Godspeed You! Black Emperor - Yanqui u.x.o (#3416)

noodles · **Posted:** Tue Aug 22, 2006 1:34 am

Is it just me or does a lot of post rock convey that epic, intense, apocalyptic feeling more so than any metal band?

Legacy Of The Night · **Posted:** Tue Aug 22, 2006 1:37 am

noodles wrote:

Is it just me or does a lot of post rock convey that epic, intense, apocalyptic feeling more so than any metal band?

lol metal suxxers

As cool as Post Rock is, I've heard plenty of intense apocolyptic feelings from Metal.

Six Six Six · **Posted:** Tue Aug 22, 2006 2:48 am

noodles wrote:

Quote:

Alone and unaware, the landscape was transformed in front of our eyes. Buildings began to stretch wide across the sky, and the air filled with a reddish glow. The soundless dawn came alive as cities began to mark the horizon. Mechanical sounds cascaded through the city walls and everyone reveled in their ignorance. A brief moment of clarity broke through the deafening hum, but it was too late. Our happiest days slowly began to turn into dust. The sixth extinction crept up slowly, like the sunlight through the shutters, as we looked back in regret.

Nathanael · **Joined:** Mon Nov 22, 2004 5:52 am **Posts:** 26

noodles wrote:

Quote:

Alone and unaware, the landscape was transformed in front of our eyes. Buildings began to stretch wide across the sky, and the air filled with a reddish glow. The soundless dawn came alive as cities began to mark the horizon. Mechanical sounds cascaded through the city walls and everyone reveled in their ignorance. A brief moment of clarity broke through the deafening hum, but it was too late. Our happiest days slowly began to turn into dust. The sixth extinction crept up slowly, like the sunlight through the shutters, as we looked back in regret.

That's funny you post that cause I just saw these guys play last friday in montreal. Great show with nice visuals acompanying the music. When they played the last track off the debut, the visuals were collapsing buildings, my emo soul never saw a prettier sight. Can't wait for thier new album.

heatseeker · **Posted:** Tue Aug 22, 2006 4:51 am

I kind of liked the review, but it didn't tell me anything about the music...more explanation and that would be pretty cool.

I'm thinking about checking this out, anyways--what does it sound like?

Eyesore · **Posted:** Tue Aug 22, 2006 7:47 am

heatseeker wrote:

I kind of liked the review, but it didn't tell me anything about the music...more explanation and that would be pretty cool.

I'm thinking about checking this out, anyways--what does it sound like?

That's not a review. Not even close.

noodles · **Posted:** Tue Aug 22, 2006 7:49 am

heatseeker wrote:

I kind of liked the review, but it didn't tell me anything about the music...more explanation and that would be pretty cool.

I'm thinking about checking this out, anyways--what does it sound like?

like post rock (GSYBE are basically the definition of the genre), if you don't know what that is then all i can say is drawn out music with powerful crescendos.

Misha · **Posted:** Tue Aug 22, 2006 10:40 am

noodles wrote:

heatseeker wrote:

I kind of liked the review, but it didn't tell me anything about the music...more explanation and that would be pretty cool.

I'm thinking about checking this out, anyways--what does it sound like?

like post rock (GSYBE are basically the definition of the genre), if you don't know what that is then all i can say is drawn out music with powerful crescendos.

Exactly, or classical music with rock instrumentation, textures rather than riffs, and soundscapes rather than songs. Knowing a bit of your taste, heatseeker, I don't think you'd like it a lot, but you can always have a try.

http://www.metalreviews.com/reviews/detail.php3?id=3215

Check this review and the attached legal song to get an idea of post-rock.

Radagast · **Posted:** Tue Aug 22, 2006 12:20 pm

noodles wrote:

Is it just me or does a lot of post rock convey that epic, intense, apocalyptic feeling more so than any metal band?

Maybe. I'd say they just do it in a different way.

I have that something something infinity GY!BE album and its good, but doesn't exactly have much replay value for me.

rio · **Posted:** Tue Aug 22, 2006 1:30 pm

noodles wrote:

Is it just me or does a lot of post rock convey that epic, intense, apocalyptic feeling more so than any metal band?

Well, post rock is a genre that is very specifically tailored towards creating an empty, post apocalyptic feeling. (Which is why it's so effective on the soundtrack to 28 Days Later.)

