Apparently this could be considered cheesy. I don’t know how, it’s dripping with awesome sauce. So fantastic. Enjoy this Skyrim music video!
Archive for the Music Category
Best Soundtracks Ever!
Posted in Best / Worst, Blog, Music, Reviews on April 5, 2012 by slatemanA movie score can really help solidify a film’s power and overall epicness. I’ll collect movie soundtracks from time to time. These aren’t the bands featured in the movie, of course. I thought I’d share some of my favorite soundtracks and why they’re so phenomenal.
Passion
Passion
I can’t say precisely when I heard this album first, likely my freshman year of college. Peter Gabriel is a very talented musician, that’s simple, but stepping out of his normal role to put this out is an amazing achievement. Sweeping soundscapes from another world (to an American, at least), this soundtrack is an emotional journey. However cheesy that might sound, it is true. Though I saw this movie once an age ago, it is so powerful even without the film to guide it. The title track is amazing, a super example of how deep and compelling this style of music can be.
What Is Best In Life?
Conan The Barbarian
As a young boy, this type of movie is what made me love swords and sorcery. Arnold was the man. This defines my youth to an extent and to this day I love this movie and its accompanying soundtrack. It is powerful but has slower, softer parts as well. From the beginning “In the time when the oceans drank Atlantis…” to the peaceful Orphans Of Doom outro, it’s a marvelous journey of sword and steel. Riddle Of Steel/Riders Of Doom is what it’s all about. Horns, chants, booming drums. Fuck Yeah!!! Then, try if you will, try to listen to The Orgy and not hum that tune all day long. It’s not an emotional record like the other two entries on this list are, but it is the most powerful, just as a movie with Arnold and swords should be. \m/
HoFD
House Of Flying Daggers
For a while, I watched all the big movies coming out of China. There was simply nothing like it in the U.S. and the cultural difference shows in both the cinematography and the storytelling. This film is not my favorite of the bunch; it is more a love story after all. However, of all those films, this movie’s soundtrack is by far the best, and just very well be the best movie soundtrack of all time. I can listen to this at any time, whether I’m looking for an upbeat, strong drive or an emotionally powerful experience. The Lovers Theme is repeated in several forms and each is as amazing as the prior, culminating in the Mei And Jin version…it gives me chills it’s that good. Even the English version grew on me. Farewell No. 2 – Oh, so phenomenal. Listening to it as I write this solidifies my opinion…the best soundtrack ever.
Mini-Review: Borknagar – Urd: I Like!
Posted in Best / Worst, Music, Reviews on April 3, 2012 by slateman
Urd!
During my first spin, I liked it. The Earthling was a particularly catchy tune, the melodic instrumental that followed a great tune. It was during my second playthrough that it really caught me. The last few tracks were catchy and and memorable. The Winter Eclipse is classic, fast, aggressive, double bass with raspy vocals. Again, this is what made me love European metal music. The middle section is classic Vintersorg, it’s almost unbelievable. While the album has less black metal vocals, I enjoy the mix of Vintersorg’s folk-sounding approach and the traditional Borknagar sound. This album may not be for everyone, as the band has really progressed in its long career. I find it a great album and would recommend it!
Mini-Review: Naglfar – Téras: Ehh…
Posted in Best / Worst, Music, Reviews on April 3, 2012 by slateman
Téras
Téras is a heavy, fast metal record with Wrath’s trademark vocals and on paper, it’s everything I love about music. However, it just doesn’t catch me. The production leaves me a little bothered, with the drums drowning out the guitars on several key points. The songs are not nearly as memorable as the last few records and barring a pair of tracks towards the end, nothing grabs me. I compare this to Kalmah’s For The Revolution. This was the first Kalmah record to not be as good as its predecessor. Ultimately, it’s the weakest in their catalog but it’s still worth a listen, particularly Coward. Unlike that album, I liken Téras to recent albums of Iron Maiden, etc. The album is good enough, but why listen to it when you have better music from the same band?
