Metal thread IX: Metal To The Pedal To The Other Metal [Archive]

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thirsting

2017-08-20, 05:13 AM

Insert metal here.

Changed thread title (placeholder was "Metal thread IX: Equilibrium"). Thanks for explanation of the current one, WhamBamSam!

Previous Threads:
Metal Thread II (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=112038)
Metal Thread III (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=132921)
Metal Thread IV (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=150811)
Metal Thread V (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=181577)
Metal Thread VI (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=224632)
Metal Thread VII (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=243596)
Metal-Thread-VIII-Playgroundklok (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?323069-Metal-Thread-VIII-Playgroundklok)

http://kauniskuolematon.bandcamp.com/track/hurskas

grimbold

2017-08-21, 09:32 PM

Man - a new thread after THREE years! I gotta love it.

On my way home from Psycho Las Vegas now... highlights included Vhol, Yob, Subrosa, Swans, Subrosa, Warning, Subrosa, Gatecreeper, Subrosa, Zeal & Ardor, Mothership, Wizard Rifle and of course, Subrosa

Feytalist

2017-08-22, 04:17 AM

Oh hey, new thread. It's been so long, I don't even know what to do with this. Post metal? Okay.

My latest discovery: Manetheren (https://avantgardemusic.bandcamp.com/album/the-end) (okay, I knew them from before, but only just realised that they had put out another album. Kinda atmoblack? I guess. Also, despite the name, doesn't have much to do with the Wheel of Time books.

http://kauniskuolematon.bandcamp.com/track/hurskas

Holy ****, this is excellent. Been listening to all of their previous stuff and I'm hooked. Immediate buy. Kinda sounds a bit like Kuolemanlaakso (https://kuolemanlaakso.bandcamp.com/album/tulijoutsen), another Finnish death/doom kinda band. Check them out.

Also been jamming it old school with some Rammstein. Forgot how good their old stuff is. Herzeleid is killer.

WhamBamSam

2017-08-22, 04:44 AM

Metal To The Pedal To The Other Metal is a Futurama (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z74LRtjsI0Q) reference. The character putting the pedal to the metal is a robot so the foot stepping on the gas pedal is metal. As to its relation to this thread, it has the word "metal" in it a lot, and pedals are something of a thing in metal as well, as are cars as a lyrical subject to an extent.

Not all that new, but something that I don't think has been mentioned here yet that I've been enamored with this year is Replacire's Do Not Deviate (https://replacire.bandcamp.com/album/do-not-deviate). It's basically the album that I've always wanted The Faceless to make without even realizing it.

Vinyadan

2017-08-22, 06:39 PM

Some groups I am enjoying right now.

Faith No More
Korpiklaani
Forest of Shadows (they wrote Eternal Autumn (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=usGGX6ZqQv0), which is an amazingly good song for such an unknown band).

grimbold

2017-08-30, 08:48 AM

Not all that new, but something that I don't think has been mentioned here yet that I've been enamored with this year is Replacire's Do Not Deviate (https://replacire.bandcamp.com/album/do-not-deviate). It's basically the album that I've always wanted The Faceless to make without even realizing it.

Duuuude so much this. Replacire are stunning. I just wish they all lived close together so they could tour more!

Comrade

2017-08-30, 07:56 PM

Man, I have no clue why it took me so long to check out Mithras's album from last year, but I'm kicking myself for it now. It's pretty rad. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9AVHzD57DE)

Feytalist

2017-09-05, 04:01 AM

New Botanist (https://verdant-realm-botanist.bandcamp.com/album/collective-the-shape-of-he-to-come) is out. It's... something

Whoracle

2017-09-05, 04:43 AM

From the other thread:

Good luck with your tour!

Thanks!

Tour was a desaster, though. I'm currently doing a rant-style writeup that I'll post here later. I don't know if I'm the only participant in this thread who has his own band, but I think it'll make for an interesting read anyways. Here's the writeup:

Allright, here it goes:

First, let's set the stage, shall we?

Dramatis Personae

BA - Booking Agency: The Guy who booked our shows.
IS - Inner Sanctum: The 2nd Band on the billing. Friends of ours from waaaay back.
VG - Venue Guy: The owner of the venue.
PG - Promo Guy: The local promoter. Sometimes the same as VG.
SG - Sound Guy: Sound technician. Sometimes the same as PG and/or VG.
SB - Support Band: The support band for any given gig.

History Lesson

We contacted BA to do a small tour through Czech republic in January to see if we would get along with IS in a touring situation. After all, if you're stuck with five guys in a van for the better part of ten days, better make sure you get along, right?

Turns out that yes, we did in fact get along rather well with IS. However, of the three gigs we had booked in January, one fell through because VG was sick, and another one was hastily put together a week before the tour after the first iteration got cancelled. Also, we found out when driving the tour that literally NO promotion had been made. Even though we provided flyers, posters and various facebook headers about two months in advance.

Well, **** happens. We chalked that up to misfortune and still had our fun, even thóugh we only had around 15 people on our first gig, and a whopping 4 (!) on the second one.

The Setup

So, we decided to do the promo work ourselves, since we made quite a few contacts on our first run. But still we were missing connections to venues etc., so we contacted BA again, this time to solely book the shows and accomodations. We gave him a rough outline of our preferred route as to minimize driving between venues, and he went on to procure said gigs.

The Prelude

As time went on and the tour grew ever closer, we had most of the venues names, but no word on support bands, door times or entry fees, which we needed if we wanted to do our flyers and promo work.

So we contacted the various venues ourselves, since BA did not really respond to our inquiries. He flat out ignored uncomfortable questions. He answered quickly enough if he had an answer to a question, but anything else he'd simply ignore. No "I don't know yet" or anything.

Of the nine (!) venues we contacted, only two responded. One was the one where the gig in January had been cancelled due to sickness, and that guy was eager as hell to make everything work. Kudos to him - for now.

The second Venue replied to let us know that they did not know of any concert on that day. BA didn't answer for a week, only to inform us later that yes, the gig in said venue was off, but he had another venue.

We packed an electronic drum kit, just in case, although the deal was that BA would organize a basic drumkit for each venue, either via support acts or from somewhere else. He agreed.

Tour preparations went on, and about 3 weeks before the tour we STILL did not have all the informations on any gig bar one. At this time a third venue answered ym inquiry from weeks back and told me that they'd LOVE to have us, but that we couldn't play on the date our BA had told us since there was already another event booked and they didn't know BA. Long story short: BA had arranged this through PG01, and the venue didn't even know which bands playede on this "external" event. Well, again, **** happens, right?

At this point we should have aborted, but this was three weeks before the tour, we had drummed up a bit of promotion through various channels and taken our vacations at the various workplaces, so we stuck to it.

Eppur Si Muove

Day 01

The time had come. T minus zero. Judgement day. Armageddon. We were off. After 8 hours in the van we arrived at the first venue. PG01 was nice, SB01 was nice, Venue was nice. So far so good.

Enter SG. Didn't speak a single word of english, which is... weird... give that the he was from the venue and they had big-ish international metal acts there semi-regularly (e.g, Belphegor). To my surprise he did speak a bit of german, so I made do. Didn't like the all-digital setup we had, hated my Shure SM58 and adamantly insisted on me using his crappy Samson (a cheap chinese SM58 knowck-off), because it presumably had less feedback than an SM58.

Two minutes into the soundcheck proved him wrong, and another 5 minutes proved that the guy had no clue what he was doing.

The Amps were too high output for him to handle, to the point were we had to lower the outputs that much that my Kemper literally could not get lower without shutting the outputs off. I found out later this was because he cranked the gain on his PA all the way to the max, not engaging a pad and quite possibly hitting the signals with compressors on the way in.

At this point my temper was quite mellow, so I basically humoured him and went along with most of his crap (apart from the SM58/Samson question). He was, after all, the SG of the venue, so he should know sound at his location, at least, right?

Wrong!

During SB01 everything went swell, since they had only one guitar and no bass, but IS reported that our sound levels were all over the place during our 2nd slot. When they played the 3rd slot, I saw that SG had pulled the second guitar WAAAAY down, to the point where you couldn't hear it, not even in the slightest. Well, long story short:

I told our bassist to pull up the channels while I distracted SG on one of his many, MANY smoking breaks during the slot. Sound was OK afterwards, and he didn't even notice, or at least he didn't change anything.

So, all in all the gig was OK, a few people were there, and we were content. Until we saw the accomodation for the night.

A completely run-down, quite spooky hostel with moldy as hell showers. At least the sheets were halfway clean.

Day 02

Mediocre night, breakfast at a supermarket nearby, but hey, the first night was OK, from the photos the accomodation for the second gig looked quite good, and VG for this gig was quite enthusiastic over this gig, so we took off with quite a good mood.

The accomodation was, in fact, quite nice once we arrived. The venue was damn hard to find, and when we got there quite before the agreed get-in time no one was there. Once the time arrived, still no one was there. Once the SB for the night arrived, still no one from the venue was there. Once the first guests arrived, STILL no one was there.

About 1.5 hours too late, VG finally arrives. Turns out his club is a quite well-known underground club with TONS of charme. Turns out also that VG didn't speak english nor german (this would get to be a pattern), was also the SG for the night and was, in the pathological sense, a choleric. Still, we set up the stage, I found someone to translate, the choleric told me to do our own sound, and the gig of SB went great. The 2nd slot this night was filled by IS, and it wasn't great, it was GREAT! The crowd was absolutely crazy. And to my surprise, most of them were even here explicitly for my band! We sold quite a bit of merch before our slot even started, which makes what comes next all the sadder:

We enter the stage, play our first song, crowd goes wild, we start the second song, and suddelny - SILENCE!
The PA had crapped itself. Queue the choleric VG who alternates between telling me that this hasn't happened once in the last eight years, that his reputation was at stake and that this was somehow the fault of our Amps. Wouldn't hear that this was, in fact, physically impossible, because our modellers and DI interfaces didn't have a power stage, and even IF by some weird fluke they put out too much voltage, it'd be his Mixer that'd crap itself, not his power amp.

So we had to cancel the rest of the show. I could still scream when I think of the faces of the people who ****ing KNEW OUR SONGS, standing before the stage and looking sad.

VG mellowed up once the brunt of his choleric attack faded (And I mean that literally - the guy was notorious for his choleric attacks, as in "he has this medical issue"...), we got drunk as hell and went back to the hostel.

Day 03

Breakfast, and off we go. We left Czech republic for the time being and headed to Slovakia. The mood is down, especially among my guys. IS is down because they had a great gig, and we didn't, even though the guests wanted to see us more, and especially because we did all the work both before and during the tour, barring carrying equipment and driving.

BAD still hasn't sent us any info on the last gigs, so we joked around how the next gig will get cancelled. An hour later, the news arrives: Gig is, in fact, cancelled! But at least we got a better accomodation since originally we would have to sleep in the venue.

Good food and quite the binge concluded this evening, but still a bad taste remained. Of the three gigs so far, which itself was a third of the whole tour since one of the 10 days would be a day off anyways since BA hadn't found a gig for that day, only one was what you could call "successfull".

Day 04

Wake up, check out, find out that in spite of BA telling us everything is payed, his credit card bounced or was invalid or something, so we had to pay for the accomodation ourselves. Keep in mind we already paid BA for this, for every night where he had a gig for us. At this point this is par for the course, but still it grates.

Hangovers all around we made off to the next stop. This gig was a bit special. See there were not one, ut to off-days in the schedule, because BA couldn't secure a gig here, either. So about two weeks before the tour we booked one ourselves. If we can do it, from germany, with no connections, one would think that BA could do it, too, but then I'll have my say about him at the end.

So, Krakow, Poland. Third country on our list. Nice Hostel, but then we booked this one ourselves, too, so no surprises there. We had booked a third band as SB under the condition that they'd bring a drumset. The deal was we would bring the rest of the backline, and they'd help with promotion and would maybe pull a few guests.

We would set up doors, door money would go to us and IS to alleviate accomodation, SB would get free drinks, and all parties agreed.

Enter the venue - No promotion had been done by the venue whatsoever, they didn't even share the facebook event. It was like they didn't care at all if anyone came to the concert. Same for SB - No mentions on FB, no shares, nothing. Well, [i]SG[i] turns up, looks at our setup, gets a stupid grin on his face and proceeds to give us a killer sound. That guy knew what he was doing, and spoke english more than well enough. MVP of the tour, really.

SB turns up - sans drumkit. We were mightily pissed at this point, especially after their drummer wrinkeld his nose on the electronic drum kit. Well, if you don't ike it, why didn't you bring your own kit like you were supposed to do?

Next thing is that we have to be done with the gig at 10 pm. Afterwards the sound needed to be less loud. IS agreed to cut their set to 35 mins, we did the same, and SB agreed to cut their set to 45 minutes and then proceeded to take an extra 45 minutes to get the drums up to their code. Brought 4 friends who watched their gig, didn't drink anything and went off before IS even began. Even with IS only playing 35 minutes (in front of us and the club owner. No one else was there) we didn't even START until 10 pm, but thank god no one turned our sound down. SB meanwhile stood upstairs, smoked, didn't watch jack **** of any one of the other bands and drank beer from the neighboring club, then ****ed off to god knows where somewhen during our set.

So: No promo by either the club or SB, no drumset by SB. We should've just played without them, then we wouldn't have had to cut both our and IS's set and had the same effect.

Day 05

Back to slovakia it is. Hostel is a hellhole in the worst district of the city, no place to (legally) park the van anywhere near it. Well, screw this, and screw everyone if we get a parking ticket.

Venue is a maze of underground corridors, patrons don't give a **** for anything that's going on, but the food is great, VG and his wife are more than nice, SG at least has a reasonable idea of what he's doing, even though the concept of "mix low, then, once your mix is ok, turn up the volume" is way beyond him. Gig is again in front of us and IS, plus three or so patrons who poke their head into the corridor where the bands played.

Still, here we had gotten FLYERS and POSTERS, so VG chalked it up to the gig being on a wednesday. SG tells us that the venue we'd be playing the next day had a big core audience and quite the scene behind it. That's something, at least.

Back to the hell hostel.

Day 06

After a 30-minute drive to the next city (shortest distance on the tour) we arrived at the hotel we were supposed to be accomodated in. Looked really nice. Only they didn't have any booking for us and were completely booked out.

At this point we googled the phone numbers of the remaining venues to contact them and see if the rest of the gigs were in fact taking place, since BA basically stopped communication. Only thing we got out of him was "VG told me he booked", and we knew that to be fake because the hotel staff KNEW VG and told us that he TRIED to book, but they were booked out.

The venue itself was closed, we saw a few posters of gigs MONTHS in the future, but nothign about our gig and concluded that there wasn't any promo being done here either.

So we booked a nice hotel, tried reaching VG via phone and decided that we would show up on get-in time, ask VG if he thought anyone would turn up, and make playing the gig dependent on his answer.

Queue us arriving ath the venue: VG tells us he'd told BA about the failed booking (which I'm inclined to believe, given BA's track record so far), says he didn't do any promo, but there'd be people showing up anyways.

So we set up shop, only to encounter for the second time on this tour a broken PA with no backup. VG barely speaks english, SG is only marginally more fluent, and it takes us an hour to figure out that his cables are faulty.

At this point I've had it, pulled the cables and mixed the room over two spare ports on our InEar-mixer, and just give him stereo out to his PA. IN addition to being vocalist, guitarist, tour manager and stage-tech for two bands, I've become the FoH-Guy, too. Great.

Gig was as expected: 3 club patrons watching us, clapping along with the music. So we pack up and get back to the nice hotel we booked.

Day 07 | Day 08

We had reached the other two venues remaining. The first one told us that they knew nothing of any gig whatsoever, the second (which would be the last gig of the tour) told us the gig was on. So we decided to skip town for the first gig, just drove to Prague and had two days off there.

While there we met with a few friends that we played with back in january. Remember the PA from Day 02? That hasn't failed once in the last 8 years? Well, those bands had played there, too, a while back. Turns out the Power Amp tends to **** itself regularly if you give it more than one or two vocal mics, so VG from Day 02 did not only lie to me, he slandered us to avoid taking the blame for using bad hardware and not having a backup.

****er.

Day 09

We were supposed to sleep in the venue, which we voted was not going to fly since we'd have an 9 hour drive home before us on the following day, so we booked a nice hotel a few minutes drive away.

Arrived, chilled out a bit, got a bite to eat and onwards to the venue!

What we expected was some small club. What we found was a cellar hole with surprising good sound, once I set it up, booted their SG guy out and we replaced the partial drumset with our e-drums. No food and no drinks, but that was par for the course at this point, really. We played our sets and headed home, but not before catchiong **** for playing with e-drums. Well fine, if you guys brought a complete drumset we wouldn't have, so **** you then. You should be GLAD to get two bands from another country, and for free nontheless, and with a passable sound for a change, but hey, I bet real drums sound really good if you've got your head up your asses!

Day 10

Drive home. Nothing to report.

The Aftermath

So, to summarize:
- Small czech, slovakian and polish clubs tend to not have sound guys that know their **** (with some exceptions)
- No matter if you're hosting international bands, as a club owner in czechia, slovakia or poland you don't see the need to at least passably UNDERSTAND english (or german, given it's a neighbor, but I'd say english'd be more useful)
- To be a booking agency, you don't need to keep your customers informed and never tell them anything bad unless it's basically way too late.
- Promotion is for chumps. If I open my small club, people will come. Or not. It's not like I care.

A few pointers to take away from this:
- Don't depend on others. Not your booker, not the support bands, not the venues. Do your promotion, accomodation and if possible booking yourselves. At least in the braket my band is in.
- Bring your own PA, or at least a pair of active speakers. Bring your own sound tech. Tell the local tech to suck it and do it yourselves.
- Do not, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, do business with Bird Rain Agency. Seriously. Don't. Guy still owes us the money for the various accomodations, food buyouts and cancelled gigs. Comes together to around 600€, of the 880 we payed him up-front. It's a mystery to me how that guy is making money. My guess would be he isn't, and we'll have to see if he'll con us out of the cash or if he'll pay up. If he pays up, he's not a cropok but simply too incompetent to waste your time and money with, and if he doesn't, he's a con artist.

Thanks for letting me vent this.

The bright side: My self-built guitar held up magnificiently and got quite a few curious questions about where I got it and how it looked so good. That's something :D

grimbold

2017-09-05, 08:27 AM

From the other thread:

Thanks!

Tour was a desaster, though. I'm currently doing a rant-style writeup that I'll post here later. I don't know if I'm the only participant in this thread who has his own band, but I think it'll make for an interesting read anyways. Here's the writeup:

Allright, here it goes:

First, let's set the stage, shall we?

Dramatis Personae

BA - Booking Agency: The Guy who booked our shows.
IS - Inner Sanctum: The 2nd Band on the billing. Friends of ours from waaaay back.
VG - Venue Guy: The owner of the venue.
PG - Promo Guy: The local promoter. Sometimes the same as VG.
SG - Sound Guy: Sound technician. Sometimes the same as PG and/or VG.
SB - Support Band: The support band for any given gig.

History Lesson

We contacted BA to do a small tour through Czech republic in January to see if we would get along with IS in a touring situation. After all, if you're stuck with five guys in a van for the better part of ten days, better make sure you get along, right?

Turns out that yes, we did in fact get along rather well with IS. However, of the three gigs we had booked in January, one fell through because VG was sick, and another one was hastily put together a week before the tour after the first iteration got cancelled. Also, we found out when driving the tour that literally NO promotion had been made. Even though we provided flyers, posters and various facebook headers about two months in advance.

Well, **** happens. We chalked that up to misfortune and still had our fun, even thóugh we only had around 15 people on our first gig, and a whopping 4 (!) on the second one.

The Setup

So, we decided to do the promo work ourselves, since we made quite a few contacts on our first run. But still we were missing connections to venues etc., so we contacted BA again, this time to solely book the shows and accomodations. We gave him a rough outline of our preferred route as to minimize driving between venues, and he went on to procure said gigs.

The Prelude

As time went on and the tour grew ever closer, we had most of the venues names, but no word on support bands, door times or entry fees, which we needed if we wanted to do our flyers and promo work.

So we contacted the various venues ourselves, since BA did not really respond to our inquiries. He flat out ignored uncomfortable questions. He answered quickly enough if he had an answer to a question, but anything else he'd simply ignore. No "I don't know yet" or anything.

Of the nine (!) venues we contacted, only two responded. One was the one where the gig in January had been cancelled due to sickness, and that guy was eager as hell to make everything work. Kudos to him - for now.

The second Venue replied to let us know that they did not know of any concert on that day. BA didn't answer for a week, only to inform us later that yes, the gig in said venue was off, but he had another venue.

We packed an electronic drum kit, just in case, although the deal was that BA would organize a basic drumkit for each venue, either via support acts or from somewhere else. He agreed.

Tour preparations went on, and about 3 weeks before the tour we STILL did not have all the informations on any gig bar one. At this time a third venue answered ym inquiry from weeks back and told me that they'd LOVE to have us, but that we couldn't play on the date our BA had told us since there was already another event booked and they didn't know BA. Long story short: BA had arranged this through PG01, and the venue didn't even know which bands playede on this "external" event. Well, again, **** happens, right?

At this point we should have aborted, but this was three weeks before the tour, we had drummed up a bit of promotion through various channels and taken our vacations at the various workplaces, so we stuck to it.

Eppur Si Muove

Day 01

The time had come. T minus zero. Judgement day. Armageddon. We were off. After 8 hours in the van we arrived at the first venue. PG01 was nice, SB01 was nice, Venue was nice. So far so good.

