JamesT

19 hours ago, MacabreEternal said:

I can't comment on their back catalogue but if Aftermath is representative of their usual quality then I have heard all I need to hear.  Sure fire way to kill my interest in a record?  Collaborate with Jamie fucking Jasta (or worse - a rapper, and that happens on this record also).  Even Todd La Torre's input gleans nothing amazing.  The guitarists can play I grant you but the songwriting is all over the place with no two concurrent tracks consistently showing the same level of aptitude.  Aftermath was better than that terrible Bazookiller release from Holycide though - a lot better.

Ah, not a fan of Mr. Jasta, I see!  I've never gotten heavily into Hatebreed, but I do have a few of their albums, and I enjoy them on occasion.  Hardcore in general gets a bit too monotonous for me in large doses.  

Angelus Apatrida, however, are absolutely fantastic in my book!  I'd definitely recommend checking out their back catalog if you have the time and/or interest.  I've never seen them collaborate with so many other artists before.  I can't remember them featuring any other vocalists, in fact.  And honestly, I would have never known there was a rapper on this album, because it just sounds like pure thrash goodness to me.  As I've always said, I'll never begrudge anyone their opinions or tastes in music, so I totally understand if you didn't care to check out any more of AA's material!  For my money, they're easily the best new wave thrash band going.  I tend not to care who a band does or doesn't collaborate with on an album, as long as the music sounds good to me.  But again, I completely respect your feelings on that.  If you do decide to check out any of their other albums, my favorite is their 2012 release, "The Call", followed closely by their self-titled album from 2021.  

Whatever you decide to dive into, happy listening, my metal friend!

7 minutes ago, Kristiko said:

Dream Theater - Train of Thought (album)

My favorite Dream Theater album, and it's their heaviest.  Whatever frame of mind they were in back in 2003 when this was released was something different from any other recording, and on the year of its 20th anniversary, it's still a powerful listen.  There's a level of aggression here that isn't seen - or at least not for a full album - in the rest of their catalog.  I love Dream Theater and revisit this one often!

Accuser - "Dependent Domination"

Accuser - "Diabolic"

I enjoy the output from Tankard from time to time, but if it was up to me, I'd put Accuser in the Big 4 of German thrash, along with Kreator, Sodom, and Destruction.  Exumer would also have to get an honorable mention.  It's been awhile since I've delved into the entire Accuser catalog (I've recently stuck with the more modern albums), but I'll be listening through all 12 albums this weekend.  They're one of the few thrash bands who didn't go completely off the rails in the mid 90's and completely abandon the pure thrash sound.  Their releases in 1994 and 1995, respectively, certainly had more of a groove to the sound, but the thrash intensity is still very much there.  Really enjoying the catalog!

2 hours ago, Arioch said:

Six Feet Under - Haunted (1995)

 

 

One of the only truly great Six Feet Under albums!  This one is a gem. 

Torment Tool - "Under Friendly Attack"

Angelus Apatrida - "Aftermath"

Evil Invaders - "Pulses of Pleasure"

Evil Invaders - "Feed Me Violence"

Enjoying another thrash kick at the moment!

20 hours ago, MacabreEternal said:

Holycide - Bazookiller (2023)

Angelus Apatrida - Aftermath (2023)

I had just gotten done posting about my latest listen through "Aftermath" from Angelus Apatrida when I saw this!  Excellent choice!  They're by far my favorite new wave thrash band.  Every one of their releases is incredibly high quality! 

Primal Fear - Self-titled debut

Primal Fear - "Black Sun"

Primal Fear - "Devil's Ground"

Primal Fear - "Seven Seals"

Primal Fear - "New Religion"

Primal Fear - "16.6 - Before the Devil Knows You're Dead"

Primal Fear - "Rulebreaker"

Primal Fear - "Apocalypse"

Primal Fear - "Metal Commando"

Primal Fear - "I Will Be Gone" (EP)

Primal Fear - "Code Red"

Yep, it's been a great day!

Primal Fear - "Nuclear Fire"

Primal Fear - "Delivering the Black"

On 11/3/2023 at 7:51 AM, Arioch said:

Cirith Ungol - Frost and Fire (1981)

 

Fantastic album!  Tim Baker sounds just as good today as he did back in '81 on this album.  It sounds like their newest album that was just released will be their final album, unfortunately.  But, along with "Forever Black" (2020), I'd say they're going out on a high note!

On 11/3/2023 at 4:30 AM, Arioch said:

Cirith Ungol - Dark Parade (2023)

Cirith Ungol, until now I knew the name but had never listened to their music. As a fan of Moorcock and Elric (my pseudonym attests to this), I should have rectified this error a long time ago. Now I have, and I love it!

 

Fantastic choice!  I'm enjoying this new album immensely!  It's got all the trademarks of the classic era, but the improved production really makes the sound come alive even more.

Angelus Apatrida - "Aftermath"

My favorite new wave thrash band never ever disappoints.  Hope these guys stick around for a long time!

