The Essence of Ashes by Eluveitie

'Home' by Eluveitie

'Apotheosis' by Holy Grail

'On the Battlefield' by Bloodbound

Sur L'Océan Couleur De Fer by Alcest

Attero Dominatus by Sabaton

. .

Flammifer by Summoning

Hermóðr- Grav

Atmospheric Black metal has certainly caught my attention over the past year or two. People will think I am insane to listen to this music- but I love it. I'm just your average person- I never do anything extreme to 'show my individuality'. Not that I have a problem with those that do. I never have to prove myself to anyone and I've developed that attitude since high school. Anyways.

Great band and a great track. Hermóðr.

SIRENIA - My Destiny Coming To Pass

..... warrants an album purchase.

All Metal Isn't Created Equal

Not all Metal is created equal. Since I can't do a youtube video on the issue without red tape, I figured I would blog about it. Metal in its own right formed from Rock music many years ago, but takes Rock and Roll to the extreme.

Metal, in my mind is a genre now in its own right because it is so diverse. There is alternative, ambient, black, death, german, heavy, industrial, nu, power, progressive, speed (thrash), symphonic and viking metal in my playlist. 'Deathcore' is also a sub-genre of metal.

Listen to the ones listed here and find out what you like. Often, people think that metal is nothing but screamo people yelling into microphones and blowing out their voice boxes. Not so.

Alternative Metal
Alter Bridge
Incubus
Ra
Ravenscry

Black Metal
At the Gates
Behemoth
Celtic Frost

Deathcore
Born of Osiris
Shadow's Fall

Death Metal
Dark Tranquility
Darkest Hour
Mercenary
Strapping Young Lad

German Metal
Megaherz
Rammstein
Tanzwut

Glam Metal
AC/DC
Motley Crue

Heavy Metal
Black Label Society
Bolt Thrower
Sabaton

Nu Metal
Breaking Benjamin
Linkin Park
Make me Famous

Power Metal
4th Dimension
Altaria
Bloodbound
Cannon
Dragonland
Iron Maiden
Stratovarius

Progressive Metal
Ride the Sky

Symphonic Metal
Apocalyptica
Cain's Offering
Diablo Swing Orchestra
Lacuna Coil
Nightwish
Sirenia
Sonata Arctica

Thrash Metal (also known as Punk)
Fear Factory
Five Finger Death Punch
Metallica
Mystic Prophecy

Viking/Pagan
Ensiferum
Heidevolk
King of Asgard
Korpiklaani
Rebellion
Skiltron

Dragonland

Again, one of those things where you hear a song off of the album and decide to buy the whole thing. Yep.

Creed: My Own Prison

In 1997 grunge was popular. Creed came out of Florida with their debut album "My Own Prison", but it would take one more album "Human Clay" to get them what we would today call 'viral'. Originally I did not like this album as I thought it was too much of a departure from Weathered and Human Clay. However with time comes changes in music. I really thought this CD was ok and could hold it's own. There are a couple of good tracks including 'Torn', 'Illusion' and 'Sister'. If you are looking for late 90's post grunge I'd recommend this CD- also if you are a fan of Creed and don't dislike grunge.

3.20/5.00 (64%)

Creed: Human Clay

After My Own Prison, Human Clay was Creed's debut album to popularity. While average on the Hard Rock scene, there are a couple of good songs on this track including 'Are You Ready' 'Higher' 'With Arms Wide Open' and 'Beautiful'. I would still recommend this album for fans of Creed- but if you aren't, stick to surfing and buying individual MP3s.

3.46/5.00 (70%)

Creed: Weathered

Now that I'm done bashing Full Circle- let's get to some classic Creed. I liked these guys ever since I heard them on the airwaves. Their breakup in 2004- despite being painful for a lot of people- spawned the creation of something beautiful- Alter Bridge.

Only one song on this album, Lullaby- was rated a 3/5 on my sheet. Everything else on this album pretty much defines the very sound of Creed- One Last Breath, My Sacrifice, Weathered, Hide and Don't Stop Dancing.

For grunge and late 90's rock, you cannot beat Creed. I highly recommend this album in particular. It's still a fantastic piece of work.

4.45/100 (90%)

Creed: Full Circle

I went out and bought this CD (wow... 4 years ago?) when I heard it was coming out. I was disappointed. I don't mean to diss one of my favorite bands here- but this was a full circle of crap. With that being said, I did like Overcome, A Thousand Faces (in my opinion, best track on the album) Fear and Time.

What went wrong? probably their departure from rock to something a little heavier. I just couldn't get behind this CD- perhaps they were trying to return to a sound from something like 'My Own Prison'. I just flat out did not like this album. It isn't complete shit, but I'm not giving it a pass either.

2.92/5.00 (58%). I expected a lot more of Creed.

Honoring Our Ancestors This Year

Great way to do it? listen to this.

Disturbed: Ten Thousand Fists

Happy Samhain!

Got some Disturbed here with their album Ten Thousand Fists. Their lead singer has a unique voice that I like. The band is Heavy Metal with a bit of Speed Metal thrown in. While I think most of their music is good- some of the songs on this album were ok, with my favorites being 'Avarice' and 'Stricken'. Good album for those who like more mainstream heavy metal, and definitely worth picking up for Disturbed fans, though some songs seemed repetitive due to the beat.

3.86/5.00 (77%).

Breaking Benjamin: We Are Not Alone

This one is from far back: 2004. I used to listen to Breaking Benjamin a lot back then. Today though- I've kind of moved on with my tastes in music. We Are Not Alone is OK- there are a couple of good tracks on there like So Cold and Break My Fall, but it's nothing fantastic. Unless you are a die hard fan of Breaking Benjamin, stick to surfing and buying MP3s over the entire album- or skip it.

3.45/5.00 (69%).

Rob's Iphone

I was hesitant about needing a smart phone- but after getting one I love the damn thing. Here is what is on my Iphone:

Abigail Williams
Altaria
Alter Bridge
Ancient Bards
Apocalyptica
At the Gates
Black Label Society
Bloodbound
Bolt Thrower
Born of Osiris
Breaking Benjamin
Cain's Offering
Canon
Dark Tranquility
Diablo Swing Orchestra
Disturbed
Ensiferum
Fear Factory
Five Finger Death Punch
Gojira
Heidevolk
Korpiklaani
Lacuna Coil
Make me Famous
Maximum the Hormone
Megaherz
Metallica
Nightwish
Periphery
Ra
Rammstein
Ravenscry
Rebellion
Ride the Sky
Sabaton
Silent Force
Skiltron
Sonata Arctica
Stratovarius
4th Dimension

Breaking Benjamin: Phobia

I found it odd that they didn't list the name of this album 'Evil Angel' or 'Unknown Soldier' after some of the songs. Back when I was in high school in 2007 I picked up this album and liked Breaking Benjamin a lot more than I do today. Still, Phobia has some of the better Breaking Benjamin songs on it, such as Evil Angel, You, Topless, Unknown Soldier and Here We Are.

Worth a pick up if you like Nu metal.
4.00/5.00 (80%.)