Top Ten of 2016: Ross Brown of Vermilion Whiskey

VW TOP 10 2016 In no particular order here is Vermilion Whiskey’s TOP 2016 albums

Mos Generator – Abyssinia



Straight from the opening riff this album rocks your socks off. Tony Reed is a riff wizard and solo style reminds me of Jimmy Paige. This album is masterfully produced with a killer bass tone, tube amp grit, and great balance. Abyssinia has a great flow and can’t wait to see these guys live. A special treat is the last song Outlander, which to me is a huge homage to Pink Floyd and really done right. - Ross

LP Review: "Sacraments to the Sons of the Abyss" by Ritulization

Sacraments to the Sons of the Abyss

In their fifth season, Star Trek The Next Generation had a spectacular episode called A Matter of Time.

This episode revolved around the Enterprise working as hard as possible to save a planet from imminent destruction, because naturally, the planet's population lacked the foresight to, you know, start evacuation of said planet.

Well, lo and behold a time traveler from the future arrives just as they're working towards saving the planet under the guise of wanting to witness  this historic feat.

As the crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise are the best and brightest in Starfleet, they finally ferreted out what was really going on.

The man was in fact a time traveler, but from the past and not the future. This criminal was attempting to rewrite history with his hand being far more deeply involved than it should have been.

Guest Post: Pissed On's Davin Jones's Favorite Record

Davin Jones of Pissed On

When posed with the question, “What’s your favorite album, ever?”, there are many ways to answer.

Many questions arise automatically: Do I pick the album I listen to the most? Do I pick the album I believe is the most impressive from a musical standpoint? Do I pick the album that has affected my life the most?

It’s a very difficult question to answer. Some people would answer without hesitation because their choice is so dear to their hearts. Some people would never be able to answer because they genuinely listen to so much that they have no defined favorite.

So how do I answer this question?

LP Review: "II" by Endless Floods

II

Having recently seen Steve Vai in concert, at the time of this writing anyway, I'm reminded that vocals do not make the song.

Growing up when I did, being in bands when I was, taught me that singers can often times be temperamental, cheap, and unreliable.

The singer in my longest band never bought any equipment save a guitar practice amp and a computer microphone that was plugged into said practice amp.

Many times during practice, said singer plugged his computer microphone into my amp, effectively taking away over half of my stack so he could be heard.

But, my experiences aside, it's important to remember that music is music with lots of vocals, with little vocals, or without any vocals at all. Consider the symphony, how many times have you heard someone complain about the lack of vocals in Beethoven's Fifth?

Top Ten of 2016: Chad from Iron Whip

The south has it in the bag for me this year.

Metal, rock, noise, doom.... it seems whatever you want Atlanta has it. All in all it's a pipebomb of music. Put this list on shuffle at a BBQ and watch people get angry then sad then party uncontrollably while covered in meat and potato salad. (Did I just come up with a treatment for our new video?....hum)

Anyway, lite a match to your shitty life and start over with some rad new music.

In no particular order...

Album Review: De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas Alive by Mayhem

Perhaps more so than any other album in any other sub-genre of music, Mayhem's De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas is the quintessential album of black metal. You cannot be a fan of black metal and not own this album.  

I would even recommend any fan of metal in general obtain it, since it is entirely definitive of the notorious and still relevant black metal scene.  It is the bible of the genre, often imitated, never duplicated.  It may or may not be the best black metal album, but it is almost inarguably of great significance.  

It included most elements of the sounds which came before it and inexorably influenced all which came after.

It is an album famous almost as much for its creation as its content. Although work on the album began as early as 1987, the release was delayed until 1994 due to several headline grabbing events.  

LP Review: "Without Condolence" by Cowardice

Without Condolence

As a self-described fan of "the other" sports leagues...when St. Louis had our last minor league hockey club, we were there.

The St. Charles Chill of the CHL (earlier WPHL now ECHL..confused? Try following a Silly Season in minor league hockey.)

That night a newer friend was meeting older friends of mine. Both groups liked good beer and hockey, so it was an easy match.

My senior friend tells my junior friend, Nik always told us he was an asshole. He said that on the day we met, I'm an asshole. If you don't like me, too bad.

My buddy went on to explain, Nik wasn't an asshole. He just needed an upgrade on his wife and now he's a joy to be around.

To get a bit serious, yes, I need some life changes and having a hard outer shell was my favorite coping mechanism.

However, here we are and my wife and I have recently celebrated our seventh wedding anniversary. She's not my new wife, my current wife, or anything else that those terms imply. She is simply, she who is my wife.

Exclusive Stream: "Conscripted" by Undrask

Hot on the heels of their critically acclaimed self-titled EP, North Carolina's UNDRASK return with their debut full-length album Battle Through Time. The album is a blistering and catchy concept album that tells  the story of a man lost to eternity - forced to fight and die repeatedly throughout time and alternate realities. 

