Opeth's Upcoming Album

Jon Wiederhorn of the semi-decent mag Revolver asked Mikael Akerfeldt how the new album compares with Ghost Reveries, Mikael Responded: The music is much more complex. the metal parts are even faster and a lot more technical than the last one. It's really hard to play some of this stuff. I mean, I wrote it and even I have trouble playing parts of it. I think it's going to be hard for some people to get into. It's definitely not a commercial sounding record. the arrangements are exhausting. And it's much darker. Even the major patterns are very dark, while I think Ghost Reveries had some light.

This sounds like it could be the greatest metal album of all time next to Ghost Reveries of course.

Amon Amarth v. Opeth

No, I'm not going to compare the two bands, album for album (I like doing that with Megadeth and Metallica because Megadeth always comes out on top). I would like to point out some differences that might make you a fan of one or the other--or both. Amon Amarth is viking metal. When you listen to "Oden" it feels like you are embroiled in a battle against a worthy opponent with blood and guts flying all around. There are no resting points the music and message is clear: Pure Unfettered Toughness.

Opeth takes the unbridled aggression and mixes it with melody and a softer sound. The riffs keep coming until you feel like you can't take anymore and then they move to hauntingly melodic passages that allow you to exhale.

I'm a fan of both bands but the musician (prog-nerd) that lives inside me is a bigger fan of Opeth. That being said, I'm excited for the AA show coming up in December. I've got some preparatory tasks that you should try to complete before the show--in order to embrace the true meaning of Viking Metal:

1. Go see the new Beowulf!!!! Great movie, looks real most of the time.

2. Rent the 13th Warrior (or read The Eater's of the Dead)

3. Rent Pathfinder. Underrated movie that shows a frightening portrayal of Viking life.

4. Eat some mutton (or at least a turkey leg or two) with fresh bread and thick gravy.

5. Listen to "With Oden On Our Side" 23 times.

6. Brew and drink your own Mead

Clutch!

How did Clutch go from hardcore to funk?

Rob from Bountiful, UT

Good question! Their first discs are pure hardcore with aggressive lyrics and riffs. According to the band, that style of music was not in their hearts and they were looking for something with more melody and meaning. All of their subsequent releases are simply stages of progression that have helped them find the statement and sound that they were looking for.

Their self-titled disc along with Elephant Riders moved them into the stoner rock category. The Jam Room and Pure Rock Fury years showed an increased amount of bluesy funk. Blast Tyrant introduced the organ to the band as they morphed into a bluesy-jam band. The last two albums have a very distinct sound that incorporates blues riffs, funk, jam, metal, jazz, bluegrass, and classic rock.

Haven't listened to Clutch? Purchase these tracks on iTunes to get your feet wet:

Mice and Gods

Burning Beard

The Mob Goes Wild

Pure Rock Fury

Basket of Eggs

8 Times Over Miss October

I Have the Body of John Wilkes Booth

Jormungandr

Death Metal: sushi for the ears

Do you remember the first time you found out that people eat raw fish? The revulsion was immediate and strong. If, like me, you thought of school cafeteria fish stick served raw, it is understandable. Regardless, the initial idea of eating uncooked seafood is a shock to the system. Eating sushi for the first time can be a bit of a shock as well. The textures and flavors are unlike anything you normally find, especially in American cuisine.

The first time I heard a death metal growl, I thought Satan was speaking. It sounded horrible. It sounded evil and decidedly unmusical. It was laughable that people considered it good music and frightening that albums were actually being recorded and purchased and that bands were being booked and concerts attended.

I was able to finally try sushi as an adult. I didn’t enjoy it, but I didn’t hate it. Time passed and opportunities came here and there to dine. Finally, on trip to Shanghai, our hosts treated us to 15 courses of fine, fresh sushi and I found it interesting, refreshing and exciting. Food rarely does that to an old man like me.

