2009

In 2009 I saw dredg twice. I saw Isis twice. I went to Disney, and hung out with one of my best friends in Florida for a week. I met new friends, and built a wiffle ball field in my dads backyard. I turned 21, made more money, and finally began band I've been dreaming of being in for years.

With all that, it's quite easy to say that for me 2009 was the worst year of my life and I can only hope that there isn't a worse overall 365 days for me to experience. I quite simply NEED 2010 to be better.

Throughout this year, due to several circumstances, I've learned a lot of things. A lot of unfortunate truths about life. This hopefully only helps me in the end. I learned that you can't trust the person you love, and that literally nothing happens for a reason. Even this passed week or so I am reminded that life fails to consider logic as one of its characteristics, and offer comfort to me in any sort of way. Things just happen and coincidentally, they're always negative toward me. Why should I be alone out of all of this? I wait and wait and wait for good things to happen yet I am consistently amazed at the misfortune I have. At this point I should just be used to it.

Lately, if I am to consider myself happy, it's because at that moment in time, I just don't care about anything. That's my happiness now. Not caring. This needs to change. Speaking of change...

The biggest thing I learned this year is to except change. I've changed, my life has changed, and things will never be the way they were, and I'm sure this won't be the first time I experience and go through drastic changes like this in my lifetime. At this point and time though, I am certain my perspective on life will not change, and that I'll remain faithless, hopeless, and be perpetually filled with fear.

Luckily, I can transfer all the negativity into acknowledgment and let this further build my character as a strong human being. That is one good thing to come out 2009. Growth.

So here is to looking forward and knowing that time will heal things. Here is to better luck, and better health to everyone. Here is to finding comfort, stability, and happiness. Here is to a new upcoming decade.

Here is to 2010.

Looking Ahead 2: Games in 2010

Not only are there some highly anticipated music releases coming out next year, but there are a slew of games that are making it hard for me to sleep at night. Check it:

Bayonetta - Jan 5th
Mass Effect 2 - Jan 26th
Bioshock 2 - Feb 9th
Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Conviction - Feb 23rd
Final Fantasy XIII - March 9th
Red Dead Redemption - April 27th

These are just some of the great games coming out next year. I'm sure there will be lots more that may deserve attention such as Dark Void, the new Prince of Persia, Ghost Recon, Max Pain 3, Fable III etc.

I know that i'm especially excited for Batman: Arkham Asylum 2 coming out sometime in 2010. Be on the lookout for more random posts about the games as I get them. In the meantime, go out and buy Assassins Creed 2. It's possibly my game of the year for 2009.

Looking Ahead: 2010

In the coming weeks Rabbit Hole Music will hold the top 10 albums of 2009 and on there you will see my write ups and thoughts of my top 10 records of the year and a list of other albums from 11-20 (which I'm still having a hard time ordering). A link will be provided when that time comes.

But I thought perhaps now was a good time before it is too late to take a look into the year 2010 and acknowledge the degree of combustion that will commence within my brain and upon my entire body.

In the year 2010 I am anticipating:

Rosetta
Circa Survive
Eluvium
The Unwinding Hours
Jonsi
Deftones
Alcest
Jakob
Burning Empires
Envy
Novembre
Moving Mountains
Agalloch
Intronaut
Explosions in the Sky

There are many more I am missing as it is late and I had maybe a bit too much wine tonight to fully develop within my mind the entire list of extraordinary anticipations coming out. I can always add more, BUT...

the possibility that Tool may release an album within those 12 months could easily confirm 2010 to be the greatest year in music.

We can only hope.

5th Fortnight

Head over to this link to read what readers and contributors of Rabbit Hole Music have been listening to lately!

If you're too lazy, here is my write up for Kaddisfly's Did You Know People Can Fly?.

As you may know, Kaddisfly, who remain one of my top 10 favorite bands, went on hiatus about a year ago and started another project which I'm still too angsty to even mention. Just recently, the band posted two demos of "new" songs on their MySpace. The songs are over a year old but they're new to any fans. This got me extremely excited for a possible return to their senses and that the band would get back together to release the final album for the trilogy. Although it seems as if this is unlikely, I decided to listen to their three full lengths back to back. I couldn't help but notice how much I forgot how awesome Kaddisfly's debut record Did You Know People Can Fly? is.

Chris Ruff is still to this day my favorite lyricist, as his words on all three albums are superb, as is his voice, but, while re-listening to DYKPCF?, I realized that I think his singing is the best on this record. The energy and vibrancy of his voice matches the aggressive nature to the songs so well. Some of the melodies on "Midnight in Shanghai" still bring me back to the very first time I heard that song in 2003, that being the first music I'd ever heard by Kaddisfly.

Although I think Kaddisfly as a whole have gotten better with each release (Set Sail The Prairie is in my top 10 albums of all time), I can't help but mention that the songs "Manhattan Loves You" and "Day Disappears With the Absence of Night" are possibly in the top 5 Kaddisfly tracks written.

Anticipated Release: Jonsi | Go

Sigur Ros are in my top list of bands, and vocalist Jonsi Birgisson is one of the most unique and inventive vocalists of the passed decade. Fresh off of his instrumental album with Alex Somers, Riceboy Sleeps (which is floating around in the top 20 albums of 2009), Jonsi is back at it with a new upcoming solo album titled Go.

From reading the multiple press releases, this seems to be more than just a typical solo album. The record was supposed to be just an acoustic CD that ended up expanding into something much bigger, and dare I say, something of the capacity and meaning of an actual Sigur Ros album. I had no idea about this solo project until literally today, and after hearing the single "Boy Lilikoi", I'm suddenly extremely excited about this album.

