Glacially Musical's Top Vinyl Records of 2020!

 Without further ado, I'll throw this to myself and see you in 2021!

Vinyl Review: "I Want This To End" by The Erkonauts

Can we all take a moment to really consider what a shitshow 2020 has been? When something goes right, three other things go wrong.

Honk if you've had your Prius's catalytic converter stolen this year and take a shot if it's happened to you twice. I'm in the latter.

Honk if you've lost your job. Honk if you've lost a parent and just drink a bottle of whiskey if you've lost more than one. 

Light a candle for those who've lost more than two.

So, for the last review of the year, I'm lucky enough to get to do a vinyl review of this amazing band's latest record. You might recall my previous reviews of The Erkonauts...they're an odd sort of band that's a bit influenced by bands like Faith No More and Infectious Grooves.

Let's dive into side one.

Sophomore Jinx with Radiant Knife

There are so many times when I'll hear a band say that they can't determine what sort of music they are playing. 

More often than not though? 

It's a total BS thing because they don't want to try.

I've not heard Radiant Knife say that, but I'll tell you that I can't figure out what kind of music they are and all the times I've tried to describe it, I've totally failed.

The Lafayette, LA duo though, should be in all your earholes. Check it all out on BANDCAMP.

Naturally, because they're such a cool and unique band who've dropped a pair of albums during our pandemic, I asked them about High School.

1. There is nothing more awkward than sophomore year of high school. Tell me about your circle of friends. 

Classic Spins with NoSelf

It's time we heard from our friends in NoSelf on more time.

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?
 

A: As far as concept albums go my first thought was Atreyu’s The Curse.

 

 2. My very first album was Live Evil b Black Sabbath. Since then I've had a strong affinity for the live record, even if they're a bit fake. KISS set the bar with Alive!. Surely, it was fake, but it's got the best concert feel of any one.

Tell me about your favorite live record?

A: Metallica S&M hands down.  When that album first came out my friends I jammed that one a ton. 

 

3. There are a great number of records I've turned to for my moods. What do you listen to when you're angry? Sad? 

Premiere: "How The Gods Kill" (Danzing Cover) by Death On Fire Featuring Rob Wrong of The Skull

Let's talk about some Death on Fire!

Right now, it wouldn't be hard to believe for any of us to think the whole fucking world is on fire, so Death on Fire sounds about right today.

I'm pleased to give you the first listen to their new single. In case you were wondering, Danzig III: How The Gods Kill is my personal favorite of the original three Danzig records. (The rest of them don't count. @ me in the comments!)

It seems that the band feels in a pretty similar fashion, said Tim Kenefic of the track...

This song seemed very fitting after the year we have had. it was a lot of fun working on this and putting our slightly darker twist on it. We can't thank Rob enough for his willingness to rip a solo for us too.

Get over to Bandcamp for all your Death on Fire needs and listen to the new single below. You can get your own copy of the song on 12/31 when we kiss this fucking year goodbye with fire.

Death on Fire · HGTK FINAL

Sophomore Jinx with Becoming The Lion

Have you ever talked to someone about becoming an Animagus? Well, I'm not 100% certain, but perhaps, Becoming The Lion has.

Check out these Wisconsinite's records over on BANDCAMP.  

While you're streaming one of their tracks, find out what life was like in high school!

1. There is nothing more awkward than sophomore year of high school. Tell me about your circle of friends. 

R - My circle of friends was constantly changing from year to year from middle school to high school for one year or another. 

Some were expelled from school and some went off to rehab so I guess you could say I had to navigate through social groups a bit to survive for my scholastic years. 

Taco Tuesday with Alpha Boötis

 It's a little hard to describe a band, and more often than not when you ask them to do it themselves, they get defensive...and say we're a rock band. It's like the whole world's gone Japanese or something.

But Alpha Boötis, suffers under no delusions. Here is their description from BANDCAMP:

Space Disco Synth Metal with operatic vocals, epic sci-fi stories and powerful production.

So naturally I asked them about Tacos.

Premiere: “Causes” by Gravehuffer

It’s not often that I get to do much with anyone from my home city, much less anywhere else in the state  

I’m pleased to share with you today some off the wall extreme metal from Joplin, MO from Gravehuffer. 

Check them out on BANDCAMP.

In the meantime, enjoy their new video!

Beer Thirty with NoSelf

NoSelf has given us their tour du beers. 

Check out their latest single HERE.

