Tag Archive: Between The Buried and Me

Issachar – The Tide

Filed Under: Reviews

Feb.07, 2012

Issachar

The Tide

01. Desert
02. Dust
03. Storm
04. Tide (I)
05. Tide (II)

[02/07/12]
[Self Released]

Before I go ahead and review this, I feel like I have to disclose the fact that former Heavy Blog writer Paul “Uncle Muscles” Meisner is the extremely talented guitarist for Issachar, so as the newest contributor for Heavy Blog I took it upon myself to review the album with no bias whatsoever, as my interactions with Paul have been minimal.

Anyways, Issachar are a quintet based in North Carolina. Normally, this type of music isn’t the most appealing to me; I’m not particular about the whole technical thing if it isn’t integrated with a more engaging element – whether it be a fretless bass or a keyboard or some soaring clean vocals – and straight aggression just isn’t my thing. I need that substance; something I can pick out and think back on as my favorite part. That’s why bands like Between the Buried and Me and Periphery are so appealing to me; not only are the heavy parts memorable, but there is also an element of variety that makes the song in itself memorable – that or a crazy rhythm, an electronic interlude or a polka section.

Luckily, bands like Issachar make sure my spoiled-rotten taste in music is littered with the stuff I look for in a band. Their debut EP The Tide is fantastic. I won’t say anything crazy, but if only one thing came out this year and it was The Tide, I would be perfectly happy.

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Tags: Between The Buried and Me, Explosions In The Sky, Issachar, The Faceless, The Tide

The Faceless Confirmed For Summer Slaughter

Filed Under: Tours and Rumors of Tours

Feb.06, 2012

Yeah, we know the lineup is different now, but this is the latest promo. Use your imagination!

This year’s Summer Slaughter Tour is looking like the biggest one yet, with Cannibal Corpse and Between the Buried and Me being the ticket’s highest selling points. Each week, Summer Slaughter will be announcing a new addition to the lineup until the whole bill is announced. Pretty smooth plan, as I’ll be mentioning them at least once a week until we get the dates. Hurray, marketing!

This week, we can check off another band that is confirmed for the trek from the rumored lineup that we reported a few weeks ago; The Faceless will be high on the bill. Expected, and yet still completely exciting!

Next week: Veil of Maya? Hate Eternal? Exhumed? A wildcard!? We’ll find out next week!

- JR

Tags: Between The Buried and Me, Cannibal Corpse, Hate Eternal, The Faceless, The Summer Slaughter Tour, Veil of Maya

Hey! Listen to Tetrafusion!

Filed Under: Hits From The Inbox, Listen To This!

Feb.03, 2012

This week, I received an email from Tetrafusion informing me that their new EP Horizons was available for free download. There was mention of Jamie King (producer for BTBAM, Last Chance To Reason, The Human Abstract, Last Chance To Reason), so immediately knew I had to give it a listen. Chances are, if King has produced it, I’d enjoy the hell out of it. You can tell by the fact that this post is here that Tetrafusion are definitely worth your time if you’re a fan of the aforementioned bands.

Tetrafusion are less extreme that the above bands (I don’t recall any harsh vocals), but definitely have that progressive metal edge. What really got my attention is the strong rhythm section, especially their bassist. Everything here is quality though! Also, keyboard solos; I think that speaks for itself.

You can hear their new EP Horizons below.

You can download the EP for free by clicking through to Bandcamp. You should definitely do that, because Horizons EP is fucking amazing.

- JR

Tags: Between The Buried and Me, Horizons EP, Jamie King, Last Chance To Reason, Tetrafusion, The Human Abstract, White Arms of Athena

Cannibal Corpse & BTBAM Confirmed For Summer Slaughter

Filed Under: Tours and Rumors of Tours

Feb.02, 2012

CALLED IT!

