I bought their album "Spirit" on a whim a few years back. It's a lot heavier than that tune. Not bad, but they seem to be lightening their sound.
/not subby

Great song subby!. I have to research this band further...

The bagpipes work well. The hurdy gurdy was unexpected.

Eluveitie is pretty good, I really didn't like their newest album though, an attempt at straight up Folk. Hopefully they return to their roots in the future.


One band that I think is just a little bit better at Eluveitie's type of Folk Metal is Dalriada (new window). They are a Hungarian band that has been around nearly as long as Eluveitie and has quite a few similarities.

I like Eluvetie's Slania. My submission was Morbid Angels Immortal Rites.

The past two weeks for me have been very good. I finally got Sear Bliss' debut album Phantoms, which sounds a lot like a warmer Forest Silence. I also got Pagan Altar's Lords of Hypocrisy. Mythical & Magical is still Altar's best album, but Lords is a close second. And to top it off, I got my hands on Bolt Thrower's War Master, which is good, because it's Motherfarking Bolt Thrower. My prospects of going to Summer Slaughter are also looking very good, so I'm happy about that as well.

Anyways, here are this weeks recs, with a general focus on bands from places you wouldn't expect to have a metal scene (except for Ireland):

Crackdust: Death metal from Botswana. For you geniuses out there, Botswana is in Africa. Crackdust plays old school death metal. While they don't really do anything new or different, they are still a pretty solid band. And I whole heartily support the spread of metal through out the world.

Darkestrah: Female-fronted Kyrgyzstani Black metal with a Central Asian sound. That's right. Black Metal from Kyrgyzstan. Where is Kyrgyzstan you may ask? It's Northwest of
China and south of Kazakhstan. Anyways, this is excellent black metal that is better than many European bands. Epos is their masterpiece, but it's 33 minutes long, so the link goes to a song from The Great Silk Road.

Altar of Plagues: I've been following this Irish band for awhile now, and have liked both the Through the Cracks of the Earth demo and the Sol EP. They finally released their debut album White Tomb this year, and I have to say, it's the best album that I've heard this year. Imagine Wolves in the Throne Room for an urban setting, with bits of shoegaze thrown in, and better songwriting. That is basically White Tomb. Like usual, Youtube doesn't do the song justice. But an excerpt from a single song on this album doesn't do White Tomb justice either, as it's one of those albums that's meant to be listened to all the way through.

(clears throat)
hatehatehatehatehate.

now that's out of the way... so I won free tickets to Blackenedfest, which i'm totally stoked on, because Mayhem does put on an epic show (so i hear), but also for Cephalic Carnage. now, their last couple of albums haven't been very good IMO, but if you want crushing heaviness plus amazing musicianship, check out their album Lucid Interval. Cephalic Carnage - Lucid Interval, terrible video. good song.
i got nothin else, i had the weirdest night (weeping haitians, lost wallets, unnecessary police interactions) and i'm burnt out as a motherfarker, and i have to go work now. weak.
/hey Dee Snarl, didn't you used to post on a little NMHC/KOBK board a few years back?

satanicsantoku: now that's out of the way... so I won free tickets to Blackenedfest, which i'm totally stoked on, because Mayhem does put on an epic show (so i hear), but also for Cephalic Carnage. now, their last couple of albums haven't been very good IMO, but if you want crushing heaviness plus amazing musicianship, check out their album Lucid Interval. Cephalic Carnage - Lucid Interval, terrible video. good song.
i got nothin else, i had the weirdest night (weeping haitians, lost wallets, unnecessary police interactions) and i'm burnt out as a motherfarker, and i have to go work now. weak.
/hey Dee Snarl, didn't you used to post on a little NMHC/KOBK board a few years back?

I'm intrigued as to went on last night for you. I thought you didn't like black metal?

/Blackenedfest is coming through the TC, would love to go see Mayhem and Marduk.

bagpipes? ACGHH

but really, this is the first SHMHC that I've seen that links to a band I never heard of, good work. now I will take a listen, and I swear, if this sounds like Korn...I will post a second time expressing my iDiscontent

Well played, subby. Good stuff. I'm a big fan of Eluveitie.

BigSnatch: Eluveitie is pretty good, I really didn't like their newest album though, an attempt at straight up Folk. Hopefully they return to their roots in the future.


They've said that Evocations II is going to be back to their usual style. It's supposed to be out sometime this year as well.

Here's a few things I've been listening to:

Amorphis - Skyforger: If you liked the last few Amorphis albums, then you're going to love Skyforger. It's a phenomenal album that fits in well with the direction they've taken on the last few albums. I've listened to it about 6 times in the last two days.