I don't think metal could do it because the very things that define metal to me are the very things that would precisely be lacking in a post apocalyptic scenario (ie, energy, volume, power, general raaagh factor)

If I try to think of something that could be described as "post apocalyptic metal" the first thing that comes to mind is "Norge" by Thorr's Hammer. Or I guess someone like Khanate.

Rhys · **Posted:** Tue Aug 22, 2006 1:42 pm

rio wrote:

noodles wrote:

Is it just me or does a lot of post rock convey that epic, intense, apocalyptic feeling more so than any metal band?

Well, post rock is a genre that is very specifically tailored towards creating an empty, post apocalyptic feeling. (Which is why it's so effective on the soundtrack to 28 Days Later.)

I don't think metal could do it because the very things that define metal to me are the very things that would precisely be lacking in a post apocalyptic scenario (ie, energy, volume, power, general raaagh factor)

If I try to think of something that could be described as "post apocalyptic metal" the first thing that comes to mind is "Norge" by Thorr's Hammer. Or I guess someone like Khanate.

Sapthurans the kind of metal i imagine would be played once humans die and nature thrives once again. (Which is ironic since the music is composed by a human.)

On topic, I wish i had some G!YBE :sad:

*searches net for a place to order*

Anonymous · **Posted:** Tue Aug 22, 2006 2:40 pm

Hi, Nathanael. Aren't you a stranger to these pages? I do not want to discuss the merits of the review. We all see things differently.
Please do not consider me a cantankerous old man for
saying what I am about to.
Do you still consider yourself a member of the MR reviewing staff? I don't, thus I was honestly unbelievably surprised to see you pop back in. I thought, and I am sure many did as well, that you have disappeared into the oblivion.
Seriously though, let's address accountability and fairness. You apply to be a reviewer, and go for about 2 reviews/yr frequency. That is just plain irresponsible and not acceptable by the MR standards. Do you think if others were contributing as much you'd still have a place to post a review whenever you pleased? The site would be dead on arrival with that kind of commitment. It is simply not fair to the rest of the guys and girls to tend the store so you have a podium whenever you please.
Alex.

Azrael · **Posted:** Tue Aug 22, 2006 3:37 pm

what about As The Poets Affirm? i checked them out after their review here, quite nice.

Nathanael · **Joined:** Mon Nov 22, 2004 5:52 am **Posts:** 26

Alex@MetalReviews.com wrote:

Hi, Nathanael. Aren't you a stranger to these pages? I do not want to discuss the merits of the review. We all see things differently.
Please do not consider me a cantankerous old man for
saying what I am about to.
Do you still consider yourself a member of the MR reviewing staff? I don't, thus I was honestly unbelievably surprised to see you pop back in. I thought, and I am sure many did as well, that you have disappeared into the oblivion.
Seriously though, let's address accountability and fairness. You apply to be a reviewer, and go for about 2 reviews/yr frequency. That is just plain irresponsible and not acceptable by the MR standards. Do you think if others were contributing as much you'd still have a place to post a review whenever you pleased? The site would be dead on arrival with that kind of commitment. It is simply not fair to the rest of the guys and girls to tend the store so you have a podium whenever you please.
Alex.

Hey Alex

You are completely justified and I apologize if I have offened you or anyone else, it wasnt my intention.

Personally, I went through a spell where I no longer had any desire to write the same old, same old review so rather than force myself to post something generic and boring I decided I'd rather not post anything until I felt moved enough. I realize that that was selfish of me and again I apologize. If you want me removed from backstage you are totally justified. I do have some good albums that I'd like to review in coming weeks but in the end it's your call.

As for the review, for me Godspeed is something mysterious that can't be captured in "this song is quiet between 0:00 and 6:45, then it gets loud, then really loud, then quiet again". It's more a mood that I believe I accuartely captured in my post-review.

noodles · **Posted:** Tue Aug 22, 2006 5:03 pm

here's a review of lift your skinny fists that describes it pretty well

Quote:

My first encounter with Godspeed You Black Emperor! took place in a toilet cubicle in the departure lounge of Barcelona's International airport earlier this year. The first section of the "Storm" piece really made an unpleasant experience far more tolerable; as the remains of a dodgy Super Super Sized Whopper Meal spluttered uncomfortably out of one end of me, something truly unique and exciting was filtering gradually into my post-rock virgin ears, gaining momentum with every passing bar.

