Pumpkin Spice Playlist 2018

Welcome back to Halloweentown. Last year the fall/halloween playlist was the first playlist I did and it was such a hit, I made playlists a thing for the blog. Here are some additional installments to add to last year's. this time I'll throw the spotify link here including stuff from the previous playlist and more, since Pete ask me to do this. Enjoy!

AFI - The Art of Drowning
Genre: Hardcore Punk/"Horror Punk" FFO: Misfits, Bad Religion, Alkaline Trio


'Last year we started with AFI so of course We're doing it again. This was the last album AFI released before going emo. This one wins best artwork in my opinion and features the classic aggressive Misfits style with attitude. We all love AFI.

The Autumn Offering - Revelations of the Unsung
Genre: Metalcore FFO: Unearth, Darkest Hour, Caliban


If there's no metalcore, it ain't my playlist. The Autumn Offering is more than appropriate for the fall in more ways than just the name. These guys got riffs that are like sun rays thru the trees in a state forest. At least that some images that come to my mind. Welcome to 2004 bitch.

Joey Bada$$ - B4 DA $$
Genre: Hip-Hop/Rap FFO: MF Doom, Nas, Mobb Deep


I love this album for many reasons: Nostalgic even though its newer, emotional, passionate, relatable, the list goes on. I couldn't feel more at peace walking around Boston just before dark in the cool windy weather with a hoodie and earbuds jamming this album. The sight of graffitti and tall buildings surrounding me was ideal. Joey is the hero today's rap needs.

Devil Sold His Soul - A Fragile Hope
Genre: Metalcore/Post-Metal/Zachcore FFO: The Ocean, Rinoa, Poison the Well


Holy fuck this album is incredible. I was listening to this recently in a light rain while watching leaves blow in the wind and it fit the music perfectly. Easily one of the most underrated bands and albums ever. Imagine if The Devil Wears Prada decided to collaborate with The Ocean and they wrote everything while drowning.

Christian Death - Only Theatre of Pain
Genre: Post-Punk/Death Rock FFO: Bauhaus, Alien Sex Fiend, Joy Division


The legendary and highly influencial release from the great Christian Death. Ironically these guys are playing a Halloween show this year, felt appropriate to include them on here. Most darkwave artists consider this a monument to their sound, and it shows. Take some time out of your day and understand the meaning of goth.

Melvins - Stag & Stoner Witch
Genre: Experimental Sludge/Stoner/Grunge/Punk FFO: Boris, Nirvana, Weedeater, Mr. Bungle


The Melvins have a massive discography that most don't finish in their lifetime and I guarantee there's more halloween/fall related ones. On top of that, they have probably the most unique styke I have ever heard considering it changes with almost every song. I have been on a huge Melvins binge recently and so far these two caught my eye for the season best. A fantastic combination of heavy  fuzz, grungey grooves, weedy moods, and silly tunes. When you jam the Melvins, you get a perfect doseage of talent and humor.

Denzel Curry - TABOO|TA13OO
Genre: Hip-Hop/Rap/ "Horror Rap" FFO: Danny Brown, Vince Staples, Lil Uzi Vert


A while back I got a text from Billy Mourned saying "Dude I know you're not really into him, but I think you'll dig Denzel Curry's new album" and surely enough, Billy doesn't steer me wrong. I love this album just from one listen. If the artwork doesn't hype it enough for you, just know it gets darker and angrier as it goes on. This is one album I've been listening to a lot this year and it definitely screams Halloween more than most. Hopefully gonna catch Denzel at the Paradise soon.

Isabella Amarga - Confinement
Genre: "Dark Pop"/Indie FFO: Lana Del Rey, Zola Jesus


My friend/super talented artist Casey Valentine introduced me to her friend Bella and her music as well and all I can say is her style is unique and fantastic. Bella has a soothing and beautiful voice and its matched with a dark electronic background almost as if you're listening to a siren's song in the middle of the woods. Its as beautiful as it is eerie, I got the opportunity to experience her music live and it was just as incredible as it is on record.

November's Doom - The Pale Haunt Departure
Genre: Death/Doom Metal FFO: Opeth, October Tide, Evoken


I feel November's Doom is a band many know the name of but not the music and those who know the music don't think of a certain album. Personally I don't think they have a bad release. I'm sure you could tell by the cover, this is a fall album. November's Doom are all about sorrow and The Pale Haunt Departure personify it in the most melancholic way possible. This album will cause spirits to haunt you forever and you'll be to far into despair to even notice.

Lingua Ignota - All Bitches Die
Genre: Noise/Black Metal/Avant-Garde/Ambient FFO: The Body, Full of Hell, Revenge


This is an absolute horrific masterpiece in the most beautiul form of art. This album instantly begins with chaos, and softens up with operatic parts. basically the whole album goes from chaos to ballad and its done very well, Looking forward to seeing her live.

vein - errorzone.
Genre: Experimental Metalcore/Mathcore/Alt metal FFO: The Dillinger Escape Plan, Thumbscrew, Deftones


vein are taking over the world. The release of Errorzone earlier this year gave them mass appeal from basically every crowd of aggressive music fans. This album keeps the dissonant and chaotic horror movie hardcore sound in check and better than ever. Some have been comparing them to nu metal, but I gotta say I disagree.

The Black Dahlia Murder - Nocturnal
Genre: Death Metal FFO: Arch Enemy, At the Gates, Behemoth


The gothic artwork says it all. My second favorite Black Dahlia album after the great Unhallowed. This album will cause everything to go black. Nocturnal was an album with a stronger black metal influence than the others but still with the classic Black Dahlia style that only they can really pull off.

Bauhaus - The Sky's Gone out
Genre: Post-Punk/Goth Rock FFO: Siouxsie & the Banshees, Joy Division, The Sisters of Mercy


Bauhaus redefined goth and gave it a darker meaning with the release of the song "Bela Legosi's dead" which is unfortunately not featured on this album. The Sky's Gone Out still has the nihilistic and depressing vibes that remove all color from your surroundings. The album even can get flamboyent at times.

