Album Review: The Astonishing

Impressions/Thoughts:

Dream Theater has been the leading band to push the genre of Progressive Metal to new heights. The Astonishing was released on January 29^th, 2016 and is Dream Theater’s 13^th studio album. This album is actually a concept album and follows a man through a dystopian future. The album has a total of 34 songs and clocks in at around 2 hours and 10 minutes. This is their longest album to date.

Personally, I am a fan of Dream Theater’s heavier albums like Train of Thought and Awake. For this album, The Astonishing took me 10 months to make this review. Just kidding, but this review was a large undertaking for me to do.

The Music:

I’m not going to explain the meaning of each lyric, because this is a concept album and each song tells a part of the story. If you want to check out the cool concepts and the overarching story being told through each song, go click on this page on Dream Theater’s official website, where it details what transpires during the story and provides the lyrics for the songs. Instead, I will be discussing the music and how it relates to the theme and overall story.

Disc 1:

Part 1 [Tracks 1-5]

The first couple of songs, especially “Dystopian Overture”, really set the mood for the album. By having this epic and dark tone for the dystopian future concept portrayed through the music, each song sets the stage for the story, giving the audience an understanding of what is happening or what has already happened for the characters and world. The following songs present the perspective of the narrator, ‘the chosen one’ Gabriel and his older brother Arhys.  The way that the songs on this album are presented is similar to that of a musical or an opera.

Personally, I love the beginning of “The Gift of Music” because of its upbeat sound and catchy progression. I also like the part when the song does down to this serene beat and changes the perspective from the narrator to Arhys. The vocals are very clear which helps us understand the message of the song. Shortly after the song builds up from the serene part of the song, some of the lyrics have a chorus added behind the vocals.

“The Answer” is more of a serene song that still is able to give the emotion of insecurity of the character Gabriel. The song “A Better life” has this great marching sound at the beginning of the song that sets a darker mood. Another part of that song I like is the were he says the lyrics “I shall give him a better life, I swore this vow to my dying wife” and all the subsequent lines after that. I also liked the part where a line would be said then the name ‘Evangeline’ would be said after.

Part 2 [Tracks 6-10]

The first song “Lord Nafaryus” gives the audience a foreboding feeling as well as the motivations behind the actions of the character. The next song ,“A Savior in the Square”, begins with a melodic, serene, acoustic sounding piece that starts off the track. Then as does in the story, the song transitions to a tone that is reminiscent of heralding the arrival of someone important. I love the progression of this song as it changes tones throughout as situations unfold in the story. 

In the next song, “When Your Time Has Come”, it has an awesome wailing guitar solo. The following track, “Act of Faythe”, goes into the feelings one of the characters. It starts with a beautiful orchestrated piece then changes to a lone piano and vocals. The track progresses as more instruments are added into the mix, ending with something reminiscent to the song “Lord Nafaryus”. The riff for the song “Three Days” is really rhythmic and catchy. The vocal melody aligns closely with the riff. I really like the part where the vocals are sung above the riff as it slows down, giving the character that is based on those lines a chance to really stand out. I also like the chaotic ending of this song. 

Part 3 [Tracks 11-15]

After a short mechanical instrumental from the NOMACS, “Brother, Can You Hear Me?” starts with this militant sounding music piece that sounds like it could be in an old military propaganda film. The first part of the lyrics sounds like a chant from a group rather than from a singular character. After the music dies down, it starts up again with a serene riff that builds up as it goes on. The lyrics are the response from the main character comforting the previous group. “A Life Left Behind” starts with a chord progression on acoustic guitar. The other instruments join in after a few of these chords take place. The riff changes to a softer tone as the vocals start. I like how the riff goes up when the line “I’m waking up” is sung. The next track, “Ravenskill”, opens with piano and what sounds like chirping birds in the background. In-between the vocals, other noises like running water are added to the soundscape. After about 2 minutes, the bass guitar and drums jump in and make the song much heavier. A few minutes later, the song returns to only vocals and piano but this later transitions into a different sound by the addition of the other instruments which end out the song. “Chosen” is a pretty dramatic song. It’s simple and melodic but the simple message of the hope that the characters have is what makes this song shine.

Part 4 [Tracks 16-20]

“A Temping Offer” opens with a few notes from a piano then followed by a riff that comes crashing down which immediately grabs your attention. The song is pretty intense as the story unfolds. The sound is dramatic just like the choice that the character has to make. “Digital Discord” is another NOMAC instrumental. It’s different and breaks up the pace of the story to allow the circumstances to set in. The following song “The X Aspect” portrays the desperate situation placed upon the character and the choice he has to make. The song starts with a soft piano, then an acoustic guitar and an organ take over the riff. The drums enter and the pace of the song picks up. I’m a sucker for bagpipes so when they joined in, I thoroughly enjoyed their addition to the song. 

“A New Beginning” has this heavy riff that is really exciting to the ear. As the song continues, the riff has a really catchy rhythm. It also has some resemblance to some of the other songs we’ve heard so far like “The Gift of Music” and “Lord Nafaryus”. This song also has some great guitar solos and keyboard solos. As choices and story plans of the characters are being played out, the consequences of their actions are played out in the music of the song “The Road to Revolution”. The riff changes tonally as it goes between each of the characters. As the first disc closes out, it seems that Act 1 is finally over and the next Act will see those choices played out to fruition. 

