Death metal often walks a narrow tightrope. The lyrical themes can sometimes be too didactically political or, on the other hand, too cartoonish to take seriously. Musically, there is also a balancing act. Some bands who try so hard to sound relentlessly punishing can at times end up sounding monotonous and uninteresting. Phylogenesis, the latest… Continue reading Album Review: Phylogenesis by ABYSMAL DAWN (Season of Mist)
Tag: music review
Quarantine Music, Part 1: Eryka Fir, Undercliff, Army of Karens, and Turkey Vulture
If you’re not an essential worker during the COVID-19 pandemic, you’re probably finding yourself with a lot more time on your hands — and even if you are working in healthcare or essential retail, your social life is shot. All this “extra” time at home is giving birth to some unique projects…. First up is… Continue reading Quarantine Music, Part 1: Eryka Fir, Undercliff, Army of Karens, and Turkey Vulture
Sometimes It’s Fun to Have Fun: MANGATA and COVET
One thing modern heavy metal can be hopelessly devoid of? Fun. It’s all gloomy doom rituals or shredding as fast as you can in as many time signatures as possible…. But sometimes girls/boys/all genders of people just want to have fun. Mangata and Covet are two fun bands I’ve come across on my quarantined April… Continue reading Sometimes It’s Fun to Have Fun: MANGATA and COVET
Album Review: My Dying Bride, The Ghost of Orion (Nuclear Blast)
The world is a strange place as of this writing, full of uncertainties new to some and strangely familiar to many others. It is with this background of isolation, anxiety, and flickering hope that legendary doom metal titans My Dying Bride release unto the world The Ghost of Orion, their fourteenth album and first offering… Continue reading Album Review: My Dying Bride, The Ghost of Orion (Nuclear Blast)
Album Review: Jarboe’s Illusory
I don’t remember what year or venue it was, but I cannot forget my first and to date only face-to-face encounter with Jarboe when she guested at a Neurosis concert. She glided to the front of the stage in a sheer witches dress and in an instant stared us into cowering submission with her piercing… Continue reading Album Review: Jarboe’s Illusory
Single Review: Phat A$tronaut’s “Rare Fruit”
New Haven’s Phat A$tronaut does it again with the single “Rare Fruit.” With twittering flutes and a variety of distinct vocal stylings, the experimental soul band transports listeners from their mundane surroundings — living room couches, seats on the subway — to a magical dance party where everyone is happy and hip and dressed in… Continue reading Single Review: Phat A$tronaut’s “Rare Fruit”
Album Review: The Poisoner by WHITE CRONE
White Crone serves up juicy, high-energy riffage on her debut album The Poisoner that will delight fans traditional metal, human sacrifice, or just having a good frickin time listening to rock n roll, amirite?? *cracksmillerhighlife White Crone is the brand new solo project of established Portland, OR blues artist Lisa Mann, who performs vocals, guitars,… Continue reading Album Review: The Poisoner by WHITE CRONE