Titan - Colossus EP

Titan - Colossus EP: I have decided to redo my initial review of this EP because it was weak. Toronto's Titan truly come by their name honestly. Colossus is awesome. It carries some of the hardcore element of previous releases but there is plenty of doom. They have such a huge sound! They have a way of transitioning between styles effortlessly. As in "Next Winter", when it's going in this heavy hardcore mode, screamin' balls off assault and then at about the 3 min mark, everything drops away but some guitar plucking, and then WHAM!! crushing doom. Like funeral doom crushing. With some of the most evil belched vocals I've heard that don't sound like someone throwing up. The vocal range is fantastic. Colossus is full of energy and even when it slows down, there is still crushing power and a different kind of energy. It's like you can hear the train coming, you're on the tracks, you can't move. It's getting closer, you're waiting for impact. Then it hits. But it doesn't hurt. I feels better than before. As the train rolls through you, it transfers the energy. Making you feel larger than life. Infusing you with a sense of power. The piano moments in "His Eminence" allow for some much needed breathing room. Having seen Titan live only enhances the feeling of heavy. I can envision them playing the songs. I'll plan better for next time. I won't go right from the tattoo shop to the show. Colossus by Titan. Titanic. Colossal.

Evocation - Dead Calm Chaos

I think I may have discussed this album before. But since I am listening to it right now I thought I would say a few words. I really like it. I realize it's nothing really unique but I enjoy it. It reminds me alot of Amon Amarth. Twilight of the Thunder God topped my list for last year so you can understand the appeal. In fact, it's really similar in almost every way to TotTG. Makes me bang my head, air guitar and drums and if I knew the words, I would growl along.

Obscura, Mastodon

Obscura - Cosmogenesis: Sorry. Not for me.Technically, sure, yeah, they can all play their asses off. But it's too much for me. It doesn't seem organic or natural enough. It's feels obvious how much planning went into it. I prefer stuff that sounds like it comes for from the heart. It's just to technical. I hate the bass tone and the vocal effects. HATE the vocal effects. That why I didn't like Cynic either. I made it through the whole album but I have no desire to listen to it again.

Mastodon - Crack the Skye: I haven't heard all of it yet. I haven't heard the 13 minute final track. I have heard alot about how people aren't too sure about it. Decibel said it's a grower, not a show-er. I agree. Even on first listen I liked it, but with each subsequent spin, it gets better. I get the feeling that if it wasn't Mastodon, I'd be reading things like "beautifully progressive", "epic post-metal" and stuff like. But since it IS Mastodon, people expect Leviathan, or Remission or Blood Mountain. Crack the Skye is different. It's nothing we haven't heard from Mastodon before, just not for a whole album. Still has the guitar work, Brann's unique drumming, Troy and Brent's dual vocals, epic passages and all that we know Mastodon for. It's just a different angle. It's a little refreshing that they are making the music they want to and not just what people expect them to. I am very interested in hearing the last track. I think it's called "The Last Baron", but without access to the Internet, I can't double check. The preorder from itunes has all 7 tracks as instrumentals, a live track and a digital copy of the booklet in addition to the 7 core tracks.

Quick Hits

Arise and Ruin - Night Storms Hailfire: Fucking awesome. Very well
produced. You can really hear the hardcore but it has a very metal feel. It
is loaded with absolutely killer riffs. Good job boys.

Wino - Puncuated Equilibrium: Scott "Wino" Weinrich is like the Lemmy of
stoner rock. You know right away who it is, but you also know what to
expect. In Wino's case, sweet riffs, sweeter tone and some good solid
stoner tunes. If you liked The Hidden Hand, Spirit Caravan, St. Vitus or
any other Wino band, you'll dig this.

I listened to The Silent Enigma by Anathema the other day. Meh, not my
thing. I listened to the whole thing so that's something but I wasn't blown
away. So I won't go looking for anything else in their discography.

Sometimes you have to trust what you read

I read that the new Stuck Mojo album (The Great Revival) was absolutely horrible. Decibel gave it a zero. I used to enjoy Stuck Mojo back in the day so I gave it a shot. Well, after hearing less than 2 tracks, I NEEDED a shot!! It is really bad. Really. Worse than that Body Count album from a couple years ago. Avoid at all costs.

Hollow Crown by Architects (UK), was pretty bad too. I had to skip it. I couldn't take it. I had visions of emo-core kids karate kicking in their skinny jeans and singing along like it's the story of THEIR life.

Luckily The Ichthyologist by Giant Squid was next.

