New Music!

So on the trip to Norway I posted about in the previous post, I bought a bunch of CDs:

NAS - Illmatic


This has been one of my favorite hip hop albums for quite a while now. Sure, it may be a popular choice, but this album just gets hip hop stripped down to the essentials, focusing on them, working them out in great detail. It's a little bit of a grower, but the raw beats and (generally) interesting lyrics really make this shine. It's just bad-ass.

Dinosaur JR. - You're Living All Over Me


Another album I enjoy quite a bit. Unlike Illmatic, which I play a lot, I don't listen to this album that often (at least, not before buying it). However, as I was going to see them live, I was so enthusiastic I picked this one up, remembering how I liked it when I first heard it. And it was definitely worth the money!

Meyvn - Splintered Skies


Here's one I had never heard of. However, for a mere 2.50 euro's and awesome artwork, I really couldn't leave it. I expected something symphonic metal, in the line line of Epica or After Forever, but instead I got something better; a lengthy progressive metal album with plenty of impressive guitar, synths and heavyness. A friend compared them with Dream Theater; I actually don't like them- but if he's right, maybe I should give DT another chance.

Lee Morgan - The Sidewinder


Another 'classic' that I hadn't heard in a while. The RVG edition of this album is impressive like all the RVG jazz remasters I've heard (Ornette Coleman, I'm looking at you). Though perhaps not as avant-garde as I usually like my jazz, this album still has plenty of variety to offer and is a must-hear if you're working yourself through jazz.

Anathema - We're Here Because We're Here

(the text is on a plastic sleeve)

And here is a new album. I got this one with perhaps a little too little thought; I actually thought I was buying an atmospheric metal album. Surprise soon made place for enjoyment, however; this album is extremely pleasing to the ears (Steven Wilson- you actually did a good job here). However, unlike Porcupine Tree, this album doesn't suffer much from boringness (or at least, not yet). Also, this album includes a DVD-A of the album (which I have yet to try). Pretty good, for the price of a regular new CD. Oh- did I mention the carefully crafted packaging?

And that reminds me of yet another task I will probably forget about: documenting my CDs, one post for each, with pictures and all that. If I ever do it, the Anathema album, Fear Factory - Mechanize, Sunn O))) & Boris - Altar, Sigur Rós - Takk.., Municipal Waste - Massive Aggressive, Nine Inch Nails - Ghosts I-IV, will probably be the albums that go first, since (my editions of) these all have awesome/non-standard packaging.

Unknown Metal treats

Hey folks,

It's been a while since I posted. I think it's about time for a metal post. Here are two picks from the recent Unknown Metal posts. First off though, I'd like to point out that the new album that dredg put out in June is quite awesome. Do check it out if you haven't already. If you don't know dredg, then you should check this album out:

Here's the new album's cover:


Anyway, on to business.
First off, Akphaezya. This four-piece band from France plays music that is best described as being jazz piano combined with progressive metal and weird clean female vocals. People call this band as so many others 'avant-garde metal', but I don't think the term works to be honest. Anyway, if you like any of those, check them out. Here's the cover of the re-recorded version of their one and only album:

According to their myspace, which also has some tracks for streaming, they're working on a new album. There's also a buy link there for the above, or if you want to hear it, google can help you.
The Unknown Metal thread might have more information/opinions.
The album cover looks a lot more dark and obscure than it really is. I think non-metal fans will probably be able to enjoy this too (though if you're a jazz-purist, then perhaps not).


On to the next band: Aluk Todolo. This band, also from France, plays something that is probably best described as krautrock, but darker. It takes in quite a bit from noise and black metal, and it has a really metal feel about it. This is the cover of their latest album, Finsternis:

The Unknown Metal thread has more information and buy links. If you're just looking to hear it (or their other works), you can ask google.
I really wonder how this album ages, but right now I'm really digging it. If I buy it, it's probably going to be from Conspiracy Records since they're the cheapest method to buy in Europe that I've seen.

VACATION!

Not that anyone cares, but after some hard final days of work, I've got my summer vacation.

To celebrate, I provided you with some deliciousness.

Fist in Fetus, a delicious melting pot of death metal, with progressive, symphonic and some grind sounds. I can tell you one thing: all 'symphonic' metal bands seem lame when compared to this. Just download this. It's free and awesome, what else do you want?
UM
album on RYM
correctly formatted download (provided in the UM thread)
Myspace
Mikseri (original download)