Arkham Awaits - Razing An Empire

1. Welcome To Rapture

2. Visions

3. The Flame That Sparked The Fall

4. Empire To Askes

5. Vultures

6. Chimera

7. Oblivion

Arkham Awaits have released their third album titled "Razing An Empire". This album follows along the same lines as their previous two albums in style and sound. These guys do the sing and screamed metalcore vocals pretty well on here. This band reminds me of a mix between The Jettison Commitment and Searching For Satellites if you know those name. If you do not, a band Like Moths To Flames is similar as well. If you like those bands, give this a listen. They have done a pretty decent job here.

When looking at the recording quality of this album, the album has been recorded to a pretty decent sound and quality. Now the songs aren't quite as clear and crisp on the vocals as I personally would like them to be, but it still sounds pretty decent. The sung vocals could also be a littler louder and clearer, but you can make out what they are saying. 

The Instrumentation on this album is nothing too crazy, and it's nothing that is really going to wow you, but these guys can play, and they do it to decent standard. They have bits where you say, oh alright, but for the most part its what you would expect from this kind of music. Not bad though. 

Now onto the vocals and lyrics, the vocals on this album are pretty decent. They can certainly scream, and the sung vocals are not bad. You can certainly hear the sung vocals, and voice is pretty good. We do like the screamed vocals, they just seem a little forced, but still fit right in with everything going on, and don't hurt anything. The lyrics are a little hard to make out, but if you listen a little closer, you can pretty much make out what the songs are about. Good job.

With the lyrics, the band goes for songs about life, failing, learning, love, relationships and more. These themes and lyrics feel like something the listener can get behind, and feel relatable to them. The lyrics have you saying, hey maybe I'm not the only one who feels this way. We think that the band gets their audience, and can attract more of the target, with these lyrics. Good job all in all here.

If you are looking for a single to this album, there isn't really one. We like the song visions the best, so we suggest you try that one out first, as it gives you the best feel of the album overall. Chimera is just instrumental, so don't pick that one unless you are listening to the whole album. 

Arkham Awaits have yet again written a pretty decent album that goes along the lines of the sound and style they developed on their previous albums.  This gives the band more to pull from and give a catalog to pull from when touring. We feel this band has really hit the sweet spot for the type of music they are playing, and with some luck, this band can really push through. Listen to this album to get your own opinion on it but we really like it. They have since called it quits (R.I.P.)

Genre: Post Hardcore/Screamo/Metalcore

Release Date: April 27th, 2015

Location: Guelph, Ontario

Label: None 

The Ocean Cure - Re: Discover

1. Structures

2. Huntress

3. Crystalline

4. Divided

5. Weapon

The Ocean Cure have released their second album titled "RE: Discover." This album follows along the same sound and style as the debut. Right off the bat, you can tell the band has a stronger male presence in the secondary vocals, which the band was missing. This band has a similar sound to that of The Animal In Me, or The Word Alive, so if you like bands like these, you could really like this album. They have stepped it up on this album. When looking at the recording quality of this album, the album has been recorded to a pretty decent quality. Nice and crisp recording. Now onto the vocals and lyrics, the main vocals on this album sound a little quiet and give off a bit of timidness when you listen to them. We feel, a bit more power, like the background vocals give you. She can certainly sing, and there is something to them, and we hope they just keep evolving. With the background screams, they are powerful and bring each song up a notch, definitely feeling those here. With the lyrics, the band goes for songs about regret, relationships, not falling for toxic people, and more. We feel that these are pretty common topics for bands, especially younger bands to sing about. This is however something their fanbase and relate to, which is what you want to do as a band. Not a band job over all. If you are looking for a single to this album, the song "Structures" is far and away the best song from the band so far, so listen to that one for sure. We personally like "Weapon" as well, we are a sucker for that into. The Ocean Cure have made an album that gives them more of a list to play live, and out of that starter local band place. We like this album and have played it a bunch. Minor note, the packaging on this album is super flimsy, and may not hold up for people who like to hold on to their music collections, plus the case isn't replaceable if damaged. Listen to this album to decide for yourself what you think about it. 

