Articles

1. The Jesus and Mary Chain - Psychocandy ¹⁹⁸⁵
2. Neurosis - The Eye of Every Storm ²⁰⁰⁴
3. Interpol - Turn on the Bright Lights ²⁰⁰²
4. Thee Silver Mt. Zion Memorial Orchestra & Tra-La-La Band - Horses in the Sky ²⁰⁰⁵
5. Black Rebel Motorcycle Club - Take Them On, On Your Own ²⁰⁰³


6. Mr. Bungle - California ¹⁹⁹⁹
7. Red Sparowes - At the Soundless Dawn ²⁰⁰⁵
8. The Velvet Underground & Nico - The Velvet Underground & Nico ¹⁹⁶⁷
9. Joy Division - Unknown Pleasures ¹⁹⁷⁹
10. Tool - Lateralus ²⁰⁰¹


11. Acid Bath - Paegan Terrorism Tactics ¹⁹⁹⁶
12. Drive-By Truckers - The Dirty South ²⁰⁰⁴
13. Cult of Luna - Salvation ²⁰⁰⁴
14. Pelican - Australasia ²⁰⁰³
15. King Crimson - In the Court of the Crimson King ¹⁹⁶⁹


16. Oceansize - Effloresce ²⁰⁰³
17. Liars - Drum's Not Dead ²⁰⁰⁶
18. Soundgarden - Down on the Upside ¹⁹⁹⁶
19. Ulver - Perdition City ²⁰⁰⁰
20. Black Rebel Motorcycle Club - Howl ²⁰⁰⁵


21. Godspeed You! Black Emperor - Lift yr. Skinny Fists Like Antennas to Heaven! ²⁰⁰⁰
22. The Knife - Silent Shout ²⁰⁰⁶
23. Sonic Youth - Daydream Nation ¹⁹⁸⁸
24. Gregor Samsa - Rest ²⁰⁰⁸
25. Estradasphere - It's Understood ²⁰⁰⁰


26. Porcupine Tree - The Sky Moves Sideways ¹⁹⁹⁵
27. Anathema - A Fine Day to Exit ²⁰⁰¹
28. Pelican - Untitled ²⁰⁰³
29. Cave In - Perfect Pitch Black ²⁰⁰⁵
30. The God Machine - One Last Laugh in a Place of Dying ¹⁹⁹⁴


31. Neutral Milk Hotel - In the Aeroplane Over the Sea ¹⁹⁹⁸
32. Keelhaul - Subject to Change Without Notice ²⁰⁰⁴
33. maudlin of the Well - Leaving Your Body Map ²⁰⁰¹
34. Godspeed You! Black Emperor - f#a#∞ ¹⁹⁹⁸
35. The Blood Brothers - ...Burn, Piano Island, Burn ²⁰⁰³


36. Soundgarden - Superunknown ¹⁹⁹⁴
37. Joy Division - Closer ¹⁹⁸⁰
38. Pink Floyd - Ummagumma ¹⁹⁶⁹
39. I Love You But I've Chosen Darkness - Fear Is On Our Side ²⁰⁰⁶
40. The Dillinger Escape Plan With Mike Patton - Irony is a Dead Scene ²⁰⁰²


41. Death From Above 1979 - You're a Woman, I'm a Machine ²⁰⁰⁴
42. My Bloody Valentine - You Made Me Realise ¹⁹⁸⁸
43. maudlin of the Well - Bath ²⁰⁰¹
44. Motorpsycho - Phanerothyme ²⁰⁰¹
45. Animal Collective - Feels ²⁰⁰⁵


46. M83 - Saturdays=Youth ²⁰⁰⁸
47. Echo & The Bunnymen - Ocean Rain ¹⁹⁸⁴
48. Stephen Brodsky's Octave Museum - Stephen Brodsky's Octave Museum ²⁰⁰⁶
49. Kayo Dot - Choirs of the Eye ²⁰⁰³
50. King Crimson - Discipline ¹⁹⁸¹


51. The Beta Band - Heroes to Zeroes ²⁰⁰⁴
52. No-Man - Together We're Stranger ²⁰⁰³
53. Pelican - The Fire in Our Throats Will Beckon the Thaw ²⁰⁰⁵
54. Porcupine Tree - Lightbulb Sun ²⁰⁰⁰
55. 16 Horsepower - Folklore ²⁰⁰²


56. Red Sparowes - Every Red Heart Shines Towards the Red Sun ²⁰⁰⁶
57. Thee Silver Mountain Reveries - Pretty Little Lightning Paw ²⁰⁰⁴
58. King Crimson - THRAK ¹⁹⁹⁵
59. Electric Wizard - Dopethrone ²⁰⁰⁰
60. Can - Monster Movie ¹⁹⁶⁹


61. My Bloody Valentine - Loveless ¹⁹⁹¹
62. Sparklehorse - It's a Wonderful Life ²⁰⁰¹
63. Lou Reed - Transformer ¹⁹⁷²
64. Have a Nice Life - Deathconsciousness ²⁰⁰⁸
65. 13th Floor Elevators - The Psychedelic Sounds of the 13th Floor Elevators ¹⁹⁶⁶


66. The Mars Volta - De -Loused in the Comatorium ²⁰⁰³
67. Stove Bredsky - The Black Ribbon Award ²⁰⁰⁸
68. Pink Floyd - Meddle ¹⁹⁷¹
69. Sunn O))) & Boris - Altar ²⁰⁰⁶
70. Caravan - If I Could Do it All Over Again I'd Do it All Over You ¹⁹⁷⁰


