Next on the Master's Chopping Block: The Unstoppable Sound of Sumo Cyco

Welcome loyal headbangers, I'm starting a new ongoing series on the site where I'll be introducing you to hard rock and metal bands that deserve more attention, love, and exposure. No filler, no bullshit, just pure ass kicking talent that should be on everyone's radar. First up on the chopping block is a band that refuses to be ignored: Sumo Cyco! 

Sumo Cyco are an alt-metal/ punk band from Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. The band has four members: lead singer Skye Sweetnam, guitar player Matt Drake, bass player Oscar Anesetti, and drummer Joey Muha. Their sound mixes driving alt-metal riffs with punk attitude and pop hooks. It makes for a catchy, driving, and fun sound. The music gets you moving around with enough heavy groove to make you wanna bang that head and jump in the pit. It really makes for a fresh sound that helps to set them apart from a lot of their contemporaries.

I was introduced to them earlier this year by someone who not only also hails from Canada, but has great taste in music and knows mine well. So when she told me to check them out I did just that. And, they immediately caught my attention. Pretty much instantly I became a fan and put them into heavy rotation, especially in the last couple of days. And, might add, they are a great band to workout to! I have used them several times and, man, do they ever get this gym loving metalhead going and all pumped up!

Sumo Cyco was formed in March 2011. A month later, they played their first show opening up for Hollywood Undead. It didn't take them long to get recognition and awards. As a year after that, they won Best Female-Fronted Band at the Toronto Independent Music Awards. On October 20, 2013, they won at Indie Week Toronto.

On June 10, 2014, they released their debut album Lost in Cyco City. Two years later that album's kick ass track "Fighter" was used for the World Dart Association (WDA). March 31, 2017 saw their sophomore release, with Opus Mar. It featured a collab with Benji Webbe of Skindred for the single "Move Mountains". That song has such a good and energetic groove. May 7, 2021 saw their third album come out in the form of Initiation, with a deluxe version coming out October 8, 2021. It featured the driving and thunderous single, "Sun Eater".

On October 24, 2025, their latest album, Neon Void, was released, with a physical retail and colored vinyl coming out on November 7 of the same year. It's their best work yet. Their sound as its tightest with what is overall their best sounding and written music, yet. Add some solid and clear production by guitarist Matt Drake and Salvatore Sam Guiana, a mix of fun and aggressive tunes, and you have an album that is incredibly energetic to listen to. It is a real winner from start to finish. It might just be the best album you didn't listen to last year, but most definitely should have. 

Once you hear their music you simply will not be able to stop. In a very short period of time, they became a band that I love to put on. They get me moving (hence why they are so fucking good for the gym), banging my head, and signing right along. The fact is they write great ear-worms that stay with you. The band are energetic with strong instrumental talent. And, they fronted by a kick ass woman in Skye Sweetnam. The 38 year old Ontario native has previous experience in the pop punk world. I know that some metalheads may roll their eyes at that, but I think she works perfectly for them. She has a killer voice, including a great scream, and a really fun, lively, and commanding presence onstage. Add it all up and you get a chef's kiss of fucking awesome results!

Dive into some of their best songs and videos and I guarantee you will be a fan for life!

Honestly this is probably my favorite track by them. It sums them up perfectly. A fun. hyper-energetic banger that you won't want to stop listening and signing along to!

This one might be my favorite off of their latest. Not sure, though, cuz "Villains" is so fucking good, as well. In fact, every song kicks so much fucking ass on it!

Are a fan of this band? Is this the first time hearing them? And, if so are you now a fellow fan for life? Let me know your thoughts in the comments section below!

