LP Review: "Even Gods Must Die" by Djinn and Miskatonic

Even Gods Must Die

How do you like your metal served?

I was talking to a gent on the Twitter recently who hates doom metal, unless it's melancholic funeral etc doom metal.

Personally, I don't have the qualifications there, I mean, most types of doom metal are a-ok with me.

This is where we can totally get into those heavy metal family trees and take it all the way back to Deep Purple and Black Sabbath, but let's talk about Star Wars instead.

Have you seen The Last  Jedi?

One of the complaints is that this wasn't the story the fans wanted to see. So, that's why it's bad, because the fans wanted Rian Johnson to tell a different story rather than the one he did.

Video: "The Alchemist" by Reapter

As soon as this song starts, shades of Steve MF Harris are going to be standing in front of you. Then the guitar runs are going to be moving far faster and traversing a greater distance than could be expected.

It's impossible to stay away from this track. Back to the Maiden references though, yes, there's a clear influence here, but there's never an attempt to ape them.

Ask yourself, what if Paul Di'Anno could sing better and Maiden came out of the block with Smith/Murray?

It's a modern take on the classic metal style. Ask them what other bands they listen to on Facebook.

Video: "Stranger" by ACES

It was prophesied that my daughter will rebel against my love of extreme metal by going full folk on me. Well, I looked at that prophet square in the eye and told him of our love for Phil Ochs, Simon & Garfunkel, and Woody Guthrie.

Though, metal is by far the superior musical form in the world, one cannot have a diet of only worshiping Satan, hailing the dark lord, and running around in the sitting room pounding shitty American beers.

Like the mighty Double India Pale Ales...they're obviously the best, but if you only drank those, the rest of the world would stop making sense to you.

So, let's take some electro trance pop with a side of wine, actually, make mine barleywine, because patterns you know?

ACES has a nice track here that's going to creep you out just a little bit, in the right way.

Say hi on Facebook!

LP Review: "Cavern of Foul Unbeings" by Ectoplasma

Cavern of Foul Unbeings

Look, I don't want to be that guy, but it's not the right season for this music.

So, for the past three months or so, I've been screaming at the world, it's not Christmas time yet!

My daughter, my wife, my boss, my every single god damned store...

But now, here I am again and what is there than can be said in my defense? There's nothing to say for me and my actions are indefensible...much like a vote for Donald J Trump.

Memento Mori has sliced open a vein and putrid death metal is pouring out. You may have noticed the post on Rotheads. This record label has been looking for the bands that wish 5150's never happened.

Video: "All Is One" by Inner Axis

How about we all agree to put down our coffee and tea and listen to some traditionalized thrash metal from the far away land of Germany! (This was intended to be a joke regarding how they're not really far away from me, but then they were...so oh well...I burned myself on that one really.

Hopefully, you're having a good chuckle at this point and you're now ready to consume some new music. Thanks to the magical powers of the YouTube, we're all able to join Inner Axis in what appears to be their rehearsal space which is adorned by the stolen flags and armor of the medieval armies they've gone back in time to snuff out.

We can only assume hat Inner Axis is the one thing that's keeping Skynet from taking over the entire world, but they've already kept The United Federation of Planets from happening as we didn't have the Eugenics Wars of the 1990's.

Well, hmm, the least we can do is thank them on Facebook and request more rippin' solos.

Stream: "XENOPHØBIA" by NØMADS

Again, they're back. It's my personal favorite off the wall...uhh... (unnamed genre) duo: NØMADS.

In their attempts to keep the music flowing, we're able to bring you their latest single, XENOPHØBIA.

There should be not one American person requiring a definition of this phobia right now. We're showing the world that we know all too well what xenophobia is.

To paraphrase Woody Guthrie, music kills fascists. So enjoy this one.

LP Review: "Sewer Fiends" by Rotheads

Sewer Fiends

In this world there is nothing like personal tradition.

My family and I are making our own traditions and they bring us great memories as we look back on them.

Think about what your grandmother used to do during holidays. Even when I think about her prayer before dinners, I still smile and think that it was just a part of what we did.

The feeling for that which is familiar is a most powerful emotion. It's capable of elevating our mood or it can bring us crashing down.

Music is no different. Many fans reach a point where they're done with new music, because as the epochs change, the styles change and it's no longer familiar. It's this new beast that sounds like muddled noise....crabcore (it's a thing) I'm looking at you....

Double Vinyl Review: "The Last Bastion of Cowardice" by Northless

The Last Bastion of Cowardice

"Geez, Nik, it would be nice if you talked about yourself," said no one ever to me.

However, like Ice-T said, freedom of speech. I want the right talk and for personal reasons, I watch what I say.

