buried by time and dust.
Yo, I blew it! Where the F did I go?!
Life does that I suppose. Winter brought all kinds of changes my way, pretty much all in the best way which was not to be expected at all, so I suppose that ate up my time. That aside though... holy moly music consumption!
Life does that I suppose. Winter brought all kinds of changes my way, pretty much all in the best way which was not to be expected at all, so I suppose that ate up my time. That aside though... holy moly music consumption!
SUMMER WASN'T A BUMMER, BUT NOW EVERYTHING WILL BE.
Waaay long overdue posting happening RIGHT NOW. My summer was a rush. A real good one. The kind of summer that you aim to top the following year or at least match. New friends in a new city, commitments to sports twice a week, trips to Toronto several times a month, a gym membership, work bonus payouts, camping, drinking... it was a good time. But now, well, with school back in and a cold snap settling in, it's all done. That shit is so over. Vacation time was abused but now what's left needs to be saved until the new year when I'll either want to murder everyone or just hide myself away from anyone who's not already a close friend/aquaintance.
So, onto the murder ballads I suppose. Literally, in just the last 3 days or so, I've gone full-on, headlong into music again. Angry, bitter and depressing music. Some of it's stuff that I've just been lazy and ignoring, other stuff is coming my way and I can't wait. That's the thing about the summer, it just brings about shiny happy music... or MORE shiny happy music. Post-summer calls for NOT that. Metal makes me feel great, but my listening habits were severely changed by the impact of the sun. Jazz, punk, electronic(a), etc were more my speed. Anyway, here's what's been teasing my ear holes for the last little bit.
So, onto the murder ballads I suppose. Literally, in just the last 3 days or so, I've gone full-on, headlong into music again. Angry, bitter and depressing music. Some of it's stuff that I've just been lazy and ignoring, other stuff is coming my way and I can't wait. That's the thing about the summer, it just brings about shiny happy music... or MORE shiny happy music. Post-summer calls for NOT that. Metal makes me feel great, but my listening habits were severely changed by the impact of the sun. Jazz, punk, electronic(a), etc were more my speed. Anyway, here's what's been teasing my ear holes for the last little bit.
Man, THIS so much. Clearly summer moods ruined me or something 'cause how the F did I miss this? Seriously good mutant BM. I use mutant in a very loving way. Mutant in that it's throwing in a healthy dose of the post-this and post-that and the whatevers that you know aren't BM but you still like. That I still like. Seriously though. Horrible description aside, this is the best thing my ears have paid attention to in a while.
Yeah, more Windhand. I will pimp them forever if they just keep putting music out. This is their Relapse Records debut (full length, they had a split with Cough earlier). I've said all that needs to be said about these guys and gal before. RIFFS. Do you like 'em? I do, and Windhand has some for you. Lots of 'em. Big ones.
No brainer. Red Fang. May not be metal, but it's heavier rock than that shit you hear on the radio. QOTSA comparisons usually get thrown around but RF are way more fun than that. If you missed Murder The Mountains about 2 years ago, then you should go catch up before this puppy gets set loose in October.
This lumbering beast right here is so worth your patience. I wasn't incredibly stoked on their demo, but this 3-track full-length (yeah, full-length at 3-tracks... I know, it's messed man) is so incredible. As slow as my love life, as thick as... I don't know what, something thick... basically heavy as shit funeral death/doom. High order work here. The brutal death moments really add a necessary kick to the funeral pace. The mournful, downright depressing vibe, is somehow kinda... peaceful. Dare I say this record puts me at ease? It's my hateful relaxation record.
Ummmm, yeah. CARCASS. This album was most likely set-up for horrible failure. Swansong gets it's ass kicked all the time for being rock and not metal (I dig it, I just accept that it's not going to be Necroticism). Jeff Walker's other work has been questionable at best (Blackstar Rising and the Welcome To Carcass Cuntry album?). But this... THIS... is REAL GOOD. Like, Necroticism by way of Heartwork or the other way around, I'm not sure yet. I normally frown upon reunions, etc. For live shows, I get it, but for new music? Long past the prime of the band? I pass 'cause 98% of the time it's a failure on a higher level. But this... THIS... they fuckin' nailed it. Welcome back.
I'm sure I could post 800 new songs and albums that I think everyone should hear, but these are the biggies as of right now. If you need to explore more, keep your ears tuned to Ulcerate, Horseback, Gorguts, True Widow (serious bummer jamz), Wolvserpent, Pinkish Black, Raspberry Bulbs, Watain, Satyricon, Castevet, SubRosa... man, fall/winter brings out the best heavy music.
