According to Ben Crist, The Glorious Unseen will be releasing new music this summer! Who is excited to hear new tunes from these guys?

Artist: Sent By Ravens
Album: Mean What You Say
Release Date: February, 28th 2012
Label: Tooth & Nail Records


Sent By Ravens first album Our Graceful Words was not a big hit with me. It was a very unbalanced album, in which the first half of the album was a lot stronger in many ways than the last half. With that being said, I really wasn't anticipating a great sophomore album from the Tooth & Nail rock band. Thankfully I was pleasantly surprised.

Mean What You Say starts out with a killer opening track in 'Prudence'. You can already get a feel for the album with the first couple tracks as they are aggressive, and catchy and really do a great job of getting you pulled in. As I said before their first album was a bit of a let down after the first half of the album. However, this was never the case with Mean What You Say. The album really never gives up on it's overall sound, and when the album does slow down a bit, like on the track 'Never Be Enough' it still fits with the rest of the album.

When I first heard 'We're All Liars' I was a bit nervous about the rest of the lyrics on the full album. But, since then I have grown to really enjoy the more straight forwardness of the lyrics, and not just the metaphorical lyrics. Another thing I really noticed about this album was the vocals. The vocals I believe can either make or break an album of this style, and Zach Riner does not lack in that area. Musically this album is probably my favorite area. The guitars are top notch, and keep the album flowing, and never really letting up.

Overall: Sent By Ravens have really shown what they can bring to the table with their aggressive "radio rock" sound by adding some post-hardcore elements to keep it interesting, and relevant. Honestly, this album sounds like it should be chock-full of screams, and breakdowns, and though I am a fan of those, I'm glad it's not. It's a great mixture of melody and aggressiveness, and is a breath of fresh air in the "radio rock" music world.

Score: 8/10

Reviewed by: Tabor Brown

Tracklisting:

1. Prudence
2. Listen
3. Rebuild, Release
4. Learn From The Night
5. Mean What You Say
6. However Long It Takes
7. Need It Today
8. Never Be Enough
9. We're All Liars
10. Best In Me

(buy here)

February 23, 2012 - With less than a month to go, resurgent metal powerhouse
MYCHILDREN MYBRIDE are marching toward the release of their new, self-titled album, available online and in stores everywhere March 13 via Solid State Records.

The band recently gave fans a taste of what is to come with the release of standout track "On Wings of Integrity Pt. 2" a companion to longtime crowd favorite "On Wings of Integrity," which appeared on the band's 2008 debut album, Unbreakable.

Today the band is unveiling a second track, the impressive 'God of Nothing'.
Listen to 'God of Nothing':



"With 'God of Nothing' we weren't afraid to try something weird and new," explains vocalist Matthew Hasting. "The guys wrote one of the heaviest songs we've ever released as a band and I tried anything and everything vocally. The result is a song that is dark, grimy, eerie and one of our favorites off the new album. Lyrically the song deals with our souls being bought with the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. This is the birth of a new possibilities with MCMB and we hope fans like it!"

MYCHILDREN MYBRIDE is available now for preorder with mutliple incentives including "mystery gifts" ranging from autographed tour laminate from one of the band's past tours all the way up to an autographed guitar that was used during recording of the new album!
Preorder options can be found here:
http://merchdirect.com/mychildrenmybride  

For MYCHILDREN MYBRIDE, the self-titled album represents a new chapter for the band, and stamps the advent of a refined sound the members have been chasing since MCMB's inception. "That's exactly what this album is, a new beginning," says guitarist Robert Bloomfield. "I really do feel we found our sound. It's definitely MCMB still, but with this new flare that we've all loved and understood but never figured out a way to translate it to our music. I feel like everything we've done as a band all comes together in this one record. It's the best album in our career so far."

Recorded with esteemed producer Zeuss (Hatebreed, Shadows Fall), MYCHILDREN MYBRIDE finds the band reaching deep mentally and emotionally for what is without a doubt their crowning achievement thus far, a hard-hitting, experimental, cinematic opus that will set a fire in the hearts of old and new fans alike. With a no-holds-barred approach to programming and effects, and good, old-fashioned brutal riffage - not to mention a new level of dynamics from frontman Matthew Hasting - MYCHILDREN MYBRIDE have boldly redefined themselves for this new chapter of their career.

