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- Review count10
- Helpfulness votes13
- First reviewSeptember 6, 2012
- Last reviewDecember 1, 2013
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- Average rating4.5
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RBubb's Reviews
![Epitaph [Video] [DVD]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/8960/8960704_sa.jpg)
Posted by: RBubb
from Upstate, NY
I grew up on Judas Priest back in the 80's starting with the classic breakthrough albums like 'Screaming for Vengeance' and 'Defenders of the Faith' and even loved the ill-received 'Turbo' and stuck around until 'Ram it Down' after which I moved on to heavier stuff like thrash (Testament, Slayer) and extreme metal (Death/ Black Metal). I largely forgot about Judas Priest until I caught this (Epitaph Live) on Palladium one night and absolutely loved it, especially the excellent live sound and great visual show. Plus, they played all the songs I remember and many from much earlier in their long career (Thanks VH1 Metal Evolution and Rovi). I actually priced this a few months ago and avoided buying because it was so expensive, ($20.00) especially since it's a DVD only release. Which brings me to my only criticism- it's surprising lack of an audio disc (CD) that I can load into my computer and listen to on my MP3 player. Honestly, I'll watch the DVD maybe 2-3 times a year, but listen to the audio version far more than that. Buy now that BEST BUY has it on sale for $11.00 I'll probably pick it up anyway.
Similar releases others might enjoy are the recently released Deep Purple- Perfect Strangers Live and Black Sabbath- Gathered in their Masses Live 2013.
Similar releases others might enjoy are the recently released Deep Purple- Perfect Strangers Live and Black Sabbath- Gathered in their Masses Live 2013.
My Best Buy number: 2204346960
What's great about it: Sound quality
What's not so great: No audio disc
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
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![Spitting Fire Live, Vol. 1 [CD]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/9199/9199303_sa.jpg)
Posted by: RBubb
from Upstate, NY
This review goes for both Spitting Fire albums (volumes' 1 & 2). I've listened to both of these albums several times now, with a nice set of Rocket Fish blue-tooth headphones and through a set of Bose speakers and I must be perfectly honest this is just an OK sounding live album. It's got a muddy, claustrophobic sound that at once sounds like it was recorded some distance from the stage and as though all the instruments are being forced through a straw. I get it THIS IS HIGH ON FIRE so they are supposed to sound this way and polish of any kind is an anathema to them. Just saying this could of used a little polish. I'm assuming most readers, being fans of heavy music, are familiar with other heavy live albums and with that in mind if you are happy with the way Machine Head's latest live album, "Machine F$&@$ing Head' sounds then this is right up your alley (as they sound very similar). However, if your looking for studio quality live (any Opeth live album) or one of my favorite live albums of recent years, Hypocrisy's Hell Over Sophia Live, then you will be sorely disappointed.
All that said, this is High on Fire and this is one dirty, sweaty, muscular beast of a live album with Pike's guitar sounding like shifting tectonic plates and the drums pummeling like boulders hurled by giants and I love very single song, especially the somewhat deeper cuts found on Volume Two (volume one is basically a greatest hits live). On a few tracks Pike's vocals are almost drowned out by the avalanche of sound which makes me think just how good some of these songs would sound as pure instrumentals, along the lines of say, Mastodon's Crack the Skye (deluxe version with instrumental version of the entire album).
In conclusion, both of these High on Fire live albums, warts and all, are well worth owning for any fans of heavy live music and especially for HOF fans. (I improved the sound by adjusting the volume slider from its default of mid-way to about 2/3 to 3/4 and turned on loudness)
All that said, this is High on Fire and this is one dirty, sweaty, muscular beast of a live album with Pike's guitar sounding like shifting tectonic plates and the drums pummeling like boulders hurled by giants and I love very single song, especially the somewhat deeper cuts found on Volume Two (volume one is basically a greatest hits live). On a few tracks Pike's vocals are almost drowned out by the avalanche of sound which makes me think just how good some of these songs would sound as pure instrumentals, along the lines of say, Mastodon's Crack the Skye (deluxe version with instrumental version of the entire album).
In conclusion, both of these High on Fire live albums, warts and all, are well worth owning for any fans of heavy live music and especially for HOF fans. (I improved the sound by adjusting the volume slider from its default of mid-way to about 2/3 to 3/4 and turned on loudness)
My Best Buy number: 2204346960
What's great about it: Price, song selection and performance
What's not so great: Live production quality could be better
I would recommend this to a friend!
