Albums Of The Year 2011

The temptation when compiling a list such as this is to try to be cool, by choosing bands nobody has heard of or to follow the crowd and to choose the obvious albums by the usual suspects. I have done neither - in fact, I have left out great releases by the likes of Devildriver, Machine Head, Sepultura and Crowbar among others. 

 Instead, I have done what the title suggests, and have chosen the albums I genuinely think were the best released in 2011. I spent weeks trying to eliminate albums (finding getting from 30 to 20 especially tough), and after many hours and the occasional headache, I have come up with the following list. Of course, as always with lists such as this, I’m 99.9% sure that I will change my mind almost as soon as it is posted. This, however, is the list I’m posting as “Best of 2011”.

There is, as always, no number order here (other than Nightwish, which gets the “album of the year” award), as I feel that is not only difficult, but ultimately unnecessary. Instead, the list is alphabetical by band name.

Note: As much as I wanted to include the brilliant “For Cause and Consequence” by Earthtone9 and “†” by Crosses, I decided that at 4 tracks and 5 tracks respectively, they really can’t be considered albums.

Alestorm                                       Back Through Time

Album Number 3 and surprisingly, there is still no sign of the ”gimmick” wearing thin. This is another clutch of energetic drinking/party songs/shanties that will bring a smile to your face and make you want to down a pint of rum (although this isn’t recommended). Well done, mad Scottish chaps. Yar!

Recommended track: The Sunk'n Norwegian

Amorphis                                      The Beginning Of Time

The ever-consistent Amorphis deliver the goods yet again. Can this band do no wrong? Since Tomi joined the ranks, they have released high quality album after high quality album. Masters of song writing and melody, these Finns are always guaranteed a place on my year-end list.

Recommended track: Battle For Light

Anterior                                         Echoes Of The Fallen

A Welsh Melodeath band? Damn right! This matches, and in most cases, totally destroy s anything that came out of Scandinavia in 2011. Anyone missing the glory days of the sub-genre could do a lot worse than these lads. Although, I feel it should be said that there is as much influence on this album from the likes of Trivium and latter-era In Flames as there is from the “Gothenburg” sound.  There are huge riffs, solos, melodies and most importantly, great songs to be found in abundance here.

Recommended track: Blood In The Throne Room

Anthrax                                          Worship Music

A fantastic return to form, this managed to silence (most of) the critics and cynics. Featuring a superb vocal performance by Joey Belladonna (a man even I had written off), and some of the finest songwriting ever committed to record by this legendary act.  More than deserving of a place, not only in this list, but in the top 3 Anthrax albums ever. Welcome back, guys!

Recommended track: I'm Alive

Book Of Black Earth                  The Cold Testament

The name, Seattle conjures up images of plaid shirts and scruffy, greasy-haired  oiks and/or reluctant rock stars, but this couldn’t be further away from the Grunge sound the city is (in)famous for. This is dirty, blackened thrash/death metal that takes no prisoners. The crushing riffs and abrasive vocals go straight for the throat. TCT contains some of the nastiest, filthiest guitars I have heard all year. Lovely stuff! (“Not my words, Michael, but the words of Shakin’ Stevens”).

Recommended track: Weight Of The World

Children Of Bodom                   Relentless Reckless Forever

Yes, this is bombastic, completely over the top and at times, more than a little ridiculous. But would you expect anything less from these crazy Finns? The difference this time, however, is that the band has remembered to compliment their technical ability with a crop of great songs. Of course, the occasionally unnecessary guitar wankery and gorgonzola keyboards are still present, but for the first time in over a decade, this is a fully-realised, well-structured and more importantly, completely enjoyable COB record.

Recommended track: Was It Worth It?

Criminal                                         Akelarre

I will ashamedly admit that I had never heard this great band before, despite them being around for 20 years. Although clearly, and undeniably influenced by classic Sepultura, they more than make up for the slightly over-familiar sound by throwing a lot of weight behind their punk-infused thrash metal attack. This is definitely a band that deserves a lot more attention.

Recommended track: The Ghost We Summoned

Cruachan                                       Blood On The Black Robe

Finally ditching the weak link in the feeble-voiced Karen Gilligan, this is the sound of a band rejuvenated and seemingly reveling in the heavier direction it has taken.  This is true Celtic war music. Traditional Irish music meets furious metal with near perfect results. The harsh vocals compliment the new, heavier style on display here perfectly. Having said that, the 2 songs here featuring Karen as guest vocalist, are among the best on the album.  I suppose less is more…as they say.

Recommended track: I Am Warrior

The Haunted

The Haunted released perhaps the most baffling album this year with this collection of Tool goes grunge songs. After over a decade as darlings of the extreme music press, with a post-thrash style all of their own, this band of ex-At The Gates members divided opinion in a way that no other heavy album this year came close to. Although the sound may be different to the point of requiring a possible change of band name, this is nonetheless, a great album. Although, probably best avoided by ardent thrash fans/extreme metal purists alike.

Recommended track: Unseen 

Hell                                                 Human Remains

I’ll spare you the back story here, but to cut a long story short, this band has overcome tragedy in the most triumphant way imaginable by finally releasing their debut 25 years after the demo material was recorded…and believe it or not, it’s well worth the wait. This isn’t here as a sympathy vote though.  This is old school NWOBHM brought kicking and screaming into the 21^st century. Essential.

