Ryan Blake Martin, guitarist of Facedown Records' metal band A Plea For Purging, has just released a new song, titled "It's In The Pain We Grow," which can be streamed below. The song is off of Martin's upcoming EP, Fragile, which will be released to iTunes, AmazonMP3, and Spotify on Tuesday, January 10th. For more info on the Fragile EP and Ryan Blake Martin, check out his Facebook page.

 *NEW SONG* Its In The Pain We Grow by ryanblakemartin

Artist: Ocean Is Theory
Album: Future Fears EP
Release Date: May 24, 2011
Label: Razor & Tie Records

Progression is always an important element in a band's musical career. Well some bands can make the same album over and over again, it should be said that I personally like to see lots of variety from album to album. Ocean Is Theory's Future Fears EP is the follow up to their impressive 2009, four-song effort, In My Blood Again, of which had a great progressive and emotional indie rock mood to it. The Future Fears EP takes a bit of a different route this time around, with an indie-tinged alternative rock sound, full of slick verses that lead into big, memorable choruses, and although only three songs long, the EP does a good job of showing the new direction the band is heading in.

The best way to describe the overall feel of the Future Fears EP, a short release preceding the band's to be announced full length, is quite catchier and more accessible than earlier material. The opening "Underneath" features some Between The Trees-esque melodies, along with a great vocal performance. "Best Intentions" is a ridiculously catchy song full of gang vocals, hand-clapping and feet-stomping percussion (in the song's intro) and sticky guitar riffs that are like nothing Ocean Is Theory has done before. The last track, "King Size Bed," is really the only song on the EP that bears any resemblance to the songs on In My Blood Again, but taps into some more spacey indie rock.

Overall: Ocean Is Theory's Future Fears EP does a good job of wetting the listener's appetite (or in this case anticipation) for the band's forthcoming first, full length effort, by releasing three great new songs. A more accessible and catchy indie/alternative rock sound is what the band is aiming for on their new material, and I can say that they use the sound to their advantage. I for one can say that Ocean Is Theory's upcoming album is one that should not be missed, but in the meantime, check out this EP and give it a few spins, it's worth it.

Tracklisting:

1. Underneath
2. Best Intentions
3. King Size Bed 
4. Best Intentions (Acoustic Video)

(Buy Here)

Artist: Sleeping At Last
Album: March EP
Release Date: March 1st, 2011
Label: Independent

March has been and is usually a big month for music, and the downside of that is that some bands don't get credit where credit is due. Sleeping At Last have been hard at work on their year-long Yearbook project, with six of the twelve EPs already released. This month's edition, the March EP released on the first day of the month, and is certainly worth the listen.

The calming indie music of Sleeping At Last is something that can be listened to, for reflecting on and enjoying life. The band's second instrumental to date on the project, "Pacific," begins and ends with piano, with strings added throughout the song. "Outlines" adds in some quiet electronic effects to go along with softly played guitar, that eventually breaks into an orchestrated section, and a vocal crescendo from singer Ryan O'Neal.

Of all of the guest artists on Yearbook thus far, whether it be many providing drums, string sections, or even guest vocals, the best guest appearance takes it's place on the ukulele-laden duet with Jon Foreman of Switchfoot. It's always great to hear Foreman in such a laid back setting, and him singing on "Birthright" makes it all the better, both when his voice mixes with O'Neal's, and when he sings the second verse himself.

Overall: One of their best EP's released so far, Sleeping At Last have added another chapter to their already impressive Yearbook series. With half the project done, there's a good chance SAL will be sure to try some new things, and continue to put out more quality music, like they've done on March.

Tracklisting:

1. Pacific
2. Outlines
3. Birthright (feat. Jon Foreman of Switchfoot)

(Buy Here)

Artist: The Ember Days
Album: Finger Painting EP
Release Date: 8/31/10
Label: Come&Live!

I'll lay it out on the table right now, worship music is the biggest hit or miss genre with me. Despite always full of praise to God, there are just some bands that lack in creativity and some that just do it in a very accessible way that is very enjoyable to anyone. The Ember Days are a hit. The presence of God that fills the five tracks on their newest EP, Finger Painting, will no doubt make you want to uplift your praise to Jesus Christ on the spot. This five track effort is filled with three instrumentals and two tracks with vocals, provided by Janell Belcher, adding the the beautiful ambient atmosphere, that is perfect for a worship setting.

