Imperial Triumphant - Spirit of Ecstasy ALBUM REVIEW

[@easybakec0ven]

To clarify, the lyrics of Bezumnaya are mostly in reference to the Dyaltov Pass tragedy. Summing it up briefly, the incident involved nine Soviet mountaineers on a doomed expedition in the northern Ural Mountains. Curiously, when their bodies were discovered, each of them were found in various states of disarray. Some sustained physical trauma, some succumbed to hypothermia and some were even missing body parts like eyes and a tongue. The investigation concluded that the cause was an unexplained "compelling natural force." I found the slowburn, suffocating energy of the track to be very effective in that sense. Plus the dial radio filter makes the scenario sound like an encounter with some Lovecraftian entity and being helpless to contact anyone or anything to help.

[@mathieudaoust9301]

Did a quick and unofficial translation of "bezumnaya" in cyrillic, which i spelled like this: безумная, and it translated to "crazy". I'm no expert in the russian language, but with EasyBakeCoven's description above, the title kind of makes sense.

[@PunkerWithABoner]

Eye and tongues were probably scavenged by birds as they are soft tissues they can easily pick at since upon death our body naturally tends to open our eyes and mouth. I'm studying mortuary science and we talked about that stuff some time last year.

[@easybakec0ven]

@@PunkerWithABonerthat’s probably what happened in all likelihood. But still…it’s fun to think that something beyond human comprehension would be involved.

[@PunkerWithABoner]

@@easybakec0ven Science is really no fun sometimes

[@ckaledin]

I personally believe that the hikers were caught in some sort of experimental weapons test, iirc the Soviet Military was conducting tests in that part the Urals at the time. I don't think any single weapon (ballistic or acoustic, both were being tested as far as I know) is responsible for all of the hikers' injuries and total chaos that followed, but I think being caught in the crossfire in the middle of the night could create the panic that led experienced hikers to abandon camp in such a hurry. It took the Soviet Union 18 years to admit that the Kyshtym Disaster (third worst nuclear disaster ever after Chernobyl and Fukushima!) happened... they may have covered up Chernobyl if they had a chance. I can believe that the details of Dyaltov have been permanently buried by the military. But hey, just a fun theory 😈RIP to the Dyaltov 9

[@Thiagoo662]

Fantano really should review more metal, he skips all the great releases lol

[@jerrys1]

That’s not true, he’s covered a ton of great metal this year

[@TheBBQcereal]

you got any recommendations?

[@lettheboywatch]

White Ward review? False light is great IMO. Similar instrumentation to this but a bit more palatable.

[@rupe82]

He seems to favour experimental metal, avant-garde type of stuff. The new Norma Jean record is great but he'd probably hate it.

[@sunbIind]

@@lettheboywatch It's alright, but nothing new that we never heard I think

[@ManyaraImpala]

This album did something that I didn't think any album could ever do: it made me enjoy Kenny G.

[@heavytherapy]

This album is a 9/10 for me. The drumwork alone is a masterclass.

[@KJ-pr1hq]

Same I almost like it more than Alphaville. Their drummer is insaaanely talented and was going hard on this one.

[@davidmb1595]

it's at least an 8/10 in my opinion. Loved it, but I still think Alphaville is their best so far.

[@jrk10]

@@davidmb1595 i still think vile luxuary is their best

[@Gotttlobbb]

Imperial triumphant is absurdly aesthetics. PERIOD.

[@benmakestalkies]

Nah the production on this is stunning and is what made it a much better experience than Alphaville, alongside the improved song writing.

[@nostalgicdystopian]

Hear me out... Imagine a Imperial Triumphant x Blood Incantation collab record.

[@XiyuYang]

I feel conflicted about this because the musical language of the two are pretty damn far away apart Then again it could definitely work

[@MetalTrenches]

I think it’s better than Alphaville imo

[@Tables-zm7db]

I love your channel so much

[@professionallyamateur5991]

I prefer Alphaville, but I can see why someone would prefer Spirit of Ecstasy

[@carlospeppapriv]

the mixing was so strange at first, but when I got used to it I ended up loving how the album sounds honestly

[@davidmb1595]

Agree. It took a couple of listens to me, now I'm in love with the album and the mixing just adds to it

[@KJ-pr1hq]

Glad you got around to reviewing this, Anthony! It's a 9/10, personally, the increase in claustrophobic passages really worked for me.