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![Deceiver of the Gods [Bonus Tracks] [CD]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/9199/9199454_sa.jpg)
Posted by: RBubb
from Upstate, NY
I pre-ordered the deluxe version of this album, 'Deceiver of the Gods' with the bonus E.P. 'Under the Influence' and after about three listens I think it's a pretty solid release that grows on me more with each listen. The production is spot-on, crystal clear while still sounding heavy. Contrary to my initial expectations, based on the title track single, this album is a LITTLE experimental (or progressive) for Amon Amarth because, in addition to the Viking Melodic Death Metal we all know and love there is a pronounced undercurrent of NWBHM that adds something new and fresh to their sound. It's as if the 'Under the Influence' E.P. influenced the main album. I'm glad I got the deluxe version with the E.P. because it shows just how versatile are Amon Amarth (especially the vocalist, Hegg) in mimicking the style of bands like Judas Priest, Black Sabbath, MotorHead and Iron Maiden. Plus, maybe it's just me, the production on each of these four songs changes ever so slightly to sound similar to the original band being imitated.
Overall, this is another solid release by Amon Amarth that any fan should be happy to own. Special thanks to Best Buy for getting me this release a full day early. I get a kick out of hearing new releases before the official release date.
Overall, this is another solid release by Amon Amarth that any fan should be happy to own. Special thanks to Best Buy for getting me this release a full day early. I get a kick out of hearing new releases before the official release date.
My Best Buy number: 2204346960
What's great about it: Everything
What's not so great: Nothing
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+2points
2of 2voted this as helpful.
![Unborn [CD]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/8289/8289083_sa.jpg)
Posted by: RBubb
from Upstate, NY
I am one of those few people who thought Barnes leaving Cannibal Corpse was a good thing for fans because it gave us two great death metal bands instead of one. And as with last year's Undead, this year's Unborn illustrates my point as SFU has, IMO, not sounded this good in a long time. It seems that Barnes and Swanson are the only two original guys left and have begun working with a host of new guitar talent, like Ola Englund (Unborn) and Chimaira's Rob Arnold (Undead) and SFU have a more razor-sharp, technical sound with Barnes signature vocals that I find refreshing, especially when compared to the tired, worn-out sound of 'Death Rituals'. Although the entire album is solid stand-out tracks include, Nuero-Osmosis, Zombie Blood Curse, Psychosis and The Curse of the Ancients.
Love or hate Barnes You have to give him credit for re-invigorating SFU and putting out two great albums in back to back fashion (Undead-2012 & Unborn- 2013) with most bands waiting 3-4 years between releases this work ethic is as appreciated as it is unheard of.
I highly recommend this album as well as last year's Undead and this year's new releases by Suffocation and Immolation.
Love or hate Barnes You have to give him credit for re-invigorating SFU and putting out two great albums in back to back fashion (Undead-2012 & Unborn- 2013) with most bands waiting 3-4 years between releases this work ethic is as appreciated as it is unheard of.
I highly recommend this album as well as last year's Undead and this year's new releases by Suffocation and Immolation.
My Best Buy number: 2204346960
What's great about it: Updated sound, more energy
What's not so great: Nothing
I would recommend this to a friend!
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![Majesty and Decay [CD]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/1841/18418906_sa.jpg)
Posted by: RBubb
from Upstate, NY
Immolation have always been a band that I've been aware of, but have never gotten around to listening to until this album, Majesty and Decay.
This is primarily because their are just so many great death metal bands around from highly technical stuff like Origin, Cannibal Corpse and Suffocation to more old school stuff like Morbid Angel and Disma so it's a case of so many bands so little money. But, in truth, much like a lot of Suffocation's older stuff, Immolation were hampered by, IMO, a very outdated, old school (1990's) style of production that always made the music sound, muddy and muffled like I was listening to it coming through the walls of the next room. This left me thinking there was nothing really special about the band. In an era were so many bands, even extremely heavy bands are enjoying stellar production and mixing this outdated production severely hamstrung this band.
Thankfully with 'Majesty and Decay' Immolation have never sounded better (until Kingdom of Conspiracy) and now I can appreciate just how good is this band. Everything sounds so heavy and full with no one instrument (including vocals) overwhelming any other. And it sounds immediate and in your face, not the next room.
As these guys get older it seems they are dialing back the anti-Christian rhetoric in favor of other themes. Really, I can't imagine that they have more say against the Christian faith than they have already said on albums like, 'Failures for Gods' and 'Close to a World Below'. And it's not like they are preaching AGAINST the tide. In this case, as the title, 'Majesty and Decay' suggests its about the decline and fall of a morally, politically and economically decadent society and the alienation and rage that produces in a person. As an atheist who is tired of the Christian bashing common in so much Death and Black metal I welcome Immolation's change of theme, especially when so much thought has been put into them.
