New stuff Friday ...

[devomeister]

[LarryD]

Night Ranger / 40th Anniversary show with the Contemporary Youth Orchestra Bluray .........

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WvuV7fs ... rsMusicsrl


Utterly fantastic .... in audio / video / performance quality. This band does not age. The show is simply stunning.

[introclaus]

It's a very nice song, and it continues the path from the last album (which was the one that finally got me into the band). I've gone back and listened to their back catalog and there are some good stuff in between, but I think only the last one got me from start to finish - hopefully the next album will keep that going.

[Mardoch]

Ihsahn - Pilgrimage to Oblivion
There's a lot of interesting stuff going on in this tune. I doubt he's going to make new fans with it, because it sounds like Ihsahn sounds, but to me that's perfect.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1WDCrgpKXaE

[introclaus]

MAYFIRE - Cloudscapes and Silhouettes
Released yesterday and it’s one of the most impressive prog-metal debuts I’ve heard in a long time. It’s the “next-gen” style, so for the old schoolers this might not be interesting. I hear Boil, Syqem, Skyharbor, Good Tiger, Time the Valuator and more in this - but also some hints back to more “classic” prog metal. I’m completely loving this - through the album 4 times this morning already.
https://youtu.be/P_Sd-iAVuN0?si=Yfh5f2SZn1ASVina

[giedrius]

This Friday is really rich in new releases. Claus, you were right about Eldritch - I gave it a number of spins and it's a very likeable power/prog album. Three singles released earlier seem stronger than the rest of the album, but time will tell. I like the 90s Eldritch a lot, subsequent albums in 00s/10s didn't affect me too much (maybe I need to revisit a few of them), but the new one reminds me of the 90s era again.

Next, my plan is to digest Earthside, Temic, DGM and Ron Jarzombek. Probably Mayfire as well

[Mardoch]

There was a Ron Jarzombek release!? Damn, I gotta seek that out.

[Mardoch]

MAYFIRE - Cloudscapes and Silhouettes
Released yesterday and it’s one of the most impressive prog-metal debuts I’ve heard in a long time. It’s the “next-gen” style, so for the old schoolers this might not be interesting. I hear Boil, Syqem, Skyharbor, Good Tiger, Time the Valuator and more in this - but also some hints back to more “classic” prog metal. I’m completely loving this - through the album 4 times this morning already.
https://youtu.be/P_Sd-iAVuN0?si=Yfh5f2SZn1ASVina

That's really good. I'm going to check this album out really soon.

[Mardoch]

There was a Ron Jarzombek release!? Damn, I gotta seek that out.

Sure enough, just up on Bandcamp today.
https://ronjarzombek.bandcamp.com/album ... nd-remakes

[Mardoch]

Took me a few days to get to it, but Jack the Joker has a new single out and announced an album for next year. I like the tune a lot and am very excited for a new album from these folks. They're another outfit doing a good job melding traditional prog metal and modern stylings. Also, being Brazillian, they do bring some of that flair as well.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x65AJ0yLVZc

[Mardoch]

Architects - Seeing Red
I guess the lads have something to say about their "fans". Good on em to do it in the form of a perfect execution of the metalcore form, too.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1YxNiEl_Fic

[introclaus]

Architects - Seeing Red
I guess the lads have something to say about their "fans". Good on em to do it in the form of a perfect execution of the metalcore form, too.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1YxNiEl_Fic

Yeah, I think this is a reaction (from what I've read online) to the nasty comments they've received from people calling them sell-outs. They wanted to prove that they could still do old school metalcore, but also kind of say "this is it, and you won't get more of this". I'm curious to see where they'll go next. The last two albums were so different from each other, yet both absolutely some of the best the genre has ever put out.

[introclaus]

RYUJIN - Ryujin

Japanese "samurai metal" ... at its core this is melodic death metal, somewhere in the Children of Bodom vein, but with lots of Japanese folk influences, a heavy dose of power metal cheese, and a mixture between cleans and scream.

The album was co-written and co-produced by Matthew K Heafy (Trivium) and that definitely shows (plus he guests in a few tunes).

I love when the band is playing fast and in the folksy death metal style, but when it becomes too power metal'y (like "The Rainbow Song") it's just way too over-the-top and kind of bad. There's potential here, but they need to get rid of the cheese factor.

