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Roundup From The Compound – October 31st, 2016

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NO LIGHT: Copenhagen-Based Indie Rockers Issue Video For “I.R.W.M.A.M.W.T.O.” Via Massive Danish Magazine Gaffa – Copenhagen-based alternative/indie rock outfit NO LIGHT has just issued a killer studio-filmed video for “I.R.W.M.A.M.W.T.O.,” which is taken from the band’s Gemini debut LP, impending release through Indisciplinarian in November. The video sees premiere via Gaffa, one of Denmark’s largest magazines. [MORE…]

ALBEZ DUZ: Occult Doom Rock Conjurors Stream Wings Of Tzinacan At The Obelisk; Album Out NOW Via Listenable – “…an eight-track/51-minute excursion into murk that calls to mind Type O Negative and The Butterfly Effect-era Moonspell as much as Paradise Lost while still retaining an identity of its own in its sense of atmosphere, depth of mix, and arrangement flourish…” – The Obelisk This Friday, occult doom rock conjurors ALBEZ DUZ will release their Wings Of Tzinacan full-length in North America via Listenable Records. [MORE…]

SEE?: Group Featuring Members Of Netherlands, Cibo Matto, Spacehog, Bangladeafy, Seabrook Power Plant, And More To Release New Record Via Nefarious Industries – Nefarious Industries presents Lighteninging On Your Thames, the new album from eccentric and spontaneous megacollective, SEE?, the record now being finalized for release this December. SEE? is a spontaneous supergroup featuring bassist Jon Ehlers (Bangladeafy, Pseudo/Sentai), guitarist Brandon Seabrook (Seabrook Power Plant, Needle Driver, Die Trommel Fatale), and drummer/vocalist/producer Timo Ellis (Netherlands, Cibo Matto, Spacehog, Joan as Police Woman), with additional keyboards by Stuart Popejoy (Bassoon, Sugarlife). [MORE…]

THE BLACK SCORPIO UNDERGROUND: Black Death Industrial Miscreants Undrape “She Who Cannot Be Saved” Video At No Clean Singing; Necrochasm Full-Length Out NOWT.B.S.U. traffics in harsh noise, industrial, ambient, and elements of black metal. T.B.S.U. also traffics in fear, torment, claustrophobia, and death. This song in particular is anchored by huge, heaving waves of deep, distorted sound, rising and falling against a shimmering ambient background.” – No Clean Singing With the release of Necrochasm, the forthcoming sonic nightmare from Los Angeles-based black death industrial miscreants THE BLACK SCORPIO UNDERGROUND, now less than one week away, today No Clean Singing is pleased to undrape the visual companion to the track “She Who Cannot Be Saved.” [MORE…]

TUTTI I COLORI DEL BUIO Issues Horror-Themed Video For From Initiation Into Nothingness Debut LP Through Decibel Magazine – Italian hardcore punk killers TUTTI I COLORI DEL BUIO have released a brutal spaghetti-horror/thriller-themed video for the track “Three Times Denied Means Fuck You” through Decibel Magazine, the track hailing from the band’s newly-issued Initiation Into Nothingness debut LP. [MORE…]

DYSCARNATE: UK Death Metal Behemoths Join Unique Leader Records For The Release Of Third Full-Length – 2016 ushers in a new dawn for UK metal trio DYSCARNATE. After a period of silence spent writing and dealing with personnel shifts due to the loss of longtime member Henry Bates, the group is set to return with a third album, a fresh sound, a new vocalist/bassist in Arceye’s Al Llewellyn, and a union with Florida’s renowned Unique Leader Records. [MORE…]

ULCERATE: Entire Shrines Of Paralysis LP Streaming; Album Out NOW On Relapse Records + North American Tour Looms – The unrelenting Shrines Of Paralysis – the fifth full-length album from New Zealand’s leading death metal unit, ULCERATE – sees release through Relapse Records this Friday, the label making the entire album available for streaming early. ULCERATE‘s Shrines Of Paralysis is a flawless continuation of the band’s signature sonic philosophy, spanning eight tracks of forward-thinking death metal, incorporating a wider range of styles and ideas than ever before. [MORE…]

