So I still haven't finished my session on Top 5 albums for 2011. Truth is, I cannot decide on the final one.
Recently I purchased KoЯn's 'The Path of Totality' which is an album made by KoЯn alongside big Dubstep artists. To be honest I know nothing of the Dubstep world, I have occasionally listened to a track and have always enjoyed the grimy bass lines. On recent listens to Your Demise I was surprised to hear a number of Dubstep breakdowns.
Jonathan and his crew have always pushed the boundaries of metal IMHO. They have mixed so well the funk of Rap/R n'B with metal. They have some of the biggest tunes which never cease to create a pit. 'Are You Ready?' starts something particularly metal, I defy anyone not to enjoy this epic tune.
http://youtu.be/cK8YSsjIaDs
Last week I made an impulse buy of the new Malefice album, 'Awaken The Tides'. I love it! Simples.
It combines elements of my favourite genres, songs sound like everything from Devildriver to Death. There is a brutality to it and yet some calming elements. The guitar solos hit the mark and some songs have some real surprises. British Metal at it's best.
http://youtu.be/QscyQuHWV_w
So basically I can't choose a final album for 2011, I would need to revisit the Black Tide album ' Post Mortem' a brilliant follow up album to their debut. Then there would be Children of Bodom's 'Relentless, Reckless, Forever', maybe for me not quite as strong as 'Blooddrunk' but still hits to hard in the solar-plexus.
http://youtu.be/jxw6pnPfDc4
http://youtu.be/B3Oc9FVWNmk
It has been an awesome year for Metal in 2011. I hope 2012 will bring it just as strong, the Download Festival Lineup 2012 says that it will! Black Sabbath anyone \m/
More importantly we're having a baby in 2012 and it can't get more awesome than that : FACT.
So wishing you all a very Happy Christmas and a brilliant New Year. Thanks for reading :-)
Saturday 24 December 2011
Saturday 10 December 2011
5 Albums I loved in 2011 \m/ No4.
Terrible admission - I only have two albums by this band and I discovered them late, really late.
In fact my introduction to the band was via a cover version of one of their biggest songs, covered (IMHO) very well actually by Lost Prophets.
I have seen the band live twice, firstly at a festival and secondly supporting the forever awesome Slipknot. On both occasions it is clear to see why this band has become the juggernaut they are today.
They ooze metal, the personify it. When I read once in a magazine article the lead singer and guitarist cut into his chest the words 'Metal as F**k' whilst very, very drunk, I knew that this band was hardcore metal.
The first album I got is still one of my favourite albums. It is a work of total genius. Catchy choruses, amazing guitar solos combined with brutal drums and singing. It is an album that gave me epic songs, 9 and 10 minute songs, songs that twist and turn so effortlessly taking you on a full journey.
It could stand head to head against any of the great albums out there - worthy of its place in greatest metal albums ever.
So how did they top that?
Well in 2011 they released an album which is some ways moved away from the seeping epic tracks, there are no 10 minute songs. That said what they have packed into the regular 7 minute masterpieces is awe inspiring.
From the opening track you release that this band mean business - BIG business. The songs are fast, really fast and brutal is the word that springs to mind. It conveys energy, it is Metal. The drumming is epic, the solos are crisp and intense, the lyrics are thought provoking. Everything about the album is everything I had hoped for.
Even the song which sounds like 'Careless Whisper' is fantastic (Stacey from http://staceinspire.wordpress.com/ told me that Phil's guilty pleasure is 'Careless Whisper' and I can see that now lol)
The album is genius - a triumph.
Have a listen for yourselves;
http://youtu.be/8OCBWPQswNo - can you hear George singing lol
http://youtu.be/jxjeqCd6Zm0 - title track \m/
Now I still need to buy their earlier albums - doh!
In fact my introduction to the band was via a cover version of one of their biggest songs, covered (IMHO) very well actually by Lost Prophets.
I have seen the band live twice, firstly at a festival and secondly supporting the forever awesome Slipknot. On both occasions it is clear to see why this band has become the juggernaut they are today.
They ooze metal, the personify it. When I read once in a magazine article the lead singer and guitarist cut into his chest the words 'Metal as F**k' whilst very, very drunk, I knew that this band was hardcore metal.
