Music pick of the week: Scar Symmetry

Hey look! Another Swedish melodic death metal band! They immediately became one of my favorite bands, since they sound similar to Demon Hunter, but still have a unique sound that I love to listen to. They formed in 2004 and signed a record deal with Nuclear Blast records in 2006. They released three albums, Symmetric in Design, Pitch Black Progress, and Holographic Universe. But shortly after the release of their recent album, the band split up with their lead vocalist. The band quickly found two new singers; one for the growling or screaming parts and another for the clean vocals.

Here’s the single for their song, The Illusionist:

and this one is for Morphogenesis:

Star Trek

Last Thursday I finally got to see Star Trek. I had been looking forward to this movie for months. I went to see it with a good friend of mine from high school and his brother. We went to the earliest showing, 12:50 pm. We quickly bought our tickets and went inside to buy some food before the movie the started. Naturally, I bought a large soda and nachos. We then proceeded to the theater and found perfect seats in middle about ten rows up. I was already excited to see the movie in the first place, but when the movie actually started I was about to jump out of my seat in excitement.

The first ten minutes of the movie had me on the edge of my seat and teary eyed by the end of the first scene. If the movie started this good, I couldn’t wait to see the rest. When all the   stuff happened and all the main characters had their introductions, I had the hugest smile on my face. Which stayed there for the rest of the movie. By far, my favorite scene of the whole movie was where Kirk had rigged the Kobayashi Maru test so he would win. I had always wanted to see that done in some fashion but never did. Finally I got to see the cocky attitude of Kirk while everyone was amazed at how he pulled it off.

The villain Nero, played by Eric Bana, was perfect. He had a very believable story and has got to be one of the best Star Trek villains ever. Not the best, but definitely top five.

All the random Star Trek nuances that are in this movie just rule. The cocky red shirt guy that dies was so classic and I couldn’t help but chuckle a bit when it happened. Chekhov’s thick Russian accent, which was a little over-exaggerated, was actually really funny and had it’s own comedic scene. And Scotty being, well… Scotty.

Then there’s the Enterprise itself. You actually get to see pipes and working parts of the ship. The ship itself is actually a realistic size and it’s got to be the best looking ship of the entire series. Then there’s the warp engine sound. There are sounds from certain movies that just send chills down my spine. The horn of the Alien machines from War of the Worlds. The humming sound of Jango Fett’s bombs exploding in Attack of the Clones. And the Cylon tone from Battlestar Galactica. But the sound the warp drive makes is by far the most amazing sound ever. It’s indescribably awesome.

This movie ranks up to be one of the best Star Trek movies ever made and to me, one of my favorite movies of all time. I am still excited about it and I will definitely be seeing it again in the theater. I simply cannot contain my joy for how awesome this movie was. I already can’t wait for more.

Music pick of the week: Eluveitie

Eluveitie, formed in 2002,  is a folk metal band from Switzerland. They blend Celtic folk metal with melodic death metal to create a rather unique sound. Some of the main reasons for this is the use of traditional instruments along with guitars and the lead singer’s, Christian “Chrigel” Glanzmann, wide ranging and emotional screams. The vocals are not done in a modern spoken language, instead they are often performed using the extinct language Gaulish. Eluveitie is Estrucan for “the Helvetian”, referring to an inscription dating to the earliest record of the Celtic Helvetii tribe from what is now Switzerland.

Eluveitie has released three studio albums and are currently working on another to be released sometime this year. They also have one live album and one EP.

This single from Evocation I – The Arcane Dominion, which is an acoustic album,  is entitled “Omnos”:

From their first studio album, Spirit, comes the single “Of Fire, Wind & Wisdom”:

and from Slania, “Inis Mona”:

Music pick of the week: Finntroll

Finntroll is a folk metal band from Finland and was founded in 1997. The combine black metal with Finnish polka (or humppa) to complete a very unique sounding band. All of their lyrics are in Swedish because according to the band’s first singer, Katla, “Swedish just sounds damn trollish.” In Swedish, Finntroll means “troll from Finland.” Finntroll has released five studio albums, one EP, and six music videos.