[@davidmb1595]

me too!! Loved that feature on this record

[@angrybeavers12]

Really love that this comment section is talking about the album. Refreshing to hear other takes on the music and not just memes. (This may be one of my favorite albums of the year btw)

[@placeholder6517]

I'm not gonna peek at the score, but every time I see melon wearing this vest I feel like it's for albums were he says it's a decent album but ultimately a 6. EDIT: off by a bit but yeah, the vest is definitely no yellow flannel.

[@maotsedunk1362]

Really loved how chaotic this album was; made it less of a dystopia and more like a full on apocalypse. I do agree it could use more breathing room, but still a super strong metal record.

[@atomicbrain9401]

turn the 7 upside down, it’s a 9 now

[@readymade83]

My buddy is going to see these guys with Zeal & Ardor in a few weeks, I'm jealous.

[@KJ-pr1hq]

That lineup is insane I'm also quite jealous

[@readymade83]

@@KJ-pr1hq they're playing The Middle East which is a club in Boston, would be sweet but the timing is bad for me.

[@ericsvilpis1635]

I'm hittin' that tour up for sure! I have had the night booked off from work since June when they made the announcement 😂

[@RRRRRAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH]

gonna see them tonight!! i'm so excited.

[@alex_flamer]

It's about time! I've been waiting for the past month when the record came out, and I was thinking it was going to be on a YUNOREVIEW. But anyway, I absolutely love it! Imperial Triumphant is one of my favorite metal bands and I highly recommend this record and their previous two (Alphaville and Vile Luxury.)

[@nathanaellamb8647]

I love this album, the third track in general has an instrumental pass age that and there’s a deep drive to left field by castellanos

[@TimberPuppers]

Glad to see you doing more metal! I'd love to see a review of Ashenspire's "Hostile Architecture" from you!

[@davidmb1595]

He's just done that one mate. I liked his review,it made justice to that amazing record.

[@austinsteed1581]

He finally reviewed it!

[@grymmbear]

I just love the fact that the horns on here were played by none other than the one and only Kenny G.

[@jerrys1]

Glad to see you finally covered it, I’ve been demanding this review for a while

[@TheVFDGamer]

i assumed this album’s review was taking so long cuz you were gonna give it a strong 9 and wanted to be in a better mind space for it, but i agree that there’s smth missing compared to 2020’s release

[@majimasmajimemes1156]

Imo Alphaville lacked the aggression this one has

[@therevrockinrollin]

Came to say I love this album and look forward to you reviewing it. I have notifications on. Until then my melon musketeer!

[@Majs7420]

Felt also a bit underwhelmed, but again it did grow on me, it is definitely something for itself!

[@MisterBrimm]

Yo, this album came out a month ago we already know it's great. Deserves a yellow flannel TBH.

[@markisthegreat3432]

Love the pic of king baldwin IV in background

[@brotherbear808]

This is a too high brow for me Anthony. please review Tom Macdonald’s entire discography, Thanks

[@YourMom-v3]

Nothing is worth that level of torture.

[@xenophonangelopoulos9057]

Peppa Pig tho.

[@KaiderKiller]

Everyone who likes this should Check out the new Ashenspire record Hostile Architecture

[@zmudilago]

Hell yeah, I have been waiting for this review

[@oops6876]

The drums are like what I imagine being attacked by a pack of rabid dogs to be like.

[@RiggiTony67]

We gotta see a new Osees review this week!

