Urizen - Metal Band from Out of This World!

A long time ago, in a galaxy far away there was a band called, Urizen. From afar, they observed the very dull and boring occurances on this planet we call, Earth. Now, they are here to enlighten and entertain us all with their outer-worldly music and eccentric space antics! Their sound can only be described as what you might hear if evil space scientists created robots from advanced technology and spare parts from Nintendo Entertainment Systems that were programmed and instructed to perform a futuristic form of heavy metal! If you'd like a similarly irrational description of their music then imagine Devo, playing on Dimmu Borgir's instruments, in Rammstein's basement, at Gwar's Birthday Party, and Powerglove, Finntroll, and King Diamond are moshing in the pit. However you choose to describe them, one thing remains certain - Urizen, is one of the most inventive and captivating bands in music today! Currently calling the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex home, Urizen, has been creating their unique brand of electronic metal since 2003. Since then, the band has managed to craft some truly brilliant albums including 2005's, critically acclaimed "Autocropolis", or their valiant sophmore effort, 2007's "Universe" EP. The members, consisting of Thomas Drinnen (guitar, vocals), Daniel Drinnen (keyboards), Julio Escamilla (drums), Matt Garrison (guitar), and James Wicks (bass) possess, collectively, a strong musical chemistry, intense instrumental prowess, and a great sense of humor and wit. The end result of their collaborative effort is a truly unique and interesting from of metal that boasts a wide variety of influences from power metal, to black metal, to death metal, to industrial, to progressive, to experimental, to electronic and the list goes on. The keyboard-heavy progressive, experimental metal lends a perfect home to lyrics that touch on subjects stretching from science, space and time, and quantum physics to philosophy, politics, and spirituality and it's all complimented by sparse 8-bit, Nintendo sounding electronics and epic synthesizer/keyboard arrangements. Although Urizen's music is gaining the band some serious attention, they are more commonly known for their theatrical productions and outrageous stage performances. The band can be seen peforming in matching colored, futuristic space armor, accompanied by a giant robot that joins them on stage and saves the band from a giant, alien worm; or you may witness any different variation of space technology they decide to demonstrate as they battle other fearsome creatures from the distant reaches of the universe. Support the band by stopping by their facebook page, purchasing their amazing albums, or attending one of their famous live shows. Don't miss your chance to experience, Urizen! 

http://www.UrizenOnline.com

Beneath The Veil - Brutal Southern California Hardcore Infused Deathcore

It's no secret that the metal world has been downright overrun with a new genre of metal, called deathcore. We see band after band coming forth with their own tired rendition of this already played out sound, and even though the proverbial bandwagon was overcrowded long ago, it seems that bands will be jumping on until the wheels fall off.  That's just what happens, though. A new and exciting style of music surfaces and leagues of copycats everywhere clamor to stake their claim and fill a niche in the music market. Beneath The Veil is out to prove that they aren't just another Deathcore band. Hailing from the highly competitive Southern California music scene and having only been together just two short years, Beneath The Veil is outrunning the competition and leaving their predecessors in the dust. Their musical peers stand baffled and scratching their heads, as they find they've been outshined by a band comprised of sophomores in high school. This young group of would-be deathcore heroes, however, is anything but green; boasting an impressive resume right out of the gates, sharing the stage with such acts as Suicide Silence, As I Lay Dying, Molotov Solution, Carnifex, Oceano, As Blood Runs Black, Winds of Plague, as well as making some main stage festival appearances and receiving stellar reviews from metal websites and music critics alike. These boys have set themselves up to become one of the next big metal acts to watch for in years to come and have released a stellar 6 song EP that adds insult to injury for metal bands twice their age, looking to catch a break in the industry. The Movement, is a magnificent offering of hardcore infused deathcore that packs a down-tuned punch to the stomach that even bands like Emmure, Oceano, and The Acacia Strain would surely appreciate. Displayed throughout the opening title-track, "The Movement", is a brutal frenzy of guttural, de-tuned epicness that will have any metal head banging their head in approval.  And it's not all blast-beats and break-downs either; other tracks like "SYG" and "The Human Project" show surprising depth and showcase interesting fret-work.

The more one listens to the rest of the songs on the EP, including "Big Ben", "To My Adversaries", and "Oceans", the more one recognizes the heavy hardcore influence throughout the recording. In addition to being a solid metal achievement, The Movement, flows well and is extremely well produced by engineer Alex Pappas, ex-drummer for post-hardcore, alternative rock outfit, Finch. Listening to the album once through won't do your ears justice, and you'll find yourself hitting the replay button several times after the first run through. Look for much, much more to come from the promising and quickly rising, Beneath The Veil!

http://www.beneaththeveilband.com/

Noah “Shark” Robertson - Swimming With Shark Entertainment

Ready The Messenger

When you think of Austin, Texas the thought of the hardcore and metalcore genres don't immediately come to mind. Although Austin is known to many as the "music capital of the world", there are fewer and fewer decent metal bands emerging from its mediocrity plagued, and often stale, metal scene. One band, Ready The Messenger, is ready to prove that powerful and original Metalcore/Hardcore music still exists there. Since 2009, the band has had a strong presence in the local music scene, and they show no signs of slowing down. They have a constant and relentless show schedule, and are never without a full calender of performances. The band is extremely passionate about their music and it shows in everything they do, whether it's on the stage or in the studio. I had the distinct pleasure of witnessing RTM in action, and they do not dissapoint! Their music is a stunning mixture of Metalcore and Hardcore along the likes of Killswitch Engage, Underoath, and As I Lay Dying; and their live performance is as every bit intense.

If you can't make it out to any of their Texas dates, then make your way over to their Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/readythemessenger and give their Fracture EP a listen. The recordings are stellar and definitely do the band some justice. Songs like "Seamless" and "Wearing Thin" are sure to empower the listener and keep you coming back for more. In an endless sea of metal music and a boundless ocean of metal bands, Ready The Messenger are making waves! - Swimming with Sharks Entertainment