RISK RELAY Premieres “My Weight Disappearing” From Nefarious Industries-Bound As We Descend LP Through Metal Insider – As New Jersey-based quartet RISK RELAY finalizes their fourth full-length, As We Descend, through Nefarious Industries in November, the public’s first preview of the album has been made available through an exclusive stream of the track “My Weight Disappearing,” now playing at Metal Insider. Closing a three-year gap between releases, RISK RELAY sought out new inspirational energy and direction for the creation of this new concept recording. As We Descend was recorded between March and June of 2016 in full analog to 2” tape, engineered by RISK RELAY drummer Brian Buccellato at his own Volume IV studio in New Brunswick, and mastered by Alan Douches at West West Side. The lyrics for As We Descend are inspired by the late nineteenth-century science fiction novel, Etidorhpa, which depicts the story of a man banished to an alternate world within the center of the Earth, this theme also reflected in the artwork created by Bryan Elkins. [MORE…]

MARS RED SKY: Psychedelic Stoner Doom Trio Unveils Alien Grounds Film; Band To Kick Off European Live Dates – French psychedelic stoner doom sorcerers MARS RED SKY is pleased to unveil their near-thirteen-minute short film Alien Grounds. Boasting a rad vintage car, handsome actors, a crazy spaceship, a dangerous alien, and an odd dive bar, Alien Grounds takes “Apex III” and “Sapphire Vessel,” the first two tracks from the Bordeaux trio’s third and latest album, Apex III (Praise for the Burning Soul) and puts them to a science fiction narrative. [MORE…]

NATHANAEL LAROCHETTE: Decibel Magazine Premieres “Invocation” Performance Video From Musk Ox/The Night Watch Guitarist; Earth And Sky Double Album Available NOW – Earlier this year, Musk Ox/The Night Watch guitarist NATHANAEL LAROCHETTE self-released a stunning double solo album entitled Earth And Sky. Comprised of two distinct yet complimentary albums, Earth is a collection of solo classical guitar works which act as the stark acoustic counterpart to Sky, a layered, forty-minute ambient electric composition. The neofolk and post rock influences which inspired the creation of Musk Ox are each given their own space to breathe and evolve on Earth And Sky, creating an ever unfolding work of intimate vastness. [MORE…]

COGNITIVE: Metal Injection Premieres Deformity Full-Length From Brutal Death Metal Faction – This Friday, Garden State-based bludgeoning death metal faction COGNITIVE will unleash their pulverizing Deformity full-length upon the masses. The nine-track slab of inexorable brutality was captured at Full Force Studio by Joe Cincotta (Suffocation, Internal Bleeding, Dehumanized), mastered at West West Side Studios by Alan Douches (Cannibal Corpse, Converge, Black Breath, Mastodon et al), and includes a guest appearance by Misery Index’s Mark Kloeppel. [MORE…]

MANIPULATE and COUNTDOWN: Two More Tracks From Flatspot Records’ The Extermination Vol. 3 Comp Playing Exclusively At Clrvynt – Now less than two weeks from release is Flatspot Records’ crushing The Extermination Vol. 3 compilation, featuring brand new and exclusive tracks some of the current hardcore scene’s top acts. As the street date closes in, the label issues two more songs from the impending LP, with new jams from MANIPULATE and COUNTDOWN hitting the public this week through Clrvynt. [MORE…]

ENSLAVED Stream “Heimvegen” From Forthcoming Sleeping Gods – Thorn Compilation – Norwegian progressive extreme metal icons ENSLAVED will release The Sleeping Gods – Thorn compilation November 11th via By Norse Music. A full-length album comprised of rare material from 2010-2011, The Sleeping Gods – Thorn is a unique collection of experimental recordings connecting with the band’s early roots. [MORE…]

EYE OF NIX: Seattle Sound Contortionists Confirm November Performances; New Material In The Works + Live Footage Posted – Seattle sound contortionists EYE OF NIX will bring their sonic rituals to the stage next month for three special performances in Washington and Oregon, including a show supporting SubRosa and Eight Bells on November 18th on their home turf followed by an appearance at Dismal Fest, also in Seattle, on January 19th. Additional live ceremonies will be announced in the weeks to come. In the meantime, check out live footage from the band at the Panic Room in Portland last May. [MORE…]

