Gorgoroth - Ad Majorem Sathanas Gloriam

Probably the best band from Mordor, and only recently, one of the more controversial Norwegian Black Metal bands.  Although they've had a few album flops, and made plenty of abhorrent personal choices, they're still my favorite "true" Black Metal band.

Despite coming from their most publicized period, and having the "Isaac Mizrahi" of Black Metal on vocals, you can't really fault this album.  It's actually really good.  Frost (1349, Satyricon) did all the drumming here, which I never would have guessed, as the drums are a bit more subdued than he's known for.  Still, they're tight, and work well with the other instruments.  The vocals are good as well, but most of the focus here, as on any Metal album should be, are the riffs.  Epic and memorable, discordant at times, melodic at others, the guitars on this album create a vast and well-rounded landscape.  Great Black Metal should make you feel pain, and this album hurts so good...

why do you hurt me so?

Hutt - Sessão Descarrego

Man, sometimes pickin's are slim for new stuff to post.  This time, I had to reach waaay back in my CD collection (yeah, I do CDs, not Vinyl) for this gem that I bought six years ago.  This album reminds me that Brazilians don't just create awesome dance moves, they also make good music.

There's really not much to say about this one, it's just really good Grindcore with a Death Metal lean.  This is the real deal too: no triggers, no processed vocals, and no misogyny to be found.  What you will find are: great riffs, lots of tempo changes, and a hostile attitude.  This is concise brutality, what Grindcore is all about, not trends!

big 'ol booty

Weekend Nachos - Worthless

This year, the Nacho boys have returned and given us a new (very short) LP.  Just like last time, they've made some changes, but still deliver the goods.  This recent album sounds like a compromise between their last two:  you get the speed and fury of Punish and Destroy, plus the generous helpings of mosh from Unforgiveable.  The enormous, "tree-felling" guitar tone that everyone loves is still there, and is a bit more "detailed" thanks to a slightly cleaner production job.  The only thing that's really missing are the "clenched-teeth" vocals that the singer was known for.  This time around, he's opted for a more typical, throaty scream; sounds fine, but not nearly as intimidating.  Still, a stellar release, and proof that Los Nachos remain at the top of the Powerviolence heap.

bob swerski approved

Ofermod - Tiamtu

Boy, I sure have been lazy lately.  That's why it's been three days since the last update instead of the usual two.  Tomorrow, I should be back to normal posting though.

Norway may have Gorgoroth, but if you ask me, Sweden's Black Metal scene trumps Norway's in sheer volume and quality of work.  This album only further proves my point.  Tiamtu is impressively dynamic and mature, far beyond most of their peers, not to mention that it's their debut full-length.  Ofermod seemingly come from the same school as fellow Swedes Ondskapt, with a similar slightly chunky and vaguely progressive style.  One major difference, though, is Ofermod shows a considerable Morbid Angel influence on several tracks.  Beyond that, you have an exceptional slice of Modern Black Metal here.  Take heed...

cantata for my death-hole

Harm's Way - Isolation

If you're like me, you often have to push really hard to motivate yourself to work out.  After a long day of work, you need all the help you can get to manage getting off the couch and exercising (more work).  This squeaky new album is just the remedy for such problem.  You can now look forward to your routine knowing you have the perfect soundtrack for muscle development.  

Harm's Way have been making waves in the hardcore/metalcore scene for a few years now; starting as a vaguely metallic Powerviolence band, and later as a typically "moshy" Metalcore band.  This most recent album continues in that path, but now, I hear a significant Godflesh influence.  There's even one song that uses a drum machine, very odd, but it doesn't suck.  Aside from that, this is pretty straight-forward slow to mid-paced heaviness.  The production here is great too; slick and punchy, reminding me of Dan Swano's work.  Overall, this is just a great album to do strength training to, or to beat people that don't meet your elitist ideology.

 yes, that's the singer, talk about tough-guy cred...

