The Jester Race

There was a time, long ago in a galaxy far far away, when I was a naive and simple youth. I sincerely believed that In Flames could and would never do wrong. I was right for a while... then ... they ... shit the bed. Oh well, at least we have their second full length, and first with lead vocalist Anders Friden, The Jester Race. This album was groundbreaking in 1996 as it took the still young Swede melodic death metal sound and really perfected it. It would also commence what would become a unifying theme on In Flames' following efforts: humankind is comprised of a bunch of assholes.

There are scores of hip American bands nowadays who are painfully attempting to rehash (aka rip off) the early In Flames as well as At The Gates sound... they are weak. Almost as weak as the latter day In Flames albums. Don't believe me? Then, download this example of supreme awesomeness, listen to it, and then head on over to Hot Topic and buy some of their new shite.

On a side note, check out "Lord Hypnos" as Anders displays his affinity for English Romantic poet William Wordsworth, by reading from "Ode: Intimations of Immortality." That's some classy shit right there.

...enjoy...

Rainaway Town

Sweden's Kristofer Astrom (Fireside) released this uber friendly folk/pop album anno 2007, proving that sometimes simple and straightforward songwriting is the way to go. Catchy yet introspective acoustic guitar rock rules the day here. The album flows with a familiarity that makes it a fine companion to long summer drives and camp side fires. Fellow Swede Mattias Hellberg (of this band and that band, etc.) lends his talents to "Just a Little Insane." "Conjure Me," despite the multiple high points this album provides, is easily the winning track off Rainaway Town. Don't believe me? Then download it and let me know why I'm wrong. asshole.

...enjoy...

Storm of the Light's Bane

Storm of the Light's Bane anno 1995.

See that gentleman on the horse? He has traveled long and far and appears to have come for you. Sorry pal, your time is up. Hence the hour glass he is holding. But at least you'll die while listening to some awesome anti-cosmic classic Swede Black Metal. What does anti-cosmic even mean? Fucked if I know, but front man Jon Nödtveidt took it real serious like. So much so that he was a practicing member of the Misanthropic Luciferian Order, what exactly is that you ask? Fucked if I know. But I do know that this was the last Dissection album for some time since Nödtveidt had to repay his debt to Swedish society as an accomplice to murder. The band would return in 2004 as more of a death metal act and release an EP and then a full length before Mr. Nödtveidt decided to tell the cosmos what he thought of it, via a gun shot wound to the head. Sad day indeed. But his music lives on, Dissection's studio albums (as well as EPs) are a living testament to this troubled artist and his uncompromising vision.

...enjoy...

Dark Age of Reason

Sweden's Arcana released this, their debut album, via Cold Meat Industry in the year of our Lord 1996. I distinctly recall picking up this gem in a Village record shop based on the album cover alone. Those were the days weren't they? It was still before the download revolution destroyed any wonder or adventure in blindly hunting through rows of unknown Cds, just to roll the dice on a hunch. Sometimes you ended up with shit like Shank 456, but other times you discovered a gem like Arcana.

Dark Age of Reason is as haunting as it is beautiful. As moving as it is foreboding. The vocals of Ida Bengtsson are gentle and mesmerizing. It is with a singular sadness that she allows her voice to glide effortlessly over the mournful and barren orchestral dirges. The chants of Peter Pettersson (who is known as Peter Bjärgö nowadays) are stark and unforgiving, serving as a steel willed anchor for the more ethereal and neo-folk moments of the album.

The album unfolds with an eerily calm yet steady determination. As if on the river Styx, Arcana serve as the Ferryman and draws the listener ever further away from the shores of reality.

Dark Age of Reason pairs well with red wine, abandoned churches and hallucinogenics.

..enjoy..

Wildhoney

Tiamat put the European metal scene on notice with the release of 1994's Wildhoney. Facing their break up, the band decided to just make an album for themselves, never believing it would be a critical or financial success. They could not have been more wrong.

A departure from their much more aggressive and heavy efforts of the past, this album showcased a band coming into their own as musicians and proved that creativity would not be bound by genre limitations. While some elements of their metal past were still evident, Wildhoney showcased progressive and psychedelic song writing unfettered by restraint. Nature and the wonderful hallucinogenic drugs it provides is a theme throughout. It plays out like a trippy drug induced journey through an otherworldly realm. While there you will marvel at all nature has to offer, but you will also stand witness to man's careless destruction of it. Man is such a dick sometimes. Pink Floyd and King Crimson can be heard whispering inspiration behind each track, so make sure you listen carefully. I recommend that you enjoy this album in its' entirety, letting it play from beginning to end. It plays not like a group of songs, but like an experience. And not one you are likely to forget.

