Thursday, February 28, 2019

Video: "Snake Man" by Heartsick

Look, let's be honest. Right now, it's February and half of the time I'm complaining that the weather is either too hot or too cold. So in other words, the world is full of confusion for me right now.

Perhaps I'm in on a weird track, but you can keep yourself sane by accepting that the world is going to burn after we fry like worms on the sidewalk.

In the meantime....check out Heartsick. They're a DIY metal band out of Michigan and you're going to be hard pressed to see a better video, even from the big boys, right about  now.

You can check out their new record at BANDCAMP. While you're there, think about making a long term commitment to friendship with them via the FACEBOOK.

Beer Thirty with Bill Miller from Age of Truth

Age of Truth
It's really starting to seem like my future move to Philadelphia is the right idea for me as a metalhead.

More and more...bands from the City of Brotherly Love are coming into the queue of my personal conciousness and they're really kicking a lot of ass.

We all know that I love St. Louis, but and I'm sorry Redbait and Torchlight Parade, our local metal scene kind of sucks.

Yet we have a strong metal show going community.

Like, Heavy Metal Kilt Guy, we all know him. I've seen that guy in at least 5 different clubs.

But back to Philly, the loving city where fans huck batteries at baseball players....let's talk about Age of Truth. Check out their latest record, Threshold on BANDCAMP.

Now, let's have a couple beers!

Wednesday, February 27, 2019

LP Review: "Cease To Exist" by Noisem

Cease To Exist
A little over four years ago, your friend and humble narrator was sitting upon a stool in the famed Pop's Saloon in order to review Obituary and Carcass.

Another familiar name was on that bill as well, Exhumed, but some kids from Baltimore were opening the show.

Guess what!

It was Noisem. They were an entertaining lot, but the bands and I disagreed about the young gents from the East Coast.

Many glowing superlatives were sent their way throughout the rest of the evening.

Their next album though, I reviewed that and it was spectacular. Now, here we are again, and I'm telling you about how great Noisem continues to be. Cease To Exist is one of the absolute best grindcore albums I've ever heard, but it might be straight death metal.

Or is it thrash? And Noisem, that recurring homage to Seasons In The Abyss? That was truly a genius touch. But when you're in the mood for some metal that'll cut  through your femur, Noisem has you covered and by the looks of it, they'll have us covered for decades to come.

RELEASE 3/15/19 BANDCAMP FACEBOOK

Classic Spins with Negative Wall's Don Cole

Negative Wall
Black Doomba Records is about to release the latest by Tommy Stewart's Negative Wall. You should check that out over at BANDCAMP.

In the meantime, let's talk about records with Don Cole, Negative Wall's six string slinger.

There's even a super sexy vinyl edition of this soon to be future classic doom metal.

1. My favorite kind of album is the concept album. The Wall is my absolute favorite. 

Beyond the amazing songs, it has spectacular nostalgia for me. What's your favorite one and why?

Concept albums are very cool. I've always liked 2112 by Rush, it has great songs, it was one of the albums I learned to play guitar with when I was 12 years old. 

Tuesday, February 26, 2019

Video: "Swallow The Dust" by Spitfish

Let's talk about Gdansk, Poland. What do you know about this coastal city? I know that David Gilmour recorded a live album there. Though, could've been called Pink Floyd as there were two Floydians.

Naturally, we all know that Poland is pretty metal. So, let's talk for a bit about Gdansk's native sons, Spitfish.

They're a rock/metal hybrid thing that's almost doom metal. You can listen to them below or check out their album, Penny Dreadful, on SPOTIFY. Not surprisingly, you can also connect with them on FACEBOOK.

Bookin' It with Paul of Malphas

Malphas
If you didn't know, yes, it's true, I love Philadelphia. In fact today on the internets, we were comparing the Philly train map to the St. Louis train map.

To make a long story short, when discussing cities and their light rail systems, St. Louis's trains don't even come up.

Philly though, you get on that train all the over place and get Cheese Steaks. 

But today we're talking to Malphas. They're a band from that previously mentioned city. In fact, it's popping up a lot lately, but these guys? They recently released their awesome LP, The 39th Spirit on Via Nocturna.

You can shop that stuff HERE.

