Author: THE SAW

Categories
Classic Album Review

Classic Album Review: Guns N’ Roses – Appetite For Destruction

Released on July 21, 1987, Appetite for Destruction (Geffen Records) hardly even raised an eyebrow. It was the debut album by Guns N’ Roses, and the band immediately hit the road in support of the record. “It’s So Easy" was the first single released, a month before the debut dropped. The single, “Welcome to the Jungle” followed the debut on October 3, 1987. “Sweet Child O’ Mine” came in August of `88, “Paradise City" in November of `88, and “Nightrain" in July of `89. With the radio play of the middle three singles, the video for “Welcome to the Jungle" on MTV, and relentless touring by the band, in`88 Appetite became a massive commercial success. It was #1 on the Billboard 200 and became the best selling debut album of all time (the 11th best selling album of all time with 30 million copies sold).

Guns N’ Roses changed what was acceptable as Hard Rock, though for the general public, the band members themselves were completely unacceptable. Axle Rose (vocals) and Tracii Guns (lead guitar) were the original founders and the band’s namesake. But with larger than life personalities and even larger egos, the two could not keep it together. Guns left to form L.A. Guns, with moderate success (especially from their first couple albums). He was replaced by Slash and the fire was set. Duff McKagan, Seven Adler, and Izzy Stradlin finalized the lineup.

As noted above, G N` R instituted an irreversible change in the music industry, especially in the dark alleys of the Hard Rock / Heavy Metal world. Their appearance was (originally) “Big Hair,” but their sound was something else altogether. The band’s live shows were only an extension of the vision of Appetite. For the `80’s, they were wild! While the record was totally put together, it wasn’t long until the band, individually and collectively, began to show cracks. The song, “Mr. Brownstone,” for example, was about the band’s problems with heroin. They were no strangers to the police (before and during their success) in every town, state, and country; being known for violence and public intoxication. G N’ R were the poster children for “Sex, Drugs, and Rock-n-Roll.”

The original album cover art was based on Robert Williams’ painting Appetite for Destruction. It featured a robotic rapist about to be punished by a metal avenger. Record stores refused to stock the album with this cover, so the label moved this depiction inside and replaced the cover art with the classic Celtic cross and skulls of the five band members. The original artwork was a representation of the band (the metal avenger) wrestling back the power of the people from the system (the robotic rapist).

The song listing for the record reads like a list of chart toppers:

1.     Welcome to the Jungle

2.     It’s So Easy

3.     Nightrain

4.     Out ta Get Me

5.     Mr. Brownstone

6.     Paradise City

7.     My Michelle

8.     Think About You

9.     Sweet Child o’ Mine

10.  You’re Crazy

11.  Anything Goes

12.  Rocket Queen

Album Rating: 10/10!!

Favorite Songs: Welcome to the Jungle; It’s So Easy; Anything Goes

Stay Metal, 

THE SAW 

Categories
Band/Artist Profile

Band of the Week: After The Burial

Ahh, this band…. After The Burial (ATB) is one of my favorite Djent bands. Their overall sound is technical and melodic. The vocals are strong and passionate. Overall 10/10 band.

The first time I saw them was back in 2016 for the Sumerian Records 10 Years in Black tour with Asking Alexandria, Born of Osiris, I See Stars, and (one of my all-time faves) Upon A Burning Body. I primarily went for Upon A Burning Body, but once ATB stepped on stage, I was in awe!!! Their stage presence is AWESOME and never they fail to put on a great show. Since then, I have seen ATB probably 5 times and they never get old. I remember one time I saw ATB, I was at Arizona Pete’s in Greensboro and I was in the front for their set, I was headbanging and jamming the entire time. Their guitarist, Trent, kept throwing guitar picks at me so I have tons of ATB picks now!

ATB is from Minneapolis, Minnesota. They are signed to Sumerian Records and have released six full-length albums: Forging a Future Self (2006), Rareform [Re-Issue] (2008), In Dreams (2010), Wolves Within (2013), Dig Deep (2016), and Evergreen (2019). To me, Dig Deep is probably one of their best albums, not because of the sound of the record (which is awesome) but the story behind the album. In 2015, founder and rhythm guitarist, Justin Lowe (RIP), was found dead. He was missing and a hiker found his body beneath a bridge. His car was found on the side of the bridge. Authorities believe that the cause of his death was with a fall.

