To Speak of Wolves have released their new music video for "Je Suis Fini," which can be viewed below. The video is based on the concept of Plato's Allegory of the Cave, and the second part of the story will be released in another upcoming video. To Speak of Wolves' new album, Find Your Worth, Come Home, will be available in stores and online on May 22nd through Solid State Records.

Artist: Demon Hunter
Album: True Defiance
Release Date: April 10, 2012
Label: Solid State Records

Chances are, if you're reading this, you've most likely heard of Demon Hunter. In fact, if you've been into any type of Christian rock music over the past ten years, the band should ring a bell, as one of today's iconic, pioneering metal bands, led by frontman Ryan Clark, with his vicious screams and haunting, melancholy clean vocals. Now, two years after the release of the band's explosive album The World Is A Thorn comes True Defiance, the sixth studio album in the band's momentous ten year career. Following up such a quality album, I was a bit nervous of what to expect with True Defiance, and after my first listen, my general thoughts were a little underwhelming.

Quite honestly, if you were a big fan of The World Is A Thorn, True Defiance will be a hit or miss, or perhaps a grower. The album takes the classic Demon Hunter sound, along with quite a bit of heavy production, and adds in a bit more of a modern metal edge, with some riffs that hint at a quasi-djent influence and chuggs that any metalhead will love. That's not to say that this is a bad thing, as True Defiance is a solid album, with a collection of songs that certainly don't all stick with the same formula. Take the opener "Crucifix" for example; a distorted intro leads into an overall heavy song that is certainly worthy of the repeat button on your iPod, full of good grooves and bridge of a breakdown layered with a guitar solo of typical DH-fare. The subtle djent-influence (which seems to be popping up all over the metal scene these days) peers its head on "God Forsaken," which is also marked by a clean cut of melody by Clark's vocals and a solo, which while of good fashion, feels a bit odd with a clean, bluesy feel in the middle of all the heaviness.

"My Destiny" and "Someone to Hate" both abound in a thrashier sound, with a few experimental elements, such as a higher screams used on the former, and an off-time signature utilized on the structuring of "Someone to Hate." True Defiance's ballads also seem to follow the classic Demon Hunter formula, with Clark's haunting vocals adding a melodramatic feel to the mix, especially in "Dead Flowers," which also implements some synthy-keys, an '80s influenced solo, and a rather climatic chorus (bringing to mind the band's Christmas single "The Wind"). Another rather interesting ballad, only included on the deluxe edition, is "I Am A Stone," which finds Ryan Clark only backed by an orchestra, an interesting pairing which really draws attention to the vocals, which really hold their ground throughout the song, a strong performance.

Despite it's strong points, True Defiance does falter at times. Some of the songs do blend together, notably towards the end of the album, before "Dead Flowers," not showing as much creativity, as the sporadic songs of The World Is Not A Thorn. Another thing to mention is that, at times, the album feels overproduced, with backing programmed effects that, while not consistent, are distracting and unnecessary.

Overall: Demon Hunter's plunge back into the scene, True Defiance, is certainly solid, but not perfect. The album has its moments of greatness, like the heavy grooves of "Crucifix" and haunting balladry of "Dead Flowers," but are also contrasted with lackluster sections as well, such as (inconsistent) overproduction and a few songs that really don't make as much of a lasting effect as hoped for. Lyrically, True Defiance continues the themes of defying (no pun intended) the ways of this world, and standing up for what you believe. If you enjoy Demon Hunter, or any modern metal (less core), you will probably find something to like on this album, but those who particularly liked the raw-sounding direction of The World Is A Thorn may find something lacking this time around.

Rating: 7.5/10

Reviewed by Brooks Ginnan

Tracklisting:

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
12. What Is Left (deluxe only)
13. I Am A Stone (deluxe only)

(Buy Here)

We Are Creation are a collective out of Nashville that exist to create a passionate outpouring and atmosphere of worship. The band, fronted by The Anchor Fellowship's David Lim, have just released a new self-titled album through Come&Live!, and will also be leading worship on the main stage at this year's Cornerstone Festival in Bushnell, Illinois. The album can be downloaded as a free gift right here, along with many other great releases, and for more information on We Are Creation, be sure to visit their website (which includes tour dates, chord charts, and more).

