Last month 36 Crazyfists deployed an album called Collisions and Castaways.
With sadness in my heart I say goodbye to Mick Whitney, who left the band to raise his kids and be with his wife. He was the bassist of the band for all of their releases except for their first EP way back in the mid 1990s. I've seen the band live three times, they were the second band I ever saw live, to this day the only band I listen to where I met one of the members and the only band big enough to play tiny venues (see what I did there?) with 20 people and still put on an amazing show. I'm saying all of this to include my bias and my love for the band on here before I get into reviewing any of the album. That being said I have to confess I have a flyer from my first show in a frame and I own at least 5 36 Crazyfists t-shirts and I own every song they've ever released including rare EP, demos, and non-US only releases and remixes on iTunes.
Band History
The entire band originates from Alaska, which was awesome before Palin ruined it. 30 Days of Night almost canceled her out but not quite. They started as a five piece but one member was killed by a drunk driver and the other guitarist quit. They then regrouped with Mick Whitney and continued making music with him until 2009. They now write and record as a 3-piece with their guitar tech Buzzard playing bass live.
Discography
Boss Buckle EP (1995) [I have a digital copy missing 2 tracks, copies are impossible to buy less than 500 exist in the world--I've heard--and most of them are cassette]
Suffer Tree EP (1997) [I have a digital copy, complete, also not possibly to buy due to rarity, there isn't even a picture of the album art on the internet...the entire internet]
In The Skin (1997) [Complete digital copy, I've heard rumors that these can be found but for over 100 dollars per copy and I've never actually seen one]
Demo (1999) [Circle the Drain, Chalk White, All I Am, One More Word are all on this as it served as the prototype for Bitterness the Star]
Bitterness the Star (2002) [First major release by Roadrunner, most notable song is probably Slit Wrist Theory, which is the only song drunk chicks shout for at concerts even now. The UK release features the song Crutch which is rumored to be a cover but its totally unclear if it is, 2 demo tracks, and a demo for the song Disarray which never got on any official release.]
A Snowcapped Romance (2004) [Most noted for At the End of August and Bloodwork, which was featured on the terrrible movie Resident Evil 2 soundtrack, video is hilarious and features Juliya from former FUSE awesome shows about metal before the channel had its balls removed. There is a bonus track version on iTunes that features Workhorse, Sad Lisa, Mother Mary, and Digging the Grave, all coveres released on other albums together after all these years.]
Destroy the Map EP (UK only, I haz a copy, 2005)[Released to generate interest for the single Destroy the Map popular in the UK, it was never released as a single here, nor was the EP actually sold in stores here, it features 2 covers and the UK radio edit for the eponymous song. I'm thinking about putting my copy in a safe as, again, the internet seems to not know anything about the cd even though I have it in my possession.]
Rest Inside the Flames (2006) [For reasons unknown to people who are sane, Roadrunner decided that since 36 does so well in the UK but not so amazingly in the USA (even though they had videos up on MTV2 and FUSE for a good while and sold decent amounts of cds) they were going to release all of the bands records as UK only releases, so this cd was a international only CD for months before I got a copy. Many people simply imported copies from amazon.com, but eventually 36 quit roadrunner for this infraction and set up a small distribution of the cd through DRT/BroShip to throw the cd to America, this remains the only CD I dont have an actual copy of because of this and I just haven't ever bought a copy for some reason. ]
-Mother Mary, Far Cover--This song is confusingly released as a bonus track on this album but is sometimes listed as being on A Snowcapped Romance such as on iTunes.-
The Tide and its Takers (2008) [Released as their first try on Ferret Records, this is probably their heaviest and was the biggest departure of sound from their previous releases yet. They sounded all new and every song has a depth to it that is just somehow different than anything they'd done before that. This cd actually generated somewhat of an interest in the band for the first real time in the american metal community.]
The Oculus EP (prerelease bonus, 2008) [Being a prerelease whore I was issued this cd that contains the two singles from TTaiT and a cover of the song Criminal Justice.]
Under a Northern Sky DVD (2009) [Features a documentary of the band splitting between the live show in their hometown of Anchorage with splits of the wilderness of Alaska and the band's feelings on their home and footage of the band when they were teenagers. The content with the amazing direction and editing makes this DVD the best band related DVD I've ever seen, its a piece of art on its own and I never expected that.]
and finally Collisions and Castaways (2010) [This cd seems like it would be their last cd in a way, because it is a culmination of all of the styles they've presented in all of their other releases mixed together in a more somber and artsy style. Some songs seem to reference other songs from the past, as if you'd only catch it if you already knew the other albums by heart. It's an incredibly odd sounding album and its a quiet somber release with bouts of loud screaming and double kick drum. It goes from classical style to heavy metal to rock and even has pop like choruses in it. I always expect 36 Crazyfists to come out with the new album that changes their style and inevitably I would hate it and have to pick a new favorite band (see Killswitch Engage, All That Remains) but they somehow didn't disappoint me with this release. I unwrapped it, ripped it, put it in my cd player in my car and I haven't tired of it yet. It should also be noted that this is the only CD I completely forgot about and did not somehow prerelease, and that pre release came with signed booklets, and I'm sad as a fanboy.]
