Heavy Metal!!

[MrWhippy]

Yay, the metal thread is back.  I'll definitely check out the new album by The Sword, thanks for the reminder.

It's more metalcore than metal, but my favorite heavy record so for this year is the new Converge album, All We Love We Leave Behind. 



Also, I haven't heard it yet, but the new Pig Destroyer record is supposed to be great.

[Ruckus]

The energy at the Pig Destroyer show I saw on Friday was great but I found their music to be too repetitive in style.  I still haven't listened to their new album other than what I heard that night.

Necropsy, one of the openers, were great with some throwback dueling guitar thrash work tossed in.

Unfortunately I didn't make it to the venue in time to see Royal Thunder, an awesome Atlanta hard rock band with a great female lead that deathstick introduced me to.  I highly recommend their debut full length from this year.  I've been listening to it quite a bit since picking up their vinyl Friday night.

I still need to check out that Converge Whippy.  Thanks for bumping this thread wolof

[exist10z]

Not really a metal fan, though my first concert ever was Iron Maiden/Quiet Riot, and in my early teens it was pretty much all 'metal'. Judas Priest, Scorpions, Dokken, Dio, Ozzy, etc. were favorites, but it's not really my thing anymore.  I guess it's too heavy, or I'm too old, or both...

Ruckus, I did check out that Scale The Summit you suggested early in the thread, just curious to hear what sort of 'metal' you were discussing, it's pretty good.  It isn't what I think of as metal at all, and probably not that indicative of the rest of the new metal you are discussing, but I thought it was almost jazzy.  It actually kinda reminded me of Explosions In The Sky.  I listened to your link, as well as new song by them from this year called Redwoods, not bad at all.

[Ruckus]

Not really a metal fan, though my first concert ever was Iron Maiden/Quiet Riot, and in my early teens it was pretty much all 'metal'. Judas Priest, Scorpions, Dokken, Dio, Ozzy, etc. were favorites, but it's not really my thing anymore.  I guess it's too heavy, or I'm too old, or both...

Ruckus, I did check out that Scale The Summit you suggested early in the thread, just curious to hear what sort of 'metal' you were discussing, it's pretty good.  It isn't what I think of as metal at all, and probably not that indicative of the rest of the new metal you are discussing, but I thought it was almost jazzy.  It actually kinda reminded me of Explosions In The Sky.  I listened to your link, as well as new song by them from this year called Redwoods, not bad at all.

Oh yeah, Scale the Summit is far from what most picture "metal" to be.  It's the RUSH prog nerd in me that drew me to their music with their complex arrangements and time signature changes.  Their music is very melodic and as you suggested, also appeals to jazz minded people as well.  Their album Carving Desert Canyons is my favorite, serving as a nice middle ground between the thrashy shredfest of Monument and the more refined and subtle Collective

Because this is an MMJ forum, I don't think people have strayed too far into the "heavy" stuff but I can attest to the fact that Whippy and I think a live Meshuggah show can destroy anything in a 5 block radius.

Here's some footage from last Friday night's Pig Destroyer CD release show at Ottobar.
Pig Destroyer "Thumbsucker" live at the Ottobar in Baltimore, MD 10/19/2012

[Jeff Murray]

Haven't really been keeping up with current Metal... but I just got turned onto Red Fang, The Sword, and Indian Handcrafts.  Might actually go to the Red Fang show with Indian Handcrafts opening in Philly.  I couldn't stop streaming the new Indian Handcrafts album on Spin last night... great album!

I know some argue on whether Deftones are metal, but I got tix for them out tonight in Bmore with Scars on Broadway... not often do you get a great opener so I'm heading in early for a good spot and tunes! 

[MrWhippy]

Do you all consider System Of A Down to be a Heavy Metal band? I love their stuff and hadn't seen any comments on the forum about their music.

I don't consider SOAD as metal, really, but they probably fit that category closer than anything else. 

Here's a great recent release, Years Past Matter by Krallice.



Krallice are one of a few bands around right now that are taking the format of black metal and pushing the boundaries of what it can be. 

I highly recommend checking this one out if you have a hankering for the heavy.

[LeanneP]

Hmmmm, I wonder if this metal thread will draw my old man to the forums?  He publishes the online mag http://www.hellbound.ca.

Anyone going on the Barge To Hell cruise in December? 

[Murph]

Is Baroness awesome....and should I start listening to them?? 

[LeanneP]

A-yup!  And they have the best art work ever. Unfortunately, the band recently crashed their tour bus and the members are recovering. Thank goodness it wasn't a fatal crash!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-19273282

Baroness - Rays on Pinion

[manonthemoon]

Is Baroness awesome....and should I start listening to them??

Ruckus would say no, but I think their early work is really good.  The new album is more of a rock album and not metal IMO.

[manonthemoon]

Haven't really been keeping up with current Metal... but I just got turned onto Red Fang, The Sword, and Indian Handcrafts.  Might actually go to the Red Fang show with Indian Handcrafts opening in Philly.  I couldn't stop streaming the new Indian Handcrafts album on Spin last night... great album!

I know some argue on whether Deftones are metal, but I got tix for them out tonight in Bmore with Scars on Broadway... not often do you get a great opener so I'm heading in early for a good spot and tunes!

