New Review 2/19/2011

Hidden- Dead Land Energy-CD (Redstream)

So what do you get when the drummer is the owner of the mighty Redstream label , The  Bassist is from Exit-13 (Relapse) and you have the Mainman of Krieg doing vocals . You get a Sci Fi Blackened Doom event that none will soon forget. If Voivod went Black metal and mixed in Saytricon elements I swear they would sound like this. This is a madness and power all its own here. There are blistering and molasses like moments all within the same tracks here almost like what Disembowelment did in the doom genre many a decade ago.  With the Hidden you get this very off kilter Prog element to at times. I'm sure to most this sounds very disjointed but to this reviewer. Its very interesting to hear so many genre and influences mixed together from many metal scenes into one band. This is a very impressive album the same way band like Black Army Jacket, Kiss it Goodbye and US Christmas are amazing bands that just never could catch on but to its cult fan base. Check out the Hidden as they are fucking impressive..

http://redstream.org/

Mogwai- Hardcore will never die but you will- CD (Subpop )

Mogwai is one of the godfathers of the Post rock sound with Godspeed your black emperor . After 6 or so album Mogwai has been maturing and expanding on there sounds a lot were vocals were never used then sparsely used they seem to envelope them more and more into the mix and  music has added more indie and electronic elements and flavors. Its like they started listening to bands like Sonic Youth, Six Finger Satellites and Pixies and have seen the beauty in this side of the more experimental Alt  Punk/ Noise rock world and how moogs and synths loops can really add a new dimension to there already majestic sound. At its heart Mogwai is a melodic Droning Rock band with a metallic/ hardcore heart.  Subpop has seen the major need for this band to shine in North America were I think Matador has always feel short on seeing there potential. Very much in the same way DGC missed the boat on Sonic Youth and now Matador 10 yrs later is pushing the best of the  80/90's Indie Bands. Long live Mogwai and there hypnotic sound and driving guitar based music..

http://subpop.com/





Baptists-S/t- CD (Southern Lord)


HELLLLLL YA !!!!! Crusty Noise Sludge filled Post Hardcore. If you love bands with tons of feedback,  The Brutality of bands like Noothgrush, Cavity and Neurosis and the full on Crust Hardcore of Born Against or Converge then my Friends you have struck it rush. Imagine a more pissed of Buzzoven or Human Remains.. The vemon in this band could fuel a city for weeks and there all those short burst you expect with a band on this variety. This is what those old CBGB's and ABC No Rio  Hardcore shows were all about or those VFW hall shows on the north east were all about. Teeth punching power and aggression. Southern Lord you have captured as sound with one band again.. This is mandatory listening ...

http://southernlord.com/




NEKROMANTHEON-Divinity of Death-CD (Vendlus)
Horns high you bastards it you loved the late 80's early 90's Black thrash/ Speed metal scene then bow down and kiss the ground and this band is every second of the sound Early Slayer, Sepultura and Coroner is what we have here in perfect influence, praise and sound. You would swear this is an early Noise or Metal Blade release or maybe on Combat just how well they recreate this sound. I want my damn denim vest with the patches back my long knotted up sweaty long hair and my bottle of shitty beer so I can circle pit with these maniacs.  Let the darkness of speed, hate and Satan take you again like it did when you had you tape in your walkman and you knew you were way musically beyond the masses around you.. Again HORN UP HIGH DAMN IT !!!!!
http://vendlus.com/

Burzum-Fallen-CD (Bylobog Productions/ Candlelight)
So we have the next chapter of where Varg and Burzum are taking the Black metal force in 2011. This is a mix of the more mid tempo cold buzzing/trance like BM he is so well known for with elements of very clean sung and spoken vocals a neoclassic / progressive sound at times with some very produced and melodic tones on the guitar and bass. This is very much a crossroads for Burzum not like the synth albums he was forced to produce in prison as he was not allowed anything but a synth. This is a a full move into the Post Black metal  world with the ever so potent Heathen roots that make Burzum what it is. I know it sounds a bit silly as I say it but this is really want you expect to hear right before a great epic Northern European battle for your very soul. There is something very cathartic and ritualistic about all that Varg created but this album takes its one step further its almost like a Neo Folk Band like Blood Axis or Der Blutharsch has strongly helped shape this release. As I hear those elements through out this album. Its extreme in a whole new direction.
http://byelobog-productions.burzum.org/