Tag Archive: Jane Doe


Because there is, like, nothing happening today, and we’re too busy writing reviews in the form of esoteric rap, we thought we’d shoot you another question, this time inspired by an article over at Noisecreep, rather than the rambling of some sweaty Brit who enjoys staring at twinkly lights like some fruity moth.

In said interview-thing, Clutch vocalist Neil Fallon explains his own list – but being the arrogant arsehole that I am, here’s mine, and then you can follow with your own.

Blood Sugar Sex Magik
Red Hot Chili Peppers (1991)

Odd choice? Not when you consider this band were responsible for getting me into music in the first place, and that this is still a classic album. It’s twenty years old. Fuck.

This album is rammed with classics (“Under The Bridge“, “Give It Away“) and barely a note of filler. It’s hard to underestimate the impact this record had one me, considering I was a musical virgin up until the age of about fourteen. I just didn’t care for it. This changed everything.

Panopticon
Isis (2004)

If Blood Sugar Sex Magik got me into music, then Panopticon undoubtedly got me into metal. The opening riff to “So Did We” is forever burned into my brain, so many times has it been spun. I probably only break it out a couple of times a year now, but it’s enough to satisfy my nostalgic cravings before I go back to spinning whatever new crap is being thrown my way for your pleasure.

This is what metal is for me. Whereas most people cite your Black Sabbaths, your Metallicas, your Iron Maidens and other classic metal bands as their first steps into our murky world, Isis will forever hold pride of place in my musical library.

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Due to the overwhelming success of Jimmy’s ‘Five Reasons Why Deathcore Isn’t Total Shit‘ series last summer, Heavy Blog Is Heavy will be backing further up the ladder of ‘core’ for the next two weeks, and counting down the five reasons why metalcore isn’t full of shit. It gets a bad rap sometimes, and being the underdog(?) champions that we are, we’re making a stand for the fat kid and suplexing the skinny elitist bully right on his stupid face.

Make sure to throw your $0.02 at me and tell me why I’m completely wrong in the comments section, if you wish. I shall use it to buy soap to wash the spittle from my forehead, safe in the knowledge that I’ll be your boss at the plant some day.

So far…

#5) The Chariot – Long Live

#4) Crydebris – The Severing

#3) Norma Jean - Bless The Martyr And Kiss The Child

#2) Every Time I Die – New Junk Aesthetic

The decision about whether or not to include Converge at all was a tough call. Are they metalcore? Are they not? Well, fuck it: I make the rules, and given the ‘technical’ definition; big metal riffs, hardcore M.O. — rather than the culture of crap now associated with the term — they more than count. They’re just 1000x better than anyone else has the nerve to be. With this cleared up, there was only one position they could take.

As a band they’ve put out a ton of great records, but Jane Doe is fucking bad ass.  It’s just shy of ten years old at the time of writing, but still sounds as fresh as anything put out today. I think this is down to a bunch of reasons: great production; a combination of four great musicians; some killer riffs — but at the end of the day, truly great heavy music doesn’t age, and this really hasn’t.

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From The Archive

The discovery of a new band is always exciting. Will it be something you’ve heard countless times? An experience that leaves a bad taste in your mouth? Or is it a treat from which you cannot stop consuming? I wanted to take a trip back in time to reminisce about bands/albums that not only introduced me to heavy music, but kept me coming back for more…

From The Archive: Converge – You Fail Me

Converge - You Fail Me

This next band was bound to make an appearance one of these days and with their recent 2011 tour going full speed ahead, I felt it was best to have them as my next installment. Hailing from Salem, Massachusetts and playing a blend of hardcore, punk and metal, Converge are one of the top bands today in hardcore/metal and their influence is heard today in countless bands. With a discography consisting of seven full-lengths, multiple demos, a variety of splits and two compilation albums, Converge have no doubt made a name for themselves. Now I could go on forever about this band, but I wanted to narrow it down and go over a specific album of theirs that helped me get through a bit of a rough patch in my life, which even to this day, the effects of said album have yet to wear off…

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Ho boy. So yeah, this is the kettle of piranhas I was talking about at the end of the last post. Converge. Con-Verge. Con-Fucking-Verge.

No matter your opinion of them, you can’t deny that they are heavy. Once I accepted and loved them, there really was no going back; no more pansy indie or acoustic pop for me!*

Although at first, I really didn’t. Perhaps my mentor in heavy introduced them too early in the learning process, but even at that point, with Isis and At The Drive-In under my belt, I had that reaction that most of the general public have when they hear something as discordant as….Coheed. Yeah.

It was a little too much too soon. I’m sure I phased most of it out; a travesty, to be sure. But you know what? It doesn’t matter. Because I fucking love them now.

There are not many like Converge. Oh sure, there are plenty of good hardcore bands. I could write reams about Botch’s influence on me (maybe later). But those with Converge’s almost undefinable quality? Not many.

As well it should have been, my introduction to Converge was by the marvel that is Jane Doe. Forty-four minutes of pure fucking caustic majesty. It’s no wonder I didn’t settle right into hardcore. I mean Concubine; fancy hitting all the drums at once then? Forty-four second-long tracks? How do they work?

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