The Red Chord

The Willowtip Files: Ion Dissonance – Breathing is Irrelevant

The Willowtip Files: Ion Dissonance – Breathing is Irrelevant

By Saunders on May 15, 2023 in Blog Posts, The Willowtip Files, Grind, Mathcore, Progressive Metal, 16 comments

“Pennsylvanian-based independent label Willowtip Records was established by Jason Tipton in the late ’90s. From humble beginnings, the label has stood the test of time, becoming one of the most respected and highly regarded record labels in the extreme metal scene. It takes something special to create a label with a consistently unfuckwithable roster of quality, innovative artists while retaining long-term integrity and durability. Willowtip is the self-proclaimed forward-thinking label, releasing a slew of modern classics and top-shelf albums that may have a lower profile but are more than worth your while.” Math grinding.

All Pigs Must Die – Hostage Animal Review

All Pigs Must Die – Hostage Animal Review

By Mark Z. on October 31, 2017 in 2017, American Metal, Crust Punk, Hardcore, Reviews, Southern Lord, Hardcore, 41 comments

“The metal world is far different than it was just seven years ago. Agalloch was still a band, people still took Wintersun seriously, and this new beast called “metallic hardcore” was first rearing its HM2-powered head. Spearheaded by groups like Black Breath, Enabler, and (arguably) Nails, the style rejected the Gothenburg-inspired metalcore of the mid-00s by instead delivering a violent combination of frenetic metal riffing and pummeling hardcore fury. It was a sound that Massachusetts’s All Pigs Must Die embraced with open arms.” Long story snort; they’re back.

Wormwood – Mooncurse Review

Wormwood – Mooncurse Review

By Grymm on October 26, 2017 in 2017, American Metal, Doom Metal, Reviews, Sludge, Translation Loss, Doom Metal, Post-Metal, Sludge, 42 comments

“In the Bible (or at least the New Testament version), Wormwood is the angel or star that falls from the sky, crashing into the waters of the Earth, and killing all living things with its inherent bitterness. Outside of the bible, wormwood is most known for being the key ingredient for absinthe, at one time regarded as a highly psychoactive and hallucinogenic (but still tasty) alcoholic beverage. Whatever the inspiration, Boston’s Wormwood, comprised of members of The Red Chord, Doomriders, and Phantom Glue, pull a little bit of both influences in their sound.” Worm power.

Despised Icon – Beast Review

Despised Icon – Beast Review

By Diabolus in Muzaka on July 22, 2016 in 2016, Canadian Metal, Deathcore, Nuclear Blast, Reviews, Deathcore, 49 comments

“The state of deathcore in 2016 isn’t an enviable one. It’s not quite old enough yet to spur on needlessly salty debates about the best MySpace pages, and it’s not fashionable or ubiquitous enough anymore to act as a gateway to further extremity as it once did for so many. Suicide Silence was never that good to begin with, but their records have noticeably declined in quality since their debut. Job for a Cowboy has been a boring modern death metal band since Genesis. All Shall Perish hasn’t released an album since 2011, let alone a good one since 2008; the list goes on. Enter the best-known Canadian deathcore band that’s not Cryptopsy in 2008: Despised Icon.” Deathcore in da house!

Arkona – Goi, Rode Goi! Review

Arkona – Goi, Rode Goi! Review

By Angry Metal Guy on November 2, 2009 in 2009, 4.0, Folk Metal, Napalm Records, Reviews, Folk Metal, 8 comments

Sure, folk metal is Europe’s deathcore, but somehow it’s so much more enjoyable as a genre! It probably has something to do with the accordions. Oh, and the lack of breakdowns. If folk metal is Europe’s deathcore, than I’d have to say that Arkona is the equivalent of The Red Chord or Between the Buried and Me: so much better than the genre-title implies. Many have come to associate folk metal with the silliness of Korpiklaani and written it off as too much for their tastes. Then there are other people who get a little bit nervous about the sort of nationalistic shit that could easily be associated with a band like Arkona in a land where right wing extremists are definitely an issue. But as far as this Angry Metal Guy is concerned: Arkona is not your average folk metal band and Goi, Rode, Goi! is definitely not your average folk metal record.

The Red Chord – Fed Through the Teeth Machine

The Red Chord – Fed Through the Teeth Machine

By Angry Metal Guy on November 2, 2009 in 2009, 3.0, American Metal, Deathcore, Metal Blade, Metalcore, Reviews, Deathcore, Metalcore, 0 comments

The Red Chord has been one of the best respected bands that really came out of the metalcore scene a few years back. I’ve got plenty of friends who dig these guys and dig this stuff and I can definitely understand why. For fans of the breakdown and the chug, there are few bands out there who do it with the kind of proficiency and.. well, lack of boringness that The Red Chord have managed to do it with. Fed Through the Teeth Machine is another example of the fact that metalcore has produced some bands that don’t make the metal gods sad inside.