I couldn't describe just how vibrant and alive this song is, but i'll try. There's pummeling percussion, and synthetic beats, and schizophrenic string sections, all beneath Jonsi's surprisingly catchy and nearly mainstream vocal harmonies. And he's singing in English. You can hear the song by signing up for the mailing list at the website here.

Early this year I read about a probable new Sigur Ros album coming out in 2010, though now i'm unsure if that will be the case due to what this little solo project seems to have become. Jonsi has already scheduled a world tour for Go. Judging from this one song, I don't think we'll be too disappointed if Sigur Ros is on hold until 2011.

The album drops on March 22nd. Tracklisting is as follows:

1. Go Do
2. Animal Arithmetic
3. Tornado
4. Boy Lilikoi
5. Sinking Friendships
6. Kolnidur
7. Grow Till Tall
8. Around Us
9. Hengilas

Is Kaddisfly Back!?

Kaddisfly broke my heart when they announced their haitus and went onto create a rather uninspired musical endeavor called Water & Bodies. It turns out that Kaddisfly have just posted two new demos right here, and they both sound awesome. Surprisingly, it sounds a lot like their older material from Did You Know People Can Fly?. Is this a hint at their return?! I sure hope so.

500 Days of Summer

It wouldn't be surprising to say that I could relate to this movie, because this movie can easily relate to just about everybody. The movie's affective in the sense that the couple in the movie are realistic, and the things that happen are realistic, and it makes you dawn on the unfortunate realistic things that have happened in your past relationships. I'm not entirely sure if the film just made me more pessimistic and faithless than I already am, or if I should take optimism out of it. Will I ever find anyone again? Will it be worth it, considering the pain that will inevitably come out of it? These are questions that are constantly revolving in any lonely person's head, and this movie almost seems to answer them vaguely.

Despite 500 Days of Summer being rather humorous, it overall just really destroyed my emotions, and continues to push on the thoughts I've been having that nothing happens for a reason. The film also does an amazing job of metaphorically displaying how one feels in a relationship, if it's the highs or the lows. The soundtrack is very good due to the fact that there are multiple Regina Spektor songs in the mix. I also noticed an ISIS poster in the movie. Random but cool.

Last but not least: Zooey Deschanel is so outrageously cute here, I can't even.

Wherein There is PC problems...

The 4th edition of Rabbit Hole Music's Wherein There is Much Discussion of Media Enjoyed This Past Fortnight is FINALLY up. We had some computer difficulties, but Benjamin Rice managed to finally get his shit in gear and overcome small obstacles and post the goddamn article. ;)

This week (or passed two) I've been listening to Rosetta's Wake/Lift a lot (as well as dredg, as you can see two posts ago). If you're too lazy to click the link to check out what everyone else has been jamming, here's my lone submission for the incredible opus that is Wake/Lift:

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Metal for astronauts. That may be the perfect three word, six syllable description for Rosetta's sound. The themes are even astronaut and space travel based, but musically, Rosetta are one of the best bands for painting celestial and astrological images in your head with their music.

Most people seem to prefer The Galilean Satellites, Rosetta's debut LP, over their sophomore effort Wake/Lift. Sure, The Galilean Satellites is a superb record and a very strong debut for the band. Maybe it's Wake/Lift's ethereal and overly atmospheric qualities that make it so special to me. The brute force is hidden in the back, along with the vocals, and the mix is analog, giving it a unique yet classic feel. The songs are astonishingly powerful and moving. "Red in Tooth and Claw," over a short period of time, has already become one of my favorite songs of all time. The song in itself is a musical voyage within a larger journey throughout the 65 minutes.

The “Lift” trilogy following the masterpiece of an opener shows diversity within the three parts. The bass grooves fading into part 2's ambiance sends shivers down the spine, until the bass comes back in for the beginning of the emotional conclusion of "Lift," which finally showcases a bit of the band’s sludgy characteristics at the very end.

"Wake" is the song that easily showcases the album’s overall sound, with building grooves, pummeling crescendos, spacious intertwining guitars, and weighty riffs. "Temet Nosce" brings the album way down, in a good way, with 14 minutes of trance-inducing ambience. The song is so effective, at times you forget who and what you're listening to. It's almost like it completely engulfs anything that's happened before it and you forget you're listening to Rosetta. Absolutely mesmerizing track.

After the airy and ambient "Temet Nosce" has put you in a dream world of weightlessness, suddenly the finale "Monument" slams into the ears with a crushing doom introduction. The climax of the song, after what seems to be an endlessly beautiful build-up, feels extra rewarding with the final seconds of twinkly playful guitars wrapping up a massive closer to a massive album.

In the past two weeks I have listened to Wake/Lift quite a few times and I still think if someone were to ask me "Galilean Satellites or Wake/Lift?" I'd have to respond with “WAKE AND BE WHOLE, LIFT AND BE GONE, motherfucker!”

Anticipated Release: Eluvium | Similes

Looking ahead to the year 2010, it's gearing up to be quite an amazing 365 days in music. I'll save the details why for a future post at the end of this year. However, since Eluvium's Similes has the first confirmed release date for February 23rd, here we have my first anticipated release of 2010 for the blog. The record is stated to have percussion and vocals, which is a first for Eluvium. Can Similes surpass the fantastic Copia? I have faith.

