Author: THE SAW

Categories
DJ Highlights

Thank You For Everything, WKNC

WKNC 88.1 blog
The Saw’s first DJ shift at WKNC.

As we approach May, final exams are beginning and seniors are excitedly waiting for graduation. Very exciting times! I am a senior here at NC State, and I have a bittersweet feeling about leaving the Wolfpack. On one hand, I am excited to start my next journey in adulthood and see where that leads me. But on the other hand, I will miss NC State, specifically, WKNC – the place that I have called home for 4 years. 

I first heard about WKNC from my dad. He was telling me that NC State has a radio station that plays metal and it automatically caught my interest. Once I was on campus, I went to the WKNC interest meeting and from there I applied to become a Chainsaw Rock DJ. From there, I became the Chainsaw Rock Music Director and later the Content Manager. It is crazy to see how much I have grown during my time at WKNC. I went from having a show from midnight to 1AM, to being on during prime time on Friday’s from 5pm-7pm. 

I’ve gotten to see my show grow and transform into something that I want to do for the rest of my life. I went from being “DJ Saw” to The Saw, host of The Saw’s Butcher Shop where I play the heaviest metal on the planet. I then got to showcase my Local Butchers when I created the Bone Cruncher – an hour set where I played local NC bands. The sense of community that derived from this was so inspiring. I love playing music and seeing band’s reactions when they hear themselves on the radio. It’s such a surreal feeling. 

While at WKNC I had the honor of emceeing the North Carolina State Fair and introducing Between the Buried and Me, emceed the first ever Chainsaw Presents show, attended and spoke at two CBI conventions, and had the honor of interviewing Myke Terry from Volumes, Dee Snider from Twister Sister, Trevor Peres from Obituary, and Andreas Kisser from Sepultura.  

WKNC is what made my NC State experience. I am so thankful for the people I have gotten to meet and for the opportunities and experiences I created.

 I want to thank my parents for always being my number one supporter and for always tuning into my set to jam with me. You have helped me way more than you both know. 

I want to personally thank Jamie Gilbert for everything she has done for me. Thank you for believing in me and in The Saw’s Butcher Shop. None of this could have happened without you.

And finally, I want to thank YOU, the listener. It has been my honor to hand out beatings, and you kept coming back for more! Thank you. 

If you want to stay up to date with The Saw, all of my information can be found at www.thesawsbutchershop.com

This isn’t goodbye, but a see you later. The Saw’s work is never complete. 

Stay Metal, 

THE SAW 

The Saw’s last DJ shift at WKNC. Photo by Courtney Breen @chewing.glass on Instagram.

Categories
Classic Album Review

Album of the Week: Death – The Sound of Perseverance (1998)

Death - The Sound of Perseverance (1998)

You already know that Death is one of the original Death Metal bands out of Florida, and you already know that they are one of my favorites (and one of the “OG’s” Top Five Favorites)! The Sound of Perseverance is Death’s seventh and final studio album, released August 31, 1998 by Nuclear Blast. You really can’t go wrong with any of the Death records, and I’ve already reviewed my favorite (‘90s, Spiritual Healing) and rated it 10/10!! But The Sound of Perseverance is different and special.

So, Chuck Schuldiner (vocals, guitars) IS Death, and just about every album has a different line-up (except for Leprosy [1988] and Spiritual Healing). Here, Chuck is joined by Shannon Hamm (guitar), Richard Christy (drums), and Scott Clendenin (bass) for one Hell of a performance. When Chuck signed with Nuclear Blast, he agreed to do one last Death record before moving on to his new project, Control Denied. And what a Swan Song The Sound of Perseverance is for Death. 

If you’re paying attention, you’ll notice the evolution of the band Death, but also the man, Chuck Schuldiner, as you listen to the Death discography. From the stunning first record (‘87s, Scream Bloody Gore), where Chuck breaks new ground in Metal, to The Sound of Perseverance where it all culminates in a technical, melodic masterpiece. His vocal patterns, lyrical content, and voice (itself) changes as you move through Death time-space. But the musical content progresses also, from pure Death Metal in the first three albums, to a serious challenge to the status-quo during the next three (Human [‘91], Individual Thought Patterns [‘93], and Symbolic [‘95]), and finally to the high and lofty tones of The Sound of Perseverance. 

