Tag Archives: Of Mice & Men

December 20, 2011 · 7:31 pm

The Best Hard Rock Albums From 2011!

Wow… 2011 was quite the year for AMAZING music! We were blessed with some amazing tunes to blast in our earbuds, in the car, and all over the place. Thanks to everyone who gave me their ideas of what I should throw in here. So let’s get started:

Honorable mention (in alphabetical order):

  • Alesana: A Place Where The Sun Is Silent
  • Art of Dying: Vices And Virtues
  • Blessthefall: Awakening
  • Breathe Carolina: Hell Is What You Make It
  • Coldplay: Mylo Xyloto
  • Five Finger Death Punch: American Capitalist
  • Korn: The Path Of Totality
  • Of Mice & Men: The Flood
  • Protest The Hero: Scurrilous
  • Red: Until We Have Faces
  • The Color Morale: My Devil in Your Eyes
  • The Devil Wears Prada: Dead Throne
  • The Human Abstract: Digital Veil
  • Trivium: In Waves

Now the Top 10 list:

10. Texas In July: “One Reality”: The band from Lancaster, PA put out a solid metalcore album featuring brutal vocals, tight back-and-forth guitars, and Adam Gray, the beast, on drums (he’s been featured on Jay Leno). The fact that I saw them twice, including once front row, helped in this decision too.
FOR FANS OF: AUGUST BURNS RED
DOWNLOAD: “1000 LIES”

9. We Came As Romans: “Understanding What We’ve Grown To Be”: One of the fastest rising bands in the scene today scores big on their second record. Their epic melodies combine the brutality of a band like Parkway Drive with singing sections that get you to sing along. If you liked their first album, then you will feel right at home with this. Oh, and it features the best album art I have seen in a while.
FOR FANS OF: ATTACK ATTACK!
DOWNLOAD: “UNDERSTANDING WHAT WE’VE GROWN TO BE”

8. Rise Against: Endgame: The rock legends had a lot of expectations with this album and they did not release. The political lyrics are still there and the emotion that they have always had is still there. Like I said in my last music article, it will never top The Sufferer And The Witness and it will not go back to their strict punk roots, but it is still fantastic nonetheless.
FOR FANS OF: SUM 41 but they are one of the most influential bands in music today.
DOWNLOAD: “MAKE IT STOP (SEPTEMBER’S CHILDREN)”

7. Born Of Osiris: The Discovery: One of the best bands on Sumerian Records had a huge year in 2011, ending it with their own headlining tour in the US. Most of it was because of this album, a technical and heavy gem. With dualing guitar solos that blow the mind throughout the album to go alongside Joe Buras’ work on keyboard, this is better than your everyday metal album.
FOR FANS OF: PERIPHERY
DOWNLOAD: “RECREATE”

6. Betraying The Martyrs: “Breathe In Life”: If you have heard of these guys before this, you’re one of few. The French deathcore band exploded onto the scene thanks to their label, Sumerian Records, and now fans know that there is a deathcore band that can bring the brutality of Whitechapel and add great singing to it.
FOR FANS OF: WHITECHAPEL/THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA
DOWNLOAD: “MAN MADE DISASTER”

5. August Burns Red: “Leveler”: The metalcore giants and Warped Tour co-headliners bring their most diverse album to the table in 2011. Combining what worked in “Messengers” and “Constellations,” my favorite metal band delivers with one of the best of 2011 with inspired lyrics, beautiful guitar melodies courtesy of JB Brubaker, and crushing breakdowns.
FOR FANS OF: PARKWAY DRIVE
DOWNLOAD: “EMPIRE”

4. Foo Fighters: “Wasting Light”: One of the biggest rock groups in history led by a LEGEND in Dave Grohl made one of their best albums to date. The album itself was made in Dave’s garage on an analog tape and turned into iTunes’ “album of the year”. Songs such as “White Limo” and “Walk” will be hard rock classics.
FOR FANS OF: Seriously, if you haven’t heard of them, wake up.
DOWNLOAD: “WALK”

