The Podcast: Episode 41 (Back to the...past?)

The live show went off without a hitch, but left us a little behind on our normal wacky conversation. We return to the headquarters to talk about the albums that have been consuming our time over the last few weeks. Justin has a lot to say about Screaming Savior, Fall Of Eden, Massive Pain, and Meshuggah. Darrell is excited to look back at his reviews from The Massacre Cave, Sunpocrisy, Akoma, and the new EP from Pelican. We are so close to the release of Brendon Small's Galaktikon, and the new season of Metalocalypse. Are YOU ready?

Download part 1 of that bad boy right here.

Part 2? Download here, my friends.

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Potergeist - Muddy Murmaids (2012)

Swamp metal. This is what the southern metal band Potergeist lists themselves as. This five piece rock group from Greece has recently come out with their new album, entitled “Muddy Murmaids.” The album is an interesting mix of blues, stoner metal, and southern rock. The vocals stay pretty consistent with rough clean tones that occasional switch to a form of violent yelling. The album is full of energy and will definitely have you up on your feet rocking out at all times.

The first track, “Forgiven,“ opens with a man speaking “Forgive me god, but I’m about to rock again” as sounds of rain fall in the background. Crashing cymbals give a count when the guitars fall in with wild melodies and thumping bass lines. The verse comes in with clean singing vocals with a spark of aggression. The vocalist has an interesting southern tone to his voice that of Phil Anselmo of Pantera. His raspy lyrics send a strong rock and roll kind feel to the song. “The Next Man” picks the beat right back up with catchy riffs and booming drum rolls making you want to bob your head to the beat. The vocals continue to flow smoothly until a small clip of screechy screaming interrupts things for a moment. This compliments the song and keeps things unique. The screaming is brief but that’s all it really needed to add a different kind of spark to the mix. Later you’ll come across a bluesy guitar solo that hypnotizes you with its wild melodies.

“Rivers And Oceans” steps in with wild guitar melodies as back up guitars distroy the background with violent chugging riffs. The cymbals collide high above the snapping snares and kicks while the bass rumbles heavily beneath you. The verse contains their aggressive lyrics that they’ve been providing however the chorus consists of some heavy growls that’ll knock you flat on the ground. Again helping the sound stay refreshing and different. While “Beggar” takes you to an even faster speed of drums and uplifting guitars, “Smokestack Lightnin’” leans strongly towards the blues with its calm groovy guitars and catchy melodies. The lead guitar definitely must have had some fun with this one as you’ll hear him go off in his own little world of melodies every once in a while. The vocals are a bit lighter in this song not stealing the show as much as they do in some of the earlier ones. This is the time to really pay close attention to the impressive guitar work. Even the solo near the end is off the wall. You’ll find yourself playing this one over and over again.

The album closes with “Muddy Mermaids” followed by “Rebel.” “Muddy Mermaids” gives a whole different sound altogether with its eerie clean sing that has mellow tones to it. They’re layered with female vocals as well giving mixed emotions. Meanwhile the guitar riff floats lightly in the background as it waits for the verse to be over. Then comes the heavily distorted guitars slammed violently in a slow tempo follow the simple drum patterns underneath. The vocals come back in as la couple again only the male vocals pick it up with the aggressiveness. Together they give off this eerie southern sound that really paints a clear image of the track. The second verse picks back up with more soothing vocals and calm guitar melodies. Detail bass lines begin to rumble in as wicked guitar begin to chug away again. This track leaves you wanting more and more you wont be able to help but hit the repeat button. When you do finally manage to move on to “Rebel” you’ll be rudely awakened by relentless guitar riffs that fly by you with rapid speed. The drums are intense with complex drum fills and hell vocals. You’ll find the album definitely goes out with a bang. Before you know it you’re back to the beginning of the album, fist in the air and head rocking out to the whole album all over again.

“Muddy Mermaids” has got some catchy southern sounds to it and definitely keeps your head bobbing constantly throughout the album. The recording quality is excellent as you’ll find everything to be crystal clear in each mix. Some of the songs in the beginning start to blend together as they contain similar structure and twanginess in the guitars but that shouldn’t stop you from enjoying yourself and rocking out to a good ol' southern metal album. Plus the last couple of track really step things up. Potergeist definitely has a lot of potential in their music and is a band that you’ll want to keep an eye on in the future.

