Top 20 Singers In metal Continued (20More)

   Ok so I've continued with the other top 20's so it's only expected to do the final one, singers.  The first 20 were pretty easy to make.  Some were expected to be on there, and others are debatable.  This list was a little harder to do so here it goes.  20 more singers that I think really bring it to the microphone every time they sing.

Alice Cooper - Solo

King Diamond - Mercyful Fate, Solo

Bjorn Speed Strid - Soilwork






















Lemmy Kilmister - Motorhead
























Angela Gossow - Arch Enemy
























Nergal - Behemoth

Tim "Ripper" Owens - Iced Earth, the list goes on

Ville Vallo - H.I.M.

Trevor Strnad - The Black Dahlia Murder

Rob Flynn - Machine Head

Hansi Kursch - Blind Guardian, Demons & Wizards

Matt Pike - Sleep, High on Fire

Glenn Binton - Deicide, Vital Remains

Devin Townsend - Strapping Young Lad, Solo

Tom Gabriel Warrior - Hellhammer, Celtic Frost, Triptykon

Chino Mareno - Deftones






















Dani Filth - Cradle of FIlth

Chuck Schuldiner - Death

Kirk Windstein - Crowbar, Kingdom of Sorrow

Mike Patton - Mr. Bungle, Faith No More, Solo

So here they are.  20 more singers that I think are great.  Some are better than others.  There are a lot of different kinds of singers on this list.  Styles from death metal, sludge stoner, nu-metal, black metal, and pretty much everything in between.  So you may agree or not.  Either way these guys are great in my opinion, and that's what really counts right, right.

Machine Head - Unto the Locust Review

Well lets see September has been a really great month for metal I mean with guys like Dream Theater, Anthrax, Opeth, Machine Head, and Mastodon just to name a few the month is adding up to be one of the biggest months in metal ever for me anyways.  I really love Opeth's new one, and Mastodon's new one is also really growing on me.  But hold the press I'm here today to do a review of an album that has had some of the biggest anticipation out of any metal album ever in this decade, being their previous working was a masterpiece of an album.  Yes people I'm talking about the one, the only Machine Head's Unto the Locust.  So here we go.

   So for the people that don't know Machine Head have been kicking it since their inception in 1992, and with their first studio release Burn My Eyes in 94 have really paved the way for a lot of modern metal these days.  Their influence on metal in general has been next to the big ones like Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Metallica for this decades pretty thunderous take on modern metal.  Through out the years they've shifted sounds, played with equipment, and tried working in different studios to keep their music fresh and interesting.  They've come up with some great great releases such as their debut, The More Things Change.., Supercharger, Through the Ashes of Empires, and the dynamic, face melting, gut wrenching, passionate ride that is The Blackening.  Some efforts have been better than others in their experiments example The Burning Red in 1999.  I did not care for that one much at all.  There were some pretty generic tunes and a horrible cover of Message In A Bottle on there that I really was not digging at all.  But for the most part the intensity, the drive, and focus was still there on The Burning Red so there are things that I do like about it.  So it's not all bad.  

   These guys ale from Oakland, California.  Home of the Raiders.  As my wife would say go Raiders haha.  I say boooo.  And The band consists of Robb Flynn on guitars, and vocals, Adam Duce on Bass, and backing vocals, Phil Demmel on lead guitar, and lastly Dave McClain on drums.  These four guys have really gotten their craft down to a perfect science.  Even though there were some things that I didn't like about some of their past workings I could see growth, and progression with their sound and overall skill on the records was getting better and better with each release.  From Rob's guitar structures, to Dave's great drumming skills.  It was always moving forward. There are a lot of rich back stories to each of these guys.  One thing that really gets me moving in Machine Head's direction is their devotion to music.  Rob Flynn states in interviews that he wasn't brought up with religion of any kind, and that music has been his faith since he was a kid.  It's gotten him through the darkest times in his life, and fallowed him through the brightest stages as well.  It's been there for him for everything.  It's funny because I was brought up with religion but felt it was wrong for me the entire time in my young teenager years and would escape to my music to cope with being forced to go to church all the time.  Among other reasons, but that being one big reason why I immersed myself in music so much in high school.  Now as an adult and with a family of my own I will choose to go down the path that I feel is right for my child and my family.  If my son wants to seek out God or religion I won't stop him, and see him through his up's and downs as a father should.  

