Some CD reviews

[Philip Locke]

...because I'm bored.White Blood Cells (White Stripes)- Old, but it's much better than their new stuff on "Elephant". Enemies of Reality (Nevermore)- Kickass. If you're into metal, you'll love it. The drums and guitars are both insanely good.( ) (Sigur Ros)- Ethereal and breathtaking, although boring at times.Hail to the Thief (Radiohead)- It's no "OK Computer"...It's better. The electronica of "Amnesiac" and "Kid A", the rock of "The Bends" and "OK Computer" combine to create a very, very nice album. Locke.

[UEC]

Operation: Mindcrime by QueenRyche... now that's a kickass album! E. Metzler (UEC)Duke of Brookshire"Never use a BOO/\/\ist as a diplomat" -- GSClicky Clicky..., Tiss for your own good ya know.

[UEC]

can't say I've heard any of those.. E. Metzler (UEC)Duke of Brookshire"Never use a BOO/\/\ist as a diplomat" -- GSClicky Clicky..., Tiss for your own good ya know.

[Philip Locke]

Quote:Nevermore - Enemies of RealityWuahaha! You're going to enjoy that motherpiece. Locke
Borelít o'Volus

[For Her Light]

I don't expect people to know most of 'em. I've become such an obscure prog geek that only other obscure prog geeks know what I am talking about half the time now. ...And I can't believe that I'm here to stay......'Cause I never worked it out this way......And I love you more than I can say......But I hate you every other way

[For Her Light]

I've got a ton of new albums, so I'll start with these of the newest bunch and continue tomorrow.Green Carnation - A Blessing in DisguiseThe latest Green Carnation album. Tchort abandons the massive progressive structure of the previous album (Light Of Day, Day Of Darkness) which was essentially a single, massive, epic song, for a simpler, more song oriented approach. The result is extremely different, perhaps more commercially-appealling, but the songs are crafted with such skill and with so many legitimately catchy hooks, that I can't help but be impressed.Maudlin of the Well - My Fruit Psychobells...A Seed CombustibleThe first Maudlin of the Well album...now this has to be the most unique music I've ever heard in my life. A combination of the grind of death metal, the depressive plod of doom metal (ala Esoteric and Skepticism) and an even greater dose of jazz. The band utilizes a huge array of instruments and resembles in composition, more a jazz ensemble then a metal band. Somehow they managed to merge death and doom with the spacy, ethereal at times, and always VERY trippy jazz tendancies into not only a coherant whole, but into something which I unflinchingly call a master piece.Nightingale - Alive AgainDan Swano returns with the fourth installment of his Breathing Shadow series. This album carries on in the siilar 70's prog influenced tendencies of the previous. Any and all elements of Sisters of Mercy-ish gothic rock (which were very prevalent in the first album) have been totally abandoned. The result is a solid, often very majestic and emotional progressive rock/metal album. Perhaps a tad predictable as the songwriting isn't overly diverse, but extremely enjoyable all the same.The Gathering - SouvenirsThe latest Gathering album sees the Dutch band finally casting off any lingering trace of their death metal roots, plunging full on into the sea of spacy, ethereal, perhaps somewhat melancholic "trip-rock". Quite simply, there is nothing really negative one can say about this album as long as one has an open mind to genres beyond metal. The floating, dream-like quality is intensely moving and Anneke's voice continues to become ever more evocative. If you close your eyes while listening to this album, I guarentee you will go places.Porcupine Tree - SignifyI have to admit that I got into this band far too late. I first heard them when my friend picked up their latest album, In Absentia, which, if I wasn't immediately bowled over by, found it relaxing and proceeded to purchase it myself. The next thing I know, I'm standing in a room filled with progressive rock enthusiasts watching Steven Wilson and the rest of PT rock out in front of me. In Absentia has since become one of my most listened to albums with its mellow and relaxing melodic wave....but this review isn't about In Absentia, its about a much earlier effort, Signify. Signify is radically different from In Absentia. Where In Absentia is song oriented and comparatively concise, Signify is expansive and ethereal; where In Absentia is relaxing and even romantic, Signify can be outright disturbing. It can be said that Signify is a much more ambitious album then In Absentia, and I would tend to agree. There is much more spaciness and the moods created are much more challenging. While the instrumentation isn't radically different, the general approaches to the songwriting are. Signify is a true progressive rock album, one which challenges the listener to grasp their mind around the concept; not as immediately gratifying as In Absentia, but in time, I believe it will become even more rewarding.And three reviews for albums I have owned for awhile but completely love now and haven't thrown at everyone yet.Devin Townsend - Ocean Machine: BiomechThis is my favorite album of all time...there is no getting around it. There is no flaw anywhere; no dull moment, not even a mildly flat moment. This is the music god would make if he had a recording studio (because you know god would make progressive metal, of course) With good reason, Devin Townsend has become my idol, and this album is much of that reason. In terms which do not do it any justice at all, its a mixture of rock/metal and industrial with a bent towards the progressive and ambient. That, however, goes nowhere near describing it. This is music of intense detail; if you blink, you will assuredly miss much. So much is going on that its dizzying at times, but Devin also knows when to subdue himself, slow things down a bit, and just let out a simple, emotion filled song such as Things Beyond Things (my official 'nostalgia' song). If you have a sense of hearing, it is your solemn duty to find this album. I've had it for months now and it only continues to grow in its godliness.Devin Townsend - TerriaThis is my second favorite Devin album, probably because it doesn't have as many strongly attached emotional memories, but in every way, this album is the equal of Ocean Machine. Devin, on this album, takes the music more in the direction of the ambient and progressive, utilizing less of the metal foundation which was apparent in especially the first half of Ocean Machine. The result is a slow, pensive, and utterly emotional music which traverses a monumental topography of imaginative mountains and landscapes. Moods WILL be effected.Strapping Young Lad - CityThis is Devin's full on cranal assault metal band, and this album is that band's master piece. You won't find any emotional, slow ambient moments here...what you will get is the greatest way of exorcizing angst yet devised. This album is a 40 minute roller coaster of straight on thrash/death/industrial like nothing else. The music feels like your flying down a tunnel at top speed while simultanously breaking the legs of each and everyone of your worst enemies. However, don't be fooled, overlayed on all of the full on aggression are very perceptible and downright catchy melodic hooks. The 'flying down the tunnel' effect is created by the use of subtle synth lines which coat the rhythmic assault of the riffing. This album may scare you at first listen, but just listen to it when you feel like kicking pregnant women down a flights of stairs and you'll understand...Anyway, thats it for tonight. The album reviews to come include:Maudlin of the Well - bathMaudlin of the Well - Leaving your Body MapMorgion - SolinariAngel Dust - Of Human BondageUlver - BergtattUlver - KveldssangerUlver - Themes From William Blake's the Marriage of Heaven and HellUlver - Perdition CityNevermore - Enemies of RealityPain of Salvation - Remedy Lane ...And I can't believe that I'm here to stay......'Cause I never worked it out this way......And I love you more than I can say......But I hate you every other wayEdited by: For Her Light at: 8/17/03 8:05 pm