8/10

Myspace - http://www.myspace.com/potergeist

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Pelican - Ataraxia/Taraxis (2012)

With some time away from the road, Pelican have given themselves an opportunity to breathe. Having toured at a grinding pace in support of their last full length, "What We All Come To Need," it was time to step away. From four separate studios, the members wrote and recorded their pieces of the larger whole, and the new EP, "Ataraxia/Taraxis" became the end result. Taking their talent for post-metal grunge, and adding in a healthy dose of acoustics, these four songs have come to represent the band at this stage in their career. And the maturity on display here gives us hope for the future.

Taking a more subtle approach, the opening track "Ataraxia" builds slowly from nothing. As layers of bass, keys, and clean guitars enter, you sit back and brace yourself for the explosion that always seems imminent with any disc that bears the Pelican name. But while the low rumble of the bass is ever increasing, this track serves as the pre-meal beverage, wetting your lips for the main course to come. And "Lathe Biosas" is exactly that entre, blowing through your speakers with wailing distortion and a rousing stomp that is sure to leave you feeling satisfied. The guitar melody, in and of itself, would be enough to call the track a success. But the bass work is too clean, too crisp to leave out. Even the oft criticized drums seem to have found their stride here, filling every gap with a snare or cymbal. The changing of tempos and time signatures keeps you off balance, but in the best possible way.

The slow groove of "Parasite Colony" is a very different style from its predecessor, more moody and dark. The band reinforce the low end, even in the guitars, while still moving forward with a rich melody. Whether it is in the deep, sludge sections, or the more atmospheric clean ones, the guitars have found new focus. Combined with the sheer strength of the united rhythm section, and you are witness to a monster of a sound, as fierce as anything the band have put out before. The track chooses to stay at home, not swaying too much away from the comfort zone, and avoids any unnecessary lateral movement. But again, a dramatic shift in sound comes as soon as the first strum of "Taraxis" kicks in. Clean, acoustic guitars and a constant tap of drums are the main attraction. A slightly twangy melody comes through, but so subtly, so softly, that it barely pokes its head out of the mix. The heavy, metallic edge that is so often the focal point of their music has taken a back seat to something that could easily come from an "Unplugged" set. That is, of course, until the rattling distortion rears its ugly head. As the earth shaking sound builds, this is the Pelican you know and love.

There is not a single man or woman in the music industry who could ever accuse Pelican of being lazy, or anything but "road warriors." The grueling touring schedule could have killed a lesser band. They earned every minute they took away from it all. With that distance put between themselves and the music, each member had a sense of clarity that may have faded away otherwise. With the powers of the internet lending a hand, and some new ideas in mind, they manage to, once again, give their fans something to cheer about. One can only wonder what's next.

8.5/10

Official Site - http://www.hydrahead.com/pelican/
Myspace - http://www.myspace.com/pelican

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Gothmog - Aeons Of Deception (2012)

Searching deep through Spains underground heavy metal scene, I have come across a vicious group by the name Gothmog. The band lists themselves as black death metal but they definitely have a lot of keyboards and strings that also put them into a darker gothic sound. They have just released their new album, entitled “Aeons Of Deception.” You’ll find nothing but devilish guitar riffs and booming drums filled with complex patterns. The vocals jump all around from black metal screams to deathly growls to even clean singing and chanting.

The album opens with gothic strings that fill the air with haunting sounds as jaw dropping drums quickly enter with exploding fills. Cymbals are crashing left and right as you’re beaten down by toms and snares. Devilish black metal vocals consume you during the verses with demonic lyrics. Strings continue to float softly in the background as monstrous guitar riffs electrify you with intense melodies. The include a small piano solo in the middle of the song throwing a softer dark side at you. The notes hypnotize you deeper into the song until you’re greeted with more evil screams. And if this doesn’t knock you on you’re ass then the beginning of “Escape To Nowhere” will. It’s wall of detailed drum rolls blast heavily from all directions with relentless snares that snap rapidly along with deep double bass pedals that rumble heavily beneath you. Evil keyboards take over the background providing a more symphonic black metal sound. Meanwhile the vocals come in with screechy screams that’ll have you shake with fear. They include a thrashing breakdown full of fast melodies and yet heavy chugging chords at the same time. This will have you up and moshing for sure. It definitely holds out to be one of the most violent ending on the entire album.

“Beyond The Mist Of Time” and “Deathbringer” continue to crash down on you violently with fierce guitar work. The tempo of the guitars keep you on you’re heals at all time. They even switch up the lyrics in certain areas giving you some clean singing vocals and also some death metal growls. It definitely adds some flare to the tracks. You’re met with a chanting choir in the song “Aeons Of Deception” as you’ll find the tempos to be slow and calm. Demonic growls mix back and forth with blackened screams as the verses are kept in a steady pace with the slower double bass pedal patterns. Wicked guitar riffs join in later with wild melodies and the drums begin to pick it up with detail in each riff. There are a few spoken words towards the end of the track continuing the story they tell. The it goes right back to venomous growls as the some comes to a close.