Setting the atmospheric sense right off is "Hope," the first of the instrumentals. The ambient feel provided captures you from the simple strumming of a guitar to the pounding, triumphant drums that go on through the song. "It Is Well" has a softer feel to it, with Janell's soaring vocals resonating to the sounds of an orchestrated section and an acoustic guitar. The last two instrumentals follow, "Rest" and "Finger Painting." The latter clocks at, yes, nearly 11 minutes long but has the surprising ability to take hold of the listener and not let go, with a nice drum buildup that binds the song together. The closer, "Simple Song," starts off slow and piano driven, but breaks into a chorus of guitars and choir that proclaims "Hallelujah, we praise You" to close out Finger Painting on a high note.

Rating: 8/10 Out of New Zealand come one of the best bands in the worship circuit today, The Ember Days. The atmospheric, ambient songs contained on Finger Painting provide an intimate feeling of worship and praising Jesus Christ. This is no doubt some of the best worship music this year has had to offer.

Tracklisting:

1. Hope
2. It Is Well
3. Rest
4. Finger Painting
5. Simple Song

(Download Here)

Artist: The Devil Wears Prada
Album: Zombie EP
Release Date: 8/24/10
Label: Ferret Music

The Devil Wears Prada are back with their living dead inspired Zombie EP, but don't be alarmed, The Devil Wears Prada are on our side on these fast paced five tracks. The band has changed a few things up this time around, showing right off the bat. Their sound has grown heavier and faster, the screams and growls from vocalist Mike Hranica have improved, going from high to low quite smoothly, and the clean vocals from guitarist Jeremy DePoyster have also become a less utilized part of their sound, not to say that they are absent, which is not true to any extent.

Right out of the gate, the faster elements are shown on the opener "Escape." A heavy layered keyboard rhythm is contained, mixed with the heavy, fast riffs, which are also heard on a few other tracks as well. Another standout track would be "Revive," which sets an eerie tone with an orchestral section, offering a bit more depth to the project. "Revive" is also the only track that the clean vocals are one of the dominant parts of the song structure. The closer "Survivor" is the EP's other highlight. It has more of a melodic sound to it, with the clean vocals that come in momentarily some of the strongest heard from the band.

Lyrically, you won't find any messages or anything in the lyrics, being completely about zombies and fighting them off (on "Survivor"). This EP is mainly just for fun, but does show the band progressing into a heavier sound that just might work for them on future projects.

Rating: 7/10 The Devil Wears Prada have become one of the biggest names in today's metalcore scene and have returned with their newest project, the Zombie EP. It isn't too much in depth, due to being based around zombies, the EP is a fun listen. Although this EP won't place near my top metal albums of the year, it is also not a bad listen and is put together well.

Tracklisting:

1. Escape
2. Anatomy
3. Outnumbered
4. Revive
5. Survivor

(Buy Here)

Artist: Rapture Ruckus
Album: Rapture Ruckus EP
Release Date: 6/8/10
Label: BEC Recordings

Once in a while, it's good to listen to something that's very fun, but loaded with a good message as well. BEC Recordings' newest act, the New Zealand-based Rapture Ruckus, have an entertaining hip-hop/pop rock sound that is good on the listener. The mix goes well together and makes you want to sing along or just get moving.

A message of hope is found in Rapture Ruckus, which is undeniably powerful. Songs like "Hold On" convey this message, with lyrics such as "hold on, help is coming, hold on, you're gonna make it through the rain." The album also has a bit of fun thrown in with "Tonight," which is a party song with a sticky rhythm that makes you just want to get up and dance, literally.

The highlight of the self-titled EP is easily "I Believe." Containing mainly an electric guitar, the track states the group's belief in God and how we can always trust Him. It hits very hard, right to the core. The closer is the heavy-synth laden "All We Got," which closes the short album off with another party-like sound, that's sure to get stuck in your head. This being said, Rapture Ruckus can bring the message and the party, all the way from New Zealand.

Rating: 8/10 From New Zealand comes the newest BEC Recordings act, Rapture Ruckus. A very fun sounding EP, with various hard-hitting messages in songs like "Hold On" and "I Believe" only add to the fact that Rapture Ruckus are sure to be big, hitting it off on a high note.

Tracklisting:

1. No Matter What
2. Tonight
3. Hold On
4. All Things New
5. I Believe
6. All We Got

(Buy Here)