 units and shows no signs of slowing down. Their sophomore release, The Curse, was produced by GGGarth, The band’s original, unique music, with detuned guitars matched by pounding drums and acidic vocals, hit like a lightning bolt in hard music circles. Atreyu’s brand of Orange Country edgy hard rock, the support of Active Rock radio and a summer Ozzfest Tour, are energizing audiences and helping to redefine the hardcore sound Southern California is known for.
Line-Up: Origin:
Dan Jacobs – Lead & Rhythm Guitar Orange County, CA
Travis Miguel – Rhythm & Lead Guitar
Brandon Saller – Drums, Vocals & Percussion
Marc McKnight – Bass & Backing Vocals
Alex Varkatzas – Lead Vocals
About The Current CD:
The sophomore release from Atreyu, The Curse, is their second studio album.
Discography:
The Curse (Victory, 2004)
Suicide Notes and Butterfly Kisses (Victory, 2002)
Visions EP (Independent, 1999)
Produced By:
GGGarth
Label:
Victory Records
Website:
Brand New Sin (Century Media)
Hailed by All Music Guide as “an example of everything right about hard rock,” this Syracuse-based band to hard-rock radio with a monstrous sophomore release that is sure to garner the attention and respect they truly deserve. Recipe For Disaster, the first for Century Media Records, features 13 tracks of pure hard rockin’ intensity mixed with undeniable catchy choruses and sheer aggression. The Southern-influenced hard rock quintet first burst upon the scene in 2002 with their self-titled debut album, garnering acclaim from such mainstream outlets as Billboard and Guitar One. The group went on to earn a devoted legion of fans through relentless touring with a wide array of artists, including Black Label Society, Motorhead, and Slayer. Their new album, Recipe For Disaster, incorporates a variety of metal and hard rock influences ranging from Black Sabbath, and Guns N’ Roses to Pantera and Metallica, while traces of Lynyrd Skynyrd remain evident, lending them the sort of bluesy, swampy edge they are best known for. Although they have plenty of ’70s and ’80s influences, the band maintains their hard-core influences keeping them extremely relevant to the 21st century alternative metal scene.
Line-Up: Origin:
Joe Altier – Vocals Syracuse, NY
Kris Wiechmann – Guitar
Kenny Dunham – Guitar
Chuck Kahl – Bass
Kevin Dean – Drums
About The Current CD:
With their self-titled debut re-released by Century Media, Recipe For Disaster is the second full-length release, and first true release on the label.
Discography:
Recipe For Disaster (Century Media, 2005)
Brand New Sin (Now Or Never, 2002)
Produced By:
Brand New Sin and Pete Walker
Label:
Century Media
Website:
Iced Earth (Steamhammer/SPV Records)
Music trends flow like water and Florida’s Iced Earth has remained consistently committed to championing the cause of heavy metal through each and every ebb and flow. After years of rocking the masses patiently in the shadows, including countless lineup changes, IE have stayed the course, emerging as one of the powerhouses for classic American metal music. Lead by guitarist extraordinaire Jon Schaffer and vocals from the incomparable Tim “Ripper” Owens, Iced Earth’s music is often described as Iron Maiden combined with 80′s thrash metal. Lyrically the band tends to deal with theological issues such as destiny, heaven and hell, and the apocalypse. Many of the band’s recent albums have been concept albums – The Dark Saga (comic book antihero-Spawn) Horror Show (horror movies) and The Glorious Burden (historical wars). Demons & Wizards, Schaffer’s other project (an on-going collaboration with vocalist Hansi Kursch from Blind Guardian) released the album Touched By The Crimson King in June of 2005, reaching tremendous airplay ar Metal radio. Currently Jon Schaffer is busy writing the next Iced Earth album, a double album that continues the story concept from the record Something Wicked This Way Comes.
Line-Up: Origin:
Jon Schaffer − Lead & Rhythm Guitar & Backing Vocals Tampa, FL.