That is all I have to say about that.
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Emmure = Plagiarism
There are infinite reasons why Emmure is a shitty band, but first and foremost it is because they blatantly rip off other peoples songs.
Well, on their new shitty record which I don't suggest you buy, they now have a song (cleverly titled R2DEEPTHROAT (yeah), about how the Acacia Strain needs to be quiet about how Emmure steals their songs and it eludes that the lead singer of Emmure has indeed been fellated by the lead singer of The Acacia Strain's girlfriend. Somebody pop this motherfucker.
This is pretty obvious I mean here are a few examples of how the songs are THE SAME.
Acacia strain intro to 3750 in the year 2004
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gIC0AYm-pMU&feature=related
^yeah that's really the only video i could find
Emmure intro to Goodbye to the Gallows in 2007
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fqbrvwht144
----------------------------------------------------
Acacia, same album, still 2004
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wbIW5hFs2Cc&feature=related
Emmure, Respect Issue, AFTER allegations of plagiarism, 2008
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5uk0-6P6MEQ
Sound kinda almost exactly the fucking same?
Anyway, the lead singer of TAS done wrote a song about it called Skynet, with the lyrics posted here (which are death metal lyrics that I actually don't love), and then, as a (phenomenally) poorly written response, the lead singer of Emmure takes it super personal, and continues to steal other peoples lyrics in this song on purpose to be ironical/douchical (but not the same as douchesicle) and fails at being sort of funny like Skynet and is more on the lines of kind of lame and stupid by accident (lyrics here).
I've been on the Emmure hate train since I bought 3750 and The Dead Walk by TAS last year, I liked Emmure when I thought they were coming up with this kind of sound and these cool riffs/breakdownage (although most of the breakdowns are more like song pauses) but all of that is so closely emulated its like they just take parts out of TAS songs and play them slightly faster and that's the only difference. Lots of people in the whole metal community have an opinion on this little feud but there is certifiable fact that they indeed did take heavily from The Acacia Strain and they don't feel a bit bad about that, and that, my friends, is wrong, whether or not you think some of their songs are catchy or not (statistically not).
And if you don't believe me, and you love reading entire pages of bullshit (which if you're here you clearly do) go HERE for the GREATEST ARTICLE ABOUT METALCORE I'VE EVER READ.
-k(THXbye)
Well, on their new shitty record which I don't suggest you buy, they now have a song (cleverly titled R2DEEPTHROAT (yeah), about how the Acacia Strain needs to be quiet about how Emmure steals their songs and it eludes that the lead singer of Emmure has indeed been fellated by the lead singer of The Acacia Strain's girlfriend. Somebody pop this motherfucker.
This is pretty obvious I mean here are a few examples of how the songs are THE SAME.
Acacia strain intro to 3750 in the year 2004
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gIC0AYm-pMU&feature=related
^yeah that's really the only video i could find
Emmure intro to Goodbye to the Gallows in 2007
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fqbrvwht144
----------------------------------------------------
Acacia, same album, still 2004
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wbIW5hFs2Cc&feature=related
Emmure, Respect Issue, AFTER allegations of plagiarism, 2008
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5uk0-6P6MEQ
Sound kinda almost exactly the fucking same?
Anyway, the lead singer of TAS done wrote a song about it called Skynet, with the lyrics posted here (which are death metal lyrics that I actually don't love), and then, as a (phenomenally) poorly written response, the lead singer of Emmure takes it super personal, and continues to steal other peoples lyrics in this song on purpose to be ironical/douchical (but not the same as douchesicle) and fails at being sort of funny like Skynet and is more on the lines of kind of lame and stupid by accident (lyrics here).
I've been on the Emmure hate train since I bought 3750 and The Dead Walk by TAS last year, I liked Emmure when I thought they were coming up with this kind of sound and these cool riffs/breakdownage (although most of the breakdowns are more like song pauses) but all of that is so closely emulated its like they just take parts out of TAS songs and play them slightly faster and that's the only difference. Lots of people in the whole metal community have an opinion on this little feud but there is certifiable fact that they indeed did take heavily from The Acacia Strain and they don't feel a bit bad about that, and that, my friends, is wrong, whether or not you think some of their songs are catchy or not (statistically not).
And if you don't believe me, and you love reading entire pages of bullshit (which if you're here you clearly do) go HERE for the GREATEST ARTICLE ABOUT METALCORE I'VE EVER READ.
-k(THXbye)
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Best/Worst Albums of 2008/2009 (IMHOOMG)
//EDIT
Find this exact same note on facebook, the links actually work without me having to go back and work on each one, which I'm not going to do most likely because I've already spent far too much time on this thing.//
I did it for two years because I think that includes more bands, and I put 5 of each because I was also really disappointed with a few albums these past two years as well.
