Calling All Metal Fans

[beersk]

I've been digging:
The new Drudkh, Agalloch, Fen, Enslaved, 1349, and Marduk.

Also into older Opeth. Really don't like the direction they've gone the last few albums. I'm mostly into black metal, some fast, some slower. I'm hoping to see 1349 play in early June. Frost is an awesome drummer (Satyricon).

 

[hezagenius]

Also into older Opeth. Really don't like the direction they've gone the last few albums.

Amen (Corner) to that. Everything after Ghost Reveries has been average at best. Hard to believe Ghost Reveries is 10 years old this year. Watershed and Heritage were big disappointments. Pale Communion wasn't bad but I went in expecting a prog album so I wasn't too disappointed.

The decline in quality, IMO, is at least partly due to Mike putzing around with the lineup. Losing Lopez and Lindgren were huge blows to the band and then when he dumped Per, I lost a lot of respect for him. It seemed to be much more of an unabashed dictatorship after that. Maybe it always was but it was never aired in public until then.

I miss those dual guitar lines with Lindgren. Amazing stuff.

 

[beersk]

Agreed on the line up changes. Mikael is effing around too much there. He thought Lindgren wasn't good enough, but it made the band a lot more emotional, with a lot more feeling. Lopez just had anxiety issues, unfortunately. That wasn't Mikael's fault. I never found out what the deal was with Per. It sounded like he stayed on to record Heritage, maybe reluctantly, then got the hell out. I don't know what to think, but I think I'm pretty much done with new Opeth. I'll listen to My Arms, Your Hearse through Ghost Reveries all day long. Orchid was okay, but never could get into Morning Rise.

 

[hezagenius]

True about Lopez. Not sure what the story was exactly there but I think it was the touring that got to him.

Reading about the story of Peter taking some of the stuff he wrote to Mike and Mike crapping all over it was when I really started disliking him. Peter seemed to be humble about it and always said Mike was the better writer. But when Mike said Peter's stuff sucked, it made him look like a giant a-hole. Keep band stuff like that private.

Opeth was better at being a metal band that dabbled in prog vs a prog band that dabbled in metal.

 

[headbanger]

Also into older Opeth. Really don't like the direction they've gone the last few albums. I'm mostly into black metal, some fast, some slower. I'm hoping to see 1349 play in early June. Frost is an awesome drummer (Satyricon).

Supposedly some problem with his voice contributed to their so called new direction. The fact that they (he) elected to completely change their style of music rather than hire a new singer is probably demonstrative of the ego(s) involved here. Probably just as well though, they were pretty much played out anyway.

 

[DoomRider]

The new Tribulation has been on serious buzz mode for the last month with folks on either side of the fence. Some people are ticked, and some people love it. Now if you are expecting Tribulation a la "The Horror" this new album might not be for you, but with songs this f*ckin good, I don't care if they have pretty much ditched their Death Metal sound. IMHO, this album slays from start to finish, and is on my short list for AOTY already. There is not a full album stream on YouTube, but I have embedded the 2nd track off the album. If you like it, buy the dang thing, cause all the tracks are this good. It will not disappoint!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GpEy-qzj6b4

UPDATE: I am not sure how many of you on here collect vinyl, but my local record store finally got this in stock today. Let me tell you, this is a beautiful album. Gatefold on thick cardboard stock, 180 gram Double LP with side D etched, and 16 page booklet. I got the Red vinyl, limited to 500. If you collect vinyl, order/buy this record. You will not be disappointed!

 

[hezagenius]

Also a heads up for metal vinyl listeners:

High on Fire's new album Luminiferous is 12.99 right now.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00WVMME4U/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

 

[DoomRider]

Also a heads up for metal vinyl listeners:

High on Fire's new album Luminiferous is 12.99 right now.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00WVMME4U/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

HOLY SH*T!!! Good catch. That has to be some sort of misprint on amazon's site. But if you preorder it at that price, there is no way they can go back on it!

 

[hezagenius]

Yeah, it's a solid deal for sure. And I believe it is a double LP as well.

 

[headbanger]

How about this little nugget of pure vinyl gold?

http://stormspell.bigcartel.com/product/skelator-agents-of-power-2lp

 

[Taiin]

I know a lot of metal lovers seem to dislike Nightwish, but I am pumped to see them next year. I bought tickets for my sister and I. I used to steal all of her CDs, mostly metal and whatnot, but some others in the mix. I don't even know what is on my 80gb worth of music on my harddrive anymore, I just let it play.

I live in a rural area that is a snowy wasteland part of the year...as you can imagine, most of the music that makes it to dead end venues here is country D:

 

[normonster]

Anyone else on here dig Oceano or Impending Doom?

