"Kyle sings and writes the group's supernatural-oriented lyrics, exploring the juxtapositions between age and youth, the paradox of meeting yourself, and the dilemma of falling asleep on a mountaintop and waking up a hundred years year."


Is that as dumb as it sounds?

This actually leaked yesterday and it's not bad. I mean, it's total Stoner Rock by the numbers but if you like that stuff it's definitely worth a listen. There are some awesome guitar solo/freakout bits. The last 2 minutes of "Black Saint" is especially fucking great. I'll YSI later.

Edit: Yeah PH, the lyrics are stupid, but it's stoner rock, what do you expect?

I know, but the sentence just caught me off-guard and made me laugh. It reads like some 14 year old boasting about the great lyrics he writes.

Yeah, I contemplated d/l-ing Witch last night, but thought I'd wait for some initial reaction.

Back to The Sword album for a sec...I've come to the conclusion that the first half is decent, albeit a touch weak, but the last half suddenly wakes up. "White Swan" goes totally High on Fire on us, "Lament For the Aurochs" is the greatest metal tribute to an extinct cow ever, and "Ebethron" is absolutely killer.

Anyone else hear Burst's Origo yet? Best metal disc of 2006 so far.

Here's the Witch album

Didn't the Surf Metal band The Balboas record a song called "Green Death" about the joy's of Raineer Beer? Mmmmm, Raineer Beer...

Want some classic Canadian thrash, courtesy youtube?

Razor - "Evil Invaders"

Lifted straight off someone's old videotape of Much Music back in '87 or '88. Love it.

I'm finding most great metal videos are lifted off video tapes, and it seems to add to them somewhat.

I'm sure everyone's sick to death of talking about the greatness of Ghost Reveries, but indulge me. I've had it since it came out. At first, honestly, I didn't get all the fuss. All of that Cookie Monster immediately juxtaposed with sweetly cloying Emerson, Lake and Palmer "Lucky Man"-style lyricism make me giggle. Now I realize that this album is no laughing matter. I still think High on Fire is the best metal album of 2005 (pace Sask), but this record is clearly a complete masterpiece. The one-two punch of "Ghost of Perdition" into "Baying of the Hounds" is possibly the most compelling 20 minutes of prog metal ever recorded.

The lyrics on Ghost Reveries are shockingly lovely, a rarity in metal. I can't wait for the March 7 Opeth show. Can't wait.


I won't argue, it's an excellent album.

The new Null EP by Intronaut is very impressive. Think a slightly toned-down version of Dillinger Escape Plan.

I agree about Ghost Reveries. Probably my favorite metal album in a number of years.

Listening to the new Psycroptic album. Wow.

RIYL: Necrophagist, Meshuggah, Decapitated

I keep hearing about High on Fire. What do they sound like?

Sludgy Motorhead.

Yeah, sludgy Motorhead is getting there, but I also hear a lot of early black and doom elements, where Motorhead is just straight dirty and heavy rock and roll. I hear early Venom as well, plus a certain crossover Seattle-esque grungy-ness to the sludge (probably because new bassist Joe Preston used to anchor the Melvins). Sort of like if Grunttruck were faster and angrier and deeper.

It's retro and forward-looking at the same time. Just pick it up if any of these ingredients speak to you. And give the album time to grow. At first, you'll think- yeah, that's some heavy fucking throwback metal. If you're like me, you'll eventually realize "Shit, that is the fucking HARDEST, HEAVIEST slab I've heard in years!!!"

Might I add, brilliantly engineered by Steve Albini...his best work in years.

I was really impressed with the last HoF when it came out, but the more I hear it, the more bored I am by it. Maybe it's my Boris love, but Blessed Black Wings just doesn't excite me anymore.

Not that it's particularly a Metal album, but I conversely have been more and more impressed with the Earth one from last year. It sounds utterly timeless, and bizarrely cool as a result of it.

Just wanted to say that both of these albums are great. Thanks for the recs Sask.

Just ordered my tickets for the March 3 Opeth "Chronology: A Live Observation" seated show at HOB in Chicago. I can't wait either. I've been absolutely dying to see this band. A bit sad that Dark Tranquillity isn't opening this night, but the prospect of two hours of Opeth spanning all their albums makes up for that. This is going to be a great one.

Interesting. But man, I gotta submit that cover to the Hall of Douchebags.

Here's the trailer for the new Iron Maiden DVD:
http://www.ironmaiden.com/deathontheroad.wmv

Really looking forward to this one...it's been a long time in the making.

Hello all.

This is my first time on the SO forums, and my first post here.