As always I warn you about the swearing and the lewd references, enter at own risk.
I have linked my favorite song or just one that has a video that I could find and likewise on the bottom I've linked a song I'm disappointed with wholly and an earlier song as to why.
TEH GOOD
5. Richard Marx|Matt Scannell- Duo (2008) (Acoustic) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eRA9MD3RxZ8)
Why? Well, I'm not a huge of of Richard Marx, but his songs on here are actually pretty decent, and anyone who knows me probably knows I have a secret obsession with Vertical Horizon and I consider Everything You Want to be one of the best albums that exists, so slowed acoustic versions of VH songs will get a big thumbs up from me regardless. I actually highly recommend the Duo album to everyone, and it's the only recently made non-hardcore/metal album I bought, all the other non-heavy CDs have been stuff like old Foo Fighters and Gin Blossoms and etc. 90s bands (that sadly don't qualify here).
++++++++++
4. Once Nothing- First Came The Law (2008) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vDdMHbVF7U)
Why? Well, I appreciate a band that tries things it's own way, Once Nothing mixes comedy, death metal, and grooviness. Oh yes, grooviness. They have somehow made some songs that you can actually dance, non-mosh dance, to. Its pretty weird, and some of their lyrics are bizarre, but I really, truly enjoy this album, it's kind of just purely for fun in its own way.
++++++++++
3. Misery Signals- Controller (2008) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HnxtFZzgMEc)
Why? Well the funny thing here is that I haven't been listening to them for very long, but I instantly and absolutely loved them the very first listen. They sound much like August Burns Red, but they have slightly more of a melodic sound and less of a brutality musically, but they have more guttural and brooding vocals and lyrics than ABR. A few songs sound similar, but the bands are largely quite different. Misery Signals fairs a more happy, bright sound mixed with muddy, detuned guitars. They've gotten gradually better over the years, half of their 2nd album isn't that impressive, but their first album features a singer most people don't prefer (although his lyrics are some of the most inspirational and personal I've ever read). This album absolutely blew me away, and I've been obsessed with it since I got it. I shall note here that I absolutely love the album art for the album as well.
Bonus points; acoustic version (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1FJDdgN_HTk&feature=related)
++++++++++
2. August Burns Red- Constellations (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GALmUe-jPHo)
Why? Well, the album is a logical progression from Messengers, I personally like the first album Thrill Seeker the best, but both of the other albums are..well..amazing. Doesn't hurt that the video is one of the most original I've ever seen, even if Jake the singer insists on his crazy stretchy leg dance moves (with epic facial expressions). Yeah, he does that shit live too. I'd be surprised to learn he hasn't fallen off of a stage at some point.
++++++++++
1. 36 Crazyfists- The Tide And Its Takers (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Loxgz8-oQwc)
Why? Well, they kept getting a little heavier, a little moodier, a little more artsy, and more creative. And for one of the most creative sounding bands I've heard of in metal, that's a great thing. Also, enjoy the serene landscape of their native homeland of Alaska in the video. I've seen 36CF live three times, if they keep making albums like this, I'm just going to see how much money they can get from me. Also, I must nerdalert myself here, this IS my favorite band, I DO have their entire catalog including covers and rarities, I have five shirts with their name on it, and I'm probably getting a tattoo at some point. So, it is with extreme and unfair bias that this is my favorite album of the last two years.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TEH HORRORZ
I think all of these are metal bands because that's what I listen to most, but some of these you just have to check out because they've become so AWFUL, especially Emmure. At the very least, watch that first video, its accidentally the funniest damn thing ever.
------
5. Protest the Hero- Fortress (2008)
Why? Their 2005 album, Kezia, is without a doubt one of the best records I've ever listened to. Period. They are one of the most creative and technically skilled groups of people you will ever hear make music in your life. People who don't like metal love Protest the Hero's album Kezia. Because even when you take away the amazing musical quality, the album TELLS A STORY WITH THOUGHTFUL LYRICS. The first album was a concept album, 4 parts, part one is about a prison guard, part 2 is about a reverend, and part 3 is about the thoughts of this girl, Kezia, and the final portion is in summation of the album. The album is basically about a girl that was taken into some sort of prison and was executed and the thoughts and feelings of her and the people surrounding her, its an album that deals with taking orders you know are wrong and how people can change something and how the system can corrupt and so many of these complex issues, you could read into it endlessly, and that's what good art is.
The second one is much much more abstract, it talks about goddess worship and its based on pillaging and whatnot, "Ghengis Khan and old Irish mythology" is what one member states. The lead singer himself says he thinks most people wouldn't like the album as much because it's so obscure. For me, he was dead one the mark. I just can't digest this thing even remotely. A few songs are pretty good, it even looks like technically some songs are far more advanced, but overall, it doesn't come near Kezia, and for that reason it was severely dissatisfying for me.