Cult of Luna - Somewhere Along the Highway
Genre: Atmospheric Sludge/Post-Metal FFO: ISIS (the band), Neurosis, The Ocean


This is a personal one for me. If you need more city fall vibes, throw this on driving down mass pike, and when you get to the city you just feel the wind blow in your face and you enter a new world from the monolith of a song, "Dark City Dead Man". I've experienced this already and plan on it again soon.

Himsa - Courting Tragedy and Disaster
Genre: Metalcore FFO: Darkest Hour, God Forbid, Light This City


Himsa were an old school metalcore band to start but eventually became more At The Gates-esque with their sound. This album is no exception. One thing I notice that Himsa do is the manage to make the signature metalcore riff sound even more evil as well as add in some blackened tremolo picked riffs. Throw Himsa on in your car and you'll feel like you're driving a hearse.

The Body - I Have Fought Against it, But I Can't Any Longer
Genre: Avant Garde, Noise, Sludge, Experimental


Nobody is more terrifying than The Body. The duo really out did themselves with this one with many many guest features of all talents to create a dark musical masterpiece. This one I would call their best release yet and is a good escape from reality with the experimentation even from the original sound the Body is known for.

Ampere - Like Shadows
Genre: Screamo/Emo Violence FFO: Pageninetynine, Orchid, Jeromes Dream


For me, fall ain't fall without screamo. In high school this was a routine. Ampere features members from Orchid, Kindling, and probably more bands and the sound is destructive as it is emotional. If you wish Orchid could come back, Ampere is a perfect substitute.

3TEETH - <shutdown.exe>
Genre: Industrial Metal FFO: Sister Machine Gun, Youth Code, Chemlab


This one may be new, but its an instant classic. You don't hear about industrial music enough. 3TEETH are a band that brings heaviness to the gothic world of industrial music. Most probably know them from the final H.I.M. tour but I discovered them through the collab they did with HO99O9. The band is very eerie sounding and will put you into the setting of an abandoned warehouse only to be ambushed by robots.

Neurosis - Given To The Rising
Genre: Atmospheric Sludge/Post-Metal FFO: Cult of Luna, ISIS (the band), Amenra


I feel this Neurosis album gets overlooked but I'm telling you its a goodie. Much like A Sun that Never Sets, this one features a folk influence to add to the dark atmosphere that Neurosis bring with each album. If you really need an adventure, read along to it.

Ritual Howls - Into the Water
Genre: Darkwave/Post-Punk/Gothic FFO: Drab Majesty, Cold Cave, Night Sins


For the past year and a half, I dove deeper into darkwave and what a journey it is. Ritual Howls is a good gateway for people that don't know it well. I recall many falling in love with Drab Majesty's latest release, I recommend checking this one for a darker mood and diving into the darkwave void for more.

Will Haven - S/T
Genre: Metalcore FFO: Snapcase, The Banner, Vision of Disorder


Will Haven's self titled release is a dark venture into old school New York style metalcore. The lyrics are much darker, and the riffs have the structure of Snapcase with some evil attitude right in your face.

Witchfinder General - Death Penalty
Genre: Doom Metal FFO: Black Sabbath, Cathedral, The Obsessed


If you couldn't tell from the past couple of reviews and instagram posts, Bill's Rock 'n' Roll Weekend worships doom just as much as metalcore. Witchfinder General are one of the original Sabbath worship bands along side Vitus, The Obsessed, and maybe even Pentagram. If your into raw evil riffs with a good blues influence a.k.a. Sabbath style, Witchfinder General is for you. Usually if theres boobs on a metal album cover, its at least a 7/10.

Raein - Il n'y a Pas De Orchestre
Genre: Screamo FFO: Loma Prieta, Suis La Lune, Joshua Fit For Battle


Legendary skramz nerds from France constantly remind me how worthless I was in high school. I would listen to Raein on rainy days when I would be walking 2 miles to get to school. This band has some depressing lyrics that actually are in english, whether you understand or relate is up to you. The album translates to "There is no band" if you didn't know.

Morbid Angel - Altars of Madness
Genre: Death Metal FFO: Cannibal Corpse, Pestilence, Obituary
 

Classic death metal. Morbid Angel have a select number of albums I enjoy but I have the generic favorite of this one. No gimmick just straight up evil ass death metal.

October Tide - Rain Without End
Genre: Death Doom Metal FFO: Novembers Doom, Saturnus, Swallow the Sun


October Tide are from the same era as Novembers Doom and have a very similar sound. I find it humourous because of their names. October Tide is rather melancholy but slightly more melodic than Novembers Doom. Consider this caption basically the same as Novembers Doom's.

Ash Code - Perspektive
Genre: Industrial/Darkwave/Gothic FFO: The Agnes Circle, Youth Code, Ritual Howls


Euro goth powerhouse Ash Code released this masterpiece earlier this year and I've had it on repeat ever since. These guys manage to make darkwave slightly more heavy but keeping the gothic darkwave background. Warning:: This album will spawn sunglasses onto your face while its dark out.

Suis La Lune - Quiet, Pull the Strings!
Genre: Screamo FFO: Raein, Orchid, Touche Amore


The best screamo bands don't come from the states. Suis La Lune are Swedish skramz underdogs who kept the game going with a emo as fuck album like this one. I wish this style was still relevant but there's a good chance it never will.

The Fall - This Nation's Saving Grace
Genre: Post-Punk FFO: Suicide, Magazine, Siouxsie & the Banshees


Why not end it hear, a playlist about the fall season, ending it with The Fall. This band has a vintage punk rock feel as one of the original post-punk bands to form in the 70s. Mostly a political vibe but the tunes are good for cool weather under any setting. The Fall is best listened to during the fall.