[@fari8034]

Finally. Been waiting for this for way too long

[@biliousvicarduds9089]

What about the drum fills on Metrovertigo are more "autopilot" than the rest of the album? Or any free jazzy drumming for that matter? His takes are so bizarre I have trouble even seeing where he's coming from. How is this any more "suffocating" than Alphaville? I'm listening to it rn and there are plenty of boozy lulls, this band in general is more digestible than similar groups like Portal and DsO because of their emphasis on the jazz and classical elements as well as looser and more chuggy riff patterns ala Howls of Ebb. And the production here is the definition of breathable, Colin Marston almost always does an outstanding job with keeping the mix very natural and giving everything the space it needs, and this album sounds nearly identical to Alphaville in that regard. The only album of theirs I feel this would apply to is Abyssal Gods because there's notably more of a thin Portal-y quality to the mix. The strings are "buried" because it's just one element of the music, that you can still clearly hear amongst the rest, they don't need to bring the entire band to a halt to let one instrument take center stage. Does Black midi always do that? How many other chaotic groups reject their core sound for the sake of a solo? He's acting like this is a wall of noise and it never gives you a break, unlike Nails and Wormrot of course, but that's grindcore so it's okay, meanwhile Spirit of Ecstasy never reaches that level of compressed onslaught yet this is the album where he will decide to turn these qualities into a complaint when they're hardly even present here? His criticisms of metal in particular are pretty frustrating and borderline arbitrary, there's more dissonance in his explanation of his likes and dislikes than in the music itself, difficult to take his opinion seriously. This isn't the first album I feel like he listened to once, was overwhelmed by it, and instead of taking the time to unravel it, just factored that shallow impression into his critique and called it a day. Actual free jazz albums are way more impenetrable than this, as well as plenty of drier and more technical metal

[@Suraj-fi1jv]

Nailed it.

[@dingdingdong209]

I don’t think I’ve ever experienced intense anxiety through music and Imperial Triumphant has done this with flying colors. I physically can not listen to this band.

[@Hypernova87]

He can’t cover all releases of any genre, not just metal. I understand where you’re coming from though. I’ve been surprised to see some metal albums never mentioned on his channels/series. Even if he doesn’t enjoy them like I do, there’s just so intriguing at the least though. I enjoy most genres though, so it’s kinda made up for by seeing him cover gems in other genres 👌 I didn’t get into Shoegaze, Pop, and Punk as much until I started watching Anthony’s reviews.

[@turnt0ff]

This album reminds me of that trippy tunnel in Willy Wonka.

[@bonnibella2003]

Metrovertigo stands out for me as the best but to each their own

[@KJ-pr1hq]

Haha right? That song jumped out to me early on as a favorite. Classic Melon and hating your favorite song.

[@elijahmaxwell1059]

YESSS. Imperial Triumphant Leading the way in Jazz Metal

[@luker.6967]

I feel like the words didn’t match the score here. Sounded like he described at least an 8 to me.

[@erikletendre7512]

Whats your thoughts on the Muse album

[@GraveDigginDave]

review ghais guevara

[@newsourcetechno5777]

I don't really like metal but the metal reviews are so fun. So much imagery.

[@PariahEarth]

i thought people saying Kenny G played on it was a joke

[@sittingyak]

Lol no

[@KJ-pr1hq]

I also thought that when I first heard it lmao but it's so good

[@billybobthekidiswack]

Yea kenny g was on a song on this album. What makes it more ironic is their drummer name is Kenny Grohowski so technically they always had a "kenny G".

[@PariahEarth]

@@KJ-pr1hq apparently that guitar player is his son too lol that’s cool as hell

[@SergioLopez-bd9gt]

Kenny G and his son too

[@patrickcollins574]

this and soul glo were my first two 10s of the decade. soul glo stays my aoty though

[@literallyanythingelse]

good opinion

[@MebThemes]

Great review. This album was incredible. The production was fine in my opinion. I’d give it a 9/10 at least.

[@thevirtualjonathan1284]

are you going to review blackbraid?

[@Demention94]

Grim metropolitan jazz fusion...count me in!

[@michaszczucinski3609]

Too late, Melon, I already have my own opinion and this one's a 9/10. AOTY contender with Black Midi so far.

[@christianpena7976]

Hey are you going to review the new OSEES album?

[@redbruhcolli]

finally some normal music

[@themoon8321]

Review Muse’s Will Of The People

[@2MuchMajinBuuty]

The best material that the band has ever made imo, although Vile ecstasy is a VERY close second.

[@junglie2]

Please review the new ROC Marci album

[@thekid1568]

He’s really dodging the panic at the disco review so day 1 asking fantano to review the panic album

[@Pug8]

Review J.I.D. new album. Love you covering metal too.

