Fleshgod Apocalypse

Fleshgod Apocalypse is a Symphonic Death Metal band from Perugia, Italy. The band is currently signed to, and has released two albums under Nuclear Blast Records. Fleshgod Apocalypse is known for their Technical Death Metal sound mixed with symphonic music. Symphonic Metal is a sub-genre of Metal that has heavy Classical music influence, and often has classically trained female singers that has earned the genre the nickname, "Operatic Metal". 

Death Metal is an extreme sub-genre of Metal music that has low-tuned guitars that involve musical techniques such as palm-muting, tremolo picking, deep growling vocal techniques, and blast beat drumming. Death Metal lyrics revolve around slasher-themed lyrics, politics, philosophy, nature, and occasionally occultism. 

Fleshgod Apocalypse has had the privilege of being tour support to many talented and Classic Metal bands such as Behemoth, Origin, Dying Fetus, and Napalm Death. Fleshgod Apocalypse has released four albums: Oracles (2009), Agony (2011), Labyrinth (2013), and King (2016) and one EP named Mafia EP (2010). 

Songs:
Fleshgod Apocalypse- Epilogue

Fleshgod Apocalypse- The Forsaking

Fleshgod Apocalypse- The Violation

Fleshgod Apocalypse- Thru Our Scars

Merchandise:
https://shop.fleshgodapocalypse.com/

Buy their music:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/fleshgod-apocalypse/id450736188

Strike Back

Strike Back is a Hardcore band from Orange County, California and has had my attention from the very start of their career. This band caught my interest in my days in the local scene because they're not afraid to mix up their sound and they pull their music off very well with their Strike Back EP, which showed the local scene that this isn't a band you want to miss out; with songs such as Average Scum, and my personal favorite song, Hypocrite (featuring James Lindamood of First Degree). 

Strike Back's EP tells a story of a damaged individual who's struggling to push forward in life and trying to find themself after a toxic relationship leaves them feeling desolate and lost in life. Eventually, the indvidual comes to accept that sometimes life is hard, and we need to find the bravery within ourselves to keep moving forward and come to the realization that life truly is worth living. This EP struck a chord with me- it conveyed my own struggles and feelings at the time I heard this album. 

Strike Back has also released a two song EP called Blind Sight, which is a really good listen. My main complaint about this EP is that there isn't more songs in it, because I'm intrigued to see what course this band is going to take.

 Is their any music, movies, comics, etc. you would like me to check out and write about? Leave comments about your thoughts!

Strike Back EP-
http://strikebackoc.bandcamp.com/album/strike-back-ep

Blind Sight 2 Song EP-
http://strikebackoc.bandcamp.com/album/blind-sight

Stolen Babies

Stolen Babies is a unique band because of their experimental sound; using influence from many genres and rock classics such as Oingo Boingo, Cop Shoot Cop, and Fishbone. The line up includes Dominique Lenore Persi, Rani Sharone, and Gil Sharone who all have very diverse and interesting musical backgrounds that further add to Stolen Babies already unique and experimental sound. Dominique Lenore Persi used to play with Indie/Folk Polka artist Horace Weintraub, while Gil Sharone has been a permanent member of classic Mathcore band, The Dillinger Escape Plan.
Stolen Babies has released two really well-received albums, "There Be Squabbles Ahead" and "Naught" along with a Stolen Babies EP and a 4 song demo. While not becoming a mainstream band in the metal scene, they have toured with bands such as Otep, Paradise Lost, and Lacuna Coil.
Stolen Babies has always stood out to me not only because of their touring history, but also the versatile influence from multiple genres that kept me interested.
One of my favorite Stolen Babies tracks is Filistata because of the Dark Cabaret influence in the music and how unique it sounded- like something right out of a Tim Burton movie.

 I highly recommend that you check the links I provided.

Stolen Babies songs I recommend:

Filistata

Push Button

Tablescrap

Mousefood

Never Come Back

Akira

Akira is a manga series and anime film written by Katsuhiro Otomo. Both the manga series and the film have become really popular with a huge cult following. Akira follows the story of Tetsuo Shima and Kaneda Shōtarō, two members of a Neo-Tokyo street gang that call themselves "The Capsules", and takes place years after a supposed nuclear explosion destroys Tokyo and sets off World War III. Tetsuo and Kaneda find themselves caught up in a government conspiracy involving psychics after Tetsuo gets into an accident with a psychic named Tadashi. He awakens psychic powers within Tetsuo, causing him to become progressively psychotic and aggressive as his psychic abilities further develop at an alarming rate. Kaneda joins an anti-government organization that stages terrorist attacks against the government after catching wind of the secret government project involving psychics and the mysterious figure known as Akira. They restrict Kaneda's movement after he becomes increasingly involved in their activities. 
All of this makes for well-written story that has captivated audiences since the early 80's, and has remained a highly influential film and manga series. Recommended for fans of Blade Runner and Sci-fi. Akira is one of my favorite manga because of the intense art and story, and the character development is very well done.