Monday, February 25, 2019

LP Review: "Wanderer" by Marsh Dweller

Wanderer
For posterity's sake, this album was released in October of last year via Eiwhaz Recordings.

This year, the venerable cassette label, Tridroid Records, is re-releasing it via that particular format.

For the purpose of clarity, this album is being reviewed via the digital files and not the cassette tape...as I don't really know if I have a deck.

Marsh Dweller is essentially the solo project of one, John Kerr. He plays all the instruments and sings all the vocals.

Unlike some other solo jaunts, he is playing the drums. His press photos show him at the kit. Nice touch.

Truth in advertising is all I'm really wanting in this world. In this case, Marsh Dweller have completely done that. Wanderer is the perfect title for this album. In the basest terms, it's a black metal record, but in a broader term, it's immense.

No stone is left unturned. Musically this is an an odyssey. There was a point when it got really mellow. It made me wonder my stream got messed up and turned into another band. (NOTE: It did not.)

Anyone looking for paint by numbers music should jog on, but those of us who feast on adventure will find this to be an all you can eat buffet.

RELEASE 3/1/19 BANDCAMP

Interview with Junkpile Jimmy

Junkpile Jimmy
It's time to return to Alberhill, California in order to speak intergalactic time criminal, Junkpile Jimmy once again.

You may not recall now, but this gentlemen sent me a copy of his insanely crazy record that's all kinds of insane. We're talking Rimmer on a date insane.

Something happened though, between the original transmission of this interview to my fingers receiving the answers.

Here's how you know it's a time warp...when I asked the last question, the St. Louis Blues were the worst hockey team in the NHL....and not a team (as of this writing) riding an ELEVEN GAME WINNING STREAK!

So, onto the insane death metal that's clearly nuts.

Glacially Musical: Thank you for taking some time for me today.

Junkpile Jimmy:
No prob, it's an honor!

GM: Let's start off easy and let's all be chill and peaceful. With that being said, what is wrong with you? It appears you're insane.

Friday, February 22, 2019

LP Review: "Carrier of Weight" by Eremit

Carrier of Weight
It's a rather common occurrence for me to get ready to lower the boom of doom metal.

Atmospheric doom sludge metal...There are probably several other adverbs that could be tacked onto their description.

Whatever they should be called, they are awesome. This album  has three tracks, two discs, and a Delores. (Just kidding about Delores.)

Track three clocks in at over 33 minutes in length.

Eremit has the ability to play a riff longer than than they should, to get it droning on, but somehow making it never lose its power. This makes the following riffs even more powerful.

This is the kind of record that's perfect for a midweek decompression. The vibrato laden fuzz tones will take you to altered states of consciousness and that will save you some money on beer....or whatever.

RELEASE 2/25/19 BANDCAMP FACEBOOK

Classic Spins with Basilysk

Basilysk
One of my favorite cities, and most likely my future home once everyone I know here in St. Louis has died, is Philadelphia, PA.

In the last few years, the City of Brotherly Love has been crushing out some amazing death metal. Seems about right doesn't it?

Philadelphia banging on about death metal? Yeah, that's prefect.

There's a new kid on the death metal block up there. If you've not heard of Basilysk, check out my REVIEW and based on that, but it at BANDCAMP.

1. My favorite kind of album is the concept album. The Wall is my absolute favorite. Beyond the amazing songs, it has spectacular nostalgia for me. What's your favorite one and why?

Basilysk is extremely stoked about our upcoming EmergencE album, because it is a twisted conceptual journey. It begins with the buzz of cicadas emerging to welcome the listener into the summer realm of our fiery metal symphonies. 

Thursday, February 21, 2019

Stream: "Amnesia/My Wall" by Grass

You know what gets me into trouble on the internet?

Things being a little bit too vague. It's important sometimes to just put your things out there in the way they are. There's naught wrong with being on the nose if you're trying to get people to join your cause.

The Comrades in Grass feel like brothers in arms to me because they named their band, their album, and did their artwork to be very clear about what's going on here.

They're going to pummel you with grooves thicker than the smoke that's coming out of the back of their Orange Amps.

Check it out below and get over to BANDCAMP.

Foods We Love with Huelga

Huelga
Who reading this doesn't love some progressive metal?

