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Playlist - July 26, 2013
Playlist - July 26, 2013
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Artist
Masterplan Powerwolf Illusion Suite Lord Mercenary Tyr Excelsis Duskmachine Edenbridge Edenbridge Edenbridge James LaBrie Volbeat Ayreon Skyclad Sirenia Tarja new songs: bold red
requests: italics |
Song
Novum Initium Cardinal Sin Orpheus' Quest Walk Away A Moment of Clarity Blood of Heroes The Chapel Dying in My Skin Alight a New Tomorrow Into a Sea of Souls Far Out of Reach Back on the Ground Lola Montez Into the Black Hole The Sinful Ensemble My Destiny Coming to Pass Underneath |
Album
Novum Initium Preachers of the Night The Iron Cemetery Digital Lies Through Our Darkest Days Valkyrja Vo Chrieger U Drache Duskmachine The Bonding The Bonding The Bonding Impermanent Resonance Outlaw Gentlemen & Shady Ladies Universal Migrator Part II: Flight of the Migrator Irrational Anthems Perils of the Deep Blue Victim of Ritual |
Show Description - July 26, 2013
As you can see, new music was the theme for today's show. 2013 has been a busy year so far, and my impression at this point is that we will look back on it as one of the best years in a long time. There are many contenders for Album of the Year at this point, and it's going to be very tough to choose one.
The middle of the show as dedicated to my interview with Lanvall from Edenbridge and included several tracks from their new album, The Bonding.
My thoughts on the playlist:
[Masterplan - Novum Initium]
The title track from Masterplan's Novum Initium has quickly become my favorite song on the album. Not every band can pull off a 10-minute track, but if you're looking for proof that the new lineup means business, you'll find it here.
[Powerwolf - Cardinal Sin]
I'm loving the new Powerwolf album, Preachers of the Night. It continues their signature style (catchy, cheesy songs with epic vocals dominated by an organ going non-stop) but is their most polished work to date. No filler here. 'Cardinal Sin' is one of my favorite tracks on the album.
[Illusion Suite - Orpheus' Quest]
I had never listened to Illusion Suite until this week, but consider me a new fan. I was drawn to the mythology of 'Orpheus' Dream', and the rest of the album is just as good. Proggy and complex but not pretentious.
[Lord - Walk Away]
Another new band for me this week is Lord. Great, unique vocals with catchy songs and good production. This is a solid album and one I'm very glad to have discovered.
[Mercenary - A Moment of Clarity]
I was a big fan of Mikkel Sandager's work with Mercenary, and so Metamorphosis (their first album without him) fell a bit flat for me. I'm impressed by what I've heard of Through Our Darkest Days, though, and I look forward to spending more time with this release. Sandager is now singing in One Machine, who will release an album later this year.
[Tyr - Blood of Heroes]
This is Tyr's first single from the forthcoming Valkyrja, their first release on Metal Blade. Based on this song and the band's recent history (the last two albums were fantastic), it's hard to imagine that this album will be anything but spectacular. The single is very catchy, well-produced, and a bit of a surprise for the band in that it clocks in at less than 4 minutes.
[Excelsis - The Chapel]
I've been playing this band since the early days of my show, and I'm shocked that they haven't attracted more attention as folk metal has taken off over the few years. Good stuff on this new album, and I'll be interviewing the band in the coming weeks for the first time ever. (They've warned me that their English is not great, but we'll make it work.)
[Duskmachine - Dying in My Skin]
Joe Comeau on vocals for this one. I enjoyed his work with Annihilator, and I'm liking what I've heard of this album. This track seems slower and less heavy than the rest of the album.
[Edenbridge - selections from The Bonding]
Beautiful is the first word that comes to mind in thinking about this album. You have the angelic voice of Sabine Edelsbacher backed by not only Edenbridge but also a full orchestra, and you get the idea. Some people knock this band for not being 'metal' enough, but I don't understand the criticism. Just sit back and let this one wash over you.
[James LaBrie - Back on the Ground]
Yikes. I'm a big fan of LaBrie in Dream Theater and quite enjoyed Elements of Persuasion, his last solo album, which is why this track came as such a shock. My hope is that it's not indicative of the album itself, as my initial impression is not good based on this song alone.
[Volbeat - Outlaw Gentlemen & Shady Ladies]
One of my favorite songs from 2013 right here from a great release. I've always loved the combination of rockabilly and metal found in Volbeat's work, and you just can't top the catchiness.
[Ayreon - Into the Black Hole]
Bruce Dickinson's guest appearance on this 10-minute epic was one of the highlights of this album. Thanks to Power Metal Mark for the solid request today.
[Skyclad - The Sinful Ensemble]
With news breaking this week that Martin Walkyier plans to hold a 'viking funeral' for himself in performing Skyclad songs for the last time (with him fronting Elvenking), I thought we should take pause and admire one of his masterpieces from Irrational Anthems. Martin used to be a frequent guest on the show, and I'm pleased to report that he will be joining us in the coming weeks for an interview.
