January 20th, 2019 - The Stages Of Evolution Of A Voodo Ranger

Good afternoon and happy Sunday!  The Meista here rocking out to "Stage Of Evolution", the live album by Once Human and a Voodoo Ranger Imperial IPA from New Belgium Brewing Company!  Hells yeah!!

Album Info:

• Artist: Once Human
• Title: "Stage Of Evolution"
• Recorded: Live at various locations during the band's 2017 US tour
• Release date: September 28th, 2018 (1st live album by Once Human)
• Record company: earMUSIC
• Production: Logan Mader
• Album cover art:  PhotosByTerrell (photography), Seth Siro Anton (art composition), and Alexander Mertsch (layout)
• Personnel: Lauren Hart (lead vocals), Max Karon (guitars), Logan Mader (guitars), Damien Rainuad (bass), and Dillon Trollope (drums)
• Additional musicians: Frédéric Leclercq (vocals on "Davidian") 
• Musical style: Melodic death metal, groove metal
• Sound: Incredibly heavy, complex, high energy, and powerful, the sound on "Stage Of Evolution" is the embodiment of metal intensity and artistic integrity!  Hart's vocal prowess is mesmerizing... at times brutal, at times beautifully ethereal, and always perfect.  Her brutal vocals are matched perfectly with the guitar wizardry of Mader and Karon (fast, furious, and intricate), and the combined juggernaut power of rhythm section Rainaud and Trollop!
• Major themes: Rage, aggression, war, violence, murder, pain, suffering, evil, revenge, power, isolation, etc.
• Tracks:   

1. "Eye Of Chaos"
2. "Killers For The Cure"
3. "Mass Murder Frenzy"
4. "Gravity"
5. "Passenger"
6. "Pick Your Poison"
7. "Paragon"
8. "Davidian" (Machine Head cover)
9. "Flock Of Flesh"

    Brew Info:

• Brewery: New Belgium Brewing Company (Fort Collins, Colorado)
• Website: http://www.newbelgium.com/
• Brew: Voodoo Ranger Imperial IPA
• Style: American Double / Imperial IPA 
• Serving: 12 ounce bottle
• ABV: 9.0%
• IBUs: 70
• Pour: The Voodoo Ranger Imperial IPA pours a slightly hazy copper-amber with a frothy and creamy, bright white head that displays lots of intricate and layered lacing throughout.
• Nose: The nose is dank, earthy, citrusy, and malty.  There are aromas of strong pine resin, grapefruit rind, tangerine peel, orange peel and juice, herbal tea, alight stone fruit, graham cracker, and caramel".
• Taste: The taste is characterized by piney, citrusy, and malty flavors.  There are notes of fresh cut pine, pink grapefruit juice, tangerine, orange zest, black tea, burnt toffee,
• Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied with moderate carbonation, the mouthfeel is crisp, yet oily with a bittersweet and slightly boozy finish.

Overall pairing: The punchy and aggressive, yet complex flavors and aromas of New Belgium's great Voodoo Ranger Imperial IPA is perfect for the power and energy of Once Human live!  Those big pine and citrus notes are great for the straightforward rocking aggression, while the sweeter malt notes are great for the wonderful harmonies and overall grooves!

HAILS!!!