Monday, July 18, 2016

In Ears - June 2016

Summer is here and a festival season in a full flow. Therefore there were numerous great artists releasing their work these days. However, there were plenty of disappointments as well. We will look at these artists: Scorpion Child, Rival Sons, Gwen Stefani, Beyoncé, Vektor, Year Of No Light, Iced Earth, Ayreon, Jorn, Nemesea, Katatonia, Lacuna Coil, Bob Dylan, Radiohead, Gojira, Anohni, Myrkur, Blues Pills and Alanis Morissette.





Scorpion Child - 
Acid Roulette
Raw flow of sexual energy and hell of a catchy melodies. No matter, if it's speedy hard rock, or emotional slower pieces. You shake your head like a horny pigeon. Except for that one minute long bullshit called Séance. A collection of distorted speeches hurt your head and bloody interacts the whole listening flow. I hate to take the music-player out every time it starts, to skip it. I'm just erasing this piece, if I want to enjoy the album as a whole.




No "click" office:

Well unfortunately I cannot say the same about Rival Sons, which were getting as a good red wine, better with every year. However this years' Hollow Bones is a pure dust. No heart, no soul and crap about black coffee? This is not Joe Bonamassa guys, with all respect to Joe, as he makes great wine from a crappy coffee. Somebody needs a broken heart here! CONFESSION TIME: Based on the recommendation from few people, I listened to the latest albums of Gwen Stefani and Beyoncé. Well, I cannot say I will do it sometime in a future ;D but creativity came from these strong ladies by having some shitty experience. Rival Sons - Don't get too comfortable, as a support of Black Sabbath on their current tour and get back to the true taste of life!

Moving on in no "clicks":
Vektor - items from their discography voted by Metal Storm users:
Yeah, there is some great riffing but seriously?

Year Of No Light – Nord nor apparently the best Iced Earth's album Something Wicked This Way Comes. I'm considering Ayreon's 01011001 as an absolute masterpiece; however it did not "click with The Human Equation from 2004.

Jorn - Heavy Rock Radio. My second most favorite singer of all time went absolutely nuts. Covers and his faces in C-class videos. Seriously? 


Nemesea - R.I.P.

Nemesea - Uprise: So sad! I consider their 2004’s Mana as an absolute symphonic metal masterpiece. Yeah, it is not for everybody, but it was an absolute quality. Since then, it's sort of low class "catchy" "gothic" rock. I might call it sell-out, but let's just say, they like it more. :(

Compare for yourself: They have tried practically everything.

Symphonic gothic metal institution

Rare overflowing catchiness

C-class radio rock?


Hell of a disappointment

Katatonia - The Fall of Hearts. I love these guys. I could listen to the song Sold Heart any time, Night Is The New Day from 2009 is one my most favorite albums ever and I fully recommend to anybody even The Great Cold Distance or Dead End Kings. Katatonia is actually the only band on which my dad and my two uncles can agree on: AoR, Southern rock and melodic death metal guy! Can you imagine? But this time, I will not recommend them this album, as it seems as a bloody autopilot. No heart.

Lacuna Coil - Delirium. It gets even worse with Lacuna Coil. Since I was about 14, these guys were my most favorite female fronted band, even more than The Gathering. However, year by year, it's just paler, flatter... well, I just feel nothing. I'm not one of those - "Oh, I miss Lacuna Coil's EP days of 1998 or even Comalies hits." It's just, more crucial members you lose, the worse it gets. These guys knew how to pick a time to leave. :(
Only few people will understand this: "At one point I was nineteen." Thank you guys for so much, but now it's just a memory. 

Still sth to believe in

Bob Dylan - Fallen Angels
"When somebody loves you, It's no good unless he loves you all the way." 
I played this album during my sister's graduation...



