obZen - Meshuggah

So I've known about this band for quite some time, and since I've haven't really found a right time to do this review I decided to do it now for October. Well also to the fact they also just released a new album, which I wasn't anticipating but I'll give it a spin or two before the end of the year. This is my first full album I've heard from the group, I have only ever heard Selfcaged in it's entirety before (the 1995 ep). Now I want to also note that this review has been in the works since April 2012. I just put it off until today.

1. Combustion: This opens pretty okay, I like the guitar and like the punch to it. The vocals here have a nice scream and I am not hating what I'm hearing. I do dig that riff, it's a bit neat you know. I'm also trying to figure out the time signature while I'm listening to this. I think it's in 4, for the main part, but like could it be in 8. Like is it 6/8 then 8/8. I don't know I probably suck at that, fuck me. But I did enjoy the song.
2. Electric Red: This song isn't half bad, I like the drums and the bass and the guitar again but there isn't really a ton here for me you know. This feels a lot like the last track on the album. The thing I will comment on is the fact there is this synth that I feel would be so much better if it was more in the front and it was horns and punchier. You know opposed to just background and not in the front. The guitar is okay but I don't really know.
3. Bleed: Yes there is a puch to this, but I don't know, like when I hear this I just go man.... Machine Gun has much more punchy and edgy and abrasive moments then a lot of metal music. Where's that moment I go, wow this is tough. To be honest, if anything, I'm getting more of a rush getting irritated wanting to feel the rush or going... Machine Gun's going on immediately after this record. To be honest, my favorite part so far is the creepy sort of quite eerie part. But that fucking "jump scare" don't work for this track in my opinion. Also that solo needs to be higher in the mix and actually do something rather than not very much. 
4. Lethargica: Yes technically there is kinda stuff they do differently here, but yeah I'm just kinda at this point waiting for this album to be over. Also the best parts are these quieter parts, why not build on theres and give us something evil or satanic or dark or crazy complex.
5. obZen: So I took a break at this point, I couldn't take it front to back. It's not that it was too brutal it was more boring to me.
6. This Spiteful Snake: The spiteful snake, is going to rake. He's gonna make you spank, and wank your crank. He's insanke and he's gonna bank, monna skrank a crank. Cyber chanks. I do like the solo the most out of any other track here though, if I'm being honest.
7. Pineal Gland Optics: This is another okay track, but I kind think this would have worked better as an ep. Like seriouly if you have the first 3 tracks plus the last one and the last track it'd be like a 5 probably.
8. Pravus: Is this title a tribute to the band Praxis. You know their self titled ep has some decent stuff on there, I liked it. And not to mention there was a sort of early version of Jordan (one of my all time favorite songs ever) on the 2007 live album Tennessee 2004. So that's something that I think is neat. I'll admit the opening does make me wonder where this will all go. While I have a hunch, I still am curious. My speakers don't have the bass, but I feel like this would feel great with a subwoofer. I don't know why, but I kinda dig this thing.
9. Dancers to a Discordant System: The closing track here can be of note, this is the only track with lead vocals from Tomas Haake the drummer on this album. The vocals should have a change of pace right, a different singer should spice things up. It works for Aerosmith and The Beatles and Zappa and really band oriented groups. I am here to say the introduction is neat and it kinda feels like they might go a bit of a different direction. This isn't half bad, I do like it more than a lot of the other tracks here, but that could be because of the vocals

I give this album a 4/10. This things okay, I mean I don't really dig a lot of what I used to and it's not that this is too complex of hard for me to figure out, it's just it doesn't appeal to me. Like you can't not tell me that track to isn't very repetitious. Lots of theses songs don't show me anything that really makes me enjoy listening to this a second time, or even want to listen to this a second time. I guess if I wanted to listen to challenging music, like that is kinda hard to swallow a bit, I would listen to Merzbow or Naked City or Boredoms or maybe some Free Improvisation or Peter Brotzmann Trio. I feel the punch, but like the I wanna fucking get punched. That doesn't happen. Even when I turn it up and I could listen to other music quiter and feel more of a punch. I'm not looking forward to the next album I get set for next saturday, though that reviews almost done but I'm excited for the finale.

