December 14th, 2014 - S'more Rising Doom

Today the Meista is pairing progressive metal project Aina - "Days of Rising Doom: The Metal Opera" and a S'more Stout from Base Camp Brewing Company!  This pairing goes out to my friend and fellow prog-head, Jeff... cheers buddy!

Album Info:

• Artist: Aina
• Title: "Days of Rising Doom: The Metal Opera"
• Release date: 2003
• Record company: Transmission/The End Records
• Concept and lyrics: Amanda Somerville
• Music composition: Robert Hunecke-Rizzo
• Arrangement: Michael "Miro" Rodenberg
• Production: Sascha Paeth
• Notable personnel:
• Vocalists: Marco Hietala (Nightwish, Tarot), Glenn Hughes (Trapeze, Deep Purple, Black Sabbath, California Breed, etc.), Michael Kiske (Helloween, Unisonic), Andre Matos (Angra, Shaaman, Symfonia), Candice Night (Blackmore's Night), Tobias Sammet (Edguy, Avantasia), Simone Simons (Epica), Damian Wilson (Threshold, Headspace, Ayreon, Star One, etc.)
• Musicians: Jens Johansson (Stratovarius, Dio, Yngwie Malmsteen), Sascha Paeth, Derek Sherinian (Dream Theater, Planet X, Yngwie Malmsteen, etc.), and Thomas Youngblood (Kamelot)
• Major themes/lyrical content: Epic metal/rock opera that tells the story of a love triangle in the mythical land of Aina, ruled by King Taetius.  Great album for fans of Ayreon and Avantasia! 
• Musical style: Folk metal, progressive metal/rock, power metal, symphonic metal
• Tracks:

1. "Aina Overture"
2. "Revelations"
3. "Silver Maiden"
4. "Flight Of Torek"
5. "Naschtok Is Born"
6. "The Beast Within"
7. "The Siege Of Aina"
8. "Talon's Last Hope"
9. "Rape Of Oria"
10. "Son Of Sorvahr"
11. "Serendipity"
12. "Lalae Amer"
13. "Rebellion"
14. "Oriana's Wrath"
15. "Restoration"

Brew Info:

• Brewery: Base Camp Brewing Company
• Website: http://basecampbrewingco.com/
• Brew: S'more Stout
• Style: American Stout
• Serving: 22 ounce aluminum bottle
• ABV: 7.7%
• IBUs: 70
• Pour: Dark, dark, dark opaque brown (almost ink black) with a thick mocha head that leaves intricate spider web lacing.
• Nose: Bitter dark chocolate, dark roasted coffee, dark roasted malt, dark fruit, vanilla, marshmallow, roasted chestnuts, and campfire smoke.
• Taste: Bold and rich chocolate and coffee flavors mingled with smokiness, caramel sweetness, and slightly boozy warm alcohol. 
• Mouthfeel: Full-bodied, thick and hearty, the mouthfeel is velvety smooth and creamy.
• Finish: Lingering chocolatiness with some smoky and dry bitterness... like good Swiss dark chocolate!

Overall pairing:  The big, bold richness of the S'more Stout is a perfect companion for the bombastic and epic progressive metal stylings of Aina - "Days of Rising Doom: The Metal Opera"!

Cheers and hails!!