Back in the 60’s and 70’s, rock music was presented with a new breed that pushed the envelope just a little bit further, with bands like Led Zeppelin, Blue Cheer, Deep Purple, RUSH and others forming a posse that would later be termed as proto-metal, meaning rock music that set the tone for what metal would become. Despite Black Sabbath being amongst these very progenitors, they were far ahead of their time as founders of a genre, and really came up with the previously mentioned bands. Basically, proto-metal were not necessarily directly influenced by Black Sabbath like their successors would be, but instead honed heavy aspects of rock in their own special ways. One of these bands from Britain (surprise surprise!) that helped bring heavy to rock was Uriah Heep, pushed heavy grooves reminiscent of Deep Purple, but with their own unique style most noteably David Byron’s overtly melodic vocals that would inspire the likes of Rob Halford and Bruce Dickinson in decades to come. After years of putting out material and being active, line-up changes, deaths, and their rise and fall in the limelight, Uriah Heep has shown their true rock and roll spirit by releasing their latest album Wake the Sleeper, an album that represents arena rock, 70’s metal and prog rock with the utmost admiration and respect.

From beginning to end, Wake the Sleeper is nothing like it’s title represents; this is an energetic album from beginning to end, even the slower, more melodic parts are still full of vigor that it’s hard to not feel the emotion being emitted from one’s headphones. Very few modern bands know how to exude the intricacies that bands like Uriah Heep helped implement before the punk movement took over leading to a new breed of musicians in Europe. Wake the Sleeper is clearly a continuation of the tried and true methods the band has used since its first album, and it still sounds as fresh and relevant today as it ever did in the past (I assume). However, what makes this album truly awesome is the fact that it doesn’t pull any punches. So many rockers from this era have quieted down in their aged states, but Uriah Heep still rocks as hard as they have ever done before. They may not make the Billboard top 100 for their efforts, but since when has that stopped hard rock and metal bands before? Quality is not a popularity contest, and Wake the Sleeper is definitely a perfect example of a great album getting past over as a “has-been” record, when in fact, this record is far more potent than most rock albums that will be released in 2008 from bands showing off not even a quarter of the experience and veteran status of Uriah Heep.

I have always been a fan of 70’s rock, as it’s essential listening to understanding how and why metal became what it would eventually become. For those who are new to metal, or simply never appreciated the art of early metal, you should make it a necessity to pick up Wake the Sleeper and some of Uriah Heep’s earlier material to get a true sense of our history and why metal is the best music on the planet. Black Sabbath may have created the genre, but bands like Uriah Heep added color and depth to a form of music that would eventually become the most diverse humanity has ever known.

AMAZING…

Top Tracks: Book of Lies, Wake the Sleeper, Angels Walk With You

Similar Artists: Deep Purple, RUSH, Jethro Tull

1. “Wake the Sleeper” - 3:33
2. “Overload” - 5:58
3. “Tears of the World” - 4:45
4. “Light of a Thousand Stars” - 3:57
5. “Heaven’s Rain” - 4:16
6. “Book of Lies”- 4:05
7. “What Kind of God” - 6:37
8. “Ghost of the Ocean”- 3:22
9. “Angels Walk With You” - 5:24
10. “Shadow” - 3:35
11. “War Child” - 5:07

Bernie Shaw – vocals
Mick Box – guitar
Phil Lanzon – keyboards
Trevor Bolder – bass guitar
Russell Gilbrook – drums

Sanctuary Records

www.myspace.com/uheep

Review by CODY

Beckoning in a sound that can be smartly compared to the likes of Birds of Prey, Boris, Electric Wizard and maybe a little (or a LOT) of Black F’n Sabbath thrown in just to make things spicey, California sludgsters Kowloon Walled City have, almost literally, blown my face off through the back of my head. In fact, if I had my headphones on to full volume, I am pretty sure my brain would be currently be in a slush-like state. You want to know the greatest part of all of this depiction of cranial carnage? My session of facemelting only consisted of 5 fucking songs to get the job done! That’s right, Kowloon Walled City has created all of this havoc with a little ole EP, but one that surely deserves it’s own planet for it to be allowed to carry on in its awesome destructive madness.

