As I'm sure the handful of you who read Loud Noises regularly have no doubt already noticed, I've been a little quiet for the past couple of days. Don't panic, I'm still here, I've just been preoccupied by a couple of things as of late, a couple of speedbumps in life's journey, if you will, one of which I knew was coming and am relatively prepared for and one which I did not foresee and which has put me in limbo over this Easter long weekend.
The one I knew about was that, as of the 1st of May, my girlfriend and I will be moving in together! I'm sure it's terribly exciting for you. We've been together for four and a half years now, so it's getting to be about time this happened, and we've known about and been planning for this for a couple of months now, but it's still a disruptive event that promises to keep things a little hectic around here well into May.
The other, unforeseen speedbump was the unfortunate demise of the graphics card in my PC - I hesitate to say untimely, as I built my current rig in 2010. Things went pear-shaped last Wednesday evening, and of course the combination of me being a gaming dork and my machine being nearly four years old meant that the requisite part wasn't in stock at the shop and had to be ordered. I should be hearing from them in the next day or two, but it has nevertheless been a very disconnected weekend.
But fear not, dear reader. The current song of the day hiatus will continue until I get my baby back home, and next week may indeed be a disaster from the perspective of keeping to a schedule, but I am still here and I will get things back on track... eventually...
Monday 21 April 2014
Tuesday 15 April 2014
The Black Dahlia Murder - Contagion
If you're a fan of The Black Dahlia Murder, you're probably just as stoked as I am that the band is putting out another tour/live DVD, Fool 'Em All, in May. It's not new material, of course, but their last DVD Majesty was pretty rad, so I'm down for more of the same.
To celebrate, we're going with the song that first introduced me to The Black Dahlia Murder's brand of sleazy, frenetic death metal, namely "Contagion" from 2003's Unhallowed. The band''s riffage has gotten markedly more badass over the years, but I still have a soft spot in my beard for this classic tune from TBDM's back catalogue. Have at 'er.
To celebrate, we're going with the song that first introduced me to The Black Dahlia Murder's brand of sleazy, frenetic death metal, namely "Contagion" from 2003's Unhallowed. The band''s riffage has gotten markedly more badass over the years, but I still have a soft spot in my beard for this classic tune from TBDM's back catalogue. Have at 'er.
Monday 14 April 2014
Deftones - Smile
If you're at all a fan of the Deftones, you're no doubt at least familiar with the story of their late bassist Chi Cheng and the unfinished album Eros that the band was working on when Cheng was involved in a serious car accident back in 2008.
Cheng sadly passed away last April, but yesterday the band chose to commemorate the anniversary of his death by releasing one of the the songs from the still-unreleased Eros. Who knows whether we'll ever hear the rest of the record, or in what format we might hear it, so for now let's celebrate the life of a talented musician and key part of one of the defining heavy bands for my generation by listening to "Smile" from the "lost" album Eros.
Cheng sadly passed away last April, but yesterday the band chose to commemorate the anniversary of his death by releasing one of the the songs from the still-unreleased Eros. Who knows whether we'll ever hear the rest of the record, or in what format we might hear it, so for now let's celebrate the life of a talented musician and key part of one of the defining heavy bands for my generation by listening to "Smile" from the "lost" album Eros.
Sunday 13 April 2014
Aronious - Disillusionment I
Fancy something heavy and evil-sounding to cap off your Sunday evening? Take heart, for I have just the thing for you my friend.
Aronious have both heaviness and evil-soundingness in spades, and while they're not mind-blowingly unique or anything, they're also not especially derivative either. Techy, fleet-fingered riffing brings loose comparisons to mind (The Faceless perhaps, or maybe Arsis) but doesn't stray into territory that makes you think "oh, this is just this song or this band".
Check out "Disillusionment I", the opening track from the band's debut EP Truth in Perception, at volume and see if it's appropriately evil for your purposes.
Aronious have both heaviness and evil-soundingness in spades, and while they're not mind-blowingly unique or anything, they're also not especially derivative either. Techy, fleet-fingered riffing brings loose comparisons to mind (The Faceless perhaps, or maybe Arsis) but doesn't stray into territory that makes you think "oh, this is just this song or this band".
Check out "Disillusionment I", the opening track from the band's debut EP Truth in Perception, at volume and see if it's appropriately evil for your purposes.
Saturday 12 April 2014
The Dillinger Escape Plan - Happiness is a Smile
There's been a bit of connectedness to the last two of posts, a bit of a thread that's led me from one to the next. Antemasque led to Killer be Killed, both via the general concept of supergroups and via the specific involvement of drummer David Elitch, and now today Killer Be Killed is going to get me to The Dillinger Escape Plan by way of vocalist Greg Puciato.