Dream Theater - Black Clouds & Silver Linings: I'm still waiting for a decent quality leak, or better yet for the CD to be released, but I'm digging this album. I like DT's heavier stuff (especially Train of Thought), and BC&SL has plenty of heavy moments.

Protest The Hero - Fortress: The vocals sometimes border on emo-style, but for some reason I really like this album. The music is well done, chaotic without losing all structure.

I'm currently listening to Control Denied, Chuck Schuldiner's prog/death side project.

lol@the guy trying to look angry with bagpipes

Awesome...until the vocals come in. Damn cookie monster vocals ruin most modern metal for me.

El Freak: Awesome...until the vocals come in. Damn cookie monster vocals ruin most modern metal for me.

Maybe you need to be listening to more power metal, then.

dillenger69: The bagpipes work well. The hurdy gurdy was unexpected.

Who knew you could bang your head to a hurdy gurdy? I had never heard of this band but I quite like the song.

+1

Warpigpen: Who knew you could bang your head to a hurdy gurdy? I had never heard of this band but I quite like the song.

+1

You can bang your head to anything. Like a Trombone.

Architecture Of Aggression: www.sleazeroxx.com

What does Chuck have to do with anything?

I should also mention, for those of you who are fans of death metal, that the new Gorod album is badass.

SPna15: Architecture Of Aggression: www.sleazeroxx.com

What does Chuck have to do with anything?

it's Chuck. Chuck has to do with everything.

I like Eluveitie. Dalriada is good too. My favorite folk metal band has to be Moonsorrow though. They are the kings of epic folk metal

I listen to a lot of Euro death metal and haven't heard of these guys before...

They're pretty good.

/Thanks subby

groverXIII: El Freak: Awesome...until the vocals come in. Damn cookie monster vocals ruin most modern metal for me.

Maybe you need to be listening to more power metal, then.


Jesus farkin Christ, I'm so goddamned sick of the term "cookie monster vocals". If you want to hear Cookie Monster, listen to Korn, or Clouds-era Tiamat, or Enchantment, or any Hardcore bad, or Crowbar. If the singer sounds like he's taking a shiat, then it's "cookie monster".

If you're going to mock growling, at least call it like "Dr. Claw Vocals" or something.

And guess what, it's been done as a part of the whole extreme metal subgenre for well over 25 years, so get over it or get used to it, the vocal style isn't going anywhere.


That said, folk metal doesn't really strike me beyond what Storm did.

aenimation: I like Eluveitie. Dalriada is good too. My favorite folk metal band has to be Moonsorrow though. They are the kings of epic folk metal

Moonsorrow is incredible and defies classification in my book.

Their album artwork is always awesome too.

Nice song. I'll check these guys out.

/Glad the SHMHC is still going.

Peter_Veal:
Jesus farkin Christ, I'm so goddamned sick of the term "cookie monster vocals". If you want to hear Cookie Monster, listen to Korn, or Clouds-era Tiamat, or Enchantment, or any Hardcore bad, or Crowbar. If the singer sounds like he's taking a shiat, then it's "cookie monster".

If you're going to mock growling, at least call it like "Dr. Claw Vocals" or something.

And guess what, it's been done as a part of the whole extreme metal subgenre for well over 25 years, so get over it or get used to it, the vocal style isn't going anywhere.


I second this.

While we're at it, we've established that there are people who don't like the growled vocals. Anyone else who wants to post that, no one cares. Go back to listening to Nickelback.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4A_tSyJBsRQ that was my sub this week....i guess i fail

groverXIII: Peter_Veal:
Jesus farkin Christ, I'm so goddamned sick of the term "cookie monster vocals". If you want to hear Cookie Monster, listen to Korn, or Clouds-era Tiamat, or Enchantment, or any Hardcore bad, or Crowbar. If the singer sounds like he's taking a shiat, then it's "cookie monster".

If you're going to mock growling, at least call it like "Dr. Claw Vocals" or something.

And guess what, it's been done as a part of the whole extreme metal subgenre for well over 25 years, so get over it or get used to it, the vocal style isn't going anywhere.


I second this.

While we're at it, we've established that there are people who don't like the growled vocals. Anyone else who wants to post that, no one cares. Go back to listening to Nickelback.

It's about as cringeworthy as people that say "Rap is CRap, AMIRITE?" No, hey I never thought it putting it in those succinct terms, Hey thanks Mr. Condescension! Could you please direct me to the nearest Wal*Mart so that I may purchase more suitable music?

El Freak: Awesome...until the vocals come in. Damn cookie monster vocals ruin most modern metal for me.

