Dope Throne

Is that a bearded Satan taking a bong hit? Why I do believe it is...

This here is what is known as a seminal album. It is Electric Wizard's third release (anno 2000) and is soooo dope that they even put "dope" in the title.

Doom, stoner, psychedelic, horror... this little bit of rock n roll is a mammoth album. It absolutely crushes. Dopethrone showcases Electric Wizard at what may be considered their high point. This album in angry, sonic, mystical, and above all: mesmerizing.


So fire up the ol' bong, take your hair out of that pony tail, and get ready bang your head real slow like. And don't forget to turn the volume way the fuck up on your Mom's 1973 stereo receiver. Just not too loud, you don't want these dope vibrations to knock over her Hummel collection. That would be bad dude, real bad.



This is the re-release, so you get the bonus track Mind Transferral. Who doesn't love an extra song!?

...ENJOY...

Gotham Beggars Syndicate

Hailing from just West of Transylvania, from a country known as BRAZIL, Damn Laser Vampires are pretty God damned odd. Mixing elements of Rockabilly, Polka, New Wave, John Waters, Quentin Tarantino and pure camp horror, this is probably the album that could have saved that pathetic Halloween party you threw this year. Instead you chose to sit around with your loser friends, dressed up as a bunch of douches who went to Party City to buy costumes, and listening to the fuckin' Monster Mash while watching Scream 2. You should have been blasting Damn Laser Vampires while dancing like it's 1962 and you and your undead horde are about to turn your jerk off town into one giant undead/vampire party. Well, at least you know better for next year.

...enjoy...

Click HERE for Video.

Conqueror

BEHOLD! Gates of Slumber's third proper effort, Conqueror.

Does the supposed start to the Holiday season make you want to run full speed through the throngs of living dead at Wal Mart with blood stained Conan sword in hand? Yes, you say? Then this is the album for you. Pure doom. Pure metal. Gates of Slumber is in a metal category all their own. It is called: fucking awesome.

...enjoy...

Mosaic

There are few artists as evocative as David Eugene Edwards. Wovenhand would become his main musical concern as the (now) legendary 16 Horsepower came to its' end. This is Mosaic, the third album under the Wovenhand banner.

D.E.E.'s music is of a startling personal and spiritual nature. His Christian faith is evident throughout, but this ain't no Amy Grant album. It is often bleak in it's stark musical and lyrical landscapes. Mosaic can be soothing, but more often is violent, challenging, and urgent. At times this album can be overwhelming. Edward's has the unique ability to declare faith and spiritual crisis simultaneously- displaying a stunning honesty in his music. At times he seems like a Native American Shaman, possessed by visions and revelations. Within his now established tradition of dark Americana (established under the aforementioned 16 HP), Edwards infuses almost militaristic industrial elements- adding to the drama of it all.

Christian music is a genre I would recommend most people steer clear of- no matter your faith, or lack of faith. It is too often vapid nonsense, created by shallow souls seeking only to fill an economic vacuum and not a spiritual one. But Wovenhand is a bold and lively exception. Edward's is a poet possessed by a muse all his own. He does great service to his faith, showing it to be complicated and difficult while simultaneously being all encompassing and beautiful.

...enjoy...

Here's the link for a fan made video for the song "Dirty Blue"
using the short film The Hangman (1964).

Smiling Dogs

For you consideration: The debut album of once Colorado's, but now Brooklyn's, MAN'S GIN.

Moody, pensive and urgent, Smiling Dogs plays like a series of crime scene snapshots- each offering more questions than answers. Fronted by Cobalt's Erik Wunder, Man's Gin is one of the most innovative musical endeavors of 2010. The vocals of Wunder could easily draw comparisons to a young Chris Cornell while the tone of the album will inevitably draw comparisons to other Seattle luminaries from the 1990's (i.e. Alice in Chains). Think grunge, only darker and more menacing. And while such comparisons are inevitable, Man's Gin has more in common with the dark Americana of 16 Horsepower or the many expressions of a Mr. Dax Riggs (Acid Bath, Deadboy and the Elephantmen, etc.). Ultimately though, Smiling Dogs is an album with a distinct presence all its' own. It pulls the listener into a world of frustration, murder, confusion and despair... all with a pile of blood soaked money on the bed.