 

[headbanger]

I know a lot of metal lovers seem to dislike Nightwish, but I am pumped to see them next year. I bought tickets for my sister and I. I used to steal all of her CDs, mostly metal and whatnot, but some others in the mix. I don't even know what is on my 80gb worth of music on my harddrive anymore, I just let it play.

I live in a rural area that is a snowy wasteland part of the year...as you can imagine, most of the music that makes it to dead end venues here is country D:

There's nothing wrong with Nighwish, personally I prefer the Tarja years but I really like the new record a lot; I really think it's the best material they've put out in quite some time.

 

[DoomRider]

How about this little nugget of pure vinyl gold?

http://stormspell.bigcartel.com/product/skelator-agents-of-power-2lp

Love the fact it says "Only black vinyl. NO COLORS!" I have collected vinyl for a while now, and the color vinyl thing has really become a gimmick I am over. I suppose it is cool when you first open the record, but after that, who really cares. I buy vinyl for sound and artwork (the sound part has taken me years to put together a mid-price range hifi setup). Also, it is my experience that black vinyl sounds better. I got into a debate about the color vs. Black thing with the owner of my local record store (he says there is no sound quality difference, unless you’re talking about those new glow in the dark records, we both agree that those sound like sh*t). But to my ears, a slab of 180 gram virgin black vinyl sounds the best. Glad to know I am not the only vinyl nerd around here.

Now blast some Dawnbringer, and enjoy your Memorial Day weekend! :rockin:

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tYgGu8u0eWE&list=PLHkABOfkVKOocQSy1WGHQU4bt9b-rsnR5[/ame]

 

[headbanger]

Not breaking any molds here but this is some killer new Manowar worship...

http://bravewords.com/news/germanys-hammer-king-streaming-kingdom-of-the-hammer-king-album-in-full

 

[Cheesy_Goodness]

I think these guys have been mentioned a while back but I just recently discovered Clutch.

Had this one going through my head all effing day.

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4ABpbxIPFI[/ame]

 

[beersk]

Supposedly some problem with his voice contributed to their so called new direction. The fact that they (he) elected to completely change their style of music rather than hire a new singer is probably demonstrative of the ego(s) involved here. Probably just as well though, they were pretty much played out anyway.

I don't know if they were played out. Watershed was very good, musically. It wasn't my favorite album though. That's either Blackwater Park or My Arms, Your Hearse. Demon of the Fall is such a good track... I do really like Still Life though. That era of Opeth was definitely the best.

Anyone heard the new Drudkh? A Furrow Cut Short. So good, it's going back to where they started off with Microcosmos in 2009. Good sh*t.
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLArAJlC1y558XASAl62x_ypw6CTyh50Af

 

[headbanger]

I don't know if they were played out. Watershed was very good, musically. It wasn't my favorite album though. That's either Blackwater Park or My Arms, Your Hearse. Demon of the Fall is such a good track... I do really like Still Life though. That era of Opeth was definitely the best.

Anyone heard the new Drudkh? A Furrow Cut Short. So good, it's going back to where they started off with Microcosmos in 2009. Good sh*t.
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLArAJlC1y558XASAl62x_ypw6CTyh50Af

Well I did say "pretty much"

Don't get me wrong I recognize their talent still but I think it would almost be impossible for them to top a record such as Blackwater Park or Ghost Reveries at this point, especially if Mikael's voice really is shot. The newest stuff I can't really catch a good vibe for at all but Damnation was like that for me as well back in 2003, it's almost like two different bands for me and I really don't care for the second one that much style-wise.

EDIT: And yes I really like the new Drudkh record too, especially Dishonour, although I do believe it falls well short of Microcosmos standards in the end... still absorbing it though at this point, good black metal always grows on me rather slowly, keyword good.

 

[beersk]

Well I did say "pretty much"

Don't get me wrong I recognize their talent still but I think it would almost be impossible for them to top a record such as Blackwater Park or Ghost Reveries at this point, especially if Mikael's voice really is shot. The newest stuff I can't really catch a good vibe for at all but Damnation was like that for me as well back in 2003, it's almost like two different bands for me and I really don't care for the second one that much style-wise.

EDIT: And yes I really like the new Drudkh record too, especially Dishonour, although I do believe it falls well short of Microcosmos standards in the end... still absorbing it though at this point, good black metal always grows on me rather slowly, keyword good.

I think Mikael still has the ability to scream/growl...he maybe is just tired of it at this point in his life? I don't know...They were just never the same after Lopez and Lindgren left.


