“Things That Make You Go Hmm” – Part 2

I’ve never liked Coldplay. Their new stuff is on the radio all the time and it’s not particularly interesting or even that good. (Pop music died along time ago and I can’t see it getting better.)

I just saw this, and now I dislike Coldplay even more.
This is blasphemy!

Video of The Day

When I was introduced to progressive metal many years ago it all started with Dream Theater. I had never heard music like that. I was intrigued, I was in awe. I thought nobody else made that kind of music. I wanted to know more about this exciting music, and I discovered there is this huge underground universe of fantastic music that nobody ever talks about if you don’t know where to look. I came across loads of bands and music; much of it I didn’t like, but it was an exciting journey digging my way through this place of wonder and amazement and the bands I discovered I’m still a huge fan of. Dream Theater is still up there, of course, but they are not “the band” for me anymore and haven’t been that for a few years.

Eventually I came across this band called Opeth. I found out that they, too, like so many other great bands, come from Sweden. I listened to some songs of them and I discarded it immediately. I wasn’t ready for them just yet, and I continued listening to other things. Years later I decided I will have to check them out again and see what would happen. Second chances sometimes pay off, and in this case it certainly did pay off big time. I listened to a few albums of theirs. It didn’t do much for me until I heard a song off their 2005 release called Ghost Reveries. It just clicked, I was blown away and couldn’t believe what I was hearing. I just couldn’t get enough.

A while ago I blogged about a thought I had, and I thought that if I were to define music I would do it like this; music = Opeth. Opeth is probably my very favourite band, and probably the best band I’ve ever heard. They make music like nobody else. And this time I can say so while actually knowing something about what I’m saying. I’ve been around the universe of music all my life, and in recent years I’ve especially been in and around the progressive world.

I’m not a fanboy preaching the gospel of Opeth here, I truly think they are one of a kind. They make music, and they progress music, and they invent music and sounds, they evoke emotions and thoughts like no other band I’ve come across. They are on a whole other level in every aspect of what music is.

Music = Opeth. Oh, I do know that is saying a lot. But you have not heard music until you have heard Opeth. They are metal, yes they are, but if you are not a metal fan, and even if you don’t like metal at all, you can still give them a chance because they are so much more than that.

Watershed, their latest release… It’s an album I’ve been listening to a lot since it was released, and at this very moment while I’m writing this I’m listening to Watershed for the third time in a row all the way through from beginning to end. Watershed is dark, it’s sad, it’s moody, it’s aggressive, it’s mellow, it’s metal, it’s beautiful, and it’s a wonderful journey.

Give Opeth a chance. Watch this video. It’s a part of a documentary on Opeth’s latest album, and if you like it go watch the other parts as well.

May Opeth be with you.

Technorati Tags: Music, Opeth, Progressive Metal, Watershed

You have not heard music – Part II

…until you have heard these bands or artists.

That’s right, folks, this is another post in the (relatively new) music series of blog posts. You can read the first post here. Music is one of my favourite things, a passion of mine and probably the only thing that will never get boring.

So here are some of the coolest music out there right now, in my opinion of course.

Protest The Hero
Canadian mathcore. This is a fun band. Yes, fun. It’s metal, it’s technical, and it’s unbelievably exciting music. I’m a new fan of this band so I haven’t heard everything yet but what I’ve heard I really dig.

Protest The Hero – Blindfolds Aside

Coheed and Cambria
This is another band that I heard much about before I decided I should check them out. The more I listen to these guys the more I love their music. It’s just great. This is not metal; it’s more alternative, experimental rock with prog influences.

Coheed and Cambria – The Running Free

General Fuzz
For a long time I wanted to get into electronica. I searched the web for some cool stuff and eventually found General Fuzz. What can I say; this was just perfect for me. The right stuff at the right time and exactly the kind of electronica I had been looking for a very long time. I really, really enjoy this music. There are four albums available for download for free! Check it out, I strongly recommend it.

Lunar
Basically same as above. This is more electronica. Also excellent stuff. Also free for download.

The Mars Volta
Crazy. That is the first thing I think of when thinking of this band’s music. It’s so crazy, but an interesting mixture of rock and jazz fusion and latin sounds… and everything else, too. Definitely worth a listen.

The Mars Volta – Eunuch Provocateur

The Dillinger Escape Plan.
This is a very interesting band. The best way I can try to describe this band’s sound would be to say that it’s like experimental metal. I will have to give you a little waring, though. It takes time to “get” this band. Their music is so intense that I often feel completely exhausted after hearing only one song. It’s that awesome. Not many bands out there can do what these guys are doing.

The Dillinger Escape Plan – Panasonic Youth

Rush
The Masters of Awesomeness and living legends, and the second band out of Canada on this list. What can I say about these guys that hasn’t already been said a million times before? They are indeed living legends. They are the fifth most successful band ever, and ranks in after (other monsters like) Kiss, The Beatles, Aerosmith, and The Rolling Stones. When I was a newborn proghead and discovering the massive world of prog I naturally read and heard a lot about these guys and people praised them for the geniuses they are. A few years later I bought the DVD “Rush In Rio”. I watched it and I was blown away. They are, indeed, awesome. Lately I have been on a little Rush trip and I’m re-discovering this band. It’s great, and I love it.

Rush – YYZ

Technorati Tag: Music

You have not heard music…

…until you have heard Opeth. On some days I’d like to state that the very definition of music is Opeth, but that just might be the little fanboy in me talking. The song is called Burden and is off their new album called Watershed.

And now for something totally different. The band is still the same, the album is still the same, but the music is… well, just listen.

Evolution Of A Song

The original. Bob Marley, need I say more!?

Eric Clapton did a cover in 1974 making the song a world wide hit. This is the funky version.

Then in the 90’s it got bad. Warren G’s version

Then it got worse. Jason Castro and his horrible version on American Idol 2008.