DLP Review: "Erosion" by Cydemind

Erosion

There are times when your buddy here feels like Abraham Simpson yelling at the world and demanding that the United States removes three states.

He also says he'll be dead in the cold, cold ground before he recognizes Missour-AH, but as we're in Missouri, it's probably something different right?

My personal windmill is the hyper factioning of all the metal sub-genres. Certainly there are different kinds of metal and a factioning isn't necessarily a bad thing.

It's the overuse of these ideas that gets on my nerves. In the now (seemingly) distant past, friends spoke of this new thing called Folk Metal. There was no way it would ever make it into my music library. My mind was closed at the time. What made that particular type of metal so interesting was the inclusion of new instruments into the fold.

Video: "Juice" by Andy Gabbard

Andy Gabbard of The Buffalo Killers has just released his video for Juice off of his upcoming solo record on Alive-Natural Sound.

Check it out!

Metallica Showed Me Subtext

There was a time in my life when it never really occurred that song was trying to tell me anything other than the single story.

Granted, I was much younger then than I am now. This was when I was very much into Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden, and Led Zeppelin.

Naturally, those bands are a pretty big deal, but none of them really said anything that was outside of what they sang.

Years later, I would get into Jimi Hendrix, the Doors, and Metallica.

Even though subtext is still my personal Achilles Heel, I can tell you that Metallica's songs were about something bigger than just moving you for the moment.

In the Eighties, when they came up, that wasn't a really big deal. The Ronald Reagan Era, i.e. the plastic life of lies and treason, was in full swing when Master of Puppets came out and George H W Bush was still maintaining Reagan's policies in 1989 when ...And Justice For All was released.

While Metallica was singing about how men were wasted on the battlefield, Ozzy Osbourne was preparing to sing about transforming into a werewolf or getting high. Though, honorable mention goes to Killer of Giants.

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: "Plastic Surgery" by Heavy Traffic

Plastic Surgery

What an age to be alive?

Last night, I took in a show by the Leonas w/Morrigan at The Tick Tock Tavern. It was a pair of string bands that have nothing to do with this save giving us venue for a conversation.

My friend's wife asked me about plague metal...well that's not a thing yet, but it will soon be...because every kind of metal soon will be.

Music in the Twenty First Century is basically like fusion cooking. For the record, my newly minted Slow Cooked General Mi-Tso Chicken was spectacular.

Due to there only being so many chord progressions and scales, it's getting harder and harder for bands to keep things new and fresh. Some do and some don't, but those that can are able to raise their heads above the din and be heard.

Stream: "Medicine" by Quiet Hollers

One of the best surprises of 2015 for me was The Quiet Hollers. Their brand of open ended pop coupled with modernized "down home" instruments was just one of my favorite albums of that year and yes, the vinyl sits proudly on my shelf.

This year, they're back with Amen Breaks releasing on July 7th. Check back for the full review down the road, but in the meantime, check out the first single Medicine.

Holler at them on Facebook!

Stream: "All That Light" by Skye Steele

Check out the latest single from Skye Steele.

He's out on tour starting this week.

Upcoming Skye Steele Tour Dates:

5/17 - Grand Rapids, MI - 20 Monroe Live (w/ The Minimalists)

5/18 - Chicago, IL - Thalia Hall (w/ The Minimalists)

5/19 - Madison, WI - Barrymore Theatre (w/ The Minimalists)

5/21 - Minneapolis, MN - Cedar Cultural Center (w/ The Minimalists)

5/27 - Brooklyn, NY - Come On Everybody

5/28 - Baltimore, MD - The Holy Underground

6/01 - Atlanta, GA - The Casa Nova

LP Review: "Beyond The Dark Border" by Horrid

Beyond The Dark Border

Many people have told me that I bear a resemblance to someone they know. In the past, my jobs were in the public, so meeting new and (not so) interesting people daily and hearing their (totally not) original stories was part of the job description.

Many people wanted to tell me that I look just like Mike Myers and has anyone ever told me this?

The standard response became, only every day since about 1992.

Now that my visage is older and Myers has aged differently than me, it doesn't happen as much as it used to, but there's still an effect there.

Here's the strong takeaway, if you see someone that you believe resembles a celebrity, don't tell them. The difference between the chances you're the first and nil are basically incalculable unless you're the entire geometry department at MIT.

7" Vinyl Review: "2AM. Chinatown" by Julian Jasper

2AM. Chinatown

Let's get started with my beloved St. Louis Blues. At the time of this writing, we're getting the injury reports of what they were really dealing with during the playoffs.

As someone who wanted the Nashville series, it didn't disappoint in terms of games, but our boys didn't have the stamina this year. That or a threatening power play.

So, for this guy, I say go on you Predators and win your first cup.

That said, there's a lot more to life than sports. For instance, there's vinyl to listen, to review, and to love.

My little vinyl column here has ginned up to precisely what I wanted it to become. Bands, labels, and PR firms have taken to it and there's plenty still sitting on my shelf waiting for spins. Listening to music for the first time on the old school (or new school colored) vinyl is just really the best. As I typically only buy albums I've heard before on vinyl, I'm very thankful for the opportunity!

Video: "Timeout" by Ivy Crown

Newcomers, Ivy Crown, have released their first single. So see it, see below. This group is full of bad asses.

Their stories are as interesting as their music. Hopefully this is just a teaser for what they have in store.

Check them out on Facebook.

Video: "Desire" by Megafauna

Austin rockers, Megafauna are back and bigger than ever.

Check out below for their latest video, Desire. Hit them up on Facebook in order to find out what makes Austin weird.

You can pick up their latest album, Welcome Home, and previous records on Bandcamp on CD, LP, or Digital.

LP Review: "Claw Machine Wizard" by Left Lane Cruiser

Claw Machine Wizard

Years ago, I faced one of the most awkward tests of my young life.

After my relationship of twelve years came to an end it was hard. Naturally it was a difficult situation for me as it would be for anyone.

It got hard when it was time to head over to the family's house for the holidays.

For years and years, there was always a second person by my side. Someone who helped me get through these gatherings and keep me company. I was also kept safe because it always took an ungodly amount of booze to make it through these celebrations.

So, here I was feeling young, exposed, and like a failure at life. In the end, it was easier than I thought. There was no surprise as to why I arrived and left alone.

Video: "Midday Moonlight" by Blackbird Hill

Here's some heavy French blues from the gents in Blackbird Hill.

Pick up the record HERE and tell them comment allez vous on Facebook.

Interview: Terminal Nation Gets Me Up To Speed

One of the genres of metal out there that's a little hard for me is Grindcore. If I'm being honest, I just don't like the term core being added to the end of other metal genres. I'm kind of like Jeff Walker in 1991 like that.

But as someone with eyes wide open, it's nice to get to know the other kinds of music that I don't do a whole lot in my personal listening.

Stan from Terminal Nation was kind enough to take some time for us and talk about the genre, the scene, and life in general.

(Recently declassified from the Guantanamo Bay Glacially Musical Offices and Michael Flynn had nothing to do with this transmission.)

Glacially Musical: Thank you for taking some time for us. How are you guys doing today?

Video: "Vinden som piskar ditt ensamma lik" by Siniestro

It's time Sweden exports something else to the USA besides metal and hockey players.

But that day is not today. Check out the latest from Siniestro and ask them what the title means in English on Facebook.