Very Sapto Aji

21st century marks the most diverse decade for rock and metal continuation. Absorbing, if not radiated by the long progenitors from Led Zeppelin who cranked up their amps and Black Sabbath that turn it out murky and sinister grim, to the dazzling theatrical persona of KISS and Motley Crue, to the new level heavy metal confronter of Judas Priest and Iron Maiden, to the head crusher of Motorhead and Metallica, to the destructo maniac of Slayer and Kreator, to the prog menu offerer of King Crimson and Tool, and finally aligned to have some peculiar layers and brooding tendency of Korn. We have come a long way. Yet our engine keeps raging.

I have cumulated the finest, the most influential, and the most prominent albums released in the new millenium by the descendents that took their predecessors to a whole different level, sustain the genre, and move myriads of people to mosh.

In a particular order:

10. Avenged Sevenfold - City of Evil (Warner Bros, 2005).

Rolling Stones magazine has named the sonically-punk with the flames of Iron Maiden, City of Evil on the last number of their 100 Greatest Album of All Time list. That should be a fair consideration since the extravagants like Beast and the Harlot, Bat Country, and Seize the Day altogether with the rest of the setlist ultimately transced the whole level and the destiny of the band as a leading force of eliticians in not so distant future. The 11 tracks have also successfully resurrected the triumph of classic guitar virtuosso portrait demonstrated on 80's as the talisman, Synyster Gates embarked over tons of appealing riffages and dueling solos which was buried after Nirvana and grunge breaktrough on the early 90's. Veteran and Ozzy Osbourne/Black Label Society guitarist, Zakk Wylde acknowledged him as a "Torchbearer" for arguably giving a birth and cultivating the guitar culture to the next generation.

9. Behemoth - The Satanist (Nuclear Blast, 2014).

The tenth album of Polish most profound extreme metal giant after Adam "Nergal"s battle with leukemia. Unlike the speed and precision exhibited over prior releases, the coagulated dense and horified cultish doom are found intensely throughout the setlist as to explicit the heretic messages. The result is astonishing and stronger than ever. More to add, The Satanist is pure, cathartic, flawlessly emotional, carefully-savage, and conquering by its complexity of repertoire within vivid and cinematical gradation as multi-dimensional tracks Messe Noire, In the Absence ov Light, Ora Pro Nobis Lucifer, and the leadoff Blow Your Trumpets Gabriel ravage in none but diabolical fervor. This album expansive flair has comprehensively unfolded the darkest caverns and creates the new standard of underground craftmanship.

8. Bring Me the Horizon - Sempiternal (RCA/Epitaph, 2013).

I wouldn't believe that i need to make Sempiternal in the cut. Who would have guessed? But i will beat every negation towards it. It is the album that eventually transforms Bring Me the Horizon from bunch of hipsters to one of the most important unit in the 21st century modern rock landscape. A year and a half after the release, Oliver Sykes and co. took over the world attention of rocking Wembley Arena, the same monumental venue where Queen — one of the biggest rock band in the history — was there doing the same story. It was approximately 12.000 attendees which made Sykes stated: "So this is our biggest show ever". The soaring Can You Feel My Heart, the furious The House of Wolves, the euphoric Shadow Moses, and the melodic of Sleepwalking are undeniably the new testament of rock music.

7. Lamb of God - Ashes of the Wake (Epic, 2004).

Count how many metal bands on the planet started after invented Laid to Rest or Now You've Got Something to Die For! It was countless. Lamb of God has became the crowned icon of "New Wave American Heavy Metal" and one of the most distinctive band in the scene. Their ferocious riffs, blistering drum works, lyrical contents, sound, even how to sing like Randy Blythe are largely imitated and seem to be the ideal menifesto of modern metal anatomy with obviously Ashes of the Wake as the highest pedestal. It contains tremendous chaos of 11 front-to-back blazing tracks immensely portrayed after Mark Morton - Willie Adler's virtuosity and of course, Chris Adler's voraciousity. Implying both abundance and how well they grasp the roots that will less likely be outnumbered.

