Comic goes here.

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

What, you wanted plot development or something? Too bad!
Instead, you have to listen to my opinions on a game I've never played! And ALL of you must sit through it!

All OF YOU! You there on the couch! You in the library! You, looking over the shoulder of the guy on the computer! You must aaaall listeeennnnn.


Speaking of my opinion, two new albums came out recently I'd like to mention. The first is Cradle of Filth's "Godspeed on the Devil's Thunder". They said they'd be returning to their roots for this album, which is strange, because I don't remember their first albums being so dull. The album does nothing outrageously wrong, it's just really boring. Nothing particularly interesting or stand-out, nothing really catch, nothing moving. They've taken a few steps away from Thornography, which wound up being a barrel of bad ideas, but at least Thornography had a couple of really nice moments in it, mixed in with the bad. It was sub-par music but at least they took risks, but here on Godspeed, they seem to be afraid of risks. They played it safe, and in exchange, we got very unremarkable album.

Speaking of risks! Melodic Death-Metal band Deadlock released "Manifesto" recently. I see their last album, Wolves, as easily one of the greatest Metal albums anywhere, ever, assuming you like death-metal growls and female vocals. So of course, as is often the case, I was worried about the new album. How can you top something like Wolves? You don't. Manifesto is nice and energetic, and it's music is tight, but it falls so very flat compared to it's older sister. Wolves had variety - lots of different moments, interesting musical parts, but Manifesto, despite being a much more experimental album, didn't seem to soar to such heights.
And hell, the lyrics! I wish I had the booklet here with me to type some out for you, but let me just say that they really are the embodiment of awful, terrible lyrics. Each song, it seems, is a PETA-approved shot against animal abuse/hunting/trucking. And that would be just fine if the subjects weren't laid out in such a plain, unflattering language. No subtly, no symbolism, nothing to encourage deeper thought. I knew I should be worried as soon as I saw the song title "Seal Slayer".
They take a few risks, which is fine, but there is one moment that simply cannot be overlooked. I feel like telling you what the last half of Deathrace sounds like would be like spoiling a movie. Whatever happens, it sticks out like a sore, broken thumb, and almost derails the entire listening experience. Luckily, it only happens once, and their experimentation is rewarded later on in the album with the inclusion of a saxophone solo and the guest vocals of some guy form another band (sorry I can't say which, but I don't have the booklet here).
You really should look into giving Wolves a listen, but don't spend your money on Manifesto without giving it a whole listen, or else you may regret it.