Category: Blog

Categories
Concert Review

SOLD OUT: Snoop Dogg – I Wanna Thank Me Tour 2019 @ The Ritz

Welcome to the second post of the “You take a metal head to a hip-hop/rap show,” and in this edition I went to see the man himself, Snoop D O double G!!!! I have always been a fan of Uncle Snoop. Growing up, my mom and dad would play Snoop Dogg. My dad is a huge gangster rap fan, and Snoop Dogg is his favorite! He said that the first time he heard Snoop was on Dr. Dre’s The Chronic and heard him in F**k wit Dre Day when Snoop started off with “bow wow wow yippie yo yippie yay doggy dog in the m*****f****** houseeeeee” and has loved him ever since. My mom has also always been a fan of Snoop Dogg and I remember she always had his song 1800 playing.

This was my first time seeing Snoop Dogg and I was really excited!! When we got to the Ritz, there weren’t many people there (we got there at doors); we got there early so we could get a good spot to see the man himself! We were standing in front of the sound booth and we had a perfect view of the stage. There were a handful of rappers that opened up the show and they were really good! One of the acts walks by my mom and we said “hey” to them and they gave us a hug. The crowd didn’t get into the opening acts but as soon and Uncle Snoop hit the stage, people started rocking!

I was thrilled when Snoop Dogg hit the stage. He came out rapping and did his little gangster dance (my dad can do the swaying side to side dance really well). He also had dancers on stage dancing behind him. But it gets better, Snoop had two stripper poles on stage and had strippers dancing on the poles while he played. What an O.G. move. Me and my mom danced all night, and we ran into some family friends that hung out with us during the show!

Although Snoop Dogg didn’t play my favorite song, 1800, he did play some other songs that I really liked, such as Drop It Like It’s Hot, I Wanna Rock, Gin N’ Juice, and Nuthin’ but a G thang. Overall, it was a great show and a perfect way to end 2019. I would totally go see Snoop Dogg again!

Have you seen Uncle Snoop? How did you like it?

Stay Metal,

THE SAW

Categories
DJ Highlights

Top 10 Albums of the Year and Decade

Happy New Year Butcher Crew!! I hope 2020 is filled with good vibes and a bunch of metal! 2019 was filled with so many great albums, so it is going to be hard to narrow down my top 10. Since the decade is coming to an end, I decided to compile my top 10 albums of the decade, too! It has been a great year and decade for the metal scene and I can’t wait to go down memory lane collecting all of my favorites (and a bonus list of favorites)!


Albums of the Year

1.     Death Atlas – Cattle Decapitation

2.     A Different Shade of Blue – Knocked Loose

3.     Absolute – Kublai Khan

4.     The Valley – Whitechapel

5.     Wretched Illusions – Creeping Death

6.     Human Target – Thy Art Is Murder

7.     Deserted – Gatecreeper

8.     Velno – Fleshgod Apocalypse

9.     Evergreen – After The Burial

10.  Purgatory – Despised Icon


Albums of the Decade

1.     A Skeletal Domain – Cannibal Corpse (2014)

2.     Inked in Blood – Obituary (2014)

3.     Hartford County Misery – Boundaries (2017)

4.     Wrong One to Fuck With – Dying Fetus (2017)

5.     Deathless – Miss May I (2015)

6.     The World Is My Enemy Now – Upon A Burning Body (2014)

7.     Mark of the Blade – Whitechapel (2016)

8.     Blueprints – Wage War (2015)

9.     Dig Deep – After The Burial (2016)

10.  Ire – Parkway Drive (2015)

BONUS!!! I will also be doing my top 5 songs of the year and the decade!! I had too many favorites I can’t help but play these songs.


Top Songs of the Year

1.     Brimstone – Whitechapel

2.     Peeled from Reality – Creeping Death

3.     From the Ashes – Gatecreeper

4.      Behold The Crown – After The Burial

5.     High Hopes – Kublai Khan


Top Songs of the Decade

1.     Fixated on Devastation – Dying Fetus  

2.     Thanks For Nothing – Bent Life

3.     No Other Way – Boundaries

4.     Elitist Ones – Whitechapel

5.     Stitch – Wage War

What albums/songs made your top of 2019 and the decade? Are they similar to mine?