If you have already compiled your "Best of 2010" mixtape for you and your cat to listen to at your New Year's Eve party, I must request that you delete Like a G6 and make some room for Man's Gin.

...enjoy...

"Rise From Your Grave!"

After a long hibernation, this tiny and insignificant corner of the intraweb has new life in its' lungs.

Beginning Friday 11/19/10 new posts will begin to appear...rejoice!

Team America: World Police

Happy Birthday America, you beautiful son of a bitch. What are you, like 234 years old today? Well, God damn... you don't look a day over 157.

Team America may just be the most under appreciated film of the early 21st century. Do you hate terrorists? Well, so does Team America. Hate douchey celebs telling you how to vote? Check that one for Team America as well. How about marionette love making? I know you love it, and so does Team America, bitches. What may be even more amazing is this film's, and brilliant soundtrack of course, ability to explain U.S. foreign policy better than any Washington assclown. Is it pretty? No. But neither are marionette fuck scenes. Yet they are both necessary.

So happy birthday to America, easily the coolest country North of Mexico. And let's tip our hats to the founders of this nation, especially John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, George Washington and Jesus.

America. Fuck Yeah.

...enjoy...

I Have A Pony

Classic album.

You
are
welcome.

...enjoy...

The Jester Race

There was a time, long ago in a galaxy far far away, when I was a naive and simple youth. I sincerely believed that In Flames could and would never do wrong. I was right for a while... then ... they ... shit the bed. Oh well, at least we have their second full length, and first with lead vocalist Anders Friden, The Jester Race. This album was groundbreaking in 1996 as it took the still young Swede melodic death metal sound and really perfected it. It would also commence what would become a unifying theme on In Flames' following efforts: humankind is comprised of a bunch of assholes.

There are scores of hip American bands nowadays who are painfully attempting to rehash (aka rip off) the early In Flames as well as At The Gates sound... they are weak. Almost as weak as the latter day In Flames albums. Don't believe me? Then, download this example of supreme awesomeness, listen to it, and then head on over to Hot Topic and buy some of their new shite.

On a side note, check out "Lord Hypnos" as Anders displays his affinity for English Romantic poet William Wordsworth, by reading from "Ode: Intimations of Immortality." That's some classy shit right there.

...enjoy...

The Biz Never Sleeps

I remember a time, 1989 in fact, when all those of the gangsta persuasion were kept in check by one man. There was no rapper on rapper crime and all who rapped, were content to rap in this great man's rather imposing shadow. That man, was The Diabolical Biz Markie.

Those were good days, when the world was still civilized and appreciated the value of a human beat box. The good Biz's reign was short unfortunately. This due to a silly lawsuit and land mark(ie) ruling concerning sampling in music as well as the ever growing gangstafication trend in the scene. Short, but glorious The Biz's time was. But please don't fret, good blog reading person, The Biz lives on in our hearts and minds, as long as we continue on... he shall too. Lisping beat box and all. He's just not all that Diabolical these days... but was he really ever?

BONUS VIDEO!

...enjoy...

Traveller

Released in 2003, Traveller is an epic piece of music based on the 1970's role playing game of the same name. Now, I know what you are thinking... how could an album be any good if it is based on a role playing game? Well, that's just how sick a band Slough Feg (they shortened their name a few years ago) have been over the years. They could sing songs about the daily trials and tribulations of your kitchen toaster oven and it would blow your simple mind half way across your shitty little neighborhood. Traveller takes you on a Sci Fi adventure among the stars where epic battles lay waste to alien species across the universe. At least that's what I think is going on. Led by the legendary Mike Scalzi (ex Hammers of Misfortune), this album is an ode to guitar driven heavy metal. The riffs alone have been rumored to induce premature labor. Scalzi's vocals are as impressive as they are unique to the metal world.

There are soooo many bands that rehash "old school" heavy metal and it just comes across so cheesy and stale. Slough Feg are not and have never been one of these impostors. These guys are of a wholly different variety, existing not just beyond, but on a different plane of existence than the silly trends of the metal world. No trend fuckery here kids. Slough Feg are a unique musical experience that have remained underground for far too long. Their originality is a breath of fresh air and as we have seen all too often, artistic originality and talent don't necessarily result in financial success. So, after you download this album and realize how empty your life has been without it, I ask that you proceed to purchase everything ever produced by Slough Feg HERE.

