Music Reviews Whenever I Feel Like It by the Bay

[Swan]

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn187/bdfolsom/swanmusic_zpsckc98qip.jpg

This is my music review thread. I don't expect it to be very popular but I like talking about music so I thought I might give writing music reviews a shot.

Recommendations are welcome. I love most any music and even the stuff I tend to not care for I am open to trying - so, if you want, you can throw some albums at my face and after I recover I'll listen to them and review them.

Also looking for some possible discussions, even if it's just with those passionate about music. For example, if I dislike an album you really love, tell me why you love it! Convince me! Open my eyes! I'm all for it and will listen.

RATING SYSTEM:

5 - One of the all-time great - a rarity.
4.5 - A masterpiece.
4 - Fantastic beauty.
3.5 - Great, very memorable.
3 - Good, somewhat memorable.
2.5 - Forgettable.
2 - Bad.
1.5 - Very bad.
1 - Horrible.
0.5 - So bad I scoff at it!

REVIEWS:

1. Muse (http://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=1361820#post1361820) (Polyphia, 2015) - 4+
2. The Fame Monster (http://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=1362032#post1362032) (Lady Gaga, 2009) - 3
3. Metropolis Pt. 2: Scenes from a Memory (http://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=1362455#post1362455) (Dream Theater, 1999) - 5
4. From Mars to Sirius (http://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=1363103#post1363103) (Gojira, 2005) - 5
5. The Number of the Beast (http://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=1363455#post1363455) (Iron Maiden, 1982) - 3
6. Reign of Blood (http://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=1363975#post1363975) (Slayer, 1986) - 2+
7. The Sound of Perseverance (http://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=1364165#post1364165) (Death, 1998) - 4+
8. Blackwater Park (http://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=1364278#post1364278) (Opeth, 2001) - 4
9. Vulgar Display of Power (http://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=1364567#post1364567) (Pantera, 1992) - 3.5
10. Dark Before Dawn (http://m.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=1365450#post1365450) (Breaking Benjamin, 2015) - 2.5

Last Ten Reviewed Albums Ranked (http://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=1365457#post1365457)

11. Damnation (http://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=1365958#post1365958) (Opeth, 2003) - 5
12. Go Insane (http://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=1366194#post1366194) (Lindsey Buckingham, 1984) - 4
13. Colma (http://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=1366806#post1366806) (Buckethead, 1998) - 3.5
14. Speed Metal Symphony (http://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=1367099#post1367099) (Cacophony, 1987) - 4+
15. Lateralus (http://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=1367389#post1367389) (Tool, 2001) - 5
16. Korn (http://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=1368750#post1368750) (Korn, 1994) - 3.5+
17. Grow (http://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=1370217#post1370217) (Chon, 2015) - 4+
18. Legs to Make Us Longer (http://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=1371654#post1371654) (Kaki King, 2004) - 4+
19. Crack the Skye (http://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=1374607#post1374607) (Mastodon, 2009) - 5
20. Phantom Limb (http://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=1377588#post1377588) (Pig Destroyer, 2007) - 3.5

Last Ten Reviewed Albums Ranked (http://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=1377852#post1377852)

LISTS:

Top Ten Favorite Guitarists (Speculative) (http://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=1366258#post1366258)

[False Writer]

I got one!

Band: Breaking Benjamin - Album: Dark Before Dawn

A recent release from one of my all-time favorite bands!

[Swan]

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn187/bdfolsom/8e70ec6c-b111-4dd8-94f8-bcb6fd256359_zpsspzu4p5z.jpg

Muse (Polyphia, 2015) - 4+

Genre: Progressive Metal
Favorite tracks: "Champagne," "Finale"

No, this is not an album by the band Muse. Muse is the title of progressive metal act Polyphia's debut album, released this year.

I've actually been listening to this album all day, after I heard it in the Instrumentals Song Tournament (nominated by Sedai). I really, really like it. I'm not the most familiar with metal or progressive metal, though I find I tend to love the stuff - one of my favorite groups is Animals as Leaders, and my favorite guitarist is Tosin Abasi.

These guys are fantastic, and encourage me to find more music of a similar type. What I love about a lot of metal music is the "soloing" is melodic and feels like a part of the music rather than some guy wanking to his own guitar playing. A lot of guitarists like to be in the spotlight when they solo, it's almost an ego trip, but I find with music like this the guitar soloing has a much more humble place and is all meant to accompany the music. Just an observation/opinion.

I love the guitar and used to take lessons. Now that I'm making my own music I have been getting out my axe more. I am incredibly rusty, and it's music like this that encourages me to improve. Thank you, Sedai, for the wonderful kind-of recommendation! It was, quite simply, the highlight of my day.

[Swan]

I got one!

Band: Breaking Benjamin - Album: Dark Before Dawn

A recent release from one of my all-time favorite bands!

Great! Added to my... uh... hearlist. :p

Thanks for the rec! The only Breaking Benjamin song I am familiar with is "So Cold," which I remember playing all the time on TV when it was a hit. I've always liked it, so hopefully I'll like Dark Before Dawn.

[False Writer]

Great! Added to my... uh... hearlist. :p

Thanks for the rec! The only Breaking Benjamin song I am familiar with is "So Cold," which I remember playing all the time on TV when it was a hit. I've always liked it, so hopefully I'll like Dark Before Dawn.

Oh I'm pretty surprised that's the only song you're familiar with. "The Diary of Jane" was huge also when it came out in 2006, it was arguably their biggest hit. Anyways, I do hope you like Dark Before Dawn! Even though the only original member is their lead singer/guitarist, their sound has barely changed at all and it's still amazing. I may be a bit biased though, I've been a massive fan of them since I was 11, getting the Saturate album Christmas of 2002. So they've been my favorite rock band for a very long time, and I might get mad if you give them a low score. :mad: Just kidding. :D

My favorite track on Dark Before Dawn is probably "Angels Fall" I just love the chorus, it really takes me back to listening to them when I was younger.

[Swan]

Great stuff dude. I love hearing when people are passionate about a certain group or genre or whatever. :up:

Also, don't get mad if I give it a low score - try to convince me I'm wrong. :p

[False Writer]

Great stuff dude. I love hearing when people are passionate about a certain group or genre or whatever. :up:

Also, don't get mad if I give it a low score - try to convince me I'm wrong. :p

Thanks! And yeah I was just kidding, if you don't like it then you don't like it, I might be a crybaby about it though. :D

Yeah I am pretty passionate about music, probably more than film. I can never see myself being a music reviewer though. Music is just so subjective, people usually love certain types of music and hate other types and it's not like film where you can appreciate how well-done a film is even if it's in a genre you're not a fan of. With music, say there's a really good Country album. If you're not a fan of Country, then you're not going to like that album, because the sound will automatically turn you off. Same goes with Metal, if someone doesn't like metal, then the screaming will instantly turn someone off no matter how good it technically is.

[Swan]

Thanks for checking in on the thread, by the way, FW. Was afraid no one would. :)

[Swan]

Coming soon... I break the barriers with a stunning review and write a review people will go gaga for (and others maybe not so much).

:D

[False Writer]

Thanks for checking in on the thread, by the way, FW. Was afraid no one would. :)

No prob, really looking forward to the review!

And if you need more recommendations, you can count on me! There's dozens of albums I can recommend that have been released within the last year and a half, and that's not counting the really heavy stuff.

[Swan]

Thanks dude. If I ever find myself in a drought, I'll seek you out. :)

[MovieMeditation]

You took on Spaulding's suggestion way back when, for the title of this! Haha awesome.

Looking forward to reading something whenever I feel like it and whenever you feel like posting something for me to read whenever I feel like it! ;)

Uhh, anyways, good thread! :D

[Swan]

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn187/bdfolsom/The_Fame_Monster_zps4veebov9.png

The Fame Monster (Lady Gaga, 2009) - 3

Genre: Electropop, dance
Favorite tracks: "Bad Romance," "Teeth"

I used to not care for Lady Gaga. I remember when "Poker Face" came out and people all around me were going... ahem... gaga for it, and I was thinking "it's such a boring song." As time went on, however, my respect and admiration for her work grew. When "Applause" came out, I watched the video and dug it quite a bit, and then went back to the "Bad Romance" video and thought it was outstanding. Now I even like "Poker Face" - it's one of my favorite Gaga tracks.

That said, I never gave a listen to one of her albums in full until now. I asked Funny Face which one I should listen to first, and she suggested this one. If I'm being honest I was a little underwhelmed. The chick has great style and image and some of her songs are outstanding, but I feel like there are quite a few filler tracks. Or maybe they're just tracks that don't really stand out to me. I also feel like it doesn't really work as a cohesive whole.

Maybe it will take a few listens to fully appreciate, and I still like Gaga well enough (she's certainly talented). And while I think "Bad Romance" and it's video go together to make one of the best bits of pop music of it's respective decade, I'm not sure I'll ever be a mega fan of Gaga - just a casual appreciator.

[False Writer]

I remember Gaga being all over the radio for a few years. She's kinda fallen out of the mainstream spotlight. I only listened to what was on the radio and my thoughts usually ranged from "kinda liked it" to "ugh this is annoying"

My favorite one was probably "Paparazzi"

[Mr Minio]

I feel like recommending you some albums that should be really challenging for you and expand your musical taste, but I won't, because I'm a worthless selfish piece of sh*t hipster.

[Swan]

Well, you should.

[Mr Minio]

Okay, lemme test ya:

周璇 - 百代・中国時代曲名典

[Swan]

Coming whenever the f*ck I feel like it (not in order):

Breaking Benjamin - Dark Before Dawn
Dream Theater - Metropolis Pt. 2: Scenes from a Memory
Iron Maiden - The Number of the Beast
The Misfits - Walk Among Us
周璇 - 百代・中国時代曲名典

[Derek Vinyard]

you should listen to

Hybrid Theory - Linkin Park one of the best album of all-time

[Swan]

you should listen to

Hybrid Theory - Linkin Park one of the best album of all-time

Thanks for the rec, though I've heard that one before. I may do a review of it in the future for you but right now I'd like to focus on stuff I haven't heard before, you know? I definitely appreciate the recommendation though.

[Swan]

Thanks Chyp! Never heard that one before, but you tend to have good taste from what I've noticed so I'm looking forward to it. :)

[Zotis]

I listened to Champaign by Polyphia. It was pretty good. Good write up on the review of their album. I have another Metal instrumental for you. Death were one of the founding bands of Death Metal, and are one of my favorite Metal bands. In their short time on this Earth they put out a lot of albums. The lead singer and guitarist died of a terminal illness when he was only 27.

http://youtu.be/j3OPOYG6XIQ

[Swan]

I listened to Champaign by Polyphia. It was pretty good. Good write up on the review of their album. I have another Metal instrumental for you. Death were one of the founding bands of Death Metal, and are one of my favorite Metal bands. In their short time on this Earth they put out a lot of albums. The lead singer and guitarist died of a terminal illness when he was only 27.

http://youtu.be/j3OPOYG6XIQ

So he's part of the 27 club!

Listening... I'm loving it, so far. Hopefully the singing is as good.

[Swan]

http://youtu.be/j3OPOYG6XIQ

Elegant, simple, beautifully orchestrated. That was stellar, Zotis. I will check this album out, unless you want to recommend a different one for first-time listening.

[Swan]

Here's a taster:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CCxX4ewzk1c

Interesting! Kind of reminds me of the band Swans, or what I've heard of them, just a little bit. I like Swans, and I like this. Definitely looking forward to checking the album out.

I find it a bit hypnotic with the repeating bass line, but almost chaotic at times with the rest of the instruments.

I can see why you'd listen to it during a dark time in your life.

[Derek Vinyard]

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

A.W.E.S.O.M.E album

[Swan]

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

A.W.E.S.O.M.E album

It is. I've been meaning to give it a relisten. Listened to it a lot when I was younger.

[Swan]

Derek, I'll definitely take a recommendation from you, but I've heard these two albums. You can do an Avenged Sevenfold album if you want. I've only heard their first.

[Derek Vinyard]

Derek, I'll definitely take a recommendation from you, but I've heard these two albums. You can do an Avenged Sevenfold album if you want. I've only heard their first.

You should definitely listen to ''Nightmare'' it's my favorite album from them with ''Waking The Fallen''

[Swan]

Nightmare has been added to my hearlist. Thanks Derek.

Man, this is piling up. I've got a lot to listen to!

[Swan]

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn187/bdfolsom/51u6GMDMGaL._SY300__zpsrpwmqkix.jpg

Metropolis Pt. 2: Scenes from a Memory
(Dream Theater, 1999) - 5

Genre: Progressive Metal
Favorite track(s): Hard to pick as the album works as a cohesive whole,
but I will say "The Dance of Eternity" simply because it was the one that got me to purchase the album.

----------

I consider this a recommendation by neiba, as I decided to buy it after listening to “Dance of Eternity” in the Instrumentals Song Tournament. How would I describe Dream Theater after listening to this album? Awesomely weird progressive metal music.

This album is revered. It was voted best prog rock album by Rolling Stone. It’s also neiba’s favorite album of all-time. I can see why. It’s incredible. I can honestly say I’ve never heard anything quite like it. I had always wanted to hear a Dream Theater album, but never got around to it until now. To be honest I thought Dream Theater was all instrumental before listening to this, and so when I browsed through it at first and heard singing I was a bit taken aback.

But I think that’s why it’s important to listen to an album all the way through from beginning to end. Constructing an album like that is becoming a lost art. The days of The Dark Side of the Moon and Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Heart’s Club Band, where albums are conceptual pieces where every song ties into one another or just all flow together nicely, are being replaced by albums with hit songs and a bunch of filler. Thankfully, though, there are still bands who make the good stuff. This isn’t that old of an album, it was made in 1999 (I guess that might considered old now though…) but it’s beautifully laid out and I feel it’s incredibly important to sit down and listen to it in one go from beginning to end to really get it’s full impact. Making an album is difficult, too, let alone one that flows together as beautifully as this album does.

Overall, this is a stunning album. Stunning in it's originality and use of instruments to create a rather original mood unlike anything I have heard before. I am sure my appreciation for it will only grow with time - I can see this becoming a favorite of mine, easily. Thanks neiba for getting me to listen to my first Dream Theater album!

[Derek Vinyard]

Mike Portnoy is probably the best drummer of all-time. Love Dream Theater

[Swan]

Mike Portnoy is probably the best drummer of all-time. Love Dream Theater

I didn't focus on the drumming this time. I was too focused on the guitar - I think Petrucci is a new favorite of mine. I will pay attention to the drumming next listen.

[Swan]

By the way, just want to thank everyone who has checked out the thread and/or given me recommendations. It's immensely appreciated. I honestly didn't think anyone would care about this thread, but the fact that a few of you are interested - makes Swan a happy bird.

[neiba]

Mike Portnoy is probably the best drummer of all-time. Love Dream Theater

This!!!

I'm so glad you love it so much Swan!
The reason that album is my all-time favorite is that when I listen to it, I always listen to different things! Try to focus on the drums for a while, Swan! It's like Portnoy didn't need the band to be there, that album could be just drums and it would still be a masterpiece! The same with guitar, bass or keyboard! They are all magnificent musicians, the best in what they do!
The new drummer of DT, Mangini, is more technically skilled than Portnoy which means he can play faster, a lot faster... But that's not what Portnoy is about and I think it was a big downgrade for the band...
And like you said, bands just don't do albums like this one anymore and it's a shame!

[Iroquois]

Mike Portnoy is probably the best drummer of all-time.

http://www.promark.com/upload/PM_Artist_Pratt-Music-Inc-_EA1414010606_4u01p4dpxswz_TB.jpg

[Zotis]

Elegant, simple, beautifully orchestrated. That was stellar, Zotis. I will check this album out, unless you want to recommend a different one for first-time listening.

That album was their last one before he died, and probably their most refined. I actually don't expect you to like their vocals, but give it a go if you do end up liking the vocals.

[Zotis]

If you don't feel Death is your jam, then I would recommend this instead:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xjo-aE8PIGQ

[False Writer]

Swan, it seems like instrumental (or mostly instrumental) bands are more your strong-suit. There's one I'd like you to listen to!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EcGFm2Bf20c

[Swan]

If you don't feel Death is your jam, then I would recommend this instead:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xjo-aE8PIGQ

I checked out some more Death and my initial impressions are that the music is absolutely stellar, but the screaming is something I'm not a big fan of. Surprisingly, though, I could appreciate it a bit here. It was aggressive and a bit terrifying. I intend to check Death out, even if I can't say I'm a "fan" of screaming necessarily. But I've been growing a kind of appreciation for it lately, especially after reading your thread about it. It definitely serves a purpose, I think.