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Madame Mayhem Releases New Single "Breaking Down"

MADAME MAYHEM has released her new single "BREAKING DOWN." "Breaking Down," is the follow up to 2019's "Broken." Madame Mayhem enlisted the help of Keith Wallen (Breaking Benjamin), and Billy Sheehan with Jason "J Bomb" Harrison on drums to create her vision. Madame Mayhem co wrote "Breaking Down" with Brian Vodinh (10 Years) and it was Produced by Grammy Nominated Producer Johnny K (Disturbed, 3 Doors Down, Staind, Megadeth). Those who yearn for the electric catharsis of loud guitars, driving rhythms, hypnotic hooks, and the strength of shared experience have a new muse in Madame Mayhem. The Manhattan born singer/songwriter and burgeoning rock icon-in-the-making has weaponized the darkness, turning it into a rallying cry for all who were ever cast aside. Songs are equal parts timeless sentiment, bare knuckle fury, and energized urgency. Madame Mayhem’s songs rival the best of Modern Rock, early ‘90s emotive-grunge, and nü-metal angst. As her name suggests, Madame Mayhem takes charge of her own anxiety, hurt, and alienation, crushing it with sheer force of will, then channeling the remaining ether into pulse-pounding anthems, instantly connecting with anyone who has struggled. She has toured with Sevendust, Memphis May Fire, Fozzy, Nonpoint and Doro. Across three exceedingly well-received albums – Ready for Me (2017), Now You Know (2015), and White Noise (2012) –Madame Mayhem worked with Russ “Satchel” Parrish (Steel Panther), Corey Lowery (Stuck Mojo), Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal (ex-Guns N’ Roses), and Troy McLawhorn (Evanescence) to name just a few. Her 2019 single was co-written with Keith Wallen (Breaking Benjamin) and features her longtime friends and collaborators Billy Sheehan (Mr. Big) and Ray Luzier (Korn). Her music has taken her into some of the world’s best-known venues, like B.B. King Blues Club in New York, The Roxy in Hollywood, and a Grammy week stint at Nashville’s Bluebird Café, to name just a few. Loudwire premiered her “Ready for Me” music video. She’s garnered very positive press in Revolver and Guitar World. The buzz has spread overseas as well, demonstrated by profiles in long-running tastemaker publications like Rock Hard, Aardschok, and Metal Hammer magazine. As the fashion press observed, the look is the medium and the music is the message. The self-expression inherent in goth and glam are just more colors on Madame Mayhem’s artistic palette. Black eyeliner and black leather; pink lips and sharp spikes; it’s part of an arsenal as timeless as the New York Dolls or The Runaways. There’s no escaping the darkness. Life is full of unpleasant surprises. Real and imagined disasters, from outside forces and from within, threaten at every turn. But those who learn to control and command the chaos will triumph. This rock n’ roll badass invites each audience to become the Madame of their own Mayhem. As ASX declared, “She’s aggressive, outrageous, and operatic… And she’s ready for you.” Madame Mayhem is managed by FM Music Management and distributed by The Fuel Music. Madame Mayhem music is available here: SPOTIFY iTunes

"Breaking Down" can be streamed/downloaded here: https://slinky.to/BreakingDown The lyric video for "Breaking Down" can be seen here: https://youtu.be/hzFybHD4iuU

For More Information: http://www.madamemayhem.com https://www.facebook.com/madamemayhem/ https://twitter.com/MayhemOfficial https://www.youtube.com/user/MadameMayhemOfficial https://www.instagram.com/madamemayhem/ www.FMMusicManagement.com

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One-Eyed Doll at Webster Hall 4/5/16

On April 5, 2016, I was present at the One-Eyed Doll show at Webster Hall in NYC to cover it as press. This was yet another amazing show from one of the most fun live bands that you will ever experience. Along the ride were some other very awesome bands adding to the fun of night.

 

Over at the One-Eyed Doll merch booth, the lovely Melinda was taking care of business. We actually met her when I was covering the band, at the exact same venue back in Oct. of last year. Melinda is a really cutie and a total sweetheart. She was drawing a freaking Snork on a fan's t-shirt! Below, you'll see her showing her fun and super cool bit of art.

The first band that I got to catch was Open Your Eyes. This alt-rock band from Chicago have a really good sound to them with some awesomely catchy hooks, while still managing to throw in some good heavy riffs and sounds.  Their vocalist and lead guitarist Justin King has a good voice with an almost pop punk like sensibility to it. On stage, they are always moving around, headbanging, and just rocking out. It proved to be fun and energetic set.