Until then... The Lord Weird Slough Feg serve as a painful reminder as to just how weak your metal is.

...enjoy...

High Expectations/Low Results

Canada's Faunts released their debut album, High Expectations/Low Results, in the year of our Lord 2005. It's a fuzz filled pop experience, summoning inspiration from the likes of My Bloody Valentine and Sigur Ros. The album unfolds with a gentle melancholy and ever present pop consciousness, albeit spacey and lazy (in this case, lazy is meant as a compliment). The songs come across like a picture that remains just a bit out of focus, creating an ethereal haze of sound and emotion. The album is extremely accessible, which is rather important in the world of pop, but definitely travels at its' own pace. The songs are in no rush, and when you give this album a spin I suggest you not be in one either.

...enjoy...

Universal Migrator Part 1: The Dream Sequencer

Ayreon is the epic-prog rock project of the Dutchman Arjen Lucassen. This album, Universal Migrator Part 1: The Dream Sequencer, is part of a larger series of similarly themed albums, but is more directly related to its' counterpart Universal Migrator Part 2: Flight of the Migrator, which was released congruently back in 2000. Quite the mouthful, huh? Anyway, Arjen is the ever intrepid prog musician. He collected a series of talents to join him on his quest, including but not limited to Lana Lane, Neal Morse and Johan Edlund. One of those things does not belong... That's right, Johan Edlund from Tiamat contributes his distinct baritone for what is perhaps the highlight of the album "My House on Mars."

I should probably take a moment and explain what this album is all about...

It's 2084, and the earth has consumed itself in war. Everyone is dead. Colonists on Mars are now dying as a result (no imports of food, water, soap, etc.) There is this awesome machine, called the Dream Sequencer. It allows you to travel through time and live the experiences of famous people and events. Like a virtual reality history lesson. This one poor chap is the last person alive on Mars, or anywhere for that matter, and he hops in the machine to live out his days as best he can. Let the fun and adventure begin! Enter Sir Francis Drake, Rembrandt, Neil Armstrong, Druids, Mayans, etc etc etc...

I'm not too into the "rock opera" scene. But, this album somehow keeps making it back into my rotation after all these years. Especially Edlunds track.

Part 2 has some lad named Bruce Dickinson. But I never made it that far.

...enjoy...

Rainaway Town

Sweden's Kristofer Astrom (Fireside) released this uber friendly folk/pop album anno 2007, proving that sometimes simple and straightforward songwriting is the way to go. Catchy yet introspective acoustic guitar rock rules the day here. The album flows with a familiarity that makes it a fine companion to long summer drives and camp side fires. Fellow Swede Mattias Hellberg (of this band and that band, etc.) lends his talents to "Just a Little Insane." "Conjure Me," despite the multiple high points this album provides, is easily the winning track off Rainaway Town. Don't believe me? Then download it and let me know why I'm wrong. asshole.

...enjoy...

Gods of the Earth

We have here, the latter of two releases by Texas doomsters, The Sword. Gods of the Earth was released way back in 2008 and has seen the band reach all sorts of new highs (pun intended). They've seen their music seep into the collective (un)consciousness of video gamers with songs featured in some supposed game called Guitar Hero. You may have heard of it. They have also toured extensively with a band who call themselves Metallica. But let us not hold any of this against them.

Some out there, and they are legion, condemn The Sword as "hipster" metal. Now, I'm not saying there aren't "hipster" trend fuck bands out there latching on to the whole retro metal movement. I'm just saying that The Sword are too good to be lumped with them. If classic Black Sabbath and early Metallica are two sounds you would like see blended together, than these guys are for you.

Gods of the Earth is a more tightly composed album than it's predecessor, although Age of Winters is pretty awesome too, but what is special about The Sword is their ability to take classic metal ingredients, mix them together, and have the result be familiar yet refreshing. Having a couple songs based on Conan stories ("The Frost Giant's Daughter" & "The Black River") never hurts either.

