Shinedown: Amaryllis

"No one needs you after all

That little social scene

It’s just a hate machine

No one’s here to take your call

And now your self esteem

Ain’t what it used to be

You’ve inspired

The birth of ignorance

The death of innocence

Guess who’s back and mad as hell

The nowhere kids that wished you well

Nowhere!

Kids

Nowhere!

Kids

Nowhere!"

Label(s): Atlantic (US), Roadrunner (International)

Genre(s): Alternative Rock, Hard Rock, Post-Grunge

Year: 2012

Track List:

1. Adrenaline

2. Bully

3. Amaryllis

4. Unity

5. Enemies

6. I'm Not Alright

7. Nowhere Kids

8. Miracle

9. I'll Follow You

10. For My Sake

11. My Name (Wearing Me Out)

12. Though the Ghost

Quite possibly one of the best things to come out of Florida, Shinedown hails from Jacksonville. They're sound is a force to be reckoned with and they're live shows are something to behold. I've never personally seen Shinedown live, but from the people that I know who have, they've told me that it's an experience they won't soon be forgetting. Shinedown always goes above and beyond the call in order to make they're fans happy. Because, let's face it, in the music industry, if the fan's aren't happy, nobody is happy.

Shinedown has had major success in the WWE Universe, having songs such as "I Dare You", "Adrenaline", "Sound of Madness", "Energy" and "Devour" have all been used in one way or another by the sports entertainment giant, with the song "Energy" being used as the show's newest theme.

I heard Shinedown several years ago with the song "Devour". If I remember right, it was another stumble find for me. But ever since, Shinedown has been one of my favorite "generic rock" groups I listen to. The sound, the passion, everything about this band screams "for the fans!". And the fourth record, "Amaryllis", is no exception.

From start to finish, this record hits hard and plays harder. With a couple of breaks into power ballads such as "Unity", "Miracle" and "Amaryllis", this record has a little bit of something for everyone. But if the power ballads aren't your thing, they've got some harder songs for you such as "Bully", "Adrenaline", "Nowhere Kids" and "Enemies" to name a few.

Overall, this album is a must have for your collection. Unless you are a die hard metal fan, then, well, I got nothing for ya. At least, not yet. But to put this album in a nutshell, I would have to say what I've been saying: Hits Hard, Plays Harder.

Shinedown's "Amaryllis" gets a 9.8/10. Why? "I'll Follow You". Not my favorite Shinedown song on this record...But it got a great score, so no reason to complain.

As always, I'm your host, M. Watts. Keep Rockin'!

Thousand Foot Krutch: The End Is Where We Begin

"We are the ones, we are the guns

And we will ride, we are the voice of a song unsung

We are the change, we are the chains that hold us

We are the choice, we are the strong

We are one"

Label: Independent

Genre(s): Hard Rock, Nu Metal, Alternative Metal, Christian Metal, Rapcore

Year: 2012

Track List:

1. The Introduction

2. We Are

3. Light Up the Sky

4. The End Is Where We Begin

5. Let the Sparks Fly

6. I Get Wicked

7. Be Somebody

8. This Is a Warning (Intro)

9. Courtesy Call

10. War of Change

11. Down

12. All I Need to Know

13. Fly on the Wall

14. So Far Gone

15. Outroduction

Where the heck have I been? Well, let's just say life got in the way and this became less of a priority. But, seeing that I have nothing going on today, I figure I might as well make a post. 

And what better post than for one of my favorite albums of the year?

The band is TFK, Thousand Foot Krutch. The album is "The End Is Where We Begin". I'm M. Watts, and this is Musicville U.S.A.!

Formed in 1995 in Canada under the name "Oddball", Thousand Foot Krutch is a christian metal group who has grown in popularity over the years. Recently the song "War of Change" was featured in the Pay-Per-View event WWE: Over The Limit 2012 as the official theme song for the event. In regard to the record, vocalist Trevor McNevan said:

"the record is some of the heaviest stuff we've done and some of the lightest". I couldn't agree more. This record is heavy from start to finish. When I first caught wind of it, I was a little hesitant of it.

