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Welcome all to the obligatory 2016 albums thread
Well it was inevitable that this would become a bigger project before it even got off the ground :lol
I was planning to do a top 25 but as I was putting together my list (and working out honourable mentions) I realised I'd forgotten a few albums. So we now have a top 30 instead. I'm planning to post a new album every few days (or as soon as conversation dies down on said album) with a little write up and links to favourite songs.
Before we kick this off with #30 though I wanted to do a little honourable mentions section. This will be divided into three sections.
- Albums that I listened to, didn't like enough to make the top 30.
- Albums that I did listen to but not enough to rank them
- Albums I didn't get around to listening to but will do soon
We'll start with the three albums that I did listen to but they didn't make the top 30 (because I didn't really like them):
Wolfmother - Victorious
(https://consequenceofsound.files.wordpress.com/2016/01/wolfmother-victorious-new-album.png)
I really liked Wolfmother's debut but the follow up was pretty poor as far as I'm concerned. I checked this out just to give them a chance. This just doesn't do a lot for me but never mind, I don't see it as a great loss. I have the debut if I want a Wolfmother fix.
Killswitch Engage - Incarnate
(https://www.upsetmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Killswitch-Engage-Incarnate.jpg)
I went to see a band with a few friends back in November and Killswitch were supporting. I've not really listened to them in years but there was a time where I used to listen to Alive or Just Breathing quite a lot. I gave this a few spins as I was going to be seeing them but it's just Killswitch Engage by numbers and I've just moved on.
The Avalanches - Wildflower
(https://images.genius.com/2d3bd6cf9de70afb8992874acb2b5599.1000x1000x1.jpg)
I had a real urge to Since I Left You just before Christmas and it's still a great album. I then realised that The Avalanches had released an album in 2016. I gave it a go but it was more hip hop than trip hop and I just wasn't as in to it. I just listened to Since I Left You instead.
I'll follow up with the other honourable mentions tonight and possibly post #30 on the list as well....
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oceans of slumber - winter for #2
the dear hunter - act v for #1
like, not even my personal prefs or anything, just.
also i should do a top albums of 2016 list sometime, maybe
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oceans of slumber - winter for #2
the dear hunter - act v for #1
like, not even my personal prefs or anything, just.
also i should do a top albums of 2016 list sometime, maybe
Well you are half right there. There will be no surprises with my #1 :heart
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So the second part of the honourable mentions only has three albums, this is albums I have given a listen to but not enough to rank them properly:
Testament – Brotherhood of the Snake
(https://assets.blabbermouth.net.s3.amazonaws.com/media/testamentbrotherhoodcdcover.jpg)
I've always loved Testament and they are the only thrash band that were around from the start yet still release albums that feel relevant. Slayer, Metallica and Megadeth all feel like old bands now that are trying to recapture their past glory (I feel Megadeth are doing the best out of those three by the way) but Testament never feel like that kind of band to me. They have evolved over the years and their later, heavier output is just great. I've only listened to this once so can't really rank it but it was certainly a solid effort from these thrashers. I'll give it some more spins soon, good stuff.
Neurosis – Fires Within Fires
(https://f4.bcbits.com/img/a0336175312_10.jpg)
I've got a few Neurosis albums but they have never been a favourite band of mine. I feel as though my tastes are changing and that this sort of music is starting to appeal to me more. I've only listened to this once and the only thing I really remember was thinking that it was quite short, is this actually an EP? I don't even recall. Anyway, I'll be spinning again soon :metal
Steven Wilson – 4 ½
(https://pearshapedexeter.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/4-12-567c2c5ecf808.jpg)
I'm only a casual Porcupine Tree fan and only have three albums. I checked out The Raven That Refused to Sing sometime back in 2015 and thought it was ok. I added all the Steven Wilson solo albums to my Spotify playlist and I really sat up and took notice when this came on. I really like it. I've listened to this twice through and I know that I really dug it both times, from start to finish. Something about it had me really connecting with it more than I have with anything else Steven has recorded. I'm looking forward to actually listening to all of his solo stuff this year.
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Did you hear Steven's Hand. Cannot. Erase.? It is awesome.
Didn't get to the newest Testament yet because I'm not into thrash lately but if it hit me again one day, I'll check it out :P
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No, I've not heard H.C.E yet, it's on my Spotify playlist but not listened to it yet. I'm optimistic about hearing it after hearing 4 1/2. Are you a fan of Testament's more recent albums? BotS is all in the same vein so you might like it.
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Yep, The Formation and Dark Roots were both on regular rotation few years ago :metal
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The final part of my honourable mentions isn't really honourable mentions at all, these are the albums I never got around to checking out last year (but will do this year). I'm sure I will update this thread once I have listened to all these albums and do a revised ranking. But for now, just check out the artwork and tell me what a fool I've been for missing out on these.
Myrath - Legacy
(https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/71EbunNGp1L._SL1500_.jpg)
Kvelertak - Nattesferd
(https://www.metalinjection.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/kvelertaknattesferd.jpg)
Periphery - Periphery III: Select Difficulty
(https://is3-ssl.mzstatic.com/image/thumb/Music18/v4/b0/4d/df/b04ddfa2-ffb2-1989-f9f1-cac6b6126dd0/817424016100.jpg/1200x630bb.jpg)
Alter Bridge - The Last Hero
(https://assets.blabbermouth.net.s3.amazonaws.com/media/alterbridgethelastherocdcover.jpg)
Destrage - A Means to an End
(https://www.metalblade.com/us/covers/Destrage-AMeansToNoEnd.jpg)
The Dillinger Escape Plan - Dissociation
(https://www.noisemag.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/DEP-1.jpg)
Crowbar - The Serpent Only Lies
(https://www.nuclearblast.de/static/articles/253/253253.jpg/1000x1000.jpg)
Animals as Leaders - The Madness of Many
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/3/3d/TheMadnessOfMany.jpg)
Frost* - Falling Satellites
(https://frost.life/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/frost-falling-cover.jpg)
Thrice - To Be Everywhere is to Be Nowhere
(https://images.genius.com/981c8503af538917bf54c3c04e434493.1000x1000x1.jpg)
Twelve Foot Ninja - Outlier
(https://www.metalinjection.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Twelve_Foot_Ninja_Outlier.jpg)
Sunburst - Fragments of Creation
(https://f4.bcbits.com/img/a1507589857_5.jpg)
Lesbian - Hallucinogenesis
(https://f4.bcbits.com/img/a2886229093_10.jpg)
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Following :tup
Lots of great stuff in the list of albums you haven't checked out yet! I already know the #1 and pretty sure I know the #2 as well, but I'm looking forward to your objectively bad ranking of Odyssey to the West.
That Destrage album is alright but don't go in expecting an Are You Kidding Me? No. pt. 2, it's got some amazing songs though like Not Everything Is Said, Symphony of the Ego and of course Blah Blah
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That new Alter Bridge is awesome btw, I like it even more than Blackbird (didn't get into other albums yet). Kvelertak - Nattesferd is fine, not as good as debut but better than Meir IMO.
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Following :tup
Lots of great stuff in the list of albums you haven't checked out yet! I already know the #1 and pretty sure I know the #2 as well, but I'm looking forward to your objectively bad ranking of Odyssey to the West.
That Destrage album is alright but don't go in expecting an Are You Kidding Me? No. pt. 2, it's got some amazing songs though like Not Everything Is Said, Symphony of the Ego and of course Blah Blah
That new Alter Bridge is awesome btw, I like it even more than Blackbird (didn't get into other albums yet). Kvelertak - Nattesferd is fine, not as good as debut but better than Meir IMO.
Cheers guys, I'll definitely get to these albums over the coming weeks and probably before I wrap this thread up so I'll post some little reviews of these albums then.
I'll start with #30 within the next hour....
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#30
Witchcraft - Nucleus
(https://i1.wp.com/www.metalinjection.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/witchcraft-nucleus.jpg?fit=1417%2C1417)
Starting this proper we have Nucleus by Witchcraft, a doom/hard rock band hailing from Sweden. I remember first checking out Witchcraft back in like 2007 when they released The Alchemist (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NgBZSKXpphg) (which I love and highly recommend). Unfortunately this album isn’t quite as good as The Alchemist. Back in 2007 I was big into the band Down and Phil Anselmo used to bang on about these guys like they were the second coming. I finally got The Alchemist and although it was a bit different to what I was expecting (it’s kinda classic rock with a bit of a doomy feel, it’s more like Led Zeppelin than Black Sabbath though) I really dug it, way more than most Down albums actually.
Anyway, fast forward to last year and I heard that Witchcraft had released a new album. They actually have 5 albums under their belt but Nucleus is only the second I’ve heard. In all fairness I may not have given this enough spins to really let it sink in but it didn’t really grab me like most of the other albums on here. Nucleus is quite a bit heavier than The Alchemist and way doomier but it feels like it’s too long and can be a bit of a chore to get through. There are some solid heavy riffs (especially in the first track, Malstroem) peppered throughout this album but the songs just aren’t as memorable as on The Alchemist. One thing I have always loved about this band is Magnus’s voice, it is pretty distinctive and fits really well with the music, it’s kinda how I wish Lee Dorrian from Cathedral sounded. If Magnus sang for Cathedral I’d be way more into them.
