Traipsing into Fresh Audio Waters
aka Lost in 22
(Part the Third)
Welcome back my extreme audio loving brethren. While Cult is off taking his sweet ass time exploring and dropping a myriad of ponderances upon a Top 50 List, I thought I’d take charge and wrap my malformed appendages around the reins.
There’s little arguing that 22′ was an insane year for the (extreme audio) genre, with so many releases dropped week after week that it’s, admittedly, a damn chore trying to keep abreast of it all. Unless of course you have the kind of ungodly dedication which Kman (the new age Metal Messiah from down under) sports on a seemingly tireless day to day basis. Following a moment or two spend sifting through the years various Abrasive Audio (Extreme Audio Metal Review) entries it dawned on me that there are a great many intriguing offerings which remain largely unexplored (for there’s truly not enough minutes in the day).
So, being the generous chap that I am I thought what better time than now to obliterate this unfortunate state of affairs.
What follows is merely a smattering of albums, from the last 365 days or so, deserved of introduction and discovery, although without a shred of a doubt there remain dozens, if not hundreds, more warranting attention. Armed with the list (before me) it’s probable that several entries will be required to contain my musings upon the sensorial shattering emissions on offer.
(Again all opinions are my own and remain unswayed by promises of maple frosted donuts, Double Decker bars, collected DvD seasons of Rick and Morty, or a gift card which entitles the bearer to a free month of training with hopes to toss axes around unsupervised).
What say we start with…
Rotten Tomb (Chile) – Visions of a Dismal Fate
https://deathdivisionrituals.bandcamp.com/album/rotten-tomb-visions-of-a-dismal-fate
Mixing Thrash, of the dark borderline variety, with DM and an Old School flair is honestly nothing new. But then add Sepultura “Troops of Doom” drum touches and a wickedly accented vocal approach and the result is an absolute winner, which is what’s on offer here!
However, this isn’t thankfully all that this album delivers.
A variety of pace adds to the intrigue, as well slower Doom passages, and although the cover may illicit South of Heaven thoughts, this is nothing even close to that which Slayer peddle. Think DeathDoom with touches of Thrash, not nearly as much as one might initially think (guilty), a dash of the maniacal as opposed to outright chuggery, or brain frying wizardry technical passages, and rhythms to have one bobbing their head while thinking of the good ole days and a South American flavor to have one pondering upon vintage Sepultura affairs.
This is quite the find and stands up to several spins.
90
Ominous Scriptures (Belarus) – Rituals of Mass Self-Ignition
https://ominousscriptures.bandcamp.com/album/rituals-of-mass-self-ignition
Typically Brutal DM is not my ‘bag’ (…”yea, baby, yea!”) However, for some reason this captured my attention. And the writhing naked form on the ghost skull motif cover doesn’t hurt (the appeal) any. In regards to the audio, it’s as one might expect given the ‘Brutal’ moniker to ponder upon. Rhythms are stabby, bludgeoning and “slap” (as the cool kids like to say). What separates this from the scrambling pack however is the fact that it bears commendable production, wicked movement and an ocean of riffs which aren’t lost in a muddied mess which many other releases typically boast.
Stylistically, this is akin to a turbulent marriage consisting of Tomb era Cannibal Corpse and early Suffocation, with plentiful nods to a wide swath of acts, within the last fifteen years or so, whose names presently escape me. Thankfully, the acts infrequent dips into Slam territory remain just that, with the result pleasingly cemented this side of the ‘Bree-bree-bree’ barbed wire divider (because ‘fence’ doesn’t have quite the same impact in this context). In short, the quality on offer here is of the highest order and the allure surprisingly easy to fall under the spell of.
Curious about the genre?
May I suggest giving this a peek, the album makes a fantastic bridge connecting DM (with slight Tech tendencies) to that of the Brutal variety.
