Instagram

After debating for some time, I have created an Instagram account.

Although my main motivation for doing so is the ability to view other users' (whom I'm interested in) posts, I will occasionally be posting metal-related items that don't deserve an entire blog post.

Check out my profile if you'd like:
http://instagram.com/reignofterror89/

Dracula - Swing Of Death

While I cannot sum this idea up better than in the original article, I think this album could be very interesting. Having the entire concept centered around Dracula, drawing from both the history of Vlad the Impaler and from Bram Stoker’s fictionalized version of the man should make for an intriguing album. 

I am not familiar with the musicians involved in this project, but the preview clip is enticing. I haven’t listened to much material with clean vocals lately, but clean vocals seem fitting in this case. Personally, Bram Stoker’s Dracula has been one of my favorite pieces of fiction since I first flipped through the pages years ago. It lends itself to being able to spawn other artistic works based solely on the fictional account. From the preview, the grandiose atmosphere seems as though it will be a perfect marriage between hard rock/metal and one of the most multi-faceted vampire stories in existence. This also has potential to venture into the ‘slightly-cheesy’ category, but that seems to be a risk that every operatic, concept themed album runs. ‘Dracula - Swing Of Death’ might be one worth picking up. 

The track listing will be:

1. Hands Of Your God
2. Walking On Water
3. Swing Of Death
4. Masquerade Ball
5. Save Me
6. River Of Tears
7. Queen Of The Dead
8. Into The Dark
9. True Love Through Blood (instrumental)
10. Under The Gun

The North American release is slated for January 27th, 2015. 

Link to the video trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=ZRdtkAHxXgA

The original article can be found at: http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/jorn-lande-and-trond-holter-join-forces-for-epic-dracula-concept-album/

Thoughts and Previews

I thought I'd throw up a quick post regarding a few of the items I am hoping to work on or talk about in the next while. I have not had much time to write lately due to an overwhelming amount of other commitments; namely my continuing post-secondary education.

Tomorrow I will hopefully be picking up a copy of this:

A review should follow sometime shortly thereafter.

Speaking of reviews, there are several albums that I have enjoyed this previous year for which I have not completed a review, and for which I would like to review. Hopefully at least a few of these see completion.

I have a few other ideas of articles I would like to write, but they require some more careful thought and a bit of preparation. Perhaps one or two of them will see the light of day.

Ensiferum has announced that they have completed work on a new album, scheduled for a February 2015 release. With this, new tracks should be released online, which I will be checking out. The first three Ensiferum albums are, by far, my favourites. 'From Afar' was pretty decent, but 'Unsung Heroes' began to venture into territory I was not personally a fan of. We shall see what this new album, titled 'One Man Army', holds in store. I do like the new look that the band has posted on their Facebook page though:

Arch Enemy, Kreator, & Huntress Review

Union Hall

November 4, 2014

Huntress opened the show to an eager crowd who seemed mostly familiar with their material and excited to witness their set. It wasn’t difficult to see why Huntress has been praised time and time again for their live shows. Jill Janus’ impressive vocal range, combined with a stage presence reminiscent of a predatory spider, made for an impressive combination whether you like Huntress’ vibe or not. 

While the merch table lineups certainly would not have indicated so, Kreator had many fans in the audience. The German thrash masters executed a blazing set, inciting a pretty decent pit considering the size of the floor area in the venue. According to vocalist/guitarist Mille Petrozza, Edmonton is known worldwide for its love of metal and good mosh pits. How much truth there is to this statement, who knows. There was an attempt made at a wall of death, but in comparison to some of the others witnessed in this same city, it was a failure. Mind you, this failure had nothing to do with Kreator, as they provided as much energy and enthusiasm as can be expected from any band. The majority of the set contained post- ‘Enemy of God’ material, with a few old songs thrown in for good measure. 

With seemingly half the crowd adorned in new Arch Enemy merchandise, it was no small surprise that they were exuberantly welcomed on stage. New vocalist, Alissa White-Gluz, was electrifying. Her performance suggested that the shoes left to fill by former vocalist Angela Gossow might even be too small. Full of energy, she definitely met (and exceeded) expectations. Not surprisingly, Arch Enemy drew the majority of their material from the latest album, ‘War Eternal’, which features White-Gluz. Several other tracks from their catalogue were tossed into the mix such as “Dead Eyes See No Future”. While one would expect a top-notch performance from musicians of the calibre found in Arch Enemy, this tour is a proving ground for White-Gluz. The reception from the audience was fantastic, and her performance as front woman equally so. 

Personally, while Angela Gossow is a legend in her own right, I feel as though Alissa White-Gluz has the edge in being a well-fitting vocalist in this band. While I’m more of a casual Arch Enemy fan, I certainly enjoyed their set on this particular evening, as the rest of the crowd seemed to as well. I quite liked ‘War Eternal’, and I’m often a little skeptical of changing vocalists when the current vocalist works. In Arch Enemy’s case, this seems like a well-planned move which will only bring them to greater heights. 

* Starkill was not present for the Canadian dates of this tour, which was somewhat disappointing as they have been solid openers for a number of other shows that I have attended. 

