Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Portnoy's Leaving

There has been a lot of news hitting the metal world lately. First off, perhaps the biggest is Mike Portnoy leaving prog geniuses Dream Theater. This was incredibly shocking news because this band was his creation and to see someone with such immense talent walk away is simply disheartening. In addition, it makes it all the more worse when he is sitting in as drummer for metalcore poster boys Avenged Sevenfold. Does this mean that he is joining this group of youngsters that don’t deserve a drummer of such gift? I think that I am on the same level as most true metalheads in saying that it is absurd that a terrible band such as A7X does not deserve Portnoy as he has consistently been a true musician with DT for 25 years and A7X is nothing but a wannabe Guns n Roses in that they are more about looks than their music. Although Portnoy says it has nothing to do with his joining of A7X it is hard to believe it.

"I BEG of the fans to please NOT hold A7X responsible for MY decision...they are just as shocked as you guys..I had been contemplating this and desiring a 'break' (not split) as long ago as last year...everything else is fully explained in the press release...thank you all for your support and understanding...this is the hardest thing I've ever done..." (metalunderground.com)

No matter what is said by all parties involved, this is a truly said day for one of the greatest bands of our generation. Hopefully this is just a temporary split as DT will not be the same without its heart and soul.

Thursday, September 2, 2010

Black Metal Playlist

Darkened caves, frozen tundras, pits of hellfire, and of course, Satan! This is all part of what the mind conjures up when thinking of black metal. Dim lit, thinking man’s metal that came about from a frame of mind that was upset over the single minded nature of the mass majority. Here is a small look at the grim, frostbitten genre that has scared thousands for decades.

Barathrum – Bride of Lucifer

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MTIVQhGyq1w

Ceremonial Castings – When Winter Spectres Come

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSbfU-_6Om4&feature=related

Negura Bunget – Dedesuptul

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWP53sDeJSE&feature=related

Dodheimsgard – Horrorizon

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8FcUcLxfFEo

Ludicra – A Larger Silence

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4BFUAOLXu-s

Archgoat – The Light Devouring Darkness

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPERi2MBN0Y

Rotting Christ – Nemecic

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81D5HfOnjqw

Peste Noire – Le Mesniee Mordrissoire

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QoJUgl-tKWM

1349 – Sculptor of Flesh

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eDSSqAF-VdU

Emperor – I Am the Black Wizards

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Ks29jnKD4o

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Behemoth's Nergal comments on his illness

BEHEMOTH's Nergal answers back to the overwhelming response of those offering to set up benefits in the vocalists honor

Singer's main goal is to raise awareness and get people involved by registering to be a bone marrow donor

Since news on Nergal's recent health issues has been released, the band, management, and label has received an overwhelming response from fans and bands all over the world asking how they can directly help Nergal. In response to everyone offering his or her help in terms of setting up benefits and shows to raise money for the frontman of the Polish blackened death metal band BEHEMOTH, Nergal has issued the following statement:

"I haven't intended to manifest myself in any way and, especially at this stage, to share my feelings or any other news with the world for obvious reasons. It is simply too early for it. But it was YOU who provoked me to say a few words. Regarding my personal low opinion of humankind, I'm shocked by the reaction to my illness. I actually expected NOTHING yet received feedback which surpassed all expectations. I want to ensure you I read EACH mail I receive, although I'm unable to reply to all of them. The power of your words is pure magic and I thank you all for it. You are a gigantic indestructible army that truly inspires me in this difficult time. The fact is that a fight with this illness is going to last for many months. Most of this time I will spend in hospital and I will go through various psychophysical states. If you know the history of Behemoth you also know we achieved everything by hard work and a steely determination. The same goes for my private life. I happen to be a strong son of a bitch. I have no faith but rely on a 100% victory and I am sure I will get out of it stronger than ever. Sun Tzu in his 'Art of War' said that if you know your enemy and yourself the result of a thousand battles will not surprise you… I enter the ring with this Nietzschean attitude and I will leave it as a winner, as usual. Just watch and see!