3. Times Of Grace: “The Hymn Of A Broken Man”: The Killswitch Engage side project released what turned out to be one of the best albums of 2011. Ex-KSE vocalist Jesse Leach and current guitarist Adam D put together a spiritual album that is as uplifting as it is metal. Maybe this means there will be a new KSE album in 2012… we can only hope.
FOR FANS OF: KILLSWITCH ENGAGE
DOWNLOAD: “HYMN OF A BROKEN MAN”

And there is a TIE for the #1 spot because I really could not decide.

-Oh, Sleeper: “Children Of Fire”: A relatively unknown metalcore band on the same label as August Burns Red and Haste The Day put out an album better than their peers? Just listen to it. Shane Clay’s beautiful singing and guitar work combined with Micah Kinard’s fierce lead vocals and deep lyrics give out goosebumps.
FOR FANS OF: HASTE THE DAY/AUGUST BURNS RED
DOWNLOAD: “HUSH YAEL” (but read this before listening: http://wapo.st/rW3tHb)

Oh, and if you like or play ACOUSTIC GUITAR, listen below:

-Blink-182: “Neighborhoods”: Only one of the biggest punk bands of all time finally reunited to put what they worked on in between albums (Angels and Airwaves & +44) together into awesomeness. What more needs to be said?
FOR FANS OF: ANGELS AND AIRWAVES/+44
DOWNLOAD: “UP ALL NIGHT” OR “HEART’S ALL GONE”

You can check out more music I love on my Last FM profile right here. And as always, feedback is GREATLY appreciated. What albums are you loving??

Thanks so much for stopping by! :)

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July 3, 2011 · 9:00 pm

Best Hard Rock Albums of 2011 (so far)

For those who don’t know, music has always had a big impact on my life. While I listen to basically everything, I prefer to listen to heavier rock (hard rock, punk, metal, metalcore, post-hardcore, etc…). So since June has come to an end, here, in order by release date, are my favorite albums of 2011 so far and albums to look forward to in the next six months. FEEL FREE TO PUT IN ALBUMS THAT I MISSED AND LEAVE COMMENTS!!!

Best of the year

-”The Hymn of a Broken Man” by Times of Grace (1/18): What do you get when you combine the two people that made Killswitch Engage the band that it is today into a side project focused on a spiritual theme but stays true to metal? Not only one of the albums of the year, but one of the best vocal performances I have heard in a while. It does sound very similar to KSE but I would be the last person to complain about that.
For fans of: KILLSWITCH ENGAGE

-”Until We Have Faces” by Red (2/1): I saw these guys when they opened up for Creed last summer and they were amazing. This album showcases their talents and is a great listen. The Christian quintet smacks you in the face with hard riffs and wonderful vocals a la Breaking Benjamin.
For fans of: BREAKING BENJAMIN

-”Destroy Rebuild Until God Shows” by D.R.U.G.S. (2/22): I will admit it, I like the new Chiodos more than the old one. But Craig Owens’ new project is definitely a great replacement. An album that’s very nice to listen to and sing along to, it’s heavier than old Chiodos. It could have been a little better given the amount of hype it received but I am not going to complain much.
For fans of: CHIODOS

-”Digital Veil” by The Human Abstract (3/8): Another top candidate for album of the year. Progressive metal at its finest, it possesses riffs and breakdowns that are unique and powerful. Everything just seems to mesh well with this beautifully.This has also been hyped for a while but it meets it with flying colors.
For fans of: BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME

-”Downtown Battle Mountain II” by Dance Gavin Dance (3/8): Jonny Craig is back! His soulful voice really bring DGD to life in this one. The best way to describe it is “organized chaos” and this album pulls it off better than anyone could expect.
For fans of: EMAROSA