This was a hard time for the band because they were working on their upcoming album, Dig Deep. The band said that they weren’t going to finish the album but with the love and support from their fans, they decided to finish it after all. There is so much emotion on this album and I am so proud of this band for sticking together and being there for one another. You can also hear the same emotion and aggression on their latest album, Evergreen, which their vocalist, Anthony Notarmaso, said to be a continuation of Dig Deep. One of my favorite songs off of Dig Deep is Laurentian Ghosts. The opening riff you hear is actually a mix done by Lowe and was added to the song. It gave me chills when I first heard it.

Overall, this band is great. I love what they stand for, their courage, and their fight to press on and continue to make music. Respect.

Favorite Songs: Lost In The Static, Behold The Crown, and Laurentian Ghosts

Stay Metal,

THE SAW

Categories
Playlists

Metal Songs to Study to

It’s almost that time of the year… exam season!! I know exams can be stressful, but metal makes everything better. It is hard for me to study without music (because I am a sleepy girl), and it’s hard to study with music sometimes because I just wanna dance and headbang.

I have a handful of metal songs that I listen to while I study. Even though I have to fight the urge to headbang and do my weird dances in the library, these songs are very helpful when trying to get work done. The majority of these songs are instrumental, which is very helpful for me while studying. Having songs without vocals seems to help me concentrate better. I hope these songs bring you good luck on whatever you are studying for. You got this, Butcher Crew!!!

Study Vibes Playlist

·      Obituary – Redneck Stomp

·      Death – Voice of the Soul

·      Wretched – The Stellar Sunset of Evolution Pt. 2 (The Rise)

·      Sylosis – Where The Sky Ends

·      Rings of Saturn – The Heavens Have Fallen

·      The Faceless – (Instru)mental Illness

·      Rivers of Nihil – Terrestria II: Thrive

·      Decrepit Birth – Sea of Memories

·      Obscura – A Transcendental Serenade

·      Revocation – Enter the Hall

·      Fallujah – Chemical Cave

·      Dark Matter Secret – Emergence of Time

·      Cannibal Corpse – From Skin to Liquid

·      Currents – My Disguise

·      Polyphia – G.O.A.T.

Happy Stu(dying)!!!

Stay Metal,

THE SAW  

Categories
Classic Album Review

Classic Album Review: Van Halen – Van Halen

The band’s self-titled debut album, Van Halen was recorded at Sunset Sound Recorders, Hollywood, CA from August 30 – September, 1977 and was released by Warner Bros. Records on February 10, 1978. “Diamond" David Lee Roth is the vocalist (and acoustic guitarist on Ice Cream Man), Eddie Van Halen plays the (groundbreaking) guitar and sings backing vocals, Alex Van Halen is the drummer, and Michael Anthony is the bassist and backing vocalist.

In 1976, Gene Simmons (KISS) discovers Van Halen and finances a three-track demo, which does nothing for the band in attracting record labels. But the demo does get the attention of Marshall Berle (the bands future manager) and he catches their sold-out show in their hometown of Pasadena. After killing it at (the legendary) Whiskey a Go Go and the Starwood club, Warner Bros. were ready to sign them to a deal. The band’s first tours after recording their debut were opening for Journey and Montrose in the US and, later, for Black Sabbath in Europe and the US.

The cover photo for Van Halen are pics taken at the Whiskey a Go Go, along with a pic of Eddie’s original signature guitar, Frankenstrat, a replica Fender Stratocaster that is now housed in the Smithsonian Institute.

The record hit Gold Status on May 24, 1978 and Platinum October 10, 1978 (4½ months later!). On October 22, 1984, the record achieved 5x Multi-Platinum status; 6x Multi-Platinum on February 1, 1989, 7x Multi-Platinum on September 29, 1993, 8x Multi-Platinum on July 11, 1994, and on August 7, 1996 the record reached Diamond status by RIAA (that’s a certified ten million copies sold, yo!).

The music world and their fans were enamored with the charismatic, sex symbol in Roth and the electrifying pioneer of the six-string in Eddie Van Halen. Nothing of it’s time sounded at all like Van Halen. With Roth’s powerful stage presence – swagger, martial arts, and screeching vocals; as well as a bluesy billow – and Eddie’s “jaw-dropping" techniques – he was doing in reality what most other guitarists only imagined in dreams – Van Halen reawakened the Rock/Hard Rock world.