So Summer Slaughter’s lineup rumors are looking like they’re true. This year’s trek will include headliner Cannibal Corpse with special guests Between the Buried and Me. If you aren’t excited, you need to check your pulse. These two bands bring in a wide spectrum of metal fans, which will no doubt be filled in nicely with the diverse rumored lineup of The Faceless, Job For A Cowboy, Veil of Maya, Exhumed, and Hate Eternal. There should be something for everyone, and as long as some unwanted lame metalcore or deathcore band slips in, this will likely be the best Summer Slaughter lineup yet.

I’m stoked on this. The rest of the lineup will be slowly churned out each Sunday, so keep up with Summer Slaughter on Facebook for up-to-date info.

- JR

Tags: Between The Buried and Me, Cannibal Corpse, Exhumed, Hate Eternal, Job For A Cowboy, The Faceless, Veil of Maya

From The Archive: Between the Buried and Me – Colors / Colors_LIVE

Filed Under: Albums You Should Hear, From the Archive

Feb.01, 2012

Anyone who regularly reads this site knows that I’m a massive fan of the North Carolina-based progressive metal group Between the Buried and Me. This band has actually been my favorite band for quite a few years, and they have changed my entire perspective in regards to musical boundaries and the metal genre, as well as being responsible for shaping my music taste towards the progressive and challenging. It seems odd that it took this long for me to tackle the band in this light, but better late than never!

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Tags: Between The Buried and Me, Colors, Colors_LIVE

Tours And Rumors of Tours—Part One: Summer Slaughter 2012 Lineup Rumors Heat Up

Filed Under: Tours and Rumors of Tours, WILD SPECULATION!

Jan.17, 2012

Yesterday, I pointed out that there was a strong possibility that Cannibal Corpse and Between the Buried and Me were to headline this year’s iteration of The Summer Slaughter Tour. Since then, I’ve heard that the pairing is indeed true, as well as a handful of other bigger names being announced for the bill.

The Faceless, Job For A Cowboy, Veil of Maya, and Hate Eternal are also rumored to be a part of what is promised to be the biggest Summer Slaughter tour ever. EDIT: Metalsucks pointed out that Exhumed may be a part of the tour as well.

I mean, I’m pretty much 90% convinced that this is fact based on all the evidence provided. All of these bands are signed to either Metal Blade and Sumerian, two of the larger stakeholders in the tour. On top of that, most of the bands have albums due out by the time summer hits. I’d be shocked if this wasn’t at least mostly right. Place your bets in the comments section below.

When the lineup is officially announced, we’ll fill you in. This is shaping up to be a tour not to be missed.

- JR

Tags: Between The Buried and Me, Cannibal Corpse, Exhumed, Hate Eternal, Job For A Cowboy, The Faceless, The Summer Slaughter Tour, Veil of Maya

Between The Buried And Me Begin Work On Parallax 2; Rumored to Co-Headline Summer Slaughter 2012 with Cannibal Corpse?

Filed Under: General News, Tours and Rumors of Tours, Upcoming releases, WILD SPECULATION!

Jan.16, 2012

I can hardly contain my excitement and anticipation. This weekend, Between the Buried and Me posted the above picture on their Facebook with the caption “It has started.” The band have started work on Parallax 2, the full-length follow up to the concept that began on last year’s EP Parallax: The Hypersleep Dialogues. This might just be my record of the year, if it’s as great as the EP, which I’m sure it will be.

There’s not much to tell now, but we’ll keep you posted on the details when they become available this year. Expect a late spring/early summer release on Metal Blade records.

And now for the juiciest of news. Late last year, The Summer Slaughter Tour Facebook page announced that 2012 was going to be the biggest lineup yet, with the cryptic status message on New Years Eve being “Hammer Smashed Mordecai.” Could this mean that Cannibal Corpse and Between the Buried and Me (both signed to Metal Blade, an annual sponsor of the tour) are co-headlining Summer Slaughter 2012? Both bands have new albums coming out this year, so I couldn’t imagine what else this teaser could mean. ‘Hammer Smashed Face’ and ‘Mordecai’ were both bands’ respective break-out singles. We’ll be sure to fill you in as soon as the lineup is announced. This is so exciting. If it’s true, this will really be the tour’s biggest year yet and you’d have to be an idiot to miss it.

