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General => General Music Discussion => Topic started by: Samsara on February 27, 2019, 01:10:24 PM
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I heard about this Canadian metal band Unleash the Archers a few months back, and then when I got obsessed with Lost Domain (again, huge thanks TAC, love them), I forgot. Then yesterday, while searching for Geoff Tate doing a solo performance of the QR song "Before the Storm," I saw a video of a woman named Brittany Slayes doing "Queen of the Reich." Her voice blew me away, and reading the description, I saw she was the singer from Unleash the Archers, which I remembered, and led me to check them out.
Really dig this band. I ordered their last two albums. I like the most current, Apex, more than the one before that (Time Stand Still). But I like them both. They have that traditional metal/power metal vibe, but at least on Apex, I heard some nice moody stuff going on too, which is what I am really digging. Specifically the songs "False Walls" and "Apex."
They have two independent records released before that, but I haven't sampled yet to see if I dig them (reading Wikipedia, I see unclean vocals are something they did a little more I am guessing in the past, and that's not my thing) yet. Anybody here a fan?
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I like what I've heard, but I haven't really dug in on them. I have them saved in my Spotify account. I like vocals like that. They're rangeful (not sure if that's a word) and rocking.
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I need to hear more from this band....I have always loved the video for Tonight We Ride.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UOvZKJlrtk8 :metal
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I like what I've heard, but I haven't really dug in on them. I have them saved in my Spotify account. I like vocals like that. They're rangeful (not sure if that's a word) and rocking.
I don't like them as much as I love Lost Domain, but when I heard those two songs I mentioned, I really dug it. If they go that moodier direction on a few tracks per record, they will become a band I go check out live, and buy new stuff from. Really dug Apex and False Walls a lot, and the other stuff was good, just a tad on the power metal side (which I love, but I need variety).
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not to be confused with Save Us from the Archon (https://saveusfromthearchon.bandcamp.com/)
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Apex is one of my fave albums of 2017. It shows that with great writing (if you're not just playing those same two Maiden riffs over and over) heavy metal still has a lot of steam left.
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I came across this band quite recently on youtube as I was watching music videos and saw the video for the song Awakening. The song was awesome and the musicianship of the whole band was great so I was immediately hooked. Been listening to the Apex a lot and I think it is one of the best metal albums I've heard in a long time. I was also surprised to enjoy the sound of the album so much. The production on Apex is stellar and it is a rare feat for a modern metal album to actually have a good dynamic range.
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Apex is one of my fave albums of 2017. It shows that with great writing (if you're not just playing those same two Maiden riffs over and over) heavy metal still has a lot of steam left.
I think Apex is incredible. Light years ahead of Time Stands Still, which I also bought. I'm really enjoying it. The title track and False Walls in particular, but the whole thing is A+
I came across this band quite recently on youtube as I was watching music videos and saw the video for the song Awakening. The song was awesome and the musicianship of the whole band was great so I was immediately hooked. Been listening to the Apex a lot and I think it is one of the best metal albums I've heard in a long time. I was also surprised to enjoy the sound of the album so much. The production on Apex is stellar and it is a rare feat for a modern metal album to actually have a good dynamic range.
It really is. Glad to see others are diggin them too. Love to see them live at some point.
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I think you gave them a listen a while back when I mentioned them in the “what are you currently listening to” thread and I said there was a hint of Queensryche and Dream Theater there. I think Apex is a superb album but, from what I’ve heard, it seems light years better than anything they’ve done in the past. It’s one of my favourite discoveries of recent years. They seem to get lumped in with power metal which I suppose is what they are but there’s more to them than that, it’s not really cheesy power metal, there’s some bite to it as well.
Brittney is an incredible singer and it just all came together on this album. I do think there are some Petrucciesque guitar solos and the odd Queensrÿche style riff and melody (False Walls in particular which is my favourite) as well as the singer being clearly influenced by Tate.
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Brittney Slayes guested on a track from the last Lords Of The Trident.
LOTT is kind of campy in their image, but I have most of their albums and they're an excellent band. And their singer has some pipes.
Here's the video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6Kj65XZri0
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I think you gave them a listen a while back when I mentioned them in the “what are you currently listening to” thread and I said there was a hint of Queensryche and Dream Theater there. I think Apex is a superb album but, from what I’ve heard, it seems light years better than anything they’ve done in the past. It’s one of my favourite discoveries of recent years. They seem to get lumped in with power metal which I suppose is what they are but there’s more to them than that, it’s not really cheesy power metal, there’s some bite to it as well.
Brittney is an incredible singer and it just all came together on this album. I do think there are some Petrucciesque guitar solos and the odd Queensrÿche style riff and melody (False Walls in particular which is my favourite) as well as the singer being clearly influenced by Tate.
Yep, it might have been you that led me to them. Thank you for that. Hopefully they continue to put out music that is the quality of Apex, because it really hits that spot for me. Outstanding record.
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From bits I’ve seen, I think a sequel to Apex is on the way so hopefully they will continue in the same vein. It’s crazy the jump in quality on the last album in production, melody and Brittney’s voice sounds so much more controlled. I felt like on some earlier stuff, she was almost going out of tune singing at full pelt all the time. Much more variation here and some really beautiful singing along with the full on metal stuff. If Queensrÿche or even Dream Theater needed a new singer tomorrow, I’d be pretty happy if she got the job.
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So I saw Samsara mention this band in another thread and it timed up to me listening to them just last week and triggered me to go back and listen more.
They are playing somewhat locally in two weeks and may go check them out. For one, I like a lot of what I hear, and two a Saturday power metal show is better than hanging out home. (They are the middle band of Dragonforce and Visions of Atlantis).
So yea, been listening to the singles on youtube and the song Apex came and I really enjoyed it. Given what everyone is saying about that album, seems I need to pick it up.
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Cram,
I am in such a conundrum this weekend. Well, not any more because I made a decision, but it was agonizing.
So Unleash the Archers are supporting Dragonforce on their tour. It comes to San Fran on Sunday. I looked into it, not really a fan of DF, nor of the other opening act (I shouldn't say that -- I don't know them, so maybe I will like them). But I could easily go to that show. Saw the setlist -- seven songs, five that I know, and looks to be around a 45 minute set. I know the venue well (was just there for Alter Bridge), easy parking, easy to get there.
OR, I could drive three hours each way to Fresno, at a venue (bar) I don't know, see them headline on Saturday, give up the family time, and probably see just a 65-minute headline set, with three opening bands. I really wanted to see the headline gig, because I'm not a Dragonforce fan, and wanted the extra music from UTA. But all the hours driving, for what's probably going to end up being just 20 more minutes of music, made no sense to me.
Saturday it is! :metal
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Only 65 minutes as a headliner? That's a lot of effort for 20 more minutes but if you really like them, then it'll be fun for sure, but why wouldn't they play for 90 minutes?
The show by me is where I just saw Devin/Haken in Brooklyn which is a hike for me, but also being a Saturday, it's a doable hike and could be a fun journey. I'm no Dragonforce fan, but it's like a bonus ontop of seeing this band I guess. Visions of Atlantis are like a Nightwish light from what I heard. I actually should have seen them once before but I couldn't get out of work early enough, but they aren't bad. This venue has good polish food and beer, another reason to go (I'm part Polish). Also, going to lots of power metal shows in NYC area, I always seem to run into people I know. Plus I'm on a hot streak meeting band members, would love to meet Brittany for example.