So, this album arrived to me last week in the mail. It came the night before an outpatient procedure was scheduled.

That day was to be a recovery day of painkillers, beer, and records. During the purple haze I was attempting to create there was going to be some writing.

Well, the Oxycodone knocked me on my ass like I was washing my hair in a waterfall, (Inspired by Mitch Hedberg, RIP). After listening to Northless's The Last Bastion of Cowardice there was still two thirds of the STLIPA to drink and my computer screen was blank.

Video: "Zombies" by Galactic Cowboys

Who out there loves metal? And we're talking about the real metal that'll blow your hair back like being in a Corvette with the top down?

What about Zombies? Years before I had children, the plan was to teach them that zombies gotta be popped in the head to take them out. Side bar: Playing House of the Dead 2 gave my daughter nightmares, so we had to knock it off. We will have to get to that lesson later. Hopefully before the Zombie Apocalypse finally happens right?

In the mean time, check out the latest single from Galactic Cowboys. This is the second single from their new record, Long Way Back From The Moon. It's their first release since 1993!

Well, they made a new fan in me today. Though I wasn't around during their first trip, it's glad their back and ready to go. Pick up the vinyl HERE and check them out on Facebook.

XLP Review: "V-Oceans" by Slow

V-Oceans

Groundswells of emotion are hard to take.

Like the Butthole Surfers said, it's pouring like an avalanche and it's comin' down the mountain.

When bleakness hits for me, it often feels like snow is falling all around me. Snow is the perfect metaphor for blackness, because to survive, you literally have to claw your way out.

Self-medication will always come into play here. That's not to say it's all booze and pills to fix problems, but we all have to find the spark that returns us to ourselves.

Music has always been a very cathartic experience for me because it's able to enhance, change, or simply alter my moods. Mood swings, though hopefully not outwardly apparent, have long been something that affects me.

Wrong Band Again...with Domestikwom

Jonathan Petkau of Domestikwom

Well, here we are. It's the second attempt to get this Metallica interview off the ground.

Last time, we were informed that our order of real human hair didn't go through, so the interview was sent down the ladder to band of a smaller stature than that of Metallica. Dealing with these PR Bootleggers is hard.

Unfortunately, they needed me to purchase their steel converters, which I don't even need because I'm writing about metal, oh.....I get it now.

They said the more metal I bought, the closer I would get to Metallica. So, they sent me back these answers, but even though it's not Metallica, Domestikwom answered it as best as they could...

As Metallica....

We're not quite there, but they assured me, I'm on the list.

Video: "Vicious Breed" by Lady Beast

You know what's awesome?

Flying V Guitars...regardless of the brand. These are just the most awesome guitars on the planet. Typically they're used to play some of the best genres of music on the planet, metal and blues.

Then add in some fast drums, angry melodic singing, and crank those amps to ten. Once this happens, it's the magic hour and that can last for days.

Lady Beast has all of these things. Something of a throwback to a modern day Judas Priest. You can hear the rest of the album on BANDCAMP and order the vinyl HERE.

Split LP Review: "Split LP/CD" by Bunkur and Mordor

Split LP/CD

Once more we go into our oft tread fields of Splits.

They've become one of my absolute favorite things to cover if we're being completely honest with each other.

Today though, there was a terrifying thought in my head as I was listening to this album.

Glacially Musical is, frankly, a cheerleader website. It's no secret that we only do positive reviews. My philosophy is that quality music is  not only being made, but being made in abundance.

This labor of love was started when it came to my attention that music was still worth a damn and The Big Four weren't the only ones still making music we all need to hear. It's actually a method of keeping my readership lower than it could be. No one wants to read about positive stuff all the time. So thank you for being here.

At the halfway point of the first side, it occurred to me, oh lord, what if side two totally sucks? Then what do I do?

LP Review: "Grotesque Offerings" by Druid Lord

Grotesque Offerings

My favorite thing about metal is how absolutely different one band can be from the next.

The various metal subgenres definitely get their fair, and unfair, share of sand kicked in their faces.

But picture Grunge...Stone Temple Pilots and Soundgarden weren't really all that different from each other.

(Come at me, Grungebunnies.)

When metal is considered (Fight me, Kim Thayil!), the lines that delineate what is and is not metal are far more blurred. Is Deep Purple metal?

Zeppelin? Sabbath? What about Kiss?

Then when you get into what individual metal fans like. There are folks I know that are as metal as the day is long on the Summer Solstice, but wouldn't ever consider listening to Carcass, Mayhem, or Fisthammer.

Fat Formats with Zero Fire

Our recurring interview about music, formats, and albums is yielding some interesting nuggets.

