Comeback Album of the Year: Sepultura - Kairos

I don't think anyone can honestly contend that Sepultura without Max Cavalera is better than Sepultura with Max Cavalera. (Especially me, an unashamed Max-ophile.The Soulfly "Wings" logo was my first ever tattoo.) But I don't think Derrick Green-led Sepultura gets enough credit. He has been in the band longer than Max was after all. Needless to say, after 3 lackluster albums (Roorback, Dante XXI and (groan) A-Lex), the band's latest, Kairos (Nuclear Blast) raises the band back up to a certain level of respectability. Unfortunately the band's reputation has been tarnished enough at this point that they are no longer given a fair shot. Their second album to feature no Cavaleras sees them ditching the constraints of a concept album for something a little more straightforward. They've put together an album of solid, fairly catchy (groove) metal. Groove seems to be a dirty word anymore but, seriously, fuck, when did an album's ability to induce head-nodding and toe-tapping become a reason for derision? (Bear in mind, I have no tolerance for pointless guitar wankery, Sumerian sucks, and Meshuggah can kiss my ass.) After the cringe-worthy A-Lex, I'm really glad to see that Kisser and Paulo Jr. were able to use their undeniable musicianship and right the ship, as it were. The album is not without its faults, however. The Ministry cover, ("Just One Fix") while well done, was misplaced being in the middle of the album. It would have worked much better placed at the end. Similarly industrial influenced track, "Structure Violence (Azzes)" seems unnecessary to me. Without those two tracks the album could have been more concise and impactful. From what I hear, Sepultura covered Prodigy's "Firestarter" as a bonus track on the deluxe version. It wasn't included on the version I heard and I have been to absent-minded to find it anywhere. It could be interesting though.

I based this Comeback Album Award not on a return from tragedy, or near tragedy (the next Early Graves and Behemoth albums, respectively), or on a return from a long hiatus (Crowbar) but on producing an album that exceeded my expectations after the previous album's disappointment.  That's why I consider Kairos 2011's Comeback Album of the Year.

Fun Fact: I believe a (surprisingly glowing) review of the first two tracks released from A-Lex was the first ever Kingdom of Noise post.

www.twitter.com/MetalMatt_KofN

Inspired by Girls Who Don't Really Like Metal

Inspired by this article on Metal Sucks, I've preempted by Napalm Death live review to bring you a few words about girls and metal. At least from my perspective and opinion.
First, my wife doesn't like metal. She doesn't pretend to like metal. The only metal she likes is a couple Rob Zombie tunes and that's not even metal. Thankfully, she doesn't like Country Music either. Otherwise, I wouldn't have married her. So, I got to thinking, if I wasn't married what would I think of "metal chicks"?
a) Most of the young women I see at metal shows are too young for me anyway. I'm an old man now. More grey hair than black but not really because of age. With a hat on, I still get ID'ed sometimes. Anyway,...

Would I want to have a girlfriend/wife that loved metal as much as I do? I don't really know. On one hand, it would be really great to listen to Black Metal at breakfast, and Death Metal at dinner, Sludge at supper etc. I would have someone to watch my Immolation DVD with, a reason to get my old Sepultura VHS tapes out of the garage, and not have to listen to the crap on the radio all the time. But on the other hand, she would want to go to all the metal shows with me, right? Do I want that? Will she DD? Metal shows are kind of my escape. A night out by myself to let loose. I don't even have to drink or get high. I just rage. I end up sore for days but I have a good time. I don't go out and shoot pool or hang out a sports bar with my friends. I just go to metal shows. So, if my wife were to come to all those shows too because she was a "metal chick" what would I do? Not hang out at a sports bar alone, that's for sure.
If my wife liked all the same stuff I do, (metal, sports, sci-fi/fantasy, logging etc) would I find that sexy? Or would it feel like just having a female best friend that you sleep with? Ya sure, I get frustrated sometimes that I can't talk to her (or anyone really, I'm kind of isolated in terms of like minded friends) about the amazing new Krallice album, or how much I hate the Yankees, or Arthur C. Clarke's Rama series, or how I need a new chainsaw chain etc. but say she didn't LIKE the new Krallice album, then what would I do? I think this way, where I have my own shit, and she has hers, is better in the long run. Sure, I have to listen to Selena Gomez (kids) and Adele (wife) and I can't watch every Chicago Blackhawks game on tv but I love my wife just the way she is.
Besides, I don't know about other guys, metal nerds or not, but I am not automatically attracted to a woman just because she is wearing a Skeletonwitch t-shirt or has rad tattoos. It helps, but if she's not attractive, she's not attractive. Plain and simple. A musical preference isn't going to change that. Also, for me anyway, too much makeup is a turn off. And I see lots of makeup on the faces of the bodies wearing some of those shirts.
I guess what I am trying to say is, it would be cool if my wife liked metal. Just not as much as me.

