tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25844351519993638312024-02-23T18:03:44.097-08:00Crinn's Official BlogMetal album reviews, interviews, technology reviews, concert reviews, etc.Crinnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05122610694878831723noreply@blogger.comBlogger516125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2584435151999363831.post-1157382373121926462021-07-22T14:46:00.001-07:002021-07-22T14:46:21.408-07:00AbandonedIf you find yourself here, probably pretty obvious that I am no longer involved in music journalism of any kind. I have chosen to leave this site up because of how much time and work I dedicated to both actively listening to music and writing reviews. I wrote hundreds of them, though, so feel free to poke around on here. You can find me on twitter @crinn0 come say hi :)Crinnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05122610694878831723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2584435151999363831.post-30016339346232066552016-02-29T14:27:00.000-08:002016-02-29T14:27:22.262-08:00Inhume - Moulding the Deformed<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4HJhKOcL4CGI6JyXlSMV6GlcE1t7sWn36lJU2K_rV0fcqWv88wQRvVkEghEd1rz23TYFEVHYKpNp2VT4hlgKnHQSWbAYGfcmkDBIw3Gf1am53ZRLRi4HDGfIRtSW0ey2iL11AQES64G3S/s1600/Inhume+-+Moulding+The+Deformed+-+Front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4HJhKOcL4CGI6JyXlSMV6GlcE1t7sWn36lJU2K_rV0fcqWv88wQRvVkEghEd1rz23TYFEVHYKpNp2VT4hlgKnHQSWbAYGfcmkDBIw3Gf1am53ZRLRi4HDGfIRtSW0ey2iL11AQES64G3S/s320/Inhume+-+Moulding+The+Deformed+-+Front.jpg" width="319" /></a></div>
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Today we are going to take a look at one of the much more
nasty and gritty death grind albums out there. Dutch band Inhume released
Moulding the Deformed in early 2010 through War Anthem Records. If you saw my “albums
of 2015” post from last month, you probably noticed that super brutal music has
not been a big focus of mine lately. There was only one brutal death album
mentioned, one death grind, and two grindcore albums; that was it. Other than
that it was mostly black metal and other styles. But I don’t really know what
hit me yesterday…on the drive home from a long day at work, I popped in a
Relics of Humanity CD and it just fucking clicked, and ever since then I’ve
been listening to nothing but the most brutal of music. So I’m going to take
advantage of this brutality streak and write a review (or two or three if it
comes to that). <o:p></o:p></div>
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After looking at some of their pages to get a better
overview of their history, it seems that they’ve always had two vocalists. Well
the one thing that I have to say about that is that I would never have known
that if I hadn’t been told because they both sound identical! One of the most
important things about this album to Inhume megafans is that this is the last
album featuring the last remaining of the two original vocalists of the band.
Seriously, 16 years is a long time to stick with a band, but this is the last
Inhume album featuring Joost Silvrants (also the longtime vocalist for
goregrind band Cliteater and even served as the vocalist for legendary band
Sinister in 2000). Yes, there are many different vocal styles that take place
throughout the duration of the album (in each song actually), but the
pointlessness of it all is that it could all just as easily been done with just
a single person…what’s the fucking point of two vocalists? It’s just like
Despised Icon, unless they sound drastically different (Nile, Exhumed, Dying
Fetus, old Carcass, Gorerotted, Intestinal Strangulation, etc.), What Is The
Mother Fucking Point? NOTHING! It’s a waste of time and money. But either way,
despite the pointlessness of the presence of two vocalists, the vocals do sound
good…very deep, guttural, diverse, and they complement the DEEP, rich tone of
the guitars and bass very well. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Speaking of the sound of the instruments (specifically the
guitars and bass), although they aren’t tuned down too low (most of my guitarist
friends say it sounds about C Standard), they are VERY deep. Obviously these
people wanted to make the grittiest and crunchiest death metal album ever by
going to the EQs and turning down everything and turning up the bass on both
the guitars and the bass guitars. The way everything is structured is the
traditional death metal chugchugchugchugchug. Other than the SOUND of the
guitars and bass, there really isn’t anything worth talking about
unfortunately. And that also goes for the drums. Yes, their drummer is an
amazing blaster, especially in songs like Wretched Worm, Deadbeat, and
Compulsory Infected, and also lays down some interesting patterns like in Sea
of Limbs. But 90% of the album is the exact same drum pattern with some blasts
thrown in here and there. Listen to the drum pattern on Pandemic…you’ve heard
it millions of times before, and that’s just about all you’ll hear on Moulding
the Deformed. <o:p></o:p></div>
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And that’s basically what the majority of this album is made
up of: the same exact shit you’ve heard before but with some unique twists
thrown in here n’ there. The BEST thing that I can take away from this album is
the mixing and how everything sounds. It sound disgustingly brutal and it’s
addicting and makes it a lot easier to enjoy the entire album in one sitting. The
vocals sound great and compliment everything well, and the guitars and bass
sound like rusty sawblades cutting through your speakers. But overall, this isn’t
something that I would go back and listen to again and again. But fans of
grindcore and brutal death would eat this shit up faster than anything. This
album gets 13/20. <o:p></o:p></div>
Crinnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05122610694878831723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2584435151999363831.post-33538507260699787832016-02-26T22:13:00.001-08:002016-02-27T01:26:38.434-08:00Gol - Habit Entwined in Horns<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX2T118yy6Eunwa3_Kzx_aFxdB0hcR-fL9EPhc35aQeT9JzctBVuV6bZtP2SjEJXOVD1bKUvu96CWQAfhJtr7tnavitTHiyGdFonxhyphenhyphenDbM6ZMUHphep77LVx_F25lEVASLYdEr3Aen54xD/s1600/golllllll.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX2T118yy6Eunwa3_Kzx_aFxdB0hcR-fL9EPhc35aQeT9JzctBVuV6bZtP2SjEJXOVD1bKUvu96CWQAfhJtr7tnavitTHiyGdFonxhyphenhyphenDbM6ZMUHphep77LVx_F25lEVASLYdEr3Aen54xD/s320/golllllll.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Habit Entwined in Horns is the second full-length release by
the Australian black metal duo Gol. This album was brought to my attention by a
friend of mine less than 3 hours after its release in May of last year. Me being
me, I jumped on and listened to it immediately just like every other black
metal release I can get my hands on. 2015, in retrospect, was a pretty damn
good year for black metal. So writing this review now, I’m also looking back on
the albums released by Mgla, Borgne, Archgoat, Ghost Bath, Drudkh, Gorgoroth,
So Hideous, Kres, and many other gems from last year and taking it all into
consideration. The biggest thing that I’ve noticed when looking back at 2015 is
the number of QUALITY traditional/generic black and death metal releases. The
past 3 or 4 years have been all about being progressive; with VERY little
attention being paid to the bands keeping the core of their respective genres
alive and strong. So we could say that last year (and hopefully this year will
be the same) was a return-to-stone type year for extreme music. But without
straying too far off-topic, let’s focus on Gol’s contribution.<br />
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There’s not really a whole lot I can report on this band. My
friend showing me this album was my first time hearing about them, and with no
website or social media pages other than a bandcamp (click that word and it’ll
take you to it), gaining a fanbase and attempting to make it big obviously aren’t
at the top of their agendas. The band is made up of two members: Goet Euryn on
vocals, guitars, and bass, and a human behind the drumset known only as Wretch.
The information on them on the Metal Archives lists them as having been in
existence for 10 years now and with 2 EPs, a demo, and of course the first
full-length which was released in 2011. So there’s a possibility that Gol is no
more than just 2 guys making some black metal in their spare time with no real
intentions of making anything big out of it (which is more than okay, I’ve been
in several bands like that). <o:p></o:p></div>
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With the quality and value of the production being a
priority for some black metal listeners, I’ll get to that first. Don’t be
afraid to crank this one all the way up; the treble is actually cut pretty low,
making it easier on the ears when at higher volumes. It DOES have a “wall of
sound” feel despite that one obvious change made on the mixing board. The
guitar distortion is thick but quite fuzzy along with the cymbals. And the wall
of sound-type mixing along with the fuzziness makes all the instruments blend
together in a way that brings out an eerie dissonance that I personally think
would be completely absent otherwise. The one downside to this is that the
amazing vocals are sometimes drowned out by the rest of the band.<br />
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As far as the sound of the different songs on the record,
there are 2 different types of sounds. Some of the tracks like Dionysiac Rites,
Fire and Gravel, Righteous Blood Shed, and Habit Entwined in Horns, have a very
dark, noisy, and dissonant sound similar to that of Aosoth or Sargeist (except
nowhere NEAR the level of Aosoth, but the same basic concept). The other tracks
(i.e. Not of One Skin, Black Rat Corpuscule, and Stillwater Commune) have the
old school kind of thrashy feel similar to the likes of Von and Satyricon. But
when put together into this album and listened to all the way through, everything
blends together PERFECTLY. The songs individually may have a different sound,
but as an album, everything compliments each other and creates a single
defining sound that stays consistent. That’s one of the things that, when
pulled off well, will play a HUGE part in my final opinion on an album in ANY
genre of music.<br />
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The biggest takeaway for me after listening to this album is
that this is living proof that the core sound of the black metal genre is still
very much alive and screaming. YES, we NEED bands that push the boundaries and
take whatever it is they play into new directions, but what the “prog nerds”
don’t seem to understand is that we need the generic bands just as badly. We
still need bands that just play straight-up what they feel like playing without
any fancy bullshit or images or trends or any outlandish efforts just to be
different from the rest of the crowd. It’s okay to play generic music, but ONLY
as long as it’s honest, real, and from the heart. That’s something I have a lot
of fucking respect for, and this album is a perfect example of what I am
talking about. I would recommend this album to ALL fans of quality black metal. Habit Entwined in Horns gets my score of 17/20. <o:p></o:p></div>
Crinnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05122610694878831723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2584435151999363831.post-91205283697981346772016-01-20T16:31:00.001-08:002016-01-20T16:31:37.294-08:00Abbath - Abbath<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPWgglHAFV4EHq31Fc3IvxelY47CfzhPSmLsORLN_ZSj2WOJVXzFC0mdjJbPaKOjsx7cSx4rLUFJgk9AkmOOGnDd54tCbLrupBrpltHWokb5fXUJ3Km1751Nd3-sOhk5BeH19dQEmowlfA/s1600/abbathcoverart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPWgglHAFV4EHq31Fc3IvxelY47CfzhPSmLsORLN_ZSj2WOJVXzFC0mdjJbPaKOjsx7cSx4rLUFJgk9AkmOOGnDd54tCbLrupBrpltHWokb5fXUJ3Km1751Nd3-sOhk5BeH19dQEmowlfA/s320/abbathcoverart.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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This album is Abbath’s statement that he alone is big enough
to be successful without using the Immortal band logo. After a
minimally-publicized split between him and the other Immortal members that
still left many of us with question marks over their heads, Abbath VERY quickly
put this together. He recruited the drummer from Benighted (who left soon after
the album’s release), and legendary ex-Gorgoroth bassist, King, almost
immediately after Immortal had publicized his departure and less than a month
later put a single up on the web for the world to hear. Considering that Abbath
was more or less the main songwriter for Immortal (him and Horgh collaborated),
it can be safely assumed that the sound that came naturally before is the sound
that will continue to come naturally. Except the vein of black metal that this album
sticks to is less atmospheric and more of a harsh and raw sound like Damned in
Black and Sons of Northern Darkness. With that said, the music from a number of
these tracks could possibly be ones that Abbath had originally written and were
intended for use on the next Immortal album before his departure. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Taking all of Immortal’s discography into consideration, my
expectations for this album are automatically going to be very high. Why the
hell should I expect anything less than Abbath’s best? ESPECIALLY when it’s all
about him now. But do we want something different from Abbath? Or do we want
him to basically carry Immortal’s flag since he was the key member in the first
place? Honestly I’m pretty sure that the majority of us want both, but only to
a certain extent. I, on the other hand, am leaning MUCH more towards the “Immortal
2.0” side. I want the next Immortal album, not something totally different.
But, of course, within reason, because artists will do what they want. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Every Immortal album tends to start with something really
fast; usually the fastest song off the album is the first track. The first
track that Abbath gives us is a fairly mid-paced headbanging track with some
fast thrashy parts spewed throughout the duration. Is it a good opener? Well it’s
definitely something we aren’t used to hearing but it doesn’t sound like
something that was slapped together so okay, we’ll go with it. It has almost
everything that I could ask from Abbath, except for the coldness. I know that “cold”
is a really odd word to describe music with, but the main attraction that I have
to black metal is the “cold” atmosphere that many of the genre’s creators
manage to deliver. It’s almost beyond words but that’s a term that is used by
many fans and metalheads to describe the grim atmosphere that makes black metal
what it is. But either way, the slow chugging riff will leap out at you and
grab your attention into a slew of headbanging until Winter Bane pulls you
under the surface of the ice. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Winter Bane feels like an Immortal song. It feels cold and
grim, it’s fast, it has a little bit of groove (something that Abbath really
experimented with in Sons of Northern Darkness), and the bassline is one of the
best I’ve heard in any black metal song since I first started listening to
music. Also on top of that, I might mention that the section that occurs after
the acoustic guitar solo is probably going to end up being one of my favorite
headbanging riffs of the year. The song takes a complete change in tone and
atmosphere by adding the melody and guitar leads that made All Shall Fall so
amazing. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Abbath’s vocals obviously haven’t changed…why the fuck would
they? Who would want anything other than Popeye telling you stories about
mythical beings flying around the frost-covered forests and mountains of
Norway? Could they use to be a bit louder? Yes…all of the instruments are so
loud that they’re partially drowning out Abbath’s vocals. And this seems to be
a problem in a lot of the music that I listen to…the vocals are drowned out by
the rest of the band. I like it when the vocals are just a tiny bit louder than
the rest of the band; I’m not the biggest fan of the “wall of sound” style of
mixing music unless it’s a really ambient style of music. <o:p></o:p></div>
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What continues to impress me with this album is how much the
Benighted drummer blends in. It sounds as if the Irish Kevin Foley has been
playing black metal his entire career. But then again, after looking through
his resume, it seems that his work as a live fill-in drummer covers a HUGE
diversity of different styles. He’s done live drums for a wide array of bands
such as Decapitated, Sabaton, Sepultura, Nightmare, and Destinity. But most of his
history is in grindcore, punk, and brutal death. Why Abbath picked Kevin out of
all the drummers in the world to be in his band? The only reason I can think of
is that they had been friends for quite some time and Abbath knew that he could
get the job done right. And obviously he knew that Kevin could get shit done
right because the drums are fucking amazing in every single song. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Instead of having only majority rule over the drawing board, we
get to see Abbath take a completely fresh, new canvas and paint exactly what he
wants to see without anything holding him down. We get to hear this man create
exactly what we wanted to hear: something that proves that he really is who he
is. Every single song on the album pins you to the wall with such speed and
aggression yet STILL manages to leave room for melody and brass linings. At the
end of each song, you don’t feel as if the wood fire was put out early, our
beloved Abbath avoids cutting corners and burns the wood down to ashes every
single time until there is nothing left to burn. Every song on its own feels
complete, yet when put together, the ends and beginnings of each song stick
together just enough to create a complete 40-minute vine of madness and beauty.