The unique thing about “The Bargain Struck” is how the song stays dark and aggressive with dominating double bass pedals and vicious forms of black metal screams and death metal growls and yet completely changes the mood of the song in the guitar solo towards the middle of the track. This really catches you off guard as you’re greeted with a soothing emotional guitar solo with gorgeous melodies as the wild double bass pedals continue to pound away in the background. The structure alone will have you hitting the replay button as you slowly embrace all of the different elements that it offers.

Another must hear track is the magnificent “Nirnaeth Arnoediad (Unnumbered Tears).” This six minute and forty second masterpiece surrounds you with eerie strings and punishing drums rolls throughout the entire track. The guitar riffs chug away with incredible fast speeds following the complex drum fills that follow in between. The verses fill the air with fiery black metal screams and evil growls that’ll make you shit yourself. The middle of the song turns into this epic track as the strings take over with dark gorgeous sounds. They are quickly accompanied by haunting chanting vocals that’ll send chills down you’re spine. This song is both vicious and beautiful at the same time with its constant aggressive screams and ravishing strings and keyboards. You definitely don’t want to skip this track.

“Aeons Of Deception” is full of dark surprises as you come across mixed vocals, perfectly performed in every way, and well balanced instruments. Between the pulverizing guitars and breath taking drum patterns you wouldn’t think there’d be any room for gorgeous piano solos and angelic strings and keyboards. Gothmog manages to give you everything and more. This is definitely an album worth checking out.

8.5/10

Official Site - http://www.gothmog.es/
Myspace - http://www.myspace.com/gothmog666

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Aceldama - Aceldama (2012)

 Not to be confused with the album by metal band The Faceless, Aceldama are an up and coming outfit from Birmingham, in the ever-rainy UK.Following the success of their single, "Metal And Beer," the band have set out to play live shows whenever, and wherever, they are allowed to plug in. But capturing the flash and energy of a gig is often hard, and the transition from stage to studio isn't always a smooth one. On their new, self titled album, this female fronted five piece are reaching for the stars, but not quite making it work.

The energy that rises from the opening moments of "I Am" is certain to peak your interest in the tracks that follow. Frontwoman Leanne is a perfect fit for the style of music being played. With heavy distorted riffs and the constant rolling of bass, her voice is the rudder that steers the track down the right path.You won't find anything out of the ordinary in the instrumental itself, but the band holds their own. Rather than  stretching things out for a five minute or more epic, they keep it short and sweet, a victory in and of itself. A little more confusing than cohesive, "Chapter 2" lacks the same punch and continuity of its predecessor. The main vocal almost seems disjointed, in both flow and the mix itself. The downside to a song like this one is that it can take a promising beginning, and make it quickly look watered down and ineffective. Sans the ripping guitar solo the track is a throwaway, lacking anything that will make it stand out from the crowd.

Quick to try to redeem themselves, the band launch straight into "Faith In Me." The drumming becomes more intense, with crashing cymbals sitting atop a solid foundation of guitars and bass. Leanne, once again, seems more in her element. Her lyrics, on the other hand, never seem to find a groove, falling back on some rock and metal cliches to pad out a shaky vocal line. The lack of true content makes her stretch her talents to hold bigger notes, and find additional melodies. The outro portion is the perfect example, with her voice failing to match to power of her bandmates. The punch of the kick drum opens "What Has Gone Before," with some more intricate guitar work chiming in early. It seems like the instrumental portion of the track hits a great stride, delivering a product that is easy to digest and get behind. But, unfortunately, the vocal lags behind, as it did in the previous track, sounding overproduced and under performed. This takes a solid effort and makes it fall flat.

With an opening segment that certainly plays out as the heaviest moment on the album, "I Tried" sees the band explorer some serious metal action. Machine gun drums and blazing guitar work take over, with each screeching harmonic bringing to mind (though only faintly) the great Zakk Wylde." Leanne makes a comeback in many ways, holding her own amongst the bruising riffs and damaging rhythm section. This is, in addition to being the darkest track, the most well rounded one. As the pieces finally fall into place, things run directly into "Collision," for one final burst of energetic guitar rock. There is something odd in the vocal mix, something that may be difficult to put your finger on. But the vocals sound as though they aren't mixed with the music, but are rather sitting on top of the band, drowning out all of the little touches to the guitar work. Case in point, as the flows from verse to breakdown, the guitars become so much clearer, so much more powerful. As the vocals return, the weight is too much for the drums to hold, and the juicy riffs are sandwiched.