Recommended track: The Oppressors

In Solitude                                    The World, The Flesh, The Devil

Another day, another young Swedish band releasing a Trad metal album, you might well think. On the surface you’d be right, but just one listen to this album and you will be struck by just how unique a take on the sound they have brought to the table. This is reminiscent of early-Maiden, Mercyful Fate and Candlemass, but it is more than the sum of its parts. Debut of the year. Amazing.

Recommended track: The World, The Flesh, The Devil

Korn                                                The Path Of Totality

Never afraid of experimentation, Korn have turned  to the latest musical revolution/trend, Dubstep on album number 10, and have emerged shining as always. While not the first band under the metal umbrella to try their hands at Dubstep, they are certainly the first to truly embrace it and to record an album of all new material featuring leading lights of the scene. It doesn’t always quite hit the mark, but when it does it works so well that you can’t help but admire Korn and their unwavering Midas touch. It emphasises just why this band has had such staying power, having outgrown and outlived the long-dead Nu-Metal genre.

Recommended track: Narcissistic Cannibal

Mastodon

This is another of those bands that I never truly got. After a baffling 6 years of wondering what it was that I was missing, Mastodon have finally released an album that I feel is deserving of the unbelievable level of praise heaped onto them  by an adoring music press. This is prog rock brilliance. Eclectic, quirky and, while wearing their influences proudly on their collective sleeves, the finished product sounds fresh, vibrant and perhaps most interestly, totally original.

Recommended track: Curl Of The Burl

Megadeth                                     Th1rt3en

Album number 13 and not only does MegaDave show no signs of slowing down, but he also shows no sign of stagnating as a songwriter. This album is as strong as any other to carry the Megadeth name in the near 30 year history of the band. This is a tour de force of metal. Not thrash, not speed, just metal. This is the sound of the gauntlet being well and truly thrown down. One of 2 “Big Four” bands to make this list in 2011. Whoever would have thought it?

Recommended track: Black Swan

Nightwish                                     Imaginaerum

I have never liked Nightwish. I feel that I had to get that out of the way before I drop the bombshell that this once reviled band have released an album that I don’t just rate, but has entrenched itself firmly and without any genuine competition, right at the top of my albums of 2011 list. This is an epic, masterfully written, performed and presented piece of art. Musically this takes in Celtic, folk, jazz, metal, pop, and just about any other genre you care to mention, twists it around some astonishing vocal work from Miss Olzon, and takes you for a ride around the bizarre carnival that is Imaginaerum. Truly a work of deranged genius!

I can't recommend a track as this is best listened to as a whole.

Powerwolf                                   Blood Of The Saints

I have never been a huge fan of Power Metal, but every now and again a band will come along that just grabs my attention immediately. Powerwolf is the latest in that line. They stand out from the (very) over-crowd power metal crowd  thanks, in part, to the bizarre, werewolf  theme, annoyingly catchy songs and truly unique concept story. This album got right under my skin and the songs in my head. I was quite literally singing them for weeks.

Recommended track: We Drink Your Blood

Primus                                            Green Naugahyde

Primus return after an 8 year hiatus and effortlessly continue right where they left off. The band hasn’t missed a beat. As eccentric as ever, Les Claypool’s trademark nasal-vocal whine and phenomenal bass playing are instantly recognisable, as is the wacky songwriting and subject matter. This isn’t just another Primus record, this is a genuinely brilliant Primus record. Good to have the crazy bastards back.

Recommended track: Lee Van Cleef

Shining                                           VII: Född Förlorare

More passionate, moody post black metal on album number 7 from Sweden’s Shining. Swinging between soft piano passages and black metal, often within the same song, this is an eclectic, passionate collection that is, as usual, dripping with despair and self-loathing. This is a depressive record, but it is filled with so much beauty that it had to be included here.

Recommended track: Människa O'avskyvärda Människa

Skindred                                        Union Black

Skindred finally hit their stride on album number 4, sounding confident to the point of being borderline cocky, as they knock out song after song of their very unique mix of reggae, metal, punk and dubstep. It is all thrown into the mix and comes out as a razor sharp mixed bag of brilliance. No two songs sound the same, so the album never gets a chance to be lose your attention, and at around 45 minutes in length, it never outstays it’s welcome. This band always had the potential, but until now, hadn’t quite got it right. Already one of, if not the, best live acts on the British circuit, the magic now seems to have seeped into the studio too.

Recommended track: Warning

Svartsot                                         Maledictus Eris

If you’re not yet familiar with Svartsot, they are purveyors of catchy, but slightly twee folk death metal. The one trump card in their favour is the use of gruff, death metal style vocals as opposed to the usual black metal and or/clean style. The songs are instantly memorable and irritatingly infectious.  Highly recommended for those already into the genre and even for those who have kept their distance until now. Welcome in…join us. We have mead!

Recommended track: Gud Giv Det Varer Ved!

Winter Music?!

We're all aware of the summer classics - the anthems. You know the ones... the songs/albums that make us want to drink a cold beer in the day and party long into the night with a gaudily coloured cocktail in hand.

But what about the flip side? What about the music for the long, oppressive darkness off the winter months - The music that encapsulates the cold morning air, the frozen ground, the bone chilling winds? Here are my suggestions for some albums that bring the melancholy of the long, cold nights to mind. The albums to listen to as you look out of a window across the frozen landscapes, and for those walks in the woods. I'm sure some more will come to mind over the next few weeks...keep an eye put for updates.

