Monday, February 28, 2011

Heidevolk - Walhalla Wacht (2008)


Strap on your bracers and fill up your steins because here we have some authentic Viking/Folk Metal from the Netherlands. You don't need to be wielding a Claymore to appreciate this shit though, this is just some good ol' Folk Metal that really doesn't sound quite like anything else I have heard...and this is a good thing.  A refreshing release in a genre that is at times guilty of being stagnant.

This album may be a "grower" for some however, but it is damn catchy and worthy of a spin here and there in your ever-growing music collection. The bread and butter of this album is that every song manages to stand out on its own and hoist its own identity in quite a original refreshing way. Enjoy this one.


Walhalla Wacht

Sunday, February 27, 2011

Rotten Sound - Cursed (2011)


"Fast music for slow people" That is what my newly acquired Rotten Sound shirt says on the back. I saw these guys last week at the Finnish Metal Tour and they did not disappoint unlike Ensiferum with a very weak sound. The lead guitar was inaudible and me and a couple friendlies were having full fledged rage fits whilst bordering the pit, that is just unacceptable. (Any good show allows for no talking during the set, unless the two people talking are J.R. Hayes and Travis Ryan)

These crazy one-word song title loving Finns deliver another worthy release of their grind prowess. The overall sound seems to hoist a heavy murkiness that really makes it come across as heavily fast. (What the fuck does that even mean?) I dunno, listen to it, like it. It's not just a clever name.


Fast Music For Slow People

Saturday, February 26, 2011

BTBAM streaming new song

So, about a week ago BTBAM had signed to Metal Blade Records, which I guess you could say is good news? BUT is it? Silent Circus remains to be my favorite release by the band, and this was the first album released while signed with Victory Records.

I'll be honest, with BTBAM being off Victory, the only band that I hold remote interest in on Victory Records now is Blackguard, and even with their upcoming release I don't hold high hopes.

Re-fucking-gardless here is a link to BTBAM's new song streaming online. (Specular Reflection)
I'm curious to know what you dudes think of the song and expect from the album.

Discuss.

Friday, February 25, 2011

I O U

To those who frequent my mindless dribbling and link debauchery, I tilt my hat to you. I regret to inform you, that this blog will however continue on! I haven't been posting on here as much as I would like, and this makes the "Mormons" happy, but does however weigh heavy on my heart.

This means, I owe you guys some fucking music and the links that go along with it. I thought less than zero people read this blog, though statistics suggest otherwise. This, is good news. I provide these links to spread music and create interest in bands that may sometimes fly under your radar. That being said, download till your hearts content, but remember the hardworking gents who play this don't make any money off your clicking. IF you like what you hear, support it any way you can!

More shit to come, follow this fuckhole!

Turisas - Stand Up And Fight (2011)


(Fixed Link)

Enjoy.

Turisas

Saturday, February 19, 2011

Questions & Answers with Matt Sajn.


Dude, sometimes having your own blog can be a fucking hoot and hollr'...you get to ask your friends who play in a band all sorts of inane questions for a blog less than zero people read and they simply shrug and answer your stupid questions out of pity. Matt Sajn, guitarist and vocalist of Northern Primitive is my first claimed victim. Though to my bewilderment I only had to ask this man once, to which he replied something along the lines of "Fuck yeah! Should be fun". Oh the mirth!

1) If you had to get a lyrical fragment from a Northern Primitive song tattooed on your shin cap, which one would it be, and from which song?

- "I would do anything for love, but I won't do that." Then again, before meatloaf stole that one from us I could've done a lot with that song. I was hoping to get Elvis Costello on backing vocals or something. Actually though, the opening lyrics to 'soul machines:' "my heart is a four stroke on fire." I'd get it in wingdings font across both of my shins. Girls love wingdings.

2) Tell the people who don't read this blog what it is in today's society that grinds your goddamn gears more than anything?

- The one thing that gets to me more than anything is this whole culture of idiocy that seems to tell people it's completely okay to be lazy, shallow and uninspired. The majority of people out there have no concept of how hard work can lead to happiness, nor do they understand the merits of creativity.
 We live in an era in which people are totally cool with not having any drive or any bigger goals, so long as they know what happened on last week's episode of jersey shore.
I think this is a pathetic display of being human: there's no more wonder, no more depth, and no more integrity. It sincerely bothers me that these people don't care about positively contributing to society in any way. I suppose the worst part about it is that such people are convinced that that is what 'being cool' is all about.
Irony is not intelligence, Jersey Shore is not cool in any way, and unless you take some initiative and try to give your life meaning, you're just going to die bored and unfulfilled. Idiots.


3) On a scale of 1-11, how content are you with the end result of Northern Primitives self titled debut?

- Although I can't speak for Billy (drums) and Ross (bass), I can't say anything less than 11. We put a lot of time and effort into it, and I am 100% convinced that nobody could have done as good of a job with it as Kenny (Meehan) and Ian (Romano).
It was especially cool because I think Billy, Ross, and I see eye to eye with Ian and Kenny. They know what we are going for, and are able to have fun playing around with sounds. Even though I haven't listened to it in months, it was a really positive process.