As always, even though you never will, feel free to tell me to fuck off and that my tastes are terrible.
ACTUAL KIND OF REVIEWS!
Okay okay, I'm just drunk enough and had such a terrible day at work that all I've done since I've been home is wax nostalgic in my head about so much music that I love that helps me forget about shitty days. Then I saw Josh posted something in Zombie Dolphins and I was like "yeah, I'm gonna post some shit!". So here's that shit.
FIRST though, let me forewarn you that I'm long winded and rambling. Wait, you didn't notice that yet? YES, I am. SECOND I'm seriously going to try to keep that to a minimum here. I've actually been reciting reviews in my head for about an hour and realized that I've covered no less than only 2 records in that time. That, my friends, is called rambling. Would you read any review that took 2 hours?! No F-ing way. So, I'm going to try to use simple descriptors and then just post links so you can listen and realize that my simple descriptors are spot on and that you should always trust me because I am excellent at music tastes.
Here we go...
Inter Arma - Sky Burial
Psychedelic with a post-blackened-sludge core. Huh? Yeah, I know, it's brilliant. Do you commute to work? Put this shit on and close your eyes and hope you don't miss your stop because you're travelling on some other fucking terrestrial plane. Remember how Neurosis ruined everything by being so incredible? Then remember how Isis came along, stole Neurosis' thunder and changed the game? Yeah, Inter Arma's doing that again, and fuck all y'all that ain't down yet. Also of note, check out their previous EP called Destroyer, check the Bandcamp, you'll want to do this. Big thanks to Relapse and Gilead Media for being awesome.
FIRST though, let me forewarn you that I'm long winded and rambling. Wait, you didn't notice that yet? YES, I am. SECOND I'm seriously going to try to keep that to a minimum here. I've actually been reciting reviews in my head for about an hour and realized that I've covered no less than only 2 records in that time. That, my friends, is called rambling. Would you read any review that took 2 hours?! No F-ing way. So, I'm going to try to use simple descriptors and then just post links so you can listen and realize that my simple descriptors are spot on and that you should always trust me because I am excellent at music tastes.
Here we go...
Inter Arma - Sky Burial
Psychedelic with a post-blackened-sludge core. Huh? Yeah, I know, it's brilliant. Do you commute to work? Put this shit on and close your eyes and hope you don't miss your stop because you're travelling on some other fucking terrestrial plane. Remember how Neurosis ruined everything by being so incredible? Then remember how Isis came along, stole Neurosis' thunder and changed the game? Yeah, Inter Arma's doing that again, and fuck all y'all that ain't down yet. Also of note, check out their previous EP called Destroyer, check the Bandcamp, you'll want to do this. Big thanks to Relapse and Gilead Media for being awesome.
Windhand - Windhand
RIFFS, Motherfucking RIFFS. Every doom band is a Sabbath rip-off. That's a fucking lie. When was the last time you heard fucking Vol. 4 for a second time by some other band? You fucking didn't. No one can touch Sabbath when they were fucking golden. HOWEVER, you can steal some Sabbath thunder by worshiping the RIFF. This LP is ALL RIFF. Such good RIFF. This is the shit that MAKES you nod your head. Your head doesn't have a choice. The songs already push what, like, 5-10 minutes, but if they went 20, you'd be like, "cool". SERIOUSLY. RIFFS that damn good. I read somewhere that someone said they were the heaviest band ever. I don't know if that's true, I kinda doubt it, but they do write RIFFS that you feels right down into your bones. Oh, and did I mention they have ALL clean vocals? Yeah, this shit ain't even harsh. It's pretty and perfectly suited to smoke and beers. JAM. Big ups to Forcefield for knowing what's up and again to Relapse for knowing when to buy in.
Batillus - Concrete Sustain
Remember when I posted about Batillus before? No? Well, let's try this again. Remember when Godflesh was the heaviest thing ever? No? Too young? Anyway, they were. But now it's Batillus. Crushing industrial doom. Does that sound terrible to you? Well, you're lame then. This is not lame. Batillus are NOT lame. They are F-ING HEAVY. They also have a weird "swing" about them. On their previous release they were all dirge and grind and oppressive weight. Here, somehow, they lighten the atmosphere to a moderate crush instead a full-density crush. It's almost up-tempo for them. Imagine Ministry and Godflesh making a record when both were in their angry prime. I'm talking Psalm 69 and Streetcleaner, with maybe a little Filth Pig too. Still too young to know what that means? Do your homework. Seventh Rule knows what's up, you should too. On that note, check the whole roster, paying close attention Indian. Yeah, Indian. Oh and surprise surprise, who else knows about Indian? Relapse.
