By: Kory Kasler, Promotions Director
I don't use iTunes. I don't have a Spotify account. I've never used last.fm. I just spend way too much time on Bandcamp, and I thought I'd share some albums I've stumbled upon during that time.
1. "Sad Bastard EP" - Algebra
Algebra is a really solid alternative hip-hop act from Tulsa, Oklahoma. I am a big fan of Cincinnati hip-hop artist Evolve, and this album immediately reminded me of that same style. I wish there were more of this in the world and less Wiz Khalifa or Lil Wayne.
2. "SON.R22" - Hexis
European black metal/grind artist Hexis is definitely one to check out if you are into black metal. It adds a ton of intensity with the ultra-fast grind element and forms a really solid album. Check it out for sure.
3. "Demo 2011" - Traitors
Traitors is a strange mix of hardcore, punk, thrash and sludge. They do a great job of switching between the styles and still making the demo sound like an album and not just a collection of songs. The first track comes in and is really sludge-heavy, and then they go into the second track that is faster and has more of a thrash element in it. It's really interesting, and is definitely one for a fan of hardcore.http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif
4. "DOMESPLITTER" - Direct Hit!
This is one of the best pop-punk albums I've stumbled across in a long time. It's got really catchy lines and a lot more energy than a lot of pop punk bands I've seen. The scratchy, screamed vocals really bring it all together to make it sound more intense than you'd expect from a pop punk band. Great album!
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5. "Follow Me" - Chalk Dinosaur
Chalk Dinosaur is a really eclectic project that encompasses some elements of surf rock, indie pop, funk, and all kinds of other odds and ends and really makes something unique. It's always good to see someone doing something new rather than copying what other people have done in the past. Definitely check it out. With that many different things mixed together, there's got to be something you like.
Showing posts with label black metal. Show all posts
Showing posts with label black metal. Show all posts
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Friday, October 21, 2011
Kory' Recs: "Are those supposed to be WORDS?"
By: Kory Kasler, Promotions Director
My family, not being into metal like I am, is constantly asking me things like: “What is he saying?” or “Are those supposed to be words?” when I am listening to something from the metal portion of my music library.
For this post, I’ve made a list of some of my favorite metal artists for any metal-loving Rock Lobsters who know that, yes, they are words.
1. Skeletonwitch
Being from Athens, I have been around Skeletonwitch for a long time. While I wasn’t around in 2004 when they came together, they became my favorite band after I purchased Beyond the Permafrost from the Haffa's Records metal section.
Their music is unique in that it doesn’t fit neatly into a certain genre; as, they combine elements of thrash, black metal, death metal, and other genres to put together some of the best blackened thrash music out there.
2. Toxic Holocaust
Toxic Holocaust is probably my favorite purely thrash band. There really isn’t much to say about them except that if you’re looking for some fast and intense thrash metal, then Toxic Holocaust is for you.
3. Horde
Say what you want about religious metal music, but it’s hard to deny that when it comes down to music alone, Horde is one of the best black metal bands out there in my opinion. Being around during the early part of the rise of black metal, they have the classic black metal sound: fast blast beat drumming, harsh, shrieked vocals, and foreboding chord progressions.
4. False
It’s always nice to see a band with a good female vocalist, and False is one of the best. If you’re looking for good, modern black metal, False is a great choice. Once again, great guitar, fast drums, and solid vocals.
5. Hilariously Disgusting Album/Song Titles
There are endless band, song, and album titles that are so disgusting and so ridiculous that you can’t help but laugh at them. The music is less-than-stellar, to say the least, but it’s fun to cruise YouTube looking for funny/disgusting song titles like Gutrot’s “Gorging on Menstrual Chunks” or Spermswamp’s “Fermented Anal Nectar.” Come on, you know it made you laugh (or throw up.)
My family, not being into metal like I am, is constantly asking me things like: “What is he saying?” or “Are those supposed to be words?” when I am listening to something from the metal portion of my music library.
For this post, I’ve made a list of some of my favorite metal artists for any metal-loving Rock Lobsters who know that, yes, they are words.