New PTH: (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ypCdGNe3Bvs) <- If the singer looks totally batshit crazy, that's only because he is. Old PTH: (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LAutUObokCM&feature=PlayList&p=95975250841B2EFC&index=0&playnext=1) <- One of my favorite videos of all time. ---------- 4. The Acacia Strain- Continent (2009)
Well, I never thought this would happen, but I was severely disappointed with the new Acacia Strain album. I've always sort of taken the band with a grain of salt because of the lyrics, which aren't the worst I've heard, but pretty damn close. It's not that they are poorly written or stupid, it's just the fact that there is a lot of things like that which I do not approve of. If you've ever read any interviews or have seen/met the lead singer in person, you realize he's not a crazed psycho, but more of a dude with an incredibly black sense of humor and a bit of a misanthrope. I totally get all of that, but still the death metal aspect is what keeps this band from being my favorite, because in sound, oh hell yeah. I personally believe them to be the sludgiest and most heavy of heavy bands that exist, and lots of bands (Emmure Emmure Emmure) emulated the sound and made it a tad more common, so the band proceeds to change it up every album, and a band should. The problem here is they changed the clean-yet-distorted and detuned sound into a distorted-yet-more distorted sound, and everything sounds so muddled it becomes totally incomprehensible even to me, and I can usually make out everything the guy says. I was so disappointed with the production itself that I just can't listen to it, it physically makes me hurt to hear a band that can make music like that sound so shitty because of the production, and the fact that they had the biggest production budget to date makes me that more dissatisfied.
New TAS: (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e2Xs-pzRyi8)
20pts for not taking yourself too seriously, rumor is, they are dressed and acting like douches because they are supposed to symbolize how Emmure rips them off which is why they get up and sing the other peoples song at the end (when the band is the nerdy white guys).
Old TAS: (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zIUdFuY74ek)
Hooray pretending to play their own instruments to a song they wrote themselves...yeah.
----------
3. All That Remains- Overcome (2008)
Why? Well, the previous album The Fall of Ideals was AMAZING and it was featured on Guitar Hero and lots of people really love the song Six, which was one of their heavier tunes. So, thinking 'our fans generally like our heavier songs more' they then decided to make an album that was DRASTICALLY more mellow and down right mediocre sounding in comparison. I honestly didn't see this coming for ATR. And its not that the songs are bad, they just aren't nearly as good.
New ATR http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRrU2RFX3_U
Old ATR http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DdaOeAxy0GU
Even Older ATR http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MkB8L0wNckw&feature=fvw
----------
2. Killswitch Engage- Self Titled (2009)
Why? They used to be heavy, and used to be my favorite band, until they changed to more of a rock/new wave metal sound. Their first two albums were really heavy, the 2nd actually changed the face of metal and hardcore with very well done melodic singing and lyrics that were positive and were in some cases coming out against death metal and negativity (Fixation on the Darkness). Hell, they taught me that just because its brutal and heavy it doesn't have to be about death and loss, it can be about life and gain. Something like that.
Anyway, the new lyrics and sound are just more rock than hardcore and more mediocre than I could care for. The album isn't awful, it's just nothing special.
KSE is 2 on this list because I expected much, much more from the progenitors of modern metalcore.
New KSE (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJdpY0cAbuA)
Old KSE (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJLRomwvJr4&feature=PlayList&p=1A34BFEA7888ABD0&index=0)
----------
1. Emmure- The Respect Issue (2008) and Felony (2009)
Why? Well, the album(s) is(are) total shit. I kind of liked the 1st album although they blatantly rip off The Acacia Strain. Their first EP was actually pretty good, no copying or stealing, but they've gotten progressively worse every year. I should also mention they've released 4 cds in 4 years. And most of the tracks on all of the albums are filled with sound effects or just nothing at all. IE terrible.
Oh and the new videos? TERRIBLE BEYOND COMPREHENSION.
Notice how most of the song NOTHING IS HAPPENING. But to make up for this they show SKULLS and FIGHTING and FAKE BOOBS. EXTREME.
Newer Emmure: (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=59rnVGzRmZo)
Older Emmure: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eN0FDoNHsnM
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Honorable mentions;
I totally disagree with Zach on this, and that's fine, but I really was not impressed with the new Bury Your Dead album. They did exactly the same thing as ATR and KSE and tried for more of a rock sound, they sound exactly the fucking same as Sevendust now.
-1. Bury Your Dead- It's Nothing Personal.
This band has changed so many times its impossible to nail down exactly when they went sour, but it started with the new lead singer Myke, he isn't awful, but the older songs just seemed to mean a lot more to the old vocalist, and they were more personal and about life lessons than...whatever the hell Myke was writing about on this new album (I have no idea) but there are a couple songs that are pretty damn great actually, but overall, it doesn't make up for the 4-5 songs that are not impressive, 2 of which I absolutely hate and won't listen to at all.