1. Leaves Eclipse the Light
2. The Motion Makes Me Last
3. In Culmination
4. Weird Creatures
5. Nightmare 5
6. Making Up Minds
7. Bending Dream
8. Cease to Know

dredg

This passed two weeks I re-purchased a copy of Tool's Lateralus (for the third time), as well as El Cielo by dredg. These two albums are my 'masterpieces'. I live and breathe these two CDs. It might be a lot to say that these albums changed my life in any form, but they definitely did and still do have a part in forming my character, and are the reason I am so passionate about music in general.

I will keep this rather short and possibly have separate blog posts about each said album at another time, but this particular blog post is about dredg, arguably my favorite band of all time.

The passed three days I have been binging on the records this band has put out. I have now done this an uncountable amount of times, besides just attempting to overplay each of their cds as they're released. I've recently been falling asleep to playlists of the records on shuffle, as well as driving in the car blaring the albums back to back. I've done this now roughly a hundred times.

My point is, I've heard each of these songs so many countless times, again and again over the years, yet still after each few months pass, I get the urge to do it all over again. Each time, the songs affect me just as much as they always have, rediscovering them each time, even though I've known them all so well.

Even after the unheard of amount of spins, I can still find things that were subconsciously noticeable yet have to think about what I just heard to realize and continuously appreciate the depth of the band. I still find new meanings in the subtle phrases and lyrics. I still notice tie-ins with the concepts of each record and how they can relate to not only the person who wrote them, but you and everyone else.

I still find amazement in the diversity, constantly rearranging my feelings and emotions with each different song, yet fully enjoying it despite its' mood.

Bottom line, my adoration for dredg forces me to ask you to listen to this band, if you somehow haven't already. This is a short summary of my feelings on dredg. If you were to ask me to write a 8 page thesis paper, I could probably bang that out as well.

So listen to this band. If you somehow haven't already.

/fanboyism.

Modern Warfare 2

Today the most anticipated game of the decade has come out. Have you bought it yet?

New 'This Fortnight'! 11/5/09

Head on over to the Rabbit Hole to check this weeks' submissions for the third edition of 'Wherein There Is Much Discussion of Media Enjoyed This Passed Fortnight.' Inside you'll also see the long awaited submission for the one and only Matthew Dyess, formerly known as that fucking asshole who gave everyone problems at DecoyMusic years ago. You'll also see my fanboyish write up for Jakob's Solace...but can you blame me?

Night is the New Day @ Rabbit Hole

My review for Katatonia's awesome new record, Night is the New Day is right here! Check it out and find out for yourself how good this album is when it hits shelves on November 10th.

Paranormal Activity.

I've seen so many mixed reviews about this movie just from my friends alone that I basically didn't have any bias to either it being good or bad going in. All I know is the hyped trailer for it I thought was extremely cheesy (and it turns out there's something else entirely wrong with it that I can't mention or it'll spoil it for people that want to see the movie.)

I was thoroughly scared during most of the film, biting down hard on my Twizzlers, trying not to jump too bad or choke on them. Midway through, I was pretty certain it was going to exceed my expectations and that I'd be agreeing with the half of my friends who thought this movie was good. Long story short, this movie was quite a let down. Typical, immature, uninspiring, disappointing.

Let's hope The Fourth Kind is MUCH better than this.

This Past Fortnight...

Head over to Rabbit Hole Music and check out another bi-weekly edition of Wherein There Is Much Discussion of Media Enjoyed This Past Fortnight. In it includes an incredibly hilarious write up of The Fall of Troy's new shitfest attempt at music, written by Zach Roth.

Also, when Savior from the Between The Buried And Me forums isn't wrecking noobs and stomping the feelings of various other troll's, he's doing write ups for depressing shoegaze bands. Check out Ian's submission as well, and of course my shitty write up for M83's Saturdays = Youth.

What else have I been listening to lately? The new Between The Buried And Me, and the new Katatonia records. Expect reviews/articles/write-ups or whatever about those two in the next week or so.

A Month From Today - MW2

A month from today, the most anticipated video game ever, Modern Warfare 2 will be hitting shelves. It's already confirmed as the biggest media release ever, and is sure to break all kinds of records. I'm extremely excited about this game to say the least. November 10th cannot come soon enough.

Rabbit Hole - Wherein There Is Much Discussion of Media Enjoyed This Past Fortnight.

Okay so not MUCH discussion yet, but there's a new article we're doing every month of what we've been listening to lately (or this past fortnight) over at Rabbit Hole Music. My write up is about Bon Iver's For Emma, Forever Ago. Head over and check it out.

Zombieland

Zombieland was not entirely what I expected, but that's not a bad thing. The previews easily gave the impression of a gory and funny movie involving zombies. There's much more to this flick than just funny stuff and zombies though. In fact, although there are a ton of zombies, it almost seems as if there weren't enough. In the end, this was one of the most entertaining movies of the year and I recommend anyone to go see it. Woody Harrelson is the man.

And boy, do I love good cameos.

Daitro | Y

I had no idea french screamo band Daitro were releasing anything new. With most bands in the genre, they usually write one or two solid releases and then give up. Daitro's Y is the first LP since Laisser Vivre Les Squelettes from 2005, which I loved. The formula hasn't changed much, but the music may be their most consistent yet. I am thankful this band hasn't fell completely off the map just yet.

Stand out tracks: Part II, Part IV, Part VII.

The Incident on Rabbit Hole.

You can read my massive review/article of Porcupine Tree's The Incident right here.