Dillinger has a new song out, one which hitherto has unfortunately only been available as a 7" at shows. But lucky for us the band has put an album-quality version on Youtube so that those of us who can't catch the band on its current tour can at least check out the new track. Thanks Dillinger!
Have a listen to "Happiness is a Smile", which is a little less frantic than perhaps is usual, but it's still undeniably Dillinger. (The version below, unfortunately, is a live one and not the studio-quality one that appeared online recently. Boo-urns, Youtube function of Blogger!)
Dillinger has a new song out, one which hitherto has unfortunately only been available as a 7" at shows. But lucky for us the band has put an album-quality version on Youtube so that those of us who can't catch the band on its current tour can at least check out the new track. Thanks Dillinger!
Have a listen to "Happiness is a Smile", which is a little less frantic than perhaps is usual, but it's still undeniably Dillinger. (The version below, unfortunately, is a live one and not the studio-quality one that appeared online recently. Boo-urns, Youtube function of Blogger!)
Friday 11 April 2014
Friday: Killer Be Killed - Wings of Feather and Wax
Since I mentioned them in "yesterday's" post about supergroup Antemasque, and have really talked about them before, I figure it's high time I give the figurative fifteen minutes to Killer Be Killed.
Why? Let's do the math. Troy from Mastodon + Greg from The Dillinger Escape Plan + David from The Mars Volta + Max Cavalera from Sepultura and Soulfly = reason to be intrigued. That's a formula to get interested in right off the bat, and it doesn't hurt that the couple of songs that've been released so far aren't half bad either.
You're probably way ahead of me on this one, but if maybe you've heard about this project and are still on the fence or something, have a listen to "Wings of Feather and Wax" from Killer Be Killed's debut self-titled album, due out next month, and see if you dig.
Why? Let's do the math. Troy from Mastodon + Greg from The Dillinger Escape Plan + David from The Mars Volta + Max Cavalera from Sepultura and Soulfly = reason to be intrigued. That's a formula to get interested in right off the bat, and it doesn't hurt that the couple of songs that've been released so far aren't half bad either.
You're probably way ahead of me on this one, but if maybe you've heard about this project and are still on the fence or something, have a listen to "Wings of Feather and Wax" from Killer Be Killed's debut self-titled album, due out next month, and see if you dig.
Thursday: Antemasque - 4AM
The reuniting of Omar Rodriguez-Lopez and Cedric Bixler-Zavala -- the dynamic duo behind At the Drive-In and The Mars Volta -- would, one might well hope and expect, result in the resurrection of one or the other of the two aforementioned storied acts. Sadly, as Mick so wisely opined, we can't always get what we want. But sometimes we can get what we need...
In this case, that turns out to be a new supergroup of sorts starring Rodriguez-Lopez, Bixler-Zavala, drummer David Elitch (formerly of Volta and currently of Killer Be Killed, another supergroup you might have heard of), and some guy named Flea. Sounds like it's going to suck, doesn't it? The first song we're hearing from the band, a rocking number called "4AM", has a vibe closer to At the Drive-In than The Mars Volta, but that doesn't mean Antemasque sounds like a knock-off or anything.
One song isn't really enough to judge a band or an album by, but I'll do just that and say that Antemasque has the potential to be a good time. Will it eclipse any of the bands from which its members hail? Probably not. But if "4AM" is any indication, there might be some cool, catchy little songs to be had. Check it out and see what you think.
In this case, that turns out to be a new supergroup of sorts starring Rodriguez-Lopez, Bixler-Zavala, drummer David Elitch (formerly of Volta and currently of Killer Be Killed, another supergroup you might have heard of), and some guy named Flea. Sounds like it's going to suck, doesn't it? The first song we're hearing from the band, a rocking number called "4AM", has a vibe closer to At the Drive-In than The Mars Volta, but that doesn't mean Antemasque sounds like a knock-off or anything.
One song isn't really enough to judge a band or an album by, but I'll do just that and say that Antemasque has the potential to be a good time. Will it eclipse any of the bands from which its members hail? Probably not. But if "4AM" is any indication, there might be some cool, catchy little songs to be had. Check it out and see what you think.
Thursday 10 April 2014
Wednesday: Revocation - Scattering the Flock
Not content to rest on their well-deserved laurels for even a moment, reigning modern thrash kinds Revocation are apparently already back in the studio at work on the follow-up to last year's stellar self-titled disc.
News doesn't go beyond the initial, work-is-being-done phase, but Revocation is the kind of band that can excite me even with such scant details. When might we hear this new material? LP or EP? Who knows! And who the fuck cares?
