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I didn't post anything on this blog for the whole of 2018 because I got caught up with work and whatnot but now, I am back! And what better way to return than to start off with Conquer Divide eponymous debut; a record that in my opinion is so underrated even by its own standards.

The band combines heavier elements of hardcore with constant dosage of New Wave of American Heavy Metal ala Bullet for My Valentine and Trivium. The twist? Everything you hear on this record is performed by women. That's right. Conquer Divide is an all-female outfit! That should stop you right in the track.

All you sexists can complain all you want but I give this record a near perfect score of 9.5 out 10 because it's just so damn good! This is the kind of metalcore / hardcore stuff that I really love. It is packed full of energy while at the same time never forgetting to have fun along the way.

There are of course two vocalists in this band. Kiarelly Castillo handles the clean, poppy vocal that can put Katy Perry and Cardi B to shame while synchronising her beauty with beastly screams courtesy of Janel. The guitars are creative and competent. The hooks are catchy despite being distortion heavy. The breakdowns make you want to smack your neighbors, co workers, president, sultan, or any human being to oblivion. When the gang shout kicks in, goosebumps set in.

Conquer Divide does not neglect the need to slow things down and when they do, they are as beautiful as ever. Mellow tracks are performed with no less grace as with the other songs. Acoustic passages are employed at the right places where they are most effective to get you hooked even more.

Unfortunately, Conquer Divide is somewhat on hiatus as of December 2019. With many band members leaving the group, they have yet to release a second album. It's like they throw everything they had on the debut they ran out of idea to make a second one.

So, what the fuck are you guys waiting for? Go ahead and buy their record! This is such a big surprise for me given the fact that I don't really listen to metalcore stuff a lot. Sink Your Teeth into This!

Track list:

1. Sink Your Teeth Into This 03:20

2. Self Destruct 04:01

3. Eyes Wide Shut 03:50

4. Nightmares 05:22

5. Lost 03:50

6. What's Left Inside 04:33

7. At War 04:03

8. Despicable You 04:10

9. Heavy Lies the Crown 04:12

10. Broken 05:58

Total time: 43:18

Format: .mp3

Channels: Stereo

Sampling Rate: 48 kHz

Bit Rate: 320 (ABR)

Total size: 99.1 Mb

Password: manifestationovevil

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Merchandise: eBay | Rockabillia | Amazon
Official Merchandise: Artery Recordings

Review for All That Remains - Behind Silence and Solitude

[Originally rejected by Diamhea, Encyclopaedia Metallum]

I am not a huge fan of metalcore. Lamb of God sticks out from the rest due to its addictive groove combined with ridiculously odd drum works and they are enjoyable to listen to every occasionally. A friend of mine from the high school recommended that I check out All That Remains because according to him, the song “Six” is the heaviest shit since Blaspherereion. I investigated his perniciously bold claim. While the song does have a fair share of fast blast beats and some homoerotic screams, that is all there is to it.

However, I traced the band’s history and back catalogue. I mean, let’s face it; even if I am no fan of All That Remains, knowing a thing or two about them is a getaway ticket from being labeled as dumbass ignorant elitist. Then I stumbled upon the very first full length in the form of “Behind Silence and Solitude”, listened to it, and was surprised to know how different the band was back then before they go apeshit mainstream. Most songs are far more structured and well-defined compared to their later efforts, with melodic death metal elements making a strong presence throughout. Of course, the hardcore attitude and predilection are there, but both have been overshadowed by commanding performances from each band member. The opening track is simply one of the immediate highlights from this record and thanks to the slightly low production value, the riffs do not sound any rawer than they already are. The drums are also quite strong but they are not too pushed upfront in the mix although the cymbals are quite suffocated at best. The latter is not necessarily a bad thing nonetheless. There is some blast beats too but they are only used on a minor scale. If only the songwriting allows more room for some brutal blasts, this album is definitely a winner.

The rhythms are minimally striking; they are not too shabby but they are not show-offs either. The solos on this debut are nothing spectacular. However, where they are used, they make the songs sound a lot better as it added more colors to otherwise grey hue. The band extensively employs lead guitars to a greater effect, bringing All That Remains closer to being Gothenburg-inspired death metal outfit than metalcore. To make it interesting, the band has some nice acoustic section in “Clarity” and “Home to Me” that quickly bring to mind early Dark Tranquillity more than anything else does.

Also worth mentioning is “Erase” with its varied drumming style and chord progressions that I can bang my head to every time. The solo on this track is what I described as endemically American; it is so full of metallic bravado (similar to the ones in “Home to Me”). There is nothing to complain about the bass since each track is held together with the particular instrument acts like a soft cushion on which the songs sit comfortably.

Philip Labonte vocals are unlike the horrendous atrocity we hear today. On this record, he leans more toward death metal side than hardcore. What makes this album a lot better is the fact that Labonte growls without clean singing, making Behind Silence and Solitude quite a solid melodic death metal record. He is able to sing with conviction and passion, which is a plus because you can hear honesty coming out from the speakers as he growls his way through.

Behind Silence and Solitude is not a great album by any means but it is a certainly unique release that nobody seems to pay any attention. I think it is better that way despite the fact All That Remains have become a mockery in the metal scene, victimized by many as a group of musicians facing midlife crises writing emo bitches’ lyrics that are poorly dressed as metal. Personally, this is the ONLY All That Remains’ album worth buying and listening to, if only if, you have a penchant for American melodic death metal. Don’t worry, there are no Brokeback Mountain-esque shrieks on this debut, just death grunts through and through. Recommended while it is raw.

Hebiimetaru - (2010) My Legion [Single]

First single off their 2010 debut Legion of Metaru. A music video was made for My Legion.

Tracklist:

1. My Legion 5:40

Total time: 05:40

Download .mp3@256 CBR

Hebiimetaru - (2008) Black Heart [Single]

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Current band members

These guys are quite prominent over this side of equator. Well, at least in this country that is. The sample presented here features Amal on vocals. Yes, now a 20 year old woman. She later called it quits after some personal issues with the rest of the band, only to have her slot filled by ex - Evilive frontman Arif Sablee. In 2010, Hebiimetaru released their debut album Legion of Metaru featuring guest appearance of Yean Matusin. Well, metalcore peeps, this single is for you!

Tracklist:

1. Black Heart 4:52

Total time: 04:52

The Only Decent Quality Available!

Holy Deity - (2008) A Dream of Torture [Promo Single]

Formed in 2006, Holy Deity combined elements of hardcore with non - chalant heaviness of extreme metal. With this being said, they were among a few growing bands from Brunei Darussalam to play in this subgenre. The only preview traceable to their origin is now available on this blog.

Tracklist:

1. A Dream of Torture 3:40

Total time: 03:40

Download .mp3@160 kbps CBR

Sentenced to Burn - (2008) Queen of Her Subjects [Promo Single]

The band described their genre as a cross between hardcore and beatdown although the latter may as well be erroneous from truly representing the band's music. Most seasoned metallers would refer to their inclination as metalcore; now an abundant form of metal largely thriving among youth worldwide. Hailing from Brunei, Sentenced to Burn were formed in 2008 and had since been releasing a 4 - song EP in 2009, one of which will be made available on this blog.

Tracklist:

1. Queen of Her Subjects 4:10

Total time: 4:10

Download .mp3@320 kbps CBR