I'm going to have to get the Apex album though, been listening since my last post in this thread and I do enjoy it quite a bit.
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Only 65 minutes as a headliner? That's a lot of effort for 20 more minutes but if you really like them, then it'll be fun for sure, but why wouldn't they play for 90 minutes?
The show by me is where I just saw Devin/Haken in Brooklyn which is a hike for me, but also being a Saturday, it's a doable hike and could be a fun journey. I'm no Dragonforce fan, but it's like a bonus ontop of seeing this band I guess. Visions of Atlantis are like a Nightwish light from what I heard. I actually should have seen them once before but I couldn't get out of work early enough, but they aren't bad. This venue has good polish food and beer, another reason to go (I'm part Polish). Also, going to lots of power metal shows in NYC area, I always seem to run into people I know. Plus I'm on a hot streak meeting band members, would love to meet Brittany for example.
I'm going to have to get the Apex album though, been listening since my last post in this thread and I do enjoy it quite a bit.
No, no, I am going to the opening set. The headline set is a guess. Based on four opening bands, and a curfew at the venue. When I've seen bands do these one-offs headline shows, especially more modern bands, the headline sets rarely go above 70 minutes. I'm thinking 70 tops. And while I love UTA, I don't think a six-hour commute to and from, along with sacrificing the family time on Saturday, is worth it for a max of 25 more minutes of the band.
I'd rather keep my Saturday open, go see them play 45 minutes on Sunday, and be home at a decent hour. Hoping they'll come back as a headliner on a true headline tour soon.
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Ah, I read that wrong, but that makes sense. I was thinking, damn you must be a really hardcore fan to do that :lol
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I admit to a bit of a crush on Britney... I don’t mind the band and will tolerate the growls when they appear.
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I admit to a bit of a crush on Britney... I don’t mind the band and will tolerate the growls when they appear.
Their last album, Apex (which is my favorite) doesn't use em much at all. GREAT record. Still heavy as hell, but with her clear wail. :metal
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Checking out Apex and Time Stands Still today. I always keep forgetting to try this band out. I'm loving them, and, uh....Brittney too. :metal
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Def. prefer Apex. A step up from a sonic perspective -- a step up all around, honestly.
:metal
Very much pumped for Sunday evening. Forty-five minutes of pure power metaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaalllllllllllllllll!
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For those interested right now, Herman Li of Dragonforce has a Twitch channel and his stream is currently live streaming Unleash The Archers' set in LA in addition to Dragonforce later tonight. Didn't know this bill was playing today. I may have gone had I known earlier, but I think this was a quick sold out show. Room looks small and packed. I think there will be a VOD to watch after this is done. Missed out on seeing Dragonforce in Santa Ana last October as well since I already committed to seeing Delain on the same day in Anaheim.
https://www.twitch.tv/hermanli
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Unleash the Archers were downright amazing last night in San Francisco. I've seen some killer vocal performances in 30 years of seeing shows, from Tate to Dickinson to LaBrie, and now Myles Kennedy. I mean soaring vocals. I was blown away by Brittney Slayes last night. She launched from the get-go, and while their first song, "Awakening," was something where she was warming up, by the time they got to the third song, "Soulbound," she was ON FIRE. What I love about her voice is that she's not sharp. She just has range FOR DAYS and is not afraid to use it.
Here's a playlist of four songs I recorded from last night:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJI-MjWF9aD9uchsf3AUWteVQ6zJt4R-v
REALLY impressed. And the redheaded guitarist...man, that dude can shred. What I really dug about these guys, aside from the music, is that they really didn't take themselves too seriously. The genuinely enjoy being on stage and messing with one another. It was really fun to see. I was only there for Unleash the Archers, who played a 45-minute set opening for Dragonforce (Not a fan of them). So after Visions of Atlantis and Unleash the Archers, I left. But before I did, I stopped by the merch area, as Brittney said they would be back there and signing autographs and hanging out. The line was almost 50 people deep in front of their booth....and there was absolutely NO ONE waiting to buy merch from Dragonforce or Visions of Atlantis. I didn't stay, because I had already gotten a shirt prior to the show, and I wanted to get home with work today. But on the way out, people were absolutely in awe of Unleash the Archers.
I'll never miss a Northern California performance from them going forward. They were THAT good.
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:metal awesome, I'm pretty much all in to go to the Brooklyn show in two weeks at this point assuming coronavirus hasn't ruined the world by then.
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:metal awesome, I'm pretty much all in to go to the Brooklyn show in two weeks at this point assuming coronavirus hasn't ruined the world by then.
You'll have a blast, Cram. A note -- huge mosh pits opened up on the floor for them. I know you like to get video, so be aware. The venue last night was a ballroom, so there was limited balcony seating on both sides, and at the back. I was on the side, first row. The floor was CRUSHING. So like I said, FYI, so you can figure out a vantage point.
You know that "buzz" you can feel as a show begins and a band just firing on all cylinders and has the crowd in their hand? It's unfortunately not something that happens all that often (at least for me) any longer, but last night was one of those times. People LOVE these guys, and it shows. Like I said, I won't miss another show within a few hours drive from me moving forward.
Oh, and as for that headline appearance on Saturday night? I obviously made the choice not to go, and while I somewhat regret it because of how awesome the band was on Sunday, I didn't miss much. They played 10 songs. So I would have driven six hours roundtrip, sat through four opening bands, for a 65-minute headline set. SO glad I didn't do that. They played seven Sunday night, so I only missed out on three songs.
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I've heard a few songs. I like Awakenings, and some of the other ones are okay but they're a little too goofy for me, and I'm not sure how aware they are of the goofiness. Girl has a great voice though.
But, one thing that separates them from a lot of the other power metal bands is the lineup. I was watching the video for Awakening and noticed how goofy the drummer looked. So I just figured he was drummer number 57 as with most power metal bands. But nope, turns out he's the only stable member outside of the singer. It's very very rare to find a power metal band that hasn't changed drummers 2-3 times at least. Interesting stuff.
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Not sure I noticed anything goofy about them, but goofy and power metal kind of go together. I got a digital download of Apex over the weekend and listened a couple times, it's really good. The older songs I've heard on youtube just don't sound as polished as this album.
:metal awesome, I'm pretty much all in to go to the Brooklyn show in two weeks at this point assuming coronavirus hasn't ruined the world by then.
You'll have a blast, Cram. A note -- huge mosh pits opened up on the floor for them. I know you like to get video, so be aware. The venue last night was a ballroom, so there was limited balcony seating on both sides, and at the back. I was on the side, first row. The floor was CRUSHING. So like I said, FYI, so you can figure out a vantage point.
Saw Devin at the venue a couple weeks ago, so I'm familiar with the GA set up there. Honestly getting into a mosh pit sounds fun, I have a hard time standing still anyway. Also, sometimes I use the mosh pit to get to a better vantage point for video. We will see, but I kind of get the feeling this is the band everyone wants to see on the bill so it's not surprise that's what's getting the crowd going.
