New stuff Friday ...

[LarryD]

I ordered:

QUEENSRYCHE / Operation: Mindcrime - vinyl newly remastered at Abbey Rd Studio. (Thanks to you). The recent 180g vinyl was a big disappointment and sounded lame compared to the re-mastered CD. I'm hoping that this one steps it up to where it finally should be. From what I read, this will be the last treatment that Operation:Mindcrime gets. I did not grab the Empire vinyl of the same new re-master. The anniversary re-mastered CD sounds amazing, but if OM sounds good on vinyl, I'll grab Empire as well.


SAGA / Heads or Tales - Saga is releasing a lot of their material on re-mastered vinyl. I did not get the vinyl of this one, I ordered the re-mastered CD instead. It was really cheap and I want to get a feel for the sound because I'm not really a fan of this disc. It's good but it doesn't measure up to their better ones.


SAGA / Worlds Apart - Can I get a hell yeah on this one ? Newly re-mastered vinyl here we come !!!!!!! The original CD sounds good as it is, so I'm hoping for an even better sound this time around.


When I moved South - some of the ass holes that were working on my house at the time decided to peruse my vinyl collection while it was packed, and methodically stole most of my 80's vinyl collection, Saga being in that bin of course.
I know they are not reading this - but somewhere I hope they are at their favorite Burger King ordering a large FUCK YOU to feast on ..........

[Nos]

Light The Torch's second album comes out today. It's fantastic. Howard Jones is still one of the most expressive singers in metal, and the hooks are massive. Even the pop song cover is cool.

[introclaus]

Light The Torch's second album comes out today. It's fantastic. Howard Jones is still one of the most expressive singers in metal, and the hooks are massive. Even the pop song cover is cool.

I love the KSE albums he did (well, I also like the first ones w/o him) but this is corporate rock in vein of Nickelback, just with more of a "metal sound" to it. I tried, but couldn't even make it through entire album Doesn't surprise me that you like it though, considering your "taste" in metal.

[BC]

The first song from the new A Dying Planet album is available for streaming and (blind) purchase.

[introclaus]

The first song from the new A Dying Planet album is available for streaming and (blind) purchase.

This is one of those I really wish I liked more than I actually do - Troy and Jasun are phenomenal musicians and some of the nicest dudes in business, but this doesn’t do much for me. I think it might be the vocals … I’d rather have a new ZH with Erik back

[introclaus]

Been a few weeks since I posted my list, sorry ... work has been intense to say the least. So, the list is crazy long this time.

New singles (from upcoming albums I pre-ordered on iTunes):

SPACE CHASER - The Immortals
Classic 80's style thrash somewhere between Overkill, Exodus, Agent Steel ... \m/\m/
https://youtu.be/Pf8DFyyQRcg

POWERWOLF - Dancing with the Dead
Third single from upcoming album. It's Powerwolf, so you get what you expect ... well almost ... this is a bit less power metal, and more "melodic" (almost hard rock) if I dare say so. I dig it.
https://youtu.be/Xp_rlSmt2P0

HOODED MENACE - Chime Diabolicus
Second single, and while not quite as impressive as the first, I'm still digging it. Doom death metal of the old Paradise Lost school.
https://youtu.be/1inr6pPiTho

LEPROUS - Running Low
I've said it a thousand times - I love this band! Either you love it or you don't like 'em at all. I'm in the love category.
https://youtu.be/QKmaG5f9Zsg

BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME - Fix the Error
Someone told BtBaM that it was time to revisit their Colors album and do a part II. Well, based on first single I can see the resemblance. Colors was quite an experimental album, and it bridged between angry metalcore and progressive metal more than any of their others have ever done (ok, Alaska can be put in that category as well). Fix the Error is damn promising.
https://youtu.be/zKSl0qE_DSQ

SWALLOW THE SUN - Don't Fall Asleep
Live album from StS? Heck yes, sign me up! Doom, gloom and plenty of sad emotions ... ahh yes.
https://youtu.be/B4OeWCq3P5Q

THE NEAL MORSE BAND - Do It All Again
Super melodic tune with wonderful vocal harmonies. I loved Neal in Spock's Beard, and I've enjoyed a few of his solo albums and other side projects, but with The Neal Morse Band I feel like he's found his stride and it's just killer stuff.
https://youtu.be/PiNt_kQvoag

OBSCURA - Solaris
New single, sounds exactly like expected. Great tech death!
https://youtu.be/PA1CYWB0J5o

Full albums:

WITHIN TEMPTATION - Shed My Skin
Okay, it's not a full album, but a 6 song EP, consisting of one new (title song) tune, the two previously released singles and instrumental versions of all three. Modern Within Temptation is not the same as where they started out 20 years ago, nor do they sound like they did 10-15 years ago, but I still like them. (PS: Larry, stay away from this one, you won't like it).
https://youtu.be/oG-VDwEA6hI