Disc 2:

Part 1 [Tracks 1-3]

Act 2 of the album starts with an instrumental that reacquaints us with the themes from the previous act while also setting the tone of the second Act. The song “Moment of Betrayal” is where the act truly begins and paves the way for rest of the second act. It’s a darker, heavier song which continues to get heavier as the song goes on. The next song, “Heaven’s Cove”, has this eerie opening as if we were in the hallowed halls of an old long forgotten building. The song has bursts of heavy sound and then fully transitions into a heavy sound as the vocals start. 

Part 2 [Tracks 4-7]

“Begin Again” has this emotional riff that seeps hope. The way the orchestration and vocals come together is masterful to say the least. “The Path That Divides” starts with what sounds like crickets chirping in the night. After a mechanical noise, a dramatic riff plays as the character is facing the moment of truth. As the song progresses, it gets heavier and more symphonic in some places. The vocal melody closely follows the riff in this song. The next song “Machine Chatter” is another NOMACS instrumental. Even though the song itself is rather quiet, the beat of this instrumental is exceptionally catchy. “The Walking Shadow” continues the dramatic theme from the song “The Path That Divides”. In some parts of this song, the riff is very percussive. The track stops around the 2-minute mark and has the sound of walking footsteps. It then ramps up the riff again as the vocals tell the events in the story.

Part 3 [Tracks 8-11]

“My Last Farewell” is a somber song which is in response to the dark event that had transpired. As the song progresses, it follows the emotions being released by the character. “Losing Faythe” starts with a sadder tone of the characters mourning. Later in the song, the tone becomes more hopeful sounding as the situation unfolds, when an opportunity comes into the mind of one of the characters. 

“Whispers of the Wind” continues the somber tone as the vocals portray a hopelessness of the character, draining away any hope for the situation. In the next song, “Hymn of a Thousand Voices”, what seems like a hopeless situation is uplifted by the events that follow in the story. The song sounds epic as a choir can be heard in the background behind the vocals.

Part 4 [Tracks 12-14]

With the crisis now over, the song “Our New World” begins the last chapter in the story. It is an uplifting and upbeat song expressing hope for a new better world. “Power Down” is the last of the NOMACS instrumentals on the album and it’s the signal that the story is nearing its end. The album ends with “Astonishing”. This song incorporates elements from other tracks on the album. It wraps up the story and album nicely as the song builds up touching upon all the elements of the story being told through the various pieces of music from the album.

Verdict:

I like the dystopian future concept that Dream Theater has brought. To me it could have been generic, as many stories with a setting similar to this usually deal with the survival of the character or the politics associated with such a world. Dream Theater, mainly by John Petrucci and Jordan Rudess who wrote the concept and music for the album, deal with something that most writers do not and that is the cultural aspect of such a future, especially music. Even though this album was written mainly by John Petrucci and Jordan Rudess, each of the other members of Dream Theater still get to shine within the music, whether it be in vocals or instrumental solos.

I would love to see this album be adapted into a comic book or movie. A musical might work, but those usually have dance numbers and this music would not work in that kind of setting. Although, I could see this as a movie rock opera. It really depends on how it’s handled, but a production with something visual would be great. I really like this album and if you love progressive music and/or concept albums, this is one of the best that I have found.

If you want to hear this album for yourself, here is the album stream from Dream Theater’s official YouTube page:

Top 6 Songs:

1) “Gift of Music”

2) “A Better Life”

3) “Lord Nafaryus”

4) “The Answer”

5) “Three Days”

6) “A New Beginning”

From left to right: Jordan Rudess, John Myung, James LaBrie, Mike Mangini & John Petrucci

Dream Theater’s US tour of The Astonishing is now over as of today, because today is their last show of the tour. Next year, when they go to Europe they are going to be celebrating the 25^th anniversary of their second album Images and Words by playing that album in its entirety.

You can follow them on Facebook and Twitter. You can also check out their official website for tour dates and other events.

Album Review: Hardwired... To Self-Destruct

Impressions/Thoughts:

It has been 8 years since Metallica released their last album Death Magnetic and during that time, they have done many tours, collaborated on the album Lulu with Lou Reed, were inducted into the  Rock-n-Roll Hall of Fame in 2009, and released the movie Through the Never. Now they have release their 10^th studio album Hardwired…To Self-Destruct, but does this album have the power to compete with their past albums?

It’s safe to say that I’m not really a big fan of Metallica, or at least their material after their fifth album, but I am willing to at least give this album a fair review like I would for any album.

The Music:

“Hardwired” is just a nice fast and heavy song with kick. It has a simple effective riff that grabs you. It works well as the opening song of the album, reminding fans that they are still going strong after 30 + years.

“Atlas, Rise!” is another song with a great riff. As a song that comes in sequence after “Hardwired”, it keeps the heavy beat and continues the vibe set by the opening track. It’s another good heavy metal song that has a great groove. This song refers to the Greek mythological legend of the titan Atlas and how he holds up the skies of earth. 

“Now That We’re Dead” has a long intro clocking in around 1 minute and 40 seconds. It’s another solid metal track. One of the highlights in this song is Kirk Hammett’s guitar solo and the breakdown and build up to the main riff that ensues after the solo. 