Hooded Menace - Fulfill the Curse

Hooded Menace - Fulfill the Curse: I first heard about Hooded Menace in Decibel Magazine. Apparently the band is a bit of mystery. They had no picture of the band. Just a cartoonish image of hooded druid-like figures. Cool. I don't remember what it was about the article that peaked my interest, but I managed to obtain a digital copy. I tried to listen to it a few weeks ago but gave up early. The first couple tracks are kinda boring. I knew I had punchier stuff to listen to so I moved on. But I decided to give it another shot. Glad I did. Once the album gets going, they add a few more notes to a pretty massive guitar tone. Had I been in an altered state of mind, I may have been enveloped by that tone and the somewhat hypnotic riffing. The weak point of this album may the the vocals. That typical atonal black/doom bellow (recorded in a cave) that I am sure is recreated by a litany of misunderstood, pizza-faced basement dwellers. But I can tolerate them.. I really don't know if any other vocal style would fit the music anyway. It bounces back and forth a bit between a slow dirge and a gallopy pace (dun dadada dun dadada dun.....). It serves the album well though. It breaks up what could have been a very monotonous record. Fulfill the Curse finishes with a 3 minutes instrumental piece entitled Theme From the Manhattan (something I can't remember right now), that breaks from the overall feel of the album. It seems out of place. It might even be a cover. It's not bad, it just doesn't fit. They could have left it off because the album was long enough already. Fulfill the Curse doesn't break down any walls, or blaze any new trails, but it has earned a spot on my ipod for a little while longer anyway.

Cattle Decapitation and Buried Inside

Cattle Decapitation - The Harvest Floor: Pretty good blackened deathgrind album. I'm not familiar enough with their earlier work to make a comparison. It seemed really short. Like it was over before it started. But as soon as you throw a grind label on something, you have to expect a short runtime. I enjoyed it but I am going to have to give some more time. I am fairly new in my appreciation of both grind and black metal so it will take me more time to fully appreciate The Harvest Floor than if it were a straight up death metal album. I know they are a vegan band but I haven't gotten deep into the lyrics at all (yet). Maybe The Harvest Floor will be a gateway drug to their back catalogue. I really enjoy their imagery and merch, especially the "Gore not Core" shirt (possibly the best band shirt ever) which I will be buying when I see them live April 14.

Buried Inside - Spoils of Failure: Ottawa's Buried Inside are awesome. They always have been. Even though Spoils of Failure isn't a concept album like their previous efforts, it's still pretty heady stuff from what I've read. I haven't read the lyrics yet. It's pretty heavy, doom-laden. Very sonic album with that roared vocal over top. I need to really give it some more listens to really nail down the sound. It reminds of Toronto's Titan without the hardcore elements. I am sure that when I get the chance to listen to this baby at elevated decibel levels, I'll be pleasantly knocked off my ass.

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.

Because I haven't posted in a while

Kylesa - Static Tensions: I haven't even finished listening to it yet. But I know right now it's gonna be one of the best of 2009. I'll give it a full shakedown Friday or Saturday. I'm doing some driving on Friday so that's prime listening time.

Cannibal Corpse - Evisceration Plague: fucking awesome. The ipod count on this is getting up there.

God Forbid - Earthsblood: on my 4th or 5th listen and it get better every time. it's a good grower.

Giant Squid - The Ichthyologist ( I know that's spelled wrong): pretty fucking cool. I will be listening to this alot.

Irepress - Sol Eye Sea I: BORING. maybe i am missing something. I'll have to give it more spins.

Archtect - Ghost of the Salt Water Machines: I can't get enough of it. Seriously. It is solid gold. And the coolest thing is, my buddy Mark just became their drummer!

Buried Inside - Spoils of Failure: pretty good on first listen but it's not a surface record. I've got to go deeper.

Cattle Decapitation - The Harvest Floor: Certainly getting me pumped for the show in April.

Thank goodness for technicalities!!

Serpentcult's Weight of Light came out in Europe last year, but the North American release date was in January. SO it's eligible for my Top Albums of 2009 because I live in North America. This is good news because the album kicks ass and I hadn't heard it until the other day.

Sadly, some kick ass albums from 2008 didn't hit my ears until 2009. Here's a short list of killer albums that may have made my list had I heard them last year.

Trenches - The Tide Will Swallow Us Whole
Bloodbath - The Fathomless Mastery
Death Angel - Killing Season
Early Graves - We: The Guillotine
Evocation - Dead Calm Chaos (fucking awesome!)
Watain - Casus Luciferi

Live Review: Darkest Hour w/ Born of Osiris, Dead and Divine, Arise and Ruin, Fall to Ashes

Feb 4, 2009: Time To Laugh, Kingston, Ontario

Locals Fall to Ashes opened the show. Bunch of clowns if you ask me. The 2 guitarists were wearing Ferris Bueller sunglasses. The vocalist didn't even take off his coat.(it was FUCKING cold out) and the whole band just basically stood there and bobbed their heads. They couldn't even chug-chug-noodle-noodle-deathcore growl their way through a half-hour set without playing a cover.(Parkway Drive) Good effort boys but you have some work to do.

Guelph's Arise and Ruin know how to put on a show. They recently parted ways with guitarist Greg, and brought in a guy named Sam to fill in. He was a fan of the band and knew all the songs cold anyway. He did a great job. They played mostly stuff off their new disc, Night Storms Hailfire (released Feb 17). From what I heard, it sounded pretty killer. I'll have to pick up the disc and give it a listen in a more controlled environment. Vocalist Ryan Bauchmann assured me he's not going to mellow out anytime soon and guitarist Brent Munger let me know that they really like Sam and will probably keep him. Thanks to Mike the merch guy for the sweet deal on the hoodie.