71. Pyramids - Pyramids ²⁰⁰⁸
72. Serena-Maneesh - Serena-Maneesh ²⁰⁰⁵
73. Tool - Ænima ¹⁹⁹⁶
74. Amplifier - Amplifier ²⁰⁰⁵
75. Brant Bjork - Jalamanta ¹⁹⁹⁹


76. Porcupine Tree - In Absentia ²⁰⁰²
77. Cave In - Jupiter ²⁰⁰⁰
78. The Residents - The Commercial Album ¹⁹⁸⁰
79. Arcturus - The Sham Mirrors ²⁰⁰²
80. Ulver - Blood Inside ²⁰⁰⁵


81. Opeth - Blackwater Park ²⁰⁰¹
82. Mare - Mare ²⁰⁰⁴
83. Envy - A Dead Sinking Story ²⁰⁰³
84. Nick Drake - Pink Moon ¹⁹⁷²
85. Modeselektor - Happy Birthday! ²⁰⁰⁷


86. Kayo Dot - Blue Lambency Downward ²⁰⁰⁸
87. Jesu - Jesu ²⁰⁰⁵
88. Isis - Panopticon ²⁰⁰⁴
89. Khanate - Khanate ²⁰⁰¹
90. Deerhunter - Microcastle/Weird Era Continued ²⁰⁰⁸


91. Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago ²⁰⁰⁷
92. The Gathering - Souvenirs ²⁰⁰³
93. These Arms Are Snakes - Oxeneers or The Lion Sleeps When Its Antilope Go Home ²⁰⁰⁴
94. The Residents - Animal Lover ²⁰⁰⁵
95. A Place to Bury Strangers - A Place to Bury Strangers ²⁰⁰⁸


96. The Arcade Fire - Funeral ²⁰⁰⁴
97. Women - Women ²⁰⁰⁸
98. The Black Angels - Passover ²⁰⁰⁶
99. Fugazi - The Argument ²⁰⁰¹
100. Sonic Youth - Washing Machine ¹⁹⁹⁵

Останали за пореден път в осакатен състав, имащи ограничено време в студиото и изчерпани откъм идеи, King Crimson записват своя четвърти опус, Islands, през 1971. Почти всеки друг на тяхно място би избрал най-лесното решение на проблемите – повтаряне на вече направеното, запълване на плочата с не дотам качествен материал, лесен сингъл. King Crimson обаче не са всеки – творци от техния извънземен калибър преценяват ситуацията трезво – тъй като нямат достатъчно време да напишат достатъчно първокачествен материал за да издадат цял албум, решават да сменят цялостния си подход. Малкото теми и мотиви, които албумът съдържа – първокласни наистина – са използвани многократно и са развивани максимално; наместо гениалната лудост, водеща музиката във всички посоки в предишните им творби, тук има една не по-малко гениална прецизност и премереност; акцентът е изместен от какво на как; атмосферата и самият звук са поне толкова важни, колкото и мелодията и самата композиция.



Още с първата песен този подход си личи отдалеч. Докато отварящите песни в предишните албуми на Crimson изискват двуцифрен брой слушания само докато човек осъзнае къде се намира, то във Formentara Lady чуваме почти дванадесет (12) минути повторение на два мотива с постоянно преливащ и вариращ аранжимент. Чéло и квази-оперни беквокали са само част от непривичните за звука на Crimson новости. И ако някой си е помислил, че този албум ще се влачи така до своя край, не е напълно прав – в следващата песен, която е по-скоро продължение на предишната, чуваме същата тема, претворена в 12/8 и далеч по-ускорено темпо. Тук великата група напомня за своите по-луди часове, без да ги достига. The Letters е песен, която съдържа в себе си много силни и различни емоции – от тиха меланхолия до яростна болка. Ladies of the Road е лек comedy relief, увековечаващ групи-културата („All of you know that the girls on the road//are like apples we stole in our youth...”), и твърде вероятно най-позитивното нещо, което Crimson някога са правили. Prelude е каквото подсказва заглавието – инструментал (съдържащ единствения в историята на King Crimson истински струнен ансамбъл вместо мелотрон) към най-завършената композиция в албума – Islands. Белег на абсолютен гений е как само с два прости двуакордни мотива групата успява да достигне емоционалните висини на Рахманинов и Малер. Ако в този момент погледнем към обложката – да, това е Вселената, абсолютното, вечното; отделяне на духа от тялото и поглеждане нагоре. До момента в който това не свърши изведнъж, и отново се озовем в стаите си, на една малка планета-остров.

Едва четири от песните имат текстове, дело на великолепния поет Peter Sienfeld, който тук за последен път пише за групата. Всеки от неговите фрагменти е поглед върху любовта от различна гледна точка – романс във Formentara Lady, ревност в The Letters, лъст в Ladies of the Road и онази непостижима, универсална и вечна любов в Islands. Така макар и да не може да става дума за концептуалност, със сигурност може да се претендира поне за тематичност.

