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

[Podaar]

I really dig Dana-dan! I'll check out the complete album later.

[lonestar]

 

Dana-Dan is probably my fav so far...

I did! 

That's all we can do man.

[TAC]

I did! 

That's all we can do man.

It is indeed appreciated. 

[LithoJazzoSphere]

I'm sorry, but since Bilo IV dropped yesterday I haven't listened to much else, so I'm gonna have to play catch up on the last couple soon.   

[jingle.boy]

Pretty sure you shared this on FB a while back, and I sampled it.  Didn't really strike me as my thing, but it certainly was unique.

[wolfking]

Damn.  Sorry mate, I thought that Bloodywood was fucking terrible. 

Props to them for the uniqueness.  I know I'm looking for something fresh, but this isn't it.

[lonestar]

Damn.  Sorry mate, I thought that Bloodywood was fucking terrible. 

Props to them for the uniqueness.  I know I'm looking for something fresh, but this isn't it.

Not sure what I'll have that's in your wheelhouse man. Keep checking back I guess.

[wolfking]

Damn.  Sorry mate, I thought that Bloodywood was fucking terrible. 

Props to them for the uniqueness.  I know I'm looking for something fresh, but this isn't it.

Not sure what I'll have that's in your wheelhouse man. Keep checking back I guess.

I'm following mate.  Still enjoying these obscure pics regardless.

[lonestar]

Ok here's another very proggy submission for you not to like Kade...


#38 Shineback- Rise Up Forgotten, Return Destroyed (2013)





A solo project by Tinyfish frontman Simon Godfrey, this album was an experimentation in electronica and a murder mystery rolled into one. It's a solid concept album, with the songs proper interluded with musical 'blogs', it has a good flow and really pushes the boundaries of what the electronic side of music is capable of, ditching most of the predictable stuff for some truly sublime musical outputs with tremendous vocal work from Godfrey. Highlighting the album is the masterpiece of a title track.

Favorite Tracks- Rise Up Forgotten Return Destroyed, Bedlam Days, Is This The Dream, Faultlines

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7yrOUQ-rzbs&ab_channel=Shineback-Topic

[lonestar]

And with that, I'm heading into the city for a Fan Expo highlighted by panels from Ming Na Wen, Giancarlo Esposito and M'fin BRENT SPINER, so probably only one offering for today. We'll get two in tomorrow, and then one a day probably for the rest of the list.

[lonestar]

Alright, gonna sneak in another before bed...

#37- The Omega Experiment- The Omega Experiment (2013)





This album, more than any other, taught me that taking chances on totally unheard of bands can pay off in droves. I came across this in the prog metal section of a local record store, and a two second search showed me some decent reviews and some very high praise from one Devin Townsend. I figured if it was good enough for heavy Devy, it was good enough for me to drop a few bucks on. The album is the work of two gents, covering all instruments on it except the programmed drums (the one drawback of the album). Musically, it's a brilliant wall of sound prog metal attack, with a shit ton of emotion weaved throughout. The depth of this one musically is truly endless, but for me at least, it was the lyrical elements that dug deep. Seems the main musician behind it, Dan Weiten, is a recovering addict, and this is his chronicle of that struggle. It hit me when I was about two years sober, and really gave me a tremendous amount of solace, along with being just a tremendous album. This one is well worth a listen my friends...

Favorite Tracks- Gift, Stimulus, Furor, Karma, Terminus

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=boLKGe0ojC4&ab_channel=theomegaexperiment

[King Puppies and the Acid Guppies]

And with that, I'm heading into the city for a Fan Expo highlighted by panels from Ming Na Wen, Giancarlo Esposito and M'fin BRENT SPINER, so probably only one offering for today. We'll get two in tomorrow, and then one a day probably for the rest of the list.

Waiting for Tim to chime in with "Who?"

[jingle.boy]

Shineback has never done much for me. I can't remember if you pushed The Omega Experiment on me.  It seems to ring a bell.

I'll see if I can spin both at some point today/tomorrow.  Probably tomorrow.

[TAC]

And with that, I'm heading into the city for a Fan Expo highlighted by panels from Ming Na Wen, Giancarlo Esposito and M'fin BRENT SPINER, so probably only one offering for today. We'll get two in tomorrow, and then one a day probably for the rest of the list.

Waiting for Tim to chime in with "Who?"

x3!   

[lonestar]

And with that, I'm heading into the city for a Fan Expo highlighted by panels from Ming Na Wen, Giancarlo Esposito and M'fin BRENT SPINER, so probably only one offering for today. We'll get two in tomorrow, and then one a day probably for the rest of the list.

Waiting for Tim to chime in with "Who?"

x3!   