Carnival of Death Concert Review

with Kataklysm, Suffocation, Jungle Rot, Pyrexia, Internal Bleeding

October 27th, 2014

Starlite Room

Due to other commitments, I missed Internal Bleeding and Pyrexia. I would have liked to check out both bands but it wasn’t in the cards for this particular night.

Arriving to find Wisconsin band Jungle Rot already on stage, I was impressed. Holding the audience mostly captive, they played a set of formulaic death metal. Formulaic not being a derogatory term in this case, as the set was well-executed and enabled the audience to come along for the ride. 

American death metal legends Suffocation proved to be the biggest draw of the evening. The venue was packed from stage to merch table for their set with many fans obviously familiar with the material and enthusiastically enjoying it. It was not unusual for this energy to translate into large circle pits, which is not something that every band can accomplish. Suffocation’s years of experience were apparent and the technical elements employed in their song structure certainly worked well, although they are not typical of every death metal band. Suffocation played a mixture of both new and old material, pulling several tracks off their latest release ‘Pinnacle of Bedlam’. Overall, it was a great set and one worthy of the reputation Suffocation has of being a killer live band. 

Kataklysm arrived on stage to find a dwindling audience. Whether it was due to the fact that it was a Monday night, or whether that many people truly weren’t interested in seeing the Canadian masters of death metal, it was strange. Usually Kataklysm draws a decent sized crowd in this particular city. One thing is certain: the fans who did stay were certainly appreciative, headbanging and attempting circle pits on several occasions. ‘The Awakener’ threw some really old material into the mix, with another old one to be found in ‘Stormland’. Much of the material played came from the last Kataklysm release, “Waiting For The End To Come”. From start to end, the set was energetic, if not quite as memorable as some of other Kataklysm sets I’ve witnessed. 

Machine Head Tour Cancellation Part 2: The True Colours Emerge

I haven’t had time to follow the fan response to the cancellation of the Machine Head/Children of Bodom tour. I have no doubt there are whiney fans, and probably plenty of fans who have done their fair share of “shit-talking”. It is the internet, after all and where else can people hide behind a screen and express their opinions? 

Regardless of what fans have expressed, or what those with nothing better to do than to antagonize a moot point have expressed, Rob Flynn’s response has been much less than commendable. Reading the latest update on this today, I’m actually a little bit irritated over it. Most musicians at least attempt to act like professionals, or decent human beings, but like the rest of the population, there are obviously a few out there who prove themselves to be less. Case in point here. 

Comments like:

“Most people usually need the motivation to act like fools and Alexi’s little bitch-ass response certainly got the ‘Hate Crew’ fired up.”

“Hate Crew?”...pfffft!...more like ‘Alexi-ain’t-that-Great-Crew!’, more like ‘bought-a-ticket-too-Late-Crew!’, more like ‘It’s-not-my-fault-you’re-a-virgin-and-can’t-get-a-Date-Crew’!!”

Publicly expressing something in such an immature fashion is somewhat astounding. Other than it seems to happen on a semi-regular basis in the music industry, it’s a little bit surprising. Personally, I did not see anything that would make Alexi’s comments (to which Robb Flynn is referring) as “bitch-ass”. Sure, the original comments expressed disappointment, but they did not contain personal attacks geared towards either Machine Head or their fans. While a musician has very little control over what fans say online, the actions and comments that they choose do have influence on those who are a bit more discerning. 

I tend to agree that Bodom is better than Machine Head, and I would have preferred to have seen Bodom headline a tour over Machine Head. While I think this, I recognize that this is my opinion due to my personal taste in music. There is no denying that there are some talented musicians in Children of Bodom (and probably Machine Head too). Both bands evidently have idiotic fans. That comes with the territory of being on the more popular spectrum of metal bands. Fans aside, one band evidently has a more unprofessional frontman. I was never a Machine Head fan, and after this moronic and unnecessary display by Robb Flynn, I never will be. 

See the original posts here:

http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/machine-heads-robb-flynn-slams-children-of-bodom-fans-frontman-over-response-to-canceled-tour/

https://www.facebook.com/MachineHead/posts/10152511666718823

More from Bloodbath

An interview with new Bloodbath vocalist Nick Holmes:

http://www.steelforbrains.com/post/100239869552/nick-holmes


This interview very briefly touches on some interesting points. The conversation regarding the internet and the proliferation of metal through this medium is a topic that comes up quite often in interviews. Rightfully so, since it is undeniably something that has changed the dynamic of how people perceive music, discover new music and stay informed about favourite artists. Personally, this is something I find interesting and that I have several (sometimes conflicting) opinions on. But that discussion is for a different day. In the meantime, take a quick look at the interview if you're interested in the upcoming Bloodbath release and some insight from Nick Holmes.

Bloodbath has also released another track from 'Grand Morbid Funeral', titled "Famine of God's Word". I'm still getting used to Nick Holmes' vocals with this band and thus haven't yet formed an opinion of whether I really like them, or whether they're just okay. That being said, the rest of the track is definitely heavy and to my liking. I'm still looking forward to this album, and forming a better impression once I give the entire thing a few listens.

Listen to "Famine of God's Word" here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XtIA0IF9hK0