There are some good songs and musical ideas on this album but some of it is just there. The title track, for instance, is 14 minutes long but it doesn’t really go anywhere in that time and just loses my interest. I think the problem with this album is that a lot of it sounds incredibly samey, at least to me. There are flashes of brilliance but just not enough to make it a great album. It’s a bit frustrating really as it probably could’ve been a lot better if they trimmed some bits here and there.
Favourite song: Malstroem (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qmd7jvSsna0)
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#29
Meshuggah - The Violent Sleep of Reason
(https://www.metalinjection.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Meshuggah-The-Violent-Sleep-Of-Reason-Artwork.jpg)
So here I am giving Meshuggah a go, again. I first heard Meshuggah back in about 2006/7 when I saw a second hand copy of Catch 33 for £3 in my local record shop. It still remains my favourite album of theirs even though I wouldn’t call myself a big fan. I find Meshuggah to be extremely repetitive and monotonous. I mean, Meshuggah are technically great and brutal as fuck but listening to a full album can be an exhausting experience for me personally. I very nearly got tickets to go see them in January and I probably should have as I feel I would enjoy them more in a live environment.
This album was getting some rave reviews when it dropped so I thought I’d give it a spin. This just feels like standard Meshuggah to me, I’m not a big enough fan, I guess, to really notice how this is different from any of their other albums. I know there are some hardcore fans on DTF who will likely breakdown exactly why this release is better than ‘X’ album but I just don’t hear it. I totally think that Meshuggah are the sort of band that if you are a musician yourself then maybe you have a better appreciation for what they are doing. As I am not a musician however, I can’t see it from that point of view. This is another brutal release that is just in your face from start to finish, it has all the Meshuggah hallmarks and is about as subtle as Jens Kidman’s iconic grimace.
It’s hard for me to really pick out a favourite song as when I listen to the album in full I can’t really differentiate between most songs. This is just an album that I’ll put on if I want to listen to something punishing for an hour. I don’t really have much more to say about this album and I’m sure there are some fans on DTF who could do this more justice and sell it better.
Favourite song: By The Ton, Nostrum (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V3vxIoCOvxQ)
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I wish I understood the appeal of meshuggah
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I wish I understood my lack of understanding!
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I wish I understood the appeal of meshuggah
Same I'm really missing something I guess, the absence of melody and chord progressions in the songs I heared kind of bores me.
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Yea, I don't like much sugar in my coffee either :neverusethis:
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Yea, I don't like much sugar in my coffee either :neverusethis:
It took me too long :lol
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(https://img.ifcdn.com/images/3b22e04d6ce5f4e676257fc0edf7181997a3ddf844d6c06f930541cd7b5c98e8_1.jpg)
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I don't remember much of this album at all, but I do remember By The Ton, Ivory Tower and Into Decay were far and away the best tracks. I want to give it more listens, but I'm rarely in a Meshuggah "mood", I do like them in moderation though, especially the more groovy tracks which is why I prefer those I mentioned.
I wish I understood the appeal of meshuggah
Same I'm really missing something I guess, the absence of melody and chord progressions in the songs I heared kind of bores me.
Is Meshuggah even music though? They're almost as bad as SLAYER :neverusethis: those guys have never heard of the word melody and just blabber on about satan all the time
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Me waiting for Elite to show up -------->:corn
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Say what you want but I personally think Slayer are way better. They haven't released a decent album in nearly 20 years but their earlier stuff was just great. I will happily stick on a Slayer album once in a while and headbang the fuck out. They wrote plenty of songs that weren't in your face thrash and some of their lyrics are just great to sing aloud. Especially in front of people who will get weirded out by them. I'm breaking down the stereotype that metal heads are Satanists by singing that shit but then reminding people it's all just entertainment :lol
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Seasons in the Abyss and South of Heaven are both pretty melodic albums, still love them.
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Meshuggah is hit or miss with and I have to be in the mood for them.
The Witchcraft album is good. I'm a big fan of doom music, especially the heavier stuff. This reminds me of a slowed down version of Tool with Aaron Stainthorpe-style vocals. Good stuff.
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Meshuggah is hit or miss with and I have to be in the mood for them.
The Witchcraft album is good. I'm a big fan of doom music, especially the heavier stuff. This reminds me of a slowed down version of Tool with Aaron Stainthorpe-style vocals. Good stuff.
Yea, I'm pretty much the same with the 'Shuggah.
Witchcraft are a good band and I do need to check out some of their other albums, Nucleus just wasn't as good as I'd hoped it'd be. I like me some doom too but I can be a little on the picky side with it. I've been listening to quite a lot of Paradise Lost recently, that's what I'm digging right now. Faith Divides Us - Death Unites Us is just :hefdaddy
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Meshuggah is hit or miss with and I have to be in the mood for them.
The Witchcraft album is good. I'm a big fan of doom music, especially the heavier stuff. This reminds me of a slowed down version of Tool with Aaron Stainthorpe-style vocals. Good stuff.
Yea, I'm pretty much the same with the 'Shuggah.
Witchcraft are a good band and I do need to check out some of their other albums, Nucleus just wasn't as good as I'd hoped it'd be. I like me some doom too but I can be a little on the picky side with it. I've been listening to quite a lot of Paradise Lost recently, that's what I'm digging right now. Faith Divides Us - Death Unites Us is just :hefdaddy
I'm picky as well. Paradise Lost are a great band and now I think I'll listen to them. Draconian Times.
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Slayer's last album, Repentless is pretty old school.
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For the record, luke, I'm totally kidding about Slayer. :lol I mean, I'm not a fan, but I wouldn't bash them like that, I've heard some really good songs by them (I think you were even the one who played them in plug)
Meshuggah is hit or miss with and I have to be in the mood for them.
The Witchcraft album is good. I'm a big fan of doom music, especially the heavier stuff. This reminds me of a slowed down version of Tool with Aaron Stainthorpe-style vocals. Good stuff.
Yea, I'm pretty much the same with the 'Shuggah.
Witchcraft are a good band and I do need to check out some of their other albums, Nucleus just wasn't as good as I'd hoped it'd be. I like me some doom too but I can be a little on the picky side with it. I've been listening to quite a lot of Paradise Lost recently, that's what I'm digging right now. Faith Divides Us - Death Unites Us is just :hefdaddy
I'm picky as well. Paradise Lost are a great band and now I think I'll listen to them. Draconian Times.
For whatever reason couldn't get into Draconian Times myself. I personally like The Plague Within a lot but I don't listen to it nearly as much as I should
I don't really listen to doom that much, I can only take it in in moderation I guess, but Katatonia is one that I'm looking forward to delving into more. Their discography is so massive though.
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For the record, luke, I'm totally kidding about Slayer. :lol I mean, I'm not a fan, but I wouldn't bash them like that, I've heard some really good songs by them (I think you were even the one who played them in plug)
Meshuggah is hit or miss with and I have to be in the mood for them.
The Witchcraft album is good. I'm a big fan of doom music, especially the heavier stuff. This reminds me of a slowed down version of Tool with Aaron Stainthorpe-style vocals. Good stuff.
Yea, I'm pretty much the same with the 'Shuggah.
Witchcraft are a good band and I do need to check out some of their other albums, Nucleus just wasn't as good as I'd hoped it'd be. I like me some doom too but I can be a little on the picky side with it. I've been listening to quite a lot of Paradise Lost recently, that's what I'm digging right now. Faith Divides Us - Death Unites Us is just :hefdaddy
I'm picky as well. Paradise Lost are a great band and now I think I'll listen to them. Draconian Times.
For whatever reason couldn't get into Draconian Times myself. I personally like The Plague Within a lot but I don't listen to it nearly as much as I should
I don't really listen to doom that much, I can only take it in in moderation I guess, but Katatonia is one that I'm looking forward to delving into more. Their discography is so massive though.
Katatonia has some great material. They recently went the same direction as Anathema and put out some lighter music. They weren't as great as Anathema's releases (IMO), but I say they are definitely worth checking out.
Paradise Lost has put out a lot of good music. Besides Draconian Times, One Second and Gothic are favorites of mine.I'm listening to The Plague Within right now.
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I am very aware, The Fall of Hearts made my top 10 last year. :tup
The only other album I'm familiar enough with is Dead End Kings and its acoustic counterpart. I seem to be the only one that prefers Dethroned & Uncrowned though. Probably continuing the journey with The Great Cold Distance and Brave Murder Day, the latter because I'm really curious about their earlier sound which supposedly also includes harsh vocals?
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For the record, luke, I'm totally kidding about Slayer. :lol I mean, I'm not a fan, but I wouldn't bash them like that, I've heard some really good songs by them (I think you were even the one who played them in plug)
Yea, I know. My comment actually reads like I was slightly offended by what you said but I really wasn't. It was as if your comment was almost bait for someone :justjen :neverusethis:
For whatever reason couldn't get into Draconian Times myself. I personally like The Plague Within a lot but I don't listen to it nearly as much as I should
I don't really listen to doom that much, I can only take it in in moderation I guess, but Katatonia is one that I'm looking forward to delving into more. Their discography is so massive though.
