November 2023 "The Gateway" Playlist - Metal Academy Radio
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7aY7WjCGySb3Lb4x79Dk5T?si=271ef2eefdb94363
1. Pyrogenesis – Survival of the Fittest (2020)
2. 36 Crazyfists – Better to Burn (2017)
3. Life Of Agony – Last Cigarette (2005)
4. Otep – Perfectly Flawed (2007)
5. Sleep Token – The Summoning (2023)
6. Korn – Clown (1993)
7. Soen – Violence (2023)
8. Alien Weaponry – Kai Tangata (2018)
9. Alter Bridge – Fortress (2013)
10. Any Given Day – Wind of Change (2022)
11. Celldweller – Switchback (2003)
12. In This Moment – In The Air Tonight (2017)
13. Spiritibox – Cellar Door (2023)
14. Evanescence – Far From Heaven (2021)
15. nothing.nohwhere. – CHROMAKILL3R (2023)
16. Rage Against The Machine – Bullet In The Head (1992)
17. Stuck Mojo – (Here Comes) the Monster (1996)
18. Halestorm – Bombshell (2022)
19. FEVER 333 – BURN IT (2019)
Here are my thoughts on some tracks:
Pyrogenesis – Survival of the Fittest (2020)
4/5. Killer start to this playlist! Not the best, but I'll survive.
36 Crazyfists – Better to Burn (2017)
4.5/5. Now this is a better song to love! Still can't believe this band ended up calling it quits.
Sleep Token – The Summoning (2023)
5/5. Then I get to hear this awesome track with heavier breakdowns leading to a soulful bass/vocals ending. The song is highly popular on Spotify, and I can understand why.
Alien Weaponry – Kai Tangata (2018)
5/5. This highlight continues the heavy aggression while having another shining melodic chorus. I love it!
Alter Bridge – Fortress (2013)
5/5. This 7 and a half minute epic is the perfect ending to the hour-long tale of its original album. The textures and time changes are produced perfectly in experimental glory.
Any Given Day – Wind of Change (2022)
4.5/5. As time goes by, a f***ing boring rock ballad ends up getting the amazing metal cover treatment. Any Given Day's cover is a real tear-jerker, and it's a pleasant break from the band's Soilwork-infused melodic metalcore.
Celldweller – Switchback (2003)
5/5. A classic released 20 years ago and still sounds fresh! The more material I find from Celldweller, the less likely I'm able to SWITCHBACK.
In This Moment – In The Air Tonight (2017)
4.5/5. Another impressive remake of an earlier hit. This is the probably best cover I've heard of this Phil Collins single. Cinematic beauty and drama ends up taken to higher levels. Hearing this cover again on the day after Halloween (as of commenting) is a f***ing phenomenal experience. The whole "cover sounding better than the original thing" strikes again! My only complaint is how muffled the drumming sounds, even during the beat-drop leading to the final chorus. Nonetheless, Maria Brink and co. nailed it!
Spiritibox – Cellar Door (2023)
4/5. Pretty sick! Enough said.
Evanescence – Far From Heaven (2021)
3.5/5. The beginning is like Within Temptation gone Tears for Fears, with the piano and soft operatic singing. But the rest of the ballad isn't that strong. I'll head out now....