Lonestar's Top 50 Album Thread v 2.0 - #1!!!!!!!!!!

[LithoJazzoSphere]

Unfortunately, I have to concur.  Not bad, just nothing stands out about it, unlike the others.  It could be the type of album that opens up after a number of plays though. 

[lonestar]

My opinion of it is probably swayed a bit since I'm thanked in the liner notes as well. 

[TAC]

No familiar with Deadstation. Will check it out.

[lonestar]

#42 Sun Caged- The Lotus Effect (2011)




I'm honestly not sure where I came across this one, probably fell within the radius of the glut of albums I came across at the time, or it was sent to me by Jingle, who knows, but wherever it came from, I'm glad it did. Classic prog in style, smooth and subdued with killer vocals from Paul Villarreal. The highlight of the album is the last 8 songs, which form Ashtamangals- the 8 Auspicous Symbols suite, a 24 minute prog epic that definitely falls under the brilliance umbrella. It's soaring in scope, but never gets too out of reach like some epics have a habit of doing. Just a fantastic listen, and one I come back to often.

Favorite Tracks- Ashtamangala

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jMwUGMe9Jg&t=48s&ab_channel=MarcelCoenenOfficial

[jingle.boy]

Wudn't me.  I stumbled on to them via a last.fm recommendation, but pretty sure I never shared them.  Another act that didn't quite click with me for the long haul.  I actually prefer their earlier release (Artemisia) over this one.

[TAC]

I actually have this, but it's been years since I listened to it.

[LithoJazzoSphere]

Now we're talking.  The debut is an amazing album, but the follow up wasn't nearly as good to my recollection, though RYM tells me otherwise.  Not sure I ever got around to this one, so I'll see how it goes.  A massive amount of member turnover for such a small discography though.  I like how the debut had two Ayreon members (Marcel and Joost). 

[lonestar]

Ok, one more update, then I'll probably do one in the morning tomorrow but obviously will take the evening off for the holiday.

#41- Deadly Circus Fire- The King and the Bishop (2013)




This British metal band I found through what I used to refer to as my Bandcamp fishing trips, spending a few hours just randomly hitting play on bands suggested to me. I've found more than a few quality albums doing this, and by doing blind purchases at the local record store's prog metal section. I'd say the standout aspects of Deadly Circus Fire, other than having the best band name ever, is their intense riffage, the bass ripped straight out of the Tool playbook, and the lead singer's pure power behind the mic. The follow up to this, The Hydra's Tailor, is also an outstanding output, but not quite the level of this one for me.  After that, the lead singer left, and their follow up this year was quality, but never reached the brilliance of the first two. Once you hear what Adam does, his cleans, his growls, how his passion rolls between the two, you'll see why he was so hard to replace. This one is well worth a click my friends....

Favorite Tracks- Through the Soil, Her Epitaph, Threnody, Leviathan

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FcnSs4t4MVw

[LithoJazzoSphere]

Another new one, but this is pretty cool, I like Tool-influenced bands.  Have you heard Wheel from Finland? 

[lonestar]

Another new one, but this is pretty cool, I like Tool-influenced bands.  Have you heard Wheel from Finland?

I always joked that in the 12 years between 10000 days and Fear Innoculum, they out out the best 2 tool albums.

Not familiar with Wheel, I'll have to check it out.

[jingle.boy]

Your use of "Tool" and "growls" to describe this pretty much makes it a pass for me.

[lonestar]

Your use of "Tool" and "growls" to describe this pretty much makes it a pass for me.

The sample song is only 4 minutes long dude...take a chance...