Ming Na Wen voiced Mulan in the Disney animated movie, as well as being on Agents of Sheild and The Mandalorian. Esposito has been in the Mandalorian, Breaking Bad, and the Boys. Spiner is Commander Data in Trek

[lonestar]

#36- Nuclear Power Trio- A Clear and Present Rager (2020)




So not sure how this one started out, it's a comical side project of three musicians, featuring Greg Burgess of Allegaeon, Peter Webber of Havok and I honestly can't find out who's on bass. No matter though, what might have been meant as a comical interlude during peak pandemic times ended up producing hands down one of the most kick ass instrumental EPs ever made, period. This thing is borderline untouchable with how fucking dope it is. Just click play...


Favorite Tracks- All killer, no filler...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LfzX9uav7yA&ab_channel=MetalBladeRecords

[twosuitsluke]

Fuck yea! Now this is the best album so far. Not sure what I was expecting when I first heard this, some parody thrash band or something. What I got was the funkiest funk metal ever. Great record, might have to stick it on.

[jingle.boy]

Way too funny that I just messaged you about this last week!!!  The music, and the vids kick all kinds of ass

[jingle.boy]

Also, I lasted 2 songs with Shineback; The Omega Experiment has been a bit more enjoyable.

[lonestar]

Also, I lasted 2 songs with Shineback; The Omega Experiment has been a bit more enjoyable.

While I dig Shineback, I can see it's unapproachability. The title track is solid

Omega Experiment is definitely a hidden gem.

[TAC]

#36- Nuclear Power Trio- A Clear and Present Rager (2020)

So not sure how this one started out, it's a comical side project of three musicians, featuring Greg Burgess of Allegaeon, Peter Webber of Havok and I honestly can't find out who's on bass.

The interwebz says Nick Schendzielos.

OK, dropped the needle on all three..

Shineback- yeah, that's not gonna makeit. I simply cannot do electronic music like that.

The Omega Experiment- I like it I think. I Saved it on Spotify for a more proper listen. My first impression was that it was a wall of sound. The production was almost unpleasant. But I'm on it!

Nuclear Power Trio-Yup-Saved this one as well. Nice!!! Grab 'Em by the Pyongyang 

[King Puppies and the Acid Guppies]

The bassist of Nuclear Power Trio is Nick Schendzielos who is from Cephalic Carnage and Job for a Cowboy. He also used to be in Havok.

[jingle.boy]

Also, I lasted 2 songs with Shineback; The Omega Experiment has been a bit more enjoyable.

While I dig Shineback, I can see it's unapproachability. The title track is solid

Omega Experiment is definitely a hidden gem.

Yeah, I can totally tell why Devy loves it.  Definitely influenced by him.

[ReaperKK]

#36- Nuclear Power Trio- A Clear and Present Rager (2020)
So not sure how this one started out, it's a comical side project of three musicians, featuring Greg Burgess of Allegaeon, Peter Webber of Havok and I honestly can't find out who's on bass. No matter though, what might have been meant as a comical interlude during peak pandemic times ended up producing hands down one of the most kick ass instrumental EPs ever made, period. This thing is borderline untouchable with how fucking dope it is. Just click play...


Favorite Tracks- All killer, no filler...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LfzX9uav7yA&ab_channel=MetalBladeRecords

You sent me this for my roulette and I loved it. I seriously didn't know what to expect looking at the title and cover but my expectations were far exceeded.

[lonestar]

Yup...it took a ton of people by surprise, so damn good.


And since my loser ass is going back to work tomorrow (boo), I'll start posting one a day before bed. Aaaaaand go...

#35 Spiritbox- Eternal Blue (2021)




Ok...been excited to get to this one, and it's probably only this low because I just started digging into this album a few months ago in preparation for seeing them at Aftershock, but the last few weeks, this thing has been digging its claws deeper and deeper into me. The band was started by former members of iwrestledabearonce, fronted by the brilliant singer Courtney LaPlante. When I first listened to the band, my first reaction was "someone on this band loves TesseracT", that vibe is pretty thick, especially on a good deal of the instrumental work. Seems that person is LaPlante, she list them as an influence, but her main love is Meshuggah whom she's been listening to since she was young. They definitely spread their wings from these initial influences to create something all their own. It has a hard metal edge, that's for sure, but it really has such a brilliant melodic feel to it, and they manage to pair the two so perfectly, with LaPlante tying the edges together with clean vocals of tremendous power and clarity, and growls that dig deep, I'd put her right next to Tatiana of Jinjer in vocal capabilities for sure, such a tremendous album. I fully expect this band to climb higher in my heart, especially if I manage to get to their sold out headlining shows next year.

