When it comes to The Human Abstract, just forget about labels. These guys are much more shredders or prog-rockers. most of all, they're really strong songwriters. The band's new album, Midheaven, abounds with technical musicianship, memorable hooks and emotional vocals that'll keep you thinking long after you've stopped listening.

"It's a concept album, and therefore within the analogy of each song, tells an overall story," says singer Nathan Ells. "[It's] the oldest story of all mankind -- one of unforeseen devastation,
overcoming all obstacles to recover from the setbacks, only to self-destruct our own society in the end."

This week, "Headbangers Ball" will debut the video for the first single, "Procession of the Fates." Click more to find out more from Ells and watch the Internet premiere. Read more...

Note to militant feminists: Before you get all irate and let your fingers do the talking (especially those extended middle ones) read the rest of the post. We're sure you'll find that our headline perfectly describes the content of the following guest blog in a way that shouldn't ruffle any feathers. As for animal lovers, direct your hatred towards the band, not us. We love all animals -- especially goats with big horns at the altar of... Um, anyway, here's the guest blog from Psyopus frontman Arpmandude.

Let me tell you about the environment I have been writing, demoing and rehearsing [our new material] in. It's an apartment my girlfriend and I got together in city of Rochester, [New York] a few months back. Along with her cute looks and piles of clothes surpassing the quota required to dress the entire content of Africa, my girlfriend brought along her two cats. One's name is Nightmare -- that fat-ass cat we've all seen at our aunt's house that gut drags itself on the floor, leaving a trail of black and white fur. The other cat 's name is Chief. (click more for the rest of the blog and a tasteless picture we couldn't place higher in the piece). Read more...