“Moth into Flame” starts off with another solid riff that catches the ear. The chord progression right before the bridge raises the pitch and makes it interesting and memorable to listen to. This is another thrashy song by Metallica. They are on a hot streak with 4 good songs right off the bat, now let’s see if they keep it up.

“Dream No More” is a slower tempo song with an emphasis on heaviness. This song is not as melodic as their other songs and the vocal style is more like shouting. Right after the 4-minute mark, the song stops for a few seconds and then starts up again with a guitar solo. The chord progression goes down during the solo and then jumps into the main riff when the guitar solo finishes. The tone of the song is dark with the familiar subject of Cthulhu.

“Halo on Fire” is another slower song that is more melodic with James Hetfield singing and has a softer tone. That is until the main riff starts and the song picks up with Hetfield doing a short and loud shout signifying the change. About halfway through the song, the riff changes and marches along with a strong emphasis on the bass. Kirk Hammett also gets a few chances to do some great guitar solos on this song. Overall, this song is an interesting listen and has a few changes to the riff that keeps your interest all the way throughout the song. 

As “Confusion” opens, it reminds me of the Diamond Head classic “Am I Evil?” which Metallica has covered many times. After by what some would say is a blatant rip off of an intro, this piece by Metallica has a fast thrashy riff that only is slow for the first verse of the song. ‘WaHammett’ uses the Wah pedal in his guitar solo on this song for great effect. If you can’t guess from the lyrics, the song is about PTSD or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

*Wahammett is Kirk Hammett’s nickname as an exaggeration for his use of the Wah pedal throughout his music carrier.

“ManUNkind” starts off light and builds up to a heavier riff. The song has a simple and memorable riff. The chorus of the song is very catchy and during the latter part of the song the vocals have an echo effect, making Hetfield’s voice sound larger. Kirk Hammett also has a soulful solo in this song. The music video for this song has a generic looking black metal band that performs the tunes but still has all the instrumentals and vocals of Metallica dubbed over them. Overall, the band still demonstrates their versatility and even though we’re 8 songs into the album, the album is still going strong.

“Here Comes Revenge” is an angrier sounding song but considering the name of the song that is not so surprising. The instrumentals have a good beat and the riff is memorable and catchy. Kirk Hammett, like in most of the other songs on the album, has another good guitar solo on this song. As the track ends, they deliberately breakdown the song with heavy distortion from their guitars.

“Am I Savage?” starts with a serene sounding opening riff. After the wail of the guitar, the instrumentals go into the main heavy riff. The chorus is syncopated with the riff, which is a little jarring because the riff and vocal melody doesn’t sync up. This does catch your attention and is very effective at that. The riff for “Am I Savage?” is very rhythmic as the bass and drums have more emphasis placed on them. Overall this song is one of the heavier tracks on the album. 

“Murder One” starts with a short acoustic intro and the main riff is simple, heavy and loud. This song is a tribute to Motörhead and specifically music legend Lemmy Kilmister. The lyrics refence the saying “Born to Lose, Live to Win”, the song/album “Ace of Spades” and the way Lemmy lived his life. Overall the song is a good original tribute to the late musician and in the music video it prominently shows an animation of Lemmy, during which he gives the middle finger at the end of the video.

The closing track, “Spit Out the Bone”, ends the album with a thrashy riff that is reminiscent of early Metallica in it’s speed. Hetfield’s vocals shout out the lyrics which goes well with the rhythm of the drums. The song is more focused on rhythm rather than melody. “Spit Out the Bone” is about our dependency on technology and the instrumentals are definitely reminiscent of the sounds of a machine. Metallica ends Hardwired…To Self-Destruct with the heaviest song, showcasing that they can still do Thrash just as good as any other Thrash Metal band. 

“Lords of Summer” was the song that was released as a single and was spawned last year during their Metallica By Request Tour. It’s a pretty generic song and I find some of the lyrics to be kind of cheesy. As a song, I didn’t really like it when it came out and while it not as bad as I originally thought, it’s not a terrible song, it’s just not something that I find to be all that great. 

“Ronnie Rising Medley” is actually from the album Ronnie James Dio - This is your Life, which is an album full of cover songs from late Ronnie James Dio’s carrier by artists like Anthrax, Rob Halford and the Scorpions. The album was for Dio’s official Stand Up and Shout cancer fund. I thought it was a good tribute and my opinion has not changed.

The next two tracks “When A Blind Man Cries” and “Remember Tomorrow” are covers of Deep Purple and Iron Maiden songs, respectively. It is well known that Metallica performs some great cover songs and that has not changed. The following tracks after this are a live recording of a performance Metallica did at Rasputin Music in Berkeley, California.

Verdict:

Hardwired…To Self-Destruct is a great album. All of the songs are in the same vein as each other but they are each distinctively different so as not to be repetitive. Metallica is clearly at the top of their game and fans will find a great album to sink their teeth into. This album may not convert any fans who hold resentment against them over the post-black album music.  I feel that fans should at least listen to the songs  and give them a chance, especially the heavier songs.

Top 5 Songs:

1) “Spit Out the Bone”

2) “Atlas, Rise!”

