*Posts on MusicManiac now come with Linkin Park Radio at the bottom of the page.Tune into some LP hits as well as tracks from other leading artists, selected by LP, and hosted by Chester and Mike as RJs!!*
Disturbed is:
David Draiman (vocals)
Dan Donegan (lead Guitar)
Mike Wengren (Drums)
John Moyer (Bass)
Disturbed is a blockbuster heavy metal band, though it is possible most people here in India may not have heard them or heard of them.Their last three albums 'Believe', 'Ten Thousand Fists' and 'Indestructible' along with Asylum have debuted at #1 on the U.S. Billboard 200.
Asylum is a darker album than their last record, 'Indestructible', with heavier guitar riffs and vocals.According to the band, the lyrics deal with events in lead singer David Draiman's life.Almost all songs are made on the same chord, which enhances the continuity in the tracks and increases the 'listenability' factor.I was a casual listener of Disturbed, but Asylum converted me into a fan.
As mentioned earlier, Asylum is undoubtedly darker than 'Indestructible', but the songs still have a consistent rhythm and melody.Asylum is typical Disturbed and can be recognized by it's style from a mile away.As always, the production quality is perfect.The only thing which disappointed me (though which may have been embraced by others) was that there was not much new or fresh or experimental here.Made me think of a factory manufacturing products.
First up, it's Remnants, an instrumental track which leads wonderfully to the title track, Asylum.
Asylum is one of the better songs on this record.Starts off with Bass and launches into a full-on metal track.This track talks about losing someone you love, going insane, and entering an asylum, from which one tries to run away and commit suicide, just to be with the person you loved.
*Posts on MusicManiac now come with Linkin Park Radio at the bottom of the page.Tune into some LP hits as well as tracks from other leading artists, selected by LP, and hosted by Chester and Mike as RJs!!*
Poets Of The Fall [PotF] is:
Marko Saaresto (vocals)
Olli Tukiainen (lead Guitar)
Markus "Captain" Kaarlonen (Keyboard) Supported by:
Jani Snellman (Bass)
Jaska Makinen (rhythm Guitar)
Jari Salminen (Drums)
PotF is a Finnish rock band, not well known around the world, but has major cult followings mainly in Scandinavian countries,India and Germany.This is probably because they haven't released any of their albums worldwide, sticking to Austria, Germany, Finland and so on.Their first two albums, 'Signs Of Life' and 'Carnival Of Rust' have reached Platinum status in Finland, while their third album, 'Revolution Roulette' made it to Gold.'Twilight Theater' hit Gold in it's first week itself.All the albums have charted #1 on the Finnish Charts.
Special things happen when PotF decide to put through an album.In effect, they redefine perfection, each time.Just like their previous albums, 'Twilight Theater' goes one up on the previous album.All this while the listener doesn't really get how they do it.
PotF have redefined themselves each of the four times they released their records.'Signs Of Life' was one helluva debut album, paving way for 'Carnival Of Rust', an album still recognised as one of the best works of music to date.They came back with 'Revolution Roulette', revealing a rockier version of themselves.Twilight Theater continues their metamorphosis, though still clinging onto their 'Cinematic Rock' genre.Each song has depth that would put the Mariana Trench to shame, and accompanied with beautiful music, Twilight Theater becomes "The Album To Be Experienced" this year.
This album starts off with arguably the best track of the year, Dreaming Wide Awake.Marko has this knack of making the most difficult songs sound so easy.
Coming next is another cracker, War.PotF always had a solid song structure and this track displays that very thing.
Change is the third track on this record.Again, impeccable song structure and the magical voice of Marko makes it a very catchy song.
15 Min Flame is good, may get monotonous after a certain number of listens.
Given and Denied is classic PotF.Don't miss it.
Rewind touches your heart at a very primal level.Another noticeable thing is the perfection achieved in track-listing.Each track leads beautifully to the other.
Dying to Live is a peppy number, which strangely fits with the scheme of things.
You're Still Here is a slow track.Wonderful vocals though.
Smoke and Mirrors comes as a revelation, having some experimental music which totally hits it off with the listeners.
With Heal My Wounds, we reach the climax of this 'Theater', giving credibility to their claim of being a Cinematic Rock band.This song settles the account with a fitting end to this album.
Unlike other artists, PotF won't be getting questions from fans about when they are releasing their next album.Because this one needs time to sink in, to be deciphered and completely understood and appreciated.
My verdict: A perfect 10/10 for the perfectionists.Music lovers-don't miss this one.
Next Week: A sane review of Asylum by Disturbed
NEWS:
1] Limp Bizkit frontman Fred Durst has explicitly announced on his podcast that their new album 'Gold Cobra' is complete.Waiting for its release.
2]Julien-k have announced that their successor to 'Death To Analog' is 70% complete.
4]Mike Shinoda from Linkin Park is a well-known artist too.This is his entry to the Art Basel,Hello Kitty show, called "Hello Vishnu"
This is his caption to the picture:
I realise you guys don't all know my sense of humor, but rest assured that this painting isn't about the Hindu religion nor our Indian fans at all-just for the record.We love our fans in India and hope to see you on tour in the future.
