Artist Record Label 1 UPON A BURNING BODY “Extermination” [Single] Seek & Strike 2 AUGUST BURNS RED Guardians Fearless 3 AVERSIONS CROWN Hell Will Come For Us All Nuclear Blast 4 INGESTED “Another Breath” [Single] Unique Leader 5 FIT FOR A KING “Locked (In My Head)” [Single] Solid State 6 IN HEARTS WAKE Kaliyuga UNFD 7 EVERYONE MUST DIE Entrails of the Damned Self-Released 8 BETRAYING THE MARTYRS Rapture Sumerian 9 BRAND OF SACRIFICE God Hand Unique Leader 10 KAMELOT I Am The Empire Live From The 013 Napalm
You already know I gotta highlight one of the best deathcore albums, in my opinion. This is one of the albums that got me into heavier music and it is still one of my favorite albums to this day. I already have a band of the week out on Suicide Silence, you know The Saw got y’all!!
The Cleansing is the debut studio album by Suicide Silence and it debut at No. 94 on the Billboard Top 200, selling 7,250 copies within the first week. This album became one of the best-selling debut albums in Century Media’s history. This album is noted for its unique engineering style, because it was tracked live in-studio as opposed to track-by-track. After the intro, the first song on the record is Unanswered, one of my favorite songs. This song has some solid riffs and Mitch Lucker’s trademark vocals make this song a very well-constructed opening track.
Each of the songs have a set of lyrics that stand on their own; some of the songs are about religion, others about money and greed, and some about the human race. This record is nothing but a beating, it’s like sensory overload. This album will beat you into the ground with no remorse and will leave nothing behind. Some critics have stated that this album is nothing new, but the early 2000 era was a prime era for the deathcore realm. So many bands from this sub-genre were upcoming bands, so of course they are going to be influenced by one another. Despite the criticism, this album opened the door for Suicide Silence, and helped them develop their skull crushing sound. This style of music is for an acquired taste, but if you love getting beat to death (by music, of course) then this album is definitely for you!
Favorite songs:
No Pity for a Coward
Unanswered
Girl of Glass
Bludgeoned to Death
Rating: 9/10!!
What are some of your favorite songs off of The Cleansing?
The North Carolina Music Hall of Fame was created in 1994 to “recognize, promote and commemorate the musical heritage of the State of North Carolina.” This organization showcases the artistic talent of N.C. musicians through their Hall of Fame installations, historical exhibitions, and more. The NCMHOF showcases the talents of extraordinary artists like Shirley Reeves and Doris Jackson of The Shirelles, Nina Simone and Ben E. King. When open, the Hall of Fame offers free admission.
On August 5, 2020, the NCMHOF announced their 2020 Hall of Fame Inductees. The six inductees include The Briarhoppers, Donald Lawrence, Charles Whitfield, The Squirrel Nut Zippers, Jermaine Dupri, and Michael Mauldin. The NCMHOF additionally awarded previous inductees Roberta Flack and Tony Brown Lifetime Achievement Awards for their achievement of lifetime success in the music industry and their impact on American music. The induction ceremony has been postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic but is expected to be held in 2021.
The North Carolina Music Hall of Fame has also recently launched a new live series called “Listening to Legends,” which interviews Hall of Fame inductees. Anyone is able to share questions and comments for these individuals, and the series is streamed live to the NCMHOF’s Facebook and YouTube pages. I definitely recommend checking the series out, you can find out more about it on their Twitter or website.
Ahhh, Suffocation. One of the OG’s of death metal. Unfortunately, I have never seen them, even though I had the chance to my senior year of high school! So, what had happened was (queue Kevin Hart voice) prom night was the same night of the Suffocation show, and I was trying to convince my dad to let me go to the show instead of prom… I was going to wear my prom dress and everything!! But, I did end up going to prom and it was LAME!!! I left 20 minutes in. Could’ve, would’ve, should’ve but I do think it’s a funny story and that’s all that matters.
Suffocation is an American death metal band formed in 1988 in Centereach, New York. Suffocation received fame and attention with their 1991 debut album, Effigy of the Forgotten, which became the staple piece of death metal in the ‘90s. The band was formed by vocalist Frank Mullen, guitarists Guy Marchais and Todd German, bassist Josh Barohn, and an unknown drummer.
Suffocation’s death metal style is influenced by grindcore. The band uses outrageously guttural vocals with a bottom-heavy guitar foundation, blistering speed, and unmatched brutality, with intricate songwriting. This band is a solid member of the Technical/Math Metal segment, with various time signatures, blast beats, and pure grooves in every single song!