In the meantimne, crack open a Scottish Ale and read on.

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.

This is a really good question. I love all kinds of different styles, but I definitely lean toward IPA’s.

My all-time favorite IPA is the Shark Attack from New Smyrna Beach Brewing Company. With a close 2nd Space Dust by Elysian Brewing.

2. Many international people have laughed at me for this, but American Beer is the best in the world. Not American Lagers, that piss water is best used for drinking 15 of them while you're at the karaoke bar, but American Craft Beer.

Which nation is pumping out the best beer?

Sophomore Jinx with Alpha Boötis

Normally, I'd give you some sort of (attempted) witty reparte about the band doing my latest column, but these fellas do it better than I could.

Check out their BANDCAMP.

Hi! We are Ozymandias and Harakoa, the two voices of synthwave/heavy metal band Alpha Boötis.

We went to school in Montreal, Canada, which has a very different grade system.

Let’s talk about our Secondaire 4, which is the equivalent to sophomore year of American high school. 

1. There is nothing more awkward than sophomore year of high school. Tell me about your circle of friends.

Classic Spins from Kyle Alexander of Alexander

When's the last time you thought about some heavy music from Germany? In my line of work, it's actually not been all that long, but it might be for you?

Nah, we both know that you're reading this and you're thinking about heavy bands from Germany on the regular.

Today we've got the progressive duo Alexander. 

They've got a record out there in the world...

Two tracks.

Here's some BANDCAMP action.

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?

Cartoon Express with Inferno Doll

Look, you know what I'm going to say if you've paid any attention to what's been going on here for the past way too long.

I love talking to folks who share my interests that reside in another country. 

Today, we've got Chile's (later Calgary, Alberta) Inferno Doll talking to us about animated shows and movies she's gotten into.

You should thank her by streaming her latest EP on BANDCAMP.

1. From a very early age, I gravitated towards anime. I never knew Speed Racer was anything other than just another cartoon. What is the first one you watched that really shaped your tastes for years to come?

Sophomore Jinx with Wax Mekanix

You know whom I really loving these days?

God damned Gritty.

He's been the spirit.. you know? So, let's find out more about someone who shares that spirit.

Hailing from Philadelphia, PA we have Waxium Ulysses Mekanix. You should probably get over to BANDCAMP and check out that album.

1. There is nothing more awkward than sophomore year of high school. Tell me about your circle of friends.

I was born and raised in a small central Pennsylvania town.  I was a high school sophomore in 1977.  Honestly, I recall feeling more hopeful and excited for the future than awkward.  

Because I had a broad range of interests and activities, my male and female friends were more part of a ven diagram than a circle.  

The groups included:

Vinyloscopy with Scott Loose of Stellar Death

There's a post rock instrumental duo from the filthiest city in the USA...home of the original swamp, and some absolutely wonderful people and sea food.

The soft shelled crab for one thing is delightful!

New friends Stellar Death have their first album dropping in late January. You should probably look into that here on BANDCAMP.

1.  Listening to Black Sabbath's eponymous debut the night I got it blew me away. What's the album that sounds the best on vinyl compared to digital sources? 

Scott Loose:  One album that always stood out to me as sounding particularly great on vinyl is Miles Davis ‘Kind of Blue.’  It just really works in this format. 

I listen to it frequently when I’m trying to relax, and just want to unwind.  But funny that you mention Sabbath, as I have a memory of jamming Master of Reality on my dad’s old record player when I was growing up.  

Fresh Fries with NoSelf

Check out the latest Fresh Fries with NoSelf.

Stream their song HERE.

1. Let's not pretend.  Fast food is delicious. What is your favorite fast food joint?

A: Currently it is Chipotle

2. When I was young, I remember hanging out at Hardee's eating roast beef (not their fried chicken), and smoking cigarettes at the table.

Tell me about some big changes at the place in your lifetime or tell me which part of my sentence is the most surprising and why.

A: It's funny you mention Hardee's cause that was our go to spot for ditching school and crushing some Biscuits and Sausage gravy. That establishment does not exist there anymore. 

Classic Spins with JP Buzzard of Rockin' Engine

Good morning! It's time that you've met this band from Ottawa, Ontario, Rockin' Engine.

One could hazard a guess that they're a throwback band that's really ready to rock'n'roll like freight train.

Well, you could find out more about their latest album on BANDCAMP.

Now you can find out where they get their ideas!

