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Mini-Review Game
https://forum.metal-archives.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=85108		 Page 14 of 72
Author:  MGSX666 [ Mon Jan 02, 2012 3:18 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Mini-Review Game
Blastanus - Arctic Despair

I like how the song starts of and goes into some black-ish sounding grind riffs with so cool shouted vocals. It's cool while listening to it but I wouldn't see myself going back to this.

3.5/5

Exemption - Blood Heaven
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cY9etEl4y5k
Author:  hakarl [ Mon Jan 02, 2012 5:35 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Mini-Review Game
MGSX666:
Spoiler: show
Could you make your mini-reviews a bit longer please? It's really disappointing when all you get is one sentence, which is basically like: I liked that one heavy metal riff but vocals were boring 3/5
Author:  Abominatrix [ Mon Jan 02, 2012 10:53 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Mini-Review Game
@ Legend Maker
Spoiler: show
You know, not intending to be rude at the time, but I'd figured I would come back to those Kiss tracks at some point and have a listen, but ended up completely forgetting about them. Sorry about that. :lol: I am actually listening to the debut tracks you posted now and finding to my surprise taht they're really good. yes, I'm afraid I'd completely written Kiss off as a bunch of talentless hacks who value style over substance in every way. I guess you can probably thank radio for that. Still, even the drumming here, which I always felt was a really weak link for them, is pretty great. "Black Diamond" is a killer tune and I feel like at least one album in my 70s hard rock collection has been missing. Thanks. :D


Exemption - "Blood Heaven"

The opening caught me right off and suggests some interesting progressive metal with unusual chords and oddly timed/accented drums. I got a Voivod feeling from this, though the guitarwork was a little showier, and this was a really good thing. Then the song settled down and something happened. I'm afraid all I can say is that the whole middle section with the vocals, clean guitar and more sedate/generic riffwork was dull. The vocals seemed a bit lacking in passion, character and failed to create interesting sonority or melody. Then in the last minute they introduce a new riff with a cool moog-like keyboard solo going over top and I found myself interested again. This song well illustrates the schizoid, kind of aimless feeling I get from a lot of modern prog metal, and it's frustrating to me that a band can grab me right away but because of their need to introduce new motifs at every turn just tell me that I should "wake up" when another cool part comes up.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=41sikd6AJA8
Author:  Mysticaloldbard [ Mon Jan 02, 2012 11:30 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Mini-Review Game
Faithful Breath - Warriors

Before the chorus came in, I was very unsure as to where the song was headed but I liked it a lot after that. I can't think of any comparisons vocally besides in the chorus, where he almost has this Manilla Road vibe. Definitely a cool chorus, and I also like the upbeat, punk-ish while still definitively heavy metal sort of riffing. Short but sweet song, and fairly typical 80's fare, and the mix was good! I thought sometimes the vocals fought with the guitars, but that could be YouTube's compression. Or perhaps the vocalist not singing the lyrics clearly, personally I couldn't make out a line or two. Got a kick out of the album cover, by the way! Pretty awesome. Altogether a typical but good track, something I might listen to again.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=plz4E74zDUs (a bit quiet, but only one I could find)
Author:  Abominatrix [ Mon Jan 02, 2012 11:47 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Mini-Review Game
Andras - "Spellbreaker"

This was really neat actually. I'd heard of the band but never listened to them, and for some reason had expected them to be black metal, an expectation furthered by the ominous buildup of the keyboard intro, which was well done. It isn't; instead it's straight up heavy metal with some keyboard addititves and a production job admittedly similar to that of some black metal bands, especially the drums. The song had momentum and got me nodding my head at my desk over here, though there wasn't a whole lot of energy on display. i really liked the gruff yet melodic vocals, which almost made me think of Running Wild and really drove the song onward. The slow break toward the end was really well done, too. Those keys were unobtrusive and helped to build atmosphere but I kind of hope they don't keep up like that for a whole album as I think they don't do a lot to really make their presence a necessity, and that synth-choir tone isn't exactly a favourite. Still, I enjoyed this. :)

Keeping the mood a bit:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLxt4S0Va90
Author:  hakarl [ Mon Jan 02, 2012 1:11 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Mini-Review Game
Agarthi - At The Burning Horizon

What was that intro, a sample from a cheap western movie :lol: ?