[@danwillreview]

I will certainly agree that Metrovertigo is a least favourite. Never really enjoyed that one too much. Omitting Merkurius Gilded as a fav though? That's a hate crime

[@klakeron4209]

You and your vest

[@czrall]

Fantano is slowly turning into Maynard James Keenan.

[@timstevens3183]

Eyy Melon!! Don't skip the new Osees album Foul Form!!! To me the most exciting Oh Sees project in a few years!

[@JFinch-gk3si]

If this was Spirit Airlines, the added chaos would’ve made this a 10.

[@WillD-xl5kx]

I love this fucking album. Imperial triumphant are easily the most innovative metal band to come along in years. They kill live too.

[@chrisrandles857]

When are you dropping your 10/10 review on Will of the People? It's WOTPing time!

[@eliotmontesinopetren1764]

I would love to see a review of Muse’s new album!

[@StoicBarbarian]

My review of this review is 5/10

[@aartasian8852]

need that forever story review melon. I need to know how to rate the album come on

[@MrChrisStingray]

Boo Tony! This album is one of the best of the year.

[@LightYagamiI]

Mr. Fantano, could you please review Bleed Out

[@danieladams5132]

One of my favorites of the year

[@Jamesp1972]

Just saying 'jazz' doesn't really do justice to the level here

[@yelye9230]

Anthony, that's your old face

[@kubos8512]

Blackbear travis barker new album review?

[@Frankzoar]

Loved it. 10/10 for me.

[@adammarsh956]

Melon, whens It Came From Bandcamp series coming bacc?

[@peterwallace3799]

Stoll no blut aus nord?

[@TimothyDurnbaugh]

blut aus nord disharmonium please sir fantano .

[@wojteksocha2002]

Hi Anthony. I've been deaf for the last 5 years and I'm watching your videos since 2019. I can't understand anything from your videos so I just read all coments from the coment section. I'm a little bit worried about you, do you need help, maybe you should talk about all of that with someone?

[@TheRareVideosXL]

Good album review.

[@EBKHazel]

Last slimeto pls

[@bradley163]

Anthony would agree this doesn't hit as hard as Twinkle Twinkle Little Bitch.

[@lane3574]

I WAS WAITING FOR THIS ONE

[@enriquetorres4224]

10

[@zacharywoloszynski4258]

JID review when

[@XiyuYang]

I can't understand this album so I gave it 10/10.

[@televisedpork7993]

Can’t believe you didn’t give it a 10 just because NAV isn’t on it….

[@kylenguyen6535]

Can't wait for the JID album review 👀

[@FriendsOfOurs420]

Sameee🔥

[@mr.fahrenheit007]

Review GOD DID!

[@smackheadsgyro]

guys just listen to deathspell omega instead ok trust me. fantini cant say it but i promise he agrees, or did, at least. you think the drums on this are good, go listen to fas, paracletus or kenose

[@billybobthekidiswack]

But can Deathspell omega play any song from those albums live? Idk Tomas haake looks up to imperial triumphant's drummer so that's saying something.

[@AgainstTheeWickedlyMusic]

Listening to both is also a great option. There would be no Imperial Triumphant without Deathspell, however I also think that IT is the heir to the throne of dissonance. The new Blut Aus Nord is also a fantastic option

[@hazardousjazzgasm129]

@@billybobthekidiswack All of Furnaces was played live

[@luismata7743]

This is their best, hands down! 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@this_is_diamond_rot]

Listened to the Khaled album the second it dropped and afterwards all I had to say was "I cannot WAIT for the fantano review" Waiting patientlyyyy

[@avgmaker]

Day 278 of commenting until Newthony Facetano reviews Carriage House by Woodward and Parker

[@Sonicshadow8989]

Yes! 🔥

[@Thiagoo662]

review Blackbraid I

[@superspeederbooster]

Album is good but they are soo much better live

[@limelalves9192]

Do you like jazz?

[@SCHAAAD]

What the fuck, it happened

[@andyspendlove1019]

Geez finally

[@NationKiwi]

Finally reviewed it lmao

[@ericericson4238]

Me, patiently waiting for that light 9 for the JID album

[@sittingyak]

Best band in metal right now.

[@isaacmcginn7923]

Soooo many albums