[lonestar]

#40 Asterism- Ignition (2018)




Alright, you all knew this was coming, the first of a solid group of albums that fall under my recent fascination with J-Metal, this one was sent to me by a member of one of the FB fan groups for another band, and in one listen I was absolutely hooked, and am only getting more and more sold every day. A three piece instrumental metal band, Asterism has been together since guitarist Hal-Ca (Haruka Noma) was 11, bassist Miyu was 12, and drummer Mio was 14, and knowing that makes it more sensible that by the release of this album 5 years later, they sound pretty tight. And by now, 4 years after that, they're as polished as any band out there. This band is proggy, with some seriously heavy edges, highlighted by some of the most insane skill I've ever seen in such young musicians, I can only imagine this is what the core of MP, MM, and JP sounded like at such a young age. Miyu is usually seen plaing his custom 7 string bass, which isn't just for show, he kills it on this, not only handling rhythm duties but also feeding in and out of Hal-Ca's leads with his own incredible melodic parts. Mio is a machine on drums, more than up to the task of doing the heavy lifting for the group. For me though, it's Hal-Ca that sets this group apart. After a year of watching live vids, I'm firmly convinced that she will be one of the premiere guitar players of her generation. She not only has the technical chops, she's as fast as any I've seen out there, and her stage presence is absolutely massive. Keep an eye out on her, and on this band, they're only going to get better and better.

Favorite Tracks- Dawn, Blaze, Light in the Darkness


Light in the Darkness- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4YNyr1PqMqA&ab_channel=Takako

Dawn (8+ minutes, but well worth it to really see Hal-Ca in action, watching her own this crowd at 16 is just jaw dropping)- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=buQPvINJcA0&ab_channel=Takako

[twosuitsluke]

From this point on I expect everything to be J-adjacent.

[TAC]

Your use of "Tool" and "growls" to describe this pretty much makes it a pass for me.

The sample song is only 4 minutes long dude...take a chance...

Chad, you can do this song. Easily. The harsh vocals, even though they're the kind of harshies that I'm not crazy about, as they're screams as opposed to growls, are very non-intrusive to the song.

[lonestar]

From this point on I expect everything to be J-adjacent.

 

Off the top of my head, I think I got 4 more J-adjacent offerings.

[TAC]

One of my Top 5 Live Albums...

[jingle.boy]

Your use of "Tool" and "growls" to describe this pretty much makes it a pass for me.

The sample song is only 4 minutes long dude...take a chance...

Four minutes of my life is far too valuable for Tool + growls.   

Alright, alright... I give it a whirl.  Although, I do seem to recall trying DCF in the past, and it largely didn't stick with me.  Ok, I sampled it.  It doesn't suck so bad. 

Asterism on the other hand... kicks fucking ass.  This was a recc'n that was well worth my while when you pimped it on me.     Damn dude... I'm not sure how I missed they had a release this year - just a shorty 36 minute one though.  The technical wankery is strong here.

[TAC]

Asterism is ridiculous. Those kids are just...kids. Amazing chops, all of them.

[lonestar]

Your use of "Tool" and "growls" to describe this pretty much makes it a pass for me.

The sample song is only 4 minutes long dude...take a chance...

Four minutes of my life is far too valuable for Tool + growls.   

Alright, alright... I give it a whirl.  Although, I do seem to recall trying DCF in the past, and it largely didn't stick with me.  Ok, I sampled it.  It doesn't suck so bad. 

Asterism on the other hand... kicks fucking ass.  This was a recc'n that was well worth my while when you pimped it on me.     Damn dude... I'm not sure how I missed they had a release this year - just a shorty 36 minute one though.  The technical wankery is strong here.

Dude...you messaged me the day of said release...you're getting old bro. For the others, this year's release is an album of heavy metal covers of anime soundtracks. Some really good stuff in the mix for sure. Their other album, Guernica, is an instrumental concept album, Church being a tremendously strong track off that one.

Asterism is ridiculous. Those kids are just...kids. Amazing chops, all of them.

Yup...it's going to be so much fun watching them in the coming years, really hope the US festival circuit picks them up, especially Aftershock, they'd fucking crush it on that stage.

[TAC]

Yup...it's going to be so much fun watching them in the coming years, really hope the US festival circuit picks them up, especially Aftershock, they'd fucking crush it on that stage.

Yeah, maybe something like ProgPower.

[axeman90210]

RJ, are you familiar at all with Sithu Aye?

[LithoJazzoSphere]

Ooh, that's a good mention.  He does have a bit of Japanese flair to some of his stuff. 

