OSV has the story here: http://www.originalsoundversion.com/?p=4179

This sounds absolutely badass! Some parts sound like a progressive metal version of Failure (who put out the best alt/space rock album ever, ""Fantastic Planet"). I was very excited for this disc, but now that I've actually heard how tough it sounds, I'm way into it. Can't wait for this release! I'm sure the Rick Roll is just a video joke and won't be on the album.

Pre-ordered this yesterday, even if I haven't much listened Metroid Metal but it has two magic words; Metroid + Metal.

Can anyone confirm that the pre-order is for a CD full of 320kbps mp3s? I've been to the Sponsor's Board on MetroidMetal.com and I read the topic created by Stemage concerning the 'Varia Suite' release, however, it's unclear to me as to what format the audio files will be in for the CD release.

My understanding is that the Varia Suite CD will be a regular CD. But, if you donate to Metroid Metal, you get a preview of the album as well as a bunch of other MM songs on CD in 320kbps MP3s. Two separate CDs, as far as I know!

Well, from what I read, the CD you're referring to (the one with the mp3s) costs $8, which is the same price and time length as the Varia Suite CD (assuming it's a separate releasing), and that's the source of my confusion.

I'm not sure how I missed this music. Some of it has been out for years. I liked what I heard and ordered both CDs (It appears there are two; one via donation and another via standard payment). I'd love to go to the live show, but it'd take me almost 3 days to drive there.

Zane is mostly correct.

The Sponsor's CD (full of 320kbps MP3s) doesn't actually cost anything - it's a gift Grant gives out to anybody that donates money to us.  I have no idea where anybody is getting the $8 cost from that.  All the music on there is already freely available on the site at 192kbps, so we have no reason to actually sell/market it.

Varia Suite on the other hand DOES cost $8, and is full of 14 completely rerecorded tracks - they're not the tracks from the website or Sponsor CD (which, once again, are the same).  It's a legit, pressed, UPC-code having, CD-quality CD.  There are no MP3s anywhere near it.  You can listen for yourself here: http://metroidmetal.bandcamp.com/ and preorder the disc here: http://www.surecords.com/metroid_metal_ … n=preorder

I don't really understand why this wasn't asked over at the MM boards, but I hope that resolves your confusion.  Also could you link me to what you were reading?  If your confusion arose from reading something on our site, we should probably fix it

The Seattle show won't be our only one (also it's sold out so please don't waste your gas ).  I'm just guessing based on your driving time, but are you on the east coast?  We all live next to the Atlantic, so you should see a show you can reasonably drive to soon.

That would be righteous! I'd love to see you guys rock out. I live near Boston and would definitely make a trip out if you were relatively nearby (i.e., closer than D.C.). Can't wait to hear the CD!!!

So... apparently Silent Uproar sent out preorders early, because I have a brand new copy of Varia Suite right here in my hands! Will post impressions later... but from the few songs I've heard so far I can't imagine them being anything other than strongly positive. \m/

OK. Yeah, so, this album is really good. I've you've heard the stuff MM has up on their songs page you'll know what to expect with this disc, except this time around Grant and the other MM boys have livened up the music by giving the songs a full studio recording and full band performance which gives the songs more breadth than they have on the MM site. That extra thickness and warmth that comes from hearing a full band boosts the new versions and makes the disc far from superfluous if you already have MP3 copies of the original arrangements.

The way Grant takes the original Metroid songs and incorporates his own signature, Failure-influenced prog-rock guitarwork melds the original melodies with original riffs in a grand way. I can't wait to fire up my amp and rock out with this disc! Unfortunately, there aren't any real new arrangements here, although there are some new solos and variations on the themes compared to the originals. I'd have to give both versions side-by-side listens to really delineate on the new features, but after one full listen I have to say that Varia Suite is sequenced wonderfully with smooth transitions, and provides a great fifty minutes of (not too) heavy metal and progressive rock that only Grant could arrange. They should have called this disc "Varia Sweet" - highly recommended!

I dig it.  I think this was pre-released at PAX, but I'm not quite sure.  Online orders technically start shipping tomorrow.  Audun got an early copy and provided a review which you can read on OSV:

http://www.originalsoundversion.com/?p=4547

Sounds like you can just go stream the entire album on the website or even VGMdb though.  Highly recommend giving it a listen and buying it!

Here's my review now that I got this:

Holy. Shit.

yeah,, for $8,, just consider it a small donation to encourage them to crank out vol II

Well put, and succinctly so!

Audun and I banged out some interview questions and he conducted an interview with Grant from MM over at OSV:

http://www.originalsoundversion.com/?p=4574

Lots of great info and well worth the read! And yeah, I'd say the same even if I didn't write some of those questions.

That about sums it up for me.  It's a terrific production all around, and the fact that the style doesn't border on extreme heavy metal makes it something I really enjoy.  I'm honestly not as proficient with the music series outside of Super Metroid (it's about the only game I've played to true completion), but it's a testament to the group's arranging and performance skills that they can make someone like me recall these themes buried deep in my subconscious, and go, "Hey, I remember those!" 

The thematic resonance of Metroid's "Brinstar" and Super Metroid's "Prelude" are my favorites, but I've become a big fan of Prime's "Phendrana Drifts" and Metroid 2's "The Tunnel."

I finally just ordered mine (don't know what took me so long!), I'm highly looking forward to it. Having listened to the samples, it's as kick-ass as I expected. It gained even more energy and got more powerful sounding.
Whoever hasn't ordered this one yet, please proceed to do so ASAP on the nearest internet terminal