Yay!!
2008 is next to its end... so, let's review it!!
Part 1 - New albums
Alice in Videoland -
She's a machine (electro)
Hmm... it was better then I expected. I think the band has become musically more mature. The problem was the low number of tracks in this album, only 8, each with 3 minutes in average. There was some rumours stating the they would produce another tracks to be released in a "new version" of the algum, or an EP, or single... well, I don't know.
Score: 8,0/10,0
Animal Alpha -
You Pay For The Whole Seat But You´ll Only Need The Edge (hard rock)
At first listening, I found this album really amazing. But, after some playings, I just realized that their debut album,
Pheromones is way better. This new album souds a little repetitive sometimes, and also it needs some new experiments. Anyway, the production is wonderful.
Score: 7,5/10,0
Collide -
Two Headed Monster (electro)
After more than 3 years, they finally release a new album. Before I get it, I firstly went to their myspace and listened two new tracks of the new relese. And I was surprised with the track
Utopia, such beautiful atmospheres, angelic vocals... I just thought that the new album wound have become more "atmospheric rock" and less electro. But when I got the release, I realized that I was wrong; all their "electroness" was still there.
No, that's not bad, but I really wanted to hear some new sounds.
Score: 8,0/10,0
Draconian -
Turning Season Within (Doom Metal)
SIMPLY DELIGHTFUL. An amazing album, perfect production, great vocals and lyrics. Lisa sounds just wonderful in this release, her voice is incomparably beautiful, as does Anders' verses. Perfection translated into musical notes.
Score: 10,0/10,0
Ellen Allien -
Sool (minimal techno)
I have ever been a big fan of Ellen Allien. I consider her one of the best DJ's of the world. Her earlier albums were masterpieces, she could turn some simple noises and sounds into great symphonies. Although, I am a little sad with her new release, Sool. Well, maybe because I'm not that big fan of such minimalist music. The mix of a simple beat + a strange noise didn't catch me. Ellen, please put some more electro attitude into your next releases! (Yes, the electroclash movement has already gone by years, but I'm a nostalgic man xD)
Score: 5,0/10,0
Ladytron -
Velocifero (electro)
Another great release of this great band. I was expecting so much this album, I really cound't wait more... there were 3 years of ZERO release from them (apart from
Extended Play). Fortunately, Velocifero has become my favorite album from them, passing by
604.
Score: 9,5/10,0
Midnattsol -
Nordlys (symphonic metal)
As I grow in ages, I also do in musical taste. Now I'm not that great appreciattive of symphonic metal, and it has been a lot of months that I don't listen this album. I remember that it was not one of my favorites, but was better than their first album. Well, sometimes symphonic metal can be really repetitive...]
Score: 7,0/10,0
Miss Kittin -
Batbox (electro)
Miss Kittin is also one of my favorite DJ's, and her new album was good. Hmm, no more saying, I'm out of comments xD
Score: 7,8/10,0
Moonspell -
Night Eternal (metal)
Another great release. I was really surprised with portuguese metal (it's strange to imaginate portuguese metal when your country was colonized by Portugal xD... here in Brazil we make some
stupid jokes that insinuate that portuguese people are really donkey). Also, Anneke's guest vocals in
Scorpion Flower made this release even greater. Cheers from your ex-colony, Portugal!
Score: 9,5/10,0
Robots in Disguise -
We're In The Music Biz (electro punk rock??)
These girls are strange... their new release is good, and I was not expecting any new musical experiments, since they sound more like a big joke then a band xD
Score: 8,0/10,0
To-Mera -
Delusions (progressive rock/metal)
I'm new into them, so I don't have many opinions. But I think that this album is better then their first.
Score: 7,2/10,0
Within Temptation -
Black Symphony (symphonic metal)
I've already stated some opinions in WT's shoutbox, but I'll repeat them here: Black Symphony is so great that it even made
The Heart of Everything's music be listeneable. Another amazing point (you people MUST AGREE with me): Anneke's guest vocals!!
Score: 9,0/10,0
Part 2 - New discoveries
Animal Alpha
I discovered them when I read an interview with
Tristania's new vocalist, Mary Demurtas, when she states that Animal Alpha is a great norwegian rock band. And she was right xD
Autumn (the Dutch band)
This was very recent. I was enchanted with the atmospheres of their album
My New Time. When I were listening their previous works, I realized that they were just a goth band like any other, but now their sound have really evolved and become more mature.
Curve
I wanted to try their sound because Dean Garcia is now making music with
Collide... hmm, they sound good, but not that much I was expecting.
Moonlight (the Polish band)
Strange rock, strange language, strange music... GREAT! (I prefer their recent albums).
Paatos
I discovered them when I was looking for a band that sounded like
The Gathering. Paatos have rapidly become one of my favorite bands. And
Téa is the most beautiful thing I have ever heard (after The Gathering's
Souvenirs album xD)
The 3rd and the Mortal
Same with Paatos. Kari's voice is beautiful! And have to say that
Painting on Glass and
In This Room are great masterpieces.
To-Mera
I discovered them when I was randomly looking for a prog band xD... anyway, great sounds, and I love the jazz influences.
Part 3 - Can't wait for 2009
Agua de Annique's second album
Autumn's "Altitude" (fourth album)
I:Scintilla's second album
Sirenia's "The 13th Floor" (fourth album)
Stream of Passion's second album
The Crest (norwegian rock band) alive and kicking!!
Trail of Tears's new album
Tristania' sixth album
Theatre of Tragedy's seventh album
and, obviously...
The Gathering's ninth album!!!!!
While I was writing this journal entry, I was listening to
Agua de Annique's
Air and
Collide's
Two Headed Monster.
