In the past I don't know maybe 15-20 years file sharing has been on a steady rise, many file sharing mediums have arisen starting with the revolutionary Napster, a service for people to download songs for free. The controversy arose when the band Metallica noticed that their song I Disappear had been circulating on the internet before it was even released. A law suit was filed against Napster, many other music artists joined in on this and eventually Napster lost and was forced to shut down. But it had already accomplished its mission and upon its demise many other avenues for file sharing began to crop up. Morpheus, Kazaaa, Limewire, The BitTorrent protocol and many sites that allow users to upload content in the form of archives for others to download directly. The popularity of sharing copyrighted material has been said to be harmful to many music artists livelihood making it unnecessary to purchase the album. Many peer to peer file sharing services have been shut down, lawsuits filed and arrests made. With the most recent attack on rapidshare sites such as Megaupload and FileSonic the question must be asked is file sharing destroying an the music industry, the industry that many so called pirates adore and love. Is it harming the artists that we hold so dear to ourselves, or are there other more positive effects?
To find out the real effects of file sharing the central question is who gets hurt the most by the drop in sales? To answer this one must ask who gains the most from CD sales? The artists themselves stand to gain much profit by this, but in the end I think the case can be made that the record companies are the ones who gain the most off album sales. Because to have any commercial success in the music industry artists have become increasingly dependent on a record label to be able to gain recognition and reap any decent profits from their work. These record labels often act as leeches reaping profits off of another's hard work and effort. Often artists are forced to change their style in order to fit in with what a certain label thinks is marketable, certain subjects become taboo for the artist who would many times rather be free to explore his own craft and write about any subject with complete creative freedom.
File sharing can have the effect of lowering profits but this is mainly a concern of big record labels because they are the ones jacking up the prices of albums and so many middle and working class citizens would like to buy an album can't really dedicate the money to doing so, thus they download it off of a website. While many well known artists may suffer from this, the underground scene and struggling artists stand to gain a lot from this. Many artists would never see the light of day had they not sent their promos to a music blog to be reviewed and shared. I think if it weren't for the corporations jacking up prices of albums and leeching so much off of the artists themselves downloading wouldn't have nearly the amount of effect on an artists profit as it does.
The reason there is such a push to eliminate this sharing of music is only because the corporations are seeing that they no longer control the industry, they are no longer the reapers of benefits and it's putting the creative control back in the hands of the artists. So while the mainstream bleeds and suffers loss, the music underground is thriving. While the wealthy record companies weep, an underground network of artists rejoice that they're getting recognition for their work. I see file sharing as a liberation from the clutches of corporate tyranny, taking the control from the hands of the money grubbers and putting it back in the hands of the people, those with artistic integrity. For then artists who are truly the best will reap the most benefits, they will be again free to explore their craft without restrictions, without boundaries and chains being put on them by those who would seek to gain much while doing little.
File sharing is not killing music, but there is something that is killing it, destroying the very foundation of artistic values and musical integrity. What is destroying music as an art form is the greed of record companies, thus infecting the artists themselves with greed, forcing them to choose between being true to themselves or being a puppet on string to dance for their corporate masters. Such is a decision that an artist should not be forced to make. Recognition and profit should be based on how relevant an artist is, how well executed the music is. In the end it shouldn't be about money, it should be about the art form itself and seeing that it survives unscathed and healthy, not writhing with the disease of greed, not suffering from the cancer of mediocrity. Music is art and art is to be cherished not as a mechanism for profit and gain for the wealthy but as a tool for the benefit of all who gaze upon it, for all who listen to glean from it wisdom from the soul of the artist. It is for the artist to put his heart and soul into his masterpieces, to share something of himself with those who will appreciate it. Don't allow greed to kill our art form, don't allow mediocrity to become the standard of greatness; compromise to become the medium for profit, or conformity to become the accepted way. Keep corporate greed away from our art form, and break the cycle of mediocrity once and for all.