LORD OF THE LOST - Judas
This could so easily have been album of the year had it been shortened down to 12-15 songs, but instead it's 24 songs, and while none of them are bad, it's just "too much"! I love this band so much, and Chris Harms is one of the most emotive vocalists out there, but man, this is soooo much material to digest. I've listened full through the album start-to-finish 5 times now and it is absolutely mindblowing concept wise/production wise/songwriting wise, but if I could have cut it down to my favorite 15 songs it would have been a 100% perfect album.
https://youtu.be/iUCbQ1rKOUg

BORN OF OSIRIS - Angel or Alien
Heck yeah! Their last album was awesome, and this follows along the same lined. Technical progressive metalcore, with hints of both djent as well as electronic music. Definitely not for the faint at heart.
https://youtu.be/fIV0rqkC21Y

CROWNE - Kings in the North
Melodic metal / hard rock sounding kind of like Eclipse meets Masterplan meets Europe *lol* I'm digging this completely - the perfect companion for my morning runs or even blasting out loud at the pool.
https://youtu.be/x210Sl3JJUA

DREAM TROLL - Realm of the Tormentor
Honestly haven't had time to listen to this one yet, but I loved everything they've done so far, so I'm excited about this (even with a new singer). The first two singles sounded great so here's hoping this one will keep up the high promises made.
https://youtu.be/vHAwqThIUgc

And finally:

QUEENSRYCHE - Operation Mindcrime (4 CD + 1 DVD, Remastered) / Empire (3 CD + 1 DVD, Remastered)
These sounds absolutely incredible. Two of my favorite albums of all time, irregardless of genre, now sounds fresh and modern. I can't say enough about how wonderful they sound and how much I love re-connecting with them. The bonus material is fine - nothing that hard core fans doesn't already have really. The books are beautifully done as well, very informative with pictures (and finally it's possible to actually read the lyrics to O:M - I always hated the way it was done on the original vinyl ugh).

[Sir Exar Kun]

LEPROUS - Running Low
I've said it a thousand times - I love this band! Either you love it or you don't like 'em at all. I'm in the love category.
https://youtu.be/QKmaG5f9Zsg

I was not a fan of Pitfalls at all, but I absolutely LOVE this song. Interested to hear where they go on this new album.

[LarryD]

WITHIN TEMPTATION - Shed My Skin
Okay, it's not a full album, but a 6 song EP, consisting of one new (title song) tune, the two previously released singles and instrumental versions of all three. Modern Within Temptation is not the same as where they started out 20 years ago, nor do they sound like they did 10-15 years ago, but I still like them. (PS: Larry, stay away from this one, you won't like it).
https://youtu.be/oG-VDwEA6hI

***I didn't click on it yet - but I'm not surprised by what you're telling me ..... with each release they get further and further away from me .....it's not that I think the music is bad, it is not. It's just not what I want to hear from them ...... I do get the progression, and in doing so, they risk losing their original fanbase but I'm sure we are replaced with their new fanbase or something in between ..... I'll hit the link and come back here.

QUEENSRYCHE - Operation Mindcrime (4 CD + 1 DVD, Remastered) / Empire (3 CD + 1 DVD, Remastered)[/b]
These sounds absolutely incredible. Two of my favorite albums of all time, irregardless of genre, now sounds fresh and modern. I can't say enough about how wonderful they sound and how much I love re-connecting with them. The bonus material is fine - nothing that hard core fans doesn't already have really. The books are beautifully done as well, very informative with pictures (and finally it's possible to actually read the lyrics to O:M - I always hated the way it was done on the original vinyl ugh).

***Thanks for bringing this to my attention when you did ...I grabbed both vinyl versions and they do indeed sound fabulous. That said, I wish they had done Rage for Order instead of Empire, but I can see why they did it. Empire sounded good to begin with - I'm not sure it needed a full Abbey Rd re-master, the previous CD re-master sounded really great and the extra bonus live CD of the same disc sound great as well. This version is beyond great. The sound is so full and rich and I've never heard Eddie Jackson's bass so powerful and deep. He must be grinning from ear to ear.
Operation:Mindcrime - well, finally someone got the sound right on this release. Every single version and release of this disc has not been great, nor has any re-master (CD or vinyl) sounded much better. In fact, the last vinyl re-master sounded so bad I had to remove it from the platter and put the CD back in which sounded better. Here, the Abbey Rd re-master finally gives this disc (and vinyl) what it truly deseres. While this disc will never sound as good as Empire, Rage (re-master) or Promised Land, I can finally say that this is what it should now sound like. They did a great job with it, polished it up as best they could and it absolutely feels like a new release. What shines now are all of the sound effects, the voices, the vocals, and again more added bass to a badly needed deep end. It's clean, quiet and sounds full and rich now as it should. It almost makes me want to grab that $60 boxed CD set that you have so I don't have to change the 4-sided vinyl all the time, but man that band has so much of my money over the years, $60 for a re-master is pretty hard to swallow considering the vinyl was $26. But, I'm sure alcohol will dictate whether or not I actually do so in the future ......