Stay Metal,

THE SAW

Categories
Music News and Interviews

DBB17: King Gino

DBB17: King Gino

DJ Beowvlf sits down with King Gino to discuss his development as an artist and participation in the collective that is Callisto Records. Independent creators and musical collaborators also participated in this interview that are similarly part of Callisto Records.

Categories
Music News and Interviews

Off The Record: DBB History

Off The Record: DBB History

In preparation for WKNC’s Double Barrel Benefit 17 on Feb. 7 and 8, DJ Beowvlf talks with station adviser Jamie Lynn Gilbert about the history of DBB and Gilbert shares some of her favorite DBB memories.

Categories
New Album Review

Album Review: Cattle Decapitation – Death Altas

Released on November 29, 2019 (Metal Blade Records), Death Atlas is Cattle Decapitation’s eighth studio album. The band has been issuing beat-downs for two decades. Whether or not subgenres are important to you, they do help describe a band’s sound; originally categorized as Grindcore or Goregrind (Deathgrind), Cattle Decapitation’s sound and song structure made a huge leap forward with 2015’s The Anthropocene Extinction, where a more musically progressive band had evolved. Death Atlas, in one sense, is a continuation of that progression. On the other hand, those old “Core" roots are still evident in many songs on this new record, in conjunction with the atmospheric structures we heard in 2015.

Death Atlas is a beautiful beating (IMO)! In just under an hour, the listener is pulverized by the patented double-base, blastbeat ass-whoopin’ one comes to expect from Cattle Decapitation, while being stretched to the point of being burst open by the harmonious Math Metal of the guitars and bass. All while experiencing the emotional agony of lyrical genius in screams, gutterals, and tortured (nearly clean) vocals. An experience is precisely what Death Atlas is! Thrown on the conveyer of slaughter, it is a fatal ride of horror through the mill of misery.

Travis Ryan masterfully delivers (as usual) the vocal onslaught, via no less than four different styles. Josh Elmore continues to amaze on lead guitar, with production and down-right power. Dave McGraw, one of the premier drummers of extreme metal, consistently beats your brains in with break-neck tempo changes, multi-count structures, and symbol combinations. Death Atlas sees the permanent addition of Belisario dimuzio (the band’s touring guitarist) as a solid rhythm guitarist with incredible talent that can’t be missed. And Olivier Pinard (Cryptopsy) is an excellent base player in his own right and is not unfamiliar with punishing the ear holes of the listener. This five-piece is a perfect storm to produce the masterpiece, Death Atlas.

The record is almost exclusively concerning the band’s perceived horrors of humanity on the environment. From the album cover, to the four “spoken word" interludes, to the lyrical content Death Atlas is an expression of this California band’s insistence that 1) humans should experience the evils that we unleash on animals and 2) Mother Nature is growing weary of the human race and will (sooner than later) eradicate its existence. And Cattle Decapitation issues images of these sentiments in vivid order. Whether or not one shares the band’s point-of-view, one definitely must respect the hell out of the way they communicate it! Even if you don’t agree with what they’re saying, you gotta love the way they say it!

Rating: 9.5/10!!

Favorite Songs: Be Still Our Bleeding Hearts; Bring Back the Plague; Death Atlas

Stay Metal, 

THE SAW 

Categories
DJ Highlights

The Saw’s 2019 Spotify Wrap Up

So, there has been a trend of people posting their 2019 Spotify lists of their top played artist, songs, and podcasts. I like looking at these because it gives you a recap of what you have played throughout the year, and this year Spotify gave listeners the top artist, bands, and songs of the decade.

Even though I am a metalhead at heart, I listen to a lot of different music that doesn’t consist of metal. I listen to a lot of different genres that I think people would be surprised that I listen to. I might be exposing myself but I don’t care. Enjoy the different layers of The Saw that you probably didn’t think I had.

My top genres that I have listened to the most this year from least listened to most listened are groove metal, hardcore, melodic metalcore, lo-fi beats, and pop rap. I am kinda surprised by this because I listen to a lot of hardcore influenced bands and a lot of death metal so I am shocked I have not listened to these genres more than what is stated in my 2019 wrap up. I do listen to a lot of lo-fi because the rap that I enjoy most is the type of rap that has soft hip-hop beats and has a jazzy vibe to them. One of my favorite artist’s that describes this genre is Isaiah Rashaad. Pop rap I could see because I listen to a lot of Travis Scott, Lil Uzi Vert, and 21 Savage. The majority of my friends that I hang out with do not listen to metal so I play a lot of my other playlists that are more rap influenced.