6. Mastodon - Leviathan (Relapse, 2004).

We are now talking (and unravelling) the true genius minds of Atlanta-based extraordinary quartet. The newborn Metallica, Mastodon — the group that always exceed anyone's expectation — has seamlessly ranged their pinaccle from sludge to prog to avant-garde to even folk with staggering exponents of highly sophisticated masterpiece. With any fruition that comes in, the sheer Leviathan is believed as the opener tap. Written after Herman Merville's 1851 novel entitled "Moby Dick", the 46-minutes concept album is nothing but endless breathtaking experience of capturing bizarre Ode to the sea soundtrack. Blood and Thunder, I Am Ahab, and Aqua Dementia are torrent of forceful yet fascinating guttural power chords with Brann Dailor's tracherous drum tempo reflecting the theme while Iron Tusk sets sail upon muscular stoner riff and Naked Burn for menacing-tactical intro and flaunted visceral jarring chorus are hulking the imagery of the beast. Until the epic Hearts Alive with a glimpse of Metallica's The Call of Ktulu patiently reigns and all the greatness rendered.

5. Evanescence - Fallen (Wind-up, 2003).

The album that made Evanescence — a small town band from Arkansas — a megastar in the blink of an eye. It was the second semester of 2003 where the breakthrough hit single, Bring Me to Life played million times on the radio around the globe (and MTV as well) picturing the female face lead singer and her gleaming voice, Amy Lee who started the band with the co-founder guitarist, Ben Moody (though the relationship didn't survive and separation happened in the midst of suporting Fallen tour). The fame that nowhere expected begun when the terrific duo met on a camp and cliche of having the same musical taste brought them to finally sign the major label Wind-up and dominated the world stages in a brief. Fallen with the added values of enchanting piano, symphonical strings livery, and haunting soundscape that most nu-metal groups didn't have at that time effortlessly stood-out and arised in comparison to even Linkin Park. Other songs served like the down-tuned goth Going Under and the everlasting ballad My Immortal are only legitimating their popularity.

4. Ghost - Prequelle (Loma Vista, 2018).

In our nearly five decades of heavy music, such names as Black Sabbath, Pink Floyd, Van Halen with their fantastic works and spirits have became a catalyst that will be remembered greatly in the faraway future for causing an enourmous impact to our community. Those that have bloomed and paved the way many artists to follow. And if there is a chance for this millenium bands to extend the list, Ghost will be the first to step up the grace.

This year, their most recent release Prequelle has been nominated for The Best Rock Album and its single Rats for Best Rock Song of 61st Grammy. An award that should be familiar since they have been winning it two times with Infestissumam (2013) — their second major label album — as The Best Hard Rock/Metal Album and Cirice — the single taken from previous album Meliora (2015) — as Best Metal Performance. A peak of a decade existence for one superior man behind the wheel, Tobias Forge. Appear himself as a satanic pope, Papa Emeritus I, II, III, Zero, and now with the newest fully renowned ascencion clergy Cardinal Copia has completely shaped the band's identity. But the latest Prequelle has more than to be attained to an award. Forge's admiration to film makes no surprise if any substance on the record is prone to get visualized and draw medieval realms so alive and real. He could blend joyous disco with scattered shock rock backbone for Dance Macabre, provide brilliant exotic pop-esque instrumental opus for Miasma, and close all the novelty and intellegiousness by a soothing grand finale of Life Eternal. That is the last strike.

3. Greenday - American Idiot (Reprise, 2004).

With the overwhelmed mainstream-breaking punk rock hit single American Idiot, it was an album (a concept album, for specific) everyone knew which handfully restored a big disappointment both sales and critical of their previous release. Taking the power back after four years gap with anti-Bush vitriol narration over long and merged tracks was everything we could expect from an ambition. Performing sarkastic American-post 9/11 political singable outcry and dragging down to emotionally-related suburban decline on Holiday/Boulevard of Broken Dreams, followed by californian sunset accoustic staccato and straighforward revv Give Me Novacaine/She's A Rebel, a love story of Whatsername where a street punk main actor St. Jimmy fell and how it all ended on Homecoming.

The grandiose worths 16 millions selling CD is the anthem of this generation where a generation ago pridefully have The Clash with the classic London Calling.

