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Listen: ‘Imposing Hammers Of Cold Sorcery’ by High Command

Posted: 18 October 2022 in Recommended Streams and Videos
Tags: Bathory, Celtiic Frost, DIO, Eclipse of the Dual Moons, Heavy Metal, High Command, Imposing Hammers Of Cold Sorcery, Mercyful Fate, Michel Moorcock, Seth Manchester, single stream, Southern Lord, Thrash

High Command shares a second track from their forthcoming full length album Eclipse of the Dual Moons, arriving 25th November via Southern Lord and produced with Seth Manchester. The new track, ‘Imposing Hammers of Cold Sorcery’, is a hefty and atmospheric track which tells the story of a perilous quest. In the band’s words…

“’Imposing Hammers Of Cold Sorcery’ is a sonic conquest of ancient lore. A testimony of fortitude peering into the eyes of obliteration. Following an attack from a celestial horde, the Four Realms are cloaked in apprehension. On a fabled whim of the long forgotten Guild Of Sage, Dikeptor & the Infernal March must endure the frozen winds and scale the perilous cliffs of the Serrated Peaks. What lies beneath the clouds is a formidable mystifying power."

Swords and metal go hand in hand. That’s what crossover thrash band High Command say, having turned heads with their debut album Beyond The Wall of Desolation (2019).

“Our love for the bay area in the 80’s is certainly no secret. Besides some of the more obvious influences we have I think we were much more comfortable exploring some of the less obvious stuff we hinted at with the first record. Particularly traditional heavy metal (Dio, Mercyful Fate) the south’s interpretation of the bay area (Exhorder, Obituary, Nasty Savage, Devastation, Rigor Mortis) first wave black metal (Bathory, Hellhammer/Celtic Frost). Of course all of this executed with the discharge, Cro mags, Sacrilege DNA that runs through our veins”.

But it’s not solely metal music which influences the band, who cite the lustful violence of Robert E. Howard, Michel Moorcock, Jack Vance and many other legendary pulp writers of the 20th century as an impetus for their expansive storytelling.

“People would also be surprised to hear we drew quite a bit of inspiration from the music of Ennio Morricone, especially in regards to writing some more of the epic, grandiose passages and chord progressions.” says the band.

Now, with their second album, Eclipse of the Dual Moons, the band take their love of storytelling a step further, deepening and widening the world of Secartha, the realm of High Command’s songs. The band place themselves as omniscient narrators of the world they have created, and say that they are inseparable from Secartha and its people.

“It’s one thing to make a good metal record, but it’s another to put on top of it a sort of overarching story that makes sense to listeners. The whole High Command project is enriched by lyrics articulating characters, a world, and trials faced within it. We want our records to be immersive and leave listeners with a feeling they’ve experienced something bigger than the music.”

Listen: ‘Leisure Centre’ by Blacklisters

Posted: 17 October 2022 in Recommended Streams and Videos
Tags: abrasive, Blacklisters, Grunge, Jesus Lizard, Leeds, Leisure Centre, New EP, Noise, Pissed Jeans, single stream

The buggers keep doing this: disappearing, then coming back, with no forewarning, no fanfare, with more killer noise.

And so here we are: ‘Leisure Centre’ crash-landed today to herald the imminent arrival of a new EP, out next month.

It’s as good as anything they’ve ever done. ‘Leisure Centre’ has the same kind of nagging, repetitive riff that features in so much of their work, from the definitive early songs like ‘Trick Fuck’ through to more recent classics like ‘Shirts’. And if anything, ‘Leisure Centre’ sounds like ‘Shirts’ on heavy tranquilisers: slow, stumbling, lunging, all the weight and all the murk. And of course, it’s all about that big, churning riff. It sounds a whole lot like Pissed Jeans. This is very much a good thing.

If the rest of the EP is half as good, it’s going to be a corker.

Listen: ‘Lightrays’ by Ascends

Posted: 16 October 2022 in Recommended Streams and Videos
Tags: Ascends, Audio, Lightrays, Lost in Gravity, Metalcore, post-roock, progressive metal, single stream, Swiss

Swiss five-piece metalcore group Ascends have just shared new track titled ‘Lightrays’ off band’s debut album Lost in Gravity, which is set for release on October 28th.