Heavy Metal has existed for going on five decades now and there's always been an element of complexity to the music. 

There's long been different levels of how progressive and how intricate songs needs to be. What would it be like if you couldn't articulate to the rest of the players how you wanted your song to go, but you could play drums?

That might be how Huelga became a one man prog metal band, but it probably isn't.

Anyway, my man likes to eat too...so let's get it on!

1. For me, lunch is usually the meal where I don't have to deal with the Napoleon of Food. So it's my favorite meal. What's your best meal of the day? 

Wednesday, February 20, 2019

LP Review: "wilt & blossom" by Cartographs

wilt & blossom
Looking back at musical genres and my attitudes over the years fills me with a bit of shame.

Nothing serious that'll cause me to shave my head and self flagellate with my own Levi's 501's...but enough to cause a reflective shaking of the head.

The Post term, often derided by me as Post Toasties metal was the supreme way to ensure your record to remain unspun here.

Post Metal? How could that even be? Metal still exists. Well, the answer to that question remains as elusive as the Leprechaun's Pot of Gold...

Cartographs is one of those bands, should you take my meaning. As more and more of these Post-Metal bands invades my headspace, the feeling of misery really takes an effect with me.

Stilted arpeggios and thundering vocals leave little to be desired. The record switches between flowing chords and slightly dissonant melodic passages. Regardless of the tactic they chose, the effect was always instantaneous and powerful.

RELEASE 3/1/19 FACEBOOK

Beer Thirty With Malacoda's Vlad Prokhorov

Are you familiar with the strange beings of Malacoda?

They're from a town in Ontario...Oaklville. Honestly, that superfluous L quite bothers me. There's no reason for that L to exist unless the city of Oaklville, ON was in some sort of feud with Oakville, Manitoba.

This scenario only works if Oaklville is in the part of Ontario that threatened secession in order to join Manitoba. It's the area of Canada I refer to as Manitario.

But I'm fairly certain no one else does.

In the mean time, get your horror rock on with them...but first let's have a beer.


1. My personal favorite beer style is the might Double India Pale Ale. The best DIPA in the world is STLIPA by Urban Chestnut. 

Tell me about your favorite style.

Tuesday, February 19, 2019

Video: "Glory In Gloom" by Junkpile Jimmy

Have you ever heard something so out of the blue, you just had to tell every single human being on the planet Xenon about it? Well, that's how Junkpile Jimmy struck me.

Unfortunately, my home planet doesn't have friendly affairs with the said planet of Xenon, though they love all sorts of music, they don't much cotton to outsiders. It's such a strange thing.

Anyway, the rest of the people of the galaxy will have the luxury of meeting and listnening to Junkpile Jimmy. Then they can decide for themselves.

But seriously, ORDER THE RECORD! 

Bookin' It with Grehhawk's Rev Taylor

Greyhawk
We are checking back in with Seattle, Washington's Greyhawk.

They're a power metal band like you read about.

If you didn't drink a beer with them last time, here's the perfect time to catch up on their latest record, Ride Out.

Now, open up a book and let's read on!
1. I try to read at least two books per month, and mostly fail, what's your goal and reality?
Lately my goal has just been to read at least a little bit every day. When free time arises, it's so easy to automatically reach for a device and receive flashy stimulation, but I find there's a sense of groundedness and relaxing that can only come from reading a physical book. 

So I've been trying to remind myself to reach for a book instead of my phone when I find myself with time on my hands. Results have been mixed. I have been reading more lately, but I've also been following a facebook page which only posts pictures of raccoons.

Monday, February 18, 2019

LP Review: "Triumphant Master of Fates" by Vimur

Triumphant Master of Fates
The Vimur River is the largest of the Elivagar Rivers that were formed at the beginning of the world.

At least, that's what Norse Mythology tells us.

One would assume that this band would be more than than just some standard black metal band right?

They'd be powerful and unrelenting. Their music would be able to stand up to not just the slings and arrows of the enemies of trve kvlt vlvck metal, but the stone of time as well.

Right?

That's actually a pretty good description of what Vimur has accomplished. Being an American Black Metal band featuring the traditions of Ancient Norsemen, they straddle two worlds and the songs reflect that.

