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Post by v9733xa on Feb 17, 2019 17:50:31 GMT -5
In this thread, we'll discuss the artists or bands who improved on every single consecutive album they released.
No cheating! Don't pick a group who released 6 records and you just choose to ignore that clunky one you pretend didn't happen. But really try to pick artists that fit here, meaning truly released a better album every single time. I mean, i guess if you really want to argue for one that's iffy, then go for it. But you have to provide evidence.
I guess the only rule other than to not lie about your own feelings is that you've got to pick a band who made AT LEAST THREE albums. Don't count compilation or "greatest hits" records. I'll count EPs, sure, especially since a lot of the music we listen to has groups releasing those quite frequently. The artist can be living or dead, still together or broken up, any genre. Hopefully you can think of a few. I've got some right off the top of my head and i'll devote a post to each one in time.
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Post by v9733xa on Feb 17, 2019 18:06:35 GMT -5
 I fucking love(d) the grindcore Nasum. And while it was devastating that the lead singer died in the late 2004 tsunami in Thailand (man, almost 15 years ago already), it meant that they went out with 4 increasingly amazing albums and ended there, of course. The early EPs and splits are numerous and hard to find, so they're on the compilation record released after Mieszko Talarczyk's death. But the four full-length records are what i'll talk about here. On their first album Inhale/Exhale, you can tell that the group was still finding their sound, as Miezsko hadn't been vocalist for that long, and Anders is still mostly in charge. It's a good album but nothing signature yet. On Human 2.0 you can hear them getting just a little more refined, and now Miezsko is totally in charge. No more is the band about just speed for the sake of speed, the tiniest bit of melody and song structure is taking shape. A huge step up was made on Helvete, the masterful album from 2003 that absolutely cemented Nasum as the kings of grindcore, but clearly with their own distinctive voice. No longer content with a song unless it pushes a message, more tracks start to get over 2 minutes and show the artistry and musicality the band maybe feared displaying before. Just an incredible album. It all culminated in one of the greatest grindcore albums ever released, only 2 months before Mieszko's death, the untouchable Shift, when indeed the band was shifting to arguably a melodic song structure, but still with the heaviness and mosh-loving songs they've always crafted. The record is just a true mark of maturity but never branching too far from their roots, with songs like "Fury" that might win a few converts, and bouncy tracks like "Fight Terror With Terror" sure to connect with fans of hardcore as well: It was just such a ridiculously great record, and only a few months later, Mieszko was dead and the band was over. Nonetheless, one of the few artists that i can think of who got better, unquestionably better, on every record. |
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Post by tao on Feb 17, 2019 18:27:38 GMT -5
Mastodon. ‘Nuff said, and that is all.
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Post by stuartoxlade on Feb 18, 2019 5:19:05 GMT -5
The Story So Far? Not sure everyone will agree but I think they're gone from strength to strength with each release
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Post by stringypoo on Feb 18, 2019 6:52:39 GMT -5
I don’t know, guys. Firstly, there’s a bit of subjectivity when assessing albums. Secondly, for me, it seems close to impossible for most bands whose discography I know well to top the earlier releases in their catalogue. Part of why I think this happens is because I think bands newly formed are usually more full of youthful energy, creative ideas, and passionate drive for putting out something worthwhile than those who are on their fifth or sixth album.
Because of this, I can really only think of one band which I believe have gotten better with each album. It’s also probably something that wont hold true once they release a 4th album since I have a strong feeling they’ll fuck up their increasing greatness on it by going back into their more hardcore roots. But I do think that Black Breath is a band that have gotten stronger with each release. Of course according to the reviews on metal-archives, I am backwards in thinking this way because the first album got a 94%, the second album got a 92%, and the 3rd album got a 67%.
The first album, Heavy Breathing, was so hardcore-based that I found it uninteresting aside from the buzz saw guitar sound it had that I loved. The second album, Sentenced to Life, had more of the Swedish death metal and punk influence, and an even buzzier guitar tone, which I liked even more. The last track on the 2nd album was a straight up banger, with the coolest guitar leads and solo I’ve ever heard on a song of this style.
