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REVIEW [Vital - Anberlin]

Band: Anberlin

Album: Vital

Label: Universal Republic

Release Date: October 16th, 2012

Purchase: Pre-Order or available in stores October 16th

For Fans Of: Saosin, Cartel, Anberlin's "Never Take Friendship Personal"

Florida natives and alternative rock pioneers, Anberlin have written possibly one of the most interesting and daring albums of 2012 entitled Vital. The first song and single off the record, "Self-Starter" is an appropriate and well-deserved one with its melody that will chase you throughout the song. With expectations of what the Anberlin's Vital should sound like, listeners will indeed be surprised by the progression and direction of the band. Although many fans and discouraged hipsters may claim that growth in a band is a negative thing, may "Little Tyrants" be a subtle reminder that Anberlin  have written an album of energetic songs to be performed live.

The third song on the album "Other Side" is an emotional journey in itself as it features ambient sounds and personal lyrics regarding loneliness. Fear not though, the following song "Someone Anyone" may be similar in lyrics, but musically is no match against any other song off the 11 song album. "No one can walk away" is one of the many intriguing sets of lyrics besides the chorus that makes this song one of the many memorable ones. Along with the number of upbeat and memorable songs found on the album, Anberlin threw us a couple of freebie lighter/cell phone light concert sing-alongs such as "Innocent" and "Type Three". "Modern Age" in my opinion is a song that brings the most nostalgia to the table. From lyrical content to the hint of ambience heard in the background, this 2nd last track will be the push that keeps you from taking this off your iTunes playlist or out of your car CD slot.

The maturity of Anberlin is consistent and evident on each and every song of Vital. There are so many elements including the pumping bass and snare drum beat on "Someone, Anyone" or the retro-synth lines heard on "Intentions" that make this album so special and new. Grab Vital on October 16th via Universal Republic on iTunes (which includes a bonus track, "Unstable"), Amazon, or your local record store. 

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NEWS [Punk Goes Pop 5 Track List Unveiled]

Fearless Records' have announced the fifth cd in the Punk Goes Pop series. View the artists and the cover songs featured below.

1. Memphis May Fire - Grenade (Bruno Mars)

2. Upon This Dawning - Call Me Maybe (Carly Rae Jepsen)

3. Mayday Parade - Somebody I Used To Know (Gotye)

4. We Came As Romans - I'm Glad You Came (The Wanted)

5. Like Moths To Flames - Some Nights (Fun.)

6. Breathe Carolina - Billie Jean (Michael Jackson)

7. Forever The Sickest Kids - We Found Love (Rihanna)

8. Issues - Boyfriend (Justin Bieber)

9. The Maine -  Girls Just Want To Have Fun (Cyndi Lauper)

10. Crown The Empire - Payphone (Maroon 5)

11. Craig Owens - Paradise (Coldplay)

12. The Word Alive - Mercy (Kanye West)

13. Secrets - Ass Back Home (Gym Class Heroes) 

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NEWS [Issues Release Exclusive Studio Update]

Former members of Woe Is Me have now created a new band called Issues. The new band currently in the studio with Kris Crummet have released an exclusive studio update featuring info about the new EP along with song clips. Check out the exclusive FlippenMusic update here.

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REVIEW [Broken Jaw - Light You Up]

Band: Light You Up

Album: Broken Jaw EP

Label: Great Escape Records(UK)/Ice Grill$(JAP)

Release Date: October 15th, 2012

Purchase: Pre-Order coming soon 

For Fans Of: Four Year Strong,  Hawthorne Heights, Jonny Craig **Watch the album trailer here** 

Without releasing even an official single with the new vocalist, Birmingham's upcoming, favourite alternative rock band, Light You Up has caught the eye and ear of many; 2,200+ fans to be exact thus far. Not only are they grabbing the attention of fans awaiting the release of the first single "Foxfire", but Light You Up are also signed to Great Escape Records (UK) and Ice Grill$ Records (JAP) which will both release their upcoming EP, titled Broken Jaw. 

