3 posts tagged “bloodbath”
I've found after quite a number of listens that The Fathomless Mastery was the album I didn't know I wanted from Bloodbath.
Dan Swanö is gone, this is more clear than ever on the new release.
That being said, Bloodbath has taken its original indent to be a tribute to original death metal and progressed it to a modern view on the genre.
Listening to Nightmares Made Flesh, both Unblessing the Purity and The Fathomless Mastery seem like very logical steps and I think they are still quite relevant and important releases. While UTP is superior in its execution, The Fathomless Mastery has a quite a bit to offer and just as many, if not more, places to move forward.
Blakkheim certainly contributed the best of the crop this time around, but I believe that's because we've become accustomed to the catchier side of this project. Both Jonas' and Per's tracks rely on the foundations of death metal (and metal in general) in that they do not need to satisfy one's urge to "sing along", but rather explore the uncomfortable. Much like horror films, the classic styles were so captivating because they had little regard for being politically-correct. As that industry became tamer, the movies became...well, lamer.
Metal is very much the same way. There is a formulaic approach for so many death metal acts out there that we've accepted as the norm, which is why it can be so boring. I think that Jonas and Per were responding to that norm with what death metal started out as.
The tracks initially seem generic but it becomes apparent after repeated listens that these songs have far more substance than meets the ear.
While I don't believe Bloodbath was entirely successful with this release (damn close), they have proven there is still much to do with the genre. It is an extremely brutal release, and Mike certainly sounds angrier than ever (Mike is to angry death growl on TFM as Mike is to emotional death growl on Brave Murder Day).
One thing that certainly stands out on this album is that (almost) every track is better than the last , Wretched Human Mirror possibly being the best on the release. Even more so than Nightmares Made Flesh and Unblessing the Purity, I am fascinated by what this band could accomplish with the next release.
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Favorite Track(s): Treasonous, Earthrot, Hades Rising, Wretched Human Mirror
Lease Favorite Track(s): Mock the Cross
The past few days featured two new events for me.
1. Getting a flat tire
2. Doing a poetry reading.
Both were really exciting.
I got the flat tire in Framingham while picking up Kristen from a meeting. No explosions or anything, just found my steering to be off. I got it changed in about fifteen minutes, and is probably the most manly thing I've done in ages.
The second just happened Wednesday. Yuill told me about a poetry reading happening that day, and I got a couple of pieces together last minute to do it. Totally worth it, totally a good time.
I ended up going second to last because it was in alphabetical order (good thing I didn't go last, that cat was really good).
But yeah, almost everything I read was still in first draft mode because I have yet to look at them since my year-long writing adventure, but I'm still pleased. I think I'm going to start looking for more readings to do as I revise my work...it was the most fun I've had in a long time. On top of that, when asked for feedback, Yuill gave me a "Dude, you stole that reading. The work was really strong. I'm glad I mentioned it to you." Wicked yes.
They got it on video, so I'll be excited to see how many words I stumbled over.
In other news:
In other other news:Cathy (a baker who comes by every morning for a Venti black) brought cookies and cupcakes with her as a "thank you," and they are damn amazing.
A fan-video of Bloodbath performing "Eaten" at Wacken has made its way online, finally. The performance was supposed to be released on DVD (seeing as it is the only performance they have ever done, and the only one they will ever do with Mike from Opeth on vocals.
I was a bit nervous about Mike doing the Nightmares Made Flesh songs, just because Peter (from Hypocrisy) has such a high range...but he does a fantastic job. Very brutal.
Hopefully that DVD will see the light of day soon. It's seems so very promising.
