Sunday, November 28, 2010

Hguols - Celestial Powers Intervened To True Supremacy (2010)



I love it when artists grow.  Some people would prefer that a band like Metallica would record "Master of Puppets" ten times over and never change.  Those people can listen to "Master of Puppets" over and over again, but for me and the rest of the world, we want progression and evolution in our music.  Hguols has answered the call with their 2nd release of "MIDI Metal" and has proved that not only was that concept not a "one trick pony", but that it's possible it's far more expansive and had more possibilities than some may have considered.  Listeners will be rewarded for growing along with this project, as this sophomore release has more to offer than the debut.


Where "Epitome" was a tad one-sided, content to dwell mostly in the space of tremolo picking with the occasional harpsichord interlude and choral segue, "Celestial Powers Intervened To True Supremacy" has much more to offer, with greater range, more musical expression, more textures and just better overall composition.  Not only that, but the MIDI instrument set is stronger here, so during the slower parts the guitars sounds more realistic, the choral "vocal" sections are beefier and sound better, the harpsichord sounds better this time around, and all the little instrumental flourishes are just more full and rewarding.  In addition, the songs are stronger here, building much more interest from song to song and far more variety overall.  I should also make mention of the symphonic elements - they're more pronounced here, and for good reason - they sound better than before due to the improved "instrument" set.  As a result, there's more bombast, and more pomp and circumstance than on the previous release.


The obvious thing missing here is the traditional black metal vocals to go over this expansive palette of material, but of course, this is an instrumental project.  As such, the listening experiencing is still a tiny bit limited, as the amount of expression possible in this art form sans vocals is limiting.  However, Hguols does a good job of filling that void as much as possible.  Not having vocals doesn't feel as limiting here as it does in some other projects, primarily because the music is varied enough to keep interest all the way through the album.  Though I'd still like to hear this material with a vocal track, I think this CD does a great job of minimizing the fact that there are no vocals.


All in all, this is a step up from the debut and a tour de force of instrumental music.  I'd challenge anyone's preconceptions about instrumental music, and non-traditional metal music to give this CD a try.  Not only does it defy the boundaries of what is known as "metal" music, but it also shows what is truly possible with composition and innovation in this art form.  I'd wager that future projects Tom takes on will continue to expand the "MIDI Metal" art form and perhaps be the spark that triggers a greater flame of musical creativity within technology-based music.  Highly recommended.


85/100


Video review:


"The Gamut" - tonight's playlist!!!

The Gamut is debuting 5 new tracks tonight - 1 track each from the inaugural 5 releases from Intense Millennium Records!  2 cuts from Vengeance Rising, 1 cut from Sacred Warrior, and 2 cuts from Bloodgood!  Most of these songs have been in The Gamut before, but never like this - fully remastered & sounding better than ever!  Plus, all the crazy variety and musical insanity you've come to enjoy, so tune in tonight at 9 PM EST and check it out!

Tonight's playlist!!!