Let the head banging commence.

...enjoy...

Oh Nooooo

The intraweb seems to be having problems today. More specifically, Mediafire can't get its' shit together... Past uploads seem to be affected as well :(

As soon as this problem rectifies itself, we will be up and running again...

Always Say Please and Thank You

Easily the most popular posting on this here blog has been Jay Munly's, Munly & The Lee Lewis Harlots. So for today I offer you his parent band, Slim Cessna's Auto Club...

Slim Cessna and his Auto Club are Colorado alt-country/Americana royalty. Their live performances are the stuff of legend (which I as of yet have been unable to experience). Slim's story telling takes the listener through a variety of American musical landscapes as he invokes elements of big-tent revivalism, singing (and sometimes yodeling) songs about God and the ever tempting Satan. His tongue is firmly in cheek, it would appear, but it doesn't seem to detract from the charm and even conviction of this utterly enjoyable, quirky and rambunctious album. Their is a dark mood deep beneath the album, although not as dark as Mr. Munly's or even The good Rev. Glasseye solo works, but it does lend a nice and sinister edge at times. Slim's knack for compelling story telling as well as diverse musical compositions, make this album a must have.

PS: It was released on Jello Biafra's Alternative Tentacles, which is easily one of the best independent labels around. And they've been around for a long time.

...enjoy...

Agalloch/Nest Split

I am off for a long weekend in the Catskill Mountains. The unofficial start of summer every year includes good friends, good music, better drink and a certain serenity offered by nature. This year, I am just glad that the nature in my part of the country, that I choose to visit and enjoy, is not covered by oil.

The prolific Agalloch released this split 10 inch with Finland's Nest in 2004. Each band contributing a single song of pensive neo-folk majesty. Agalloch also contributed the vocals and acoustic guitar to the Nest track. You may recognize the Agalloch track, as it is a bit of a reprise of "Hallways of Enchanted Ebony" from their full length Pale Folklore. Aslak Tolonen, of Nest, produced the cover art for both sides of the record.

Fuck BP. Fuck the President.

...enjoy...

Nihil

It's Wednesday of a very long week and we are all in need of some Impaled Nazarene. Black, unholy, punk, fucking grind, did I say black?, sick as all shit Finns. Just look at that album art... Gas masks, goat heads and s&m... why not? Some in the uptight EU have blacklisted Impaled Nazarene and prevented or hindered the sale of their albums. What is so wrong about loving goat heads and hating Communists?

The one time I was fortunate enough to witness the spectacle that is Impaled Nazarene, lead vocalist Mika Lutinen opened the ceremonies with "You wanted the best!?" "Well, you got us...suck cocks!" Well played, sir.

There are numerous associated metal acts with ties to these purveyors of apocalyptic metal. But of special note is the presence of Alexi Laiho, of Children of Bodom fame, establishing a life time's worth of metallic street cred with his 2 year tour of duty in Impaled Nazarene.

Now, go smoke some crack and worship Satan.....

...enjoy...

Eternity

The new Anathema album, We're Here Because We're Here, is in constant rotation on my Ipod. When the double Vinyl arrives at my door, it too will be spun endlessly. It's that good. Scratch that, it's that fucking amazing. Since I must hold true to my policy of not posting new albums, I will instead offer their classic album Eternity.

Formed in 1990, Anathema were members of the English triumvirate of doom along side My Dying Bride and Paradise Lost. But it was in 1996 that everything changed. With the release of their third album, Eternity, Anathema would take a drastic and stunning turn away from doom and metal and into the world of atmospheric alt-rock. Pink Floyd would emerge as a major influence and this passionate album is a fitting tribute to all things ethereally epic. It is a boundless piece of music and you kind of need it.

...enjoy...

PS: make sure you check out
the cover Roy Harper's "Hope."
Brilliant.

Pilgrimage

Om's 2007 album Pilgrimage is an effort of understated beauty. Combining elements of stoner-metal, down-tempo, drone and Buddhist influenced spiritual chants, Om are less of a band and more of an experience. Born from the legendary Sleep, Om have taken the former band's stoner/Sabbath sound and journeyed ever onward into the unexplored realms of mind and soul. No Top 40 hits for you here kids, just unrestrained musical expression. Now dim the lights and turn the volume UP.

