Archive for the 'Music' Category

Opeth - Melbourne, Australia: The Palace

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JR
on September 6, 2008
in Gigs and Music
. 5 Comments

Opeth - Melbourne, Australia: The Palace

Let’s get straight to the point, Opeth are in a class of their own.

It has been interesting to observe how a young, naive ‘Death Metal’ band which formed in the cold climbs of Stockholm, Sweden slowly take over the Metal world with such class, finesse and a body of work that is both unique and mindblowing at the same time.

They first piqued my curiosity several years ago when I heard the sombre and melodic ‘Damnation’ album and became a diehard ever since. Their past two discs ‘Ghost Reveries’ and ‘Watershed’ have been landmark releases and have featured throughout this blog in past entries.

With the announcement of the ‘Watershed’ tour of Australia, there was no doubt in my mind that I was going to miss out on this gig so the necessary tickets were purchased well in advance - and the countdown to the gig began in earnest.

The band took the stage close to 11pm to a sold-out crowd at Melbourne’s Palace venue. (Formerly the Metro - where do they come up with these venue name’s, they can’t think of a different unique monicker?) Anyway. ‘Tis a great venue for gigs as it has that goth vibe to it and reminds me of something out of the original ‘Crow’ movie.

I had a gut feel that it was going to be an amazing concert and right from the outset they sounded so damn good. Meticulous oftentimes virtuoso playing, perfect crystal clear volume, a set comprising of the band’s finest moments and such a charismatic and down-to-Earth frontman in Mikael Åkerfeldt that just guaranteed for a special night.

The set was so well paced and finished with a trio of the band’s finest moments. Just when you would get sucked in to the melodic and often times beautiful tranquil moments, the band just kick it up 10 gears and slash your throat with a knife. Blistering. Spine tingling moments throughout. Never missing a beat. Never a dull moment.

And the scary thing about it all, they’re only going to get even better.

Astounding!

Continue reading ‘Opeth - Melbourne, Australia: The Palace’

Jack Osbourne: The Osbournes Discredited Who My Father Is

Published
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JR
on September 4, 2008
in Asides, Music and Television
. 0 Comments

Jack Osbourne: The Osbournes Discredited Who My Father Is.

Metallica - Death Magnetic

Published
by
JR
on September 3, 2008
in Album of the Week and Music
. 1 Comment

Metallica: Death Magnetic

I think the days of anticipating a Metallica release are long gone. They died back in the mid 90’s when Messers Hetfield, Ulrich, Newstead and Hammet posed in front of the cameras with hair neatly cropped and blankly looking down the barrel of a camera and stating… “We were never a Metal band…”

Umm, ok. Yeah.

It’s been downhill since then. Rapidly. In short, they lost the plot. Big time. And in a weird sorta way, I have wanted them to regain their glory and majesty. After all, I have followed these guys since their fledgling demo days of 1982 when every forthcoming release of theirs was a bona fide classic album. Album after album in the Eighties was such an amazing music-buying experience.

Those days are gone. Long gone.

I’m trying to like this. I’m really trying. And wanting. Wanting to feel genuinely excited about a Metallica release, but the sad truth of the matter is - I just don’t care anymore. Which is not to say that this is a bad album, far from it. It is probably the best we can expect from these guys any time soon.

There are some good moments throughout. There’s plenty of bludgeon-riffola to rock out the sternest ‘Tallica critic, even if one has to subject themselves to the blandest drumming in the Metal genre. (sorry to harp on it folks, but Ulrich’s drumming is a freaking joke. I’ve never encountered a drummer who annoys me so, maybe McBrain from Iron Maiden - two of the most overrated skinsmen in the business) - but I digress!

Having said that, there is also some dross. ‘My Apocalypse’ is dire. ‘Unforgiven III’… Come on guys, enough already. Add to that some stupid Hetfield vocal stylings and a veritable feast of oh-so-boring Kirk Hammett leads.

I just can’t hear Rick Rubin’s influence in this and I was genuinely interested when it was first mentioned he would be helming this project. He’s done some mindblowing things with Metal acts in the past (System of A Down, Slipknot et al) but some of these songs on Death Magnetic are a little bloated for my liking.

I dunno! It’s ok I guess. Just ok. Now, where’s my Opeth album?

Metallica: Death Magnetic

New Metallica Video

Published
by
JR
on September 2, 2008
in Music
. 6 Comments

I’m still not sure how I feel about the new Metallica tracks. I’ve heard two so far. One, (the video above) is ok, (except for that godawful racket coming from the drums! UGH!) the other… sucks! Having said that, I kinda am looking forward to the new album which is about to be released… albeit apprehensively. These guys have let me (and their hardcore fanbase) down too many times.

Anyway… brilliant video btw. Do check it out above…

Oh, and another track here. (This one sounds like a ‘Load’ outtake!) And depending on which side of the fence you’re sitting on, that ain’t a good thing!