I will admit that I didn't pay attention to Toronto's Dead and Divine because they were too emo for my tastes. Besides, I am an asshole and the singer was wearing a long coat and a scarf and looked like a real metrosexual, so I automatically dismissed him as a douchebag. Proabably a real nice guy though.

I didn't want to like Born of Osiris but they weren't too bad. I could do without the keyboards and the Human Abstract/PTH guitar work but for being just kids, they really know their way around their instruments. The drummer was particularly impressive. I'd watch em again but I am not going out to buy the albums.

I set my hopes too high for Darkest Hour. I listened to all their back catalogue a couple times and was really excited. I speculated about the playlist, tried to remember lyrics and brought my copy of Undoing Ruin to get signed (didn't get it signed). Alas, I was let down. Their performance seemed almost choreographed to me. Up on the monitor, back down, switch positions, up on the monitor....It might have looked better were I in a different position. I was 3 or 4 deep, off to one side so I could only see half the stage. Maybe if I had gone to one of the high tables at the back, I could have seen better. And it would of had a different effect. They played a bunch from Deliver Us, and a nice mix from about Hidden Hands....on up. They put on a good show, (plenty of kids losing their minds) I just think I wasn't in the right frame of mind that night. I high too high expectations, I was exhausted before I even got there, I was disappointed I didn't get the chance to interview them for this blog, and it was only the second in show in YEARS that I attended stone cold sober. That being said, as out of it as I was, a good enough show would have been able to snap me out of it. Worth the $15 anyway.

Lesson learned though, so I won't get as excited before the Cattle Decapitation show in April.

Correction Notice

In my previous post, I was talking about a band named the Overlords of Chaos.
I was mistaken. The ALBUM is Overlords of Chaos. The band is Ironsword.
Yeah, just as dumb.,

Speaking of chaos and bad singers.....

I was listening to a band this morning, I believe named The Overlords of Chaos. The band name alone should have sent up a red flag. (which is funny, because I probably read about them in Decibel, whose parent company is Red Flag Media) But anyway... It sucks. The image that comes to mind is this: a bunch of 14-15 year-olds discover one of their dad's old Iron Maiden, Judas Priest etc records in the attic. Once they figure out how to work the record player, forwards, they think it sounds "pretty sick!" and "rad". They go talk to "Jimmy's" dad about them. The dad starts getting all nostalgic and shit. He encourages them to start a band. So they do. Problem is, there are only 3 of them, so the twin guitar harmonies are out. They're havin' a great time and dad brings out his old 4 track recorder. Here's the second problem. None of them can sing. None of them can hold a note longer than 0.3 seconds before it cracks. Ah, puberty. At least Bobby's got a hair on his chest now. Dad saves the day. He steps up the mic and lives out is own adolescent dream. He's singing in a metal band. But, alas, he had no training back them and no training now. Therefore, he sounds like a has been that never was.

Then I hit a bump and my ipod shuffled to something on This Comp Kills Fascists and life was good again.

Learn to sing already!

In my quest to expand my metal pallet, I have been listening to some older
bands that I would have dismissed a couple years ago simply because they
were "before my time". (eg. Testament, Motorhead) So when I saw that
Kreator had a new album out, I thought I would give it a listen. Besides,
the last two Motorhead albums were good, so was the new Testament. So how
bad could Hordes of Chaos be?
I would say it was a waste of bandwidth, but I have unlimited so I don't
care. A more fitting term might be a waste of space on my ipod. I can't
really say the album is bad, it's just nothing special.
Musically, it's a trashin' good time. Very well produced, competent
musicians, and decent songwriting. But vocally, it's disappointing. I
thought after that many years, the band would have a better singer. I don't
know much of anything about Kreator expect they are from Germany. Is it the
original singer? I dunno.
I any case, I just find the whole thing unnecessary. Old thrash bands still
kickin' is cool and all, but unless they are bringing some new and/or
exciting to the table, I can go without.

Top 34 Albums of 2008 (updated)

I finally combed through everything I listened to that was released in 2008. It was an exhausting process and I think it took me over 2 months. Seriously. I based my list mostly on amount of spins, but a big part of it is how much I want to listen to it. Do I have to be "in the mood" for it? How does it make me feel? Do I crave more when it's over? How often does it get stuck in my head? Stuff like that. So it's really an amalgam of all those aspects.
As with previous years, I let personal bias get in the way. That being said, again this year there are two albums ranked 0. I can't listen to them objectively enough to properly rank them and honestly, they could put out anything and I would think it was pure gold.

0. Soulfly - Conquer (Less tribal, more metal. Max and Co. bring da shit!)
0. b) Cavalera Conspiracy - Inflikted (The Cavaleras are back together. Add in Rizzo and Joe Duplantier (GOJIRA!!) and you can't go wrong.)

I love Max Cavalera (as a musician) so much that anything he is involved in beats everything else but Clutch.

Here is the rest of the list. The Top 10 are pretty much in order (anyone could be my fave depending on the day) but after that, don't pay too much attention to the order. It's pretty close but it's very fluid. I've included the record label and the country of origin. Prosthetic, Hydra Head, Relapse and Metal Blade are most represented labels and the US, Canada and Sweden top the countries. I will try and add short comments or descriptions for each one at some time. Whenever I have the time, so keep checking back.