Enter SG. Didn't speak a single word of english, which is... weird... give that the he was from the venue and they had big-ish international metal acts there semi-regularly (e.g, Belphegor). To my surprise he did speak a bit of german, so I made do. Didn't like the all-digital setup we had, hated my Shure SM58 and adamantly insisted on me using his crappy Samson (a cheap chinese SM58 knowck-off), because it presumably had less feedback than an SM58.

Two minutes into the soundcheck proved him wrong, and another 5 minutes proved that the guy had no clue what he was doing.

The Amps were too high output for him to handle, to the point were we had to lower the outputs that much that my Kemper literally could not get lower without shutting the outputs off. I found out later this was because he cranked the gain on his PA all the way to the max, not engaging a pad and quite possibly hitting the signals with compressors on the way in.

At this point my temper was quite mellow, so I basically humoured him and went along with most of his crap (apart from the SM58/Samson question). He was, after all, the SG of the venue, so he should know sound at his location, at least, right?

Wrong!

During SB01 everything went swell, since they had only one guitar and no bass, but IS reported that our sound levels were all over the place during our 2nd slot. When they played the 3rd slot, I saw that SG had pulled the second guitar WAAAAY down, to the point where you couldn't hear it, not even in the slightest. Well, long story short:

I told our bassist to pull up the channels while I distracted SG on one of his many, MANY smoking breaks during the slot. Sound was OK afterwards, and he didn't even notice, or at least he didn't change anything.

So, all in all the gig was OK, a few people were there, and we were content. Until we saw the accomodation for the night.

A completely run-down, quite spooky hostel with moldy as hell showers. At least the sheets were halfway clean.

Day 02

Mediocre night, breakfast at a supermarket nearby, but hey, the first night was OK, from the photos the accomodation for the second gig looked quite good, and VG for this gig was quite enthusiastic over this gig, so we took off with quite a good mood.

The accomodation was, in fact, quite nice once we arrived. The venue was damn hard to find, and when we got there quite before the agreed get-in time no one was there. Once the time arrived, still no one was there. Once the SB for the night arrived, still no one from the venue was there. Once the first guests arrived, STILL no one was there.

About 1.5 hours too late, VG finally arrives. Turns out his club is a quite well-known underground club with TONS of charme. Turns out also that VG didn't speak english nor german (this would get to be a pattern), was also the SG for the night and was, in the pathological sense, a choleric. Still, we set up the stage, I found someone to translate, the choleric told me to do our own sound, and the gig of SB went great. The 2nd slot this night was filled by IS, and it wasn't great, it was GREAT! The crowd was absolutely crazy. And to my surprise, most of them were even here explicitly for my band! We sold quite a bit of merch before our slot even started, which makes what comes next all the sadder:

We enter the stage, play our first song, crowd goes wild, we start the second song, and suddelny - SILENCE!
The PA had crapped itself. Queue the choleric VG who alternates between telling me that this hasn't happened once in the last eight years, that his reputation was at stake and that this was somehow the fault of our Amps. Wouldn't hear that this was, in fact, physically impossible, because our modellers and DI interfaces didn't have a power stage, and even IF by some weird fluke they put out too much voltage, it'd be his Mixer that'd crap itself, not his power amp.

So we had to cancel the rest of the show. I could still scream when I think of the faces of the people who ****ing KNEW OUR SONGS, standing before the stage and looking sad.

VG mellowed up once the brunt of his choleric attack faded (And I mean that literally - the guy was notorious for his choleric attacks, as in "he has this medical issue"...), we got drunk as hell and went back to the hostel.

Day 03

Breakfast, and off we go. We left Czech republic for the time being and headed to Slovakia. The mood is down, especially among my guys. IS is down because they had a great gig, and we didn't, even though the guests wanted to see us more, and especially because we did all the work both before and during the tour, barring carrying equipment and driving.

BAD still hasn't sent us any info on the last gigs, so we joked around how the next gig will get cancelled. An hour later, the news arrives: Gig is, in fact, cancelled! But at least we got a better accomodation since originally we would have to sleep in the venue.

Good food and quite the binge concluded this evening, but still a bad taste remained. Of the three gigs so far, which itself was a third of the whole tour since one of the 10 days would be a day off anyways since BA hadn't found a gig for that day, only one was what you could call "successfull".

Day 04

Wake up, check out, find out that in spite of BA telling us everything is payed, his credit card bounced or was invalid or something, so we had to pay for the accomodation ourselves. Keep in mind we already paid BA for this, for every night where he had a gig for us. At this point this is par for the course, but still it grates.

Hangovers all around we made off to the next stop. This gig was a bit special. See there were not one, ut to off-days in the schedule, because BA couldn't secure a gig here, either. So about two weeks before the tour we booked one ourselves. If we can do it, from germany, with no connections, one would think that BA could do it, too, but then I'll have my say about him at the end.

So, Krakow, Poland. Third country on our list. Nice Hostel, but then we booked this one ourselves, too, so no surprises there. We had booked a third band as SB under the condition that they'd bring a drumset. The deal was we would bring the rest of the backline, and they'd help with promotion and would maybe pull a few guests.

We would set up doors, door money would go to us and IS to alleviate accomodation, SB would get free drinks, and all parties agreed.

Enter the venue - No promotion had been done by the venue whatsoever, they didn't even share the facebook event. It was like they didn't care at all if anyone came to the concert. Same for SB - No mentions on FB, no shares, nothing. Well, [i]SG[i] turns up, looks at our setup, gets a stupid grin on his face and proceeds to give us a killer sound. That guy knew what he was doing, and spoke english more than well enough. MVP of the tour, really.

SB turns up - sans drumkit. We were mightily pissed at this point, especially after their drummer wrinkeld his nose on the electronic drum kit. Well, if you don't ike it, why didn't you bring your own kit like you were supposed to do?

Next thing is that we have to be done with the gig at 10 pm. Afterwards the sound needed to be less loud. IS agreed to cut their set to 35 mins, we did the same, and SB agreed to cut their set to 45 minutes and then proceeded to take an extra 45 minutes to get the drums up to their code. Brought 4 friends who watched their gig, didn't drink anything and went off before IS even began. Even with IS only playing 35 minutes (in front of us and the club owner. No one else was there) we didn't even START until 10 pm, but thank god no one turned our sound down. SB meanwhile stood upstairs, smoked, didn't watch jack **** of any one of the other bands and drank beer from the neighboring club, then ****ed off to god knows where somewhen during our set.

So: No promo by either the club or SB, no drumset by SB. We should've just played without them, then we wouldn't have had to cut both our and IS's set and had the same effect.

Day 05

Back to slovakia it is. Hostel is a hellhole in the worst district of the city, no place to (legally) park the van anywhere near it. Well, screw this, and screw everyone if we get a parking ticket.

Venue is a maze of underground corridors, patrons don't give a **** for anything that's going on, but the food is great, VG and his wife are more than nice, SG at least has a reasonable idea of what he's doing, even though the concept of "mix low, then, once your mix is ok, turn up the volume" is way beyond him. Gig is again in front of us and IS, plus three or so patrons who poke their head into the corridor where the bands played.

Still, here we had gotten FLYERS and POSTERS, so VG chalked it up to the gig being on a wednesday. SG tells us that the venue we'd be playing the next day had a big core audience and quite the scene behind it. That's something, at least.

Back to the hell hostel.

Day 06

After a 30-minute drive to the next city (shortest distance on the tour) we arrived at the hotel we were supposed to be accomodated in. Looked really nice. Only they didn't have any booking for us and were completely booked out.

At this point we googled the phone numbers of the remaining venues to contact them and see if the rest of the gigs were in fact taking place, since BA basically stopped communication. Only thing we got out of him was "VG told me he booked", and we knew that to be fake because the hotel staff KNEW VG and told us that he TRIED to book, but they were booked out.

The venue itself was closed, we saw a few posters of gigs MONTHS in the future, but nothign about our gig and concluded that there wasn't any promo being done here either.

So we booked a nice hotel, tried reaching VG via phone and decided that we would show up on get-in time, ask VG if he thought anyone would turn up, and make playing the gig dependent on his answer.

Queue us arriving ath the venue: VG tells us he'd told BA about the failed booking (which I'm inclined to believe, given BA's track record so far), says he didn't do any promo, but there'd be people showing up anyways.

So we set up shop, only to encounter for the second time on this tour a broken PA with no backup. VG barely speaks english, SG is only marginally more fluent, and it takes us an hour to figure out that his cables are faulty.

At this point I've had it, pulled the cables and mixed the room over two spare ports on our InEar-mixer, and just give him stereo out to his PA. IN addition to being vocalist, guitarist, tour manager and stage-tech for two bands, I've become the FoH-Guy, too. Great.

Gig was as expected: 3 club patrons watching us, clapping along with the music. So we pack up and get back to the nice hotel we booked.

Day 07 | Day 08

We had reached the other two venues remaining. The first one told us that they knew nothing of any gig whatsoever, the second (which would be the last gig of the tour) told us the gig was on. So we decided to skip town for the first gig, just drove to Prague and had two days off there.

While there we met with a few friends that we played with back in january. Remember the PA from Day 02? That hasn't failed once in the last 8 years? Well, those bands had played there, too, a while back. Turns out the Power Amp tends to **** itself regularly if you give it more than one or two vocal mics, so VG from Day 02 did not only lie to me, he slandered us to avoid taking the blame for using bad hardware and not having a backup.

****er.

Day 09

We were supposed to sleep in the venue, which we voted was not going to fly since we'd have an 9 hour drive home before us on the following day, so we booked a nice hotel a few minutes drive away.

Arrived, chilled out a bit, got a bite to eat and onwards to the venue!

What we expected was some small club. What we found was a cellar hole with surprising good sound, once I set it up, booted their SG guy out and we replaced the partial drumset with our e-drums. No food and no drinks, but that was par for the course at this point, really. We played our sets and headed home, but not before catchiong **** for playing with e-drums. Well fine, if you guys brought a complete drumset we wouldn't have, so **** you then. You should be GLAD to get two bands from another country, and for free nontheless, and with a passable sound for a change, but hey, I bet real drums sound really good if you've got your head up your asses!

Day 10

Drive home. Nothing to report.

The Aftermath

So, to summarize:
- Small czech, slovakian and polish clubs tend to not have sound guys that know their **** (with some exceptions)
- No matter if you're hosting international bands, as a club owner in czechia, slovakia or poland you don't see the need to at least passably UNDERSTAND english (or german, given it's a neighbor, but I'd say english'd be more useful)
- To be a booking agency, you don't need to keep your customers informed and never tell them anything bad unless it's basically way too late.
- Promotion is for chumps. If I open my small club, people will come. Or not. It's not like I care.

A few pointers to take away from this:
- Don't depend on others. Not your booker, not the support bands, not the venues. Do your promotion, accomodation and if possible booking yourselves. At least in the braket my band is in.
- Bring your own PA, or at least a pair of active speakers. Bring your own sound tech. Tell the local tech to suck it and do it yourselves.
- Do not, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, do business with Bird Rain Agency. Seriously. Don't. Guy still owes us the money for the various accomodations, food buyouts and cancelled gigs. Comes together to around 600€, of the 880 we payed him up-front. It's a mystery to me how that guy is making money. My guess would be he isn't, and we'll have to see if he'll con us out of the cash or if he'll pay up. If he pays up, he's not a cropok but simply too incompetent to waste your time and money with, and if he doesn't, he's a con artist.

Thanks for letting me vent this.

The bright side: My self-built guitar held up magnificiently and got quite a few curious questions about where I got it and how it looked so good. That's something :D

Now that is a RANT
Unfortunately that's something I see far too often in the music industry. There are a lot of sketchballs out there. That's part of why it pays off to be deep in the scene and inquire. Even when you do do that, which I'm sure Whoracle did, there is still a good chance of getting screwed over.

Whoracle

2017-09-05, 08:38 AM

Now that is a RANT
Unfortunately that's something I see far too often in the music industry. There are a lot of sketchballs out there. That's part of why it pays off to be deep in the scene and inquire. Even when you do do that, which I'm sure Whoracle did, there is still a good chance of getting screwed over.

Yeah. Even if you inquire, there's a lot of **** going on. The thing with the broken PA on the second gig: Technically, we were paid to keep our mouths shut about that, for the venue to save face. But then the guy didn't speak english, and we only inferred that from his gestures and stuff, so...

The BA did a few tours with other bands that we asked about their experiences, but we haven't heard from them. I'm not even saying the guy did it intentionally, he just seems incompetent.
Well, we've got another agency knocking at our door right now, which claims to mange and book various known bands (Namely Negura Bunget, Dominanz and Heller Schein among others), and we've reached out to those, but the bands don't even mention the guy on ntheir websites and have their booking adresses on their own domains.

We'll see. Not all promoters and bookers are crap, not by a long shot, but especially when starting out it's better to just say "screw this" if something seems dodgy and try again with another agency. After all, money shouldn't flow before the tour, so all you're missing out is a bit of time and a lot of nerves.

Comrade

2017-09-07, 04:07 PM

Been enjoying some of Kronos's (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=26PhtbUGlQ0) work and thought I'd share for those unfamiliar with them. I'd recommend them to anybody who's interested in brutal death metal but finds most of it too abrasive or atonal; they're very melodic for a brutal death metal band and don't even tune all that low, either. Hardly the finest brutal death metal around, but good stuff.

thirsting

2017-09-09, 01:07 AM

Don't like covers of classics usually, but...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4e4bAsQ4r30

He even makes Justin Bieber's songs sound good :p

grimbold

2017-09-10, 12:26 AM

So do any of you guys know about Throane (https://throane.bandcamp.com/album/derri-re-nous-la-lumi-re)? I'm kind of obsessed...

Narmoth

2017-09-10, 01:36 PM

Whoracle

2017-09-11, 12:01 PM

That's certainly something. Can you please pm me the name of the promoter and the venues, so that we know who to avoid? We're doing some gigs in Europe in April (one in Austria, rest in the Balcans) and hope our promoter isn't as bad as the one you had.

Oooh... where in Austria? Maybe I can somehow make it :)

Also, seems your band at least handled it quite professionally. Would love to play with you sometime. I can't offer anything in Tromsø, the scene here is rotten, but I might be able to arrange something in Bergen with a band called Cretura, who are locals there

Would absolutely love to, but alas, we're too expensive for any sane promoter to book that far away unless on a prolonged tour. Flying the band over there alone is about 10k kroner, and on top there's the equipment, which runs another 1k or 2k (no matter if we rent it on premise or bring it with us. I checked. The first draft of the tour was for Finland...). And I highly doubt that anyone would make 20k+ kroner of profit on a show of ours. And driving up there would take us at least 3 days one way and would at the least cost 15k kroner, too.

If we ever get a tour up north together, I'd be mroe than honored to play with y'all, though :)

edit:
I found the venues on your bands facebook, and you wrote the name of the agent in the end of your post, so I think I know all I'll need to know. The part with bringing a PA sucks. Drums take up enough space, and hauling a PA should be redundant

Well, a solid state PA isn't that heavy, and we're hauling our own mixer anyways due to the in ear monitoring. It's just extra expense to rent one, and in 99% of cases you shouldn't need one. But in that 1% when you do, you REALLY need it.

Currently we're looking to buy or rent a pair ov big active speakers and a subwoofer. Since we already have a mixer that should be more than enough and cuts out even the last unknown variable out of the equation: What if you bring your own PA and the speakers are too weak? :)

Narmoth

2017-09-11, 03:32 PM

Oooh... where in Austria? Maybe I can somehow make it :)

Graz, the 12th of April 2018. I have no name for the venue yet.

Would absolutely love to, but alas, we're too expensive for any sane promoter to book that far away unless on a prolonged tour. Flying the band over there alone is about 10k kroner, and on top there's the equipment, which runs another 1k or 2k (no matter if we rent it on premise or bring it with us. I checked. The first draft of the tour was for Finland...). And I highly doubt that anyone would make 20k+ kroner of profit on a show of ours. And driving up there would take us at least 3 days one way and would at the least cost 15k kroner, too.

If we ever get a tour up north together, I'd be mroe than honored to play with y'all, though :)

The venue would have frontline, and I think between us and Cretura we would be able to have a decent backline as well, so your expense would be the travel. The pay wouldn't be great though. It would probably be a door split, the same we would expect at any show we could join to play with you in Germany

Well, a solid state PA isn't that heavy, and we're hauling our own mixer anyways due to the in ear monitoring. It's just extra expense to rent one, and in 99% of cases you shouldn't need one. But in that 1% when you do, you REALLY need it.

Since we fly to any destination except in northern Norway or northern Sweden, that's still a pain in the behind. Renting could be an option though

Currently we're looking to buy or rent a pair ov big active speakers and a subwoofer. Since we already have a mixer that should be more than enough and cuts out even the last unknown variable out of the equation: What if you bring your own PA and the speakers are too weak? :)

I don't know if behringer is roadworthy, but if their products are, I would go for that. They're dirt cheap. I've almost only used their mixers and I'm very happy with them

Narmoth

2017-09-15, 05:14 AM

grimbold

2017-09-15, 08:29 AM

So, any love for older, more obscure bands? There are several bands that emerged first in the late 70s that did some form of proto-doom. The bands I'm thinking of are Cirith Ungol, Pagan Altair, Witchfynde (first album).

*flaps*
Yesyesyesyes!

I got to see Cirith Ungol the other day at Psycho and it was insane! I also recently saw Denner-Schermann (The other half of Mercyful Fate) and that was equally nuts. I'm super into a lot of old stuff. I've been on a big Angel Witch kick lately.

Also I manage that proto-doom band BANG, so that's something :smallwink:

JoshL

2017-09-16, 09:31 PM

I don't know if behringer is roadworthy, but if their products are, I would go for that. They're dirt cheap. I've almost only used their mixers and I'm very happy with them

I have Opinions here. And that is Behringer is inconsistent. You can get two of the exact same units, one will fall apart and be noisy as hell just by looking at it funny, the other will be a tank that will survive a six story fall and a keg of spilled beer. I have a fair bit of behringer gear because, well, it's cheap and can serve until you can upgrade. My synth rack has a behringer line mixer in it right now. Considering their new analogue poly synth too; it won't be, say, a prophet, but it's also half the price.

Also, playing to a sold out room is astounding and I hope I do it again someday! No one was there to see me (no one KNEW me), but everyone paid attention, got a great reception and lots of compliments after the show (my favorite: "I don't even know what genre to call you") and my Suicide cover absolutely killed! The Dead Milkmen are super nice folks, and their crowd is one of the most open minded I've ever played for!

Whoracle

2017-09-17, 11:28 AM

Behringer gets less roadworthy the more moving parts the unit has. Their speakers are aboslutely cool if you pack 'em into flight cases (which you should do with any road gear, anyways). Their mixers tend to get loose faders etc. However, the X32 rack version is a beast, mostly because it has like 7 or 8 rotary knobs and a few buttons. Not much that can go wrong there.

tl;dr: If you buy gear that's roadworthy by design, behringer is good enough. If you want to take something fancy with you, behringer will break before the competition.

Narmoth

2017-09-18, 01:57 AM

*flaps*
Yesyesyesyes!

I got to see Cirith Ungol the other day at Psycho and it was insane! I also recently saw Denner-Schermann (The other half of Mercyful Fate) and that was equally nuts. I'm super into a lot of old stuff. I've been on a big Angel Witch kick lately.

Yeah, Angel Witch are great. Haven't seen them live, but I like their albums.
Since you like Cirith Ungol, you should check out Pagan Altar. Their signer died unfortunately two years ago, but they are doing some shows to support the album they recorded while he was still alive. I'm going to see them at Hammer of Doom together with Cirith Ungol (who I've already seen at Keep it True).
Speaking of Keep it True: I discovered Manilla Road there, which is a kind of old proggy heavy metal band and I'm amazed that I have never heard them before! They're really, really underrated. Probably because of the vocals on their first albums

Also I manage that proto-doom band BANG, so that's something :smallwink:

link please?

Behringer gets less roadworthy the more moving parts the unit has. Their speakers are aboslutely cool if you pack 'em into flight cases (which you should do with any road gear, anyways). Their mixers tend to get loose faders etc. However, the X32 rack version is a beast, mostly because it has like 7 or 8 rotary knobs and a few buttons. Not much that can go wrong there.

tl;dr: If you buy gear that's roadworthy by design, behringer is good enough. If you want to take something fancy with you, behringer will break before the competition.

Yes, I'm a bit sceptic to taking a Behringer mixer on the road. However, active speakers by them should be okay

I have Opinions here. And that is Behringer is inconsistent. You can get two of the exact same units, one will fall apart and be noisy as hell just by looking at it funny, the other will be a tank that will survive a six story fall and a keg of spilled beer. I have a fair bit of behringer gear because, well, it's cheap and can serve until you can upgrade. My synth rack has a behringer line mixer in it right now. Considering their new analogue poly synth too; it won't be, say, a prophet, but it's also half the price.

Yes, many say that. And yet I haven't had a behringer product breaking down on me. Messed up a V-amp (my fault) since I've started on behringer products 14 years ago, and that's it

Also, playing to a sold out room is astounding and I hope I do it again someday! No one was there to see me (no one KNEW me), but everyone paid attention, got a great reception and lots of compliments after the show (my favorite: "I don't even know what genre to call you") and my Suicide cover absolutely killed! The Dead Milkmen are super nice folks, and their crowd is one of the most open minded I've ever played for!

Sounds really nice. Where did you play?

JoshL

2017-09-18, 11:50 AM

Personally, the only Behringer gear I had actually crap out on me was a little tube preamp (which never sounded as good as the ART one I had anyway) but a friend of mine went through 3 or 4 of the WiFi mixers before he got one where all the channels worked. So I guess the moral is buy from a place that will excange defective units!

