Category: Band/Artist Profile

KoЯn is known as a Nu Metal band from Bakersfield, California; formed in 1993. They are considered to be the ones who pioneered the sub-genre of nu metal. Their discography is very impressive: KoЯn (1994), followed by Life Is Peachy (1996), Follow The Leader (1998), Issues (1999), Untouchables (2002), Take A Look In The Mirror (2003), See You On the Other Side (2005), Live & Rare (2006), Untitled (2007), Korn III: Remember Who You Are (2010), The Path Of Totality (2011), The Paradigm Shift (2013), and The Serenity of Suffering (2016). They have released two songs in 2019: You’ll Never Find Me and Cold.

In 2005, Brian “Head” Welch left the band to fight his addiction with methamphetamines. Welch said that he tried everything, “rehab, stuff on the Internet, but nothing helped me kick it. I was trying on my own to quit and couldn’t do it. I wanted to die. No one knew what I was going through. I could not quit. Church was my last shot…. I would wonder why people would go up to the front after the service. But one day it was for me. I said [to God], ‘Show me how to quit’” (MTV News). Welch has written a handful of books about his life, experience in the band, his battle with drugs, and his relationship with God. There has also been a film that summarizes his books and talks about him and his daughter.

The band never got another guitarist to fill in Welch’s place, but they continued to release albums and tour. And then on May 5, 2012, Welch joined the band on stage at the Carolina Rebellion in Rockingham to play “Blind” for the first time since his departure seven years earlier. I had friends at that festival and they said that when they saw Welch join the band on stage, they started crying. Not only were people in the audience crying but the singer, Jonathan Davis, and Welch were teary eyed and hugging on stage. The video for it is awesome!

KoЯn has always been one of my favorite bands. I grew up listening to the first three albums and the family would all jam out to it. I first saw KoЯn at the Carolina Rebellion of 2016 and they played their self-titled record in its entirety. It was AWESOME!!! I love KoЯn because you can hear the emotion’s in Davis’ voice and the pain that he is in. Even though I haven’t experienced the things that he and the band has, it’s nice to know that someone else understands the struggles that people go through and it helps create an outlet for people. Oh, and their riffs are killer!! So there’s that!

Stay Metal,

THE SAW

Ahhh TLC, the first girl group that I ever heard and loved. TLC consists of Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins, Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes (RIP), and Rozonda “Chilli” Thomas. I heard of TLC because of my mom! She listened to TLC back in 1992 when they first hit the scene. She used to play their album, crazysexycool, in the living room, in the bedroom, and especially in the car. I grew up listening to this album and all I can remember is dancing to this album all the time.

TLC embodies, to me, what a powerful, independent woman should be. They’re hustling, they’re independent, and they are happy! Their second album, crazysexycool (1994), is one of my all-time favorite albums! This album has represented my whole mood for 2019. When you listen to it you will understand why.

On April 25, 2002, Left Eye was in a car accident and passed away. This event was a sad time for the group, the fans, and the family of Lopes. But her music is still celebrated today and is being played by fans everywhere. There was a movie made in 2013 called CrazySexyCool: The TLC Story in which it went through the career and lives of the three girls. It was a great movie to watch and I recommend that everyone watches it at least once

I got to see TLC for the first time at the Walnut Creek Amphitheater in Raleigh! They came with Flo Rida and Nelly, but I just went to see TLC. I got chills when they first hit the stage because it was the first time that I heard the songs that usually play in my bedroom, played live. They played their greatest hits (and one of my favorite songs, Creep!). Their last song was Waterfalls and they talked about Left Eye before this song (it was one of her favorites) and when her part in the song was on, a screen of Left Eye singing the part came on and the audience held our camera lights in the air. It was a beautiful moment. 

What is your favorite TLC song? Have you seen them live before?

Stay Metal,

THE SAW

Australia has always brought us some great bands: AC/DC, Parkway Drive, and In Hearts Wake. But there is one band from Sydney, Australia that has always piqued my interest, and that band is Thy Art Is Murder. This band is a band that I listen to when in need of an ass-whoopin’! Their sound can be summed up in two words: heavy and brutal.