In support of the release, the band will be setting sail on a two-month trek alongside FOR TODAY, A SKYLIT DRIVE, STICK TO YOUR GUNS and MAKE ME FAMOUS that includes dozens of stops throughout the U.S. and Canada, culminating in a spot at the infamous New England Metal and Hardcore Festival in Worcester, MA.


Fight The Silence Tour with FOR TODAY, A SKYLIT DRIVE, STICK TO YOUR GUNS and MAKE ME FAMOUS
Mar 9 - Nashville TN @ Rockettown
Mar 10 - Douglasville GA @ The 7 Venue
Mar 11 - Jacksonville FL @ Murray Hill Theater
Mar 12 - Pensacola FL @ American Legion Hall
Mar 18 - Houston TX @ Verizon Wireless Theater (Houston We Have a Problem Fest)
Mar 20 - Tucson AZ @ The Rock
Mar 21 - Anaheim CA @ House of Blues
Mar 23 - Simi Valley CA @ 118 West
Mar 24 - San Diego CA @ Soma
Mar 25 - Sacramento CA @ Ace of Spades
Mar 28 - Iowa City IA @ Blue Moose Tap House
Mar 29 - St Paul MN @ Station 4
Mar 31 - Joilet IN @ Mojoes
Apr 1 - Lousville KY @ Expo Five
Apr 3 - Memphis TN @ New Daisy Theater
Apr 4 - Tulsa OK @ Marquee Theater
Apr 5 - East St Louis IL @ Pop's
Apr 6 - Dayton, OH @ The Attic
Apr 7 - Pontiac MI @ The Crofoot Ballroom
Apr 8 - Buffalo NY @ Club Infinity
Apr 10 - Pittsburgh PA @ The Altar Bar
Apr 11 - Toronto ON @ Annex Wreckroom
Apr 12 - Montreal QU @ La Tuilpe
Apr 13 - New York NY @ Gramercy Theater
Apr 14 - Allentown PA @ Crocodile Rock Cafe
Apr 15 - Sayerville NJ @ Starland Ballroom
Apr 17 - Raleigh NC @ Lincoln Theater
Apr 18 - Charlotte NC @ Amos
Apr 19 - Richmond VA @ Kingdom
Apr 20 - Poughkeepsie NY @ The Chance
Apr 22 - Worcester MA @ The Palladium (Metalfest)

Artist: My Heart To Fear
Album: Into The Maelstrom
Release Date: February 4, 2012
Label: None

Summer music festivals are some of the best places to discover talented new bands. No matter how small your band is, there is always some sort of crowd, and of course the potential for new fans to be made. Two years ago, at the annual Purple Door Arts and Music Festival, held currently in Lebanon, Pennsylvania, I remember walking onto the festival grounds with maybe 50 others at 10 AM (while most other festival goers were catching up on sleep), to check out a band I'd heard a lot about; the Williamsport, PA post-hardcore quintet, My Heart To Fear. Their set was impressive, and well earned, after winning a big local battle of the bands competition to get that opening slot. A year and a half later, things have changed for the band. While still maintaining their hard work ethic to succeed in their regional music scene, the band have had some member changes, and most notably a stylistic change, in a much heavier direction.

The transition to melodic metalcore has brought with it My Heart To Fear's second full length album, titled Into The Maelstrom. Rather than more of the band's prior lengthy songs, like "The War," the songs of Into The Maelstrom feel more straight to the point, while holding onto a full sound structure to convey the anthemic, sometimes angry, lyrics. Breakdowns, heavy growls, and catchy clean sections fill up the majority of the album, while a new element is added in as well; electronic effects. On songs, such as the bone-shattering opener, "Blood Money," and "Hell or High Water," the synths add a haunting depth to the breakdowns of the songs, while on "Encased in Glass," the synths do a good job of layering the instrumentation, keeping things alive and moving, on top of the verses and a clean interlude. However, throughout the album, they start to grow a bit insignificant, and feel both distracting and overused, just being there simply for the sake of being there. As a result, a few songs start to take on similar structures, but that doesn't necessarily hinder any of the album's strong points.