Anticipated Release: Between The Buried And Me | The Great Misdirect *updated*

1. Mirrors - 3:38
2. Obfuscation - 9:15
3. Disease, Injury, Madness - 11:03
4. Fossil Genera - A Feed from Cloud Mountain - 12:11
5. Desert of Song - 5:33
6. Swim to the Moon - 17:54

Here is my second post about this record, now updated with track times and an album cover. You can hear the song 'Obfuscation' right here. Judging from this song, it sounds like this could be a more focused Colors. One thing I noticed in my couple listens was that although there were a few awkward transitions, everything that was performed in this song sounded like they belonged in the song which is a huge plus.

There's also a clear Doom the video game reference in the chorus of the song. At least I think it's a reference. It seems too distinct to be coincidental that the band just wrote the same melody as the music that plays in the game when you're shooting down Imps and Cacodemons.

The Great Misdirect comes out on October 27th. Be on the lookout for preorders soon. I shall be buying this on vinyl.

Katatonia - Forsaker and Tracklist.

1. Forsaker
2. The Longest Year
3. Idle Blood
4. Onward into Battle
5. Liberation
6. The Promise of Deceit
7. Nephilim
8. New Night
9. Inheritance
10. Day & Then the Shade
11. Departer

Katatonia have released their new single 'Forsaker' from the upcoming Night is the New Day, which has been pushed back a couple weeks to November 10th. The song is fantastic, combining their heaviest parts yet, with the atmosphere and beauty from the b-sides of the last record The Great Cold Distance. I cannot wait to hear the rest.

You can download the song here for free.

Shogun Kunitoki | Vinonaamakasio

Psychedelic, electronic, and trance-inducing music. Orchestral and trippy. Waves and layers of keyboards circulating inside your ear drums. I only wish it were longer.

Anticipated Movie: The Fourth Kind

On November 6th, what looks like the most disturbing alien movie ever made is coming out. This morning I watched the trailer for The Fourth Kind and was literally tearing up at the eyes due to how frightened I was watching it. That's never happened to me before while watching a movie, let alone a MOVIE TRAILER. Check out the trailer here.

Anticipated Release: Advent | Naked and Cold

1. Nothing
2. Overcome
3. Naked and Cold
4. Fatherless
5. Pack of Fools
6. Revival
7. Crown of Thorns
8. Golgatha
9. Peirced With Grief
10. With Anger
11. Out of Line
12. Blackness of Day

One of the only hardcore/metalcore bands around that I still really like. From members of Beloved, you would be surprised to hear just how angry and powerful this group is. Their debut, Remove the Earth, showcases the bands classic 90s metalcore rage mixed with an eerie atmosphere. I've only heard one song, and a demo from the upcoming Naked and Cold, and the music sounds a bit faster, and the vocals somehow sound even angrier. This should be awesome.

Naked and Cold hits shelves on September 8th.

District 9

I just got back from seeing District 9 and it met expectations, while being a tad different from what I expected, but that's not a bad thing. The trailers and tv spots just left you curious as ever, and really didn't give you any indication to what type of movie this could be and I think they did a really good job splitting what seemed to be a documentary with a really action packed flick. I would recommend going to see this. There are a few moments later in the film that are just absolutely badass.

Constants and Caspian review.

Head over to Rabbit Hole to read my thoughts on what makes a good post rock album, and my reviews for Constant's The Foundation, The Machine, The Ascension, and Caspian's Tertia.

Deluxe Box Set

Steven Wilson is becoming known for making long time fans pay loads of cash for the biggest and most badass edition of the newest record of one of his several projects. Porcupine Tree's new record, The Incident is up for preorder all over the world for the standard jewel case $9 at Best Buy version, but also the Super Deluxe Box Set On Steroids edition for over $100. After A LOT of disputing with myself, I decided that I am going to indeed get it as well as the vinyl version whenever they release the details for that.

Luckily i'm splitting it with my brother, who is also a fan. So what comes in this ridiculously expensive box set? Well according to Mr. Wilson...

- Both discs of The Incident
- DVD-A 5.1 mix of the record
- A 120 pg cloth bound book jammed with photographs from Lasse Hoile
- A 40 page book with drawings and sketches to go along with the lyrics

And it all comes cased in a huge slip case as you can see in the picture. Wilson admits it's more expensive than it should be but in order to be shipped to our front doors, it needs to be that much money. Also, we'll be able to have a digital version of the entire record A WHOLE DAY BEFORE IT COMES OUT. Fortunately, I believe we'll have the option to pick from Lossless and FLAC versions rather than just your typical mp3 format, so it'll at least sound better than whatever will leak weeks early.

So call me crazy. I don't care. I'm a sucker for special editions in general and they usually don't come around for music too often. Hopefully this is worth the cash that I'll be dishing out.

The Incident hits stores September 14th but if you wish to preorder this crazy box set or the normal non-fanboy version, you can go to porcupinetree.com and follow a few links and you'll find it.

Anticipated Release: Katatonia | Night Is the New Day

This October 27th, not only will be be able to pick up Between The Buried And Me's new album, but we will also be looking through the store for the new Katatonia record, Night Is the New Day, which we probably won't find considering I haven't found one of their CD's in any local CD store yet. That's a shame because I've grown to love their previous release, The Great Cold Distance. They rest of their albums are great too, by the way.

Night Is the New Day is apparently their most diverse, and their best record to date, though every band says that once they've finished a new record. I'm personally hoping the direction is more like two of the four b-sides for The Great Cold Distance, "Unfurl", and "Dissolving Bonds", although hardcore fans i'm sure would be displeased if they went to a more angelic, melodic direction such as those two tracks.