...enjoy...

David Gilmour

In 1978 David Gilmour opted to step out of the massive and looming shadow of Pink Floyd with this, his first solo effort. I was five months old. Gilmour used this album to spread his wings and cement the sound and musical vision that is unmistakably his. Can you hear Pink Floyd in these songs? Of course, because Gilmour himself had become an integral song writing contributor to the band. Just take "Comfortably Numb" from the as of yet unreleased epic The Wall, it could easily be slipped from the double album over to Gilmour's solo as a nice companion piece to the second track "There's No Way out of Here." This album also served as a portent of the reborn Pink Floyd from 1985-1994 sans Waters and under Gilmour's direction. Have I ever told you how much I love The Division Bell? Well, I do.

...enjoy...

Storm of the Light's Bane

Storm of the Light's Bane anno 1995.

See that gentleman on the horse? He has traveled long and far and appears to have come for you. Sorry pal, your time is up. Hence the hour glass he is holding. But at least you'll die while listening to some awesome anti-cosmic classic Swede Black Metal. What does anti-cosmic even mean? Fucked if I know, but front man Jon Nödtveidt took it real serious like. So much so that he was a practicing member of the Misanthropic Luciferian Order, what exactly is that you ask? Fucked if I know. But I do know that this was the last Dissection album for some time since Nödtveidt had to repay his debt to Swedish society as an accomplice to murder. The band would return in 2004 as more of a death metal act and release an EP and then a full length before Mr. Nödtveidt decided to tell the cosmos what he thought of it, via a gun shot wound to the head. Sad day indeed. But his music lives on, Dissection's studio albums (as well as EPs) are a living testament to this troubled artist and his uncompromising vision.

...enjoy...

Always the Bridesmaid: A Singles Series

The last three months of 2008 saw Oregon's Indie/Folk heroes The Decemberists release three singles which are collectively known as Always the Bridesmaid: A Singles Series. These are they. The above pics are from the vinyl release, which may be the same as the CD version- if there even is one, I haven't the slightest. Anyway, I'm sure some out there would readily pooh pooh these guys for being kind of...ummm... well, wimpy. And I really wouldn't be able to put up all that much defense against such charges. But what I do like about The Decemberists is the abundance of song writing skill and pure fucking professional talent from the bottom to the top of these traveling troubadours. Colin Meloy and the gang tell a story with equal parts passion, charm and when the moment demands it, humor. And if this escapes you, I'm afraid it is your loss.

On a side note, The Decemberists took some Right Wing shots across their humble little ship's bow during the last presidential election cycle. They played some benefits for then candidate Obama and were quickly verbally assaulted as being lefty Communists. I guess naming themselves after the Russian revolutionaries of the 1800's kind of left them open to such accusations. But anyway, being maligned by Right Wingers must give The Decemberists at least a bit of street cred, no?

So stop being such a tool and get downloading, then hunt down these records and get with the God damned program.

...enjoy...

PS, Included is a very amusing
version of the very amusing
Velvet Underground
song "I'm Sticking With You"

Burn the Maps

If there ever was a true "break up" album, I'd have to say that The Frames' Burn the Maps is it. These long standing members of the Irish rock scene created a stunningly passionate affair with this '04 release. The songs within are rife with anger and longing, hope and despair. It's a moody album but still manages to welcome the listener into a series of intensely personal failures and regrets.
I imagine that there is some snarky girl out there that decimated the heart of lead singer Glen Hansard and she shows off this album as a sort of trophy..."yup, that song is totally about me." She brags to her equally snarky cohorts while sipping house wine. But I also imagine her boastful little smile disappearing rather quickly when Glen became an Academy Award winner (along with co-star Markéta Irglová) for Best Original Song for the film Once in which he also starred. Check mate snarky bitches.

...enjoy...

Ridiculously awesome BONUS VIDEO!

Everything All The Time

You probably already have this album, but I just can't risk it...