Next up was one of my favorite bands in the world: Eyes Set to Kill. This marks the fourth time that I have seen them live! Which means that they are my most seen live band. And, I am very happy with that. As always the band played a great set, including a couple of songs off of their last album, Masks, like "Little Liar", "Infected", and a some older tunes, as well. They also played some really awesome and kick ass new songs, including the rocking and immediately catchy "Guilty Pleasure". ESTK always give their all in their live performances. They are really so talented and deserve to be bigger than they are. I never blow smoke up anyone's asses, so if I state this, it is cause it's the honest to God fucking truth.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the last song of their set, the aforementioned "Infected", lovely lead signer and guitarist Alexia Rodriguez, put down the guitar and just took to the mic. It was a pretty cool little moment and a nice way to end a spectacular set.

 

As always, ESTK are very fan friendly and after their set was done, they headed to their merch table to meet and greet fans. Every band member is so sweet and down to earth, that it is always a pleasure to go up to them.

 

 The gorgeous Anissa Reyes

Drummer and all around cool dude Caleb

Soon it was time for the headliners, One-Eyed Doll. I absolutely love this band! They are just such an impossibly fun act to catch live. From the opening track to the last, they just kicked ass! Kimberly Freeman is not only breathtakingly beautiful, but she's really one of the best front-women in all of rock. Her interaction with the crowd is priceless.

At one point, early on in the set, she got off the stage and went into the crowd (right). We, of course, went wild for her. She really fucking shreds on guitar, while Jason pounds away on drums. At one point they were joined by a second guitarist for a couple of ass kicking songs. On this night, they played various songs from their discography, including classics like the slow and crunching "Fight", the fun as hell "Nudie Bar", and the classic "Be My Friend". Of course, they also played songs from their most recent release Witches, which might just be my favorite album of theirs. Those songs included the fucking awesome "Black in the Rye" and "More Weight".

Adding to the fun is Kimberly's use of props and various headgear. After the show was done; they immediately headed over to their merch table to meet and greet fans with much gratitude and humility. Quite frankly, there is no band like OED. I had an amazing time at this show. And, I implore you catch them live and experience them for yourself. And, if you have, then you need to do so again. Once is never enough with One-Eyed Doll!

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Cult Of Luna and Julie Christmas- Mariner (Album Review)

Musicians: Cult of Luna and Julie Christmas
Album Title: Mariner
Genre/ Subgenre: Atmospheric Sludge/ Progressive Metal/ Alternative Metal
Label: Indie Recordings
Release date: April 8, 2016

I will be honest and start this review by saying that I had never gotten into Cult Of Luna. I liked Julie Christmas, though. And, while I had never followed her career religiously, I did enjoy much of what I would hear from her. So, then imagine my surprise after hearing Mariner, and album where they teamed up. The result is amazing and one of the boldest and most truly original albums of the year.

Swedish progressive/ sludge metal crossbreeders Luna mix so well with alternative metal queen Christmas that it feels like they were born for working with each other. The musicianship is top notch. There is so much talent oozing from every aural inch of music, that is all encompassing. Vocally those of Luna mix and play off well off of Christmas'. She has always had one of the most unique sounding voices around. This wonderfully singular musical experience solidifies just that. She carries a tune so powerful and emotional, that it just grabs you.

The opening track "A Greater Call" has this beautiful, somber intro that grabs your spirit, then at about the 2:45 minute mark a scream comes from the band Luna as the music comes crashing in. It is accompanied by Christmas whose haunting vocals add an ethereal feel to it all. Speaking of haunting the beginning of "The Wreck of the S.S. Needle" is certainly that. Only to become a blistering aural assault that is just amplified by Christmas' screams, and yet there are also beautiful moments of transcending tranquility. The album concludes with the epic "Cygnus". It is chugging masterpiece that is my personal favorite from the album.

While, there are only eight songs on Mariner, they are all long songs. There seems to be a purposeful reasoning to make each longer than the last one. So, while the first song clocks in at 8:19, the last one hits 14:50. That being said there is never a dull moment in incredible listening experience.

