Exmortus - Slave To The Sword

Ancient bad-ass warriors? Check. Heavily stylized band logo? Check. Yup, everything seems to be in order here.I love to hear stories of young people (relatives especially) that jointly pursue their passion for metal music. Like Nick and Cody Souza (Hatriot), or Jasun and Troy Tipton (Zero Hour, Cynthesis). Now add to that exclusive list Conan and Mario Moreno, cousins who formed their band Exmortus when they were only teenagers, the style of which is basic power metal in all of its aggressive, thunderous, neo-classical shredding glory with a touch of death metal and thrash thrown into the mix. They spent many years self-producing their own demos and EPs enough to get signed and release a debut and subsequent follow-up, ultimately garnering a tour with the likes of Dark Tranquillity and Omnium Gatherum. Not too shabby, right?

That said, there's no doubt of the band's chops or motivations (I mean, the have a song called Metal Is King for Pete's sake) as attested by their latest release, Slave To The Sword. And while I like what I'm hearing, I can't honestly say I hear anything new in their sound that I haven't heard on countless other such albums in my youth. So even though it's great music for what it is, I'm not able to tell you this will blow your mind or that you need to drop everything and check them out. But I can say that this is straight ahead power metal that delivers the goods, and that ain't hay.

The Bottom Line: The Moreno boys deliver a power metal album that can stand up against any other out there in a pretty crowded genre, and that's saying something. Don't come looking for innovation or genre-twisting, but do come ready to bang your fucking head. Capische?

Tracks To Make Your Hands Reflexively Go HORNS UP: Slave To The Sword, Foe Hammer, Ancient Violence, and Metal Is King

- Genghis wouldn't even consider wearing a loincloth, no sir...

Tidal Arms (self-titled)

Now these Brooklyn boys know how to rock some heavy, psychedelic shit without devolving into primal scream sessions.Having answered an ad in Craigslist, guitarist Tom Tierney joined vocalist/drummer Francis Mark to tour with his band Warship. After touring, their writing sessions led to adding bassist Patrick Southern to the fold for what would become Tidal Arms, who self-released their critically-acclaimed debut, The Sun Exploding, about 3 years ago. So how is their eponymous follow-up? Pretty damned good.

I can't say I go in for most post-hardcore, especially the primal scream therapy vocals and muddled, distorted bass heavy music that drones on far too long to be enjoyed, unlike the stoner metal jams I like to crank every now and then. But what Tidal Arms does is keep things melodic and change up the tempo enough to remind you they are true musicians even when things get a little more frenetic. Don't get me wrong, there's plenty of feedback and moments of punk rock abandon mixed in with this sludge metal stew. But at least you get to enjoy some genuinely interesting dare I say progressive moments like Mirror Box and Jelloshotgum, or the Nirvanaesque intro of Molasses that gives way to some sweet, shimmering chord-strumming before [they start] kicking over tables and chairs.

The Bottom Line: Tidal Arms plays a good hybrid of psychedelic rock and post-hardcore styles that does a far better job of engaging listeners than the narcissistic catharsis that most of the genre claims as its style. Moments of introspection are interwoven with the explosive outbursts in such a deft manner that it makes the music all the more powerful and interesting.

Tracks For When You Want To Rock AND Piss Off The Neighbors: Mirror Box, Molasses, On The Train, Jelloshotgum and I Am The Owl

- Genghis needs a really bad-ass stereo system at home...

One Machine - The Distortion of Lies and the Overdriven Truth

Sadly, One Machine's debut album seems to lack direction, but gives you a glimpse of what may be an awesome sophomore release.You'll often hear me talk about that fine line between the complex musical arrangements of truly gifted musicians operating on another level and what is commonly referred to as wankery. And as much as I can respect the obvious talents of a given group of musicians, it's always a disappointment when their album isn't greater than the sum of its parts. Such is the case with One Machine and their debut album, The Distortion of Lies and the Overdriven Truth.

