E.P. Epidemic II

I had originally intended for this to be a single, ten EP reviews post as was the first EP Epidemic from a month ago.  Well, as I got going I found I couldn't stop blabbing about these releases so for the sake of relative brevity I decided to split it in half.  Part III will be ready next week.

ALUCARDA - D.F.F.L. (4 songs / 21:00) - Not much is known about the band Alucarda.  I'm not even sure what D.F.F.L. stands for.  One can only assume the band takes their name from the Mexican occult horror film, which is full of demonic possession and full frontal nudity.  Their bandcamp page states that they are from Copenhagen and that they play doom fuzz punk rock.  Well that's about as accurate as it gets: demonically possessed, full frontal doom punk & roll.  The band splits their time on this 4 song EP sprinting through uptempo numbers like a wet dog shaking the sleaze off and getting it all over everybody and casting demonic spells of doom to possess listeners with evil sounding riffs.  However, the split is not even.  The majority of the EP is dedicated (consecrated?) to the punkier side of things, especially on the first two tracks, "Electric Tower" and "Nosferatu's Doom".  "Wicked Sabbath" is the most evil sounding of them all, a dark and doomy instrumental.  The vocalist sounds like he could be the guy from Witches of God's brother, or even the man himself.  Right now, this thing is available as an absolute, no questions asked free download on bandcamp, click the link on the player below to grab yourself a copy!
From: Copenhagen, Denmark.  Best Song: "Wicked Sabbath".  Rating: 3.5/5



***

Cover artwork by Taryn Watson.

ARKHAM WITCH - Hammerstorm (4 songs / 26:14) - For those out there who aren't familiar with this Keighley, UK quartet, Arkham Witch turns back the clock to a time when heavy metal was just heavy metal, before it got splintered off in a dozen specialized directions via subgenrification.  A time when muscular riffs and huge drums were all that mattered, not what exact tempo they were played at or if there were keyboards involved or not.  This is pure metal from the air guitar age and I love it.  'Hammerstorm', the band's latest starts off with the title track, a 12 minute paean to Marvel Comics's very own god of thunder, the mighty Thor.  What's not to love here?  It's a slight departure from the typically full throttle Arkham Witch attack as most of the song's 12 minutes plod along at storm-building pace.  The dam doesn't burst full force until the second track, "For Metal", an anthemic chest beater which fits more easily into the band's discography.  "Metal Queen" is a crotch-bulging love song about a "fist-bangin', head-slammin' woman of doom" with just the sleaziest riff this side of Judas Priest.

The first three tracks are available for download on Arkham Witch's bandcamp page which you can access by clicking the links on the player below, once there you can also order yourself a copy of the CD version of the E.P. which contains the bonus track "Thunder on the Tundra" which old school metal fans may recognize from the back catalogue of local (Vancouver) heavy metal legends, Thor!  'Hammerstorm' is a celebration of all things thundrous and metallic.  The whole package will cost you £4 for CD or digital download, so I'd opt for CD if I were you.  Matter of fact, I did.
From: Keightley, England.  Best Song: "For Metal".  Rating: 4/5



***

Cover artwork by Angryblue.

BLACK RAINBOWS - Holy Moon EP (6 songs / 38:39) - Black Rainbows's 'Holy Moon' E.P. is as long as most band's full length albums, but the length is a little deceiving.  Despite it's length, it really does feel like an E.P.  It's an exploratory affair that is more instrumental and experimental than the quick showcase a typical extended play is.  There's six tracks here but only two real Black Rainbows songs.  But when they get going, I mean really get going on their songs, Black Rainbows is still one of the most impressive and intense bands I've ever heard.  Complicated and funky rhythms mesh with filthy fuzz riffs to create a potent combo that almost needs to be heard to be believed.  The first of the more fleshed out songs, "Monster of the Highway", is a true monster indeed.  A huge Iommian descending riff during the chorus, fuzzed out to near intoxicating levels with some typically mindblowing drumming from resident skinsmaster general Alberto Croce all come together and it just may be better than sex.

But speaking of mindblowing, the instrumentals and "weird tracks" on this thing are not without their own unique purposes.  "Chakra Temple" in particular plunges the listener into some deeply meditative territory while still retaining a musical beauty and purpose without relying on droning structures or sensibilities.  There is a sense of motion to this song, a sense of rocking or swaying motion which seems to say that all is cyclical and to go with the flow.  "If I Was a Bird" is a Led Zeppelin style acoustic workout on which guitarist Gabriele Fiori does Jimmy Page proud.  Perhaps the most off the wall of all the songs here is 12 minute finale "Black to Comm" which quickly degenerates into a lengthy psychedelic freakout with some amazing bass work by new bassist Dario Iocca.  The song is an MC5 cover, but having either not heard or not remembered ever hearing it, I have no basis for comparison with the original at the moment.  Either way, Black Rainbows are in a strange and psychedelic mood which is established quite well on the opening title track, another strange one featuring sampled clips and atmospheres aplenty.

The second of the more fully realized songs is "The Hunter", which is a slow burning, chugging and churning hard rocker which the band actually shot a video for.  I showed it on a recent Hour of Power post, but if you didn't catch it then, well I got nothing left to say to you ... because don't take my word for how the song sounds, you can watch the video below right now.

