Under the Gun Review

Entertainment news for today's generation

MOVIE REVIEW: Coriolanus

Film: Coriolanus
Starring: Ralph Fiennes, Gerard Butler
Directed by: Ralph Fiennes

A challenging, hardened film, Coriolanus marks the directorial debut of actor Ralph Fiennes. It is an adaptation of one of Shakespeare’s lesser-known plays about a Roman general forced from power who swears vengeance on those who cast him out of his home state. It’s updated to the present day but retains the original dialogue, making for an intriguing if demanding film.

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MOVIE REVIEW: The Grey

Film: The Grey
Starring: Liam Neeson
Directed by: Joe Carnahan

Survival films have always been a tricky genre. Not only must you showcase the terrifying isolation of being lost/trapped in a secluded area, you also have to keep things interesting for the audience. In the case of Joe Carnahan’s The Grey, both these needs are recognized, but the follow-through is not too smooth.

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REVIEW: Plug In Stereo – The Patience

Artist: Plug In Stereo
Album: The Patience EP
Genre: Pop
Label: Atlantic Records/Triple Crown Records

Trevor Dahl, the wunderkind behind Plug In Stereo, is only 18. Discoveries like this always leave me feeling somewhat inadequate, even if I was too busy studying like the sad teacher’s pet I am to be doing anything else myself at that age. Dahl is clearly gifted, for The Patience is a tender and accomplished EP, filled with wholesome songs that endear almost effortlessly. It’s extremely short and doesn’t beg much of its listeners, with wistful acoustic tracks that linger quietly in the background as …

REVIEW: The Heaven Switch

Artist: The Heaven Switch
Album: The Heaven Switch
Genre: Pop/rock
Label: CSF Music Group

The Heaven Switch is an unassuming, slight album. Its songs are gentle odes on love and life, very sweet and endearing with no lofty ambitions. Their simplicity is their key selling point; Ryan Calhoun knows what suits him and doesn’t stretch his piano/guitar/bass combo or indeed his vocals much. The same summery, dulcet tones lead every song, meaning it is inconsequential and lacks substance, but for fans of straightforward pop-rock jams it will go down nicely.

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REVIEW: With Daggers – Widower

Artist: With Daggers
Album: Widower
Genre: Hardcore
Label: We Are Triumphant

I’m awful when it comes to staying up to date on generally anything, I mean I follow Breaking News on Twitter, but that’s pretty much where it ends. But I do tend to be decently up to date on what matters most to me; the current happenings in the music industry, especially when it comes to metal and hardcore bands from the northeast, oddly specific as that may be. So when I first heard With Dagger’s debut EP, Widower, I thought I had been getting a bit lazy, …

UTG EXCLUSIVE STREAM: Bayside – Linoleum (NOFX cover)

January 27th, 2012

Jacob

Due to some quick fingers and a keen eye to social network updates, tonight we are able to provide you with an exclusive cover by New York pop-punk giants, Bayside. This rendition of a NOFX classic was used as a sign-off for tonight’s Gumshoe Radio, and we grabbed the goods.

Bayside has performed this cover for years on various tours, but this recording has a much finer quality to it than your standard fan video found on Youtube. I couldn’t help but notice this high grade in recording and wonder if there is perhaps a possibility of another live album. Now, before the rumor mill begins to turn, there is a high probability that this is the result of a skilled house engineer’s recording habits and an appreciatory email to the band, but you never know.

What do you think? Is this “very special unannounced song” a teaser for something bigger, or just a nice surprise? Take a listen inside and let us know in the comments.

Read more »

United Blood Fest Reveals 2012 Lineup

January 27th, 2012

Tyler

Richmond based hardcore festival United Blood Fest announced the first round of its lineup this week, and man will the kids be going crazy. The March 30-31 festival features all different types of hardcore acts, so all sorts of tough guys are welcome. The festival is at Kingdom in Richmond, VA, and weekend passes are already on sale at 55 dollars, with supposedly 100 tickets left according to the festival’s twitter account.

