LP Review: "...Of Death Eternal" by Ulvdalir

...Of Death Eternal

Today we're checking out one of the best kept secrets in Russia, besides what's in the kompromat...

Ulvdalir is now exporting their True Ingrian Black Metal Death into these United States via Iron Bonehead (digital, CD, and LP formats).

Upon a quick google search, this term does auto fill, but it doesn't lead me to any information that can be imparted unto my readers regarding the meaning of this phrase.

Let's just assume it means a circle of bands from Siberian Russia that play a not quite so avant garde version of post modern black metal.

...Of Death Eternal opens with a standard extreme metal convention, the intro. This particular track caught my attention due to the vocal stylings. First of all, these intro songs shouldn't have vocals and for a second, they sounded folksy. From that point the band started playing a melodic style of metal that kept me enraptured throughout its duration.

Let's clarify the melodic comment. This isn't like Melodic Death Metal where there's a little tingle tangle between the riffs at certain intervals. The riffs and the vocals ooze melody. Melody isn't a crammed in afterthought.

That's what makes this record so undeniably amazing.

RELEASE 1/25/19 BANDCAMP

Video: "To Live" by Second To Sun

Look at all of those guitar strings. How in the world someone can play a guitar with extra strings while my stubby fat fingers keep asking why not play a 3 string Cigar Box guitar???

Of course it's time to talk about Russia's Second To Sun. On November 26 they released their latest record, Walk. You should probably check out BANDCAMP for some more info.

In the meantime, watch this sweetness.

Video: "Organic Nucleation" by Dark Matter Secret

Unfortunately, I didn't have the time to review this album, but let's make sure we all pass along the awesomeness of this single.

Use your words to say hi to them on Facebook or preorder the album here.

LP Review: "Visions From Beyond" by Old Chapel

Visions From Beyond

Today's review is going to start with another anecdote about my daughter. Recently, we were looking at a collection of 78 RPM records that were the soundtracks to story books.

It was plain as day: She wanted to know why the children weren't just watching these stories on Netflix.

Then the explanations came. Back in those days, or even when we were her age, kids didn't have Netflix, or Blu-Ray Players, or even VHS.

But let's all think back to the VHS tapes.

Before anyone we knew were buying home videos, we were transferring home movies, recording our favorite shows, and movies and of course we did this all on extended play. With this bit of witchcraft, a two hour video tape morphed into 6 hours and we could record for days!

Album Review: "Ouroboric Stagnation" by Neurogenic

The vast majority of music is vocal based, meaning the melody and primary focus of a song can be found in the vocal track.  This is not necessarily true in heavy metal, where often the main feature is the guitar riff and the vocals are just another instrument, rather than the focal point of a tune.  This is especially the case in death metal where growled vocals are usually indecipherable, rarely contain melody and are utilized to create atmosphere and emphasis.  

Neurogenic’s album Ouroboric Stagnation is notable for the lack of attention placed on the vocals.  Vocalist Matteo Bazzanella’s tracks are so low in the mix, they seamlessly blend with the instrumental tracks.  Perhaps they are even a bit too low, but I understand the reason.  These tunes are entirely guitar driven, and the guitar tone is masterful.