1. Amon Amarth – Twilight of the Thunder God (Metal Blade, Sweden)This is the first Amon Amarth I have ever listened to. I always shied away from viking metal. I thought they were like power metal. Then I listened to it. Again and again and again.....
2. Bison b.c. - Quiet Earth (Metal Blade, Canada) "These are my dress clothes!!"
3. The Sword – Gods Of The Earth (Kemado, US) What I love best about this album is the imagery the music creates. I visualized the theme for the video for "Fire Lances..." before I saw it.
4. Torche – Meanderthal (Robotic Empire/Rock Action/Hydra Head, US)I read about people bitching about this album. That it's too poppy, the singer sucks, etc. Well, yeah, it's catchy as shit and his voice is natural. Not over-polished. Right on!
5. Gojira – The Way Of All Flesh (Listenable/Prosthetic, France)I didn't like From Mars to Sirius. I tried. But this one is awesome! Maybe I just "get it" now.
6. Origin – Antithesis (Relapse, US)This album knocked me on my ass. Who knew a bunch of guys from Kansas could be so pissed off! Fast, heavy as fuck, and pure awesome.
7. ASRA – The Way Of All Flesh (Black Box/Relapse, US)RIP ASRA (which stands for Alleged Satanic Ritual Abuse). Like Destroyer Destroyer from last year, this is the music in my head. The screaming on this is incredible. The angriest album I heard this year.
8. Metallica – Death Magnetic (Warner, US)I don't know what everyone's problem with this is? Yeah, it's not MOP, but it's good!
9. Blacklisted – Heavier Than Heaven, Lonelier Than God (Deathwish, US) There is just something about this one that keeps me coming back to it. It's really personal and you can hear the emotion in it. Not in an emo way.
10. Ufomammut – Idolum (Supernatural Cat, Italy)One of my favourite bands that no-one other than me has heard of. Incredible toned doom. Light one up and enjoy. My Ufomammut t-shirt is my fave shirt ever.

11. Lair of the Minotaur – War Metal Battle Master (Southern Lord, US)Have you seen the video for the title track?!!!
12. Into Eternity – The Incurable Tragedy (Century Media, Canada)Another really personal album. Tim Roth left the band, but now he's back. Yes!!
13. Burst – Lazarus Bird (Relapse, Sweden) The vocals on this remind me alot of someone I can't think of right now. Someone good. Burst never disappoint.
14. Cancer Bats – Hail Destroyer (Distort/Black Market Activities, Canada)Cancer Bats have played a half hour away at least twice in the last year and I have missed them every time. I think the title track was my "most screamed along with" track of 2008.
15. Gridlink – Amber Grey (Hydra Head, US)I usually don't like grind but this is awesome. Jon Chang rules. I need to check out some Discordance Axis. 14 songs in under 12 minutes. I think every song on the Ufomammut is longer than the entirety of Amber Grey.
16. Deicide – Till Death Do Us Part (Earache, US)It's fuckin' Deicide.
17. Withered – Folie Circulaire (Prosthetic, US) Name a metal sub-genre, and Withered uses it in some capacity. I kind of have to be in the mood for Withered but it's a killer album.
18. The Gates of Slumber – Conquerer (Profound Lore, US)Anyone who knows me know I love stoner rock. I don't listen to it as much as I used to but that's because there aren't as many bands as good as The Gates of Slumber anymore.
19. Javelina – Javelina (Translation Loss, US) "Pronounced "hä-va-'lE-na" Killer tone, awesome bellows!
20. Pitch Black Forecast – Absentee (Fractured Transmitter, US)Gene Hoglan is on drums. Positive hardcore. Catchy too.
21. Century – Black Ocean (Prosthetic, US)The first of a trilogy. Heck yeah!
22. Deadbird – Twilight Ritual (At A Loss, US)Kind of in that southern doom/stoner vein.
23. The Acacia Strain – Continent (Prosthetic, US)I'm glad I listened to this before I saw pix of the band. They look like poser douchebags. I would totally dismiss them if the music wasn't awesome.
24. Dismember – Dismember (Regain, Sweden)Death metal lives!!
25. Feast Eternal – With Fire (none, US)I didn't even know they were a christian band til I went looking to see what label they were on.
26. The Haunted – Versus (Century Media, Sweden)You can't dispute quality. As much as you can tire of a genre, The Haunted still kick ass.
27. Jucifer – L'Autrichienne (Relapse, US)Very eclectic. English and French lyrics. Amazing live. Not for everyone.
28. Hail of Bullets – Of Frost And War (Metal Blade, Netherlands)Took me a couple listens to really get into this. It was the vocals that had to grow on me. But that buzzsaw guitar!!!
29. Kataklysm – Prevail (Nuclear Blast, Canada) Proof Montreal is the current metal capital of the world.
30. Black Ships – Omens (New Romance For Kids, Canada)Montreal again. I love this brand of hardcore.
31. Hemlock – No Time For Sorrow (Continental, US) I don't know why I like this so much. It's very accessible and catchy as hell.
32. Jex Thoth – Jex Thoth ( I Hate, US) What a freakin' voice!! Amazingly retro sounding psych/doom. Almost hypnotic.
33. Zozobra – Bird Of Prey ( Hydra Head, US)Caleb Scofield of Cave In and Old Man Gloom (english for Zozobra) and Isis' Aaron Harris on drums. This album is a monster post-metal experience.
34. Blood Ceremony – Blood Ceremony (Rise Above, Canada) Toronto's Blood Ceremony deliver the goods. From lyrics about witches, magic and drugs to FUCKING FLUTE SOLOS!! Amazing. Perfect music to totally trip out too. (if you're into that)