With Jonny Craig-esque style vocals that can also be compared to Four Year Strong's Dan O'Connor…Light You Up's very own Tom Napier is no stranger; he's been doing vocal covers on YouTube for a while now. Within 4 songs (none of that EP intro or interlude nonsense), Light You Up prove to you that they're back with a solid line up and here to stay. Carefully placed back-up vocals by bassist Tom Hill in "Foxfire" indicate the band's perfect understanding of what a rock song should sound like. The chorus, "Play this broken record on your stereo" will have you hooked on the band; and that's a fact. The guitar chords used in the song are relaxing yet energetic in the way that they are played. In fact, the opening guitar notes quickly reassure you that you have made a good decision by giving the song a listen.

The title track, Broken Jaw gets right into the song from the get-go. The opening lyric, "I've never felt this way before" is probably the same way you're feeling about your new favourite band. Light You Up are definitely something different than the rest of your music library. The song is not repetitive nor dull in any way, shape, or form - witness it for yourself when you hear the bridge. The third song off the EP is "Without You Here", which older fans may recognize as it was previously released in Fall 2011 with a former vocalist. The EP version is with the band's latest vocalist Tom Napier which will not be a disappointment to fans.

The last song on the EP is an appropriate one - it begins with just acoustic guitar along with matching mellow vocals. About halfway through the song, gang vocals accompanied by the rest of the instruments join in on the fun to bring you what I could imagine being in a chick-flick movie. It's completely different than the rest of the EP; yet, it still is able to bring elements into the song that make it a Light You Up song. In short, the EP appears to be a preview of what we as listeners can expect from the band in the future. Broken Jaw is proof that a full-length album is very much possible for this UK act. This EP will literally light up your day, your music library, and of course you. Grab a copy of Broken Jaw  when it's released October 15th via Great Escape and Ice Grill$.

-- Review by Patrick of Defiance Press

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NEWS [All Time Low release album trailer and artwork]

All Time Low will be releasing Don't Panic via Hopeless Records on October 9th. Click here to view the album trailer and click here to pre-order the album. Album artwork can be found above.

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NEWS [Hands Like Houses release first music video]

From down under, Hands Like Houses have released their first music video for their single "This Ain't No Place For Animals" off of their debut, Ground Dweller. Watch the mysterious and eerie music video on YouTube.

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REVIEW [Age of Ignorance - Our Last Night]

Band: Our Last Night

Album: Age of Ignorance

Label: Epitaph Records

Release Date: August 21, 2012

Purchase: iTunes or in stores

For Fans Of: The Color Morale, Silverstein, Jamie's Elsewhere

There is definitely something to be said about accomplishing big things in little time, not to mention at such a young age. Our Last Night (OLN) consisting of at the time 13 year old vocalist Trevor Wentworth had only existed for 3 years before signing to major label, Epitaph Records in 2007. Countless tours and 2 full-length albums later, 4-man band Our Last Night have released yet another spectacular album that is something totally out of left field. One track in, "Fate" becomes a house-warming gift to help the transition into the new OLN sound.

With singing provided by not only by guitarist Matt Wentworth, but his brother Trevor Wentworth,Age of Ignorance is a poppy metalcore album that critics can discuss for hours on end. The album as a whole, but specifically "Send Me To Hell" and the title track "Age of Ignorance" will provide listeners with lyrics that are both intriguing and mind-stimulating. Lyrics from "Liberate Me" such as "You'll never take my freedom away, and those were the words that made us separate" is one of many examples of the band's maturity. Although lyrically the album is very powerful and moving, the music is not what long term Our Last Night fans  (like myself) are used to. Producer David Bendeth has encouraged OLN to bring out their fullest potential by allowing each and every song on the album to have a catchy hook while still maintaining the band's heavy roots beginning with their first album The Ghosts Among Us. 