My plane had been delayed by a couple of hours meaning that I had time to kill, so it was fortunate really that I had this double disc epic on me, yet to be played, and a glorious view of a Spanish mountain range which the sun was setting behind, baking the sky red, to accompany this new musical venture.

I was impressed with how the group had managed to pull off a remarkable feat unheard of outside of the classical music genre these days; they had described something accurately using only music, the mood and presence that it had did not need to be accompanied by lyrical outpourings trying to sum up, in this case, a gathering storm which clouds over a bright day and finally breaks. After the storm passes, the world that was so positive is now the world of Godspeed You! (I'm just guessing at where the exclamation mark actually goes), a dark, post apocalyptic vision in which the good ol' days have passed and all that is left is rain which soaks the burnt out skeletal remains of a life we once thought to be remarkable and untouchable and perfect. This world vision held by the members of GYBE and later A Silver Mt. Zion is far from perfect, but the music that their outlook inspired most certainly is.

When I got back to England it wasn't long before I fleshed out my GYBE collection, taking in works by A Silver Mt. Zion and Mogwai and others like them. I fell in love with their miserable, highly depressing sounds, I found it to be the most exciting thing that I had heard in music in years, and I was so happy to have finally found something that made me feel the adrenaline I used to feel as a young lad listening to rock and metal, where the sheer anger and passion in some of those singers would make my skin feel as prickly as a heat rash and my heart beat out of time. But now the difference is that the music is so incredibly powerful, so powerful and intense in fact that it doesn't need to be accompanied by banshee wails and 'Hate You' lyrics, the mood is one which you interpret for yourself and attach your own memories and emotions to, but it is unlikely that you will be left unaffected.

It is a shame that the emergence of this genre was largely unnoticed by the Britney and Kevin hungry public who are more interested in the rehab nightmares of that fucking Osbourne spawn than changing or enhancing their own lives. Post Rock never stood a chance of connecting with the people who really needed to hear it because tits and ass and celebrity cribs swept it all under the carpet, and this only served to make it even more poignant and vital to anyone who discovers it; I'm glad that I was one of the lucky ones.

Anonymous · **Posted:** Tue Aug 22, 2006 5:07 pm

Nathanael,

The truth is - it did rub the wrong way. And not only me, judging from the group's reaction.
Whether you had personal issues, fell sick or didn't feel inspired - all you had to do was communicate it to the group, which I don't recall you ever doing, ever since you joined. I recall your dissatisfaction with the previous place you have been writing for at the moment of your application to start with MR, and one of your main complaints with them was the lack of communication on their part, you would submit a review, then never know when it will get posted, they will get it edited, etc. etc. We may not be perfect, but we never edit whatever the individual writer says, we certainly post regularly (every Monday), and we certainly try our best to communicate within the group. So, in my eyes, you failed exactly at what you were disgruntled about with your previous stint.
I will let the group decide what to do, but my vote currently is that you have forfeited your reviewer's status. You had your chance, man, and you blew it. The line has to be drawn. I honestly have aboslutely no confidence that you will not pull the same trick again. Write a couple of reviews, then not feel like for a year or so.
Too bad those cool albums will have to go unreviewed ...
Sincerely, Alex.

Misha · **Posted:** Tue Aug 22, 2006 5:22 pm

Azrael wrote:

what about As The Poets Affirm? i checked them out after their review here, quite nice.

Yes, great postrock as well, samples on their site. It's not a GY!BE clone though, the tracks are more song-like than GY!BE's and the mood is somewhat different, but you can enjoy similar crescendos and post-rock sounds.

Nathanael · **Joined:** Mon Nov 22, 2004 5:52 am **Posts:** 26

Hey Alex

I take full responsibility for my lack of communication and involvement. I am genuinly sorry for pulling the same stuff that my last site pulled on me. Don't worry about consulting the group, I'll just step down as gracefull as I can given the circumstances.

Again, sorry to everyone at metalreviews, keep up the great work.

nathanael

Cú Chulainn · **Posted:** Tue Aug 22, 2006 5:33 pm

@nathanael

there's always the poetry thread in helheim...

Nathanael · **Joined:** Mon Nov 22, 2004 5:52 am **Posts:** 26

Where can I find that?

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Godspeed You! Black Emperor - Yanqui u.x.o (#3416)

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