Tim ‘Ripper’ Owens − Lead Vocals
Matt Barlow − backing vocals
Ralph Santolla − Lead Guitar
James MacDonough − Bass
Richard Christy − Drums
About The Current CD:
Following Tribute To The Gods, a collection of hard-rock songs that influenced the band, The Glorious Burden, the bands seventh studio album, is a concept album dealing with various points in American history, including the Declaration Of Independence, the American Revolutionary and Civil wars in addition to the first World War and the events of September 11th, 2001 on the World Trade Center in New York City.
Discography:
The Glorious Burden (SPV, 2004)
Tribute To The Gods (Century Media, 2002)
Horror Show (Century Media, 2001)
Something Wicked This Way Comes (Century Media, 1998)
The Dark Saga (Century Media, 1996)
Burnt Offerings (Century Media, 1995)
Night Of The Storm Rider (Century Media, 1992)
Iced Earth (Century Media, 1991)
Produced By:
Jim Morris & Jon Schaffer
Label:
Steamhammer/SPV
Website:
Shadows Fall (Century Media)
With roots that hold comparisons to the technical, progressive brand of death metal centralized in Gothenburg, Sweden, and personified by bands like In Flames, Shadows Fall, from far across the ocean and on a completely different continent, actually call Massachusetts their home. After extensive touring throughout New England, Shadows Fall scored a deal with Century Media in 1999; with their first widely distributed domestic album, Of One Blood, issued in early 2000. In 2005, Shadows Fall unveiled their most aggressive morsel to date. Their 4th studio release, The War Within is a well-crafted opus challenging the hard rock community to embrace a record equally as revolutionary as the classic Master of Puppets was to Metallica’s career. It is their constant desire to evolve and triumph that earns Shadows Fall numerous accolades from the press, fans and other bands alike. The group was recently named one of Alternative Press’ Top Five Bands in Metal Today as well as voted Best New Talent by the readers of Revolver. Preceding the album’s release, the band has already toured Europe as part of the “New Wave of American Heavy Metal” tour together with Killswitch Engage, Chimaira and God Forbid and will headline the U.S. on the first ever Strhess Tour, sponsored by well-known artist Derek Hess.
Line-Up: Origin:
Brian Fair – Vocals Springfield, Massachusetts
Jonathan Donais – Lead Guitar
Matthew Bachand – Rhythm Guitar
Paul Romanko – Bass
Jason Bittner – Drums
About The Current CD:
Their 4th studio release, The War Within is a well-crafted opus challenging the hard rock community to embrace a record equally as revolutionary as the classic Master of Puppets was to Metallica’s career.
Discography:
The War Within (Century Media, 2005) Of One Blood (Century Media, 2000)
The Art Of Balance (Century Media, 2002) Somber Eyes To The Sky (Lifeless, 1998)
Produced By:
Zeuss
Label:
Century Media
Website:
Other Bands To Watch:
Bullet For My Valentine (Trustkill/Jive/ZLG)
Bullet For My Valentine is one of the most intense musical acts to come out of Wales. Drawing on the influences that inspired them, ranging from the almighty Iron Maiden to Metallica and Testament, Bullet For My Valentine doesn’t believe in re-inventing the wheel. These Welsh rockers are on a personal quest to bring the power of the riff back to the forefront of hard rock, and they’ve got the balls and the bravado to see that no one soon forgets it. The bands debut effort, Hand Of Blood, is available now.
Line-Up: Origin:
Matthew Tuck – Lead Vocals & Rhythm Guitar Bridgend, South Wales
Michael “Padge” Padget – Lead Guitar & Backing Vocals
Jason “Jay” James – Bass & Vocals
Michael “Moose” Thomas – Drums
About The Current CD:
Similar to their first self-titled release, the Welsh quartet release their second EP, Hand Of Blood, the first on Trustkill Records.
Discography:
Hand Of Blood (Trustkill, 2005)
Bullet For My Valentine (Visible Noise, 2004)
Produced By:
Colin Richardson
Label:
Trustkill/Jive/ZLG
Website:
Chimaira (Roadrunner)
Formed in 1998, the Cleveland, OH-based hardcore sextet Chimaira derives its name from a certain feared monster in Ancient Greek mythology. Signed to Roadrunner in 2001. The band unleashed their third, self-titled, album earlier this year.