My top four artist of 2019 are Tash Sultana, TLC, Boundaries, and Whitechapel. This did not surprise me because I know I have spent a lot of time listening to these artists. I discovered Tash Sultana in late 2018 when her album Flow State came out. She is an artist that is unlike any other. It is hard for me to describe her style because she incorporates many elements from other genres. I would highly recommend listening to her. Now, TLC, I have been listening to for years and their 1994 album CrazySexyCool is my all-time favorite. It was my anthem for 2019 so it would make sense that it appeared on this list. I ACTUALLY HAVE METAL ARTISTS ON THIS LIST THANK GOD!! I discovered Boundaries in early 2019 and have repeatedly listened to their album Hartford County Misery at least every month. It’s just so groovy and heavy that I can’t stop listening to it. Is anyone surprised that Whitechapel made the list? Because I’m not. I got my DJ name from them for crying out loud so I think that explains itself.

My number 1 most played artist this year, however, is Saweetie. I know Saweetie and everything that she stands for. I discovered her late 2019 and if she is my number 1 artist, this should tell you how much I love her music. I bump her songs all the time and I am not ashamed of it what-so-ever.

Here’s the funny thing, none of my top played songs in 2019 are metal. I can’t even believe that. My top played songs are: Nights Like This (feat. TY Dollar Sign) by Kehlani, My Type by Saweetie, Make Me Feel by YBN Cordae and YBN Almighty Jay, Creep by TLC, Act Up by City Girls, Egyptian Joint (All I Need) by Young Bull (North Carolina locals), Ball w/o You by 21 Savage Casual by Doja Cat, Kream (feat. Tyga) by Iggy Azalea, and Pissed by Saweetie. All I can say is… I was having a “hot girl” summer okay? Ok.

But my number 1 artist of the decade is Upon A Burning Body (finally, I gained some of my metal creds back). This really doesn’t surprise me because over the decade, I have listened to a lot of Upon A Burning Body. I love every single one of their records (mainly The World is my Enemy and Southern Hostility). I know every word to every song and the band knows this, they have pointed me out at shows because I just yell everything back to them.

Here are some more stats of my tops of 2019 and of the decade. I am not surprised, but disappointed that my top artists of the decade were metal but my top songs and genre are not. I promise I am more metal than what Spotify gives me credit for.

What bands, artists, songs, and genres made your Spotify Wrap Up?

Stay Metal,

THE SAW

Categories
New Album Review

ALBUM REVIEW: Great Grandpa – Four of Arrows

BEST TRACKS: Dark Green Water, Rosalie, English Garden, Treat Jar

FCC Clean

Recommended if you like: Strange Ranger, Diet Cig, Fleet Foxes, Speedy Ortiz

A lot can change in a just a couple years. Over the past two years, 5-piece indie rock outfit Great Grandpa, who had previously all lived, toured, and made music together, were split 2,000 miles apart when two of the members moved from Seattle to Milwaukee. This drastic change in their lives seeped through to the band’s music as well. If you listened to Great Grandpa in 2017 and now, you might almost think that you were listening to two different bands. With the release of Four of Arrows, Great Grandpa officially marks their movement past the grunge sound of their slightly younger, Plastic Cough days in favor of a more elegant, folksy sound.

In the third track, English Garden, Abby Gunderson goes above and beyond with her blooming violin, which Pat Goodwin’s banjo dances around romantically in an elegant song, flush with hopefulness. Lead singer Alex Menne does this thing where she beaks her voice switching from a chest to upper register. Menne and Goodwin’s voices sound like they were born to blend together flawlessly like fresh snowflakes dissolving in the palm of your hand.

In Four of Arrows, grunge is tossed aside to make room for cinematic flourishes and soft, fairytale melodies. This album is country-tinged and delicate, but far from dull. Intensity seeps through in the raw and emotional delivery of the lyrics, which is, in my opinion, easily the most impressive element of this album and of this band in general.