Kekal - Vox Diaboli (Avant-Garde Extreme Metal)
The Choir - Invisible (Alternative Rock)
Godonight Star - Creator (Synthpop)
Sacred Warrior - Children of the Light (Power Metal) - Intense Millennium Records debut!
In the Midst of Lions - Reborn (Deathcore)
Sweet Comfort Band - Haven't Seen You (Classic Rock/Ballad)
Starflyer 59 - Card Games and Old Friends (Alternative Rock)
Elotheos - Heart's Carrier (Melodic Metalcore)
The Clergy - Figure of a Man (Female-fronted Alternative/Punk)
Guardian - I'll Never Leave You (Classic Metal)
Death Is Not Welcome Here - Closer Than You Think (Emo/Modern Rock)
Disaffection - Blind Mind (Thrash Metal)
The Showdown - Cerberus-The Hellhound Awaits (Groove Metal)
Jesus Music - Painless Shame (Retro Pop-Rock)
Vengeance Rising - Human Sacrifice (Thrash Metal) - Intense Millennium Records debut!
Ancient Plague - Supersynchronous (Droning Black Metal)
In Due Time - Bloodgulch (Metalcore)
GlobalWaveSystem - 2cinc! (Industrial)
Daniel Amos - Father's Arms (Classic Rock)
Rehumanize - Kerney Thomas (Grindcore)
Call to Preserve - Hold Fast (Hardcore)
Rob Rock - Judgment Day (Power Metal)
Steve Hindalong - To Hell With the Devil (Acoustic)
Zoo Babies - Bob (Grunge/Groove Rock)
Crimson Thorn - 2nd Timothy 3 (Brutal Death Metal)
Joy Electric - The Harvestry of Ghosts (Synthpop)
Bloodgood - Live Wire (Classic Metal) - Intense Millennium Records debut!
Grave Robber - Tell-Tale Heart (Horror Punk)
Once Nothing - All My Heroes Are Cowboys (Southern Metalcore)
Undercover - Come Away With Me (80s Rock/Ballad)
Eternal Mystery - This Means War (Grindcore)
Haven - I Will Follow (Alternative Rock)
Vengeance Rising - Cut Into Pieces (Thrash Metal) - Intense Millennium Records debut!
Kidnap the Sun - Like a Thief in the Light (Rock/Post-Punk)
The Throes - Eyes Of My Sisters (Alternative Rock)
Your Eyes My Dreams - Treason, War and the Tyranny of Evil Men (Metalcore)
The Constellation Branch - Oneironaut (Indie Rock)
Discern - Your Choice? (Death Metal)
Bloodgood - Anguish and Pain (Classic Metal) - Intense Millennium Records debut!
The Eastern Wave - Chapter 3; Condition: Negative (Indie Rock)
Stavesacre - Devil (Modern Heavy Rock)
Strongarm - Trials (Hardcore)
Hguols - All But Life Was Lost (Instrumental Black Metal)

Check out the re-designed Untombed website @ www.untombed.com !  You can tune in easily via the web-based player on the front page, link to the stream via your regular audio player, read album reviews, get music news, and link up to other great resources, including the newly redesigned Divine Metal Distro site, your one-stop source for all things Christian rock and metal!

Alternate links to listen to the stream in a separate player (Winamp recommended, though Real Player, VLC, iTunes and others work as well):
http://207.192.71.70:8000/listen.pls
http://radio.fuhell.com:8000/listen.pls

Here's the link for Windows Media Player:
http://207.192.71.70:8000

Also our stream can now be heard on Nintendo Wii! If you have a Wii, here is what you do:

1.go on the net via your Wii console
2. type "www.Wiihear.com" into your browser address box
3. type "207.192.71.70:8000 into the Search box
4. Click the play arrow

It can take 5-10 seconds to load up & buffer, so please be patient when using this feature :)

You can also stream the station via xyzmp3.com on your PSP, PS3, Wii, iPhone, or even your TiVo!  Plus you can stream the show via your Windows Mobile phone with the free GSPlayer application!  Listen in from your Android device via the "A Online Radio" or StreamFurious applications also!

Sunday, November 14, 2010

"The Gamut" is back tonight!!!

The Gamut returns tonight in full force!  After a 2-month hiatus, the show is finally back to fill your boring Sunday evening with loads of musical enjoyment!  As per usual, we've got a ton of variety this evening and all kinds of great tunes in the show, so tune in!

Tonight's playlist!!!