4) Are you a bit surprised by the reaction the new album has gotten?


- I am. It's always cool to see what people have to say about something you create. I suppose when blogs and magazines started to get a hold of it I'd figure they would have ripped it to shreds for any reason they could find. I'm surprised and pleased that the reactions we have gotten have been positive ones, and that people seem to enjoy listening to it.

5) What song are you most proud of?

- I think either the opening track, 'Highway' or the closer, 'Stay Low.' The former because it was the first song we came up with, and I'm really happy with how it all came together. The latter, because we spent a good deal longer on it than with most other songs. We wanted to make it as powerful as possible. We used nearly every amp and guitar in the studio to make the choruses on that song as heavy as possible, as well as to collect as many cool feedback noises we could possibly get. Both songs were a lot of fun to do.


6) Glenn Danzig or Tony Little. Who would win the fistfight? 

- Danzig, for sure. Danzig has something to prove, especially after being publicly humiliated in his last bout. It will only take one punch. My guess is that Danzig strikes Little in the chest (rings on). The horn on his devil-head ring punctures a hole in Little's solar plexus, causing him to deflate. Publicly humiliated, the (literally) belittled Tony Little will jump on the back on alpaca and ride towards mediocrity. They will meet again in 2012... then it will be personal.


7) I have played indoor/outdoor soccer and hockey with you and you are a balls to the wall passionate dude out there, does this trait also come through in your music?

- I think it seems ridiculous to some people, but I think ones physical, creative and emotional states are all linked. When I play soccer, go to the gym, or do any sort of physical activity, I feel the same sort of energy and adrenaline that moves through me when I'm playing a show, or even listening to music that I like.
In the same way, when writing a song the big thing for me is making sure it hits people hard. With a song like highway... after that builds up I want to kill people.
 That's why we use it as an opener: it gets our blood pumping and hopefully hits the listener hard. Although most people see creative energy and physical energy as two different things, I'd like to see them as two sides of the same coin.
With Northern Primitive, I want the songs to hit people hard enough that it physically moves them. I'd much rather have someone listening to highway while at a gym, than listening to highway at some ironic weirdo hipster party. For me, this link between physical and creative energy is always there.


8) Would you rather smoke fake pot with the real Peter Frampton or smoke real pot with a dude that looks like Peter Frampton?


- So I guess there's no happy medium? Like smoking alright pot with a dude who kind of has a Frampton-esque jawline? I'd probably take the real stuff with the fake Frampton. I have nothing to ask Peter Frampton. Here's to hoping fake Frampton is a good dude.

9) What 3 things would you say inspire your musical style the most?


- Location (specifically Welland and Fenwick), the 90's, and whisky.

10) Name drop the next promising Welland band.

The Ol' Dirty Burger band is something special. They keep on getting better, and Burger's a great blues man. Definitely worth checking out when they're around.

(la end.)

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Mind Eraser - Glacial Reign (2007)


Musical equivalent to King Kong in combat boots. The entire albums stomps your ear holes with furious energy. If Buried Alive and Black Sheep Wall got together and jammed at the same time, it may sound a little something like this. It may not.

Glaciers don't fuck around. Icebergs are the spawn of glaciers and look at what happened to the Titanic. One glacial iceberg spawn moshed the whole Titanic and its crew along with it. Glacial Reign is like that, but with your ears instead.

Turn up your volume, listen to this loud, unless your "poossy". (insert Russian accent)

Titanic

Church of Misery - Houses of The Unholy (2009)


HERE is something you won't see too much of on this blog, Stoner Metal. Church of Misery play a blend of Stoner Metal with elements of doom and a whole lot of serial killer worship. Songs are usually riddled with sound clips of said serial killers or news flash pertaining to them. Groovier than Street Sharks.


The riffs are Bluesy Rock that just snorted a line of steroids. The production has the perfect amount of grainy texture to it.

Cereal killers

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Runic - Liar Flags (2006)


Dudes from Spain playing a blend of Viking Metal that sounds more authentic than most. I have no idea why more people haven't caught onto this band yet as Liar Flags deliver a debut that is full of energy and soundscapes that take you back to the golden era of burly vikings post-pillaging gatherings.

Liar Flags

Monday, February 14, 2011

Lunar Aurora - Andacht (2007)


Black Metal that pushes the genre further than burning churches, wearing corpse paint, blast beats, and tremolo picking. Though, I'm sure all those things play a part in this album, and why not? Lunar Aurora have been around for well over a decade, and the song writing on their latest releases convey the progression quite clearly.

On Andacht dense atmosphere is caked on creating very eerie soundscapes, adding even more so to the ambient depressive driven sound. The vocal cacophony ranges from low growls, high pitched shrieks, to unearthly clean vocals, all used to perfection to drive the lengthy transitional songs. Expect to hear droning guitar tones and drumming that will often catch you off guard and punch you in your external auditory meatus.

