Cactus's - Tropical Terror [EP]

Album: Tropical Terror
Genre: Punk/Experimental
Year: 2008
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1. Where Is My skeleton?
2. Daddy
3. Perverted Shark
4. Purple Coyote
5. Queen Bee
6. Tiny Teeth

Here is a highly underrated band that I have come across recently. Cactus's is a three-piece punk/thrash/hardcore influenced experimental explosion of sound, based out of Nashville, Tennessee. Tropical Terror is a great listen and the music is out-standing, very energetic, and I enjoyed it so much that I put it on and listened to it three times in a row. The only problem I had with it was that it was barely over fifteen minutes and it was a tease, being this is their only release so far. I applaud Cactus's for their obvious dedication to what they do, to not caring about the profits of this flawed monetary system, and to really, truly caring about the music they write and produce for the sake of themselves and other music lovers. I recommend this release and this band to open-minded listeners and to those who are looking for something new and interesting. Check them out and give them your support.

Anthony Green - Avalon

Album: Avalon
Genre: Folk/Indie Rock
Year: 2008
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1. She Loves Me So
2. Dear Child (I’ve Been Dying To Reach You)
3. Drug Dealer
4. Stonehearted Man
5. Baby Girl
6. Miracle Sun
7. Califone
8. Springtime Out the Van Window
9. Slowing Down (Long Time Coming)
10. The First Day of Work At the Microscope Store
11. Devils Song (This Feels Like A Nightmare)
12. Babygirl (High And Driving Version)
13. The First Day of Work At the Microscope Store (High And Driving Version)
14. The Fisherman Will Be Bewildered (High And Driving Version)
15. Plays Ugly For Daddy (High And Driving Version)
16. She Loves Me So (Demo)
17. Stone Hearted Man (Demo)
18. Slowing Down (Demo)
19. Devils Song (Demo)
20. Dear Child (I’ve Been Dying To Reach You) (Good Old War Version)

Well, I don't know what every other Circa Survive fan thought of Anthony Green's solo material, but I know I certainly enjoyed listening to it. Anthony Green just has such a great voice and I liked the direction he went with his album. I wasn't expecting it to sound like Circa Survive at all, so I wasn't disappointed when I listened to it straight through, I simply took it in as it was. A good listen if you enjoy Mr. Green's singing and are a fan of his other projects.

Æon Spoke - Above The Buried Cry

Album: Above The Buried Cry
Genre: Indie/Progressive Rock
Year: 2004
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1. No Answers
2. Pablo (At The Park)
3. Suicide Boy
4. Grace
5. Silence
6. Emmanuel
7. Face The Wind
8. For Good
9. Nothing
10. Yellowman

Æon Spoke is an easy-listening, serene band created by Paul Masvidal and Sein Reinert (of Cynic and formerly of Death). Above The Buried Cry is a very relaxing album and Masvidal's voice will soothe you to sleep. So roll a fat spliff, pour a nice cup of coffee (or tea, if you're a "tea person") and put on this album.

Cynic - Traced In Air

Album: Traced In Air
Genre: Progressive Metal
Year: 2008
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1. Nunc Fluens
2. The Space For This
3. Evolutionary Sleeper
4. Integral Birth
5. The Unknown Guest
6. Adam's Murmur
7. King Of Those Who Know
8. Nunc Stans

After so many years, Cynic have finally come out with a new full length album... and it is far from dissapointing. Although the harsh vocals have been dwindled down to almost nonexistence, Traced In Air is a very beautiful album. The skill of all the musicians in Cynic is just as amazing (if not even more so) than on Focus back in '93. Paul Masvidal's voice only gets better and better. Thank you for reuniting and for releasing new music, Cynic, it is greatly appreciated.

Cynic - Focus

Album: Focus
Genre: Progressive Metal
Year: 1993
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1. Veil Of Maya
2. Celestial Voyage
3. The Eagle Nature
4. Sentiment
5. I'm But A Wave To...
6. Uroboric Forms
7. Textures
8. How Could I

Yes... I just had to post it. Those who are familiar with progressive music (especially progressive metal) are most likely familiar with Cynic's legendary album, Focus. These guys had a few demos and then got signed to Roadrunner Records and released this one full length album. Just when they were getting up there, they disbanded for a long time and continued their musical endevours in different projects over the years (most notable Æon Spoke, featuring vocalist Paul Masvidal and drummer Sean Reinert). In 2006 they reunited and actually toured in 2007 and wrote a new album. Focus was incredibly original for its time and stands as a milestone in progressive music. If you've never heard this album then... you suck... and you should download it right now, listen to it, and then go fucking buy the reissued version, which features some remixes and three kick-ass newer songs.