I heard the program today, and decided I'd read the top 10 lists of the guests and have a look at the forums.

I'm always interested in new music, but as you may discern from the location of my interest, Metal is my forte.

I am a member at a few other boards, a journalist for MaximumMetal, and a moderator over at The Gauntlet, and I suppose that's about as much introduction as I've got to give so far.

Now, onto my comments about this thread so far:

I see a lot of praise going Opeth's way for Ghost Reveries. I see that almost everywhere. And, while I am a fan of Opeth (and, in fact, happen to be wearing an Opeth T-shirt right now) I cannot praise this album as I wanted to.

Where on previous material, Opeth played with an almost transcendant inspiration, on Ghost Reveries that feeling is lost. The music is indeed impressive and definately talented, but it lacks the qualities that made Opeth more than just another death metal band. Some would argue that it is due to their greater media exposure and new record label, etc. I am tempted to agree, but I think that this record was a long time in coming. Their ambience was wearing off from the first, and though every album through Deliverance had moments of beauty at the least, consistant brilliance at best, Opeth's charm was waning.

Now, while I do not begrudge them their success and fame, for they have certainly earned it, I would like to just say that Ghost Reveries is hardly their best work, in my opinion. One is much better served to pick up Orchid or other earlier work.

As for 2005, I would like to submit the following personal favorites:

Kamelot- The Black Halo
Elegant, dynamic, and reserved, Kamelot continue their reign as one of the most talented and refined bands straddling the border of rock and power metal with this offering, though it may take little time to sink in.

Lurker of Chalice- S/T
Better known for his work in Leviathan, Wrest released Lurker of Chalice through Southern Lord with little fanfare, and there is indeed no better label. Steeped in rich, vacant atmospheres, and aptly named, Lurker of Chalice is an adventure through endless waves of ambience, poignant nihilist sampling, and stark melody

Strapping Young Lad- Alien
SYL are led by genre stalwart and skullet posterchild Devin Townsend, whose antics with this bludgeoning outfit are as crass as Kamelot is cultured. This is not to say his work is not intelligent; quite the contrary. Forging a unique blend of complete annihilation through decibal overload and layered harmonies, Alien is an indescribable and worthy continuation to Devin's modern legendary legacy

Helloween- Keeper of the Seven Keys: The Legacy
A difficult saga to continue, but Helloween does so admirably. Though not often at the top of my playlist, Helloween returns to high form with this release, writing material that is playful as well as memorable and more than just a flash in the pan. The originators of power metal show that they are indeed still capable of putting out modern yet honest music.

Mercenary- 11 Dreams
One of the best combinations of growl/death and clean vocals in recent years. Mercenary play a rather bombastic, keyboard-intense heavy metal, though there is no atmosphere of cheesiness incurred. Excellent vocal work and tight musicianship combine to creat a distinct sound worthy of attention and the laurels it has recieved

Slough Feg- Avatism
With Avatism, Slough Feg continue their tradition of straight-up yet strangely unclassifiable rock/metal, though on a much higher stage than any previous releases. Fun lyrics and moods, but far from campy, Slough Feg are serious musicians with a wry sense of humor, and it shows.

Moonsorrow- Verisaekeet
Sadly underrated and overshadowed by fellow folk metallers Finntroll (with whom Moonsorrow shares a member), Moonsorrow have been writing lengthy and intense semi-strophic epics somewhat akin to Windir for some time now. Verisaekeet is their most organized and condensed (into only 5 tracks, but a 70+ minute offering nonetheless) work, featuring both painful (in a good way) and beautiful vocal leads.

Nile- Annihilation of the Wicked
This is Nile's peak. Many spoke of In Their Darkened Shrines as the band's epoch, but the fierce intensity and extreme focus of this album blast the sometimes meandering ITDS out of the water (or catacombs, if you prefer). Toning down some of the Egyptian influences, Nile display their brutal mastery in fine form, while never losing sight of each song's focus.


Honorable Mentions:
Behemoth- Demigod
Darkane- Layers of Lies



I KNOW that I am forgetting much, but this is what I could whip up in about 15 minutes or so.

Welcome!


I beg to differ, I think Opeth, after a couple of hiccups in Deliverance and Damnation, are back to being in full command of their art as they were on Still Life and Blackwater Park, and dare I say, even moreso now. The music is richer, still progressive but remarkably accessible, the keyboards adding a much-needed additional element. The mellow interludes no longer feel arbitrary, the production is much warmer, Akerfeldt's vocals much stronger. They've never been better.