The DRX To Release Epic Concept Album Throughout Within Via Nefarious Industries; Record Includes Contributions From Members Of Kayo Dot, Psalm Zero, And More – Nefarious Industries is proud to announce the impending release of the epic new concept record from The DRX, titled Throughout Within. The record, written and performed by composer and multi-instrumentalist Dan Romans, features contributions from members of Psalm Zero, Kayo Dot, The Riot Oak, and many others. New York musician Dan Romans has revivified his compositional entity: the persistent yet rarely observed avant-rock powerhouse, The DRX. Succeeding a five-year gestation, The DRX is birthing its magnum opus Throughout Within, a dense, fifty-seven continuous minutes of cathartic music. The motific concept album effuses lush, emotive sound that expands upon and surpasses the despondent tone and dynamic intensity of previous albums, The Deepening Hole (2011) and Thesis (2009). [MORE…]

LOSER LIFE: Magic Bullet Records Presents Digital Catalog For California Hardcore Punk Outfit; Six Titles Set For November Release – Magic Bullet Records announces more titles for the label’s 20th anniversary series, confirming the upcoming digital catalog from defunct Central California melodic hardcore outfit, LOSER LIFE. Driven by the desperation and anxieties of their toxic living environment, Bakersfield’s LOSER LIFE channeled those negativities and turned them into powerful bursts of melodic hardcore during their five years together. Beginning in 2005, the band became the flagship band of the now-defunct Munoz Gym, releasing multiple EPs and LPs with the Going Underground, Magic Bullet, and Life’s A Rape labels, and completing multiple United States and European tours before their split in 2010. Taking cues from Hüsker Dü, Articles Of Faith, and Thrasher Skate Rock compilations before them, LOSER LIFE managed to run these influences though a filter that could only come from a place like Bakersfield, giving them a different take on an old formula and making it their own. [MORE…]

MADDER MORTEM: Noisey Streams Red In Tooth And Claw Full-Length From Long-Running Avant Metal Unit; Record Out NOW On  Dark Essence“We want to make music that assumes that the listener is too smart to accept stale, second-hand ideas hidden in non-threatening commercialist packaging and production. We want to make music that demands your attention, that you must invest in to understand, but that will keep giving you something fresh on the tenth and the hundredth listen.” — Agnete M. Kirkevaag, MADDER MORTEM Tomorrow marks the long-awaited release of Red In Tooth And Claw, the sixth full-length studio offering from Norwegian avant metal collective, MADDER MORTEM. In advance of its official unveiling, Vice’s music portal Noisey is streaming the record in its magicalentirety noting, “Oslo fivesome MADDER MORTEM is a wonderfully multifaceted example of that Norwegian tendency towards strange musical experiments; on their new album, Red In Tooth And Claw, the progressive metallers explore all manner of heavy sounds, and lighter ones, and epic ones, and electronic ones—they’re impossible to categorize or cut down into easily digestible genre tags. You just need to listen—and we recommend doing so below, where we’re streaming the album in its entirety.” [MORE…]

THE OCEAN To Kick Off US West Coast Live Takeover; Tour Trailer Posted – Germany’s premier progressive/post-metal collective, THE OCEAN, is returning to North America for a near-two-week run of live takeovers. Set to run from October 30th through November 9th, the band will be joined by North and The Gorge. The West Coast trek includes a stop in Las Vegas Halloween night to share the stage with Napalm Death. See all confirmed dates below and the tour trailer below. [MORE…]

STEEL HOOK PROSTHESES: Calm Morbidity Streaming At No Clean Singing; Record Out NOW Through Malignant Records – Just before Malignant Records releases Calm Morbidity — the cruel tenth full-length from Dallas death industrial duo, STEEL HOOK PROSTHESES — No Clean Singing has undertaken the courageous role of hosting a stream of the entire record. The descriptive dissection of Calm Morbidity includes, “Even at its most quiet, the album is busy dismantling anything that resembles complacency or satisfaction and replacing it with claustrophobia and horror. And when the music reaches crescendos of black, storming, gut-churning sound, the atmosphere becomes one of unmitigated despair.” [MORE…]

