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Band of the Week: Whitechapel

Are you guys surprised that Whitechapel is my band of the week? Because I’m not. Whitechapel’s song, The Saw Is The Law, influenced my DJ name, The Saw. During my senior year of high school, “where we come from, the saw is the law” was my senior quote and I wrote it in the sand at the beach for the whole world to know that the saw is the law. I even have a saw blade tattooed on my shoulder blade, so you can say that I am a pretty big Whitechapel fan. This is because Whitechapel was one of the first deathcore bands that I got into. My brother used to play them when I was younger, and when I started to get into the music myself, they were one of the first bands I went back and listened to. I love their overall sound and how the music and vocals blend beautifully together. I also love their evolution, musically. They have tried different things on their most recent album, The Valley, and even though it is different from their previous records, they keep their theme of brutality.

I have seen Whitechapel four times, and every time they impress me. They always put on a great show and Bozeman’s voice is so powerful and strong and I don’t know how he can do his gutturals live. The entire band is in the crowd’s face throughout the whole show and it makes the crowd rowdier and more exciting. I got to meet Whitechapel and it was great to finally meet one of my favorite bands. They were so nice and they were all smiles when I told them that mg DJ name was influenced by them. When I said that I go to NC State, Bozeman said “go Wolfpack” and it honestly made my day.

Whitechapel is an American deathcore band from Knoxville, Tennessee and was founded in 2006. They got their name after the Whitechapel district in East London, England, referring to the series of murders committed by Jack the Ripper. They are signed to Metal Blade Records and have released seven albums: The Somatic Defilement (2007), This Is Exile (2008), A New Era of Corruption (2010), Whitechapel (2012), Our Endless War (2014),  Mark of the Blade (2016), and The Valley (2019).

Whitechapel has stated that they are influenced by a wide range of bands. A few are Cannibal Corpse, Meshuggah, Slipknot, Dying Fetus, Pantera, Slayer, Despised Icon, Nile, Behemoth, Amon Amarth, Morbid Angel, and Cattle Decapitation. You can hear these variety of influences within their music. Phil Bozeman (vocalist) stated in an interview that him and Ben Savage (lead guitarist) are more into death metal, Zach Householder (guitarist) is more into epic black metal, and Alex Wade (rhythm guitar) is more into hardcore. Within the guitars, you can hear the different riffs that represent their taste in music.

Current members: Phil Bozeman (vocals), Ben Savage (lead guitar), Alex Wade (rhythm guitar), Gabe Crisp (bass), Zach Householder (third guitar), and their touring drummer, Alex Rüdinger.

Favorite songs: The Saw Is The Law, The Somatic Defilement, Mark of the Blade, Elitist Ones, Brimstone, and Black Bear.

Have you seen Whitechapel live? What are some of your favorite songs?

Stay Metal,

THE SAW

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Band/Artist Profile

Artist of the Week: Tash Sultana

Tash Sultana is an Australian singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, described as a one-person band. Sultana grew up in Melbourne and has been playing the guitar since the age of three. She began her music career through busking (street performing) and gained a lot of attention from that. Sultana can play 20 instruments, including guitar, bass, trumpet, flute, percussion, and saxophone. Sultana is nonbinary and uses the pronouns they. They self-described themselves as a drug addict, at the age of 17, they developed drug-induced psychosis. Later in 2017, they were diagnosed with laryngitis.

Sultana shared a video on social media of them playing a song and within five days, gained one million views. They won the J Award for Unearthed Artist of the Year and had two tracks voted into the Triple J Hottest 100 in 2016 with their hit songs Jungle (No.3) and Notion (No. 32). They recorded the single Jungle at their home and gained over 40 million views. They then went into the studio and began working on the EP release, Notion, which was released in 2016. Their first full-length album, Flow State, was released on August 31, 2018. In 2019, they released 3 singles: Can’t Buy Happiness, Talk It Out, and Daydreaming.

When watching videos of Sultana playing, it looks like they lose themselves in the music. Their whole entire body is embraced within the music and you can see how much they put into performing. I first heard them back in 2018 when they released their album Flow State, and the first song I heard was Blackbird. When I first listened to that song, I was watching it on YouTube and the album cover would move while the song played. It was so trippy, and I got stuck in a trance watching the video and listening to them playing an acoustic guitar solo. When they started singing a few minutes within the song, I got chills. From that point on, I fell in love with their music.

