1. Exit Through the Gift Shop
This documentary about street artist Banksy takes a really interesting look at the state of art, culture, and being anonymous.
2. Drunk Twitter
Never really understood Twitter before I turned 21. Now I don't go to the bars without it. Sometimes, you have thoughts you should keep to yourself and sometimes you have thoughts that you should share with strangers and friends via your cell phone. Plus it's a great way to learn about new music. Just watch out for drunken typos.
3. Comanche
Call this group whatever you want, chill wave, electronica, or pop, but any way you phrase it they're making some of the best new music around.
4. Websites
bustedBASS just got our own website! I never knew how much fun it is to have your own website. It's kind of like having a baby that you can pimp out to the world.
5. The Black Eyed Peas - The Beginning
This album is a huge guilty pleasure of mine. B.E.P. picked up a very European House sound for it, and while the single, "The Time," is a little cheesy, the album has some great cuts like the one above. Please don't judge the album based on their awful Superbowl performance.
6. Passion Pit (Le Chev Remix)
I have had this playing nonstop ever since I found it via RCRD LBL a few weeks ago. If you like music, don't miss this one.
7. Swag
Swag is not something you can buy at the store. Some people can turn theirs on. Others are swaggin' nonstop. One day, a study will be performed on this mysterious essence, but until then I'll fuck wit it.
Arthur Henke, Mobile Director
Monday, March 14, 2011
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Billy's Rec's: The Billy Bracken Experience, Are You Experienced?
1. The Books - "Smells Like Content"
The Books never cease to surprise me with their unique blend of folk, experimental, and spoken word. It's hard to pick a single song to represent them because their songs are incredibly diverse. While they often incorporate the guitar, banjo, and cello in their music, they also make use of various samplings ranging from famous quotations to music found discarded at thrift stores.
They experiment with many non-traditional musical instruments as well, like toys and filing cabinets, which are looped as background sounds.
Their lyrics are extremely abstract and can be interpreted in a multitude of ways. My favorite line in this song is "Expectation. Often leads to disappointment/ If you don't expect something big and exciting... usually...", at which point the song ends, driving home the point that it is important to live life in the present, and not constantly worried about future gains.
2. The Streets - "Blinded By The Lights"
I have always been a huge fan of Mike Skinner, known by his stage name The Streets. After his latest album was released this February, I've gotten really into him again.
"Blinded By The Lights" is one of his older songs, and one of the first songs that attracted me to The Streets. It's a really relaxed song, documenting the frustration Mike experiences losing his friends at a club, then ultimately discovering his girlfriend is cheating on him with his best friend. The song documents his initial spiral downward, but ultimately culminating in complete bliss and overcoming his emotions.
3. Borgore - "Guided Relaxation Dub"
With the dubstep genre becoming increasingly popular, I feel that many artists have simply become interchangeable with one another. It's just a difference of where each artist decides to throw in the mandatory "whoomp... whooomp." Borgore puts an entirely new spin on the dubstep genre, creating a much grimier and almost metal sound.
While his music might not be everyone's cup of tea, I find it refreshing to see an artist reinventing a genre becoming overwhelmed with generic sounds. The drop after the initial guided relaxation sampling makes you realize this isn't your generic, American Apparel hipster dubstep.
4. Immortal Technique - "Leaving The Past"
Current hip-hop artists tend to focus on glorification of a criminal lifestyle, drugs and violence. Immortal Technique is unique with his music in that he focuses on political activism in his lyrics. He expresses commentary on poverty, racism, religion, governmental oppression and conspiracy and historical facts. It's impressive how he manages to merge impressive rhymes and beats with controversial topics.
In "Leaving The Past," he discusses the dangers of our capitalist society and the oppression we freely impose on other countries with our military strength. He also explores the topic of racial inequality that still exists in modern society even though we tend to overlook it. One of the most powerful lines in this song I think is, "I hate it when they tell us how far we came to be/ as if our peoples' history started with slavery."
