The Haunted's Unseen - Probably 2011's best Metal album

I’ve completely rediscovered The Haunted this year, with the release of Unseen. I used to love the band for being a totally insane and typically Scandinavian thrash band. But now I truly believe they are one of Metal’s most innovating and inventive bands.

Their new album, Unseen is the key to understanding their previous records Revolver, The Dead Eye and Versus. These 3 albums are the ones the band released after the return of singer Peter Dolving to the band in 2003. They are a little bit “hesitating” sometimes, with very melodic parts and very aggressive elements as well. It was obvious that the band had found its sound, but the guys were still trying to express it at it’s best.

There it is: Metal's best album in 2011 - Unseen by The Haunted

Although many metal fans will NEVER accept it, I thing that Unseen, the band’s last album & their best, contains the pure essence of their personality. On that CD you’ll just find everything that makes The Haunted so special. Including the madness and the hysterical elements from their first and self-titled record (1998).

The choruses here are nothing short but AMAZING, peter Dolving is a fantastic singer, capable of screaming his guts out and whispering like some sort of psychic freak or singing like a rock-star.

The power of The Haunted lies in it’s ability to mix 100% pur metal elements with hard rock and grooooove. The groove element is essential to me, and like it or not, it’s ALWAYS been there with The Haunted. Just take out your old Made Me Do It album and listen to the killer breakdown on “Tresspass”. 

I just can't really explain how the band sounds, they are totally unique, they sound like no-one else, believe me. It's some sort of Modern Metal with thrash influences mixed up with rock and maybe some indie-rock sounds. This band is special, all their albums are must haves and it’s easy to give you guys some advice about what your priorities should be.

  § If you like metal, including the extreme stuff: go and get ALL their albums.

  § If you’re short on cash: avoid the album One Kill Wonder, it’s the only “not bad” album.

 § If you like your Metal melodic: focus on Unseen, their ultimate MASTERPIECE and The Dead Eye, which is also amazing, but not as exceptional.

It’s that easy with such a fantastic band.

Now the other thing that made me go crazy on The Haunted this year, is their concert at Hellfest 2011. They canceled their initial show in the afternoon on one of the mainstages and rescheduled it at 1:00 AM on a tiny side-stage, usually occupied by fat strippers.

Anyways, the guys did their soundcheck themselves, and regarding the shitty conditions it took them ages. The audience was starting to loose it’s patience and so were Per Jensen (Drums) and Anders Björler (Guiatrs)… After a 45min extra delay, Peter Dolving hit the stage and man, everyone was completely BLOWN AWAY.

The Haunted Live in Hellfest 2011: not a high quality video but does express the intensity of that show (plus I was probably standing a few feet to the left from the guy who shot this) 

The small configuration of the show perfectly suited the band actually, the energy was unbelievable, all the accumulated tension just exploded in a few seconds. I’ve never witnessed such intensity in my life. Needless to say it was my favorite show of the festival. 

As a matter of fact, it’s really on stage that you definitely realize that The Haunted has not changed. It’s still the same talented band, but the new songs express their potential much better than before.

I’m out of words to tell you guys how I feel about this band, just go listen to it, and if you can, see the guys on stage; the experience might change your life for ever.

The song "No Ghost" taken from Unseen  

"The Drowning" from The Dead Eye album - also very cool...

The Haunted is one of the most talented bands in rock/metal today, and UNSEEN is by far 2011’s best album, PERIOD!

The Haunted Online 

Who in the world still likes progressive metal??

Tough one. I know I used to. I used to love prog’ metal, I use to listen to inexplicable music and get crazy over never ending intros and epic guitar Vs keyboard duels. But now, I don't know anymore. 

I’m even hesitating: should I add the new Dream Theater record (A Dramatic Turn Of Events) to my “To Buy List” (this list really exists, I’ll tell you more about how it’s organized and precisely managed someday)? The cold fact is I bought the 2 previous records (Systematic Chaos & Black Clouds and Silver Linings) without thinking, and I can’t remember a single damn note of them… I just don’t feel like listening to their music anymore. 

Do I want to buy this one?

I even bought a Zero Hour record once. Don’t ask me how I actually survived, but I think I’d be too scared to play it again, I’m not willing to loose my sanity. I’m being sarcastic here on purpose, because this band really is hard to get into, but the guys are very talented and there is some pretty smart musicianship here, if you think you’re tough enough, check’em out.

The music is hard to follow, but this album has a very dark and interesting atmosphere...

Considering that Dream Theater is almost prog’ metal’s best definition, imagine how I feel about all the 2^nd class bands that sound like a cheap version of DT… In fact, I do not only dislike 2^nd class prog’ metal bands, I truly detest them. They are the downfall of a genre that is becoming a predictable & soulless self-parody. I still remember how much pain I felt when I tried to listen to bands like Communic or Thought Chamber. Just go to Inside Out Music label’s page to see how many of these bands released one or two records before getting back to being totally anonymous…I think times have changed for prog’ metal and people are not buying it anymore.

Just so that things are completely clear though; we’re talking here about PROG METAL in its literal meaning. Nothing to do with prog’ rock of course and nothing to do with Metal bands that have a progressive edge (we spoke of Obscura the other day, I can mention bands like Edge Of Sanity, Borknagar, the awesome Enslaved…).
There is also a new generation of bands, lead by Mastodon and who can be classified as "progressive" metal as well. They sound totally different though (totally different influences) and we'll probably discuss that scene soon, as the new Mastodon record is to be released by the end of the month. Until then, enjoy the cool new video...