Happy Halloween Bitch.

Emma Ruth Rundle & Jaye Jayle @ Great Scott

    Always an adventure seeing the wonderful Emma Ruth Rundle perform. Joined by her familiar Jaye Jayle made for quite a showcase of both darkness and beauty. I have witnessed both artists before: Emma with Deafheaven and This Will Destroy You, and Jaye Jayle with OathBreaker and Sannhet. This night definitely blew the previous performances away.

    Jaye Jayle I am still not entirely familiar with but I do enjoy the atmosphere the music brings. A very dark aroma fills the room with his haunting voice and rather mellow instrumentals. It was like reading a scary story as a young child. A good warm up for the night considering Emma writes similar music.I gotta give him credit for the appearance as well. You know how in certain television series, a character may have a near death experience and may speak to the devil or the reaper and it turns out to be a dashing man dressed very nice? Consider that Jaye Jayle.

    Now I said already that I saw Emma open for Deafheaven, but believe it or not, this night was next level. She walked out, introduced herself and began playing and the entire crowd including myself was hypnotized. This was a rare night that I thought I could survive without earplugs and Emma's volume was just below pounding, basically ideal but you could still feel the sound surrounding you. Skipping out on the plugs really made it a full experience. 

    Emma performed with a full band that included Jaye Jayle, and I believe she said members of her band Marriages (I apologize if I misheard). The instrumentals made every song borderline sound like I was listening to a melodic Russian Circles song with Emma's b e a u t i f u l voice singing over it. I noticed as well Jaye Jayle was playing slide guitar (I believe he was with his own band as well). 

    With the instrumentals sounding this way, "Marked for Death" sounded actually heavy when the chorus came in. Almost as if the scenery around you changes. One second you're at Great Scott, the next your in a meadow at dusk, then an abandoned house, the song ends and boom you're back at Great Scott. I always have some kind of imagery come to mind when I see a project like this, Emma really paints an incredible picture with it.

    Emma is an incredible musician and songwriter. Her performance this night was just straight magical no other way to describe it. You can Tell she puts as much passion into performing as she does recording. I highly recommend her newest album "On Dark Horses" and catching her when she comes to your area. You will see life a different way. Magical.

Killing Joke: Laugh at Your Peril - 40th Anniversary Tour @ Paradise

   One of the most influential bands of all time has officially reached the 40 mark. I first heard Killing Joke in high school my sophmore year and they introduced me to the genre that is post-punk and industrial metal bands like Godflesh among others.

   If you never heard them, Killing Joke began as a post-punk band that experimented with industrial elements as well as hardcore and metal. Many bands cite them as an icon including but not limited to: Metallica, Godflesh, Nirvana, Ministry, Faith no More, Nine Inch Nails, My Bloody Valentine, Soundgarden, the list goes on and on. If you enjoy any band that these guys inspired, I guarantee there is at least one album you will enjoy.

   Beginning the night, there was another english band opening, I believe they simply called PIG. This band I don't know anything about but the appearance of the band was quit astonishing. The vocalist was wearing a catholic priest's collar and robe under a flashy Rob Halford style disco jacket, shades, and cop hat. He eventually took the jacket off to reveal he was also wearing BDSM gear. My guess was he was trying to look like a gay priest. The other two members just wore black eye shadow.

   PIG's sound was just plain and simple KMFDM style industrial metal. Nothing too impressive in my opinion but the appearance was what made it. The vocalist would constantly be doing flamboyent dances and pacing back and forth on stage. Certain vocals were sampled but occasionally, the guitarist would do some backing vocals and it was clear as day and I actually thought the vocals were sampled. 

   The moment Killing Joke walked out on stage, you knew the night has only begun. One thing they are known for is dressing up on stage. The guitarist walked out in a soldiers uniform, the bassist in a goofy hat. Jaz with his signature goth makeup and a jumpsuit and the keyboardist in a goth getup as well. THey began with the song, "Love Like Blood" and I could not believe how soothing Jaz's voice still is after 40 fucking years. For the first few songs of the set, it was the post-punk songs. Hearing these songs in the flesh is a huge step up from a recording from the 80's. The lighting made the songs visual even more vibrant.

    The first song they played where Jaz would do his more hoarse vocals was of course "Eighties", you may know this one as the song Nirvana ripped off. Jaz switched between his two vocal styles flawlessly and I still can't believe it. These guys really earned their mileage. His movements on stage were subtle and almost frankenstein like but some songs when the tempo would pick up, he would follow suit. The more the night went on, the heavier and more aggressive the set would get. The crowd would even participate in "Asteroid", the music would stop just before the chorus for the crowd to scream it. If there's one song that blew me away the most, it was definitely "Loose Cannon". Jaz headbanging and shouting "I'M A LOOSE CANNON!" as passionately as he could matched up with the riffs sounding 10x times heavier than normal as well as the sporadic lighting just made me feel llike I was seeing KJ in there prime.

    In between songs, Jaz would give speeches but keep them rather short, just how I prefer it to be honest. He would discuss the current state America is in, mostly because of the president. KJ pay attention to our country because it affects them too. After hearing this a member of the crowd shouted "Sorry!" to which Jaz replied "No need to apologize, it's not your fault". Another thing he mentioned was being in Boston just makes him think of historical events such as the tea party.

    Killing Joke ended the set with "Pssyche", thanked the crowd and walked back stage. Barely even a minute later, they came back with a whopping 4 song encore. Their allowed to do this, they're a big deal. First with "Primitive" to get back into the 80s post-punk vibe, the "Death and ressurection Show". The last two they picked up the heavy with "Wardance" and ended with "Pandemonium".

    This had to be the oldest band I've seen live at this point. I'm more than impressed at how well Killing Joke manged to keep up with the times and remain an incredible band with I believe a majority of the original lineup. 40 years spent well.

