Apocalyptic Havoc: New music for the quarantine, and more...

    

   This bullshit has been driving me insane since it began. Thankfully in between playing Animal Crossing, beating Resident Evil 2 and 3 multiple times, and watching Hello Kitty spinoffs people having been giving me good recommendations on music. Unfortunately since the zine primarily revolves around live music, I feel it would be a waste to make one for, what was a favorite when this blog was active, a playlist. That being said here's some new music released this year and some stuff good for the quarantine. Fuck Donnie T.

The Weekend - After Hours

Genre: R&B Fav Track: Hardest To Love

I usually start with the obvious but there isn't really an obvious one this time. So we'll go with The Weeknd since most know who he is. My dude here just broke my heart once again. I don't know what it is but The Weeknd's voice is just that sweet spot between soothing and emotional. What I love about After Hours though, and I'll probably get judged for saying this, is it has a noticeable synthwave influence that at times just makes me think of darkwave and I love it. The fact that I can make that comparison doesn't even seem right.

The Cure - Bloodflowers

Genre: Gothic/Post-Punk FFO: New Order, Siouxsie and the Banshees

Fav Track: The Last Day Of Summer

    It's no secret I love The Cure. The original "sadboi" Robert Smith can never  write an album that isn't both beautiful and devastating. Bloodflowers was a later album that probably didn't get as much limelight as say, Disintegration or Pornography, but nonetheless it still has that classic makeup and hairspray 80s aesthetic with songs about heartbreak. I keep finding myself to reach for this one when I bump The Cure lately.

Sallow Moth - The Larval Hope

Genre: Death Metal FFO: Ascended Dead, Spectral Voice, Esoctrillihum

Fav Track: Ancient Grudge

A one man death metal project. Thats all you need to hear. Sallow Moth is the demon risen from the earth by Garry Brents of blackened screamo/grind band, Cara Neir. Nothing impresses me more than when another project sounds entirely different than another without even a trace of it. Sallow Moth is very comparable to dark descent death metal bands and I can easily see it getting signed in the future. So far I'd say this is my favorite death metal release of the year.

Red House Painters - Self Titled

Genre: Indie/Folk/Shoegaze "Slowcore" FFO: Bedhead, Carissa's Wierd, Mount Eerie

Fav Track: Funhouse

The one memory I have when listening to this album is driving into western mass and seeing the mountains and fields. The scenery is perfect with this album. Red House Painters is best known for being one of the pioneers in the "Slowcore" genre and also known for being Mark Kozelek's band before Sun Kil Moon. The fact that its tough to be outside for some this album at least paints a picture in my head to make it feel like I'm there. P.S. if you're into True Widow, you can hear a huge influence from this album ;)

Ringo Deathstarr - Self Titled

Genre: Shoegaze/Dream Pop FFO: Slowdive, Chapterhouse, Wildhoney

Fav Track: I Don't Want To Lose This

I have been waiting eagerly for this one. One day I literally just said "I'm gonna jam Ringo today" only to find out this came out pretty much unannounced a week before. So far this is battling another album for No. 1 of 2020. Undeniable talent from these guys and this was well worth the wait. 

Sure - Twenty Years

Genre: Darkwave FFO: Drab Majesty, Ritual Howls, Them Are Us Too

Fav Track: Precious Words

This is the album that is vs Ringo for No. 1. Sure has that sweet heat with the gothic synth and keyboards and almost industrial percussion. Its madness but in the best way. I'm seeing a lot of people get bigger into darkwave so absolutely give Sure your attention.

Mountain Man - Three

Genre: Hardcore FFO: Last Lights, Shipwreck AD, Reign Supreme

Fav Track: Calm

I was heavily impressed by the post metal approach Mountain Man showed in their previous release, and better shown when I saw them with The Body in Wmass. That being said, Three seems to go back to their roots as a hardcore band, is this a bad thing? Absolutely not, I still loved them as a hardcore band, as well as Last Lights. One thing that still sticks out is how they continue to be slightly on the odd side. Still pretty cool and nostalgic sound they went for with this release.

Super Unison - Stella

Genre: Post-Hardcore FFO: Refused, Drive Like Jehu, Gouge Away

Fav Track: Virus

Punch were huge for me in high school and I was sad to see them go, but to find out Meghan went on to be in a new band was like a light in the dark. Super Unison as you could probably tell are heavily influenced by Drive like Jehu but much more...I guess skateable sound. Like I can see most songs on a Tony Hawk game easily. Personally I consider this the best release, very fierce but still a weird punk album (weird in a good way of course). 