[Sirenia - My Destiny Coming to Pass]
Very cool album with a big sound. Good female vocals.
[Tarja - Underneath (live)]
One of two live tracks on the new EP. I'm looking forward to hearing the new album. Her voice is still amazing, and her solo work keeps getting better and better. Will we finally see her back in the States for this new album? I sure hope so. I really envy those who have been able to see her and Mike Terrana on their 'Beauty and the Beat' tour.
As you can see, new music was the theme for today's show. 2013 has been a busy year so far, and my impression at this point is that we will look back on it as one of the best years in a long time. There are many contenders for Album of the Year at this point, and it's going to be very tough to choose one.
The middle of the show as dedicated to my interview with Lanvall from Edenbridge and included several tracks from their new album, The Bonding.
My thoughts on the playlist:
[Masterplan - Novum Initium]
The title track from Masterplan's Novum Initium has quickly become my favorite song on the album. Not every band can pull off a 10-minute track, but if you're looking for proof that the new lineup means business, you'll find it here.
[Powerwolf - Cardinal Sin]
I'm loving the new Powerwolf album, Preachers of the Night. It continues their signature style (catchy, cheesy songs with epic vocals dominated by an organ going non-stop) but is their most polished work to date. No filler here. 'Cardinal Sin' is one of my favorite tracks on the album.
[Illusion Suite - Orpheus' Quest]
I had never listened to Illusion Suite until this week, but consider me a new fan. I was drawn to the mythology of 'Orpheus' Dream', and the rest of the album is just as good. Proggy and complex but not pretentious.
[Lord - Walk Away]
Another new band for me this week is Lord. Great, unique vocals with catchy songs and good production. This is a solid album and one I'm very glad to have discovered.
[Mercenary - A Moment of Clarity]
I was a big fan of Mikkel Sandager's work with Mercenary, and so Metamorphosis (their first album without him) fell a bit flat for me. I'm impressed by what I've heard of Through Our Darkest Days, though, and I look forward to spending more time with this release. Sandager is now singing in One Machine, who will release an album later this year.
[Tyr - Blood of Heroes]
This is Tyr's first single from the forthcoming Valkyrja, their first release on Metal Blade. Based on this song and the band's recent history (the last two albums were fantastic), it's hard to imagine that this album will be anything but spectacular. The single is very catchy, well-produced, and a bit of a surprise for the band in that it clocks in at less than 4 minutes.
[Excelsis - The Chapel]
I've been playing this band since the early days of my show, and I'm shocked that they haven't attracted more attention as folk metal has taken off over the few years. Good stuff on this new album, and I'll be interviewing the band in the coming weeks for the first time ever. (They've warned me that their English is not great, but we'll make it work.)
[Duskmachine - Dying in My Skin]
Joe Comeau on vocals for this one. I enjoyed his work with Annihilator, and I'm liking what I've heard of this album. This track seems slower and less heavy than the rest of the album.
[Edenbridge - selections from The Bonding]
Beautiful is the first word that comes to mind in thinking about this album. You have the angelic voice of Sabine Edelsbacher backed by not only Edenbridge but also a full orchestra, and you get the idea. Some people knock this band for not being 'metal' enough, but I don't understand the criticism. Just sit back and let this one wash over you.
[James LaBrie - Back on the Ground]
Yikes. I'm a big fan of LaBrie in Dream Theater and quite enjoyed Elements of Persuasion, his last solo album, which is why this track came as such a shock. My hope is that it's not indicative of the album itself, as my initial impression is not good based on this song alone.
[Volbeat - Outlaw Gentlemen & Shady Ladies]
One of my favorite songs from 2013 right here from a great release. I've always loved the combination of rockabilly and metal found in Volbeat's work, and you just can't top the catchiness.
[Ayreon - Into the Black Hole]
Bruce Dickinson's guest appearance on this 10-minute epic was one of the highlights of this album. Thanks to Power Metal Mark for the solid request today.
[Skyclad - The Sinful Ensemble]
With news breaking this week that Martin Walkyier plans to hold a 'viking funeral' for himself in performing Skyclad songs for the last time (with him fronting Elvenking), I thought we should take pause and admire one of his masterpieces from Irrational Anthems. Martin used to be a frequent guest on the show, and I'm pleased to report that he will be joining us in the coming weeks for an interview.
[Sirenia - My Destiny Coming to Pass]
Very cool album with a big sound. Good female vocals.
[Tarja - Underneath (live)]
One of two live tracks on the new EP. I'm looking forward to hearing the new album. Her voice is still amazing, and her solo work keeps getting better and better. Will we finally see her back in the States for this new album? I sure hope so. I really envy those who have been able to see her and Mike Terrana on their 'Beauty and the Beat' tour.