It should be known that I am not a fan of most things _core, be it metalcore, deathcore, etc. Not a huge fan of nu metal these days either, but nu metal was my gateway to the rest of what I listen to, so I have some respect for it. Most "djent" I've heard sounded a lot like more progressive metalcore, so not a huge fan of that either. I also have trouble listening to anything that is by nature not very melodic, like grindcore or a lot of non-melodic death metal. I'm not trying to be a purist or anything, I've just never found anything to love about _core that I have found in a lot of other types of metal. Don't get me wrong, though; a lot of bands that I don't like the music of are very, very talented.
Now for some personal history. I didn't listen to or like much music at all until 7th grade, when a friend and I discovered System of a Down. From there, we explored nu metal such as Korn and Soil. By mid 9th grade, he got into Megadeth and Metallica while I got into In Flames (who remained one of my only melodeath bands for a while), though he also introduced me to Metallica and Megadeth. We both started to play the electric guitar around then as well. I steadily started to listen to more thrash and "heavy" (ie Iron Maiden) metal and until around 11th grade that was it, but then I decided to try Death, whose The Sound of Perseverance caught me instantly. Death and Chuck's harsh vocals opened up worlds for me, and from there I got into Opeth and since then have steadily been trying more and more melodic and progressive death metal. I also tried a few songs by less melodic, heavier bands like Cannibal Corpse, Deicide, Dying Fetus, and Nile, but had trouble getting into them aside from a few more memorable songs. Nothing against those bands, I personally just need some more melody in my music. Recently I've been listening to a good amount of gothic/death-doom like Katatonia, as well as melodic and progressive death like (pre-Heritage, despite that Heritage was okay) Opeth and Edge of Sanity.
Most recently, my old favorite band Testament came out with a new song, "True American Hate", which caught me instantly and has demanded listen upon listen, as well as re-established Testament as my favorite band after Opeth and Katatonia held that spot for a while. Testament's new album "Dark Roots of Earth" is coming out by the end of July, and I have my CD of it pre-ordered. I couldn't be any more excited for this release. What also interests me about it is a bonus cover of Iron Maiden's "Powerslave", which is probably my favorite Maiden song, but the whole album holds promise judging from "True American Hate" and how great "The Formation of Damnation" was, as well as that Testament's line up is stronger than ever in my opinion. You can listen to the new song on Youtube below.
Also later this summer, Katatonia have a new album coming out, "Dead End Kings", which I am also pretty excited for. They've released one new song as well, titled "Dead Letters", which held plenty of promise for the album to come, although it took a few listens to grow on me, unlike Testament's new track. Below is the new Katatonia song on Youtube.
Thanks for reading. Looking to post updates and maybe even reviews semi-regularly here.
Now Listening to: Testament - The Gathering
Recent top song: Testament - Sails of Charon (Scorpions Cover) (on Youtube below)
Recent top bands: Testament, Opeth, Katatonia, Edge of Sanity, My Dying Bride