As to where 'Holy Moon' can be spotted:  I got mine from the Heavy Psych Sounds website where you have a few options for format, either CD, vinyl or mp3.  I see that the label has its own bandcamp page, which I never knew about though I've been a fan of both the band and label for quite a while.  But I'm not quite sure what's going on with this release in particular.  It appears only "The Hunter" is available for download at the moment and the one track still wears the €7 price tag.  That's definitely not right and I'm sure that will be fixed in the near future.  For now, however, I'd stick with the Heavy Psych Sounds page.
From: Rome, Italy.  Best Song: "Monster of the Highway".  Rating: 4/5



***

BLUES PILLS - Devil Man (4 songs / 16:54) - Blues Pills are a young up and coming band who make their home in Sweden.  The band released a four song E.P. entitled 'Bliss' on Crusher Records last year, the title track to this, their second E.P. can be found on that first one.  By gigging and touring extensively the band has built up a sizable following which, with tours on the continent, the UK and Australia all booked solid until the beginning of December, should only grow.  The band is signed to Nuclear Blast Records and 'Devil Man' is their first release for the label.  This four song E.P. showcases the band's soulful and bluesy take of old school rock n roll.

The opening song, "Devil Man" puts the soulful vocals of Elin Larsson on display right up front as the track starts mid-wail and continues a capella for the better part of a minute.  The song then kicks into a filthy groove with undeniable swamp funk power.  "The River" and "Dig In" fall more into the soulful blues category and are less hard rock oriented, they are generally slower tracks but contain a power all their own.  'Devil Man' is a nice introduction as the band leaves a solid impression on the listener.  'Devil Man' sounds better than 'Bliss' hands down, you can appreciate how heavy the band is here.  This is the kind of music that is best heard through headphones to become fully immersed in the band's deep warm low end.  I got my copy of the E.P. from itunes, but you can also score a copy on limited 10" vinyl and CD digisleeve from the Nuclear Blast webshop right here.
From: Örebro, Sweden.  Best Song: "Devil Man".  Rating: 3.5/5


***

CRYPT TRIP - ST (5 songs / 16:24) - Dallas power trio Crypt Trip were once known as The South, who released an excellent six song E.P. last year which was in the mold of Black Keys inspired American south retro rock style a la The Heavy Eyes and The Dirty Streets.  One of the songs from that E.P., "Mrs. Absinthe" finds a slight re-working on the 'Crypt Trip E.P.', which makes it the third time the band has released the song in one form or another, it serves as a bridge of sorts between the two styles on display here.

Really, 'Crypt Trip' is a three song E.P. with a short intro and outro bumping it up to a five track outing.  The first proper song "Wraiths" is a straight doom rock number with an evil smelling Black Sabbath riff worthy of the original masters.  This is the first bit of evidence we have that the band has expanded their musical jurisdiction in conjunction with the name change.  It's not a sea change, but is a darker take on the band's psych inflected hard rock sound.  This song brings out the 'bangin' doom nerd in me which isn't something I would have expected from The South.  Second song "Phantasm" is much more familiar in tone with a strong Heavy Eyes feel during the verse.  But, like its predecessor, the emphasis here is on pure crippling heaviness and the riff during the chorus is just downright disgusting.  This is 'banger number two.  What a great song!  The previously mentioned "Mrs. Absinthe" started out life as much more of a bluesy classic rock number than the version that survives today.  This new version has more flow to it, the original being more pausey but also more organic so there's a bit of a give and take to it all.  The instrumental interlude in the middle of the track is also darker and more psychedelic than in the original.  In the end, "Mrs. Absinthe" provides the perfect example of the band's change in approach from The South to Crypt Trip.  The former was all about laying down some dirty rock n roll, while the latter is all about the downtuned heaviness.

This is a brilliant E.P. and for the moment it's still set on "pay-what-you-want" on bandcamp.  If you're into giant, heavy, downtuned riffs, you'd be a fool to pass it up.  Pick it up by clicking the links on the player below.
From: Dallas,Texas.  Best Song: "Wraiths".  Rating: 5/5



***

The Uncanny Mailbag 02/15/13

A look at what came in the mail this week, featuring links, product descriptions and mini-reviews, featuring ...

THE ALAN BOWN - Arkham Witch - DISASTROID - The Nice

THE ALAN BOWN - Outward Bown (1968)

The Alan Bown started out in the mid-sixties from the ashes of the John Barry Seven (yes, THAT John Barry) as a mod/soul band called The Alan Bown Set who released a terrific single called "Emergency 999" in 1966.  But the winds of change were blowing and like most British bands of the time gave themselves body and soul over the psychedelic mores of the time and re-emerged nearly overnight as The Alan Bown!, dropping the 'Set' from their moniker.  At the time 'Outward Bown' was released the band had found a niche as a wimpy toytown pop outfit with singles like "We Can Help You" [written by the original, British Nirvana], "Toyland" and "Story Book" leading the charge for the album's release.  All great songs, but offering no clue as the true power this band had on offer.  A charged-up cover of "All Along The Watchtower" being a prime example of the band at their most powerful.  Somewhat harder edged songs like "Magic Handkerchief" and "My Girl The Month of May" also evinced a further sea change for the band towards a harder edged, proggy sound that would find full blossom on "Movie Star Baby" [written by then current band member Jess Roden], a terrific song that was sadly only recorded as a BBC Session and never officially released.  Interestingly "Penny For Your Thoughts" synthesized the two sides of the band with a fuzz heavy, West Coast / Hendrix raver of a riff during the verse and a wimpy pop chorus that sounds almost George Michael-ish.  Terrible as that sounds, the chorus lasts only two bars and the overall song is really quite excellent.

