Album Review: Neurosis - "Given to the Rising"

As an avid fan of sludge and doom metal, I find it surprising how it's taken me this long to listen to Neurosis. There hasn't really been a reason for it, I just haven't gotten around to listening to them. I finally picked up their latest effort from 2007, Given to the Rising.

If War Horse had Neurosis as it's soundtrack, I would have totally considered seeing it.

Neurosis is a California based metal band that started with a more punk inspired sound and incorporated more sludgy elements later in their career. They've been around for almost thirty years now and have nine studio albums under their belts (they'll have a tenth come October 30th), so it's safe to say they know what they're doing. Given to the Rising is the first full album by them that I've heard, so I can't really make too much more of an observation on their evolution through the years than what's on their Wikipedia page.

I've been subjected to some of vocalist Scott Kelly's other works though, through stoner/ doom super group Shrinebuilder and his incredible performance on the title track of Mastodon's Crack the Skye. The latter is a gargantuan and galaxy-sprawling song, stampeding you over with it's unrelenting heaviness while the former is a  down-tuned groove laden riff fest.

Neurosis however, somewhat blindsided me after I got used to hearing Scott Kelly's voice in these other efforts. Given to the Rising is still heavy, but instead of offering the crushing power of "Crack the Skye" or the grooves of Shrinebuilder, it seems to exist solely to transport the listener. Neurosis are masters of dynamics here. They can send you out to a quiet, desolate desert, perfectly shown on the tracks "Shadow" and "Nine", and can rip you out and toss you right into a bleak world where disease has toppled the globe and nobody has the will to pick it back up. An example of the latter is in the perfectly titled "Fear and Sickness" and one of the later tracks, "Distill".

Mandatory artsy "band walking into light" shot.

The quieter tracks are well placed to give you time to breathe, sit back, and lose yourself in. Once the heavier tracks kick in, Given to the Rising becomes a cacophonous wall of sound that crashes into you like a tidal wave. This is accomplished by relatively simple, low-tuned guitar riffs with dissonant leads passing over top. The leads are slow and methodical, bending in and out of tune, keeping your mind numb as Scott Kelly barks and roars at you through your speakers.

Production on this album is nothing to be ashamed of, with everything sounding nice and raw without dissolving into mush. At times (especially earlier on in the album), the vocals seem drowned out by the instruments. Whether or not this is a form of artistic expression or not, I don't know. As far as the instrumentation is concerned, everything is mixed nicely, without having any instrument overpower another.

There are a couple pitfalls with Given to the Rising that I've found. The first is that I can really only enjoy it when I'm in a certain mood. This may or may not apply to some people, but personally I won't ever feel like spinning this album unless I'm feeling all contemplative and deep. I don't know why. Whatever. The second downside I found with Given to the Rising would be it's lack memorable passages and songs. If someone put a gun to my head and told me to sing any song off of this release or they'd shoot me, I'd tell them to just pull the trigger. It's not that the music isn't good, it's just nothing sticks in my mind.

On a Playlist With: Agalloch, Shrinebuilder, Tool

Overall Score

2.5

Neurosis have made an album that I feel would be right at home in some people's collections, but not so much in mine. I can understand objectively how some would love the sweeping dynamics and style of music presented on Given to the Rising, and even though I don't dislike any of it, when it comes down to the bottom line, I don't really like any of it either. If this album was stolen from me, I wouldn't be too heartbroken over it. That being said, I'm still going to look forward for Neurosis' new album coming out in October.

That's all for now, folks!

School 'n' Junk

Any regular or semi-regular readers may have noticed that I've been posting a lot less frequently over he past  week or two. Unfortunately for this blog, I'm a full time mechanical engineering student, and now that school is coming into full swing I have no idea how much time I'm going to have to review music or post little updates and anecdotes.