xDeathstarx - Where Is Your Faith Now? (Metalcore/Hardcore)
Circle of Dust - Onenemy (Industrial)
Disciple - Remembering (Groove Metal)
Human Condition - Triangle (New Wave/Rock)
Inked in Blood - Comatose (Melodic Hardcore)
As I Lay Dying - Nothing Left (Metalcore)
Tourniquet - Ready Or Not (Thrash Metal)
Bloodgood - Eat the Flesh (Classic Metal)
A Hill to Die Upon - We Soulless Men (Melodic Black Metal)
Exeter Flud - You Decide (Alternative Rock)
Means - Connected (Melodic Hardcore)
House of Heroes - In the Valley of the Dying Sun (Progressive Modern Rock)
xLooking Forwardx - The Path We Tread (Hardcore Punk)
Deliverance - Red Roof (Progressive Metal)
Theocracy - Wages of Sin (Power Metal)
The Rekoning - Necessary Violence (Punk Rock)
the Human Flight Committee - She's a Car Destroyer (Indie Rock/Post Punk)
The Burial - Demons Never Sleep (Modern Melodic Extreme Metal)
Teramaze - Unseen (Progressive Metal)
The Dark Romantics - Lonely...Alone (Indie Pop)
Orphan Project - Empty Me (Progressive Hard Rock)
Neon Cross - Frontline Life (Classic Metal)
Monolith - More Than Conquerors (Symphonic Extreme Metal)
Michael Knott - Hang Me High (Alternative Rock)
Under Command - Cut Too Deep (Modern Metal/Hard Rock)
The Brothers Martin - The Harsh Effect of Time (Indie Pop/Electronic)
Outlander - Moonchildren (Progressive Hard Rock)
Generation - Still You Died (Industrial)
Hero - Gasoline (Hard Rock/Melodic Metal)
Feast Eternal - An Ember In Ashes (Death Metal)
Emery - Studying Politics (Modern Rock/Progressive)
Utlimatum - Exonerate (Thrash Metal)
Rex Carroll Band - Working Man's Blues (Bluesy Hard Rock)
Narnia - Kings Will Come (Melodic Power Metal)
Morella's Forest - Hang Out (Female-fronted Alternative Rock)
Metanoia - Pain (Death Metal)
Mad At Teh World - Faith Is a Perfect Road (New Wave/Rock)
Crystavox - Paradise (Metal)
Coram Deo - Daylight (Melodic Black Metal)
Consider the Thief - Drink the Sea (Indie Rock)
For Today - Devastator (Metalcore)
Letter 7 - Lifeline (Melodic Metal/Ballad)
Rocketboy - Chaos (Alternative Rock)
Scourged Flesh - Napier (Death/Thrash Metal)
Ruby Joe - Last Chance Johnny (Rockabilly)
Poems of Shadows - Thoughts of Insane in the Dark (Black Metal)

Check out the re-designed Untombed website @ www.untombed.com !  You can tune in easily via the web-based player on the front page, link to the stream via your regular audio player, read album reviews, get music news, and link up to other great resources, including the newly redesigned Divine Metal Distro site, your one-stop source for all things Christian rock and metal!

Alternate links to listen to the stream in a separate player (Winamp recommended, though Real Player, VLC, iTunes and others work as well):
http://207.192.71.70:8000/listen.pls
http://radio.fuhell.com:8000/listen.pls

Here's the link for Windows Media Player:
http://207.192.71.70:8000

Also our stream can now be heard on Nintendo Wii! If you have a Wii, here is what you do:

1.go on the net via your Wii console
2. type "www.Wiihear.com" into your browser address box
3. type "207.192.71.70:8000 into the Search box
4. Click the play arrow

It can take 5-10 seconds to load up & buffer, so please be patient when using this feature :)

You can also stream the station via xyzmp3.com on your PSP, PS3, Wii, iPhone, or even your TiVo!  Plus you can stream the show via your Windows Mobile phone with the free GSPlayer application!  Listen in from your Android device via the "A Online Radio" or StreamFurious applications also!

Sunday, November 7, 2010

The Gamut is returning!

After several weeks of being on hiatus due to a crazy work schedule, The Gamut is finally returning!  The next episode (83rd overall) will be on the air November 14th.  The show will be back in full force a whole month prior to the 2nd anniversary of The Gamut as well, giving me a couple weeks to get back in the swing of things.  I will be taking a couple Sunday nights off during the next 3 or 4 months for holidays, including family Christmas celebrations, as well as due to some business travel, but these should be isolated to 1 or 2 Sundays out of the month rather than weeks on end.  I am happy to say that when the show returns, there is new music I'll be playing that hasn't been in The Gamut before, as well as highlighting the new re-issues of classic Intense Records and Frontline Music titles via Intense Millennium Records!  Thanks everyone for your patience and for encouraging me during this time away - I needed to get away from things for a short while to refresh and renew, and to regain my passion for doing this.  It's truly appreciated!