3) “Moth into Flame”

4) “Confusion”

5) “Here Comes Revenge”

From Left to Right: Robert Trujillo, Lars Ulrich, James Hetfield & Kirk Hammett

Follow Metallica on Facebook, Twitter and their official website is here.

Discovering Metal: Metallica

“Metal Up Your Ass” – the original title of their debut album.

From Left to Right: Kirk Hammett, Lars Ulrich, James Hetfield, & Robert Trujillo

Metallica! Who hasn’t heard of these guys? The band was formed in 1981 by Lars Ulrich and James Hetfield. In over 35 years, they’ve sold over 110 million albums worldwide and were inducted into the Rock-n-Roll Hall of Fame in 2009. They had tours that spanned the globe and were the first artist to play in all seven continents. They were one of the major bands that expanded the boundaries of Metal Music both artistically and geographically and broke down the barriers to perform throughout the world so other bands could follow.  

Everybody and I mean everybody who likes metal, loves Metallica’s first three albums. These albums Kill ‘Em All, Ride the Lightning and Master of Puppets are the cornerstone of Thrash Metal. From great crowd pleasers like “Seek & Destroy” and “Creeping Death” to Cliff Burton’s bass solo “(Anesthesia)--Pulling Teeth”, Metallica has a song for every metal fan.

When it comes to Metallica’s albums four and five, heavy metal fans know the controversies surrounding those albums. Metallica’s fourth album, …And Justice for All, was the first to feature bassist Jason Newsted after the tragic bus accident that killed Cliff Burton. The controversy is regarding the poor mixing of the instrumentals. Whoever screwed it up (some fingers are pointed at drummer Lars Ulrich), it doesn’t really matter as the album still had a huge impact and set Metallica up to dominate the world of Heavy Metal.

Their fifth album’s controversy doesn’t involve the mixing of the songs, but rather in the change of style. You have to go back and listen to the albums in sequence in order to understand what I am talking about. Imagine listening to four albums of Thrash Metal and when you’re expecting more of that you get something dramatically different, Thrash Metal to Regular Metal. Metallica’s fifth self-titled album was their biggest success and it really was no surprise because of their excellent song quality and the momentum that they had been building. Again, what makes so many fans sour is that it was an unprecedented change in style and an abandonment of the genre they spearheaded. Of course, they take pride in what they’ve accomplished and with their most recent album, Metallica is continuing their return to their Thrash Metal roots as they had done in their previous album “Death Magnetic”.

Despite their musical directions, Metallica has garnered many new fans around the world. Even though they have multiple platinum selling albums, they still play a lot of their music from those first three albums. So, fans of their older and newer music can still go to a Metallica show and have a good time. They have been one of the bands breaking new ground and leading the way for other metal and hard rock bands. Metallica has such a rich history and their impact is one thing that you cannot deny. They spearheaded Thrash Metal and took Metal into the mainstream. Metallica is now the token band to represent this genre and they wear their influences on their sleeves. Metallica is one of the most important bands in Metal culture and without them Metal would look a whole lot different.

Personally, I am not a fan of their fifth album and the albums released afterwards, but I can understand why others do like those albums. I discovered Metallica right around the time I was running out of new Megadeth albums to listen to. So, to hear something which now I can consider the gold standard, was great to experience. Metallica is already legendary, but for me some of their songs now sound generic as Metal music has evolved past these classics. Sometimes it’s good to look back and listen to and remember why Metallica as a band is the best at what they do.

Top Favorite Albums:

1) Kill ‘Em All

2) Ride the Lightning

3) Master of Puppets

4) …And Justice for All

Retro Album Review: Power Windows

Impressions/Thoughts:

Today we’re going back to the past. Back into the mid 1980’s, to be exact the year of 1985. It was a time back when keyboards and synthesizers were becoming big in the music industry. Rush, a band known for their Progressive Rock sound, had the challenge of trying to get their songs played on the radio while remaining true to themselves, the result is Power Windows.

Rush "tightened up their sidelong suites and rhythmic abstractions into balled-up song fists, art-pop blasts of angular, slashing guitar, spatial keyboards and hyperpercussion, all resolved with forthright melodic sense" (Fricke, Rolling Stone, 2013)

Personally, I was only familiar with the last song on this album, “Mystic Rhythms”. So, listening to the album in its entirety will be a journey for me. Will I like it or not? Well let’s find out!

The Music:

“The Big Money” has some heavy synthesized sounds that gives off the vibe of the times during which this music was made. It has a pop-rock like sound that you might even have heard at a dance club of that era. Even through the wall of easy listening sound, you can hear the rock penetrating out of the music with Neil Peart’s drumming and Alex Lifeson’s guitar solos. At that point in time, people would connect with the lyrical message that it was all about “Big Money”. Big money on wall street, banks and companies started to outsource manufacturing to other countries. It was a time of change in the US and the start of globalization. Its message is still relevant today as not much has changed, just where it’s happening has changed.

“Grand Designs” is what you think Rush would sound like at that time. It has an upbeat tune, Geddy Lee’s vocals soar above the harmonies and lead the melody of the song. The riff is very catchy which serves as a simple hook that is easy to listen to. The last line of the chorus “Life in two dimensions is a mass production scheme” is one of the catchiest lines on the album. The song describes what was happening at the time, with mass production of automobiles and other products which looked the same. As people and styles started to have the same appearance (eg. Big Hair, boxy looking cars, etc.), everything looked the same and had no uniqueness. Things that were functional were not pretty and things that looked good usually were not functional.