86
Deprived Existence (USA) – S/T
https://deprivedexistence.bandcamp.com/album/deprived-existence
I believe I’m in the minority here by stating that the album’s art reminds me of Ro-Jaws of ABC Warriors fame found within the pages of 2000AD (are there any fans here?). I’m intrigued if anyone else sees this.
In regards to the music – quite the gamble in introducing the album with an Instrumental, but the band pulls it off, only then to drench the senses in a wild concoction of Black, Grind, and Technical chaos which somehow works. Each track bears its own identity within an album which offers blast beats, energetic rhythms, frequent pace transformations, a dual vocal approach (ranging from Goregrind Slam to traditional clawing-at-the-celestial-elements BM), and passages which have the synapses firing on all cylinders. A track entitled “Errant Harlot; A Deathgrinding Love Tragedy” carves a huge smirk on the chops courtesy of title alone whilst the vertebrae continues to snap back and forth like a child’s toy careening from the ledge of a cliff.
Touted as FFO of Cattle Decapitation, Origin, Aborted, Benighted and Vital Remains (among others) and I’m leaning heavily towards total agreement.
89
Ataraxy (Spain) – The Last Mirror
https://ataraxymuerte.bandcamp.com/album/the-last-mirror
Instantly hooked, as if the stunning art isn’t enough to draw the listener in, the first track is hypnotic, atmosphere par excellence, and the album only continues to get better.
If you’re in the mood for DeathDoom with vocals akin to Asphyx and vintage Pestilence (Martin Van something or other), and a release which showcases atmospheric qualities to evoke landscapes rife with unfathomable beasts and alien terrain this should be your next destination.
While others struggle to find their niche, their style, their undoubtable, unmistakable sound, Ataraxy continue to surprise with another release worthy of high praise. Several steps ahead of the curve they plow onward, leading the way, carving a path within a genre sadly bursting at the seams with copycats and stylistic blandness.
Another stunning release within the Spanish acts discography which demands respect.
96
Ripped to Shreds (US) – 劇變 (Jubian)
https://rippedtoshredsdeathmetal.bandcamp.com/album/jubian
Less than a minute in, and the chainsaw (yes, the term has been used to the point of being painful to the ears before now) nostalgia tone and rhythms have me bouncing around like a Bath Salt addled chimpanzee at a birthday cake tasting soiree. In all seriousness, the album bears an ungodly quality about it, an aura, which evokes, incites, unconscious limb twitching. Riffs abound, the composition genius carves a grin upon the chops, the skin-bashing element forces the jaw to separate from its perch, and… well slap me silly Sally, why has it taken me so long to pounce upon this offering?
Swedish DM nostalgia elements, OSDM textures, unexpectedly emotion laden leads, groove to spare and wicked dives into both Crust and Grindcore arenas.
Precision chaos at its finest, with nitrous at the helm. Finally an album which brings together fans of both Entombed/Dismember/Terrorizer and Oxygen Destroyer.
Spend more than a tracks length here and the reason why this album features on a slew of Year End lists soon becomes glaringly obvious.
98
Selfgod (USA) – Born of Death
https://selfgod.bandcamp.com/album/born-of-death
Sometimes simplicity getting to the point is king. Such is the case here. For the most part ‘meat and potatoes’ in style, the audio on offer here should please fans of straight forward DM delivered via stabbing riffs and a great deal of chuggery. However, that isn’t all that’s on offer here, other points of interest include a production which allows all instruments to be heard in the mix, a touch of D-beat, a splash of punk, a blanket of dirge, blistering blackened speed passages, and an overall no nonsense approach thankfully devoid of both ‘too-long-for-their-own-good’ introductions and instances of progressive wankery. While this isn’t going to reinvent the wheel, the genre, it does all it sets out to do, which is obliterate the vertebrae and mess up those fantastical hairdo’s. Prepare to bang the noggin like one possessed!
91
Last Retch (Canada) Sadism and Severed Heads
https://lastretch.bandcamp.com/album/sadism-and-severed-heads
A single glance is all one needs to understand what this act is all about. If it’s not the art, it’s the track titles. Subtlety be damned!
