Author: THE SAW

Categories
New Album Review

New Album Review: Testament – Titans of Creation

So much attention is paid to “The Big Four” (Metallica, Megadeth, Anthrax, and Slayer). But this designation leaves out many important and influential bands from the two waves of thrash metal that swept through the country (Metal Church, Exodus, Overkill, and Death Angel, etc.). Testament is one of these bands, which had a huge effect on metal in the 80s and 90s, and are a major influence in much of the sound in many differing genres of metal today.

In 1987, the San Francisco Bay area band released their debut album, The Legacy (Megaforce). May of ’88 saw the release of The New Order and in August of ’89 the band’s breakthrough record, Practice What You Preach was released. Though the band has seen more than its share of musicians pass in and out, and despite the fact of two members being diagnosed with cancer (both, now, fully recovered), Testament has steadily released new music (12 studio albums through 2019).

On April 3, 2020 Testament’s 13th studio album saw the light of day. Titans of Creation (Nuclear Blast) brings great thrash/Death Metal/Hardcore sound, as you’ve come to expect from these… well, titans! And that great sound is brought to you on this record by nothing less than a literal “super group!”

Chuck Billy, with his powerful voice and equally powerful presence (he literally looks like a titan!) has been the “voice" of Testament on every single record – spanning 33 years. Eric Peterson (founding member, guitars) and Alex Skolnick (longtime member, guitars) weave some incredibly masterful riffs, leads, and pure groovy/crunchy licks on this album. Ladies and gentlemen, playing bass is the great Steve Di Giorgio (Death, Obituary, Autopsy, Control Denied, Iced Earth, Sadus, and no less than 20 other bands!!). Another legend, Gene “the Atomic Clock" Hoglan (Death, Dark Angel, Strapping Young Lad, Fear Factory, Dethklok, and more than as dozen others) drives this record with his patented creative arrangements of machine-like double base, symbol work, and snare/tom combinations.

Testament recorded their last record, Brotherhood of the Snake (2016) with this same lineup, so this new record doesn’t break new ground but delivers on the full force sound that you’ve come to expect from these longtime heroes. Like every Testament album some songs stand out:

Favorite Songs: Night of the Witch ; City of Angels; The Healers

Rating: 8.5

Bonus: Favorite songs through the Testament Years: Into the Pit ; The New Order ; Disciples of the Watch ; Practice What You Preach ; Souls of Black ; Over the Wall ; Electric Crown

Stay Metal, 

THE SAW 

Categories
Band/Artist Profile

Band of the Week: Slaughter to Prevail

Slaughter to Prevail (STP) has got to be one of the heaviest bands that I have ever listened to. I remember the first time I heard STP, I was with my friend, Nate, and he started to play them and I looked over at him and said, “who the hell is this?” I immediately loved what I heard. Their sound is heavy and brutal and don’t even get me started on the vocals, it is insane. If I had to guess what Satan sounds like, I would say he sounds like this vocalist. The power and intensity of his voice is absolutely crazy.

My friends went to see them a couple of months ago and said that the music is playing and STP’s singer let go of the mic and started yelling, you could still hear him over the music!! Homie has a strong and loud voice!! I have never seen STP but I have tried many, many times. The first three times I was planning to see them, something came up each time: either the band couldn’t get in the country because of their visas, their bus broke down, or the show got canceled. I could have seen them the most recent time they came through NC, but I had schoolwork, and that is a bigger priority for me (#nerd, I know).

Before forming Slaughter to Prevail, British guitarist Jack Simmons was a part of a deathcore band called Acrania, and Alex Terrible (a Russian vocalist) gained a huge following on YouTube for his cover videos. Terrible was originally a part of a Russian deathcore band We Are Obscurity, but the group fell apart trying to find a record label. Simmons recruited Terrible with Russian drummer Anton Poddyachy to form Slaughter to Prevail. When they released their EP Chapters of Misery (2015), and their videos had millions of hits on YouTube, they signed to Sumerian Records in 2016. Slaughter to Prevail released their first full-length album, Misery Sermon in 2017.Terrible stated that the album was inspired by the hate and misery seen in everyday life, especially since metal shows in Russia were often canceled due to religious reasons.

