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Technical death metal act The Faceless released their debut album "Akeldama" in 2006 then a follow-up called "Planetary Duality" followed in 2008 and now the guys are on their third release called "Autotheism". Thus this release jump started their musical path while they were a part of this past summer's Summer Slaughter Tour. Guitarist and vocalist Michael Keene spoke to me about their time on that tour and what this album was all about.


1. Can you give me a brief summary as to how the band came to be and what does the name, The Faceless means?

Michael: We had formed in high school when our original bass player Brandon Giffin, it took a long time for us to get a line-up we were happy with but now we're more serious about it than we were back then. After 3 or 4 years we started touring and writing music and the name was an accident and we were called Faceless but there was already a band with that name and the funny part was that a show flyer had our name as that so we went and changed it to The Faceless, but I always liked the name anyway despite the accident so it's a fairy brutal thing to think about when it comes to our style of music and how we work with it.

2. How was the Summer Slaughter Tour?

Michael: It was great and a lot of fun. Toured with a lot of bands we had toured with before, so good time hanging out, shows were great and the new record was out while we were on tour so it was a fun time being able to play the new material and spend the summer.

3. What is your favorite song to play live (from any album)?

Michael: Well I'd say "Xenochrist" from Planetary Duality it's just really fun to play on guitar and gets the crowd going probably it.

4. What was your favorite part of the tour?

Michael: I would say getting to play the new material for people. I looked forward to seeing the people's reactions and singing along with the words of the songs so having a really good crowd was always awesome.

5. What was the inspiration for the album name Autotheism?

Michael: Well the record is about self empowerment and a concept record of a person taking control of their reality and becoming their own God and abandonment that depresses or surpasses them. Just embracing our world and being a positive source to any other beliefs.

6. If you could go back and change something on the album would you?

Michael: Yeah probably there's always certain things that you wish you had done different but overall I am very happy with how this record turned out than our previous records.

7. What was most different about recording Autotheism?

Michael: Less pressure as far as time restrictions we just went into it and it was going to be done when it was ready so we didn't set up anything until we were done and happy with it so that was nice. I think also letting go of what a Faceless record should sound like. Our first two records sounds like us but this one and being focused in that sound we just went with what came naturally.

8. What inspires you to do what you do and what advice would you give to fellow bands who want to do what you do?

Michael: I think I was inspired by my parents who were also musicians and I was raised by music since birth so after seeing what they did I wanted to do the same thing. But I think the best advice would be just make music that you love and make it for yourself and hope that other's like it too. If you make it for others then you won't be happy or other's would like it. So by the end of the day just make it for you that's how I would answer it.

9. How much more can we expect to see from The Faceless for 2012?

Michael: We're going out on a headline tour in a couple of months then might be going overseas afterwards then working on some new music which would be out next year so possibly an EP of cover songs is in the works.


10. Anything else you want to add or say?

Michael: Our new record and if you haven't checked it out please do.
3:17 PM
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Narrow Hearts are some up-and-comers with a debut EP under their belts called "Strive to Change" with that the band has written and recorded a variety of tunes and guitarist Jared Block and bassist Frank Falk discusses with me the band's beginning, present, and future plans!


1. Narrow Hearts is the band's name but where did the name actually come from and what does it mean?

A: Before the Narrow Hearts era, the band had previously been known as Cain & Abel. After 4 years and a few member changes, we decided we had kind of "grown out" of the name and style we had developed. We really had no idea what the new name was going to be. I (Jared) was talking to a friend of mine about all of this and he had already had a few names set aside for a side project he was doing. Narrow Hearts was one of those names, and once I heard it, it pretty much stuck right away. The meaning behind the name can go in so many different directions that we like to tell people that you can "make it what it means to you". For me it's always been something like this: there are a lot of terribly lost people in this world, and I feel like we were meant to speak out, or "guide" the people with the "narrow hearts" back to the right path.