There's also been , KEN mode, Eight Bells, Darkthrone (dammit, I shoulda reviewed Darkthrone... too lazy now.) and Royal Thunder and countless others that I'd love to talk about but just... I'm too drunk and lazy and correcting all of these spelling mistakes is actually just making me angry.
Good night, enjoy the music.
Oh, PS, did you hear that fucking Jeff Hanneman died?! Do you know what that means?! Every now and then I have stop for a minute and think about that. I get sad.
TAPE < REWIND
There's a flashback renaissance taking place in metal lately. It's not necessarily happening in the sound (although that will always come around to any of the sub-genres within metal), but it's happening in format. Cassettes. Tapes, if you will, seem to be the new face and format of the underground.
It's no secret that just because CD's showed up and LP's came back, doesn't mean that tapes went away. They've long proven to be a convenient and affordable source for demo material. Cheap to buy, cheap to record, cheap to distribute. They're also a great source of musical enjoyment in a lot of peoples vehicles. It really is amazing how many cars/trucks/vans still have tape-decks.
Labels like Rinocervs, Fallen Empire, Crepusculo Negro and Les Productions Heretiques have grabbed the ears of the underground with their roster of "unknown" bands cranking out some seriously foul yet righteous blends and varieties of black, death, ambient and grinding filth. Some of these cassettes are lucky to see even 100 copies made. But it creates a sort of legend in the making. If the music holds its own and word spreads enough, the next release is that much more sought after. Maybe a second or third run of cassettes gets made to cater to the slowly growing fan-base. Everything is kept on the cheap and it's all very limited. Most of the artists are not into self-promotion. Some, like on the Rhinocervs "RH-" series of tapes, choose not even to identify the artists performing. It's all an attempt to keep a shroud of mystery around what's happening and to keep the listener firmly focused on the music and not any image or story, etc. It's up to the fan to be seeking out this new music and it's their reward to get it at a low price and be a part of something via their small contribution.
I could give my own opinion on the validity of tapes in a digital culture, but I'd rather just let the music from these releases do the speaking. Whether or not I'm in any sort of internal debate over diving back into cassettes has nothing to do with my thorough enjoyment of much of what I've heard from these labels and artists.
I'd also like to mention Tank Crimes. They may not be as KVLT as all of these labels, but they're my go-to for sweet punk and thrash. They've got it right when it comes to prices, variety and quality. That Bent Sea tape is sick. Also of note, Gevurah (the final music sample) have an EP coming out soon through Profound Lore Records, hands down, the most important metal label in activity right now. http://www.profoundlorerecords.com/the-path-of-gevurah/
So here, a small preview of what the underground is offering us at prices that top out at about $8.
It's no secret that just because CD's showed up and LP's came back, doesn't mean that tapes went away. They've long proven to be a convenient and affordable source for demo material. Cheap to buy, cheap to record, cheap to distribute. They're also a great source of musical enjoyment in a lot of peoples vehicles. It really is amazing how many cars/trucks/vans still have tape-decks.
Labels like Rinocervs, Fallen Empire, Crepusculo Negro and Les Productions Heretiques have grabbed the ears of the underground with their roster of "unknown" bands cranking out some seriously foul yet righteous blends and varieties of black, death, ambient and grinding filth. Some of these cassettes are lucky to see even 100 copies made. But it creates a sort of legend in the making. If the music holds its own and word spreads enough, the next release is that much more sought after. Maybe a second or third run of cassettes gets made to cater to the slowly growing fan-base. Everything is kept on the cheap and it's all very limited. Most of the artists are not into self-promotion. Some, like on the Rhinocervs "RH-" series of tapes, choose not even to identify the artists performing. It's all an attempt to keep a shroud of mystery around what's happening and to keep the listener firmly focused on the music and not any image or story, etc. It's up to the fan to be seeking out this new music and it's their reward to get it at a low price and be a part of something via their small contribution.
I could give my own opinion on the validity of tapes in a digital culture, but I'd rather just let the music from these releases do the speaking. Whether or not I'm in any sort of internal debate over diving back into cassettes has nothing to do with my thorough enjoyment of much of what I've heard from these labels and artists.
I'd also like to mention Tank Crimes. They may not be as KVLT as all of these labels, but they're my go-to for sweet punk and thrash. They've got it right when it comes to prices, variety and quality. That Bent Sea tape is sick. Also of note, Gevurah (the final music sample) have an EP coming out soon through Profound Lore Records, hands down, the most important metal label in activity right now. http://www.profoundlorerecords.com/the-path-of-gevurah/
So here, a small preview of what the underground is offering us at prices that top out at about $8.