   Sorry I'm getting off topic a little here.  So ever since basically Supercharger I have been a growing fan of Machine Head.  Their fist pumping, kick ass metal has moved me through a lot in my life.  In 2007 I thought that progression and growth had reaching its pinnacle moment with the release of The Blackening.  The flow of that record is like no other.  The first track really gets you prepared for one of the greatest records in metal of this decade.  In fact it was named just that with the award for the Album of the Decade award by Metalhammer magazine.  It is a wondrous ride through aggression, passion, hate, anger, and love.  There is no other album out there like it, and I highly highly recommend it to any metal fan out there.  

   So of course with such a masterpiece like The Blackening naturally I would have really high expectations of pretty much everything they will do after.  As well as everyone else in the metal community.  Let me get this out of the way right now.  This record is in no way The Blackening, and is in now way their worst works either.  I remember listening to the title track off the record back in like July and thinking it was going to be a lot different than the Blackening.  While a little let down, I was still very anxious to hear the rest because the track wasn't bad by any means.  It was very catchy straight forward, and still pretty driving.  Naturally I wanted to hear more more more.  So now here we are September 27th.  Well it's the 28th  but you know what I mean, and here it is.  Unto the Locust.

   Unto the Locust has really come close to living up to my expectations of Machine Head.  I wasn't wanting it to sound like The Blackening I was just wanting it to be as impacting as it was.  Let me tell you mission accomplished.  This record has some of the heaviest music I've ever heard them write before.  Example the opener I Am Hell (Sonata in C#).  This track starts off with a cool vocal harmony and jumps into the heaviest vocal track I've ever heard from Flynn, and moves on to just a great song with everything a perfect metal song should have.  Great progression, drumming, singing, and solos.  It's a tremendous start to another masterpiece in its own light.  So these guys have really kicked up the production, and mastering values on this record like crazy.  Everything sounded great on The Blackening, but everything on this record really is flawless in it's sound.  The guitars sound great.  The crunchy moments are very crunchy, but done in a since that is clear and together.  The solos are very bright, and perfectly placed throughout the record.  The bass is thunderous and kicks your chest in at moments, and the drums are very tight and together, and rhythmically perfect.  Nothing really seems to be out of place at all on this record.  Rob Flynn really has come through with his vocals on this one.  There are some unbelievably heavy parts, and some pretty melodic patterns in his singing as well.  The lyrics are very insightful, inspiring, and motivating as they've pretty much always been in the past.  So no down fall at all on his vocals.  The guitars are still very Machine Head type sound and progressions.  You can tell this is Machine Head trying to kick it the best they can.  The drumming is top notch as always.  There are some really fast moments, and some just slow, chuggy, fist pumping moments on the skins.  The solos are perfectly placed, and sound really great.  Nothing really out shines another on this record.  Which is what I love.  I don't want to have a record that really just showcases the drummers talents and leaves the rest of the band in the dust.  Or vice versa.  I really love the use of acoustics on this record, which isn't something they have put down in any of their previous records.  To this extent anyways if there were acoustics used.  They've kept it pretty hard focused throughout their career.  There is an awsome track where they got their kids to sing, and make it a really touching moment for the band.  I love that.  It makes me feel good to see the bands I love include their family unit in their efforts.  It's common to see them walk away from family in this industry, and it's a shame because your family should be number one, and I think these guys put them right up there with their music which is good to see.

   Ok so so far I've had absolutely nothing bad to say about it right.  Well the only thing I am going to say is it's a god damn short album.  It's seven tracks that average about seven minutes a track or so, and clocks in at a little over 48 minutes.  For me it just ends way to soon.  These guys aren't guys that frequently put out new material.  They really sit and let it cook until it's just right. Which there's nothing wrong with that by any means, but now I'm going to have to wait like another three to four years for some more Machine Head, so I'd like what I've got to last me tell then.  I know by year 2 I'm really gonna be itching for more Machine Head, and maybe that's why they cut it short, I'm not sure.  All I know is it's freakin short, and that's really my only complaint.  

