Metal Riot

The latest Deeper Graves effort The Colossal Sleep is one of our top selections of the month, a post-punk informed shadow work that really demands attention and at the end of the day rides alone genre-wise. Jeff Wilson (also of Chrome Waves, Contrition and a slew of other past bands of varying degrees of notoriety) has made one of his most piercing and lachrymose, yet decidedly unpretentious records yet. Catch the first video HERE.

It was a good time catching up with my friend and learning more about the current state of his life, label and musical endeavors.

Read More BELOW.

Our last interview of 2021 is with the enigmatic black metal outfit IRAVU from Malaysia. The occasion is to highlight the excellent Like Shades Of Night recent EP (one of our very favorite EPs this year along with also the hardcore band Move’s Freedom Dreams from the USA). And of course we want to spread the word on a very cool up and coming artist as we celebrate worldwide metal. I cannot wait to hear more black metal from this anti-fascist and focused one person group, the brain-child of talented musician Hareesh Kumar Shanggar.

It is honestly an honor to boost new bands like this who are so good and work hard on their craft and from the heart. It gives me hope for the music scene and creativity to create communication and foundations for change.

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A big thanks this week to the Succumb camp for doing this brand new interview with us promoting the new, must hear XXI release. Not quite a “best kept secret” anymore now that their star is rising, but certainly they remain a band you hope thrive yet also whom are so good you almost still want to covet their music to yourself in a secret, blood encrusted cave. I actually was worried they had broken up but still rocked one of their older debut shirt designs anyway cuz they fucking rule even if they HAD been one and done.

Thankfully, that wasn’t the case.

Cheri Musrasrik, of course, is a very enigmatic vocalist but the whole band have stepped things up from their already brilliant early material to deliver a complete knock out punch via this latest release. I knew they were special but always hoped they could be THIS special. If that doesn’t make sense now, it will when you hear the new record from this bleak and bludgeoning crew of cadaver kickers.

Thank you to Derek, Harry, Cheri and Kirk for all participating in this. Read more BELOW.

photo by Janina Gallert

It is always stimulating when a band makes a long term impact by never sacrificing their drive to expand consciousness. Not every band has the guts or resolve to be a Dead Meadow, Kylesa, a Pharmakon or a Skinny Puppy. It is not an easy task to never fail to resist kowtowing to the framework of popular entertainment norms. To make each statement count.

Luminous Rot by metalgaze sound painters Nadja (Leah Buckareff & Aidan Baker) shows the duo remain capable of resisting the autopilot tendencies of many a long running group, whilst still retaining hallmarks that made them appeal to noise hungry weirdos, artsy types and sewer dwelling mutants. It is amongst a short list of my very favorite musical ‘moments’ of the year.

It was truly a Wayne’s World “We’re Not Worthy” checklist moment for me to get to interview the group about one of the year’s most thrilling records, an album that deserves to be revisited often by listeners in 2021. Frankly, it makes a lot of other albums feel semi-amateurish and will go over some people’s heads. What else is new?

We discussed Southern Lord, sci-fi “norms”, David Pajo’s role, pandemic peculiarities and much more. Luminous Rot is particularly compelling in how it effortlessly melds both obtuse and more welcoming musical forms into a cohesive soak.

Read onward BELOW.

One of the few good things about this pandemic life has meant time for people to dig deep and soul search for an even more meaningful sense of self-expression. After all, we have had reminders daily that time is precious and you ought to be true to yourself, right? As a writer it has also been a good chance to have random email convos with incredible and talented cool folks and Suzi Moon is certainly high on the list of radness level as far as “rad people I have gotten to communicate with” in recent times goes.

Suzi Moon radiates the essence of punk attitude and makes the balance of sweet and sour seem effortless in glam gutter songs like “I’m Not A Man” or the rollicking “Nuthin’ To Me” that you can snarl or sing-a-long with like nobodies business. Yes, the Civet and Turbulent Hearts alumna is going solo and has delivered a fantastic video for the instantly memorable “Special Place In Hell” track from upcoming debut EP CALL THE SHOTS.

Read our chat BELOW.

photo by jarko mikkonen www.jarkkomikkonen.com

Vertigo from Finnish occult psych metal hybrid Jess and the Ancient Ones is nearly here, a brilliant bouquet of bold songwriting, deep mental excavation and explosive creativity. The Svart backed record (order HERE) releases this May in time for some of the finest weather for celebrating the sacred planet we inhabit -and too often regularly abuse- as well as the wider cosmos. It is an album that defies easy categorization even as it revels in nostalgia, riding waves of late 60’s bliss turned to unease through the dark heart of our current disoriented moment of mass ptsd and hopefully out the other side to better horizons. Rarely has escapism sounded so timely and alive, a defiance of folding up and dying without making a joyful, organ-steeped noise.

It is one of the most exciting, colorful and living testaments to rock you will hear this year and is in heavy rotation in my home, one of my favorite releases of 2021 yet by a long shot. The tornado on the cover might seem foreboding byt is also a fitting symbol of the intensity of the soaring vocals and enlightened playing within! It was a pleasure to pick the brain of guitarist Thomas Corpse about the release and other topics related to the band and their orbit.

Read more BELOW.

Skeletal Remains have built up a reputation for being a reliable source for some of the best death metal around where old school feel and fury and the ‘raw’ stuff manages to coincide with technical aspects without the scales being tipped. Plenty of stuff your Death or Massacre addict could vibe with and champion while still retaining the attention of people looking for something new, The Entombment Of Chaos is a must hear record for anyone who wants to properly get a grasp on a comprehensive list of the best stuff that came out this year. Despite some upheavals, the current incarnation of the band have released their most essential, confident and potentially career defining release yet! Even if you are not some scholarly metal cleric in a dusty tower, you can casually pick this up and find a killer outlet to both channel rage and have fun.

I spoke to Mike about the new album, coping with Covid, being part of the storied history of death metal, love for the fans and more RIGHT HERE!

Ghösh are raising the bar for exciting acts to follow in 2020. “Nu Junglism. Digital Hardcore.”Whatever you wanna call it, this Philly duo have a fierce and kinetic, living punk energy that is a refreshing mutation of numerous styles into an explosive and vital sound. The tracks on their Bandcamp blew me away with a fresh poetic attack and a DIY vibe of anarchic, creative freedom. Party starting and with something subversive to say. Plus an unexpected take on a Limp Bizkit classic.

I really can’t rave about this group enough. Not many acts can pry me out of my current Entombed, Pink Floyd and Sun Ra rabbit holes, but when it happens of late I am probably listening to these freak flag flyers. Please check out the full convo with Symphony and Zach below.