The sonic equivalent of being smacked in the face with a tornado

Posted by: Richard AV on 25 May 2004

I believe some here will appreciate what I am talking about...

Today I was listening to Rage Against The Machine's Battle Of LA album on a CDX2/202/Hi/Napsc/200/PMC GB1 system and it was *awesome*. I love Rage anyway but this really stopped me from leaving to go do some real work. The dynamics and sense of scale, without being hard and overtly agressive, really put across the musical message. I think this comes down to what a lot of people say about Naim being able to really communicate with the listener. I think it's fair to say one normally suggests this theory relates to a nice piece of relaxing jazz or a classical quartet, not loud funky rap metal.

Any other recommendations that would leave ones cheeks suitably windswept?
Posted on: 25 May 2004 by ErikL
Did you look something like this Confused
Posted on: 25 May 2004 by Richard AV
That's it! Just a little less grey hair.
Posted on: 26 May 2004 by Matt Gear
Richard

I've got that album myself and particularly like the 4th (?) track "mic check". The syncopation of the drumming against the bass and guitar riff is just awesome!

If you like that style, you may want to check out the Audioslave album. The band is basically RATM with Zack de la Rocha swapped out for ex-Soundgarden front man (and IMHO one of the best rock vocalists ever) Chris Cornell. Some massive riffs and grooves and a lot more bluesy than RATM.

Talking of Soundgarden, Badmotorfinger is a great album from the early 90s and my favourite of the "grunge" movement.

For something a little different Aenima by Tool is a truly superb album from an incredible band. It manages to be incredibly heavy but ethereal at the same time, which may sound rather odd but will make sense when you listen to it.

One of the shining lights of the "nu-metal" scene is the Deftones, and their album "White Pony" is a blinder.

All the above sound great on my CDi/82-hi/180/SBLs so hope you have as much fun. Think I'll be digging them out tonight myself.

Matt
Posted on: 26 May 2004 by Rasher
Richard & Matt - No you are talking my type of music!! Smile
I'm now suitably fired up to play both RATM & Audioslave this morning.
Posted on: 26 May 2004 by Matt Gear
Rasher

Me too! The SBLs are going to love me tonight (although the neighbours may not!)

Big Grin

Matt
Posted on: 26 May 2004 by Richard AV
Matt,

Thanks for the recomendations. I already have the Audioslave album and do love it. It was more or less the only thing I listened to for a while.

I keep meaning to get that Tool record, although I do have two Perfect Circle albums, the two latest ones and they are great in places, so so in others.
Posted on: 26 May 2004 by Matt Gear
Richard

I've got both of the Perfect Circle albums and think they're fantastic. They're a lot "softer" than the Tool records but I think the songwriting is brilliant. They're also great live and I've seen them twice.

Just booked tickets to go and see Korn at Hammersmith Apollo next month, so that should be a laugh!

Matt

Matt
Posted on: 26 May 2004 by BigH47
Just checked with the lad seemed like his music. He has some RATM and Audioslave so I'll steal his copies (makes a change from him nicking mine).

Howard Big Grin
Posted on: 26 May 2004 by MichaelC
Why not try some Stone Temple Pilots, 12 Gracious Melodies and play "Vasoline".

Second the Sound Garden and Audioslave.

Why not also try Puddle of Mud, Come Clean.


Alternatively go back to the very beginning with some Led Zep, Black Sabbath or AC/DC.


Cheers

Mike
Mike
Posted on: 27 May 2004 by Matt Gear
Hockman

I know what you mean about Audioslave. I think there's some good tracks on the album, but I rarely listen to it all the way through.

Soundgarden are certainly one of my favourites though and love all of their albums. If you like Chris Cornells voice he's also got a solo album out, which is much more laid back and lo-fi.

The new incubus album "A Crow Left of the Murder" has been getting a lot of play lately. Less riff orientated and more song based than the earlier albums. Well worth checking out though possibly not in the "blow your hair back" style that started the thread!

Haven't heard anything by "Live" but will check it out.

MichaelC

Have you heard anything by Alice in Chains? I've heard some of STP and found them very derivative of the AIC style. "Dirt" is a great album released round about the same time as "Ten" and "Nevermind".

Cheers

Matt
Posted on: 27 May 2004 by Rasher
And then, of course, there is "Strays". Smile
I couldn't stand A Perfect Circle, although I have struggled through Mer De Noms several times. Just can't get on with it.
I'm about to start the day with Rear View Mirror
Posted on: 27 May 2004 by BLT
Also from "Live" and very good; "The Distance to Here" and "Five".

Favourite track for straightening out the folds in my brain is "In a Hole" by the Jesus and Mary Chain.
Posted on: 27 May 2004 by Matt Gear
Oh! Forgot to mention "Vulgar Display of Power" by Pantera. Does what it says on the tin...

Big Grin

Matt
Posted on: 27 May 2004 by Rasher
Bit Crusherrr off 010 by Mad Capsule Markets
This must be the heaviest thing I have Big Grin
Posted on: 27 May 2004 by andy c
alex,
you have a pt.

andy c!
Posted on: 27 May 2004 by BLT
A few more;
The Cure - Give Me It (Especially the live version off "Concert")
The Pixies - Rock Music
Smashing Pumpkins - The Everlasting Gaze
Motorhead - Overkill, the Ace of Spades and The Chase is Better Than the Catch
Soundgarden - Room a Thousand Years Wide, Faith Pollution, Outshined, Rusty Cage and Jesus Christ Pose - in fact most of Badmotorfinger!