This is an example of the kind of music that takes highly typical influences and makes something quite bizarre sounding out of them. The guitar leads, the drum patterns, the black metal rasp vocals, the chord progressions - everything is like in an Emperor or Dissection song. Only the tempo is quite plodding, which is a strange element in a black metal song that lacks doomy atmosphere and heaviness. Later, the song kicks into a more energetic part, but the tempo remains excruciatingly slow for such music. There are cool riffs and good enough musicianship, yet something seems to be completely wrong here despite the fact that I know I enjoy lots of similar music. I can't exactly put my finger on it with the first listen. Perhaps it's because the music sounds incredibly passionless, or that it's highly derivate. For some reason it creates no atmosphere and invokes little feelings; it just sounds very blunt, forced and dull.

This one is for Noktorn:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ok0d-bnxWPY
Author:  Acrobat [ Mon Jan 02, 2012 2:13 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Mini-Review Game
Ilwhyan wrote:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ok0d-bnxWPY


Melancolia - With Suffering and Need

What the fuck is this? It's like brutal gothic metal, with the occasional Katatonia-esque death-doom hangover. I appreciate that not every band has access to a capable drummer, but that's an annoying programmed drum sound there. Pitifully weak vocals, too, half-croaked, all-rasped and generally just bad. It's a shame, as some of the parts - the odd riff and the more atmospheric parts that don't have any drums or vocals - are perfectly passible. Not great, sure, but nice enough. Overall, it sounds like Weepy Forest Tears's (my own semi-fictional death-doom band) stop-start-y kid brother with a penchant for mid-90s Amorphis. I can't imagine being able to sit through a whole album of this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Usmo9A2h6GY
Author:  hakarl [ Mon Jan 02, 2012 3:59 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Mini-Review Game
Amebix - Right to Ride

Interesting combination here: gritty, dirty heavy metal with a thin synth pad in the background. The vocals - it's amazing how Lemmy-esque someone can sound. The intro/verse is a basic palm muted heavy riff, and the the chorus is played like hardcore punk, except with synth in the background. Not right up my alley - I want more riffs in this kind of music, and I want the riffs to be at least slightly more intricate - but it was cool basic 80s metal with considerable hardcore punk influence. The lack of memorable riffs is lamentable: there are only a couple riffs in the song, and they're all really, really basic.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DTge8n0GnUc
Author:  Mysticaloldbard [ Mon Jan 02, 2012 7:55 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Mini-Review Game
Behexen - Invocation of Zabulus

Always meant to listen to Behexen! A pretty good frenzy of stuff from the get-go, the vocals sound a lot like a more distorted Satyr. While I expected the main riff to merely repeat itself they added this short ascending riff which sounded really cool. Then the middle of the song changes up and goes for that more grand, vast black metal vibe with chanting vocals, I'm always into that. The drums were simple but good enough, though too faint to stand out. That's the only thing I didn't like about this- I like a raw production but the drums were flat-sounding and the overall sound very staticky. A slight detraction but I could definitely listen to an album of this. Not anything new, but I liked the songwriting.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cgeYbatV6zI
Author:  CrushedRevelation [ Mon Jan 02, 2012 9:50 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Mini-Review Game
Mysticaloldbard wrote:
Old Wainds - Born In The Freezing Dark


A band I am familiar with, but from an album I do not yet have. This was rather impressive, and something I have been meaning to get my hands on. These Black Metal fanatics, are from the frozen Russian wastes (not literally I would guess), and the music reflects the grim, biting cold. This is rife with scything, razor sharp (yet typical) riff-work, which adds to the frigid, harsh nature of the track. The opening riff in particular is a shining example of this, but, along with some well used hammer-ons to break it up, giving an almost quasi-thrash feel in places. The vocals are stark, and harsh, but nothing really remarkable, performing their job well. There are also some moments of dissonant, slower sections giving some queasiness to the broiling mix. Quite good stuff.

