Metal Riot

Hi readers. Since 2018 started Jessica and I have been doing monthly recap lists of whatever four records got our attention the most. This could be a matter of personal taste or something about a work that struck a chord or matched a moment well, but it is less a critical rejection of other works not featured than an embrace of albums that proved themselves the most compelling to me during this July. So take it as one of those “staff recommends this cd” sections you used to see at Rhino Records only much cooler, duh. Very happy to say that everything on this list features performers playing their hearts out.

1. Twilight Fauna’s Where Birds Sing My Name takes the top spot for me this month. The latest from Paul Ravenwood and drummer Josh Thieler of mighty Slaves BC is a beautiful and soul baring effort, dynamic and stouthearted. From straight up banjo songs to arrow sharp black metal that feels like blood is flowing through it rather than pretension and cold-pose, this is a fitting companion to The Year the Stars Fell. The Green and yellow splatter vinyl is too dope to comprehend with my mortal mind. We are lucky to have this project in our metal midst to remind people that records handled with personal reverence can still move mountains and bring oxygen to fatigued forms.

2. Berlin’s Maggot Heart are honestly so fucking cool I can’t take it. The new record Dusk To Dusk was almost my number one pick of the month but my heart succumbed to my East Coast loyalty that Twilight Fauna instilled. But yeah, Linnéa Olsson is so talented and chill and her latest record with her post The Oath + Grave Pleasures outfit is perfect anarchic post punk with a low key metallic sting that should make most American rock bands feel fucking hella embarrassed in comparison for the weak crap they are putting out. The songwriting on this is unreal, especially the manic “Medication” and galloping “Blood Envy” coming to mind as just phenomenal tunes. Recorded in Stockholm in 2017, it cements the potent creative bond with drummer Uno Bruniusson (mainly of the much missed In Solitude fame). I can’t recommend enough surrendering to this record and letting the modern world’s stresses seem like they can be relieved and defeated by the spooky and catchy but semi-detached vocals, rolling and thundering but kind of punk drums and absolutely alive guitar and bass performances. I bought this faster than anything that came out all year. Please please please support them cuz I need them to stick around.

3. With all due respect to Ordinary Corrupt Human Love and some of the other moving or ambitious records out this month that did not make my July list, Mutilation Rites going more death metal was a no brainer for me. And I mean no brainer in a zombies ate all the brains but still want more cuz they are in a death metal frenzy type of no brainer. Chasm from Gilead Media and the NYC scuz rebels of Mutilation Rites continues the bands feedback and buzzsaw /slow burn attempt to become Hades’ official house band. “Pierced Larynx” gives me intense feels of glorious dread and death dirge. It has a more punk rooted crusty underbelly amidst the slower Exhumed and blackened talons in your throat vibes. The monumentally metal drums that pound through the intro to “Post Mortem Obsession” that set up the roaring chaos to follow had me in awe. 6 songs but all fairly lengthy and they all slap. Like Hooded Menace or Black Cobra, the band keep the core elements of what makes them work but tweak their approach slightly with each outing just enough to keep it fresh but familiar. It is intense but not to the point of being silly, just vital and brilliant. This was my fave DM album of the month, all very due respect to Coffin Birth .

4. Birds In Row’s We Already Lost The World takes my fourth and final spot on the list for July. I feel like it is an important record people will remember in years to come. It has a post hardcore infused edgy and kinetic insistence that many albums fail to manufacture, cuz you can’t fake that shit. This French band, currently already supporting fucking Neurosis and Converge, have long term potential and most importantly great songs. “Love Is Political” is just a great song name and the song tears at scabs. “We vs. Us” reminds me of some of what I love most about Cave In and Modern Life Is War in one unexpected fell swoop. Personal War made a buzz but this is gonna take them to the next level. I don’t know how to sum up adequately the mixture of transcending pain the music and artwork stirs up, but this is well worth checking out and surrendering to the barely hopeful cacophony of.

Exmortus tour and album news! Rejoice ye thrash addicted maniacs! Some very cool news to share!

But first, well…today has been pretty cool so far. Florence and the Machine announced a North American Tour, Roseanne got her racist tweeting ass dropped by ABC, the very vindicated Ms. Taylor Swift is about to play Chicago and kick major ass right as KimYe put their feet in their mouths so hard they are being dragged by the whole damn city and Donda’s House dropped TrumpYe’s mom’s name since he is so fake (maybe Taylor can donate when she visits town and save the day. That would be fitting tea).