I like this a lot too. I love it, actually. Like the song Chyp shared with me, it's a bit hypnotic, while also being strongly emotional at times I think. I will check this out too.

[Swan]

Swan, it seems like instrumental (or mostly instrumental) bands are more your strong-suit. There's one I'd like you to listen to!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EcGFm2Bf20c

Interesting observation. I wouldn't say I disagree, as I do love a lot of instrumental stuff, but I will say there are tons of singers I love.

As for the song, it's very good, dude. Far more polished than some of the other stuff that has been recommended to me. That's not a good or bad thing, I feel like raw unpolished music has its place and can be great. Simply an observation. The mixing is very good, as someone learning about mixing I'm very envious of how clean it sounds.

Overall, it's just a solid tune. Not quite ambient, but calming. I dig stuff like that. I predict CHON will be one of my favorites with the recommendations.

[False Writer]

Glad you liked it! I definitely recommend listening to the full album, they even have a couple songs that have singing in them. ;)

[Zotis]

I checked out some more Death and my initial impressions are that the music is absolutely stellar, but the screaming is something I'm not a big fan of. Surprisingly, though, I could appreciate it a bit here. It was aggressive and a bit terrifying. I intend to check Death out, even if I can't say I'm a "fan" of screaming necessarily. But I've been growing a kind of appreciation for it lately, especially after reading your thread about it. It definitely serves a purpose, I think.

I like this a lot too. I love it, actually. Like the song Chyp shared with me, it's a bit hypnotic, while also being strongly emotional at times I think. I will check this out too.

Screaming definitely takes time to acquire a taste for. Bands that combine singing and screaming with great instrumentals are what first got me to start liking screaming, but I didn't like it right off the bat.

[Mr Minio]

Listen the Golden Voice! Now!

[Swan]

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn187/bdfolsom/51QS4YQSP8L._SY300__zpsyavyalcn.jpg

From Mars to Sirius
(Gojira, 2005) - 5

Genre: Progressive metal, technical death metal
Favorite track(s): "Where Dragons Dwell" (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=n4UimRm_IL4) | "From Mars" (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=5GiWRhEwEGk)

----------

Somehow lead singer of Gojira, Joe Duplantier, manages to scream and at times genuinely sing at the same time. I’m just finishing listening to "Where Dragons Dwell” as I write this, and I am a bit taken aback. It’s an aggressive voice if ever I heard one, but it’s not purely screaming. There is melody in his screaming. It’s quite an ability, and in my opinion a pretty neat talent.

I absolutely loved this album. It’s one of the best I’ve heard recently. It’s so powerful, so badass, so technically creative. I have never been into screaming metal but with this and Death I may be becoming a bit of a fan. I never would have guessed that would happen, but ’tis one of the perks of being open-minded with music.

So what made me buy a Gojira album? Well, a couple of reasons. First, I am currently exploring metal of all kinds. I thought of getting Reign of Blood by Slayer (I always hated Kerry King for something he said in an interview once regarding his guitar technique, but I may have misinterpreted him, and am open to checking them out). I thought of getting Vulgar Display of Power by Pantera. But then I listened to some Gojira. I was blown away and had to buy an album. This one seemed like a safe bet. Another reason I went with Gojira is because my cousin is a big fan. I’ve always heard of them but it never seemed like I would get into this type of thing. I guess I was wrong.

My initial impression of the band Death, after Zotis introduced me to them, was that they were motherf*cking terrifying. The singer of Death sounded like a demon who will eat your blood, I would think. A lot of metal imagery is really creepy. The cover of Slayer’s Reign of Blood, for example, gives me the chills. Gojira seems to steer away from that dark, gory, at times satanic imagery often associated with metal. I don’t have a problem with that image, I find a certain appeal to the chills Death gives me, but it’s certainly refreshing to find a growling metal band that doesn’t have 666 tattooed on their forehead.

Verdict? A lot of people hate screaming metal. Though I’m only now becoming truly familiar with it, I was never much a fan either. Zotis is right, it’s an acquired taste. But if you’re like me, than Gojira will do great in helping you get comfortable with that style of singing. I honestly love Duplantier’s voice, for the reasons I stated earlier, and that’s something I never thought I’d say about a screamer. For the screaming fans of the board, like Zotis, this album is great news that I may join you in the depths of appreciating those who constantly lose their voice for our sake, because From Mars to Sirius blew me away.

[Zotis]

Great review, glad you liked it. Whatever you do, don't listen to this: :devil:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJGbH781DWY

[Swan]

Bastard. :laugh:

[Swan]

The music isn't so bad (I imagine the lyrical content is disturbing though). The thing that creeps me out about Chuck Schuldiner's voice, at least on Death's last album (from what I've gathered) is that it's high-pitched. For some reason, that just creeps me out.

But, the imagery of that Pig Destroyer album cover, with Nicolas Cage and all, is absolutely creepy.

[Zotis]

Well there is even stuff out there that makes Pig Destroyer sound like the Care Bears theme song. I don't know when it was exactly, but I reached a point where nothing no matter how heavy repelled me based on it's heaviness. I've heard raw Black Metal that sounded like the theme song for a snuff film, and Porno Grind bands like Cock and Ball Torture. I wouldn't even want to link it here, and I know there's stuff worse than that, but I have no intention of going further because at a certain point it just becomes redundant.

I just love how vast a spectrum of music there is. And it's one of the reasons I'm glad I'm alive today and not a hundred years ago. In the last century music advanced so much, and after computers it just went into light speed. It's a bit difficult to keep up with it.

Anyway, looking forward to your future reviews.

[Swan]

Im with you. I'm glad that stuff, even if it might not all be for me, is out there for those it appeals to.

Thanks Zotis.

[False Writer]

Nice review Swan! I gotta admit though, I'm getting a little restless waiting for your Breaking Benjamin review. :p

It's cool though to see you expanding your taste and getting into heavier music. I was actually in a death metal band myself years ago and played a couple shows.

This is the kind of heavy stuff I usually listen to:
(:51 to 1:38 is absolutely eargasmic, it's what made me buy their full album right then and there)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6cgc9TMxQAc

[Swan]

I gotta admit though, I'm getting a little restless waiting for your Breaking Benjamin review. :p

Haha, sorry man. I'm working on it. I'm feeling antsy to get to it as well. The problem is I have to listen to it on YouTube, which is kind of a pain in the booty. I promise I'll get to it though.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6cgc9TMxQAc

It's funny, before listening to this Gojira album, I probably would have hated this. But I kind of dig it now. It's very heavy. I think that's one of my favorite things about this stuff, is how f*cking heavy the guitar is. That's what I love about Gojira and Metallica. If their guitars had ballsacks, I'm sure they'd be so low they'd be touching the ground. :D

[False Writer]

Haha. That's awesome man! It's really cool to see people appreciate heavy music. I've been listening to it for as long as I can remember (admittedly, I started with more "mainstream early 2000's heavy" like Hatebreed, Breaking Benjamin, Slipknot, System of a Down, Disturbed, Godsmack, Drowning Pool etc. It took me a couple years to start listening to Death Metal)

That's what I like too is just how brutal it can get, sometimes you just get frustrated by something in your daily life and then listening to an awesome breakdown (like the one in the video I posted) makes you feel a hell of a lot better. Listening to Heavy music doesn't make you not appreciate the lighter stuff either. I've always listened to and admired the lighter stuff as well.

[Mr Minio]

This is the kind of heavy stuff I usually listen to:
(:51 to 1:38 is absolutely eargasmic, it's what made me buy their full album right then and there) Sounds pretty generic for me. The breakdown sounds like every other breakdown in deathcore.

Swan, you're giving away a lot of 5's. Ever thought of being a little bit harsher with your ratings? Just a suggestion. ;)

[Swan]

I know. I'm trying to be but sometimes I get really enthusiastic about an album and feel like anything less than five is not enough. Hopefully the review actually explains my thoughts better.

I will try to be harsher.

[Swan]

Here's an update on my hearlist:

Breaking Benjamin - Dark Before Dawn [FALSE WRITER]
Iron Maiden - The Number of the Beast [COBPYTH]
The Misfits - Walk Among Us
周璇 - 百代・中国時代曲名典 [MINIO]
The Comsat Angels - Sleep No More [CHYPMUNK]
Death - The Sound of Perseverance [ZOTIS]
Avenged Sevenfold - Nightmare [DEREK]
CHON - Grow [FALSE WRITER]
Subrose - No Help for the Mighty Ones [ZOTIS]
Slayer - Reign of Blood
Pantera - Far Beyond Driven/Vulgar Display of Power
Cannibal Corpse - The Bleeding

[Zotis]

You put The Sound of Perseverance twice...

You're going to listen to Cannibal Corpse? I never liked them. Maybe you should try Morbid Angel - Alter of Madness instead if you're going to continue in the Death Metal vein. Or you could try something like Napalm Death who were one of the forerunners to Grindcore. Or possibly even Venom - Black Metal, the band acredited for creating Black Metal.

[Swan]

You put The Sound of Perseverance twice...

You're going to listen to Cannibal Corpse? I never liked them. Maybe you should try Morbid Angel - Alter of Madness instead if you're going to continue in the Death Metal vein. Or you could try something like Napalm Death who were one of the forerunners to Grindcore. Or possibly even Venom - Black Metal, the band acredited for creating Black Metal.

My piano teacher recommended Cannibal Corpse, so I'm going to give them a shot. I'll check these other guys out.

You conversant with Opeth Swanny?
If not maybe try Blackwater Park.
Taster:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4oWhkjQWE24

I've heard of Opeth but never gave them a proper listen. Never heard of Blackwater Park, I dig it. Will have to check out more.

[Zotis]

Opeth are amazing. I'd say they're a good poster child for Progressive Metal.

Maybe we should give him some Thrash Metal too. Forget Slayer, check out Aspid!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=WlitksyuOd8

[Swan]

I'm finding I really dig the progressive metal stuff, so I definitely look forward to giving one of their albums a full listen.

[Mr Minio]

I could recommend you dozens of albums, but I only recommended one, because... can you see what's happening in this thread?! Your hearlist is expanding more and more!

PS: Don't worry, mine has 1000 albums on it!!!

[Swan]

I could recommend you dozens of albums, but I only recommended one, because... can you see what's happening in this thread?! Your hearlist is expanding more and more!

PS: Don't worry, mine has 1000 albums on it!!!

Yeah. I definitely appreciate all the recs, but I appreciate you not giving me a ton of stuff to search for.

[Swan]

Coming up, you will probably want to put a steaming iron on my face when I give a revered album a relatively mediocre rating.

[Swan]

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn187/bdfolsom/Iron_Maiden_-_The_Number_Of_The_Beast_zpsjq4qm9de.jpg

The Number of the Beast
(Iron Maiden, 1982) - 3

Genre: Heavy metal
Favorite track(s): "The Prisoner" (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=a7LH__BPqSY) | "The Number of the Beast" (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=_3Vynew5mrw)

----------

I talked to my piano teacher about the Maiden today. I told him I never saw what everyone else saw in them. I respect them as talented musicians but they just don’t do much for me. I don’t care much for Dickinson’s voice, as blasphemous as that sounds. My piano teacher loves the Maiden, but he told me they’re a bit silly and formulaic, but that’s what makes them great.

My teacher knows the lead singer of Dethklok, and he was telling me the guy would buy tons of metal records and study and analyze them endlessly before making his own metal music. That inspires me to figure Maiden out, figure out why people like them, and maybe learn to appreciate them myself. I’m taking up guitar lessons again and I’m going to try and learn some Maiden in the hopes I will come to like them more.

I don’t have much else to say. What I want is for people to not criticize me giving this revered album a relatively low rating and instead discuss intelligently what they find so great about Maiden. I said in my first post in this thread that I want people to tell me why I’m wrong. I genuinely want to be convinced of the greatness of Maiden.

I have hopes of one day coming to love the Maiden. I think it could happen. But while I respect them as musicians and for influencing countless metal bands, I’m not going to feign love for a band that simply doesn’t do too much for me.

[Mr Minio]

Not much to comment on neither!

I used to like them several years ago, but I only listened some songs like the most known ones. Then, one year ago I decided to listen to Powerslave in its entirety and I was surprised at how much I enjoyed it! I gave it 3.5! I never got around to listen the rest of their discography, though.

[False Writer]

Sounds pretty generic for me. The breakdown sounds like every other breakdown in deathcore.


It's what I like, I love listening to brutal stuff, I won't deny it, it's far from the only heavy stuff I listen to though. I really hope you're not one of those elitists that automatically hate anything with a breakdown in it.

[Zotis]

I never liked Iron Maiden. I just always found them boring, a bit stereotypical, and generic. One of my best friends loves them, but I just don't see the appeal. So many of their fans are rednecks and jocks, and that's kind of what I associate their music with. Because my friend loves them so much he bought me a t-shirt and took me to a show once. I tried my hardest to be open minded and just listen without judging. But I was bored out of my mind. I was walking down the street wearing their T-shirt and a couple douchey jocks walked past and said, "nice shirt." It made my eyes roll in my skull.

I don't want to give you too many recommendations and make it hard for you to keep up, but I consider these two albums fundamental as an introduction to Death Metal (Morbid Angel) and Black Metal (Venom):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6mfvSSl9L9M

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JgbKU7-iVHI

[False Writer]

Yeah. I definitely appreciate all the recs, but I appreciate you not giving me a ton of stuff to search for.

Btw Swan, whenever I post something it doesn't necessarily mean I'm recommending the entire album, just want you to check out that particular sound. I'll specifically say "I recommend this album" if I do.

Don't want you feeling overwhelmed. :)

[Swan]

I never liked Iron Maiden. I just always found them boring, a bit stereotypical, and generic. One of my best friends loves them, but I just don't see the appeal. So many of their fans are rednecks and jocks, and that's kind of what I associate their music with. Because my friend loves them so much he bought me a t-shirt and took me to a show once. I tried my hardest to be open minded and just listen without judging. But I was bored out of my mind. I was walking down the street wearing their T-shirt and a couple douchey jocks walked past and said, "nice shirt." It made my eyes roll in my skull.

I don't want to give you too many recommendations and make it hard for you to keep up, but I consider these two albums fundamental as an introduction to Death Metal (Morbid Angel) and Black Metal (Venom):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6mfvSSl9L9M

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JgbKU7-iVHI

I'm glad I'm not alone. I don't dislike Maiden, they just... like you said, I find them a bit boring.

I will definitely check those two albums out, when the time comes. I'm looking for the essentials of metal right now.

In fact, if you guys can help me pick your favorite of these? I think I'm going to buy two or three albums tonight, one with definitely be Death, and the other will be one of these. But I'm not sure what to choose.

Slayer - Reign of Blood
Pantera - Vulgar Display of Power
Mastodon - Leviathan
Opeth - Blackwater Park

These all seem like essential metal bands I have to check out.

@False Writer - no worries man. I'll keep that in mind. Just keep throwing recs at me, folks. I've decided to focus on the little hearlist I have now, and then when I'm done I'll come to the thread and look back for some more recommendations. :)

[False Writer]

In fact, if you guys can help me pick your favorite of these? I think I'm going to buy two or three albums tonight, one with definitely be Death, and the other will be one of these. But I'm not sure what to choose.

Slayer - Reign of Blood
Pantera - Vulgar Display of Power
Mastodon - Leviathan
Opeth - Blackwater Park

These all seem like essential metal bands I have to check out.

@False Writer - no worries man. I'll keep that in mind. Just keep throwing recs at me, folks. I've decided to focus on the little hearlist I have now, and then when I'm done I'll come to the thread and look back for some more recommendations. :)

You really can't go wrong with Pantera, Slayer is the more influential one of the bunch though. I was a huge fan of Mastodon when I was younger, I might actually say that Remission might be their more essential album. The beginning riff in "March of the Fire Ants" is imo one of the best metal guitar riffs ever. Leviathan is a little less heavy though if that's what you're going for. Haven't heard enough of Opeth to really say anything about them.

Even though I said that, I do think you should check out the CHON album. :p

Also, just one more recommendation then I promise I'll leave you alone! :D

I just have a gut feeling that you'd like this one band a lot, you might have heard of them before: Machine Head

Here is probably their most popular song (it's their single version though, the full version has a bit more instrumental parts in it) hope you like it!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zPFPRSZDXp0

[Zotis]

Swan, I was honestly expecting you to say something more along the lines of, "Death's instrumentals are good, but I don't like the vocals." So since you're actually giving this kind of music a really open minded chance, that excites me. But yeah, I know you have to have your own pace, and that's cool.

Myself, I don't go for Pantera, Slayer, Metallica, or those kind of bands. I definitely have my own personal feelings about particular kinds of Metal, and you're going to have to let your own feelings flourish in your own way. So I wouldn't want to discourage you from listening to that stuff.

