Fans of the band Kittie will be happy to know that their new album “Funeral for Yesterday” has recently released (Feb 20th). I just found it browsing iTunes and have been rockin’ out to it for a couple hours now.
Long time fans will be interested in this album because its their first since leaving Artemis Records in favor of their own label to have more independence. The big question was, what kind of sound would they have when they were calling the shots. And with this album we find out. The Kittie lineup has changed frequently over the last several years with Morgan and Mercedes forming the core, and both the bassist and lead guitar changing frequently (see Wikipedia for the roster evolution).
I’ll be honest, when I sampled the album on iTunes I wasn’t impressed at all. Their sound has softed considerably. Regardless, 2 tracks sounded worth it so I bought the full album in hopes that it would grow on me. To some degree it has. The title track “Funeral for Yesterday” is far to light for my tastes. In general the album has left the Metal genre for a hardcore rock or possibly metalcore sound depending on how you personally define the two. Its probly fair to say that they wanted increased radio airplay, this is much more radio worthy… in that way it summons the fears I had when Metallica released the “Black” album.
The tracks I do really like are “Breath”, “Never Again”, “Flower of Flesh and Blood”, “This Too Shall Pass”, and “The Change”. So, with 14 tracks on the CD only 5 are really praise worthy imho, and if your a real Kittie fan that will probly be enough to convince you to buy it. For those folks on the Kittie fence who might be fans of some of the Kittie tracks that got airplay like “My Favorite Things” but not the more heavy stuff, this is the album you’ll really enjoy.
On a side note… I’ve recently gotten really into a metal band I’ve only recently found: Extol.
Extol is extremely interesting for a number of reasons. Most importantly, they have an amazing range and they really have an extremely unique sound that I absolutely love. Its like mixing Slayer and Katherine Wheel with a bit of Megadeth, Queensryche, and Kings X (maybe a pinch of “Teenage Fanclub”) into the perfect metal band. They have unusual riffs, excellent vocals, and the songs just keep evolving rather than just repeating the same basic riff over and over again. If your sick of the standard chorus, verse, chorus, crappy solo, chorus formula then you’ll wanna take a look.
Beyond just that it turns out they are a Christian band, which is refreshing. I love death metal but I can’t stand the 14 year old fascination with satan, evil and all that crap.. pentagrams are a stupid gimick for teenagers that want to irritate their parents. Slayer has continued to go more and more satanic which bummed me out (“Seasons in the Abyss” is still perhaps the best metal album of all time and definitely my favorite). Extol’s lyrics are a nice change and give you something to think about in some cases. Most metal bands out there have incomprehensible lyrics and I’m glad for it.
I bought albums from Chimaira and Unearth recently, but when I found Extol’s “The Blueprint Dives” on iTunes I shelved everything else and bought the other two Extol albums “Synergy” (which kicks ass) and “Burial”. If your going to sample around I recommend the following songs:
- Paradigns, Synergy
- Emancipation, Synergy
- Nihilsm 2002, Synergy
- Gloriana, The Blueprint Dives
- Pearl, The Blueprint Dives (much lighter song)
- The Things I found, The Blueprints Dives (awesomeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee)
- Lost in Dismay, The Blueprint Dives
- Essence, The Blueprint Dives
Ben,
I think I’ve talked with you about this before, but you should give Lamb of God a shot. Check out “Descending” from their latest album “Sacrament”. If this song doesn’t get you then I don’t know what will. I really enjoy your OpenSolaris/Metal vibe, I’m not alone
Good call derek, that is hands down the best track off sacrament. I was rocking to it at the airport this morning, best intro ever. The kind that just explodes in your head.
In other metal-ish news, Sevendust’s new album is out today, I haven’t sampled it yet, but just sayin.
i am 32, and have been banging my head for about 20 yrs. i play drums (for about the same amount of time), so my musical discernment is exacting. i grew up on pantera, slayer, anthrax, sepultura, etc… i gave my life to Jesus in aug. 05, and was very relieved to discover that i wouldn’t have to listen to elevator music for the rest of my life. if you like extol…try demonhunter, day of fire, skillet, thousand foot krutch, project 86, kutless, and pillar. shattersphere and otep have a really interesting spirituality. and, btw…did you know both live and mastadon were originally billed as christian bands?
Gbu
peace
The Things I found, The Blueprints Dives (awesomeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee) – WORD! One of the best DM bands i have heard in a while. I bought the album.
Peace,
Roger
teeny
xanax
blodulv
stromkern
industrial
About half a year ago I discovered Kittie. Right away I loved them and I still do. Ive never heard of Extol but When I get home im going to check them out. Most likley Ill like them. From what I read, they rnt bad at all. Also, Im not a huge fan of Lamb Of God but I admit that I have a fetish for a few of there songs.,…Maybe a few more.
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Very interesting article: “New Music: Kittie Releases “Funeral for Yesterday”"
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