2. Slipknot - Iowa (Roadrunner, 2001).

The most brutal and confrontational album of 21st century nothing to this day can bear. That is the deal. A remorseless turmoil just from the first second of welcoming to the house of pain intro, (515) to the last 15 minutes epilogue of magnificent unrelenting drama title track, Iowa. Please recognize the insolent hate mantra "Here we go again motherfuckers" as Corey Taylor opens up and rips off anything with hammer to the face misanthropic followed track, People = Shit that seems a vulgar warning to extend the torture of their 1999 debut phenomenal self titled album. But things got tenfold. They were all damaged animals, making it excuriatingly worst instead, and wanted any living to hear them. That they fuck what trend you live up on bludgeoning bestial Heretic Anthem, that they are adamant bastards you can't bleach their darkness out on atmospherical assault New Abortion, that killing is their primal instinct on grinding jaw-breaker scorn Disasterpieces, that they are fucking obsolete machines on the scorching psychosis Everything Ends. There lies Neurosis-ian dressed Gently and never eschew Grammy nominated singles, Left Behind and My Plague.

All the violent rampage should be addressed to Ross Robinson (producer) for being able to wrap up the devastating times the band encountered in the studio and that was how its ruthless resonated the world where many people are pissed-off to everything. An absolute impossible album to be re-recorded due to its hell of organic material. Yet apart of any malevolence, Iowa is sadly, a gift to liberate your heart and soul.

Honourable mentions:

System of a Down - Toxicity (American/Columbia, 2001).

Converge - Jane Doe (Equal Vision, 2001).

My Chemical Romance - The Black Parade (Reprise, 2006).

1. Linkin Park - Hybrid Theory (Warner Bros, 2000).

The world seriously gives us no chance to break. After Lemmy, Bowie, now we have lost the most beautiful voice that represents our generation.

May rest in peace and honour, Chester Bennington.

We miss you everyday, and we do care if someone whose time runs out is you.

The album that took nu-metal to a whole different level forever and highly contributed to shape the sound that outbursted the 21st century. For two decades, Linkin Park has became the most iconic group on the planet. Breeding the bands like Bring Me the Horizon, Asking Alexandria, and Bullet For My Valentine (with their recent 2018 album, Gravity).

I have lived to witness.

I spent some time on the first day of 2019 with the intention to revisit old songs of a band which i eventually thought that time can't really stop them for being relevant still or even better to today's stuffs. And the band that crossed my mind was, all of a sudden, KISS.

I have been a #KISSARMY for so many years since i was so young and none of their work that is unimpeccable for me artistically, musically, and sonically. I remember looked at their poster hangin' and thought that they are superhero. An every kid's dream.

I took five remarkable songs from all different albums that obviously not be able to encapsulate their 45 years legacy, but these are what you would agree to my statement.

5. I Was Made For Loving You (Destiny, 1979).

One of the songs from my introduction days to the flamboyant four back then. The mask and the persona were somehow reflecting the inner self i didn't have. Dragged into disco rythmic-esque, I Was Made For Loving You was pretty distinctive and surfacing.

4. Modern Day Delillah (Sonic Boom, 2009).

An opening track of the comeback album after over a decade which sonically blowing me away right off the bat at the first time trying it on though musically, nothing's really different to their prior works. It sounds thick, huge and most importantly, appeals to today's ear.

3. Unholy (Revenge, 1992).

It was Gene Simmons on the lead and it did feature my favorite axeman, Bruce Kulick. Aside of Rock N' Roll All Nite, this song is the other one that took me to sit down and figure out the riffs (and solo, for sure). In case you ask why, it is menacing and sick!

2. Heaven's On Fire (Animalize, 1984).

The hit single will force you to sing along to the chorus no matter what. You just can't deny the contagious words. A song to feel liberated and vigorous at the same time. The album Animalize itself has been solid in my top three among their discographies.

1. Reason To Live (Crazy Nights, 1987).

In follow up to the previous post of the 2018's albums i prefer the most, below are the list of songs i played the most throughout the past year (regardless their release dates). These ten numbers are almost on the stereo in frequently equal. With particular order:

10. Deftones - Headup (Around The Fur, 1997).

My hero of ecclectic witcher. On one random day i was surfing my Spotify and it offered in my Daily Mix. I did click it and the rest was an adorable banging stuff i used to listen often than ever when i was in high school. Then i chose to do it again in 2018.