Yup, it's a good one. Though that last track was a complete waste of time.


I haven't heard this, and was reluctant to, as the Keys albums were great ones from my high school days, and I couldn't see how a new disc could measure up. Actually, most of the reaction I've seen has been negative, and merciless at that. Plus, I don't think it could top the Gamma Ray album, which was great Helloweeny fun.


Good one. The Kent cover was a bit, erm, surreal.


Yup.


Hell, yeah.

This is only my second post, (after a long time lurking) so I'd hate to ask for yet another YSI, but does anyone have the Opeth CD available? I've tried to grab it off a torrent, but it never starts downloading for whatever reason.

(edit: if no one wants to YSI it, I'll understand. I'm sure I'll find it somewhere)

Anyway... I've slowly been getting into more metal, so what recommendations does anyone have for groups similar to Isis, Pelican, Red Sparowes, etc. That's mostly the type of "metal" I've been getting into lately (if that even is classified as metal, who knows these days), and I absolutely love that type of stuff. I still like the stuff like Mastodon and High On Fire (which I ended up buying), as well as stuff liek Ed Gein and the more "hardcore" stuff, but I'm looking for more of the "ambient metal" type of stuff out there, similar to Isis and such bands as that.

Welcome.

I'm probably the #1 Isis fan in these parts. A couple of artists I might add (that you didn't mention) are anything by Justin Broadrick (Jesu, and his other side project Final) and a Peoria group named Minsk. Both are great artists in the type of stuff you're looking for. If you're interested, Minsk is playing tomorrow night at the Empty Bottle. I'll be there, seeing them for the first time.

Also check out Explosions in the Sky. They're not as "metal" per se, but every bit as powerful and impressive as Isis and Pelican.

I second the Minsk recommendation. That was my favourite album of that ilk last year.

Another cool one is Rosetta's The Galilean Satellites. And the new Eyes of Fire album is surprisingly good.

I have actually heard both Jesu and Minsk, and both I've liked.

I think part of my problem with modern-day metal IS the "cookie monster" vocals (which have been addressed in another thread here). Isis gets into that, but there's still that 'ambient' thing going on. I come from a 'post rock' attitude, via Mogwai, etc. so I want the melodic type of stuff.

That said, the Jesu CD is amazing, and (for whatever it's worth) the YSI's on this board are absolutely amazing, Regardless of whther or not I grab the disc from that YSi, it's inroduced me to alot of new musci (Wolfmother comes to mind).

Kudos to all that provide the YSI's.


Hell, I'll just reply again (half 'cause I'm partially drunk here)... but the whole metal scene, as far as I see it, is sooo much better now than when I was growing up. Back then, it was all Poison and Bulletboys and shit like that... not that that is exactly "metal", but it's what the mainstream grabbed as a "metal" sort of type of genre.

Poison? C'mon! There's absolutely no aggression involved there... which to me is one of the essential parts of the whole "metal" scene. I'll take Ed Gein over Poison or any of that crap any day, even if I can't understand what they're screaming about... it's all about the emotion and the aggression...

Want something post rock and ambient, in a really creepy way? Try Magicicada.

Galilean Satellites is incredible. I'd also recommend Kayo Dot, Red Sparrowes, and Back When.

Aye, I'll agree about the scene being stronger than it ever was. There are many who will tell you that death, black, and so on metals are dead, but in the past year, I have seen exemplary releases in both genres.

As for Opeth: those keyboards, I think, are trying to recreate the emotional atmosphere that they have since lost. I happen to like Damnation quite a bit, and snatches of Deliverance, but I think that they've become too much of that accessible prog/death band and not enough of the inexplicable mind bogglers. To compare the transformation to another genre: imagine King Crimson deciding to become Coheed and Cambria.

Both are talented, both unique, but KC definately has more lurking under the surface.

for soundscape, Isis-like material, I recommend all of the above mentioned as well as: Neurosis (I can't believe the inventors of the genre aren't mentioned yet), Cult of Luna (A bit more intense than Isis), Mare (far more melodic), Men in Search of the Perfect Weapon, and Mouth of the Architect.

I'd have been a tad irked if someone hadn't mentioned them. Thanks for preserving my sanity.

Neurosis, Godflesh and Swans are the daddies of all this. As well as Melvins and Earth I suppose, but that's digressing into Sludge a bit too much though. People should be warned - this stuff isn't as MOR as Isis. Kayo Dot and MotA are great modern ones.

Would upload the best Neurosis, but my connection is playing silly buggers as of late. Apologies.

