New Music Round-Up: 18th January 2015

Sylosis

This Reading, England based band has been threatening to drop a classic for years now, but have always fallen ever so slightly short of the mark. Don't get me wrong, they have always been good, but they have never been great. With "Dormant Heart", they are set to silence any doubters and hopefully to make their mark and take on their European and North American peers on the world stage. The vocals are roaring and ferocious, the solos are wailing and widdly and the riffs are punishing. Nice!

Marduk

Sweden's Marduk are one of those bands that have always been adored by the music press, but failed to get my interest...until now. The new album, "Frontschwein" is a icy, groove-laden stomper, reminiscent of Satyricon and the very under-rated Khold.

Unearth The Kings

Next up is another promising British band, featuring members of Earthtone9 (Owen Packard) and Pitchshifter (Jason Bowld). With the sludgy, Southern Metal groove of bands like Red Fang and Kylesa, but with the memorable hooks and massive choruses of ET9, Unearth The Kings are promising newcomers to the British Metal scene. It might not be anything really original to your delicate ears, but as the three track EP is available for free (yes, free!) at the band's Bandcamp page (Here) you, quite literally, have nothing to lose.

http://unearththekings.bandcamp.com/track/rocks-boulders-mountains

Marilyn Manson

In case you haven't heard yet, the double M is back and when I say back, I don't just mean he has released another (mediocre) album. No, I mean he is back with a vengeance. He hasn't sounded this vital or energetic for well over a decade and long-term fans will find plenty here to rejoice about. He might not be as angry now and he certainly has no need to court controversy or to wind up the "mainstream", but I don't know if he has ever sounded so menacing. This is an all new, but equally sinister take on the classic Manson style.

Wednesday 13

Well, Mr 13 certainly has no intention of reinventing the wheel. This will be instantly familiar to anyone who has heard Wednesday 13 and his Horror Punk / Glam Rock / Metal hybrid before. It's not original, but it's fun...for a few songs at least. After that, the lack of variation can become a little grating.

Top 30 Albums Of 2014 - Part 2: 20 - 11

20. Mantar - Death By Burning

The debut album from Germany's Mantar comes as a welcome breath of fresh (putrid?) air. With a sound based in the Stoner and Doom Metal camp but which is led by a furious vocal reminiscent of Erlend Hjelvik (Kvelertak) and then complemented with the kind of grooves that Mastodon would kill for. Mantar might not be doing anything really original, but they are certainly interesting and know how to write a memorable tune. What more do you want?

19. At The Gates - At War With Reality

A band whose career seems to have run in some kind of strange parallel with British Grind / Death Metal legends Carcass, Gothenburg's At The Gates continue with this trajectory by releasing their first new album in 19 years (Carcass released their first album in 17 years last year). But, where Carcass pushed themselves creatively, while still retaining that special Carcass sound, At The Gates have instead opted to release a record that sounds almost exactly the same as they did in 1995. I know they say that if it isn't broken....and all that, but even if it isn't broken, it can be worn out. All in all though, this is a strong record that won't disappoint long-time fans, but it could and should have been so much better.

18. Arch Enemy - War Eternal

While already popular in their native Sweden and Japan, it wasn't until Arch Enemy replaced vocalist Johan Liiva with Angela Gossow in 2000, that their career really took off internationally. Sadly, as the years went by the band's albums started to sound stale, tired and forced, so when Angela announced that she was stepping down as vocalist, but was staying on to act as the band's manager and had helped to choose her own replacement, Arch Anemy got my attention for the first time in years. That she chose The Agonist vocalist, Alissa White-Gluz really piqued my interest and I now had high expectations of War Eternal. On hearing the opening seconds of the album's first single, As The Pages Burn, I was sold. A solid, powerful return to form from one of the leading lights in Swedish Metal.

17. Deathstars – The Perfect Cult

If you are already familiar with Deathstars then nothing here will come as a suprise to you. It's business as usual with the Rammstein meets Die Krupps Goth-tinged Industrial Metal that that band has made their own. They have their niche and they know how to pen a catchy tune and even though it isn't breaking any new ground, this is a cracking collection of potential floor-fillers. 

