Sepultura - Quadra review

Band: Sepultura
Album: Quadra
Label: Nuclear Blast
Release date: 7th February 2020
Rating: 10/10

I'm sure some of you remember how highly I rated Sepultura's previous album, Machine Messiah, when it was released 3 years ago. Well, I am pleased to say that Quadra is better. Much better.

Quadra is easily the most complete and well-rounded album ever released under the Sepultura name and it has everything you would expect from these grizzled veterans, from technical lead guitars and "tribal" drums to guttural roars and crushingly heavy riffs, but at the same time it is the sound of an ever-evolving band taking yet another huge evolutionary leap forward in terms of experimentation. On the first three tracks, in-your-face, full-on Thrash is the order of the day, before the tribal drums, strings and choral vocals are thrown into the mix and that's when things get really interesting. Andreas and Paulo are, of course, ever reliable, but it's Derrick's career-best vocal performance and the colossal drumming of "new boy" Eloy, along with the flawless Jens Bogren production work, that really elevate things to another level.

Quadra easily stands up alongside any of the band's "classic" albums and that this is the sound of a band celebrating 36 years of existence is nothing short of incredible. Sepultura have been on a creative roll since Kairos and have produced some of the best material of their career in the last 10 years, but even in the context of such consistently solid output, Quadra stands out. Sepultura have never sounded more vital or more inspired. They may not have the huge fanbase they once had, but when the music is this good, who cares. You can keep your nostalgia, I'll take the 2020 incarnation of the band any day of the week.

I know it sounds trite, but I genuinely can't find anything to fault Quadra on, and it seems to get better with each consecutive play, so it gets the rare, full 10/10 from me.

Standout tracks: Means to an End, Capital Enslavement and Autem.

https://open.spotify.com/track/7IhrZIRIAlSMLJwO35dDQc?si=9Hqc6ygSRLG4vngPMpGOSg

January Metal Highlights

We are, unbelievably, already a whole month into 2020 and I've (obviously) decided to resurrect my blog. The main driving force behind this decision was the sheer number of great albums released in 2019 that I would have liked to share with you fine people and as we know Facebook just isn't the place to do this. I mean, how often do YOU click on a link shared by somebody on your friends list? I know I don't do it often. Another reason for the blog squeaking back into life is that I have an overwhelming passion for music and I enjoy writing about it and sharing great new music with people who share said passion / interest. It is a labour of love for me and if some of you get something out of then that's a bonus.

Right, that's the introduction out of the way. Onto my first blog post of 2020, which is, as I'm sure you garnered from the heading, a round-up of January's best Metal releases. I will be aiming to do a weekly round-up going forward as well as the occasional review, opinion piece and some "best of" lists...you know the drill by now.

Annihilator - Ballistic, Sadistic

If I'm being honest, I've always found Canadian Thrashers, Annihilator to be hugely over-rated. I can't say their "classic" material ever did much for me and in my opinion, they haven't released anything of real note since 1994's King of the Kill. That said, prior to the release of new album, Ballistic, Sadistic, I was seeing a lot of websites / media types raving about how good it was and that it is their best album in many years. I remained cynical and refused to get swept along with the hype. It was a pleasant surprise then to click on the play button on Spotify and to hear the familiar and instantly recognisable Annihilator sound coming at me, but for the first time in aeons, it was really rather good, great even. It goes without saying (but I will anyway), that anyone expecting a modern Metal tour de force will be left wanting. No, this is an old old-school Thrash record, delivered at breakneck speed by Jeff Waters and his band mates, who are clearly having a blast. Ballistic, Sadistic actually IS the best Annihilator record for decades and moreover, it is just a good Metal record full stop.

British Lion - The Burning

Steve Harris steps away from his day job for the second time to vent his passion for good old-fashioned classic rock, but with a modern twist. The most noticeable difference between this album and the band's 2012 self-titled debut is that is a vastly improved and far more cohesive collection of songs and therefore feels like the product of an actual band as opposed to a side-project. The musicianship, as you might expect is flawless and the production gives the songs real life and energy. I wanted to avoid any Iron Maiden comparisons, but to my ears, vocalist Richard Taylor is more than a little reminiscent of  mid-late 90's Maiden vocalist Blaze Bayley which sometimes makes The Burning sound distinctly Maiden-esque...if Maiden were a classic rock band, of course.

