PA's Battle to Stardom A10: Meshuggah v. Kayo Dot

Have not heard enough Kayo dot to have an opinion. although if it were a battle with Maudlin of the Well, I would have to give the nod to MOTW.  Kidmans vocals have just worn me out at this point.

Meshuggah... by far.

Meshuggah by a hair, if only because it is slightly more to my taste.
Both bands have produced incredible works IMO.

birdwithteeth11 wrote: Logan wrote: crimhead wrote: Mia Matsumiya is reason enough to go with Kayo Dot. She sure is something. http://coelacanthm.livejournal.com/ The T wrote: KD's last album beats any Messhugah album....   Any Messhugah album features espectacular drumming and original, if a little (well, not "little") anti-melodic....   KD released Dowsning Anemone with CT... probably one of earth's worst albums ever recorded.... (but easily "surpassed" by Sigur Ros' now that I've heard both better)   So, I go for Messhugah for consistency... even though KD has released a bettr album, but also one MUCH worse... I wonder what you would think of Choirs of the Eye (my particular fave KD album). 1991 Contradictions Collapse 2.92 (8 ratings) 2003 Choirs Of The Eye 4.36 (49 ratings) I'd be amazed if Meshuggah's debut is anywhere near as good as Kayo Dot's.  Certainly Meshuggah has released many more albums (especially considering the Singles, EPS, Fan Club & Promo).  I wonder how consistently good they are?  Since there are several related projects to Kayo Dot and Thordendal has his, perhaps a poll pitting Thordendal against Toby Driver would be a fun complement to this poll (I do like Special Defects). Incidentally, people who don't know both may wish to check out the myspace pages and vote based on those. http://www.myspace.com/kayodot http://www.myspace.com/meshuggah I think KD is considerably more diverse than Meshuggah, and more Prog to my ear.And KD really has made very beautiful music -- Meshuggah I have found lacking in contrast, not as well textured, or nuanced (lacking subtlety to my ear). I think part of the reason that Meshuggah isn't subtle is because they're not trying to be subtle. They prefer to make music that goes right for the throat every time. I think that Tomas Haake is an absolutely fantastic metal drummer and the fact that he's created a unique style of drumming is quite impressive. That's probably the reason I'd pick Meshuggah over a lot of bands, besides just many metal bands. Also if you were comparing "Choirs of the Eye" with, say, "Destroy Erase Improve" or "Chaosphere" then I think it'd be a more fair comparison. Mostly because Meshuggah's first album isn't very prog-like anyway.

Fair enough. As for the subtlety -- that's my preference.  I prefer bands that are more nuanced and diverse in musical expression, and that provide more contrast.    I also prefer the instrument line-up in Kayo Dot (the addition of a viola/ violin is a big plus for me, especially when played by such an attractive young lady ).  Tomas Haake is a very good drummer, but of course they've experimented with tricks that include programmed drums (but I guess he is very good live, I have yet to watch him play.  I'm sure he's on youtube).  I merely chose both debuts in regards to consistency of quality as per ratings -- Teo did not mention KD's debut when he went for Meshuggah based on consistency (consistency for him, of course, and he doesn't know Choirs... yet).  Now I can't say which is more considtently of high quality, and that depends on the person.  Meshuggah has 17 releases (including two boxsets, seven studio, and nine in that single, EPs, promo category.  very strangle for a band that's been around that long, we have no Live albums listed -- that's bizarre.  I commonly find live albums the best for judging prog bands, and for hearing the skills of the performers).  Now Kayo Dot only has four (three studio and one 30 minute album shared with Bloody Panda which the KD piece is only 11 minutes).

In a way, Meshuggah, I think, is considerably more consistent than KD, because KD has experimented with more styles, and the three albums by KD are more different from each-other, I think, than Meshuggah's seven albums.  But as I said, I don't know Meshuggah as well as KD.  KD appeals to me much more so of course I've really explored KD.

Logan wrote: crimhead wrote: Mia Matsumiya is reason enough to go with Kayo Dot. She sure is something. http://coelacanthm.livejournal.com/ The T wrote: KD's last album beats any Messhugah album....   Any Messhugah album features espectacular drumming and original, if a little (well, not "little") anti-melodic....   KD released Dowsning Anemone with CT... probably one of earth's worst albums ever recorded.... (but easily "surpassed" by Sigur Ros' now that I've heard both better)   So, I go for Messhugah for consistency... even though KD has released a bettr album, but also one MUCH worse... I wonder what you would think of Choirs of the Eye (my particular fave KD album). 1991 Contradictions Collapse 2.92 (8 ratings) 2003 Choirs Of The Eye 4.36 (49 ratings) I'd be amazed if Meshuggah's debut is anywhere near as good as Kayo Dot's.  Certainly Meshuggah has released many more albums (especially considering the Singles, EPS, Fan Club & Promo).  I wonder how consistently good they are?  Since there are several related projects to Kayo Dot and Thordendal has his, perhaps a poll pitting Thordendal against Toby Driver would be a fun complement to this poll (I do like Special Defects). Incidentally, people who don't know both may wish to check out the myspace pages and vote based on those. http://www.myspace.com/kayodot http://www.myspace.com/meshuggah I think KD is considerably more diverse than Meshuggah, and more Prog to my ear.And KD really has made very beautiful music -- Meshuggah I have found lacking in contrast, not as well textured, or nuanced (lacking subtlety to my ear).

I think part of the reason that Meshuggah isn't subtle is because they're not trying to be subtle. They prefer to make music that goes right for the throat every time. I think that Tomas Haake is an absolutely fantastic metal drummer and the fact that he's created a unique style of drumming is quite impressive. That's probably the reason I'd pick Meshuggah over a lot of bands, besides just many metal bands.

Also if you were comparing "Choirs of the Eye" with, say, "Destroy Erase Improve" or "Chaosphere" then I think it'd be a more fair comparison. Mostly because Meshuggah's first album isn't very prog-like anyway.


Edited by birdwithteeth11 - September 26 2008 at 18:37

Kayo Dot changed my musical life forever. Meshuggah makes me laugh. 

Kayo Dot because Kayo Dot because Kayo Dot

Meshuggah's is one of the most important band in the prog metal veins in my opinion but musically talking...Kayo dot is more in my veins althought I don'T own any of both bands album but nearly listen to every of their album besides their last. Kayo gets the vote here

Meshuggah is my favorite metal band, and all of their albums are brilliant.

Kayo Dot, can we pass to playoffs in this polls???