1. Skeletonwitch
Being from Athens, I have been around Skeletonwitch for a long time. While I wasn’t around in 2004 when they came together, they became my favorite band after I purchased Beyond the Permafrost from the Haffa's Records metal section.
Their music is unique in that it doesn’t fit neatly into a certain genre; as, they combine elements of thrash, black metal, death metal, and other genres to put together some of the best blackened thrash music out there.
2. Toxic Holocaust
Toxic Holocaust is probably my favorite purely thrash band. There really isn’t much to say about them except that if you’re looking for some fast and intense thrash metal, then Toxic Holocaust is for you.
3. Horde
Say what you want about religious metal music, but it’s hard to deny that when it comes down to music alone, Horde is one of the best black metal bands out there in my opinion. Being around during the early part of the rise of black metal, they have the classic black metal sound: fast blast beat drumming, harsh, shrieked vocals, and foreboding chord progressions.
4. False
It’s always nice to see a band with a good female vocalist, and False is one of the best. If you’re looking for good, modern black metal, False is a great choice. Once again, great guitar, fast drums, and solid vocals.
5. Hilariously Disgusting Album/Song Titles
There are endless band, song, and album titles that are so disgusting and so ridiculous that you can’t help but laugh at them. The music is less-than-stellar, to say the least, but it’s fun to cruise YouTube looking for funny/disgusting song titles like Gutrot’s “Gorging on Menstrual Chunks” or Spermswamp’s “Fermented Anal Nectar.” Come on, you know it made you laugh (or throw up.)
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Aaron's Recs - Good News For People With Bad Taste
1. ACRN Presents The Body with Bridesmaid, Vit and Nyodene D
In celebration of four years of my dumb poopy radio show Kill Ugly Radio, ACRN is bringing through Providence, Rhode Island, sludge metal outfit The Body, whose latest album All The Waters Of The Earth Shall Turn To Blood made its mark on the metal community for the incredibly lush sound brought forth by just two members. The Body's music is sick, noisy sludge rock blended with elements of shoegaze and hardcore and strung together by a bevy of samples and imagery recalling the heyday of '90s doomsday cult obsession.
Opening the show is Bridesmaid, who bring forth an instrumental dueling-bass guitar blend of doom metal; Vit, whose blend of post rock, black metal and funeral doom has been lighting up the blogosphere; and Nyodene D, who sucks and is a big turd.
The show is at The Union Bar and Grill (18 W. Union) on Wednesday, May 18th and starts at 10 p.m.. It costs $5
2. The Goodbye Goats CD Release Party with Prosanctus Inferi and more at The Union on Friday, May 20th
Think Gwar mashed up with King Diamond and you've got the Goodbye Goats. Over-the-top stage antics meets over-the-top black metal. Tons of costumes, nudity, luchadores, pudding and more.
Columbus grim-as-shit, raw black metal act Prosanctus Inferi is also playing, which is EXTREMELY RARE. The Revulvas are playing too. Think EyeHateGod mixed with Bratmobile. Oh and Boxcare Burlesque will be showing off their tits. Show costs $3.
3. Forward Ohio Fest at The Union - Saturday, May 21st - 3 p.m.
Last show recommendation, but this one deserves it too. From the ashes of For Real Fest rises Forward Ohio, a new DIY fest that features everything you loved about the old FRF gatherings (including most of the same bands and Hardcore scene teddybear Ray Houska.)
Show starts at 3 p.m. on Saturday and costs $10. Tons of bands are playing including Masakari, Instinct Of Survival, Black Dove, In Defence and many more. Come get hit.
4. Archer on FX
FX's animated spy comedy Archer is streaming its first season on Netflix. Now in it's second season, this show is James Bond-meets-arrested development in it's humor, dialogue and plot, and uses the voice talent of heavyweights such as H. Jon Benjamin, Aisha Tyler, Chris Parnell and--almost reprising her role as Lucille Bluth--Jessica Walter.
5. Getting a cut on the inside corner of your lips that re-opens every time you open your mouth.
It's narcotic.