Sumac, w/ Dälek and Infernal Coil @ Great Scott

   The heaviest week of the year continues on with the 10000lbs of riffs brought from Sumac. Small venues really bring out the loudest in bands and easily did each band justice this night as the middle east did the previous. Joining Sumac was the talented Dälek and the evil Infernal Coil, both I've seen before but this time tops the previous experiences.

Infernal Coil

Genre: Blackened Death Metal FFO: Undergang, Ascended Dead, Contaminated

Infernal Coil I've previously encountered at O'Brien's where they opened for Celeste and if we're being honest, O'brien's isn't the best sounding venue in the world and Infernal Coil weren't as good as I hoped. When they began at Great Scott, the sounded like the same noisey distortion all balled up and thrown in your ears but slowly but surely, I noticed the sound got better and better. As raw as the bands music, this was as good as it would get, you could hear the riffs more clearly as well as the vocals but the drums were just slightly faint. Personally I would say it was 10x better than they did at O'Brien's. What brings their performance to life is their appearances. they all wore war paint that ust made them look like savage warriors that just skinned a human alive in the jungle. Overall, wayyy better set than I hoped from Infernal Coil, raw death metal is the way to go.

Dälek 

Genre: Hip-Hop/Rap/Industrial/Shoegazing FFO: Death Grips, Earl Sweatshirt, Cannibal Ox

   Previously I saw Dälek open for Cult of Luna at the Palladium last year and just like before, they were a very anticipated act for me. I would say I'm surprised they were on the bill, but playing with CoL and seeing throwback lineup featuring ISIS (the band) and Dälek in 2006, can't say its much of a shocker. Oddly enough, they've been around longer than the other bands on this bill. Unlike last time, Dälek played as a two piece with the rapper having a soundboard as well as another guy playing the beats. The rapper had double the energy here still doing his unamplified screams occasionally but more movement and even got some crowd participation. I can say I had the same type of feeling with the eerie music in the background that just makes you feel the atmosphere around you is a dark misty forest. I do recall them playing one song I was unfamiliar with, probably a new one, and one of the lyrics was "black lives matter". I'm sure you could imagine the cheer and praise in the middle of the song when the crowd heard this. I know its a common thing know where rappers and metal bands play the same bill mostly for the ignorance and energy that comes out of it, from what I've seen. Just know Dälek has been doing this for years and these aren't moshy bands as heavy as they may be. This was more a showcase of ambiance and Dälek fit the bill well enough to get the crowd ready for some post-metal.

Sumac

Genre: Progressive Sludge/Post-Metal FFO: ISIS (the Band), Neurosis, Amenra

So unfortunately due to my job, I only saw 20 minutes of the set, so basically a song and a half. In the battle for the heaviest, I'd say Sumac was heavier than Monolord. I felt like a boulder just dropped from the ceiling when they began with the new song and then into Rigid Man. Every riff just pounded your entire body until you were the music, and Aaron's vocals, demonic. I've witnessed him play with Old Man Gloom and feature in a Zozobra song but this was something else (the Zozobra feature was sick though). The proggy parts just make you feel like you're climbing a mountain, and just when you notice you're inches away from the top, that heavy riff slams its way back causing an avalanche. Wish I could've seen this entire set. If there's one band worth the hype of whats heavy, it's Sumac. Aaron Turner will never do wrong.

Monolord w/ Ilsa, & Conclave @ the Middle East

   Didn't think it would happen, but Swedish heavyweights, Monolord sold out the middle east for a once in a lifetime that will probably happen again, but not anytime soon. Joining them were the dirty and doomy Ilsa and Conclave. Let's dive into another world.

Conclave

Genre: Stoner/Doom Metal 

Now I gotta be honest, when these guys started, I thought "Hm heavy doom, I dig" but then I feel as though every song kinda sounded the same. Nothing would really jump out at you or stick out and say R I F F. A friend of mine pointed out that the guitar tone changed randomly in the middle of the set. I also noticed the bass random got more drone halfway through as well. Overall can't say I really enjoyed this set, while the doom elements were there, there wasn't much filler for me.

Ilsa

Genre: Sludge/Doom metal/Crust FFO: Hooded Menace, Thou, Buzzov*en

   Unfortanately, we lost track of time while chilling outside and missed the first half of Ilsa's set. Not to worried considering I've seen them with Windhand two years ago. Gotta say though, this time they were much louder. A little surprised there was no pit this time considering Ilsa was the only band there that used D-beats but maybe I missed it. That bass was muddy and the guitars were raw, with vocals that just sounded like you could smell his breath and it was rancid. Ilsa are climbing the charts with sludge metal and I'm hearing their name more and more everyday. The live performance, while short, is worth it and absolutely adds to their repertoire.

Monolord

Genre: Stoner/Doom Metal FFO: Ufomammut, Electric Wizard, Acid King

   Holy. Fucking Wow. Rule numero uno for any show involving a doom metal subgenre: ALWAYS wear earplugs. Those amps were devastatingly loud. Louder is better must be a common expression among these bands, but hey its true. I could feel the bass resetting my heartbeat while the guitar riffs brought me a vision of the blaring sun in the desert while walking on the surface of an oasis. While I was very impressed at was the fact that I could hear the drums ever so clearly even with the strings hammering my ear drums. If I didn't know any better, I would say the drums were sampled but believe me that man was slamming those symbols. This performance just makes me beg the question: "Will Sumac be heavier tonight?". In terms of heaviness I would say these guys may be number one but we will see who wins the belt tomorrow when I write up Sumac. 

Hairspray Queen, Antagonize, & Pummel @ Dusk

I'm starting to find myself going to more and more shows in Rhode Island than before considering the last RI show I think I went to was Ghost Bath at the Met like two years ago. Anyway this was the first time I've been to the bar known as Dusk and gota say it was a cool place that I look forward to returning to. Bonus points for the naked spider girl painted on the ceiling.

