The Trials of Nov.17, 2017

Godflesh Strip Down In  ‘Post Self’

Godflesh’s  Post Self  (Avalanche Records) is ready to take you to a deeper and darker extremity. Don’t bother with those flashlights! We don’t need ‘em where we’re going. The album starts off with the ambient single “Post Self” which is a great start in this Lynchian album. Oh yes, I think I will be using the term “Lynchian,” a lot and not just here but in other stuff and its valid ‘cause it’s in the world renowned J-Ohster Dictionary.

Like I mentioned earlier, “Mirror Of Finite Light” is a great build up and ambient AF. This track serves as a great precursor to the subtly cinematic and instrumental tracks in this album such as “Be God,” and “Mortality Sorrow.” “Parasite,” shows us its slimy little fangs and is ready to drag us in to the creepy looking lab where this evil morsel fled from with “No Body.” In the tracks I just mentioned, Justin K. Broderick shows us just how guttural his growls can get!

Bassist/ programmer G.C. Green continues to adds the right amount of suspense with his mixing board and adds an extra heaviness with his bass. This suspenseful album is filled with more mystery, instrumentals and dread than the previous album. This is a psychological thriller we all want to star in! Get your copy here and you can listen to the whole album in Spotify.

6 out of 6, Thrilling

Coraxo Burns Brightly With ‘Sol’ 

Finland shows that Gothenburg isn’t the only place that can make great melodic death metal just take a look at Coraxo. The duo gives us plenty of light with their sophomore album Sol via Snow Wave Records where they add drops of different elements.

The album starts strongly with “Of Stars Reborn” where Finnish saxophonist Ilkka Ferm lends his skills, which not only blends in wonderfully with this track but it also enhances the dramatic element in this song.  “Helios” will make you do a double take and wonder if you’re listening to a Dark Tranquility track, wait till you hear the nice breakdown from guitarist/vocalist/programmer Tomi Toivonen. The aggression level is cranked up in “Sacrifices Made” where Toivonen busts out a thicker growl that blends in great with his riffs and Ville Vistbacka’s drumming.

Coraxo produced a strong album that is sure to keep you replaying this album. With each time you hit that “play” button, you will find a new song to love and dive deeper into their storytelling. You can check out the album in their Bandcamp and buy it there too!

6 out 6, Shines brighter than a diamond

Electric Wizard Have A ‘Bloody’ Good Album

Electric Wizard wants to paralyze you with their latest bloody good offering titled Wizard Bloody Wizard via Spinefarm Records. Even though doom season (AKA October) left us too soon, it doesn’t mean we can’t sprinkle a little bit of doominess to this season of awkward family gatherings!

“Necromania” bares a devious little smirk that is sure to set the fire in your loins on fire, hell any hippy sex cult would approve. You WILL “Hear The Sirens Scream” because the catchy and contagious riffs will have the power to lure any unsuspecting listener in to the arms of Electric Wizard. The quartet cranked up the doom in the last songs such as “Wicked Caresses” and “The Reaper.”

The very last track of this album “Mourning Of The Magicians” is fit for any badass funeral procession. I got to say this final 11 minute track is my favorite song of this album not just because Jus Oborn gave us a badass and empowering chorus “I’ll see you in hell,” but because it the band showcases their talent. YOU HAVE TO LISTEN TO IT! This album is dripping with a good amount of doom to keep you coming back for more. You can listen to the whole album on Spotify and get your copy here.

5 Out 6, Bloody Good!

**Uh Oh! The Klown has thrown in his two cents on…**

Cavalera Conspiracy Give Fans Reason with Latest

For those that are like the Klown and worship the ground Max Cavalera stands and walk on, then this is one of the best news this year. The Klown had the chance to see Roots be played in its entirety with the current Cavalera Conspiracy lineup, then the ever benevolent god that Max is would announce a new Cavalera Conspiracy album.

Flash forward to now and the release of Psychosis through Napalm Records finally arrived. Immediately, the album opens powerfully with “Insane” which gives you a full dose of fast-paced groove/thrash metal. Also worth noting that this album had a wide array of special guest starting with Mixhell ,which is the stage name of Max’s son Iggor, and Laima Leyton who worked on its intro. “Terror Tactics” feature a bit of Industrial influences mixed with the groove and thrash sounds that Max is known to have and includes an awesome solo by Marc Rizzo.