Denzel Curry - UNLOCKED

Genre: Rap/Hip Hop FFO: Flatbush Zombies, JPEGMAFIA, Lil Uzi Vert

Fav Track: take_it_back_v2

 

We all know how much I love Denzel. I keep thinking my boy here will never be able to top Taboo but the more music he makes, he seems to just keep doing what he does. Is UNLOCKED better than Taboo? In my opinion probably not, but it has a different style, still insanely ignorant but with the same old school idea like ZUU had. Plus with Kenny Beats featured throughout the whole album, Denzel's voice is constantly chopped and screwed in every song. Bonus points for the modern twist on the artwork.

The Effort - Iconoclasm

Genre: Melodic Hardcore FFO: Modern Life Is War, The Carrier, Killing the Dream

Fav Track: The Price of Medication

This band. This fucking band. The Effort have been one of my favorites in melodic hardcore as well as straight edge hardcore for a long time. This album has helped me through a lot and still does to this day.

Thou - Oakland

Genre: Sludge/Doom/Drone Metal FFO: Lord Mantis, The Body, Unearthly Trance

Fav Track: Smoke Pigs

I pretty much love everything about Thou. They're one of the heaviest bands I've ever seen, they have gothic album art, their lyrics are comparable to a lot of shit, they're vegan, I could go on. Oakland seems like the generic choice to go for but I mean come on can you blame me?

Pummel - Illusion of Choice

Genre: Hardcore FFO: Mental, Hammer Bros., No Option

Pummel may have earned my most written about hardcore band at this point. Well considering everything these guys have done during the quarantine, I think they deserve my spotlight again. Illusion of Choice is one big stab at the government BHC style and from what I understand it's the first song recorded with Seth on bass. Seems like just yesterday Seth was Pummel's biggest fan and look where they are now. Love these guys and will never stop supporting them. You know the first show these guys play after this is over is gonna be absolutely insane.

Midwife - Forever

Genre: Indie/Shoegaze "slowcore" FFO: Drowse, Marissa Nadler, Giles Corey

Fav Track: S.W.I.M.

 

This one I just can't put down. Midwife is the one woman project of Madeline Johnson that showcases some incredible stuff. At first the music seems slightly simple but in just gets more and more unique the more in depth the listen. various levels of distortion and countless guitar effects usually prove for a good album. I can see the project opening for a band like Russian Circles in the future.

Graf Orlock - Destination Time: Tomorrow

Genre: Grindcore FFO: Pig Destroyer, Some Girls, Ed Gein

Fav Track: A Shocking Interrogation

Ahh Graf Orlock, a band long forgotten. While this band can be dissonant at times they never really stuck out to me as mathcore like most fans call them. Long story short this album is like getting in a brawl with 7 people at once during a movie...like in the theatre. You'll see what I mean when you jam it.

Fearing - Shadow

Genre: Darkwave/Deathrock/Post Punk FFO: Death Bells, Death of Lovers, Night Sins

Fav Track: Pictured Perfect

This album is just amazing. The facts that bands like this are gettng better recognized and also releasing fire after fire really brings a smile to my face. You've herd me use this description before but this is a shades and (vegan) leather jacket band. Gotta love the gothic atmosphere this album gives off, I can only imagine the live visual. 

Oranssi Pazuzu - Mestarin Kynsi

Genre: Avant Garde Black Metal FFO: Imperial Triumphant, Waste of Space Orchestra, Krallice

Fav Track: Uusi Teknokratia

Teach me how to pronounce literally any title this band writes and I will pay you. Before you ask, they are Finnish. Now that thats out of the way, ahem, H O L Y F U C K. If you wanna talk about boundary breaking, I don't think I can name 70 percent of the equipment these guys use and its somehow still black metal.

Amygdala - Our Voices Will Soar Forever

Genre: Screamo/Hardcore/Powerviolence FFO: Portrayal of Guilt, Orchid, Ursurp Synapse

Fav Track: It Takes A Village

Something in texas is bringing out some sick screamo/screamo influenced bands. I constantly wonder if Amygdala got their name from the Bloodborne boss or the part of the brain. This album can show a range of influences but the big thing for me is the artwork because it reminds me of the building I live in. Actually kinda freaky because my building was an asylum before and it literally looks like this at night. Anywho, this is definitely one of those albums to jam at night for the full effect. Very Melancholic in an abrasive but also beautiful way.

Best Coast - Always Tomorrow

Genre: Surf Rock/Indie FFO: Wavves, Beach Fossils, Surfer Blood

Fav Track: Master of my Own Mind

Some know and some don't but Best Coast are surprisingly one of my favorite bands. This was the first indie band I really got into and I was devastated that their tour was cancelled. I can appreciate this band even more with the anticipating summer season and working outside in the cold 99% percent of the time just makes me want summer more. Master of my Own Mind is a song I really needed to hear too.

