Update 6/30

Tooth & Nail is my favorite record label. Solid State has some of the most amazing Christian metal bands out there. They are both affiliated, and they have released a free sampler that you can download here. I'm REALLY EXCITED about this, because it has some seriously amazing music that I don't own yet. (And I know some of you don't own the never-before-released Showbread song that's from their new album, The Fear of God, and "Anchors [Acoustic]" by Secret & Whisper featured only on their Japanese release. Yeah. They're both on this sampler.) But other than those, there is:

"'84 Sheepdog" by As Cities Burn, "All My Balloons" by Children 18:3, FM Static "Boy Moves to a New Town With Optimistic Outlook," Emery "Cutthroat Collapse," Ivoryline "Days End," August Burns Red "Thirty and Seven," Copeland "The Grey Man." There is a song by Hawk Nelson, The Showdown, And Then There Were None, Family Force 5, Jonezetta, and Underoath. There are a few that I was too lazy to name, but they're good.

If I were you I'd get over there and download that sampler.

In other news, Mutemath has this amazing new song you can listen to on their Purevolume called "The Nerve." Also, they're going to be having a mobile listening party that could come to your city. For details on that and a very cool preorder, click here.

Also, (and I don't know why I haven't posted this earlier) Project 86 has made their next album, Picket Fence Cartel, available for preorder. Check it out on their Myspace.

So that's it for now, check back soon. Tell your friends!

-FISHER

Search the City BREAKS UP!?!?!

Wow, I'm not sure if you all know this already--considering it's relatively old news--but in May, Search the City announced in a post on their Myspace that they basically have called it quits. To make a long post shorter, they've had a really tough time on the road and things weren't going well with their next record and people in the band got married and got lives. In the post they said, "We're not really sure what we'll do with STC in the future, time will tell." But for now, Search the City is 100% inactive. Now, a few of the band members have side-projects, which you can read about in the post as well.

Sorry to break this news, I know it's going to be hard on a lot of you if you haven't found out yet already. They were a great band, very musically talented. Their first (and, sadly, only) album will always be remembered. RIP. :(

-FISHER

Skillet- Comatose Comes Alive (Classic Review)

This year, Skillet once again blew everyone away with the Comatose Tour 09, featuring Disciple and Decyfer Down. Last year, Skillet's Comatose Tour was an even bigger sucess, selling out at nearly every venue and even making the list of Top 50 Tours of Spring 08. During that tour, they recorded a live CD/DVD at their stop in Chattanooga, TN.

Known for their fantastic live performance, Skillet was very wise in putting out this album. On one hand, you have those who have never seen Skillet live. This album will motivate them to try harder to make it to the next show in their area. On the other hand you have fans who have seen Skillet live, or maybe even this exact tour. For them, this album will be a perfect reminder of that amazing show they went to. So either way, they'll have most real fans buying this album.

And for those fans who think that they don't need this album because they already have all of Skillet's older albums, you're wrong. There isn't a song that doesn't sound different in some way or another. Songs like "Comatose," "Better Than Drugs," and "Those Nights" have different intros written specially for their live show. A good majority of the songs also contain screams by lead vocalist, John Cooper, which helps make the show even heavier and more exciting than thier album. He also inserts fun Skillet facts and jokes with the audience, and it makes the album a lot more personal from Skillet to the fans. But no need to worry, all of the talking is at the end of the tracks, so you don't have to skip through it to get to the music part. A big highlight of the album is during "Yours To Hold" in which Skillet's new drummer, Jen Ledger, does vocals for a verse. She has a great voice, and I'm sure we'll be hearing it a lot more on the new album, Awake.

As far as the video goes, the quality is phenomenal. At times the video is distorted for effect, and can get a little annoying, but otherwise it's very well done. It makes the audio portion twice as good. You get to see how the band uses their energy to perform--mainly headbanging. Lots of headbanging. But they also do some cool stuff with their guitars, and the pyrotechnics are amazing.

The whole thing makes you feel like you're at an actual Skillet show. They put on just as good live show for this album as they did when I saw them on the same tour. The only exception here is the volume and the people stepping on your feet. So, in a way, it's nice to experience a Skillet show from the comforts of your home, even though it's not even close to the real deal. So if you like this album, go to a Skillet show the next time their near you. It's a lot of fun!