Въпреки че Islands не е концептуален албум, и е сглобен буквално от фрагменти – както музикални, така и поетични – той е едно цяло. Парчетата от пъзела са напаснати така че да създадат един завършен, емоционален и човешки албум. Никога преди и след това King Crimson не са звучали толкова достъпно, и всеки, който завърти албума е твърде вероятно да открие нещо за себе си. Същевременно това е и една изключително детайлна творба, която открива нови частици с всяко слушане. Но това, което я прави толкова въздействаща е нейната човечност. Човешко е да се подсмихнем, взимайки си ябълка от чуждо дърво, която се изпречва на пътя ни; човешко е да чуваме лекия шум от педала на хармониума; чисто човешко е и сърцераздирателно тромпетното соло в Islands. Всъщност Islands е – в най-абстрактния смисъл на думата – общочовешки. Поезията на Sienfeld говори сама за себе си.

Waves sweep sand from my island,
from me.
Beneath the wind turned wave
Infinite peace
Islands join hands
Beneath heaven's sea.

(LISTA PROVISIONAL)

INTERNACIONAL

1 - Porcupine Tree – The Incident



Casi sin darnos tiempo a recomponernos tras su “insurgencia”, Steven Wilson volvía a liarse la manta a la cabeza (o al cuello) para ofrecernos otra obra magna de sus queridos Porcupine Tree. El resultado es un disco doble que colmó mis expectativas mas exigentes. Disfrutemos del londinense mientras podamos, que ya se sabe que los genios son muy dados a liarla parda en cualquier momento.

2 - Riverside – Anno Domini High Definition



Si en este 2009 me he de quedar con un disco de metal progresivo con todas las letras y connotaciones, ese es el de los polacos Riverside. Un disco nada pedante, muy entretenido y que no permite ni un segundo de relax. Una pena eso si, que sigan siendo un grupo bastante infravalorado por los que se han apuntado antes de ayer al hype del estilo y no pasan de los cuatro grupos de siempre.

3 - Katatonia - Night is the New Day



Parecía complicado ya darle otra vuelta de tuerca al sonido de Katatonia, casi tanto como incorporar a su propuesta sonoridades y atmósferas mas afines al rock sinfónico. Y hete aquí que los suecos lo han hecho. Y sin despeinarse nos han entregado un disco que, manteniendo el sello de siempre, no suena para nada a refrito y trae de regalo a un Jonas Renkse cantando mejor que nunca.

4 - maudlin of the Well - Part The Second



Toby Driver es un genio. Incomprendido si, pero genio. Pocos, poquísimos son los que se atreven a enfrentarse a esa amalgama única y personal de jazz, rock, metal, psicodelia y lo que se le ponga por delante. Muchos pensábamos que Maudlin había dicho adiós tras el maravilloso “Leaving Your Body Map ” así que no nos queda si no congratularnos no ya de que hayan vuelto si no de que hayan tenido a bien compartir su disco + libreto en su web y por la cara.


5 - Ben Harper and Relentless7 - White Lies for Dark Times



Lo del pomonés comienza a ser digno de estudio. No contento con entregarnos buenos álbumes en solitario, con The Blindboys Of Alabama o The Innocent Criminals, ha hecho sinergia con Relentless7 y el resultado sigue rayando a una altura envidiable. Agarrado a su carismática voz y a unos temas mas rockeros, el californiano sigue siendo un auténtico musicazo.

6 - Karl Sanders - Saurian Exorcisms



Llegaba la disyuntiva. ¿Su nuevo pepinazo con Nile o el relajante álbum en solitario? A mi modo de ver y sin menospreciar en ningún momento el último lanzamiento de su banda madre, me quedo con sus exorcismos egipcios. Un álbum mas asentado y certero que su debut donde desarrolla, una vez mas, esa arriesgada propuesta que nada tiene que ver con el death metal contundente y enrevesado de Nile y que se pierde por los mas profundos recovecos de las pirámides para ratificar que es algo mas que un simple integrante de una banda de metal extremo.

7 - Mastodon - Crack The Sye



Partiendo de esa voz tan característica, esos ritmos locos de batería y esos riffs desquiciantes y rupturistas a medio camino entre King Crimson y Neurosis (¡Toma elipsis!) que acostumbran a emplear, si hay algo que me fascina del cuarteto americano es como a pesar de su estatus internacional de estrellas (o grupo en trámite de) no se amilanan una pulgada y prosiguen en su labor de entregarnos una nueva obra que al mismo tiempo, bebe del pasado pero no tiene nada que ver con él. Si no existieran habría que inventarles.

8 - Obscura – Cosmogenesis



Pocas veces un batiburrillo de tantas influencias como las que aglutinan los germanos Obscura da como resultado un disco tan homogéneo. De casta les viene al galgo, claro, a estos ex-componentes de los excelsos Necrophagist o Spawn of Possession. Metal extremo, progresivo, rebuscado y visceral plasmado en diez temas que dignifican al género, que no es poco.

9 - Mono - Hymn To The Immortal Wind



El post-rock es un género que me produce amor y odio al mismo tiempo. Claro que de un disco como “Hymn To The Immortal Wind” es fácil enamorarse. Ofrece nada mas y nada menos que lo que su propio nombre implica, con todo lo que ello conlleva. Atmósferas invernales y ambientes deliberadamente fríos para un disco ideal para tirarse en el sofá y disfrutar de sus mil y un matices mientras ves caer la nieve.

10 - Europe - Last Look At Eden



Olé sus huevos. Con lo fácil que habría sido para ellos un retorno a lo Twisted Sister, con su pelo frito y sus best of de la edad de piedra, los suecos ignoran por tercera vez el camino fácil y vuelven para divertirse ellos y divertirnos nosotros. Discazo de hard rock que deja en evidencia a gran parte del género y certifica con creces su amor por la música.

