Official METAL Thread

[btbam]

Devin is holding a "make your own music video" contest for a new song off of Epicloud called Lucky Animals. Here is his example video of what to do. Song is amazing! Dancing is even better. Most entertaining thing on youtube right now.

[Ixion]

Dude.....you're creeping me out the Devin Townsend obsession. I think it's time for an intervention.

[btbam]

Sigh...fine. Some non devin related news (if you can call it that...)

Check out Gojira's newest album. It will blow you all away with quality. Top 3 metal acts for me. take this music video for evidence of their superiority. Its a nice departure from the traditional Scandinavian style death metal. To me there are really a few schools of death metal, European (England, France, sometimes Germany), Scandinavian (norway, sweeden), and American. You can really hear the heavy French influence in this bands style. I think you Ixion will like them tremendously just based on your tastes so far that i've seen.

[Ixion]

Sigh...fine. Some non devin related news (if you can call it that...)

Check out Gojira's newest album. It will blow you all away with quality. Top 3 metal acts for me. take this music video for evidence of their superiority. Its a nice departure from the traditional Scandinavian style death metal. To me there are really a few schools of death metal, European (England, France, sometimes Germany), Scandinavian (norway, sweeden), and American. You can really hear the heavy French influence in this bands style. I think you Ixion will like them tremendously just based on your tastes so far that i've seen.

Yeah, I believe you posted that video before, either in this thread or the Post Your Song thread. I definitely dig it. It basically sounds like a more accessible Meshuggah. Also, the singer reminds me of Anders from In Flames.

From what I understand, their latest album is more straightforward than the preceding albums. When I do get around to them, which album do you think I should start with?

[btbam]

anyone should do. I'm a real big fan of the newest one "L'Enfant Sauvage." Just the texture and sound of the whole album is just great. My personal suggest, start with "from mars to sirius" and work you way to "the way of all flesh" then "L'Enfant." For me they just got better as time went on, but some diehards who were there from teh start like the earlier albums but those three are the best. They just get better with time for me at least. L'Enfant is more approachable i think so someone new to deathmetal might start with that, but you shouldn't have any accessibility issues so really just pick one and have fun. I do suggest listening to the whole album through not just songs, i think you understand what i say about the texture of the album. Sonically its just top notch.

From mars to Sirius is my favorite album from them, but they will all make you weak in the knees and swoon over the songs. Sonically though, L'Enfant is way better. Just the way everything sounds, the compression, the mixing, just beautiful. Musically i prefer From Mars to Sirius.

[DarkVincent07]

I'm gonna download L'Enfant right NOW! I'm not the biggest fan of Death Metal but hopefully as you said, this can either ease me into it or just be another band i like

[btbam]

I'm gonna download L'Enfant right NOW! I'm not the biggest fan of Death Metal but hopefully as you said, this can either ease me into it or just be another band i like

It's more approachable compared to their other albums, but it is still pretty damn heavy and brutal. The album is relentless. Very few moments of reprieve. I think what new death metal listeners need is moments that break down for a minute. You migh consider trying between the buried and me's colors. Great pacing, brutal, and gives moments of rest at the right times.

[Ixion]

It's more approachable compared to their other albums, but it is still pretty damn heavy and brutal. The album is relentless. Very few moments of reprieve. I think what new death metal listeners need is moments that break down for a minute. You migh consider trying between the buried and me's colors. Great pacing, brutal, and gives moments of rest at the right times.

I'd say a band like Opeth would be more accessible than BTBAM, since Opeth's heavy sections usually still have a lot of melody, whereas BTBAM just goes straight-up brutal.

But I'd say some of the Melodeath bands would be even more accessible. Children Of Bodom has a shit load of melody, which I think an metal fan could enjoy. On the other hand, Amon Amarth is bit heavier, but follows pop song structures more closely, seeing as they like to throw in those epic choruses.

For me, the first Death Metal band I got into was In Flames, specifically the album "Clayman", which is their last great album, but that's when they started to rely more on choruses. The song "Swim" is the song that pulled me in.


Here you go DV, a sample from each:

[btbam]

I'd say a band like Opeth would be more accessible than BTBAM, since Opeth's heavy sections usually still have a lot of melody, whereas BTBAM just goes straight-up brutal.

But I'd say some of the Melodeath bands would be even more accessible. Children Of Bodom has a shit load of melody, which I think an metal fan could enjoy. On the other hand, Amon Amarth is bit heavier, but follows pop song structures more closely, seeing as they like to throw in those epic choruses.

For me, the first Death Metal band I got into was In Flames, specifically the album "Clayman", which is their last great album, but that's when they started to rely more on choruses.

I really don't think that people will have a problem with the brutal sections because if your gonna like it your gonna like it. If not, then you won't. The moments of reprieve i speak of is really just so the album isn't so overwhelming all at once. Just 40 minuets of brutality is too much even for vets...I really think colors is a great introduction to the genre. They are heavy as all shit when they want to be, but they aren't super chuggy like some deathmetal bands tend to be. Colors also has some great mellow/jazzy sections in it with a couple Muse like moments. Plus, considering that Colors is one continuous piece of music, you get some repeated phrasing and riffs that allude to other parts the album. Much more digestible IMO. Opeth can be a good for the start for the reasons you mentioned, but really its just a matter of personal choice. L'Enfant is a great one too. I still suggest listening to albums all the way through. I think you get a better sense of the music longue duree as opposed to segments or songs.

