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)

Harm's Way - Reality Approaches (2009)

Straight from the goddamn curtain call Harm's Way barrage you with their intro track making you want to mosh around like a neanderthal brandishing  50 pound dumbbells. The frisson you sense is that of barbarity, a lowbrow accompanied with a don't give a fuck nature makes Reality Approaches the soundtrack to punch mammals and bang your head stupidly.

The beast as a whole is handled like seasoned juggernauts of rancorous hardcore infused with thrash. I own this on vinyl and when I'm not too busy overplaying the shit out of Led Zeppelin Untitled IV I'll throw on some Reality Approaches to bang the head to. The only relent given is the pause between flipping sides… Dishes have been victimized in the ensuing chaos, and fuck it because fuck it.

Reality Approaches (Mediafire)

Oxtongue - Where The Light Is Mute (2013)

 

(artwork; Førtifem)

Oxtongue, a young 3-piece band from my hometown that has piqued my interest and full attention since guitarist and friend of mine sent me some sample tracks a while back, but the songs were rather hollowed out skeletons of what was to become a colossal bone-yard…


… Where The Light Is Mute is a chasmal and malodorous display of doom calcified in so much decay it almost crumbles beneath itself… But it fucking doesn't, because the inner foundation is hardened and burly. With a tempo that shares the same consistency as molasses, it trudges along unhurriedly like someone forced to dig their own grave, and their family's too. Each scoop of earth slowly swallowing away life, each passing chord giving way to anguished howls, each floor tom strike signaling the inevitably bleak end.

The lengthy tracks give room to become stale, yet neither of them do, exploring intriguing nuances such as the ethereal monk like chants in the songs Humanity: Born In The Way Of Eternal Grief, and Anguish: Abide With Suffering along with some chunky fucking hooks. The buildup in the intro track is something to behold actually, a sluggishly paced section that develops the tension adequately over the span of 5 minutes until a tidal-wave of fuzzy guitars and searching screams pierce through the droney veil. All while shitting all over your whimsy, chump.

These dudes are young man, like fucking young enough to be your children, or the children of your children, probably. This is of course hyperbole, but still young, floating around the ages of 19-21. Howbeit with the sound they conjure up you would think they were ancient bearded shamans reciting age-old funeral marches.

I'd be really interested to hear what you guys (the readers) think of this, if you download it (which you should), let's exercise the right to not be a self-righteous cunt and throw our opinions around. I already have, your turn. Don't pussyfoot, don't beat around the proverbial bushes, give these dudes some feedback.

Download WTLIM (Mediafire)
Bandcamp