What this CD re-issue lacks in liner notes (limited to a single paragraph on the back cover), it more than makes up for with its 14 bonus tracks, two more than the original album itself!  I got this CD from Record Heaven and it appears that I grabbed the last copy.  As of right now they're selling the double CD version which includes a mono and stereo mix but not nearly as many extra goodies, including the BBC Sessions.  I'm sure it will be restocked at some point, so keep an eye out on Record Heaven if you're interested because there are many versions of this album and they are all overpriced on Amazon.

Highlights include: "Movie Star Baby [BBC Session]" and "Magic Handkerchief".

Rating: 3.5/5

ARKHAM WITCH - On Crom's Mountain (2011)

By now, everyone's heard Arkham Witch's stellar 'Legions of the Deep' album, but how many have heard 'On Crom's Mountain'?  I'm not sure but I know that when I discovered this band on youtube many months ago this album seemed impossible to get a hold of.  Enter Metal on Metal records and their release of the Keighley quartet's debut on tape, licensed through Mexico's Raw Metal label.  Much like their latest album, 'On Crom's Mountain' is ten tracks of raw guitar-driven, old school metal, the way you remember it and the way you like it.  The cover was redesigned by Jowita Kaminska-Peruzzi of Metal on Metal and connects to the 'Legions of the Deep' artwork and Arkham Witch's next release (not yet released). This item is limited to only 66 copies and costs a mere 6 euros but is also available as a digital download on Arkham Witch's bandcamp.

Here's the original cover artwork, nice but not nearly as nice as Jowita's.


Highlights include: "Battering Ram" and "Viking Pirates of Doom".

Rating: 4.5/5

DISASTROID - Money & Guilt (2012)

Disastroid are a terrific trio out of San Francisco that play an exciting style of stoner rock, reminiscent of a more accurate vision of Queens of the Stone Age's 'Robot Rock'.  This album starts out strong and improves with every listen, each song better than the last and keeps on giving.  I reckon this album came out about half a year ago and I slept on it first time around, only because I never got the chance to hear it for one reason or another, but after reading about them on a blog or two I always kept them on my back-burner list.  It only took one listen to convince me that this was something I needed in my household.

Real basic setup on the physical package, a bare-bones gatefold cardboard sleeve with a photocopied insert small poster / liner notes.  All told, the package will run you 10 dollars on big cartel.  I also got a free Gorilla vs. Robot t-shirt with it.  Win.

Highlights include: "Money & Guilt" and "Fallout".

Rating: 4.5/5




THE NICE - The Thoughts of Emerlist Davjack (1968)

This was an album that had been near the top of my to get list for a long time, but I held off because I thought I could find it out there, in the real world.  I was able to find each of the Nice's next three albums used or new in different stores but I could never get my hands on this classic, their debut.  The Nice of course was the band that propelled Keith Emerson to stardom with his manic, knife-wielding stage performances and keyboard wizardry.  The band was completed at this time by three other cats who were no slouches of their own: guitarist Davy O'list, drummer Bruce Davison and bassist Lee Jackson (combining their names formed the fictitious title character Emer-List Dav-Jack, who was also credited with group compositions).

For metal and stoner rock fans there's a couple breath-takingly good proto-metal songs on this album, such as opening track "Flower King of Flies", and especially the bonus track "Azrial (Angel of Death)".  For me, this CD was worth picking up for those two songs alone, but there are other great moments.  Already by this time Emerson had hit upon his trademark sound of bouncing rhythms (see bonus track "Diamond Hard Blue Apples of the Moon") that would later come to define and dominate the sound of not only The Nice but of ELP as well.

Though this album came out when Prog was in its absolute infancy, already the borders between what the new prog bands were doing and that of the psychedelic bands of the era was clearly delineated with this release.  The single "Rondo", "Bonnie K" and "Thoughts of Emerlist Davjack" are all keyboard driven proggy slices of pop and can all be found on the A side of the album.  The B side is experimental in both sound and structure and creates more of a challenging listen.  This CD version comes with 5 bonus tracks including some of the best songs, two already mentioned: "Azrial" and "Diamond Hard Blue Apples ..." as well as "America", which may have been their most popular song.

I got this CD from Amazon seller Rarewaves-CA, on the cheap too.

Highlights include: "Azrial (Angel of Death)" and "Flower King of Flies".

Rating: 4/5

2012 Chronicle (Year in review) part 13 - Addendum, oversight, late additions, etc.

What can I say, it was a big project and I lost track of some things.  Also, I discovered a number of albums in the last couple weeks that I felt were definitely worthy of inclusion.  Each of these entries will be added to the relevant monthly year in review posts for future generations to see ...