I'm actually listening to something now that I wouldn't normally listen to, Black Sabbath. Not all of their stuff appeals to me. I just went through like three albums without liking them very much. But I heard a song on the radio that I actually kind of liked, so I'm exploring them a bit.

[Swan]

Swan, I was honestly expecting you to say something more along the lines of, "Death's instrumentals are good, but I don't like the vocals." So since you're actually giving this kind of music a really open minded chance, that excites me. But yeah, I know you have to have your own pace, and that's cool.

Myself, I don't go for Pantera, Slayer, Metallica, or those kind of bands. I definitely have my own personal feelings about particular kinds of Metal, and you're going to have to let your own feelings flourish in your own way. So I wouldn't want to discourage you from listening to that stuff.

I'm actually listening to something now that I wouldn't normally listen to, Black Sabbath. Not all of their stuff appeals to me. I just went through like three albums without liking them very much. But I heard a song on the radio that I actually kind of liked, so I'm exploring them a bit.

First paragraph means a lot, actually, thanks.

I love, LOVE, early Metallica. That will never change. I think Master of Puppets is a masterpiece. But yeah, I think we're all different. I'm not sure I'll like Slayer or Pantera but they're big names in metal so I want to try them out. And of course, I want to try Venom and Morbid Angel out. You know why? Because sh*t, I'm finding I love Death, including the screaming, and that's something I never thought I'd say.

I'm not big into Sabbath either, but I really like the song "Planet Caravan". It's a very mellow song though.

[Zotis]

I can certainly respect old Metallica. And hey, you have to be true to yourself in your pursuit of music, so I can't fault you for anything really. I used to post a lot in Metal forums, and there's a whole crowd of people who go around talking only about bands like Slayer and Pantera, and then there's everyone else who likes them, but have listened to so much of what's out there that they just end up depositing them into this category of mainstream entry level music. So I guess that atmosphere has led me to think of them as nothing special, but they are kind of giants at the forefront of Metal I guess. At the same time I also never really listened to them with an open mind because they never appealed to me. I used to dislike Metal because I associated it with those type of bands. Opeth and Death were the first Metal bands that really opened my eyes to the potential for Metal to be awesome and appeal to my personal taste.

First paragraph means a lot, actually, thanks.

...

I want to try Venom and Morbid Angel out. You know why? Because sh*t, I'm finding I love Death, including the screaming, and that's something I never thought I'd say.

:highfive:

[Swan]

Sorry Swan - didn't originally realise you were only looking for Metal so strike The Comsat Angels off your hearlist for now as Metal is most certainly not what they are. Do give Opeth a try at some point though.

As for Maiden - I've always been able to take or leave them for the most part, they're ok and a couple (Hills, 666) will always get a play by me every now and then but they're certainly not a band where I listen a whole album through these days. Never be worried about stating an honest opinion of something irrespective of how you feel it may be perceived - everyone is ever so slightly different with regards personal tastes and that's the way it should be.

I may be exploring metal but I'm open to recommendations of any kind. The Comsat Angels may be a refreshing break, too, so... no! I refuse to strike them off my hearlist! :D

Hopefully you'll be pleased to learn I bought that Opeth album last night, though!

Appreciate it, about Maiden, too, especially the last line. I agree completely and I'm glad you (and others) see it that way. :)

[Zotis]

I hope you enjoy Opeth. :D

[Swan]

Going to be in the car for about six hours today, should give me plenty of time to get some albums listened to. Got a good setlist, I think.

[Swan]

Listened to four albums today. One not so great one, but the other three were very good. I'm going to try and be a harsher rater from now on though so when the reviews flow through, keep that in mind.

[Swan]

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn187/bdfolsom/61RTZ7fI-wL._SY300__zpst1q1s1ev.jpg

Reign of Blood
(Slayer, 1986) - 2+

Genre: Thrash metal
Favorite track(s): "Angel of Death" (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=K6_zsJ8KPP0) | "Raining Blood" (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Wnn47V09Q2M)

----------

I remember reading an interview with Kerry King. He said something that I feel I have misinterpreted, but back then, I thought that he was saying (and he may have been) that he only cares about playing fast. Since then, I've disliked Slayer despite not having heard much of their work. So I decided to give them an honest, genuine chance and listen to their most acclaimed album, Reign of Blood.

I don’t dislike Slayer, now that I'm giving them an honest thought. When I started listening to this album, I thought I would rather enjoy it. They have this raw energy that especially comes through in the lead singer’s voice and guitar playing that is befitting to the style of music they are making. And they can certainly make some badass guitar riffs.

So why the low rating? It’s because, after some time, I just felt kind of bored. The album started to feel a bit repetitive to me. Slayer is a band I could probably listen to one or two of their songs every now and again, but maybe not an entire album all the way through in one sitting. That’s fine. I may give it a few more listens, though, as I realize sometimes an album takes more than one listen to really get into. These reviews I'm writing, right now, are simply my initial, more emotionally-based reactions to the albums, rather than reviews written after extensively listening and re-listening, and analyzing, them. I do intend, later down the line, to revisit these albums after I have listened to them numerous times and really thought about them, and re-evaluate my thoughts on them. So who knows? I could come to love this album.

For now, however, my problem with them is the same problem I have with AC/DC. I feel like all, or most, of their songs sound too much alike. There doesn’t seem to be enough technical creativity going on. When I listen to Gojira’s From Mars to Sirius, I hear beautiful, sweeping moments mixed with powerful, aggressive moments, and the way they tie together is stunning. That doesn’t happen much here. I’m not crazy about repetition in music, in most cases, and I just felt like this fell victim to that.

I realize a lot of metal could be deemed repetitive, but maybe this is what will define my taste in metal. Perhaps I go for the more technically and compositionally interesting stuff, like Metallica and Gojira, rather than the repetitive stuff like Slayer.

In the end, though, I will try this album again and see how I feel about it a second time.

[Mr Minio]

I used to hate Slayer a couple of years ago. Don't know how I would react to their music now, but I can't say I'm surprised you didn't like 'em!

[jiraffejustin]

Listen to:

clipping - midcity

it's not metal, it's not punk, it's not screaming. It's just a dude rapping over weird noises. It's good.

[Swan]

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn187/bdfolsom/4189UnMi7JL._SY300__zpsgh3ykqsl.jpg

The Sound of Perseverance
(Death, 1998) - 4+

Genre: Death metal
Favorite track(s): Scavenger of Human Sorrow (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=L2kGJZEVI1Q)

----------

I love a lot of classic metal. I love progressive music. This is all that with a terrifying scream.

Of the albums I spent the day listening to, this one might have been the masterpiece. It feels wholly original, in large part due to Chuck Schuldiner’s insanely freaky, demonic screaming. It might be the best scream I’ve heard with this type of stuff, but then, I’m not too experienced with it.

I’m blanking with what else to say. I guess I’ll mention that at this point, with such an interesting and dead lead singer, these guys feel like legends. It makes the music so much better to me. The lead singer of Death has literally experienced death now. Death is part of the band. Schuldiner has been in the depths of hell and experienced Satan’s wrath. For all we know, he may be the demon his music would make you think he wants to be.

In short, while I’m not saying much, I loved Death’s final album. It’s badass, evil and demonic sounding metal, while at the same time remaining sophisticated and compositionally interesting and progressive. Love it.

[Swan]

Sorry for such a lame review. While I loved the album, I was blanking with what to say. It's just a really solid metal album to me.

I think I need to give these albums more than one listen and really think about what's going on in them before I write my reviews. Hopefully they'll improve then.

[Guaporense]

That's a great album. Also one of my favorite Death albums. I also noticed that these days I prefer metal with certain depth compared to the more straight stuff I used to listen to several years ago. Though in terms of death metal I always preferred the more melodic stuff like Death's later albums (after Human).

You should try listening to some classic metal. Try looking at the albums listed in these lists:

Thrash
http://www.listchallenges.com/metal-archivescom-top-100-thrash-metal-albums

Doom
http://www.listchallenges.com/metal-archives-com-top-100-doom-metal-albums

Power
http://www.listchallenges.com/metal-archives-com-top-100-power-metal-albums

Death
http://www.listchallenges.com/metal-archives-com-top-100-death-metal-albums

Black
http://rateyourmusic.com/board_message/message_id_is_1191962

Heavy
http://www.metal-archives.com/board/viewtopic.php?t=45511

Folk
http://www.metal-archives.com/board/viewtopic.php?t=45222

The "heavy" topic is of classical metal. I think that someone who is serious about metal would need to listen to the top 10 of each of these categories.

[Swan]

Guap! I was hoping you'd come in and recommend some stuff. Unfortunately, those links aren't working for me though.

[Guaporense]

I remember reading an interview with Kerry King. He said something that I feel I have misinterpreted, but back then, I thought that he was saying (and he may have been) that he only cares about playing fast. Since then, I've disliked Slayer despite not having heard much of their work. So I decided to give them an honest, genuine chance and listen to their most acclaimed album, Reign of Blood.

I would think that Slayer is an acquired taste (as most of extreme metal is): I didn't like Slayer for the first 3 years of my conversion to metal. I usually listened to the more melodic stuff, like Megadeth, Metallica and Anthrax, for thrash. But actually, after I gained more experienced I began to understand the artistic greatness of Slayer. I think the best album for first timers of Slayer is their first album Show no Mercy which has a heavy influence from New Wave of British Heavy Metal and sound more like Iron Maiden played faster. In fact, early Helloween (1985) and early Slayer (1983) sound almost the same, then 3 years later both bands sound completely different (1988 Helloween and 1986 Slayer). Another accessible Slayer album is Seasons in the Abyss.

Slayer are gods. They are venerated by the metal community and Slayer's influence on extreme metal is enormous as musicians all over different genres from progressive death metal to brutal death metal, to technical death metal, black metal to symphonic black metal and many thrash bands take direct influence from Slayer. Slayer's influence on extreme metal is comparable to Helloween's influence on flower metal. :eek:

I would also claim that among the big 8 thrash metal bands:

Slayer
Metallica
Kreator
Destruction
Sodom
Anthrax
Megadeth
Sepultura

Slayer has been perhaps the most artistically sophisticated, though I also have a soft sport in my heart for Kreator as well as Metallica's first four albums.

[Swan]

I would think that Slayer is an acquired taste (as most of extreme metal is): I didn't like Slayer for the first 3 years of my conversion to metal. I usually listened to the more melodic stuff, like Megadeth, Metallica and Anthrax, for thrash. But actually, after I gained more experienced I began to understand the artistic greatness of Slayer. I think the best album for first timers of Slayer is their first album Show no Mercy which has a heavy influence from New Wave of British Heavy Metal and sound more like Iron Maiden played faster. In fact, early Helloween (1985) and early Slayer (1983) sound almost the same, then 3 years later both bands sound completely different (1988 Helloween and 1986 Slayer). Another accessible Slayer album is Seasons in the Abyss.

Slayer are gods. They are venerated by the metal community and Slayer's influence on extreme metal is enormous as musicians all over different genres from progressive death metal to brutal death metal, to technical death metal, black metal to symphonic black metal and many thrash bands take direct influence from Slayer. Slayer's influence on extreme metal is comparable to Helloween's influence on flower metal. :eek:

I would also claim that among the big 8 thrash metal bands:

Slayer
Metallica
Kreator
Destruction
Sodom
Anthrax
Megadeth
Sepultura

Slayer has been perhaps the most artistically sophisticated, though I also have a soft sport in my heart for Kreator as well as Metallica's first four albums.

Damn dude! I never would have thought anyone would claim Slayer is the most artistically sophisticated. Not that you're wrong, just that I wouldn't expect that. I am finding I love the technically interesting and compositionally intricate, and melodic type metal. I'm finding certain other metal to be an acquired taste type thing for sure, but I can see the charm to them and want to acquire that taste.

I'm definitely open to checking out more Slayer. This is exactly what I mean when I ask people who differ in opinions to tell me why. Great post, Guap.

What are some good recommendations for more melodic metal? Like early Metallica or Megadeth type stuff. I've always loved those two bands, would like to find more like it.

[Guaporense]

I fixed up the links.

For melodic metal try listening to Kamelot's The Black Halo. It's one of my favorite symphonic metal albums. I think it's the best flower metal album of all time.

For melodic thrash metal (like Metallica and Megadeth), try Heathen, their first two albums Victims of Deception and Breaking the Silence:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-e13RL5Fg4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anuGPwbflY8

It's closer to the Metallica of the 1980's than anything else. Like as if Metallica died in 1989 and resurrected itself. Really great band that is generally unknown.

Another great melodic thrash metal band is Iced Earth. That one is very famous indeed, Night of the Stormrider is their most famous and perhaps best album.

Another melodic progressive metal album I enjoy are Virgin Steele's albums. Like Invictus and The House of Atreus.

[Swan]

I can tell I'm gonna love Heathen. Added to my hearlist. Will check out Kamelot as well.

Thanks Guap.

[Guaporense]

I edited the post, I also think that Iced Earth is also great melodic thrash metal and their albums have better production values than Heathen, which is a completely underground band. It's "kinda mainstream" metal band, their cover art is really well designed :D:

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/b/bd/Night_of_the_Stormrider_cover.jpg

[Swan]

Will check 'em out. I mentioned earlier that I have a long hearlist so I'll come back through when I'm ready for more and check some of these recommendations out. I just kind of feel bad because I've gotten a lot of recommendations and have been putting some off for whatever reason. Feel free to recommend stuff if you're ever in the mood, though, and I'll get to them when I can.

With that said, I liked Heathen enough that I just bought Victims of Deception. It's awesome dude. They sound a lot like Metallica, which is great.

[Zotis]

I liked your review of The Sound of Perseverance, and I'm glad you didn't like Slayer. I almost dislike them just because they're so "big" and so many metal heads praise them so much. But when I gave them a fair listen they were half decent. I just find them very overrated.

[jiraffejustin]

I liked your review of The Sound of Perseverance, and I'm glad you didn't like Slayer. I almost dislike them just because they're so "big" and so many metal heads praise them so much. But when I gave them a fair listen they were half decent. I just find them very overrated.

That's basically how I feel about The Beatles, but truth is that I actually probably like The Beatles more than you like Slayer.

Obviously very different bands though. :D

[Swan]

That's basically how I feel about The Beatles, but truth is that I actually probably like The Beatles more than you like Slayer.

Obviously very different bands though. :D

You've never heard George Harrison shred?

[jiraffejustin]

You've never heard George Harrison shred?

I heard Eric Clapton shred... is he a Beatle? Or do they just bring him in when they need somebody who can play guitar? :p #shotsfired

[Swan]

Eric Clapton shreds? Are we talking about the same dude?

[Miss Vicky]

I'm siding with JJ on this one.

[Swan]

By shred, though, I'm talking about thrash metal style shredding. 'Twas a joke.

In any case, blues style soloing is incredibly boring and egocentric.

[jiraffejustin]

By shred, though, I'm talking about thrash metal style shredding. 'Twas a joke.

In any case, blues style soloing is incredibly boring and egocentric.

I was joking too...and blues style soloing can be boring and egocentric....can also be supahot fire... #hater


:bored:



:D

[Miss Vicky]

Most types of popular guitar soloing are egocentric. That's what makes them awesome.

Guitarsturbation.

[Swan]

I'd rather watch soloing that is melodic and fits with the music than some guy wanking to his guitar playing and stealing the spotlight and playing around with a few pentatonic shapes.

[Gatsby]

Drumsturbation is better than guitarsturbation.

[Swan]

Drumsturbarion is better than guitarsturbation.

Well, I'd rather listen to Buddy Rich than Eric Clapton. But I'd rather listen to Kirk Hammett than Buddy Rich.

Ideally, though? Kirk Hammett playing with Buddy Rich. :D

[Miss Vicky]

I've seen plenty of egocentric guitar solos that were melodic and fit well with the music.
Also, the best ones make me wet so maybe it's mutual guitarsturbation.

:p

[Swan]

You don't know what you're talking about, Victoria. Also get out of my thread.

[Swan]

JJ and Gatsby can stay, because they aren't close-minded fools when it comes to music.

[Miss Vicky]

You don't know what you're talking about, Victoria. Also get out of my thread.

Can't tell if being serious or being a dick?

[Miss Vicky]

JJ and Gatsby can stay, because they aren't close-minded fools when it comes to music.

Ah, being a dick.

[jiraffejustin]

I've seen plenty of egocentric guitar solos that were melodic and fit well with the music.
Also, the best ones make me wet so maybe it's mutual guitarsturbation.

:p

Swan called me the biggest perv he knew earlier today, I think he forgot about somebody. :D

[Gatsby]

Well, I'd rather listen to Buddy Rich than Eric Clapton. But I'd rather listen to Kirk Hammett than Buddy Rich.

