User
Reviews 19 Approval 98%
Soundoffs 63 News Articles 21 Band Edits + Tags 58 Album Edits 80
Album Ratings 1674 Objectivity 68%
Last Active 12-14-22 8:26 am Joined 12-13-13
Review Comments 7,458
| February 2022 🎧 Listening Room
Listening on new music, commenting, suggesting and whatnot. Feel free to recommend stuff or suggestions for the ''check also''. | 1 | | Dawn of Solace Flames of Perdition
(Finland) It's the first album I listen from Tuomas Saukkonen, mastermind behind two other bands, ''Before the Dawn'' and ''Wolfheart'', and I can say I've been hooked. Tuomas and co. provide mid-tempo gothic metal songs, bathed in the mournful Scandinavian romanticism. Nothing ground-breaking, but it's definitely well constructed, honest work, that falls short on memorability, but is highly appropriate for fans of the genre.
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_llki0tCN5RtQPAAD-ei-A_DXL63HtgQU4
Check Also: Soen - Imperial (2021)
[While Soen are a dominant name in the progosphere, they never shy away from their dark/gothic atmosphere, which is most prominent on their last album] | 2 | | Ode and Elegy Ode and Elegy
(USA) A massive piece an hour long, which maps the grievances of change, loss, and catharsis. The band finds spotless balance between their post metal and symphonic sound, with clean, mournful female vocals interchanging with hardcore screams and climaxes. An impactful work, emotional, brave, and fragile, still crushing us to the ground.
https://soundcloud.com/user-546383502
Check Also: So Hideous - None But a Pure Heart Can Sing (2021)
[black and post metal interwoven with big jazz orchestra moments, in one of my most adored releases of '21] | 3 | | YAYA KIM a.k.a YAYA
(South Korea) She presents herself as ''jack of all trades'', and that applies to genres as well. This phenomenal debut finds its voice wandering through blues, trip-hop, pop (''everything and the kitchen sink'' as Demon of the Fall accurately proposes) and is satisfying in both duration and quality. Unmistaken AOTM material right here.
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_nYbVSvGzMc0EAOLY9_VfmbCNE_N0O1BRw
Check Also: Fiona Apple - Fetch the Bolt Cutters [2020]
[as suggested by Demon of the Fall, along with Shiina Ringo, which I had never heard of until now] | 4 | | Cult of Luna The Long Road North
(Sweden) You know more or less what to expect by post-metal pioneers Cult of Luna, and on this new album you'll find it aplenty. Crushing and heavy (one might say ''unbearable''), this album is also merrited by small details, like the feature of vocalist Wallentin and saxophonist Stetson, which provide more texture and layers to CoL's massive sound.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yAE5jb_iLRw (single ''Cold Burn'')
Check Also: Cult of Luna & Julie Christmas - Mariner (2016)
[The only other Cult of Luna release I actually liked and still can't get enough of it. Julie Christmas's voice is splendid, and it would be a blessing if the two collaborated again in the future] | 5 | | Black Country, New Road Ants From Up There
(UK) I admit I didn't give BC/NR a chance last year, mostly because I wasn't *too* eager to check on everything new and notable. While I had a vogue impression of how they sounded like, I never thought I'd enjoy it per se. With their sophomore album dropping only a year later, and word having it that it was an incredible one, I couldn't [i] not [/i] listen to it. Perhaps it's just another trend, but I actually loved it. I found traces of many things I like (as well as the mix of Nick Cave-meets-Roger Waters vocals), but if the compositions themselves were bland, this wouldn't have succeeded as much as it did. Bravo.
https://blackcountrynewroad.bandcamp.com/album/ants-from-up-there
Check Also: | 6 | | Persefone Metanoia
(Andorra) Woah, where did this come from? An amazing product of symphonic prog, which allows itself to follow different paths without becoming too noodly. Atmospheric passages are also present, with several electronic layers on top, and some stellar performances by band and featured artists alike.
https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_n_vxUhf57BT0V191AiLt-oaAAwqNvVxQ0&feature=share
Check Also: Earthside - A Dream in Static (2015)
[the debut that caught everyone off-guard when it dropped, taking us by storm with its gorgeous production and amalgamation of symphonic prog, djent and post rock. Their new album shouldn't take long to come, so give this one a spin to get on board the hype train] | 7 | | Cultist (CAN) Manic Despair
(Canada) Awkward, yet intriguing painting of a person in agony? Check. Perfect old-school mix with prominent bass? Check. Guttural vocals, muddy playing, relentless riffs, and squeeling solos? Check, check, check! This debut album by Canada death metallers Cultist is bound to turn some heads (and chop others). Vocalist Vanessa Grossberndt deserves praise for playing and singing like that.