The single "Liberate Me" pin points just what I'm referring to. The song ends just where you started with a progressive guitar riff that moves into aggressive drums accompanied by the raw screams of Trevor. Sooner than expected, Matt Wentworth himself provides comfort with notable clean vocals. The last and final track of what has made my top 5 albums of the year is "A Sun That Never Sets"; a song that could very well be found on either The Ghosts Among Us or We Will Evolve (both previous Our Last Night releases). It encompasses everything Age of Ignorance has within it. From meaningful lyrics, to pounding drums,  to complex and interesting guitar structure - it has it all.  I can proudly say Our Last Night has released another album with songs consisting of something you haven't heard before.

--

Review by Patrick of Defiance Press

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NEWS [Outline In Color release first single off A Jury of Wolves]

Click the image about to stream the first single "I Ain't Afraid of No Ghost" featuring Matty Mullins of Memphis May Fire.  This killer track is the first single off of the band's full length album available online September 25th.

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NEWS [TALK YOUR [S]#?! Tour announced"

Woe, Is Me will be hitting the road in the US with their new line up headlining the Talk Your [S]#?!  (We'll Give You A Reason) Tour with support from Chunk! No, Captain Chunk!, Our Last Night, Secrets, The Seeking and the upcoming Aussie metalcore band Capture The Crown. See the tour poster below as well as the tour dates.

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NEWS [Upon This Dawning reveal album details]

Verona, Italy's pride and joy metalcore act Upon This Dawning will be releasing their debut record To Keep Us Safe on October 23rd via Fearless Records.

 Above is the album artwork and below is the track list for it. Get stoked for it - we know we are. 'To Keep Us Safe' Track Listing To Keep Us Safe' Track Listing:

1. A New Beginning (Feat. Chris Motionless)

2. Of Human Action

3. Nothing Lasts Forever

4. The One And Only

5. From Hell To The West

6. The Sound Of Your Breath

7. Blood is Thicker Than Water

8. All In Your Head

9. Sons Of Venice

10. Lux

11. The Path

12. Vessel

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NEWS [Anberlin release first song off "Vital"]

Rock legends, Anberlin have released a the first single from their upcoming album Vital  due out October 16th. Visit Billboard.com to stream this catchy, energetic tune.

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NEWS [At The Skylines announce Acoustic EP "Empire"]

At The Skylines will be releasing an acoustic EP with 4 tracks on it on September 18 via iTunes. As a thank you to their fans for purchasing their debut album, the band is giving away Turbulence (Acoustic) here.

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NEWS [The Amity Affliction release music video]

Like everyone including the band, The Amity Affliction is counting down the days until the release of their album Chasing Ghosts which is due out September 18th. Finally unlocked is the band's music video for the title track "Chasing Ghosts". Watch the video below: Chasing Ghosts (Official Music Video)

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NEWS [Crown The Empire are beginning to record]

One of Rise Records' newer bands, Crown The Empire are beginning to record their debut record for Rise Records with Joey Sturgis (Asking Alexandria, Attack Attack, Miss May I) for the next month. Video updates will be provided by the band and Sam Link of Collapse Studios.

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NEWS [Oceans Ate Alaska joins The Artery Foundaton]

Birmingham metalcore outfit Oceans Ate Alaska have signed to The Artery Foundation. This management company is home to many popular bands within the scene including Asking Alexandria, Woe Is Me, Our Last Night and many others.

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NEWS [Light You Up release EP, "Broken Jaw" trailer]

Though we're not usually one to post about bands we haven't heard much music from, this album trailer caught us off guard. With soothing vocals and energetic music to back it up, Light You Up is sure to catch the world by surprise with the release of their EP, Broken Jaw. Stream the album trailer on the band's YouTube channel here. Stay tuned for a review of this record; we can't wait to get our hands on it. 

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NEWS [Despite My Deepest Fear drop their first music video]

Unsigned and under the radar, Despite My Deepest Fear have released their first ever music video exclusively on Front Magazine's website. Click the link below to view the video for their new song.

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