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Metalcore by design

Killswitch, Killswitch, Killswitch. What happened to you guys? Being one of the bands back in the early '00s to captivate the mind of a young (all be it much longer haired) Orin, I have a bit of a bone to pick with this latest entry.

With early work on their self-titled album (I am only counting the first one they put out... and so should anyone else, but more on that later), to their metamorphosis into the metalcore template that would serve to spawn hundreds of copy-cats and sound-alikes. Aggressive, melodic and yet soulful and positive. From the early days of Jesse Leach and his abrasive harsh screams and emotive choruses, to the crooning power-house era of Howard Jones, it seemed like they could do no wrong. No joke, a friend and I would legitimately watch their live DVD "Set this World Ablaze" almost every week, they were a big thing for us. With the massive release of As Daylight Dies, they dominated the genre of melodic cheesy music. Then the late '00s happened... And things all changed. With the release of their second (yeah... second) self-titled, fans could sense the formula had run its welcome. So I rejoiced to hear that original singer Jesse Leach would return for their 2013 output Disarm the Dissent. That album ripped. Bringing back some much-needed grit and riff prominence that was lacking from their more melodic (second) self-title. If you are a fan of that style of melodic hook driven metalcore, I still recommend it to this day as one of their better albums.

Now on to this album... Oh boy. So now the second album with their veteran singer, and it seems that jolt of energy may have been short lived. This album, at its core is just... Dull. We start with the track "Alone I Stand", very much in the same temperament as the last album left off (not at all a bad thing), and this left me with good hope for the album. Riffs and harmonies for days and soaring choruses, so no complaints here. The problem I have with the album really starts to rear its head around song three "Cut Me Loose", where Leach seems lit to mutter random incoherent platitudes about positivity and moving on to dull chugging. Then it dawned on me... Jesse Leach is literally singing about nothing. Sure you could find interviews where he claims to be singing about this or that, but listening to lines without any context given holds no meaning. I mean, his lyrics have never been particularly narratively driven in the first place (you could play the drinking game where every reference to the act of "opening your eyes" for the first two albums he was on, and end up in a pretty weird place that's for sure), but they just seem to be about nothing. Vague enough to pander to youth, but general enough to belt out as though they are some grand statement. Additionally, this album is very heavy on the clean singing. Though I have no problem with bands opting to be more melodic, this was not the strength Leach had brought with the previous album. I mean, seriously, he even rips a vocal melody from a Tool song (don't believe me? Skip to 3:48 on "Embrace The Journey... Upraised", and tell me you don't start singing the verse to Sober). Howard Jones, he is not.

Thus far my gripe has been predominantly with the vocals, and I want to stress: they are not what make this album dull (on their own). I am looking at the autopilot formula used by Adam Dutkiewicz on this one. Far too often does this album just piddle along at medium tempo chugging, aulternating with fast-picking, only to lead to a predictable clean-chorus break. I was always under the impression he just saved his most derivative pattern laden work for when he writes entire All That Remains albums, but I fear they may have finally seeped over to the main project.

All in all, I can't say much more about this album apart from that I am disappointed. Perhaps this album will grow on me, though I honestly doubt it (it became a chore to listen to it in its entirety). If you are jonesing for Killswitch, just go back to their last album, or As Daylight Dies... Or any album not this (or the second self-titled).

--Orin hosts The Noisy Loft, Sundays at 8PM on CJLO. Expect loud things. Very loud things.

It's still not too late to apply- Submission deadline has been extended to Monday, March 21st at 11:59pm! 

Are you an entry-to-medium level artist? Want to record an EP?
CJLO has what you need to kickstart your music career.  
The "On Rotation” Multi-Genre Artist Residency Program!!

Under the guidance of our CJLO team, you and your band will have the opportunity to record and produce an EP in CJLO’s studio with included 100 pressed copies/ host a radio special, and organize / promote a show. The residency will also offer various workshops related to the fundamentals of “behind-the-scenes” within the music industry, such as PR, Management and Touring, to name a few. 

The CJLO Artist Residency is OPEN for HIPHOP Groups/ Mc's/ Rappers.

HipHop? Boom Bap, Alternative hip hop, Cloud rap, Experiemental hip hop, G-Funk, Grime, Hip House, Jazz Rap, Intrumental hip hop, Trap, Turntablism, Beat Markers.

Residency Schedule: 3-month band in-residency programs ! 
Recording Time:  Must be available between 31 March & 1-19 April
Mixing and Mastering Time: 19 April - 10 May
Workshops: April. Date TBA.
Show Launch :  Late May - Early June 2016

Application Deadline: March 21st at 11:59pm

Required
-Application Forms
-Letter of Intent
-200 words Bio
-Demo or Releases / Live Video / Audio (SoundCloud, YouTube, Bandcamp)
-Photos or Posters

If you have any further questions feel free to contact: onrotation@cjlo.com
You will find the application forms and more information about the details of our residency below. 

All this is possible thanks to the generosity of the Community Radio Fund of Canada's Radiometres grant!

The wait is over! Apply! 
Spread the word!!! Share It!!

Durant l'année 2015/2016, CJLO accueillera dans le cadre d'un nouveau programme de résidences d'artistes, une multitude d'artistes de styles musicaux différents. Ces résidences sont un tremplin vers de nouvelles possibilités d'enregistrements et mentorats pour ceux qui seront sélectionnés.

Grâce à la générosité des Fonds canadien de la radio communautaire, CJLO 1690 à la possibilité d'enregistrer et de produire un Ep, et d'offire un service de duplication et pressage (100 CDs). Le tout sera envoyé à plusieurs stations de radio collégiales à travers le Canada. Le programme comprendra également divers ateliers traitant de l'importance des communications, des relations publiques, et de la gestion dans l'industrie de la musique. Finalement, chaque résidences se conclura avec un lancement officiel.