2. Tell us the brief history of your band.

A: Like I said above, the band used to be known as Cain & Abel. It started with Jared and our old vocalist, Jake, in 2007. We sort of combined bands with our drummer Josh, our old bassist Jeff, and our guitarist Ike; who were doing a project of their own. With us just being freshmen in high school, and the other three in 8th grade at the time, we really weren't doing much except trying to jam. Over the next few years, we started to get more serious. With the addition of our current vocalist Tyler, we started to play more shows and become more solid of a group. We played with that lineup of 6 guys for about four years, going on a few tours and playing a few festivals along the way. In the fall of 2011, we parted ways with Jake and were then going through the whole name change period. That fall we then headed out and recorded what would be Narrow Hearts' "Strive to Change" EP. We continued the next few months as Cain & Abel, and then starting the new year of 2012 we then changed our name to Narrow Hearts. After playing a few shows with the new name, we had another member change, this time replacing our Jeff with our current bassist Frank. We just recently signed to the independent label We Are Triumphant this summer, and are now just finishing up in the studio with our debut full length album on the label.

3. Who are your musical and non-musical influences?

A: We all listen to a variety of music, so pretty much every genre. As far as the type of bands that influence us, I would say: Stick To Your Guns, Stray From The Path, The Ghost Inside, The Color Morale, and many others.

4. What are your songs about? (What specific themes do they cover?)


A: We try to stick to a positive message as much as possible. All of our songs try to relate to real life experiences, and try to help others that are unable to help themselves.

5. Who writes the songs, what are they about?

A: We all write collectively for the most part, but when we start from scratch, Jared writes most of the music and shape of the song and Tyler takes care of the first draft of vocals.

6. Tell me about your EP  ''Strive to Change" where did the name come from and is this a concept release?

A: "Strive to Change" is overall a positive message, and was previously a song name before the album name was discussed. I feel it's a very straight forward statement, and could really be used to describe any part of life. You should always try to better yourself, strive to be a stronger person. The EP is not a story by any means, but all of the songs talk about the positive concept "Strive to Change".

7. How do you describe your music to people?

A: Very fast paced, melodic, and positive.

8. Have you recorded any previous CDs or posted any audio files on the Internet?

A: Yes, under Cain & Abel we independently released an EP and a full length.

9. What type of recording process did you use? Who produced your recording?

A: We have done all of the NH recording's with our good friend Josh Schroeder at Random Awesome! Studios in Bay City, Michigan. The process goes as simply as this: drums, guitar, bass, vocals.

10. How did you sell your CD’s/Audio Files?

A: We have had our cd's available on Itunes, Amazon, or any other online music store. Hard copies are also available at shows.

11. What are the biggest obstacles for bands?

A: I would say it depends on the group of members. These are other factors I think affect bands at the start, and continue to affect the band until their end: age, education, location, life goals and expectations, to name a few.

12. What are your dreams and goals?

A: We can collectively say that we are aiming to take this band as far as it can go. We don't really know how far or how long we'll get, but we will know when it's time for it to end. I can tell you that that won't be for a very long time.


13. What inspires you to do what you do?

A: Our families, our friends in other bands touring the country, and anyone who has ever came to a show and talked to us about what we do.

14. What advice would you give to fellow bands?

A: Never, ever quit. If it's something that you love and want to keep doing, don't let anyone tell you what you can or cannot do.
9:49 AM
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Manufacture Playhut has grasped onto the craze that has captivated the world as we know it "monster theme" whether it'd be in books, movies, television shows, or just in general everyday lifestyles, Playhut has grasped it just like the rest; Mattel's Monster High, MGA Entertainment's Bratzillaz, and Novi Stars, and even mythical features with Jakks Pacific's Winx Club.
Mystixx Vampires
Now Playhut has taken the fandom that is vampires with their all new doll line called "Mystixx" or "Mystixx Vampires". These vampires are Azra, Kalani, Siva, and Talin each girl having a daytime phase and a nighttime phase hence their toy line catch phrase "The doll you can change the face of" which is indeed true.  The dolls switch from "girl face" to "vampire face" by turning the doll's head. Each product comes with 1 doll, 2 outfits, and a hair brush among other accessories.
Mystixx Vampires Azra
Mystixx Vampires Azra Doll Form
Mystixx Vampires Kalani
Mystixx Vampires Kalani Doll Form
Azra and Kalani are currently available right now while Talin and Siva will be available at the end of September if not sometime in October. Be on the lookout for these because surly fans of Mattel's Monster High, MGA Entertainment's Bratzillaz, Novi Stars, and Winx Club will take a bite out of this scary cool addition.
10:10 PM
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Nickelodeon has bought over the rights of Italian sensation series the Winx Club! Since it's transfer Nickelodeon has gone on to release 4 TV specials, a movie, and re-dub/re-release of the third and fourth seasons and signed on to continue the series with the fifth and sixth seasons and another movie. So with all of this fandom there has to be merchandise!


