Tuesday, January 29, 2008

I'm Metal Thrashing Mad

FistfulTo Megaforce Records,

I recently purchased a new copy of your 2005 CD combo release of Anthrax's Fistful of Metal & Armed and Dangerous from Deepdiscount. After playing it, I was dismayed to discover that the CD sounds terrible. This is not a quality issue due to Anthrax not having access to good recording equipment back in 1985. I have over a thousand CDs and have worked with many mp3 files, and this CD sounds like what happens if someone makes very low quality mp3 files (~96 kbps) then burned them back to a CD. Among other problems, it's muffled and the drums make a strange smearing noise.

To further add to the argument that someone botched this release, the segue between "Across the River" and "Howling Furies" should be gapless, but instead there is a silent pause between the tracks. This is clearly wrong.

Please read the following two reviews from Amazon which agree with my sound quality assessment:

Review 1
Review 2

So I went back on-line and purchased a 1998 German import of this release from Steamhammer/SPV. This 2-disc set sounds perfectly fine. All of the problems I noted are not present.

I'm sure you realize that I am in a bit of tight spot since no record store these days will allow one to return a CD that is opened. I am writing, therefore, to ask if I can return this product to you and have my money refunded. I paid $13.29.

Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,

Hollow Man

Friday, January 11, 2008

Reznor and Williams Comment On NiggyTardust Sales Numbers

Trent Reznor has commented on the Internet sales of NiggyTardust here, and is interviewed about these comments here. Saul's comments on the figures are available here.

Reznor states that 28,322 paid for the record. His figures are probably a bit weird (and he acknowledges this) because people like me will be counted twice in his total count of 154,449. I first downloaded for free, then I went back and paid for it. So it sounds like that number of 154,449 really indicates the total number of downloads, not the total number of people who downloaded it.

Thursday, January 03, 2008

The New Year In Rock

A new year, thus new music. Here's a few imminent (hopefully) releases and some comments:

Anthrax: They're on their fourth singer and still refusing to give up. Here's hoping this latest change won't upset their loyal fanbase.

Black Sabbath: It's likely that the original forgers of heavy metal will release an album with Ronnie James Dio this year. With luck it will be a little more exciting than the new songs that were tacked on the end of their The Dio Years.

Guns 'N' Roses: Will 2008 be the year of Chinese Democracy? And Duke Nukem Forever?

Iced Earth: Will the return of fan favorite vocalist Matt Barlow bring success for this fixture of the heavy metal scene? This is one fan that's definitely looking forward to part two of Framing Armageddon (and with luck, a tour).

In Flames: The metal mavens from Gothenburg are busy working on a new album and hoping to really crack the American marketplace. I'm skeptical of the nu metal vibe they've had over the last years, but the kids dig it, so they may see mainstream success this year.

Iron Maiden: These longtime metal titans will hopefully release a follow-up to the fan favorite A Matter of Life and Death this year. I felt that disc meandered a bit, and the guitars seemed to have less bite, but there was something compelling about the album as a whole, so I'm looking forward to new material.

The Jesus and Mary Chain: 2007 saw the return of these noisemakers to the stage. With luck we'll see a brand new album this year.

Eric Johnson: The Tone Ranger normally takes ten years or so between albums, but since he's writing, perhaps we'll get a new disc this year. He's shelved some projects to work on new material, so maybe he'll strike while the Guitar Hero III iron is hot.

Judas Priest: These are the only guys, besides Spinal Tap, who can make an album about Nostradamus listenable. Halford is still at the helm, so I expect greatness. Here's to hoping we get release information soon.

Mastodon: The Men of Math Metal almost broke big with Blood Mountain, and may see real commercial success with their next release. Keep a lone Cysquatch eye on the sky.

Nine Inch Nails: Color me optimistic, but the release of Year Zero hot on the heels of With Teeth is encouraging, and I hope we'll see more new material soon. Trent has dissolved his relationship with his record company, so it will be interesting to see his distribution scheme for the next release.

Tim Owens: Banished from Iced Earth, will the Halford-Dio-Dickinson fanboy be able to find success with his other projects? Here's hoping for some positive buzz in 2008 for the frontman who's impossible to dislike.

Porcupine Tree: With Pink Floyd out of the loop, Rush unlikely to release new material this year, and Tool as slow as usual (see below), that leaves the door wide open for these progressive stalwarts to reach more fans. They're prolific, so I expect we'll see some heavy action on this front.

Tool: I'd love to think we'll get a new disc from these guys, but I suspect we'll just have to be happy with a supposed DVD release. Still, live Tool is better than no Tool, and there's always Puscifer if you want something rather weird to satiate your Maynard fix.

U2: The alternative kingpins will hopefully release their Rick Rubin produced follow-up to Atomic Bomb this year. We got a taste of what Rubin can do on 18 Singles, but no real hope that it will be tamer in the volume department.

iTunes Pumpkins Release

American GothicProof positive that Smashing Pumpkins doesn't care too much about their fan base and sound quality, they have elected to release an iTunes exclusive EP, American Gothic. And even though they're American, the USA is the only place one won't be able to get a physical copy - whee!

I guess those who are Apple-centric can enjoy this new acoustic record. If you acquire it via other means, stay safe!

Wednesday, January 02, 2008

Turn Me Up!

Turn Me Up!Turn Me Up! is a non-profit music organization devoted to getting the word out on the Loudness War. It would be pretty crazy (i.e. good) if their idea to certify and label CDs that were of decent quality caught on. Good luck to them in coming up with the criteria and making sure it's followed!