Anyone heard their new album that leaked recently?
Al and co. will have a tough job topping them.
Even if I like Meshuggah on record, they didn’t really impress me live. Their music being maybe a bit to technical and the guys a bit to static. But it was more than ten years ago…
Ministry and Meshuggah are two different beasts anyway. It’s an interesting bill.
ministry and meshuggah suit two throughly different moods for me, so it’d possibly be a slight let down if i was to see it, as i know i wouldn’t enjoy one as much as i could/should because the mood i was in wouldn’t mesh well.
mind you, its irrelevant to me anyway…im from the unenterable wasteland
I’m not sure what to think of the lineup after hearing the new album from both Meshuggah and Ministry. I’m yet to even listen to ANY Hemlock so I’m still in the dark about that one but I’ll check them out before my shows. All I can say is this…
I’ve seen Ministry a fair number of times and Ministry has a BUNCH of great albums and are usually really great live. Al moves around, as do most of the other members. There is usually a bit of talking and audience participation, which is great, and plus being the final world tour I expect that they will pull out a great setlist and throw it down really hard. Especially having to compete with someone like Meshuggah opening for them.
I’ve seen Meshuggah twice and everytime it’s something insane. Their music is so technical and so grating and chaotic that it pulls out something very primal in me. Without doubt the most hardcore and scary mosh pit I’ve ever been in. Yeah, the guys don’t move around much but jeezus I don’t think anyone could while playing that stuff besides the bassist and the vocalist. The new album is crushing. Not their best but there are some definite gems on there. I am hoping that they get a long enough set to play a few things from several albums (DEI, Nothing, Chaosphere and obZen)…
It will be interesting. I think very highly of Meshuggah and think they outperform almost every band they open for. But I think Ministry has a long standing image to uphold that Al will try and hold out on for this final tour. I know that together it should be great as the last few albums by Minstry and very much in line with what Meshuggah does, and Meshuggah has toned down over the past two or three albums enough to play with someone more “rythmic”. They do evoke two different things from me but I believe it will altogether be an excellent show.
Anyone else listened to the new Meshuggah - obZen album yet? So far the tracks that really grab me are Bleed, obZen and Pravus (by far the best track on the album IMO)…
Peace!
Krowe
I’ve seen Meshuggah twice and everytime it’s something insane. Their music is so technical and so grating and chaotic that it pulls out something very primal in me. Without doubt the most hardcore and scary mosh pit I’ve ever been in. Yeah, the guys don’t move around much but jeezus I don’t think anyone could while playing that stuff besides the bassist and the vocalist.
I saw them open for Tool a while back - I’m not a HUGE fan but they did impress me with their set. “Relentless and crushing”, I remember thinking at the time. Their technical prowess is amazing, but the songs tend to blend into each other.
Anyone else listened to the new Meshuggah - obZen album yet? So far the tracks that really grab me are Bleed, obZen and Pravus (by far the best track on the album IMO)…
Have been listening to it quite a bit recently but haven’t taken notice of the song titles, so I couldn’t name any faves. I think…tracks 4 and 5 are damn fine, if I remember correctly. There’s the odd track, here and there, that I don’t care for much.
Did you like it on the first listen?? I think that ‘bass slapping sound’ that never lets up is a bit grating. That’s what ruined Catch 33 for me…that sound just goes on and on…
BTW Do you a fave Meshuggah…or could you recommend one. I’ve only heard this and Catch 33!!
mesh get too dull.
i will just be in the pit for fun while they play. haha.
HEMLOCK however is HEAVY shit. i love them, and i was happy as hell to hear that they would be on this tour.
Maybe it’s because I’m approaching 37, and my ears have been abused at concerts for over 20+ years, but isn’t it bad enough that Ministry will be completely deafening…do we really need two more loud bands as primers? Damned kids and yer loud music!
Strangely enough, before the last two Ministry gigs, the loudest concert I saw was 242’s Tyranny tour in '91. Never have keyboards been so deafening before (plus they ended the show with some insane frequency noise that pretty much killed everyone’s hearing…it was a fine time).
1002
Have been listening to it quite a bit recently but haven’t taken notice of the song titles, so I couldn’t name any faves. I think…tracks 4 and 5 are damn fine, if I remember correctly. There’s the odd track, here and there, that I don’t care for much.
Did you like it on the first listen?? I think that ‘bass slapping sound’ that never lets up is a bit grating. That’s what ruined Catch 33 for me…that sound just goes on and on…
BTW Do you a fave Meshuggah…or could you recommend one. I’ve only heard this and Catch 33!!
Right… Track 5 is obZen. One of my favorites… the other two I mentioned (Bleed, which is the first single and Pravus) are tracks 3 and 8. I know what you mean about the bass slapping thing. The first time I listened to the album I noticed it and it kinda ruined it for me. I was like “Oh. Typical standard Meshuggah, but better than Catch 33”… After listening to it some more I’ve actually quite changed my opinion and find it to be one of their stronger albums. I have their whole discography, along with a few rarities, so yes, I can suggest some stuff to you.