Ryan Clark's birthday, New ABR

Hey guys, you know what today is? Today is Ryan Clark's birthday. Lead singer of Demon Hunter, co-founder of Invisible Creature Inc. Still don't know him? Look in your Tooth & Nail CD booklets, he or his brother has probably designed the artwork. So today is a good day.

Other than that little bit of trivial news, I might have something that will make you even more excited about your day. August Burns Red uploaded yet another new song on their Myspace. Look for another to come next week, leading up to their album release July 14th.

Thanks for checking out the blog! Tell your friends, I'd greatly appreciate it.

-FISHER

Poll Results

OK, so the question was, "What movie are you most psyched about this summer?" I posted the question a little late into summer movie season, so I said it was okay if it was a movie you had already seen. Here are the results:

Wolverine- 10%
This was a movie I had on my list to see, but never got around to. I heard it was good.

Terminator: Salvation- 10%
Despite not seeing the past three movies, my friends said I had to see this one, and it blew me away. It had great action, and a great story. Although I did kind of feel that the plot leaned too much on the past movies for it's development. Still, great movie, not what I expected.

Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian- 20%
This one I didn't see either, but I definitely will when it comes to DVD. I heard it was hilarious.

UP- 10%
I LOVED THIS MOVIE!!!! I'm a gigantic Pixar fan, so I naturally HAD to see this movie. It was fantastic. Great plot, characters, and scenery. I laughed and cried. I wasn't expecting the latter. As far as kid movies go, it was fantastic. There was one scene where I was like, "This is definitely a kid movie" but it kept me entertained and I enjoyed it. Even though I hate sharing the theater with five year olds.

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen- 50%
This movie is going to OWN! I've been excited to see this movie ever since the trailer came out a year ago. This is one I will definitely see, no matter what happens. Can't wait!

Update 6/21

Hey guys! Summer's here, and that means festivals! Anyone going to any? This is will be my first time ever going to a Christian music festival. I hear they're fun. I'll be at Purple Door Arts and Music Festival in PA this August. Anyone else going? It's two days, but I'll only be able to make it Saturday. So the bands that day worth mentioning will be Deas Vail, Seabird, Spoken, I am Terrified, The Showdown, Project 86, Esterlyn, Capital Lights, Children 18:3, Run Kid Run, Fireflight, Disciple, Mewithoutyou, and Anberlin. I'm really excited. It's a while off, but I really can't wait.

So in other news, House of Heroes sold 2000 copies of The End is Not the End on Amazon last Wednesday after put a one-day price tag of $1.99 on it, sticking them at number one on the Amazon music charts for two days. I've never even imagined having my favorite band beat the Jonas Brothers. It feels good.

August Burns Red has a new single on iTunes called, "Thirty and Seven." Their album Constellations comes out July 14th.

Another band with a release on July 14th is Project 86. They've posted a song on their Myspace called, "The Butcher." Look for it to be on their album Picket Fence Cartel.

***NEW UPDATE: Hawk Nelson's new single "Live Life Loud" is available on iTunes now. I'm curious to see if HN's new album will continue on the path of their last album or if they'll go back to making good music like Smile, It's the End of the World. It's hard to tell with this song. Not bad. We'll have to wait and see.

Thanks for checking out the blog! I'll keep on posting Classic Album Reviews, so stick around for that if you're interested. Right now I'm listening to Spoken's newest, and I'm liking it. See you guys later

-FISHER

Pre-order Skilet's new album, AWAKE

Hey guys! Skilet's new album, Awake, is coming out August 25th, but you can preorder it now by clicking here. You get the CD and a pretty sick t-shirt for the low price of $9.97, which is a great deal. If you want the CD only, you're robbing yourself, but I'll post the link anyway. Who's ever heard of a t-shirt and a CD that's pretty much guaranteed to be amazing for ten bucks? It's insane!

***EDIT: Okay, today Skillet gave us three more preorder options, and I have to say these ones may be a little more expensive, but it's worth it. Each option comes with the CD, a download of "Hero," and a Skillet Official Fan Club Membership. The next step up comes with an autographed VIP pass. And then the best you can get is all that and a sick t-shirt. You can link up here, and while you're there check out the album artwork, which looks AMAZING.

