ALBUM REVIEW: Trash Boat – Heaven Can Wait


It is not until a band evolves and transforms their sound that they are able to unleash their fullest potential. With their last album Don’t You Feel Amazing? in 2021, British alternative rock outfit Trash Boat proved there was more to them than Pop Punk. With their fourth album Heaven Can Wait (Hopeless Records), the band has found their footing in their own unique blend of Rock, Metal, Punk, and experimental elements, taking the most captivating aspects of each to bring their brutal and contemplative vision to life.Continue reading


NEW MUSIC FRIDAY – New Rock and Metal Releases 6-28-24


What new Rock and Metal releases are you looking forward to this week?

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PREVIEW: New Music Friday – New Rock and Metal Releases 6-28-24


What new Rock and Metal releases are you looking forward to this week?

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NEW MUSIC FRIDAY: May 22nd New Music Releases


Purchase And Stream All The New Music Released Today!

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Slipknot Reschedules Knotfest Japan for January 2021


Slipknot’s Knotfest Japan joins the growing ranks of rescheduled festivals for 2021. Originally the first major festival postponed, Knotfest Japan will now take place on January 10th and 11th of next year with much of the same lineup. Knotfest Japan 2021 will feature Slipknot headlining both nights, along with Anthrax, Marilyn Manson, Man With A Mission, BABYMETAL, coldrain, Crossfaith, Suicide Silence, and more! New tickets and other info details can be found below.Continue reading


Crossfaith – Ex Machina


Only a few years ago, and on the back of their well-received Zion EP (Sony), Crossfaith were heralded as the next big thing, armed with a formidable live reputation and an electronica/dance heavy brand of metalcore that oozed crossover appeal. Fast forward to 2018 and the Osaka troupe haven’t quite risen to such promised heights, to the extent that a brand new album seems to have almost fallen under the radar to some – not that they have lost any edge, as Ex Machina (UNFD) is not only their most creative release to date, but their strongest since Zion.Continue reading


Ember Falls – Welcome to Ember Falls


 

Self-proclaimed Electro-Metalcore futurists Ember Falls call Finland home, but their début Welcome to Ember Falls (Spinefarm) may well have been delivered from some distant, imaginary multiverse where people carry huge Final Fantasy-type swords Continue reading


Crossfaith – Xeno


Crossfaith Xeno album cover 2015

Confession time. Up until two days ago when my editor sent me this assignment I had never heard of Crossfaith. So yeah, for a band that has been kicking since 2006 and consistently on tour it took me until their fourth LP Xeno (Razor & Tie) to acknowledge their existence. I am the definition of timeliness.

Anyways, during my lunch break I browsed the web out of boredom and realized that Crossfaith’s sound has been described as renown for combining metalcore and electronic dance music. Naturally when reading that combination of genres the first thing that comes to mind is “I’ve died and gone to hell.” Immediate visions of laptopcore bands like The Browning and Blood on the Dance Floor flooded the brain. Fuck me.

But don’t knock it till you try it, or at least that’s what the girl as the grocery store seems to always tell me. Look at the bright side, Crossfaith is from Osaka, Japan and the land of the rising son has fostered plenty of eclectic and talented metal bands such as X-Japan, Dir en Grey, and Maximum the Hormone. Just press play.

You only get one chance to make a first impression and Crossfaith for the most part hits the mark. Instead of the Hot Topic goth dance party I was dreading the music on Xeno was actually listenable. Multifarious to a fault, but still listenable. Pretty good, actually. However if you are looking for some dance party action then check out ‘Wildfire’ (featuring Skindred’s Benji Webbe) and it’s unholy matrimony of EDM and Reggae. And I can say with no shame that I blasted it out loud in my car.

Crossfaith band 2015

That being said the tunes here are more in line with Slipknot, mid-career Soilwork and even some Linkin Park for good measure. Frontman Kenta “Ken” Koie leans more on his singing voice on this effort and it helps elevate songs like ‘Raise Your Voice,’ ‘Devil’s Party’ and the excellent title track to radio rock anthem status. In addition to Koie’s strong performance, much attention should also be paid to drummer Tatsuya Amano’s frantic bursts of aggression and producer Josh Wilbur’s (Avenged Sevenfold, Lamb of God) masterful work behind the studio board.

The one moment on Xeno that lost me was power ballad ‘Tears Fall.’ It’s an excellent showcase for Koie’s pipes and it does feature a tuneful solo from guitarist Kazuki Takemura, but it’s way too sappy to fully take seriously. So much so that you could sell it for parts to Bullet for My Valentine. While that gamble doesn’t pay off, Crossfaith pick up the pace again with ‘Paint it Black’ and the drumming showcase that is ‘Vanguard.’ But before the album comes to a close these Osaka natives get a another chance to play with dynamics and texture on ‘Calm the Store’ a melodic track that is much more in line with the aforementioned Linkin Park or Dead Letter Circus.

I feel slightly less hesitant about the melding of electronics and metalcore. Slightly. You done good, Crossfaith.

8.0/10

HANSEL LOPEZ