March 21 - WINDHAND (ST) - Richmond, Virginia based doom quintet Windhand's five song debut was one of the best releases of the year.  It has made many year end lists and has netted them a deal with Burning World records.  Their Electric Wizard meets Uncle Acid style of doom is supremely addictive.  Find it here and be blown away by one of the best albums of the year.  Highlights include "Black Candles" and "Winter Sun".  Rating 5/5

March 27 - Pale Divine (Painted Windows Black)

June 14 - NIGHTOSAUR (Spaceaxers) - Minneapolis based power trio Nightosaur play a raw brand of 'fossil rock' with elements of punk, thrash and sludge.  Their sophomore effort is a high energy, eptempo outing and loud above all else.  Get it here.  Highlights include "Too Far South For Mutiny" and "There May Be Dragons".  Rating 4/5

September 12 - THE BRIMSTONE DAYS (On A Monday Too Early To Tell) - Malmo, Sweden based three-piece The Brimstone Days are a high energy, no-nonsense, back-to-basics rock & roll band.  On their second album they bang off 14 killer songs in 48 satisfying minutes with hardly a detour into ballad country.  These guys get straight to the point and stay on track.  Find it here.  Highlights include "Same Old Story" and "I Need Soul".  Rating 4.5/5

September 23 - BLUE ASIDE (The Moles of a Dying Race) - Boston proggers Blue Aside released maybe my favorite prog album of 2012.  It's an album that I like more and more with each subsequent listen.  Cold landscapes and an ever-present feeling of paranoia pervade this album.  Read my review.  Get it here.  Highlights include "The Ice Mammoth" and "The Moles of a Dying Race, Part I".  Rating 4.5/5

October 5 - CHAINS (Of Death) - Clearly, you will notice, ambient drone doom is not a major area of focus around Paranoid Hitsophrenic but with Chad Davis involved I was more than happy to make an exception.  This is magic ritual music, more meditative and darker than Saturnalia Temple or Spectral Haze and more of a mood setter.  Find it here. Highlights include "Anticosmic Void" and "Necromantic Force".  Rating 4.5/5

October 31 - MAGE (Black Sands) - Leicester, England quintet Mage play a burly style of mossy stoner doom.  This is their first full length album, full of big riffs and some very memorable songs.  Aside from those listed below "Danse Macabre", "Degenerate" and "Witch of the Black Desert" are standout tracks.  Good mix of stoner and doom by way of the desert.  Read my review.  Find it here.  Highlights include "Cosmic Cruiser X" and "Drowning Doom".  Rating 4/5

November 9 - ARKHAM WITCH (Legions of the Deep) - Old School metal quartet  with elements of doom from Keighley, England, featuring two thirds of Lamp of Thoth.  So much of this album is standout material, there's hooks and riffs galore and this album is littered with reference to the work of Robert E. Howard and H.P. Lovecraft, etc.  Come upon it here.  Highlights include "The Cloven Sea" and "David Lund".  Rating 4/5

November 12 - Hound (Spirits Are Appearing)

November 14 - THREE SEASONS (Understand The World) - A standout entry in the field of prog from Uppsala, Sweden, this would have been a standout in the original prog era of the early 70s, of which this album really sounds like.  There's some top flight material on this album and this band is at the forefront of this Golden Age of Swedish Rock.  Read my review.  Find it here.  Highlights include "Searching" and "Set In Stone".  Rating 4/5

November 14 - WHEELFALL (Interzone) - Epic stoner rock with great riffs and a hypnotic attitude, this French foursome's much lauded debut full length is a downtuned wet fuzz dream come true.  It's not often you hear a stoner rock band attempt a 20+ minute song, but Wheelfall does it.  Lot of great French releases in 2012, 'Interzone' is near the top.  Get it here.  Highlights include "It Comes From The Mist" and "Holy Sky".  Rating 4.5/5

November 22 - BLACK SPACE RIDERS (Light is the New Black) - This is a very interesting release from a German space / stoner rock quartet.  A lot of the song titles have bracketed subtitles which creates the impression that the band has so many ideas they don't know what to do with them all, this abundance of ideas comes across in the music.  Check it out.  Highlights include "Digging Down" and "Startrooper".  Rating 4/5


***

There you have it.  2012 was an amazing year for music and I didn't even get the chance to pick up or listen to half of everything I wanted to.  I'd like to think that I supported only the best of the absolute best, but there were just too many albums that I didn't get around to.  And with upcoming releases from none other than Black Sabbath, Alice in Chains, Cathedral and Clutch as well as Serpent Venom, Windhand, Uncle Acid & The Deadbeats and High Priest of Saturn, among so many other highly anticipated releases (Egypt, Moss, Set (Mass.), Sonic Titan, Witchcoven, I could go on and on) that my bank account groans miserably in anticipation, 2013 threatens to be an even better year.  See you on the other side of the fence ...

