If a Black Sabbath fan met with a punkie in an underground show and decided to team up while doing some opioid, the result would be this album. Absolutely gnarly, while having delicate riffs; the mish-mash of hardcore punk with doom metal.
Within Dreams reminds me a lot of Have Heart, and sometimes that makes it feel too derivative and made me think "maybe I should be listening to THAT instead". However, some songs do deserve kudos for making it more dynamic, getting just above the average and common melodic-hardcore sound. "World Clock" and "Heavenly Feeling" are what I'm talking about.
The rest ranges from mid to okay.
"Burn This Shell" shows some good guitar ideas, but they're suffocated by the lackluster sound production that, while obvious DIY, could've been done much better, and a messy drum track that seems not to be in total sync with the stringed instruments, leading to moments of dragging the rhythm and thus diminishing the impact of the verses and chorus.
One-man projects are now more possible than ever, and yet, Shooting Star Project seems to suffer from not being done by a ... read more
Despite taking quite the nosedive in its second half, "Death or Glory" LP is glorious, embracing its desire for epic-ness without shame.
"Riding the Storm" is absolutely awesome, so is "Running Blood". "Renegade" is more campy, making it more fun to listen overall. The absolute highlight is "Highland Glory (The Eternal Fight)", the instrumental track that closes the first half, with a lot of bass tapping, and amazing interplay between ... read more
Although the final 2 songs are just okay, the title track from This Day All Gods Die EP along with "Fire of Life" elevate this material. The heterodox mixing actually works to its advantage in the tracks, making it feel more suffocating and atmospheric; and the mid-tempo chorus in both of the songs mentioned absolutely kick ass.
If anything, those 2 songs make the experience worthwhile.
Thanks for the recommendation @the2ndxosmb !! This EP here has some gems that could really be used in an LP in the future, but in others, some musical ideas needed more time to develop, and were cut too short.
1. PAPERWORK: The beat is actually sounding well, and the sparse vocals actually complement rather than distract. Chill and good. 7/10
2. SWEET NIGHTMARES: The beat is less interesting, but does not make it any less chill in a way that I appreciate. 6/10
3. CONFETTI: The false ending ... read more
"A Través de la Noche" is an amazing synthpop track, exploring urban loneliness and insomnia.
The synth-bass, the drum programming, the auto-tuned vocals are all in service of evoking the city lights, but the song feels very nostalgic and melancholic instead of joyful and danceable. The guitar is so well-placed after the first verse that pierces right through you. Even the song structure is very lineal, never exactly returning to a portion, but instead extracts or adds a layer ... read more
Like being caught in a desert storm and feeling the coarse sand everywhere... and yet, such intricate rhythms ---Ride's cadence flowing in and out of the drum patterns and glitches--- definitely cause something fun and even danceable with it as each section progresses between being a total disaster, to mellowing down and being intelligible.
Not every section is exactly memorable, but not because they don't cause an impression, but because they're such a hot mess in the way that ... read more
"Good thing I like my friends cancelled [i.e. MAGA scumbags that threaten SA victims] 😍"
Taylor Swift not only does not explore what it is being a showgirl lyrically to any remarkable degree, it also lacks musical storytelling in EACH SONG that would have helped her express lyrics that would've been "sassy" ("Actually Romantic" being an utter bore, proving the "boring Barbie" part right) or "in-character" (like in "Father ... read more
WIth Easy Listening LP, the issues of "an overbearing tracklist" and "songs cut too short" still haunt it just as they did in previous installments.
23 songs with the average song length being 1.5 minutes per song isn't exactly a sin in this format, but it really depends on how each song is brought to its full potential. I think Pig Destroyer's "Terrifyer" as a perfect example of an album that have extremely short songs, but the musical ideas are chosen ... read more
Like a catchy cascade of guitar riffs and prowess, Ethereal Minds LP lacks some clear identity (as they sound too much like Dream Theater), but their power metal influences fully let them be somewhat memorable with their songs.
Chilean prog metal band, Ethereal Minds, have released this debut LP, which is highly reminiscent of Dream Theater. This especially clear in how the songs are arranged and structured: prolonged instrumental intros, busy guitar and bass riffs, drum syncopation... ... read more
Judgement of the Moon is one of my favorite ambient tracks of all time.
With heavy use of drones, blips of synths, Amethyst Dagger creates a first wall of sound that drops back when it impacts the most, leading to an acoustic guitar section and a drum pattern that feels very ritualistic and filled with awe... all is done in the service of a very cozy atmosphere, showing delicate use of sound and silence all around. It really feels like staring to the stars and the moon in utter silence. Simply ... read more
HyperMark 3 LP, with its whirlwinds of electronic beats and fast rap delivery, may be really appreciated by rage enjoyers.