 music with broad shoulders

Infestus - Chroniken des Ablebens

I know it's been awhile since I posted any Black Metal, and this one doesn't disappoint.  This German band plays in the finest Nordic tradition.  I definitely hear a strong Dissection influence as well as early Setherial.  There also seems to be a hint of "Anthems"-era Emperor  in the clean sections.  One of the first things you'll notice is the lush production that's properly atmospheric without any of the unecessary harshness (also remiscent of Setherial's Nord).  The sound is quite masterful, especially considering how little-known this band is.  Technically, this isn't a band at all, this is one man playing all the instruments, and he does so superbly.  I honestly would never have guessed, and I usually notice lack of technique right away.  Most full-blown Black Metal bands can't sound half as tight as this guy, and they only need know one instrument each!  While it hasn't changed my life, it's a consistently great album.  I pit this against any recent BM release.  This is the real deal: no drum machines, no right-wing political bullshit, no annoying "clean" singing.  This is Black Metal as it was always meant to be: the ultimate in dark and extreme music.

the 'Germs rarely disappoint

Undead Creep - The Ever-Burning Torch

Old-school Swedish Death Metal by way of Sicily.  I've been on sort of a primitive Death Metal kick, and this album fits right in with that.  If you're familiar with the style, you know what to expect: buzzing guitars, simple riffs, mid-paced drumming, all with the occasional sprinkling of melody and blast-beats.  The only thing I'm really missing is more bottom-heaviness and just plain loudness in the guitars.  I always liked feeling suffocated under the weight of the guitars of Dismember and Fleshcrawl, and this album lacks that slightly.  Other than that, you have pretty much the perfect Death Metal prototype.  It may not be as memorable as Like an Everflowing Stream or Slaughter of the Soul, but it definitely satisfies.  Pretty cool artwork too.

the great taste that won't fill you up, and never let you down

Elitist - Fear in a Handful of Dust

What, crusties doing Death Metal?  I know you've heard this before with Sanctum and Stormcrow, but these guys are actually good.  What I mean is that this band actually succeeds in playing Metal, something which is lost with most Crust/Metal or "Stenchcore" hybrids.  This record sounds just like it should, cavernous, dark and muddy; no solos or "technical" anything.  In addition to the Death Metal base of this smelly stew, you'll also hear "epic" Crust influences (ala His Hero is Gone) as well as some Sludge influence (ala Noothgrush).  At it's heart though is early-humanoid barbarism.  Seriously, this is the best band to come out Portland since Sleater-Kinney (just kidding, I'm pretty sure Portland had no good bands until now).  If you like your Death Metal oafish and moderately lethargic like Asphyx, early Incantation, or Witchrist, you should probably stop smoking so much pot... and then listen to this.

near a handful of bust

Kate Bush - Alone At My Piano

I don't normally post bootlegs here, but I'll always make an exception for Kate.  This album is a collection of her early demos from '76, '77, and '80.  The '76 material is the main focus, and most of it is unreleased.  These were home recordings, so the sound is rough, as is her voice at this young age.  Still, her signature tone and expressiveness are there, and some these unreleased songs are pretty sweet.  If only she re-recorded this old material for Directors Cut, instead of her 89-93 stuff...

the "real" queen of England

and again

Dead Language - Dead Language

Since I'm such a man of the people, I'm gonna let you (the fans!) review this album.  *Actual reason* I'm running out of albums that I "know" and that also meet my quality standards (I only post stuff that I would still listen to today).  Here's a brief "un-review" to get you interested:  Dead Language is Powerviolence "supergroup" containing members of Iron Lung, No Comment, and Walls (who?).  The sound is pretty old-school PV with a clearer, modern production.   It's lean, cutting, and noisy, without the guttural vocals and mosh parts of the newer bands.  I guess that sort of was a review, but that doesn't mean you leechers are off the hook!

give them money

passing the savings on to you