One of the distinct sounds of Thy Art Is Murder is CJ McMahon’s voice. I can pick his voice out because of how strong and loud it is. Not only does he sound good on record but he also sounds good live. McMahon is one of the best front men I have seen. He is always engaging with the crowd and is always in their faces.

Another aspect of Thy Art Is Murder’s sound that sets them apart is the drumming. Their former drummer, Lee Stanton, was my favorite. He is one of the best drummers in metal (IMO). He can do one of the fastest double bass’ that I have ever heard, and he does it all with a straight face. If you ever see him playing live or in a music video, it doesn’t even look like he is drumming.

With Stanton’s drumming and McMahon’s voice, this band is a force to be reckoned with. Their bone-crushing sound will leave you beaten and tired but… in a good way. One of the times that I’ve seen them was at the Mayhem Festival in DC. They were so good, that it was difficult for WhiteChapel to follow them (and you know I LOVE some WhiteChapel)!

McMahon left the band for a couple of months but eventually rejoined and they released their most recent alum, Dear Desolation (2017). Thy Art Is Murder has released 3 singles this year: Human Target, Death Squad Anthem, and Make America Hate Again. They will be releasing their new album, Human Target, on July 26^th.

Favorite songs: Holy War off of Holy War (2015) and Reign of Darkness of off Hate (2012)

What is your favorite Thy Art Is Murder Song? Are you looking forward to their new album?

Stay Metal,

THE SAW

Where do I begin with this band? Miss May I (MMI) was one of the first metalcore bands that I ever listened to. MMI is from Troy, Ohio and they have released 6 albums in their career. Their first album, Apologies Are For The Weak, turned 10 years old this year! This record has some of my favorite songs, such as A Dance With Aera Cura, Apologies Are For The Weak, and Forgive And Forget.

I first heard of MMI from my brother and my cousin. They would play them all the time, and the first video I ever saw of them was Forgive And Forget. Once I saw that video, I was hooked. I love the riffs and the melodies that MMI creates on their records. With each album, they have progressively improved their sound and have added new elements to their music. My favorite album is Deathless (2015). Their most recent record, Shadow Inside (2017), is a lot different than their previous albums. I really like the melodies that are on their most recent record and I still listen to it to this day. I am looking forward to what they create next.

I went to see MMI back in 2015, for the first time, at Warped Tour. This was the first show that I went to by myself and I only went for MMI. I got to meet them before their show and they all signed my ticket. I was in the front for their set and it was one of the happiest memories I have. I then went and got a picture with their lead singer, Levi Benton, and he said that he saw me jamming out.

Later I saw MMI when they went on tour to support their release of Shadows Inside. This was one of my favorite tours because on tour with MMI was Upon A Burning Body, Currents, and Kublai Khan. I got to meet them, again, and I got a picture with the entire band!

Miss May I is one of my favorite bands. I love their music and the sound that they have created. Not only are they great musicians, but they are great guys. Each time I have met them, it was nothing but smiles. They are always so excited to meet fans and they make every single one of them feel important.

I can’t wait to see what they create in the future!

They are going on tour, soon, and it’s for the 10-year anniversary of their first record! Are you going to go see them?

Stay Metal,

THE SAW 

Now, I know what you are thinking… this isn’t metal. BUT I appreciate all types of music and Saweetie is one of my favorite rappers at the moment. Born as Diamanté Harper on July 2, 1993, from San Francisco, CA. She has a Filipino-Chinese mother and an African-American father. Growing up, Saweetie had connections to artists because of her father and family friends, but she decided to put in the hard work and start from the bottom when working on her music career.