Artist: Leaders
Album: Now We Are Free
Release Date: March 27, 2012
Label: Facedown Records

In 2011, the band formerly known as ALLorNOTHING went through some members changes as well as a name change. That new band came to be Leaders, Facedown Records newest signees. Hailing from California the band combines elements of new-age metalcore with old-school hardcore, and have blended these styles into their debut album, Now We Are Free.

Like I said, the band combines hardcore and metalcore elements, both musically and vocally. There are some songs which sound more hardcore, and some which sound more metalcore, but for the most part the album is a very good mixture of the two where you can hear distinct signatures of both styles without them overpowering or drowning out each other. One song that really stands out to me musically is "Deportes" this song meshes the two styles, and so hard it hurts! When you hear this song it just makes you want to go crazy in the pit. The song has a nice breakdown about 40 seconds into it, and then goes into this killer guitar riff that reminds me of old-school Haste the Day, and then goes into the fastest, most chaotic thing you'll hear this side of The Chariot. The band does not waste a second of the 28 minutes the album lasts. The fast pace of hardcore is definitely the driving force of the album, it starts with a bang and doesn't let up until the last note of "La Onda". As much as I do like the mixing of these two styles of metal music, the album does start to run together a bit. Maybe it's the fact that the album is on the short side for length or something else but it seems like when you're really getting into the album, it's done. "Te Necesito" does give the album a quick breather, before picking back up with a more metalcore sounding song aptly called "Leaders".

Overall: There are several promising things on this album, especially for it being a debut album. Musically the album is tight, and fierce. It's fast-paced, energetic, and unapologetic. There's nothing that is going to set the world of metal music on fire and revolutionize the game, but there doesn't need to be. Leaders has found a way to combine two of the most popular styles of heavy music, and they make it seem easy. Vocally, Lazarus pushes his voice to the limits, and gives us our money's worth. I think too many bands these days are reliant on clean vocals to grab attention during their chorus, you won't get that with Now We Are Free. The album is an runaway train of pure metal brutality and it's not stopping any time soon. Hopefully, the band can build on this album and expand a bit and could be that new staple band Facedown Records is looking for after the departure of For Today.


Rating: 8/10


Recommended Tracks: "Convictions", "Deportes", "Leaders", and "La Onda"


Reviewed by: Michael Small

Tracklisting:
1. Overture
2. Conviction
3. Instance
4. Deportes
5. Send-Up
6. Te Necesito
7. Leaders
8. Real
9. Alone
10. La Onda

(Buy here)

One of our favorite labels, Slospeak Records, are currently giving away a summer sampler over at Noisetrade, featuring free songs from Blood & Water, Sons, Owen Pye, Pioneer, and Golden Youth. The sampler can be downloaded below or right here.

TO SPEAK OF WOLVES Debut 'Hivemind' at Revolver


Third track premiered from sophomore album, Find Your Worth, Come Home


Available in stores and online May 22 on Solid State Records


Spring U.S. headlining tour announced


May 2, 2012 -  With their ferocious new album, Find Your Worth, Come Home - set to drop in just under three weeks, North Carolina hard rock rioters TO SPEAK OF WOLVES are set to premiere another hard-hitting song - the album's leadoff track, "Hivemind," streaming now exclusively via heavy music tastemaker Revolver.

Listen to 'Hivemind' at RevolverMag.com now:
http://www.revolvermag.com/news/to-soeak-of-wolves-premiere-new-song-tktk.html

"'Hivemind' was the last song we wrote for the record," explains drummer Phil Chamberlain. "In fact, we actually wrote it in the studio after we were done arranging the rest of the songs on the album. We wanted a song that was fast and a little chaotic, but also short and sweet to open the record, and that became 'Hivemind.' Lyrically, the song is about coming from a broken home and wanting to make everything better, but you can't."