Today's guinea pig is Graham from Hamilton, Ontario's Zero Fire.

As with most of the bands we cover on these pages, they're a bit younger than me.

Graham's reverence for Silverchair is something that took me a little by surprise. I can remember their ups and downs in the 90's like it was yesterday.

Everybody's got something interesting down below.

Check out the rest and be sure to give them a virtual high five via Bandcamp.

Video: "The Challenger" by Cranely Gardens

Have you met Cranely Gardens? If not, you can check out this video.

The drummer has Storm Trooper heads on the kit, so that alone is worth clicking on this video. Let's take a look at the rest of it.

This is one of those super heavy tracks by a band that's very angry. This is something we can all pretty much get into here at Glacially Musical.

The band teamed up with Pure Grain Audio to release the track.

Check out the rest of the album on Bandcamp.

LP Review: "Viscères" by Bind Torture Kill

Viscères

In an attempt to move forward and explore different genres today we're looking at Post-Hardcore.

This is new to me, so an exploration of what all of this is feels essential.

Hardcore Punk is punk rock that's harder and more aggressive than regular punk rock.

OK, this all seems rather simple and understandable. Punk Rock though, is pretty aggressive, so in my head, it would appear that Hardcore Punk is the link between Punk Rock and Grindcore.

Now, let's move onto Post-Hardcore.

It's described as something more creative and artistic than Hardcore and Punk Rock that incorporates essences of Post-Punk and Noise-Rock.

Video: "Love On The Highway" by Formosa

There comes a time in everybody's life when a good tub thumpin' good time is what the doctor ordered.

German Rockers, Formosa, have given us the soundtrack to that. We've all had the fantasy of flipping off our boss, blowing cigarette smoke in his face, and pounding a pint of German Pilsner.

Also, be on the lookout for the Gameboy Color!

Interview: Qoheleth

So recently, we were very lucky. There was an offer from some PR firm that I'd never heard of, but they assured me that their human hair wigs would do my stead well with the ladies.

Honestly, it seemed a little bit far fetched, but my wife did say that my slightly smaller forehead combined with the very brown hair I was then sporting made for a striking (my paraphrased) possibly even statuesque, and Dionysian countenance...so...

It was easier to believe them that for the low price of just $25, I'd be able to interview the MIGHTY Metallica!!! METALLICA METALLICA!!!

A quick paypal to HumanWigsofChina@yahoo.tz.lmnqop.com later...and an email address was provided for the interview.

Now, there was a slight snag, and California's Qoheleth answered the interview instead, sure it was pointed towards the thrash legends, but it still works if you ask me.

NEXT time, Human Wigs of China promises to get the email to the right person as long as I send them a paltry $5 to make sure there are no snags.

In the mean time...

Video: "Poissa" by Vermilia

All the way from Finland, we have Vermilia.

They're a blackened pagan metal band peopled by a single woman. She's/they've just released their latest single.

It's brutally beautiful. It's black metal with a side of folk. In breakfast terms, If you're eating an omelette, the traditional elements are the side bacon you got for $2.

Be sure to get the single, available only on Bandcamp.

LP Review: "Suffer The Cold" by Circle of Salt

Suffer The Cold

As this is being written by me, it's the last day of November and it's 55 degrees F.

In my youth that was the weather in Mid-September. It's amazing how things have changed in that time.

Our definition of what is and isn't cold is changing by the day, because our weather and our climate is changing.

As my home is now, and basically always has been, St. Louis, MO in the middle of the United States, we've never had the winters of Minnesota, northern Illinois, or even Iowa, our neighbor to the north.

As each year passes, we wonder, will there be winter in St. Louis? Are we going to get snow? These days, it seems like we have ice storms more than snow. Well, at least in some ways our world is still grey at the proper time of the year....

Video: "Self Pollution" by Marty Friedman

It's time to begin giving thanks to Prosthetic Records for bringing six string master, Ageless Wonder, the creator of a thousand nightmares, and all around smart guy, Marty Friedman back to the United States.

Granted, he still lives in The Land of the Rising Sun, but at least he's sending letters back home to America. If you've not picked up his latest record, Wall of Sound yet, at least check out the single, Self Pollution, below.

The man is still simply a force of nature.

LP Review: "The Darkness At The Edge of Dawn" by The Howling Void

The Darkness At The Edge of Dawn

In my youth, there were many small bodies of water. None of them were particularly large, at least not the ones I stood in front of.

Certainly, then and today, there's the Mississippi River, but we stay away from its banks. From an early age, we're taught to fear and respect the Mighty Mississip.

Lakes, streams, and creeks though...there were a great many.

