The word that most frequently accompanies descriptions of Norway's Shining, is "blackjazz", which is either blackened jazz or jazzy black metal, depending on how you look at it. The title of their upcoming album International Blackjazz Society, due out next month, would certainly have you believe that those elements are key components of the band's sound.
But the latest single from International Blackjazz Society, "Last Day", sounds more like a heavy Nine Inch Nails-esque track, with an electronic-meets-hardcore kind of sound. So maybe the takeaway here is that International Blackjazz Society will have lots of different sounds going on? Get your copy in a bout three weeks' time to be sure, but for now jam "Last Day" and compare it to similarly-titled-but-different-sounding first single "The Last Stand".
Tuesday, 29 September 2015
Monday, 28 September 2015
Saturday: Zeta - Silent Waves
While I'm kinda sorta on the subject of Tesseract and vocalist Dan Tompkins, I've got the first single from Dan's latest project for your Saturday song. Ready for some mellow, 80's-style synthwave jams from Dan and none other than the Chimp Spanner himself?
Oh, sorry, did I forget to mention that supertrio Zeta consists of produced Katie Jackson, Dan Tompkins, and Paul Ortiz of Chimp Spanner fame? And yet, this combination of a couple of famous prog names (and one with whom I feel I should be more familiar, but am not) doesn't sound at all like you might expect -- assuming, of course, you might be expecting something somewhere in between Tesseract and Chimp Spanner.
What you are going to get from Zeta's first single "Silent Waves" is a chill synthy vibe that could have come right out of the mid-to-late 80's. This kind of thing isn't really my cup of tea, and it's not necessarily yours either, but worth at least checking out for fans of either Dan or Paul, I think. What say you?
Oh, sorry, did I forget to mention that supertrio Zeta consists of produced Katie Jackson, Dan Tompkins, and Paul Ortiz of Chimp Spanner fame? And yet, this combination of a couple of famous prog names (and one with whom I feel I should be more familiar, but am not) doesn't sound at all like you might expect -- assuming, of course, you might be expecting something somewhere in between Tesseract and Chimp Spanner.
What you are going to get from Zeta's first single "Silent Waves" is a chill synthy vibe that could have come right out of the mid-to-late 80's. This kind of thing isn't really my cup of tea, and it's not necessarily yours either, but worth at least checking out for fans of either Dan or Paul, I think. What say you?
Sunday, 27 September 2015
Friday: Tesseract - Dystopia
Speaking of new albums (as I was the other day when I was wondering how you're liking the new Refused disc), what does everybody think about Tesseract's latest Polaris? You haven't had nearly as much time to sit with it as you've had for Freedom, but perhaps you've still got some first impressions?
I've been a big Tesseract fan since One, so I'm maybe a little biased, but here's what I'm feeling so far: Polaris didn't blow me away right out of the gate. Definitely rock-solid, but not mind-blowing. It does, however, grow on me with each listen - not a "grower" in the traditional sense that you didn't really like something at first but then warmed up to it, moreso in the sense that it was something good, and just keeps getting better.
That's where I'm sitting with Polaris right now; I'm still discovering all the little notes and nuances, increasing my enjoyment of the record every time through. We'll just have to wait and see where I ultimately put this one in Tesseract's catalogue, but for now I'll say I'm super pleased with album three. So pleased, in fact, that I can't really decide which song to point you towards today (since you've already had both of the singles) meaning I'm just going to start you at the start. Your Friday Tesseract song is therefore Polaris-opener "Dystopia". Press play and let the whole thing ride.
I've been a big Tesseract fan since One, so I'm maybe a little biased, but here's what I'm feeling so far: Polaris didn't blow me away right out of the gate. Definitely rock-solid, but not mind-blowing. It does, however, grow on me with each listen - not a "grower" in the traditional sense that you didn't really like something at first but then warmed up to it, moreso in the sense that it was something good, and just keeps getting better.
That's where I'm sitting with Polaris right now; I'm still discovering all the little notes and nuances, increasing my enjoyment of the record every time through. We'll just have to wait and see where I ultimately put this one in Tesseract's catalogue, but for now I'll say I'm super pleased with album three. So pleased, in fact, that I can't really decide which song to point you towards today (since you've already had both of the singles) meaning I'm just going to start you at the start. Your Friday Tesseract song is therefore Polaris-opener "Dystopia". Press play and let the whole thing ride.