She got her name Saweetie from her grandmother on her father’s side. That is what her grandmother called her and it stuck with her. What I really admire about Saweetie is that she went to San Diego State University and then transferred to the University of Southern California where she studied communications and business. She went to college because she wanted to move down to LA to help kickstart her music career. I think education is really important and I admire her work ethic to juggle school, a couple of jobs, and a music career. She wears tons of hats and as soon as she got a record deal with Warner Bros. Records, she paid off her student debt. I respect that although she wanted to make it big, she went to school. That is something that my family has driven into me throughout my life.

She started posting short raps on her Instagram account in 2016 and the rap that got popular was Icy Grl, where she used the beat of Khia’s My Neck, My Back. She then released a couple of singles and then released her first album in 2018 called High Maintenance. She has also dropped a remix of Icy Grl with Kehlani, has a song with Rich The Kid and G-Eazy called Up Now, and also a song with Kid Ink and Lil Wayne called YUSO. Saweetie just released her EP in March of 2019 called ICY. The most popular song off that record is My Type, which Saweetie raps over the beat of Freek-A-Leek by Pete Pablo.

I think Saweetie is a Queen. Watching her work hard and follow her dreams inspires me to work hard as well. Saweetie should be a role model for women to hustle, be confident, work hard, and own it.

ANTI is the first freestyle of Saweetie that I heard and Icy Grl is by far one of my favorite songs by her.

Have you listened to Saweetie?

Stay Metal,

THE SAW

Fleshgod Apocalypse is a symphonic/melodic death metal band from Perguia, Italy. They formed in 2007 and are currently signed to Nuclear Blast. In May 2008, the band recorded its first full-length album, Oracles. In 2010, the Mafia EP was recorded and released. The band then released their second full-length album, Agony, in 2011. In 2013 they released Labyrinth, their third album, and in 2016, their fourth album, King, was released. 

The band just released their 5^th full-length album, Veleno, which is one of my favorite albums of 2019. It is also one of my competitors for 2019 album of the year! 

I had heard about Fleshgod through various tours, mainly through 2011’s Summer Slaughter. I started listening to them a few years later when they were going on tour with Whitechapel. They are one of my favorite death metal bands because of their distinct sound. Although they are melodic death metal, they use classical music and harmonize the two styles. They also have a woman that sings opera (she has a beautiful voice), and they often mix in a traditional Black Metal synthesizer, chords, and vocals, too!

Their live show is awesome as well! They all wear classical composer outfits, but here’s the catch… they look like zombies!!! They sound just as good live as they do on their records! Their music videos also support the theme.

If you haven’t checked out this band you definitely should! Their music is on any music streaming format.

Twitter: @FApocalypse #FleshgodApocalypse

Instagram: fleshgodofficial

Facebook: @fleshgodapocalypse

Sugar music video click here.

They also have a cover of Carcass’ Heartwork which is pretty cool.

What is your favorite song by Fleshgod Apocalypse? Have you seen them live?

Stay Metal,

THE SAW

Yoooo, this is Lul Bulma and welcome to the first entry for 88.1 WKNC’s; “Hot on the Block”. In this segment we take a look into the underground scene and see what local artists are up to. Today’s entry is on the New Bern native and upcoming star; Cloudy Nueve. Known for his original sound and vibrant flow, he has made impressions that have landed him features on platforms such as Lyrical Lemonade and Elevator Magazine. He is originally from New Bern though he now resides in Raleigh and has gotten over 30k views on a single hit. Following the release of his 3-single EP, Cloudy With a Chance, he released Cloudy With a Chance Pt. 2, a dynamic continuum of the same rhythmic flow that has gotten him the audience that he has now.

Obviously, Cloud has been up to a lot in recently yet, he has so much more in store.

Though he tends to only do collabs that are run by his camp, he is now working on collabs out the ass. As Cloud is often seen in junction with local rap group, The Lost Gen (otherwise known as TLG), he most recent collabs include artists; Brody J, who is featured on Cloudy With a Chance Pt. 2 on the track; Break:  https://soundcloud.com/cloudynueve/break-feat-brody-j?in=cloudynueve/sets/cwac,

Emilio Zapata, who he joins on the single; Taki:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JkWoZK_0iEU

And Jaheal, as seen in his most viewed hit, Hostage: https://soundcloud.com/cloudynueve/hostage-feat-jaheal-prod-jag-1.