For some reason even in my elder years, I cannot seem to refrain from tossing stones into the water. Seeing the rings forming in the water really make me feel wonderful.

There's something about rings and circles that mesmerize me. It's plausible that this just came from my childhood days of skipping stones in the water.

Video: "Traumatophøbia" by NØMADS

Through the magic of the intertubes, we look back in on New York's own NØMADS...except they're not in New York!

Through magic of the automobile, presumably, they're in Pittsburgh! Do they live there now?

Are they just giving us a miss? 

Well, while we get our staff private detective to check into this, you should check into the latest video off of one of their upcoming EPs. Sorry, but this was an album and now it's broken up into two EPs and I can't keep them straight.

Perhaps the vinyl versions will fix that for me!

Format Interview: Horse Head's Chris Gisrael

Horse Head

These interviews have been very interesting to me. 

If this is your first dance, we are asking several recording artists what they thing of music and formats in general.

There's been a lot of the same, in this case, Master of Puppets, but then there are those things that make you scratch your head. Today's interviewee, Chris Gisrael of Horse Head loves Yob and hates Live Albums.

Yob is great, but as someone who just loves the live record....this stuff doesn't compute for me...well, I'm not going to give you all of his answers...

See below!

Video: "Colors" by Lake Jons

There has certainly been too little strangeness in your day today.

So, in order to remedy that, let's take a look at the latest single by an avant garde trio from Finland, Lake Jons. We all love Finland right?

They're set to release their debut album this January through AntiFragile Music.

It's going to take you some time to process this track..but you'll be able to preorder it soon enough.

LP Review: "Sporysz" by Jarun

Sporysz

After walking out of Eyes Wide Shut, I turned to my date and said, you know there was a lot going on in that movie.

Later it was tossed back in my face because...

That's what people who didn't understand something say when they don't know what to say.

Now, had I said that today, it would have been, wow I'm still processing that movie. This is precisely what I said last night after a viewing of Your Name and my wife said she wholly understood.

It's a much better situation to be in, but the point is more about the processing of the things going on in an artistic venture.

In my mind, it's better to leave someone speechless after they take in your vision rather than their being able to speak about it at great lengths after one listening or viewing.

Video: "Devil" by BongCauldron

Do you ever get the feeling that there's a sort of a hidden message available to you? There may very well be a hidden message in BongCauldron's name.

For the of me I cannot find it, but you know what I can find? Their groove.

Check out this song below and they'll suck you in with chainsaw riffs and thunderpants drums.

If you need to headbang a little bit more afterwards, get the record HERE.

Format Interview: Moonlight Prophecy

Do you know what 2017 means to this band?

It's yet to exist for an entire year! Think about  that for just a second. Moonlight Prophecy is an outcropping of the Lawrence's Creation and into a band featuring vocals. 

As of right now, they're largely a studio only project as the band members live no only in different countries, but in some cases, different hemispheres.

Enjoy!

1. The first album I ever owned was?

Monster by R.E.M. on a cassette tape. I was about 11 years old when I got it. 

Just starting to get into rock music. I wasn't even familiar with very many bands that weren't on the radio much at the time. I only knew of Ozzy and Metallica basically. That was also before I even owned a CD player. 

Video: "Tyrant's Sceptre" by Typhon's Doom

From the newly released Emperor's Path LP, Tyfon's Doom has released a trippy video. See below.

Tommi Varsala, again, has played all of the instruments and even designed the cover art.

If you're looking for something that'll just get the blood pumping and make you feel all jingoistic about where your nation is headed, will this will only do the first thing...that second thing... well maybe if you're Finnish?

(I'm not.)

Tyfon's Doom is one of those modern day classic metal bands. This isn't a relic pulled out of a bin in your attic, but new oldies.

EP Review: "Victory is Mine" by Lucifer's Hammer

Victory is Mine

It's become apparent to me that I have been digging a rut for quite some time around here.

Normally, my reviews go in cycles and never really encircles one thing. My lack of specialization is source of great pride, but that's not been the case for awhile now.

This site has been working, insidiously I might add, to become another doom/stoner metal site.

That's not what we are all about.

So, for at least a little while, the focus will shift away from this glorious music scene and refocus on others.

Doom shan't be abandoned, but it's got to be one of many voices heard around here instead of the main voice heard. So, with all that said, here's the latest doom metal....sorry, habits are hard to break...

LP Review: "Blades, Chains, Whips, & Fire" by Magick Touch

Blades, Chains, Whips, & Fire

About five years ago, this guy was standing inside of the Firebird for the first time.

Kill Devil Hills, featuring Rex Brown, was headlining the venue that night. It was actually a large night of firsts for me.