This is the ballad of the album (quite cheesy)


This one has a great balance between melo-death, folk and power

[jhallum]

RYUJIN - Ryujin

Japanese "samurai metal" ... at its core this is melodic death metal, somewhere in the Children of Bodom vein, but with lots of Japanese folk influences, a heavy dose of power metal cheese, and a mixture between cleans and scream.

I just dipped into it the first time as well, I liked it. Maybe a hair too long, but otherwise worth more listens.

[jhallum]

Man, is it me, or is January really sparse this year?

We have Caligula's Horse next week, Ryujin last week, and a smattering of other things, and that's kinda it for this month? What good stuff am I missing released in January?

[introclaus]

Man, is it me, or is January really sparse this year?

We have Caligula's Horse next week, Ryujin last week, and a smattering of other things, and that's kinda it for this month? What good stuff am I missing released in January?

Yeah, there's been a serious drought going on.

Ryujin was okay - too much cheese, but when they are full on melo-death, they are great.
Saxon is surprisingly good. Biff still sounds like Biff, which is impressive at his age.
Scanner is bleh ... their first three albums were al great, but after that it's just been sub-par quality power metal.
Witherfall EP - i've already complained about having to buy 3 of the songs again, so ...
Damien Wilson / Oliver Wakeman - neo prog with a way too big pop edge to it for me to enjoy fully.

[introclaus]

Not necessarily "new" but I found out today that all-girl metal band MEANSTREAK has reunited.

Back in 1988 I enjoyed the heck out of "Roadkill", and I still have my original vinyl here. Interestingly enough, 3 of the 5 band members ended up marrying Dream Theater members - what gives?

Anyway, it was a nice mixture of US power metal, thrash metal and some NWOBHM back then. Just revisited the album and it's fun realizing how many of the songs i remember, even though I haven't listened to it for at least 20 years.

[introclaus]

CALIGULA'S HORSE - Charcoal Grace
Wow, this album is incredible. I like the band, especially after the last album really opened up their music for me, but I hadn't expected this new one to be THAT good. I'm blown away. Potential top candidate for 2024 right out of the gate.

[RickyRock]

The year has just begun and we already get served with a heavy dose of musical perfection. This Caligula’s Horse album hits so hard I can’t think of anything that will challenge this throughout the year. I dove into this with headphones and just sat there shaking my head as I absorbed the greatness of this beast. They really raised the bar with this. The vocals are mind boggling and the guitars,… just wow! I agree with Claus on this one. Can’t wait to read how others feel about this.

[introclaus]

Another couple of great releases this Friday:

MANTICORA - Mycelium
I’m obviously biased but I love this (musically… the production kinda sucks and using a drum computer instead of real drums is a no-no in my book). Nevertheless, the songs are awesome! Not their best, but even at 90% they are still better than most other power-prog bands.


VIPASSI - Lightless
Tech death with lots of prog metal thrown in. That said, it’s instrumental and not sure if I’ll be able to sit through it multiple times.


EXOCRINE - Legend
This is kick ass aggressive tech death with an underlying groove factor.

[Mardoch]

Ooohhh, I didn't know Exocrine had a new one. Their last one, The Hybrid Suns, was excellent.

[Hearing Aid Man]

New Balance of Power tune now with female vocals...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ggu5OVcnAgA

Not sure who's singing in the beginning - King Diamond Lol.

[Sir Exar Kun]

New Balance of Power tune now with female vocals...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ggu5OVcnAgA

Not sure who's singing in the beginning - King Diamond Lol.

Whoa!!! Super excited to see them back in action, but listening to this now..... It doesn't really "sound" like BoP to me.... Still enjoying it, but not really giving the classic Balance of Power vibes.

[introclaus]

New Balance of Power tune now with female vocals...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ggu5OVcnAgA

Not sure who's singing in the beginning - King Diamond Lol.

Whoa!!! Super excited to see them back in action, but listening to this now..... It doesn't really "sound" like BoP to me.... Still enjoying it, but not really giving the classic Balance of Power vibes.

I didn't like it to be honest - not necessarily because it "wasn't giving the classic BoP vibes" (after all, this band changed their sound with each of the previous 3 vocalists), but just because it was boring to me. Her voice isn't exciting, and music stomps along like old-man-rock...

[Mardoch]

The Persefone is new this Friday, but I've also finally hit the new Caligula's Horse and Exocrine albums this week and damn, what a good start to the year we're having.