[Mardoch]

BORN OF OSIRIS - Angel or Alien
Heck yeah! Their last album was awesome, and this follows along the same lined. Technical progressive metalcore, with hints of both djent as well as electronic music. Definitely not for the faint at heart.
https://youtu.be/fIV0rqkC21Y

I hadn't given these guys any time since like...over a decade ago? Since you endorsed this one I gave it a spin and based on the level of interest I had in the single I got the disc. First listen today turned into an additional 2-3 listens. What a fucking slab of bangers. The synths they employ throughout to flesh things out work beautifully amongst the brutal riffage. I'm definitely a fan as of this disc.

[Nos]

Laurenne/Louhimo's album "The Reckoning" comes out today. It pairs two great women, and is easily one of the best albums Frontiers has put out this year. They have great voices, and these songs are heavier than what we would usually get to hear them doing. The first single, "Bitch Fire", was a horrid shriek-fest, but everything else is damn good melodic metal with tons of great vocal performances.

[introclaus]

BORN OF OSIRIS - Angel or Alien
Heck yeah! Their last album was awesome, and this follows along the same lined. Technical progressive metalcore, with hints of both djent as well as electronic music. Definitely not for the faint at heart.
https://youtu.be/fIV0rqkC21Y

I hadn't given these guys any time since like...over a decade ago? Since you endorsed this one I gave it a spin and based on the level of interest I had in the single I got the disc. First listen today turned into an additional 2-3 listens. What a fucking slab of bangers. The synths they employ throughout to flesh things out work beautifully amongst the brutal riffage. I'm definitely a fan as of this disc.

Glad you liked it as well. There's something special about this band, almost like an "unfulfilled potential" to put it in a dramatic way - and I really hope that this time around they'll get to where they deserve to be.

[introclaus]

There was very little this week to get my blood boiling so to speak, with only 1 full album and a few singles from upcoming releases:

METALWINGS - A Whole New Land
Sometimes a cover artwork can come across so cheesy that you HAVE to check out the music, knowing very well you're going to hate it. Well, sometimes it can have the opposite end-result, as here with Metalwings (stupid stupid name!). The artwork depicts a cow, a child, a lamb, a wolf, a tiger and a lion (oh my) all hanging out together. I mean, come on ... Anyway, I saw a few positive reviews and decided to give it a spin. Musically this is somewhere between symphonic metal (Nightwish) and dramatic gothic-tinged power/prog (Evergrey) but with a huge cinematic score to top it all off, making it sound like the metal version of any Disney soundtrack. I saw a review comparing it to "Arabian Nights" from Disney's Aladdin, and that ain't half wrong ... Nice piano work and lots of violins throughout, great production, beautiful female vocals (with a slight Bulgarian accent). Surprised me a lot for sure.
https://youtu.be/bBOaR4L_tQs (official video for "Monster in the Mirror" - very well done video)

RISE TO THE SKY - End My Night
Second single from upcoming doom death album from Chilean one-man band Rise to the Sky. I love this stuff, but most here will probably hate it lol.
https://youtu.be/rCM-sQaiiLo

EIDOLA - Counterfeit Shrines
First single from new Eidola album. This band is a one of the most melodic exponents of the "swan core" movement - even more so than Dance Gavin Dance (whom lead vocalist Andrew Wells occasionally performs with live as rhythm guitarist). Add to the melodic music such a phenomenal lead guitarist as Sergio Medina (Sianvar, Royal Code, Stolas, Nova Charisma) and you've got the basis for something unique. I got into this whole progressive post-hardcore genre a year and a half ago, and have been working my ways through it. Thanks to several recommendations (Mr. Noren here in particular) I've come to really like Eidola, and this new single doesn't disappoint.
https://youtu.be/YvQV1ZKIaGI (official video)

TRIVIUM - In the Court of the Dragon
Hmmm ... not sure what to think of this to be honest. I loved the last album but this new song is super "complex" and quite difficult to get into. Lots of stuff going on, from harsh vocals to cleans, from core breakdowns to furious metal solos ... it's all there, and with each listen I like it more and more. Oh, and the video is impressive as heck, like an eight minute mini-movie).
https://youtu.be/ybekW8fZHH0 (official video)

[introclaus]

WITHIN TEMPTATION - Shed My Skin
https://youtu.be/oG-VDwEA6hI

***I didn't click on it yet - but I'm not surprised by what you're telling me ..... with each release they get further and further away from me .....it's not that I think the music is bad, it is not. It's just not what I want to hear from them ...... I do get the progression, and in doing so, they risk losing their original fanbase but I'm sure we are replaced with their new fanbase or something in between ..... I'll hit the link and come back here.

