Midi

Shining - V - Halmstad

Blut Aus Nord - 777: The Desanctification

It's true that metal and classical are both heavily scripted (though Pyrrhon, an NYC band, is putting free improv sections into their songs...!). I'd say classical is more cerebral by a long shot - the underlying theory is more deeply understood, the available structures have been more thoroughly explored. And a much higher caliber of musicianship is required to play the stuff. Metal tends to be less cohesive, less centrally planned, and more intuitive; it often defaults to "verse-chorus-bridge-etc" pop structure, and some bands wind up mining the same boring melodic veins for years. At its best, its intuitive nature is a strength - classical composition can be so sterile. The success or failure of crossover acts depends on their sensitivity to the nuances of arranging for the instruments they're playing. That goes both ways; if the person doing the arrangement doesn't have a deep familiarity with the potential of the instruments they're writing for (or if they're just lazy), the piece will be lifeless. That's how I feel about Apocalyptica. I can't stand them. To the question of where one "draws the line" - I'd rather not. After my experiences of the past few months, I think it's a better approach to consider a piece on its own terms. That's vitally important when writing a crossover piece (and I'd say the same holds true for the genre-blending within metal, too). Very easy to wind up with unexplored potential, or a cheesy, predictable piece that's the worst of both worlds. The successes, though, can be transcendental. Earlier this year I did death metal vocals with a string quartet at a few shows in and around the city, and my take on mixing these genres is very much influenced by that association. They're all excellent musicians and playing with them has inspired me to take my own writing further. Here's a video, which I've posted to the forum before: https://vimeo.com/115837284

The Dillinger Escape Plan - Calculating Infinity

I can't put her on the same level as many of my favorites simply for her one-dimensionality, but Katherine Katz has one of the sexiest screams in all of metal to me. Her tracks on Agorapocalypse are simply incredible in a despondent, filthy way. I've also recently discovered Cloud Rat, in which Madison Marshall has a similar style but not quite on par with Katz imo, but I really dig it.

I just snagged a first-generation Electro Harmonix HOG pedal on ebay for half its original price. I've been wanting one for years and the stars finally lined up. It's everything I wanted, I'm getting these sick low organ sounds. Almost makes me want to forgo distortion. 

Rent.

Napalm Death "Apex Predator-Easy Meat"

Taake - Hordalands Doedskvad
Godflesh - Streetcleaner
Obituary - Cause of Death

Emperor - In the Nightside Eclipse

Taake - Hordalands Doedskvad
Godflesh - Streetcleaner
Obituary - Cause of Death

So yeah, eum, I thought about it and it might be time to share a short recapitulation of what I've come to know the last couple of days...
- I got invited to an international chess tournament 
- I missed my shot at the house I planned on renting
- Finally got my hands on a decent amp for my cello
- I'm going to become a father in less than 7-8 months
- The 'faces thread' is about to happen (brace thyselves!)
- A friend and I might start a transboundary art collective
- Oh yeah, and English beer is pretty damn disgusting

Why not both?

And some might even say everything I've posted so far.
 

And some might even say everything I've posted so far.
 

You're making some awfully big assumptions here.  

So yeah, eum, I thought about it and it might be time to share a short recapitulation of what I've come to know the last couple of days...
- I got invited to an international chess tournament 
- I missed my shot at the house I planned on renting
- Finally got my hands on a decent amp for my cello
- I'm going to become a father in less than 7-8 months
- The 'faces thread' is about to happen (brace thyselves!)
- A friend and I might start a transboundary art collective
- Oh yeah, and English beer is pretty damn disgusting

I would gladly trade this heat & humidity for a cold and (very) rainy day :)

Evoken - Antithesis of Light

And it's day 6 of a now smoke-free life...

And it's day 6 of a now smoke-free life...

Type O Negative - World Coming Down

Thankfully that happens pretty frequently. It's like clapping your hands and saying, "I do believe in fairies!" Except instead of fairies, it's Slipknot, and instead of Tinkerbell coming back to life, Josh comes back to the thread to shit all over your music taste.

My Dying Bride - Turn Loose the Swans

My Dying Bride - Turn Loose the Swans