New BYD : (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iD-FCeMatus) <--Chorus is great, nothing else is, though. Old BYD (current singer) : (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qlxSQGPzb2k) Older BYD (former singer) : (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_hd7-lTHUtQ) <--I love that ~~~~~~~~~
-2. Corpus Christi- The Darker Shades of White
Why? Well, I, like many people, received a random 3-song EP at an All That Remains concert, and...well...I LOVED IT. The singer was guttural, the music was sludgy, and although the band was a Christian band (usually affects and atheists choice of lyrics) the lyrics were pretty good. In fact, in Marilyn, I loved them. The song is about a woman losing her family and it was an emotional song and made a good metal song too, a rare combo. What went wrong? Well, they got a dif lead singer, which is fine. But then they made all of their songs faster. Then they made all of their songs longer. Then they signed to victory records (death sentence). All of the purity and magic that made those 3 songs on that little EP is FUCKING GONE. I was ANGRY when I heard the new versions.
New CC (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CTvg9jZpldk)
Old CC (CANNOT FIND A LINK!)
~~~~~~~~~
-3. Norma Jean- The Antimother (2008)
Why? Well, Bless The Martyr and Kiss the Child was a huge deal when it came out, but they changed the lead singer and the music style. Album 2, "O' God, The Aftermath", was pretty damncrazmazing (crazy and amazing). It has all these neat little weird details thrown in every song and it has an overall pummeling quality to it that I've never heard before, or after unfortunately.
There is no screaming in some songs on Antimother. The new stuff is catchy, and I still think it's actually a not bad album, but many songs on the album just don't go anywhere. The band has officially completely changed their sound twice within 4 albums, and from the looks of it no one is happy, and going more melodic has actually cost the band record sales. I guess the south is no longer on fire.
Newer Stuff (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zdqYUDbjFJQ)
Older Stuff (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I9720uHPsWY)
Even Older Stuff (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DCQsSt0HHHk)
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Well that concludes my thoughts on the past two years as far as my favorite music goes. I wish I could have included Chevelle, Third Eye Blind, and Breaking Benjamin in the line-up, but it looks like all three of those albums didn't turn out the way I'd hoped as well. It looks like in conclusion these bands set the bar up so high initially that they can't outdo themselves later, but actually if I made this note a few years ago I think Chevelle's Vena Sera didn't disappoint in the least, I love that album, and Phobia by Breaking Benjamin was pretty good in my opinion as well. Another note is that I didn't include Evan's Blue because I've only heard one song off of the new album, but so far I really hate their new lead singer. Anyway, I'll probably make a separate, non-metal version if I feel like it and if anyone reads this one.
Just thought I'd clear up any questions before they were asked.
-K
Find this exact same note on facebook, the links actually work without me having to go back and work on each one, which I'm not going to do most likely because I've already spent far too much time on this thing.//
I did it for two years because I think that includes more bands, and I put 5 of each because I was also really disappointed with a few albums these past two years as well.
As always I warn you about the swearing and the lewd references, enter at own risk.
I have linked my favorite song or just one that has a video that I could find and likewise on the bottom I've linked a song I'm disappointed with wholly and an earlier song as to why.
TEH GOOD
5. Richard Marx|Matt Scannell- Duo (2008) (Acoustic) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eRA9MD3RxZ8)
Why? Well, I'm not a huge of of Richard Marx, but his songs on here are actually pretty decent, and anyone who knows me probably knows I have a secret obsession with Vertical Horizon and I consider Everything You Want to be one of the best albums that exists, so slowed acoustic versions of VH songs will get a big thumbs up from me regardless. I actually highly recommend the Duo album to everyone, and it's the only recently made non-hardcore/metal album I bought, all the other non-heavy CDs have been stuff like old Foo Fighters and Gin Blossoms and etc. 90s bands (that sadly don't qualify here).
++++++++++
4. Once Nothing- First Came The Law (2008) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vDdMHbVF7U)
Why? Well, I appreciate a band that tries things it's own way, Once Nothing mixes comedy, death metal, and grooviness. Oh yes, grooviness. They have somehow made some songs that you can actually dance, non-mosh dance, to. Its pretty weird, and some of their lyrics are bizarre, but I really, truly enjoy this album, it's kind of just purely for fun in its own way.
++++++++++
3. Misery Signals- Controller (2008) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HnxtFZzgMEc)
Why? Well the funny thing here is that I haven't been listening to them for very long, but I instantly and absolutely loved them the very first listen. They sound much like August Burns Red, but they have slightly more of a melodic sound and less of a brutality musically, but they have more guttural and brooding vocals and lyrics than ABR. A few songs sound similar, but the bands are largely quite different. Misery Signals fairs a more happy, bright sound mixed with muddy, detuned guitars. They've gotten gradually better over the years, half of their 2nd album isn't that impressive, but their first album features a singer most people don't prefer (although his lyrics are some of the most inspirational and personal I've ever read). This album absolutely blew me away, and I've been obsessed with it since I got it. I shall note here that I absolutely love the album art for the album as well.