Why? A simple question that deserves a simple answer: I don't like rap metal. But with the opening song, "We Are", I was hooked from first listen. I couldn't stop the record from playing and listened to it in its entirety the first day I got it. After listening, this album shot up into the Top 5 of my favorite albums of the year (a list I will be releasing closer to around Christmas time probably). 

As far as sells for TEIWWB, it bebuted at No. 14 on the US Billboard 200 and sold 23,000 copies. Not bad, if I do say so myself.

I think one of my favorite things about this albums is how bass heavy it is. I've always loved having bass heavy music, and this record is no exception. As for my favorite tracks, I would have to say "Yes". I love every song on this record. Another thing I like about this record is that it is completely fan made. What I mean by that is people had to donate to TFK in order for this record to be made. To me, that shows you just how loyal your fans are when that happens.

Now for the rating!

TFK's The End Is Where We Begin gets a 9.7/10. While I do love every song on this record, I don't really care much for the track "This Is A Warning". Other than that, awesome record.

As always, I'm your host, M. Watts. Keep Rockin'!

Update April 4, 2012

So, it's been a very long time since I've last posted. Obviously. And I'm not going to apologize for it because, well, let's face it, life gets in the way.

A lot.

And because of that, I have had to stop a few things that I've wanted to do in order to straighten them out. This being one of them, sadly. But fear not! I'm working on getting my hands on some new albums for this year, and hopefully I should be up and running at full capacity here within a month or so, if everything pans out the way I'm hoping it does. And remember, if you have an artist you would like for me to check out(I prefer albums), go ahead and let me know! And I'm now officially opening the floor for anything. Rock, Pop, Country, Rap, Blues, Metal, the whole nine yards.

Give me something to do here, people!


But like I said....should be back to normal here in a month or so.

Update for 2/25/12

Hey there all of you out there in Internet land! Bet you thought I had fallen off the face of the earth did ya? Well, I haven't. Just thought I'd log on and give you guys a quick update on what's going on. School has been really hectic and time consuming...hopefully I will be able to get back on a regular posting schedule sometime here soon...but until then, hang tight! I'll be back and ready to rock with some new stuff for guys to take a look at. But in the meantime, you can help me by leaving comments to let me know how I'm doing, as well as leaving request for stuff you would want me to take a look at. Thanks for being patient with me and hope to see you guys soon!

Top Albums of the Year

Much like last year, I will post a picture of the album as well as mention which label they are with.

Let's get started!

1.

 Amon Amarth: Surtur Rising. 

Metal Blade Records

2.

 Stryper: The Covering. 

Big3 Records

3.

Before The Dawn: Deathstar Rising. 

Nuclear Blast Records

4.

Five Finger Death Punch: American Capitalist

Prospect Park Records

5.

Insomnium: One For Sorrow

Century Media Records

6.

Megadeth: Thirteen

Roadrunner Records

7.

Warbringer: Worlds Torn Asunder

Century Media Records

8.

Theocracy: As The World Bleeds

Ulterium Records

9.

Alice Cooper: Welcome 2 My Nightmare

Bigger Picture Records

10.

I Chaos: The Human Repellent

Raped In The Face Records

11.

Maylene and the Sons of Disaster: IV

Mono VS Stereo Records

12.

Dropkick Murphys: Going Out In Style

Born & Bred Records

13.

Golden Resurrection: Man With A Mission

Rivel Records

14.

Arch Enemy: Khaos Legions

Century Media Records

15.

Red: Until We Have Faces

Sony Music Entertainment Records

16.

Hammefall: Infected

Nuclear Blast Records

17.

Black Stone Cherry: Between The Devil & The Deep Blue Sea

Roadrunner Records

18.

Rise Against: Endgame

DGC, Interscope Records

19.

Dream Theater: A Dramatic Turn of Events

Roadrunner Records

20.

Scar Symmetry: The Unseen Empire

Nuclear Blast Records

21.

Becoming The Archetype: Celestial Completion

Solid State Records

All in all, a good year for music I'd say. And there was soo much more I could have put on here, but I think I'll just leave it at 21.

