The Trials of Oct. 13, 2017 (Pt.1)

Solar Haze Delivers Debut

The 60’s may have had a purple haze but in 2017, we have a red haze and I’m not talking about global warming! I’m talking about something better and awesome like stoner rockers Solar Haze and their debut self titled album which was released independently.

These ultra groovy dudes can ride the desert and make it melt with “Hammer to the Head.” This song will still give you that boost on badassery and confidence even if you have a giant glob of dog dirt on your shoes or if you have a killer wedgie. The free spirited “Hawk in the Wind” will set you free baby and no dust in the wind can stop you ‘cause the world is your oyster with this one!

“Nefarious Natures & Truth Perceived,” “Stoned to Death” and “Coven” collectively ride out of the sunset and into the night by flirting with doom. There are instances where vocalist Stephen Falla resembles Ozzy Osbourne circa Black Sabbath especially in “Neafarious…” This album gives you the best of both worlds by giving you the orange tinted stoner rock and teases you with some light doom, a great way to entice new audiences. Let Solar Haze consume you and snag their debut album in there bandcamp and wait till you feel it *cough* and give ‘em a like to see how their mystery album artwork will look like!

4 out 6, *cough* I feel it! *cough*            

MYSTERY MEN!!

 ‘Metal Bear Stomp’ Is Fierce

That’s right Siberian Meat Grinder is here to rip your face and melt your ears off with their latest and epically titled Metal Bear Stomp via Rise Sound Records. The 90’s people may have slept till they reached Brooklyn but not us man! SMG’s crossover anthem “No Sleep Till Hell” will make us giddy to warm up by the eternal fire in our eternal slumber! *LAUGHS EVILLY*

“Hunt the Steel” will beat the wimp outta us and will be THE song when we’re crushing our enemies. Once sweet victory is ours, you bet “Walking Tall” will play as we walk away from the explosion and we put on our extra dark sunglasses. Vocalist Siberian Vlad sprinkles some light rap in to the mix in “Ruder Than Thou” and “No Way Back.” The rap adds an extra grittiness to these crossover songs along with Vlad’s raspy and thick vocals.

I know you are probably dying to know how the title track sounds like and let me just tell you it’s just as awesome as it sounds. It is also just as fierce as the commander bear that is dominating the album cover! “Style” sets the catwalk on fire and moshes on its ashes while “Cant Stop Wont Stop” has a nice little black metal riff towards the end.

I can go on and on about this but you just gotta check it for yourselves which I’m sure will have you as hooked as yours truly was! Listen to this feisty beast on Spotify and get your copy here! If you’re really hooked like we are on their crossover goodness, check out the rest of their material in their bandcamp.

6 out 6, Everybody’s doing the ‘Metal Bear Stomp’!

Exhumed Put the ‘Death’ Metal in ‘Death Revenge’

Exhumed welcomes us in to their horror show titled Death Revenge via Relapse Records. The legendary death metallers are hungry for blood and metal and so are we! Well actually just metal and they delivered. Exhumed starts this show with the instrumental intro that Michael Meyers would adopt as his new theme song, Matt Harvey soon takes over and lets that intro riff loose, and is soon followed by drummer Mike Hamilton and the rest of the band. That’s right they jump right in to the death metal extravaganza.     

“Night Work” has never been so good especially if it means we get another sweet riff from Harvey. “The Harrowing,” “A Funeral Party,” and “Unspeakable” are sure to get your blood flowing especially when you’re pumpin’ iron at the gym or running after the bus.  “The Anatomy Act of 1832” is a great instrumental track in this American horror story.

Exhumed do something different this time around and set the mood and pique our interest with the theatrical interludes and intros. That’s right, they don’t give up that sweet death metal right then and there, they make us salivate and work for it and hot damn we love it! I do love the horror flick vibe they are going for in this album and did I mention I like the concept? No? Well I really like it! And I’m sure you will too. You can listen to Death Revenge on Spotify and you can get you copy here. If you are a fellow San Diegan, snag your tix for their Nov. 15 in our city.

6 Out 6, Sweet Revenge

Nachtblut Will Convert You With Latest

Get ready to unleash the inner goth in you, metalhead! You will not resist especially after you believe in Nachtblut’s latest album Apostasie which was released to the masses via Napalm Records. The German quintet spread the love with the grim “Multikulturell” which has several little riffs and hooks from guitarist Greif that will tease you in to the rest of the album.