Most of the time Triumphant Master of Fates features the slightly left of center American black metal, but sometimes moves into the more traditional fares of Scandinavian bands.

RELEASE 3/1/19 PREORDER FACEBOOK

Friday, February 15, 2019

LP Review: "Northernmost" by Cold Colours

Northernmost
In a case of art imitating life, I'd like to point your ears towards a doom and death metal band from Minnesota.

Minnesota, for our international readers, is nearly the northernmost state in the United States. Unless you include: Alaska, Maine, and other freak states that aren't Minnesota.

Moving on to the next bit, Cold Colours has taken to using the superfluous U that the Angols and Canucks tend to stick in places where it doesn't belong.

It makes it hard to type your name, fellas.

A quick scan of the album's titles will show that the title track(?) is a recurring theme and is spread out all over the record itself.

Like any Doom band worth mentioning, Cold Colours oozes emotional angst. On the flipside, it also gets a bit deathy here and there with some brutal vocals. The entire album is a bit like Northern Minnesota.

It hovers between being American and being Canadian, just like this band hovers between melodious and brutal. It's a beautiful piece of art that never hesitates to show the listener its ugly side.

RELEASE 2/22/19 BANDCAMP FACEBOOK

Beer Thirty with Lords of the Trident's Fang VonWraithenstein

Lords of the Trident
Have you ever seen any of those Robin Hood movies?

I mean, you have right? Hollywood has made at least 27 different Robin Hood movies over the past forever right?

Well, what did all of those Robin Hood flicks have in common besides the ultimate power of the hood?

Oh yeah, they drank, beer, wine, and beer. Mostly beer. Friar Tuck and Little John in those movies surely enjoyed himself some beer.

You know who else enjoys beer? Fang Von Wraithenstein of the mighty power metal band, Lords of the Trident.

If you're still on the fence, go get Shadows from the Past now. It can be had on DIGITAL or on god's own format...VINYL.

Anyhoo...let's get to the beer.

Thursday, February 14, 2019

Video: "My Guide My Hunger" by Hell's Guardian

Riding high on the release of their latest effort, As Above, So Below, Hell's Guardian has released the video for their latest single, My Guide My Hunger.

The track features a couple notable guests.

Adrienne  Cowan of Seven Spiers and Marco Pastorino of Temperance both add their vocal talents to the mix to make this a big single.

Check it out below and plop your Euros down over at BANDCAMP if you dig the tune.

Hometown Tales with Wills Dissolve

Wills Dissolve
It's been a minute since we've check in with Houston's own, Wills Dissolve. Their progressive metal has hopefully captured your soul and flushed it down to the underworld by now right?

No?

Hmm. What if this band had a cast of characters that have lived all over the United States and beyond?

What if they're going to tell you about Vietcajun food? (Now that...that gets me curious and nearly willing to head to Houston.)

In the meantime, don't miss out on their brilliant release. You can get that on BANDCAMP. While you're grooving to that slap of tastiness, check out the boys themselves with a bit more detail.

1. St. Louis City is my hometown. I've lived here for most of my life in and around the city. Where are you from? 

Wednesday, February 13, 2019

LP Review: "Animist" by Werian

Animist
Lately, it's been a lot of death and black metal. It's been far too long since we've made an acquaintance with a new doom metal band.

Well, Germany's Werian is definitely a doom metal band who's got hands I'd like to shake.

To get it all out of the way, Animist is an album based on one of the oldest religions in the world. It even pre-dates Christianity's roots, which are only about 4,000 years old anyway.

The record is comprised of three tracks. Three supersized tracks. Long form metal is the best kind of metal.

Over the course of forty four minutes, Werian weaves spells of doom and death with ambitiously progressive songs.

Arpeggios? Chunking chords? Whispered vocals? These things and more are all here. One of the things you won't find though, double bass blast beats.

Werian's latest opus isn't out to beat you over the head to prove to you how metal it is. They aren't screaming in the square, but they're waging a whisper campaign to convert you into Animism. It's so subtle, by the time you've been convinced, you'll think it was your idea all along.

RELEASE 2/22/19 BANDCAMP FACEBOOK

Bookin It With Ciarán Neely and Davey Whiteof Pterodactyl Problems

Pterodactlyl Problems
The Torontonian quartet, Pterodactyl Problems, who've been idle lo these past five years are back.

