Metal Wars!!!!!!!!!!!

LoathsomePete · 12-06-2011, 01:06 PM

This was a tough choice, not only choosing which album I like more, but also which albums to use. In Harmonia Universali (2003) is an incredibly ambitious project that encompasses a wide variety of styles, from scathing black metal to mournful saxophone jazz. The fact that the lyrics are sung in four different languages (Norwegian, English, French, and German) really indicates the group's commitment. The content is nothing particular new to this genre, an album about Satan, however it's not the usual "fuck Christianity, SATAN IS KVLT!!!" you get from other black metal bands, these guys at least put some effort into delving into the mythology and delivering something the listener might not get otherwise. Let's also not ignore the fact that this band is just two guys, even with studio magic it's pretty impressive. The seriousness of the album is undermined a little bit by the 7th track "Buy My Sperm", which at first seems really out of place, however it does fit into the other all theme of the album, but the title does create a pretty jarring juxtaposition.

Other other side there's Sigh, one of the most consistent metal bands I have ever come across. For over a decade they have been pumping out albums at a reasonable rate and I don't think any of them are particularly bad. Imaginary Sonicscape (2001) is one of those great albums that will earn you points if you bring it up in conversation with other metal heads, even though upon first listen you would be forgiven for harboring suspicion that this is something a hardcore metalhead would listen to. The only thing "metal" about the album is really the vocals, which still retain Mirai Kawashima's trademark guttural style. I'm pretty sure the band actually credited Moog Synthesizers as a member of the band because of their almost constant presence on the album. Overall the album is a sweaty disco fucked up on some kind of drug in the darkest pits of hell. Also if you haven't heard it yet, I would recommend getting the 2009 remastered version which has two extra tracks on the album, it really gives the album a fuller experience.

Having to choose between them I'd have to go with Sigh though, while I love Solefald, I need to be in the mood to listen to them, whereas with Sigh it really doesn't matter. That said though, I think both albums are fucking incredible and need to be in any metal head's music archive.

Sigh - 1
Solefald - 0

**Janszoon** · 12-06-2011, 01:16 PM

Ooh, I'm going to have to check out both of these! I'm been meaning to listen to Sigh for a while and Solefald sounds interesting too.

Unknown Soldier · 12-06-2011, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LoathsomePete

This was a tough choice, not only choosing which album I like more, but also which albums to use. In Harmonia Universali (2003) is an incredibly ambitious project that encompasses a wide variety of styles, from scathing black metal to mournful saxophone jazz. The fact that the lyrics are sung in four different languages (Norwegian, English, French, and German) really indicates the group's commitment. The content is nothing particular new to this genre, an album about Satan, however it's not the usual "fuck Christianity, SATAN IS KVLT!!!" you get from other black metal bands, these guys at least put some effort into delving into the mythology and delivering something the listener might not get otherwise. Let's also not ignore the fact that this band is just two guys, even with studio magic it's pretty impressive. The seriousness of the album is undermined a little bit by the 7th track "Buy My Sperm", which at first seems really out of place, however it does fit into the other all theme of the album, but the title does create a pretty jarring juxtaposition.

Other other side there's Sigh, one of the most consistent metal bands I have ever come across. For over a decade they have been pumping out albums at a reasonable rate and I don't think any of them are particularly bad. Imaginary Sonicscape (2001) is one of those great albums that will earn you points if you bring it up in conversation with other metal heads, even though upon first listen you would be forgiven for harboring suspicion that this is something a hardcore metalhead would listen to. The only thing "metal" about the album is really the vocals, which still retain Mirai Kawashima's trademark guttural style. I'm pretty sure the band actually credited Moog Synthesizers as a member of the band because of their almost constant presence on the album. Overall the album is a sweaty disco fucked up on some kind of drug in the darkest pits of hell. Also if you haven't heard it yet, I would recommend getting the 2009 remastered version which has two extra tracks on the album, it really gives the album a fuller experience.

Having to choose between them I'd have to go with Sigh though, while I love Solefald, I need to be in the mood to listen to them, whereas with Sigh it really doesn't matter. That said though, I think both albums are fucking incredible and need to be in any metal head's music archive.

Sigh - 1
Solefald - 0

Great write up Pete, looking forward to giving them a spin tomorrow.

The Batlord · 12-07-2011, 11:11 AM

This one was surprisingly easy for me. While Solefald were interesting, I found them to be... not entirely cohesive. I found myself fading out of their songs and then fading back in when a good part came one and being completely lost about what had happened in the meantime. While, Sigh was just a fascinating listen from start to finish, without being obtuse or seeming to be weird for the sake of being weird. I'm surprised by just how much combining black metal, trad metal, trip hop, and jazz worked on this record. ****ing fantastic.

Sigh - 2
Solefald - 0

Unknown Soldier · 12-09-2011, 01:08 PM

If you want to vote on this battle do so soon, as I will change it within the next 24hrs. I myself need to vote as well

**Janszoon** · 12-09-2011, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unknown Soldier

If you want to vote on this battle do so soon, as I will change it within the next 24hrs. I myself need to vote as well

Gah! I downloaded both albums but need a little more time to check them out. Can we at least extend it through the weekend?