So, what's the verdict?

QUEENSRYCHE - Operation Mindcrime (4 CD + 1 DVD, Remastered) / Empire (3 CD + 1 DVD, Remastered)[/b]

***Thanks for bringing this to my attention when you did ...I grabbed both vinyl versions and they do indeed sound fabulous. That said, I wish they had done Rage for Order instead of Empire, but I can see why they did it. Empire sounded good to begin with - I'm not sure it needed a full Abbey Rd re-master, the previous CD re-master sounded really great and the extra bonus live CD of the same disc sound great as well. This version is beyond great. The sound is so full and rich and I've never heard Eddie Jackson's bass so powerful and deep. He must be grinning from ear to ear.
Operation:Mindcrime - well, finally someone got the sound right on this release. Every single version and release of this disc has not been great, nor has any re-master (CD or vinyl) sounded much better. In fact, the last vinyl re-master sounded so bad I had to remove it from the platter and put the CD back in which sounded better. Here, the Abbey Rd re-master finally gives this disc (and vinyl) what it truly deseres. While this disc will never sound as good as Empire, Rage (re-master) or Promised Land, I can finally say that this is what it should now sound like. They did a great job with it, polished it up as best they could and it absolutely feels like a new release. What shines now are all of the sound effects, the voices, the vocals, and again more added bass to a badly needed deep end. It's clean, quiet and sounds full and rich now as it should. It almost makes me want to grab that $60 boxed CD set that you have so I don't have to change the 4-sided vinyl all the time, but man that band has so much of my money over the years, $60 for a re-master is pretty hard to swallow considering the vinyl was $26. But, I'm sure alcohol will dictate whether or not I actually do so in the future ......

Haha, yeah I might have to get the vinyls as well eventually - having "music OCD" sucks sometimes

[introclaus]

LEPROUS - Running Low
I've said it a thousand times - I love this band! Either you love it or you don't like 'em at all. I'm in the love category.
https://youtu.be/QKmaG5f9Zsg

I was not a fan of Pitfalls at all, but I absolutely LOVE this song. Interested to hear where they go on this new album.

Do you think this sounds that different from "Pitfalls"? I think it's a logic continuation of "Malina" and "Pitfalls" ... I wonder what you're hearing differently in it

[Sir Exar Kun]

Sir Exar Kun wrote: ↑
Sun Jul 04, 2021 4:25 pm

LEPROUS - Running Low
I've said it a thousand times - I love this band! Either you love it or you don't like 'em at all. I'm in the love category.
https://youtu.be/QKmaG5f9Zsg

I was not a fan of Pitfalls at all, but I absolutely LOVE this song. Interested to hear where they go on this new album.

Do you think this sounds that different from "Pitfalls"? I think it's a logic continuation of "Malina" and "Pitfalls" ... I wonder what you're hearing differently in it

It's got a little more "UMPH!" to it than "Pitfalls" did...... Actually sounds somewhere between "Malina" and "Pitfalls" to my ears..... It's one track, so really hard to read too much into it. And to be fair, I haven't revisited "Pitfalls" almost since it came out.... It just left me underwhelmed from a band I have loved otherwise.

[LarryD]

WITHIN TEMPTATION - Shed My Skin
https://youtu.be/oG-VDwEA6hI

***I didn't click on it yet - but I'm not surprised by what you're telling me ..... with each release they get further and further away from me .....it's not that I think the music is bad, it is not. It's just not what I want to hear from them ...... I do get the progression, and in doing so, they risk losing their original fanbase but I'm sure we are replaced with their new fanbase or something in between ..... I'll hit the link and come back here.

So, what's the verdict?

****Believe it or not - I liked it. Now before you go saying it's no different than the last two, this is only one song and I went into it with an open mind. I'm guessing that once I go through the whole disc, its at that point I probably won't want to go back to it ........that's what happens with this band since "the change" ....... I like what I'm hearing and then I wind up going back to the older stuff. So in summary - the song is really good and Sharon sounds great. Past that I think I'm pipe dreaming that I can latch on to this new material like I did with the older stuff.