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Awesome videos! I can't stop listening to Apex - it's such a great album.
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Not sure I noticed anything goofy about them, but goofy and power metal kind of go together. \
Oh yea, definitely not more goofy than most power metal, but still pretty goofy. I just listened to and watched the video for Time Stand Still or whatever, and yea...that is super goofy. Playing for knock offs of Rob Halford and Tony Iommi and stuff at the end? I just am not sure how aware they are that it's so goofy.
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What you call "goofy" can also be interpreted as a band comfortable in their own skin, and not giving a shit what people think of them. They have FUN, which is something I think is lost a lot in the type of music many of us listen to (metal). One of the endearing things to me about Helloween is the fact that the lyrics and images are often just goofy and silly.
Listening to their music, you can tell just how skilled they are, but it all comes across to me (a new fan since Apex) as a band just having a blast, and not caring if people think it is silly or not. And that speaks volumes. It's refreshing, given the "fakery" in music these days.
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What you call "goofy" can also be interpreted as a band comfortable in their own skin, and not giving a shit what people think of them. They have FUN, which is something I think is lost a lot in the type of music many of us listen to (metal). One of the endearing things to me about Helloween is the fact that the lyrics and images are often just goofy and silly.
Listening to their music, you can tell just how skilled they are, but it all comes across to me (a new fan since Apex) as a band just having a blast, and not caring if people think it is silly or not. And that speaks volumes. It's refreshing, given the "fakery" in music these days.
Dude, Devin Townsend is one of my fav musicians and is about as goofy as it gets. I'm not insulting goofy. I just feel, and I may be WAY off, that they aren't aware of how goofy they are. I might be wrong, it's all good.
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What you call "goofy" can also be interpreted as a band comfortable in their own skin, and not giving a shit what people think of them. They have FUN, which is something I think is lost a lot in the type of music many of us listen to (metal). One of the endearing things to me about Helloween is the fact that the lyrics and images are often just goofy and silly.
Listening to their music, you can tell just how skilled they are, but it all comes across to me (a new fan since Apex) as a band just having a blast, and not caring if people think it is silly or not. And that speaks volumes. It's refreshing, given the "fakery" in music these days.
Dude, Devin Townsend is one of my fav musicians and is about as goofy as it gets. I'm not insulting goofy. I just feel, and I may be WAY off, that they aren't aware of how goofy they are. I might be wrong, it's all good.
I didn't take offense, although I can see how I wrote it might make you think that. I guess my question is -- what does it matter? I mean, if they are "goofy" why does it matter if they are aware of it or not? They're having fun, and just don't care. How is that not pretty damn awesome? :lol
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It might just be a me thing. I used to be in a female fronted power metal band (and oh man, we were awful, especially our singer). She took it VERY seriously. But she was just.....goofy as all hell. It became super uncomfortable when she'd do these insane photo shoots that we'd all be laughing at but she is 100% as serious as it gets. So it might just be that it reminds me too much of that.
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I did a blog/review of my Unleash the Archers experience. Note that the blog is thematically tied to the original lineup of Queensryche, so whenever I write anything for this blog, it connects back to that.
Unleash the Archers: From 'Queen of the Reich' to Slaying San Francisco
There's a reason why a lot of bands don't attempt to cover classic Queensryche—the vocals. Yes, the music is deceptively complex. But Geoff Tate's style of operatic singing, and the difficult vocal lines he and guitarist Chris DeGarmo wrote, particularly in the 1980s, defined the band's unique sound, and ultimately helped establish the sub-genre of progressive heavy metal.
So, when I see bands pay tribute to Queensryche, I'm always skeptical of their ability to pull it off. It's just not easy to do that material justice. But then I heard singer Brittney Hayes (Slayes) from Unleash the Archers sing "Queen of the Reich" on YouTube, and my cynicism was quickly replaced by awe...
[ Read More ] - http://anybodylistening.net/unleashthearchers-review.html
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I'm guessing the concert next weekend will be cancelled. I've been enjoying the Apex album this week too :(
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I'm guessing the concert next weekend will be cancelled. I've been enjoying the Apex album this week too :(
That sucks man. I read the lyrics to Apex last night. Confirmed my thoughts on the story. Just bad ass fantasy-laden storytelling. :metal
Brittney said during the show that the next record (due July) is a continuation of the story...
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Teaser is up for the new album. Sounds pretty different with synths in the mix but still cool. Can’t wait to see what The Matriarch will get up to next!
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Teaser is up for the new album. Sounds pretty different with synths in the mix but still cool. Can’t wait to see what The Matriarch will get up to next!
Yep, absolutely pumped. With UtA and Fates Warning both releasing records, at least 2020 will have some decent music. LOL.
I also love that UtA wrote the album entirely with seven string guitars. Should have a really heavy groove. I went ahead and pre-ordered one of the super bundles and the 7"/Earbook combo too. Went overboard, but I don't care. LOL
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Just ordered the ear book myself, I’m a sucker for these types of deluxe releases especially when they are in the £40 range rather than hundreds. Apex is still an album in pretty regular rotation for me, one of my favourite albums of recent years.
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This will vanquish all other albums coming out in 2020, mark my words.
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With UtA and Fates Warning both releasing records, at least 2020 will have some decent music. LOL.
2020 already has a bunch of solid releases IMO and there's lots more coming up including this one, I'm looking forward to it
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Yeah, not been a great year for me albumwise. Really enjoyed the Ad Infinitum debut album (another female fronted act from Napalm Records) but can’t think of too much else. Satriani album was pretty disappointing (though I will admit I haven’t given it that many listens) and the Revolution Saints album was nothing special either (I know they’re not beloved round here but I like them, especially the first album). Obviously, without Covid, we’d be getting an album by Steven Wilson and not sure what the story is with the upcoming Transatlantic album, whether that will be affected. Hope things pick up as the year goes on.
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Not sure if it’s supposed to be but the first single is up on Apple Music. After first listen, not sure it’s quite as good as anything on Apex but it’s only one listen. It has the same level of production values as Apex, maybe even more lush, and sounds great but the chorus doesn’t quite grab me like most of them do on that album. It’s not bad by any stretch of the imagination, I love the verses and the chorus may turn out to be a grower. Still miles better than anything pre-Apex.
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New song is cool. But god damn I want the drummer to shave his mustache.
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Yup, I'm enjoying the new song. Here's the music video
UNLEASH THE ARCHERS - Abyss (Official Video) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1bGmjnkDTTI)
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Ok, I listened to it a bunch more times and, whilst I still find the chorus very slightly low-key, I don’t dislike it and the rest of the song is virtual perfection. I don’t actually think I could love Brittney Slayes any more than I do and, if there is a better vocalist in metal right now, male or female, I cannot name them. What an incredible majestic voice she has backed by a super talented band.
Cant wait for the album.
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I can, Tommy Karevik but I have a man crush on him. That's nothing against Brittney or UtA though, solid song and I'm looking forward to the album. Just sucks I couldn't get to see them this year, seems they rescheduled the dragonforce tour for next year so there's a chance for 2021
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Is he the Seventh Wonder guy? Haven’t heard enough of him to say one way or the other.
