Album Review: Mastodon's Hushed & Grim

Hushed & Grim. That fellow Otaku & Metalheads is the name of one of my no. 1 albums of 2021, and is a powerful record in it’s own right even if it wasn’t. Emperor of Sand may have been the release that pulled me into the Mastodon faithful, but it’s this album that asserts it’s position as the best album they’ve ever made. I would have taken a look at Ministry’s most recent output, but I had already covered it at the very beginning of 2022 (Read here). To be honest, I’m kind of glad I did, since it would have been a crime to not cover Mastodon’s most titanic album in their entire career near the end of November. With all of the things they’ve been going through in the past few years, it not hard to see why they went for their very first ever double album, which is chalked to the brim with incredibly emotional & sometimes heartbreaking songs. However, I’m getting ahead of myself, so let’s rewind the clock to a few years back.

As many of you all know, Emperor Of Sand was themed after that horrible disease known as Cancer. Bassist Troy Sander’s wife got Cancer & lived through the ordeal, and Bill Kelliher’s Grandmother got it, but tragically passed away. So they crafted an emotional masterpiece, and it wound up being absolutely fantastic. Fast forward to early September of 2018, the band’s longtime manager & dear friend Nick John tragically passed away from Pancreatic Cancer, and it would later be revealed that his death would be the thematic lyrical inspiration for their next album. Coupled with what was to come in the years after their friend’s passing (Some more obvious than others), it was plain to anyone that their next album would be their most emotional & powerful thing this quartet has ever done. We were not prepared for what was coming on the 29th of October in 2021, when the monster named Hushed & Grim was unleashed onto an unsuspecting fanbase, who promptly devoured it when they got their hands on it.

As for me, I knew I was going to enjoy this from the moment I first heard about it, but I had no idea that I would love it so much. I like Emperor of Sand because it blindsided me, and it acted as my gateway into Mastodon. With Hushed & Grim, I love it so much I consider it to be the best thing the band has ever done in their entire career, as well as the sheer amount of emotion that everyone pours into this thing. Even more so than popular releases like Leviathan & Crack The Skye, H&G just grabs you within just a few seconds of the opener, and doesn’t let go until the record is done playing. From the guitars & bass, to the drumming, to the vocals, and to everything else, Mastodon set out to craft an album that reflects what they were all feeling. Good, neutral, bad, it doesn’t matter. These four gentlemen had a lot of emotion bottled up within them, and crafting music was easily the best way for them to vent & show the Mastodon faithful that they had gone through some rough times. We’ve all gone though some mud in recent years everybody: what with all of the strife in my home country on account of COVID & political bullshit, I think we all needed music that probably reflected what we were all feeling.......partially, at least.

So, as to what song I think best represents Hushed & Grim the most, I can only think of Teardrinker as the best track of this album. The first single if I recall correctly, this song is perhaps the most emotional in a sea of already emotional tracks, and that’s saying something! Instrumentally, the guitarwork & drums practically soar in terms of quality, as you’re hit right up front from the very first second with guitars & bass that don’t waver in anyway, and not long after the drums come in like roiling thunder. Then there are the vocals, and let me just say that Brann, Brent, and Troy are working overtime in terms of how good they sound. Brann is particular is really pouring his heart out with each word spoken, and given what’s being sung it’s not a surprise. Teardrinker is a tune about a broken relationship, and whether or not if it’s worth it to fix it & get back together, or to simply let it stay broken and move on. That’s some pretty heavy subject matter for a song, and I think all of us have been in that situation at one point in our lives. After a relationship breaks, is it worth it to try & reconnect with the one we once loved, or do we just go away and let it stay in pieces? It’s definitely something that we’ve probably asked ourselves at least once in our lives, and that potency is what makes this emotional behemoth the best thing on Hushed & Grim.