It hasn't been that long since my last Revocation song (ie: only a few days...) but this kind of news is too juicy not to commemorate. And yes, I just called news of a new Revocation record juicy. I will ignore your scorn and crank the brutal "Scattering the Flock" from the aforementioned Revocation and give thanks that there's still at least one metal band out there with a serious fucking work ethic (I'm looking in your direction, Tool...)
News doesn't go beyond the initial, work-is-being-done phase, but Revocation is the kind of band that can excite me even with such scant details. When might we hear this new material? LP or EP? Who knows! And who the fuck cares?
It hasn't been that long since my last Revocation song (ie: only a few days...) but this kind of news is too juicy not to commemorate. And yes, I just called news of a new Revocation record juicy. I will ignore your scorn and crank the brutal "Scattering the Flock" from the aforementioned Revocation and give thanks that there's still at least one metal band out there with a serious fucking work ethic (I'm looking in your direction, Tool...)
Tuesday 8 April 2014
Opeth - Master's Apprentices
Mastodon, eat your heart out, because Opeth have got you trumped in the new album department. Sure, we now know that Mastodon's Once More Round the Sun is nearing completion, but Opeth have done one better and not only released the title of their forthcoming disc Pale Communion but also announced a release date of June 17 to boot! Happy early birthday to me!
The first single from Pale Communion isn't due out for another month or so, so for now we'll have to delve into the band's back catalogue for a suitable song to celebrate the news of new Opeth. Tonight I'd like to suggest the epic "Master's Apprentices" from the 2002 disc Deliverance. It's anyone's guess what Pale Communion will sound like, but here's hoping it's got a little of this classic Opeth flavour.
The first single from Pale Communion isn't due out for another month or so, so for now we'll have to delve into the band's back catalogue for a suitable song to celebrate the news of new Opeth. Tonight I'd like to suggest the epic "Master's Apprentices" from the 2002 disc Deliverance. It's anyone's guess what Pale Communion will sound like, but here's hoping it's got a little of this classic Opeth flavour.
Monday 7 April 2014
Monday: Mastodon - Divinations
Mastodon fans were given reason to celebrate last week when it came to light that the band's latest album is done being recorded and awaits only some final mastering touches before it can be unleashed upon the world. We also found out (or at least I did, maybe you already knew, smart guy) that the disc will be entitled Once More Round the Sun.
In my book, news of an album nearing completion plus the reveal of said album's title equals grounds for featuring a Song of the Day by the band in question, and the fact that Mastodon isn't some up and coming new band isn't going to dissuade me one bit. So it's time for a Mastodon Monday.
Last time I did a Mastodon song, I picked "Oblivion", so it feels only natural (almost mandatory, really) to go with "Divinations" this time around. Press play and say a prayer to whichever gods you favour that this album will drop sooner rather than later.
In my book, news of an album nearing completion plus the reveal of said album's title equals grounds for featuring a Song of the Day by the band in question, and the fact that Mastodon isn't some up and coming new band isn't going to dissuade me one bit. So it's time for a Mastodon Monday.
Last time I did a Mastodon song, I picked "Oblivion", so it feels only natural (almost mandatory, really) to go with "Divinations" this time around. Press play and say a prayer to whichever gods you favour that this album will drop sooner rather than later.
Sunday: As I Lay Dying - An Ocean Between Us
The strange and unfortunate case of As I Lay Dying frontman Tim Lambesis may be all but over with his guilty plea a month or two ago, but it seems the rest of the band is indeed going to solider on in some form or another.
Recent posts to the Instagrams* of each of the remaining band members teased some snippets of new music the guys are working, and while it doesn't really sound terribly different from standard As I Lay Dying, it does sound a tad fresher to me, a tad more hungry. Maybe new whatever they're going to be called will actually be better than As I Lay Dying had become?
Notice the question mark there? Yeah, I'm going to hold off proclaiming glory or doom for now. Until we have more concrete evidence on which to base a real opinion, let's listen to some older AILD and go with the title track from 2007's An Ocean Between Us.
*Yeah, that's a thing now. Instagram is a source of news.
Recent posts to the Instagrams* of each of the remaining band members teased some snippets of new music the guys are working, and while it doesn't really sound terribly different from standard As I Lay Dying, it does sound a tad fresher to me, a tad more hungry. Maybe new whatever they're going to be called will actually be better than As I Lay Dying had become?
Notice the question mark there? Yeah, I'm going to hold off proclaiming glory or doom for now. Until we have more concrete evidence on which to base a real opinion, let's listen to some older AILD and go with the title track from 2007's An Ocean Between Us.
*Yeah, that's a thing now. Instagram is a source of news.
