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Journal 36: A Year of Metal

Journal Entry: Wed Apr 2, 2008, 9:01 PM
  • Mood: Eager
  • Listening to: The Ultimate Fling - Poets of the Fall
Give me a reason, come on now, make my day,
'Cause I'm out of cheeks to turn the other way.
Ask yourself just how lucky do you feel...

- Marko Saaresto, "The Ultimate Fling"

Hi everyone. It's been a while since my last journal update... figured I'd let y'all know I'm still around. Work, school, and life in general is weighing heavily on my schedule, so progress on fan-projects is going extremely slow.

Citadel Strike (Fanfiction) is still being worked on, in drafting. To tell the truth, I've been putting it off due to a lack of interest from readers, making me turn my attention toward digital artistry. Although I've only got one piece posted here, there's another one I made for a project at the RS.Net and it's awaiting release. As for a current project, I'm collaborating with ~danman007 on an excellent sketch, which I hope to finish within the next couple weeks.

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Here's a little music review thing I made a few months ago. In a couple weeks, I'll be putting up another journal featuring a review of Revolution Roulette, the latest release from one of the greatest bands ever, Poets of the Fall. A review would be up sooner, but when my copy of the CD was delivered earlier this week, it was brutally damaged. Talk about rotten luck... The internet shop I bought it from is sending me a new one, so hopefully I'll get it undamaged next week.

Okay, onwards... pay attention if you'd like to check out some music you've probably never heard of.

One thing you'll quickly find out if you've ever met me in real life is the fact that I love music. Foreign music, which is typically a variant of metal, particularly. Last year was amazing for metal fans. Several of the biggest bands from overseas brought forth their greatest material yet. Of the several imports I bought last year, I was able to choose five of the best.

Top Five Albums of 2007:

Unia - Sonata Arctica

This is easily one of the greatest albums I've ever listened to. Dubbed as the future of metal, it's essentially filled with a viariety of progressive tracks. Every song is unique in its own way, while retaining a mini-epic feeling throughout. Tony Kakko's voice takes a little getting used to (you'll need the lyric book handy when listening for most of it), but his songwriting is extremely strong and he nails the emotion needed to bring his lyrics to life. At first, I wasn't too impressed by the this CD, but it takes multiple listens to pick apart the music layers and appreciate it.

Top Tracks:
Paid in Full
It Won't Fade
Caleb
The Vice
My Dream's but a Drop of Fuel for a Nightmare
The Harvest
To Create a Warlike Feel

Dark Passion Play - Nightwish

As the most expensive Finnish album ever made, you'd expect this one to be good, and it is. The debut of Nightwish's new singer is a welcome one, since you can now understand most of the lyrics. Tuomas Holopainen is an excellent songwriter and composer, pushing an epic sound by joining forces with the London Philharmonic Orchestra (also featured in Dimmu Borgir's "Death Cult Armageddon"). There's so many gendres covered in the album, you're bound to like at least one of the songs here. There's a little something for everyone and a lot for those who enjoy symphonic metal.

Top Tracks:
The Poet and the Pendulum
Bye Bye Beautiful
Amaranth
Cadence of Her Last Breath
The Islander
7 Days to the Wolves


Worlds Collide - Apocalyptica

Ah... Apocalyptica, definitely a band I'd like to experience live some day. This latest release by a trio of classically trained cellists and a drummer is a great follow up to their previous albums. Their technique continues to evolve, showing they really can produce some amazing sounds you'd never expect from a cello. While a majority of the songs are instrumentatals, several guest musicians (including Adam Gontier from Three Days Grace, Corey Taylor of Slipknot, Till Lindemann from Rammstein, and Cristina Scabbia of Lacuna Coil) provide vocals that fit perfectly with the song they've respectively been assigned to. Not only that, the songwriting is extremely well done, making you wish these guys would have more lyrically driven music.

