Latitudes: Agonist

2009 has been a really great year for music new and old. Lots of great albums have been released and tons of amazing shows have been played. With all those things being said there are many bands that fly under the radar and go unnoticed. One such band from England called "Latitudes" is a perfect example. With a sound similar to that of Isis and Neurosis, they take it one step farther and delve more into the experimental. Their recent album "Agonist" is full of wonderful soundscapes that puts you in a mood that takes you away from everything. While the album is mostly instrumental, there are a couple moments of singing and the vocals fit in beautifully. Antechamber the second track on the album is one of those songs and a highlight of the record. The drums pound and groove away while the bass rumbles and syncs up perfectly. The guitar tone is dirty and gritty but is clear and crisp. This is definitely a band to check out and listen to on repeat. Everything about them is great.

Track Listing:

1) Myth Cathexis

2) Antechamber

3) Fluxes of the Womb

4) Steppe & Veiled

5) Braille

6) Hunting Dance

7) Agonist

7 tracks 41 minutes

Overall Rating: 9/10

http://www.myspace.com/latitudesmusic

MASTODON at Hollywood Palladium

Of all the shows I've experienced this year from Nine Inch Nails, Alice In Chains, Down, and a couple others there is one other that stands out from that bunch. Mastodon is a top 5 member of my list. 2009 has had some of the most memorable shows I've been to. This was the second time seeing the mighty Mastodon and it was just as good if not better than the first. Since the release of their latest album "Crack The Skye," they have been playing it in it's entirety. First off the album is a masterpiece and one of the best albums of the last 10 years. I know that's a bold statement but it truly is. The concept, the songs, the music, the artwork, basically the entire package is outstanding.

With a video screen behind them and as soon as the first note of Oblivion was struck everyone in attendance knew what was in store. When they got to "The Czar" it pushed the set into epic proportions. The song is a four part journey with all the makings of a classic live staple. The title track is one of the heaviest songs on the album and live it translates to a bold extreme of greatness. The Last Baron concluded the first portion of their set. The guys in the band were firing on all cylinders. Brann Dailor (Drums) and Troy Sanders (Bass and Vocals) form one of the tightest rhythm sections in all genres. Bill Kelliher (Guitar) and Brent Hinds(Guitar and Vocals) are one of the best  guitar tandems in all of music. The tones and riffs they create are brilliant and shear genius. After playing their new album set, they came back and played a few more songs. Sticking mainly to their first couple albums for their encore, they came back and destroyed what was left of the stage. 

I've seen Mastodon five times now and I must say that was the best show of their I've ever seen. They are absolutely one of the best bands of the decade and deserve all the accolades that come their way. There are two stories within the album and should be explored thoroughly. There is nothing about Mastodon that should go unrecognized. Grab your headphones and get a copy of their new album and gear up for one hell of a great ride!!!

Overall Rating: 10/10

Fear Factory: Reunion and Powershifter (single)

FEAR FACTORY IS BACK!!! The real version of what Fear Factory should be, not the version of the last 5 years. In 2002 Dino (guitar) and Burton (vocals) got into a a huge fight which led the band to break up, only to resurface without Dino a couple years later. The songs created without Dino were lackluster and rehashed riffs off of "Demanufacture" (their classic album). Then in 2008 at a Ministry show Dino and Burton settled their differences and put the feud behind them. Now in 2009 with all their bickering behind them Dino and Burton have put Fear Factory back together with an all-star lineup featuring Gene Hoglan (Death, Testament, Dethklok) on drums and Byron Stroud (Strapping Young Lad, nu Fear Factory) on bass.

Fear Factory has just released their first tease off their new album "Mechanize" due out in February 2010. The song is entitled Powershifter and it kills. This song alone makes up for the last 3 albums they have put out. There is an industrial tinge to the machine gun riff and hard pounding drums. The vocals are classic Fear Factory. Burton C. Bell has one of the best voices in metal. His clean singing is better than it's been in years. The lyrics give new meaning and a rebirth to this band. Basically this song provides the anthem for what Fear Factory is now. 

Whatever it was that brought Burton and Dino back together it worked, my only question is, what the hell took so long?

Overall Rating: 9.8/10

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TfekNwxK0e4

Top 10 Albums of 2009 (So Far)

Brian's Top 10 Albums of 2009 (So Far):

1: Mastodon- Crack The Skye

1: Alice In Chains- Black Gives Way To Blue

2: Gallows- Grey Britain

3: Narrows- New Distances

4: Isis- Wavering Radiant

5: Silversun Pickups- Swoon

6: Depeche Mode- Sounds Of The Universe

7: Pearl Jam: Backspacer

8: Slayer- World Painted Blood

9: Rammstein- Liebe Ist Fur Alle Da

10: Jay Z- The Blueprint 3

The Continuation:

11: Dredg- The Parrot, The Pariah, The Delusion

12: Placebo- Battle For The Sun

13: Devildriver- Prey For Villians

14: Mariachi El Bronx- S/T

15: Darkest Hour- The Eternal Return

Not So Great Albums:

AFI- Crash Love

Killswitch Engage- S/T (2009)

Static X- Cult Of Static

Lamb Of God- Wrath

Street Sweeper Social Club- S/T

Chimaira- The Infection

Five Finger Death Punh- War Is The Answer

Brand New- Daisy

Spinnerette- S/T