I’m giving this album 19/20. I can’t wait to hear what else Abbath has to offer
because he shows no signs of stopping. <o:p></o:p></div>
Crinnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05122610694878831723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2584435151999363831.post-69270794897598690772015-12-30T23:47:00.000-08:002016-01-03T17:56:11.461-08:00Albums of 2015The best albums of 2015:<br />
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10. Kannon - Sunn O))) (Drone)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbIpAJbQq05oy-waFMYPjOqHC1KbRdYo_15djkxY2v8_jb3RTJsZFvxGigYe9jfxfUyw0Fi9_WAyqR96576q8EncKlMHeU5gtL6PZpwrUAIOT6_kn6oeD3jecymEu35Qa3cA1XQ_gxfTqv/s1600/sunn250sleeve_210915cvr_web-1024x1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbIpAJbQq05oy-waFMYPjOqHC1KbRdYo_15djkxY2v8_jb3RTJsZFvxGigYe9jfxfUyw0Fi9_WAyqR96576q8EncKlMHeU5gtL6PZpwrUAIOT6_kn6oeD3jecymEu35Qa3cA1XQ_gxfTqv/s320/sunn250sleeve_210915cvr_web-1024x1024.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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9. The Apocalyptic Triumphator - Archgoat (Black Death)</div>
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8. Libertine Cyst - Lamentations of the Ashen (Depressive Black Metal)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9JknaYAtf51v-aqSjh89kwd7315dcvqOYz9HJH-IY8-VSVgU1y3DQ8T14JFAeVPmBYRn-Qw7Srs3FUEzcV69jsW4MUsDvm4kG-e-IT6saDANJ0GDxoWOkhkTB_EOSZObubY9ggswwS2-O/s1600/lamentationsoftheashen2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9JknaYAtf51v-aqSjh89kwd7315dcvqOYz9HJH-IY8-VSVgU1y3DQ8T14JFAeVPmBYRn-Qw7Srs3FUEzcV69jsW4MUsDvm4kG-e-IT6saDANJ0GDxoWOkhkTB_EOSZObubY9ggswwS2-O/s320/lamentationsoftheashen2015.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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7. Moonlover - Ghost Bath (Depressive Black Metal)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDd1UwVf0NjqfGZk3-qP-LF38TkS_J8d8DLsi9DzuGMl9oWdsUrlz7OQBu79y4aMbsiZ0kxJSyIIzQd61CT0iJzBVibCmMX1erOkTNRFfj0Q5CkueIVtJiCd-EqC-2xfG8PLwQb1KmMjUN/s1600/ghost+bath+moonlover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDd1UwVf0NjqfGZk3-qP-LF38TkS_J8d8DLsi9DzuGMl9oWdsUrlz7OQBu79y4aMbsiZ0kxJSyIIzQd61CT0iJzBVibCmMX1erOkTNRFfj0Q5CkueIVtJiCd-EqC-2xfG8PLwQb1KmMjUN/s320/ghost+bath+moonlover.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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6. Badlands - Halsey (Pop)</div>
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5. Enveloped in the Velvet Cloak of Midnight - Basarabian Hills (Depressive Black Metal)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTelU9NRSQ9xrBTX8y20MTJ7-0yJcghz3xhfieLXyDHCKI_918gXc-ps8BSVhQb0qbk6vbfV6c12mxPZNihowviFTgfwj5Dx1xbOcUWKFNUDTX0UwBuo_l3-zuuDrthiOMzI9Uz-2wZ0p7/s1600/basarabianhills+2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTelU9NRSQ9xrBTX8y20MTJ7-0yJcghz3xhfieLXyDHCKI_918gXc-ps8BSVhQb0qbk6vbfV6c12mxPZNihowviFTgfwj5Dx1xbOcUWKFNUDTX0UwBuo_l3-zuuDrthiOMzI9Uz-2wZ0p7/s320/basarabianhills+2015.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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4. The Anthropocene Extinction - Cattle Decapitation (Death Grind)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd3bDQ_AUutuuhnin5il8I9MB4JvYzlEBEjp8Fe6ZwE_mvLJDnop98-0lGaay-_iulNMU1aklG3gjBHMU_aYLwNrwr_MSZ1rewQM5aHQ-0q61GOvy7jwHIBDaS2WGtNQwlIbaGU35yEfoi/s1600/Cattle-Decapitation-The-Anthropocene-Extinction.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd3bDQ_AUutuuhnin5il8I9MB4JvYzlEBEjp8Fe6ZwE_mvLJDnop98-0lGaay-_iulNMU1aklG3gjBHMU_aYLwNrwr_MSZ1rewQM5aHQ-0q61GOvy7jwHIBDaS2WGtNQwlIbaGU35yEfoi/s320/Cattle-Decapitation-The-Anthropocene-Extinction.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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3. Ascendants - Oceano (Deathcore)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpKfW61FQ0p4gEnpjFt8L-YFg4dJgKFLDz6dLd4eWinjqpp6sgOQqlbaZhb1-PYD3991E_GEwJPu9HBarS_f1skcvRBp9wlldqyREf2dowKyHdGO3Rc3aI_suEnq1JUumLnQpPnjI_uaWd/s1600/Oceano-Ascendants.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpKfW61FQ0p4gEnpjFt8L-YFg4dJgKFLDz6dLd4eWinjqpp6sgOQqlbaZhb1-PYD3991E_GEwJPu9HBarS_f1skcvRBp9wlldqyREf2dowKyHdGO3Rc3aI_suEnq1JUumLnQpPnjI_uaWd/s320/Oceano-Ascendants.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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2. Archangel - Soulfly (Thrash Death)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7V1618YyNR3jJM8n-G85CNqQhxd8zrFo7Dl6dIghpLaM_Z00CchW3jtc1SiOAzTcKWYJgm-roTXdRnVuI0PsqkQissyqAgakULV0Qy2fmVlOKTz90WFpgfjci9jsQWe7ptNgJvPhpcRPe/s1600/Soulfly-archangel-2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7V1618YyNR3jJM8n-G85CNqQhxd8zrFo7Dl6dIghpLaM_Z00CchW3jtc1SiOAzTcKWYJgm-roTXdRnVuI0PsqkQissyqAgakULV0Qy2fmVlOKTz90WFpgfjci9jsQWe7ptNgJvPhpcRPe/s320/Soulfly-archangel-2015.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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1. Dark Before Dawn - Breaking Benjamin (Alternative Metal)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnvpHx60BSk97hnutkAG4QUXcoc_HXLg5pky3rGjB4p3xg0zIRtssQ7j44qN8jPaJw2wP2pdE9_CLjXavxEzcktEhPsABqHa0ks49HDose5mfbnJjEVymD4QgcqXX9XSXIBda_EGryK_pa/s1600/A1ZQ4%252Bo1gBL._SL1500_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnvpHx60BSk97hnutkAG4QUXcoc_HXLg5pky3rGjB4p3xg0zIRtssQ7j44qN8jPaJw2wP2pdE9_CLjXavxEzcktEhPsABqHa0ks49HDose5mfbnJjEVymD4QgcqXX9XSXIBda_EGryK_pa/s320/A1ZQ4%252Bo1gBL._SL1500_.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
other amazing albums in no order:</div>
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From the Abyss - Drowning the Light (Black Metal)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAd5m_deEnj0Vqx-ZQGjTYN7HpWLcfpYkW5GHx-8ALrBPw-3dEtvTXxflMjFpgpzbt8-pPVZR4iJkxV9RiIWkP5aVmepk5QfdjeAUbEICCdtjq41i9dqqgUIL2G1rqyL7ku_0M-Bx_wWDZ/s1600/drowning+the+light+2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAd5m_deEnj0Vqx-ZQGjTYN7HpWLcfpYkW5GHx-8ALrBPw-3dEtvTXxflMjFpgpzbt8-pPVZR4iJkxV9RiIWkP5aVmepk5QfdjeAUbEICCdtjq41i9dqqgUIL2G1rqyL7ku_0M-Bx_wWDZ/s320/drowning+the+light+2015.jpg" width="319" /></a></div>
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Exercises in Futility - Mgla (Black Metal)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKiolz9t_FEF1AOOz-NVEjSYw4p61cAX6AUzLWQAPoWFdftcLTU7y4349Wlfy33UpKURVciyDzpwbMDMD9GuGAqhGig_COuBJNbY766q72itEPeSq4aS65272uSChJ-Zurax3a7mXL0Nuo/s1600/mgla2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKiolz9t_FEF1AOOz-NVEjSYw4p61cAX6AUzLWQAPoWFdftcLTU7y4349Wlfy33UpKURVciyDzpwbMDMD9GuGAqhGig_COuBJNbY766q72itEPeSq4aS65272uSChJ-Zurax3a7mXL0Nuo/s320/mgla2015.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Na Krawedziach Nocy - Kres (Depressive Black Metal)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiTEmN-W7USk6Swz3N5oapgnPUOow6Mt8L4vD1kpU4INxkUUAn47pEe16V41OVWcE8R9l0SNnwGMqODf6p5LwwXc4WQ4z_EM_WU2h21WpAAUdVFQo5kvmYXGWiJnMgrzOHxjVYZQYJ71WM/s1600/kres.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiTEmN-W7USk6Swz3N5oapgnPUOow6Mt8L4vD1kpU4INxkUUAn47pEe16V41OVWcE8R9l0SNnwGMqODf6p5LwwXc4WQ4z_EM_WU2h21WpAAUdVFQo5kvmYXGWiJnMgrzOHxjVYZQYJ71WM/s320/kres.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Desire Will Rot - Fuck the Facts (Grindcore)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie7Kb4EDS1T69FbwTWbJ8OpYmniC8AXkSyLxNoXJfAuQlvWNTDThdqiuErjcs3VPnlv9FAxuGzYvwed7bjAp49pfv8-KnY_38fm2IZ5qAMcNbeQkHksIUD-U4MTcQCFnC_iZOeLQahw2CO/s1600/fuck-the-facts_desire-will-rot_cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie7Kb4EDS1T69FbwTWbJ8OpYmniC8AXkSyLxNoXJfAuQlvWNTDThdqiuErjcs3VPnlv9FAxuGzYvwed7bjAp49pfv8-KnY_38fm2IZ5qAMcNbeQkHksIUD-U4MTcQCFnC_iZOeLQahw2CO/s320/fuck-the-facts_desire-will-rot_cover.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Savage Land - Gruesome (Death Metal)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1RGtdiFsaK9kDgadalxnSzlpPwSvoH9bc8SQg8_EURJve3ub6Cdr9Lkdnbg6rS_Vap2pT0NIXLPNLwXCRjjLnyNsaA7Sftw_IxlFax6GFZbugBhJe5agjA-PIhFLQHhC5CdR1rJZCSWnM/s1600/gruesome.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1RGtdiFsaK9kDgadalxnSzlpPwSvoH9bc8SQg8_EURJve3ub6Cdr9Lkdnbg6rS_Vap2pT0NIXLPNLwXCRjjLnyNsaA7Sftw_IxlFax6GFZbugBhJe5agjA-PIhFLQHhC5CdR1rJZCSWnM/s320/gruesome.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Of Rain & Dirt - Ord (Black Metal)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSKUNZWrzeMwvg4-sRc6ywwQUMLQGGodpg9Ka6_RS2_5kmaLInKgixLa8H754UxR8C_zvVa-TRrAyXF87fCzVmX2iIYHTze9nkP5MPaR_8JjkWjWATFDFJXoy294M1sJIPX2BPwBCke5yY/s1600/ord2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSKUNZWrzeMwvg4-sRc6ywwQUMLQGGodpg9Ka6_RS2_5kmaLInKgixLa8H754UxR8C_zvVa-TRrAyXF87fCzVmX2iIYHTze9nkP5MPaR_8JjkWjWATFDFJXoy294M1sJIPX2BPwBCke5yY/s320/ord2015.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Instinctus Bestialis - Gorgoroth (Black Metal)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1_o5YfSU31XLYYhv1Oi1NlY96rjIrIHCZgQ_he2YOQN8Z-RE-4__mJx_UYTKuKxIjE2NEsovUUTY1g0WkYKkuE9T0YUi8lijmYgRtSG9zXWZc_DWgpSAhb-zDs-agMlt-7ydBZXQ5RwRf/s1600/gorgoroth2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1_o5YfSU31XLYYhv1Oi1NlY96rjIrIHCZgQ_he2YOQN8Z-RE-4__mJx_UYTKuKxIjE2NEsovUUTY1g0WkYKkuE9T0YUi8lijmYgRtSG9zXWZc_DWgpSAhb-zDs-agMlt-7ydBZXQ5RwRf/s320/gorgoroth2015.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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What Should Not Be Unearthed - Nile (Brutal Death)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKNhYv2Qqzdee_5nREHllFvYeWTgG12qyKp5zD3iWXv3Ro3VeyuZ_qgov6RYYt7cWiwTZ6NzW1yYpde-DR2oFOqeFbL4oi2HsIzHvkscYnBqgS9um3_ocR_78r1Khgi4AlQtLEbDM0DdF6/s1600/nile-whatshouldnotbeunearthed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKNhYv2Qqzdee_5nREHllFvYeWTgG12qyKp5zD3iWXv3Ro3VeyuZ_qgov6RYYt7cWiwTZ6NzW1yYpde-DR2oFOqeFbL4oi2HsIzHvkscYnBqgS9um3_ocR_78r1Khgi4AlQtLEbDM0DdF6/s320/nile-whatshouldnotbeunearthed.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Reflections Of My Suicide Melancholy - Sacrimoon (Depressive Black Metal)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW1wDBNi8CpgipK6OVx_SmdQKOP12JhjbbHn429leSrabX7tlpS_TxewcY_zRpDwL3MNMKUIJPuamq6UpdZ1qKQHejEA9J9M7qUpL2qeW4UFkpWSwgT2kEPFMFy6SpmsIhWShvrtp9z-q8/s1600/sacrimoon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW1wDBNi8CpgipK6OVx_SmdQKOP12JhjbbHn429leSrabX7tlpS_TxewcY_zRpDwL3MNMKUIJPuamq6UpdZ1qKQHejEA9J9M7qUpL2qeW4UFkpWSwgT2kEPFMFy6SpmsIhWShvrtp9z-q8/s320/sacrimoon.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Abysmal - The Black Dahlia Murder (Technical Death)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrRdrd3R7Gd8m5f0UhMB6T7nYrUsyKcn8kiUYUgD6HP-JzNNMvH_lIDRCeXcl76X3YjR3Xl4kkMd19k1AwNx85IVbGe7ocHG_Ry_QAW30SRdKHBqGn7edDmFH1lq5orlLTyL6o2HiDIBdY/s1600/The-Black-Dahlia-Murder-Abysmal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrRdrd3R7Gd8m5f0UhMB6T7nYrUsyKcn8kiUYUgD6HP-JzNNMvH_lIDRCeXcl76X3YjR3Xl4kkMd19k1AwNx85IVbGe7ocHG_Ry_QAW30SRdKHBqGn7edDmFH1lq5orlLTyL6o2HiDIBdY/s320/The-Black-Dahlia-Murder-Abysmal.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Apex Predator - Easy Meat - Napalm Death (Grindcore)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyH4XO9-nf0O7VziKSgPWT7bt3OoSU2AXy30AvgxB9L7xPNB8jUBXqbv26SkC5mnYsBvhn4PXeOjzCsUezl4oh91a35YPrNfE9hTIy2_WxJh40JmwlAzk4gAzxG6QjyVtiumOoefTWU9UJ/s1600/APEX.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyH4XO9-nf0O7VziKSgPWT7bt3OoSU2AXy30AvgxB9L7xPNB8jUBXqbv26SkC5mnYsBvhn4PXeOjzCsUezl4oh91a35YPrNfE9hTIy2_WxJh40JmwlAzk4gAzxG6QjyVtiumOoefTWU9UJ/s320/APEX.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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A Northern Meadow - Pyramids (Progressive Black)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6QG2QTF9y4_tlvbyDRr3EVZlnGSbMGDJXWUSqm4gSUPPDmyeyS9tFxfdYuHZgoUT4ppdz1EjikDsTlGPpUby4F3E-hDrD2aLuRhS43EwsU_mxOkFaHqfge5_NpSzcC8TIXfejNOlQcbY1/s1600/pyramids.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6QG2QTF9y4_tlvbyDRr3EVZlnGSbMGDJXWUSqm4gSUPPDmyeyS9tFxfdYuHZgoUT4ppdz1EjikDsTlGPpUby4F3E-hDrD2aLuRhS43EwsU_mxOkFaHqfge5_NpSzcC8TIXfejNOlQcbY1/s320/pyramids.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Lost Isles - Oceans Ate Alaska (Metalcore)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9gfDwuKqHJ7vpqRVaa_z9ROCXErZeTbjdQXtP7DpkifESZObKZxxncCx6BYWKGeIPdDs1f6HXHB9Fabb7spFv5IOQ4N6IaFpr9T5qocwzkNhgD1lJl-cZx9KDMJna3gCCeUB3Eis2zbSO/s1600/Oceans-Ate-Alaska.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9gfDwuKqHJ7vpqRVaa_z9ROCXErZeTbjdQXtP7DpkifESZObKZxxncCx6BYWKGeIPdDs1f6HXHB9Fabb7spFv5IOQ4N6IaFpr9T5qocwzkNhgD1lJl-cZx9KDMJna3gCCeUB3Eis2zbSO/s320/Oceans-Ate-Alaska.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Best EPs and Demos of the year in no order:</div>
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Skull Grinder [EP] - Autopsy (Death Metal)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmqbHyubPbtqeuDPGMESQwHuQjJ5PZjWQ1N7k21za18ojZ-2qO6Fe55qUaTwGNo6nw6IDWIcTq9FUyK3cUkYF4W15L8n83r_OUrIYsUXILsgrOR55hYb3TLQ3q6keQRdsu-3Wmgnt6oPAe/s1600/Autopsy_Skull-Grinder.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmqbHyubPbtqeuDPGMESQwHuQjJ5PZjWQ1N7k21za18ojZ-2qO6Fe55qUaTwGNo6nw6IDWIcTq9FUyK3cUkYF4W15L8n83r_OUrIYsUXILsgrOR55hYb3TLQ3q6keQRdsu-3Wmgnt6oPAe/s320/Autopsy_Skull-Grinder.jpg" width="319" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
there wasn't a whole lot of those obviously....</div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
Best/Most memorable songs of this year in no order:</div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
Failure - Breaking Benjamin</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Castle - Halsey</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Nephilim - Oceano</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Crescent - Basarabian Hills</div>
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Multiple Truths - Melechesh</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Dead Planet - Oceano</div>
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New Americana - Halsey</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Close to Heaven - Breaking Benjamin</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Archangel - Soulfly</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Cirice - Ghost</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Robo Kitty - Excision</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Manufactured Extinct - Cattle Decapitation</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Call to Destruction - Nile</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Blood Brothers - Oceans Ate Alaska</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
512 - Lamb of God</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Locust Swarm - Hate Eternal</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Crushed - Parkway Drive</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
What Got Wants Pt. 1 - Roger Waters</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Overlord - Lamb of God</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Repentless - Slayer</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Fire and Gravel - Gol</div>
Crinnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05122610694878831723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2584435151999363831.post-11109476131546030952015-11-23T10:51:00.002-08:002015-11-23T10:51:57.890-08:00Fit for an Autopsy - Absolute Hope Absolute Hell<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuvenEAA0TQgnpt-MMwtthBFsCORxWl3AE_RLtfe1lkyNS2n4KISJMFPmTLap__UUEeKdYSSuvxqkII6x1MxJhx7URPlBlsic8amV85BFWmFjDU-uxESm_2Y2JF64p9qQhnqsX2b8nMIlI/s1600/Fit-for-an-Autopsy-Absolute-Hope-Absolute-Hell.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuvenEAA0TQgnpt-MMwtthBFsCORxWl3AE_RLtfe1lkyNS2n4KISJMFPmTLap__UUEeKdYSSuvxqkII6x1MxJhx7URPlBlsic8amV85BFWmFjDU-uxESm_2Y2JF64p9qQhnqsX2b8nMIlI/s320/Fit-for-an-Autopsy-Absolute-Hope-Absolute-Hell.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Ok so as promised, I have my “part two” review of this Fit
for an Autopsy thing that I’m doing. Being hopeful that you decided that you
wanted to read the review I wrote of Hellbound before reading this one (it’s
okay if you decided against it), I know that I’m going to do quite a bit of
comparing of the vocals between this album and the last. If you DID decide to
read the last review, you are already well aware that vocalist Nate Johnson is
my main attraction to this band (I’m pretty sure that was the case with most
people). That being said, if you never really followed this band during their
career, you missed the actually unsurprising news that Nate Johnson jumped ship
almost immediately after Hellbound’s release. The band even said in their
Facebook post that they had been “Nate Johnsoned”. So yes, yet again, the dude
quit for whatever reason (this time it was right when they were about to go on
tour) without a single word to the public. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The tour that they were about to go on was actually one that
I attended. Given the praise that I poured out to this band in my review of
Hellbound, you can safely assume that I was fucking excited to see them. But of
course, the Fit for an Autopsy that I saw was not the same band that I was
hoping to see. Quick replacements aren’t easy, but fortunately some long haired
guy named Greg Wilburn immediately stepped up to the plate to ensure that they
would still be able to go out on tour. As much as I can respect and praise
people that take those kind of risks (learning an entire setlist in a few days
isn’t easy), Greg sucked. Not only did he barely do any deep growling, his
overall vocals were utter shit. I was upset and disappointed. Then not even a
few months into their touring cycle, the band announced yet another change in
vocalists (hopefully due to a large amount of negative feedback regarding
Greg). For whatever reason, I was so stuck in the “Nate set the bar so high
that I will never be content with anyone else fronting this band” that I never
even bothered to check out who Joe Badolato was or what he sounded like. Well,
he’s managed to stay in the band long enough to be the frontman on the band’s
new album in the place of Nate Johnson. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I’m trying my absolute best to not make the vocals take up
the entire review, so I’m going to start out with the overall style and
execution of the music. If you read my last review, the theme of Hellbound was
groove. Apart from the vocals, this is still my favorite part about that album;
especially when you put it next to their debut, which is pretty much as straight-forward
and stripped-down as deathcore can get. This new album kind of sits halfway in
between those two albums…well in some ways it does and in other ways it doesn’t.
It’s definitely much more straight-forward and basic than Hellbound, but it’s
not as raw and repetitive as their debut. Probably the best way I can put it is
that it’s a fairly generic deathcore album but many of the things that are
executed throughout the duration of it don’t feel generic in the slightest bit.