My first interview with a legitimate star, first show in the firebird, and the first time that friend stood me up.

But the point of all of this, isn't Brown, KDH, or whatever, but the fact that this band came out and went crazy town on me for about 45 minutes...they also sold me my first new vinyl record.

Crobot was funky and chunky, lean and mean, surf and turf, and most of all, they were sharp and tarp. I'm also given to understand they have a hot sauce that could be quite tasty.

What they showed me that  night is that we were all missing out on new rockers. If you huck a penny at any of our night club districts, you'll probably wing about fifteen national metal bands....but how many rockers?

LP Review: "The Undivided Wholeness of All Things" by Annihilation

The Undivided Wholeness of All Things

It's not been that long since I told you that I had to start making some changes to what music is reviewed around here.

So, let's talk about the subgenre "Brutal Death Metal."

There was an epic twitter meltdown I caused a few months ago because I said that brutal death metal and technical death metal are basically the same thing.

By basically, I mean 88 to 93% the same and by epic meltdown I mean a polite disagreement between myself and one other gent.

So, if we're being completely honest and putting all of our card on the table, I don't really like Brutal Death Metal. To my ears, it typically sounds like down tuned grindcore with a whole lot less to say, because who knows what in the world they're saying anyway.

Video: "Tophet" by Black Altar

There are bands in this world that hearing them is simply not enough. For all of their bluster, Kiss is not one of those bands. Seeing them adds nothing to the music itself.

BLACK ALTAR, in the tradition of Mayhem, is trying to be one of those bands. Tell me, does the video below tell the story as well or better than the music contained therein?

(Proper) Interview with Throne of Heresy

You may have caught this interview with Throne of Heresy talking about musical formats. If not, go back and check it out.

If you've already done that, and welcome back if you hadn't, please read below as the good gents in the band were willing to listen to me prattle and answer my questions.

There's some good information buried blow here.

Find it and you'll ace the quiz!

Glacially Musical: Thank you for taking some time for us today.

Throne of Heresy: No problem, thanks for having us. 

Video: "Play It Loud" by Broken Stems

What is hip hop happenin' out there? What we're talking today isn't hip hop, but damn is it happenin'!

Every now and again we  just all need to see something so crazy, so infuriating, and so panicky that we just have to see it through to the end.

Broken Stems have done that to me today. Because of that, I'm doing it to you today. Why GI Joe's are running guns and drugs makes no sense to me...but why Malibu Barbie is candying up her nose, that I get.

Just get on, ok?

EP Review: "Maere" by Eschatos

Maere

When hearing a news story, it's always nice to consume unbiased news. (Yes, it does exist. Just because one person cannot tell a story without their bias doesn't mean all of humanity lacks the ability.)

What's great about some news sources, they give you analysis and reaction from people on both sides of the issue, so the picture is clearer as to how it may affect you, your loved ones, and all that kind of stuff.

It seems to me that when a second, or third voice is heard, my initial perception is crushed and a bigger picture comes into focus.

It's important to hear more than a single voice in your life. Echo chambers will kill us all because no pizza places deliver to echo chambers. Also, Jets Pizza....that stuff is the best chain pizza out there.

LP Review: "Kingdoms Disdained" by Morbid Angel

Kingdoms Disdained

It wasn't that long ago that Morbid Angel was touring Covenant again.

Sadly, that show...I missed it.

Morbid Angel was the first death metal band to really enter my purview. They were real death metal, not like Slayer.

Slayer was always touted as death metal by those out of the know. That was the introduction to my being a fan of extreme metal.

It's been 23 years since I bought it, but I can tell you the name of the store, where I got the money, and the location of where the store used to be.

It's a Qdoba now. Which is neither metal nor extreme. It's also safe to say that they have not purloined any metal fans into fans of their wanna be Mission Burritos. Though for a time, my death metal fandom waned, it has waxed again....

Video: "Death of October" by Autumns Eyes

There are times when we're running behind. Not all of us have the ability to be on time like the Tokyo Rail system...did you see that NPR story about how they left 20 seconds early?

They left 20 seconds early and that's national news. That's all you need to know about their reliability.

So, we may be late bringing this track to you, but it should be known that it is still Autumn and October might already be dead, but like King Diamond says, everyday for me is Halloween.

Check out Autumns Eyes below!

LP Review: "Monumental Microcosm" by Greytomb

Monumental Microcosm

In a country where it's not taught, but known that a song is no more than four minutes long, how does one quantify something that's far longer?

Over the history of popular music, it seems there have always been people trying to make music shorter.

Well, short music can be fun and all that, but it doesn't compare to properly done (naturally) music.