The new Drudkh took me a few listens to grow on me...but now I love it. I was disappointed at first...like, awww, damn it...my favorite band is becoming not my favorite anymore. But they remain my faves!

Also, new Enslaved is killer. I've met and hung out with those guys a couple times at shows in Chicago. They're cool cats. The drummer, Cato, is a crazy guy! So much energy and funny as ****.

Ever seen Nocturno Cultos' Misanthrope movie? It starts off with Enslaved guys ice fishing and Cato Bekkevold is doing the narration. Love the Norwegian accent!

http://www.metal-archives.com/bands/Enslaved/104

Grutle has a Beatles shirt on. Haha. Nice.

 

[DoomRider]

So, as you all can see by my profile information, I live in the south (and have for my whole life). This inherently means I pay attention to southern bands (as they normally play in my hometown, Charlotte NC). Well, we have another Weedeater record. Weedeater is a self-proclaimed "live" band and honestly they do kill it live (go see them if they are in your town. The whole band is seriously down to earth and sick as sh*t while on stage).

Problem is, as all bands do, they have to release new music. And, unfortunately, their records have gotten completely non-essential. Their new album, Goliathan, really only has 5 1/2 tracks on it, and it is a 10 track record. Honestly, there are 4 tracks on the album that are "songs" in the traditional sense. I combined 3 half songs to get to 5 1/2 tracks. Bottom line, the album, as with all their albums, sounds amazing (because it is produced by Albini), but s*it man, filler Vs. killer is WAY off on this one (and really their last one "Jason...The dragon").

Bottom line, go see this band if they are in your hometown, but use caution if you are thinking about buying their new record.

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JGzdohYwWGA[/ame]

 

[hezagenius]

I'm digging the Drudkh and Enslaved talk around here. Along with Agalloch, those 3 are the best bands in metal right now to me. They are pushing the boundaries of what metal can be while staying in the metal aesthetic. I've only been able to see Enslaved once, during the Ruun tour, and it was pretty damn good. They headlined a show with Arsis, The Agonist, The Haunted and maybe Faceless?

Another band that fans of Drudkh, Enslaved and Agalloch should check out is Dordeduh. It is made up of 2 of the 3 guys that were in the original incarnation of Negura Bunget (also an amazing band up until the dissolution of the original lineup). Short story is that the 3 people in Negura Bunget decided to end the group. Then the drummer restarted the band under the original name (after the 3 allegedly agreed that no one would do that) while the other 2 guys (vocals, guitars, bass, keyboards) formed Dordeduh. Most people think the driving creative force of the band was not the drummer but the other 2 guys so in some ways, Dordeduh is the thematical continuation of the original band. Based on the output of the 2 bands, Dordeduh is definitely better to me.

Here is the first full length
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLToXWne2Bk-cDQ6322mKfMYjiE7iBHdCq


And here is Negura Bunget's album OM, what many consider their masterpiece
[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QqAv_h2lswo[/ame]

I really can't recommend these albums more highly. To get their full impact, I'd recommend listening to them in their entirety.

 

[hezagenius]

Another band that I've been digging lately is Barren Earth. They are a Finnish band and some of the members are current or former members of Amorphis and Moonsorrow. They released their 3rd full length recently called On Lonely Towers and they are really letting their prog flag fly on this one.

Here is one of the tracks I really like from the album.
[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QXepLmTmYHg[/ame]

 

[DoomRider]

I actually just found Negura Bunget's Vîrstele Pămîntului at a record store used for $7 last weekend. Score! Good band.

 

[headbanger]

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Di-vXNwOOGI[/ame]

 

[headbanger]

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fS4-PQLOuLM[/ame]

 

[headbanger]

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_z3AHbjeb1U[/ame]

 

[headbanger]

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fjwC8SRof9Q[/ame]

 

[DoomRider]

Haters are gonna hate! I am sure I am going to get flack for posting this album / band, but it is F*ckin' good! I believe that a lot of folks misinterpret Plague's intention/vision with this band. Anyway, read all the misinformation on WiKi, and then listen to the album.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peste_Noire


[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kCGSYJXHzLI[/ame]

If you have a objection with this post, please PM me and make your case.

 

[headbanger]

Haters are gonna hate! I am sure I am going to get flack for posting this album / band, but it is F*ckin' good! I believe that a lot of folks misinterpret Plague's intention/vision with this band. Anyway, read all the misinformation on WiKi, and then listen to the album.

I always liked their stuff, mainly because they have such an original sound which is something fairly uncommon in the BM scene.

 

[headbanger]

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U48Rt69u9DM[/ame]