NACIONAL

1 – Estirpe – Buenos Días Voluntad.



Incontestables. Llevaba tiempo siguiéndoles la pista y con este disco han venido a confirmar algo que se vislumbraba en sus obras anteriores y que ha estallado ante nosotros con una fuerza inusitada. Escupen los visionarios idiotas de siempre que Estirpe no son mas que “el caprichito del hijo del cantante de Medina Azahara”. Ingratos. Si con el mismo empeño que ponen en inventarse razones absurdas para despreciarles abrieran un poco las orejas a éste mayestático “Buenos Días Voluntad” seguramente no abrirían la boca para decir semejantes memeces.

2 - Vidres a la Sang – Som



Sus dos primeros discos dejaron una huella imborrable en el underground ibérico, pero se hacía necesario un tercer disco que confirmase las expectativas en ellos puestas y que situase a esta desacomplejada banda catalana a la cabeza del siempre oscilante metal extremo estatal. Y con “Som” no solo han parido un disco a la altura de sus dos primeras obras. Han conseguido algo mucho mas increíble: realizar uno de los mejores discos del año por encima de etiquetas y chorradas. Visca Catalunya.

3 – Orthodox – Sentencia



Desatados. Hasta su “Sentencia” particular, el término metal, con todo lo que conlleva, aun podía aplicárseles. Tras éste 2009 y si los andaluces siguen la senda marcada por este trabajo, dicho término comenzará a quedárseles ridículamente pequeño. Que gran disco este, pardiez. Ojalá prosigan en esa personal búsqueda de su identidad propia y no duden ni un momento en entregarnos obras tan suyas como este magnífico “Sentencia”.

4 - Human Mincer - Degradation Paradox



La pérdida de su anterior vocalista tuvo que ser un palo muy duro, tanto por la demostrada capacidad para berrear a diestro y siniestro que poseía como por su imponente presencia escénica. (Para los profanos, algo así como un Ralf Scheepers en gutural). Claro que con la adición de esa maquina que responde al curioso nombre de Phlegeton, pocos serán los que se acuerden de aquella bestia de cráneo afeitado y enormes bíceps. Brutal death metal que nada tiene que envidiar a bandas foráneas del estilo, mas bien al contrario.

5 - Krilin- When The Time Comes, There Will Be No Time



Alguien podría pensar que el motivo de que los vascos Krilin regalasen su disco vía myspace podría ser un signo evidente de que el álbum en cuestión era un mojón mozambiqueño. Nada mas lejos. Tras la reconocible amalgama de sonidos cercanos al post-hardcore, se aparece ante nosotros un disco fresco, atrevido y como ya dije en su día, terriblemente interesante.

6 - Nahemah - A New Constellation



Nahemah es una banda a la cual hay que adherir aquél vetusto tópico que reza: “si fueran suecos, llenarían pabellones”. Lo mas triste del asunto, es que el tan manido dicho popular en este caso resulta tristemente cierto. Estos Nahemah son fácilmente, uno de los mejores grupos que tenemos entre Cádiz y los Pirineos. Metal progresivo, sinfónico, extremo... lo que se les ponga por delante, mezclado, no agitado y servido al gusto del consumidor mas exigente.

7 - Foscor - Groans To The Guilty



Obviamente no tengo datos, pero apuesto a que el black metal facturado por bandas de aquí tiene un seguimiento poco menos que marginal. Es por ello digno de alabanza el empeño que combos como los catalanes Foscor ponen en dignificar al género dentro de nuestras fronteras. No inventan nada, cierto es, como tampoco lo hacen fuera de aquí, pero ello no quita para que “Groans To The Guilty” sea un gran disco.

8 - Neila - Danza De Nieblas



El sludge es un género al alza en todo el mundo y aquí en España no íbamos a ser menos. Claro que cuando es realizado con tanta clase como en este caso lo que menos importa es que un disco como éste haya sido alumbrado al amparo de una moda pasajera. Dirigido específicamente a los seguidores del estilo, pero dueño de diversas influencias que hacen su propuesta terriblemente refrescante.

9 - Exquisite Pus - Dead [Forgotten]



Conocí a los murcianos gracias a un regalo que me hizo la gente de Xtreem Music y la verdad es que tengo que estarles agradecido. Sin haber inventado la pólvora, arrimados al grind (poco) y al death, (mucho) han parido un debut que les coloca en un buen punto de partida cara a desarrollar una carrera en condiciones.

Wed 21 Oct – Porcupine Tree, Katatonia
Second time of seeing Porcupine Tree was supposed to be very special evening. Their recent masterpiece, The Incident, accompanied my life and its twists for last one and half month and helped to seize its impressions. With friends from Czech Rep. we met in Finland for this event, while entering the hall, Katatonia was already playing, but we made to see enough still.

From my side I was again rather disappointed by PT's supporting band. Singer's voice was quite unconvincing, probably result of his disability. But still, musicians seemed to me average at their best and the sound wasn't well balanced. Nevertheless one of last songs from their set, Teargas, was nice to hear, and in the end it was good warm-up.