[Ixion]

I really don't think that people will have a problem with the brutal sections because if your gonna like it your gonna like it. If not, then you won't.

I disagree. It took myself, and I'm sure many other people, some time to understand the use of harsh vocals. However, it's easier to understand when it's coupled with melody. But when you have both brutal music and brutal vocals going at once, it takes more effort to understand, instead of going one at a time. After listening to melodeath for a while though, you'll begin to crave something heavier, faster, darker, etc. That's what lead me to bands like Meshuggah, Demilich, Mayhem, etc.

[btbam]

Maybe. First deathmetal i ever heard was Blackwater Park by Opeth. Still one of my favorite albums of all time. I don't think its that you'll crave something heavier, its just really of is this music relevant to my life at all. To be all honest, i have no idea why i gravitate to metal in general, it just speaks to me in a fashion i haven't quite articulated. There are moments when i can't stand to listen to anything heavy. Its just a mood sort of thing. Best thing i think is to make the options available and let the listener decide.

[Ixion]

Maybe. First deathmetal i ever heard was Blackwater Park by Opeth. Still one of my favorite albums of all time. I don't think its that you'll crave something heavier, its just really of is this music relevant to my life at all. To be all honest, i have no idea why i gravitate to metal in general, it just speaks to me in a fashion i haven't quite articulated. There are moments when i can't stand to listen to anything heavy. Its just a mood sort of thing. Best thing i think is to make the options available and let the listener decide.

Yeah, I have two lists of music that I go through. A Metal list and a list with other type of music, whether it be Indie Rock, Hip Hop, Progressive Rock, Electronica, etc.

I usually just go through the Metal list, and whenever I feel like changing it up or listening to something more chill, I'll listen to the next album off the other list.

It's a pretty solid system!

[btbam]

Yeah, I have two lists of music that I go through. A Metal list and a list with other type of music, whether it be Indie Rock, Hip Hop, Progressive Rock, Electronica, etc.

I usually just go through the Metal list, and whenever I feel like changing it up or listening to something more chill, I'll listen to the next album off the other list.

It's a pretty solid system!

I don't have a system...i just have like 400 albums in my house that jump all over genres so when i feel like hip hop i can put something on, when i feel like classic rock i can put it on. Proud to say not a single one is nickleback. I need to start my digital conversion though. I prob only have 1/4 of my music imported to itunes....

[Ixion]

I don't have a system...i just have like 400 albums in my house that jump all over genres so when i feel like hip hop i can put something on, when i feel like classic rock i can put it on. Proud to say not a single one is nickleback. I need to start my digital conversion though. I prob only have 1/4 of my music imported to itunes....

I'm just talking about new music though. In terms of just listening to something that I already have, it's obviously just based on what I'm in the mood for. But when I want to listen to something new, I refer to the two lists.

And I need lists or else I'll forget which bands I wanted to listen to, because there are a lot.

If you go on a site like rateyourmusic.com and go to the charts, it's a great way to see what are considered the best albums in your favorite genres. And therefore I get lost in a lot of albums I want to listen to...

For example:

Progressive Death Metal

http://rateyourmusic.com/customchart...one&countries=


Progressive Metal

http://rateyourmusic.com/customchart...one&countries=


Melodic Death Metal

http://rateyourmusic.com/customchart...one&countries=


Technical Death Metal

http://rateyourmusic.com/customchart...one&countries=


There are so many different genres you can sort by and since there are millions of users on that site, you know the top albums have to be pretty good. Check it out if you haven't already.

[RaY_210]

I don't have a system...i just have like 400 albums in my house that jump all over genres so when i feel like hip hop i can put something on, when i feel like classic rock i can put it on. Proud to say not a single one is nickleback. I need to start my digital conversion though. I prob only have 1/4 of my music imported to itunes....

I wish I could +rep you for this alone! lol

[Ixion]

Listened to a few more Amon Amarth albums. I still need to listen to their latest album, but anywho...


Amon Amarth - Fate Of Norns



Genre: Melodic Death Metal

Released: 2004

Rating: 3/5

A pretty solid album, but I found myself getting bored at times because most of the songs sound very similar, primarily due to the extensive amount of tremolo picking on this album. On their other albums, they use tremolo picking a bit more sparingly, but that's what you'll usually be hearing throughout this album. This also isn't quite as heavy as their other albums.



Amon Amarth - With Oden On Our Side



Genre: Melodic Death Metal

Released: 2006

Rating: 4/5

This album is quite a bit more varied than Fate Of Norns, and there are some very good songs here. However, the first half of the album is a bit weaker than the second half, even though it's still quite good. The last song on the album, "Prediction Of Warfare", might be the best song I've heard so far from this band.