Out of the pack of 10, Into The Maelstrom garners some strong highlights. The aforementioned "Blood Money" is a solid opener, that really sets a blood-pumping pace for the rest of the album. The clean vocals of lead vocalist Trevor Pool and drummer Luke Brady are really shown off on the album's driving title track, and especially "Misery Lights" as well, which longtime fans will recognize as the band's live staple, "Elmira." "Life Under The Stairs" adds in some more diversity, found specifically in the guitars in the last minute of the song, which sound something like The Chariot, in their chaotic nature. To close the album, the band take the heavy route, on "Whore Da Culture," which is both musically and lyrically sound, a cry of change against the judgmental, unloving nature that some "Christians" have taken upon themselves.

Overall: Into The Maelstrom is a solid release from My Heart To Fear, a young, energetic metalcore band who aren't afraid to throw some more diverse elements into their formula. Although sometimes the synths do get repetitive, the majority of the album is certainly enough to get listeners moving, whether it be in the live setting or in living rooms. My Heart To Fear still have some work to do, but the bold spirit of the band shows potential for them to flourish in the heavy music scene, and I can only see it occurring sooner than later, something proved by Into The Maelstrom. All I can say is the band have grown since that small Purple Door performance, and I am looking forward to what they do next.


Rating: 7.5/10

Reviewed by Brooks Ginnan

Tracklisting:

1. Blood Money
2. Dear Mr. White
3. Encased In Glass
4. Hell or High Water
5. Into The Maelstrom
6. Legends Never Die (GLV)
7. Life Under The Stairs
8. Misery Lights
9. The Witching Hour
10. Whore Da Culture

(Buy Here)

Home Is Calling are the newest addition to the Come&Live! community of artists, and have just released their new album, Evening Lights. Hailing from Boston, Massachusetts, the trio play worship-driven alternative/indie rock, recommended for fans of bands such as The Glorious Unseen, The Ember Days, and Coldplay. Evening Lights is now available as a free download from Come&Live!.

Artist: The Skies Revolt
Album: Some Kind of Cosmonaut
Release Date: February 18, 2012
Label: None

Sometimes, music doesn't have to be pigeonholed into any formula to be taken in and enjoyed. The Skies Revolt are a band that follow that statement, harboring a spastic rock essence that is hard to really pinpoint as a particular genre. Sure, one could find some comparisons, albeit not as intense, to bands like The Chariot and Sleigh Bells, regarding their energy, but to simply compare them doesn't work. To give a brief description of The Skies Revolt, it would be layers of fluid, sometimes distortion-filled, guitars, thick synths, and a heavy rhythm section of bass and drums to pull it all together. Vocally, the band are fronted by Dave Prindle, who's vocals have a quirky edge that are overall quite unique, but at times, sound reminiscent of, dare I say it, Andy Hull of Manchester Orchestra. Not only does Prindle sing and yell throughout the album, but there are also many gang vocal sections, which appear in songs such as "It's All in the Reflexes."

All in all, The Skies Revolt's new album, Some Kind of Cosmonaut, is a twelve track venture of sound and energy. There are heavy rockers that just dare you to headbang, especially "Endure and Renew," which teases the heavy music listeners with a 15 second auditory thrill of a looming instrumental breakdown, that fades into melodramatic synths. The wittily titled "She's Telling the Truth or At Least She Thinks She Is" is full of off-time measures in the chorus, while "False Glory and Praise" blatantly (and funnily enough) declares "I don't wanna be in a bubblegum pop protest band!" "It's All in the Reflexes" is perhaps the album's most infectious tune, with a very danceable rhythm, and an ecstatic vibe, that can't help but bring a smile to the listener's face, and sometimes, that's what music is all about.

Overall: The Skies Revolt are one of those novelty bands that only come by so often, with a completely unique sound, really unmatched by any other artist out there. Their new album, Some Kind of Cosmonaut, has the grit to capture the attention of a hardcore kid and enough ingenuity to make a hipster squirm. Talk about diversity. On the album's twelve tracks, The Skies Revolt give you something to dance to, mosh to, and most importantly, sing along with. The lyrics are completely clever, and leave you wondering what was just said, being truly something of their own. If you're looking for a completely distinctive, dancy, noisy rock album, then The Skies Revolt's Some Kind of Cosmonaut is for you, and seriously, who can go wrong with an album with song titles like "Beards Can't Hide?"