Rhinocervs:
https://soundcloud.com/rhinocervs
http://rhinocervs.blogspot.ca/
Crepesculo Negro:
https://soundcloud.com/blacktwilight
http://crepusculonegro.blogspot.ca/
Fallen Empire:
http://bandcamp.fallenempirerecords.com/
http://www.fallenempirerecords.com/
Les Productions Heretiques:
http://productionsheretiques.com/
Tank Crimes:
http://downloads.tankcrimes.com/
http://www.tankcrimes.com/
https://soundcloud.com/rhinocervs
http://rhinocervs.blogspot.ca/
Crepesculo Negro:
https://soundcloud.com/blacktwilight
http://crepusculonegro.blogspot.ca/
Fallen Empire:
http://bandcamp.fallenempirerecords.com/
http://www.fallenempirerecords.com/
Les Productions Heretiques:
http://productionsheretiques.com/
Tank Crimes:
http://downloads.tankcrimes.com/
http://www.tankcrimes.com/
RAD-LY LATELY
Been a minute since I posted anything. Haven't had too much of an opinion on anything music related in a while, so I thought it worthwhile to at least share what's been all up in my earholes as of recent.
Metal-wise, I got a couple sweet records in the mail in the past week. I finally got my Bosse-De-Nage "III" LP which I'm pretty sure was pre-ordered way back in like, October or earlier. The label had a bad run of multiple rejected test pressings. I'd picked up the CD in the meantime since I'm so damn impatient, but I'm still quite happy to now have this on double vinyl.
Metal-wise, I got a couple sweet records in the mail in the past week. I finally got my Bosse-De-Nage "III" LP which I'm pretty sure was pre-ordered way back in like, October or earlier. The label had a bad run of multiple rejected test pressings. I'd picked up the CD in the meantime since I'm so damn impatient, but I'm still quite happy to now have this on double vinyl.
Along with that record I scooped up another double LP on a whim. Njiqahdda "The Path of Liberation from Birth and Death". I literally previewed one song from it and bought it. I'm very happy with it. There's really nothing more satisfying than taking a chance and having it pay off, y'know?
I got two CD's in the mail just the other day as well. Both records I was incredibly stoked for and both have proven to be excellent over the course of 2 days, ha. Batillus "Concrete Sustain" and Eight Bells "The Captain's Daughter".
Batillus are maybe the heaviest band right now. Seriously. Remember when Godflesh was the heaviest thing? Now it's Batillus. They take that Godflesh industrial pounding and slow it down to a doomed crawl. It's the sound of a ruined industrial wasteland coming to sentient life and lumbering over everything in its path. It's also catchy as hell somehow. They picked up the pace moderately from their previous album "Furnace" and managed to cut song lengths down by a minute or two to lessen the burden, but it has in no way affected the weight of this music.
I got two CD's in the mail just the other day as well. Both records I was incredibly stoked for and both have proven to be excellent over the course of 2 days, ha. Batillus "Concrete Sustain" and Eight Bells "The Captain's Daughter".
Batillus are maybe the heaviest band right now. Seriously. Remember when Godflesh was the heaviest thing? Now it's Batillus. They take that Godflesh industrial pounding and slow it down to a doomed crawl. It's the sound of a ruined industrial wasteland coming to sentient life and lumbering over everything in its path. It's also catchy as hell somehow. They picked up the pace moderately from their previous album "Furnace" and managed to cut song lengths down by a minute or two to lessen the burden, but it has in no way affected the weight of this music.
Eight Bells are new to me and I took a chance on them after listening to a couple tracks. Mostly instrumental sludge and mixed up respectably with some psychedelics. Not much to say about it yet. I just really enjoy it. When the vocals do come in, it's mostly clean singing with a burst of shouts. It's metal after all.
It's not a new one, but I've revisited Cannabis Corpse "Tube of the Resinated" a lot lately. I just joined the gym recently and for reasons unknown to me, this is what I thought would be great to get pumped to. I was right. Dude, seriously? This is the shizz. Don't knock the "other" Corpse until you've given them a chance. All of their releases have been excellent homages to that classic 90's Florida Death Metal sound. They may come across as a joke in name and theme, but musically, this is top notch. This album in particular is the one that "resinates" with me the most.