The first album I got is still one of my favourite albums. It is a work of total genius. Catchy choruses, amazing guitar solos combined with brutal drums and singing. It is an album that gave me epic songs, 9 and 10 minute songs, songs that twist and turn so effortlessly taking you on a full journey.
It could stand head to head against any of the great albums out there - worthy of its place in greatest metal albums ever.
So how did they top that?
Well in 2011 they released an album which is some ways moved away from the seeping epic tracks, there are no 10 minute songs. That said what they have packed into the regular 7 minute masterpieces is awe inspiring.
From the opening track you release that this band mean business - BIG business. The songs are fast, really fast and brutal is the word that springs to mind. It conveys energy, it is Metal. The drumming is epic, the solos are crisp and intense, the lyrics are thought provoking. Everything about the album is everything I had hoped for.
Even the song which sounds like 'Careless Whisper' is fantastic (Stacey from http://staceinspire.wordpress.com/ told me that Phil's guilty pleasure is 'Careless Whisper' and I can see that now lol)
The album is genius - a triumph.
Have a listen for yourselves;
http://youtu.be/8OCBWPQswNo - can you hear George singing lol
http://youtu.be/jxjeqCd6Zm0 - title track \m/
Now I still need to buy their earlier albums - doh!
Monday 5 December 2011
5 Albums I loved in 2011 \m/ No3.
Once upon a time, that's how a good story begins. Alternatively, A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away...
There was a 'younger' man in search of some new music. This jolly fellow (sometimes jolly) travelled around many parts of the UK in a vehicle absorbing as much loud music as possible. As his thirst for more and more brutal and ear-destroying music grew, he sought out new music regularly.
One day whilst visting the lovely city of Hereford and with some time to kill he visited a small record shop (it was of course a CD shop but record shop fits better with this style of story!). As he browsed the racks of music he was drawn to a particular band, a band he had not heard of, a surprisingly a band that was playing in the store (wouldn't happen nowadays I'm certain). The band was Trivium and the album was Ember to Inferno.
With the album purchased the journey home seemed (and maybe did) take much less time. The brutality of the album was exactly what our intrepid explorer (over egging the story now) had been looking for. Somewhere between the brutality of Slayer and the thrash of Metallica with the harsh vocals of Death Metal.
My love for Trivium began with that album and has pretty much never waned. I have seen them on numerous occasions and their ability to recreate the energy of a record is second to none. The energy and shear enthusiasm on stage is a joy to watch.
I have always loved guitar solos. My allegiance to thrash metal as a college kid was due to the magnitude of the solo. I have never mastered the guitar solo and perhaps this is why I still to this day love a great solo.
I love the local band I Hate You More (http://www.myspace.com/ihateyoumoremusic), again for the energy and enthusiasm and because, well simply put, there really nice dudes who play exciting music. How excited was I when they unveiled a song (The End Still Remains) with a guitar solo!! The circle is complete.
Trivium are a solo fans dream. They play so effortlessly and interact so well together it reminds me of watching Kerry King and Jeff Hanneman. They have also created some proper Metal anthems, including IMHO; 'Pull Harder on the Strings of Your Matyr', 'Ascendancy', 'A Gunshot to the Head of Trepidation' and the aptly named 'Anthem (We are The Fire)'. I enjoyed the first show so much when I saw them I went a bought myself a Dean guitar after watching them play - can I do it justice, hardly but damn it looks cool.
Trivium have come into come stick over the years, the album 'The Crusade' was pretty much condemned by critics and while yes it might not be perfect it still had some stonking tunes. 'Shogun' the follow up again for some apparently fell short too. I absolutely love the title track 'Shogun' for its 11 minutes of pure joy (I think its the prog in me - Opeth are the masters for me of metal prog - disappointed by Heritage though).
The were also in some ways immediately hated by sections of the Metal community for daring to say at one point they would like to be a big as Metallica. Jeez, a band needs an aspiration don't they!? Surely every Metal and Rock band alive would like to be as big and as successful as Metallica, is that such a bad thing? Actually with the release of the Lulu project perhaps they have already surpassed them ;-)
Anyway, the new album by Trivium was therefore immediately pre-ordered as soon as the release date was issued. Upon first listen, 'In Waves' (album and first track) did exactly what was required. It took me back to my favourite Trivium album days of 'Ascendancy' - brutal lyrics, fast guitar work, catchy hooks and chorus - a blinder.