Many young people around, most of under twenty I guess, were desperately waiting for main performer. During that there was projected short announcment about documentary of SW's life. Porcupine Tree entered the stage and started heavily with Occam's Razor and The Blind House. Richard Barbieri's inventive arsenal of atmospheric soundscapes and SW agressive low-tuned guitar and brooding melancholy of his voice stealed the show that time. But all musicians shined right from the beginning. God-like Harrison's drumming left me speechless since first moments, relaxed bass groove of Colin Edwin and precise and concentrated John Wesley's guitar/vocal support hadn't fault either.
Wilson announced playing the whole album and shortly changed for acoustic guitar (Great Expectations) and for weeping, simple piano (Kneel and
Disconnect). Stadium refrain of Drawing the Line made us jumping and spending some agression and energy on it. Hallucinogenic title track in live robe was astounding, first time I got fully into it. Painful beauty of chill-out soundwall of Barbieri's keys on Yellow Windows of Evening Train with supporting video caused shivers and attemps to lift off the Earth.

Centerpiece of the album, Time Flies, its lyrical message and all the nostalgy made of slight Pink Floyd (Animals) influence, the flow and perfect build-up - all it meant highlight of The Incident performance. Another stand-out and the most amazing instrumental part, Octane Twisted meant to me probably hugest experience of the evening. Guitar screaming really hurted sooo agreeably and rhythm section was of out of the chains, absolutely insane, but still cohesive. The Incident went then quite fast to its conclusion. The last song I Drive the Hearse, was moment to cry and to sing along. Ended with soaring solo and fade out, that left us waiting for more.

The band returned after short break with bass-driven, odd rhythm beauty, The Start of Something Beautiful (from Deadwing). Then the nicest surprise of the evening came with Russia on Ice (from Lightbulb Sun), with ice-reflecting Wilson's guitar. Its coldness reminded many memories and moods. One of the peaks. Actually, it was only insight to songs older than 2002's In Absentia (arrival of Harrison behind drumkit). Russia on Ice was interrupted by another eternal epic - Anesthetize, from which they performed heavy middle passage and its infecting chorus that made even usually cold Finns quite mad.

Lovely performance of Lazarus came as great relaxation. Bonnie the Cat from second The Incident CD brought on the other hand creepy and dark contrast. Outtake from Fear of blank planet sessions - Normal, showed abilty of Wilson's acoustic playing and great interplay. Another song from this album, Way out of Here ended the demanding second set in mighty way with coldly illuminating sounds, King Crimson-like divided nervous guitar lines and Wesley's high-pitched singing.

Encores were both from In Absentia: melodious and musically cool Sound of Muzak and obligatory closing smash - Trains. The latter one was accomained with presentation of members, interacting with the audience and grandiose ending that left us extremely fulfilled about things that happened. Our legs were heavy, but the impression was greatest as it could be. Concert came just right in the mood and time, peaked one life's chapter.

1. How did you get into 29? The Mars Volta
I got a promo copy of Bedlam in Goliath from my work. At first the music was a little too sporadic for me. Then my TMV friends gave me De-Loused and since I've been hooked. Once the new album came out and I heard Cotopaxi is when I think I became a big fan. I have all the albums now.

2. What was the first song you ever heard by 22? Fates Warning
It had to have been something off of Spectre Within or Awaken the Guardian my friend showed me, and I honestly wasn't blown away. At least not until I heard some of the newer songs played live on Portnoy's latest DVD. I'm much more into the Alder era FW.

3. What’s your favorite lyric by 33? Mastodon
The first few lines in Crack The Skye (track) are amazing..
"Blessed visionary, cut me with your sun,
The rivers ran in blood, spark fueled to fire
Deep within the endless void
Searching for a sign
The vessel forged inside me
Watches over like the death of the moon"

4. What is your favorite album by 49? Devin Townsend
Ziltoid! I remember my friend showing me this album before it was released. I couldn't take it seriously with the cover. I thought this Devin Townsend guy was a little over the top. Well he is! And now that's the reason I like him so much. He writes in a manner of "not giving a fuck" and I love that now that I "get it".

5. How many albums by 13 do you own? The Dear Hunter
Act's I, II, and III which is pretty much all you can find. I'm not sure if there are other small singles or anything available, so as far as I know I have everything!

6. What is your favorite song by 50? Genesis
I'm a big fan of The Knife and Return of The Giant Hogweed. I can't really decide which I like more.

7. Is there a song by 39 that makes you sad? Obscura
Not that I could say. All I have by them is cosmogenesis and it's pretty much in your face tech-death the whole way through. Fucking amazing album though.

8. What is your favorite album by 15? Bloodbath
Easily Nightmares Made Flesh. Cancer of the Soul, Soul Evisceration, and of course.. EATEN. SO GOOD

9. What is your favorite song by 5? Katatonia
July. If I could combine that string of songs half way through The Great Cold Distance (Rusted, Increase, July, In The White) I would say that, but hands down July is my favorite track.

10. Is there a song by 6 that makes you happy? Between the Buried and Me
A few songs! Firstly Shevanel Cut A Flip because of the double break down, Secondly Backwards Marathon because of the final IT'S RAAAAAAAAIIIII!!! The hoedown in Ants Of The Sky as well! haha

11. What is your favorite album by 40? Necrophagist
Epitaph solely because of Seven and Diminished to B.

12. What is your favorite song by 10? Meshuggah
Pineal Gland Optics. Closely followed by Dancers to a Discordant System.

13. What is a good memory you have involving 30? The Tangent
Many of the memories I have of The Tangent involve the track Sun In My Eyes. Anyone who knows this song understands why.

