A new Year

It's a bit difficult to believe that 2015 has come to a close. It was sure a crazy year for myself and just in general out there in the world. To all friends, family and readers out there (yes I know you're out there somewhere) I hope 2016 is a year full of joy, prosperity and good health. Here's to 2016!

Shaving the Werewolf

 

Shaving the Werewolf is an experimental-metal/noise-rock of five from Oslo, Norway.  I like to think of it as experimental hardcore.  The group has released two prior EPs: Your Head is a Toilet from 2012 and You Say Tomato, I Say Fuck Off from 2015. But now all bets are off with the latest outing,The Pissing Link, which is set for release on December 5th via Negative Vibe Records.  Featuring four new songs, the new EP, in keeping with the artwork and name, is off-putting, vile, and highly confrontational.

Clearly, every element of the release, and really the band in general, is coldly calculated to disturb those of the more vanilla parts of society.  Just hop over to their Facebook...it's nightmare fuel.  And yes, your eyes do not deceive you, that is a Yeti, urine, and a gored man clutching his severed penis all rendered in vivid, psychedelic coloring.  The lyrics won't be of any more comfort. I don't have them in writing yet, but just a few seconds at any given moment is filled with foul and unpleasant language.

As far as how this bile is delivered to your earholes, it's not dissimilar to Great American Ghost’s release, Everyone Leaves.  It’s the same abrasive hardcore, just with the extremity and bizarreness turned up several notches.  GAG shoves their words in your face...StW makes you choke on them.  And this vocal violence is matched with chugging, squealing guitars, sharp as a razor snare hits, and a general penchant for noise.  But despite the volume and occasional avantgarde piece (“Do Mind if I Don't”), the physical response is fire.  The underlying catchiness grows on you quickly.

I will say that The Pissing Link is not quite as out there as StW’s previous releases, but that should provide little solace.  Just know that it’s not completely inaccessible, nor is it exactly top 40 material.  If you want something on the stranger side, their previous works are also available on bandcamp at the price of your choosing.  Check back for a full stream tomorrow.

Courtesy of Metal Trenches

Videos

Hi folks, just a small annoucement. I've started to upload random videos on Dailymotion and Youtube so if you're interested in checking them out, you can find them here






                                   

 

Dailymotion

Youtube

Throat Singing

I've always enjoyed distinct and cultural specific music. While much may sound unusual or even weird to the Western ear, I find much of it to be very unique and in many ways absolutely stunning. There are quite a few variations of throat singing out there: from the Inuit in many parts of Canada, to the Tuvan in Mongolia there was something that just captivated my attention right from the get go.

                                  

Vile Insignia

The skies are dreary and winter shows it’s cold face. The season calls for some black metal. The dark chilly nights demand satanic, infernal black metal tunes and Vile Insignia delivers just this in their debut full length, titled ‘Bestial Invocation’. Hailing from Canada, this band share a few similarities with the likes of Blasphemy and Proclamation. Their overall sound however is quite different from the war metal bands. Firmly rooted in traditional black metal, they incorporate elements of death metal into the song writing to create a vicious and barbaric sound which contains some very solid riffs.

Vile Insignia write tracks that are generally over 5 minutes and take the black metal approach of building up with tremolos and a dark atmosphere. The first half of the album shows little to no death metal influence. The tracks are rife with blast beats, tremolo sections and sinister melodies. Tracks like ‘Enslaved Possession’ can be considered pure black metal tracks and they are well written.

Where the band truly shines however, is on tracks like ‘Desecration Through Blasphemy’. Here they take ideas from death metal, especially of the technical kind, and use them to write a black metal track. The result of this is that the riffs are part sinister, part technical and sound absolutely enthralling. These ideas are concentrated more on the second half of the album on tracks like ‘Incarnation of Torment’, ‘Ritualistic Inquisition’ and the title track itself.

The album is brought to an end with the 10 minute long epic, ‘Morbid Tales of Bloodshed’. Easily the best track from the album, this track takes the listener on a ride with impressive riff work and melodic undertones. The production is fine and the ominous atmosphere adds a sinister touch to the riffs. The blastbeats sound a tad bit compressed in the mix though. The vocal work which comprises of snarls and deep growls are as venomous as the riffs.

A well written and well executed black / death album is the perfect way to welcome the season. Vile Insignia have provided with just that with their debut full length.

Courtesy of Metal Gallows 

Bölzer

 

I will be the first to admit that I have been a complete stranger to metal over these past couple years. It's as if I were living under a rock in a far away land. Bölzer are just one of the many fine examples of great bands that I had been missing out on in my what you would call "vacation" from all things music.

Bölzer are not an unknown name by any stretch nor are they quite yet a household name  I believe they're on the verge of of creating something special and are certainly on their way to making themselves a well established band in the Extreme Metal Scene. Their music sums up the attitude and tone of their vibe of their music. It certainly is is smashing and packs a punch much like a Bulldozer so brace yourself.

The thing that immediately struck a chord with me and caught my attention was that rich, and thick guitar tone. It carries so much weight, and with the repetitive and memorable riffs you can't help but bob your head a little as if you were in a hypnotic state. After listening to both of their EPs I now see why this band was so hyped up. In it's very essence it is powerful, brutish and ominous and much much more. I can hardly wait to see and find out what this heavy-hitting Swiss duo will grace us with next.