I came across band from a friend’s recommendation. The same friend that got me into this style of music in the first place. I’ve got to say without him, my taste in music would be completely different. Finntroll is now one of my favorite folk metal bands. I don’t know what they’re saying, but it sounds awesome! One day I’ll learn Swedish since about half the bands I really like now all sing in Swedish.

The first video is for Trollhammeren from the album, Nattfodd:

and this video is for Nedgång from the album, Ur Jordens Djup:

Music pick of the week: Sonata Arctica

Sonata Arctica, formed in 1996, is a Finnish power metal band. They were originally named “Tricky Beans” and played hard rock instead of power metal. They recorded three demos that were never sent to any record label. In 1997 they renamed to “Tricky Means.” From then on to 1999, their style drastically changed as they added keyboard melodies and depended on an easily distinguishable rhythm maintained by the guitar and bass. In 1999, they recorded a demo called “Fullmoon,” which was their first metal recording. This demo ended up getting sent to a record label, Spinefarm Records, and the band was finally able to sign a record deal. Thus, the band changed their name to “Sonata Arctica.” As Sonata Arctica, they went on to release five studio albums.

This single, Don’t Say A Word, comes from the album, Reckoning Night:

And from their most recent album, Unia, Paid in Full:

Music pick of the week: Nightwish

Nightwish, formed in 1966,  is a symphonic power metal band from Finland. They released eight albums with their original singer, Tarja Turunen. She was dismissed from the band after a live show and forced the band to look for a new lead singer. Anette Olzon became the new lead singer for the bands ninth and newest album. Olzon’s voice is good, and so is the new album, but she can’t compare to Turunen. Turunen is a soprano and basically an opera singer. Her voice was the backbone for the music they did and it was really a shame when she was forced to leave. However, Olzen is definitely a good replacement.

Turunen has since gone on to form her own band, known as Tarja. She has released one studio album called, My Winter Storm and she continues to be an amazing artist to listen to.

Going with three videos this week. First is Nightwish with Tarja Turunen performing Phantom of the Opera live:

Now Nightwish with Anette Olzon and their video for Amaranth:

And here’s a single from Tarja’s solo album:

Music pick of the week: Amon Amarth

Amon Amarth was founded in 1988. They were originally named Scum until their new lead singer Johan Hegg joined and in 1992 they changed their name.  Their new name is an alternative name for Mount Doom, a location in J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle Earth. They are a Viking themed melodic death metal band and have seven studio albums, one EP, and one DVD.

Here is the first single from their recent album Twilight of the Thunder God:

And the most recent single from the same album:

Music pick of the week: Demon Hunter

Demon Hunter is a Christian alternative metal band. Unlike my previous picks, they are actually American based. They were founded by brothers Don and Ryan Clark in 2000. I’ve been listening to them since their first album, which was self titled. They have four total studio albums and two DVDs of live shows and tours. They are influenced by bands such as Machine Head and Living Sacrifice.

Here are my two favorite songs from their most recent album, Storm The Gates Of Hell:

Music pick of the week: Turisas

It’s a day late, but Turisas is my music pick of the week. They are a viking metal band from Finland and are named after an ancient Finnish god of war. They use a mix of folk metal and power metal, with a touch of symphonic metal. They have released two studio albums: Battle Metal and The Varangian Way.

Turisas was one of the first folk metal bands I ever listened to, and I never get sick of their music. I can’t wait for their third studio album.

Here’s a video that Turisas did doing the song Rasputin, which was a single release:

And here is the video for Battle Metal, partially made by fans:

Music pick of the week: Battlestar Galactica Soundtracks

In honor of the greatest show ever, Battlestar Galactica, I’m picking BSG’s entire soundtrack discography for this weeks music pick. Season four’s soundtrack isn’t out yet, but it’s safe to say that it’s going to be just as good as the rest. Bear McCreary is the composer for the music and he does such a great job. Season three’s soundtrack really got me into the music for the show. From the normal taiko drum beats that you hear throughout the show, McCreary added a middle eastern style to the music. It meshes with the show so well and the way they worked in Bob Dylan’s “All Along The Watchtower” was just epic. At the very end of the show Jimi Hendrix’s version of the song is played but overall, I like Bear McCreary’s version at the end of season three.

Here’s a montage video someone did with the song, All Along the Watchtower by Bear McCreary:

(had to change the video since NBC had youtube take down the other one I had linked, gah!)