In Sorte Diaboli - Dimmu Borgir

This is the first album, I'm reviewing, by Melodic Black Metal band Dimmu Borgir. I was kind of afraid to listen to them at first when I originally heard of them. The reason was because I was like 14 and they worshiped Satan. Well with the help of Burzum and good old Frankie Z I can overlook that. I'm secure enough with my religion to where I do not feel that these guys will shake my faith. This is their 8th full length studio album, and from what I've read, their first concept album. The concept being a priest's assistant who begins to doubt his faith and eventually discovers he has nothing to do with Christianity. Also it takes place in Medieval Europe. Since picking this review I've heard the much better Enthrone Darkness Triumphant and Spiritual Black Dimensions, but I figured finish this for Halloween month..... get it over with you know.

1. The Serpentine Offering: I think this beginning reminds me, personally, of Symphony X but more symphonic. Like they used a real orchestra I'm betting in the intro. The beginning of the track is promising and I don't really think there is anything to complain about yet. I like the section after this that sounds kinda punky. I mean not punk, but I could see what they were doing being done in a punk track. I also dig, of course, Hellhammer's "programmed" drums. Also nice clean vocals.
2. The Chosen Legacy: I think the best part of this song, honestly, is the drums. I mean in the last track they were just kinda fast, but here there is different rhythms going on. It's really sick to hear. I'd buy a copy of this with just isolated drums/percussion. I mean seriously, there are Terry Bozzio type drums on speed.
3. The Conspiracy Unfolds: I think this might be the song that I heard the first time I heard any songs by they. I do really like the choir here, and I really think they did a nice job with that when it comes in. I also like the riffs that remind me of As I Lay Dying, just heavier. This actually, at parts, reminds me of As I Lay Dying on maybe An Ocean Between Us or Awakened. I mean this is heavier at parts, but still. It's got a lot of similar parts to that of a track by them.
4. The Sacrilegious Scorn: I love the cheesy, sorta, sounding synths in this track. The best part here is the clean vocals on the track. I like they way the accent of I.C.X. Vortex sings with. Now I bet that's his natural accent but I still like it. I also dig that piano part, though I wish it lasted a bit longer than like 5 seconds. I also like the harmony guitars here, that last only a few seconds.
5. The Fallen Arises: This is basically an interlude, that is made up of the stereotypical symphonic metal stuff. Orchestra, voice and you know I am not complaining. I actually dig this, I just wish it was more grand. Like a full blown orchestral composition rather than just an interlude.
6. The Sinister Awakening: This starts out promising, but I don't know.... I kinda loose interest in the track. I mean there isn't a whole lot new happening here. 
7. The Fundamental Alienation: This again starts with an orchestral opening, and goes into the track. I mean I like the story, I get it. But I don't think this is that great variety wise. By this point the whole stick of the style on this has grown old a bit.
8. The Invaluable Darkness: Maybe if they even threw in a guitar solo that'd make this cooler you know. I am glad they added the clean vocals again in this track. That seems to make things better, for me. I mean I like Shagrath don't get me wrong, but it's nice to not have the same thing throughout. One thing that's nice about Aerosmith in the 70s. Joe Perry would sing lead on occasion and it's not the same voice for everything.
9. The Foreshadowing Furnace: Closing the album we start with some dissonant strings and guitar. Those strings got me excited for what was to come. And I mean, I have to admit..... I was kinda bummed. There was so many parts where a solo, of any type, would make the song more powerful. I mean something as simple as the sinister riff in Pray for Plagues or anything. The guitar isn't Satanic enough. This is the ending, and according to what I read the assistant became the Antichrist. This sounds be Evil as fuck.... yet it is barley any eviler (not sure if that's a real word, or if the grammar is used properly) than any of the prior tracks. I feel like Bring Me The Horizon's debut is sonically closer to Satan than this ending. I mean maybe it's not their style to be as evil as possible, but still..... I was kinda disappointed.