LoathsomePete · 12-09-2011, 01:28 PM

I concur, I think these albums deserve more than just two votes. What happened to this thread? It's like after someone made the battle between two albums that were released after '98, interest dropped like a rock.

Unknown Soldier · 12-09-2011, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Janszoon

Gah! I downloaded both albums but need a little more time to check them out. Can we at least extend it through the weekend?

Given that I`ve got the mods on my back here, sure!!!

I`ll change them on Monday.

Quote:

Originally Posted by LoathsomePete

I concur, I think these albums deserve more than just two votes. What happened to this thread? It's like after someone made the battle between two albums that were released after '98, interest dropped like a rock.

I`ve noticed this too, any albums released between the early 1980s until the end of the century get a whole load of votes, anything earlier or in this case later only ever gets a few votes, hopefully some more will come in over the weekend.

On average each battle gets between 5-7 votes on here, the biggest two battles so far have been Emperor vs Burzum with a whopping 12 votes followed by Motley Crue vs Wasp with 10 votes.

Unrelenting · 12-09-2011, 02:54 PM

Yeah, I've noticed this thread's been wavering a bit. I haven't participated a lot recently because I have a great deal of music I haven't been paying attention to, and don't need much more to pile up on me at the moment

Unknown Soldier · 12-09-2011, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unrelenting

Yeah, I've noticed this thread's been wavering a bit. I haven't participated a lot recently because I have a great deal of music I haven't been paying attention to, and don't need much more to pile up on me at the moment

Basically it needs Metallica vs Megadeth

12-06-2011, 01:06 PM	#691 (permalink)
LoathsomePete Cardboard Box Realtor Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Hobb's End Posts: 7,648	This was a tough choice, not only choosing which album I like more, but also which albums to use. In Harmonia Universali (2003) is an incredibly ambitious project that encompasses a wide variety of styles, from scathing black metal to mournful saxophone jazz. The fact that the lyrics are sung in four different languages (Norwegian, English, French, and German) really indicates the group's commitment. The content is nothing particular new to this genre, an album about Satan, however it's not the usual "fuck Christianity, SATAN IS KVLT!!!" you get from other black metal bands, these guys at least put some effort into delving into the mythology and delivering something the listener might not get otherwise. Let's also not ignore the fact that this band is just two guys, even with studio magic it's pretty impressive. The seriousness of the album is undermined a little bit by the 7th track "Buy My Sperm", which at first seems really out of place, however it does fit into the other all theme of the album, but the title does create a pretty jarring juxtaposition. Other other side there's Sigh, one of the most consistent metal bands I have ever come across. For over a decade they have been pumping out albums at a reasonable rate and I don't think any of them are particularly bad. Imaginary Sonicscape (2001) is one of those great albums that will earn you points if you bring it up in conversation with other metal heads, even though upon first listen you would be forgiven for harboring suspicion that this is something a hardcore metalhead would listen to. The only thing "metal" about the album is really the vocals, which still retain Mirai Kawashima's trademark guttural style. I'm pretty sure the band actually credited Moog Synthesizers as a member of the band because of their almost constant presence on the album. Overall the album is a sweaty disco fucked up on some kind of drug in the darkest pits of hell. Also if you haven't heard it yet, I would recommend getting the 2009 remastered version which has two extra tracks on the album, it really gives the album a fuller experience. Having to choose between them I'd have to go with Sigh though, while I love Solefald, I need to be in the mood to listen to them, whereas with Sigh it really doesn't matter. That said though, I think both albums are fucking incredible and need to be in any metal head's music archive. Sigh - 1 Solefald - 0 __________________ Last.FM 101 Albums That May Not Change Your Life, But I Really Like And You Might Too

12-06-2011, 01:16 PM	#692 (permalink)
Janszoon Mate, Spawn & Die Join Date: May 2007 Location: The Rapping Community Posts: 24,593	Ooh, I'm going to have to check out both of these! I'm been meaning to listen to Sigh for a while and Solefald sounds interesting too. __________________ A Night in the Life of the Invisible Man Time & Place 25 Albums You Should Hear Before the Moon Crashes into the Earth and We All Die last.fm

12-09-2011, 01:28 PM	#697 (permalink)
LoathsomePete Cardboard Box Realtor Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Hobb's End Posts: 7,648	I concur, I think these albums deserve more than just two votes. What happened to this thread? It's like after someone made the battle between two albums that were released after '98, interest dropped like a rock. __________________ Last.FM 101 Albums That May Not Change Your Life, But I Really Like And You Might Too

12-09-2011, 02:54 PM	#699 (permalink)
Unrelenting True to username Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 1,100	Yeah, I've noticed this thread's been wavering a bit. I haven't participated a lot recently because I have a great deal of music I haven't been paying attention to, and don't need much more to pile up on me at the moment __________________ My lastfm

12-09-2011, 01:08 PM	#695 (permalink)
Unknown Soldier Horribly Creative Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: London, The Big Smoke Posts: 8,265	If you want to vote on this battle do so soon, as I will change it within the next 24hrs. I myself need to vote as well