To Create A Cure by My Ticket Home (Rise Records)

After being signed to Rise Records, My Ticket Home from Columbus, Ohio recorded a promising EP prophetically titled The Opportunity To Be. Produced by Caleb Shomo of Attack Attack!, their Rise debut garnered a good deal of attention and admiration for the band, as well as an anticipation for even greater glories. And now To Create A Cure has been unleashed, a full-length effort that is sure to cement the bands fortunes as a sheer force to be reckoned with.

Once again produced by Shomo, To Create A Cure by My Ticket Home is a stunning collection of tunes showing a band that has developed into something truly exciting to behold. Even more diverse and ambitious that their previous EP, the 11 tracks found within are vibrant and awe inspiring.

A New Breed kicks off the disc on a thunderous note, exuding a mighty amount of passion and conviction right out of the gate. Who Is 67? starts off a real head banging thrasher before segue-waying into a memorable chorus. Atlas is big and bold, with spiraling vocals and intensive musicianship reigning supreme.

The Truth Changes If We Both Lie is a definitive highlight, showcasing some tremendously heartfelt clean vocals. This one would sound great on hard rock radio – if the airwaves were actually playing impassioned tunes this good! The pedal is placed back to the metal with a vengeance when Beyond is heard, followed by an intensive call to arms entitled Motion Sickness.

Photo Credit: Matt Day

A Thief Of One, A Thief Of Many has the sing along choruses and heavier than hell metallic breakdowns to make this one a required staple in their live set. Awake: Create is a slamming burst of energy with an exhilarating chorus.

Another tremendously effective song contained on To Create A Cure is The Dream Code, showing just how remarkably gifted and ambitious My Ticket Home is. Presenting a haunting classic rock approach to a song, the results are nothing short of epic and mesmerizing.

Dark Days is a sonic burst of heaviness, and closing cut Fear Complex (with its introduction of sheer torment) slams at the listener like an unexpected kick in the head.

The resourceful My Ticket Home lineup consists of Nick Giumenti on vocals, Luke Fletcher on bass, Derek Blevins on guitar and vocals, Marshal Giumenti on drums, and Matt Gallucci on guitar. Former member Sean Mackowski (now in Attack Attack!) was also involved in the recording process.

The year has just begun, and My Ticket Home has started it all off it with an enormous blast to the senses. To Create A Cure is nothing short of a triumph and will surely become their first class ticket into the big leagues!

(Review by Kenneth Morton)

My Ticket Home on Facebook

The Ascent by Secrets (Velocity/Rise Records)

The year 2012 kicks into sonic overdrive with the release of The Ascent by Secrets. Another exciting signing from the Velocity/Rise Records partnership, Secrets has unveiled a thrilling debut that should gain them a good deal of attention. 11 tracks in all, clearly demonstrating an impassioned band ready and willing to take on the big leagues.

Easily meshing together metalcore with melodic rock inflections, many of the tracks are instantly memorable and destined to become sing along favorites when performed live.

The Ascent kicks off with the explosive sounds of Genesis, where the screamed call to arms of  “I am the enemy” instantly grabs the listener’s attention followed by the mesmerizing slamming dynamics of The Oath.

Somewhere Is Hiding possesses a pop rock edge and wonderfully effective clean vocals  imploring “Please come back from the place that you hide” before catapulting into some fairly intensive breakdowns. The Heartless Part was the first single, and remains a fine example of the versatility the band possesses.

40 Below would be like detonating a bomb in the middle of an already fevered mosh pit, with Secrets at their absolute tightest as a unit. A standout track on The Ascent is definitely Melodies, a super infectious track with a chorus that will remain in your head for ages!

The Best You Can’t Be is a highly emotional track about a dysfunctional father-son relationship that really tugs at the heartstrings – definitely one of the most potent selections on the album. Some wounds never seem to heal.  “You must be scared of your reflection in the mirror,” the lyrics convey on Blindside – another grand slam song that packs a wallop.

A big highlight on The Ascent is The Hardest Part, a gigantic profession of love and hope with soaring clean vocals and the potential for a million dedications for the young couples of today. You Look Good In Plastic is aggressive and ominous; with the sweeping title track The Ascent closing out the disc on a thunderous note.

