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.

Another Great Love Song

My mind is currently being fucking obliterated by Ludicra's brand spanking new effort, The Tenant. Unlucky for you, I do not make a habit of posting new albums on this blog. You should go out and buy it. But, lucky for you, all of Ludicra's albums are of the fucking mind obliterating variety. So behold, their second album, from 2004 anno domini, Another Great Love Song.

Pain, suffering, loss, addiction. Another Great Love Song is drenched in all that turns us away from light, love and all the pretty little things of the world. It is brutal yet mesmerizing. It is one of the ugliest, angriest and most sincere albums I have the pleasure of owning. It is brilliant. It is art. It is what you fear as you lay awake at night. This album serves as a rare and sobering reminder that anger, hate and fury are just expressions of the deepest of sorrows.

Laurie Sue Shanaman's screeching vocals are disturbingly honest, her pain is almost too evident. Listening to her, and frankly seeing her perform live as well, is like watching a poor and wretched soul perform a self inflicted exorcism. The bass of Mr. Ross Sewage (Impaled) is menacing and unrelenting, the drumming of Aesop (Hickey, Agalloch) twists and turns with trailblazing violence. John Cobbett (Hammers of Misfortune) is uniquely brilliant on lead guitar, as anyone who knows his body of work would attest. Christy Cather's voice can be shrill and vicious, but also ghost like at times. With an ethereal grace she is the calm to Laurie's storm. But do not be lulled, like a Siren, she too will draw you to your doom.
You want highlights? How about "Time Wounds All Heels" and "Why Conquer?" And then after those two, the rest of the fucking album.

..enjoy..

NOTE: The aforementioned Aesop,
is also the author of the best blog
the intraweb ever did see: Cosmic Hearse.