April 2024 "The Infinite" Playlist - Metal Academy Radio

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2Wtb5QsNObO9w62f7ThQNF?si=5018d9f99232465b

Now including Xephyr's suggestions from two months ago because Gmail cannot decide whether to lump Metal Academy into the spam or not! Sorry for the mishap there Xephyr. I'll try to make sure it does not happen again.

1. Wandering Oak – To Lir Thy Fell (2024)

2. Anacrusis – Still Black (1991)

3. Mechina – Earth-Born Axiom (2015)

4. DGM – The Secret Pt. 2 (2016)

5. Mr. Bungle – Squeeze Me Macaroni (1991)

6. Mutoid Man – Siphon (2023)

7. Protest the Hero – Gardenias (2020)

8. Rolo Tomassi – Closer (2022)

9. Rendezvous Point – Don’t Look Up (2024)

10. Cyborg Octopus – Afterburner (2024)

11. King Gizzard and The Lizard Wizard – Dragon (2023) 

12. Alkaloid – Kernel Panic (2018) 

13. DVNE – Pleroma (2024) 

14. Artificial Language – Two Faced Star (2024)

15. Avenged Sevenfold – Cosmic (2023)

16. Four Stroke Baron – The Witch (2024)

17. ALMO – Reconciliation (2024) 

18. OK Goodnight – The Crocodile (2023) 

I'm not really up to a lot of progressive metal at the moment (other than discovering Into Eternity and Volumes the other day), so I'll just review submissions from me and Xephyr for this playlist. Sorry Saxy, maybe next time. So here are my thoughts on those tracks:

Wandering Oak – To Lir Thy Fell (2024)

4.5/5. A killer blackened progressive metal epic to start this playlist, though I have not much to say there.

Anacrusis – Still Black (1991)

5/5. The best and most ominous riffing comes in this track which is my personal favorite here.

Mechina – Earth-Born Axiom (2015)

4.5/5. The engines ignite and the spaceship blasts off in an extensive epic in which electronic synths and cinematic orchestra prevails over the heavy djent instrumentation. Tiberi knows how to combine all that with a landscape of sci-fi dystopia that Neurotech can also achieve.

DGM – The Secret Pt. 2 (2016)

4/5. Pretty great hooks to grab your attention, especially when reaching its last third.

Mr. Bungle – Squeeze Me Macaroni (1991)

4.5/5. This amazing bass-fueled track is where its original album sounds best when blending lightness with spookiness.

Mutoid Man – Siphon (2023)

5/5. This highlight kicks off having some of the math-ish metalcore instrumentation of Converge and The Dillinger Escape Plan then continues on in progressive/sludge metal again as the vocal harmonies and growls blend together.

Protest the Hero – Gardenias (2020)

4.5/5. The instant impact here is so good you can even listen to it on its own! The drum kicks and instrumental punches unleash thunderbolts while electrifying lightning strikes from Rody Walker unleashing his screams and growls.

Rolo Tomassi – Closer (2022)

5/5. Not every track that I absolutely love has to be heavy. This ballad is so beautiful, including the harmonic voice of Eva Korman. Such a lovely song!