So, if you know me, you know that I am a youth minister, a Christian, father and tech geek. I'm also a big metal fan. If you don't know me, well, now you know that. So, if that sort of thing bothers you don't read on. Its really that easy.
Its a good day for new music if you are a Metal / Prog fan. New Anthrax, Dream Theater, Edguy, Alice Cooper and a new single from Megadeth all hit today.
I've been eagerly awaiting this one. Joey Belladonna returns to Anthrax after 21 years (studio-wise) The two singles released on iTunes before the album (Fight 'Em Till You Can't and The Devil You Know) were great. The CD doesn't disappoint as a whole either. There were a couple of songs that didn't jump right out at me (Judas Priest and Earth on Hell) but overall I liked it. "In The End" is a great, slow heavy track.
I'm not a giant fan of the cover or the pentagram A logo, but whatever. Album covers just ain't what they used to be.
Scott Ian said they got the name of the CD from a late night infomercial selling one of those "I Could Only Imagine" compilation worship CD's. As a Christian, I'm not happy with metal bands mocking stuff like that, but I'm obviously not one of those "all metal music is of the devil" kind of Christians either. Anthrax has never really taken themselves or anything they write about very seriously and this is no exception.
There was a lot of controversy before this CD came out because of the departure of drummer Mike Portnoy. I've been a huge fan of these guys since Images and Words and was sad to see him go, but I have to say, the Mike (Mangini) they got to replace him does a fantastic job. If I hadn't heard about it, I'd not be able to tell the difference.
Musically, there are no real surprises here... just another solid Dream Theater album. These guys do very little that I don't love or grow to love.
Edguy is one of those bands that I run hot and cold on. I like some of their older stuff, but not a lot of it. I was a huge fan of the Avantasia project though, so was looking forward to this release. The first single "Robin Hood" really deflated my hopes that CD was going to be good. The song was goofy, poorly written and had a ridiculous video. However, I gave it a chance and was very pleasantly surprised with the rest of the CD. Nearly ever other track is great. Some poor lyrical choices in some songs, especially the otherwise awesome "Two Out of Seven" but overall a solid CD by these guys.
Alice Cooper. Really, the biggest disappointment of the day for me. Its hard for me to remember that AC isn't really metal, he just wants to come across that way. Most of these songs would be right at home in the 70s on Contemporary radio. "Feed my Frankenstein" these songs are not. Really, the best Alice Cooper song I've heard in probably 20 years is still Avantasia's "The Toy Master". Alice can bring the metal when he wants, but unfortunately, this CD doesn't. I mean, he does a duet with Kei$ha for crying out loud. (which admittedly is pretty catchy)
The good news in this is that Alice Cooper, while not putting himself out there as a Christian artist, doesn't shy away from Christian themes in his lyrics. "I Am Made of You" is heavy on an "Amazing Grace" kind of message - but the autotune-d singing makes me nuts. His voice is strong and instantly recognizable, it doesn't need to be jacked with. The CD is not terrible, its just not what I was hoping for.
I haven't gotten any new Megadeth music in a long time, really since 1999's Risk. I did get United Abominations in 2007, but honestly never really listened to it much. However, if the Big Four concerts (and DVD) did anything, it was renew my interest in Megadeth and Anthrax (and heck, Metallica too for that matter)
This song doesn't really sound like "old" Megadeth, but it is a pretty solid track. it doesn't quite build the anticipation for the new CD like "Fight Em Till You Can't" did for me with Anthrax, but it is enough that I will be looking for the new CD when it does come out.
Its a good day for new music if you are a Metal / Prog fan. New Anthrax, Dream Theater, Edguy, Alice Cooper and a new single from Megadeth all hit today.
I'm not a giant fan of the cover or the pentagram A logo, but whatever. Album covers just ain't what they used to be.
Scott Ian said they got the name of the CD from a late night infomercial selling one of those "I Could Only Imagine" compilation worship CD's. As a Christian, I'm not happy with metal bands mocking stuff like that, but I'm obviously not one of those "all metal music is of the devil" kind of Christians either. Anthrax has never really taken themselves or anything they write about very seriously and this is no exception.
Musically, there are no real surprises here... just another solid Dream Theater album. These guys do very little that I don't love or grow to love.
Edguy is one of those bands that I run hot and cold on. I like some of their older stuff, but not a lot of it. I was a huge fan of the Avantasia project though, so was looking forward to this release. The first single "Robin Hood" really deflated my hopes that CD was going to be good. The song was goofy, poorly written and had a ridiculous video. However, I gave it a chance and was very pleasantly surprised with the rest of the CD. Nearly ever other track is great. Some poor lyrical choices in some songs, especially the otherwise awesome "Two Out of Seven" but overall a solid CD by these guys.Alice Cooper. Really, the biggest disappointment of the day for me. Its hard for me to remember that AC isn't really metal, he just wants to come across that way. Most of these songs would be right at home in the 70s on Contemporary radio. "Feed my Frankenstein" these songs are not. Really, the best Alice Cooper song I've heard in probably 20 years is still Avantasia's "The Toy Master". Alice can bring the metal when he wants, but unfortunately, this CD doesn't. I mean, he does a duet with Kei$ha for crying out loud. (which admittedly is pretty catchy)The good news in this is that Alice Cooper, while not putting himself out there as a Christian artist, doesn't shy away from Christian themes in his lyrics. "I Am Made of You" is heavy on an "Amazing Grace" kind of message - but the autotune-d singing makes me nuts. His voice is strong and instantly recognizable, it doesn't need to be jacked with. The CD is not terrible, its just not what I was hoping for.
This song doesn't really sound like "old" Megadeth, but it is a pretty solid track. it doesn't quite build the anticipation for the new CD like "Fight Em Till You Can't" did for me with Anthrax, but it is enough that I will be looking for the new CD when it does come out.
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