Comp Swap

That's the size of it, manny. We have done this, I think, 5 times now. Each time a different member takes over, gets the ball rolling, and see who is interested. Then he takes all the members, throws them in a hat and you get matched up with whomever ya get. It has been a great way for members to discover other styles of music, hear alot of underground stuff, etc. I works at about 75%, as some members get in the game, then either do not send a comp to the other person, does not do a review [or it takes them 6 months]. But overall, it is alot of fun. There is SOOOOOO much musical knowledge at this board, that I started this comp swap, what, about 3 years ago, guys? Back at the old board for sure.

And get to it whenevr ya can, DB. Tradition states, whoever opens up their mouth first about a new round, has to run it. Trust me, you are in good company.

Count me in

I felt inspired to write some more. When spectrefate and I swapped the last time, we actually sent eachother ore than 1 disc, but we never reviewed more than the first discs. So here come disc 2 out of 3, from spec to me:

1 - Desultory - Life Shatters

Thrash metal! I've heard about the band, but I have never heard their music before. This is a more modern band, with a very melodic guitar approach. The singer shouts the lyrics in an angry manner, and that is perhaps why I get that post-thrash feel? A good song, with some great hooks. But nothing groundbreaking for me.

2 Meniketti - Mesin' with Mr. Big

Which Mr. Big are these guys messin' with? The band, or the character from Sex and the City? Nevertheless, this is sleaze metal, or hair metal, It's sometimes hard to tell them apart. I've heard this song before, but I can't remember where. It's not my favorite genre, but I can alteast appreciate the talent this band clearly have.

3 Black Flag - Best One Yet

I'm almost ashamed to admit it, but this is probably the first time I'm concious about listening to Black Flag. This legendary band ranks high in the punk community, but I've never been one to seek them out. And, again, I appreciate the status of the band, but the music is not for me.

4 H.S.A.S - Missing You

More hard rock then metal. I think I know that voice from somewhere.... Van Halen? (HAH, a quick Google search, and it's Sammy Hagar!) Anyway, the song is cool, and the guitar-solo is a wlcome addition. But in danger of repeating myself, this is not my prefered style.

5 Lion - Stranger In The City

That is 5 bands in a row that I have little or no knowledge about! Kudos to Brian for picking bands! Obvious Thin Lizzy tendencies here, but nowhere near the quality! Still I can hear that this might be some "lost" gem that die hard collectors are awaiting a re-release of?

6 Stormwitch - Masque of the Red Death

I own 2 Stormwitch albums. But still I don't think I have this song on any of them. Classic heavy metal from Germany, and this song is a semi-ballad. I never liked their "evil" gimmick, but the music is great! Easliy the best song so far.

7 Genesis - Squank

Aaaah, vintage Genesis! I can't believe my only Genesis CD is a best-of disc consentrating almost exclusively on the Phil Collins years! This is from the first album he sings on, but it's still far from the more commercialized pop music they went on to play later on. Genesis was the blueprint prog/rock band during the 70's. And this song is very tyme typical. Cool!

8 Deep Purple - Smooth Dancer

Can you believe that I own zero Deep Purple albums? I was a little late in getting into the 70's bands. My metal interest stated with KISS in 1980, and I didn't look further back in the hard rock history 'til much, much later on. And Deep Purple is a band that I am very familiar with, but never got around buying anything of. "Smooth Dancer" is a rockin' tune from the not so famous "Who Do We Thing We Are?" album. This was havy metal in 1973. And I dare say that it has stood the test of time just nicely!

9 Syris - Eternity

Another totally unknow band for me. I was thinking former singer for Agent Steel, but it's spelled differently. Syris delivers some melodic metal that sounds like it is from the late 80's, or early 90's. I think I hear some progressive leaning in this song, but nothing Dream Theater-ish. It's just when a band consists of proficient musicians, it's esily heard in the music, as they will never be satisfied in just churning out 3-riff songs.I really like this song, and I will put them on my wantlist!

10. Into Another - Two Snowflakes

Diversity! This is a very laid back acoustic tune, with a tander Geoff Tate soundalike on vocals. Is this a prog rock band, ala Flower Kings? I don't know. But I like this sweet little tune.
Found the bands MySpace page, and they are a modern hard rock/metal band from NY. The other songs there weren't nearly as good as "Two Snowflakes".

11. Leatherwolf - Black Knight

This band I'm familiar with! I own 3 or 4 of their albums, and am on a constant hunt for the rest of their catalogue. "Black Knight" is a blistering instrumetal heavy metal tune, that any fan of the 80's scene would love! I love how they manage to play fast, borderlining speed metal, but still very much stay firmly rooted in traditional metal. Excellent song!

12. Earth Crisis - Deliverance

Screaming vocals, downtuned vocals, it's def. not a traditional band. The music isn't all that bad, but the vocals totally ruins it. NEXT!

13 Lizzy Borden - Tomorrow Never Comes

Now, here is a band that I should own something from, but sadly I don't. During the vinyl daus they popped up all the time in shops here. But I've yet to see a Lizzy Borden CD in Norway ('cept for the latest one, that is). This is melodic horror metal at it's finest!

14 Nasty Savage - Puzzled

Thrash metal, dirt thrash metal! Nasty Savage is yet another band on this comp I have heard about, but own nothing from (save for some mp3-files, I think). This is a rowdy and, with a very street-like sound and attitude. I'm gona have to check them out further, I think.

15 Trephine - Age Of Reptiles

Trephine? What, or who the heck is Trephine? It's another thrash metal band... er, wait, this is jazz-metal...... eh, make up your minds! This is some seriously trippy stuff! "Age Of Reptiles" is an instrumental number, but I have no dea what or how the rest of their material sounds like. Where do you find this stuff, Brian?

16 Dead Kennedys - I Spy

Classic pinuk! What's more to say? These guys are legendary, and they are actually one of very few punk band I've actually spend some time listening to during my adolesant (sp?) years.

17 Lee Aaron - Lady Of The Darkest Night

The metal queen is also sadly missing from this metalheads colletion. Her early albums are so hard to find! And that is a shame. This takes me back to the 80's! What a great and catchy metal tune!

Cool review, Kurt. I tried to be as diverse as possible with the Comp. I don't listen to only one type of music.