Also a new Chaosbay single, which I quite like. They continue to meld poppy writing and very heavy riffing to great effect.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31rv_6MLhGE

Hand of Kalliach has a new one coming, and the lead single is very nice. Atmospheric folk black/melodeath. If that genre mash is your thing and you haven't heard of them before I really liked their last album, too.
https://handofkalliach.bandcamp.com/album/corryvreckan

Some other bits that aren't new, but new to me this week:

Ions, which Todd's son described as "kind of a djenty Porcupine Tree" when I sent it to him. That is to say, a heavy ambient groove prog metal album. I quite enjoyed it.
https://ionsband.bandcamp.com/album/counterintuitive

My little brother turned me onto guitar phenom Matteo Mancuso. Jazzy bluesy instrumental guitar rock with a metallic kind of attitude to it. This guy's something else. I'm looking forward to what he puts out in the future for sure.
https://matteomancuso.bandcamp.com/album/the-journey

[introclaus]

VIPASSI - Lightless
Tech death with lots of prog metal thrown in. That said, it’s instrumental and not sure if I’ll be able to sit through it multiple times.

After more listens, this is really darn good ... the bassist is a monster, the guitars are spot on, and the drummer is crazy good. From what I've been reading, it's like a who's-who of ex-members of Ne Obliviscaris, and it shows, as the music really reminds a lot of NeO. It's solid, and it might be first time in years that an instrumental album will find its way anywhere near my year-end list.

[introclaus]

HANNES GROSSMANN - Echoes of Eternity
This is just an EP and it looks like he has a brand-new lineup around him. Stylewise it's a darkened (not blackened) prog/tech death with lots of fancy playing from all musicians. Parts of it hints at Necrophagist, which I guess makes sense considering that's where Hannes' drumming career began.


F.K.U. - The Horror and the Metal
6th full length from Swedish moshers. This is Exodus, Testament, Slayer, Anthrax, etc all blended together in one perfect unison. Thrash metal the old school way.


GALLEONS - Violent Delight
Swancore in the Dance Gavin Dance, Secret Band, Wolf and Bear, etc. style. Nothing new, but done really well. There's a guest performance by Andrew from DGD/Eidola, which prompted me to check it out, and I actually really enjoy it.

[introclaus]

Also a new Chaosbay single, which I quite like. They continue to meld poppy writing and very heavy riffing to great effect.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31rv_6MLhGE

Every year you try to push these guys on us, and I think you almost managed to convince me last time (where I likened them to Siamese). This single is killer though and now I'm very much looking forward to checking out the coming album (it says fall 2024 but I guess we could hope for an earlier release).

Hand of Kalliach has a new one coming, and the lead single is very nice. Atmospheric folk black/melodeath. If that genre mash is your thing and you haven't heard of them before I really liked their last album, too.
https://handofkalliach.bandcamp.com/album/corryvreckan

This is interesting in the sense that instead of Nordic folk mixed with black metal, this is Celtic folk mixed with melo-death. Not sure if I could listen to a full album (primarily because I don't listen to a lot of melo-death these days), but it's unique, and I like the ethereal female vocals.

[introclaus]

Ions, which Todd's son described as "kind of a djenty Porcupine Tree" when I sent it to him. That is to say, a heavy ambient groove prog metal album. I quite enjoyed it.
https://ionsband.bandcamp.com/album/counterintuitive

I finally got around to check them out - Giedrius had mentioned them here http://www.pmrising.com/pm/viewtopic.ph ... 942#p79317 as well - and I definitely hear the lite-djenty tones in there. It has a lot of VOLA, a hint of Tesseract, and some of it reminds me of Parius/BtBaM and that kind of modern prog. Luckily I don't hear any Porcupine Tree (as I don't like them)

This is really good stuff. Can't believe I missed out on them.

[Mardoch]

Ions, which Todd's son described as "kind of a djenty Porcupine Tree" when I sent it to him. That is to say, a heavy ambient groove prog metal album. I quite enjoyed it.
https://ionsband.bandcamp.com/album/counterintuitive

I finally got around to check them out - Giedrius had mentioned them here http://www.pmrising.com/pm/viewtopic.ph ... 942#p79317 as well - and I definitely hear the lite-djenty tones in there. It has a lot of VOLA, a hint of Tesseract, and some of it reminds me of Parius/BtBaM and that kind of modern prog. Luckily I don't hear any Porcupine Tree (as I don't like them)

This is really good stuff. Can't believe I missed out on them.

Oh, good catch! I totally missed Giedrius' comment on them. Going into it I felt like I'd seen the name but couldn't put my finger on it.

