Well, musically, 2012 had some good stuff (an attempt to make up for the rest of the year, perhaps). Here's hoping for a better 2013 and some good music, too:
DevilDriver
DevilDriver #6 is currently underway. The follow-up to Beast promises to be as punishing as ever. It's amazing these guys have time for new material given their relentless touring. I'm not complaining, having seen them a handful of time over the last couple if years. If the past is any indication, the next record will be blistering on CD and on stage - make way for the groove machine.
Black Sabbath
The first new Black Sabbath songs in years?! This is something every metal head has been waiting for. The grandfathers of doom, death, and progressive metal are set to return with a new album in 2013. All hail the kings!
Filter
Richard Patrick, founder and driving force behind Filter, as been doing things his way since the band's early days. Filter's last album was a return to form with the catchy riffs, soaring choruses, and dark lyrics that make this an enduring band. This new record, the follow-up to The Trouble With Angels, reminds the front man of Title of a Record and that is a very good thing.
Soilwork
Soilwork has been working on new material for their next album. With a recently released track, it's clear that the trademark guitar attack and vocalist Speed's gruff howl and melodic croon are in full effect. I've got a few of Soilwork's previous records, each with outstanding tracks, so the new record has a lot to prove and there is no doubt that they are up to the task.
Behemoth
Behemoth promises to return in 2013 with the best material and stage show yet - and that is saying something given their awesome tour this year. Lead singer Adam Darski released his autobiography this year and there's rumor of an English version in the near future.
Tool
Pioneers of American progressive metal in the 90s and early 00s Tool is roumored to be working on their 5th major release, the follow-up to 10,000 Days. It will interesting to hear what they have to offer the prog metal/rock genre and their die-hard fans.
Tuesday, January 1, 2013
Best of 2012 (3 of 3)
Final installment of my favorite music from 2012...
Chrome Waves
Chrome Waves' 6 song EP packs a hell of a punch. The Chicago based trio (who hail from previous bands such as The Atlas Moth, Nachtmystium, and others) prove that American death metal is alive and well. Chrome Waves builds emotion and dynamics throughout, accompanied by vocalist Stavros Giannopooulos' uncompromising howl. This short but sweet record provides as much metal as many bands cram into a full disc.
Motionless in White
Young upstarts hailing from Scranton, PA, Motionless in White's second album proclaims that they'll be here to stay. With their brand of dark metalcore, Motionless in White charges with hooks, breakdowns, and ferocious vocals. Song with guest vocals by Soilwork's Speed is a highlight for me. They may not have invented 'spookycore' but they wear it well - and here's to hoping they continue to punish the genre.
Katatonia
Twenty year veterans, Swedish metallers Katatonia return with a lush, gothic album. Singer Jonas Renske's vocals are as tender as they are biting, backed by a chorus of crunching guitars and Katatonia's trademark brand of melodic hooks. The album plays through start to finish, each track picking where the last left off. Every time I play this record, I hear something new.
Chrome Waves
Chrome Waves' 6 song EP packs a hell of a punch. The Chicago based trio (who hail from previous bands such as The Atlas Moth, Nachtmystium, and others) prove that American death metal is alive and well. Chrome Waves builds emotion and dynamics throughout, accompanied by vocalist Stavros Giannopooulos' uncompromising howl. This short but sweet record provides as much metal as many bands cram into a full disc.
Motionless in White
Young upstarts hailing from Scranton, PA, Motionless in White's second album proclaims that they'll be here to stay. With their brand of dark metalcore, Motionless in White charges with hooks, breakdowns, and ferocious vocals. Song with guest vocals by Soilwork's Speed is a highlight for me. They may not have invented 'spookycore' but they wear it well - and here's to hoping they continue to punish the genre.
Katatonia
Twenty year veterans, Swedish metallers Katatonia return with a lush, gothic album. Singer Jonas Renske's vocals are as tender as they are biting, backed by a chorus of crunching guitars and Katatonia's trademark brand of melodic hooks. The album plays through start to finish, each track picking where the last left off. Every time I play this record, I hear something new.
Best of 2012 (2 of 3)
Continuing to look back at 2012 in music, here are some more of my favorites:
Ahab
German doom metal group, Ahab's first release was an epic concept album based (not surprisingly) on Moby Dick. On their second album, they've returned to nautical imagery with The Giant. Even without another literary work to draw from, Ahab draws in the listener with long, intense passages punctuated by desparate vocals. You feel swallowed by the sound and drug to the ocean floor, the weight of the world bearing down. As beautiful as it is heavy, The Giant is enormous.
Between The Buried And Me
Firmly entrenched in the progressive death metal genre, Between The Buried And Me continue to push the envelope. Their follow-up to the 4 track EP, Parallax II is a galloping 10 song journey with their trademark twists and turns - pummeling blast beats give way to Spanish guitar and orchestra flourishes, while vocalist coos and bellows. The depth of the instrumentation is staggering. Having seen their wizardry live before, this album will be an epic adventure on stage.
Storm Corrosion
The long-anticipated collaboration between prog rock masters Mikael Akerfeldt (Opeth) and Steven Wilson (Porcupine Tree) provides a lush soundscape for listeners to lose themselves. The vocals are serene and supported by a delicate balance of sparse instrumentation and ambient sounds. Intricately composed, the album cannot be digested in one sitting, but sampled again and again.
Ahab
German doom metal group, Ahab's first release was an epic concept album based (not surprisingly) on Moby Dick. On their second album, they've returned to nautical imagery with The Giant. Even without another literary work to draw from, Ahab draws in the listener with long, intense passages punctuated by desparate vocals. You feel swallowed by the sound and drug to the ocean floor, the weight of the world bearing down. As beautiful as it is heavy, The Giant is enormous.
Between The Buried And Me
Firmly entrenched in the progressive death metal genre, Between The Buried And Me continue to push the envelope. Their follow-up to the 4 track EP, Parallax II is a galloping 10 song journey with their trademark twists and turns - pummeling blast beats give way to Spanish guitar and orchestra flourishes, while vocalist coos and bellows. The depth of the instrumentation is staggering. Having seen their wizardry live before, this album will be an epic adventure on stage.
Storm Corrosion
The long-anticipated collaboration between prog rock masters Mikael Akerfeldt (Opeth) and Steven Wilson (Porcupine Tree) provides a lush soundscape for listeners to lose themselves. The vocals are serene and supported by a delicate balance of sparse instrumentation and ambient sounds. Intricately composed, the album cannot be digested in one sitting, but sampled again and again.
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