Marked by Death’s signature tempo changes, soaring guitar solos, thunderous rhythm sections, and in your face (yet, clean) lyrical content, The Sound of Perseverance is the perfect closing recording for a truly great band.

Song Listing of the 1998 release:

  • Scavenger of Human Sorrow 
  • Bite the Pain
  • Spirit Crusher
  • Story to Tell
  • Flesh and the Power it Holds 
  • Voice of the Soul
  • To Forgive is to Suffer
  • A Moment of Clarity
  • *Painkiller (Judas Priest cover)

Rating: 10/10!! Just a great record!

Favorite Song: I could just point to the list above, but Spirit Crusher is my favorite (though it is not “better” than any other on the album)! 

Stay Metal,

THE SAW

Categories
Playlists

The Saw’s Choice Cuts: Amon Amarth

Welcome to the Saw’s Butcher Shop, Butcher Crew! It is me, The Saw, and I’m back today to feature my Band of the Week: Amon Amarth. 

Ah, yes… Melodic Death Metal at its finest. These guys have been doing this for over three decades, and they have it down to a science. Amon Amarth began with more of a Black Metal sound, which evolved into some of the best Melodic Death Metal in history. Amon Amarth’s music is very harmonious, anthemic, and heavy. Johan has one of the best voices in Metal, and the band as a whole is tight and on point at all times. They are known as one of the hardest working bands around and, in fact, have just joined with (The titans) Iron Maiden on a partnership in the video game industry. That’s right, Eddie and the Berserker sharing a screen of bloodshed! 

Like I said, Amon Amarth have gone through changes in their sound, so picking my favorite songs necessarily spans their long career. BTW, their newest live record, Pursuit of Vikings, spans their career and covers many of my favorites. You should check it out! One thing is definite, no matter the era, Amon Amarth is bad ass! Enjoy my picks!! 

Fafner’s Gold

Blood Eagle

Fate of Norns

The Pursuit of Vikings

Raise Your Horns

Destroyer of the Universe

Aerials (SOAD cover)

Guardians of Asgaard

Vs. the World

A Thousand Years of Oppression

Runes to My Memory

Stay Metal,

THE SAW

Categories
New Album Review

Cannibal Corpse – Violence Unimagined (2021)

Violence Unimagined Album Cover

The 15th studio album by the OGs of Death Metal, Violence Unimagined by Cannibal Corpse was released on April 16th, 2021 (Metal Blade). Of course, it’s awesome! It’s Cannibal Corpse! But more than that, this record is their best in over a decade! Cannibal Corpse always delivers the beatings; you always know what is coming. After 32+ years there is no sign of them slowing down or losing a step. In fact, with Violence Unimagined, the opposite is true. Cannibal Corpse have solidified themselves as the kings of terror, horror, torture, crunch, and furious frenzy.

One major reason for the bands rejuvenation on this record is the addition of guitar mastermind, producer genius Erik Rutan (Morbid Angel; Ripping Corpse; Hate Eternal) on lead guitar. He filled-in for Pat O`brien on the band’s 2019 tour, and produced four of Cannibal Corpse’s albums. In February of 2021 Erik joined the band full time. For ViolenceUnimagined, Erik wrote the music and lyrics for three songs (“Condemnation Contagion,” “Ritual Annihilation,” and “Overtorture”) and he even sings backing vocals on “Murderous Rampage.” Erik compliments long time member Rob Barratt (lead and rhythm guitar) very well. Founding members Alex Webster (bass) and Paul Mazurkiewicz (drums) are one of the hardest working rhythm sections in all of music. And what can you say about the most recognizable voice (and neck) in Death Metal?! George “Corpsegrinder” Fischer (vocals) steps it up another notch with his powerful holler/gutteral/scream. 