2012 Chronicle (Year in review) part 11 - Best of November

November 1 - Black Overdrive (ST)

November 1 - Motherslug (ST)

November 1 - TORF (Doomed Youth EP)

November 3 - MOLIOR SUPERUM (Into the Sun) - Sweden is the home to a disproportionate number of excellent bands and this quartet of heavy psych rockers are among the top of that list  'Into the Sun' is a very accomplished and high energy debut.  Read my review.  Get it here.  Highlights include "Decibel Grand" and "Towards the Haze".  Rating 4/5

November 4 - HARVESTER (The Blind Summit Recordings) - This Irish quartet follow very much in the footsteps of their forefathers and fellow countrymen Thin Lizzy.  This 6 song EP offers no dull moments and a headspinning array of twin guitar pyrotechnics.  Available for FREE download on bandcamp.  Highlights include "Circle Eater" and "Cosmonautical Mile".  Rating 4/5

November 5 - Galvano (Two Titans)

November 6 - Graveyard (Lights Out)

November 6 - Hornss (The Red Death single)


November 9 - ARKHAM WITCH (Legions of the Deep) - Old School metal quartet  with elements of doom from Keighley, England, featuring two thirds of Lamp of Thoth.  So much of this album is standout material, there's hooks and riffs galore and this album is littered with reference to the work of Robert E. Howard and H.P. Lovecraft, etc.  Come upon it here.  Highlights include "The Cloven Sea" and "David Lund".  Rating 4/5


November 9 - SEAMOUNT (IV: Earthmother) - German 'dark rock' trio with the great Phil Swanson on vocals, Seamount's fourth album is an emotional journey with an open wound honesty in both lyrics and musical accompaniment, and this album spans the spectrum of emotions. Read my review.  Find it here.  Highlights include "Everything Divine" and "Aphrodite's Child".  Rating 4/5

November 10 - LORD OF THE GRAVE (Green Vapour) - I'll never forget the one line from Doomentor at the Sludgelord blog: "If Lord of The Grave’s sound had a physical presence it would have the texture of a dug up decomposing dead warrior Orc".  That pretty much sums it up better than I could, but here's my review anyway.  Get 'Green Vapour'. Highlights include "Horsepuncher" and "Raping Zombies".  Rating 4/5

November 12 - Cultura Tres (El Mal Del Bien)

November 12 - Golden Void (ST)


November 12 - Hound (Spirits Are Appearing)


November 13 - CORROSION OF CONFORMITY (Megalodon EP) - The core trio of CoC made it two terrific releases in a single year with this FREE download and CD (only available at the live show at the moment, vinyl coming soon).  Five songs building off of the new foundations the band laid with their self-titled album in February and expanding on them to get back to a bigger southern rock sound.  The punkier side of the band still comes out but takes more of a backseat on this EP to the monster riffs.  See my review (Corrosion of Conformity did!). Highlights include "Feed On" and "Megalodon".  Rating 4.5/5

November 13 - Soundgarden (King Animal)

November 13 - WO FAT (The Black Code) - Wo Fat's third album was one of the year's best stoner blues albums and one of the best from Small Stone records.  Five songs, three of them reaching past the ten minute mark, for 46 minutes of pure Texas funk.  'The Black Code' is a hit on numerous levels: it's catchy and it's smart without being overly cerebral.  The heavy slabs of blues funk appeal on a visceral level, indeed the song structures themselves, born of extended jam then pared down on each subsequent read through, are crafted from 'feel' rather than strict intellectual exercise.  Read my original review.  Get it here.  Highlights include "Lost Highway" and "Hurt At Gone".  Rating 5/5

November 14 - STICKY DIGIT (ST) - Irish stoner / grunge rockers Sticky Digit's debut full length is a terrific blend of Seattle and Desert rock.  There's much more to it than that, but their blending of various 90s era influences creates a wholly modern and unique sound.  Their use of minor chord harmonies is especially effective.  Read my review.  Get it here.  Highlights include "Crazy" and "Bad Things".  Rating 4/5

November 14 - THREE SEASONS (Understand The World) - A standout entry in the field of prog from Uppsala, Sweden, this would have been a standout in the original prog era of the early 70s, of which this album really sounds like.  There's some top flight material on this album and this band is at the forefront of this Golden Age of Swedish Rock.  Read my review.  Find it here.  Highlights include "Searching" and "Set In Stone".  Rating 4/5

November 14 - WHEELFALL (Interzone) - Epic stoner rock with great riffs and a hypnotic attitude, this French foursome's much lauded debut full length is a downtuned wet fuzz dream come true.  It's not often you hear a stoner rock band attempt a 20+ minute song, but Wheelfall does it.  Lot of great French releases in 2012, 'Interzone' is near the top.  Get it here.  Highlights include "It Comes From The Mist" and "Holy Sky".  Rating 4.5/5

November 16 - Glitter Wizard (Hunting Gatherers)


November 22 - BLACK SPACE RIDERS (Light is the New Black) - This is a very interesting release from a German space / stoner rock quartet.  A lot of the song titles have bracketed subtitles which creates the impression that the band has so many ideas they don't know what to do with them all, this abundance of ideas comes across in the music.  Check it out.  Highlights include "Digging Down" and "Startrooper".  Rating 4/5

November 22 - The Future Has Beens (Black Death)

November 25 - THE QUARTET OF WOAH! (Ultrabomb) - This Portuguese band's debut album is a very impressive, indeed staggering clash of styles and influences that create one of the most unique listening experiences of the year.  With styles ranging from the likes of Yes to solo John Lennon to Truckfighters this album is a real headswirler and worth anybody's time to check it out.  Highlights include "The Ultrabomb" and "Taste of Hate".  Rating 4/5

