Obligitory E3 ‘Console Wars’ Post
Ahh, the console wars. Such fun watching multi-million dollar companies battle it out for my hard-earned cash. Well, no, not really. I’ve really never given a shit to be honest. That is until this year when Microsoft began to introduce a slew of anti-consumer plans such as always on DRM, shady used and borrowed game policies they have been less than transparent on, and a focus on a gaming console that seems to have only 50% dedication to games. Since their unveiling last month everyone has been saying wait until E3 for the games and they will make the XB1 interesting. Well, E3 is here and it seems, bar a couple of games, I am really not changing my stance to not support Xbox any more. They continue to be shady and unclear and when it comes to exclusives, I really don’t go crazy for shooters and racing sims. The only exclusive they have my attention with is the upcoming Remedy game Quantic Dream. I loved Alan Wake and Max Payne and am a bit let down that I won’t be playing the next game they release. Their other big exclusive is Titanfall, but that one is also going to be released for PC, so it’s hardly something that will sway me. Also, $500 (or €500) for the console?!
Edit: That Project Sharp ‘game making game’ looks really cool and is a much needed point on MS side. I really hope it doesn’t turn out to be a tech demo game. It could pave the way for some really interesting stuff in the near future.
PS4 didn’t really blow me away on the games side of things. Both consoles will be now getting Playstation’s system seller Metal Gear Solid 5 so that can’t really be used as ammunition to make me want to purchase one. None of the other exclusives they mentioned really got me excited. And for both Sony and MS, timed exclusive is not a fucking exclusive, it’s retarded. I’m a patient man, I’ll wait till something is released on my preferred platform.
However, where Sony ‘won’ the console war was on their self-awareness, listening to gamers, and clearly and with utmost transparency stated that the PS4 will be DRM free, not require online to play games, yadda yadda yadda. Basically, things will keep on how they are now with the exception that in order to play online with the PS4 you will need to subscribe to PS+ at $35 a year (which also nets you a bunch of interesting features, discounts, and a monthly free game). They basically stomped on an already injured MS’s nards repeatedly in their press conference, and the gamers applauded them for it. Really, MS really needed to be put in their place for their show of hubris and thinly veiled contempt for gamers. Sony treated us like they listen to us, MS, well…. Also, a big bullet point for me, PS4 will be region free, which is great for me as a bargain hunter and one who likes to import games as well as $400 (€400).
But I regress. As much as Sony basically humiliating the well deserved Microsoft, I will not be purchasing either one at or close to launch. I never do. I’ll wait for the inevitable price drop, the inevitable hardware update that works out a couple of bugs (I learned my lesson with the 360), and most importantly, a strong catalog of games for me to choose from is built. As of now, I’m happy with my PC, which will probably need an upgrade when the new wave of AAA games gets released, but oh well it will cost less than and last longer than the consoles, plus great software prices. And it’s about time I got myself that Wii U I wanted, need my Zelda and Mario rehash fix.
Oh, and since I’m quite big on indie games, PS4 and Wii U gets my vote for their strong support of them. While MS is looking to work with indie devs, their refusal to change their current getting on XBLA system really needs work if I will ever speak good about them. And as always, the PC will be the best place to go for the strongest indie scene.
So, what’s your take on the ‘console wars’?
Concert Review: Sonisphere Milan (Rho Fiera) June 8th, 2013 (Iron Maiden, Megadeth, Mastodon, Ghost)
Between countless bits of memorabilia, various t-shirts, an extensive Iron Maiden discography, and a tattoo of Eddie the Head taking up half of my back it’s quite obvious that I am quite the die-hard Iron Maiden fan. So the second I heard that Bruce, Steve, Adrian, Nicko, Dave, Janick, and Eddie were going to be making a stop in Milan to headline the Sonisphere festival it was an immediate ticket purchase, especially after a 6 year dry spell where I haven’t seen my all time favorite band live. At first the only band that was announced was Iron Maiden, and even if Justin Beeber and The Spice Girls were also playing I would have dropped the €60 regardless, I was still curious to which other bands would be on the bill. Lucky for me the ridiculously Satanic doomsters Ghost were announced as well as a band that truly lives up to their name, Mastodon. Also on the bill was Megadeth and a couple of other bands whose names escape me and were on the stage too early for me to see. With such a damn fine line-up and my expectation blasting through the roof did the show live up? Long story short, Hell Fuck Yeah!!!
Mini Reviews: Eshtadur, Arceye, and Only Fumes & Corpses
Eshtadur – Stay Away From Evil and get Close to Me
Welcome to the jungle baby…or more specifically Colombia’s jungle. Eshtadur’s creations Border on Black/Experimental Metal. Their nine tracks are a brutal concoction combined with some elements of Thrash with embedded symphonic touches here and there. Their new album, Stay Away From Evil and Get Close to Me, is out on June 13, 2013 and boasts both melodic injects and uncompromising ferocity. The album is coated with deep growls and higher-pitched scowl, guitar solos, and sheer speed most of the time. Things aren’t always brutal. Nightmare in a Church is more Thrashy and built for the pit. Overall, they are a promising band within the Black Metal genre depending on how elitist one might be. They compare well with Cradle of Filth.
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Album Review: Max Pie – Eight Pieces – One World
If Max Pie had not landed in our inbox I doubt I would have ever explored the contents of their latest release Eight Pieces – One World. Let’s face it, that’s a pretty unique (interesting) name does not match any of the musician’s names. I figured that was the case. After exhausting limited Max Pie research avenues, I have no idea why they chose that moniker, so let’s press on. The important thing is that I gave it a shot and “impressed” is one word I can use to sum up my first impression. After one spin, I am no less than hooked on their epic Dream Theater-style melodies and crunch of reminiscent of Symphony X – definitely two styles that work well together. The Belgian quartet’s sophomore effort boasts 54 minutes of music across eight songs.
Album Review: The Eldritch Dark by Blood Ceremony
While I’m a really big fan of the first two albums from Canada’s Occult Rock quartet Blood Ceremony, there is no denying that they have a ‘slight’ gimmicky feel to them. The Jethro Tull flute playing paired with the riffage of Black Sabbath’s more bluesy end and a strong presence by a female vocalist who calls influence from Coven and Jefferson Airplane, they were a band that didn’t shy away from wearing their inspiration on their sleeve. That kind of approach can only really get a band so far before the well runs dry and the songs start to sound rehashed and contrived. So, album number three for Blood Ceremony is really a do or die a type of ordeal. Do they take some risks and expand on their sound to elevate to the next level or do they take the safe route and keep on keeping on? Well, for their 3rd, The Eldritch Dark, Blood Ceremony have taken all they learned from their inspirations and experience from their previous efforts and combined them to not only bring their unique style to the next level, but also release the best album of their career and easily one of the best Occult Rock albums of the year.
What’s Cookin’ in the Inbox (4 June 2013)
I think it’s time for another edition of What’s Cookin’ in the Inbox. I noticed that our folder where tidbits are stored is getting a bit full and the last thing I would ever want to do is deny a metal fan glorious metal! Here is the next batch of diverse tidbits. As always I will keep my comments to a minimum and let the video clips and links do the singing. Enjoy and if you like something please let me know. It’s just a little bit of validation for doing this. You never know what’s out there that could blow your mind…it could be one of these bands.
