Thursday, February 21, 2013

Cobalt - Gin (Profound Lore Records)

Every once in a while an album comes along that is so good it makes all other music simply not enjoyable.  One such album causing me to experience this phenomenon is Cobalt's, epic black metal masterpiece, 'Gin'.  Words cannot describe the ferocity and destructiveness conjured up by this 2-piece as they belt out ten songs of exteme metal.  'Gin', released in 2009 through Profound Lore, is a must listen for all exteme metal heads. 

Fav Tracks:  'Pregnant Insect', 'Dry Body' and the non-metal track 'Man Who Lied for His Entire Life'

My Rating:  10 / 10



Wednesday, February 20, 2013

SardoniS - SardoniS (Self Released)

Today's special is Stoner/Doom Metal served w/o vocals, courtesty of the 2 man wrecking crew known as SardoniS.  SardoniS self-titled debut album, released in 2010, received high praise from many critics in the Doom/Sludge Scene.  I'm not sure why the band capitalizes the final letter in their name, nor do I really care.  I do care that SardoniS play brutally heavy riffs at a blisteringly fast and hypnotically slow pace, all in equal measure.     

Fav Tracks:  'March of the Masses', 'Wolf's Lair', & 'More Severe Things Await'

My Rating: 9 / 10

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

White Lung - Sorry (Deranged Records)

I think now is as good a time as any for a non-metal daily review.  With that in mind, allow me to introduce, 'sorry', the second studio album by the punk rock/post-punk band, White Lung.  Released last year, I'm quite puzzled as to how this album escaped the radar of many mainstream music reviewers (i.e. pitchfork, spin, pop matters, etc).  Regardless, this album is raw gritty aggresive post-punk with each track clocking in under 2.5 minutes and several under 1 minute.  Really good music, check it out!

Fav track:  'I rot' & 'Those Girls'

My Rating:  9.5 / 10

Monday, February 18, 2013

Order of the Owl - In the Noon of the After Day (Self Released)

A runner up for my favorite 2012 'debut album' is, 'In the Noon of the After Day' by Order of the Owl

I first heard of these lads through one of my favorite DJ/blogger/metal-heads who goes by the moniker of 'The Wicked Lady'.  If you're into the Doom/Sludge/Stoner metal scene, do yourself a favor and check out her weekly podcast here

Anyways, some good ole fashioned dirty sludge metal coming by way of Order of the Owl. 

Fav track:  'In the Noon of the After Day'

My Rating:  7 / 10




Sunday, February 17, 2013

Top 20 of 2012

Its better late than never I suppose.  To any fellow bloggers reading this; I would like to know how you manage to listen to so much music?  Even now, mid February, there are dozens of albums on my radar from 2012 I have yet to hear.  Perhaps the trick is to listening to only new music. 

Without further ado, here it is......

p.s.  I've linked each album title to the appropriate bandcamp/record label/amazon web page. 


#20 Ice Dragon - Greyblackfalconhawk (Self-Released)












#19 Lumerians - Transmission from Telos Vol. IV (Permanent Records)












#18 Cloud Nothings - Attack on Memory (Carpark Records)












#17 Christian Mistress - Possession (Relapse Records)












#16 John Talabot - ƒIN (Permanent Vacation Records)












#15 Swans - The Seer (Young God Records)












#14 Baby Woodrose - Third Eye Surgery (Bad Afro Records)












#13 From Beyond - One Year EP (Self-Released)












#12 Windhand - Windhand (Self-Released)












#11 Aqua Nebula Oscillator - Third (Tee Pee Records)












#10 Orange Goblin - A Eulogy for the Damned (Candlelight Records)












#9  Jess & the Ancient Ones - S/T (Svart Records)












#8  White Lung - Sorry (Deranged Records)












#7  Goat - World Music (Rocket Recordings)












#6  Beak> - >> (Invada Records)












#5  Creature with the Atom Brain - Birds Fly Low (Sacred Love/Waste My Records)












#4  Royal Thunder - CVI (Relapse Records)












#3  Horseback - Half Blood (Relapse Records)












#2  Early Graves - Red Horse (No Sleep Records)












#1  High on Fire - De Vermis Mysteriis (E1 Music)

         








Thoughts?  As I mentioned in the open, I still haven't had a chance to hear the new Converge, Neurosis, Ancestors, and a lot of other albums that received generally positive reviews. 

Windhand - Windhand (Self Released)

Probably my favorite 'debut album' released in 2012 belongs to Windhand's self-titled full length.  If you're craving some seriously heavy and slow riffs to go along with clean vocals, look no further than this brilliant 5 piece.   Nod your head and obey the riff! 

Favorite Tracks:  'Summon the Moon' & 'Winter Sun'

My Rating:  9 / 10


Saturday, February 16, 2013

Royal Thunder - CVI (Relapse Records)

So it has been a little over 2 months since my last post and I am seriously considering changing the name/frequency of posts to 'Album of the Week' or maybe 'Album of Every Other Week'.  

Fortunately, during the time between my last post and now I was able to sit down and digest Royal Thunder's new album 'CVI' released late in 2012  What a brillaint album!  Every track has a sort of modern doom metal sound with a bluesy/garage rock twist.  Oh and Miny Parsonz kills it on vocals! 

Every track kicks ass!  Check em out asap.

My Rating: 9.5 / 10

Saturday, December 15, 2012

Baby Woodrose - Third Eye Surgery (Bad Afro Records)

Another of my favorite albums released this year is Baby Woodrose's ninth full-length entitled, 'Third Eye Surgery'.  Being my first exposure to Baby Woodrose, my expectations were definitely met and then some.  One of the few purely psych rock albums I thoroughly enjoyed this year, Thrid Eye Surgery is a must have for Baby Woodrose/Dragontears fans and the like. 
Fav tracks: 'Waiting for the War' & 'Dandelion', the latter of which features a guest female vocalist who steals the show, albeit for one song. 

My Rating: 8 / 10

Friday, December 14, 2012

Old Man Gloom - NO (Hydra Head Records)

Getting back to stellar releases of 2012, today's daily review is 'NO' by the metal/hardcore supergroup Old Man Gloom.  For those not afraid of mixing extreme music genres a bit (i.e. post-metal topped with hardcore & a side of experimental rock) OMG's fifth studio album will hit the spot.  Really heavy and unique sound. 
Fav tracks: 'Shadowed Hand' & 'Crescent'

My Rating: 8 / 10

Thursday, December 13, 2012

The :Egocentrics - Love Fear Choices & Astronauts

The :Egocentrics (not sure what the colon in their name represents) are a very talented instrumental stoner/psych rock band from Romania and 'Love Fear Choices & Astronaus' (2010 release date) is their debut full-length.  Musically there is a lot going on during each song (mulitple guitars solos, several tempo changes, etc) yet somehow everything seems to come together before the end.  I also enjoy how each song tends to build up for a grand finale, usually lasting 1-1.5 minutes.  I can't wait to get my hands on their second album, released last year via Nasoni Records

My Rating: 9.5 / 10