Radiohead - A Moon Shaped Pool
I did my best. Gave their groundbreaking albums OK Computer, Kid A multiple tries and at least five, to their latest album, but no click. Few hints in incredible Daydreaming written about Radiohead singer Thom Yorke's separation from his partner of 23 years. But otherwise - not for me.
However once again proved: "Greatest creativity comes from pain"




Gojira - Magma
"Gojira Madafaka!"
That's an answer, if somebody asks me, what's happening in a metal music world today.



Ladies corner

Anohni - Hopelessness
I missed her performance at Sonar Barcelona, but I will do my best at Colours Of Ostrava. It's worth it, to seek beauties in ambient electronics.




Myrkur - Mausoleum EP
“Myrkur”, well that's a term which brings beautiful and sick feelings. Her music is simply breathtaking but her behavior can be sometimes, very nicely said "childish" as u can see from our interview. On the other hand, her work is showing the beauty of nature and deepest feelings from both heavenly melodies to the darkest shades of black metal. Myrkur always had a feeling for acoustic environments and on live EP Mausoleum she gives space to clear, gentle singing supported by girls choir. Enjoy seven songs in a refreshed arrangements, one new song and a Bathory cover. All sounds more than lofely, but once in a while, you wish to hear raging guitar, as even Blackmore's Night would be proud to create such melodies.



Blues Pills - Lady In Gold
I enjoy this album few weeks already! You'll do the same when it comes out! ;D



Alanis Morissette - Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie 
Time to remove Alanis from my player. Few more moves, so Jagged Little Pill (Collective Interpretation) article can live, on it's own and let's move to different topics...







Wednesday, July 6, 2016

Best of 2015 Part 2

We have reached the second half of Best of 2015 albums. Find the first half here. I'm aware it's July already, but there is simply some time needed, to cover albums of the previous year, including number of my favourite yearly best of lists. Still, I'm sure, there are some breathtaking albums, I am not aware of yet...






11. Thy Catafalque - Sgùrr
Same as we tend to underestimate France, we would not normally put so much faith into Hungary. However, there are so many nice exceptions, as bands around Julie Kiss, from my gothic metal teenage days - Without Face and even better To-Mera. There is great sense for prog in Hungary and if you can imagine, this is a solo project of Tamás Kátai and it's very impressive. For the first time, I don't even mind the language...



12. David Koller - ČeskosLOVEnsko
I love my country, but there are not so many musicians and bands to be proud of. David Koller - singer, drummer also known from Czech musical institution Lucie is hell of an exception.



13. Iron Maiden - The Book Of Souls
Some friends are making jokes about me once saying sth like: "There are more important things in live than to spend time on Iron Maiden." I still believe that, as they already played a incredible role in our lives. We were running around our rooms and air guitaring to a Brazilian 100 milion large crowd. After some time, we felt it's time to move on and discover new beauties. However we should never forget our roots and as Bruce Dickinson says: "Never lose that 14y old in you." Love u Iron Maiden and we always will.



14. Paradise Lost - The Plague Within
I skipped Moonspell in this list, but Paradise Lost deserve it for their retro/modern/best of sound. I miss my beard... :(



15. Avatarium - The Girl With The Raven Mask
Who says you cannot be innovative with a rock band with a female singer?



16. David Gilmour - Rattle That Lock
Really beautiful. I didn't invest enough time into Pink Floyd, but I'm glad my older collegues are always pushing me, with their work to invest time into old classics as David Gilmour, Iggy Pop or Bob Dylan.




17. Tesseract - Polaris
I'm a Tesseract addict since I heard for the first time Deception from their debut One in 2011. They went a long way since then on their third album Polaris and it takes a while, until you appreciate it, but it's worth it.







18. Modern Day Babylon - The Ocean Atlas EP
Djentleman to be proud of from our lofely Czech Republic. Featuring amazing Plini.