Line-Up: Origin:
Mark Hunter – Vocals Cleveland, OH
Rob Arnold – Lead Guitar
Matt DeVries – Rhythm Guitar
Jim LaMarca – Bass
Kevin Talley – Drums
Chris Spicuzza – Electronics, Keys & Backing Vocals
About The Current CD:
Chimaira is the third full-length studio album for Roadrunner Records.
Discography:
Chimaira (Roadrunner, 2005)
The Impossibility Of Reason (Roadrunner, 2003)
Pass Out Of Existence (Roadrunner, 2001)
Produced By:
Ben Schigel and Mark Hunter
Label:
Roadrunner
Website:
Lamb Of God (Epic)
Originally known as Burn The Priest, Richmond, VA-based Lamb of God changed their name shortly after the release of the self-titled 1998 debut album. With a true D.i.Y. mentality, Lamb Of God has spent much of the past two years preaching their version of “pure American death metal” at major heavy metal festivals and small clubs alike. They are currently heading back to Europe for several concert appearances. Their latest release, Ashes Of The Wake, and the first true album release on Epic Records, comes on the heels of the re-issue of the band’s dynamic 1999 debut.
Line-Up: Origin:
Randy Blythe – Lead Vocals Richmond, VA
Mark Morton – Lead & Rhythm Guitar
Willie Adler – Lead & Rhythm Guitar
John Campbell – Bass
Chris Adler – Drums & Percussions
About The Current CD:
Guitar World voted Ashes Of The Wake the 49th greatest Guitar Album of all Time. Aimed at the war in Iraq, the band’s fourth studio album is more political than their previous works.
Discography:
Ashes Of The Wake (Epic, 2004)
As The Palaces Burn (Prosthetic, 2003)
New American Gospel (Metal Blade, 2000)
Burn The Priest (Legion, 1999)
Produced By:
Machine & Lamb of God
Label:
Epic
Website:
Mastodon (Reprise)
Storming out of Atlanta, GA, this hardcore quartet has received rave reviews from America to Europe and has been compared to the almighty original Metallica heavy metal pounding. The bands debut EP, Lifeseblood, plus full-length albums Remission and Leviathan, were all released through Relapse Records. The band is currently in the studio working on their major-label, Reprise debut.
Line-Up: Origin:
Brent Hinds – Guitar & Vocals Atlanta, GA
Bill Kelliher – Guitar
Troy Sanders – Bass & Vocals
Brann Dailor – Drums
About The Current CD:
A concept album based on Herman Melville’s novel Moby Dick. Band members have constantly stated that Ahab’s story is a parallel to the band’s journey towards success, fame and renown. The wave seen in the full picture of the artwork is a reflection of Hokusai’s The Great Wave off Kanagawa.
Discography:
Leviathan (Relapse, 2004)
Remission (Relapse, 2002)
Lifesblood, (Relapse, 2001)
Produced By:
Mastodon & Matt Bayles
Label:
Reprise
Website:
Soilwork (Nuclear Blast)
Forming in 1997, Soilwork combine an ultra-heavy death metal sound with power-groove riffs reminiscent of late-’70s, early-’80s British and European metal. Veterans of the Swedish metal scene, Soilwork recorded their first demo, In Dreams We Fall Into the Eternal, in 1997. Steelbath Suicide, the band’s debut album, was released in 1998. The attention helped land a U.S. deal with Century Media.
Line-Up: Origin:
Bjorn “Speed” Strid – Vocals Helsingborg, Sweden
Peter Wichers – Guitar
Ola Frenning – Guitar
Ola Flink – Bass
Dirk Verbeuren – Drums
Sven Karlsson – Keys
About The Current CD:
Stabbing The Drama is the fourth release on Nuclear Blast and sixth full-length studio album from melodic Swedish hard-core metal band.