THIS WILL DESTROY YOU: The A.V. Club Premieres Previously Unreleased Track From Instrumental Rock Collective; Young Mountain Tenth Anniversary Reissue To Be Unveiled Next Month + Special Live Dates Loom – On June 6th, 2006 (06.06.06), Texas-bred instrumental rock collective THIS WILL DESTROY YOU unleashed their debut Young Mountain and never looked back. Initially recorded as a demo/document to commemorate four guys’ college band, the scope never centered around the notion of the music being commercially released, as most of the band members intended to move on to more traditional careers after school. The initial pressing was a mere 1000 copies, just enough to have something to sell at the merch table on the inaugural tour with labelmates Sparrows Swarm And Sing, via retail stores, and the label’s mailorder. [MORE…]

H. P. LOVECRAFT’s Pickman’s Model Deluxe LP To See November Release Through Cadabra Records; Sample Playing At Decibel Magazine – “God, man! Don’t you realise that places like that [the North End] weren’t merely made, but actually grew? Generation after generation lived and felt and died there, and in days when people weren’t afraid to live and feel and die… No, Thurber, these ancient places are dreaming gorgeously and overflowing with wonder and terror and escapes from the commonplace, and yet there’s not a living soul to understand or profit by them.” Spoken arts and deluxe vinyl label, Cadabra Records, continues their ongoing homage to the timeless works of horror master H. P. LOVECRAFT, with the impending release of Pickman’s Model. A terrifying piece of the new album has been issued exclusively through Decibel Magazine alongside preorders for the record. [MORE…

NATHANIEL SHANNON AND THE VANISHING TWIN  Undrapes Gruesome “Debutantes” Video At Cvlt Nation; Trespasses LP Out Now – “…a peyote-fueled nightmare…” — Cvlt Nation Today marks the official unveiling of Trespasses, the alluringly disturbing full-length debut from Brooklyn via-Detroit artist NATHANIEL SHANNON AND THE VANISHING TWIN. Out now on Aqualamb, the offering features fifteen truly haunting tracks, the accumulation of nearly a decade of bedroom recordings by singer and multi-instrumentalist NATHANIEL SHANNON. [MORE…]

MARTYRDÖD Premieres Video For “Harmagedon” Via BrooklynVegan; Southern Lord Unveils Preorders For List Album – The maiden single to be issued from List – the crushing sixth full-length album from Swedish d-beat crust outfit, MARTYRDÖD — has been made available as an official video for the track “Harmagedon” is premiered at BrooklynVegan. MARTYRDÖD is a central figure in the modern era of the international community of crust — in no small part due to their members’ links to other exemplary bands such as Skitsystem and Agrimonia — but over the years, their powerful allure has resonated in a whole host of intrigued listeners across the spectrum of heavy, enamored by their bleak outlook and scorching melodies. For fifteen years, the members of MARTYRDÖD have honed their craft to a level of mastery, and it shows — List is quite possibly the most refined record to slip in to their furious, spiky discography, and it doesn’t let up for a moment. [MORE…]

EARSPLIT DISTRO: Be sure to raid EARSPLIT DISTRO for all titles from The Compound Recs including CLASSHOLE (featuring members of Eyehategod, Mountain Of Wizard, haarp, and more), DIE CHOKING, LAE (featuring Steve Austin from Today Is The Day), GRIDFAILURE, GODHUNTER, and more, in addition to hundreds of imported/distributed titles from Selfmadegod Records, Supernatural Cat, 20 Buck Spin, Indisciplinarian, Exile On Mainstream, and many others. [GO HERE]

Contact liz@earsplitcompound.com, dave@earsplitcompound.com or pr@earsplitcompound.com for interviews with the above artists, or bands listed below with current and/or pending tour dates; keep up to date on all Earsplit-related tour offensives at our Live Actions page HERE.