Oh, I don't think Opeth's transformation has been that severe. Songs like "The Baying of the Hounds" and "Harlequin Forest" are in that labyrinthine (for lack of a better word) vein...I guess I like the discipline the band's displaying on the record

I'm amazed at how much I've been enjoying the new Cathedral. The 27-minute "The Garden" is a complete disaster, but the rest of the album is killer, it's got a cool mid-80s stomp to it, not unlike early Celtic Frost (think "Dethroned Emperor"). Plus, adding audio of swordfights during "Oro the Manslayer" is the perfect touch.

Oh, and here's a great YouTube discovery:
W.A.S.P. - "L.O.V.E. Machine"

I had never seen that video, but as an old W.A.S.P. fan from 84-85, I'd always wanted to. It was banned in Canada because of the submerged woman. Anyway, a deliciously goofy vid, with a typically 80s LA metal concept. Classic song, too.

Hey, can anyone here YSI the Early Man record? They're playing here tonight and i never got around to hearing that album and none of the torrent sites seem to have it. I'm going to the show to see the opening band The Sword but I wanna see if Early Man is worth sticking around for.

I can ... in pieces ... later on. YSI doesn't like uploading large chunks of data for me, but I can do 3-4 songs at a time.

In exchange, can someone up the Sword rec again? The previous link went dead quickly.

Great!

WASP is a very underapreciated band.

Early Man record: might be too late for Burzum, but anyone else interested...

htpp://s63.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=2YACADC4068692TX33LES8UCQV
war eagle.mp3
thrill of the kill.mp3
brain sick.mp3
contra.mp3
htpp://s63.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=0DVN332Q63XVF1DVZG5111AKJM
four walls.mp3
fist shaker.mp3
raped and pillaged.mp3
like a goddamn rat.mp3
htpp://s37.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=0YWA1P1HC3V702QL581DIDPM4W
feeding frenzy.mp3
evil is.mp3
death is the answer.mp3

It's never too late! I actually ended up missing the show anyway. Thanks for the YSI, I'll do the Sword album tomorrow.

edit: YSI went crazy and sent me 3 links to this so if that one doesn't work try one of these

Downloaded the new Decapitated album Organic Hallucinosis today and it's kicking my ass. Anyone else heard this one?

Ooh. Been waiting for that one to surface.

This Sword album rocks!! Is this their debut?

Yeah, it's their first album. It seems to be getting a lot of love. I'm really pissed I missed that show last night.

The second half ("Iron Swan" on) completely blows away the first half. It's a fun cd.

And yeah, the Decapitated is excellent. Saw them open for Vader last November, and they were plagued by crummy sound, and the singer was less than charismatic. Their guitarist was fun to watch, though.

I listened to the Sword but briefly, and was rather impressed for a debut. I look forward to listening more.

Decapitated. Well, they used to be excellent, but Corvan (new vocalist) does not half have the delivery that Sauron did. Decapitated is not a hardcore bellow gut-shout band, and that style of vocals killed this new album for me.

How do we all feel about Sepultura? I've been re-visiting Beneath the Remains, Arise and Roots, all of which have their moments but never grab me by the throat like I want them to. Are they just a Metallica Ride the Lightning-era tribute, or is there something more that I'm missing?

And then there's Soulfly, whose eponymous first kicks some butt here and there a la Roots but also somehow falls short...

Don't get me wrong...I like these guys, just never understood the manic devotion of their following.

Edit: Etiam, welcome. I disagree with you on Opeth's new one, but it's cool to hear from another knowledgable metal dude (this forum is pretty rich with them already, but more is better).

Edit II: Re-mastered Arise has a really nice cover of Motorhead's "Orgasmatron."

Edit III: By "eponymous first" I apparently meant "Primitive."

I saw Sepultura back in '91 or '92 and they were a force to be reckoned with. Actually, Helmet followed and it was amazing how slow they sounded. I like Arise, but that's the only one I really like and even that one gets a little old after awhile. I dig the drummer though-he's lightning fast

I think it's time for some live Maiden...whaddya say?

hxxp://s53.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=0WLSG32M7JDAY0K6IST6JRJB8K

Arise is my favourite Sepultura disc. They were great when they were preoccupied with imitating Slayer. Plus, their cover of "Orgasmatron" is one of the greatest metal covers in history.

I've always liked Soulfly...I have their new one, but I haven't bothered to listen to it. There's a band who would make a great single-disc best-of CD.


What specifically is this? Just curious...I don't know if I have it or not.

Eddie's Archive Disc 3

Oooh. Eddie's Archive is one of the only Maiden releases I don't have...

Thanks!