Eddie Van Halen 

David Lee Roth 

Runnin’ With the Devil is the opening track, followed by a perfect example of Eddie’s brilliance, the instrumental, Eruption. Following that is the cover of the Kink’s, You Really Got Me (Roth insisted covers were the way to go, for someone else had already done the work). Side One is completed by Ain’t Talkin’ ‘Bout Love and I’m the One. Jamie’s Cryin’ leads off Side Two, followed by the heaviest track on the record, Atomic Punk. Feel Your Love Tonight and Little Dreamer smooth out the roughness. Ice Cream Man is a cover of John Brim’s song, and On Fire ends the offering with a blaze.

Favorite Songs: Ain’t Talkin’ ‘Bout Love, Little Dreamer, Atomic Punk

Rating: 10/10!!

Fun fact: I used to make my dad play Little Dreamer all the time when he was dropping me off at elementary school! It will always be one of my favorites!! 

Stay Metal,

THE SAW 

Categories
Concert Review

Show Review: Obituary live at the Lincoln in Raleigh

October 24, 2019 was the day that Obituary returned to Raleigh! And you already know that ya girl was there to see those rednecks from Tampa (F***en) Florida! With them on this tour was (the not so redneck) Abbath; along with Midnight, Devil Master, and one of our Local Butchers, False Prophet.

Now, I’ve got to admit, I missed False Prophet (which really sucks because I really like them). They played “at doors,” which were at 6:00, and I had class until 5:45. I made it in to see Devil Master, who put on a straight-up, in your face, no nonsense set. The whole band was in costume, complete with a rhythm guitarist Dracula, and a keyboardist in a bad-ass hooded robe! Other than the lead guitarist having to tune after every song, the band pounded through their set list without hesitation. They came, they played, they kicked ass! BTW, I’m still not sure whether the keyboardist was real or some type of machine, but he never raised his head, never came out of role, and I never even saw him leave the stage when their set was over. He just… disappeared.

Midnight was a three-piece band full of energy and sound! The three – guitarist, bassist and singer, and drummer – were all hooded with black masks over their faces. I’m telling you right now, these guys lit it up! The crowd came to life for Midnight, and the band responded to that energy. They were constantly on the move, interacting with the crowd, and running the full stage. Midnight had a great set that night! I’d like to see them again!

So, Abbath was up next. Hailing from Norway and steeped in the Black Metal genre, I was excited to see what was to come. For those of you who don’t know, the singer/guitarist (“Abbath Doom Occulta”) is one of the founders of the legendary band, Immortal. They pretty-much invented Black Metal. His first love was KISS, and you can see that influence in his stage presence and performance. If you can imagine, he is like a darker, more evil Gene Simmons (the Demon), spit straight out of the depths of Hell. Abbath left Immortal and formed this band of the same name in 2015. And they are taking some serious strides! What. An. Awesome. Show!! The powerful presence of Abbath, himself, was matched by drummer, Ukri Suvilehto. His playing and interaction with the crowd (from behind the kit) was hypnotizing. The walls, floor, and (I’m sure) ceiling reverberated his double base drums! They didn’t leave behind the other stringed instruments, either. The band, Abbath, operated like a well oiled machine. The light show and smoke machine added to the dreaded ambiance of this hellish display. They played for well over an hour. It was a blistering beating of crushing riffs and blast beats, over staggering double base and the agonized screech of Abbath’s vocals. It was exquisite!! When it was over, all I could think was, “No one but Obituary could follow that. They’d better bring it!”

Second picture taken by Courtney Breen. 

And bring it they did! If you’ve never seen Obituary their show begins with piped-in country music, which is overtaken by the crunching riffs of the song, Redneck Stomp, a groovy instrumental. When they hit the stage, they were energized and ready to go. Obituary has been around so long (late 80’s, and earlier as Xecutioner) that their entire stage show is pretty-much patented! Trevor (rhythm guitar) holds the trademark for riff master/hair slinging headbanger. Kenny (lead guitar) is in charge of harmony and spooky/eerie wails, shrieks, and monster leads. Terry (bass) is a large and ominous presence, always middle/stage left; quiet, other than his bruising bass beatings. Donald (drums), in my opinion, invented Death Metal drumming. He is obviously ADHD (and I’ve met him, so…) and his technique takes on those qualities – always moving around the kit, feet of fury, hands a blur, with the crash of symbols; pounding the listener into dust. And then there’s John (vocals). You can listen to their first record, Slowly We Rot, or their most recent self-titled, or anything in between, and John’s raspy growl is consistent. His live edition lacks nothing, and is even more emphasized by his stage presence and his exaggerated lean out over the crowd as he gutturals the agonizing lyrics that are Obituary. They operate so well together, either they practice all the time or, because they’ve been together so long, and know so well their long and hallowed catalogue, that they no longer have to practice – They are the personification of Obituary. They can’t possibly play all of the fan favorites, so they pick some and turn it out! The crowd gutturals along with John and sways back and forth, “hair banging,“ with Trevor. What an experience!

