This Week's Playlist #100 - The Canadian Metal edition feat. Mathieu L.
This week, Nicolas is sharing some of his daily go-to songs.
Hello everyone!
This Week's Playlist - Season 2, Episode 48.
The 100th playlist :-)
And a focus on Canada (this year again).
I've asked a (very nerdy) metalhead friend from Montreal to give us a focus on the Quebec metal scene with a heavy playlist.
And I'm adding 5 great, non-raging Canadian songs for those who prefer chilled-out music.
See you next week!
TL;DR: I'm running a musical newsletter with a new guest sharing 5 songs each week.
There is a YouTube link for each of the songs on the cover, and here are the playlists for each streaming platform:
Quebec Metal scene with Mathieu L
Hello to all the readers of this newsletter by Thomas (a.k.a. the Crab for me). I look forward to discovering its songs every week and reading everyone's experiences. So here is my first contribution.
My name is Mathieu, but everyone calls me Mamath (a.k.a. "Le Gras" for Thomas). I met Thomas through mutual friends during the COVID period. If there is one positive thing to take from the pandemic era, it's that each of us, in our own way, sought to maintain social connections through Internet and new communication tools.
Our way was to organize music listening sessions with several friends based in London, Paris, Malmö, and for my part, Montreal. What a pleasure it was to exchange thoughts on this shared passion and to stay in touch with those dear to us!
Born in France, I currently live in Montreal, Quebec, my beloved province, for many reasons. Quebec is undeniably rock!
While I've always listened to various music styles, metal obviously remains at the top of my listening statistics. So, I'll dedicate this playlist to a tough selection from the Quebec underground death metal scene that I was hit with in the late 1990s and early 2000s. The great era of Galy Records, as I might wrongly call it. At a time when the internet was not as developed, the Quebec scene was bubbling without being fully aware of its international reach.
1. Martyr – Hopeless Hope (1997)
Martyr is based in Trois-Rivières, situated halfway between Quebec City and Montreal. The band doesn't confine its music to traditional death metal conventions; instead, it strives to push those boundaries and create a more open-minded musical concept.
The group is led by Dan "Chewy" Mongrain, who is also known for revitalizing the band Voivod.
Recently, I had the chance to converse with the humble and warm Dan during a unique reunion for a festival in their hometown, 15 years after their last concert. It was an emotionally charged concert full of anecdotes for a band that wasn't fully aware of its international success.
2. Quo Vadis - Absolution (Element of the Ensemble III) (2000)
I encourage you to look up where the city of Amos is located to imagine the challenges it might pose for a band of this style to emerge in such a region. Quo Vadis offers technically and melodically exceptional death metal.
3. Cryptopsy – Phobophile (1996)
Let's take a trip back in time to Montreal! Cryptopsy released their second album, which remains a foundational album for the death metal genre and a crowning achievement for the band.
The talents of Jon Levasseur (guitar) and Flo. Mounier (drums) continue to push the boundaries of intensity in the genre, notably by placing blast beat techniques at the core of their compositions. Good luck...
4. Neuraxis – Thought Adjuster (2005)
Neuraxis' talent lies in synthesizing the three universes you've just heard: progressive, melodic, and brutal. Also from Montreal!
5. Despised Icon – In the arms of perdition (2007)
Montreal seems to be leaning towards New York's influence. Despised Icon becomes one of the founding groups of Deathcore by favoring the introduction of hardcore at the expense of melody.
This is how I discovered, from Paris, this vibrant Quebec scene, which obviously doesn't boil down to just these 5 bands. Enjoy the exploration!
More chilled songs from Canadian musicians for non-metalheads.
6. Socalled - These Are The Good Old Days
Joshua Dolgin, better known by his stage name Socalled, is a rapper from Montreal and record producer known for his eclectic mix of hip hop, klezmer, and other styles such as drum & bass and folk music.
This song is a perfect example of the strange but still very catchy fusion that emerges from it.
7. Thee Silver Mt. Zion Memorial Orchestra - 13 Angels Standing Guard ‘Round the Side of Your Bed
The Silver Mt. Zion Memorial Orchestra is a Canadian band formed by some of the members of the influential post-rock band Godspeed You! Black Emperor. The band's sound is characterized by its experimental and often emotionally intense approach to music, incorporating elements of post-rock, folk, and punk, among others.
Their music is known for its powerful, sometimes political, and highly emotive compositions. The band often features a blend of instrumental pieces and vocals, carrying a strong sense of narrative and emotion.
8. Arcade Fire - Sprawl II (Soulwax remix)
I had to put Arcade Fire, of course.
It's always tricky to pick up a song from Arcade Fire, as all of their songs aim for anything less than grand statements, which can end up slightly cheesy.
I felt that this remix from Soulwax brings some more percussion into the mix.
9. Loscil - Angle of List
Loscil is the stage name of Scott Morgan, a Canadian electronic musician based in Vancouver. His music predominantly falls within the ambient and minimalist genres. Loscil is known for creating immersive soundscapes that often incorporate elements of drone, ambient techno, and modern classical music.
5. Feist - Secret Heart
The folk/indie/baroque pop Canadian goddess will finish this week's playlist with a cover of another Canadian pop singer cover.
Until the next time, Godspeed!
Thomas
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