They're bigger than ever?

They're ready to crush all our faces off with their comeback LP, Esoteric Hobbies.

You're just going to have to look into that album HERE. This disc is interesting because it's a reunion/comeback/debut album.

In the meantime, let's talk about books! 

1. I try to read at least two books per month, and mostly fail, what's your goal and reality?

C: There's no real specific amount I'd like to read, and I think it'd be hard to make a goal on that since the amount of free time I have is so inconsistent. 

I think my goals are more about how much of that free time I spend on reading. Billions of dollars are spent nowadays, figuring out how to make your electronics all as stimulating as possible, and keep your focus glued to them. 

Tuesday, February 12, 2019

Video: "Walking Divinity" by Equipoise

We're out and about today. Let's check out the latest lyric video by Technical Death Metal.. or was it Brutal Death Metal ban...Melodic?

Equipoise. There are seven people in this band. SEVEN!

Check out this slab of thunder and see what you think about preordering their new record, Demiurgis. It's out on March 8th via The Artisan Era.

Beer Thirty with Archangel A.D.

Archangel A.D.
Growing up, it was always time to bang my head. The only issue with that was when we thought that Quiet Riot was telling us to literally bang our heads on the walls....which we did...once.

Thinking about heavy, fast music, it's all about that thrash. Don't we all have a soft spot in our cold, black hearts for thrash metal? It was the first kind of metal to drop the heavy label. It was  years later when heavy came back to metal.

Then things were just brutal....but let's talk about a band from Southern Texas, Archangel A.D.

Last month they birthed their debut, Warband, in the world of the living by releasing it on CD. You should get over to BANDCAMP  and check that out.

Or, if you fear commitment, you can always put them in your friend zone on FACEBOOK.

In the mean time, we're talking to one of our new friends about beer. Our young man gives us beer tales below....

Monday, February 11, 2019

EP Review: "Upside of Sick" by Musket Hawk

Upside of Sick
A new album from Unholy Anarchy Records.

My whole life I've paid far too much attention to record labels probably, but it's paying off in this modern era because of the specialization of the modern music scene.

Here's another kind of music that honestly really doesn't make a whole lot of sense when you hear it.

Musket Hawk is a Sludge/Grindcore band.

The idea of two polar opposites existing in the same space is really cool right? Think of all the bands that have written songs with opposite titles.

Well, Upside of Sick is certainly a Black Diamond in the smooth rough.

The best thing that can be said about this album that it is precisely as advertised, if not all the time. There are times when it's straight grind and others when it's straight sludge, but when those two concepts start to get closer to the middle is when things really start to cook.

The grooves on this disc are only surpassed by the wholly unfettered slop thrash'n'death licks. Brutal and sloppy. Grooving and atonal. Musket Hawk is inescapable.

RELEASE 3/29/19 PREORDER FACEBOOK

Classic Spins with Zero Fire

Zero Fire
On March 22nd, Zero Fire is going to release their second EP via their BANDCAMP page. You'd do well to see what's going on there. 

For a paltry five dollars CANADIAN, so $3.75 USD, you can have six tracks of their well crafted, and slightly left of center metal rock.

Today's a good day to peep their stuff on FACEBOOK too.

In the meantime, let's find out what their favorite records are....

1. My favorite kind of album is the concept album. The Wall is my absolute favorite. Beyond the amazing songs, it has spectacular nostalgia for me. What's your favorite one and why?

Graham King (Clean Vocals and Guitar): I'm a big prog fan, so I've definitely listed to my fair share of concept records for sure. 

Friday, February 8, 2019

Hometown Tales with Crucible of Hate

Crucible of Hate
This past September, Crucible of Hate released their latest disc, Dark Metamorphosis. You can get that on BANDCAMP.

They're an extreme metal band from Lancaster, Ohio. 

Let's find out more what life is like out there. In the meantime, you can always get at them on FACEBOOK

1. St. Louis City is my hometown. I've lived here for most of my life in and around the city. 

Where are you from?

Central Ohio. I was born in Lancaster, Ohio, grew up in a tiny little town which was not even big enough for a traffic light (Tarlton), and have lived in this area my entire life. 

