February 6 - The Future Has Beens (ST)
February 10 - GHOST TOWER (Head of Night) - Really good old school metal by way of traditional doom from this Nebraskan duo. I was awestruck by the vocalist Ameven who sounds just like Zeeb Parkes of Witchfinder General. Head of Night was recorded as a three piece but membership has since dropped to core duo Ameven and Matt Parker. Find it here. Highlights include "... Of Untimely Death" and "Ninth Tooth of the Gravekeeper's Grin". Rating 3.5/5
February 12 - RED HOT REBELLION (ST) - If all you want is some uber sleazy rock & roll in the AC DC vein, then congratulations, you've found it. Red Hot Rebellion's full length debut is hard rock in its purest, dirtiest form. Ultra aggressive lyrics and riffage loaded with swagger, RHR create anthems for drunken rowdies. Get the "soundtrack to a bar fight" here. Highlights include "Hellfire" and "Devil's Rope". Rating 4.5/5
February 14 - DEAD SOUTHERN BISHOP (Hymns of Malice & Discontent) - With their second EP, Dead Southern Bishop offered up some of the hardest heaviest grooves since Pantera or 90s era Fear Factory while still managing to be distinctly doom. It's just wave after crushing wave of relentless doom grooves. Unearthly vocals and one of the heaviest guitar sounds around, period. This is the sound of hot nights with hell just below your feet, claustrophobia inducing doom. They've been playing a lot of shows this year, opening for bigger acts, this is the kind of band that deserves more exposure. Free dl here. Highlights include "Malice" and "White Trash Queen". Rating 4/5
February 14 - GOATWHORE (Blood for the Master) - Normally, I stay clear of anything death metal, but Goatwhore's fusion of blackened thrash and death metal does more than simply turn up the distortion, they have great riffs and decipherable lyrics that are worth listening to. Goatwhore's 5th album was a real highlight. Highlights include "When Steel and Bone Meet" and "Embodiment Of This Bitter Chaos". Rating 4.5/5
February 14 - ORANGE GOBLIN (A Eulogy for the Damned) - February saw a lot of major album releases, the return of Orange Goblin after a five year silence among the very biggest. The band rose to the occasion with 10 songs of solid rock and metal. Mostly, the band kept things simple, great riffs with solid rhythms and catchy vocal melodies. What more could one ask for? aEftD does have its epic moments in "Death of Aquarius" and the title track which repeats the main riff endlessly to close the album. It will get stuck in your head. Most of these songs will. Get it here. Highlights include "Red Tide Rising" and "The Filthy and the Few". Rating 4.5/5February 17 - Fister (Violence)
February 18 - SUPERTZAR (Funeral Blues EP) - From Finland came a fuzz freakfest featuring an excellent vocalist. Bands named after Black Sabbath songs never disappoint. Supertzar's blend of desert/doom fired on all cylinders. Download it for free on their bandcamp page and have your hair blown back and your socks knocked clean off. Highlights include "Funeral Blues" and "Water on Mars". Rating 4.5/5
February 21 - PALLBEARER (Sorrow & Extinction) - After an impressive demo in 2010 had the critics raving, this Arkansas based epic doom band did not disappoint with their full-length debut. Combining accomplished musicianship and skill with a depth of complex yet logical ideas, there's not much to dislike here, though I admit it took me a couple plays before any particular track or riff or melody jumped out and grabbed me. But when they did, they bit in for keeps. You can grab Sorrow & Extinction on the Profound Lore records website here. Highlights include "Devoid of Redemption" and "Given To The Grave". Rating 4.5/5February 23 - Witchstone (EP)
February 25 - Across Tundras / Hellbender split 7" single
February 25 - IRON MTN (ST) - L.A.'s doom quartet Iron Mtn unleashed one of the best instrumental releases of the year in their fuzzy and uptempo self-titled demo. The original CD version sold out and is now in its second pressing, limited to 150 copies. Get your copy or simply download it for free here. Highlights include "Land Air Sea Sick" and "The Mountain God". Rating 4/5February 28 - Infernal Overdrive (Last Rays of the Dying Sun)
February 28 - CORROSION OF CONFORMITY (ST) - Well there's really nothing much to say other than it doesn't get any better than this. So many highlights, so many moments that get stuck in the head and refuse to come out. The only proper exorcism is another spin, which is exactly why this was my most played album of 2012. The three core members of CoC weren't planning on making this album when they got together and started rehearsing for some gigs that never happened, but this is what just spilled out of them organically. Incredibly solid album. Download it here. Highlights include "Psychic Vampires" and "The Moneychangers". Rating 4.5/5
February 28 - SUMMONER (Phoenix) - I don't know why and I don't know how but Boston produces excellent stoner doom bands like they're coming out of a factory. Summoner is very much of the Black Pyramid, almost punkish school of doom. Their high energy album is loaded with headspinning moments and it features one of the best songs of the year in "The Interloper". Get it here. Highlights include "The Interloper" and "Conjuring". Rating 4/5Best Album of February 2012:
'Corrison of Conformity' by CORROSION OF CONFORMITY
Best Song of February 2012:
"Red Tide Rising" by ORANGE GOBLIN
No comments:
Post a Comment