5 More Reviews 7/21/2012

Eagle Twin- The Feather Tipped the Serpent's Scales-CD (Southern Lord)

This is one the most Tormented Doom/Sludge Bands ever. Think about mixing elements of Burning Witch, Russian Circle, Earth and Black Cobra all in a stew that is as thick as it is fuzzed out and full of vocals that are just this side of madness. Eagle Twin make me just want to rock back and forth in a very disturbed fashion and I think this is what they really want. There is such a heavy 70's Blues Metal vibe going on here as well. Eagle Twin are the Doom version on Wolvserpent I'm sure of it.  The songs are just so damn heavy and avant at the same time. Do you remember a band called Engine Kid as Eagle Twin remind me a lot of them. I know members of Southern lord ownership were in that band but it really reminds me of them at times. This is Doom so very clearly and slowly as it churns. I must listen..

http://southernlord.com/

Sons of Tonatiuh- Parade of Sorrow-CD ( Hydro phonic)

Someone grew up on Crust , Sludge and the sounds of Nola as this what Sons of Tonatiuh are without a doubt. Think Grief, Cavity, Melvins and Noothgrush all in a blender and then add some of the Southern Nola of Eyehategod on top. Its more a mix of Crust, Punk and Blues all into a very pissed off journey. Sons of   Tonatiuh also have that Killing Joke vibe going on about them . I would love to hear Steve Albini work with them or Billy anderson they both would work a mountain of craziness to them.  Something this sonically powerful can not be left to the mainstream. Sons of Tonatiuh will be us to keep as or dirty little secret and I good to keep it that way as this is for a select group and not to be spoiled by the masses.

http://www.hydro-phonicrecords.com

Earthen Grave- S/t- CD (Claude + Elmo Music)

Just Imagine if you could mix 3 totally  different sub genres of Doom in to one band and you have Earthen Grave its Trouble/ Sabbath with Dio, Mid Period Anathema/ Paradise Lost and Blue Cheer/Led Zepplin Proto Doom elements all in one package that even I love. The Strings are what make this so amazing . They work with that Classic Doom sound so well. I know some will want to call this Stoner but its not at all its so much more. At time there are Metallica and Diamond Head riffs screaming through this release but it always stays in that Doom frame of mind.  Earthen Grave are really just something you will have to experience to fully understand. So So good....

http://www.earthengrave.com/

BLACKLODGE- MachinatioN-CD ( Season of Mist's Underground Activities)

Electro Industrial Black Noise !!!! All hail Blacklodge this band is just amazing its everything I love in the Post Black metal world you know what I mean DHG, Mayhen (Grand Declaration Album), Code, And Oceans and Samael  the list goes on . The Electronic Drums and Industrial Effected vocal with the Black/Thrash guitars and Machinical bass lines is just so good its beyond words. This is going to unsettle many but Blacklodge just makes me smile that grin you know is nothing but trouble and chaos in the making. If you like Vondor and Beherit's stranger material then this is a must listen. The Black Plague of Blacklodge is upon you and there is no where to run . Except it or burn in their glorious flames.

http://season-of-mist.com/

Death Spell Omega- Drought-CD (Season of Mist)

If you don't know this Post Black, Doom, Death metal force by now where have you been they have released several albums out not all full supported by the amazing Ajna Offensive in North America over the yrs. With Drought they have moved to Season of Mist and matured in a manner I was not ready for. Drought is much more complex and Prog Rock in feel with the Blistering Post Black metal in the mix but the productions is the cleanest yet if that can be possible with a wall of sonic destruction that Death Spell Omega creates. They are starting to remind me a bit of NACHTMYSTIUM in the way the music is presented on  Drought also have started to get Old Man's Child element happening as well. I know most will not hear it but in Vocals and guitars I hear it the most. Death Spell Omega is really a cut about the rest in the Modern Black metal realm and I don't ever see that changing. As they grew they just get better and better for this reviewer.

http://season-of-mist.com/

6 New Reviews ... Its been too long my friends

Blood of the Black Owl- Light the Fires-CD (Bindrune)