Ideally, though? Kirk Hammett playing with Buddy Rich. :D
Buddy Rich and Kirk Hammett on the same level of musicality, I just prefer Rich because he's one of my idols.

[Swan]

Buddy Rich and Kirk Hammett on the same level of musicality, I just prefer Rich because he's one of my idols.

Yeah, Rich is a great idol to have. Phenomenal drummer.

[Miss Vicky]

Swan called me the biggest perv he knew earlier today, I think he forgot about somebody. :D

I'd wear that label proudly. :D

[Gatsby]

Ah, being a dick.
Insultsturbation. ;)

[jiraffejustin]

I like Jimi Hendrix

[Swan]

I like Jimi Hendrix

Me too, but he was an interesting guitarist.

[jiraffejustin]

I also like East Bay Ray... take that for what you will.

[Gatsby]

I think I'm gonna leave this thread too along with MV because Swan refused to review Friday by Rebecca Black.

[Swan]

I also like East Bay Ray... take that for what you will.

From the Dead Kennedy's? They're punk, dude. :laugh:

[Swan]

I think I'm gonna leave this thread too along with MV because Swan refused to review Friday by Rebecca Black.

I review albums, not songs. :p

[jiraffejustin]

From the Dead Kennedy's? They're punk, dude. :laugh:

I know, I just wanted to segue into a talking about Dead Kennedys. Cause like East Bay Ray was influenced by Morricone, Dick Dale, and early Floyd which (according to wikipedia,) three things that are bae.

[Swan]

I know, I just wanted to segue into a talking about Dead Kennedys. Cause like East Bay Ray was influenced by Morricone, Dick Dale, and early Floyd which (according to wikipedia,) three things that are bae.

wollllll yeah, all those things are super "bae".

[jiraffejustin]

I wish I had four dads: My dad, Morricone, Dick Dale, and early Floyd.

[Swan]

Syd Barrett is secretly my dad. That's where I got my schizophrenia from.

[jiraffejustin]

Completely unrelated:


listen to this:

http://cps-static.rovicorp.com/3/JPG_400/MI0000/056/MI0000056638.jpg?partner=allrovi.com

Dick Dale made me think about surf rock, this is top notch surf rock

[Swan]

Cheers, added to hearlist.

[Swan]

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn187/bdfolsom/Blackwaterpark_zpstht60rss.jpg

Blackwater Park
(Opeth, 2001) - 4

Genre: Progressive death metal
Favorite track(s): The Drapery Falls (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=let2d76FxYI)

----------

My second listen of Opeth’s Blackwater Park, I was pretty angry. I’m not an angry person at all. I rarely get angry. But I felt angry then. And man, there were times I really felt the music.

It seems like I’m going to say that’s one of the perks of metal music. It is. But I’ll continue that by saying, the juxtaposition of an emotionally calm person listening to this kind of music has it’s own perks. I’ve gone such a long time not listening to this type of music, while I listened to Metallica and Megadeth and some others, I never really delved into it until now. It’s a strange feeling listening to such aggressive music. I really enjoy it, too, for some reason.

Opeth isn’t even the most aggressive metal music I’ve heard. The thing I like about Opeth is how often their music changes just within an album and, at times, just a single song. Sure, there's screaming over heavily distorted guitar and waning guitar leads, but then they’ll turn to acoustic guitar and genuine singing. But it’s all quite beautiful. Where Slayer is raw, nasty, ugly, Opeth has an aggressive and at times quiet elegance to them, which I think is highlighted by their wonderful album covers.

Fascinating and beautifully composed, this is definitely an album I’m excited to return to again.

[Zotis]

Opeth are very artistic. I always liked how they were very conscious of melody and structure. There's a lot of diversity too from one album to the next, and they have acoustic stuff. When I see videos of a single member with just an acoustic guitar on a stool in front of a small crowd playing, I can see how much he concentrates, and how passionate he is. They're a remarkable band. I actually haven't listened to them much in recent years, but I went through an Opeth phase where I listened to them quite a bit back when I was first getting into Metal. I think it's an excellent choice on your part Swan to dedicate time to a serious listen of one of their albums.

[Swan]

Opeth are very artistic. I always liked how they were very conscious of melody and structure. There's a lot of diversity too from one album to the next, and they have acoustic stuff. When I see videos of a single member with just an acoustic guitar on a stool in front of a small crowd playing, I can see how much he concentrates, and how passionate he is. They're a remarkable band. I actually haven't listened to them much in recent years, but I went through an Opeth phase where I listened to them quite a bit back when I was first getting into Metal. I think it's an excellent choice on your part Swan to dedicate time to a serious listen of one of their albums.

Thanks man. Lots to still explore, but I'm eager to check out more by some of these artists I've been reviewing. I think Gojira, Death and Opeth more than anyone.

[Mr Minio]

Also, the best ones make me wet so maybe it's mutual guitarsturbation.:p Music makes you wet? You must be listenin' to Porn Groove with some Reiko Ike's moanin'.
You don't know what you're talking about, Victoria. Also get out of my thread.
JJ and Gatsby can stay, because they aren't close-minded fools when it comes to music. https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/f1/1d/f0/f11df0a49788cfbab44f22d03d236ef8.gif
I wish I had four dads: My dad, Morricone, Dick Dale, and early Floyd. Like Pink Floyd? The whole band? That makes more than four. That makes a Dad-Team!

Dude, I used to love Opeth. Haven't listened them for a while. I give Blackwater Park 4 but my favourite from them is (was?) Damnation. Beware, though, it's a progressive acoustic rock album!

[Swan]

Dude, I used to love Opeth. Haven't listened them for a while. I give Blackwater Park 4 but my favourite from them is (was?) Damnation. Beware, though, it's a progressive acoustic rock album!

I'll check Damnation out. I actually really dig the acoustic rock stuff.

[Swan]

Thanks Chyp, definitely appreciate the recommendation. :)

[Swan]

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn187/bdfolsom/PanteraVulgarDisplayofPower_zpsbvwjcdwi.jpg

Vulgar Display of Power
(Pantera, 1992) - 3.5

Genre: Heavy metal, thrash metal, groove metal
Favorite track(s): Walk (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Evc3Xtc84N0) | Hollow (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=_j-8tn4nmow)

----------

These guys are like, the epitome of aggression, to me. I mentioned in the last review that I’m not a very angry person, so when I hear aggression I can really hear it. When I listen to Pantera’s Vulgar Display of Power, I feel like they want to punch someone in the face, which after all might be the case judging by the album cover.

This is another album that will probably grow on me over time, as many of the tracks didn’t blow me away, but I did still enjoy them. I loved how badass “Walk” was, and I was genuinely surprised when the final song, “Hollow,” played, as it was a calmer song that was very different from the rest of the album’s gut-punching “Are you talking to me!? No way punk!” distorted guitar music. I think it might be the most beautiful track on the album, though.

I think my favorite thing about Pantera is the vocals. I seem to like metal vocalists a lot, especially the unique ones, and I’ll explain why. I think James Hetfield circa Master of Puppets had the greatest metal voice of all-time. It’s raspy and gritty. I don’t usually like voices in metal that are too clean and polished, simply because I feel the raspier voices, like early Hetfield’s voice, fits the music better. And I’m still becoming accustomed the growling/screaming. Pantera’s lead singer has a great voice because it’s raspy but still can be of quality. He seems to know when to do what. The more badass moments, he’s badass and rough in his voice, and then in the calmer moments he’ll be giving some quality singing.

Anyway, this is another album I’m excited to revisit. I think a lot of these albums will grow on me even more over time, and I’m finding that to be the case with some of them. Since I got it, I’ve listened to From Mars to Sirius by Gojira quite a few times, and it gets better with each listen. While I wasn’t initially as impressed with Vulgar Display of Power as I was with that album, I still liked it a lot and think it could improve with relistens.

In short, I can understand why one might not like Pantera, but they have this I-want-to-punch-you-in-the-face aggression that really works for me.

[Mr Minio]

Blah, blah, blah. Listen to some Chinese pop.

[Mr Minio]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M8-vje-bq9c

I will just leave it here...

[Mr Minio]

Okay. I did some reserach. Looks like it's a new band and they only released one single so far.

They sung life at ShibuyaREX2015:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQ15edCWBQo

But... there's more to that!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-sUZj56KpI

I no longer know what to make of this. This is just too f*cked up even for me.

After all Guap may be right in his aversion to J-pop.

But hey, the song rocks! I like it more than BABYMETAL!

[Swan]

:suspicious: :D

[Mr Minio]

In case you're fed up with transvestites (sorry foster) here's my favourite J-pop song and favourite song of all time (no kidding):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kf4b2jEEN8k

[Zotis]

The main problem with Perfume Dream Fighter is the autotune. I only listened to like 20 seconds of it, but skipped ahead to see if it was still the same, which it was.

That Nippon Manju was hilarious though, and that LadyBeard video! :rotfl:

Here's my contribution to Pop music:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M37EkcmlVAA

[Guaporense]

That's basically how I feel about The Beatles, but truth is that I actually probably like The Beatles more than you like Slayer.

Obviously very different bands though. :D

I listened to all famous Beatles albums like 4-5 times to really try and extract their greatness. Though since I am not a mainstream pop rock fan I couldn't compare that to any other similar artists. But I found it actually a rather enjoyable light music, kinda like an J-pop anime soundtrack, but nothing that made me scream with excitement (like great metal). But that's obviously not because the Beatles are not really great but certainly because they are not for me.

[Guaporense]

About Opeth? Well I quote this review from legendary metal-archives metal critic Ultraboris sums up also how I feel about Opeth:

Blopeth - 3%

UltraBoris,
February 6th, 2003

Opeth probably takes the "modern" approach to metal to one possible extreme... some features of modern metal include random death vocals that do not make sense with the music underneath, and just plain too many ideas thrown in that just don't make much sense. Also, interesting riffage takes a back seat to pseudo-random sounding guitar patterns that are far too repetitive. In order to make up for this, lots and lots of long passages are thrown in that do not join together well. The song structures just don't make any ****ing sense, when all is said and done, really. Finally, this is definitely not death metal, no matter what someone may say. Most of this isn't even metal. Go ahead, tell me Harvest is metal. (It's a silly acoustic interlude that manages to be 6 minutes long, but contain about one minute worth of ideas!) Then do yourself a favour and listen to some Iron ****ing Maiden or something.

First, we have The Leper Affinity. The guitar work is just plain lifeless. It has no edge to it - no ability to grab one emotionally in any way. It's just... kinda... there. Listen to the guitar meandering under the verse at, say, about 1.40 into the song. Or 1.20. Or 2.15 - it's the same thing still. Boring. There's a decent riff around 2.17 in, where it seems like the song starts to pick up, but the problem is, the riff is worked right into the ground. Over it is a solo that is decent but lacks definition - it's also just kinda "there". It's a nice solo, but just not a particularly interesting one. Finally, the same transition again at around 3.15 in.

This is at once an album that has not enough ideas, and too many of them. Yes that is possible. The same riff tends to weave together many passages, so that the song becomes boring - instead of changing nicely to other ideas, one gets abrupt changes. "Oh, we gotta throw in a silly acoustic interval here". For example, at 4:15 into the song. Another boring-ass solo. Then, some clean vocals that just don't do anything for me. If I wanted to listen to this, I'd get James Taylor. The clean vocals are awful - they're just too "nice". Things pick up a bit later, but one is left with the feeling of "what the **** was that middle section for?" - and again, the same riffs are used again in the second half of the song. Oh and then there's a piano bit. Which genius came up with that one? Want to hear a GOOD piano part, listen to the intro to WASP "Thunderhead". Now THAT is emotional right there. This? Well, this one just ended and I can't remember it.

Well, there's one song dissected bit by bit. And it just does not hold up under analysis. It is just not INTERESTING. The rest of the album is just like that. It kinda sits there. This is not HEAVY ****ING METAL the way it is supposed to be played - nothing comes out and screams "On your knees!! I want you on your knees!" like metal is supposed to do. Yes, I subscribe to some pretty old-fashioned metal ideas, that metal is supposed to be impressive and majestic and arouse me into battle frenzy. Not this.

What's the rest like? Just about the same stuff. If you've heard one song off of this album, you've heard it all. So pretty much this album lacks any of the features that make metal great. It's not HEAVY. It's not even fast, or furious, or exciting. It lacks the pummelling riffs of a Black Sabbath, the screaming soloing of a Judas Priest... It's not even distorted - Hell, even mallcore can accomplish that, and this just has one passage at the end of Bleak that is (probably due to yet another brilliant idea) really over-distorted to sound awful.

"The Drapery Falls" has some really awful vocalists around 2:30 in - I swear, if I hear a singer breathe, I will flip out. Learn some techniques so you don't exhale into the mike, that just sounds unprofessional. "Dirge for November" is practically the same ideas again. "Dirge for November" finally - FINALLY - picks up a bit, but it is far too little, far too late. We have the only riff that's almost worth hearing in this album, at around 1:59 in. Too bad it sounds like a ripoff of Metallica "For Whom the Bell Tolls" kinda played around with a bit, so that half the effect somehow falls out anyway. It's difficult to acknowledge Metallica being better than someone else at anything, but unfortunately here is an example of that. Nonetheless, this is the highlight of the album. Though, when they crank up to 11, it's like most bands cranking up to "3". And the song is overlong anyway - after 4 minutes, right before the first acoustic part, they just should have stopped. Game over. New song. "Patterns in the Ivy" is good simply because they figured out when to stop, though while it is going, it sucks. The title track is just replete with bad ideas, as are all the other tracks. Acoustic interlude? Check. Death vocals over silly guitar patterns? Check. Forgettable solos? Check.

There are precisely zero really ****ing memorable riffs here - in fact, most of the riffs aren't even metal riffs, they sound like badly recycled 70s rock riffs. Didn't I hear a Pink Floyd album once that kinda, almost, a bit, sounded like this, but sucked far the **** less?

Ya know, I'd love to get all worked up about this album and release some really malicious invective in their direction. But, I can't. This has put me right to sleep. That might be the most damning of all. Metal isn't supposed to be a ****ing lullaby.

Also, this review of Vulgar Display of Power from the also legendary metal critic hells_unicorn (who has already written about 2,400 reviews of metal albums!) sumps up how I feel about it as well:

Vulgar Display of Metal Bankruptcy. - 40%

hells_unicorn,
November 5th, 2006

Back in the year 1992, the musical world was essentially collapsing down onto itself, as the recording industry was reveling in its newly found ability to completely destroy a musical scene and then rebuild it as it saw fit. Nearly everyone I’ve debated on the fall of metal in the early 90s say the same thing, “it was inevitable”. ********! Things are only inevitable when no one stands up and acts in opposition to what is happening. The fall of metal back into the underground that it came raging out of back in the late 70s was brought about not just by the disease of “Grunge”, but also by the willing submission to that takeover by bands like Pantera.

The question revolving around how Pantera could have helped in destroying metal is the concept of “The Groove”. Many have alluded to this in reviewing both this album and the ones that came after it, all of which were piles of crap that happened to be sugar-coated with some amazing guitar soloing. Essentially when music grooves, it doesn’t go anywhere, we don’t get change ups, we don’t get contrast, we simply get the groove. We don’t get intricate riffs, we don’t get soaring banshee screams and clean low vocals, we merely get the groove. We don’t get music: we don’t get art, WE GET THE ****ING GROOVE!!!

The true nature of the groove is fully realized in only a small number of the tracks on here, the most blatant example being the pretentious and utterly terrible song “Walk”, but its presence is seen in nearly all the songs on here. To be fully forthcoming, I don’t despise the groove in itself, but I do if it interferes with the musical value of the album. This album bears almost no resemblance at all to “Cowboys from Hell” other than the guitar solos; it sounds like a third-rate punk band with Eddie Van Halen playing the lead tracks.

As much as I hate to say it, Pantera did something truly groundbreaking on this god awful release; they managed to completely piss away a great sound in favor of innovation gone haywire. This album, in its entirety, is probably one of the most blatant musical self-contradictions I’ve ever encountered. You’ve got amazing lead guitar work and drum work meshed with boring as all hell groove riffs and probably the worst attempt at death metal vocals I’ve ever heard. Phil Anselmo probably had the most versatile and powerful voices of the late 80s, and he would throw it all away on trying to sound like a dying bullfrog (which is the only thing he succeeds at).