As the album progressed and with more listens it becomes apparent that this album has a certain Punk Attitude about it. Songs are aggressive and chug along almost at times like a Gallows-esque album whilst maintaining the Trivium sound. Interestingly when you import the CD to iTunes it categorises the album in the Genre 'Punk'!
It is for me a standout album of 2011. Has it topped 'Ascendancy' as my favourite album, possibly not but its is a close run thing.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_XD2jKlCiK0&feature=artist - not so heavy
http://youtu.be/0Xfvk028Kv0 - a little for Trivium heavy
There was a 'younger' man in search of some new music. This jolly fellow (sometimes jolly) travelled around many parts of the UK in a vehicle absorbing as much loud music as possible. As his thirst for more and more brutal and ear-destroying music grew, he sought out new music regularly.
One day whilst visting the lovely city of Hereford and with some time to kill he visited a small record shop (it was of course a CD shop but record shop fits better with this style of story!). As he browsed the racks of music he was drawn to a particular band, a band he had not heard of, a surprisingly a band that was playing in the store (wouldn't happen nowadays I'm certain). The band was Trivium and the album was Ember to Inferno.
With the album purchased the journey home seemed (and maybe did) take much less time. The brutality of the album was exactly what our intrepid explorer (over egging the story now) had been looking for. Somewhere between the brutality of Slayer and the thrash of Metallica with the harsh vocals of Death Metal.
My love for Trivium began with that album and has pretty much never waned. I have seen them on numerous occasions and their ability to recreate the energy of a record is second to none. The energy and shear enthusiasm on stage is a joy to watch.
I have always loved guitar solos. My allegiance to thrash metal as a college kid was due to the magnitude of the solo. I have never mastered the guitar solo and perhaps this is why I still to this day love a great solo.
I love the local band I Hate You More (http://www.myspace.com/ihateyoumoremusic), again for the energy and enthusiasm and because, well simply put, there really nice dudes who play exciting music. How excited was I when they unveiled a song (The End Still Remains) with a guitar solo!! The circle is complete.
Trivium are a solo fans dream. They play so effortlessly and interact so well together it reminds me of watching Kerry King and Jeff Hanneman. They have also created some proper Metal anthems, including IMHO; 'Pull Harder on the Strings of Your Matyr', 'Ascendancy', 'A Gunshot to the Head of Trepidation' and the aptly named 'Anthem (We are The Fire)'. I enjoyed the first show so much when I saw them I went a bought myself a Dean guitar after watching them play - can I do it justice, hardly but damn it looks cool.
Trivium have come into come stick over the years, the album 'The Crusade' was pretty much condemned by critics and while yes it might not be perfect it still had some stonking tunes. 'Shogun' the follow up again for some apparently fell short too. I absolutely love the title track 'Shogun' for its 11 minutes of pure joy (I think its the prog in me - Opeth are the masters for me of metal prog - disappointed by Heritage though).
The were also in some ways immediately hated by sections of the Metal community for daring to say at one point they would like to be a big as Metallica. Jeez, a band needs an aspiration don't they!? Surely every Metal and Rock band alive would like to be as big and as successful as Metallica, is that such a bad thing? Actually with the release of the Lulu project perhaps they have already surpassed them ;-)
Anyway, the new album by Trivium was therefore immediately pre-ordered as soon as the release date was issued. Upon first listen, 'In Waves' (album and first track) did exactly what was required. It took me back to my favourite Trivium album days of 'Ascendancy' - brutal lyrics, fast guitar work, catchy hooks and chorus - a blinder.
As the album progressed and with more listens it becomes apparent that this album has a certain Punk Attitude about it. Songs are aggressive and chug along almost at times like a Gallows-esque album whilst maintaining the Trivium sound. Interestingly when you import the CD to iTunes it categorises the album in the Genre 'Punk'!