Either way I'm sure it's going to be a good record, and we can at least order it offline by the 27th of October. Judging by the artwork, it should be a fitting CD to be released during the season of Holloween.

New Tool in 2010.

Apparently Tool are in the finishing stages of the writing process for their last record. This is my other favorite band besides dredg. Words cannot describe my excitement and unfortunate expectations. This simply better be really, really, really good.

Preview The Incident

Head over to www.myspace.com/porcupinetree to hear a 7 minute long sampler of the 55 minute long first disc of Porcupine Tree's upcoming new CD, The Incident, which has been pushed up to September 14th instead of the 21st.

From what I can tell, this album could be every sound the band has managed to produce, thrown into a blender, and then arranged over a 55 minute continuous piece. The heavier parts sound like something off of Nil Recurring, the prettier parts sound brilliant, and there's definitely some homage to Pink Floyd as usual. I cannot wait to hear the entirety of this song/album, as well as the 4 seperate songs on disc 2.

Depths blog.

http://depthsband.blogspot.com/

There's the blog for my band. I'll be updating it throughout the writing process of the CD.

Head to www.myspace.com/depthsband later this summer to hear some stuff too.

Anticipated Release: Caspian | Tertia

1. Mei
2. La Cerva
3. Ghosts from the Garden City
4. Malacoda
5. Epochs in Dmaj
6. Of Foam and Wave
7. Concrescense
8. The Raven
9. Vienne
10. Sycamore

I wasn't much of a fan of Caspian's previous record, The Four Trees, but after hearing two tracks from their upcoming CD Tertia, I have a feeling it'll blow it out of the water. Be on the lookout for this CD as it may be one of the best post rock albums to come out this year.

Tertia is out on August 11th.

Highly Anticipated Release: Between The Buried And Me | The Great Misdirect

Between The Buried and Me are back with a new album out this fall called The Great Misdirect. According to the band, it's better than Colors, but every band says their new work is better than their previous. Apparently the album is also heavier, darker, and weirder than Colors, so in that sense, it may indeed have a chance. The epic track listing is below, and i'll post the cover art when that's revealed. Get stoked! October 27th is the release date.

1. Mirrors
2. Obfuscation
3. Disease, Injury, Madness
4. Fossil Genera - A Feed from Cloud Mountain
5. Desert of Song
6. Swim to the Moon

You Can't Take It With You

Last week I made a post about one of my anticipated albums of the year. As Tall As Lions' You Can't Take It With You. I've been able to listen to the record only a day or two since making that post. I wrote a short but sweet write up over at www.rabbitholemusic.com. Since writing those thoughts, and already mentioning how it's their best CD, I've listened to the album several more times. This CD is truly AWESOME, and top 10 of the year material. The album consists of their best song written yet ("In Case of Rapture"), their most uniquely depressing song yet, ("Sleepyhead"), their best single yet, ("Circles"), and a few songs that take a few spins to click, but in the end really end up making the album special.

Be ready on August 18th to hear one of the year's best surprises.

Altar of Plagues | White Tomb

Earth:
1 As A Womb - 12:03
2 As A Furnace - 15:00

Through The Collapse:
3 Watchers Restrained - 9:48
4 Gentian Truth - 13:10

Once again an album pops up with elements of post rock in a genre where it normally doesn't appear, this time in epic black metal. White Tomb is four monstrous songs full of emotional riffs. 'Watchers Restrained' even showcases gritty, low end doom. The atmosphere of this record is reminiscent to that of Wolves in the Throne Room's Two Hunters. Due to the post rock influence, it's also comparable to Agalloch's Ashes Against the Grain, though White Tomb is much darker. Another fantastic surprise album of 2009. Give it a shot.

Stand out track: 'Earth II - As A Furnace'

Logh | North (2007)

1. Saturday Nightmares
2. Weather Island
3. All the Trees
4. The Invitation
5. Death to My Hometown
6. The Black Box
7. Forest Eyes
8. Thieves in the Palace
9. Sometimes
10. A New Hope

Maybe there's reasons why I don't listen to this enough but this truly is one of the most beautifully depressing albums I've ever heard. It was one of my favorites of 2007 and then I somehow forgot about it and only just rediscovered its brilliance a few months ago. Tonight after listening to the band's debut I decided to re-listen to North again and it's gotten to that point where I just adore every song on the record. I highly recommend this CD to you if you want to listen to extremely nostalgic, melancholy, ambient, and straight up gorgeous pop songs.

Favorite tracks: "Weather Island", "The Invitation", "The Black Box"

Karnivool | Sound Awake

1. "Simple Boy" - 5:22
2. "Goliath" - 7:22
3. "New Day" - 10:02
4. "Set Fire to the Hive" - 4:29
5. "Umbra" - 3:00
6. "All I Know" - 4:50
7. "The Medicine Wears Off" - 4:00
8. "The Caudal Lure" - 1:12
9. "Illumine" - 5:10
10. "Deadman" - 10:52
11. "Change, Pt. II" - 12:24

Progressive metal/rock with a post rock influence? Count me in. This album rules. Very technical at times. Very pretty at other times. Never once boring. Check this out.

Highly Anticipated Release: Porcupine Tree | The Incident

Disc 1:

"The Incident" 1.