19. Motorhead - Bad Magic
R.I.P. Lemmy



20. Marilyn Manson - The Pale Emperor
I never liked this guy. I guess it will stay the same, but this album was very rare positive surprise, related to his name



Tuesday, June 28, 2016

Soutěž o setkání s Asking Alexandria

Vážení fanoušci Asking Alexandria,

rádi bychom Vás informovali, že dnešním dnem spouštíme soutěž o zákulisní setkání s kapelou v den vyprodaného koncertu 23. 8. v Praze.




Během zvukové zkoušky máme domluvený rozhovor s kapelou, ze kterého bychom rádi pořídili i krátký fotoreport, který by byl součástí následného článku. Vítěz soutěže tak bude plnit i roli občasného fotografa a zároveň může přispět i nějakou tou otázkou během rozhovoru. Fotka s aktuálně dostupnými členy kapely je samozřejmostí. Součástí balíčku je i vstup na již několik týdnů vyprodaný koncert. Podmínkou soutěže je přispění nejužitečnější tématem, dle vyhodnocení redakce, pro seriál magazínu Muzikus Hudební Psychologie, který aktuálně uzavírá druhou desítku uveřejněných dílů. Na webu je dostupná první desítka a na vyžádání můžeme poskytnout i zbylé díly, které vyšly pouze v časopise.



Budeme se těšit na Vaše příspěvky na dan.sywala@muzikus.cz a do komentářů pod touto výzvou přijímáme i otázky na kapelu.

S pozdravem,

Tým magazínu Muzikus


Monday, June 27, 2016

Any questions on Daniel Gildenlöw (Pain Of Salvation)?

For an interview with Daniel Gildenlöw of Pain Of Salvation on 28th June, I'm preparing some questions, but I would also like to offer you others to join. It will be included in the series (Top 10 fav albums of) in magazine Muzikus, but I'm planning to talk with Daniel about gear and mainly about Remedy Lane Re:visited. Hopefully there will some time be little bit philosophical about the lyrics...

Feel free to join and add questions on Daniel.

Cheers. Daniel ;D








Tuesday, June 14, 2016

In Ears - May 2016

For May 2016 we will take a closer look at Torche - Meanderthal, Ihsahn – Arktis. & Das Seelenbrechen, Deftones - Gore, Lenka Dusilová & Baromantika - Live At Café V Lese and Pain Of Salvation - Remedy Lane Re:visited (Re:mixed & Re:lived) Out July 1st, 2016. I am not saying, there are all tips that you should spent hours on, but they are worth attention.




Respect for the elders: Frank Zappa, Ulver, Enjoy Elvis and give yourself a challange with Anneke van Giersbergen, Árstíðir - Verloren Verleden


No “Click” Section: Starting with items from the lofely article 10 MetalAlbums For People Who Don’t Like Metal: 
Deafheaven, Isis, Neurosis - third try, Pallbearer. The Foreshadowing - not this time. Same goes to Novembre - Ursa. Beautiful job on Materia from 2006, but not this time. So many recommendations on Fallujah - Dreamless- but it simply didn't click, even though I respect their innovative and experimental approach. 


Torche - Meanderthal
Hope Torche will not get offended, but this album seems to me as a growing tool for punk rock fans. Do you love The Offspring since elementary school, do u wanna run from joy with Rise Against, but at the same time grow as a listener? Do yourself a favor and give these guys few tries and your horizons will broad massively. If post, doom, prog are not part of your vocabulary, this might be a door opener. 



Ihsahn – Arktis. & Das Seelenbrechen
Avant-garde master’s new album Arktis. is such a big topic everywhere, for its revolutionary accessible approach, but what surprises me, is even Ihsahn, including our interview, to a certain extend, is distancing from his previous album - Das Seelenbrechen (as he says: “Too wild, too nonstructural) However his new album made me realize, Das Seelenbrechen is for me the best album in Ihsahn's discography.