Live Album of the year: Clutch - Full Fathom Five: Audio Field Recordings. It's the only one I listened to but it would win anyway. I have yet to watch the DVD version. (repeatedly kicks self in ass)

Live Performance of the year: Jucifer. I didn't get to many shows in the past year, but this was by far the best one.

Looking forward to in 2009:

Cannibal Corpse - Evisceration Plague. (listening to it right now. It destroys!!)
Mastodon - Crack the Skye
Titan - Colossus EP (awesome!)
Kylesa - Static Tensions
The Bakerton Group - El Rojo
Wino - Punctured Equilibrium
God Forbid - Earthsblood
Lamb of God - Wrath
Sepultura - A-lex (really not as good as I had hoped)
Architect - Ghost of the Saltwater Machines ( heard it twice so far and it's amazing. Mark McGee (ex- I Hate Sally, ex- The Chariot, Jesus Mullet) just joined on drums)

Live Review: Jan 23, '09 Fuck The Facts w/ Titan, Rozea Haven @ AKA Autonomous Social Centre in Kingston, ON

There is something about small venues that is just better than larger ones. So when I found out how small AKA Autonomous Social Centre ( hereafter referred to as ASC) was, I got excited. When I got there and saw how small it was, I was, as the kids say, pretty stoked. Not that the lineup itself didn't have me pumped already. The ASC is quite literally, a house. The main floor consisted of the concert area, a "beverage" area and a patio. Upstairs, I believe housed at least a dozen people. In like, 1600 sqft, TOTAL. Living room venue = awesome. Needless to say, once you packed 50-60 people, a stage and 3 bands worth of gear into a 15x30 room, it gets a little intimate.

I had come right from the tattoo shop so I was in no hurry to start rubbing up against a bunch of amped up kids, so I planted myself at stage left, right by the front door. (shorts, bad choice) I could see the whole show without a) irritating my fresh ink and b) getting molested by the drunk ass (at least. probably more) chick in the Holly Springs Disaster t-shirt. Anyway, enough setup. On to the show.

First up was local band, Rozea Haven. I've seen these guys a few times now. They haven't disappointed me yet. Nothing groundbreaking about them but they are very skilled at their respective instruments. Stylistically, I'd say death metal with a bit of melody. Not In Flames type melodic death metal, but it's not all blastbeats, and it's not all fancy guitar work. The guitar work is there, it's just not the driving force. It's more of a group effort. I was very impressed with the bass player. Envious would probably be a better word. Performance wise, they have some work to do. Pretty much a "stand there and play" band. I couldn't see the drummer that well from where I was but I did see Jesse the vocalist move around a bit. Granted, the venue was tiny and full so they didn't have much room to work with, but they were no different than when I've seen them before. All in all, they got the crowd going, my ears ringing and I would show up early to see them again.

Titan!! The fist thing I need to say about Toronto's Titan is: Amp-gasm!!! Every amp they had was awesome. Orange, Emperor and Ampeg (from what I could see). You had me at Orange. I know. The 2 bass cabinets were almost as tall as I am. Each. Titan is one of those bands I have a real hard time categorizing. Crust-core? Like Black Ships (Chris on guitar was wearing a Black Ships shirt actually) or Javelina or something like that. It's got the agression and vocal delivery of hardcore but it's much rawer, grittier, dirtier, crustier, sludgier and longer. Their sound is, in a word, titanic. Pun intended. Huge sound with that heavy bottom end. The place was even fuller by the time they hit they stage but they did more with less room. It was very obvious that Titan are pros. Every member of the band had their own presence. Their performance was great and very tight. It was really too bad they were limited to a half hour set. They have been here before, and I think the organizer was really impressed with them so hopefully they will come back soon! They were worth the $10 themselves.

Last but not least, Fuck The Facts. What do you get when you mix a small ass venue, too many drunk and/or amped up kids, and an avant-garde grind band with the word "fuck" in their name? Pure.Fucking.Chaos. That place exploded!! A couple of the guys "working" the show had to hold the masses back to pretect not only the equipment, but Mel, the knee-high to a grasshopper, 90 lbs soaking wet screaming her ass off frontwoman. How sounds like that can come from such a person is beyond me. She's tough too. Whenever there was a breach in the defenses, she'd fight 'em back without missing a beat. And she kept looking directly at me for some reason. Either she thought I was creepy looking, funny looking or hot. My money's on creepy. FtF put on one hell of a show. Such a small venue is prefect for their brand of grind. Loud, fast and sweaty! They'd pause just long enough between songs for the guy behind me to yell "Yeah!! Fuckin' right!! Whooooo!!!! Play Shitluck!!! (or something like that)" Pretty damn annoying, pretty damn quick. I only saw one guy leave bleeding during the set, but he came back. They tore that place apart and left no prisoners. Can't ask for any more than that!! Other than, come back!

