The Playlist of Life --- Trollheart's resurrected Journal

Trollheart · 05-18-2012, 11:05 AM

I'm getting a new appreciation for Finland, I must say. This country has already introduced me to Human Temple and Stratovarius, and now there are two new albums I want to look at over the next few weeks. Both come from the progressive rock/metal area, and as usual I had heard of neither before I came across these albums. This is in fact the full debut of the band I want to check out here first, although they have had some EPs released prior to this. Perhaps troubling though, that having been formed in 2003, it's taken them nine years to get to the point of releasing their first album. Or maybe it's just that damn good it'll have been worth waiting for.

To protect our way of living --- Fadeout --- 2012 (Secret Entertainment)

So, what do I know about this band? Well, precious little --- what else is new? --- though their style is described on the website Encyclopaedia Metallum as “Groove Nu Metal”. Personally, I've never been one for sub-sub-sub-genres: I think if a genre or style is compartmentalised too much then the music tends to lose its meaning and becomes just a subset of another, larger genre. I listen to rock, I listen to metal. I listen to progressive sub-genres of each, and I know enough of my own tastes to avoid certain other sub-genres, like speed/doom/black/depressive etc. But what I've heard in the runup to this album hasn't seemed anything like any of those, and in general it's impressed me, so let's dig deeper and see what these guys are all about.

Certainly doesn't start off very metal, with chingling guitar and sax, wouldya believe? The vocals of Marko Pajula are clear and distinct, no roaring, growling, and for a Finn his English is impeccable, with little or no accent, at least on opener “Solar lights”. I can understand the “groove” part of the tag all right, as there's a real tunefulness about this song, very commercial sounding and I would venture to say not really much in the way of metal at all. Mariachi-style trumpet gives the further lie to this categorisation of Fadeout as any sort of metal band, and the song romps along nicely, breaking into a run here and there but never losing its shape, with some nice tasteful guitar licks. I definitely like what I'm hearing so far.

The cool, gentle, controlled sound continues into “One way track”, the vocal a little less rich, with the instrumentation a shade on the sharper side, but then filling out nicely after half a minute or so, and it's another mid-paced rocker with some really nice keys. I can hear a little more of Pajula's accent in this song, but it's still very listenable, and he has a good singing voice, almost relaxed while guitarists Ilkka Kivimaki and Topi Wiio know just when to hold back and when to come to the fore, never pushing anything but just letting the music grow and develop organically, almost as if they're not in control of their instruments, but in the best way possible.

I'm definitely finding it hard to reconcile the terms of dark, depressive and doom that have been attributed to this band, but perhaps a song with a title like “Grey” will address that? Well, no. It's a little tougher, a good bit more guitar, sharper song, but in general I see nothing in the least depressive about this; a little more serious perhaps, and the keyboard playing of Teemu Salo is more progressive rock than death metal, if such a thing exists: keyboards in death metal? I don't know, as I don't listen to that sub-genre as I said, but I would be surprised. The guitar work is mostly very technical and melodic, in some ways almost Steve Hackettish, which is no bad thing at all, and the vocals are certainly top notch. I guess taking nine years to perfect your sound is time well spent in this case.

If the last track can be taken as a little morose, though hardly depressive, “Shepherd and the wolf” kicks things back up a gear, with a nice uptempo guitar piece, Marko Pajula's vocal more animated in this song, and I only notice that when compared to the previous one, in which I allow that yes, he did sound a little sombre singing that. Perhaps if I delved deeper into the actual lyrics I might find a lot of soul-searching and darker themes, but as it stands I'm just enjoying the general music and sound of the band, and I certainly don't feel like they're bringing me down. This seems to come across as the first, perhaps only, love song, though I wouldn't quite call it a ballad. Beautiful guitar solo from one or other of the two guys, can't say which.

The tempo is upped even more for the very radio-friendly “No more hypocrisy”, led by a really powerful keyboard line. It's quite an anthemic song, which I could see going down well once Fadeout get on the road. Some nice heavy guitar and Jussi Lahtinen finally gets a chance to cut loose on the drums, though he's quickly reined back in. Sort of reminds me a little of the Jam crossed with Lostprophets, this. Very catchy. “Puppets and dolls” starts out almost Zeplike, with a great guitar riff, then develops into a seventies prog keysfest, ripping along at a fine pace, with a big heavy chorus that again will go down well onstage.

