Short album reviews 2012
Epica, Requiem for the Indifferent, 9 March
Scott once told me he prefers new ages dawning to embraces that smother. I feel this is a bit of both, with bombast, ambition, heavy complexity, big choruses and symphonic arrangements, and clips of Colonel Gadafi yelling.
There’s a heavy story behind the album, but I have no idea what they are singing about most of the time. The words are parseable individually, but I don’t understand what’s going on- it’s exceedingly high level and dramatic. However, the production actually distracts from the epicness of instrument selection and heavy lyrics, because this album was fed to the gods of dynamic compression. Mareep highly disapproves of this move.
Anyway, this is a typical Epica offering in my estimation. Worth it if you like other Epica or symphonic metal, but if you don’t, this won’t convert you.
Dead Can Dance, Anastasis, 9 August
Dead Can Dance disbanded sixteen years ago, about two years before I started listening to them. Their final release at the time, Spiritchaser, had high moments for me but didn’t really engage- I was a much bigger fan of Aion and Within the Realm of a Dying Sun.
Anastasis does not sound like Spiritchaser. It slowly dragged me into the undertow, and I felt purpose and resolve in my mental state while I was being drowned. The tracks are deliberate in their detail, the timbres are open and expansive, and the ethno flair doesn’t hit me over the head.
As usual, Lisa Gerrard and Brendan Perry’s vocals shine- I’d missed Brendan’s voice and felt his yang was never given due credit. If you liked any Dead Can Dance ever you will want to listen to this album.
Sonata Arctica, Stones Grow Her Name, 22 May
Sonata Arctica takes a departure for the rockier side. Their earlier releases were distinctly power metal, and this is distinctly…banjo? There are still power metal elements with some guitar wankery, and Tony wails wonderfully about his horrible taste in relationships, but anyone who’s seen them live knows that this is not a band that takes itself too seriously.
If there’s an album I can compare this to, it’s Edguy’s Rocket Ride. The sound is still recognizably the band, but more commercial-sounding. Add great melodies and a heavy dose of cheese. Subject matter is often quite earnest, and they’ve done away with the mythic themes and instead sing about parenting, money, being alone, and arson. There’s a follow-up to a 2004 song titled “Wildfire" featuring delicious fiddling and pained pronouncements.
Bottom line? Prefer it to Days of Grays and their early work, but Unia is still my favorite. Worth more than one listen to see if it’s to your taste.
Devin Townsend, Epicloud, 18 September
What it says on the album cover. This is a metalrock album about:
- kittens
- love
- sobriety
- bullshit
- rainbows
- baseness
- grace
Because feeling good and human can be heavy too! Here are two other reviews: Angry Metal Guy n Vancouver Weekly
Go buy it. Seriously go do that. It’s a great intro to Devin if you’ve never heard of him. If you’re not sure, Townsend himself says “try before you buy.” Here’s his infectious commentary. NEVER FEAR LOVE.