9. While She Sleeps - Hurricane (You Are We, 2017).

The strongest track on their greatest record so far, You Are We. I can't believe that i have been with it since out. A fine melodic riff, radio friendly hook, and punk rock ethic. What a mix.

8. As I Lay Dying - My Own Grave (Single, 2018).

A comeback after the sentence of the frontman, Tim Lambesis. And it blows like a flood. A fiery rage and fierceful riff deployed as saying hello again to those abandoned fans. I know whatever that comes up from them, it must be something.

7. Palaye Royale - Mr. Doctor Man (Boom Boom Room, 2017).

The craft i have been looking for all these times and so grateful from now on that rock music is keep blooming somewhere place in a world that despises it.

6. The Smith - Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now (Louder Than Bombs, 1987).

I have no idea nor ever digging out this album before. Better late than never since there are bunch of golds within the record. On a windy morning, this song remained at all the time of the year.

5. Rachael Yamagata - Worthless (Porch Songs, 2018).

She has always been in my radar for years and when Worthless out, it was an instant to get it. I mean, how can yo resist the things that have been constantly a feed to your feeling? This song is precious, delicate, and blissful.

4. Portishead - It's A Fire (Dummy, 1994).

Everytime i imagine a kid who had a trouble to fit his surroundings met this song, that should be a big day for him consider what power of this song can do. Because whenever it bursts, none of thing matters. Like i did as that kid.

3. Prince - I Would Die 4 U (Purple Rain, 1984).

What loss can comprehend his forever absence? A genius beautiful mind who sings in the window of your very soul. This song is beyond of what it could achieve in the mind of a man. Don't die without sleeping over this.

2. Depeche Mode - Personal Jesus (Violator, 1990).

A personal healing for me. Just as what Martin Gore told, "It's a song about being a Jesus for somebody else, someone to give you hope and care." It is true. The song i wish i made.

1. Ghost - Dance Macabre (Prequelle, 2018).

It is the end of the year and therefore, the appropiate time to celebrate by mentioning some music that flows like a river upon we consider the most preferred ones. And since i am quite compulsive about making this kind of list, here is the ten numbers of album released on the year 2018 that i have been spinning over and over. In particular order:

10. Palaye Royale - Boom Boom Room Side B.

Las Vegas based garage-glam trio which musically and sonically are somewhat traceable through catalogue from The Doors to Bloc Party to even Panic! At The Disco emerges once again by the follow up side of their debut as if to project determination and grandeur idea.

Listen: Death Dance, You"ll Be Fine, Dying In a Hot Tub.

9. Burgerkill - Adamantine.

From Ujung Berung to the top of the world. The elite quintet warriors of Indonesian proudest and loudest bursts lethally in none peripheral repertoire from pummeling thrash to blitzkrieg doom. Adamantine is statement of building an empire.

Listen: Undefeated, Integral, Superficial.

8. Burn The Priest - Legion XX.

Long ago in hell there was a day before Lamb of God born and conquer the living, it was Burn The Priest they started it all with. 20 years after the alteration, Randy Blythe and co. decide it is the time to reminisce the early days and pay the due to their admiration of many classic punk and hardcore names. And of course, they blast them in their own favor.

Listen: Inherit the Earth, Kerosene, I Against I.

7. Watain - Trident Wolqf Eclipse.

Five years gap since the last album released proves nothing but endless brutal contending inferno they always have been. In a raw, straightforward, sinister, no-mercy and no rules upon us, the Swedish satanic troops ravage in 34 and a half minutes assault full of outraged intensity and relentless razorblade fire nothing can stand in the way.

Listen: Nuclear Alchemy, Sacred Damnation, A Throne Below.

6. Conjurer - Mire.

Notably, a stunning album the year. The terrifying amalgamation between the devastating blow of Gojira, the bleak haze of Converge, and the beauty of Alcest seamlessly assembled by the grasp of well-raised prodigies which in their hands, the future of British extreme progressive metal is safe. Indeed.

Listen: Retch, The Mire, Thankless.

5. Manic Street Preachers - Resistance Is Futile.

Pleasing, anthemic, and eccentric. The thirteenth release of Welsh upper veterans adrifts across enchanting synth and big uplifting riff to range the setlist from idiosyncratic indie rock to soaring glam rock set piece with no absence from wearing sustained distinctive on sleeves.