Keeping the theme.
Author:  hakarl [ Tue Jan 03, 2012 10:12 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Mini-Review Game
Thunderbolt - Occult Gateway of Hell

Fast, aggressive, powerful, dark, minimal. Black metal! The riffs are standard fare black metal riffs, quite reminiscent of Beherit, especially on Engram, although compared to Engram, much more intricate, and with prominent use of dissonance. Other than that, this sounds nothing like Beherit, and bears more resemblance to 1349. It's a very violent and powerful breed of black metal, one I enjoy quite a bit, but it isn't my favourite kind, since almost always the aggression comes with the cost of losing all subtlety, melancholy and beauty. I might check out more from them, but I'll probably just listen to Belphegor and 1349, since this music seems highly derived from their ilk, and those two pull it off with more originality.

A good proof that not all NSBM is incredibly raw, written and performed with no effort at all, and overall total shit. It's not the best, but it's good enough.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e6mVyM_ubJw

Edit: Changed song...
Author:  Dudemanguy [ Wed Jan 04, 2012 10:33 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Mini-Review Game
Mythos - The Pain Amplifier

Fairly decent black metal. I didn't find it very exciting though. Also, the production was good except the vocals should have been turned up a slight notch. About 6/10 for me.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QAG1sf7KqBU
Author:  TheEvilSocky [ Wed Jan 04, 2012 11:20 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Mini-Review Game
Dudemanguy wrote:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QAG1sf7KqBU


Drottnar - Ad Hoc Revolt

Fairly interesting, a very well pulled off Black does Tech-Death/Avante-Garde. The actual song remained at a very subdued pace while the drums hammered away keeping momentum high while the guitars explored incredibly dissonant riffs that are very fresh the whole way though and never sound as though they're repeating (in a good way). The vocal's for me are nothing special however they never drag the performance down and never sound out of place, the production is pretty good only leaving the bass (for the most part) in the cold. The first minute the riffs are very stop and go after that it reaches a fairly certain groove till about 2:20 when it gets very cool, the solo start up shortly after sounding very Thordendal but not out of place after the solo the song goes on a bit of a instrumental break for a minute or less before the singer kicks back in and the song reach's a much faster point till 5:00 and then the drums begin to explore under the guitars (which a have a slight Dis-Harmonized line going on) a bit before ending at the 6:00 mark
Overall a very enjoyable tour though Avante-Black which leaves me wanting for more 9/10 :headbang:

Now for something a little less black...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lXAiPVKPco
Author:  Turner [ Thu Jan 05, 2012 6:05 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Mini-Review Game
Zimmer's Hole - We Rule The Fucking Land

This sounds pretty cool but ruined by ridiculous, obvious lyrics. Kinda felt like a heap of other metal bands all thrown together.
Like there's the riff from the four horsemen, with a manowar chorus, schmier vocals, and iced earth-type stuff too.
If this band put some effort into some non-gimmicky devin townsend-esque stuff I'd probably give them a bigger chance.
That being said, I did enjoy the song - I just cringed at the lyrics.

Here's an odd one. A metal version of a (fantastic) non-metal song:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JKlED43iqiI
Author:  draterami [ Thu Jan 05, 2012 7:06 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Mini-Review Game
Warrel Dane - Lucretia, My Reflection

Covers are a tricky thing. For one, you have to try and do justice to the original, while also making it your own. Try and do something interesting with it. Unfortunately, this cover is just unremarkable. The singing is somewhat comical in parts (such as when Warrel sings "we get pretty" as if it's the most ominous thing in the world), and while the vocal styling is clearly changed to be much more theatrical, this cover mostly amounts to be a heavy version of the original. A few added riffs here and there don't really improve on the song, as they are quite boring.
This song has the virtue of being a cover of a well written song, so it's still enjoyable, just not particularly great.