Friday, February 17, 2012
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Update
This blog is going to be taking a new direction. It will still be mainly centered on heavy metal as that is the genre I listen to most, but I as I have been listening more and more outside of this genre, I'll no longer be posting exclusively metal reviews, lists etc. I'll also be posting reviews, lists and posts regarding other genres. A lot of it will be rock so not too far removed from the metal world, but may also encompass other random genres such as trance, jazz, classical etc.
Saturday, January 7, 2012
Top 10 Kvlt Activities
Greetings dark legions of Odin,Satan,Cthulhu or whatever grim deity you happen to be a follower of, it's time once again for a black metal list, This time of the 10 most kvlt activities you can participate in. Writing a Sonnet is not one of them, neither is picking daisies(unless of course you plan to crush them 'neath your frostbitten boots.)
10. Making a black metal snowman- This might not seem very kvlt or grim, but who says the legions of the dark lord can't partake in something fun every once in awhile. Just make sure your snowman has an ultra serious look on it's face and if you happen upon an enchanted bullet belt, DON'T PUT IT ON HIM!
9. Listening to a cassette tape in your mom's basement- This is one of the most mystical experiences a kvltie can have, we all know that cassette tapes cater to that "necro" production much better than CDs or Mp3s. P.S: Vinyl is pretty Kvlt too.
8. Creating a one-man black metal project- This is not further up on the list because it's quickly becoming unkvlt, after all lots of black metal fans are doing it, and if its popular: IT AIN'T FVCKING KVLT! As a side note make sure to limit the amount of copies you make, and only sell it or give it to other selected Kvlt people. If it sells more than 10 copies it's well on it's way to being too mainstream.
7. Ritual satanic animal sacrifice- This is only for the experienced kvltie. If you don't know the rules, simply slicing any old goats throat and yelling hail satan, then black metal shrieking will not cut it, unless you're black metal shrieking an incantation in Norwegian. Know the rites before you slice!
6. Move to Norway- This coupled with a few other choice activities yet to be mentioned will definitely cement your legacy as a trve kvlt fanatic. Norway is known to be the home of all true black metal, and all who want to possess its true grim power must at least make a pilgrimage to the unholy frostbitten lands, otherwise you are a fucking poseur.
5. Committing suicide- Only if done in the most kvlt manner. No whiny emotional letter, no telling people beforehand, and for Vargs sake don't fucking slit your wrists. What you need to do is just randomly blow your brains out with a shotgun, or climb a mountain during a blizzard and bash your skull against a rock. If you are in a band make sure your band mates partake of parts of your rotting corpse, or at least keep pieces of your shattered skull to do grim things with. Here's a nice idea: get your band to use a picture of your dead body for an album cover.
4. Killing you band-mates: Murder is known to be one of the most kvlt activities ever, especially when you have no good reason. If you decide to do this remember, you're probably going to jail, so make sure you have all your "masterpieces" recorded first. Also don't use a sharp knife, use shards of glass and your own penis to kill the bastard.
3. Church arson- Long has this been a staple of the trve kvlt. It doesn't matter how you do it, you just have to. The more churches you flame to a crisp the more Kvlt points you get.
2. Giving "scary" interviews- when someone wants to interview you, never be yourself. Always exaggerate about how much you love the devil, and how you want to see all the christian, and jewish swine bleed and suffer. Do not remove your corspe paint during these appearances. Be as dramatic as possible
1. A grim stroll in the forest- Almost every trve kvlt band has done this, and most of them film a music video while doing so. If you decide to film a music video remember these key points: look as evil as possible. Do not smile or "have fun" but be ever dramatic. Do not appear to have any intended goal, just walk in the woods and shriek and do dramatic hand jestures. Nature is a kvlties playground.