The Plague Within is pretty good but I've only gotten around to listening to it recently so it's still pretty new to me. I've only heard Katatonia's fairly recent albums and they're not really doom at all, I've not listened to their earlier, doomier stuff......yet.
Slayer's last album, Repentless is pretty old school.
I suppose it was but I just didn't really like it. If it feels like they are trying too hard to be old school it is likely to fail for me. Bands should play what comes naturally and not necessarily just what they feel their fanbase want. I mean, I know it's up to them but Slayer feel like a band who will just keep putting out the same kind of stuff, no real surprises. That will please a lot of fans but I'd rather hear something out of the box from them. Unfortunately the loss of Jeff probably had a big impact on why I didn't like the latest as much as well.
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I am very aware, The Fall of Hearts made my top 10 last year. :tup
The only other album I'm familiar enough with is Dead End Kings and its acoustic counterpart. I seem to be the only one that prefers Dethroned & Uncrowned though. Probably continuing the journey with The Great Cold Distance and Brave Murder Day, the latter because I'm really curious about their earlier sound which supposedly also includes harsh vocals?
Yes. I got into them a couple of years after they came out. My friend was playing in a local doom band and through that I was introduced to so much different music. Bands like My Dying Bride, Anathema, and Amorphis became favorites of mine. Old Katatonia is extremely doom sounding with harsh vocals. If I remember correctly their first three albums (Dance of December Souls, For Funerals to Come, and Brave Murder Day) have the growling vocals. They are still great to listen to. It's like with the other bands. I love the new sound Anathema and Amorphis have but listening to those old albums brings back memories. Plus they are so dark which I love.
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Me waiting for Elite to show up -------->:corn
Hi!
Good pick, but I would - indeed - put it higher :biggrin:
I do think The Violent Sleep of Reason might be Meshuggah's best album, because it 'breathes' more than their other records and is more organic sounding. Despite what people make you believe, Meshuggah does melodic things as well, although they are extremely subtle. I guess they are not for everybody and I do not always have the urge to listen to them either. It also took me years to get into their music.
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#28
Volbeat - Seal the Deal & Let's Boogie
(https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/A1blgtfyM7L._SL1500_.jpg)
Volbeat, Volbeat, Volbeat. For anyone who doesn't really know this band they are a Danish (mostly) 4 piece who play their hard rock/metal with a Johnny Cash swagger and underlying country vibe. All delivered via a James Hetfield/Danzig/Elvis hybrid of a frontman. Essentially what they are doing is nothing new but the mix that they have is quite unique.
When I first heard these guys, back in Spring 2013, I fell in love pretty hard. I actually heard Cape of Our Hero on the radio and loved it. I spent the next few months playing the shit out of all their albums. I loved their mix of Metallica, Elvis, Social Distortion and Glen Danzig. I still love Michael Poulsen’s voice (his Danish twang and the fact English isn't his first language gives his vocals a really distinct sound) and singing along to their tunes is a joy. I burnt out on these guys though and don’t really listen much anymore. When I heard this album was coming out I wasn’t too fussed about hearing it but as the year was getting older I decided to give it a spin.
This is nothing new, like at all. It’s Volbeat exactly as I expected them to sound. It’s not terrible and it’s not great, it’s just another Volbeat album. I’m fine with that to be honest but I’d also be happy just sticking on their older albums whenever I need a hit. I can’t really say this album has any stand out hits compared to their older albums though. I usually have at least 2 songs that I will fall in love with and love to sing along to, either this album isn’t as strong or I just haven’t spent enough time with it. I'm not sure if I have just passed the stage where I love what these guys are doing or whether they have got a bit stale and the songs just aren't as good? I'm happy either way though, Volbeat will be a band that I can just stick on and rock out to every now and then. That's all I want from these guys and I'll keep going back for that fix until I'm done.
Favourite songs: Marie Laveau, Black Rose Spotify link to the album (https://play.spotify.com/album/3v78ZZiv9L2Fb5x5fC8kVC)
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I enjoy a few Volbeat songs here and there. Not a band I'm into much though.
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They are one of those bands I never bothered to check out, so I figured I'd see what they are all about. I am watching the Seal the Deal video on YouTube. They're pretty good. Very catchy.
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They are one of those bands I never bothered to check out, so I figured I'd see what they are all about. I am watching the Seal the Deal video on YouTube. They're pretty good. Very catchy.
Nice one :tup
The two songs that really got me into this band are Cape of Our Hero (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vlF3OY-FenY) and Still Counting (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=SKmttCXc9c4). Give them a go, I'm totally biased towards these songs but I think they are way better than anything on the latest album.
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why did you send a 240p version tho, sounds terrible :lol
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Volbeat gone kvlt
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#27
Glass Hammer - Valkyrie
(https://assets.teamrock.com/image/d4e4adb0-892a-4594-978e-726e46f0b317?w=800)
This is actually my most recent album from 2016, I only got around to listening to this within the last month or so. Glass Hammer are a five piece band with three members taking up lead vocals (one of which is female) and you get quite a nice diversity within that. The music is a bit too synth heavy for me and there isn’t really much in the way of riffs that grab my attention. This album is the only one on my list that is basically synth heavy, classic prog. I’m not too big a fan of that era but I can listen to it.
I noticed this was getting good reviews so took a punt. These guys unashamedly sound like Yes and ELP, but still feel relevant. My Dad is a big fan of all those 70’s prog bands so I really need to give him a copy of this. Fans of that classic prog sound this will probably dig this. For me it’s a nice listen and it sounds quite rich but it just doesn’t get my juices flowing. As I’ve said I’ve also spent less time with this album than any other on the list so ask me in a year and it might have shot up my rankings.
So apparently there is a concept to this album, which according to Wikipedia is "a soldier’s struggle to return home from the horrors of war, to the girl who loves him and must ultimately find her way to him.". I tend to find that I’m not the sort of person who can take in all the lyrics and follow a concept, unless I really try. My ear just follows what is going on musically. At this point I don’t necessarily have a favourite song/songs. No Man’s Land is the longest track on the album and has a bit of an ‘epic’ feel, there is also some stuff on there that is very reminiscent of the latest Opeth album. Nexus is an instrumental and is the sort of song that makes this album feel fresh as it’s not really the sort of thing you would expect to hear on a classic prog album, it almost goes a bit industrial. The album ends with Rapturo, which is also a highlight, with its lush use of piano in the intro and powerful vocal performance. As I write this I’m probably listening to this album for about the third time. It is paced fairly well and doesn’t feel overlong. As someone who is not usually that big a fan of female vocals (only when compared to male that is) I actually quite like them on this album, especially the final track. I must say that the album cover was another thing that drew me in to this album. I think it’s really beautiful and I love the colours. I think I saw it first on progarchives.com (https://www.progarchives.com/) and it certainly caught my eye. So yea, in summary if you like a bit of synthy classic prog with a modern feel and a war based concept, then get on it, you’ll likely not be disappointed.
Favourite songs: No Man’s Land (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VWEGdhJ9OQQ), Rapturo
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I've just updated the 'albums I've yet to listen to' part and added Sunburst - Fragments of Creation and Lesbian - Hallucinogenesis (mainly for myself if nothing else, so I can keep note of what I need to catch up on)
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#26
Katatonia - The Fall of Hearts
(https://www.metalinjection.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Katatonia_-_Fall_Of_Hearts_-_Medium_Res_Cover.jpg)
I’m still fairly new to Katatonia to be honest as I’ve only listened to like three of their albums, and that’s all been within the last few months. Their latest jumped out at me at first listen and I’m not entirely sure why, I can’t even remember which song off this album made me take notice.
I’ve been aware of Katatonia for years but I always heard them compared to Opeth. I’m not really sure why as nothing that I have heard so far sounds remotely like them, maybe it’s just because they are both Swedish? As I’ve been a big Opeth fan for years I was put off as I didn’t fancy listening to a poor man’s version. So fast forward and here we are and I’m eating my words. I’ve probably only listened to this album about 3-4 times at this point so its ranking now may be a little lower than it may be in 6 months’ time. This album doesn’t exactly blow my socks off but it is a nice relaxing listen and I just enjoy the hell out of it. It’s not overly heavy and I guess I was surprised by how many songs were radio friendly.
I think that the most obvious thing that I love about this album is Jonas’s vocals. I mean, there is enough going on here musically as well but I love the sound of his voice and seem to focus on it. Yea, I suppose as this is still so new to me I can’t really gush over it too much but it’s a great listen and I will be looking forward to delving into the rest of their back catalogue over coming months.
Favourite songs: Old Hearts Fall (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IIGBNc2nFZA), Serac (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TeYcV3pnfzA)
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I’ve been aware of Katatonia for years but I always heard them compared to Opeth. I’m not really sure why as nothing that I have heard so far sounds remotely like them, maybe it’s just because they are both Swedish?