It’s a similar feel to Hellbound, where they make a traditional-sounding album
using non-traditional methods. Except this time, the non-traditional methods
are far, far fewer. The groove is still there; stronger in some places and
weaker in others, but it’s nowhere near as attention-grabbing. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I don’t even need to say anything about the brutality…actually
yes I do, because it’s far less than the past two albums, and guess who I’m
going to blame for that, Nate Johnson. Without straying from what I’m trying to
focus on, I’ll get back to him later. The brutality is still a primary element,
but the breakdowns especially are far less interesting. Yes there are some
great drops in the title track, Saltwound, and Storm Drains (a nice crushingly
slow one), but there isn’t anything memorable other than that. Although
everything was executed cleanly and with thought, none of the other breakdowns
left me splattered all over the walls in pieces thinking “holy shit what the
fucking hell was that”. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Moving on, the production seems to have gotten better and
better with each release. So have they been changing producers? No guess who’s
been one of the guitarists in the band since day fucking one: Will Putney. Don’t
recognize that name? He has produced/mixed/engineered/mastered (either all or a
combination of more than one of those) many albums including (but not limited
to) No Time to Bleed by Suicide Silence, Hate and Holy War by Thy Art is
Murder, Necrocracy by Exhumed, Structures’ Divided By, all three of Upon a
Burning Body’s full-lengths, In Dreams by After the Burial, and many more
(primarily) deathcore and metalcore albums since 2005. So why was the
production on the first Fit for an Autopsy album so shitty? Well who knows,
maybe he was trying to achieve what he did on Divided By and Hate where he
basically blew out everything. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Okay let’s talk vocals now. I’ve done my best to listen to
this with as much as an open mind as possible, doing my best to forget that
Nate Johnson was ever in the band. When you put this album all by itself
without any of its predecessors, it’s actually one of the best generic
deathcore releases of the past few years. THANKFULLY this vocalist isn’t
anything at all like what the temporary live replacement was. This guy can
actually growl. He has volume, power, range, and emotion. He executes every
song to the best of his abilities and gives 100%. Does he sound good with the
band’s music? Yes he most definitely does. Would I ever choose this album over
the other two Fit for an Autopsy records or recommend it first? Hell fucking
no. The vocals are a good fit, they chose a good replacement, but just like
Through the Eyes of the Dead and assumingly all the other bands Nate has been
in, he joins, enables the band to release the best album(s) of their career,
then leaves almost immediately with a bar set so high that next to no one can
reach it. The growls are good, but they’re not deep enough to make me happy.
Fortunately, Fit for an Autopsy did a better job at bouncing back and
maintaining their relevance and popularity than any other “Nate Johnsoned”
bands have. <o:p></o:p></div>
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They did good but not quite good enough in my book. Of course,
the majority of their fanbase have been more than happy with Joe as the new
vocalist, but I’m pretty sure everyone knows that their music will never be
quite as good. As I mentioned before, the music is far less attention-grabbing.
It has numerous spots that grab ahold of you and rips you to pieces, but the
album eventually drones on and leaves you with a sub-par follow-up to
Hellbound. Would I ever go off and listen to this specific album on my own
time? Probably not. But it’s DEFINITELY an above-average deathcore album and
there are a lot of far worse things being released right now. And if you are at
all a deathcore fan or a fan of this band, this album is going to be more than
enough to satisfy you with its crushing breakdowns, sweeping solos, and driving
grooves. It’s just not enough for me, Nate Johnson and Hellbound set the bar
too high. This gets a 14/20 from me. <o:p></o:p></div>
Crinnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05122610694878831723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2584435151999363831.post-35754727374419791392015-11-22T17:30:00.000-08:002015-11-22T17:30:54.222-08:00Fit for an Autopsy - Hellbound<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4SdVFdzW8UvdkA0WKjZ_nNWPBQDLj2VX-DLy8Ky_kIQmLhUIGsgjc7jWXM1hU9oPVIbpTrl4Gyg_5pDDtWFy4184GgwRC9pJgYSSWbW-2j5CtTeV3YsD-pBNdIYxZQCR973c-JV4Q4ucE/s1600/Fit-For-An-Autopsy-Hellbound.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4SdVFdzW8UvdkA0WKjZ_nNWPBQDLj2VX-DLy8Ky_kIQmLhUIGsgjc7jWXM1hU9oPVIbpTrl4Gyg_5pDDtWFy4184GgwRC9pJgYSSWbW-2j5CtTeV3YsD-pBNdIYxZQCR973c-JV4Q4ucE/s320/Fit-For-An-Autopsy-Hellbound.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I’ve tried to write something on this album ever since it
was released 2 years ago. Whether it is writers block or my busy outside life
or my busy mind, I haven’t gotten around to it. If I’m lucky, I’ll be able to
finish this review without something distracting me or running out of things to
say. And before you ask me, yes I DO plan on writing my thoughts on their
newest album; I’m getting sick of people asking me about it. Okay…in my review
of Malice by Through the Eyes of the Dead (here) I made a side note mentioning
the first Fit for an Autopsy album (I probably won’t ever write a full review
on it). This album that I bring before you today is the follow-up to that. Just
like Through the Eyes of the Dead and just about anything else Nate Johnson
touches, Fit for an Autopsy caught a lot of people’s attention very quickly
because of his vocals and hunger for crushing brutality. But because Nate is so
unpredictable and loves to leave bands at the most inopportune times without
saying a word, a lot of fans did their best to hold back at least SOME of their
excitement about Fit for an Autopsy. Anyways, when Hellbound was announced,
teased, and released, everyone was all over it. Oh lord I actually waited a
while to listen to it because I was so overwhelmed by overpowering response
from so many people. <o:p></o:p></div>
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If you HAVE NOT listened to the first Fit for an Autopsy
album, just take a moment and listen to the first track and then come back
here. Yes it’s brutality is near impossible to put into words, yes the guitars
are mixed so loud that you can barely hear anything else, yes the vocals are
amazing, yes yes yes yes. It’s great, but all you need to hear is the first
track and then you’ve heard the whole thing. That’s all I’m going to say about
their first album. The question is that if they’re actually going to do
something more than just chuggy brutality and breakdowns on Hellbound. <o:p></o:p></div>
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First impressions are important, and I do an in-depth
analysis on the first/opening track more often than I’m willing to admit, but I’m
going to do it again this time especially because it played a big part when I first
listened to this album (I think I was walking about my first college campus
after my classes when I first turned this on). The intro to the first track
sets the tone almost immediately once Nate’s (literally) perfect growls echo
through the recording. I came close to turning down the volume a few notches
out of fear for what was to come. But actually, the band takes their time
easing into things instead of just dropping everything on you at once out of
nowhere like the intro track of the new Oceano or many Thy Art songs. The drums
kick in and everything is steadily paced; turning things up a bit and adding
more things little by little. Then after one full second of silence they remind
you that this is a Fit for an Autopsy album. The part of the song that made me
smile and say “fuck yes they fucking did it” was right around the 1:50 mark of
that track, after they have their fill of melting you with blistering speed,
they drop the catchiest…is it even a breakdown? It’s some weird polyrhythmic
drop that is absolutely crushing. From then on I was hooked 100%. I was ready
to be slaughtered and torn to pieces by whatever they put on this album. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The element that this album has that is the most unique is
groove. It’s not all about brutality, it’s not all about the breakdowns, it’s
not all about doing anything they can to get the kids with stretched ears to
start swinging their arms around, groove is what I feel is when I listen to
this album. Best example is easily Still We Destroy (a song that sounds a
little too similar to The Purest Strain of Hate by Thy Art). I’m not sure how
it’s done…is it the way the drums are played differently? I can’t put my finger
on it but it’s amazing and I love it. For those of you looking for something
non-traditional but still with a traditional vibe, this album is EXACTLY what
you need in you library. Also the number of guitar solos is greater than their
last album. Actually now that I mention it, guitar solos in general are
becoming increasingly popular in deathcore. Remember the first albums by Oceano,
After the Burial, With Blood Comes Cleansing, Impending Doom, etc. when there
were next to no solos at all? Now you look at just about any of the latest
deathcore albums and guitar solos are taking a much bigger role. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The production of the album is amazing. I can hear
EVERYTHING and nothing hurts my ears. It sounds like a much, much cleaner
version of the production on Thy Art’s Hate. The songs all differ from each
other, but at the same time they all blend together like every good deathcore
album should. Although the album DOES maintain its energy and quality of sound,
the interest level dies out towards the end. I’m glad that they put the jumpy
grooves and skull-flattening breakdowns from Mother of the Year towards the end
of the album because otherwise I would’ve completely lost interest and turned
it off. </div>
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This album is very dark. It has an amazing vibe and
atmosphere with an intense focus on groove and head-crushing brutality. If you
want something amazing, this is it. For me, personally, the interest level dies
out in a few places but overall I love this album. It’s different, it has a lot
of unique elements and I would recommend it to just about anyone. This album
gets a 17/20 from me. </div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
Crinnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05122610694878831723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2584435151999363831.post-59499584291184134462015-11-09T12:50:00.003-08:002015-11-09T12:50:58.415-08:00Slayer - Repentless<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO8T7Gtv9jfNtuctj5LlehpzI8356R5OXy8vKa5_IZKtcdOLN2zuMVNAvk-mSaCeo8x48WDIONm_PremvKRTN-lrrnxpjf52BRZGvj1Jo1_Fyhb9zlG6dxEJc0KQSVPkIk2emC19AV_AAU/s1600/slayer-repentless.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO8T7Gtv9jfNtuctj5LlehpzI8356R5OXy8vKa5_IZKtcdOLN2zuMVNAvk-mSaCeo8x48WDIONm_PremvKRTN-lrrnxpjf52BRZGvj1Jo1_Fyhb9zlG6dxEJc0KQSVPkIk2emC19AV_AAU/s320/slayer-repentless.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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Slayer’s music has been highly criticized among both
hardcore fans and casual listeners since around the turn of the century. Some
say it started with Diabolus in Musica and others say it started with
Undisputed Attitude. Personally, I don’t really count the latter simply because
it’s a cover album and not a full album of original material. Of course one of
the obvious reasons that the past 3 Slayer releases (not including this one)
have been shrugged off by so many people is the simple fact that Slayer’s sound
has remained very consistent (some might use the word stagnant) over the course
of their career, but even more so with recent material. While you had them
doing some experimenting with different styles, speeds, and structures in
albums like South of Heaven and Divine Intervention, their more recent albums
have all stuck to the same formula, boring a LOT of people. <br />
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Personally, I am a huge fan of God Hates us All and World
Painted Blood, but despite that, I do agree that their material is much more
stripped-down and straightforward, more so in Christ Illusion than anything
else. But the reason why I am writing a review on Repentless and not any of
their other new albums should be obvious to anyone that knows about what the
band has gone through over the past what seems like 5 years now. Yes, the death
of founding member, lead guitarist, and key songwriter, Jeff Hanneman, led many
people (myself included) to basically say “well they put out a good amount of
classics, they did good, I guess this is it for Slayer”. But of course with the
amount of money the band makes and egomaniac (I’ll try to make this the only
time I drop that accurate label on him) Kerry King finally being in the lead
guitar and songwriting position, why would they stop?? When they announced that
they would move forward with King on lead guitar and that Exodus guitarist Gary
Holt would become the new official rhythm guitarist, most of the reactions I saw
were somewhere along the lines of “not excited, but okay sure why not”. <o:p></o:p></div>
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One last note before I move on to talking about the album
(sorry for my wordiness, it’s been months since I’ve written anything) is that
Dave Lombardo is no longer in the band (again). Being a HUGE Lombardo fan, this
upset me. But in an attempt to stay optimistic, the guy that they chose to
replace him is the most appropriate (and only) drummer to do the job, and that’s
Paul Bostaph, the guy that replaced Lombardo the FIRST time he parted with
Slayer (1992-2001). So okay, new lineup for this album consists of Tom Araya,
Kerry King, Paul Bostaph, and Gary Holt. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Slayer is a pretty predictable band, and that has worked in
their favor for the most part in the long-term. What I mentioned before about
them basically recycling their sound being unpopular among most people may be
SOMEWHAT true, I feel that Jeff Hanneman was the main factor that kept things
from going totally 100% stale. That’s what I feel kept Slayer on top; Jeff was
a master at creating simple, recognizable, easy-to-digest riffs and songs that
would get stuck in your head. Yes, diversity did end up becoming an issue as
time went on, but still, even after the quality of their music dwindled, there
were still amazing things coming out of Jeff’s head. It’s very easy to write a
Slayer-inspired thrash metal riff…why the hell do you think there are more
underground Slayer copycats than the world will ever know about? Why do you
think that most of the underground thrash bands you here are regarded as “sounds
like a boring version of Slayer”? The general public was pretty good at
predicting that King would only be able to emulate Jeff’s style and sound and
would never be able to continue it. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Moving on to the first three songs (not counting the intro
track): Repentless, Take Control, and Vices. What the hell does the opening
riff to Repentless sound like? IT SOUNDS LIKE FUCKING HANNEMAN. Who wrote it?
Kerry King. This whole song is actually surprisingly good! It has energy, groove,
it sounds like Slayer, and I am motivated to replay it almost every time I’ve
listened to it! Yes, the structure of the intro for the track is WAY overused
and is a common tactic used by Slayer dating back to their first album, but
admit it, 90% of the time, no one does it as well as Slayer (Havok and Kreator
are the only exceptions in a few cases). And this song is one of the best
examples of that. After hearing this song, a good amount of faith and
excitement in me was restored and I was ready to hear the rest of the album.
Maybe King isn’t so bad after all. Maybe after playing with Hanneman for over
30 years, he’s become so accustomed to his style and writing process that he
actually has the ability to write riffs just as good. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Take Control is a bit of a step down, but still very
promising and keeps the excitement and energy flowing. Classic Slayer sound,
but not really anything too memorable, making it easily forgettable. Vices is probably
one of the most unique songs off the album due to its lack in speed but huge
increase in groove (mainly in the drums). Great headbanging song, if you loved
songs like Exile, Skeletons of Society, and Live Undead, you’ll love Vices just
as much. This song is also where I started noticing something a bit off.
Although I loved the fuck out of this track, the speed and style changes within
the song felt much less dramatic than ever before. <o:p></o:p></div>
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When I noticed this, I went back to the other two tracks and
noticed that the changes that took place in the song were either minimal or nonexistent.
In previous albums, even though each song had the same sound or mood, there
were dramatic changes within most of the songs to keep things interesting.
Sometimes it was a breakdown, other times it was a slow song that would
suddenly break out into full speed with a guitar solo, or just a new riff and
speed altogether taking place halfway through the song, etc. There was always SOMETHING
thrown in each song that made it special or interesting. And that key feature
is one of the main reason that this album gives me the feeling that something’s
missing (I just couldn’t put my finger on it at first). <o:p></o:p></div>
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Is this what always set Slayer apart from the hundreds of
mediocre bands that tried to emulate their sound? The song structure? After
going through some of the underground bands that just sound like a bunch of
Slayer covers (some of them are actually really good) like Invasion, Battery,
Thraw, Amok, and Hatchet, and Beast, I can now see much clearer why most of
these bands seem so boring and..well…mediocre to me. And the second part of
this is going back to all the older Slayer songs that were written by Kerry
King himself, and I am hearing the exact same thing that I am hearing on both
this album and from all those other bands; monotony. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Kerry King is great at writing riffs and songs that are
easily recognizable as Slayer songs, but unfortunately, it’s not enough. Some might
say it’s because he half-asses it and doesn’t care, I personally think that he
is doing his best, but that his best will never be good enough. What’s another
way that you can tell? Listen to Piano Wire and notice how much it DOES change
in several parts…guess who wrote that…HANNEMAN. This is the one song that he
wrote that they decided to throw in, obviously out of respect and in his
memory. <o:p></o:p></div>
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As the album goes on, it starts to drone on. I feel like I’m
listening to one of the countless mediocre Slayer imitators when I listen to
this album. It’s not a BAD album and should definitely be listened to once by
anyone curious, but this is about as average as thrash metal can get; it’s
boring. Yes, the musicianship is outstanding…Bostaph is an amazing drummer,
Holt does a great job and fits in so well that you don’t even notice that he’s
there, Araya’s bass playing is great as always and so are his vocals, and King
does a fantastic job at shitting out some fun solos and is never sloppy as far as
speed and technique goes. Repentless is a song that, although remains the same
throughout, is very fun to listen to and has endless amounts of energy. But
this sounds old, tired, and dry. I honestly never thought that Slayer would go
from being the band that everybody tries to copy to sounding like all the bands
that are trying to copy them. This gets an 8/20 from me. <o:p></o:p></div>
Crinnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05122610694878831723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2584435151999363831.post-82307128329090912212015-07-17T22:36:00.001-07:002015-07-17T22:36:29.095-07:00Back Door to Asylum - Cerberus Millenia<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEeYnJJ38rB7Qu7bOrrZUy_TrpuU-SUnHO-lp2PmP1ZJfX1Sf6OQqyjFfpwkevJPFWBBAssQ3pACZzdZ7b3AMyCGc9jwYvE1i6vUsuMNYoW5lHLYF8B4YZXPQrX0jowoy0vOvMQtd2N8WR/s1600/Back-Door-To-Asylum-Cerberus-Millenia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEeYnJJ38rB7Qu7bOrrZUy_TrpuU-SUnHO-lp2PmP1ZJfX1Sf6OQqyjFfpwkevJPFWBBAssQ3pACZzdZ7b3AMyCGc9jwYvE1i6vUsuMNYoW5lHLYF8B4YZXPQrX0jowoy0vOvMQtd2N8WR/s320/Back-Door-To-Asylum-Cerberus-Millenia.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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A little under three years ago, I wrote a review of the
debut album by the Russian technical death outfit Backdoor to Asylum (of which
you can read <a href="http://nylon-ice.blogspot.com/2012/09/back-door-to-asylum-akathisia.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>). Nothing too outstanding for myself personally, but nonetheless
fairly solid and promising. So having decided to stick with the mighty
Amputated Vein Records for their second release, we now have the sophomore
release by this brutal Russian quintet, titled Cerberus Millenia. Amputated
Vein was my gateway into the underground world of the much more brutal side of
death metal and grindcore. By showing me bands such as Pathology, Disentomb,
Bloodboil, Cease of Breeding, Eden Beast, Visceral Disgorge, Mucopus, and many
other bands (most of which only released one album before completely dropping
off the face of the earth without a single word), this label has become very
important to me and I still follow them very closely. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Now that this band has been around for a bit longer and have
gained some amount of popularity, we know more about them. Back when I wrote
that review on their first album, I knew next to nothing about them. Two years
later, they have some credibility and a name now. The production on this album
is much, much better than their first. You can hear everything clearer and it
doesn’t sound like they recorded it in their garage. Their first album had some
guest vocal spots from some other underground vocalists (Fleshbomb, Gorgasm,
etc.) whereas this new album has some bigger names lending their vocals, namely
the vocalist for French brutal death band Benighted. But of course, to keep
things underground, they have a vocal spot from the Internal Suffering vocalist
and a guest guitar slot from some Russian guy that’s played in a bunch of bands
I’ve never heard of. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The artwork is fantastic, and was done by a Ukrainian guy
that also has done the artwork for the most recent albums by Aborted Fetus,
Fleshbomb, Delusional Parasitosis, Epicardiectomy, Cremated Lives, and most
recently, the new upcoming album by The Black Dahlia Murder. <o:p></o:p></div>
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A huge fad in this genre as of lately has been doing
whatever possible to be as technical and as fast as humanly possible. Bands
like Brain Drill, Rings of Saturn, Slaughterbox, Spawn of Possession,
Deformatory, and countless others have been introducing some of the fastest and
most technical recordings ever heard. Many of them have even been challenged
with accusations of recording at half-speed or using computerized instruments
in the studio and then speeding them up. But Back Door to Asylum does
everything 100% and keeps their music raw and pure. If there’s one thing I can
say about this band, it’s that they have matured immensely since their debut. And
because of that, and the fact that they play technical death in its purest form
with a little bit of added brutality, this is a great album if you are looking
for a solid example of what pure technical death SHOULD sound like. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Like I just said above, this band has matured and developed
their sound immensely. The artwork is amazing, the music is brutal as all fuck,
and the uniqueness of the basslines are unforgettable. The vocals are deep and
on-point, the guitars have just the perfect amount of technicality, and the
overall vibe of the album stays consistent throughout all of the songs. I would
recommend this to all fans of death metal and even to some that are looking to
discover some lesser-known artists. This album gets my score of 16/20. <o:p></o:p></div>
Crinnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05122610694878831723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2584435151999363831.post-74426244791079119802015-07-17T18:00:00.000-07:002015-07-17T18:00:20.045-07:00Decapitated - Blood Mantra<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzgLtCcZSIg7N8U7EF8Zi4SY6RgqLmySrV0o-R-z9SvJq8y-sY2jLq_-gGG7aCnhkykKF5EEPSwyCIfEzdguVMeIMUrpcX0QaBmJ61zczY4FBqE7mylhDjP6Tm3u1yVLWhfuMbSlIR-5bw/s1600/decapitated-bloodmantra.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzgLtCcZSIg7N8U7EF8Zi4SY6RgqLmySrV0o-R-z9SvJq8y-sY2jLq_-gGG7aCnhkykKF5EEPSwyCIfEzdguVMeIMUrpcX0QaBmJ61zczY4FBqE7mylhDjP6Tm3u1yVLWhfuMbSlIR-5bw/s320/decapitated-bloodmantra.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Last year, Polish technical death band, Decapitated,
released the highly anticipated follow-up to their critically-acclaimed
Carnival is Forever. Since their debut release in 2000, this band has developed
a reputation of being fairly consistent with the style of each release, as well
has never really having any poor albums. Having gotten much better over time
(their first two releases were better than average, but nothing compared to the
three that followed), it’s safe to say that they are very much among the much
better and most popular bands in there genre. One of the main reasons that I waited
to write this review is because I felt that the initial reaction to this album
of almost everyone (myself included) was kind of exaggerated and overly judgmental.
