This week we have more reviews for than usual, but with fewer hosts to do them. Yes, Kyle is MIA yet again (maybe this time in the Paralympics) but Nick and Brian hold things down pretty well taking you through five brand new album reviews. They also start chatting about vinyl, preorder packages, and some upcoming tours…all things you should talk to them about too by commenting on the site. Just sayin’… Oh, and while leaving your thoughts, tell us where you think Kyle is! Maybe we’ll run down your guesses next week in our (semi-)big 5-0 episode
Reviews: Swallow The Sun – Emerald Forest And The Blackbird, Katatonia – Dead End Kings, Grave – Endless Procession Of Souls, Murder Construct – Results, The Chariot – One Wing
Swallow The Sun – Emerald Forest And The Blackbird
Brian – Try | Kyle – N/A | Nick – Try
Katatonia – Dead End Kings
Brian – Buy | Kyle – N/A | Nick – Buy
Grave – Endless Procession Of Souls
Brian – Buy | Kyle – N/A | Nick – Try
Murder Construct – Results
Brian Try | Kyle – N/A | Nick – Try
The Chariot – One Wing
Brian Try | Kyle – N/A | Nick – Buy
The Sideshow Podcast 
Kyle got BRONCHITIS? Ain’t nobody got time for that!
I said oh lord JEESUS there’s no KYLE!
Haha! Thanks Bob. I knew I could count on you for some flack. The statement wasn’t really meant to be an insult to them, but (as we’ve discussed MANY times before) I tend to feel like their best writing days are behind them. They are still an amazing live act, but comparing the arc of Katatonia to Metallica, I think Katatonia has had a more impressive recent release history. Live, however, I have yet to walk away from a Katatonia show being super impressed. …everyone has their weaknesses I suppose!
I gave Allegeon a try back when it came out, but I just added it back to my list of things I need to go back to. I continue to be surprised how much my tastes have evolved in the short year that we’ve been doing this show!
I saw Katatonia live once and I wasn’t impressed either. I think their style just doesn’t lend well to what many of us want from a live show: the release that comes with singing along and moshing to an energetic band. Katatonia are more the type of band to chill out to while having a beer.
Forget “Ain’t nobody got time for that” on YouTube, if you haven’t already done so you should check out the ESPN commercial with John Clayton. I am guessing Kyle might be the only one of you who knows who John Clayton is, but even if you don’t know who he is it should still be funny: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=USHZZ5bwASU
Nick, if you are growing on technical death metal (as I have been over the past year), you should give Formshifter by Allegeon another try. It is one of my top albums of the year. I don’t remember what you thought of it at the time you reviewed it, but it might be worth a “let me try that one again.”
And yes, Nick, someone should give you flack for the Metallica statement.
Why not go to the free As I Lay Dying show? I’m at the point in my life where I would rather pay to see a show that I really want to go to, rather than go somewhere just because it is cheap or even free. I’ve never been the biggest metalcore fan, so As I Lay Dying is an act that I’m not dying to lay outside overnight in line for to get free tickets (how’s that for poor puns).