Favorite songs: Murder To The Mind, Blackbird, Pink Moon, and Cigarettes.

What is your favorite Tash Sultana song?

Stay Metal,

THE SAW

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Band of the Week: Megadeth

Out of the “Big Four,” Metallica, Megadeth, Anthrax, and Slayer, my favorite would have to be Megadeth. Although I grew up listening to all four bands, Megadeth always stuck out. My parents tell the story (and have videos) of me as a toddler, marching around with my hands in the air dancing to Crush ‘Em by Megadeth. This was the only song that could get me out of any mood that I was in. I could be eating, sitting in the car, watching tv, or playing and when Crush ‘Em would come on, I would stop everything that I was doing to jam out to the song. I have seen Megadeth live twice. The first time was with my dad in Charlotte when I was 8 and I saw them at the Carolina Rebellion! I got on the jumbo screen during the rebellion because of my headbanging, it was awesome.

Megadeth is a thrash band from Los Angeles, California. Guitarist and vocalist Dave Mustaine and bassist David Ellefson formed the band in 1983, shortly after Mustaine was dismissed from Metallica. In. 1985, Megadeth released their debut album, Killing Is My Business… And Business Is Good! Peace Sells… but Who’s Buying? was released in 1986 and was a major hit with the underground scene. They then released a number of platinum-selling albums, such as Rust in Peace (1990) and Countdown to Extinction (1992). These albums brought along worldwide tours and public recognition.

Megadeth has sold 38 million records worldwide and received 12 Grammy nomiations. In 2017, Megadeth won their first Grammy Award for their song, Dystopia, in Best Metal Performance category. When they were walking up to accept their award, the orchestra played a Metallica song (which if you are in the loop of the relationship between Metallica and Megadeth, this was taboo).

Megadeth has released 17 albums: Killing Is My Business… And Business Is Good (1985), Peace Sells… but Who’s Buying?(1986), So Far, So Good… So What?(1988), Rust In Peace(1990), Countdown To Extinction(1992), Youthanasia(1994), Hidden Treasures(1995), Cryptic Wrtings(1997), Risk(1999), The World Needs a Hero(2001), Still Alive… And Well?(2002), The System Has Failed(2004), United Abomination(2007), Endgame(2009), Th1rt3een(2011), Super Collider(2013), and Dystopia(2016).

Mustaine was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2019. He recently received a clean bill of health from his doctors, after completing chemo/radiation.

Favorite songs: Crush ‘Em, Angry Again, Symphony Of Destruction, A Tout Le Monde, and Poisonous Shadows.

What is your favorite Megadeth song? Have you seen them live?

Stay Metal,

THE SAW

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Artist Spotlight – Yola

Yola, born Yolanda Quartey, is a 36 year old Bristol, UK native. She has worked in the music business since the early 2000s backing for artists such as Massive Attack, The Chemical Brothers, and Iggy Azalea. In 2010, she joined Bristol band, Phantom Limb, as lead vocalist. She left the band when her artistic work began being put down by the rest of the band. To pair with her vocals, Yola began learning guitar and writing her own songs. In 2016, she released her first EP, Orphan Offering, but it did not reach audiences enough to make much of a name for herself outside of the Bristol scene. 

After Orphan Offering, Yola continued to develop her sound. She teamed up with Dan Auerbach of the Black Keys and began crafting her debut album, Walk Through Fire. Named after a real-life experience of setting her kitchen on fire, Walk Through Fire serves as a metaphor for the artist leaving her old life behind and emerging as a transformed musician in the industry. The album is full of stories of heartbreak and turning the page on past relationships. Her style is colorful, integrating genres from singer-songer/American, to r&b, to pop, to the sounds of Muscle Shoals. The album is both heartwarmingly nostalgic and refreshingly modern. Through Walk Through Fire, Yola has made a name for herself in the music industry and left audiences excited for what she has to come.

– dj lizzo

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Artist of the Week: Neil Peart

On January 7, 2020 we lost one of the most prolific drummers of all time. Neil Peart, best known as the drummer and primary lyricist of RUSH, died from brain cancer (glioblastoma).

