Another Tuesday, another three releases for you to enjoy. Also be sure to check the new releases from Dagoba and The Melvins along with the new single from After The Burial! Not to mention re-releases from Skeletonwitch (greatest hits 2009-2012) and Northlane!
Formed from ex-members of Earth Crisis and emerging from Syracuse, Freya is a metal unit to be reckoned with. They just dropped their long-awaited album "Paragon of the Crucible" today through Holy Mountain Music / Deadlight Entertainment! Listen below or stream the entire album on Lambgoat! Be sure to support if you enjoy!
How does 160 minutes of Dream Theater wrecking a stage sound to you? If it's sounding like a good time (honestly, why wouldn't it?), be sure to check their live DVD / Blu-Ray "Live At Luna Park" including a bunch of classic tracks with bonus footage to boot! Filmed in Argentina. Click here to see how John Petrucci learns new songs.
There is new a new doom hitting the world today with the return
of Christian heavy metal artists Impending Doom through their 5th studio
album "Death Will Reign." This album was recorded, produced and mixed
by musical genius of Will Putney (Fit For An Autopsy, Thy Art Is Murder,
Upon A Burning Body, etc.) at the Machine Shop. Expect extreme heaviness and destruction \m/
Dream Theater just released a brand new music video in support of their self-titled album which just came out this week via Roadrunner Records. But more importantly, it's a music video / song dedicated to the soldiers around the world and through the times suffering from PTSD. Bullshit politics and useless wars aside, it's good to see the band salute and support the men and women who support us.
Give it a good watch and listen below. If you enjoy the music, be sure to grab "Dream Theater" and support the prog metal moguls! I haven't personally listened to the record myself but it's being hailed as a great album pretty much all around. Not too surprising as Dream Theater is known for delivering quality.
James LaBrie anyone? You know, just the vocalist of the most popular progressive metal band of our time... Dream Theater ringing any bells? Well, some of you may have heard of his solo career. It started back in 2005 with the release of “Elements Of Persuasion” and continued in 2010 with his second album “Static Impulse”. As we're all waiting his band's self-titled album to be released in September, we can now give a listen to his brand new solo album “Impermanent Resonance”. It was released on July 29th here in Europe and August 6th in the US via InsideOutMusic.
Those of you just looking for more Dream Theater songs will probably be disappointed. We're always talking about progressive metal, but these songs are way more straight-forward, shorter and built with a simpler form than what we're used to hearing on Dream Theater's albums (most of these solo tracks are based on a strophe-chorus-strophe-chorus-solo-strophe-chorus scheme). Nevertheless the quality and the amount of creativity condensed into this album is surprising and may be appreciable even for the most demanding and elitist prog-heads.
Personally, I also appreciate the modern metal approach featured in the whole album with the intelligent use of synths and electronic elements pushed forward by smart and balanced production. This mix makes it an easy album to listen to but with precious and refined details as well, so that both the elitist above and the mainstream rock/metal listeners below can appreciate its gem. As always, LaBrie's singing has class. It's always great to listen to his amazing and unique timbre, even in this more mainstream oriented approach. Atmosphere plays an important role in the album as well. Even though we can say most of it is suggested by James' vocals as well as by the intelligent use of synths.
Unfortunately “Impermanent Resonance” results to be a bit imbalanced. All the best, most interesting and catchy songs are definitely featured during the first half of the album. Using a similar formula in every song, and giving them pretty much the same atmosphere and style really ends up making the second half of the album a bit boring. This is especially true for the ears of demanding Dream Theater fans and modern progressive metal fans in general. They'll probably get tired during the second half in which the only interesting installments are “I Will Not Break” and the ballad “Say You're Still Mine”. I don't consider making an album sound all the same as a flaw. I'm only saying that LaBrie's usual audience will probably get tired after track 7. Luckily, this doesn't take away from the really brilliant moments found in the first part of the album.