Long time readers may recall Dear Insanity by Eye of Solitude.

Short songs, they have to come in hot and often times like my man, Anakin Skywalker said, they're coming in too hot. (Please note: the aforementioned line is literally the worst moment in the entire Star Wars Cinematic Universe, Episode III: Revenge of the Sith was bad ass and metal as hell.)

Video: "As The World Turns Black" by Odium

As of this writing...I've been harassed by Longhorn Steakhouse and my hands are very cold indeed.

In times like this, it's nice to hear something horribly negative music. Something angry, depressed, or just flat out mean.

Do you know why?

What's the answer to this equation: -3 X -10?

It's a positive number. So there you go. Check out Odium, of Germany, if you need a pick me up right now. It's hard rocking video that'll give your day the jumpstart mine needs. Think, maybe you don't even need it...and then your day will double down in awesome.

The Mons Talk Tapes...Well...not precisely.

Let's continue on with how bands out there are consuming their music and what they really like to listen to when nobody's looking.

Up next we have The Mons. They're a hardcore punk band from Chicago, IL who're hot on the heels of their latest release, Trust No One, released via Triple Eye Industries.

Check it out here and look at that splatter vinyl that's still available!

1. The first album I ever owned was?

The first album I ever owned was Alice Cooper’s Greatest Hits.  My mom signed the family up for the Columbia Record and Tape Club.  

Even though I was only 7 years old, I got to pick a title each month along with my two older brothers.  I didn’t really know much about music other than songs on the radio, so my brothers would sort of “pick” for me.  

I got Rush A Farewell to Kings, Aerosmith Rocks, and Black Sabbath We Sold Our Soul for Rock and Roll when most kids were still worried about getting a baseball mitt.  It kind of warped me.  

Video: "Speed of Dark" by Hawkmoon

Hawkmoon just dropped their album, The Saturn Return, yesterday.

The'yre a band from Brisbane, Australia. I'm not a big fan of Aussie Rules Football, The Hyundai A-League, or AC/DC...

But I can be convinced to eat Outback Steakhouse sometimes....so without further stupidity on my part, watch the video below...it's mellow, but still metal.

You tell me. You can get it on Bandcamp.

Concert Review: Mayhem (f/Black Anvil & Immolation) at The Ready Room 11/10/17

This concert started about thirty years ago in Oslo, Norway.

In those days, Black Metal wasn't a common term. In fact, it hadn't yet reached the mainstream vocabulary on these shores.

At that time, this guy here, was just getting his feet wet with Metallica and that would lead to Morbid Angel and Deicide... 

As said before, folks have been calling me Satanic since the age of eight and based on the pentagrams on my clothing...looking back I see why they said that.

Black Metal now...is a term in the American vernacular. Though, not unlike the vast majority who throw up the devil horns, most people really don't know what it is. 

Video: "Psalm 133" by Enzo and The Glory Ensemble

Do you ever think that Satan is getting too much play around here? Is it possible that we are not giving enough time to the other side?

Well, in the interest of fair and balanced coverage, check out the first single from Enzo and The Glory Ensemble, Psalm 133.

This is taken from the concept album/rock opera, In The Name of the Son. This track has a guest appearance by Kobi Farhi and there's a lot of other friends involved to...names like Marty Friedman are also involved.

So check it out and see if it moves your twinkie.

Split Review: "Decay Into Inferior Conditions" by Master and Dehuman

Decay Into Inferior Conditions

When you've got a good friend, you can trust them to be around and have your back.

It's always wonderful to think back to all of those times we had as children, teens, and twentysomethings when our best friend was right there making sure we did precisely what, well, we probably shouldn't have done.

There are a great many stories about what a good friend of mine and I did in Northern Illinois especially...like that time we bootlegged beer.

At least by the way I understand the letter of the law in Smokey & The Bandit. So, let's head forward into a split by two similar bands.

Around these parts we are always looking into every make and manner of split releases.

Today, we're looking at our first split live LP.

Video: "Temples Temple" by King Zog

All the way from Australia comes King Zog.

They're still in the empire, so let's say they're following in their countrymen's (Black Sabbath) footsteps. This is the doom metal like you read about. Luckily, you can now hear it and see the gents themselves via the magic of YouTube.

Man, remember when YouTube wasn't a thing? Well, take a look at the facial  hair and feel the rusty razor rage of those guitars.

They're releasing their debut on vinyl just in time for the holidays. Check it out.

Stream: "Scumlords" by Lou Kelly

Recently, I received an email from a man out in California who wanted me to c heck out his music.

It fight right in with some of the stranger music we've been bandying about lately, James Chance and Tomas Doncker specifically.

