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Concert Review

Concert Review // Omni

This past Sunday I got to go to see the band Omni at Kings and it was a pretty amazing show. I (thought) I first heard the band a couple of weeks ago while I was at work. I’m the daytime music director here at WKNC so I get albums to listen to pretty frequently, but I definitely remember first getting their new album and listening to it. I immediately figured it would end up on air from the first listen because I really enjoyed it (and from what I saw online under their music video a lot of people feel that way too). The band is from Atlanta Georgia and they seem like really cool guys. After the show I spoke to the lead singer, just to tell him that I really liked his album, and he was super nice and chill about it all. Looking online they are categorized as ‘Alternative Indie’ and ‘Rock’. That’s pretty accurate, but there’s also a pretty classic and kind of old school style about them that really made them stand out to me. My favorite tracks off of the new record are ‘Sincerely Yours’ and ‘Skeleton Key’. 

To get back to an earlier point, I thought this was my first time hearing the band but when listening to my Ultimate Indie playlist I realized I had their song ‘Wire’ in there. That track is amazing and I definitely recommend listening to it if you haven’t heard it yet. The show was also amazing and made me like the band and new album even more. The opening acts were Blacker Server and Moonland and they really helped set up the scene, it was quite the show the entire time and I’m really glad I was able to go.

– DJ Psyched

Categories
Playlists

October Tunes

Another month is over and again some more real good music was released. This month I want to highlight three albums that I really enjoyed. In no particular order… 

Networker by Omni

Networker is the third full length album by the band and it’s sound is very classical older-school indie rock. The thing that really made this album stand out to me was the guitar and bass work, the riffs are incredibly ear catching and the vocals just match so well that it feels like it was made for the genre. I would recommend Sincerely Yours, Courtesy Call and Skeleton Key first. These anthems have been on repeat since I first heard them.

Friends by Future Crib

Another album that really caught my attention for its guitar work. I think this album is exactly what I think when I hear ‘indie’ and I absolutely love it. I feel like this music would be so nice to listen to live. There isn’t much more to say then you should start with Astronaut, Pocket and Alone.

Heavy Lifter by Hovvdy

I was instantly hooked when I first heard the song Mr. Lee. I am a sucker for catchy intros, and the higher pitched vocals really fit the vibe this song has. I feel like I could sit outside and listen during the day or chilling in my bed at 3am and it would hit so different but so right both times. It’s hard to describe the sound this album has but it’s very indie and kind of dreamy feeling to me. I would also recommend So Brite and Cathedral.

– DJ Psyched

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
New Album Review

ALBUM REVIEW: Dead Soft – Big Blue

BEST TRACKS: I Believe you, Problems, Whatever I Want, Trimmer

FCC violations: Porch

Recommended if you like bands like Microwave, Culture Abuse, or Turnover.

This album is nothing short of cathartic. Big Blue is, without doubt, the best album that has come across my desk this year. Dead Soft is a three-piece grunge-punk band from Vancouver. They have been silently lurking in the shadows of Canadian underground music since 2011 but in recent years, a mist of excitement started to amass around Dead Soft. People started noticing Dead Soft for the energy and depth they brought to the table.

After three years of culminating and refining, Dead Soft has come out and seized the entire scene by its throat with their first full length debut.

Being the die-hard for fuzz that I am, I instantly fell in love with this album as soon as I heard the whiny feedback kick in at the beginning of track 1, I Believe You.  The intoxicating, fuzz-drenched rise-and-fall intensity carries throughout the entire album. Vocals range from full-throated yelling to soft and flowing. Big Blue isn’t just all about loud noise. The choruses hit hard with bold, melodic hooks. No two songs on this album sound the same, which is the sign of hard work poured into an album. Surprise breakdowns and crashing of drums will keep you on your toes.

Dead Soft writes melancholic yet optimistic lyrics. From the deeply raw and emotional outpour that exudes from words so passionately sung, you can easily tell that these songs were written from the heart. The feral way vocalist Nathaniel Epp screams “into a black hole” on track 3, Step Out, will have the hairs on the back of your neck standing on end. Overall, this album is powerful, and I can’t get enough of it. I think I have a crush.