14. What is your favorite song by 38? Yes
Heart of the Sunrise for sure.

15. Is there a song by 19 that makes you happy? Anekdoten
YES THERE IS! And for a reason that may seem silly to others. On there first album they have a song called Wheel and they land on a suspended 4 chord that doesn't resolve down to the cliche major 3rd. They just hold the 4 for 2 measures and then move to a new part! Makes me so happy cause I get tired of hearing the same cliche lines over and over.

16. How many times have you seen 25 live? dredg
Sadly none yet. The first chance I had was election night and the second chance I had I was away visiting family

17. What is the first song you ever heard by 23? BeardFish
I actually can't remember. I'm assuming it was As the Sun Sets, because I don't think there were any previews that I found. I just heard many good things about them that I found their, at the time, latest album Sleeping In Traffic: Part Two.

18. What is your favorite album by 11? Camel
The Snow Goose. The whole album flows so well, like the story it's based off of.

19. Who is a favorite member of 1? Dream Theater
It has to be Mike Portnoy. He opened me up to a whole other realm of music with Liquid Tension Experiment and Dream Theater. Being a drummer myself he just came to be one of my biggest inspirations as an artist.

20. Have you ever seen 14 live? Coheed and Cambria
Yes at Lollapalooza 2009. Also got to do the meet and greet with them. Lots of fun

21. What is a good memory involving 27? Helloween
Oh Helloween, I love those guys. Always reminds me of Nick and John Walsh as they both took part in getting me into them. The concert John and I went to was just an awesome time.

22. What is your favorite song by 16? Pain of Salvation
Hmm this is a thinker. I love Rope Ends and Fandango. Also Nightmist. Chainsling is sick too. I'm not too sure if there is a definite best, but if I had to choose it would be Rope Ends.

23. What is the first song you ever heard by 47? Type O Negative
Love You To Death, and damn was I instantly hooked.

24. What is your favorite album by 18? Spock's Beard
V for sure. At the End of the Day and Thoughts Part 2 are easily my two favorite songs by them.

25. What is your favorite song by 21? Gojira
Esoteric Surgery definitely.

26. What is the first song you ever heard by 26? Pagan's Mind
I just realized Dredg and Pagan's Mind are tied at 25 but I saw dredg first. So PM gets this question. It was The Celestine Prophecy. Totally not what I was expecting. Really cool stuff

27. What is your favorite album by 3? Opeth
It was always Blackwater Park, but I'm so in love with Watershed still that I think that it's my most favorite now.

28. What is you favorite song by 2? Porcupine Tree
The Sound Of Muzak. Easy.

29. What was the first song you ever heard by 32? Oceansize
It was Commemorative T-Shirt. I got the Frames album and a group of us had a listening party to this new band.

30. What is your favorite song by 8? The Flower Kings
Monkey Business probably. I love Silent Inferno too, along with Chicken Farmer Song, Last Minute On Earth, and Adam and Eve.

31. How many times have you seen 17 live? Symphony X
Twice. So good the first time I saw them a second.

32. Is there a song by 44 that makes you happy? Rodrigo y Gabriela
Pretty much all of them. I really enjoy the Orion cover.

33. What is your favorite album by 12? Muse
I think Origin Of Symmetry is the most consistent even though Absolution has some of my favorite songs.

34. What is the worst song by 45? Powerglove
Hmm lets see. I'm not a fan of there Power Rangers cover as there are versions I've heard that were much better

35. What was the first song you ever heard by 34? Dark Tranquillity
Another one that I'm not sure of. Probably something off of Character.

36. What is your favorite album by 48? Andromeda
The Immunity Zome! It's the only one I have, but damn I love it.

37. How many times have you seen 42 live? Miles Davis
None goddamnit.

38. What is your favorite song by 36? OSI
That would be Go off of Free.

39. What was the first song you ever heard by 28? Into Eternity
One I remember! Splintered Visions

40. What is your favorite album by 7? King Crimson
This is tough. It's a 3-way tie between Red, Larks' and Discipline.

41. Is there a song by 31 that makes you happy? Emerson, Lake & Palmer
Are You Ready Eddy? cause it's silly.

42. What is your favorite album by 41? Ayreon
Probably 01011001 because Jonas is amazing on it along with Gildenlow and Hansi.

43. What is your favorite song by 24? Frost*
Definitely Black Light Machine. SO GOOD.

44. What is a good memory you have involving 46? Frederik Thordendal
The reaction my friend had to the drum solo.... anyone who knows understands and probably had the same reaction. I know I did.

45. What is your favorite song by 35? Protest the Hero
Bloodmeat and Spoils are my top 2. Probably Bloodmeat first though.

46. Is there a song by 9 that makes you happy? Rush
Faithless because the lyrics are totally how I feel.

47. What is your favorite album by 4? Lamb of God
Sacrament by a long shot.

48. Who is a favorite member of 37? 3
It has to be Joey Eppard. So Good.

49. What is the first song you ever heard by 43? Dethklok
The Coffee Jingle of course! If you don't count the theme song.

50. How many albums do you own by 20? Iron Maiden
Number of the Beast, Powerslave, Seventh Son, and A Matter Of Life And Death. I also own the flight 666 dvd/cd combo.

I've a question that pertains to a lot of people on here as well as many other areas. What is the big fucking deal about meeting bands? Yeah, yeah, I know, it's because you admire them and respect this band great deal and want to show your appreciation for what their music gives to you back to them. Fine. I can understand that.