[Mardoch]

Also a new Chaosbay single, which I quite like. They continue to meld poppy writing and very heavy riffing to great effect.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31rv_6MLhGE

Every year you try to push these guys on us, and I think you almost managed to convince me last time (where I likened them to Siamese). This single is killer though and now I'm very much looking forward to checking out the coming album (it says fall 2024 but I guess we could hope for an earlier release).

I love the conspiratorial tone here, lol. It's true though. I will continue trying to get people into all the stuff I love. Eventually I'll win a few rounds.

[LarryD]

Just ordered from The Lasers Edge ---

Caligua's Horse / Charcoal Grace -

If Claus is raving over this one, I'm in .....haven't gotten it yet, but I've been lukewarm to their recent releases, and over the top on their live show, so I'm hoping that this one brings me back in to the studio sound .....


Pallas / The Messenger -

I was a big fan of them about 10-15 years ago, and their Nearfest performance somewhere back near 2010 or so was amazing. The Cross and the Crucible has not been beat yet by anything they have released, and I don't expect this one to. The programmed drums on this one turn me off instantly, but Alan Reed is back at the mic and the atmosphere I'm hearing on the YouTube clips was very inviting. It may sound like shit on my system, but I'll headphone this one for the full effect ......


Barrett / Nolan (aka Pendragon) - A Rush of Adrenaline (DVD)

I thought I'd had everything video pertaining to Pendragon. I've never even heard of this one, so I'm skeptical about it ..... but, it is an acoustic show of just Nick Barrett and Clive Nolan doing Pendragon acoustically ....... if this is anything near the quality of the fantastic CD Acoustically Challenged from 2002, I'll be more than happy...I'm wondering if this is a show from that actual recording, maybe having been released a few years later ...... either way I'm really looking foward to this one ......

[introclaus]

Just ordered from The Lasers Edge ---

Caligua's Horse / Charcoal Grace -

If Claus is raving over this one, I'm in .....haven't gotten it yet, but I've been lukewarm to their recent releases, and over the top on their live show, so I'm hoping that this one brings me back in to the studio sound .....

This one is so great - I really love it.

Pallas / The Messenger -

I was a big fan of them about 10-15 years ago, and their Nearfest performance somewhere back near 2010 or so was amazing. The Cross and the Crucible has not been beat yet by anything they have released, and I don't expect this one to. The programmed drums on this one turn me off instantly, but Alan Reed is back at the mic and the atmosphere I'm hearing on the YouTube clips was very inviting. It may sound like shit on my system, but I'll headphone this one for the full effect ......

I agree on "The Cross and Crucible" being their best (although "Beat the Drum" and "the Dreams of Men" were both awesome). That said, the new one is very good.

[introclaus]

Pallas / The Messenger -
I was a big fan of them about 10-15 years ago, and their Nearfest performance somewhere back near 2010 or so was amazing. The Cross and the Crucible has not been beat yet by anything they have released, and I don't expect this one to. The programmed drums on this one turn me off instantly, but Alan Reed is back at the mic and the atmosphere I'm hearing on the YouTube clips was very inviting. It may sound like shit on my system, but I'll headphone this one for the full effect ......

I agree on "The Cross and Crucible" being their best (although "Beat the Drum" and "the Dreams of Men" were both awesome). That said, the new one is very good.

Going back to this one after some serious discussion with Larry over the last two days ... while Larry says this album sounds like ass, I think it sounds just fine. We had same discussion in regards to the last Arena album, so perhaps we really want different things out of productions and that's the deal here? I understand the aversion to programmed drums (heck, one of the best written albums this year suffers horribly from programmed drums - Manticora, that is), but on the Pallas album I really don't get bothered by it. There's one song where I kind of feel it would have been better with real live drums, but other than that, the songwriting is stellar and overall production is crystal clear on my system. Sorry, Larry, but this is a wonderful disc.

[introclaus]

IHSAHN - Ihsahn
This album currently sits in my top 3 of the year (yeah, sure, we're only in middle of February...), and it's just great from start to finish. Where all the previous Ihsahn albums had this "coldness" to them, I feel this one is much warmer. It might be because of the way he wrote it with the orchestral aspect up-front-and-center, or perhaps it's the bigger focus on clear melodies? Either way, it's such an awesome listening experience, and there are so many different aspects to the album, that reminds me of so many other things, but at the end of day is 100% Ihsahn. I hear bits and pieces of Voivod, Devin Townsend, Pink Floyd, Emperor, Opeth, Leprous, etc.