Shadows of Lonehill will be released on Halloween of 2020, which is also a full moon night. This is a concept album, centered around the theme of an Antihero. The central protagonist exemplifies this archetype, alluding to the likes of Oedipus Rex, Kullervo, and Scarface. His name is Seth, synonymous with the third son of Adam and Eve, brother to Cain and Abel, as well as the name of the Egyptian god of chaos, disorder, … read...
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Cyclops is releasing their self titled debut album in late 2020. This self titled debut album is a solid example of modern metal. The choruses and lead guitars are clean, but the rhythm and percussion is more aggressive and funky. I like the contrast of harmony and dissonance. It reminds me of melodic metal bands like Killswitch Engage, DevilDriver, and Amon Amarth. They have mastered the contrast between brutality and beauty. Their single, Voices, is … read...
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Death Magnetic is the 9th studio album from American thrash band Metallica. Intro: February 22, 2020. Today is a bittersweet day. I feel like I should be celebrating, but I just want to be alone instead. I have been coping in my own strange way. Leaning in to the morbidity, burning black candles of La Santa Muerte, and listening to sad music. Metallica is definitely hitting the spot on this dreary day. I love their … read...
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Defeatist is a single from the 2006 Hatebreed album, Supremacy. Intro Hatebreed is one of my favorite hardcore bands. People think that the genre is for a bunch of posturing dudes with something to prove. But I disagree. And even if a bunch of losers were listening to it to feel tough, isn’t that the point? I feel shy and awkward all the time. I rarely ever feel like a badass. But Hatebreed is one … read...
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A Memoir Of Free Will, the latest offering from Krosis, is anticipated to drop in February of 2020. Currently signed to Unique Leader Records, Krosis is a progressive deathcore band from North Carolina, USA. Vocalist Mac Smith, guitarists Adam Theissen and Brandon Scurlark, bassist Brian Krake, and drummer Dan Cece have carved a name for themselves in the North Carolina scene. They will be dropping the new album, A Memoir of Free Will, … read...
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This EP was released on October 16, 2019, just in time for Halloween. Bhas is a 5 piece death metal band from Glasgow, UK, comprised of vocalist Lee Lewis, drummer Conor Quinn, bassist Danny O’Keeffe, and guitarists Mark Williamson and Alasdair Blair. Their new album, Torture Punishment Eternity, features genre staples such as guttural vocals, dissonant guitars, and high speed drumming. The album art is black and white, but hyperrealistic. The detailed drawings of contorted … read...
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Abomination of the Wretched/ Clergy of Sin lyric book, illustrated by Den Yudi Art. This self titled debut album is everything that the band Blood Wolf stands for. It’s heavy, it’s political, it’s fast, it’s loud, and it’s fun as hell. The riff master Chad Baca writes and shreds awesome thrash metal on his guitar. The opening track, 1680, hits the ground running with a galloping melody, and lead singer Ross Reano screams lyrics about … read...
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This band and their self titled debut have morbid medical themes, as well as a twisted sense of humor. When I first heard this album, I was way too hungover for that fucking kazoo intro, but that made it even more hilarious and entertaining. The weird sound effects and humorous undertones continue with the following songs on the EP. Tracks like Shiddnfard and Botfly Reunion, use the trombone for its inherent comedic value. The gross-out … read...
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This surreal album art resembles the morbid paintings of Heironymous Bosch. I love me some death metal, especially when it’s both symphonic and technical, as with Italian masters Fleshgod Apocalypse. This song is reminiscent of their classic masterpiece of yesteryear, The Violation. The roaring vocals in the intro are especially memorable. The imagery of the music video, similarly, illustrates the dark elegance of this band. These musicians look like the Platonian ideal of a metalhead: … read...
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Photo via Music Norway This song grew on me. At first, I was hesitant to listen to a 9 minute song from a band I barely knew. Especially when the intro is so noisy and cacophonous, leading into a heavy, slow riff. The sludgy pace fits the song title, thudding out a long, drowsy rhythm. Similarly, the lyrics were like a brick wall. I strained to grasp their meaning. Then suddenly, the wall of sound … read...
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