2006's Everything all the Time (Sub Pop) is the debut for Seattle's Band of Horses and quite the stunner of a debut it was. Ethereal yet accessibly pop-friendly, this indie-rock/ folk influenced album is as complete a debut as you may ever hear. Comprised of equal parts melancholy and hope, it plays like a college radio friendly Neil Young if he were more interested in having the pretty indie chicks in the crowd dance and sway about instead of worrying about Cortes and the fate of the Mayans. Everything ... is a lush and accessible album with a wide range of emotional experiences and if you play it in the car while driving to work you may just forget about how much of a fraud your life has become. At least for a little while anyway.

...enjoy...

Sad Songs For Dirty Lovers

In honor of The National's latest release, High Violet, I present to you Sad Songs for Dirty Lovers - their second full length.

Released in 2003 it would bring the band to a slightly wider audience and was their first effort with Connecticut's Peter Katis at the production helm. Throughout, one can hear The National's trademark somber rock sound taking shape. Matt Berninger's baritone is clearly evident, but he still seems to be finding his way with his voice and his disarmingly personal narratives to what we have come to know from albums such as Alligator, The Boxer and now High Violet. There are even a few moments which seem decidedly un-National like (see "Available" with its' up tempo structure and screaming). At times Sad Songs... sounds more like a 90's era alt-rock album and less 2000's indie fave. As Sad Songs... unfolds you can almost hear The National growing into their skin and finding their distinct voice as musicians and songwriters. Now, get downloading fool.

...enjoy...

Indie Rock Week

So good friends, we're going to approach this week from a decidedly indie-rock angle. This may anger some of you, this may please some of you... but I will defer to the great President Abraham Lincoln who wisely stated, "You can please some of the people all of the time, you can please all of the people some of the time, but who cares either way, cause most people are douches." Wiser words were never spoken.

First post tomorrow @ 6:01 AM. Be there, or be shot in the head at close range.

Soft & Stronger

Die Apokalyptischen Reiter unleashed their debut album Soft and Stronger in 1997. These guys, and this album in particular, were so fucking awesome that they named the album after the Kleenex tissue slogan and it doesn't even matter. In fact, it actually makes this album even awesomerer. And I don't particularly care if I just made that word up, this album is so sick that it imbues such literary authority upon all who listen.

In their early days, these whacked out Germans were creating albums of explosive and unpredictable heavy metal glory. I unfortunately have to stress the word were. A few albums ago they began to water down their once awe inspiring high energy insanity in favor of more pop-friendly melodies and general limp-wristedness. Their latest album imbues me with the literary authority to insult them in such a manner.

But let us not become distracted from the absolutely ripping heavy metal glory that is Soft and Stronger. Death, thrash, folk and pure heavy... almost all the metal fiefdoms are represented on this bizarre and infectious album. This is the kind of album that will inspire you to fire up the old crack pipe and go for a fun filled drive through a Little League field during the fourth inning. It is DY-NO-MITE.

...enjoy...

PS: this is the re-released edition with some bonus tracks.YAY!

Le Secret

So... once upon a time, not so long ago, one misanthropic Frenchman soul (Neige) recruited two other misanthropic Frenchmen souls (Argoth & Aegnor) to help him with his then one man black metal project called ALCEST. They created some music, of the blackened variety, then opted to part ways (as misanthropic types are apt to due). So, poor Neige was alone again when he decided that perhaps he wasn't so misanthropic after all, in fact perhaps he wasn't so black metal after all either... maybe he would rather create music more in line with the English shogaze movement. I mean, yeah, sure, of course there will still be black metal influence... but shit, maybe he would rather sing about the magical fairy-land he would dream of as a child instead of all that misanthropic nonsense. And so, he did. This 2005 two song EP is the result of his realizations and it is pretty wonderful.

Alcest just completed their first ever US tour a few months ago, and like a DICK, I was unable to attend.

...enjoy...

Unplugged In Lisbon

Something a little different for you on this Monday.

Some time ago I came across this unique bootleg. It's probably from Moonspell's Sin/Pecado era, which saw the band wandering into more experimental directions and straying away from their gothic/metal roots. For a bootleg, this is pretty damn high quality and really showcases the versatility of this all too unappreciated band. This pseudo album has many classic Moonspell tracks, including one of their finest songs "The Hanged Man," all reworked into acoustic offerings. There's even a cover of Depeche Mode's "Sacred" for ya.

