Top 40 Albums of 2009 Part 4: #10-1

10. Cannibal Corpse - Evisceration Plague: This one might also fall into the “I don’t care what you think” pile. Some bands just have “it”. That knack for making brutal punishing death metal. “Corpsegrinder” has the best vox in the biz. And you can take that to the blood bank. Because that’s where you’ll need to go after Evisceration Plague tears you to pieces. For death metal, it’s pretty catchy. I don’t know how many times I get a riff from this album stuck in my head. Gory death and murder still have a place in metal and Cannibal Corpse lead the parade of carnage. Album highlight: “A Cauldron of Hate”

9. Cobalt - Gin: I’m not a big black metal fan. And you might not consider this black metal. It certainly doesn’t have typical black metal lyrical inspiration. But stylistically, it leans that way. There isn’t a weak spot on this album. The music is pure genius. All from the brain (and hands) of one guy. And the vocals! Oh yeah baby! Scathing to say the least. I recently saw an interview with Phil McSorley and you would never guess that voice came from that person. That gives me hope for myself. Gin gets better every time I hear it. Instant classic. Album highlight: “Arsonry” if I have to choose.

8. Burnt By The Sun - Heart of Darkness: THIS is what metal and hardcore is supposed to sound like. That full sound  of metal with the rawness of hardcore. If I saw them live, (which I probably never will) I’d have the world’s biggest bangover. It’s literally impossible not to throw yourself around violently while listening to Heart of Darkness. At least in private. This might be BBTS’s swansong too. A crying shame.  I wish I’d gotten into them earlier. I don’t know why I didn’t. This is one album that won’t get forgotten for a long time. Album highlight: The (simple yet) killer, album closing riff in “The Wolves Are Running”

7.  Converge - Axe to Fall: How to talk about Converge? That’s tough. And so is singer Jacob Bannon. Dude has tattoos on his neck! It’s basically hardcore but better. Complicated riffs abound. This train could fall off the rails at any minute but it’s Converge, so it doesn’t. Converge are at their best at lightning speeds (“Dark Horse”) but when they throw one out of left field, (“Cruel Bloom” ft. Steve Von Till, “Wretched World”) they still have a captivating impact. They’re just incredible. Bannon is a man possessed, Kurt Ballou is a genius both on the guitar and in the producer’s chair. I’ve (sadly) never heard Jane Doe, but as long as I have Axe To Fall, I don’t really need to. Album highlight: closer “Wretched World”. After all the chaos, it’s a nice cool down.

6. Megadeth - Endgame: As much as I like the classic Megadeth lineup, Mustaine really is Megadeth. And I think his giant ego is backed up by his music. He’s that good. I am amazed at his guitar prowess. You’d never know he was close to never being able to play again. Endgame is classic Megadeth. Maybe not Rust in Peace classic, but Countdown to Extinction classic. Or better. (Countdown was the first Megadeth album I heard.)I think I’ve referred to it as shred-tastic at some point. MegaDave has the same way of telling stories with his songs as always. He’s got the “love song” in there too. And of course, the lyrics are littered with clichés and common expressions/sayings. That’s just Megadeth style. I think Megadeth is  a pretty polarizing band. Not many people are on the fence. If you don’t like Mustaine’s vocals, you never will. Megadeth has always been one of my all-time faves and Endgame only strengthens that. Favourite driving album of 2009. Album highlight: Other than the shredding throughout, it’d be “Bite the Hand” I suppose.

5. Slayer - World Painted Blood: It was a hard decision to put this above Megadeth. Really. I think what put it over was Lombardo. Possibly the best drummer ever. Slayer is one of those bands that never has to change. They just do their thing and it’s awesome. Like Endgame, World Painted Blood reminds me of some of their older albums. There’s an urgency to it. It never lets up. Araya is still at the top of his game. If I caught myself with a tune stuck in my head, the majority of the time is was from this album. Even if I hadn’t listened to it in a few days. There’s not really much more I can say. It’s fucking Slayer! I think there was a stretch of a good month that this didn’t leave the cd player in the car. How else am I supposed to warp my young girls minds? Ha, my youngest (2) asked me, “What song is this?” Slayer, I said. “ I know Dad, but what SONG is it.?” I’m so proud. That song was...Album highlight: “Unit 731“. The drums on that track are just so fucking rad.

