Octopus Overlords

freelunch wrote: Sun Aug 25, 2024 8:36 pm

One of my hands down favorite albums.

I was super excited for the new releases on my birthday last week. New albums from two of my current favorites in Zeal & Ardor and Fleshgod Apocalypse.

The Z&A album is completely underwhelming with one really good track and a bunch of stuff that sounds like QotSA b-sides. They're now the second band this year to move from more "metal" to just plain "rock" (the other being Pallbearer) and I haven't liked either one. That really bums me out, and I think this one will likely end up high on my "most disappointing" list for 2024.

FGA's put out about half of a good album. The good tracks are really good, but there's a bunch of mediocre filler that would feel right at home on a Nightwish or Epica album. That's not necessarily a bad thing, mind you, but it's not what I really want out of one of the most consistently aggressive and brutal symphonic metal bands.

To my great surprise, the album that has clicked with me most is the new Spectral Wound release, "Songs of Blood and Mire". I thought their previous stuff was merely OK, but they've done an excellent job balancing black metal sensibilities with a bit (ok...a lot) of groove this time around. It's a really fun listen.

Last week was a good one for brutal music. First the new album from Nails dropped. Well, it's more like a collection of short bursts of micro-ultraaggression than an actual album. Clocking in at just 18 minutes of face-melting intensity, this one's a doozy.



Teeth also spat out a platter of nastiness on Friday as well with "The Will of Hate". These are some very, very angry dudes and it shows in this album. "Pray" is a definite standout and a strong contender for my song o' the year.



Lastly, Wintersun's loooooooong awaited follow-up to "Time" finally saw the light of day in "Time II". Wintersun has always been surrounded by drama (mostly because they're a bunch of prima donnas with outsized egos) and there were serious questions whether this album was ever going to come out after multiple delays and other nonsense. It's surprisingly good, tbh. Nothing revolutionary, but a very solid slab of melodeath with some eastern musical themes. I've really been digging it.

Damn... I'm glad I listened beyond the 0:25 mark. Brutalish deathcore isn't generally my thing. But then the electronic and choral bits kick in. There's a lot of variety in the riffs and vocals and a great early solo, and an acoustic passage to reset the palate before the climax.

Very pleasing to my Igorrr/Anaal Nathrakh/Archspire appreciating ears.

Sudy wrote: Wed Sep 04, 2024 3:28 am Damn... I'm glad I listened beyond the 0:25 mark. Brutalish deathcore isn't generally my thing. But then the electronic and choral bits kick in. There's a lot of variety in the riffs and vocals and a great early solo, and an acoustic passage to reset the palate before the climax.

Very pleasing to my Igorrr/Anaal Nathrakh/Archspire appreciating ears.

Holy shit, that was awesome!

Thanks for the heads-up, they weren't on my radar at all. Weird that they only have EPs and singles though.

Skinypupy wrote: Tue Sep 03, 2024 10:18 am First the new album from Nails dropped.

did not know there was a new one! enqueuing...

currently listening: a very long, recently released compilation from Trojan Records, _Uptown Top Ranking: Ska & Reggae Chartbusters_ - i have heard a lot of the tracks on here already, but there are ones i am not familiar with....

So...am I the only one just finding out that The Jesus Lizard has a new album coming out next Friday?!?

Digging the tracks I've heard so far.

The new Molchat Doma album that dropped today is incredible. Dark Belarusian post punk synth-pop.

New releases from past favourites...
;

freelunch wrote: Thu Sep 12, 2024 8:55 pm New releases from past favourites...
;

Is this some kind of riff on Indoor Fireworks?

Long time, no see!

Here's what I'm listening to, almost all the time:

The Mystery Lights - Purgatory

freelunch wrote: Mon Aug 26, 2024 4:02 pm

Saw Peter Hook and the Light play both Substance albums live. A week and a half ago. Freaking amazing show.

One more thing.

Watch this:




Then you'll be ready for this:

New Tears for Fears album coming October 25th. I really loved their last album from a couple of years ago, The Tipping Point. Unlike a lot of 80s bands, they really aged like fine wine. They still sound fantastic.

Doesn't sound like TfFs to me. But then again last time I heard them was the 80s and Shout.

30 years…Jesus. They sound fantastic though.

Holy shit, that's not a reunion I was anticipating.

It's the "We said it would never happen" tour.

Sequoia - Couple Two Tree

This new track from Melted Bodies is fun. It’s Mr Bungle, Ghost, and Static X thrown in a blender on high.

The classics

It's amazing to me that even 20+ years later, every album is different.

Literally