As far as the article goes. I really hope it's tongue-in-cheek. Otherwise, it's bullshit. I believe women can love metal just as much as guys. I "know" lots of them. I see lots of them. Killing themselves in the pit with the rest of us. Girls don't voluntarily get beat up so guys notice them. That doesn't make sense. "Hey, I have a black eye and a bloody nose. Wanna make out?" No, thanks.
Granted, there ARE people, women and men alike that think it's cool to wearing Maiden shirts and the like without knowing anything about the band. To whom I would refer to this video.

Did I make any sense or did I just waste some of my precious time? Hey, whatever happened to Most Precious Blood?

Sepultura - A-Lex

Sepultura - A-Lex: The Seps will just never be the same without Max. And now that they are Igor/Iggor?-less as well, their cause is not helped. This is one of those situations that has two sides. Side A: Knowing what Sepultura has done, it can be judged against that. Side B: Just look at the album as a stand alone.
Unfortunately, Side B just doesn't happen. Ya can't. So, compared to previous Sepultura efforts, it kinda blows. Compared to previous Derrick Green led Sepultura albums, it's kinda par for the course. It still carries a certain element that is unmistakably Sepultura but it doesn't hold a candle to anything done with Max.
I don't pay too much attention to lyrics for the most part (and I've never seen A Clockwork Orange. Sue me) so I don't get the concept of the album. Which if you haven't figured it out, is a concept album about A Clockwork Orange. I do know that the gang chant part during "Moloko Mesto" is annoying. I doesn't fit the pacing of the song. It sounds like someone was messing with Pro Tools and they didn't catch it before pressing. Also, I'm not a big fan of the little interlude type dittys between songs.
I do like this album, I may even buy it (I have them all). Don't think for a minute that a Cavalera-less Sepultura is anywhere near as good as classic Sep though. It's alot better than most of the stuff I've listened to lately (new Pestilence and Satyricon. First listens). Standard post-Max Sepultura.

New Sepultura tunes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So I am listening to the 2 new Sepultura tunes the posted on their myspace page and I must say, I like it.
Derrick sounds better on these songs than he has so far I think. He sounds a little more scathing on The Treatment than before and that is good.
We've Lost You has that mid-paced groove that makes you want to bang your head. It's pretty typical of Max-less Sep but good nonetheless. I will admit that I have loved Sepultura all along anyway.

I'm really liking The Treatment. It's mostly fast throughout but it it drops a few bpm every so often. Air drums are happenin. He's no Igor but he's not half-bad. HE is new recruit Jean Dolabella smashing the skins. Igor left giant shoes to fill so I don't expect anyone to actually fill them.

These 2 tunes have a real scream along quality to them. Maybe it's because I think I could scream about as good as Derrick Green anyway or maybe it's because Andrea Kisser still writes kickass tunes. I still need to check out his solo stuff, Hubris I & II.

I am definitely going to try and find a pirated copy of this (A-Lex btw, Russian for "no law") before the January 27 North American release date. Which has some killer artwork too.
I can really see myself making this a staple in the car. Oh yeah. If it came out before X-mas, it would be on my list. But, since I don't have Dante XXI either, I'll put that on my list.

I am gonna try and find a copy right now. Laters!!

The Inaugural Post

Hey meatheads!!

This is the first post of my new Metal blog, Kingdom of Noise.
To start things off, I love metal. DUH!
What I will be writing about here is stuff like album reviews, metal related movie reviews, metal related book reviews, the occasional concert review (stay tuned for Cancer Bats Dec 19) and what I have been listening to recently.

I LOVE to talk about metal so PLEASE feel free to bitch at me about my opinions and/or suggest a better band.

So, today, I well, it was a slow metal day. I, ah, listened to a few songs of the new Soulfly album, Conquer. I love that album. I am gonna head over to myspace and check out the 2 new Cavalera-less Sepultura tunes. I'll let ya know what I think.