Fans can get a chance to preview the band's new material on TO SPEAK OF WOLVES' U.S. headlining tour, set to kick off in just a few days. Presented by Evolve Over Hate clothing and Substream Music Press, the tour stretches from May 4-June 2 with support from HARP & LYRE. Joining the bands on select dates are Solid State label mates WOLVES AT THE GATE (May 8-14), as well as FALLSTAR (May 18-21), LIONS! TIGERS! BEARS! (May 22-26), and SET THE SUN (May 28-Jun 2).

Find Your Worth, Come Home sees the band's revitalized lineup reaching into darker, heavier and faster territory. The sophomore album is follow-up to TO SPEAK OF WOLVES' heralded 2010 debut, Myself < Letting Go, which catapulted the band onto the national stage with its road-rash riffage and soaring, arena-worthy choruses. Relentless touring alongside likeminded bands such as UNDER0ATH, AUGUST BURNS RED and BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME underscored the fact that the Greensboro, NC quintet were a force to be reckoned with. The band quickly became a beacon within the hard rock and metalcore scene, despite – or perhaps because of – their unwillingness to become yet another facsimile spewing forth endless breakdowns and Auto-Tuned choruses. TO SPEAK OF WOLVES refused to do either, and fans loved them all the more for it. While fans will continue love those same aspects of the band's musical personality, Find Your Worth is an album of rediscovery, one that freshly stamps what TO SPEAK OF WOLVES is about, from its title on down.

Now, driven by the dominating vocal presence of Speas, TO SPEAK OF WOLVES are ready to blow the doors wide open. “This record is something that we're incredibly proud of," Chamberlain says. "We couldn't be more stoked and proud of what we've created with this album. We are excited and can't wait to share it with everyone!"

Evolve Over Hate & Substream Music Press Present: 
Find Your Worth Tour with TO SPEAK OF WOLVES, HARP & LYRE
May 6 Richmond, VA @ Kingdom
May 7 Lexington, KY @ The Aura
May 8 Goshen, IN @ The Goshen Theater *
May 10 Chicago Ridge, IL @ Bobby Mcgee's *
May 11 St Louis, MO@ Cicero's *
May 12 Joplin, MO @ Solace w/Harp & Lyre *
May 14 Wichita, KS @ Eagles Lodge *
May 17 Boise, ID @ The Venue
May 18 Centralia, WA @ Quesadilla Factory **
May 20 Camas, WA @ Revolution Room **
May 23 Las Vegas, NV @ The Sanctuary ***
May 25 Canoga Park, CA @ Cobalt Cafe ***
May 27 Albuquerque, NM @ Amped Performance Center
May 28 Amarillo, TX @ Vintin ****
May 30 Victoria, TX @ Downtown Bar and Grill ****
May 31 Athens, TX @ Church of Nazarene ****
Jun 1 Dallas, TX @ Sons of Herman Hall ****
Jun 2 Oklahoma City, OK @ Frontline Church ****

* With WOLVES AT THE GATES
** With FALLSTAR
*** With LIONS! TIGERS! BEARS!
**** With SET THE SUN


Additional Upcoming Dates:
May 4 Stony Point, NC @ Redeemer's House
May 5 Raleigh, NC @ Raleighpalooza!!!
Jun 15 Stone Mountain, GA @ ATLANTA FEST
Jun 22 Wilmore, KY @ ICTHUS FESTIVAL
Jun 23 Mineral City, OH @ Alive Festival
Jul 11 Oshkosh, WI @ Lifest
Aug 2 Gilford, NH @ Soulfest
Aug 7 Darien Center, NY @ Kingdombound Festival
Aug 11 Muskegon, MI @ Unity Music Festival
Sep 15 Shippensburg, PA@ Uprise Music Festival