The screamed and clean vocals on The Ascent are potent and first rate, with Xander Bourgeois and Richard Rogers delivering the lyrics with a fierce sense of conviction. The searing dual guitar work is supplied by the aforementioned Rogers and Michael Sherman. Marc Koch on bass and Joe English on drums drive it home with an all out vengeance, their rhythm section a sheer force to be reckoned with.

With The Ascent, San Diego’s own Secrets will not remain enigmatic for long. The year is indeed young, but there is little doubt that The Ascent will have a lasting impact on listeners as the month’s progress. Expect grand and glorious happenings for Secrets if The Ascent is any indication of things to come. Superbly produced by Tom Denney (formerly of A Day To Remember)!

(Review by Kenneth Morton)

Secrets on Facebook

What Matters Most by Ever After (Self-released EP)

Based out of the Raleigh, North Carolina area, Ever After is a dynamic post hardcore band who is beginning to garner attention above and beyond their hometown.  And now with their second EP entitled What Matters Most, there is no doubt that newer fans all across the country and recording contracts will come a calling once they hear just what this exhilarating collective has to offer. The five songs found within possess a driving amount of striking melodies and staggering breakdowns.

After an introduction of uneasy breathing, Ever After slams into high gear with the rousing sounds of Regression. Exploding through your system complete with standout choruses, Regression is the perfect opener that should instantly reel the listener in. City Of Oaks is slamming and up-tempo, exuding an all-out  intensity that should set mosh pits into a frenzy when performed live. Nothing Is Over delivers some tripped out guitar leads and a fantastic wall of sound, as well wildly devastating breakdowns.

The aptly titled Hammerhead is an assault to the senses, with heavy grooves and super impassioned vocals. And then closing out the EP is the stunning title track What Matters Most, with its gigantic melodies and grand sense of urgency rendering this one an effective closing knockout of a song.

The guitar work as unleashed by Brandon Garrison and Tyler Davis present a shimmering wall of sound that is wondrous to behold. Tony Wilkinson exudes a great deal of passion and conviction on vocals, conveying the thoughtful lyrics with a profound sense of urgency. The rhythm section drives it all home with a fiery precision, courtesy of Diego Rivera on bass and Sean Hennessey on drums. A tight unit with charisma to spare and the tunes to back it up, Ever After is destined to find happiness and slamming success in future days. In the meantime, check out What Matter Most by Ever After and catch up with an ascending star on the horizon. Rise or Victory Records would be wise to investigate through the sonic pages of Ever After as well.

(Review by Kenneth Morton)

Ever After on Facebook

Vera by Only Regret The Summer (Self-released EP)

Only Regret The Summer is a new post hardcore outfit from Los Angeles who is really beginning to make a name for themselves. In a town overran by bands seeking their fame and fortune, Only Regret The Summer present music that is both emotionally driven and wondrously heavy, and fans are sure to flock to them in droves. Not only do the songs speak volumes, but the members are all charismatic and well focused. Their debut EP Vera has been released, and it’s well worth seeking out.  No regrets to be contemplated here – this promising band more than delivers the goods!

The ominous acoustic strains of Siren Song kicks off the disc, followed by the explosive Vera – both tracks demonstrating just how remarkably tight and versatile Only Regret The Summer is. Dynamic breakdowns and impassioned vocals abound, making for an instantly riveting musical experience.

The First Time (Since The Last Time) is up next, an exhilarating anthem that really stands out and grabs you by the throat. Then there’s the cleverly titled Girls Like You Have An Expiration Date, where both the clean and screamed vocals absolutely spiral – meshing well with the driving rhythm section and searing guitars.

The absolute best is saved for last, where the intensity goes into sonic overdrive on Common Knowledge Amongst Elves, with the gang vocal “I’m so sick of disrespect, chivalry’s not fucking dead - yet!” ringing out like a triumphant declaration. Five songs in all, impressively recorded and superbly executed.

The musicianship in the band is especially notable, with Adam Gendler and Garrett Winn unleashing some highly effective guitar work. The rhythm section certainly drives it all home with a vengeance, courtesy of bassist Ryan Krouse and drummer Stuart Wong. Clean vocalist Fabi Behnam delivers the lyrics with a fierce sense of passion and conviction while John Lee is electrifying on the screamed interludes. An exciting introduction from a collective ready to soar above and beyond the City Of Angels at hurricane force.  Be sure to secure a copy of Vera by Only Regret The Summer and check them out when they play live.