-”My Devil In Your Eyes” by The Color Morale (3/8): A great post-hardcore release from a band that can really gain notoriety from a record like this. The cleans mixed with the rough vocals and the unique riffs make a powerful album that any fan will enjoy.
For fans of: WOE IS ME

-”Endgame” by Rise Against (3/15): Rise Against will always hold a special place in my heart. Although I disagree with pretty much everything the band stands for politically, they preach with such passion that you know it is them the second you hear a song. While it cannot touch the masterpiece that is “The Sufferer and the Witness,” it is certainly one to remember.
For fans of: PENNYWISE

-”The Discovery” by Born of Osiris (3/22): My pre-ordering of this album was a very smart decision. It is definitely a step above the average pieces in the deathcore genre. The instrumentals are top-notch and the keyboard work is beyond awesome (the few instrumentals featuring strictly synth work are nice).
For fans of: VEIL OF MAYA

-”Great Faith in Fools” by The Air I Breathe (6/7): Similar to The Color Morale, this heavy headbanger brings very strong guitar riffs that come close to topping The Word Alive.
For fans of: MISS MAY I

-”The Flood” by Of Mice & Men (6/14): Another band full of drama and hype, OM&M most definitely deliver on their second album. If you are into breakdowns, unique screams, and very good clean vocals, this is the album for you. While it is not revolutionary, it is a step-up from the original and is a fun one to jam to.
For fans of: THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA

-”Leveler” by August Burns Red (6/21): If this album is not my album of the year at the end of 2011, it will have to be from a monumental effort. August Burns Red is arguably my favorite bands and this album reassures that statement. Guitar solos, massive drums, passionate vocals, and even a SALSA DANCE SECTION! Oh, and there are some pretty stellar breakdowns too.
For fans of: OH, SLEEPER

Also listen to

-All Time Low’s “Dirty Work”
-Architects’ “The Here and Now”
-Asking Alexandria’s “Reckless and Relentless”
-Texas in July’s “One Reality”
-Yellowcard’s “When You’re Through Thinking, Say Yes”

Keep an eye out for

-3 Doors Down
-Blessthefall
-Blink-182
-Coldplay
-Evanescence
-Every Time I Die
-Red Hot Chili Peppers
-The Devil Wears Prada
-We Came As Romans

AGAIN, IF I LEFT ANY OUT, FEEL FREE TO COMMENT. THANKS FOR STOPPING BY! :)

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June 22, 2011 · 11:55 am

20 Days Until WARPED TOUR!

The concert of the summer!

If you know me, you would know that I am almost overly excited for the Vans Warped Tour to stop by Darien Lake on July 12th. Last year was the first year I saw it and I had a blast! Bands like Every Time I Die, After Midnight Project, and Parkway Drive put on exciting shows.

The gang from last year's show

The only problem was that before the show, I did not know many of the bands on the bill until a week or two before. I did not have that problem with this year’s lineup! There are a plethora of bands on the bill that I love/am familiar with. So I decided to do a list of the top 20 bands that I want to see. Plus, it just so happened to fit in with the fact that it is 20 days until the show hits Darien Lake. So without further ado, let the countdown begin!

(Note: I know that I will not be able to see all 20 in one day)

20. A Skylit Drive:

Other than the fact that the lead singer sounds like a girl with the crazy-high falsetto, he does not do a bad job. Neither does the rest of the band. I missed the chance to see them back in November when they came to Buffalo (I went to the show but had to leave after Motionless in White)

19. There For Tomorrow:

Interesting fact about these guys: they won the MTVU Award for breakout artist of the year in 2008, beating All Time Low. They are not my top priority band, but I have heard FAR worse music.

18. Winds of Plague:

Yes, I am a fan of “deathcore” and these guys (and girl) are near the top of the list in that genre. I have not heard a ton of their music to really enjoy them, though.

17. Simple Plan:

Ah, Simple Plan. If you had asked me to do this list my freshman year of high school, I would have had these guys near the top. I am a huge fan of a bunch of their old songs.