 







16. Kampfar – Djevelmakt

The vicious Black Metal rasp of the opening word, "Helvete" (Hell) on the first track, Mylder pretty much sets the tone for this record and what the album lacks in variation is more than made up for with the well-constructed songs and atmospherics. With its groove-laden, mid-paced, folk-tinged riffs, punishing drums and ferocious vocals, Djevelmakt is Kampfar's best album since Kvass (released in 2006) and if Norwegian Black Metal or even Pagan Metal is your thing, it definitely won't disappoint.

15. Cavalera Conspiracy - Pandemonium

Maybe I had set my expectations too high, but I personally found the previous two Cavalera Conspiracy albums to be a bit lacking. On Pandemonium, however, the brothers Cavalera make up for lost time and return not only to their heavier roots, but also take in their entire careers along the way. Pandemonium comes tearing out of the blocks and into your ears with opener Babylonian Pandemonium going straight in for the kill and it doesn't let up fpr a moment. It is a joy to hear what these once long-estranged siblings can do when they are properly on the same page. Pandemonium is ferocious, thrashy and exactly what long-time fans have been waiting for for years.

14. Anaal Nathrakh – Desideratum 

While not nearly as good as 2012's Vanitas, this is still head and shoulders above the majority of the Extreme Metal albums out there. Anaal Nathrakh may have started out as a raw Black Metal band, but they have gradually mutated into a more mature beast, bringing clean vocals, orchestral elements and even the occasonal electronic keyboard into the mix. Don't think for a moment that this means that the band has mellowed with age as Desideratum is still a vicious, nasty album that goes straight for the jugular...it just does so surreptitiously. 

13. Machine Head – Bloodstone And Diamonds 

Machine Head have been a mainstay on the Metal scene for two decades now but it has to be said, have been anything but consistent musically. Stylistically, the band has been through some rough patches over the years (Supercharger, Through The Ashes....anyone?), but have also released some genuine Metal masterpieces (Burn My Eyes, The Blackening), so I have a tendency to be a little cautious when it comes to a new Machine Head album. One positive is that in recent years the band's songs have become longer and less punchy which has allowed mainman, Robb  Flynn to flex his prog muscles and has often resulted in a more rewarding experience for the band's fans. I am pleased to say that Bloodstone And Diamonds is up their with the band's best and while it might not set the world alight, it should please existing fans and may even earn them a few new ones.

12. Cruachan – Blood For The Blood God

Cruachan always had tremendous potential, but in the past were hampered by the weak and reedy lead vocals of Karen Gilligan. So, when the band announced that they were parting ways with Karen in 2008 and that mainman Keith Fay would now be taking over the lead vocal role, I had high hopes that they would finally realise the potential they had previously squandered. That said, even I could never have expected just how much of a difference it was actually going to make. Blood On The Black Robe was the sound of a rejuvinated band - heavier, angrier and more aggressive but without losing their distinctively Irish Folk-influenced sound. Fast forward three years and follow-up, Blood For The Blood God has continued along this path, even managing to be darker and heavier than BOTBR. The one neagtive is the poor production job, but even that can't stop BFTBG from being a genre classic.

11. Eluveitie – Origins 

Eluveite have long since established themselves as a major name in the Folk Metal scene and Origins, the band's sixth full-length release finds the band in familiar territory. Their distinctive and instantly recognisable take on Celtic Folk Metal is still as potent as it ever was and although Origins doesn't scale the heights of its predecessor, the brilliant Helvetios, it still packs enough of a punch to ensure that Eluveitie are in no danger of becoming lost in the shuffle. 