HipHop? Boom Bap, Alternative hip hop, Cloud rap, Experiemental hip hop, G-Funk, Hip House, Jazz Rap, Intrumental hip hop, Trap, Turntablism, Beat Markers. 

Votre portfolio doit contenir

- Une lettre d'intention
- Bio (200 mots)
- Formulaires CJLO (enligne)
- Video / Audio / Demo (SoundCloud, YouTube, Bandcamp)
- Photos ou Posters

Si vous avez d'autres questions hésitez pas à contacter: onrotation@cjlo.com

Vous trouverez les formulaires et lignes directrices de notre programe ci-dessous.

Date limite: 21 mars 2016 à 11:59pm

Tonight at 6pm on a jampacked episode of Champions of the Local Scene, we enter a blissful zone of campus/ community madness, going behind the scenes of a few special events happening this week and the organizations and artists involved. Check it out:

CJLO presents: Joyce N'sana- Artist in Residency EP Launch- All Proceeds go to Head & Hands: Friday March 18th @ Reggie's (1455 de Maisonneuve O.) Doors at 7pm, Show at 8pm. Opening act: Dan Fiyah Beats. DJ: Gee Weekes from Anatomy of Caribbean Music/ World Beat News.

We start out the hour chatting with Head & Hands' community co-ordinator Victoria Pilger and Neil, co-ordinator of their Jeunesse 2000 program. Head & Hands is a non-profit community organization that has been committed to the physical and mental health/ well-being of our community's youth since 1970.

  "J2K is a non-judgmental and welcoming drop-in centre that caters to Montréal youth between the ages of 12 and 17 years old. Offered in collaboration with the City of Montreal, this is a place where youth can be themselves: chill, play sports, cook, play video games, watch movies, take part in our music workshops, or sing and rap in our studio, all free of charge, all year long. It’s the spot to be!"

Joyce N'sana, CJLO's On Rotation Artist in Residence, will join us around 6:20pm.

Joyce N’sana, a Montreal based Reggae and Afrobluehop (Afro, Blues & Hip-hop) artist, will release her self-titled debut EP on March 18th, 2016. Known for her strong voice, profound lyrics and empowering stage presence, this EP leaves nothing unsaid. Forced to leave their home by Congolese civil wars, Joyce N’sana recalls the strong image of her father taking nothing but his Bible and his guitar. With this in her heart, Joyce N’sana spreads her message of peace across borders.

We will hear some of her new EP, about her experience at CJLO and why it was important to her to choose Head & Hands as the recipient of the proceeds of her launch, made possible thanks to the Community Radio Fund of Canada.

Art Matters continues across Montreal until March 26!

Art Matters Outreach Co-ordinator Roxane Harlay will join us in studio at 6:30pm. Art Matters Festival is a student-run art festival that has showcased work produced by Concordia undergraduate students in the fields of dance, video, music, design, creative writing, theatre and the visual arts since 2000. The festival promotes emerging talent and provides participants with professional experience by working alongside cultural institutions, galleries, and artist-run centers. Roxane will take us through the 16th edition of the festival. We will hear about her favourite moments of this year's programming so far (which has been running since March 6th) and what we have to look forward to in the last ten days of the festival, including the closing party Never Again, happening March 26th at Never Apart (7049 St Urbain), featuring music by Boha, and o b r a a n a ï s, and art curated by Burcu Emeç & Michael Martini.

"Never Again arranges works that refer to touchstones of theatricality and performativity in a labyrinthine fashion, providing audiences the opportunity to explore a maze-like structure. Inspired by post-dramatic theatre sub-genres and video games, viewers are invited to participate in the construction of a narrative through the subjective navigation of the space at hand, which at times makes playful reference to the notion of inaccessibility within theatre."

The Centre for the Arts in Human Development presents their fundraiser: The Zugathon- March 20th 4-7pm!

What is a Zugathon, you may ask? Well, it is a zumba class (4pm), a yoga class (5pm) and a dance party (6pm) with DJs from Audio Penpals on CJLO. This event is happening this Sunday in the G-Lounge at Concordia's Loyola Campus (CC-408). Organizer Stephanie Lynn will stop by towards the end of the hour and we will hear more about this event and why you should get your water bottle ready and come on out! All proceeds will go to the CAHD, which provides a creative therapies based integration program for adults with developmental disabilities. Follow the Facebook event for more info!

There was a huge party at the Cité des arts du cirque as part of the Nuit Blanche celebrations. Billed as Le Freak Show De La Tohu, there was plenty of oddness for everyone. The evening was directed by Toxique Trottoir and featured the sounds Speakeasy Electro Swing and The Blue Mushroom Sirkus Psyshow's tribute to old time circus. Going along for the ride were people on stilts, a bearded lady, Frankenstein and of course a hair dresser in case you were running late.

Not your average Walmart greeter.

The elder-statesman of circus Giovanni Julianni provides a history lesson on circus performers of old.

Jumping on broken glass, probably something you don't want to do at home. Best left to professionals like Miss BonBon Bombay.

Darts in the back, another thing best not done at home unless your The Mighty Leviticus.

The evening would not have been complete without some body paint.

Speakeasy Electro Swing had the joint a jumpin'

One of the many interesting performers at the party.

The only thing sadder then a mime trapped in an invisible box is Frankenstein mime trapped in an invisible box.

Scary!

Some audience participation.

A happy clown on stilts.

The next big thing in hair extensions.

A little Can Can Dance.

The old smashing a cinder block on a bed of nails trick.

--Don't fret! You can tune in to Brave New Jams every Friday night at 10PM to Midnight with your host, Clifton Hanger, only on CJLO 1690AM and cjlo.com.