After the epic awesomeness of the last few albums, I’m disappointed this doesn’t live up. That’s always unfair for bands, particularly after a long hiatus. Sadly, the best thing about this album is that they’re still using the Naglfar logo and never changed that.
New Bone Fire MP3: MMXII-I
Posted in Blog, Downloads, MP3s, Music on March 14, 2012 by slatemanI haven’t recorded anything new in about a year, not since the boy was born, really. With my wife and kids out of town for the first time in 6 years, I decided to use my alone time to get back to what I love to do. Today’s recording is mostly out of desire to create something new, less about having an awesome riff to start with. So, it’s really just an excuse to record. What you have now is the first recording in 2012 and was fun to write. It’s certainly demo quality, I hear some fuck-ups that simply drive me nuts. However, it’s worth it in the end; I do hope you agree.
[jwplayer mediaid=”282″]
In Progress: Best Opening Tracks
Posted in Best / Worst, Music on February 20, 2012 by slatemanI’ve been meaning to write a few articles recently, but I never get around to it. I find inspiration while driving to work in the morning. Today’s article…Best Opening Tracks.
The Gathering
Testament: The Gathering – D.N.R.
From the second this track kicks in, it is perfection. Eric’s opening riff sets the thrashy mood while being modern and heavy. Lombardo’s bass drums have that click sound that became so popular around the time while retaining the deep bass sound the drum should have. The double bass parts and faster snare beats are fitting and tight. And then we get to Chuck’s voice. He very well could be the best vocalist for this style of music. He sings, he yells, he BOOMS. The rest of the album is awesome, but it’s hard to follow a song as spectacular as “D.N.R. not resuscitate meeee!!!”
Lamb Of God - Sacrament
Lamb Of God: Sacrament – Walk With Me In Hell
I liked LoG but I was never a huge fan. When Sacrament came out, I figured I’d check it out. The opening melodic part was surprising. I didn’t expect that I’d like this much. It was catchy, riffy, melodic. I found myself totally digging this song. Chris Adler’s drumming was tight and riffy in its own right. Randy’s vocals ranged from the deep, guttural growls to higher pitched screams and I loved it all. I wanted to turn it up. And even louder. Then the break came, an American-sounding breakdown that I often grow tired of. This time, however, the trade-off riff comes into play leading into Willey’s awesome bluesy solo. It just created the perfect package of everything I love about metal. We’re almost done here, double bass patterns over the opening riff, perfect vocals, it’s just phenomenal. Like with Testament, it’s hard to follow such a song, but every time I toss the record on, I turn this song up…at least twice!
“Take hold of my hand…for you are no longer alone…Walk with me in Hell!!!”
Emperor: Anthems To The Welkin At Dusk
Emperor: Anthems To The Welkin At Dusk – Alsvartr – Ye Entrancemperium
I’ve written of this record elsewhere. There, I spoke about the grandeur of this album, its place in American metal history. However, here we look at the intro and opening track. Sure, this counts as two, but putting them together makes for one hell of an introduction!!! Alsvartr is an interesting intro. It’s calm and orchestral but then changes into a haunting procession as it progresses. Ihsahn’s chant leads into a keyboard segment that is accompanied with thumping drums, all setting the tone for the segue. Ye Entrancemperium. It’s fast. Ihsahn is yelling. And THEN it kicks in! FAST! Trym is a machine, incredible speed and it transitions into a melodic section. “Emperium…Behold my coming!” However, we’re far from done. Some awkward-sounding areas, then even more speed. This album, this song…the perfect blend of the melodic and the fast. We have some clean vocals. “Can I ever comprehend? Will my longing ever end?? NEVER!!!” And then…even faster. It’s ridiculous and gloriously beautiful. Live, this song is even more outrageous. I cannot listen to it without getting so amped. “Drawn towards these lands again. Seeking death and sacred soil. I ride the longing winds of my blackened soul. Eternally.”
I had another one or two…can’t recall this morning and the baby is crying. I guess that’s why I have the “In Progress” tag.