Overall I have to give this a 5/10. I think that, out of the few albums by theses guys I've heard this is probably one of them where it more repeats its self. I mean at least past records still bring something interesting, this is just more interesting in the "the drums are different, that's a plus." It's not even close to a plus..... if that's a plus to you, then you need to listen to more music and broaden your horizons because you're kinda closed minded. But seriously there are bursts of things I think would sound neat on some tracks, then they end it before I can even really enjoy it. It's almost like a reverse Naked City, let's take the most interesting parts and have them last the shortest, and have the less interesting parts play under neath the bursts of interesting parts. I think theses guys should listen to Torture Garden, Radio or even Disco Volante. Maybe they'd get more ideas. But at the end of the day, I'd play this specific record if I just need something to listen to in order to fill dead air. I mean that isn't bad, that's what I do with just about every comedy(stand up) record I've heard. I mean I like the sound, just as a whole I don't think it's as good as it can be. Thought I often run in to this problem with the Symphonic Black or any Symphonic Metal. Also hopefully tomorrow as very special review will be complete. Cross my fingers.

If you have any advice on better records that are more interesting and exciting in the style can you give me a post and tell me the record, I'll check it out. I mean in theory Symphonic Metal is awesome, but I can't really say I've heard anything that's lived up to what think it can be. Thought I'm one person, but still... Open to suggestions

Hatebreeder - Children Of Bodom

This is the second full length album by Finish metal band Children of Bodom. I've heard of these guys, back in sophomore year. So like 3 years ago-ish. I didn't know till recently these guys were recording demos under the name Inearthed. Well, I'm mad at myself. If you know me, I hate when I don't do these enough. I'm hoping, and praying, this month to get up Currents, The Next Day, Fashionably Late, maybe Yeezus and Random Access Memory, and some of the albums that have been requested. I'm also planning on doing, if not this month, in August?, Halo of Blood.

1. Warheart: This song begins with a voice clip. The voice clip is from the movie Amadeus, about Motzart, from 1984. The thing about Bodom is I can't really tell the difference between the songs. I like the way they sound, bout I couldn't pick them out from each other. I also love the idea that they used those Mozart arpeggios in the last bridge.
2. Silent Night, Bodom Night: This song is still sick. I think it's awesome how they use the name Bodom in a bunch of their songs. I don't think that it's vain, I think it's cool. If Maroon 5 named a song "Marooned in 5" I'd think they were assholes, because Adam is, but that's another conversation.
3. Hatebreeder: This song actually went by really fast, I didn't even realize that it was on this song.
4. Bed of Razors: This song sounds like the last to me. Maybe with more listens I'll be able to differentiate it.
5. Towards Dead End: This solo in this song reminds me of something I could see Mike Romeo on a Symphony X album. Thoses guys kick ass. I like this second solo to. I love how it stops, then its starts off the solo. It's sick. The keyboard harmony reminds me of something 1994's Symphony X. The way, when the guitar at that part, plays solo, reminds me of somethings Yngwie might do on an one of his first 3 albums (Rising Force, Marching Out, Trilogy). Maybe too on his 1988 album Odyssey.
6. Black Widow: These songs, like the last two, have seemed like they are starting to be a little different, set up wise. This is more riff lead. Like there is a part where it's just a guitar riff, rather then the whole band playing.
7. Wrath Within: This album has gone by so fast I couldn't even keep up with it.
8. Children of Bodom: This song is a long one. I think that it's time is justified though. I think that little bell sound is pretty cool. This album, reminds me of, Ashes of The Wake. I like the album, but I couldn't really do that amazing job of reviewing it, because the tracks, to me, sound very similar. If I spent forever I could probably pick each track out, but yeah.
9. Downfall: This is the last track on this album. I'ven't retained much, beside that fact that this is an enjoyable album. Like no songs really stuck out to me. But there weren't any bad songs either. I did really like Towards Dead End and this track, sounds a little darker. I mean the keys are obviously sill sounding, with today's technology, but I still think it sounds good.