(Review by Kenneth Morton)

Only Regret The Summer on Facebook

Echoes and Answers by From Atlantis (InVogue Records)

InVogue Records has been on a signing rampage as of late, snatching up some tremendous talent from all across the world. One such collective is From Atlantis from Providence, Rhode Island – a melodic metalcore outfit with a dazzling amount of electronica added in for maximum effect. Their previous self-release Between The Heart And Home possessed a good deal of promise and ambition. And now with Echoes And Answers, the potential has been fully realized. An astonishing collection of six tunes may be found within, and they are sure to gain this band a good amount of attention on the East Coast and well beyond. Produced with fiery precision by Landon Tewers from The Plot In You, Echoes and Answers by From Atlantis is a glorious triumph for all involved.

The disc opens with the tense reverberations of Reflections, exploding into the mighty sonic reveries of Changes. One notices right away how intensively tight the breakdowns are as well as the mesmerizing, impassioned vocals. The screamed inflections mesh well with the melodic singing, while the keyboards underscore the proceedings with an ominous tenacity.

Next up is The Lost Ones, a heartfelt yet potent work featuring a guest appearance by their producer Landon Tewers. Oblivious starts out with a haunting keyboard passage before a wall of sound surrounds the song – complete with a stunning chorus that should have audiences singing along in a live setting.

Growing, Caving, Searching, Sinking is an infinite highlight, an inspiring cut including the crucial lyrics “Don’t try to be something your not” – a tune that will make you want to take on the world. This song  features the participation of Ryan Neff from Miss May I.

The title track Echoes and Answers closes out the disc on a staggering note, where breakdowns and melodies collide to a striking effect.

It’s all-killer and absolutely no filler to be found on Echoes and Answers – an exhilarating breakthrough for a band destined for even greater glories. With an EP this impressive, it will be exciting to see what musical journeys From Atlantis will endeavor upon in future days ahead. Highly recommended!

From Atlantis is Nick Mames on vocals. Franklin Tavarez on bass / clean vocals, Zach Lemieux on guitar, Tyler Fauxbel on guitar, Thomas Crosby on drums, and Mike Florio on synth / keys.

(Review by Kenneth Morton)

From Atlantis on Facebook
InVogue Records Official Home Page

Robots by Casino Madrid (Artery Recordings)

Casino Madrid has definitely paid the dues within their hometown of San Diego and before. Incessant touring and sheer perseverance has paid off big time, with their signing to Artery Recordings. Now on the same label with such luminaries as All That Remains, Norma Jean and Chelsea Grin, Casino Madrid is certain to gain a good deal of new fans if their debut album Robots is any indication of grand things to come in future days.

Masterfully produced by Will Puntey (who has also worked with Lamb Of God and Suicide Silence), Robots is nothing short of a sweeping triumph for Casino Madrid – like a gigantic win at a poker table in Vegas. Mixing metalcore with dazzling elements of techno and trance, the wondrously vibrant tunes are instantly memorable.

“We are all robots searching for a meaning, we are all robots searching for a purpose,” screams vocalist Joe Demaio on the haunting title track which opens the album with a powerful sense of urgency. The song then merges into the thrilling 4:42 Reminds Me Of You, with the unforgettable chants of “I am the best you ever had” absolutely devastating the listener.

Fightin’ Words combines classic guitar riffing with the heaviest of breakdowns, scoring mightily in the intensity department. The aggression continues with the thunderous sounds of Life Sentencer, with a dramatic keyboard underscoring the proceedings as the lyrics scream “You’re holding on to nothing, it’s all just in your head, let’s burn this city to the ground!”

Fantasy vs. Reality continues the sonic pummeling, adding a sense of chaos before exploding into it’s wildly infectious chorus. The anthem-like strains of the brilliantly titled The Devil On My Shoulder Knows How To Party will make you want to launch headfirst into the nearest mosh pit – definitely a headbanging, high kicking assault to the senses.

I Want My 25 Minutes Of Fame shows once again how cleverly Casino Madrid meshes the genres together into a colossal explosion of sound – complete with the “turn off the bullshit” sing-a-long refrain and super intensive breakdowns. Anthem Of The Lonely is impassioned and soaring – one of the most memorable cuts to be found on Robots.