• I. Occam's Razor
• II. The Blind House
• III. Great Expectations
• IV. Kneel and Disconnect
• V. Drawing the Line
• VI. The Incident
• VII. Your Unpleasant Family
• VIII. The Yellow Windows of the Evening Train
• IX. Time Flies
• X. Degree Zero of Liberty
• XI. Octane Twisted
• XII. The Séance
• XIII. Circle of Manias
• XIV. I Drive the Hearse
  
  

Disc 2:

1. Flicker
2. Bonnie the Cat
3. Black Dahlia
4. Remember Me, Lover

ANOTHER one of my favorite bands of all time are coming out with a new album this year and it looks to be a HUGE one. Two discs, the first being one huge 55 minute song split up into 14 parts (which will be split up into tracks), and a four song second disc. The concept revolves around beginnings, and endings, and several different "incidents" weather they're personal incidents that's happened to Steven Wilson during his life, or ridiculous things we've seen in the news taken into a first person perspective to humanize what we'd only read or hear from news reporters. Wilson stated that the album is the darkest and most experimental Porcupine Tree CD yet.

The album comes out on September 21st. Get ready.

Anticipated Release: As Tall As Lions | You Can't Take It With You

1. Circles
2. Sixes & Sevens
3. You Can't Take It With You
4. Go Easy
5. Duermete
6. In Case of Rapture
7. We've Been Waitin'
8. Is This Tomorrow?
9. Sleepyhead
10. The Narrows
11. Lost My Mind

As Tall As Lions are finally back with a new record entitled You Can't Take It With You. It's their first album since the Self Titled from 2006. According to the band the new record has a much more live feel and upbeat feel to it. Judging from the new song they've just posted, it sounds very unique, and AWESOME. It's like Sigur Ros meets As Tall As Lions...

The record hits shelves on August 18th. Check out the new song "Circles" at www.myspace.com/astallaslions

Regina Spektor | Far

1. The Calculation
2. Eet
3. Blue Lips
4. Folding Chair
5. Machine
6. Laughing With
7. Human of the Year
8. Two Birds
9. Dance Anthem of the 80's
10. Genius Next Door
11. Wallet
12. One More Time With Feeling
13. Man of a Thousand Faces

Regina is back with her new record, Far. Her music gets better with each album, and it's no different this time around. Far is by far the most consistently fantastic album to come from her and it contains some of her best songs yet thus far such as "Eet", "Laughing With", and "Human of the Year".

Be sure to check out this album when it hits shelves on June 23rd.

Constants | The Foundation, The Machine, The Ascension

1. Genetics Like Chess Pieces
2. Damien
3. Those Who Came Before Pt I.
4. Those Who Came Before Pt II.
5. The Nameless
6. The Timeless
7. Identify the Indiscernibles
8. Eternal Reoccurrence
9. Abraxas Pt. I
9. Abraxas Pt. II
11. Ascension
12. ...Passage

Here is some top 10 of 2009 material. This album is a complete package of nostalgic atmosphere, blending emo, post-rock, and at times, surprising low end riffage. The production is extremely raw but essential for the band's style. It almost sounds like it was supposed to be released in the year 2000 or earlier. The vocals are emotional and honest and fit perfectly over the triumphant choruses.

Don't pass up this album. It's something different and it's fantastic.

Stand out tracks: Damien, The Nameless, Abraxas Pt I.

The Pariah, The Parrot, The Delusion is FINALLY here.

After 4 long years of waiting, dredg have finally released their highly anticipated record, The Pariah, The Parrot, The Delusion. You've heard it, and you like it, so do yourself and the band a favor and buy the record today.

Sam Fisher Is Back

Splinter Cell: Conviction

It comes out this fall.

Be prepared for numerous posts about how amazing this game is going to be until then.

Looking Forward...

Here are some of the things I am looking forward to for the remainder of this year. Some of these I am already losing my mind over.

Music:
New dredg album this month. (even though we've all heard this, and its greatness)
New Mars Volta album this month.
New Regina Spektor album this month.
New Porcupine Tree album in September.
New Katatonia album in October.
New Between The Buried And Me in November.
Possibly a new Novembre album by year's end.
Possibly a new Agalloch album by year's end.

Pretty sure I am missing something.

Again, hoping Envy breaks some news about a new album.

Games:
Prototype this month.
The Bigs 2 next month.
Batman: Arkham Asylum in September.
Modern Warfare 2 in November.
Left 4 Dead 2 in November.
SPLINTER CELL: CONVICTION sometime in Q3. (Splinter cell is probably tied amongst my favorite series of games, along with Mortal Kombat.)

Shows:
Isis on Wednesday. I saw them last week and it was probably in my top 3 shows of all time.
dredg - 3 TIMES in 10 DAYS, later in July. Will be amazing, and borderline stalker-esque.
HOPEFULLY Tool sometime later summer. They've posted dates everywhere but the north east, so I'm anticipating I will find out how broke I will be this summer in just a few weeks.

Movies:
Winnebago Man.

Books:
-yeah right.

UP

Pixar does it again with UP. It is maybe the best and most touching story thus far in an animated Disney film, yet equally as hilarious and entertaining. I highly recommend seeing this film, as it will most likely be one of the best to come out this year.

Riceboy Sleeps

1. Happiness
2. Atlast Song
3. Indian Summer
4. Stokkseyri
5. Boy 1904
6. All the Big Trees
7. Daniell in the Sea
8. Howl
9. Sleeping Giant

Riceboy Sleeps is Jonsi Birgisson of Sigur Ros, and his boyfriend (yes, he's gay), Alex Somers. The album is a beautiful ambient record which I can only compare to Eluvium. At times, the music will remind you of the quietest Sigur Ros parts, but this is definitely NOT Sigur Ros. Every song is beautiful, relaxing, and very somber, especially the sarcastically titled opener "Happiness". I recommend this album to anyone who's a fan of Sigur Ros, obviously, and the ambient side of post-rock.

