Antediluvian - The Divine Punishment (2021)

•  †  •

If you have been following this blog for a while now you'll know that I am fully in favour for all the qualities that Antediluvian are bringing to the death/black metal sound (which has seen itself run into the ground in the last 10 years)—Those aforementioned sound traits are the primitive whirlwind of tones and energy that gets baked into its crumbling atmosphere which bears the feeling that it is suffocating within itself. Feral and crude.

The way the drums are mixed in (and played) is what really sets its sound apart from its ilk—with the floor toms being tuned quite deep and played at a slowed down plod they evoke that same ritualistic or hypnotic quality that bands like Irkallian Oracle or Mitochondrion tap into. Not to say that Antediluvian's soundscape has the consistency of molasses, it very often moves towards the driving chaotic and bestial sound indicative to the style but even then it still retains that prevalent esoteric soundscape. The vocals are some of the best in the genre in my opinion, mixed perfectly and offering an onerous range that should send chills down your fucking spine, especially when those vicious guitars churn through the way they do in their dirge.

The Divine Punishment isn't out until September and as of posting this there is only the one track to sink your teeth into, but hell if you're anything like me, you'll have enough to whet your thirst. Nuclear War Now! Productions rarely gets anything wrong.

Antediluvian - The Divine Punishment (bandcamp)

Big Brave - Vital (2021)

•  †  •

This monolithic slab of drone came out a mini aeon ago and for some reason I have been sleeping on its dedicated post. It was never not going to be posted here. I have listened to this record a lot… It's a hefty listen, permeated throughout is Big Brave's signature lofty guitar chords buzzing around in a trance like state as reverb and feedback collide into each other creating waves of mollifying noise modus operandi. If you're at all familiar with Big Brave, which you should be, then you know what to expect in Robin's inspired vocal croon—Incantation like, ritualistic and poignant with a whole heap of heft and energy behind it. Still on Southern Lord after all these years too, I like it.

Big Brave - Vital (2021)

Bootlicker - Bootlicker (2021)

• † •

Bootlicker are Vancouver's contribution to the incredibly blown out and raucous federation. A frantic, albeit jangly, hodgepodge of d-beat, crust punk and hardcore thrown into the pot with a tinge of Oi! a la the Hard as Nails working class era of Close Shave. The guitar tones enter into some real nice territory on this one, down-stroked to hell and mired in a thick curtain of grease. Strong Boston Strangler presence on here with the choppiness of Arms Race and Violent Reaction.

Bootlicker - Bootlicker (bandcamp)

Spectral Wound - Frigid and Spellbound [Single] (2021)

•  †  •  

Spectral Wound has never really been big on my radar, but from Profound Lore's reputation and track record alone I'll listen… Also Quebecois black metal has its own staunch reputation worth paying attention to. I'm not going to make any claims off this single alone, that would be a hackneyed response… But the pre-order album on bandcamp has evidently been doing alright for itself.

Spectral Wound - A Diabolical Thirst (bandcamp)

Bloodshot Bill - Get Loose or Get Lost (2020)

•  †  •

Montreal's legendary Bloodshot Bill strikes again and can still cut the mustard better than almost anyone else in the genre out there, the nostalgia in a bottle jukebox rockabilly croon of Bloodshot Bill is about as authentic as it gets, and his guitar is sounding so good on this one. This album just came out, but it resonates with a certain potent accuracy the sounds of 70 years ago with flourishes of modern panache within the frenzied minutia. Can't wait for the days when I can watch this man pour his sweat and heart out on some dingy bar stage in Toronto and maybe even catch a rare cover of Hasil Adkins 'No More Hotdogs'. The idea is simple, accept no substitutes and get loose or get lost!

Get Loose or Get Lost (bandcamp)

Oxtongue - Where The Light Is Mute; Limited test press vinyl

First and foremost, you've really fucked the dog if you haven't heard this album yet. If you are a dweeb and need further convincing, read my original post about the album here.

Holy Mountain Printing recognized this morose cimmerian beast and decided to go ahead and press 300 vinyls of WTLIM! But until the final result, the limited test presses are in, and they are fucking beauty! (Only 5 were made available for sale) I wanted to post this here to give those of you whom I know really dig this release an oppurtunity to put your money where your mouth is… Oh, and there are only a couple left.

Here is the direct link to purchase the record!

Weapon - Embers and Revelations (2012)

Canadian death metal rules… So does death metal from New Zealand though. Well, death metal from all over rules - But what I think I really mean is Canadian death metal has a deluge of bands that are pushing the often vapid genre into some unique directions. 

Among them, Weapon, who last year unveiled their 3rd full-length 'Embers and Revelations'! Which sees itself separate from its more bestial and abyssal Canadian brothers with a production that isn't smothered in murk and filth. Well no fuck right, it's not like Weapon is treading the same soils that bands like Revenge or Antediluvian are.

Shawn Hache of Mitochondrion (more Canadian name dropping) actually turned me onto Weapon through an email, which is righteous enough, but what this really means is… You should listen to Weapon.

Weapon - Embers and Revelations (mediafire)