The reason for this is Brave Murder Day. Even then it's not musically that similar but man, those vocals... ;)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k6QenZcDxXk
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I rate it a bit higher than you but yeah I agree, it's a nice chill listen. One of those albums I can't really love but it's hard to dislike as well, and it's just very consistent throughout.
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I’ve been aware of Katatonia for years but I always heard them compared to Opeth. I’m not really sure why as nothing that I have heard so far sounds remotely like them, maybe it’s just because they are both Swedish?
The reason for this is Brave Murder Day. Even then it's not musically that similar but man, those vocals... ;)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k6QenZcDxXk
Ok yeah, I hear that. I just haven't listened to any old Katatonia yet :facepalm:
That sounds pretty sweet so I'll get to some of their older stuff soon :tup
I rate it a bit higher than you but yeah I agree, it's a nice chill listen. One of those albums I can't really love but it's hard to dislike as well, and it's just very consistent throughout.
Pretty much. It's still pretty new to me so I can't really rank it higher.
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I don't like direction they turned to with this album, like they lost a bit of emotions in exchange for technicality. It's still pretty good, some great songs are there.
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#25
Slice the Cake - Odyssey to the West
(https://f4.bcbits.com/img/a3011357034_10.jpg)
I heard a lot of statements about this album, that I assumed to be hyperbole, last year. Turns out, as far as I’m concerned, I assumed correct. I was really expecting something truly great from this album and I’ve given it plenty of tries but it doesn’t do much for me at all. The album cover conjures up images and memories of Stephen King’s The Dark Tower series, something about it makes me think of Roland and his journey. I think there is a concept to this album (but I could be wrong?) but I honestly have no clue as to what it is. I think part of me was expecting some heavier version of a Coheed and Cambria style concept album. Ultimately I was let down (maybe my expectations were just too high and also way off base) and a bit underwhelmed.
Now this album is heavy, really heavy, for most of its running time. I am fine with heavy extreme music but I feel I’d like to hear more contrast on this album, like there are parts with clean, spoken word parts which then segue into guttural death metal style vocals, like at the beginning of Stone and Silver Part III. For me these bits sound cool but they are too few and far between for my liking. I also find the music to be mainly quite uninteresting. It’s so heavy but just quite lifeless, the riffs just don’t connect for me. I’d like to hear more melody, like at the beginning of Westward Bound Part I, but I find this album to be lacking in that department. Speaking of Westward Bound Part I, I prefer the harsh vocals at the beginning of that song (opposed to the style they use for most of the rest of the album) as they have more life to them.
This is by no means a bad album and I urge people to check the it out, it has plenty to get your teeth into. I will admit that this album does strike me as the sort that may take a while to ‘click’ but once it does I’ll love it. I just can’t see that happening anytime soon. Maybe I just need to revisit it in about 6 months. I know there are some real fans of this album on here (sharpen your knives boys) who will be less than happy with this ranking so low but suck it, I think The Astonishing is better than this :lol
Favourite song: Westward Bound Part I (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H43Q8HoUjmw)
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I found this to be incredibly overrated tbh. Didn't do anything for me and I don't feel like giving it another chance.
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:(
I made a review that's being published on the 1 year anniversary date of this album (this Saturday) so there you can see my thoughts, but I think I've already gone into big detail about my love for this album to everyone here :lol
First listen I think all I cared for were the narratives and the deathcore bored me, but it clicked really quickly for me. What did take long for me is for the last suite to really get going, I used to think it dragged towards the end because of those songs (Ash and Rust I-IV)
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Train played them on plug.dj and it was actually pretty immediate for me and I generally have a tougher time coming around to harsher vocals. There's something about the emotion underlying in the music that I connected with right away. I really enjoy the clean vocals and the passion of the harsher ones along with the music which I think was pretty stellar. The only issue I had was feeling it was a tad long (and I love long albums) but I get the reasoning behind it with the concept.
I'll be nice and won't compare it to the impotent TA.
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I'm not as crazy about this one as train is but it's definitely one of the better releases from last year imo
A bit too long though, is the biggest problem, definitely bits that could've been cut down
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So I got a little behind with this as I've had a really busy week, on we go...
#24
Dream Theater - The Astonishing
(https://progreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/dreamtheatercoverjpg.jpg)
Well at least this is an album that I’m sure everyone will have listened to. This album is a strange beast. I wasn’t massively hyped for this release, even though I really like their previous album. I went into this with an open mind but ultimately I feel like it didn’t win me over. I think there are two main problems with this album for me.
Firstly, it’s just too long and there are too many songs that don’t add to the overall experience of the album. Many of us have already said it but if this album had been condensed down to one album it may have been brilliant. Secondly is the story, it feels like they are trying to make their own version of Game of Thrones or something. The problem is, the story (to me at least) is so amateur it hurts. The story (if I remember correctly) is all told over the space of about 3 days! It feels like it is aimed at a very young audience, the plot is very simple and straightforward. I feel they could have had a story that felt more ‘real’ and wasn’t spoon fed to you and I personally would have enjoyed it more. I just remember reading all the interviews before hand about how much time JP had spent creating the world and about the cast. It sounded like it could’ve been cool if executed well, I just don’t feel it was. It’s quite a big gripe of mine actually. It makes me feel as though they don’t deem their fanbase intelligent enough to handle a more adult storyline but again that’s just my opinion.
As I said, there are some really good songs on here and I feel musically it’s up to DT’s high standards. I really like Dystopian Overture as it introduces you to lots of the themes that you will be hearing throughout the album, I am a sucker for a good overture, I must admit. There are a few other highlights among the filler on the first disc, such as Three Days but the only song that I really love on the album is A New Beginning. It’s James vocals on this song that really do it for me, which is kind of unusual when picking my fave DT songs, it’s usually all about the music.
I suppose that is one of the other things this album is lacking actually, thinking about it. There aren’t many awesome instrumental sections or long songs where they go into an instrumental jam. I don’t know there are just all these short songs, too many of which are ballads, but nothing to get my teeth into. I’m still not sure whether the band consider this album a success or not. It definitely split opinion but I’m just not a huge fan, I hope they try something completely different with the next album, which I think is pretty much a given.
Favourite songs: Dystopian Overture (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VUayZvdXCaw), Three Days (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sOi_F5Fl5c8), A New Beginning (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sm2ozMjYB5w), Our New World (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c_m-NngPzJA)
As I've gotten behind with this I may post #23 tonight as well.
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Completely agree with your comments about the length, I quite liked it when it came out but the long length keeps putting me of from relistening to it As for the story, I think they also put way too much emphasis on it, talking about how it took a year to come up etc. Putting a pretty cliche story so much to the forefront doesn't do the album to well.
There are some fun (but kind of too short) instrumental sections tho, like the end of Three Days :azn:
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As for the story, I think they also put way too much emphasis on it, talking about how it took a year to come up etc.
This.
If you are going to say that the story took a year to come to fruition then it should be better than this in my eyes. Like, if they'd hadn't said anything about that then I wouldn't have been so disappointed with how lame it was.
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this is definitely not better than slice the kek
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this is definitely not better than slice the kek
:lol
I really do prefer it. Although TA has a lot of filler there are some songs that I really like, the same can't be said for Odyssey to the West. TA just has higher highs I guess.
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this is definitely not better than slice the kek
compared to slice the kek TA is a masterpiece :sadpanda:
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slice your ears off :tup
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slice your ears off :tup
nah I wanna hear the new Ayreon album
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just listen to 01011001 again and you've basically got the full picture
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#23
Metallica - Hardwired...To Self-Destruct
(https://e-cdn-images.deezer.com/images/cover/22df6212ca5a43b3ec83caa814e8da16/500x500.jpg)
I have considered Metallica my favourite band for most of my life. They were the first band I was obsessed with and they really got me into metal. I was never that interested in music growing up (which is pretty surprising if I think about how obsessive I am about it now) and preferred to play computer games and football. My older brother was always into music though and I was exposed to Metallica’s Black Album a lot when it was released in ’91, I was 8 and he was playing it ALL the time, even though I wasn’t consciously enjoying it, it was all seeping into my DNA.
Fast forward to about 2002 and I was 19, I was pretty into Hip-Hop at this point, Eminem, Dr Dre, NWA, stuff like that. I was at work one day and this guy I was working with stuck on The Black album. I probably hadn’t heard it in about 7 years and I was just like “Wow, I know this album inside out and I LOVE it.” This lead to a defining moment for me about a week later, I was in the local HMV and I vividly remember having Metallica’s Black Album in one hand and Stoned Raiders by Cypress Hill in the other. I couldn’t afford both so I was trying to decide which to buy. I see this as the moment I forsake Hip-Hop and started my love affair with metal. I never really looked back. I started a 6 month binge on Metallica’s back catalogue and got so immersed in everything that they are.
Anyway, enough about that, where does that all leave me now? I obviously broadened my horizons musically and although I don’t listen to Metallica that much nowadays I will still check out everything they release (saying that, I have never listened to Lulu). I’m in the camp that actually really liked Death Magnetic and I’ll say it now, I prefer DM over Hardwired, so shoot me. I am far from an audiophile so I was never really affected by the production on DM. I just prefer it and love most of the songs, a lot of that could be just down to the music I listen to now compared to what I was listening to back in 2008 but whatever.
