Durf's Weekly Workout # 4: February 5th, 2021

I've mentioned before that I work out in my garage, but that hasn't always been the case.  Before COVID, I went to a small, local gym about fifteen minutes from my house.  When I started working out at home in earnest and cancelled my membership, I was concerned that my workouts would suffer, and fortunately that hasn't really been the case at all.  Part of that is undoubtedly that I'm paying a far more attention to what I'm eating and drinking than I ever have before, but I think another important part is just embracing the limitations of a home workout set up and leaning into them.  Instead of focusing on what I can't do, I've been focusing on what I can, which helps me look for more unique approaches to achieve my goals.  Plus, there are other benefits to not going to a gym.

 

We'll Do It Live Fridays: Porcupine Tree - Anesthetize

I've made no secret of my love of Steven Wilson on this here blog, and while I could gladly type out a few thousand words on Grace for Drowning, his incredible live performances, or what possible awesomeness could await us on his next album, but that's not what this is about.  This is We'll Do It Live Fridays, and you're here for some live music.  So here's Steven Wilson in his previous band Porcupine Tree (who we are also huge fans of), performing "Anesthetize" from their incredible Fear of a Blank Planet album.  Enjoy some proggy goodness, and have a great weekend.

Brutally Short #4: Dream Theater, Obscura, Lycus, Steven Wilson, Agoraphobic Nosebleed, Brutality

Dream Theater - The Astonishing

Obscura - Akróasis

Lycus - Chasms

Steven Wilson - 4 1/2

Agoraphobic Nosebleed - Arc

Brutality - Sea of Ignorance

Concert Review - Steven Wilson (Park West, Chicago, IL June 4,5 2015)

Since we had achieved the unimaginable by interviewing Steven Wilson in-person just over two years ago, Durf and I were determined to not miss him again as he came through Chicago late last week for two shows at Park West.  While we unfortunately fell short in terms of landing another interview, we were lucky enough to catch both shows between the two of us.

Check out our thoughts and some pictures of the show after the break!

Steven Wilson - Hand. Cannot. Erase.

Solo projects are somewhat of a double-edged sword.  An artist certainly has the freedom to explore different territories than previously explored in their primary project, but that freedom can sometimes come across as self-indulgent and perhaps even irksome for fans of the aforementioned mainstay.  Steven Wilson, the mastermind behind progressive metal band Porcupine Tree, is evidence of how a solo project can yield amazing results.  It's been six years since the last album from Porcupine Tree, but since then, Wilson has released three solo albums, each being progressive rock/metal journeys that are unique unto themselves.  Hand. Cannot. Erase., the latest and fourth installment in this solo discography, is no exception.  While it contains Wilson's poppiest material to date, its undercurrents stay true to the experimental boldness that was so much a part of the DNA of the three previous albums. 

Mick's Top 15 Albums of 2013

2013 has been one heck of a year for all of us...mainly because we relaunched Brutalitopia earlier in the spring and are now back in full force with a renewed sense of purpose. Thanks to everyone who's made that possible by supporting us in their respective ways.

And now time for everyone's favorite time of year...the end of it. Check out what albums I thought were awesome enough to recognize after the break!

Durf's Top 15 Albums of 2013

 

Hard to believe it's already December and time to look back on the past year, reflecting on the changes we've made, the adventures we've had, and most importantly, the albums we've listened to and really, really enjoyed.  Below are my Top 15 Albums of 2013; if you correctly guess which album is Number One before looking, I will mail you a cookie.  And don't forget to agree/disagree/tell me how full of shit I am in the comment section!

Albums of the Year, Then and Now (2008-2012)

Welcome to Part II of my retrospective look at my top albums from past years, where I see if they still hold that lofty position or have fallen prey to the ravages of time.  If you missed Part I, where I looked at albums from 2003-2007, check it out here.  If you’re ready to continue and see the albums from 2008-2012, then onward to the Time Machine!

Halloween Havoc: Durf's Playlist

Happy Halloween week boos and ghouls!  Durf here with my own personal spooktacular five song list, perfect for celebrating the second most metal of holidays (you will never convince me that anything is more metal than Thanksgiving; millions of people sacrifice a turkey to the ravenous god of gluttony).  I definitely advise you to go check out Mick's very solid list as well; between the both of us, you've got some fantastic songs to use as a soundtrack to your trick or treating, bestial sacrifice to most unholy Beelzebub, or your necrophiliac tendencies... however you're celebrating, these songs will help you do it right.

Ulcerate - Vermis

Even as a metal fan, I typically prefer to be ear-wooed than ear-fucked.  Let me explain.  I’d rather be caressed gently by the shoegaze melodies of Alcest than get into a fist fight with Slayer.  I’d rather take a pensive walk through a Pacific forest with Agalloch than be tormented by Anaal Nathrakh.  I’d rather make goofy jokes about the devil with Ghost than worry about Watain actually sacrificing me to said-Devil.  That said, sometimes there are exceptions.  Sometimes I just want to plug in my headphones, drop the needle on a record, and get ear-fucked, HARD, non-stop for forty-five minutes, until I’m ear-screaming in ecstasy and ear-begging for more.  Not just any heavy album is up for such a marathon of ear-fucking, but Ulcerate’s new tech death masterpiece Vermis not only lives up to the challenge, but it made me ear-cum.  Six times.

Exclusive Interview: Steven Wilson

This past Friday, Mick and I had the extreme pleasure of sitting down and talking with the one and only Steven Wilson.  It was the longest interview we've ever done, clocking in at nearly thirty minutes (!) and encompassing a wide range of subjects, including his solo work, his responses to the public's responses to his albums, and his feelings on the term "prog."  Needless to say, it was a huge honor to get to speak with a living legend, and you definitely don't want to miss our interview below.

It's All About The Concept

While looking through the headlines over at RoadRunner's site I ran across something very interesting.  Too much does internet chat consist of popular arguments like I hate this band, I hate that genre, or just plain trolling.  Much to my rejoice, I found a discussion featuring Steven Wilson of Porcupine Tree that goes over the concept of concept albums.  Finally we have some intelligent discussions to listen to!  The chat doesn't start until about 12:05 in the player.  You can listen to it via Roadrunner.

-Mick

In The Mood For Some Prog? You've Barked Up The Right Tree

I've been soooo hooked recently with everything about prog metal.  My headphones lately have been filled with everything along the spectrum of prog from Dream Theater to BTBAM to Intronaut.  But one song in particular has been stuck in my head and I have a feeling that it won't get out of there for quite some time.  In enters Porcupine Tree.  If the song above does not convince you that Steve Wilson is the effing man than I don't know what will.

- Vicious Mick