Honorable Mentions:

A Hill to Die Upon: Omens

August Burns Red: Leveler

The Crimson Armada: Conviction

Grave Robber: You're All Gonna Die

Halcyon Way: IndoctriNation

Havok: Time is Up

Chickenfoot: 3

Hope for the Dying: Dissimulation

Immortal Souls: IV: The Requiem for the Art of Death

Lance King: A Moment of Chiros

Pastor Brad: Back to the Shredder

Petra: Back to the Rock

Pylon: Army of God

Red Fist Revolution: The Fall of Goliath

Stratovarious: Elysium

Tokyo Blade: Thousand Men Strong

Vision: Street Fighter

Whitesnake: Forevermore

Alright, 2012, let's see what you've got in store for us.

As always, I'm your host, M. Watts, wishing you a safe and Happy New Year!

Mastodon: The Hunter

"All the love I've shown

Given to the ones I've known

All the love I make

Is equal to the love I take

All the life I've known

Given to the live I've known

Along the way"

Label(s): Reprise, Roadrunner, Warner Bros.

Genre(s): Progressive Metal, Sludge Metal

Year: 2011

Track List:

1. Black Tongue

2. Curl of the Burl

3. Blasteroid

4. Stargasm

5. Octopus Has No Friends

6. All the Heavy Lifting

7. The Hunter

8. Dry Bone Valley

9.Thickening

10. Creature Lives

11. Spectrelight

12. Bedazzled Fingernails

13. The Sparrow

I can honestly say that I have never listened to Mastodon, so this is a first for me and at first I was excited to see what was to be come. For the most part, the album was interesting in the music sense. I stopped trying to pay attention to the lyrics and just listened to the music.

And I'm glad I did it that way.

After going back and finding the lyrics online, needless to say, I felt they made little to no sense. So in the music department, it was interesting and held my attention. In the lyrics department, I could care less.

Much like my last post, I don't really have a lot to say. I've never listened to Mastodon, so I have nothing to compare it to for older stuff. But I might go back and check some of it out just to get a better feel for the band.

As for the score, I give this album a 4.5/10. The music was interesting, but samey. The lyrics made no sense and I lost interest in them rather quickly. But check it out if want something a little different.

Let's just say I don't foresee this finding it's way into my collection any time soon...

Oh...and I almost forgot....

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Nightwish: Imaginaerum

"I am the voice of Never-Never-Land

The innocence, the dreams of every man

I am the empty crib of Peter Pan

A silent kite against the blue, blue sky

Every chimney, every moonlight sight

I am the story that will read you real

Every memory that you hold dear"

Genre(s): Symphonic Power Metal, Symphonic Gothic Metal, Folk Metal, Orchestral

Label: Nuclear Blast, Roadrunner Records

Year: 2011

Track List:

1. Taikatalvi

2. Storytime

3. Ghost River

4. Slow, Love, Slow

5. I Want My Tears Back

6. Scaretale

7. Arabesque

8. Turn Loose The Mermaids

9. Rest Calm

10. The Crow, the Owl and the Dove

11. Last Ride of the Day

12. Song of Myself

13. Imaginaerum

Imaginaerum, the predecessor of Dark Passion Play, is the newest album released by Gothic Metal band Nightwish. At first listen of this album, I'll be honest, I vegged out on it. I stopped paying attention to and just used it as background music. This bugged me. I didn't give this album the chance that I give all the other albums. So, I went back and listened to it again, giving it all my attention. As much as I wanted to, I didn't do anything else but listen to this album.

After giving it a second chance, I stand by my first thought of it.

I was disappointed in this record. I was hoping that they would do as good, if not better then Dark Passion Play, which is my second favorite record by the group, with the 2007 album Once being my favorite. It was catchy at some point, but for the most part it seemed like a drag to me. I can't really say much more about this album. I was disappointed.

So I guess I should score it, seeing that I have nothing else so say...

7/10. While I thought it wasn't all that great, I did enjoy it for background music. It's interesting playing Minecraft with this album playing in the background. While it did have some good stuff, overall it wasn't that great.

Stay tuned for my "Top Albums of 2011" list, which should be coming very soon!