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September 19, 2004 - Showbread and No Sir, Nihilism Is Not Practical

Almost three weeks after my last release a new band joins my library when Showbread released their fourth album "No Sir, Nihilism Is Not Practical" on September 19, 2004. But who is Showbread? They are a 7-piece Christian metalcore band from Guyton, Georgia consisting of Marvin Reilly (drums), Patrick Porter (bass), Ivory Mobley (lead vocals), Mike Jensen and Matt Davis (guitars), John Giddens (keyboards) and Josh Dies (vocals, guitar, synthesizer). I'm not a huge Showbread fan (this is my only album of theirs in my library), but this major label debut showcases the unique style of metalcore these guys play with lots of unexpected twists and turns amongst the heaviness. Let's check it out! The album begins with "A Llama Eats A Giraffe (And Vice-Versa)" and it opens with a phone ringing, a rushed little conversation, then they kick heavily into the main riff with loud guitars, bass and drums all thundering in and Mobley screaming his head off in a very high p...
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August 31, 2004 - Leviathan

On the same day as my last release and a little over two years since "Remission", Mastodon released their second album "Leviathan" on August 31, 2004. Mastodon continue their unique style of alternative, slightly progressive metal and this is their first concept album with all the lyrics being about the classic novel "Moby Dick" by Herman Melville. That's an interesting choice for a concept album, Let's see what it's all about! The album opens with it's lead single "Blood And Thunder" which features guest vocals from Neil Fallon of Clutch! It starts with a quiet rhythm guitar riff by Bill Kelliher before the rest of the band comes slamming in nicely as Brent Hinds syncs up with the same riff but much louder and heavier, Brann Dailor provides some speedy and pretty sweet drums and Troy Sanders plays some heavy bass in the background while shouting in a solid voice that isn't quite a scream but still sounds nice and heavy. Sande...
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August 31, 2004 - Ashes Of The Wake

Eight days after my last release and just 15 months since "As The Palaces Burn", Lamb Of God released their fourth album "Ashes Of The Wake" on August 31st, 2004. This was actually Lamb Of God's major label debut, but they are still playing the same style of groovy, super heavy metal. Let's check out the latest! The album kicks off with it's lead single "Laid To Rest" and it has one hell of a main riff by Mark Morton that is just so damn cool! It stops, it starts, it grooves, it's all over the place, and yet somehow it's also super catchy! It's a wicked and quite heavy main riff that drives this song and when Randy Blythe comes in overtop things sound even heavier and more awesome! As always, Blythe can easily hit both extremes with some mostly super low and heavy screaming, but also sometimes some ear-piercingly high screams, and he just fits this heavy mood perfectly! Things roll right into a similarly awesome chorus and after a c...
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August 23, 2004 - Leaders Not Followers: Part 2

Two days after my last release and a little under two years since their last album "Order Of The Leech", Napalm Death released a cover album called "Leaders Not Followers: Part 2" on August 23, 2004. A follow-up to the "Leaders Not Followers" EP, this is a full album with 19 covers of metal and/or hardcore punk bands that inspired Napalm Death, most of whom i've never heard of! Let's check it out! The album opens with "Lowlife", a Cryptic Slaughter cover, and it sounds very thrash-y with some fast drums and some speedy but fairly simple guitar leading the way. Once they reach the verse things reach some more typical Napalm Death speeds, and by that you know I mean things are going super fast now! Tons of super speedy and cool guitars by Mitch Harris, some insanely fast but still on time drumming by Danny Herrera and of course some top notch yelling with all his might by Barney Greenway. This seems like the music that definitely inspired N...
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August 21, 2004 - Rishloo and Terras Fames

Four days after my last release a new band joins my library when Rishloo released their debut album "Terras Fames" on August 21, 2004. But who is Rishloo? They are a four-piece progressive rock band from Seattle, Washington consisting of lead singer Drew Mailloux, guitarist Dave Gillett, bassist Sean Rydquist and drummer Tyler (Tyler doesn't get a last name apparently, I can't find it anywhere!) Rishloo play a unique, alternative style of progressive rock that reminds me of A Pefect Circle. That's a good comparison for sure! Let's see what Rishloo is all about!  The album kicks off with "Romance Of A Dead Kingdom" and Rydquist is playing some pretty cool bass, Gillett adds some light and slightly creepy guitar and Mailloux sings for the first time in his typical voice which is pretty high and he holds lots of long notes that hang nicely overtop this moody main riff. Once Tyler joins in with a solid drumbeat things sound pretty smooth and interesting ...
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August 17, 2004 - Seven Circles

A week after my last release and just under three years since "The Interzone Mantras", The Tea Party released their seventh album "Seven Circles" on August 17, 2004. The Tea Party continue to play their unique blend of world music and hard rock, but this album has a lighter, more positive vibe with less of the dark themes and styles seen in their previous works. Not sure how I feel about that, but let's not judge before we listen! The album kicks off with it's lead single "Writing's On The Wall" and right away Jeff Martin is cueing up the main riff and once the rhythm section comes slamming in we have quite a heavy and cool main riff with some catchy and cool guitar by Martin driving things. Martin sings a loud and epic verse that matches the mood pretty nicely and things quickly move into the hard-hitting and pretty catchy chorus with Martin sounding pretty good on guitar and vocals. This is a short and slightly repetitive song, but it's h...
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August 10, 2004 - Siren Song Of The Counter Culture

On the same day as my last release and just 16 months since their last album "Revolutions Per Minute", Rise Against released their third album "Siren Song Of The Counter Culture" on August 10, 2004. With their third album comes their third lead guitarist as well as Todd Mohney isn't around for long and is replaced by Chris Chasse. This was Rise Against's major label debut and with that comes a slightly more pop-y and radio-friendly vibe, but these guys are still largely punk rockers. Let's check out their latest! The album kicks off with "State Of The Union" and it just might be my favourite song by Rise Against! They jump right into a hard-hitting and heavy main riff with Chasse playing some cool guitar and Tim McIlrath screams this whole song, and he sounds great doing it! Tim usually keeps the screaming to shorter bursts, but he sounds super heavy and awesome screaming the whole verse and chorus! After a couple fantastic rounds they even bre...
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