Current Members:
Terrance Hobbs (lead guitar)
Derek Boyer (bass)
Ricky Myers (vocals)
Charlie Errigo (rhythm guitar)
Eric Morotti (drums)
Discography:
Human Waste (1991)
Effigy of the Forgotten (1991)
Breeding the Spawn (1993)
Pierced from Within (1995)
Souls To Deny (2004)
Suffocation (2006)
Blood Oath (2009)
Pinnacle of Bedlam (2013)
… Of the Dark Light (2017)
Favorite Songs
Pierced from Within
Funeral Inception
Bind Torture Kill
Have you seen Suffocation? What are some of your favorite songs?
Southern California bred alternative indie rock band Greer is new to the scene, yet somehow still sounds like a blast from the late 90s. Greer’s debut EP, Lullaby For You, is short and sweet with only 5 songs, coming in at just over 15 minutes, but is a great example of pure, old school alternative indie rock. Somewhat refreshingly, there’s nothing new-wave or post about it. Sometimes, you just get sick of all the new and failed experimental sounds, and just want to go back to the tried and true roots, ya know?
Though all the songs on this EP are united at their catchy pop song core, there is still a lot of diversity. In each song is a distinguishable element, and no two songs are too alike. Summery, beachy, and mellow – Aeroplane is the first song the band ever wrote together. Paper birds is folksy and cinematic, while Bye Bye Baby starts out with a drowsy intro and evolves into the most energetic song on the EP. Understand is my favorite track on the EP, because it has the most impressive vocals and is the most emotionally charged song for me. Stay clear is darker and smoother than the other songs. Josiah, the vocalist from the band stated in an interview with KXSC radio that Stay Clear is most reflective of the songs the band has been working on for the future, which I assume means that the band will be moving towards a harder rock sound.
Overall, though the music is bright and sparkling, I found this EP to be Incredibly sad when I listened to the lyrics. All of the songs are about the different forms of rubble left over after a lost love. I’m awaiting the full-length project, which will probably be about a year from now. This EP is recommended if you like bands like Peach Pit, Iron and Wine, and Weezer.
Quarantining away from my friends and family has been difficult, but I’ve found some bright new releases that keep me uplifted. They also relate to my experience, likely a widely shared one, for my Friday Favorites this week, check it out and enjoy.
Cabin Fever – Jaden
This new single from the talented Jaden Smith perfectly reflects the “Groundhog Day” experience of being away from your partner during quarantine. With a bouncy melody and layered vocals, the song will become anyone’s new favorite.
astrid – glaive
This short track is a new release that I quite enjoy; it’s a brave mix of pop, electric and rap that actually sounds good. Something new that you should definitely check out.
Verbs (ft. Steve Lacy) – Peyton
A cute little love song with delicate, otherworldly vocals, simple beat and background vocals by my favorite, Steve Lacy. A simple song perfect for long summer days (and the inevitable multiple walks you’re taking to fight boredom).
Please Don’t Make Me Cry – Lianne La Havas
Lianne La Havas’ new self-titled album is a beautifully crafted artistic work. It combines elements of indie folk, soul and alternative genres into something beautiful. This song in particular has a complex melody that keeps the listener intrigued throughout.
Darcy – Wabie
This single from Wabie is very groovy. It reminds me of the West Coast surf-pop I listened to during my high school years, but I also find that his songs have really strong lyricism and depth.
You can listen to all of these songs and any from past weeks on WKNC’s Spotify, linked here.
Artist Record Label 1 ROBYN “Beach2k20 (Yaeji Remix)” [Single] Konichiwa 2 YVES TUMOR Heaven To A Tortured Mind Warp 3 DEATON CHRIS ANTHONY BO Y Self-Released 4 YEULE Serotonin II Bayonet 5 BIICLANo Place [EP] Good Luck Have Fun 6 JAMES MASSIAH Natural Born Killers (Ride for Me) [EP] Levels 7 COWGIRL CLUE Icebreaker Vada Vada 8 SONNIKU, LIZ, SOPHIE"Sweat (Sophie Remix)“ [Single] Bella Union 9 CARIBOU Suddenly Merge 10 BLOOD ORANGE Angel’s Pulse
Artist Record Label 1 BROCKHAMPTON Ginger Question Everything/RCA 2 ANDERSON .PAAK Ventura Aftermath 3 SOLANGE When I Get Home Saint Records/Columbia 4 CASHINOVA Big Dragon Stophouse 5 EARTHGANG Mirrorland Dreamville/Interscope 6 PAT JUNIOR I Thought I Knew Be Absxlute 7 YOUNG RJ AND MEGA RAN 2HANDSUP Ne’Astra 8 MAXO LIL BIG MAN lastnamedavid 9 TOBI LOU Live On Ice Empire 10 BLACK SOPRANO FAMILY Black Soprano Family
If you’ve been following WKNC’s coverage of local artists then you’re no stranger to the name Thirsty Curses. This Raleigh rock band has been prominent on the scene since 2017 and has made quite a name for themselves rather quickly. They have received dazzling reviews from Yes! Weekly, Vents Magazine,and many more. These well-documented accolades can be found on the Thirsty Curses website. Among these reviews is a blog post from WKNC Assistant Daytime Music Director Safia Rizwan.