The right production is quintessential for a band like Lunar Aurora otherwise the driven atmosphere would be washed away in dissonance. The production on Andacht is spot on, and steered clear of the "polished" sound.

Suitable post for Valentines day if I do say so myself. By yourself a chocolate covered sacrificial dagger and revel in the myriad of darkness today.

Happy Andacht Day

Sunday, February 13, 2011

Nocturnal Rites - Shadowland (2002)


Initially this band from Sweden started off playing Death Metal, Nocturnal Rites soon morphed into a competent Power Metal band after its share of line-up changes. Being a big fan of Power Metal myself this album ranks up there for me.  They sort of fall into the generic side of things, but they pull it off and your testicles along with it.

Shadowland

Dick cheese and ceremonial apologys.

That title is bogus. There has been an unhealthy lack of posting on this blog, and I am the man to blame. Do not gather the lynch mob yet for I will be trying to fix this. My goal is mainly to get an album out there each day or so for you gents.

Activity on said blog is always welcomed and encouraged, anyone can leave a post. Recommend an album, request an album, tell me what you thought, call me a shit-eating whore. Whichever.

More posts to cum.

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Myotonia - Myotonia (2007)


This is what The Dillinger Escape Plan would sound like if they kept each song balls to the wall. Just with that sentence alone, I probably scared off more than half of you, understandably so. And if you had any brains you are probably thinking "You just fucking posted Hour of 13, and this is your follow up? Fucking Hour of 13." You're right, but I quickly recoil and respond with a lvl 18 eatabagofdicks. It's super effective!

This will surely not be for everyone, but those who share a particular like with the mathy style of chaotic hardcore will enjoy this. I have had this album in my collection since its release in '07 and even still it gets a spin every now and again.


Alligator Fukhaus

Monday, February 7, 2011

Hour of 13 - Hour of 13 (2007)


Hour of 13, brilliant. Dripping with sabbath worship aiming to create doom with a toss in of upbeat heavy metal riffs. Throw in respected elements of Mercyful Fate and Judas Priest for good measure. Everything was actually recorded in a old stone church that had been restored in the 1930's into a studio, cathedral ceilings and all. Blaspheming decadence.

Lyrics from 'Call to Satan";

Light the candles in thirteen
At each side than in between
In the circle here I stand
Naked in wait in the pentagram
With sacred blade self mutilate
To my own wounds I masturbate
In a sweat and semen soaked
Surrounded haze of incense smoke
An offering whose bowels be let
It's carcass placed on chantry set
In spoken tongues the songs I sing
Along with these solemn bells to ring
...king of the dark in everything


The atmosphere, vocal melodies and overall song writing set them aside from said worships giving them an entirely unique sound. If you are a fan of your metal so old-school it teeters the balance of a primordial oozed Toxic Crusader, then give this a listen.

Hour of 13

Dalriada - Igeret (2011)


And the least "Metal looking" album cover of the year award goes to...well it's a little too early for that. Any fucking way Dalriada of Hungary are back and have released their fourth full length album chalked with traditional Hungarian Folk Metal.

So, the female vocalist has decided she is going to let out some growls on this fucker and I must say it worked out quite well, giving some songs more balls to it. Also, is there a harmonica solo on song #3 or am I just out of my fucking skull? Not only that but the riff on song #3 is also crack to my ears. Jonne Järvelä of Korpiklaani also does guest vocals on the song "Leszek a Hold"! Everything is really good, I will leave it at that.

Either way, you like it or you don't. If you do, buy the fucking thing, these chaps deserve the money. (As do all the artists who ear fuck you on the daily basis for your listening pleasure. Don't be a frugal cunt.)

Naygon szép

Sunday, February 6, 2011

Korpiklaani - Ukon Wacka (2011)


Okay so Korpiklaani churn out records more often than you defecate, but lets be honest, it's not like they are creating ground breaking tunes that will forever shape the fabric of music. BUT, they have spent about 2 years making this one! Korpiklaani started off playing traditional folk music in pubs before they added the metal element to their music, which for some reason adds a nod of authenticity to it all. Fuck you, yes it does.

Usually when it comes to Korpiklaani albums there tends to be this impending problem of too many filler songs. You know, songs where it seemed they did not get drunk enough to create something entirely memorable. On Ukon Wacka there seems to be less filler songs and more of the folk driven melodies that we have known to love.


Perkele!

Wormed - Quasineutrality (2010)


Brutal, a word so overused it really is a shame we couldn't hide it from the kiddos dawning New-Era hats with that shitty sticker on the brim. You know the type. The fact is, this is brutal. Really, it is.

It may only be a 2 song promo but it hasn't stopped Wormed from creating something entirely crushing and deserving of some praise. its been eight years since "Planisphaerium" but Wormed has returned to fuck your ear holes. Open Wide.

Brutal cyclops

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Heol Telwen - An Deiz Ruz (2005)


Grab your walking stick and beat down a leprechaun because what we have here is some Celtic Black Metal done fucking right. So click the download link and enjoy you cheese eating surrender monkeys!

Epona