ABIGAIL WILLIAMS ALLEGAEON ANAGNORISIS – ARMORED SAINT – BATTLECROSS THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER CARCASS CASTLE – COGNITIVE – CONCLAVE – CRYPR ROT –DETHBEDS – DIE CHOKING – DYSRHYTMIA EIGHT BELLS – EYE OF NIX –  FISTULA – FULL SCALE RIOTGOATWHORE – GOOD TIGER HALSHUG – KHEMMIS LIFESICK LORD OF WAR – MARTYRDÖD – NEUROSIS – NO LIGHT THE OCEAN OKKULTOKRATI – PAIN THE PINE BOX BOYS – POWER TRIP – THE POWER OF THE RIFF – PG.LOST – RISING – RISK RELAY – SUPERJOINT – THEORIES – THIS WILL DESTROY YOU TOMBS – TUTTI I COLORI DEL BUIO  UFOMAMMUT – ULCERATE – VASTUM – VOID OMNIA – WOLVHAMMER – WOLVES IN THE THRONE ROOM – WOVENWAR

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Source: Earsplit
Roundup From The Compound – October 31st, 2016
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CD Reviews

Ministry – HOPIUMFORTHEMASSES

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As we near the collapse of mankind and the imminent doom of our political system, a perfect stage has been set for the outspoken rebels to flood the airwaves with dissident upheaval bathed in musical bliss. With the end looming, no greater landscape could welcome the reemergence of the enigmatic Al Jourgensen and company with their latest release, HOPIUMFORTHEMASSES, via Nuclear Blast Records. Scheduled for a March 1st 2024 release, Uncle Al, along with guitarist Cesar Soto, Paul D’Amour, formerly of TOOL, on bass, John Bechdel on keys, Roy Mayorga (ex-STONE SOUR) on drums, and newly added guitarist Monte Pittman, form the current incarnation of the long-lived Ministry.

AFGHAN_WHIGS_METRO_2022

This album is an open-book commentary on our American society at large, bathed in slow-burn angst and distortion injected with punk rock/thrash riffs and samples galore.

Within the opening seconds of track one, a female voice proclaims, “What was once forbidden becomes fringe, and what was once fringe becomes mainstream.” Soon Al’s vocals take over with a distorted and effect heavy declaration of “horny little boys filled with hormones and hate, waging war on women ‘’cause they can’t get a date,” thus laying the groundwork for the entire album. As “B.D.E.” (Big Dick Energy) continues, a heavy yet simplistic guitar riff drives the song forward while increasing the energy level and tempo. Al’s vocals continue with his immediate, recognizable attitude and tone, stating, “No one can justify the toxic behavior.”

“Goddamn White Trash” is perhaps the most accessible and rythematic song on the release. It has hints of the Psalm 69 days of the band. Chants of “USA, USA” ring out along side screeching guitar noise reminiscent of Mike Scaccia’s playing style.

Track three is titled “Just Stop Oil,” and it dives into yet another realm of political advocacy. Jourgensen delivers, “Dehumanization at a cellular level. Policy set by the corporate devils, There must be resistance, we cannot be silenced, There is the existence of possible violence” in a growled whisper.

On the track “Aryan Embarrassment,”  we are treated to a none-more-fitting guest appearance from what I believe is activist and Dead Kennedys front man Jello Biafra, who delivers a rap-style series of vocal lines backed by a driving rhythm. Jello wails, “How on Earth did all this happen? Plagues of militantly stupid” Followed by “Scamming on the punk scene.  Oi, oi, oi. Ain’t proud of you boys at all.”

Another standout track is “New Religion” which starts with a classic industrial riff and buries itself in the repetitive, slow-burn heaviness that has become the Ministry standard as of late. Followed by “It’s Not Pretty,” which opens as a haunting acoustic piece that I imagine being set in a post apocalyptic landscape with the reverberating lyrics “It’s not pretty. This is the end of the world to me. This is the end of society.”

“Cult of Suffering” strays from the format of the balance of the album and could be firmly placed on an Alabama 3 album, and it may feel at home on a Surgical Meth Machine release.

