But Did You Hear About Tool??
Yes, we acknowledge Tool did a thing right before we record this show. Way more importantly, though, we have three new, far more relevant releases to discuss, plus a real ripper of a Sideshow ABCs pick!
Reviews:
Tom Mold– Planetary Clairvoyance (20 Buck Spin)
Serpent of Gnosis – As I Drink from the Infinite Well of Inebriation (1126)
Boatman’s Toll – The Fat is in the Fire (Seeing Red)
O is for
Opacia
Tomb Mold – Planetary Clairvoyance
Serpent Of Gnosis – As I Drink From The Infinite Well Of Inebriation
Boatman’s Toll – The Fat Is In The Fire
ABC’s of 2019:
Opacia
The Sideshow Podcast 
– Russian Circles is reviewed and in the bank for the next episode, and KsE and Slipknot are two episodes out based on our schedule. I skimmed through Pelican when it came out (not the ideal way to listen to an instrumental band such as them, I know) and it was solid. Nothing new or ground breaking, but a good release either way. We only skipped it due what else we had on our plate at the time.
– As for KsE and Slipknot, those two will both be out and streaming by the time we get to them, but as a little teaser I can tell you one is more worth your effort than the other. …you’ll have to listen to the ep to see which!
– If I can find the time, I will at least give Sabaton a try. I was ok with ‘Rex, but really disliked the last one a lot.
– I like your analogy of Tool and Queen. That makes a certain amount of sense to me. The hysteria of it all is a bit ridiculous, but I would be lying if I said I didn’t at least to listen to some of their back catalog once I kept seeing their name pop up everywhere. …I did not, however, purchase anything.
-n
Lots to talk about this episode. First, Brian, your review and description of the Iron Maiden show was spot on, especial the visuals. I couldn’t have said it better myself.
-I’m with you on Tool. There is something to be said for an old band getting new life through the zeitgeist. There are clearly people who should have already bought and listened to Tool’s old albums but for one reason or another just didn’t. Maybe someone didn’t get into Tool until the 2000s and never went back and listened to their stuff from the 1990s. Now that Tool is streaming and getting a lot of press, it comes to the forefront of people’s attention and they decide that now is the time to listen to Tool. I’m going to equate Tool with Queen. I’m old enough to remember that when the song Bohemian Rhapsody was featured in the movie Wayne’s World, Queen suddenly became popular. Then with the release of the Bohemian Rhapsody movie last year, Queen gets put back in the mainstream consciousness and becomes popular once again. Tool’s music, especially Lateralus, has a timeless quality to it so that it can and will come in and out of popularity for many years to come.
-I’ve also seen all the glowing praise that Tomb Mold has received over the last year or two. I’ve listened to some of their stuff, and I agree with you about them. I’m kind of indifferent about them. They aren’t bad, but you aren’t going to see them appear on any year end lists from me. I’ve come to realize that there seems to be a preponderance of metal reviewers who happen to love them some straight up old school death metal, and I can see how Tomb Mold fits the bill for those people. But that’s not my wheelhouse.
-There are two big new releases that I’m leaning against buying unless you and others give them rave reviews. Those would be Slipknot and Killswitch Engage. That last Killswitch album was so unmemorable that I can’t even remember the name of the album. And Slipknot seems to have fallen into a pattern of crafting pop albums. By a pop album, I mean there might be a couple of “hits” or “singles” on the album but then the rest of it is filler. Early indications of Slipknot’s new album seem to confirm that to be the case.
-I have a feeling you will be giving this a skip, but you’d be remiss if you didn’t listen to Sabaton’s recent release The Great War. I get it that Sabaton isn’t really your guys cup of tea (especially Nick), and I’ll be the first to admit that The Great War probably isn’t going to convince anyone who previously didn’t like Sabaton. But I have to say that The Great War is solid. It’s easily Sabaton’s best album since Carolus Rex (which is their best album). The reason both those album are great is because of their consistency. Other Sabaton albums might have a few good songs and then other forgettable songs. But The Great War is consistent from start to finish.
-Russian Circles new album Blood Year is worth your time. It’s not a 5, but it’s a 4. My feeling is that the recent album from Pelican is slightly better (though quite similar), which I think you guys skipped.