Quick thoughts on 2013 releases so far...

Crash Diet- The Savage Playground: Sleazy 80's cock rock at it's finest. I'm not even sure the new Hardcore Superstar is going to top this one.
Totally digging this. Thanks for the reco.

Riverside- Shrine of the New Generation Slaves: Sorry, but this ranks at the bottom of their discography for me. Pain of Salvation can keep the retro sound to themselves.
A swing and a miss for sure. They have strayed too far and come up empty. It's actually unlistenable.

Voodoo Circle- More Than One Way Home: The best fucking Whitesnake disc since "Slide It In."
This is complete and flawlessly executed Coverdale worship. And if you're going to blatantly steal from someone, Coverdale is as good a choice as any. He truly deserves to be discussed whenever the pantheon of Metal greats are spoken of. That said, I can't put this disc ahead of either the S/T or even Slip of the Tongue, based solely on the strength of "Judgement Day".
 
My list for the year is fairly short, but here are my thoughts:

Damnation Angels - They're going to be a fantastic opener. I see why its Glenn's 2012 album of the year. I've had the album for a week and its been in constant rotation.

Kingcrow - In Crescendo hasn't grabbed me the way Phlegathon did, but its a good album. It seems to be a slow grower, as I like it more now than I did at first. Just yesterday a few of the tracks really started to grab me.

Riverside - I'm a little torn on this album. I didn't like Anno Domini High Definition at all, but loved the first 3. I think I'd rank this one after those first 3 and ahead of Anno Domini High Definition. I'll probably revisit this in a few months.

Disperse - Living Mirrors - I just ordered this after listening to the free stream at bandcamp (http://disperseband.bandcamp.com/album/living-mirrors). Wow. What an album. After only 1 listen its already in strong contention for album of the year.

On order: Soilwork, Disperse, Serenity
 
That said, I can't put this disc ahead of either the S/T or even Slip of the Tongue, based solely on the strength of "Judgement Day".

I seem to be in the minority, but I love Slip of the Tongue! I don't understand why any Whitesnake fan couldn't. With that said, I'm not crazy about the Moody era Whitesnake lineup either. Again, I realize I'm in the minority by saying that.

~Brian~
 
Some of my favorites of the year:

Persefone - Spiritual Migration
Kingcrow - In Crescendo
Soilwork - The Living Infinite
Disperse - Living Mirrors (thanks Glenn for the suggestion)
Dreamshade - The Gift of Life (again, thanks Glenn)
Spock's Beard - Brief Nocturnes and Dreamless Sleep
** - **

Still gotta spend some more time with new Serenity and new Jolly - don't love them just yet. Looking forward to new DGM. Disappointed in Riverside. Stratovarius isn't bad. Heard the new Helloween once and that's probably the last time I will. Circle II Circle is probably their best record in a long time - but still not fully digested.

Looking forward to lots of good stuff coming soon.
 
Totally digging this. Thanks for the reco.

A swing and a miss for sure. They have strayed too far and come up empty. It's actually unlistenable.

This is complete and flawlessly executed Coverdale worship. And if you're going to blatantly steal from someone, Coverdale is as good a choice as any. He truly deserves to be discussed whenever the pantheon of Metal greats are spoken of. That said, I can't put this disc ahead of either the S/T or even Slip of the Tongue, based solely on the strength of "Judgement Day".

..and Judgement Day is based solely on the strength of Led Zeppelin, but with Vai :kickass:
 
I seem to be in the minority, but I love Slip of the Tongue! I don't understand why any Whitesnake fan couldn't. With that said, I'm not crazy about the Moody era Whitesnake lineup either. Again, I realize I'm in the minority by saying that.

~Brian~

My opinion....?...because Slip Of The Tongue co-opted the worst of 80's hair rock/metal, and totally dismissed the soul and blues that Whitesnake was based on.
 
Woah. Boil's new album is incredible! This and Riverside are at the top of the year, and should probably stay there for a while.

I listened to a few Disperse tracks and wasn't really feeling it. Honest question, what are they doing that Textures hasn't already done better?
 
Suffocation - Pinnacle of Bedlam! \m/
Amazing and their best album so far in my opinion
 
I listened to a few Disperse tracks and wasn't really feeling it. Honest question, what are they doing that Textures hasn't already done better?

Those are loaded type question unless you are not a Textures fan and do a strict comparison. It's like asking what Circus Maximus is doing that Dream Theater hasn't already done better so why enjoy Circus Maximus. That same comparison can be done across hundreds of bands of any genres.