Show this weekend was at the Grog Shop in Cleveland. Rodney of the Dead Milkmen grabbed some backstage video of my first song, not sure I'd the Facebook video link will work, but let's give it a shot. (https://scontent.fagc3-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t42.1790-29/21676297_176157662930644_3586673656417222656_n.mp4 ?efg=eyJybHIiOjEwMzYsInJsYSI6MjkyOCwidmVuY29kZV90Y WciOiJzZCJ9&oh=2e34423cd617376d8629339d9d82d5e4&oe=59C01A21) sound is not great of course, but just looking at that audience paying so close attention makes me happy!

Dallas-Dakota

2017-09-18, 06:45 PM

Speaking of Keep it True: I discovered Manilla Road there, which is a kind of old proggy heavy metal band and I'm amazed that I have never heard them before! They're really, really underrated. Probably because of the vocals on their first albums

Wow, this is most excellent!

grimbold

2017-09-18, 08:18 PM

Wow, this is most excellent!
I have failed you cookie monster - i have loved this band for years.

Yeah, Angel Witch are great. Haven't seen them live, but I like their albums.
Since you like Cirith Ungol, you should check out Pagan Altar. Their signer died unfortunately two years ago, but they are doing some shows to support the album they recorded while he was still alive. I'm going to see them at Hammer of Doom together with Cirith Ungol (who I've already seen at Keep it True).
I have loved Pagan Altar for a while - they rule. If you're going to Hammer of Doom be sure to check out my fav's - Pilgrim!

link please?
Enjoy (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XRY8aN7FpBc) :smallwink:

Feytalist

2017-09-19, 05:37 AM

Wow, so many people here. Awesome :smallbiggrin:

Speaking of Keep it True: I discovered Manilla Road there, which is a kind of old proggy heavy metal band and I'm amazed that I have never heard them before! They're really, really underrated. Probably because of the vocals on their first albums

Yeah, Manilla Road are old-school cool. And they're still going! Their latest album came out like... last week; and it's actually pretty damn good.

So do any of you guys know about Throane (https://throane.bandcamp.com/album/derri-re-nous-la-lumi-re)? I'm kind of obsessed...

I've listened to that before, yeah. It's... interesting. It's a bit French for me :smalltongue: French metal seems to always be a bit weird. But I like some of it!

So... what happened recently. The new Myrkur came out. I really like it. And actually, the less metal parts are more interesting than the black metal parts. I wouldn't be too disappointed if she turned into the new Chelsea Wolfe or whatever.

WhamBamSam

2017-09-20, 01:24 AM

Enjoy (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XRY8aN7FpBc) :smallwink:I don't hear proto-doom really. Rush was the first band that came to mind. Not bad though.

Something that hasn't been mentioned yet here which will almost certainly be at the top end of my AotY list is In Forgotten Sleep (https://halloflor.bandcamp.com/album/in-forgotten-sleep) by Lor. Excellent prog/power with folky bits that remind me of some of my favorite video game and fantasy soundtracks, and at least one candidate, if not more, for riff of the year.

I'm also just now listening to Aether Realm's Tarot (https://aether-realm.bandcamp.com/album/tarot-2) for the first time. Admittedly, I'm at the exact level of whiskey drunk to best appreciate this sort of thing, but if first impressions hold up to sober reflection, I'm not sure I've heard a melodeath record that I've liked this much since at least Surgical Steel.

Fadal

2017-09-20, 11:34 AM

grimbold

2017-09-20, 12:25 PM

Something that hasn't been mentioned yet here which will almost certainly be at the top end of my AotY list is In Forgotten Sleep (https://halloflor.bandcamp.com/album/in-forgotten-sleep) by Lor. Excellent prog/power with folky bits that remind me of some of my favorite video game and fantasy soundtracks, and at least one candidate, if not more, for riff of the year.

I'm also just now listening to Aether Realm's Tarot (https://aether-realm.bandcamp.com/album/tarot-2) for the first time. Admittedly, I'm at the exact level of whiskey drunk to best appreciate this sort of thing, but if first impressions hold up to sober reflection, I'm not sure I've heard a melodeath record that I've liked this much since at least Surgical Steel.
Good calls on both ends!

Out of curiosity - how did you find out about Lor? I've known those guys personally for like 3-4 years (They played my birthday party one year actually!) just from being around the Philadelphia scene. Graham is a buddy.

Aether Realm also ****ing r00l. I just love their rags to riches insanity - and love for Kesha :smallwink:

WhamBamSam

2017-09-21, 02:14 AM

Oh man, I loved Eidolon, the first song they released off the album, but then I completely forgot to look up the rest of it when it was released. I'm excited to see if the rest of the album is as good."Eidolon" is my favorite track off the album, but it's pretty great the whole way through.

Good calls on both ends!

Out of curiosity - how did you find out about Lor? I've known those guys personally for like 3-4 years (They played my birthday party one year actually!) just from being around the Philadelphia scene. Graham is a buddy.

Aether Realm also ****ing r00l. I just love their rags to riches insanity - and love for Kesha :smallwink:They got a glowing review over on AMG a month or so back.

Upon a second listen, I will say that Tarot does have some fat that could've been trimmed, but the first impression largely holds up. I'm still not sure I can think of a melodeath record that I've liked this much in recent years. Xoth might count, but you can't really pidgeonhole them into an existing subgenre without having tentacles sticking out of the opening.

JoshL

2017-09-22, 07:27 AM

So SubRosa were of course fantastic. Weird sonic choices though; everything was running through bass amps, including the violin. So the amp's sweet spot is in frequencies the instrument is not physically capable of producing. Given how they use it in the arrangement, it seems like maybe not the best amp choice. On the other hand, the guitar was played entirely with the bridge pickup, and cleaner tones still sounded muffled due to the bass amp, but the distortion still cut through on the heavier bits. So she got the crisp articulation of the bridge pickup, while still getting a more muted tone. I'd have done that with the tone knob, and maybe she did too (it's tough to tone trainspot with unlabeled knobs), but lots of players don't like messing with the knobs while they play.

If I loved SubRosa, I was blown away by Wovenhand. A friend described them as between Nick Cave and Swans. Add in Fields of the Nephilim and I 100% agree. SubRosa were intense, but Wovenhand were downright scary! A bit more sonically diverse too (which I always love). I cannot recommend them enough!

That's about it for metal shows in the near future (next big show for me is Slowdive). A friend of mine is throwing a day-long 17 band fest next weekend, but not sure if I'm going to be up for that.

Narmoth

2017-09-22, 01:42 PM

Whoracle

2017-09-22, 05:11 PM

It seems I'm going to join Whoracle in the "disappointed by the promoter"-club.
Our promoter has not been able to provide the names of the clubs, only the cities and dates. Then we discovered that another band that had a contract with him had to cancel their tour because the clubs he said he had booked did not have an agreement with him after all.

Man, that sucks. I had hoped that our craphat was a fluke...

Regarding the "booked" clubs: Sometimes the clubs simply don't have a clue. Instead of asking "Hey, do we play at $DATE?", as "Do we play or has someone else booked the venue for that date?". Sometimes there's a third person involved.

While the booker might still be able to run the tour, if it isn't at least 3 months from now, I'd rather cancel. Even if the guy manages to book clubs 3 weeks before the tour starts, t he promotion ship has sailed and almost no one will come, I'm afraid.

In more cheerful news: Songwriting has started for the next album. If anyone is willing to give early (like, REAL early) input, they're welcome: https://cloud.frozeninfinity.org/s/UNeSvj18vJhQhgy

Narmoth

2017-09-23, 01:52 AM

Man, that sucks. I had hoped that our craphat was a fluke...

Regarding the "booked" clubs: Sometimes the clubs simply don't have a clue. Instead of asking "Hey, do we play at $DATE?", as "Do we play or has someone else booked the venue for that date?". Sometimes there's a third person involved.

That's why we want a contract with each venue

While the booker might still be able to run the tour, if it isn't at least 3 months from now, I'd rather cancel. Even if the guy manages to book clubs 3 weeks before the tour starts, t he promotion ship has sailed and almost no one will come, I'm afraid.

It's in April. Still, I don't think he will be able to get things in place in reasonable time. We're looking in stead of doing some shows in Autumn 2018, just finding local bands that can set up a gig and try to play with them

In more cheerful news: Songwriting has started for the next album. If anyone is willing to give early (like, REAL early) input, they're welcome: https://cloud.frozeninfinity.org/s/UNeSvj18vJhQhgy

I'll give it a listen this evening and will get back to you on that

grimbold

2017-09-23, 01:32 PM

So SubRosa were of course fantastic. Weird sonic choices though; everything was running through bass amps, including the violin. So the amp's sweet spot is in frequencies the instrument is not physically capable of producing. Given how they use it in the arrangement, it seems like maybe not the best amp choice. On the other hand, the guitar was played entirely with the bridge pickup, and cleaner tones still sounded muffled due to the bass amp, but the distortion still cut through on the heavier bits. So she got the crisp articulation of the bridge pickup, while still getting a more muted tone. I'd have done that with the tone knob, and maybe she did too (it's tough to tone trainspot with unlabeled knobs), but lots of players don't like messing with the knobs while they play.

If I loved SubRosa, I was blown away by Wovenhand. A friend described them as between Nick Cave and Swans. Add in Fields of the Nephilim and I 100% agree. SubRosa were intense, but Wovenhand were downright scary! A bit more sonically diverse too (which I always love). I cannot recommend them enough!

*Pushes up glasses*
So first off - fun fact - Subrosa stayed at my moms the night before that show you went to! Otherwise - I get where you are coming from with this - this was a different lineup than usual (Other violinist Kim is pregnant and new bassist) but that being said - I thought this was a cool interpretation of their work.

I'm glad you dug Wovenhand - can't say I'm a huge fan!

JoshL

2017-09-23, 11:24 PM

*Pushes up glasses*
So first off - fun fact - Subrosa stayed at my moms the night before that show you went to! Otherwise - I get where you are coming from with this - this was a different lineup than usual (Other violinist Kim is pregnant and new bassist) but that being said - I thought this was a cool interpretation of their work.

I'm glad you dug Wovenhand - can't say I'm a huge fan!

That's pretty awesome! I learned my friend Kelly (local goth dj/promoter) was roommates with the guitarist when she lived in Salt Lake City! Crazy small world! I would like to see them sometime with both violins, so hopefully they'll come back!

Not surprised I liked Wovenhand more than you, as that I'm a goth/experimental guy who likes some metal, and I think the opposite would describe you! I also used to do traditional Celtic and American folk music, so there's a touchstone there for me.

Narmoth

2017-09-24, 05:26 AM

In more cheerful news: Songwriting has started for the next album. If anyone is willing to give early (like, REAL early) input, they're welcome: https://cloud.frozeninfinity.org/s/UNeSvj18vJhQhgy

It sounds nice. I like it. The first melody is repeated a bit to many times for my taste. now, if vocals are laid on it on the later part, then it's fine, but if you just repeat it more or less for the first minute of the song, I would propose to cut it a bit shorter and add a different riff there. or you could put a synth melody on top of it. you still have a synth in the band, don't you?
then again, I write 10 minute long songs, so I shouldn't complain about length

Whoracle

2017-09-24, 10:16 AM

It sounds nice. I like it. The first melody is repeated a bit to many times for my taste. now, if vocals are laid on it on the later part, then it's fine, but if you just repeat it more or less for the first minute of the song, I would propose to cut it a bit shorter and add a different riff there. or you could put a synth melody on top of it. you still have a synth in the band, don't you?
then again, I write 10 minute long songs, so I shouldn't complain about length

Yeah, like I said, it's really early. Can't do vocal takes atm since my throat's sore, and haven't had the time to track the synths yet. We'll definitely break up the first melody somehow. most likely with a different melody and only keep the rhythm guitars.

2nd track: https://cloud.frozeninfinity.org/s/pKEndwLyv1BkXYi
A note: The palm muted inlay will be cut or shortened or changed somehow. doesn't relly fit imho. rest is pretty final from an arrangement perspective, but maybe I'll cut the chorus in half (the semi-upbeat eight-notes part).

grimbold

2017-09-24, 09:31 PM

That's pretty awesome! I learned my friend Kelly (local goth dj/promoter) was roommates with the guitarist when she lived in Salt Lake City! Crazy small world! I would like to see them sometime with both violins, so hopefully they'll come back!

Not surprised I liked Wovenhand more than you, as that I'm a goth/experimental guy who likes some metal, and I think the opposite would describe you! I also used to do traditional Celtic and American folk music, so there's a touchstone there for me.

So uh I know Kelly...
That's kind of insane. It would be more insane if we hadn't met in meatspace prior though.

That's a good point about Wovenhand though - did you think they were a little cultural appropriaton-y?

JoshL

2017-09-26, 12:21 PM

Wow, very small world indeed! I promise i am not stalking you if you can promise the same! Kelly is awesome, and oddly enough, the only time I've played the room SubRosa did, it was a show she set up and ran!

I do see your point about appropriation. Not sure what connection Wovenhand has to the cultures he draws from, though the first interview I pulled up he mentions visiting his son on a rez. Pretty good read, and he talks a lot about using various influences: http://www.westword.com/music/david-eugene-edwards-of-wovenhand-on-the-influence-of-middle-eastern-music-5678868 From the set I saw, nothing was stereotypical or caricature. Nothing was exploitative, and nothing took away another's voice (but no other voices were added). So I guess better than Clapton playing the blues, but not as good as the two-tone ska movement in the UK in the 70s.

Cultural appropriation in music is a tough concept, because the entire point of making music is to share ideas. If we lock stylistic elements in to a certain time/place/people, then that culture stagnates. In trad folk, there are a lot of "purists" who only accept the music if it is performed in certain ways, or on certain instruments. Which is particularly silly, given for example, most of what we think of as Celtic music was more or less codified in the 1800s. These days there are so many fusion genres floating around (folk metal, for a relevant example) it becomes almost as much of an issue to say who can and can't play a type of music, or who should bring influences and techniques from another culture in to what they do. Obsessing over your own heritage exclusively is something that can often lead to racism; not every neo-folk band is racist...but there are a LOT of them that are. Anyway, ranting too much. Taking a voice from someone else is bad. But learning from each other is good, if you do it respectfully. I don't really know the full deal with this guy, but it looks more the latter to me.

grimbold

2017-09-30, 01:14 PM

I do see your point about appropriation. Not sure what connection Wovenhand has to the cultures he draws from, though the first interview I pulled up he mentions visiting his son on a rez. Pretty good read, and he talks a lot about using various influences: http://www.westword.com/music/david-eugene-edwards-of-wovenhand-on-the-influence-of-middle-eastern-music-5678868 From the set I saw, nothing was stereotypical or caricature. Nothing was exploitative, and nothing took away another's voice (but no other voices were added). So I guess better than Clapton playing the blues, but not as good as the two-tone ska movement in the UK in the 70s.

Cultural appropriation in music is a tough concept, because the entire point of making music is to share ideas. If we lock stylistic elements in to a certain time/place/people, then that culture stagnates. In trad folk, there are a lot of "purists" who only accept the music if it is performed in certain ways, or on certain instruments. Which is particularly silly, given for example, most of what we think of as Celtic music was more or less codified in the 1800s. These days there are so many fusion genres floating around (folk metal, for a relevant example) it becomes almost as much of an issue to say who can and can't play a type of music, or who should bring influences and techniques from another culture in to what they do. Obsessing over your own heritage exclusively is something that can often lead to racism; not every neo-folk band is racist...but there are a LOT of them that are. Anyway, ranting too much. Taking a voice from someone else is bad. But learning from each other is good, if you do it respectfully. I don't really know the full deal with this guy, but it looks more the latter to me.

Fair enough! As always your thoughts are very much appreciated my friend!

So it seems like the fall release schedule is stacked, Amenra, Bell Witch, Subrosa Subdued, Hallatar, Exhumed, Primitive Man and more. What are y'all stoked for?

Comrade

2017-10-03, 03:17 PM

Spectral Voice, Gorement, Cadaveric Incubator, Devangelic, Cenotaph, and, of course, the almighty Cannibal Corpse. 2017's been a great year for metal, so hopefully the records from these bands continue that trend.

Feytalist

2017-10-04, 04:00 AM

Enslaved, Samael, Katla., Lustre, Moonspell... and Evertale mentioned something but nothing solid yet.

Also just heard that the new Summoning is scheduled for early next year. Much yay :smallbiggrin:

Narmoth

2017-10-05, 04:41 PM

2nd track: https://cloud.frozeninfinity.org/s/pKEndwLyv1BkXYi
A note: The palm muted inlay will be cut or shortened or changed somehow. doesn't relly fit imho. rest is pretty final from an arrangement perspective, but maybe I'll cut the chorus in half (the semi-upbeat eight-notes part).

Very nice. It sounds like Goethenburg metal with some Norwegian black metal in it. I like it. Can't really add much suggestions. I think I would keep some drum at the slow part around 4:00

Comrade

2017-10-08, 07:50 PM

grimbold

2017-10-09, 09:31 AM

The new Spectral Voice album is streaming on Decibel (https://www.decibelmagazine.com/2017/10/02/full-album-stream-spectral-voice-eroded-corridors-unbeing/)! Listening through it for the first time now but I'm digging it.

This record rips! Nate Garret is a hell of a musician and I love his sensibilities - this is such a huge step forward for the band!

WhamBamSam

2017-10-10, 11:23 PM

This record rips! Nate Garret is a hell of a musician and I love his sensibilities - this is such a huge step forward for the band!You're probably thinking of Spirit Adrift, whose new album is indeed great. Spectral Voice appears to be a very different band which Garret does not play in, despite similar disembodied soul names.

JoshL

2017-10-11, 06:54 AM

New Godflesh in November! Though I'll confess I never liked them as much as I like Jesu, but still eager to hear it.

Darkwave-wise, I just discovered Ritual Howls the other day via their latest release, and sorry I missed them for so long. Gloomy with a touch of country, like a minimal Fields of the Nephilim. That led me to Ash Code from Italy who i had also somehow never heard, but absolutely loved!

And not metal/spooky in any way, but they just started taking pre-orders for a new Belly album! The first since 95! To say I was obsessed with them (particularly the first album Star) would be an understatement. Nothing could excite me more, save maybe a new Oingo Boingo, and even that might be a close call.

Feytalist

2017-10-11, 10:57 AM

Darkwave-wise, I just discovered Ritual Howls the other day via their latest release, and sorry I missed them for so long. Gloomy with a touch of country, like a minimal Fields of the Nephilim. That led me to Ash Code from Italy who i had also somehow never heard, but absolutely loved!

I've now been listening to Ritual Howls the entire day after you mentioned it, and yeah this is great. Never heard of them before, but I'm definitely a fan. The guy's voice is ambrosia.

grimbold

2017-10-12, 10:27 AM

You're probably thinking of Spirit Adrift, whose new album is indeed great. Spectral Voice appears to be a very different band which Garret does not play in, despite similar disembodied soul names.

*Leaves the hall in shame*

thorgrim29

2017-10-19, 08:13 PM

grimbold

2017-10-20, 08:45 AM

So I'm not sure if it properly belongs in this thread but I came upon Amorphis' live record ''An evening with friends at Huvila'' which is 9 of their songs rearranged with mostly acoustic instruments (most notably a sax and a sort of Finnish lyre) with quite amazing guest vocals on one song. It's pretty damn delightful.

Love this record. It really speaks to their talent as songwriters. They remain one of the more interesting melodeath bands from that period. I remember seeing them at MDF a few years ago and even though I hadn't listened in years I could still remember their hooks!

JoshL

2017-10-23, 10:23 AM

October is apparently Pittsburgh local music video month!
Metal related: my friends Shrouded In Neglect just put a new video up on their Facebook page: https://m.facebook.com/ShroudedInNeglect/ they've got another one on deck that I like the video better for, but I like this song better. Check them out!
Non-metal related: I also dropped a new video for my song Death In Paris: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B02H3tfI2r8 I'm pretty excited about how this came out. The director did an astonishing job, and managed to make me look pretty cool at times, a task I would have thought impossible! Let me know what you think!

Feytalist

2017-11-02, 05:49 AM

Have we talked about the new Enslaved yet.

I quite like it. They're on the way to Ihsahn-type full prog (random sax solo included), but still plenty heavy. Probably RIITIIR-era was their best, and this is a small step down, but still damn good. Also I'm kinda obsessed with that Röyksopp cover at the end.

Also new Samael out. They've been a bit hit-and-miss lately (their best album is still Reign of Light... fite me) but I quite like it. Heavy on the industrial, which is good. Oh! that reminds me. Who here has heard of Progenie Terrestre Pura (https://avantgardemusic.bandcamp.com/album/oltreluna). Kinda spacey-industrial black metal. It's great. Reminds me of Darkspace a little bit. Just stumbled across them the other day.

Whoracle

2017-11-02, 06:57 AM

Also new Samael out. They've been a bit hit-and-miss lately (their best album is still Reign of Light... fite me) but I quite like it. Heavy on the industrial, which is good.

No, I won't. Depending on my mood, but you're right about 90% of the time :) RoL was really good.

Vinyadan

2017-11-03, 05:44 PM

I just discovered Infinita Symphonia, an Italian symphonic metal band. They sound pretty good.

Vinyadan

2017-11-04, 07:48 PM

Also, Silent Voices (progressive metal).

grimbold

2017-11-05, 01:04 PM

Have we talked about the new Enslaved yet.

I quite like it. They're on the way to Ihsahn-type full prog (random sax solo included), but still plenty heavy. Probably RIITIIR-era was their best, and this is a small step down, but still damn good. Also I'm kinda obsessed with that Röyksopp cover at the end.
I looooove the new record, I think it's fascinating how far they've expanded their sound - it feels like the sky is the limit. In some ways they are almost like Darkthrone - willing to do whatever they want. Then again - I work with them so I'm biased :smalltongue:

Vinyadan

2017-11-12, 10:23 AM

There's a new album with guitar by Jani Liimatainen and sung by Anette Olzon. Bass by Jonas Kuhlberg (Cain's Offering, One Desire) and drums by Jani “Hurtsi” Hurula (Silent Voices). It's called "The Dark Element". I have only heard one song so far (the eponymous "Dark Element"), and I liked it.

