Jump to content

What Are You Listening To?


khaos

Recommended Posts

Voices - Frightened   ...this is not "London". They've really turned the page on their "post-Akercocke" roots here. Definitely the same band, but the "extreme" elements are used for effect rather than as the base of the sound. I don't know what I'd call it -- semi-blackened post-post-metal? Slightly charred indie-goth? Extreme pop? Anyway it's odd, and dark, and I'm mostly enjoying it so far.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

5 hours ago, Balor said:

Was this a demo version of a later track?

"Phalènes et pestilence - salvatrice averse" - Peste Noire

"Pulverize the Human Race" - Goatpenis

Due to the high praise that this is getting here, I will have to check this out.

Yes, Demo/Rehearsal version of Key To The Gate, Det Som Engang Var

 

Now playing: Velvet Cacoon - Dextronaut

Amazing sound

Link to comment
Share on other sites

6 hours ago, Astarte said:

Yes, Demo/Rehearsal version of Key To The Gate, Det Som Engang Var

 

Now playing: Velvet Cacoon - Dextronaut

Amazing sound

I always liked the Burzum demo works.  They were so varied, but they always gave glimpses of what was to come.  Have you listened to the previously unreleased demo that was posted on youtube a few months ago?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

"I Loved You at Your Darkest" - Behemoth

I thought the album was good.  There was solid musicianship throughout, and the composition and structure of the songs were skillful.  The guitar solos were a bit too much for me, though.  While I dislike commenting on music based on ideology, I was nevertheless put off by Nergal's preaching.  He claims to want freedom, but then asks listeners to simply agree with his interpretations of out-of-context quotations from the Bible - not to say that he is wrong in what he thinks, but rather that he appears to discount the importance of knowledge and critical reasoning (both of which seem important in order for one to possess true freedom).  Moreover, the use of children in some of the first songs seems to go against this as well.  He asks those who are too young to make a truly free decision to come and help him to peddle his beliefs, which, in a way, makes him what he hates.

"Ataraxia/Taraxis" - Pelican

Link to comment
Share on other sites

14 hours ago, Balor said:

"I Loved You at Your Darkest" - Behemoth

I thought the album was good.  There was solid musicianship throughout, and the composition and structure of the songs were skillful.  The guitar solos were a bit too much for me, though.  While I dislike commenting on music based on ideology, I was nevertheless put off by Nergal's preaching.  He claims to want freedom, but then asks listeners to simply agree with his interpretations of out-of-context quotations from the Bible - not to say that he is wrong in what he thinks, but rather that he appears to discount the importance of knowledge and critical reasoning (both of which seem important in order for one to possess true freedom).  Moreover, the use of children in some of the first songs seems to go against this as well.  He asks those who are too young to make a truly free decision to come and help him to peddle his beliefs, which, in a way, makes him what he hates.

"Ataraxia/Taraxis" - Pelican

You make an interesting point here Balers.

It’s a weird album and not that enjoyable to listen to. On a deeper level is the question of what he’s talking about with that title. Is the person’s ‘darkest’ when they’re at their lowest emotionally, ideologically, spiritually? When they’re Christian or suicidal?

The same problem is found with Rotting Christ (although thank hell the music is better/brilliant). They put out an album that contains a heap of songs focused on the death deity/cults of many different cultures (‘Rituals’), then in the next blink of an eye they use a Voltaire quote to highlight the damage that Christianity can do. So, are they praising death and destruction or are they against it?

Why glorify the death cults of Aztec, Indian and Greek cultures in history as cool and worthy then complain that Christianity is apparently anti-life and a negative force? If they really think Christianity is a destructive entity then why not praise it!? If they think all religions that oppress and kill people are bad, then why glorify the ancient ones? 

When I heard the new Rotting Christ song with that Voltaire quote portraying Christianity in a negative light my brain screamed “double standards”! 

Same with Behemoth. What do they actually stand for? Christians to the lions and hurting the weak, or saving humanity from destructive ideologies and protecting people?

Both bands are: hooray ancient death cults/boo Christian hangmen. I don’t get it. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

5 hours ago, Requiem said:

You make an interesting point here Balers.

It’s a weird album and not that enjoyable to listen to. On a deeper level is the question of what he’s talking about with that title. Is the person’s ‘darkest’ when they’re at their lowest emotionally, ideologically, spiritually? When they’re Christian or suicidal?

The same problem is found with Rotting Christ (although thank hell the music is better/brilliant). They put out an album that contains a heap of songs focused on the death deity/cults of many different cultures (‘Rituals’), then in the next blink of an eye they use a Voltaire quote to highlight the damage that Christianity can do. So, are they praising death and destruction or are they against it?

Why glorify the death cults of Aztec, Indian and Greek cultures in history as cool and worthy then complain that Christianity is apparently anti-life and a negative force? If they really think Christianity is a destructive entity then why not praise it!? If they think all religions that oppress and kill people are bad, then why glorify the ancient ones? 

When I heard the new Rotting Christ song with that Voltaire quote portraying Christianity in a negative light my brain screamed “double standards”! 

Same with Behemoth. What do they actually stand for? Christians to the lions and hurting the weak, or saving humanity from destructive ideologies and protecting people?

Both bands are: hooray ancient death cults/boo Christian hangmen. I don’t get it. 