You may have already checked out the singles “Agony” (opening track of the album) and “Back On The Ground” which are actually two of the most delighting songs in the album, striking with their simple and immediate sound and stand out choruses. “Undertow”, “Slight Of Hand” and “Lost In The Fire” also stand out. The instrumental work has its precious details. Especially the guitar riffage is capable of being more than a simple carpet trampled on by James' ruling vocals. The strings bring a great, creative effort if you focus on it.
I think that everyone that regularly visits this website should give this album at least one chance. If for nothing else, to respect this influential and amazing musician and discover some good music. Give it ago, you may find something truly interesting.
Ohhhh yeeeah! Dream Theater have officially dropped a brand new track off their highly anticipated 12th studio album. Within seconds it's clear that "The Enemy Inside" is a fantastic track. Not that a fantastic Dream Theater track is a surprising concept. After a full listen, it's clear this may be among the best songs they've written in recent history. A very good omen of things to come. Give it a listen below.
We have additional Dream Theater goods down below including a Jordan Rudess interview conducted by Artisan News Service.
Their new self-titled album will officially drop September 24th via Roadrunner Records. Let the anticipation build!
Dream Theater is officially back at it. It's been confirmed for some time now that they are currently constructing their 12th full-length studio album. This is definitely something to look forward to.
In support of the upcoming record, Artisan News Service recently interviewed Dream Theater's keyboard player Jordan Rudess. They cover a series of topics from the band's album process to the inclusion of new drummer / legend Mike Mangini. They do this without giving away too much or too little. It's encouraged that all the Dream Theater fans out there watch this and let the anticipation build!
You can peep the interview along with some classics from Dream Theater down below!
In the weeks leading up to the end of 2012and our top 10 list of the year, we decided to give credit to the past couple years too. Here's the top ten albums of 2009, no shits given about whiny elitist opinions.
1 ANIMALS AS LEADERS - SELF TITLED
The album that almost didn't happen is our top album of 2009. Thank the metal gods it did! The Animals as Leaders self-titled debut is nothing short of perfection. Powered by Tosin Abasi's incredible songwriting and unreal, virtuosic talent level while backed by Misha Mansoor's superior production skills, this album is pure intellectual ear candy. Boasting solid gold masterpieces such as "CAFO", "On Impulse", "Tempting Time", and so on, this record pushed musical boundaries from beginning to end. There was a lot of amazing music in 2009, but no real comparison to the genius complexities of "Animals As Leaders".
This album is a devastating, ruthless tech storm which ripped minds apart nerve by nerve. Circle Of Contempt emerged from Finland as immediate heavyweights of the metal underground with this absolute genius contribution to heavy music. "Artifacts In Motion" was serious, groundbreaking material for the time. And this record is still scary good, featuring some of the biggest skull cracking segments in metal to date. Songs such as "Color Lines", "The Pendulum Swing", "Concealed", and "Nothing Imminent" among others were responsible for several hospital visits over the years. Complex and solid, "Artifacts in Motion" is a classic.
Without a doubt, musical genius / producer Paul Ortiz brought his very best on this Chimp Spanner record. "At The Dream's Edge" sounds like a dream itself. Technically proficient and musically sound with perfect use of ambiance, this album is a treat for the ears from "Galaxy Rise" to the ender, "All Good Things". In between, the album packs several other classics such as "Supererogation", "Far From Home", "Under One Sky" and the three epic parts of "Terminus". Chimp Spanner's "At The Dream's Edge" easily stands out as one of the year's brightest and is highly recommended for anyone who loves awesome music.
North Carolina's Between The Buried And Me always brings an interesting listening experience with their music. "The Great Misdirect" is no exception. One of the best things about this band is they don't just think outside the box, they live way out there with an unusually high talent level to match. This is an hours worth of incredible, original heavy music. The lengthy tracks found on this record all bring a classic quality with them. In particular, "Obfuscation", "Disease, Injury, Madness", "Desert of Song", and the huge closer "Swim To The Moon" stand out. If you enjoy outgoing, intelligent Progressive Metal, you'll enjoy this record.
