AgatusThe Eternalist (An amazing evolution of this Greek band from melodic black metal to atmospheric, unique occult heavy metal with retro synth. Killer.)
AllegaeonProponents of Sentience (Many of you are already frothing over this, I need say little more, great propulsive tech death, and this is only the worst song on the album.)
HelstarVampiro (A 'sequel' of sorts to their classic 1989 record Nosferatu, but with Rivera using an even more diverse vocal attack, and the band not ignoring the harder thrash influence of their last two records).
Mouth of the ArchitectPath of Eight (They've transformed their sludgy Neurosis roots into a proggy, unique style that is very engrossing, but still casts a glance backwards to the aggression).
Obscure SphinxEpitaphs (Interesting...goes from droney to sludgy to molasses paced groove metal and has an incredible female vocalist who can scream like a demon and sing like an angel).
SodomDecision Day (One of the best thrashings these German legends have delivered since their heyday in the 80s, great balance of the nasty vocals and riff-strong, traditional thrash, while not being afraid of using more epic melodies and structures).
WinterhordeMaestro (Excellent symphonic/progressive black metal from Israel, but sonically it has ties to Norse bands like Borknagar and Arcturus. Missed this one earlier in the year.)
Still hearing a lot of Construct in there, but also feels like they're looking back at Fiction a bit? At least in terms of guitar presence. It's like the motifs and balance feel better, but it's still missing something.
Listening to Fiction again, there were a lot of interesting active rhythmic textures beneath the motifs, but with the past album and this especially, the undercurrent has felt very choppy, in the sense that it's all neatly blocked out without much as far as surprises? Every bar is a single chord and they're mostly chunked with straightforward rhythms? The motifs are still pretty twisty; the synth lines over those chords remind me of What Only You Know from the last album which was probably the biggest earworm on it for me.
This album doesn't look like much, but it rips, Swedish death metal of the uglier, grimier variety that might appeal to fans of Repugnant, Corrosive Carcass, etc.
Here are my September metal picks (or the ones I'm at least just getting around to in September). Pretty awesome haul, if I do say so myself!
It was indeed.
The Agatus was the biggest surprise for me as pretty much everything else in the post was on my radar. That's some amazing 70's throwback shit, kinda like if Hawkwind took their lyrical ideas from the Thule Society.
BlackDragon480 on
No matter where you go...there you are. ~ Buckaroo Banzai
I love how Greece seemed to just flipped a random switch and all of a sudden started to make some really awesome black metal. Acherontas, Agatus, Macabre Omen, Naer Mataron, Thou Art Lord, Varathron and Zemial have all been stepping up their game recently and that's not even mentioning newcomers like Hail Spirit Noir, Aenaon, Awe, Spectral Lore and Thy Darkened Shade. Like, did someone lace the Aegean with some satanic serum or something? What's going on? (Not that I'm compaining )
Funny enough, the only bands who don't seem to have been affected by this are Rotting Christ and Necromantia...
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BlackDragon480Bluster KerfuffleMaster of Windy ImportRegistered Userregular
And I just went on a buying spree since there were several general admission shows that've popped up on sale within 50 miles of me over the next little while and I've got PTO to burn.
For under $160 I scored tickets for Dark Tranquility w/Swallow the Sun, Starkill, and Enforcer (hell yes!) on 11.21, Epica w/ Arkonia and Fleshgod Apocalypse on 11.23, Sonata Arctica w/ Leaves Eyes and Omnium Gatherum on 12.9 and finally Lordi on 2.12.17.
Pray that my wallet can withstand the assloads of merch that shall confront it over the coming months.
No matter where you go...there you are. ~ Buckaroo Banzai
Merch is the hardest part. I only have two concert shirts from the last like...2 years: Cancer Bats and Solstafir. Because every time I go to a show I'm so tapped for cash and I have to choose between a shirt and a vinyl, and I ALWAYS choose the vinyl.
I've got three concerts left in the next month. I'm seeing Contortionist for the second time this year next Tuesday. They're the opener this time for this band called Dance Gavin Dance who I'd never heard of before this and I have to admit has become kind of a guilty pleasure of mine. They're a post-hardcore band that kind of reminds me of the bands I used to listen to in my undergrad.
Then the next day is Opeth w/the Sword. Then Oct 30 for Meshuggah w/High on Fire.
I love how Greece seemed to just flipped a random switch and all of a sudden started to make some really awesome black metal. Acherontas, Agatus, Macabre Omen, Naer Mataron, Thou Art Lord, Varathron and Zemial have all been stepping up their game recently and that's not even mentioning newcomers like Hail Spirit Noir, Aenaon, Awe, Spectral Lore and Thy Darkened Shade. Like, did someone lace the Aegean with some satanic serum or something? What's going on? (Not that I'm compaining )
Funny enough, the only bands who don't seem to have been affected by this are Rotting Christ and Necromantia...