The third and latest album, Slaves Beyond Death, got them in slightly hot water with their existing fan base because they decided to ditch the hardcore elements a lot more in favor of wearing their old school death metal influences on their sleeves. This was a move that I found extremely favorable. Some of the coolest, most unique metal riffs I’ve ever heard are on this album, actually. It still has a pinch of hardcore spice, but it doesn’t piss me off like most hardcore does. Lol
I really wanted to put Dance Gavin Dance on this thread, but when I consider their self-titled album in the dead center of their catalogue, and how I don’t know how I feel about that album, I can’t say I can honestly list Dance Gavin Dance. On some days, I’d say I think that they fit the bill. The latest album isn’t my favorite, but in some ways I think it is their best one. Definitely their most mature album in my opinion.
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Post by stuartoxlade on Feb 18, 2019 10:33:50 GMT -5
Oh I've completely forgotten one of the biggest names in metal here -
Converge
They never disappoint with each passing release. Although there is an argument to be made that some of their records after Jane Doe aren't quite as good as Jane Doe?
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Post by v9733xa on Feb 18, 2019 18:49:45 GMT -5
I only discovered this band a year or two ago, but Make Them Suffer has gone from a run-of-the-mill symphonic deathcore band so an absolutely slick, tight, and excellent group of metal musicians in their short lifespan. This is a killer Australian band that definitely fits on this list.
On their first EP, Lord of Woe, this is a band that simply has no idea what they want to be. The symphonic (piano) chords feel clunky and out of place, the production is weak, and they basically are trying to mimic some good groups they like. It's not unlike another 500 albums that came out in 2010; that is it say, not bad, but not remarkable in any way. If I had discovered them then, I might have ignored the rest of their career, assuming they get relegated to the trash heap of bad early 2010s deathcore.
It's obvious, though, that Roadrunner Records saw something in this band and gave them a shot, and their full-length debut in 2012 Neverbloom is a good step in the right direction. Better production helps, but it can't fix everything, and therefore it's easy to see that the group just spent more time constructing their songs into something a little more connected. Something about the way the piano is used here really blends, and the incorporation of Louisa's vocals is a big improvement, which I can't always say for backing female vocals. There are still a few things to be ironed out -- that bass and heavy tuning seems the weakest element -- but it's a big improvement.
By 2015 on the record Old Souls, we have the makings of a completely different band that finally figured out what they want to do and how to sound different while still paying homage to their heroes and influences. Now Louisa gets real vocals in harmonies, not just a line here or there. While some would call the band venturing into more melodic areas, it's not to a detriment at all as the musicianship is still crisp.
On Make Them Suffer's latest record, Worlds Apart, it's the culmination of nearly a decade together and fine-tuning their sound, and you get a tremendous album. Incorporating several genres now with a slick presentation and an ear for exactly how to present themselves, it's the peak of their time together for sure, with equal parts memorable and superbly heavy.
It remains to be seen, now that several members of the band left later that year, what they will progress to, but I have high hopes for a group that's gotten better every time they've come together in the studio.
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Post by Corvus on Feb 18, 2019 21:53:13 GMT -5
The Ghost Inside is probably my top answer - no doubt in my mind that each album was better than the last. They started out strong and only got stronger each release. Counterparts - I know a lot of die hard 2011 fans would have me dragged outside and shot for saying so, but there's no argument that could sway me from this position. I thought TWFU was a masterpiece following TDBH&H, and then YNYA kicked it into a whole'nother gear from there Dance Gavin Dance (Tilian era) is strongly up there, not going to bother gauging the different singers, just the 4 Tilian albums. You can tell we're seeing this band at a fun snapshot of the top of their game. I doubt they'll sustain it, but who knows. I half agree with stringypoo that Artificial Selection isn't my favorite release, but I do think it's probably their best work - though it may grow on me more. There are also days that I think Instant Gratification is better than Mothership so who knows - I probably don't have my mind as made up about this one, but I'm leaning that way. Eidola only has 3 albums, but they still qualify Oh, Sleeper if we don't count the EP - new material is sounding great too so maybe the upcoming album will follow trend (if it ever releases) Run the Jewels - uncommon for a hiphop artist, or in this case group, but they just keep getting better
A Lot Like Birds and The Plot In You both came so close, but their latest albums ruined the streak.