Converge's "Axe To Fall" hits like it already fell. This extremely talented chaotic hardcore four piece pulled off a whirlwind of a record with this one. Absolutely ruthless, energetic, and creative with it's delivery, this album spread across the heavy music community like wildfire. Most of the songs are very short in the typical hardcore fashion but they all pack one helluva punch. However, there are a few that span up to 4-7 mins of pure original greatness. Tracks such as "Dark Horse", "Reap What You Sew", the title track, and the lighter epics such as "Cruel Bloom" stand out. Get chaotic with Converge if you haven't already.
In
many ways, this album was before it's time. Bringing a ridiculously
tech heavy sound with an energetic hardcore edge, The Arusha Accord debut is one for the record books. "The Echo Verses" came
across with the subtleness of a bomb, striking many listeners off guard
with it's rampant chaos and creativity. Big time stand outs "Dead To Me", "Night of the Long Knives", "The Tightrope", and the epic closer "The Last Rise of the Fallen King" are all reasons why this album is still relevant to this
day. There's no doubt "The Echo Verses" is an explosive heavy listening experience from start to finish. A real classic through and through.
Dream
Theater has been going strong for a long time. Their tenth studio album
"Black Clouds & Silver Linings" is an epic musical experience to
say the least. It clocks in at well over an hour of absolutely solid
Progressive Metal. Not to mention this was back when Mike Portnoy was
still drumming in the band. There are so many awesome moments on this
record from the edges of "The Shattered Fortress" to the mind blowing closer "The Count of Tuscany". Even the more accessible tracks such as "A Rite of Passage" and "Wither" are outstanding. All in all, it would be a crime not to include this Dream Theater record among the best of 2009.
In many ways this was August Burns Red's transitioning record between the revolutionary "Messengers" and their latest juggernaut "Leveler". "Constellations" marks when the band began discovering their own unique musical push instead of going for crazy breakdown after breakdown. There's still plenty of that, but ABR really put their all into this record to grow as musicians. Tracks such as "Marianas Trench", "Meddler", "Thirty and Seven", and "The Escape Artist" showed how far this band stood above the Metalcore pack. And they still do. "Constellations" is an absolutely phenomenal heavy listening experience.
The Within The Ruins debut full-length emerged to breathe new life into an ever staling sub-genre of metal. The band immediately became top notch innovators with their classic "Creature" feature. Boasting next level talent and technicality to match their intense rhythmic segments and driving riffs, they put themselves on the map with a signature sound. Heavy as hell segments made ears bleed without mercy (in a good way \m/). For example, the intense opener "The Book Of Books", and stand outs such as "Tractor Pull", "Arsenal", and "Extinguish Them" all caused major blood loss. Within The Ruins will satisfy your heavy cravings.
Long Island Hardcore giants Stray From The Path certainly made their own history with this stand out album. "Make Your Own History" is pissed off beyond words, but it has a lot to say. In the
tried and true hardcore fashion, Stray From The Path packs honest,
gritty commentaries while musically pushing the limits of the genre itself with creative off time rhythms and chaotic guitar work.
Titles such as "Negative & Violent", "Fraudulent", "Black Anchor" and "Lucid
Dreaming" all pack a punch. And I have to say there's nothing like moshing to
"Damien". If you consider yourself a fan of hardcore, this record is a must for your music collection.
The band Periphery has been around since 2005, but the only real recognition they received was through guitarist Misha Mansoor (aka Bulb) whose regularly updated Soundclick account was flooded with underground attention. This all changed in 2010 when Periphery exploded onto the metal scene with their self-titled debut via Sumerian Records. It brought the elements of technicality, heaviness, and melody together in a way they had never met before and tied them together with a Meshuggah-esque "djent" guitar tone. The song styles were wide open from the tech heavy "Zyglrox" to the more melodic "All New Materials" allowing the band to go in whatever direction they pleased. This fresh progressive take on heavy music influenced countless bands and acted as a cornerstone of what would become the "djent" scene which is loved and hated by many (including the word djent itself). I personally think of Periphery as progressive metal, but to each their own. A year later they released the follow up "Icarus EP" which featured both new songs and revamped/remixed versions of old ones. By this time, expectations were high for the next full length Periphery album.