November 28 - THE SHOOTERS (Planet of the Black Sun) - If you like good, uptempo hard rock you should do yourself a favor and check out this excellent album, after all, you can pay whatever you want, even $0, it's up to you.  Every song is great, there's no filler and no fooling around, it's just great straight up fuzzy hard rock. Highlights include "Desert Sun" and "Against the Storm".  Rating 4.5/5

November 28 - White Bone Rattle (Creature of Curiosity)

November 29 - Albino Python (The Doomed and the Damned)

November 30 - Midnight Zombie Alligator (Nova Sico)

November 30 - THE WANDERING MIDGET (From the Meadows of Opium Dreams) - One day down the dusty path of my life I will consider most of the albums that I've been spotlighting here in my year in review posts to be classics.  But of all the amazing records that dropped in 2012 the one above all others that just screamed Instant Classic from the very beginning was this album right here.  It's not my most played and it's not my personal favorite of the year but I know quality songwriting when I hear it.  This is doom at its most epic and is an album that will know heavy rotation for years to come.  Maybe I won't listen to it all the time, but one year, five years, ten years down the road this one will get dusted off and listened to again and again because it is timeless. Highlights include "Prince of Fire" and "Follow the Forest Lights".  Rating 5/5

Best Album From November 2012:
'From the Meadows of Opium Dreams' by THE WANDERING MIDGET

Best Song From November 2012:
"Lost Highway" by WO FAT

Arkham Witch - Legions of the Deep (album review)

From the opening synchopated blasts of "David Lund", I get that good old time metal feeling.  I'm not talking about emotions.  I'm talking about physical sensations.  The symptoms of 'metalhead syndrome'.  The stiffness of sore necks and pulled muscles, a cold beer in one hand, horns raised in the other.  The stench of jean jacketed B.O.  The sensation of ears burning from getting too hyper and a slight trace of heartburn and nausea.  Welcome to the Legions of the Deep.

Arkham Witch is a traditional Heavy Metal band from Keighley, in northern England that is schooled in the doom idiom.  This is their second album and first on Metal on Metal records.  From the start they get their inspiration from occultists and H.P. Lovecraft, which makes them a winner when just looking at the song titles.  On the cover is Cthulhu himself, so the listener knows what they're in for.

The opening of first track "David Lund" is a blast from the metallic past and announces the band's style and musical intentions right off the bat.  A stuttering intro that spills into a big, slow, heavy riff and powerful singing.  Some smart organ during the chorus rounds the song out quite nicely.  Thee Claw (see link below) does a great job of researching the true story of the subject of this song, there's a terrific link at the bottom of their review for those interested in the occult history of 19th century Keighley and the rivalry between occultists.

"Infernal Machine" and "The Cloven Sea" continue to ramp up the Maiden/Priest Trad Metal.  The latter features an incredibly infectious chorus, "We fight! We strike! / We always survive! / Keen for the taste of war", made memorable by its rapid fire shouting style.  "On a Horse Called Vengeance" is another standout track that turns up the heavy and veers nearly towards early Metallica territory.  It's a great place to visit.

"Iron Shadows in the Moon" has one of those great early metal / doom riffs that get the blood pumping and it's also the original title of a skull-crushing good Conan story by Robert E. Howard called "Shadows in the Moonlight" (the original title is better, and is both literally and figuratively more Metal).  It's nice to meet a band that has similar literary tastes.  Can't go wrong with Weird Tales.  "Kult of Kutulu" is another great Weird Tales inspired song.  Lovingly nipped from Lovecraft's 'Call of Cthulhu', the chorus is the invocation of Cthulhu sang dexterously in the vowelless language of The Old Ones.  The title track features another Metallica like riff, and transmutates into a sea shanty during the chorus, then leads to a terrific doomy finish.  It's another Lovecraftian paean of doom.

It's so nice to hear shouted choruses.  And Arkham Witch choruses are often true choruses, not just the refrain but a choir of voices shouting 'in unison'.  "Gods of Storm and Thunder", "We're From Keighley", "Legions of the Deep", "The Cloven Sea" all feature these choruses.  There will be some sore throats the day after Arkham Witch rolls through town.

The best Metal is a complete sensory experience.  Not entirely cerebral, not entirely bestial, but cerebral and bestial at once.  It moves both the mind and body and Arkham Witch have fused some smart literary and musical influences to craft an album that is both thought-provoking and stupid heavy.  You learn something new then you headbang those brain cells away and come back for more.

Highlights include: "David Lund" and "The Cloven Sea"

Rating: 4/5

From: Keighley, West Yorkshire, England

Genre: BNWHM, Heavy Metal, Traditional Doom Metal

Reminds me of: Diamond Head, Ghost Tower, Hour of 13, Lord Vicar, Mercyful Fate, Natur, Witchfinder General

Tracklist
1). David Lund (8:42)
2). At the Mountains of Madness (7:13)
3). Iron Shadows in the Moon (4:00)
4). Infernal Machine (4:31)
5). The Cloven Sea (4:29)
6). On a Horse Called Vengeance (6:05)
7). Gods of Storm and Thunder (5:20)
8). Kult of Kutulu (3:21)
9). Legions of the Deep (6:03)
10). We're From Keighley (4:07)
Total Run Time: 57:28

Release Date: November 9, 2012

Suggested listening activity for fellow non-stoners: Wiping bits of puke out of your beard with your jean jacket sleeve, then flicking those half-digested bits at your buddies / the chicks at the party.