Stand out tracks: "Indian Summer", "All the Big Trees", "Howl"

Anticipated Release: The Mars Volta | Octahedron

1. Since We've Been Wrong
2. Teflon
3. Halo of Nembutals
4. With Twilight as My Guide
5. Cotopaxi
6. Desperate Graves
7. Copernicus
8. Luciforms

They're back...already! My appreciation for this band was rekindled with their last record, The Bedlam in Goliath, and I am once again pumped for a new album from The Mars Volta. I've heard two songs thus far and both were promising. There's such a huge love/hate vibe with this band, and judging from only two songs, it seems like this might be their most 'commercial' album, due to he structures of the singles. But knowing this band, and the musicians within it, the rest of the songs could be ridiculously experimental and either piss more people off or make long time fans happy.
Octahedron hits shelves on June 23rd.

Jakob

...has just quickly became my favorite instrumental post rock band. One solid post rock album, and two incredible post rock albums. Listen to this band. You won't regret it.

HIGHLY recommend their 2003 album Cale:Drew and their 2006 release Solace. Both of them are mysterious, depressing, dark, at times extremely heavy, and at other times very, very ambient, and most importantly, GORGEOUS all of the time.

Wavering Radiant is here.

Isis's new record Wavering Radiant has finally hit shelves today. If you like it, which you do, go buy it.

Unfortunately not one of my four preorders of this album have arrived in the mail today. Not quite sure what a PREorder really means anymore. I'm almost tempted to just drive to the store and buy ANOTHER copy. Maybe someone will buy that copy off of me when my own arrives in the mail?

WAIT.

dredg's new album, The Pariah, The Parrot, The Delusion has leaked but in shitty webrip quality by the German's, who have been poorly shitdicking around with this album for the past 2 months. The songs are cut off, some by 12 seconds, the low end is almost entirely gone, and the quality is not at all what the actual album will sound like.

Please do yourself a favor and WAIT. At least until a legitimate rip leaks, or maybe until June 9th when the CD hits shelves.

depths

It's coming.

What I've Been Listening To?

In case you're wondering, which you're not, this is what I've been listening to lately. These are all recommended.

Klimt 1918 | Dopoguerra
Klimt 1918 | Just In Case We'll Never Meet Again
Jakob | Solace
This Will Destroy You | S/T
A Perfect Circle | Mer De Noms
A Perfect Circle | Thirteenth Step
ISIS | Wavering Radiant
Callisto | Noir
Callisto | Providence
Novembre | Materia
Novembre | The Blue
Wolves In The Throne Room | Two Hunters 2xLP
El Grupo Nuevo | Cryptomnesia
Oceanographer | On Leaping From Airplanes
Cymbals Eat Guitars | Why There Are Mountains
Shogun Kunitoki | Vinonaamakasio
Heaven In Her Arms | Duplex-Coated Obstruction
Envy | Insomniac Doze
Steven Wilson | Insurgentes

Highly Anticipated Game: Modern Warfare 2

Infinity Ward has dropped the 'Call of Duty' from the title and just simply named it 'Modern Warfare 2', which I like. The game is released on November 11th, 2009. There are a few other games I'm looking forward to this year, but this will probably be my most anticipated. Me along with the entire population of next generation gamers are drooling over this. I'll keep updates for the game as they are posted.

Kaospilot | Shadows

1. Lunar
2. When The Wind Turns Her Hand
3. Shadows
4. The Indian Became A Thunderbird
5. Ad Infinitum
6. Colossus
7. The Death Knell
8. The Symphony Plays With Nature
9. Weak Hands May Equal Firm Valor
10. Petroglyphs
11. Foruten Tid
12. Vivre Sa Vie

So after 6 long years screamo band Kaospilot are back with their second full length, Shadows. It's not as chaotic as their debut, and for the most part, not as emotional, but there are a few moments of this record that come close to the raw aggressivness. There are some strong vocal moments on the record, and at times some fun clean yelling. In all, this is a very welcome release from a band that put out one of the first screamo CDs I ever loved. Check this one out.

Stand out tracks: Shadows, Ad Infinitum, Colossus.

Isis | Wavering Radiant - Space Flight in Audio Format

1. Hall of the Dead - 7:41
2. Ghost Key - 8:31
3. Hand of the Host - 10:45
4. Wavering Radiant - 1:50
5. Stone to Wake A Serpent - 8:33
6. 20 Minutes / 40 Years - 7:07
7. Threshold of Transformation - 9:53

NOTE: You will not find a link for this album here. Sorry.

----

So Isis's Wavering Radiant is on the net. Do the band a favor and buy this record if you like it, which I'm sure you will. They've done it again.

This record is by far the trippiest, spaciest, and grooviest Isis to date, and much of the record is extremely fresh sounding, while some of it seems almost like clear references to older material, which isn't a bad thing. The keyboards are much more prominent this time around, really taking the atmosphere of this record up to notches I never thought I'd hear. The music really fits with the album cover. You really can imagine yourself floating in outerspace whilst jamming out to this record.

You won't hear as much post rock influence as you would imagine, which was a surprise to me. Much of this record is more prog rock driven and groovy, and the tempo is at times a bit fast for Isis, which allows for several different amazing transitions and sections of lengthy songs. Gone are the incredibly long 4 minute build ups into 4 minute crescendo climaxes. The band has found a way to add them to the songs and only take a few moments to blow your mind, rather than stretching them out through the bulk of the track.