[jingle.boy]

Holy shit.  Now that you mention it, I do remember mentioning it to you. 

I just didn't note it in the list I keep track of for all new albums I sample. 

[TAC]

I just didn't note it in the list I keep track of for all new albums I sample. 

I start a list every year, but by August/Sept, I basically stop adding things to the list for some reason.

This year, I have stayed pretty much up to date though.

[lonestar]

RJ, are you familiar at all with Sithu Aye?

Yuo, even saw them live, can't remember who they opened for. Great stuff.

[lonestar]

I just didn't note it in the list I keep track of for all new albums I sample. 

I start a list every year, but by August/Sept, I basically stop adding things to the list for some reason.

This year, I have stayed pretty much up to date though.

I don't have a complete list, but I do have a firm top five, two of which will make an appearance here. (one is actually next on the list)

Keeping my aoty spot open for the Nemophila release on 12/14

[jingle.boy]

I'm talking about a list of EVERYTHING that I sample - so I remember what I've heard, and what I haven't.  Before I did this, I'd find myself in situation such as seeing an album in November and think "oooh... I should check that out" - meanwhile, I already did back in Februrary, and didn't care for it.

This year's list is up to 154 albums atm.

[axeman90210]

RJ, are you familiar at all with Sithu Aye?

Yuo, even saw them live, can't remember who they opened for. Great stuff.

That would've been Haken I think. When you mentioned heavy metal anime covers it made me think of his Senpai series.

[lonestar]

RJ, are you familiar at all with Sithu Aye?

Yuo, even saw them live, can't remember who they opened for. Great stuff.

That would've been Haken I think. When you mentioned heavy metal anime covers it made me think of his Senpai series.

Yep, pretty sure it was Haken. If you dug that stuff, definitely check Asterism's new album out...

https://open.spotify.com/album/2fc5Ue7wQIl72i6U0QyUrX?si=0I2JMCQpSnG5v-0m-NAmVA&utm_source=copy-link

[axeman90210]

RJ, are you familiar at all with Sithu Aye?

Yuo, even saw them live, can't remember who they opened for. Great stuff.

That would've been Haken I think. When you mentioned heavy metal anime covers it made me think of his Senpai series.

Yep, pretty sure it was Haken. If you dug that stuff, definitely check Asterism's new album out...

https://open.spotify.com/album/2fc5Ue7wQIl72i6U0QyUrX?si=0I2JMCQpSnG5v-0m-NAmVA&utm_source=copy-link

Oh once I'm back home I FL I plan in checking everything from this list out. I discovered a ton of good stuff when you did your top songs of the decade countdown a couple years ago.

[lonestar]

#39 Bloodywood- Rakshak (2022)



The most recent addition to my list...not just one of the two albums from 2022, but a band who I only really started digging into in early October. I had heard of them, not sure if I sampled them before, but finally gave them a solid listen after their set at Aftershock. I didn't go that day, but it was a nearly unanimous opinion among the fan groups that among heavyweights like Muse, MCR, Lamb of God, Kiss, and Slipknot, it was Bloodywood who had the set of the festival. That was enough to make me click play, and man am I glad I did. Bloodywood is the unique marriage of Bollywood style background with traditional Indian instruments, heavy, heavy metal, and a brutally rapid fire rap vocal style that works to absolute perfection. Their themes come with a heavy handed message of varying sorts, their not just in it to make music, these guys want to make change in the process. There's definitely some heavy Rage influence to their music, but the Indian overtones paired with the insanely intense riffage really do the heavy lifting on this one. Bloodywood is one that's hard to really describe, you'll just have to give it a listen, and thank me afterwards...

Favorite Tracks- Gaddaar, Machi Bhasad, Dana-dan

Machi Bhasad- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gsy5sJy5_34&ab_channel=Bloodywood

Dana-Dan- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a65A626Ed20&ab_channel=Bloodywood

[TAC]

Oof. I don't know, man. 

[lonestar]

Just click play...

[TAC]

I did!