Feytalist

2017-11-13, 04:28 AM

grimbold

2017-11-17, 11:04 AM

Okay, I was just made aware of this guy: VVilderness (https://vvilderness.bandcamp.com/) - and everyone needs to listen to this. Apparently a solo artist with minimal equipment. He does a sort-of atmospheric post-black metal thing, and it is really, really good.

Dude rules!!
thanks for bringing this up, I've been digging him for a while!

So uh - it's time for top 10 lists!

Who wants to start?

Comrade

2017-11-18, 01:33 AM

Sure, I'll give it a whirl. 2017 has been a great year for metal, so narrowing it down to ten records that truly deserve the highest recognition may be a bit tough, but here's my attempt.

8. Cryptic Brood - Brain Eater. Unsophisticated and plain fun Autopsy worship, with a helping of Winter to spruce things up. They pretty much nail this style of grimy death/doom with bits of crusty d-beat interspersed throughout, and the almost retro approach to production helps as well.

Choice cuts: A Box Full of Bones, Brain Eater

7. Archspire - Relentless Mutation. If you've heard anything by this band, you know exactly what to expect from this: blasty, hyperspeed technical death metal with a vocalist who sounds like Busta Rhymes learned to death growl. Definitely a record for devotees to the art of the blastbeat.

Choice cuts: Involuntary Doppelganger, Remote Tumour Seeker

6. Dying Fetus - Wrong One to **** With. It's been five years since the excellent return to form represented by Reign Supreme, so expectations were high for this one-- and Dying Fetus delivered. Maybe it's just because it's fresher, but this may actually top Reign Supreme by the slightest margin: everything you want in a Dying Fetus record, from the infectious grooves to the technical showboating, is on full display here.

Choice cuts: Induce Terror, Panic Amongst the Herd

5. Vampire - With Primeval Force. There's a pretty obvious reason why I dig this album so much: it sounds like Brodequin's take on thrash metal. I've heard comparisons drawn to Castlevania, which you can definitely hear in the band's melodic sensibilities. The songs shift from full-speed-ahead barn-burners to groovier fare, all pulled off with more or less equal aplomb.

Choice cuts: Ghoul Wind, Midnight Trial

4. Suffocation - Of the Dark Light. After the mediocrity of most of their recent albums, I wasn't at all prepared for Suffocation to drop an album as energetic and brutal as this, but boy did they do it. It's possible the recent influx of new blood has reinvigorated the band, as you can definitely hear some new ideas being played with here, but the core remains Terrance Hobbes, and his handprint is all over this. It retains the brutality and technicality of their classic albums, but sort of tackles them from a fresher thematic angle-- not sure if I'm quite phrasing that properly, but the point is, it's fantastic.

Choice cuts: Your Last Breaths, Clarity Through Deprivation

3. Decrepit Birth - Axis Mundi. Another unexpected masterpiece from a band I hadn't expected much brilliance from anymore. Axis Mundi arrives seven years after the mediocre Polarity, which I found an entirely inadequate followup to their fantastic Diminishing Between Worlds-- and along comes Axis Mundi, which possibly tops that album for Decrepit Birth's best. It's a lot more brutal than their previous fare, but the focus is still on those insanely technical but catchy melodic riffs they've always trafficked in.

Choice cuts: The Sacred Geometry, Hieroglyphics

2. Satan's Hallow - Self-titled. Traditional heavy metal isn't really my thing, but I really enjoyed this album when it came out and my fondness for it has only grown since then. A lot of that is down to the sheer charisma of the vocalist, but the riffs themselves are great, especially when they bust out those twin guitar leads, and they keep things varied between Judas Priest-style rockers, driving Mercyful Fate stuff, and slower, more atmospheric fare. Just really good, really fun heavy metal.

Choice Cuts: Beyond the Bells, Black Angel

1. Hellripper - Coagulating Darkness. Hadn't even heard of this band before this year, but man, this record really knocked me off my feet. It's blackened thrash with a Motorhead attitude, but it's a bit more sophisticated than your basic Bathory worship-- partially thanks to the solos on this thing, which are absolutely phenomenal and worth hearing all their own. The riffs more than hold their own, of course, and I dig the hell out of the vocals, particularly during the choruses, which are just contagious. Listen to the chorus of Demdike and tell me that isn't the raddest thing you've heard all year.

Choice cuts: Anneliese, Within the Everlasting Hellfire

... turns out I could only really think of eight records that really seemed like album of the year materiel. The rest were, at best, pretty good but flawed. This year had some disappointments, like the new Iron Reagan (I felt like it totally lacked the memorability of the previous album), The Eclipse (I keep trying to find decent melodic death metal but this just sounded like a movie score with some screams over the top of it), and the debut from a slam band called Analepsy (slam death metal bands really need to drop the overly polished production jobs, they totally kill the fun of slam). But on the whole, pretty good year for metal, in my estimation.

JoshL

2017-11-18, 03:42 PM

Sure there's a new Godflesh out, and it's nice and all, but how did I not know that there was a new Jesu in September? It is amazing!

(I like Jesu WAY more than Godflesh)

WhamBamSam

2017-11-18, 06:02 PM

Dude rules!!
thanks for bringing this up, I've been digging him for a while!

So uh - it's time for top 10 lists!

Who wants to start?No it isn't. You're being that guy that puts up Christmas decorations before we're even through Thanksgiving.

I've got some idea of what my list will be, but with all the great stuff that's come out this year, I've still got a fair bit of listening yet to do before settling on a top 10. Give me a month or so.

grimbold

2017-11-19, 11:03 PM

Here's a rough breakdown with more details to come:

1. Subrosa - Subdued Live At Roadburn
2. Pallbearer - Heartless
3. Chrch/Fister - Split
4. Primitive Man - Caustic
5. White Ward - Futility Report
6. Bell Witch - Mirror Reaper
7. 1476 - Our Season Draws Near
8. Crypt Rot - Embryonic Devils
9. Bloodmoon/Trapped Within Burning Machinery - Split
10. Spirit Adrift - Curse Of Conception
11. High Priestess - Demo
12. Archspire - Relentless Mutation
13. Full Of Hell - Trumpeting Ecstasy
14. Monarch! - Never Forever
15. Spectral Voice - Eroded Corridors Of Unbeing

Might shift a little bit but that's what I'm feeling. Thoughts?

Feytalist

2017-11-24, 04:01 AM

Still a bit early, but I'm not expecting much for the rest of the year. It's been a weird year; the albums I was expecting mostly didn't amaze me, but there were some really great releases from new bands (or bands I'd never heard of). But I'll take a crack at a list.

Aeternam - Ruins of Empires: The one album I was really looking forward to. It's great; it's a perfect continuation of Moongod. Love the Middle Eastern vibe, the production is great and music kicks ass. They might be moving a bit too much into the orchestral direction, but for now it's great.

Enslaved - E: Like, Enslaved is always good. In Times was great, but it didn't change much from what they were doing previously. E is a definite evolution, and I really like it. Next time they can take even more chances. (Also, honourable shout-out to Bardspec - Hydrogen; Ivar Bjornson's dark ambient side project. Seriously, it's really really good).

Foscor - Les Irreals Visions: Never knew about these guys. Catalan progressive post-metal. They remind me of Obsidian Kingdom, in that each song is kinda unique. I haven't really been able to stop listening to this album.

Lethe - First Corpse on the Moon: Yeah, it's only sort-of metal. It's sort of avant-garde trip-hop post-whatever. Doesn't matter, it's still great. I keep saying; Anna Murphy's voice is seriously good.

Mastodon - Emperor of Sand: I was kinda skeptic of this album. Their previous album didn't do much for me, and the promos didn't do much to make me excited. But then I listened to the rest of it, and it was great. Even the more poppy parts have grown on me, and I love that they're using all three vocalists again.

Myrkur - Mareridt: Didn't expect this to be on my list, but here we are. While the black metal parts are nothing spectacular, I really like the more dark ambient parts she's bringing in. Honestly, if she wants to go full-Chelsea Wolfe, I'd be pretty happy.

Need - Hegaiamas: Never heard of them before this album. Greek prog metal. I know nothing about them except the music is great, the vocals are amazing, and I haven't heard prog metal this good in a long while.

Sun of the Sleepless - To The Elements: Sort-of a blackened (?) gothic metal thing going on here. I was actually surprised at how good this is. Don't really know why, but I keep coming back for more.

Ulver - The Assassination of Julius Caesar: Ulver's going full pop. But the music is still pretty moody and Garm's voice just gets better with age. I honestly don't know what Ulver will do next and I love it.

Unleash the Archers - Apex: Okay, this band has no right to be as good as they are. It's cheesy, over the top power metal, except it's really really well done. The vocals are great, the music keeps stepping up and they're reaching Sabaton-levels of sing-alongness. It's great.

Edit: oh! almost forgot Katla. - Móðurástin: Icelandlic atmospheric black metal in the realm of Sólstafir. It's quite similar, but it is so much better than Sólstafir's recent album. It's moody, it's melanchoic, it's great. They're going to do good things, I'm sure.

1. Subrosa - Subdued Live At Roadburn

A live album at #1 - what's happening to the world :O I'll have to check that out tho

Dallas-Dakota

2017-11-26, 05:41 AM

Aeternam - Ruins of Empires: The one album I was really looking forward to. It's great; it's a perfect continuation of Moongod. Love the Middle Eastern vibe, the production is great and music kicks ass. They might be moving a bit too much into the orchestral direction, but for now it's great.

I'l have to check this out.

Mastodon - Emperor of Sand: I was kinda skeptic of this album. Their previous album didn't do much for me, and the promos didn't do much to make me excited. But then I listened to the rest of it, and it was great. Even the more poppy parts have grown on me, and I love that they're using all three vocalists again.
Saw them live last week. The three vocalists thing really works well but the rest of their new stuff really doesn't impress that much compared to their older stuff.

grimbold

2017-11-26, 02:58 PM

A live album at #1 - what's happening to the world :O I'll have to check that out tho

Call me when other bands are half as good. :smallbiggrin:

GimpNugs

2017-12-05, 07:12 PM

First time posting in this thread, but I just have to see if any of y'all have heard of the band Crom. The German viking metal band, not the LA band known for their ridiculous live performances (or so the internet tells me). The only person I know who's ever even heard of Crom is my brother, and he introduced me to them (him, I guess; it's a solo act by one Walter Grosse), but I don't have any friends who are big into metal, really.
Also, he just put out a new album, so that's why Crom is on my mind.

grimbold

2017-12-06, 05:36 PM

GimpNugs

2017-12-07, 04:30 PM

OOOH! Haven't thought about him in a while, that Vengeance record is tight!!
Ya know, I kinda figured you'd have heard of Crom. Also, there's a good reason for not thinking about him in a long time; it's been 6 years since his last album release, and 3 years since his last public contact with the music world. He just released his third album, When Northmen Die, practically out of the blue. It's a pretty good album, I guess, but it could've been great if he hadn't ruined a few songs with poorly thought out voice-overs and the like. I'd say it's worth a listen, but it's not on any streaming services or iTunes Music or anything like that. You pretty much have to buy straight from the label.

Feytalist

2017-12-08, 03:48 AM

You know, I thought I knew of Crom. But then I realised I was thinking of Sons of Crom. But then I saw that the link to it on Metal Archives was orange, which means I'd at least checked it out before. Anyway, time to re-acquaint myself, I guess.

New Jess and the Ancient Ones out. Great music, they're doing more psychedelic 70s rock these days. Love the vibe.

grimbold

2017-12-08, 04:18 PM

New Jess and the Ancient Ones out. Great music, they're doing more psychedelic 70s rock these days. Love the vibe.

This band is so good. I'm really thrilled at how they accurately call up the 70s vibe. So many bands are just pretenders, but Jess & The Ancient Ones really pull up the vibe.

JoshL

2017-12-09, 09:12 PM

Related to Crom
Associative Pittsburgh nonsense to follow:
My friend Shy (lead singer of local doom band Horehound and solo ambient project O Heidrun, which is way more my cup of tea) the a day long fest called the Descendants of Crom. Mostly doom, and pretty well received.
Years ago she and I both played with Chuck Owston's Bonfire Night (her on vox, me on bass, keys, guitar, whatever he wanted at the time). That band started as folk, went goth, then blues rock for a time, then ending up at barbarian/battle metal. In that incarnation, one on his songs was "forged on the anvil of Crom". Because, as it turns out, everyone likes Conan.
I was mostly out of the band by the time the album happened, but playing in an acoustic version. The bassist wasn't confident enough to play one of the songs, so I got called in to pinch hit. While in the studio, I heard playback on a few other songs. On one of them, the bassist absolutely failed to follow the really simple three note riff in the chorus of one of the songs. I didn't want to step on toes (or join the band full time), but I couldn't let that pass. So I over-played bass on that: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCq_s1025k7oN6Gsr7Tpn9Mw I probably should have played on the whole record; there was too much chord strumming and not enough riffing to sound really metal, but on the other hand, I'm not sure my Jack Bruce-esq bass necessarily helped.

These days Chuck is doing cigar-box guitar traditional blues, so pretty far from my tastes, but Shy is still keeping it heavy.

grimbold

2017-12-10, 12:55 PM

Shy is the coolest - I'm working with her on getting some bands on her festival for 2018. She does a lot of good stuff. I'm glad you know her Josh and I'm stoked on this weird piece of Pittsburgh scene history!

Seems like we have a lot to discuss when I'm out by you in August!

JoshL

2017-12-10, 08:43 PM

Glad to hear you're working with Shy! She is, indeed, the best! Definitely let me know when you'll be around town!

Feytalist

2017-12-11, 11:13 AM

Meanwhile I'm just lurking here in the background, checking out all the bands you guys mention :smallbiggrin:

Horehound is absolutely amazing. Never heard of them before but damn that is some good doom. Sounds quite a bit like Alunah, and I love Alunah.

Also that dark ambient or w/e project is something else. That's some hard listening right there... but I think I like it?

Marillion

2017-12-13, 07:43 PM

Legendary vocalistWarrel Dane (http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/nevermore-and-sanctuary-singer-warrel-dane-dies-of-heart-attack-in-brazil/) of Nevermore and Sanctuary died of a heart attack earlier today. Very sad :smallfrown:

grimbold

2017-12-15, 05:53 PM

Horehound is absolutely amazing. Never heard of them before but damn that is some good doom. Sounds quite a bit like Alunah, and I love Alunah.

Horehound is one of my favorites on the East Coast. I'm curious for them to start really moving and shaking! They could go places.

Metahuman1

2017-12-18, 08:46 AM

Quick thing. Do we have any fans in the house who have access too, or might be willing to create, a 1 or 2 hour loop of this song, with the caveat that it start from and loop from about the 40 second mark?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VBvWryPqr2I

I'm asking cause I'm gonna be running a session this Thursday, the party is going to be fighting there first boss battle, and I feel like this would be a good bit of music to have in the back ground for that.

grimbold

2017-12-20, 10:57 AM

WhamBamSam

2017-12-24, 03:32 PM

Alright. Been putting it off, but I think it's high time I got around to my year end list. Here we go...

WhamBamSam's top albums of 2017, or [Subgenre]? In MY List?

It's more likely than you think, apparently. My list contains several entries, including my AotY, from subgenres that I had previously not been as keen on. I don't know if it means I'm broadening my horizons, or simply that there were a number of anomalous quality albums this year in those subgenres, but I do know that these albums kick ass. Spots 1-7 are more solid than the latter albums, which, along with the HMs could be permuted more or less any which way you like and still come up with a list I was happy with.

Honorable Mentions
Byzantine - The Cicada Tree
The Faceless - In Becoming A Ghost
Venenum - Trance of Death

15. Vhäldemar - Against All Kings (https://fighter-records.bandcamp.com/album/against-all-kings): Power metal that's dumb, but fun, but dumb, but fun, but dumb. This is the guilty pleasure album of the year for me. The honorable mention albums are probably all more deserving of praise (Venenum in particular, which is at times absolutely fantastic, ambitious in scope, and admirable in direction, but loses me in places), but Against All Kings just gives me the warm fuzzies inside, so I'm making it the cutoff point for my list. The Udo Dirkschneider-style singing isn't my favorite vocal style, but given the strength and infectiousness of the songwriting, I've learned to *ahem* accept it. (Hail! You are the best!)

14. Vexovoid - Call of the Starforger (https://vexovoid.bandcamp.com/album/call-of-the-starforger): A late release of quality Vektor-core. It doesn't quite have the sticking power to be Terminal Redux Redux for me, at least not yet, but that album (as well as others in Vektor's back catalog) grew on me a lot over repeat listens, and my first impressions of Call of the Starforger have been positive enough to squeeze it in here toward the tail end of my list. (Recycling systems for energy, new constellations)

13. Madrost - The Essence of Time Matches No Flesh (https://madrost.bandcamp.com/album/the-essence-of-time-matches-no-flesh): The year's other space thrash release, which sounds like Vektor's spaceship crash landed on a planet populated by the aliens from every tech death album cover ever and rapidly adapted to breathe the atmosphere. (Reflections of an abstract world assume control)

12. Hyperion - Dangerous Days (https://fighter-records.bandcamp.com/album/dangerous-days): A trad metal album from Italy that dropped last month to little fanfare, even on the site where I read a review for it, but I gotta say, I really like this one. Noticable accents can either add character to a vocal performance or detract from it immensely, and Michelangelo Carano's fall very much into the former category delivering a memorable performance backed up by strong melodic riffing. Varied lyrics spanning topics from sci-fi to cage fighting and a rather charming production tie everything together with a pulpy, old school vibe that gets my various horns up. (Like a candle blazing brighter)

11. Aeternam - Ruins of Empires (https://aeternam.bandcamp.com/album/ruins-of-empires): Middle eastern metal with plenty of hooks. Not much more to say about this one, but I enjoyed it a lot. (Wake me from life, take me to heaven)

10. Buried Realm - The Ichor Carcinoma (https://buriedrealm.bandcamp.com/album/the-ichor-carcinoma): Melodic tech death with clean vocal hooks that would get the guy behind the project poached by mainstream rock radio if there were any money with which to do so in this day and age. It doesn't have quite the same street cred of the other tech death album with clean vocals on my list, but this (along with Byzantine) is the clear standout of the more broish side of metal in 2017. (How can you sleep tonight, when you've never been truly awake?)

9. Sorcerer - The Crowning of the Fire King (https://sorcererdoom.bandcamp.com/album/the-crowning-of-the-fire-king): Sing-along doom with big fun riffs and vocal melodies that at times recall Symphony X. (Dreaming, will I wake up again?)

8. Inconcessus Lux Lucis - The Crowning Quietus (https://inconcessusluxlucis.bandcamp.com/album/the-crowning-quietus): I have a deep, longstanding disinterest in black metal, and while it has receded somewhat in recent years to allow for some appreciation of blackened elements in other subgenres, but this is the most black metal of a record that I've ever really liked. It's true there's a fair bit of classic metal riffing and bluesy soloing spicing up The Crowning Quietus, but I find myself really digging the overtly black metal tremolo riffs as well. This album makes me feel the way I did when first getting into death metal. (At the behest of the sinister impulse)

7. Havok - Conformicide (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2HYIfA3p8jw): In accordance with forum rules against discussing real world politics, I can't say everything I'd like to about this album. Suffice to say, I have some issues with it both musically and lyrically, but overall it was an album that I really needed in 2017 on both fronts. (A mental revolution is just what we all need)

6. Satan's Hallow - Satan's Hallow (https://satanshallow.bandcamp.com/album/satans-hallow): Comrade has been on point this year in both list and recommendations. In a year where I've been more captivated by genres that usually aren't my thing, this album reaffirmed my faith in trad metal through sheer energy and infectiousness. (If you listen at night, you can still hear her name through the breeze)

5. Spirit Adrift - Curse of Conception (https://spiritadrift.bandcamp.com/album/curse-of-conception): I was bitten by the doom bug a bit last year, but this was the year that it really dug in. Everything that everyone else seemed to get from Hunted last year, but didn't quite, I got from Curse of Conception this year and then some. Combining all the melody, feeling, and power that I'd come to appreciate in doom with flourishes of prog musicianship and variation for something that speaks to me on just about every level. (Learn to fly on broken wings)

4. Replacire - Do Not Deviate (https://replacire.bandcamp.com/album/do-not-deviate): The album I've always wanted The Faceless to make without even realizing it (the album The Faceless actually made was also pretty cool, but too weird to be something I could have previously conceived of wanting). Phylacteries of Demilich and Revocation and surprising and interesting clean vocal hooks throughout elevate this from merely high quality tech death to something that grabbed me and didn't let go. (Higher than life and pain)

3. Lör - In Forgotten Sleep (https://halloflor.bandcamp.com/album/in-forgotten-sleep): The folky bits of this record strongly remind me of my favorite film scores and video game soundtracks, but there's more than just nostalgia at play here. In Forgotten Sleep also has some of the best riffs and most spectacular soloing I've heard all year, with brilliant flourishes and a knack for composition that both makes the progressions more striking and preserves a sense of cohesion throughout. (And if I feared this sleep, it's because I must have known)

2. Aether Realm - Tarot (https://aether-realm.bandcamp.com/album/tarot-2): I fell in love with this record almost immediately and haven't gotten over my infatuation since. Great riffs and songwriting combine with affecting, memorable lyricism to make this not only the sing/growl along album of this year, but one which stands head and shoulders above the works of comparable acts. Aether Realm utterly eclipse Wintersun, can drink the likes of Alestorm and Finntroll under the table, and still go to war with Ensiferum and Bodom afterward. Tarot completely decked me. (One drink and you'll feel the magic)

1. Hellripper - Coagulating Darkness (https://hellripper.bandcamp.com/album/coagulating-darkness): If you had told me this time last year that a one man black metal band with an album called Coagulating Darkness would get anywhere near a year end list of mine, I'd have laughed in your face and perhaps played that one Lich King song at you until you went away. But Hellripper burst in on Comrade's second clutch recommendation of the year, snatched my gold medal and proceeded to beat me over the face with it like a proverbial mother****er. What you would have failed to mention in your prophetic whimsy, is that the one man in question, James McBain, is a man of neck-snapping riffs, blistering solos, and flat-out deranged snarling vocals, and that the black metal darkness coagulates only after precipitating out of a high speed thrash vortex that distills everything fun about Venom and Motörhead down to its purest form. I haven't had this much fun with a straight up black thrash/speed metal record since ever. (Total mayhem with satanic might)

8BitNinja

2017-12-28, 09:43 PM

Hey guys, I have a completely unrelated question to whatever the current topic is, but I have unironically and non condescendingly have dubbed you here as the experts of this subject.

