Black Dahlia Murder's "Nocturnal" puts me to sleep.

The awaited release from melodic death metal's "The Black Dahlia Murder" was a lot less than I expected. The initial idea of the album is great, but upon listening, I found myself becoming annoyed with the somewhat repetive sound of guitars and drums.
Hollywood's own seem to have succomb to the filtered sound of today's modern metalcore. The vocals are repetitive and seem forced rather than flow creatively. This may be due to the fact that this is the first album they have put out with their new bass player (Bart Williams) and drummer (Shannon Lucas). I'm saying that they ruined the album themselves, but they surely did not help the effort. The vocals are one thing in particular that took away from "Nocturnal". Previous TBDM (The Black Dahlia Murder) vocals combine an interesting mix between a low gutteral sound and a higher scream. The current lyrics, although as uninteligible as before, sound more like wicked witch of the west than a death metal singer. I was greatly disappointed. Another blunder I found while listening was that the guitar has a lot more bass sound than older recordings. Now, to some more bass is a good thing, because it can make the sound more "heavy", but in respects to TBDM, there was much more than it required. They're often melodic breakdowns do not require a low sound because they are playing higher up on the guitar, it just reduces the once harmonious sound to muffled noise.
To sum it up, it was a great effort and probably took a lot of time ad what not, but it simply does not compare to older TBDM. Sometimes change can make all the difference...

Ithyphallic

The latest release from the death metal outfit, Nile, has raised the bar once again. Their latest release, "Ithyphallic" delivers with intricate guitar work, creative time signatures and surprisingly melodic undertones really make the listener connect with the albums title.


These North Carolina natives combine the death metal genre with themes of ancient Egyptian mysticism and use of B.C. era instruments. With band leader, Karl Sanders, on vocals, guitars and other miscellaneous instruments, Dallas Toler: guitars/vocals, and Geoge Kollias: drums and percussion. These 3 mesh very well together. Each of them is a master of their instrument. For example, Kollias is said to be able to drum faster a few beats per minute above humanly possible. This is their sixth release in the past 9 years and is by far the strongest thus far.

"Ithyphallic" (2007) really breaks the mold of death metal as a whole. Using more odd timing and transitions than most bands they know how to keep the listener interested throughout the entire song. This album takes a more melodic approach than some of their others. With songs like, "The Essential Salts", a song entailing a ritual practice where a mummy is bolied in order to reanimate the dead, combines a fast delivery of guitar and vocals with an interesting melodic undertone. The last minute of the song changes from low muddy guitar into a 3 guitar hamony on an asending scale. Another track worth listening to would have to be "Papyrus Containing The Spell To Preserve Its Possessor Against Attacks From He Who Is In The Water". Despite it's lengthy title, the song is a fast and technical wonder. Although one of the shorter songs on the album, "Papyrus" uses tempo changes and Kollias' drums to keep the song moving at all times.
So overall. Nile's "Ithyphallic"? Best death metal album in 2007. Period.

20 minutes with the president

Part One: I probably wouldn't talk about America's issues if I was given 20 minutes with Barack. I mean, I'm just some guy. I'm not about to tell him how to do his job. Our conversation would probably revolve around his college days, his kids, how he met his wife, etc. Although I would have to find the right moment to give him an awesome high five. That would be sweet.

Part Two: 1. When I'm in my 20's I'm hoping to start writing. Probably vonnegut-esque writing (satire and what not). And if fail in my attempts to start writing i'll go back to school, if possible, and become an english teacher. The reason i would teach english is because englsih, to me, is a difficult subject to get punk kids such as myself interested in. I think i would do it.
- We will have found a renewable fuel resource, although i think it will either be way obvious like corn, or more obsure, like whale oil or something. from genetically enhanced whales. yeah, whales. The issue of social control will be closely addressed. Like going way overboard with public safety and all that. Hopefully it won't be a futuristic "1984". I hope we have passed racial and gender predujice, although thats quite a feat in itself. I also hope we as a planet can work together instead being separated by location.

2. Well, if we're not all dead from the latest and greatest in nuclear technology I believe the Earth would be a rather tranquil place. If its not all taken up by industry and production I believe that it will be a place where we can live freely. More so than today.

Monday

Went to a hardcore show on saturday. all 5 bands (Condominium, Question, Herds, The Agenda Chronic Seizure) were all really awesome. I swear, I witness some of the best stages presences when I go to these things. Its a spectical really. From jumping into the audiance to clothing removal. I believe that this is true musical expression

Let Go

-Let Go-

Delirium
At first glance, decisions made
Unstoppable
Pursue with blind faith

Thoughts turn to words
Words to actions,
Actions to hollow words
Lie

What was once bright has now become dim
The feeling fades
Apathy sets in
Parasite

Try to imply
To let her know
She feels so strong
She won’t let go

Oct. 7th blog

Two Sundays ago. My band had a show at Eclipse Records in downtown Minneapolis. We played with 2 touring bands (Get Rad & Lewd Acts) and one big local band, In Defence. The show went very well. The venue was pretty awesome and had a nice layout for the type of music we play. The bands we played with were cool to us and joked around with us since we're all much younger then them. In Defence and Get Rad actually mentioned us and pointed us out during their sets. The other bands were really awesome as well. The highlight of the night was during In Defence's set people began stage diving. I got up and dove 3 times. Got some pretty good air the first time, but the other two times I was caught poorly, and the next dropped. The bruise on my ass just went away. A good Sunday night if I've ever had one.

Love Metaphor

Love is like a worm. It can be divided many times but still live on. It can be as such when love is blind or hides in the darkness.