Metal Reviews

Hi,

I have been into metal since I was about 12 years old (so started in 1992). I dig most genres from power metal through to less drum orientated Death Metal (i.e. Carcass, Gorefest, Edge of Sanity, Bolt Thrower, Atheist etc - not big on drum intensive blast beat stuff such as Nile, Vital Remains etc much these days). Thrash metal is my preferred genre.

However in recent times I have found myself more and more disconnected from what's going on in the world of heavy metal. I have hit 30 and have brought a house, attend latin dancing lessons and paint historical miniatures. I work in an office as a medium level bureacurat. I am planning on kids next year!

I still listen to metal but it's mainly older stuff. I am starting to feel like an old man with on foot stuck in 1991 the other in 1999 and a little toe stuck in 2005.

So what's currently going on in the world of metal? What new bands are really innovative? What's worth checking out?

Firstly, don't feel like an old man. Most of the regular posters here are under 25 and we all listen to a vast, vast array of 80s metal. That was a fucking excellent period. You should never feel ashamed to listen to that stuff, nor should it make you feel old, because any metalhead worth his salt, no matter how young, knows how excellent that period was.

With that said, if what you want is "truly innovative" I don't know if I can help. I mainly listen to thrash, and i don't know if "truly innovative" are words that apply to to thrash these days.

However, theres is a lot of new thrash, and much of it is completely brutal and awesome, so if you do want to explore the young crop of recent thrash acts, PM me, we'll discuss your preferences and I'll be able to help you out with that for sure.

As for "truly innovative"...i'm sure some of the fine reviewers on this site will be able to help you out.

Thrash hasn't had an innovation for 20 years.

Anyway, there's some cool new stuff worth checking out. I don't know how long you've been out of the loop, but a few years ago there was a lot of excitement about this new "folk metal" fad. Most of it's boring, but Eluveitie did some excellent stuff. Otherwise, there was some cool stuff in black metal- check out Shining (the Norwegian one), Krallice and Cobalt. On a more mainstream note, power metal bands like Blind Guardian, Sonata Arctica, Kamelot and Nightwish have been developing in interesting ways. Helloween are also still going strong. The kids' favourite band nowadays is Children of Bodom.

Other than that, metal's been a bit stagnant lately... I've started listening to indie, so take my opinions with a grain of salt.

For listing Gorefest you've automatically proved your into heavy shit, so let me start off with some intense thrash based death.
Drawn and Quartered, Sepsism, Bloodsoaked, and maybe I'm pushing it but Insidious Decrepancy. Those bands are all fairly old school sounding, with Insidious and Sepsism having somewhat of a modern influence. Just avoid that slam and technical death shit (there are exceptions)

For thrash I really couldn't tell you all that much, as most of the retro thrash bands suck. Hypnosia are bar none the best out of the style, and will put to shame weak shit like Blood Tsunami and Toxic Holocaust.

For some really innovative black metal Id check out: Deathspell Omega, Blut Aus Nord, Inquisition, Drudkh, Negura Bunget, Satanic Warmaster, Funeral Mist, Watain,Kampfar, Ondskapt, Ofermod, Striborg, and Withered. I'd avoid the potentially lifethreatening horseshit known as "depressive" black metal, and if it sounds like its produced in a shed, then it probably sucks and is worth nothing.

Generally, the other guys on the forum can give you good recommendations for prog and power. Other then that I'd also check out Cult of Luna, Hollenthon, Baroness, and Ulcerate; those bands are some of the most innovative I've heard. Good luck man and happy hunting.

Oh, and if you're up for it, sifting through the massive shitfest that is deathcore and metalcore can bring up a few gems. Despised Icon, Fall of Troy, Bleeding Through, All Shall Perish, etc.

Welcome, dead1

If you're into thrash in particular and are looking for something that has that spirit but is also exciting and innovative, I would say check out Vektor ASAP.

I noticed High on Fire in your decade list. High on Fire is the shit so check out everything past Art of Self Defense and you'll be pleasantly surprised. The one before that is awesome too but not an instant lovefest.

Thrash-wise Rumpelstiltskin Grinder's Living for Death is my new favorite album.

Arsis is some awesome guitar driven death metal.

Hey there dead1,

I recommend you give Volbeat a listen - one of my favorite bands at the moment. It's essentially thrash and groove metal combined with rockabilly and So. Cal punk, really catchy and melodic stuff while still being plenty heavy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5mV_HHL-h6g

enslaved- ruun

Dude, I am about 7 years older than you .. and I just got BACK into metal about 6 years ago. The past decade has produced a mind boggling amount of quality metal.

I'm not even going to suggest any particular band. Just start reading reviews with a higher scores, check out the band's samples on Myspace or YouTube, because you never know where it will lead.

However, for what it's worth .. the CD that got me back into metal and checking out all the European stuff I had never heard of was Nightwish - Wishmaster. The CD that finally got me into death VOX was Opeth - Blackwater Park. I haven't looked back since.

Cynic - Traced in air is the record of the decade (imo). Give it a try.

And don't feel a relic... I started to listen to metal at 1982, when I was fourteen.

Yes, I agree with this. Both that it's the album of the decade, and also that dead1 should seek it out.

Woah, that is really, really embarrassing.

Maybe you should stay clear of metal and focus on the salsa.

Thanks for the advice guys!

First off: Cynic reformed?!?

Some of the bands you've listed make me think I am not that out of the loop - Arsis, Blind Guardian, Children of Bodom all feature in my collection and I have heard some of the others.

Alas Black Metal's not my thing - I tried with everything from Mahem and Darkthrone to Emperor but found myself only liking the pseudo commercial tripe that is Cradle of Filth (up to about 2000) and Dimmu Borgir. (emperorblackdoom, now that is even more embarassing than latin dancing! ).

However there's some cool suggestions and I'll check them out!





Actually it's chachas, sambas, rumbas and jives! It's good exercise and a bit of fun with the wife. Gives me an excuse to have my hands all over her in public.

Krallice, Shining and Cobalt sound completely different than anything like Mayhem, Darkthrone or Emperor. Just youtube "Blackjazz" or something.

True, Krallice is about 1000 times worse than Emperor, for example. But perhaps fans of Ricky Martin like dead1 would prefer it.




I have to leave a disclaimer: just teasing all around, gentlemen!

Well, you make a decent point there. But see, I always thought that the point of learning any kind of dance was to get a: girlfriend, wife....basically to get laid. Now you already have a wife, so I would have thought you were home free. Guess not!

Getting married is a surefire way of giving up pussy.

You obviously being a highly qualified proponent on the matter...