Bag of hammers dumb,
19th try shows that practice
doesn't make perfect.
http://kissonline.com/sonicboom/
Reviews(mainly music; mainly metal & hard rock) presented in a form vaguely resembling haiku.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Rush - Vapor Trails (2002: Atlantic)
Typical midrange
mid-tempo, middling Rush tracks;
fine excuse to tour.
http://www.rush.com/v4.html
mid-tempo, middling Rush tracks;
fine excuse to tour.
http://www.rush.com/v4.html
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Isis - Wavering Radiant (2009: Ipecac)
Prefer art soundscape
moments to the gruff and growl;
Makes me think of Hum.
http://www.isistheband.com/#/releases/
moments to the gruff and growl;
Makes me think of Hum.
http://www.isistheband.com/#/releases/
Friday, December 25, 2009
Savage Circus - Of Doom and Death (2009: Dockyard 1)
Though some bemoan as
Blind Guardian tribute band,
damn fine songs throughout.
http://www.dockyard1.com/savagecircus/releases.asp
Blind Guardian tribute band,
damn fine songs throughout.
http://www.dockyard1.com/savagecircus/releases.asp
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Mediaeval Baebes - Mistletoe and Wine (2003: Nettwerk)
Ideal project
for one trick fillies; add amp
and Napalm would drool.
http://www.mediaevalbaebes.com/disco.html
for one trick fillies; add amp
and Napalm would drool.
http://www.mediaevalbaebes.com/disco.html
Various Artists - Excelsis: A Dark Noel (1995: Projekt)
Bleak the halls jet black
for woe come all ye dismal;
nice prevails naughty.
http://www.projekt.com/projekt/product.asp?sku=PRO00062
for woe come all ye dismal;
nice prevails naughty.
http://www.projekt.com/projekt/product.asp?sku=PRO00062
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
The Gathering - Always (1992: Foundation 2000)
Pre Anneke tracks
hodge-podge of bush league swings;
pales to what's to come.
http://www.gathering.nl/discography/ (scroll down to Always)
hodge-podge of bush league swings;
pales to what's to come.
http://www.gathering.nl/discography/ (scroll down to Always)
Be'lakor - Stone's Reach (2009: self-released)
Melodic death
melds trebly synths with tech riffs;
Year end top ten? Yep.
http://www.myspace.com/belakor
melds trebly synths with tech riffs;
Year end top ten? Yep.
http://www.myspace.com/belakor
Heorot - Ragnarök (2007: Stygian Crypt Productions)
To the last flute note
folk metal conformity;
Nothing new, sounds fine.
http://www.heorotband.com/history.html
folk metal conformity;
Nothing new, sounds fine.
http://www.heorotband.com/history.html
Sting - If On a Winter's Night (2009: Deutsche Grammophon)
History buff Sting's
breathy vocals might be true
but blight the folk faire.
http://stingwintersnight.com/music/
Bonus haiku:
Songs of winter! Not
Christmas! Late autumn release
reads quite cynic(s)al(e).
breathy vocals might be true
but blight the folk faire.
http://stingwintersnight.com/music/
Bonus haiku:
Songs of winter! Not
Christmas! Late autumn release
reads quite cynic(s)al(e).
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Wolf - The Black Flame (2006: Prosthetic)
Honor the old guard,
young Swedes embrace metal's past;
Cheeze factor runs deep.
http://www.wolf.nu/
young Swedes embrace metal's past;
Cheeze factor runs deep.
http://www.wolf.nu/
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Death - Individual Thought Patterns (1993: Relativity)
Intricate prog/death
never lets up musically;
Damn, these guys are good.
http://www.emptywords.org/IndividualThoughtPatterns.htm
never lets up musically;
Damn, these guys are good.
http://www.emptywords.org/IndividualThoughtPatterns.htm
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Swashbuckle - Back to the Noose (2009: Nuclear Blast)
Grind to thrash pirate
tales with tongue firmly in cheek;
Could be worse/better.