“Scheinfromm” will blow the lid off your skepticism that “goth” music is not your “thing.” Why?! You ask with venomous doubt! Because this “goth” track has that feisty attitude you like so much. A tune my industrial heads (?) will enjoy a little bit more is “Geboren um zu Leben” because it has more of that fun electronic element present which make you violently dance, the J-Ohster can already picture the awesome remixes on this one! And if you’re not feelin’ rowdy “Einsam” will soothe the beast inside you.

The edgier tracks that staunch metalheads will enjoy a little more is “Der Tod Ist Meine Nutte” which has another great intro riff, and “Wat Is Denn Los Mit Dir.” Apostasie is hellbent on making you believe in Nachtblut, no hypnosis needed! You see what I did there? I made a shitty vamp joke! …everyone’s a critic. Get you copy here and see if you are ready to follow Nachtblut.

5 out 6, You’ll believe!

Sicarius Create A Wicked ‘Serenade’ In Debut

For those of you that keep up with our shenanigans and read our latest edition of First Impressions, you probably have an idea who Sicarius is. The debut full length album from Sicarius is finally here and they are taking no prisoners in Serenade of Slitting Throats which was releases via M-Theory Audio Records.

These expert assassins sneak in and lure you in to a sweet melodic trap with their instrumental intro before plunging a black metal dagger into your ears with “Ferox Impetum.” Still want more unforgiving black metal eh? “Forceful Bleed” is the one for you! This track is sure to make your ears and butthole bleed! But in a good way that is. Sicarius will waste no time and pounce on you once again in this track to prepare you for the grand finale.

The title track “Serenade of Slitting Throats” and “Torture Trials” takes things down a notch but all in the spirit of fueling the antagonistic character of this album. These songs allow you to inhale and process Sicarius’s musical talent. That’s right you can swivel around Kurt Karcass’s thick borderline growling vocals.

Sicarius have risen out of the shadows with their daggers held high and have stepped into the spotlight with this strong debut album. For those that have not checked these guys out, man, you are in for a treat. After submerging yourself in to this bloody Serenade, rest assured you too will be joining the order of Sicarius. Join the Serenade and get your copy here, and see how you feel about these black metal assassins we just can’t stfu about!

6 Out 6, We raise our daggers high

The Trials of October 6, 2017 (Part 2)

Fireball Ministry Want You To Remember That They’re Back

The stoner rock quartet known as Fireball Ministry has returned and came back with their 5^th album to date. Remember The Story, released through Cleopatra Records, will have you remembering why this band gained some traction from the beginning.

The album, unsurprisingly, starts off mellow with “End Of Our Truth.” Soon after the band picks up the pace a bit with “Everything You Wanted”  and feature more of a hard rock influence than that of the stoner variety. “Back On Earth,” on the other hand, speed things up some more and features some really cool guitar solos and James Rota II’s signature harmonic vocals.

“The Answer” features some good ol’ fashioned stoner rock and has  all the members showcasing themselves. Most notably, bassist Scott Reeder has a brief solo, and drummer John Oreshnick accompanying him with his own bass drum kicks. The same could be said about “Remember The Story” minus the bass solo by instead featuring a guitar solo. “Stop Talking” actually does as it implies and has the band give you full blown stoner hard rock instrumental with some heavy distorted bass and guitars. “Weaver’s Dawn” introduces some more harmony to the mix in terms of vocalization and composition and also features some psychedelic influences.

This album caps off with a tribute to St. Lemmy by covering “I Don’t Believe A Word.” The Klown had never heard another rendition of this song till that moment and he’s got to say that it was rather unique and enjoyable. Rota’s touch adds more pain to the song and makes it rather significant which is accompanied by Reeder’s bass and also features guitarist Emily Burton chiming in with her vocals in an ongoing chorus towards the end of the song.

This album was pretty good and if you huge of the Ministry the wait is over. The Klown enjoyed this album but not much stood out beside the Motorhead cover. You can check this album at the label’s Bandcamp and hear some for yourself.