It is for me a standout album of 2011. Has it topped 'Ascendancy' as my favourite album, possibly not but its is a close run thing.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_XD2jKlCiK0&feature=artist - not so heavy
http://youtu.be/0Xfvk028Kv0 - a little for Trivium heavy
Sunday 4 December 2011
5 Albums I loved in 2011 \m/ No2.
Moving away from Mr Grohl and his merry men of Foo and in a totally different direction.
My first introduction to part of this band comes from my enjoyment of his other work. Killswitch Engage pump out some consistent tunes. Anthems even.
I first bought the self-titled debut album after it was re-released and too be brutally truthful I didn't really get on with it (perhaps I should go back and revisit). It was hard and heavy and the guitar riffs were very, I mean very, catchy but for some reason it didn't connect with me.
As my life in Metal music progressed I continued to discover Killswitch songs and eventually I bought another album, this time 'As Daylight Dies' - a good while after my first encounter.
The songs were much more catchy, the hooks and choruses could be sung along to at great peril to family, neighbours and other cars. I was hooked again by the riffs. I decided it was time to go and see them live, still relatively blind to them and knowing nothing but these two albums - maybe that's how it should be when discovering music.
I headed to the Hummingbird, by now called the 02 Academy on a Saturday night and was treated to a very short set of riff-tastic tunes. What's more I learnt some things. Killswitch had some awesome tunes I did not know (ashamed!) - Last Serenade, End of Heartache, Bid Farewell - jesus I had been slow to get a grip with this. Adam D likes to wear pink and is a mediocre comedian (he should stick to riffs) and finally Howard makes dressing for an office job look cool.
What struck me too was that I had completely forgotten Jessie Leach and was now completely Team Howard.
So fast forward and I am faced with news of a new album coming out - an album being created by Adam D and featuring Jessie Leach, the original Killswitch singer.
Hmmm I thought, I know exactly what this is going to sound like and well to be honest I'm not that bothered, after all I've got Killswitch now; right?
I mean I have seen Killswitch Engage about 4 times now and they haven't disappointed - the jokes don't improve - but the performance and music is still brilliant.
I ignored the release of 'The Hymn of a Broken Man' for some time but it niggled at me, ate away at me and reviews and pundits alike talked highly of the album. So I did what most music fans do at some stage I found the album in the ether...
...2 days later and the CD is in my car and boy is it great.
The riffs on the album are relentless and genius. The energy is off the charts and it feels like an album created by people who love what they do and want to prove something. The vocals on the album are brilliant showing the full versatility of a great singer - Team Leach once more perhaps. The acoustic songs and the slower songs meet the singing and almost classical guitar playing effortlessly - a beautiful moment. 'The Forgotten One' is a stunning record.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qX9SymWdBjs - so could be used in my favourite TV show Sons of Anarchy.
Enjoy folks and seek out this album \m/
My first introduction to part of this band comes from my enjoyment of his other work. Killswitch Engage pump out some consistent tunes. Anthems even.
I first bought the self-titled debut album after it was re-released and too be brutally truthful I didn't really get on with it (perhaps I should go back and revisit). It was hard and heavy and the guitar riffs were very, I mean very, catchy but for some reason it didn't connect with me.
As my life in Metal music progressed I continued to discover Killswitch songs and eventually I bought another album, this time 'As Daylight Dies' - a good while after my first encounter.
The songs were much more catchy, the hooks and choruses could be sung along to at great peril to family, neighbours and other cars. I was hooked again by the riffs. I decided it was time to go and see them live, still relatively blind to them and knowing nothing but these two albums - maybe that's how it should be when discovering music.
I headed to the Hummingbird, by now called the 02 Academy on a Saturday night and was treated to a very short set of riff-tastic tunes. What's more I learnt some things. Killswitch had some awesome tunes I did not know (ashamed!) - Last Serenade, End of Heartache, Bid Farewell - jesus I had been slow to get a grip with this. Adam D likes to wear pink and is a mediocre comedian (he should stick to riffs) and finally Howard makes dressing for an office job look cool.
What struck me too was that I had completely forgotten Jessie Leach and was now completely Team Howard.
So fast forward and I am faced with news of a new album coming out - an album being created by Adam D and featuring Jessie Leach, the original Killswitch singer.