https://cultistcanada.bandcamp.com/album/manic-despair-3
Check Also: Demoniac (CHL) - So it Goes (2021)
[Thrashier, and with some clarinet additions, but this has this unmistakeble smell of old-school, and YOU should check it out] | 8 | | Panoram Acrobatic Thoughts
[Germany] This reminds me of Ultraworld-era The Orb (Wandering Frames!), and HELLO, that's a good thing! A laid back yet adventurous offering with lots of throwback. Slow moving and relaxing! (by the one and only Trifolium)
https://runningbackrecords.bandcamp.com/album/acrobatic-thoughts
Check Also: The Orb - Adventures Beyond the Ultraworld (1991) | 9 | | Zeal and Ardor Zeal and Ardor
(Switzerland) The third strike by Gagneux and co. with their signature blend of black metal, that shouldn't work, not even on paper, but it so absolutely does. This time songs are not as easy to decript on first listen, but there are also some cuts that are bound to be career highlights (Run, I Caught You)
https://zealandardor.bandcamp.com/album/zeal-ardor-3
Check Also: Spider God - Black Renditions (2022)
[While it's ''black pop'' and not ''black gospel'', this amalgam of opposite styles is well done, even if it turns out to be a gimmick] | 10 | | alt-J The Dream
(UK) alt-j return after five years of absence with another dreamy, adventurous album. As they've proven before, alt-j could be short for ''careless indie experimentation''(-j), and even if we don't find instant classics as with previous album Relaxer, ''The Dream'' has a lot to unpack, and in it's 14 songs definitely hide many gems.
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfiMjLyNWxeZ4wSi-sePiHNSJ-5hPYOWp
Check Also: >put it in my butt, put it in my butt | 11 | | Amorphis Halo
[Finland] Closing the trilogy of Finnish mythology-turns-metal, Amorphis remain consistent and relevant, even if sacrificing originality a wee bit. Having found their place after a long and notable career, Amorphis provide a polished, heavy and intricate album that won't reveal itself easily.
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_n4tMhG01AkmsAByMCmc0MPZZ-5JKQn-z4
Check Also: Amorphis - Under the Red Cloud (2014)
[First album in the trilogy and perhaps the more balanced] | 12 | | Big Thief Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe in You
[USA] Big Thief's latest, double album, has already knocked on your door one way or another, and rightfully so. It's a long journey to the finish line, but once you push play you shouldn't worry. The album has enough intricacies and cohesion to keep your attention focused. Lenker's innocent vocals atop the careless and earthy music don't waste their magic too soon, but wander through seriousness and cheekiness with the same ease some bands fail terribly. I mean, the lyric ''When I say celestial, I mean extra-terrestial, I mean accepting the alien you've rejected in your heart'' is so ridiculous, but delivered with such tone, that catches you off guard, and warms your heart as if you've got a funny friend strumming their guitar to lift your spirits.
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_mzuz2ClyQx2ykF4xhd5iKiFLWo3JuR3h4
Check Also: | 13 | | Thank Thoughtless Cruelty
[UK] I don't know if it's only me who's been caught in this wave of post-punk revival, but I feel like there's a great scene up and coming with artists politically and cynically charging their music, while experimenting enough to expand their aggression, but not lose it.