Having an impressive list of associated acts (Testament, Nevermore, Vicious Rumors, Mnemic, and Mercenary), One Machine sounds like it could be the dream debut of a band that wouldn't be called a supergroup only because of its members' lack of household name status. Sadly, the album seems to suffer from a lack of flow that puts some of the best introduction to One Machine at the last half of the album. tracks like Into Nothing and the fantastic Last Star Alights would've made a graceful beginning to TDOLATOT rather than the frenetic title track, though the most intense track, Evict the Enemy, feels like the proper denouement to the proceedings.

The Bottom Line: This is one of those unfortunate cases where more is less. There's an undeniable surplus of musical talent on display here, but in the metal maelstrom of sound, the thread of melody gets muddled past the point of enjoyment. But there is hope, as slower moments on the album provide a glimpse of what this band is really capable of, for future releases.

Tracks That Make You Wish There Were More Of Them On This Album: Into Nothing and Last Star Alights

- Genghis once again laments the dearth of Stine Brothers material...

Podcast #170: Bio

Guitarist Dave Garcia chews the fat with G&R, leaving the lads feeling a bit...inadequate.Why aren't there more rock biopics? Sure, we've gotten a few about The Beatles and The Doors, but why aren't there more? After all, rockers seem to live the lives we wish we could, so why aren't studios clamoring to tell their (presumably interesting) stories? We can look forward to the upcoming Mötley Crüe movie maybe, but what's next? Join Genghis & Ragman as they discuss the bands they wish had movies made about them and who should be involved. Next, the boys corner Cage/Hellscream guitarist Dave Garcia for a one on one as he discusses his side project, Hellscream's debut release, Made Immortal, and the current status of Cage.

DVD of the Show: Pagan’s Mind – Live Equation

Beer of the Show: Red Velvet Stout (Buffalo Bayou Brewing Co.)
	Appearance: 3.5 Aroma: 3.5 Palate: 3.0 Taste: 3.0 Overall: 3.0	"A nice entry in Buffalo Bayou's Secessionist series with chocolate and espresso notes, though we'd probably prefer it on tap."

Featured Tracks: Vanishing Point – Let the River Run; Pagan’s Mind – God’s Equation; Sasquatch – Smoke Signal; Steel Dragon – Stand Up; Still Crazy – Scream Freedom; Cage – Bloodsteel; Hellscream – Phoenix (We’ll Rise), VII (Seven Sins), and The Great Collector

Ragman’s Classic of the Show:  Life, Sex and Death – Fuckin' Shit-ass

Genghis’ Classic of the Show:  Vinnie Moore – Meltdown

Ragman’s Pick of the Show: Falling in Reverse – Champion

Genghis Pick of the Show: El Drugstore – Hipster Tits

- Ragman is getting back on track...

Podcast #170: Bio

The Unguided - Fragile Immortality

Well, I gotta say, 2014 is starting out strong.  There have been many strong releases, so far, and The Unguided's latest release, Fragile Immortality, is no exception.  Picking up where they left off, with their stellar 2011 release, Hell Frost, these Swedes are back with a vengeance.  The Unguided mix the best aspects of Death Metal with Metalcore.  It is a mix of growls and clean vocals, over some killer melodic death metal.  It doesn't get much better than this.

For their sophomore release, Fragile Immortality, The Unguided give you more of the same.  This CD is chock full of melodic death tunes, with an alt vibe, mainly due to the vocal mix.  Think of early In Flames mixed with Killswitch Engage.  I guess another comparison could be to Scar Symmetry, because both bands are melodic, but can still crush your skull, at the same time.  The songs are well structured and memorable.  Oh, did I mention there is some killer shreddage?  This one is strong, from beginning to end.  Definitely one of my early faves in 2014.

Bottom Line:  Powerful melodic death metal, with an alt twist.  This is a band to watch out for in 2014.

Standout Tracks:  Every damn one of them.

-Ragman was glad the lads were able to avoid the sophomore jinx.