The Ocean - Precambrian

All the way from Germany, The Ocean has managed to make a pretty good name for themselves, with the help from such legends as Nate Newton(Converge), Sean Ingram(Coalesce), and many others who have helped lay down vocals for their last 3 albums. Still having a main vocalist, they decided to make their sound more interesting, that they would mix it up with other people contributing their vocals to all the songs. Its a pretty cool concept, and a brilliant idea to help get your bands name out to people who normally wouldnt listen to them. I first heard their album "Aeolian" when i was working at a college radio, hosting my own show. They soon became a love of mine, and have since blown me away with their latest album, which is a double disc called "Precambrian" With one disc taking a bit of a slower pace then the 1st disc, but yet still crushing in its own way. They recently had lost a vocalist, but have now replaced that spot, and began recording 2 albums which will be released next year, at 2 separate times. Keep your ears open for them, cause this band is soon to be a staple for experimental crushing sludge metal.

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To Cherish - In Sickness & In Health

This next band, To Cherish, is actually a group of guys, i became really good friends with during a May/June 09 tour that i did with my friends band. To Cherish is not just an awesome set of guys, but also some of the best musicians i have met in my life. This band has been around the Ontario scene for sometime now, and have faced many member changes, and even at one point, completely called it quits. Reactivated a few years back, they have started to make a name for themselves. Their songs contain raw aggression, heart, and a sound that alot of bands are missing out on these days. no cheesy metalcore shit here, just the perfect balance of punk/metal/hardcore. With fast paced rhythms, punk aggression, Sludgy type mellow parts, with breakdowns that actually make your neck hurt, but not your typical cheesy breakdowns. This band is bringing something fresh to the Canadian market, finally. Currently writing a new album, there a band you should keep your eyes and ears open for. Soon to reissue there album "In Sickness & In Health" Via iTunes (Dec 28th 09), with a bonus track to be includes called "Years of Nights". I highly suggest you support these guys, go see them live, pick up some merch, buy the album, or anything you can to show your love for them.

*December 28th 09 reissue on iTunes, DONT FORGET!!!!

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Sole - Selling Live Water

Recently i went through all my old hip hop albums and renewed my love for the artist Sole. Hes a 17 year vet of the hip hop scene, and has always released high quality hip hop. I cant think of an actual Sole album i dislike, but i can truely say his last solo album "Selling Live Water" is my all time favorite Sole album. Its been 6 years since its release, but i still can remember the first time i heard it in my friend Curtis's basement. I had him burn me a copy of it ASAP, and i have loved it ever since. Hes also part of what i think is the greatest hip hop crew of all time, known as Anticon. A group i have always made sure to keep my eye on for new releases, and they happen to have my all time favorite rapper part of their group, Dose One. This album has lots of different topics, from life, to the war that was raging in Irag at the time of its release. Even if you dont like most hip hop, there is a great chance youll love this album still.

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The Carrier - One Year Later

This is actually another Deathwish Inc band, i found during my search of the label's site. Abrasive, full of heart, and great song writing makes The Carrier a band that more "Hardcore" kids should open their ears too. This album really got me stoked from beginning to end, which doesnt always happen to me off a first listen. Considering their from the biggest metalcore market state in america, being Massachusetts, they actually are doing their best to bring back the Boston hardcore sound, that seemed to be lost on bands like Killswitch Engage and such. It would be disappointing to not give this album a chance, if you like real hardcore at all. This album is perfect in my opinion.

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The Bronx - The Bronx I

I cant think of the last time i was actually tired of listening to The Bronx. For years i would see their name in magazines, and on the internet, but had never heard anyone say they knew of them or anything. Finally one day in January, i took the time to download one of their albums, after hearing someone finally tell me how much this band kicked ass. Well he was right, cause The Bronx have since become one of my all time favorite bands. Every album they have released up to now has been amazingly full of awesome sauce. The only way you could dislike this band, was if you had lost your hearing to awesomeness. They even released an amazing mariachi (traditional mexican music) album earlier this year, that is ridiculously great. This is their 1st album im posting, and its actually recorded by Gilby Clarke formerly of Guns n Roses. Hilarious, i know, but he did a great job of keeping a great punk sound. Hardcore punk, that makes you wanna dance, is always great.