The record opens with "Hall of the Dead", and the fading in ambience should be a hint at the trance to come. The first riff is very similar to that of the opening riffs of Celestial, which is surprising. Although overall this album doesn't sound as much like TOOL as In The Absence of Truth did, the guitar work in this song reminds me a lot of Adam Jone's crafty, percussion-esque, palm mute style. Coincidently, he contributes guitar work to two of the 7 tracks on the record, and from what I can tell, it seems like he does the lead work in the hair raising build up later in the song.

"Ghost Key" opens up with something that sounds like a tripped out 70s jam band would produce, yet with bassist Jeff Caxide's signature delay/reverb tone underneath. Caxide's bass normally is mixed much louder than ever on this record, maybe even a bit too loud, though it adds to the rawness of the heavier parts. Turner's clean vocals really add to the angelicness of the beautiful crescendo's within this song, and Aaron Turner's name and angelic would normally never be mentioned in the same sentence. The song erupts into some of the heaviest moments on the record. The transitions from dark to light, destructive to ambient are really apparent in this song.

"Hand of the Host" may not be my favorite track but it holds my favorite moment on the record, and one of my favorite sections from any ISIS song as of yet - The triumphant singing section in the middle is absolutely outstanding. It's one of the more progressive and powerful things I've heard from this band and what's amazing is that it's all clean sung. Turner's raw vocals are also more powerful than ever, sometimes sounding like his emotional Oceanic roars, rather than the barbaric, gutteral bellows of Panopticon and In The Absense of Truth. The song transitions well into the instrumental title track, which sounds just as eerie as it is beautiful with headphones on. Resonating ambiance and extraterrestial, spacey noises, a few of them apparent in the soundscapes of the actual music.

Now comes the biggest grower on the album, "Stone to Wake A Serpent." The flow of this song reminds me of something off of In The Absense of Truth, though the music itself is far more interesting. Harris's tabla is apparent later in the track, and Turner's clean vocals are more hyptonic than ever. The heavier sections are some of the darkest, more brooding of the record. Extremely heavy and rumbling. My only complaint about this song is that the song ends too quickly. The last minute or so are so groovy and refreshing, I just wish it went longer.

The next track, "20 Minutes / 40 Years" is by far the most traditional, and standard of the album. It's not half as atmospheric, with the exception of the haunting intro, yet it has the only REALLY post rock-ish moment on the record, and coincidently it's also one of the most hair raising and beautiful sections of Wavering Radiant. Three triumphant and powerful guitars ring through the climax. Perfect 'single' for the album.

The finale, "Threshold of Transformation" was a given for being epic. ISIS have a knack for writing incredibly epic and fantastic album closers. And just look at the title!...Threshold...of Transformation. Anyways, to the song. The first half of this track oddly and surprisingly sounds like something off of Oceanic, and yes, it's that heavy. The second half of the song? Combine your typical and awesome Isis build up into climatic last track finale with the groovyness and gorgeous focus of the rest of the album and vuala. Very beautiful and somber outro as well.

So as I've said before, ISIS have done it again. They've expanded the envelope of standard post metal, and continue to progress and ignore hardcore fans wishes to return to the Red Sea style. ;)
I'm positive Wavering Radiant will appear at or close to the top of many listeners lists at the end of 2009, as it will for mine as well. And as I said before, BUY this record if you enjoyed it. It's clear the band's worked hard to make this piece, now it's your turn to show appreciation and assure them that it's payed off.

This Year Is Sounding Better and Better...

Today Porcupine Tree revealed details about their upcoming new album. It'll be released this September. It's going to be 2 discs. The first disc will be one 55 minute long song while the second disc will be normal individual tracks. So with that...

- Dredg, my favorite band probably of all time at this point is releasing a CD in a couple months. (I'll be making a huge post with all the details of this release in a couple days.)

- ISIS, also one of my favorites, are releasing would could very well be their best release, and Panopticon is currently in my top 5 or 6 albums of all time, so you do the math.

- Between The Buried And Me are stated to record this May and have bluntly said "Colors ain't got shit on this." Need I say more here?

- and now Porcupine Tree, also a band in my top 10 along with these others have released this information today.

So basically this is looking to be the best year in music for me.

Now if TOOL weren't so damn busy with all their projects, and didn't only just start writing recently, they may have had a CD released this year too, but we can't count on that anymore. Envy, another one of my favorites is due for another FULL LENGTH (Note: Not EP or Split) and I hope they release one this year as well, but if not, i'm sure i'll be satisfied with what's coming...

...I wouldn't want my balls to explode or anything.

Heaven In Her Arms | Duplex-Coated Obstruction

1. Incomplete Stitch
2. Rusty Scratch
3. 39/40
4. Moon Distorted by the Cornea

Last year Japanese band Heaven In Her Arms released their debut LP, Erosion of the Black Speckle. It's a very solid screamo release in the vein of Envy, as cliche as that may sound being that they're formed from the same place.

This new four song EP focuses more on the epic qualities of the band's writing and the outcome is fantastic. The first track may be my favorite from the band thus far, and the dredgery (tremolo) in the final 60 seconds of the last song is also great. Be sure to check out this EP if you're a fan of post rock influenced skram!

Anticipated Game: Arkham Asylum

No release date yet but this game looks like a cross between Condemned, Manhunt, and Gears of War...

...Except it's BATMAN. Badass? Yes.