Fans of bands such as Amon Amarth, Carcass and early In Flames will be instantly hooked on Battle Through Time and will undoubtedly name the album as one of the finest melodic death metal albums of modern times.

Battle Through Time will be released on January 27th 2017.

From the band themselves....

Conscripted, the second track from Battle Through Time, finds our hero suddenly in battle again, immediately after a brutal death. Without much time to reflect on how or why this has happened, he throws himself into the fight, letting instinct take over.

 The cycle repeats, and eventually he comes to accept and even embrace this fate. Elating in the thrill of combat, he fearlessly (or perhaps recklessly) gives himself over to bloodlust, confident that this strange new semi-immortality will scrape him away from death's door to find another new battle.

LP Review: "Turm am Hang" by Horn

Trum am Hang

"It's easier if I do it myself."

This is something that my mother said to me every time she critiqued my doing of the dishes. They were never clean enough and never done fast enough.

What in the world did she have me do it if it that was harder?

Until about seven days ago, it was clear to me that this was the greatest lie my mother had ever spoken to me. What I didn't know then, was well, parenting.

Teaching my daughter how to clean her room....it's a nightmare and absolute nightmare and it frankly is just easier if I do it myself...it gets done quicker, with less whining, and then I can go listen to records, but that's not right for my daughter is it?

Interview: Witchmaster

Witchmaster will be releasing a split EP with Voidhanger next month. It's brutal and kvlt and all the things we want out of metal.

Well, Geryon was good enough to answer my questions and the rush of brutal honesty was more than just refreshing.

Check it out before we publish our review of the split next week.

Glacially Musical: Thank you for taking the time to speak to me today.

Witchmaster: Yeah.

LP Review: "III" by Herem

III

As someone who's overly literal, the idea of words being used outside of their definitions is something that's often hard for me to understand.

In order to make up for this deficiency, I study etymology as best that I can. It's often hard to understand and explain a colloquialism to my daughter without knowing where it came from.

Think about the, now fairly antiquated phrase, letting the cat out of the bag. There was a scam where people tried to sell a cat in a bag as a suckling pig, but opening the sack, the cat would be let out of the bag, ergo, hidden facts would be revealed. (NOTE: Snopes rejects this...but it's a cool story.)

Now, another term is fast talker. Why do people "talk fast?" Obviously the phrase doesn't literally mean one who's speaking quickly, but one who's speaking deceptively.

Top Ten of 2016: Rich from Warcrab

Hi, Rich from Warcrab here, I’ve been asked to provide a list of ten of my favourite Metal Albums of 2016 for all you lovely readers, so in no particular order, here we go!.

1.       Meshuggah- The Violent Sleep of Reason

I want to start with this latest release from Meshuggah coz I love everything they do! In my opinion they never disappoint and always seem to evolve further with every new release. 

Granted they are not everybody’s cup of tea but I have been a fan since I saw them supporting Machine head on MH’s first Uk headlining tour in 1995. 

Destroy Erase Improve had just been released and I was hooked immediately and still am. Many try to sound like them but EVERYONE fails. And this new record is no different it swallows you whole and spits you out the other side!! 

And the fact that they recorded a lot of it live speaks for itself, complex and sometimes mesmerizing and full of groove and full of awesome drumming, go buy it now!!

EP(sorta) Review: "Via" be Derhead

Via

There are times in life where it's important to remember that persistence is the key to everything.

There is nothing in my life that was done right the first time, save being a father. Seems like I totally nailed that on the first try, somehow.

The following is a list of things that have been done more than once by me: changed jobs, gotten married, purchased a house, tried writing, and be a better person.

It could be argued that every single thing in that list, if you look at only my last attempt, have been successes beyond all measure, but the earlier attempts were not as good.

The Grand Canyon is one of the most awe inspiring natural views in The United States of America, if not the entire world. The Colorado River didn't give up when a great stone blocked its path, but continued to push...

LP Review: Self Titled by Uprising

Uprising

Are you aware that I keep myself fairly anonymous?

For instance, seeing my face is pretty rare and it kind of kills me that I cannot share with you photos of my daughter. She's my absolute pride and that's only for certain people.

So, yes, there is an amount of anonymity from me. If you really look hard, you can find my face and hear my voice though. Especially in my vinyl reviews.

I can't even tell you why I'm keeping my profile low, just that it sucks that it's become my de rigueur. It is truly for the best, but it makes it hard to connect with my readers on social media.

So, sorry that I'm not more personable. It would be awesome if I could tell you that I live in Dutchtown, St. Louis City. (But I that's not where I live currently, but I did in the past!) Even though, my head's kept down, I'm still a bit of a social media gadfly.