Deftones - Gore
Hardly, we will find a band from Nu-Metal era, with such a respect and influence as Deftones. When did you discover Deftones? I did with Back To School. In general, I was obsessed with the whole Nu-Metal scene, but only Deftones deserve the same level of respect today. Their latest albums are simply amazing and same goes with their brand new Gore album. I was also really honored to finally speak to Stephen Carpenter for Muzikus magazine. It was solid interview, but we had small amount of time. There was only time to talk a bit about gear, new album, the band, but there was simply no time to ask sensitive subjects. Normally, if you have one hour, you can get as close, to ask about some stuff. Therefore, I felt to leave the topic of the loss of bass player Chi Cheng. In addition, this song was so close to me about a month and a half ago.



Lenka Dusilová & Baromantika - Live At Café V Lese
I always had a feeling for a female singers with taste. Whether it is Anneke Van Giersbergen, Cristina Scabbia of Lacuna Coil, or even Sade, you could turn on shuffle and enjoy every note. Lenka Dusilová was never someone I would be concerned about, but this live album is simply breathtaking. It was extremely useful in tougher times and I tend to enjoy it since, in a sort of positive melancholic moments. Hopefully, I might see you Lenka in Café V lese soon. I live close… 



Pain Of Salvation - 
Remedy Lane Re:visited (Re:mixed & Re:lived) Out July 1st, 2016
PoS and Fight Club. Too much for one day. I read the book - movie is better. I love the album but the live version is more emotional, if that's even possible. Trust me, you will love the non-acoustic live album, when it comes out.






Thursday, June 9, 2016

Alanis Morissette - Jagged Little Pill (Collective Interpretation)




I have been a fan of this album for two decades but it took nearly twenty years to have a proper meaning to me. I am more than aware, it's not only me. This album might not need any interpretation, as the lyrics do the job. However it teaches you to finally give proper attention to lyrics, as this album helps, more than any, I came across in my life. Please share with us how did it help you, mention open interpretation or add a quote from lyrics. 

It's up to you if it would be over commentary, email and it could be done full name, using initials or fully anonymous.



01 - All I Really Want: Video Lyrics

JLC: Nothing comes close to the way I feel.
DP: it's creativity takes takes on a whole new meaning when your pissed!😃
CB: this is for you mom in Heaven I MISS YOU


02 - You Oughta Know: Video Lyrics

KW: "every time I scratch my nails down someone else's back, I hope you feel it."
LT: "WOULD SHE GO DOWN ON YOU IN A theatre?"
JW: This song is for those who dumped their behalf and betraide after all the sacrifices the other half had been through
JB: I never understood these lyrics so much before the current situation I'm in
LG: When he doesn't text back
TH: When you're singing along to this for fun but then the lyrics start becoming relevant to your past relationships.
NQ: I remember leaving a mess when I went away. Can I feel it; Yes.
MD: I know how she feels!
FD: is not fairrrr.....
KC: Thank you for sharing your pain. It's beautiful and touching.
MP: Oh, fuck, this is true feminine rage, and it's what it should be.
AT: I find her female rage highly impressive. I like a woman who can articulate her anger well and honestly. She is fucking PISSED in this song; betrayal and contempt drips from every word. It doesn't matter if it's justified or "mature" or whatever else, I find it a fascinatingly honest portrait.



03 - Perfect: Video Lyrics

DT: We are trying to make the whole world happy, but we forget about ourselves.
VM: My parents' song. Nothing ever good enough. "Because I ruined my life."


04 - Hand In My Pocket: Video Lyrics
PF: We are saying goodbye, and I could punch you, but I'm just saying sorry, flicking a cigarette and hailing a taxi cab. The outside world falls apart, but I can keep something tough and warm inside me.
SC: Makes me want to cry when I think about all I had during the time this song was released compared to how it all turned out. Oh well, I'll keep on truckin'
LT: You can feel what she's trying to tell you
DD: This record changed my life in so many ways.
AI: For all the commentators of this how do you want to make the world a little better? I want to turn men and women back into gentleman and ladies. I am tired of seeing the abandonment around me. Fellas let's be a blessing to our women
RR: My friends and I agree that this incredibly, amazing, fantastic album is the second best female album of all time. Just a smidgeon below Carole Kings "Tapestry".
JW: The many facets of one human being...