1. Agalloch - Ashes Against The Grain

In fairness, you could pick any album you want by these morose chaps, but this is the one for me - Not least because it contains the track "Falling Snow". There is a beauty here, nestling deep in the bleak, desolate heart of this most melancholy album of  meandering forays into the world of post-Black Metal. The coldness  of the guitar tones and occasional harsh vocals are balanced by the soft melodies, acoustic parts and the almost trance-inducing clean singing. There is a very Finnish feel to this album (despite the band being American), but they infuse this base with neoclassical and folk elements to create a sound of their own. Essential winter listening.

2. Burzum - Filosofem

Unlike Agalloch, there is no winter theme present here, rather just a general cold, darkness that pervades this entire album of trance-like Black Metal brilliance - although I hesitate to use such an overly simple and easily misunderstood term. This is so much more than shrieking vocals and aggressive guitars. There is an almost meditational feel here...the repetitive rhythms and haunting keyboards are perfectly suited to a contemplative walk alone in the woods or for sitting on a wall overlooking fields of white, your breath freezing in front of your eyes. Dare I say it....genius!

3. Kampfar - Kvass

Of course, this is once again a Black Metal album. This is music suited for the cold months of darkness, the long periods where you see little natural light. This is a far more straightforward affair than the previous two. Here you find six long, rambling tracks of hypnotic, cold Norwegian Black Metal. Everything you could want from an album of this type is here. The repetitive, rhythmic guitars, harsh and at times screeching vocals (with lyrics in the bands native Norwegian) and the atmospheric melodies that the northmen are so adept at. This is a sinister and disturbing trip into the dark past of Scandinavian folklore and into the overall psyche of its people. Essential.

4. Fleurety - Min Tid Skall Komme

This album opens up with some almost lounge jazz mellowness, before a dark, creepy heavy guitar part takes over. This sets the tone for the album. It is a melting pot of influences, ranging from the gothic metal of Paradise Lost all the way through to the Black Metal of bands like Khold. This is not going to be music for everyone, but if you approach your music with an experimental ear and an open mind, this will take you on one hell of a journey. You will get the aforementioned jazz influences throughout (not least in the bass), odd wailing female vocals (occasionally dual layered for added weirdness) and a whole host of genres taken in along the way. It is on the second half of the album that things get more than a little sinister. It is here you will find the creepiest, most disturbing vocals you are ever likely to hear...Genuinely harrowing, tortured high pitched screeches that will send a chill up your spine. Not one to be listened to alone in the dark....or is it?

5. Nest - (insert title here)

You can choose any song/album by Nest and add it here...this isn't dark music, it isn't evil, melancholy, and it certainly isn't sinister. This is ambient nature music...beautiful and evocative. It is the ultimate in relaxation music for me. Just lie on your bed, close your eyes and forget all about the outside world. To be fair, this is music for any time of the year. It conjures images of bubbling brooks, of eerily silent forests, of mountains and of a bygone and maybe even non-existent time....a time where the world was unspoiled. Enjoy

Roadrunner Records Top 10 Albums Of The Century?

I have recently seen a lot of lists compiled by various magazines/websites of top 10 this, top 10 that, and felt compelled to comment on one in particular that raised my hackles.

OK, so I love a good list as well as the next person, but for a record label to do a top 10 of their greatest albums of the century is treading on dangerous ground. We have to remember in these cases, most people have a short memory and tend to vote for albums that were released in the last few years...or worse still to vote just for the most commercially successful, because, let's face it...that's what it boils down to...a popularity contest.

Have any of you actually seen Roadrunner Records top 10 albums of the century? I mean, Within Temptation on there twice, but no Fear Factory, Devildriver or Sepultura to name just a few that came to mind. Seriously?

For those who have yet to see this abomination, here it is:

http://www.metalhammer.co.uk/news/roadrunner-reveal-their-top-ten-albums-of-the-century/#comment

To me, lists like this are not only redundant, but are also counter productive as they undermine a huge part of the label's roster and raise the ire of long time supporters..

Of course, everybody has an opinion, but even the most casual Roadrunner fan can see that the list is a waste of time. I am, and always have been a big fan of RR, but I have to admit that I feel let down and disappointed by a "commercial" list such as this, when the label has such a rich history of releasing quality metal.

On that note, I will now contradict myself and publish MY top 10 Roadrunner albums ever....in no particular order, of course....and I expect I have omitted something obvious.

1. Devildriver - Pray For Villains
2. Sepultura - Roots
3. Fear Factory - Obsolete
4. Machine Head - The Blackening
5. Cradle Of Filth - Thornography
6. Deicide - Once Upon The Cross
7. Downer - Downer
8. Trivium - Ascendancy
9. Killswitch Engage - Alive Or Just Breathing
10.Megadeth - Th1rt3een

Even just trying to get down to 10 classic RR albums by 10 different artists was tough and meant not including bands such as Soulfly, Dream Theater, Slipknot, 36CF, Opeth, Murderdolls, Korn, and so on.

Although you may not agree with my choices, I don't imagine there are too many people reading this (obviously!) who would say that the list voted for by the "fans" on the website is more accurate and representative of the label than mine...and that is not arrogance (ok, a bit), but is just a matter of metal history, fact and respect for the bands and the fans that made the label the success it is today.