5. Rodrigo y Gabriela - "Tamacun"
I've been obsessed with this band ever since I saw them last year. The band is comprised of Rodrigo Sanchez and Gabriela Quintero. Their music is a fusion of Latin rock, folk rock, and metal. Both musicians share a passion for metal music, and incorporate fast rhythmic guitar-playing and extended solos in their music. It's hard to find a song by them that I don't like, but I think "Tamacun" is a good example of the unique style they have created.
6. Yello - "Oh Yeah"
I just had to include this song in my blog as an homage to Ferris Bueller's Day Off, which I just re-watched a couple days ago. Every time that I ace an exam or do well on a presentation, this song inevitably starts playing in my head. It's the perfect soundtrack to success.
--Billy Bracken, Sales Director
The Books never cease to surprise me with their unique blend of folk, experimental, and spoken word. It's hard to pick a single song to represent them because their songs are incredibly diverse. While they often incorporate the guitar, banjo, and cello in their music, they also make use of various samplings ranging from famous quotations to music found discarded at thrift stores.
They experiment with many non-traditional musical instruments as well, like toys and filing cabinets, which are looped as background sounds.
Their lyrics are extremely abstract and can be interpreted in a multitude of ways. My favorite line in this song is "Expectation. Often leads to disappointment/ If you don't expect something big and exciting... usually...", at which point the song ends, driving home the point that it is important to live life in the present, and not constantly worried about future gains.
2. The Streets - "Blinded By The Lights"
I have always been a huge fan of Mike Skinner, known by his stage name The Streets. After his latest album was released this February, I've gotten really into him again.
"Blinded By The Lights" is one of his older songs, and one of the first songs that attracted me to The Streets. It's a really relaxed song, documenting the frustration Mike experiences losing his friends at a club, then ultimately discovering his girlfriend is cheating on him with his best friend. The song documents his initial spiral downward, but ultimately culminating in complete bliss and overcoming his emotions.
3. Borgore - "Guided Relaxation Dub"
With the dubstep genre becoming increasingly popular, I feel that many artists have simply become interchangeable with one another. It's just a difference of where each artist decides to throw in the mandatory "whoomp... whooomp." Borgore puts an entirely new spin on the dubstep genre, creating a much grimier and almost metal sound.
While his music might not be everyone's cup of tea, I find it refreshing to see an artist reinventing a genre becoming overwhelmed with generic sounds. The drop after the initial guided relaxation sampling makes you realize this isn't your generic, American Apparel hipster dubstep.
4. Immortal Technique - "Leaving The Past"
Current hip-hop artists tend to focus on glorification of a criminal lifestyle, drugs and violence. Immortal Technique is unique with his music in that he focuses on political activism in his lyrics. He expresses commentary on poverty, racism, religion, governmental oppression and conspiracy and historical facts. It's impressive how he manages to merge impressive rhymes and beats with controversial topics.
In "Leaving The Past," he discusses the dangers of our capitalist society and the oppression we freely impose on other countries with our military strength. He also explores the topic of racial inequality that still exists in modern society even though we tend to overlook it. One of the most powerful lines in this song I think is, "I hate it when they tell us how far we came to be/ as if our peoples' history started with slavery."
5. Rodrigo y Gabriela - "Tamacun"
I've been obsessed with this band ever since I saw them last year. The band is comprised of Rodrigo Sanchez and Gabriela Quintero. Their music is a fusion of Latin rock, folk rock, and metal. Both musicians share a passion for metal music, and incorporate fast rhythmic guitar-playing and extended solos in their music. It's hard to find a song by them that I don't like, but I think "Tamacun" is a good example of the unique style they have created.
6. Yello - "Oh Yeah"
I just had to include this song in my blog as an homage to Ferris Bueller's Day Off, which I just re-watched a couple days ago. Every time that I ace an exam or do well on a presentation, this song inevitably starts playing in my head. It's the perfect soundtrack to success.
--Billy Bracken, Sales Director
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Dan's Recs: Sliding through ourselves
1. Monday Pick Me Up
"Colorshow" - The Avett Brothers
The Avett Brothers have a way at digging down into the pits of our emotions only to pull out the rawest beauty from underneath. Mondays have a way of squashing any hope and beauty we may have. Best enjoyed with a warm cup of coffee, "Colorshow" thumps clarity into a gray morning soul and prepares it to shine on through the week. The song is a much-needed prism to help focus and separate out our many colors and serves to remind us that even gray is a color in this beautiful spectrum.
