Metal Music

Opeth has all but given into being just a progressive band and in their wake, some fans are left scratching their heads.  Their recent contribution to the ‘God of War’ soundtrack--one where most bands involved are releasing some of their heavier material (see Trivium)--was lacking... to say the least.

So when the dust gets swept off and artists and fans have gone their ways, where will Opeth lay?  And who will fill the void they left?  In my humble opinion I believe most people who are fans of Opeth (especially the die-hards) will follow that band to the grave, even if it is with less intensity as before.  I think fans looking for early Opeth-ish metal material can find it in Gwynbleidd, a New York band that stormed onto the scene in 2009 with the release of their debut album 'Nostalgia'.  Gwynbleidd has been compared to Opeth up and down.  Truth be told, the reason for this is because.....they really do sound like Opeth.  That is not such a bad thing, especially right now with some fans feeling alienated from them and searching for something new. 

So, If you like Opeth, give Gwynbleidd a try.  To say they sound ‘exactly like Opeth’ or that they are ‘rip-offs’ would be a grave injustice to both of the extremely talented groups of musicians.  Similar as they may be, both have their merits. 

Metallica is a metal icon.  No duh, so why spotlight them?  First off, because the majority of readers we have are young, we need to clear the air about Metallica (or in recent years, Rocktallica).  You might be too young to have been exposed to 'Ride The Lightening' or 'Master Of Puppets' recorded in their heyday.  I was, but it doesn't stop me from from enjoying their old stuff (and wondering what the hell has happened to them since then). 

Around the time the Black album was released, Metallica took a ride down the slippery slope into a place we call "Mainstreamvilleton".  Mainstreamvilleton is not the kind of place a metal kid wants to find himself after dark--or in broad daylight for that matter. So why the sudden and drastic change in style if the old stuff was so great?  Perhaps Metallica did it for the money, maybe they really were being true to themselves (what's more metal than that?), we really can only speculate.  One fact remains though, their presence from the early days is still felt, influencing bands from all across the world to make that "sweet drug" you and I consume without reservation. Metallica perhaps embodies the true spirt of metal, that is, sometimes silly, sometimes thought provoking, always moving and ever so often... disappointing.

After a long day of news, news, news, I feel like something old. Maybe some old Carcass, 'Heartwork' era. Yes that will do nicely. Now let that bad boy spin, sit back and smile, then watch as the tail end of hump-day passes us by and gives way to the day before, the day before the weekend.  

Well that's all for today folks. After a long day of some silly new videos and listening to a lot of new albums to review I'm going to take it easy. Maybe watch a few episodes of The Unit and hang out on the forum. I would encourage you to do the same. Now, how about some freakin’ Blind Guardian to top it all off?!  

You may have noticed that things have been a little slow around here lately, for this I apologize. We should be back to full strength next week. Until then, why don't you enjoy some Manowar and what little of the weekend you have left.

 Most people would not categorize Germany's Neun Welten as a metal band... and they would be right. Still, Neun Welten has appealed to the heavy metal community since their inception in 2005. Perhaps best described as instrumental folk music for metal-heads, by metal-heads, Neun Welten, whilst keeping in tact metal sensibilities offers listeners a break from the day to day sensory overload we sometimes put ourselves through.  Their latest album, "Destrunken", is for the most part exactly what fans  have come to expect from the band, which is not at all a bad thing. If you are suffering from 'beingstuckinarutitis', overloaded with sub par, filler bands you can't tell apart- then Neun Welten is just what the doctor ordered. Similar artists: Kauan, Tenhi.

How good are Sundays? Would you call them Nile good? Or maybe just Karl Sanders side project good? For this Sunday's Stream I am going to pull out all the stops and say it's going to be Nile good. So, from Nile's 2009 album 'Those Whom The Gods Detest', enjoy 'Kafir' then get out there and enjoy the last day of the weekend. 

 Are you guys sick to death of hearing me talk about Dark Tranquillity and Eluveitie? Well, you are going to have to suck it up because February and March this year are like Christmas and my birthday rolled up into one with all the album releases. But now, you don't even need to wait to hear Dark Tranquillity's upcoming album 'We Are The Void' because they are streaming it in its entirety on their myspace page.

'We Are The Void' is due to release here State-side March 9, and much sooner (Feb. 24) in Europe, and will be available in three formats: digital download, regular CD, and a special digi-pack with two extra songs. Here's to the wait being over!

After a long day of new music videos from Dark The Suns and Nightrage, listening to Eluveitie's new album three times and playing post-vacation catch up- I think I will fall back on an old favorite. From Imperium Dekadenz's first full length, '...Und Die Welt Ward Kalt Und Leer' released in  2006, 'Hall of Lust' and Mario Kart is just about my speed. I will see you suckers at the finish line of Rainbow Road.... or, just tomorrow I guess.

Solution .45 has released a brand new song available to download for anyone or anywho.  The song is called Gravitational Lensing and will be featured on their 2010 album "For Aeons Past".  The lyrics were written by Mikael Stanne, from Dark Tranquility. The album will also feature Christian Alvestam on vocals, formerly from Scar Symmetry and Jani Stefanovic from Miseration.

Download Solution .45 - Gravitational Lensing