***Just to be clear I DO NOT endorse murder, church arson, suicide, or violence of any kind. I feel this needs to be stated because some people just don't have a sense of humor. I do not take part in these activities, but I poke fun at those who have and will continue to do so******
10. Making a black metal snowman- This might not seem very kvlt or grim, but who says the legions of the dark lord can't partake in something fun every once in awhile. Just make sure your snowman has an ultra serious look on it's face and if you happen upon an enchanted bullet belt, DON'T PUT IT ON HIM!
9. Listening to a cassette tape in your mom's basement- This is one of the most mystical experiences a kvltie can have, we all know that cassette tapes cater to that "necro" production much better than CDs or Mp3s. P.S: Vinyl is pretty Kvlt too.
8. Creating a one-man black metal project- This is not further up on the list because it's quickly becoming unkvlt, after all lots of black metal fans are doing it, and if its popular: IT AIN'T FVCKING KVLT! As a side note make sure to limit the amount of copies you make, and only sell it or give it to other selected Kvlt people. If it sells more than 10 copies it's well on it's way to being too mainstream.
7. Ritual satanic animal sacrifice- This is only for the experienced kvltie. If you don't know the rules, simply slicing any old goats throat and yelling hail satan, then black metal shrieking will not cut it, unless you're black metal shrieking an incantation in Norwegian. Know the rites before you slice!
6. Move to Norway- This coupled with a few other choice activities yet to be mentioned will definitely cement your legacy as a trve kvlt fanatic. Norway is known to be the home of all true black metal, and all who want to possess its true grim power must at least make a pilgrimage to the unholy frostbitten lands, otherwise you are a fucking poseur.
5. Committing suicide- Only if done in the most kvlt manner. No whiny emotional letter, no telling people beforehand, and for Vargs sake don't fucking slit your wrists. What you need to do is just randomly blow your brains out with a shotgun, or climb a mountain during a blizzard and bash your skull against a rock. If you are in a band make sure your band mates partake of parts of your rotting corpse, or at least keep pieces of your shattered skull to do grim things with. Here's a nice idea: get your band to use a picture of your dead body for an album cover.
4. Killing you band-mates: Murder is known to be one of the most kvlt activities ever, especially when you have no good reason. If you decide to do this remember, you're probably going to jail, so make sure you have all your "masterpieces" recorded first. Also don't use a sharp knife, use shards of glass and your own penis to kill the bastard.
3. Church arson- Long has this been a staple of the trve kvlt. It doesn't matter how you do it, you just have to. The more churches you flame to a crisp the more Kvlt points you get.
2. Giving "scary" interviews- when someone wants to interview you, never be yourself. Always exaggerate about how much you love the devil, and how you want to see all the christian, and jewish swine bleed and suffer. Do not remove your corspe paint during these appearances. Be as dramatic as possible
1. A grim stroll in the forest- Almost every trve kvlt band has done this, and most of them film a music video while doing so. If you decide to film a music video remember these key points: look as evil as possible. Do not smile or "have fun" but be ever dramatic. Do not appear to have any intended goal, just walk in the woods and shriek and do dramatic hand jestures. Nature is a kvlties playground.
***Just to be clear I DO NOT endorse murder, church arson, suicide, or violence of any kind. I feel this needs to be stated because some people just don't have a sense of humor. I do not take part in these activities, but I poke fun at those who have and will continue to do so******
Alcest- Les Voyages De L'ame- Way More Than A Lame Voyage
Offial Band Website
Official Youtube album stream
Alcest is band that I've just recently gotten accquainted. It was based on the release of their single "Autre Temps" that I gave this band a try and what I found was a band that I could connect with emotionally unlike any band I have listened to in recent memory.
Alcest play in a style that has been described as black metal mixed with shoegaze and elements of post-rock. I like to describe it as nostalgia metal, or introspective metal, as it evokes a strong sense of emotion, a strong dreamlike ethereal quality in the music and in the vocal work. It evokes a strong emotional response within the listener and takes you on a journey to places of your childhood, places of your dreams, lost times and realms.