Check out the lineup after the jump and let UTG know if you’re going to be hitting this up. There is a very large possibility I (Tyler) will be there, so let me know if you plan on going so I can mosh your face off (and by that I mean say hello).

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Refused Schedule 2nd NYC Show

January 27th, 2012

Tyler

Sweedish hardcore act Refused announced a second New York City show at Terminal Five on Sunday April 22. The band added the second date after their first NYC show sold out in under an hour. 2012 marks Refused’s first year of shows since their 1998 breakup. Ticket presale starts on January 31 at 3PM EST, with general public ticketing on sale on February 1 at 12PM EST. Refused also announced they will be also playing Coachella this spring, as well as European dates as well. If you have any desire to go to this New York City show, buy tickets the minute they go on sale cause I can almost promise you they will sell out in the first 24 hours.

Are you stoked about the reunion? Let UTG know in the replies what you think, and check out after the break the statement from Refused’s facebook.

Read more »

VIDEO TEASE: Lil Wayne – Mirror

January 27th, 2012

James

Lil Wayne has released the first clip from his forthcoming music video.

Showcasing Wayne’s usual sound stage approach to making videos, “Mirror” should give all Weezy fan girls plenty of eye candy to keep them anxiously awaiting the full clip’s arrival. You can view the teaser for “Mirror” after the jump.

Lil Wayne’s latest release, Tha Carter IV, is available now. Read more »

Long Lost (Joe Boynton Of Transit) Perform Two New Acoustic Songs

January 27th, 2012

Matthew

Long Lost is a fairly new band and the side project of Transit frontman Joe Boynton and Vinny Comeau. The band recently performed 2 original acoustic songs and a cover of Sam Cooke’s “Wonderful World”.

Long Lost also revealed they would begin recording a new EP after February 1st, which will be released for a free download. Although details were not definite the band assumed the release would include about 5 originals and a cover song. Check out Long Lost performing “Clean Slate” and “Not Worth It”after the jump. Keep your eyes out for more Long Lost news here at UTG.

Read more »

Iwrestledabearonce Announce “Road To Metal Fest” Headlining Tour, Dates

January 27th, 2012

James

UTG favorites Iwrestledabearonce have announced plans for their first headlining tour of 2012.

Entitled “The Road To Metal Fest,” the latest outing for Iwrestledabearonce finds them storming stages nationwide with support from Molotov Solution, Glass Cloud and The Greenery. You can view the full itinerary below:

04/16 Oklahoma City, OK – Conservatory
04/17 Memphis, TN – New Daisy Theater
04/18 Knoxville, TN – Valarium
04/20 Springfield, VA – Empire
04/21 Worcester, MA – The Palladium (“New England Metal And Hardcore Festival“)
04/23 Pittsburgh, PA – Altar Bar
04/24 Evansville, IN – Boney Junes
04/25 Bloomington, IL – The Castle Theater
04/26 Des Moines, IA – Vaudeville Mews
04/27 Iowa City, IA – Blue Moose
04/29 Denver, CO – Marquis Theatre
04/30 Albuquerque, NM – Launchpad
05/01 Flagstaff, AZ – Cinnabar

We cannot recommend seeing IWABO live enough. If you love heavy, this is one tour will not want to miss!

Impending Doom Reveal “Baptized In Filth” Artwork

January 27th, 2012

James

Impending Doom have released the cover art for their forthcoming album, Baptized In Filth.

Released earlier today via press release, the artwork for Filth continues Impending Doom’s long history of engaging cover art without feeling like familiar territory. You can view the cover of Baptized In Filth by clicking past the jump.

Impending Doom will release Baptized In Filth March 13. Stay tuned for more album details, song streams, and tour plans in the coming weeks. Read more »

STREAM/DOWNLOAD: Mac Miller – Death Of The Emcee

January 27th, 2012

James

Mac Miller is out to prove a point with his latest single, even if it is his most misguided message to date.