The Human Abstract - Midheaven

Album: Midheaven
Genre: Progressive Metal
Year: 2008
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1. A Violent Strike
2. Procession Of The Fates
3. Breathing Life Into Devices
4. This World Is A Tomb
5. Metanoia
6. The Path
7. Echoes Of The Spirit
8. Calm In The Chaos
9. Counting Down The Days
10. A Dead World At Sunrise

Yet another outstanding display of musicianship by The Human Abstract. Midheaven is their second album and they certainly made some slight changes in their sound, shedding most of the Metalcore influence and using a lot more clean singing than harsh vocals. I wasn't disappointed with this album though, it's a great listen (although I can't say if I like it better than Nocturne). I hear these guys are great live (I hope to see for myself) so go see them and support them!

The Human Abstract - Nocturne

Album: Nocturne
Genre: Progressive Metal
Year: 2006
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1. Harbinger
2. Self Portraits Of The Instincts
3. Nocturne
4. Crossing The Rubicon
5. Sotto Voce
6. Mea Culpa
7. Movement From Discord
8. Channel Detritus
9. Polaris
10. Echelons To Molotovs
11. Desiderata
12. Vela, Together We Await The Storm

First of all... to anyone out there who has the impression that The Human Abstract is a Metalcore band, you should get your ears checked (or stop basing your opinions on what you hear from peoples' mouthes). Yes, there is a slight Metalcore influence... I guess in the style of the harsh vocals and there's probably about two or three breakdowns on this album, but they aren't long, played out, and generic. To me, this is a Progressive band, and anyone who knows anything about skillful musicianship would agree with me; their sound and playing style is very unique. The guitarists in this band are truly amazing at what they do and their drummer's style works very well with their playing. As for the vocalist, Nathan Ells, it's a love/hate situation... personally, I think he has a very powerful and soulful voice when it comes to clean singing, and his harsh vocals are quite strong as well. I love this band and this album and I can't wait until I have another chance to see them live (being I missed them about three times already).

Porcupine Tree - Fear Of A Blank Planet

Album: Fear Of A Blank Planet
Genre: Progressive Rock
Year: 2007
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1. Fear Of A Blank Planet
2. My Ashes
3. Anesthetize
4. Sentimental
5. Way Out Of Here
6. Sleep Together

Let me start by saying that Fear Of A Blank Planet is most definitely one of my favourite albums of 2007... and of all time. You may see six tracks up there, but do not judge this piece of musicianship by just that. Every song is just amazing, from first to last track... especially the third track, Anesthetize, which has to be one of my favourite songs ever written (I mean seriously, it's almost eighteen fucking minutes long!). Porcupine Tree has done it again and written a masterful album that has a different sound and atmosphere than the previous one, but is still really fuckin' good. Here's to you Porcupine Tree! Cheers!

Porcupine Tree - Deadwing

Album: Deadwing
Genre: Progressive Rock
Year: 2005
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1. Deadwing
2. Shallow
3. Lazarus
4. Halo
5. Arriving Somewhere but Not Here
6. Mellotron Scratch
7. Open Car
8. The Start of Something Beautiful
9. Glass Arm Shattering
10. She's Moved On

Deadwing, Porcupine Tree's eight studio album, is just another awesome album from this band. What I love about Porcupine Tree is that every album they put out just has its own unique atmosphere to it, but when you hear it you still know that it's them. If you listen to Porcupine Tree expecting every next album to be the same as the last, then you don't listen to them enough to know that they are quite changeable and experimental with the styles they incorporate into their song writing. Good album, good band... buy it and/or go see them live (I know I'd sure love to).

Porcupine Tree - In Absentia

Album: In Absentia
Genre: Progressive Rock
Year: 2002
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1. Blackest Eyes
2. Trains
3. Lips Of Ashes
4. The Sound Of Muzak
5. Gravity Eyelids
6. Wedding Nails
7. Prodigal
8. .3
9. The Creator Has A Mastertape
10. Heartattack In A Layby
11. Strip The Soul
12. Collapse The Light Into The Earth

In Absentia is one of my all time favourite albums... ever. This was the first album I ever heard from Porcupine Tree and when I heard the introduction to Blackest Eyes and then Steve Wilson's voice for the first time I fell in love with this band instantly. There is just such a pleasurable flow to this album and I never get tired of hearing it. This is also the first album with the amazing Gavin Harrison on drums, who I strive to one day be as good as. My favourite songs are Trains, The Sound Of Muzak, and the instrumental song Wedding Nails. I highly recommend this album to Progressive music lovers.