16. Relient K:

Relient K has been a favorite of mine since I started listening to rock music near the end of my eighth grade year. MMHMM is one of my favorite albums so it would be cool to see these guys.

15. Miss May I:

I have seen Miss May I once: when they opened for The Devil Wears Prada last summer. They bring a VERY heavy set to the stage so it is great music to throw down to. The clean singing is not bad, either.

14. Woe, Is Me:

I have seen Woe, Is Me once: when they opened for A Skylit Drive back in November. Tyler Carter’s voice is INCREDIBLE plus when you throw in the heavy breakdowns, it sounds like a jacked Dance Gavin Dance. Speaking of…

13. Dance Gavin Dance:

Jonny Craig, just like Carter, has a brilliant voice. The only problem, though, is that he is an egotistical jerk. I almost feel sorry for the rest of the band because they are all brilliant musicians. If I see them, I will definitely be tempted to ask Jonny for a MacBook haha.

12. Motionless In White:

I have seen these guys twice: on the Thrash and Burn Tour last August and when they were opening for A Skylit Drive in November. They play an incredible live set. You know the saying “Don’t judge a book by its cover”? That holds true right here!

11. Asking Alexandria:

I have seen Asking Alexandria once: when they headlined the Thrash and Burn tour. While their music may not be anything revolutionary, it is certainly fun to listen to.

10. The Word Alive:

This is one band that brings some gnarly breakdowns to the table. The guitarists bring great riffs to the table and Telle’s vocals are top-notch. Oh, and the keyboardist does flips over his keyboard on a regular basis. Nice!

9. Attack Attack!:

The first of the bands that I missed on last year’s Warped Tour. Each time they release an album, it seems one member always goes or is let go. This time, as evidence with the song, they found the right combination.

8. Of Mice & Men:

Another band that I missed at last year’s show. Now that they have Austin Carlisle back, the guys released one of the best alums of 2011 so far with “The Flood.” Nasty breakdowns and great vocals are right here.

7. D.R.U.G.S.:

Craig Owens’ latest project is heavier than Chiodos but he shines with it yet again. With one of the best albums of 2011, I have high expectations for the mini supergroup.

6. Set Your Goals:

ANOTHER band that I missed at last year’s show. I love pop-punk and this band is one of the best in this genre. With a new album out next week, I cannot miss these guys again.

5. The Devil Wears Prada:

I have seen these guys TWICE: back on their healining tour in November of 2009 and last summer in July. That means I am practically obligated to see them. And with a new album coming out this year, I must see them again.

4. We Came as Romans:

I have seen WCAR once: when they opened up for A Day To Remember in March. I do not care if you think Kyle’s vocals stink live. They are not that bad plus the rest of the band KILLS it! Plus, I missed half of their set the first time around so I have to see it in full this time.

3. Enter Shikari:

ANOTHER band that I missed on last year’s tour. One of the most awesomely unique bands in the scene today. They have played in front of tens of thousands of people at shows like the Reading Festival in England. I just wish they were more popular in the states. Hardcore + dubstep = win!

2. A Day to Remember:

I have seen ADTR once: when they headlined the Gamechangers Tour in March. Once of the best bands in music today, their latest album was my 2010 Album of the Year. They write some of the most powerful lyrics for teenagers that pertain almost perfectly to my life. I have to see them.

1. August Burns Red:


I do not care who else is playing when these guys are on stage. I WILL see ABR. I have missed them TWICE when they have been to Buffalo. I cannot miss them a third time. Their lyrics are some of the best in music. The guitar riffs are sweet music to my ears. Drummer Matt Greiner is a BEAST. Oh, and the breakdowns are incredible. These guys are a must-see.

I am so excited for what  I am about to see in 20 days! Comment if you agree with any of my choices or if I left a band or two out.

Thanks for stopping by :)

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