I won't be abandoning Needs More Noise Gate, but things will probably slow down a lot from here on in. Last semester for school, I was pulling 16 hour days, 6 days a week of class and schoolwork, and I figure this semester won't be too much different. Luckily, I've had a pretty tame first week, but I'm certain the work will pile on quickly. Regardless of the work load, I'm going to try to keep posting as much as I can.

It's funny how the money I spent on these could get me a car, but the money I can sell them for couldn't even get me a full tank of gas.

As far as things I'm planning on making posts about, I've got a few things lined up. First off, I just bought the last Neurosis album, Given to the Rising, so expect a review of that sometime soon. Next, expect reviews of the new Pig Destroyer and Neurosis albums coming out this year and anything else that I discover or that tickles my fancy (or that someone requests). I've joined the UoGuelph FLASH Club, Games Club, and EGO again this year, so I'll probably share any shenanigans we get into over the year.

FLASH isn't what you think it is. FLASH stands for Fantasy, Literature, Sci-Fi and Horror, and the club is pretty much just a giant gathering of geeks and nerds of all shapes and sizes. FLASH runs showings of movies and shows every week night on campus, and they also organize larger events like Zombie-Pirate-Ninja Capture the Flag and a year end dinner and dance called the FLASH Bash. FLASH shares an office space with the Games Club, and their member base is pretty much identical. Games deals with any games that aren't video games. Card games (like Magic), board games (like Risk), role-playing games (like Dungeons & Dragons) all find a home with Games Club. EGO stands for Electronic Gaming Organization, and they deal exclusively with console and computer games. I'm not really big on video games -- I just joined because one of my good friends is part of the club's administration.

FLASH Club: Clearly more Awesomer.

The final thing I'd been thinking of is to make posts about my different collections (CDs, DVDs, vinyl LPs, comic books, etc.). Each collection is of varying sizes, so some would warrant multiple posts while others could be summed up in one. I would love to make videos uploaded to YouTube showing off my collections, but nobody in my house owns a camera, and my laptop's webcam is a piece of garbage. If I can find a cheap and decent video camera, I might do that. If not, text and image posts will have to do.

If anybody has any ideas on how to layout or present my collections, let me know, I'd be happy to take any suggestions!

That's all for now, folks!

Andrew W.K.'s Autograph!

Fuck. Yes. My best friend Tracy was able to meet Andrew W.K. last night at Hits and Misses, a record store in downtown Toronto!

Tracy and the King of Partying!

And she scored me a wicked autograph!

I nearly fainted when I saw this picture.

It reads:

To: David

I've been told that you're an amazing boy! And I can tell you are! Party hard and have fun forever!!!

From your friend,

Andrew W.K.

Best. Friend. Ever. Looks like I owe her $1,800 worth of Taco Bell.

That's all for now, folks! It's time to party!

Album Review: Om - "Advaitic Songs"

I haven't posted an album review in a couple weeks now, so I think it's high time to put up another one. Considering my last review was of Pig Destroyer's Prowler in the Yard, a ruthless grindcore album, I decided to travel all the way to the opposite end of the spectrum and take a listen to Om's new album, Advaitic Songs.

"And it was thiiiiiis big!" -- John the Baptist

Om is one of two musical projects formed by the splitting of stoner/ doom metal giants Sleep. While guitarist Matt Pike formed the sludge metal band High on Fire, bassist Al Cisneros and drummer Chris Hakius formed Om. Om's original sound was loud, cacophonous droning music, with Al's bass run through a shit ton of thick and heavy distortion, and Chris pounding on his drums in a style similar to Sleep's final release (widely regarded as their masterpiece), Dopesmoker (also known as Jerusalem). In Om, Al's voice took on a softer and more monotone vibe, bordering on a sort of chanting rather than singing. Overall, Om's sound was a massive smothering, droning wall of sound to lose yourself in.

