Metal Outsider

Aereogramme/Isis - “Low Tide” (2006) This track...

trappedunderice — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 19:48:00 +1100

Aereogramme/Isis - “Low Tide” (2006)

This track is a collaboration between U.S. post-metal act Isis and Scottish alternative-rock act Aereogramme, released as part of the Konkurrent label’s long-running “In the Fishtank” series. The track is far from textbook heavy metal, but rather an example of how ambiguous the notion of ‘heavy music’ has become in the past decade or so - thanks in no small part to the efforts of Isis frontman Aaron Turner and his, at times, frustratingly eclectic Hydra Head label. With it’s pulsing rhythm, exquisite guitar textures and vague sense of unease, the track could as easily appeal to indie rock fans as broad-minded metalheads. It’s a shame this partnership was not explored more fully by way of a full-length release; both bands have since disbanded and are much missed by their respective fan bases.

Made Out of Babies - “Cooker” (2008) My intro to...

trappedunderice — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 20:24:00 +1000

Made Out of Babies - “Cooker” (2008)

My intro to Julie Christmas was through Battle of Mice’s 2006 album “A Day of Nights”, a collaboration with Neurosis’ Josh Graham. Lyrically, the record was an account of the pair’s break-up, set to a hefty post-metal backdrop (the relationship had grown so sour that the pair could’t even be in the same room during the recording). What was immediately apparent was Christmas’ talent, especially her range and willingness to drop her inhibitions for a good take. This approach extends to Made Out of Babies, a brooklyn-based group that predates Battle of Mice but who are arguably less well known. Musically, MOoB is much more direct, which, strangely, allows Christmas to explore a broader range of emotions. This track shows that metal doesn’t have to be masculine to be heavy; to the contrary - the female psyche can be downright terrifying!

Galneryus - “New Legend” (2007) I’ve just...

timriley — Thu, 09 Sep 2010 13:08:00 +1000

Galneryus - “New Legend” (2007)

I’ve just returned from a short trip to amazing Japan, so today I present some J-metal for your enjoyment. Hailing from Osaka, Galnaryus is one of the country’s top power metal bands. “New Legend” is a fine example of their work. They conjure a bold and urgent stridency, with vocalist Yama-B pushing his boundaries and lead guitarist Syu providing a shredding solo in an epic instrumental movement across the middle of the song. If this is your bag, there’s plenty more for you to discover. Galnaryus are highly productive, releasing 8 full-length albums since they formed in 2001, and have certainly upped the polish with each subsequent release.

Megadeth - “Rattlehead” (1985) “The arsenal of...

trappedunderice — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 16:35:00 +1000

Megadeth - “Rattlehead” (1985)

“The arsenal of megadeath can’t be rid no matter what the peace treaties come to.” This is a line from a handbill authored by California senator Alan Cranston. It’s from a time when the threat of nuclear annihilation seemed real and politicians were lining up to exploit a lingering climate of fear. It also served as the initial inspiration for Dave Mustaine - who in ‘83 was reeling from his sacking from Metallica and seeking a new musical outlet to exact revenge on his enemies - to form Megadeth. It’s amazing how brilliantly that one line sums up the group’s 27-year career: a grim, apocalyptic worldview; politically-charged lyrics dripping in cynicism; an uncanny ability to prevail in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds. “Rattlehead”, drawn from the group’s ‘85 debut, is the sound of Mustaine on the warpath, one which would eventually lead him to the top of the metal heap.

“Denied” - Sonic Syndicate (2007) Sonic Syndicate...

timriley — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 13:30:00 +1000

“Denied” - Sonic Syndicate (2007)

Sonic Syndicate are a young band with a big, brash and enthusiastic mix of Swedish-style melodic death metal and metalcore. Their emphasis lies strongly on melody, as you’ll find quickly with “Denied,” from their 2007 album “Only Inhuman,” their first release after beating 1,500 other bands in a contest to win a deal with big Swedish label Nuclear Blast. You can see in “Denied” the basis of the band’s broad appeal: a driving, keyboard-backed, super-catchy melody, anchored by a soaring, cleanly sung chorus. While they don’t push too many boundaries in this album, Sonic Syndicate are nothing but polished, and are another worthy gateway to contemporary metal.

Iron Maiden - “Wrathchild” (1981) It’s a topic...

trappedunderice — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 09:31:00 +1000

Iron Maiden - “Wrathchild” (1981)

It’s a topic that can set metalheads to arguing for hours, a la Ozzy vs Dio or Gillan vs Coverdale. Who is the better Iron Maiden vocalist, original member Paul Di’Anno, who performed on the group’s first two seminal releases, or his 1981 replacement, Bruce Dickinson, who led the band to critical and commercial heights? I’m partial the former, as for mine, Di’Anno’s understated, punk-inspired delivery was perfectly suited to the band’s more stripped-back approach of the early 80’s, resulting in a more satisfying listening experience. Plus, the songs were just catchier. This track is drawn from 81’s “Killers”, a jewel in the New Wave of British Heavy Metal’s crown and an album that sounds relevant to this day. Up the Irons!

