Arsis - A Celebration of Guilt

[NAD]

Aye yes, Vio-lence vocals bother me. Only heard them once, enough to remember and hate them for years.

Mustaine's vocals are poor, but have that unique nasally thing that I kinda enjoy.

Tom Araya is probably my favorite metal vocalist, very few people reach his level of intensity.

Prong kicks ass, Tommy Victor is in Danzig now (again actually).

 

[NAD]

I find his emotional pinnacle on the title track to Divine Intervention actually, and his vocals are the only redeeming quality to God Hates Us All. His worst work for me is on South of Heaven, even though I love that album.

 

[Black Winter Day]

Arsis are motherfucking CARCASS REBORN!

This stuff fucking RULES.

 

[Krilons Resa]

Yeah, surprised the hell out of me as well. Only 2 dudes in the fricken band to boot.

 

[En Vind Av Sorg]

Yes, the only decent thing on God Hates us All was the emotion on some parts of the vocals. But in general, I agree with eriks statement.

 

[JayKeeley]

Well, I've listened to Arsis once now, and I'm struggling as to how this is any different to all the other death thrash CDs we receive on a weekly basis.

I dunno, perhaps you guys are shielded from hearing derivative crap promo after derivative crap promo, but I think I'm completely immune to anything even slightly innovative in this genre now.

Obviously I'll give it another few goes, and I'm really hoping I'll eat my words, but upon first listen, I just thought it was another helping of same ol' same ol'.

 

[NAD]

That's exactly why I didn't pick this up, or Arghoslent, or Vehemence, or yadda yadda yadda.

 

[SonOfNun]

You're both insane.

I would PAY to receive dozens of promos that sound like Arsis, Arghoslent and Vehemence but I highly doubt you'll receive much of anything even near that good.

I listened to Arsis once in the car and it didn't make a tremendous grab at my attention on first listen, but it grows and grows and eventually just flat out rules. Its fast, ripping and aggressive (yet still melodic with groove) and probably one of my favorite albums of the year. I think we'd all be screwed if we got rid of everything we didn't like after one listen.

 

[NAD]

Don't get me wrong, I don't complain about free CDs, but I will complain about shite bands whenever I come across them!

The number of melodeath bands out there is simply staggering. It's gotten to the point where even the good ones suck ass unless they bring something different to the table.

 

[J.]

Damn, and I was going to get that Arsis album when my auction's ended. Now I might delay it.

Regarding Arghoslent, a shame anyone ignores them. They were around before In FLames and were plugging out demos at around the same time as the forerunners of the Gothenburg sound, so to ignore them based on bad experiences based on inferior bands would be a mistake.

 

[JayKeeley]

You're both insane.

I would PAY to receive dozens of promos that sound like Arsis, Arghoslent and Vehemence but I highly doubt you'll receive much of anything even near that good.

No. Not after a year and half of receiving absolute drivel. Remember, you guys are selective and buy based on good reviews, hearsay, your favourite artists, etc. 9 times out of 10, you're only going to witness the good stuff.

Our job is to shield you from the crud. It's a thankless task.

I listened to Arsis once in the car and it didn't make a tremendous grab at my attention on first listen, but it grows and grows and eventually just flat out rules. Its fast, ripping and aggressive (yet still melodic with groove) and probably one of my favorite albums of the year. I think we'd all be screwed if we got rid of everything we didn't like after one listen.

Yeah man, don't get me wrong - I haven't written it off. I'm just saying that I didn't hear anything on the first listen that made this any different to the usual stuff we hear.

Bear in mind, we are so sick and tired of this 'death metal' genre (or anything that comes close), even Dan Swano has to push us to the limits in order for us to stand up and take notice. Not all of us liked Crimson II that much, and I wonder whether those that did are still listening to that album and thinking it was a worthy Edge of Sanity album.

 

[J.]

Not all of us liked Crimson II that much, and I wonder whether those that did are still listening to that album and thinking it was a worthy Edge of Sanity album.

I sold mine. 'Nuff said.

 

[Krilons Resa]

You cannot judge any half-way decent album with just one listen. Give it a few spins.

 

[JayKeeley]

I promise everyone in this thread that liked Arsis that I will listen to the album several times before passing final judgement. I just wanted to share initial thoughts....

 

[Krilons Resa]

I promise everyone in this thread that liked Arsis that I will listen to the album several times before passing final judgement. I just wanted to share initial thoughts....

I hear ya man. That comment was more directed at people shrugging off the album based on your initial first listen opinion v.s. established listening opinions of a plethora of others. A common scene it is that the negative overshadow the positive.

 

[SonOfNun]

J., I would suggest going ahead and picking up Arsis. Not that they sound like Arghoslent, but I'll compare them to each other for one reason. Both are death metal first and foremost, but at the same time they do have melody and groove. Arsis has a different sound, but at the same time it would be a shame to ignore them because they are lumped in with melo-death, just like Arghoslent. Both of these bands and just about any death metal band that has some groove and melody automatically gets labeled melo-death which brings to mind bands like In Flames, which they sound nothing like. Tis' not really fair.

JayK-I know you haven't written it off yet, just trying to make the point that almost no album reveals itself fully or even partially after one listen. I think everyone should hear Arsis and Arghoslent and I think they are both bands that most of us would like. Also, it took 2 or 3 listens, at least, to both of these bands before I started to really fall in love, but they're great.

 

[J.]

ah, what the hell, I can get it for $10 from Willowtip. As soon as I have some dough.....

 

[Nate The Great]

Keep in mind that Willowtip isn't known for signing generic, formulaic bands.

 

[NAD]

Shit, these dudes are on Willowtip? That automatically cancels out the inherent gayness of the word "melodic."

 

[JayKeeley]

So explain this:

Willowtip sells all their titles at $10. And for the most part, they also sell albums from other labels for $10. E.g. You can get Agalloch's Pale Folklore from Willowtip at $10.

On the flipside, The End sells Willowtip titles for $12-$13.

All prices include shipping.

Both vendors are in the US, so no exchange rate to worry about since I assume it's a direct trade of inventory between them? Anyone else noticed this?