Long rant about why this is my AOTY and a perfect album in my opinion: Last year, my favorite album was måsstaden under vatten. Extremely niche and very technical and on another level in every way. This year, I was hoping for another album that blew me away like vildhjarta, and it wasn't until I heard this album that my whole approach changed. Niche and technical can be very good, but looking specifically for another album like that and dismissing everything that wasn't that wasn't the right way to go about it. I used to listen to only metal in high school and even through most of college. Pop and other "simple" genres just weren't good enough. But recently, I've started branching out and listening to other ""niche"" genres in the opposite direction. Celtic folk, cottagecore, bluegrass, etc. and I started to realize something that seems obvious but I didn't full understand. Good music exists in every genre. And there isn't a single formula that defines what good music is. I've started becoming way more open to music of all kinds. Basically if it's good, I like it. I got deep into Coldplay recently and I've realized that they write unbelievably good music that transports you to these lands of imagination if you let it. Coldplay songs, for me, are like a painting that seems simple but the more you look at it, the more you feel drawn to it without really knowing why. The more it pulls you in and floods you with waves of nostalgia for things you never knew you could feel nostalgic for. Anyway, back to Color Decay. I heard this album and thought it was good on my first listen. Nothing special, but still really good. Then I listened to it over and over again. And just like Coldplay, without fully knowing why, I couldn't stop listening to it. Maybe it was the way the screams sounded or the great melodies or the extreme emotions that the whole album puts you through. After some recent events in my life, I can heavily relate to songs like Twenty-Five and Cancer. Other albums this year like Bad Omens or Enterprise Earth are incredible albums as well and definitely in my top 5, but this one just feels more personal. It feels warmer, if that makes sense. Like Drew said on "Broken", it feels like a sonic hug. In his Patreon video (go support him on Patreon its so worth it!!) during the analysis he mentioned how the songs reminded him of different things but with such a heightened sense of emotion. I think that's what gets me most is the feelings I have when listening. Some of my favorite works of art (of any medium) might not be considered masterpieces technically or the most incredible stuff ever, but they get me emotionally. Dark Souls 2 is one of my favorite games of all time despite being broken in so many ways because the atmosphere of the different areas and the music and ambiance is so perfect. My favorite paintings are ones of simple countrysides and farms and fall colors because of the warm fuzzy feeling I get from them. Color Decay is not the most niche or technical or musically perfect album of the year, but it is the album that I find myself listening to over and over again. I can't get enough of it and even with the less impressive first few songs, I've grown to love them so much because the greater work that they're a part of have left such an impact on me. Anyway if you took the time to read this, thank you and subscribe to Drew! Let me know what your album of the year is and why cuz I love hearing people gush about music they're passionate about!
Bruh this is one of my favourite comments in a long time. Thanks for sharing man, so much to unpack and you put things into words that I couldn’t. I’m similar to you in the sense that I appreciate music if I like it, regardless of genre - however, I also find myself wishing/hoping for something to sound like ‘X’ album which can be a toxic habit to get into, as you mentioned. I listened to Silent Planet’s ‘When the end began’ the day before I listened to Color Decay and although Silent Planet’s album is undoubtedly more dynamic and technical than color decay, I’ve found myself spinning Color decay singles a lot more. Just has more reply value for me right now which is contrary to how I’ve been consuming music for the past year or so; I’ve just wanted to be blown away technically and hearing something I’d never heard before. All about finding a balance man! Not sure I’ve fully touched on everything you commented, but just know I appreciate your support here and on Patreon bro ❤️🔥
@@DrewFortune97 That Silent Planet record is great! Can't wait for your video on that! Sometimes I just need some good solid metalcore and that's exactly what Color Decay is. It's one of the best grower albums and I only find myself appreciating it more as I listen to it. Looking forward to your future thoughts on it on the podcast!
Based. So glad people are leaving the "it must be technical/it must be new and unique to be good" mindset It kills me to see music get pushed aside because of that, when really music is about the emotion that we not only get from the music ourselves, but apply to it as well. It's why I adore Phinheas, As I Lay Dying, Fit for a King, Wolves At The Gate; they're just that good at creating a good headspace and motivational aura without needing to be the best thing since sliced bread Glad to have you in the light, brother.
I mean isn't it just about denial/blissful-ignorance? It' about denying how real suicide is to the point you wish it was something equally traumatic (if not worse) like cancer so you can stick your head in the sand without tackling and accepting the problem that is suicide like we have with cancer. Or something along those lines.
@@shaunhutchinson4707 I wouldn't say it's denying how real it is, it's bargaining with the hope that the person in question (in this instance it's about a personal hero that the singer looked up to) passed away from a less depressing and nerve wracking cause than suicide. For days after Chester passed I was in the same boat where I hoped it was something that I didn't see coming because I had known of his struggles with drug abuse and mental illness. When it was finally confirmed that he had taken his own life, on top of already being shattered by his passing, it felt like I got hit by a truck. Sure Cancer is still depressing and that's what the conflict of the song is, the question of "why the hell would I wish something as horrible as cancer onto someone? what does that say about myself?"
I think there is an emotion for it even if I don't know the exact term for it, but the main feeling I'd say is guilt. Guilt that you'd wish something as horrible as cancer upon someone because it's easier to comprehend and accept than suicide.
I adore this album, if only it didn't depress me when I listened to it. Noise, Sacrifice, and Cancer are such good songs But, where I'm at right now, I've been needing motivational tracks more and more; listening to Fit for a King, Wolves at the Gate, Phinheas, Trivium, and other upbeat metal bands to help me through life right now. It gives me that ability to handle things much easier But this album is definitely a banger on a molecular level, and deserves AOTY.
I've never really been a huge fan of Prada, but now that the year is ending and I've heard/discovered other albums this year like DOPOM, Obsidian, Dark Pool, Dark Sun, new Polyphia and FFAK, I just keep coming back to this album and I think it's my favorite this year
@@DrewFortune97 lol I think my tastes are much the same as yours, likely why I like your channel haha. I think I just tolerate some blast beats a bit more 😂
One of the most powerful albums emotionally. Sad i didn't hear their stuff before, but blown away with this one because it goes so deep with nostalgia, that i never felt anything like that before in a music. It has a pure autumn vibes and i love it. Goes on third place AOTY of my personal list. It's also incredible that it's heavy and emotional in their unique way.
Probably my favourite album this year. Instrumentally it's a little basic compared to their usual style, but I absolutely love the vibes and passion behind this album
I am sort of just getting into the Metal/Metalcore world and have just recently found TDWP from Hard Core, I have been listening to I prevail and Bad Omens since last year (and a little off metal but more rock Starset) as well as some Motionless in White as of recent as well. both TDWP and Motionless in White I found through RU-vid and hope to find more bands I can enjoy on my playlist. Loved this album and will have to take a listen to some of their other ones.
I hadn't listened to this band since HS back when they released Plagues and were on that Punk Goes Crunk CD lol used to love their unique sound. That being said I feel like this album is boring and generic. Nothing about it that really shows an identity. I'll pass.
