Progressive Metal Double Review: Astra and Haken

Nagivating the endless web of the internet I crossed paths with a pair of progressive albums that meanader across the sonic landscape of progressive metal.  For me it was a throw back to a time I never experienced (the 70s) and simultaneously a rocket launch into the future.  Astra and Haken are both current US bands creating a pair of psychedelic rock albums that weave organs, keyboards, and amazing fretwork into spaced out harmonies and jam sessions that beg for multiple listens.  The vocals are sung cleanly, on both albums, and are most similar to heavy prog-masters Between the Buried and Me jazz sessions.  However there are no cookie monster freak out vocals on either albums, like BTBM.  Haken have the heavier tracks of the pair of albums but they have stylishly embedded it into their crazy prog kaledescope. Check out the Cockroach King to get the full experience of Haken's mastery of prog.  Haken: The Mountain.  Astra: The Black Cloud

Best of 2013

Here is the list of the best albums for the past year as I see it.

1. Rob Zombie, Venomous Rat Regeneration Vendor.  A studio album that has the looseness of a live set.  The groove of early White Zombie is spread throughout the album along with the Zombie solo flourishes of horror-movie samples and eery sounds.  Zombie unleashes a cohesive album that effortlessly flows from one track into the next.  As usual Zombie's vocals make the most out of the sparse nonsense lyrics but on this album the vocal delivery is constantly changing adding to the energy and party atmosphere of the album.

2. Clutch, Earth Rocker. America's working class band has focused energy on previous efforts to unearth the roots of rock n roll by pursuing rhythm and blues through their own lens.  On this album they channel a load of punk and volume while building off the structures of their previous work creating an extremely loud and energetic live vibe.  It is a straight up rock n roll album that only metal heads are going to enjoy.

3. Monster Magnet, Last Patrol.  The kings of outer-space psychedelic cock rock are back in full force unleashing a kaleidoscopic of sonic reverberations that will remind everyone that they once ruled the throne of stoner-metal.  Long before the droning feedback of doom metal melted into the stoner genre their was Monster Magnet, kings of fuzz, with layers of swaggering groove. Monster Magnet's after-burn is leaving everyone in a monochromatic dust-bowl.

4. Killswitch Engage, Disarm the Descent.  KSE reunite with their original singer Jessie Leach and together produce their best album since Daylight Dies.  The return of Jessie has brought a much needed refocusing on KSE's metalcore roots, leaving behind the attempts to write stadium/radio friendly rock songs.  KSE charge out the gates with The Hell in Me a flash-back to the aggressiveness of much of Alive or Just Breathing. The first two tracks end up being the warm up; once The New Awakening hits this album surges to life with a six-pack of some of the best songs KSE's has ever written.   

5. Avenged Sevenfold, Hail to the King.  A controversial album considering AX7 has conscientiously decided to restrain themselves and avoid chaotic mixing of elements that are prominent in so many of their previous albums.  Here they attempt to conquer the stadium without watering down their sound, and they succeed by borrowing from many of the greatest live acts of all time, Metallica, Guns n Roses, and Iron Maiden.  The title track is a mammoth slab of hard rock lead by dueling guitars and solid drumbeat holding the backbone together.  The most impressive element of the entire album and ultimate reason for its success is M Shadows vocal delivery.  Gone are the moments of blatant copying of someone's style, here he delivers a full performance that he can call his own (except for the first minute of Doing Time, which obviously influenced by Welcome to the Jungle). Fans of their screamo work will probably be disappointed but this truly is a magnificent hard rock album.  All the singles will dominate radio play because they simply better songs that what anyone else is writing.  The most epic song on the album is Coming Home. A tale of a wanderer making the long voyage home fueled by excellent dueling guitar work helping tell the story. It is a timeless piece of heavy metal music and will probably be vastly under-appreciated.

6. Motorhead, Aftershock.  The loudest band on Earth  show why they are still relevant after forty years.  At the core Motorhead is a rhythm and blues band but played fast and loud.  Lemmy's rasp is constant but suits the band quite well.  Motorhead writes songs within a narrow framework and it  might sound simplistic when compared to other modern metal bands complex approaches, but within their own restrictions they are perfecting a style of music.  Tracks Lost Woman Blues and Dust and Glass take the time to slow down and leave the punk influences behind showcasing the bands love of the blues. This is an album you could crank up for any metal fan and they would find themselves nodding their heads to the beat and strumming the air guitar.

7. Soilwork, The Living Infinite I & II.  Swedish metalcore veterans tackle the double disc format with enthusiasm.  Soilwork is best at combining melodic moments within aggressive paced songs highlighted by the incredible vocals of Bjorn "Speed" Strid.  With such broad vocal abilities Speed is able to lift up all the euphoric moments in the music and crash down in growling ferocity during pummeling elements.

8. Hatebreed, The Divinity of Purpose.  A fittingly titled album since their last release these East coaster had mixed results experimenting with their sound. On this release they focus on what they do best, hardcore riffs and head-banging breakdowns.  Every song is a workout anthem of pounding drums, guitars, and Jamey Jasta's shouted vocals with a chain-gang chorus.

9. Chimaira, Crown Of Phantoms.  A menacing beast of an album born form the collapse of the band's former line-up.  The brutality, technical precision, and electronic flourishes are still here but new guitarist Emil Werstler (formerly of Daath, Atlanta death metal band) masterfully incorporates his skills into the Chimaira legacy.  This album has a raw, visceral quality making it one the year's best metal albums.

10. Volbeat, Outlaw Gentleman & Shady Ladies.   Danish rockers don't shy away from all their sonic influences on this outing.  Volbeat stays true to their metal roots but with great success intertwine rockabilly, punk, county, and hard rock elements.  A spaghetti western feel dominants the album which compliments the lyrical content.

11. Gorguts, Colored Sands.  When you tell people that death metal can be hypnotic and beautiful they stare at you as if you have two heads.  Colored Sands is what makes you grow two heads.