Those of you that remember the release of the title track from this album know
exactly what I’m talking about. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Blood Mantra, the title track off of the most recent
Decapitated album took everyone by surprise with its (as most people described
it) nu metal vibe. Upon the first 5 listens, I could hear this nu metal vibe
loud and clear; and like most people, I was honestly not too attracted to this
choice of direction. This doesn’t mean that I didn’t still get the album and
listen to it every once in a while, but it was definitely a major letdown after
Carnival is Forever. But now, fast-forward one year, and a few days ago I decided
to give it another honest listen, because usually if you don’t like something
the first time, it’s never a bad idea to give it a few weeks (or months) before
picking it up again. Because you never know how much different it’ll sound the
second time. <o:p></o:p></div>
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In retrospect, yes, the album DOES have some groove and some
bounce, but not that of a nu metal band, but more so like the kind you hear
from a thrash death band like DevilDriver, Battlecross, or Soulfly (no, not
their first three albums). But other than that, there really hasn’t been that
much change, so I think that the world heard some extra groove on that new
single, someone called out “nu metal!” and the world overreacted. But that
bounce is still present. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The sound of the guitar distortion can have a huge effect on
what a metal album sounds like. One thing that I loved about Carnival is
Forever is that the band abandoned the really loud, metallic, sawblade-like
guitar distortion for a much fuzzier distortion. Well, I guess that was just a
one-time thing because they’ve returned to their usual obnoxious metallic
distortion, except this time sounding a bit more polished and refined (probably
to help compliment the extra groove this album has). The drumming is a bit more
chaotic, as I said in my review of Carnival is Forever, this is the best
vocalist that Decapitated has had yet and I really hope he sticks with them,
and the band for the most part is very tight as they have always been. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Although not remarkable, this is a good solid technical
death album and I would recommend it to just about anyone. There isn’t anything
bad about it; it’s just nothing like Carnival is Forever, Negation, or Organic
Hallucinosis. Hopefully they continue making quality death metal and we see
more of them in the future. I’m extremely excited to FINALLY be seeing them
later this year with Soulfly and Soilwork. To conclude this article, I am going
to give this album an above-average score of 14/20. <o:p></o:p></div>
Crinnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05122610694878831723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2584435151999363831.post-37566328675489100912015-06-26T23:07:00.003-07:002015-06-26T23:10:57.884-07:00Thy Art is Murder - Holy War<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimKLOcVI6C-hcJPQsPY2O0qRrHt_BfGoQXDlkKzfkwcVRQUmXj76AuZn2U4IclO_bcDAnfAMzSPZX2qI863ZBA7k9EuENwXTVzy_zKBCBE63RcKUBhTccH7il4yQJ1T5ycpwYf11lLiD5I/s1600/thyartismurderholywaruncensored.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimKLOcVI6C-hcJPQsPY2O0qRrHt_BfGoQXDlkKzfkwcVRQUmXj76AuZn2U4IclO_bcDAnfAMzSPZX2qI863ZBA7k9EuENwXTVzy_zKBCBE63RcKUBhTccH7il4yQJ1T5ycpwYf11lLiD5I/s320/thyartismurderholywaruncensored.jpg" width="319" /></a></div>
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If you want to read my review of their major breakthrough
album that I wrote (totally by coincidence) exactly two years ago, click <a href="http://www.nylon-ice.blogspot.com/2013/06/thy-art-is-murder-hate.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>.
If you’re lazy, I’ll give you a recap. Deathcore band releases album in 2010
(The Adversary) that gets them really super popular in the underground scene of
the genre, Nuclear Blast notices and scoops them up. They then re-release their
most recent album at the time; Hate (originally released a year before in
2012). After that, literally everything changes for this band. In a mere 2
years, Thy Art is Murder have gone from being one of the newbies to being one
of the biggest bands in the genre. They went from being the first or second
band on the tour to headlining entire tours not only in their home country of
Australia, but also in North America and Europe; several shows selling out.
Please understand that a spike in popularity THIS big is in no way a common occurrence.
And it didn’t just come on its own; Thy Art is Murder played a total of over
340 shows in support of Hate. So now the Hate hype has died down a tiny bit,
what is probably one of the most anticipated releases in the history of this
young genre is now upon us. <o:p></o:p></div>
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My personal prediction of Holy War was that it would
basically be Hate pt. 2 since the sound that Hate has ended up giving them
their big break. Either that or they would take the easy route and release a
collection of 4-minute breakdowns. I don’t do this very often, but I decided to
watch a few of the studio update videos that the band was posting on their
social media accounts. Some of the things that were said intrigued me; mainly
something the drummer said. If you read my review of Hate, you get to see a lot
of me gushing over how amazing and near perfect their drummer is and how that
he’s the star of the show in my eyes. One of the things in particular I LOVE
about Lee Stanton, aside from his ability to execute, is his style of playing.
But apparently what we heard on Hate isn’t necessarily “his” style. The way he
was talking in the studio made it seem like he didn’t exactly have a particular
style that he preferred to stick with. So without being locked into an “I am
perfect at playing fast and technical with lots of blast beats so I’m just
going to keep doing that” state of mind, Lee mentions that on this album, he’s
aiming to implement more of a groove into his patterns instead of just playing straight
blast beats and crushing breakdowns. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Whether or not this means we will have a loss in brutality
on this album is unknown to me. And honestly, I’m okay with him branching out
like this because I trust that he will know how to deliver it properly without
compromising too much of what people love about his playing. Now that I’ve
listened to the album over and over again, he definitely did what he said he
was going to do. The one thing that I want to point out to you that may be a
bit worried is that he DOES still do EVERYTHING that he did on Hate. There’s
plenty of pummeling blast beats and crazy ass fills to go around; it’s just
that the majority of the main patterns have a bit of bounce to them instead of
just being straight-forward. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Two minor things that I would like to mention before moving
on are the production and the logo. Since they decided to work with the same
producer, everything pretty much sounds exactly the same as Hate, making for
actually a very good follow-up to the breakthrough album. Second, their new
logo is a million times better than their old one. I love a good looking logo; I
don’t give a fucking crap about legibility, if it looks cool, I’ll dig it. But
the old Thy Art logo just looked stupid in my opinion. And yeah, I know that
Nuclear Blast has a history of convincing bands to change their logos to more
legible ones (i.e. Fleshgod Apocalypse, Annotations of an Autopsy, Keep of
Kalessin, and a few others I probably can’t think of at the moment), but this
is one of the only cases, along with Keep of Kalessin, where the new logo is a
billion times better than the old one. Instead of looking like someone spilled
a bucket of paint and then slipped in it, Thy Art is murder truly has what I
think is one of the coolest logos in modern extreme metal. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I hear a lot of love for CJ’s vocals all the time nonstop. And
yes; he’s one of the best…not even deathcore vocalists; he has one of the best
death growls I’ve ever heard. But what I see is too many people saying “fuck
the rest of the band, check out their vocalist!” And although I can understand
how easy it is to do that with this band, I really want to be careful to talk
about the talent that the whole band has as a group because I don’t see much
talk about that aspect as I’d like. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The same guy that wrote all the music on all of their other
releases also wrote this album. Now comes some negativity that I must cover
before concluding this review. Although all of the songs on Hate generally
carried the same mood and sound, making the album as a whole very strong, many
(actually most) of the songs were VERY memorable to me personally. Whether it was
a certain breakdown, an intro, whatever it was, many of the songs carried
something very special that made them get stuck in my head after I was done
listening to the album. All of the tracks on Holy War are fantastic. Everything
is totally on-point; the musicianship, the creativity, the skill, everything. I’m
just not getting anything memorable from any of the songs this time. I don’t
know why…maybe something will start to reach out at me in a couple of years,
but nothing came out and instantly grabbed me by the throat like many of the
songs on Hate did. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Overall, this is still an album I would recommend to anyone
curious about their music. I do think that they really outdid themselves and
maybe even set the bar too high with the last album (not saying that’s a bad
thing). Holy War has most everything you could ever want from a deathcore band
delivered in the best possible way. Although going somewhat downhill, Thy Art
is Murder still lives and is going to continue growing and getting bigger until
they have bands like Whitechapel and Born of Osiris opening for them. Holy War
gets my score of 16/20. <o:p></o:p></div>
Crinnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05122610694878831723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2584435151999363831.post-74318054135088363922015-06-20T08:08:00.001-07:002015-06-20T11:38:06.506-07:00Breaking Benjamin - Dark Before Dawn<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7RzEwzTcXeP5dVnQxiaasjy2jZsBuJdf6LSUi3yVnO-K2EcVR-xBNKvngz3WusnackQIUozqxdXLkyiNzz9B5ho6hQxxl4J4hEPORGLVDRNoHxdm9Wmf4Xc93Kzx_DXo3RelX5vQF4XCq/s1600/A1ZQ4%252Bo1gBL._SL1500_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7RzEwzTcXeP5dVnQxiaasjy2jZsBuJdf6LSUi3yVnO-K2EcVR-xBNKvngz3WusnackQIUozqxdXLkyiNzz9B5ho6hQxxl4J4hEPORGLVDRNoHxdm9Wmf4Xc93Kzx_DXo3RelX5vQF4XCq/s320/A1ZQ4%252Bo1gBL._SL1500_.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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It’s been a while since I last felt motivated to write
something. And I apologize to those of you that enjoyed reading my reviews.
Those of you that know me are aware that Opeth is the only reason that Breaking
Benjamin is not still my favorite band. Taking my undying love for this band
into consideration, when this album was announced, I told myself that I was not
going to let that cause me to just blindly love this album just because of who
wrote/performed it. I was lucky enough to see Breaking Benjamin live at the
fucking top of their game with their full previous lineup. Unfortunately, it
was the last tour that lineup would ever do together. I’m not going to spend a
lot of time going over what happened after that tour, but long story short,
everyone except for their frontman and songwriter exited the band (two were
fired, one left voluntarily). That was in 2010; five fucking years ago.
Fast-forward to this year, Benjamin Burnley had obviously written a shitload of
material during that hiatus, and has now completely rebuilt the lineup. The
million dollar question begs what the hell the new Breaking Benjamin was going
to sound like. <o:p></o:p></div>
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To be honest, I wasn’t exactly too optimistic about Ben
completely re-creating the lineup. The musicianship and talent of the
individual members was a huge part of my love and respect for this band. Especially
that of bassist Mark and drummer Chad. But that all started to change as my
doubt gradually turned into slight optimism and intrigue, starting with a
YouTube video of Shaun Foist playing some Breaking Benjamin covers. Why this
guy? Well about half of those videos had “Breaking Benjamin drummer performing (insert
BB song title)” as the title of the video. He managed to capture and properly
maintain the chaotic and technical drumming style that has been tied to all of
Breaking Benjamin’s previous albums. But of course, those were just covers. I
can cover songs by The Black Dahlia Murder on bass guitar, but that doesn’t
mean I have the ability to write something of that level. So although I wasn’t
fully convinced, I was a little less worried about the future of their sound as
far as the drums go. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Then of course, in April, Hollywood Records posted the first
new Breaking Benjamin song in over 6 years; Failure. No one had any idea what
it was going to sound like. My main concern was that they would turn into
another power-chord driven radio rock band because all of the musicians that
Ben had recruited came from a radio rock background. But really, to my
surprise, this sounds EXACTLY like the old lineup. I actually cannot tell the
difference between the two lineups. And this made me realize how much Ben
really does write; this is his work. Hearing this song was not only a huge
refresher, but proof that Breaking Benjamin is truly back and was never going
to die out. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The first album reviews I ever wrote (back in 2009) were of
the first 4 Breaking Benjamin albums, believe it or not. And six years later,
after all of my reviewing experience, with the announcement of this new album, I
re-visited the band’s discography from a reviewer’s perspective and realized
things about them that I (obviously) didn’t fully have a grasp on back in 2009.
Some things I will touch on in this review, but there’s one in particular that
I’m going to spend some time talking about because I don’t think that many
people understand this about Breaking Benjamin unless it is clearly explained
to them, despite it being right in front of their fucking faces. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Alternative metal is such an interesting genre; bands
walking the line between hard rock/grunge and heavy metal as if it were some
sort of tightrope. Some bands, like Crossfade, Three Days Grace, Cold, and CKY
favoring the rock side much more, but still implementing distortion heavy
enough and breakdowns dark enough to be considered metal by some. Then there’s
the bands that are much more metal than rock, such as Avenged Sevenfold (no,
not including their first two albums), Trapt, Seether, Taproot, and Wovenwar.
Breaking Benjamin is the most unique out of all of these. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Instead of having a mix of some metal songs and heavy rock
songs, Breaking Benjamin perfectly weaves through the two, crossing the line
between the two styles multiple times in a single song. It’s impossible
sometimes to decide what they play because they will start a song off with one
of the heaviest riffs you’ve ever heard that fucking crushes you into the
pavement before sliding into a verse that sounds like a generic radio rock
song. There are bands that do that, but nowhere near the level and cleanness
that these guys do. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Another thing that makes Breaking Benjamin stand out from
the rest of these mainstream metal and rock acts is the complexity. Yes,
Seether and Taproot are great, but let’s be honest; they’re using simple drum
pattern, generic song structures, and power chords. Now take Breaking Benjamin
and listen to the level of complexity in the instrumentation compared to their
contemporaries. Not only does this just make the music more interesting, it
gives it substance and makes it a hell of a lot heavier. That, I think, is
fucking metal. The only radio rock thing about these guys is the
mainstream-friendly song structures and the melodic verses. Other than that,
with the exception of a few songs here and there, what they play is too heavy
and too dark for me to call rock. I can’t listen to Evil Angel and Had Enough
and fucking call that shit rock, I just can’t. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Back to my original point, though, this band..well…Benjamin
Burnley himself has one of the most diverse and colorful musical palettes the
world has ever heard. Yes, they always tour with other mainstream rock acts,
yes the majority of their fanbase groups them in with those bands, but they are
so much more than that. The sheer power and color of their music is far more
emotional and heavy than all of these other bands. The level of creativity
overpowers every other band in their genre, whatever you consider them to be.
It’s just not something I can just simply ignore right now. <o:p></o:p></div>
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As I said before, instrumentally, this sounds exactly like
Breaking Benjamin. It’s kind of hard to fully wrap my head around how perfectly
Ben fucking pulled this off. First, Breaking Benjamin is now a five-piece. Wait?
Their music has always been vocals/rhythm guitar (Ben), bass, lead guitar, and
drums, right? Yeah, except here’s what the new lineup is: vocals/rhythm guitar
(Ben), lead guitar, rhythm guitar/backing vocals, bass/backing vocals, and
drums. So they went from having one vocalist and two guitars to having three
vocalists and three guitars. I don’t know what’s with all of these bands having
three guitarists nowadays but whatever, I guess if it makes you happy. Maybe he
has an extra rhythm guitarist for further complexity in the guitar section or
to just simply have a stronger brick wall behind the lead guitarist…the world
may never know why these bands have three guitarists (other bands include
Whitechapel and Periphery). Obviously Ben still does the lead vocals, but
instead of harmonizing with himself, he has two other people harmonizing with
him, which could probably end up sounding very…uncomfortable (I can’t think of
a good word, it just wouldn’t sound right). But truth be told, you can’t even
fucking tell that the harmonizing singers are someone other than Ben. It’s
starting to freak me out how perfectly he’s managed to pull this together. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The styles of vocal harmony that appear in many of the songs
are very similar to the ones heard in Lights Out from Dear Agony. I don’t know
what the word is for it but it’s very unique and works really well with Ben’s
voice. But there’s a lot of playing around with that style of harmony in songs
like Breaking the Silence, Close to Heaven, and Bury Me Alive. After watching a
few recent live videos, it seems that the main backing vocalist is the bassist,
Aaron Bruch. But because of Aaron’s (I’m assuming it’s him) higher range and
Keith’s lower range, the vocals are all over the fucking place on this album,
making it much more interesting and unexpected for the listener. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Something that’s also being brought back from the We are not
Alone and Phobia days is breakdowns. Yes, I know they’re not the type of
breakdowns you’d hear from a deathcore band, and that’s because (surprise!)