The third track, “Manhattan Project”, is another one of those melodic upbeat songs that is easy to listen to, but you want to focus on the message of the song. It’s not something that grabs you and makes you want to move. Reading the lyrics, there is this disconnect of tones between them and the instrumentals. One would expect a much heavier feel, but the instrumentals are more light and airy which is typical of the 80’s pop-rock sound. “Manhattan Project” represents to me why I’m not a big fan of this album. It’s that the songs have a mellower sound and when compared to other songs from earlier and later in Rush’s catalog, they fall flat.

“Marathon” distinguishes itself by the lesser amount of synthesizer and keyboard, allowing more of the band’s instrumentals to shine. Lyrically the song has a message about life as a race. It a message that we can connect with as you have to set your sights on the goal, your finish line, and not to burn yourself out to quickly. You want to be able to look back and see what your accomplishment were.

“Territories” is more rock sounding than the previously songs from the first half of the album. This song is less about the instrumentals and really allows the listener to hear the lyrics more clearly. Although, the solos by Lifeson are definitely great, Lee’s bass is prominently featured in this song. I see the message as being that when it comes down to it, the geographic lines of which generations have built to divide us are only a detriment to our society. This is because we all live on the same earth and to fight “In the name of a piece of dirt” is so petty. We are all citizens of the same planet and should not squabble over these imaginary territories.

“Middletown Dreams” opens with a pop-rock intro and due to its mellower riff it allows you to focus in on the message within the lyrics. It has a catcher chorus melody and I like Geddy Lee’s wailing vocals at the beginning. This is a song that speaks to most people’s hearts, because it’s about going out and achieving your dreams. Even for those who fantasize and romanticize a certain aspect of their life, it’s never too late to go out and peruse their dreams.

“Emotion Detector” utilizes a strong synthesizer introduction that would be typical and appealing for the 1980’s. It’s not as exciting as the other songs on the album and by some accounts this song is a ballad. I like the part where Alex Lifeson gets to solo over the riff while Lee and Peart are just playing drums and bass keeping the beat, with the synthesizers being less prevalent. From the first lyrics, I can see this song being about people who crave the most attention are people who are the most insecure. They can’t be content with just being cool; they crave the limelight. Power can turn into scorning and ridicule of others and as well as the self. Sometimes the “big splash” that people trying to make justs ends up being a drop in the bucket. Some people get too hyped up on getting attention so that it becomes a negative in life.

“Mystic Rhythms” is the most diverse song on the album right from the get go. The percussive riff that opens the song with the synthesizer only accenting the riff is what makes this song stand out. The keyboards join in later giving the song a different flavor as the track continues. This song probably is the most memorable song on the album with the variation in instrumentals being its main draw. “Mystic Rhythms” seems to be about music itself. With the emotion and meaning being able to be translated and understood no matter where it is played in the world. Rhythms also speak to the self as a conduit for connecting people and entertainment. Music is almost supernatural in that it takes thoughts and emotions and makes them sounds for others to hear.

Verdict:

This album has this Lover Boy pop-rock upbeat sound from the mid 80’s, of that genre. The main way that people listened to music was on the radio, otherwise people would go and hear music at a bar or club. Also people would go out and buy music on Vinyl, 8-track, cassette, and the new format CD. So, when Rush produced this more commercial sound, it made sense because they could get more airtime on the radio and increase their album sales.

During this time, keyboard and synthesizers were a huge influence in music, everyone from funk to pop artists were using them. So, when rock and metal bands started using synthesizers, looking back it was almost inevitable. This album is like if you took the mid 80’s and distilled it into a single album; Power Windows is what you would get.

Besides the constants of the great artistry of Rush, this album is a product of the times and personally this not my favorite Rush album. This album is very mellow and has this heavy synthesizer sound that to me interrupts some of the tones represented in the lyrics. For some of the songs, I would have loved to hear them with a rawer heavier sound. Overall, it has some good moments but this an album that is a product of time that it was made. I personally wouldn’t recommend the whole album to a fan of heavier music, but that doesn’t mean that this album is not great.

Top 5 Songs:

1) “Mystic Rhythms”

2) “The Big Money”

3) “Grand Designs”

4) “Marathon”

5) “Territories”

From left to right: Geddy Lee, Neil Peart & Alex Lifeson

Discovering Metal: Pantera

“Coming for you, we're the Cowboys from Hell”

From left to right: Dimbag Darrel, Vinny Paul, Phil Anselmo & Rex Brown

If you want to know the history of the band, Pantera, a quick visit to their wiki page would suffice but here is some basic information about the band. Pantera was a band from the state of Texas and was founded by Terry Glaze and the Abbot brothers, Dimebag Darrell and Vinny Paul.

Pantera had two distinct lineups. The first was from when they were founded in 1981 to 1986 in which the band was glam metal. During this lineup with Terry Glaze as the singer and rhythm guitarist, they created 3 albums. Also, until their seventh album, Far Beyond Driven, “Dimebag Darrell” was known as “Diamond Darrell”. Around 1986-87, they welcomed vocalist Phil Anselmo. With Anselmo they produced 6 studio albums and 1 live album.