Discography:
Stabbing The Drama (Nuclear Blast, 2005)
Figure Number Five (Nuclear Blast, 2003)
Natural Born Chaos (Nuclear Blast, 2002)
Predator’s Portrait (Nuclear Blast, 2001)
The Chainheart Machine (Century Media, 2000)
Steelbath Suicide, (Century Media, 1998)
In Dreams We Fall Into the Eternal (Independent, 1997)
Produced By:
Daniel Bergstrand
Label:
Nuclear Blast
Website:
Superjoint Ritual (Sanctuary)
Want to get someone’s attention? There’s nothing like a swift kick to the stomach, except maybe a right hook to the face. This one-two combo is exactly what you’d expect and is delivered from Superjoint Ritual. Accordingly, the members of Superjoint Ritual approached the writing and recording of their debut (and subsequent follow-up albums) with “the perfect 15-year-old mentality of having everything loud, everything on 10, getting loaded, and letting whatever happens, happen,” guitarist Jimmy Bower has publicly stated. Forming in the ‘90’s, it wasn’t until the disbanding of Anselmo’s ‘other band-Pantera’, that SJR was able to record any music. Produced by former Ugly Kid Joe member Dave Fortman (Eyehategod, Soilent Green), the end result was the 2002 debut release Use Once and Destroy, showing the influences of Black Flag, Celtic Frost, and Voivod, among others. The album was only a warning as it helped set the tone for the whirlwind adrenaline rush that would follow with A Lethal Dose Of American Hatred and Four Doses Of American Hatred.
Line-Up: Origin:
Phil Anselmo – Vocals & Guitar New Orleans, LA
Jimmy Bower – Guitar
Kevin Bond – Guitar
Hank Williams III – Bass
Joe Fazzio – Drums
About The Current CD:
Four Doses Of American Hatred EP is SJR’s third release on Sanctuary Records, following the punch-in-your-face albums A Lethal Dose Of American Hatred, which saw touring bassist Hank Williams III added as a fulltime member of the band and their octane-laced debut Use Once and Destroy.
Discography:
Four Doses Of American Hatred (Sanctuary, 2004)
A Lethal Dose Of American Hatred (Sanctuary, 2003)
Use Once and Destroy (Sanctuary, 2002)
Produced By:
Dave Fortman & Superjoint Ritual
Label:
Sanctuary
Website:
Extreme Retail Stories:
As I Lay Dying (Metal Blade)
You want a true word of mouth, grass-roots retail success story? Hailing from San Diego, CA, As I Lay Dying’s brand of metal-hardcore is kickin’ *ss and taking names at retail. Their debut album on Metal Blade, Frail Words Collapse has scanned more than 140,000, followed closely by their sophomore release Shadows are Security, closing in at over 120,000 to date. That’s an average of over 1,100 units per week! And they’re doing it the old fashioned way – touring! Co-headliners on the second stage OZZFEST 2005 as well as the Cornerstone Festival (the nations largest Christian music festival) to name just a few of their live commitments. Breakout retail markets include: Los Angeles, New York, Philadelphia, San Diego, Boston and Chicago.
Line-Up: Origin:
Tim Lambesis – Vocals San Diego, CA
Nick Hipa – Guitar
Phil Sgrosso – Guitar, Bass & Piano
Clint Norris – Bass & Backing Vocals
Jordan Mancino – Drums
About The Current CD:
Shadows Are Security is the third album by AILD. Tim Lambesis, the band’s vocalist, and Phil Sgrosso, one of the band’s guitarists, along with Steve Russell, produced the record. The CD booklet features linear notes from vocalist Lambesis on the concept of the record as well as an inside look into its creation.
Discography:
Shadows Are Security (Metal Blade, 2005)
Frail Words Collapse (Metal Blade, 2003)
Beneath the Encasing of Ashes (Pluto, 2001)
Produced By:
Tim Lambesis, Phil Sgrosso & Steve Russell
Label:
Metal Blade
Website:
Unearth (Metal Blade)
These guys aren’t your average boys from Beantown. These Boston natives are carving out their place in metal-hard-core. With head-bangin’ performances with Shadows Fall, Hatebreed, Damage Plan and Atreyu, Unearth is seeing the fruits of the hard-rockin’ labors. The Oncoming Storm has scanned over 105,000 to date, with a special edition release, with DVD, slated for October 18. The band is currently on the road with Dillinger Escape Plan; and an upcoming tour, starting in October with Slipknot and As I Lay Dying.