Ripping Corpse - Dreaming with the Dead

Genre: Death Metal FFO: Demilich, Morpheus Descends, Death

Fav Track: Beyond Humanity

Let's take it back to a very influential death metal album/band nobody talks about. Like come on why does nobody talk about these guys?!? Posers.

Publicist UK - Forgive Yourself

Genre: Post Punk/Deathrock FFO: Death Bells, Fearing, Cursed Moon

Fav Track: You Are The Stars

How many non metal albums do you know that were put out by Relapse? Here's one. Surprisingly featuring members of Municipal Waste, Revocation, and Goes Cube. You wouldn't even think members from this band were from metal bands. What an incredible display. I don't know how but listening to this band actually feels like you're listening to an english band from the 80s. Give them a whirl.

Product of Waste - You Won't Take Me  Alive

Genre: Hardcore FFO: COA, Wolf Whistle, The Rival Mob

Fav Track: Crook With a Badge

We'll end it with the best hardcore band to come out of Rhode Island. On the days where I do go outside I try to take advantage of it and skate. P.O.W. is always my go to. R.I.P. T :(

Lof-fi Hip Hop beats to relax/study to

...

Magic Circle w/High Command and Sweet Heat @ Great Scott

Heavy metal madness returns to Great Scott. Local favorites, Magic Circle and High Command tore it up with special guests Sweet Heat. This one was a late runner but well worth it. I think its been a whole year since I last saw High Command and a few years since Magic Circle. Get ready to step into a portal to the world of knights, dragons, and steel!

Sweet Heat
Genre: Heavy/Traditional Metal FFO: Balck Sabbath, UFO, Rainbow

I was late arriving to this set due to the overdosage of Roxy's I was craving, however I am very glad I could catch at least some of it. Sweet Heat is the type of hard rockin' blues influenced metal band that sounds straight out of the 70s. Guarantee my heavy metal aunt would love this shit. Soulful vocals with a bluesy guitar finish and even with solos. You don't see that too much anymore. This is the ind of blast from the past that reminds you of the bands your parents showed you before you knew what music was. This is rock n roll! God damn do these guys do it right. The crowd was all for it, head banging and cheering, like it really was the 70s. Granted they were the opening band so not much movement nor too many people but I really hope they got their name out there.

High Command
Genre: Thrash Metal/Crossover FFO: Slayer, Power Trip, Testament

High Command really show off the reason they got signed to a big label. Once again they begin with the classic "We're High Command" while holding up a sword  The moment that riff starts. you are in a battle of steel on horseback. Straight up if you can name a band out of Mass that thrashes harder than these guys, I will personally give you 50 bucks out of my own pocket. There were kids flying back and forth for every song that literally made me ask my self "Do these kids run on kinetic energy or something?". Its like they were training for a sporting event. Gonna say that the best part of High Command's sound was the reverb in the vocals, I don't think they had that at the Integrity show. I don't know what it was but somehow with no lights or special effects, the band just gives off this aura that makes the atmosphere perfect. Like I didn't even feel like I was in a bar. High Command go full force and give 100% every time I have seen them and I don't think that will change.

Magic Circle
Genre:Heavy/Doom Metal FFO: Saint Vitus, Pentagram, Cathedral

Then of course we have Magic Circle. A crowd favorite amongst Massachusetts metal. I will admit, I was hoping as a headliner they would have some sort of lighting effects but unfortunately they did not. Nonetheless this does not subtract from the sound or energy they gave off. It really does amaze me the way the vocalist hits those octaves. The band was in constant motion moving with the riffs and the crowd followed suit. honestly for the most part their was much movement in the crowd other than headbanging, aside from a small pit during Lightning Cage. The big reason to see magic circle is the heaviness of the band and the passion from the musicians. Like High Command, the revrb in the vocals is another good effect and with the range of his voice, the band sets the atmosphere to a similar fantasy background. Pretty cool to see these guys play in a bar rather than the Middle East this time.

All Playlists

I decided to let you all in on my spotify playlists just to give everyone a taste of what to expect on this blog. I feel most of my friends already know what I'm into but some of you may like to dig deeper and maybe discover something new.Maybe you'll hear of one of these bands playing near hear soon and you'll know I'll be there for a review. Maybe you're just curious of what I enjoy. Whatever the reason, I hope everyone checks them out and enjoys. I'm always constantly adding to them as well as making new ones.

