Music Genre Spotlight By Kaicie Boeglin

Characteristics of deathcore can be blast beats, down tuned guitars, growled lyrics, breakdowns and then metal riffs and tuning. Low growls and deep shrieks may not be every listeners perfect tune, but these vocalists deserve some credit. It takes talent and practice to be able to control your vocal cords in such a way that one would be able to manipulate their voice in varying octaves.

“Deathcore”- some people may be turned away by the this word and may consider it to be “scary”.  But what does that mean to people who don’t even understand genres? Deathcore is a genre of music that combines elements of hard rock, heavy metal, death metal and metalcore. Now what does that mean? Musically speaking, it means adventuring deep into an art platform. Characteristics of deathcore can be blast beats, down tuned guitars, growled lyrics, breakdowns and then metal riffs and tuning. Low growls and deep shrieks may not be every listeners perfect tune, but these vocalists deserve some credit. It takes talent and practice to be able to control your vocal cords in such a way that one would be able to manipulate their voice in varying octaves. Bands such as Bring Me The Horizon and Suicide Silence are credited for being deathcore bands that are better known. Some argue that these bands are not pure deathcore. From the starting line to the finish a band goes through many changes. In the local stages, bands can start sensationally heavier than what they turn out to be in the end.

The Machinist (Extreme Metal, Hailing from Queens, New York)

The Machinist is a five piece, female fronted, extremely brutal metal band that refuses to take no for an answer. They care about their sound and their passion is truly in the heart of the music. Amanda Gjelaj, the amazing vocalist behind The Machinist stated that it didn’t matter if they played in a basement or on a stage. They play because they want to. They don’t care if they are loved or hated because they play the amazing sounds their minds and souls desire. On April 20th, 2016 the band released their first music video for the song “Wake Up” featured off their debut, self titled, EP. The video earned seven thousand views within its first four days. The sound has its own groove, consisting of catchy riffs and hard breakdowns. An astonishing fact is that this band is fronted by a female vocalist. When listening to the music, the listener must be deep into the vocals to hear the female voice. Amanda’s marvelous vocals are accompanied by, Steve Ciorciari banging on drums, Toby Osiene  slamming on bass, & Josh Gomez strumming the guitar. Influences for The Machinist come from bands such as After the Burial, Slipknot, & Misery Signals. They all believe their music to uphold the standard that it is unique among a world of imitation. Aspiring to be the best they can be, they inspire young musicians who crave to step out of the box. Providing some of the dirtiest beats for the best pits, The Machinist open some of the most wild mosh pits. The band is currently working on new music for 2018, and fans can follow them on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. A band that aspires from metal and deathcore, inspires power and exhilaration. Every Machinist set is inspiring, political, energetic and engaging. This is a band that is lyrically free. They are not afraid to speak their minds and let opinions run free. NO ONE ever goes home from seeing them unsatisfied. Some marvel over the amazing pipes Amanda possess and others are struck by the entire sound. This band is truly something unexpected. Catch them at one of their next shows.  Just like many of these bands, they travel all around the East Coast.

Music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXxdfGBXRH0
Sworn In (Metalcore/ Screamo Metal, Originated out of Chicago, Illinois)

Sworn In are a band from Chicago, Illinois. Originally 5 members, and now down to four, they are Tyler Dennen who screams from the heart, Eugene Kamyluk who strums with pride, Derek Bolman who plays a mean bass and Chris George who takes drumming to a whole other level. At shows, no matter how big or small, they have people join them on stage.  They have fans sing with them and they always stop and take the time to talk to fans. (On stage with Sworn In) This band definitely has hard driving beat and always keeps their audience’s adrenaline pumping. From 2016 to 2017 alone, Sworn in made it from the local stages to landing a record deal with Fearless Records. Before Fearless Records, which is more of a well known label, Sworn In was signed to Razor & Tie Records. Sworn In is slowly winding out of the local stages and falling into stardom. In 2015 the band played the very last Rockstar Mayhem Festival, after releasing their second full length album The Lovers The Devil.  In 2013 the band released their first full length album by the name of The Death Card. Just released on June 30th, 2017 was the bands most recent album All Smiles. Also, the band played all summer long on the Journey/Vans Warped Tour 2017. Since 2012 the band has released ten music videos, fifteen singles, two EP’s and three full length albums. All four members are talented and full of exuberance. Every time they step foot on a stage it is as if it is the first time. Their energy surges through the crowd faster than a bullet train. No matter if the fan is moshing or not, it is guaranteed that they will not stay in one place for all of Sworn In’s set. The energy is so grand that everyone definitely enjoys their time; attempts to at least get on the stage once, if not attempt to stage dive; but the most energy is shown when frontman Tyler Dennen dangles his mic in front of the crowd and everyone vies for it. Sworn In has been advancing so rapidly that they just recently returned home from a tour In Europe and Russia.

Instagram: @swornin

Music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aMx7ATC0VQ8

Ocean Of Illusions (Deathcore from Bergen County, New Jersey)

A courtesy deal or a new awakening? Diamond records is the home for many great local and upcoming artists. Ocean of Illusions is still growing, they only have a courtesy deal with Diamond, but this deal has helped them promote, tour and play countless shows. The band consists of Zachary Howard on vocals, Chris Castano and Josh Held on guitar, Mike Montalto strummin’ bass and Kedwin Ramirez on drums. The boys in Ocean of Illusions have released an EP, a single and are currently working on a new EP, which, is aimed for release in March. The band released their first EP by the name of High Tides in 2015 and dropped their single “Arboreal Hate” back in MArch of 2017. Recently the band has decided to track with Dave Ricco from Ascending From Ashes. Also they have decided to work alongside Chris Wiseman of, Shadow of Intent and Currents. Working with some well known names, to develop something grand has gotten the bands name to many more outlets. Inciting a goal to initiate something fresh into the scene, the boys work to achieve this goal. Guitarist Josh Held comments on the bands passion in saying, “I think we have a lot of talented guys involved in what we’re doing and the result is something that we can be proud of.” Influences for the music are taken from all over, due to the members varying styles. The older sound was more deadly in the sense that the rhythm centered more on heavier parts and there were less leads and solos. The new record will be more orchestrated, contain more synth and have a heavier lead sound; all while still maintaining the slams as preference of Kedwin, the band’s drummer. The men are talented, The band is proud and the music connects with people. Ocean of Illusions is distinguished by sound but the fan base still NEEDS to grow. They are an up and coming band, smack dab in the center of the local stage. This band reminds fans that travel is needed for advancement. These men push their passions through slammin tunes and deep meaningful words. Now is the time for fans to travel out to a show to prove a a bands value. A person from RI travels to NJ for a show, that band playing is now more likely to play in RI because they see there is a fan base there. On the platforms of Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, Ocean of Illusions can be easily found and easily followed. Could they be Diamond Records’ diamond in the rough? This band has shared stages with bands such as Reapers Solace, Zoume, Monument of a Memory and Rings of Saturn

Instagram: @oceanofillusionsnj

Music:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOuSU_QMMWQ