Extreme Metal Gift Guide
Extreme Metal covers many genres of the metal world; death, black, grindcore, thrash, doom Viking, folk, gothic, the list go on. The point is, extreme metal is diverse and multi-faceted, as well as in your face. Covering a variety of topics from war, politics, mythologies, monsters and heroes, barbarians and pirates, and chaos in general, the devil plays a relatively miniscule part of most bands repertoire. But as you can see by the list of topics why metal is so popular, and used frequently in soundtracks for a variety of movies. So here’s my picks to help you with that moody niece or nephew, or hard to buy for music fan.
The Age of Nero – Satyricon – Extreme metal isn’t always a wall of noise with Cookie Monster vocals. Satyricon is in your face metal with its methodical melodies, purposeful lyrics, guttural vocals, and a chaotic approach to life and music. Memorable tracks are The Wolfpack and Black Crow on a Tombstone.
Vorunah – Sarke – This is new project formed by Sarke (Old Man’s Child, Khold, Sensi Anima, and Tulus) and Nocturno Culto (Darkthrone) and is in the same style as Satyricon. Alternating dark and brooding, and in your face lyrics, along with riffs that could be a map to madness. Check out Vorunah and Frost Junkie.
Endgame – Megadeth – This is the latest offering from one of the godfathers of thrash metal, Megadeth. And don’t let the title fool you; Dave and the gang have more rocking left to excite their fans with. With the addition of new guitarist Chris Broderick, the ear melting guitar sound we are accustomed to, will also blister your face. Add gut churning rhythms and this could arguably be their finest album to date. Check out Dialectic Chaos, 44 Minutes, and Head Crusher.
Skeletons in the Closet – Children of Bodom – I didn’t take this album seriously when I first heard about it, after all most groups that remake songs either do songs that are in the same genre or the hits of popular bands. But Skeletons in the Closet offers truly diverse selection of artists, and songs that reflect the bands tributes to other projects, songs that inspired them or simply songs that they enjoy. Looking Out My Back Door – Credence Clearwater Revival, Hell is for Children – Pat Benatar, Somebody Put Something In My Drink – The Ramones, Mass Hypnosis – Sepultura, Don’t Stop At The Top – Scorpions, Silent Scream – Slayer, Hellion – W.A.S.P., Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Condition Is In) – Kenny Rogers, Aces High – Iron Maiden, Rebel Yell – Billy Idol, No Commands – Stone, Antisocial – Trust, Talk Dirty To Me – Poison, Ghost Riders In The Sky – Stan Jones, War Inside Mt Head – Suicidal Tendencies, Oops…I Did It Again – Britney Spears (Really), and Waiting – King Diamond.
Night is the New Day – Katatonia – Soothing, calming, melancholy and haunting appropriately describes listening to the newest Katatonia disc. If you’re a fan of The Gathering, Lacuna Coil, and Evanescence then give Night is the New Day a spin. You won’t regret it. Forsaker, Idle Blood and New Night deserve a serious listen. Oh yeah, I forgot an adjective – Amazing.
Honorable Mention
Besides a whole slew of music not mentioned, there’s a documentary on DVD, Global Metal. This isn’t a concert or music documentary; instead it’s study of how extreme and the heaviest of metal is a universal language that unifies the world.
