Non-gay bro thread a.k.a. Random offtopic stuff.

[DE4life]

I saw Gloryhammer recently released a single which was basically a new song with a lot of borrowing from a much longer song they did, and two rerecordings of older songs - The Unicorn Invasion of Dundee from their 2013 debut album, and Hootsforce from their 2019 album. They have a different singer nowadays, so, it makes some sense. I'm always wary of bands rerecording older songs though, as it almost inevitably sounds worse.

They nailed it with these two though. I like the original Unicorn Invasion of Dundee, but the production on the new version is massively improved and the song sounds a lot more epic. I'd definitely listen to the new one over the original. Hootsforce had better production compared to the 2013 version of Unicorn Invasion, as it's from a quite recent album, but I still think I prefer the newer version as I generally prefer their new singer over the old one.

Anyway, point is, it really puts the Clayman 2020 rerecordings to absolute shame. Not that they needed any comparison to be shameful, but the difference between one band putting everything into making great songs even better - and the other half-heartedly cashing in on nostalgia - is stark. I fucking hate Clayman 2020.

 

[Moonshield_]

Just gave a quick listen to Clayman 2020 because of you, I had only heard it once.

Wtf did they have in mind releasing this thing.

So weak.

 

[DE4life]

It's an absolute joke, and not a funny one either. Nothing but a low-effort cash grab. Even the "remastered" original songs give little to no improvement over the originals. A total waste of time.

 

[Xpyro125]

It feels like it was done to fulfill a label obligation. There was very little effort put into the re-recordings, Anders and Björn always said they didn’t want to revisit their old stuff or make “TJR 2” before making C2020 out of nowhere, and it not only came and went immediately, but 1. Down, Wicked, and No Good had a longer lifespan than it, and 2. The Come Clarity 15th anniversary was noticeably downplayed with just two articles of clothing (a t-shirt and hoodie), a CD, and I think a vinyl version being incredibly quietly promoted by the band. The shame of the re-recordings has undoubtedly lingered, and it’d make even more sense if it was just because Nuclear Blast wanted it over the band themselves. Even just a year after ITM, Anders and co. weren’t that interested in revisiting the old stuff yet, still repeating the “no TJR 2” mantra, with the shift in style and setlist truly occurring with Foregone, which seems more natural and like what they wanted to do. I personally think that Clayman was chosen for it because it’s iconic to both older and newer fans— Something that not even TJR, Reroute, nor CC quite accomplished— and in the end, hey, it really did unite the fanbase. It united us in agreeing that this was some of the worst dogshit that ever made it to the studio.

 

[Pallbearer]

Clayman (together with Colony) has arguably the best mix / post-production In Flames has ever had.

I can only say "if it ain't broken, don't fix it." Would've rather had a Reroute 20th anniversary re-recording in 2022.

The only good thing I can say about C2020 is those additional leads in "Bullet Ride" were pretty neat.

 

[ThePhobiac]

DT show in Gothenburg was awesome as expected. I liked how the Swedes in the audience around me would all be talking to each other, then they would turn to me and explain in English (my Swedish skills are lacking, though they do exist). Nice dudes. Speaking with the DT guys again was fun -- I don't think I said anything this time that made me want to kill myself out of embarrassment in retrospect. Gothenburg itself was a great time, too, in spite of the weather. Getting lost on the hiking trails out on the islands is highly recommended and I quite mean that.

 

[The Grayfox]

...yeah, but did you hold up the sign?

 

[ThePhobiac]

I did, but I'm going to be completely honest (and this part is 100% true), every single photo I have seen of the show has me just out of frame or someone is blocking me from view.

 

[The Grayfox]

Johan has some photos up on his Instagram. It looks like they extended the set a bit for this show too. Did they say if it's going to be a live album or anything? I guess it could just be a live video they show online, which bands seem to be doing more nowadays.

 

[ThePhobiac]

It was definitely longer than when I saw them in the US. Martin Brandstrom handed this to me at the end of the show:



I have to say that Misery's Crown is not quite my favorite DT song, but hearing it live is a different story.

 

[The Grayfox]

It's definitely missing old school material but for a set supporting Endtime Signals, I'd say it's not bad and if it is a live album, I'd be happy with it. I love that they're keeping Hours Passed in Exile in the set because I really believe it is one of their best songs.

 

[Moonshield_]

Wowowow, we're back in the purest form of melodeath from the 90's with this one! Excellent new release from Night in Gales!

Artwork is wonderful and so is the production, I really needed this raw and oldschool kind of melodic death metal

 

[drawntoblack]

 

[GraemeSinclair]

Merry Christmas, troops! Hope you're all having a good one!

 

[Xpyro125]

Merry Christmas to you and everyone else here too. I now have six pillows after opening my presents, life is wonderful.

 

[Pallbearer]

Merry Christmas! Eat well, drink with your family, and try to forget about work for a moment. And, should you have a taste for the extreme, listen to Battles in its entirety.

 

[Xpyro125]

And, should you have a taste for the extreme, listen to Battles in its entirety.

That doesn’t sound like a very jolly thing to do…

 

[mindd]

That doesn’t sound like a very jolly thing to do…

ain't that the truth

 

[The Grayfox]

Look at the sig, boys. Battles is a way of life.

 

[Xpyro125]

Found a mobile game (Magic Piano by Smule) I used to play a little over a decade ago again yesterday and saw they added in a composing and uploading feature at some point over the years. I’ve started doing the world a service by exposing the mainly pop, rap, and classical demographic to our culture— OFTW’s got 9 plays, CC’s got 3 (Both songs being transposed and uploaded yesterday), Reflect the Storm somehow has 4 despite being uploaded earlier today, and Jotun already has 2 after uploading it a few minutes ago. If I end up making even one new fan of the band, then it’ll all have been worth it.

I’m not sure how much I’ll delve into this, seeing as my attempts to make Dead Eternity and Lunar Strain’s title track were impossible due to the BPM and time signature switches, and my attempts to make Moonshield, TJR’s title track, SOAPF’s title track, and Pure Light of Mind were all rather overwhelming. I’m thinking of making Colony or The Truth next, but I’m not 100% sure just yet.

It’s nothing mind-blowing or anything that’s be talked about fora while, but it’s a fun little thing I wanted to share that’s helping me further understand composition.