2.We have three things that don't really exist anywhere else: the slinger, the gooey butter cake, and toasted ravioli. 

Thursday, February 7, 2019

EP Review: "Fresh Grass" by Grass

Fresh Grass
The most important thing you can be is true to yourself.

That's why I love stoner metal. It's got this swing, this flex, and this swirl that few other things in this world have.

That's actually the only reason I love stoner metal, not because I'm a stoner.

Grass, well, they've got no qualms wearing their recreational activities on their sleeves. Hopefully, they'll only be touring where it's legal. (Just so you know guys, Missouri legalized medical marijuana...)

The tales of redneck cops waiting for bands crossing state lines are many. The bands tell them outside the clubs.

Fresh Grass had one of them digital only releases last year, but this year, the record emerges from the smoke and into the physical realm. Kind of like when Dungeon Master always shows up.

There's no question it's a shorty, but those minutes are packed with fuzz enhanced vitamins. Put this on, and the setting is right to check out of your head.

RELEASE 2/22/19 BANDCAMP FACEBOOK

Vinyl Review: "Code Word" by The Moles

Code Word
Famous face painter and noted lip syncer, Gene Simmons, has stated many times that rock is dead.

His partner, slightly less famous kabuki facer and even bigger lip syncer, Paul Stanley has said that ASCAP and the music industry should be taking care of the up and comers.

Much like Kiss's stance on lip syncing, their takes on what is happening in the world of new music is, shall we say, fractured?

Those faking old fogies aren't the only ones out there who're a bit concerned, confused, or outright wrong about the world of rock music though.

One just has to peruse Bandcamp, the blogosphere, or any social media outlet, they're going to find about 15,000,000 million new bands to check through. It's impossible to not find a single one to enjoy and fall in love with.  That's my current State of the Musical Union Speech.

Now, if you're an underground indie rock legend with a lot of friends and a record to make..... what could you do?

Wednesday, February 6, 2019

LP Review: "Album IV: A Brave New World" by Ivan Tsanov

Album IV: A Brave New World
There's no other Bulgarian musicians that immediately spring to my mind.

Ivan Tsanov, for me, is now the face of all Bulgarian Music. There's no other way to think of that if you're a Bulgarian musician, is that this is horribly unfair.

This is probably like Steve Vai being the face of all American musicians. How many other people can live up to that?

Tsanov is a classically trained, instrumental guitarist, or he plays on one records anway.

This album here...it's a bit unique to my ears. The style isn't like Satch or Vai, but even though it's classically inspired, it doesn't strike me of Yngwie Malmsteen either.

There's probably a spot between two worlds where there's a bit of a collision between Malmsteen and Vai. If so, that's where Ivan Tsanov is plying his trade.

RELEASE 1/18/19 ORDER 

Interview: The Band That Powers Dane County...Lords of the Trident

My favorite Power Metal Band in the entirety of Dane County, Wisconsin The Lords of the Trident have once again...perhaps foolishly...accepted my invitation to discuss all the comings and goings of their existence.

If you haven't yet, get over to their website to purchase Shadows of the Past and you can thank me for that later.

This time I spoke with them about whatever came to mind really.

Make sure you've got enough arrows in your quiver and check it out below.

Glacially Musical: Thank you for taking some time for me today.

Lords of the Trident: Absolutely! Happy to be back!

Tuesday, February 5, 2019

LP Review: "Their Worm Never Dies" by Contrarian

Their Worm Never Dies
Presently, I'm in a death metal spiral.

The latest releases by Gruesome and Deicide have made appearances on my turntable along with some classic Morbid Angel.

The latest release by Contrarian ranks up there with those bands for me as well, and it wouldn't be out of place to make comparisons to Carcass.

Contrarian take a different tact than many of our modern day death metal bands. Instead of playing thunder and lightning in order to pummel the listener with brutality...

There's a series of progressive songs that have melody, riffs, blastbeats, and demonic growls.

This is the kind of death metal that.

The guitars are perfectly compressed. The vocals are other worldly and ominous. The drums are right in the pocket. The band plays with the precision long time metal fans come to expect out of top tier metal.

