Yet Another Reason To Love 2011: New BTBAM EP Full Stream!

As if there hasn't been enough awesome material to listen to thus far, 2011 has outdone itself again.  Between The Buried And Me's upcoming ep, The Parallax: Hypersleep Dialogues, is now streaming in its entirety at Metalsucks.  I shouldn't have to say anymore.  You know what to do.  Get to it!  The new ep is set to drop via Metal Blade on April 12. 

The ep is also available after the break in the form of youtube clips if you happen to find that more convenient.

Exclusive Interview: Scale The Summit

This past Monday (3/28/11), I was lucky enough to meet up and chat with Scale The Summit guitarist, Chris Letchford.  We talked about his perception of The Collective, the band's recent album release, and other things that are on the horizon for Scale The Summit.  Chris was an absolute pleasure to talk to, and totally shredded it up during their performance.  It's no secret that we're fans of Scale The Summit here at Brutalitopia.  So it goes without saying that we wish them all the best.  We're hoping to catch up with them and our buddies in The Human Abstract over their upcoming summer tour.  Be sure to check out The Collective.  It's surely one of the best albums 2011 has offered us yet.



Be sure to check out two full songs I managed to record form Scale The Summit's performance in Chicago after the break!

Heavy Blog Is Heavy and TNOTB Want You

We'll never approach the debauched excellence of this list, but we'll certainly try.

Our pals from Heavy Blog is Heavy and The Number of the Blog are putting together an exhaustive list of the 100 best metal releases between the beginning of 2000 and the end of 2009. Lists are perpetually arbitrary and a cause for much butthurtedness everywhere, but what makes this excellent is their inclusion of the thoughts and opinions on the matter from readers and commenters. So, since you're a metalhead and love to give your opinion on things, head over to the official post about the whole shindig at HBiH and let them know your thoughts.

- Jack

Exclusive Interview: The Human Abstract

It was with great pleasure that we finally got to meet the guys from The Human Abstract this past Wednesday when they were playing in Bloomington, IL.  They're all really great guys and sure know how to have some fun. Their show was also amazing, as Jack will surely note in his upcoming concert review that he'll be posting very soon.  For our interview we got to chat with their guitarist and alum of Brutalitopia, A.J. Minette.  Be sure to stay posted with these guys.  They should be announcing something big very soon that they let us know of.  But our lips are sealed for now.



-Mick

We'll Do It Live Fridays: Just (Head)Walk Away

Ed. Note: Apologies about the lack of content this week! Our trip to the Atticus Metal Tour III on Wednesday and subsequent work on the interview videos (among other things) sapped our time. Look for the interviews and a show review to be posted very soon!

Converge isn't exactly for everybody. Anyone intimated enough with their sound and legacy will tell you that. Jake Bannon's vocals are grammatically indiscernible most of the time, Kurt Ballou and Nate Newton's stringed attack has a murkytone, and Ben Koller's drumming is certifiably frenetic. Throw their unique sonic style in with the often emotional and personal lyrical content, their status as one of the first progenitors of metalcore and their greater association with the hardcore community and you have a primo recipe to draw the ire from droves of douchey metal highbrows.

But I'll play the role of the inexorable ass like many before me have and state this plainly; if you at the very least don't respect Converge, you're an idiot. And if you've seen the Salem quartet live and can't concede that they still have one of the most intense and electric live shows in the game, the warden of the closest madhouse is awaiting your arrival.

Click through the jump so I can prove my point.

Golden Birthday/Dethday

The last waning moments of today, the 21st or March, mark the last waning moments of Mick's 21st birthday. Needless to say, he's enjoying it the right way. There's only one way to commemorate it on 'Topia... take us away, Nathan Explosion.



- Jack

We'll Do It Live Fridays: Battle Call

It seems that folk metal has finally broken into the forefront, and Finnish warlords Turisas are a big reason why. Some might suggest their almost Gwar-ish attire cheapen their sound and make them a novelty act, but I'm in the camp that sees these dudes as Europe's response to Municipal Waste. Never expect these guys to craft something groundbreaking and mind-blowing, but do anticipate unbridled entertainment in their sound and live shows that make the St. Patrick's Day party you just went to look like an open wake.

Read the rest and view the live video after the break.

Battle Of The Covers: Round 1

Ouch.

This was just a random thought I had in response to an awesome cover that just recently surfaced.  Much in the spirit of March Madness, I thought it would be neat if there were some sort of "tournament" of metal covers.  This idea isn't new by any means but tournaments are things that just never seem to go out of style.  So with that in mind, I've decided to take the initial steps in creating what could become a beast of a tourney.  

Review: The Human Abstract - Digital Veil

At long last, we get to see why 2011 is going to be an amazing year for metal, particularly prog.  There's no more teasers or singles to be released.  The veil has been lifted.  Digital Veil, the third release from LA's rejuvenated prog metallers in The Human Abstract, is upon us.

Read the rest of this review after the break

Pull Me From The Gallows (of being late)

"You're late, Brutalitopia." As punishment, you must continue to stare at my fancy watch.

So I'm definitely behind everybody else in reporting this, but I can't not post this stuff.  It's just too awesome.  

Check out the two bits of news I actually cared about this week after the break.