2. Latin is For Lovers
"Nada is Igual" - Luis Miguel
I was first introduced to Luis Miguel by my high school Spanish teacher. She tried to capture a certain vivacity and love for life that immature high-schoolers seldom recognize. Though "Nada es Igual" is a lover's lament about how nothing is or will be the same, Miguel expresses the loss of love with the warmth of soul that needs no translation.
3. Losing Yourself in "4x4" Time
"Vanishing Point" - Deadmau5
As a college student, my days are spent rushing from one classroom to another, worrying about all of my various extracurricular activities and trying to feed, wash, and sleep in between the madness. The repetitive nature of life and the constant levels of stress are oddly similar to the repetitive nature of Deadmau5's "Vanishing Point" which, if listened to correctly, can send any listener into a existence beyond this simple earth.
4. I Would Drink it Dry
"Vice Rag" - AA Bondy
If you don't know, AA Bondy is a folk artist that specializes in a certain tone of soft, dark melody. I first saw him perform with Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band and only caught the last bit of his set. I wanted to hear more and found a couple albums but not until I saw him again did it make much sense. When AA Bondy performs he get trashed, hammered, sloshed, and any other slang for downright drunk. "Vice Rag" personifies the anchors holding us in the darkness that is a part of our soul. Bondy's smooth tone and rich words wash over like hot black coffee, warm and invigorating but are still clouded with dark abyss.
5. You've Gone too Far cause you Know it don't Matter Anyway
"Rich Girl" - Hall and Oates
My mother is not normally the one who is on par with my music tastes, but when she gifted me with a greatest hits album of Darryl Hall and John Oates she shot an ace. Hall and Oates bring so much soul out through their music. The bass waves up in down in your chest trying to break free from your rib cage. "Rich Girl" captures anger and frustration with a knowledge that there is nothing that can be done. It's a simple game of understanding and that's all that one can do. We can spout and be angry but after a certain point the game is out of our hands.
--Dan Moore, Alumni Investment Relations Director
"Colorshow" - The Avett Brothers
The Avett Brothers have a way at digging down into the pits of our emotions only to pull out the rawest beauty from underneath. Mondays have a way of squashing any hope and beauty we may have. Best enjoyed with a warm cup of coffee, "Colorshow" thumps clarity into a gray morning soul and prepares it to shine on through the week. The song is a much-needed prism to help focus and separate out our many colors and serves to remind us that even gray is a color in this beautiful spectrum.
2. Latin is For Lovers
"Nada is Igual" - Luis Miguel
I was first introduced to Luis Miguel by my high school Spanish teacher. She tried to capture a certain vivacity and love for life that immature high-schoolers seldom recognize. Though "Nada es Igual" is a lover's lament about how nothing is or will be the same, Miguel expresses the loss of love with the warmth of soul that needs no translation.
3. Losing Yourself in "4x4" Time
"Vanishing Point" - Deadmau5
As a college student, my days are spent rushing from one classroom to another, worrying about all of my various extracurricular activities and trying to feed, wash, and sleep in between the madness. The repetitive nature of life and the constant levels of stress are oddly similar to the repetitive nature of Deadmau5's "Vanishing Point" which, if listened to correctly, can send any listener into a existence beyond this simple earth.
4. I Would Drink it Dry
"Vice Rag" - AA Bondy
If you don't know, AA Bondy is a folk artist that specializes in a certain tone of soft, dark melody. I first saw him perform with Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band and only caught the last bit of his set. I wanted to hear more and found a couple albums but not until I saw him again did it make much sense. When AA Bondy performs he get trashed, hammered, sloshed, and any other slang for downright drunk. "Vice Rag" personifies the anchors holding us in the darkness that is a part of our soul. Bondy's smooth tone and rich words wash over like hot black coffee, warm and invigorating but are still clouded with dark abyss.