5 out of 6, You Can Still Get Blazed to This Album

You can totally blaze to this

Necromante Will Mystify You with Debut

The Klown recently stumbled upon this nugget and just felt intrigued to give it a listen and spread the word of their existence. Necromante is a black metal trio from the land of the Cavaleras and Samba have released their first studio LP The Magikal Presence of Occult Forces through Machado Fantasma Records in collaboration with Iron Bonehead Productions.

Anyway, the album starts off with Arquimedes “Arquimedes666” Araújo playing the transverse flute to make a rather ominous and suspenseful mood with “In the Wings of the Dark Mother (pt. 1) and it is immediately followed by “Secret Eye.” When the Klown first heard “Secret Eye,” he thought he may have been listening to an old, secret Sepultura song during their death metal phase.

“Nekrokosmic Pentagram” take it a bit further and feature some length and black metal reminiscent to that of an early Celtic Frost. The Klown really took a liking to “Occult Cult” not only did it bring speed into the mix but it really featured Macabro Oculto’s drumming and Gustavo “GC Reaper” Coveiro’s heavy bass for some foundation.

“A’arab Zaraq” in the opening play a bit of a tribute to the sounds of Black Sabbath and proceed to pick up the pace soon after. “Prelude to Movement” feature Arquimedes adding some acoustic guitar as a catalyst for the rest of the song and has the song pass over to “Baphomet Movement” which is best described as a blackened speed metal track.

The album is capped off with outro “Enuma Elish” which was a rather soothing, faded acoustic guitar play that felt like the perfect cherry on top. Although this band is a black metal band, they featured quite a bit of death metal influence most notably that of old Sepultura and Death. On that note, this album was still heavily ingrained with black metal influences and even featured a bit of a curveball like the addition of flutes and acoustic.

Nevertheless, the Klown enjoyed this album more than he thought and would incredibly recommend you listening to them if you like black metal and early death metal. If you are looking of the cassette of this release all you have to do is email Machado Fantasma Records. Otherwise, for the contemporaries, you can acquire it here.

6 out of 6, Ready for the Next Ritual

so kvlt they even made cassette tapes

Marylin Manson Will Give You a Dose of Industrial Heaven

If you were to bring up Marilyn Manson to casual fans, you’d expect a mixed reaction. To other metalheads who grew up around his music or have listened over the years, they’d probably say that he has lost his touch over the years. Whether you care to admit it or not, you knew you were looking forward to Manson’s tenth album Heaven Upside Down which was released through Loma Vista Recordings and Caroline International.

The album begins with some Industrial with “Revelation #12” and continues on in the same fashion with “Tattooed In Reverse” and “Je$u$ Cri$i$” which actually sounds like the Manson from  Antichrist Superstar.  “We Know Where You F’ing Live” and “Say10” has the bit of censorship from the Klown and felt like a revisit of Mechanical Animals sounds.

“Kill4Me” was rather unique and features Manson sporting electronic dance influences with some funk with the added bonus of it being a dark ballad. “Saturnalia” features more of a mellowed out Manson by keeping closely reminiscent to some songs to that of Portrait of an American Family.The album finishes the album with some more of a goth rock with both “Heaven Upside Down” and “Threats of Romance.” The latter  features Blues rock influences and has a nice but the brief guitar solo.

This album feels like a comeback for Manson and seems to have rediscovered his iconic sounds that most fans are akin to with some new influence. In a way, Manson reinvented himself through rediscovering some of his old material. The Klown would recommend this album if you fancy yourself a diehard Manson fan or actually enjoy industrial. You can get your copy here and hear for yourself what the Klown is writing about.

6 out of 6 Brian Warner has Done It!

Still as Satanic as Dumb Parents Think

August Burns Red Release a New Anthem for the Fans

The metalcore band known as August Burns Red has returned with their eighth installment titled Phantom Anthem through Fearless Records. The album starts off strong with “King Sorrow” which can be described as a plethora of rage and speed. It begins with muffled opening riffs from John Benjamin Brubaker and it is immediately accompanied by Jake Luhrs harsh vocals and the rest of the band which is later met by Brubaker’s solo.

“The Frost” features a lot of guitar play from Brubaker and Brett Rambler. “Lifeline” has Luhrs show more of an angry side than his preceding tracks and has Brubaker and Rambler’s guitar play even more as well as a solo from Brubaker. The same can also be said about “Invisible Enemy,” “Quake” and “Dangerous.”