If I had my own planetarium, and if life were fair I would, there would be a Friday midnight laser light show for Wildhoney. And all the cool kids would come and we would smoke. Alot.

For every tear, a dream

Postmortem Tales

How would you like your metal tonight, Sir?
Blackened with a retro-thrash fusion, please.
Any sides?
Yes, a side of the fucking apocalypse please.
Very well, it'll be right out.

Some people don't like Swordmaster. Some people don't like this album. Those people are creeps.

back to business!

The Butcher's Ballroom

Combining the seemingly incompatible styles of symphonic metal,prog-rock, jazz, classical, mariachi and swing, Sweden's Diablo Swing Orchestra are unique to put it mildly. There are chugging guitars, blaring mariachi inspired trumpets, operatic female vocals, and the ominous rhythm of the upright bass. These Swedes are a definite niche band, sounding like the offspring of Unexpect, DeVotchka and Nightwish (two out of three ain't bad). The album is a bit too clean and over produced sounding, but I've always ventured a guess that these guys would be a blast live in concert. The female vocals, while very proficient, often seem too over the top and undermine the charm of the album. I can only take this sort of thing in small servings... sort of like really sweet candy. REALLY, OVERLY, SWEET CANDY. So yeah, these guys are cheesy, but in the right environment I bet you'd enjoy this musical oddity- like if you had a Halloween/ Masquerade party where everyone was drinking Appletinis. Then again, the party would probably look cool from outside, but after 30 minutes you bail and hit up the much cooler bar with Darkthrone in the juke box. I'll see you at the bar.

BOOgie

Discouraged Ones

Katatonia's third album, "Discouraged Ones" (1998), marked a sudden change in the band's direction. The musical shift was drastic and profound as they forever left behind their Blackened/Death-Doom influences. Some albums, no matter how familiar they become to you, remain ultimately indescribable. I can write words such as melancholic, moody, minimalist/ hypnotic riffs and just plain doomy (alright, I know 'doomy' is not a word), but none of this does justice to an album that is exceedingly difficult to pin down with adequate description. This is an album wrought with personal pains, tragic urgency and human failures presented in a metal framework of pulsing minimalist rhythms and melodies. It is a beautiful and mesmerizing puzzle piece within the accomplished catalog of Katatonia. It is a fine companion piece to a rainy day, or a lonely night.

discouraged

At the Sight of the Apocalypse Dragon

I'm not sure why these blasphemous Swedes didn't make more of a splash back in '97 with this killer effort. I guess all the cool kids were listening to HammerFall... pity. Midvinter, on their only release to date, display a keen ability to produce truly Satanic Swedish Black Metal. It has all the trademark Swedish Black Metal calling cards of evil, demons, obscure cosmically inspired apocalyptic vision, and good old Swede melodies. But don't get me wrong... this album is LEGIT. And, for a debut it really seemed immensely promising. Oh well, we'll never know what could have been... Fans of Dissection, Sacramentum, and even the mighty Emperor would be wise to have a listen.

Bonus!
If you play the album backwards while standing on your head and watching The Exorcist you will hear a hidden message between the band members:

"Hey, Kheeroth"
"What's up Damien?"
"Is that the Apocalypse Dragon over there?"
"Yeah...we're all fucked"
"Cool"

yes please

Witchcraft

Originally intended as a tribute band, in honor of cult heroes Pentagram as well as musician Roky Erickson, Witchcraft would redefine themselves as a full fledged 70's-esque stoner/doom band with this, now classic, 2004 album. Recorded in a basement with vintage equipment it has that authentic 70's feel. But you already knew all this, right? If you didn't, you should just pretend you did. Because I am embarrassed for you. These guys really put out something fantastic here. What's with Swedes and the 70's? They just love it. I haven't been to Sweden...but I imagine its' roads are clogged with totally sweet vans with air brushed murals of dragons laying siege to fortresses on martian landscapes. Okay, maybe not. But this album has that cool of a vibe. I really think it's about time you treat it with the respect it deserves. Now excuse me, I'm heading over to Wal-Mart to airbrush wizards on all the vans in the parking lot.

Totally Sweet