I forgot one!

Early Man - Beware The Circling Fin: Typical Early Man. Not as good as Closing In but better than most new heavy thrash inspired metal. Mike Conte's voice is kind of "off" on this but dude can shred. This EP reminds me alot of Megadeth. Alot. In a good way. It was a nice filler/teaser until a full length comes out. Closing In was released in 2005 so I am jonesin in a pretty big way.

Top Albums of 2008 coming soon. I'm almost done.
Live Review of Fuck the Facts/Titan/Rozea Haven should be posted tonight sometime.

Top EPs of 2008

I was going to wait and include this with my Top Albums of 2008 but since there isn't many I thought I would just do it now anyway.

In no particular order:

The Company Band - Sign Here, Here and Here: A supergroup consisting of Clutch's Neil Fallon (vocals), Fireball Ministry's James Rota (guitar), Jess Margera of CKY (drums), Fu Manchu's Brad Davis (bass) and guitarist Dave Bone. Considering the pedigree of the members you can guess at what they sound like. It really has a Clutch vibe so I automatically dig it. You should too.

Hayaino Daisuki - Headbanger's Karaoke Club Dangerous Fire: Superfast, vicious and really lo-fi. The production on this is just terrible (or maybe just my copy) but it gives a warmth and a really live feel. They claim to be from Japan, but the understanding is they are from NJ. Mother of hellfire, this shit is fast. Totally indechiperable vocals. "Haiiro Ikotsu Gakidou" is one hell of a song. I should mention that Jon Chang from Discordance Axis is on vocals. He is also on vocals for Gridlink (which you will see on my LP list) So, yeah, speed of light metal tinged grind. Hold on tight.

Black Ships - Low: Black Ships will have the esteemed honour of not only making my EPs list but my LPs list aswell. These boys from Montreal (metal capital of the world?) deliver some pretty serious, angry, dirty hardcore. Massive sound. The vocals really bring into the tortured soul of the band. Their myspace is pretty scarce as far is info goes, and at this time, Encyclopedia Metallum is down for maintenance so I can't tell you ABOUT the band really. If you like your hardcore raw, downtuned, without breakdowns, and really pissed off...you should like Black Ships. I'll have more when I post my LP list. (Their full length is called Omens, btw)

Mammoth Volume - Loved by Few, Hated by Dolphins: RIP Mammoth Volume. This was the last studio release from these titans of psychedelic stoner (ish) rock. Man, I love Mammoth Volume. This album was available for free download from their website last year and consists of 6 awesome tunes. This was supposed to be Volume 1 but they announced they were hanging it up on Christmas Day. Looks like they will have a Best Of available on their website soon. I am actually really sad about this. I have loved everything they ever released. Such a unique band. Some may think otherwise but there is something there that is beyond words. I'd really like to know why they chose to disband. They don't sound like a band that struggles at all. Their music is so deep sounding that the chemistry of the band would have to be tight in order to pull it off. My guess is that it was a time issue. I do believe these Swedes lead normal lives outside the band and maybe they had to put the band on the back burner for those reasons. Well, "My Pet is Burning" is one of my favourite (if not FAVE) song of the year. I certainly hope this isn't the end of MV.

Now comes the hard part.

I have condensed all the albums that I have listened to from 2008 down to a (not so) short list of about 67-68. I should be able to get that down to about 60 without any further listening. Getting it down to 50 shouldn't be a problem. Getting it down to 40 will be pretty tough. And I don't think it's at all possible for me to get it to the 28 (of 2008) that I wanted to. I did 25 in 2005, 26 in 2006 and 50 in 2007. My exposure to new music has exploded in recent years and now it's gotten too hard to decide. Most of my friends have never heard of half the bands that make my list. And that's the metal friends, not the normal people.

Because my ipod was taking forver to sync this morning, I was only able to load 2 albums to listen to today. They would be ASRA - The Way of All Flesh, and Bison b.c. - Quiet Earth. 2 excellent albums. At least with only the 2 to listen to, I should be able to listen to them a couple times at least and get a really good feel for them.

 

Volition, Whitechapel

Volition - Volition: When I first started listening to this I immediately thought of Crowbar. It has a similar tone and that slow pacing. There was no "wow factor" at first (that's later) but I was enjoying it. As a couple songs rumbled by, I had to double check to see if in fact, it wasn't the same track. As I am waiting for some variation to happen, I'm falling alseep. But then there's a change! In the vocals anyway. They go from a passable low-end rumbly growl to this, this, screech. It sounded like some whiny 10 year old crying to his mommy because his sister out a dress in his G.I. Joe. Terrible. It hurt my ears. When the vocals changed back I thought it was over. But that kid came back. Yeah, it broke up the monotony all right, because it made my go the next album. Horns down.