Next up - something from my country: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8DvFGJ3_8c
Author:  Abominatrix [ Thu Jan 05, 2012 10:41 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Mini-Review Game
Vyrion - "The Decision"

That was pretty interesting. Quite melodious but still rather deathy death metal, with an almost eastern character to many of the riffs. The breakdown section that occurs twice near the beginning was short, heavy and despite its one-dimensional nature didn't overstay its welcome, acting only as a bridge into another spiraling bit of tremolo madness. Vocals were a bit high-pitched, reminding me almost of Mikael from Dark Tranquillity in his early days of singing for the band. There's a clean guitar break which is an ominous segue into a series of ever-expanding, big riffs that bring the song to a close. The guitarwork is very good here and I found myself wondering if they'd bust out a huge solo. They didn't, though the lead around the four minute mark comes close, and I'm sure they're capable of more. The closing riff had a majestic, almost militaristic feel, with the pounding toms that made me think of early Abigor, of all things. Neat.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7zhMxSWwqQQ
Author:  Acrobat [ Thu Jan 05, 2012 2:05 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Mini-Review Game
Abominatrix wrote:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7zhMxSWwqQQ


Adramelech - As the Gods Succumbed

My first exposure to this band, having known their name for a while and always confusing them with the excellent Italian power metal band. Well, the atmosphere is really rather... not sedate, but quite distant or omnious. It's hard to put into words, but this isn't just straight-forward aggression, and I guess that's a trait of Finnish death metal in that it tends to be a lot less straight-forward than, say, Swedish or American stuff. Certainly this is interesting. The riffs are quite unusual, too, not jarring or overtly strange like, say, Demilich (not a huge fan, myself) but melodic in an unfamiliar sense. It's quite grand, too, but doesn't feel to in-your-face-fanfare-y about it. The vocals, too, are definitely cool but not roaring or screaming... just harsh. The whole thing seemed, not reserved, but unusual in a slippery way that's hard to put my finger on. I'd definitely be interested in hearing more of this stuff.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qt8wJG0j0z8
Author:  Abominatrix [ Thu Jan 05, 2012 2:57 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Mini-Review Game
@ Acrobat:
Spoiler: show
Yeah, the first two albums from this band are among my favourites in all of death metal, and partially because of this kind of reserved, distant atmosphere taht I definitely don't think you're just imagining. It's even more pronounced on the first album, where the guitar sound is a good deal thinner and the vocals way way in teh background. I actually really like this approach, though of course I wouldn't want every death metal band to sound like this. It helps though, in Adramelech's case, to get you focussing on those amazing rhythms and the sometimes jaw-dropping way drums and guitars work with each other. Yeah, I actually do enjoy Demilich, but I like this a lot better, too. They would get a bit more typical with each of their subsequent albums, and while the third one doesn't seem bad from the little I've heard it feels like they lost some of that individual character because people kept saying they didn't have the aggression and pugnaciousness a death metal band is supposed to have.


And now...:

Running Wild - "Bloody Red Rose"

Oh wow, it's Scotland! Cool! Aha, guitars, and damn, every time I almost write this band off I hear something that makes me think maybe I ought to change my perspective. I know, I know, Running Wild is classic metal that everyone's supposed to love, but other than the first album and a few songs here and there I've never really been all that excited. I once tried to listen to the much-praised Black Hand Inn album and couldn't even get through it. But well, I'm willing to suppose I'm just missing out on greatness after all, and this song was mighty. Even the guitar and drum sounds were great, and both seem to be weaknesses on some of their records. The riffs have a triumphant swagger to them, and I love how they change it up to the chorus but don't actually sing over it, so you can hear those guitars beating out those glorious chords. The solo was killer and that little melody that briefly appears in the lead afterward (echoing the pipes at the outset? Will have to listen to it again) was absolute top-notch. That's an amazing tone, too. Why can't they always be this good? I'll have to look into this album now.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZUzeXpTjBE
Author:  TheMizwaOfMuzzyTah [ Thu Jan 05, 2012 6:02 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Mini-Review Game
THUNDER RIDER- Day Of The Damned

Damn, what a good song. I really wasn't expecting something that good. I love the real watery atmosphere of the music - totally reverb-drenched goodness. Great acoustic stuff going on, and when it gets a bit heavier it never really looses that majestic atmosphere like so many songs with misleading introductions do. Great vocalist, too. At first I wasn't too fond but as I continued to listen I felt the vocals really added a great timbre to the song. This truly sounds like ghosts at sea. Great shit, and I will be sure to check out more from Thunder Rider.