Genre: Post-Hardcore/Screamo 

Release Date: June 14th, 2019

Location: Oakville, Ontario

Label: None

Lifeboat - Currents

1. River Monsters

2. Worlds Apart (Currents)

3. Closure

4. Chasing Skylines

5. Finding Comfort

Lifeboat have released their second album titled "Currents." This album follows along the same style and sound the band went with on their debut album.The band has a hardcore and metalcore feel to them, which is quite typical now but thats okay. They have a similar sound to that of a For The Fallen Dreams or a Hundredth, so if you like those bands, you could like t his album. They have done a pretty good job here. When looking at the recording quality of this album, the album has been recorded to an alright standard. This album just seems a little flat and could use a little more overall production. The instrumentation on the album isn't bad, but we wouldn't go as far as saying it blew us away. You can tell the band can play though, and they have the right sound for the genre. Now onto the vocals and lyrics, the vocals on this album are not bad. You can hear what the singer is saying, but unfortunately it has more of a forced scream to it, instead of a more natural scream. We feel like this is a good step forward, but the vocals still need a bit of work. With the  lyrics, the band goes for songs about relationships, how fragile life can be and more. These lyrics can be very typical of young bands, but we also feel that the band goes about singing these topics without being so direct. We like this as it gives the songs a little more meaning and can be interpreted a bit more vastly than other bands. Not a bad job all in all. If you are looking for a single to this album, there isn't one, so just pick a song and give it a listen to get the feel of the album. We suggest Finding Comfort. Lifeboat's second album follows a path in the right direction. These guys are progressing and the music sounds solid. We feel like with a little more work, the band could be on to something. Now the band just has to get out there and play shows to bring people to them. We like this album. Listen to this album to decide for yourself what you think of it. They have since called it quits (R.I.P.)

Genre: Hardcore/Metal/Screamo

Release Date: August 2011

Location: London, Ontario

Label: None

The Fitzpatrick Incident - A Partisan Effort

1. Our Firm Resolve

2. A Maverick Stance

3. One Land To Keep

4. Moving Mountains

5. Blood Takes Care of Blood

6. Caught Under the Waterline

The Fitzpatrick Incident have released their debut album titled "A Partisan Effort." This album shows the band in that very typical metalcore that a lot of metal bands have come to try and emulate. This band has a very similar sound to Dead and Divine or a early Protest The Hero, so if you like the punky Protest or Dead and Divine, you could really like this album. Not a bad job. When looking at the recording quality of this album, the album has actually been recorded fairly well. Now it isn't up to a professional signed band standard, but the album is still very listenable. The instrumentation on the album is not bad, but it is pretty average. Being a young band, we don't expect them to be able to blow our minds, but they can certainly play the style they are going for. Now onto the vocals and lyrics, the vocals on this album are not too bad, the singer can sing and you can hear everything he is saying. The background vocals could use a little work though, as he sounds a little out of tune here and there. His screams seem too forced as well. All in all, not a bad job on the vocals here for a first album. With the lyrics, the band goes for more of a message based lyric than the typical love and heartbreak songs. The band sings about standing up for things, being yourself, going your own path and more. We feel like a lot of bands are not really telling anyone to just be themselves instead of following what people tell you to follow. We feel this is an important message to get out to people. Good job on the lyrics. If you are looking for a single to this album, there isn't one, so just pick a song and give it a listen to get the feel of the album. The Fitzpatrick Incident have made a debut, sort of welcome to album that tells you to be who you want to be a write your own future. We think this is great and can't wait to see what they come up with next. Hopefully the band can get out more and bring their music to more people. Listen to this album to decide for yourself what you think of it. They have since called it quits (R.I.P.)

Genre: Metalcore/Screamo/Metal

Release Date: 2008

Location: Markham, Ontario

Label: None

The Author - Act 2: The Defined

1. Judge, Jury...

2. Prometheus

3. The Boy and the Beast

4. Haunted Dreams

5. I Felt Like Destroying Something Beautiful

6. No Hero, No Hope

7. The First Time Always Hurts

8. Some Will Wonder, I Will Know

9. The Bitter Taste Of Denial

The Author have released their second album titled titled "Act 2: The Defined." This album has the same style and sound that the band began with on their previous debut album. They seem to do the landscaped singing and screaming thing, which they have done quite well here. The band seems to have a similar sound to that of Protest The Hero on this album, so if you are a fan of that band, you could like this album. When looking at the recording quality of this album, the album has been recorded pretty well and has a nice sound. The instrumentation on this album is decent as well, the band can play and they show off some skills. Now onto the vocals and lyrics, the vocals on this album are really nice, their vocalist can certainly scream and it's the kind of scream that is deep but still post hardcore like. They are also done well enough so that you can make out the lyrics in the screams without too much trouble. Good job all in all. Now onto the lyrics. The band has decided on this album to go for messages of being able to escape from the troubles keeping you down, being in a place where you want to destroy everything, being alone, relationships and more. For the most part, the band has written song that people can relate to on some level, which really helps for people being able to get into the songs. They have some nice stories in the music as well. If you are looking for a single to this album, there isn't one, so just pick a song and give it a listen to get the feel of this album. The Author have made an album here that really rocks and has some nice softer songs with landscaped part in it. This album really gives the band more music so they can play better sets live. We hope the band goes out and plays more shows so more people can see and get into them. Really nice job overall on this album. Listen to this album to decide for yourself what you think about it.