KirK Windstein - Dream in Motion

After his many years playing in the likes of Crowbar, Down and Kingdom of Sorrow, you could be forgiven for expecting more of the same from Kirk Windstein, but on his first solo outing, he has really stepped out of his comfort zone and has instead crafted something far more interesting. Of course, that isn't to say that Dream in Motion is an upbeat record. It is, as you might expect, a slow to mid-paced affair with some ethereal vocals and beautiful groove-laden hooks.

Korn - The Nothing

Band: Korn
Album: The Nothing
Label: Roadrunner
Release date: 13th September
Rating: 9.5/10

Despite it only having come into my life a mere week ago, The Nothing, the (lucky?) 13^th album from Bakersfield legends, Korn is already my most listened to album of 2019 by far. These days, it’s a rare occasion that an album really gets my attention, rarer still an album by a band as established as Korn. How much hyperbole can be crammed into one review? Read on to find out.

From the instantly familiar jarring and off-kilter guitars which welcome in the first proper track, Cold, through to the very last note of closer, Surrender to Failure, The Nothing is just pure, unadulterated and unapologetic Korn and is an impressive and hard-hitting amalgamation of their entire career, neatly consolidated into one album. While the vibe of the band’s early work undeniably dominates, The Nothing still manages to sound fresh and innovative. Everything the older fan could want from a Korn album is here, just with a cutting edge, contemporary twist. The comforting warmth of nostalgia collides with the more mainstream friendly choruses and crisp production values of latter-day releases to create the band’s most well-rounded and experimental album to date. It just so happens that it also their heaviest since 1994s self-titled masterpiece, while at the same time being instant and accessible. Don’t for a moment think, however, that this is Korn by numbers as there are still surprises dotted around here and there. For the most part though, they don’t stray too far from the unique sound that defined a generation. Simply put, it gives me “the fizz”. Even for a band not exactly renowned for their upbeat and bouncy subject matter, The Nothing is an unsettling, uncomfortable and occasionally heart-wrenching listening experience as the lyrics deal with the overdose death of singer, Jonathan’s wife last year and his subsequent struggle to accept and come to terms with it. Standout tracks for me are Cold, H@rd3r, This Loss, Gravity of Discomfort and The Ringmaster, but you’d be hard pushed to find anything to complain about. Korn have managed to release an album which, in my opinion at least, is a contender for a career best and at this stage in their career, that is no mean feat.  

Folk Metal Bands C

C is a little thin on the ground as far as quality bands go, as is D, but just wait until I get to E...


Claim The Throne

Country: Australia

Recommended album: Ale Tales EP (2009)
Similar artists: Alestorm; Ensiferum; Alestorm

Clanrock

Country: Luxembourg

Recommended album: Out of Ashes (2004)
Similar artists: Horslips; Morgenstern; Corvus Corax

Cruachan

Like Arkona, Cuachan is another band which straddles the fine line between Folk Metal and Pagan Black Metal, but which I think deserves a place on this list, as they are one of the first bands, along with Skyclad, to introduce Folk music and traditional instruments to Metal.

Country: Ireland

Recommended album: Blood on the Black Robe (2011)
Similar artists: Primordial; Waylander; Skyclad; Arkona

Folk Metal Bands: B

Thanks to those who read my last post and especially to those who took the time to comment on here or on Facebook. Your time and feedback are greatly appreciated. 

B is a little sparser when it comes to quality bands than A, but there are some real gems here.

Bifrost

I'll start with a personal favourite and a definite on my all-time top 10 Folk Metal bands list, the criminally under-rated, Bifröst. Sadly, the band has been on-hold since the release of Mana Ewah back in 2016. I, for one, hope they decide to come back one day.

Country: Austria

Recommended album: Heidenmetal (2010)

Similar artists: Suidakra; Wolfchant; Svartsot; Equilibrium

Black Messiah

Country: Germany

Recommended album: Of Myths and Legends (2006)

Similar artists: Equilibrium; Wolfchant; Adorned Brood

Blodiga Skald

I was in two minds as to whether I should include these (rather daft) Italians on the list as they have only released one album, annoy me a bit by having a Swedish name and are a little ridiculous (don't even start me on the album art), but they certainly have potential and there are some fun moments on their debut.