My turn:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EW_zD4Usk6o
Author:  Zelkiiro [ Thu Jan 05, 2012 6:13 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Mini-Review Game
Candlemass - Solitude (2007)

Ahhh, I love this version. Everything from Lowe's vocals to the guitar work is bigger and thicker than in the original. The way Lowe delivers the "Earth to earth, ashes to ashes, and dust to dust" lines is nothing short of spectacular.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Nm_dAIf9uk
Author:  LegendMaker [ Thu Jan 05, 2012 8:31 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Mini-Review Game
Hey, Happy New Year, Thread! I'm back again. I see there was a lot of action over the past few days. Cool! :metal:

@all:
Most definitely seconding Ilwhyan's request that everyone (and new players in particular) please keep in mind that "Yeah, that's good stuff." or "Ew, this sucks." level of "reviewing" is no fun at all and really against the thread's spirit. When a track leaves you speechless, please let someone else pick it up and wait for one that inspires you. Thanks a lot. :thumbsup:

@Abo:
Spoiler: show
I'm really glad I reminded you of those KISS links, then (although a lot of them were removed from YT since then). Not that they were ever quite as great a band as Scorpions used to be, but yeah, weighing KISS' worth on their radio-famous glam tracks is a bit like crossing Scorpions off having only really heard "Wind of Change", "Tease me, Please me" and so on. Let me know when you give 'Love Gun' a... shot. :lol:


Edit:
more @Abo:
Spoiler: show
Oh and regarding Running Wild... Well, long story short there's mainly two quite different RW to me: the original gritty power/speed band of the first two, especially the masterpiece that is 'Branded & Exiled', and the awesome melodic power/speed of the late 80s to 'The Rivalry' (and a so-so transitional period of two albums in between that I find quite boring and overrated). Now I can perfectly understand someone loving one period and not caring for the other, but since you specified that you're into 'Gates to Purgatory', then please, do yourself a favor and get 'Branded & Exiled' immediately!


@ANA:
Spoiler: show
Thanks for the Amebix! I didn't particularly like the track you posted (too Motörhead-B-side-ish to my liking), but from the related links there I finally forced myself to try more, and "Drink and be Merry" alone backs up the incredible reputation I've been hearing for years, but wasn't enough to actually sit down and listen to "a hardcore punk band". So I'm glad you made me give it a try. :lol:


Zelkiiro wrote:
Excalion foreversong

MGSX666/Dudemanguy/Zelkiro-sized version (still with my "style" though, can't be helped): Hmpf, that's some generic flowery EuroPM and it sucks balls both literally and figuratively (haha pun). Flower metal go home!!1! Jizz-us (haha puns). :D

Legend's version:
Someone very dear to me, who was vastly knowledgeable, and generally insightful and rather wise when it came to metal analysis, had this crazy theory I vainly fought against for years and eventually just shrugged away: commercial/flowery power metal is extremely well-crafted music, but it's specifically designed to slowly but surely turn standard macho men metalheads into walking gay clichés. Granted, this wasn't meant literally, and strong-willed grown-ups into helpless toddlers or any other silly metaphor works just as well. Well, when I randomly try out modern EuroPM bands, I already have to endure a lot of Santa Metal songs, which are difficult enough to sift through, but a price I'm willing to pay; but on occasion I'll stumble upon a song like this one, which just brings this crazy theory to life. This isn't just harmless and instantly digestible, 100% mainstream pop certified (fucking hell, it goes as far as using the "forever/together" rhyme), it is an elaborate trap destined to suck (oops, unintended pun, there) both the power and the metal right out of you forever and together. From the educational video game bip bip intro to the stock glam one-bar-one-chord verses (with a passing nod to classic Hansenoween songs, you know which ones, but without the riffs and the Kiske) to the empty void that is the "progressive" piano-doodling/wahwah-bluesy-scale-practice/muffled-snare-wanking "break", to the generic chorus choirs, to the endless repetition, to the phantom of a singer that holds the mike, to the total and utter lack of proper, let alone personal, riffs... This is a metal placebo and it will heal you from your filthy metal habits, by Golly! Or at least bore you to death trying. And yet the aptly-titled song goes on for fucking forever... together. :facepalm:

:metal: :tongue:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uk-vtSQNYuQ
Author:  Empyreal [ Thu Jan 05, 2012 8:47 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Mini-Review Game
LegendMaker wrote:
Lethal - Killing Machine


You know, it's just a fact of life that after a while, you hear too many bands of one style - in this case it's traditional heavy metal - and get over saturated on it. Frankly, why would I need this when I could be listening instead to Jag Panzer, Liege Lord or most importantly Queensryche? I'm always up for a good trad metal romp and this is no different, but it just doesn't excite me in the way that the aforementioned bands do. I feel kind of bad saying that I wouldn't listen to this band more than once a year or so, but it's pretty much the truth, as while they boast some cool riffs and a solid singer, they just lack the oomph factor necessary to really elevate them to the level of their better contemporaries, at least based on this song. The riff is cool, the vocal lines are cool, but nothing really speaks to me on any deeper level than that, and frankly I'd only listen to this if I was knee-deep in a mood for nothing but old school metal - it doesn't really go beyond the confines of its genre to be something I'd recommend to people outside of metal. 80s traditional metal is a wonderful genre, and the bands meant well, keeping true to the spirit of their art, but frankly like any other genre there are a lot of bands you just don't care about as much - this is one of em.

Frankly I'd rather listen to the awesome Excalion song. :p

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jwJSIskWbwA
Author:  hakarl [ Fri Jan 06, 2012 11:19 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Mini-Review Game
The Chasm - Conqueror & Warlord

The Chasm, one of my recent band crushes. The song represents a brand of fast, sweeping and incredibly well-flowing metal that clearly draws from Altars of Madness, with a touch of melodicness that would've been out of place on the Morbid Angel album but ultimately suits the thrash-oriented riffing incredibly well. This melodic elements is not very pronounced, but it occasionally raises its head and surprises the unfamiliar listener. One particular detail I greatly enjoy in The Chasm's music is the sparing use of low distorted power chords, ie. chugs. They appear sometimes, but rarely enough to have the greatest possible effect. Chugs are cool, but too many bands abuse them excessively. The Chasm knows just when they should be used: very rarely.

It's not that prominent on The Spell of Retribution, but what I found interesting on the newest album was the Spanish guitar music influence. It appears mostly in the form of arpeggiated chords and sometimes lead guitar, and it bears surprisingly great resemblance to chords and scales used in much black metal.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CeseFDyZt2c
Author:  Abominatrix [ Fri Jan 06, 2012 11:50 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Mini-Review Game
Omnium Gatherum - "Writhen"

I don't know what's up with the samples at the beginning and end of this thing. The first sounds like someone walking up a flight of creeky old wooden stairs in a house and the second is a bunch of people quietly applauding. Well anyway, this was some decent melodeath of the thrashier persuasion. The song started off reminding me of later At the Gates, but with some more studied intricacy at work between the two guitarists. Tuning and production were very similar to that of Slaughter of the Soul and similar records, though. The song develops into making use of some more sustained chords though, some of which sound a bit unusual. There's even a hint of acoustics toward the end, but used in a heavy way, if that makes sense. The vocals were a little dry and I wasn't too keen on the drum sound..maybe it's just these headphones I've got at work over here but almost all I could hear was the click of the bass drum. I wouldn't mind hearing some more though.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XEmuvl4-nns
Author:  Acrobat [ Fri Jan 06, 2012 1:13 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Mini-Review Game
@Abominatrix
Spoiler: show
Glad you liked the RW song! I know you're lukewarm on their later stuff, but I say check Blazon Stone and Death or Glory. 'Bloody Red Rose' does have a cool celtic feel to it, no doubt Thin Lizzy inspired, too... but it's their only song about England and the War of the Roses. Lancastarian bastards! I like this whole album a lot, actually, the title track is fucking immense and it always manages to get me pumped up. The production is great, red hot guitars and bounding drums... much more dynamic than Black Hand Inn (although I still like that album). Anyway, glad you agree that it's a great song!
Author:  hakarl [ Fri Jan 06, 2012 5:27 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Mini-Review Game
Abom:
Spoiler: show
The ambience heard in the beginning is only part of the music video, and does not appear on album. I do recommend the album Spirits And August Light, however if that was barely in your territory, be warned that my song is unquestionably the best fast song on the album, and in comparison the rest are average.
Author:  KosherCarnage [ Fri Jan 06, 2012 6:12 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Mini-Review Game
Armageddon - Juggernaut Divine