Rating: 8.5/10

Reviewed by Brooks Ginnan

Tracklisting:

1. Fight Lose Stand
2. The Empire
3. It's All in the Reflexes
4. She's Telling the Truth or At Least She Thinks She Is
5. False Glory and Praise
6. Single...ish
7. Interlude
8. Endure and Renew
9. The Gentlemen's Duel
10. Beards Can't Hide
11. They Cry Out to Do Nothing
12. We All Have to End

(Buy Here)

Tampa, Florida's indie rock band Tallhart, formerly Markmen, have signed to the new imprint of Equal Vision Records, Rory Records, for the release of their upcoming EP this spring. To tide fans over, the EP's first single, "Fever (Sister of Mine)" will be releasing on March 6th. The single can be previewed below in a new video from the band.

Artist: Sons
Album: Keep Quiet
Release Date: February 14, 2012
Label: SloSpeak Records

My experience with Sons has been an interesting one. The story began in February 2010, with a small, almost unknown, band, taking on the moniker of Sons of God, and releasing a three song EP titled The Genesis Prologue through the non-profit music community Come&Live!. Until spinning the EP, for some odd reason, I figured that the band were some sort of hardcore worship band or something along those lines, but I was dead wrong. What I heard instead was a catchy, intense, and passionate dose of indie rock, tied together with very spiritually insightful lyrics. Fast forward two years later, and the band is now known solely as Sons, and have signed to SloSpeak Records (formerly Eden Records) to release their debut full length album, Keep Quiet, after a successful Kickstarter campaign and much anticipation.

Keep Quiet reveals a smooth progression from The Genesis Prologue days, showing off a maturity and cohesiveness in the band's musicianship. Frontman Aaron Newberry sounds better than ever, displaying an awe-inspiring range, backed by walls of guitars, drums, and varying sections of piano and strings. To sum up the album's sound, it would be something like the edginess of Thrice and My Epic mixed with the melodies of Copeland and Deas Vail. The lyrical aspects of Newberry and Sons are also something to be marveled at. A story of hope, doubt, and finding a true, lasting faith in God are expressed through the twelve songs of Keep Quiet, each fitting together like pieces in a puzzle, while having an individuality to be listened to alone, offering a clear message.

"Masters of the Flattery," "Doubt," and "Under The Sun" all glow with untapped energy, specifically found in the driving, heavy guitars riffs, and anthemic adrenaline. "Under The Sun" is perhaps the album's heaviest song, with an intensity overflowing from the guitars, while the redone version of "Doubt" offers a bit more bulk, mainly in the production value, than its 2010 version. The aforementioned Copeland influence is heard  in "Believe In Something" and "Ghosts," the latter taking on a delicacy, and the hope of "giving into a Love that sustains." "Sea of Glass" even adds an ambient piece to the table, coming mid album, with slow, murky picked strings, following another re-recorded song from The Genesis Prologue, the piano-laden "Caution," which has a slowed tempo, and soft harmonies, seamlessly flowing into a bursting crescendo. A slight, eerie experimental essence is found on the album's climatic closer, "Is This A Dry Season or Agnosticism?," where the story of Keep Quiet comes to an end and sorrowful realization, heavily questioning the American "Christian nation."

Overall: It's still early in the year, but Sons have perhaps created one of the best albums of 2012, with the long awaited release of Keep Quiet. The band have crafted a heavily emotional collection of indie rock, sonically astounding in just about every way, from the edgy guitars and percussion to the intricacy of Aaron Newberry's powerful vocals. The two year wait for a full length album from Sons was undoubtedly worth it, and words can't begin to describe some of the deep spiritual doubt, hope, and questioning laced throughout the genre defying album that Keep Quiet truly is. You do not want to miss the breakthrough of Sons, and Keep Quiet is a necessity for fans of Thrice, My Epic, and Copeland.