Two singles were released for Violence Unimagined, “Murderous Rampage” and “Inhumane Harvest.” The former is the opening track that beats you to a pulp from GO, and the latter is one of my favorite songs on the record; with its unforgettable, Cannibal Corpse trademark buzzing riff. “Condemnation Contagion” and “Slowly Sawn” bring the heavy grooves. “Ritual Annihilation,” “Bound and Burned,” and “Overtorture” contain some of the crunchiest riffs on the album. “Follow the Blood” is almost a throwback to their thrash metal roots, and is nearly anthemic in the chorus. “Necrogenic Resurrection” and “Surround, Kill, Devour” are straight-forward bone crushers. And “Cerements of the Flayed” is a great song that seems a leftover from A Skeletal Domain (2014) and reminds me of “Skewered from Ear to Eye” on Evisceration Plague (2009).

Favorite Songs: Condemnation Contagion; Ritual Annihilation; Slowly Sawn

Rating: 9/10!! Great technical Death Metal with powerful gutterals; exactly what you expect from Cannibal Corpse, with a fresh infusion of the seasoned Erik Rutan! 

Stay Metal,

THE SAW

Categories
Playlists

The Saw’s Choice Cuts: Hard Rock

What’s going on Butcher Crew?! It’s your Master Butcher, The Saw and I am back with some more choice cuts! Instead of a band, I have a genre that I have been listening to a lot here recently, and that is hard rock. Not just any type of hard rock but late 90s/early 2000s hard rock. I have always been a fan of this era of music because this was the era that I grew up in. 

Also, this beautiful weather puts me in a hard rock mood. Nothing gives me as much serotonin as driving down the road with all my windows down on a warm sunny day, singing along to some hard rock. It gives me big summer festival vibes as well which is also something that I enjoy. 

Here are some of my favorite hard rock songs that I have been listening to recently:

  • The Red – Chevelle 
  • I Stand Alone – Godsmack 
  • Whatever – Godsmack 
  • Speak – Godsmack 
  • Killing In The Name – Rage Against The Machine 
  • Bodies – Drowning Pool 
  • Youth of the Nation – P.O.D. 
  • Paralyzer – Finger Eleven 
  • Chop Suey!  – System of a Down 
  • Toxicity – System of a Down 
  • Got the Life – KoRn 
  • Break – Three Days Grace
  • Painkiller – Three Days Grace 
  • Control – Puddle Of Mudd 
  • Through Glass – Stone Sour 
  • Fine Again – Seether 
  • A Careless Whisper – Seether
  • Drive – Incubus 
  • Sober – Tool 

What are some of your favorite hard rock songs? 

Stay Metal, 

THE SAW 

Categories
Band/Artist Profile

Band of the Week: Gatecreeper

What’s going on Butcher Crew?! It’s your Master Butcher, The Saw, and I am back with another band of the week! If you like O.G. Death Metal, but also enjoy components of hardcore, then Gatecreeper is the band for you! 

This band combines death metal riffs and also hardcore riffs in order to formulate their sound. It gives their music a violent groove that you can both mosh and dance to! I first heard about Gatecreeper when they randomly started playing on my Spotify. I really like the feature that Spotify has in which it plays bands that they think you will like after listening to an album. I immediately added Gatecreeper to my library. They have that sound of death metal that I cannot get enough of. It’s so eerie but yet, so groovy! 

Gatecreeper is an American death metal band from Phoenix, Tempe, and Tuscan, Arizona that formed in 2013. They took the scene by surprise and seized the underground after their 2014 release of their self-titled EP. The band has combined the death metal style of Entombed but also added hardcore components. All the members of the band are fans of both death metal and hardcore, and listen to both genres frequently. Two members of the band are also in a hardcore band, Territory; of course, Gatecreeper will have some hardcore components. Their vocalist, Chase Mason, says that hardcore influence has always been there, and they do not use it any more or any less on their other albums. 