The Black Dahlia Murder - "Nightbringers"

The Black Dahlia Murder - "Nocturnal"

KK's Priest - "Sermons of the Sinner"

KK's Priest - "The Sinner Rides Again"

Protest - "Abuse of Power" (EP)

Some punishing thrash here!  I didn't necessarily expect to enjoy this short EP as thoroughly as I did.

Artillery - "When Death Comes"

These Danish thrash legends have been on a roll ever since this one was released in 2009.  Hopefully, we'll get a new release here pretty soon - the last one was "X" in 2021.

Primal Fear - "Jaws of Death"

Such a consistently great catalog - and with 14 albums now released (despite the debut just coming out in 1998), that's no easy task!

Judas Priest - "Firepower"

Judas Priest - "Jugulator"

Mystic Prophecy - "Ravenlord"

Mystic Prophecy - "Killhammer"

Mystic Prophecy - "War Brigade"

Mystic Prophecy - "Metal Division" 

Loving these guys so far!  They've been around awhile now - more than 20 years - but I've never taken a deep dive into the discography before.  R.D. Liapakis is a favorite vocalist of mine, but I only knew him from Devil's Train, which is one of my favorite bands, period.  But gracious, Mystic Prophecy is killer!

12 hours ago, FatherAlabaster said:

Blut Aus Nord - Disharmonium: Nahab   ...think this might be my favorite of their recent ones.

I think this is the harshest criticism I've seen you dish out! 

Haha!  Funny enough, I had that same thought as soon as I posted that comment earlier!  I generally try and do some leg work before I check out a band's music - research the style and try and find some other bands whose sound is comparable who I might already be familiar with.  I don't tend to run into too many bands who I completely dislike, using that approach.  I don't hate this album, but it's not going to be a purchase for me either!

Tyr - "Eric the Red"

Loving this band so far!

Fatal Scream - "From Silence to Chaos"

Music is really good - not sure what I think of the vocals just yet.

4 hours ago, AlSymerz said:

I think it's five and one to possibly come next year.

Okay, very cool!  I have some solid material to check out.  

Primal Fear - "Black Sun"

Primal Fear - "Delivering the Black"

Judas Priest - "Angel of Retribution"

Judas Priest - "Nostradamus"

Traditional metal fix today!

On 10/25/2023 at 9:55 PM, AlSymerz said:

Go even heavier with the southern thrash and listen to German band Dezperadoz.

Angleripper did vocals on the first album. But Alex Kraft has been a long time friend of Tom's and appeared on a number of things Tom did from Sodom to Oknel Tom. He's also produced a bit of Tom's stuff.

I appreciate the recommendation, my friend!  I've listened to just a couple of songs from Dezperadoz, but I've never done a deep dive into the discography.  How many albums do they have out at this point? 

1 hour ago, Arioch said:

King Diamond - Abigail (1987)

 

No denying this stone cold classic!  Haunting, menacing, and well-executed. 

6 hours ago, AlSymerz said:

For some reason it's been a while since I listened to BLS too. Not sure why but I plan to remedy that today.

I support that decision wholeheartedly!  Groove metal is my favorite sub-genre, but with a particular leaning toward southern groove metal.  The bluesy, southern angle on the sound is my bread-and-butter, so these guys have always been right up my alley.  "Sonic Brew" is a fantastic piece of work, and I played it immediately after seeing your post about BLS earlier this morning! 

6 hours ago, AlSymerz said:

Belushi Speed Ball - What Us Worry

 

Black Label Society - Doom Crew Inc.

Great call with the newest Black Label Society album!  I've really enjoyed that one.  I need to get back into some of the older stuff, like "Sonic Brew" and "Stronger Than Death".  I appreciate you putting those guys back on my radar!

4 hours ago, AlSymerz said:

One can usually put up with their own, but if someone else rips one it's abandon ship!

 

I was surprised how good their album is. Maybe it's AOTY, maybe it's not, but it's definitely better than some of the other leading names that have released stuff this year.

Glad to hear you're enjoying their material!  I'm not sure if you've ever delved into their whole catalog, but their 2012 album, "The Call" is my favorite, followed closely by their previous album, the self-titled, which was released in 2021.  All of their albums are great, however!  They're from Spain, and I've been championing these guys ever since I really dug back into the world of thrash about 7 years ago.  These guys are at the top of the list for me with regard to new wave thrash bands.

Primal Fear - "Nuclear Fire"

Primal Fear - "Black Sun"

Cannot overstate how great these guys are!

3 hours ago, JonoBlade said:

This is the best line I will see today. "Album number 19 is going to be a burner!"

I am pretty sure that is going to be exactly the case.

Haha fair enough!  If I'm remembering correctly regarding our previous interactions about the Priest, you're not their biggest fan by any stretch!  When I used the descriptor "burner", I definitely meant it as a positive, as the new Judas Priest album will easily be my most anticipated release of 2024 (with a new album from Accept coming in second).  But hey, if Priest isn't your thing, I totally understand that! 

What releases (of those that have been announced as of yet) will you be anticipating for next year?  I'm eager to hear!

8 hours ago, AlSymerz said:

Angelus Apatrida - Aftermath.