Breaking Benjamin is not a deathcore band! But in just about all of the songs,
there is a nice crunchy breakdown towards the end. Once again, a major METAL
element that they use in their sound. <o:p></o:p></div>
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This album is unbelievable beyond what I can conceive. I
love everything about it. I honestly didn’t get my hopes up too high with this
whole new lineup thing; I didn’t think Ben would pull through. But he fucking
did, and together as a band they have managed to pick up right where they left
off six years ago without losing ANY ground what so ever. Breaking Benjamin is
a band that can satisfy both metal and rock fans alike. They have the heaviness
and complexity of a metal band while also having the traditional song structure
and verse styles of a rock band. This is by far one of the best comeback albums
ever released and gets a perfect 20/20 score from me. <o:p></o:p></div>
Crinnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05122610694878831723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2584435151999363831.post-15767559299094996292015-01-17T21:31:00.001-08:002015-01-17T21:31:59.421-08:00Acrania - Totalitarian Dystopia<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC2q-DLHlxtWTUvIOskdIq2NhTSXeVJ03nouj2WVjJF4Gy82CbQzlKvos8LBn8e17kfBeJ5cQ2gOa6Gwzo9SFDN-KvGHNjoOPAN_TF3pY3loNKG-oIKrw2KVQcvJGxRJhdykRlxdRrI5uW/s1600/acrania_totalitarian_dystopia_album_cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC2q-DLHlxtWTUvIOskdIq2NhTSXeVJ03nouj2WVjJF4Gy82CbQzlKvos8LBn8e17kfBeJ5cQ2gOa6Gwzo9SFDN-KvGHNjoOPAN_TF3pY3loNKG-oIKrw2KVQcvJGxRJhdykRlxdRrI5uW/s1600/acrania_totalitarian_dystopia_album_cover.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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Crinn is fucking sick of hearing about this band. Sick of
every deathcore fan he knows bugging him about this album. Acrania is a British
deathcore band that is going to get very big once they start doing some serious
touring. As if the hype generated by this album wasn’t enough, once they get on
some major festival or tour like Maryland Deathfest or Summer Slaughter, they’re
going to find themselves in a similar place that Thy Art is Murder is currently
in. And it’s not just the diehard underground metalheads that are raving over
this album, I’m seeing this band mentioned by mainstreamers (people that only
seem to know the biggest deathcore bands) as well, which of course is a good
sign for them, but in all honesty, I don’t think that they are as good as
people are holding them up to be. But regardless, let’s jump into this. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Their drummer is of a very fast, highly triggered, over-compressed,
and artificial-sounding style similar to that of Infant Annihilator, but is
mostly heard by technical death bands like Brain Drill, Slaughterbox, Rings of
Saturn, and Vale of Pnath. So in reality, this style and sound of drumming is
still very new to the deathcore world. Whether or not that is a GOOD thing, I will
leave up to you since my opinion on it is fairly neutral. What I can say about
their drummer is that, like the rest of his band mates, despite being very
young and having very little professional experience, demonstrates a ridiculous
level of skill. But skill alone has started to become a little too acceptable
lately, the creativity element becoming less of a concern amongst the metal
community. As long as you are able to play something that most other people are
physically unable to play, people will buy your music. The Acrania drummer does
demonstrate some creativity, especially with fills, but 90% of what he has
going for him is just pure skill. Like his blast beats that can be heard in
every song (especially in the beginning of the first song, an instrumental similar
to that of Fleshgod’s In Honour of Reason), they’re phenomenal, but not unique
in the slightest bit. And that leads me to the point of the overall structure
of the songs. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The structure of each song is weak. There, I said it. Shoot
me if you like, but to me, the songs sound…..confused. They’re either way too
predictable or they’re so unpredictable that the band sounds confused. Luckily
for Acrania, the different sections and structural elements that they use have
enabled them to just slap any of them together at random and still have it
sound pretty good. But it still sounds aimless, which is in a way okay because
this band is brand new and they have eons to improve their creativity and
songwriting skills. Because the key to writing good songs is structuring them
in a way that gives them a lot of replay value and just makes the songs
memorable in general. None of the songs on this album have that in any sort of
way. I gave this a listen because I recognized the Par Olofsson artwork and
decided “why not?” and I completely forgot what it sounded like after those
first two initial listens. Whereas plenty of other bands have songs where I will
replay it over and over after the first listen because I can’t get enough of it
and then I will remember what the song(s) sounded like for at least a week
after that first session. So weak structure and an overall lack of memorability
is the big issue that this album has, NOT FORGETTING that this is only their
first album and they can easily fix that in the next round. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Although none of this stuff is very memorable, I will say
that their vocalist is excellent. He has a VERY wide vocal range and he fucking
uses it. He can make a lot of different sounds and he fucking makes all of
them. He is an example of a musician that literally takes his performance to
his full capability and strives to do everything he can do and then some. When I
am listening to this album, his vocals are the main attraction, and is probably
why Unique Leader have been making some money off of them. Almost any sound you
could imagine being used by a death metal vocalist is used in this album. Even sounds
that aren’t familiar with deathcore music. As well as that, many different
speeds are used, which is something that A LOT of death metal vocalists attempt
and fail at. Many will either just go balls-out fast 24/7 or just go along with
the chugging of the guitars. But this guy is fucking good at everything he does
and he’s pretty much the only reason that I would listen to their next release.
<o:p></o:p></div>
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The guitars have nothing about them that I want to waste my
time typing about. Survival Sequence has some pretty cool guitar work, but that’s
the only thing about them worth mentioning that I can think of. Just thank fuck
they aren’t over-compressed like 80% of all the other deathcore albums being
released nowadays. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Acrania have brought forth what is obviously to their full
potential for the time being. It’s not super impressive, but it sure as hell
has been making a dent all over the world because people won’t shut up about
it. The songs are either too predictable or just fucking confused, but their
knowledge of different deathcore song elements has helped the confusion and
inexperience work in their favor. All this band is right now is skill. Their
drummer is so good that it’s almost hard to believe that this is first actual
legit album. If you’re a diehard fan of deathcore or downright brutal music in
general, give this a listen because it’s fucking powerful. But I’m looking for
something a little less…boring, per say. 10/20 as a good solid average score
for this one. Let’s see if they can improve their creativity next time. <o:p></o:p></div>
Crinnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05122610694878831723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2584435151999363831.post-72316759885584761912015-01-01T20:28:00.000-08:002015-01-01T20:28:51.531-08:00Agalloch - The Serpent & the Sphere<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXXcKzDr4cftYAFGiI-aJ38M5etZmPOVGCIsLoJ-MbHIyL6ix2FexsyQ-1zYjVlpRIEkqjOfYL-c9faYmsPBKefjLpqxTxbsudtO-tpHk6GSBM2kDSucA4TYJ8sikDUs1DQ6FdCYh0yiQc/s1600/agalloch+celestial+effigy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXXcKzDr4cftYAFGiI-aJ38M5etZmPOVGCIsLoJ-MbHIyL6ix2FexsyQ-1zYjVlpRIEkqjOfYL-c9faYmsPBKefjLpqxTxbsudtO-tpHk6GSBM2kDSucA4TYJ8sikDUs1DQ6FdCYh0yiQc/s1600/agalloch+celestial+effigy.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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Not being the type that keeps in close touch with their fans
through frequent social media and website updates and interview appearances,
Agalloch has proven to be a somewhat difficult band to follow. Their tours are
always small and there is never a significant amount of effort put into
promoting them. Yet their dedicated cult following that reaches all ends of the
globe fills every venue that they perform in and spend time and money searching
for their often times hard-to-find albums and merchandise. The announcement of
their latest album appeared almost out of nowhere, with no prior teaser or
warning. But woe, and behold, The Serpent & the Sphere appeared on shelves
during the summer of last year, marking their second release through Profound
Lore Records. This also continues the 4 year gap pattern in between releases
(obviously the band takes their time in crafting their works of art), and in
effect ending a very bothersome and impatient wait for myself since discovering
them a year after they released The Marrow of the Spirit in 2010. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Due to the fact that they aren’t nearly as sporadic and
seemingly lost like most progressive and experimental bands in the world appear
to be, there will forever be endless opportunities for Agalloch to take their
musical direction in without compromising any major aspects of what they have
already established. Some progressive bands strive to do something completely
new with each album; a risky, but bold step. When listening to each of Agalloch’s
albums in order, you can hear the gradual turns their sound takes over the
course of time. Pale Folklore being literally the raw blueprint of their sound,
and after going in a much more folk-oriented direction with the two following
albums, swing to the other end of their spectrum, their black metal side. The
Marrow of the Spirit toned down the acoustic and folk stuff that had attracted
all the hipsters and put much more emphasis on their actual metal side. More distorted
guitars, more blast beats, but still having that beautiful melodic atmosphere.
The Serpent & the Sphere basically takes that step even further, with more
raw instrumentation that doesn’t get caught up in guitar and vocal effects. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The reason for this direction is a total mystery to me. Usually,
when musicians start playing around with their guitar pedals too much, they get
lost in it and rarely ever choose to turn back and go to their roots (aka
Alcest). The vocals on this album (for the most part) seem to be totally void
of any reverb or other effects, which makes it sound like a lot of the amateur
underground local band demos and EPs I have in my collection. Not implying that
it’s a bad thing, but it just sounds like the vocals from a low-budget EP. But
regardless, it gels fairly well with the polished guitar distortion and soft
drums. There’s also the increased use of whispered lyrics during softer parts
that almost always grow into full-on screaming that’s then followed by the rest
of the band picking up. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The Serpent & the Sphere is the first album by this band
where I can hear the bass guitar at all times. Even when listening to it on
shitty earbuds or laptop speakers, I can still hear the growl of the bass
guitar strings vibrating against the frets. Agalloch is a black metal band, so
production and sound quality isn’t going to be something that has a lot of time
and effort invested in. But for some reason they had the bass guitar mixed in a
very common way in which it basically blends in with the rhythm guitar and adds
a massive lower end to it. But on this album, it’s totally separate. Once
again, not sure why they felt that this was the album to do it on, but it’s
nice to actually have an audible reminder that they have a bass guitarist. As
far as what the bassist actually does is mostly just those Steve Harris-style
triplets following the drums and base chords with the occasional sweep or walk
that breaks away from the primary chord structure. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I know this is my first review in at least five months, so I
apologize if my writing is a bit choppy and unorganized. If you haven’t seen it
already, The Serpent & the Sphere is the fifth best album of 2014 according
to my year in review list. What Agalloch will do next will remain a total
mystery and, if the pattern continues, we won’t find out until 2018. But until
then, I will be here, eagerly awaiting their next masterpiece. This album,
obviously, gets 20/20. <o:p></o:p></div>
Crinnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05122610694878831723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2584435151999363831.post-30124638812675084912014-12-25T00:42:00.002-08:002014-12-25T00:42:56.504-08:002014 in review: AlbumsThe best albums of 2014:<div>
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10. As the Stars - Woods of Desolation (Depressive Black Metal)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMPOgCMKxtvVOJoazZPh2EUPU4ZODAfaLPEBAmiqH0ghapR2wIwHBlQbgXzY3nsMi06GaOH7iogd-spIVTHBlwQgEy7A-Y9sy7ru5XPZ6vGrfsNmx1RFe0fEaXZ6HocJEdT5RNzMpQ2LvG/s1600/woodsofdesolationas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMPOgCMKxtvVOJoazZPh2EUPU4ZODAfaLPEBAmiqH0ghapR2wIwHBlQbgXzY3nsMi06GaOH7iogd-spIVTHBlwQgEy7A-Y9sy7ru5XPZ6vGrfsNmx1RFe0fEaXZ6HocJEdT5RNzMpQ2LvG/s1600/woodsofdesolationas.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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9. Misery - Disentomb (Brutal Death)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj63MABfFKmoCyrwzfV-ePfy1HnyQLefIbsxsA7_LaoV0v2rwncxywJ8DWH6p5JK1RhGcAKOMlyOUamd9xAdMCrVwGuWyB0s3QUjJfQ_zj-ZjYM5F1gJM0isTJzaHF9eva1YibgTpyMKjNX/s1600/disentomb+misery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj63MABfFKmoCyrwzfV-ePfy1HnyQLefIbsxsA7_LaoV0v2rwncxywJ8DWH6p5JK1RhGcAKOMlyOUamd9xAdMCrVwGuWyB0s3QUjJfQ_zj-ZjYM5F1gJM0isTJzaHF9eva1YibgTpyMKjNX/s1600/disentomb+misery.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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8. The Flesh Prevails - Fallujah (Progressive Death)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguH7tAL3MKFutYxLb9J6XSkKQLBOmg4YHrnuI_D_nCx3svW-VJjKUiJuZ6lmeqGJqjpclyZKve_J6Wo90PQmy5obDf284ZXV3es3DPpNaV9G6oQZHEm2t-C0zdAe7REYiPmnHG7TuFRcnt/s1600/FallujahTFPcover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguH7tAL3MKFutYxLb9J6XSkKQLBOmg4YHrnuI_D_nCx3svW-VJjKUiJuZ6lmeqGJqjpclyZKve_J6Wo90PQmy5obDf284ZXV3es3DPpNaV9G6oQZHEm2t-C0zdAe7REYiPmnHG7TuFRcnt/s1600/FallujahTFPcover.jpg" height="319" width="320" /></a></div>
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7. Something Supernatural - Crobot (Hard Rock)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAcD-f1KbRSEOwIdyKDrni82kkVZ9y1yhXHY63raj5ZqOujeByRN8Om6SXOD9D0tXqkY3ZF-iBUTBzNTv4Yo-P1LsDBQOcQm_Rk8R8BUNmd5GN-54o-alvqI17yBWFO9Omo3POnhkd9j4v/s1600/crobotsomethingsupernaturl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAcD-f1KbRSEOwIdyKDrni82kkVZ9y1yhXHY63raj5ZqOujeByRN8Om6SXOD9D0tXqkY3ZF-iBUTBzNTv4Yo-P1LsDBQOcQm_Rk8R8BUNmd5GN-54o-alvqI17yBWFO9Omo3POnhkd9j4v/s1600/crobotsomethingsupernaturl.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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6. Different Shades of Blue - Joe Bonamassa (Blues)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZDaIdu-xk9hdd_qkB8Hzhd-xrrm-xQBBV6KMVffJBtggN1DOFwyCO-pSGo89gk8IzpeqH7cw6CmjEyf3CTZ3CcI3PsGDG-9KmgDq-9IrvEHwFuvbymUkbHsqWC1mErwgkDF6vfNE6TiBQ/s1600/Different-Shades-Of-Blue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZDaIdu-xk9hdd_qkB8Hzhd-xrrm-xQBBV6KMVffJBtggN1DOFwyCO-pSGo89gk8IzpeqH7cw6CmjEyf3CTZ3CcI3PsGDG-9KmgDq-9IrvEHwFuvbymUkbHsqWC1mErwgkDF6vfNE6TiBQ/s1600/Different-Shades-Of-Blue.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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5. The Serpent & the Sphere - Agalloch (Progressive Black)</div>
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4. Pale Communion - Opeth (Progressive Metal)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtYVE57qp9iZSHyfQDs0brVrdcKYJdpKh0k1gKznQdcUMA8wN8krrx8CCPM89aaD-kDdTZMdGOp0bOFbIUGhqUtRMv4xknaCSZDoVklTBTufmG7S3Txe7zk2WqDFVGZzMbEd8n9XX6Bmbr/s1600/opethpalecommunion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtYVE57qp9iZSHyfQDs0brVrdcKYJdpKh0k1gKznQdcUMA8wN8krrx8CCPM89aaD-kDdTZMdGOp0bOFbIUGhqUtRMv4xknaCSZDoVklTBTufmG7S3Txe7zk2WqDFVGZzMbEd8n9XX6Bmbr/s1600/opethpalecommunion.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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3. The Joy of Motion - Animals as Leaders (Progressive Metal)</div>
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2. Shadows of the Dying Sun - Insomnium (Melodic Death)</div>
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1. Z2 - Devin Townsend Project (Progressive Metal)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBHemndhVKHzstMgtnvsBLhEdL7MGlCQu_NtVKC-8jSE7JD_n3ZhEJIRDWEgpB83xkxgr6AaRvaa39TJLUgHGzKZO1g471HgIAe0_f3vsrqdFxDImJ5G253QgGuW-52mhq4A5kxxCoPUDK/s1600/z2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBHemndhVKHzstMgtnvsBLhEdL7MGlCQu_NtVKC-8jSE7JD_n3ZhEJIRDWEgpB83xkxgr6AaRvaa39TJLUgHGzKZO1g471HgIAe0_f3vsrqdFxDImJ5G253QgGuW-52mhq4A5kxxCoPUDK/s1600/z2.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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The other best albums of the year in no order:</div>