I've just found, in my noodlings around the web, that Fadeout were one of the bands who started out with a page on Soundclick.com, the very spot from where my “Treasure Chest” section is taken. Course, I've only got as far as “A”, so have well missed out their growing beyond that medium and into a proper, signed band, but even so, it shows that some great music can come from such small beginnings. As I've been trying to tell everyone. So well done, guys! “Palestine” opens on an intensive little guitar line and a passionate lonely vocal from Pajula, the guitar possibly a sitar, or made to sound like one, then sweeping keyboard chords drift in as the song rises on lovely violin. This is certainly a ballad, and there are some great female backing vocals on the song, though I can't find any credits for who sings them.

The closer (already?) is a ten-minute rock stormer, where Fadeout really get to stretch themselves, the two guitarists doing their best Thin Lizzy with Marko in great voice and the whole song running into a sort of boogie groove. With the rather odd title of “Painter”, it's a great closer and considering there are only eight tracks on the album it's good that the last one is of a decent length. There's also a certain flavour of Boston in the guitar, and though halfway through and I haven't heard too much of the keyboards, I'm sure they'll be making their contribution before the song ends. Well, that's either them at the eight and a half minute mark, or the trumpet we heard at the beginning of the album, and since no brass is credited perhaps that was made on Teemu Salo's keys in the first place.

And just when you feel this epic is going to fade out (hah!) they decide to end it, bringing it to a very satisfying and momentous conclusion, and taking a really surprisingly great album to its end. As I said at the beginning, I'm getting more and more impressed by what I'm hearing these days coming out of Finland, and this band definitely add to that sense. They seem to be getting big in their native country, and it can only be a matter of time surely before they break beyond the borders of Finland.

Now, you know I'm going to say it, so don't complain or roll your eyes or groan. I have to say it. You understand that. Cover your ears/eyes if you want to. Here it comes.

This band is in no danger whatsoever of fading out.

TRACKLISTING

1. Solar lights
2. One way track
3. Grey
4. Shepherd and the wolf
5. No more hypocrisy
6. Puppets and dolls
7. Palestine
8. Painter

Trollheart · 05-19-2012, 06:45 AM

Trollheart · 05-19-2012, 06:48 AM

Yeah well, while Stacey-Lynn is shaking her little booty to Heaven 17, the worm prefers to, well, rock! Here's Whitesnake.

Trollheart · 05-19-2012, 11:55 AM

Time once again to tone down the heavier elements in heavy metal and break out the acoustic guitars, pianos and softer vocals. Yes, time once again to don the iron glove in the

First out of the gate this time around is the US band Lillian Axe, with a track from their second album which is called “Love + war”. This is “The world stopped turning”.

Heavily classically-influenced as you would expect, this is “shred-king” Yngwie Malmsteen, from his album “The seventh sign”, and a track called “Forever one”.

With my renewed respect for bands from Finland, how about Thunderstone? This is a lovely piano ballad from their second album, “The burning”, this is called “Sea of sorrow”.

The last album to feature Ritchie Blackmore, here's Deep Purple, from “Stormbringer”, with “Soldier of fortune”.

And we'll wrap this up with one of my favourites, this is Bonfire, with “Give it a try”.

Trollheart · 05-20-2012, 06:30 AM

Trollheart · 05-20-2012, 06:37 AM

Bit of Duran Duran? Huh? Huh? Say no more...

Trollheart · 05-21-2012, 02:45 AM

Although the music speaks for itself of course, it becomes a little difficult to talk about such legends as we feature here without sounding trite. Terms like “legend”, “father of the blues”, “standard” and “classic” all crop up so much that they almost lose their meaning, and the sentiments expressed here --- though meant sincerely --- become in danger of being misunderstood.

So I won't write much about these selections. Better writers and far far better musicians than I have already paid much better tribute to everyone featured here, living or dead, and anything I could add would only seem crass in comparison.

As Duke Ellington once said, “too much talkin' stinks up the room”. So let's open those windows and let some fresh air in...

Most of us have heard “Rainy night in Georgia”, but I for one certainly didn't know it was written by a blues legend, played here by him. This is Tony Joe White, with the original, and best.

Keb' Mo' may be an odd name, but there's no doubting the quality of “Am I wrong?”

A great one from one of the greatest blues players, Peter Green, here with Fleetwood Mac playing “Need your love so bad”.