The band is noted for their heavy and dark themed songs with a deep focus on Terrible’s deep guttural vocals. They are known to be influenced by Suicide Silence, Bring Me the Horizon (old school BMTH), and Carnifex. The band is also known for wear full-face masks that are gnarly as hell. Most of the songs are in Russian but some do feature English lyrics.

Current members:

·      Aleksandr “Alex Terrible” Shikolai (vocals)

·      Mikhail “Mike” Petrov (bass)

·      Evgeny Novikov (drums)

·      Robert Brown (guitar)

Discography:

·      Chapters of Misery (EP) (2016)

·      Misery Sermon (album) (2017)

·      Agony (single) (2019)

Favorite song: Hell (this was the first song I have ever heard by them!!!)

Have you seen Slaughter to Prevail? What are some of your favorite songs?

Stay Metal,

THE SAW

Categories
Podcasts

PsychoSaw Series: Exposing Ourselves Part 1

Categories
DJ Highlights

Just Metal things to do while Self-Quarantining

What’s going on Butcher Crew?! It’s ya girl, your Master Butcher, The Saw and I hope you all are doing well during these times! I know most of us have cabin fever (and not like the movies, thankfully), and we want some fun things to do while being cooped up in the house! Well have no fear, because The Saw is here to give you some ideas as to what to do while being stuck at the crib. But you guys should be used to self-quarantine because there is no exit in the The Saw’s Butcher Shop. Remember?!

Here are some fun, but metal things to do while you are bored:

·      Metal musical chairs

This is a fun twist on the game musical chairs! This idea is self-explanatory, grab some chairs, get your family and play the well-known game, but with some metal! Bonus points if you head bang while walking around the chairs.

·      Try not to sing/dance/head bang

I really enjoy this game because it is so hard not to move to some metal songs!! They have some great YouTube videos of songs that you can try the challenge with and you can also create your own. What fun! I have done one of these over the air at the radio station and it was really hard not to move to the breakdown in Domination by Pantera. You can have some fun with this and segment the game into genres! I always lose to groovy death metal and hardcore. Some bands that I always lose to are Six Feet Under, Obituary, Kublai Khan, and Bent Life.

·      Practice your mosh moves

If you are like me, I don’t get in the pit often because I am not confident in my skills. But while locked in the house, you can stay in your room and practice your moves all night! I have gotten better at my 2 step and my crowdkilling moves. Y’all better watch out when shows start coming back, you’ll find me in the pit.

·      Have your own concert

Am I the only one that has shows and dance parties in my room? Don’t lie, I know y’all like to throw down in the comfort of your pjs. You can play some air instruments and jam out and even dance! And the best thing is that the bands sound the exact same and there is no one standing around to judge your dance moves or hit you in your own little mosh pit!

·      Have a Black Metal photoshoot

My house is surrounded by the woods, and that makes a great spot to get your black metal on! Put on some corpse paint, wear the blackest of black clothing that you own, and stand out in the woods and take some dark, gloomy, black metal photos! If you have people with you, remember to social distance! Hide behind some trees and see who can take the creepiest photo.

Remember to have fun and keep yourself entertained while in the house!

Stay Metal,

THE SAW

Categories
Podcasts

Primordial Tides


To learn more about Primordial Tides, visit:

Facebook: @PrimordialTides Twitter: @PrimordialTides Instagram: @PrimordialTidesSpotify: Primordial TidesApple Music: Primordial TidesYouTube: Primordial Tides

Categories
New Album Review

The Saw’s Choice Cuts

What’s going on Butcher Crew!? I hope this finds you safe and well! While chilling at the house, it gave me a chance to explore all the new metal that has come out recently and I thought it would be cool to talk about some of the new tunes I have up on the slab.

I enjoy finding new music and if you do, then I hope I can help you find your new favorite band! Let’s start chopping up some tunes!  

