Saturday Song To Reminisce To

"Rose of Sharyn" by Killswitch Engage


This is the first "metal" song that I ever listened to. I can still remember seeing the video for the song pop up on a TV show that was promoting a tour featuring Deftones, The Used, and Dredg. At first, I thought the show's producer was either incredibly high or remarkably confused, but one Google search later, I discovered that they were not mistaken and that Killswitch was indeed touring with the aforementioned bands. I was intrigued at first, but the song eventually grew on me, and I never looked back.


Killswitch Engage is one of many metal bands from Western Massachusetts. They're classified as "metalcore," which is a dirty word to metal purists. Killswitch was one of the first American bands to popularize a style that featured melody and actual singing, and it won them an army of fans, detractors, and imitators. Although their acceptance by the greater metal community will always be a hot point of contention, if you were to construct a "Big Four" American metal bands from the past fifteen years, Killswitch, Lamb of God, Mastodon, and somebody else would end up on your list.

Limp Bizkit? Fred Durst says yes.

If you watch a Killswitch Engage music video, the first thing that you really notice is that their lead singer is black, something that is painfully uncommon in this genre of music. Howard Jones is an incredible vocalist with a "deep, soulful voice." He can bring the ruckus as well, but the songs that showcase his singing voice ("The End of Heartache" and "My Curse" in particular) are what helped make this band huge. It's also worth noting that he had to replace Jesse Leach, another incredible vocalist who was the driving force behind the band's first full-length record, Alive or Just Breathing, which was once described as "more addictive than crack cocaine that's been smothered in nicotine and drenched with chocolate." Even if Killswitch Engage someday become a country band, (all the Staind fans reading this just grabbed a beer, myself included) AOJB will still be considered a classic and one of the best records put out during this stupidly named "New Wave of American of American Heavy Metal."

"Your destination is a choice within yourself.
Will you rise or become a slave to self-righteousness?
Open up your heart and gaze within."
-from "My Last Serenade"

While Howard's lyrics deal a lot with love and heartache, Jesse's are about hope, personal conviction, and respect. I consider Jesse to be one of the best lyricists in music, and there was a certain pain behind his voice that gave his songs gravity and importance. Comparisons between the two will accompany Killswitch until they disband. I don't try to decide which one is "better." I've been fortunate enough to meet both of them, and they're both really nice guys; it just really shows how lucky KsE was to have them. If you put a gun to my head, I'd tell you that Howard is better at clean singing and that Jesse is better at writing lyrics. In fact, only Randy Blythe and Tim Lambesis compare to Jesse in that respect.

Oh and look at that. They're still good friends. Who knew?

If you watch a Killswitch Engage show, the first thing that you really notice is that their stage right guitarist is f***ing crazy. Adam D is a musical savant of sorts. He plays guitar, bass, drums, produces records for all kinds of bands in his spare time, and is involved in a number of side projects. He also has an incredible singing voice. You would think that someone this accomplished in metal would rock your token black tee, pants, and Vans on stage, but Mr. Dutkiewicz is instead festooned with Daisy Dukes, old man sneakers, and a cape; he wore a pirate hat and a viking helmet during both of Killswitch's performances on Jimmy Kimmel Live! His onstage antics are celebrated and really set the tone for the rest of the band's live show; they can throw down, but they also like to have fun, which helps make a KsE show such an enjoyable experience. 

Can you guess which one is Adam D?

But be warned: Adam D's banter between songs prevents their shows from earning a "PG rating." Here are some memorable examples:

"This song is for all the girls with braces for keeping it metal."

"Let's hear it for breakfast, the most important meal of the day!"

"I see a Jager tent out there. I see an FYE tent out there.
But I what I don't see is a Tampax tent for all you
f***ing pussies!"

"I wrote a little song about emos...here it goes..."

Before I stray too far from the topic of this post, I'd like you to know that Killswitch Engage is an incredible band and that you should check them out if you're genuinely curious about metal. They're a good "beginner band" of sorts, but you can still listen to them once you get into heavier stuff. "Rose of Sharyn" starts out as an up-tempo rager of a song, but it really pays off with the sing-a-long chorus and trademark KsE melodic interlude during the bridge. The song was written about a friend of the band whose mother had passed away, and the lyrics are justifiably poignant. If you've lost someone close to you, you will identify with this song. This song still gets to me. Enjoy.

Music Video:

Live performance from Set This World Ablaze:

Lyrics:

Numb and broken, here I stand alone
Wondering what were the last words I said to you
Hoping, praying that I'll find a way to turn back time
Can I turn back time?

