Thoughts on a few new releases . . .

[Nate The Great]

Converge - You Fail Me
* Excellent! I seriously doubt if it will ever measure up to the brilliance of Jane Doe, but I like the direction they took the new one. Rather than rehashing the HIGHLY acclaimed Jane Doe, Converge went with a darker more spacious (probably not the best description) sound.

Shadows Fall - The War Within
* Despite the generic album title, Shadows Fall has released their best album to date. The new one is even more of a throwback to 80's thrash masterpieces, but it is still grounded in the new American metal that Shadows Fall helped create with Of One Blood. This album is probably going to need several listens to really catch on.

Lamb of God - The Ashes of the Wake
* This one took several listens to really catch with me. At first it sounded too similar to their older stuff, but then I realized Lamb of God is taking the same route Slayer took. They just do their thing, and they try to do it better each time out. This new one is on a major label (Epic), but it is every bit as good as their other stuff. I think I like Lamb of God more than Shadows Fall.

Mastodon - Leviathan
* What more can be said? Mastodon is absolutely in top form. This album is great on first listen, and it gets better every listen after. This is probably going to be #1 for 2004 for many people.

Isis - P---------
* Can't remember the name, but I haven't heard it yet. I can't wait for it, though.

 

[JayKeeley]

I heard Shadows Fall on MTV2, and that particular song didn't sound like a throwback to 80's thrash! It was all clean, and nu, and shouty/screamy - you see, it's that "grounded in new American metal" that turns me off. But I shall try the whole thing before sending the promo off to a new home, because I did once like The Art of Balance.

Mastodon I would really like to hear!

 

[Nate The Great]

I don't mean Shadows Fall is ripping off 80's thrash. I mean they are definitely, highly influenced by it. Listen to the soloing on the new one. It's total 80's metal worship!

Mastodon is simply one of the best bands around right now.

 

[JayKeeley]

I don't mean Shadows Fall is ripping off 80's thrash. I mean they are definitely, highly influenced by it. Listen to the soloing on the new one. It's total 80's metal worship!

Oh ok. But couldn't you say that about all their albums? That's one of the reasons why I liked The Art of Balance.

 

[matt99_crew]

I liked Art of Balance, and the new one is good, but for some reason I can't get too excited about it. The Lamb of God is quite good--I think its pretty much the same as the last album but w/ better production. Mastodon's new one is the album of the year for me. Fucking brilliant. Isis' Pantopticon is a great album too, as is the new Cult of Luna.

 

[Black Winter Day]

Mastodon's "Leviathan" is ABSOLUTE top 10 material.

 

[Dev]

I like Remission better , Leviathan's sound might be too clean . Still a good album

 

[NAD]

Mastodon is one name I always hear highly praised, but I have no idea what they sound like.

 

[neal]

i dunno about the new converge...i dled it and only listened to it like once...guess i was hoping they would stay more intense...Leviathan absolutely fucking rules though. little less frantic than the previous but more catchy and more lead guitars i think. top 10 fo sho'. i need to give converge a few more listens...

 

[Nate The Great]

The new Converge gets really good after several listens. It basically takes the slower, more controlled parts of Jane Doe and expands on their use of darkness and noisescapes. It's still pretty damn loud and noisey, but I really am glad they didn't try to rehash Jane Doe. They've never been into that sort of self worship. Like Neurosis, Isis, etc., Converge is interested in advancing over the years. I think You Fail Me is definitely top 10 material. Possibly better than Leviathan.

Shadows Fall's new one will definitely grow over several listens. I really think its better than The Art of Balance. The songs are just better structured and executed.

 

[Demonspell]

The soloing is the only redeeming factor of Shadows Fall for me, Lamb of God and especially Mastodon shit all over them.

 

[J.]

I like Leviathan more than Remission. And Leviathan gets the Artwork of the Year award so far.

 

[jimbobhickville]

I love Mastodon, but I dunno which one is better. I've known Remission longer, so it wins out at this point.

I found the new Shadows Fall to be their weakest, the music sounds derived, the drumming is boring, and the riffs aren't that exciting. Dunno, maybe I need to give it another spin, but so far it's reminding me why I always download before I buy, even with bands I like.

There's a new Isis? I should check that out.

 

[Nate The Great]

New Isis release date is October 19 or something.

 

[matt99_crew]

New Isis release date is October 19 or something.

Yep, and its awesome. Cult of Luna has a new one coming out too--about a week earlier.

 

[Black Winter Day]

What about Old Man Gloom - "Christmas"?

 

[Nate The Great]

OMG - Christmas is excellent, but I've already had a thread about it. It's kind of old news now.

 

[SonOfNun]

I like parts of the new Shadows Fall so far. I really got hooked on "What Drives the Weak" and a couple other songs, but others haven't caught my attention at all. We'll see how it grows, but I think it has a lot of potential.

 

[NAD]

I illegally downloaded some new Mastodon tracks and I must say it's pretty cool.

EDIT: Sold.

 

[Dev]

I thin I've read something like that : Metal Hammer gave 10/10 for Cult Of Luna's Salvation , and that's only the second perfect score (the other was the Black Album)