I just got a copy of Rational Mysticism by John Horgan and despite being out of herbs I can’t complain too much on this sunny day. Seems a perfect time to help share the news about some caustic, face ripping metal to all you loyal hordes who don’t care about my forays into politics and pop culture. You know I never forget the headbangers and reanimated denim wearing skeletons over here at Metal Riot, right? Even though my gf has ensorcelled me into listening to Red everyday and now I think it rules. Whatever, y’know what? I love Taylor and she never agreed to be called a bitch and have her likeness used in “Famous” distastefully or have a braggart take credit for her hard earned career.

But yes, even though I am now a fully indoctrinated Swiftie, I still love the charred ruin of thrash blasted skulls and thus am pleased as punch to share this Exmortus news!

EXMORTUS will hit the road this summer headlining The Summer of Steel Tour! Featuring support from The Absence and Hatchet alongside Immortal Guardian, Black Fast and label mates Micawber (who fucking destroy and who I have been bumping loudly to scare my neighbors into thinking I am a complete serial killer who switches back and forth between Taylor and death metal between bong rips) on select shows; EXMORTUS will embark on tour dates across North America beginning June 28th in San Diego.

FUCK YEAH!!!

“We are stoked to unleash The Sound of Steel upon North America this Summer! This is our first headlining tour and we’re honored to have within our ranks: The Absence and Hatchet, as well as special regional guests — Novareign, Immortal Guardian, Black Fast and Micawber. So, come and have your minds melted by the new tunes as well as old favorites! See you soon!” says EXMORTUS founder, vocalist & guitarist Conan.

More info BELOW.

What can we say that hasn’t been said already about Chicago’s harshly imaginative noise makers THE ATLAS MOTH?

It is no secret we love the bastards and that you may have indeed seen their faces on various FBI Most Wanted lists around the country…but in reality they have just been plotting their latest rock n’ roll itinerary, not some bank heist.

The Atlas Moth have new tour dates announced with special guests Mustard Gas & Roses and will also share select dates with the natural born killers in He Whose Ox Is Gored. Fans can also expect special performance in Los Angeles at Resident DTLA with Of Feather & Bone on June 5th. Any of these shows is likely to be awesome as all the artists completely slay.

Released February 9, 2018 via Prosthetic Records, The Atlas Moth’s latest opus Coma Noir entered the Billboard charts at the following impressive positions and continues to draw praise from media and fans alike.

#24 Current Hard Music Albums
#24 Top New Artist Albums
#121 Top New Artist Albums Consumption

Produced by Sanford Parker (Eyehategod, Voivod), Coma Noir is perhaps both the bands most accessible and yet grim record yet. The band remain in a category all their own straddling extreme metal, psychedelic revelation and alternative rock’s barren corpse.

Tour dates below.

Photo by Eric Tra

Who knows what I will be doing next week, but I already know my four favorite albums for February. Might as well post ’em since so busy right now mostly moving and arguing with NitwitTweeters (Nitweeters) on Twitter. These are my choices for my four favorite ragers of the month, which I am already looking ahead towards the end of.

Read up on them BELOW.

Guitar luminary Marty Friedman has released a new video for the track “Self Pollution” from his Wall of Sound album. It starts as a technical workout that still has a gritty and rock n roll feel to it though other sections highlight Friedman’s melodic lead playing and get downright expansive and meditative before the wild stuff makes a return.

Friedman says, “This video is the first to feature my live band, with Kiyoshi on bass, Chargee on drums and Jordan Ziff on guitar. These guys (and girl) outshine me every night on tour. The video is loosely based on some of the fun ways you can pollute yourself (hence the title) and takes you from serenity to a chaotic climax, just like real life does sometimes.”

Directed by London-based photographer Jimmy Cheng, watch “Self Pollution” below.

Holy shit. How do SepticFlesh always manage to top themselves? From art to musical execution, they truly never leave a stone un-turned. This freaky ass Aliens meets LoTR looking art gave me chills and along with the new Cormorant Diaspora art shows that the best bands care about everything from visual to musical impact.

The Greek legends SF’s new album is called Codex Omega you can hear a completely stunning new symphonic extreme metal masterpiece called “Dante’s Inferno” HERE. It sounds even heavier than some of the most intense stuff they have released in recent years! The drums are absolutely insane.

Available September 1, 2017 in North America on Prosthetic Records, Codex Omega will be available as a 2-CD set, on purple wax vinyl as well as a US indie retail store exclusive on white wax vinyl, and on all digital outlets. Preorders are up now and available at http://smarturl.it/SepticfleshCO.