Trollheart

Let's move on to February then. What sounds good here? Oh, I've heard someone talk about these guys, so let's give this one a spin.

One Man Army --- Ensiferum --- 2015 (Metal Blade)

Introduction: What do I know of this band? Little to nothing, but as I say someone here has been touting them around so it's worth a shot. They're Folk Metal, which can be a lot of fun, and they're from Finland, which is fast becoming one of my favourite exports of really good music, including AOR and progressive rock, to say nothing of, indeed, folk metal. The titles are in English, so that should help (often, I find that Finnish bands in general and Finnish folk metal bands in particular tend to sing in their native tongue, which is great but gives me nothing to write about lyrically), and apparently the band describe themselves as “melodic folk metal”, which could be another plus. This is their sixth album in a career spanning so far twenty years, although their first album was only released in 2001, so technically that only makes fourteen. Whatever, it's impressive.

Track-by-track

1. March of war: We open on an instrumental, and it's suitably warriorish, with nice flutes and deep-throated male chorus, bells, the sound of an army, indeed, marching off to war. Very stirring; you can just see the line of glinting spears and hear the slow canter of the horses.
2. Axe of judgement: As expected, things kick up in a kind of a power metal way, vocalist Petri Lindroos one of two singers (listed as “harsh” and “clean” vocals) and he screams and roars while someone narrates or chants something behind him. Good keyboards, powerful guitars, kind of thing you'd expect really, lots of energy and passion. It will be interesting to hear how the “clean” vocalist performs. Great guitar solo there near the end.
3. Heathen horde: Slower, more kind of a march in this song, with a great “warrior's chorus”; fair gets the blood pumping. Nice sort of medieval guitar then we have clean vocals which I assume are courtesy of Markus Tiovonen, though he seems to be singing in Finnish. That doesn't last and we're back to Petri howling his lungs out. Good fun though.
4. One man army: This one flies along at lightspeed, very energetic.
5. Burden of the fallen: Sounds like this could be a ballad. Certainly starts off slow and gentle, with a very pastoral sound: acoustic guitar, harpsichord-like keys, and the vocals are clean for the first time, as Tiovonen takes the lead. Sort of a lament after a battle, in case you didn't get that from the title. Short, too.
6. Warrior without a war: Back to the heavy, driving beat, although it's not as frenetic as some of the previous tracks. A return for Petri with his howled vocals, the whole thing galloping along nicely. Some very orchestral-style synth.
7. Cry for the earth bounds: Not sure what that title is meant to mean: if it had been “earth wounds”, yes, but “bounds”? Anyway, opens on another big warrior chorus/lament then lopes off into a nice mid-pacer, with initially clean vocals but Petri is back to take control; seems he may be the main vocalist. Good backing vocals though. Sounds like a female vocal in there now, though none is credited (later yes, but as a guest and only on that track) before it kicks back up again.
8. Two of spades: Einsferum go one better than Motorhead! This song has probably the most folk metal influences, with a definite ethnic feeling and it rockets along.
9. My ancestors blood: Big dark deep roar, like something out of a Black Metal album, dark muttering and a militaristic rhythm.
9. Descendants, defiance, domination: Wow! This is eleven minutes long! There's some mention of “Heathen throne part III”, but it's shown on both this and the last track, so I don't know if they're linked or if the author of the Wiki page fucked up. At any rate, this starts off slow and ominous, with chimy guitar and piano, then it picks up speed, but it's still a good four minutes almost before any vocals come in. Petri growls, then one or the other of them speaks, and the music continues, a great hook now in the guitar melody. Tomas takes over on vocals, and it is nice to hear some clean, decipherable singing, though Petri also takes part, the two of them kind of swapping verse for verse or line for line as they go.

Got a warrior's chorus coming in now, the percussion getting really driving and now we're off on a jaunty guitar solo with spoken part over it --- holy shit! It's over! That did not seem like eleven minutes! Leaving us with one track.
10. Neito Pohjolan: I guess this is in Finnish too. A fast, almost Country beat running it and with guest vocals from Netta Skog, whomever she may be. Did I just hear steel guitar? I'm sure I did! Weird closer, but weirdly satisfying.