Edit: Before any pedantic smartarses point it out, I have realised that the RR list is since 2000, whereas mine is all time, but even taking that into account their list is poor. Besides, Why call it "Albums Of The Century" if it's just from 2000-2011?

Why Do Metalheads Hate Cradle Of Filth?

OK, so, it isn't the catchiest of blog titles, but it does get straight to the point. I've been listening to a lot of Cradle Of Filth the last few days, and it got me thinking about why the band are so reviled within the metal community. Well, they are loved and hated, but I'll focus on the ´haters´ (thanks Durst).

I really don't understand why this band, in particular, attract such passionate feelings of hatred, especially in the UK from what I've experienced personally at 2 major UK festivals: At Download 2006, Dani hilariously taunted fans and belittled their throwing skills, before berating one particular person for bringing an apple to a metal festival. Sadly, the flipside was the deplorable incident at Bloodstock in 2009 where guitarist Paul Allender was injured by a hard projectile (allegedly a large gobstopper sweet) thrown by a mindless cretin who later boasted about it...allegedly, I should add... in the campsite.  Although on both occasions, the crowd were booing and throwing items towards the stage, which is not only ridiculous and dangerous, but also disrespectful to both to the artist and to the fans who have paid money to watch them perform. If you hate a band enough to throw something at them, why are you watching them and not getting a drink at the bar? Is it to show your friends how "cool" you are? Let's face it, you are abviously a moron and metal could do without you. You give us all a bad name.

We should be proud and supportive of our home grown talent, regardless of whether or not you like the music personally. I mean, the UK was the birthplace of metal music, but we haven't exactly set the world alight for the past 2 decades. In COF, we have an extreme band who have managed to conquer both the world and even more astoundingly, the mainstream. Let's face it, how many Extreme Metal artists have you seen on Nevermind The Buzzcocks? I know what you are (probably) thinking, and yes let's get this out of the way...Cradle ARE an extreme band. Just because a band are loved by young girls or featured in K! magazine, doesn't mean they are not extreme.

Musically, COF are among the most unique and experimental bands out there, but do people sing their praises? No. If Emperor, to come up with an, admittedly lazy, example had released "Cruelty And The Beast", it would have been hailed, rightly, as a masterpiece. It has classical influences, it has orchestral flourishes, it has an almost soundtrack feel to it. At the time both the press and the fans did rate this album highly, and the follow up, "Midian" was also a huge success. After that, however, it all seemed to go badly wrong.

One reason I can think of for this is that the band commited the most heinous of (extreme) metal sins...They signed a record deal with Sony...Yes, that's right. They signed a deal with a major label. And for this, they were crucifed by the elistist morons who sadly populate our scene. God forbid that a metal band might actually want their records to actually be available for the fans to buy, to go out on a decent sized tour to far flung locations or to actually make a living. Metal isn't "your" music, it isn't "our" music. It's for whoever wants to buy it or to watch.

Cradle Of Filth take influences from many parts of the wide musical spectrum and bring it together in an undeniably unique brew that, of course, isn't to everbody's taste. You will find symphonic, orchestral parts, classical piano, Maiden-esque riffs, old school solos, thrashy guitars, operatic vocals, Black Metal vocals, male and female voice-overs, choral chanting, and more than occasionally, a hint of Jerry Goldsmith's "The Omen" soundtrack. Listening to any given album by the band you will find this range of styles seemlessly blended with poetic gothic lyrics and  a dark sexual undertone into a thing of metal beauty. Take the song "Desire In Violent Overture. You will hear massive riffs, the most metal of solos (just listen at the 27 second mark and tell me I'm wrong), classical strings, female voice overs, gothic keyboards and the, always opinion dividing, black metal screech of Mr Davey. Lyrically, the song, as with much of the bands music, is steeped in gothic beauty in the greatest of English traditions.

There is more to the band than this of course, as anybody who has been a long term fan will tell you. On the "Thornography" album, the band had pretty much dropped any and all hints of anything remotely black metal, with Dani even delivering some clean vocals on some songs. This was gothic rock/metal album with some annoyingly catchy songs. The influences here came more from Bauhaus and Sisters Of Mercy than any of the Norwegian black and white God-botherers.

That's the music element out of the way. of course, this should be the most important thing, but of course there is always the touchy subject of "image" to deal with. COF started out (as a young, inexperienced band, I might add) by copying the Scandinavian black metal acts (in look and style)...and this, I think was the gravest (sorry) of mistakes by the band..and it was certainly one they never quite recovered from. After this, we had thew vampyric look of the "Cruelty..." era. After this, they just started wearing spikes, rubber and leather which of course is more than a slight flirtation with the Goth music scene.

I think that, as mentioned above, one of the things thas has clung on and caused the current bad feeling toward the band is their original black metal style. This led to them becoming, in a way, the British face of the burgeoning black metal scene. Of course, as we know people in that particular scene (let's call them elitists) want "their" bands to never sell any records, to never change their style, to record albums in their bedrooms and to, of course, only be known by them and their circle of friends. This is an idiotic attitude that I believe has played a massive role in the band becoming almost metal pariahs in the UK. 