4. SerpentCult - Weight of Light: I cheated on this one. It was originally released in 2008 but the North American release wasn’t til Jan ‘09 so in my mind it counts. I bent the rules because this slab of doom deserves all the cred I can throw at it. Sometimes it’s categorized as sludge, but the band prefers doom and I agree. It might not be at a snail’s pace, but this fucker is HEAVY! Oh, so heavy! The tones are so crushing. You can really hear the bass guitar too. It sounds like the strings are gonna fall off. As low as everything is on this, they have a female singer. With a beautiful voice. Every once in a while she throws in a grunt just so we know she’s metal. I wanted to go see them play with Zoroaster and The Gates of Slumber but I was unable to make it. What a shame. I bet they destroy all live. They were on first but they should headline. That’s just me. IMO, the singer (I really need to get better at names) puts Christina Scabbia, that chick from Evanescence, or any of those chicks in goth metal bands to shame.  The album wouldn’t be as awesome with a male singer. Best new band of 2009. Album highlight: “Arkanum”

3. Baroness - Blue Record: Early in their career, Baroness were thought of like Mastodon clones. Like Mastodon, Baroness has evolved beyond that. Continuing with what they started on Red Album (My Top Album of 2007), Blue Record isn’t so much sludge metal as it is heavy rock. What makes Baroness so great is their song writing ability. Every song takes you on a journey. It consists of so many parts (not verse/chorus/verse) but every part is there for a reason. And it all flows so well. Every note leads to the next like they were meant to be together. Another great part is the range of tones. It’s not flat. For the most part the tones are very bright. Despite the name, Blue Record makes me feel good. Maybe because it makes feel like I’m flying. Or given the fish imagery on the cover, speeding through the clear blue sea. Something I usually don’t care for but do on Blue Record is the little acoustic passages. They sound like they fit. Almost Americana. Not Across Tundras Americana though. That IS too much. Blue Record sounds like it couldn’t have originated from anywhere but America though. I can only imagine what the future holds for Baroness given that this monumental, dynamic, inspiring album is only their second full length. I can’t wait to find out. Album highlight: “Swollen and Halo”

2. Blood Tsunami - Grand Feast for Vultures: There’s two main reasons this is ranked so high. 1. Overwhelming winner on play count. 2. Not a day goes by that I don’t want to listen to this. No matter what mood I’m in, I can listen to Grand Feast for Vultures. It’s new thrash but it’s not American. I can hear the Slayer influence and at times a riff is only a note or two off from Metallica. I don’t care. I get so amped up listening to this. If I’m in a pissy mood, I scream along to this and it gets that negativity out of me and I feel much better. Speaking of scream along, that’s my favourite part. The screaming. It’s so powerful. He’s giving it all he’s got. And so do I. I don’t know most of the words but I scream right along with it. I’m actually pretty proud at how well I can emulate his style. Their debut, Thrash Metal, was great but Grand Feast for Vultures is a big step up. There’s just something about this album that speaks to me. It’s hard to explain. It just must have the same resonance frequency as I do. Whatever the reason, this is one of my all time favourite albums. Album highlight: “Nothing but Contempt”