Within this album Neige crafts a sound that has a very ethereal quality, almost as if you're being taken on an astral journey to places of your past, and places of your future. The elements of the sound are as such: clean guitars that weave a tapestry of beauty and nostalgia. Distorted guitars that add a certain thickness to the atmosphere and certain sadness at times, a longing to relive great moments of your past. The bass is not too subdued and adds a wealth of thickness to the sound, it doesn't just follow the guitar all the time it has it's own charm and it's on elements to add to the sound. The drums are very creative not only relying on blast beats and double bass runs, but also adding in little nuances to the sound, fills, rolls and other subtleties that really make the basic underlying framework of the songs. The keyboards are used very effectively, not so much as a melody instrument but as an atmosphere builder, to really glue all the elements together and make the emotional quality of the music really stick.
The vocals are mainly clean, with black metal rasps being few and far between, but it doesn't matter because Neige has the voice of an angel. His vocals are what really nail down the sound and make it an emotionally enrapturing experience. His vocals will tug on your heart strings and resonate into your very soul, something that is all too uncommon in any form of music these days, as most metal bands are content to be more brutal, more heavy, more dark and evil than the next. Alcest proves with this album that metal can be about taking the listener on an introspective and nostalgic journey, about evoking feelings that metal usually doesn't touch. With this album It can be about beauty instead of gore, about atmosphere and nostalgia rather than heaviness and headbanging, and about childlike wonder instead of soul crushing evil. This is an album to put on , set back, close your eyes and let the music and soundscapes just wash over you.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Score:9.5/10 Favorite Track: Autre Temps
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Monday, January 2, 2012
Top 25 Metal Albums of 2011
This year has bequeathed to me many a great metal album, and picking these 25 and making a satisfactory list has proved to be a very arduous task, but now here they are...the best metal albums of 2011.
25-21- The bottom rung of awesome
25.Tombs- Path of Totality- This is one sludgy grimey experience. These riffs are like calculated sledgehammer blows right to your face, as the vocals rip at your jugular.Tombs has crafted an excellent mix of black metal and sludge, and hopefully they will get better with each subsequent album.
24.Moonsorrow-Varjoina Kuljemme Kuolleiden Maassa: This album is a bit subpar at least for the first couple tracks, but the last half of this album is absolutely killer. Huuto is one of the best Moonsorrow songs to ever be written. Deserves its place here.
23.Septicflesh- The Great Mass: Absolute symphonic death metal mastery. The drumming is technical, the riffs are very well constructed and the symphonics add just the right touch to complete an awesome album.
22. Fleshgod Apocalypse- Agony: This is pretty much a tie with Septicflesh, but one thing throws it a cut above, and that's the guitar solos and those amazing clean vocals that are thrown in. This album is one constant barrage of symphonic brutality from start to finish.
21. Omnium Gatherum- New World Shadows: This is a very melancholy melodic death metal release, borrowing ideas from others in melodeath and somehow making it work. Unoriginal yes, but it remains to be one of my favorites of this year.
20-11. The Mid Tier of Awesome.
20. Fen-Epoch: Anguished atmospheric black metal with post rock influences. The lyrics are extremely well written and so is the music. This whole album has a very melancholic feel throughout, and captures my attention throughout the majority of the album. There are flaws, but all in all this is an excellent release.
19.Deafheaven-Roads to Judah: Post-blackgaze? I guess you could call it that, all I know is these tracks are emotionally charged and very enaging, with an atmosphere that just envelops you. Wonderful album, albeit a tid bit overrated by some.
18. Antichrist-Forbidden World: This is the thrash revival album we've all been waiting for. Unoriginal, could be but damned if they don't know how to write some infectious headbangable thrash riffs and solos. The vocals have this almost beastial quality hearkening back to the days of Kreator or Sodom. Well done gents. *rubs neck*
17. Autopsy- Macabre Eternal: Its been called an audio snuff film, and I would have to agree. Its gross, its brutal and gorey, hell its everything you know and love about Autopsy. Shredding guitars, pummeling drums and bass and vocals that go right for the throat. So go buy this album...well what are you waiting for?