Some bands are meant to be heard live. With these six songs, Aceldama seems to be one of those bands. There is no denying that they have all the potential to pull off successful female fronted metal. The evidence is there. But as the sound emanates from your speakers, each track seems to be missing that special something that would warrant repeated listens. Whether that something lies in the writing, the performance, or the mix remains to be seen. I guess seeing the energy the band plays with live would be the only way to know for sure. Until then, this one might not be a desert island disc.

6.5/10

Official Site - http://www.aceldama.co.uk
Myspace - http://www.myspace.com/aceldamabham

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Accept - Stalingrad (2012)

The infamous Germany metal band Accept has risen once again with an electrifying new album, entitled “Stalingrad.” This is the bands 13th full length album following their 2010 album “Blood Of The Nations.” Lead guitars Wolf Hoffmann and his heavy metal crew set off to deliver another powerful piece of work.

The album opens with “Hung, Dawn, and Quartered” where catchy melodic guitars fly through the air accompanied by blaring distorted chords and exploding kicks and snares. Lead singer Mark Tornillo rushes in with aggressive clean vocals. The chorus fills the air with catchy upbeat lyrics that’ll have you singing along in no time. Meanwhile the drums come through and pound away with complex drum fills that are absolutely jaw dropping. And it doesn’t stop there. The second track, “Stalingrad” continues with monstrous drum rolls while thunderous guitars chug away making you want to throw your devil horns in the air and rock out recklessly. The chorus is guaranteed to be stuck in your head with its memorable lyrics and uplifting melodies. Later comes a wicked guitar solo that throws wild notes from all directions as various speeds. By the end of it you’ll be exhausted and out of bread only to run into “Hellfire” and “Flash To Bang Time.” Both delivering booming snares and heavy kicks that rumble violently. Relentless distorted guitars jump at you wave after wave constantly knocking you to the ground. The fast tempos will have you up and moshing immediately.

“Shadow Soldiers” slows the tempo down a bit with slower chugging riffs and basic kick and snare patterns that’ll have you bobbing your head. Powerful clean vocals come through in the verses pulling you closer into the music. Tornillo shows off his range in the refrain as he swings his pitch high in the air hitting notes you though he could no longer reach. Multiple vocals join in as they all chant “Shadow Soldiers” in a catchy tone. This is followed by another mind blowing guitar solo that’ll knock you out of your seat. “Revolution” gives you a short moment to rest as it takes a few seconds for it to completely fade in with its monstrous guitar riffs and violent drum fills. Tornilla becomes a little more raspy in the verses as you feel a lot more emotion coming from his voice. Shouting high pitch lyrics in the chorus keeps you amped and ready for more.

Definitely make sure you check out “The Quick And The Dead” as you head towards the end of the album. A wall of vicious guitar riffs are waiting to crush you with electrifying melodies. Meanwhile the snares and kicks fire away with deafening fills and detail rolls that’ll have you bashing your head recklessly. The vocals continue to hit you with harsh clean vocals and catchy lyrics in the refrain. The best part is the wild guitar solo towards the middle of the track. The drums are thrashing in the background while wicked melodies fly through the air with hell raising sounds that’ll send chills down your spine. You’ll definitely find yourself jumping to hit the replay button by the end of the song.

For a band that’s been around since 1968, Accept has come through with some pretty incredible new material. Unlike Van Halen, they’ve stuck to what they do best and delivered another great heavy metal album. “Stalingrad” stays pretty well balanced and yet has a little something different in each track. The solos are phenomenal and the guitars are heavier than ever. Definitely check this album out!

8.5/10

Official Site - http://www.acceptworldwide.com/
Myspace - http://www.myspace.com/accepttheband

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The Podcast.... Live!

After one year of rambling, expressing strong opinions, and really just fucking around, we look back on all the things that made the first year of Sorrow Eternal one for the ages. Justin, Darrell, and Chester took to the stage of the beautiful Fye Auditorium to discuss their favorite moments from the site, the podcast, and the bands we have encountered along the way. A special thanks to all of the awesome fans and friends who attended, and for all of the bands for helping make this site a whole lot of fun for us.

A note: Justin suggests headphones for the best listening experience. Audio snob.

Part 1 is hosted by the fine people at Sendspace here.

Part 2 is hosted by the fine people at Sendspace here.

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