Thus Jakks Pacific and Nickelodeon have teamed up to release products based on the hit series the Winx Club from toys, appeal, video games, and runs with fast food chains to promote it's line even further and further. But as of right now Jakks Pacific released several new toy products dolls consisting of a concert line, Believix line, daily wear line, and other exclusive lines only available at particular outlet stores like Walmart, Target, and Toys R Us.


The Believix line ties into the fourth and fifth season of the television series and this line features all 6 of the girls, Bloom, Stella, Flora, Musa, Tecna, and  Aisha, each of whom has their own magical powers and abilities to use against the bad guys who come in contact with these powerful fairy beings. Bloom has the power of the Dragon flame, while Stella is the one behind the shinning sun, Flora has the powers of the nature and earth, while Musa handles the tactics that is our music scene, Tecna takes care of all the things technology related and Aisha flows with the tones of the waves of the rivers, oceans, lakes, and all things water based.


Each doll comes with a doll, outfit that resembles quite well to the television series one, hair brush to keep that beautiful hair in tip top style, most amazing glittering, sparkling, wings and a flitterful membership card! The wings are removable along with the clothing of course which you can find accessories that have more outfits and wing exchanges you can easily mix and match anyway you like. Also each of them is also sold separately but available at all of the major retailers around selling for $19.99-25.99 depending on your location.

Fans of other product lines like Mattel's Monster High, MGA Entertainment's Bratz, Bratzillaz, and Novi Stars will definitely be flying high with the girls of the Winx Club!
2:54 PM
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Mattel's Monster High TV specials is continuing with yet another all new special "Friday Night Frights" which features our favorite ghouls on the roll of things! Roller Maze is the way of what us humans call roller derby where a team of people get together and roller skate through various areas trying their best to win! You can check out the trailer below and be sure to keep a look out for this TV special coming soon!

 
11:42 AM
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Canadian metal titans Chomp Chomp Attack have unleashed their debut EP entitled "How Do You Like Me Now" consisting of 6-tracks one of which is the title track that lead them to stardom fame while another "From Dreams To Reality" is another one hit wonder to be. Either way this act unlike any other has seen the misfortune of loosing band members and getting brand new ones' hence what happened recently. But that didn't stop the fan base from being brought down or the band from letting them down.

Since the fans mean so much to Chomp Chomp Attack they went ahead and decided to release their entire EP for free on YouTube! As far as the tunes go they are simply "rad" guitars with fast pulsing energy, drum work is superb, while vocals are downright raw and aggressive with such power it's unbelievable. If growls and screams to the resemblance to that of Escape The Fate, Get Scared, Asking Alexandria, and Falling In Reverse then these vocal chords are right up your alley.

You really cannot go wrong when listening in, it's chalk full of goodies and musical talent written all over it it's enjoyable time and time again. Fans of one's mentioned above and others Attack Attack, The Word Alive, Blessthefall, among others will fall head over heels in-love.

11:29 AM
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Die To Exists takes metalcore to a whole another level when it comes down to their debut EP "Maybe We Should Fail". The release contains most notable track "The Blackest Dark" which the band was giving away for free throughout the month of August.

But the song itself pretty much sets up what the rest would sound like, fast guitars, heavy duty drum work, violent vocal chords, with flawless lyrical content that makes each of these songs more interesting than the last. Like take "All Trick, No Treat", and "Three Minutes Of Fame", these two create their own source of musical beats being just as heavy as what was presented on "The Blackest Dark", but they develop a more unique twist in being more mellow but edgy.

Die To Exist has got something solid but smooth and surly more shall come once their debut full-length see's the light of day.

11:09 AM

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