The band moved away from Black metal early on, but the tag stuck and despite the band's sounds now being, for the most part, unrecognisable from that of the early albums, they are still incorrectly referred to as Black metal..when realistically they are just a dark, gothic, extreme metal act.

In part, the band (well Dani) can also be blamed for playing a part in this whole situation, due to the shocking "revolving door" policy of the band...members seem to come and go with disturbing regularity. On saying that, for the last decade Dani and Paul have both been a stable part of the band. Also I think the constant courting of controversy with numerous slogan T-shirts, has harmed the band's reputation too, especially among the older fans who look upon it as immature and unnecessary. It has to be said that Dani has quite the reputation for being obnoxious, drunk and arrogant too...although; I can't personally comment on this as I met him twice and he was pleasant enough.I don't know how nuch this "diva" behaviour has contributed to the bands overall standing though...that's certainly one for debate. Was Dani an arrogant person before or was it the attitude of the fans towards him that made him like that as a defensive stand? 

I think that there is one more reason why the band have received such harsh criticism from metallers, and that is the, obviously, very feminine and sexual overtones in their music. From the cover art, to the lyrical themes and even to the, occasionally over-powering, operatic voice of Sara, the music explores female sexuality and the historical and current attitudes towards it. I won't dwell too much on this, as I am no expert in sexual behaviour or attitudes. I just wanted to give it a mention as I think that, with metal still being an overwhelmingly male dominated and aggressive genre, this could well be an important factor in the way the audience views the band. The fact is undeniable that COF live shows have a much higher female to male ratio than many other metal shows,,,and for this reason, I think a lot of the Black Metal or Extreme Metal audience is put off. I am not, even for a moment, saying that women don't like or understand Extreme metal. It's just that the audience for this music (which is aggressive and often hateful) is still populated by a huge percentage of males.

Well, there are my thoughts on this...they may have been rambling, they may even have been total bollocks, but they are mine...and I just thought they might be of interest to some people.

New Trad Metal Hopes...

Dark Forest are a British heavy metal band from the home (and birthplace) of metal, the West Midlands. I have to admit that I was not familiar with them until yesterday, although to date they have released 2 full length albums and a number of EPs, but ´better late than never´ has rarely been such an apt phrase. Where have I been?

This is real trad metal for those of you who worhip at the altar of bands such as Iron Maiden (both Blaze and Bruce eras), Lord Weird Slough Feg, Agent Steel, Manowar etc (although I hear hints of Falconer and Forefather too)...In fact, the opening track on their new album, Dawn Of Infinity,  "Hourglass" is so catchy that I was actually singing along with it the first time I heard it! Check it out for yourself:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nd-bNowp_oA

This is classy, straight forward and in your face heavy metal.

There are countless bands across the globe (especially Scandinavia and North America) such as Enforcer, White Wizzard and In Solitude who have picked up the baton of "true" metal and are running with it, but finally...here is a British band who are more than equipped to challenge them.

With the current popularity of this style of music showing no signs of slowing down, now could be the ideal time for Dark Forest to make their strike and to stake their claim to the NWOTHM throne.

The Scandinavians have ruled the scene for too long....It's time to lock your doors, open your ears and turn your speakers up load, because the British are coming to reclaim what is theirs.

This time, I really am back.

OK, so it seems I was a little premature in August, when declaring that I am back! Since then (nearly 2 whole months), I managed to accomplish absolute nothing. Not a single word written, not even the slightest jolt of inspiration...

But recently, all that changed. I have been pondering how I would go forward with this blog, and decided a while ago that regular updates about what's on my playlist, recommendations, etc was the way to go. Sadly though, that was as much as I managed to achieve. The idea was there, but when it came to actually implementing it, I stalled.

Last week, however, I rediscovered the wonders of Twitter. I had long since become disillusioned by "the other social networking site". I was sick of posting videos and recommending bands, to receive little or no feedback. On Twitter though, it's different. Yes, I am sharing my thoughts with less people, but on the other hand, these aren't just the type of people who fit into a vague notion of being a "friend". They are not people I met once at a party and feel obliged to add...they are not old school friends or former colleagues. No, these are people who choose to "follow" me. They are expressing an interest in what I have to say. It was this realisation that helped to give me the motivation to give my blog a little resusitation. Add to that, the fact that 2011 has been a pretty much legendary year for metal...with great albums being released on a weekly basis by gnarly old dogs and young pups alike. There is so much great new music out there that is mking me feel alive that I feel it would be a shame not to share it.

That is where my new blog style comes in....rather than posting long, often rambling (see this blog) texts on one album or one band, I will be posting regular (maybe daily, but definitely weekly) blogs on the bands that are inspiring me. I will be recommending bands that I feel deserve to be heard, and I will be posting links to videos...I hope you will stick with me, and that at least some of you will make the time and effort to give me a little feedback.

Let the second wave begin...

I'm back bitches!!!

It's been a long time. There a number of reasons for this....but it was mainly down to lack of interest from other people. I have, however, decided that it is worth continuing as it's good for me to express myself creatively, and it's also for those of you who I know DO read my posts. I am feeling quite inspired at the moment, so expect a slew of new posts to come your way over the new few days.

I am going to continue with the idea I had before I stopped posting, and that is to give recommendations of the week and to share with people what I am currently listening to, be it old bands or new.