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

Vinyloscopy with Topon of Fuck The Facts

If you're feeling lucky li8ke me, you'll be thrilled to get a little more out of Gatineau, PQ's Fuck The Facts.

Listen to some tunes on BANDCAMP while ya read would you?

1.   Listening to Black Sabbath's eponymous debut the night I got it blew me away. 

What's the album that sounds the best on vinyl compared to digital sources?

I have Lionel Richie’s “Can’t Slow Down”, which is one of my favourite records. I downloaded the album as well but it doesn’t sound the same. Not sure if it’s a re-mastering thing or not.

Sophomore Jinx with Gravehuffer

It's time to take a minute and learn about some dude from a small town in the once great State of Missouri. 

Gravehuffer hails from Joplin, MO. 

(Presently, I'm sitting about four hours east in St. Louis, MO as you surely know by now.)

So, lately on podcasts and what not, I've been saying I'm the guy who brings you the sophomore antics of some death metal guitarists that you didn't know you needed...and here right HERE is why!

But before you get into the tales of brutal awkward years... Gravehuffer has an LP coming out in January on Black Doomba Records. Check it out on BANDCAMP. I think I need to order a copy just out of Show Me State solidarity.

Check it out and get in on it and now, let's get to it.

Beer Thirty with PQ of Cell Press

Welcome to the land of the side piece, and let's be honest, there's no better side piece than a cold beer.

Today's band, Cell Press, features members of lots of other bands, most notably The Great Sabatini.

Vocalist of the group, PQ, has deigned us (or perhaps the topic) worthy of response and for that we are forever grateful.

Check out their latest album on BANDCAMP while PQ makes you thirsty.

1. My personal favorite beer style is the mighty Double India Pale Ale. The best DIPA in the world is STLIPA by Urban Chestnut. Tell me about your favorite style. 

Oh yeah baby.

Classic Spins with Shores of Null

By now, it's got to be clear that I enjoy hearing these questions answered by people all around the world. 

Today, gothic doom metallers Shores of Null give us their classic spins.

This band hails from Rome, Italy which is just cool in and of itself. 

It's also worth noting that they just dropped their third album via Spikerot Records. Check it out on BANDCAMP.

Now, let's talk about some music!

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? 

Classic Spins with Mathieu Vilandre of Fuck The Facts

Once more into the breach with Fuck The Facts.

Mathiew Vilandre was kind enough to keep playing with us. Do us all a favor and stream their goodness on BANDCAMP.

So, get on that and find out about some cool albums.

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? 

I’ve always liked Opeth so I'll go with Still Life. 

 

 2. My very first album was Live Evil by Black Sabbath. Since then I've had a strong affinity for the live record, even if they're a bit fake. KISS set the bar with Alive!. Surely, it was fake, but it's got the best concert feel of any one.

Tell me about your favorite live record?

 

Vinyloscopy with Tom Dobrentey of Abandoned Souls

London, Ontario will always hold a very special place in my heart. Why you ask? Because Poutine and Beer.

London, on my drive across the great province of Ontario to Michigan, is where I finally got to enjoy my first poutine...which is not a metaphor.

It's also where I finally entered the hallowed halls of The Beer Store...the provincial beer outlet where I gladly contributed to Canada's healthcare system.

I also bought a Montreal Canadiens toque in the store....anyway... Abandoned Souls is a heavy rock band from this very fair city.

Check out their video HERE.

Classic Spins with Brian Kingsland of Imperishable

It's been mentioned that most musicians are people who like music. 

I know it's about the hardest idea to really fathom, but it's cool when they get in deep with the songs that made them who they are.

Today we're checking in on Imperishable, a sweet band from South Carolina who've recently dropped their first single for fans of Morbid Angel and certain death....the first being something of a metaphor and 

The latter being something of not a metaphor.

Anyway, you can get on it via 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? 

Fresh Fries with Mathieu Vilandre of Fuck The Facts

There are certain bands who just cannot get enough of my inane questions. It would appear that our new found friends from Gatineau, Quebec, are one of those groups.

Well, if they keep answering, I'll keep publishing. Seriously though, without the bands, there's no us, and I appreciate the fact that they give me the opportunity to speak of myself in the first person plural... You know, the royal we.

Now's the perfect time to stream a song or two on BANDCAMP.

1. Let's not pretend.  Fast food is delicious. What is your favorite fast food joint?

I will answer through the form of a YouTube video. You’re welcome. 