   Anywho, it's rare that I do hardcore/punk reviews but this one was only three bands with a hard curfew and I was impressed by each band and feel like I won't sound repetitive with it for once. Gotta say, Providence punx really know how to party.

    Pummel I have reviewed multiple times and always have a great time seeing. Personally, I'd consider this show probably the best one yet. There could've been a better crowd participation, but they are a little far from home, but the sound is what did it. In the past I believe I've only seen them perform at venues like Hardcore Stadium or the Upton VFW, so this was the only place where I got to hear them play with professional sound. everything was perfect quality and they even sounded heavier than normal. No matter what the song  you could pin point the sound of every instrument being played as well as the vocals. Its not always the best reaction you get from the opening band, but Pumms definitely started the night off strong and on the right foot just from the sound alone.

    Antagonize may have been the main attraction for many at this show. This was the first Rhode Island show they played and they were welcomed with opened arms. Soundwise they followed suit with Pummel sounding basically perfect, with the crowd casing plenty of chaos all around. Not gonna lie, the vocals may have sounded even more aggressive. Beddard spoke for a little bit stating a few things about the show and how it stands out from a normal one. What caught my attention was he stated how the show consists of three bands, each with no record out, and none of them could care less about the order of who played. Words you could only expect to come from someone thats been involved in hardcore as long as him. 

    I've seen Antagonize once before when they opened for  Ecostrike and Magnitude at the Middle East which I believe was their first show. Personally I think they sounded better here and the smaller space made it even more enjoyable. maybe its just because its the first time I've been to Dusk but Antagonize really brought their A game last night. 

    Now Hairspray Queen in my opinion stole the show. I've seen their ame on a few shows in Rhode Island but had yet to see them. I checked it out on Spotify and it and thought it was something worth seeing live. Seeing them live is an experience I never would've expected to get from them. First off, these guys, appearance wise, are a colorful cast of characters, each with their own unique style. The moment the music started, I wasn't even sure I was listening to the same band before. These guys are a punk force! The vocalist was rushing all around the venue screaming in everyones face and getting the crowd flying. the sound quality was much more noisey and distorted than the previous bands but you could still pin point each member. What I noticed is some of the guitar effects could go from cleans to different levels of distortion instantly. 

   Imagaine  Dirty from Sonic Youth and Damaged by Black Flag with a little Louder than Love by Soundgarden sprinkled in. You get the noisey but meldoic elements from Dirty, with Black Flag's punk aggression as well as the passion of Soundgarden. 

   The vocalist's movements are really what did it for me though. Your eyes were always moving, if you were watching him, to the point where they would be rolling around in your head like a 90s cartoon character. On top of that, he was yelling WAY more than he does on record. For the last song, he ran over to the couch on the left side of the room and stood on top where the mic almost wouldn't reach. He stood triumphantly with his fists in the air only to jump down and roll onto the concrete floor and scream as passionately as he can. The crowd followed it with more chaos as Hairspray Queen finished their set. 

   Take my word for it, these guys are the next Rhode island allstars and they deserve your attention.

The Zach "Spark Plug" Ganshirt Playlist

Zach recently contracted ligma during pregnancy and was rushed to the great state of Cali to live there forever until he mans up and comes back. Zach has helped out with this blog multiple times and recommended plenty of different artists for every playlist and came up with the idea of having friends write about their top albums of the year which will 100% continue to happen. On top of that, his project Taman Shud was featured in the first review I've written. I thought this would be a good going away gift for you my friend, enjoy your new life and some of your favorite music.

Poison the Well
Genre: Metalcore/Post-Metal/Alt. rock


Zach's number one favorite band. Poison the Well showed a huge progression in sound throughout their career keeping the same heavy structure and experimenting with multiple genres. Absolutely a pinnacle for both metal and hardcore alike.

As Cities Burn - Son, I Loved You At Your Darkest
Genre: Emocore/Metalcore FFO: Haste the Day, Norma Jean, Underoath


I'm pretty sure everytime I hung out with Zach somebody would bring this one up. Personally I dislike the stuff after this album, but goddamn is this a masterpiece. This album is the embodiment of pure melancholy, and now that they have this vocalist back I can't wait to see the future.

From First to Last - Heroine
Genre: Emo/Post-Hardcore FFO: Silverstein, A Static Lullaby, Drop Dead, Gorgeous


When I was a kid, I never got into FFTL, always just thought it was mediocre. Then Zach "Peas" Ganshirt told me to check this one out. This was a force of aggression in the form of teen angst I never would've expected to hear from Sonny "Skrill Daddy" Moore. Changed my opinion on them from being total pussies to actually a cool band.

The Ocean - Aeolian
Genre: Post-Metal/Mathcore FFO: ISIS (the band), Cult of Luna, The Dillinger Escape Plan


When I first heard the Taman Shud EP, this was all I could think of. The Ocean is a rediculously talented collective featuring members all over the globe brought together by the main writer Robin Stapps. This album in particular includes Nate from Converge, Nico from War From A Harlots Mouth, and even Sean Ingram from  Coalesce. Best album by far in my opinion from The Ocean.

The Hope Conspiracy - Death Knows your Name
Genre: Hardcore FFO: American Nightmare, Blacklisted, The Suicide File


This style and era of hardcore was my personal favorite. Strong, angry, and mean. You don't need the trendy heaviness that everyones into now, you just need the attitude. Thats hardcore to me. This record I remember jamming before jamming at Zach's where we just jammed a bunch of jammy jams. Came up with a bunch of stuff similar to this record, wish we could've took it further.

Hopesfall - The Satellite Years
Genre: Post-Hardcore/Metalcore/Space Rock FFO: Poison the Well, Hum


Nothing else comes to my mind than Zach "Gay for Phillip J. Fry" Ganshirt when I hear this one. With a love of space and sci fi themes and a beautiful atmospheric metalcore sound, it doesn't surprise me that this one was life changing for him.