After what some considered a long 2 years, fans are finally able to sink their brains into "Periphery II: This Time It's Personal". But does it live up to the hype? Did listeners get what they expected, possibly even more? Depending on your personal tastes these answers may vary. The way I see it, Periphery delivers. They transitioned from a bunch of guys playing awesome, yet rehashed Bulb demos into an elite musical unit. Every band member, including the new ones, practiced and developed their craft obsessively after the original release and it really shows. The writing is beautifully complex and expands on and beyond the ideas of previous work. The playing field is still wide open, ranging from heavy hitting tracks like "Ragnarok" and "Make Total Destroy" to the lighter side with "Erised" and the second half of "Luck as a Constant". All the guitarists, including new member Mark Holocomb (previously of Haunted Shores), contributed inspired songs, blistering solos, carpal tunnel worthy riffs, and mind bending rhythmic patterns. Certain parts of the album feel as if life itself was injected into the music, such as the first half of "Masamune" (Titled after Final Fantasy. Composer Nobou Uematsu is a big influence on this band). Three amazing guest solos are also featured on this album. The legendary John Petrucci of Dream Theater (uncle of Periphery's Jake Bowen) wrote a powerful solo to end the song "Erised". Guthrie Govan, whom I absolutely admire, contributes a solo of pure awesome in "Have a Blast". And finally, guitar beast and new addition to The Faceless, Wes Hauch absolutely shreds it in "Mile Zero". Matt Halpern is a tank behind the drum kit, playing complex polyrhythms like they're nothing and providing several awesome drum solos. He lays in the grooves and plays so many ghost notes you swear the albums haunted. It's also important to mention Adam "Nolly" Getgood, guitarist of Red Seas Fire and new bassist of Periphery, who did all the bass work before he was officially in the band. He slaps out several great moments throughout the record. The biggest improvement of this album has to be Spencer Sotelo's vocal work, which has improved tenfold. Vocally, parts of the original release felt stale. Now they are filled to the brim with powerful conviction, allowing you to feel the emotion ranging from love to hate. Great examples being the next level singing performance of "Scarlet" and the emotionally charged tribute to a dead friend "Mile Zero" which actually ends with the sound of him smashing his headphones on the ground. Hell, Spencer even wrote "Facepalm Mute" in its entirety. You can listen below.
Though this album feels great in my ears it probably might not sit well with everyone. Moments such as the quirky video game feel in the beginnings of "Have a Blast" and "Ragnarok" could throw some people off. The same vibe can also be found throughout the shuffle groove progressions of "Froggin' Bullfish". The somewhat over the top vocals in the chorus of "The Gods Must Be Crazy!" and before the rhythm guitar solo section of "Ji" could also be turn offs. Personally, I enjoy all of the above but objectively, I can understand why others may not.
Overall, I have to say this album is rock solid. Inspiring, expansive, and thought provoking - all while keeping the spirit of Periphery alive. If you're looking for some great new music, I recommend you give this release a listen or two... or three.
Formed from ex-members of Earth Crisis and emerging from Syracuse, Freya is a metal unit to be reckoned with. They just dropped their long-awaited album "Paragon of the Crucible" today through Holy Mountain Music / Deadlight Entertainment! Listen below or stream the entire album on Lambgoat! Be sure to support if you enjoy!
How does 160 minutes of Dream Theater wrecking a stage sound to you? If it's sounding like a good time (honestly, why wouldn't it?), be sure to check their live DVD / Blu-Ray "Live At Luna Park" including a bunch of classic tracks with bonus footage to boot! Filmed in Argentina. Click here to see how John Petrucci learns new songs.
There is new a new doom hitting the world today with the return
of Christian heavy metal artists Impending Doom through their 5th studio
album "Death Will Reign." This album was recorded, produced and mixed
by musical genius of Will Putney (Fit For An Autopsy, Thy Art Is Murder,
Upon A Burning Body, etc.) at the Machine Shop. Expect extreme heaviness and destruction \m/