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Is he the Seventh Wonder guy? Haven’t heard enough of him to say one way or the other.
That's ok. Russell Allen is better.
I need to check this band out. From what I heard, they are similar to Vandroya.
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If you’re going to check them out, I would start with their last album Apex. In my opinion, it’s light years ahead of anything else they’ve done. Don’t be put off by the opening track Awakenings as not everything is a million miles an hour like that.
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New music video for song Soulbound (which I believe they were performing live on their last tour)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_yFH-O05uS0 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_yFH-O05uS0)
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they do nothing for me at all ... nope
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Another good song. Not sure they’ve quite hit the heights of Apex in these two songs but still very enjoyable.
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Another good song. Not sure they’ve quite hit the heights of Apex in these two songs but still very enjoyable.
Yes! I dug them both.
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Another good song. Not sure they’ve quite hit the heights of Apex in these two songs but still very enjoyable.
I feel the same, good songs, not quit at the apex level but very enjoyable
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Working my way through the new album this morning (I have the media advance). They are showing a lot of growth and truly embracing the whole storytelling concept fully.
Honestly, the tracks "Through Stars" and "Legacy" threw me for a loop. I mean, it sounds like UTA, but they've incorporated many, many different new elements into their sound. Not in bad way at all, but if you're used to the pure POWER METAL of UTA, these two tracks will raise an eyebrow.
As advertised, the record has a lot of synth parts, and the guitars are seven-string. Regarding the synth, if you're wondering the level of their use, if you know Alter Bridge's last record, Walk the Sky, think that, crossed with a bit of symphonic metal bands (just a touch). It's still got the great guitars and screams, but they really spread their wings on this one, creatively.
Anyway, not a review. I want to listen for a bit. But those were my first thoughts on the first few songs on the record.
p.s. those of you who liked the song "Apex," the new tune, "The Wind That Shapes the Land" will be a favorite. It's an incredible journey! :metal
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The song title alone (The Wind That Shapes The Land) has me excited about that one. Sounds like an epic Iron Maiden song title. Am excited to hear the album, enjoying the two singles and Soulbound has maybe overtaken Apex as my favourite. Am glad to hear it’s not all full on power metal. I can see why people put them in that category but I think they’re better than that. They have a darker, heavier side to them than traditional power metal like DragonForce or Symphony X who are much more cheesy. I know Awakening seems to be their big song and that is pretty cheesy power metal but it’s far from my favourite, possibility my least favourite on Apex.
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they do nothing for me at all ... nope
I have all their albums in my queue in Amazon Music and I do listen to them from time to time but in all honesty I don't think I could name the title of a single song of theirs. Not saying it's bad or anything like that, it just didn't make much of an impression on me.
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The song title alone (The Wind That Shapes The Land) has me excited about that one. Sounds like an epic Iron Maiden song title. Am excited to hear the album, enjoying the two singles and Soulbound has maybe overtaken Apex as my favourite. Am glad to hear it’s not all full on power metal. I can see why people put them in that category but I think they’re better than that. They have a darker, heavier side to them than traditional power metal like DragonForce or Symphony X who are much more cheesy. I know Awakening seems to be their big song and that is pretty cheesy power metal but it’s far from my favourite, possibility my least favourite on Apex.
My favorite on Apex is the title track. I love the heavy power metal stuff. But the stuff that really changes moods and takes you somewhere is what I love.
The one thing about this new record is you can tell from the start it isn't a standalone piece. It's meant to follow Apex when you listen. the opening track, Waking Dream, is more like a long segue (it isn't instrumental though). The album's proper lead track is actually "Abyss," and they blend together seamlessly.
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they do nothing for me at all ... nope
I have all their albums in my queue in Amazon Music and I do listen to them from time to time but in all honesty I don't think I could name the title of a single song of theirs. Not saying it's bad or anything like that, it just didn't make much of an impression on me.
I would say, they don't blow me away, but they are a really solid metal band that is up and coming it seems. The song Apex is really the only track I've heard that I really loved on first listen. The album is really good but I can kind of see what you mean about the songs not sticking out in a way. I'm looking forward to the new album, I think the band has been progressing towards something that I really enjoy more than their older stuff (from what I've heard, I don't have any of the older albums).
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they do nothing for me at all ... nope
I have all their albums in my queue in Amazon Music and I do listen to them from time to time but in all honesty I don't think I could name the title of a single song of theirs. Not saying it's bad or anything like that, it just didn't make much of an impression on me.
I would say, they don't blow me away, but they are a really solid metal band that is up and coming it seems. The song Apex is really the only track I've heard that I really loved on first listen. The album is really good but I can kind of see what you mean about the songs not sticking out in a way. I'm looking forward to the new album, I think the band has been progressing towards something that I really enjoy more than their older stuff (from what I've heard, I don't have any of the older albums).
Apex, the album, was the first record I heard from them, when I went backwards, I liked it less and less. I only really listen to Apex (and the Explorers EP), Time Stands Still, and the EP, Defy the Skies. Anything earlier just doesn't work for me. But I have every release.
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they do nothing for me at all ... nope
I have all their albums in my queue in Amazon Music and I do listen to them from time to time but in all honesty I don't think I could name the title of a single song of theirs. Not saying it's bad or anything like that, it just didn't make much of an impression on me.
To be honest, I don’t enjoy any of their albums prior to Apex. That album, to me at least, was a gargantuan leap forward for them and is one of my favourite metal albums of recent years. It’s an album where the opening few tracks don’t tell the whole story and there’s more interesting and varied stuff as the album goes on. If you care to give them a try, I would take a listen to the song False Walls which is a bit more progressive and less power metal.
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Wow, the new album is quite a lot different and a bigger departure than I was expecting. Kudos to them for not just making Apex 2. Not sure how I feel about it yet after one listen. I didn’t hate it but I didn’t love it either. The two singles started off similar though and I love those songs now. Hopefully the album will grow on me similarly. Not sure how big a fanbase these guys have but I’ve got a feeling this will be a pretty polarising record for them. It’s a very different sound, nowhere near as dark and heavy. I’m. not a longtime fan, just a fan of their previous record really so I’m not as entrenched in them sounding a certain way but I think people who are huge fans of their catalogue may baulk at some of this. Hope I’m wrong.
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Forgot this was dropping today, just got my download off amazon so I'll be listening :metal
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Listened a few times now and has grown on me a lot already, gets better with every listen.
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Definitely enjoyed it on first listen :metal
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Had this on most of the day today and, maybe I’m just delirious at 2am, but this is easily album of the year for me and I don’t see anything beating it in the remaining months. It’s too early to say this is better than Apex (one of my favourite albums of recent years) but I’m starting to think it might be. The Wind That Shapes The Land is also likely to be my song of the year.
I will reiterate my claim of a few weeks ago that Brittney Hayes is the greatest metal vocalist on planet Earth right now. Some fantastic guitar work as well and the drummer is great too.
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I'm really enjoying the new record a LOT. It does indeed get better the more you listen.
i also bought the "ticket" and watched their record release concert the other day. It was good! You could tell Brittany had a cold, but after the first few songs she opened up, and...well, there she was. For $13 total (10 bucks plus 3 dollar fee...wherever that goes, I assume the company providing the stream), it was a nice 90 minutes. Doesn't replace the live feel, but it was cool seeing UTA do its thing live (in a real venue) on these new songs (and some old ones) for an hour and a half.