Black Sheep Wall - I Am God Songs
Genre: Experimental Post/Sludge Metal FFO:???


The H E A V I E S T album on the planet. In my first review ever, I recall mentioning Taman Shud covering a song off this album. It still baffles me how unique this band is and how much it hurts to keep time with it.

Poppy - Poppy.Computer
Genre: Electro-Pop FFO: Kero Kero Bonito


Zach showed me this with no background knowledge of who Poppy was and then I went home and watched her youtube videos and it made me love it even more. I remember blasting this in the car after we got some Grasshopper (#1 vegan restaurant in Boston). This album is very fun and party worthy with a side of awkwardness.

If These Trees Could Talk - Above the Earth, Below the Sky
Genre: Post-Rock FFO: God Is an Astronaut, Red Sparrows, pg. Lost


It's not often you meet someone passionate about post-rock. I myself enjoy it, however I never followed it as much as everything else. This was a band I hear Zach "The Human Post" Ganshirt talk about very often. I do recall them playing Great Scott years ago and regret not going only to find out Zach was there. Fuck you man.

Killing the Dream - In Place Apart
Genre: Melodic/Chaotic Hardcore FFO: The Carrier, Converge, Life Long Tragedy


One of the best hardcore has to offer, and I will never stop hyping it. I've written about KTD multiple times and I wish they were still around to relieve my stress with those angry as fuck lyrics and chaotic but beautiful riffs to follow. This one is another of Zach's top bands and I believe his favorite album by them.

Cradle of Filth - Nymphetamine
Genre: Symphonic Black Metal FFO: Dimmu Borgir, Emperor, Rotting Christ


I do believe I've put this one on one of the halloween playlists already but fuck you here it is again. Zach isn't a fan of black metal unless its got S O U L....and by that I mean symphony. Honestly though we all love Cradle of Filth, I mean at least one of their phases, how could you not?

It Dies Today - The Caitiff Choir
Genre: Metalcore FFO: Bleeding Through, Misery Signals, Remembering Never


It Dies Today were one of the bands that made the swoop hair style look cool back in the day before it gone severely overdone by the hot topic crowd. This album is a balance of both hardcore and metal that Zach loves to death. In fact I recall him saying one of these songs was his MySpace song.

Gorilla Biscuits - Start Today
Genre: Youth Crew Hardcore FFO: Youth of Today, Bold, Ten Yard Fight


We all also love Gorilla Biscuits. GB are one of those bands that weren't entirely serious and just made straight edge less like a trend and more fun. Zach's not a youth crew guy but will never deny his love for Gorilla Biscuits. He's still jealous of my GB belt.

Alexisonfire - Watch Out!
Genre: Emocore/Post-Hardcore FFO: Thrice, From Autumn To Ashes, Thursday


It is very difficult for me to pick out a favorite by these guys but this one is Zach's so here we go.
This album in particular rivals the self titled for me. Alexisonfire are what I like to think of as "emo with riffs" considering those riffs just jump right out at you with the right amount of emotion and the dual vocal combo works well with it. Listen to AOF and regret not growing up with them.

Bleeding Through - Portrait of the Goddess
Genre: Symphonic Metalcore FFO: Winds of Plague, Scars of Tomorrow, Eighteen Visions


One of the biggest reasons Zach "Barbell Swallower" Ganshirt moved to Cali is to lift at Brendan Schieppati's gym, therefore of course I gotta throw his favorite BT album.

The Number Twelve Looks Like You - Nuclear. Sad. Nuclear.
Genre: Mathcore/Grind/Jazz Fusion/Screamo/Metalcore FFO: Heavy Heavy Low Low, Ed Gein, Me and Him Call It Us


 Back in December I got a text saying "Dude wanna go see The Number 12?" of course I responded with a big "Hellz yeah !! XD". In case you didn't see it earlier there was a review for the show and it was this album played front to back.

KNUT - Terraformer
Genre: Chaotic Sludge Metal FFO: Coalesce, KEN Mode, Swarm of The Lotus


I know Zach loves this band but I'm not sure what his favorite release is but this one is an absolute ass beater. Another band that he told me is a main influence on Taman Shud. Chaos and sludge metal make my man happy.

Ligeia - Your Ghost is a Gift
Genre: Melodic Metalcore FFO: It Dies Today, Dead to Fall, Misery Signals


Hey Zach! I'm Sorry You're Ugly.

Necrophagist - Epitaph
Genre: Technical Death Metal FFO: Decapitated, Obscura, Cryptopsy


Zach ain't himself without some tech death. still waiting on that new album that was supposed to be out like a decade ago.

ISIS (the Band) - The Red Sea
Genre: Post/Sludge Metal FFO: Amenra, Neurosis, The Ocean


One of the heaviest things ever written. Overall ISIS have a flawless discography even with progressively changing. Start from this release (or even Mosquito Control) for some bone crushing heaviness, then end with Wavering Radiant for the heavy but Defones-y melodies.

Beloved - Failure on...
Genre: Emo/Metalcore FFO: From Autumn to Ashes, As Cities Burn, Chasing Victory


You know that one band that your glad someone showed you that has a style nobody does anymore? Thank you, Zach for showing me these guys I can't get enough. Before Advent, the vocalist was in this band writing sad sad songs with incredible riffs and still some aggressive breakdowns. Sure you wouldn't expect it but both bands are incredible.

The Human Abstract - Nocturne
Genre: Progressive Technical Metalcore FFO: Protest the Hero, Between The Buried and Me, Veil Of Maya


THIS BAND NEEDS TO COME BACK!! Every album was different but this one takes the cake, check that, the whole bakery. You never know what to expect from these riffs. Its just riffs on riffs on riffs. Progression is very similar to what btbam would do but the technicality as well as the vocals really nails the coffin.