What would I give to behold
The smile, the face of love?
You never left me
The rising sun will always speak your name

Numb and broken, here I stand alone
Wondering what were the last words I said to you
It won't be long, we'll meet again

It won't be long, we'll meet again
Your memory is never passing
It won't be long, we'll meet again
My love for you is everlasting

I mourn for those who never knew you 

Saturday Song To Headbang To

"Possession" by Whitechapel


Whitechapel is the epitome of deathcore. Good deathcore, to be more specific. All the genre hallmarks are there: the bouncy rhythm section, the low tuned guitars, the vocalist that sounds like he's trying to eat the microphone, the token violent, misanthropic lyrics. You know, kiddie stuff.  And while the band plays to the strengths of its genre (and occasionally its weaknesses), there are a few things that set it apart from its peers. 

First of all, Whitechapel has three guitarists. Now, this may seem superfluous and unnecessary, but it adds to the dynamics in the band's songs. Obviously, three guitarists can give you a brutal wall of sound, but it also frees up one guitarist to play something completely different while the other two follow whatever the bassist and drummer are doing. Whitechapel incorporates this well, and it helps facilitate the creepy, dark vibe that seems to snake through their songs.

Whitechapel also has an awesome concept behind its name. For those of you not familiar with nineteenth century English history, Whitechapel is the name of the London district where the infamous Jack the Ripper murders took place. The band embraced the theme wholeheartedly; their first record, The Somatic Defilement, is a first-person account of the murders. In a related note, the lyrics are undoubtedly the most disturbing, violent, and misogynistic things I have ever read. 

Just read the lyrics to "Vicer Exciser." I dare you.

Finally, the one thing that decisively sets Whitechapel apart from its peers is Phil Bozeman. The man is a beast on the microphone, and his variety is unparalleled. He can do the high-pitched black metal screams, the throaty roars, the low register guttural growls (he does this one better than anyone in metal), and a unique style that I like to call "death rapping." I'm still amazed that all of those sounds come out of such a tiny little dude (I've met him before; he's like 5'8", 5'9", max). He's also the man responsible for the band's name and its lyrics.  He pretty much delivers the vocal equivalent of a punch to the face.

"Possession" is the first Whitechapel song I ever heard, and it is still my favorite. The song starts out with a monstrous riff that you can't help but headbang to (Try it. Come on, you'll like it). The highlight of the song is the bridge about two minutes in. "Possession" has breakdowns aplenty, eerie guitar interludes, and Phil delivering  sweet nothings as only he can. The song is taken from their second (and best) record, This Is Exile. Enjoy.

Want to guess what the album is about?

Music Video:

Lyrics

Eyes are glaring red with a conscious set to kill
Nostrils flared and the eyebrows parallel
Thriving on the chaos and the suffering I have caused on you all
A dispute of man and diabolical beasts
How could one cipher such a malevolent being
I am certain of humanity's demise
Man will inspire the words of a new era of corruption
Now that I can control the orifice of mankind
I gladly inform, you're all in a world of shit
Coprophagia would be the only solution
Open your fucking mouth and ingest what you are
Silent you will remain while I invoke my presence on your world
Urges I must satisfy again and again
Inside a shell festering is the mind of a bastard child
Cover the earth with the blood of this lamb
We are the disease that spreads amongst this filthy race
Collect the dust of the ones who have fallen to the lies
It is your last resort to a wretched memory
Take this life for granted and hold it tight
For we have you all under control because
We are the disease
Man will inspire the words of a new era of corruption
God damn you all

Saturday Song To Get Lost To

"Bug Eyes" by Dredg

If you haven't heard of Dredg, then you're really missing out. Dredg is one of those artists that just defies categorization; if you visit their Wikipedia page, they're listed as being art/experimental rock. MetalSucks.net once described the band as "stoner-groove," which I find to be more apt and awesome. Each record they put out is markedly different from its predecessor, but each is unmistakably Dredg. They're one of those bands that you can listen to for ten seconds and say, "Hey, man this is Dredg." 

"Bug Eyes" is the lead single from 2005's Catch Without Arms. It starts out with this really eerie slide guitar part that is as catchy as it is unique. It's a moody song with a soaring chorus and an awesome interlude; during the bridge, the drummer plays the piano with his left hand and plays the drums with everything else. How cool is that? Enjoy.

Music Video:

Live Performance on Jimmy Kimmel Live!:

Lyrics

bring back those good ol' days
nothing feels right
nothing ever goes my way
I threw my future away
now I walk alone
out here in the cold
wandering astray
where is my future?

I'm gonna need a home
you'd expect the same
now wouldn't you?
wouldn't you?

your journey back to birth is haunting you
haunting you
your departure from the earth is haunting you
haunting you

only those who accept
will find that acceptance in return
we have been trimmed down like hedges
and told just to sit
and wilt
and spit at each other from a distance
there is constant resistance from you

I'm gonna need a home
you'd expect the same
now wouldn't you?
wouldn't you?

it's been 10 years strong
that's much too long
it's time to do something good for my health
it's time to do something good for myself
I've wasted all of this time