Top 30 Albums of 2014 - Part 3: 10 - 1

10.  Obituary – Inked In Blood 

Florida's Obituary have always been one of the few Death Metal bands I have rated. This is probably due to the slower, mid-paced tempo of the songs and to John Tardy's distinctive, unique guttaral vocal delivery. That said, I have struggled to really get into anything the band has put out since they reformed in 2003. They have just seemed to lack the punch they once had and I had long since consigned them to the "used to be good, but now they are just ok" pile. So imagine my suprise and delight upon hearing Inked In Blood and finding it to be not only to be a great collection of songs, but the band's strongest release in almost two decades. Inked In Blood is right up there with The End Complete and World Demise...and I can't think of higher praise than that.

 9. Triptykon – Melana Chasmata 

When Celtic Frost predictably fell apart in 2008, assumably for good, mastermind and mainman Tom G Fischer wasted little time in returning to the fray with his new band, Triptykon. If the band's debut album, released in 2010, became an immediate Extreme Metal favourite, then follow up, Melana Chasmata is nothing short of a classic. Everything - from Tom's distinctive, mournful vocals to the crushingly heavy riffs and the expertly implemented female vocals to the acoustic passages - is cleverly and subtly utilised to maximum effect.Breathtaking.

8. Primordial – Where Greater Men Have Fallen

Irish Pagan Metallers Primordial have drifted further and further away from their Celtic Black Metal beginnings to become a unique and essential part of the wider Metal landscape. With each passing album, the band has further cemented its legacy with flawless songwriting and a sheer majesty that most bands could only dream of. That they do this with crushing, mid-paced riffs and (near) clean wailing vocals is nothing short of genius.

7. Einherjer – Av Oss, For Oss

Einherjer is a band that have been poised on the edge of greatness for their twenty plus year career but have always fallen frustratingly short of delivering THAT classic album. Well, ladies and gentleman, the wait is finally over. At its heart, Av Oss, For Oss (By Us, For Us) is an epic, majestic Pagan Black Metal masterpiece in the vein of bands such as Tyr, Månegarm and Thyrfing, but it is infused throughout with an off the wall, avant-garde flavour and has earned Einherjer the right to be spoken of in the same hushed tones of reverance as fellow Norwegian Prog Post-Black Metallers, Enslaved.

6. Blut Aus Nord – Memoria Vetusta III: Saturnian Poetry 

A band that has always received huge praise from the music press and the underground, but one that has always managed to pass me by. I have tried to listen to their music at vary times over the years, but never quite "got it". After a long time in a self-imposed exile of experimental releases, the band has returned to the Black Metal based sound they were reknowned for...and now it all makes sense. Don't get me wrong, this is still progressive and experimental, but this time it definitely falls comfortably within the (admittedly broad) spectrum of Black Metal. My advice is to forget all the hype around bands such as Behemoth and Watain and listen to this instead. A remarkable piece of work.

5. Northern Oak – Of Roots And Flesh 

I have been a fan of Northen Oak for a few years now, but even I didn't see this coming. Much like Robert Johnson at the crossroads, I can only put the huge leap forward the band has taken since 2010's Monuments down to a pact with the Devil himself. That isn't to say in any way that Monuments was a bad album (it wasn't), it was just a flawed album which fell a long way short of greatness. The same critism cannot be levelled at Of Roots And Flesh. This is a bonafide Folk Black Metal classic. There isn't a weak moment to be found here and the band has even allowed its Britishness to shine through in both the subject matter and the music. I'm willing to wager that you won't have heard a better Folk Metal album in 2014. Classic and essential!

4. Gormathon – Following The Beast 

Although you could spend all day picking out influences in this, the second album from Sweden's Gormathon, the end result manages to sound thrillingly different. If I was to try to describe the band's sound, I would say that they come across as a Melodic Death Metal Judas Priest with the clean / growling vocal combination of Scar Symmetry, but such lazy comparisons don't do them justice as this is no mere copycat act. Instead, this is the sound of a band trying and (for the most part) succeeding to make their mark and to carve out their own style of Metal. Nothing these days is truly unique, but Gormathon have had a good stab at doing something original with a well-worn and familiar formula.