Amon Amarth - Twilight Of The Thunder God



Genre: Melodic Death Metal

Released: 2008

Rating: 4.5/5

Every song on this album delivers, with "No Fear For The Setting Sun" being slightly weaker than the other tracks. With that said, the title track provides this album with the strongest opener since "Death In Fire" back on Versus The World. This album packs a punch because it's both heavier and more melodic than the previous albums. The rhythm guitar playing is heavier, while the melodic lead guitars are also more prominent. Therefore, the overall sound is more satisfying on this album.

[DarkVincent07]

Thanks for the suggestions Ixion, you're a champion.

I've actually been a fan of Children of Bodom and Opeth for many many years now. Though I don't have all their albums or anything I just enjoy their music on occasion. I downloaded the latest album of Amon Amarth but couldn't get into it, it's not bad but yeah the vocals take some getting used to.

I should try out In Flames, I've heard good things.

Lately I've been getting into Metallica and Megaderh which I find odd that I've never really got into them before. The thing with me is the music I know about and have, I love. But I don't know much else about music I don't have lol.


Via Tapatalk

[Ixion]

I downloaded the latest album of Amon Amarth but couldn't get into it, it's not bad but yeah the vocals take some getting used to.

Opeth has very similar vocals to Amon Amarth though. At least the death vocals. In fact, those are my two favorite death vocalists so far. I guess you need the clean vocals to change the pace?

Lately I've been getting into Metallica and Megaderh which I find odd that I've never really got into them before. The thing with me is the music I know about and have, I love. But I don't know much else about music I don't have lol.

You just need some good sites that make it easy to find new music. Go on the sites I'm about to show you and you'll be drowning in bands.

There are two sites that I've used to discover metal so far. There's rateyourmusic.com, which I've already talked about in here. That's the most detailed and expansive site I've seen for discovering new music. Again, just go to "Charts", type in a genre you're interested in, and you'll see what are considered the best albums. You can even type in "Viking Metal" and see hundreds of great Viking Metal albums!




Perhaps you're into Progressive Metal?




Or Industrial Metal?




The main music site I go on though is sputnikmusic.com. If you go to a band's profile, you can see what their albums are rated and which bands are similar. This site has significantly less members than rateyourmusic, but they have good taste and a funny community:

[DarkVincent07]

wow you have been amazingly helpful.

When I get back from work tomorrow I'll be going through all of these bands and sites and finding what suits me

And yeah in terms of what you said about the clean vocals, I do prefer to have both clean and the screaming/deeper vocals. Keeps it in balance.

To go off, Demon Hunter is one of my favourite bands (hence the avatar), so that style is perfect to my tastes. Unfortunately I've had much trouble trying to find similar artists but with these sites I'll have a vast amount of artists open to me and I look forward to browsing

[Ixion]

wow you have been amazingly helpful.

Glad to be of service!

And yeah in terms of what you said about the clean vocals, I do prefer to have both clean and the screaming/deeper vocals. Keeps it in balance.

That's how I used to be as well. When I first got into Opeth, I found the deep death vocals to be very distracting. I needed the soft breaks to keep me listening.

But then all of a sudden it just clicked for me. Instead of just tolerating the death vocals, I started to prefer them. And I think it's simply because we're not used to them. Again, I used the word "distracting", because after listening to clean vocals and occasional screaming my whole life, you end up thinking that's strictly what vocals should be.

So the more I listened to bands with deep death vocals, the more normal it became and therefore less distracting. And from there it's easier to enjoy.

It helps too that bands like Opeth, Amon Amarth, and Dethklok are still very understandable. We can hear what they're saying.

Besides, I would say that deep death vocals are easier on the ears than high-pitch screaming.

[btbam]

porcupine tree is the best! love it dude.

[Ixion]

porcupine tree is the best! love it dude.

Yeah, I chose them because I knew you'd like it. lol

[Ixion]

Listened to the latest Amon Amarth album...


Amon Amarth - Surtur Rising



Genre: Melodic Death Metal

Released: 2011

Rating: 4.5/5

This album is strong the entire way through and there's a good sense of flow here. This might be the best album out of the five I listened to. I'm assuming fans were slightly less enthused with this album because the songs aren't quite as memorable after the first listen, but I feel that's because the songwriting is a bit more complex and varied than before. The songs here change up more often than on previous albums.



I probably won't bother listening to their first three albums. Now I'm going to go through Strapping Young Lad. I'll finally be able to talk with btbam about Devin!

[btbam]

Not very heavy, but still great ROCK! Foxy Shazam is more of a throwback band, reaching back into the pockets of great rock and roll classics (Queen being very evident) New album "Church of Rock and Roll" great grove, great rock, chorus galore. Great fun music if you just wanna chill out with buds. Check em out!

[RaY_210]

I don't have a system...i just have like 400 albums in my house that jump all over genres so when i feel like hip hop i can put something on, when i feel like classic rock i can put it on. Proud to say not a single one is nickleback. I need to start my digital conversion though. I prob only have 1/4 of my music imported to itunes....

Ha! Rep is back! So I made sure to come back and rep that shit! Lol