Of course, most the artistes featured here are legends in their own right, and that's certainly true of John Mayall. This is “The supernatural”.

Someone who knows all about the blues is Buddy Guy. Here he relates their first meeting...

Some good advice from Johnny Winter!

A legend among legends, the incomparable Muddy Waters, with “Rollin' stone”.

The late, great Albert King, with “Born under a bad sign”.

Then there's Elmore James, with “Every day I have the blues”.

And finally, a song I first heard Rory Gallagher play, and loved, this is Sonny Boy Williamson II, with “Don't start me talkin'”.

Trollheart · 05-21-2012, 02:54 AM

Trollheart · 05-21-2012, 02:58 AM

It's no secret we're not big fans of the Moody Blues round here, but they do have some pretty excellent songs, like this one, for instance...

Unknown Soldier · 05-21-2012, 04:11 AM

Page 65-80

Bruce Dickinson- Really enjoyed your reviews of the Bruce Dickinson albums, its been a while since I listened to any of them though, but first off they're a damn sight better than the Robert Plant and Ian Gillan discographies (which of course we already discussed

) First off they don't suffer from either the bland hard rock or outright pop experimentation of Robert Plant's solo stuff, neither do they suffer from the out-dated jazz-fusion of Ian Gillan's solo stuff. His discography falls somewhere in-between Iron Maiden and the type of pop metal that was being put out at the time from bands like Bon Jovi and DEF Leppard and the albums I remember gradually became a bit more diverse, but never went off the rails and kept within confines of metal. All in all Bruce Dickinson was one of the best mainstream hard rock or metal frontmen that went solo.

Pink Floyd- Wish You Were Here along with Darkside of the Moon are the two pearls of Pink Floyd, the songs are deep and beautiful at times, the problem is that they have been caned to death, everybody has these albums, everybody thinks they are the bee's knees, everybody thinks that to be taken seriously in music they have to love these albums, to say anything bad about the band or these albums is to be looked down upon

For these reasons I hardly ever listen to Pink Floyd anymore, but of course I agree they are classics.

Black Sabbath- Master of Reality, well what can I say! The best metal album ever recorded! Well quite possibly and certainly in the top 10 best ever recorded. This is the most revered metal album ever recorded and along with Paranoid my favourite BS album. The obvious strengths of this album are the sludgy doom laden riffs combined with some nice quiet moments, before the whole thing is bludgeoned into oblivion! I saw that you are a fan of Vol.4 I love that album as well, so often misunderstood and under-appreciated by a lot of people, its a classic.

