Textures – Dualism
This is the kind of refreshment the metal scene needs every once in a while. Kind of like a retreat in a continent far from home, or giving your neck a break from the whiplash and moshpit to enjoy every bar note for note.
Reviews
ProgPower USA 2011 – review of Thursday, September 15
“Even though the annual ProgPower USA festivities started the night before with Evergrey’s absolutely amazing acoustic performance, a performance in which I was very skeptical about initially, Thursday was the true beginning of the festival. Thursday night held the promise of a returning Vanden Plas, a band that has tried to make it over several times but was unsuccessful each time due to different circumstances. On top of that, Evergrey was set to play the entire In Search Of Truth album, an album considered by many to be their magnum opus.”
Justin Richardson recaps his experience at the first official day of ProgPower USA 2011, which happened on Thursday, September 15th at Center Stage in Atlanta, Georgia.
Noothgrush – Live For Nothing
Sludge and college radio go together like chloroform and a dirty rag, so it’s only fitting that the new Noothgrush compiles two college radio appearances they made in the late 90’s.
Opeth–Heritage
As it’s still unforeseen where Opeth are heading to next, Heritage stands out as an eccentric anomaly in their catalogue. But this doesn’t diminish the quality of the album one bit. Heritage is a fantastic album, although it’s not without its flaws. However, those flaws have nothing to do with Opeth’s decision to become preoccupied with prog. They are simply slight musical missteps, and who hasn’t stumbled when finding a new path?
Enslaved / Alcest / Junius @ The Opera House, Toronto ON, September 30, 2011
“There’s no doubt in my mind that when I look back on 2011, this show will stand out as one of my top concerts of the year. It was incredibly well curated and all the artists on the bill enhanced and challenged one another. I was initially disappointed that Ghost couldn’t make this show due to visa issues, and wondered how the substitution would affect the line-up. As it turns out, it was a non-issue. The flow of the performance, the tension and build, was lovely and perfectly balanced — definitely one of the best tours to come through Toronto in a while.”
Natalie Zed reviews the Sept 30th performance by Enslaved, Alcest and Junius. Concert photography by Adam Wills
Arch/Matheos—Sympathetic Resonance
Sympathetic Resonance might only contain six new tracks, but every one of them is superb. I know I’m not the first one to say this, but if you were contemplating investing in some progressive metal and you were reaching for the new Dream Theater release—stop right now. Arch/Matheos is infinitely more creative and a hell of a lot more satisfying. Who knows what will become of the band, but I sincerely hope that they record again because Sympathetic Resonance is an outstanding success on every level.
Voivod – Warriors of Ice
Warriors of Ice is a definitely a high point in the career of Voivod and a show that will certainly go down in Canadian metal lore. Whether the band attempts to write an album of new material or even continues on in this (re)incarnation remains to be seen. If they decide not to continue on they have left us with one hell of a live record to day dream with. This is a must for any Voivod fan, or new-to-the-scene metal head.
Evergrey / Sabaton / Powerglove @ The Opera House, Toronto ON, September 22, 2011
Natalie Zed reviews the September 22nd performance by Evergrey, Sabaton and Powerglove at Toronto’s Opera House.
The Atlas Moth—An Ache for the Distance
From the moment the ringing guitars kick in on the first track, “Coffin Varnish”, all the way through to the final noisescape of “Horse Thieves”, the band delights in kaleidoscopic twists and mind-expanding turns, plucking ideas and harnessing influences from across the musical spectrum.
Black Cobra – Invernal
Don’t get me wrong, I like my sludge metal, but I’m more into bands that bring something palatable to the table. If I were to liken the genre to a Mexican restaurant—I also like me some Mexican food—Black Cobra would be the basket of plain tortilla chips they put out before the main course.