Entitled Turk Street, the sound that eminates from this EP isn’t so much surprising as it is just a thoroughly satisfying experience through and through, the biggest surprise is finding out that these guys, none of whom have any major metal band experience as far as I know, have only released this fantastic piece with no prior writing experience under Kowloon Walled City! I was sent this EP awhile ago, and I have to say that I continue to go back to it time and time again for a nice subtle dose of what my ears seem to need. The poor guys in the band have probably written me off because of my delay in writing about this, but this EP is truly one of those I simply became so engrossed in that writing about it seemed like a task I could continue to put off in favor of just laying back and taking the ride. But alas, the masses need to know about this California quartet before my negligence turns into a wasted opportunity.

http://www.myspace.com/kowloonwalledcity

http://inthewalledcity.com/

CODY

Album: Year of Desolation
Label: Prosthetic Records
Year: 2007

Our friends over at Normandy Guitars have made the top 10 list for holiday gift choices from Making Music magazine in association with NAMM. It’s nice to see independent manufacturers of higher quality instruments getting attention from the field!

If you haven’t checked them out yet, head over to Normandy’s website to check out their line up aluminum body guitars.

http://www.normandyguitars.com/

Hey everyone,

I live in Maine, and sometimes we get a tad over-abundance of ice, and when this ice builds up on powerlines, it tends to fuck with our power. So, for the last few days, I have been frigid and in the dark with my only semblance of entertainment being an all you can eat Thai buffet and a George Bush biography. I have retreated to my parent’s house for some heat and free food for the evening, I can only hope the power is back up by Sunday. I hope everyone isn’t going through withdrawls!

Why do I keep luring myself to the ways of modern death metal and deathcore? Why? Alas, I have been suckered into reviewing yet another deathcore album courtesy of Australia’s The Red Shore whom just recently released their debut record, Unconsecrated on Siege of Amida (a subsidiary of Ferret Music, whom seem more concerned with releasing their clothing line than putting out good music), in the hopes of capitalizing on American currency and ride the wave to the American dream.

To put it in the simplest of ways, Unconsecrated is about as generic as a deathcore album can get. I hope that is blunt enough for everyone, because I don’t want to give any false impressions. Is it because the band is Australian and haven’t been accustomed to the ways of a saturated American market? I’d give them that excuse, I mean, who am I to judge the Australian way of mimicking American metal? Right? Well, regardless, The Red Shore have come up with a tight, precise album that is unfortunately just like the rest…blast beats, rapid riff changes (ala grindcore) and the immortal breakdown that has stuck with mainstream metal for the time being and throughout most of the near future, much to my chagrin.

I am so tired of listening to albums like this that I really have run out of clever quips and realistic commentary to enfuse pros and cons and make this a proper review. What more needs to be said? I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but unless The Red Shore makes some drastic changes on their sophomore effort (if they make it that far), their career will be short lived as long as there are better bands playing this exact formula. This fact is truly unfortunate, because as I have said in virtually every review of this kind, this band has the talent and precision to go places, but the similarities are just too uncanny in comparison to the rest of the scene to warrant The Red Shore sharing in the wealth.

It’s about time deathcore dies.

EH…

Top Tracks: Pick N Choose, nothing really stands out

Similar Artists: All Shall Perish, The Black Dahlia Murder, Job For A Cowboy, The Red Chord

1.    The Garden of Impurity    02:32
2.    Misery Hymn    03:57
3.    Deception: Prologue    03:04
4.    Slain by the Serpent    03:08
5.    The Architects of Repulsion    05:16
6.    Your Chariot Awaits    03:10
7.    Rise & Fall    03:21
8.    The Forefront of Failure    03:55
9.    Nephilim    01:50
10.    Vehemence the Phoenix    03:43

Jamie - Vocals
Jason - Guitar
Roman Koester - Guitar
Jon Green - Bass
Jake - Drums

Ferret Style (too good to be called Ferret Music anymore apparently)

http://www.myspace.com/theredshore

Review by CODY

Alright, before I begin, I want to clarify something. My intention with this top 10 is to not give 10 atmospheric/ambient metal bands as a genre, but rather metal bands who have the ability to create imagery and texture with their music that goes beyond simple riffs, beats and vocals. These bands mold together their sound, creating a tapestry that illustrates blanketed emotions quite thoroughly and clearly.