05-18-2012, 11:05 AM	#1261 (permalink)
Trollheart Born to be mild Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 404 Not Found Posts: 26,994	I'm getting a new appreciation for Finland, I must say. This country has already introduced me to Human Temple and Stratovarius, and now there are two new albums I want to look at over the next few weeks. Both come from the progressive rock/metal area, and as usual I had heard of neither before I came across these albums. This is in fact the full debut of the band I want to check out here first, although they have had some EPs released prior to this. Perhaps troubling though, that having been formed in 2003, it's taken them nine years to get to the point of releasing their first album. Or maybe it's just that damn good it'll have been worth waiting for. To protect our way of living --- Fadeout --- 2012 (Secret Entertainment) So, what do I know about this band? Well, precious little --- what else is new? --- though their style is described on the website Encyclopaedia Metallum as “Groove Nu Metal”. Personally, I've never been one for sub-sub-sub-genres: I think if a genre or style is compartmentalised too much then the music tends to lose its meaning and becomes just a subset of another, larger genre. I listen to rock, I listen to metal. I listen to progressive sub-genres of each, and I know enough of my own tastes to avoid certain other sub-genres, like speed/doom/black/depressive etc. But what I've heard in the runup to this album hasn't seemed anything like any of those, and in general it's impressed me, so let's dig deeper and see what these guys are all about. Certainly doesn't start off very metal, with chingling guitar and sax, wouldya believe? The vocals of Marko Pajula are clear and distinct, no roaring, growling, and for a Finn his English is impeccable, with little or no accent, at least on opener “Solar lights”. I can understand the “groove” part of the tag all right, as there's a real tunefulness about this song, very commercial sounding and I would venture to say not really much in the way of metal at all. Mariachi-style trumpet gives the further lie to this categorisation of Fadeout as any sort of metal band, and the song romps along nicely, breaking into a run here and there but never losing its shape, with some nice tasteful guitar licks. I definitely like what I'm hearing so far. The cool, gentle, controlled sound continues into “One way track”, the vocal a little less rich, with the instrumentation a shade on the sharper side, but then filling out nicely after half a minute or so, and it's another mid-paced rocker with some really nice keys. I can hear a little more of Pajula's accent in this song, but it's still very listenable, and he has a good singing voice, almost relaxed while guitarists Ilkka Kivimaki and Topi Wiio know just when to hold back and when to come to the fore, never pushing anything but just letting the music grow and develop organically, almost as if they're not in control of their instruments, but in the best way possible. I'm definitely finding it hard to reconcile the terms of dark, depressive and doom that have been attributed to this band, but perhaps a song with a title like “Grey” will address that? Well, no. It's a little tougher, a good bit more guitar, sharper song, but in general I see nothing in the least depressive about this; a little more serious perhaps, and the keyboard playing of Teemu Salo is more progressive rock than death metal, if such a thing exists: keyboards in death metal? I don't know, as I don't listen to that sub-genre as I said, but I would be surprised. The guitar work is mostly very technical and melodic, in some ways almost Steve Hackettish, which is no bad thing at all, and the vocals are certainly top notch. I guess taking nine years to perfect your sound is time well spent in this case. If the last track can be taken as a little morose, though hardly depressive, “Shepherd and the wolf” kicks things back up a gear, with a nice uptempo guitar piece, Marko Pajula's vocal more animated in this song, and I only notice that when compared to the previous one, in which I allow that yes, he did sound a little sombre singing that. Perhaps if I delved deeper into the actual lyrics I might find a lot of soul-searching and darker themes, but as it stands I'm just enjoying the general music and sound of the band, and I certainly don't feel like they're bringing me down. This seems to come across as the first, perhaps only, love song, though I wouldn't quite call it a ballad. Beautiful guitar solo from one or other of the two guys, can't say which. The tempo is upped even more for the very radio-friendly “No more hypocrisy”, led by a really powerful keyboard line. It's quite an anthemic song, which I could see going down well once Fadeout get on the road. Some nice heavy guitar and Jussi Lahtinen finally gets a chance to cut loose on the drums, though he's quickly reined back in. Sort of reminds me a little of the Jam crossed with Lostprophets, this. Very catchy. “Puppets and dolls” starts out almost Zeplike, with a great guitar riff, then develops into a seventies prog keysfest, ripping along at a fine pace, with a big heavy chorus that again will go down well onstage. I've just found, in my noodlings around the web, that Fadeout were one of the bands who started out with a page on Soundclick.com, the very spot from where my “Treasure Chest” section is taken. Course, I've only got as far as “A”, so have well missed out their growing beyond that medium and into a proper, signed band, but even so, it shows that some great music can come from such small beginnings. As I've been trying to tell everyone. So well done, guys! “Palestine” opens on an intensive little guitar line and a passionate lonely vocal from Pajula, the guitar possibly a sitar, or made to sound like one, then sweeping keyboard chords drift in as the song rises on lovely violin. This is certainly a ballad, and there are some great female backing vocals on the song, though I can't find any credits for who sings them. The closer (already?) is a ten-minute rock stormer, where Fadeout really get to stretch themselves, the two guitarists doing their best Thin Lizzy with Marko in great voice and the whole song running into a sort of boogie groove. With the rather odd title of “Painter”, it's a great closer and considering there are only eight tracks on the album it's good that the last one is of a decent length. There's also a certain flavour of Boston in the guitar, and though halfway through and I haven't heard too much of the keyboards, I'm sure they'll be making their contribution before the song ends. Well, that's either them at the eight and a half minute mark, or the trumpet we heard at the beginning of the album, and since no brass is credited perhaps that was made on Teemu Salo's keys in the first place. And just when you feel this epic is going to fade out (hah!) they decide to end it, bringing it to a very satisfying and momentous conclusion, and taking a really surprisingly great album to its end. As I said at the beginning, I'm getting more and more impressed by what I'm hearing these days coming out of Finland, and this band definitely add to that sense. They seem to be getting big in their native country, and it can only be a matter of time surely before they break beyond the borders of Finland. Now, you know I'm going to say it, so don't complain or roll your eyes or groan. I have to say it. You understand that. Cover your ears/eyes if you want to. Here it comes. This band is in no danger whatsoever of fading out. TRACKLISTING 1. Solar lights 2. One way track 3. Grey 4. Shepherd and the wolf 5. No more hypocrisy 6. Puppets and dolls 7. Palestine 8. Painter __________________ Trollheart: Signature-free since April 2018