What are you expecting from  Chet of  Glassthroat Recordings and Ruhr Hunter fame. This is Nature and Ritualistic Based Metallic side of what Chet has been creating for yrs. At time Blood of the Black Owl reminds me of Neurosis/ Tribes of Neurot meets with bands like Tenhi and Nest .. The flutes and simple percussion and throat singing on the intro track are just breath taking to say the least. With Light the fires there is Doom, Folk, Post Rock and Prog elements all going on at the same time this is far more then a simple release to ever understand and with this we need to understand that Blood of the Black Owl is an event to absorb and learn from on each listen . The Guitars, Drums and bass lines all have such an organic feel the them. If you like bands like US Christmas, Steve Von till and Grails then this is a must listen. 

http://bindrunerecordings.com

Nechochwen- Oto- CD (Bindrune)

Bindrune is starting to get a focus on the kind of label they want to be and I for one like it very much. Mixing Folk, Ethnic and Metal into much what Prophecy Productions in doing in Europe and I glad to see such an inspired mix of sounds on one release to the next. Nechochwen very much remind me of Dornenreich mixed with bands like Anathema.. I'm sure you get were I'm going with this mix.. There is a darkness to Nechochwen that is hidden a most times but when it comes out is more powerful then most bands I've ever heard. With Nechochwen the Native American elements comes soaring out on this release with a Proggish Black metal vibe. You just need to hear it to understand . If you take the chance will be be in amazement and pleasure for the time taken.

http://bindrunerecordings.com

Chaosweaver- Enter the realm of the Doppleganger-CD (Napalm)

So what we have here is a twisted journey into  Symphonic Black metal with a huge element of sci fi and fantasy thrown in for good measure if you like bands like Septic Flesh, Oxeplegatz and Yearning then you have a good starting point in where the wonders and madness explode into a world of over the top sites and sounds. Chaosweaver is a much about the theatrics and the music and that is not always a bad thing as visuals are very important if your playing a story for the theme of the album which Chaosweaver clearly is. There are moments where I hear bands like Old Mans Child and  The Kovenant shining through at well so there is an industrial element going on here as well. Chaosweaver is road that has been traveled before but they sure do make this journey an exciting and interesting one to say the least.

http://napalmrecords.com/

Eye of Solitude- Sui Caedere-CD (Kaotoxin)

Symphonic Slow Doom/Death with some massive deep vocals going on reminds me of some of the great Doom bands from the UK, Italy and Finland of the 90's just to say early Paradise Lost, Ras Algethi and Dolorian.. I hear bands like Incantation, Evoken and Dusk running through out this release. You can hear the sorrow and pain in every moment of the release. The production is heavy on the low end so not over produced where most doom bands seems to not understand.  With Eye of Solitude there is more then just doom going on there is a dark ambiance through out the tracks were its a back drop to the terror that comes from within your very soul. This album is so heavy and crushing I just miss Good doom when I hear it and Eye of Solitude is that good..

 www.kaotoxin.com 

Reverence- The Asthenic Ascension-CD (Candlelight)

Yes Industrial black metal I love the sonic deconstruction this style always brings to the ears of those not ready for it. Its fast, loud, electronic, symphonic, raw and terrifying all at the same time and can you really asked for more. If you like bands like  DHG, Blut Aus nord, Code, Red Harvest etc then this is going to me a new fave on your list. Reverence is like a disease that once it hooks on you don't want it to leave no matter if its killing you it feels to good to let go. Welcome to the symbiotic world that Industrial Black music has created. Reverence has so much skill and talent at what there doing here. This French unit will take the metal world by storm and there just is nothing you can do but sit back and enjoy your demise.  

http://candlelightrecordsusa.com/

Godhunter- Wolves- CD (Self Released)

Sludgy, Crusty, Doom with a load of pissed of Post Hardcore angst thrown in just because Godhunter hates everything around them including YOU!!!. Godhunter reminds me of bands like Grinch, Floor, Grief, Buzzoven, Early Alabama thunder pussy and even Today is the day etc you get the picture. There is a bluesy stoner element but the Punk, Noisecore, Crust elements come into the mix so much more. I can no hate something that is so anger in presentation and the over all dark heavy blues groove going on. If you ever heard of a band called Solace from NJ they sound so much like them I swear its them reborn. This is booze soaked Sludge rock to say the least and at time I could be the 2nd coming of Crowbar as well. Godhunter you won me over on the 1st track and just got better from there.

http://godhunter.bandcamp.com

Sorry for lack of updates

Having a very bad string of luck right now going from Idaho back to AZ as this was a very nightmarish move. Please give me a week or so to get back on track and by end of July AZM will be in full force with Interviews and reviews. Thanks for understanding

Clint/AZM