Finally, I highly recommend this album as well as Immolation's latest, 'Kingdom of Conspiracy'. They make me proud to be a New Yorker.
This is primarily because their are just so many great death metal bands around from highly technical stuff like Origin, Cannibal Corpse and Suffocation to more old school stuff like Morbid Angel and Disma so it's a case of so many bands so little money. But, in truth, much like a lot of Suffocation's older stuff, Immolation were hampered by, IMO, a very outdated, old school (1990's) style of production that always made the music sound, muddy and muffled like I was listening to it coming through the walls of the next room. This left me thinking there was nothing really special about the band. In an era were so many bands, even extremely heavy bands are enjoying stellar production and mixing this outdated production severely hamstrung this band.
Thankfully with 'Majesty and Decay' Immolation have never sounded better (until Kingdom of Conspiracy) and now I can appreciate just how good is this band. Everything sounds so heavy and full with no one instrument (including vocals) overwhelming any other. And it sounds immediate and in your face, not the next room.
As these guys get older it seems they are dialing back the anti-Christian rhetoric in favor of other themes. Really, I can't imagine that they have more say against the Christian faith than they have already said on albums like, 'Failures for Gods' and 'Close to a World Below'. And it's not like they are preaching AGAINST the tide. In this case, as the title, 'Majesty and Decay' suggests its about the decline and fall of a morally, politically and economically decadent society and the alienation and rage that produces in a person. As an atheist who is tired of the Christian bashing common in so much Death and Black metal I welcome Immolation's change of theme, especially when so much thought has been put into them.
Finally, I highly recommend this album as well as Immolation's latest, 'Kingdom of Conspiracy'. They make me proud to be a New Yorker.
My Best Buy number: 2204346960
What's great about it: Updated Production and Mixing
What's not so great: Nothing
I would recommend this to a friend!
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![Nightside Emanations [CD]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/2064/20645969_sa.jpg)
Posted by: RBubb
from Upstate, NY
In a year of phenomenal metal releases, both in terms of quantity and quality, this release, 'Nightside Emanations' by Behexen is easily one of my favorites. Although I listen to a lot of black metal, from polished symphonic stuff like Emperor, Dimmu Borgir and Carach Angren to the raw, nasty blast-beast riven stuff by Gorgoroth, 1349, and Marduk these guys, Behexen, were, until now, flying under my radar. One day out of curiosity I sampled a couple tracks off of this album and was immediately hooked and had to own it (that rarely happens).
Every single song from the organ intro to 'Wrathful Dragon Hau-Hra' to closer 'Kiss of Our Dark Mother' is just outstanding. My favorites are 'Circle Me', 'Awaken Tiamat' and 'Temple of the Silent Curses'. 'Awaken Tiamat' in particular, is one of those songs like Satyricon's 'Black Crow on a Tombstone' or Immortal's 'At the Heart of Winter' that will be stuck in one's head for days on end. IMO, this album will (or ought) to be a break-through, career highlight kind of album that moves these guys from the relative obscurity of the black metal minor leagues to the majors along side more established bands like Gorgoroth, Marduk, Immortal and Satyricon etc, -they really deserve it.
What really makes this album hit on all 12 cylinders is the perfect epic sounding production that makes everything sound so big and full. The drums and bass sound like tectonic plates rumbling and the guitars sound so thick, just mammoth. The vocals fit the music perfectly, not the ultra-high pitched shriek of say, Dani Filth or Isahn, but more of a deeper bass, commanding bark reminiscent of say, Satyr or a deeper -sounding Ghaaal.
This is one of those rare black metal albums that is just enjoyable to listen to, like Immortal's ''At the Heart of Winter' or 'Sons of Northern Darkness' or one of my favorites Satyricon's 'The Age of Nero'. So many black metal albums are a 'hard won appreciation' were its almost an endurance event to eventually appreciate them, eg, Emperor, early Gorgoroth, but this Behexen album (like the afore mentioned Immortal and Satyricon albums) is effortlessly enjoyable. It just hits right away.
In closing, this is truly a great modern (2012) black metal album that is so good, so catchy and epic sounding that I'm afraid many black metal snobs will unfairly dismiss it as merely 'black and roll' as they did with every Satyricon release after 'Nemesis Divina'. That would be truly unfortunate for the band and fans alike.
