This edition of Metal Mixology is presented by h8strings (Matt McClure) of Burial Path!
Please see my "blurbs" for each of the tracks I picked for my top 10 tracks. My playlist can be found here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0TbkKd9JpqnDsjzSYeTMB0?si=a96fcdf8024a41fe
Toxic Metal Playlist
1. Purest Strain of Hate (Thy Art is Murder) - I've always considered Thy Art is Murder's Hate album as what I define as the quintessential Deathcore album. It retains the "Myspace" era of caveman chugs while incorporating modern day solos/production quality. This song in particular has help shaped my playing with how they format their songs; intro, verse, chorus, verse 2-alternate riffing for the second half of verse 2, breakdown, interlude, outro. Where I don't utilize this format for every song, most of Burial Path's songs begin in this format and collectively we will decide how we need to alter the format to spice up the writing.
2. Tavern (Netherwalker) - This is a more recent add for me as recommended by Aïcha. This song exhibits the modernize Deathcore that has become more popular. The song uses an intro of tavern music to set the mood of the song. Then when the whole band comes in, the listener will hear brutal chugs/breakdowns and light post-production to add to the atmosphere of the song - something that Burial Path thoroughly utilizes. Song format wise it reminds me that not ever transition has to be a "Mozart" level modulation; sometimes the simple approach is just as effective.
3. Yekteniya (Batushka) - I've been getting more into Batushka's music as it shows Black Metal can still be effective with modern day production quality. Their songs are also almost reminiscent Doom metal in the sense that it's slower, low tuned, and meant to wash over the listener; taking the listener from this world into the world created by the music. The live shows are captivating which leaves a life long impact on music goers. Song format wise this song also serves as a reminder that sometimes the simple approach is better; not every song has to be all blast beats and high intensity.
4. Witches Get Stitches (DeadVectors) - This is another modern day Deathcore band. Similar to TAIM, DeadVectors reminds me that even without post-production a song can leave a huge impact on the listener. In this track I took away that songs don't have to be long; this track having a run time of 2 minutes. It's a great mixture of chaotic verse riffs into synchronized/syncopated chugs and breakdowns that no listener can refuse to head bang or tap their foot to.
5. Blasphemian (Infant Annihilator) - This song is pure aggression. The lyrics spew venom, the guitar riffs are hellish, and the screams are that of a demon. The aggression is what I took away from this song.
6. Pain (Nik Nocturnal, Dickie Allen) - This song follows a song structure similar to Purest Strain of Hate. The main take away from this song is the lyric content and the more melodic riffing from the guitars.
7. The Awakening (The Air I Breathe) - My main take away from this song is the soaring guitar leads. Without the leads, the song is still a very solid song, however, it truly reminds me how impactful well thought out leads. With/without the leads the song sounds two completely different tracks.
8. Blackout (Senses Fail) - This song holds a lot of nostalgia for me. Not only was it from the "golden era" of listening to music for me, but it was also when I was arguably at my lowest. The guitar riffing to me represented a roller coaster; the perfect timing of guitar melodies rising, almost sounding hopeful. And then of course the fall. Plus the added 7th on what could just be barre chords adds the "uneasy" tone that resembles the tension we feel when things just do not feel right in life.
9. Four Years (Senses Fail) - I like this song for almost all of the same reasons as Blackout. The main difference in this track is the staccato chugs during the chorus. When I first heard the chugs played like that, I never looked back. Similar guitar playing can be heard in The Seeker and Mirror of Faults.
10. Ink (The Dali Thundering Concept) - This song is a cumulation of several concepts that can be found in my current guitar playing. It retains the caveman chugs, it has the beloved "djent" style staccato riffs, and sonically the production is very modern; tight and precise engineering.
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