Over the years and releases, the sound Om had produced changed dramatically, but still kept some of the same qualities as well. Starting with their 2007 release Pilgrimage, Om dropped the distorted bass riffs for more melodic clean bass playing for half the album. The droning enveloping sound was still there, it was just a calm form rather than an overbearing monster of noise. Come 2009's God is Good, the calmer sounds were more of a focus of the album, rather than an embellishment, and the spacey and transporting qualities of the music were enhanced by the addition of guest musicians manning the cello, flute and tambura. God is Good also had Hakius replaced by a new drummer, Emil Amos. Emil brought a more dynamic drumming style to he mix with his relatively laid back rhythms, but vicious, powerful fills.

Advaitic Songs pushes the elements of God is Good even further. 6 guest musicians come and go over the course of the albums 5 songs, with two cello players, a flutist, a violinist, tabla player, and an additional singer on the opening track, "Addis". The small string section gets to step into the spotlight a few times as the album trucks along, and personally, I find these sections my favorite parts of the album. The melodies, harmonies, and counter melodies played by all of the strings and Al's bass really create a beautiful and enveloping atmosphere. Things sometimes twist, turn and reveal oriental or middle-eastern themes or tones which really seem to embody the theological and philosophical subject matter covered by Cisneros' lyrics.

Al Cisneros stoned out of his mind. In other words, just Al Cisneros.

Cisneros' bass playing is still mellow, save for the second track, "State of Non-Return" which sees somewhat of a return to form of Om's earlier material. The remainder of the songs are more toned down, sometimes with the guest instruments fully taking over where Al's bass would normally be.

Because of the electric bass guitar and two cellos going at it on this album, things do get very thick and bassy, but fortunately, nothing gets muddied up in the mix. I don't know what production wizardry they managed to pull off, but every individual instrument is clear and audible while still maintaining that warm and rounded tone of the album.

There's not much I can criticize Advaitic Songs with, because I'm a big fan of Om's recent sonic direction. If you're looking for catchy, hooky tunes to get your blood pumping, you'll find none of it here. This is an album you toss on when you're tired as hell and want to relax, or if you're feeling all contemplative and soul searchy.

On a Playlist With: Sleep (Dopesmoker), Faun, Musk Ox

Overall Score

4.0

Advaitic Songs is another bomb-ass release by Om. It's got the perfect blend of loud and quiet dynamics and the larger focus on the guest instruments really pushes this album to standout among the stoner/ doom crowd. Listening to this release sends you on a journey to another world. And quite frankly, I'm not sure if I want a return trip.

That's all for now, folks!

Evil Dead Marathon? Groovy.

Yesterday while visiting Guelph, in a feat of spontaneous geekiness and incredible financial irresponsibility, I bought the Evil Dead trilogy on DVD and held a marathon with my housemate. Before yesterday, I had not seen a single frame of any Evil Dead movie, although I did know the classic "This is my boomstick!" line from Army of Darkness. My housemate had only seen bits and pieces of Army of Darkness, and he vouched for it being one of the best things he's ever watched.

Now, I enjoyed the series so much that not only am I incredibly happy I now own physical copies of them, but I don't want to really spoil any of the plot (there really isn't much, if any). So I will say this:

Evil Dead is a well done gore-filled horror movie, a classic "kids rent out a cabin in the woods and shit goes down" scenario. Evil is unleashed, bodies are dismembered, and things are actually kind of scary (for a movie made in '81). It sets up Evil Dead 2 and Army of Darkness and introduces our protagonist, Ash.

Almost.

Evil Dead 2 is pretty similar in concept to it's predecessor, except the writers and directors decided to ease up on the seriousness. Evil Dead 2 shows Ash going fucking nuts, and in the last third of the movie, the writers though "Fuck logic. Let's have him graft a motherfucking chainsaw to his arm stump and grind the hell out of some demons". So. Yeah. It's pretty fucking sweet.

This is probably one of the best ways to spend 5 hours.