http://www.swashbuckle.info/maindeck.html
tales with tongue firmly in cheek;
Could be worse/better.
http://www.swashbuckle.info/maindeck.html
Rhino Bucket - The Hardest Town (2009: Acetate)
Shameless Bon Scott blues
'n' groove worship rides again;
Decades pass? Same game.
http://www.acetate.com/bands/rhinobucket/index.html
'n' groove worship rides again;
Decades pass? Same game.
http://www.acetate.com/bands/rhinobucket/index.html
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Them Crooked Vultures - S/T (2009: DGC/Interscope)
Bouncy jumpy quirks
of whim invite yet distance;
want more Cream/Zep tracks.
http://www.themcrookedvultures.com/us/music/them-crooked-vultures
of whim invite yet distance;
want more Cream/Zep tracks.
http://www.themcrookedvultures.com/us/music/them-crooked-vultures
Halford III - Winter Songs (2009: Metal God Entertainment)
Leather-n-studs X-mas
tidings akin to fruitcake;
a gift no one wants.
http://www.robhalford.com/wintersongs/
tidings akin to fruitcake;
a gift no one wants.
http://www.robhalford.com/wintersongs/
Saturday, December 12, 2009
the Gathering - Home (2006: The End)
Anneke's last with
band that spawned a thousand clones;
Lilith Fair goth pop.
http://www.gathering.nl/discography/
band that spawned a thousand clones;
Lilith Fair goth pop.
http://www.gathering.nl/discography/
Ayreon - The Universal Migrator Part 1: The Dream Sequencer (2000: Inside Out)
Sci-fi concept with
galaxy of prog/Floyd leaps;
abort the mission.
http://www.ayreon.com/ayreon/ay_albums_um.html
galaxy of prog/Floyd leaps;
abort the mission.
http://www.ayreon.com/ayreon/ay_albums_um.html
Friday, December 11, 2009
Paradise Lost - Faith Divides Us - Death Unites Us (2009: Century Media)
Depresso-Brits hone
tones of toil and tumult;
damn finely at that.
http://www.paradiselost.co.uk/discography/albums/faith-divides-us-death-unites-us.html
tones of toil and tumult;
damn finely at that.
http://www.paradiselost.co.uk/discography/albums/faith-divides-us-death-unites-us.html
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Trail of Tears - Bloodstained Endurance (2009: Napalm)
Nox Arcana - Blackthorn Asylum (2009: Monolith Graphics)
Dark soundscapes set mood
for Hammer film-ish spook show.
Same haunt on repeat.
http://www.noxarcana.com/blackthorn-history.html
for Hammer film-ish spook show.
Same haunt on repeat.
http://www.noxarcana.com/blackthorn-history.html
Pelican - What We All Come to Need (2009: Southern Lord)
No vocals* for blends
of melodic, sludging, grooves;
like Sabbath-spawn jazz.
http://www.hydrahead.com/pelican/news.php
*one song sings
the rest stay wordless
no big change
of melodic, sludging, grooves;
like Sabbath-spawn jazz.
http://www.hydrahead.com/pelican/news.php
*one song sings
the rest stay wordless
no big change
Friday, December 4, 2009
Eluveitie - Evocation I: the Arcane Dominion (2009: Nuclear Blast)
Folk metal unplugged
lets the growl have a night off;
somber yet solid.
http://www.eluveitie.ch/img/evocation_detail.jpg
lets the growl have a night off;
somber yet solid.
http://www.eluveitie.ch/img/evocation_detail.jpg
Billy Idol - Devil's Playground (2005: Sanctuary)
Departs past glories
but retains sneering image;
tame to today's ears.
but retains sneering image;
tame to today's ears.
(yes, I recognize that using a Wikipedia link is sad, but I found no discography page at the Billy Idol website to reference - Wiki or Amazon - take your pick...)
Korpiklaani - Karkelo (2009: Nuclear Blast)
Beer tents and Finn lore
via Marshall stacks at 10.