--Aaron Vilk, Promo Director
In celebration of four years of my dumb poopy radio show Kill Ugly Radio, ACRN is bringing through Providence, Rhode Island, sludge metal outfit The Body, whose latest album All The Waters Of The Earth Shall Turn To Blood made its mark on the metal community for the incredibly lush sound brought forth by just two members. The Body's music is sick, noisy sludge rock blended with elements of shoegaze and hardcore and strung together by a bevy of samples and imagery recalling the heyday of '90s doomsday cult obsession.
Opening the show is Bridesmaid, who bring forth an instrumental dueling-bass guitar blend of doom metal; Vit, whose blend of post rock, black metal and funeral doom has been lighting up the blogosphere; and Nyodene D, who sucks and is a big turd.
The show is at The Union Bar and Grill (18 W. Union) on Wednesday, May 18th and starts at 10 p.m.. It costs $5
2. The Goodbye Goats CD Release Party with Prosanctus Inferi and more at The Union on Friday, May 20th
Think Gwar mashed up with King Diamond and you've got the Goodbye Goats. Over-the-top stage antics meets over-the-top black metal. Tons of costumes, nudity, luchadores, pudding and more.
Columbus grim-as-shit, raw black metal act Prosanctus Inferi is also playing, which is EXTREMELY RARE. The Revulvas are playing too. Think EyeHateGod mixed with Bratmobile. Oh and Boxcare Burlesque will be showing off their tits. Show costs $3.
3. Forward Ohio Fest at The Union - Saturday, May 21st - 3 p.m.
Last show recommendation, but this one deserves it too. From the ashes of For Real Fest rises Forward Ohio, a new DIY fest that features everything you loved about the old FRF gatherings (including most of the same bands and Hardcore scene teddybear Ray Houska.)
Show starts at 3 p.m. on Saturday and costs $10. Tons of bands are playing including Masakari, Instinct Of Survival, Black Dove, In Defence and many more. Come get hit.
4. Archer on FX
FX's animated spy comedy Archer is streaming its first season on Netflix. Now in it's second season, this show is James Bond-meets-arrested development in it's humor, dialogue and plot, and uses the voice talent of heavyweights such as H. Jon Benjamin, Aisha Tyler, Chris Parnell and--almost reprising her role as Lucille Bluth--Jessica Walter.
5. Getting a cut on the inside corner of your lips that re-opens every time you open your mouth.
It's narcotic.
--Aaron Vilk, Promo Director
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Aaron's Recs: "Crummy Music That No One Likes"
1. Black Metal For Leftist Nancies Like Me
Even though I describe my politics as leftist, some of my musical tastes often resonate as dissonant with my own beliefs to people who know me personally. I can't count the number of bands that I listen to who contradict my own beliefs, and by far, some of the most hairy instances arise from the occult right wing of the black metal scene.
However, those who enjoy less cognitive dissonance than I will be thrilled with the latest movement of American black metal. Riding the critically-acclaimed wave of support for extreme metal and crust with leftist / eco-anarcho beliefs generated by Agalloch, Fall Of Efrafa and Wolves In The Throne Room, other underground acts such as Peregrine, El-Ahrairah, Lockstep, Skagos, Falls Of Rauros, Seidr, Panopticon, Vestiges, Ash Borer, Fell Voices and even Ohio's own post-doom band Vit are generating a great deal of buzz in extreme metal blog rings.
This new sub-subgenre is often referred to as "Cascadian" Black Metal, and often combines post-rock, atmospherics, acoustic passages and more traditional elements of black metal, crust punk, doom metal and other styles. Not coincidentally, most of these bands are from the U.S. and Canadian areas of the Pacific Northwest (near the Cascade Mountain range) or in areas of the Midwest that lie along the Canadian border (except the few from rural areas of Kentucky and New England). Many of these acts claim allegiance to Black And Green Anarchist or Anarcho-Primitivist philosophy and espouse natural and Native American themes in their music. For a good idea of what to search for, check out the above-mentioned acts or read the blog Red And Anarchist Black Metal.