After a burst of reckless thrashing energy entitled Thirsty Thursday, Robots slams to its empowering conclusion with Pocket Aces. A stunning full-length effort, Robots is sure to gain Casino Madrid the respect and acclaim that many of the other artists on the record label have already achieved. “I want to stay here forever,” is the refrain on Pocket Aces, a lasting sentiment that could very well equate to a long and brilliant career for an ambitious new act ready to smash into the big leagues.

The dynamic Casino Madrid lineup consists of Joe Demaio on vocals, Marcelo “Rilo” Sedano on guitar and vocals, Armani Sanchez on guitar, Travis Knutz on bass, Robert Cesena on synth, and Johnny Cruz on drums.

(Review by Kenneth Morton)

Casino Madrid on Facebook

Shadow Country by Miracle At St. Anna (Tragic Hero Records)

The journey through Shadow Country commences with the intensive sounds of On The Reg, detonating the album on a staggering note. The sonic adventures continue when The Hypnotizer assaults your speakers, followed the supersonic hyper blast of Shot At The Tiger.

Brokeback Fountain is a definitive highlight, where vibrant intensity clashes with a profound sense of melody and intrigue. The cleverly titled These Boots Are Made For Pimpin’ is another standout with its dynamic breakdowns, underlying keyboards, and a truly haunting chorus.

After a chaotic interlude entitled @MASABand Young & Naïve, the second half of our tour through Shadow Country explodes with a violent fury when Moses In Agony is unleashed. Jake Pushed The Button uses keyboards very effectively as an underscore, adding greatly to the explosive soundscapes of the song.

Drink A Beer, Kill A Deer drives into you like a train at full force while Drive Me To Cook Out concludes our wild and relentless trip through the roads of Shadow Country. Clocking in at a mind numbing 30 minutes, you’ll definitely want to play this one time and again at maximum volume.

The impressive Miracle At St. Anna lineup consists of Cody on vocals, Mitch on guitar, Jesse on guitar, Ryan on bass, and Spanky on drums. Once again, Tragic Hero Records has discovered a metallic hardcore band that has what it takes to head straight into the big time. An exciting new collective well worth checking into, exploration into Miracle At.St. Anna is highly recommended!

(Review and Live Photo by Kenneth Morton)

Miracle At St. Anna on Facebook

Kingdoms EP by Bella Terra (Self released EP)

Based out of the Gardena area in Southern California, Bella Terra is a metallic hardcore collective with a progressive edge ready for a shot at the big time. The band recently won a coveted spot on the Ernie Ball Battle Of The Bands stage at the Warped Tour Carson date.  They also recently performed a date opening for The Death Of Greeley Estates Tour at the Cobalt Café in Canoga Park.  And now with the release of their mighty Kingdoms EP, there is no stopping Bella Terra. An admirable self-released debut, the five songs contained within demonstrate just how resourceful and ambitious this young band from the City Of Angels can be,

First off is the epic Twenty Three 19, with its sweeping breakdowns and keyboards interludes that render the piece a standout. The cleverly titled Brutal Combo Mambo further cements their solidly tight musicianship and dead on intensity.

A Monster In Daylight is a beast of a track, with its melodic clean vocals and intense growled vo-kills meshing on what is perhaps the most infectious tune on the EP. Let ‘em Down kicks of with a trippy techno underscore before exploding into an impassioned sonic reverie complete with its powerful “You know my heart is dead” chorus.

Closing out Kingdoms EP on a fiercely imperial note is Downtown Underground, haunting yet absolutely brutal in scope. The final moments are especially heartfelt, with its dark piano interludes and fervent vocalizations.

Kingdoms EP by Bella Terra is edgy and dynamic, surely representing a triumph for a young band on the rise. Be sure to check out Bella Terra and be the one person able to say you knew them way back before they became post hardcore royalty.

Bella Terra is Edwin on vocals, Steven on guitar, Mario on guitar, Lawrence on bass, and Derick on drums.

(Review by Kenneth Morton)

Bella Terra on Facebook

Reasons Why by Life As A Martyr (Self-released EP)

Hailing from the state of Maryland, Life As A Martyr is a post-hardcore / screamo / metal band who is beginning to gain a good deal of notice due to their intensive music and Internet presence. Their debut EP is entitled Reasons Why, a vastly impressive effort produced by Andrew Baylis of the band Life On Repeat.