Army of Darkness is when the writers for Evil Dead 2 had a meeting and decided "Yeah, remember all that chainsaw grafting and demon slicing. That. More of it. But like, let's toss in some time travel, too. And an evil undead army. And like, an evil twin. How about we only have Ash speak in one liners? YES. BRILLIANT. GET ME MORE HEROIN."

Pictured: Army of Darkness DVD cover. Not Pictured: Any sort of  logic, restraint, or sobriety on the writers' behalf.

Needless to say, it topped the other two movies by a landslide.

So if there's a point to this post, it'll be, go out and see these god damned movies. Buy 'em if you can. They're worth the money. They'll have you and your friends laughing and reeling in disgust all night long. Evil Dead stands as a pretty solid horror movie, Evil Dead 2 straddles the line of horror and dark comedy, and Army of Darkness is one of those movies you watch because of how unpredictable and over-the-top-ridiculous is it.

That's all for now, folks! Hail to the king, baby.

Fan Expo 2012

So Fan Expo rocked. Again. I wouldn't say it topped last year, but that might've just been because last year was my first year there, so everything was all shiny and new to me. I feel like if I type the majority of this, it'll be a long as shit post. So, here are the pictures I took:

My friend Tracy and her lil' bro. Tracy is dressed as Alex DeLarge of A Clockwork Orange

This kid's parents dressed their kid up as Deadpool. Complete with schizophrenic text box and Headpool. Best parents ever. 

Iron Man Deadmau5 and Ghetto Stormtrooper

Myself, partying hard (sans wig).

Kickin' it old school with the Ghettotrooper.

Finn the Human! I saw a couple Fionnas, but  I didn't have the opportunity to ask  them for photos.

The goddamned Batman. He's the only one who knew what my costume was. 

Team Fortress 2 Medic!

Even partiers need healing sometimes.

1970s era Battlestar Galactica Cylon.

Professor Oak!

King Baratheon from Game of Thrones and my buddy Jake.

Ian wanted this sword. It cost $1500.

Miss. Fucking. Frizzle. Bitches.

One of a kajillion Bane costumes. At least this guy was both bald and built.

Caprica Six from the new Battlestar Galactica!

Tracy bustin' out a pose.

The guardian of Asgaard!

We all went to Hooters for lunch (because we're classy fucks). We saw the Doctor there. We also met him last year too.

Jake and the Doctor circa 2011.

The first other Alex DeLarge costume! She even had her own maskie.

Aaron wanted a picture with the Delorean.

A really well done Silk Spectre costume.

Rorschach hits the gritty underworld of the beach! 

A bunch of wicked DC costumes.

A bunch of not as wicked DC costumes.

When I first saw her, I thought she was just another furry, but then I saw the flaming disc on her back. She's Okami Amateratsu!

BSG DVD signed by Jamie Bamber :D

Planet Terror poster signed by the one and only Rose McGowan (<3). The other signature is Tom Savini's from 2011.

The complete Zombie Jesus comic series. Cost me $12. Includes Zombie Jesus vs Robot Hitler.

I think it was time and money well spent. I'm definitely going next year too. My friends and I are already have Scott Pilgrim vs. The World themed group costumes in mind!

That's all for now, folks!

Peace Out, Baylis!

This summer I got my first big boy job (ie: anything more than part-time), working as an engineering assistant at Baylis Medical Company in Toronto, ON. Today, my contract with them expires, so I decided to tell my tale of blood, sweat, and anodized aluminum.

NOTE: I have not included pictures of anything I have done because my soul is bound by a blood contract I made with the Devil HR when I started.

"What does an engineering assistant do exactly?" you might ask. "Did you science things? Did you build killer death robots? Did you fetch coffee for all the engineers?" As much as I would have loved to do those first two, I'm still content with the projects I worked on because I got to (kinda almost sort of indirectly) work with motherfucking lasers.

Absolutely exactly like this. Not even exaggerating. Nope. Not even a little bit.

