What I’m Listening To: August 2012

Music plays a big part in my life and over the last few months I have been listening to a lot of new and old material from some of my favourite bands, mostly Metal.

“Human Remains” – HELL

The debut album by NWOBHM band HELL is quite simply perfect. The vocals and presentation are all top notch delivering thrills and chills in a way that no other band ever could. HELL are a band I’d seriously recommend for Metal lovers everywhere, you will be kicking yourself wondering why you waited so long to discover such a brilliant band. 

My favourite track off the CD would be “plague & fyre” a powerful song about England’s darker days, “the oppressors” and “let battle commence” are worth a notable mention too. For their time HELL were years ahead of everyone else in terms of music creativity and genius, on first listen to Human Remains it’s clear that even now they are still way ahead of the competition. [10/10]

HELL recently played Dublin [©LisaTiffanyPhotography-HELL]

“Relapse” – Ministry

This is Ministry’s newest album since The Last Sucker back in 2007, Al seems to have lost none of the spark which made Ministry such a powerhouse to begin with. His views certainly haven’t changed, the distain for the political wrongness in the world has always fuelled their work. This time around he seems to be addressing more recent events like the occupy movement, that’s not to say the drugs and addiction aren’t part of the mix, as the title suggests it’s still a big part of the lethal concoction that Ministry deal so well to its legions of fans and willing listeners.

Tracks like “99 percenters”, “ghouldiggers” and of course “relapse” all have an instant click quality about them however the remaining tracks take a few listens to sink in, I’ve always found Ministry's previous material to work the same way but to me that’s always been a bonus because it’s always kept me coming back for one more fix time and time again. [9/10]

“Antennas To Hell” – Slipknot

Unfortunately this release wasn’t a studio album full of new material, rather it’s a carefully selected compilation of Slipknots greatest tracks and fan favourites. For good measure they included a second CD which features their entire set from  2009’s Download Festival in the UK. Since I already had the previous CD releases from the band I listened to the 2nd Disc a lot more.

Slipknot themselves are adamant in the idea that its a showcase of where they came from, their struggles and victories since they originally joined in the mid nineties. While I do wish they would release a new album I have to say there is a lot of value to be had in Antennas to Hell, the tracks that were selected are some of their best work hands down and its a great addition to any fans collection. To be honest I’d buy it for the bonus CD alone. [8/10]

“Born Villain” – Marilyn Manson

I was wary when Manson’s newest album was released, he pretty much owned the 90’s with albums like Antichrist Superstar and Holy Wood. His more recent releases have seen a drop in quality, the usual mix of violence, sex drugs and rock n roll were there but were hidden under layers of personal pain and suffering that many just wanted to avoid. Born Villain is more than a revisit to the older days its a perfect comeback from a band that still has more than enough in them to keep making great music. It’s a lot heavier and more aggressive than the likes of The High End of Low, tracks like “hey, cruel world” and the excellent cover of “your’e so vain” really stand out and call for repetitive listening.

Manson has always been an artist that most people have gotten the wrong idea about yet he has always possessed a unique way of providing social commentary in his work, in this comeback album he seems to be returning to that complex way of making music. It may not be another Antichrist Superstar but it will provide Manson fans the closure they needed after The High End of Low and Eat Me Drink Me made so many doubt that they still had what it takes. Legal battles and personal relationship nightmares behind him Manson is back on track, the only downer is the artwork, considering his older albums its rather lacking in personal artistic originality. [9/10]

“Avengers Assemble” – Various Artists

I used to be a real sucker for soundtracks that were as the label states “inspired by the film”. I haven’t actually seen The Avengers movie so I don’t know how much of the music features in the finished picture. I didn’t have high expectations for the soundtrack and to a lot of people it seems overly mediocre, however its the gems like “live to rise” by Soundgarden and “I’m alive” by Shinedown that really made it stand out to me. Even Bush makes an appearance with the fantastic sounding “into the blue”.

I think with this kind of line up you either love or hate it. It’s easily accessible to most listeners and definitely radio friendly, as with most soundtracks that’s exactly what the record company looks for so its no surprise that so many people are at odds with the soundtrack. [8/10]

And the rest:

“Dead End Kings” – Katatonia   [9th album from doom kings Katatonia, some great tracks on there but I always find with doom Metal it can be a little heavy going with constant listening.]

“Harakira” – Serj Tankian     [Serj’s 3rd album seems a lot more loose than his previous work, its catchy but I still prefer his days with System of a Down.] 

“Band Of Brothers” – Hellyeah     [The songs don’t have a lot of meaning to them but that doesn’t hold it back from being a hard rocking album. The title track Band of Brothers is the ultimate stomp your feet and put your fist in the air kind of song.]

“Fight Like A Girl” – Emilie Autumn     [She’s always had a unique approach to both making and performing music, this album is no different and perhaps one of her best to date.]

“L’Enfant Sauvage” – Gojira     [5th album by French Metal band Gojira, its a pretty much flawless CD with great vocals and killer guitar work.]

“Holiday At Lake Bodom” – Children Of Bodom     [More of a compilation than a new album, the new cover of “shipping up to boston” is one of my favourite tracks on there.]

“Opus Eponymous” – Ghost     [The debut album by Swedish Metal band Ghost is quite simple brilliant, its a hauntingly beautiful album for someone looking for something a little different than mainstream Metal.]

“Blood Of The Saints” – Engel     [Another Swedish band this time with a 3rd album, not as catchy as their previous 2 albums but great all the same.]  

“Dark Adrenaline” – Lacuna Coil     [Like most Coil albums this one instantly jumped out at me, it’s not as heavy as some of their other albums but songs like “give me something more” and the fantastic REM cover “losing my religion” put it up there with some of my favourite albums of the year.]

“Bye Bye Lullaby” – The Murder Of My Sweet     [Sweden again with yet another female fronted band, there are some guest appearances from members of bands like InFlames/Soilwork and Opeth. While there are a lot of similar styled bands out there TMOMS seem to have a fresher approach to gothic and melodic music.]