Conclusion: Yeah I think I really like folk metal. There really wasn't anything here I didn't like, and overall I'd have to say the album hung very well together. Good effort. Might check out some of their other material at some point.

__________________
Trollheart: Signature-free since April 2018

Trollheart

Time to return to the Members' Top Ten, and sample three more of Frownland's selection. Well, two, as I already reviewed one last year...

On to number six, where we find a band who had the dubious distinction of being the ones whose album launched my “Love or Hate?” thread...

A Blaze in the Northern Sky --- Darkthrone --- 1992

I don't recall being very impressed with Transilvanian Hunger. but has my newfound semi-appreciation of/tolerance for Black Metal changed that I wonder? Thanks for that, Frown! A ten-minute opener? Still, at least there are only six tracks! Sounds pretty evil I must say.... dark mass evil. And here come the guitars in overdrive. You know, looking back over my “Love or Hate?” thread, I see I actually enjoyed that other album of theirs. Had it not been for the vocals I would not have given it the first Hate rating. But of course it's the same here; dark, screechy growled vocals I can't make out at all, and I must admit, the music, thus far is not a patch on Transilvanan Hunger (heh! TH! Never noticed that before!) Yeah, not a lot to write home abut here.

Second track is a lot better, has a nice sort of anthemic, marching feel to it. Speeds up later, but still pretty good. Yeah, you know, this is getting better as it goes along. Mostly. It's loud and raw and vicious, and I have NO idea what's being sung, but I'm kinda grooving to it. “Where cold winds blow” is pretty badass I must say. Yeah, if you want your Black Metal brutal and uncompromising, this is probably where to start. Bitchin', with a sideorder of Satan.

And so on to number five, which is apparently labelled as one of the most challenging, difficult albums in the genre. Sounds like fun!

Obscura --- Gorguts --- 1998

“Experimental and dissonant melodies”, they tell me. “Strange rhythms”, they tell me. “A work of great depth and vision”, they tell me. “One of metal's most techical and complex albums”, they tell me. We'll see. Lot of stopping and starting, bit annoying. Vocals are of course not what I like, but other than that, meh so far. Hmm, sounded like violin there. Maybe I've been working too hard... Holy good fuck! We're FOUR tracks in and I haven't really heard anything much I can remark upon. I haven't heard any challenging rhythms, experimental signatures, technical changes. Of course, I'm not a musician, so maybe these are more detectable and obvious if you play, but I just don't see it personally.

Okay, “Clouded” is a much, much, much slower track, more like Doom Metal, plodding along at a snail's pace, but I have to say the overall feeling I'm getting here is boredom. It's just ... there's nothing to keep my attention. If this were a Torture Chamber album it wouldn't really work, because I don't hate it, I just ... it just makes very little impression on me. It's like someone roaring to get my attention and I just don't want to make eye contact. Noisy, chaotic, loud, yes. Interesting? No. Not to me. There's some good guitar histrionics in “Subtle body”, to be fair, but nothing else impresses me. I'm just glad that's over.

Yeah, got nothing out of that. I wasn't repulsed, scared, just bored. I could not separate one song from another, and I certainly could not and will not remember any of the tracks on this album. The last one though had the most appropriate title: “Sweet silence”. Amen!

Like I say, Frown picked for his number four an album I extensively reviewed last year in Metal Month II, Mastodon's Blood Mountain, so I'm not going over that again thank you very much. That takes us to his top three, which we'll be tackling on Wednesday.

__________________
Trollheart: Signature-free since April 2018

Trollheart

All right, settle down! Take your seats please, and turn off all mobile phones. The feature presentation is about to commence to start. It's time again to watch, undecided as whether to punch the air or cringe down in your seat as we return to show you more of what happens when


“We live to rock” by Thor, from the album Wild in the Streets, 1986.
Appears in the movie Rock'n'Roll Nightmare, 1987.

