Author Archives: Matt G

Fighting the crowd at the sold out J. Cole show at Cleveland’s House of Blues wasn’t exactly how I expected to spend my Tuesday night. I’d spent the last few days laid up with 19 staples in my leg, trying to keep from hurting myself any further. However, when the call came at the 11th hour, not only did I find my way off of my couch, but I managed to strap on my Nikes and limp my way to the car with some semblance of speed. 

I knew something was up as soon as I exited the parking garage and could hear the bass booming from across the street.

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This Is Hell is a band I’ve followed on the periphery for a few years now. “The Polygraph Cheaters” off their debut album Sundowning was a banger, and the rest of their releases were good enough to keep them on my radar, if not in constant rotation. I also admire their touring ethic, and the honest communication they’ve given their fans through outlets like the B9Board, of which I’m a member.

So when they posted the new track “Salt The Earth” about a month ago, I sat up and took notice. This was a different and much more metallic sound than the TIH I was accustomed to, and every riff held me captivated.

Last week, their new album Black Mass went up in its entirety as a free stream on infamous metal and hardcore site Lambgoat. As I type this, I’m listening to what might be my favorite This Is Hell album for the first time, and I thought I’d take the time to give a few first thoughts on the album before it releases on Tuesday, October 11th [today].

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