Dundun-dundun. DUNDUN.

I've been on a noise kick lately. Giddy Motors' Do Easy (metal-tinged noisy punk, swagger), Noxagt's The Iron Point (seriously Viking instrumental metal), and Zu's Carboniferous (Sax! Bass! Drums!). For Noxagt, by no means listen to Kling No Klokka. For Giddy Motors, by no means listen to Dotdotdot. This Zu album would be pretty unlistenable to the general populace, but what isn't? The Jonas Brothers, that's who. Also, Miley Cyrus. Zu is an Italian band producing arty, sludgy, noisy experimental metal. On two Carboniferous tracks, Mike Patton (founder of Ipecac Records and an important musical force) does vocals. This alone was enough for me to take notice; his vocals on "Soulympics" made the album. Wikipedia lists Zu's genres as "Math Rock, Metal, Noise Rock, Punk Jazz." Wikipedia is correct. If metal's not your thing, perhaps the krautrock of Can's Tago Mago could scratch one's incessant itch for quality listenings.

The Lollapalooza Lineup is HERE

2009 Lollapalooza Lineup

What better place to see Depeche Mode, Tool, Jane's Addiction, Lou Reed, and the Beastie Boys, than Chicago?

I have already purchased advanced tickets and I suggest you do the same.

A more in-depth analysis of the lineup will be posted in the coming days.

Drone, Doom

My current album of choice is drenched in doom. The three tracks of Nadja's Radiance of Shadows each extend drone metal beyond the 20 minute mark, the title track evoking total horror. Obviously, this album will box any quiet-enthusiast quite hard on the ears.

Imagine the complete obliteration of Earth and subsequent emptiness where the familiar once existed. Without the cathartic positivity displayed by Godspeed! You Black Emperor's symphonic Lift Your Skinny Fists Like Antennas to Heaven or the (severely) limiting abrasiveness of fellow doom metal act Khanate's vocalist, Nadja forgoes speed and technicality to form a wave of unrestricted terror.

Anyone seeking the heaviness and imposing dread of this record without such massive length (79:52) should check out the reissue of Nadja's debut album Touched.

Another recently discovered gem in the realm of doom, Ocean's Pantheon of the Lesser. As I am not sure how to convert this suggestion over to the Watermellies scale, I shall simply limit my recommendation of this album to fans of very heavy music. More uplifting music selections shall emerge in time...