Haha, yeah I might have to get the vinyls as well eventually - having "music OCD" sucks sometimes

****The crummy part of this release is that you either have to grab the vinyl or the boxed set to get the Abbey Rd re-master. I'm sure everyone is tired of buying each version that comes out thinking that this is it ...... They should released this as a single CD as well, but i get that they already did that once and this new stuff is for the true die hard fan - but, this version blows away any version before it, and although I'd like to be able just to put on the CD and let it play, I'm having to change the vinyl side every 10 min. A small inconvenience to pay for this awesome sound, but no way am I shelling out $60 for the boxed set - I've got stock in this band and they have taken more money from me than I've invested ........

[devomeister]

LEPROUS - Running Low
I've said it a thousand times - I love this band! Either you love it or you don't like 'em at all. I'm in the love category.
https://youtu.be/QKmaG5f9Zsg

Loving this. I have enjoyed their journey overall. Honestly, my least favorite album is Malina, as it felt very much a tweener album. I didn't expect to like PItfalls as much as I did, and I really dig these two new tracks.

For my part, a few new tracks from bands I had in my odds and ends post...

Eastern High 'Morningstar'- Katatonia meets Nevermore. Cant' wait for this album to drop in a couple of weeks.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7kTnl3gs6go

September Mourning 'Falling Awake'- Again, I know I'm on alone on this band, but I like it, so I'm gonna keep mentioning them
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISqJKgyoWhk

Twelve Foot Nijna- Finally, new stuff from these dudes.
'Start the Fire'- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AC3lfCk7qnE
'Long Way Home'- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JYLJwT2fwDk

New to me:

Junius 'All Shall Float'- Atmospheric, almost 80s vibe. Someone compared this to Long Distance Calling, which I can hear. Menace came to mind for me.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htnghyjrl70

Sentryturn 'Child of Gold'- My kind of alt-prog.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VjvLT8fgsMY

[introclaus]

Eastern High 'Morningstar'- Katatonia meets Nevermore. Cant' wait for this album to drop in a couple of weeks.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISqJKgyoWhk

You put in the wrong link for this one, but I found it:
https://youtu.be/7kTnl3gs6go

And here's another new one from them:
https://youtu.be/X1DnuzEVkIQ

Never heard of the band before, but I'm digging it - definitely hear the Katatonia "gothic prog" vibe, but not the Nevermore one though ... there's a touch of modern "pop metal" to it (think Avatar or In the Moment). I'm looking forward to checking out the full album when it's out.

[introclaus]

Sentryturn 'Child of Gold'- My kind of alt-prog.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VjvLT8fgsMY

I'm enjoying this as well - somewhere in between Kingcrow, Mother of Millions, Blind Ego, Tool and that style of bands. Very nice for sure.

[introclaus]

SPACE CHASER - Give Us Life
German thrash metal band that hits on the best of Overkill (from "Feel the Fire" to "Horrorscope"), the melodic period of Destruction ("Release from Agony" and "Cracked Brain") and a bit of classic metal thrown in for good measure. The vocals are awesome, sounds like 50% Blitz, 25% Bruce Dickinson, and 25% Lawrence Mackrory, the attitude is perfectly 80's, and it's just great fun from start to finish.
https://youtu.be/hGEhdlFPVfY

POWERWOLF - Call of the Wild
I had this one pre-ordered and I actually thought the first few singles were great, but to be honest, after getting the entire album and listening to it a few times or four, I am a bit disappointed. This is (very much like Sabaton and Hammerfall) a band where you know what you're gonna get, but the formula has begun to wear thin on me, and I'm not super impressed with "Call of the Wild" overall. There are a few golden nuggets such as "Dancing with the Dead" and especially final tune "Reverent of Rats", but ... meh ...
https://youtu.be/bf5SMqG-JHk

PARADISE LOST - At the Mill
I don't know why I keep buying these "pandemic live albums", because most of them are disappointing! Besides the Katatonia one, I feel like none of the other bands releasing albums recorded during COVID-19 have been able to create anything good. It's like missing the audience has made them stale on stage visually (as evidenced by their videos from these "shows") and especially musically. And often it sounds like the singer doesn't really give a crap. Ok, it's not as bad as with Candlemass' live disc, but "At the Mill" is pretty bland and boring, leaning towards bad, as well.
https://youtu.be/FDnYA5hd0vo

OPHIDIAN I - Desolate
Icelandic prog/tech death performed at an intense velocity and with a frontman who has growl as deep as from the bottom of Hell. This is not for the weak at heart for sure, and it is relentlessly pushing the boundaries of the genre from the first to the last note. I read somewhere that it was as if Protest the Hero was a death metal band, and I can kind of see that. There's soooo much going on, it's like being on a rollercoaster taking you through a museum at high speed.
https://youtu.be/83jdLpItgb8

SABATON - Kingdom Come
I mean ... it's Sabaton covering Manowar - can't go wrong with that
https://youtu.be/XK-9A161BCM

[Nos]

POWERWOLF - Call of the Wild
I had this one pre-ordered and I actually thought the first few singles were great, but to be honest, after getting the entire album and listening to it a few times or four, I am a bit disappointed. This is (very much like Sabaton and Hammerfall) a band where you know what you're gonna get, but the formula has begun to wear thin on me, and I'm not super impressed with "Call of the Wild" overall. There are a few golden nuggets such as "Dancing with the Dead" and especially final tune "Reverent of Rats", but ... meh ...
https://youtu.be/bf5SMqG-JHk

You're not wrong, but I jumped on board later, so I'm not as tired of the sound yet. I will say, though, that I would love to hear them do a record with a lot more ballads on it. They do such awesome, epic ones.