Singles:

·      Upon A Burning Body – Built from War

·      Make Them Suffer – Erase Me

·      In Hearts Wake – Worldwide Suicide

·      Fit For A King – Breaking the Mirror

·      Lamb of God – Memento Mori

·      The Acacia Strain – E

·      The Hallowed Catharsis – Breeding Pits

·      The Black Dahlia Murder – Child of Night

·      Testament – Children of the Next Level

·      Carach Angren – Monster

·      Aversions Crown – The Soil

·      August Burns Red – Bones

·      Aborted – Gloom and the Art of Tribulation


Albums:

·      Heaven Shall Burn – Of Truth and Sacrifice

·      Code Orange – Underneath

·      Invent, Animate – Greyview

·      Body Count – Carnivore

·      Viscera – Obsidian

·      Downswing – Good Intentions

·      My Dying Bride – The Ghost of Orion

·      Dark Forest – Spectres of the Old World

·      Night Crowned – Impius Viam

·      Ozzy Osbourne – Ordinary Man

·      Beneath The Massacre – Fearmonger

·      Suicide Silence – Become the Hunter

·      Sepultura – Quadra  

Stay Metal,

THE SAW 

Categories
Band/Artist Profile

Band of the Week: Despised Icon

The first time I heard Despised Icon was a few years ago and I loved their sound. When I was getting into deathcore, they were one of the main bands that would appear. I have never seen Despised Icon and I am hoping that one day I will be able to. I decided to take a look at their history since they released a killer album in late 2019. When I heard their new record, Purgatory, I fell in love with the band all over again.

Despised Icon is a Canadian deathcore band from Montreal, Quebec. They formed in 2002 and the band is known for Alex Pelletier’s (drummer) blasting technique, as well as dual vocals from Alex Erian and Steve Marois. Erian does the mid-range growls while Marois does the high-pitched shrieks. In 2010, the band disbanded, but reformed back in 2014.

Despised Icon was signed to Galy Records in 2002 and released their debut album Consumed by Your Poison in October of that year. They had a few changed within their lineup in 2004 and recorded a self-financed EP, Syndicated Murderers. In 2005, the group signed to Century Media and released their second album, The Healing Process. Fast forward to 2016, the band signed with Nuclear Blast and are currently on that label.

Current members:

Steve Marois (vocals), Alex Erian (vocals), Eric Jarrin (lead guitar), Alex Pelletier (drums), Bend Landreville (rhythm guitar), and Sebastien Piché (bass).

Discography:

Consumed By Your Poison (2002), The Healing Process (2005), The III’s of Modern Man (2007), Day of Mourning (2009), Beast (2016), and Purgatory (2019).

Favorite songs: Slow Burning, Day of Mourning, and Furtive Monologue.

Have you seen Despised Icon? What are some of your favorite songs?

Stay Metal,

THE SAW

Categories
Playlists

Covid-19 Playlists: The Viral Infection

What’s going on Butcher Crew?! I hope you are all safe and well during these times. The only pain you should endure is in the Butcher Shop! But have no fear, The Saw is here to make sure your self-quarantine is filled with some beatings. Dr. Saw is here to prescribe you some metal.

I will have the songs divided into the segments of the Butcher Shop: Diamond Cuts, Death Row Cell Block, Meat Grinder, Slot Drain, Chopping Block, and Meat Locker. In the playlist, however, they will not be divided into different playlist, but go down in preceding order from Diamond Cuts to Death Row and so on.

So, sit back, relax, and enjoy your time indoors with some killer cuts.