   So I know that there is going to be a lot to be said about his record, with its expectations from everyone,and all the critics out there.  Some would say it's not living up, and some would say it's passed their's.  I'd say it's passed mine.  I love it.  It's a great record all it's own, and needs not to be compared to anything they've accomplished because it's unlike anything they've done in the past.  While still keepin it Machine Head.  So what do I give this record you ask?  I give it a strong 9.  I highly recommend checking it out.  It will be in my top twenty for sure at the end of the year.  I know that at least.  Along with the Opeth, Obscura, The Black Dahlia Murder, Mastodon, Belphagor, Revocation, and Sylosis.  Just to name a few.  So until next time stay hard, stay heavy.  

Watch this video.  His beginning statement is pretty powerful.

What I'm In To Now Now

So a While back I made a post of the bands that I was really in to at that time.  I wanted to make another post about the same, because that was back in April and its changed for sure.  Now don't get me wrong I am still listening to all of those guys in my previous list just not near as much as the new one.  So here is a list of who I'm jamming right now now haha now now.  Enjoy.

Amorphis

Amorphis are a fairly new band to my collection of stuff this year.  I really am digging their take on melodic death metal.  The vocals are done very well, and the drumming and guitar are very tight and together the entire time.  I highly recommend these guys if you like anything in the realm of Opeth, or Daylight Dies at times.  There are a lot of influences in this band so Opeth, and Daylight Dies aren't an accurate comparison those are just some of the other progressive melodic death metal bands I really enjoy so I can find similarities in those.      

Witchcraft

Witchcraft are a Swedish doom rock band.  These guys are great at bringing the classic vibes back.  I mean there are moments where they sound like Sabbath, Blue Cheer, Deep Purple, Pentagram, King Crimson, Zeppilin, and The Doors even.  I hear it all in there along with a Witchcraft flair that sounds like nothing out there right now.  The vocals are very entrancing.  They suck you in.  I could put these guys on and drift away to some far away magical land of fire and dragons.  Haha  so check them out you won't be sorry.

Demonaz

Demonaz is the solo project from one Demonaz who was in Immortal as the chief song writer on many of their albums, and also played guitar.  So there are moments where you can here the Immortal style stuff, but there are also moments where there is something very new and fresh.  I really like the opening track with the low baritone vocal sounds in the beginning and than you hear the black metal vocals come in.  It's a great blackened death metal record for sure.

Opeth

 

If you guys know me at all, you know my obsession with Opeth.  I absolutely love this band, and with their new album coming out in a matter of days it's getting me fueled up for a great record.  This record I can almost tell you now without even hearing it that it will be at the number one sopt of my top 20 of 2011 that I will make at the end of this year.  My wife and I are going to see them live on the 4th of next month, and we can't wait.  GET THEIR NEW ONE HERITAGE, and buy it don't download it please.  Show some respect.    

Arsis

It's hard to put my finger on what these guys are.  I mean I know they're a death metal band, but there are moments where they have very thrash like sounds and speeds, and moments where there are some black metal vibes coming out in it also.  Although I can't say what these guys are its great metal none the less.  These guys know how to write great, kick ass, fist pumping metal.  

Unearth

I've been negligent in getting in to this band for a while now, because before I just wrote them off as just another metal core band out there now.  That's not the case with these guys at all.  With their new one this year Darkness In The Light it really got my curiosity going about this band.  Their new one is a great technical, thrashy, metal-core record.  It has some great break downs in it, and moments of speed that really get you moving.  This is one of my favorite metal-core records this year for sure.  If not the best I've heard so far.  

Becoming the Archetype

Again if you know me well, you know that I'm not big on the christian hewy.  So another christian metal band just wasn't in the cards.  These guys though I stumbled across, and let me tell you their stuff is really good.  The vocals are pretty deep guttural death metal like.  There are also some moments of keyboards or sound effects used which adds cool texture.  Than they throw these weird vibes from ball room big band tracks, and funky elements in there.  I'd say check out their new one and you'll know what I'm talking about.  Great progressive death metal.  

Insomnium

This is another band that I can't really classify.  They have a wide range of metal influences, as well as melodic styles as well.  They remind me of guys like Daylight Dies, and Opeth so it's right down my alley of obsessing over.  It's great progressive death metal.  I highly recommend checking out their Across the Dark release in 2009.  

Sylosis

These guys have a very technical thrash thing going on I think.  With a death metal flair, and a little metal-core vibe sprinkled in there as well.  Great technicality all around from the drums, to the vocals.  Great modern technical band.   