Whitechapel - This is Exile: Not bad really but it seemed sort of manufactured. I could hear alot of genre mixing but it wasn't really doing it for me. Very Hot Topic. Maybe it was just me but the vocals didn't sound genuine. Well, the didn't sound real I should say. They sounded effects laden. It they were all natural, kudos to that guy. But I really have no desire to hear this one again. Horns down.

Trivium, Transistor Transistor, and Testament

Testament - The Formation of Damnation: Remind me again why Testament was never as big as "The Big 4" of thrash? Because musically, they are just as thrash-tastic. And Chuck Billy is probably a better vocalist than Jaymz, Mega-Dave or whoever happened to be singing for Anthrax. This is the first Testament album I have heard front to back and since I own all the albums by Metallica (except Some Kind of Monster), Megadeth (studio anyway), Slayer (I might be missing an EP) and Anthrax ( I think), I should probably start working my way through their back catalogue. Horns up!

Transistor Transistor - Ruined Lives: When I first started listening to this I was kind of wishy-washy about it. But when I was driving home, as soon as I got the slightest but pissed off (gas pedal is on the right, fuckwad!) it clicked. Now, whether it was coincidence that the album got good at that moment, or if I just had to be in the right mindset, I won't know until I listen to it again. And I will be listening to it again as it impressed me enough that is just might make my (not so) short list for Top Albums of 2008. It's a band I could see myself in. The vocals are adequately pissed off and the riffing is simplistically punk-derived enough that I could actually play it. Horns up!

Trivium - Shogun: Good rebound album. Their last album (name escapes me at the moment) was a step backwards. It was technically good but vocally plagiaristic and lyrically silly. Trivium have seemed to have matured on Shogun. The aggression is back in the vocals and the guitars are shred-erific. It's a tight, tight album. Did Jason Scuecof produce again? Matt Heafy and Co.should be a force for years to come. Horns up.

Six Feet Under

When Six Feet Under first got together, I thought they were the shit. I thought Chris Barnes' voice was soooo cool. At this point, I had never listened to any Death, Obituary or Cannibal Corpse. So Six Feet Under was basically my introduction to death metal. (How fuckin' sad is that?!) I was still firmly rooted in "Big 4" thrash, Pantera, Nirvana and Marilyn Manson. I don't think I had discovered Sepultura yet. And I had yet to completely abandon radio. I bought all their albums for a few years. Up to and including Graveyard Classics (maybe even Graveyard Classics 2, I'd have to check) But then something changed. Changed with me that is, not 6FU. I think that is a big part of the problem. They never changed. I had fleshed out my death metal collection with bands such as Impaled and Jungle Rot but I still hadn't listened to Cannibal Corpse. (Don't worry, I just smacked myself) This metal sin has since been rectified.

Over the last few years,though, I have been able to listen to an increasing amount of metal. Mostly due to an increase in availability (Thank you High Speed internet!!) and exposure. As I listen to more and more death metal, I have come to realize how much Six Feet Under sucks! I mean really, they just keep pumping out the same crap every album!! Their newest beer coaster, Death Rituals, is so bad I couldn't even finish listening to it. When really, I have heard it before. Recyled riffs riddle this predictable piece of dog turd. I swear, Chris Barnes just plays cut and paste with his lyrics. He has become somewhat of a parody of himself. Especially the screeches. Ah, they are hard to listen to.

The metal community demands more quality these days and in such a competitive and elitist market, you have to evolve or die. You can't keep spitting out the the same albun over and over again and expect to hold on to your fans. So to Chris and Co., it's time to change things up or you just might find yourselves (wait for it!) six feet under.

I'm gonna go listen to the new Testament now.

Here's what folder I put these albums in

As I try to figure out what albums will make my Top 40 or so of 2008 I put them into one of 2 folders. NOPE, or I KNOW it's good. Here is how I shifted some of the latest I listened to:

Scott Hull - Requiem: NOPE
Shai Hulud - Misanthropy Pure: NOPE
Soilent Green- Inevitable Collapse in the Presence of Conviction: NOPE
Mammoth Volume - Loved by Few, Hated By Dolphins Vol. 1: I KNOW it's good
Saviours - Into Abaddon: I KNOW it's good
Rotten Sound - Cycles: I KNOW it's good
Soulfly - Conquer: I KNOW it's good
Pitch Black Forecast - Absentee: I KNOW it's good

Samothrace - Life's Trade

Here is my short take on Life's Trade by Samothrace. The first time I listened to this I was not in a good place. I was really down and just feeling bad. So, this was just what I needed (?). It sounds depressing. I didn't want to listen to something fast or happy or even something angry or violent. So as far is slow depressing metalgaze/doom goes, this is top-notch! Or if you were stoned, top-notch! Unfortunately, I am neither stoned nor depressed so it wasn't really doing anything for me this time around. It is a good album, it just falls in that "I need to be in the mood for it" category.

Pharoah, Sahg

Pharoah - Be gone and Sahg - II, pretty much both get a Horns down. Not because they suck, but because they are nothing special. Pharoah is that 80's metal vibe and Sahg is more 70's rock. Neither offers anything to keep me interested. Pretty boring review even. I am just trying to get through to the end of my list so I can start on the Top 40 (or 50). It might take a while to decide.