1. Kylesa - Static Tensions: I knew this was going to top my list from the first listen. There was no doubt. It has everything you could ever want and more. Phillip Cope and Laura Pleasants are an incredible team. From the guitars to the vocals, they compliment each other perfectly. The album is very layered and complex. However, in a live setting, they can pull it off and nothing seems missing. Awe inspiring. While Kylesa’s not the only band to have two drummers, Kylesa’s the only band that does it this well. Eric and Carl are in perfect unison. (When they’re supposed to be) Cope did an amazing job producing. Sometimes the drums are separate and sometimes centered. It’s quite the experience with headphones. Seeing the two drummers live was one of, if not the, greatest concert experience of my life. My jaw was on the floor almost the whole time. Unbelievable. My buddy Mark McGee (drums, Architect) and I couldn’t get over it. I was also lucky enough to interview Phillip and Laura before the show. (transcription in progress) I was truly grateful they shared their time with me. There is no weak spot on this album at all. Amazing front to back. By this point in many bands careers, they’ve hit their stride but with Static Tensions, Kylesa is still accelerating. The jump from the last album (Time Will Fuse Its Worth)to this one is staggering. They were amazing before but they’re exceptional now. If you’re not in love with Static Tensions, shame on you. Buy it now!! I have but I need to get the vinyl now. Album highlight: “Said and Done” but really they’re all highlights.

0. (What? There’s a 0?) If any one of you has read my lists before you know that some bands have a special place in my brain that absolves them of all flaws. They can do no wrong and I am unable to be unbiased. So instead of just making them Number 1 every year, I just make them 0. It’s only fair. This year, like 2007, it’s Clutch. Strange Cousins From The West. Clutch’s blues tinged brand of hard rock is second to none. No matter hard a band may try, none sound like Clutch. Every member of the band has such a unique style which cannot be emulated. As with previous releases, SCFTW is just stylistically different enough from the rest that for the most part, the songs only fit on this release. It’s amazing how Clutch can still sound distinctly Clutch but never become stale. Neil Fallon has to be the greatest front man ever. As captivating as he is live, he commands just as much respect on the album. I think there’s so much going on in his head, he could write a new song everyday and still not run out of ideas. Between Christmas and New Year’s, Clutch was playing their self titled album in its entirety. Too bad I missed that. I’ll have to settle for SCFTW. That’s not so bad. It’s Clutch and they are better than you. Album highlight: “The Amazing Kreskin”
0b. Yup. A b. The Bakerton Group - El Rojo: It’s basically Clutch without vocals (with Per Wiberg from Opeth on keys). Fantastic!


So that’s the list. Argue with me if you like. It’ll be fun. Time to start on 2010!

Kylesa/Intronaut + locals @ Bar None, Kingston, ON May 3,2009

Kingston, Ontario was host to a very special treat Sunday night. The mighty Kylesa from Savannah, Georgia and L.A.'s Intronaut stopped by on an off-date from their tour with Mastodon to shake Bar None to its foundations. Kingdom of Noise had the very special honour of interviewing Kylesa's Phillip Cope and Laura Pleasants before the show. The interview will be posted at a later date. Warming up the crowd on this night was Chase the Day and Tubby Custard.

Chase the Day opened up the night. Not too bad for a bunch of young guys. The vocalist did his best to look like Phil Anselmo without all the tattoos. Cargo shorts, muscle shirt and the mohawk not spiked. I guess Jason Newstead did that too. Anyway, pretty standard death metal. Decent guitar work, standard drumming and plenty of effort from the vocalist. He seemed to go a little heavy on the random growls though. But still better than Chris Barnes. Performance wise, they have a ways to go. Other than the vocalist, they were pretty much a "stand there and play" band. Even the vocalist wasn't great in that department. Fist pumps, hunch over the monitor, some headbanging. But at least he moved. They call the openers "beer bands" for a reason.

Tubby Custard was a little better despite their name. I'd put these guys more in the metalcore/deathcore file. These guys made up for Chase the Day's lack of movement. They seemed to be more into it. That, or better at hitting all the notes while moving. Call me petty, but I couldn't get over how much the vocalist looked like a douche. He could scream well enough but he made me want to punch him. Before and after their set he was wearing one of those stupid flat-billed hats. Backwards. Strike 1. Under the hat was a haircut straight out of a 1975 yearbook picture (but not just straight and long, he had swooped bangs). Strike 2. Strike 3 came for his shirt. It looked like a sarong with buttons. I don't generally judge a book by it's cover but sometimes I'd just rather not see the cover. Again, pretty decent work from all members but nothing special. I have to take points off though. When you are an opener, and only play 5 songs or so, it's best to play all your own. And if you are going to play a cover, don't be so cliche as to play a Lamb of God song. At least do a Slayer song. Oh, and sarong boy kept doing that chicken neck thing. Kids these days.