Hmmm I thought, I know exactly what this is going to sound like and well to be honest I'm not that bothered, after all I've got Killswitch now; right?
I mean I have seen Killswitch Engage about 4 times now and they haven't disappointed - the jokes don't improve - but the performance and music is still brilliant.
I ignored the release of 'The Hymn of a Broken Man' for some time but it niggled at me, ate away at me and reviews and pundits alike talked highly of the album. So I did what most music fans do at some stage I found the album in the ether...
...2 days later and the CD is in my car and boy is it great.
The riffs on the album are relentless and genius. The energy is off the charts and it feels like an album created by people who love what they do and want to prove something. The vocals on the album are brilliant showing the full versatility of a great singer - Team Leach once more perhaps. The acoustic songs and the slower songs meet the singing and almost classical guitar playing effortlessly - a beautiful moment. 'The Forgotten One' is a stunning record.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qX9SymWdBjs - so could be used in my favourite TV show Sons of Anarchy.
Enjoy folks and seek out this album \m/
Thursday 1 December 2011
5 albums I loved in 2011 \m/
So I have seen many other bloggers start to talk about their albums of the year. I am certain that I do not have any power or responsibility and have never been able to influence anyone in music decisions, however 2011 has been a superb year for music I like.
I cannot even begin to rank albums 1 to 10 but I will attempt to narrow down my Top 5 favourites for this year, in no particular order.
So for my first choice I am going to start with everyone's favourite ex-grunge king, the Tenacious D Satan himself and his band of merry men (one of which is Taylor Hawkins, not as a friend once announced on the Download Festival bus full of fellow metal heads, 'ooh Taylor Swift is here with his band' - still LMAO).
Foo Fighters - we all know them, we all love them, right?
For me I have never been a huge Nirvana fan. At the height of their fame I rallied against the craziness, I despised the 10 year olds wearing the smiley face t-shirts, I mean what would they know, surely they were just trying to be cool, making a grunge act cool. Some say that the rise to fame and the coolness is ultimately what prompted Kurt to end it all, others say it was Courtney's fault - I have no idea.
Back then I enjoyed Slayer, Megadeth, Metallica (pre - Lou Reed WTF) and Anthrax, I didn't really connect with Nirvana. A good friend once saw them play at the Hummingbird in Birmingham where Kurt came on stage, promptly threw up and then the gig kind of continued - seriously I just didn't get it.
In contrast and quite weirdly I did get Mudhoney - In and Out of Grace is still a tuuunnee. I did like PWEI and Neds Atomic Dustbin, but to be honest they were Midlands bands so that was enough for me. Eventually, when I stopped being the opposite of everyone else and my friend made me listen to the Nirvana Unplugged album I finally understand the genius and tortured characters. I would still not call myself a fan - I only own the Singles Collections.
Anyway in this band was a man called Dave Grohl who has undoubtedly conquered the rock world. He is cool: fact. And, nowadays cool is OK for me - I mean I like Bring Me The Horizon and they are cool dudes - man up Metal world, it can come in all shapes and sizes - I mean look at us lot!
I bought the Foo Fighters debut album and immediately enjoyed the old sound and the punk-esque style they were creating. The Colour & The Shape came next which amongst all its tracks (love Monkeywrench) it gave us the anthem that is Everlong. After this "There is Nothing Left to Lose" and the now famous comedy videos which accompanied the hits "Learning to Fly" etc... The Foos had been consistently great.
I was also a particular fan of Dave Grohl's side project Probot (more please!!) which brought together some great collaborations including Lemmy of Motörhead, Conrad "Cronos" Lant from Venom, King Diamond, Scott Weinrich, and Max Cavalera of Sepultura.
Then the album 'One by One' arrived and I felt that the Foos were starting to wane, there were a few stand out tracks but my doubts were creeping in. "In Your Honour" and "Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace" passed me by completely as my attention moved away from the Foos and I wrote them off.
In 2011 I heard a rumour - the Foos were returning with a new album. Sigh! I was just not excited. That is until I took a gamble and purchased the album on one of those bored Monday mornings browsing the shops simply looking for some new music.
The gamble paid off - the album was and is a blinder. It stayed on my stereo for weeks, play after play, time after time, until my good lady nicked it for her car.