I will be writing short reviews of recent gigs (Metaltown, Bal-Sagoth, Bloodstock, etc) and of new and recent albums, and I will also be posting links to YouTube videos, Spotify playlists, etc.

As they say (or used to say), watch this space!

 

Album Of The Week

What can I say...I have never really rated The Haunted, and have always found them to be generic modern Euro-Thrash/Melodeath.

That is until now...quite what prompted the band to adopt such a complete departure in sound I can only guess at, but wow! This is a stunning album, filled with moments of beauty, sweeping melodies along with neck-damaging riffs and some sublime vocals from Peter Dolving (who would have thought it). There are moments on the album reminiscent of bands such as A Perfect Circle, Katatonia, Alice In Chains, Corrosion Of Conformity and In Flames to name just a few of the influences I picked up on. Whatever happened to give the band this kick, it is definitely a welcome change, and the first genuine musical surprise of the year for me.

If you have, like me, never really cared about this band, other than as a superb live act, you could certainly do a lot worse than to check this album out. Album of the year (so far) for me....Fantastic!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AeZT9PEuAv4

Hardcore Superstar @ Valhall, Skövde (04/03/11)

I could just write the word "brilliant!" here, but I don't think that would cut it as a  "review". Therefore, I will write a few more words.

When arriving at the venue, I was pleasantly surprised to see a decent size group of people milling around outside the venue. I even remarked to Linda, that there are more people outside smoking than you usually see INSIDE at a gig in Skövde. This was a good start to what would turn out to be a fantastic night. My experience of HS live was limited to one previous gig (in Dudley sometime around 2000), in front of a "crowd" where using the word sparse is a little optimistic, so I wasn't at all prepared for the stunning live show in store.

The band came on stage at around 10 to an excitable crowd, who where, most likely, already a little "lubricated" at this point, and proceeded to tear through a greatest hits setlist. Jocke looked every inch the rock star, throwing his very best Axl and Seb moves (although dressed more like Anders Fridén with his knee high striped socks and braces/suspenders), running and bouncing around the stage. The crowd sang along with every word of every song. The only downside, on a personal note, was the omission of my favourite song "Shades Of Grey", but it would be unfair to complain after such an energetic and enthusiastic performance (from band and audience alike).

An honourable mention must go to the guy stood in front of us, who appeared to be in love with Jocke. Fanboy really isn't a strong enough word....stalker might be more accurate. At one point, the band pulled fans onstage for a sing-a-long of "Last Call For Alcohol". Despite his best efforts, he wasn't picked, but decided to jump onstage anyway, to the bemusement of the band and security (who didn't remove him, incidentally).

We left the venue genuinely surprised by just how good this band are live. They really are the best sleaze/glam band out there right now. On a final note, I would like to say to all the people who call themselves hardrockers in the Skaraborg area, that if you don't have a damn good reason to have missed this show, then you should be ashamed of yourselves.

I am listening to the new Die Krupps material...

...and wow. I have to say that this is a total curveball. I really wasn't expecting an EBM/Electro album from them. Their last album was released in 1997, and the years leading up to its release had seen them embrace the  metal sound more and more. Die Krupps were originally an electro/synth band (formed way back in 1980), but as the 90's arrived, so did a darker, heavier edge. I have waited 13 long years to hear new music from this amazing band, and I was expecting them to continue where they left off, rather than look further back in their history. I think there is a good reason for this stylistic back-pedalling, however, and that is that they have spent the last few years since their reformation, touring (and therefore rediscovering the older material) and have also released an album of re-recorded versions of their classic songs. When you look at it realistically, the metal style they toyed with was a relatively recent addition to their sound, and was only for a brief period. So, taking that into account, I suppose it is reasonable to expect them to relegate it to a more backing role. Of course, there are still heavier elements here (mainly in the simplistic, Germanic guitar riffs), but the overall feel is more of an electronic/industrial  EP. This is, in no way, a complaint as I really can't get enough of this. There are 4 new tracks on offer here, along with a cover and a few remixes. For long term DK fans, this is obviously highly recommended, and for those of you who might be new to the band, it is a fairly good place to start, but for a real introduction, I would recommend the album of re-recorded songs that I mentioned earlier, "Too Much History".

This is the opening track from the EP: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQ6D2SnsvTA

2011...A Vintage Year For Nostalgia!?

2010 was an amazing – I’d go as far as to say, classic – year for heavy music, with strong releases from both old bands and newcomers. 

I am always on the lookout for fresh talent, the next generation...the bands that are going to take metal into the future, but that isn’t to say for a moment, that the old school don’t have their place. Far from it, judging by the recent releases from the likes of Iron Maiden, Motörhead, Ozzy, etc. It’s just that these bands are not going to be around for ever – Judas Priest are a case in point here, for as we all know, they are splitting after this coming summer’s world tour.

Bands such as Kvelertak, Devildriver, and Enforcer (to name just the first 3 that came to mind) are the bands that are going to be the future of metal, and the bands that will lure in the next generation of metalheads.

It does appear, however, as though a new wave of nostalgia is about to hit us. We’ve had the 80’s nostalgia thing for over a decade now – both in mainstream culture and in the world of metal – and it now appears as though it is the turn of the much (unfairly) maligned 90’s. Many people seem to forget just how important the 90’s were, and focus on the negatives, such as Nu-metal, rather than the cultural phenomenon that was grunge, and the rebirth of metal after grunge had killed it off, and then in turn, had died (in a mainstream sense, at least).

