Honest Brutality

     It’s not often that I get to showcase my hardcore nerdom in such an obvious way. Usually it’s in the form of defending the cause of nerdiness against the sleights of Evil and Sloppy. Honestly, fantasy is as metal as it gets. Stories of mass armies of evil, medieval political intrigue, and glorious heroic figures swing swords bigger than your torso and legs combined. What’s not to love? Nothing! It’s all fucking epic. Anyway, there are a few bands out there that fly the nerd standard high. None quite so much as Songhammer, who have recently released a new EP, Disco and DPS. For you non-nerds out there, DPS means “Damage Per Second” an integral part of every well-rounded RPG group.

    Wielding war-hammers and clad in armor, Songhammer bring a goofy, cosplay style look to their music. Similar to GWAR (if you take into account the lack of inhuman slaughter and space fluids) in stage presence if not quite music style, this band is nothing but fun.  Songhammer has a wide ranging repertoire that showcases the vast diversity of nerd-kind. Everything from straight ahead Rock & Roll to EDM, and all things in between. Disco and DPS expands on this in directions that make you struggle to scratch your head in curiosity as it bobs to the beat.

    Now, if you can’t accept my word for it, that’s fine. Maybe it’s not as cool as I think. I am just one guy after all. However this band has managed to catch the eye of a low-budget, lesser known game development company called Blizzard, who premiered their video for Legion on the World of Warcraft game launcher. Blizzard plans on premiering their next video for the song Eat Us Alive in the same fashion, which will play in front of roughly 1 million people though that platform alone.

     In all, this EP and the rest of their catalog is worth giving a listen. They are clearly just in it for the fun and the community, which is a nice break from the big money grabs of the Pop world, and the severe intensity of heavy metal.  Songhammer has a well rounded, slightly comedic sound that anyone can enjoy, but even more so if you are in tune with the nerdy subject matter of the lyrics. Listen to this EP, watch their videos, explore their earlier releases, and just have a good fucking time. I certainly will be. Until next time, stay tuned and STAY METAL!

The Butcher

  Are you pissed off? Do people make you angry? Are you of the opinion that humanity is a festering infection on the face of the planet? Congratulations, you’re probably a misanthrope! Don’t despair at this fact, embrace it. People can be infuriating. If only there was an album by an awesome band that helped express how infuriating people are; but also helps you work through the rage in a natural, healthy, way that doesn’t come with 25 years to life in a prison cell. Luckily for you and I, there is! In fact, it’s so awesome that it doesn’t need a fancy title to express a hatred of humanity, it simply states it. This album is Mis-An-Thrope by Ded.

  A young band of two years from the heart of Arizona, Ded have made all the right moves with their debut album. That’s right, debut album. This is by far one of the most explosive, hardcore, well constructed metal albums of this year. These young, highly talented musicians have made all the right moves. Mis-An-Thrope is impactful, it’s attention-grabbing, and so well put together you would think this band has been a professional national act for over a decade. They’ve kicked in the door of the metal scene, stormed right to the fridge, chugged the beer, and are now watching TV on the couch as if they’ve always been there.

  So what makes Mis-An-Thrope so amazing? Well, Ded has taken the influence of such greats as Slipknot, Korn, Linkin Park, System Of A Down (those who helped us deal with the turning of not just a century, but a millennium) and refashioned the sound into something that makes sense in the nonsensical bullshit of what we call the 21st Century. It’s not a revival, it’s not a remake, it’s a complete reconstruction of the old sounds to carry us into the new age of metal music. Mis-An-Thrope slams on the gas pedal right from the start, and careens you down a crazy road of rage and passion, screaming the whole way, not slowing down until the last track where you finally have a chance to catch your breath and process the epic ride you just took.

  Frankly, if you ignore this band, you’re an idiot. When Mis-An-Thrope drops on July 21st, 2017, you should already be camped out front of your local music store, (or staring red-eyed at your computer screen waiting for the digital purchase). Ded is already a big deal, and they’re set straight on a trajectory to being a gargantuan force in the years to come. Buy this album, go see this band live, display their merch on every part of your person,  join them on the journey to being a metal giant. It will change the face of metal. Every single band, big and small, better bring their best after this release. It’s going to be hard to be impressive after Ded has splashed into the scene like this.Find the nearest show to you and get out there to witness history in the making.

STAY METAL!
The Butcher
Honest Brutality

Ded – Upcoming Tour dates

July 13 – Rock USA – Oshkosh, WI

August 9 – Diamondz Events Center – Jerome, ID  (KEDJ show)

August 10 – 3rd Wheel – Lewiston, ID (KOZZ show)

August 11 – Knitting Factory – Spokane, WA (KHTQ show)

August 12 – Knitting Factory – Boise, ID (KQXR show)

DED Festival Appearances (More coming this fall)