Death Metal Playlist: Death To False Metal
   All the most extreme death metal

Gym Playlist: The Church of Iron
   This is what I lift to, a combination of metalcore, deathcore, death metal, ignorant rap, and motivating hardcore. There are two surprise songs in there, shuffle the playlist and find them, no cheating!

Skate Playlist: Bill Cuneo's Underground Pro American Wasteland Skater Extravaganza
   Obviously what I skate to. Combonation of punk, metal, stoner/sludge, rap, etc. A littl bit of everything. I made this one thinking about Tony Hawk games.

Stoner/Doom Playlist: For Sm0nking W33d and Summoning Demons only 666
   Probably the longest one. Full albums are on this one. All slow and evil doom metal subgenres.

Goth Playlist: Too Dark
   Tons of darkwave and post punk from all eras. Some death rock and industrial also sprinkled in. Everything for your goth needs with no bullshit.

Pop Playlist: Let's Fucking Party
   It's no secret I love pop music. These are my favorites.

Electronic Music Playlist: Electric Prison
   All electronic music ranging from sad, chaotic, and chill.

Chill Music Playlist: Realm of Chillin'
   Combonation of Shoegaze, indie, rap, chillwave, emo etc. All stuff I enjoy when I'm in a good non spontaneous mood.

Noise Playlist: Distorted Nightmare
   No harsh noise, I'll say that first. I enjoy the artistic and terrifying side of noise music a lot. Everything on this one has structure.

Seasonals:
  Summertime Lovin', Lovin' in the Summer (Time)
  Pumpkin Spice
 

Nicole Dollanganger w/ Seed, and Kira McSpice @ ONCE Ballroom

A night we have been waiting for since that beautiful album came out. Nicole Dollanganger finally comes to Boston. At first I was slightly disappointed the show would go past 10:00 but surprisingly enough the openers gave a fantastic performance definitely well preparing us for Nicole. Gotta point out how into it the crowd was to with everyone dressing like children and goths. Really adds to the atmosphere.

Kira McSpice
Genre: Ambient/Indie FFO: Marissa Nadler, Emma Ruth Rundle

I had no idea what to expect from this project. Almost complete darkness with only a keyboardist as well as a guitar/vocalist (aka Kira McSpice). First thing she said was "who's ready to get sad!?" as the crowd cheered. Made me think it would be something emo, but instead became this creepy but melodic wave of emotion. Kira's voice projected powerfully with the keyboardist actually playing both ambient samples as well as samples of Kira's voice. I remember my pal Keith (Deathwish Inc.) leaning over to me saying: "I feel like I'm in a horror movie". Couldn't agree more. Couldn't help but feel like I was seeing Chelsea Wolfe again with the way she was singing. Sweet lord did this woman have pipes! Overall performance was incredible and fit well with the bill. Both members performed their hearts out and for only the first act I was very impressed.

SEED
Genre: Experimental Doom Metal/Indie FFO: Elizabeth Colour Wheel, Thou, Screaming Females

The only time I ever saw Seed's name was on a flyer for the Thou/Emma Ruth Rundle collab tour, so seeing them at this show I was curious, as most know how much I L O V E D that collab set when it hit the flywheel in western Mass. I had no prior knowledge to this bands music, but to see them perform as a three piece (Vox, Guitar and Drums), well nothing could have made me more intrigued. I can't say every song was similar however they of course followed the core structure of doom metal. Very heavy for a band with no bass, but on top of that, the range that the vocalist had was impeccable add in with frightening and deafening screams. I felt like I was in the Black Lodge in Twin Peaks and Laura was screaming her head off right in my ear. The band managed to take their doom influence and tie in some stuff comparable to modern emo bands, post rock, and indie. One song they played had blast beats and tremelo picking, it was basically black metal. Seed stated that they have a record recorded but are waiting for the right time to release it. Keep up with this band, you won't regret it.

Nicole Dollanganger
Genre: Gothic Indie/Folk FFO: Emma Ruth Rundle, Marissa Nadler, Chelsea Wolfe (early)

Heart Shaped Bed was pretty high on my list last year and Nicole's guest feature with Full of Hell still terrifies me. I knew the day would come that she plays Boston and that night was this one. The only light that shined down was a velvet pink as Nicole walked out with a garden window statiioned behind her. She wore a dark dress that gave her new blonde hair a little more flair as she smiled at the crowd while they cheered. This night really saw some talented vocalists, but of course Nicole absolutely takes the cake. I'm not to used to such a quiet set but my goodness it only made the performance more powerful. The atmosphere, the garden window, the lighting, all teamed up with her haunting voice hitting the exact note she needs just makes you feel like you are on her album covers. Some songs even had a click track.
    One thing I did want to bring up was during one song, I can't remember which, there was a member of the crowd who was having a medical emergency (?). I couldn't see what was going on from where I was. Mid song Nicole asked if she was ok, and while still singing grabbed her a water. After the song, a thumbs up was given implying everything was alright and the friends yelled "Thank you so much! You're an angel!" Nicole also saves lives literally while singing and not missing a beat.
    Unfortunately this was another I couldn't stay for the whole set.

