Accept contains members of the sludgiest bands from Ohio. So of course Corey Bing (Fistula) is on Drums, with artist Scott Sterns (Ultralord) on guitar and former Hemdale bassist Matt Rositano on Vocals and bass. This is total sludge, tuned lower than any thing with thick molasses chugging, like trying to walk knee deep in maggot covered cadavers, fettidely dripping with puss and vile fluids. Dyer vocals that sound like someone being choked while in a fight. Strained curses and curdled musings of unintelligible insanity. "Kill everyone" is probably the most evil and devastating song that I have heard in a long time. So unabashedly heavy, just ramming down on the open A, with great affects on the vocals and nonsensical high end guitar soloing. After ruffly five minutes, the first change up comes, and builds into this EPIC riff that is more like a melodic funeral dirge that you might hear while processing into the gates of hell with billions and billions of tortured souls trying to escape.This reminds of all the early relapse stuff, what got me into death metal originally. No fancy synths or singing, just heavy. The content of the lyrics and samples is a little questionable, so P.C. be ware, this is true darkness, this is sick at heart. This is death metal from Ohio.
This Dark Reign
INTRONAUT "Void"
The Second full length from L.A.'s very own super math tech crunch metal comprised of uniquely talented and driven musicians. Containing members of Exhumed, Phobia and the amazingly overlooked Anubis Rising. This actually sounds more like Anubis than Intronauts' first release "Null". Employing samples and pounding moments of Napalm Death style heavyness surrounded by melodic high end melodies and repetitious rhythm reminiscent of Godflesh...In other words, if Isis was still good, it might sound similar to this. Not to say that Intronaut is another Isis baby, but you can't deny the influence. This newest record I feel surpases earlier efforts in that it is so on point and precise with a flawless sound quality. This same efficiency is also where I get a little bored with the record as a whole. There is not too much overtly organic, no mistakes, no feedback, like being in a porcelain room, with no windows or doors. Not a speck of mildew, just sterile tech metal without abatement from track one to seven. Altogether, an excellently executed piece of sound. Recommended to be listened to one track at a time for full appreciation.
Good Fellow Records
Overall radness.The third release from these Chi-town skaters/street artist.They apparently like to say "fuck" in allot of their titles. A fine assimilation of every band from Chicago; Elements of Pelican, elements of Sweet Cobra and a touch of Planes Mistaken for Stars (not exactly "from" Chicago, but whatever). At moments heavy with good flow, at other moments the guitars are glaringly sloppy, which normally is a non-offense, yet less than tolerable during clean solos. The recording is stupendous and the drumming is tighter then a texas ticks ass-hole. The most impressive track is entitled "Fucking Temptress" which starts off with an infectious groom riff, then quickly dissipates into some sort of Pelican mutant child. It makes up for itself with a good tribal ending. This band (and record label) has allot of potential and are still really young. Hopefully this is just one step towards discovering a sound and music that is all their own. Bravo to all who made it come together!
Witch Trial
Mouth of the Architecht- "The Ties that Bind
I would not call this a metal band, or a metal record. This is a sonic exploration that takes the players on a journey over soundscapes of multi faceted tonalities and lulling frequencies. Sometimes this can get really heavy, and sometimes it can get really boring. The truly engaging moments, although sparse, really make this a recommendable listen. The vocals leave me dry, although amazing at some points, strenuously monotonous, and with no discernible dynamics when over used. There are allot of moments where your trying to make sense of a change up, as it arcs from heaviness to a more Mogwai/ Sigur Ros type thing, making you wonder if MOTU stands for "Mark of the Unicorn". It almost plays like a movie soundtrack, mysterious and constantly building on itself, and then, Like M Night, takes a twist that you don't expect. Most effectively employed on "Baobab"starting with impressive doom, and then peeking ten minutes latter with this epic cry to some unknown entity. Allot can be read into the methods and moods created by MOTU (not mark of the Unicorn) which deserve a close inspection. I hope they keep developing it...and I hope they get heavier. For now, it is certainly worth rocking out to while you watch the wizard of Oz.
Translation Lost
Chicago based Tripp Doom containing members of the legendary Wicker Man. Like being lulled into infiniti on gently ascending waves of frequencies obtaining extremely pleasant auditory Crescendos. All instrumental, like Pelican meets Kyuss. Utterly professional song writing, effects usage and the recording is top notch. Also, cover art done by street slammer Blutt. Great jamming out to! Recommended listening!!!
BAND SITE
The latest manipulation of sounds and heart from Justin Broderick. Four brand new tracks of spellbinding auditory environments and indulgent riffage, beautiful and heavy. Hundreds of layers, effects and instruments. All created by one man infront of his computer. It is a little lighter than the full length, with allot more synth drum and slightly disco beats. However, cleverly camouflaged under very sludgy guitar and multiple trippy sounds. I am sure this was a very cathartic recording process, probably some of the most heart felt tunes he has written. A little too peachy in the vocals at times, but it is forgivable. Excellent listening.
Hydra Head
Very impressive for a two piece band from L.A. BMX meets outer Space. A strange tip indeed. The inside art features a suburban landscape of cookie cutter houses being controlled by some strange centrifuge. To think all those sounds are from just one guitar. This band is so weird. It reminds me of heroin rock. Heavy hitting drums, with gritty grooves, that get pretty sludged out in "Unravel". Great despondent tones, and good vocals.
Floatation Records