ABR stick to metalcore with “Hero of the Half Truth,” “Coordinates” and “Generations.” The album ends with “Carbon Copy” which is nearly close to how it began with the difference being that it was more metalcore but somewhat aggressive with some sweet solos from Brubaker.

It has been awhile since the Klown has heard anything August Burns Red and he was a bit more impressed with this album than he originally anticipated. In fact, this feels like a good comeback for the band. Check this album about to either deny or take the Klown word on this. Either way, it’s just one opinion and can get here.

6 out of 6, Apparently Burns All the Way to October

Apparently, burning all the way to our Octobers

The Trials of October 14

Darkthrone Has Released Their 16th in 2016

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, Norwegian Councilman Gylve Nagell who is fondly known as Fenriz, has resurrected his legendary band Darkthrone. The councilman along with the other half of this awesome duo, Ted “Nocturno Oculto” Skjellum, have joined forces to release Arctic Tundra. While Metallica released their, widely popular single “Hardwire,” the Klown along with a handful of metal heads indulged in the release of “Tundra Leech.” This album has not disappointed me one bit. In fact, it has brought the spirit of early Norwegian Black Metal back! Fenriz and Nocturno were sure to stay on course and invoke the signature sound they have created with Darkthrone, but expect some punk overtones blended into some of the tracks. Unlike most politicians, Fenriz has stayed trve to his word and has produced more metal for the masses as promised. Die hard kvlts, Norwegian Black Metal enthusiasts and Darkthrone fans are going to really love this album

6 out of 6,  Fenriz for Norwegian Prime Minister!

Guess who’s back, back again? Darkthrone’s back tell a friend!

 

The Dillinger Escape Plan Depart With their Sixth and Final Act

It was on August 5 when Ben Weinmann, the lead guitarist and the only original member of the Dillinger Escape Plan, did an interview with the music website Noisey, he announced that DEP would be taking a bow. About a month later, vocalist Greg Puciato confirmed to Metal Hammer magazine that the band was going to break up. The amicable disbandment sent shockwaves within the metal world because the band had still planned on releasing the appropriately titled album Dissociation. Right from the start, their first single and first track “Limerent Death,” was rightfully chosen to carry the banner as a reminder that DEP still has plenty of energy to give despite their imminent end. The second track and current single, “Symptom of a Terminal Illness” is deep and neurotic but melodic. “Dissociation” is a ballad and serves as a reminder of the band’s dissolve and leaves you feeling the feels. It was also the first time the Klown realized what a great singing voice Puciato has. This album has left the band with an impressive legacy to tip a feather in their caps.

5 out of 6, The Escape was Successful Just Like John Dillinger Planned

Dillinger Escape Plan take with “Dissociation”

 

Red Fangs Goes to the ‘Great Beyond’

The hard stoner rock quartet from Portland have resurrected a new album from their three year hiatus, titled Only Ghosts. The track “No Air” is a great song with a bit more metal than the hard stoner rock M.O. whereas “Shadows” bring forth a much needed and fresher sound to Red Fang. “Not For You” brings back the bands signature melodic stoner sound but adds a touch of the heavy hard rock guitar riffs. Whether you are a true fan of the Fang or just hankering for some more Queens of the Stone Age, this album definitely will suffice that itch. This album is a great comeback from the Portlanders.

 6 out of 6 This album is not just for ghosts.

These stoner rockers have us seeing “Only Ghosts”

 

Wormrot Will Have You Hearing ‘Voices’

Singaporean grindcore titans, Wormrot have released their third album after four long years. The new album titled Voices is pure 100% adrenaline and speed. “Oblivious Mess” and “Fallen to Disuse” are some of the most testosterone filled tracks. “1^st World Syndrome” have more of a speed death metal twist than grindcore whereas “Forced Siege” captured the spirit of grindcore and was full blown and in your face. The Singaporean trio has taken a page off of Nails, and the legendary grindcore band Anal Cunt by pumping out numerous short but high quality tracks. The album provides pure speed, adrenaline and powerful growling vocals. This is definitely an album worth listening to, especially if you’re a real Wormrot fan or love the shit out of grindcore.

6 out of 6 You’ll definitely going to be hearing voices

That cover and album will leave you hearing “Voices”