So whether you're a hardcore metal fan or just you average rocker, we seem to got you covered this week. Shit, there are a lot of good albums (as I am scrolling through this article as I am composing it). Classic album releases such as The Rolling Stones, Peter Frampton and the almost 20 year career of Placebo has made it's way into a new EP. So make sure to head to your local record shop or online retailer to pick up a few (or all) of these great albums.
AFGM: Soundgarden - King Animal
AFGM: Soundgarden... With Jools Holland
The trouble is that on an album that’s more than fifty minutes in length shouldn’t have any filler, and this album does. There’s good spots all over the album, but some of the songs are more annoying, and don’t ever offer the blissful excuse of being musically complex to brush it off with. There are songs on here ('A Thousand Days Before' comes to mind) that sound like they were written in half an hour, with everyone going 'Yes, this sounds like a Soundgarden song. Done.'
This all comes back to my original point, though. I have no greater expectation for this album because of the wait. I have no notion of Soundgarden needing to 'wear off the rust', nor 'proving themselves' to me. They proved themselves long ago. This album is really good, really listenable, and really enjoyable on each passing listen, as there is some depth to it. Unfortunately, it’s also really long with a turd or two thrown in. Nonetheless, I can’t help but recommend everyone who ever liked them check out King Animal. It’s not Superunknown, it’s not Badmotorfinger; it’s better songwriting than their earliest music and yet still not as cookie cutter Down on the Upside.
…And goddamn it, I’m happy to listen to it. Isn’t that what it’s all about? -Under The Gun
And since the album plays out chronologically, it hits its stride on the second CD, which begins with ‘Jumpin’ Jack Flash’ and wraps up with the disco-era ballad ‘Fool to Cry.’ But even the last disc, which attempts to sum up the past 35 years in 17 songs, comes off surprisingly filler-free, including latter-day hits like ‘Miss You,’ ‘Undercover of the Night’ and ‘Mixed Emotions.’
‘Grrr!’ ends with two new songs, the throwback rocker ‘Doom and Gloom’ and ‘One More Shot,’ a sturdy barroom shuffle that recalls the best of their ‘80s material. And the Stones sound remarkably resilient on both of them, checking in with their leanest and toughest performances in years. The real question, though, is whether or not the two new tracks are worth the price of adding yet another Stones anthology to your collection. These are essential segments of rock ‘n’ roll’s permanent foundation. But you already know that. -Ultimate Classic Rock
AFGM: Dethklok, Machine Head, All That Remains & Black Dahlia Murder @ Sound Academy (Nov. 7th, 2012)
'I Am Hell (Sonata in C#)' remains an epic massacre of the highest order for nearly ten minutes, while 'Imperium' redefines the dual guitar attack for the 21st century with Flynn and Demmel ripping in tandem. 'Beautiful Mourning' and 'Be Still and Know' temper crushing and catchy as 'The Blood, the Sweat, the Tears' practically induces an earthquake live. The Unto the Locust fare, 'This is the End' and 'Locust', was tailormade to slay live and does it ever. The recording bristles with raw thrash violence. Yet, the intimacy of 'Halo' cruises into psychedelic territory with Flynn guiding the crystal ship.
'Davidian' rounds out the battering in proper form with Flynn screaming, 'Headbang motherfucker' over his flawless riffing. Machine F**cking Head Live is on the level with Pantera's Official Live: 101 Proof and Slayer's Decade of Aggression: Live as an essential live record.
Cheers to another 17 years for the kings of 21st century thrash. -Artist Direct
If you were to get a copy of Travis Barkey and Yelawolf’s new EP that comes out today, you’d understand how the pair got the title of the EP, Psycho White. From that moment you put on the record on you understand why Newport said that the EP was 'Man, that’s some psycho white boy shit.' Psycho White, is an odd mix of music, but to the seasoned hip hop listener you’ll see that the combination works. -Musically Diversified
I feel a bit bad for Trent and everyone else involved with How to Destroy Angels. NIN has such a huge legacy, it’s downright impossible for any writer to not bring it up while discussing this band. Even here, I have been trying my hardest bring up NIN as few times as possible. But I have failed so spectacularly that I am sure on the off chance Trent sees this review, he might find a way to smack me upside the head across the internet!