Thanks for checking out the blog, let all your friends know I'm here, I love blessing you guys with this kind of info. Leave any questions or comments below, I'd be happy to talk to you!

-FISHER

Emery- While Broken Hearts Prevail... EP (Classic Review)

Emery is on fire. After releasing ...In Shallow Seas We Sail, a lot of people's summers were made, and now Emery is preparing to set out on Thee Summer Bailout Tour. But back in October, a not-so-little EP was released that set off this band. While Broken Hearts Prevail... EP successfully got fans hyped and very ready for what may already be the best album of the summer.

The EP kicks off with two songs featured on ...In Shallow Seas We Sail, "The Smile, The Face" and "Edge Of The World." Both songs are packed with energy and speak of broken hearts, which prevails as the theme of this EP, as it is with a lot of Emery's songs. But Emery always puts a new spin on things, mixing it up and keeping it original. "Ten Talents" changes the pace of the EP by opening with a piano intro and moving into a chorus with a little bit of a slower tempo. The lyrics are very heartfelt, as would be expected from an Emery song, asking "Is it too late? Am I too gone? Is there something I should know?Are we working for nothing? Is there anything to show for the service?Is it worthless?" It's overall a great song, possibly my favorite to ever come from Emery. "Always Depends" picks up the tempo again, with a punk-sounding intro and chorus, only to slow down again with "Thoughtlife." Fans who own or have heard The Question, Deluxe Edition will recognize it as a demo at the end of the album. It sounds a little different there than here, since the acoustic guitar has been replaced by a piano. It's not your typical Emery song, but it doesn't sound half bad coming from them. The closer on the EP, "Do The Things (You Want)" musically is "Say The Things (You Want)" in a different key and different instrumentals. Again, it's a very heartfelt song written to the fans.

The album booklet (if you bought the EP in physical form) is a very big plus for any Emery fan. Notes from the band members are under every song, telling of how the song came to be and its meaning. It's a very personal touch that would be great if every band included something similar to it.

While Broken Hearts Prevail... EP is one of the better EPs I've heard. It's definitely a hefty EP (compared to... oh, I don't know... *cough*House of Heroes*cough*) with a good amount of songs. It's also great for summer listening, since a good majority of the songs talk about events that take place in the summer. It's also great for honest and heartfelt lyrics, which has become signature of Emery. If you enjoyed ...In Shallow Seas We Sail, do not hesitate to check out this EP.

Update 6/10 (SCROLL DOWN FOR THE HOUSE OF HEROES REVIEW!!!!!)

Hey Christian rock fans! If you want to read my review for the AMAZING House of Heroes EP, you can just scroll down a little and it'll be there. You can get it now at iTunes for $1.99, which is pretty good for three songs.

To start off this update, Mutemath announced today on their Twitter that they will be releasing their sophomore album, Armistice, coming August 18th. They have also posted the cover artwork there, which is pretty sweet.

Also, Skillet's newest single, "Hero," has been uploaded to their Myspace. Look for their new album to drop late this summer.

That's it for now, be back later for some classic reviews.

-FISHER

House of Heroes- Meets the Beatles

If you've ever seen House of Heroes live, you've probably heard them sing at least one Beatles cover. If you've never seen House of Heroes live, you're welcome for that information. The band is often compared to the Beatles, musically, and they are obviously big influences on HOH. So it was no surprise when, a few months ago, HOH announced that they would be releasing a Beatles EP summer '09.

The very, VERY short EP kicks off with "Can't Buy Me Love." The song is catchy, and is a lot of fun. House of Heroes manages to make it a very convincing cover--not cheesy and they don't wreck the song. Plus, lead vocalist Tim Skipper just sounds great with these songs. "It Won't Be Long" is another fun song, but it's a little annoying to listen to more than once at a time. "Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da" ends the EP with a bang, as that is HOH's style and sound perfectly portrayed.

Now, I'm sure the songs are a lot more fun if you're a Beatles fan (which I'm kind of young to be, but I've been thinking about becoming one based on this EP), but if you're not this is still an extremely fun EP. Even though it's unbelievably short, I'm just glad they care enough about the fans to put out this extra material. For those who aren't familiar with House of Heroes, this should be pretty impressive, as they are great covers.