Baroness: The Red Album

Ok, right from the start I need to apologize for my previously stated dislike of this album. It's just that took a while to grow on me, I guess. It's not quite as impressive as their latest release "Blue Record". It's a bit more instrumental heavy, yet still formidable.

Baroness' "Red Album" (2007) is a smoke-filled maze of winding, quiet, trippy prog-rock instrumentals a la early King Crimson that build into heavier stoner rock grooves, then eventually explode into all out apocalypse then melt away. They haven't quite perfected their home-spun blend of Mastadon, Fugazi, and The Sword yet, but they are pretty close. Excellent blend of prog metal, hardcore, and stoner metal.

"Red Album" takes a bit of patience. Once again, it is not nearly as gargantuan as "Blue Record" but still a good listen. It tends to meander a bit with the instrumentals, but I think that's the way they meant it....to lull you into a psychedelic stupor and then melt your face off. Highly recommended, but pick up "Blue Record" first.

Here's "Rays on Pinion" and 'Wanderlust" for your enjoyment.

BARONESS: A HORSE CALLED GOLGOTHA

Impressive. Baroness is a band that I have had my doubts about. I picked up their "Red Album" and I was not impressed. And now their latest release "Blue Record" is out, and I'm been considering picking it up for a while now due to rave reviews. After hearing "A Horse Called Golgotha", I know I need to get this album right away. Frightening and catchy prog/punk...somewhere between Mastadon and Fugazi. Check it out. Amazing video as well.

FUGAZI'S "13 SONGS"

Fugazi are an excellent band that play a sort of mid-paced but highly energetic brand of punk. Like X and Nomeansno, , the bass carries the rhythm and the majority of the melody, with the guitar coming on full force only when needed. The vocals are almost spoken and take a few listens to get used to, but they suit the music just fine. The best thing about Fugazi is their highly infectious catchy choruses and the way the bass carries the music along, always in the groove. "13 Songs" is a great place to start if you're interested. An incredible album, simple but contagious. One of my favorite tracks is "Waiting Room". Check it out.

Waiting Room - Fugazi

AT THE DRIVE-IN: "Relationship of Command"

At the Drive-In's "Relationship of Command"(2000). This is the only album I have by this band. I have only heard a small amount of their other material, but this album is constantly finding it's way into my CD player somehow. At the Drive-In are a highly emotive mix of punk and prog-metal. They sound like a strange marriage between a revved up Fugazi and the, heavy, progressive, sci-fi metal of Voivod. The vocals alternate between quiet and contemplative and outright ferocious, and the music is fast, heavy, complex, and dizzying. It is all held together by underlying sense of melody and highly infectious choruses. Combined with askewed, bizzare lyrics and the unrelenting pace and disorienting feel of the music, you feel overwhelmed and exhausted by the end of the album, yet you can't get the songs out of your head and you want to come back for more. Some of my favorite tracks are "Arcarsenal", "Sleepwalk Capsules", "Cosmonaut", and "One-Armed Scissor". Highly recommended.

Here's the video to "One Armed Scissor" and a live performance of "Cosmonaut". Enjoy!