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The Singularity - Scar Symmetry (Melodic Death)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTr0VevMKMslZIPlnrVqZ1e9-H-M5xDvLreWmk79AEHSaMIkw1i67TViPbu6nVBBRCKYsorTmEc6B1EY8fjWJaLMSxjEMA9LI_byZsGAPjmp1wCvx6lVLRXq9YB6vnhTBWd_wH_c5pPsAy/s1600/Scar-Symmetry-The-Singularity-Phase-I-Neohumanity.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTr0VevMKMslZIPlnrVqZ1e9-H-M5xDvLreWmk79AEHSaMIkw1i67TViPbu6nVBBRCKYsorTmEc6B1EY8fjWJaLMSxjEMA9LI_byZsGAPjmp1wCvx6lVLRXq9YB6vnhTBWd_wH_c5pPsAy/s1600/Scar-Symmetry-The-Singularity-Phase-I-Neohumanity.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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No Peace - Trash Talk (Hardcore Punk)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbB6xFRU7yYbxCC_9zhZhrschzuY8b3ajXmY64JAeQoKFhuhKZK3kOOlxo9M-Q2vS52qbMI1wrjRi2vj6L5HAXs8bI6IAAzth4tY12iIoYTkQckjc4yfqLbMEjO-O34hM3rYjp06d4oGbV/s1600/TRASHTALK_NoPeace_CVR_HR_1024x1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbB6xFRU7yYbxCC_9zhZhrschzuY8b3ajXmY64JAeQoKFhuhKZK3kOOlxo9M-Q2vS52qbMI1wrjRi2vj6L5HAXs8bI6IAAzth4tY12iIoYTkQckjc4yfqLbMEjO-O34hM3rYjp06d4oGbV/s1600/TRASHTALK_NoPeace_CVR_HR_1024x1024.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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Inked in Blood - Obituary (Death Metal)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZPqeSYoHq04iN45Z9eqRIy9nvVi6TA7UDxx2pBnsv9ZdqoKByI_8jHPUknEvGvz_djmpOi-5XBwcTHmkB_uw93zSElnVNIavfJ3SMUbxmkK0_h1n0JCfZGuGtOlMX5afQ6rWCNzZPp5xP/s1600/Obituary-Inked-in-Blood1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZPqeSYoHq04iN45Z9eqRIy9nvVi6TA7UDxx2pBnsv9ZdqoKByI_8jHPUknEvGvz_djmpOi-5XBwcTHmkB_uw93zSElnVNIavfJ3SMUbxmkK0_h1n0JCfZGuGtOlMX5afQ6rWCNzZPp5xP/s1600/Obituary-Inked-in-Blood1.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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Ominously Reigning Upon the Intangible - Relics of Humanity (Brutal Death)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuQJNomN8USIVTHwbwNpimgm-JKCfY6mu0QzMyyH9v1qNJR_qBJV5iRO1QpkfEPcaeHTQw60eaqvwIVMI7SRbK-1DkZ9zJoA3HcWwAg6Laiyvg3xp-sgi1zafU_zqkN87CNC9SPDVkbSMQ/s1600/relicsofhumanityomniously.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuQJNomN8USIVTHwbwNpimgm-JKCfY6mu0QzMyyH9v1qNJR_qBJV5iRO1QpkfEPcaeHTQw60eaqvwIVMI7SRbK-1DkZ9zJoA3HcWwAg6Laiyvg3xp-sgi1zafU_zqkN87CNC9SPDVkbSMQ/s1600/relicsofhumanityomniously.jpg" height="319" width="320" /></a></div>
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Hornwood Fell - Hornwood Fell (Black Metal)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwG-UTrPMrnrdjG1POYZoGGdwfFfV2ZOHHCor9Lt1bMYVWk2PbHk4Ub8LPgHN8SJj_gGdVZATr2rf46KIWaHBTI1Lgxyzrx_P1aU348atz0a4jY8H1FKKHEC0OC29aaYWkNcbL-OYpCVEv/s1600/hollowwoodfell.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwG-UTrPMrnrdjG1POYZoGGdwfFfV2ZOHHCor9Lt1bMYVWk2PbHk4Ub8LPgHN8SJj_gGdVZATr2rf46KIWaHBTI1Lgxyzrx_P1aU348atz0a4jY8H1FKKHEC0OC29aaYWkNcbL-OYpCVEv/s1600/hollowwoodfell.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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Massive Cauldron of Chaos - 1349 (Black Metal)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHqF8x70bJq88eULvC3tTioCqZG1Rt6axyH9t2jgJL9azODKZizWD4jSemxr0f3a5rJIZXpQw98JhX4-pLZwxPln_6_yKoindIadXA62OVLiQMyl9hKhyphenhyphenOk9PSG7M6X6zR8M0-GDvqc0hg/s1600/1349massivecauldronofchaos.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHqF8x70bJq88eULvC3tTioCqZG1Rt6axyH9t2jgJL9azODKZizWD4jSemxr0f3a5rJIZXpQw98JhX4-pLZwxPln_6_yKoindIadXA62OVLiQMyl9hKhyphenhyphenOk9PSG7M6X6zR8M0-GDvqc0hg/s1600/1349massivecauldronofchaos.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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Nedom og Nord - Iskald (Black Metal)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgthvXnZQp0D8i-TQ49vdypKTyZw_V58pbHY2KFVsPk3aeXHmY5waYBQAxgVcS7-mLkc1WUkldPd9MBiQTRt5qK-rpc5LB9Sa9kUzDv6nkhq9pLNmHXH-0hFUkvqyYNqv3zstNjpnW4EAjC/s1600/Iskald-Nedom-og-Nord.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgthvXnZQp0D8i-TQ49vdypKTyZw_V58pbHY2KFVsPk3aeXHmY5waYBQAxgVcS7-mLkc1WUkldPd9MBiQTRt5qK-rpc5LB9Sa9kUzDv6nkhq9pLNmHXH-0hFUkvqyYNqv3zstNjpnW4EAjC/s1600/Iskald-Nedom-og-Nord.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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Oathbreaker - Hoth (Black Metal)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJxJBszJITjnxsRSk7SuZt6IkCYfqIQethGFoDlOQ-HGoZFqKkdkit9iHLs2hoC9xNCIBsNDggpBFDTgVZUMMwBOdxCahsHVz0OPVl_rQ-pi0xFgXbNmbC5FGcLIqSlUSf9PFOcSPhrpia/s1600/HOTH2014444444.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJxJBszJITjnxsRSk7SuZt6IkCYfqIQethGFoDlOQ-HGoZFqKkdkit9iHLs2hoC9xNCIBsNDggpBFDTgVZUMMwBOdxCahsHVz0OPVl_rQ-pi0xFgXbNmbC5FGcLIqSlUSf9PFOcSPhrpia/s1600/HOTH2014444444.jpg" height="320" width="317" /></a></div>
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Dirges of Elysium - Incantation (Death Metal)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJxVZn-h6b5xcc3lbqAo4oYfeHGZVejBXnddGtFtXW4i_-xVTkO4mn1AdL0tZEd6dx167hBZQgS-AIkHN-bUq9q9f1JRzjuIEiswSKf2aupIpSWfWFL8DjpCbJR26G3CA8LC7r4w9kBqvz/s1600/Incantation-Dirges-of-Elysium-Hi-Res.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJxVZn-h6b5xcc3lbqAo4oYfeHGZVejBXnddGtFtXW4i_-xVTkO4mn1AdL0tZEd6dx167hBZQgS-AIkHN-bUq9q9f1JRzjuIEiswSKf2aupIpSWfWFL8DjpCbJR26G3CA8LC7r4w9kBqvz/s1600/Incantation-Dirges-of-Elysium-Hi-Res.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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Faen I Helvete - Den Saakalde (Black Metal)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigb9BQ16ZPT9fPeY-cxrzbQay066gwAG0uv7jZ7Ip-nWYlIFCK1gX_b_GWPHntOMRVPq66DkWm7WKJDN7osKkce2jCwTNAYSE8Vm-rKGn5fcc_yYPWb-QG1DL7ZkxuPotpo54HwcY0oJOw/s1600/densaakaldte_faenihelvete.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigb9BQ16ZPT9fPeY-cxrzbQay066gwAG0uv7jZ7Ip-nWYlIFCK1gX_b_GWPHntOMRVPq66DkWm7WKJDN7osKkce2jCwTNAYSE8Vm-rKGn5fcc_yYPWb-QG1DL7ZkxuPotpo54HwcY0oJOw/s1600/densaakaldte_faenihelvete.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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Tibi et Igni - Vader (Death Metal)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8E0R7ls4L5Z5I02JZ5VbhbN5c0ELlGg6xziAqK3dp7KD4a85KuFB9k7SP6Z8YQZo2KZrhNWEnyTco5oSkbygsZyzWQFgNZmxeCKcq0X6RYXymkB5R93rmKbbJIAP2bwvDFvoK0I0YkkRK/s1600/VADER-TIBIETIGNI.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8E0R7ls4L5Z5I02JZ5VbhbN5c0ELlGg6xziAqK3dp7KD4a85KuFB9k7SP6Z8YQZo2KZrhNWEnyTco5oSkbygsZyzWQFgNZmxeCKcq0X6RYXymkB5R93rmKbbJIAP2bwvDFvoK0I0YkkRK/s1600/VADER-TIBIETIGNI.jpg" height="320" width="316" /></a></div>
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Elder Giants - Sun Worship (Black Metal)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieuutsm2t2trx59ptF1oyuJFbWs-am4GHXbWFLFYnaITRkawFJ38KLmpAgyIZoKrUZlcZ4IIefmuzkvREcLsCeewUixBPR3icp0w_8MagYP1dFb2tPvKkqVsiLQyPqzKsu2eCXUAbeucuY/s1600/sunworship.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieuutsm2t2trx59ptF1oyuJFbWs-am4GHXbWFLFYnaITRkawFJ38KLmpAgyIZoKrUZlcZ4IIefmuzkvREcLsCeewUixBPR3icp0w_8MagYP1dFb2tPvKkqVsiLQyPqzKsu2eCXUAbeucuY/s1600/sunworship.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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Urzeigeist - Raunacht (Black Metal)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkSUG8sDsfIoRz4QoUUTC-m_LzD651ARPUdMQDYH3Fp8tWogmHP7jtwKZvDnBbVN5xiziDJDw_uPDTOPARiBqpBsYNTaCyei7LMiL8jIRupgt0XoADGLoo7-Ax7jVGssUZiEjMJ_3an-T5/s1600/rauhnacht2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkSUG8sDsfIoRz4QoUUTC-m_LzD651ARPUdMQDYH3Fp8tWogmHP7jtwKZvDnBbVN5xiziDJDw_uPDTOPARiBqpBsYNTaCyei7LMiL8jIRupgt0XoADGLoo7-Ax7jVGssUZiEjMJ_3an-T5/s1600/rauhnacht2.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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Venereal Dawn - Dark Fortress (Black Metal)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7T4hGecyxOkMnz7FRMCar8hFv3JzhzGOoTXKvDLQuWmf26o3H6zMRxT6ZwokHgrgVvsomtnham7mcdXhZIcqtqrAheZlMAhq2MGJPdr4GgJfei-qB6-qlRzDnbHUrlAhlNaefjNjeIEuA/s1600/Dark-Fortress-Venereal-Dawn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7T4hGecyxOkMnz7FRMCar8hFv3JzhzGOoTXKvDLQuWmf26o3H6zMRxT6ZwokHgrgVvsomtnham7mcdXhZIcqtqrAheZlMAhq2MGJPdr4GgJfei-qB6-qlRzDnbHUrlAhlNaefjNjeIEuA/s1600/Dark-Fortress-Venereal-Dawn.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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Cthulhu - Ceremonial Castings (Progressive Black)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWNQ48i8voVSRIuTCPrUs1CVmlMleFknV8gSzb2wwEQa5Q78QxThQIoAOaUtfHvMWr_4spHvAwCQ_eLqCKmg0qi7Ec1M5mUMBAiU9rOyJZzg4JpfuDz4pW4twwaFyPC-ARfRLHWWltlGtG/s1600/Ceremonial-Castings-Cthulhu.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWNQ48i8voVSRIuTCPrUs1CVmlMleFknV8gSzb2wwEQa5Q78QxThQIoAOaUtfHvMWr_4spHvAwCQ_eLqCKmg0qi7Ec1M5mUMBAiU9rOyJZzg4JpfuDz4pW4twwaFyPC-ARfRLHWWltlGtG/s1600/Ceremonial-Castings-Cthulhu.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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Fimbulwinter - Satanic Warmaster (Black Metal)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsBUbeGl6tbM2sux_oHlqb2FyFgcNb0gECAnLT2dpimXkXUGuy8xlZ0Z-vhn9rKTcq_Mi1I9fntHfb1fdIJRbWCtka-PWtPDGjPbL7tWlEhzfVOXFrvhbOQl1N_hh1y8mhdUf3RpBhegLz/s1600/satanicwarmaster201444.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsBUbeGl6tbM2sux_oHlqb2FyFgcNb0gECAnLT2dpimXkXUGuy8xlZ0Z-vhn9rKTcq_Mi1I9fntHfb1fdIJRbWCtka-PWtPDGjPbL7tWlEhzfVOXFrvhbOQl1N_hh1y8mhdUf3RpBhegLz/s1600/satanicwarmaster201444.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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Best EPs and Demos of the year in no order:</div>
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Abandoned [EP] - Fuck the Facts (Grindcore)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-YlVBLaDYp4HtIlOMXZyxzgV01lp3dUKxdYfJJ3qMptFVIiFgdx1V5Cmj_A7zToRXTNW2s-CSJXH_gwvt__E0b_xubOg0h0WegkuWMK4cfA_pkure5aqZ37bjVo3ijNbLDsaPHmToq40F/s1600/a1392507267_10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-YlVBLaDYp4HtIlOMXZyxzgV01lp3dUKxdYfJJ3qMptFVIiFgdx1V5Cmj_A7zToRXTNW2s-CSJXH_gwvt__E0b_xubOg0h0WegkuWMK4cfA_pkure5aqZ37bjVo3ijNbLDsaPHmToq40F/s1600/a1392507267_10.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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Kulde [EP] - Taake (Black Metal)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrL_i0QWhHvPDVfriTj-flI45ABiqe3fQFjO_TqVdV-Rgnv3ED-_MqzqyX3JphPZjKl3NfXEeEyRqVZS5rGbdGqT3NxaZJciAYxe5IGEyLSVCSCwunERFTvHTHhtl1dcZGwhGsnEtJQuSD/s1600/600x600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrL_i0QWhHvPDVfriTj-flI45ABiqe3fQFjO_TqVdV-Rgnv3ED-_MqzqyX3JphPZjKl3NfXEeEyRqVZS5rGbdGqT3NxaZJciAYxe5IGEyLSVCSCwunERFTvHTHhtl1dcZGwhGsnEtJQuSD/s1600/600x600.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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Demo 2014 - Numenorean (Black Metal)</div>
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WORST albums of the year in no order:</div>
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Eternal Enemies - Emmure (Deathcore)</div>
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Issues - Issues (Metalcore)</div>
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Siren Charms - In Flames (Alternative?)</div>
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Redeemer of Souls - Judas Priest (Heavy Metal)</div>
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Babymetal - Babymetal (Progressive Metal)</div>
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Life Through a Window - Structures (Metalcore)</div>
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Guilty Pleasure - Attila (Deathcore)</div>
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Putreseminal Morphodysplastic Virulency - Epicardiectomy (Brutal Death)</div>
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Feeding the Crawling Shadows - Sargeist (Black Metal)</div>
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Best/Most memorable songs of the year in no order:</div>
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War Eternal - Arch Enemy</div>
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Tooth and Claw - Animals as Leaders</div>
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Another Year - Animals as Leaders</div>
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Morning Hoarfrost - Basarabian Hills</div>
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Corduroy - Bones</div>
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March of the Poozers - Devin Townsend Project</div>
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Silent Militia - Devin Townsend Project</div>
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Celtos - Eluveitie</div>
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Carved from Stone - Fallujah</div>
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Feels like Forever - Of Mice & Men</div>
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River - Opeth</div>
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Sweet Tea - Polyphia</div>
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Where Angels Weep - Vader</div>
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Heartache Follows Wherever I Go - Joe Bonamassa</div>
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Arise and Purify - Sanctuary</div>
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The Devil in I - Slipknot</div>
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Well Run Dry - Phat Phunktion</div>
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Devil Man - Blues Pills</div>
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Crinnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05122610694878831723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2584435151999363831.post-56582518975225557612014-12-06T23:11:00.002-08:002014-12-17T19:50:45.385-08:002014 in review: ConcertsI haven't really had it in me to write reviews much this year. And since these reviews are my personal reviews, I'm never going to force myself to write. So I'm not done writing reviews, but I can't say when I'll ever write one again. Here is a list of MOST of the concerts I went to this year<br />
(Not pictured: Nile, Northwest Deathfest, Sanctuary)<br />
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<br />Crinnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05122610694878831723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2584435151999363831.post-23652930851717858152014-07-26T17:08:00.001-07:002014-07-26T17:09:10.012-07:00Toxic Holocaust - Chemistry of Consciousness<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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There have been a lot of bands lately that are bringing back
the thrash black sound (some call it “first wave black metal” it was pretty
much the movement that branched away from thrash metal into darker and more
aggressive territories) that bands like Hellhammer, old Venom, old Bathory,
Von, and Root. Although, unlike those
bands, that were basically thrash bands playing new (at the time) and more
aggressive “black metal” sounds, this new “revival” is more of the combination
of modern-sounding thrash metal with traditional black metal. Still in a
similar sound, but somewhat different. Bands like Goatwhore, Skeletonwitch,
Melechesh, and Varg are seeing a lot of success. Toxic Holocaust is always a
name that gets thrown around during topics of overly-aggressive thrash metal or
even just thrash black. Here’s what sets this band apart from most of these
other newer bands: they’re doing the exact same thing as the bands from the 80s
were doing, except instead of branching away from the CLASSIC thrash sound,
Toxic Holocaust is simply playing a more aggressive (you could even say “blackened”)
form of the MODERN thrash sound. So Toxic Holocaust is almost like a modernized
Venom. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Hard, catchy thrash metal grooves and epic shredding solos
are coated with black metal vocals and grim atmospheres. With this formula,
Toxic Holocaust have managed to develop an unusually diverse fanbase. I’m an
avid concertgoer and have developed a (what I would like to think) fairly good
understanding of the metal scene here in Washington State. The reason I say
that is because when I saw these guys live (with Mammoth Grinder, Exhumed, and
Ramming Speed), everyone seemed to be there to see Toxic. And there was a very
diverse crowd there; hardcore kids, thrashers, black metallers, grindcore fans;
they were all there to see one of the opening acts and Toxic. And although on
record, Toxic Holocaust sounds much more thrashy, seeing them live really
exposed the underlying grimness and the black metal type aggression. For years,
Toxic have been thriving in the underground thrash, black, and death metal
communities, and it seemed that, while touring in support of Conjure and Command,
something happened and they broke out of the underground; acclaiming far more
success by the time this new album, Chemistry of Consciousness rolled around
last year. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I never really took much of an interest in Toxic Holocaust
until this album, and I feel really bad for missing out on this band for so
long! This band has managed to achieve great success without losing their
respect from the underground. The production of this album is far better than
any of the previous records, but unlike a lot of the modern extreme metal
albums being released today, there’s very little compression. Everything still
feels very gritty and rough. It’s extremely bothersome when bands think it
sounds good to water down and soften the entire production of their album and
compress the guitars so much that it cuts out literally all high end. Those are
the albums I rarely buy physical copies of, because they feel so digital and
fake! The production on Chemistry of Consciousness, on the other hand,
maintains the raw qualities while still having a refined, crisp sound. A
problem that I do have with this album (and every other Toxic Holocaust album)
is that I can’t hear the bass guitar. Obviously there’s plenty of bass in the
mix, but I can’t hear the notes that the bass guitar is playing or the metallic
rattle of the thick strings that I would prefer to hear in thrashier music.