Yeah, nothing like a REAL reason to be depressed, hopeless, and rage against the void and fellow men to inspire great metal? Go Greek Economic Depression!
I'm still holding out hope that Rotting Christ and Necromantia will join the rest of the Greeks in fucking killing it, but based on latest output(s) it appears I'll be waiting a very fucking long time.
My worthless two cents on Mastodon Remission < Leviathan < Blood Mountain >> Crack The Skye >> The Hunter > Once More 'Round the Sun
In their defense, Rotting Christ and Necromantia were killing it long before most of those other bands. The former is just on vacation from killing it for a few years, and the latter has barely been active in 8 years. Some people actually do like the last couple Rotting Christ records, though, so mileage may vary.
I WANNA MAKE A Mastodon CHART TOO: Blood Mountain > Leviathan > Crack the Skye > Remission > Once More 'Round the Sun > The Hunter
In their defense, Rotting Christ and Necromantia were killing it long before most of those other bands. The former is just on vacation from killing it for a few years, and the latter has barely been active in 8 years. Some people actually do like the last couple Rotting Christ records, though, so mileage may vary.
I WANNA MAKE A Mastodon CHART TOO: Blood Mountain > Leviathan > Crack the Skye > Remission > Once More 'Round the Sun > The Hunter
That last bit had me grinning from ear to ear and I wanted to "awesome" and "agree".
What you say is true. Rotting Christ and Necromantia both have apex Greek Metal albums which are still mostly unchallenged as high water marks even with the surge of excellence from the scene. Rotting Christ, only have one or two releases in a ridiculously long career that depart from excellence, its just that they seem to be stagnating now and this is particularly felt when so many other Greek bands are putting forth so much good work. I mean, Aealo and Κατά τον δαίμονα εαυτού were pretty good, but Rituals are a bit empty with repetition ... 8-)
I'm rooting for Necromantia and Rotting Christ to have their own resurgence (I should have said "killing it again", rather than just "killing it") and very pleased that so many other Greek bands that showed promise have been gunning hard for greatness!
Anyone listen to this year's Gojira album? I loved From Mars to Sirius, but every other album of theirs has bored me to tears. I like FMtS enough that I keep trying but after the last one I dunno whether or not to bother
edit- hah, just got to autothrall's review on metal-archives
Kaputa on
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SteevLWhat can I do for you?Registered Userregular
15 years ago, if you had told me you could listen to `an entire Opeth album on Rolling Stone's website the day before its release, I would have laughed in your face.
edit- hah, just got to autothrall's review on metal-archives
Yep, it's decent, with a couple cool songs, but their worst since The Link. From Mars to Sirius and The Way of All Flesh are my faves, though I thought L'enfant sauvage was pretty strong too.
I've listened to it a few times now. More than Pale Communion, Heritage and I'd even argue Watershed it *sounds* like an Opeth album, sans harsh vocals.
I like it a lot.
(However I'm not ashamed to admit I still badly miss the growls).
And I guess if King Diamond and Mercyful Fate aren't going to make good albums anymore, one of their supergroup cover bands will>!?!? Pretty impressive emulation. This is one of their earlier released songs but the whole new album is solid.
Posts
Ade Carthago Delenda Est (a 'Roman' themed Nile or Septic Flesh, great stuff, stronger than their older records although those weren't bad either.)
Agatus The Eternalist (An amazing evolution of this Greek band from melodic black metal to atmospheric, unique occult heavy metal with retro synth. Killer.)
Allegaeon Proponents of Sentience (Many of you are already frothing over this, I need say little more, great propulsive tech death, and this is only the worst song on the album.)
Helstar Vampiro (A 'sequel' of sorts to their classic 1989 record Nosferatu, but with Rivera using an even more diverse vocal attack, and the band not ignoring the harder thrash influence of their last two records).
High Spirits Motivator (Pure, uplifting heavy metal for night drives and night flights).
Mouth of the Architect Path of Eight (They've transformed their sludgy Neurosis roots into a proggy, unique style that is very engrossing, but still casts a glance backwards to the aggression).
Obscure Sphinx Epitaphs (Interesting...goes from droney to sludgy to molasses paced groove metal and has an incredible female vocalist who can scream like a demon and sing like an angel).
Opeth Sorceress (Yeah, it kicks butt.)
Sodom Decision Day (One of the best thrashings these German legends have delivered since their heyday in the 80s, great balance of the nasty vocals and riff-strong, traditional thrash, while not being afraid of using more epic melodies and structures).
Sulphur Omens of Doom (These Norwegians usually impress me with their black/death hybrid, but this is likely their best album of the three so far).
Sumerlands s/t (Killer heavy/doom metal from members of bands like Eternal Champion, Briton Rites and Magic Circle).
Winterhorde Maestro (Excellent symphonic/progressive black metal from Israel, but sonically it has ties to Norse bands like Borknagar and Arcturus. Missed this one earlier in the year.)