Honorable Mentions:

- Royal Hunt, Burzum, Therion, RAGE, Evergrey, Rammstein, Abigor, Mayhem, Angra, Kamelot, Bathory

10. SEAR BLISS

Sear Bliss are not that old or significant in the grand scheme of heavy metal lore, but what they bring to the table is so new, fresh and unique that I can’t help but include them in this list. They are at their core a black metal band, but the philosophies posed by their music, lyrically and instrumentally, are quite abundant. I will probably catch hell for including Sear Bliss, and no other modern black metal band, but it takes more than folk elements and electronic interludes to make this list. With that said, I will definitely include some honorable mentions from black metal just to throw out some name recognition.

9. CRYPTOPSY

The most extreme death metal band of all time, and also probably the most deep. I only have to take you to the complexities of sound with the song “Phobophile” for the perfect example. I experience something new every time I hear that song, along with a slew of their other works. Truly mind blowing stuff.

8. MASTODON

Mastodon is on this list for one very simple reason: richness. Virtually every album this band has put out has been one ride after another, taking it’s listeners on a journey  that transcends beyond what simple instruments can create. Mastodon to me is psychedelic without really trying to be so (at least I don’t think), can you get much more atmospheric than that?

7. BLIND GUARDIAN

Blind Guardian are basically a storybook in metal form, simple as that. Everything they write goes beyond most bands mostly due to the incredible emotion emitted from the voice of legendary Hansi Kurch. There is really no one else quite like Hansi, and we should all feel lucky to have him telling his stories in metal form.

6. VENOM

If there was a sound to describe pure evil it would be Welcome to Hell by Venom. I don’t think I need to say anything else.

5. OPETH

Much like Hansi. Mikael Akerfeldt’s voice is so identifiable and great not just because he is talented, but because he constantly exudes such raw emotion and pain. Very few vocalists can go from sadness and pain (clean vocals) to raw anger (harsh vocals), but Mikael does it flawlessly. Not to mention that the riffs and drums created to support Mikael are truly remarkable and very deep.

4. AGALLOCH

The only real band on this list that could officially be categorized as atmospheric, Agalloch are masters at creating moods with their music, in fact, that seems like that is their main purpose as a band as opposed to simply “rocking out.” To me, Agalloch is the quintessential folk/pagan band because they create a sound that goes beyond simply using traditional folk instruments, instead making music that represents the cold, harshness of winter and nature that no other band of their kind have been able to replicate.

3. AYREON

One of my most favorite projects of all time, and it’s all due to Arjen A Lucassen’s genius at creating a story from beginning to end with not just amazing vocalists, but impeccable songwriting. In fact, you could easily tell a story with Ayreon’s music without the use of vocalists simply because there is so much complexity and variations in the context of the song structures, thatyou can easily tell exactly what Arjen’s intentions were with the song. The best example of this is the entire Human Equation album.

2. SAINT VITUS

Besides only Black Sabbath, there are literally no other metal bands on the planet that can make foreboding music quite like Saint Vitus has done. The thick, musky, evil overtones of each and every song Saint Vitus has ever put out are absolutely stunning. Saint Vitus are the best doom metal outfit ever formed besides Black Sabbath, and their ability to create atmosphere out of their riffs instead of simply being heavy, and plodding. There is a reason why we call this music doom metal, and Saint Vitus is a big reason for that. Saint Vitus is aural doom. If there was a killer asteroid heading towards Earth, I’d suggest you put away your Saint Vitus albums and listen to some Earth, Wind and Fire instead, because it won’t make the remainder of your life any more happy. Some quintessential Saint Vitus to check out would be the songs “Burial At Sea” and “Let the End Begin.”

1. BLACK SABBATH

Black Sabbath is not only the quintessential metal band, but they are downright frightening. The tapestry created by the combined efforts of the original line-up (and even some of the Dio era stuff) is truly unyielding and very powerful. There were none before, and there be none like them for as long as metal music exists. Please listen to the song “Black Sabbath” and tell me that it doesn’t scare the piss out of you. If you deny it, you are killing kittens with your lies.