You might not even know about this if you live in Europe. I heard the metal scene is different there.

So about three years ago, I got into metal. Sure, I heard songs from bands like Metallica that I liked, but never got into it. Then one day, after working out, these guys I was working out with showed me a song from the band Sabaton (I remember it was Panzerkampf). The band got me interested in metal, but it wasn't the metal I was used to finding. I found out that they were a power metal band. I then soon found other power metal bands that I liked, and can unofficially call myself a power metal fan.

However, when I talked to most other metalheads around me, they thought it was funny that I liked power metal, and told me that I need to listen to "real music" (as in more extreme metal, such as black metal).

I don't care about changing their minds. Everyone has their own tastes. What I'm wondering is why is there this stigma in the metal community against power metal?

thirsting

2017-12-29, 06:17 AM

8BitNinja

2017-12-29, 04:03 PM

Simply elitism. MY metal is way more metal than YOUR baby metal. :p

I suspect it's the same everywhere. I live in Scandinavia (northern Europe) and have had very similar experiences. Best to just ignore it, and listen to what you like, and not try to force yourself like what you just... don't. Your taste in metal might evolve into something more extreme later on, or it might not.

It's good to try new things every now and then, though. (or I'd still listen to things like Glenn Medeiros (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLxTEV5vpyg), whom I loved as a kid.. *shudder* ) Secretly, I still like hiiimmm

That makes sense. I do also listen to other metal subgenres sometimes, and try to explore new genres. It's just that I'm relatively new to the metal subculture, and I didn't know that certain subgenres were generally looked down upon by a large part of the fanbase.

I shouldn't be surprised, though. A lot of other music fandoms have similar elitism (check out the country music fanbase for reference)

I don't care if they like a certain music or not. Again, everyone has their own tastes. I'll keep listening to songs about epic battles of glory and steel. (Yes, I do know how dumb that sentence sounds)

Comrade

2017-12-29, 07:00 PM

No blasts, no slams, no gutturals... What's the point?

Vinyadan

2018-01-01, 09:13 AM

I started with Iron Maiden and then listened to melodic and symphonic metal, and later to doom/gothic. In practice, this means that I still consider melody the most relevant force in a song.

However, others think that melody is corny, cheap, and childish. Instead, they go for atmosphere, or for song texts (if melody is the objective, lyrics tend to suffer).

Others just think that metal should be angry, negative, and depressed, and that happy metal just isn't metal. There is a music theory thing with major vs minor keys, where minor is sad and major is happy. This doesn't always apply, but it would be interesting to compare the relative quantity of songs in major vs minor in power vs death/black metal.

Others still think that metal needs to be xxxtreme, that it should be a constant run towards more loud, shouty, growling, cacophonic madness of physical and psychological devastation, and increasing blasphemy.
Power metal, with its interest towards fantasy themes, doesn't really ask you to change reality. It's actually quite narrative ("I slew a dragon"), while other genres are more imperative ("burn stuff") or descriptive ("this life sucks").

This last fact actually can cut both ways. So I like groups that are called power metal (Sonata Arctica, which actually self-identified as melodic, or Angra), but I don't like Sabaton, because they narrate WW2 like a fantasy myth, which, for me, is intellectually intolerable.

And then some simply like certain stylistic elements which are found in metal, but not in power metal, so they don't see a reason to listen to it.

grimbold

2018-01-02, 09:26 AM

8BitNinja

2018-01-02, 01:08 PM

No blasts, no slams, no gutturals... What's the point?

Sure, but can you play a guitar this fast?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0jgrCKhxE1s

Also, everyone knows you can't fight the forces of darkness while growling. Everyone knows that. We also all know that only higher pitched vocals will kill dragons. This is all pretty much science.

In case you're looking to make a serious counter argument, it's just a joke.

thirsting

2018-01-02, 03:18 PM

*nod nod* ^^

....

Found this just moments ago.. :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M9cNZQIzShc

Comrade

2018-01-03, 03:35 AM

Sure, but can you play a guitar this fast?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0jgrCKhxE1s

Also, everyone knows you can't fight the forces of darkness while growling. Everyone knows that. We also all know that only higher pitched vocals will kill dragons. This is all pretty much science.

In case you're looking to make a serious counter argument, it's just a joke.

Bah! Keep that pretty boy stuff. I like my guitars tuned lower than the underworld and my vocals deeper than Satan's armpits.

I know, I'm just pissing about. Don't tell anybody but I actually like some Angra.

8BitNinja

2018-01-03, 02:14 PM

Bah! Keep that pretty boy stuff. I like my guitars tuned lower than the underworld and my vocals deeper than Satan's armpits.

Dude, I get you like music that is different from the music I like, and I'm okay with that. My problem is that's just unsanitary. You should probably take a shower to wash off whatever you got on you in those two places.

Shower with GLORY with shower heads made of STEEL!

Just don't use the conditioner made of the swords of heroes. I did that once, and I still have cuts from it. Fun Fact: holy steel doesn't dull, neither does the steel enchanted with the power of ancient dragons.

Probably the last secret message I'll leave, but I'm having way too much fun with this argument.
I also completely didn't notice what you put for your location until I made this post. Nice Slayer reference!

Feytalist

2018-01-04, 06:18 AM

Eh, I'm an unashamed fan of those girly gothic/symphonic metal bands. If anything, they tend to be looked down on even more than your usual power metal. But metal is a huge genre, and you can obviously listen to whatever you want. Can't like every genre of metal equally. Anyway, anyone who tells you the likes of Iced Earth or Blind Guardian isn't real metal don't know what they're talking about.

Power metal can be silly, but that's not intrinsic to the genre; it's up to each individual band. Same with quality. Anyway, not all bands need to be as serious as, say... Cannibal Corpse :smallbiggrin:

9. Sorcerer - The Crowning of the Fire King (https://sorcererdoom.bandcamp.com/album/the-crowning-of-the-fire-king): Sing-along doom with big fun riffs and vocal melodies that at times recall Symphony X. (Dreaming, will I wake up again?)

Oh man, I love this band. The only reason this wasn't in my best-of list is that I liked their previous album better. But yeah, Sorcerer is great. They do the epic Candlemass-doom so well.

grimbold

2018-01-04, 10:22 AM

I know, I'm just pissing about. Don't tell anybody but I actually like some Angra.

I c wut u did thar

So I just bought plane tickets to go see Subrosa for the 20th(ish) time for my birthday.

Am I crazy?

JoshL

2018-01-04, 10:45 AM

Subrosa AND Sleep! That's not crazy, that's a good investment!

As to the previous conversation, elitists are silly in every genre, and anyone who tells you what you should or shouldn't listen to can be safely ignored.

WhamBamSam

2018-01-06, 03:57 PM

Eh, I'm an unashamed fan of those girly gothic/symphonic metal bands. If anything, they tend to be looked down on even more than your usual power metal. But metal is a huge genre, and you can obviously listen to whatever you want. Can't like every genre of metal equally. Anyway, anyone who tells you the likes of Iced Earth or Blind Guardian isn't real metal don't know what they're talking about.

Power metal can be silly, but that's not intrinsic to the genre; it's up to each individual band. Same with quality. Anyway, not all bands need to be as serious as, say... Cannibal Corpse :smallbiggrin:Power metal is one of my favorite subgenres, but among those favorites it does have the highest crap to not crap ratio. When it's good, it can be great, when it's bad, it's often actively grating, whereas lesser thrash and death metal records are usually just dull.

Oh man, I love this band. The only reason this wasn't in my best-of list is that I liked their previous album better. But yeah, Sorcerer is great. They do the epic Candlemass-doom so well.I got into them with the new record, and only recently picked up Shadow of the Inverted Cross. So far I think I prefer Crowning of the Fire King, but we'll see.

I hear a lot of Symphony X in their melodies as well. The singer sounds like a less raspy Russel Allen.

grimbold

2018-01-08, 09:48 AM

As to the previous conversation, elitists are silly in every genre, and anyone who tells you what you should or shouldn't listen to can be safely ignored.

Even Anthony Fantano? :smallbiggrin:

Feytalist

2018-01-11, 12:04 PM

So there's a new Drudkh album coming. That's always good news. Their previous ones were... well, pretty much all the same. But I like what they do so I'm interested in the new one.

I got the new Sinistro. Damn it's good. I'm all about that vocalist... she's got such an amazing voice. That gothy/doomy music is also right up my alley.

Been listening to the new Summoning as well. I'm not always in the mood of excessive synths, but Summoning scratches that itch like nothing else. Not sure if I like it more than Old Mornings Dawn, but it's damn good nonetheless.

Power metal is one of my favorite subgenres, but among those favorites it does have the highest crap to not crap ratio. When it's good, it can be great, when it's bad, it's often actively grating, whereas lesser thrash and death metal records are usually just dull.

Heh, yeah you're right. I think I have a higher tolerance for crappy power metal though - not so much death metal and the like. I'm more likely to write off a DM band entirely if I don't like the vocalist's growls or whatever.

grimbold

2018-01-12, 01:56 PM

Been listening to the new Summoning as well. I'm not always in the mood of excessive synths, but Summoning scratches that itch like nothing else. Not sure if I like it more than Old Mornings Dawn, but it's damn good nonetheless.
I love this record. It made me go dig back through all of summoning's stuff. Definitely feels right in the new wave of popularity dungeon synth has been getting lately.

Heh, yeah you're right. I think I have a higher tolerance for crappy power metal though - not so much death metal and the like. I'm more likely to write off a DM band entirely if I don't like the vocalist's growls or whatever.

I feel the same way. I think this is because it's a lot easier to do bad death metal than it is to do bad power metal. Like anyone can do drop tuned chugs with crappy growls. Power metal has something of a bar of entry (Not saying of course that all power metal is good or performed by great musicians though)

Marillion

2018-01-16, 09:18 PM

First surprise of 2018: The return of Cynic (http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/cynic-returns-with-first-new-song-in-four-years-humanoid/)

Narmoth

2018-01-28, 11:31 AM

There are many musicians in this thread, therefore I'd like to ask: is anyone still using record labels to get their music out, or are everyone changed into being their own label?

grimbold

2018-01-28, 11:19 PM

There are many musicians in this thread, therefore I'd like to ask: is anyone still using record labels to get their music out, or are everyone changed into being their own label?

Labels are still important to make things happen. I work in the music industry. Feel free to PM me.

Feytalist

2018-01-30, 03:46 AM

Aaand I'm back. Just came back from the UAE, so that was fun :smallbiggrin: Not a lot of metal, though.

Got the new Arkona yesterday. It's really good. Not a lot of changes since Yav - maybe slightly heavier even. But the vocals are as excellent as always and I've always liked their folky bits. I honestly think this might be one of my albums of the year... we'll see.

Listened to the new Orphaned Land as well. Not quite sure if I like it yet... I'll always compare everything they do to Mabool.

Also Ulver has a new EP out... don't think I knew about it. It's... pretty good I guess. Does't really have that same ethereal quality as Ceasar, which is why they left them out I guess. Oh well, more Ulver is always nice.

JoshL

2018-01-30, 08:13 AM

Also Ulver has a new EP out... don't think I knew about it. It's... pretty good I guess. Does't really have that same ethereal quality as Ceasar, which is why they left them out I guess. Oh well, more Ulver is always nice.

The sort of sunthpop-y one where they do a cover of Frankie Goes To Hollywood's "The Power of Love"? Unsurprisingly, I loved that! Definitely a different direction from the krautrock-y album before, but it was right up my alley. I hope they do more in that style. Also: welcome back and glad you had a good trip!

As far as labels go, you certainly can make a go of it without easier than you could 20 years ago. If you are good at and/or enjoy the promo and distribution ends of things, staying DIY will keep everything under your creative control, and keep a larger share of income of course. The other side of it is with label support you have access to infrastructure and expertise that you might not otherwise. As a solo artist, I can see the appeal of having some help and/or external perspective.

WhamBamSam

2018-01-30, 12:28 PM

Listened to the new Orphaned Land as well. Not quite sure if I like it yet... I'll always compare everything they do to Mabool.I compare everything they do to Orwarrior, but I'm in a similar boat.

Haven't gotten around to a full listen yet, but first impressions of the songs I've heard were favorable. At the very least, the world seems to have shaken them out of the lazy kumbaya crap from All Is One into something that feels a bit more genuine.

grimbold

2018-01-30, 08:35 PM

I compare everything they do to Orwarrior, but I'm in a similar boat.

I really enjoyed it. I mean I haven't really spent time with the band since the last record which BLEW MY MIND for about six months before I put it away for good. That being said, interesting stuff.

Anyone see there will be a Crypt Rot split with Cringe? It's gonna be amazing!

Feytalist

2018-01-31, 05:17 AM

The sort of sunthpop-y one where they do a cover of Frankie Goes To Hollywood's "The Power of Love"? Unsurprisingly, I loved that! Definitely a different direction from the krautrock-y album before, but it was right up my alley. I hope they do more in that style. Also: welcome back and glad you had a good trip!

Yeah, I must say I'm very pleased with Ulver's direction these last couple of albums (Childhood's End excluded, coz I mean... wow). I'd like them to do a bit more dark ambient stuff like Shadows of the Sun and the Silence EPs, but yeah. They can synthpop it up as much as they want, for my money.

I compare everything they do to Orwarrior, but I'm in a similar boat.

Haven't gotten around to a full listen yet, but first impressions of the songs I've heard were favorable. At the very least, the world seems to have shaken them out of the lazy kumbaya crap from All Is One into something that feels a bit more genuine.

Hah! I wasn't too troubled by All is One - I think of it as their folksy "gimme". But they were due for a return to more hard-hitting stuff.

New Abigor (https://avantgardemusic.bandcamp.com/album/h-llenzwang-chronicles-of-perdition) out. It's pretty brutal. Pure old-school black metal, Austrian style.

2D8HP

2018-01-31, 11:45 AM

A query for the wise heads at this thread:

I think that the old Black Sabbath songs I like qualify, but do any of these songs from an old man's playlist count as "Metal"?

AC/DC (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=fouK5ErEbdM)

The Creation (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=3xpONvYyFvQ)

The Dictators (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=BuY6D1LYSoM)

Iggy & the Stooges (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=EDNzQ3CXspU)

The MC 5 (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Zkq-4rR4dOo)

Motörhead (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=H4XKG1Y5sM8)

The Radio Birdman (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ETmcaPBKkDA)

The Saints (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=MpMwMDqOprc)

The Stooges (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=qannFs974gg)

T-Rex (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=fqITwSOXX2g)

The Yardbirds (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=adbGT8Rg9OE)

What do I call the music then?

Feytalist

2018-02-01, 07:14 AM

Heavy rock, I'd think. Motorhead is basically an honorary metal band. Rest I'm not sure about, but like... psychedelic rock, punk-rock or something?

So SA band Crow Black Sky just released a new album (https://crowblacksky.bandcamp.com/album/sidereal-light-volume-one), and I wasn't aware of it at all. I've seen these guys live a couple of times and they're quite something. Kinda spacey atmospheric black metal. The album is Name Your Price on Bandcamp so... you know. No reason not to.

2D8HP

2018-02-02, 03:52 PM

Heavy rock, I'd think. Motorhead is basically an honorary metal band. Rest I'm not sure about, but like... psychedelic rock, punk-rock or something?

I'm still pondering what are the qualities that make for "Metäl"

Is Black Sabbath is still considered Metäl?

Because their song

Paranoid (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=hkXHsK4AQPs) (from 1970) does sound (to my ears) a bit like

Breaking the Law (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=GyxLGSMtqtM) by Judas Priest (from 1980), which is usually considered "Metal", but both the songs sound more like

Sonic Reducer (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=30bv915bDtY) by the Dead Boys (from 1980),which is usually considered "Punk" than they do to:

In League With Satan (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=D5wUr4Lut4A) by Venom (from 1981), which is also considered 'Metal", but which sounds to me more like:

T. V.Eye (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=_SD-uF8uisA) by the Stooges (from 1970) which apparently isn't considered Metal?

When I was a youth, "Hardcore Punk" bands like The Dead Kennedy's would play at Ruthie's Inn, but so would "Thrash Metal" bands like Exodus (but not on the same night), but I'd see some of the same faces in the audience, but they were sartorial differences between the audiences.

What are the audible difference that makes

The Wizard (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=fX6RPIV7ybo) by Black Sabbath Metal, but makes

Whole Lotta Rosie (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=E1PfIX-GQPk) by AC/DC not Metal, and

Ace of Spades (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=pWB5JZRGl0U) by Motöhead just "honorary metal"?

razorback

2018-02-02, 05:02 PM

I

When I was a youth, "Hardcore Punk" bands like The Dead Kennedy's would play at Ruth's Inn, but so would "Thrash Metal" bands like Exodus (but not on the same night), but I'd see some of the same faces in the audience, but they were sartorial differences between the audiences.

I bet we rubbed shoulders down in the pits in the mid to late 80's. Was there for the last show at The Stone.

2D8HP

2018-02-02, 05:30 PM

I bet we rubbed shoulders down in the pits in the mid to late 80's. Was there for the last show at The Stone.

Kinder and gentler times.

Oh wait....

...no, sctually the complete opposite!

:amused:

Narmoth

2018-02-06, 05:08 AM

I'm still pondering what are the qualities that make for "Metäl"

Well, this is the age old question. For me, a part of it is about scales. Heavy Rock is usually pentatonic, while metal more often has 8 tone scales. Black Sabbath is by this definition heavy rock, playing mostly blues scales more or less up to the dio-era, when I believe they started more with classical scales due to Dios background

2D8HP

2018-02-06, 06:18 PM

Well, this is the age old question.....

Much obliged for the response.

:cool:

Thanks!

JoshL

2018-02-12, 10:54 AM

On Friday I played a gig with The God Bombs, an Industrial/Metal trio out of Brooklyn. This Spring they're touring with Ministry. Really solid performers, the lead singer has a punk-meets-shock vibe. Crazy energetic, i'd recommend catching these guys if you can. They have a video for their new single:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=VEH8DWP9F0U
They are going blow 2018 Ministry out of the water.

Less metal, more industrial, my friend Jim is putting out volume 5 of his industrial music cancer benefit comp. As always, tons of great artists (I LOVE Stoneburner and Leaether Strip). I have a track on the expanded collector's edition, which will likely be the least industrial thing there.
http://www.distortionprod.com/electronic-saviors/electronic-saviors-vol-5-remembrance

And not metal at all, I won a remix contest for The Dead Milkmen's last single! I don't do a lot of remix type stuff, so that is an encouraging sign that I could learn to do more, and better. Went for a sort of dark trance-y style thing, and am pleased with how it came out.
https://www.soundcloud.com/user-32331312/sets/the-dead-milkmen-remix-contest/s-5fXFj

8BitNinja

2018-02-12, 09:04 PM

So I went and saw the first show of the Sabaton/Kreator North American Tour a few days ago from when I post this. I thought I'd give my personal thoughts and opinions as a sort of a review. I also want you all to know that this was my first metal concert.

Exmortus (opening act): Exmortus started right away playing Slave to the Sword and it made a really good opening to the entire night. After that, they did a good job as entertainers and an amazing job especially as guitarists. There was also a decent mosh pit behind me during the whole thing (I was almost at the very front) and everyone had a great time. My only complaint was that the bass drums drowned out the vocals. However, that didn't detract too much from the experience from me, as I never really liked them for their vocals.

Kreator: After the opening act, Kreator came on. Although they did play well, they weren't that good at keeping the crowd engaged. For those who like moshing would have been disappointed, as their mosh pit quickly turned into four or five people running in circles. They played well, but I wasn't really a fan of Kreator to begin with, and it looked like most people weren't either, as most people were wearing Sabaton gear and talked mostly about Sabaton and other power metal bands out in the line. I saw some actually counting minutes until the show was over. I honestly believe it was the weak point of the concert.

Sabaton: Sabaton started by quieting the excited crowd down by slowly playing (offstage) a half of a cover of In the Army Now by Status Quo before exciting the crowd again by running onstage to play Ghost Division. The songs were great, their performance as entertainers was fun to watch (and funny), and the entire crowd (including me) was participating and singing along. I thought almost everything about them was good, although as a Sabaton fan I might be biased. They were just all around rad and a fun end to the night. My only problem was at the beginning there was this weird mood whiplash (Blood of Bannockburn to Cliffs of Gallipoli to Lion of the North to The Final Solution), but maybe that's how it was meant to be, to show that the subjects of their songs weren't fun and games. A disclaimer in a sense.

Anyways, that was my opinion of the Sabaton/Kreator concert (playing in Portland, OR as I write this). If anyone here is planning to go, I would advise you to get ready to have a blast.