Saturday, 26 September 2015
Thursday: Slipknot - The Shape
For this week's belated Throwback Thursday post, I feel pretty confident that a trip back to what is arguably Slipknot's masterpiece will be received well by most of you. If you would prefer some other hit of nostalgia, by all means, leave a comment and I'll make it happen.
But for now, we're going to give "The Shape" from 2001's Iowa a spin. Like the rest of this record, "The Shape" has an unstoppable, frenzied energy to its choruses that kick me in the balls every time I hear Corey scream "everything else is just dust and filth". Iowa is a grimy, chaotic album, and "The Shape" is a perfectly grimy, chaotic snapshot from it. Mosh down Memory Lane with me, won't you?
But for now, we're going to give "The Shape" from 2001's Iowa a spin. Like the rest of this record, "The Shape" has an unstoppable, frenzied energy to its choruses that kick me in the balls every time I hear Corey scream "everything else is just dust and filth". Iowa is a grimy, chaotic album, and "The Shape" is a perfectly grimy, chaotic snapshot from it. Mosh down Memory Lane with me, won't you?
Friday, 25 September 2015
Wednesday: Queens of the Stone Age - I'm Designer
Usually I'm one of those guys whose like "Sure, the new album is OK, but the old stuff's better". Name pretty much any band I listen to, and chances are I'm a bigger fan of their earlier work than their later stuff. This post is intended to demonstrate that I listen to more than a band's first two albums.
Now, before you go too crazy, your Wednesday Queens of the Stone Age song does come from an album that's nearly nine years old already. But "I'm Designer" comes from the bands fifth studio album, 2007's Era Vulgaris, meaning that it definitely qualifies as coming from something other than the band's first couple of albums. And yet it's still cool, proving that Queens of the Stone Age have remained capable of crafting some good tunes throughout their career. Keep it coming, boys.
Now, before you go too crazy, your Wednesday Queens of the Stone Age song does come from an album that's nearly nine years old already. But "I'm Designer" comes from the bands fifth studio album, 2007's Era Vulgaris, meaning that it definitely qualifies as coming from something other than the band's first couple of albums. And yet it's still cool, proving that Queens of the Stone Age have remained capable of crafting some good tunes throughout their career. Keep it coming, boys.
Tuesday: Refused - Destroy the Man
I know I've asked you this before, but how's the new Refused album sitting with you? Was Freedom worth the wait? If you were expecting The Shape of Punk to Come 2.0, then probably not. But if you were just anxious to hear some new Refused material, whatever shape it might take, then I think it's safe to assume you weren't disappointed.
I'm definitely in the latter camp; I didn't know what to expect out of new Refused, so I didn't expect anything, and was therefore pleasantly surprised with Freedom. I don't think it's an instant classic, but it will certainly grow on you if you give it a couple of listens. And give it a couple of listens you should.
But maybe you need some encouragement, so your belated Tuesday song for this week (we're going to get caught up, I swear!!) is "Destroy the Man". See if it tickles your fancy at all, and thengo out and give the rest of Freedom a go.
I'm definitely in the latter camp; I didn't know what to expect out of new Refused, so I didn't expect anything, and was therefore pleasantly surprised with Freedom. I don't think it's an instant classic, but it will certainly grow on you if you give it a couple of listens. And give it a couple of listens you should.
But maybe you need some encouragement, so your belated Tuesday song for this week (we're going to get caught up, I swear!!) is "Destroy the Man". See if it tickles your fancy at all, and thengo out and give the rest of Freedom a go.
Wednesday, 23 September 2015
Monday: Metallica - Disposable Heroes
While it is technically Wednesday out here in meatspace, it was only a short time ago Monday, which means that just a few brief days ago would have been an appropriate time to yearn for the period indulgence that is Metallica Monday. So here you go kids!
Your Metallica Monday song this evening is the band's classic "Disposable Heroes" from 1986's high water mark Master of Puppets, because it's simply too good a song for me not to have featured yet. Let it be a light to you in dark places (that only play Metallica songs written since 1990), and let it remind you that, whatever else should happen in the rest of Metallica's career, they were indeed once great.
Your Metallica Monday song this evening is the band's classic "Disposable Heroes" from 1986's high water mark Master of Puppets, because it's simply too good a song for me not to have featured yet. Let it be a light to you in dark places (that only play Metallica songs written since 1990), and let it remind you that, whatever else should happen in the rest of Metallica's career, they were indeed once great.
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