I've always felt that Moonspell has existed between two worlds, not "heavy" enough for scene purists (AKA Dicks) and just too much too handle for the more goth/rock friendly audiences (AKA Pussies).

...enjoy...

Woman King

2005's Woman King EP by Iron & Wine (aka Sam Beam) showcased Beam's further evolution as a singer/song writer. The stripped down and simpler sounds of his previous work grew into something new here. The songs within are of a fuller stock, which lends itself nicely to Beam's gentle yet prolific story telling abilities. All six tracks pertain to the woes of female protagonists and has a decidedly Biblical feel to it (though Beam himself is in no way Christian). I hold a sincere fondness for Iron & Wine (it can't always be about the Leviathan and Rotting Christ, folks) and of all their work, I always seem to be drawn back to this E.P. "Jezebel," with its' brooding sense of guilt, sorrow and love, may just be the crown jewel of Beam's still fairly young musical career.

..enjoy..

Head Home

For your consideration, good ladies and gentlemen, O'Death's 2006 (re-released in '07) album Head Home.

These Brooklyn gents (originally formed at Westchester's SUNY Purchase) created a frenetic Americana/blue grass opus with this release. Banjos, fiddles, guitars, beards, pianos, etc. are all unleashed with the energy level set to maximum in O'Death's trademark Appalachian/Gypsy Punk style. Traditional Gothic/Americana themes such as death, redemption, God, Satan, death, beards and death are roared, barked and sung by Mr. Greg Jamie . This album is explosive and will inspire you to head on down to the local barn with your finest pair of shit kickers, grab your special lady, and dance like the God damned Devil is nipping at your heels.

..enjoy..

Krallice

Experimental. Black. Drone. Epic. Sonic. Progressive. Minimalist. Hypnotic. Fucking mind blowing.

I would like to introduce you: You, Krallice. Krallice, You. I think you will be friends.

This is their 2008 self titled debut. Some people insist that these guys are not black metal. Some people are dicks.

..enjoy..

Below are a few pics I took from their show last week as direct support for Ludicra @ Europa in Brooklyn. Mayhem were originally supposed to headline the tour, but unceremoniously douched out. I, for one, could not have been happier.

Ludicra EP

There are not enough good words in the entirety of the English lexicon for me to bestow upon these guys. I know I just posted an album of theirs not too long ago, but their performance the other night at Europa in Brooklyn (with Krallice in direct support, oh myyyy) has re energized my already fervent obsession with these San Francisco black metalers.

This is their 3 song EP from 2006, it's only three songs but trust me- it's more than enough for you to handle. Their music is born from a deep and dark place that so many others in the metal world can only pretend to know. I've written this before, but witnessing lead vocalist Laurie Sue Shanaman perform is like playing voyeur to a lost soul struggling through a self inflicted exorcism. She twists and contorts her body and face as she releases an overwhelming tirade of horror and sadness upon the world. Powerful, raw and unnerving, this ain't your mammy's corporate black metal. Please leave your rubber spikes, Hot Topic boots and your mother's mascara at the door.

A wreath to lay on the grave of faith

Below I've included some pics I took from the 4/18/10 show in Brooklyn @ Europa.

ATTENTION !

Hi. I've been doing a lot of thinking as of late and frankly, I've been thinking about you. Yes, you. Sure I don't know who you are or anything about you really, but that's part of the point I'm about to make. Wouldn't this little endeavor of mine be oh so much more enjoyable for everyone involved if you began leaving comments with some of the posts. You could even be anonymous about it... say something nice or say something cruel. I don't give a shit, just say something. I know you're there... and I know there are a number of you. I see the ticker going up and I can track how many downloads there are so let us not pretend. You never know! You may even find that you enjoy leaving comments! Shit, maybe you'll even sign up for a google account and become a follower of this and a myriad of other fun and exciting blogs... give it a whirl kid and remember, all comments left on this blog are counted as extracurricular activities and just may help get you into that college your asshole parents really want you to go to.

Peace & Love,

me.

Madre, Protegenos

I've been inspired to post Madre, Protegenos by the news of the imminent release of a new album...