Intronaut. Finally a band with some serious experience. I have to be honest, I was more into them in the Challenger/Void/Null days. I had a hard time getting into Prehistoricisms. I might have revisit it after seeing them live. It's been a while since I've seen a band with that amount of prog in their game. The prog is what I was having a hard time with on the album but I can really appreciate it more live. I was really impressed with the way they shifted tempos seamlessly. Also, the number of times I saw guitarist/vocalist Sacha Dunable use his pedal board was dizzying. How he can keep it all straight is beyond me. It was really odd to see bassist Joe Lester front and centre but it works for Intronaut. Since both guitarist (Dave Timnick being the other) were also singing, it balanced things out. Plus, the bass work in Intronaut is really prominent. I think that's where most of the prog is. My eyes were pretty much glued on his fingers for most of the set. Remarkable musicianship. What I wouldn't give to have half his talent. I have to mention drummer Danny Walker. I need to give him props for keeping everything straight given all teh times changes and jazzy breaks. Not your run of the mill "keep the beat" drummer. Not being as up on my Intronaut catalogue as maybe I should be, and having a shitty memory to boot, I can't tell you just how much they delved into all their albums but I am pretty sure it was heavy on Prehistoricisms. I was pretty impressed. Enough so to buy a shirt. I just might go back and listen to the album again too. At the end of the set, Sacha said "We need some weed. So if anyone has some..." Good idea. I just might have to try that approach next time.

Man, I have been vibrating since I saw this show announced. I never thought I would get to see a band of this caliber right in my own backyard. I was sure I'd have to go to Montreal or Toronto for it. Needless to say, my expectations were pretty high. They did not disappoint. They brought their crust/sludge/doom and rocked our collective worlds! I wasn't sure how such an underground band would go over in Kingston. It seems to be a -core/emo town. So when I saw a) how many people were there (kicked Cattle Decapitation's ass by a long shot) and b) how into it they were, it made me smile. The only time that smile left my face was when I was screaming along. This is the second time in the last few months I have been overwhelmed by the presence of a female front-woman. (The first was Fuck the Facts) Laura commands the stage. She is just more proof that metal is not just a man's game. Phillip told me that he lost his voice a couple days previous and that he had no range, but I couldn't tell. Bassist Cory Barhorst was no slouch either. I really like the fact that Kylesa are a band effort. All 3 were involved in the vocals. Not just a front-person and their backing band. It should be no surprise that the most impressive part of the set was the drumming of Eric Hernandez and Carl McGinley. It was really something special. Nah, special isn't a good enough word. How about fucking unbelievable!! To see both those guys playing so tightly was mind-boggling. I would have been just as impressed if they only had one drummer, but seeing them with both was all-you-can-do-is-shake-your-head awesome. At the end of the set, that's exactly what I did. I turned to my buddy Mark McGee (Architect, Jesus Mullet,ex-I Hate Sally) and we both just shook our heads. We couldn't believe we had just witnessed that. As I mentioned earlier, my memory is the pits, so I can't give you a set-list but it was heavy on Static Tensions. I have been listening to all their stuff lately (interview research/refresh) so it all kind of melds together for me but you could tell which album they were touring behind. They could play songs from only Static Tensions and I would still be on Cloud Nine. It's the best album of the year without a doubt. I feel truly blessed to have been able to attend this show. There has been very few times that I have been able to see a band that I consider that legendary at all, let alone in such an intimate environment. I will start praying to the metal gods that they can somehow find their way back to Kingston. However, I will make the trip to Toronto if I have to (not tonight. I have to work). It would be more than worth the gas money.