“Death Of The Emcee” is the first track to surface off Miller’s forthcoming #Fratrap mixtape. As the title leads you to believe, the song focuses heavily on those who claim Miller is “legit” or “deserving” of his popularity. You can stream, download, and experience the “Death Of The Emcee” after the jump.

UTG has long supported Miller, but his latest material shows early signs of the disconnect many artist face after their initial rise to fame. He’s going on the attack, or at least trying to defend himself, when what he really needs to do is focus on improving his mic skills. People (for the most part) are not against Miller because he is popular or because he likes to discuss partying, the problem with Miller is his apparently inability (or fear) of artistic growth. He has released a full length album, as well as at least forty free songs over the past year and has yet to expand on his original ideas, themes, or flows. It was fun for awhile, but now his material is slowly becoming one redundant declaration of youthful ignorance after another frankly it is becoming a bore.

What do you think? Comment below and let us know your thoughts on Mac Miller’s latest. Read more »

MUSIC VIDEO: Forever The Sickest Kids – Shut The Front Door (Too Young)

January 27th, 2012

Grant

Texas pop-rockers Forever The Sickest Kids are back in the spotlight today with the release of their brand new music video for their single “Shut The Front Door (Too Young).” The video takes a step back and shows us all that even though we might seem like boring adults on the outside we are really kids at heart. Check out the fun video right here on UTG and let us know if you enjoyed yourself!

Under The Gun Review will be keeping up with Forever The Sickest Kids as they release music and touring itinerary, so stayed tuned! Read more »

MUSIC VIDEO: My Ticket Home – A New Breed

January 27th, 2012

Grant

Columbus hardcore act My Ticket Home have released the brand new music video for their song “A New Breed” and it is in-your-face. This song comes off of MTH’s forthcoming debut, To Create a Cure, releasing through Rise Records.

Their seems to be an over-saturation of hardcore artists in our current scene but we want to know your opinion of their particular blend of rock.

Please be sure to let Under The Gun Review know what you think of My Ticket Home and if you enjoyed it pre-order over on iTunes. Read more »

Revocation Stream “Surprise! You’re Dead” Cover/Tour News

January 27th, 2012

Grant

Metal outfit Revocation have let loose a cover of Faith No More’s classic hit “Surprise! You’re Dead.” This song comes off of the group’s Chaos of Forms deluxe digital edition. Pick it up.

Be sure to catch Revocation on their upcoming North American tour with Children of Bodom, Eluveitie and Threat Signal. The entire tour itinerary can be viewed by clicking through the jump! Frontman Dave Davidson told the press about the cover and tour, that can be seen right here.

“We had a blast recording this cover and we’re honored that we could pay homage to such an amazing band, we hope you guys dig it! Also, we’ll be hitting the road with Children of Bodom, Eluveitie and Threat Signal very soon so come out to the shows and rage with us! Read more »

The Bouncing Souls Update From The Studio

January 27th, 2012

Grant

The Bouncing Souls are currently in the studio recording material for their June 12 release and want to update their fans on the progress. Seems like they a making some real headway!

Read the quotes from Alternative Press by simply looking below and let UTG know if you excited for new material from The Bouncing Souls.

“They have an amazing system here set up with Bill, Jason [Livermore, engineer] and all the guys that work here. We went really intense. Everyone tracks—you’ve got guitar tracking in one place, bass and vocals in another place and editing—all at the same time, so it’s just a really cool system where you get a lot of man hours in a short amount of time because things are going on in different places. We got an amazing-sounding record in just ten days.

That energy and urgency translated to the finished product, which sounds as if it’ll be the most direct material the Bouncing Souls have cut to tape in several years, with no curveballs, cover songs or B-sides. “We were like, ‘Okay, we want to get in a room together and take the spirit out of what we did years ago and what we’ve learned and try to get inspired with that energy into it and make a punk record. So for our style, a Bouncing Souls punk record, we told Bill about it and he was just stoked as hell. He said ‘Let’s bang out ten songs and just put the energy into it. Make it spontaneous and just get it down like we used to without tinkering and getting deeply into songwriting.”