The Viral Infection – A Covid-19 Playlist

Diamond Cuts:

·      The Champ is Coming – Upon A Burning Body

·      I.H.E. – Miss May I

·      Apnea – Currents

·      Pissed Off – Fit For A King

Death Row Cell Block:

·      The Grand Conjuration – Opeth

·      Legend of a Banished Man – Amon Amarth

·      Pull the Plug – Death

·      Rime of the Ancient Mariner (2015 Remaster) – Iron Maiden

The Meat Grinder:

·      God Forgives… – Never Ending Game

·      Nail in the Coffin – Bent Life

·      Capital Punishment – Detain

·      Boomslang – Kublai Khan

Slot Drain:

·      In Lust We Trust – I Am

·      Suffocate – Traitors

·      Never Homesick – Bodysnatcher

·      Kill or Be Killed – Spite

The Chopping Block:

·      Wrong One to Fuck With – Dying Fetus

·      Kill or Become – Cannibal Corpse

·      The Geocide – Cattle Decapitation

·      Childchewer – Infant Annihilator

The Meat Locker:

·      Elitist Ones – Whitechapel

·      Love Me to Death – Suicide Silence

·      Slaves Beyond Death – Thy Art Is Murder

·      Agony – Slaughter To Prevail

Stay Metal,

THE SAW 

Categories
Band/Artist Profile

Band of the Week: Fit For A King

Fit For A King (FFAK) were one of the bands that I found randomly. I was going to go see Chelsea Grin in Greensboro one year and FFAK were on tour with them! I started listening to them when I discovered that they would be on tour. They have that traditional metalcore sound: Growls, screams, clean vocals, and anathematic chorus’ and riffs.

Fit For A King is one of the newer metalcore bands that I really enjoy. They have a good combination of soft sounds with heavier sounds and breakdowns. FFAK has a lot of catchy songs and their stage show is awesome! I have seen them a couple of times in Greensboro and also at Warped Tour. Their bass player will run around, jump around, and just do crazy stuff while on stage. It is very entertaining! I met the band during one of their runs through Greensboro, and they’re some really great guys.

The members that form Fit For A King are Ryan Kirby (vocalist), Jared Easterling (drums), Ryan “Tuck” O’Leary (bass), Bobby Lynge (guitarist), and Daniel Gailey (guitarist). FFAK is an American metalcore band founded in Tyler, Texas in 2007 by their drummer, Easterling and others who are not in the band today. The band performed locally, and in 2009 they decided to tour full-time. With a few member changes, in July 2012, FFAK signed to Solid State Records and has released their remaining albums with this label.

They released two independent EP’s: Fit for a king (2008) and Awaken the Vesper (2009). They released one independent album in 2011 titled Descendants. Once they signed with Solid State Records, the band released 5 full-lengths: Creation/Destruction (2013), Descendants – Redux (2013), Slave to Nothing (2014), Deathgrip (2016), and Dark Skies (2018).

Favorite songs: Backbreaker, Pissed Off, Stacking Bodies, and Slave to Nothing.

Have you seen Fit For A King? What are some of your favorite songs?

Stay Metal,

THE SAW

Categories
Band/Artist Profile

Band of the Week: Spite

Spite is one of the most impressive bands that I have seen live. They have so much energy and the crowd goes crazy for them! Their music is so intense and Darius’ vocals are insane! He can transition from inhales to exhales with ease and he is a wild man on stage! He will run around, wiggle his eyebrows, and will be in the crowd’s face all the time. He is a perfect definition of a frontman! I have seen Spite four times (three times at the Blind Tiger in Greensboro and once at the Ramkat in Winston-Salem) and they always surprise me. I definitely recommend seeing them.

Spite is known as an American deathcore band out of Southern California. They employ a blend of death metal, metalcore, and a new wave of nu metal within their deathcore realm. They formed in the Bay Area with Darius Tehrani (vocals), Stephen Mallory (bass), Alex Tehrani (guitar), and Cody Fuentes (drums). They dropped their independent EP, Misery, in 2015 before they signed to Stay Sick Recordings, a label created by Attila frontman, Chris Fronzak.

With their release of their first full-length, Nothing is Beautiful, in 2017 they drew comparisons to over deathcore heavy hitters – Thy Art Is Murder, The Acacia Strain, and Suicide Silence. Spite continues to push the bar for heavy music with each album that they release.

Spite has released one EP and 2 full-length albums: Misery (2015), Nothing Is Beautiful (2017), and Root of All Evil (2019).

Favorite songs: Kill or Be Killed and The Root of All Evil.

Have you seen Spite? What are your favorite songs?

Stay Metal,

THE SAW