When I heard the first single off this album I wasn’t that excited, it was pretty straight forward and nothing new. I suppose I feel I want something new to really excite me from Metallica. I’ll be honest, at this point I’m more excited about the prospect of James releasing a solo album than anything Metallica are likely to release. This album is just solid for me, nothing more, nothing less. There are some cool moments and plenty that sounds like ‘good ol’ Metallica’ but the albums above this in my list just excite me way more. I have given this album plenty of listens and I just don’t get the urge to listen to it very often. If it was any other band I probably wouldn’t even still really be listening but it’s Metallica so yeah.
A lot of people have said how much this album harks back to all eras of the bands career. I’m sorry, I just don’t feel this is similar to anything pre-Load. It all feels like post 1995 Metallica through and through to me (which I think may be mainly down to James vocal delivery). That’s not a bad thing but nothing can touch their first 5 albums in my eyes, but that is their golden era so I’m probably not alone there. To the songs, Hardwired, as I mentioned is a straight forward, fast paced Metallica ‘thrash’ song. It’s fine and I should probably play this whilst driving with my pedal to the metal, it’s probably best in this scenario. Atlas, Rise! is possibly in my top 2 songs on the album, it feels a little more adventurous than pretty much anything on here and I just enjoy the instrumentation towards the end, it’s a better sing along than most. I think that is ultimately what I look for in a good Metallica song nowadays, James will be at the center of what I like about a modern Metallica song. Moth into Flame has its moments and the video is ok I guess, there are all some groovy riffs going on. I think I might be outnumbered here but I think that Here Comes Revenge is another of the top tier songs on HtSD. I love the dark, brooding nature of it. It’s also a great example of the sort of Hetfield lyrics that work for me. Lastly we get to Spit Out the Bone, there was a lot of hype around this song when the album was released. It is a fast, thrashy end to the album but I don’t think it is as great as others have made out. Like, My Apocalypse was a similar end to Death Magnetic but I think that is a way better song personally. Metallica have ended a number of their albums with balls to the wall thrashers but this isn’t one of their best, it just happens to be better than most other songs on this album.
I don’t love or hate this album, it definitely could’ve been a worse album but it just feels like a standard Metallica album at this point in their career (I guess that is the best we could’ve hoped for anyway). We'll see how it stands the test of time.
Favourite songs: Atlas, Rise! (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JFAcOnhcpGA), Here Comes Revenge (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FpF8Wa2yQH0), Spit Out the Bone (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m46Z0-HXySo)
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I found the album to be really mediocre at best. Moth and Am I Savage are pretty good songs I guess. Modern Hetfield vocals are a huge turnoff for me, but I could kinda bear them on DM.
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I found the album to be really mediocre at best. Moth and Am I Savage are pretty good songs I guess. Modern Hetfield vocals are a huge turnoff for me, but I could kinda bear them on DM.
I wouldn't say Het's vocals are a turn off for me, they just aren't what they used to be :tdwn
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#22
The King Blues - Off With Their Heads
(https://www.sputnikmusic.com/images/albums/215416.jpg)
The King Blues have been one of my favourites since I discovered them back in about 2009. They write politically charged punk with a bit of a London rude boy edge. They aren't your usual punk band though as the lead singer often plays a Ukulele and they don't really conform to playing instruments that most punk bands would play. They split up a few years ago as lead singer Itch went solo, it didn’t go so well (I wasn’t a big fan as he seemed to really try hard to break the mainstream) and here they are with their comeback EP. They actually have a new album out in a few weeks and I’ll be going to see them, which should be cool. I don't think they have any sort of popularity outside of the UK (and they aren't even known out of the underground punk scene here).
They aren’t messing about with this comeback, they pick up right where they left off and they are pissed off. The album cover says it all really (for those who may not know the cover depicts a decapitated former UK Prime Minister, David Cameron). This kicks off with Off with Their Heads which is a punk battle cry to rally against our government. I have always loved this band as they mix songs written to make you sit up and take notice of our social/political climate and also ones that champion the working class and make you feel proud to have come from nothing. I feel that this sort of music is important in this day and age as so many people are disconnected from what is actually going on around them as they are happy distracting themselves with social media (or DTF :neverusethis:).
We have 7 songs here, the first is the aforementioned Off with Their Heads, a song about living a life of fighting for what you believe in (Starting Fires), one about having no money but being able to write a song for your partner (Poems and Songs), another is a love song (Words), a song about how we have evolved to live in such a disposable/throwaway society (Opposable Thumbs), the ignorance and racist attitude of some people (Taxi Driver) and finally Pure Fucking Love, an ode to your best mate who gets you, even when you’re an idiot. It’s another great example of the sort of music that can appeal to a generation. The King Blues are the sort of band that will be the one that speaks to teenagers in a way they’ve never known before. Like, it opens their ears to a whole world outside of the mainstream bullshit. It’ll stop you reading The Sun and think about whether Facebook is just distracting us from the greater issues going on in the world. All the while reminding us that we (however small and insignificant we feel) matter. They sing the songs for the forgotten kids and give voice to a generation. At least that is what they represent to me, even though I got into them when I was like 25 or something. I can’t recommend these guys enough and this is a great return to form.
Favourite songs: Off with Their Heads (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ceavUHhN8CQ), Poems and Songs (at the 6:00 point in this link) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xIGBbwElZWE)
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#21
Anciients - Voice of the Void
(https://www.angrymetalguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/AnciientsArtwork.jpg)
Another great progressive metal band that I have discovered via DTF within the last year (as if I could ever get enough). This is one of the albums last year that is a prime example of an album that is great as a whole listen but there aren’t specifically any songs I adore. It’s just all solid and no filler, so it beats some albums that have better individual songs (arguably) than anything on here. I like Anciients style of progressive metal which lends heavily from bands like Opeth, with its mix of clean (which remind me of Ghost at times) and harsh vocals. Anciients (and another band featured on this list) are just how I like my blend of progressive music and death metal. I don’t think these guys are breaking any molds as such but it is a great listen with some awesome heavy riffs and vocals that just do it for me. Anciients have the knack for writing those 8 minute+ songs that just feel effortless and never out stay their welcome. I had a great feeling about this album from the very first listen and I certainly need to make time for their other album. If you are a fan of all the big names that play their progressive metal fused with more extreme metal then you will like this, I'm sure. I don't have too much more to say about this other than it is a great listen.
Favourite songs: Ibex Eye (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPlVVqbkiJ8), Worshipper (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pt4jCW7-p4Q)
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I don't know what it is. I loooved this album when it came out, especially Ibex Eye which is one of the best songs of 2016, but I absolutely never return to it for whatever reason. But yeah it is really good.
I don’t think these guys are breaking any molds as such but it is a great listen with some awesome heavy riffs and vocals that just do it for me. Anciients have the knack for writing those 8 minute+ songs that just feel effortless and never out stay their welcome.
yep yep, their core sound seems like a fairly safe one for prog metal fans in general, but it just works. I do think some songs (specially on Heart of Oak) could use some trimming though.
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I've not heard Heart of Oak so I can't really comment on that but this is undoubtedly a band I will be keeping my eye on.
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I'm a big fan of both Anciients albums. :tup
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#20
Crippled Black Phoenix - Bronze
(https://f4.bcbits.com/img/a3780887996_16.jpg)
This album was such an unexpected surprise. I’d heard a Crippled Black Phoenix song via the ‘Discover Weekly’ Spotify playlist and thought it was cool. I then noticed they’d released a new album so thought I’d check it out. It struck me as being a great listen, and continues to the more I spin it. This is another album that is so solid all the way through and although there aren’t many individual songs that I love, the whole experience is just great. The riffs are just pure gold on this release, they are thick and chunky, which I love, whilst there is a real melancholic feel to the album.
I don’t really listen to a massive amount of post-metal but I’m starting to dig albums like this a lot. The atmosphere throughout this record is just beautiful whilst also being dense and heavy, at times. I’ve only heard one other album by CBP but I will be certainly be trawling through their back catalogue. CBP are a seven piece with Justin Greaves (of Electric Wizard and Iron Monkey fame) at the helm and they really use the added piano and synths to create really lush soundscapes. They utilize the multiple vocalists to great effect and it’s mainly all clean vocals that you will hear. I love the fact they have this atmospheric post-rock sound with doom/stoner style riffage, it’s quality. Definitely check it out if you are into any sort of post-rock/metal.
Favourite songs: Deviant Burials (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0GzoGeyDd_4), Scared and Alone (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gDfWL1l_a9c)
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#19
Black Crown Initiate - Selves We Cannot Forgive
(https://assets.blabbermouth.net.s3.amazonaws.com/media/blackcrowninitiateselves.jpg)
Black Crown Initiate are the other band that I mentioned in a previous post about being a great blend of progressive and death metal. I like these guys even more than Anciients and I can thank WebRaider for this as he sent Belie the Machine in my roulette. Whereas Anciients have more in common with a band like Opeth to me Black Crown Initiate sound similar to Gojira (especially with the harsh vocals). To be fair though I think this gives most of Gojira’s albums a good run for their money, it’s really that good.