16. Hell- Human Remains: Welcome back to the 80's where the New Wave of British Heavy Metal is going strong. Only its not really the 80s but this band is straight from that era releasing an album that combines speed metal and NWOBHM tendencies so excellently. This will suit any traditional metal fan. Oh the nostalgia!
15. Arch/Matheos- Sympathetic Resonance: This is one helluva progressive metal release, and one that will be in my rotation for years to come. John Arch of Fates Warning returns with his vocal chords still as powerful as ever. And the instrumental performance fucking rules too.
14. Satan's Host- By The Hands of The Devil: Blackened Power metal....yes please? The vocals are soaring, the lyrics are satanic and the riffs are awesome. This will guarantee replay value just based on how much the songs will stick in your head. What a great fucking album.
13. Obscura- Omnivium: This is an album it took me awhile to get into, but once I did I loved it. This is progressive death metal at its finest. Listen as they channel the spirit of Chuck Schuldiner to prove that death metal is still progressing, and that proggy death metal is still alive. This album is made of 2 parts epic and 2 parts win.
12. Craft- Void: This is the traditional black metal masterpiece I had been searching for all year. It's vitriolic vocals and evil riffs convey the pure essence of Scandinavian hatred. With songs like "I want to commit murder" you can't go wrong. This album is a beast of pure black metal the likes of which would make Darkthrone very proud.
11. Burzum- Fallen: That's right, Varg is back, to stab your skull and burn your local church. But seriously this album proves that Varg can still change his direction add in new elements and make it work just as well as his old material. This album manages to actually be beautiful and emotional, new territory for sure!
10-6- The Top Rung of The Awesome Ladder.
10 Falkenbach-Tiurida: This album is an album that I have had in constant rotation all year long. This album takes relentlessly catchy folk melodies, adds in just the right amount of black metal elements and fuses them with lyrics that make me proud to wave the banner of heathen pride high. This album rules. Choice tracks: Where His Ravens Fly, Runes Shall You Know.
9. Tyr- The Lay of Thrym: This album is so goddamn catchy. I could sing along with the entire thing. The concept is one of overthrowing tyrants. The lyrics are great, the music is infectious and will embed itself into your memory permanently. Don't believe me, try it and see.
8. Wolves in The Throne Room- Celestial Lineage: This album is about one thing: atmosphere, and boy does it deliver. Everything on this album is placed there expertly to give the listener the sense that they are in the presence of nature. It nearly drones in spots but the atmosphere is so engaging that you can get lost in it. This album is truly one that needs to not just be listened to, but experienced.
7. SubRosa- No Help For The Mighty Ones: This is one hefty chunk of female fronted doom metal that manages to be truly haunting. The presence of violins is what really makes the haunting atmosphere stick. This album has not a bad moment on it. It is completely compelling from start to finish.
6. ICS Vortex- Storm Seeker: This is an album I actually didn't have high hopes for, but on the recommendation of several reviews I checked it out and my god am I glad I did. Melodic progressive rock tinged metal with extremely awesome vocals. Some of these lyrics manage to be full of cheese, but honestly I couldn't care less, as the riffs and keyboards and everything else is just perfect.
5-1 God Tier Metal Albums of 2011
5. Perpetuate- S/t: This album took me by complete surprise. This album is a progressive power metal album that really brings so much energy and emotion that I could care less about what flaws there may be in the music itself( which are surprisingly few.) This album is an album that every song gets lodged in my memory and I find myself coming back to time and time again. This band has a very bright future indeed.
4. Symphony X- Iconoclast: This is one hell of an album. Two discs worth of pure progressive awesomeness. The vocals soar above positively infectious riffs and keyboard work. The lyrics are superb, the song structures are complexities woven by masterful musicians. The guitar solos will split your skull in two and melt your face off. What more are you motherfuckers asking for?