Classic Spins with T-Rex Marathon

Let's take the bus up to the Canadian Capital City, Ottawa, Ontario.

This is where Canadians go to lead.

We've got their favorite Post Hardcore band on the line and they're going to talk to us about their favorite albums.

Whilst you're checking it, get on their 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? 

Adam: The album The Hazards of Love by The Decemberists that came out in, I believe, 2009. It details the story of this woman, Margaret, who finds an injured deer in the woods which suddenly transforms into a man, William. 

Beer Thirty with Ysgaroth

If you're looking for a band that's got too many things going on all at once, you might want to look into Ysgaroth.

They've pretty much got their fingers in all of the metal pies.

I bet that looks a bit like Terminator 2...

Anyway, these British Columbians can be found on the greatest music website on the planet, BANDCAMP.

Now, let's crack open a beer to go with that metal.

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?

When I first got into beer I couldn’t get enough of stouts, but over time I’ve just come to love sours - it doesn’t matter what kind.

Bottle conditioned, fermented on berries, whatever. My favourite sour I’ve ever had was the Strathcona Brewing Love Buzz, which was a vanilla raspberry sour - best beer I’ve ever had, and it was only a limited release.

Life is pain.

Fresh Fries with Gary of Nuclear Winter

It's probably safe to say that many of us are feeling the crunch of the pandemic and we're tightening our belts a little bit here and there. 

One of the things I've tried to cut out is eating out, especially fast food places.

So, these are a great way for me to live vicariously through others' stories of deliciousness. The best part about reading this one is that it won't make me head out to my car and spend $20 on lunch because Gary is from Hare, Zimbabwe.

He's a leading member of the metal scene out there. It's probably safe to say that everybody in the metal scene is a leading member as there just aren't too many.

But it's always cool to hear more about other countries and ways of life. So stream his EP on BANDCAMP and let's get to it.

1. Let's not pretend.  Fast food is delicious. What is your favorite fast food joint?

There's 3 really good places here in Zimbabwe.. Pizza Inn, Alechi and Mochachos. Pizza Inn is my go to place for pizza. 

Sophomore Jinx with Jaime Ayala of Overt Enemy

It's time to introduce you to another metal band out of the ginormo state of Texas. We're talking of course, about Overt Enemy.

Before you move on, I'd suggest you stream their music on BANDCAMP. Their upcoming LP is even going to be getting a sweet, sweet vinyl release. You can even pick black or swirl of doooom.

I know what I'm picking.

While you've now been properly introduced, let's find out how things were back in the proverbial day as the old people say.

1. There is nothing more awkward than sophomore year of high school. Tell me about your circle of friends.

Beer Thirty with King Ov Wyrms

It's time to get SPOOOOKY!!

Oh wait, it's November and after the election, but whatever. Arizona is now officially bad ass. So, let's move on from that shall we? We have a band from Tuscon, AZ here and surprisingly enough, they're a metal band and for some reason, they wanna talk to me about beer!

I know, I know, I was shocked too. So far they've dropped a few singles and I think you'd do oh so well to stream them on BANDCAMP.

Now, BEEEEEER!

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.

Hometown Tales with Mathiew Vilandre of Fuck The Facks

Is it wrong of me to think that because Qubec has the Acadians...well... had them and St. Louis has the Chouteau Dynasty that we are kinsfolk of some sort even though my only French is Hi, How are you, Where is the Bus stop, and Don't Shoot Me I'm Canadian?

Yeah, it totally is.

Anyway, let's talk to a Quebecois via Germany. (Man, I dunno. He didn't really explain.)

Fuck The Facts can be found on BANDCAMP. Now's probably a good time to mention, these dudes are doing an interview that's not in their native language.

Thanks for taking some time for us here in St. Louis. It's appreciated.

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? 

I was born in Germany but lived most of my life in Gatineau, Quebec, Canada.

Classic Spins with Thanatopsis's David A. Couch

Have you heard that Thanatopsis has finally dropped a new record?

It's called Initiation.

Stream it over on SPOTIFY.

Take a listen and see what you're thinking about these metal vets. In the meantime, you can find out about what kind of music David A. Couch takes inspiration from.

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? 

I must go with King Diamond “Abigail” – King’s storytelling flows well with his vocal, the songs, musicianship, and guitar solos are all so great, killer. 

