Turk (live 2008) by High on Fire

Continuing to show good, recent musical talent (yes it does exist, just doesn't get much attention).

Of High on Fire fellow fan ribos had this to say (of their latest album and of them in general):

"It's too fast to properly be doom, not fierce enough to be thrash, too sludgy to be traditional heavy metal (in the vein of Motörhead), but too rocking to be sludge/stoner metal. High On Fire sits somewhere in this nebulous, not-really-defined realm where they lack any notable qualities to push them into a specific genre... and normally such a case would sound like a confused gobbledegook of influence worship.

But this is different. This kicks ass."

I'm not sure I could have said it better myself. They are clearly inspired by several different ideas and styles, but are not slaves to them. This is just solid craftsmanship and dedication, by people who put out albums to please people and doesn't cater to one band member's ego. Make no mistake, they are impressive musicians(they also have unusual gear, guitarist Matt Pike has a nine string guitar and drummer Des Kensel has an 30% larger drum kit). I honestly can't think of better trio, in any genre right now. Correct in the comments if wrong.
Enjoy.

PS: they are also great for putting on while drawing, especially if you like to draw fantastical creatures like those form "Wizards".

Bonus: Blessed Black Wings

Phone Home (live 2004) by Dillinger Escape Plan

I have a a tag called music, and yet I so rarely use it. Time for change.

I love a lot of musicians that are uncontroversial choices( ie, their place is already secure). Such as Johnny Cash, Iron Maiden, Pixies, Charles Mingus, Frank Sinatra, Muddy Waters, Frank Zappa, Black Flag, The Temptations, Smokey Robinson, Patsy Cline, etc, etc.

All great , and I like them because I experienced a great euphoria, a sense of joy when hearing them. I didn't like them because others do. Still, I don't have to exactly defend them. It's like saying your favorite band is the Beatles, no one is really going to challenge that (on grounds that their greatness is stated for years).

It's far more debatable (and interesting) to note modern bands, who are more or less new, who don't have a massive legacy. Combined with the consistent cry that there is no good music made today I must note one of my favorite new bands, The Dillinger Escape Plan.

Once called greater than the Beatles (debatable, but certainly a more frenzied and physical live act) Dillinger is a band that has been around for a decade, made a few alums, and is certainly not unknown, but deserves all recognition they can get. Their work is is that rare blend of destroying riffs with actual accessibility (to a point). This is one of their mellower songs above, with not quite as much screaming. But they also have scorching technical numbers, laid back electronic,a warped pop song,and more on their albums.

They are also easily one of the great live acts I have seen, especially in a small club. Definitely check out their works (personal favorites are Sunshine the werewolf, black bubblegum, and Mouth of Ghosts[the last being quite beautiful] and of course Phone Home).

Any suggestions for great new bands you guys like (even ones completely different from this) be sure to let me know. I am always on the look out for new stuff.


Bonus: Sunshine the Werewolf (flavour or Dillinger in frenzied live setting)

The Dillinger Escape Plan - Sunshine The Werewolf - by XAVY from Xavy [Perrone Salvatore] on Vimeo.

Tygers of Pan Tang double shot (live 1981)

The Tygers is, as stated in the Metal,:A Headbanger's Journey, a definitive NWOBHM band. They advanced the art of the twin guitar(especially here with the great John Sykes), they got more glam and syrupy in the later 80's (a fate also shared by Saxon and ,more perversely,Def Leppard) they never got the recognition they deserve, and they still pump out great material in the struggling 21ist century. Short and sweet, yes, just like their music.

I-Raised On Rock (03:23)

II- Love Don't Stay (04:27)

Diamond Head-Live in Wulfrun Hall, Wolverhampton, Nov 21, 1991

Ahh, Diamond Head; the defining name for ultra-NWOBHM devotees(as opposed to band, that being Iron Maiden). They could have been, should have been, and almost were*, the band that hit it huge. But they didn’t. However, they made some great albums in a variety of styles, despite changing rhythm sections a lot. Still, the varied vocals of Sean Harris and the thunderous strings of guitarist Brian Tatler make this concert spectacular. And that’s not to knock drummer Karl Wilcox and bassist Eddie "Chaos" Moohan, these two are hardly swap-logs. And despite not being as metal as they had been in the past --for the most part--the hard rock they espouse here is well crafted and still surprisingly modern.