So all together this night was a true showcase of vocalists for sure, but I absolutely must give praise to Seed for the instrumentals that are very talented and kept me on my toes for the whole set. More praise as well to Scott who played with Nicole doing both guitar and keyboard and gave an even more spectacular atmosphere to the ballroom landscape. Outstanding performances by all!

Summer Playlist 2019

It's summer again. The time of year where we spend a lot of time near water and sand while we consume the suns energy while trying our best to not be consumed by our demons. it's been a while but we are back with another rock n roll playlist for y'all. Link below

https://open.spotify.com/user/1241645468/playlist/3g5qrW9XcuP4zZjn7zJY39?si=Rw2aZm4eTm21A-o-MqOIDg

Washed Out - Life of Leisure

Genre: Electronic/Chillwave FFO: Teen Daze,Craft Spells, Wild Nothing

Favorite Track: Feel It All Around

As usual, we start with the obvious. I can't believe I forgot this one last time. Best known for the Portlandia theme, Washed Out is the definition of summer with Life of Leisure. You can really tell from the cover. You'll feel like the person on the cover listening to this one. Float Face up on the water and get ready to zone out.

Yeah Yeah Yeahs - It's Blitz!

Genre: Noise Pop/Indie FFO: Sleigh Bells, Interpol, The Ting Tings 

Favorite Track: Dragon Queen

This is a big one for weird music. I feel these guys had a huge influence on Sleigh Bells and on top of that, both feature members from metal/hardcore bands (This one being Head Wound City, a mathcore band featuring an ex member of The Blood Brothers). Nothing says summer like pop music, and the alternate influence encourages a hipster party, so get on it.

Japanese Breakfast - Soft Sounds from Another Planet

Genre: Indie FFO: Frankie Cosmos, Snail Mail, Petal

Favorite Track: Road Head

I have to admit, I'm still somewhat new with Jbrekkie, but that does not affect the talent they have. This is an album that screams long drive in the sun for me. A good indie album for both the highway as well as driving in the city. Not too mention getting your fill of an actual Japanese breakfast which I'm curious of what it would consist of. Hey look at that a new mission for the summer: Try a traditional Japanese Breakfast.

skycamefalling - To Forever Embrace the Sun

Genre: Metalcore/Post-Hardcore FFO: Poison the Well, This Day Forward, Hopesfall

Favorite Track: The Fall of Cain's Countenance

So Zach chewed me out for not including this in the last summer playlist. skycamefalling are a forgotten icon of 90's metalcore that reminisce the era very well (if you're old enough to remember it) Very similar to Poison the Well and unironically amongst the same era, skycamefalling have a heavy side garnished with post hardcore interludes similar to bands ranging from Refused to ISIS (the band). Zach states its a good one for a summer night, my preference is a sunset. Try it out and prove us wrong.

Miley Cyrus - She is Coming

Genre: Hip/Hop/Pop FFO: Demi Lovato, Nicki Minaj, Ke$ha

Favorite Tracks: Unholy, D.R.E.A.M.

 

Nothing More can be said than "If you didn't follow Miley through Bangerz, you don't deserve her now". I have personally been a big fan of hers since the beginning and will probably follow her til the end of time. The moment she announced this EP and I saw her wearing a Sex Pistols shirt, I knew it would be incredible. Did she disappoint? Absolutely not. She even threw us a curveball and did a song with none other than Ghostface Killah. Thank you for Coming Miley!

Kyuss - Welcome to Sky Valley
Genre: Stoner Metal FFO: Weedeater, Fu Mabchu, Orange Goblin
Favorite Track: 100 Degrees


We discussed Kyuss in the last summer playlist, but here they are again. More blues inlfuenced stoner jams for the desert. Sky Valley can speed up at times making it a good balance of skate and smoke. I could never get tired of this band and it just screams desert heat.

