siLLy puPPy
BUCKETHEAD - PIKE 64 - AQUARIUM 23rd album out of 60 in 2014 and 94th overall All sounds brought to you by Buckethead and all instrumental This one has 5 tracks that clock in at 29:08
“Aquarium” (3:50) starts out as heavy distorted metal guitar riffage. Unlike the last PIKE this one is very accessible with traditional heavy metal and an alternative feel rockin’ the house. This is a relentless track with tons of distortion, crunchy riffs, heavy bass and pummeling drums. Nothing too special but heavy. The intro and outro chords sorta remind me of Rage Against The Machine
“Without Form” (4:33) begins a similar track to the first meaning heavy, distorted with unrelenting brutality. The tempo is super fast and the guitar, bass and drums are fully caffeinated with some extra ooompf. Once again this one is firing on full flames but sounds a little too similar to track one and the melody is only OK. It does have a slightly off alternative charm and has a few more ingredients to the mix but i’m still not blown away
“Attention Electric Cyclone” (6:08) is completely different. This reminds me of a glam metal band from the 80s. It has a rather repetitive rhythm section and a lead guitar solo that flitters around the riffs. After that intro it becomes more alternative metal sounding. It jettisons the high register lick and and becomes more bassy. It’s actually an interesting sort of evolutionary and historical type of metal development. It becomes faster and heavier, deeper bass and even has some echoes. It stays relentless in its pace and the melodic development is pleasant. My favorite track so far. There is also thrash stop and go chords, Van Halen type riffage and some intense riffing that is beyond belief
“Beyond The Windmill” (7:41) is a ska meets polka remake of a Celine Dion song. Just kidding! It’s another heavy distorted metal riff track although this one isn’t as relentless. It is slightly slower and has a more alternative metal feel. The song structure is more classic 80s metal at times with a noticeable Eddie Van Halen type of riff thang goin’ on. Sheeeet
“Hopper Feeding Mash” (6:56) is another energetic number, however while this one has a highly energetic alternative metal guitar riff, it has one of the cheesiest drum beats EVER. The drum is SOOOO annoying that i feel like this is the soundtrack for a box of macaroni and cheese at the discount store. This one is not only not good but highly annoying. There is always a spectrum of great to awful ways of mixing elements and i have to say that this is AWFUL. It should be unlawful. It sounds as if offal was served on a waffle. I just can’t get into it