DragonForce - “Through the Fire and the Flames”...

timriley — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 13:25:00 +1000

DragonForce - “Through the Fire and the Flames” (2006)

It’s no surprise that this English power metal band, whose style has been described as “Nintendo metal,” found one of their songs propelled to widespread fame through a video game. “Through the Fire and Flames,” the first track from DragonForce’s 2006 “Inhuman Rampage” album, was featured as the final, most difficult to play song in the popular Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock. Even the shortest of listens will reveal why it was chosen as such; the pace is absolutely frenetic. The song would later also appear in video games Guitar Hero: Smash Hits and Brütal Legend, and the arcade games GuitarFreaks and Drum Mania.

Fear Factory - “Christploitation” (2010) Fear...

trappedunderice — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 11:01:00 +1000

Fear Factory - “Christploitation” (2010)

Fear Factory were part of a wave of bands in the mid to late nineties to take metal in fresh and exciting directions, along with acts such as Pantera, Sepultura and Tool, to name a few. Forming in LA in 1990, the band achieved commercial and critical success with their futuristic, boundary-pushing ‘95 release “Demanufacture”, which took technical precision to a new level. The band then gradually faded into obscurity amidst internal bickering, line-up changes and a string of underwhelming releases. This year, however, marked the return of original guitarist Dino Cazarez, who along with vocalist Burton C. Bell and former Strapping Young Lad members Gene Hoglan and Byron Stroud injected a newfound sense of aggression and urgency into the material. “Mechanize”, from which this track is drawn, is a beast of an album, and a welcome reminder of why Fear Factory mattered, and continue to matter, so much.

Nachtmystium - “NightFall” (2010) Illinois act...

trappedunderice — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 11:03:00 +1000

Nachtmystium - “NightFall” (2010)

Illinois act Nachtmystium are arguably the most innovative black metal band doing the rounds today, if in fact that tag still applies to them. Across their early releases they played a fairly traditional, albeit exceptionally well executed, form of BM and in the process established a formidable underground reputation. However, by the time of 06’s “Instinct: Decay” the band had started to incorporate more psychedelic influences into their sound, culminating in 08’s highly celebrated “Assassins: Black Meddle Pt I” (the title of course a nod to Pink Floyd’s ‘71 album “Meddle”). The band have expanded their sound once again on “Assassin’s” thematic follow-up, “Addicts: Black Meddle Pt II”, from which this track is lifted, drawing on everything from Ministry, Killing Joke, Joy Division and the Editors to create a sound that is truly their own. The bar has certainly been raised with respect to experimental BM.

Eluveitie - “Thousandfold” (2010) Swiss band...

timriley — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 13:49:00 +1000

Eluveitie - “Thousandfold” (2010)

Swiss band Eluveitie have been riding high on the growing wave of folk metal emanating from Europe in the last decade. Their new 2010 album, “Everything Remains as it Never Was,” marks a return to some more aggressive stylings after the experimental, placid interlude of their previous acoustic outing. Eluveitie fuse melodic death metal into grand, Celtic-inspired arrangements featuring such classic folk instruments as the hurdy gurdy, violin, bagpipes and tin whistle. The album is currently available online, and worthy of a full listen to experience its diversity of pace and vocal styles.

Vision of Disorder - “Imprint” (1998) This NY group...

trappedunderice — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 16:38:08 +1000

Vision of Disorder - “Imprint” (1998)

This NY group were the perfect antidote to the overpopulated nu-metal scene in the late nineties. While their music still swung like a wrecking ball, they were essentially a metallic hardcore band boasting choppy, complex riffs and a vocalist who sounded as if he were gurgling broken glass. With the rise of metalcore at the start of this century, its conceivable that this band could have been a lot bigger had this album dropped a few years later. Still, “Imprint” casts a long shadow.

Life of Agony - “This Time” (1993) This track is...

trappedunderice — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 11:31:00 +1000

Life of Agony - “This Time” (1993)

This track is drawn from NY act Life of Agony’s debut, “River Runs Red”. The song and album dropped like a tonne of bricks in ‘93 and each sound relevant to this day. The musicianship is bruising but more important is Keith Caputo’s lyrics which are candid and stinging, unusually so in a metal/hardcore context. While the band pursued a more commercial direction on subsequent releases, “River Runs Red” remains an uncompromising classic.