Line-Up: Origin:
Trevor Phipps – Vocals Winthrop, MA
Buz McGrath – Guitar
Ken Susi – Guitar & Backing Vocals
John Maggard – Bass
Mike Justian – Drums
About The Current CD:
Produced by Killswitch Engage guitarist Adam Dutkiewicz, The Oncoming Storm is the New England bands sophomore studio release.
Discography:
The Oncoming Storm (Metal Blade, 2004)
The Stings of Conscience (Eulogy, 2003)
Produced By:
Adam Dutkiewicz
Label:
Metal Blade
Website:
Major Metal Project:
Roadrunner United (Roadrunner)
Evolving from an unassuming Dutch import company into one of the worlds most innovative record labels over the past quarter-century, Roadrunner has set a high standard in the music world, both in musicianship and presentation as well as an unwavering commitment to some of the most intense music in the hard-rock and heavy metal genres. Drawing on it’s past, Roadrunner has amassed an all-star mega-group, the aptly titled Roadrunner United, for the album The All-Star Sessions marking the label’s 25th Anniversary. The full-length studio release, in stores October 11, boasts of a who’s who in the hard rock world. The album features collaborations between 56 artists from 45 of Roadrunner past and present bands.
At the heart of this creative effort are the fearsome four-some of Joey Jordison (Slipknot), Dino Cazares (Ex-Fear Factory), Robert Flynn (Machine Head) and Matt Heafy (Trivium). These four heavy weights in the hard rock community, acting as team captains, assembled as awesome team of fellow rockers to punctuate each track. In order to create the widest diversity with the project, no musician played for more than one writer/producer and each track features a different vocalist. In addition, longtime Type O Negative producer/keyboardist Josh Silver will also contribute special additional tracks to the album.
Dino Cazares, the team captain with the longest history with the label sums it up best: “Back in the day, if a record had a Roadrunner logo on it, you knew what you were getting…quality sh*t! It’s a real honor to be a part of Roadrunner.” ^m^
Line-Up:
Various, including – Max Cavalera, Dez Fafara & King Diamond – Vocals
Various, including – Dino Cazares, Robert Flynn & Josh Rand – Guitar
Various, including – Mike D’Antonio, Paul Gray & Nadja Peulen – Bass
Various, including – Roy Mayorga, Joey Jordison & Johnny Kelly – Drums
About The Current CD:
For The All-Star Sessions, four “team captains” (Joey Jordison (Slipknot), Dino Cazares (Ex-Fear Factory), Robert Flynn (Machine Head) and Matt Heafy (Trivium) were chosen to lead 57 artists from 45 past and present Roadrunner bands, and produce and oversee the album’s 18 tracks.
Discography:
All-Star Sessions (Roadrunner, 2005)
Produced By:
Joey Jordison, Matt Heafy, Dino Cazares, Robb Flynn & Jason Suecof
Label:
Roadrunner
Website:
www.roadrunnerrecords.com/RRUnited
© September 8, 2005. Michael D. Vogel. All Rights Reserved. This originally appeared on the Vogelism blog at https://www.vogelism.com authored by Michael D. Vogel. This article may be shared or reprinted as long as the entire copyright message, including the source location of this article, accompanies it.
Welcome to Michael D. Vogel’s online portfolio. I am a Los Angeles-based music journalist/content creator, and self-professed music-fanatic/radio-aholic. With more than 20 years of experience in multiple facets of the music industry including; music programming/air talent for terrestrial and internet radio as well as record label artist promotion, I have a finger on the pulse of what's new and under the radar in the emerging music scene. Areas of specific expertise include, but not limited to: rock (heritage, mainstream, heavy metal/hard rock and alternative), pop and adult contemporary, as well as radio, pop culture, sports, exercise and politics. I am applying my passion for music as a freelance writer for the Examiner as National Music Examiner (Examiner.com) in addition to West Coast Editor for FreeGotham (FreeGotham.com). Find me at michael@vogelism.com. 