“Spectral War” has a lot more Industrial influences in the beginning and in between thanks to the programming and synths applied by Dominick Fernow of Vatican Shadow. Fernow would once again make a reappearance with “Hellfire” and “Excruciating.”  “Hellfire” was completely Industrial like Nailbomb and also featured Godflesh’s Justin Broadrick, while “Excruciating” featured guest vocals from Liquid Metal’s DJ Jose Mangin, and “Crom” was like “Terror Tactics” but with guest vocals from Jason Tarpey and Roki Abdelaziz.

“Judas Pariah” featured some ambient, hard groove and Christian Cavalera on the hurdy-gurdy. The Klown assures you that it’s an actual musical instrument with a funny sounding name. Meanwhile “Psychosis” just gives you a song that is nothing but instrumentals of the groove and thrash variety. If you haven’t caught on, the Klown nearly talked about the whole album. Although the previous was quiet and felt lackluster to a lot, this album will immediately remind everyone that even the best have bad days. You can get this album at the Cavalera’s Bandcamp.

6 out of 6, The Cavalera’s are Back!

The Trials of May 19

Note: ICYMI, it was Ugh Metal’s birthday… 2 days ago, as of this writing! Where are our presents!? The Klown demands many presents! But he will settle with a new keg filled with good beer and metal… not literal metal… and in the keg. On a serious note though, a wholehearted thank you for keeping up with us! If this is your first time checking us out or have recently kept up with us, a wholehearted thanks to you too.

On a very serious note, the Klown would also like to send out his condolences to the victims in the Manchester attacks on May 22. The Klown knows that words cannot describe what the survivors are going through or are feeling. Let’s unite through music and arts and flip the bird to those who threaten to kill our vibes.

 

Oceano Reveal Latest Album

The deathcore quartet known as Oceano has released its fifth album Revelation through Sumerian Records. The group starts off rather intense and feature a bit of ambient undertones with “Dark Prophecy” and “The Great Tribulation.” “Illusions Unravel” features front man Adam Warren dishing an array of harsh and growling vocals for some added intensity. “Final Form” has Warren take a backseat for the rest of the shine bright with their instruments. “Human Harvest” features the intensity Oceano is known but experiment slightly by incorporating some electronic ambient sounds and some synths. “Revelation” closes the album with ambience courtesy of the synths which serve as a foundation to the track.

Unfortunately, nothing really sticks out in this album. The Klown felt like he was listening to a continuation of the previous album Ascendants. This album is not only made for the diehard Oceano fans but also of the Klown’s naysayers. You can also check this album out on the band’s bandcamp.

2 out of 6, Not much of a Revelation 

Loss Reaches For The Stars With ‘Horizonless’

The Nashville quartet known as Loss have released their sophomore album titled Horizonless through Profound Lore Records. “The Joy of All Who Sorrow” gives the expression “sorry for your loss” a sound and adds a voice to the anger stage of grief which is emphasized by the dark melodic blend of funeral doom that this group is known for. Aside from the tone Loss sets up with the guitar on the slow paced songs, front man/guitarist Mike Meacham shows off his groggy-like growling to enhance the moods with the help of the John Anderson’s heavy bass plucking to make this 10 minute-plus song rather strong.

“All Grows On Tears” really feels and sounds like it was made for a metalhead’s funeral. “Naught” was slow and heavy and felt like an ambient song that ends on a climatic note much like a scary movie if Meachem’s vocals were removed. On that note, Meachem’s interchanging deep growls with screaming vocals feel reminiscent to that of a mourner crying with rage. “The End Steps Forward,” although an intro, it features the band’s incorporation of a pipe organ and sets the tone for a wake and serves as a perfect catalyst to “Horizonless.” The titular song sets the mood for a very dark wake or Disney’s Haunted Mansion if they decided to really scares peeps and have them feel anguish.

The album finishes on “When Death Is All” which features Leviathan’s Jef “Wrest” Whitehead, Dark Castle’s Stevie Floyd and Solodolor’s Billy Anderson which makes you feel the way one would at a wake during the reunion portion of it. The song also closes on a doom metal note but of the atmospheric variety along with Meachem’s faded growling vocals. The Klown doesn’t always indulge in funeral doom metal but the Klown did quite enjoy this album. You can check this bad boy out in the label’s bandcamp.

5 out of 6, It’s to Die For

The Night Flight Orchestra Take Off Beyond the Stars with Latest

Björn “Speed” Strid, the voice of Soilwork, has managed to make his way back to Ugh Metal’s domain but this time with his side project The Night Flight Orchestra. The Orchestra has released their third album Amber Galactic through Nuclear Blast Records. If you’ve never heard of this side project allow the Klown to state that it was rather refreshing to hear a new side of Strid. This album starts off with “Midnight Flyer” to set the course back in time when rock was a bit funky fresh and upbeat and features a sweet guitar solo from David Andersson and an impressive keyboard solo from Sharlee D’Angelo. The Klown took an immediately liking to “Star of Rio” because not only did it follow the same formula as the previous song, but it was also harmonious. The track included bongos and tambourine to add more beat and rhythm and a backing chorus.