Genre: Progressive Metal/Hardcore/Screamo

Release Date: December 28th, 2016

Location: Burlington, Ontario

Label: None

Loyalist - For What It's Worth

1. Far From Lost

2. Far From Lost Pt. II

3. For What It's Worth

4. The Raven

5. Lost

6. 33

7. Wormwood

8. Outroduction

Loyalist have released their third album titled "For What It's Worth." This album seems to have a little more heaviness than the previous two album. You can certainly still tell this is the same band, but it's nice to have a little more umph to the music. These guys have a similar sound to that of a Like Moths To Flames or a band like The Plot In You, so if you like those artists, you could really like this album. These dudes have done a solid job on this album. 

When looking at the recording quality of this album, they could of done a little better as far as getting it just more clean overall. The instrumentation is pretty good, but nothing like a progressive band, which is okay, but we hope to hear more on the instrumental side. 

Now onto the vocals and lyrics, the vocals on this album are pretty decent. You can certainly tell what the singer is say, but at times when the screamer screams over the melody, it drowns the other vocals out. With the screamer, he needs a little more work to get his screamed vocals a little clearer. In general not bad though. Now with the lyrics, the band goes for messages of not being afraid to tell your story, live life and believe. They also go for a few downer songs as well, with things like being lost and running from things. It is good to have a mix because life is always ups and downs. 

If you are looking for a single to this album, give the song "Lost" your attention as this is the best song on the album and gives you the best idea of the feel of the album. 

Loyalist have made their third album stand out from the previous two and really gives you a heavy album. We enjoyed this album. Now we just really hope the band can get down into southern Ontario, to play for everyone. Good job guys. Listen to this album to decide for yourself what you think of it.

Genre: Metalcore/Hardcore/Screamo

Release Date: August 4th, 2017

Location: Toronto, Ontario

Label: None

Enter Ghost - Murettes

1. Semi-Formal

2. Let's Talk Relationships!

3. Fireworks

4. Kitchen Knife In The Bathroom

5. Haunted Mansion

6. Fire In The City

Enter Ghost have released their debut album titled "Murettes". This album is one that shows the band in a very screamo way with some synth parts here and there. Although being a little rough, you can tell the band is really has a good start. They have a similar sound to that of Drop Dead Gorgeous and Greely Estates, so if you liked those bands, you could really like this album. They have done an alright job on this album. When looking at the recording quality of this album, the album has a bunch of work it could use. We do understand that quality has gone up but this really needs a better recording to get the max from it. The instrumentation isn't too bad, the band can play but they are not going to make you jump out of y our seat with it. Now onto the vocals and lyrics, the vocals need a little work on both the singing and the screaming, but being a first album, it's what you expect. With a little work, both could do a great job, but right now it's just to k now what they are like. With the lyrics, the band could use some work there too, they have gone for more of a metal feel in the lyrics by just singing more angry attention getters than meaningful lyrics. This does still hold a place and is nice from time to time. If you are looking for a single to this album, there isn't one, so just pick a song and give it a listen to get the idea of the album. Enter Ghost have made a debut album that has its faults and could use some work, but it is still a good start for this band. Now they just need to get out there and be heard. Listen to this album to decide for yourself what you think of it. They have since called it quits (R.I.P.)

Genre: Screamo/Emo/Metalcore

Release Date: May 18th, 2007

Location: Whitby, Ontario

Label: None

Exodus In Peril - When Love Is What Guides Us Home

1. These Four Walls That I Cling To

2. Babylonia

3. An Undying Tragedy

Exodus In Peril have released their album titled "When Love Is What Guides Us Home." This album is one that really shows this band doing the screamo/metalcore thing. The band has that heaviness that really works here but you can certainly tell the band is young. They have a similar sound that of Norma Jean or even a Dead & Divine, so if you like those artists, you could like this album. They have done an okay job. When looking at the recording quality of this album, the album has been recorded to an okay standard, it could use everything upped as a whole to make the sound and vocals louder and with a better recording. The instrumentation isn't bad for a new, young band, but they do have a bit of work to do still. It is on the average side. Now onto the vocals and the lyrics, the vocalist on this album is not bad, he can certainly do the screams, but it feels a little forced. The sung vocals have a little bit to them that could be fixed as well, not bad overall, just the recording needs to be better on them. A little hard to understand the screamed vocals but the clean vocals are heard well. With the lyrics, the band seems to go in that very metal feel with just anything angry and hate filled against this generation and having things to cling to so you can make it through life. If you are looking for a single to this album, there isn't one, so just pick a song and give it a listen to get the feel or listen to the whole album as it is only three songs. Exodus In Peril have released an album that gives them a start and the fans an idea of what this band sounds like. They have some work to do, but this is a start and gives them an alright base to build from. Listen to this album to decide for yourself what you think of it.They have since called it quits. (R.I.P.)

