Still not a lot has happened. I guess that is why they call it summer break. For those unaware, Apple has officially updated the iTunes Store to include non-DRM tracks encoded at a bitrate of 256kbps using the iTunes AAC encoder. This is only for EMI artists so don't expect the entire store to be like this. The list of EMI artists is small but includes some big names like The Rolling Stones, Paul McCartney, Pink Floyd, and Korn (only their recent released through Virgin Records). Other artists affected by this are Demon Hunter and In This Moment with the later currently on tour with Lacuna Coil on The Hottest Chicks In Metal Tour. In This Moment will also be heading out this summer on the free Ozzfest 2007 summer tour.
There hasn't been a whole lot of music released either. I downloaded the new Smashing Pumpkins single and it is alright. It sounds like a twist on their old material but I am just not too into it. I prefer their older material but I still have a hard time listening to it as Billy can get pretty whiny. Instead, I have opted to pick up some older albums like In Flames - Reroute To Remain, Killswitch Engage - As Daylight Dies (I had this one downloaded but I like to supports artists whose music I listen to), and Demon Hunter - Summer Of Darkness. All in all, these are some good albums that I recommend to everyone. Reroute To Remain was the beginning of change for In Flames. They were known throughout Europe to be the best melodic death metal band around. They then changed their sound to be more like melodic nu-metal. The solos are few and the beats/grooves are mainly in the low frequencies (same with other nu-metal artists such as Korn, Endo, Godsmack, and Mudvayne) but it is still a powerful album. Many of the lyrics sound like they could have come from a Linkin Park album but it is still one of their best works. The Killswitch Engage album continues on their The End Of Heartache sound except it delves deeper into the Killswitch Engage world. Many songs are heavier yet software than previous releases. The lyrics are also much better than their previous work. The Demon Hunter album marks their second major release, it is also much better than their first self-titled release. The songs are much harder and the song writing has progressed much more. It is still not as good as their most recent release, The Triptych, but it is still a solid release.
Other than that, nothing new has happened. Hopefully things won't continue this way much longer. Some major concerts will be coming up in the next few months.
Oh, and good luck to one of my roommates as they have a major test they will be taking tomorrow. After that, it will be Margaritaville.
There hasn't been a whole lot of music released either. I downloaded the new Smashing Pumpkins single and it is alright. It sounds like a twist on their old material but I am just not too into it. I prefer their older material but I still have a hard time listening to it as Billy can get pretty whiny. Instead, I have opted to pick up some older albums like In Flames - Reroute To Remain, Killswitch Engage - As Daylight Dies (I had this one downloaded but I like to supports artists whose music I listen to), and Demon Hunter - Summer Of Darkness. All in all, these are some good albums that I recommend to everyone. Reroute To Remain was the beginning of change for In Flames. They were known throughout Europe to be the best melodic death metal band around. They then changed their sound to be more like melodic nu-metal. The solos are few and the beats/grooves are mainly in the low frequencies (same with other nu-metal artists such as Korn, Endo, Godsmack, and Mudvayne) but it is still a powerful album. Many of the lyrics sound like they could have come from a Linkin Park album but it is still one of their best works. The Killswitch Engage album continues on their The End Of Heartache sound except it delves deeper into the Killswitch Engage world. Many songs are heavier yet software than previous releases. The lyrics are also much better than their previous work. The Demon Hunter album marks their second major release, it is also much better than their first self-titled release. The songs are much harder and the song writing has progressed much more. It is still not as good as their most recent release, The Triptych, but it is still a solid release.
Other than that, nothing new has happened. Hopefully things won't continue this way much longer. Some major concerts will be coming up in the next few months.
Oh, and good luck to one of my roommates as they have a major test they will be taking tomorrow. After that, it will be Margaritaville.