Bands such as Pantera, Sepultura and Machine Head led the charge in the early part of the decade with their more groove-infused take on the thrash metal template. As this isn’t actually a blog about the 90’s itself, I’ll leave that topic for another time – an in-depth look at the various styles and bands that dominated the decade of my teens, the one in which I discovered my love for the metal genre, would take more than one blog to properly explore.

No, this blog is about the approaching 90’s nostalgia trip that has already begun to gather momentum. In the last few years we have had the return of Alice In Chains, Faith No More (live, at least) and Rage Against The Machine among others (sadly Limp Bizkit being one of them), and and with 2011 bringing new music (?) and tours from Soundgarden and the aforementioned RATM, could this herald the beginnings of a fully fledged nostalgia movement?

I am actually not against this, as nostalgia certainly has its place in life. It is important and often warming to look back upon your formative years, or upon the “good old days” and music is a very powerful thing in the lives of many people. A song can bring memories flooding back like very little else. The danger with any “trip down memory lane”, however is that many people will then claim that music was better in (insert decade here). This obviously isn’t the case, it’s just that the decade you grew up in/were an adolescent, will obviously be the one that was most important in your life and has created memories and experiences that you will not ever have again. It was also a time that you were developing as a person and the things/people around you helped to shape you and therefore, forged strong imprints in your psyche.

How many of us could honestly say, hand on heart, that we wouldn’t want to hear a new album by a band that was important to us when we were, say, 15 years old? Of course we would, and that is why nostalgia has its place, and so long as the bands involved do themselves and our memories justice, what is the harm? As long as we keep looking forward to the future, and spend each day forging new “good old days”, and enjoying every single day we have with those important to us, then bring it on. It isn’t healthy or a good way to live your life, to focus on a time that has long gone. 

Live for the day!  - but throw in a bit of healthy reminiscing. One big concern for me, is that some of the bands involved are doing it again for all of the wrong reasons - yes, I mean money – and are not interesting in recapturing the feel or passion of the time, and certainly not in the fans who supported them first time round.

I can only hope this isn’t the case, and I will look forward to 2011 as a year that I can enjoy both old bands and new, and to share a few gigs/beers with the people close to me. Now, raise your glasses to 2011 (and the 90’s). 

I Can't Believe I Forgot This...

I have to red-facedly admit that I managed to forget my current favourite band in my last blog. I have no idea what I was thinking, but this is a correction/addition to the oversight in my previous post.

Kvelertak

You should have at least have heard this name, unless you have genuinely been living under a rock somewhere.  As far as I can make out, Kvelertak are current media darlings (at least in the metal press), and for good reason. This is a band that not only grabbed me by the throat and forced ne to take notice, but one that single-handedly rekindled the passion that I haven’t felt for music since my formative years. I know it sounds over the top, and completely exaggerated, but it really isn’t. From the opening second of their new (and unbelievably, debut) album, to the very last chord, I was totally awestruck. It made me feel like I was 14 again, and just discovering music. Kvelertak are the most important band in my world right now, and I literally can’t go a day with listening to them. It’s hard to pinpoint exactly what it is that is so special about them, other than merely stating that they have “it”, the “X-factor”. Musically, they wear their influences on their sleeve, but they are far more than merely the sum of their parts...taking in punk, hard rock, black metal and a myriad of styles along the way, they are a truly absorbing experience. Realistically, however, I know that many (if not, most) people won’t get the same feeling as I do from them, as that is the very nature of music, and the thing that makes it so special...it is individual, unique to you or me, and that is why the experience we all get from music can never be replaced or fully appreciated by anybody else. Anyway, after all that understatement, here’s a track to get your teeth (ears, surely?) into.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-__g2_uMUd8&playnext=1&list=PLA1296FA2DE0964F9&oref=http://www.youtube.com/results%3Fsearch_query%3Dkvelertak%2Bmjd%26aq%3D0&has_verified=1

...And So It Begins!

Crowbar

I have to admit that I have never really listened to Crowbar much in the past. I really don’t know why, as they have always received positive reviews from critics and Kirk Windstein has been involved in other bands that I like (Down, Kingdom Of Sorrow). Anyway, recently I discovered just what I have been missing for the past couple of decades. I picked up a copy of their latest album after reading a very frank interview with Kirk in Terrorizer magazine, and was instantly hooked on their sound. To me it is a very 90’s sound, being reminiscent of COC, Pantera, Merauder and Cathedral amongst others, and I can’t get enough of their slow, groove-infused take on metal.