When it came out it felt ambitious to me, one of the first metal albums I can think of where every song is part of the story…Special shout out to Styx “Kilroy Was Here” since I saw that tour as a young kid… 

Who Are You with Gramma Vendetta

How long has it been since you found out what Gramma Vendetta has been doing? I'll admit to you and the internet...

It's been too long!

Over the summer, these Londonion, or Londonion Imitations, dropped a new record. You might want to give it a listen on BANDCAMP after the interview. 

Sophomore Jinx with Ghost:Hello

It seems only yesterday that Ghost:Hello dropped their first vinyl LP. Did you check it out? You should have if you have not.

In the meantime, their friends, Night Goat are getting together with them to release a new Split!

You can get all on top of that stuff HERE.

1. There is nothing more awkward than sophomore year of high school. Tell me about your circle of friends.

 Sophomore year, 2001, whew,  We were a super cliche group of misfits, really. 

All of us were discovering our own music to listen it and we’re mostly opposed what each other found, file sharing was huge, Napster, audio galaxy satellite, imesh.. 

Hot Topic was a thing, so we all had ridiculously huge pants & Slayer shirts.  

Honestly, You can probably see a variation of us in any movie that takes place in a school in the early 2000’s. 

Classic Spins with Sean Hickey of Ancient Thrones

Now, let's be real, the coolest province in Canada is probably Quebec, but if that's too Western for you, there's always more provinces to the east.

Me? I'm all about the East and Nova Scotia is pretty damned far to the east. 

In fact they're in this whole other time zone. Did you know that North America has FIVE TIME ZONES!

So, let's head to the land that Degrassi Junior High never talks about and hear form some Brutal Death metal folks from the most metal of all places...

Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada!

Seriously, I want to retire up there with those homies and just chill in the summer time when I assume it's like 45 degrees F.

Check out some BANDCAMP and we'll talk about some album sized sweetness.

Beer Thirty with Thanatopsis's David A. Couch

Let's check back in on Denverby way of Oakland's, Thanatopsis. This time David A. Couch is going to let us know what sorts of beers he drinks.

Say thank you to him by giving his band a follow on INSTAGRAM.

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

Well I am a seasonal drinker so I tend to enjoy darker beers in the winter and pale ales in the summer. I was a hop head like you but have kind of toned down on that…. 

Sophomore Jinx with Deathless Dogs

As the entirety of the USA thanks Wisconsin, let's talk to a couple of their native sons about what life was like when they were younger.

Today,  have the honor of hearing about High School from Deathless Dogs. Check out their BANDCAMP for more good vibrations.

Well, let's hear it!

1. There is nothing more awkward than sophomore year of high school. Tell me about your circle of friends.

Eddy:  My circle of friends were pretty good kids for the most part. However, there was this one time sophomore year in high school where a group of us drove downtown to the civic center on a Friday night, where a group of people were camped out for an upcoming WWE show. 

Classic Spins with Matty Pulkkinen of Ultimatium

Having a chance to learn about the music the metal guys are into is one of the best things in the world. Today, we're talking to the keyboardist of Finnish prog quintet Ultimatium, Matty Pulkkinen.

The perspective from those in other countries is always something I look forward to.

Their album is dropping on November 27th via Rockshots Records. Get a taste of the flavor on their YOUTUBE channel.

Now, let's talk about those records.

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? 

Sophomore Jinx with Lindsay Schoolcraft

It's a rare day here at Glacially Musical. On a normal day, we're talking to metal guys about tacos and whatnot, but today...

We are talking to a Juno Nominated artist, a musician who's traveled and toured the world over, a woman who's dropped some amazing harp records and sold out her vinyl runs.

It's always an honour (and I'll stick in a superfluous U for her) when she gives my silly self the time of day, much less takes part in in one of my columns.

In case you didn't know, she's dropped her latest album and you can check that out on BANDCAMP.

1. There is nothing more awkward than sophomore year of high school. Tell me about your circle of friends.

Beer Thirty With Mathieu Vilandre of Fuck the Facts

Who's ready for some Grindcore? 

Yeah?

Who's ready for Grindcore on VINYL?

Yeah?

Whos' ready for Quebecois Grindcore on WAX? 

Yeah!

Get over to BANDCAMP and check out the new record by Fuck The Facts.

While you're streaming the angry goodness, let's talk about some beers with a world traveller.

1. My personal favorite beer style is the mighty Double India Pale Ale. The best DIPA in the world is STLIPA by Urban Chestnut. Tell me about your favorite style.