The Devil Wears Prada - Dead Throne

The Devil Wears Prada has been a favorite of mine for a while. I first listened to the around 2006 when their first album "Dear Love: A Beautiful Discord" came out. TDWP (The Devil Wears Prada) is a christian metalcore band from Dayton, Ohio. While many people believe their name came from the movie they were a band before the movie, but they did take it from the book, however it has no connection, the meaning behind their name is simply that "possessions have no ultimate meaning."  This meaning is apparent in some of their songs such as "emeralds hold no hope" Mike Hranica (lead vocals) said "When standing before God, he won't care about your sweet Prada scarf or Gucci shoes."  The Band was started in 2005 and is currently signed to Ferret Music. They have release 4 Full length and 1 EP.  The Current lineup is James Baney - keyboards, synthesizers, piano, Jeremy DePoyster - rhythm guitar, clean vocals, Mike Hranica - lead vocals, Chris Rubey - lead guitar, Andy Trick - bass guitar, and Daniel Williams - drums.

The new album dead throne is an album that at first i didn't find appealing because of the vocals, they are different than before, but after accepting them you realize how amazing his vocals are then re-listening I loved it. Listening to the albums all the songs have deep meanings. It is a very heavy album with some amazing breakdowns which TDWP is known for.  Hranica's voclas on this alum are just amazing, with his screams and growls mixed with DePoyster's cleans creats an awesome sound.  This is a very "Epic" and "Band Defining" album for TDWP they have officially made themselves unique with their own style. The Band is on tour for their album "Dead Throne" which i will most likely be attending Nov. 6th at The House of Blues in Chicago.

The Devil Wears Prada's Website
TDWP's Video for the song Born To Lose

Blessthefall - Awakening

BTF's (Blessthefall) new album is an awesome album. BTF is definatley a great band to listen to. One of my favorite things about BTF is the fact that they don't try and change to please "the masses." BTF stays true to their genre and their sound! The new album focuses the 5-piece on what they are, metalcore, their sound has not changed only gotten better. The album has a great all around sound, between the awesome guitar melodies, to the stellar drum beats, to the very structured songs. The band has used the same producer and is very confident in their sound. Fans of BTF will love the album. Another big aspect of BTF's music is the openly religious aspect. While not considered a "christian" band now, all they members are open about their religion and it shows in some of their songs, I feel it takes a lot in the music industry to do that now a days just another reason i respect the band. All in all this is definitely a album worth your time.

Now a little about the band, the 5-piece is originally from Phoenix, Arizona. Started in 2003, by Mike frisby (guitarist), Matt Traynor (drummer), and Jared Warth (bassist). They are currently on Fearless Records. The original singer was Craig Mabbit (current front man for Escape the Fate.)  Since then they have added Beau Bokan (singer) and Elliot Gruenberg (rhythm guitar, formerly of Before Their Eyes.) The band will be having a tour (that I will hopefully attending) called the Fearless Friends tour. The tour features them and other bands from Fearless records. The Tour is Blessthefall (headlining), The Word Alive, Motionless In White, Chuck! No. Captain Chunk!, and Tonight Alive. The tour will be in Chicago November 22 at the Bottom Lounge.

Blessthefall's Pure Volume Page

An awesome BTF video of the song "Hey Baby Here's That Song You Wanted" which is a short film parody of "The Hangover" 

A Skylit Drive- Identity on Fire

    A Skylit Drives new album Identity on fire was a much awaited album. Their previous CD Adelphia was also really good however I believe their best album to date was Wires and the Concept of Breathing. However the new album is a very good album. Many people compare them to Alesana (one of my favorite bands.) They have a very similar structure to all of their songs which makes the album a little less desirable, however the songs are very well played and sang and have some cool aspects one of the newer ones for ASD would be the use of a synth. They have some heavy songs and some slower pace songs. Another new aspect that they have added is the use of some chanting. ASD has some very good harmonies especially with the singers voice. The breakdowns are pretty heavy and most choruses are very catchy. All in all the album is a great album, but there are still some things that ASD will hopefully work on.

   Now a little about the band, the band was started in 2006 while attending Lodi high school in California. They are a six-piece post-hardcore band. They have three CD's Wires and the Concept of Breathing - 2008, Adelphia- 2009, and Identity on Fire- 2011. They have released on DVD and multiple Music Videos. They are currently on tour with Alesana, Seriana, Sleeping with Sirens, Memphis May Fire, and Atilla on the Motel 6 Rock Yourself To Sleep Tour. The current line up of the band is Michal "JAG" Jagmin- Lead Vocals, Brian White- Bass Guitar, and Screams, Joey Wilson- Lead Guitar, Nick Miller- Rhythm Guitar, Cory La Quay-Drums, percussion, death growls, and Kyle Simmons- Keyboards, and  Synthesizers.

A Sklit Drive- Drown The City Video

A Skylit Drive Pruevolume Page