*Fun fact: At one point Foreigner’s manager came to the UK personally to offer his services. Alas, the band was managed by the Sean’s mother, who responded “Never heard of you”. And so opportunity for the fame they deserved passed them. Pity.

Otherwise, Enjoy!

I-Feels Good (03:16)

II-I Can't Help Myself (03:30)

III-In the Heat Of The Night (04:28)

IV-Calling Your Name (04:04)

V-She Comes Down (03:42)

VI-Sucking My Love (07:00)

VII-Let Me Down Easy (04:05)

VIII-Borrowed Time (05:24)

IX-Run (04:45)

The Holy Smokers (Iron Maiden secret gig TV special) [video]

A lot of rare vides pop up on YouTube, but this one's a gem. Contrary to many other people I like Janick and the first album he played on, No Prayer For The Dying. I always thought of it as an Iron Maiden album in a Ramones-Manowar style; simple, straightforward, and short, but still full of that Maiden trademark sound. This video of their first secret gig for the album, featuring one of my all time favorite Maiden songs-Public Enema Number One--proves it. Leather jackets, bare stage setup and just pure energy. Naturally, being Iron Maiden, they have much better songs and skill. In all No Prayer feels like an artifact form the past, somehow unmolested. Like when doom meddlers Sleep made their album(Sleep's Holy Mountain) in a vein pre-Black Sabbath, so did Iron Maiden with this album. The result? The rawest LP of NWOBHM cuts ever. Now that's worth spotlighting.

1990- Interview,Wrathchild, Public Enema Number One (09:24)

Iron Maiden at Abbey [+Tour Info & Essay]

If it’s worth doing, then doubly so for doing it twice (another non-real* post).

Point 1: Iron Maiden, that most endurable band that inspired countless other, were part of an UK television series called Live from Abbey Road, a simple yet brilliant idea that showcased bands in an intimate setting. Unfortunately most of the bands were of a bland lot, ala The Goo Goo Dolls. Thankfully, they exited with a bang, showcasing the above musicians. Two things to note: one, it showcases Iron Maiden in a non-arena area in what seems like the first time in forever. Intimate Maiden is a different creature altogether. They have always been an extreme yet subtle band, and such intricacies are definitely notable here. Secondly, the two songs presented below perfectly bridges between their most famous album (The Number of the Beast) to their most recent--and arguably equally acclaimed--LP (A Matter of Life and Death). For the benefit of history two sources shall be presented, the original video from the Abbey website, and those from youtube. Either way, be sure to check the Abbey site to see the photo slide.
Note:Bruce has a cold, hence his red face and less than 100% vocals (still great though).

Abbey:
http://www.livefromabbeyroad.com/
[Under Artists, then Show 12]

YouTube

I-Iron Maiden Live at Abbey Road Studio - Interview [02:52 ]

II-Iron Maiden Live at Abbey Road Studio - Hallowed be thy name [08:37 ]

III-Iron Maiden Live at Abbey Road Studio - brighter than a thousand suns [08:29]

Point 2: This is also a perfect example of the forthcoming tour, A Matter of the Beast. 10 songs, five from each of the two above albums. For Non-European readers this may be the closest you (or me) get.

Point 3: Iron Maiden will put you in good company. A new study reported that metal (particularly the Iron Maiden type) is the choice of clever people who try to fit in with being gifted. What does this say about this humble writer? I’ll let the essays speak for themselves:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/03/21/nmetal21.xml
http://observer.guardian.co.uk/review/story/0,,2042119,00.html

*=Actually this turned out to be quite real, but I'm far too clever to go back and change that sentence. Oh, wait that's laziness (or judicial editing [?]).