06 – Forgiven: Video Lyrics

BS: Looking for any sort of excuse for your action. It gets simpler, more distant the memory is.
DS: Some dance to remember, some dance to forget (Hotel California)
KO: Anyone else had their minds opened at age 8 by the simply put phrase, "I have one more stupid question," in exactly the way she puts it? ... that it's actually quite a good question. ...



07 – You Learn: Video Lyrics

TE: Every shit is a valuable lesson. You walk the night singing - all experiences are a little bit clearer. You sing sad and drunk - you learn and you are happy. ;D
PF: Get 'something' is lose 'everything else'. But in the end, you are not losing anything. Even the most pathetic situations has a meaning.
JW: First time I watched this I thought it was buffering
DC: I was young and never think about it. This song its talking about...weed! "When the smoke clears...You learn" ;)
IS: well we live to learn to learn to live
SW: 296 people did not learn
AA: We learn every day!


08 – Head Over Feet: Video Lyrics

LC: I did what I could, but it was not enough for you. You might lied to me you love me, but it doesn’t matter, as you are already gone. You might still love me, but it’s too late.
WL: Real men listen to Alanis
HT: I had no idea what the song lyrics meant until I looked it up recently.
EL: Why is it now i look inperfectly at any inperfections and judge them when before i would just look and see a unquie character inperfection of perfection that was original and made me love thier soul.
LA: I want to be able to relate to this song



09 – Mary Jane: Video Lyrics

JL: Is he beating you, are you too fat, too ugly? Well, you are not. You are beautiful. No sleep, can’t eat, having scars on your face…Why don’t you tell it to anybody? Talk to us! I know you are too strong, too proud, but you can’t change him. You care and you don’t deserve to be unhappy. Especially you don’t deserve to be killed. Speak up!
RS: This album changed my life long before I realized it! I am 33 now and I listened to it over and over again then! now that I listen to it now, I feel the recognition in my soul!


10 – Ironic: Video Lyrics
AM: Young couple, prepared to have kids, but you changed your mind the last moment
TM: We finally found our apparent, but you found a home somewhere else
NN: You want kids and you wanted to get married asap, but when it’s getting close, it’s going too fast.
BB: I gave you seven children and now you wanna give them back (R.I.P. B.B. King)
OS: When u solve your shit 5min before therapy…

Isn’t that ironic?




11 – Not The Doctor: Video Lyrics
LN: If you lack energy, you can’t help. Same, if you don’t talk to me, I can’t understand your troubles. We have to be much stronger men. Women act, they are a support for us, but when u really need them, you are asking too much.


12 – Wake Up: Video Lyrics

TI: Too picky, too spoiled, have you really seen what the life is about? Lies, betrayal, phobia? You know nothing. Nothing is given to you and when you don’t appreciate it, nothing good will come back.


13 - You Oughta Know (Alternate Take): Video Lyrics

DS: No comment


AB: You think I will wait here as an asshole? You got your 10th chance, but it’s too late. Did you deny me or was it all just too attractive? I will be around... Not for u 





14 – Your House: Video Lyrics





Monday, June 6, 2016

Any questions on Amos Williams (Tesseract)?

Dear fellow fans of Tesseract. For Czech gear oriented magazine Muzikus, I'm currently preparing an e-mail interview (questions to send by the end of the week) with bass player Amos Williams. There are number of topics to discuss, but I'm open for your input. Cheers





We will talk about:
Live/studio gear set-up
Artistic approach
Writing process
Balance in the band
Inspirations
Lifestyle

...still, I'm open for your ideas. Cheers