As for your question though, I do not find Textures & Disperse that similar except in the mellower tunes. However, I will hit a few key points for me:

*There is a huge difference vocally. When Textures uses clean vocals on their mellower tracks, then I enjoy them. When they use the dominant rough style, I hit the eject button in a hurry. I cannot even pay attention to the music because of the distraction of the vocals. And for the record, I don't mind rough vocals pending on the style employed.

*The Disperse guitarist is in another league. Once again, the mellow bits between the two bands that sound similar are a push. However, when it comes to out and out shredding along with odd rhythms & note choices, it's no contest for me.

*I find the compositions/songs much more interesting in Disperse. There is no immediate hook so I really have to pay attention to what is going on and that draws me in even further. When you expect him to shred, he pulls back and goes tasteful. When you think it's too mellow, all hell breaks loose. Obviously, that's just personal preference and you (along with others) may feel it the exact reverse.

Don't compare the mellow stuff. Compare the normal stuff and there is a world of difference other than guitar tone:






I would rather punch myself in the nuts with a hammer than put that Textures track on repeat.
 
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I could never get into Textures. Anyone holding the mike that way you know you're in trouble.

I did enjoy Disperse enough from this thread to have Ken take more money from me though.
 
I would rather punch myself in the nuts with a hammer than put that Textures track on repeat.

:lol:

My comparison was mostly based on both bands having a more atmospheric approach than other djent bands. Listening to them back to back, Textures has more hardcore/punk influences in their sound.

I'll give Disperse a more serious listen when I'm in the mood for something like that.
 
STRATOVAROUS
HELLOWEEN
PC69
SHAKRA
KINGCROW
RIVERSIDE
SOILWORK
PARADOX
Have alot of cds that have been mentioned on this thraed but have not got around to them yet so can't say wheather I will like them.
 
Those are loaded type question unless you are not a Textures fan and do a strict comparison. It's like asking what Circus Maximus is doing that Dream Theater hasn't already done better so why enjoy Circus Maximus. That same comparison can be done across hundreds of bands of any genres.

As for your question though, I do not find Textures & Disperse that similar except in the mellower tunes. However, I will hit a few key points for me:

*There is a huge difference vocally. When Textures uses clean vocals on their mellower tracks, then I enjoy them. When they use the dominant rough style, I hit the eject button in a hurry. I cannot even pay attention to the music because of the distraction of the vocals. And for the record, I don't mind rough vocals pending on the style employed.

*The Disperse guitarist is in another league. Once again, the mellow bits between the two bands that sound similar are a push. However, when it comes to out and out shredding along with odd rhythms & note choices, it's no contest for me.

*I find the compositions/songs much more interesting in Disperse. There is no immediate hook so I really have to pay attention to what is going on and that draws me in even further. When you expect him to shred, he pulls back and goes tasteful. When you think it's too mellow, all hell breaks loose. Obviously, that's just personal preference and you (along with others) may feel it the exact reverse.

Don't compare the mellow stuff. Compare the normal stuff and there is a world of difference other than guitar tone:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FgJQMPmmi5U

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ynnsXs_hiSM


I would rather punch myself in the nuts with a hammer than put that Textures track on repeat.

I agree with the vast bulk of this. I do like Textures' normal style, but it grates after about 30 minutes of continuous play. However...their mellow stuff is absolutely incredible and is what drew me to them in the first place.


Reaching Home is my personal song of the year for '11.



However, the mellowest Textures tunes are the only ones that come close to being comparable to Disperse in both style and outright musicality. That Disperse is so young and has already put out two phenomenal albums makes me extremely excited when I think about them.

Hell, even my wife enjoys Disperse! And she pretty much hates everything I listen to.
 
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Yeah dude, I think I queued that record up at least 3 times this weekend on Spotify. Buying it this week. It's something else. As Glenn has been saying, it's kind of shocking how tasteful that guitar player is. Not just with shredding, but in terms of his arrangements too. It's kind of a shame that the band is based out of Poland, as that's a super hard country for a band to break out of, but those guys are so unique and good at what they do I bet it can happen.

Oh and also, after going through the CD, I take back my words in the previous thread about their singer. Yeah his accent is a bit pronounced which is something that I usually take points off for, but overall, he's got a super strong voice that does justice to the band's sound. He's not a monster or anything (IMO), but he's not too far off from being one either!
 
What about S.U.N??? The new band from Brian Tichy and Sass Jordan!!! Unapologetic American bluesy Hard Rock!!! Pretty good stuff!!!

I just got a copy of this cd....a lot of people made a big noise about Black Country Communion when it came out, but to me, S.U.N. is even better. This is a LOUD, RAW rock album and Sass Jordan absolutely attacks the vocals. Great, great stuff.
In the same vein is the debut from Pinnick/Gales/Pridgen...another terrific 2013 heavy rock release.