[xaurt]

BORN OF OSIRIS - Angel or Alien
Heck yeah! Their last album was awesome, and this follows along the same lined. Technical progressive metalcore, with hints of both djent as well as electronic music. Definitely not for the faint at heart.
https://youtu.be/fIV0rqkC21Y

I hadn't given these guys any time since like...over a decade ago? Since you endorsed this one I gave it a spin and based on the level of interest I had in the single I got the disc. First listen today turned into an additional 2-3 listens. What a fucking slab of bangers. The synths they employ throughout to flesh things out work beautifully amongst the brutal riffage. I'm definitely a fan as of this disc.

Well said!

[xaurt]

Twelve Foot Nijna- Finally, new stuff from these dudes.
'Start the Fire'- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AC3lfCk7qnE
'Long Way Home'- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JYLJwT2fwDk

I love these guys! Heavy, quirky, and fun.

[devomeister]

Eastern High 'Morningstar'- Katatonia meets Nevermore. Cant' wait for this album to drop in a couple of weeks.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISqJKgyoWhk

You put in the wrong link for this one, but I found it:
https://youtu.be/7kTnl3gs6go

And here's another new one from them:
https://youtu.be/X1DnuzEVkIQ

Never heard of the band before, but I'm digging it - definitely hear the Katatonia "gothic prog" vibe, but not the Nevermore one though ... there's a touch of modern "pop metal" to it (think Avatar or In the Moment). I'm looking forward to checking out the full album when it's out.

Thanks for pointing that out. I fixed my original post now. I posted 'Emperor' in my "odds and ends" post. Admittedly, that track reminds me more of Nevermore than 'Morningstar', mostly the galloping riffs and double bass drum, so I just stuck with the comparison. Plus, the singer does that deep croon which reminds of Dane at times (though his non-croon doesn't sound anything like Dane). Anyway, I really enjoyed their first album 'Garden of Heathens' a few years back, so they've been on my radar ever since.

[jhallum]

Ima steal Glenn's thunder on this one and point out that Orbit Culture just released a video off of a new EP dropping this September:

Orbit Culture -- Flight of the Fireflies: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gvE_VLakLgo

The EP is titled Shaman.

[AllMediaReviews]

A Formal Horse - Meat Mallet

awesome heavy prog band from the UK with their 2nd proper full-length.

Great riffs, great female vocal parts, great dynamics.

https://aformalhorse.bandcamp.com/album/meat-mallet

[introclaus]

FLAME, DEAR FLAME - Aegis
Glenn told me to check this out, and shortly after I purchased. Musically this is "doom", but very melodic and with a gothic folk element, that almost reminds me of All About Eve, especially as the voice of vocalist Maren Lemke occasionally veers into something similar to Julianne Regan. The closest comparison for this album however is old The Gathering in the vein of "Almost a Dance" (pre-Anneke), "Mandylion" and "Nighttime Birds", and since that's a style almost no one does these days, I'm very willing to listen, and to forgive a few moments where this album misses the point. It needs a lot more listens, and I'm looking forward to that.
https://youtu.be/o2h0oJZoes4 (full album stream)

MORDRED - The Dark Parade
In 1989 I bought "Fool's Game" by California's thrash band Mordred; I remember exactly where I was when I bought it and who I was with, and to say that this album means a lot to me would be an understatement, and it also became somewhat of a cult release on the thrash scene as it was the first album combining raw metal with funk and even a DJ scratching his way through the songs. I also loved the next disc, "In This Life", but after that the band became too funky for my taste, and their third album "The Next Room" quite honestly suck. Last year year they released a come back EP titled "Volition", and like I said back then (viewtopic.php?f=1&t=11453) it sucked pretty hard. Something made me check out the new album though, and after a few spins I purchased it - and lo and behold, it's quite an interesting album. The thrash metal side of things has been toned down quite a lot, whereas the funk is still there with a great deal of DJ Aaron and his scratching, but the flow of it works well, and it does come across as a quite entertaining disc with lots of Faith No More theatrics in it. What makes it really interesting for me though is that there are parts where the band (especially in the use of the guitars) are leaning towards Thin Lizzy, which I had not expected from a band that originally started out as a thrash metal act. Scott's voice is not very good though, and that to me is the biggest downfall of the album.
https://youtu.be/K6s0TVVo02M (single for "All Eyes on the Prize")