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Blacklisted - ...The Beat Goes On

Checked this band out for the first time, a few months back, off the Deathwish Inc site. I really got into alot of the bands from this label, and almost every band on it, is amazing in there own way. Blacklisted is a bit more straight up then other bands on the label, but when you hear them, youll understand why Jacob Bannon would want them on his label roster. Pure aggression, and hatred, make this band a pretty enjoyable listen. I have become addicted to everything they have released in their careers. Its been a great 6 month love affair with these guys. 3 albums, 2 EP's in, and a new one on the way, i highly suggest checking these guys out. The album im posting isnt their newest release, but my favorite of theirs to date. Not overly produced, so you get that nice raw aggression, and awesome hardcore guitar tone, making this my favorite. Check out their album "Were Unstoppable" if you like this one, its just as intense.

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The_Network - Bishop Kent Manning

Hmmmm, how do i explain The_Network???? I guess, AWESOME!!! This band is absolutely amazing, and one of the first few bands on the Blackmarket Activities label, that i ever heard. There first album "This is Your Pigs Portrait" was a pretty good album, but has been completely over shadowed by their newest offering "Bishop Kent Manning". And yes, its a concept album, but an amazing one at that. Kurt Ballou also left his signature touch on this album, with his production. PUMMELING!!! Not over polished, and just dirty sounding enough. This is a must have for anyone that likes either Ballous production, or that likes over barring and in your face music. This one will be in my rotation for a long while. Chaotic as FUCK!!!

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Narrows - New Distances

BOTCH IS BACK!!! Well not really, but its the closest well probably ever get. NARROWS, the new group featuring original Botch vocalist, These Arms Are Snakes Guitarist, and former Some Girls Bassist, have come together to create this unbelievable debut album, "New Distances". Originally just a studio only band, but now appear to have taken to the stage band, are bringing back the original feeling of "Mathcore" as the genre is titled. This album is for the most part pretty intense, but takes a break hear and there to get a little experimental, which is really the only thing that separates them from Botch. If you dont listen to this album, your just robbing yourself from a delightful treat, and if you liked Botch at all, then youll love this. Did i say Botch enough??? BOTCH BOTCH BOTCH!!!

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The Grouch - Dont Talk To Me

My first Hip-hop post is here!!! I have always been a big underground hip-hop fan. In high school i kinda dove in head first to it. I still remember the first few times i listened to Hiero, Del, Slug or Atmosphere as everyone thinks hes called now (Atmosphere is a group, not a rapper), and the Living Legends crew, which consists of Eligh, Murs, The Grouch, Sunspot Jonz, LuckyIam.PSC, Bicasso, Asop, and Scarub. Some members of the group stood out much more then others. Mainly Murs, Grouch, And Eligh, With Scarub close behind. Grouch always kinda grabbed me the most cause of his lyrics, and his beats were excellent, and self produced. 2 of his albums are still in heavy rotation for me, "Dont Talk To Me" and "Making Perfect Sense". Dont Talk To Me is still my all time favorite though, cause its his first album ever, and it holds everything that underground was built on. It was recorded on the classic 4-track, and was released as a tape, which gives it, its authentic feeling with all the pops and fizzes, which made it my favorite. Its since been re-released, but still sounds just as amazing. One of my all time favorites. Give it a real listen, it will help change your idea on REAL hip-hop.

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Scarlet - This Was Always Meant To Fall Apart

Its a rare find when a band doesn't sound like every other band that surrounds them. Scarlet is one of those bands that doesn't fit any "genres" or "styles", they are simply just Scarlet. Unconventional time signatures, technical riffs, vocals that push the throat to its limits, then soar into a melody like no other. This is what Scarlet is, and always was. This was their first album without their vocalist Jon Spencer, and first with Brandon Roundtree. Unfortunately, it would be the last for the band as well. it might have been the fact that alot of fans missed the signature sound of Jon Spencer after he left to join Spitfire, or maybe it was more. Either way, their final offering was a great note to go out on. "This Was Always Meant To Fall Apart" is an under appreciated album by the music scene, and by Scarlet fans who turned their backs on this release. This album is well worth the time, or else its just your loss.

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