This album is definitely an improvement from the previous installment of HyperMark, by the mere fact that it's shorter (the last one was 1 hour long, while this one is 30 minutes), leading to a more contained experience. Rage thrives at shorter runtime, in my opinion, as it avoids losing intensity because the listener gets tired of the album as a whole. The sound ... read more
As I listened to .inflect LP, I immediately sensed how the album was firmly set in the tropes of djent progressive metal, lacking a bit of originality that, however, is to be expected in debut albums.
It's not the main issue for me, though: my main problem is the sound production, with the bass lacking a rumbling quality that might enhance the experience a lot; as it is, it feels thinner than what I would appreciate. It all feels overly crispy, with some cleanliness to contrast it. The ... read more
"Nebula" follows all the tropes of melodic metalcore, and while lacking some more hooks, it certainly manages to be enjoyable.
Starting off with a clean section that reminds me more of depressive black metal, it goes right on to metalcore style of songwriting, with the harsh vocals in verses so that they can contrast with clean vocals in the chorus (which is too short, in my opinion). The first 3 minutes is absolutely solid, some serviceable melodic metalcore that I wouldn't ... read more
While each part is solid enough, Mental Vortex LP fails to create cohesive and hook-y songs (with few exceptions), and it's dragged down by unfitting vocal performances.
Honestly, there were many songs where I considered "man, this would be so good with a more singular vocalist", like with "Pale Sister" or "Sirens". Hell, I would take some Dave Mustaine singing over what we are getting here: a rather generic growled vocal track, with rhythms that do not ... read more
PabloStereo's stab at psychedelic pop leaves a lot to be desired.
Mainly, the song structure leaves me unfulfilled, sorely lacking a bridge that would continue the tendency of the previous verse-choruses. It seems like we experienced a build-up that sadly didn't get the pay-off that was working towards.
There's also the issue with the vocal autotune sitting in that awkward spot that it's not excessive enough to work towards its psychedelic atmosphere, but it's ... read more
Marcel Duchamp delivers a punchy tracklist in Contra Nosotros Mismos LP that is brought down by musical ideas that were cut too short in each track, despite having thoughtful lyrics in most of them.
If anything, this album is kinda frustrating: you get surprisingly short songs that however work amazingly in their own microcosms, like in "Revolución contra nosotros mismos" (the best song in the album, for me), "Arpilleras mojadas" or "Carlo", this latter ... read more
Bad Brains LP gets rough when the reggae tracks appear: the sound production that makes the punk tracks feel especially aggressive and punchy, make the reggae songs feel lacking in substance and texture. The drums feel too far away and it generally doesn't hit beyond sounding nice.
However, with the hardcore songs, they completely bulldoze over you. The opener "Sailin' On", with the weird vocal inflections and distorted bass tone, really set an amazing tone for the overall ... read more
With strange drum production and neckbreaking paces, Spectrum of Death LP stands on its own as a solid piece of thrash metal.
I mean holy hell, some songs here could easily be considered part of the thrash metal canon, like "Damien" and "Assassin". Morbid Saint in this album seem to be on the transition period between thrash metal and death metal, so in vocal performance they sound like Slayer but more growl-y, while instrumentally they have more busy work, especially with ... read more
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Recent Review Comments
On Geezy's review of Swans - I Am a Tower
"@Yellowslotcar Nah, some of us do like what the band has made. "A Piece of the Sky" is one of the most beautiful songs ever to me, I've cried to it with no shame about it and I don't think there's any "convincing myself" with those emotions. "I Am A Tower" is bland as shit though."
On Black Country, New Road - Ants From Up There
"@dasturbo They definitely feel "doing music for music's sake" which is far from a bad thing for me but can get a bit distracting with this band."
On Iron Maiden - Powerslave
"@xcomebackkid Thank you!"
On Darkthrone - Transilvanian Hunger
"@21stcenturyschi Thanks!"
On Floating Points, Pharoah Sanders & The London Symphony Orchestra - Promises
"@JS97 Thank you! I made this review after so many relistens, as I also considered that it kinda dragged with the minimalist motif, but now of course I drool for it as a classical whole. Nothing will ensure that you will enjoy it now though."
On Young_Vinci's review of Edward Skeletrix - Museum Music
"But I did give it a good score because it sounded good to me. :("
On Godspeed You! Black Emperor - "NO TITLE AS OF 13 FEBRUARY 2024 28,340 DEAD"
"@21stcenturyschi Thank you! :D"
On dalis_car's review of Swans - The Seer
""It's all vastly the same mood"? That is intriguing, because I couldn't think of a bigger contrast than "A Piece of the Sky" with "Apostate", or "Daughter Brings the Water" with "Song for a Warrior". Perhaps the style can be similar, although the buildup for "Mother of the World" isn't done in the same way that is heard in "The Seer". Goes to show that each of us just hear based on personal prejudices, and the way we write is also revealing."