New singles:

ALCATRAZZ - Sword of Deliverance
Second single from upcoming Doogie White-fronted version of Alcatrazz. It's okay, but nothing special. I love Doogie, but this is just boring, and definitely not his fault. I'll buy the album, since I'm obsessed with completing my collection of Alcatrazz material *LOL*, but I'm looking way more forward to see what Mr. Bonnet puts together.
https://youtu.be/1RnqNmSUk1U

BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME - Revolution in Limbo
Fantastic, absolutely fantastic. Can not wait for this album to come out.
https://youtu.be/aN0SQzREchk

COHEED AND CAMBRIA - Shoulders
New single. It sounds a bit different, less intricate/quirky and more simplistic and direct rock. Not sure what to think of it yet. I love all their albums, so most likely it'll grow on me as well.
https://youtu.be/budmX5jCGns

SOEN - EMDR
A single of a song that was made for the "Lotus" sessions, but never released digitally. It's okay, but I can see why it was a "bonus track" only.
https://youtu.be/xhs5NuL_mHM

THE NEAL MORSE BAND - Bird on a Wire
Second single from this album. I liked the first one better, but this is good as well. Really melodic (almost happy 80's) and at the same time it has a bit of a "metal" edge to it, which is an interesting combination that works quite well here.
https://youtu.be/Bse9D2yhkwA

I also took a trip to Greensboro this weekend, to visit Buffalo Boogie Records, which is a wonderful record store with a great selection of 60's, 70's and 80's rock albums (they also have a lot of other stuff including a big jazz section for those into that). I picked up a lot of vinyls to complete my collections of Genesis, Jethro Tull, Kansas and Yes albums (I do still miss some of the albums from this century of Kansas and Yes, but ... meh ...). Now, the store also had cassettes, and while I have no cassette player, I did end up buying Queensryche "Operation: Mindcrime" on cassette - stupid music OCD of mine ...

[Packgrog]

QUEENSRYCHE / Operation: Mindcrime - vinyl newly remastered at Abbey Rd Studio. (Thanks to you). The recent 180g vinyl was a big disappointment and sounded lame compared to the re-mastered CD. I'm hoping that this one steps it up to where it finally should be. From what I read, this will be the last treatment that Operation:Mindcrime gets. I did not grab the Empire vinyl of the same new re-master. The anniversary re-mastered CD sounds amazing, but if OM sounds good on vinyl, I'll grab Empire as well.

I'm MILDLY curious to hear the Mindcrime remaster. The original is definitely of its time, but I recall it sounding pretty good.

I have the original Empire vinyl pressing. Clearly an early digital recording, so not much can improve it. I wouldn't have high expectations on that getting better.

When I moved South - some of the ass holes that were working on my house at the time decided to peruse my vinyl collection while it was packed, and methodically stole most of my 80's vinyl collection, Saga being in that bin of course.
I know they are not reading this - but somewhere I hope they are at their favorite Burger King ordering a large FUCK YOU to feast on ..........

That SUCKS! I'm very sorry to hear that! Before I knew that I would be interested in dealing with vinyl, my mom let a neighbor dig through her vinyl collection and take whatever he wanted when she and my stepfather moved. Somehow the first vinyl I'd even bought, a copy of Momentary Lapse of Reason, only played twice, wound up in that collection. Meh. Thankfully she saved my Rush - Archives from getting snagged.

[jhallum]

My two this week (and I haven't had a chance to listen to them all the way through yet)

Loch Vostok -- Opus Ferox - The Great Escape
https://vicisolumrecords.com/album/opus ... eat-escape

A new singer! And he's melodic! This could be really interesting.

Big BIg Train -- Common Ground

I'm a recent convert to these guys. I liked the last album quite a bit, Grand Tour. The singles off of this one (Common Ground https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wIQnhCcI4gA, and the COVID anthem The Strangest Times https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i35_HcKjR18) are both just outstanding and warm classic prog.

I have huge hopes for both of these.

[introclaus]

Loch Vostok -- Opus Ferox - The Great Escape
https://vicisolumrecords.com/album/opus ... eat-escape
A new singer! And he's melodic! This could be really interesting.