Listen: International Blue, The Left Behind, Sequel of Forgotten Wars.

4. Deafheaven - Ordinary Corrupt Human Love.

How San Fransisco freaks brazenly evaporate the sacred black metal into shimmering shoegaze and innocently tainting it to alt-rock, post-rock, and even rock and roll matters in very careful virtue. It is what it is. A true sensational mindfuck crafts with no casual intent.

Listen: You Without End, Honeycomb, Canary Yellow.

3. Zeal & Ardor - Stranger Fruit.

The record and the moniker that have changed the game of black metal on the entire level. Came up with the haunting spiritual prior debut Devil Is Fine (2016) which depicting the passion of cultish Robert Johnson frame, the Afro malevolent liturgy with soulful-rebellius manner arises once again enslaving brute power and gather the world attention.

Listen: Don't You Dare, Fire of Motion, Built On Ashes.

2. A Perfect Circle - Eat the Elephant.

A gigantic philosopical composition attached and complused by Maynard James Keenan embarked gorgeously as 12 heavy tracks redeem one by one in most sophisticated trailblazing weaves worth wait after 14 years.

Listen: TalkTalk, Disillusioned, So Long, and Thanks For All the Fish.

1. Ghost - Prequelle.

In the top of the list, it is beyond such thing as the most preferred. I bring you the greatest in the 21st century (along with Greenday's American Idiot and Linkin Park's Hybrid Theory). Prequelle is pushing the highest boundary no other comes close and building a new realm of unprecedented by hallowing a soothing dizzy dimmed sombery blessing rain in total subversive opera ruled by escapism you'd prefer.

Here it comes.

Here it comes the most anticipating album and the thing that i’ve been waiting for in 2017, personally. I mean it a lot and it paid off. The new album of Massachusetts’s astonishing alternative trio, PVRIS entitled All We Know Of Heaven, All We Need Of Hell is finally out on August, 25th via Rise Records.

As a kid back then, i was into a dark cinematical thing and whatever it was. I felt it was where i naturally belong for the reason i have never really known. I felt strong and healed out of ballistic side and no one wouldn’t find me in it where i consider it a shelter. And that was better when you listened to The Sisters Of Mercy, Depeche Mode, and Portishead. They were and still are my favorite groups. They raised me so that when a new generation resembles them, we will be meeting like the old days. And it is now happening.

The PVRIS second album, All We Know Of Heaven, All We Need Of Hell contains 10 significant tracks portrayed in every sheet of a soul. It is so pure and sharp. But it is forceless. It is a lot darker and menacing yet striving the luminence through the ceilings for a serious rendezvous. More than that, ‘AWKOHAWNOH’ is the sound and a desiring way of collapsing self and torning apart in a delightful captivity where nothing couldn’t more real, where it finds you and in the realm of you to talk to. At least, i have to kneel down to tell how personal it could be as if unrevealing this would never make it done.

The opening track and the first single Heaven is a magnificent. This one could draw everything after. The frontwoman, Lynn Gunn takes you to be vulnerable and tough at the same time. The piano that opened it up and urgent drumming which came in, signify the dramatic it could turn out. The chorus is huge as Gunn seems now exposing a new vocal approach which a lot unlike the previous release. What’s Wrong and Half, two tracks that followed up, are arguably unreining dope and take part of the most genuine and distinctive songs PVRIS ever written. The uplifting, the density, and the lingering emotion are somehow deliberately redeemed out. Meanwhile, Anyone Else moves us in sort of dance of noir where it contrasted over sentimental lyric and harp outro that should serve you better. In the same vibe, Winter comes enticingly to refer the acquisition of wider range that the three could go.

Moving on, there is the badass, No Mercy with pernicious church organ intro a la Faith No More. I guess people who have been following PVRIS since the debut album White Noise (2014) would easily be familiar with this particular track unless its heaviness that set up in bar so high. For being submissive, the album has Separate and Walk Alone to bear. The surfacing cold around and beneath is somehow reflecting and relating the fear of our own to let it be shattered. What a beautiful reign the repertoire could be.