3. In Flames – Siren Charms

Where to begin. I want to start by saying that I had long since lost faith in In Flames' ability to write a good song, let alone a great album. Let's face it, this is a band that has had more ups and downs than a bi-polar trampoline artist and one that has been on a downward spiral for the last decade. Now, I'm sure that it hasn't escaped your attention that Siren Charms is at number three on my list of the best albums of 2014. So what has changed? Well, the short answer is quite a lot. While, on one hand, the band has somehow retained vestiges of their distinct and reconisable sound, on the other this is a whole new In Flames. Pretty much absent is the Melodic Death Metal that the band has called their own for two decades. In it's place is a more 80's influenced Goth Rock / New Wave sound. Siren Charms is a mature, layered Rock (not Metal) record that is more akin to Depeche Mode than it is to Soilwork or to Duran Duran than Dark Tranquillity. This isn't the band that released Clayman and if the above description doesn't sound like your thing, then it might be better to stick to the old albums. If you approach this album with an open mind, however, you might find yourself pleasantly surprised.

2. Judas Priest – Redeemer Of Souls 

Judas Priest finally lives up to the hype surrounding the now nearly ten year old reunion with Rob Halford. That a band which formed in 1970 (44 years ago!), can sound so essential and vital in 2014 is genuinely astounding. There are, admittedly, one or two "filler" songs to be found here, but for the most part Redeemer Of Souls is a classic old school Heavy Metal record which will put a smile on your face and make you want to dig out your old biker jacket and bang your head.

1. Agalloch – The Serpent And The Sphere 

For me to try to do this album justice in a few lines would be nigh on impossible, so I will take a snippet from my own review from early this year: "Every chord, every cold, crushing riff and every drum beat has its place and purpose. Even the vocals, ranging from ethereal whispers and clean singing to the tortured roars and Black Metal rasps (being one of the only "extreme" things about the band) are used sparingly and always to convey a sense of atmosphere. This music is dense and deep to the point of being near impenetrable to the casual listener, but give it your time and full attention and you will reap the rewards". I think that pretty much sums it up. Unparalleled and peerless. There is no competition for album of the year as far as I am concerned.

Top 30 Albums of 2014 - Part 1: 30 - 21

30. Tengger Cavalry - Ancient Call

Ethnic / Folk Metal doesn't have to be a mere gimmick. When done right it can really capture the spirit of a country and its people...which is the case with Beijing's Tengger Cavalry. Playing traditional instruments and using Mongolian throat singing as a backing vocal, this band brings something genuinely new and interesting to the party and with Ancient Call being their sixth album in four years, show no signs of running low on inspiration or quality.

29. Slipknot – 5: The Gray Chapter 

Following the sudden drug-related death of bassist Paul Gray in 2010, many questioned if Slipknot could or even should rebound from it...fast forward to early 2013 and the band suffered yet another potentially devastating blow with the departure of drumming powerhouse, Joey Jordison. Despite these setbacks and the rising tide of negativity (apathy) from their fans, the band nevertheless began to write and record new material, leading to the release of the first album in six long years. Needless to say, the band defied any and all expectations and delivered one of their strongest collections of songs to date.

28. Iced Earth – Plagues Of Babylon

 

To quote my own review from earlier this year "Plagues…” has everything you could want from Iced Earth or from any modern metal album. All in all, this is a classy, solid and intelligent metal concept album in the vein of such classics as Iron Maiden’s “Seventh Son…”, Queensryche’s “Operation: Mindcrime” and Nevermore’s “Dreaming Neon Black” and I don’t think there is any higher praise than that." 'nuff said.

27.The Dagger - The Dagger

If you're looking for cutting edge, modern Metal, please move along - there is nothing for you here. The Dagger are the latest in a seemingly endless line of retro-inspired Swedish bands, but whereas most of these hapless acts try and fail to emulate their heroes, The Dagger seem to have tapped into the very essence of Classic Rock and have released an album that sounds like it could have been recorded by a supergroup consisting of members of bands such as (but by no means limited to) Kiss, (early) Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, AC/DC and Thin Lizzy. That they have succeeded with such aplomb is worthy of respect and with songs as strong as these, I can even forgive the blatant plagiarism on display. Leave your serious head at the door and just enjoy this for what it is - A great, old-school Metal / Hard Rock album.