How is it that any vocal style that isn't clean is now considered "cookie monster." This band has more of a screaming/yelling style vocal that a lot of the metal community does anywhere from Thrash to Metalcore to Hardcore. This is FAR from cookie monster. CM vocals are what you find it a lot of brutal death metal or technical death metal. Necrophasgist, The Faceless, Origin, etc etc. It is just a style of vocals.

Another one of my favorites is the serpent style which lots of black metal uses and Carcass.

So on to this submission....without the bag pipes this is very meh. It sounds like they want to reach a mass audience with this particular track. Their other stuff may be different, I don't know.

Anyone looking for mostly clean vocal stuff, check out this early 90's band Anacrusis - Sound the Alarm

groverXIII: Amorphis - Skyforger: If you liked the last few Amorphis albums, then you're going to love Skyforger. It's a phenomenal album that fits in well with the direction they've taken on the last few albums. I've listened to it about 6 times in the last two days.


This is excellent news.

Magics5RIP: Anyone looking for mostly clean vocal stuff, check out this early 90's band Anacrusis - Sound the Alarmfark yeah! Anacrusis kicks serious amounts of ass. I've been thinking about putting them in one of my recs, but you beat me to it.

SPna15: Magics5RIP: Anyone looking for mostly clean vocal stuff, check out this early 90's band Anacrusis - Sound the Alarmfark yeah! Anacrusis kicks serious amounts of ass. I've been thinking about putting them in one of my recs, but you beat me to it.

They were way ahead of the curve for their time. Their previous album Manic Impressionsseemed to perfectly open the door for Screams and Whispers and also Cynic's Focus.

May I suggest:

Rivendell. One man sitting alone in his apartment surrounded by guitars can sometimes achieve great things - or at least a rocking rendition of 'The Old Walking Song'.

And, in a similar vein:

Falkenbach. Proof that 'pagan metal' doesn't all involve screaming and battle sound clips and songs about Vikings.

NTTAWWT, of course..

Magics5RIP: SPna15: Magics5RIP: Anyone looking for mostly clean vocal stuff, check out this early 90's band Anacrusis - Sound the Alarmfark yeah! Anacrusis kicks serious amounts of ass. I've been thinking about putting them in one of my recs, but you beat me to it.

They were way ahead of the curve for their time. Their previous album Manic Impressionsseemed to perfectly open the door for Screams and Whispers and also Cynic's Focus.

I think it should be pointed out that all their albums are available for free on their website, as well as demos and other live recordings.

I guess I'll weigh in on the gravel-ly vocals debate. Sometimes it works and other times it feels like a cop-out. An example of the latter is Trivium. They didn't sing on their early albums simply because no one knew how to sing. Another example of the contrasting styles is from the new Mastodon album about 4 minutes in to the song "The Czar" the backup drummer starts singing with clean vocals as opposed to the grumbly lead singer. Personally, I think the quality of their music is much better when I can actually understand the lyrics. Basically what I'm saying is that the low grumble-style can make the lyrics pretty much unintelligible and that takes away from the music.

/end rant

ThePuceGuardian: Falkenbach. Proof that 'pagan metal' doesn't all involve screaming and battle sound clips and songs about Vikings.

NTTAWWT, of course..

"Pagan metal" doesn't even have to be black/folk stuff either!

Cbrusky: Basically what I'm saying is that the low grumble-style can make the lyrics pretty much unintelligible and that takes away from the music.


Depends on the vocalist... I mean, there are a decent number of vocalists (Randy Blythe of Lamb Of God, Johan Hegg of Amon Amarth are the ones that immediately come to mind) who can growl and are still pretty legible. And for a lot of Scandinavian bands, unless you speak their language you're not going to know what they're saying anyway.

groverXIII: Depends on the vocalist... I mean, there are a decent number of vocalists (Randy Blythe of Lamb Of God, Johan Hegg of Amon Amarth are the ones that immediately come to mind) who can growl and are still pretty legible. And for a lot of Scandinavian bands, unless you speak their language you're not going to know what they're saying anyway.


And Mikael Akerfeldt of Opeth, Mikael Stanne of Dark Tranquillity, Jari Maenpaa of Wintersun, Perti Lindroos of Ensiferum, Pekka Kokko of Kalmah.

Kliffoth:
And Mikael Akerfeldt of Opeth, Mikael Stanne of Dark Tranquillity, Jari Maenpaa of Wintersun, Perti Lindroos of Ensiferum, Pekka Kokko of Kalmah.

I thought of the Ensiferum vocalists immediately after I posted.