The Gates of Slumber

These guys kick so much classic metal ass it's not even funny.  I can't get enough of this band.  They have a great Sabbath, Candlemass, Pentagram sound.  I absolutely love this group of just kick ass musicians.  If you're in to classic metal yo will really love this group for sure.

Skeletonwitch

 

This is another band that have a lot of classic 80's metal influences from thrash, black, death, from britich heavy metal.  Great guitar work, and great black metal vocals, as well as death metal as well.  Great solo segments as well.  Just an all around good classic 80's early 90's metal band.  

Born of Osiris

Born of Osiris are a progressive death metal band from Palatine, Illinois.  They incorporate a lot of different styles.  From keyboard pop sounds, to Meshuggah style riffing.  Some moments I hear Meshuggah, and other moments I hear a very heavy heavy death metal progression.  Their new one The Discovery really pushes their wide range of influences.  Their beat structures are really well placed and very articulate throughout their entire 3 albums.  They have 2 full length albums, and 2 EP's.  All of their stuff is very good.  

Ghost Brigade

This is another band that I'm really digging right now.  I love their melodic moments.  It adds a real mystical element to the music.  Their progressive nature is really top notch.  The sound of the guitars are pretty crunchy, and very thick.  They have a new one out this year that I haven't gotten yet just cause I've been consumed with their earlier workings.  Isolation Songs which came out in 2009 is really a great record the whole way through.  I highly recommend this band if you like a drone, doomy, progressive vibe.  It's hard to put these guys in a category, because they're in one by themselves.  

Candlemass

Candlemass are the forfronters of doom metal.  Aside from Black Sabbath there hasn't been another band do it half as well as Candlemass in my opinion.  I guess getting in to guys like The Gates of Slumber just really sparked my interest in these maters of metal again.  I've listened to thme as long as I've listened to Sabbath, and they are right there with them in my opinion, with Sabbath just being the origin, and Candlemass taking the reigns.  Any fan of metal should like this band, and if you don't your definition of good metal is backyards.  

Graveyard

Graveyard are another classic sounding band that really do their style of aggressive classic rock like no other band out there.  Their new one Hisingen Blues is really a great mesh of a lot of different rock elements that makes for a great ride the whole way through.  Their debut self titled release is also a great album as well.  They are only 2 albums in to their career and I feel they've got many more years ahead of them that will fill the future with great heavy rock.  So keep it coming fellas.  

Obscura

If you like technical proficiency, speed, guttural screams, and great bass work.  This band is for you.  The talent in this band will not be contained.  They are great great musicians that make great technical progressive death metal.  I highly recommend this band for any technical death metal fans.  

The Haunted

  

The Haunted are guys that have been around for a long time with parts of the band from the ashes of At the Gates who were a great Swedish melodic death band in the 90's.  Out of the ashes come The Haunted who are really putting a new face to melodic metal in general.  They released a new one this year Unseen.  Unseen is very different from anything they've done in the past, but still having The Haunted integrity to as well.  It's a fun record to listen to, and it got me listening to them again a lot.  I recommend checking it out for sure.  

Red Fang

Red Fang are just four guys that get together and jam hard, and come up with some great heavy heavy rock.  They look like a bunch of fun as you can see haha.  They released a new one this year, while it's still growing on me I really like their debut a lot more right now.  They have a great bluesy, drone, rock vibe going on that I really like.  

Daylight Dies

I'm really liking this band right now.  Along side Opeth, and Insomnuim I think these guys really does progressive death metal very well.  I love the acoustic moments, and heavy breaks as well.  If you like any of the bands I just mentioned you will love Daylight Dies well.  

High On Fire

I've listened to high On Fire for a while now, and still can't get enough.  I really like the chuggy, crunchy guitars, and the thunderous drums on all of their stuff.  Matt Pike really know how to bring a great drone, stoner, crunch to his heavy High On Fire.  If you like Mastodon, and Motorhead this band is exactly that.  A little slower than Mastodon, with a little heavier Lemmi on vocals.  It's great stuff.  

So there they are what I'm in to heavily right now.  Now by the end of the year it probably change a little as well.  I may do another one than as well.  So I hope you've enjoyed it.  if there are a few bands that you've never heard of please don't hesitate to check them out.  it may change your life forever haha.  So until next time stay hard, stay heavy.