They have the heaviness but they also know how to use clean vocals and add plenty of melody. They don’t just go for the relentless, in your face, onslaught and that appeals to me. There are also some really funky bass lines on this album that really make me sit up and take notice. Black Crown Initiate really nail that contrast with this album and I love it. The heavy sections and the melodic sections all flow in a way that can’t be anything other than pure craftsmanship. I really need to listen to this more actually because as I’m listening now I’m questioning whether I ranked this too low. There are some great songs on this album but the one I love the most is Belie the Machine. It scored really well in my recent roulette and it made me want to check out the album. It’s a perfect place to start if you’ve never listened to this band before. It’s probably the most Gojira-esque song out of the bunch (including those signature guitar squeals).
I do also have the debut by these guys and although I've listened through about 3-4 times it hasn't grabbed me like their latest. This is a more refined beast. Anyone who is into their extreme/technical/progressive metal bands will be well at home here.
Favourite songs: Belie the Machine (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0BjNpW-6aZY), For Red Cloud (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PYi2FbNBh8Y)
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this album is really inconsistent. i don't like for red cloud at all but belie the machine and transmit to disconnect are pretty great. and then there's a lot of stuff sitting in the middle.
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I actually listened to this on release because a guitar player I was a fan of (Wes Hauch) joined the band before the recording of Selves We Cannot Forgive. I was blown away and actually surprised because for so long I've generally had a hard time coming around to some of the harsher vocals BUT they meld sooooo well with riffs and then come the interesting melodies and the cleans are unique to me and just rise through. Such a good album that I've played very frequently over the last year. :metal
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#18
Fates Warning - Theories of Flight
(https://www.angrymetalguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Press_Cover_01.jpg)
This was my first experience listening to a Fates Warning album and I was pleasantly surprised. I checked this out because at the time of release the FW thread was incredibly active and there seemed to be consensus that Theories of Flight was one of their best albums yet. I'd heard that FW were one of the originators of Progressive Metal, along with Dream Theater, so it seemed like a no brainer. I still haven't gone back and listened to any earlier FW albums yet (any recommendations are welcome) but I will get around to it soon.
Theories of Flight hits that sweet spot, in my opinion, where it is progressive yet still accessible. There are songs on this album which I could easily imagine being played on mainstream radio (Seven Stars for instance). They are catchy, melodic whilst also being heavy and interesting. Every song feels like an anthem in the truest sense of the word. I don't dislike a single song on this record and it's hard to pick out the highlights as they all have their moments.
For a band that formed 35 years ago I find it so impressive that they are able to release albums of this calibre. This offering sounds relevant in this modern era of progressive metal/rock and if I hadn't have known better, I'd have thought this was put out by a much younger band. Every member is firing on all cylinders and it's hard to pick who gives the best performance. I really dig the vocals, Ray Adler just owns it and he shows off a great range.
Last year was really a great year for music and the fact that an album this good is only ranking #18 just goes to show that. I'm pretty sure most of you will already have listened to this by now but if you haven't then do yourself a favour :tup
Favourite songs: From the Rooftops (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8kkJ8qtgLBY), Seven Stars (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0hguUU-VYug), The Ghosts of Home (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mjhdj3u4_r4)
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#17
Vektor - Terminal Redux
(https://f4.bcbits.com/img/a0144143476_10.jpg)
Ok, apologies so I got way behind with this whole thing as my new job doesn't allow me to spend endless hours at a computer (avoiding my actual job). Anyway, on to #17
When I first heard of this album the term 'progressive thrash' was being thrown around. It was pretty much enough to make me want to check it out (along with all the good reviews it was getting). As my gateway into metal was Metallica, followed by all their thrash peers, thrash has always held a special place in my heart. I don't really listen to any new thrash music at all nowadays but a good portion of my all time favourite albums are thrash albums :metal
Terminal Redux was a really nice suprise. It is thrashy as hell with lots of super fast riffing but does manage to be the most progressive thrash album I've ever heard. They go down the route of thrash that is sometimes bordering on death metal (sounding like Death, the band, at times) and it just works so well. They really mix it up for a thrash album, including some clean vocals and backing vocals that sound like a choir are accompanying them. There's basically a power ballad on here as well (Collapse). This album is also a sci-fi concept album but I must admit I've not checked out the lyrics or tried to get to grips with the story.
I think it's safe to say Vektor are taking some influence from prog/thrashers Voivod (even there logo is pretty much a rip off), which is no bad thing. The two somgs bookending this album (Charging the Void and Recharging the Void) are really great examples of what to expect from this beast. The latter is probably my favourite song on the album, clocking in at over 13 minutes it's the perfect climax to this sci-fi, thrash, concept mash up.
Basically if you like death tinged thrash, technical guitar work and sci-fi then you can't really go wrong with this.
Favourite songs: Charging the Void (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-4e5Jw9T5Zk), Collapse (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E0ij3L7GhDw), Recharging the Void (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C71_QwZt69A)
If my day continues to be as quiet as it has been so far then I'll try and post the next few albums today as well.
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i liked this one but i don't really go back and revisit it much either.
also lol 3 month bump :corn
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Oh I didn't comment anything original on FW: it should be 17 places lower :azn:
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also lol 3 month bump :corn
Yea, work has been crazy busy!
Oh I didn't comment anything original on FW: it should be 17 places lower :azn:
Hmmmmm....
Last year was too good! I do really like ToF a lot, not that it's made me check out any earlier FW albums though so maybe not :lol
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#16
NOFX - First Ditch Effort
(https://static.stereogum.com/uploads/2016/10/NOFX-First-Ditch-Effort-1475518126.jpg)
Time for some punk rock all up in this mother...
So NOFX are probably my favourite punk rock band of all time, I'm stating that for all to hear. They have this great blend of catchiness, talented/barely adequate band members, songs about weird shit and a punk rock attitude that has not faultered in 35 years :metal
So yea, they started in '82 and to be honest they really sucked until the early 90's. By that point they had hired El Hefe (who plays lead guitar, trumpet and is a master of impressions) and he was far and away the only really talented musician in the band at that point. Since then they have had the same line up and have honestly gone from strength to strength. They have released 11 studio albums since Hefe joined (this one being #11) and although they have had some misses during those years they have also comeback and released really strong albums late in their career. This is certainly one of them. In 2006 they released Wolves in Wolves Clothing, which is my fave album of theirs by quite a long way, but the two albums that followed weren't that great (but still good enough). I've always had faith in them though because they have always managed to stay relevant in the the American punk rock scene. This album was a heroic return and reminded me why they are my favourite punk band.
NOFX have a knack for writing songs that aren't really about anything, like an anecdote that isn't even really worth telling, but it still works. Most people would probably find these songs quite stupid but I honestly love it. Lead singer Fat Mike has also quit drinking and drugs in recent years and there are quite a few songs about how that has effected him, in a refreshingly frank way. Another thing he likes to be open and honest about is his love for BDSM and cross dressing :lol again, it will not be most people's cup of tea but I love them for it. Other than Cramx3 I would be surprised to find many fans of this album in these parts.
First Ditch Effort is kind of exactly what I wanted and needed from NOFX at this point in their career. It feels just like a NOFX record yet still feels fresh. It has songs about how fucked the political climate is, quitting drugs, social commentaries, odes to dead friends and stories about fictional down and outs. I don't know what it is about NOFX songs but I just love to sing along to them. Lets be clear, NOFX are a punk band who aren't concerned with a record sounding perfect. This is rough around the edges and sounds like it was all recorded in one take (which was how they recorded one of their albums in the past :lol) which translates to how their live shows are.
Here's to you NOFX, never change or grow up, I love you how you are.
Favourite songs: Six Years On Dope (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3xBEb2qstU&list=PLkK2VywzSnsD8yead7eufXlKR_mybG8go), I'm A Transvest-lite (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vgEsf8JYqVA&list=PLkK2VywzSnsD8yead7eufXlKR_mybG8go&index=7), I'm So Sorry Tony (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UzpjzGjmcMI&index=12&list=PLkK2VywzSnsD8yead7eufXlKR_mybG8go)
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#15
Thy Catafalque - Meta
(https://f4.bcbits.com/img/a0008278575_10.jpg)
So I'm going to try and round this thread up as I haven't been able to keep with posting frequently (at all :lol)
I'm pretty sure I saw this album somewhere on facebook (either a review or a link to it streaming) and a friend had commented on it so I thought I'd take a punt. I may have also heard the name mentioned on here prior to listening. Either way, this album left a great first impression. I guess you could call this band/album post-black metal? I'm not even a particularly big fan of black metal but this has just the right amount BM mixed in with beautiful vocals and soundscapes. I'm not going to go into too much detail on this thread as I'm attempting to wraqp things up but this is the sort of album that deserves to be listened to as an album. I don't even particularly have a favourite song, I just listen to this as a whole piece, every single time (and everytime I love it a little more). Just give it a go.