Safia’s review covered Thirsty Curses’ self-titled album which includes their top song, “Bruises on Your Shoulders,” for which a music video was released today. In it, the band performs as a young couple goes through several life changes (i.e. marriage, working and being fired from a corporate job, therapy, drinking problems), ultimately resulting in a failed marriage. The song discusses this concept, as frontman Wilson Getchell sings, “One day you wake up and you’re a completely different person. Same name, same face but it’s like someone else is doing the work.” Though the concept of the video follows the couple’s complicated personal lives, it’s a song to which almost anyone can relate.
The music video itself is filmed in a single shot– think the style of early 2000s OK GO videos– and pivots between the band themselves performing or the silent reenactments of the actors playing the young couple. For accreditation purposes, the video was filmed and edited by Isaac Anderson at the Boykin Center in Wilson, N.C. (further production details can be found in the description of the video on YouTube).Anderson does a great job of keeping the audience’s attention, relying on feelings of nostalgia and familiarity to engage the viewers. The set, which was a simple construction mimicking that of an old children’s cartoon, was able to be moved and removed as the video was filmed– despite the fact that the entire thing was shot in one room.
Ultimately, what I perceived as the greatest takeaway of this video was the timing of its release. As the Coronavirus pandemic continues, this same feeling of disassociation and shell shock from rapid changing events is captured by “Bruises on Your Shoulders.” It seems as though Getchell, without even knowing what kind of landscape we’d find ourselves in months later (as this song was written and released in 2019), was able to tune in to exactly what the population was feeling… and needed to hear.
You can connect with Thirsty Curses on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram and their music is available on all streaming services. More information about the band can be found on their website, or through their previous Local Beat session podcast.
Artist Record Label 1 MELODY Teacher’s Pet [EP] Self-Released 2 IGGY T AND THE CRAZYMAKERS Just Can’t Get Enough Underground Sun 3 DAKOTA THEIM Somewhere Under The Sun Self-Released 4 SCHOOL OF XDestiny [EP] Tambourhinoceros 5 EX NORWEGIAN Something Unreal The Best Of Self-Released 6 JAUNTAll In One Self-Released 7 BECCA MANCARI The Greatest Part Captured Tracks 8 EVE OWEN Don’t Let The Ink Dry37d03d 9 JUNIOR MESA Peace [EP] Nice Life 10 BABA ALI This House [EP] 30th Century 11 STRFKR Future Past Life Polyvinyl 12 CIRCULATORY SYSTEM Circulatory System Elephant 6 13 CLIFFFS Panic Attack State Fair/We Know Better 14 VARSITYT he Basement Takes Run For Cover 15 JERRY PAPER Abracadabra Stones Throw 16 TIM BURGESS I Love The New Sky Bella Union/PIAS 17 CHLOE MORIONDO Spirit Orb [EP] Elektra 18 MAX BLOOM Perfume Anniversary 19 SOCCER MOMMY Color Theory Loma Vista/Concord 20 SKYLAR GUDASZ Cinema Suah Sounds 21 JULIA SHAPIRO Perfect Version Self-Released 22 SIDLEYS, THE Breathless Self-Released 23 PICTURES OF VERNON Now That’s What I Call Music Vo. 420 [EP] Self-Released 24 HEY CHELS Everything Goes Self-Released 25 DUMB Seeing Green Mint 26 METZ Covers [EP] Sub Pop 27 RACOMA This Front Room Self-Released 28 DISCOVERY ZONE Remote Control Mansions And Millions 29 CAVEBOY Night In The Park, Kiss In The Dark Self-Released 30 HONEY HARPER Starmaker ATO