2. U.S. Industrial Tape Labels
While the boom of tape labels from 2005 / 2006 (the "Wolf Eyes On Sub-Pop" years) brought labels like Fag Tapes, Gods Of Tundra, American Tapes and Hanson into the limelight of the U.S. experimental music scene, a smaller niche is being carved out now by people getting involved in the rebirth of the heavier, bleaker and more "miserable" U.S. industrial scene. As of late, U.S. power electronics, death industrial, dark ambient and harsh noise artists have enjoyed the attention and promotion of several small boutique labels such as Phage Tapes, New Forces, Danvers State Recordings and others such as Fusty Cunt, Waves of Decay, Atavistic Transformations and the newly-revived Live Bait Recording Foundation.
Those labels are apparently being watched over by their bigger cousins such as Malignant Records, Crucial Blast and Hospital Productions, who are finding many new artists to contact based on the buzz generated by the limited D.I.Y. tapes of these bedroom operations.
3. KVLT Nights In Columbus
Highlighting the "dark side of electronic music," KVLT is a showcase at Skully's Music Diner in Columbus on the last Friday of every month that brings in acts ranging from EBM, witchouse, dubstep, darkwave, power electronics, neofolk and dark ambient. The next one is on Friday night (Feb 25th at 10 P.M.) featuring sick, dark, electronic music from Textbeak, Stereolea and Mahssa Taghinia. KVLT will also be bringing through Brooklyn neofolk act Cult Of Youth for their March date and industrial / dubstep act Deathface for May. The best part: it's free for 21+ before 11 P.M. (only $3 after) and only $5 for all ages. Check it out!
4. Things To Watch On Hulu Because My Netflix Is In Use By Two Or More People
A lot of people pay me to use my Netflix streaming service, which is awesome because I break even on it usually, but it can have some drawbacks. Namely, when the two viewer maximum is being used, and I'm not one of the viewers. Because I don't have cable and only a few DVDs (one of them being Primus' live DVD...), I often have to resort to the ghetto of unwatched basic cable shows that is Hulu.
People, the selection is grim. Most of the videos on there are unfunny SNL clips, bookended by last year's "too hot for TV" Red Bull ads. However, there are a few gems. For instance, Hulu has 2-3 episodes of FX's under-appreciated comedy, The League and every episode so far of Fox's strange animated sitcom Bob's Burgers. However, that's where most of the selection ends. Disappointingly, they only have clips of Fred Armisen's scathing hipster parody Portlandia and only the first two minutes and opening credits of every episode of Parks And Recreation for non-paying users. Fuck you, Hulu.
5. Dark Circles Records
Hey, congrats to Chris of the Whale Zombie / Valleyboys crew for getting his fledgling D.I.Y. label off the ground. Dark Circles Records has been steadily releasing digital, CD-R, cassette and (coming soon) vinyl copies of bands from Athens and the surrounding area. Fans of shit-fi shoegaze, atmospheric pop, acid rock and other forms of subversive indie rock should take note: releases from bands such as Whale Zombie, The Valleyboys, Sportfishin' USA, Homemade Drugs, Mutual Benefit and others are available for free from the blog (hosted through Bandcamp).
Columbus-ites should take note, on Saturday (February 26), DCR is taking over Cafe Bourbon St. for a show with Whale Zombie, Spooktober, Jay Harmon and others. Support this label. People often talk a big game about starting labels and then move on when that shit turns out to be too hard. Chris and his crew are doing a ton of hard work and really making an effort. Kudos, dudes.
--Aaron Vilk, Promo Director
Even though I describe my politics as leftist, some of my musical tastes often resonate as dissonant with my own beliefs to people who know me personally. I can't count the number of bands that I listen to who contradict my own beliefs, and by far, some of the most hairy instances arise from the occult right wing of the black metal scene.
However, those who enjoy less cognitive dissonance than I will be thrilled with the latest movement of American black metal. Riding the critically-acclaimed wave of support for extreme metal and crust with leftist / eco-anarcho beliefs generated by Agalloch, Fall Of Efrafa and Wolves In The Throne Room, other underground acts such as Peregrine, El-Ahrairah, Lockstep, Skagos, Falls Of Rauros, Seidr, Panopticon, Vestiges, Ash Borer, Fell Voices and even Ohio's own post-doom band Vit are generating a great deal of buzz in extreme metal blog rings.
