Voivod - Killing Technology

It's insane how completely out there and revolutionnary these guys were with their three releases from 87 to 89. These albums are pure genius, and regardless of how many times I hear them, they still sound mind-blowingly good to me everytime I revisit them.

It's a grower, for sure.
As mentioned above, it's melancholy and 'gray', as per its namesake. A worthy addition to their stellar catalogue.

Jethro Tull - Aqualung

Aqualung, I hadn't really remembered what it sounded like... not really that different from the folk albums I bought a while ago, but the heavier moments really make it more well-rounded and the songwriting's completely on point, a great work. It's also kind of crazy to me that this kind of outsider music, very niche and not really poppy at all, got so big - goes to show ya.

Indeed. That would never happen today.
The early-mid 70s were a magical time for music, before the 'departmentalization', & niches began to emerge.

I was just going to say that. I listen to 70's music and its obvious all the rules didn't exist. Rock radio formulas were not set in stone. I was listening to John Mellencamp and he had a Top 40 hit with a song that had 2 and half minutes of instrumentals and guitar noodling before the any lyrics started. Listen to early Sabbath and Priest and how they are all over. Sure there was plenty of schlock, but it seemed easier to become a star and not play 2.5 minute songs with the chorus having to hit in 16 seconds before the listener hits skip...

The music industry is so different, and the music habits of people even more so, that its hard to compare now and then. Sure you can say that the top stuff on Radio, or Spotify, is trite, but then you can find a dedicated stream of incredibly niche music. Most of us are off in our own little customized world of music.

Mom I want Bruce Dickinson for a singer! We have Bruce Dickinson for a singer at home dear.

Bruce Dickinson at home:

Fates Warning- Without A Trace

Mekong Delta Moderato(from Lurking Fear)

Wow Predator soundtrack plus heavy metal=awesomeness

This was an interesting album and a departure for Mekong Delta, Leo Spiegel on vocals gave it a power metal feel which was uncharacteristic and then they had Eric Grosch from Annon Vin engineering and it felt like this album took on some of Annon Vin's sound as well. One of my favorite bands.

Grave Miasma - Ascension Eye

I could have done with some minutes cut off, but this certainly sounds impressive. What a wall of foreboding sound.

Completely reductive way to see it.

Judas Priest - Invincible Shield

Fun time. Remembering why they're good, one of those times every few years...

My Dying Bride - A Mortal Binding

Some enjoyable ideas here and there, but overall a pretty standard album for MDB, in line with with their latest albums. At least some songs stand out, contrary with most their records post-Songs of Darkness.