The lyrical content speaks about Mason’s heroin addiction, his former life before he joined Gatecreeper. Mason has been 8 years sober and will be at 9 years this coming August. I think it is great that Mason is open with his past and will talk about it within Gatecreeper songs because I’m sure people can resonate with the message. This is just another example of music being used as an outlet for not only the listener, but also the creator. 

Current Members: 

  • Chase “Hellahammer” Mason (vocals) 
  • Eric “The Dark Cowboy” Wagner (guitar)
  • Matt “Thunder Rage” Arrebollo (drums) 
  • Sean “Hell Mammoth” Mears (bass) 
  • Israel Garza (guitar) 

Discography: 

  • Gatecreeper (EP) (2014)
  • Sonoran Depravation (2016)
  • Deserted (2019)
  • An Unexpected Reality (2021) 

Stay Metal, 

THE SAW 

Categories
Playlists

The Saw’s Choice Cuts: Alice In Chains

Alice In Chains Logo

What’s going on Butcher Crew?! It’s your Master Butcher, The Saw, and I have another band up on the slab for The Saw’s Choice Cuts! Now, it is no secret that I love Alice In Chains. I am a big grunge fan and Alice In Chains is the band that got me into grunge. My mom and dad played them frequently when I was a child and I remember listening to them driving down a back road with my mom. Alice In Chains is the perfect combination of harmony, groove, and emotion. The riffs that are in their songs are influenced by metal and hard rock, and that’s why I will argue that grunge is a different sub-genre of metal. The lyrics are packed with emotion, especially the songs that have Layne Staley (RIP) on vocals. You can hear how much he is hurting within their songs and I think that’s why I love Layne and the band so much. I like music that captures true, raw emotion, and that is exactly what Alice In Chains does. You can feel the emotion in each song with every breath that Layne takes. His voice was so beautiful and he sang like a wounded angel. 

In no particular order, here are my favorite Alice In Chains songs: 

  • Would? 
  • Man in the Box 
  • Rooster 
  • Nutshell
  • Them Bones
  • Dam That River 
  • Check My Brain 
  • Bleed The Freak
  • Junkhead 
  • Again 
  • Love, Hate, Love
  • Angry Chair 
  • A Looking In View 
  • Get Born Again 

What are some of your favorite Alice In Chains songs? 

Stay Metal, 

THE SAW 

Categories
New Album Review

Album Review: Rob Zombie – The Lunar Injection Kool Aid Eclipse Conspiracy (2021)

Rob Zombie - The Lunar Injection Kool Aid Eclipse Conspiracy Cover

“The Hellbilly,” Rob Zombie has returned with a new release on March 12, 2021, The Lunar Injection Kool Aid Eclipse Conspiracy (Nuclear Blast). His trademark eclectic style – Psychedelic Horror Metal, Go-Go Funk; sometimes folky, always spooky songs, samples, lyrics and instrumentals – is on display, and as all his album titles suggest you’re always in for a ride!

One of the constants on a Rob Zombie record as of late is his killer band – Zombie (vocals) John 5 (guitars), Piggy D (bass), Ginger Fish (drums). The other constant is the awesome musicianship of these veterans. If you’ve ever seen Rob Zombie live, then you already know the shock-n-awe of the visual expression of the psycho/horror sounds (all while Zombie go-go dances!). No matter what style the band employs on this newest record, it is incredible. And “The Hellbilly’s” multiple vocal ranges are, as usual, superb. 

The Lunar Injection Kool Aid Eclipse Conspiracy has landed in the top sales spot on the Billboard Charts, a first for Rob Zombie. While there are two good records separating them, this is the natural follow-up to the masterpiece Hellbilly Deluxe, in my opinion. Excellent production is on display on this 17-track offering, and even a new genre of music at one point – Industrial-Country! 