BROCKHAMPTON - IRRIDESCENCE

Genre: Hip-Hop/Rap FFO: Tyler, The Creator, Kids See Ghosts, Run the Jewels

Favorite Track: VIVID

I'm sure by now we are all familiar with the world's greatest boy band. BROCKHAMPTON is a 14 person powerhouse of a project. I don't think I've heard anyone say anything negative about them yet and probably won't anytime soon. I feel like you could call them a modern day Odd Future in terms of a lot of members, unique style, and beats you couldn't imagine, though the two are vastly different. Honestly if you don't know about BROCKHAMPTON, you live under a rock.

Kacey Musgraves - Golden Hour

Genre: Country/Indie

Favorite Track: Slow Burn

This album is really turning heads amongst people who don't like country. I personally despise country as a whole, but seeing this album on Neil's top albums of 2018 made me curious. I liked what I heard then showed my mums who is into this type of music and she loved it even more than I did. Its good to trust these two. Kacey Musgraves shows far more emotion than the "I fucked my cousin while drinking a frosty brew in my pickup" country that we all hate. This is the type of project I could see at the Sinclair but Kacey's fame would bring her to a much bigger and more expensive place. Seriously though this is definitely worth your time.

ISIS (the band) - Oceanic & Panopticon

Genre: Post Metal FFO: Cult of Luna, Neurosis, The Ocean

Favorite Tracks: Maritime (Oceanic), Syndic Calls (Panopticon)

I couldn't decide between these. Oceanic sounds like you're being pulled to the bottom of the ocean while Panopticon pulls you back up. As you float there you look around and notice there is nothing but water for miles. These two albums really show the line this band had when switching over. Oceanic is considered by some to be the last REAL Isis album because everything after wasn't as heavy. Panopticon coming out after was really the first album that made these same fans call them sell outs. The band has never released anything bad in my opinion and these two are perfect for summer near the water.

Aly & AJ - Sanctuary

Genre: Indie Pop FFO: Haim, CHVRCHES, Florence and the Machine

Favorite Track: Not Ready To Wake Up

Aly & AJ are probably the biggest reason I wanted to get this blog back in action. After seeing them play the Paradise in May, I regret not writing it up. We all remember the hits like Potential Breakup Song, Chemicals React, Rush etc. but the latest EP by the duo shows there artistic side and moves in a direction towards alternative music. I swear if BRU was still on air, they would be playing this. As  for that show, you would not beleive the passion these two still have for all the old and new songs. If I were to tell you the top 3 shows I've seen at the Paradise it would go: #1 The Dillinger Escape Plan #2 Denzel Curry #3 Aly & AJ.

Maylene & The Sons of Disaster - Self Titled
Genre: Southern Rock/Post-Hardcore FFO: He is Legend, Cancer Bats, Norma Jean
Favorite Track: Bang! The Witch is Dead


Maylene is the project of the mighty Dallas Taylor after leaving UnderOath in 20..whenever it was. It's an odd transition going from preaching about God in a blackened metalcore/screamo band to a tangy smoky southern barbecue with some gator wrasslin' on the side. If you haven't heard Maylene yet, your summer barbecues ain't gonna be the same. Best experience comes with a shotgun in hand.

Jex Thoth - Self Titled
Genre: Stoner Metal FFO: Acid King, Blood Ceremony, Windhand
Favorite track: Nothing Left to Die


Jex Thoth is the name of both the band as well as the front woman. Very bluesy stoner metal with a hint of evil. If Windhand was a magic user build in an RPG that focused on wind, Jex Thoth would be the fire. Of course by magic user I mean witch because her vocals are haunting and hypnotizing. All you will see is an empty wasteland as you start to hallucinate from dehydration and those blues riffs will give you some psychedelic visions you won't soon forget.

Princess Nokia - Metallic Butterfly & A Girl Cried Red
Genre: Hip-Hop/RnB FFO: SZA, Noname
Favorite Track: Dragons (MB), Your Eyes Are Bleeding (AGCR)

Nokia is a shining gem amongst this type of music. Both of these releases are impeccable and bonus points for that (sic) Slipknot shirt. Nokia gained fame with her hit single Tomboy which still bumps hard, however transitioning from rap to RnB always seems to be the way to go with most artists. For example, if Drake did a whole album like Hold On, We're Going Home, maybe I would care more to listen to him. Nokia goes down this path and keeps you hooked and wanting more. Both releases best listened to with ice cream in hand, on a pier.

Beach House - Depression Cherry
Genre: Indie/Dream Pop FFO:Beach Fossils, Cocteau Twins, Washed Out
Favorite Track: Space Song


Beach House have been around for a long time but I gotta say this album I feel they really out did themselves. No matter what album it is, I always imagine myself at...well a beach house watching the tides pull in and out through the entire course of a day. Depression Cherry gives it that flavor though. This one is like the waves crashing down with the sun setting and the sky is that purple into orange color. Gotta love it.