So I want to emphasize that Behemoth will by no means goes through any hibernation state. Obviously all concert plans must be postponed until some unknown point in the future, but things are happening! Lately our newest video for '…Alas, Lord is Upon Me' has premiered and stirred up quite a storm in mass media, which fills us with utter pride. Plus we've just finished the project of our new DVD; Evangelia Heretika is a three disc release, a real encyclopedia of Behemoth with nearly 5 hours of material and a bonus audio CD that will be out in November (Metal Blade US - Nuclear Blast Europe). Expect an experience of visual madness as we went to hell and back to make it! Our official Webstore has been functional for a couple of days and official merchandise and some very exclusive stuff can be bought there. At the beginning of 2011, Peaceville in Europe and Metal Blade in US will reissue the EPs with new artwork, bonuses, liner notes, and more. As you can see, despite a complicated situation and difficult circumstances we're remaining active wherever we can.

Nergal's official view on benefit concerts, fund raisers, etc. is focused on marrow donations as a whole issue, not his specific situation. If you want to help Nergal the best thing you can do is set up a marrow drive or register to be a bone marrow donor. Every person that registers to be a donor increases the chances of survival for Nergal and every other person out there suffering from the same illness.

To learn more about how you can register to donate marrow check out:

http://www.marrow.org/

(From Metal Blade)

Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Exodus Concert

In lew of writing up a lengthy review of the recent Exodus show I attended, I have decided to simply show you all the greatness of such an event. Through the pictures that I took of the concert, you will be able to see the pure power, fury, and intensity that only a metal show can deliver. Death, thrash, and speed metal all made an appearance that surely left everyone happy. So here it is, the grandiose nature that is METAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Bonded By Blood






Holy Grail






Malevolent Creation







Exodus





Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Power Metal and Progressive Metal Playlist

I have combined Power metal and Progressive metal into the same playlist for a couple reasons. 1. There are many, many bands that intertwine the two subgenres together and 2. I am not an expert by any means on either genre. However, one cannot deny the enthusiasm and grandiose nature of these impressive genres. The technical abilities of the two are incontestable and should be expressed to those who put them on the back burner because they are not br0000tal enough. So here we are; this week’s playlist is the one with melody and ‘power’ (I love puns) and is sure to please even those that are trve and kvlt.

Angra – The Course of Nature
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CKL6ID_Dato&feature=fvst

Cynic – Integral Birth
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNGCJzPzAp0

Amaseffer – Zipporah
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=raogFWirP4k&feature=related

Jeff Loomis – Miles of Machines
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7nY-XDF_Ask

Thy Majestie – The Chosen
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qr-wa9IZvwc

Into Eternity – Spiraling Into Depression
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YnISJvoCBbI

Blind Guardian – The Bard’s Song
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_tORtmKIjE

Fairyland – A Soldier’s Letter
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qqNBXjXA6gk

Sonata Arctica – The Cage
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-4DnwPjuPM

Pagan’s Mind – God’s Equation
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSoV1t5sSnE

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Thrash Metal Playlist

Quite possibly my favorite of all the metal subgenres, thrash is the subject of this week’s playlist. Blazingly fast, extremely technical, and completely pure. Generating from punk and NWOBHM, thrash has been around for decades and will surely be around for many more to come.

Angelus Apatrida – Room 237

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r1Tj8SQhFDM

Coroner – Masked Jackal

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MzrOlKDIs28&feature=related

Ouroboros (formerly Dred) – Absent From Entity

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HvO-jzjhTvQ

Mantic Ritual – One By One

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y6qDKtFAI6Y

Demolition Hammer – Gelid Remains

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l5FxtlPGIF8&feature=related

Razor – The Marshall Arts

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_gO2G21Ucqk

Sepultura – Stronger Than Hate

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0UbS7puncnk&feature=related

Skeletonwitch – Crushed Beyond Dust

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1SCL7Pja5zs

Toxic Holocaust – Wild Dogs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQTAFs7wicY