Vinyl Review: "Endless Descent" by Junior Bruce

Endless Descent

Today was supposed to be a really awesome day for my family and I. There were a great many plans that we had made for today. However, Mother Nature decided that all of our plans were mutable.

Instead of seeing a movie, going to the Library, and perhaps taking in a hockey game, we have been locked inside of our house...and without bacon.

Considering last evening St. Louis was pounded with sleet and today's no better, it seems that staying inside of our house and enjoying time as a family was better than the solo fender bender I engaged in on my way home from the office last night.

In this spirit, I have spirited away to the upstairs lounge to resume my consideration of Junior Bruce's latest effort, Endless Descent on vinyl.

Stream: "Spiral Sea" by Tyrants Blood

On Dec 23rd, my birthday, Tridroid Records will be re-releasing the debut from the death metallers, Tyrants Blood.

Look for an upcoming vinyl review on the record, but in the meantime stream Spiral Sea below and preorder the album (with a bonus download of Coven, their compilation album) here.

TLP Review: "Coven, or Evil Ways Instead of Love" by Cultes des Ghoules

Coven, or Evil Ways Instead of Love

Remember when Metallica's Black Album hit?

Well, think back before that album to ...And Justice For All and then think forward (but still back) to the press they did explaining why they weren't writing long songs anymore.

Lars explained about how they had taken that whole mini-epic thing as far it could go. This was a statement that had me totally confused.

Those songs were pushing TEN MINUTES. How in the world could these be seen as mini epics?

How little I knew, but let's remember that this was not only pre-YouTube but pre-internet. Prog was a movement whose day had been done for well over a decade so it wasn't like  Yes was being played on the radio.

LP Review: "This Guitars" by Grandkids

This Guitars

The late, great Mitch Hedberg had this great bit about 2 in 1 conditioner. With his eyes firmly shut behind sunglasses, he explained that 2 in 1 is a BS term because two things can't fit in the same space.

In fact, he lamented, that's why two was invented.

It's easy to see why that's funny, but perhaps Hedberg was a bit off the mark with this, pretty damned funny bit. Think about yourself, in the office, at home, at work...

There's probably two of you. That's how most of us are anyway. We have the public self and the private self.

What would you world be like if your private self and your public self were at odds with each other? Perhaps without realizing it, you're cursing like a sailor while talking to a client at work and at home you're being overly formal and small talky to your kids....

Top Ten of 2016: Nate from Junior Bruce

"Nate from Junior Bruce was kind enough to take a break from his busy schedule and give us his best of 2016. "

Hammers of Misfortune Dead Revolution

Celtic Power Metal!!!  Even better, 2 of the dudes are also in Slough Feg - which was a favorite of our late drummer Brett Tanner.  (prog celtic power metal)

Concert Review: Steve Vai at the Pageant in St. Louis December 7, 2016 - words and pictures by Danny Nichols

Steve Vai is perhaps the most iconic axe man from the bygone era of the guitar hero.  No time in music has been more closely associated with the prodigy guitarist than were the eighties, and no album more standard bearing and proof of this than Vai’s Passion and Warfare.  After making a name for himself in band’s such as Frank Zappa, David Lee Roth and Whitesnake, Vai began releasing instrumental albums showcasing his immense talents.  

Interview: Spore Lord

Sporelord

As could be expected from the instrumental stoner band, Sporelord doesn't speak too much, but they let their playing do their talking.

But check out what I was able to extract from them.

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

Spore Lord: Thank you for having us!

GM: Tell me about why you chose to go instrumental rather than the standard vocal songs.

SL: We were having a difficult time finding a vocalist. After so long, we just went out and played in front of a  live audience to see if people would enjoy our sound. So far, the reactions are positive. So we kept doing it.

Vinyl Review: "Magician" by Vaudevileins

Magician

It may have escaped your notice that we have entered the holiday season. Our day today involved a fair few errands.

My personal favorite one was adding to our Christmas music vinyl collection. My daughter and I went to St. Vincent De Paul Thriftshop on South Kingshighway in beautiful Southtown St. Louis in order to bolster our collection on a budget.

Hey, fifty cents an LP can't be beat.

The seeds to my personal vinyl awakening were actually sewn about two years ago while we were decorating the tree in my in-laws' house and listening to the LPs my mother in law has had since she was a young adult.

We put to test what MC Chris said...we jumped so high that the records did indeed skip. Listening to those 40 year old records changed something in my soul. They sounded great. As they were well worn, well cared for, and well kept, there was no scratchiness, no skipping, etc.

I didn't realize it, but my world was changing.

LP Review: "Retro. Revamped." by Whiskey Kiss

Retro. Revamped.

Ice cream is a big deal in our house.

There is absolutely no time that we do not have any and that we are not eating it.

Mint Chocolate Moose Tracks is the preferred flavor in our home twixt myself and the little short girl who lives in my house.