From Autumn to Ashes - Abandon Your Friends
Genre: Emo/Metalcore FFO: Underoath, Alexisonfire, Drop Dead, Gorgeous


Two reasons why this is on here:
1. No matter the conversation, Zach and I always always always discuss FATA whether its in person or not
2. Zach Abandoned his friends to move to Cali

The Early November - The Rooms too Cold
Genre: Emo/Alt rock FFO: Manchester Orchestra, The Starting Line


This is the only album of theirs I've ever gotten into, but I know Zach loves 'em. I'm surprised all the Basement and Balance & Composure fans don't hype the F out of this like Code Orange fans do with Disembodied.

Gay For Johnny Depp - The Politics in Cruelty
Genre: Mathcore/Hardcore Punk FFO: The Bled, Daughters, Fear Before the March of Flames


Some of my best discussions with Zach happen in Grasshopper. We had one where we were discussing absurd mathcore titles and he mentioned Gay for Johnny Depp and I laughed my ass off. This is just pure chaotic ignorance reminiscent of old Daughters with the silliness of HHLL. Super political too as you could probably tell.

UnderOath - The Changing of Times
Genre: Chaotic Screamo/Metalcore FFO: Majority Rule, Takaru, Love Lost but Not Forgotten


This is the best and most relatable UnderOath album, fight me if you disagree.

Lady GaGa


We all like Lady GaGa, but Zach "Pop Princess" Ganshirt worships the ground she walks on.

Mastodon - Crack the Skye
Genre: Progressive Sludge Metal FFO: Doomriders, Kylesa, Big Business
 

I've never met a metal fan that dislikes Mastodon and 80% of the time, this is their favorite. Come to think of it, Zach, Billy and I all had Mastodon on our top albums of the year. Personally I like this one better with Emperor of Sand being a pretty close second.

Between the Buried and Me - Colors
Genre: Progressive Death Metal/Metalcore FFO: The Human Abstract, The Faceless, After The Burial


Another favorite amongst metal fans. Before feverishing jacking it to Dream Theater, Between the Buried and Me had their own massively impressive prog metal sound that blew everyone away. This one was the first album I ever heard where each song transitions into the next. It's almost like listening to a movie.

Dead to Fall - Everything I Touch Falls To Pieces
Genre: Metalcore FFO: Remembering Never, On Broken Wings, A Life Once Lost


I was late to the party for these guys until just today even though Zach constantlt told me to check them out. In my opiniion, this album may have perfected dissonant one chorded breakdowns. I can only imagine the reaction in 2002.

War From A Harlots Mouth - Voyeur
Genre: Mathcore/Grindcore FFO: PsyOpus, Car Bomb, Me and Him Call it Us


I've always preferred the less serious WFAHM, but after being turned on to this album, I never realised how dark this band can be. We all love the silly side of mathcore but I'll always be more on the dark side. Zach "H(a)unted" Ganshirt.

Horrorshow - Notes from the Night that Never Ended
Genre: Hardcore FFO: American Nightmare, The Hope Conspiracy, Modern Life is War


This is one I don't know if Zach is aware of. I've heard someone call these guys "The American Nightmare of Philly". While the sound is very similar, I think of it as replcing AN's post-punk influence with an emo influence as some parts can be rather skramz-y. Need more? Dominic from Nothing fronted this one.

Remembering Never - Women and Children Die First
Genre: Metalcore FFO: Dead to Fall, Misery Signals, Eighteen Visions


In all seriousness, you probably can't name an angrier and more political metalcore band than Remembering Never. If you ask me these guys were revolutionary. Dissonant panic chords with destructive breakdowns and the song titles are MySpace style but with a serious take on it. L O V E it.

Russian Circles
Genre: Post-Metal FFO: Pelican, Caspian, If These Trees Could Talk


Instrumental bands really bring out their potential. Russian Circles is one of the only bands I know Zach sees basically everytime they tour. I was lucky enough to catch them once before with Cloakroom and Wildhoney and what a show that one was.

Shelter - Mantra
Genre: Youth Crew Hardcore/Alt. Rock FFO: Youth of Today, Gorilla Biscuits, Foo Fighters


Religion in hardcore? thats right. Shelter was formed as a Symbol to Krishna. All the songs revolve around the subject. This album is a fun sing-a-long type of deal and I gotta say, I feel like the single "Here We Go" could be on a teen sitcom.

The Carrier - One Year Later
Genre: Melodic Hardcore FFO: This is Hell, Shipwreck A.D., Dead Swans


In my opinion, these guys may have done melodic hardcore best (not counting KTD because of the chaotic sound). The lyrics are very emotional and relatable with the melody being not as obnoxious as you would hear modern day. I could borderline call it metalcore but not entirely.

Deadguy - Fixation on a Coworker
Genre: Chaotic hardcore/Metalcore FFO: Kiss it Goodbye, Coalesce, Burnt by the Sun


When someone asks me "what do mean by chaotic" I immediatly present them with this album. Long forgotten by some and never known by most. Zach is the only other person I've met that knows about Deadguy.

Shai Hulud - That Within Blood Ill Tempered
Genre: Melodic Metalcore FFO: Misery Signals, Poison The Well, 7 Angels 7 Plagues


The decision for my favorite Shai Hulud album comes between this and Hearts once Nourished, however this one wins in terms of lyrics. Everytime me and Zach discuss Hulud we always try to pronounce this vocalists name, look it up.

The Faceless - Planetary Duality
Genre: Technical Death Metal FFO: Obscura, Psycroptic, Beneath The Massacre


For many, this album redefined technical death metal. The odd time signatures and jazzy riffs pair up with a sci fi theme. This is the number one thing that comes to mind when I think of The Faceless. Iconic. We must transcend the illusion.