Track Listing:

  1. Expanding the Head of Zed
  2. The Triumph of King Freak (A Crypt of Preservation and Superstition)
  3. The Ballad of Sleazy Rider
  4. Hovering Over the Dull Earth
  5. Shadow of the Cemetery Man
  6. A Brief Static Hum and Then the Radio Blared 
  7. 18th Century Cannibals, Excitable Morlocks and a One-Way Ticket on the Ghost Train
  8. The Eternal Struggle of the Howling Man
  9. The Much Talked of Metamorphosis 
  10. The Satanic Rites of Blacula 
  11. Shower of Stones
  12. Shake Your Ass-Smoke Your Grass
  13. Boom-Boom-Boom
  14. What You Gonna Do with That Gun Mama
  15. Get Loose
  16. The Serenity of Witches
  17. Crow Killer Blues

Rating: 8.5/10! 

Favorite Songs: The Triumph of King Freak; Shadow of the Cemetery Man; Boom-Boom-Boom 

Stay Metal, 

THE SAW 

Categories
Miscellaneous

The Saw’s Favorite Horror Scenes

horror movie collage

What’s going on Butcher Crew?! It’s your Master Butcher, The Saw, and today we will be talking about my favorite scenes that have come from some of my favorite horror movies. It is not a secret that I am a big horror fan, I have to be… I run a Butcher Shop! I also rate movies based on their gore factor, which is a fun hobby of mine when I am not busy in the shop. 
 
There have been some killer (no pun intended) scenes that make me go “oh that’s awesome,” what cinematic masterpieces these movies are. I like the adrenaline that horror movies give me, I like being on edge and trying to guess when jump scares will occur. Horror movies remind me of death metal and studios should totally use death metal songs in their movies, it would work great.
 
In no particular order, here is a list of some of my favorite scenes within the horror genre: 
 
 
Halloween – 1978 

This scene is awesome. Period. When Michael Myers looks at the guy and tilts his head over to look at his most recent victim is still bone chilling every time I watch this movie. 

The Exorcist – 1973 

Fun fact: when this movie first came out in theaters, half of the audience left after Linda Blair spun her head all the way around. Although this may seem pretty tame to us horror fanatics now, back in the day, this was terrifying! This movie is what helped launch the horror genre into something scarier. 

Evil Dead – 2013 

You want to talk about a movie that has a 10/10 gore factor? Then you need to watch the 2013 remake of The Evil Dead. I swear this movie has nothing but gore, and this girl who gets possessed is scary. She makes my skin crawl. 

Hellraiser – 1987 

You already know that I had to put my boy in here! Honestly, any scene where Pinhead talks is my favorite. He has some of the best one-liners and this is one of my favorites! I love to use his quotes in the Butcher Shop. 

Hereditary – 2018 

This movie is probably one of my favorite recent horror releases. This movie did something different within the horror genre; they focused more on psychological horror. By that I mean, they put more emphasis on making the overall movie appear dark and you can empathize and feel the emotions that the characters are going through. This movie did a fantastic job at making the audience feel the tension throughout the entire movie. The scene where the mom continuously bangs her head against the ceiling is so eerie. 

The Shinning – 1980 

Stay Metal, 
 
THE SAW 
Categories
Playlists

The Saw’s Choice Cuts: Six Feet Under

Green logo for Six Feet Under

What’s going on Butcher Crew?! It’s your Master Butcher, The Saw, and today we will be going through some of my favorite Six Feet Under songs! If you are new to the Butcher Shop, hi! I’m The Saw and I really like Six Feet Under. If you have listened to my show, then this comes as no surprise to you. I am always fangirling about the chunky and groovy riffs that the band have and also how strong and deep Chris Barnes vocals used to be. This band has everything I like about death metal: groovy riffs that you can bounce too, deep gutturals that just sound unhuman, and the lyrics that make me think I am in a horror movie… love it!!! 

In no particular order, here are my top songs by Six Feet Under: 
·      Feasting on the Blood of the Insane
·      TNT 
·      Seed of Filth 
·      Snap Your Fingers, Snap Your Neck
·      War Machine 
·      Hacked to Pieces 
·      My Hatred 
·      Burning Blood 
·      Insect 
·      Murdered in the Basement 

Stay Metal, 

THE SAW