Teardrinker

So with all of the praise I’ve been giving this album, you’re expecting me to not say anything bad, and that’s technically true. Hushed & Grim from top to bottom is a legitimately perfect album, and one that Mastodon should be proud of for a very long time. That said, the only tiny dent on this release’s impenetrable armor would be that is rather bloated. Clocking in at almost a hour & a half (86 minutes & 16 seconds to be exact), you are in it for the long haul when you’re listening to this album. By comparison, Once More ‘Round The Sun from 2014 is 54 minutes & 8 seconds, and Emperor Of Sand from 2017 (Another album from them I praise, btw) is a little shorter at 51 minutes & 11 seconds. You’re not going to be able to simple listen to a song or two off of H&G, and then walk away. You are sitting down, making sure you went to the bathroom beforehand, and getting perfectly comfortable before this colossus of an album comes down your ears.

In conclusion, I have to give Hushed & Grim an absolute 10 out of 10. Perhaps a little overbloated like I said a moment ago, but everything else eclipses that one little dent. From the atmosphere, to the emotion, to the instrumentation, and to the vocal work, Mastodon set out to craft what is perhaps their most personal album ever.....and they succeeded. It certainly got hit hard by some critics, but even the most ardent haters can deny this record’s appeal. If there is one release from this band you shouldn’t ignore.....it’s Hushed & Grim.

And thus concludes a look back at some of the best that 2021 had to offer. Last year had a lot of good music, and what I looked at today & a few weeks back was among some of the best. Now, we reached the final month of 2022. The air is cold, and white is falling down from the sky, so that means the Holidays are right around the corner! Time for some annual lists.....and maybe a few surprises as well. See you soon!

 

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If you’d like to listen to this album, then click on the link below:

Hushed & Grim

The Top 10 Best DLC/Expansion Packs (2.0)

Salutations fellow Otaku & Metalheads!

Back in 2020, I did a list of what I considered were the 10 best DLC & Expansion Packs. By the time I was done with that original list, I had a funny feeling that I’d make one of these again at some point. In comparison to the 2020 list, this one was a little quicker to get together, although it’s a bit more eclectic at the same time. One in particular I haven’t actually played, but it got here due to my sheer respect for it (More on that in a moment). This list is definitely on the weird side, but I hope you’ll all like it. With that said, here are 10 more of the best DLC & Expansion Packs that have ever been released. Let’s begin!  

10) Bloodborne: The Old Hunters (Video)

And here’s the lone DLC I’ve never played. Tragically, SONY in their infinite wisdom haven’t ported the iconic Bloodborne to the PC, and believe me when I say that there are many among the PC Master Race that would love to get their hands on it & buy it without fail. That being said, I respect the hell out of this game, as well as it’s lone but equally awesome expansion pack. The Old Hunters filled the gaps that the main game’s story may have left in it’s wake, and reveals some of the most disturbing facts about Yharnam & it’s past. There are a host of new weapons & armor sets, plenty of genuinely messed up enemies, and 3 zones that could only have come a Lovecraftian dimension. The Old Hunters is a dark & treacherous adventure, but one that wraps up an equally dark & treacherous tale quite nicely!

9) Shadow Warrior: Twin Dragon (Video)

Another black sheep in the world of Shadow Warrior, this fan-made expansion was released in July of 1998, but it wasn’t until the Classic Redux release back in 2013 that I actually heard of Twin Dragon, much less play it. Kinda like Sunstorm Interactive with their own expansion, Wylde Productions and
Level Infinity (With custom music made by Castles Music Productions) crafted a custom episode that’s actually kind of a blast to play! While there are no new lines from Lo Wang, nor are there any new enemies (Save for the final boss, but that’s essentially a reskin), there’s still plenty of explosive action in each level! From Lo Wang’s house, to a hospital, then a surprisingly relaxing fishing village, and finally the fortress of his evil twin brother (Named Hung Lo....I’ll wait until your laughter subsides), there’s a large variety of locales to go through. If you liked Wanton Destruction but never gave this expansion a go, then I suggest you do so!

8) Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands: Molten Mirrors (Video)

I think anyone who is a fan of this quirky Borderlands spinoff will agree that it’s DLC is nothing short of abysmal. Each one that was released feels like cut content from the Chaos Chambers mode, and used as a cheap way to generate downloadable content. Molten Mirrors is no exception, and yet......this one is the best of them. It still feels like it was cut from the main game, but there seems to be a little more variety with what’s going on. It’s definitely a lot more player involved, as you’re given a few tasks to do before entering the fight with the final boss. Even with the last encounter, there’s a few bullet-hell like elements throughout the fight, and it definitely shakes things up. Molten Mirrors still isn’t all that great, but compared to all of the others.....it’s the one that plays the best.  