Peart was born in Hamilton, Ontario on September 12, 1952.  He first began in music with piano lessons, something he would later say had no impact on him. He was always drumming on various things around the house as a child, so at 13 his parents bought him drum sticks, promising that if he practiced for a year they would buy him a drum set. He began taking lessons on his new kit at 14. By his late teens Peart had played in several local bands

At 18, he moved to England hoping to further his career. It took about a year and a half before he became frustrated and returned to Canada. He joined a band named Hush, and they toured the Southern Ontario bar circuit. Soon, though, he heard that a rising band, RUSH, needed a new drummer to replace the band’s original, John Rutsey. Peart officially joined the band on July 29, 1974. Two weeks later Peart and RUSH were on tour, beginning in Pittsburgh, PA.

The band had one record out when Peart arrived, and in 1975 Fly by Night was their first offering with Peart. It was considered a successful record, though the next (Caress of Steel) was not. In 1976 RUSH released their breakthrough album, 2112, and the rest is history. The band has 19 studio albums, with ten exceeding one million copies sold in the US. They are ranked third for the “most consecutive gold or platinum albums by a rock band" – Billboard.

Peart’s drumming style is fascinating! Its foundation is the rock bands of the 60’s and 70’s (John Bonham, Led Zeplin ; Ginger Baker, Cream). Into this solid base he added Jazz and Big Band techniques and styles. He played while holding his sticks butt-end out, giving him bigger sound and greater rimshot. Sometimes he played with a traditional grip and others with matched grip. His drum kits were 360 degrees around him, rotating to reverse the layout of the drums, with as many as 40+ drums.

Neil Peart – “The Goat" as he was affectionately known; “your favorite drummer’s favorite drummer,” other musicians would say; Variety wrote, “Widely considered one of the most innovative drummers in Rock history.” USA Today considered him “one of the best Rock drummers of all time, alongside John Bonham, Ringo Star (The Beatles), Keith Moon (The Who), Ginger Baker, and Stewart Copeland (The Police).” Best known for his “technical proficiency,” he was the youngest inductee into the Modern Drummers Hall of Fame in 1983. Over 40 years with RUSH… You are missed, sir.

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Band of the Week: Cannibal Corpse

Cannibal Corpse is one of the bands that I grew up listening to. My dad would play them all the time because they are one of his favorite bands. I distinctly remember hearing Hammer Smashed Face growing up (and also hearing the Radio Disney version which is hilarious!!!). I also remember seeing Cannibal Corpse on Ace Ventura’s Pet Detective when Ace was in the club. Cannibal Corpse was the band playing and is one of Jim Carrey’s favorite bands!!

Cannibal Corpse is one of the bands that helped develop the Death Metal scene. Originally from Buffalo, New York, the band moved to Tampa, Florida (where American Death Metal was just starting and picking up steam) so they could join this movement. Corpse formed in 1988 and the band has released 14 studio albums: Eaten Back To Life (1990), Butchered At Birth (1991), Tomb of the Mutilated (1992), The Bleeding (1994), Vile (1996), Gallery Of Suicide (1998), Bloodthirst (1999), Gore Obsessed (2002), The Wretched Spawn (2004), Kill (2006), Evisceration Plague (2009), Torture (2012), A Skeletal Domain (2014), and Red Before Black (2017).

Corpse has had little radio and television exposure throughout their career, but developed a cult following after their second and third records were released in 1991 and 1992. As of 2015, they achieved worldwide sales of two million units for combined sales of all their albums. This makes them the top-selling Death Metal band of all time.

Bassist Alex Webster came up with the name Cannibal Corpse. They have had several lineup changes in the band and only Webster and Paul Mazurkiewicz (drummer) are original members. The lyrics are drawn heavily on horror fiction and horror films. Their original singer, Chris Barnes, wrote the lyrics for the band, but when he left and was replaced by George “Corpsegrinder” Fisher, so Paul started writing most of the lyrics (and you can tell the difference in the lyrical content between the two writers). One thing that hasn’t changed is the solid beatings and groovy riffs like only Cannibal Corpse can deliver.

