#yonsample

(via https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l7qzwXvbj4s)

Ok, it’s probably time for a bit of unapologetic explanation for why this has been going like it has been going the last months. There’s multiple angles I could take but I think it really all comes down to this simple but significant point: I don’t want this blog to feel like work.

Meaning: I want to do it because I have fun doing it, not because I feel I have a duty to do it. Because that usually has a habit of making my writing a bit stale and clinical. I relate to this style of music with passion and I want that to show. The thing is: My time is somewhat limited right now. For two reasons: First, I’m head deep in preparations for my master thesis, which proves to be more reading intensive than I had anticipated. Second, a shitload of music got released in the last couple of months and a lot of it is music I really want to listen to. But by far not all of it is Modern Metal-related. And as my day has only 24 hours, like it is for everyone, and I also need sleep, I have to prioritize. And prioritzing that which you feel you have to do over that which you feel you want to do in your leisure time is a direct route to frustration. And if I get frustrated listening to Modern Metal, that’s of no use to anyone.    

So I don’t really see another way than to take it really slow with this blog right now. Of course, that doesn’t mean that it is on hiatus. I’ll pop in content every once in a while when something major gets released or I find time for a longer post. Maybe I can find a more regular place for it in my current week-organisation but, as said, forcing it would be bad for me and for the reader.

Now that you have an impression of what is going on, let me point you to some interesting stuff you might have missed:

First, you may remember Digimortal. They are one of the very first bands I covered on this blog. They have released two new albums since then and the second one, their latest by the name of “Дети галактики”, has basically just been released. As far as I can judge right now, it is a bit harsher than their last releases, so it should have a bit more appeal even for those who don’t really dig the Alternative Metal-aspect of some of their stuff.

You can find a preview teaser going through all tracks here and Amazon samples here.

Second, Isolated Antagonist have been very active recently. And their project is taking some shapes I didn’t quite expect. I have to admit I probably underestimated their ambition. Currently, they are in the process of fleshing out the concept running through their albums in book form, which you can follow on their tumblr page. I havn’t had the time to look into it myself but it sure is always interesting to observe when artists take the story and themes behing their lyrics serious. And that doesn happen all too often in Modern Metal. The most prominent example, and the only I can currently think of, would be Mechina.

Furthermore, they have released a new single that showcases where they want to go with their music and a heightened attention to the production side of things (though still retaining a lot of that raw oldschool flavor). Give it a listen:

Void by Isolated Antagonist

Third, you might be interested in “Extropy”, the debut album by Indias Yonsample. It strikes a very nice balance between some of the stuff you usually find on this blog and an early-to-mid Textures approach to Modern(ized) Progressive Metal.