Posts Tagged ‘Metal’

By: Caitlin Hoffman
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

Otep is a trip on the road of nu metal. Their album covers look like freakazoid acid trips, and their videos cause you to question everything. Sometimes, they’re too hard to touch, too chilling to listen to without the lights on. Sometimes, they’re the perfect soundtrack for a revolution.

Named for their lead singer, Otep Shamaya, this band lives, breathes and dies in their leader. This lady has more arsenic in her vodka and more ammo under her belt than any macho metal man. She is pure ferocity.

Unlike some in her genre, Otep is just as outspoken off-stage as she is on. She’s openly gay, an animal rights activist, and a proud spokesperson for the misfit.

Earlier this year, Otep released a new album, Atavist. It’s a push and a shove into the darkness, with some striking battle ballads, pain purges, and a cover of The Doors of all things. Classic rock turned black metal is strangely scrumptious.

If you need to let some rage out, this is the band for you. Grab an album, slap on your headphones, and ready yourself for a snapped neck and percolating soul.
　

By: Caitlin Hoffman
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

Here’s your poetic fix for the day.

Submerge The Sky has dipped their quill into that expressive ink, and are spreading their thoughts on the page. Get a whiff from this dark manuscript, and you’ll be forever enrolled in their class.

They were giving away cds for free at The Warped Tour, and right away I knew they were special. An epiphany dawned when I let the music have its moment. With one swift snap of the chain, I was set free. And when your music can do that to a listener, you are destined to gather a following.

Being such a young band (only formed a few years ago), the professional taint they already have is, suffice to say, impressive. Starting with the simple sets, and moving up as a definitive spark in the thrash scene, they have a very noble, sturdy course, eyes set straight ahead. Best part is, they’re completely linked in goals and talent. As we all know, synchronicity can be hard to find in a world full of the ‘me, me, me’ mentality. But these guys are singing the tune of ‘we, we, we’, and doing it well. As lead singer David says: “The first time we got together in a room something clicked; it was like we fed off each others artistic abilities instantly and have grown together because of it.”

It’s time to unleash these musicians into the streets. Let them rip away the stages of some local venues, pour all their infinite skill into the eardrum of the teen populace, and watch the wonders that’ll unfold. We, the listeners, are empowered by choice, and a band has nothing to do but sit and hope to be chosen. We can either submissively listen to the mulch that rules the radio, or we can dare to dig around for something different, something striking, something like Submerge The Sky.

Six guys + a whole hunk of musical love = the best rock n’ roll equation of 2010.

Check out their cute Who’s Who video below, raid their Myspace page, and let the love roll!

[Related Post: BTB Works Charity Booth at 2010 Warped Tour]

By: Caitlin Hoffman
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

These ladies are pure-bred metal maniac maidens. Epic emphasized.

I guess there’s some kind of stereotype floating around in the screamo world. Not many people expect to see gorgeous, independent women holding their own in a territory ruled by gravelly, booming vocals. (Or is that just me?) But Kittie has set out to stomp down that nasty little misconception, with manicured claws that can scratch your eyes right out. They’re way too powerful to be ordinary, but unfortunately that’s taken away from the attention they deserve.

If you feel the intense metal isn’t the way to win your heart, don’t worry, for the band has a good balance between that and the hard rock side of things. Not saying they’ll be cradling you in their arms (in fact, they’re more likely to make you their punching bag), but their ungoverned methods are worth admiration.
Once the shock factor has receded and the cracks in your skull begin to heal, you can really let their music knock you out. They’re like opium with teeth. If you’re walking around in zombie mode or feeling zoned out in a line at a convenience store, Kittie has the gusto to wake you up to the world.

But behind that tornado of sound you’ll find four astute, commanding women, who are all for living life, as well as kicking its ass.

Take a gander at this tasty dish.

(Warning: the video only slightly falls short of unsettling.)