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I've listened to the album a few times and really like it. I haven't spent too much time with Apex or Time Stands Still, so it's hard for me to compare, but I do like what I've heard on the new one.
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Honestly felt the live stream was too quick. Like, I would be interested in it if they did it in a week or two when I had time to digest the album so I didn't buy into it. I didn't really want to pay, make sure I was available, and then watch a concert of songs I didn't know. UtA just aren't a band I love so much (yet) to do that for, but I do like them, and so far am really enjoying the album.
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Picked up Apex on Friday and LOVE it. Abyss is coming shortly.
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Listened to the album a couple of times so far, it's not really fallen into place with me yet. Going to needs a few more listens and hopefully it starts to click.
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One small criticism I would have of the album is the amount of repetition on it. Some of the songs didn’t need to be quite as long as they are. Through Stars for example didn’t need to repeat that guitar line 25 times at the end of the song imo, others repeat the chorus maybe more times than is really necessary. It’s a small nitpick and I love the album but just something I would have changed had I, a talentless idiot, been producing the album instead of a top professional producer!
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Abyss is giving me Nightwish Syndrome. That's what I call any band who I've historically never been able to enjoy, but suddenly their latest album is really awesome. If Nightwish Syndrome proves to be true, I'll hopefully enjoy listening to at least some of their past work now. It's funny how that works. This band has just never really stood out to me but this new record... man. Legacy is one of the best metal songs of the year. Waking Dream is an epic way to kick off the record and just great on its own, and I love how it comes back in the end. Faster Than Light is a total Stratovarius homage and it's perfect. This band sounds hungry, and I love hungry bands. Kickass record, potentially a year-end best-of contender. Brittney's singing is great, the high notes are wonderful too.
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Yea, I also love the intro track. Such a good way to start the album. I'm loving this release more and more with each listens, but I will say there's a bit too much of the samey style in a lot of these songs. Maybe my only criticism, but this is an awesome release.
Mike, check out Apex. I think myself and many others gravitate more towards Apex and Abyss than their previous works. I'm not entirely sure you'll find that you'll enjoy the older stuff more now that you like the new album. Worth checking out though. I've only listened to some of the older singles and none of them really caught my attention like Apex did and now Abyss.
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Yea, I also love the intro track. Such a good way to start the album. I'm loving this release more and more with each listens, but I will say there's a bit too much of the samey style in a lot of these songs. Maybe my only criticism, but this is an awesome release.
Mike, check out Apex. I think myself and many others gravitate more towards Apex and Abyss than their previous works. I'm not entirely sure you'll find that you'll enjoy the older stuff more now that you like the new album. Worth checking out though. I've only listened to some of the older singles and none of them really caught my attention like Apex did and now Abyss.
I literally just hit play on Apex after running through Abyss one more time. I never actually ever tried listening to Apex; my opinions on UTA come from their earlier stuff. But right off the bat it's pure power metal. My kind of power metal. Fantastic. The other early stuff will probably be wild cards but Abyss is so good that I'd be happy if that's the only one I like.
EDIT: Apex rocks. Great record. Not hitting me the same way Abyss does, but it's very good and much better than the stuff I remember hearing before Apex. Color me surprised, I really like these records!
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So I've listened to Abyss two times and I'm not impressed, it's not clicking with me.
What's the general consensus about Abyss vs their earlier material? Should I go try Apex or is it mostly the same style and I shouldn't bother?
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So I've listened to Abyss two times and I'm not impressed, it's not clicking with me.
What's the general consensus about Abyss vs their earlier material? Should I go try Apex or is it mostly the same style and I shouldn't bother?
I've seen lots of my friends praising Abyss (and Apex by extension) after not enjoying the albums before that. I'm in the same boat, although I think I'll go back to the early ones to see if my opinion changes.
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I had the same reaction you did to Abyss except it was with Apex. I wasn’t into them at all and Apex seemed to come literally from nowhere. I’ve got no idea what changed but suddenly they had all these incredible riff and melodies and Brittney sounded soooo much better and like a top level singer rather than this kind of raw, wild singer in other stuff I’d heard. The new album thankfully carries that on whilst sounding very different at the same time.
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So I've listened to Abyss two times and I'm not impressed, it's not clicking with me.
What's the general consensus about Abyss vs their earlier material? Should I go try Apex or is it mostly the same style and I shouldn't bother?
Apex is much more metal than this one, no synths, no AOR rock songs, just pure metal. It’s a brilliant album with super catchy riffs, huge choruses and great solos. The power metal side is there but it is a much darker heavier record. Don’t be too put off by the opening track which is more like what’s on Abyss. The rest is not a million miles an hour stuff.
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Just listen to the song Apex, if you don't like it, don't bother. That is probably their best song.
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Just listen to the song Apex, if you don't like it, don't bother. That is probably their best song.
Having just listened to the record, I strongly disagree with this. There's a lot of great songs on that record, don't give up if that one doesn't do it for you. Hell, it's not even the best song on that record imo.
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Just listen to the song Apex, if you don't like it, don't bother. That is probably their best song.
Having just listened to the record, I strongly disagree with this. There's a lot of great songs on that record, don't give up if that one doesn't do it for you. Hell, it's not even the best song on that record imo.
well, sure no one should give up on one song but it seems we're talking people who have tried already. That was the song that caught my attention over all the others, and from reading this thread, it seems to be a fairly common thing amongst their newer fans. I think it's their best song still of any others I've heard including on Abyss.
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False Walls is far and away my favourite on the album but probably not all that representative of their sound. It’s a bit of an outlier on the album.
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On my first listen to Apex, the album, I was immediately blown away, bought the calendar, went to go see them live, etc.
When I first heard Abyss, I posted here. It was good, but while I didn't say it at the time, I wasn't blown away. But now that I've listened a few more times, it grows on you. Now I think the record is incredible. There's a lot going on and its much deeper, IMO, in comparison to Apex. The albums flow into one another as well. Basically, Apex/Abyss is a double album.
I'm not one to try and force someone to listen to stuff they don't like, but if you put on Abyss multiple times, and let it sink in, I think people will be surprised just how good it is, and how well the songs are done.
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So Unleash The Archers just announced a US Tour this September.