I also picked up my most anticipated metal release of the year, only to be sorrily disappointed. Kvelertak "Meir". Man, bummer. And not even like full on bad-bummer, just not all-that-good-bummer. It's not a bad record at all, but it really lacks that... kick... that the debut had. I think maybe this one could grow on me with time. It's got more of a classic-rock, 80's metal lean to it. Like thin Lizzy or Judas Priest tandem guitar work stuff. And that's awesome, 'cause I love that, but the hooks just aren't... quite right? Not quite catchy enough or something. I dunno. Kinda bummed over it. The first two "singles" were very well chosen. At least it's got more sweet John Baizley artwork. Worth the price of the purchase I suppose.
On the non-metal tip, there was the new Charles Bradley record "Victim of Love", I finally scooped a copy of Tame Impala "Lonerism", The Men "New Moon" and if I didn't mention it before somewhere, Pissed Jeans "Honeys". Seriously though, "Honeys". Gotta check that out. It's a hardcore punk fun time. Pissed Jeans bring the mopey grunge-core like no one else. They are the best thing to happen to the 90's outside of the 90's. When I hear them, I feel like I'm 15 again. I wanna get drunk and get retarded. I also think that Matt Korvette writes the best lyrics in ever. Even if you don't like the music, read the lyrics. So much fun.
Yeah, so that's it. I think I'm gonna go watch a movie or something. I'll leave you with my favourite gif of the moment though. A little known-secret, I love dog and cat gifs.
Intronaut - habitual levitations (full album stream)
Not sure how long this will be up and running, so if you like your progged-out sludge metal, you should listen ASAP. Intronaut are one of the best up-and-comers. Their last album killed it, the previous to that killed it as well. They're on tour with Meshuggah and Animals As Leaders right now, so that might let you know what class they fit in with. Put on your headphones, smoke some smoke and give some time to this. You will be greatly rewarded for it.
Mix fail.
Well, forget that mix. After only 2 downloads it was flagged as copyrighted (copy written?) material. So yeah. No sharing the love of metal. Here's some Bandcamp/Soundcloud/Grooveshark/YouTube links for the stuff that's out there streaming. Guess that keeps it "legal". 'Cause y'know, one song in a mix on a blog that my own friends don't read, meant to spark some interest will most definitely ruin the career of (an) artist(s) who work(s) (a) day-job(s) and make(s) more money off t-shirts. Sorry.
SUBSTITUTION: Couldn't find a stream of On A Banquet Table, so there's this at least. Also a good song, just not as awesome as the former >
There... guess it's like the same thing. Here's the awesome album cover I had too. It's where I took the mix title from. It's a brain aneurysm... or some part of it. Yay science.
BEWC - Volume 1
I think the best way for me to really get this page going is to just give out a sample of what is to be expected from me musically. This first mix is just a snapshot of what I've been listening to over the course of these wintry months. I'm offering up some black metal, avant-garde and doom with a moderate dose of "post" and "core". I don't think too much of what's on offer here is going to fall in line with strict guidelines by any sub-genre's classification.
Here's the track-listing and my summaries of each track.
Panopticon - Bodies Under the Falls - Kentucky (2012) > Traditional roots and bluegrass instrumentation mingling with full on black metal aesthetic. Totally off-putting at first, then totally absorbing. Between 5:00 and 7:00 you almost forget that you were at one point listening to blistering BM. The entire album is a beautiful thing. Also, an homage to Kentucky as a home, its heritage and its struggles in the Appalachian mining regions.
Bosse-de-nage - Desuetude - III (2012) > I probably can't accurately describe the B-D-N sound, but US Black Metal and Mogwai style post-rock being kneaded together is the best I can come up with. The agonized hollers would turn away the "post"-ers, but the memorable riffs and powerful drums should hold your attention. I fell in love with this band with their album "II". Yeah, they don't even name their albums.
Aluk Todolo - Occult Rock VI - Occult Rock (2012) > All instrumental "dark" rock. Two discs of what seems like an extended hypnotic jam. Another "post" something-ish thing going on here. No track titles, every one is just Occult Rock I-VIII. This isn't some hippy shit though. I feel like this music requires a lot of smoke and stark white light to contrast nothing but impenetrable blackness.
Gaza - Hospital Fat Bags - I Don't Care Where I Go When I Die (2006) > Raging grindcore with a heavy comedown. Gaza kills with reckless abandon. Comparisons to Converge and Trap Them pop up regularly, but make no mistake, Gaza are their own beast. This track stuck out immediately upon first listen.
Leviathan - The Fourth Blind Wound - The Blind Wound (2008) > I think this particular track has a depressing vibe. It's probably fair to say that a lot of Leviathan's work does, but on this track in particular, it's warm and embracing, despite it's furious pace. The final 2 1/2 minutes really do it for me. The bass-line sucks me in. It almost sounds funky or soulful. Not at all what would be expected from Leviathan or any Black Metal.