If you are into more of the heavy groove/math-ish type sound they are known for I would suggest grabbing the Chaosphere and Nothing LP’s, two of my definite favorites. As far as the more standard sounds they are known for and some of their comical side (yes, they have one and it IS damn funny) I would suggest getting Destroy, Erase, Improve LP and their True Human Design and None EP’s. If you want sound obliteration then grab the “I” EP. It’s one track that is around 21 minutes of sonic destruction. Catch 33 is one of their WORST albums in my opinion. The use of programmed drums destroys the whole thing I love about them. Their use of poly-rythems and syncopes and such in the live dumming department is by far what stands out the most with them, unless you are a guitar fiend and then you are probably noticing the weird time signatures they use like 13/16 and 23/16 notations… Anyways… Back to what I was saying… Unless you are into the oldschool thrash scene I would stay away from their earlier works (Contradictions Collapse LP, Meshuggah EP which is also known as Psykisk Testbild)…
To put it simply I would rate their discography in order from best to worst like this :
Nothing
Chaosphere
obZen
I
Destroy Erase Improve
True Human Design
None
Catch 33
Meshuggah
Contradictions Collapse
Hope that helps man.
Peace!
Krowe
I saw both Ministry and Meshuggah in 2006, and Meshuggah was far, far better. I’m looking forward to seeing Meshuggah again, but I’m going more to see Ministry. Hope they are both great this time.
mesh get too dull.
i will just be in the pit for fun while they play. haha.
HEMLOCK however is HEAVY shit. i love them, and i was happy as hell to hear that they would be on this tour.
Meshuggah did NOTHING for me. It was like the Swedish progressive death metal version of RUSH or something, but without any grooves that I could even grab onto. It was just one big long boring wank. Like Tool, but, more Scandinavian.
Hemlock were also nothing super special musically, but I always wish them the best and hope they’re doing well. I have mad respect for them (mostly the lead singer/ main dude, Chad). Homeboy hustled like nobody’s business. Before the show he was meeting everyone he could, handing out stickers and CD’s, introducing himself, and just being an all around great guy. And as soon as his set ended, he was back amongst the people, hustling again. I’ve never seen a harder working dude, and, while their music didn’t inspire me, I can’t think of someone more “deserving” of getting his due.
I love Meshuggah and make no apologies for it. Obzen will change your life. But I do understand the “what the fuck” reaction they often get. My best mate can’t stand them.
This thread def has some posts from some long lost prongers…
I tried to listen to Meshuggah, it was Obzen, and i fucking hated it. Not my cup of tea at all.
Hemlock were also nothing special, but I always wish them the best and hope they’re doing well. I have mad respect for them (mostly the lead singer/ main dude, Chad). Homeboy hustled like nobody’s business. Before the show he was meeting everyone he could, handing out stickers and CD’s, introducing himself, and just being an all around great guy. And as soon as his set ended, he was back amongst the people, hustling again. I’ve never seen a harder working dude, and, while their music didn’t inspire me, I can’t think of someone more “deserving” of getting his due.
Absolutely!!
[reply]Hemlock were also nothing special, but I always wish them the best and hope they’re doing well. I have mad respect for them (mostly the lead singer/ main dude, Chad). Homeboy hustled like nobody’s business. Before the show he was meeting everyone he could, handing out stickers and CD’s, introducing himself, and just being an all around great guy. And as soon as his set ended, he was back amongst the people, hustling again. I’ve never seen a harder working dude, and, while their music didn’t inspire me, I can’t think of someone more “deserving” of getting his due.
Absolutely!![/reply]
You met him (or observed him) too, Grumps?
Seriously, he’s one of those guys where I kept thinking, “I really wish I dug your music more so I could be a proper fan.” Part of me even considered going to another Hemlock gig just to be supportive, haha.
He was such a great guy. I should look him up and see what he’s doing now.
You met him (or observed him) too, Grumps?
Oh yeah, he was at the door at the LA house of blues thanking everybody for coming to the show and that was before the show even started and after his set he was right back at the door chatting people up who were going out for smokes or wishing them safe passage home. just a really nice fella. I hope he makes it!!
I just checked Hemlock’s website, and they have over 30 upcoming shows all over the western US this fall.
^Yeah, they get around! I was just looking at their website. I didn’t realize they had 20 years behind them already!
I love Meshuggah, but only recently got into them. When they opened for Ministry, I enjoyed the performance but wasn’t really interested in checking out the albums. Finally did, and they’re fantastic. But I can see how people don’t. I realized I’ve always liked a little bit of prog in my metal. Not Rush or anything, but I love Voivod, Strapping Young Lad, stuff like that.
As far as Hemlock, I totally agree. At the final shows in Chicago, he was giving merch away and chatting everyone up. A friend wanted me to pick him up a CD, and dude gave me a bunch of other swag for him too. Real cool guy.