Tag: shreddward

SONG OF THE DAY: DJs from Mars – “Rock’N’Roll”?

I’ve got a lot of love for the DJs from Mars.? The Italian prankster boxhead Producer/DJ duo bring fun and humor to the world of EDM, which often takes itself far too seriously.? Remember “Phat Ass Drop,” their insanely viral instruction clip on how to make “that” big track that sounds like what everyone else is making?? Can you guess what “Rock’N’Roll” sounds like?? Yes, they went there – first with the attitude of the intro where they list what they don’t play, and then as the track builds in intensity, the guitar solo takes the focus as they seamless merge rock and electronic music with an aggressive, energetic sound.? With their fondness and expertise for mashups, it’s not a surprise they are able to bring the two genres together so well.? Together with last year’s track by Sharkjumpers & Shreddward and the Skrillex vs Doors “Breaking a Sweat,” the rock-and-dance fusion could be the next big thing.? Since everything ’90s is coming back, that would be the cue for a new generation to enjoy the Prodigy experience.??

Image Courtesy of Dance and Love.

SONG OF THE DAY: deadmau5 ft Gerard Way – “Professional Griefers”

One of the many strengths of deadmau5 is that his tracks do not all sound the same.? If you play the aggressive hard rock/electro fusion “Professional Grievers” after his last single “The Veldt,” most people wouldn’t even think that they came from the same person. That he can channel such aggression into a track in addition to capturing a sense of somber beauty shows the range of his masterful production.? “Professional Griefers” continues the trend of hard rock/heavy metal influence in EDM (listen to the Sharkjumpers EP for another good example). It’s a track that can work well at both a dance club and a rock club, aided by the strong vocal performance of My Chemical Romance lead singer Gerard Way.? As strong as the record is, the video takes it to another level, looking to be one of the most expensive videos ever produced for an EDM record.? Obviously cosponsored by UFC, there are so many inside jokes that mau5heads will pick up on – a robotic Meowington sabotaging the opponent, G3rard with a 3 instead of an E, dueling mau5heads controlled by others – the symbolism is almost overwhelming.? The video is also reminiscent of another time a pop music outsider teamed with wrestling for comedic effect – Cyndi Lauper, back in the ’80s.? The results are just as colorful and humorous and makes you realize the deadmau5 is in on the joke as well.

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SONG OF THE DAY: Sharkjumper vs Shreddward – EP

In the EDM world, where sampling is called production and DJs just push buttons, when something truly fresh and unique appears, people will take notice. Blood-loving Sharkjumper (at least from the picture) has teamed with guitarist Shreddward to mash electro and metal and create dancefloor-ready jams that will pump up the energy and make dancers bang their head as they jump up and down. Imagine the bastard offspring of Skrillex, The Prodigy, and Megadeth for a frame of reference. “Hair” is a somewhat straightforward dance-rock track, that is if you are used to heavy guitar, pounding beats, driving electro synths, a melodic bridge, and for once- a dubstep breakdown that isn’t cliched. As a track, “Hair’ is front-of-bin material, and the addition of a male vocalist would take it over the top. Adding rapper DJ Godfather to the mix, Sharkjumper & Shreddward show LMFAO how party rocking is really done with “Playa Haters.” The ragga toasting is the perfect counterpoint to the bouncing beats, piercing guitar work, and straightforward electro sounds. EDM purists may scoff at mashing up Kraftwerk classics, but when they hear this take on “Numbers/Computer World” they will get it. Almost a modern short-attention span take of the artist-loved concept album, the four defined sections develop from stadium chant to electrobeat to downtempo (almost ambient) pads to the climactic fusion of all three. With these three tracks, Sharkjumper and Shreddward have clearly defined a new subgenre – melding rock and electro ina way that will bring new fans to the EDM world. Not since The Prodigy has there been dance music that will sound as great performed live in a stadium as it does when played in a nightclub. Download these tracks immediately…

Image Courtesy of Sharkjumper.