This was an epic show! And all right here in Raleigh!

Stay Metal,

THE SAW

Categories
Band/Artist Profile

Band of the Week: Miss May I

Miss May I was the first band that got me into heavier music in general. When I first heard Miss May I, I was with my cousin and he was playing Relentless Chaos and 14-year-old me loved what I was hearing. It was the perfect blend of harmony and heaviness.

Miss May I was the first band that I went and saw alone. Back in 2015, I went to Warped Tour in Charlotte just to see them! I got to meet the band at Warped Tour and they are the most genuine guys I have ever met. They were so nice and down to earth and I really enjoyed talking to them. At Warped Tour, I was in the front for their set and I was singing the words back to them; their singer, Levi Benton, pointed at me and when he ran into the crowd during Hey Mister, he was right in front of me. What a great first show (alone) experience.

From there, I have seen Miss May I two other times: at the Filmore in Charlotte, when they went on tour with Thy Art Is Murder, In Hearts Wake, and Parkway Drive. I also saw them in Greensboro on their headlining tour with Upon A Burning Body, Kublai Khan, and Currents. I met the band again at that show and they were just as nice as the first time I met them. They put hearts around their signatures when they signed my ticket at Warped Tour and on my poster when I saw them in Greensboro. I love them.

The band formed in 2007 and are from Troy, Ohio. They signed with Rise Records in 2008, released their debut album, Apologies Are for the Weak while the band was still in high school. Their song, Forgive and Forget, is featured in Saw VI and Apologies are for the Weak is featured in the video game Saints Row: The Third.

The band has kept the same lineup since its formation. Their bassist, Ryna Neff, left the band in 2007 but rejoined in 2009 and has stayed ever since! Since then, Miss May I has released 5 other albums: Monument (2010), At Heart (2012), Rise of the Lion (2014), Deathless (2015), and Shadows Inside (2017). The band left Rise Records in 2016 and signed with SharpTone Records.

In other news regarding the band, their singer, Levi and his wife JoJo, just had their first child! JoJo gave birth to a beautiful baby girl and named her Jax. I am so happy for the both of them and can’t wait to see where this path of their life leads them! Relationship goals af.

Favorite songs: Forgive and Forget, Hero With No Name, Turn Back The Time, The Artificial, and Swallow Your Teeth.

What are some of your favorite Miss May I songs?

Stay Metal,

THE SAW

Categories
Miscellaneous

How Metal has Influenced Fashion

I have seen a lot of E-boys and goth girls on TikTok recently and I can’t help but realize that they look so metal. But, some of them don’t even listen to metal. This got me thinking, how has metal influenced fashion?

The heavy metal fashion derived from the biker, rocker, and leather subcultures. Heavy metal fashion includes elements such as leather jackets; combat boots, studded belts, hi-top shoes, blue or black jeans, camouflage pants, and denim jackets that are sometimes decorated with pins and patches. Various bands have also helped contribute to the metal fashion, primarily Judas Priest. The lead singer, Rob Halford wears leather costumes on stage, and the rest of the band followed suit. Bands such as Iron Maiden soon followed, also. The use of modern military clothing was put to use in the Thrash metal scene with bands such as Metallica, Destruction, and Megadeth. This style was also used in the punk-metal and anti-fashion as well.

Here recently, I have noticed that the metal fashion has been used in modern-day fashion. Now, I am not saying that the metal scene owns this fashion, but I will argue that it has influenced what we see, today. For example, I have seen individuals wearing chokers, chains, fishnets, studs, leather, and heavier, darker makeup around. I do appreciate the style and versatility people have put on these outfits to make it their own.