Rounding out the album is a little ditty called “Ricky’s Hand.” This is a synth pop throwback to the early days of Ministry and leaves us longtime fans eager to hear the longtime teased rerecording of some of the very early Ministry material. This track has a Devo, Information Society, and even Depeche Mode feel to it and is a perfect bookend to a solid release from an iconic band.

Ministry will be on tour throughout the summer with Rob Zombie, Alice Cooper and Helmet.

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Bloodywood: Concert Review Pittsburgh, PA

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In a realm of modern music overflowing with musical genres, there are few bands that possess a unique sonic force that defies categorization while leaving listeners spellbound and yearning for more. One such band is Bloodywood. They are a musical force that blends cultural heritage with a relentless fusion of metal, hip-hop, and traditional Indian rhythms.

As a band, they are carving a distinctive path and leaving an indelible mark on the modern musical landscape. Their raw energy, cultural fusion, and a fearless spirit of rebellion is a testament to the transformative power of music, transcending boundaries and uniting people from all corners of the globe. With their infectious energy and thought-provoking lyrics, the band has built an ardent following, igniting a revolution that stretches far beyond the realm of music or the shores of any country.

Born in the vibrant streets of New Delhi, India, in 2016, Bloodywood showcases their unwavering commitment to pushing boundaries, both musically and socially, as they fearlessly tackle pressing issues and ignite conversations.

The sonic odyssey of Bloodywood graced the stage of the Roxian Theater in McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania, which is nestled in the shadow of Pittsburgh only a short distance down the Ohio River from the infamous Steel City.

The show opened with a blast of energy from the British duo WARGASM, whose stage presence was undeniable. Sam Matlock, Milkie Way, and company tore through an unadulterated set of nu-metal tracks tinged with punk and electronica that included “Super Fiend”, “D.R.I.L.D.O”, and “Rage All Over”. They followed up with the video sensation “Fukstar” and wound down the set with some crowd surfing and a cover of N*E*R*D’s “Lapdance” and closed out the set with the track “Spit”.

After a brief break in the mayhem, Vended made the stage rumble to life. Their agro-metal induced a great deal of similarity to early Slipknot, and that is not surprising given that frontman Griffen Taylor is the son of Slipknot’s Corey Taylor and Simon Crahan is the son of percussionist Shawn ‘Clown’ Crahan. The band sounded tight and featured competent song composition; however, the vocalist needed to learn how to work the stage. It was as if his shoes were nailed to the floor at center stage.

As stage lighting flickered to life, the crowd prepared to be immersed in a symphony of cultural fusion, electrifying riffs, and unapologetic lyrics. We all knew that we were about to experience something quite special. As the sonic saga began, drummer Vishesh Singh sat behind his kit, awash in blue and purple lights, as the anticipation grew more intense. The intro track for “Gaddaar” echoed throughout the theater before the bombastic bass, gnarly guitar riffs, and the thump of the drums shook the walls as the entire band burst onto the stage to metaphorically say, “Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to an electrifying evening filled with raw energy enshrined in a mesmerizing tapestry of sound that defies conventions.”

The crowd began losing themselves in the pounding intensity, their bodies moving in sync with each thunderous beat as Sarthak Pahwa wailed away on his dhol. The band seamlessly migrates from the thunderous “”Gaddaar” to “BSDK.exe” from their most recent release Rakshak that couples a more hip-hop vibe on the verses with a crushing guitar rhythm from Karan Katiyar throughout the rest of the track.

Adorned in their fusion of metal attire and traditional Indian clothing, twin vocalists Jayant Bhadula (vocals and growls) and Raoul Kerr (rap vocals) commanded a powerful presence as they ran through “Aaj” with its hypnotic flute licks and downright brutal lead vocals. The five minute long song pushed the audience into heightened frenzy before slapping them across the chin with “Dana Dan”. Which had Raoul Kerr rapping/screaming “I put a fist through the face of a rapist and yeah, I taped this. For the viewing pleasure of the nameless faces he disgraces.”

Up next was the more mellow and chill track “Jee Veerey” that featured more of Karan Katiyar’s enigmatic flute playing along with a more melodic yet still intense vocal delivery from Jayant Bhadula as he sang in his native tongue.