7/16 — Chicago Open Air – Bridgeville, IL

7/22 — Rise Above Festival – Bangor, ME

9/9 – Revolution Rock Festival – Foxwoods Resort, CT

9/22 – High Elevation Rock Festival – Denver, CO

9/30 – Louder Than Life -Louisville, KY

10/1 – Sonic Boom – Janesville, WI

10/7 – Rock Allegiance – Camden, NJ

10/15 – Houston Open Air n- Houston, TX

10/22 – Aftershock – Sacramento, CA

11/5 – Ozzfest Meets Knotfest – San Bernadino, CA

1/18/18 – Shiprocked

DED with Korn, Stone Sour and more

07/19 – Syracuse, N.Y. — Lakeview Amphitheater

07/20 – Mansfield, Mass. — Xfinity Center

07/23 – Hartford, Ct. — Xfiniity Theatre

07/25 – Toronto, Ontario — The Molson Amphitheatre

07/26 – Camden, N.J. — BB&T Pavilion

07/27 – Holmdel, N.J. — PNC Bank Arts Center

07/29 – Noblesville, Ind. — Klipsch Music Center

07/30 – Clarkston, Mich. — DTE Energy Music Theatre

08/01 – Cincinnati, Ohio — Riverbend Music Center

08/02 – Cleveland, Ohio — Blossom Music Center

Connect with DED

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dedofficial  

Twitter: https://twitter.com/weareded  

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dedofficial

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/0EJ8q62CX4O52UjTN2bAEx

iTunes Pre-order link: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/mis-an-thrope/id1238486219  

Smart URL to all streaming/sales outlets: http://smarturl.it/misanthrope

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/DEDband

   Ever found yourself wondering what would happen if (hed) P.E. and P.O.D. had a baby? If you have, then you’ve probably heard of KillSET. They’re pretty much like that thing I described, only way better than you would imagine. KillSET punches your earholes right in the face, but is nice enough to buy them lunch afterwards.

  So what would be better than discovering an awesome band like KillSET? Discovering they’re dropping a brand new album in 2017, of course. S.T.F.U., KillSET’s Sophomore release, is set to drop on July 7th, 2017. S.T.F.U. will kick you in the balls and whisper softly in your ear simultaneously. It may sound like a metaphor, but that is the best way to describe how it felt going through this album. Packed with inspirational rage, melancholic melodies, and sometimes just absolute chaos, KillSET swings wildly and without warning across a spectrum of emotions. A few of the dynamic changes feel awkward on the first listen. Just relax, once you get past your initial discomfort it feels great. When you finish the album, you will be back in line for another ride as fast as you can.

  In all, KillSET has made an awesome endeavour come to light with this album, that has something to offer for everybody. Filled with tracks as exciting as their single, “Killers in the Pit”, and as head turning as their remix of Kriss Kross’ “Jump”, this album is a welcome addition to any discerning metalhead’s collection,  KillSET will be drawing attention everywhere when they hit the road for this album, and here at Honest Brutality, we hope to see everyone killing it in the pit this year.

STAY METAL!
The Butcher
Honest Brutality

KillSET – Facebook

KillSET – Twitter

    Hailing from Wisconsin, the band Haliwel has an enormous amount of potential. A passionate, fiery, self-made band; Haliwel has dropped an eclectic monster of an album. Released in October of 2016 the band’s sophomore album “Pandemic” is aptly named as it stands to become a viral hit  throughout 2017. This work deserves a space in the hard drive (or shelf, if you happen to be old school) of every audiophile as Haliwel has developed a wide ranging, passionate, piece of musical artwork that any fan of the universal art form can find something to connect too.

   From the heated, and politically driven “Firestarter”, to the inspiring melancholy of their single, “The World Over” or the cheeky hairpin turn in mood of “Truth Is”  and in the evocative song “The Theme”, each track on this album has a unique personality that takes you along an eclectic journey. The wide range of feelings presented showcase the various definitions of what makes a song heavy, which can be a difficult task for any band to do well.

   All at once, each track is a separate statement that still manages to fit into a wider theme in this album. Personally, I feel that a few sections seem to drag on just a tad too much. However, this is more a matter of taste. These sections do not take away from the fact that this band has passion, they believe in what they have to say, and they can make the listener believe in that message. At the end of the day those are  what can make or break good musicians. Belief in the art, belief in the meaning, and the drive to bring that belief to the listener. Haliwel has shown they have all of this with “Pandemic”.

   In all, Haliwel has poised themselves as a force to reckoned with in the upcoming tour seasons. If you’re not already aware of this band and their work, they deserve a spot on your musical radar. They have already experienced an explosion of success with their first album “From the Inside” and this follow up shows that they have no intention of slowing down. I am certainly looking forward to seeing what the next year and further have in store for this incredibly talented, and determined band. With any luck, I’ll have the good graces to see what this band brings to a live stage in the near future. Until that time, I’ll be keeping a close watch on Haliwel throughout 2017 and beyond, eager to see what they bring to the table next.

The Butcher

Obliteration Process by the UK based metal powerhouse Obzidian is a like velvet covered hammer to the face, and I mean that in a good way. This album hits you hard, but is smooth in it’s delivery.

The latest offering, and third full length album to come from this four piece outfit is proof that the band has been working relentlessly since their last release in 2014. Right from the opening of the first track “Sins Here Are Purified”, you feel as though you are being led to paradise through the gates of hell. With growling vocals, heavy grooves, melodic choruses and a thunderous bridge you realize early on this is going to be a good ride. The title track “Obliteration Process” sets a blistering pace, is relentless in its ferocity, and features an outstanding guitar solo. My personal favorite on the album “Desolate Creed” is visceral, brutal, and guttural, all while maintaining a polished, defined edge. Obzidian is no one trick pony, showcasing their musicianship and eclectic style with the instrumental track “Like Maggots They Infest”. This album is a must have for any self respecting metalheads collection, and is definitely one of the best albums to grace 2016.

Eric “Evil” Ernst

Honest Brutality

http://www.obzidian.co.uk/

https://www.facebook.com/ObzidianBand/?fref=ts