Prometheus?
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Demonspell
cheating the polygraph
There's a difference between utilizing technicality to advance artisitic vision (a la Cynic) and using technicality to assuage your ego and impress the gullible (a la Prometheus...).
Jeez, I think that's a rather harsh assessment. There's so much more to 'Prometheus' than a few guitar flourishes. Trym's drumming, Ihsahn's varied vocals, the great lyrics, the production, the atmosphere. I feel all these factors contribute towards making 'Prometheus' one of the all time great albums.
Trym's drumming is not all that impressive (it's triggered)...
Beyond that, the problem is that the technical flourishes are gratutious, they aren't being utilized to advance and support the content of the songs, they're just sort of there. The production is horrid and digitized past the point of sterility. The vocal attack isn't well thought out at all, the variety of vocals SHOULD have been used in a fashion carefully calculated to communicate the content, but they weren't. They were just thrown in haphazardly. The songs rarely go anywhere, they just noodle about in a vain search for a point. It's really a terrible album.
Beyond that, the problem is that the technical flourishes are gratutious, they aren't being utilized to advance and support the content of the songs, they're just sort of there. The production is horrid and digitized past the point of sterility. The vocal attack isn't well thought out at all, the variety of vocals SHOULD have been used in a fashion carefully calculated to communicate the content, but they weren't. They were just thrown in haphazardly. The songs rarely go anywhere, they just noodle about in a vain search for a point. It's really a terrible album.
Well, it seems you've made up your mind about it. Would I be assuming too much if I supposed that you're a fan of the black metal days?
That's down to taste. I couldn't necessarily state that because they're triggered then all joy of listening to them is suddenly negated and rendered untenable.
Personally I enjoy the triggered effect utilized in particular by Nick Barker, Hellhammer, and Trym.
I disagree with the majority of your other points, too, although I think you get my drift enough to not warrant a detailed rebuttal on my behalf.
That's down to taste. I couldn't necessarily state that because they're triggered then all joy of listening to them is suddenly negated and rendered untenable.
Personally I enjoy the triggered effect utilized in particular by Nick Barker, Hellhammer, and Trym.
I disagree with the majority of your other points, too, although I think you get my drift enough to not warrant a detailed rebuttal on my behalf.
Actually, quite a few people have questioned Hellhammer's skill. He is, if nothing else, a known weak hitter.
Below is a quote from my interview with Ihsahn prior to the street date for Prometheus, where he discusses how the concept fits with the lyrics.
I have quite a bit more in the original transcript, which later became the cover story for Unrestrained! #17. I think that I may publish the transcript in its entirety in a future edition of the Chaotic Critiques email newsletter (as I recently did with my Opeth story). If you're interested in checking that out, you can subscribe by sending an email to ChaoticCritiques-subscribe@yahoogroups.com and then follow the opt-in instructions which are returned to you.
Here's the Q&A excerpt:
How does the story of Prometheus connect with your own philosophy?
Ihsahn: If I could define that! I would say that it's too complicated to start comparing. So I basically used this as an inspiration, as a symbolic figure, as with Icarus, of taking that leap, doing something that in conventional terms are wrong, but for a higher purpose, and to reach further. I haven't taken the totality of the Prometheus myth and what it is associated with, just the more concrete aspects of this symbol. He was harshly punished for taking that leap, being chained to a stone with the eagle eating his liver out every day.
I have quite a bit more in the original transcript, which later became the cover story for Unrestrained! #17. I think that I may publish the transcript in its entirety in a future edition of the Chaotic Critiques email newsletter (as I recently did with my Opeth story). If you're interested in checking that out, you can subscribe by sending an email to ChaoticCritiques-subscribe@yahoogroups.com and then follow the opt-in instructions which are returned to you.
Here's the Q&A excerpt:
How does the story of Prometheus connect with your own philosophy?
Ihsahn: If I could define that! I would say that it's too complicated to start comparing. So I basically used this as an inspiration, as a symbolic figure, as with Icarus, of taking that leap, doing something that in conventional terms are wrong, but for a higher purpose, and to reach further. I haven't taken the totality of the Prometheus myth and what it is associated with, just the more concrete aspects of this symbol. He was harshly punished for taking that leap, being chained to a stone with the eagle eating his liver out every day.
OneFootBlaster
Satanic Hispanic
Hmm triggers... lets see. I've tried them and, yes- they make a baby-tapper sound like Godzilla. But some drummers like Docent from Vader and Gene Hoglan (use them) but absolutely do not need them as they both beat the living crap outta their drums. I've actually played on Steve Asheim's kit (Deicide) and he swears by Axis pedals andhe uses triggers as well. Also Nick Barker and Hellhammer both have gone and gotten rid of their acoustic snares altogether. Thats sad right there, because theyre both amazing sounding on record. I dont know. I guess I can see where people will say you're cheating by using triggers, but the fact is- you are still playing the drums PERIOD. I would probably use an all electronic kit live (if I had the money!) but I still prefer real ACOUSTIC drums at the end of the day. You just can't beat the "feel" of real drumheads. Although VDRUMS come pretty close. I used that to record our latest 2 song promo and they sound amazing. One thing though- Crzal from Cadaver Inc. does not use triggers and that guy is THE fastest drummer I've ever seen. He's insanely fast and his drum tone on "Discipline" is totally acoustic. Check that out. Its godly.
Freddy Krueger
The Dream Child
It's a damn good CD, I was about to tell you the story behind it but appearently everyone else already has.
I understand using triggers for live performance, as it reduces the possibilities that some idiot soundman will fuck everything up. However, using them in the studio IS a crutch to cover up a lack of consistent skill.