I'll actually be at that show, me and a friend are driving up from DC to catch them.  Also checking them out in Richmond the day before. IMO the best show of the year was me seeing them in Baltimore during the 100 degree plus weather this summer.  Epic metal, big pit, crowd was totally into it.

[MrWhippy]

I like Red Fang as well, and will be seeing them next weekend at Fun Fun Fun Fest in Austin.

Also, definitely check out Baroness, particularly Blue Record.

[wolof7]

Been really digging this album:



Earth: The Bees Made Honey in the Lion's Skull

Anyone on board with Earth? They are what I can only describe as Post-Doom drone. They have some definite Stoner metal qualities in there as well.

[MrWhippy]

Earth to me feels like something I should love, but it just unfolds way too slowly for my taste (thought I haven't heard the new one yet).  I've felt before like I would like them better if I could listen to it in fast forward.  Live they almost put me to sleep the one time I saw them.

I saw a ton of great metal last weekend at Fun Fun Fun Fest in Austin. 

Red Fang were really good, though I feel like they still have a good amount of maturing to do as a band and will keep getting better. 

Kvelertak were good straight ahead Norwegian metal, really enjoyable early afternoon set.

Black Tusk was a great set of 1.  Disengage brain.  2.  Bang head.

Napalm Death were amazing and one of the best sets of the festival.  Drumming for that band must be as taxing as it looks as the drummer hurled during their set - twice.

Torche was very good instrumentally, but the poppy, sunny elements of the music don't really fit well for the kind of music they are going for, in my opinion.

Converge was my second favorite set of the festival (behind Public Image Ltd.).  What really sets that band apart is the insane technical skill of the band and the complexity of their songs.

Not really metal, but Tomahawk was great.  Mike Patton is an evil genius.  Look for this band to rule the world in 2013.

Pallbearer was really impressive doom metal.  I was very excited to learn after the festival about that these guys are doing a tour with Enslaved in 2013.  Great double bill.

Liturgy was interesting in that they have lost their drummer and now their bassist and play as a two guitar duo with a drum machine.  It's actually much better than it sounds, though, and they are just doing something different now rather than trying to replicate what they could do with a full band.  Their use of a drum machine really turned some people off, though.

Also not really metal, but Turbonegro was really fun.  The new singer is a good fit and the band seemed very much intact.  Nothing essential, but a great end to the festival, as the final set on Sunday night.

[manonthemoon]

Looks like you had quite the weekend, Whippy.

I just saw Red Fang and Black Tusk for a couple of shows this weekend and thoroughly enjoyed it.  The crowd was really into it and Lord Dying was also pretty good for a younger band.  Black Tusk was a little more black metal, but definately stoner metal as well.  I really liked this 3 piece as they had great intensity and it seemed like most of their newer tracks were a little more developed.  Plus the one guy has a very sweet beard.  Red Fang was excellent, who I really find funny when they talk on stage.  I think they will continue to grow and get better, but I think they kind of have that not take anything too seriously attitude that is nice.  Plus it was nice seeing the groups in small venues where they come out to watch the other bands and talk to fans.  I still say my concert of the year so far has been seeing them play in Baltimore this summer, blistering great set.

Plus I love Turbonegro, but its not really the same without Hank.  I just can't get into the Duke.

[Jeff Murray]

I was at last night's Red Fang show at Underground Arts.  I thought Red Fang killed it!  I was bummed that Indian Handcrafts couldn't make it due to visa issues, was really looking forward to them.  Lord Dying and Black Tusk got the crowd riled up, just not favorites of mine.  They definitely made some new fans at the show though as the merch table got busy after each of their sets.   

I agree with Manonthemoon hoping that Red Fang doesn't start to take themselves too seriously... they are so much fun!  Their videos and stage banter is hilarious. 

[alienlanes]

My wife suggested I sign up and post in here. I am an oldschool metal fan - I bought my first Iron Maiden LP in 1983 and still have it. I enjoy metal a lot still despite turning 40 this year. I'm a music writer that focuses primarily on metal, I do a radio show that's all metal and work in the industry so I get to see and listen to A LOT of metal, which keeps me up to date.

Some of my faves this year include the new Royal Thunder and Hooded Menace albums on Relapse, the Pallbearer debut on Profound Lore, the Saint Vitus comeback album from this spring and I am super super excited about the new Voivod album that will be out in early 2013.

I like MMJ a lot too :)

[SauceGod]

these guys are instruMETAL, and opening for the sword on their tour. the whole show is awesome. but these guys are just crazy good live, and their new album is a monster.

Eagle Claw @ Red 7 05.24.2011 - Hard Stuff

[MrWhippy]

Yay alienlanes, new blood for the metal thread!

And thanks, RDist52 for the recommendation on Eagle Claw.

There are a couple great metal tours coming up in early 2013.  One is Enslaved/Pallbearer, and the other is Gojira/The Atlas Moth/Devin Tonwsend Project.  I don't know DTP, but the other two bands on that bill are great.

[wolof7]

I concur with Eagle Claw. Saw them open for the Sword last week and they were great!