Ion is Duncan Patterson's (Anathema, Antimatter, etc) solo project and this be his 2006 debut. With the aide of a number of musicians (many of which are particularly fetching ladies from all about the globe) he has created an often pensive and ethereal musical experience. There is a gentleness and organic nature to the album (something often hinted at in his previous works) as well as a definite "world" music vibe. Now relax, I'm not talking Peter Gabriel singing among the tribes people of central Africa (not that there's anything wrong with that), but instead Patterson takes small bits of local flavors and blends them into his music. From Ireland to Spain to the Mediterranean, he has weaved together elements of folk and ambient musics. The result is unique and subtly breathtaking.

Included is a stunning cover of the Irish classic "Goodbye Johnny Dear" which was written by Duncan's great grandfather Johnny Patterson. Johnny was a renowned singer/song writer/performer in Ireland and later America and Australia. He took the oddly unpopular opinion that Catholics and Protestants should live together peacefully in his song "Do Your Best for One Another." At a show on May 31, 1889 a riot erupted during his performance of his ode to peace and he was tragically killed.

Mother, Protect Us

Una Volta

You can thank me in advance for this one...

DeVotchka is truly a beast with a multitude of heads. Part Mariachi, part spaghetti western, and with a healthy dose of Euro-Gypsy... unique is a word that just seems inadequate for these Coloradians. Una Volta is their second proper album(they also had an early live record) and was released upon this beautiful Earth in 2003 (please note: said Earth became more beautiful in direct correlation with said album coming into being). This ridiculously talented four piece gained wider popularity as a result of their scoring and performing the soundtrack for the film Little Miss Sunshine. That was in 2006, which means that this particular album had already been out for three years... and so it should be clear to all that DeVotchka's success was long over do. I hope you all feel shame.

Una Volta, as with everything ever created by these intrepid musical pioneers, is a beautifully charming and passionate affair. They display with perfect clarity and skill a number of musical persuasions, not the least being their roots as a traveling burlesque band. The overwhleming passion and drama of their music is breathtaking (par exemple, please see "Ocean of Lust").

If you have never witnessed DeVotchka perform live I suggest you concentrate all efforts and energies at righting this wrong. You'll die happier... or at least a bit less miserable.

sweet mother of pearl,
won't you give me back my girl?

RIP Pete Steele....Origin of the Feces

A send off for one of metal's most charismatic personalities...

Type O Negative's second album, The Origin of the Feces, was rife with the dry wit that would become just as recognizable as the funeral dirge inspired hymns throughout their career. Here is a band unafraid to laugh at themselves even as they convey the greatest depths of emotional and psychological pains. Pete Steele was the heart of Type O, he is already missed.

My first Type O Negative show was Halloween 1995 at Roseland Ballroom in NYC. Electric Hellfire Club opened and members of the Misfits joined Type O on stage during their set. At the conclusion of their performance, Steele lit a cherry bomb on stage and instructed all in attendance to "get lost...show's ova!" The house lights came on and the capacity crowd just stood there waiting for something to happen. It did. Steele began launching the numerous pumpkins that were set up about the stage into the crowd. As I watched a guy only a few feet in front of me drop like a bag of shit to the ground from the unceremonious joining of his skull and a projectile pumpkin, my friends and I decided to leave. We walked back to Grand Central and got our asses unceremoniously mugged. I love Halloween.

Two or three years later some friends and I traveled into the cold white north, catching the Drab Four in Kitchener, Ontario. EHC were opening again and I was able to speak with Thomas Thorn about the infamous Roseland show. "You were there!?" His cocaine eyes lit up with renewed purpose... "That show was fucking awesome!" Yes it was. I would catch Type O Negative off and on over the following years, they were always sonically overpowering and awe inspiring to witness.

I crossed path with Mr Steele at L'amour some years ago, he had come to see his good friends and European touring partners in Moonspell. He stopped and talked music with me and my dweeby metal head friends for some time. If I remember correctly it was us that said we had to get going. He seemed perfectly content to shoot the shit with us about this band or that. The man was a gentleman, and the coolest fucking thing to ever come out of Brooklyn.

RIP Pete Steele. 1/4/1962 – 4/14/ 2010

...take that D train, take it down to Brighton Beach...