“Gemini” sounded like a recreation of Paul Engemman’s infamous “Scarface (Push It to the Limit)” song in the sense of it being iconic if it were used in a movie back in the 80’s or 70’s. Still itchin’ for a Boston, Grand Funk Railroad or a Molly Hatchet reunion? “Sad State of Affairs” is a good and crisp incarnation of those greats. “Jennie” and “Josephine” are not only songs for the ladies but feel like they belong in an 80’s movie love montage.  Love The Who’s “Eminence Front?” the track “Domino” does a great job mimicking that but also shows a clear influence on said song. The Klown could go on about this nostalgia train but he won’t because he’ll just end up talking about the entire album. Take his word for it! It is a great album especially if you grew up with the classics or if you enjoy the classics.

6 out of 6, It’s Out of this World!

DragonForce Continue to be Boundless with Latest

The British power metal powerhouse known as DragonForce has discharged their seventh album Reaching into Inifinity through the fires and flames (get it?!) and Metal Blade Records. Allow the Klown to state that he was rather impressed with this album. The band starts by dishing out their brand of power metal with “Ashes of the Dawn,” “March Madness” and “Land of Shattered Dreams.” However, by “Judgment Day” the sextet incorporate some electronic sounds and rhythm which have Herman Li and Sam Totman give you their signature one-two guitar solos. “Curse of Darkness” gives some speed and vigor to the already metal epic and just like the previous track, it features the signature Li and Totman guitar solos. “Silence” is the power ballad that DF dishes out for the epic fair ladies and the gents who put the gentle in gentlemen.

“WAR!” has frontman Marc Hudson on the angry side interchanging his clean power metal vocals to thrashy and almost resembles Kreator’s Miland “Mille” Petrozza. “The Edge of the World” is not only DragonForce’s longest song but it’s also mighty impressive in the way that it leaves the listener guessing. At first, the song starts rather slow and feels like a power metal narrative.

By the middle of the song, it not only slows down but it also features an intimate solo from Li which are accompanied by Totman’s rhythm. It then immediately picks up and features Hudson busting out harsh screams and an extreme metal approach, finishing the way the song began. Lastly, it is worth noting that if you went out to get the special edition of this album, you will be treated to two extra songs “Hatred and Revenge” and a cover of Death’s “Evil Dead.”

6 out of 6, This Album Knows No Limits

*Honorable Mention:

Jenny Oh will throw in her 2 cents! There goes her life savings.

The Nightstalker Will Show You A Beautiful Side of ‘Hell’

The side project of frontman/bassist of Belgian black metal band Sercati, Steve “Serpent” Fabry, celebrated the first day of 2017 a different way. Fabry released the fourth album for his solo project The Nightstalker titled A Journey In Hell via Wolfshade Records. The Nighstalker is not only the central character for the concept behind Sercati, but this album serves as a soundtrack to Fabry’s 2015 audio book about this character titled Le Journal Du Nightstalker (Nightstalker’s Journal). A Journey… is more melodic and ambient and fit for an epically gothic journey.

You will know you are the chosen one when you hear the first piano keys from “The Departure” slink out of your speakers and will make you feel the anguish the Nighstalker feels. The magickal journey continues with the dominantly acoustic “The Children of The Devil” which can lure you to the darkest corner of hell with the soothing melody. Once you’re there, The Nighstalker will slowly flash his fangs in “Like I Already Know This Foe,” the fusion between the electric and acoustic riffs, and organ pipe will remind goth rock fans of Czech goth rockers XIII. Století.

Just like most stories, this album entices you with a soft opening and builds up to the climactic battle with “The Plain of the Warriors” all the way through “The Library.” The last four tracks starting with “I Found Her” (I’m not crying, you’re crying…*sniff*) the story winds down with these tracks that will stir your black little heart and will prepare you for the next chapter. For those that enjoy a good and elaborate story laced with goth and ambient elements, this is for you. Check out the full album in Wolfshade Records’s Bandcamp and see how you feel about it and check out the short film about the mysterious Nightstalker right here.