There have been some debates as to whether or not individuals should wear band shirts of a band that they don’t know. As we can see in Pop Culture, celebrities have been spotted wearing band shirts (AC/DC, Slayer, Metallica, Iron Maiden, and Nirvana, etc). Primarily the “big name” bands. I have seen some artists (like Kanye West and Travis Scott) wear heavier band shirts such as Cattle Decapitation. For me, I do not mind if someone wears a band shirt that they don’t know. I am not going to gatekeep and ask them to name off songs from the band. To me, it is publicity for the band.

What trips me up is how some people will look completely “metal af” but have no idea about the metal culture and where there style has derived from. How can someone look like a badass goth girl and listen to Taylor Swift? I don’t know, but I love the fit!! Keep the ‘fits looking fresh!! I love it!!!

What has been your favorite fashion trend? For me, I love a good hoodie and denim jacket combo with a chain lock necklace. Total hardcore.

Stay Metal,

THE SAW

Categories
Miscellaneous

If Horror Movie Slashers’ Theme Songs were Metal

Theme songs/anthems are important when identifying horror movie villains. Who can forget Michael Myers theme song, or the Jaws’ anthem? These songs place a crucial role in creeping out the viewer and notifying us that our favorite villain is about to hit the scene.

What if their theme songs were metal tracks? How cool would that be? Below is a list of slashers and what I think their theme songs would be if you were to change them to metal.

Freddy Krueger: Hypocrisy – Let The Knife Do The Talking

Freddy’s glove is a bunch of knives, and it is his tool of choice for killing. So, it is only reasonable that we let his knives do the talking (get it?). I can already imagine Freddy dancing to this song while killing his victims.


Leatherface: Cannibal Corpse – Kill or Become

This song fits Leatherface because the chorus goes, “Fire up the chainsaw. Hack all their heads off.” Leatherface loves him some chainsaw, can you imagine seeing people screaming in terror with Leatherface running after them while this song plays? I think it is perfect.


Pennywise: Slipknot – The Heretic Anthem

This song has a lot going on in it and is very in your face and aggressive. It’s a lot like IT right here. Pennywise is always in the face of his victims and is always trying to terrify them. Slipknot gives me the same feeling sometimes when I see them live, but that is okay. I can see Pennywise doing his little dance to this song now.


Michael Myers: Cannibal Corpse – F***ed with a Knife

Like Freddy, Michael loves him a good butcher knife and that is always his choice of killing. So, it is only reasonable to have a Cannibal Corpse song that involves a knife to be Michael’s song. Just like Michael’s killings, the song is short, simple, and sweet. (:

Jason Voorhees: Spite – Kill or be Killed

The story of Jason Voorhees is pretty sad, not gonna lie. Jason got bullied at Crystal Lake and ended up drowning in the lake. His mother killed the counselors who she thought were responsible for her son’s death since they weren’t looking after the kids. So, in essence, Jason’s mother’s theme was kill or be killed, and she did both. Since Jason takes orders from his mom, in is only reasonable that this is also his theme song.

Ghostface: Capture – You Call That A Knife? This Is A Knife!

The list wouldn’t be complete if I didn’t have a stereotypical slasher movie on the list. And the list wouldn’t be complete if I didn’t have a stereotypical early 00’s metalcore on this list. Each very fitting.

Hannibal Lecter: Left Behind – Focus on the Flesh

Hannibal Lecter is a cannibal, so it is only fitting to have a song that focuses on the flesh (I love puns). I can already see Hannibal cooking up his victims while blasting this song in the background. I imagine the scene where is he cooking homeboy’s brain while TALKING TO HIM. Creepy right?

Pinhead: Behemoth – O Father! O Satan! O Sun!

Okay, Pinhead is my favorite because he has some GREAT one-liners: “I am pain,” “no tears, please. It’s a waste of good suffering,” and one of my all-time favorites “Burn? Oh, such a limited imagination!” I feel like Pinhead would love some black metal, I can see his quotes being lines of a black metal song. When Pinhead first met Kirsty Cotton, he was asked who he was. His response was, “explorers in the further region of experience. Demons to some, angels to others.” Hearing this line made me think of Behemoth and this song. I can already see Pinhead surrounded by chains with this song in the background. It’s beautiful.

Jigsaw: Whitechapel – The Saw Is The Law

Do I really need to explain this one?

What are some of your favorite slashers? What would their theme song be? Do you have a theme song?

Stay Metal,

THE SAW


BONUS!!!! Here is a fun video that I found that has all of our favorite slashes as a boy band. It’s hilarious and you should totally check it out.

