Beartooth Aggressive album review

        Beartooth is a Nu metal band that had its debut in 2012, finally releasing their highly acclaimed album "Disgusting" in 2014. With hits like "In Between" and "Relapsing" Beartooth quickly became a favourite for many metal heads. Since their debut album fans and critics alike have been anticipating a follow up album to the 2014 smash hit. Finally two years later they have released their second studio album entitled "Aggressive."

When you first start the album you are met with the title track "Aggressive" which quickly sets the tone for what you can expect for the rest of the album. The track is brutal and harsh but at the same time holds on to the meaningful lyrics that really gave us a connection to the band in their debut album "Disgusting." Its nice to see that even though Beartooth's music has grown with them they haven't lost the elements that made many of us fall in love with them in the first place.

The next track "Hated" doesn't disappoint as it comes out of the gates just as strong with more hardcore punk elements then what were previously heard in the old Beartooth. This may be the easiest song off of the record to connect to as you can hear the bands pain and seclusion, the lyrics in this song are extremely powerful you can't help but feel the rage that the band is feeling. Beartooth has expertly combined meaningful lyrics, hardcore elements and anthemic rhythm into what is sure to be an instant hit.

Then their is my personal favourite song "Always Dead" which is by far has the most thrash metal influence, the song starts out hard and only seems to get harder. With Caleb Shomo really displaying his screams in this song. It is by far the hardest song on the record as they expertly wield their thrash metal influence without loosing the meaningful lyrics that we have come to expect from this band.

It is hard to find a flaw in such an expertly constructed album between the musical talent and the spot on production quality. Each song has its own elements that make it unique. It is definitely an album that will become a favourite not only for loyal Beartooth fans but also many who are just being introduced to the band. With every song having catchy lyrics and riff's that you can't help head bang to. Beartooth's album has exceeded our expectations.

Beartooth released an album that not only matched their 2014 album "Disgusting" but also superceeded it as they displayed just how much they have grown as musicians. Once again Beartooth has left us wanting more and already looking forward to their next album.

Eric Snelling
Headbangers Heaven
2016 All Rights Reserved

Deftones Orlando House Of Blues Concert Review

     









                 A couple weeks ago I saw the Deftones at the Orlando House Of Blues, having never personally seen the Deftones before but after hearing my friends constantly praise their live performance it's needless to say I had high expectations walking in to the concert and as soon as the Deftones launched into their first song "Rocket Skates" I knew that my expectations were going to be met. The stage erupted into pure chaos as Chino Moreno did his signature screams and a blinding light show that almost gave me an epileptic seizure blasted out into the audience.

The intro was only topped when the Deftones ripped into their next song "My Own Summer (Shove it)." This is where you could really see all the hard work that the Deftones had put into their rehearsals for this tour. With the musical elements of their performance being unflawed and the obvious connection that the band members had with each other as they moved and played in perfect harmony. It was as if each of the members knew what the other was going to do before they did it. As Chino danced, jumped and swirled his microphone around the stage the other members seemed to know exactly what he was doing and somehow worked around him while still banging their heads and throwing their bodies around to the beat.

I dont know what caused the Deftones to give such an energetic and wild performance. Whether it be that Orlando was lucky enough to catch them at the beginning of their tour before the gruelling trials of touring had taken their toll on them, or because of them being able to sell out the House Of Blues in a matter of hours after tickets went on sale. Whatever it was, it fuelled a fire that not only made the Deftones perform like bats out of hell but also made the audience go insane. Everywhere you looked there were crowd surfers, the floor had been turned into a war zone as it seemed that everyone was moshing. People of all ages smashed and shoved their way to the front as the Deftones music energized them.

Unlike many bands who start their shows out strong and slowly fade throughout their set the Deftones never loosened their assault. Each song they seemed to get just a bit more angry, this wasn't just evident in the growls and disturbing shrieks of Chino Moreno but also in the drumming section as Abe Cunningham relentlessly smashed his drums creating an even more aggressive atmosphere. The night's energy seemed to have a constant rise leaving no room to slow down and for a nineteen song set that is one amazing feat to accomplish. Even as the Deftones took the short break in between their regular set and the encore, the nights energy prevailed as the fans went into an immediate chant screaming the bands name. As soon as the Deftones returned to the stage they jumped into their hit song "Root" followed by "Engine NO 9" to finish off the night. After Chino extensively thanked the audience for making their careers a possibility, the Deftones walked off leaving everyone in the audience smiling and their ears ringing. All in all the Deftones put on one of the best live performances Ive seen to date and I would definitely see them again in the future.


2016 All Rights Reserved.
Headbangers Heaven Productions.
Eric Snelling.

Sixx: A.M."Prayers For the Damned" album review

   

  Sixx: A.M. started as a side band in 2007 with their debut album "The Heroin Diaries". Since then the group has grown astronomically and achieved impressive success for a band that was meant to be a side project to fill the gaps in between touring. With names like Nikki Sixx the rock god from the legendary Motley Crue, and DJ Ashba from the post Chinese Democracy Guns N Roses. Now throw in the iconic James Michael who is not only a producer who has worked with some of the biggest names in the business but also an astounding vocalist. Over the past nine years Sixx: A.M. has proved that their more then just a side band this became apparent when they released their first single "Life Is Beautiful" which broke through to the number 2 spot on the mainstream rock charts. This was the first sign that let the world know that Sixx: A.M. would be a force to reckon with in the Hard Rock world.

We can look forward to seeing much more of Sixx: A.M. then what we've become accustomed to, with the Motley Crue power house finally shutting down its engines and going into retirement Nikki Sixx is now able to devote far more time towards the band then previously. Combine that with DJ Ashba leaving Guns N Roses in 2015 and giving his full devotion to Sixx: A.M. there is no limit to what this band will be able to accomplish now that it not only has the talent, but also the time and resources needed for this "side band" to turn into the monster that it most definitely has the potential to be.

The deadly trio show us just what their made of in the bands latest release "Prayers For The Damned" which is a two part album the second half expected to be released later this year. Sixx: A.M. has been known to write catchy anthemic songs and they dont disappoint, with "Rise" the first track on the record coming out kicking and screaming. With gut wrenching guitars, crisp vocals and an easily chantable chorus the song will have you banging your head in pure glee within no time.

It is clear that the trio have channeled their experience and influences from their previous bands and made them evident in "Prayers For The Damned" with its guitar solos and drum patterns resembling  the older Hard Rock bands that many of us grew up on. The album also includes an excellent balance between heavier songs like "Rise" and "Im Sick" with softer but certainly not less powerful songs like "Better Man". Sixx: A.M. has made sure that anyone who gives the record a listen will have a favourite song by the end of the the 45 minute run time. All in all "Prayers For the Damned" was an excellent record that will remind all of us of the early days of Hard Rock and the reason why we fell in love with this type of music in the first place.

2016 All Rights Reserved

Headbanger Heaven Productions

Eric Snelling