CODY

Becoming the Archetype is part of a fresh breed of extreme metal popping up America that is truly pushing the proverbial envelope about what is fresh and edgy. Taking the best parts of metalcore, the extremity of death metal, and the melodies of electronic music, this new breed following in the footsteps of all too recent breakout sensations Between the Buried and Me, could very well be the new foundation in American heavy metal relying more on avant garde and progressive riffs than the thrashy groove riffs of their forebears. Nonetheless, Becoming the Archetype represents the quintessential changing of the guard in modern extreme music, and to answer some intriguing questions about the band, AMR had Count Seth Wilcox, guitarist and keyboardist extraordinaire, answer some questions about their freshly released album Dichotomy, and how their beliefs as Christians shaped its sound.

AMR: First of all, thank you very much for taking part in this interview with All metal Resource.

Your band has really risen to becoming kind of the next big thing in extreme metal, yet the band has been around since 1999 in one form or another. Seth, I know you are relatively new to the band in comparison to some of the other guys, but what has it been like for the band to progress so much in such a relatively short time despite being around for almost 10 years?

Seth:  Well, to be honest, the whole ten year thing is a bit deceiving.  The band didn’t really do anything for a few years of that time period.  I view Becoming The Archetype as existing in 2004 as The Remnant, then 2005 - present as BTA, so I’d say we’re more like a five year old band.  It has been thrilling to gain the sort of respect that we’ve always wanted.  But there are also bands that rise quicker than we do, usually breakdown bands, which we’ve never had much interest in serving.  We’ve certainly progressed musically and I think we’ve had a great time taking our listeners on a spiritual and musical journey.

AMR: Let’s talk about Dichotomy which was only released a few short weeks ago. This is your third album in only 4 years, that is quite the accomplishment when you consider all the touring that comes along with new albums when your a metal band. Have you guys had a chance to just hang back, relax, and enjoy your accomplishments?

Seth: Oh yeah, although we’re ridiculously busy most of the time, we still have had time to enjoy being the sort of band we are.  We don’t tour quite as much as other bands in our larger genre, so we’re not on the road 24/7, which has been the reason we’ve been able to craft our songs to the point of satisfaction.

AMR: I have read that Devin Townsend was the producer for Dichotomy. What kind of ideas did he have in shaping the album’s overall sound?

Seth: Dichotomy is as much Devin’s as it is ours.  He had a huge influence on the overall sound of the record and his work made the album much heavier and progressive.  We came in with songs that contained decent riffs:  we left with an album full of an aural experience that is unrivaled.

AMR: What was it like to have Devin Townsend actually play on your record?

Seth: Well, he didn’t actually play on the record, but he did do a vocal appearance on the first song.  He’s one of the greatest persons in the music industry that we know.  He is a caring, intelligent individual and we absolutely loved our time with him.

AMR: I have had a chance to listen to Dichotomy, and from what I have heard, it’s a mature approach to melodic death with a healthy dose of hardcore. This recipe has become somewhat of a staple in American metal in the last 5 years, yet some bands fail miserably at it, while others horde their own piece of the pie and make a name for themselves. I think you fall into the latter category as I quite enjoy the album (especially the song “Deep Heaven” which I am listening to right now). What divides Becoming the Archetype and Dichotomy from the pack, if at all?

Seth: Well, from an objective stance, we’ve got the most sophisticated keyboards of any death metal-oriented band that I know of.  The incorporation of synthesizers in this album, especially in Deep Heaven (which is one of my songs), is more experimental than any metal album I know of.  Also, we have a vocalist that actually screams at full volume which does translate into the ferocity of the recording instead of some skinny wimp with tight jeans doing some faint emo scream that you only hear if you have a microphone.
From a subjective point of view, we’re in another league because the songs on Dichotomy have a spiritual density that no other record has, including our last two albums.

AMR: You had a chance to bring Ryan Clark from Demon Hunter into the mix on the song “Dichotomy,” how did he get involved in the project?

Seth:  He’s our A&R guy and we just mailed him the files and he recorded in a studio in Seattle and sent the files back.  Didn’t he do an incredible job?