Pinkshinyultrablast - Miserable Miracles
Genre: Dream Pop FFO: Cocteau Twins, The Naked and Famous, Them are us too
Favorite Track: Dance AM


The name suggest the visual that comes with the music. All I imgine when I hear that twinkly synth, is one of those carnival style piers like at Orchard beach, only at night and everything is lit up and I just won an oversized Minion from knocking over the whole tower of bottles. The album really speaks for itself, listen to understand.

Fu Manchu - The Action is Go
Genre: Stoner Metal/Southern Rock FFO: Kyuss, Red Fang, The Atomic Bitchwax
Favorite Track: Unknown World


Featuring former members of Kyuss, Fu Manchu are here to redefine rock n roll. The Action is go is all about skating with a blunt, no wait a fully loaded bong, in one hand and a big middle finger salute to a cop in the other. The rock n roll jam for all. I still question the album cover simply because that kid is on a pennyboard.

Polar Bear Club - Chasing Hamburg
Genre: Indie/Post-Hardcore FFO: Title Fight, Crime in Stereo, I Am the Avalanche
Favorite track: Light of Local Eyes


That whole scene of indie bands touring with hardcore bands is getting more and more relevant these days. I feel Polar Bear Club were the original indie for hardcore kids, as I recall them touring with TUI or something. Anywho, this is a good sundown album at the end of the day. Just you, me and this brick wall you built between us. Before you realize the pie you ate was a bomb, you will enjoy emotion filled lyrics with a punk edge and charming indie background.

Kendrick Lamar - Good Kid, m.A.A.d City
Genre: Hip-Hop/Rap FFO:Compton
Favorite Track: Backseat Freestyle

You know him, you love him. Kendrick's popularity began with this one the skyrocketed with the next, and acsended beyond by winning a Pulitzer Prize. The one thing Kendrick always had was his black pride which is absolutely shown in m.A.A.d. City. This  album features the same flow but not as much of a story like Damn. and Butterfly. This is one of those roll the windows down and blast at full volume type of albums. Halle Barry....Hallelujah!

Ligeia - Bad News
Genre: Metalcore FFO: It Dies Today, It Prevails, Vanna
Favorite Tracks: Teenage Wasteland, Hoodrat
 

Remember when you were a curious young lad who would get excited when a girl shows skin? Well if it wasn't for those curiosities, I would not have discovered  this album. Ligeia were an old school metalcore band hailing from our great state of Massachusetts who were alcoholic party monsters. If you grew up with this album, I know you know every word to I've Been Drinkin'. I feel this album was the start of that melodic style that The Ghost Inside etc. type of bands commercialized. These unsung heroes were all about two things: getting wasted, and getting rejected by babes (Johnny Bravo style). Change that party music and fight everyone.

Fleeting Joys - Despondent Transponder
Genre: Indie/Dream Pop FFO: Broadcast, Drop Nineteens, Miserable
Favorite Track: Magnificent Oblivion


Fleeting Joys were ahead of their time. I guess you could call me a new listener, but I'm more than impressed. This style is getting widely respected amongst the indie crowd and I could name many that sound influenced by it. Maybe I'm over exaggerating considering this album came out in 2006 and Fleeting Joys continue to make music but whatever. Thus album just makes me think of clouds floating by the sun. Shoegaze-y indie pop or whatever you want to call it is a fantastic balance of emotion, heavy, and w a v e y.

Unsane - Occupational Hazard
Genre: Noise Rock/Sludge Metal/Punk FFO: Whores.,Coalesce, Today is the Day
Favorite track: Over Me


Most of my generation that got into heavy music did it through Tony Hawk games, I bring this up all the time. Unsane I discovered this way but I feel they didn't stick with most. They definitely kept me company however. This album is the soundtrack to dangerous daredevil stunts. It always seems to be a trend for me in the past few summers that I do something stupid. To name a few: Doing a backflip off a bridge into the Charles River, tagging a railroad track then almost getting hit by a train, pushing zach down a hill in a shopping cart, I could go on. Nonetheless, this is the wipeout album. Unsane take hints of sludge and punk, add those weird ass noise riffs and massive amounts of distortion, and give it a gory theme to make your summer far more dangerous.

Colbie Caillat - Coco
Genre: Indie Pop FFO: Michelle Branch, Vanessa Carlton
Favorite Track: Oxygen


This is one I hope everyone knows. If you do, you know its euphoria at the beach with your significant other. Colbie mixes tropical backgrounds with a twinkly acoustic and her beautiful, somewhat southern sounding voice. This album is favorite of mine and has been for a long time.