I reckon Soundgarden are probably getting more votes than anyone else. It's a pity that the Audioslave album was so poor, I was hoping for a combination of the best aspects of RATM and Soundgarden.
Posted on: 27 May 2004 by greeny
quote:
For something a little different Aenima by Tool is a truly superb album from an incredible band. It manages to be incredibly heavy but ethereal at the same time


I've not got 'Aenima' (always seems very expensive), but I do have Lateralus, which is a must have for those who like the other things mentioned on this thread. As stated, very heavy whilst maintaining melodic content and variety. There's a couple of drum driven tracks on there that are amazing.

A second shout for Incubus as well, Morning View and Science are excellent albums that can be picked up pretty cheap.

Unfortunatly with Soundgarden I find their other albums pale somewhat whne compared to Superunknown (which is one of the best heavy rock albums ever).
Posted on: 27 May 2004 by starbuck
quote:
Any other recommendations that would leave ones cheeks suitably windswept?


I've just copied this from a previous post in the 'last bit of vinyl purchased' thread, as I think it may interest some on this thread who like a bit of the heavier stuff....:

Probot - self titled album by Dave Grohl (foo fighters, nirvana) where he collaborates with lots of (to me) ace metal vocalists, on tracks he's written with the singer in mind. Said vocalists include: Cronos (Venom), Max Cavalera (Soulfly, Sepultura), Lemmy (Motorhead), Mike Dean (Corrosion of Conformity), Kurt Brecht (DRI), Lee Dorrian (Cathedral, Napalm Death), Wino (St. Vitus, Obsessed, Spirit Caravan, Place of Skulls), Tom G. Warrior(Celtic Frost /Apollyon Sun), Snake (Voivod), Eric Wagner (Trouble), King Diamond (Mercyful Fate).

You might also be interested to know that Kim Thayil (ex of Soundgarden) guests on one of the tracks. It certainly isn't grunge, though.
Posted on: 27 May 2004 by JonR
Guys, guys, guys - you've forgotten the basics!

Deep Purple - Highway Star/Child in Time/Space Trucking

Led Zeppelin - Kashmir/Since I've Been Loving You/When the Levee Breaks

Oh, and..

Smashing Pumpkins - Rocket/Disarm
The Cure - Inbetween Days/Pictures of You/Kiss me Kiss me Kiss me/Same Deep Water as You

My 200th post by the way! Cool

Regards,

JonR
Posted on: 27 May 2004 by davidm
Tool - absolutely fantastic. Buy Aenima ASAP - you won't be disappointed. Smile

RATM is good for cleaning out your speakers. I can recommend 'Renegades of funk' off the 'Renegades' album. Feel that bass and the wall of sound the guitar makes. Great production job. Wink

Music should be 'original' and played 'live'. No more overpaid Karaoke singers.
Posted on: 27 May 2004 by Matt Gear
BLT

I agree with you about Audioslave. Good to hear the boy Cornell stretching those amazing vocal chords of his, but the music itself gets pretty boring after a while. Superunknown is 10 years old and is still one of my most listened to albums. Badmotorfinger is also a blinder.

I got "into" Tool when they brought out Undertow, which is certainly a good album though nowhere near the quality of Aenima or Lateralus. I've often brough Tool to hifi shows which Paul Darwin has noticed due to the length of some of the tracks (8 minutes plus in some cases!). Needless to say it sounded pretty bloody good on the 500/NBL combo at Bristol a few years ago!

Wink

Have seen Tool 3 times now and their live act is really very impressive. I'm sure some would find it dull compared to the pyrotechnics that some bands offer, but they just sit back and let the music do the talking. In addition, the back of the stage consists of a projected claymation movie, which ties in with the music, and taken by itself is pretty damn impressive.

Matt
Posted on: 27 May 2004 by DenisA
A Tool bargain, "the best you ever had" here.

Denis
Posted on: 27 May 2004 by ejl
"Kurt Brecht (DRI)"

That's a name a haven't heard in a long time, starbuck.

The Melvin's Stoner Witch remains my favorite for sheer OTT, woofer-busting 90's production values.

I've lately been on a System of a Down kick (it's summer, and hot here). Toxicity makes all those Tool albums sound a little, <yawn> tired. System of a Down is what I imagine would have happened if Jello Biafra had fronted for Slayer.
Posted on: 27 May 2004 by starbuck
quote:
That's a name a haven't heard in a long time, starbuck.


Me either - I hadn't really listened to much DRI stuff for ages. Got into them around 'Dealing With It' I think, liked 'crossover' (saw them touring for that) and then sorta lost touch. Loved them at the time though, along with the likes of The Crumbsuckers, Circle Jerks and Ludachrist. Must dig out those lp's and give them a spin - I should imagine they'll embarass a few current bands, for sure.....

quote:
what I imagine would have happened if Jello Biafra had fronted for Slayer.


Top idea - let me know if you'd like me to sign an online petition!
Posted on: 27 May 2004 by Richard AV
Looks like I've started something here. Fantastic, let's keep it going.