Bonus points; acoustic version (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1FJDdgN_HTk&feature=related)
++++++++++
2. August Burns Red- Constellations (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GALmUe-jPHo)
Why? Well, the album is a logical progression from Messengers, I personally like the first album Thrill Seeker the best, but both of the other albums are..well..amazing. Doesn't hurt that the video is one of the most original I've ever seen, even if Jake the singer insists on his crazy stretchy leg dance moves (with epic facial expressions). Yeah, he does that shit live too. I'd be surprised to learn he hasn't fallen off of a stage at some point.
++++++++++
1. 36 Crazyfists- The Tide And Its Takers (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Loxgz8-oQwc)
Why? Well, they kept getting a little heavier, a little moodier, a little more artsy, and more creative. And for one of the most creative sounding bands I've heard of in metal, that's a great thing. Also, enjoy the serene landscape of their native homeland of Alaska in the video. I've seen 36CF live three times, if they keep making albums like this, I'm just going to see how much money they can get from me. Also, I must nerdalert myself here, this IS my favorite band, I DO have their entire catalog including covers and rarities, I have five shirts with their name on it, and I'm probably getting a tattoo at some point. So, it is with extreme and unfair bias that this is my favorite album of the last two years.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TEH HORRORZ
I think all of these are metal bands because that's what I listen to most, but some of these you just have to check out because they've become so AWFUL, especially Emmure. At the very least, watch that first video, its accidentally the funniest damn thing ever.
------
5. Protest the Hero- Fortress (2008)
Why? Their 2005 album, Kezia, is without a doubt one of the best records I've ever listened to. Period. They are one of the most creative and technically skilled groups of people you will ever hear make music in your life. People who don't like metal love Protest the Hero's album Kezia. Because even when you take away the amazing musical quality, the album TELLS A STORY WITH THOUGHTFUL LYRICS. The first album was a concept album, 4 parts, part one is about a prison guard, part 2 is about a reverend, and part 3 is about the thoughts of this girl, Kezia, and the final portion is in summation of the album. The album is basically about a girl that was taken into some sort of prison and was executed and the thoughts and feelings of her and the people surrounding her, its an album that deals with taking orders you know are wrong and how people can change something and how the system can corrupt and so many of these complex issues, you could read into it endlessly, and that's what good art is.
The second one is much much more abstract, it talks about goddess worship and its based on pillaging and whatnot, "Ghengis Khan and old Irish mythology" is what one member states. The lead singer himself says he thinks most people wouldn't like the album as much because it's so obscure. For me, he was dead one the mark. I just can't digest this thing even remotely. A few songs are pretty good, it even looks like technically some songs are far more advanced, but overall, it doesn't come near Kezia, and for that reason it was severely dissatisfying for me.
New PTH: (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ypCdGNe3Bvs) <- If the singer looks totally batshit crazy, that's only because he is. Old PTH: (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LAutUObokCM&feature=PlayList&p=95975250841B2EFC&index=0&playnext=1) <- One of my favorite videos of all time. ---------- 4. The Acacia Strain- Continent (2009)
Well, I never thought this would happen, but I was severely disappointed with the new Acacia Strain album. I've always sort of taken the band with a grain of salt because of the lyrics, which aren't the worst I've heard, but pretty damn close. It's not that they are poorly written or stupid, it's just the fact that there is a lot of things like that which I do not approve of. If you've ever read any interviews or have seen/met the lead singer in person, you realize he's not a crazed psycho, but more of a dude with an incredibly black sense of humor and a bit of a misanthrope. I totally get all of that, but still the death metal aspect is what keeps this band from being my favorite, because in sound, oh hell yeah. I personally believe them to be the sludgiest and most heavy of heavy bands that exist, and lots of bands (Emmure Emmure Emmure) emulated the sound and made it a tad more common, so the band proceeds to change it up every album, and a band should. The problem here is they changed the clean-yet-distorted and detuned sound into a distorted-yet-more distorted sound, and everything sounds so muddled it becomes totally incomprehensible even to me, and I can usually make out everything the guy says. I was so disappointed with the production itself that I just can't listen to it, it physically makes me hurt to hear a band that can make music like that sound so shitty because of the production, and the fact that they had the biggest production budget to date makes me that more dissatisfied.
New TAS: (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e2Xs-pzRyi8)
20pts for not taking yourself too seriously, rumor is, they are dressed and acting like douches because they are supposed to symbolize how Emmure rips them off which is why they get up and sing the other peoples song at the end (when the band is the nerdy white guys).
Old TAS: (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zIUdFuY74ek)
Hooray pretending to play their own instruments to a song they wrote themselves...yeah.
----------
3. All That Remains- Overcome (2008)
Why? Well, the previous album The Fall of Ideals was AMAZING and it was featured on Guitar Hero and lots of people really love the song Six, which was one of their heavier tunes. So, thinking 'our fans generally like our heavier songs more' they then decided to make an album that was DRASTICALLY more mellow and down right mediocre sounding in comparison. I honestly didn't see this coming for ATR. And its not that the songs are bad, they just aren't nearly as good.