That was the negative answer to the question. But there is also a positive answer since there are some awesome Prog’ Metal bands out there, and just because some of the leaders are declining, you shouldn’t ignore them.

Somehow, with their big chunky and fat packaging, Nuclear Blast convinced me into buying the new Symphony X two-CD record. Now that’s a nice band who managed to evolve and to seduce the Metal audience by being more aggressive and more “thrashy”. I still think their masterpiece is the fabulous record called "V", but it’s undeniable that all their CDs are good, original and catchy. 

 I feel like a teenager when I fall for such flashy special editions.

This one stays my favorite from Symphony X. Fantastic!

Another awesome prog’ metal band I must tell you about is Myrath. This young band from Tunisia is an perfect mixture of Dream Theater and Symphony X. Myrath sort of found the ideal equilibrium between technicality, impact, melodies and exotic tunes. Yes, they include some Arabic music here and there and they do it perfectly. It sounds genuine; it’s NEVER cheesy or cliché. The songs are pretty short and each one of them sounds memorable in it’s own way. Make sure you grab a copy of their new CD called “Tales Of The Sands”.

Perhaps one of the best "oriental metal" bands alongside Melechesh (who are way more extreme)

And of course, one must not forget to mention some awesome and classic bands like ARK, Conception or even Pagan’s Mind. 

ARK are split up, but they have probably issued one of the top10 records in heavy metal history. "Burn The Sun", their second and last effort is a masterpiece, nothing else to say about that fact. If you like rock, if you like music, you cannot ignore that one. Describing it would probably take me another couple of pages. Just know that the line up comprises all stars Tore Ostby and Jorn on the top of their game. 

MASTERPIECE.

Tore Ostby is also involved in Conception, alongside fantastic singer Roy Khan. The band has issued 4 records in the 1990’s, each one of them is brilliant. One of these band’s secrets is the genius guitar parts of Tore. Instinctive yet technical, heavy and yet so spiritual; Flamenco and Jazz guitar have never been so perfectly included on a Metal record. What is this guy doing by the way, anyone got news of his new projects?

In Your Multitude is conception's third and probably fan-favorite CD

Now Pagan’s Mind is a little bit different. This band can be described as being “Too much”, in all compartments. Too shiny, too cheesy, too technical, too melodic, too crazy… But they guys know what they’re doing and their songs are just awesome and addictive. 

The last CD called Heavenly Ecstasy is about some love story between a space goddess and another alien. If you buy the special edition you’ll get a couple of bonus songs, linear notes from each musician (detailing their passions, life philosophy…) and a fantastic old-school poster with a 100% leather and “Metal” pose.

Needless to say that the concept’s love story has a very happy and philosophical ending. Love is superior to evil; always.

SINISTER REALM makes your summer EPIC

There is a new “hype” around old-school heavy metal going on. Every label wants a new rooster inspired by the glorious early heavy and/or evil bands. What’s even more impressive is that the movement started on very specialized forums, the whole thing grew, cool reviews started to bloom all over the web. And now, you got very promising bands, playing Mercyful Fate-like stuff like In Solitude and Portrait signed on Metal Blade! A few months ago, people would laugh at Mercyful Fate fans… That’s probably one of the very first cases where the whole thing completely started on specialized Internet forums.

But let’s give credit to those who’ve always been there, like Shadow Kingdom Records. The label has not only reissued some fantastic records (Manilla Road’s Live After Midnight), it also promoted promising new bands like Argus (now on Cruz Del Sur) and Iron Man (who released their fourth record, I Have Returned, probably one of the best heavy/doom CDs released in a few years).  

And one of the most awesome bands on Shadow Kingdom is without a doubt Sinister Realm, formed by former Pale Divine John Shamus Gaffney and Darin McCloskey (the latter had to leave the band after the very good first record).

Their first record was already a great heavy metal journey with some doomy edges. But the new one, The Crystal Eye is a pure diamond.

Everything on this record makes it sound like a classic. It has the perfect length: 45 minutes. It contains 8 songs, each one of them being memorable with something specific that makes it stand out. You have the strong and powerful opener, a slow and very heavy song, a fast one, the epic killer title track, the melodic song, the power-ballad, the instrumental and the final epic that shows some interesting progressive elements. Absolutely nothing’s missing here!

All of the musicians are on the top of their game, and vocalist Alex Kristof is realy stands out. The man’s got a powerful voice but he also knows how to sing. What I mean is that he’s not like at 110% all over the album screaming his balls out and irritating your ears!

You also have to note the fantastic solos by new guitarist John Risko and of course the superb bass-lines from John Gaffney. His old-school style reminds me of the way Steve Harris stands out in Iron Maiden. Now he’s also the main composer here and he’s not very far away from perfection with tracks like “Signal The Earth” or “Swords Held High”. These songs are truly amazing, as they sound classic but very unique at the same time.

All in all, if you are into heavy metal, this is your album of the year. Therefore, even if the it’s cover is a little bit cheesy and although it’s not edited in one of those huge digipacks with a bonus DVD (where you can look at the band fool around in the studio for an hour and a half) The Crystal Eye deserves your complete attention. Definitely one of my favorites this year!

Make sure you check’em out right here.