I myself have met bands many times, taken pics with them and all that jazz since getting into Metal. I understand it's part of the show and scene and has been like this even before Metal existed. But there's a line to be drawn here because it's getting out of hand. How? Well, take a look at what has happened since the advent of the internet...

People have gone from typical fans to lunatics who post both personal pics of themselves, kith and kin, and then of course celebrities and bands they've met and sad to say the majority of them do so just for bragging rights, to rub it in the faces of those who will either feel envious or jealous. And they know it.

Me, I couldn't give a fuck. I've got stacks and stacks of pics of celebrities, actors, comedians and bands from many shows I've been to who I've met over the past 6-7 year period and not one will ever be posted online. Why not? Because I don't feel the need to go showing off.

Now, before any of you go getting your panties and boxers in a bitch bind keep in mind that I'm only referring to those who do so just for the sake of bragging and not you who simply want to show your online friends who you met, where and when. You met them and that's great. But what I want to know from both sides is why is it so goddamn important to go out of your way to meet these people, going as far as paying extra for shit like VIP passes and all that?

VIP passes? Most of these bands have meet and greets anyway and are usually out in the crowds where you can meet them. And in most cases more fans meet them who didn't pay for a VIP pass than those who did! I've been going to the Wacken Open Air (well I missed last yer but went 2 times the years before) and Bloodstock Open Air the past couple years and you see band members so much that after awhile they look just like every other person walking around in those fields. If I manage to see any members of bands I listen to out in the crowds next year - and I more than likely will just like before - a simple nod or smile should suffice, not jumping up and down like a crazed mutt for his Kibbles & Bits!

It's one thing to admire these bands, to love and appreciate the magic in the music they bring to you...but come on, people, posting pics left and right just to say you've been there, done that is a bit beyond eccentric - and sometimes even sad. I can understand maybe one pic or two, but a whole set? Goddamn people! They're just musicians, not gods and goddesses.

Iron MaidenMetallicaPink FloydThe BeatlesDream TheaterLacuna CoilWithin TemptationNightwishYesKing CrimsonAyreonJudas PriestMastodonMegadethSlayerAnthrax

The Calling - Camino Palmero
Average one. Gems of this album are Unstoppable and Wherever You Will Go.
The rest is not as memorable but is nice to listen to.


Nirvana - Nevermind
Enjoyable album with famous Smells Like Teen Spirit. But there are other very good tracks on it like In Bloom. Worth listening to.


Hanoi Rocks - Oriental Beat
Maybe slightly better than their previous one but it's still weak. Nothing interesting or catchy. I didn't like it.


Short Cross - Arising
Thanks to Mr. Wojciech Mann I discovered this guys and I'm very glad I did. They recorded a solid piece of rock. Unfortunately it's their only album. It's a shame they didn't gained any attention.


Dead by Sunrise - Out Of Ashes
I was waiting for a long time for this one. I like it though I've expected it to be better. Still, it's very good and songs like Fire, Crawl Back In and Let Down are amazing. Chester's vocal has always been my favorite.


Electric Light Orchestra - ELO 2
I was surprised. From what I remembered I didn't like their first one too much but I really enjoyed ELO 2. Especially anti-war song Kuiama. I must listen to their previous album one more time cause I think I missed something then.

Listened before:
King Crimson - Lark's Tongues in Aspic
Limp Bizkit - New Old Songs
Guns N' Roses - Use Your Illusion II
Guns N' Roses - Use Your Illusion I
Dire Straits - Love Over Gold
The Kinks - Preservation Act 1
Aerosmith - Aerosmith
Warrant - Cherry Pie
Whitesnake - Saints & Sinners
Uriah Heep - Sweet Freedom
Good Charlotte - Good Charlotte
Traveling Wilburys - Traveling Wilburys Vol. 3
Loverboy - Get Lucky
ZZ Top - Tres Hombres
Styx - The Serpent Is Rising
Styx - Styx II
Taproot - Gift
Alice in Chains - Facelift
Van Halen - Fair Warning
T. Rex - Tanx
Blue Öyster Cult - Tyranny and Mutation
Derek and the Dominos - Layla And Other Assorted Love Songs
A Perfect Circle - Mer De Noms
Green Day - 39/Smooth
Hanoi Rocks - Bangkok Shocks, Saigon Shakes, Hanoi Rocks
Jethro Tull - A Passion Play
Thin Lizzy - Vagabonds Of The Western World
Disturbed - The Sickness
Jane's Addiction - Ritual de lo Habitual
U2 - October
Genesis - Selling England By The Pound

Decided that I want to write a journal, so I made it as random as 25 favorite songs
Also, I am not a critic, thus I will point out only the good things in these songs and the way they struck me.
Let's start with it.. From the end.

25. Isis - Wrists of Kings - I deem post metal as progressive metal. Especially Isis' post-metal. This song defines it clearly, the post-rock, progressive rock influences make Isis the unique band that they are. Great song.

24. Mark Sandman - Patience - Getting used to Morphine's dark moody tunes, this song amazed me on how actually bright and positive sounding it is. A different tune with a similar sound, cool isn't it?

23. Peach - You Lied - So, so catchy. Heard it via Tool's cover but liked the original version much better. Spent one whole day listening to it, then lost interest. It amused me enough though. :d

22. Swans - Beautiful Child - Simply great. Haven't listened to Swans a lot, and when I hear this song I have a feeling I'm missing a lot. Gotta stop being lazy and actually get more of their stuff.