Although this particular release has its share of stand out tracks that I can not only tolerate, but actually enjoy, they number a rather pathetic 5 out of 11. Out of these the obvious winner is the opener “Mouth for War”, which contains a solid set of thrash riffs and an amazing set of guitar solos. Phil Anselmo is not breaking the high ground as he was 2 years ago, but among the songs on here is voice is not overtly ridiculous, as is the case on many others. “****ing Hostile”, despite having a rather stupid sounding title, is an amazing speed fest that actually reminds me a lot of the faster sections of Type O Negative’s “We hate everyone”. This is essentially high octane punk rock with a guitar player who actually has his **** together. Anselmo’s singing on here is fairly ridiculous, but it works well with the hyper speed guitar riffs and blast beats.

“This Love” has a nice quiet section with some somber low singing, reminding a lot of the softer sections of “Cemetery Gates”. The chorus is a bit repetitive, but the riffs are fairly solid and the solo is crazy as all hell. “Rise” kicks off with an amazing speed metal intro, and then settles into an up tempo set of thrash riffs. The lyrics are actually quasi-intelligent, and take some good shots at the education system. “Regular People (Conceit)” has a great set of introductory guitar riffs, which thankfully are not accompanied by Anselmo’s annoying ass grunts. The lyrics on this one are kind of stupid, but the singing mostly sounds like a decent James Hetfield impersonation, which has its redeeming qualities on a song like this.

Everything else on this album is skip-worthy, ranging from the 100% terrible to the mostly bad. “A New Level” has probably the most utterly boring introductory section, followed by a somewhat interesting faster section. Essentially the true killer of this track are the vocals, which are intelligible, but utterly hideous sounding. “No Good (Attack the Radical)” starts out with a decent riff, but as soon as the vocals kick in we have something that sounds like bad metalcore, loaded with quasi-rapped, quasi-screamed nonsense. The chorus is slightly less ridiculous, but still has the core sound to it. “Live in a Hole” has a nice guitar solo at the beginning, including some rather cool talk-box effects. However, the corrupting presence of both Anselmo’s dead frog vocals and the groove pretty much kill the body of the song.

“By Demons Driven” has a rather generic sounding intro riff, in addition to an out-of-tune unison bend that is probably where Korn got their inspiration for all of their music. We’ve got a good amount of groove on this one, with the occasional changes in feel which amount to nothing more than mindless meandering. “Hollow” has a nice acoustic line for the first half of the song, and I can actually tolerate Phil Anselmo’s voice because he is actually singing, although you can tell that he’s already blown out his higher range. However, the second half of the song sees the electric guitars kick in and the return of that ****ing annoying groove.

However, the true viral corruption, the true reason why I hate this album as a whole, is the 5 minute plus groove-fest “Walk”. Back in 1993 this ****ing song was all over the place, and even though I was a full-blown Kurt Cobain freak at the time, I couldn’t stand this song. It’s the same damned 3 notes banged out over and over for the first minute, and although we have some occasional held out power chords, like a bad habit the damned 3 note groove manages to worm its way into the verse, the pre-chorus, and the damned chorus. Truth be told, I don’t think there is a damned verse or chorus in this song, there is only the groove, it’s just there, grooving, not moving, just grooving.

The lyrics to this song are so utterly brainless and pretentious that they deserve to be satirized for the next century. “Re...spect….Walk….Are you talkin’ to me!”, what the hell are you singing about Phil? In my experience, when someone feels obligated to shout at the top of your lungs that you’re manly, there must be some question in the matter. To give you the brutally honest truth, as this album claims to be doing, if you want to prove your manhood you can do so by doing something with yourself. Grabbing a microphone and doing nothing but bragging about how much of a tough guy you are is the same as a whore grabbing one and boasting about how many guys she’s been nailed by.

Basically to sum up, this album underscores the pretentious angst that was on full display in nearly every mainstream act during the early to mid-90s. Although now the self-proclaimed “Dimebag” Darrel has not given up on shredding up some amazing solos, this is about the only thing that is remotely metal about this album, everything else here contains the building blocks of grade A mallcore, mostly of the Korn variety. The riffs are redundant and boring, save the exceptions that I noted previously. Furthermore, I’m probably going to piss off a lot of people by saying this, but Phil Anselmo’s vocals on this album and subsequent releases are more reminiscent of Fred Durst than they are of Charles Schuldiner. Did Pantera help usher in the generation of mallcore posers that we still hear about even today? It’s tough to say, but I suspect that their concession to the same groove style may have been a model for others.

In conclusion, I can not give this album my recommendation; it is a truly painful listen. If you really want to get a taste of the better parts of this album, go onto itunes and download “Mouth for War” or “Rise”. If you simply love Dimebag’s soloing and can stand a little bit of extreme S&M style pain, you may give this album a whirl, but definitely go for a used copy out of the bargain bin.

These guys truly understand metal and I guess they represent how some hardcore metalheads feel about these "metal" albums. Well at least thats the same way I feel about them. Though it has been nearly a decade since I listened to these albums, maybe now with my greater experience I might better appreciate Opeth, but Vulgar Display of Power is just really mediocre pseudo aggression.

So what these guys like? Slayer, though they don't think Reign in Blood is Slayer's best album (of course, it's a newbie's favorite album).

Fear the impending flames. - 94%

hells_unicorn,
May 3rd, 2011

Every album tells a story, and the ones that tend to be best remembered are the ones that tell of great feats that are yet to come. Such words as “pioneering” and “innovative” generally tends to come along with such works, and for the dark world of extreme metal, an incredible amount of significance can be attached to 1985. While the foundation for what now is recognized as the dueling shadows of death and black metal was already being laid by the likes of Venom, Bathory, Hellhammer and a few others, it was that heavily occult fixated, too wicked for the mainstream yet somehow captivating to them, member of the Big 4 Slayer that really left an impression. Many will point to the preceding EP “Haunting The Chapel” or the 3rd LP “Reign In Blood” as the more historically significant releases, but in itself, “Hell Awaits” stands above the two in terms of ambition and scope.

Between the raw intensity that oozes forth between each blinding riff and blurring beat, and the extremely wicked imagery portrayed in what was probably the most lyrically controversial album of its day, this works on every level and leaves little room for nuance. The familiar tendency towards cooking the engines at full speed that was heard on “Show No Mercy” is still present here, but the song lengths have been stretched out a good deal, almost as if prophesizing the approach that Dark Angel would undertake on “Darkness Descends”. Likewise, the atmosphere of dark, murky vileness is established in a muddier guitar tone that is one step farther from the heavy yet crisp character of “Haunting The Chapel” and the undead cesspool of sludge that was “Reign In Blood”. This is an album that could be seen as middle of the road when accounting for the band’s history, but taken for what it is, is nothing but an extreme slaughter fest where riffs are plentiful and breaks are few.

Introduced by a dismal layering of guitar noise and obscured mutterings, the album beings its descent into the hall of flames with the riveting title song. Some of the better riffs heard out of the band are to be found on here, particularly the slow paced build up once the instruments have all come in which is almost akin to a reinterpretation of “Am I Evil?”, and the light speed verse riffing which is rhythmically precise, yet chromatic and obscured to the point of suggesting a band like Cannibal Corpse should seek similar territory for a musical take on the exploits of zombies. The solo trade offs between King and Hanneman are the only areas where a slight remnant of the band’s NWOBHM past remains, but the streams of pentatonic shred licks are already starting to make way for the wild, atonal madness that would become commonplace just a year later.

As things progress, the dark tales take on some new twists, both musically and lyrically. Not one to be tied down by constant nods to the occult, Slayer offers a strong helping of human depravity in “Kill Again”, which is a little bit shorter but still fairly long for a full speed thrasher. “At Dawn They Sleep” goes into the moonlit world of vampire exploits, and shows the band beginning to settle into the creepy chromatic melodic material in the riff work that brought forth “Raining Blood” and “South Of Heaven”, though in a much more percussive and jostling fashion. All the while, Araya’s vocal interpretation is notably rough and angry, almost like a more primal version of James Hetfield with the occasional super-high note. “Praise Of Death” and “Necrophilliac” come off as two sides of a similar coin, one being longer and more involved that the other, but both containing a similar assortment of blurred tremolo riffs with occasional harmonic runs that sound like a choir of tortured souls.

Interestingly enough, things get really different towards the end of the album. “Crypts Of Eternity” is the only song on here where there is any overt tendencies back towards the NWOBHM character of “Show No Mercy” in the riff work, though it is a bit obscured by the darker guitar sound and overall production. The conventional minor key riff and jazzy drumming during the intro almost sounds like an elaborate take on Iron Maiden’s early work, and even when things get tonally ambiguous and chromatic, the overall feel is much more formulaic and heavy metal-like. The closer “Hardening Of The Arteries” cooks like the previous thrashers, but the main riff sounds almost exactly like a number of riffs that would later be used by Deicide and Cannibal Corpse to define the early 90s death metal scene. Literally all the band would have to do to become overt death metal on this song would be to bring in Chris Barnes and have Araya just play the bass.

While this doesn’t quite get the same level of accolades from people who are not diehard followers of all things thrash as does “Reign In Blood”, this is the better representation of how the band paved the way for the outer fringes of metal’s extreme realm, and ultimately the better album. There’s just so more to grab onto here, more time for the songs to full realize their potential, and more of a measured approach by all in the band to keep things organized and coherent while they challenge the tempo barrier that determined the sound of the time. This is Slayer at their creative peak, though personal preference gives me bias towards their debut. Basically, if pure thrash is the game, “Hell Awaits” is the leadoff player in Slayer’s catalog.

Indeed, Reign in Blood is a bit tad short for the songs to realize their full potential. While in Hell Awaits we have the 5-7 minute long songs, with their denser atmosphere and more artistically intricate structure.

I personally think that Slayer is the greatest thing that ever came out of the North American continent. :D Though I have a soft spot for the progressive-heavy-symphonic metal band Virgin Steele as well, Slayer is perhaps the most influential metal band from North America and given that metal is the greatest thing to have been invented since the wheel it implies Slayer is the greatest thing North America gave to the world. :D

[Guaporense]

Okay. I did some reserach. Looks like it's a new band and they only released one single so far.

They sung life at ShibuyaREX2015:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQ15edCWBQo

That's more metal than Opeth or Vulgar Display of Power.

[Swan]

You make me feel bad for liking the Pantera album, Guap. :D Admittedly, I'm starting to like Pantera less and less the more I learn about them, but I don't hate them quite yet. If I had to rate their album given the re-listens, I'd probably rate it 2.5+, which I think is a more honest rating. I don't anticipate myself buying any more Pantera.

Can't see myself ever disliking Opeth, though. Blackwater Park is absolutely stellar. In fact, I think I'd rate it even higher than my initial rating.

Of course, that's just me.

[Zotis]

I think that guy who wrote the critical Opeth review thinks he knows way more about music than he actually does. His criticisms of the song structure are just specific enough to be actually identifying what he's criticising, but just vague enough to neglect actually demonstrating why those things are bad. Instead of pointing out an actual flaw, he just calls it "boring" "repetitive" "meandering" and other colorful negative adjectives. If he submitted that review as a university article, he'd get a 60 with his arguments underlined in red and notes on the side saying "establish this point, explain why this riff doesn't belong there, and why that part of the song doesn't fit." And his ideas about "how Metal should be" are absurdly prejudice.

Anyway, sorry Guap, I just don't like it when people bash things just because they don't like those things and they think that everything is supposed to appeal to them in order to earn their acknowledgment of it's quality. How can you agree with him about Opeth when so much of the Metal you do like has "soft vocals" that he hates on?

[Mr Minio]

The main problem with Perfume Dream Fighter is the autotune. I only listened to like 20 seconds of it, but skipped ahead to see if it was still the same, which it was. A vocoder. Which is kinda like auto-tune anyway. :P

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1fZNkauSpbE

I don't care, though. The song is the epitome of happiness.

Here's my contribution to Pop music: Gotta love Twee Pop.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q0rzpMY1Uyw

Guap, I'd take Opeth over Slayer any time. Who the hell cares about 'legendary' critics. I bet their tastes are plebeian. Besides, you could've posted your own opinion instead of copying something and only saying you agree, but since you've listened these albums 10 years ago, I don't believe you actually can still say anything about these albums.

That's more metal than Opeth or Vulgar Display of Power. Lel. It's J-pop mixed with Trance Metal. inspired by BABYMETAL. But yeah, it's not TRV N CVLT just as Opeth and Pantera ain't.

[Zotis]

I'm extremely picky when it comes to Twee Pop. My Little Airport did not do it for me. The vocals and drums were good, but the electronic stuff ruined it for me. Sorry Minio. I think my heart is set on the traditional four piece garage band style.

[Mr Minio]

Lel, be more open-minded.

[Swan]

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn187/bdfolsom/unnamed_zpsvcri17jh.jpg

Dark Before Dawn
(Breaking Benjamin, 2015) - 2.5

Genre: Alternative rock
Favorite track(s): Close to Heaven (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=J3ZRI6mM3sU)

----------

I kind of want to apologize to False Writer for not liking the album, but I would feel worse if I lied and gave it a good rating.

I certainly have no problem with Breaking Benjamin. I think they’re a perfectly fine band. I’d even personally argue that Benjamin Burnley, the leader of the group, is talented. The problem with the album, for me, was that I just got a bit bored. I think part of the problem was I had to listen to the entire album on YouTube, which felt like a pain for me. But oh well. I’ve just never cared for alternative hard rock much, though I’ll admit I haven’t looked into it, I don’t have much desire for it.

I really liked “So Cold,” maybe for nostalgic reasons more than anything. When it came out I was pretty young and it always played on TV and the radio. I think when it comes to alternative hard rock, it’s one of the few songs I do like. So, I’m not opposed to the band. I wanted to like the album, but it just didn’t do a lot for me. It kind of reminded me of bands like Linkin Park, which may make some of you scoff but whatever.

False Writer - I still have high hopes for the Chon album. I’ve listened to more of it and it sounds quite good. In fact, I liked it enough to buy it. So keep an eye out for that review. And thanks for the recommendation. Really appreciate it, if only because it gave me a chance to listen to something I probably never would have otherwise. Hopefully in time I'll come to appreciate it like you do, but for now, it didn't do too much for me despite my respect for them as musicians.

[Swan]

LAST TEN REVIEWED ALBUMS RANKED:

Every ten albums I will rank from least favorite to favorite. My ranking may surprise some. For example, I gave Slayer the worse rating of all these after initial listen but gave it a somewhat respectable place on the list. This is because, as the albums have sit with me more and I have given them more thought and listens after my initial reviews, my opinions of them have changed and truly started to take better shape. In fact, I can see this list changing still in the future. But as of now, this is where we're at...

10. Dark Before Dawn (Breaking Benjamin, 2015)

While I respect Breaking Benjamin as a musical act, I had a hard time getting into this one. I'm also not too fond of the alternative rock genre.

9. Vulgar Display of Power (Pantera, 1992)

While I initially enjoyed this well enough, the more I listen to Pantera the more I dislike them. I can't explain this really, I suppose there is a certain airheadedness to them I can't really respect.

8. The Fame Monster (Lady Gaga, 2009)

I like Gaga, but felt this didn't really work as a cohesive album. Certainly some great tracks, but also some lesser tracks and some filler.

7. The Number of the Beast (Iron Maiden, 1982)

Another band I respect as musicians but unfortunately don't do a lot for me personally. I'll never turn off a Maiden tune if it's playing, though, as it would be another chance to try and appreciate them.

6. Reign of Blood (Slayer, 1986)

While I initially found this album a bit boring, I have found myself returning to a few songs quite often. Specifically "Raining Blood," their most famous song and for good reason. I like Slayer's intensity and rawness, but I was left wishing for more variety in their music after I finished Reign of Blood first.

5. Metropolis Pt. 2: Scenes from a Memory (Dream Theater, 1999) -

I gave this a perfect rating and I still think it's progressive metal greatness. However, I haven't had too much desire to return to it like the albums I placed above it in this list, and for that I have to bump it down a bit.

4. Muse (Polyphia, 2015)

I love this album. It inspires me to improve at my guitar playing, but more than anything, and most importantly, there are just a lot of great, melodic tunes here. I have listened to "Champagne" perhaps more than any song in the recent week (this side of a few Gojira and Opeth tunes).

3. The Sound of Perseverance (Death, 1998)

The final three albums I am beginning to consider masterpieces. This one is genius progressive metal. Enough said. I'm under the impression that the madman behind it all really is Chuck Schuldiner, and that may make him one of my favorite metal musicians in time. He has impressed me greatly so far and has opened my eyes to how great screaming progressive metal can be.

2. Blackwater Park (Opeth, 2001)

Along with Gojira I find myself returning to Opeth more than just about any of these other bands I've been checking out. In fact, I liked this album enough that I bought another Opeth album (Still Life) tonight - along with a second Gojira album (The Way of All Flesh) and quite a few "essential" metal albums). Beautiful to me because it has wonderfully calm moments that tie well with heavier screaming moments. All around a fantastic album.

