While God Sleeps - Caydence Records - Saint Paul, Mn - 03/29/19

While God Sleeps is a great band from here in Minneapolis, Minnesota who I have been waiting to see play again for nine months (since I saw them play with The Deal last June). Watching them play last night reminded me of bands I used to see play from around my area in the mid 2000s. Hard, heavy, unapologetically metal influenced with kids just going totally bananas. They are not alone in this sounds currently but I feel they stick out more than most, bringing high energy and proficient playing rather than overly technical and stylized music. I'll just be honest here and say it, too many "metalcore" bands right now are just ripping off old bands or doing what they think old bands would do, they are not doing their own thing. While God Sleeps is not one of those bands and they deserve your attention.

While God Sleeps - Caydence Records - Saint Paul, Mn - 03/29/19

Gadget - Minneapolis Straight Edge

Gadget is a brand new Straight Edge hardcore band from Minneapolis, Mn. Back in mid December (of 2018) they released their demo online. It was the only demo that made my Best of 2018 (digital) List. Their music is riffy and hard but without incorporating any obvious elements of thrash and beatdown as many modern bands seem to be doing right now. And there is really something about the drumming that I connected with on a "I need to see this band ASAP" kinda thing. Their style is different, as is their production, but when I first listened to this demo it brought me back almost 20 years ago to my first hardcore shows. I needed that reminder, that bands will still be out there doing it, screaming out into the void of a world gone mad, long after I'm gone.

Their first show is tonight with Cross Me, Dare, Low End, Life's Question (who I am also pretty siked on right now).