The last couple of Warped announcements have been disappointing.

Nonetheless, I’m stoked for these bands :

letlive.
Defeater (and Alcoa)
The Story So Far
I See Stars
Stick To Your Guns
The Wonder Years
Mac Lethal
Psycho White

Let me know if I missed anyone, or let me know who you’re stoked for.

ZN
XXX

(The Boys Noize post inspired this one)

Here’s what I’ve been listening to lately (in no particular order) :

Every Time I Die
- Their entire catalogue is mega good, but I’ve been listening to Gutter Phenomenon, The Big Dirty, and Ex-Lives the most.

The Acacia Strain
- Since the show last weekend I’ve went through Death Is The Only Mortal a handful of times. There’s something oddly alluring about the violence on the record. (No, I’m not going to kill anyone… Yet.)

The Devil Wears Prada
- I’m a big fan of almost anything TDWP, but usually stick to With Roots Above and Branches Below and anything after that. I’ve listened to Dead Throne a lot lately.

Blackmill
- A friend from school recommended Blackmill to me so, I’ve listened to some of their material on Spotify and I’ve enjoyed what I’ve heard. It’s good EDM with a little bit of a dark (not too dark) mood to it.

Shing02
- I’ve known of Shing02 since I fell in love with his song “Battlecry” for the opening credits of Samurai Champloo, but I’ve never followed through with that love to check out his other stuff. Thanks to Spotify (noticing a trend?) I’ve been able to do that and I’m torn, but let me explain : The music is good, solid Hip Hop with a foreign (in this case, Japanese) influence. But he raps in his native tongue and I can’t understand it as I do not speak Japanese (I wish). So I really like the beats, and I like his flow, but I don’t now what he’s saying. That’s the only downside.

P.O.S
- I’m never not listening to P.O.S. Never Better is one of my favorite albums of all time, and WDELH is great as well. Get well soon Stef.

And here’s some artists I’m waiting to release new material (also in no particular order) :

The Uncluded (Aesop Rock & Kimya Dawson)
Hundredth
Cecil Otter
Justin Timberlake
Daft Punk
Dessa
The Story So Far
The Devil Wears Prada
A Day To Remember
& More…

Sorry this was a long one. Have a good week everyone. Take care.

ZN
XXX

2013 has got off to a good start (for me) with a solid Rap release from A$AP Rocky’s Long.Live.A$AP, but here’s some more albums I’m waiting for :

Alcoa - Bone and Marrow (February)
Justin Timberlake - The 20/20 Experience (March)
The Story So Far - What You Don’t See (March)
A Day To Remember - Common Courtesy (March)
Daft Punk - To Be Determined (May, reportedly)
Cecil Otter - Porcelain Revolver (?)
Dessa - To Be Determined (?)
Hundredth - Revolt/Resist (March/?)
Defeater - To Be Determined (?)
Touché Amoré - To Be Determined (?)

I’m sure there’s some I’m missing, but I’ll post more as they’re announced or as I find out about them. I’d also like to say that although they haven’t announced anything, I’d like to hear new material from the following :

The Devil Wears Prada
Atmosphere
Big K.R.I.T
Pharaohe Monch
Balance and Composure

Have a good music year guys. If there’s something you think I should keep an eye out for then let me know!

ZN
XXX

So 2013 has got off to a good start musically. Here’s some stuff that I can’t stop listening to… Disclaimer : Not all of these are from 2013.

Touché Amoré - Gravity, Metaphorically
http://youtu.be/i0lIZriDOYE

A$AP Rocky - Long.Live.A$AP
http://youtu.be/BysVzAnR9MY

P.O.S - Fuck Your Stuff
http://youtu.be/0FY6VcJR2PE

Converge - All We Love We Leave Behind
http://youtu.be/kiALoVqzAVo

Baroness - Little Things
http://youtu.be/T5HxhQMi5RI

Kendrick Lamar - Money Trees
http://youtu.be/iMR45VOKj58

Sorry for all the links. I don’t know how to post multiple vids. If you do then inform me, thanks. 

ZN
XXX 

Let me know how my list stacks up against yours! Feedback, comments, and discussion are always welcome! Best of wishes to everyone in 2013.

Top 10 Albums
1. P.O.S - We Don’t Even Live Here 
2. Aesop Rock - Skelethon
3. Kendrick Lamar - good kid, m.A.A.d city
4. Converge - All We Love We Leave Behind
5. Big K.R.I.T - Live From The Underground
6.Title Fight - Floral Green
7. Every Time I Die - Ex-Lives
8. Birds In Row - You, Me & The Violence
9. Baroness - Yellow & Green
10. Brother Ali - Mourning In America, Dreaming In Color

Honorable Mentions
The Ghost Inside - Get What You Give, The Chariot - One Wing, The Weeknd - Trilogy, Parkway Drive - Atlas, Action Bronson - Rare Chandeliers

Most Anticipated for 2013
Cecil Otter
Kid Cudi
The Story So Far
Touche Amore
A Day To Remember
Defeater
Alcoa
Blink 182

Favorite Movies 
1. Django Unchained
2. Lawless
3. The Dark Knight Rises
4. The Raid Redemption
5. The Man With The Iron Fists

Honorable Mentions
Looper, Skyfall, Wreck It Ralph, Killing Them Softly

Zachary//Zack//VASH

“All Glory to God (even songs of zombie chaos)”

Those words personify The Devil Wears Prada’s new EP almost perfectly. While maintaining their intelligent and powerful lyrics, the TDWP guys bring something different from their usual spiritual and religious based content. I’ve personally never had a problem with TDWP’s religious world views, I am myself a christian and love their content old and new. But the Zombie EP is exactly that. A collection of five songs about nothing but zombies.

     And it’s awesome!

      Mike Hranica’s intelligence shines through in his dark, undead riddled lyrical subject. Everyone has seen zombie movies, and there have been zombie songs, but this isn’t your typical “the undead have risen to eat us” type of cd. Hranica uses each song, all titled to coincide with the zombie theme, to tell a different part of this horrific tale. And Jeremy’s semi-poppy, semi-screamo vocals are utilized at just the right amount. They add to the tone of desperation, and fear, but don’t take away from the heart pounding brutality. One of the most impressive parts is that each song does flow into the next via an excerpt from an old zombie film, but they don’t tell a linear story. The best way to describe it would have to be that each song can tell it’s own story while being part of a larger theme. They do all fit together just not (technically) on a timeline.

     Not only is the lyrical content a change of pace, but the music is also a bit more breakneck, and brutal. To me TDWP has always had it’s heavier moments, especially on their last full-length With Roots Above and Branches Below. Well on the Zombie EP the guys who gave you last year’s AP (Alternative Press) record of the year, bring it and they bring it hard and fast. With more fast, punk-based instrumentalism and deeper growly vocals, “Zombie” is easily one of the band’s more punishing albums. Along with just the right amount of zombie film excerpts to accent the living dead theme, TDWP knocks the concept album out of the park.

     I recommend the cd to anyone who enjoys metal/hardcore music. Even if you’re not a fan of the genre, this cd is well worth a listen for the zombie lore that it revolves around. TDWP did a good job of mixing undead themes with their brand of metal. As with Max Brook’s World War Z, and George A. Romero’s Dawn of the Dead, TDWP’s Zombie EP is another contemporary work artistically mastering the zombie mythos in their respective medium. Go pick it up, and keep your eyes peeled for the living dead. We are the outnumbered!

Thanks,

Zach