21. Portishead - Elysium - Favorite Portishead track for sure. Didn't pay a lot of attention to it earlier but when it got to my ears I repeated it and repeated it and repeated. Amazes me with the scary vocals lol.

20. Unexpect - Summoning Scenes - Haven't been a fan of Unexpect's mix of high experimentation and black metal, but this is a track that just jumps out of nowhere. Excellent.

19. Nihilist Spasm Band - I Have Nothing to Say - Free Improvisation at it's finest imo. I love these guys.

18. Iced Earth - A Question of Heaven - Just for the record, I hate power metal. Power metal and epic stories, and the way they are presented are everything I despise. Iced Earth is the only power metal band which knows some limits to decency, and isn't loserish like 99% of power metal bands. Excellent album and excellent song.

17.Voivod - Angel Rat - I don't think I will never know why this band is so, so underrated. Angel Rat is one of my favorite albums, holds really fresh songs. The whole band is not that progressive (even though it has elements of prog-rock), but that's what you get for trying to mix trash metal with prog... you get forgotten.

16. Boris - Pink - Still haven't listened to anything but the album Pink, but what I heard, I love. Pink is a great track. I think I would love his drone stuff as well, just to find a chance to listen to it

15. Animal Collective - Peacebone - It's the first song I've heard of them and immediately got me into them. I deem only a few bands to be really psychedelic, this is one of them.

14. Frank Zappa - Peaches En Regalia - This song made me love Frank Zappa and probably left me with a kid or two of his. I have only Hot Rats, do want to get more stuff, so suggest me an album or two out of a million he made.

13. Meshuggah - Stengah - Love the technical complexity of this, or any other Meshuggah songs for that matter. And overall lyrics on Nothing are some of the best I've heard. This song partially define how awesome they actually are.

12. Tool - Third Eye - Definitely their best song (along with Jambi and both Wings songs). Aenima is not their best album, but holds some pretty unique structured songs (as Aenima and Third Eye). A truly epic song, I don't have much to say about it. Oh, and Tool is prog you rebel idiot!

11. maudlin of the Well - Excerpt from 6,000,000,000,000 Miles Before the First, or, the Revisitation of the… - Dreamy. Not sure why maudlin is getting classed as avant-garde metal though, most of their stuff is avant-gardeish... post rock? Great either way.

10. Opeth - Ghost of Perdition - Another epic epic song. The change in time signatures and vocal styles is amazing and fits perfectly (saying that because they have songs where it seems completely forced and annoying). Without a doubt their most proggy song. Oh, and ballads don't necessarily mean progressive you rebel idiot!

9. Gentle Giant - Plain Truth - A true art rocky masterpiece. Great musical harmony and very catchy.

8. Menomena - Weird - As much as certain indie rock bands are everything I despise, I love Menomena! Can't call it a lot experimental, but there is a certain difference from other indie rock bands. Weird is a song which defines their sound greatly. Amazing sounding.

7. Magma - Mekanïk Destruktïw Kommandöh (Retrospektïw 2) - It's a live performance, right? Whatever, I deem all of the 40+ minutes of this track epic. It's practically the MDK album live just in a slightly newer version. I would explain this track more detailed but it has far too many changes in it so you're better off reading a professional review of MDK. Epic track either way.

6. Ruins - Grubandgo - Think this is the first thing I heard from them. Definitely was worth the mention, these guys have a really unique math rockish/zeuhlish/prog-rockish/avant-gardeish sound. This is perhaps their most catchy song, but that's not the only reason why I like it.

5. The Residents - Part One: Edweena - Now that I mentioned The Residents before, why not again. I can't really choose just one Residents song off of Not Available that I love, I love them equally, really. That is one album I can listen to anytime. This song (and album) is the definition of psychedelic-ness and experimentation.

4. Yes - Siberian Khatru - As much as I dislike most of Yes's stuff, Close To The Edge is a brilliant, brilliant album. There is not one minute of it to be boring, very immersive. Siberian Khatru is the highest Close To The Edge, and overall Yes gets. Filled with so much energy, senseless lyrics and catchy tunes is what makes this album so good.

3. Amon Düül II - Soap Shop Rock - I don't know how to explain this song really. It's a progressive rock song that is really psychedelic (as in, The Residents psychedelic). I just wonder why isn't it listened more, it's surely one of the best prog-rock songs I've heard. Amazing band.

2. King Crimson - Lizard - If you don't like King Crimson's Lizard album, guess what; screw you, you rebel idiot! Sure it's not filled with energy and harsh instrumental musicianship like the past albums, but that is exactly why King Crimson is a unique band. They changed band personnel like socks, and with new people come new influences, new sounds. Lizard is much more jazz-fusion oriented, and most of the people didn't like it at first, as they were used to their old formula but this is the album where King Crimson started to evolve. It was the first KC album I actually listened to, and definitely my favorite KC album, not sure why though.

1.Morphine - The Night - And last but not least, Morphine's masterpiece album and song called The Night. Most of the Morphine lovers will agree with me on this, that The Night is their best song they've released. Having many elements from their older albums they've expanded it with more instrumentation (including a cello, a piano and such), getting farther from their alternative jazz-rocky style and scratching the surface of neoclassicism. The piano in this song works greatly as it sets the mood just like the sax did in their older albums.

Give those a listen, definitely worth it. Especially for someone who has any interest in any form of progressiveness or experimentation.