If you thought the last movie we featured was bad, don't even think about watching this one. Though you might possibly want to listen to Thor, who contributed the track “We live to rock” to a movie that was so bad it went direct to video --- in Canada! Yeah.


“God gave rock and roll to you II” by Kiss, from the album Revenge, 1992.
Appears in the movie Bill and Ted's Bogus Journey, 1991.

Right, fuck all these crappy movies and films I haven't seen. Let's take one I enjoyed, as I think did anyone who watched it. One of the best closing themes ever in the sequel to Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure, Kiss revitalised the old Argent hit and pumped it up for the nineties, creating a rock anthem that still reverberates though metal today. Righteous, dude!


“I disappear” by Metallica.
Appears in the movie Mission Impossible II, 2000.

The only standalone Metallica track, “I disappear” (something a lot of you probably wish they would do!) was written specifically for the soundtrack to the sequel to the Tom Cruise career-resurrecting Mission: Impossible. It smashed the charts and became a number one for Metallica, I think their only one, ironically. I haven't watched the franchise myself --- not interested in watching Cruise be cool; he's far from my favourite actor, though I do commend his performance in Born on the Fourth of July --- but it's an internationally recognised phenomenon now, based on the old TV spy series I vaguely remember watching as a kid. Yeah, I'm that old.

__________________
Trollheart: Signature-free since April 2018

Trollheart

Every time Batty moans about how disillusioned he became with Megadeth/Dave Mustaine in his new journal, take a drink.
Those are really interesting thanks. Makes me wonder why JP don't just hire a top-flight lawyer and get the cunts put out of business. Surely they can afford it now?
You'll have to wait till tomorrow to find out. However, there is indeed a feature coming up later that involves you...

__________________
Trollheart: Signature-free since April 2018

Frownland

Umm...sorry to nitpick but you're not using my correct top ten list. I updated it to remove the albums you had already heard in the metal month thread. It kind of looks like you started off with the updated list then jumped to an earlier version, because MITB was one of the bands I tacked on.

Feel free to continue with the other one if you like, but I'd like hearing your thoughts on the updated list (most notably Whote Suns).

__________________

Studies show that when a given norm is changed in the face of the unchanging, the remaining contradictions will parallel the truth.

Trollheart

Crap! Where did that come from?? Okay, well as I've already done up to number three, but number four was Mastodon, I'll substitute that White Sun thing and include that in the final part on Wednesday. Fair? If I can get a chance to listen to the others (two others I think?) then I'll fit them in as an additional entry later in the month.

__________________
Trollheart: Signature-free since April 2018

Frownland

That works. I'm guessing that you'll find a chance to do the others because Naked City will leave you craving more of my metal favourites, I'm sure of it.

__________________

Studies show that when a given norm is changed in the face of the unchanging, the remaining contradictions will parallel the truth.

Trollheart

Last year, as part of “The Metal that made Me” section, I looked at three compilations of metal songs which I believed were important to the genre overall --- Metal for Muthas II, Brute Force and Killer Watts. This year, I want to very much expand that while still retaining the same basic idea. So in this section, I'll be telling you what I can about the band/song involved, where they got their start and where they ended up, ie what became of them after this series. Please note: don't expect too much in the way of reviews, as these are basically geared towards asking

And the series itself? Well, you may recall that some time ago, someone, I think it may have been Batty or possibly Unknown Soldier, reviewed some of the compilation series put out on Metal Blade Records in the eighties, under the umbrella title of Metal Massacre. This has now grown to a staggering thirteen volumes! Admittedly, they now take metal right out of the 80s and into the twenty-first century, and I don't know if I'll get through them all but I'm going to give it a good shot.

We begin, of course, and where else would we, with volume I. Again please take note: these songs will not be reviewed. There will be a basic, very short note about each and then anything I think that is relevant to the song or band involved, followed by a “Where are they now?” closing comment. I'll also be rating them through my patented “Love or Hate?” (TM) system. Most of these bands you'll probably know already, so feel free to comment if you feel the need.

Metal Massacre Volume I, released 1982.