 

The Trials of February 10

Note: Love is in the air… and so are the Klown’s gases! Don’t worry though yours truly gots you covered! Just saying, although the ladies…and some gents of the feminine quality may still prefer a romantic and intimate moment, why not include the gift of our beloved genre in the form of a new release. Let’s face it metal can ironically provide an intimate soundtrack for you both. Most important, it’s a helluva a lot cheaper than any jewelry you could ever buy!

Dead Witches Debut Will Haunt Your Ears

Take that statement as you will but at least read what the Klown has to say. Dead Witches is the brand new brain child of former Electric Wizard skinsman, Mark Greening. On that note if you are a big fan of Electric Wizard, good news because it also happens to be stoner/doom metal! The quartet has released their long awaited debut album Ouija through Heavy Psych Sounds Records. If you really want more doom than stoner “Dead” and “A World of Darkness” is your sure bet. The Klown will say this, “Mind Funeral” was a really good track and really felt like a re-mastered Pentagram track if a female vocalist had filled in for legendary front man Bobby Liebling. Though this album was short, it wasn’t bad. But alas, not only was this not the Klown’s flask of Bourbon, he just wasn’t feeling this album as much. However, it is definitely a great album for Pentagram, King Woman and Black Sabbath fans.

3 out of 6, D-O-O-M for Your Ears!

Do you dare play with the Dead Witches “Ouija”?

Kassad Debuts First Studio Album

The one man black metal project known as Kassad is currently unsigned and independent AND managed to release this album! At first with a name like Kassad, the Klown expected Middle Eastern influences to go along with the sounds of black metal. The Klown was initially expecting Kassad to have Middle Eastern elements to his metal much like the Mesopotamian Black Metallers Melechesh, however, he stuck to the Norwegian Black metal sound. Right from the start “Shame” and “Pariah” bring the noise for some intense and awesome black metal reminiscent to that of Darkthrone. “Madness” and “Broken” gives you some black metal of the Norwegian variety during its infancy reminiscent to that of the up and coming Swedish black metal band Dark Funeral. The rest of the album is rather ambient which kind of provides a bit of a buffer to settle you down, like after a big meal and you get that good ol’ bowl of mint ice cream at the end…which is rather nice. This debut will leave you looking forward to a new album in the future than leave you clamoring for more like some rabid metal head. The Klown highly recommends this to all who are kvlt and those who love Dark Funeral, Darkthrone and Tsjuder. Check out his studio debut album Faces Turn Away through bandcamp or his website.

5 out of 6, This Album can Also Turn Heads Forward

Kassad’s debut will experience the opposite of “Faces Turn Away”

Mors Principium Est Will Set The World Afire

The Finnish quartet with the French name, have returned after a three year hiatus. This sixth new installment Embers of a Dying World has come out through AFM Records. This album has some folk influence which made this album pretty bitchin’. “Reclaim the Sun” will immediately induce massive headbanging and sounds like an epic version of Children of Bodom if Alexi Laiho had harsher vocals which can be best heard in the track “Masquerade.” “Into The Dark,” on the other hand, lived up to its name and added that signature Dimmu Borgir orchestration to their sound before venturing in to Ensiferum and Wintersun- like epicness. “Death is the Beginning” gives a brand new twist to the brand of melodic death metal that the Klown has mostly heard through Mayan. “Death…” fuses female vocals courtesy of Christina Marie with the harsh death metal vocals from front manVille Viljannen, creating  an array classical strings, pianos and tops it with a killer solo from the lead guitarist, Andy Gillion. “The Ghost” makes a great follow up to “Death…” as it plays and continues off of it. The Klown could go on about this album but he’d much rather you listen to it. No joke, this album was that great.

6 out of 6, The Embers Turned to a Widespread Fire 

Mors Principium Est make a strong return with “Embers of a Dying World “

Nidingr Latest Album is on Fire!

The Norwegian black metal quartet known as Nidingr have released their fourth studio album, The High Heat Licks Against Heaven through Season of Mist Records. Allow the Klown to let you know that hearing is believing and he understand why this album was brought up to his attention. Hearing “Surtur,” “Dead Body Shore” and “Valkyries Assemble” sent the Klown on a kvlt high. Need a better description? Nidingr sounds much like Melodic Black Metallers Keep of Kalessin, yes, they sounded that similar! “Soltaker,” on the other hand, turned blacker and  reminded the Klown a bit of Mayhem. The Klown is most likely still on that black metal high from the De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas tour (stay tuned). Another great fact about this album is that it features guest backing vocals from Thor “Destructhor” Myhren from Norwegian black metal band Myrskog and Krystoffer Rygg from Ulver. “Naglfar Is Loosed” features the kvltest dame of Denmark Amelie Bruun from Myrkur, where she lends her ghastly and angelic vocals for a very harmonious chorus. Think the Klown’s exaggerating? Check them out!