3.Beyond Creation- The Aura: The technicality of this album is almost mind bending. The song structures weave a tapestry of brutality and beautality at the same time. The fretless bass stays always in the forefront bidding the listener to give ear to its players amazing skill. The vocals are quite what you'd expect for death metal. The whole album is just one masterpiece of progressive technical epicosity.
2. Mastodon: The Hunter- They've done it again folks. While they've never made the same album twice, they've never failed to bring us an album that it is completely worthwhile, and this is no different. A little more on the commercial side this time, but the album is still one hell of an awesome album and it is still Mastodon at their proggy sludgy best.
1. Vektor- Outer Isolation: This album is truly the album of the year for me. Its thrash metal that actually brings something new to the table. The riffs are furious, the songs are chaotic. The vocals are absolutely vicious. Vektor takes the cake as the kings of modern thrash. May their reign be long, and their masterpieces be many. FUCK YES.
25-21- The bottom rung of awesome
25.Tombs- Path of Totality- This is one sludgy grimey experience. These riffs are like calculated sledgehammer blows right to your face, as the vocals rip at your jugular.Tombs has crafted an excellent mix of black metal and sludge, and hopefully they will get better with each subsequent album.
24.Moonsorrow-Varjoina Kuljemme Kuolleiden Maassa: This album is a bit subpar at least for the first couple tracks, but the last half of this album is absolutely killer. Huuto is one of the best Moonsorrow songs to ever be written. Deserves its place here.
23.Septicflesh- The Great Mass: Absolute symphonic death metal mastery. The drumming is technical, the riffs are very well constructed and the symphonics add just the right touch to complete an awesome album.
22. Fleshgod Apocalypse- Agony: This is pretty much a tie with Septicflesh, but one thing throws it a cut above, and that's the guitar solos and those amazing clean vocals that are thrown in. This album is one constant barrage of symphonic brutality from start to finish.
21. Omnium Gatherum- New World Shadows: This is a very melancholy melodic death metal release, borrowing ideas from others in melodeath and somehow making it work. Unoriginal yes, but it remains to be one of my favorites of this year.
20-11. The Mid Tier of Awesome.
20. Fen-Epoch: Anguished atmospheric black metal with post rock influences. The lyrics are extremely well written and so is the music. This whole album has a very melancholic feel throughout, and captures my attention throughout the majority of the album. There are flaws, but all in all this is an excellent release.
19.Deafheaven-Roads to Judah: Post-blackgaze? I guess you could call it that, all I know is these tracks are emotionally charged and very enaging, with an atmosphere that just envelops you. Wonderful album, albeit a tid bit overrated by some.
18. Antichrist-Forbidden World: This is the thrash revival album we've all been waiting for. Unoriginal, could be but damned if they don't know how to write some infectious headbangable thrash riffs and solos. The vocals have this almost beastial quality hearkening back to the days of Kreator or Sodom. Well done gents. *rubs neck*
17. Autopsy- Macabre Eternal: Its been called an audio snuff film, and I would have to agree. Its gross, its brutal and gorey, hell its everything you know and love about Autopsy. Shredding guitars, pummeling drums and bass and vocals that go right for the throat. So go buy this album...well what are you waiting for?
16. Hell- Human Remains: Welcome back to the 80's where the New Wave of British Heavy Metal is going strong. Only its not really the 80s but this band is straight from that era releasing an album that combines speed metal and NWOBHM tendencies so excellently. This will suit any traditional metal fan. Oh the nostalgia!
15. Arch/Matheos- Sympathetic Resonance: This is one helluva progressive metal release, and one that will be in my rotation for years to come. John Arch of Fates Warning returns with his vocal chords still as powerful as ever. And the instrumental performance fucking rules too.
14. Satan's Host- By The Hands of The Devil: Blackened Power metal....yes please? The vocals are soaring, the lyrics are satanic and the riffs are awesome. This will guarantee replay value just based on how much the songs will stick in your head. What a great fucking album.