Here is how I explain their sound to someone who (oddly enough) hasn’t heard them: Pound. Pound. Roar! Groovy riff. Gutteral! Scream!! Pound. Pound.

I have seen Cannibal Corpse a handful of times (my favorite time I saw them was on Valentines Day, in Wilmington, NC where they toured with Obituary and Cryptopsy). Around age 8, I met Corpsegrinder (yes his neck is that big in person) and I also met their drummer, Paul! I told Paul that I saw them on Ace Ventura’s Pet Detective. He laughed and said, “That was a long time ago.” And it was a long time ago, now, that he said that!

Have you seen Cannibal Corpse? What is your favorite song? Mine is Evisceration Plague.

Stay Metal,

THE SAW

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Band of the Week: Slipknot

Ahh, Slipknot, one of the bands that got many people into metal for the first time. When talking to my friends and interviewing members of local bands, almost all of them said that the band that got them interested into metal was, in fact, Slipknot. I found this really interesting and I am trying to figure out why this band has influenced so many people and others did not.

I believe that one of the reasons that Slipknot was the first band that got a lot of people into metal is because they are VERY different. I haven’t seen or heard a band that sounds like Slipknot or that looks like Slipknot. I think this is what attracts people to them because it is like they are characters of a show. They set themselves apart from all the other bands in this realm of music and it refreshing to see. I have seen Slipknot twice: once at the Carolina Rebellion and on their tour with Marilyn Manson and Of Mice & Men.

Slipknot is from Des Moines, Iowa and was founded in 1995. After several lineup changes, the band settled on nine members: Shawn Crahan, Joey Jordison, Paul Gray, Mick Thomson, Corey Taylor, Sid Wilson, Chris Fehn, and Jim Root. Paul Gray died on May 24, 2010 and was replaced by Donnie Steele (2010-2014).

Slipknot is known for their attention-grabbing image, aggressive style of music, and high intensity stage performance. They rose to fame with the release of their debut album, Slipknot, in 1999. Their 2001 follow up album, Iowa, made the band even more popular. Their stage show is what also contributed to their success.

Slipknot is considered a Nu Metal band but their sound distances them from other Nu Metal bands, such as Korn. They describe their sound as “metal metal” and link the connection to Nu Metal as a coincidence since they emerged when that wave of metal was also emerging.  

The members perform wearing unique, individual facemasks and matching uniforms. Each member is typically assigned and referred to by a number based on their role in the band (#0 through #8), although this practice has not been used since the death of Paul Gray. The concept of wearing masks on stage derived from Shawn Crahan. Corey Taylor stated that it’s their way of becoming more intimate with the music. It is a way for the band to escape their normal and everyday lives. The uniforms and masks change when they release a new album.

Slipknot has 6 full length albums: Slipknot (1999), Iowa (2001), Vol. 3 Subliminal Verses (2004), All Hope is Gone (2008), .5: The Gray Chapter (2014), and We Are Not Your Kind (2019).  

Have you seen Slipknot? What is your favorite Slipknot song?

Stay Metal,

THE SAW

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Band of the Week: Suicide Silence

Suicide Silence is a band that has gone through a lot of changes throughout the years: mainly, Mitch Lucker passing. But before we get into that, let’s look back at the history of Suicide Silence.

Suicide Silence is an American Deathcore band from Riverside, California. The band formed in 2002 and has released 5 albums and 1 EP in their discography: The Cleansing (2008), No Time To Bleed (2009), The Black Crown (2011), You Can’t Stop Me (2014), Sacred Words (2015), and Suicide Silence (2017). They have recently released a few singles in 2019: Feel Alive, Love Me To Death, and Meltdown. In 2009, they were awarded Revolver’s Golden God award for “Best New Talent.”

During the time the band was formed in 2002, it was a side project made up of musicians from other bands. After their demo, Death Awaits, they recorded a self-titled EP, and a few other songs. While on Century Media Records, in 2006, they recorded their first full-length album, The Cleansing. It was the bestselling debut albums in Century Media history. They then played at the Mayhem Festival and also went on tour with Parkway Drive, A Day to Remember, and The Acacia Strain.