I suppose I can also add Tomi Joutsen of Amorphis (who does some very good death metal vocals on the new album, which I am listening to yet again), Warlord Nygård from Turisas, Alexi Laiho from Children of Bodom, and Angela Gossow of Arch Enemy. You can usually tell what they're saying.

groverXIII: Kliffoth:
And Mikael Akerfeldt of Opeth, Mikael Stanne of Dark Tranquillity, Jari Maenpaa of Wintersun, Perti Lindroos of Ensiferum, Pekka Kokko of Kalmah.

I thought of the Ensiferum vocalists immediately after I posted.

I suppose I can also add Tomi Joutsen of Amorphis (who does some very good death metal vocals on the new album, which I am listening to yet again), Warlord Nygård from Turisas, Alexi Laiho from Children of Bodom, and Angela Gossow of Arch Enemy. You can usually tell what they're saying.

A lot of the original Florida bands are pretty understandable as well. My personal favorite is John Tardy of Obituary.

you can usually tell what Alexi is saying? I love Bodom but come ON man, don't lie to the people.

Alexi WHAT? (new window)

that's one of my favorite songs of theirs though. his voice is more of a sound piece than vocals but for whatever reason I farkin love it. hell they don't even print half the lyrics, because I'm positive Alexi just goes "wanahaya gothanaYOW" most of the time. heavy metal freestyle

love these guys, saw them on paganfest last year and even though they opened, they were the best band of the night.

Cbrusky: Personally, I think the quality of their music is much better when I can actually understand the lyrics. Basically what I'm saying is that the low grumble-style can make the lyrics pretty much unintelligible and that takes away from the music.

Unfortunately, there are a lot of bands that are better at writing music than writing lyrics. So if the music is good and the lyrics suck, I'd rather not know what they're singing.

I came to this conclusion about 15 years ago, so now I tend to think of the vocals more like just another instrument. Death metal grunts are something like a percussion instrument whereas black metal shrieks are more like keyboards.

Magics5RIP: They were way ahead of the curve for their time. Their previous album Manic Impressions seemed to perfectly open the door for Screams and Whispers and also Cynic's Focus.

Hruh? How do you figure they "opened the door" for Focus?

Interesting presentation ruined by shiat vocals.

Again.

Architecture Of Aggression: you can usually tell what Alexi is saying? I love Bodom but come ON man, don't lie to the people.

Alexi WHAT? (new window)

that's one of my favorite songs of theirs though. his voice is more of a sound piece than vocals but for whatever reason I farkin love it. hell they don't even print half the lyrics, because I'm positive Alexi just goes "wanahaya gothanaYOW" most of the time. heavy metal freestyle

Yeah, but when he's saying something, you can usually understand it, even if it's utter crap. I suppose it's usually on the chorus.

Seeing the comments reminds me of another annoyance... why do people refer to thrash metal as trash metal? Are they just that stupid that they can't spell?

barneyfifesbullet: Interesting presentation ruined by shiat vocals.

Again.

Thank you for ignoring the rest of the thread.

Well since everyone is posting their favorite bands let me direct you to my favorite metal band ever, this song (new window) is so good, I mean, the vocals are a lot better than this Elvishtitties or whatever

SPna15: A lot of the original Florida bands are pretty understandable as well. My personal favorite is John Tardy of Obituary.

Lol.

Architecture Of Aggression: you can usually tell what Alexi is saying?

"Fark fark fark motherfarker fark yeah! Motherfarker!"

That's pretty close, I think.

groverXIII: Seeing the comments reminds me of another annoyance... why do people refer to thrash metal as trash metal? Are they just that stupid that they can't spell?

Yes, yes they are that stupid.

no, Alexi going "fark fark fark motherfarker fark yeah! motherfarker!" is when he's speaking in between songs. the dude sounds like an early 90s NYC stereotype!

groverXIII: Architecture Of Aggression: you can usually tell what Alexi is saying? I love Bodom but come ON man, don't lie to the people.

Alexi WHAT? (new window)

that's one of my favorite songs of theirs though. his voice is more of a sound piece than vocals but for whatever reason I farkin love it. hell they don't even print half the lyrics, because I'm positive Alexi just goes "wanahaya gothanaYOW" most of the time. heavy metal freestyle

Yeah, but when he's saying something, you can usually understand it, even if it's utter crap. I suppose it's usually on the chorus.

Seeing the comments reminds me of another annoyance... why do people refer to thrash metal as trash metal? Are they just that stupid that they can't spell?

TRASH metal. get it? like THRASH BUT TRASH BECAUSE IT SUCKS LOL. it's like RAP but with a C so its CRAP GET IT HA HA HA HA LOL

WERE NOW DEALING WITH THE CLEVER

SPna15: Thank you for ignoring the rest of the thread.

I didn't, I just ignored you.

Whoops.