KYLESA!!!

So I'm going to see Kylesa on May 3 with Intronaut and a couple locals (P!cked On and Tubby Custard). I am so fucking excited! It's going to be a long week of anticipation. I've been pretty much vibrating for the last couple days. I've been into them since To Walk a Middle Course. Obviously I checked out their earlier releases, and was just as impressed. Their overall tone or feel hasn't really changed that much but I feel they are getting better with each subsequent release. Their latest, Static Tensions, is just incredible (read review here). I'm ready to hand over Album of the Year right now. Nothing will top it. Georgia bands have been dominating my Albums of the Year lists the past few years. Mastodon in '06, Baroness in '07, (Amon Amarth took top spot in '08, but Black Tusk put in a good showing) and Kylesa in '09. The addition of a second drummmer and Laura's clean vocals have added new elements to their already textured and distinct repetoire. They don't allow themselves to be pigion-holed into any specific subgenre. I have heard them referred to as dirty hardcore. I can't really ageee with that seeing as it's hard to me to think of them as being in the same vien as say, Hatebreed or Terror or someone like that. I have also seen them billed as doom, but while I don't really have a problem with that, they offer so much more. I see doom as being much more oppressive.Not to mention evil and depressing. Being heavy and being oppressive and two different but not mutually exclusive things.

I'll be on Kylesa overload all week. I should really listen to some Intronaut to refamiliarize myself with all their work. I'll be checking out the new Chimaira (The Infection), as well as Heaven and Hell - The Devil You Know.

Kylesa - Static Tensions basic review

Kylesa - Static Tensions (Prosthetic Records, Release Date March 17,2009): I would write a full-on review but this album kicks so much ass I would need way more time than I have right now. So, a basic review will have to do for now. I have to tell people about Static Tensions. I can't see anything (other than a new Clutch release) topping this monster album in 2009. It's perfect. Phillip Cope, Laura Pleasants and the boys have this incredible way of crafting these beautifully epic, heavy as fuck songs. But Static Tensions is more than just a collection of songs. It's a true album. While listening to it passively (while reading a book per se) the songs meld together and I hardly even notice it's a different track. Then, all too soon, it's over. So I listen to it again. It has totally dominated my ipod since I got it. I can't get over how great it sounds. Not just the songs themselves but the production. Phillip Cope is a fucking genius (He's worked with Baroness, Withered and I believe Blacktusk among others). If Kylesa had one drummer, I would sing them no less praises, but they have TWO!! It's so amazing to listen to because you don't hear the drums from the middle (of the car, of the room, of your head) but one drummer from the left and one from the right speaker/headphone. Indescribably awesome.

There are times when I can hear elements of Torche, Baroness and The Sword. There are even some black metal type drum parts that you might hear on a Withered track. Given the similar geography and the Cope factor, that is to be expected, but no less awesome. Makes you wonder though, "Did they get that from Band X, or did Band X get that from them?" I honestly don't care. There is also a vocal line sung by Laura that keeps reminding of the a couple lines in Pantera's Walk. I can't remember the lyrics right now but it's the part that ends with "...dawn of time." and then the RE - SPECT. WALK! I wonder what Laura would think of being a Phil Anselmo reminder.

Did I mention it has John Dyer Baizley cover art? Doesn't get any better than that.

There must be something in the water down in Georgia. It seems everything that is coming from down there is truly awesome. Although, I have heard the Atlanta weed is pretty good so maybe that has something to do with it.

I'll get to experience Kylesa live in May when they come to my hometown (close enough) with Intronaut. It's at a pretty small club so it should be fucking epic. I am trying to contact the band to setup an interview for that day. I hope it doesn't fall through like the Darkest Hour interview that never happened. I'd rather talk to Kylesa for my first Kingdom of Noise interview anyway.

Kylesa - Static Tensions: Fucking buy it.