Wikipedia

To the current Pantera fan base, their fifth album Cowboys from Hell is recognized as their debut as they tend to ignore all their previous albums. Cowboys was the album from which they changed their style from Glam to Groove Metal.

I got into Pantera a few years ago in 2014 when one of my friends introduced me to their song “Cowboys from Hell”. I loved the sound and discovered other cool songs on that album like “Cemetery Gates” and “Domination”. I soon bought their other albums that were available. As I listened to each album in the sequence in which they were released, it became more brutal for me to listen to them. For me, when I got to their fourth album (actually their eighth album), The Great Southern Trendkill, I did not like this new direction that the band had taken. That album featured a lot of screaming which was a turn off for me. It wasn’t until a few years later that I found that I could appreciate that album.

For myself and many others, what makes Pantera’s music still relevant over 20 years later is that their music is still some of the heaviest music on the market. Songs like “This Love” and “Becoming” are the bread and butter of Pantera. Their riffs and lyrics are just as impactful as they were in the 90’s.

One little side note is that except for their last album, Panera features a power ballad on every album. These ballads are “Cemetery Gates”, “Hollow”, “Planet Caravan” and “Floods”. Although their cover of the Black Sabbath song “Planet Caravan” on their third album is not a power ballad, it is the song that would best represent that trend.

During the 90’s, Grunge reigned supreme and by most accounts Metal was dead. So, when a metal band with such a heavy sound was able to get a number one album on the Billboard 200, it was huge for metal culture. This meant that Heavy Metal wasn’t dead and was still alive.

Unfortunately, Pantera didn’t last and in the early 2000’s they broke up. What’s even more depressing is the murder of Dimebag Darrell while he was onstage at a show with the band Damageplan. So now Pantera can never have a full reunion. What also doesn’t help is the communication breakdown between Vinny Paul and Phil Anselmo. Fans still hold out hope for some sort of reunion, but as fans we need to celebrate their legacy as it is not hope on a fool’s errand.

Now there is one more thing I would be remiss if I did’t mention and that is Phil Anselmo’s recent debacle at the “Dimebash” event. What he did was wrong and while he apologized, it’s going to take while before he can get his reputation back to what it once was.

During the time period post-Pantera, the members have spread out and have had their ups and downs. The legacy of this band will live on in the hearts and minds of past and future fans.

Top 5 albums:

1) Cowboys from Hell

2) Vulgar Display of Power

3) Far Beyond Driven

4) Reinventing the Steel

5) The Great Southern Trendkill

Album Review: Magma

Impressions/Thoughts:

I have heard of the band Gojira before in a few video interviews and on a couple music news web sites like Loudwire. My limited knowledge of this band was that they were a metal band from France and that their music was on the heavier side of the spectrum. I never really thought about reviewing this band because they are not well known in the U.S. and I never really heard of any good examples of their music.

Earlier this year around April or May, I was listening to music videos on YouTube while I was doing some homework. I stepped away to get a drink and when I came back the song “Stranded” was playing on my computer. I didn’t know this song or who performed it, but I remember sitting down putting my earphones in and hearing this really weird but cool sounding riff. I was intrigued by the song saying “What the hell is this?” So, I looked at the title of the video and to my surprise said “So this is what Gojira sounds like!” The next video played was “Silvera” and from then on I was hooked. I bought their album, Magma, because I was so impressed. This is my first Gojira album and certainly not the last that I will add to my collection.

The Music:

“The Shooting Star” sounds like we are being taken on a space adventure as we travel through the cosmos. This song has an epic rhythm and lyrical content that makes us feel as if we are going to go through a long and tough journey through strange and exotic new territory. Even though the vocals sound very monotone, that choice allows the instrumentals to tell the tale of the song. 

“Silvera” is a more emotional sounding song with the faster catchy riff and energetic vocals. The ending line from the chorus “When you change yourself, you change the world.” really sticks out on the song. This song demonstrates Gojira’s rhythmic instrumental abilities.

“The Cell” starts off with this very explosive percussive riff which eventually drops as heavy large guitar chords blend in. This song represents a frantic feeling of being trapped inside your own mind. Joe Duplantier’s vocals are almost shouting which adds to that franticness effect.

“Stranded” has this very cool screech like machine esque sound that ends the chord progression in the riff. This makes the overall riff much more dynamic in comparison to the previous three songs. “Stranded” seems to be about being locked away and left alone to rot. Because they’re French, they could be referring to the feelings of prisoners in the Bastille when that was still a prison. Near the end of the song, Joe Duplantier’s last scream gives me goosebumps every time I hear it. 

“Yellow Stone” most likely refences the dormant super volcano in United States. This song has a very heavy slow riff that interludes to the next track. The riff reminds me a little bit of the chord progression of the Black Sabbath song “Iron Man”.

“Magma” is another track that spotlights the instrumentals of the band. It starts off faster with a robotic and chaotic resonance to the song. Later the riff slows down and has a shrieking chord progression that is more melodic. The vocals go into that similar monotone sound, like in the first song “The Shooting Star”. About midway through the riff, it changes into this really heavy headbanging riff that really gets you moving.