7) Shadow Warrior 2: Bounty Hunt 1 & 2 (Video For BH 1)

It is definitely annoying when we pay for an expansion pack or DLC, and when we get it......it turns out to be garbage. Sometimes, it’s nice when it’s given to us for free, and the Bounty Hunt DLCs were great. While the missions they gave were nothing out of the ordinary for Shadow Warrior 2 (Fetch & Kill quests if I recall correctly), it was nice to see the game lengthened out in some way. Not only that, but many of the missions either gave you a new gun or a new class skill, and that’s nice. Again, I can’t complain too much about Bounty Hunt 1 & 2 since they were free, but I do wish that there was more to them. Still, I loved what I got, and they were fun! 

6) Call Of Duty - Vanguard: Last Stand (Video)

I’ll talk about this next month, so I’ll save most of my opinions for that. Suffice it to say, COD’s second trip back to World War 2 wasn’t the best. Not god awful, but not one of the best. That said, the special events during 2022 were interesting. While I was considering adding the season where Godzilla was fighting King Kong (Yes.....that happened), I had to talk about the last one instead. By this point Vanguard was very clearly off the rails, and the WW2 content was seemingly minimal towards the end of this year, but the idea of a bunch of villains from COD’s past getting together to raise hell was actually kind of entertaining. Sure, it doesn’t make a lick of sense timeline wise, but the idea of it just makes me smile somehow. Again, Vanguard isn’t the best, but it’s stuff like this that makes sure I don’t completely forget it.

5) Diablo 2: Lord Of Destruction (Video)

Now we're getting to the really good stuff!

I don’t think I need to say how phenomenal Diablo 2 was, and how it’s still considered a classic from the now disgraced Blizzard. I played through the base game so many time, I know how to go about things in an almost religious manner. When it came to it’s official expansion pack, it just made everything so much better. New items, new classes & their skills, new skill interactions, and a new episode with it’s own host of enemies and bosses, Lord Of Destruction still shows off what a phenomenal company they once were. In recent memory we got a return of D2 & LOD thanks to the remaster, so a new generation of gamers can enjoy this wonderful glimpse into the past!

4) Duke It Out In D.C. (Video) 

It’s so weird that I put this expansion pack so high on the list. Despite being the first of the three big official expansions for Duke Nukem 3d, it’s in the middle in terms of quality. The levels could be better, but they’re not awful. There’s no new enemies, but the original crew comes back to be used in all the right ways, and there’s no new Duke lines (Save for 1 at the very end), but it’s still funny to hear the classics. What really gets Duke It Out In D.C. so high on this list is the goofy premise. Aliens invade our nation’s capital, kidnap Bill Clinton, and plot to try & take over the country. Going through each surprisingly realistic level (Which honestly aren’t as bad as I said a moment ago) is a blast, and without spoiling the ending too much, let’s just say that Duke rock hard ego.....get’s shrunken down a notch. For anyone looking for a real dose of patriotism, this is the expansion for you!

3) Quake: 25th Anniversary (Video)

I placed this as my no. 2 game of 2021, and for good reason. Quake’s 25th anniversary occurred last year, and with it came a newly revamped game. A brand new episode composed of 6 mini-episodes (2 levels each), updated graphics, tweaked options & displays, map packs from all over that are free to download into the 25th anniversary, but the gameplay is still the key focus, and it’s just as good here in 2022 as it was all the way back in 1996. It’s rare for Bethesda to do something right, but this 25th anniversary is one of the few times in recent years that they did get a game release correct. With small updates & patches since it came out, Quake’s 25th anniversary edition continues to be relevant to old-schoolers like me, and modern gamers who’ve never played this classic back in the day. Give it a try when you have the chance!