This new sub-subgenre is often referred to as "Cascadian" Black Metal, and often combines post-rock, atmospherics, acoustic passages and more traditional elements of black metal, crust punk, doom metal and other styles. Not coincidentally, most of these bands are from the U.S. and Canadian areas of the Pacific Northwest (near the Cascade Mountain range) or in areas of the Midwest that lie along the Canadian border (except the few from rural areas of Kentucky and New England). Many of these acts claim allegiance to Black And Green Anarchist or Anarcho-Primitivist philosophy and espouse natural and Native American themes in their music. For a good idea of what to search for, check out the above-mentioned acts or read the blog Red And Anarchist Black Metal.
2. U.S. Industrial Tape LabelsWhile the boom of tape labels from 2005 / 2006 (the "Wolf Eyes On Sub-Pop" years) brought labels like Fag Tapes, Gods Of Tundra, American Tapes and Hanson into the limelight of the U.S. experimental music scene, a smaller niche is being carved out now by people getting involved in the rebirth of the heavier, bleaker and more "miserable" U.S. industrial scene. As of late, U.S. power electronics, death industrial, dark ambient and harsh noise artists have enjoyed the attention and promotion of several small boutique labels such as Phage Tapes, New Forces, Danvers State Recordings and others such as Fusty Cunt, Waves of Decay, Atavistic Transformations and the newly-revived Live Bait Recording Foundation.
Those labels are apparently being watched over by their bigger cousins such as Malignant Records, Crucial Blast and Hospital Productions, who are finding many new artists to contact based on the buzz generated by the limited D.I.Y. tapes of these bedroom operations.
3. KVLT Nights In Columbus
Highlighting the "dark side of electronic music," KVLT is a showcase at Skully's Music Diner in Columbus on the last Friday of every month that brings in acts ranging from EBM, witchouse, dubstep, darkwave, power electronics, neofolk and dark ambient. The next one is on Friday night (Feb 25th at 10 P.M.) featuring sick, dark, electronic music from Textbeak, Stereolea and Mahssa Taghinia. KVLT will also be bringing through Brooklyn neofolk act Cult Of Youth for their March date and industrial / dubstep act Deathface for May. The best part: it's free for 21+ before 11 P.M. (only $3 after) and only $5 for all ages. Check it out!
4. Things To Watch On Hulu Because My Netflix Is In Use By Two Or More People
A lot of people pay me to use my Netflix streaming service, which is awesome because I break even on it usually, but it can have some drawbacks. Namely, when the two viewer maximum is being used, and I'm not one of the viewers. Because I don't have cable and only a few DVDs (one of them being Primus' live DVD...), I often have to resort to the ghetto of unwatched basic cable shows that is Hulu.
People, the selection is grim. Most of the videos on there are unfunny SNL clips, bookended by last year's "too hot for TV" Red Bull ads. However, there are a few gems. For instance, Hulu has 2-3 episodes of FX's under-appreciated comedy, The League and every episode so far of Fox's strange animated sitcom Bob's Burgers. However, that's where most of the selection ends. Disappointingly, they only have clips of Fred Armisen's scathing hipster parody Portlandia and only the first two minutes and opening credits of every episode of Parks And Recreation for non-paying users. Fuck you, Hulu.
5. Dark Circles Records
Hey, congrats to Chris of the Whale Zombie / Valleyboys crew for getting his fledgling D.I.Y. label off the ground. Dark Circles Records has been steadily releasing digital, CD-R, cassette and (coming soon) vinyl copies of bands from Athens and the surrounding area. Fans of shit-fi shoegaze, atmospheric pop, acid rock and other forms of subversive indie rock should take note: releases from bands such as Whale Zombie, The Valleyboys, Sportfishin' USA, Homemade Drugs, Mutual Benefit and others are available for free from the blog (hosted through Bandcamp).
Columbus-ites should take note, on Saturday (February 26), DCR is taking over Cafe Bourbon St. for a show with Whale Zombie, Spooktober, Jay Harmon and others. Support this label. People often talk a big game about starting labels and then move on when that shit turns out to be too hard. Chris and his crew are doing a ton of hard work and really making an effort. Kudos, dudes.
--Aaron Vilk, Promo Director
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