What I'm Listening To

I often give out personal informationon this blog of various degrees of non-importance.Tonight I thought I'd give people a glimpse into my taste in music.I've given a recommendation or two in the past, but this is based on my favorite albums at this moment.These are the albums that I am currently most likely to put in my CD player or in my car.This list could easily change next week.I'm an avid heavy metal fan and my list reflects this fact.Please check out some of these albums.I will attempt to describe the bands for those who are not familiar with them.My descriptions are not meant to be comprehensive reviews, but rather guidelines.The world needs more people listening to good music.So now, in no particular order:

1)Dark Tranquility-Character :A Swedish Metal band that often features keyboards in a prominent role.The vocals are harsh, but comprehensible.There are no ballads here , but the music is not so heavy as to be offputting to people whose metal experience is limited to more classic metal such as Iron Maiden.Best song in my opinion is Out Of Nothing.

2)Vintersorg-Cosmic Genesis :This is a bit hard to descibe.Progressive Black Metal is as good a description as any.Vocalist Vintersorg also plays most of the instruments on this album.Vocals vary from a Black Metal growl to beautifully sung clean parts.This album is not above throwing hooks at the listener and those who don't normally like metal-style vocals will appreciate the more melodic parts.This is one of those albums that gets better with each listen.Instant gratification is possible but the patient will reap the greatest rewards.

3)Akercocke-Antichrist :I've mentioned this band in a past post that I am too lazy to look up at the moment.The core of their sound is some of the most extreme metal you can hear(Try their album The Goat Of Mendes for the best example of that)but is mixed in with a very European pop sound.These guys are virtuosos, extremely technical.This is not an album for beginning metal fans but rather for connosieurs.The sharp contrast between the heavy parts and the melodic parts can be jarring. But, once more, this is an album that should be listened to repeatedly.I recommend listening to it twice in a row at least.You will hear something different every time and the tapestry of their sound will only get richer. It might be of some interest to mention that they are quite noticeably into Satanism.If this will throw you, walk away now or just don't read the lyrics.I recommend the latter because you will be missing out on some grade AAA metal.

4)The Devin Townsend Band-Synchestra :Devin Townsend is a former Steve Vai guitarist who also plays in metal band Strapping Young Lad(Highly recommended).Except for a few moments, this is most assuredly not a metal album.Don't get me wrong, it can be heavy when it wants to be(Vampira).Most of the time though, this is a very sedate, relaxing, and even light-hearted album.This is a great album for people who might want to hear some more obscure progressive rock with a sense of humor.I've had this album for a while now and the fact that I still listen to it so often is a testament to how great it is.Of evrything I mention in this post, this would be the easiest album for non-fans to get into.

5)Epica-The Phantom Agony :This is perhaps the strangest thing I listen to.This is a female fronted symphonic/gothic metal band.Normally that means a Lacuna Coil or Evanesence sound-alike.In this case, vocalist Simone Simons pulls a page or three from more classical styles such as opera.This can make the music quite "syrupy" at times(plenty of ballads and softer parts), but don't let that put you off.This band is deceptively heavy.The orchestration works better for this band than many other symphonic bands just because it is such an integral part of their sound.There are also male, death-style male vocals that pop up in about half the songs.The song Cry For The Moon is probably in my five favorite songs currently.I have never gotten tired of hearing it.If hearing a choir and strings mixed in with your metal is going to put you off, then avoid this.For everyone else, this is a treat from a classy band.

6)Decapitated-Winds Of Creation :This is their first, and heaviest album.I like everything they put out and would recommend anything of theirs, but this is the king.This is a HIGHLY technical Polish Death Metal band.Surprisingly, when this album was made, most of the members were under the age of 18.Everyone here is classically trained as well.This album will relentlessly assault your eardrums.Like most really good metal, this one requires a good ear.There isn't a hook to be found and the speed varies between pretty fast and insane.This band seems to be following a musical path similar to that of Sepultura(if that gives you a point of reference), though without the world music phase.This is some of the best, truest metal for your $$$.

7)Ministry-The Last Sucker :This is another album I've mentioned before.If you don't know Ministry you should be ashamed of yourself.That's right. Hang your head in shame.I'll wait ...................................................................Arguably, if there was no Ministry, bands like Nine Inch Nails, Marilyn Manson, Mushroomhead, etc. might not exist as you know them.Oddly enough, they started off as a Depeche Mode-style pop band, but quickly grew out of that to become the kings of industrial metal.There is a cover of The Doors' Roadhouse Blues here.And no, it doesn't sound anything like the original(.Thank friggin' God for that.)Whenever Jougensen and company have a president named Bush in their sights the result is always magic.Brutal, bludgeoning magic.This album takes its cues more from the Psalm 69 days in that there are far fewer trance-style songs and more straight-up rockers.This is the album you want to put on in your car, turn up to full volume, and drive at insane speeds down the highway(Author's note:Speeding is not legal.Do so at your own risk.)

And that's it.Any album I list here I put my stamp of approval on.Each band here also has a great catalogue of albums to investigate if these catch your attention.My favorite of the ones listed here?Akercocke.Hands down winner.They manage to scratch every muscial itch I have.You can't go wrong with Akercocke.