https://thankleeds.bandcamp.com/album/thoughtless-cruelty
Check Also: Idles - Crawler (2021)
[one of my favourite albums from last year, and one of the reasons I'm giving Thank a chance, since I'm new to the genre. It worked as an entry point for me, along with ''Brave Faces Everyone'' by Spanish Love Songs, so who knows, it might work for you too] | 14 | | Star One Revel in Time
[Netherlands] It's been almost ten years since I was last interested in a Lucassen project. Ayreon seem to have lost some steam, so Arjen chose to invite a bunch of A-List musicians (well, yet again) and let them loose, thus creating another riff oriented, larger than life, theatrical album, reminiscent of glorious days of the past.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gct7orq3Zcw
Check Also: Flaming Row - Mirage: A Portrayal of Figures (2014)
[Thanks to Scheumke (or is it Schmeuke?) for suggesting this behemoth of an album on Prog Tournament 2022, otherwise I wouldn't know of it. Very similar to the concept of Ayreon and Star One, but perhaps better executed? Find out!] | 15 | | RES (SWE) RES
[Sweden]The significance of this little EP is less due to its musical or artistic merrit, and more because its members: Martin Axentrot (ex-Opeth) on drums, Martin Mendez (Opeth, White Stones) on bass, and Nathalie Lorichs on vocals (which you might remember from a certain Opeth song called ''Coil''). With only 20 minutes of music, RES show some intersing song-writing potential and the playing is of course stellar. Nathalie's vocals are as good as ever, though some vocal lines feel underdeveloped. Song ''Galge'' is perfect, reminiscent of Black Sabbath's ''Planet Caravan'', and ''Gaucho'' clocking around 8 minutes is the most intricate of all.
https://resprog.bandcamp.com/album/res?from=embed
Check Also: Pier Wiberg - Head Without Eyes (2019)
[most Opeth members' side projects have nothing to do with the sound that brought them fame. Ex-Opeth keyboardist Per Wiberg gives his own interpretation of experimental rock] | 16 | | Scorpions Rock Believer
[Germany] A highly anticipated album, which successfully erases the flop that ''Return to Forever'' was. This time, Scorps receive full credit for the songs, and give us a bunch of traditional rock songs, with some amazing cuts, such as Seventh Sun, Peacemaker, Shining of Your Soul. It might never reach the highs of other post-2000 albums (i.e. Unbreakable, Humanity), but it remains a great late career album. Really impressed by the rhythm section this time around, the little nods to their past discography, and Klaus Meine's voice is still stellar.
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxA687tYuMWgmw97Hz3s9NRDihiJdLIVH
Check Also: Scorpions - Sting in the Tail (2010)
[Of the four albums they've released in this century, SitT is definitely equal to Rock Believer in terms of sound and overall quality. Nothing head-turning, but still fun as hell, and bears their signature with pride] | |
Mythodea
02.02.22 | have a great month everyone | Demon of the Fall
02.02.22 | I'm stuck in January's, cannot escape | Trifolium
02.02.22 | Me too, have not yet been in the actual 'let's listen to new stuff' mood for a while. Hope it hits soon! | NOTINTHEFACE
02.02.22 | Ode and Elegy
https://odeandelegy.bandcamp.com/album/ode-and-elegy | Mythodea
02.03.22 | @Demon Completely understandable, January has some fire releases
@Trif Whenever you're ready, I'll be here trying to deliver the goodies. By the way, did you ever check ''For the Source'' by Black Folks don't Swim? I think it's right up your jazz alley
@NOTINTHEFACE I'm listening to it now ;) | Trifolium
02.03.22 | No I didn't yet check that one, it's still on my Pile. But it's near the top so as soon as the mood hits, I'll check it.
I think it's going to happen today, it's an office day today so I don't have my CDs to interfere with my new music listening here. | Demon of the Fall
02.03.22 | https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/%EC%95%BC%EC%95%BC-%ED%82%B4-yaya-kim/a_k_a-yaya/
check this out, just added it to the database
Arty, jazzy, soulful, trip-hoppy, poppy, rocky, noisy. The RYM link is just for the additional info. Nothing I could say really does it justice, there's a lot to take in and each disc is distinct.
Warning: it's looooooong... 3 x LP! | Demon of the Fall
02.03.22 | Apologies, from Jan.
Is this a legal move? | Mythodea
02.03.22 | Of course it is, we can't check and cover EVERYTHING every month, some of it will bleed into the next ones. I also included an album from December '21 on the previous list
I like how you added it to the sput db, but you still gave the link from RYM :P | Trifolium
02.03.22 | Oh my gosh Myth that Black People Don't Swim record is gorgeous ✨🌈🤩🌈✨ Totally in love! You know my taste.
Your rec is up next Demon! | Mythodea
02.03.22 | Holly hell, one minute in the first song ''Anger is my Power'' and it already is AOTY
@Trif You've already suggested so much good music, I feel it's only fair I give back *something* | Trifolium
02.03.22 | 💚
Very appreciated! Contacted the gang if they were planning a CD release, who knows! | Demon of the Fall
02.03.22 | Lol Myth. I felt dirty but the RYM page has some potentially useful info whereas I literally just added it to Sput (so it's rather bare).