Top Tracks:
Worlds Collide
I'm Not Jesus (featuring Corey Taylor)
Last Hope
I Don't Care (featuring Adam Grontier)
Burn
S.O.S. Anything But Love (featuring Cristina Scabbia)


MK II - Masterplan

Although I wasn't fond of the idea that about half of Masterplan's lineup left, including their previous singer and one of the founding members, they managed to pull another great album out last year. While I believe it doesn't quite stack up with previous releases, there are some tracks here almost essential for metal fans. There's definitely a lot of energy throughout and the the music hasn't missed a beat, but I was a big fan of their old singer. Jørn Lande had an amazing vocal range that fit so well with their music. I'm not saying Mike DiMeo was a horrible replacement, because he's got a damn good voice, but at times it seems like his voice is slightly overpowered by the instrumentation.

Top Tracks:
Phoenix Rising
Warrior's Cry
Lost and Gone
Keeps Me Burning
Watching the World
Trust in You

Off the Hook - Bloodpit

This sophmore effort of a quickly rising Finnish rock band is easily the most mainstream and easily acceptable sounding of all the albums mentioned here. After a so-so debut and a record contract with Sony BMG, Matthau Mikojan crafted an excellent set of songs while recovering from his alcohol problems. His voice is clear and easily understandable, fitting with the band's instrumentation. The guitar work here is excellent and this is one of the few bands from Finland without a keyboardist so everything sounds clean and organic. Unfortunately, the band split up later in the year, Matthau seeking solstice in a solo carreer.

Top Tracks:
Rotten to the Core
Blue in the Face
Only Our Name
Wise Men Don't Cry
One Life
I Remember

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There were several albums battling for the top five, and these next few were close but just didn't quite make the mark. Depending on your taste, they might be worth a listen.

Honorable Mention:

The Revenge - Allen/Lande
Tervaskanto - Korpiklaani
Inhuman Rampage - Dragonforce
Venus Doom - HIM
10,000 Ways (Single) - Thunderstone

Devious Information

  • Current Age: 18
  • Current Residence: The edge of light and dark
  • Interests: Music, Computer Repair, Reading, Writing, Poetry
  • Favourite movie: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, KP: So the Drama, United 93, Superbad
  • Favourite band or musician: Poets of the Fall, REO Speedwagon, Sonata Arctica, Nightwish, Sentiment, Leverage, Masterplan
  • Favourite genre of music: Melodic Metal, Power Ballads, General Rock, Classical, Progressive
  • Favourite artist: Goofmore, Lionkyu, Ziwu, Ivymae, Muttly, Levelord
  • Favourite poet or writer: Captainkodak1, G-Go, Commander Argus, WesUAH, Ayotte, Mattb3671, WhiteLadyoftheRing
  • Favourite photographer: G-Go
  • Operating System: Windows XP | Windows Vista (Ultimate) Dual-boot Configuration
  • MP3 player of choice: Zune, but I'm stuck with an iPod
  • Favourite game: Half-Life franchise, GTA franchise, F.E.A.R.
  • Favourite gaming platform: PC
  • Favourite cartoon character: Ron Stoppable
  • Personal Quote: "Well my ZIF Socket 754 Newcastle 3000+ can beat your LGA Socket 775 Prescott 524!"
  • Tools of the Trade: 1st Page 2000, GIMP 2, and inspirational music.

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Devious Comments

Flagged as spam
!henorist:iconhenorist: Jul 28, 2008, 7:17:41 PMFlagged as spam
This comment is flagged as spam.
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*G-Go:iconG-Go: Jan 9, 2008, 10:11:22 PM
Well, it is very much appreciated. Thank you.

--
"Save the cheerleader, save the world." - Kim Possible IS the original cheerleader hero...
~willk1989:iconwillk1989: Dec 11, 2007, 11:55:54 PM
Well, I was thinking about randomly giving out a sub to anyone on my friend list for a couple weeks. Since it was your birthday a little bit ago (and after seeing your previous sub expired a little bit ago), I figured "why not?".

It's only for a few months, nothing too special... but I'm glad you appreciate it. :)
*G-Go:iconG-Go: Dec 11, 2007, 10:58:29 PM
DUDE! Thanks so much for the sub! I don't know what I did to deserve it, but I am most appreciative. :manhug:

thanks man!

--
"Save the cheerleader, save the world." - Kim Possible IS the original cheerleader hero...
~willk1989:iconwillk1989: Jul 28, 2007, 9:43:21 AM
I have no idea what you're talkin' 'bout... :drunk:

Just trying to get caught up on my long list of deviation updates. ;)
*jojodrums:iconjojodrums: Jul 28, 2007, 9:36:46 AM
You keep visiting my page!! Does that make me special? :D :hug:

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RADIO PHONE IN CONTEST!! YOU'VE GOT TO BE IN IT TO WIN IT!