But first, let me start from the beginning. I came to Baylis, a medical company. They deal with needles and catheters and all manner of tubing that gets shoved into your body. Coming from a background of 2 years studying mechanical engineering, I was a little out of my element. During my training they dropped words that I didn't even know existed. Bypassing cardioneuroendoarterialvascular ablations, you say?

"Yeah, I totally know how to bypart cardio-whatsamajiger abla-blahs. I can solve those by like, adding up vectors, right?"

Turns out I was scheduled for R&D training, but was positioned in the production department. So after a week of training in a skill set I thought I wouldn't be using all summer, I was totally down to assist in engineering the shit out of some production problems. Or whatever. I had no idea what I would be doing.

I got my first project. "Eliminating Process Control Burdens". Fuck yeah. How awesome is that? I had no idea what a process control was, but I knew burdens were bad, and I'd be eliminating them. Like a superhero. Pow! Take that burden, you crazy motherfucker! I was so ready.

So one of my supervisors, Francis, sat me down in front of an old school laptop (my dad had the exact same model like, 10 years ago) and opened up Microsoft Excel. He explained what I'd be doing, which was essentially compiling statistics to help them figure out what they could cut from their process controls (which is pretty much quality control). Stats. Alright. I took a class in stats. Once. I think.

I'll not go into the details of what I had to do, but I assure you, it was about as fun as watching paint dry from  a mile away. Luckily, all this statistical nonsense was something one of my other supervisors, Gil, wanted me to do. Francis had something else in mind for me. He told me one of the assembly line workers needed help with making a product and he needed a wrench to fit into a tiny space to tighten a nut. That's what I'm talking about. I got to design a wrench to be made. There was a problem, and I was solving it. We printed out a copy of the wrench with the office's new 3D printer to be tested. It totally works. Fuck yeah.

After procrastinating my process controls project, I was handed two more design-related projects. The first was simple. An engineer had a jig made that needed to be drawn up using SolidWorks (a 3D modeling computer program). The jig was made by Polform, a local tooling shop which is a "you give us an idea and we'll just keep fastening a whole whack of metal together until it does what you want" kind of operation. Since they use this trial and error method, they don't usually work off existing drawings, thus making the drawings I was tasked to do necessary if we ever went to a conventional machine shop.

The second extra project was to design a jig. This is where the motherfucking lasers come in. The jig used to help in welding a product (it just clamped the product down and provided argon gas to help with the welding) was really inconsistent, so Francis asked me to "just design one that's not so shitty". The motherfucking lasers are what kick off the welding process. Another problem to solve! Time to put on my engineering hat and get down to work. I worked on the jig on and off for probably three of the four months I was there (I totally used those R&D skills I thought I wouldn't ever use), and finally today we tested a prototype to see if it everything was all honkey-dorey, and honkey-dorey it was. We put in an order to a machine shop to get all of the parts made so we can have a for-realzies jig, made out of aluminum, steel and magnets so strong they can murder you. I guess half check off that bit earlier on about building killer death robots.

Neodymium magnets? More like Neoholy-shitium magnets. Whatever. It sounded witty in my head.

I got a couple more odd drawing projects over the summer, a few dealing with the layout of the Baylis building, because apparently I have a background in architecture. Sure. Why not. For the end of my summer, I focused more on that process control project, and eliminated the shit out of some burdens.

That's about all I did as far as work content goes. I enjoyed Baylis not only for the work, but in fact, mostly for the people. The other students I worked with over the four months were all awesome people, and I'm really glad I had the opportunity to get to know them. Don, Linda, Tiff, Hina and Simrin, if you're reading this, this is for you. The engineers and production staff were all fantastic as well, always quick to answer my bumbling and idiotic questions with a smile on their face. I give a big thank you to everyone who helped me not suck balls at my job for the past four months.

I guess overall I had a pretty fuckin' sweet work term.

That's all for now, folks!