13. Obscura- Omnivium: This is an album it took me awhile to get into, but once I did I loved it. This is progressive death metal at its finest. Listen as they channel the spirit of Chuck Schuldiner to prove that death metal is still progressing, and that proggy death metal is still alive. This album is made of 2 parts epic and 2 parts win.
12. Craft- Void: This is the traditional black metal masterpiece I had been searching for all year. It's vitriolic vocals and evil riffs convey the pure essence of Scandinavian hatred. With songs like "I want to commit murder" you can't go wrong. This album is a beast of pure black metal the likes of which would make Darkthrone very proud.
11. Burzum- Fallen: That's right, Varg is back, to stab your skull and burn your local church. But seriously this album proves that Varg can still change his direction add in new elements and make it work just as well as his old material. This album manages to actually be beautiful and emotional, new territory for sure!
10-6- The Top Rung of The Awesome Ladder.
10 Falkenbach-Tiurida: This album is an album that I have had in constant rotation all year long. This album takes relentlessly catchy folk melodies, adds in just the right amount of black metal elements and fuses them with lyrics that make me proud to wave the banner of heathen pride high. This album rules. Choice tracks: Where His Ravens Fly, Runes Shall You Know.
9. Tyr- The Lay of Thrym: This album is so goddamn catchy. I could sing along with the entire thing. The concept is one of overthrowing tyrants. The lyrics are great, the music is infectious and will embed itself into your memory permanently. Don't believe me, try it and see.
8. Wolves in The Throne Room- Celestial Lineage: This album is about one thing: atmosphere, and boy does it deliver. Everything on this album is placed there expertly to give the listener the sense that they are in the presence of nature. It nearly drones in spots but the atmosphere is so engaging that you can get lost in it. This album is truly one that needs to not just be listened to, but experienced.
7. SubRosa- No Help For The Mighty Ones: This is one hefty chunk of female fronted doom metal that manages to be truly haunting. The presence of violins is what really makes the haunting atmosphere stick. This album has not a bad moment on it. It is completely compelling from start to finish.
6. ICS Vortex- Storm Seeker: This is an album I actually didn't have high hopes for, but on the recommendation of several reviews I checked it out and my god am I glad I did. Melodic progressive rock tinged metal with extremely awesome vocals. Some of these lyrics manage to be full of cheese, but honestly I couldn't care less, as the riffs and keyboards and everything else is just perfect.
5-1 God Tier Metal Albums of 2011
5. Perpetuate- S/t: This album took me by complete surprise. This album is a progressive power metal album that really brings so much energy and emotion that I could care less about what flaws there may be in the music itself( which are surprisingly few.) This album is an album that every song gets lodged in my memory and I find myself coming back to time and time again. This band has a very bright future indeed.
4. Symphony X- Iconoclast: This is one hell of an album. Two discs worth of pure progressive awesomeness. The vocals soar above positively infectious riffs and keyboard work. The lyrics are superb, the song structures are complexities woven by masterful musicians. The guitar solos will split your skull in two and melt your face off. What more are you motherfuckers asking for?
3.Beyond Creation- The Aura: The technicality of this album is almost mind bending. The song structures weave a tapestry of brutality and beautality at the same time. The fretless bass stays always in the forefront bidding the listener to give ear to its players amazing skill. The vocals are quite what you'd expect for death metal. The whole album is just one masterpiece of progressive technical epicosity.
2. Mastodon: The Hunter- They've done it again folks. While they've never made the same album twice, they've never failed to bring us an album that it is completely worthwhile, and this is no different. A little more on the commercial side this time, but the album is still one hell of an awesome album and it is still Mastodon at their proggy sludgy best.
1. Vektor- Outer Isolation: This album is truly the album of the year for me. Its thrash metal that actually brings something new to the table. The riffs are furious, the songs are chaotic. The vocals are absolutely vicious. Vektor takes the cake as the kings of modern thrash. May their reign be long, and their masterpieces be many. FUCK YES.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)