Jump to content

What Are You Listening To?


khaos

Recommended Posts

1 hour ago, AlSymerz said:

I listen to a bit of power metal, not as much as I used to and these days only from a handful of bands. I've listened to it since before the days when Manowar were hated for their goofy photo shoots and not their music. I love the fact that so many people feel the need to shit on power metal and over the years I have tuned into some bands purely because I heard people talk shit about them. I don't like every power metal band but I do love the way so many people vocally hate power metal.

Alright so you do like it, or at least some of it. You derive some enjoyment out of listening to it, you're not listening only because other people hate it. That makes a lot more sense to me. You find it amusing and take enjoyment from the fact that so many people love to hate on it, but that's not the main reason you like it, because those are two separate thoughts. Same way I find it amusing that so many people really don't like black metal, but that doesn't affect how I feel about it one way or the other. To each their own, it is what it is.

I wonder...do you think anyone will ever start a blackened power metal band? You wouldn't think black metal and power metal would be a good combo, but sooner or later you've gotta figure someone will try mixing the two. Just hope I live long enough to see this. I'll hate it obviously, but I'll still like to hear it.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

According to Google it's exists. Such bands Bal-Salgoth, Black Death, Children Of Bodom, Beast In Black and Black Majesty. I haven't heard the first three, I definitely wouldn't have called Beast In Black any form of blackened music and Black Majesty I'm sure have always been power metal.

 

LastFM also list a whole bunch of bands I've never heard of.

https://www.last.fm/tag/blackened+power+metal/artists

Link to comment
Share on other sites

50 minutes ago, GoatmasterGeneral said:

Alright so you do like it, or at least some of it. You derive some enjoyment out of listening to it, you're not listening only because other people hate it. That makes a lot more sense to me. You find it amusing and take enjoyment from the fact that so many people love to hate on it, but that's not the main reason you like it, because those are two separate thoughts. Same way I find it amusing that so many people really don't like black metal, but that doesn't affect how I feel about it one way or the other. To each their own, it is what it is.

I wonder...do you think anyone will ever start a blackened power metal band? You wouldn't think black metal and power metal would be a good combo, but sooner or later you've gotta figure someone will try mixing the two. Just hope I live long enough to see this. I'll hate it obviously, but I'll still like to hear it.

Dimmu Borgir 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Kvad - So Old, Norway

 

Satan's Host - This Legacy Will Never Die, I suppose this could very loosely be described as blackened power metal. It's not really black, or power, or metal, they're mixing here, to me they sound more like a lighter less heavy version of Nevermore with more gothicky tongue in cheek lyrics by a band not nearly as talented. On the fourth track now and there's actually no black metal to be found here at all which I probably should have expected. I suspect it will be much the same with the other bands on that RYM list. Don't feel like checking them all out one after another to find out for sure. Instead maybe I'll throw on some Nevermore because this sucks.

 

Nevermore - Dreaming Neon Black, 1999

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

25 minutes ago, markm said:

Dimmu Borgir 

Nah, there's no power metal there at all, they're just uber commercial symphonic black metal.

 

Stop the presses!! I think I've found my blackened power metal. This is a bit more like what I was imagining. It's at least as fucking terrible as I expected it to be (can't say it's worse than reguar power metal though) but yet the dudes in the comments are jizzing all over themselves at how awesome they think this is. Whatever my dudes, have fun, rock out with your cocks out.

Bal-Sagoth - The Power Cosmic, Yorkshire UK 1999

 

OK I've heard a black/power hybrid (talk about an anti-climax) so now I can put it completely out of my mind. Time to get back to the regularly scheduled black metal:

 

Cryptospital - Dark Noise, atmo-black from Belarus. I liked the last one from these guys so hopefuy this new one will be good too.

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, GoatmasterGeneral said:

I suppose this could very loosely be described as blackened power metal. It's not really black, or power, or metal, they're mixing here, to me they sound more like a lighter less heavy version of Nevermore with more gothicky tongue in cheek lyrics by a band not nearly as talented.

7710fa52-d00a-4ef9-9d23-d3cca6ea466a_tex

 

In all seriousness, you couldn't have listened to a worse album by them as that's the first, and only one, they've ever really managed to shit the bed on. Try either Archidoxes of Evil or Power ~ Purity ~ Perfection...999

Link to comment
Share on other sites

32 minutes ago, SurgicalBrute said:

In all seriousness, you couldn't have listened to a worse album by them as that's the first, and only one, they've ever really managed to shit the bed on. Try either Archidoxes of Evil or Power ~ Purity ~ Perfection...999

I did try a little of Archidoxes after I'd posted that, once I'd looked them up on M-A and saw that Legacy album was their most recent album rated 60, and they had a bunch of earlier ones rated much higher. Archidoxes was the first of their older ones I found on a Youtube search and it sounded completely different with a different vocal approach than Legacy, but yet somehow still just as terrible.

But this exercize wasn't about me finding something I would like, (because we all knew there was zero chance I would like what I might find) it was about seeing if there were any bands who were actually mixing black and power metal and what that combo might sound like. I found that there in fact are, and now I wish that I had never brought it up and had never heard these bands and I shall never need to speak about any of this ever again.

 

NP: Blutschwur - Those of My Blood, USBM

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Nýr Gata - Luna Aeterna, 2021 melodic modern German black metal. I got this one from the new Cabbage guy's intro thread. Not bad, interesting blend of influences. I'd like it more if it were a bit uglier, but definitely worth a listen, I'm 11 minutes in and enjoying it.

 

Wolf's Legacy - Hostes Ocultas do Lago Vermelho, Brazil. Took a few tracks to grow on me but I really enjoyed this one, might even spin it again after the Nýr Gata. Brazilian back metal is something I'm familiar with but this one doesn't have the wall of noise production I'm used to. This is airier, sounds almost like it could have even been recorded live in the studio. They are a full 5-piece band so it's possible, but I can't tell for sure.

 

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...