Genre: Screamo/Post-Hardcore/Metal

Release Date: 2006

Location: London, Ontario

Label: None

Arkham Awaits - Meridian

1. The Seer
2. Regicide
3. A Siege Upon Us

Arkham Awaits have released their second album titled "Meridian." This three song album continues on the style and sound the band created with their debut. They have a very metalcore feel to them and a nice mix of singing and screaming. These three songs have a familiarity to bands like Like Moth To Flames and In Hearts Wake, so if you like those bands, you could really like this album. They have done a pretty good job on this album. When looking at the recording quality of this album, the album has been recorded to a fair level, just the vocals could use a little bit on them. The instrumentation on this album is pretty decent, the band can play and they have some instances of really good guitar work here. Now onto the vocals and lyrics, the vocals are not bad, they sound nice and have potential to be even better. The screams could use a little work, but overall a decent job on the vocals. With the lyrics, the band has chosen to go the route of more story telling where it has less to do with actual happenings than just telling a good story. They have about man and being trapped. The lyrics have been done well. If you are looking for a single to this album, give the song "The Seer" your attention as it is the one the band chose. Arkham Awaits have done a pretty good job on this album and have added to their library of songs. Hopefully they can continue on with this style and sound, then get out there more. Listen to this album to decide for yourself what you think of it.

Genre: Post Hardcore/Screamo/Metalcore

Release Date: April 15th, 2013

Location: Guelph, Ontario

Label: None

The Divine Right Of Kings - Dead Ends

1. The Bottom
2. Kill The Lights (Exit Stage Right)
3. The Dreyfus Affair
4. Filthy Habits
5. Dead Ends

The Divine Right Of Kings have released their second album titled "Dead Ends." This album follows along with what the bands sound and style that was established with their debut album. The album has a similar sound to a Norma Jean or a Maylene And The Sons Of Disaster, so if you like those bands, you could really like this album. They have done not too bad of a job on this album. When looking at the recording quality of this album, the album has been recorded on an alright scale. The bands instrumentation on this album is nothing spectacular, but it is just a nicely played album. Now onto the vocals and the lyrics, the vocals on this album aren't too bad, he can certainly scream, but the background vocals need a little work as they sound a bit out of tune and pitch at times. With the lyrics, they seem to have that feeling down, being low and in the gutter message to them. This can be good as people need to know that they are not alone in this felling. A little more uplifting lyrics could be good to add. If you are looking for a single to this album, there isn't one, so just pick a song and give it a listen to get the feel of this album. The Divine Right Of Kings are going in the right direction and doing things to get ahead. This album is not bad and it continues to build the band and give them more songs to play. Overall we enjoy this album. Keep it up and play more shows. Listen to this album to decide for yourself what you think of it. They have since called it quits (R.I.P.)

Genre: Hardcore/Metal/Southern

Release Date: February 5th, 2013

Location: London, Ontario

Label: None

Rosesdead - Stages

1. The Structure

2. All The Same: All Different

3. A Wake In The Water

4. Falling And Failing

5. Night Danger

6. Now, This Feels Like The End

7. Starting From Sand

8. Balance

9. A Break In The Clouds

10. Confluence (Of Forces)

11. The Surface

Rosesdead have released their third album titled "Stages." This album is one that really shows off what the guys can do here. It has a crushing sound while being not too over the top to loose people on it. This album has a similar sound to that of an As I Lay Dying or an All That Remains, so if you are into those bands, you could really like this album. These guys have done a pretty decent job on the album. When looking at the recording quality of this album, the album has been recorded fairly well, but just has something missing, might just be the quality over time. The instrumentation on the album isn't too bad, the band can play although nothing to really wow you. Now onto the vocals and lyrics, the vocals are this album are not bad, but they could be a little better. The singer here just has a feel like he just has one more step to go before he is at the level of other metal bands in their category. However he is clear and you can pretty much tell what he is saying so thats a plus. With the lyrics, the band has taken an approach to sing about the dark times and all the bad that can happen in your life. Sometimes it is good to hear and know that others are feeling the same thing and going through what you are. It is what the fans of this music want to hear. If you are looking for a single to this album, give the song "Night Danger" your attention as it is the best song on the album and gives you a sense for what the album is about. Rosesdead have made an overall decent album that metal fans should be able to get behind here, We like this album and can't wait to see if anything else comes of it. Listen to this album to decide for yourself what you think. They have since called it quits (R.I.P.)

Genre: Metalcore/Screamo/Metal

Release Date: May 30th, 2006

Location: Oakville, Ontario
Website: http://www.rosesdead.net

Label: One Day Saviour (US)/Black Box Recordings (Canada)