The track “Zanjeero Se” was followed by “Machi Bhasad (Expect a Riot)” which truly showcased the rhythmic prowess of drummer Vishesh Singh and dhol master Sarthak Pahwa. It was so enthralling to watch Sarthak perform on such a simplistic instrument and to make it so vibrant and energetic. His playing transports Bloodywood’s music to a completely different level.

As the set reached its crescendo, it was obvious that the sweat-drenched band had poured their hearts and souls into every note. Wrapping up their set was the sing-along inducing “Ari Ari” that left the crowd breathless and drenched in the passion that radiated from the stage.

But… There is more. As an encore, the band jumps back in to the opening track “Gaddaar” thus cranking up the mosh-pit’s intensity to eleven, causing every person down front to expel every ounce of remaining energy from their bodies.

It was incredibly refreshing to see a band that, in some magical way is able to unite people regardless of age, background, or nationality. To see people connected by their love of the music and a band. The shared experience created an atmosphere of camaraderie and acceptance, where strangers become friends, and barriers dissolve in the face of the music.

Unfortunately, this was the last stop on Bloodywood’s North American tour, save some festival dates. Hopefully, they will be returning to the states soon. If you have the opportunity to see them live, do not sleep on it. I promise you will not be disappointed.

In the meantime you can get more info at: www.bloodywood.net/

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Cattle Decapitation Terrasite Album Review

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Terrasite by Cattle Decapitation

Today, 05/12/2023, saw the release of the 8th studio album from San Diego’s own Cattle Decapitation. The follow up to 2019s Death Atlas, Terrasite shows how a band can grow and evolve while staying true to their roots. Starting as a grind band in the late 90s and with relentless touring and continual releases this album shows them further building upon elements of their previous albums.

The album has great production. The copy I used primarily for my review is the vinyl version which is 45 RPM and it sounds great. In particular, I think the drum production is particularly well executed. A lot of times with death metal the kick drum is either too “bassy” so it’s difficult to hear or it’s the other way and you can hear all the hits without the bass tone. This album is a great balance of the two. You can hear clearly how fast drummer, Dave McGraw, is going without losing the “thump”. The blast beats alone will rattle the brain. The guitars are grimy and dirty with some blistering leads. The bass rattles while still having a solid low end. You can really hear it in songs like “Solastalgia” which has a small bass lead in it which I didn’t see coming and was pulled off great.

The vocals, I feel compelled to say that Travis Ryan has to be one of the most underrated and versatile vocalists in metal. Highs that make the ears bleed, lows that are gurgling, wet and gross sounding. Harsh singing reminiscent of 80s thrash bands, and clean singing that are almost, but not quite, reminiscent of the late Peter Steele from Type O Negative.

Lyrically they stay on brand ranging from the end of humanity, apocalyptic themes, and mistreating humans the same way humans mistreat animals. Very dark and grotesque subject matter. When asked about the lyrics to this album Ryan states “I wanted to do the 180° opposite of Death Atlas – I wanted this to take place in the daylight. I’ve always found daytime horror to be really unsettling so I wanted to make sure what was going on on the cover took place in the light of day, which also finds its place within the lyrics.”

Tracks like “A Photic Doom” showcase traditional style death metal guitar riffing, with elements of tech death and slam. “Dead End Residents” leans into some of the darker ends of thrash metal and is reminiscent of bands like Slayer. “Scourge of the Offspring” shows an impressive command of melody without sacrificing the grime that covers the album while almost coming off as anthemic.

The album closes with the ten minute epic “Just Another Body” which begins with a piano melody that would be at home in a late 70s era horror movie while building into something that’s not quite death, not quite thrash, and not quite grind. Ryan uses the full range of his voice while there are symphonics layered in the background to keep the melody from being lost while still playing with grind based riffs and blast beats.

Overall if you’re looking for a strong contender for death metal album of the year I will highly recommend this. As of this writing I haven’t been able to stop listening to it for three days now. The album currently available on all the usual streaming platforms and physical copies can be purchased here. (www.indiemerch.com/cattledecap)

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