Commotio Cordis - Brutal Oklahoma Death Metal

Oklahoma's Death Metal power-house, Commotio Cordis, have made a bold statement with their new EP entitled simply, "Oklahoma", which packs a punch to the chest that is sure to offset the heart rhythm of any unsuspecting listener. Taking influences from bands such as Through the Eyes of the Dead, Whitechapel, Oceano, Aegaeon, King Konquer, Carnifex, The Red Shore,  and Thy Art is Murder, the band has managed to serve up a tasty, 5-track, deathcore-infused feast that will have any hardcore metal fan begging for a second helping. The disc opens up with the hilariously uplifting and grandiose finale to the Oklahoma State Song, immediately followed by a grotesque, blood-curdling scream and a forboding instrumental intro to the EP that hardly prepares the listener for what is to come. The first official song of the album, "The Playing Field", displays the bands wickedly brutal sound that is riddled with undeniable groove and maximum headbangability, and the rest of the EP fails to disappoint. The remaining tracks "Ascent", "Execute", and "Becoming The Beast", showcase the band's undeniable passion and talent, as each instrument compliments the other on each beautifully crafted masterpiece. This isn't your typical newbie, garage metal band's clumsy display - where drums, guitar, and bass fight for the forefront of the sonic space, no, band members Zach Smiley, Brett Alexander, Dane Alexander, and Tommy Frizzell all mesh extremely well together and each counterpart falls perfectly in line to serve the song and occasionally each member finds the opportunity to stand out and shine, as well. Even though the instrumental strengths of this band are obvious, it's the vocals that take center stage as frontman Zach Smiley's vocal stylings rival the likes of seasoned pros fronting bands like Job For A Cowboy, Suicide Silence, and other heavy hitters in the industry. In addition, the band's live show is as every bit as captivating and intense as the recording would suggest. You would be hard pressed to find a single metal fanatic that wouldn't want to immediately start banging their head or jump head-first into a violent mosh pit the instant the band hits the stage. With a tight live show, and a strong first release under their belt, the band is setting themselves up to be one of the greatest new offerings from the Sooner State. Taking a line from the Oklahoma state song, I'd say Commotio Cordis "has plenty of heart and plenty of hope"! 

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Commotio-Cordis/135138389895853

Jahmbi = The Demetalizer

As every metal fan knows, California has been pumping out great metal bands since the genres awkward birth, near the end of the 1960’s. Fast-forward to 2011 and The Golden State continues to give us an exciting array of metal bands to enjoy such as Suicide Silence, The Faceless, As Blood Runs Black, The Human Abstract, and more. Although there is no shortage of good metal bands to listen to these days, some wonder if the sound has become stale, as the number of similar sounding metal acts has reached a crisis point. Ontario California’s, Jahmbi, are showing that creative, original metal is alive and well! Jahmbi has been tearing up the scene for over 10 years, and brandish a unique blend of experimental metal that is all their own. I recently had the pleasure of spinning their newest disc, an eight-track wondrous metal achievement, entitled “The Demetalizer”. The cover boasts fantastical artwork featuring giant medeival wooden ships, sailing the open sea under darkened sky. The Demetalizer, is as every bit as epic as the cover would indicate!. The E.P. starts off with an electronic/synth composition, that makes the listener feel like they are playing a fantasy role-playing video game like Final Fantasy, however the very next track reveals the true nature of the band as complex guitar riffs, intense double bass, and massive screams pour from the speakers during the first official song on the CD, “Golden Axe”. Jahmbi utylizes a brutal style of experimental metal that hints at several other styles of music, which can be heard prominently on tracks like “Paradise”, “Brutal Tea-Bag Party”, and the hilariously named “Dragons are Real!” and “The Awakening of the Spirit of War in the 15th Century”. The album is a viscious display of Pure American Metal, interlaced with eccentric compositions and electronic masterpieces. Listening to The Demetalizer several times, I quickly appreciated the re-listen-ability of the work itself, due in large part to the originality and creativeness of the music they create. Anyone looking to break up the musical mundane-ness in your life, should definitely check out Jahmbi! They are guaranteed to renew your faith in the future of metal!

5 fins out of 5 - Swimming with Sharks Entertainment

Genosha - CD Review

There is a brutal sound rising out of the Kansas City area and that sound is being pumped out by local heavy-weights, Genosha. The band has been busy making a name for themselves since October of 2009 and they show no signs of stopping any time soon. They just released their debut self-titled EP, “Genosha”; 7 throat-punching tracks of down-tuned metal. The band is comprised of Paul Howell on Vocals, Josh Tandy on Guitar, Collin Woroniak on Guitar, Austin Hale on Bass, and Rick Lalicker on Drums. They recently recorded and released the album all on their own, and although the production isn’t state-of-the-art, the songs speak for themselves and the message gets across. When asked about their sound, drummer Rick Lalicker states, “We try to get a lot of our sound from Meshuggah, Monsters, The Acacia Strain, a little of Decapitated, Whitechapel. We’re trying to create a good mix of heavyness and groove, while throwin’ in some good ol’ thrash while were at it!” Genosha’s influences can be heard throughout the release in songs like “The Origin of Deterioration” and “Tainted With Malice”, which can currently be heard athttp://www.myspace.com/genoshametal or by venturing out to one of their shows and picking up a copy yourself. This is one promising heavy band that is worth checking out – Genosha.