Similarities must he made to Cannibal Corpse, Vomitory and also a dash of influence from a myriad of standout acts who like to inject a little brutality into the mix. Riffs are a varied mixture of bludgeoning and stabby with a smattering of melody to break things up. Admittedly, the act aren’t reinventing the wheel or slicing bread utilizing an eye-widening new kind of operation. However, for those requiring top- notch DM free from frills, annoyingly dragged out introductions, synth additions this will most definitely hit the spot, smother it, then to smash it into submission. The album is also spared from a multi genre assault which many have chosen to incorporate and adopt (adding to an overall style transformation). Sure, there’s a touch of slow down here and there, and minimal technical detours, but this only serves to heighten the groove and overall enjoyment of an album which resides comfortably in (what I would deem) ‘traditional’ DM parameters. Don’t ignore this hefty slab of Maple encrusted DM, and there I was about to swear it was of American origin.
Worthy of attention nevertheless.
91
And a Recc via @Drachensturn711
(via twitter)
Luna Fawn Ripley (USA) – Death of a Songbird
https://lunafawnripley.bandcamp.com/album/death-of-a-songbird
Are there any among who can’t read the word Ripley without immediately thinking of “Aliens”? (Guess it depends on the demographic). Funnily enough this album is somewhat of a Space Oddity (can you see what I did there?)
Forget what you think you know about Tech (Prog) Death, toss aside your assumptions upon glancing upon the albums cover and prepare for a style that’s refreshingly different. Based upon a foundation of shredding melodies and passages of brutality drenched in definite beauty (which serves to separate this from typical Tech Death offerings) and a slew of evocative introductions this boasts undeniable wide appeal. But then add vocals of an angelic quality (think Amy Lee, vintage Theatre of Tragedy, and early Lacuna Coil) and the effect is startling. Sporting a collection of tracks with definite identity and a style which is both pleasing and unpredictable ranging from mellow metal (Evanesance), NWOBHM of the melodic variety, through melodic death (think Children of Bodom) through blistering Tech fretboard wizardry (think Unanimated Existence) the album has a great deal to offer those even slightly curious about the genre (though who are put off by the traditional gruff vocal approach). Ferocity minus the growling accompaniment, now isn’t that a mood?
So why is it only now that I’m hearing of the amazing talents of L.F.Ripley? She can sing, she can play guitar like nobodies business and her arrangement skills are stellar. There’s a question I can’t answer. However I’m here to see that this horrific trend is decimated. Give this a spin, two, three and tell a friend, a neighbor, a priest, your local congress person. For talent such as this demands preaching.
97
And… Death of a Songbird II
https://lunafawnripley.bandcamp.com/album/death-of-a-songbird-ii
Because I’d hate for the initial entry to be a one off eye-widening experience.
Slightly different than the first, this affair feels like a single track as it runs without pause, one track ‘slides’ into the next (although it is seperated enough for those who demand to know which track is presently playing). Unlike the first “Death of a… ” this relies more on Tech Death stylings, hyperspeed, blast beats and furious pace transformations, at times, heavy with Progressive elements to a degree which thankfully stops short of taking the listener away from the brutality which the first promised, and that this one delivers with a heavier hand. The tinkering of a piano adds to the fun, the atmosphere and the passion and again doesn’t interfere in the slightest with the albums flow.
The vocals remain seemingly plucked from an angels throat and the feel drenched in underlying melancholy, albeit with more an energetic approach to that to the album’s predecessor
In short, another winner!
Both of the Death of a… entries were released perilously close to years end. It’s my opinion that if this wasn’t the case, and obviously more were aware of these two brilliant entries based on word of mouth recommendations, these albums could undoubtedly have topped a myriad of Year End Lists.
95
And that’s it for another (relatively) short & sweet what might have been missed in 22′ entry.
Stay brutal my audio loving friends,
B
CultMetalFlix 