Sunday 6 April 2014
Saturday: Numbers - Frames
In addition to The Joy of Motion, I've also been listening to a fair amount of Numbers' new disc Three over the past couple of days, and while Numbers aren't reinventing their wheel with their first LP, they are working on the best damn Numbers-shaped wheel they can muster.
As an example, take "Frames": its combination of energetic core riffing and some bloopy, glitchy electronic elements sums up Numbers' sound, and Kyle's versatile vocal performance is likewise par for the course. The bad news with the new record, if you can call it that, is that Numbers haven't strayed too far from the sound that made their self-titled EP stick out, preferring to refine and hone their current direction. The good news, of course, is that Numbers haven't strayed too far from the sound that made their self-titled EP stick out, preferring to refine and hone their current direction.
I know I've sung the praises of this band before, but that's only because they're so good at what they do. If rock solid metalcore appeals to you, and the idea of techno added to that metalcore sounds even better, then you need to know about Numbers. Full stop.
As an example, take "Frames": its combination of energetic core riffing and some bloopy, glitchy electronic elements sums up Numbers' sound, and Kyle's versatile vocal performance is likewise par for the course. The bad news with the new record, if you can call it that, is that Numbers haven't strayed too far from the sound that made their self-titled EP stick out, preferring to refine and hone their current direction. The good news, of course, is that Numbers haven't strayed too far from the sound that made their self-titled EP stick out, preferring to refine and hone their current direction.
I know I've sung the praises of this band before, but that's only because they're so good at what they do. If rock solid metalcore appeals to you, and the idea of techno added to that metalcore sounds even better, then you need to know about Numbers. Full stop.
Thursday 3 April 2014
Animals as Leaders - The Woven Web
I've spent a fair amount of time over the past couple of days with the new Animals as Leaders album The Joy of Motion, and so far I have learned at least two things. First, this album is badass. Animals as Leaders have, with the help of co-writer Misha Mansoor of Periphery fame, crafted another tasty collection of jazzy, proggy, instrumental grooves.
Second, my current favourite of those grooves is "The Woven Web", a late-album number that opens up with some labyrinthine riffing before transitioning into a recurring, syncopated aggro-funk part that's just plain fat. I highly recommend you indulge of said funky goodness with all possible speed. It's for your own good.
Second, my current favourite of those grooves is "The Woven Web", a late-album number that opens up with some labyrinthine riffing before transitioning into a recurring, syncopated aggro-funk part that's just plain fat. I highly recommend you indulge of said funky goodness with all possible speed. It's for your own good.
Wednesday 2 April 2014
Led Zeppelin - Fool in the Rain
I had a (very) vaguely April Fool's-themed song picked for yesterday before I got all philosophical about letting go of yesterday and focusing on tomorrow, so today I'm basically going to ignore the message of yesterday's post and go back to rectify my mini-mistake.
Your foolish song tonight is Led Zeppelin's "Fool in the Rain" from 1979's In Through the Out Door. It's a catchy little number, and while it might not be considered "classic" Zep by most, but it's still got great groove -- and that's no April Fool's joke
(Sorry, I know that was bad, I just couldn't resist.)
Your foolish song tonight is Led Zeppelin's "Fool in the Rain" from 1979's In Through the Out Door. It's a catchy little number, and while it might not be considered "classic" Zep by most, but it's still got great groove -- and that's no April Fool's joke
(Sorry, I know that was bad, I just couldn't resist.)
Tuesday 1 April 2014
Pantera - Yesterday Don't Mean Shit
Today wasn't a bad day for me or anything, and neither was yesterday, but this evening I find myself thinking, like the Bard, of tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow. If I've learned anything from writing this blog, it's that you've always got to be moving forward. Writing a daily post, even a brief one recommending a song, means that you're always thinking about today, and tomorrow if possible, and you can't get hung up on yesterday.
As a bit of a perfectionist who can dwell on things, especially when it comes to my written work, this is an important lesson for me to learn. There's a lot to be said for the idea that you're only as good as your last whatever, but it's also good to keep in mind that maybe you're only as good as your next whatever. Today's song is a good reminder to keep your head down and keep putting one foot in front of the other.
Before you hit the hay tonight, jam Pantera's "Yesterday Don't Mean Shit" from 2000's Reinventing the Steel and get ready to face tomorrow.
As a bit of a perfectionist who can dwell on things, especially when it comes to my written work, this is an important lesson for me to learn. There's a lot to be said for the idea that you're only as good as your last whatever, but it's also good to keep in mind that maybe you're only as good as your next whatever. Today's song is a good reminder to keep your head down and keep putting one foot in front of the other.
Before you hit the hay tonight, jam Pantera's "Yesterday Don't Mean Shit" from 2000's Reinventing the Steel and get ready to face tomorrow.
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