Narmoth

2018-02-13, 06:41 AM

Interesting lineup for the concert. I've never heard Exmortus before, but looked them up on youtube. They sound quite good. I think they are an ok pairing with Kreator, however I think Sabaton is far to different from the other two bands. They should in stead have gone for Testament or maybe Amon Amarth. Sabaton I think is a bad match for bands that aren't powermetal or traditional heavy metal.

Comrade

2018-02-13, 09:21 PM

Exmortus is super hit and miss for me. They have some absolutely killer materiel on In Hatred's Flame, but most of their later stuff... eh.

My recent hardcore punk kick (by 'recent' I mean 'ongoing for the past ten years') has inspired thoughts of kicking up a thread similar to this, but for punk. Any thoughts-- would any of you find that worth posting in?

thorgrim29

2018-02-14, 09:58 AM

So I went and saw the first show of the Sabaton/Kreator North American Tour a few days ago from when I post this. I thought I'd give my personal thoughts and opinions as a sort of a review. I also want you all to know that this was my first metal concert.

Cool, I've got a ticket for their montreal show in a few weeks, should be fun based on prior experiences and your review.

Also, in less hardcore news then what a lot of you guys are posting (yes I know I'm sort of basic in my rock/metal tastes, I can live with that), I went to see Stone Sour yesterday, here are my impressions of the 4 bands:

The dead deads were a ton of fun, they were apparently touring with Halestorm 2 days ago and I can see why, they're got the same sort of fun rocker vibe. I bought the tshirt (because cool design and Stone Sour's were kind of lame) and would love to see them again for a longer set.

New year's day were... less good but still fun. Weird but good cover of pantera's ****ing hostile and a few good original songs but overall they didn't blow me away

In this moment... meh. They've got a few good songs IMO but it almost seemed like more effort went into drawing attention to the singer's (admittedly really nice) thighs than in the actual music. Not really my thing, and I feel sort of like when I saw Manson a few years ago that a big elaborate stage show might not be the way to go when you're not headlining since the minute-odd costume changes are really noticeable when your set is pretty short to begin with.

Stone Sour: Corey Taylor is one hell of a showman with or without the mask, and the crowd was putty in his hands. They played a good mix of songs from the new record and older albums (could have used more house of gold and bones IMO) and I am super hoarse this morning from shouting along to at least 3 songs. The music was good and everybody had a fun time, which since apparently Stone Sour's mission statement for the latest album is to make rock fun again I think makes yesterday an unqualified success.

JoshL

2018-02-14, 07:36 PM

My recent hardcore punk kick (by 'recent' I mean 'ongoing for the past ten years') has inspired thoughts of kicking up a thread similar to this, but for punk. Any thoughts-- would any of you find that worth posting in?

I'd probably pop in every once in a while, though my tastes in punk tend to be pretty old school and/or pop-y, rather than hardcore (and by pop-y, I don't mean like Green Day, I mean more like Bad Religion and SNFU). I'm pretty up on post-punk stuff, both classic (Suicide and Joy Division are two of my favorite bands) and newer (The Soft Moon is a new favorite). That said, music threads other than this one don't seem to stick around much, so you could just talk about punk here, as I often do goth/industrial!

2D8HP

2018-02-14, 07:55 PM

...My recent hardcore punk kick (by 'recent' I mean 'ongoing for the past ten years') has inspired thoughts of kicking up a thread similar to this, but for punk. Any thoughts?

My thoughts are:

I'm about
To have a nervous breakdown
My head really hurts
If I don't find a way out of here

I'm gonna go berserk 'cause
I'm crazy and I'm hurt
Head on my shoulders
It's going berserk I hear the same old talk talk talk

The same old lines
Don't do me that today,
yeah If you know what's good for you
You'll get out of my way

'Cause I'm crazy and I'm hurt
Head on my shoulders
Going berserk
I won't apologize

For acting outta line
You see the way I am
You leave any time you can cause
I'm crazy and I'm hurt

Head on my shoulders
Going berserk
Crazy! Crazy! Crazy! Crazy!

and

It's not the truth I see
It's just a mockery
Don't need to waste my time
You know I've really tried
You take and never give
Make it so hard to live
I'm hangin' on a ledge
Push me over the edge

Don't do the things you do
Don't have to oblige you
Makin choices on my own
Don't buy their trite or drone
Grow up and be a man
Drop dead right where you stand
I'm hangin' on a ledge
Push me over the edge

Comrade

2018-02-15, 12:21 AM

I'd probably pop in every once in a while, though my tastes in punk tend to be pretty old school and/or pop-y, rather than hardcore (and by pop-y, I don't mean like Green Day, I mean more like Bad Religion and SNFU). I'm pretty up on post-punk stuff, both classic (Suicide and Joy Division are two of my favorite bands) and newer (The Soft Moon is a new favorite). That said, music threads other than this one don't seem to stick around much, so you could just talk about punk here, as I often do goth/industrial!
That's true. I figured a punk thread might draw people who wouldn't otherwise stop by the metal thread, but this thread seems to be unique in its ability to outlive any other music-themed thread.

I'm mainly into hardcore a la Youth of Today and Minor Threat (80s hardcore punk is easily my favourite music 'scene' of all time) but I'm also really into the goth and darkwave stuff birthed by post-punk like Clan of Xymox and This Ascension. Sadly, trying to find darkwave albums as great as Medusa, or Beauty and Bitterness, seems to be a matter of sifting through a whole lot of bland whiffle, so my efforts to dig deeper into the genre have been a bit stymied.

At least I'll always have records featuring nothing but power chords and a guy yelling angrily about how much alcohol sucks to fall back on.

My thoughts are:

The second set of lyrics went over my head, but I dig the Black Flag reference!

WhamBamSam

2018-02-15, 12:28 AM

Kreator: After the opening act, Kreator came on. Although they did play well, they weren't that good at keeping the crowd engaged. For those who like moshing would have been disappointed, as their mosh pit quickly turned into four or five people running in circles. They played well, but I wasn't really a fan of Kreator to begin with, and it looked like most people weren't either, as most people were wearing Sabaton gear and talked mostly about Sabaton and other power metal bands out in the line. I saw some actually counting minutes until the show was over. I honestly believe it was the weak point of the concert.Huh, interesting. I was thinking of catching that tour almost entirely to see Kreator. I like Sabaton well enough as a live band, and have seen them on several occasions, but only as the supporting act to whoever I actually wanted to go see.

My recent hardcore punk kick (by 'recent' I mean 'ongoing for the past ten years') has inspired thoughts of kicking up a thread similar to this, but for punk. Any thoughts-- would any of you find that worth posting in?I might on occasion. My brother plays in a melodic punk band and he points stuff out to me every now and then that I like.

In sadder news, Glenn Tipton has Parkinsons, and it's progressed to the point where he can't play the more difficult Priest songs and has to retire from touring.

Narmoth

2018-02-15, 02:39 AM

In sadder news, Glenn Tipton has Parkinsons, and it's progressed to the point where he can't play the more difficult Priest songs and has to retire from touring.

That is indeed a great loss. I've always liked him best of the two original (that is, from the first album onward) guitar players. It seems he still did a lot on the album, since he was able to not talk about it during the recording. I hope he really will be able, like the band has said, to join for a few songs on their shows

Feytalist

2018-02-15, 03:15 AM

In sadder news, Glenn Tipton has Parkinsons, and it's progressed to the point where he can't play the more difficult Priest songs and has to retire from touring.

I found this out in the same breath that I found out that Priest is releasing a new album this month. It was quite a one-two punch right in the nostalgia.

That's true. I figured a punk thread might draw people who wouldn't otherwise stop by the metal thread, but this thread seems to be unique in its ability to outlive any other music-themed thread.

Yeah, we're pretty chill here. I frequently also talk about darkwave and neofolk and stuff here, so yeah. This thread is for whatever :smallbiggrin:

There's a new Therion out. It's... something. Some sort of rock opera triple album. Honestly I love Therion but I doubt I'll listen to this more than twice. Instead I'll be back at Vovin if anyone needs me.

grimbold

2018-02-15, 06:20 PM

Yeah, we're pretty chill here. I frequently also talk about darkwave and neofolk and stuff here, so yeah. This thread is for whatever :smallbiggrin:

I really just view this as the 'alternative underground music' thread. We all have pretty diverse tastes and are total nerds.

The Tipton thing is really crushing. He let me play guitar with him many moons ago and it was one of the great experiences of my life...

Dallas-Dakota

2018-02-18, 12:40 AM

I really just view this as the 'alternative underground music' thread. We all have pretty diverse tastes and are total nerds.

I'm going to see Flogging Molly and Dropkick Murphy's tonight and I am so hyped.

No idea why they made DM headline though. Flogging Molly is better (and more well known, I think).
They both have their own label/record companies so that shouldn't matter I think.

grimbold

2018-02-19, 01:04 PM

I'm going to see Flogging Molly and Dropkick Murphy's tonight and I am so hyped.

No idea why they made DM headline though. Flogging Molly is better (and more well known, I think).
They both have their own label/record companies so that shouldn't matter I think.

Looks like Flogging Molly was around earlier too... weird.
Also - the main dude from Flogging Molly was in Fastway! How about that!

JoshL

2018-02-19, 01:24 PM

I like Flogging Molly more than Dropkick Murphys as well, though to be fair, I've never seen the latter live. The former I caught at an Irish fest in Ohio many years ago, I was mostly there to see the Old Blind Dogs, but FM put on a killer show! I love trad/Celtic folk, and have been playing with it from an electronic standpoint for ages. Putting a Scottish trad tune as a b-side to a lathe cut 7" I'm having made right now, in fact!
https://soundcloud.com/doors-in-the-labyrinth/two-ravens-mono-mix-4/s-O2HjQ

Somehow I missed that both Die Form and In The Nursery had new releases last year. Die Form's was pretty standard fare for them, so really great if you like fetishy darkwave. ITN's, however, was almost a throwback to their early post-punk days, only done with the production skills they've honed over the years. It's amazing!

More on the metal side, there's a new album from The Body out soon, and the track I've heard off it is amazing. My friends Abjection Ritual have a new one coming out on Malignant Records soon too, if you like death industrial.

Narmoth

2018-02-22, 07:56 AM

grimbold

2018-02-23, 06:45 PM

Most of the time, Europe has the greatest shows compared to overseas. However, now i'm jealous:
Tyr + Orphaned Land + Ghost Ship Octavius
Judas Priest + Saxon + Black Star Riders (last band not that important for me)

Wait where is this happening? Black Star Riders is kind of cool - but i'd rather they had stayed Thin Lizzy

Also Narmoth you need to empty your inbox so I can Pm you :smallbiggrin:

Narmoth

2018-02-25, 10:52 AM

I think it was right for them to change the name. Their music isn't that close to the old thin lizzy, and I think the namechange gave them more room to find their own style. I've seen them both as thin lizzy and black star riders, and I think the black star riders show was better

Seems Tengger Cavalry is quitting. I guess the mainman was burned out by the legal battle between their old label and the new. Really sad to see this, even though I think their last album was weaker than the older ones, they were a fun addition to the metal genre

(also, I've fixed the inbox)

Gnoman

2018-02-28, 03:43 PM

8BitNinja

2018-02-28, 06:07 PM

Went to the Chicago show last night. They had a different opening act (somebody called Cyra or something, never heard of them) that was pretty good. Kreator went on much too long, which seemed to make Sabaton a bit rushed in the first half of their set.

The mosh pit got a bit out of hand, but the most notable thing was the floor. During the synchronized jumping for Primo Victoria, the floor flexd so much that the mic stands on stage were swinging "like drunken ballerinas". It was a little scary.

I think I know who you are talking about with the opening act. cyHra it the band who was actually supposed to open here in Phoenix, but Exmortus performed in their place for some reason. I did some research about them before the concert, and apparently it's a group that contains former members of Annihilator, In Flames, and Rhapsody just to name a few bands.

grimbold

2018-03-05, 10:21 AM

Saw Conan and The Ditch and the Delta last night. Got hammered with the gang but both bands are EXCELLENT. Good things are coming for Ditch!

dps

2018-03-11, 12:31 AM

So, the wife has decreed that we are going to see Metallica when they come to NC, either this fall in Charlotte or in Jan 2019 in Raleigh.

2D8HP

2018-03-11, 01:05 AM

So, the wife has decreed that we are going to see Metallica when they come to NC, either this fall in Charlotte or in Jan 2019 in Raleigh.

I saw them in '85 at a "Day on the Green", I remember that the Scorpions and Y&T also played, and that I wore a too small old AC/DC T-shirt (whom I'd seen at the Cow Palace in '82) and a cast on my arm, and I don't remember much else, except that Metallica seemed the highlight.

My little brother had already seen them at the Kabuki and was a much bigger fan (I was more into the Dead Kennedy's at the time).

Feytalist

2018-03-19, 05:18 AM

Come back, thread :C

Not much going on in my side of the world recently. Had a Cattle Decapitation gig recently, which was... interesting. Opening band was a local band called Insidious Reign (https://insidiousreign.bandcamp.com/releases), and they're actually pretty good.

Anyway. Turns out Gygax (https://gygaxguild.bandcamp.com/album/second-edition) has a new album out. it's great. It's proper old-school heavy metal, plus it's D&D themed. What's not to like.

grimbold

2018-03-19, 01:04 PM

Anyway. Turns out Gygax (https://gygaxguild.bandcamp.com/album/second-edition) has a new album out. it's great. It's proper old-school heavy metal, plus it's D&D themed. What's not to like.

This band rules
Gotta say I really preferred the first record though...

Anyone check out the new Visigoth?

Narmoth

2018-03-19, 02:43 PM

I see where Visigoth draw their inspiration from, however, they just don't do anything for me, even though I'm big on old school metal.
Speaking of oldschool, I was given an album by Skullwinx at one of the shops at Hammer of Doom. It was a bonus for us spending so much money, or they didn't have change, or something like that. Anyway, that's an old school band much more to my liking. And a cool way to advertise them

grimbold

2018-03-20, 01:40 PM

Speaking of oldschool, I was given an album by Skullwinx at one of the shops at Hammer of Doom. It was a bonus for us spending so much money, or they didn't have change, or something like that. Anyway, that's an old school band much more to my liking. And a cool way to advertise them

That's awesome! I'm not familiar with that band but... thats a godawful name. Sounds like a weird Yu Gi Oh card :smallbiggrin:

Feytalist

2018-03-22, 06:23 AM

This band rules
Gotta say I really preferred the first record though...

Yeah me too actually. This one isn't bad, but the first one just felt more fresh I guess.

New Sojourner (https://sojournermetal.bandcamp.com/album/the-shadowed-road) out. I'm hearing some solid Saor vibes. It's awesome.

JoshL

2018-03-22, 07:41 AM

Feytalist

2018-03-23, 04:09 AM

New album by HIDE out on Friday, but you can stream it today: https://www.revolvermag.com/music/hear-post-industrial-duo-hides-dark-crushing-new-album-castration-anxiety
I've been waiting for this one for a while! Feytalist, I think this one might be for you too. I'm opening for them in a couple weeks!

Well that made me physically uncomfortable. I like it :smallbiggrin: Been a while since I heard some new industrial.

New Between the Buried and Me is out. All my friends rave about it, but I've never been able to get into them. I just really dislike the vocals. Doubt this one will change my mind, from what I've heard about it.

grimbold

2018-03-23, 11:43 AM

BIG day in metal today... in brief

-Lamb of God covers record
-Dude from Inquisition is a pedophile
-Decapitated are finally home

Well... where do we start?

Marillion

2018-04-01, 10:41 PM

Just bought my ticket to see Sleep and SubRosa on Tuesday. Stoked!

Also saw Iced Earth and Sanctuary about a month back. Iced Earth was tight as hell, and although no one can replace Warrel Dane in my heart I have to admit that the guy singing for him did a damn fine job with Battle Angels and Future Tense.

grimbold

2018-04-02, 09:00 PM

Just bought my ticket to see Sleep and SubRosa on Tuesday. Stoked!

Seriously might fly out to that one...

I have a problem

JoshL

2018-04-02, 09:48 PM

Some friends of mine hit Sleep/SubRosa in Cleveland last night, and we're appropriately crushed. I had to bail, being a little tapped out on concert cash. I am however seeing Bad Religion, I don't know how I've managed to not see them before.

It's at a beer fest, so let's see if my drunk, out of shape 40 year old self will be smart enough will be smart enough to keep out of the pit.

grimbold

2018-04-06, 08:44 AM

So they announced the new Papa today.... and it's a Cardinal

Man, Ghost is insane and I love it!

Feytalist

2018-04-09, 04:59 AM

Haven't really been wowed by Ghost's new tracks yet, but I'll be checking out the new album anyway. They're always good for a laugh (and I mean that in a good way).

So new Kamelot is out. It's very... Kamelot. Not really much more to say about that.

New Messa (https://messa666.bandcamp.com/album/feast-for-water) is also out. Honestly don't know what even to call them (kinda jazzy doom?), but it's really really good.

Narmoth

2018-04-09, 07:31 AM

So new Kamelot is out. It's very... Kamelot. Not really much more to say about that.

I have been a bit on the fence with the last Kamelot albums. However, the track made me thing that I'll buy their album after all. I'd rather have a darker Kamelot than a more power-metal Kamelot. Then again, I like their 2nd album the most, and it sounds nothing like newer Kamelot

thorgrim29

2018-04-10, 08:41 AM

World: "You can't make a metal album about bees, that's just silly"
Amorphis: "Hold my beer mead"

So yeah, new Amorphis album out in about a month, and they released the first song 2 weeks ago, not sure if you guys noticed https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xf_4uvymwRw

grimbold

2018-04-10, 03:48 PM

thorgrim29

2018-04-10, 04:44 PM

I mean the art is full of honeycombs and bees and skulls and the first song released is called The Bee so I suppose? They base all of their stuff on Finnish oral myths and cosmic bees with magic honey are apparently involved in ressurection rituals in there (I have got to get my hands on a copy of the Kalevala, sounds trippy).

grimbold

2018-04-12, 09:36 AM

8BitNinja

2018-04-12, 07:00 PM

I've got good news and I've got good news

The good news is that Judas Priest is coming out with a new album sometime this year.

The other good news is that DragonForce is remastering The Power Within.

That's all I have to say

GimpNugs

2018-04-13, 09:21 AM

razorback

2018-04-13, 11:08 AM

That's funny, as I started reading this as I was listening to Versus the World and Runes to My Memory came on while typing.
I don't have an issue with the newer stuff sounding like the old stuff in general. I tend to have my headphones on at my desk and it's more background music to drown out everything else. After a while it kind of seeps in. Unless I actively dislike a song, I won't skip over things, and even then I'll tend to listen to new albums all the way through a few times before making a judgement. If I really dislike a song (Escape from Metallica comes to mind) and it just grates on my nerves, I just delete it off my phone and that's that.

Vinyadan

2018-04-13, 11:27 AM

So, the new Kamelot album got me thinking about something, and I'd like y'all's opinion on it, if possible.
As Feytalist said, the new Kamelot album is very Kamelot. I can only describe it as more of the same, but not quite. Still, I'm a pretty big fan of Kamelot, so I bought it anyways.
My question is, are there any bands you like but don't buy or even really listen to new albums from because it all just sounds like more of the same to you? My list of bands I like but don't buy albums from for this reason includes Dragonforce (the patron saints of more of the same, in my opinion), Serenity, and Amon Amarth, among others I can't think of right now.
Disclaimer: if you can listen to Dragonforce albums without thinking they're all the same. or spin new Amon Amarth albums without wanting to listen to their older songs you already know by heart, I'm legitimately jealous of you. I love those bands, but i just can't get past that nagging sense it's all just more of the same.

Maybe Within Temptation? I haven't tried to listen to more of their stuff in the last ten years, because it felt to me like it all sounded the same.

Fun fact about bees: when he was the most powerful man on Earth, Napoleon chose the bee as his personal symbol.

grimbold

2018-04-13, 11:42 AM

So, the new Kamelot album got me thinking about something, and I'd like y'all's opinion on it, if possible.
As Feytalist said, the new Kamelot album is very Kamelot. I can only describe it as more of the same, but not quite. Still, I'm a pretty big fan of Kamelot, so I bought it anyways.
My question is, are there any bands you like but don't buy or even really listen to new albums from because it all just sounds like more of the same to you? My list of bands I like but don't buy albums from for this reason includes Dragonforce (the patron saints of more of the same, in my opinion), Serenity, and Amon Amarth, among others I can't think of right now.
Disclaimer: if you can listen to Dragonforce albums without thinking they're all the same. or spin new Amon Amarth albums without wanting to listen to their older songs you already know by heart, I'm legitimately jealous of you. I love those bands, but i just can't get past that nagging sense it's all just more of the same.

I've thought about this a lot. Sometimes a band is willing to take a leap, like Amon Amarth when they did the concept album. for other bands - it's worth it if there's just one song that's fun and I can come back too. For example - on the new Dragonforce they are definitely doing what they always do. BUT that song Judgement Day (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DCV3IuKKM2k) from their new record is REALLY fun and I like finding stuff like that. I don't know if that means I should only listen to Dragonforce singles from now on, but it's certainly a blast. Listening to new records from bands that do the same **** again and again can be an exercise in futility, but if their schtick is good enough, why not?

Lord of Gifts

2018-04-13, 12:12 PM

The good news is that Judas Priest is coming out with a new album sometime this year.

I think you might be a little late on that one. Firepower came out on the 9th of March.