Therion - “To Mega Therion” (1996) Therion began...

timriley — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 14:02:00 +1000

Therion - “To Mega Therion” (1996)

Therion began life in 1988 as an ordinary Swedish death metal band, but later distinguished themselves with the fusion of orchestral and choral elements with their music. Their 1996 Theli album was their breakthrough, and one of the founding influences of the symphonic metal genre at large. “To Mega Therion” is lifted from this album and an example of their truly grandiose style — a choir chanting over a driving riff, mixed with both clean and growled vocals, culminating with a duelling keyboard and lead guitar. Therion’s subsequent releases have become no less complex, with the 2004 “Lemuria” and “Sirius B” albums involving 171 musicians and a 32 member choir!

Jesu - “Friends are Evil” (2005) Its true that some...

trappedunderice — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 12:48:00 +1000

Jesu - “Friends are Evil” (2005)

Its true that some of the most uplifting music comes from the darkest places. Following the demise of the legendary Godflesh in 2002, Justin Broadrick retreated to his home studio deflated and generally disillusioned with music. Over time he started pouring himself into a new project with scant regard for how it might be received publicly. The result was Jesu, a rich tapestry of Broadrick’s wide-ranging influences and arguably his most affecting output to date. In particular, Jesu’s 2004 debut EP “Heartache” and 2005 self-titled full-length, from which this track is drawn, are worth tracking down.

Metallica - “Breadfan” (1988) Throughout the...

trappedunderice — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 09:58:00 +1000

Metallica - “Breadfan” (1988)

Throughout the eighties, Metallica’s covers were only slightly less essential than their original recordings. Often hastily recorded, tracks such as “Am I Evil” and “Helpless” displayed a raw, spirited side to the group more closely aligned with their viscous live attack. “Breadfan”, originally by Welsh rock group Budgie, was released as a B-side to their “Harvester of Sorrow” single in ‘88, and while it was subsequently re-released as part of ‘98’s sprawling Garage Inc., it’s worth tracking down the “Harvester…” version if only for Pushead’s brilliant artwork.

Gates of Winter - “Winter Flight”...

timriley — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 10:13:44 +1000

Gates of Winter - “Winter Flight” (2008)

“Winter Flight” exemplifies a polished first outing from young Canadian band Gates of Winter, whose melodic metal style combines the speed and instrumentation of power metal with progressive-inspired time signature changes. Of note in this track is a versatile vocal performance from Lee Maines and some scorching keyboard work. This band shows plenty of promise, so let’s hope a record deal and a second album are in their future.

Kylesa - “Said and Done” (2009) One of a spate of...

trappedunderice — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 10:11:43 +1000

Kylesa - “Said and Done” (2009)

One of a spate of Georgian bands in recent years to inject fresh life into the sludge sound, Savannah act Kylesa have matured into one of the genre’s leading exponents. This track, lifted from last year’s “Static Tensions”, underlines the band’s ability to mix immeasurably heavy riffs with an almost pop sensibility. The true payoff, however, comes at the 0.50 sec mark when guitarist Laura Pleasants’ combustible vocals ignite the sonic landscape. The scary thing is that this band is only going to get better.

Draconian - “Death, Come Near Me” (2005) The slow,...

timriley — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 13:30:00 +1000

Draconian - “Death, Come Near Me” (2005)

The slow, plodding intro builds layer upon emotive layer of mounting, morbid miasma. The slowest of spoken words, protracted, deep-throated growls and an angelic female voice combine to complete the rich, gloomy atmosphere. This is one fine example of gothic doom metal, the crowning final track of Draconian’s second album, “Arcane Rain Fell.” Formed in Sweden in 1994, Draconian spent eight years in the wilderness, recording demos and performing live, before finally signing a deal with Napalm Records, and we’ve since seen three feature albums from the group. From the brilliant melancholy that their work evokes, I say it was well worth the wait.

Converge - “Heaven in Her Arms” (2001) This is the...

trappedunderice — Sat, 26 Jun 2010 09:37:00 +1000

Converge - “Heaven in Her Arms” (2001)

This is the point where metal/hardcore crossed the line from simple musicality to something more visceral. Better than any hardcore band that preceded them, Massachusetts’ Converge channelled a damaged psychology into an undiluted sonic form and the results were unnerving, as this track from 2001’s “Jane Doe” shows. While all of the band’s albums are essential, “Jane Doe” remains one of the most intense and influential hardcore records of our times and demands your full attention.

Electric Wizard - “Funeralopolis” (2000) While...

trappedunderice — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 21:43:00 +1000

Electric Wizard - “Funeralopolis” (2000)

While Sabbath may have birthed the stoner/doom genre with 1971’s “Master of Reality”, its arguable that UK group Electric Wizard perfected it and this track, lifted from the mighty “Dopethrone”, is proof. Frontman Jus Oborn’s guitar tone is so dense its as if his speakers are caked in THC residue while his bleak end time lyrics are strangely inspiring. Psychedelic, psychotic and just bit broken, this is a trip worth taking.