5. You've Gone too Far cause you Know it don't Matter Anyway
"Rich Girl" - Hall and Oates
My mother is not normally the one who is on par with my music tastes, but when she gifted me with a greatest hits album of Darryl Hall and John Oates she shot an ace. Hall and Oates bring so much soul out through their music. The bass waves up in down in your chest trying to break free from your rib cage. "Rich Girl" captures anger and frustration with a knowledge that there is nothing that can be done. It's a simple game of understanding and that's all that one can do. We can spout and be angry but after a certain point the game is out of our hands.
--Dan Moore, Alumni Investment Relations Director
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Branka's Recs: Shameless fetishization of music made by scummy dumpy-lookin’ dudes in the gr-80s
1. In honor of the growing 2011 protests
Raw Power - "State Oppression" (Screams from the Gutter, 1985)
"They keep filing us, they keep on suffocating us
They are shooting, torturing, they’re killing us
STATE OPPRESSION!
Repression is already in every corner
The bastards, the motherfuckers, are everywhere
STATE OPPRESSION!!"
Nearly 30 years since being unleashed, Raw Power’s anti-government words are as relevant as ever. This recommendation is presented in solidarity to the revolutions throughout the African continent and Arab world and in remembrance of the unmatched intensity and truly raw anger of old school Italian hardcore punk. Not much more need be said, the music and the lyrics scream (from the gutter) for themselves.
2. Unforgotten Master of death metal
Death Strike - "Mangled Dehumanization" (Fuckin’ Death, 1985)
In this day and age, it is nothing short of a delight to be a death metal fan. The resurgence of and numerous reissues of half-forgotten but inimitably influential demos and L.P.s has allowed those of us born too late to finally own copies of music recorded when we were still tottering on toddler legs.
Among those is Dark Descent Records’ upcoming vinyl re-release of Death Strike’s charmingly named L.P. Fuckin’ Death. Here, the core of thrashy proto-death metal is wholly exposed: stripped of twiddly technical playing or half-baked attempts at "shocking" brutality, and presented in all its energetic glory--thrashy riffs, rasped (but intelligible) vocals, punk attitude and all.
For those in the United States, bassist Paul Speckmann is currently on tour* with Master, his most enduring, legendary death metal project. Yours truly will be attending the 8th March date in Columbus--be there!
*EDIT: March 3, 2011 at 3:26 P.M. EST
As of March 3, Master were refused entrance into the USA because of their having incorrect visas and, as a result, were forced to cancel their 2011 U.S. tour. Branka is, to put it succinctly, livid.
3. Hard rock from the heart of Communist Yugoslavia
Divlje Jagode - "Šejla" (Motori, 1983)
As a native of the region, I’ve spent a fair amount of my musically-aware years obsessing over music from the Balkans--punk, metal, new wave and folk (of course)-- anything I could get my hands on. Among the best bands I’ve discovered, both thanks to my parents’ records and my own obsession, is the Bosnian group, Divlje Jagode.
Their brand of hard rockin’, Judas Priest-inspired proto-metal infused with true Balkan swagger brings a refreshing new approach to the tried-and-true regional preference of writing laments to lost lovers. Maybe it just speaks of my own love for questionable '80s fashion, but there are few things so charming as fluffy-haired dudes in tight clothes mourning the fading of love.
4. Before Switzerland, there was a little band from Yorkshire
Satanic Rites - "Burn in Hell" (Which Way the Wind Blows, 1985)
The phrase "satanic rites" brings to mind a certain Swiss band that pretty much every person remotely involved in the metal underground knows well. This, however, is not that band, but instead a lesser-known English band that belonged to the hugely influential NWOBHM (new wave of British heavy metal) movement. If there ever were a band that had no business bearing such a morbid sounding name, Satanic Rites are definitely that band. That said, their upbeat infectiously catchy riffing paired with female vocals makes for a standout and memorable approach to traditional metal.
Both as a reminder to myself and as guidance to anyone intrigued by this song, Shadow Kingdom Records has reissues of both of Satanic Rites’ albums. Don’t sleep on this!
5. In the event that I’m ever sipping expensive margaritas on a fancy yacht
Way of the West - "Feel the Steel" (Feel the Steel, 1984)
I stumbled across this record when flipping through a $1 record bin in a record store on Forbes Avenue in Pittsburgh, PA. Luckily, my instincts for lonely, orphaned records is consistently quite keen and, as usual, I did not disappoint myself.