On Lord0fDiamonds's review of Godspeed You! Black Emperor - Lift Yr. Skinny Fists Like Antennas to Heaven!
"Bro still covering his ass and victimizing himself over here..."
On Lord0fDiamonds's review of Godspeed You! Black Emperor - Lift Yr. Skinny Fists Like Antennas to Heaven!
"The victim complex continues to grow on this person..."
On Lord0fDiamonds's review of Godspeed You! Black Emperor - Lift Yr. Skinny Fists Like Antennas to Heaven!
"@Lord0fDiamonds It's interesting how in the comments you repeat "Oh it's okay!" in an apologetic and accepting tone, when in the review itself the tone is definitely more in the offensive, ready to fight and be controversial. What happened there? In any case, I'm skeptical that there's one or many defining qualities of "good music": sometimes it just hits differently with each new instance of music. I also would like to question how you think this music is "all crescendos", since it also seems that those parts have musical merit in themselves (being "zenith" themselves, keeping the metaphor), and have payoff enough in case you want to see them as "crescendos"."
On Lord0fDiamonds's review of Godspeed You! Black Emperor - Lift Yr. Skinny Fists Like Antennas to Heaven!
"@Lord0fDiamonds In any case, you ignore any comment that argues with the substance of your review (such as my comment), and instead you just continue whining about "being dogpiled". It almost comes across as a victim complex."
On Lord0fDiamonds's review of Godspeed You! Black Emperor - Lift Yr. Skinny Fists Like Antennas to Heaven!
"There's an implication in your review, that "it is through pop sensibilities that songs get musical merit" from what is written in the 4th paragraph, and I find it particularly strange, as if hooks are the sole way that a song gets to have merit. There's also the weird way that "you have to get 1 hour 20 minutes available if you want to listen to this album", which isn't my experience: in fact, as a lover of this album who heard about it before knowing about the Internet cred that it has, I still listen to this album one song at a time (given that I listen most of my music when commuting). Your ideas seem misguided. I felt good things while listening, without having read the linear notes, so there seems to be a musical merit to it."
On JS97's review of Godspeed You! Black Emperor - Slow Riot for New Zerø Kanada E.P.
"I agree with what you say when it comes to this release, but I feel that "Lift Your Skinny Fists like Antennas to Heaven" overcomes all these issues: the build-up in each song is so good and cathartic that it becomes the "good part" itself, all part of the metaphorical hamburger."
On Remi's Reviews's review of Low - The Curtain Hits the Cast
"Best of luck to deal with all things. <3"
On ApacheZo's review of J. Cole - Might Delete Later
"@cruptes It plays on the transphobic idea that trans people are "wearing a disguise" or "being deceitful" though."
On Remi's Reviews's review of Darkthrone - Transilvanian Hunger
""As Flittermice as Satans Spy" has to be the most hypnotic black metal song in existence. It is truly that alluring in its sound and chords, and the growling is perfect."
On Jere Klein - 6.5
"@Sevv To be fair, this was written before I had listened to any trap album, let alone a Chilean one. So mea culpa."
On AlRog's review of Mount Eerie - A Crow Looked at Me
"You seem to have an issue with "stream of consciousness" writing style on principle alone, so it's hard to make any sort of argument that convinces you; I personally found that style to be very fitting and having good emotional punch: how you feel like you drag an aura of sadness to everyone that knows you, how your child asks where the dead are, how death can feel unnecessary, learning nothing and thus feeling stuck... I think the lyrics manages to narrate those experiences really well. The music is a bit rough, and the drum machine can be tacky, but I only think one thing: usually "lyrics can't save a bad album", so if the lyrics are still gut-wrenching for me despite the simplistic music, then the music may indeed be good and enough for these.
Your accusations of Elverum being "a low-life" and "an exploiter" notwithstanding, there's not much that those who love this album can actually say: this isn't a debate where "who wins? who lose?", after all, so your tally is just dumb."
On Botched Invocation's review of Yersin - The Scythe Is Remorseless
""Too shiny and produced to be black metal, but too brutal to be hardcore": Welcome to Sludge Metal."
On Remi's Reviews's review of Burzum - Filosofem
""Beholding the Daughters of the Firmament" ("Erblicket die Töchter des Firmaments") was my first black metal song ever and it was life-changing. Absolutely good stuff."
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