Pallbearer - Devoid of Redemption - Sorrow and Extinction (2012) > Hands down, one of the best albums of all 2012. Crushing weight, a somber tone. Haunting, kinda Ozzy-esque vocals. Ears that would normally avoid heavy music could probably be woo-ed by Pallbearer. Even my mom asked what was playing instead of saying "turn that shit down!"
Yamantaka//Sonic Titan - A Star Over Pureland - YT//ST (2012) > Incredible avant-garde rock via Montreal. I can't even recall how I came across this. Most likely via some other blog (most likely the excellent and bizarre Weird Canada). By their own description they are "a psychedelic noh-wave opera group fusing noise, metal, pop and folk music into a multidisciplinary hyper-orientalist cesspool of 'east' meets 'west' culture clash in giant monochrome paper sets". Sure. Whatever they want to call themselves, it's awesome. Saw them live and the more metal side of the sound became much more apparent. Sweet buzzing Sunlight tones all over the place. This track in particular had all the hipsters head banging un-ironically.
Deathspell Omega - The Crackled Book of Life - Drought (2012) > France's DSO are normally almost claustrophobic in their sound. Dense and twisting Black Metal. On the Drought EP they opened their sound up a bit more. A logical progression from their preceding album, Paracletus, which was in turn a progression from its predecessor, etc. Always moving forward and never losing ground has kept DSO very interesting and genre leaders. While some may argue that they're not strict BM, calling them anything less would leave them without definition. Actually, maybe that's for the better.
A Pregnant Light - On a Banquet Table - APL/OLQ (2012) > I know nothing about this band. They put out this cassette (which is a split with another band unknown to me, Obscure Lupine Quietus). I just know that on first listen I was all-in. Another USBM win. The riffs are addictive. I'm so grateful that the song doesn't end when it seems like it should.
Krallice - IIIIIIIIII - Years Past Matter (2012) > One of the most prolific and arguably most technically proficient bands in US metal. An album a year pretty much. I could rant and rave about Krallice since they make the music I turn to most, but I'll try to keep it short and sweet. They have no peers. It's black metal and death metal aesthetic meets technical precision and actual FEELING. This music is absorbing. It's not wasted noodles and trickery. This is not showing-off. Like Weird Al in UHF with his plate of mashed potatoes, "This means something. This is important." Yes, I know that that in itself is a "Close Encounters..." reference.
Windhand - Winter Sun - Windhand (2011) > Often overlooked in the shadow of a band like Pallbearer, Windhand's doom is of a similar ilk, albeit a little more actually traditional. Riffs, man, RIFFS. Giant, buzzing riffs. The ultimate in slow-rocking head-nod-ability. I've read reviews saying that they might be the "heaviest" band out there. People gush about the "tones". I don't know anything about that, but it doesn't seem unfair either.
GET IT: BEWC - Vol. 1 (Cerebral Aneurysm - The Blood, The Body, The Brain)
So there ya have it. 11 songs in 1.5 hours. As if I'd even have to say it, but I will, if you are so moved by anything that you hear here, please do some research and purchase it. No one on this list is a superstar. To keep the music coming, they need your $5 or whetever.
I have no plans on making this a download blog, so please, no requests. However, feel free to leave me some feedback. Do you like what you hear? Do I write like an imbecile? Are you angry with Ben and Josh for giving me this page and wasting your time?
Here's the track-listing and my summaries of each track.
Panopticon - Bodies Under the Falls - Kentucky (2012) > Traditional roots and bluegrass instrumentation mingling with full on black metal aesthetic. Totally off-putting at first, then totally absorbing. Between 5:00 and 7:00 you almost forget that you were at one point listening to blistering BM. The entire album is a beautiful thing. Also, an homage to Kentucky as a home, its heritage and its struggles in the Appalachian mining regions.
Bosse-de-nage - Desuetude - III (2012) > I probably can't accurately describe the B-D-N sound, but US Black Metal and Mogwai style post-rock being kneaded together is the best I can come up with. The agonized hollers would turn away the "post"-ers, but the memorable riffs and powerful drums should hold your attention. I fell in love with this band with their album "II". Yeah, they don't even name their albums.
Aluk Todolo - Occult Rock VI - Occult Rock (2012) > All instrumental "dark" rock. Two discs of what seems like an extended hypnotic jam. Another "post" something-ish thing going on here. No track titles, every one is just Occult Rock I-VIII. This isn't some hippy shit though. I feel like this music requires a lot of smoke and stark white light to contrast nothing but impenetrable blackness.