1. From Mars to Sirius (Gojira, 2005)

This is the one I've been returning to most. I'm in love with this album right now. Gojira's From Mars to Sirius blew me away because it was really unlike anything I had ever heard. Maybe that's partly because this style of music is still new to me and this was the first of it's kind I really dug into, but I also feel Gojira's sound is very original. I'm excited to check out more of their work and can see myself becoming a massive Gojira fan, if I'm not already.

[Mr Minio]

Have you started listening to Zhou Xuan?

[Swan]

Have you started listening to Zhou Xuan?

That'll be the next recommendation I listen to, for sure.

[False Writer]

No need to apologize Swan, I'd much rather have your honest opinion!

I can't help but think that there might have been a couple factors that might've made you not enjoy as much. First of course having to hunt down the songs on YouTube, which you said was a pain so you probably weren't in the best mood upon listening to it. Second is that you're in the midst of this Metal uprising so you're probably more interested in Metal right now than anything else. It's no biggie though.

Anyways, I'm thrilled that you liked CHON so much that you bought it! I'm really looking forward to your review on that one.

[Swan]

No need to apologize Swan, I'd much rather have your honest opinion!

I can't help but think that there might have been a couple factors that might've made you not enjoy as much. First of course having to hunt down the songs on YouTube, which you said was a pain so you probably weren't in the best mood upon listening to it. Second is that you're in the midst of this Metal uprising so you're probably more interested in Metal right now than anything else. It's no biggie though.

Anyways, I'm thrilled that you liked CHON so much that you bought it! I'm really looking forward to your review on that one.

I definitely think those may have been factors. I'm open to giving it another shot some time in the future. :)

[Mr Minio]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BaT4PFMp-GA

My favourite song about downloading porn! (actually, it's the only one I know that tackles this topic, but it's still pretty cute)

I'm slowly becoming a fan of this band!

[Swan]

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn187/bdfolsom/cover_432181192008_zpsg0x0pmvj.jpg

Damnation
(Opeth, 2003) - 5

Genre: Progressive rock
Favorite track(s): "In My Time of Need" (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=9x6YclsLHN0)

----------

If all you want out of metal is death growling and wailing guitar work, turn somewhere else. If what you want is metal tied beautifully with gentler music, and influenced by a variety of genres including jazz and folk - if what you want is artistically profound metal - then Opeth is a great band to check out.

I wish one of you recommended this album or Still Life (which I will review once I have listened to it a few more times) over Blackwater Park. Blackwater Park is phenomenal, but after listening to Still Life and Damnation, I think I even prefer Opeth to Gojira, if only slightly. Opeth may become my favorite metal band, or certainly one of them.

I know I said I would be harsher on my ratings. I realize I'm giving this full marks, but that's simply because I can't see myself giving it anything less. It really blew me away in it's beauty. I think it's a great album for non-metal fans, too. I really wish some of you who dislike screaming metal would check it out. There is no screaming death growls or anything like that. It's all gentle, beautifully done music.

Certain melodies and things they do on the album I have started hearing in my head in my day to day business. Most poignantly, I am constantly hearing the vocals in "In My Time of Need," and I think that makes it my favorite track on the album.

I’ve talked a lot of stuff that inspires me. Listening to Opeth inspires me. I love how they fuse a variety of genres that you wouldn’t think would work well together, but they do it expertly. A slight taste of jazz in a metal album? How dare you, Opeth?

*Listens*

My god…

I’m also inspired by Opeth’s attitude. That attitude being that they do what they want musically, despite how people may object. I know a lot of metalheads want only heavy stuff. That’s fine, but Opeth is more interested in the beauty of their music and doing what they feel is right rather than pleasing people. On top of that, I hear they have abandoned the heavier sound in their last two albums and gone for a more general progressive rock sound (I heard it compared to Yes, which makes me eager to check their latest out).

Opeth is a group for those who like variety in their music. For those who listen to lots of different genres and like to explore things they’ve never heard. And Damnation, a softer album by them, is still easily one of the greatest albums by a metal group I’ve heard.

It's likely that when I do my next "Last Ten Reviewed Albums Ranked" list, an Opeth album with be number one. And it's very possible it will be this album. Spoiler alert.

[Mr Minio]

Genre: Progressive death metal (though you'd never be able to tell with this album) Because it is not. Unless you're talking about Opeth's genre as a band, but it makes no sense, since many bands change genres on various albums. This album is progressive rock. Period.

Dang, it's my favourite Opeth album and I rated it rating_4_5, but I'm afraid to relisten to it! I relistened some random Opeth songs (metal ones) and the guitar sounded very non-death metalish and it didn't sound like a guitar to begin with. Or maybe it did. I guess I heard too much TRV N KVLT death metal. Just listen to this. Noisy death metal from the depths of hell!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2pKjF41Yx1k

On top of that, I hear they have abandoned the heavier sound in their last two albums and gone for a more general progressive rock sound (I heard it compared to Yes, which makes me eager to check their latest out) Heritage was a huge disappointment for me. Haven't heard the newest one.


It's likely that when I do my next "Last Ten Reviewed Albums Ranked" list, an Opeth album with be number one. And it's very possible it will be this album. Spoiler alert. If it's not Zhou Xuan compilation I'm gonna kill all MoFos, then myself!

PS: Hope Leaves was one of the very few songs I knew by heart (lyrics, that is). I have hard time remembering these. I still remember the lyrics for Crocodile Gena Song, though (in Russian) but that's because I'm constantly singing it either a cappella, or when I'm playing the chords on my guitar. That's one of my favourite songs ever, too. I'd love to learn Perfume's Dream Fighter by heart, but the Japanese lyrics make it pretty hard since I don't speak Japanese at all (and can't read!), besides some words and nasty stuff like "Ecchi shiyou! Ketsu wo tanaberu! Yaaaaarroooooooooooooooooooo(o)". Maybe if I find it in Romanji... I found another Japanese song in Romanji (which is simply the transcription of Japanese words using Latin character, in case you don't know). This one:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E7fwbthStdI

It must've been so hilarious to hear me trying to sing it, but I did! ... more than once!

[Swan]

Yeah the genre I put is the band's genre, not the album genre. I thought about changing it but since Opeth is technically a progressive death metal band, I put that with a little disclaimer. Do you think I should change it so as to not confuse people?

[Swan]

Eh, whatever. Went ahead and changed it.

[Mr Minio]

I believe that when you review an album you should type the genre of that particular album, not the genre the band plays.

[Swan]

Makes sense. I'll probably do that from now on.

[Mr Minio]

Since you love Opeth, you should listen Agalloch, which has been my favourite band for a couple of years.

I believe The Mantle is my favourite album. Ashes Against the Grain may be their best to start with, though. Give either of these a listen (or both!).

Here's a pre-taste:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4pmwndD2EOw

[Swan]

Very nice. Thanks Minio-man.

[Swan]

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn187/bdfolsom/LindseyBuckingham-GoInsane_zps5wkq4u7d.jpg

Go Insane
(Lindsey Buckingham, 1984) - 4

Genre: Rock
Favorite track(s): Play in the Rain (Continued) (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=14fwHvt9XG8) | D.W. Suite (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=1SAsNNq3piA)

----------

Pre-P.S. - I decided to write this review as I listened to the album. These were my thoughts as it was playing.

----------

You know, I probably never would have listened to this if Miss Vicky hadn’t recommended it to me. I’m a fan of Lindsey Buckingham but more because he was in Fleetwood Mac, which I find to be one of the better classic rock groups, than because of his solo stuff. This album, based on snippets, seemed extremely 80’s to me. This is the problem I find with not giving albums a full, honest listen, or at least some of the songs off them, rather than just snippets of them and then rejecting them. Case in point, I’m listening to the first track, “I Want You,” and though there is certainly an 80’s style to it which normally I might not be fond of, giving it a proper listen reinforces what Miss Vicky suggested to me personally about the album. It’s a bit experimental. I’d even say weird. I love when the guitar comes in just before the two minute mark, and it’s just a bit of an odd solo. I dig it.

As I continue the album I find the prejudice against it being too 80’s ridiculous. I’m on the second song and you can tell it’s the product of a stellar musician. Buckingham, I think, is one of the people who really make Fleetwood Mac tick. This is a bit of an uninformed assumption but I don’t think anyone (least of all Miss Vicky ;)) would disagree. My assumption is based on the fact that a lot of the Mac tracks I really love have great guitar in it. I’m just now realizing this.

I'm moving ahead a bit, but I find my favorite track to be the final one, “D.W. Suite". I remember when Miss Vicky nominated it for the song tournament, I gave it quite a few listens as I really enjoyed it. I’m only now learning it was written for Dennis Wilson.

In short, this is a great album. I think my favorite thing about it is it’s weirdness and it’s lack of repetitiveness. I’ve criticized some albums in this thread as being too repetitive. I just don’t like repetitiveness in music and think musical artists should try to work against being too repetitive. Thankfully, Buckingham seems to have the natural ability to not be repetitive. Every track is different, though tied together with interesting musical themes. Like weird sounds coming in and out, something that is in just about every song on the album and a great addition. The ability to make an album a cohesive whole is a hard thing to do, it’s hard to keep an album consistent while fighting repetitiveness. But Buckingham does this beautifully.

It's an album I may have never given an honest go mostly due to it’s seemingly very 80’s sound (not a bad thing). While snippets gave me the impression that this was a slightly popish 80’s album, a genuine listen to it showed it’s instead an interesting, relatively experimental album. Buckingham is certainly a talented dude, and my appreciation for him has only grown with this album. I liked it enough that I may buy it soon, because I can find myself relistening to it. It's oddball-ness just appeals to me. It's a very fun listen.

Appreciate the recommendation, Miss Vicky. Time to dig out some of the ol’ Mac.

[MovieMeditation]

Damn you're being active with this thread, Swan!

...while you should be watching HoF nominations and review those instead. I'm disappointed. :cool:

[Swan]

Damn you're being active with this thread, Swan!

...while you should be watching HoF nominations and review those instead. I'm disappointed. :cool:

I quit the HoF's. :p

[MovieMeditation]

I quit the HoF's. :p
even worse!

and you nominated such a great film. :(

[Swan]

Yeah I know. It sucks, but I had to.

[Zotis]

Lel, be more open-minded.

Never! I'm set in my ways, you can't change me! (na, but autotune is the antichrist)

Swan, I liked the recap. Can't wait for more Metal reviews.

[Swan]

Swan, I liked the recap. Can't wait for more Metal reviews.

Dude, I bought so many freaking metal albums recently (Morbid Angel, Sepultura, etc.), and, on top of that, my friend gave me a bunch of goodies like Darkthrone. I'm excited.

[Miss Vicky]

I'm thrilled that you liked Go Insane, Swan.

And I think "weird" is a very accurate term to describe this particular album. Buckingham seemed quite fond of using strange sounds and keeping the overall feel of the album from being conventional. I think it does have a very 80s sound, but without ever being the sort of vapid pop that was popular in the day. Of course, I'd rate the album one popcorn box higher than you, but I'm satisfied with the outcome.

If you decide to explore more of his solo work, the rest of his albums (while brilliant) don't have the same experimental tone of this one. The closest would probably be his 1981 debut Law and Order, but that has a more pop feel to it, IMO, while his more recent work, Out of the Cradle, Under the Skin, Gift of Screws and Seeds We Sow are focused much more heavily on guitar and lyrics.

[Swan]

I'm thrilled that you liked Go Insane, Swan.

And I think "weird" is a very accurate term to describe this particular album. Buckingham seemed quite fond of using strange sounds and keeping the overall feel of the album from being conventional. I think it does have a very 80s sound, but without ever being the sort of vapid pop that was popular in the day. Of course, I'd rate the album one popcorn box higher than you, but I'm satisfied with the outcome.

Yeah, that's a good way of putting it. I thought the 80s-ness of it might be slightly off-putting, but I loved it.

If you decide to explore more of his solo work, the rest of his albums (while brilliant) don't have the same experimental tone of this one. The closest would probably be his 1981 debut Law and Order, but that has a more pop feel to it, IMO, while his more recent work, Out of the Cradle, Under the Skin, Gift of Screws and Seeds We Sow are focused much more heavily on guitar and lyrics.

I'll check them out. I have a lot on my plate but I'm definitely looking forward to eventually exploring more Buckingham. If nothing else, though, I thought this album was excellent.

I have a question. What's your opinion of pre-Buckingham Mac? I am getting three albums off my dad's laptop for now: Rumours, Fleetwood Mac (the one with Buckingham), and the pre-Buckingham Then Play On, if only because it has one of my favorite Mac tracks on it, "Oh Well."

[Miss Vicky]

I'll check them out. I have a lot on my plate but I'm definitely looking forward to eventually exploring more Buckingham. If nothing else, though, I thought this album was excellent.

No worries, get to them when you get to them.

I have a question. What's your opinion of pre-Buckingham Mac? I am getting three albums off my dad's laptop for now: Rumours, Fleetwood Mac (the one with Buckingham), and the pre-Buckingham Then Play On, if only because it has one of my favorite Mac tracks on it, "Oh Well."

I like a lot of it, but moreso individual songs than albums. Then Play On is widely regarded as their best pre-Buckingham album, but my favorite is Bare Trees (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ZodsfOUDmvw&spfreload=10) from 1972. It's been quite a long time since I last listened to any non-Bare Trees Mac album from that era though. I probably ought to re-explore their catalog at some point.

[Swan]

CURRENT TOP TEN FAVORITE GUITARISTS:
Keep in mind these are my favorites. While someone like Jimmy Page is widely considered one of the greats, he doesn't do a lot for me (great at riffs but kind of sloppy). On top of that, while I used to play guitar I never really analyzed guitarists and their playing in a way that would allow me to make a definitive list. So this is speculative if anything. These are the guitarists who do it for me right now and who have influenced me in the past.

Honorable mentions:

Mark Knopfler (because he only fingerpicks which I think is cool), Ry Cooder (if only for this (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=x4KmbUCwkyE) soulful performance), and Robby Krieger (an underrated player if ever there was one).

10. Brian May (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=JYabmM-uxdE)

Talk about guitar harmonies. I love them, and Brian May can do harmonies like no one else. It's so profoundly ingrained in his playing that it has become his signature style.

9. Kirk Hammett (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=gk9Um1tDAxM)

He's not as great as he once was, but he gets a spot on the list because, with Hetfield, he helped create some of the greatest melodic metal stuff in history.

8. Chuck Schuldiner (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=XUxmBBTFi5c)

Yes, despite having only heard one Death album I'm throwing Schuldiner on this speculative list anyway. He impressed me that much.

7. Jonny Greenwood (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=fs1d0EgN0jQ)

I always loved Greenwood's playing. I love how weird and experimental he gets with it.

6. Jack White (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=1DRuxlPrPkc)

Probably my favorite in terms of pure energy. Where he lacks smoothness he makes up for with raw power and intensity.

5. Nick Drake (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2jxjv0HkwM)

My favorite "soft" player. Incredible guitar compositions, Nick Drake was a huge influence on 15-year-old me.

4. Tosin Abasi (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ihqT1aA4Q88)

Absolutely stunning guitarist, one of the leading in the world right now. Doing things that haven't been done before with the instrument.

3. James Hetfield (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=1Eq9RVKT9XQ)

My favorite rhythm guitarist, no doubt. After watching videos of just him playing and of just Hammett playing, I'd even argue Hetfield is the better guitarist. Though I attribute this as current and probably due to how much cocaine Hammett was into. Probably messed with his technique. Along with that, I love his story regarding his music, which you can find in the linked video (along with him wailing on the geetar).

2. Buckethead (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Bd_1n-RQGPQ)

I recently got three Buckethead albums and am loving them. His technique is stunningly smooth but he seems to favor, at least with the albums I got (I know his albums are nothing alike each other), gentler melodic compositions.

1. David Gilmour (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=bDC3ade3JxU)

When it comes to pure beauty, mood, atmosphere, Gilmour is unparalleled and I'd argue even underrated, despite the heaps of praise he gets.

[Cobpyth]

The Number of the Beast
(Iron Maiden, 1982) - 3

Time for a nice discussion.

I talked to my piano teacher about the Maiden today. I told him I never saw what everyone else saw in them. I respect them as talented musicians but they just don’t do much for me. 1)I don’t care much for Dickinson’s voice, as blasphemous as that sounds. My piano teacher loves the Maiden, but he told me 2) they’re a bit silly and formulaic, but that’s what makes them great.