Brief online research reveals that Way of the West were a mid-80s new wave band significant in the New York clubbing scene but who, unfortunately, never released a full-length. There are few things in music so lamentable as pop music that never achieves significant popularity--Way of The West really ought to be amongst the staples of '80s nights at gay clubs. Here’s to hoping a few of you pop-minded readers enjoy this smooth track!
6. Keeping the "spooky" levels appropriately elevated
Xmal Deutschland - "Qual" (Fetisch, 1983)
One of my most enduring musical weaknesses is big-haired goths who choose to put their twisted fantasies to music. My love for the likes of Sisters of Mercy and Siouxsie and the Banshees is well-documented--give me a bunch of sad bastards muttering and half-sobbing songs of devotion and mania any day of the week! This particular group fits very nicely into that precise pigeonhole and reaffirm the Germanic origins of the word "goth."
Menacing chanted singing over pointedly staccato drums speak more of the subject matter than my grasp of German can translate, but for those curious, the repeated German phrase "deine qual ist meine lust" means "your agony is my lust." If that isn’t as goth as it gets, I’ll gladly turn in every piece of black clothing I own, even if it means 80% of my wardrobe disappears.
7. Sometimes, on very rare occasion, I listen to quality stuff not from the 80s
Witchrist - "Devour the Flesh" (Beheaded Ouroboros, 2010)
Outside of friend’s bands and the few trusted distros and labels I’m loyal to, my interest in recent musical releases, especially within the present hype-saturated music market, is minimal. However, a chance Email from an acquaintance has sparked accidental interest in Witchrist, a stunning band from New Zealand that occupies that curious musical intersection of black/death metal.
The doomy filthiness of the riffing is palpable as it cracks open the ribcage and leaves its mark in the most excellently uncomfortable way--this is exactly the feeling I look for from death metal. Close listeners will hear past the massive wall of production to distinguish clever guitarwork (listen to that solo!) and drumming that teeters the fine line of chaos. Still available from Invictus Productions (Eurozone) and Hells Headbangers (USA and worldwide).
8. Crossing that line of iffy taste by finding joy in abrasive distortion
Lebenden Toten - "Buried by the Dead" (Nuclear Flowers, 2003)
As a woman involved in traditionally and staunchly male-dominated musical subcultures, it’s always a pleasure to come across excellent bands that are female-fronted or have a strong female presence. This punk band in particular brings a grin to my face both for that reason and for being so noisy and abrasive on this record that what they play remains damn near impossible to decipher aside from the vocalist’s sharp shouting--and I mean that in the best possible way.
This practically hurts to listen to, but cutting through the screeching feedback is chaotic insanity that claws at the skin and demands to be heard. In this case, it’s barely possible to push past the production--just let the nasty abrasion shred your ear drums to ribbons with a complicit smile on your face.
9. Punk distilled to its purest form: fast and raw
See You in Hell - "Umět se prodat" (Umět se prodat, 2004)
The decades have seen a continued development and mutation of what punk originally stood for and what it has become. Like the wizened genre of rock itself, it has become a huge umbrella term for a surprisingly broad array of sounds. However, the original zest to play fast and as raw as possible seems to have lived on most faithfully within the subgenre of hardcore (which itself has ultimate become an umbrella term).
The Czech Republic’s See You in Hell mirrors the country’s punk's apparent love for uncompromising speed, as exhibited by the massive growth of fests like Obscene Extreme and the sheer number of hardcore bands I keep noticing pop up from the region. There’s not much ground-breaking material here--just hardcore the way it was meant to be.
For those whose interest in good ol’ fashioned hardcore has been piqued, several See You in Hell splits and other Czech (and elsewhere!) bands’ material are available through the excellent Ohio-based distro, Solar Funeral.
10. And now for a song I hear every single day
Manilla Road - "Queen of the Black Coast" (Metal, 1982)
I did my best to stay away from recommending the same old '80s bands everyone into this genre freaks out over, but I really can’t resist. This song recounts Robert Howard’s muscle-bound warrior Conan’s exploits with the infamous pirate queen--and it doubles as the alarm I wake up to in the morning!