I picked this up as well but only went through it twice. Still unsure what to really think as I love this band and have since the beginning (heck, I was their manager for 20 years… - even before they were called LV), but to me their sound is identified by Teddy’s voice. I do like the new singer, he is really good (sounds like Ted Leonard in places), so hopefully with time this will open up to me. Teddy writes incredible songs, so at east there’s that

[devomeister]

Leprous- 'The Silent Revalation'- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7bOg3oercg

Eastern High 'Halo' (The full album dropped yesterday)- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCg4BL0zy4g

One Hundred Thousand 'Ophichus'- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xh8uob16gU4

[introclaus]

Eastern High 'Halo' (The full album dropped yesterday)- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCg4BL0zy4g

Thank you for reminding me - just checked out the full album and it sounds killer. Will purchase now ...

One Hundred Thousand 'Ophichus'- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xh8uob16gU4

I liked "Zodiac" but this might (at least how they are presenting it) be a "left-over". I'll give it a listen.

[introclaus]

Full albums:

SWALLOW THE SUN - 20 Years of Gloom, Beauty and Despair - Live in Helsinki
The title says it all - dark, super-melancholic doom in a live setting done the right way. Love it!!!
https://youtu.be/gxV1pVmU98k

LOCH VOSTOK - Opus Ferox - The Great Escape
Only listened through it twice so far from start to finish and will need many more spins, but it's LV and I've loved the band for 20 years, so why would this be any different?
https://youtu.be/r5UMHxTT_94

Singles:

LEPROUS - The Silent Revelation
Incredible single (very Muse / Radiohead inspired as they've been heading with their last couple of albums) with Einar once again showing why he is the best "new" singer in rock/metal these days.
https://youtu.be/S7bOg3oercg

THE NIGHT FLIGHT ORCHESTRA - Chardonnay Nights
Another great, albeit quite standard (no surprises), single from this retro AOR band. Lots of Foreigner / REO Speedwagon all over this one, and it's all good.
https://youtu.be/H8mNnBhZ5v4

CRADLE OF FILTH - Crawling King Chaos
This band is a safe buy for me every time - one of the few "black" metal bands I can say that about. This time around first single from upcoming album is a smack-in-the-face aggressive one. They always have a few of these REALLY fast and furious tunes, but they also know how to write the big melodies, and that's their force. Lots of symphonic pomp here, and Dani Filth sounds as insane as always.
https://youtu.be/Wks1aBh49sQ

HOODED MENACE - Those Who Absorb the Night
Third single from upcoming disc. Yet another total slab of doom-death (or death-doom), which will satisfy any fan of the genre for certain. Great solo parts, wonderful rhythmic foundation, and a singer that reminds me of Nick Holmes in his younger days.
https://youtu.be/jiuTCf9w-_E

[introclaus]

Full albums:

EASTERN HIGH - Halo
Thanks to Devomeister I picked this up last weekend, and have lived with it for a week now, I can safely say that it's a really strong album. It's not "perfect", but it hits a lot of nice spots and just overall is a well-put-together disc that deserves to be heard by many more people. Why this band is unsigned is beyond me ... Musically this reeks of Scandinavia: there are hints of dark doom (think Katatonia), hints of new-wave prog (think Soen), hints of melodeath (think Insomnium meets early Opeth) and lots of gothic atmosphere (think To/Die/For). Oh, and there's even a song that venture into folky territory. "Halo" straddles many genres, but has a backbone in gothic metal with the proggy side being put on top - or perhaps it's reverse? Either way, great disc and I'm happy I picked it up.
https://youtu.be/KCg4BL0zy4g


Singles:

SOEN - Thurifer
Second of the leftover stuff from their "Lotus" album, and just like the previously released tune it's evident why it wasn't chosen for the album. Not bad in any way, but not on level with their album material.
https://youtu.be/XNIw9bOxQ80

TESSERACT - Tourniquet
Second single from the upcoming live album by the melo-djent kings. This is a song from their "Polaris" album, which was more laid back than most of their other stuff, and it's not necessarily one I would have chosen as a single. These guys, though, can play with the best of them ... it's so awesome to watch them perform and just be completely in-sync with each other and the music. I might actually have to pick up the blu-ray when it's released...
https://youtu.be/e5PveLOphtU

RISE TO THE SKY - Life in Suspense
3rd single from upcoming album. Chilean doom death in the classic My Dying Bride, Swallow the Sun, Paradise Lost vein ...
https://youtu.be/YPxSdVXkS5M

ARCHSPIRE - Golden Mouth of Ruin
1st single out and already I know this album could be a game changer for the prog/tech death genre. This band is so crazy musically, so technically gifted, and so over-the-top it doesn't make sense. The vocals are gonna be the dividing point here, but instead of looking at it as a melodic instrument, just look at them as a rhythmic instrument besides the already insane bass and drums going on here. Intense stuff !!!!
https://youtu.be/LY8RFaMs0Ac

[gazinwales]

Thyrfing - Döp dem i eld
https://youtu.be/P7_VKdXPeUM
Another epic song from their new album out at the end of the month.
The right mixture of aggression and folky melodies.