I think that many fail to recognize how extreme music is double-sided.  On one hand, it can cast down convention and demolish societal expectations - which make one radically free.  Many fail, however, when they reach this point.  They can replace the old ways with new ones, and can rebuild their world around themselves.   Nonetheless, they often become trapped in an aesthetic of extremity that they have built up around themselves, and consequently do not see farther than their own self-image.  To a great extent extreme music is freedom, but freedom requires forethought.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

2 hours ago, MacabreEternal said:

That Carpe Noctem is an interesting listen.  Not 100% onboard with it yet as requires my full attention but hoping to get some quality time with it at the weekend.

I know what you mean, I have a similar feeling - does seem to grow on me with repeat listens, though.

_____

Evoken - Hypnagogia
Evoken - Antithesis Of Light

Link to comment
Share on other sites

11 hours ago, RelentlessOblivion said:

Metallica - s/t

Just on a whim I thought I'd throw this on. My reward? the realisation that (imo) with a few tweaks The Unforgiven could make for a cool doom metal cover.

That's a pretty good idea.  I always like when people do covers of a song, but then change the style in which it is played.

"Demonic Filth Ceremony" - Chaos Cascade and some random noisegrind/grindcore.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

4 hours ago, FatherAlabaster said:

Warmed up to this any more?

A little yes, comes across more “blackened” then I remember.  Less immediate stuff that I don’t dismiss outright to begin with usually creeps back into rotation soon enough, played it twice today in total and definitely warming to it.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.


  • Join Metal Forum

    joinus-home.jpg

  • Our picks

    • Whichever tier of thrash metal you consigned Sacred Reich back in the 80's/90's they still had their moments.  "Ignorance" & "Surf Nicaragura" did a great job of establishing the band, whereas "The American Way" just got a little to comfortable and accessible (the title track grates nowadays) for my ears.  A couple more records better left forgotten about and then nothing for twenty three years.  2019 alone has now seen three releases from Phil Rind and co.  A live EP, a split EP with Iron Reagan and now a full length.

      Notable addition to the ranks for the current throng of releases is former Machine Head sticksman, Dave McClean.  Love or hate Machine Head, McClean is a more than capable drummer and his presence here is felt from the off with the opening and title track kicking things off with some real gusto.  'Divide & Conquer' and 'Salvation' muddle along nicely, never quite reaching any quality that would make my balls tingle but comfortable enough.  The looming build to 'Manifest Reality' delivers a real punch when the song starts proper.  Frenzied riffs and drums with shots of lead work to hold the interest.


      There's a problem already though (I know, I am such a fucking mood hoover).  I don't like Phil's vocals.  I never had if I am being honest.  The aggression to them seems a little forced even when they are at their best on tracks like 'Manifest Reality'.  When he tries to sing it just feels weak though ('Salvation') and tracks lose real punch.  Give him a riffy number such as 'Killing Machine' and he is fine with the Reich engine (probably a poor choice of phrase) up in sixth gear.  For every thrashy riff there's a fair share of rock edged, local bar act rhythm aplenty too.

      Let's not poo-poo proceedings though, because overall I actually enjoy "Awakening".  It is stacked full of catchy riffs that are sticky on the old ears.  Whilst not as raw as perhaps the - brilliant - artwork suggests with its black and white, tattoo flash sheet style design it is enjoyable enough.  Yes, 'Death Valley' & 'Something to Believe' have no place here, saved only by Arnett and Radziwill's lead work but 'Revolution' is a fucking 80's thrash heyday throwback to the extent that if you turn the TV on during it you might catch a new episode of Cheers!

      3/5
      • Reputation Points

      • 10 replies
    • I
      • Reputation Points

      • 2 replies
    • https://www.metalforum.com/blogs/entry/52-vltimas-something-wicked-marches-in/
      • Reputation Points

      • 3 replies

    • https://www.metalforum.com/blogs/entry/48-candlemass-the-door-to-doom/
      • Reputation Points

      • 2 replies
    • Full length number 19 from overkill certainly makes a splash in the energy stakes, I mean there's some modern thrash bands that are a good two decades younger than Overkill who can only hope to achieve the levels of spunk that New Jersey's finest produce here.  That in itself is an achievement, for a band of Overkill's stature and reputation to be able to still sound relevant four decades into their career is no mean feat.  Even in the albums weaker moments it never gets redundant and the energy levels remain high.  There's a real sense of a band in a state of some renewed vigour, helped in no small part by the addition of Jason Bittner on drums.  The former Flotsam & Jetsam skinsman is nothing short of superb throughout "The Wings of War" and seems to have squeezed a little extra out of the rest of his peers.

      The album kicks of with a great build to opening track "Last Man Standing" and for the first 4 tracks of the album the Overkill crew stomp, bash and groove their way to a solid level of consistency.  The lead work is of particular note and Blitz sounds as sneery and scathing as ever.  The album is well produced and mixed too with all parts of the thrash machine audible as the five piece hammer away at your skull with the usual blend of chugging riffs and infectious anthems.  


      There are weak moments as mentioned but they are more a victim of how good the strong tracks are.  In it's own right "Distortion" is a solid enough - if not slightly varied a journey from the last offering - but it just doesn't stand up well against a "Bat Shit Crazy" or a "Head of a Pin".  As the album draws to a close you get the increasing impression that the last few tracks are rescued really by some great solos and stomping skin work which is a shame because trimming of a couple of tracks may have made this less obvious. 

      4/5
      • Reputation Points

      • 4 replies
×
×
  • Create New...