JoshL

2018-04-13, 05:04 PM

While there are bands that I like that do the same things over and over, I much prefer a band that changes and grows. Some of my favorite bands sound different from track to track on the same album! The consequence of that is, sometimes my favorite bands have lots of songs I don't like, and sometimes my favorite albums have lots of songs I don't like, but if I'm with them 70% of the time, that makes me happy! Sometimes I like it when a band even subverts one of the defining characteristics. Good example: I'm a huge fan of synthpop band Erasure. They just released their second acoustic album. The first was greatest hits done country (it was surprisingly good). The second was their most recent album, in full, reinterpreted with a chamber ensemble. Also good, less of a surprise.

And back on metal, some of my favorite metal bands are those that have shifted styles drastically.

grimbold

2018-04-17, 09:37 AM

So I'm somehow only just listening to Hanoi Rocks...

this is spectacular. Why aren't they the biggest glam band ever? Asides yknow... Vince Neil :smallfrown:

Vinyadan

2018-04-18, 07:12 PM

Cringe in horror to the album cover, the album title, the song title, the power metal, then ramp up the volume, and start headbanging!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B77Gs5GW5j0

8BitNinja

2018-04-19, 11:34 AM

Lord of Gifts

2018-04-21, 11:12 AM

So Kamelot is coming to Arizona soon, and there's a good chance I'll be going.

However, the thing that sold me on the idea was the fact that Battle Beast is going to be opening. I've only heard around 2 or 3 songs from Kamelot, both of them from their newest album. So to get an idea of what they are like, can any of you guys please recommend a set of 5-10 songs that would most define Kamelot? I'm not going to exclusively listen to those songs, I'd just like a good starting point.

Fair disclosure, I'm mostly only really familiar with Kamelot's stuff from the early 2000s, so this list might not be representative of their later stuff. That said, recommendations:

March of Mephisto
When the Lights Are Down
The Haunting (Somewhere in Time)
The Black Halo
Memento Mori
The Edge of Paradise
Descent of the Archangel
Nights of Arabia

dps

2018-04-21, 11:44 AM

I think you might be a little late on that one. Firepower came out on the 9th of March.

Is it any good?

8BitNinja

2018-04-21, 12:54 PM

Fair disclosure, I'm mostly only really familiar with Kamelot's stuff from the early 2000s, so this list might not be representative of their later stuff. That said, recommendations:

March of Mephisto
When the Lights Are Down
The Haunting (Somewhere in Time)
The Black Halo
Memento Mori
The Edge of Paradise
Descent of the Archangel
Nights of Arabia

Thank you for this. I'll be getting to studying

WhamBamSam

2018-04-21, 10:18 PM

Is it any good?Yes, it's very good. The general internet consensus seems to be that it's their best since Painkiller, and I've seen it reviewed very positively by people whose views on Angel of Retribution and Redeemer of Souls are quite negative. As someone who has a bit of a soft spot for Angel, I'm not sure how it stacks up for me just yet, but it's certainly a step up from Redeemer, which is itself an album I wasn't as down on as some.

Dada

2018-04-22, 11:37 AM

GimpNugs

2018-04-22, 02:38 PM

So Kamelot is coming to Arizona soon, and there's a good chance I'll be going.

However, the thing that sold me on the idea was the fact that Battle Beast is going to be opening. I've only heard around 2 or 3 songs from Kamelot, both of them from their newest album. So to get an idea of what they are like, can any of you guys please recommend a set of 5-10 songs that would most define Kamelot? I'm not going to exclusively listen to those songs, I'd just like a good starting point.

So, I'm kinda a Kamelot fanboy you could say. The suggestions given already are pretty good for their older stuff, though they did miss out on Forever, which I would say is easily their most popular song, and is definitely mandatory listening. If they don't play it live, there would probably be a riot.

From their newer stuff (not including The Shadow Theory. That whole album is free reign), they're likely to play the following live:
Sacrimony (Angel of Afterlife)
Torn
Insomnia
Veil of Elysium
Revolution

8BitNinja

2018-04-23, 11:12 AM

I'll add Center of the Universe to the list as mandatory listening.

So, I'm kinda a Kamelot fanboy you could say. The suggestions given already are pretty good for their older stuff, though they did miss out on Forever, which I would say is easily their most popular song, and is definitely mandatory listening. If they don't play it live, there would probably be a riot.

From their newer stuff (not including The Shadow Theory. That whole album is free reign), they're likely to play the following live:
Sacrimony (Angel of Afterlife)
Torn
Insomnia
Veil of Elysium
Revolution

Thank you for this. Now thanks to you I'll be studied up for May

JamesVail

2018-04-24, 03:30 AM

My favorite album of 2017, Satanic Slavery by Necrowretch. Black/thrash that just shreds the whole time. I love it.

grimbold

2018-04-26, 05:59 PM

My favorite album of 2017, Satanic Slavery by Necrowretch. Black/thrash that just shreds the whole time. I love it.

It's funny you bring this up. I remember years ago trying to get out of my high school graduation ceremony so I could see them. Still mad about it!

Feytalist

2018-05-02, 07:40 AM

8BitNinja

2018-05-07, 11:05 AM

Last night from when I post this, I saw Battle Beast, Delain, and Kamelot. This is what I thought of them

Battle Beast: I might be biased, being a fan of Battle Beast, but I thought they were amazing. From beginning to end, they kept the crowd excited and engaged. For each song, they also did something to both hint at it and hype up the crowd for it, which was cool. I was also able to meet Nora afterwards and I was able to get a picture with her, which was cool. I thought they were the best act.

Delain: I had no previous exposure to Delain, but this concert gave an amazing first impression. Although I thought that a few of their songs were okay, these were definitely made up for with their exceptional tracks. In my opinion, the best song they played was either Fire with Fire or Hurricane. While I still thought they were great, I think Delain was the "worst" (I hate using this word with them, since they were still really good) of the three acts.

Kamelot: Kamelot was an amazing way to finish the evening. Not only did they play incredibly well, but they were constantly doing things to keep the crowd engaged. They also had a good number of guests on stage with them, such as the lead singers of both Delain and Once Human. If I listened to them enough to know the lyrics, I would definitely have been singing along to every song.

Overall: This concert was amazing, If they are about to be in town wherever you are, I definitely suggest that you go. It is worth every cent of the ticket you bought for it.

grimbold

2018-05-09, 09:21 AM

So I've been checking upcoming release lists and got a couple of pleasant surprises :smallbiggrin: didn't know half of these bands were releasing.

Biggest surprise is Witch Mountain. Wasn't aware of that at all. But also Wolvhammer (about time), Skogen, and a bit later on Hoth.

Gonna be a good month.

Witch Mountain are like my family
I am so goddamn stoked for that album

They even have a Free cover! (Also I'm in the liner notes :smallbiggrin:)

Marillion

2018-05-18, 08:36 PM

I saw Godspeed You! Black Emperor last night and let me tell you, they were incredible. Absolutely worth the 6 hour round trip. I think everyone owes it to themselves to see them live.

JoshL

2018-05-19, 04:40 PM

I saw Godspeed You! Black Emperor last night and let me tell you, they were incredible. Absolutely worth the 6 hour round trip. I think everyone owes it to themselves to see them live.

I missed this tour because budget and I've seen them a bunch of times, but wholeheartedly second this. They are amazing live, and everyone should catch them if they can!

I am, however, going to catch Bad Religion tomorrow finally (and leave before I have to listen to any NOFX) and Chrome next weekend. So excited about both of those! And I'm opening for an "atmospheric black metal" band in July...I still don't get why they aren't just dark ambient. They have no drums, no guitar riffs, no vocals...in what way is this metal? Also, in what way is this NOT dark ambient, which has been an established genre for 40 years or so?

*old guy grumbling*

grimbold

2018-05-23, 08:32 AM

I'm opening for an "atmospheric black metal" band in July...I still don't get why they aren't just dark ambient. They have no drums, no guitar riffs, no vocals...in what way is this metal? Also, in what way is this NOT dark ambient, which has been an established genre for 40 years or so?

*old guy grumbling*

This keeps me up at night

GimpNugs

2018-05-25, 08:17 PM

On the topic of dark ambient real quick, could any of y'all recommend a good starting place for the genre? The reviewing site I normally check before diving into a new genre or band doesn't have anything on dark ambient (at least that I could find), and I really don't like just jumping into a genre with no context. Any help would be appreciated.

JoshL

2018-05-25, 09:08 PM

Best place to start would be Lustmord. Then maybe check the old Cold Meat Industries catalogue. I'm particularly fond of Raison d'être, and his side projects (Necrophorus "Drifting In Motion" is a must-have). Vidna Obmana is amazing. He also used to work with ritual techno band Hybryds, but that's tangenting a bit.

That should keep you busy for a while! There's a lot of crossover with some experimental/noise stuff, as well as goth/industrial, depending on where you want to look next.

Comrade

2018-05-26, 04:03 PM

I'm not sure to what extent these constitute dark ambient (the distinction gets a little blurry for me), but I've heard them mentioned in the same realm as dark ambient, so I would also recommend Maeror Tri (The Beauty of Sadness), Dargaard, Zoviet France, Dark Muse, and Rainforest Spiritual Enslavement. Some of Nadja's and Prurient's stuff edges into that territory as well (though the former is mostly drone/doom).

JoshL

2018-05-26, 05:39 PM

Enthusiastically seconding Zoviet France. Lots of people also like Rapoon (Robin Storey used to be in ZF), but I was never that crazy about them. Mark Spybey of Dead Voices on Air was also a member for a while. DVOA is great, but more ambient industrial, if we want to get that granular with genres

Feytalist

2018-05-28, 04:03 AM

Oh man, I haven't heard the name Lustmord in a while. What a throwback. Yeah, Lustmord is excellent.

I'll always recommend Dargaard like Comrade said... shame they never made more. I'll always hold out hope that Tharen gets off his ass and releases another album. Also Die Verbannten Kinder Evas, although we're moving into more darkwave territory there.

There's also some of Ulver's mid-era albums... I'm specifically thinking Shadows of the Sun and Wars of the Roses. Again, a bit more... melodic? than what you expect, but yeah. Great albums.

But if you want to creep yourself out properly, then there's the one and only Elend. Haven't quite heard anything like them before or since.

So... new Midnattsol is out. It's pretty good. Still not quite The Metamorphosis Melody, but that's a special album anyway. Also, now we can add another band to the list who have covered Herr Mannelig. Seems like just about every German band in existence does it.

To my shame, still haven't listened to the new Witch Mountain.

grimbold

2018-05-28, 08:40 AM

So... new Midnattsol is out. It's pretty good. Still not quite The Metamorphosis Melody, but that's a special album anyway. Also, now we can add another band to the list who have covered Herr Mannelig. Seems like just about every German band in existence does it.

How long has it been since they last did a record??? Curious to hear how Ms Kristine does with the gang

Feytalist

2018-05-29, 02:58 AM

Yeah, like 7 years since the last one. It's been a tic.

Well, I mean I love Liv's voice. But she doesn't feature all that much on the album, at least not what I heard. It's mostly Carmen, with a couple of switches here and there. But yeah, fanboy me likes it.

Edit: Okay holy **** the new Witch Mountain (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=da2_C_1Lc2o) is beyond epic. AOTY material for sure.

grimbold

2018-05-31, 09:07 AM

Edit: Okay holy **** the new Witch Mountain (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=da2_C_1Lc2o) is beyond epic. AOTY material for sure.

Glad you dig it! Its a monster for sure. Kayla is on a different level :smallbiggrin:

Vinyadan

2018-06-13, 06:11 PM

I finally managed to listen to Amorphis' Queen of Time, the whole album. I think it's really good. And the songs sound different from their versions on youtube to me, it might be different quality or something like that, but they sound a lot better, even compared to official 1080p videos. It's been a while since I last really wanted to listen to an album again after listening to it the first time.

Oddly, while they have very different themes, they remind me of Macbeth' Romantic Tragedy's Crescendo, from some 20 years ago.

JoshL

2018-06-14, 04:51 PM

Narmoth

2018-06-15, 06:49 AM

Why lathe in stead of cd, JoshL?

JoshL

2018-06-15, 07:32 AM

Lots of reasons! I'm working on a full length that will be on cd, but it's taking a while, so as a single this gives me something fresh on the merch table until then. My previous ep is on cd, and still sells at shows (music sells better than t-shirts for me right now, which is good), so having something in a different format is good, for variety's sake, and I refuse to do cassettes. I have had people ask for records at shows, and fans always like limited edition things. I also LOVE the art my friend did for the song, and wanted to print it nice and big!

But to be perfectly honest, it's mostly a vanity project. I like the sound of records and have always wanted to release one!

Narmoth

2018-06-15, 04:11 PM

nice. is there a big difference between ordinary lp and lathe? I have just never encountered the format
also nice that you sell at shows. I can't find cds on your bandcamp though, so I guess I just assumed you didn't do that format. as for cassette, I have no understanding for that format. then I'd rather sell a box with an usb

JoshL

2018-06-15, 05:15 PM

A regular record is pressed by a metal plate into the vinyl, making for quick mass production. Part of the cost is manufacturing the plates, so most places won't bother with really small runs. Lathes are cut by hand, one at a time, so a small batch is easier to do (and, in fact, preferable, since it takes a long time). There's a whole scene of folks cutting records; some of them experimenting with cutting records into weird surfaces, etc.

For a while I was doing cd fulfillment through cd baby, putting it in amazon, etc. They sold out and are asking me for more, but they want 2 more. It was just me being lazy about fulfillment, but doing the records hasn't been too bad so far, so I might move my cds to bandcamp.

I'd take a poorly labeled cd-r in a plastic bag over cassettes. i don't know why they've made a comeback in certain circles, and will laugh when they are on the way back out!

Narmoth

2018-06-18, 03:51 AM

A regular record is pressed by a metal plate into the vinyl, making for quick mass production. Part of the cost is manufacturing the plates, so most places won't bother with really small runs. Lathes are cut by hand, one at a time, so a small batch is easier to do (and, in fact, preferable, since it takes a long time). There's a whole scene of folks cutting records; some of them experimenting with cutting records into weird surfaces, etc.

how is the sound quality on lathe compared to a pressed vinyl?

For a while I was doing cd fulfillment through cd baby, putting it in amazon, etc. They sold out and are asking me for more, but they want 2 more. It was just me being lazy about fulfillment, but doing the records hasn't been too bad so far, so I might move my cds to bandcamp.

that's nice. well done! I might consider buying if you do a re-run of cds

I'd take a poorly labeled cd-r in a plastic bag over cassettes. i don't know why they've made a comeback in certain circles, and will laugh when they are on the way back out!

I think it was when vinyl became popular, that people wanted something that would be much more underground and obscure

grimbold

2018-06-18, 07:29 AM

So I put out a lathe-cut 7"! This is the first time I've released anything on vinyl, so I'm very excited. Don't sell enough to be able to afford a proper pressing, but found a guy who does reasonably priced lathes, so put together a little limited edition. You can hear it here:
https://doorsinthelabyrinth.bandcamp.com/album/death-in-paris-two-ravens
darkwave, not metal, but anyone who knows celtic folk at all will probably dig my version of Two Ravens (Twa' Corbies) on the b-side!

So stoked for you on this! Will jam today!

Some of y'all might be interested in my Dorkscography group on Facebook. We listen to entire discographies of bands we like one day at a time and discuss them. Check it out: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1020850964732031/
(https://www.facebook.com/groups/1020850964732031/)
Currently we are working on Sabbath!

Feytalist

2018-07-02, 04:55 AM

Come back, thread :C

Been on a completely unashamed symphonic metal kick the past week or so. Even the really sparkly cheesy stuff. Love it. Also here's (https://leahmusic.bandcamp.com/track/the-dragonborn-comes-skyrim-theme-song) a cover of Skyrim's The Dragonborn Comes from one of the aforementioned cheesy artists.

Also discovered Skyborne Reveries (https://skybornereveries.bandcamp.com/) - Australian one-man atmoblack project... which sounds like it should be terrible but it's actually pretty damn good.

So I put out a lathe-cut 7"! This is the first time I've released anything on vinyl, so I'm very excited. Don't sell enough to be able to afford a proper pressing, but found a guy who does reasonably priced lathes, so put together a little limited edition. You can hear it here:
https://doorsinthelabyrinth.bandcamp.com/album/death-in-paris-two-ravens
darkwave, not metal, but anyone who knows celtic folk at all will probably dig my version of Two Ravens (Twa' Corbies) on the b-side!

Yeah that's pretty good. But I'm also a darkwave fanboy so that's no surprise. I still listen to your cover of Bela Lugosi's Dead fairly regularly :smallbiggrin:

grimbold

2018-07-02, 05:06 PM

Yeah that's pretty good. But I'm also a darkwave fanboy so that's no surprise. I still listen to your cover of Bela Lugosi's Dead fairly regularly :smallbiggrin:

It is indeed an awesome cover!

Vinyadan

2018-07-06, 11:44 AM

I am listening to Auri. It's not metal, but it's Holopainen + that folk guy from E. Forms M. B. + Tuomas's wife, who also did some vocals in Sonata Arctica' Days of Grays. I think it is the best album that he has made since Imaginaerum (I didn't particularly get into Scrooge, and I didn't like EFMB).

grimbold

2018-07-10, 08:41 AM

Vinyadan

2018-07-19, 07:30 PM

OOOOOOH!
Do you know about Kari Reuslatten? Another project Holopainen is involved in

Thank you for telling me about her, I had never heard about her! She really has a beautiful voice. I have only checked out her more recent, non-metal stuff, but she used to be in a metal band, if I read correctly? I'll take a look at their work, too.

grimbold

2018-07-20, 11:46 AM

Thank you for telling me about her, I had never heard about her! She really has a beautiful voice. I have only checked out her more recent, non-metal stuff, but she used to be in a metal band, if I read correctly? I'll take a look at their work, too.

Yeah she sang in formative symphonic metal band The Third and the Mortal, I was never too much of a fan tho

Narmoth

2018-08-10, 05:12 PM

JoshL

2018-08-10, 05:45 PM

Do you listen to Opeth? You should be listening to Opeth. Though these days they're more a prog band with a hint of metal as opposed to the other way around (and I am okay with that). Speaking of, Porcupine Tree are pretty amazing for darker prog, but not really as hard, so I'm sure others will have some better suggestions.

A friend turned me on to Chthe'ilist, as that their first album had some Legend of Zelda influence (I'm a big fan). Solid riffs, mixed bag solos, maybe a little too relentlessly growly for me to listen to much, but it was fun. However, in the liner notes they specify "no pitch shifting effects were used on the vocals". I can see that being a point of pride in death vocals and all, however, there were a TON of other effects used (which were cool, and some clever sounds too) including some pitch shifts on the delays. Why are you drawing this arbitrary line, and where are you drawing it? If you didn't mention it, I wouldn't have noticed, I'd have said, "hey, cool vocals, neat effects".

Non-metal news, I'm opening up for Autumn next week (90s ethereal goth) and next month, GENE LOVES JEZEBEL!!! The Jay Aston version! Must not fanboy out!!!!

Vinyadan

2018-08-11, 03:14 PM

Marillion

2018-08-11, 11:48 PM

Any good suggestions for metal bands with a hint of prog? I listen to Symphony X, Savatage, Queensryche (well, sometimes). Dream Theatre haven't been of interest for a long time. So nothing where it's only technical

If you like Savatage, I think you'll probably like Morgana Lefay (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JR7AVL7US6c). More on the thrashy side, but the singer is a dead ringer for Jon Oliva's voice, and Grand Materia is just a fantastic album in any case.

I will also second Unia. They're at their best technically while still writing great songs.

Other recommendations include Leprous (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0G9Qd_84YZs), a Norwegian band with a very distinctive staccato sound;Haken (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kr_gROZmTtA), a British band that might be compared favorably to early Dream Theater; Soen (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=11CvvggCPrI), who released the best Tool album of 2012, 2014, and 2017; and Pain of Salvation (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oEk-csUrQp8), who combine an ever-evolving sound with highly proficient performances and intensely personal themes, to great effect.

Or of course you could just pick any Ayreon (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ncf6rXp9tNA) album and look up all the singers on it, that ought to keep you busy :smalltongue:

Narmoth

2018-08-12, 10:54 AM

Some good suggestions here. However, I'm quite old, and actually know many of the bands suggested (I do hope I don't come of as a pretentious pr*ck). What I'm after is quite melodic stuff, where the prog is not in how many rhythm changes you can put in one song. I'm more of a Magnum than Dream Theatre guy
Also, before anyone suggests Orphaned Land - know them, l

Do you listen to Opeth? You should be listening to Opeth. Though these days they're more a prog band with a hint of metal as opposed to the other way around (and I am okay with that).

I started listening to them when they were still more a death metal band. I think I've seen them twice live around Ghost Reveries. They're good, but they're not quite what I'm looking for now. The same goes for Enslaved.

Speaking of, Porcupine Tree are pretty amazing for darker prog, but not really as hard, so I'm sure others will have some better suggestions.

That's a good suggestion. To bad I've already listened through their stuff. Seen them live as well. They were quite cool. To bad they dissolved. The Steve Wilson stuff is not as interesting in my opinion.

Sonata Arctica's Unia album?

I was disappointed when it came out, so I don't think that's the way to go for me

If you like Savatage, I think you'll probably like Morgana Lefay (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JR7AVL7US6c). More on the thrashy side, but the singer is a dead ringer for Jon Oliva's voice, and Grand Materia is just a fantastic album in any case.

Thank you, that was a great suggestion. They lack the keys of Savatage, but they're definitively what I'm looking for

Other recommendations include Leprous (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0G9Qd_84YZs), a Norwegian band with a very distinctive staccato sound;

I know them, have followed them a but, but their prog is mostly in the rhythm, and I miss strong melodies

Haken[/url], a British band that might be compared favorably to early Dream Theater;

Thank you, that was a great suggestion

Pain of Salvation (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oEk-csUrQp8), who combine an ever-evolving sound with highly proficient performances and intensely personal themes, to great effect.