Nothing like hearing an ode to the "hellcat of my dreeeeaaaams" as you’re grumpily waking up to face another crummy day.
--Branka Sormaz, Web Director
Raw Power - "State Oppression" (Screams from the Gutter, 1985)
"They keep filing us, they keep on suffocating us
They are shooting, torturing, they’re killing us
STATE OPPRESSION!
Repression is already in every corner
The bastards, the motherfuckers, are everywhere
STATE OPPRESSION!!"
Nearly 30 years since being unleashed, Raw Power’s anti-government words are as relevant as ever. This recommendation is presented in solidarity to the revolutions throughout the African continent and Arab world and in remembrance of the unmatched intensity and truly raw anger of old school Italian hardcore punk. Not much more need be said, the music and the lyrics scream (from the gutter) for themselves.
2. Unforgotten Master of death metal
Death Strike - "Mangled Dehumanization" (Fuckin’ Death, 1985)
In this day and age, it is nothing short of a delight to be a death metal fan. The resurgence of and numerous reissues of half-forgotten but inimitably influential demos and L.P.s has allowed those of us born too late to finally own copies of music recorded when we were still tottering on toddler legs.
Among those is Dark Descent Records’ upcoming vinyl re-release of Death Strike’s charmingly named L.P. Fuckin’ Death. Here, the core of thrashy proto-death metal is wholly exposed: stripped of twiddly technical playing or half-baked attempts at "shocking" brutality, and presented in all its energetic glory--thrashy riffs, rasped (but intelligible) vocals, punk attitude and all.
For those in the United States, bassist Paul Speckmann is currently on tour* with Master, his most enduring, legendary death metal project. Yours truly will be attending the 8th March date in Columbus--be there!
*EDIT: March 3, 2011 at 3:26 P.M. EST
As of March 3, Master were refused entrance into the USA because of their having incorrect visas and, as a result, were forced to cancel their 2011 U.S. tour. Branka is, to put it succinctly, livid.
3. Hard rock from the heart of Communist Yugoslavia
Divlje Jagode - "Šejla" (Motori, 1983)
As a native of the region, I’ve spent a fair amount of my musically-aware years obsessing over music from the Balkans--punk, metal, new wave and folk (of course)-- anything I could get my hands on. Among the best bands I’ve discovered, both thanks to my parents’ records and my own obsession, is the Bosnian group, Divlje Jagode.
Their brand of hard rockin’, Judas Priest-inspired proto-metal infused with true Balkan swagger brings a refreshing new approach to the tried-and-true regional preference of writing laments to lost lovers. Maybe it just speaks of my own love for questionable '80s fashion, but there are few things so charming as fluffy-haired dudes in tight clothes mourning the fading of love.
4. Before Switzerland, there was a little band from Yorkshire
Satanic Rites - "Burn in Hell" (Which Way the Wind Blows, 1985)
The phrase "satanic rites" brings to mind a certain Swiss band that pretty much every person remotely involved in the metal underground knows well. This, however, is not that band, but instead a lesser-known English band that belonged to the hugely influential NWOBHM (new wave of British heavy metal) movement. If there ever were a band that had no business bearing such a morbid sounding name, Satanic Rites are definitely that band. That said, their upbeat infectiously catchy riffing paired with female vocals makes for a standout and memorable approach to traditional metal.
Both as a reminder to myself and as guidance to anyone intrigued by this song, Shadow Kingdom Records has reissues of both of Satanic Rites’ albums. Don’t sleep on this!
5. In the event that I’m ever sipping expensive margaritas on a fancy yacht
Way of the West - "Feel the Steel" (Feel the Steel, 1984)
I stumbled across this record when flipping through a $1 record bin in a record store on Forbes Avenue in Pittsburgh, PA. Luckily, my instincts for lonely, orphaned records is consistently quite keen and, as usual, I did not disappoint myself.
