To say Oakland, California’s Neurosis have been influential in the modern metal space would be a gross understatement. In fact, I have learned more about Neurosis’ signature sound by reading comparisons in reviews of albums by other bands than I have by listening to their actual music. Starting out as a hardcore outfit in...
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The end of the year is usually pretty light on new releases, so I don’t have a lot to recommend right now. In fact, November was so sparse I’ve gone ahead and included albums from late last month as well. I realize this is being posted a little early, but I will be traveling...
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Most of July was spent in transit, so my tastes might be skewed towards albums that sound good turned up loud while flying down the freeway, but that’s not to say there wasn’t variety in my roadtrip soundtrack. The past month might have been heavy on metal, but it also saw exciting releases in...
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April was a good month for music, but it did provide a lull in what has been an incredible start to the new year. That being said, there are still quite a few albums worth checking out, and as much as I hate grouping recommendations into posts like this, other aspects of life are...
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If you are the type of person who prefers your music shroud in an air of mystery, it might disturb you to learn that the most exciting, innovative label in the extreme scene exists not in some secret lair, but amidst a peaceful piece of land outside of Toronto, Canada. Yes, you read that...
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Not only did the city of Austin approve a 3rd day of Fun this year, but the people over at FFF6 tacked on an extra 30 or so Nite shows…for free. As if a couple days of ear, liver and brain abuse wasn’t enough, this year is going take a whole new level of...
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Absu -Abzu (Candlelight, 2011) This is the sixth album from the Texas-based blackened thrash metal band led by Proscriptor McGovern. Having been around for over 20 years now, my first introduction to this band was their opening slot for Immortal back in February. As impressive as it was to see McGovern croak out intense...
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Bad luck, freak accidents, ridiculous album titles with ridiculously named songs filled with ridiculous lyrics, Weedeater is the last band I ever expected to be attracted to. Not being a weed smoker (or eater) myself, I really have nothing in common with these southern dudes who burn through pounds of the shit every year....
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Phil Anselmo might be known as much for being an asshole as he is for bitch-slapping your eardrums with bands like (the legendary) Pantera, Arson Anthem and the super ‘southern sludge’ group, Down. Anselmo will be the first to admit he’s done and said some regrettable things in the past, sometimes he’ll say some...
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The Power of the Riff kicked off its second year in L.A. with a line-up that would make anyone on the East Coast blind with envy. As if that full day assault of brutal hardcore, metal and crust wasn’t enough, Southern Lord brought their genre and generation crossing festival up the coast with stops...
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In a year when most genres are lacking in original material, extreme music has stepped in to pick up the slack. Here are 13 extreme releases that are worth your time. Dark Castle – Surrender To All Life Beyond Form (Profound Lore, 2011) Sophomore release from St. Augustine, Florida‘s female-led doom duo, Dark Castle....
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