There's a lot that can be done with bigger bands...especially if you're angry.

Kelly's music is available on Bandcamp, of course. So do check it out and pick up a clarinet why don't you?

Video: "Until We Hit The Water" by Edge of Haze

If you're having a day when you think to yourself...I'm not going to supersize this McDonalds Value Meal, but your stomach demands you Americanize it...

You can put your head down or scream loudly into the sky that this will continue UNTIL WE HIT THE WATER.

That's when you'll be past the Edge of Haze.

EP Review: "Kathmandu" by Goya

Kathmandu

Precisely what do you have to say?

In my day job, that's the biggest part of what we do. We have to listen to what is said, or more precisely we have to hear what it is not said.

There are several different methods of communication. Non-verbal communication is quite a big one.

Think about yourself... imagine you've been dropped off in a Western nation, we're presuming most readers of this blog are westerners, but it's one where they don't speak your mother tongue.

What would you do? Could you order the cold frosty beer you've been hankering for? Would the locals look upon you while having absolutely no idea what you're saying?

Stream: "Most Ghost" by Birds

I want to share something with you. There are often times birds in my basement. The hypothesis is that they are finding their way in via the chimney. Sadly, that chimney is not connected to a usable fireplace in my chateau.

It gets sad when the birds turn into ghosts. So, here we have connected the title of the song to the name of the band to an experience in my life.

Enjoy this garage rock writing trifecta below. BIRDS want to talk to you before we all shed our corporeal bodies and become amorphous apparitions.

Formats of Fun: Throne of Heresy

Throne of Heresy has just released their newest album, Decameron, via The Sign Records. It's a concept album about the Black Plague.

Sadly, it's not reviewed on these pages, but there's a coming interview about the record and it's on my Amazon Wishlist.

They were good enough to answer a few questions about how they good enough to answer our questionnaire about how they listen to music.

Check it out below!

1. The first album I ever owned was?

Video: "Communion" by Vvon Dogma

If you think the world has been too normal lately, then we have something for you!

Introducing Vvon Dogma and his amazingly crazy 9 string bass...and it's not like the 12 string basses employed by Cheap Trick...this is a legitimate nine different strings.

That guitar player...he's got too many strings too. Then there's a keyboard bass player. So, if you've been thinking to yourself, I'm still rocking this 90's Lo Bass Machine, but where's all the metal that'll make this body drop...

Here you go!

EP Review: "Cara Data Vermibus" by Come Back From The Dead

Caro Data Vermibus

Mmm...that Reese's Peanut Butter Cup was so good.

Shoot, your friend here is old enough to remember when there was no such thing as Reese's Peanut Butter Cups...or perhaps the onslaught of commercials just makes me think that.

But, there's no question that those you got chocolate in my peanut butter and you got peanut butter in my chocolate commercials are imprinted on my mind.

I can also remember a world where we ate our Easter bunnies while dipping them in peanut butter, because they hadn't extended the Reese's plan into bunnies yet.

Their idea was that there are two great tastes and why should you choose what you had? (It was the 80's after all and it was more more more.) This lesson that I'm trying to teach my daughter...well, it's a source of great hypocrisy for me....

Video: "anticipating my lateness" by Imp of Perverse

There's been a fairly steady stream of invitations for me to head to Austin, TX. There's something about that city that makes everything there turn weird.

Speaking of weird, check out the latest video from Imp of Perverse.

LP Review: "The Heresiarch" by Nupraptor

The Heresiarch

Well, this is frustrating.

There was a movie that I saw years ago in the 80's, back when everything was plastic and ridiculous.

It was about a gent who was the prototypical 98lb weakling that we all read about in comic books.

He entered into a pact with, naturally, the Devil. Oh wait, googling has finally surfaced the name of this terrible flick, Hunk.

Among other amazing things it featured a wannabe Dom Deluise and a wanna be Elvira.

Well, the point is, the young is transformed from his normal self into an alpha male. The devil's emissary explains to him piece by piece where his outer shell came from.

Video: "Chamber" by Painted Black

Right now, the heater is broken and no matter how much green tea is imbibed, it's impossible to warm up the bones.

When it's that case, all we can so is listen to some music that really gets us worked up or music that gets us so far down that cold fingers aren't much of a bother anymore....

Check out Painted Black for some of the latter.

5 Mins With Klogr

Italy's Klogr is out there and getting it all done.

Their most recent ablum, Keystone, dropped on 10/02/17.

Glacially Musical: Let's take a few minutes so our readers can get to know you.

Klogr: Sure!

GM: Let's say it's about 1:30pm on a Saturday, after you open the fridge, there's nothing in it, what do you do?

