Between the Buried and Me - The Great Misdirect (2009)

3.5/5
Progressive Metal, Metalcore, Death Metal
USA (Raleigh, North Carolina)
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Apparently, all that touring with Dream Theater really took it's toll on BtBaM's overall sound. They've gone balls to the wall Prog. Metal on us, and it's fantastic. Although, like DT, they've begun to show symptoms of what I've dubbed "Yes Syndrome." You know, like the band Yes? See Tales from Topographic Oceans and you'll know what I'm getting at. Basically, they've gotten too big for their britches and have become too progressive. Regardless, this is still a ridiculous outing. Everyone is in top form and you can really tell they put a lot of effort into this record. I'm giddy with excitement about seeing this performed live.

1. "Mirrors" - 3:38
2. "Obfuscation" - 9:15
3. "Disease, Injury, Madness" - 11:03
4. "Fossil Genera - A Feed from Cloud Mountain" - 12:11
5. "Desert of Song" - 5:34
6. "Swim to the Moon" - 17:54

Converge - Axe to Fall (2009)

4.5/5
Metalcore, Progressive Metal
USA (Salem, Massachusetts)
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Another face-melter from Converge. This time it's more sludgy and just as heavy as ever. Since the first listen , this has been one of my favorites from this year and definitely qualifies for my best-of for 2009.

1. "Dark Horse" - 2:54
2. "Reap What You Sow" - 2:39
3. "Axe to Fall" - 1:41
4. "Effigy" - 1:42
5. "Worms Will Feed/Rats Will Feast" - 5:52
6. "Wishing Well" - 2:49
7. "Damages" - 4:26
8. "Losing Battle" - 1:46
9. "Dead Beat" - 2:36
10. "Cutter" - 1:40
11. "Slave Driver" - 2:48
12. "Cruel Bloom" - 4:01
13. "Wretched World" - 7:10

Gris - Il Était une Forêt... (2007)

4.5/5
Depressive Black Metal
Canada
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One of my favorite black metal albums ever. The vocals are tortured and gloriously expressive. Not to mention completely fitting to the dark, cold atmosphere this creates. I'd like to point out the closing track La Dryade, which is ten beautiful minutes of ambient genius complete with live violin and piano. Incredibly well done. Even if you hate black metal, at least get this for nothing else than to listen to the last song. Epic doesn't even begin to describe it. Highly recommended to anyone looking to get in to the genre, anyone already familiar with the genre, or anyone who likes metal in general.

1. Il Était une Forêt... - 09:36
2. Le Gala des Gens Heureux - 10:28
3. Cicatrice - 11:44
4. Veux-tu Danser? - 09:28
5. Profonde Misanthropie - 08:05
6. La Dryade - 10:04