Sci-Fi Metal

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Looking for someone to update this blog
2008-05-17 08:39:00
It appears blogging did not really keep my interest, so if anyone would like to take over the job of updating this blog at least semi-regularly, please just drop me an email.
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Ufych Sormeer - Crazy MAC (2006)
2007-09-18 13:55:00
Any metal album titled Crazy Middle-Ages Cyborgs (provided words like "raw," "brutal," or "nu-" come nowhere near the description) is almost a guaranteed purchase for me. I was already familiar with Ufych Sormeer from their first album (which I picked up mostly because the band name was an Elric reference), but that was fairly straightforward symphonic black metal. Now they've gone someplace completely different and hard to pin down. Helloween on LSD? Whatever it is, it's over the top, but it works for me. Read the review linked below, but ideally you'll hear them yourself at the band's MySpace page.Lordsofmetal reviewUfych Sormeer officialUfych Sormeer's MySpaceBuy Crazy MAC @ The End Records

Star One - Space Metal (2002)
2007-09-05 17:14:00
Star One is/was a side project of Arjen Anthony Lucassen, the concept album wizard behind Ayreon. The music is prog-power metal, a bit heavier and more straightforward than most Ayreon albums. Each track on Space Metal is based on a different science fiction movie/book/show: Alien, Dune, Star Wars, Stargate, Dark Star, Blake's 7, and more. If that weren't good enough, the 2 CD limited "digibook" version contains a Hawkwind cover medley featuring Hawkwind's own Dave Brock, who apparently is famous for not collaborating with anyone. The bonus CD also includes a cover of a 70's folk song, "The Intergalactic Laxative," the lyrics of which are sheer genius:My romantic vision shattered,When it was explained to me,Spacemen wear old diapersIn which they shit and pee.(Full lyrics here.)Ayreon's albums are almost exclusively based on SF concepts, plus they're great, so you'll see them here shortly. In the meantime:http://www.ayreon.com/Buy Space Metal at Amazon.(Wherever you get i...
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Slough Feg - Hardworlder (2007)
2007-08-28 12:29:00
Here's a good review of Hardworlder. But if I'm honest, I have to admit I prefer their two earlier albums, Traveller and Atavism, over this most recent release. Traveller is a concept album based entirely on an old scifi role-playing game by the same name. A mad professor creates a race of dog-human hybrid soldiers, who rebel and begin their own civilization which poses a threat to humanity. Atavism is relevant on this blog particularly for "Starport Blues" which I originally thought must be a 1970's cover. But it's original and catchy as hell. Hardworlder doesn't have a single concept, but "Tiger! Tiger!" is inspired by Alfred Bester's The Stars My Destination (a book every SF fan should read, and hey, it's even short).http://www.sloughfeg.com/http://ww w.myspace.com/sloughfeg (Note: the sound quality of "Tiger! Tiger!" here is low.)Buy Slough Feg albums.

Asterius - A Moment of Singularity (2003)
2007-08-28 11:50:00
This album sounds like nothing else, and as soon as I heard it four years ago it gained a permanent spot in my top ten. Aster ius' roots are in symphonic black metal, but there's much more going on than that. Encyclopaedia Metallum calls them "gothic/symphonic blackish metal," and the band has called its own style Bizarre Space Metal. Either one will do. With titles like "Continuum," "Multiverse" and "Gemini North" there's no question they belong here.http://www.myspace.com/momentofsingu larityhttp://www.asterius.net/Buy it. $10.99
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The End Records Mailorder
2007-08-28 11:41:00
Whenever possible I'll provide a link to a shop where you can easily buy the albums on this blog. Many times that place will be The End Records mailorder. They feature great prices, quick service, and free shipping within the US. If you haven't used them before, don't hesitate. Customers in the rest of the world: most of these releases will be European, so it makes more sense to buy them there. If anyone needs help finding a release, I'm happy to help.
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Liftoff (or: Welcome, Introduction)
2007-08-28 11:29:00
I've been into science fiction since I was barely old enough to understand it. And I've been into metal since 1990 or so. The two are a good match. While Fantasy themes have dominated metal since the 70's, and horror prevails in the among gothic and extreme metal bands, no other style of music has been a more hospitable home to SF. The aim of this blog is to highlight bands and albums with a science fiction flavor, whether original or based on books, movies, or TV. Of course, I'll be biased in favor of the kinds of metal I like. For example, I'm sure plenty of prog metal bands fit the bill, but my interest in that sub-genre is limited. For that reason I invite visitors to suggest bands and albums for inclusion. Bands that aren't well known will generally get priority over big names. I won't be writing extensive reviews of anything, for the simple reason that my writing time needs to be spent on my fiction. I'll occasionally point to external reviews, but...
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