The Creative Revolution | Cat On The Wall - Music and Culture Webzine
~willk1989:iconwillk1989: May 31, 2007, 11:53:12 AM
Well, it's goin'... Gotta head off to work in a half hour. Thanks for the gallery props and all that good stuff.

Is it just me, or are the dA servers actin' up again? They seem a little slow today... *shrug*
~pbrown223:iconpbrown223: May 31, 2007, 11:33:57 AM
Hey man. How's it goin? Nice gallery.
*jojodrums:iconjojodrums: Mar 31, 2007, 9:41:11 AM
Thanks for the :+devwatch:

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RADIO PHONE IN CONTEST!! YOU'VE GOT TO BE IN IT TO WIN IT!

The Creative Revolution | Cat On The Wall - Music and Culture Webzine
*Nawt:iconNawt: Jul 17, 2006, 3:00:38 AM
Hey Willk?

Thanks for visiting my page.
~recon228:iconrecon228: Jul 16, 2006, 10:37:24 PM
Thanks for the watch! :)
~loser7:iconloser7: May 30, 2006, 10:09:46 PM
Yay- thanks for the fav<3

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I love drug muffins!
~ezbok58a:iconezbok58a: May 4, 2006, 9:40:23 PM
Thanks for the friend add!

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Lives life in the fast lane, with Kim and Ron by my side ;)

"You want the proof? You can't handle the Proof!" Ron

The automotive Kim Possible enthusiast "Fear the bee"
*G-Go:iconG-Go: May 4, 2006, 4:03:55 PM
Thanks for the latest favage!

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What's the point of braille on a drive-up ATM?
~mattb3671:iconmattb3671: Mar 30, 2006, 10:24:29 AM
Nay, I say! Humping is always funny, especially in emoticon form! :rofl:

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"Jim! Tim! You will not root for your Sister's foe."

Embrace the Smuff... :hump:
[link]
*G-Go:iconG-Go: Mar 30, 2006, 3:03:24 AM
wow... thanks. :blushes:

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"Lent: Spring training for Christians." - sign outside a Catholic Church near my house.
~willk1989:iconwillk1989: Mar 29, 2006, 7:21:59 PM
Awesome. Thanks. I'll be sure to return the favor then, Papa Smuff. :highfive:

BTW, nice signature. :hump: is a nice touch. For some reason I find it funnier than anyone would normally think... Must be that whole teenage immaturity thing coming out of me again...WHOOO! :laughing:
~mattb3671:iconmattb3671: Mar 29, 2006, 6:15:28 PM
Now I am watching you. Soon I will read your stories. :ninja:

HUZZAH! :rofl: Papa Smuff out! :highfive:

--
"Jim! Tim! You will not root for your Sister's foe."

Embrace the Smuff... :hump:
[link]
~willk1989:iconwillk1989: Mar 28, 2006, 9:45:08 PM
No problem, buddy. Instead of looking outside my window to see nice scenery (or lack thereof, being that on the other side of my window is the white exterior of another house), I go to your gallery and enjoy your great photographs.
*G-Go:iconG-Go: Mar 27, 2006, 7:06:28 AM
Thanks for the fave, my friend!

--
"Lent: Spring training for Christians." - sign outside a Catholic Church near my house.
~lionkyu:iconlionkyu: Mar 26, 2006, 10:47:30 AM
Thx for the watch. I have to say that your Kim Possible "Everlasting Love" fics are so great, they're my faves on fanfiction.net :D.

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I'm a member of *Kimpossiblefanatics, ~KimXRon and *RonStoppableClub
~TheEntrapment:iconTheEntrapment: Mar 25, 2006, 5:18:26 AM
Thanx for the watch

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Visit my dA Page ---> [link]
And my Gallery ----> [link]
~ivymae457:iconivymae457: Jan 17, 2006, 2:25:18 PM
thank you for the watch! :)

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I am worth $1,611,050 on HumanForSale.com Whoo Hoo


*insert clever singnature here*