Recommended track: Protectors Of The Shrine

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7qURqZJiTMQ

Korpiklaani

Well, I will be the first to tell you that I was listening to these guys long before anyone had heard of them...way back in 2003 on the first album (and beyond when members of the band were in a lesser known Finnish band, Shaman). Since then I have seen the band go from strength to strength, releasing album after of album of classy folk-influenced metal. After the relative disappointment of the slower-paced, “Karkelo” album, the band is back on raging form for its seventh album. “Ukon Wacka” is positively brimming with catchy, infectious songs, which at times hark back to the earlier albums, but also manage to sound like the product of a refreshed and fully reinvigorated band. On first listen, I was instantly reminded of what it was I loved about Korpiklaani in the first place. Once again there are drinking/dancing songs aplenty to be found here, including the album highlight for me...”Tequila”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eeN6ReiBP_w

Devildriver

This one is a no-brainer for those who know me. I have been singing the praises of Devildriver since the first album (again), and have often struggled to get people to even listen to them , let alone take them seriously, due to Dez’s connection with a certain vilified band from the late 90’s/early 00’s. Well, when it comes down to it, it is their loss, as Devildriver are one of the best bands in metal right now, releasing album after of album of top notch groove metal, as well as being a ferocious live prospect. The latest album doesn’t disappoint, although it comes across, at first, as more measured, and less instant, than “Pray For Villains”. This is, of course, just a clever ploy, as after a listen or two, you will be totally hooked on the depth of the material on offer here, and will find yourself playing the album on repeat time after time. There isn’t really a weak track to speak of here, but for me the standout track would be...”Black Soul Choir”, with it’s almost folky intro and jazz style mid section.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0so67deSDU4

Burzum

 Just one year on from the release of the comeback album, “Belus”, and Varg is back again with new release “Fallen”. This is a much more experimental and expansive album, which at the same time manages to completely capture the feel of the original wave of Norwegian black metal, right down to the goosebumps and the shiver down the spine. The cold, repetitive, rhythmic guitars are here, as expected, along with a more classical influenced sound. Add to that, the partly chanted/partly shrieked, tortured vocal delivery, and this is another display of Burzum genius. I have no time at all for the man’s politics, but it can’t be denied that he is a musical visionary, and he has an uncanny ability to conjure up mental images of the cold, northern landscape through his music. Just have a listen to “Budstikken” if you are in any doubt.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tI4Yd3yqkpc

 Cold

I have been listening to the (only) new track, “Wicked World”, on repeat since it became available a couple of weeks back, and all I can say is that I can’t get enough of it. Back are the dark grunge stylings. Gone is the horrible, sub-Staind, radio rock that the band took to releasing before they disbanded a few years ago. This is the Cold that you loved in the late 90’s, although it sounds natural, totally unforced and completely relevant. Judging by this track alone, the new album, “Superfiction”, could be a real highlight 0f 2011. Bring on June 28^th!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KEEQsf_jRNw

Times Of Grace  

For those of you that haven’t heard (where have you been?), Adam D of KsE has recruited former Killswitch vocalist, Jesse Leach as the singer for his new band, Times Of Grace. The music on offer is far more varied and experimental than you will find on anything by KsE, with slower, reflective moments and some almost country/blues influences sitting comfortably alongside the heaviness and throat shredding vocals, but the main attraction for me is hearing that voice/guitar combination again. If you loved the album, “Alive Or Just Breathing”, then this one is for you.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N__3185BYtU

Black Spiders

I want to start by saying that I am not really one for this whole 70’s revival/obsession that seems to be the “in” thing in rock right now, and that the entire album by Black Spiders, “Sons Of The North”, doesn’t really do it for me. However, opening track, “Stay Down”, comes across as the perfect blend of Therapy? and AC/DC (the riff is pure “Let There Be Rock”), and is definitely the highlight for me. Those of you who have followed the British rock scene for a while should remember main man, Pete Spiby, from his time with Groop Dogdrill back in the mid-late 90’s (they supported Therapy? a few times, incidentally). The album certainly has its moments, including the brilliant, “KISS Tried To Kill Me” and the aforementioned “Stay Down”.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0JudpLFUHSA

Deicide

I have been a big Deicide fan since a friend, Terry, introduced ne to them back in the early 90’s and I have always found them to be that most rare of beasts, the unique sounding death metal band. Most death metal, to me, comes off as generic and bland, and I find it hard to distinguish one band from the next. Deicide, however, along with the likes of Obituary, managed to retain the brutality with a distinct vocal style and instantly recognisable guitars. That said, their later output has been uninspired and forgettable. That has all changed with the new album, “To Hell With God”, Deicide are back on evil form, and are once again a force to be reckoned with. Just check out the opening (eponymous) track from their new offering.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_shqElApCJs&playnext=1&list=PL28E01BF1E5A830BD

New Blog Format/Layout

I realised today that I have been posting a lot of video links on Facebook, and thought that it would be good to accompany this with a blog giving my thoughts and opinions on said artists/songs.

This will provide me with a way of combining regular, hopefully interesting, blogs with reviews of new releases. This saves time on writing individual reviews and means that I will hopefully not find it as daunting and time-consuming a prospect. The reason I have let this blog slip is mainly due to lack of time, and the fact that I often find it hard to write a review of an album long enough interesting enough to be a standalone blog. This way, I hope it will be more fun (and easier) to read, as it is certainly a much more productive way for me to write. I love to share music and I can’t believe that it has taken me until today to come up with the idea of sharing music ideas and reviewing bands at the same time.

This doesn’t mean that I won’t be writing any more lengthy pieces, be it a review or thoughts, it’s just that this seems like a better way of keeping these blogs more regular and the subject matter more fresh.

These videos and blogs will be a mix of new music and old, and will be a way of sharing music that I am currently listening to and/or am being inspired by. It is the perfect way to give my opinions on new releases and for me to maybe introduce people to existing bands that I consider to be overlooked or just as a way of sharing great, timeless songs. My playlists change as often as my underpants, so who knows what will be included in them or how often.