I tried them out, couldn't quite get into them

Or of course you could just pick any Ayreon (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ncf6rXp9tNA) album and look up all the singers on it, that ought to keep you busy :smalltongue:

Most of them aren't really prog singers, like you have blind guardians Hansi there. Ayreon is great trough. If anyone know of more bands like that, I'd like to hear about them (style, not having a lot of guests. Avantasia does nothing for me)

grimbold

2018-08-12, 11:49 AM

If you like Savatage, I think you'll probably like Morgana Lefay (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JR7AVL7US6c). More on the thrashy side, but the singer is a dead ringer for Jon Oliva's voice, and Grand Materia is just a fantastic album in any case.
Haven't thought about this band in so long! Thank you for bringing them back to my mind.

Marillion

2018-08-12, 08:11 PM

Glad I could help some!

Some suggestions that are a little more obscure;
Ice Age (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tCQhbRZgT4Q)
Dali's Dilemma (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80DcS2zHfM8)
Children of Nova (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xu5_H6xjfbg) (The riff starting at :42 in this one (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=my97ucAwSko) is one of my personal all time favorites)

Most of them aren't really prog singers, like you have blind guardians Hansi there. Ayreon is great trough. If anyone know of more bands like that, I'd like to hear about them (style, not having a lot of guests. Avantasia does nothing for me)

Perhaps Frameshift (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-QLmh3ZFWc) would be to your liking. I haven't listened to the album they did with James LaBrie, but this one they did with Sebastian Bach is an album that I come back to over and over.

Feytalist

2018-08-13, 04:28 AM

Any good suggestions for metal bands with a hint of prog? I listen to Symphony X, Savatage, Queensryche (well, sometimes). Dream Theatre haven't been of interest for a long time. So nothing where it's only technical

Oh hi, I can add some lesser known bands :smallbiggrin:

There's Junius (https://junius-official.bandcamp.com), apparently more post-metal than prog, but it fits. Helps that it's an amazing album all round anyway.

Also Need (https://needband.bandcamp.com/), a sort of Scenes From a Memory-type prog (from back when Dream Theater was still good :smallbiggrin:)

Also Anneke van Giersbergen's side projects: Vuur (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iDvIMPrZ2is), her solo project, and the collab with Arjen Lucassen The Gentle Storm (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rn38gVR12-M). Both excellent.

Sunburst (https://innerwound.bandcamp.com/album/fragments-of-creation), prog-power, kinda like if Kamelot went prog (the guy sounds exactly like Tommy whatsisface).

There's Myrath (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6VhdzaOb51s), Tunisian prog with a Middle Eastern flavour. No real parallels to Orphaned Land except for the Middle-Eastern-ness.

Arcane (https://arcaneaustralia.bandcamp.com/) is now sadly disbanded, but the couple of albums that they put out is amazing. Jim Grey has a heavenly voice. And speaking of which, his other band, Caligula's Horse (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PoIOobEZ_P4), is just as good, albeit not really metal. Still definitely worth a listen though.

And then, possibly my favourite band in the world than no-one has ever heard of, is Shadow Gallery (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3m0OXWqVZO4). Metal with a bit of a classical side, amazing musicianship and delicate vocals. Great band, but they're not really a touring band so they're a bit off everyone's radar.

Narmoth

2018-08-14, 06:23 AM

Obscure is good. I actually already listen to Myrath. Cool to find someone else that know of them
Also, Shadow Gallery fits well with what I'm looking for

Killer Angel

2018-08-21, 08:20 AM

razorback

2018-08-21, 12:04 PM

Back after a long hiatus, planning to post once in a while.

After a search, it seems that no one has mentioned that Maori Metal exists. Alien Weaponry (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lx_xGv70Yyo), anyone?

A buddy sent it to me a couple of weeks ago. Been rocking them since. New Kids on the Maori Metal Block.

Feytalist

2018-08-22, 02:55 AM

Oh hey, a buddy sent that to me literally yesterday. I guess Napalm Records is heavily marketing them, that's why they're suddenly everywhere.

They're only like 17 years old, too. Good for them. I like the music too; pretty interesting. The music videos are ****ing awesome though.

Comrade

2018-08-23, 01:51 PM

Gnoman

2018-08-23, 05:41 PM

On a different subject, I found out that Jill Janus of Huntress died to suicide last week.

Narmoth

2018-08-24, 01:22 AM

I wanted to like that a whole lot more than I did. The chanting at the start was pretty rad, but there wasn't a riff that followed that caught my attention. Bummer, metal inspired by and drawing on Maori folklore and musical traditions sounds like it could be amazing.

I have to agree. Now, I think I should look up their album and check if they also did more complex songs. In my experience, the single or song picked for the video rarely is the best song on the album

grimbold

2018-08-30, 07:08 AM

Back after a long hiatus, planning to post once in a while.

After a search, it seems that no one has mentioned that Maori Metal exists. Alien Weaponry (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lx_xGv70Yyo), anyone?

Hi I missed you. Thanks for sharing. This is really cool!

Comrade

2018-08-30, 04:57 PM

I recently rediscovered Depresy's Sighting (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UWUAYgPgJgA) and thought I'd share, since it seems to be something of a buried gem. Plenty of black/death metal takes cues from goth rock, but there's a uniquely darkwave vibe to this album that I just love-- some of the intros/instrumentals wouldn't sound out of place on a Clan of Xymox record.

grimbold

2018-08-31, 05:06 PM

Narmoth

2018-09-22, 02:12 PM

This has been done before, but I don't think it really gets old, and is also a good way to revive the thread. Therefore:
What was the first song/album that got you into metal (or heavy rock)?

JoshL

2018-09-22, 09:24 PM

That's a good one, and it's been a bit of a journey for me. I liked some metal when I was younger, mostly Maiden (Infinite Dreams was my jam) and Faith No More (Angel Dust, start to finish), stumbled on Saviour Machine (Legion!!) thanks to a christian friend I exchanged mixtapes with. But my tastes on the fringes leaned more goth/noise/experimental, as my friends got into extreme metal in the 90s, it wasn't doing much for me.

Fast forward a decade. My favorite band is Current 93. They do a split with Om, which leads me to Sleep. A friend recommends Jesu, Isis, Boris and Sun O))). I check back in with Opeth, and see they've discovered Comus (who I also love, and discovered through C93). At this point, I'm far more open to metal, though my tastes are still on the fringey ends. So if we're going to credit one song, it'd be the Om side of the C93 split, "Rays Of The Sun / To The Shrinebuilder"

Comrade

2018-09-23, 06:57 PM

This has been done before, but I don't think it really gets old, and is also a good way to revive the thread. Therefore:
What was the first song/album that got you into metal (or heavy rock)?
Death's Scream Bloody Gore. I was pretty young at the time-- thirteen or fourteen-- and I think some of the more off-the-wall stuff my parents listened to (Magma, chiefly) sort of equipped me to appreciate the extreme nature of the music in a way I might not have otherwise. I sadly don't remember just what my immediate reaction was, or what exactly hooked me about it, but it pretty much sparked my passion for music where hitherto I had listened to music and enjoyed it but never quite fallen in love with it. Perhaps ironically, it was only after Scream Bloody Gore got me into extreme metal (Suffocation and Deicide were other early favourites) that I was able to go on to appreciate softer forms of rock and pop. I've branched out significantly since then, but metal remains, you might say, my first love.

But my tastes on the fringes leaned more goth/noise/experimental, as my friends got into extreme metal in the 90s, it wasn't doing much for me.

I've actually been meaning to ask, since you seem to be the most well-versed in the realms of goth, if you can recommend any bands/albums in the vein of Clan of Xymox's Medusa. I may have asked this before because I've been on a quest ever since I first heard that album to find another with quite the same vibe, but I've come up short.

Phhase

2018-09-23, 09:00 PM

grimbold

2018-09-25, 10:23 AM

Anyone here heard of MASTER BOOT RECORD? Guy's stuff all has an excellent flavor, black, chippy, yet undeniably metallic. It's aggressively non-lyrical, but I happen to be the sort that prefers that.

https://masterbootrecord.bandcamp.com/album/interrupt-request

Really cool, really weird band. Digging this a lot! Been a fan for a while.

JoshL

2018-09-26, 09:12 PM

I've actually been meaning to ask, since you seem to be the most well-versed in the realms of goth, if you can recommend any bands/albums in the vein of Clan of Xymox's Medusa. I may have asked this before because I've been on a quest ever since I first heard that album to find another with quite the same vibe, but I've come up short.

Yeah, it's a pretty exceptional album! For the more instrumental themes, bits of His Name Is Alive's "Livonia" or Dead Can Dance's "Within the Realm of a Dying Sun" come to mind. For the pop-ier songs, Drab Majesty's "The Demonstration" will sound very familiar! Maybe some Cocteau Twins. Basically, half of 4AD's releases in the 80s, and half of Dias Records' releases these days! But, again, that's a tough album to match, even among Xymox releases.

Feytalist

2018-09-27, 05:39 AM

This has been done before, but I don't think it really gets old, and is also a good way to revive the thread. Therefore:
What was the first song/album that got you into metal (or heavy rock)?

I was exposed to the weirder stuff way before I ever heard the more OG metal - in school, a buddy of mine's older brother was a proper metalhead and gave me a mix-tape of sorts with songs from (if memory serves):
Agalloch, Agathodaimon, Anathema, Apoptyma Berzerk, Dargaard, Diary of Dreams, Die Verbannten Kinder Evas, Dimmu Borgir, Elend, L'Ame Immortelle, Nightwish, Theatre of Tragedy, Therion, Tiamat...
and probably some others I'm forgetting.

So that's already an odd constellation of music. And while I was into it, it wasn't until I heard Iced Earth's Horror Show around 2005 that I was completely hooked. Proper old-school, slightly thrashy, power metal with amazing songwriting. And that eventually got me into pretty much everything I'm into today.

So yeah, Horror Show for sure. It's still easily among my top 10 records.

Comrade

2018-09-27, 11:02 PM

Yeah, it's a pretty exceptional album! For the more instrumental themes, bits of His Name Is Alive's "Livonia" or Dead Can Dance's "Within the Realm of a Dying Sun" come to mind. For the pop-ier songs, Drab Majesty's "The Demonstration" will sound very familiar! Maybe some Cocteau Twins. Basically, half of 4AD's releases in the 80s, and half of Dias Records' releases these days! But, again, that's a tough album to match, even among Xymox releases.

Time to check out every one of those. I'm a little familiar with some of those (Treasure from Cocteau Twins and His Name is Alive's Home Is In Your Head) but not those specific albums. Thanks most kindly!

Feytalist

2018-09-28, 05:45 AM

Anyone here heard of MASTER BOOT RECORD? Guy's stuff all has an excellent flavor, black, chippy, yet undeniably metallic. It's aggressively non-lyrical, but I happen to be the sort that prefers that.

https://masterbootrecord.bandcamp.com/album/interrupt-request

Also what the **** is this even. I've been listening to it for half a day now, an I have no idea why I like it so much. Never heard of it before, but yeah it's awesome.

Phhase

2018-09-28, 12:43 PM

I've been listening to it for half a day now, and I have no idea why I like it so much.
Thank you! :smallbiggrin: Always glad to expand the horizon. If you like that, be sure to also check out his side project KEYGEN CHURCH (https://keygenchurch.bandcamp.com/album/-). It's like his other stuff, but with organs and pianos! Plus, you gotta admit, it takes some real cojones to name an album "░ ▒ ▓ █ ."

grimbold

2018-10-01, 05:52 PM

So anyone here like Outer Heaven? They just signed to Relapse and the new single is DEVASTATING. (http://www.metalinjection.net/av/new-music/outer-heaven-announces-debut-album-releases-crushing-new-song-bloodspire)

I used to see them play house shows!

JoshL

2018-10-02, 09:29 AM

So here's a funny story. There's a local horror play company doing a stage version of the movie Fright Night. Officially licensed, with the blessing of the creator. Pretty cool! I'm a big fan, and the sequel was good too. I enjoyed the remake as well, nor something I often say with remakes of films I love. Anyway, they were looking for someone to do a cover of the title song, originally by the J Geils band, to play at the end for curtain call, giving it a movie credits sort of feel. Who do you call for an 80s horror song? The local darkwave/goth guy, of course!

The director thought my version was too dark. They offered to pay for me to try again and make it more pop, but I declined. I have no interest in making music that doesn't sound like me right now. Besides "too dark for a horror play" is worth about a million goth points!

The thing is, it's not really all that dark. The song is inherently a little goofy. I took it seriously, but the lyrics are b-movie bad. It's always going to be fun in a cheesy way. Halloween is coming up, so I figured I might as well finish and release it.
https://doorsinthelabyrinth.bandcamp.com/track/fright-night

I don't imagine anyone around her will find it particularly dark, but I'm hoping folks will find it fun in a Halloween party Monster Mash sort of way!

Vinyadan

2018-10-03, 04:37 AM

For the power metal out there: Age of Revolution by Immortal Guardian is pretty good.

Phhase

2018-10-03, 01:23 PM

I figured I might as well finish and release it.
https://doorsinthelabyrinth.bandcamp.com/track/fright-night

I like it! It's pretty good. You're right that it's not really super "dark", I think they just found it a little too...airy? Ambient? Something.

In other news: MASTER BOOT RECORD NEW ALBUM
https://blood-music.bandcamp.com/album/virus-dos
IT'S SO GOOD
AAAA

If anyone has a thing for speedy metal, this stuff is like cocaine.

Narmoth

2018-10-05, 01:05 PM

...it wasn't until I heard Iced Earth's Horror Show around 2005 that I was completely hooked. Proper old-school, slightly thrashy, power metal with amazing songwriting. And that eventually got me into pretty much everything I'm into today.

So yeah, Horror Show for sure. It's still easily among my top 10 records.

That really is a great record! One of the first I got of the Iced Earth catalogue, and my favourite together with Burnt Offerings and Dark Saga

The director thought my version was too dark. They offered to pay for me to try again and make it more pop, but I declined. I have no interest in making music that doesn't sound like me right now. Besides "too dark for a horror play" is worth about a million goth points!

The thing is, it's not really all that dark. The song is inherently a little goofy. I took it seriously, but the lyrics are b-movie bad. It's always going to be fun in a cheesy way. Halloween is coming up, so I figured I might as well finish and release it.
https://doorsinthelabyrinth.bandcamp.com/track/fright-night

I don't imagine anyone around her will find it particularly dark, but I'm hoping folks will find it fun in a Halloween party Monster Mash sort of way!

Cool version, but not dark at all. I think your usual stuff is darker, so it's a bit on the light side from what I have come to expect from you

grimbold

2018-10-08, 07:03 AM

For the power metal out there: Age of Revolution by Immortal Guardian is pretty good.

Immortal Guardian rip - is it just me or is the power metal scene better than ever, just hidden?

Whoracle

2018-10-08, 12:04 PM

Well Hello, Metalthread!

For the guitarists out there:

Last year I built
https://dl.lynxcore.org/guitars/jessica/jessica_001.jpg

Well, that was fun, so now I'm building four new ones. The first two are about 40% done and vaguely presentable at this point:

https://dl.lynxcore.org/guitars/victoria/victoria_001.jpg
https://dl.lynxcore.org/guitars/violet/violet_001.jpg

Just wanterd to brag share :D

Narmoth

2018-10-09, 04:11 AM

Whoracle

2018-10-09, 02:12 PM

Nice. I'm impressed. Are you only making for yourself, or are you planning to eventually start selling?

Thanks :) Those two (plus the one on the left in the Spoiler Picture in this post) are for me and to practise. The Bass in the picture is for a friend, and I've got one more "Violet" Shape with a twist for an actual paying customer.

Basically:
If people are willing to give me money for these, I'm willing to sell :) So if you've got an idea in your head, by all means, hit me up.
What I can't do at this point (or rather haven't tried) is true temparament and inlaywork.

The first one was pretty good already, only the 7th string gave is a bit wobbly, and 3 frets on the highest two strings are a bit fiddly. And the thing survived a 10-day-tour :)

Also:
https://dl.lynxcore.org/guitars/multi_001.jpg

Narmoth

2018-10-10, 04:55 AM

Basically:
If people are willing to give me money for these, I'm willing to sell :) So if you've got an idea in your head, by all means, hit me up.

Cool. Unfortunately I'm trying to limit the buying of new guitars (saving for an amp) as I have more guitars than I'm using (I really just use one guitar live, and then a backup)

Whoracle

2018-10-10, 01:21 PM

Cool. Unfortunately I'm trying to limit the buying of new guitars (saving for an amp) as I have more guitars than I'm using (I really just use one guitar live, and then a backup)

Heh, I hear ya :) the main reason I want to sell the things is so I can keep building 'em, and I don't need that many :D

What Amp are you looking for?

Narmoth

2018-10-11, 01:39 PM

Heh, I hear ya :) the main reason I want to sell the things is so I can keep building 'em, and I don't need that many :D

What Amp are you looking for?

I tried the Mesa Mark V25 this summer at rock hard, and I've been wanting one ever since. they're terribly expensive though

Vinyadan

2018-10-12, 03:12 PM

Immortal Guardian rip - is it just me or is the power metal scene better than ever, just hidden?

Well, I just found out that Crimfall exist, and, apparently, they have been around for ten years... I really like their female voice (Helena Haaparanta).

grimbold

2018-10-13, 04:36 PM

Feytalist

2018-10-18, 11:22 AM

In other news: MASTER BOOT RECORD NEW ALBUM

Yeah I'm pretty much fully addicted to this now. Great find. The new album is great, but a bit... short? Oh well :smallbiggrin:

For the guitarists out there:

Yeah those are proper awesome. Good job, dude! The wood you're using... it looks a bit like reclaimed wood? That's pretty cool. Either way, the patterns are great.

Well, I just found out that Crimfall exist, and, apparently, they have been around for ten years... I really like their female voice (Helena Haaparanta).

Yeah, Crimfall are great. Vocals are amazing but the songwriting is pretty great by itself. Helena actually quit the band a while back, before the new album. They got her back though :smallbiggrin:

In other news; I just found out there's a new Thrawsunblat album (https://thrawsunblat.bandcamp.com/album/great-brunswick-forest) coming out tomorrow. Didn't hear anything about this before! This is awesome news.

Also I just got the new Vreid album (https://vreidsom.bandcamp.com/album/lifehunger). Big fan of the band, and yeah this is a good album.

Whoracle

2018-10-19, 05:58 AM

Yeah those are proper awesome. Good job, dude! The wood you're using... it looks a bit like reclaimed wood? That's pretty cool. Either way, the patterns are great.

Those two are Black Korina, the V has a bog oak top.
Two other ones I'm currently making are from reclaimed oak, one with oak from old wine barrels as a top.

I'll post some pics once they get further along, in a week or two.

Vinyadan

2018-10-29, 04:23 PM

JoshL

2018-10-29, 06:37 PM

Nice work, haiduk! And Whoracle, those guitars are awesome, if/when I get cash for a new instrument, I will be in touch!

I found, in a used record store, Rabbits' Hill, Pt. 2 by Trick or Treat. I had never heard of it, but for $2 it appeared to be a Watership Down concept album (which I am mildly obsessed with and have my own series of tracks inspired by the Black Rabbit of Inlé). As it turns out, it's an Italian power metal Watership Down concept album and I didn't realize how much I needed exactly that in my life. I wish it was a little better though, some of those leads are sloppy AF.

In geekier and less metal news, I'm on a comp of songs based on stories from the Transformers comics. All newer stories, except my song, because I'm old. Mostly EBM/Electro-industrial, but my track is a bit more maudlin synthpop/goth (of course). This is not the geekiest thing I've done this year. I also did a Final Fantasy 7 cover, and working on a Zelda theme for a fan dub project. Life is awesome. Anyway:
https://distortionprod.bandcamp.com/album/respect-the-prime-the-constructed-cold-ep

Whoracle

2018-10-30, 09:48 AM

So... Exit Eden. I listened to the album today, and I really liked it. It's a lot of mainstream music covers by a metal all-women supergroup. I think that it's far better than what I have heard of e.g. Northern Kings. They didn't choose only songs I like, though, but that's the only minus.

Eh, better than Northern Kings, but still super generic and bad, IMHO. Just too casting band. They did videos for a lot (all?) of the songs, and all are the same, shot on the same location, no connection to the songs, just so they could show off the girls. The vocal performances are a mixed bag, too, and overall it just reeks of cash grab, not of passion for the source material.

[...]And Whoracle, those guitars are awesome, if/when I get cash for a new instrument, I will be in touch!

Take your time, I'm not going to sell outside of driving distance until I know I can get the fretboards to decently playable shape without the customer testing every few days, so at least another 5 guitars or so. Let's call it a year, at the earliest :D

I found, in a used record store, Rabbits' Hill, Pt. 2 by Trick or Treat. I had never heard of it, but for $2 it appeared to be a Watership Down concept album (which I am mildly obsessed with and have my own series of tracks inspired by the Black Rabbit of Inlé). As it turns out, it's an Italian power metal Watership Down concept album and I didn't realize how much I needed exactly that in my life. I wish it was a little better though, some of those leads are sloppy AF.

Ooooh, gotta listen to that one.

grimbold

2018-11-08, 09:23 AM

I found, in a used record store, Rabbits' Hill, Pt. 2 by Trick or Treat. I had never heard of it, but for $2 it appeared to be a Watership Down concept album (which I am mildly obsessed with and have my own series of tracks inspired by the Black Rabbit of Inlé). As it turns out, it's an Italian power metal Watership Down concept album and I didn't realize how much I needed exactly that in my life. I wish it was a little better though, some of those leads are sloppy AF.

I have.... so many questions