1) Naturally, I disagree. Maybe you should give their album Killers a try then, though, which still had their first singer, Paul Di'anno. Here's the title track (you may have heard it before):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rwY3Ftfdy6M

2) I wouldn't call Maiden silly, but it's indeed obvious that a lot of their music is just about having some good old metal fun.
I wouldn't call them formulaic (in a negative way) either. Most of their work has a certain undeniable structure for sure, but I'm not sure if that should be seen as a weakness. The last track of Number of the Beast, the very highly rated Hallowed Be Thy Name is a great example of a brilliant and yet very structural song. Maiden loves telling simple stories in their songs and I think they do it in a very effective way (most of the time).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J51LPlP-s9o

Maiden is for the most part not very emotional, nor very profound, but as a fan of the metal genre, they do know how to pull certain strings. They're cool, they're energetic and from time to time, there's brilliance that can be found in their guitar solos, their riffs and in the way they are able to create a certain atmosphere with some of their albums (most notably in Number of the Beast for me personally). I've had moments where I was completely in their universe when listening to their music and it's truly a wonderful (be it decadent and hellish) place to be. It's very liberating.

P.S. Opeth is fantastic and I'm glad you liked Blackwater Park!

[Swan]

Thanks Cobpyth. The "silly and formulaic" isn't meant to be a criticism. I'd argue a lot of metal musicians are silly dorks, it's part of the charm of the genre. A lot of metal isn't too self-serious in my opinion.

And Maiden definitely follows a formula, but that's not always a bad thing.

I don't really have a criticism for Maiden, I respect them as musicians. They just don't do it for me personally.

[Swan]

Checked out the Killers track you posted, definitely prefer that voice to Dickensons. Might have to listen to the album, that was actually an enjoyable listen for me. Thanks.

[Cobpyth]

Understood. Different people look for different things in music. :)

You were talking about guitar players by the way. What's your opinion of Marty Friedman?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NM17rAWKbIM

[Swan]

Understood. Different people look for different things in music. :)

You were talking about guitar players by the way. What's your opinion of Marty Friedman?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NM17rAWKbIM

That's some crazy good guitar playing. I've never heard of Friedman until now, so no opinion, but I like what I hear for sure. Classically influenced which is always great for metal music.

[Cobpyth]

He was the lead guitar for Megadeth for quite a while too.

[Swan]

I actually really loved that, Cob. I'll look to getting Speed Metal Symphony soon. Seems like a great guitar album.

[Swan]

He was the lead guitar for Megadeth for quite a while too.

Ah, guess I have heard him before then. :laugh:

Love Megadeth, so it's no surprise I love Friedman's playing here.

[Miss Vicky]

Buckingham doesn't even get an honorable mention? :tsk:

[Swan]

:p I kind of wanted to but it felt wrong as I haven't heard enough Buckingham guitar playing, admittedly, to include him. Certainly an admirable choice for your own #1, though.

[Miss Vicky]

He never seem to get the respect he deserves, damn it. Even when Rolling Stone magazine did their top 100 guitarists, they put him at number 100. They had people like Carly Simon above him. F***ers.

But I suppose I can see why you chose not to include him.

Anyway, I hope you enjoy his other solo albums whenever you get around to listening to them. You should also check out Buckingham Nicks (the album he and Stevie released as a duo before joining Fleetwood Mac), if you haven't heard it. It's long been out of print, but it's probably on youtube.

[False Writer]

Swan, after reading your Opeth review, I couldn't help but think about the band that had a similar effect on me. Around a decade ago, I was still fairly new to heavy music and I loved it but was always more intrigued when a band would switch up and have lighter parts. When I was watching Headbangers Ball, a commercial came on for an album that would eventually become one of my top 10 all-time favorite albums:
http://cps-static.rovicorp.com/3/JPG_400/MI0001/743/MI0001743768.jpg?partner=allrovi.com

That album flat out blew me away, I had actually heard of BTBAM prior to that commercial but never really paid much attention to them. Something about the song on the commercial intrigued me, and I ended up buying the full album just from that 15 or so seconds of music I had heard.

These guys would get as heavy as you could get, and then all of a sudden get as light as mellow as you could get. That juxtaposition has a very strange appeal that many people seem to dig, and these guys did it so well.

I know you have a lot to listen to, but this album is one of the most influential to me and it'd be awesome if you can get around to reviewing it sometime. One of my biggest regrets was letting a friend borrow this CD and, like what usually happens when you let friends borrow things, it was never returned. I still have the case, but not the CD, I was so devastated that I never re-bought the cd, because it would never be that CD. I don't know, I'll probably re-buy it on iTunes sometime. :p

Anyways, let me give you a little taste of the album, this wasn't the first song I heard from the band, but it was the first I fell in love with. It's not so much a song as it is a journey, with many different parts. It also has one of my favorite guitar solos near the end. Enjoy!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=19UZd_DKs2Q

[Swan]

He never seem to get the respect he deserves, damn it. Even when Rolling Stone magazine did their top 100 guitarists, they put him at number 100. They had people like Carly Simon above him. F***ers.

But I suppose I can see why you chose not to include him.

Anyway, I hope you enjoy his other solo albums whenever you get around to listening to them. You should also check out Buckingham Nicks (the album he and Stevie released as a duo before joining Fleetwood Mac), if you haven't heard it. It's long been out of print, but it's probably on youtube.

Will do. And yeah, those top 100 guitarists lists are usually ridiculous. I think Buckingham deserved a far higher place than he got.

Swan, after reading your Opeth review, I couldn't help but think about the band that had a similar effect on me. Around a decade ago, I was still fairly new to heavy music and I loved it but was always more intrigued when a band would switch up and have lighter parts. When I was watching Headbangers Ball, a commercial came on for an album that would eventually become one of my top 10 all-time favorite albums:
http://cps-static.rovicorp.com/3/JPG_400/MI0001/743/MI0001743768.jpg?partner=allrovi.com

That album flat out blew me away, I had actually heard of BTBAM prior to that commercial but never really paid much attention to them. Something about the song on the commercial intrigued me, and I ended up buying the full album just from that 15 or so seconds of music I had heard.

These guys would get as heavy as you could get, and then all of a sudden get as light as mellow as you could get. That juxtaposition has a very strange appeal that many people seem to dig, and these guys did it so well.

I know you have a lot to listen to, but this album is one of the most influential to me and it'd be awesome if you can get around to reviewing it sometime. One of my biggest regrets was letting a friend borrow this CD and, like what usually happens when you let friends borrow things, it was never returned. I still have the case, but not the CD, I was so devastated that I never re-bought the cd, because it would never be that CD. I don't know, I'll probably re-buy it on iTunes sometime. :p

Anyways, let me give you a little taste of the album, this wasn't the first song I heard from the band, but it was the first I fell in love with. It's not so much a song as it is a journey, with many different parts. It also has one of my favorite guitar solos near the end. Enjoy!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=19UZd_DKs2Q

Dude, that's awesome. I loved the track you shared. Actually, I told my cuz I was getting into Gojira and Mastodon and Opeth and he recommended them, as well, so I'll be sure to check it out. Thanks man. :)

[False Writer]

No prob, real glad you liked it. I'm positive that you'll like the full album. Tommy Rogers has one of the biggest vocal ranges of any metal singer I've heard. He can really do it all. He also does all the synth and piano. And of course Paul Waggoner is an amazing guitarist.

[Mr Minio]

Never! I'm set in my ways, you can't change me! (na, but autotune is the antichrist) It is, but I got sympathy for the devil!

[Derek Vinyard]

NIGHTMARE :D

[Mr Minio]

Zhou Xuan > Avenged Seventyfold, not to mention Avenged Sevenfold

[Derek Vinyard]

Zhou Xuan > Avenged Seventyfold, not to mention Avenged Sevenfold

pleassseee...

[Zotis]

Oh, I meant to comment a bit on what you said about Chuck from Death. He is single handedly the creative mind behind the band. After he was diagnosed with his terminal illness he kicked the other members out of the band and got way more serious. Their first two albums were not great, but after that he started writing all the music and hiring other musicians to play for him.

[Swan]

Oh, I meant to comment a bit on what you said about Chuck from Death. He is single handedly the creative mind behind the band. After he was diagnosed with his terminal illness he kicked the other members out of the band and got way more serious. Their first two albums were not great, but after that he started writing all the music and hiring other musicians to play for him.

Interesting. I figured he was definitely the creative mind behind the band, didn't know any of the rest though.

[Mr Minio]

pleassseee... Okay. I will spare your life. This time.

[Swan]

I am currently in love with "Raining Blood". I learned the entire song on guitar tonight (though as I'm rusty and can't play that fast yet, it sounds like crapola). I'm addicted to this song. Sorry Slayer haters. It's a good un.

[Derek Vinyard]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GU5e8yVjbkA

awesome album

[Mr Minio]

Nice Swan. I just watched a random guy covering this song on YT. Can you do the pinch harmonics? Once I learnt them I was using this technique extensively! I begun learning Canon Rock, but gave up after some time, however I already could play the riff that starts at 0:42 at decent speed and I was throwing in a lot of pinch harmonics there to make it sound badass.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2xjJXT0C0X4

[Swan]

I sometimes nail pinch harmonics but I'm not great at them. Especially on the lower strings.

You play guitar, Minio? Are you much of a gearhead?

[Mr Minio]

I haven't had a guitar in my hands for two weeks now. And it's not like it's not up there on my wardrobe crying and begging me to caress her. It's just that I don't have enough willingness to play it on daily basis. Sometimes I pick it up and learn a song, sometimes play it for a couple of days, but then give it up for weeks. I had a one year break, too, which certainly doesn't help. I'm afraid the only thing I can do on daily basis is watch films.

[Derek Vinyard]

Nice Swan. I just watched a random guy covering this song on YT. Can you do the pinch harmonics? Once I learnt them I was using this technique extensively! I begun learning Canon Rock, but gave up after some time, however I already could play the riff that starts at 0:42 at decent speed and I was throwing in a lot of pinch harmonics there to make it sound badass.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2xjJXT0C0X4

wow this is cool !

[Swan]

What I mean is, are you pretty knowledgable about brands and stuff?

I'm upgrading to a better guitar and want something good for metal. Right now I'm leaning towards the ESP LTD EC-1000, it seems like the right choice for me. But I don't want to make the wrong decision, so I'm trying to find some advice.

[Mr Minio]

What I mean is, are you pretty knowledgable about brands and stuff? No. Not at all.

[Swan]

No worries. Neither am I, clearly. :D

[Guaporense]

You make me feel bad for liking the Pantera album, Guap. :D Admittedly, I'm starting to like Pantera less and less the more I learn about them, but I don't hate them quite yet. If I had to rate their album given the re-listens, I'd probably rate it 2.5+, which I think is a more honest rating. I don't anticipate myself buying any more Pantera.

I like Pantera before Vulgar Display of Power. I also like their later albums more as well. So you can say I dislike only that album not the band.

I am no specialist in Opeth though. So I can't say I dislike the band because I have not listened to them enough.

[Guaporense]

2) I wouldn't call Maiden silly, but it's indeed obvious that a lot of their music is just about having some good old metal fun.

Not really.

I wouldn't call them formulaic (in a negative way) either. Most of their work has a certain undeniable structure for sure, but I'm not sure if that should be seen as a weakness.

Every band has a certain style. Iron Maiden has their style, for some people they sound all the same. But that applies to everything: every math paper looks the same to the math illiterate.

The last track of Number of the Beast, the very highly rated Hallowed Be Thy Name is a great example of a brilliant and yet very structural song. Maiden loves telling simple stories in their songs and I think they do it in a very effective way (most of the time).

"Simple"? Their song have very complex stories for songs.

Maiden is for the most part not very emotional,

Wrong. They are among the most emotional bands of all time.

nor very profound

You probably have not listened to much Maiden or read much about them to make a claim like this.

but as a fan of the metal genre, they do know how to pull certain strings. They're cool, they're energetic and from time to time, there's brilliance that can be found in their guitar solos, their riffs and in the way they are able to create a certain atmosphere with some of their albums (most notably in Number of the Beast for me personally). I've had moments where I was completely in their universe when listening to their music and it's truly a wonderful (be it decadent and hellish) place to be. It's very liberating.

They have like a dozen great albums and have been the most consistent metal band of all time. No other metal band can claim to have released as many great albums in a row as Maiden. Other big metal bands like Black Sabbath and Judas Priest are not as consistent. They are perhaps the single most respected and popular metal band of all time.

[Mr Minio]

I like Pantera before Vulgar Display of Power. You mean their Glam Metal albums?

http://assets.noisey.com/content-images/contentimage/18272/Pantera.jpg

LOL.

I wanted to make a joke about you listening to Judas Priest, another band that looks funny in pics, but then remembered I just posted a freakin' video with a massive beardy man wearing little school girl's uniform and felt bad.

[Guaporense]

Checked out the Killers track you posted, definitely prefer that voice to Dickensons. Might have to listen to the album, that was actually an enjoyable listen for me. Thanks.

Blaze Bailey albums are also good, specially The X Factor. Its very nice and slow paced music. Sign of the Cross is an awesome song.

[Guaporense]

You mean their Glam Metal albums?.

Not quite. Cowboys from Hell and Power Metal are pretty good when the band reached its peak. Their early glam metal albums are rather mediocre.

[Zotis]

If you're worried about a guitar suitable for Metal, why not just get a pedal?

[Mr Minio]

Get some crazy pedals and play noise guitar. Turn the volume up to 11 and make your neighbours' eardrums EXPLODE!

[Cobpyth]

"Simple"? Their song have very complex stories for songs.

Wrong. They are among the most emotional bands of all time.

You probably have not listened to much Maiden or read much about them to make a claim like this.

I listened to all of their albums (except their very last one), I saw them LIVE two times and I'm a big fan of them since I was 10 years old or something. They don't aim for the profundity, emotions or complexity that other bands aim for (most of the time) and I'll stand by that opinion based on what I know about Maiden.

That doesn't mean they don't create stuff that I love more than almost anything else in the genre. They simply touch me on different grounds.

[Swan]

Hey guys I'm all for discussion, but I just ask we remain cool and respectful (neither of you have said anything rude, just want to keep it that way). This thread has been almost all good vibes and I'd like to keep it that way. That's what makes it my favorite thread right now and this one of my favorite times on the site. I kind of think of this thread as a place to love and discuss music, and I hope we can all stay civil doing so. :)

[False Writer]

When's your next review Swan?

[Swan]

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn187/bdfolsom/R-5604956-1413096977-9364.jpeg_zps6poi1taq.jpg

Colma
(Buckethead, 1998) - 3.5

Genre: Ambient guitar music
Favorite track(s): Watching the Boats with My Dad (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=RSsF5FDtGAU)

----------

I don't have much to say about this one because it's such a simple album. Buckethead made it for his mother while she was in the hospital. Because of that, I decided I would listen to it for the first time while in the car with my mother (who really liked it, by the way).

Despite it's simplicity it's a very good album. I wish there was more variety, it’s really just a guitar, bass and drums making beautiful, gentle, soothing music. But if you like that stuff it’s very well-composed. Buckethead has become one of my favorite guitarists. He was #2 on my favorite guitarists list, and for good reason. I don’t think this is the best showcase of his talent, however. From the little I’ve heard from his other album Electric Tears, that may be a better showcase. On Colma, Buckethead instead layers on the reverb and delay and goes for soothing, sentimental melodies.

While this album never becomes transcendent, it’s all quite beautiful. Simple, soothing, and a good album to share with mum.

[Mr Minio]

WTF I found a hip hop album I like (third in my life)

EDIT: actually like 6th

[Swan]

What is it?

[Mr Minio]

Killer Mike - R.A.P. Music

I don't know sh*t about rap, but this is very impressing:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zuV9hCYzzTg

I listened it three times now. The first listen made me think this album is pretty good, the second proved me right. Then, the third time I tried listening to the album while reading the lyrics at the same time. Got bored before the album finished. Lyrics are a part I pay least attention to in music. Maybe that's because I'm not big on hip-hop, in which lyrics are the most important part.

[Swan]

JJ is gonna love you now. :D

[jiraffejustin]

I met that dude

[Swan]

And you were retweeted by him.

Pretty sure JJ and Killer Mike are future best friends.

[Swan]

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn187/bdfolsom/R-4465211-1365625511-8722.jpeg_zpsdxw8rsnx.jpg

Speed Metal Symphony
(Cacophony, 1987) - 4+

Genre: Neoclassical metal
Favorite track(s): The Ninja (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=cyR-Dl5zQmE) | Speed Metal Symphony (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=NM17rAWKbIM)

----------

Metal is often classically influenced, and that’s never been more apparent to me than with this neoclassical metal feast, Speed Metal Symphony.