6 out of 6, This Album is White Hot

Nidingr’s latest is lit!

Overkill Keep Grinding the Thrash Wheel

Overkill. Nuff said. Okay… the Klown shall continue because he wants to not because he has to. If you’re a metal head, especially if you are a thrasher, then Overkill will immediately ring a bell. The legendary thrash quintet from Jersey has released their 18^th studio album, The Grinding Wheel through Nuclear Blast Records. “Mean, Green, Killing Machine” is a great opener for the album, however, “Goddamn Trouble” will get you really hooked and invested in the album. “Our Finest Hour” and “Come Heavy” will give you classic Overkill right off the bat. “The Long Road” sounds like it would have been an anthem during the height of Thrash, not to say that it still doesn’t have the potential to be. “Let’s All Go to Hades” is a great track and is a metal party song. Want a new U.S. national anthem? Overkill has managed to make us a brand new one with the song “Red White and Blue.” Taking a page from Metallica, Overkill joined the over 7 minute thrash song club with “The Grinding Wheel.” This album was a good comeback from the one of the legends of thrash metal.

5 out of 6 The Wheels Will Keep on Grindin’

OVERKILL!!!

The ‘Pentagram’ Rises at Brick By Brick

Bobby Liebling of Pentagram can’t believe it’s not butter!

Doom metal pioneers Pentagram raised some good ol’ hell in San Diego. The Virginia based band effortlessly conjured up a wild reception not only because of their legendary status, but also frontman Bobby Liebling was quite a spectacle in and of itself.

Before Pentagram took over with their hellish wonder, however, the ladies of King Woman and Wax Idols warmed up the night by working their deliciously doomy charm. The San Francisco doom band, King Woman had audiences fixated on front woman Kristina Esfandiari.

KWEEN of King Woman Kristina Esfandiari’s voice will shake your core.

Esfandiari along with her three counterparts not only had a magnetic hold because of her poise, but also had audiences on the edge of their figurative seats with their excellent build ups. “Burn” was a perfect embodiment showcasing their specialty which starts with a slow and subtle anguish before exploding into a sulky supernova.

King Woman may have brought soul to doom but to balance out the atmosphere, Wax Idols infected audiences with their dynamic charisma. Front woman Hether Fortune possessed an energy that was off the charts which escalated with the reinvented new wave melodies they played.

Hether Fortune and Peter Lightning of Wax Idols bring us a Neue New Wave.

An edgier breed of New wave unfolded onstage, which was intensified by Fortune’s sultry vocals and her natural swagger. The tragic song “Deborah” and the melancholic but empowering “I’m Not Going,” casted an aura of a fascinating noir softening any hardboiled individual.

Pentagram did not need an introduction and sent fans into a frenzy when the flamboyant and elderly Liebling waited by the side of the stage. After removing his shiny star-shaped sunglasses, the singer’s silver vinyl pants and bright yellow top shimmered amidst the faux fog, displaying the embodiment of the old rock n’ roll era.

Bobby Liebling of Pentagram and dem pants!

The band kicked off with “Death Row” and played several other songs off their first album “Relentless,” which debuted over 30 years ago. The packed venue blew these seasoned performers away as fans within the beer soaked crowd clamored to get close to Liebling throughout the show especially when the aged rock star unleashed “Sign of the Wolf (Pentagram).”

Along with their original hits, the band sprinkled in some of their recent songs from their latest album “Curious Volume,” which is also a track they performed along with “Dead Bury Dead” and “Devil’s Playground” to name a few. Liebling’s signature piercing and bulging gaze was part of the package deal on this show’s agenda.

Though Liebling was a one man show with his colorfully perverse movements and gestures, guitarist Victor Griffin shined and certainly didn’t play second fiddle. Griffin was a wonder when he released his memorable guitar solos, making the super drunk chick next to another drunk chick that was taking a butt load of pictures (not me…) lose her mind, lunging herself into the intoxicated sea of hands.

Bobby Liebling and guitarist Victor Griffin of Pentagram fuel the drunken crowd with energy.

Whether it was the unholy spirit possessing drunk chick’s bodies or just the power of old school doom, it was a lesson to all that one is never too old to rock. Like all life lessons, however, it raised important and crucial questions as well such as, where did Liebling snag those silver pants and star-shaped sunglasses? Just asking for a friend.