metal
Colors | Between the Buried and Me
To give you an idea of my initial reaction to this album, during my first listen, 1) I laughed out loud a couple times, 2) I said “wow” a few times (either out loud or in my head), and 3) I had already started writing this review before the album had even ended.
Salival | Tool
Yes. We all know who Tool is. Yes. We know Dan loves Tool. Yes. We know Dan is in fact a tool himself. No. Dan didn’t know that Salival (2000) was a limited edition. If you want to find a brand new copy of this box set, you’ll have to fork out at least a couple hundred bucks or settle for a used copy for about $60. Is it worth it? You’re damn right it is. Let me tell you why.
Worlds Collide | Apocalyptica
Most people have listened to music containing classical string instruments, whether it was as a complement to a rock/metal band or as an added effect used by groups in various progressive genres, or simply in the form of classical music. But have you ever encountered a group in which the strings are the band, and they play some damn good metal? Well I had not… then I heard Apocalyptica.
Blackbird | Alter Bridge
I realize this post may put my credibility on the line, but just hear me out. Against popular opinion, I used to really like Creed. I thought their first album provided a fresh look at the grunge genre and was really good all the way through… I even liked the second album. Then it became quite apparent Scott Stapp was… well, we all know what I’d like to call him. Then I saw a single ray of hope… Alter Bridge, consisting of all original members sans Scott Stapp. What a wonderful concept.
Red Album | Baroness
Red Album by Baroness was actually named Album of the Year by Revolver magazine in their November 2007 issue. Not only that, they’re touring with Opeth throughout this October. So why haven’t you heard of them? Beats me. But that’ll change soon… real soon.
Full Devil Jacket
Full Devil Jacket is another one of those bands in my arsenal from my days of blindly purchasing new music. It’s very rare that anyone on the other end of my music conversations have heard of these guys, even though they were signed to a major record label and toured with some several well-known bands. But I guess that’s just what happens when a band lasts only long enough to crank out one full length album.
Lacuna Coil
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again… there aren’t enough strong female voices in hard rock. Lacuna Coil is one of those few bands with a solid female singer, and they’re not known widely enough in the states. I have all four full length studio releases, and there’s no reason you shouldn’t either.
Death Metal with Talent | Opeth
Opeth released a new album on June 3rd entitled Watershed (2008). And let me tell you, it is one of the strongest rock/metal albums I’ve heard in a very long time. I will even go as far as to say since the release of 10,000 Days by Tool. Their latest single entitled “Porcelain Heart” summarizes the depth.
Gateway to Post-Metal | Isis
Rhythm. That’s the best word to describe Isis. They are one of the heaviest bands I listen to and definitely the most rhythmically inclined. I believe Isis is among the most influential artists in rock (you just might not realize it), and they’re certainly one the most influential groups among my personal musical influences. It took a few albums for Isis to really develop, but their last two have done rather well for such a niche audience.
Enter | Russian Circles
Russian Circles, although hailing from the Chicago math rock scene, doesn’t really fall into the genre exclusively. I’m sure I’ll get some criticism out of this, but I think they’ve found a really solid mix of the two genres. I hear a mixture of Isis , God is an Astronaut, and Pelican… with just the right amount of math rock.