AMR: He most definitely did! Now, I’m sure you have been asked these questions before, but AMR is known for taking a progressive stance on Christianity in metal (click here to read one of our articles on the subject if you’d like), that Christians can create powerful music just as well as secularists or those who rely on evil themes to sound more foreboding. What does it mean to be Christian when you compose and play your music? Do your beliefs play a significant role?

Seth: Indeed, they do.  Our relationship with Jesus Christ works and moves through everything we do, especially our music and lyrics.  But taking a narrow focus on faith only alienates people.  Exploring what true faith means in the context of tough issues provides a lot of meat for lyrics especially.  And that’s what this album is:  an celebration of Christian thought standing against the advancement of mind-worship, slavery to technology and isolation of a solitary part of life.  As Christians, we believe in a wholistic approach to living and enjoying life, and that includes the fact that we’re organic beings, we’re spiritual beings and we have no place giving over our joy as humans to serve machines or discarding the body to elevate the mind.

AMR: Alright, on a less serious note, if you could have 4 musicians fill each band member’s shoes and remix Dichotomy for shits and giggles, who would those 4 musicians be and why?

Seth:  Haha, very unique question!  I’d definitely choose Brann from Mastodon to do drums.  He’s my favorite metal drummer and although some drummers say he overplays, I love that stuff because everything sounds so much more frenetic and adrenalinated.  For bass, I’d probably say that Jon from Extol (RIP) would’ve been great.  I don’t know if he actually wrote all his own bass lines (should’ve asked him when we toured with them, I guess!), but the bass lines on those Extol albums were phenomenal.  Then for guitars, I’m just gonna say that Jon did exactly what I’d want done on those songs as far as solos.  For my guitars (rhythm), I’d pick Bruce from Living Sacrifice.  I think he could have come up with some great rhythmic stuff to put underneath some of our more higher pitched riffs.  Then for vocals, I definitely would go with Mikel Akerfeldt from Opeth.  He is the best for both clean vocals and growling in my opinion, no discussion.

AMR: I ask the following two questions to everyone when I close out an interview. First, if you could play with 5 active bands that you have never played with before, who would they be?

Seth:  Oh that’s an easy one for me.  The active part makes it tricky (it excludes the Beatles and Ben Folds Five), but it’d be Mastodon, Opeth, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Radiohead and Cake.  All of those bands have unique sounds and I could really dig creating with them.

AMR: If you could play with 5 bands who are no longer active, who would they be?

Seth:  Beatles, Ben Folds Five, Led Zeppelin, Lynyrd Skynyrd, The Clash

AMR: Alright, that’s it, thanks again for taking time out to answer some questions!

Seth: You’re very welcome!

http://www.becomingthearchetype.com/

http://www.myspace.com/becomingthearchetype

Interview by CODY

Classic rock is an indelible part of what makes heavy metal so great, the dual leads, the groove, the falsettos, the attitude, everything about metal can be owed in some way to the foundation set forth by the classic rockers of the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s. So, in recognition of the songs that made our genre what it is today, I figured I’d put together a little fantasy tribute of songs that I feel would be enlightened like no other by metal bands, past and present. I have tried to come up with choices that don’t already exist, in other words, from my knowledge none of these bands have covered these songs. Feel free to add and subtract as you’d like, I want to read everyone’s opinions!

• SPIRITUAL BEGGARS - DAZED AND CONFUSED (Led Zeppelin)
• ENSLAVED - SWEET SOUL SISTER (The Cult) I know, not that old, but it fits so well!
  
• DANZIG - BREAK ON THROUGH (The Doors)
• BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME - SCATTERBRAIN (Jeff Beck)
• DIO - SWEET MADAME BLUE (Styx)
  
• GENGHIS TRON - SHAKE IT UP (The Cars)
• SYMPHONY X - LIFE IN THE FAST LANE (The Eagles)
• OPETH - SPIRIT SLIPS AWAY (Thin Lizzy) Couldn’t find a clip of this being played, sorry!
  
• DEVIN TOWNSEND BAND - INSIDE LOOKING OUT (Grand Funk Railroad)
• DREAM THEATER - WISH YOU WERE HERE (Pink Floyd)

These are ten that I could come up with, this is actually harder than it looks coming up with good matches! Let’s see if you guys can come up with more.

CODY