Kik Axe Music and Entertainment

They're already responsible for one of my favorite albums of 2011 with their CELESTIAL COMPLETION, and now BECOMING THE ARCHETYPE will be contributing to the seasonal offerings with a rendition of O Holy Night. The Christmas classic will be available through iTunes and other digital retailers beginning December 6th, the cover art for which can be viewed below. For more on BTA, check out their Facebook page.

Previously-released last year on Tooth & Nail's HAPPY CHRISTMAS Vol. 5, DEMON HUNTER have reissued their Christmas Song entitled The Wind via iTunes.

The track can be purchased as a digital single via this link, and is being presented by Solid State Records this time around. As they said on on the SSR website tonight, ''It's never too early to get into the spirit.'' If you haven't hear the song yet, you can stream it in it's entirety below.

Back in the early 2000's - which could easily be called my 'record store days' - I used to make up different meanings for the band P.O.D. The favorite was usually Pile of Dogshit, though the 'D' would sometimes be replaced with 'Dung,' 'Dookie,' or in more vile cases, 'Diarrhea' (though that one didn't... flow as nicely). A decade later and P.O.D. is still producing music, and their new single titled On Fire hit the web this week, sucking ass and name-dropping RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE in an effort to stay relevant. Even more offensive is that they tried to lift a little of that Morello-esque guitar sound (and failed).

Upon tossing the new album from AUGUST BURNS RED into iTunes for it's initial virtual spin last week, my first reaction was: Still don't like 'em. Having never been a fan of the band during the course of their first three albums, the opening notes of LEVELER struck me in much the same way - typical soundalike metalcore. Hearing so many bands that sound exactly the same wears thin very quickly, and I'd nearly shut this one off before the end of the first track and tossed it into the 'not worth my time' folder. But the background vocals that kick in right before the 2:00 mark on Empire stopped that notion with a hint that something else could be hidden within.

THE CHARIOT have just announced their inclusion on the 2011 installment of the SCREAM THE PRAYER TOUR. While no dates have been revealed just yet, it's been confirmed that the band will join Norma Jean, Sleeping Giant, War Of Ages, Close Your Eyes, Texas In July, I The Breather, The Great Commission, As Hell Retreats, and Sovereign Strength for the fourth annual trek featuring an assortment of Christian Hardcore and Metal acts. In addition, THE CHARIOT has announced a short run in May alongside EVERY TIME I DIE and THE FUCKING HOTLIGHTS. Dates below...

My favorite album of the year thus far is BECOMING THE ARCHETYPE's CELESTIAL COMPLETION (read my review here), and to celebrate the release (it's out today!), the band is premiering their new video over at MetalSucks. It's not embeddable, so you'll have to click here to see it. If you're a fan of the band, a curious party, or a fan of retro videogaming, you need to watch this. Anyone that grew up in the 1980's and had one of the original NINTENDO ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM's (NES) will appreciate this. If you've ever had to blow in your game to make it work, this clip is for you.

Earthquakes. Tsunamis. Nuclear meltdowns. If the Mayans were correct in ending their calendar with the presumption that the world will end in 2012, then BECOMING THE ARCHETYPE have created the soundtrack for the coming apocalypse.

While countless bands have tackled the end of days scenario, never before has it been done with the level of skill and perfection displayed on CELESTIAL COMPLETION (out March 29, 2011 via Solid State). Maintaining an orchestral structure throughout, this is a true album, a presentation of sonic indulgence that must be consumed as a whole to truly appreciate.

There's a strange irony in the fact that in the same week I've reviewed the latest album from DEICIDE and the latest offering from STRYPER.  Talk about ying and yang...

It's also interesting to note that there's an entire generation of music lovers that only know the name "Stryper" due to the fact that actress ELLEN PAGE wore a vintage STRYPER t-shirt throughout the film WHIP IT. For the uninitiated, STRYPER are not only one of the longest running bands left over from the 1980's glam rock explosion, but they're also Christian. Forget that last part if it bugs you, and read on for more on the Yellow and Black Attack's all-new covers album, THE COVERING (out Feb 15, 2011 via Big 3 Records).

SkunksTV, an Oklahoma-based Christian series on DirecTV and the web, has posted a video with former KORN guitarist BRIAN "HEAD WELCH" in which he "shares his testimony." The eight-minute clip features Welch discussing his past drug use, the destruction of his family, and how he got clean through his faith for the good of his family and for his daughter. Whether you're into religion or not, the video is an interesting piece, and no matter how someone does it, it's good to see people kicking the 'Meth and getting their shit together.