- JR

Tags: Between The Buried and Me, Cannibal Corpse, Metal Blade Records, Parallax 2, Parallax: The Hypersleep Dialogues, The Summer Slaughter Tour

PREMIERE: Listen to Issachar’s ‘Storm’

Filed Under: Audio, Downloads, New music, Upcoming releases

Jan.13, 2012

You may remember a writer we had that went by the name “Uncle Muscles.” That was Paul Meisner, guitarist of the Asheville, NC based progressive metalcore band Issachar. Inspired by bands like Between the Buried and Me, The Contortionist, and If These Trees Could Talk, Issachar’s upcoming EP The Tide (which will be available February 7th) is a journey that combines metalcore and post-rock passages with a faith-based concept.

Below, you can stream a song from The Tide titled ‘Storm.’

Be sure to keep up with Issachar on Facebook. The Tide will be available for free download February 7th!

- JR

Tags: Between The Buried and Me, If These Trees Could Talk, Issachar, The Contortionist

Bandhappy To Open For Registration Tomorrow, January 5th!

Filed Under: General News

Jan.04, 2012

One of the most exciting new things to come about in this metal scene in the last couple of years has got to be Matt Halpern’s innovative service Bandhappy. If you haven’t heard our harping on the subject enough to know what its all about, it’s the first website that allows live music lessons to take place between professional musicians and fans. It won’t be long before you can take lessons on the instrument of your choice from some of the following names:

Teachers that have already signed on include Tosin Abasi (Animals as Leaders), Rich Redmond (Jason Aldean), Gil Sharone (Stolen Babies), Jeff Loomis (Nevermore), Ben Weinman (Dillinger Escape Plan), Mike Mowery (Outerloop MGMT), Chris Adler (Lamb of God), Willie Adler (Lamb of God), AJ Minette (The Human Abstract), Evan Brewer (The Faceless), Paul Waggoner (Between the Buried and Me), Rody Walker (Protest the Hero), Peter Wichers (Soilwork), Louis Cato (Marcus Miller Band), Spencer Sotelo (Periphery), and more.

I can’t stress the “and more” enough, because the possibilities are vast. Registration privileges for students and teachers begins tomorrow at 11 am EST, and the first lessons will begin on Monday, January 9th. Exciting! Above, you can watch a tutorial that displays the ins and outs of using the site as a student. After the jump you can watch a similar tutorial for being a teacher on Bandhappy. Get involved!

- JR

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Tags: Animals As Leaders, Bandhappy, Between The Buried and Me, Dillinger Escape Plan, Jason Aldean, Lamb of God, Marcus Miller Band, Matt Halpern, Nevermore, Periphery, Protest the Hero, Soilwork, Stolen Babies, The Faceless, The Human Abstract

Farewell, 2011: Alkahest’s Top 20 Albums Of 2011

Filed Under: Lists!

Dec.29, 2011

This is probably one of the better years for me since I began listening to metal. I don’t know if it’s due to a broadened taste, me actually paying more attention this year, or if the genre decided to collectively progress, but 2011 was just absolutely fantastic. I knew six months ago that compiling a best-of list for this year would be tricky, and of course it was!

Here’s the thing with my personal top-20 that you’ve probably read of in other lists; after the first couple of albums, the list is completely arbitrary and depending on my mood of the day, this list could be shuffled all about and perhaps replaced. My list also doesn’t follow our ratings scale and essentially came down to what I felt I enjoyed the most this year. So if you’re thinking to yourself, “hey, Alkahest gave X a 4 and Y a 5, then why is X listed higher?”…

Well, you’re going to have to figure that one out on your own, I guess. I’m fickle. Let us begin!

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