New ATR http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRrU2RFX3_U
Old ATR http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DdaOeAxy0GU
Even Older ATR http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MkB8L0wNckw&feature=fvw
----------
2. Killswitch Engage- Self Titled (2009)
Why? They used to be heavy, and used to be my favorite band, until they changed to more of a rock/new wave metal sound. Their first two albums were really heavy, the 2nd actually changed the face of metal and hardcore with very well done melodic singing and lyrics that were positive and were in some cases coming out against death metal and negativity (Fixation on the Darkness). Hell, they taught me that just because its brutal and heavy it doesn't have to be about death and loss, it can be about life and gain. Something like that.
Anyway, the new lyrics and sound are just more rock than hardcore and more mediocre than I could care for. The album isn't awful, it's just nothing special.
KSE is 2 on this list because I expected much, much more from the progenitors of modern metalcore.
New KSE (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJdpY0cAbuA)
Old KSE (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJLRomwvJr4&feature=PlayList&p=1A34BFEA7888ABD0&index=0)
----------
1. Emmure- The Respect Issue (2008) and Felony (2009)
Why? Well, the album(s) is(are) total shit. I kind of liked the 1st album although they blatantly rip off The Acacia Strain. Their first EP was actually pretty good, no copying or stealing, but they've gotten progressively worse every year. I should also mention they've released 4 cds in 4 years. And most of the tracks on all of the albums are filled with sound effects or just nothing at all. IE terrible.
Oh and the new videos? TERRIBLE BEYOND COMPREHENSION.
Notice how most of the song NOTHING IS HAPPENING. But to make up for this they show SKULLS and FIGHTING and FAKE BOOBS. EXTREME.
Newer Emmure: (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=59rnVGzRmZo)
Older Emmure: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eN0FDoNHsnM
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Honorable mentions;
I totally disagree with Zach on this, and that's fine, but I really was not impressed with the new Bury Your Dead album. They did exactly the same thing as ATR and KSE and tried for more of a rock sound, they sound exactly the fucking same as Sevendust now.
-1. Bury Your Dead- It's Nothing Personal.
This band has changed so many times its impossible to nail down exactly when they went sour, but it started with the new lead singer Myke, he isn't awful, but the older songs just seemed to mean a lot more to the old vocalist, and they were more personal and about life lessons than...whatever the hell Myke was writing about on this new album (I have no idea) but there are a couple songs that are pretty damn great actually, but overall, it doesn't make up for the 4-5 songs that are not impressive, 2 of which I absolutely hate and won't listen to at all.
New BYD : (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iD-FCeMatus) <--Chorus is great, nothing else is, though. Old BYD (current singer) : (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qlxSQGPzb2k) Older BYD (former singer) : (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_hd7-lTHUtQ) <--I love that ~~~~~~~~~
-2. Corpus Christi- The Darker Shades of White
Why? Well, I, like many people, received a random 3-song EP at an All That Remains concert, and...well...I LOVED IT. The singer was guttural, the music was sludgy, and although the band was a Christian band (usually affects and atheists choice of lyrics) the lyrics were pretty good. In fact, in Marilyn, I loved them. The song is about a woman losing her family and it was an emotional song and made a good metal song too, a rare combo. What went wrong? Well, they got a dif lead singer, which is fine. But then they made all of their songs faster. Then they made all of their songs longer. Then they signed to victory records (death sentence). All of the purity and magic that made those 3 songs on that little EP is FUCKING GONE. I was ANGRY when I heard the new versions.
New CC (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CTvg9jZpldk)
Old CC (CANNOT FIND A LINK!)
~~~~~~~~~
-3. Norma Jean- The Antimother (2008)
Why? Well, Bless The Martyr and Kiss the Child was a huge deal when it came out, but they changed the lead singer and the music style. Album 2, "O' God, The Aftermath", was pretty damncrazmazing (crazy and amazing). It has all these neat little weird details thrown in every song and it has an overall pummeling quality to it that I've never heard before, or after unfortunately.
There is no screaming in some songs on Antimother. The new stuff is catchy, and I still think it's actually a not bad album, but many songs on the album just don't go anywhere. The band has officially completely changed their sound twice within 4 albums, and from the looks of it no one is happy, and going more melodic has actually cost the band record sales. I guess the south is no longer on fire.
Newer Stuff (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zdqYUDbjFJQ)
Older Stuff (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I9720uHPsWY)
Even Older Stuff (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DCQsSt0HHHk)
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Well that concludes my thoughts on the past two years as far as my favorite music goes. I wish I could have included Chevelle, Third Eye Blind, and Breaking Benjamin in the line-up, but it looks like all three of those albums didn't turn out the way I'd hoped as well. It looks like in conclusion these bands set the bar up so high initially that they can't outdo themselves later, but actually if I made this note a few years ago I think Chevelle's Vena Sera didn't disappoint in the least, I love that album, and Phobia by Breaking Benjamin was pretty good in my opinion as well. Another note is that I didn't include Evan's Blue because I've only heard one song off of the new album, but so far I really hate their new lead singer. Anyway, I'll probably make a separate, non-metal version if I feel like it and if anyone reads this one.