The Devil Wears Prada - Dear Love: A Beautiful Discord
Genre: Melodic Metalcore FFO: August Burns Red, Underoath, Vanna


The best era of TDWP was the early not so serious one. Personally I prefer Plagues but this one had the best artwork out of everything. Dogs Can Grow Beards All Over.

At the Gates - Slaughter of the Soul
Genre: Melodic Death Metal FFO: In Flames, Dark Tranquility, Carcass (Heartwork)


Look up any interview with any metalcore band from the early 2000s, they will say this album was monumental. A favorite amongst Oliver Sykes, M. Shadows, James Hart, you name them, they love it. You are not a metalcore kid if you never heard this album, poser.

Cave In - Until Your Heart Stops
Genre: Mathcore/Metalcore FFO: Converge, Botch, Poison the Well


Fucking Juggernaut. R.I.P. Caleb Scofield

Lana Del Rey
Genre: Indie/Pop FFO: Marina and the Diamonds, Adele


I have never met anyone as Lana obsessed as Zach " I eat posers for breakfast" Ganshirt. Start a convo about her you won't hear the end of it. If we're being honest though, can you blame him?

Coalesce - Give them Rope
Genre: Mathcore/Sludge Metal FFO: Botch, Knut, Converge


Coalesce somehow manage to take mathcore, slow it down, keep it chaotic, and just make you violent. Once again another one that was a big influence on Taman Shud.

Twelve Tribes - The Rebirth of Tragedy
Genre: Metalcore FFO: If Hope Dies, It Dies Today, Scars of Tomorrow


This one is one of the symbols of 2004. Every day I pray that this band comes back but it is very less than likely to happen. Twelve Tribes is a band that makes you focus more on the meaning of the music than the mosh. The vocalist states "Times of fear and uncertainty always seem to produce the best art". I have met two people that are aware of this band: 1. Zach 2. A 7 foot tall terrifyingly muscular individual in his late 20s/early 30s I met at the vein record release who saw them in 2004.

skycamefalling - 10.21
Genre: Metalcore FFO: Poison the Well, Prayer For Cleansing, 7 Angels 7 Plagues


First things first. Zach recommended this one for the summer playlist but I forgot to add oit do to my dipshit scatterbrain. This is a night time album with a cool breeze. I personally feel full effect at my family's lake house in NH late at night just staring directly ahead at the lake. I tried to get Zach to watch Twin Peaks because of this album (Theres a song on it titled Laura Palmer) he probably still hasn't though...pussy.

Botch - We Are The Romans
Genre: Mathcore/Post-Metal FFO: Coalesce, Converge, Poison the Well


Botch were one of the original mathcore bands, if not THE original. I'll say this first, if you are a fan of the band vein, this album is a requirement for you. Chaos is something Zach lives for and no one can compare to Botch.

Earth Crisis
Genre: Metalcore FFO: One King Down, Strife, All Out War


At Bill's Rock 'n' Roll Weekend, we're all about XVX. If it wasn't for Zach's support, going vegan would've been harder. Earth Crisis won't stop until a Firestorm purifies the world. Zach loves this band so much he has ten of their shirts, mostly vintage too.

Heavy Heavy Low Low - Everything's Watched, Everyone's Watching
Genre: Mathcore/Grindcore FFO: The Number Twelve Looks Like You, Ed Gein, Daughters


HHLL are just plain silly. Nothing about them was ever serious nothing at all and thats what we loved about them. This is the type of thing where they just said "Fuck it lets just play what we want" and that became some super ignorant heavy and annoying bullshit that makes you want to punch your grandmother in the coochie. Hopefully they come back but they probably won't

Norma Jean - Norma Jean VS The Anti Mother
Genre: Mathcore/Metalcore FFO: Poison The Well, Underoath, Botch


Robots: 3 Zach "Silk bag full of puppies" Ganshirt: 0

Misery Signals - Of Malice and the Magnum Heart
Genre: Melodic Metalcore FFO: Shai Hulud, Dead to Fall, Remembering Never


I still remember the look on Zach's face when they got this vocalist back. Of Malice and the Magnum Heart is an unforgettable album that left a mark on many metalcore fans of the era. Tons of emotion tied together with massive aggression. The later albums by the band follow suit well but this one started it all.

Swarm of the Lotus - The Sirens of Silence
Genre: Chaotic Sludge Metal/Metalcore FFO: Knut, Coalesce, Amenra


D E S T R U C T I V E. The one word that comes to mind. This band live must've been the most deafening thing on the planet. I'm not sure if Zach knows of these guys but it's definitely right up his alley if you've been paying attention.

August Burns Red - Thrill Seeker
Genre: Melodic Metalcore FFO: Haste the Day, Parkway Drive, As I Lay Dying


Most of us grew up listening to August Burns Red whether you were a metal kid, hardcore kid/ or even a scene kid. August Burns Red is for all. Nothing beats this record. I consider it a gateway for technical music at this point. Most christian metalcore bands at this time really knew their way around a guitar.

Eighteen Visions
Genre: Metalcore/Alternative Metal (18v) FFO: Martyr AD, Remembering Never, Bleeding Through


I think we'll end it with this one. Eighteen Visions redefined heavy music with each album sounding slightly different until changing drastically with their final two albums before reuniting, and even those two were different. After Poison the Well, 18v is Zach's favorite, and unlike most he loves everything they put out, yes even the sellout butt rock stuff, and fuck you its a good album. I still remember them announcing their return to Massachusetts and Zach and I bought our tickets immediately and I've never seen him sing along so passionately. Another big reason he moved was to get his haircut by James Hart....he'll probably stalk him while he's there too.

I think I provided enough for Zach to text me after reading this and say something like "Haha dude that playlist is perfect! You're the best! Thank you so much!".

R.I.P. Zach Ganshirt
2002-2005 Metalcore is dead poser.