I was on Amazon browsing some of the latest offerings by Stratovarius and Dream Theater and noticed the sidebar Listmania about progressive metal and started reading. A band mentioned with a great deal of enthusiasm was Opeth. The author had unbelievers me in mind by including the following warning and helpful framing, “Opeth is a death metal band, but a progressive band first. They use both clean lyrics and traditional growls. Do not be quick to write these guys off. Their music is remarkable and if you think growling is not a talent, try doing it for a 2 hour set every night.”

I had sushi recently at a cool, new restaurant. The food blew me away. Every bite was so good that I could hardly concentrate on anything else. It moved me. The combination of flavors and textures were perfectly combined in an assembly of culinary ecstasy. The presentation, with the exacting cuts and colors, displayed with precision was a joy to the eye. I had found my new home.

At first I would listen to Opeth for the shock value on my cubicle mates, but the music won me over. I was able to get passed the prejudice of the growl. I learned that a sound, on its own, can be neither good nor evil. Like the distorted guitar, a growl is an instrument that most use poorly but some use so well you wonder how you ever enjoyed music without it. In fact, music without at least an occasional death rattle, sounds feminine and poppy and lacks the testicular fortitude of real music.

A lot of growling bugs me still. The strained, high pitched screaming while different from the growl is similar in that it often sounds horrendous, but if done right can add to the overall song. But Mikael Akerfelt and Johan Hegg… move me.

Biggest and most elaborate Iron Maiden tour ever: http://www.ironmaiden.com/index.php?categoryid=8&p2_articleid=664 The band is filling their set list with the best of the 80's. The stage will include the pyramids and a cyborg Eddie to tie in some of the 80's themes.

See you there!

The best heavy metal band you have never heard of, but should be listening to:

Sometimes good bands go unnoticed. Sometimes for longer than we would like or care to admit. I, for one, remember being handed PEACE SELLS in 1985 and borrowing it to copy, but I didn't get it and turned my nose up at it and Megadeth for years to come. I finally came around, but it took me a while.

Sometimes we have good reason to miss these gems, like being on the other side of the planet and in a different musical era. Such is the case of IRON SAVIOR. A anachronistic band if there ever was one. 20 years ago, they would have been sharing MTV's Daily Top 20 with the Scorpions, White Snake and Bon Jovi, but today, they are humbly going about their work in small German venues to small, though appreciative, crowds.

Iron Savior you say? They are ripping off Iron Maiden AND Christianity for that cheesey name! Why would I give them a chance? A good question to be sure. One I asked myself for years and answered with: They don't deserve one. But that answer forced me to live without some decent music for too long (10 years).

Cheese is the main course, though instead of the typical fantasy themes made popular in the 70s and taken to extremes by the likes of Rhapsody, IS uses science fiction as their genre of choice. In fact, like Blue Oyster Cult, they have an epic concept CAREER, not just album or albums. Their very name is from a sentient space ship that explores the universe and realms of existence.

Piet Sielck, lead vocalist, lead guitarist and lead writer, all-around genius holds the reigns as the band makes no apologies for its metal offerings and delivers the goods with precision and skill. Well honed hooks, masculine melodies without relying on growling or riffing, high tenor singing; Not Halford high, but more manly like Dickinson/Hagar without the feminine shrieks made popular in the American Hair Band disaster of the early 90s.

Iron Savior will never make the top 5 favorite bands on anyone's list, but to dismiss them outright is a shame. This is good road trip, off for the holiday weekend rock. When you are in the mood to enjoy music without having to work at it, but refuse to suckle at the teat of pop rock, Iron Savior is the place to go.

New album released June 7, 2007. The dream is still alive. And this messiah is still made of metal.

by Mook Farchings, contributing editor

www.iron-savior.com

Coheed & Clutch Tour

Wow, two of Jormungandr's favorite bands! Two completely different styles of music which should make for an entertaining night. Checkout the dates on cobaltandcalcium.com or pro-rock.com. This will rank up there with the greatest pairings of bands that I've seen. Primus opening up for Rush was amazing. Megadeth opening for Judas Priest wasn't bad either. Check out this article to understand Clutch's "genre"

http://www.pro-rock.com/multimedia/text/tm_sult.pdf