Gama Bomb – Zombie Blood Nightmare

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d47rb5HGaVo&feature=related

Thursday, August 12, 2010

Witchery - Witchkrieg





The newest offering from this Swedish super-group has come forth to utterly destroy any other thrash album that has come out this year. Bringing together members of The Haunted, Opeth, Merciful Fate, and Marduk gives a new background to this outstanding release. One of the biggest headlines for this album was new vocalist Legion joining the band. Tony Kampner had been with the band since its inception and has long been one of the strongest factions of their sound. A lot of people were very nervous that having a black metal singer might change their thrash sound that we have all come to know and love. I was one of the cautious many about this big change as well. However, when I first heard the song “Witchkrieg” all of my worries were soon forgotten. When Legion belts out “SATAAAAAAAAN!!!!!!!!!!!!” to start the song, my blood gets pumping and adrenaline courses through my body. His vocals lead to the great blending of death metal into their sound now. Sometimes, Witchery sound almost like a pure death metal band on the album, which is fine by me because the band comes from a great lineage of death metal.


One facet that Witchery does on this new album is something that can be seen as a desperate attempt to draw in listeners, which is bringing in multiple guests on half their songs. However, it does not come off as desperate because these guest guitarists bring extra layers of greatness that only add to their newer sound. Being able to bring on guest stars Kerry King, Hank Shermann, Gary Holt, Lee Altus, Andy LaRocque, and Jim Durkan shows the band’s credibility which only adds to this entertaining album. It is hard to tell if these tracks are just the strongest tracks on the album or if they are the strongest tracks as a result of these stars. Either way, these songs completely shred and help carry the album to even greater heights.


Overall, this album is one of the best releases I have heard this year. I have been a Witchery fan for years and was very excited when I heard they were coming out with a new album. And they sure delivered with one hell of an album. With strong tracks like “The God Who Fell From Earth” and “Conqueror’s Return” this album is sure to please any metal fan that gives it a full listen rather than a cursory glance.

Monday, August 9, 2010

Death Metal Playlist

Here we are with my new playlist, this week concentrating on the most brutal of all genres, Death Metal!!! Get ready for some relentless, blood soaked, evisceration!!

Aborted – Meticulous Invagination

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3RNO3YLQZd8

Demilich – The Echo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_WLPvzGgWs0

Diabolic – From Astral Plane…Entwined With Infinity

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0pQDUahjBLE

Fleshgod Apocalypse – Thru Our Scars

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H2EbqLtaB6Q

Nominon – Mountain of Hate

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mRDpJGywgSo&feature=related

Resurrection – Embalmed Existence

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MBzgkAt0gdw

Ares Kingdom – Fear Itself

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-Oc3Y0xjHw

Funebrarum – Incineration of Mortal Flesh

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SAnLp2slKbo

Anasarca – Scorn

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rICqI4V-F_U

Hour of Penance – Paradogma

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aW5yNOxrS9Q

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Melodic Death Metal Playlist

With my new playlist, I am going to start a series based on genres. Today, I’m starting with melo-death. There are some well known ones and some you may not have heard before. Hopefully you all enjoy the music!!

Auberon – The White Ship

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XNh1XgYlZow

Shaded Enmity – Like Prayers on Deaf Ears

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pICE0Obz2Y4

Destroy Destroy Destroy – Gods of War and Open Sores

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-xQZ7K84jk

Hypocrisy – Weed Out the Weak

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BxEim1Li6ZY

The Absence – Dead and Gone

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZYIj7eDz8X0

Kalmah – The Groan of Wind

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rqBexdo1CME

Amon Amarth – Twilight of the Thunder God

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TQVrl7wRcNg

Sons of Azrael – Turn that Crown Upside Down

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eE0V6GTh0UU

Wintersun – Beyond the Dark Sun

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tnhdJVh9iIY

The Haunted – 99

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cneqJa-4s64&feature=related