An early candidate for best death metal record of 2019.

RELEASE 3/15/19 BANDCAMP FACEBOOK

Hometown Tales With Hollow Leg

Hollow Leg
We've heard it all from Florida's Hollow Leg. We know about what foods they eat, the beer they drink, how awesome their last two releases are, but we really don't know much about where they're from.

As these gents are from Orlando, FL...

There should be loads to hear about.

Let's check in.


1. St. Louis City is my hometown. I've lived here for most of my life in and around the city. 

Where are you from?

Winter Garden which is just west of Orlando FL.

Monday, February 4, 2019

DLP Review: "High The Memory" by Abyssic

High The Memory
Black Metal Sub-subgenres are really starting to work out well to my ears.

Take for example, Abyssic, who's on Osmose Productions.

I will not be discussing all of the stops the band members have made over the years before joining this particular band.

Word on the street is that they're an atmospheric doom/death funeral band with black and prog influences....

There's a lot of words there, but to me, they're more of an offshoot of black metal than anything else. The keys, the strings, and pure epic feeling of these songs is what leads me to that conclusion.

They're clearly a Fifth Wave Black Metal band right? Well, who cares whether or not that's a thing? Abyssic's double is full with simply five tracks. There are two tracks over twenty minutes long each.

Depressed and angry and feeling like you need to hit the symphony while wearing your corpse paint? Well, have we got a band for you. They're likely the only black metal band to employ someone playing the Double Bass.

RELEASE 2/22/19 PREORDER FACEBOOK

Classic Spins with Unendlich

Unendlich
Balitmore, MD's Unendlich has just released their latest record, Thanatophobia. Take my word for it, if you haven't already, it's a smasher of a disc and you need to get over to BANDCAMP and find out more about why I'm still fussing about that album.

If you like your black metal to blow your hair clean to the back of the auditorium, well boy, you may have stumbled upon the next best thing.

In the meantime, let's find out what kinds of music these young men have been listening to and see what shaped their musical vision growing up.

My favorite kind of album is the concept album. The Wall is my absolute favorite. Beyond the amazing songs, it has spectacular nostalgia for me. What's your favorite one and why? 

Anthony: My favorite concept album would be In Flames's Whoracle. While it isn't my favorite In Flames album (that honor goes to Colony), I found the concept to be really interesting, and the lyrics (penned by Niklas Sundin of Dark Tranquillity) certainly delivered in that regard.

Friday, February 1, 2019

LP Review: "Emergence" by Basilysk

Emergence
There comes a time when...well when it's time to push the tables against the walls, put on that death metal record, and listen to the speakers hum.

In the years and decades since the likes of Morbid Angel, Carcass, and Obituary came into my sphere, Death Metal, proper death metal, has held a violent spot in my heart.

The blast beats, the overlong solos, the rough and monotonous vocals, they all add up to the thing that makes the riffs.

The Old School Death Metal formula is little more than boiling water, but it's so hard to get right. And by right, I mean that it creates music that I relate to.

Comparative newcomers, Basilysk, are able to scratch that itch. Honestly, a big part of that has to do with the engineering of this record. The levels aren't making the drums crush your ribs. The vocals don't overshadow the riffs.

When Death Metal is mixed just right, it becomes a delicious red velvet cake. (Get it? Red Velvet Cake is like...you know...red..blood colored? Violent?)

When the blast beat breakdowns hit, there's literally nothing in death metal today better. The rest of the album though? It's not exactly shabby either. Make sure you don't miss out.

RELEASE 2/22/19 BANDCAMP FACEBOOK

Beer Thirty with Death On Fire

Death On Fire
As I write this, my co-worker from Chiago, ya know for my real job, is coming into town and I asked him to bring me some Great Lakes IPA or their DIPA, because I can't get that here in the great city of St. Louis.

It's one of few serious beer flaw.

Today's we're talking to Chicago's Death On Fire for Beer Thirty. I asked for some Beer from Cleveland because I don't know any Chicagoland breweries.

Let's see if I screwed the pooch on this one.

Chicago's native death dealing cult-o-horde is presently riding on high on the release of their latest cassette tape, HOPE, which you can preview and purchase via BANDCAMP.

While that pummels your ears, let's talk beers.