The band is amazingly tight and the four songs are instantly memorable – two factors absolutely required for any collective wanting to be successful. Labeling their style of music “brocore” may be a bit limiting, because they obviously possess the talent and resources to appeal to all types of music fans looking for something melodically catchy yet possessing a heavy impact.

The EP kicks off with a short ominous intro right before exploding into the metallic riffs of the title cut Reasons Why. One notices right away the super intensive screamed vocals of Cody Tabor, exuding a vast amount of passion and conviction. Making a perfect counterpart is guitarist Michael Forbush, whose dynamic clean vocals mesh well with the hurricane force that is Cody Tabor.

The Reasons Why lineup

Pull No Punches is up next; a stand out cut that is a definite assault to the senses. “You worn out your welcome when you opened up your mouth,” Forbush sings infectiously within the chorus. This one is destined to be an audience favorite when performed live. The breakdowns are intense and the guitar work on this track really shines.

No Oceans In Lancaster is another slamming track that is sure to send mosh pits in sonic overdrive during the breakdowns as well as induce sing-alongs when the choruses arrive. And then closing out the CD is the ferocious The Serpent, The Apple, guaranteed to stun with its aggressiveness.  “Pain never felt so good!” screams Tabor at the end, right before the most shattering of breakdowns.

The Life As A Martyr lineup who participated on Reasons Why consisted of Cody Tabor on vocals, Michael Forbush on guitar and clean vocals, Bryan Bell on bass and samples, David Tyler on lead guitar, and Cody Bradshaw on drums. Since the recording, David Tyler and Cody Bradshaw have left and Tyler Dye has joined up on drums.

At press time, Life As A Martyr won the Ernie Ball Battle Of The Bands competition to play the Columbia, Maryland date of the Vans Warped Tour. This is a band who is obviously going places! In the meantime, be sure to check out Reasons Why and genuinely be able to say you knew those Martyr dudes way back before they hit the big time…

For fans of Alesana and We Came As Romans.

(Review by Kenneth Morton)

Life As A Martyr on Facebook

A Hope Remains by Call Us Forgotten (Self-released EP)

Based out of the thriving Portland, Oregon music scene, Call Us Forgotten is an exciting metal/hardcore band who is really beginning to make a name for themselves well beyond the confines of the Pacific Northwest. Their self-released EP A Hope Remains is a stunning effort, and one can feel the passion and sheer enthusiasm placed within each of the seven featured tracks.

Produced by Neil Engle, who has worked with the likes of Between The Buried and Me, and Drop Dead, Gorgeous, the overall content is towering and thoroughly professional. Judging by what’s heard on A Hope Remains, Call Us Forgotten are sure to be remembered by both fans and record labels looking to sign them on the dotted line to success.

The disc opens with Her Name Was Vengeance, starting off with the ominous sounds of radio airwaves before exploding into an all-out anthem. A Crusade For The Broken is up next, super intensive and highly impassioned.

Bring The Empty Horses is a thrill to the senses, featuring the trademark vocal participation of Kellin Quinn from Sleeping With Sirens – definitely a memorable track that should sound astounding when performed live. Under An Ashen Sky puts the pedal to the metal with its ferocious blast beats and brutal vocalizations.

A Tragic Metaphor serves as a grand introduction to the spiraling sounds of Forgotten – both tracks showing the band at the height of their creative prowess. And then there’s Call Us Forgotten’s absolutely inspired cover of the Kayne West song Heartless, given a killer metallic treatment that is wondrous to behold.

The musicianship found within Call Us Forgotten is absolutely first rate. CJ Havener and Adam Williams make for a compelling guitar duo, enveloping the proceedings with a mighty wall of sound. The rhythm section is tight and intensive, courtesy of bassist Jesse Wright and drummer Kory Thielen. And then there’s the outstanding work of vocalist Josh Oliveri, a supremely charismatic front man who conveys the lyrics with a staggering sense of urgency and conviction.

Be sure to snag a copy of A Hope Remains by Call Us Forgotten and prepare to be thoroughly enlightened by the introspective lyrical content as well as ready to bang your head to its thunderous refrains.

(Review by Kenneth Morton)

Call Us Forgotten on Facebook