It's a testament to how much good music came out last year that an album this good is only number #15!!!
Favourite song: Malmok Jarnak (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RWYNV0Db7wc)
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Not my favorite Thy Catafalque but it's solid regardless. The epic is a bit weak tho imo
Also nice bump :lol
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Not my favorite Thy Catafalque but it's solid regardless. The epic is a bit weak tho imo
Also nice bump :lol
It's easily my favourite but after listening to Sgurr once I think that might be my #2.
Yea, I meant to try and finish this in the first half of the year but life got in the way. I might just post the next few albums tonight, basically saying "This is great, get it."
Stay tuned for short write ups folks :corn :corn :corn
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#14
Oceans of Slumber - Winter
(https://www.metalinjection.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/oceanswinter.jpg)
I first heard of this band via Ne Obliviscaris's FB page. They had announced a UK tour (which I ended up going to :metal) and Oceans of Slumber were supporting. They had linked the video for the song 'Winter'. Now before I go any further I'd just like to say that this song is probably top 5 songs of the year, it's just amazing in so many ways. I was blown away from the first listen by the contrast of the sultry tones of the female vocalist and the harsh vocals of the male vocals. It just works on so many levels for me. The song also has some amazing drumming on it. If I urge you guys to click on one song link in this thread, this is the one. You (hopefuly) won't regret it!
The rest of the album is solid but nothing, for me, quite hits the highs of the title track. There is a nice cover of 'Nights in White Satin' here which I dig. I'm looking forward to what these guys do next as they have just announced a new album for early next year. One final thing, when I saw these guys tour with Ne Obliviscaris they totally blew them out of the water. Their live show was great. The female vocalist (can't remeber her name) just oozes sex appeal and everyone at the show was completely mesmerised by her. Stunning show. The two friends I took along became instant fans :lol
Favourite song: Winter (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QxzqnetYSbk) (obviously)
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#13
Astronoid - Air
(https://f4.bcbits.com/img/a3675257090_5.jpg)
So here it is, the award for the worst album art of the year :lol I've said this before but I still can't quite understand why they went with this, it's just hideous as far as I'm concerned. Luckily though, you can't always judge a book by it's cover. I think I discovered this album via 'Heavy Blog is Heavy'. It sounded cool from the review and maybe something I'd dig. This album doesn't really sound like anything else that I listen to, mainly because of the vocal style. It's not really what I expected but I think it works so well with this sort of music. This is another album where the phrase 'The whole is greater than the sum of it's parts' is relevant. It is best appreciated when listened to as a whole experience, in my opinion.
I'm not sure how much staying power this will have over the years but I've enjoyed this album a lot over the last year. I've chosen Up and Atom as my favourite song. I know that out of the other guys here at DTF,who have heard this album, I'm in the minority of thinking this song is the best on the album. If anyone else wants to go ahead and link their fave then please go ahead.
Favourite song: Up and Atom (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLZ0SHY3Ya8)
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Three in a row I know, nice
Winter has some good tracks but a bit too much filler
Air is solid but a bit samey at points
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#12
Mandroid Echostar - Coral Throne
(https://www.itdjents.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/12342750_851539984965100_2003558655449996835_n.jpg)
It was definitely someone on this forum that turned me onto these guys, possibly Train of Naught. The best way to describe this band is Coheed and Cambria (mainly kinda because of the vocals) meets Avenged Sevenfold. Being fans of both I thougt I'd give them a spin. This is a fun album and has plenty of cool, high energy tunes. They may not keep me coming back a few years down the line but this is chock full of killer riffs, solos and vocal hooks. This is the sort of thing I would have completely adored like 10 years ago. I can still appreciate it now and it gets me air guitaring along to most of the songs. Basically if you enjoy either of the previously mentioned bands then give this a listen. I hope they can follow this up with something equally as fun as I want more.
Favourite song: Hypnos (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3zp07sEBhYU)
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#11
Megadeth - Dystopia
(https://img.wennermedia.com/920-width/rs-megadeth-dystopia-253c52b8-3646-4c36-9c9c-93f931f672a5.jpg)
Guess I'll keep this thing moving with the latest Medadave album :metal
What a return to form. I've been a Megadeth fan for pretty much all of my time as fan of heavy music. I still consider Rust in Peace to be a 'top 5 of all time' album. After my initial obsession with Metallica, which started my love of metal, my older brother turned me onto this great band (along with Pantera, Slayer, Sepultura and Danzig). Megadeth have one of the strongest back catalogues of any metal band as far as I'm concerned, even though they've had their fair share of duds. I always loved United Abominations and Endgame, which are really strong albums, for any band at that stage in their career. Unfortunately I didn't like Th1rt3en, at all, which kind of worried me about where Mustaine would go next. I still haven't even checked out Super Collider but I remember it getting terrible reviews so I just wasn't really interested.
Unsurprisingly I didn't have high hopes for Dystopia and wasn't even planning on checking it out. Luckily I checked out a review via Facebook before this dropped and it sounded positive. There were good things being said and I'd read an interview with Chris Adler (of Lamb of God fame), who played drums on this record, saying how he was exlaining to Mustaine what his view of a great Megadeth album should sound like, and that Mustaine listened to him. Add into the mix that Kiko Loureiro (Angra) played guitar on this and I was very interested. This album does not disappoint for me, like at all. It's not necessarily something new and some of the songs sound similar to older songs but it just sounds exactly like the sort of Megadeth album I wanted to hear. It just has that feel and I love it. Most of you will know Megadeth and I'm hoping a lot of you were also pleasantly surprised by how good this is. It pissed all over Hardwired as well :lol (gotta get some Metallica vs. Megadeth in here)
Favourite songs: The Threat is Real (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3-d6LFLpBvw), Dystopia (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bK95lWHl7js)
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#10
Odd Logic - Penny For Your Thoughts
(https://theprogmind.files.wordpress.com/2016/04/odd-logic-cover.jpg?w=686&h=683)
I 100% discovered this through DTF. Jammin' dude had posted in the Odd Logic thread saying that the album was a 'name your price' deal on Bandcamp. I was a bit unsure at first, due to the album art (which is a bit cringe) but I enjoyed the first listen. It's not breaking any prog metal molds but I dig their sound and like Sean's vocals. There is a pretty in depth concept behind this album which is cool (although a little confusing). I think this band are criminally underrated and deserve more recognition than they get. My favourite song is 'Lighthouses', which I think of as a 'The Spirit Carries On' circa 2016. This band is a hard working one too as they followed up with an equally great album this year as well, which will likely crack my top 10 of the year. I'm pretty sure this is still a free download on their Bandcamp so you really have nothing to lose. Give it a shot, you might just discover something you like.
Favourite song: Lighthouses (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jW0R1yoWoB4)
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#9
Ihsahn - Arktis
(https://www.metalsucks.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Ihsahn_Arktis1.jpg)
I can't remember exactly when I heard my first Ihsahn solo album but it was likely sometime in the last 4 years or so. I've been aware of Emperor for years but was never really much of a fan of their work, I think what got me interested in Ihsahn's solo work was that I heard it was a kind of progressive death metal that had saxophones. This certainly intrigued me. I know I started with After and angL first. Although I kind of dig both of those albums I prefer Arktis way more. Arktis is probably Ihsahn's most accessible album to date and I think it was a great move personally. There are some traditional heavy metal style riffs (Until I Too Dissolve) in here, some electronica and some great guest vocals from Einar Solberg (Leprous), Matt Heafy (Trivium) and Jorgen Munkeby (Shining). Einar is particularly great on the two tracks he sings on. For those who may not know, Leprous were Ishahn's live band for a number of years.
Anyway, this album was a really nice surprise last year and one that I like to come back to quite frequently.
Favourite song: Celestial Violence (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjS8SR6OcXg&list=PL1gGfc4ZglRY2DviViRQhSpvquOMHSI_M&index=10)
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#8
Opeth - Sorceress
(https://i0.wp.com/www.metalinjection.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Opeth-Sorceress-Front-cover-FINAL-JPG.jpg?resize=700%2C700)
I have been in love with Opeth since I discovered them back in '05, when Ghost Reveries was released. I still remember hearing Ghost of Perdition and being in complete awe! They are a band that my love has waxed and waned for, over the years. I was obsessed with GR (still think it's their best album), loved Blackwater Park and Still Life as I started to work my way backwards and adored Watershed when it dropped. To say I was disappointed with Heritage would be an understatement though. I know they wanted to go in a new direction, and I've come to appreciate that, but I just think Heritage is the weakest of their last three albums. Pale Communion was a lot better in my opinion and I was quite optimistic.
When they started to release teasers for Sorceress, they previewed the heavy riff from the beginning of the title track. I mean, that got me pretty excited. I wasn't naive enough to think this was going to be a full on metal album but I was looking forward to the prospect of some heavy riffs. I really like this album and although it doesn't come anywhere near to there pre-Heritage albums, it's still damn good. I think this is easily my favourite of the last trilogy of albums, with PC in a close second place. I'mactually seeing Opeth for the first time, in like 9 years, on about 4 weeks. I'm eager to see what sort of set they play and am looking forward to hearing a few from this album.