Some dynamics managed to accomplish as clear as the conforming tracks Same Soul and Nola 1 up manifesting that there is always be a light at the edge of the cave that you could have as long as you keep going no matter how harsh and how dark the cave is. In the end, the record and the frame within it has completely delivered yet succesfully left those remain unsaid.

PVRIS - All We Know Of Heaven, All We Need Of Hell album tracklist:

1. Heaven

2. Half

3. Anyone Else

4. What’s Wrong

5. Walk Alone

6. Same Soul

7. Winter

8. No Mercy

9. Separate

Hello.

I guess in a free time, putting out tunes that you’ve been on recently is fun. I always admire heavy music since when i was very young and ever since, there were an absolut pleasure to be a part of it.

I should never choose the praised icons this time on. Because the time you only live up Metallica or Gun’s N’ Roses, is the time you kill the next generation of heavy music. After all, this decade was a tremendous signifficant time for some newborn heroes that broke out. The Sheffield’s now heavy metal heavyweight, Bring Me The Horizon, is one of the brightest torchbearer. I pick up the 10 most remarkable tracks over their catalogue that sign them from a garage-overhyped-noisy-ass motherfuckers to the premium hooligans.

Here we go in a particular order.

10. It Never Ends (There’s A Hell Believe Me I’ve Seen it, There’s A Heaven Let’s Keep It A Secret, 2010).

Opened up by gnarl low-end guitar, It Never Ends marked as the catchiest yet nastiest track in the album setlist. Uquipped with celestial electronic and goddess gang vocal layer, the hit single was a solid prototype and premonition of the future emerging force. And now that being true.

9. Diamonds Aren’t Forever (Suicide Season, 2008).

It requires a high energy track to move moshpits in a savage intention. Dropped-tuning chuggings in a blazing hardcore frame blows like flood that drown and harsh gutsy driven vocal which Diamonds has, is the one to pick out as it satisfying the opening gravel words which came up “We will never sleep, ‘cause sleep is for the weak. No, we will never rest, 'till we’re all fucking dead!”

8. Avalanche (That’s The Spirit, 2015).

An Oliver Sykes’s ADHD protest pays the due in very signifficant ability. “Cut me open and tell me what’s inside” first obligation groans along with Lee Malia's tendering dimension of highly resonated riff. Ever since, this particular remedy-begging song assembled in an arsenal of open air duty for good.

7. Follow You (That’s The Spirit, 2015).

This one might not be what the Sheffield’s juggernaut suppose to be. It is the shimmering poetry that heals a blistered anger and a devotion for belonging. That’s The Spirit clearly pronounces the band’s existence and ambition level that breaks the limit.

6. Alligator Blood (There’s A Hell Believe Me I’ve Seen it, There’s A Heaven Let’s Keep It A Secret, 2010).

The most intense and furious engaged in a maximum capability as the past duo, Lee Malia and Jona Weinhoffen teamed up in a fierce hellish metalcore-ian riff-o-rama. The band was (and still is) a Shakespeare of hurts and blood. It is all over the emo lyric of the track.

5. Throne (That’s The Spirit, 2015).

The Linkin Park admiration invoked for the soundtrack of spirit carries on yell. Presented in a Game of Thrones scenes, Throne is the major powerhouse tune for stadium arena blasts where 80.000 people up the fists and with the band-conquering everything. This could be the big time success of song that hails Bring Me The Horizon in upstart commercial elite class.

4. Pray For Plagues (Count Your Blessings, 2006).

The classic supergun from pre selling out era of the band where the youth were bunch of ruthless and ferocious deathcore motherfuckers. Pray For Plagues was a portrait of violent beginning and bell for a big door to be opened in another day.

3. Doomed (That’s The Spirit, 2015).

Saturating the umbrella fortress to “So come rain on my parade” sing-along soaring chorus perhaps is the uncontending opening track for the album. Now you can’t stop the Oliver Sykes’s raging outspoken nihilistic side that seems bursting in a heaviest way none of prior was ever be.

2. The House of Wolves (Sempiternal, 2013).

The finest heavy metal song of all over BMTH’s catalogue as the command for a direct attack to religion in a bastard words for words. Once again, Sykes shreds them in more than prophetian could bear. Though, in absolute opposite standout. “I"ll bow for your king when He shows himself” is the serious verification.

1. Can You Feel My Heart (Sempiternal, 2013).