Tag: metal

2022 Best of Metal: #17 Soilwork-Overgivenheten

Release date: 8/19/2022

Origin: Helsingborg, Sweden

Personnel: Bjorn “Speed” Strid-vox, David Andersson-guitar, Sylvain Coudret-guitar, Rasmus Ehrnborn-bass, Sven Karlsson-keys, Bastian Thusgaard-drums

Bittersweet release, this one. Over the past couple of albums (including this current one) it felt like Soilwork was trying to break their mold a bit. These dudes are one of the originators of the so-called Gothenburg melodic death metal sound. Over the years, you could be fairly certain about what to expect sound-wise from them. Even with multiple personnel changes, their sound was kind of set in stone. Starting with 2019’s Verkligheten and now with the current release, it felt like they were trying to branch out a bit and try out a few more things. Now, granted, it’s still Soilwork. You’re going to know it’s them when you hear it. But, the arrangements and their approach seemed to be breaking their worn formula a bit. A big factor in this new direction was guitarist David Andersson. Which makes the fact of his death less than a month after the release of this album all the more tragic. The band will be carrying on after David’s death as a five piece for now. We’ll have to wait and see how his absence from the band will impact it going forward. At any rate, this was a really nice sendoff for him because this was a damn strong album to go out on.

4.5 flip flops out of 5

The list so far:
17. Soilwork-Overgivenheten
18. Messa-Close
19. Ty Tabor-Shades
20. Lamb of God-Omens

2022 Best of Metal: #18 Messa-Close

Release date: 3/11/2022

Origin: Cittadella, Italy

Personnel: Sara Bianchin-vox, Alberto Piccolo-guitar, Marco Sanin-bass, Rocco Toaldo-drums

This one feels like the bastard child of Black Sabbath and Jefferson Airplane. And I totally mean that to be a compliment of the highest order. This was my first experience with Messa and this album feels like such a good one to get acquainted with this band. Sara Bianchin’s vocals just recall a version of Grace Slick with a little more range. Combined over top of just some massively heavy riffs and middle-eastern flourishes, this is a mystical and magical doom metal masterpiece. It felt like metal from Italy used to mainly be in the power metal realm. But, of late, it feels like scene there is starting to flourish a bit more and we’re seeing bands like Messa pop up with some really cool takes on different genres. Definitely dig this one if you’re into Candlemass or Pallbearer and the like.

4.5 flip flops out of 5

The list so far:

18. Messa-Close
19. Ty Tabor-Shades
20. Lamb of God-Omens

2022 Best of Metal: #19 Ty Tabor-Shades

Release date: 1/27/2022

Origin: Kansas City, MO

Personnel: Ty Tabor-everything

Slot this one into a “don’t judge an album by it’s cover” category. Woof. That is some bad album art.

If you’re clued into underground metal, you probably know Ty Tabor as the longstanding guitarist of King’s X. What you may not know is that Tabor has an extensive solo catalog. If you’re a fan of the King’s X songs where Ty is the lead vocalist, you’ll be a big fan of his solo stuff. What you’re getting here is much like a harder edge Beatles sound. Look, I’m a super fan of this dude. He is probably my favorite guitarist of all time. He has that perfect balance of feel and virtuosity. When he rips into a lead, it sounds like no one else. So many times he will hit a note and it will just make goosebumps break out on my arms. Dude is just a special talent that is seriously underappreciated. This isn’t the heaviest of albums, but it is chock full of some very catchy melodies.

4 flip flops out of 5

The list so far:

19. Ty Tabor-Shades
20. Lamb of God-Omens

2022 Best of Metal: #20 Lamb of God-Omens

Release date: 10/7/2022

Origin: Richmond, Mother Fucking, Virginia

Personnel: D. Randall Blythe-vox, Mark Morton-guitar, Willie Adler-guitar, John Campbell-bass, Art Cruz-drums

Always a good year when the dudes from Richmond put out a new release. By far, I feel like these guys have been THE band of the 2000s. Just a super solid catalog by a super group of dudes. 2022 sees them put out Omens. I’ve got to say that it isn’t one of their best releases overall, but it still has enough quality tracks to clock in at #20 in the countdown this year. This is album #2 with Art Cruz manning the drum throne and it feels as though he is being fully incorporated into the sound. Granted, his style is very complimentary to Chris Adler and the band hasn’t really had any hiccups since he has come aboard. This album feels a little angrier and more topical than some of the recent releases by these guys. My only critique on this one is that is isn’t really breaking any new ground for the band. Rather than reinventing the wheel, this one is basically Lamb doing what they do. Maybe a bit more emphasis on a punk-sort of feel, but this album will feel familiar to fans of the band. Standout tracks include “Nevermore”, “Vanishing” and album closer “September Song”.

4 flip flops out of 5

The list so far:

20. Lamb of God-Omens

Etherius-Chaos. Order. Renewal

Chaos. Order. Renewal.

I don’t know much about these dudes except that they hail from New Jersey and it feels as though they worship at the alter of Jeff Loomis. This is Etherius’ debut platter and it feels like primarily a showcase of the talents of guitarist Jay Tarantino. For the most part, this is a shredfest. Leads at the speed of the more hyperactive moments of John Petrucci. Plus, as a big positive, these guys know how to play an aggressive riff (which goes to the Loomis comparison). There are a few acoustic and flamenco-inspired prologues to add some variety to some of the songs, but as stated before, this is primarily an excuse to shred. And, shred they do. It feels like album is more for you hotshot guitarist enthusiasts out there than for more general consumption.

3.5 flip flops out of 5