There is something about this whole package (the artwork, the sound, the song titles) that I just really dig. Maybe it's just come at a time when I was starting to have an Opeth phase again, who knows. #8 is pretty good considering how strong 2016 was. Here's hoping they continue this trend and release an even better album next.
Favourite songs: Sorceress (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LhqijfqecvA&list=PLxKHVMqMZqUQDD_4SrVThlT4uxkaygT5g), Strange Brew (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=789ujr2YUL4&index=8&list=PLBzBwYhHpqLLBKFVEmXa-D-BoyEHIG5a9), Era (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98wXIjkO4i0&list=PLBzBwYhHpqLLBKFVEmXa-D-BoyEHIG5a9&index=10)
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I suppose I should try and finish this before the end of the year :lol
#7
Avenged Sevenfold - The Stage
(https://imagescdn.juno.co.uk/full/CS633157-01A-BIG.jpg)
So this was a nice surprise. I really didn't like A7X's last album (you know, the Black Album rip off) and had lost faith in ever really liking this bands new output again. This was a nice return to form, for me at least anyway. It dropped (as they had planned) with no real prior warning and little media hype. I've been a fan of this band since they released City of Evil, back in '05 (that really was the greatest year in metal) and have basically been consistently more disappointed with each album until The Stage broke the trend. This just everything I loved about some of their earlier albums and less of what I disliked. The album is pretty damn consistent but it is the two 'bookends' of the album that I love the most. The Stage (the song) is pretty cool but it's Exist that I find myself wanting to come back to. I love long songs like this that have spoken word bits over them, if they are done right. The fact that all the spoken word stuff is just basically just identifying how insignificant (as a planet) we really are and how unfathomably vast the universe is right up my alley. Here's the spoken word part:
[Neil DeGrasse Tyson:]
We have one collective hope: The Earth.
And yet uncounted people remain hopeless.
Famine and calamity abound.
Sufferers hurl themselves into the arms of war.
People kill and get killed in the name of someone else's concept of God.
Dare we admit that our thoughts and behaviors spring from a belief that the world revolves around us?
Each fabricated conflict, self murdering bomb, vanished airplane,
Every fictionalized dictator, biased partisan and wayward son
Are part of the curtains of society's racial, ethnic, religious, national and cultural conflicts?
And you find the human ego turning the knobs and pulling the levers.
When I track the orbits of asteroids, comets, and planets,
Each one a pirouetting dancer in a cosmic ballet, choreographed by the forces of gravity,
I see beyond the plight of humans. I see a universe ever expanding
With its galaxies embedded within the ever-stretching, four-dimensional fabric of space and time.
However big our world is — in our hearts, our minds, in our out-sized atlases?
The universe is even bigger.
There are more stars in the universe than grains of sand on the world's beaches.
More stars in the universe than seconds of time that have passed since Earth formed.
More stars than words and sounds ever uttered by all humans who have ever lived.
The day we cease exploration of the cosmos is the day we threaten the continuance of our species.
In that bleak world, arms-bearing, resource-hungry people and nations
Would be prone to act on their low contracted prejudices,
And would have seen the last gasp of human enlightenment —
Until the rise of a visionary new culture once again embraces the cosmic perspective;
A perspective in which we are one, fitting neither above, nor below, but within.
Yep, great album.
Favourite songs: The Stage (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fBYVlFXsEME), Exist (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ntgOlFbGWLY)
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#6
Gojira - Magma
(https://www.metalinjection.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/gojiramagmacd.jpg)
I could never say that I was big fan of Gojira. I first heard the song The Heaviest Matter of the Universe back in like '09 or something. I thought it was ok so gave the album a go. That too was ok, so I got the follow up album. Although I liked both albums to some degree they both felt too monotonous and relentless. I love me some heavy music but I suppose Gojira have always fallen into the same category as Meshuggah (until I heard this album). Magma was a game changer for me with this band as it was the first album I really enjoyed and wanted to listen to more and more. Gojira have changed up their style a bit on this album and I think it really pays off. There is more melody, there are more clean vocals and the album just takes a less brutal approach. I like this style of their music more. I listen to plenty of metal where I can't make out the lyrics and I've stated many times that my ear isn't often drawn to vocals anyway. However, Gojira sing about things close to my heart, saving the planet, conservation, recycling etc. I love that I can actually make out more of what they are singing about this time around. Love it. Long live these French metal hippies :hat
Favourite songs: Silvera (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVvXB-Vwnco), Stranded (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FNdC_3LR2AI)
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Such dedication.. posting all of those updates with barely getting any responses...
I loved Magma. Fantastic record, I believe it made my top 10 as well last year.
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Such dedication.. posting all of those updates with barely getting any responses...
Heyyyyyyyy
So yeah, at this point I'm completing this because of my own OCD around finishing it :lol
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I'm reading, just not replying...
Magma was fine and it's still getting better with every listen.
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i've forgotten most of 2016 at this point & also didn't get any of the last few albums so i have nothing to say
i feel like 2017 was a better year for metal in general, most of the 2016 stuff i got last year hasn't really stuck with me much but a lot of stuff this year has been pretty damn good
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Just going to finish this off now and put my top 5 in. This took way too long anyway and none of these will come as much of a surprise:
#5
Thank You, Scientist - Stranger Heads Prevail
(https://newnoisemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Thank-You-Scientist-Stranger-Heads-Prevail-cover.jpg)
#4
Blink 182 - California
(https://www.flickofthefinger.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/rcdnzty.jpg)
#3
Devin Townsend - Transcendence
(https://assets.blabbermouth.net.s3.amazonaws.com/media/devintownsendprojecttranscendencecd.jpg)
#2
Haken - Affinity
(https://www.angrymetalguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/hakenaffinity.jpg)
#1
The Dear Hunter - Act V: Hymns With the Devil in Confessional
(https://www.sputnikmusic.com/images/albums/224271.jpg)
Boom, all done.
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2016 is finally over! we can all move on with our lives!!!!
2017 when
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2016 is finally over! we can all move on with our lives!!!!
Yea, I started this when I had way more time on my hands :lol it took forever!
2017 when
1. Mastodon - Emperor of Sand
2. Leprous - Malina
3. Pain of Salvation - In the Passing Light of Day
4. Artificial Language - The Observer
5. Steven Wilson - To the Bone
6. The Dear Hunter - All is as All Should Be
7. The Hirsch Effekt - Eskapist
8. Odd Logic - Effigy
9. Trivium - The Sin and the Sentence
10. Caligula's Horse - In Contact
11. Soen – Lykaia
12. The Flatliners - Inviting Light
13. Persefone - Aathma
14. Adimiron - Et Liber Eris
15. Mastodon - Cold Dark Place
16. Enslaved – E
17. Set and Setting - Reflectionless
18. The Great Discord - The Rabbit Hole
19. Eidola - To Speak, To Listen
20. Stone Sour - Hydrograd
21. Anathema - The Optimist
22. James McAllister etc - Planetarium
23. Vangough - Warpaint
24. Arcane Roots - Melancholia Hymns
25. The King Blues - The Gospel Truth
26. Distant Worlds – IV
27. Ne Obliviscaris - Urn
28. Solstafir - Berdreyminn
29. Igorrr - Savage Sinusoid
30. Elder - Reflections From a Floating World
31. Pallbearer – Heartless
32. Xanthochroid - Of Erthe and Axen: Act II
33. Xanthochroid - Of Erthe and Axen: Act I
34. Kepler Ten - Delta V
35. Sons of Apollo - Psychotic Symphony
36. The Ongoing Concept - Places
37. Disperse – Foreword
38. Converge – The Dusk In Us All
39. Sikth - The Future in Whose Eyes?
40. Bent Knee - Land Animal
41. Brand New - Science Fiction
42. Progenie Terrestre Pura - OltreLuna
43. Mogwai - Every Country's Sun
44. And So I Watch You From Afar - The Endless Shimmering
45. The Contortionist - Clairvoyant
46. Junius - Eternal Rituals
47. Ulver - The Assassination of Julius Caesar
48. The Faceless - In Becoming a Ghost
49. Rise Against - Wolves
50. David Maxim Micic - Who Bit the Moon
51. Adrift for Days - A Sleepless Grey
52. Cyhra - Letters to Myself
53. The Earth and I - The Candleman
54. VUUR - In This Moment We Are Free - Cities
55. Diablo Swing Orchestra - Pacifisticuffs
56. Arcadea – Arcadea
57. Crippled Black Phoenix – Horrific Honorifics
58. Me and That Man - Songs of Love and Death
59. Nova Collective - The Further Side
60. Bell Witch - Mirror Reaper
61. Paradise Lost - Medusa
62. Circa Survive - The Amulet
63. Ayreon - The Source
64. Rancid - Trouble Maker
65. Power Trip - Nightmare Logic
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wow that was quick happy 2018 everyone!!!
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Yea, I'm done ranking stuff :lol
So far 2018 is looking easy, there's hardly anything coming out that I'm looking forward to :corn