Track one: “Chains around Heaven” (Black'N'Blue)

Yeah, about that: Black'n'Blue are probably most famous, like it or not, for having at one time had future Kiss lead guitarist and manager Tommy Thayer among their ranks. Though they are still around, having released a total of five albums since 1984, their last effort was in 2011.

The track: It's a decent uptempo song, with a nice hook, but I don't feel it's anything special. They supposedly had an “in-your-face” sound. Well, maybe you had to see them live to appreciate it. Still, it's a good enough song.

So where are they now? Still around, though as I said their last album was in 2011 with nothing heard of them since, though they did play live gigs in 2013.

Track two: “Live for the whip” (Bitch)

Yeah, about that: You have to admire a female-fronted band who just say fuck it and to hell with convention and caution. Bitch used S&M themes in their live shows, incurred the wrath of PMRC and Tipper Gore, were ironically kept in the news by the same self-styled do-gooders, aiding the sales of their second album, but later toned their set and their music down, changing their name to Betsy, for the lead singer, Betsy Bitch, nee Weiss.

The track: Faster and punchier than the opener, and Betsy's a decent (though not fantastic) singer. The BDSM overtones of the song are perhaps a little cartoonish, but at least they garnered them some controversy when released. No publicity is bad publicity, right?

So where are they now? Still going, after a rather long hiatus. Officially their last album was 1998, with some live performances in the intervening years, but last year they returned as a full band and played a live date in April, with a two-day headlining festival gig lined up and a new album due soon.

Track three: Captive of light (Malice)

Yeah, about that: Malice hailed from Portland, Oregon, and immediately drew comparisons to Judas Priest, which was not helped by the fact the one of their two guitarists looked just like a certain KK Downing! They survived though, and supported Motorhead, Alice Cooper and WASP, even Slayer on tour, though the last did not end well.

The track: Got a good boogie rhythm to it, kind of reminds me of early Diamond Head. Vocalist has that Eric Adams kind of operatic scream at times. It's okay but again my skirt is firmly in place.

So where are they now? Malice released two albums in the late eighties, plus an EP in 1989. Other than it was compilations until 2012, when they recorded four new songs to go with yet another compilation. So technically they're still around, though not much seems to have happened over the last three years.

Track four: “Octave” (Avatar)

Yeah, about that: I can find nothing about this band, who unfortunately chose a name that about twenty other bands, spread across the world and working in various sub-genres from thrash to doom, also chose.

The track: It's an instrumental. It's metal. It's not bad.

So where are they now? Not a scooby doo pal!

Track five: “Death of the sun” (Cirith Ungol)

Yeah, about that: Possibly one of the very earliest doom metal bands, Cirith Ungol were formed in 1972 but survived without any major backing from a label for eight years, only releasing their debut album in 1980. They lasted till 1991 and released four albums, changing their original doom metal approach to a more progressive one as the years went on.

The track: Right away, this is the first track that has stood out for me. The high-pitched, almost screamed (but still intelligible) vocals, the almost seventies hard rock sound, the dark guitars, the pace of the music, everything marks this band out as one to watch.

So where are they now? After four albums Cirith Ungol split, and in 1998 founding member Jerry Fogle passed away, leaving other founder Greg Lindstrom playing with his new band, Falcon.

Track six: “Dead of the night” (Demon Flight)

Yeah, about that: The only things I can find out about Demon Flight are that a) they came from LA and b) they released one EP in 1981 before splitting up.

The track: It's interesting again, with a kind of doomy/prog feel to it, wailing vocals which are certainly different (think a toned-down King Diamond perhaps) and it sounds like they could have been onto something. Pity they didn't stick at it.

So where are they now? All indications are that they split after this EP, though there is nothing to definitively confirm this. Still, with no output since 1981, I don't see them returning over thirty years later!

Track seven: “Fighting backwards” (Pandemonium)

Yeah, about that: Originally formed as Demon in 1977, they changed their name but still managed to pick one that has since been copied by a dozen bands. They hailed from Alaska, of all places, and released three albums before splitting in 1988.