Slashstreet Boys – I’ll Kill You That Way

Categories
Miscellaneous

Why Metal could be considered Club Music

I have been to a lot of shows and even though I mosh, I mainly dance. My friends have described my dancing at a show as “club dancing” (shout out to Kevin), and it’s honestly straight facts. How I dance at any metal show is how I dance when I’m out with my friends. I have been asked why I dance the way I do at shows and my only answer is because “it’s fun” and I am a firm believer that some types of metal could be club music.

When listening to metal, if it has a good, catchy beat to it that anyone could dance to (primarily death metal and hardcore), it should be played at the club! The choppiness of the riffs and beat of the drums really emphasize this notion. The heaviness and the power of the band doesn’t take away from the aspect that the music is catchy as hell.

And I’m going to be honest, I 100% believe that people could throw their asses back to some death metal, I mean have you listened to Redneck Stomp by Obituary? I can see a grind train right now. The club would be lit as hell. I grew up having dance parties with my mom, and she would play Korn, Pantera and Rob Zombie, etc.; but she would also play TLC, Usher, Lil Jon, and Snoop Dogg. So I grew up dancing to both genres of music even though they are at opposite ends of the spectrum. My mom dances the same way I do at shows, so maybe its genetic? Was I born with it? Maybe its Maybelline, who knows.

Here are a lists of songs that I believe should be played in a club that people could “get down” to:

·      Obituary – Redneck Stomp

·      Debauchery – Murder Squad

·      Six Feet Under – The Poison Hand

·      Jungle Rot – Paralyzed Prey

·      Torture Killer – A Funeral For The Masses

·      Dying Fetus – Fixated on Devastation

·      Debauchery – Death Metal Warmachine

·      Six Feet Under – My Hatred

·      Cannibal Corpse – Evisceration Plague

·      Bent Life – Thanks For Nothing

·      Bent Life – Cheat Death

·      Boundaries – No Other Way

·      Boundaries – Seizin’ the Demon

·      Boundaries – Sour Mouth

·      Left Behind – Focus on the Flesh

·      Gideon – Cursed

·      Gideon – No Love/No One

·      Kublai Khan – The Hammer

·      Kublai Khan – Self-Destruct

·      Kublai Khan – High Hopes

·      Korn – Word Up

·      Korn – Y’all Want a Single

·      Gatecreeper – From the Ashes

Want to listen to this playlist? Click here!! 

What songs would you add to this metal club playlist?

Stay Metal,

THE SAW  

Categories
New Album Review

Album Review: Kublai Khan – Absolute

All I can say is… WOW!!!  KUBLAI KHAN REALLY DIDN’T HAVE TO GO THAT HARD. This is a masterpiece of a record, in my opinion. This entire album is pure anger and aggression and I am here for it. The listener gets a taste of what is to come on this record with the opening track, Armor of Goddamn, which immediately flows into one of my favorite songs on the record, Boomslang. This song is full of chunky riffs, backed up with Matt Honeycutt’s (vocalist) aggressive growling. There is a nasty breakdown in this song after Honeycutt yells “Shut the f*** up” and you will automatically start jamming.

This theme of chunky riffs, nasty breakdowns, and Honeycutt yelling “F*** you,” “motherf***** and my favorite “I don’t even f****** like you b****” which is in the song Us & Them is seen throughout the entire album. This album is a beating and is guaranteed to be kept on repeat. The intensity doesn’t stop at all, each and every song is a beating and will for sure get you moving. Each song makes me want to flip a table and start hardcore dancing.

Each track is as strong and as heavy as the next. This album is pure perfection and in every song you can hear the intensity within the music and the passion within Honeycutt’s lyrics. The overall sound is rich and unblemished. Every song is a bop and especially Self-Destruct. This song has all the elements listed above but it’s breakdown is so groovy that I can already see the hardcore kids in the pit spinning around in circles, swinging their arms. If you don’t headbang and jam to every song off this album, well… there is something wrong with you.

This album is short, heavy, and to the point. I will say that this record is their absolute best (pun was definitely intended).

Favorite songs: I want to say every song but the ones that really stand out to me are – Boomslang, Us & Them, Self-Destruct, and my absolute favorite, High Hopes.

Rating: 10/10

What is your favorite song off of Absolute?

Stay Metal,

THE SAW