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Ryan Adams’ Metal Album Arrives

Based on the sonic evidence at hand (the song "Electro Snake," which you can check out below), it's not particularly heavy metal, other than the strangulated Bon Scott-esque vocals. But it does rock, and it's still metal, according to Ryan Adams, and as Pitchfork is reporting, the parent record, Orion, is a "fully realized sci-fi metal concept album," whatever that means.

Recorded in 2006, Orion is available on limited edition clear wax (no CD; download card included however), and you can purchase it at the official Ryan Adams website. http://store.pax.am/ Dig that artwork: it's by Voivod's Michel Langevin.

Track Listing:
01 Signal Fade
02 Imminent Galactic War
03 Disappyramid
04 Fire Away
05 Defenders of the Galaxy
06 Fire and Ice
07 By Force
08 Ghorgon, Master of War
09 Ariel
10 Electro Snake
11 Victims of the Ice Brigade
12 2,000 Ships
13 End of Days

ORION . ELECTROSNAKE by ryanadams

Comment by Mr Edyoulis on May 22, 2010 at 11:19am: I really like this!

Comment by Kenny C on May 23, 2010 at 10:09am: Yep.. I like it as well.. it's good.. roots ROCK

Comment by Bob Rose on May 23, 2010 at 10:15am: I give him props for stepping out of his comfort zone, but this sounds pretty mediocre. Perhaps "Ghorgon, Master of War" will be more of a toe tapper.

Comment by TwangNation.com on May 23, 2010 at 10:19am: Pass. Maybe Adams and Shooter Jennings can take turns opening for Wilco.

Comment by Craig Young on May 23, 2010 at 11:27am: The reason I like Adams is because artistically, he's never standing still... he's always moving forward and never looks back!

Comment by Mark W. Lennon on May 23, 2010 at 12:14pm: Not a fan of this shiz...but def applaud him for doing whatever floats his boat. now give us some cuuuntry RA! haha

Comment by denton fabrics on May 23, 2010 at 12:22pm: Not bad at all. Not what I listen to anymore, wouldn't spend money on it, but not too bad at all. Ditto the previous posters, props to Ryan for breaking his own mold.

Comment by Grant Alden on May 23, 2010 at 12:32pm: Recorded in 2006, released in 2010. Hmmm.
I would note that the typeface appears (without checking) to be the one designed for the Mexico City Olympics of 1968. Or an approximation of it, anyhow. Milton Glaser designed it, I think. Not that anybody cares.

Comment by Mr Edyoulis on May 23, 2010 at 2:01pm: Not to beat a dead horse here but Ryan's original roots were in raging loud Punk Rawk/Metal. So I'm not surprised he's revisiting this sound. In several live tapes he's mentioned his love of Slayer. I can see that in these tunes. Rest assured folks, at some point he will return to strumming away on quiet alt country chestnuts like 16 days and Factory Girl. The boy is just feeling frisky. If you were married to Mandy Moore , you would too.

Comment by Ron Frankl on May 24, 2010 at 9:42am: Sounds kind of like a Jack White project; not sure if I mean that as a compliment. For better or worse, this sounds a lot more energized than anything Ryan has released in a while. I'd like to hear more.