Well, to be honest this kinda rubbed me the wrong way. Felt like Arch Enemy performing a by-the-numbers Megadeth song, and with a really awkward sort of flow. Obviously wasn't surprised to read Chris Ammot is behind this band. It just doesn't stick, and those vocals sound extremely inappropriate for this sort of thing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-AOFoYf4w4
Author:  CrushedRevelation [ Sat Jan 07, 2012 10:25 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Mini-Review Game
KosherCarnage wrote:
Rites of Thy Degringolade - In The Name Of The Rites


Never heard these guys before, but I do know of them, as they have been around for some time now in the Canadian underground I believe. This was interesting, quite brutal and has a strange, stuttering aura to it which at times, reminds me of the debut from Antaeus (albeit not nearly as good). Around the 1:17 mark, a slightly Morbid Angel feel kicks in - all slithery, and off kilter without losing any power mind you, and was smoothly worked in. The vocals are nothing special however, but rather dull, with a dry raspy nature to them, this isn't a big deterrent though as it works for them, yet it never really shines. Overall I found this to be average, with the main sticking point for me being the constant, stuttering barrage of the drums, stopping it from having a consistent flow, or solid cohesiveness.

Check this out.
Author:  Subrick [ Sun Jan 08, 2012 3:48 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Mini-Review Game
It was good. The beginning with the clean guitar was a bit boring and the song didn't really pick up until it got heavy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I3C0LL2fBQc
Author:  Empyreal [ Sun Jan 08, 2012 5:40 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Mini-Review Game
Subrick wrote:
It was good. The beginning with the clean guitar was a bit boring and the song didn't really pick up until it got heavy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I3C0LL2fBQc


Oh come on, that's a terrible review. Do a better one or just don't post at all.
Author:  hakarl [ Sun Jan 08, 2012 8:19 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Mini-Review Game
CrushedRevelation deserves a better review.

Mefisto - Frost of Inferno

I was expecting some occult heavy metal from the 80s or 90s based on the intro, and not just the nylon string guitar plus wailing solo, but even when the actual song began, before the thrashing riff kicked in. It turned into a gritty sort of thrash metal. The musicianship is extremely sloppy, and the song doesn't flow at all really. It's a bunch of sloppily played thrash riffs played after another. The vocals are rather strange tuneless, throaty rasps. No particular harsh vocal technique is used; it's merely a guy barking to a microphone (and some out-of-place screams and snarls). There is one riff which is really cool, the same over the top of which a really Manilla Road-ish guitar solo is played before the song ends. One very nice riff, other than that, not particularly good.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vznLlsZ3Ras

Kindergarten, kindegarten...
Author:  Ancient_Sorrow [ Mon Jan 09, 2012 1:35 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Mini-Review Game
Arckanum - Þann Svartís

The first thing I noticed was that the production was enjoyable clear, and coherent, but didn't lose the harsh edge which is also a vital faculty of the music. It seemed to be fairly quintessential black metal, but I'm definitely partial to listening to that kind of thing, and it's well executed at that. Judging by the length of time that the band have been around, I'm pleased with how good this sounds for being a relatively late-in-career album, although I may be unfairly going on the stereotype that a bands best work comes along early on. Regardless, it sounded damn good, and ticks all of the appropriate boxes of good black-metal.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sFQ_vnPPRdk&feature=related
Author:  miniradman [ Wed Jan 11, 2012 5:20 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Mini-Review Game
when I first hit play on that track I was all like "yeah, this seems like its going to be a pretty cool trad metal track" but its just something... just something about those vocals, that turned me right off. Ok I mean, yeah sure, some trad/power metal vocals might sound a tad feminine but this, might have just gone a little far. Also I don't really think the band musically compensated itself well either, its just generic generic generic. Although I thought the cover looked nice ;)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nzcBTuxlS0k
Author:  hakarl [ Wed Jan 11, 2012 6:47 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Mini-Review Game
o_O He posted a song by Skull Fist, which is a new speed metal band, not Melvins.
Author:  miniradman [ Wed Jan 11, 2012 9:21 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Mini-Review Game
I'm sorry, I don't know what link I clicked there :lol:

I edited my comment :thumbsup:
Author:  TheMizwaOfMuzzyTah [ Sat Jan 14, 2012 9:11 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Mini-Review Game
Apotheosys - A Carrion Seed

Damn. Very chaotic stuff. Not a fan. Technical mix of death/black metal that just seemed to swirl around me like a vortex of dissonant brutality. This may really appeal to big fans of extreme metal, but I'm all about atmosphere and melody and this had none of that. Very talented dudes, though. The vocal attack was interesting, going from black shrieks to death grunts. But overall it was just way too chaotic for me and didn't really do anything for me mentally or emotionally. It just kinda sounded like they just wanted to make a really brutal song.

And now time for a classic:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MphTATCA ... re=related
Author:  Acrobat [ Sat Jan 14, 2012 3:38 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Mini-Review Game
TheMizwaOfMuzzyTah wrote:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MphTATCA ... re=related


When you said "classic" I didn't think you meant "aged turd", oh well. I've always thought Motley Crue stumbled on the odd good song in their career (namely 'Live Wire' and, ugh, 'Live Wire'). Yeah, this is a much more typical Crue number... in that it's awful. Sleazy is definitely what they were going for and the vocal melodies have a bit of a 'Walk this Way'-vibe to them. I don't like that riff, at all, although I must admit it is catchy and the vocals seem to have a lot of embellishment to them but it seems to be a cover up for the fact that Vince Neil is a horrible singer. This is a pretty typical hair metal song, right down to the cheesy, whammy-bar driven solo.

Typical LA sound... never did much for me. On the plus side, the production is pretty good, and I like the drums.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bSNyFKQjcVQ
Author:  CrushedRevelation [ Sat Jan 14, 2012 8:56 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Mini-Review Game
ANationalAcrobat wrote:
Sortilège - Messager


Yet another band I know the name of but have never bothered to check out (mostly due to my personal tastes naturally). What we have here is some slick Euro heavy metal, all sung in French too I might add. I must admit the vocals are rather impressive, very well sung and arranged, and the song is driven along well by the pulsing drum work, and classic, big power-chord workouts typical of the style. The guitar tone is a little muffled however, and I thought it would have been nicer to have it more up front with a touch more crunch, as it sort of lurks in the background. Of course, this would not be complete without the obligatory solo, and this track delivers in that aspect without disappointment. Not bad for my first listen of this somewhat legendary band, especially with those silken pipes of the vocalist soaring above the music. There is also plenty of force behind this to get ones head bobbing, and given enough time (or beer) would have me headbanging along, mangling the chorus while trying to "sing" with it.

Something filthier...

EDIT: changed link.
Author:  MikeyC [ Sun Jan 15, 2012 8:41 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Mini-Review Game
Grave Miasma - Gnosis Of The Summon

A quality slab of heavy death/black metal. Great riffing, especially the opener. Vocals are twisted and work well for the music at hand. The section from 3:26, with the slower drums and then returning to the opening riff was pure black/death quality. Second half of the song picked up. I'll have to look into getting this album at some stage, as Grave Miasma looks like a band that is right up my alley.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xmkEABT04OE
Author:  TheMizwaOfMuzzyTah [ Sun Jan 15, 2012 9:45 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Mini-Review Game
Murmur - Laudanum

Wow, I wasn't expecting something this good. I'm real picky about my black metal but this was pretty awesome. I really like the weird, pendulous tempo, and those strange chords that just kinda wail on in the background. For some reason this song is even kinda disorienting, but in a good way. It's heavy, but mellow. Lots of weird chords and I like that. Vocals are typical black metal fare. They manage to create a nice wave of melancholic fuzz coming at you that both soothes and spooks. Good shit. I will definitely be checking out more Murmur.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=062t-h7x ... re=related
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