I really loved this album, and actually feel I might be underrating it with the rating. What I loved about it was the guitar playing. Everything else is good and all, but man, Friedman and Becker can sure shred on guitar. This album is hugely inspiring to me and makes me want to improve as a guitarist. I immediately looked up the tabs for “The Ninja,” one of my favorite tracks on the album, and tried learning the beginning. It’s tough stuff, and I imagine the beginning of “The Ninja” is one of the easier bits!

This isn’t really a complex album at all. It’s not a sophisticatedly intelligent concept album like one I will review soon. It’s an 80’s heavy metal album that is mostly composed just of drums, bass, and especially, incredible guitar playing. In fact, part of why I love the final track, “Speed Metal Symphony,” is because it’s an instrumental. The singing on the album is perfectly fine and doesn’t detract for me but when I come back to this album in the future, I’m coming back solely for the guitar.

Basically, this is a great guitar album. I definitely think Friedman is one of my favorite guitarists after listening to it. Incredible stuff. Thanks for the recommendation, Cobpyth.

[Guaporense]

I also like this album a lot.

You should get acquainted with Malmstem's stuff (though it has been ages since I listened to his albums), they are extremely impressive on a technical level. He is among the most technically proefficient guitarrists or musicians of all time.

I also like Heavenly's neoclassical metal albums like their 2004 album (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dust_to_Dust_(Heavenly_album)). Though it's also French power metal and I don't know if you would like that. Or Angra's 2004 album as well, also classically influenced guitar playing from two of the top Brazilian guitarrists.

[Mr Minio]

Y U NO REVIEW CHINESE STUFF

[Swan]

I also like this album a lot.

You should get acquainted with Malmstem's stuff (though it has been ages since I listened to his albums), they are extremely impressive on a technical level. He is among the most technically proefficient guitarrists or musicians of all time.

I also like Heavenly's neoclassical metal albums like their 2004 album (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dust_to_Dust_(Heavenly_album)). Though it's also French power metal and I don't know if you would like that. Or Angra's 2004 album as well, also classically influenced guitar playing from two of the top Brazilian guitarrists.

I remember having a Malmsteem album but never really listened to it except Black Star. Probably will have to now.

Y U NO REVIEW CHINESE STUFF

Because what you recommended me is five volumes long and I only have so much time. :p

[Swan]

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn187/bdfolsom/tool-lateralus_zps1bfqwkpn.jpeg

Lateralus
(Tool, 2001) - 5

Genre: Progressive metal
Favorite track(s): Schism (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=_yNAABKD4IA) | Reflection (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ja3LGFY1i0o)

----------

Tool has always been a band that should be one of my favorites, but I never gave any of their albums a proper listen until now. I’ve always loved them but never really explored them.

There’s an air about them I find curious. They’re often considered intelligent - they’ve been called “the thinking man’s metal band". They are beautiful and yes, musically sophisticated, but what exactly makes them more sophisticated than other bands? The imagery the lyrics paint? The imagery the music paints? The intricate bass lines that unusually seem more important than the guitar? Regardless of what exactly causes it, they manage to be entirely cerebral and thoughtful.

I love bands that seem wholly original in their sound. Surely, like all musical artists and artists in general, they are more than anything the product of their influences, but Tool is one of those bands that came along and sounded like nothing that had been heard before. That’s my assumption, anyway, and to this day I haven’t heard anything that perfectly emulates their sound. Yes, you can hear their influence on certain bands like the fabulous Gojira. But only Tool can play Tool.

If you’ve heard a Tool song, you know what you’re getting into with this album. It’s not that each song sounds the same. They absolutely do not. But the incredibly distinct Tool sound permeates through each song so powerfully that it plays entirely straight. It’s almost all composed of “thoughtful metal” songs with plenty of experimentation throughout. But if you love that, you’re in for a serious treat here. It’s a great album.

My favorite tracks include the single “Schism,” which I’ve heard time and time again but never fails to put me in a trance, and the fascinatingly peculiar "Reflection," which, with re-listens, could become singularly one of my favorite songs ever.

Always fascinating, Tool is a band I've admired for the longest time and have been influenced by, albeit indirectly and perhaps even subconsciously. Now that I've actually heard one of their albums in it's entirely, I can say it's exactly what I expected it to be. But that's not a criticism, as I expected it to be a work of genius.

[Miss Vicky]

One of my best friends is a big Tool fan. One of these days I ought to give their music a proper listen.

[Mr Minio]

Because what you recommended me is five volumes long and I only have so much time. :p Yet you have time to listen to other albums. :P

[Swan]

I'm kinda in the zone with metal right now. I'd rather listen to that when I can really appreciate it. :shrug:

[False Writer]

My brother was a massive Tool fan and for years he'd always have it playing where ever he was. I probably listened to every single one of their songs riding around with him or hanging out in his room. I like Tool and I have a lot of respect for them, but can't say I was ever a massive fan. There were definitely songs I liked a lot though, Schism being one of them.

Great review Swan! And I'm still anxiously waiting for the CHON review! :p

[Guaporense]

Hum, Tool is not regarded as metal by hardcore metal fans (it is not even listed in Metal Archives, while even a borderline band like Opeth is there), hence I never dedicated substantial time to it. Might try it someday to be more open minded!

Anyway I am listening right now to progressive metal, "real" progressive metal: Fates Warning.

[Swan]

They're certainly progressive and at least metal-influenced, but I reckon Tool is in a genre unto themselves. They sound different from any other band to me. I wasn't sure how to categorize them but felt progressive metal was the closest to their sound.

[Guaporense]

I listened to all of their albums (except their very last one), I saw them LIVE two times and I'm a big fan of them since I was 10 years old or something. They don't aim for the profundity, emotions or complexity that other bands aim for (most of the time) and I'll stand by that opinion based on what I know about Maiden.

That doesn't mean they don't create stuff that I love more than almost anything else in the genre. They simply touch me on different grounds.

Weird. Your opinion of them is very different from the opinion of anybody else who claim to be their fans. But I guess everybody is different. I would regard as plain absurd stating they are not emotional or complex for example, as they are certainly more complex and emotional than other mainstream metal bands like Judas Priest, Black Sabbath, Metallica and Ozzy's band.

[Guaporense]

They're certainly progressive and at least metal-influenced, but I reckon Tool is in a genre unto themselves. They sound different from any other band to me. I wasn't sure how to categorize them but felt progressive metal was the closest to their sound.

I would regard progressive metal to be stuff like Fates Warning:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OUJQ5Kngw8g

But I am a metal purist: most of the stuff other people might regard as metal is not metal to me and other metal heads.

[Mr Minio]

If you don't wanna listen to Zhou Xuan, at least listen to some Ichiko Aoba.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VwxkU4EGtNM

[Swan]

You just need to give me some time, Minio. :p

Keep in mind I'm obsessed with metal right now. All I want to listen to is metal, so other genres are taking a backseat. Let me ask you: would you rather me listen to it now, when I might not like it as much, and give it a lesser review - or would you rather I wait until I can really give it some thought and appreciation and I'm not only wanting metal in my brain? I'd rather the latter happen, personally. I'll admit Zhou Xuan is going to be a challenge because I haven't listened to a lot of Asian music from that era, not that I'm immediately turned off about it - you know I liked the few songs I heard - but I want to do you a solid in giving it my all so I'd rather wait a little bit.

[Mr Minio]

For a moment I thought you given up entirely. Take your time.

Life-affirming pop:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jcIOg_m-bp4

[Swan]

Appreciate it, Minio. I promise I haven't given up on Xuan.

[Guaporense]

You just need to give me some time, Minio. :p

Keep in mind I'm obsessed with metal right now. All I want to listen to is metal, so other genres are taking a backseat.

I am like you now but for the past 10 years straight. :D

Let me ask you: would you rather me listen to it now, when I might not like it as much, and give it a lesser review - or would you rather I wait until I can really give it some thought and appreciation and I'm not only wanting metal in my brain? I'd rather the latter happen, personally. I'll admit Zhou Xuan is going to be a challenge because I haven't listened to a lot of Asian music from that era, not that I'm immediately turned off about it - you know I liked the few songs I heard - but I want to do you a solid in giving it my all so I'd rather wait a little bit.

Indeed. One appreciates better stuff when one is heavily interested in that stuff. Though in my case I would say that I am afraid I will never "grow out" of metal. :D

[Swan]

I definitely think I have a lifelong appreciation for metal now, more than I ever had before, but I don't want to be addicted to it like I am right now forever. I mean, I'd be okay with it being my main go-to musical genre going forward, but I'd hate to not pay attention to other genres, especially because there's so much terrific stuff from, say, jazz - a genre I've never really explored yet. So if I have to force myself to listen to other stuff, I will. Plus, I want my own music to have a variety of influences from different genres, and I can't do that if I only listen to one genre.

[Derek Vinyard]

I definitely think I have a lifelong appreciation for metal now, more than I ever had before, but I don't want to be addicted to it like I am right now forever. I mean, I'd be okay with it being my main go-to musical genre going forward, but I'd hate to not pay attention to other genres, especially because there's so much terrific stuff from, say, jazz - a genre I've never really explored yet. So if I have to force myself to listen to other stuff, I will. Plus, I want my own music to have a variety of influences from different genres, and I can't do that if I only listen to one genre.

listen to Nightmare :cool:

[Guaporense]

Thing about metal is that there is enormous diversity in metal: there are over 100,000 metal bands listed on the Metal Archives, from Brazil alone there are 5,000 bands! Bands which vary greatly in style, so instead of listening to, let's say, Pink Floyd, you can find many metal bands influenced by Pink Floyd. Instead of listening to classical composers, you can find metal musicians heavily influenced by classical music. Instead of listening to folk music you can listen to folk metal music, etc. Since metal is so huge and since my ears are so adapted to metal, I find it actually hard to get out of my metal world and listen to other genres.

I definitely think I have a lifelong appreciation for metal now, more than I ever had before, but I don't want to be addicted to it like I am right now forever. I mean, I'd be okay with it being my main go-to musical genre going forward, but I'd hate to not pay attention to other genres, especially because there's so much terrific stuff from, say, jazz - a genre I've never really explored yet.

I also haven't listened to much jazz. I have explored mostly metal, mainstream rock bands like Yes, AC/DC, Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin and classical composers. I also know a lot of popular pop music without knowing the names because they are everywhere. :D

So I guess I should get started on Jazz/Bossa Nova in the near future as well. It's one major territory I am mostly ignorant about.

So if I have to force myself to listen to other stuff, I will. Plus, I want my own music to have a variety of influences from different genres, and I can't do that if I only listen to one genre.

Metal is very diverse however. Has influences from many genres. Angra, for instance, one of the most popular Brazilian metal bands, has heavy influence from jazz.

[Swan]

Thing about metal is that there is enormous diversity in metal: there are over 100,000 metal bands listed on the Metal Archives, from Brazil alone there are 5,000 bands! Bands which vary greatly in style, so instead of listening to, let's say, Pink Floyd, you can find many metal bands influenced by Pink Floyd. Instead of listening to classical composers, you can find metal musicians heavily influenced by classical music. Instead of listening to folk music you can listen to folk metal music, etc. Since metal is so huge and since my ears are so adapted to metal, I find it actually hard to get out of my metal world and listen to other genres.

Yeah man, that's one of my favorite things about metal! I know you don't care for them, but I love listening to Opeth and hearing the folk influence, or the jazz influence. I love hearing the classical influence in Malmsteem or Cacophony. It's inspiring. It's one of the more rewarding genres, to me personally, for that reason. On top of that, great metal takes a lot of creative juice and technical skill. Both of which appeal to me.

Thing is though, I think to get the most influence out of a genre it's best to listen to that genre instead of what it's influenced. Does that make sense? Like... I'm not going to become jazz-influenced just because I listen to Opeth, who are jazz-influenced. I'm going to be jazz-influenced by listening to jazz.

[Swan]

Oh, I forgot to mention that the second paragraph in that last post I was speaking merely as a musician. I understand if you simply like listening to the music, you can listen to folk-inspired metal rather than folk.

[Guaporense]

While I know how to play the guitar I am not seriously interested into becoming a musician. I guess that a musician would obviously need to listen to a lot of stuff. The crew of the metal bands I love listen to stuff from all over the place.

By the way, one of the things I like listening besides metal and classical are OST of anime. Though most of it is actually classical/orchestral music:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=36DgAT5jWMY

Haibane Renmei is indeed my favorite piece of visual media also because it has my favorite soundtrack of any visual media. :D

Same with Miyazaki movies, they have amazing soundtracks by Joe Hisaishi. I think it's a major reason why I love his movies are these powerful and still highly accessible soundtracks.

[Zotis]

I definitely think I have a lifelong appreciation for metal now, more than I ever had before, but I don't want to be addicted to it like I am right now forever. I mean, I'd be okay with it being my main go-to musical genre going forward, but I'd hate to not pay attention to other genres, especially because there's so much terrific stuff from, say, jazz - a genre I've never really explored yet. So if I have to force myself to listen to other stuff, I will. Plus, I want my own music to have a variety of influences from different genres, and I can't do that if I only listen to one genre.

It's definitely true. You have to be mindful of spreading your awareness to other genres too. But also, Metal is not just one genre. Metal has many genres which have their own sub-genres within them.

So, you're considering being a professional musician?

[Swan]

So, you're considering being a professional musician?

I haven't like, put my foot down. I'll say this. I'm at one of the best times in my life right now, I haven't been as active or happy since I was a kid, and that's because I'm making music with a buddy of mine, jamming, learning and relearning instruments like piano and guitar, just having fun with the artform. It's truly a blast, and I'm obsessed. I'm obsessed with listening to music, learning about music, discovering new music, and making music. Right now I have the privilege of having to do nothing but just focus on that. School starts soon and I look forward to it because it'll bring some variety to my life, but at this very moment all I feel obligated to do is become more and more musically minded. I don't really care where it takes me, and I think that's a good thing. My motivation is to simply make awesome, even great music. Passion for music is currently flourishing within me and, hopefully, that'll lead me to become a better musician.

One of my dreams is to hear something that in my youth would have inspired me, and find out I made it. Even if it's just a hobby, I'm always going to make music, professionally or not.

[Gatsby]

Randomly decided to use Swan's music thread to post my Top5 favorite guitarists. Why only 5? Because I'm lazy. :p

1. Joe Pass (Various)

- This guy is a wizard, because he combined and sort of invented every single technique to create such a great sound.

2. Pete Townshend (The Who)

- I've never seen a guitarists that surpasses the energy Townshend head. Makes every The Who song into a powerful musical rant

3. Chuck Berry

- If you want to feel the groove, this is the guy to listen to. Not only that, he shattered the original rules of playing and helped shaped a more modern guitar sound.

4. David Gilmour (Pink Floyd)

- The last 2 minutes in Comfortably Alone made Gilmour into an instant favorite, then it just escalated from there

5. Johnny Winter (Various)

The main reason why I love Winter is because of his variety and flexibility during playing. He can one moment sludge forward slowly then suddenly erupt into fast, groovy riff.

[Swan]

Nice list Gatsby. Haven't heard of Pass, I'll have to check him out.

[Swan]

I'm liking Pass, Gatsby. Do you like Django Reinhardt?

Also, I'd love to see your top five/ten favorite drummers.

[Zotis]

That's pretty cool. I hope you reach the point where you're playing in bars and getting an album recorded. I will definitely buy it! :D

I have jammed with friends in the past and recorded music, but nothing at a professional level. I couldn't really get a band going. It's something I would consider, but I have other things that I'm passionate about too, like movies, art, video games, and theology. And I'm at a point in my life now where I'm not really sure what to focus on, but also I keep backsliding and wasting lots of time playing video games and watching movies just for the entertainment.

I have uploaded a couple of songs online. I don't think it's really going to be you're style though. It's more Hardcore than anything else.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4ssJkIDMuU

https://soundcloud.com/psylis/alethea-the-poker-house

[Swan]

2. Pete Townshend (The Who)

- I've never seen a guitarists that surpasses the energy Townshend head. Makes every The Who song into a powerful musical rant

I like Townsend too. I love Keith Moon though, his energy is insane.

[Swan]

That's pretty cool. I hope you reach the point where you're playing in bars and getting an album recorded. I will definitely buy it! :D

I have jammed with friends in the past and recorded music, but nothing at a professional level. I couldn't really get a band going. It's something I would consider, but I have other things that I'm passionate about too, like movies, art, video games, and theology. And I'm at a point in my life now where I'm not really sure what to focus on, but also I keep backsliding and wasting lots of time playing video games and watching movies just for the entertainment.

I have uploaded a couple of songs online. I don't think it's really going to be you're style though. It's more Hardcore than anything else.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4ssJkIDMuU

https://soundcloud.com/psylis/alethea-the-poker-house

Nice. Is that all you, or you and a friend, or what?