With Roots Above and Branches Below has a heavier sound than their previous albums. Technically, the band has grown into the metal band they always had the potential of becoming, but before had not reached this potential. Even with the heavier sound, the band’s music incorporates better melodic moments than ever before, with stronger singing that have you scrambling to learn the words to sing along.

The album’s first track, “Sassafras,” had me completely stunned. It was heavy, really heavy. I didn’t know they had it in them. The album almost feels like the band has completely changed, but has stayed completely the same. The album has that same metal/hardcore/synth feel, but now that feel is a perfected sound.

The use of synth, which has always set this band apart from others, was not just used prominently in certain moments emphasizing breakdowns or what have you like in previous recordings, but entangled meticulously throughout the album in tracks such as “Big Wiggly Style,” “Danger: Wildman” and “Lord Xenu.”

Heavier tracks that took be by surprise, which are also some of my favorites, are “Assistant To The Regional Manager,” “Danger: Wildman” and “Ben Has A Kid.”

The album ends with “Lord Xenu,” a fast-paced, heavy song that ends suddenly and leaves the listener wanting more. What do I say to that ending? Back to track one.

Below is “Danger: Wildman” off the new album.

Their new album, Wars and Rumors of Wars, was released on May 5, on Solid State Records.

Though they are not one of my favorite bands, I have always had special place in my heart for this band that prides itself on being as unexpected as possible. Technically, the songs are better on this album. Each song is more distinguishable from the rest, and unlike their previous album Fiance, which seemed to fuse together into extreme noise and chaos after a few tracks, each track off Wars mixes different elements and better guitar parts to deliver a more solid record.

Favorite tracks off the new album are “Evolve,” “Never I” and “Giveth.” These track show that when The Chariot isn’t just trying to give their listeners seizures or beat them up musically they can make some pretty solid songs.

Below is “Never I.”  Check it out. Also, I posted the music video of “Evolve” in a previous post.

The Almost, which is fronted by Underoath drummer Aaron Gillespie, released Southern Weather, the band’s debut album, in April 2007. No Gift to Bring, a 5-song EP, was released in November of last year. The band is on Tooth and Nail Records.

Below is a video of Gillespie covering the song Your Love is Extravagant. The Almost covered this song on their EP, No Gift to Bring.

Here are three things to pack. Please let me know your tips or things you think are important to take to the festival.

Me, bottom left, and some of my friends at the festival.

1) Hand sanitizer.

With a week of porta-potty use, I was very glad I packed a bottle last year.

2) Extra flip flops.

Comfy flip flops are a necessity for the hot Illinois summer, a ton of walking, the shower trailers and long days of standing (two-stepping, circle pitting, windmilling, picking up change or however else you enjoy the music). One of my pairs fell apart last year, and I was glad to have a back-up pair.

3) Money and self-control.

There is a ton of great band merchandise, organizations’ merchandise, handcrafted items such as jewelry and clothing, clothing designers’ items and much more to purchase, but if you don’t have self-control you can end up spending every bit of your money the first day.

It can be overwhelming, so my advice is to think about each purchase carefully and hold off until later in the week when you have seen everything. One problem with this is some things may sell out, so consider this as well when pondering over purchases. Though the money supports great bands, organizations, and individuals expressing their creativity, you also have to eat the rest of the week and get home.

There are 56 more days until the festival!

Check them out, and get excited!

Photo taken from Cornerstone Festival website.

The House and The Human, photo taken from his MySpace

The House and The Human, which consists of acoustic/folk musician David Jahns from Roselle, Ill., is hoping to earn enough votes to become a finalist.

Jahns’ songs are simplistic in the way that it’s just him and his guitar, but there is something very beautiful and endearing about his music and lyrics that tell stories of life and love.

I got to ask Jahns, from The House and The Human, a couple of questions, which are below.

What is different, or what are you trying to do differently, that sets you apart from other musicians?

Well, first off I don’t write my songs for the purpose of just being another catchy song. I write them because they mean something to me or they have a message that I would like to get across to my listeners. Second, I think my voice sets me apart from other bands and artists because I can’t really sing that well, and it’s not the typical high pitched, poppy, pretty voice like you hear from most artists.

What could being a New Band Showcase finalist at Cornerstone Festival possibly mean for you and your music?

It would just mean a lot of great exposure. If someone in the crowd could hear my songs and relate or be touched by them, that’s all I could really ask for.

Is there anything new with The House and The Human that people should know about?

I will be releasing a 6-song EP titled It began with a chorus… this summer. It will be available through iTunes and Amazon.

According to an interview with Josh Dies found on the website PunkDisasters.com, the group has recorded some songs and plans to shop them around at different labels or record an album themselves after Roper finishes nursing school.

Roper has contributed his talents to Showbread songs in the past in such songs as “Mathias Replaces Judas” from the album No Sir, Nihilism Is Not Practical, and “The Beginning” from the album Nervosa.

Dies also discussed Showbread’s next album The Fear of God, which they began recording this month. The release date for this album has not yet been released.

Fit For a King, photo taken from their MySpace

I got to ask Mason Wilson, vocalist from the band, a couple questions, which are below.

What is different, or what are you guys trying to do differently, to set your band apart from other Christian metal/hardcore bands?

Well, we are just six dudes that love the Lord, and we want to share His message to others. We don’t really do anything to crazy, we just read our Bibles and pray constantly that we will be blessed with opportunities to share the Gospel with others. Our band motto/mission statement is to be disciples that make disciples.

If Fit For a King becomes one of the finalists for the new band showcase at Cornerstone, what do you think this could possibly mean for the band?

It would be the biggest blessing ever first off, but we would just hope to meet new friends and be able to share our testimonies with them, and possibly meet someone who will like our music as well.

Wilson from Fit For a King, photo taken from their MySpace

Is there anything new with your band that people should know about at the moment?

We just got a new guitarist, Justin, and he is the coolest dude ever, as well as we are writing a new album that were stoked about.

A Bullet for Pretty Boy, photo taken from their MySpace

A Bullet for Pretty Boy caught by attention with the passion that can be felt in each song. By combining heavy breakdowns with softer moments of singing of God’s grace, the band packs a heavy punch.

I got to ask Joshua Modisette, keyboard player from the band, a couple of questions, which are below.

What is different, or what are you guys trying to do differently, to set your band apart from other Christian hardcore bands?

I don’t know that we’re trying to do anything different. All we’re trying to do is glorify God with everything we do, and hopefully reach out to people through our music. But if we were to do anything different I guess it’s just to love people more. That’s how God showed people who he was, through love. It’s one of the only ways to get through to people anymore, especially kids.

If A Bullet for Pretty Boy becomes one of the finalists for the new band showcase at Cornerstone, what do you think this could possibly mean for the band?

Well we’ll be going to Cornerstone! Haha. That’s really our main goal in this competition. We would love to play the showcase stage, and be involved in the competition; but going to Cornerstone is fine by itself too.

Is there anything new with the band that people should know about at the moment?

Right now we’re just focusing on writing some new music. We want a few new ones down before we leave for our tour in June, so we’ve been working diligently trying to get those done. We are recording our newest one April 25, so that’s really exciting.