So excited to finally get to announce this!!! We can't wait to hit the road through the US with Seven Kingdoms and ÆTHER REALM this September!!!!!! Full dates are below, tickets will be added to our website and FB events over the next few days so keep an eye! www.unleashthearchers.com LET'S PARTY!!!!! 🤘🏻
9/1: Minneapolis, MN @ Cabooze
9/2: Chicago, IL @ Reggies
9/3: Detroit, MI @ The Shelter
9/4: Pittsburgh, PA @ Preserving Underground
9/5: Rochester, NY @ Montage Music Hall
9/7: Providence, RI @ Alchemy
9/8: New York, NY @ Le Poisson Rouge
9/9: Baltimore, MD @ Baltimore Soundstage
9/10: Greensboro, NC @ The Blind Tiger
9/11: Atlanta, GA @ The Masquerade (Heaven)
9/12: Orlando, FL @ The Haven
9/14: Austin, TX @ Come and Take it Live
9/15: Dallas, TX @ Gas Monkey Bar & Grill
9/16: Oklahoma City, OK @ 89th Street Collective
9/17: Kansas City, MO @ The Riot Room
9/18: Denver, CO @ Marquis Theatre
9/19: Albuquerque, NM @ Launchpad
9/21: Mesa, AZ @ Nile Theater
9/22: Los Angeles, CA @ 1720
9/23: San Diego, CA @ Brick by Brick
9/24: Petaluma, CA @ The Phoenix Theater
9/25: Portland, OR @ Dante's
9/26: Seattle, WA @ El Corazon
Working on a show in Vancouver as well but that will just be us, and will be announced later this month! :)
This so makes up for them not being at ProgPower because they're coming here to the venue I love. Because it's an intimate small venue. :metal :metal
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On my first listen to Apex, the album, I was immediately blown away, bought the calendar, went to go see them live, etc.
When I first heard Abyss, I posted here. It was good, but while I didn't say it at the time, I wasn't blown away. But now that I've listened a few more times, it grows on you. Now I think the record is incredible. There's a lot going on and its much deeper, IMO, in comparison to Apex. The albums flow into one another as well. Basically, Apex/Abyss is a double album.
I'm not one to try and force someone to listen to stuff they don't like, but if you put on Abyss multiple times, and let it sink in, I think people will be surprised just how good it is, and how well the songs are done.
Felt the exact same way about Apex and then Abyss. I had no clue who UtA were before I listened to Apex the first time, and I loved it right away. Great songs and vocals, with just the right amount of self-aware cheesiness ;) I was pretty excited about Abyss coming out and I liked it well enough after the first couple of listens. Not quite as much as Apex, I thought. Then it kept drawing me back. I listened to it A TON - and it ended up as one of my favorites of 2020.
Like you say, there is a lot going on in there. There are definitely broader influences on this one - one could say it's a catchier and more "commercial"-sounding album, with the synths and a couple of AOR-sounding tracks. Yet I feel it has greater longevity. It just flows so well. And, man, The Wind That Shapes the Land, what a song. That guitar line after the chorus(es) with the galloping drums (could fit right in Somewhere in Time/Seventh Son-era Maiden, as far as I'm concerned)...and that part that starts around 5:40, before the solos. So good. I just wish it was a bit longer.
All of this to say I 100% agree :biggrin: By the way, there is synthwave version of the song Abyss that's floating around (I believe it was a vinyl bonus track? Or maybe Japanese version?). It's called Abysswave or something. You should check it out - it's VERY cheesy, but pretty great!
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I would be very happy if they play Legacy. That is my favorite from the album.
What draws me into UTA are the vocals. How she is a raspy vocalist, but also has some nice smooth cleans, and highs.
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9/8: New York, NY @ Le Poisson Rouge
Not familiar with this venue, I guess it's probably fairly small. I definitely want to go. Abyss was one of my favorite albums in 2020 and I just listened to it again yesterday and still love it :metal
Also, that's a "Progpower" line up which makes it even more interesting
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9/8: New York, NY @ Le Poisson Rouge
Not familiar with this venue, I guess it's probably fairly small. I definitely want to go. Abyss was one of my favorite albums in 2020 and I just listened to it again yesterday and still love it :metal
Also, that's a "Progpower" line up which makes it even more interesting
I didn't know who Seven Wonders were so I checked them out. Not bad at all. But was amazed at the female singer as well. And I was all, this is straight up a Power Metal tour. Makes up for Symphony X cancelling their past tour dates, and Judas Priest not stopping here at all. Good way to fill that Power Metal-ish itch.
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I'm not even sure I consider UtA straight up Power Metal
but my concert calender is going wild for September right now. I'm not sure I can afford to see them all :lol I really want to see this one though. UtA's last two albums put them ahead of many bands I want to see, plus I've never seen them
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Felt the exact same way about Apex and then Abyss. I had no clue who UtA were before I listened to Apex the first time, and I loved it right away. Great songs and vocals, with just the right amount of self-aware cheesiness ;) I was pretty excited about Abyss coming out and I liked it well enough after the first couple of listens. Not quite as much as Apex, I thought. Then it kept drawing me back. I listened to it A TON - and it ended up as one of my favorites of 2020.
Like you say, there is a lot going on in there. There are definitely broader influences on this one - one could say it's a catchier and more "commercial"-sounding album, with the synths and a couple of AOR-sounding tracks. Yet I feel it has greater longevity. It just flows so well. And, man, The Wind That Shapes the Land, what a song. That guitar line after the chorus(es) with the galloping drums (could fit right in Somewhere in Time/Seventh Son-era Maiden, as far as I'm concerned)...and that part that starts around 5:40, before the solos. So good. I just wish it was a bit longer.
THIS! The Wind That Shapes the Land is AMAZING. The transition at 5:40 is so good, as you stated. And how about the heavy, slower riff change at 3:45? It almost makes two separate songs at that point.
I didn't even know this band....but I kept hearing these blocks of songs on Prog, Rock, and Metal streaming radio. I was impressed right away, but never pursued anything. You don't know who the band is on that station, because they don't tell you. But after I kept listening to the same blocks of songs off....what I later learned was this album, I was like....who in the HELL is this?! These vocal harmonies are just mind blowing.....and then the vibrato and belts. I kept thinking, is this an all female band and they do backing vocals?
So I finally started paying attention to enough sections of lyrics, enough to Google and figure out who was doing these amazing songs. After realizing it was UTA, I remembered listening to one of their older songs from several years ago and thinking...yeah, talented....but it wasn't really doing that much for me. Once I figured out those songs on Abyss I started watching more videos on YouTube. Then realized Apex was the first album of a concept duo with Abyss. And Awakening, WHOA. The drummer is insane on that song.....and the tightness of the band overall is off the chain. Don't care about any perception of cheese....love it!
Then I started watching the reaction videos. And realizing how much of a force of nature Brittney is on some of these songs. And that they basically don't have any other female harmony vocalists....it's a delay of her voice with a long decay, for lack of a better way to describe. The way it's done on Apex and Abyss is what draws me in to those albums. She went from unknown to me....to top 5 female vocalists, basically overnight. Plus, she is beautiful (flawless skin, wow). Hard not to have a crush on her when she looks and sounds LIKE THAT.
Finally, yeah....I know the sentiment here seems to be that Apex is the better album. But I disagree. Love both discs, but Abyss has the better songs. Wind is I think their best....and Legacy is 1b. I think Apex has a purer sound, but the hooks sink in more on Abyss and there is, as you stated, more going on.
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I think they’re both great albums. I think Apex is a bit more focused and concise but Abyss is more varied and has some really catchy softer tunes. What I will say though is that Brittney is my favourite singer right now, male or female.
What’s weird though is how much I love these two albums but I don’t care for any of their other stuff at all. It’s like a switch suddenly clicked on and everything improved a hundredfold. The riffs, melodies, solos and Brittney has so much more control of her voice.
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I think they’re both great albums. I think Apex is a bit more focused and concise but Abyss is more varied and has some really catchy softer tunes. What I will say though is that Brittney is my favourite singer right now, male or female.
