The Loudness War

[amoergosum]

and the worst offender, John Mclaughlin's "Now Here This". I was so disappointed with Now Here This. The playing was great but it's exactly like those videos say. No dynamics, even the "quiet" songs can distort if driven too hard. And now if I think about ear fatigue, I think that's exactly what was happening when I listen to that record....Big Bummer...

I just checked the data online...that album has a dynamic range of DR6...awful.

[amoergosum]

[Matus]

Interesting point. Actually, Spotify has always worked great on this and even metal albums are progressively getting less crushed.

[gretsch-o-rama]

I may have found a trick that works for me with the highly compressed albums....Seems like turning the bass way down seems to help with 'nasty' feeling on your ears. Peace.

[Matus]

The latest unbearable album my ears have suffered is Soilwork's last release. It's really tiring on the ears and can't really listen to much of it. Sounds like a poor attempt to replicate Devin Townsend's sound and make it more Swedish-like, but even though he's involved in some of the production stages, the final mix and mastering is totally awful to my ears.

[amoergosum]

The latest unbearable album my ears have suffered is Soilwork's last release. It's really tiring on the ears and can't really listen to much of it. Sounds like a poor attempt to replicate Devin Townsend's sound and make it more Swedish-like, but even though he's involved in some of the production stages, the final mix and mastering is totally awful to my ears.

Yep...awful dynamic range >>>

Official DR value: DR6

Source:
http://dr.loudness-war.info/album/view/53271


Brickwalled albums are gonna give you one thing and that's ear fatigue.
Here's a great explanation...direct link >>>
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9xXzTjBt5c#t=4m28s