Today’s review is a very special one, as it is marks the beginning of my time on Blogcritics Magazine, which was so gracious as to accept my application. Therefore, I thought it fitting to summarize what I do best, criticizing heavy metal bands (underground ones, mostly). To best showcase what I am, I felt that I should today review two underground bands.
The first is one of the best bands I have ever heard, period. The second (in contrast) is a band that is just pure filth and has nothing to offer except migraines and thoughts of how your time could be better spent doing practically anything else. These bands are Transcending Bizarre? (yes, the question mark is part of their name) and Preschool Tea Party Massacre. Fun name, right?
This is one of the most intriguing and ingenious bands I have ever come across. I have still not yet figured out why they are so unrecognized; I listened to all three of their albums and had trouble finding a single flaw. So why are they so underground? I don’t know, but I guess they just don’t publicize well. Their talent certainly exceeds many much more successful bands.
Anyway, as I said earlier, they have three albums out, and in what I believe to be a very daring move on their part, all three of them are different. First of all, let me explain this band as best I can. They are a very, very odd mix of black/extreme/avant-garde metal if it was all thrown together in a blender. This is done about as masterfully as can be; all of the band’s songs are completely weird without being so bizarre that the listener can’t enjoy the song. Confusing, I know, but this band is really hard to just write about. They need to be heard to be truly appreciated.
Each album takes the same formula but throws something different and kooky into the mix. The first album, The Four Scissors, sounds like it could be a soundtrack to an eccentric horror movie with ambient noises and crazy sounds playing throughout. The second, The Serpents Manifolds, sounds like a sci-fi-film soundtrack with lots of ‘cosmic’ sounds and occasionally choirs to add to the whole thing. Their newest album, The Misanthropes’ Fable, is like a circus-themed album, with carnival music and a children's choir playing throughout. The last album is one of my favorite metal albums ever, and every metal fan should give it at least one listen.
Article comments
1 - Jordan Richardson
I think you should have mentioned that the Preschool Tea Party Massacre's newest album is called Anne Frank's Vagina (this is according to their MySpace page). It bolsters your case about these talentless morons.
Welcome aboard, by the way. Look forward to reading more.
2 - Jason Slaon
My opinion is polar opposite of yours. I find TB? to be pretentious & pompous sounding. They try so hard to be artistic, it just ends up like a jumble of half baked ideas. whereas PTPM, is a fun listen. sure it's simplistic & noisy & not at all original, but they are honest about it & seem to actually enjoy it.