Still hearing a lot of Construct in there, but also feels like they're looking back at Fiction a bit? At least in terms of guitar presence. It's like the motifs and balance feel better, but it's still missing something.
Listening to Fiction again, there were a lot of interesting active rhythmic textures beneath the motifs, but with the past album and this especially, the undercurrent has felt very choppy, in the sense that it's all neatly blocked out without much as far as surprises? Every bar is a single chord and they're mostly chunked with straightforward rhythms? The motifs are still pretty twisty; the synth lines over those chords remind me of What Only You Know from the last album which was probably the biggest earworm on it for me.
It sounds like a wierd sonic child of ...And Justice for All and Load.
Like... "Shortest Straw" and "Ain't My Bitch" put together.
Edit: Originally had Kill 'Em All, but this song fits AJFA's galloping motif a lot better.
I had no idea this was an old Peter Gabriel cover.
"These guys sound like they have really awesome beards"
WTF? I've missed some 2013 Dawning release? :bigfrown: *rushes to spotify*
http://steamcommunity.com/id/pablocampy
https://noisey.vice.com/en_us/article/premiere-oathbreakers-game-changing-new-album-rheia-will-rip-your-heart-out
It was indeed.
The Agatus was the biggest surprise for me as pretty much everything else in the post was on my radar. That's some amazing 70's throwback shit, kinda like if Hawkwind took their lyrical ideas from the Thule Society.
~ Buckaroo Banzai
Funny enough, the only bands who don't seem to have been affected by this are Rotting Christ and Necromantia...
For under $160 I scored tickets for Dark Tranquility w/Swallow the Sun, Starkill, and Enforcer (hell yes!) on 11.21, Epica w/ Arkonia and Fleshgod Apocalypse on 11.23, Sonata Arctica w/ Leaves Eyes and Omnium Gatherum on 12.9 and finally Lordi on 2.12.17.
Pray that my wallet can withstand the assloads of merch that shall confront it over the coming months.
~ Buckaroo Banzai
I've got three concerts left in the next month. I'm seeing Contortionist for the second time this year next Tuesday. They're the opener this time for this band called Dance Gavin Dance who I'd never heard of before this and I have to admit has become kind of a guilty pleasure of mine. They're a post-hardcore band that kind of reminds me of the bands I used to listen to in my undergrad.
Then the next day is Opeth w/the Sword. Then Oct 30 for Meshuggah w/High on Fire.
(btw, the Eternal Champion album is out on their bandcamp)
Sumerlands, Eternal Champion AND Crypt Sermon...that's pretty goddamn amazing.
I'm still holding out hope that Rotting Christ and Necromantia will join the rest of the Greeks in fucking killing it, but based on latest output(s) it appears I'll be waiting a very fucking long time.
My worthless two cents on Mastodon
Remission < Leviathan < Blood Mountain >> Crack The Skye >> The Hunter > Once More 'Round the Sun
try this
I WANNA MAKE A Mastodon CHART TOO:
Blood Mountain > Leviathan > Crack the Skye > Remission > Once More 'Round the Sun > The Hunter
That last bit had me grinning from ear to ear and I wanted to "awesome" and "agree".
What you say is true. Rotting Christ and Necromantia both have apex Greek Metal albums which are still mostly unchallenged as high water marks even with the surge of excellence from the scene. Rotting Christ, only have one or two releases in a ridiculously long career that depart from excellence, its just that they seem to be stagnating now and this is particularly felt when so many other Greek bands are putting forth so much good work. I mean, Aealo and Κατά τον δαίμονα εαυτού were pretty good, but Rituals are a bit empty with repetition ... 8-)
I'm rooting for Necromantia and Rotting Christ to have their own resurgence (I should have said "killing it again", rather than just "killing it") and very pleased that so many other Greek bands that showed promise have been gunning hard for greatness!
try this
I'd have Crack the Skye up front instead of 3rd but otherwise the same.
edit- hah, just got to autothrall's review on metal-archives
But it turns out you can do just that today.
My Backloggery
Yep, it's decent, with a couple cool songs, but their worst since The Link. From Mars to Sirius and The Way of All Flesh are my faves, though I thought L'enfant sauvage was pretty strong too.
I like it a lot.
(However I'm not ashamed to admit I still badly miss the growls).
Edit: Alright, a few more things.
First, the soundtrack to the most metal game released in 2016 is available.
More of the new Crowbar. Definitely sounds like them. But nothing really new either.
And some bonus Brazilian power-metal from Almah. (The side project from Angra's lead singer).
https://heavychainsrecords.bandcamp.com/album/kings-in-saurons-service
New Skálmöld is also fun if you want some party-down pagan folk metal.
I use it as background music for every game I play, even Civilization.
Doom is just a phenomenal experience top to bottom. At risk of repeating myself, that soundtrack rips (and tears).
Yeah, I busted my own chops on that one earlier. Should be fixed if you refresh page. Good eye.