Gaza - Hospital Fat Bags - I Don't Care Where I Go When I Die (2006) > Raging grindcore with a heavy comedown. Gaza kills with reckless abandon. Comparisons to Converge and Trap Them pop up regularly, but make no mistake, Gaza are their own beast. This track stuck out immediately upon first listen.
Leviathan - The Fourth Blind Wound - The Blind Wound (2008) > I think this particular track has a depressing vibe. It's probably fair to say that a lot of Leviathan's work does, but on this track in particular, it's warm and embracing, despite it's furious pace. The final 2 1/2 minutes really do it for me. The bass-line sucks me in. It almost sounds funky or soulful. Not at all what would be expected from Leviathan or any Black Metal.
Pallbearer - Devoid of Redemption - Sorrow and Extinction (2012) > Hands down, one of the best albums of all 2012. Crushing weight, a somber tone. Haunting, kinda Ozzy-esque vocals. Ears that would normally avoid heavy music could probably be woo-ed by Pallbearer. Even my mom asked what was playing instead of saying "turn that shit down!"
Yamantaka//Sonic Titan - A Star Over Pureland - YT//ST (2012) > Incredible avant-garde rock via Montreal. I can't even recall how I came across this. Most likely via some other blog (most likely the excellent and bizarre Weird Canada). By their own description they are "a psychedelic noh-wave opera group fusing noise, metal, pop and folk music into a multidisciplinary hyper-orientalist cesspool of 'east' meets 'west' culture clash in giant monochrome paper sets". Sure. Whatever they want to call themselves, it's awesome. Saw them live and the more metal side of the sound became much more apparent. Sweet buzzing Sunlight tones all over the place. This track in particular had all the hipsters head banging un-ironically.
Deathspell Omega - The Crackled Book of Life - Drought (2012) > France's DSO are normally almost claustrophobic in their sound. Dense and twisting Black Metal. On the Drought EP they opened their sound up a bit more. A logical progression from their preceding album, Paracletus, which was in turn a progression from its predecessor, etc. Always moving forward and never losing ground has kept DSO very interesting and genre leaders. While some may argue that they're not strict BM, calling them anything less would leave them without definition. Actually, maybe that's for the better.
A Pregnant Light - On a Banquet Table - APL/OLQ (2012) > I know nothing about this band. They put out this cassette (which is a split with another band unknown to me, Obscure Lupine Quietus). I just know that on first listen I was all-in. Another USBM win. The riffs are addictive. I'm so grateful that the song doesn't end when it seems like it should.
Krallice - IIIIIIIIII - Years Past Matter (2012) > One of the most prolific and arguably most technically proficient bands in US metal. An album a year pretty much. I could rant and rave about Krallice since they make the music I turn to most, but I'll try to keep it short and sweet. They have no peers. It's black metal and death metal aesthetic meets technical precision and actual FEELING. This music is absorbing. It's not wasted noodles and trickery. This is not showing-off. Like Weird Al in UHF with his plate of mashed potatoes, "This means something. This is important." Yes, I know that that in itself is a "Close Encounters..." reference.
Windhand - Winter Sun - Windhand (2011) > Often overlooked in the shadow of a band like Pallbearer, Windhand's doom is of a similar ilk, albeit a little more actually traditional. Riffs, man, RIFFS. Giant, buzzing riffs. The ultimate in slow-rocking head-nod-ability. I've read reviews saying that they might be the "heaviest" band out there. People gush about the "tones". I don't know anything about that, but it doesn't seem unfair either.
GET IT: BEWC - Vol. 1 (Cerebral Aneurysm - The Blood, The Body, The Brain)
So there ya have it. 11 songs in 1.5 hours. As if I'd even have to say it, but I will, if you are so moved by anything that you hear here, please do some research and purchase it. No one on this list is a superstar. To keep the music coming, they need your $5 or whetever.
I have no plans on making this a download blog, so please, no requests. However, feel free to leave me some feedback. Do you like what you hear? Do I write like an imbecile? Are you angry with Ben and Josh for giving me this page and wasting your time?
By Endurance We Conquer
The Past Reborns the Storms.
I've always loved that song title (Sepultura - Schizophrenia - 1987). It has nothing, and yet everything, to do with what this page will be about. This will be about the meandering enjoyment of all things METAL. Or, perhaps more accurately, all things HEAVY in music.
Metal itself, as a genre, is just too damn massive. I love it to death, more than any other genre, but it's basically a labyrinth. One persons definition of Metal will most likely NOT be another persons. There are so many directions that Metal music goes off in, so many styles, varieties, sub-genres and their sub-sub-genres. You can get lost and never come back. It can be a constant and engaging discovery or it can lead to dead ends, with little to no innovation and repetitive boredom. No more or less than any other genre I suppose, but if your thing is Ukrainian porno-grind and you can't discover any new bands, or the ones you trust starting losing their edge... well... that's gotta suck.
