Beneath The Remains: Volume 1

By Stephen Piersanti

When I was asked to write a column about for the NJ Underground I was more than just surprised, I was ecstatic because I was writing not only about music, but the music I love, all things brutal. 

My love for metal and hardcore started like many adolescents in their teenage years where I started to listen to bands like Sepultura, Cro-Mags, Pantera, and yes various nu-metal bands (I doubt there wasn’t one KoRn, Limp Bizkit, or Slipknot song we had hummed at one point). But as I grew older I began to discover music that was stylistically very different that the norm, i.e. everything out on the radio or playing on MTV.

It was because of these bands I started a band and my discovery of other heavy underground music that caught my ear and have only left me with poor hearing and many bumps and bruises from the many mosh pit excursions I’ve gone on.

I hope to expose a lot of different metal and hardcore music that you’ve might not have given a chance to listen to, or seen. I’ll also plan on talking about those few of us, who indulge in collecting vinyl and cd’s, and the best places to find such music (let this be your hitch hiker’s guide to new/used record stores).

In recent news...

In recent news, groove metal band A Life Once Lost just lost their long time drummer Justin Graves. Graves who has played drums with the band since their Deathwish Inc. release A Great Artist left the band to pursue other interest. The band posted this on their Facebook:

“Justin Graves has made the very tough decision of leaving the band after this upcoming February four show run. he helped create a sound that was not as common in the scene as it is now back in 2002 when we started writing A GREAT ARTIST. we have traveled a good portion of the world together but now he has decided to... pursue another dream. feel free to leave comments, support and love below. thanks again”

The band is currently finishing up work in the studio for their upcoming release to their follow of Iron Gag which is to be released via their new label Seasons of Mist. The band is currently on tour & Justin’s final show will be on Feb. 7^th at Ethical Humanist Society.

and...

Joey (Love You Maid, The Butcher) was diagnosed with colon cancer in the first week of December. Since then he has been in and out of the hospital, undergone 2 major surgeries and experienced several major complications. It appears that most of the cancer has been removed, but he still has a long road ahead of him. He has to go through several months of Chemotherapy, and does not have health insurance. So we put this show together to help him with his immense medical bills. Please come out to help support this meaningful cause.

There is a show going on Friday Feb. 11^th 2011 at Manville/Hillsborough Elks, to benefit Joey. You can find further info about who is playing & show time here at this link.

Yours in metal, Stephen.