Rating: 10/10

Reviewed by Brooks Ginnan

Tracklisting:

1. Masters of the Flattery
2. Believe In Something
3. Keep Quiet
4. Retribution
5. Caution
6. Sea of Glass
7. Doubt
8. Under The Sun
9. Ghosts
10. Son On The Run
11. The Devil and I
12. Is This A Dry Season or Agnosticism?

(Buy Here)

THE SKIES REVOLT PREMIERE NEW TRACK
“FALSE PRAISE AND GLORY”


EXCLUSIVELY ON PUREVOLUME.COM

The Skies Revolt from Grand Rapids, MI. is inviting you to check out their new track “False Praise and Glory” off their February 18th release Some Kind of Cosmonaut.

Visit www.purevolume.com/theskiesrevolt to hear “False Praise and Glory”.

Don’t forget to visit www.theskiesrevolt.com to enter to win your very own SuperNintendo and participate in The Skies Revolt’s video where you CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE!

Did you know? The Skies Revolt were chosen by Motion City Soundtrack in their Making Moves Series. The new record from The Skies Revolt was produced by members of MCS.

Some Kind of Cosmonaut will be available February 18th.

Solid State Records is pleased to announce the release of metal mainstays DEMON HUNTER's sixth full-length album, True Defiance, in stores everywhere April 10.


Produced by Aaron Sprinkle (Anberlin, Emery) and mixed by Jason Suecoff (All That Remains, Trivium), True Defiance finds DEMON HUNTER continuing in their hard rock evolution while embracing the components that have always formed the backbone of their music: true metal, dark rock and balladry.


"This record is without a doubt our most aggressive," says vocalist and band co-founder Ryan Clark. "Every DEMON HUNTER record must be a step up from the last. I know that's a goal for every band, but it seldom works that way - especially today, especially in metal. It seems like most bands' prime years are long behind them. I refuse to let that be the case for us."


On True Defiance, Grammy-nominated artist Ryan Clark, Tim "Yogi" Watts (drums), Jonathan Dunn (bass) and Patrick Judge (lead guitar) are joined by their longtime friend Jeremiah Scott (guitar), whose credits as a metal musician (The Showdown) and producer (Living Sacrifice) are well established. The partnership marks a vital new chapter in the celebrated history of DEMON HUNTER, who are currently marking their 10th year of writing, breaking and erasing the rules of hard rock. Not ones to rest on their laurels, however, the members have created an album that not only lives up to their own lofty standards, but sets a new high-water mark for what DH is capable of.


"We've been extremely underwhelmed with metal for the last five years or so, and that's been the fuel to create this record," Clark explains. "With an extreme over-saturation of false, fleeting, trend-hopping noise in today's metal scene, we had to make something we've been longing to hear. Something truly meaningful and artistic. Something our fans would love and something that will turn the heads of those who have ignored us for the past decade."


True Defiance marks DEMON HUNTER's first outing since 2010's The World Is A Thorn, which debuted in the Billboard Top 40 and was hailed as the heaviest, fastest, and most aggressive record of the band's career. The album yielded hit videos in "Collapsing," which has racked up 1 million views online, and "LifeWar," which was viewed over 100,000 times in the past month. The World is a Thorn was preceded by Storm the Gates of Hell (2007), The Triptych (2005), Summer of Darkness (2004) Demon Hunter (2002), and the three-disc CD / DVD set 45 Days, which collectively sold half a million copies and garnered airplay on college and specialty radio, Fuse and MTV2's Headbangers Ball and earned the band cover features in publications like Revolver and HM.


True Defiance Track List: 
1. Crucifix
2. God Forsaken
3. My Destiny
4. Wake
5. Tomorrow Never Comes
6. Someone To Hate
7. This I Know
8. Means To An End
9. We Don't Care
10. Resistance
11. Dead Flowers

Upcoming Dates:
April 17 - Seattle WA @ El Corazon
April 30 - Kouvola, Finland @ Vappugospel
June 29 - Shirleysburg PA @ Creationfest Northeast

The Burial have just announced that they have signed to Facedown Records and will release their new album Lights and Perfections on March 23rd. Check out a new song below! And let us know what you think!