Track number seven, “Pray”, starts off with this beat and noise that sounds like you’re listening to tribal music. When the drums kick in, it gives the effect of stomping your feet in cinque to the beat.  Joe Duplantier’s vocals sound very distant with the echo effect present on his voice, but when the chorus starts it gets more emotional which is also reflected in the riff. This is another very good song.

The track, “Only Pain”, has the similar kind of mechanical sounding screech in the riff just like as in the song “Stranded”. With the similar riff and tone, this song feels like a sequel to the song “Stranded”. Unlike that song, “Only Pain” has a faster riff. The vocals really don’t vary much in this song, but they still project strong emotion.

“Low Lands” is a slower song with clean vocals and a rhythmic riff that focuses on the drums and bass guitar. Around the 4 minute mark, the instrumentals become heavier and the vocals go to more of a growl as Joe Duplantier belts out the lyrics. The song stops and after a few moments it goes to acoustic guitar with a faint echoing scream that drifts off as the song ends. 

“Liberation” is an instrumental track that features an acoustic guitar and a drum beat. It closes out the album on a mellow tone.

Verdict:

Gojira’s music is very riff based, as the vocals seem only to accent the instrumentals. This album thematically is like Kyng’s album, Breathe in the Water, in that its very somber in its message, but the way that it portrays it is in a more abstract manner. Through the use of mechanical screech like sounds and distant sounding vocals, the band is able to articulate the sadness of the songs more deeply.

Joe Duplantier’s vocals accent encroaches on my ability to comprehend all the lyrics without them being right in front of me. Otherwise, this is a very dynamic album with different sounding songs. The songs range from very mellow, to very fast and heavy styles. Definitely check out their songs listed below because I feel that they just sound amazing.

Top 5 Songs:

1) “Stranded”

2) “Silvera”

3) “Magma”

4) “The Cell”

5) “Low Lands”

From left to right: Mario Duplantier, Christian Andreu, Joe Duplantier & Jean-Michel Labadie

You can follow Gojira on Facebook, Twitter and there official website.

What's the Difference Between Hard Rock and Heavy Metal?

I keep thinking to myself, what is the difference between Hark Rock and Heavy Metal? Hard Rock as we know it is obviously the harder heavier version of rock, while Metal is more of that raised to the nth degree. The question is, what distinguishes one form of heavy music from the other?

Differentiation in heavy music can be easily separated by extremes. Such has Def Leppard vs. Slayer. Slayer can definitely be defined as Heavy Metal while Leppard as Hard Rock. What happens when artist’s crossover? Or when artists have variations in their styles? What is the fine line in the sand that would be drawn to distinguish what category a band would fall into, Heavy Metal or Hard Rock? 

Alice Cooper, if you look at the original Alice Cooper band, they are discerned as classic rock with hits like “No More Mr. Nice Guy”, “I’m Eighteen” and “Schools Out”. Those songs compared to other music of that time can be defined as Hard Rock. As you go to later in his career, such as the album Brutal Planet, that has a much heavier heavy metal sound. So, does that make Alice Cooper Hard Rock, Classic Rock, or Metal? 

When comparing bands from the same era, they can have total different sounds from each other even if they come from a similar background. Bands are affected by their influences and tastes in music which evolve over time. So there really isn’t a fine line for determining which band is Hard Rock and which one is Metal. The difference between Hark Rock and Heavy Metal bands, I think it comes down to perception and attitude. It’s the impression left on the audience as portrayed by the artists that make them Hard Rock or Metal. I prefer not to label bands and their music. I believe a great song is a great song no matter what genre. The band and their song(s) will stand the test of time.

Album Review: Brotherhood of the Snake

Impressions/Thoughts:

After four years, Testament just released their 11^th studio album Brotherhood of the Snake. Since their studio album The Gathering in 1999, they have had a string of great albums which were produced. Their album Dark Roots of the Earth released in 2012 is one of my personal favorites. After about 33 years of playing Heavy Metal music, Testament is still going as strong as ever.

During the week leading up to the release of their most recent album, Testament made a short video series which was released on social media where they talked about each song. There were 5 videos featuring guitarist Eric Peterson and vocalist Chuck Billy. Each of these videos included sound bits and discussions about two their songs featured on this album.

The Music:

The album opens with the title track “Brotherhood of the Snake”. It starts off with a punch, that includes a combination of a fast riff and percussive power. After the second chorus, the riff slows down and becomes epic. This is a high-energy song that grabs you when it starts. It’s a great opening to the album.

“The Pale King” is significantly faster than the first track. The song really changes throughout the song as it seems to never return to the same chord progression. The lyrics “Anu have mercy on my soul” sounds like some deep voiced spoken word. The song doesn’t have a certain style that defines it. It goes from Thrash to some Black Metal sounding stuff; the song mixes a variety of different metal genres.

“Stronghold” continues with a similar speed to the last track. This song is one of the more politically charged pieces on the album. The chorus is very in your face, with the last line having both lead and backing vocals shouting out. “Stronghold” is another percussive song and I love drummer Gene Holgan’s double bass.

“Seven Seals” has a distinct intro which leads into a charging main riff. After the lyrics end, the song opens up into a shred fest for guitarist Alex Skolnick, where he actually ad-libs some vocals. With the different progressions in the song, I kept thinking that the song is going end and then it picked up again and kept me hooked.

