Artifact gets the job done

I was looking for something dark and heavy to listen to today, not quite sure why seeing that it is a beautiful day outside here.  I suppose I needed to balance things out perhaps.  Anyway, I thought I’d listen to Artifact, one of my absolute favorite bands to come from Norway.  Artifact does a fantastic job of filling someone’s need for bone-crushing metal.  Yeah, I know, the term bone-crushing is a bit cliche, but it’s fitting.

For anyone who enjoys music to the likes of Rob Zombie, Static X, Powerman 5000, Ministry, NIN, or even Sisters of Mercy, I guarantee you’ll find an addiction to Artifact.  Their music is an interfusion of evil sounding guitars, goth inspired vocals, and high tech electronics.  I find it annoying when decent bands overkill their sound with electronic overlays, but Artifact does the opposite.  Their inclusion of electronic sounds compliment the band’s overall sound.

From what I understand the band is currently working on their debut full length album which will feature 10 or 11 tracks.  The band has a great website which you can listen to some of their songs and read up on the band members and all.  Check it out!

Download or Listen to the song “The Only Salvation” by Artifact:

The Official Website of Artifact
Visit Artifact at Myspace

..the power of “3″

Finally, something new, something fresh, something amazing.  This is my easy way of describing the music of the band “3″ which I am quite fascinated by.  I generally am well focused and up to date on what I consider to be some of the best music out there today, but for some reason I have seem to missed this extraordinary group of musicians…but not for long.  I’m spreading the word, simply because this band based out of Woodstock NY deserves the recognition.

Their music can be described as a bit dark, but it’s the true energy and passion of what they put forth that really grabs my attention.  Those interested in progressive rock and melodic metal will absolutely love “3″.. I guarantee it.  Well, okay, I’m not much for placing a guarantee on anything, but I am well convinced that the genuine music coming from “3″ is easily well respected.

If you are a fan of the band Porcupine Tree, you may already be familiar with the band, seeing that they were on the road together earlier this year, and have some more upcoming dates together.  The group is made up of Joey Eppard on vocals, Billy Riker on guitar, Gartdrumm on the drums, Joe Stote on percussion and keys, and Daniel Grimsland on bass.

The band is out and about supporting their latest release “The End is Begun” on Metal Blade Records.  Check out their website and take a look at their tour dates below.  Catch them on the road with “The Scorpions” or “Porcupine Tree” if you can, you won’t be disappointed.

Official Website of 3
Visit 3 at Myspace

Listen to “All That Remains” by the band 3:

Upcoming Tour Dates:

Sep 10 2007    Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium – Calgary, Alberta
Sep 12 2007    PNE Forum – Vancouver, British Columbia
Sep 14 2007    Konocti Harbor – Kelseyville, California
Sep 15 2007    Gibson Amphitheater – Universal City, California
Sep 18 2007    AVA Amphitheatre – Tucson, Arizona
Sep 20 2007    The Clubhouse     Tempe, Arizona
Sep 21 2007    The Joint at Hard Rock Hotel – Las Vegas, Nevada
Sep 22 2007    Grand Sierra Theatre – Reno, Nevada
Sep 26 2007    Beacon Theater – New York, New York
Sep 27 2007    Mercury Lounge with The Bakerton Group – New York, New York
Sep 28 2007    Chevrolet Theatre – Wallingford, Connecticut
Sep 29 2007    Orpheum Theatre – Boston, Massachusetts
Oct 09 2007    City Hall – Nashville, Tennessee
Oct 10 2007    The Orange Peel – Asheville, North Carolina
Oct 11 2007    Lincoln Theatre – Raleigh, North Carolina
Oct 12 2007    State Theater – Falls Church, Virginia
Oct 15 2007     Salle Albert-Rousseau – Sainte-Foy, Quebec
Oct 16 2007    Phoenix Theater – Toronto, Ontario
Oct 18 2007    The Egg – Albany, New York
Oct 19 2007    Webster Theater – Hartford, Connecticut
Oct 20 2007    The Shell at Trump Marina – Atlantic City, New Jersey
Oct 22 2007    House of Blues – Cleveland, Ohio
Oct 23 2007    Bogart’s – Cincinnati, Ohio
Oct 24 2007    Uptown Theater – Kansas City, Missouri
Oct 27 2007    Meridian – Houston, Texas
Oct 28 2007    House of Blues – Dallas, Texas
Oct 29 2007    Roxy Theatre – Atlanta, Georgia

FREE Music from Labrador Records

Believe it or not, some record labels are actually pretty cool. When I mean cool, I mean “giving away free music” cool. One record label doing just that is Labrador out of Stockholm Sweden. The label has some really decent artists on board, and just recently they are giving everyone the opportunity to download the Labrador Summer Sampler 2007, which includes 68 tracks, yes.. 68 tracks! If you would like to listen to some of the artists on Labrador, I encourage you to download additional mp3s and watch some of the band’s videos at the Labrador Sound Library.

Thank you Labrador!