Every single song from the organ intro to 'Wrathful Dragon Hau-Hra' to closer 'Kiss of Our Dark Mother' is just outstanding. My favorites are 'Circle Me', 'Awaken Tiamat' and 'Temple of the Silent Curses'. 'Awaken Tiamat' in particular, is one of those songs like Satyricon's 'Black Crow on a Tombstone' or Immortal's 'At the Heart of Winter' that will be stuck in one's head for days on end. IMO, this album will (or ought) to be a break-through, career highlight kind of album that moves these guys from the relative obscurity of the black metal minor leagues to the majors along side more established bands like Gorgoroth, Marduk, Immortal and Satyricon etc, -they really deserve it.
What really makes this album hit on all 12 cylinders is the perfect epic sounding production that makes everything sound so big and full. The drums and bass sound like tectonic plates rumbling and the guitars sound so thick, just mammoth. The vocals fit the music perfectly, not the ultra-high pitched shriek of say, Dani Filth or Isahn, but more of a deeper bass, commanding bark reminiscent of say, Satyr or a deeper -sounding Ghaaal.
This is one of those rare black metal albums that is just enjoyable to listen to, like Immortal's ''At the Heart of Winter' or 'Sons of Northern Darkness' or one of my favorites Satyricon's 'The Age of Nero'. So many black metal albums are a 'hard won appreciation' were its almost an endurance event to eventually appreciate them, eg, Emperor, early Gorgoroth, but this Behexen album (like the afore mentioned Immortal and Satyricon albums) is effortlessly enjoyable. It just hits right away.
In closing, this is truly a great modern (2012) black metal album that is so good, so catchy and epic sounding that I'm afraid many black metal snobs will unfairly dismiss it as merely 'black and roll' as they did with every Satyricon release after 'Nemesis Divina'. That would be truly unfortunate for the band and fans alike.
My Best Buy number: 2204346960
What's great about it: Improved Production
What's not so great: Nothing
I would recommend this to a friend!
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![Kingdom of Conspiracy [CD]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/8865/8865442_sa.jpg)
Posted by: RBubb
from Upstate, NY
This has been a great year for NY Technical Death Metal. First, Suffocation (Long Island) released it's career highlight release (Pinnacle of Bedlam) earlier this year and now Immolation (Westchester County) follows suite with an equally impressive career highlight album, Kingdom of Conspiracy. What's great about this album besides the very strong world class writing and musicianship is the sorely needed improved production and mixing that gives this album a well-balanced epic sound in which every instrument (including vocals) is perfectly balanced against other instrument with nothing buried in the mix. Both on headphones and out loud this album really hits hard and heavy (at the gym this effect is like an extra shot of adrenaline). In terms of theme, Immolation, thankfully, turned down the anti-Christian rhetoric found on many previous albums and instead have focused on the more post-modern theme of a giant, globe spanning nameless, faceless culture (Western Culture) enslaving humanity. The lyrics are really thoughtful and after reading through the booklet are easier to hear on the album itself.
For fans of technical death metal I cannot recommend this album highly enough.
For fans of technical death metal I cannot recommend this album highly enough.
My Best Buy number: 2204346960
What's great about it: Production and Mixing
What's not so great: Nothing
I would recommend this to a friend!
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![Pinnacle of Bedlam [CD]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/7747/7747226_sa.jpg)
Posted by: RBubb
from Upstate, NY
I'll be honest I have never been a huge Suffocation fan - besides this album, 'Pinnacle of Bedlam' the only other albums I own by these guys are 'Blood Oath' and their live one, 'Close of a Chapter-Live in Quebec'. I always thought they were just alright, but nothing ever really clicked for me. I listened to 'Blood Oath' once when it came out and it sat on my shelf for two years until this new album came out. For me their sound, in terms of production, sounded muddy and dated like a death band stuck in the 1990's. That said, 'Pinnacle of Bedlam' is a whole different kind of monster as this album absolutely clicks with me and I cannot stop listening to it. From start to finish it is just stunningly good. I always thought these guys were good musicians, but they never sounded good until now. The production and mixing on this album showcases this band in a new light, in the best possible light. The album sounds so big and full with every instrument, including vocals, perfectly balanced against each other and altogether sounding crystal clear and heavy at the same time. As far as I can tell the producer, Joe Cincotta, is the same one they have worked with for a while (he produced 'Blood Oath' and 'Live in Quebec') so the difference has to be Zuess' mixing and mastering.
'Pinnacle of Bedlam' is solid all the way through, but standout tracks for me are the title track, the single- 'As Grace Descends', 'Cycles of Suffering' and my favorite 'Sullen Days' with that initially deceptive acoustic sounding intro that quickly turns into another brutal death metal song. On first listen I thought the entire thing was going to be acoustic, 'my god an acoustic song on a Suffocation album' then it turned into a great death metal track. I love being surprised like that.