Overall I have to give this a 8/10. This is a very repetitive album, but I never said that was bad. Yes, sometimes it's bad to be repetitive, The Stones, Jimi Hendrix, etc. Actually these guys remind me of a screamed, not as strong singer as Russell, neo-classical Symphony X (classical influences) meets Dream Theater (repetition). But they make epic songs, still. These album are "less complex?" than Sympohony X albums. These guys do have a signature sound though. This was an enjoyable album though, I couldn't lie to you about that.

Phantom Antichrist - Kreator

I was going to review this when it first came out this summer but I didn't like it enough to give it a positive review. My friend asked me to review this for his birthday. So when I realized what album this was I was like SHIT!. But then I went, well that was then, this is now. I'm going to listen to it more open minded and try to think. Sometimes you need more than one listen ah-lah Lulu. So, Here we Go.

1. Mars Mantra: This is the introduction to the album. It's pretty intresting. It makes me want to hear what the rest of the album will be like. The transition from this song to the title track kind of reminds me a little of The Hellion to Electric Eye. I've been making a bunch of Priest comparisons lately haven't I?
2. Phantom Antichrist: This is a pretty cool song. I like this song. I think that it sounds like a song that I imagine would be on Nuclear Blast. (quick fact I own Symphony X's 2011 Iconoclast which was released on Nuclear Blast). I like the guitar and I like the crunch of it. Thought I like it, I'm hoping this entire album isn't like this. I heard it in June but don't remember much beside I didn't care for the album first time through. I really like the tone of the guitar in the solo. For some reason it vaguely reminds me of Yngwie's 2008 Perpetual Flame (which I really like).
3. Death to The World: This song reminds me of, don't Slayer's songs on World Painted Blood or God Hates Us All. I feel like there is a message in this song, but I am more interested in the song. The solo is epic sounding with the dual guitars. It vaguely reminds me a little of Set The World On Fire by Symphony off 2007's Paradise Lost (amazing album).
4. From Flood Into Fire: I do like this song too. The one thing thought, I fear, is that this will contiue this way. Like the similarity  This song reminds me a little of Dimmu Borgir. The solo also reminds me of the solo in the song Through The Fire And The Flames off Dragonforce's 2006 Inhuman Rampage (I also own that Cd, I go back and forth on it). This is totally a Dragonforce type of song. But less "gay".
5. Civilization Collapse: This song is pretty cool. I kind of think that it is a total thrash song. But who the fuck doesn't like thrash metal!
6. United in Hate: The beginning of this song reminds me of The Unforgiven, or Nothing Else Matters. I don't think I need to specify were those are from. It's "Kill 'Em Master of Lightning, For St. Justice". Its on that "For Puppets & All" album, right? You know from 1865.
7. The Few, The Proud, The Broken: The album is kind of starting to get a little repetitive. I'm not dissing the album, but I wish there was a little more variety. At least there was an acoustic guitar in the last song. I do like the breakdown after the solo though. I really like that guitar tone.Wait I spoke too soon, there it is, the Acoustic guitar. It reminds me a little of Killswitch Engage.
8. Your Heaven, My Hell: I think it's kind of getting a little repetitive :(
9. Victory Will Come: I love metal, but sometimes some band's just reuse a sound too much. I still like this song, along with the rest of this album, some songs more than others, but yeah.
10. Until Our Paths Cross Again: I think that this beginning of the song is kind of a good way to end the album. It kind of gives off a vibe that "Victory Has Come". This is a good ending. :)

Overall I have to say, second time through, this gets a 7.6/10. I enjoyed this more then Meshuggah's ObZen or the little of Koloss I heard. There are some cool guitar tones on this album. I enjoyed this album, but it got a little too repetitive at the end. I think that I would be willing to pick this up on CD. I also need to finish up Pleasure to Kill. Tomorrow will see the uploading of my favorite Bowie album. I should probably do a Judas Priest review too.