Better Reviews
Thee Claw

GET IT HERE

Their first album was also posted on Bandcamp today. Thank Azathoth, my search is over.  You can find it here

Hour of Power 11/24/12 (playlist)

Highlights from the week of 11/18/12 - 11/24/12

1. Crazy (Sticky Digit / ST) 2012
2. Let It Flow (At Devil Dirt / Chapter II "vulgo gratissimus auctor") 2012
3. Black Night (Deep Purple / Deep Purple In Rock) 1970
4. The Ice Mammoth (Blue Aside / The Moles of a Dying Race) 2012
5. Smoke and Fire (Sun Gods in Exile / Thanks for the Silver) 2012
6. The Assassin's Song (Necronomicon / The Queen of Death) 2012
7. You Don't Love Me (Groundhogs / Scratching the Surface) 1968
8. Cosmonautical Mile (Harvester / The Blind Summit Recordings) 2012
9. The Cloven Sea (Arkham Witch / Legions of the Deep) 2012
10. Horsepuncher (live) (Lord of the Grave / Green Vapour) 2012
11. Huckleberry (live) (Ichabod / Dreamscapes From Dead Space) 2012

Weekly Mailbag for 11/19/12 - 11/23/12

A look at what came in the mail this week with quickie reviews ...

Last week was kind of slow for discovering new music and I kind of over compensated for it on the weekend by catching up on some older stuff that I missed.  Then I found a bunch of new stuff that I had missed and more stuff came in the mail than I had originally anticipated.  So this week I was completely awash in new music.  In addition some labels and bands have started to send me stuff that wasn't even on my radar (which I thank them profusely for) so now I'm pretty backed up.  Then to top it all off, I got flooded with CDs in the mail way later in the week than I would have liked.  Some of these discs I haven't been able to get to yet, so some of the 'reviews' aren't exactly reviews as much as 'notes', but it's been a great week for music here and a great week for Paranoid Hitsophrenic (check out my interview with ICHABOD) ...

Abrahma - Through the Dusty Paths of Our Lives - One of a trio of Small Stone albums that came in all on the same day, discovering this album has been a true pleasure.  The long Vodun suite comprising 8 tracks and some 30 minutes is a mini album within an album and is a real highlight but the non Vodun suite tracks are just as good and stand on their own.  Highlights include "Vodun pt. 2: I, Zombie" and "Big Black Cloud". Rating - 4.5/5

Arkham Witch - Legions of the Deep - I discovered this terrific band on Youtube quite a while ago and spent months trying to track down a copy of their debut album 'On Crom's Mountain'.  Luckily, I no longer needed to do so immediately as news came down they were releasing a brand new album.  I pre-ordered this sucker without hearing a note of it because I had faith in this band and after what felt like forever, it finally arrived in the mail on Monday.  Review to follow.  Highlights include "Infernal Machine" and "On a Horse Called Vengeance". Rating - 4/5

Barclay James Harvest - Their First Album - "Taking Some Time On" was a song I discovered while grasping for some new musical vistas and I decided to check out some prog stuff.  I remember this was at the same time "Electric Worry" was out and those songs were next to each other on a playlist.  This album is wimpy in places but the bonus tracks on this deluxe edition more than make up for any dis-appointment Highlights include "Taking Some Time On" and "Night". Rating - 4/5


Black Label Society - Stronger Than Death - I remember when this one came out.  I heard the song "Counterfeit God" on a 'Brave Words, Bloody Knuckles' compilation and I thought it was a great song.  Fortunately so did a lot of my metalhead friends and so I never really had to buy the CD at the time because it was another of those ones that was just 'around'.  The same went for their first album.  To me they are both classics.

Black Sabbath - ST (Deluxe Expanded Edition) - In Canada, for some reason, we have a really crappy audio quality, 5-track version of the album on CD where certain tracks are stuck together and there's no "Wicked World", so it was high time to upgrade.  So of course I was going to opt for the 2 disc deluxe edition.  Also comes with great liner notes and rare photos which is cool.  For like 10 bucks, how can you go wrong with this set? Highlights include "come on, do I have to tell you" and "seriously, you should really know by now". Rating - 4/5

Blossom Toes - We Are Ever So Clean - Not nearly as heavy or proggy as their next album, Blossom Toes debut is full of progressive and interesting ideas for a typical British psychedelic pop album from the 60s.  It's highly influenced by Sgt Pepper, but it's still quite original.  The album also reveals the band's sense of humor.  I don't think they took themselves too seriously.  Highlights include "When the Alarm Clock Rings" and "I'll be Late for Tea". Rating - 3.5/5


Blue Aside - The Moles of a Dying Race - Heard about this one on the Obelisk, so I checked it out and liked what I heard and ordered the disc.  Just listening to it for the first time as I write this.  Slow, sludgy psychedelia and I like what I'm hearing.  The album comprises 8 tracks, three of which form the title suite and are spread out throughout the disc.  They also do a cover of "Interstellar Overdrive" for a closer!

