Rate the album you last listened to

[killer_roach]

Rwake - Rest
7/10

Was good, but just didn't really stand out too much to me. Relying on three epics to form the bulk of the album led to a lot of material feeling muddled, despite being reasonably enjoyable.


Black Country Communion - 2
7.25/10

Think Led Zeppelin meets Uriah Heep with a bit of additional modern heaviness (in the vein of Black Label Society). Starts off very strong, then tails off toward the end.

[seriousbusson]

Black Country Communion - 2
7.25/10

Think Led Zeppelin meets Uriah Heep with a bit of additional modern heaviness (in the vein of Black Label Society). Starts off very strong, then tails off toward the end.

Yeah, I played both of their albums a couple of days ago, and have to agree. The second starts out pretty well, then gets a little dry by the end.

I do think that it's still a step up from the first, though.

[killer_roach]

Yeah, I played both of their albums a couple of days ago, and have to agree. The second starts out pretty well, then gets a little dry by the end.

I do think that it's still a step up from the first, though.

Agreed.

More quick mini-reviews from me getting through my "to listen to" stack:

Zola Jesus - Conatus
9.5/10

Better than Stridulum II, you say? That's my story and I'm sticking to it. Could very well be in some peoples' AOTY discussions, and definitely should be.


Barn Owl - Lost In The Glare
8.25/10

Yet another entrant into the ever-expanding "doom folk" field, and is doing it every bit as well as (if not better than) Earth. Surprisingly deft musical ornamentation to provide an unexpected bit of depth to the dark, spacey drone.


Pain of Salvation - Road Salt Two
4.75/10

...just stick with Road Salt One, a far superior album by pretty much any imaginable metric. The band's second attempt at adopting a more 1970s-inspired sound falls flat on its face in the first half, with only "The Deeper Cut", "Mortar Grind" and "The Physics of Gridlock" (three of the last five tracks) sparing this album from being an unequivocal skip. Bland tonal palettes, poorly recycled musical themes, and a lack of intensity pretty much doom this album from the start.

[ULS_980]

United in Regret - Arsis

8/10

Some pretty good death metal here.
Oh, The Humanity, United in Regret, and Lust Before the Maggots Conquest (the vocal delivery on the chorus was pretty cool to hear coming from a death metal band) are my personal favorites on the album. I'd have to listen to the album again to really get a feel for the other songs, but those are the three standouts for me.

[Dante1847]

having my winzip down makes me extremely ****ing angry that i cant get Conatus. godDAMNIT

[FlyGuyLXI]

having my winzip down makes me extremely ****ing angry that i cant get Conatus. godDAMNIT

Use 7-Zip.

[killer_roach]

Steven Wilson - Grace For Drowning
8.25/10

Pretty much what you'd expect from SW's solo work - poppy yet dark 70s-inspired numbers accentuated by impeccable production. Oh, and a 23-minute track on the second disc. (Listening notes taken from the CD version - have ordered the Blu-Ray audio disc as well for some surround-sound goodness as well)


Glitter Wizard - Solar Hits
7/10

Honestly, while the bulk of the album is still quite good worship of bands like Black Sabbath and "Space Ritual"-era Hawkwind, I wished there were more tracks like the first two, which marry that sound with some almost Mastodon-esque sludginess. (Yes, I am withholding points because of that cruel tease.)


Haken - Visions
9/10

One of the most promising new heavy prog bands, adding a contemporary, heavy take on symphonic prog, significantly improving the vocal work over the debut, and throwing in a 25-minute epic for good measure? SOLD.


Opeth - Heritage (5.1 mix)
8.75/10

Not really much changing my opinion of the album for better or worse, but this is as close to a definitive mix as there is. Was excellent even through headphones due to its added warmth and complexity, but it shines in surround.

[GreatJedi7]

August Burns Red - Leveler - 9/10

Currently listening to The Devil Wears Prada's new album Dead Throne.

[killer_roach]

Absu - Abzu
8.5/10

A bit too "by the book" for my tastes, but still a very impressive black metal album.


Proto-Kaw - Forth
6/10

This is the poster child of "retro worship" symphonic prog - not only is the instrumentation and themes straight out of the 70s, so is the production, and overall lacking enough variety to engage the listener. I'd score it lower, but this is basically a reformation of a band that existed before Kansas, so they get cut a bit of slack.

[GandWuser]

The Knife-Silent Shout (2006)
8/10

Haunting melodies carry on in your head well after listening to it, while the eerie but emotional vocals and cold but not soulless electronic backing music cement this. Slightly repetitive and drawn out at some parts, but definitely an album to listen to, regardless of being an electronic music fan or not. If you're more for single songs, check out Silent Shout, Marble House, and Forest Families.