The band then started to record No Time To Bleed and in April, they won Revolver’s Golden God award for “Most Innovative Band.” In 2011, the band started to record The Black Crown which was released July 12, 2011. This was the last record with Mitch Lucker on vocals.

Mitch Lucker passed away on November 1, 2012 due to a motorcycle crash. His passing was a huge shock to the metal community. That December, the band performed a memorial show in honor of Lucker and the money from the show went into an account for Lucker’s daughter, Kennedy, so she can use the money to go to school. At the memorial show, the friends of the band who were vocalists of other heavy bands, performed one song alongside the rest of the band. The show can be viewed on YouTube and the audio is out on Suicide Silence’s Spotify page. I thought this show was a cool way to honor Lucker because it was in a way that I believe he would enjoy; people jamming and moshing to his songs. It was great to see the metal community come together during this time.

Suicide Silence then brought Hernan “Eddie” Hermida into the band as vocalist and a lot of people were skeptic. Will the band sound the same? No. Like any other band, they too, must adapt and evolve. A lot of people were not a fan of the band’s new sound and they did voice their opinion about it when the band released their self-titled album in 2017. Since then, the band has not created another album, but has dropped live versions of songs and covers. In late 2019, they did release a few singles and stated that a new album is coming soon.

Did you get the chance to see Suicide Silence with Mitch Lucker?

Stay Metal,

THE SAW

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Band of the Week: Knocked Loose

Knocked Loose is easily one of my favorite bands because of their energy both on record and live. They have a distinct sound that anyone can recognize (mainly Bryan Garris’ voice), but also their heavy hitting riffs. Immediately when you listen to them, it’s like they are in your face and barking at you. They don’t hold anything back on any of their songs. There has been some debate on what genre they are and people have different reasons to justify both. Some believe they are a metalcore band, while others believe that they are a hardcore band. I can see how they could be considered both – either hardcore or metalcore – because of their sound. I would argue that they are metalcore because of Garris’ vocals, but I would say that they are hardcore because of their chunky 2-step riffs. Now, people disagree with me and that’s okay, this is simply my opinion.

Granted, I have no idea what any genre any band is for 3 reasons: one, there are too many sub-genres of music. Two, the technicality of what qualifies a band as a particular genre is baffling and confusing. And three, I really don’t care what genre any band is. If it’s heavy, then I like it. When I play Knocked Loose during my set, I play them in my hardcore (The Meat Grinder) simply because they fit the overall sound of that set more than my metalcore (Diamond Cuts) set. But putting genres aside, in the scene, we can agree that Knocked Loose is awesome and no matter what genre they are, you can jam out to it and have a good time.

Knocked Loose is from Oldham County, Kentucky, formed in 2013 and are currently signed to Pure Noise Records. They released their first studio EP, Pop Culture, in 2014. They also did a split release with Damaged Goods on No Luck Records. And in 2016, the band dropped their first full length titled, Laugh Tracks. They released their second full length in 2019 titled, A Different Shade of Blue. You can hear the evolution of the band just by listening to their music; primarily on their newest record. Their sound is angrier and darker, which I really like. They still have their signature breakdowns and Garris’ very familiar voice.

They have gotten a lot of attention, here, recently, and for good reason. They have been on stacked line-ups such as tours with A Day to Remember, Every Time I Die, Parkway Drive, and Thy Art is Murder. They have also been on a few Warped Tours and also played a handful of festivals. I got to see them when they played at Epicenter in Rockingham, NC last May. If you haven’t seen them live, I definitely recommend that you do. They sound the same live and their energy will wear you the hell out.

Knocked Loose is one of my mom’s favorite bands, too; after she got into a fender bender and her tooth got knocked loose. She was laughing at the fact that she used their band name and it was accurate! She finally got to see them at Cat’s Cradle in Carrboro last month and she was not disappointed.

Members:

Bryan Garris – Vocalist

Cole Crutchfield – rhythm guitar, and backup vocals

Isaac Hale – lead guitar, and backup vocals

Kevin Otten – Bass

Kevin Kaine – Drums

Favorite songs: Guilded By the Moon, Forget Your Name, All My Friends, Separate, and Counting Worms

Have you seen Knocked Loose? What are some of your favorite songs?

Stay Metal,

THE SAW

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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