A big part of the DNA of your average Shred band nowadays is inspired by the “Big Dick Lick” Shredders of the 80s. The Satrianis, Gambales and Vais of the world are the usual prototypes of this sound, but even more recently, guitar nerds (myself included) have been smitten by the wave of late 70s/early 80s Japanese Fusion Guitarists, including the race car aesthetics of Cassiopeia and the more laid back attitude of faux-Brasilian Surfer Boy Masayoshi Takanaka – a favorite in the house of Goat. High Octane Sega Genesis Metal.
Read more
Mizmor – Prosaic Review
A.L.N has until now built a fascinating tool-set of sounds with his Blackened Doom Drone project Mizmor. Albums like Cairn and Yodh stand out as unique for their ability to mix genres that one could think should be at odds with each other. Though the loss of faith has fueled these journeys, should we still place our faith in Mizmor?
Read more
Horrendous – Ontological Mysterium Review
Rather than being a clear evolution, Ontological Mysterium comes off as a gross mutation. The album cover preemptively states this as the three skinless faces of Horrendous’ logo have merged into something altogether darker. Red is the new black.
Read more
Ixias – Compulsive Trance Review
Compulsive Trance, after all, is a god damn mess. But in this frenzy of mouth noises that might have lyrical poignance, Ixias manages to find a careful, if not readily obvious, flow between tension and release. Our Being of Extreme Punctiation tells us about his love for trance. Wait what?
Read more
Oromet – Oromet Review
Running along to canon-ball the already big pile of Doom albums is Oromet, with their grand debut that seemingly came out of nowhere. Starting things off with a 22 minute song that sounds like an expanded version of Pallbearer’s style on their debut album Sorrow and Extinction, this band show that they are equally adapt at making such long songs. Slow motion cannon-balled.
Read more
Sarmat – Determined to Strike Review
After Sarmat’s debut EP surprisingly contained a Pokémon theme cover (and low-key blew my mind in the process), I had high hopes that the full-length would repeat this in a similarly sneaky way. Would other video game themes be covered, possibly similarly obscure ones? Gotta strike ’em all?
Read more
Nithing – Agonal Hymns Review
Nithing are a side and solo project by Vitriol’s drummer, Matt Kilner. Nithing could fall into a similar category as that band. That’s it. There’s Nithing more to say.
Read more
Garoted – Bewitchment of the Dark Ages Review
Garoted was a completely unknown band to me prior to listening to their newest album, and I’m glad I picked this up. Featured prominently on […]
Read more
Vide – The Parish Review
An anonymous one person black metal band (haven’t seen one of these before) from Louisiana, Vide self-describes their style as “Raw Post Black Metal”. Normally […]
Read moreUnlock the Crypts
Crypts of the Unknown: Loss – Horizonless