Country: Italy

Recommended album: Ruhn (2017)
Similar artists: Finntroll; Trollfest; Alestorm

Boisson Divine

Country: Italy

Recommended album: Enradigats(2013)
Similar artists: Eluveitie; Korpiklaani

Bran Barr

Country: France

Recommended album: Les Chroniques de Naerg (2000)
Similar artists: Heol Telwen; Aes Dana; Cruachan

Bucovina

Country: Romania

Recommended album: Duh EP (2010)
Similar artists: Dordeduh; Marteola; Primordial

Folk Metal Bands: A

The following are the Folk Metal bands beginning with A that I think you need to hear. I decided against an intro text for every band, but have included one where I felt it was necessary. I have listed then in alphabetical order for now as I will be posting separate lists, at a later date, of the best bands and songs (including Spotify play lists).

Abinchova

Country: Switzerland

Recommended album: Verstecktke Pfade (2011)

Similar artists: Equilibrium; Kromlek

Acyl 

I was unsure at first as to whether or not to include Acyl as they are not Folk Metal in the style that most of you may be used to, rather they take their inspiration from the traditional Folk music of their original homeland of Algeria. But of course this is without doubt Folk Metal!

Country: France

Recommended album: Aftermath (2016)

Similar artists: Arkan; Melechesh; Orphaned Land; Sepultura

Adorned Brood

Country: Germany
Recommended album: Kuningaz (2012)

Similar artists: Wolfchant; Black Messiah; Equilibrium

Aes Dana 

Aes Dana, like many of their French contemporaries, opt for a heavier (almost Black Metal) sound influenced by the Celtic music of Brittany.

Country: France

Recommended album: Formor (2005)

Similar artists: Heol Telwen; Bran Barr; Eluveitie; Waylander

Alkonost

Country: Russia

Recommended album: Oktagramma (2018)
Similar artists: Dalriada; Arkona; Grai

Anabioz  

Country: Russia

Recommended album: There the Sun Falls (2014)

Similar artists: Arkona; Korpiklaani; Svartsot; Eluveitie; Amon Amarth

AnodhoR 

Country: Spain

Recommended album: Break the Silence EP (2016)

Similar artists: Alkonost; Frosttide; Claim The Throne; Drakum

Note: This is not the track I'd recommend, but is the only one on YouTube

Apocalypse Orchestra

These Swedish oddballs are definitely not your average Folk Metal band, but I feel that their Medieval Folk / Doom / Prog Metal hybrid sound means that they deserve a place on this list anyway.

Country: Sweden

Recommended album: The End is Nigh (2017)

Similar artists: Falkenbach; Circulus; Opeth; Forefather

Arafel

Country: Israel

Recommended album: For Battles Once Fought (2011)

Similar artists: Equilibrium; Månegarm; Ensiferum

Arkona

One of the heavier additions to this list, Arkona's sound straddles the line between Folk Metal and Pagan Black Metal but mostly falls, in my opinion, just on the right side to justify their inclusion. Besides, Masha is a beast of a vocalist, both live and on record. 

Country: Russia

Recommended album: Goi, Rode, Goi! (2009)

Similar artists: Alkonost; Dalriada; Grai

Auringon Hauta

Country: Finland

Recommended album:– Muinaisia Muisteloita, Noita Syntyjä Syviä (2010)

Similar artists: Nest; October Falls; Korpiklaani

Folk Metal A - Z

This is a project I have been (and am still) working on for a couple of years now and it's a big one. I've been a fan of the Folk Metal sub-genre(s) for almost 30 years now since coming across a Skyclad video on MTV back in the very early 90s.

Anyway, I have decided to list all of the bands I have heard in the genre (500 and counting) and to then break this list down into bitesize pieces / separate blog posts.

To that end, I have started to listen through every album by each band, starting with those beginning with (you guessed it) A and have listed those which I personally consider to be the best of these.

For each band I have then written a brief intro text and than have noted similar artists, before finally recommending the standout song and album. Still with me? Great...so lets get started.

to be continued...