26. Entombed A.D. – Back To the Front 

Back with a new name and an almost entirely new line-up, it could be argued that this isn't really an Entombed record at all but is a cynical move by LG Petrov to shift copies of a solo album. Well, even if that is the case, this is still the best Entombed have sounded for years. Fans of the band should find plenty of interest here.

25. The Skull – For Those Which Are Asleep

A potent and powerful marriage of Southern Rock, Doom Metal and rumbling Stoner Rock grooves - imagine Candlemass jamming with COC with elements of Alice In Chains - that manages to sound both classic and fresh at the same time. Of course, as the band is pretty much Trouble with a new name, you'd expect nothing else and they definitely don't disappoint. This is a mid-paced tour de force of an album.

24. MaYan – Antagonise 

Don't let the fact that this band was formed as a side-project by the chief song writer of Epica or the words Symphonic Metal put you off as this is more Dimmu Borgir than it is Within Temptation. MaYaN are heavy, yet progressive - the vocals are varied, the riffs are crunchy and the keyboards are as bombastic as you might expect. Despite the occasional tendency to veer into OTT territory, this is definitely worth a click on the link below.

 

23. Killer Be Killed – Killer be Killed 

 
I think we all know what I think of "supergroups", but this is far more than just a collection of B-musicians as KBK features no less then Max Cavalera (ex-Sepultura / Soulfly), Greg Puciato (Dillinger Escape Plan), Troy Sanders (Mastodon) and Dave Elitch (The Mars Volta). With a stellar line-up like that you might well expect the album to be a massive disappointment - but you would be wrong. This is a cracking album that deserves your attention.

 

22. Sólstafir – Ótta 

 With all of the lyrics sung in the band's native Icelandic, this was always going to be an interesting prospect. If you are already familiar with Sólstafir then you might well find this album to a bit of a suprise. TheViking Metal of old has given way to a more progressive, Post Rock style and much like older Alcest, the band's sound can be both harsh and beautiful at the same time, with icy Black Metal riffs and throat-ripping vocals giving way to sublime acoustic guitar and clean singing - there is even room on here for a banjo riff or two. Yes. Really.

21. Eastern Front – Descent Into Genocide 

Already promising UK Black Metallers, Eastern Front take a huge creative leap forward on their second album and where they may have sounded a little generic on their debut, this time they are carving their very own brutal niche. That said, if you are a fan of Thus Defiled, I would you expect you to find this album to be right up your street.

My 20 Essential Metal Albums Of The Millenium - Part 1: The Rant

Those who know me and / or read my online witterings will be more than aware that I am a real sucker - to coin a phrase -  for order and therefore nothing gets me as excited as a good list. It is something I have seen a lot over the years in magazines - often as filler, to be honest - and I feel like throwing in my tuppence worth. Again.

Unfortunately, what started out in my mind as a simple idea to present a list, turned into frustration at the sheer number of great albums released in the past decade or so that remain (relatively) obscure. Therefore, I have decided to do this in 3 parts. The first part will deal with my thoughts on the state and the perceived state of Metal in the 2000's and the other 2 parts will actually be the list. Ok, so here we go. Strap yourself in and prepare yourself for an indignant (and self-indulgent) rant as a prelude to the "main event"

I want to start of by stating that I am so sick of seeing the same old albums and bands in this type of "Best of" list and have become extremely bored of those people who seem to think that musical creativity ended along with their personal teenage years...People are obsessed with nostalgia and with saying that there have been no great albums / bands, etc since the 70's / 80's / 90's and so on. This is, quite frankly, utter bollocks! We live in an era where the musical landscape has changed drastically in a relatively short period of time, so of course the days of the million seller, although not yet over, are certainly on their last legs and where the music video has less impact than it did even 10 years ago. MTV, Scuzz, Kerrang! TV and the likes where still an important medium for bands to get their music out there even as the current decade rolled in and said videos often became ingrained in the psyche of viewers to the point where certain songs became scene "hits" and came to represent a particular "time" in music history...a few examples of this from 2000 / 2001 are 'Soil - Halo', 'Rammstein - Mutter' and 'Cradle of Filth - Her Ghost In The Fog'. All of these songs received massive rotation on said music channels so came to represent a "generation".