But, like most albums of this style, the guitars drown out the bass. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The drumming is a bit monotonous. I completely understand
the whole classic hardcore punk thing that the drummer is going for, but the
majority of every single song uses that exact same drum pattern that’s already
overused in punk AND thrash metal. Would it hurt do throw in some blast beats
here and there? Maybe even get a cowbell and pick a song or two where you use
that instead of the snare; or even a different drum to make more room for
variation! Whatever works; because it only sounds like you’re using half of the
kit I saw you using on stage. And there’s nothing wrong with working with a
small drum kit, it just means that you have to be very good at coming up with
tons of different patterns and ways to use that small kit. The drumming on this
album is very tight and everything fits the mood perfectly, but if I were to
have my moment as a nitpicker, I would say that there should be more going on
with the drums, that there’s not enough. So now that he’s proven to us that he’s
truly mastered this, I would like to see him do some experimenting and
exploring with different patterns before it gets old. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Other than that, this is enough to make just about any Toxic
fan happy. There isn’t too much variation in song types; the band maintains the
same general sound/vibe for the duration of the record without letting things
get too monotonous. Honestly, after taking the time to listen to the band’s
entire discography, this is by far my favorite release they’ve done so far. Although
they don’t seem like it at first, this is a band that pleases a wide-variety of
heavy metal fans, and I would recommend it to just about anyone. I would give
this a 17/20. <o:p></o:p></div>
Crinnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05122610694878831723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2584435151999363831.post-12282858995558584662014-07-17T17:31:00.001-07:002014-07-17T17:33:01.319-07:00Origin - Omnipresent<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqAtF79jdgYwrceNJ5kBfF7oOERpziq1SXhOSeqQXNMRuW0E2I7zY_8elDMJYcKWB49WeRt4G8QcEmrEeSJ8ywZrCshxx4ams-NPwJIJsBbYZowKBWkC3mTWGRbv9VqE89G4oSzseS9IZj/s1600/Origin_Omnipresent_Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqAtF79jdgYwrceNJ5kBfF7oOERpziq1SXhOSeqQXNMRuW0E2I7zY_8elDMJYcKWB49WeRt4G8QcEmrEeSJ8ywZrCshxx4ams-NPwJIJsBbYZowKBWkC3mTWGRbv9VqE89G4oSzseS9IZj/s1600/Origin_Omnipresent_Cover.jpg" height="319" width="320" /></a></div>
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Ever since 2002, Origin has stuck to an every-third-year
album release pattern due to the extensive touring they do. Well, come 2014,
three years after releasing their masterpiece Nuclear Blast debut, Entity,
Origin is back with Omnipresent. First thing that should be mentioned about
Omnipresent is that it’s the first Origin album to actually have ex-Skinless
vocalist Jason Keyser. Because it’s hard to make sense of the frequent lineup
changes many of these bands have, I assumed that Entity was Keyser’s first
appearance on an Origin record, obviously I was wrong (even though my copy of
Entity is signed by Keyser). So now that we’ve got all misconceptions taken
care of, Omnipresent is Keyser’s entrance into the Origin discography and..well...the
lead vocals don’t sound very different at all from the vocals on Entity or any
of the other albums. <o:p></o:p></div>
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That’s probably the most shocking thing about Omnipresent,
Jason Keyser doesn’t bring anything new to Origin’s sound. He could’ve been
their vocalist all along, or there could be some unnamed person that’s secretly
been doing the vocals on all of their studio albums this whole time! It’s like
Keyser fits in Origin a little TOO perfectly. To some, this may come as a very
irritating factor, but for me, although it is disappointing, I moved past it
fairly quickly because…well, if you’ve ever listened to Origin, you would
understand. One last thing on the vocals I would like to point out is that this
is the first Origin album to feature a guest appearance! Yes, that’s right; the
first track features guest vocals from the one and only Chris Wilson! Seeing
that the only three bands he’s been in (Jesus Corpus, Troglodyte, and Opaque
Notation) are all from Kansas City, Missouri, one can probably figure that this
guy has probably been buddies with the guys in Origin. Supporting evidence? Not
really that much other than that Topeka, KS (home of Origin) and Kansas City,
MO (probable home of Chris Wilson) are very close together. So those really
nasty grindcore-sounding shrieks in the first track are probably Chris Wilson since
you don’t hear them anywhere else on the record. Okay, moving on. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Origin is a band that has stuck to the same basic formula
for the duration of their career and hasn’t felt the need to stray away from it
(yet?). Bands that remain very consistent with their sound are very hit or miss
because they need to have a sound that leaves room for enough different songs and
that has A LOT of replay value. Every Origin album is better enjoyed as a whole
because all of the songs sound so similar that they almost just blend together.
Lucky for Origin, their sound has a lot of replay value and has helped them achieve
a lot of success. Their sound really never gets old, but what I AT LEAST like
to see is to have the instrumentation sound different on each album. So maybe
you have a finer, cleaner guitar distortion and not quite as much bass in the
kick drums on one album and then have a really loud, crunchy distortion with
the kick drums pounding you into the dirt on the next album. You see what I’m
saying? They can change shit around and make everything sound different without
straying too far from their musical formula. Origin hasn’t really done much
with this; when listening to their entire discography on shuffle, it’s hard to
tell exactly what album a song is from based on how it sounds (except for
Entity, which has a much cleaner and more polished sound). <o:p></o:p></div>
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Now that I’ve at least attempted to explain that side of
Origin, we now come to the big downside to Omnipresent. It is literally Entity
part 2. While listening to it in my car a few days ago, I couldn’t stop
thinking how much literally everything about this new record sounded like
Entity, so I decided to put both Entity and Omnipresent on shuffle, and aside
from a few of the popular tracks from Entity (Expulsion of Fury, Swarm, and
Purgatory, to be exact), I literally could not tell the difference between the
two albums; they literally sounded like they were all part of the same album. I’m
okay with Origin’s method of having the same exact musical formula on every
record, but could they at least have bothered themselves to mix Omnipresent
differently enough to where it didn’t sound like an Entity re-release? I can’t
call this a lack of creativity and originality (heh) because that’s not what
these guys are about; they’re not trying to be super innovative and unique,
they’re just sticking to the sound they know and love best. I have heard albums
by the same band that are mixed exactly the same, but have musical differences,
which is okay, but this really bothered me the first few times I listened to
it. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Aside from that somewhat major (to some) downside, Omnipresent is
exactly what you expect from Origin. Blistering speeds, inhumanly fast blast
beats, fairly monotonous, but extremely technical guitar/bass work, and
undeniable tightness for the duration of the record. Origin fans will love
this, and although I love it too, I don’t think I’ll ever be able to compare
this album to Entity because it basically is Entity. And yes, although I am
giving it a lower score than its predecessor, this is an amazing album that I
would recommend that you pick up if you feel the need for more of Origin’s
sound. I guess I just really expected something a little more from these guys than what they delivered. I would give this 16/20. <o:p></o:p></div>
Crinnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05122610694878831723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2584435151999363831.post-24124332875787616132014-05-29T18:55:00.000-07:002014-07-09T09:40:18.506-07:00UpdateNot quite sure what this post is about. Probably just making notes so that I can forget them while I'm working on finals. Or just a rambling that's better fit for my G+ page than here but it's my blog anyway so why the hell not?<br />
<br />
Went to one of the best shows ever a few nights ago; the tour featuring DevilDriver, Whitechapel, Revocation, Carnifex, Rivers of Nihil, and Fit for an Autopsy. I was surprised to see no local opener this time! Probably the biggest disappointment of the whole night was Fit for an Autopsy's new vocalist. Yeah, right before the tour started, something happened and they got a new vocalist. Their original vocalist is one of the best growlers I have ever heard and I was super pumped to see him live. I've noticed that he never stays in a band for more than two albums...and he's been in A LOT of bands. But other than that, they were pretty good. The new vocalist sucks.....either they'll get a new vocalist or the vocals will suck ass on the next album.<br />
<br />
Revocation announced during their set that they're set to release a new album this fall....<br />
<br />
Still awaiting the new album by my favorite band, Opeth...the album cover is beautiful by the way and reminds me of ELP's Pictures at an Exhibition.<br />
<br />
Supposed to also be getting new albums soon (either this year or early next year, all of these bands are at least recording) from Suicide Silence, <strike>Vader</strike>, Cannibal Corpse, Disentomb (finally), Vale of Pnath, Abysmal Dawn, <strike>Arch Enemy</strike>, 1349,<strike> Goatwhore</strike>, Eluveitie, <strike>Den Sakaaldte, Equilibrium, Incantation,</strike> Gorgoroth (they've been relatively quiet about it lately), <strike>Sabaton,</strike> <strike>Wolves in the Throne Room</strike>, <strike>Septicflesh</strike>, Nile, Goregasm, Pathology (unless they've already released it), Gortuary, Devin Townsend Project, Strychnia, Veil of Maya, Belphegor, <strike>The Word Alive</strike>, and a few others...<br />
<br />
I'm really glad Disentomb, Goregasm, and Gortuary managed to get out of the mess known as Brutal Bands records. What the fuck happened to that label? Devourment left, they signed on a ton of bands, then just sort of dropped off the face of the earth. I know it's run by one individual (Scott), so is he still alive? I never had issues with not getting my orders from them (him) because I was buying shit from Brutal Bands during the time period (no idea how long it lasted) where everything was super active over there; I would buy a shirt and get it before the week was over. But now there seems to be no activity. No one answers calls, no emails are replied to, no snail mail in their outbox, nothing! It's like he just vanished and left www.brutalbands.net behind without any word! I'm very disappointed because I loved this label and the music they released.<br />
<br />
Edit 6/20/2014 i crossed off the new albums i now have in my collectionCrinnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05122610694878831723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2584435151999363831.post-47972525300657750622014-05-20T16:26:00.001-07:002014-05-20T16:26:29.053-07:00Hoth - Oathbreaker<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-TzQHQMYHQule29m9UMqPBIiwKnK8RvEKqIMir32YCQGG9LMVXEn695rZX7M4woqHeIGvE4rztI8enWp4RBQJAHmBgCZzLXPgXKmj-sNt2NkOk_Sbb1YyZEr-1_HRJYXrFukQOKXCtru-/s1600/HOTH2014444444.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-TzQHQMYHQule29m9UMqPBIiwKnK8RvEKqIMir32YCQGG9LMVXEn695rZX7M4woqHeIGvE4rztI8enWp4RBQJAHmBgCZzLXPgXKmj-sNt2NkOk_Sbb1YyZEr-1_HRJYXrFukQOKXCtru-/s1600/HOTH2014444444.jpg" height="320" width="317" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Earlier this month, I had the unique experience of going to
the last date of this year’s Metal Alliance Tour featuring Behemoth,
Inquisition, Goatwhore, 1349, and Black Crown Initiate. Because I had already
seen them multiple times in the past, I decided to take my dinner break during
Goatwhore’s set. When I was standing towards the back enjoying my cheap burrito,
I noticed two nerdy-looking guys wearing matching shirts walk into the venue. I
assumed that it was a local band on their shirts, so I decided to write it down
because of how cool the logo looked. About a day or so later, I found the band’s
various social media pages, listened to the song from their upcoming album
(which was just released today!) that they had available for streaming, and needed
more. The song that they had available for free listening on their bandcamp was
one of the best pieces of music I’ve heard from a local metal band in YEARS, I
had to get my hands on this album! They gave me a copy for review roughly a
week or so ago, and now that I’ve overplayed it enough, I’m ready to share my
thoughts. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
The first thing that I should probably get out of the way is
that Star Wars is Hoth’s theme. Everything from their logo to their artwork to
their band name is based on the legendary sci-fi movie series. If I hadn’t have
looked them up on various sites and read other reviews on this album, I wouldn’t
have known this about them. These two men have done such a spectacular job of
writing music about something like Star Wars without sounding laughable or
corny that I don’t think of something like Star Wars when I listen to them!
Their music could have the theme of anything and I wouldn’t care because of how
fucking well they’ve pulled this off. Also, the way in which they managed to
have science fiction-themes in a black metal setting is phenomenal. Taking a
theme commonly associated with deathcore and technical death and applying it to
black metal and still have it SOUND like black metal is something that requires
a lot of creativity and resourcefulness. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Even though it’s pretty easy to make a fairly
professional-sounding recording, most bands as underground as this have
recordings that are obviously raw and not 100%. Sometimes this is how I would
prefer it; I love the realistic approach of recording something and doing very
little mixing/production work. There are other bands, like Phalgeron, that don’t
sound the best that way. Oathbreaker has amazing production quality. Everything
can be heard, the vocals are mixed to blend in with the other instruments
instead of jutting out in your face, and the drums match up perfectly with
everything else. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Oathbreaker is a concept album, which most likely means that
the band intended for it to be listened to as a whole because of the massive
story (whatever the hell it is) behind the music. The first two tracks stand
out to me SO MUCH that, despite this being more of an album than a collection
of songs, I’m going to go over. The first track, The Unholy Conception, if I
remember correctly, was the single that made me say “I FUCKING NEED THIS”. The
overall sound of this particular track is a very atmospheric melodic death
sound. It’s interesting because although it has the true black metal sound that
I’ve grown to know VERY well, it has a thin layer of death metal resting on top
to influence some of the vocals and guitar melodies. The highlight of this
track is the acoustic part during the second half. I’ve heard A LOT of acoustic
guitar stuff in black metal, and what the beauty in the melodies of what Hoth
have done here is (in my mind) easily comparable to Woods of Ypres and
Agalloch; it may be somewhat short, but the beauty and emotion in this is
enough to blow me away no matter how many times I listen to it. And I know it
sounds like I’m exaggerating, but I’m not, this is one of the most beautiful
and refreshing moments an audio recording has given me in years. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The second track starts off in an acoustic Agalloch-style
setting. Once again, everything here is filled with inspiration and blankets
you with a cape of grim, dark, yet blissful solitude that can only be described
as unforgettable. During my first listen of this album, right after the intro
to this song, the first riff that the bass guitar plays is what pulled me in. This
music truly encourages you to let go of yourself and completely submerge
yourself in the sounds that flow into your ears. The same melody that pulls you
in is then played at a much faster pace in the band’s signature sound, which at
first kind of ruins the mood because of how relaxing and melodic the atmosphere
becomes. But after about another minute, the music pulls you back in and helps
you forget the disruption. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
Oathbreaker is a rare example of a record with absolutely no
filler. A lot of bands will say “this album has no filler” simply to distract
people from the fact that, it does indeed have filler. You can tell that the
music here wasn’t written during a short time period. Sure, the band claims to
have written the majority of the material during “the cold, winter months of
2013”, but Oathbreaker is way too thought-out and solid to have been written in
a matter of months. The production is superb, the musical structure is superb,
and the album feels solid as a whole while at the same time, each individual
song holds enough substance and beauty to be just fine on their own. The vocals
are some of the best I’ve heard all year, the guitar, bass, and drum work are
all superb, and you’re a sorry soul if you don’t listen to this at least 10
times. Consider this to have already reserved a spot on my “best of 2014” list.
Check this out, you won’t regret it. This gets a perfect 20/20. I don't come across as many albums worthy of that score nearly as much as I used to, so this, to me, is a true gem. All I can say
is that I was not expecting something THIS good. <o:p></o:p></div>
Crinnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05122610694878831723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2584435151999363831.post-134163241213344512014-05-08T18:26:00.002-07:002014-05-08T18:26:49.357-07:00Emmure - Eternal Enemies<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLvtRKIZ38ue_wOKyUy1pgxft0rZTUeoPAkGPk_aig7e7y4CcbWIK_5P5mrODLIn016IDsDUCPvjDDMBSHmF2gWKBXLm5ZGkIB7jpJEwW-FJJJTuBN-cQvZSOy08f4otGUOnAL9JdNRClP/s1600/emmureeternalenemies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLvtRKIZ38ue_wOKyUy1pgxft0rZTUeoPAkGPk_aig7e7y4CcbWIK_5P5mrODLIn016IDsDUCPvjDDMBSHmF2gWKBXLm5ZGkIB7jpJEwW-FJJJTuBN-cQvZSOy08f4otGUOnAL9JdNRClP/s1600/emmureeternalenemies.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Emmure’s past two records have shown improvements in many
areas, especially with the only two songs I actually enjoy by them being on
those two records. After hearing a song like Protoman, I was given a TINY spark
of hope that they might actually progress their sound on their next album; and
apparently I wasn’t the only person that was given that little spark. Well guess
what, THEY HAD US FOOLED LIKE A GREYHOUND CHASING A HARE INTO A DEATHTRAP!
Welcome back, everyone! A new chapter in Emmure’s successful, yet unchanging
career is upon us and I am here to go through the chore of taking my time to
listen to the WHOLE thing and tell you about it so that you can save yourself
the 30 minutes and go do something productive like walk your dog (whatever it
is you people do).<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’ve never been big on lyrics in heavy metal, but a piece of
commentary on the first (of probably several) music video from this album that
I read on Under the Gun mentions something very interesting (to me, at least).
And I’m not quoting them because I realized something else from what they
stated. Since the beginning of his career, and still to this day, Frankie
Palmeri has had a strong “me against the world” theme going on (obviously the
source of his rage and energy). Actually, I’m going to quote what Under the Gun
said because I couldn’t have said it any better myself (link to the article I’m
referring to can be found at the bottom of this review). <o:p></o:p></div>
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What they accurately stated was “Fuck you for not getting
him. Fuck you for not understanding what Emmure are trying to do. Fuck you for
trying to hold them back. Fuck you because fuck you. He’s Frankie Palmeri and
even though he’s toured the world for the past several years and touched the
lives of countless people worldwide, who in return have supported him
financially and allowed him to avoid needing a [minimum wage] job, he still
feels like the world is a cold place void of love and compassion.” And to add
on to that, Emmure has also hopped on the “stand your ground, don’t give up, be
yourself, party it up, fuck what others think/say, YOLO” bandwagon by having
two or three songs on each record having that message. <o:p></o:p></div>
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If Frankie is such a victim of this cold, heartless, desolate
place we call Earth, why are there these random songs with a completely
contradicting message? That’s a rhetorical question because the answer (for
some of you) should be obvious. A lot of people also ask why he seems to appear
so full of himself and egotistical if his lyrics are so self-victimizing. I’m
not even going to bother with that because talking about Emmure is a chore of
its own that I don’t want to drag out any more than I have to. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Eternal Enemies begins with a song titled Bring your Gun to
School, which obviously seems to glorify causing a mass murder inside a school
and killing kids. I agree with the guys from Lambgoat on this song; I’m just
going to assume that Palmeri wrote this song purely for the sake of pissing
people off and causing controversy (something he seems to enjoy). So yeah, with
that said, mission accomplished. Next. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Emmure promised us that this was going to be their darkest
and heaviest record yet. I didn’t actually think they would succeed; but they
did. This album is heavier and darker than any other Emmure album. Being an
avid heavy metal fan for quite some time now, heaviness/brutality has become a
trait that has no influence on my opinion of a band. Unless, of course, I’m in
the mood for slamming brutality, how brutal or heavy a band is doesn’t really
matter to me; it’s not going to make me like them more or less. But I do know
that there are a lot of people that do have that in their criteria, so if you
were hoping for an Emmure record, only heavier, congratulations! If you didn’t
want that…well I guess that just sucks for you because Palmeri sure as hell
doesn’t care what you think. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I originally thought that Mark Castillo joining the band was
going to change them for the better. Considering that he was the drummer for
Between the Buried and Me (he played drums on The Silent Circus) before
quitting due to his side project, Bury Your Dead, gaining enormous popularity,
and then playing with Crossfade for a year or so, it would make sense that he
would help influence Emmure’s musical direction for the better. I was pretty
sure he didn’t do anything fancy on Slave to the Game because he was new in the
band and was still solidifying his place on the lineup, which is totally okay.
