Tuesday: Meshuggah - Do Not Look Down

     Finally, on this last leg of our evening of catching up, I've got something for any of you out there who might be a little miffed that the last two songs weren't metal enough for you. Don't worry, I've got you guys covered too, even if it's not in the form of something underground.

     The metal-minded among you likely are aware that Swedish legends Meshuggah are gearing up to release a live DVD/Blu-Ray packaged entitled The Ophidian Trek. It seems like somebody's trying to whet our collective appetites in preparation, because we've just been handed our first taste of the footage in the form of a video of "Do Not Look Down" from 2012's Koloss.

     If this video is any indication, it looks like The Ophidian Trek will be the perfect substitute for the Meshuggah fan who can't get to a show, or who simply doesn't want to risk life and limb in the pit. Either way, this is as close to being there as you're going to get without going there.

Meshuggah - The Demon's Name is Surveillance

     Last week I did a Metallica Monday that may or may not have left you with a sour taste in your mouth and a less then Metal start to your week. I aim to rectify the situation this evening with a guaranteed palate cleanser in the form of Meshuggah Monday.

     Your song tonight is "The Demon's Name is Surveillance" from Meshuggah's latest, 2012's Koloss. Waaay back in one of the very first Loud Noises posts ("Koloss Ist Ein Monster") I called this song an "all offence, no defence" kind of song, and I stand by that assessment. It's the perfect level of aggression to propel you into the week ahead, ready to kick some ass.

Song of the Day: Meshuggah - Pitch Black

     The way I see it, Meshuggah is the kind of band that you're all probably already listening to. Or at least you all say you do, even if you don't actually, because listening to Meshuggah carries with it a certain amount of metal cachet. But even if you do dig Meshuggah for reals, there's still a chance you haven't yet heard that they've just put out a new (free!) EP on Scion AV, the new saviours of modern metal.

Koloss Ist Ein Monster

     Welcome back for another round! Couldn’t resist, could you? Maybe you’re back because last time I promised that next time (ie: this time) would be heavier. Sure, from a certain point of view The Mars Volta are kinda metal, kinda heavy – musically technical and complex, lyrically oblique, vocals like Queen on acid, and they can take a few listens to really get into – but from another point of view, and held up against another kind of band, they’re really not very heavy or metal at all. I wrote about them last time in no small part because they released a new record the week of March 27th, which put them back on my musical radar. Coincidentally, the same week (in North America, anyways) as Noctourniquet was released, another kind of band put out another kind of album as well, both of which are most definitely metal. That band is Meshuggah, and their new album (in case the title of this post didn’t give it away already) is called Koloss.