Help me with the tags, I think trip-hop, pop, rock, jazz all work. It's not poppy in a traditional sense, maybe I'll just get rid of that one? No 'art/progressive pop' tags here.
Edit: it's almost experimental / progressive in nature even though most of the individual parts are pulling from instantly recognisable styles. Very ambitious. | Mythodea
02.03.22 | I'd say blues, trip hop tbh, because I really feel like it's pumping from that genre pool. Could be wrong, of course (usually am) | Demon of the Fall
02.03.22 | yeah maybe blues, there's a ton of influences at play... I'm confused, in a good way
are you enjoying it? | Mythodea
02.03.22 | Totally. Put it on with my sibling and we both had a blast. I'll add it tomorrow probably on here, so if you have any suggestion for the ''check also'', feel free | Demon of the Fall
02.03.22 | very nice!
The length is rather unwieldy, hope I do actually get the chance at a full headphone-wearing listen one day. Maybe I'll divide it up into the 3 parts for the time being.
'check also' is going to be tough, it touches upon a few things I can maybe see but as a whole will be quite different to all of them... I lack the knowledge. | Mythodea
02.04.22 | Well, I went with Bjork for the reasons mentioned, though the albums are not really similar. If anything more appropriate pops up, I'd be glad to replace it.
Off we go to another album! (probably will add the new Cult of Luna next) | Mythodea
02.07.22 | hello
Anybody here? | Demon of the Fall
02.07.22 | I also thought of Post even though it isn't appropriate, haha.
Ode & Elegy sounds like it might be right up my street! | JohnnyoftheWell
02.07.22 | wow nice it's take a shot another female vocalist who writes her own songs and has beats and a voice is compared to bjork day again, i vom | Mythodea
02.07.22 | @Johnny I actually never mentioned writing her own songs, or beats, or voice, but the genre hopping as the common denominator. Also *also* I stated that I had no clue which one to choose and asked for suggestions. You have anything? I'll wait until your stomach feels better | Demon of the Fall
02.07.22 | I also thought of Fiona Apple, does this anger you Johnny? I have more where that came from. | JohnnyoftheWell
02.07.22 | oh nice it is a singing lady who also genre hops, the smallest species on the earthsphere
Fiona Apple is much more accurate thank u Demon | Demon of the Fall
02.07.22 | oh, but that was designed to anger... Shiina Ringo then? | JohnnyoftheWell
02.07.22 | Shiina Ringo also far more appropriate, if for the weaker arm of her discog | Mythodea
02.07.22 | JohnnyoftheWell: *gets mad people don't know as much music as he does*
also JohnnyoftheWell: *writes vitriolic comments but never actually shares knowledge, being the worst type of gate-keeper and kind of a douchebag''
| Mythodea
02.07.22 | While we're at it, suggest sth for BC/NR because I yet again don't know what I should put there... | JohnnyoftheWell
02.07.22 | oof that's a hard gg for easy bait | JohnnyoftheWell
02.07.22 | and oh oops, arcade fire are the closest self-professed touchstone for that record and are cited relatively directly at points, so ig roll with them
brb deleting every review i've written this yr and pledging my soul to eternal informative comments of the bjork(/kate bush) =/= the entirety of female vox in (f)art pop genre
but b4 that brb until i am done tearing out each of my eyelashes one at a time progress doesn't happen in small gestures | Mythodea
02.08.22 | bump | Demon of the Fall
02.08.22 | I'm tentatively looking forward to the new Persefone album, haven't peeked yet.
I was genuinely going to say Arcade Fire for BCNR simply to irritate Johnny... I'm clearly not very good at this game. | Mythodea
02.08.22 | You can listen to the new Persefone album on the Youtube Music link I've put ;) | Mythodea
02.12.22 | and we're back with two awesome albums out on Friday 11th. Drop your ideas for artists similar to Alt-j below
Thanks | NOTINTHEFACE
02.14.22 | Glad you enjoyed Ode & Elegy. I haven't even had time to go through the whole thing myself honestly but your thoughts mirror the general consensus. Very cool project idea! | Mythodea
02.15.22 | thank you for making the suggestion @NOTHINGFACE! It's indeed a stellar album. Thank you for the feedback as well ;) | Mythodea
02.20.22 | This list has been a bit inactive lately, but we're back with three very different albums for all tastes. More on the way! | Mythodea
02.22.22 | Heads-up, Axenrot/Mendez project added |
|