Cult of Luna and Julie Christmas have crafted one of the greatest album collaborations in the history of metal and hard rock. Heavy yet soothing, atmospheric yet bombastic, this is a multifaceted and multi layered masterpiece that will only get more captivating with each listening that you give it. Whatever you do not miss this one when it comes out on April 8, 2016.

***** out of *****

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The Top 10 Metal Albums of 2010

10. Triptycon: Eparistera Daimones- While, Celtic Frost maybe done, lead metal-master Tom Warrior continued on with this debut album from his newest exercise in extreme metal. A perfect follow-up to the last Frost album, this one is a darkly glorious mix of doom and black metal, that stands as a slow, heavy, and gloomy musical exertion.




9. Watain: Lawless Darkness- Man, when it comes to straight-out brutal, pissed-off, anti-Christian black metal few bands can top the out-right viciousness and glorious evil of Watain. And, while their two albums before this are great, it's this one that reigns in as their satanic masterpiece. Heavy and head-ripping this album only get better with each listening. The final song is a long complex track, but every song is heavy and crushing. Without a shadow of doubt, Watain are on the way to become one of the true masters of the blackest of the musical arts.


8. Ov Hell: The Underworld Regime- While, the latest Dimmu Borgir is mostly mediocre and forgettable, this side project by lead signer Shagrath and Gorgorth bassist King Ov Hell fucking kills! Dark, evil, and heavy this is everything that Dimmu ain't right now. With songs dealing with evil and horror, this ranks as one of black metal's best and still undiscovered, by some. I hope they make more albums, cause Ov hell fucking rules!!!



7. Avenged Sevenfold: Nightmare- While, I don't think this is the album of the year, as Revolver picked to be, it is the seventh best of the year. It's also A7X's best work, to date. To come from the tragedy of the death of the Rev, and make such a heavy and angry album is understandable. What is amazing is just how good it is. The opening title track and God Hates Us rip and kill. As always, the band is one of the single most technically sounding bands to achieve mainstream success in many a moon. It also might have the year's best album cover!


6. Overkill: Ironbound- Many times overlooked or underrated (in particular by those on the westcoast), these New Jersey thrash gods have made their best album in years. It's heavy, fast, and kick ass. While, many a list will stupidly not mention it, I gladly throw the devil horns up for them and rank 'em in at #6!




5. Accept: Blood of the Nations- Here is the year's biggest surprise as well as the year's best come back. I never would have thought that a new Accept album, much less with a new signer (he formerly of T.T. Quick), would be so fucking AMAZING! It's heavy and ass kicking and even the ballad works. Shit, he might even be a better signer than the original dude. If you ain't got this yet, you are seriously missing out!!!



4. Dark Tranquillity: We Are the Void- Also an underrated band (and this list seems to have it's fair share of that), this is yet another killer album from one of melodic death metal's best acts. Featuring amazing guitar work, this is just light years of what many bands in the sub-genre are doing. I also happen to be a huge fan of the vocals on this band.



3. Fear Factory: Mechanize- After two mostly forgettable albums the masters of industrial, with tinges of death, metal are back! In fact, this is one of their best albums ever! It's totally brutal, yet completely listenable. As a huge fan of them, I am overjoyed that they are back motherfuckers!!!!




2. Deftones: Diamond Eyes- Much like FF, the Deftones last album was, well, largely forgettable. But, Diamond Eyes is a masterpiece. In fact, also like FF, it's their best in years. At times rocking, at others soft, but always captivating this a beautiful sounding alt-metal trip. The song playing and signing are their peak, and it makes for an album that is more and more listenable each and every time you play it.



1. Sigh: Scenes from Hell- Black metal's most original act have given us not only THE best release of the year (and, I have to say picking the top release this year was NOT easy), but also the most original sounding. In fact, I would say no band sounds anything like they do. And, it is in their refinement (and not just of black metal, but metal in general), that this band succeeds, greatly. The use of horns and the fast, heavy, melodic music is beautiful and haunting. This is art, man, and my favorite album of 2010. And, their, so far, crowning masterpiece.


Honorable mentions:
Disturbed- Asylum
Death Angel- Relentless Retribution
All That Remains- For We Are Many

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Now playing: Fear Factory - Controlled Demolition
via FoxyTunes

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