Despite all that, being compared to NIN isn’t the worst thing in the world, especially if you have the unfair advantage of being Trent Reznor in a different project. When you break it all down, An Omen is an excellent listen worthy of your attention. Just like the self titled EP, I once again find myself looking forward to the future of How to Destroy Angels. -Primary Ignition
AFGM: Deftones - Koi No Yokan
Like Diamond Eyes proved to us before, Deftones are back at their creative peaks, performing tracks that leap into new territories as well as dig back into older ones, resulting in an extremely wholesome and satisfying return. But Koi No Yokan isn’t just a repeat performance — it’s the work of a group of ultra-talented individuals who have put their differences aside in order to fully realize and guide their energies from the emotional complexities that have wrought them into something flourishing and highly memorable. The differences between the albums rest in the group’s ability this time around to deliver their power from the moment the album begins to the time it ends, cementing a new era of Deftones that I hope continues to keep them in the top tier of musical entities. -LA Music Blog
The biggest drawback to the ep has to do with kinks in the lyrical themes. Placebo has always contained a certain degree of revolt within them but here Molko turns on the government moreso than ever before. At this stage though, it comes off a little contrived. The theme lacks focus and seems a bit gimmicky. The songs are all good enough though that you know this is only the beginning. In fact, it feels like in many ways this release was about the difficulty the band was having in releasing new material, finding Molko in such a new place in his career but it also shows the band's ability to turn their troubles into great music. And so B3 is damp and rusty, and it's a sign that Placebo is finding who their going to be post Battle for the Sun, but it is my recommendation to keep the faith that Placebo is just getting started, and what's coming wont disappoint. -Sputnik Music
AFGM - The Infamous Tour: Motionless In White, Chelsea Grin, Stick To Your Guns, and More!
Though it took me a dozen listens to believe it myself, Infamous is without a doubt Motionless In White’s strongest, most cohesive effort to date. Every step taken in a new direction was the right choice to make in terms of continued musical evolution, and the resulting overall progression is bound to take MIW to bigger and better places. If you’re a longtime fan who feels somehow cheated, listen again. This band is going places and it is all because of the connection they have been able to form with listeners around the world. They are aware of the importance of their message and take nothing more serious than the perfection of the music that accompanies it. This is the result of two years of listening to a world filled with fans sharing their stories, and it is definitely a tale that deserves to be heard.
I could not be more excited to see what happens to the world once the masses have heard what Motionless In White has to say. -Under The Gun
That’s about it. Yeah, there’s a great discussion to be had about how Green Day would benefit from a four-track over a glossy Hollywood studio, but that’s too obvious at this point. Instead, let’s just take this for what it is: a second installment of a trilogy. Now, typically a trilogy’s second entry digs deeper and gets darker, exploring uncharted territory and coming out on top despite the loss. (Look no further than The Dark Knight, The Empire Strikes Back, The Godfather: Part II, Spider-man 2, Back to the Future: Part Two, etc.) There’s certainly darkness and terror here, though it’s more of a reaction to a variety of choices made by the band than any implied aesthetic. With a lack of depth, a messy focus, and a bloated sense of evolution, ¡Dos! isn’t only a forgettable sequel to a bland predecessor, but a slip down the ladder Green Day has attempted to extend for over a decade.
But why do we fall, Mr. Armstrong? -Consequence of Sound
After spending much of 2011 touring with his Staind, Aaron Lewis returned to the studio to create a full-length follow-up to his country EP Town Line. Like that 2011 EP, The Road is a modern country album celebrating Lewis’ redneck roots, highlighted by 'Grandaddy’s Gun,' 'Party in Hell,' and the single 'Endless Summer.' -All Music
Besides the brilliant arrangements of Richard Cottle and James Graydon, special mention should be given to the excellent guest guitarists who appear on the collection. Steve Rothery of Marillion is featured on 'Working Man,' and Adrian Smith from Iron Maiden guests on 'Red Barchetta.' Last but certainly not least, the cover painting is fantastic. Credit Jesus & Javier Carmona Esteban for this beautiful work, they give Roger Dean a good run for his money with it.
The Royal Philharmonic Play the Music of Rush is a wonderful addition to any Rush fan’s collection. I would also like to take a moment to congratulate the Purple Pyramid label for putting it together. They have been releasing some wonderful items in the world of progressive rock and fusion lately. For fans such as myself, these efforts come as a welcome antidote to the world of Lady Gaga and much of the rest of what constitutes the mainstream today. -Blinded By Sound
(CD/DVD)
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