05-19-2012, 06:45 AM	#1262 (permalink)
Trollheart Born to be mild Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 404 Not Found Posts: 26,994	__________________ Trollheart: Signature-free since April 2018

05-19-2012, 06:48 AM	#1263 (permalink)
Trollheart Born to be mild Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 404 Not Found Posts: 26,994	Yeah well, while Stacey-Lynn is shaking her little booty to Heaven 17, the worm prefers to, well, rock! Here's Whitesnake. __________________ Trollheart: Signature-free since April 2018

05-19-2012, 11:55 AM	#1264 (permalink)
Trollheart Born to be mild Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 404 Not Found Posts: 26,994	Time once again to tone down the heavier elements in heavy metal and break out the acoustic guitars, pianos and softer vocals. Yes, time once again to don the iron glove in the First out of the gate this time around is the US band Lillian Axe, with a track from their second album which is called “Love + war”. This is “The world stopped turning”. Heavily classically-influenced as you would expect, this is “shred-king” Yngwie Malmsteen, from his album “The seventh sign”, and a track called “Forever one”. With my renewed respect for bands from Finland, how about Thunderstone? This is a lovely piano ballad from their second album, “The burning”, this is called “Sea of sorrow”. The last album to feature Ritchie Blackmore, here's Deep Purple, from “Stormbringer”, with “Soldier of fortune”. And we'll wrap this up with one of my favourites, this is Bonfire, with “Give it a try”. __________________ Trollheart: Signature-free since April 2018

05-20-2012, 06:30 AM	#1265 (permalink)
Trollheart Born to be mild Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 404 Not Found Posts: 26,994	__________________ Trollheart: Signature-free since April 2018

05-20-2012, 06:37 AM	#1266 (permalink)
Trollheart Born to be mild Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 404 Not Found Posts: 26,994	Bit of Duran Duran? Huh? Huh? Say no more... __________________ Trollheart: Signature-free since April 2018

05-21-2012, 02:45 AM	#1267 (permalink)
Trollheart Born to be mild Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 404 Not Found Posts: 26,994	Although the music speaks for itself of course, it becomes a little difficult to talk about such legends as we feature here without sounding trite. Terms like “legend”, “father of the blues”, “standard” and “classic” all crop up so much that they almost lose their meaning, and the sentiments expressed here --- though meant sincerely --- become in danger of being misunderstood. So I won't write much about these selections. Better writers and far far better musicians than I have already paid much better tribute to everyone featured here, living or dead, and anything I could add would only seem crass in comparison. As Duke Ellington once said, “too much talkin' stinks up the room”. So let's open those windows and let some fresh air in... Most of us have heard “Rainy night in Georgia”, but I for one certainly didn't know it was written by a blues legend, played here by him. This is Tony Joe White, with the original, and best. Keb' Mo' may be an odd name, but there's no doubting the quality of “Am I wrong?” A great one from one of the greatest blues players, Peter Green, here with Fleetwood Mac playing “Need your love so bad”. Of course, most the artistes featured here are legends in their own right, and that's certainly true of John Mayall. This is “The supernatural”. Someone who knows all about the blues is Buddy Guy. Here he relates their first meeting... Some good advice from Johnny Winter! A legend among legends, the incomparable Muddy Waters, with “Rollin' stone”. The late, great Albert King, with “Born under a bad sign”. Then there's Elmore James, with “Every day I have the blues”. And finally, a song I first heard Rory Gallagher play, and loved, this is Sonny Boy Williamson II, with “Don't start me talkin'”. __________________ Trollheart: Signature-free since April 2018

05-21-2012, 02:54 AM	#1268 (permalink)
Trollheart Born to be mild Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 404 Not Found Posts: 26,994	__________________ Trollheart: Signature-free since April 2018

05-21-2012, 02:58 AM	#1269 (permalink)
Trollheart Born to be mild Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 404 Not Found Posts: 26,994	It's no secret we're not big fans of the Moody Blues round here, but they do have some pretty excellent songs, like this one, for instance... __________________ Trollheart: Signature-free since April 2018