Approaching Autumn – Beware The Ides Of March
There’s no escaping the history books or teachers going on and on about one glorious commander after another. And, if you’ve missed those classes, you’re bound to come face-to-face with your Alexanders and Caesars whenever you stare up at a statue or museum exhibit.
Oh, and, of course, Hollywood loves those stories of people who crashed whole civilisations for their own personal glory. Movies will be made about them until the dawn of time. But what did these people really do well? Kill people efficiently, of course. And what soundtrack will we find to accompany their tales? Usually, moody pop music.
I suggest that, ahead of the new season of historical or mythological Hollywood epics, the tight, proficient, gruesome tones of Approaching Autumn’s “Beware The Ides Of March,” might be a much more appropriate choice. In fact, ask to have it played in history class as well. There are a few modern metalcore bands that are better at producing these kinds of sounds, and there are few sounds more apt at describing the terrifying history of violence within this world.
Du Cane – Veil of the Abyss II
It’s somewhat surprising to realize this, but all these decades since its creation, heavy metal remains, for the most part, a niche interest. Sure, each Summer metal-themed music festivals attract the attention of hundreds of thousands, but cricket and public executions get greater audiences.
The fact that this is not an even more popular music genre is strange considering that heavy metal, of all styles, is meant to be the one style that immediately launches the listener into an imaginary world. And who wouldn’t want to leave the burden on this reality with just the push of a button?
Metal could be bigger if it took the example of a band like Du Cane. This group from parts unknown utilises the more grandiose aspects of modern metal music, and, unlike some of its contemporaries, doesn’t push too hard on the gore-inducing horror aspects. Even if the composition is called “Veil of the Abyss II,” the song has more in common with a great old orchestra playing classical music at an overpowering volume than with typical shock-rock. Du Cane has mastered the art of creating powerful sonic illusions.