Just thought I'd clear up any questions before they were asked.
-K
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Quick link whoring...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-A8KprypFNw
Band: Far
Song: Job's Eyes
Very interesting song. Listen, read, I'll give you a moment to discuss, I'll give you a topic, Duran Duran is neither Duran nor Duran, discuss.
Like butta.
-k
Band: Far
Song: Job's Eyes
Very interesting song. Listen, read, I'll give you a moment to discuss, I'll give you a topic, Duran Duran is neither Duran nor Duran, discuss.
Like butta.
-k
Pelican; Voices of the Voiceless (creative title right?)
I realize I'm the most boring prick on the planet, but I'm cool with that.
I've taken up listening to a lot of music that doesn't have vocals. Problem is I'm a hopeless metalhead and there are not metallic bands without singers. Oh wait, there's PELICAN.
Pelican is an indie-ish band that got popular with their previous album City of Echoes between 2006-2008 or so (I don't fact check because I'm lazy) .
Their sound is somewhere in between August Burns Red (they actually list Pelican as an influence) and more lighter, creative sounding stuff like some of Chevelle's work on Vena Sera. They do, indeed, have no vocalist whatsoever, and they only have one song I know of that has a vocalist, and its a cover of the song by the band the guy is in, so that doesn't really count (its call Grave Diggers and its amazing).
Their album City of Echoes has some of the most creative sounding music I've heard in years, and their technical skill combined with that just produces astonishing work. They have several songs on there that I compulsively listen to, one of which is Winds With Hands, the one and only acoustic track, which gives me all kinds of music boners. Yes, music boners, I get them.
Every single thing they produce is apparently limited pressing however, so if anyone where to ever see an actual Pelican album just sitting around, you may want to haz that. Limited editions can sell for pretty high to certain fans (unfortunately I considered dropping about $45 on a limited EP of theirs but I fought the urge) and that might just be beneficial to you.
Even their t-shirts and posters are limited edition, I actually bought one for a friend that was a pressing of 100 prints only for one time ever. Cause when I give gifts I'm a real dick about it. There are at least two CDs of theirs I have never seen for sale that I want really badly, so I would appreciate a text message if anyone ever finds the PLCN and TAS two-track split EP, and the CD Australasia.
None of my write-ups are complete without youtube posts, so click HERE to listen to Winds with Hands or find them on myspace or iTunes store to sample some work. I highly recommend them.
One final note, the graphic designer that does all of their CDs/DVDs/Posters IS. FUCKING. AMAZING. I have saved pics of just about all of their work for my own reference and inspiration, I rarely see work that really puts me over the edge like that, go ahead and look for yourself.
DONE!
-You're freind, KaDiZZle (isn't that annoying?)
I've taken up listening to a lot of music that doesn't have vocals. Problem is I'm a hopeless metalhead and there are not metallic bands without singers. Oh wait, there's PELICAN.
Pelican is an indie-ish band that got popular with their previous album City of Echoes between 2006-2008 or so (I don't fact check because I'm lazy) .
Their sound is somewhere in between August Burns Red (they actually list Pelican as an influence) and more lighter, creative sounding stuff like some of Chevelle's work on Vena Sera. They do, indeed, have no vocalist whatsoever, and they only have one song I know of that has a vocalist, and its a cover of the song by the band the guy is in, so that doesn't really count (its call Grave Diggers and its amazing).
Their album City of Echoes has some of the most creative sounding music I've heard in years, and their technical skill combined with that just produces astonishing work. They have several songs on there that I compulsively listen to, one of which is Winds With Hands, the one and only acoustic track, which gives me all kinds of music boners. Yes, music boners, I get them.
Every single thing they produce is apparently limited pressing however, so if anyone where to ever see an actual Pelican album just sitting around, you may want to haz that. Limited editions can sell for pretty high to certain fans (unfortunately I considered dropping about $45 on a limited EP of theirs but I fought the urge) and that might just be beneficial to you.
Even their t-shirts and posters are limited edition, I actually bought one for a friend that was a pressing of 100 prints only for one time ever. Cause when I give gifts I'm a real dick about it. There are at least two CDs of theirs I have never seen for sale that I want really badly, so I would appreciate a text message if anyone ever finds the PLCN and TAS two-track split EP, and the CD Australasia.
None of my write-ups are complete without youtube posts, so click HERE to listen to Winds with Hands or find them on myspace or iTunes store to sample some work. I highly recommend them.
One final note, the graphic designer that does all of their CDs/DVDs/Posters IS. FUCKING. AMAZING. I have saved pics of just about all of their work for my own reference and inspiration, I rarely see work that really puts me over the edge like that, go ahead and look for yourself.
DONE!
-You're freind, KaDiZZle (isn't that annoying?)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
