Thoughts on a couple of new releases

[Erik]

Graveland "Dawn of Iron Blades"
The old logo is back, and Graveland's music, too, has sort of returned to older days. The Bathory worship is gone, but the more polished songs and use of synthesizers and so forth from the last couple of albums has remained, for a very mature album that is very much in the style of the excellent "The Fire of Awakening" -- the much-loved signature Graveland sound of seminal releases like "Following..." and "Thousand Swords" is here, only slightly more polished and streamlined. Memorable songwriting. Probably top 10.

Enslaved "Isa"
Well, it's basically new Enslaved as we know them. Muchly in the style of "Below the Lights," with some songs recalling "Mardraum." Even less focus on the 70's style prog experimentation of "Monumension." Much emphasis on great clean vocals by Grutle. No "return to the roots," nor a big step forward. I like it, but I don't know exactly how much yet.

 

[Krilons Resa]

I had no idea Enslaved were coming out with a new one. I cannot wait to hear the new Graveland.

 

[J.]

I'm highly anticipating the new Graveland. Didn't even know Enslaved had a new one.

 

[Krilons Resa]

Motherfuckin' echo I tell ya!

 

[Demonspell]

<<Well, it's basically new Enslaved as we know them. Muchly in the style of "Below the Lights," with some songs recalling "Mardraum.">>

I was hoping for some deviation, but an album on the same level as BTE and/or Mardraum is an entrance to my top ten sight unheard...

 

[NAD]

Below the Lights is a perfect reason why I shouldn't buy CDs anymore. It kicks ass, it's different, I really like it, and can see myself enjoying 10 years down the road...

and I've listened to it twice.

 

[Tranquillian]

Who is doing the clean vocals on the new Enslaved?
Anyhooo, I'm on track 7 and this is top 5 of the year material.

The new Graveland is the shiznit as well, but nowhere near the Enslaved album.

 

[Black Winter Day]

I swear, every time I hear that mellotron opener on the last Enslaved album, I think "What the fuck? I'm listening to 'Foxtrot' AGAIN?!?" And then I realize that it isn't "Watcher of the Skies", but I'm still happy because it still kicks ass. "Below the Lights" = 2nd best Enslaved, right behind "Frost".

 

[Demilich]

Now checking out the new Elend. Ho. Well they do have the "quiet creepy part, quiet creepy part, quiet creepy p*BAM*WHAT THE FUCK I JUST SHAT MY PANTS" quality intact at least

I'm just hearing this for the first time too, and it's pretty powerful stuff

 

[ScottG]

Re: New Enslaved.. I like the songs Bounded By Allegiance, Violet Dawning, Secrets of The Flesh and Reogenesis. Yep, should be a worthy purchase.

 

[Gregsmack]

Holy shit. Where are you all getting ahold of the new Enslaved? I've been fucking dying to get it.

 

[Steele eagle]

Cool! I really liked "The fire of awakening". Good to hear that Darken continues on the path he started on with that one.

The new Enslaved seems exciting too. I've always liked Grutles vocals. I find his "rasp" to be one of the best in the buisness and his clean vocals are also great. Can't wait to hear this one!

 

[no country for old wainds]

Someone was bloody sharing the Graveland and I started downloading it and they disconnected me. Wanker.

 

[JayKeeley]

Not sure if we had a specific Enslaved thread re: new album, but this is the closest I could find for recycling. Anyway, yeah the new album is great. It takes a few listens to fully appreciate (the first listen didn't do much for me, but then I had just got through listening to the new Isis so it paled in comparison).

So anyway, it is *very* accessible in that there's lots of melody and nice bright clean vocals. Thing is, it's not very dark....meaning it's going to appeal to proggy/black metal fans who perhaps like the latest efforts from Borknagar, Arcturus, Solefald, Woods of Ypres, Emancer etc, and I'm sure everyone would agree that "Below the Lights" at least had that 'dark' texture to it that these other bands have already moved away from (all except Emancer anyway).

Needs more listens...but right now I'm sorely missing the spookier atmosphere of BtL.

 

[JayKeeley]

Newsflash: new Enslaved gets better with each listen.

Terrorizer just gave it album of the month: 9.5/10.

 

[JayKeeley]

New contender for "song of the year".....Enslaved's "Reogenesis".