As for what the future holds, he plans to work on a collab EP with Jaheal which will likely highlight  the complementary relationship between Cloud’s dynamic pitch range and Jaheals steady flow to create a storytelling masterpiece. He furthermore plans to release new music with local artists; Sangstaa, Stephen Jailon, and Les the Genius as they all compliment his melodic style. Nevertheless, he also plans to start collabing with the more urban local underground scene of Raleigh consisting of artists like; YSB Sunny, female rap group; BBO and, Marlee Savage, all artists who maintain the same “from the trenches” theme that Cloud carries throughout his music.

In all, I’d have to say that Cloudy Nueve is one of my top five favorite local artists. I bumped Cloudy With a Chance for a week after it came out (Faded Letterman is my fav: https://soundcloud.com/cloudynueve/sets/cloudy-with-a-chance) and I stand by my belief that if he doesn’t get famous sometime soon, the industry is rigged. He ranks top three in originality because of his raw sound, which is most easily observed through the broadness of his vocal range and extensity of  his timbre (Listen to Noddin Off and Repeat to hear exactly what I’m talking about). Lastly, I encourage y’all to look out for the From the Durt music video being released on Elevator Magazine’s website sometime soon and check out Cloudy Nueve on all social media platforms (Twitter) @cloudynueve, (Instagram) @cloudyxnueve. Tune in next week to see what’s hot on the block.

– Plainview

Bomb the Music Industry! (BtMI!) was a ska punk band based in New York that was active for a decade from 2004 to 2014. The band’s most well-known member was songwriter and producer Jeff Rosenstock, who has put out a bunch of phenomenal solo albums recently. Bomb the Music Industry! had a very fitting name as the band held heavy belief in DIY ethics. They released 6 albums for free online, gave fans free stencils and paints to make their own t-shirts, priced tickets below $10, and have even offered fans the chance to play on stage if they had an instrument and knew a song.

**fun fact: ska punk is sometimes teasingly (yet lovingly) called ‘skunk’ **

BtMI!’s music features fast, upbeat tunes with heavy emphasis on brass and twinkling,  toy-like electric sound effects, accompanied by hard-hitting, cynical lyrics. Jeff Rosenstock has a gift for writing lyrics that capture the depressing, pathetic parts of life in the most raw and honest way possible. Listening to some BtMI! lyrics might not cheer you up. In fact, they will probably make you feel like you feel pretty bleak, but they sure will make you feel like someone understands you and your terrible degenerate life. Bomb the Music Industry! isn’t all hopelessness and feeling worthless, though. Some songs remind you that life isn’t all bad, like their song Sort of Like Being Pumped from the album SCRAMBLES, which is about seeing a sunset.

I can’t choose any one BtMI! Album so I’m just going to talk about my top five favorite BtMI! songs.

1. Syke! Life is Awesome

A cheerful number about how life can get ya down but it’s funny how things always work out in the end. So don’t give up!

1. Side Projects Are Never Successful

Jeff Rosenstock was inspired to write this song after he had a panic attack and then got a speeding ticket, so he starts wistfully dreaming about how great it would be if the entire world was going to end. This song is also a jab at big corporations. How very punk.

1. Congratulations, John, On Joining Every Time I Die

Under the mask of teasing to hide mushy emotions, this song is actually a very sweet congratulations and bittersweet goodbye to a band member that was able to sign onto a more successful band. (** fun fact: the deal fell through by a chance of circumstance to John never actually did join Every Time I Die.)

1. Unlimited Breadsticks, Soup and Salad Days

This song is twinkling and energetic, but I think about it differently every time I listen to it depending on my mood. I’ll let you decide for yourself what this song is about.

1. I Don’t Love You Anymore

A song about finally being free from a drag of a relationship.

