Aug
18
Posted under
Music I got the new King Diamond album a couple of months ago. It is sweet, though not as sweet as the older material. I think that he’s fallen in love with Livia Zita. She has been on two albums now, “The Puppet Master” and “Give me your soul…please”, which is the new album. For some reason, he doesn’t have the same intensity as he used to. I have a copy of him with a band called “Probot”, and I think that the vocals on the song “Sweet Dreams” were among the best that he has ever done. That song contains almost everything that a King Diamond fan loves him for. It is chock full of the highs and lows that give him that signature sound. Even in the days of “Mercyful Fate” King’s voice has proven to be among the most powerful in the business, rivaled only by the likes of Ronnie James Dio and Mike Howe of “Metal Church”and “Heretic”. The last album though, did not have the same insanely dark characteristics. The story of the album too, is lacking. A lot of the plot points don’t make a lot of sense. Since the first solo album, King has been making “concept” albums. All the songs tell a complete story all the way through. “The Graveyard” is among the very best. The story there is good enough for a summer horror blockbuster. I hope that King gets his groove back for the next project. I would hate to see him go the way of “Metallica”. That would be a true shame.
Aug
17
Posted under
Music I recently got the new Type O Negative album “Dead Again”, and it is awesome. I’ve probably listened to it a hundred times by now. It’s a tad different from previous albums. The same doom feel is there, though on the first listening I felt as though they were parodying themselves. The more I listened however, the more I grew to love it. Peter Steele seems to have a few positive messages to relay in songs like “These Three Things” and “Dead Again”. I think it could be the first time that has happened. Maybe Pete’s just getting old. The music is nice and heavy though. I’ve always said that Type O Negative is finishing what Black Sabbath started. For a few years now, the music has been dreary and eerily dark, lots of slower melodies. This however, makes the music much heavier. On the latest album there are more fast paced songs. “Halloween in Heaven” is one and also features Tara Vanflower on vocals. It is the first time that a woman has gotten to sing full verses for them, and I must say that she did a fantastic job. “Hail and Farewell to Britain” is my favorite track and the last track on the album. Halfway through the song the band breaks down into one of the best and heaviest riff ever. It certainly has the potential to make your head involuntarily move up and down. The cover art is a “Type O Negative Green” version of Rasputin, who reminds me of Otis Driftwood from “The Devil’s Rejects” movie by Rob Zombie, or maybe even Charlie Manson. The back cover has a picture, in the same eerie green, of Anastasia and her three sisters. There is a russian theme to the album which is apparent throughout the tracks. If you like the heavy stuff, “Dead Again” would be a nice addition to your collection.
