What Ken Geiger Did Before His Summer Vacation

Mastodon at SXSW back in March.

Spring Semester Update

by Ken Geiger

Another short update of essential stuff I have heard in the last few months during school.  Now with my summer vacation here, I can start going back to more individual reviews, rather than just clumps (which I think is great).  But anyways, here is a good list of records and live acts you should familiarize yourself with if you want to stay cool and such.

Best New Music

Mastodon, Emperor of Sand. Mastodon have propelled themselves as emperors of metal (pun intended) throughout the years with great release after great release. Although many do complain that the band have stepped away from their progressive metal sound, I'd argue that this record is a perfect blend of their newfound interest in straightforward rock and technical playing. This album has ended up as one of my favorite records of the year; so I, of course, have to recommend that you go out and pick it up. Hell, you should even see the band live on their upcoming tour, too (featuring some great openers in Eagles of Death Metal and Russian Circles). THE CoolDad himself can vouch for me that even a non-metal fan can see them as a live force.

[CoolDad Note: I can. The thing that really struck me about them was that they seemed to be having so much fun as they played. None of the earnestness I usually associate with metal. Just a band who could really play giving it all they had.]

Best Song: There are about 7 songs I could say are the "best song," depending on my mood for the day. Today, I am going to have to go with the soaring epic that is "Roots Remain."

Pallbearer, Heartless. Along with Mastodon, I can confidently say that Pallbearer is a perfect band for fans of non-metal that want to become acquainted with the genre. Their vocals are beautiful and easy on the ear and their riffs are heavy, yet extremely melodic. The only thing that one could say is a turnoff for these guys is the fact that their songs are very long (two tracks on this release are over 10 minutes). However, no song on here feels like its length is forced by boring or painful compositions. It's pretty amazing when a band can do that.
 
Best Song: The finale of “A Plea for Understanding” is too mighty to deny.

Bones, Unrendered. Bones has built his reputation up for years as a Soundcloud rapper with ambient beats and a quiet vocal delivery. His whispering of bars is almost an instrument in and of itself, giving the instrumentals more emotion. While I have been a fan of some of his select tracks in the past, I think that this project is probably his most cohesive work to date. Definitely a good mixtape for fans of rap and/or ambient music to check out.

Best Song: "MyNephewHasAWhitePickupTruck" not only is my favorite song off this release, but it also might have the goofiest title of any of the songs on Unrendered (and trust me, there are plenty of odd titles on here).

Crystal Fairy, Crystal Fairy. Melvins madmen Buzz Osbourne and Dale Crover team up with Teri Gender Bender of Le Butcherettes and Omar Rodriguez-Lopez of The Mars Volta and At The Drive-In? Yes please. Give me that music. Give it all to me NOW… This record is kind of what you would expect when you hear those names paired together; a collection of heavy yet quirky riffs mixed with the amazing vocal talents of Teri (and occasionally Buzz). Fans of any of these musicians' previous bands will find this project to be great. As for newcomers, I think if you enjoy heavy, female-fronted rock with a twist of punk in the sound, then this record is for you too.

Best Song: When you have a riff machine like King Buzzo in your band, it is often difficult to pick favorite songs. I think though overall as a band though, this project shines through best with the track "Moth Tongue." The guitars are undeniably catchy, the drums are classic Dale Crover and Teri does some of her best vocal I have heard up until this point on here.

Blame God, Strategically Confined. Blame God guitarist Mark Valentino once said this EP was "the best way to waste 10 minutes of your day." Well, he's pretty dead on in saying that. This EP is unrelenting in its delivery, and it's a good representation of what this Long Island-based grind act is all about. This is a definite must-listen to for fans of bands such as Pig Destroyer and Insect Warfare. For anyone who lives up in the Long Island area, Blame God will be playing some great bills this summer, opening for the likes of Gatecreeper and Negative Approach.

Best Song: The opening track "Deny" is catchy in its riffs, and a great introduction to what this band is all about.
 
Best Live Acts

Eyehategod. New Orleans sludge institution, Eyehategod, had one of the more interesting and somewhat depressing stories of 2016. Their singer, Mike IX Williams, was in need of a liver transplant and had to sit out their tour with Discharge and Toxic Holocaust. As a result, Lamb of God vocalist, Randy Blythe, stepped in for the dates. While Randy was great live, I felt that I missed something by not seeing this legendary band play with Mike. Fast forward to Easter weekend in Philadelphia; and there I was, seeing the legendary Mike IX front the band everyone had grown to know and love him for. Despite nearly dying, Mike sounded great with the band. His vocals are still as harsh as ever, and the band just churns out riff after riff. On top of that, the band's stage banter was great (Although I wish that guitarist Jimmy Bower had taken my debit card with him. It would've been an honor). I do not know if the band have any plans to come near again; but, if they do, they are a band you do not want to miss. Their rabid fanbase and aggressive playing will make for a show you will not soon forget.

Full of Hell. My plan is to review the new Full of Hell album separately from this piece, because that album deserves some long coverage. In the meantime, let me talk about how the band killed it at Union Transfer this past winter. The band have become very well known for their chaotic live shows, and this one did not tarnish that reputation at all.  Full of Hell were able to pummel through both old and new songs with absolute precision, and included some creepy noise interludes when possible. My favorite part of the set had to have been when drummer Dave Bland and vocalist Dylan Walker shared a moment to showcase their drumming and screaming skills as Walker did a Mike Patton type of screaming solo over the final drum solo of the night. This is definitely a band any fan of punk, grindcore, metal, etc. will want to see live.

Today is the Day: As a part of a Record Store Day in-store performance, I was lucky enough to catch the legendary Today is the Day rip through a blistering 40-minute set at the Rough Trade in Brooklyn. Playing mostly material from their seminal Temple of the Morning Star album, the band gave everyone in the crowd a compelling demonstration as to why they have become legendary in underground circles. Singer/guitarist Steve Austin always appears as if his chest is literally going to explode with each scream in a showcase of some of the most passionate yells I have still heard to this day. The band remain surprisingly active, despite their longevity, and plan on touring after they record a new record. I recommend keeping up with them so you can have a chance to witness them live. Today is the Day are worth every penny you will pay to see them, and if you think I am lying about that… I really cannot help you because you must be out of your damn mind.

Ivan Saladin: This New Jersey grindcore outfit is one I was able to witness at an undisclosed location one weekend back in April, and they appealed to me almost immediately. Their set caught my eye at first because the first half was a musical reinterpretation of a Metal Gear boss battle. The other half had some pretty punishing and catchy riffs, which you know I happen to be a very big fan of. Heavy music in New Jersey needs to have weirder stuff like this going on, because it rules hard. I hope to see these fine gentlemen play again in the future, and I hope people reading this will take my word, and come out with me to hear whatever the hell they have up their sleeve next.
 
That's all I have to say for the final few months I have been away. Now that I am free of school-related obligations, I promise to do more in depth coverage as I had in the past. My first mission: review the new Full of Hell album, so be on the lookout for that. I feel like it is bound to be another great summer here on the Jersey shore.