-Interview- 1Alliance (3/23/11)

1Alliance
(From The Depths Entertainment)

Genre: Metal/Punk.
Interviewed on: 3/23/11
From: Stafford, VA
http://www.facebook.com/pages/1Alliance/140846995960361

http://www.facebook.com/pages/1Alliance/140846995960361

1. You guys are a fairly young band. How did the band come together?

We started playing in the summer of 2010 doing covers. We went through a lineup change and when our bassist came into play we started writing original music. After a couple of shows, we removed our drummer and recorded our first demo in January 2011 and right after that we added our current drummer, making our current lineup.


2. How did the recording process of "Watch Me As I Self Destruct" EP go?

It was a learning experience, but at the same time it was long and tiring. We should've planned things out better and our vocalist was sick during the recording process.


3. You guys are re-recording the album but with more songs. What's the tentative rlease date and do you record yourself or you have a studio in mind?

The release date for that EP is late summer/early fall 2011 and we have a few studios in mind, but nothing's set in stone.


4. Your sound is very unique, how would you describe it to a potiental listener?

You decide for yourself.


5. How were your shows with The Faceless and Arsis?

The Faceless show was nerveracking due to it being our first live performance and us not really "fitting in" with any of the other bands there. The Arsis show, however, was much better. We knew what to expect and got a great response from the crowd.


6. What can people expect from a 1Alliance show? You guys excited for the upcoming I,Breather show?

Lots of energy and movement, crowd interaction, and our songs. Yes we are excited, by the way.


7. What's the local music scene like there in Virginia?

A bunch of heavy metal and grindcore bands.


8. How much of your influences (All That Remains, Underoath, Iron Maiden) do you think you add to your music?

We don't really know, our influences vary from a lot of different genres like metal to classical to blues. However, we don't let it affect our music, we try to make ourselves as unique as possible.


9. What's next for 1Alliance?

Way more shows, more new songs, and an album by the end of the year.


10. Any shoutouts?

Our families, friends, girlfriends, God, and everybody we have ever met.


-Review- Epitome Of The Weak - Shallow Tides (3/2/11)

Epitome Of The Weak
www.facebook.com/epitomeoftheweakVA
Label: From The Depths Entertainment
From: Springfield, VA
Shallow Tides
Release Date: 2011
Sounds like: All That Remains

www.facebook.com/epitomeoftheweakVA


Track Listing:

1. Waking Torment (Intro)
2. Sanctity
3. Relapse
4. Consecrated Voyage
5. Behind Broken Walls
6. Rising Sun

When you think metal, the state of Virginia doesn't really come to mind. Epitome Of The Weak is here to change that. The intro track "Waking Torment" is an instrumental that builds momentum for the album to come. "Sanctity" is very melodic but very reminiscent of old Bullet For My Valentine, clean vocals throughout but still holds the heaviness to keep the metalhead happy.

"Relapse" is the third song on the album and it's opening riffing is very Slayer like oddly enough. It goes into harsher vocals while having clean vocals which is very much like old All That Remains. "Consecrated Voyage" is sure to get the floor moving and the crowd singing along as its very breakdown heavy and then breaks into clean singing which then transitions into a guitar solo which differs things up.

"Behind Broken Walls" is a song that keeps the theme of harsh vocals mixed with clean vocals going but still keeps it fresh due to the riffing and fine instrumentation in the background. While "Rising Sun" closes the album, the song is by no means a slowdown filler song. The song is radio friendly with catchy riffing and choruses that is memorable to get stuck in your head. Near the end of the song is potential for a gang chant if played live with the lyrics of "We won't fall". I hope that is indeed true and the band keeps kicking just like their album kicks ass.

Verdict:
While this album may be an acquired taste for some due to its metal uniqueness, the potential of the music is definitely there. With more time and hard work, Epitome Of The Weak will become one of the major players in the metal movement.

Standout Tracks-
"Relapse"
"Rising Sun"


-Review- The Hand Of Glory - Break The Illusions (3/2/11)

The Hand Of Glory
www.facebook.com/thehandofglory
Label: From The Depths Entertainment
From: Saarbrücke, Germany
Break The Illusion
Release Date: 2011
Sounds like: The Sorrow, old Killswitch Engage

www.facebook.com/thehandofglory


Track Listing:

1. Built For Death
2. Carry The Weight Of The World
3. Fractures
4. Break The Illusion
5. Red Tides
6. Inside This Empty Shell
7. Fall Upon The Tragedy
8. We Are The Walking Dead
9. To The Night

Hailing from Germany and with a Medusa head on the cover, The Hand Of Glory is very intimidating to stumble upon. Kicking off the 9 song album is "Built For Death". The song is very heavy and actually has some darker elements to it which builds the albums themes very well.

The next song "Carry The Weight Of The World" is very reminiscent of old As I Lay Dying. Minimal clean vocals and very metalcore. "Fractures" stays along those lines as well as the third song. "Break The Illusion" is a headbangers and dancers dream song. With breakdowns and riffing, the song is sure to get the crowd moving. "Red Tides" has a heavy clean chorus which shows off the vocals of the singer quite well. The same producer who did The Sorrow's albums also produced this one and it shows. He really know how to bring out the memorable chorus out of metal bands when they're called for it.

"Inside This Empty Shell" is an acoustic interlude which is very Killswitch Engage like and adds mood and ambiance to the album. "Fall Upon The Tragedy" gets back to raw aggression of the album with its melodic riffing, breakdowns and memorable clean chorus. "We Are The Walking Dead" is a bit heavier yet with at times, death metal influence, an awesome gang chant at the end make sit a great live song. "To The Night" closes the album very well as it summarizes all the musical styles heard previously on the album.

Verdict:
If you dig ANY kind of melodic metal, this will be for you. With comparisons to everyone from Bullet For My Valentine to As I Lay Dying, these guys are serious and won't stop until they're taking over the states.

Standout Tracks-
"Break The Illusion"
"Red Tides"