I will definitely be keeping an eye on this band. I hope to see them continue to make strides and I’m excitedly awaiting their next release.

-Safia

Categories
Weekly Charts

Daytime Rock Charts 11/5

Artist Record Label
1 THIRSTY CURSES All Shook Up Self-Released
2 CHASTITY BELT Chastity Belt Hardly Art
3 (SANDY) ALEX G House Of Sugar Domino
4 PEACH PYRAMID Bright Blue Oscar St
5 BARRIE Happy To Be Here (Ext) [EP] Winspear
6 NEW PORNOGRAPHERS In the Morse Code Of Brake Lights Concord
7 METZ Automat Sub Pop
8 BABE RAINBOW, THE Today 30th Century
9 BEAST Ens Thrill Jockey
10 KATE TEAGUE Kate Teague [EP] Muscle Beach
11 ZACK MEXICO The Page The Pope and The Hanged Man Self-Released
12 NATHAN BAJAR Playroom In Real Life
13 MENZINGERS, THE Hello Exile Epitaph
14 PURPLE MOUNTAINS Purple Mountains Drag City
15 TRUTH CLUB Not An Exit Tiny Engines
16 MARIKA HACKMAN Any Human Friend [EP] Sub Pop
17 LALA LALA Sleepyhead (Reissue) Hardly Art
18 FRANKIE COSMOS Close It Quietly Sub Pop
19 OH SEES Face Stabber Castle Face
20 JAY SOM Anak Ko Polyvinyl
21 PENELOPE ISLES Until The Tide Creeps In Bella Union/PIAS
22 GAUCHE A People’s History Of Gauche Merge
23 SURF CURSE Heaven Surrounds You Danger Collective
24 GUAXE Guaxe OAR
25 FRANK ZAPPA Apostrophe (’) Rykodisc
26 LEVITATION ROOM Headspace Greenway
27 HAYBABY They Get There Tiny Engines
28 PEAER A Healthy Earth Tiny Engines
29 SARAH BETHE NELSON Weird Glow Burger
30 ERTHLINGS Indigo [EP] Future Classic

TOP ADDS:

1 YOUNG SINCLAIRS Out Of The Box Requiem Pour Un Twister
2 MEN I TRUST Oncle Jazz Self-Released
3 GASPAR SANZ Meanderthal [EP] Helium
4 POPPY JEAN CRAWFORD Poppy Jean Crawford [EP] 30th Century
5 GEOFFROY 1952 (Nineteen Fifty-Two) Bonsound
6 QUIET HOUNDS Everything Else Is Noise Self-Released
7 CLAUDE Sideline Star Self-Released
8 CRITICALS, THE Mimosa Hygiene [EP] Self-Released
9 SEAN HENRY A Jump From The High Dive Double Double Whammy
10 SOFA CITY SWEETHEART Super(b) Exitos Self-Released

Categories
Weekly Charts

Afterhours Charts 11/5

Artist Record Label
1 ROBYN “Beach2k20 (Yaeji Remix)” [Single] Konichiwa
2 RAW TAKES Car Radio Self-Released
3 PROSPA Control The Party [EP] Propsa
4 HUSH HUSH Thinkin Bout You [EP] Self-Released
5 SAMPS, THE Breakfast Gloriette
6 DEATON CHRIS ANTHONY “Das Right” [Single] Self-Released
7 BESHKEN Aisle Of Palm Self-Released
8 DEMUJA “Arrested” [Single] Self-Released
9 TOURIST Everyday Monday
10 TORO Y MOI Soul Trash Carpark

