Cynic, Carbon-Based Anatomy

U.S.A., 2011

Following up on the last post (that was a prog-metal one), we have the recently released EP from Cynic.
Highlights on this one: they dropped the growly vocals, focusing on Masvidal's trembly but melodious and emotional vocals with a more reduced but pleasing pitch-shift here and there. Amazing work from the three founding members, counting on Reinert's beautiful musicality on drums, delicious timbre from Malone on the bass, and Masvidal's great guitar work, sipping on jazz and whatnot.
Apart from the minor fact that a couple of the songs are re-hashes from previous sideproject Æon Spoke, this is a delightful release.


Playlist:
1. Amidst The Coals
2. Carbon-Based Anatomy
3. Bija!
4. Box Up My Bones
5. Elves Beam Out
6. Hieroglyph

Link.

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Amorphis, Skyforger

Finland, 2009.

Skyforger is the ninth studio album by Finnish progressive/death metal band Amorphis. Like their previous works, this is a concept album, the lyrics being English translations of Finnish poems based on the Kalevala.

Playlist:

1. Sampo
2. Silver Bride
3. From the Heaven of My Heart
4. Sky Is Mine
5. Majestic Beast
6. My Sun
7. Highest Star
8. Skyforger
9. Course of Fate
10. From Earth I Rose

Link.

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Caïna, Caïna EP

England, 2009.

Caïna is a one-man band, from Hampshire/Sussex. Stylistically, it draws from influences as disparate as Black and Death Metal, drone, dream-pop/shoegaze, neofolk and post-rock.

Playlist:

1. The Approaching Chastisement
2. Drilling The Spire
3. To Pluck The Night Up By Its Skin
4. You Worship The Wrong Carpenter

Link.

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Opeth, Burden (Single)

Sweden, 2008.

We don't usually post singles, but I thought this one was worthwhile. Watershed's second single, released on December 9, 2008, includes a radio edit of Burden, an alternate recording of album track and single Porcelain Heart performed on mellotron and mini-Moog synthesizers, and a cover of the Alice in Chains song Would?

Playlist:

1. Burden (Radio Edit)
2. Mellotron Heart
3. Would?

Link.

more...