Well, how does he sound on Eternal Enemies? EXACTLY THE FUCKING SAME. You can’t
even tell that the band has had a change in drummers at all during their
career! I know this is a cliché and overused statement, but really, it’s
sickening to see such talent and skill go to waste like this. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Oddly enough, aside from their drummer and one of their
guitarists, all of the members are original. If you’ve been in the same band,
on the road almost constantly, with no escape from the other members due to
living in a van, especially when one of those members is Palmeri, you’ve got to
be pretty goddamn tight with the others. So SOMEHOW, I can’t say or imagine
how, these guys, despite having a raging asshole in the band, have managed to
get along and not get sick of each other for more than 10 years. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There’s not much to say about this record. I could’ve made
this one massive rant about how EVERYTHING this band writes is a carbon copy of
EVERYTHING they’ve written and how they play nothing but uninspired, overused,
simple, boring, tasteless breakdowns, but I wanted to avoid that this time to
see what else there was about an Emmure record to discuss. The only positive
about this album is that they remain tight and solid as a band; no one falls
out of tempo, even though what they do sucks BIG TIME, they do it very well
without fail. Eternal Enemies gets 2/20. <o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
The Under the Gun review I mentioned: http://www.underthegunreview.net/2014/03/03/even-emmure-look-bored-listening-to-their-new-song/</div>
Crinnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05122610694878831723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2584435151999363831.post-52730898432501243672014-05-07T16:07:00.001-07:002014-05-07T16:07:50.679-07:00Monolith - Voyager<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3NNQCcWE_ZTLSIStgQVUytOSbGW-diF2o_F0OoVYsSoYORAjQp5BpAtxTlM8z1VTXq18rgr29q9cbyyw9A9z-cncRjNqxBN8H8zgwP4LzlJKxJfoggob21Hb6EHRs_Bb9dcoUjEITTZh1/s1600/Monolith+-+Voyager+-+Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3NNQCcWE_ZTLSIStgQVUytOSbGW-diF2o_F0OoVYsSoYORAjQp5BpAtxTlM8z1VTXq18rgr29q9cbyyw9A9z-cncRjNqxBN8H8zgwP4LzlJKxJfoggob21Hb6EHRs_Bb9dcoUjEITTZh1/s1600/Monolith+-+Voyager+-+Cover.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The term “progressive” seems to be pretty fuzzy lately.
Personally, for a band to be “progressive”, it has to have one of two
qualities. The first being the original meaning of the term, which is that the
band’s music is extremely innovative and either sounds like something NO ONE
has done before or has a sound only a small number of other bands have had. The
second criteria, which is more of a personal thing, is actually something that
the first one fits into anyway. I like keeping my music library on my laptop
pretty organized by genre; I don’t have a million different categories, but I have
enough. And if I have an album that doesn’t seem to fit into any of those
genres at all because of how unique it is, I’ll put it under “progressive
death/metal/rock/jazz/etc.” Monolith is one of those bands that, although they don’t
sound very unique on the surface, don’t seem to fit under anything I have. But
anyway, I’ve been meaning to write something on this album for a few months now
because of how much it’s intrigued me. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
I found Monolith via SoundCloud and noticed that they had
their (at the time) brand new album available for free download. I’m not a huge
“prog nerd” like some of you are, so I’m not as concerned with HOW progressive
and innovative it is as much as I am concerned about if it’s good or not. So
with that out of the way, let’s look at the overall sound of this record. Because
of how easy it is to self-produce an album and have it sound professional, the
production quality is fantastic; but then again, this is better than most
self-produced records I’ve heard. There doesn’t seem to be a bassist amongst
the Canadian trio, so let’s assume they doubled the guitar track and turned it
down an octave or two. What I don’t get is the keyboards. Just by listening to
the music, you can tell there were keyboards playing because of all of the epic
synths and orchestral elements in the background. The part that’s confusing me
is that it doesn’t say ANYWHERE that anyone in the band played keyboards or
that there was a guest keyboardist or something. And I wish I knew who it was
that arranged the background keyboard parts because they sound BEAUTIFUL and
flow with the music with extraordinary precision. It’s very rare that young
underground bands get the background keyboard thing right, and Monolith is one
of the best examples of a band getting it right. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
Monolith’s sound is hard to describe 100% accurately because
every description you could come up with only applies to a certain number of
tracks. The majority of this album tends to sound like a really epic melodic
death band (like Amon Amarth or Wintersun) playing really generic metalcore.
Most of the drum patterns that are used are the simple, extremely repetitive
ones that are commonly heard in most pure metalcore and hardcore bands. Aside from
their drummer’s lack in creativity (or interest in being creative) holding them
back, he’s very good at what he does. The drumming on Voyager is simplistic,
repetitive, boring, but very solid and tight. This might even be more of a “sacrificing
creativity for the sake of quality” sort of thing than just laziness. And when
you hear what the rest of the band is doing, it makes sense. And it’s the exact
same thing with the guitarist too. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The guitarist does every single cliché metalcore/hardcore
thing that you can think of. Overdoing pitch harmonics, rhythm guitar riffs that
sound identical to numerous tracks by As I Lay Dying, Parkway Drive, and All
That Remains, high predictability levels, those slowish guitar sweeps, taking
the same riff and using it WAY too much, it’s all there! I’m not saying that
all of those things are bad, but it’s something that can put a lot of people
off and really doesn’t make them a band that I would listen to a whole lot
because there are so many other bands that sound the same as well as being
better! Once again, just as I stated above, the guitars have the same catch as
the drums; they are played very well. There’s a lack of creativity in the core
composition, but the catch is that everything is spot-on and played with
flawless precision. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
The vocals are alright; not very much I feel that I need to
say. The clean singing strongly reminds me of Scar Symmetry, except the
harmonizing isn’t as interesting. The vocalist’s growls are deep in pitch, but
not in sound. They don’t have that wide, powerful sound like the growls you
hear from Amorphis. The singing is all in-tune and the harmonizations are good,
but they don’t really fit the music. The vocalist should experiment with not
doing any harmonizing at all in the future because his voice has a very pure
and crisp sound that sounds great on its own. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Monolith is just weird. Each musician individually lacks
creativity and skill, but when they’re all playing together, the sound they
create is fucking massive. They’ve managed to be a band and not a bunch of
musicians because they stayed within their limits and did everything perfectly.
Although not super innovative, the overall sound of this band is a sound that
progressive fans might be interested in. Voyager isn’t way better than average,
but when you take away the nit-picking and just judge it for what it is without
any extra expectations, this is almost flawless! There are very few things
wrong with this record, but it’s not something that fits my personal needs
because when it comes to this type of music, I require something a little more.
But this band is headed in the right direction. If they increase the interest
level on the next record, we could have something very big here. I would give
this album 12/20. <o:p></o:p></div>
Crinnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05122610694878831723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2584435151999363831.post-32399468570257786432014-05-06T12:12:00.003-07:002014-05-06T12:12:27.492-07:00Carnifex - Die Without Hope<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsHUpU3JC5H5SB4JxkaJLGxdYWt-bZ0RhQLW1_ocuVjmEHHhScXWOaoyLMmGT7lTg2mAIlcGY1sxLKlg9TrI79xEFgZEqosF49dBYOGwZjNuR-G5dmPXlrGEEMdoIHAai5S42_s7dJd_BG/s1600/387641.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsHUpU3JC5H5SB4JxkaJLGxdYWt-bZ0RhQLW1_ocuVjmEHHhScXWOaoyLMmGT7lTg2mAIlcGY1sxLKlg9TrI79xEFgZEqosF49dBYOGwZjNuR-G5dmPXlrGEEMdoIHAai5S42_s7dJd_BG/s1600/387641.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
After disbanding for an amount of time so short that it’s not even worth mentioning, Carnifex is back. These guys were one of those bands that were very popular amongst the huge deathcore fans; the people that listened to the underground shit like In the Midst of Lions, Annotations of an Autopsy, Here comes the Kraken, etc. As far as I’m aware, Carnifex got their big break when they landed a spot on the 2010 Summer Slaughter Tour, which was also my first time attending the annual event. Before that, their second record had been circulating throughout the underground deathcore and hardcore community with tons of positive feedback. After releasing the follow-up, Hell Chose Me, and getting on a major tour that same year, Carnifex had officially broken out of the underground. Then after releasing an album that I wouldn’t have known about if it weren’t for my visit to the Victory Records website, they disbanded seemingly out of nowhere. <br /><br />I think that although they managed to attract a fanbase beyond that of the diehard deathcore fans (something that many similar bands never succeed in accomplishing), they were in the wrong place. Victory Records has the odd reputation of having primarily shitty deathcore and metalcore bands while having some legit death metal and...well….bands that don’t suck on their roster. I’m not super knowledgeable on the business side of the music industry, but I’m going to assume that the band disbanding caused their contract with the infamous Victory Records to fall through.<br /><br />After announcing their comeback, I see an announcement about Carnifex from the last place I would have expected to even deem them worthy of mention, Nuclear Blast Records. The legendary label that only signs on the best of the best when they’re in their prime, the home of Immortal, Dimmu Borgir, Epica, Nile, Decapitated, Meshuggah, HammerFall, and numerous other bands that are nothing short of superior, signed a deal with Carnifex!? The last time I checked, the only deathcore and metalcore bands that have managed to maintain a spot on the Nuclear Blast roster for more than one album are All Shall Perish, Mnemic, and Threat Signal. The only reason this could be is that Nuclear Blast saw Carnifex cooking something up that would put everything they’ve ever done in the past to shame. So what was the final result?<br /><br />One thing’s for sure, the first track was the worst choice for a first impression. If you’re someone that is quick to judge an entire album while listening to the first track, now is the time to go against your normal methods and keep listening. The first track is heavy as fuck, to put it simply, but there’s not much interest to it; it sounds like the bare minimum, except being done Carnifex style. Imagine Aegaeon, except with much better musicianship and some blast beats here and there; that’s what Salvation is Dead sounds like. But then again, by the time you’re halfway through the next song, this song will have been long forgotten. <br /><br />Dark Days is where things start getting interesting. I’ve always been aware of Scott’s love for black metal, and he told me on a few different occasions that he was going to let some of that bleed into the sound of this new record. Now that I’ve heard the final result, it seems that the black metal essence of this record is being over exaggerated because there’s not much of it at all. What there is, though, is something very refreshing. This album is meant to be heard by the people that are tired of deathcore and are saying that it all sounds the same now and that none of the bands are progressing. If you can get your heads out of the mud long enough to listen to this, it just might be the breath of fresh air you’ve been needing. Dark Days takes the pianos, melodies, and orchestral sounds that the band has only merely toyed with in the past and weaves them seamlessly throughout the entire song. And when I say “seamlessly,” I mean perfectly. Not only have they managed to increase their already unmatchable brutality, but they have also successfully implemented grim melodies without sacrificing ANY of that brutality. The breakdowns are extremely memorable in this song, especially the one during the second half that has the screaming guitar melody on top of it to send chills down your spine. I know it sounds like I’m being overly poetic with my descriptions right now, but it’s the only way I can think of to accurately describe the sheer power of the sound Carnifex has created. <br /><br />Scott’s vocals have never felt very emotional to me, which is why the pure anger of the music helps intensify his messages. But then again, all of Carnifex’s previous records were just pure anger; it almost felt dry at times. The lack of melody was one of the only (but major) downsides to their music, and probably was the reason why my immediate interest in them has grown smaller over the years. The big change that has been made in Die Without Hope is that it has more emotion than just anger. Before, the transitions were smooth, but there wasn’t much change in the mood. But now, the already perfect transitions are given the most unique twists with the different melodies I mentioned before. Going from a blast beat-driven stampede of anger into a blissful and almost peaceful piano or guitar melody that then drops into the most crushing breakdown like a bomb was just dropped is the best recurring trait about this album. And when you have that much of an improvement with the music as far as portraying a variety of moods and emotions goes, it helps expose the true feelings behind the vocals more than ever before. The vocals haven’t changed a bit, but they sound much more intense because of the music behind them. <br /><br />The instrumentation is nothing short of perfection, the musicality has grown infinitely stronger, and the creativity has taken an enormous spike. Everything is mixed perfectly; the symphonic elements are in the BACKGROUND where they need to be; nothing is overpowering. If you liked the new Fit for an Autopsy record and want more brutality, this is an album you’ve probably already heard and love. Carnifex do a perfect job of staying very true to their roots while taking the things they’ve merely toyed with in the past and actually putting them to use without fail. Die Without Hope is not only a surprise, but an album that goes far beyond the expectations I had for this group. I’m giving this album 19/20. Crinnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05122610694878831723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2584435151999363831.post-10611539497926664082014-04-27T17:24:00.001-07:002014-04-27T17:24:32.503-07:00Angantyr - Forvist<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqe_JDoyR1th-d87a5IpYvufQYwubWhmLHhneoa44gah8s1RNc1fhHDk1A-q4eXJTB1OhPh_SpphIH56TijSomEcG5YYoFh8UjcPmaWqMvrnVFLL1weDSZHEfkrg_P6dneShbEL9NM-qDs/s1600/angantyrForvist.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqe_JDoyR1th-d87a5IpYvufQYwubWhmLHhneoa44gah8s1RNc1fhHDk1A-q4eXJTB1OhPh_SpphIH56TijSomEcG5YYoFh8UjcPmaWqMvrnVFLL1weDSZHEfkrg_P6dneShbEL9NM-qDs/s1600/angantyrForvist.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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The fact that Angantyr, after all these long years, have
gotten minimal recognition outside of the underground black metal community
(most of which is in Europe) baffles me. Possibly one of the best black metal
bands to rise up during the 90s, Angantyr have continued to release masterpiece
after masterpiece. This album, released in 2012, was one that apparently
slipped past my radar until a few months ago. If you’re not familiar with this
band, the official lineup consists of Ynleborgaz, also responsible for Make a
Change…Kill Yourself, as well as being the drummer for Profezia and Blodarv.
Unlike many one-man black metal projects, Angantyr actually plays live shows
with the support of a live bassist and drummer (I assume that Ynleborgaz plays
guitar and vocals). But even then, this band seems to have only played in and
around Europe with minimal success, and considering that there are several
other lower-quality black metal bands that are all about the stage performance
doing much better, it’s refreshing to know that there are still bands that have
continued to focus on making the best music out there. This is Angantyr’s most
recent release, titled Forvist. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Part of the reason why Antantyr doesn’t grab as much
attention as other similar bands is the absence of Satanism and cold
blasphemy/violence in the lyrical themes; everything Angantyr writes has
something to do with Scandinavian/northern European history. Obviously, this
means there’s a lot of Viking shit in there! But unlike a lot of other Viking-themed
bands like Turisas, Amon Amarth, Tyr, and Ensiferum, Angantyr isn’t all loud n’
proud about it; they don’t have Viking shields and guys in armor battling some
mythical sea monster on every album cover; this is the real shit. Somewhat
similar to Tyr, Angantyr talks about the extreme hardships the people of
Scandinavia were put through. Except the stories that are told in this case are
much older and brutal ones; a common theme being that of Christianity being
forced onto the people of Scandinavia, causing them to expand their homelands
and find new places to settle. But after the release of Sejr in 2007, the
themes seemed to move more towards the exploration and discovery side of that
era. The fall of England making it an easy target for the Vikings and the
brutality that followed. What I’m trying to say is that this shit isn’t the
exciting, epic, glorified fairytales that other Viking-themed bands write
about; this is the real shit, this is much deeper and darker (much more fitting
for the style of music). And to be honest, it’s much more interesting to listen
to; it’s much more emotional and has more power behind it that the music can
intensify. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The intro to the first song is a stripped-down example of
the melodic atmosphere of the entire album. A purely acoustic line backed by
the relaxing rolling of waves on the beach, it’s the best intro Angantyr has
produced yet. All of Angantyr’s records have a soft, melodic intro, but this
one, although shorter than the others, is the most profound and does the best
job of setting the mood for the entire album. Another thing that helps make the
intro stick more is the intensified melody in the guitar work. In a few of the
previous albums, the melody was achieved through the commonly-used method of
having a guitar track tremolo picking a single note at a time (the particular
note obviously changing with the movement of the song). This method is used on Forvist,
but not nearly as often as before. In Forvist and Svig, its predecessor, the
guitar melody is implemented into the chords already being played. Ynleborgaz
has one (maybe two) backing guitar tracks, the main rhythm guitar tracks, and a
second rhythm guitar track that plays everything the main one is along with the
added notes to the chords to create the melody. I’m most likely wrong in this
assumption, so don’t take my word for it, but this is what it sounds like. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Angantyr is always spot-on with drums. Ynleborgaz’ drumming
is spectacular; his blast beats are some of the most solid in the genre, and at
the same time doing a great job at keeping things interesting by adding
numerous riffs and flairs. The dramatic change that Ynleborgaz has taken on
this album is adding larger sections that use completely different tempos and
drum patterns. The alternate patterns that he’s always used have been the same
ones, but on this album, he creates new ones, as if he finally realized he was
overusing those other alternate patterns. The vocals could use to be a lot more
powerful; but nonetheless, you can easily hear the emotion behind them. If he
were to add some variety in pitch, that would make everything much more
interesting and grim, especially if it were growls. <o:p></o:p></div>
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If you are in any way a listener of black metal, you need to
pick up this record because it takes you on a journey beyond written
description; the atmosphere and melodies are indescribably beautiful. The songs
on this album don’t exactly differ from each other to the point of being
separate songs. They more so tie together into a seam of raw bleakness. I don’t
mind the low production quality of black metal, but there are some cases where
it’s stupid. Do the drums really have to be THAT overpowering? Do the vocals
have to stick out THAT much? Although this album has the pure rawness that it
should have, the mixing work has everything balanced out PERFECTLY so that it
flows through your ears like silk. Forvist gets 19/20. <o:p></o:p></div>
Crinnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05122610694878831723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2584435151999363831.post-38970141283526076712014-04-09T14:28:00.001-07:002014-04-09T14:28:51.410-07:00Current StatusI have been getting a lot of music submissions over the past 3 months or so. Coincidentally, at the same time, my activity on here has been minimal due to recent events and, the main reason, school leaving me with a lack of energy. I do advise you to keep bringing in the submissions, I'm not forgetting about them, I'm saving every single one of them. There have been some pretty shitty submissions, as well as some fantastic ones that I have really been meaning to write about. I've also been getting emails from bands and labels that have found reviews I've written in the past and those literally make my day.<br />
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If you've been waiting on me to write reviews for a while now, I apologize for testing your patience. But please know that what used to be something I did daily has now become a hobby that I'm only able to do when I have the time and energy. No, not going on hiatus, just answering the questions regarding my blog's current status.<br />
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I'm going to start reviewing some albums that aren't metal as well so that I can stay well-rounded and whatnot.Crinnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05122610694878831723noreply@blogger.com0