KL: We live in Italy…there’s always some spaghetti in da house!

GM: Where do you find your inspiration?

Video: "THASSOPHOBIA" by NØMADS

My personal favorite duo of hobos is back at it again with their latest single, THASSOPHOBIA.

NØMADS has been releasing a single each month all year leading up to the release of their sophomore album, but that album has undergone a Spiderman/Venom transmogrification and now it's going to be a pair of EPs instead of one LP.

That gives us plenty to look forward to. In the meantime, enjoy the latest single below and see what there is to see, in Pittsburgh apparently.

After hearing single after single...I need more information as to when these releases are gonna drop.

Then I'll inform you!

EP Review: "Archaic Malevolence" by Infected Dead

Archaic Malevolence

How's your day going?

Is there any chance there's been some news of developments that your friends are in big, big trouble?

What about someone who worked for you going to prison over the way he conducted himself?

There are times in this world when it feels like everything is against us. How many times did Jay Fatbuds scream that very thing in the View Askew movies?

Now, here's some good news!

Whens things come crashing down on you, there's always somewhere you can turn. Music will be your only friend until the end....even if you go to federal prison.

Twingiant's Nikos Mixas's Top Ten Doom Records

Top 10 Doom Albums 

Nikos Mixas (2nd from left)

1. Trouble – Psalm 9

When I think of doom, I immediately think of this album. This is the proverbial bar and blueprint for doom. There’s nothing more to be said on this.

2. Candlemass – Nightfall

This is a close second to Psalm 9. Nightfall has more riffing and leads and that’s the only reason I can’t put it as my top doom album. I have probably listened to this album more throughout my lifetime though.

High Reeper Digs Deaper

We're going to take some time getting to know about the likes and dislikes of some of the bands that are currently out there.

We've got a standard series of questions and we're gonna see how everybody feels. Up first, High Reeper.

1. The first album I ever owned was? 

Kiss Destroyer. I was born in '72 and I had a cousin who was a total head/stoner and was five years older than me. 

When I was five he gave me that record. He turned me on to music and art. I used to stare at that cover and think that those were just about the toughest four dudes I had ever seen.

2. My favorite album of all time is....

Right now? It's the first Black Sabbath record. Everything about it. When I first heard it I couldn't even process it it was so heavy and unlike anything else I had ever heard. 

The playing is so good and is as unpretentious as can be. The guitar and bass playing are off the charts. I love that it was recorded and mixed in a flash and it's just the best record ever.

Video: "Where Did All The Love Go" by The Rebel Light

In the First World, there's little worse than what you're experiencing right now. It's Monday afternoon and you need to finish out the workday.

If you were in the Third World though, they'd probably be harvesting your hair while you work, so let's just be glad we're sitting at a desk instead shall we?

However, you still need something to get you through till three o'clock when popsicle time hits am I right?

So have a short dance with The Rebel Light. This video is a bit on the strange side...and seeing the totally hippied out Mystery Machine...well...just watch OK?

Dead Register On Tour This November

A couple of years ago, an album crossed my desk by a band called Dead Register.

That name doesn't really make a whole lot of sense to be honest with you and if you try to google it, you're going to get results featuring conspiracy theories about the dead voting.

Their album, Fiber, is a strange mishmash of styles and genres.

I'm not even sure it's appropriate to just toss them under the label of metal. All that can be said is that it's a damned fine album. The Georgia trio describe themselves as a Gothic Band....perhaps there's a little bit of Southern Gothic there.

Earlier this year, my wish of having this release on vinyl came true and the splatter version is resting comfortably on the vinyl shelf.

Video: "Trainyards" by Thunder Body

Let's be perfectly honest about some things today.

I love trains. You may recall, if you follow me on Twitter or Facebook (click those sidebar links would ya?) that I recently eschewed a two hour flight for a sixteen hour train ride.

Seeing the front picture of this video just made me want to love this song. Certainly, about the last thing I was expecting was a dose of reggae about trains and train yards.

Check it out. Thunder Body'll make you a better person.

LP Review: "Still Innocence" by LUSTRE

Still Innocence

Yesterday, as in the day before this was written, your friend and humble narrator took in his very first session of massage therapy.

You see, there's this pain in my neck that's been going on for some time and it's long past due to be fixed.

Naturally, this was a singular experience for me, but as it was the first time having done it....obviously...

In this stage of my life, I'm attempting to improve the quality of my life. Go to the physician more. Get my physical and mental problems cared for.

So, that was the reason for this session. My neck was creating immense pains shooting down to my fingers. It was scary. So, in the little room, they attempted to play some relaxing sounds in order to quiet my mind and allow relaxation.