Blue Cheer - Vincebus Eruptum - A true monster fuzz classic, there are many out there who believe that this is the world's first heavy metal album.  I'm from the 'Sabbath were the first' school, but there's no denying the power and heaviness of Blue Cheer.  I'd say this is more stoner rock than metal, but that's with a great deal of hindsight.  There's a lot of jamming on this album but when they find a groove they find it well. Highlights include "Out of Focus" and "Summertime Blues". Rating - 4/5

Blue Oyster Cult - Tyranny and Mutation - In my possession is an old Return of the Jedi notebook from one of my uncles when they were in high school.  You can tell they were metalheads because there are no class notes taken, but band logos drawn on the inside front cover.  Names like AC/DC, Judas Priest, ZZ Top, etc.  One of the names written was BOC with umlauts over the O.  For the longest time I didn't know what that stood for.  I can't believe it's taken me the better part of 30 years to discover this 70s gem of a band.

Deep Purple - In Rock - My second favorite Deep Purple album, I actually already had this album on CD but there were no bonus tracks so I didn't have the song "Black Night" until now.  "Black Night" is arguably their best song, one of the best songs of the 70s and it's only because of an insane British custom at the time of not including singles on albums that the original album didn't feature the song.  Highlights include "Black Night" and "Into the Fire". Rating - 4.5/5

DSW - Dust Storm Warning -  The first two tracks on this album have become true highlights of the year, especially "Outrun", the opener.  The band is from Italy and vocalist Wolf Lombardi's (one of the great names in stoner rock) English skills aren't very well refined, so some of the funnest times my girlfriend and I had this summer was trying to decipher the lyrics.  The lyrics are printed in the booklet with excellent accompanying artwork.  Man, we were way, way off.  Also came with a fridge magnet! Highlights include "Outrun" and "Space Cubeship". Rating - 4/5


Seremonia - ST - What's great is the liner notes have the lyrics in both Finnish and English, which is something I touched upon in my original review.  This is the kind of album where you have to play it straight through, the individual songs don't always work on a mixed playlist because the band's so unique.  Once again, a great album from a highly original band.  Highlights include "Rock & Roll Maailma" and "Lusiferin Kaarmeet". Rating - 4.5/5


Skanska Mord - Paths to Charon - This has been one of my favorite albums of the year, three solid months and I'm still listening to it.  Each time I listen to this album a different song gets stuck in my head, as only the best albums do.  This will end up as a top 10 or maybe even a top 5 album of the year.  It has definitely been one of my favorite Small Stone releases of the year.  It's just a solid album full of old school rock with terrific hooks. Highlights include "Lord of Space and Time" and "The Ambassadeur". Rating - 4.5/5


Ted Nugent - Original Album Classics (5 album box set) - From the 'why the fuck not?' file, this sucker cost me about 12 bucks for 5 of the Nuge's first 6 albums (for some reason it doesn't have 'State of Shock').  Sure he's a gun toting bigot, but he has other good qualities as well, like the music.  The CDs come in LP replica slipcase covers.  I remember the Scream Dream LP tracked to my uncle's wall next to Maiden and Megadeth. Highlights include "Stranglehold" and "Cat Scratch Fever".


Thin Lizzy - ST - Thin Lizzy was always a mixed bag of big and funky hard rock and Irish folk ballads.  This album's no exception.  There's enough hard rock to keep the casual listener's attention and the ballads are typical of the lyrical depth of Phil Lynott.  I still have the same problem with this band that I've always had, which is that there just may be a few too many ballads. Highlights include "Ray-Gun" and "Return of the Farmer's Son". Rating - 3.5/5


Vanilla Fudge - ST - Unfortunately, I didn't get around to listening to this one this week and I haven't heard it in about 6 or 7 years.  I remember not liking it because it was all cover songs but I wonder what my reaction will be now that I know what to expect.  They took hit songs, heavied them up and slowed them down to a crawl.  Not everyone's cup of meat, but this, along with Blue Cheer, is one of those must have items for the heavy metal historian.  Pretty heavy for 1967.

Wo Fat - The Black Code - Glad to have this one on disc.  This album is closing in on top 25 of the year status and climbing.  Every song is an absolute gem and the lyrics inside the booklet (although hard to read due to contrast) are cool to read to get the overall concept of The Black Code in one easy sitting.  Like the other two Small Stone releases from this week this disc came with a Small Stone sticker. Highlights include "The Shard of Leng" and "Sleep of the Black Lotus". Rating - 5/5


I also got my Steak hat in the mail.  If you haven't heard this terrific band yet, you can find them here.  Word is they've got another EP in the works for 2013.  It came with some stickers and a flyer from their  UK mini-tour with Truckfighters! Dates below:
5th Dec w/Gonga at the Croft, Bristol
6th Dec w/Black Moth at the Cockpit, Leeds
7th Dec w/Desert Storm + Mother Corona at the Bullingdon Arms, Oxford
8th Dec w/Trippy Wicked at the underworld, London (Don't forget the aftershow party at the Black heart w/Black Moth)