When you think of heavy music, images of raw power, defiance, and innovation come to mind—and Black creators have been at the forefront of this movement. Although often underestimated, these innovative musicians are known for their groundbreaking music, which blends punk’s rebellious spirit, metal’s intensity, and unique artistry. I’m a drummer and I’ve done Thrash, Crossover, and Death Metal projects over the years, some known, some not so much. But here in New York, I’ve grown up seeing everyone on stage. So this Black History Month, I want to show off the sounds of ten essential bands shaped by Black visionaries who have left an indelible mark on the world of heavy music. From thrash to hardcore, and everything in between. These bands embody the spirit of heavy music in all its glory. Continue reading
Tag Archives: Howard Jones
ALBUM REVIEW: Body Count – Merciless
Bloodlust. Carnivore. Manslaughter. and now Merciless (Century Media/Sony Music). The latest in a string of one-word, no-messing-about album titles since the return from their hiatus in 2014, Body Count deliver their eighth full-length studio release and it’s every bit as acerbic and confrontational as you could imagine.Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: Oni – The Silver Line
The third album under the moniker of ONI from Canada’s Jake Oni continues the adept blend of commercial and cutting-edge progressive metalcore elements paired with big hooks and the odd curveball or three that helped explode ONI out of seemingly nowhere almost a decade ago. Enthusiasm bleeds from every measure, section after section building energy to satisfying conclusions.
CONCERT REVIEW: Killswitch Engage – Fit For An Autopsy – Death Ray Vision Live at Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom
I waited 18 years to see Killswitch Engage live. Tonight was definitely a show for the books.
Massachusetts metalcore leaders Killswitch Engage decided that Hampton Beach needed some love and did a one-off show last week at the Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom alongside deathcore titans Fit For An Autopsy, Death Ray Vision, and Paradise Slaves.
Roadrunner United Release Celebrating The Iconic Label to See a Rerelease in 2023
Roadrunner United was a project organized by iconic hard rock record label Roadrunner Records to celebrate its 25th anniversary, culminating in the U.S. Billboard Top 200, UK Albums, and Australian ARIA Albums-charting original The All Star Sessions. Four “team captains” (Slipknot’s Joey Jordison (RIP), Machine Head’s Robb Flynn, Fear Factory’s Dino Cazares, and Trivium’s Matthew K. Heafy) were chosen to lead 57 artists from 45 past and present Roadrunner bands. On December 15, 2005, a concert celebrating the project, album, and anniversary took place at the Nokia Theater in New York City. That star-studded event featured multiple musicians, both past and present, from Roadrunner bands — as well as musicians that did not originally perform on the All-Star Sessions album. Now that album is getting a release in 2023 on multiple formats. Watch the live performance video of “The End (Live)” featuring Fear Factory’s Dino Cazares, and Trivium’s Matthew K. Heafy – right now!
ALBUM REVIEW: Killswitch Engage – Live At The Palladium
An interesting release from Killswitch Engage, metalcore royalty who at the beginning of 2020 had just commenced touring their latest album Atonement. But found themselves heading home as the pandemic struck, licking their wounds and unable to take one of their strongest records out on the road, for shows that included support from former vocalist Howard Jones’s band Light The Torch; Atonement featuring the crushing track (‘The Signal Fire’) which saw Jones trading vocals with current (and original) singer Jesse Leach, and the tour providing the perfect opportunity for both frontmen to hit the stage together. Continue reading
Watch Howard Jones (Light The Torch) Sing Three Songs with Killswitch Engage from Their Current Tour
Killswitch Engage has kicked off its new headline tour with Light The Torch and August Burns Red. At the bands show at Stage AE in Pittsburgh former singer Howard Jones of Light The Torch joined KSE’s Jesse Leach for some hits, both new and old! Watch fan-filmed footage of the band performing “Rose of Sharyn,” “The End of Heartache,” and “Signal Fire” now!
Sion (ft. Jared Dines and Howard Jones) Shares New Video for “Drown” – Debut Album Out Now!
Metalcore supergroup Sion – ft. YouTube shredder and one time Trivium live fill-in Jared Dines and Light The Torch vocalist Howard Jones have dropped their debut self-titled album today. The album was created and produced independently. The group also shared a new music video today for the track “Drown!” Check out the clip and order the album Digitally on Bandcamp or stream everywhere. Continue reading
Sion ft. Jared Dines and Howard Jones Releases Their New Single and Video – “More Than Just Myself” – Debut Album Incoming
Scion the Metalcore supergroup formed by YouTube sensation and shredder Jared Dines and Howard Jones of Light The Torch (ex-Killswitch Engage) have dropped a new single “More Than Just Myself!” This is their second single after releasing “The Blade” earlier in 2021. A glistening metalcore track, “More Than Just Myself” is brutal and catchy at the same time. The band has also announced their self-titled debut album will arrive November 26th across all streaming platforms. The album was created independently and funded totally by Jared and Howard out of their pockets.