Mad love for this band.
http://www.korpiklaani.com/index2.html
via Marshall stacks at 10.
Mad love for this band.
http://www.korpiklaani.com/index2.html
Aerosmith - Night in the Ruts (1979: Columbia)
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Craig Goldy - Better Late Than Never (1995: Shrapnel)
Praise the spirit but
rue the product. Would Goldy
even listen thrice?
http://www.metal-archives.com/release.php?id=147088
rue the product. Would Goldy
even listen thrice?
http://www.metal-archives.com/release.php?id=147088
Iron Savior - Dark Assault (2001: Noise)
Side project-itis
afflicts power metal pros;
lyrics trite to spew.
http://www.iron-savior.com/releases_2001_dark_assault.php
afflicts power metal pros;
lyrics trite to spew.
http://www.iron-savior.com/releases_2001_dark_assault.php
Octavia Sperati - Grace Submerged (2007: Candlelight)
Goth gal and guitars;
gritty yet pretty makes up
for blink-and-gone length.
http://www.myspace.com/octaviasperati
gritty yet pretty makes up
for blink-and-gone length.
http://www.myspace.com/octaviasperati
Friday, November 20, 2009
Marduk - Plague Angel (2004: Regain)
Blaspheme on parade
where grim & ghoul morph with Kvlt;
non-stop dismal drone.
http://www.marduk.nu/music.html
where grim & ghoul morph with Kvlt;
non-stop dismal drone.
http://www.marduk.nu/music.html
Siebenbürgen - Darker Designs & Images (2005: Napalm)
Schizophrenic mix
of blackened goth crypt visits;
title doesn't lie.
http://www.metal-archives.com/release.php?id=105565
of blackened goth crypt visits;
title doesn't lie.
http://www.metal-archives.com/release.php?id=105565
69 Eyes - Savage Garden (2007: Cleopatra - a reissue of 1995: Gaga Goodies/Poko Rekords)
Fledgling band mimic
idols at own voice expense;
gothrock baby steps.
http://www.69eyes.com/discography/releases/2/#top
idols at own voice expense;
gothrock baby steps.
http://www.69eyes.com/discography/releases/2/#top
Quiet Riot - The Randy Rhoads Years (1993: Rhino)
History rewrite
honors Rhoads with overhauls;
archive use only.
http://www.musicmight.com/recording/usa/ca/losangeles/quietriot/compilation/therandyrhoadsyears82435
honors Rhoads with overhauls;
archive use only.
http://www.musicmight.com/recording/usa/ca/losangeles/quietriot/compilation/therandyrhoadsyears82435
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Phantom Lord - Circle of the Wasted (2002: Black Lotus)
Helloween worship
from Greece grows tired by end;
"C-tier" perfect fit.
http://www.metal-archives.com/release.php?id=16915
from Greece grows tired by end;
"C-tier" perfect fit.
http://www.metal-archives.com/release.php?id=16915
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Moonspell - Sin/Pecado (1997: Century Media)
More goth than rockin
like follow-up, yet to hit
stride of later discs.
http://infernet.moonspell.com/#discography
(dead link)
http://www.facebook.com/moonspellband
http://www.centurymedia.com/release.aspx?IdRelease=243
http://www.metal-archives.com/release.php?id=266
like follow-up, yet to hit
stride of later discs.
http://infernet.moonspell.com/#discography
(dead link)
http://www.facebook.com/moonspellband
http://www.centurymedia.com/release.aspx?IdRelease=243
http://www.metal-archives.com/release.php?id=266
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Primal Fear - 16.6 Before the Devil Knows You're Dead (2009: Frontiers)
An average record
long forgotten after first
novelty wears off.
http://www.primalfear.de/start.html
long forgotten after first
novelty wears off.
http://www.primalfear.de/start.html
Slayer - World Painted Blood (2009:Sony)
Slayer is Slayer.