This is the supreme flavor of ice cream because it is fully formed. There's no need to add stuff to it, on top of it, etc.

Chocolate sauce, M&Ms, Magic Shell (save caramel), whip cream, or any other thing you put on ice cream is overkill. Mint Moose Tracks are full of every bit of those toppings, but it's all swirled in there ready to go.

My wife, disagrees, as is her wont. Recently, the family had a carton of Mint and a carton of Peppermint Moose Tracks. She put magic shell or chocolate syrup onto her ice cream and then the aforementioned short girl who lives in my house did the same thing....

Interview: Into The Storm

Into The Storm

Into The Storm has released their fifth album, Where The Merfalo Roam on Living and Breathing records on LP, CD, and digital. It can be ordered here.

Recently, they took some time out to help us get to know them.

Glacially Musical :So, tell me about your new record, Where The Merfalo Roam.

Into The Storm: 'Where the Merfalo Roam' is the most accurate representation of seeing us play live we have ever recorded.

The concept is a journey through discontent, oppressive governments, dystopian eras, and the connection between the cycles societies go through.

The artwork depicts the mouth of a giant mythical creature that devours chunks of societies with bits of them still stuck against it's teeth and the creatures that are still feasting upon them.

Top Ten of 2016: Nikos Mixas of Twingiant

For some of us 2016 has been a letdown of a year. Not only did we see a handful of rock icons pass (Even though Lemmy passed in 2015, it was really the start of this grisly trend…)

We’ve seen an election year turned up onto its head AND…it seems like everywhere you look, something horrible has happened. 

 It makes you miss 2015 in some respects. I feel the same way with regards to the heavy music that was released in 2016, there are some winners but in my opinion, 2015 was a far better year for releases. 

Without further ado, here are my top ten albums of 2016! 

Album Review: "The Underdog" by Four Star Revival

The Underdog

In the years before satellite radio a great metal song finding its way on to the radio was a rarity.

 If the lords of radio did bless us with a good tune, you cranked it loud and certainly did not turn the radio off until it was over, even if you had already reached your destination.

 If the local rock station was actually playing an Iron Maiden song, it was sacrilege to terminate the song before its conclusion. With the advent of satellite radio, there is never a moment where an awesome metal tune cannot be found on the airwaves.

 Still, as a psychological remnant of days gone past, I still find it difficult to change the station when certain bands are on. This is the situation I found myself in on the way to work last week, while Liquid Metal was playing Metallica's "Sad But True".

LP Review: "The Tree of Death" by Condenados

The Tree of Death

Aside from a blizzard that traps me inside of my house for just long enough to skive off of a day at the office in the real world...

The best weather patter is a drowsy rainfall, preferably in the summer because it then will cool down some of the terrible heat we experience here in St. Louis.

The lazy rainfalls are the best for sitting out on your porch listening to a sports game or having a beer.

In my house, it's not uncommon for us to sit out there when it's dark and play cards or whatever.

The constant sound of the rain hitting the roof, splashing the ground, making mowing my lawn impossible, and the smell of everything is an experience that is rarely topped.

EP Review: "Bare Bones Part II: Electric Earth" by The Adventures of the Silver Spaceman

Bare Bones Part II: Electric Earth

The Adventures of the Silver Spaceman.

Well, there's really only one person this could be and that's the man, they myth, the legend.

ACE FREHLEY!!!

Seriously, who else is the silver spaceman? Tommy Thayer? I think not.

Just this morning, I was listening to Frehley on the Eddie Trunk show and Frehley mentioned that he had started working on the follow up album, but he didn't say he was ready to go, much less drop an EP!

Wait. This isn't Ace Frehley? So it is Tommy Thayer....god damn it anyway. Well, in the past we've reviewed Tommy  Thayer Cos-Play Tribute Kiss, so I guess I can cover his solo EP...

Split EP Review: "Split" by Twingiant and Into The Storm

My faithful twitter followers will know about my great love of tea.

In fact, I just poured some hot water out of my work electric kettle in order to brew up a strong cup of Japanese Green Tea that I recently purchased at the local Asian grocery store.

Picking out new tea is a lot like picking out music in 2016. Go to Bandcamp, Amazon, iTunes, or any place folks pick up music and it's nearly impossible to weed this all down.

Of course there are a couple good ways choosing tea, you could always ask the advice of someone who's had all of those teas. It's also a good idea to pick tea that's made in the same style as one you like. This past trip, I was trying to get a box of Takaokaya green tea that I got in Chicago, but Jay's didn't have it. So I got Tian Hu Shan instead...

It's another Japense green tea. 

But there's also that third option. They also make variety packs of tea. Ahmad Teas has a great 20 pack of afternoon and breakfast teas that I usually grab when I've got go out of town.