They were back to former glories. Now maybe it was because they mixed an recorded the album in (I believe) Dave's garage. That gave us the old skool sound once again, my nostalgia for their first album returning. Or maybe it was simply because the album has kick-ass sing-a-long tunes on it. I like angry, screaming, incomprehensible Metal as much as they rest of us (excluding of course you readers who hate metal!), but there are times I just like to ride along in the car and sing like a maniac - this album lets you do this relentlessly.
If you haven't picked up this album then stick it you your tweet to Santa - it rocks: FACT!
http://youtu.be/kbpqZT_56Ns
That's it for album number one - 4 to go...
I cannot even begin to rank albums 1 to 10 but I will attempt to narrow down my Top 5 favourites for this year, in no particular order.
So for my first choice I am going to start with everyone's favourite ex-grunge king, the Tenacious D Satan himself and his band of merry men (one of which is Taylor Hawkins, not as a friend once announced on the Download Festival bus full of fellow metal heads, 'ooh Taylor Swift is here with his band' - still LMAO).
Foo Fighters - we all know them, we all love them, right?
For me I have never been a huge Nirvana fan. At the height of their fame I rallied against the craziness, I despised the 10 year olds wearing the smiley face t-shirts, I mean what would they know, surely they were just trying to be cool, making a grunge act cool. Some say that the rise to fame and the coolness is ultimately what prompted Kurt to end it all, others say it was Courtney's fault - I have no idea.
Back then I enjoyed Slayer, Megadeth, Metallica (pre - Lou Reed WTF) and Anthrax, I didn't really connect with Nirvana. A good friend once saw them play at the Hummingbird in Birmingham where Kurt came on stage, promptly threw up and then the gig kind of continued - seriously I just didn't get it.
In contrast and quite weirdly I did get Mudhoney - In and Out of Grace is still a tuuunnee. I did like PWEI and Neds Atomic Dustbin, but to be honest they were Midlands bands so that was enough for me. Eventually, when I stopped being the opposite of everyone else and my friend made me listen to the Nirvana Unplugged album I finally understand the genius and tortured characters. I would still not call myself a fan - I only own the Singles Collections.
Anyway in this band was a man called Dave Grohl who has undoubtedly conquered the rock world. He is cool: fact. And, nowadays cool is OK for me - I mean I like Bring Me The Horizon and they are cool dudes - man up Metal world, it can come in all shapes and sizes - I mean look at us lot!
I bought the Foo Fighters debut album and immediately enjoyed the old sound and the punk-esque style they were creating. The Colour & The Shape came next which amongst all its tracks (love Monkeywrench) it gave us the anthem that is Everlong. After this "There is Nothing Left to Lose" and the now famous comedy videos which accompanied the hits "Learning to Fly" etc... The Foos had been consistently great.
I was also a particular fan of Dave Grohl's side project Probot (more please!!) which brought together some great collaborations including Lemmy of Motörhead, Conrad "Cronos" Lant from Venom, King Diamond, Scott Weinrich, and Max Cavalera of Sepultura.
Then the album 'One by One' arrived and I felt that the Foos were starting to wane, there were a few stand out tracks but my doubts were creeping in. "In Your Honour" and "Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace" passed me by completely as my attention moved away from the Foos and I wrote them off.
In 2011 I heard a rumour - the Foos were returning with a new album. Sigh! I was just not excited. That is until I took a gamble and purchased the album on one of those bored Monday mornings browsing the shops simply looking for some new music.
The gamble paid off - the album was and is a blinder. It stayed on my stereo for weeks, play after play, time after time, until my good lady nicked it for her car.
They were back to former glories. Now maybe it was because they mixed an recorded the album in (I believe) Dave's garage. That gave us the old skool sound once again, my nostalgia for their first album returning. Or maybe it was simply because the album has kick-ass sing-a-long tunes on it. I like angry, screaming, incomprehensible Metal as much as they rest of us (excluding of course you readers who hate metal!), but there are times I just like to ride along in the car and sing like a maniac - this album lets you do this relentlessly.
If you haven't picked up this album then stick it you your tweet to Santa - it rocks: FACT!
http://youtu.be/kbpqZT_56Ns
That's it for album number one - 4 to go...
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