Monolord - Rust
Genre: Stoner Metal FFO: Ufomammut, Sleep, Mammoth Weed Wizard Bastard


Destructive, psychedelic, doom. Rust is the equivalent of tripping your balls off and being teleported into a desert wasteland where the gravity is 20x stronger. Heavy heavy heavy. Monolord are fucking heavy.

Miguel - War & Leisure
Genre: R&B FFO: SZA, The Weeknd
Favorite Track: Pineapple Skies


I discovered Miguel from hearing his interview on the Breakfast Club on the radio one day. Later that day I realized he was the mastermind behind the hit single, Skywalker. Miguel drops a modern spin on R&B that is both smooth and sexy. I honestly can't listen to this album and have a bad day. War & Leisure will drag the sun out from behind the clouds on a stormy day.

The Naked and Famous - Passive Me, Aggressive you
Genre: Alternative/Dream Pop FFO: Passion Pit, Matt & Kim, Tegan and Sara
Favorite Track: Young Blood


Another long time favorite of mine. You know those days where there's a small amount of rain but the sun shines thru like the pictures on those church fliers? That happens because someone somewhere is playing this album. I think of this as my orginal gateway into dream pop considering the twinkly and bright melodies. By the way, now you know a project from Iceland.

Playing Enemy - I Was Your City
Genre: Mathcore/Sludge Metal/Zachcore FFO: Coalesce, Knut, Swarm of the Lotus
Favorite Track: Monaco


The soundtrack to doing criminal shit. I Was Your City is for when its stupid bright out, and you wish everyone was dead. You guessed it, this one is for the city. Playing Enemy probably sticks out the most on this playlist considering its heavy, chaotic, and features members of Kiss it Goodbye. Well we gotta balance it out, besides I Was Your City is a good one for desert temperatures in the city while you scream out of pent up rage. Go fight a cop.

Rule Them All - An Alignment of Polarity
Genre: Hardcore Punk FFO: Vantage Point, Abuse of Power
Favorite Track: Lukewarm


Not long ago I took time out of my weekend to head on down to Providence to see a hardcore show since its been a very long time. Rule Them All headlined this show and the first thing I thought of was "I gotta skate to this". I gotta say, for a hardcore band they give off a melodic feel and a very rock n roll pattern with the vocals. I don't get impressed by hardcore very often anymore so definitely take my word for it.

Red Fang - Self Titled
Genre: Southern/Sludge Metal FFO: Big Business, High on Fire, Fu Manchu
Favorite Track Night Destroyer


Red Fang is one of those bands that you don't really know what to expect if you never heard them. For example when this album first came out, judging by the cover and logo I expected powerviolence. Little did I know it was a desert sounding rock n roll anthem. Red Fang's debut from front to back is something you would expect to be on a Tony Hawk game. A good skate sesh as well as a hike in the mountains. A slow sludgey sound with subtle blues influence and lots of sweet southern BBQ riffs, gotta love it.

Boris - Pink
Genre: Various FFO: Earth, Melt Banana, Kylesa
Favorite Track: Pink


Once you see the cover, Pink is the only color on your mind. Because of that I think its a good one for the sun. If you're not familiar with Boris, know that they never stuck with one genre. They never started one then matured with another, or did the Eighteen Visions thing where every album sounds different. They literally jumble every genre together for the most part. Primarily they tend to stick with a doom and punk structure, but they have released other albums that are entirely different. nyway we're talking Pink. This one is a good mix of punk rock and drone. Yeah you read that right. It's sometimes like Black flag used the same effects as Sunn O))), others its just straight drone doom. oddly enough everything fits perfect together. More credit to Japan for giving birth to incredible bands like this.

Helmet - Meantime
Genre: Sludge Metal/Grunge/Alt. Metal FFO: Melvins, Prong, Corrosion of Conformity
Favorite Tracks: In the Meantime, Unsung


I don't know many who don't like Helmet. The legedary album is more than worth the summer playlist. Not much I should really need to say other than no heavy band that formed after the 90s matters without saying "Helmet was a huge influence for us".
Avril Lavigne - Let Go
Genre: Pop Punk/Rock
Favorite track: Losing Grip


Don't act like you don't know it. Don't act like you don't love it. Don't act like you don't know every word to Complicated. Don't act like you don't know every word to Sk8er Boi.

Ho-Kago Tea Time - Ho-Kago Tea Time II
Genre: Light Music FFO: Really Cute Things, Things That Taste Really Good


Fuck you.