Episode #26
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1. The Midnight Society
The Midnight Society were a five-piece metalcore band from Spokane, Washington. The band name is actually in reference to the Nickelodeon (Snick) show, Are you Afraid of the Dark? The members of the band first formed from the ending of two previous projects, Barely Burning and Ambeo. They soon released a self-titled EP in 2005 and played shows up and down the west coast, including Awesome Fest in Portland, Oregon. The band continued writing music, releasing a limited three-song demo and a handful of other songs. A select few were later re-written and updated for the band's first and final album, Dead of Night (2008). The album featured twelve tracks of pure thrash and metal. The Midnight Society continued to play shows on and off, with their last one being towards the end of 2009. The song on this episode was originally titled, Form of Imperfection, for which a music video was also produced. But later the song's lyrics were changed along with a new title, Escape the Night, which comes from the album, Dead of Night.
2. Across the Sun
Across the Sun are a five-piece metal band from Portland, Oregon, currently signed to Metal Blade Records. Their first album (and debut for Metal Blade) is titled, Before the Night Takes Us. The new album features some of the best work released by the band so far. A lot of the songs feature some pretty technical and complex guitar and synth work, complemented by some fantastic breakdowns. The vocal work by Brandon Davis is also pretty damn amazing, full of passion and confidence. Aside from their full length, they also have three EP's (This War, Storms Weathered, and Pestilence & Rapture) available on iTunes. A track from Storms Weathered appeared on Episode 5 of this podcast. The song on this episode is titled, Eternal, from their first EP, This War.
3. Ninjaspy
Ninjaspy are a collective of brothers that play an interesting mixture of hardcore, metal, reggae, and rock. The band is based in Canada and are currently on tour across the country. They have been since the beginning of September and will continue for a bit into October. Check out their website here for dates. They will soon release a new EP along with a graphic novel titled, No Kata. A single from the EP was recently released and available on select online outlets. The track is titled, Skaingkh (The Skank). The track, Circle Pity, from their album, Pi-Nature appeared on Episode 11. A music video was also produced for that song. The song on this episode is titled, Out of Tampons, also from, Pi-Nature.
4. The Great Divorce
The Great Divorce were a five-piece metal band from San Francisco. The band released one EP titled, The Movement Without You, containing three tracks (Ever So Lovely, Bind, A Moments Bliss). A sampler copy was given to me by one of the members at TomFest 2005, just a couple hours before they were set to play. The songs on the sampler were a mix of mostly thrash and hardcore. Breakdowns were common throughout, but with some tight guitar harmonies and leads. Other songs were released by the band from time to time including an updated version of the track, Bind, Asian Girls and Cigarettes, and Prospect of Oblivion. A couple other instrumental tracks still appear on the band's myspace and purevolume pages. The song on this episode is titled, Ever So Lovely, off of, The Movement Without You.
5. Portrait of the Assassin
Portrait of the Assassin are a five-piece metal band from Boise, Idaho. The band currently has an EP, This is the Day (2008), and one album, For Centuries (2011). Their newest effort is nine tracks of some epic-style metal. A lot of tight guitar solos and leads appear on the album, with much hardcore influence. A mixture of some acoustic flare make an appearance on a couple tracks as well. And Jeremy Cummings vocals are consistently filled with much aggression and melody, a sweet match that compliments the chaotic instrumentals on this record. Definitely worth checking out. It is currently available on the band's bandcamp. The song featured on this episode is titled, Man Behind the Curtain, off of, For Centuries.