Yes, these were and are good songs, but good music didn't end with them and of course, there are still countless great songs and albums being released today. Lots of them. It's just that without the mass indoctrination of the radio / music video, we are less likely to notice them and so they make less of an impact. We also need to take into account ever-increasing importance of social media, which has made it both easier and harder for bands to get their music out there. With thousands of bands vying for your attention on Soundcloud, YouTube, Spotify, etc, it has become increasingly difficult for even the most amazing music to make it from the studio to your ears and many great albums might well have passed you by or been lost in the never-ending shuffle (button) of your Mp3 player. Without the reliance on the old business model of a powerful, international record label financing (at a cost) the recording and promotion of their music, it has become much harder for bands to reach a large (and profitable) market. The definition of a double-edged sword?!

I am very much aware that I'm rambling here, but my point (I think) is that there have been, literally, hundreds of fantastic albums released in the past few years that have slipped out without a big fanfare and without the benefit of a flashy video being played to death on TV. The albums in my list may or may not have sold by the bucket load and they might or might not have had a flashy video to accompany them, but regardless of their perceived popularity, they are in MY opinion, the best albums released in the last 13 years.

Part 2: 20 - 11 will be up in a few days.

New Music Round-Up: October 11th 2014

Decapitated

The Polish veterans return with a renewed vigour and a more groove-laden direction. I was never a huge fan of this band (or for the most part, Death Metal in general), but the past few years have delivered a slew of great Death Metal albums, from the brutality of Dyscarnate to the technicality of Dying Fetus and Decapitated now join the slim ranks of Death Metal bands that I am happy to call myself a fan of. Even if you are not a fan of the genre I'd recommend clicking on the link below as this might not be what you are expecting.

Striker

If I was to say that Striker are another 80's Metal obsessed NWOTHM band, you may well roll your eyes and / or yawn. Well don't...as these chaps are rather special. Marrying the classic rock swagger of Whitesnake and Europe with the NWOBHM sensibilities of Cauldron, Enforcer and White Wizzard and with more than a hint of Speed Metal legends, Agent Steel thrown in for good measure, Striker have really upped the ante.

Darkness By Oath

Imagine a band that sits (almost too) comfortably between two disparate styles - and two Swedish bands (the sadly defunct The Duskfall and the very much active, Vintersorg) as it would happen -  These Spaniards deliver a distinctive and brilliant take on Melodic Death with a slightly progressive tinge. The underlying vibe though is definitely the aggressively unique Melodic Death Metal of The Duskfall and although it may occasionally veer a little close to plagiarism at times, I'm more than happy to let it slide for two reasons: 1, this is great stuff and 2, The Duskfall are one of my favourite bands and are also one of the most criminally under-rated bands in the history of Metal. I am sad to report that during the preparation of this post, I learned that the DBO have called it a day.

Islander

There is only one Deftones and they are one of those very rare bands that are instantly recognisable and unique. Until now. It finally happened and I'm surprised it took this long for a band to come along with a sound clearly influenced by the Sacramento heroes. On one hand it lacks originality, but on the other, bands have to start somewhere...besides, there are worse bands to sound like.

Northen Oak

Coming across as something of a mix between the furious Black Metal of Mayhemic Truth, the Folk Metal of veterans Skyclad and the Progressive Metal of Opeth or even Vintersorg, Northern Oak are something of an enigma. Distinctly different from the sound of their mainland European cousins, Of Roots And Flesh finds the band exploring ever more progressive avenues, while managing to maintain their overall sound as that of Folk Black Metal. As English as Morris Dancing and Marmite, this album will probably be as divisive among fans of the genre.