Favorite Tracks- Sun Killer, Secret Garden, Hurt You, Silk in the Strings, Circle With Me

Sun Killer, my favorite of theirs- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iXY93aMLG7s&ab_channel=riserecords

Circle With me, for their harder edge- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I0WzT0OJ-E0&ab_channel=riserecords

Secret Garden, for their melodic side- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3VcTYyuGrgM&ab_channel=riserecords

[LithoJazzoSphere]

Oh wow, I wish I could have seen how my face lit up when I scrolled down to that album cover.  That was my favorite album of last year, and the band I've been the most obsessed with in the past year or so.  The TesseracT comparison is apt, and is especially noticeable on their debut EP with the 3-part epic "The Mara Effect".  They kind of sound like them if TesseracT had leaned into the metalcore influences more, and obviously if they had a female vocalist instead. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=urHvTZWO_70

I'd suggest "Holy Roller" as better representing their harder side, since it has no clean vocals, which "Circle With Me" does. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n2K7nNdk2vs

And their mellower side with "Constance", which is softer and calmer than "Secret Garden", and pretty subdued other than the ending. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cY-86mRcJ8k

[lonestar]

Yeah, but I looooooooove Secret Garden... 


Holy Roller is definitely harder, Silk in the Strings as well. They definitely have diversity, but really kill it on all fronts. Such a talented group.


I've been focused mostly on this album for show prep and for general obsession with it, need to go back and really give the EP it's due...

[LithoJazzoSphere]

And it's not just Courtney that clearly likes Meshuggah, because Mike writes and plays the riffs.  "The Beauty of Suffering" is pretty obviously inspired by "Bleed" in parts.  I've never been able to get into Jinjer myself, but Spiritbox, Red Handed Denial, Destiny Potato/Sordid Pink, and Morphide give me the feelings that I suppose that band gives other people. 

Picking songs on Eternal Blue is really hard, over half of it was probably my favorite at one point or another (though half of the singles were my least favorites), but it's between "The Summit", "Eternal Blue", "Sun Killer", and "Hurt You" these days. 

I should also add, I probably ignored them for a long time because I did not like the early releases of iwrestledabearonce with a different vocalist.  They felt like a gimmicky joke/meme band and not really worthy of serious listening.  I was out of the music news loop when Courtney and Mike took over that band, but wouldn't have paid any attention anyway.  But Spiritbox is very different, far more melodic and atmospheric, and the chaos is much more controlled. 

[Podaar]

Sun Killer, my favorite of theirs- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iXY93aMLG7s&ab_channel=riserecords

Okay, that was cool!

[lonestar]

Sun Killer, my favorite of theirs- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iXY93aMLG7s&ab_channel=riserecords

Okay, that was cool!

Yeah, such a great tune.

[LithoJazzoSphere]

I just listened to Asterism.  Definitely some seriously talented guitar playing, but not the sort of album that sticks with me on a first play.  Not enough hooks inbetween the shred, and the vocals that were there aren't my thing.  It just seems more suited to accompanying guitar gear ads or instructional video promos.  It's probably also more fun to watch or see in concert than just to listen to.  I'll have to watch the clips at some point.  And like a lot of young virtuosos, sometimes the technical ability comes long before the musicality does, so maybe later or future material could be more appealing. 

For Bloodywood, I'm not inherently opposed to nu-metal, I think it's a too often maligned genre with underexplored fertile ground.  And I've long been fascinated by Indian music, and like how they're incorporating some more traditional Indian sounds into their music.  But it's not clicking with me right off the bat.  Unique ideas, but the execution isn't my thing.  The vocals especially just aren't to my taste. 

[lonestar]

There's definitely some more maturity in Asterism's second EP Guernica... Might be worth a listen. Their last album is a collection of metal Anime theme song covers. It should be noted, guitarist Hal CA was 15 when that album was recorded.

[lonestar]

#34- Thank You Scientist- Stranger Heads Prevail (2019)




Had to include this band, even though none of their three studio albums stands out as a frontrunner, each has its own highs, and they're all pretty damn solid. For those unfamiliar, Thank You Scientist is a 7 person prog/jazz band with a violin and horn section, and they're fucking amazing. I'm mainly including them to mark the 5 or 6 times I've seen them live in the past 5 years or so, just an amazing show everytime, and they earned the recognition here. I won't bother trying to explain their music, it's just way to unique to put into words...

Favorite Tracks- The Somnambulist, Mr Invisible, The Amateur Arsonist's Handbook, Rube Goldberg Variations

Mr Invisible-

[Zoom E]

Lonestar, most of the albums on your list are unknown to me, but I actually have this one from Thank You Scientist . It’s a nice listen but I have to be in the mood.

[lonestar]

Lonestar, most of the albums on your list are unknown to me, but I actually have this one from Thank You Scientist . It’s a nice listen but I have to be in the mood.

Have you been sampling any of the others? There's a ton of variety on here.