Categories
New Album Review

Queensway – The Real Fear

Perhaps the sweetest treat of Halloween was the release of Queensway’s new EP, The Real Fear. Hailing from Baltimore, they brought the riffs on 2017’s Swift Minds of the Darkside and continue that legacy here. The first song shares the same name as the album, and is certainly something to fear. The buildup that lasts for about half of the song does a perfect job of introducing the work and the rest of the song brings the super groovy guitar work they honed I’m on their previous EP, perfect for fighting your friends to. The next song, Fantasy, continues the trend and brings in some cleaner vocals and goes out with a bang. True Light brings in some very spacey and dynamic background effects and leads in to some vocals that through a rappy flow into the mix. This song also has the drummer shine, utilizing some more double bass (a welcome addition to many hardcore songs). Track number 4, Passion, starts with some mostly clean guitar before jumping right into the madness. This trend of clean intros is something I personally love and I hope to see more of it in the future. It ends on a bright note with some more great riffage and drum work. Tomorrow Will Be Mine, the final song, does a great job bring this nearly 15-minute long banger to a thrilling conclusion. The track utilized more of the rap style vocals, slightly reminiscent of some E-Town Concrete, which is not a bad thing. Overall, this long-awaited EP has proven Queensway still brings the pain. Catch them in Winston-Salem at Break Time on November 12th with Sanction, Vatican, Fuming Mouth, Riot Stares, and The Burning Wind.

-Dylan McGee

Categories
New Album Review

Track Review: In My Room by Frank Ocean

Frank Ocean’s newest track “In My Room” dropped on November 2nd. It features a lot of Ocean’s smooth, flowful rapping. He compares the music industry to sex: “Horny for the game / first they kiss then they bite soft” and talks about his time in the spotlight despite his reclusivity: “I need a new face, I’m tired of these weirdos.” He also talks about expensive items that only fame could’ve allowed him to have: “forty nine diamonds stuffed in my bracelet.” Lastly, in the chorus, he speaks on newly acquired love: “Every night you were in my room / My room, my room with me / I guess I can’t state my feelings too soon / I don’t know you / And I can’t put no threats in the air.” Obviously, Frank has a lot going on, but the track is a beautifully produced banger. 

-cellar door xxx

Categories
Music News and Interviews

Let’s Talk Study Music

Sometimes I spend more time making study playlists then I actually spend studying, so I decided to make this blog post so that you won’t have to do that. I’ve tried just about everything from alpha waves, white noise to the lo-fi streaming video on youtube that’s become incredibly famous, so I figured I’d list my top study music choices so you can find what works best for you

  • Star Wars Soundtracks : As a huge Star Wars fan this has always been a favorite of mine to study to. It can be a little distracting when super popular themes come up but for the most part it blends pretty well into the background and just sounds like the epic orchestra scores that they really are. Any soundtrack without vocals could probably work here too.

  • EDM music to study to : There’s a surprising amount of playlists with this title but they all work pretty well, if you’re more into electronic/edm type music this might be a good option for you. I prefer anything without vocals really so I often switch between all of these to keep myself from getting bored, but this one really stands out for keeping you from falling asleep. Studying makes me sleepy, so it’s a bonus that this playlist usually keeps my brain awake long enough to actually focus on something.

  • Alpha Waves : This is for sure my go to ‘grind time prime time’ music. Something about it just really makes me get into the zone, probably because it’s the one playlist that I wouldn’t ever listen to unless I was studying. It’s relaxing and the playlist I use from spotify really hasn’t gotten old yet so I definitely think it’s worth trying.

  • Lo-Fi Hip Hop Beats to Study to : I feel like just about everyone has tried this so there must be something to it. I listen to it all the time and honestly it’s about the same realm as edm studying, just a matter of preference. Some of the songs are more upbeat and some are more chill, I think the variety keeps it from getting old.

  • White Noise : Technically not music I guess but some people like it, I am not a huge fan so that’s all I really got there.

No matter what you choose to study I’ve been told that what really makes studying music successful is that you ONLY listen to that specific music while studying, that way your mind knows it’s time to study and doesn’t try to relax. Variety works for me too, I switch between all of these pretty regularly to keep things interesting. So what’s your favorite music to listen to while studying?

– DJ Psyched