Enjoying this album on the second go round. 1 more listen and it's a purchase.

Excellent choice!  Angelus Apatrida is my personal favorite new wave thrash band, and this 6th album is absolutely fantastic!  Their last album, the self-titled release in 2021, is my second favorite album of theirs overall (only to "The Call" from 2012), and it's a bruiser from start to finish.  In the early going, this new release will be up near the top as well.  The catalog is nearly impossible to rank.  I hope these guys stick around for a long time!

2 hours ago, GoatmasterGeneral said:

Burner as in barn burner. Your mob might say it's going to be a real cracker or a ripper.

I appreciate the help in clarifying, my friend!  That's precisely how I intended that description to be understood!  I cannot adequately describe my anticipation of the new Judas Priest album.  I'm confident it'll be another slab of great, no-frills heavy metal.  

Also, I'm absolutely loving the "Wreath of Bleeding Snowfall" album from Kommodus!  It is fantastic!

Judas Priest - "Hell Bent for Leather"

Judas Priest - "British Steel"

I never fail to enjoy every second of the massive catalog from these titans.  Cannot wait for "Invincible Shield", due out March 8, 2024.  Album number 19 is going to be a burner!

On 10/21/2023 at 7:43 PM, AlSymerz said:

They are an acquired taste that apparently many don't find.

Many say they are a joke, childish, immature, stupid and that they don't take metal serious enough....no actually that's what the band say about themselves, they don't care what anyone else thinks.

They make great sing-a-longs.

Fair enough!  I've certainly acquired the taste!  And it took me a grand total of one afternoon.  The fact that they embrace the humorous side of things with no apologies is one of the things I like about them.  As someone who regularly enjoys the music of The Tossers, Dropkick Murphys, and Flogging Molly, I enjoy the extra instruments Alestorm adds to their sound - they just increase the heaviness several notches from those aforementioned bands.

1 hour ago, navybsn said:

Checked out a couple of new releases on Tidal this morning.

Myrkur - Spine

Cirith Ungol - The Dark Parade

Both are competent but bring nothing new to either's sound. Random playlist fodder at best.

Loving the new Cirith Ungol album!  I'll be playing it several more times through before I can figure out how it stacks up to the rest of the catalog for me, personally.  But this one is fantastic!

Alestorm - "Captain Morgan's Revenge"

Alestorm - "Curse of the Crystal Coconut"

Alestorm - "Seventh Rum of a Seventh Rum"

I cannot believe I just discovered these guys today!  Seven glorious albums to get familiar with!  Now having this fantastic folk/pirate metal on top of the new Angelus Apatrida, Cirith Ungol and making my way through the entire Judas Priest discography, my head is spinning!

Here in 2023, we've already had Overkill, Metallica, Girish and the Chronicles, Angelus Apatrida, KK's Priest, U.D.O., Primal Fear, Nervosa, Evile, Cattle Decapitation, and Cirith Ungol release killer albums. 

And in 2024, both Judas Priest and DragonForce are already confirmed to release new albums (both in March), and we should also be getting a new album from the mighty Accept who are, in my opinion, currently in their greatest era with Mark Tornillo fronting the band.  If Airbourne ever gets on the ball and puts out their 6th album of hard rock 'n' roll greatness, I'll be thoroughly unable to contain myself.  Long live heavy metal!!

1 hour ago, Kristiko said:

Korn - The Serenity of Suffering (album)

Got the nu metal playing today!  Love those choices!

Meanwhile, I can't believe I missed the release of the new Cirith Ungol album yesterday!  I was appropriately caught up in the excitement of the new Angelus Apatrida release and completely overlooked the new album from the classic metal veterans - "Dark Parade".  I'll be getting lost in this fresh slab of metal greatness this evening!

Cannot wait for the brand new album from my favorite new-wave thrash band!  
 

Angelus Apatrida - “Aftermath”

Album number 6 from these titans!  It’ll be like Christmas morning tomorrow!  Heading to sleep early tonight so that it comes even earlier!!

18 minutes ago, Nasty_Cabbage said:

NP: Creeping Death - Boundless Domain

https://creepingdeathtx.bandcamp.com/album/boundless-domain

Nice and crunchy death metal. A few of the tracks have some bluesy solos. I don't mind blues-influence, but with this type of death metal it is a little jarring. Still, good album.

You know, the album might have absolutely nothing to do with the movie of the same name, but I never really cared for the movie. It just always struck me as either too lighthearted for it's subject matter, and not really funny enough to register as a comedy. I sort of categorized it mentally with those tonally weird 80's films like Red Dawn or Earth Girls Are Easy. Like maybe the filmmakers knew what they were doing, but it just happens on a narrative frequency I can't really find on my mental dial.

That Creeping Death album is fantastic!  I've listened to it numerous times now, and while I don't listen to as much death metal as I used to, that album just hits on all cylinders for me.

Baleful Creed - "Seismic Shifter"

Some solid, stoner/groove!

Metallica - "72 Seasons"

The final track on the album - the 11-minute epic "Inamorata" - just continues to get better with each listen.