Metal Monday #10

I seem to be spending more time apologising these days than actually writing anything. Once again, I have to say sorry for not updating the blog as regularly as I should have in recent times. Unfortunately my auntie died in the early hours of the morning somewhat unexpectedly a week or so ago so I haven't had the time or the inclination to write anything up. Given the fact that she was undoubtedly my favourite aunt, as you can understand it came as a bit of a blow. The whole family has been in mourning so between family visits, immediate family consolation and the organization and attendance of the funeral I've been very busy. Anyway, R.I.P Máire, you will be missed. On top of this, while I can't speak for anyone else, I've been having some serious computer issues over the last while. After accidently spilling water on my keyboard and mouse (rookie mistake, I know) I have been hereby resigned to using my laptop which is also on death's door at present. To make matters even worse, my internet has been cutting off randomly every couple of minutes or hours for the past month or so. This makes even the most simple tasks take a lifetime and while people say patience is a virtue, I'm finding it hard to stay patient. If you're a believer in karma then I must have done something truly terrible to deserve such unnecessary frustration.

First on the chopping block is Killswitch Engage's My Last Serenade. Although I will admit I was never much of a fan of this track when it came out originally, due in large part to the soppy chorus, in recent times I've started to really appreciate it. This is most likely because I much prefer their original singer over Howard Jones, primarily because, as I've no doubt stated before, I find Howard's almost operatic style to be catering too much towards the mainstream; not that I have some sort of anti-mainstream persona, I actually despise those who consider themselves to be above such distinctions. I just feel that if you're going to play ferocious, unmerciful metal then you might as well go the whole way rather than going the route which sells you the most records. Either way, aside from the chorus, My Last Serenade is a showcase of brutality. The opening 1:38 in particular conveys a sense of uncompromising dedication to their craft. It had a resounding effect on audiences then and I'm pleased to admit that it hasn't lost any of its primitive yet in some ways charismatic appeal. Even the chorus, which admittedly isn't really my thing, if listened to in the right way begins to make sense within the context of the overall structure of the song. It's just a shame Killswitch Engage couldn't work things out with original vocalist Jesse Leach as although he is undoubtedly technically the inferior singer, he adds a much-needed stylistic trait that Howard Jones fails to replicate on a thematic or representational level.

Killswitch Engage - My Last Serenade

The next track is by a band who split metal fans right down the middle. Some adore them, some feel animosity for them. I enjoy their output. If you're wondering who I'm talking about, it is of course As I Lay Dying. The track I've decided to go with today is An Ocean Between Us, the reason behind my choice being that I believe it is one of the few songs that are able to summarise the band within four minutes. Although there is a lot of screaming in this one, it is countered by a juxtaposition in more 'normal' vocal outbursts. Unlike approximately 90% of other metal bands, As I Lay Dying get this parallel in vocal shifts down perfectly. Of course, the grinding rhythmic riff and rolling drum patterns help cement the two different vocal approaches but credit where credit is due, they really knock it out of the park. Whilst some could claim that they're not really bringing all that much originality to the table, aside from a handful of bands, metal doesn't really focus on innovating music on the whole, it focuses upon expressing itself often in the most brutal and impossibly uncompromising way possible. In this respect, An Ocean Between Us delivers almost unanimously.

As I Lay Dying - An Ocean Between Us

In between the rest of the songs I've decided to go with a track that is in a genre I would consider myself somewhat of a specialist in, Progressive Metal. Interestingly though, the band, Blotted Science, are also considered to be a cross between death metal and extreme speed metal. Don't panic, their music is all instrumental. They are distinctive in particular, however, because they are to some extent a supergroup in what they do though. Each member is from notable bands within their field of expertise and to give an example of just how varied the line-up is, we have members ranging from Cannibal Corpse to Watchtower to Behold... The Arctopus. Enough said. The song I'm going with today is arguably the definition of what they're all about, Activation Synthesis Theory and what a tune it is. In some respects, the band serve as a glorification of instrumental music because without the need for a vocalist, they are able to use irregular timing, momentous breakdowns and considerable departures and emergences in presentation to deliver fast and melodic music for a very niche audience. This song serves as exemplification of such characteristics.

Blotted Science - Activation Synthesis Theory

Fourthly I'm going to go with a band I don't talk about too often, DevilDriver. The song I've decided to showcase is a track I opened a mix with a year or two ago, I Dreamed I Died. DevilDriver are unique in a lot of ways because they are one of the few metal bands that almost always work perfectly when mixing with dance music. Of course, it has something to do with BPM, but their borderline industrial technique and flowing yet musically harmonious vocal style just works. I Dreamed I Died isn't necessarily their best, most well known or most distinct song but it is a good introduction to the band if you haven't heard them before and like those old Ronseal ads, it does exactly what it says on the tin. It is frankly astonishing that the vocalist from DevilDriver is the same guy from nu-metal one-timers Coal Chamber but more power to him for branching out and doing what he wanted to do. The opening riff of this track alone demonstrates just how much metal has changed in the last ten years.

DevilDriver - I Dreamed I Died

The final track for today is The Truth Of A Liar by August Burns Red, a band who are the personification of the phrase 'appearances can be deceiving'. To look at these guys, you would in no way think they made the music that they did. By extension, they're also Christians but although their music has been described as 'Christian metalcore', they take the right approach in stating that "Christianity is a religion, not a style of music." This makes me like them even more. The Truth Of A Liar is not for the weak willed or the easily upset. It is, as the midget out of Accept once said, balls to the wall metal. I know relentless is a term that has been overused with regards to metal music, but it really is relentless in spirit and execution. If Killswitch Engage were on one end of the spectrum, August Burns Red would be on the other. Thankfully despite their vocals being strikingly idiosyncratic, the instrumental aspects are augmented perfectly. Not only does each instrument fit in a glove-like fashion but in terms of structuring, while the different instruments don't necessarily adhere to any specific requirements, the band is accomplished enough to adapt, develop and most importantly flourish by approaching the song in their own individual ways.

August Burns Red - The Truth Of A Liar