Epic Metal Review, Part 3

To begin, I have an addendum to my review of Opeth in Epic Music Review, Part 1. Apparently the growler and the soft singer are the same person? To that, all I can say is HOLY GUMDROPS! (No, I didn't want to say gumdrops there but my mother might be reading this). ;) It also answers my quandry about what growlers would sound like if they used their "normal" (again, yes, I know how subjective that term is) singing voice. I am so thoroughly impressed.

Alright, on to more music.

Avenged Sevenfold: Blinded in Chains

Who does this singer remind me of? I can't decide.

Hang on.

Never mind. I'm sick of trying to think of it. He definitely isn't a bad singer, but something about his voice makes me think he's a really sweet teddy bear of a guy when he's not on stage or in studio. There is a certain tenderness to his voice that can't be veiled. It's almost like he's putting on the act of being angry and homicidal and generally having a bug up is butt. I imagine he pets multiple puppies after every recording session and then just lays in the grass and enjoys the shapes in the clouds.

I really enjoy some of the harmonies in this song, especially in the second half.

I like the fact the drumming sounds almost like legitimate gunfire in this case. Not just the rhythm, but something about either the drums being used or the technique the drummer is employing. I was struck by it from the beginning. No pun intended.

Amon Amarth: Twilight of the Thunder God

How could I pass up a title like this?

Well I really dig the lyrics and the story that's being told. I'm obviously getting better at discerning words in the midst of all the growling.

Though, I'm sorry, I have a bit of a hard time taking the singer seriously. There's a cartoonish quality to his voice, like it's been messed with and synthesized to sound like that. On one hand, that means I should be MORE impressed with him because he manages to sound unnatural, naturally. But I still have trouble taking him seriously.

Savatage: Hall of the Mountain King

There is a cranky dwarf or elf or hobbit wandering confusedly through a forest that is distracting me from whatever is happening in my ears currently. Wait! That is not your treasure, little dwarf! Didn't you ever watch Aladdin? Either the Mountain King, or the cave itself, is about to smite you.

All dwarf antics aside, this song is generally delightful to listen to. The singer's voice and stylization is more than just melodic. It's engaging. Which makes me buy into the concept that his story is an epic one, and should be listened to. Both the general repeating rhythm guitar section and the lead guitar shredding are really impressive without overpowering the singer as the star. And in this case, because he is a storyteller and not just a feelings-teller, I feel it's alright for the spotlight to be on him.

Apocalyptica: Hall of the Mountain King

Um...this is absolutely incredible! Metal cellists? REALLY? How did no one recommend them to me, knowing what a giant nerd I am and how much I love when genres cross-contaminate each other?

I grant that not every song done by them is as impressive. But literally the only bad thing I can say about this particular video is that several of the band members look terrifyingly thin and that makes me want to force feed them cake.

http://youtu.be/zf2aIVKp1OY

Warlock: All We Are

The song was not as epic as the hair. I respect the fact these bands probably paved the way for much of the metal that exists today. But the song itself didn't do as much for me. But that's because a lot of 80's music is lost on me, no matter what the genre. Still, glad to be able to claim I have listened to Warlock, because it makes me feel slightly more well-rounded.

Flotsam and Jetsam: Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting

This would be really fun to play on guitar hero. In general, the song has a high entertainment value, and definitely gives a badass edge to Elton's music. Not that I'm claiming Elton's not badass in his own right.

I feel a lot of passion and energy in this song, beyond the loud volume or explosive drumming or hammering guitar progressions. I just feel amped up when I listen to it, because I feel the musicians were amped up playing it.

The Chainheart Machine: Soilwork

Well I REALLY like the first 9 seconds... and 1:01-1:07... and 2:25-2:40 was also really awesome.

The catch beats and syncopation are really great in this song. And I actually really dig the general "melody" of it. So basically, I loved everything but the singing, which I absolutely detested.

After parts 1 and 2 of my Epic Metal Review, if anyone says they're surprised by that, I reserve the right to call them a "liar liar pants on fire."

Alright, that's all I can do for now, I have to review something else. So there will be a Part 4, which, among other things, will feature some last minute recommendations from my good buddy D-Bake, because there's almost nothing I wouldn't do for that guy.