Luckily, I'm all about variety. Aside from my particular gravity towards the extreme and underground (Black, Death, Doom, Grind, etc) I don't get too particular in my tastes. I find myself drawn to bands that challenge any rigid formulas or standards. I have nothing against the tried and true, I just find it less interesting in the long run, since so many will be repeating that course. I really latch onto bands who carve unique little niches for themselves.
I also, admittedly, don't favour ONLY Metal in my life. I was raised on classic rock, grew up through the meteoric rise and popularity of rap & hip hop, saw the 80's come and go and re-birth themselves through the pop-stars of the 90's through to today. I was there at the birth of Grunge. I lived it and loved it and swear to this day nothing more musically important has crossed my path. I was introduced to jazz, classical and soul music, real classic R&B (maybe, possibly, my second musical love). Among all of those I definitely have my favourites and passions, but none of the above touches my LOVE of METAL. It's my lifeblood.
Maybe I'll review something. Maybe I'll rant about something. I'm not yet sure what's going to come of this. I know it will be about heavy music. Maybe somehow it'll tie into the bigger picture of this blog's horror/sci-fi/fantasy base. It should come as no surprise that Metal does in fact very much tie into those themes, it's just going to be my problem to figure out how I can deliver what I want to say about it.
I have below some pictures to share of my collection of music and movies that I've acquired since about... November through to now. 25 CD's, 21 films (3 of them box sets), 23 LP's. This is my addiction. I consume music and movie products like food. This is just a snapshot of my tastes and a good idea of the kind of stuff I'll discuss on this page.
For now, let me leave you with something terrible to ruin your night. I personally can't stand this "noise" (my old-man self comes out every now and then), but as far as maniacal and torturous music goes, I think these guys are the creme-de-la-creme... or something.
Sleep tight.
I've always loved that song title (Sepultura - Schizophrenia - 1987). It has nothing, and yet everything, to do with what this page will be about. This will be about the meandering enjoyment of all things METAL. Or, perhaps more accurately, all things HEAVY in music.
Metal itself, as a genre, is just too damn massive. I love it to death, more than any other genre, but it's basically a labyrinth. One persons definition of Metal will most likely NOT be another persons. There are so many directions that Metal music goes off in, so many styles, varieties, sub-genres and their sub-sub-genres. You can get lost and never come back. It can be a constant and engaging discovery or it can lead to dead ends, with little to no innovation and repetitive boredom. No more or less than any other genre I suppose, but if your thing is Ukrainian porno-grind and you can't discover any new bands, or the ones you trust starting losing their edge... well... that's gotta suck.
Luckily, I'm all about variety. Aside from my particular gravity towards the extreme and underground (Black, Death, Doom, Grind, etc) I don't get too particular in my tastes. I find myself drawn to bands that challenge any rigid formulas or standards. I have nothing against the tried and true, I just find it less interesting in the long run, since so many will be repeating that course. I really latch onto bands who carve unique little niches for themselves.
I also, admittedly, don't favour ONLY Metal in my life. I was raised on classic rock, grew up through the meteoric rise and popularity of rap & hip hop, saw the 80's come and go and re-birth themselves through the pop-stars of the 90's through to today. I was there at the birth of Grunge. I lived it and loved it and swear to this day nothing more musically important has crossed my path. I was introduced to jazz, classical and soul music, real classic R&B (maybe, possibly, my second musical love). Among all of those I definitely have my favourites and passions, but none of the above touches my LOVE of METAL. It's my lifeblood.
Maybe I'll review something. Maybe I'll rant about something. I'm not yet sure what's going to come of this. I know it will be about heavy music. Maybe somehow it'll tie into the bigger picture of this blog's horror/sci-fi/fantasy base. It should come as no surprise that Metal does in fact very much tie into those themes, it's just going to be my problem to figure out how I can deliver what I want to say about it.
I have below some pictures to share of my collection of music and movies that I've acquired since about... November through to now. 25 CD's, 21 films (3 of them box sets), 23 LP's. This is my addiction. I consume music and movie products like food. This is just a snapshot of my tastes and a good idea of the kind of stuff I'll discuss on this page.
For now, let me leave you with something terrible to ruin your night. I personally can't stand this "noise" (my old-man self comes out every now and then), but as far as maniacal and torturous music goes, I think these guys are the creme-de-la-creme... or something.
Sleep tight.