The Sword – Warp Riders
On their third album Warp Riders, The Sword have chosen to expand their horizons from their usual formula of fantasy metal to a hard rock post-apocalyptic dystopia. Taking a page right out the Black Sabbath handbook, the album’s entirety rocks like Paranoid with a little Tres Hombres-era ZZ Top and Fireball Ministry sprinkled in. They have tailored themselves to sound like they belong in the 70′s, a vintage metallic revival… continue reading
Jimmy Eat World – Invented
In a world where no one writes their own songs anymore, it can be hard to distinguish a real band that puts its heart and soul into an album from an over-commercialized group lacking in the talent area. With Invented, alternative rockers Jimmy Eat World have dug deep down to round off their sound with a newfound maturity that shines in several places. Mark Trombino, the producer of their two… continue reading
Breaking Benjamin – Dear Agony
Since 2002′s Saturate, the Pennsylvanian quartet Breaking Benjamin has been a driving force in the brooding world of alternative metal. Recruiting David Bendeth (Paramore, Killswitch Engage) to produce once again, one can expect more of the same on Dear Agony. Like 2006′s Phobia, there is an equal balance of radio ready tracks with soaring choruses as well as the recognizable toned-down ballads. Although it seems as though nothing has changed,… continue reading
August Burns Red Interview
Tastemakers had the chance to catch up with Matt Greiner, drummer for the metal quintet August Burns Red, before their October 16 show at the Palladium in Worcester, MA. TM: So, how did you guys start the band? MG: I was seventeen at the time; I played drums for a band called Secondhand for a few weeks prior to August Burns Red. I had a genuine interest in playing drums… continue reading