FBI: Uploader Confesses to Pre-releasing Guns N’ Roses Tracks

Published
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JR
on August 29, 2008
in Asides and Music
. 0 Comments

FBI: Uploader Confesses to Pre-releasing Guns N’ Roses Tracks.
The California man arrested Wednesday for allegedly uploading pre-released Gun N’ Roses songs to his blog has provided a “typed, signed confession” to the FBI, according to court records unveiled Thursday.

Bleeding Through - Declaration

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by
metallisteis
on August 29, 2008
in Album of the Week and Music
. 3 Comments

Bleeding Through - Declaration

“Tonight… We dine in hell!” Pretty apt. This ubiquitous quote from ‘300′ serves well as the appropriate punctuation to the brief instrumental prelude as well as being the perfect bridge into the aural assault that’s about to be unleashed.

The title track ‘Declaration’ opens the proceedings at a blistering pace and there’s no real let up, aside a few meaty breakdowns, until we reach the magnificent ‘There Was a Flood’. One of my faves on the album, it teases with the ominous and haunting opening as though it’s going to delve into ‘Perfect Circle’ type power ballad, only to fire up and then give minimal respite with a catchy melodic vocal. Fittingly, the first single ‘Death Anxiety’ has the characteristic melodic formula reminiscent of ‘The Truth’, but at the same time it’s heavy riff is a good insight into the direction of this new work. Follow the lyric sheet, and it’s clear there’s some serious anger issues coming to the fore here.

At times, my untrained ears find it hard putting bands and their music into genres and I may well be wrong, but this ‘Bleeding Through’ release seems to be veering the band more and more into the realms of Death Metal. As much as I have loved all their previous efforts, it’s possible that at times maybe I was just tolerating the thrashier parts of the songs waiting for the more melodic vocals to kick in. On ‘Declaration’ though, this emphasis on melodies has been stripped back and while still present, what remains is a brutal album with substantially more aggression and punch.

You have to hand it to Devin Townsend, what on the surface may appear to be an unusual band-producer pairing, has ultimately resulted in an album that after just one listen, will have you thinking your epididymis couldn’t possibly be wound any tighter. Contender for one of the top releases of 2008.

Bleeding Through - Declaration

New Metallica Has Landed

Published
by
JR
on August 22, 2008
in Music
. 5 Comments

Metallica Death Magnetic

I remember a time where a new Metallica release would have me marking off X’s on a calendar. The anticipation was beyond enormous as the band’s first three albums were classics of the highest order. One by one they landed. ‘Kill ‘Em All’, ‘Ride The Lightning’ and the masterful ‘Master of Puppets’.

They were lauded as the best thing to happen to Metal since the glory years of Judas Priest and Iron Maiden.

Rightfully so. Metallica were a very, very special band.

Having been a fan of the band from even before they had a record deal of any kind - I always held them close to the heart but recently, as with many, I have grown to despise them and that pretentious twat of a godawful drummer - Lars Ulrich.

But… even after the abomination that was ‘St. Anger’ - I remained curious to see what they could possibly deliver next.

So after hearing the first track today, I’m feeling that tingle again. It sounds promising. Real promising.

So, without any further adieu… check it all out below:

Metallica: The Day That Never Comes (Windows Media)
Metallica: The Day That Never Comes (Real Media)
Metallica: The Day That Never Comes (MySpace)

James Hetfield told MTV.com that the clip won’t be making any lofty political statements about the war in Iraq. Instead, it’s a statement on humanity, helmed by acclaimed Danish director Thomas Vinterberg, who, along with Lars von Trier, co-founded the Dogme 95 movement in filmmaking. Hetfield said that when he was writing the song’s lyrics, he never envisioned the video would look anything like this.

“That’s the beauty, I think, of writing vague but powerful lyrics — that someone like a movie director can interpret it in his own way and obviously, someone creative is able to take the metaphors and apply them to whatever he needs in his own life,” the frontman explained to MTV.com. “The main [theme of the video] is the human element of forgiveness and someone doing you wrong, you feeling resentment and you being able to see through that in the next situation that might be similar and not take your rage or resentment out on the next person and basically keep spreading the disease of that through life.”

He added, “The one thing that I wasn’t keen on here was Metallica plugging into a modern war or a current event [that] might be construed as some sort of political statement on our part. There are so many celebrities that soapbox their opinions, and people believe it’s more valid because they’re popular. For us, people are people — you should all have your own opinion. We are hopefully putting the human element in what is an unfortunate part of life. There are people over there dealing with situations like this, and we’re showing the human part of being there.

“It’s the forgiveness part — that is key,” he continued. “Metallica has never plugged into any current event visually, but this one is kind of a hotbed. People have very high opinions about this war, and we’re trying to cut through all of that. The politics and the religion tend to separate people, and what we’re trying to do is bring it together with the common thread of resentment and forgiveness.”

Metallica’s new album, ‘Death Magnetic’, is scheduled for release on September 12.