[For Her Light]

Another reviewAngel Dust - Of Human BondageAfter the utterly mindblowing Enlighten the Darkness album, Angel Dust had their work cut out for them with the follow up. What they have created is a strong album, but unfortunately nowhere does it reach the epic quality or intensity of its predecessor. Of Human Bondage sees the band focusing more on the thrash side of their style while still containing good melodies. There also seems to be an increase in Nevermore influence, particularly in the vocal department, and even some Sentenced in one song (questionable as to if that is a good or bad thing). At no point does the album achieve the majestic, epic qualities of songs like Let Me Live and The One You Are, but that doesn't mean this album is bad, it just had impossible standards to meet. ...And I can't believe that I'm here to stay......'Cause I never worked it out this way......And I love you more than I can say......But I hate you every other way

[For Her Light]

Ulver - Themes from William Blake's The Marriage of Heaven and HellNow this is a strange album. Ulver, the ever changing chameleon of black metal began their forays into electronic music here. Metal guitars still appear periodically in this album, but mostly, this is a very unique electronic album also utilizing medieval instrumentation. The result is an album which captures the mood of Blake, but also seems to have a lot of empty space. The great moments are truly magical, but at other times, the music just drifts away from your attention. ...And I can't believe that I'm here to stay......'Cause I never worked it out this way......And I love you more than I can say......But I hate you every other way

[For Her Light]

Ulver - KveldssangerUlver's second album, Kveldssanger is entirely Scandinavian folk from beginning to end, and you know what? It's great. The focus is on mood creation as usual, and the music revolves around accoustic guitar passages with flutes and cellos providing even more layers of beauty. The vocals, though generally sparse, tend towards an almost Gregorian warble. An expertly performed piece of pensive, mood setting accoustic folk and probably Ulver's best of the non-electronic period. ...And I can't believe that I'm here to stay......'Cause I never worked it out this way......And I love you more than I can say......But I hate you every other wayEdited by: For Her Light at: 8/18/03 8:27 am