What’s weird though is how much I love these two albums but I don’t care for any of their other stuff at all. It’s like a switch suddenly clicked on and everything improved a hundredfold. The riffs, melodies, solos and Brittney has so much more control of her voice.
I like Abyss more personally. But I totally agree with your second point. I struggle to enjoy their previous work. But these two albums are fantastic. I'd have to look back on my album rankings, I think I'd rank Abyss even higher last year because I still keep coming back to listening to it. SOO good.
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9/8: New York, NY @ Le Poisson Rouge
Not familiar with this venue, I guess it's probably fairly small. I definitely want to go. Abyss was one of my favorite albums in 2020 and I just listened to it again yesterday and still love it :metal
Also, that's a "Progpower" line up which makes it even more interesting
Well, the day has come! Sucks that the band had issues getting into the US and had to cancel the first 5 concerts, but they made it in and it seems they performed last night. Funny about my "progpower" comment is that today I'd actually be at ProgPower if it happened, so this feels like a nice consolation prize. I'm wearing one of my PP shirts in honor of that tonight :metal :metal
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9/8: New York, NY @ Le Poisson Rouge
Not familiar with this venue, I guess it's probably fairly small. I definitely want to go. Abyss was one of my favorite albums in 2020 and I just listened to it again yesterday and still love it :metal
Also, that's a "Progpower" line up which makes it even more interesting
Well, the day has come! Sucks that the band had issues getting into the US and had to cancel the first 5 concerts, but they made it in and it seems they performed last night. Funny about my "progpower" comment is that today I'd actually be at ProgPower if it happened, so this feels like a nice consolation prize. I'm wearing one of my PP shirts in honor of that tonight :metal :metal
I'll be seeing this show on the 19th.
I would have also been at ProgPower, and would've more than likely done a fun road trip with one of my friends.
Since the venue they're playing at here is a pretty intimate venue, that is a perfect trade-off as I like the venue because of how there is no bad spot in the venue, actually there is on top but that gets filled fast to where if you don't you have no choice but to head to the floor if you actually want to see the band playing. :lol
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I have no idea what to expect from this venue, I believe it is pretty small so should also be intimate but we'll see about getting a view. It's weird how their social media isn't very active for the tour which had me questioning if the show was even going to happen but I saw Brittany post inside Union Square Park in NYC so they are here! If the setlist on setlist.fm is correct, I'm going to be happy :metal
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I posted some of this in the concerts thread, but wanted to add some more here.
The Unleash the Archers concert last week was one of my favorites shows so far in 2021. It was a bit odd to be at a smaller indoor venue, but it was actually really nice once settled in. I really like these smaller intimate shows and so far this summer has mostly been large outdoor ones. The venue, Le Poisson Rouge in downtown NYC, was perfect IMO. I hope to see more shows there. Just a nice smaller venue, but had everything needed and the staff was nice and friendly. I really thought UtA were awesome live. It sucks they have to pipe in backing tracks, but they aren't the only ones. Brittany's voice was mesmorizing. She really should be up there with some of the best vocalists in the genre. They sold light up swords, kind of like kid toys, but people waving them around was really cool to see. Added to the atmosphere for a power metal show.
They played a set mostly of Abyss and Apex songs so it really suited my tastes. It was only the second time they performed two of my favorite songs so I was really happy to see this show and get to see them live before they are possibly shelved in future tours. After the show, the main guitarist Andrew was just chilling outside shooting the shit with fans. I had no where to be so I hung out and chatted with him and others. He was super friendly, very talkative as well. He told me the reason they had to cancel the first part of the tour was because of their show in Belgium previously. Being in Europe and even though the tested negative, they had to give it another week to enter the US. That sucks because they tested negative and are all vaxxed, but I guess rules are rules. Funny enough though, we all were outside and chatting without masks on but he mentioned if Brittany saw that she would be pissed :lol so we all put our masks on. He also said one positive covid test would jeopardize the entire tour so he probably should have had a mask on the whole time. If you want to see a pic of myself and Andrew, check out the concerts thread.
Here are my two favorite songs from Abyss from the show!
Unleash the Archers - Through Stars LIVE @ Le Poisson Rouge New York City NY 9/8/2021 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z79JlTrH-l0)
Unleash the Archers - Carry the Flame LIVE @ Le Poisson Rouge New York City NY 9/8/2021 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qS1FY87Xfyw)
I also bought this shirt, loved the art and wanted to support the band:
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E-3T-8TWEAMB0tw?format=jpg&name=large)
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Just a couple more days for me...
Can't wait, and your review got me excited. Might end up buying the light up sword. That depends on how it looks.
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Show is tonight. This is the one show I am really excited for and really was anticipating.
Edit: Show was awesome, and was among the best. The venue was packed already for Seventh Kingdom. The crowd was Unleashed (pun intended) for Aether Realm, whom were at the Bar, and they came rushing from the bar in the back to the stage to set up, I knew because how can you not forget that handle-bar mustache from the guitarist. the bassist came in with a little red blow-up shark, and said it had a story but would be too long to tell, but mentioned a local band Futilitarian and how one of their members played in Aether Realm and how they're glad to be playing the same stage he played. It's going to be fun at ProgPower for these guys.
Unleash The Archers was amazing, and hearing them was awesome, made more better by the crowd which I was proud of Albuquerque for showing up and giving support. Unlike when they played at a bar called Malarky's in front of only 4 people according to Brittany. :lol
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I saw these guys in Chicago last night, only knowing a song or 2 before going in. My best friend is a huge fan and now they got me too. Was an excellent show. I grabbed Abyss from the merch table cuz my friend said it’s better than Apex. Down the rabbit hole I go!
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I agree with that statement, Abyss is an awesome album. And glad you enjoyed, they were fantastic a couple months ago on the first US leg.
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New single out!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLPMBD7i0IU (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLPMBD7i0IU)
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A bit on the more straightforward and happier side of power metal for them than I'd like, particularly towards the end, but not too bad otherwise.
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I agree. It was good, but not as heavy as I like them to be.
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Good stuff. I like the the Growls and Robotic Vocals part. Neat video as well.
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Interesting that they used AI to make the album. Not sure how I feel about that without knowing more, song is good although I felt like the production was weak.
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Interesting that they used AI to make the album. Not sure how I feel about that without knowing more, song is good although I felt like the production was weak.
Agreed on the production. Could definitely use more heft.
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From their Facebook
The music video for our first single from Phantoma is streaming on the Napalm Records YouTube channel now!
Created by RuneGate Studio in Unreal Engine 5, rotoscoped in Warp Fusion, then animated in Stable Diffusion with AI models trained on the licensed artwork of Bo Bradshaw 🤘🏻
From Brittney Slayes: This is a concept album (of course!) based on artificial intelligence, so we wanted to utilize AI in as many aspects of the album as we could to create a ‘snapshot’ of AI as it currently stands. The story follows Phantoma, an AI that gains sentience and works to escape the bonds that humanity has placed upon her. Despite her imprisonment she idolizes humankind, and she will have several dark and heartbreaking revelations about the truth of human nature (as we all do, in life) throughout her journey. And no, the music was not written with AI lol, but some of the lyrics were! ;)
Head over to YouTube to check the full video out now!