The track: Again, we're looking at more hard rock than heavy metal here, the likes of Zep or Free, with a hard buzzy guitar and a very decent vocal, but I guess they failed to make the big time. Sounds like they had some real talent though.

So where are they now? Split after three albums, in 1988. Don't you pay attention?

Track eight: “Kick you down” (Malice)

Yeah, about that: The only band to feature twice on this volume.

The track: A whole lot better than their other effort. This has real bite in it, and you can see in this case why it was chosen to be included.

So where are they now? See above.

Track nine: “Hit the lights” (Metallica)

Yeah, about that: Anyone who needs background on Metallica can just get the fuck out now, and you are banned from all future Metal Months! Go on, turn in your leather jacket and your laminated pass!

The track: An early effort from the LA giants, which became the first track on their first ever album. If you've heard Kill 'em All you know what to expect. If not, then remedy this oversight immediately.

So, where are they now? One of the biggest and richest metal bands on the planet, that's where!

Note: This first volume was actually released in three pressings, apparently, almost identical each time, but there were slight differences, with tracks included on the other pressings that are not on this, the third one. So I'll just quickly address those now.

On the first pressing, the Black'n'Blue song is replaced as the first track by this, which I find about a thousand times superior. Why they changed it for later pressings (dropping the Steeler track completely) is beyond me.

Track one (First pressing): “Cold day in Hell” (Steeler)

Yeah, about that: Steeler were a band who started off against the odds, as a metal band born in Nashville, the spiritual home of Country music. Although they gained moderate success they only ever released the one album, and their main claim to fame is that they once had guitar supremo Yngvie Malmsteen in their lineup. Steeler are said to have been very influential to many metal bands, probably mostly thanks to the Y-Man and his incredible style of shredding.

The track: Has a great bite about it, and even though Malmsteen had yet to join at this point, you can hear the pretty superb guitar work that marks this out as something special. A lot of power with a stomping kind of bravado, and a pretty catchy hook in the chorus, even if to me it does sound like “Holiday in Hell”!

So where are they now? Only three or four months after Malmsteen joined, he left, and due to constant lineup changes the band folded in the summer of 1983. Founder Ron Keel went on to form the short-lived Keel, while Yngwie, well, we all know what happened to him.

On the first and second pressing, there are ten tracks, the fourth (that instrumental) being pushed down to fifth by the inclusion of this, much more important song.

Track four (First and second pressing): “Tell the world” (Ratt)

Yeah, about that: Well I think we all know who Ratt are? Out of the cellar? Invasion of Your Privacy? One of the big glam metal acts of the eighties, they're still around. Hide the cheese!

The track: Ratt were always a cut above the rest, and with the likes of Motley Crue and Quiet Riot led the glam metal revolution of the early eighties in LA. You can see on this why they've stayed the course and weathered the passage of time. Unknown and unsigned when they recorded this originally, it ended up on their greatest hits album ten years later and gave them a title for a later compilation in 2007. The swagger and sass evident even in this early track shows what a big name this rodent was going to be.

Where are they now? Still around, and going strong.

__________________
Trollheart: Signature-free since April 2018

Trollheart

Oh believe me, I have listened to Naked City. Should have given that to Batty for the Torture Chamber...

__________________
Trollheart: Signature-free since April 2018

Trollheart

Update: I will do The Body one but you already recommended a Zu album for the "Don't Listen to that" section, and generally I try not to repeat an artiste during Metal Month (other than in the Triple Box Set obviously) so I'm going to pass on that one. If you want to add another one from an artiste I have not yet done or has been suggested, fire away.

Edit: You know what? No. I've checked out White Suns and they're described as noise rock/ r and fucking b! This is Metal Month and if they're not Metal then they're not getting in. I don't consider either punk or noise rock to be Metal, so sorry, won't be doing that. If you can prove to me they're Metal, fine, but I'm not suffering though another of your weird experimental choices just because you want me to.

Anyone else confirm if White Suns are/are not Metal?

__________________
Trollheart: Signature-free since April 2018