“Born in a Rut” is a slower song that goes more towards the groove metal side of music. When its main riff kicks in, your head wants to move along to the beat. From the lyrics, I is see that this song has a sad but unapologetic theme. I believe that the subject matter of this song will resonate with many people. As the end of the song nears with the beating of the drums, I can imagine during a live performance that the audience would be chanting to the beat.

“Centuries of Suffering” starts with a short drum fill and then jump right into the riff. It’s a very thrashy song that makes me want to start a mosh pit. The vocal delivery is more monotone than the previous songs. “Centuries of Suffering” thematically is about the thousands of years of bloodshed by the human race through war. That has progressed from the use of sticks and stones to nuclear weapons. Near the end, the riff changes up which adds a different flavor to the overall piece.

Track number seven, “Black Jack”, has a catchy riff and a very good thrashy feel to it. In the midsection, the song has a great shred fest with guitarist Eric Peterson. The song is more centralized on the instrumentals then the words, but the lyrics have a good message about how life is a gamble. Its a fast and hectic song that emulates the feeling of being in a Vegas casino.

“Neptune’s Spear” starts off with this really heavy chord progression. This is another song with a riff that builds up, this progression makes the riff all the more intriguing. The piece has a very steady beat throughout the song. Alex Skolnick has a great solo that add so much to this song; it’s a definite highlight for this track. The song has a very military centric theme, as the basis of the song is about the military operation “Neptune’s Spear” which was about SEAL Team Six taking out Osama Bin Laden. The song closes with the sound of helicopters which is a great way to close this track.

“Canna-Business” starts off with an old-school sound and then picks up the pace into a more modern sounding chord progression in the riff. The song address a current topic of legalization of marijuana and the business spawned from that. The song is short and sweet, but you have listen to this song a few times in order to appreciate the full experience of it.

“The Numbers Game” has an opening riff that sounds very militant, almost like marching. The main riff of this song is one of the heaviest on the album, with the drumming sounding like gunshots. In the middle of the song, the instrumentals follow along with the drums making for a very percussive section. The guitar solos wail as Skolnick and Peterson soar over the instrumentals. The theme starts off as if being the executioner on death row, but progresses into that person being a serial killer. The song closes the album, saving the heaviest for last.

Verdict:

Guitarists Alex Skolnick and Eric Peterson have some great solos on this album. The overall instrumentals are great, especially the percussion. This album displays the capability of this band and their staying power. The album covers themes from ancient societies to the current political area. The band features the deep growling voice of Chuck Billy that has a rhythmic sync with the percussion. This differentiates them from the sound from many other bands.

Brotherhood of the Snake is a very heavy album. From the beginning to the end of the album it bleeds Thrash Metal. While listening to many of the songs, I envisioned a mosh pit going along to the music. If you love Thrash Metal, with some serious intensity, then you will love this album. Go check it out!

Top 6 Songs:

1) “Neptune’s Spear”
2) “Brotherhood of the Snake”

3) “Stronghold” 

4) “The Pale King” 

5) “Born in a Rut” 

6) “Black Jack”

From left to right: Eric Peterson, Alex Skolnick, Steve DiGiorgio, Chuck Billy & Gene Hoglan

You can follow Testament on Facebook and Twitter. There official website is here.

Jason Becker - Alive and Well

While this past Monday was a day of spooky fun times, today I’d just like to take some time and reflect on one of rock’s greatest tragedies. That is, the tragedy of Jason Becker. Becker had a promising carrier ahead of him. He was in a band called Cacophony with fellow guitarist Marty Freidman. In that band, they shredded guitars at a million miles a minute. He had a blooming solo carrier and then was invited to join David Lee Roth’s solo band at the young age of 19. When he joined Roth’s band in 1990, he had to fill the big shoes of guitar hero Steve Vai. The tragedy starts there, because after he recorded the album, A Little Ain't Enough in the David Lee Roth band, Becker was diagnosed with ALS (a.k.a. Lou Gehrig's disease).

Many of his friends and fellow guitar heroes like Joe Satriani or the previously mentioned Marty Freidman, speak of his legendary prowess on the guitar, and it doesn’t take a genius to find that out. Just listening to any of the material like his solo album, Perpetual Burn, tells the tale of his virtuosity on the instrument. He is a true guitar hero and had he not been afflicted with ALS he would be talked about like the other guitar legends.

Before his diagnosis

After his diagnosis

Since his diagnosis, he has continued to record music even though he can’t move his body. This is thanks to a machine his father built for him in order to communicate. There is a documentary called Jason Becker: Not Dead Yet, which is a great documentary and if you want to learn more about his story you should check it out.

Since his affliction, he has released 5 solo albums and has guested on other albums like Marty Friedman’s 2014 solo album Inferno. Recently, Jason Becker has announced that he wants to make a new album. So, he is crowd funding for the new album. It will have many guest guitarist, and if funded it should be released in 2017. If you love guitars and heavy music, go check out the albums he has made during his career and please help support his Indiegogo campaign for the new album.

There is a reason there are so many mentions of Marty Friedman, one is that he is best friends with Jason Becker, two they still are in regular contact and collaborate together on music. Finally, I am a huge fan of Friedman because of his guitar virtuosity when he was in Megadeth.