2) Borderlands 2: Tiny Tina’s Assault On Dragon Keep (Video)

This DLC right here. This was what planted the seed in the heads of the developers to make a D&D themed spinoff game with Wonderlands, and nearly a decade after the release of this expansion it still continues to be a giant source of entertainment. At first it seemed goofy to put further RPG elements into a shooter that already had said elements, but then you stop & realize that something like this works perfectly in the realm of Borderlands. Not only is it a tribute to tabletop roleplaying games, but it also shows love to so many elements of geek culture, and presents the fact that games of all kinds can heal someone’s heart after they’ve gone through some rough times. A friend of my Mom (And myself by extent) passed away just days before Dragon Keep came out, so it’s healing energy was quite real. This DLC is still something wonderful to play almost 10 years later, So for all of the geeks, nerds, otaku, and weebs that read my blog.....give this baby a try. 

1) Diablo: Hellfire (Video)

We all know of Reaper Of Souls, and we have definitely played Lord Of Destruction.....but a lot of you probably don’t know about Hellfire. Created by the now defunct Synergistic Software, it’s one of an incredibly small handful of titles developed for Blizzard, rather than being developed by Blizzard. In the years since it’s release, Blizzard declared everything within it to be non-canon, and the original creator of Diablo does not particularly enjoy it. That being said, Hellfire might actually be one of the most important pieces of gaming ever made, as while the core gameplay remained the same, it was what was added that makes it so significant to many. The two new zones would go on to influence Blizzard when it came to parts of Diablo 2's world & development, the Monk class would come back in Diablo 3 (Though it’s lore & background would be heavily altered), many of the new items & spells would influence future titles, and the newly introduced difficulty selection would also be put into later games. Hell, even some of the cut content that can still be found in Hellfire’s code would actually get used eventually! Despite this expansion practically getting buried by Blizzard (As well as the original Diablo for some god forsaken reason), Hellfire is an expansion pack that has to be played to be believed. Sure, some aspects may not have ages very well, but for what it would later influence, it deserves our respect.

And those were 10 more of the best DLC & Expansion packs that have ever been released. Some of these have been around for quite some time, while some of the others have been around fairly recently. If you have the time & the money, I would say give any of these a go! So, with all of this completed, I got a review for my other no. 1 album of 2021, and it’s a colossus to be sure. See you all next week!


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If you’d like to take a look at my first list of top 10 DLC & Expansion Packs, then click on the link below:

The Top 10 Best DLC/Expansion Packs

Album Review (Obscurus Metalus): Avaland's Theater Of Sorcery

The end of 2022 is near fellow Otaku & Metalheads!

This year was certainly a maelstrom of events, wasn’t it? From some incredible highs, all the way to some of the worst lows ever, 2022 definitely left a mark on all of us. Regardless, we got a mini celebration on our hands! It’s time to look back at some of the best music from the year prior, and I picked some goodies to look at this year. To start things off, I got a hell of an honorable mention to review today! The band I’m looking at today is actually fairly brand new, as they’ve only been around since 2018, and just got out their very first record in 2021. The band definitely had a lot of ambition going into this release, but does it result in a phenomenal musical experience, or is it an abomination onto the metallic gods? So, let’s not waste anymore time, and take a look at the debut album of Avaland, Theater Of Sorcery. Let’s begin!       

Background
Taken from the band’s official website:

“AVALAND is an Epic and Symphonic Metal Opera, written and composed by Adrien G. Gzagg, born in 1998 in Grenoble, France.

Inspired by fantasy, alchemy, legends and
History, Adrien have thought about 10 stories in different timelines, telling 10 important chapters of the magical place he baptized......Avaland.

Adrien’s musical influences started very young with Alan Parsons Project. As a teenager, he discovered in his father’s vinyls Yes, Deep Purple, Genesis, Journey… His curiosity brought him step by step to hard rock and heavy metal, and of course to his today main influences: Avantasia, Ayreon, Savatage…”

Here’s one other fact: Avaland has only been around since 2018 (Like I said above), and as of now they’re almost half a decade old. As to why they waited until recently to finally get the album out, the only reason as to why I think it took so much time was probably a mix between getting things setup, and of course the Plague from 2020 that shut the world down.