Preorders are live at https://www.indiemerchstore.com/collections/unleash-the-archers
and https://napalmrecords.com/unleashthearchers
Phantoma releases on May 10th, 2024. First single available now on all streaming platforms everywhere!
#unleashthearchers #napalmrecords #newalbum #scifi #conceptalbum
https://youtu.be/eLPMBD7i0IU?si=UVjjXj084f_NlZLp
Interesting that they used AI to make the album. Not sure how I feel about that without knowing more, song is good although I felt like the production was weak.
As Brittney says above, the music was not written by AI, but some of the lyrics were. Utilizing AI for the videos is neat since it relates to the concept of a sentient AI.
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The whole conceptual nature of the album is cool. And making the video with AI makes sense, as does some of the lyrics.
As for the new single, it was okay. I mean, I'll pre-order the record, but I felt like Abyss' synthwave elements were a direction I wasn't fond of, and this song doesn't really go in the direction I was hoping for. But that's what it's a record -- a bunch of other songs. Looking forward to it.
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I don't remember anything particularly synthwave-ish, but personally I loved the increased electronic elements.
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This, however, is quite brilliant:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bUmqkCmeZiA
(Description says it's a bonus track on the vinyl...?)
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Yeah, it was a remix. I have it.
Pass. I'm just not into that, nor all the heavy electronics. It's just never grabbed me. I want Unleash the Archers to experiment as they see fit, of course, but prefer them absolutely crushing it and melting my face off.
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This, however, is quite brilliant:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bUmqkCmeZiA
(Description says it's a bonus track on the vinyl...?)
Oh yes, that one actually is synthwave.
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Seems like they have another synthwave version of a song as a bonus track for the new album. I don't mind it, synthwave mixed into metal has been really good at times (DIsco Metal by Nanowar of Steel anyone?? :lol) BUT I don't know if I want the band to go too hard with it because the formula they have with the last two albums is perfect for them. I'm not saying they should write the same album again, but I just don't want them to change too hard in any direction. I don't think they have in that single.
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I'm not saying they should write the same album again, but I just don't want them to change too hard in any direction.
This is really its own thread, but I often think along these lines. I don't need bands to continually reinvent themselves, once they find a sound that suits their strengths I'm fine with them sticking to it. If I want a different sound than that there are thousands and thousands of other bands I can listen to.
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New single, "Ghosts in the Mist":
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYSHuCUegm0
I liked it. In the vein of the more melodic songs from Abyss. Chorus is real nice, as is the guitar work. Not entirely sure about the couple of sections with harsh vocals on this one, but they are pretty brief.
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Yeah I enjoyed the song, its a bit more melodic but that's fine. I actually really liked the melodic side of Abyss. The video also has footage from the ProgPower show I was at where they played this song. Can't wait for this album
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I'm not saying they should write the same album again, but I just don't want them to change too hard in any direction.
This is really its own thread, but I often think along these lines. I don't need bands to continually reinvent themselves, once they find a sound that suits their strengths I'm fine with them sticking to it. If I want a different sound than that there are thousands and thousands of other bands I can listen to.
TBH, I feel it should be a compromise between those two positions. Artists should continue to grow and change album to album. My favorite musical act, the original lineup of Queensryche, changed their sound from album to album. But the thing that I feel is important, is that bands, particularly ones that taste success, as they get three or four albums deep, need to realize what their strengths are, and not forget about them. Recognize what makes you distinct, and don't forget about that.
It's a very fine line, and not many bands really can take themselves out of their art to see it. But some do.
On that note, I discovered UTA with Apex. I liked the album before it okay, thought the releases prior to that were okay. Abyss let me down a bit. I felt they got a little too synth and melodic. The first song they released from this new album, I wasn't impressed either. So, I am not listening to the second song. I have the record on pre-order. I'll listen when I get it. My daughter, however, loves Abyss, and loved the first new tune. So it'll be what it is.
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On that note, I discovered UTA with Apex. I liked the album before it okay, thought the releases prior to that were okay.
You have to admit that Tonight We Ride is so :metal though!
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I'm not saying they should write the same album again, but I just don't want them to change too hard in any direction.
This is really its own thread, but I often think along these lines. I don't need bands to continually reinvent themselves, once they find a sound that suits their strengths I'm fine with them sticking to it. If I want a different sound than that there are thousands and thousands of other bands I can listen to.
TBH, I feel it should be a compromise between those two positions. Artists should continue to grow and change album to album. My favorite musical act, the original lineup of Queensryche, changed their sound from album to album. But the thing that I feel is important, is that bands, particularly ones that taste success, as they get three or four albums deep, need to realize what their strengths are, and not forget about them. Recognize what makes you distinct, and don't forget about that.
It's a very fine line, and not many bands really can take themselves out of their art to see it. But some do.
On that note, I discovered UTA with Apex. I liked the album before it okay, thought the releases prior to that were okay. Abyss let me down a bit. I felt they got a little too synth and melodic. The first song they released from this new album, I wasn't impressed either. So, I am not listening to the second song. I have the record on pre-order. I'll listen when I get it. My daughter, however, loves Abyss, and loved the first new tune. So it'll be what it is.
The new song seems like it could be from Abyss so maybe it won't be for you. I, however, enjoyed it. I do agree about your other points in terms of not forgetting about what made you, you.
I don't particularly like the older UtA albums from what I've heard. Not that it "sucks", it's just that I don't think they found their way into writing good complete songs in a style that really works until Apex, at least in terms of a full album output (since there are some good older songs). There's hints of what would later come, I get the feeling they just needed more time and experience to grow. And of course that growth can and maybe should continue, I just LOVED Abyss so much that I feel like maybe they found their sweet spot.
On that note, I discovered UTA with Apex. I liked the album before it okay, thought the releases prior to that were okay.
You have to admit that Tonight We Ride is so :metal though!
Yeah, an example of a good song before Apex. :metal
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"Tonight We Ride" is an absolute banger! :metal
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I'm not saying they should write the same album again, but I just don't want them to change too hard in any direction.
This is really its own thread, but I often think along these lines. I don't need bands to continually reinvent themselves, once they find a sound that suits their strengths I'm fine with them sticking to it. If I want a different sound than that there are thousands and thousands of other bands I can listen to.
TBH, I feel it should be a compromise between those two positions. Artists should continue to grow and change album to album. My favorite musical act, the original lineup of Queensryche, changed their sound from album to album. But the thing that I feel is important, is that bands, particularly ones that taste success, as they get three or four albums deep, need to realize what their strengths are, and not forget about them. Recognize what makes you distinct, and don't forget about that.
It's a very fine line, and not many bands really can take themselves out of their art to see it. But some do.
Yep, absolutely, and THAT band (the original Queensryche lineup) truly nailed it. That run through Promised Land (I know not everyone agrees ;)). So many ideas, so much creativity and so much change... and yet you knew it was that band. Granted, Tate's vocals were such an important element - in fact his versatility was one of the elements that helped all the sides/phases of the band's sound work. But it was everything else too - the rhythm section, the interplay between the two guitar styles, the "drama" in their music. Truly special.