Overall, this album sounds like a roiling sea of technical death metal with these awesome Azagothian (Morbid Angel) inspired guitar solos rising out of that sea like the basaltic towers of Ryleh. Just awesome.
'Pinnacle of Bedlam' is solid all the way through, but standout tracks for me are the title track, the single- 'As Grace Descends', 'Cycles of Suffering' and my favorite 'Sullen Days' with that initially deceptive acoustic sounding intro that quickly turns into another brutal death metal song. On first listen I thought the entire thing was going to be acoustic, 'my god an acoustic song on a Suffocation album' then it turned into a great death metal track. I love being surprised like that.
Overall, this album sounds like a roiling sea of technical death metal with these awesome Azagothian (Morbid Angel) inspired guitar solos rising out of that sea like the basaltic towers of Ryleh. Just awesome.
What's great about it: Solid from start to finish
What's not so great: Nothing
I would recommend this to a friend!
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![The Living Infinite [CD]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/8006/8006102_sa.jpg)
Customer Rating
5
Strong Return to Form for Soilwork
on March 4, 2013
Posted by: RBubb
from Upstate, NY
IMO Soilwork's new double album, 'The Living Infinite' is a strong return to the form seen on earlier to mid-career albums like, 'Natural Born Chaos' through 'Stabbing the Drama' - the best years for this band. For me, the last two albums, 'Sworn to a Great Divide' and 'The Panic Broadcast' just didn't work for me- just too 'radio-friendly' as it were and lacking any real edge. The Living Infinite is a return to the edge and energy of the afore mentioned albums while still maintaining Speed's much improved vocals and overall melody. Just the right balance of melody and Death Metal speed and aggression. (In Flames take note- this is how it's done) All of the songs are killer, but stand out tracks include, "Spectrum of Eternity" "Long Live the Misanthrope" and "Rise Above the Sentiment".
Plus, I must say Best Buy offered the absolute lowest price ($9.99- cheaper than the i-tunes download) on this double -album with free shipping AND it arrived a day earlier than its release. Very pumped to hear this ahead of its actual release date.
Plus, I must say Best Buy offered the absolute lowest price ($9.99- cheaper than the i-tunes download) on this double -album with free shipping AND it arrived a day earlier than its release. Very pumped to hear this ahead of its actual release date.
What's great about it: Great musicianship and Production
What's not so great: Nothing
I would recommend this to a friend!
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![Dark Roots of Earth [CD]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/5877/5877801_sa.jpg)
Customer Rating
5
State of the Art Metal by a Legendary Band
on September 6, 2012
Posted by: RBubb
from Upstate, NY
I remember these guys starting out back when I was in High School and followed them from 'The New Order' (1987) up through 'Live at the Filmore' (1994) and then as time wore on and my musical tastes changed I forget all about them until this new album, 'Dark Roots of the Earth' (2012) came out. Admittedly, my primary motivation in buying it was nostalgia, but band reputation and positive buzz cinched it. I immediately loved it, not for nostalgia, but because it's state of the art, contemporary American metal played with musicianship of the highest caliber and sounds sooo Gdamn good. It has a nice balance of heavy contemporary sounding thrash with slower, more melodic songs (NOT power ballads) for which Testament were well known. Chuck Billy's voice has only gotten better with age, one can understand every lyric and the lyrics are mature and fairly positive. Alex Scholnick is back with the band for the first time since 'The Ritual' (1992) and proves why he is one of, if not the best metal guitarist around right now. Finally, Gene Hoglan, one of my favorite metal drums is also on board and 'the Atomic Clock' anchors this band better than any other drummer Testament has had. All of the original tracks have an identity of their own and the bonus cover tracks are are well chosen and well done. Well worth the money as it stands up to repeated listens.
PS: also worth getting are Testament Live in London (2005) and Formation of Damnation (2009). Since getting 'Dark Roots of the Earth' I've backtracked and found these just prior albums and they are also worth it. Best Buy sells them. I stand corrected Skolnick was on Live in London as part of a reunion then rejoined for 'Formation of Damnation'.
PS: also worth getting are Testament Live in London (2005) and Formation of Damnation (2009). Since getting 'Dark Roots of the Earth' I've backtracked and found these just prior albums and they are also worth it. Best Buy sells them. I stand corrected Skolnick was on Live in London as part of a reunion then rejoined for 'Formation of Damnation'.
What's great about it: Virtuoso playing and songwriting
What's not so great: Nothing
I would recommend this to a friend!
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