Slipknot’s Joey Jordinson Breaks Ankle

Published
by
JR
on August 21, 2008
in Music
. 4 Comments

Slipknot's Joey Jordinson Breaks Ankle

To Our Fans:

It is with huge regret and disappointment that we have been forced to cancel our imminent European festival appearances at Leeds, Reading, 2 Days a Week, Area 4, as well as exclusive performances for MTV Europe and Virgin TV. The other night, Joey Jordison broke his ankle and doctors have advised Joey to stay off his leg for 4-6 weeks to prevent further injury or permanent and more serious damage.

We know you will be hugely disappointed and so are we. Canceling shows is never an easy decision and we apologize to all our fans, friends and family for not being there to throw down with you. We will be back in Europe this November and can’t wait to see you all then.

Stay (sic),
Slipknot

World’s Largest Record Collection is Worth $50 Million; No One Wants it for $3 Million

Published
by
JR
on August 20, 2008
in Asides, Geek and Music
. 0 Comments

World’s Largest Record Collection is Worth $50 Million; No One Wants it for $3 Million.

Slipknot Blamed For Teen Murders

Published
by
JR
on August 19, 2008
in KillFuckDie, Music and The Real World
. 11 Comments

Slipknot Blamed For Teen Murders

Slipknot have been blamed for a savage murder and series of stabbings in South Africa yesterday.

A schoolboy, dressed akin to Slipknot drummer Joey Jordison, was high on drugs when he stabbed a fellow pupil to death with a sword in Krugersdorp, South Africa. He then went on to stab two of the schools gardeners at Nic Diederichs technical high school.

“He stabbed one of the schoolkids in the neck and he died. He then went further and stabbed a gardener in the back and another gardener in the face. They were taken to hospital in serious conditions,” said Jacob Raboroko of the Johannesburg police force.

A representative for Slipknot’s record label, Roadrunner Records, has told South Africa’s The Times web site that the band had no comment regarding reports that the schoolboy (18-year-old Morné Harmse) who stabbed a fellow student to death with a sword in Krugersdorp, South Africa Monday morning (August 18) was dressed like Slipknot drummer Joey Jordison.

Declining to provide her name, the woman at Roadrunner Records said: “We’ve had no confirmation that it was, in fact, a Slipknot mask. The band is not going to respond.”

When asked how they had found out about the stabbing, the representative would say only that people had been phoning the label all day.

Local South African metal bands defended the music genre. As Internet forums from across the world buzzed over the incident, commentators said metal music had “always drawn the short end of the stick” in being linked to Satanism and teenage violence.

Hugo Louw of metal band FEARSTRIKE told The Times: “If you are down, then the music [lyrics] will work with your mind. You need to be mentally strong to listen to that kind of music.”

Louw said it was not fair to blame incidents such as the one in Krugersdorp on the music.

“It is not fair to blame it on heavy metal … it tells fans to show people you are strong and to not be afraid.”

Slipknot lead singer Corey Taylor told Blender Magazine: “Obviously, I’m disturbed by the fact that people were hurt and someone died. As far as my responsibility for that goes, it stops there, because I know our message is actually very positive.” He continued,”You have something like this happen, it could have been Marilyn Manson, it could have been any number of people who make art that is startling visually, on the darker side. It could’ve been Pat Boone, for Christ’s sake. At the end of the day, there are always going to be mental disorders and people who cause violence for no other reason than the fact that they’re fucked up and lost. And all we can do is try to learn from it.”

Wes Borland Joins Marilyn Manson

Published
by
JR
on August 15, 2008
in Music
. 5 Comments

Wes Borland Joins Marilyn Manson

Former Limp Bizkit member Wes Borland has joined Marilyn Manson as the group’s new guitarist. The news was announced by Manson himself at a press conference earlier today ahead of his band’s appearance tomorrow (Friday, August 15) at the ETP Festival in Seoul, Korea.

Manson said, “We have a new guitar player that’s gonna play for the first time tomorrow; it’s the first time we’ll play on stage [together]. His name is Wes Borland and he used to be in a really terrible band that he left because he felt that it was a destructive force in art, and he has his own band, Black Light Burns, but now he is in Marilyn Manson. We don’t know how permanent that is, but starting tomorrow will be the first step. So this will be the most indestructible Marilyn Manson.”

Marilyn Manson is in the middle of recording a new album, which is expected to be released sometime next year. (Let’s hope its a return to form and not the diabolical crap that was the last unlistenable ‘Eat Me, Drink Me’ garbage.

Manson’s longtime bassist, Twiggy Ramirez, toured with Manson earlier this year for the first time since 2002. The two co-wrote ‘Antichrist Superstar’, ‘Mechanical Animals’ and ‘Holy Wood (In the Shadow of the Valley of Death)’ together and Manson told The Salt Lake Tribune this past spring that he couldn’t be happier aboutRamirez returning.

(via)