Basic Description
If Everfrost wrote Winterider first.

That sounds like a weird way to describe Theater Of Sorcery, but hear me out. When Everfrost release Blue Eyed Emotion back in 2015, you could tell that it was an awesome record, but it was obvious that some work was needed. Come 2019 with Winterider, it was equally obvious that there was a lot of improvement, and as a result a better album came out. Avaland opted to release their equivalent of Winterider first, and it shows! There’s a lot of confidence in the entire record, with nary a shred of being amateurish in any way. The storytelling is strong, the instrumentation & keyboarding are great, and the vocal work from both the main band & the guest vocalists is pretty top notch!

And then there’s the album’s story. As stated on the youtube page of one of it’s singles:

"Inspired by heroic fantasy, history, mythologies, and esoterism, Adrien G. Gzagg decided to create an epic story album with 8 characters. Entitled "Theater Of Sorcery", the debut will be a theatrical metal adventure that tells the story of a young sorcerer Adam Wilstorm who could be the salvation of bringing back the light to the kingdom of Avaland and during his journey, he must learn to control his powers linked to the Storm."

Now, I will say that Theater Of Sorcery’s story isn’t the deepest fantasy story around. In fact, it’s kind of stereotypical in a lot of places. As I said above, it’s actually really well written! Like Benji from Everfrost, it’s obvious that Adrian really put a lot of hard work into the story & world he wanted to display on the album. I’m really looking forward to what he has in store on future Avaland releases, because if it’s just as good as it was here, then the band will definitely go places!  

Best Track
When I first listened to Let The Wind Blow in March last year, I loved it immediately from the first few notes. When compared to many of their Power Metal compatriots, Avaland are a bit more on the melodic & symphonic side of things, and it shows not only on this song, but across Theater Of Sorcery as a whole. There are milder moments where it’s just keyboarding & soft drumming, but then it’ll cut into more intense instrumentation that brings in some of the symphonic element that this record has. The vocal work is pretty much the same way: You got points where it’s simple, then it’ll get almost operatic, or it’ll become loud like a thunderstorm! All the while, the band is playing at a middle pace that never sways to either fast or slow. Everybody manages to strike a perfect balance during the song’s runtime, and I think that’s impressive!

Let The Wind Blow

Worst Track
Like I said in 2021's honorable mentions, Theater Of Sorcery’s only fault is the copious usage of guest singers. The messed up thing is not that they were bad, because not a single one of these guest vocalists suck! Ralf Scheepers of Primal Fear & Zaher Zorgati of Myrath were voices I was able to recognize almost immediately, but in general everyone that was brought on puts in a great amount of work. My issues is that too many were brought on, and as such Avaland’s identity isn’t completely their own on this record. They certainly have an image, and the story they crafted is most definitely their own, but they don’t seem to have a complete hold over their vision. I hope this trend doesn’t continue on future, because if it doesn’t then any potential Avaland has to being something amazing may go down the drain. 

Other
If you’re curious about listening to this album, then click on the link below:

Theater Of Sorcery

Overall Impression & Rating
Theater Of Sorcery is just wonderful. Putting the amount of guest vocalists aside, it’s obvious from the first few notes of the opener that Avaland have a vision for what they want, and put in a lot of work to bring said vision to life. You can definitely tell that the band wanted to give you an experience, as this just feels like a Power Metal Opera come to life. Thankfully they’re beginning to tour over in Europe due to COVID restrictions being lifted, but I long for the day when they come to the United States. You can bet that I’ll have a ticket the moment they step foot here!

Theater Of Sorcery gets a 9 out of 10.

And that was my review for Theater Of Sorcery, the first release from French Power Metal maestros Avaland. Like I said, these guys have some serious potential to be a metallic colossus a few years down the road, but for now they’re an awesome group that’s gotta practice flying around first. Well, I’ll be getting to my other No. 1 album of 2021 in a bit, but before I do......I’d like to revisit some downloadable content. So join me next week when I’ll take another look at some more of the best expansion packs & DLC that have been released. Take care!