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Post by clazza on Feb 20, 2019 0:56:20 GMT -5
I thought Title Fight got better with every release.
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Post by tao on Feb 20, 2019 3:04:54 GMT -5
I guess TesseracT could fall into this category as well; they kinda plateaued with “Altered State”, but last year’s “Sonder” really was a leap forward for the better. Also, what about Between The Buried & Me?
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Post by stringypoo on Feb 20, 2019 6:16:17 GMT -5
tao I feel like BTBAM are very dependent on taste. I’m in the category of people who didn’t like their more progressive turn and I think they peaked at Alaska. But that’s just me. Colors was cool but I thought it was a considerable step down in what brought me to listen to them initially. And after that they really ran away. Haha
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Post by v9733xa on Feb 20, 2019 18:18:00 GMT -5
tao I feel like BTBAM are very dependent on taste. I’m in the category of people who didn’t like their more progressive turn and I think they peaked at Alaska. But that’s just me. Colors was cool but I thought it was a considerable step down in what brought me to listen to them initially. And after that they really ran away. Haha Agree 100%. They put out amazing albums every couple years, but peaked with what will always be their masterpiece, Colors. It's not to say they regressed in any way, and believe me I LOVE THIS BAND, but nothing will compare to that work from 10 or 12 years ago. |
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Post by v9733xa on Feb 20, 2019 19:01:40 GMT -5
The ridiculously talented extreme metal band Rings of Saturn is next. The self-proclaimed "aliencore" and still-young band -- with a list on their Wikipedia page that has at least 21 members that have been in the band at some point in ten years -- are one of the most amazing technical death metal bands in the world, and they never cease to blow me away with each successive album and the growth they show.
Rings of Saturn's first album Embryonic Anomaly was written and recorded while the original two members were still in high school. What were you doing when you were 17? Needless to say, although a technical wonder, the songs are loose and wild and at times uneven. But every song has guitar and drum work that make you wonder how teenagers could do that. An exciting if very raw debut, recorded first independently and then re-released under Unique Leader Records.
Already with huge changes -- both by members and by a legal fight for the band name -- there were perils going into their second record, Dingir which threatened to derail their still young career. Instead, the band found ways to record and put together a blistering sophomore release that silenced critics that they were just a couple kids who struck lightning.
While staying true to their extreme metal roots, a little more deathcore influence can be heard on Rings of Saturn's third output, Lugal Ki En, evident on the heavy double bass and breakdowns. Actually landing on the Billboard Top 200 -- unheard of for a band of this style usually -- the album shows a surge of confidence in their own unique sounds. (God, i love the end of this song.)
Rings of Saturn's most recent album, 2017's Ultu Ulla, is the culmination of everything they've done so far, and a fourth album in eight years is a big accomplishment nowadays. Nevertheless, the band got better on each one of them, including this most recent, peaking at #76 on the Billboard Top 200 album list. The maturity of songwriting just gets more intricate and complicated, and it's all come to fruition in the best work they've done yet.
(That's their best instrumental track yet.)
Can't wait for more from this incredible group of musicians. I can only hope they can keep it together after such a rotating lineup and personal arguments keep making guys quit. We'll see.
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Post by stringypoo on Feb 20, 2019 20:11:46 GMT -5
Just a side note, I absolutely love the formatting you use and the way you explain your feelings on each album and share a clip from each in this thread, v9733xa. It's fun to just scroll, read, and click. I also believe that if I was a fan of Rings of Saturn, I may agree with this pick. I kinda dislike technical death metal but I used to like it back when they released their first album. However, back then, my favorite tech death thing was the EP from the band First Fragment. That EP slayed. Still enjoy it. I got interested in Rings of Saturn again recently after the new album release. But it just isn't for me in the end. Cool band though. |
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Post by Blacksalt on Feb 20, 2019 20:48:23 GMT -5
I'd probably say Envy, they've consistently put out a better album every time, also Gost, his output has gotten better with every release. I totally agree with Nasum, although I like Helvete better than Shift, but that's only because I literally listened to it every day for an entire year.
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