December 2023 "The Gateway" Playlist - Metal Academy Radio
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7aY7WjCGySb3Lb4x79Dk5T?si=1ec418ea43bb459a
1. Alien Weaponry – Whisper (2018)
2. Beartooth – The Better Me (20230)
3. Bury Your Dead – Broken Body (2009)
4. Chevelle – Saturdays (2007)
5. Code Orange – Take Shape (2023)
6. Coldrain – 24-7 (2009)
7. Elysion – Dreamer (2009)
8. Escape the Fate – LOW (2023)
9. Fair To Midland – Kyla Cries Cologne (2004)
10. Five Finger Death Punch – Burn MF (2013)
11. From Ashes to New – My Fight (2013)
12. Godsmack – I Stand Alone (2003)
13. Karnivool – C.O.T.E. (2005)
14. Katatonia – Sold Heart (2010)
15. Lacuna Coil – Survive (2009)
16. Living Colour – Type (1990)
17. Machinae Supremacy – Phantom Battle (2014)
18. Nothingface – Murder is Masturbation (2003)
19. Red – Surrogate (2023)
20. Riot Stares – Burst (2023)
21. Slipknot – Custer (2014)
22. Spiritbox – Ultraviolet (2023)
Here are my thoughts on some tracks:
Alien Weaponry – Whisper (2018)
5/5. Now here's a perfect start for this playlist, a greatly significant song in both the production and defending their culture, with mighty powerful melodies inspired by Stone Sour, specifically Corey Taylor.
Beartooth – The Better Me (2023)
4.5/5. Let's rock out to the catchy energy this band has with country rock musician Hardy to give you more motivation and mental health.
Code Orange – Take Shape (2023)
5/5. A true Gateway anthem, this accessible yet total rocker is a killer single. The one and only Billy Corgan of Smashing Pumpkins performs his signature nasal singing over an ominous bridge, though the dark melody and harsh rhythm of the chorus really hits the spot for me. Hard yet smart writing!
Coldrain – 24-7 (2009)
2.5/5. This one falls into a two-faced emo-rock trap, and that's my cue to skip over to slightly later in the playlist...
Five Finger Death Punch – Burn MF (2013)
3/5. The playlist quality starts to slowly climb back up. I could probably scream along to this if not for these explicitly aggressive lyrics. For that reason, my parents couldn't let my brother let me hear this at the time when this album came out 10 years ago when back then I was 14 and he was 16.
From Ashes to New – My Fight (2013)
3.5/5. Same with this one... Hypothetically. My brother didn't discover this until quite recently, and despite the rapping overdose, it's quite catchy. "Get up, get up, get up...!"
Godsmack – I Stand Alone (2003)
4/5. Now this is a different moderate standout in this playlist, and this single was featured in The Scorpion King and the show I've been binge-watching. An absolutely killer song for battle!
Karnivool – C.O.T.E. (2005)
4.5/5. This atmospheric track packs some polished punches with riff crunch and frontman Ian Kenny's subdued vocals. Ethereal melodic streams flow with edgy guitar. The band is mature enough to handle the tight production and go complex without having to go high in speed.
Katatonia – Sold Heart (2010)
4/5. The sadness in Jonas Renkse's voice is so convincing and admirable. Samurai Jack-like vibes much?
Lacuna Coil – Survive (2009)
4.5/5. Some more darkness to love, this time more energetic. I probably would've loved this more long ago though, especially when I don't recognize a bit of the lyrical quality.
Living Colour – Type (1990)
4/5. Funk metal is never really my type, though this song has kick-A iconic potential.
Machinae Supremacy – Phantom Battle (2014)
4.5/5. Now here's a battle-ready 8-bit-infused alt-/power metal banger. The guitar in the intro and chorus execute epic shredding!
Slipknot – Custer (2014)
4/5. This reckless track has a bit of spoken word before his scathing ranting over crushing speed as he chants, "CUT CUT CUT ME UP AND F*** F*** F*** ME UP!" When my brother was listening to the song this year when the song became a TikTok staple, that was my indirect invitation to listen to the album that included that thrashy highlight.
Spiritbox – Ultraviolet (2023)
4.5/5. To conclude this partial playlist speed-run, I'd like to thank not just Saxy for making the playlist, but also Spiritbox for being the heroes/heroine of modern metal. Beautiful emotional songs like this might just make history this decade.