Paganus,Pyramids, Russian Circles

All three albums get the same review

Paganus - Paganus
Pyramids - Pyramids
Russian Circles - Station

Must be really stoned to enjoy. Slow and boring. Horns down.

Melvins, Origin, Merciless Death

Melvins - Nude With Boots: It was alright. I like the first few tunes but then it just drifted into background music. Nothing really pulled me in. I really don't care if I never hear it again. Too much better stuff out there for me to care. Stonerwitch is the only Melvins albums for me. Horns down.

Origin - Antithesis: The most brootal death metal album of the year. Sometimes I wonder what demons are possessing them. It's almost too heavy! nah, that's not possible. Try and headbang to this and you will break your neck. Fucking awesome! HORNS UP!

Merciless Death - Realm of Terror: Passable neo-thrash. Good musicianship. Vocals are kinda weak. It's fun to listen to but there is better out there. (Toxic Holocaust) Horns up based on fun factor and an urge to do air guitar.

Krisiun, Norma Jean, Meshuggah, and No Age

Krisiun - Southern Storm: Excellently executed Sepultura cover = Automatic Horns UP! Sepultura is an obvious influence as the cover is right in the middle of the album and it fits right in. If this album is an accurate sonic interpretation of a southern storm, I am happy up here in the Norther Hemisphere, because this Southern Storm is devastating! Horns up!

Norma Jean - Vs. the Anti-mother: I shouldn't like this. It's Christian screamo. But, for some reason, I do. I think it's the great tone, the song that sounds like Helmet, the catchiness and they have a really long song. Horns up.

Meshuggah - Obzen: I like Meshguggah, I really do, but I really have to be in the mood for them. And I seldom am. It's too herky-jerky. I can't lock into anything. I have to think too much. If it came around on my ipod, I wouldn't skip it, but it wouldn't be my first choice. Horns up based on musicianship and tone.

No Age - Nouns: It's just noise to me. Shitty noise at that. I've tried to listen to this a couple times but I just can't make it past the first track. I can't even finish the first track. The rest of the album MIGHT be better but if you start with such crap, you don't deserve to have me listen to any more. I am not even going to give this a horns down because it doesn't deserve horns. If I was throwing the horns while doing a one-armed keg stand, that would be horns down and WAY cooler than this piece of crap. I'll give it the Finger.Down.

Kingdom of Sorrow, Hail of Bullets, Legion of the Damned

Kingdom of Sorrow - Kingdom of Sorrow: I think alot of people gave KoS a bad rap before they heard a single note. I think people are kinda sick of Jamie Jasta. Good for them. I'm not. I still like Hatebreed. So couple JJ and Crowbar Kirk and it's a recipe for goodness. This album leans for towards the Crowbar than the hatebreed but not quite as slow as Crowbar. At times, I had to listen hard to tell which one was singing, but then Kirk would sing and I would know it was him. But JJ does a pretty impression. I like it when albums sound fun and make me bob my heard and stuff. While this album may not be as good as the sum of it's parts, it's better than HELLYEAH! Horns up!

Hail of Bullets - ....Of Frost and War: This makes me think of apocalypse. As much as I don't really listen to lyrics, I can hear the war themes. I picture tanks running over things and bombs exploding. The vocals are....different. I can sense desperation in them. Is that on purpose? I've heard Russia mentioned a couple times. I am gonna guess this is based on WWII, and with some research, I was right.The members of Asphyx, Gorefest, Houwitser and Thanatos have come together to create a pretty damn good death metal record. Enjoy. Horns Up!

Legion of the Damned - Feel The Blade: Speed-death again. Pretty stock sounding. The vocals are a little on the black side. Not really impressed. Nothing to bring me back. I've moving on. Horns down.

Lair of the Minotaur, Kataklysm, A Thousand Knives of Fire

Lair of the Minotaur - War Metal Battle Master: This is how metal should be done, people. Wicked blend of style without it sounding too planned. I can hear influences without it sounding too obvious. It pummels, it destroys, it slays. No sappy lyrics, no pretty parts, just pure ass-kicking aggression. I loved every note. Look for this beast near the top of my list. Not to mention the video they made with with the naked zombie chicks. HORNS UP!!!!

Kataklysm - Prevail: I call this speed-death metal. Faster than your regular death metal but not overly technical. Makes me want to circle headbang. It's not full throttle the whole time though. "Blood in Heaven" has a militaristic type feel to it. I wish I could listen to this louder. It would be better louder. I don't really want the album to end. I'm going to give this a Horns UP, but I don't expect it to make my Top 40 of 2008. (which is turning into a Top 50 because I can't decide)

A Thousand Knives of Fire - The Last Train to Scornsville: Boogie rock. Vocals aren't very good. I heard them do a song on one of the Sucking the '70's compilations. I guess they are better when they don't write the song themselves. Very "Sweet Home Alabama is the best song ever!!!" Kid Rock would really like these guys. The gratuitous us of the word motherfucker on "She's Yours" is the best of this. Too country-ish for me really. Although I would enjoy this after a beers and some Jack. I'm gonna give it a Horns down.