Frenzied rage gets tiresome
when songs stay static.
http://www.slayer.net/us/music/world-painted-blood
Frenzied rage gets tiresome
when songs stay static.
http://www.slayer.net/us/music/world-painted-blood
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Nashville Pussy - From Hell to Texas (2009: SPV)
Minor missteps but
road dogs' blooze n' sleaze wins out.
Ruyter still kicks ass.
http://www.nashvillepussy.com/discography?id=100
road dogs' blooze n' sleaze wins out.
Ruyter still kicks ass.
http://www.nashvillepussy.com/discography?id=100
Friday, November 13, 2009
Imperia - Queen of Light (2007:Napalm)
When will Napalm learn?
Musical theater schleps
fail worse as rock stars.
http://www.helena-michaelsen.com/disco.html
Musical theater schleps
fail worse as rock stars.
http://www.helena-michaelsen.com/disco.html
Tim "Ripper" Owens - Play My Game (2009: SPV)
Not yet ready for
prime time throat-for-hire solos.
Got pedestrian?
http://www.timripperowens.com/
prime time throat-for-hire solos.
Got pedestrian?
http://www.timripperowens.com/
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Tesla - Into the Now (2004: Sanctuary)
Can't say it's good but
it's damn heartfelt album rock.
Still, '88's long past.
http://www.teslatheband.com/media/ts_ITN.php
it's damn heartfelt album rock.
Still, '88's long past.
http://www.teslatheband.com/media/ts_ITN.php
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Demons & Wizards - S/T (2000: SPV)
Schaffer and Hansi
concoct top notch side project.
Massive vocals here.
http://www.demonsandwizards.de/albums.php
concoct top notch side project.
Massive vocals here.
http://www.demonsandwizards.de/albums.php
Type O Negative - Bloody Kisses (1993: Roadrunner)
Savvy choice singles
and cover tunes save this disc
from too cutesy whims.
http://www.typeonegative.net/discog.html (scroll down to 1993)
and cover tunes save this disc
from too cutesy whims.
http://www.typeonegative.net/discog.html (scroll down to 1993)
Valient Thorr - Immortalizer (2008: Volcom)
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Moonspell - The Butterfly Effect (1999: Century Media)
Spain's finest program
gothpop in studiocrypt;
Wolfheart's housebroken.
http://infernet.moonspell.com/#discography
(dead link)
http://www.facebook.com/moonspellband
http://www.metal-archives.com/release.php?id=268
http://www.centurymedia.com/release.aspx?IdRelease=245
gothpop in studiocrypt;
Wolfheart's housebroken.
http://infernet.moonspell.com/#discography
(dead link)
http://www.facebook.com/moonspellband
http://www.metal-archives.com/release.php?id=268
http://www.centurymedia.com/release.aspx?IdRelease=245
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Vader - Reborn in Chaos (2004: Candlelight - a reissue of 1997 Hammerheart which itself was a reissue of early demos)
Low budget prevails.
Demos get repackaged , still
sound basement-made.
http://www.vader.pl/reborn-e.html
Demos get repackaged , still
sound basement-made.
http://www.vader.pl/reborn-e.html
Rammstein - Rosenrot (2005: Republic)
Nice digipak for
Reise Reise leftovers;
uneven tunes within.
http://www.rammstein.de/Band/Discography/Albums/Rosenrot.html?lang=en
Reise Reise leftovers;
uneven tunes within.
http://www.rammstein.de/Band/Discography/Albums/Rosenrot.html?lang=en
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Metallica - Some Kind of Monster (2004: Elektra)
Cash grab soundtrack disc,
live tracks stomp studio song
with St. Anger snare.
http://www.metallica.com/index.asp?item=3282
live tracks stomp studio song
with St. Anger snare.
http://www.metallica.com/index.asp?item=3282
Friday, October 30, 2009
Bolt Thrower - Who Dares Wins (1999: Earache)
Rumble, grumble, bash
of old EPs repackaged;
Surprise! not so caustic.
http://www.boltthrower.com/discography/whodareswins.php
of old EPs repackaged;
Surprise! not so caustic.
http://www.boltthrower.com/discography/whodareswins.php
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)