Four of Arrows is representative of new beginnings and joy. Even its darker moments, this album can’t hide the pride and love that Great Grandpa has for this album. In this album, they’ve achieved the sound they’ve always wanted.

If you used to listen to Taylor Swift in 2008, and deeply resonated with Katniss Everdeen when you watched Hunger Games, this album is perfect for you.

-Safia Rizwan

Categories
Classic Album Review

Great Find: “Michael and His Slipper Tree” – The Equals

A few weeks ago, skimming through Spotify, I came across a brilliant track by the East London R&B/Rock Fusion group, The Equals. The song is titled “Michael and His Slipper Tree” and was released in 1969 on their album “Equals Strike Again”. The band was formed by Eddy Grant, Lincoln Gordon, Dervin Gordon, Pat Lloyd, and John Hall when the five were in high school. They began touring by 1965 throughout Europe. “Hold Me Closer” was the band’s first single, however it did not make it big. It was their 1967 song “Baby, Come Back” that put them on the charts. The song did particularly well in Germany and the Netherlands.

I was surprised to discover the band recorded in the 1960s. When I heard “Michael and His Slipper Tree” for the first time, I initially thought the band would have been from the 1980s. They certainly have a unique, timeless sound that will have you singing “Michael! Michael and his slipper tree, slipper tree, slipper tree, brand new shoes for you and me!” all day. Spotify even has a radio and maxi version!I  highly recommend giving this band a listen!

-DJ Lizzo 

Categories
Music News and Interviews

The Local Beat: Thirsty Curses

The Local Beat: Thirsty Curses

DJ Beowvlf is live with Thirsty Curses in the studio playing some tracks off their self-titled album. The cover topics such as their music videos, transitions as a band, & where they fit within the Raleigh music scene.

For more on Thirsty Curses’ new album, check out our review from Assistant Daytime Music Director Safia Rizwan.

Categories
Weekly Charts

Daytime Charts 12/10

Artist Record Label
1 GASPAR SANZ Meanderthal [EP] Helium
2 GEOWULF My Resignation PIAS
3 DAYGLOW Fuzzybrain Self-Released
4 BLACK SURFER Black Surfer [EP] Self-Released
5 NEW PORNOGRAPHERS In the Morse Code Of Brake Lights Concord
6 VARSITY The Basement Takes Run For Cover
7 TURNOVER Altogether Run For Cover
8 BASEMENT REVOLVER Wax And Digital [EP] Sonic Unyon
9 CHASTITY BELT Chastity Belt Hardly Art
10 PEAER A Healthy Earth Tiny Engines
11 BODYWASH Comforter Luminelle
12 FRANKIE COSMOS Close It Quietly Sub Pop
13 METZ Automat Sub Pop
14 CHERRY GLAZERR Stuffed & Ready Secretly Canadian
15 CRUMB Jinx Self-Released
16 MAUNO Really Well Tin Angel
17 STRANGE RANGER Remembering The Rockets Tiny Engines
18 (SANDY) ALEX G House Of Sugar Domino
19 DUDE YORK Falling Hardly Art
20 CEREMONY In The Spirit World Now Relapse
21 CHARLY BLISS Young Enough Barsuk
22 PHANTASTIC FERNITURE Phantastic Ferniture Polyvinyl
23 SURF CURSE Heaven Surrounds You Danger Collective
24 DARKSOFT Brain Self-Released
25 BEAST Ens Thrill Jockey
26 CLAUD Sideline Star [EP] The Orchard
27 TROPICAL FUCK STORM Braindrops Joyful Noise
28 CRITICALS, THE Mimosa Hygiene [EP] Self-Released
29 LONG BEARD Means To Me Double Double Whammy
30 TEEN BODY Dreamo Broken Circles

TOP ADDS

1 CHRISTINE RENNER “Tonight” [EP] Self-Released
2 ALEXANDRIA MAILLOT Benevolence Self-Released
3 PALACE Life After Avenue A/Fiction
4 SNOWDONIA Veneers Self-Released
5 LITTLE MONARCH Grains [EP] Super Bloom
6 COMMON HOLLY When I Say To You Black Lightning Barsuk/Solitaire
7 JUNIOR ASTRONOMERS Body Language Self-Released