Brief online research reveals that Way of the West were a mid-80s new wave band significant in the New York clubbing scene but who, unfortunately, never released a full-length. There are few things in music so lamentable as pop music that never achieves significant popularity--Way of The West really ought to be amongst the staples of '80s nights at gay clubs. Here’s to hoping a few of you pop-minded readers enjoy this smooth track!
6. Keeping the "spooky" levels appropriately elevated
Xmal Deutschland - "Qual" (Fetisch, 1983)
One of my most enduring musical weaknesses is big-haired goths who choose to put their twisted fantasies to music. My love for the likes of Sisters of Mercy and Siouxsie and the Banshees is well-documented--give me a bunch of sad bastards muttering and half-sobbing songs of devotion and mania any day of the week! This particular group fits very nicely into that precise pigeonhole and reaffirm the Germanic origins of the word "goth."
Menacing chanted singing over pointedly staccato drums speak more of the subject matter than my grasp of German can translate, but for those curious, the repeated German phrase "deine qual ist meine lust" means "your agony is my lust." If that isn’t as goth as it gets, I’ll gladly turn in every piece of black clothing I own, even if it means 80% of my wardrobe disappears.
7. Sometimes, on very rare occasion, I listen to quality stuff not from the 80s
Witchrist - "Devour the Flesh" (Beheaded Ouroboros, 2010)
Outside of friend’s bands and the few trusted distros and labels I’m loyal to, my interest in recent musical releases, especially within the present hype-saturated music market, is minimal. However, a chance Email from an acquaintance has sparked accidental interest in Witchrist, a stunning band from New Zealand that occupies that curious musical intersection of black/death metal.
The doomy filthiness of the riffing is palpable as it cracks open the ribcage and leaves its mark in the most excellently uncomfortable way--this is exactly the feeling I look for from death metal. Close listeners will hear past the massive wall of production to distinguish clever guitarwork (listen to that solo!) and drumming that teeters the fine line of chaos. Still available from Invictus Productions (Eurozone) and Hells Headbangers (USA and worldwide).
8. Crossing that line of iffy taste by finding joy in abrasive distortion
Lebenden Toten - "Buried by the Dead" (Nuclear Flowers, 2003)
As a woman involved in traditionally and staunchly male-dominated musical subcultures, it’s always a pleasure to come across excellent bands that are female-fronted or have a strong female presence. This punk band in particular brings a grin to my face both for that reason and for being so noisy and abrasive on this record that what they play remains damn near impossible to decipher aside from the vocalist’s sharp shouting--and I mean that in the best possible way.
This practically hurts to listen to, but cutting through the screeching feedback is chaotic insanity that claws at the skin and demands to be heard. In this case, it’s barely possible to push past the production--just let the nasty abrasion shred your ear drums to ribbons with a complicit smile on your face.
9. Punk distilled to its purest form: fast and raw
See You in Hell - "Umět se prodat" (Umět se prodat, 2004)
The decades have seen a continued development and mutation of what punk originally stood for and what it has become. Like the wizened genre of rock itself, it has become a huge umbrella term for a surprisingly broad array of sounds. However, the original zest to play fast and as raw as possible seems to have lived on most faithfully within the subgenre of hardcore (which itself has ultimate become an umbrella term).
The Czech Republic’s See You in Hell mirrors the country’s punk's apparent love for uncompromising speed, as exhibited by the massive growth of fests like Obscene Extreme and the sheer number of hardcore bands I keep noticing pop up from the region. There’s not much ground-breaking material here--just hardcore the way it was meant to be.
For those whose interest in good ol’ fashioned hardcore has been piqued, several See You in Hell splits and other Czech (and elsewhere!) bands’ material are available through the excellent Ohio-based distro, Solar Funeral.
10. And now for a song I hear every single day
Manilla Road - "Queen of the Black Coast" (Metal, 1982)
I did my best to stay away from recommending the same old '80s bands everyone into this genre freaks out over, but I really can’t resist. This song recounts Robert Howard’s muscle-bound warrior Conan’s exploits with the infamous pirate queen--and it doubles as the alarm I wake up to in the morning!
Nothing like hearing an ode to the "hellcat of my dreeeeaaaams" as you’re grumpily waking up to face another crummy day.
--Branka Sormaz, Web Director
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