Honorable mention: 493 Ruth

Moss Icon was an emo/ post-hardcore band from Maryland that existed from 1986 to 1991. Though they are often credited with being one of the forerunners to the ‘emo’ genre, they were more involved with the hardcore punk scene, playing shows with Fugazi, Nation of Ulysses, etc.

What sets Moss Icon apart from their contemporaries is their spectacular ability to transition seamlessly from loud, fast-paced, spastic moments to quieter, wispier bits. The build and intensity created by these alternations in pace, intertwined with lead singer Jonathan Vance’s alternations between full-throated screaming and sleeptalk-like, politically-charged rambling makes for a unique listening experience. Another notable characteristic of Moss Icon are the strong, deep bass riffs that provide backbone to the songs. In the midst of the chaotic drumming and unhinged shouting, the melodic bass riffs serve as a beautiful counter and balance.

In 2012, Moss Icon released a formal, nineteen-song  ‘complete discography’ though it is missing a lot of songs. In this post I will be focusing on a four of my favorites from these 19 songs.

1. I’m Back Sleeping, or *******, or Something

This might be my favorite Moss Icon song. The intermittent feedback and trilling percussion almost sound like strange frogs and birds deep in an eerie jungle. This song is a perfect example of the band’s soft-loud-soft dynamic, which many following bands would come to use in the future. The song builds up to a booming, cathartic climax and then cools back down again at least 4 times in the course of the 3 minute song.  

1. Divinity Cove

This song might fool you in the beginning because it opens with a cute, beachy little guitar line, but right as you’re caught off guard, that heavy, powerful bass kicks in to knock you off your feet. This song showcases the true limits of Vance’s voice, as he screams “I thought it meant divided, I know it does” into the mic. What does this line mean? Don’t ask me.

1. Locket

The grooviness of the 80s really shines through in this song’s guitar. Locket is a real foot-tapper. But the lyrics send a chill down my spine, with talk of burning houses, ghosts, and feet creeping up creaking stairs.

1. Moth

When this song opens with a twangy guitar, you might brace yourself for the bass to kick in, thinking that you won’t be fooled again like Divinity Cove. When the twangy guitar doesn’t stop, you might relax thinking that this song will be a beachy tune after all. But you would be wrong! Moss Icon isn’t all screaming and fuzzy bass; they can wind it down too, but towards the middle, the song starts building up again into the noisy, intense Moss Icon we’ve always known. I guess they just couldn’t resist.

It’s time for another Soundcloud Artist Highlight! Today, it’s Andrew Applepie. I discovered this artist through a YouTube channel I watch and I’ve noticed in the comments that his music seems to be featured in some other YouTube channels as well. So it’s possible you’ve already heard some of his stuff!

Andrew Applepie comes from Germany, as it says in his profile, and his style is Indie Electronic. Or Electronic Indie. Honestly, both descriptions are accurate so whichever floats your boat.

I love this artist because I find his tracks to be very inspirational. While listening, I find myself wanting to work on things I’m passionate about because I can just feel the passion he has for music. It’s like when you get a cookie from the vending machine but it doesn’t taste as good as when your mom makes cookies because it just doesn’t have the love in it. Or it could just be that the cookie is from the vending machine and has probably been sitting there for a while. Hopefully you get my point.

I think this music is great to play while hanging out with friends or even just spending some alone time, doing some of your hobbies. I definitely listen when I’m feeling creative and working on some sketching or writing.

You can find Andrew Applepie on Spotify and Bandcamp if you prefer those sites over Soundcloud. However, I’ve noticed that some of his songs on Bandcamp aren’t on Spotify or vice versa. I’m not sure what that’s about, but I’ll give you the links to three of my favorite songs of his below. 

Here’s his Soundcloud link first – https://soundcloud.com/andrewapplepie

Rapture Snow (only on Bandcamp from what I’ve seen) – https://andrewapplepie.bandcamp.com/track/rapture-snow

Feel It In my Face – https://soundcloud.com/andrewapplepie/feel-it-in-my-face

I’ve Been Lonely – https://open.spotify.com/track/5SU9pASq4zBz3LjebVVQeM