Listen here:

Formed in 2008 under the name I, The Deceiver, Ascends is a five-piece group from Sion, Switzerland playing a powerful and electrifying mix of progressive metal, metalcore and post-rock.

Following a 5-track EP, numerous shows in France, Germany and Switzerland and some line-up changes, it was in 2015 with the arrival of Marco Romero (Nakaruga and ex-Breach The Void) on vocals and Simon Vuignier (Catch My Story) on bass that they decided to change the name to their current moniker. This new lease of life gave the band the opportunity to change their musical identity too, adding different textures and influences into their already eclectic sound.

Their debut album Lost In Gravity clearly demonstrates a band stepping out their comfort zone, finding a striking balance between melody and brutality. Mixed and mastered by Nicolas Delestrade from Novelists, Lost In Gravity deals with several themes, detailing the problems of the human being, its solutions and the consequences.

Listen: ‘Thin Ice’ by Leatherette

Posted: 14 October 2022 in Recommended Streams and Videos
Tags: alternative, Indie, Leatherette, Post-Punk, Rock, saxophone, single stream, Talking Heads, Thin Ice

To coincide with the release of their debut album Fiesta, Leatherette have shared their latest single ‘Thin Ice’, a turmoiled love song about taking risks. They explain: “Musically, it’s a nervous mid-tempo post-punk-ska orchestral tune, sort of Talking Heads-esque. Lyrically, it is quite representative of our approach, both as people and as a band. An approach that can be summed up by the famous Winston Churchill’s quote: ‘If you’re going through hell, keep going’. We learnt, as musicians and young adults, that things tend not to work properly way more often than they do. But it’s not a big deal, It’s actually what makes life, love and art so special”.

We loved previous single ‘Sunbathing’ so much we even made the press release for this one. Look at those quotes! They’re all on the money, too.

Listen to ‘Thin Ice’ here:

Listen: ‘Driftwood’ by Disillusion

Posted: 13 October 2022 in Recommended Streams and Videos
Tags: Audio Stream, Avant-garde, Ayam, dark, Disillusion, Driftwood, Expansive, flk, Prophecy Productions

Who are we? Where do we go? These are the kind of existential questions that have arisen for many of us during these last years and that have also been haunting DISILLUSION during the process of creating their fourth full-length Ayam. Without a chance to perform live and their personal lives also being affected by many restrictions the focus of the German avant-gardists shifted fully towards their band and the creation of new songs as well as recording. The effect is audible: Ayam sounds richer, even more multi-layered, and fully matured compared to the already highly praised previous releases. Yet the intricacies of their music are never just a means to an end, but more than anything all the complexity is subjugated to serve the inner feeling and cinematic aspect of each song itself.

The thematic questions and multi-dimensional layers of the songs are also reflected in the album title Ayam. The word derives from Sanskrit and means "This One". Pronounced in English it sounds like "I am", while reading it backwards turns it into "Maya", which is neither an accident nor explained by the band that obviously likes to offer riddles.

While DISILLUSION stuck closer together, they were also searching their hearts whether it was time to change old habits and try out something new. This led to the excellent decision to leave the mix of the album to different ears than the bands’ for the first time. Their choice could not have been better as renowned producer Jens Bogren (OPETH, KATATONIA, MOONSPELL) once again worked his exciting magic and enhanced their already unique sound by shining a sonic spotlight to the most important aspects such as the vocals.
Founded around singer and guitarist Andy Schmidt in the East Germany city of Zwickau in 1994, DISILLUSION pulled the rare trick of already becoming a staple in the field of avant-garde melodic death metal with the release of their full-length debut "Back to Times of Splendor" in 2004. The Germans have always been driven to seek new challenges and find new ways to evolve their music, which was exemplified by the following album "Gloria" that took radical musical steps in several directions at the same time. "Gloria" was far ahead of its time in terms of composition and sound, which becomes apparent when compared to GOJIRA’s masterpiece "Magma" for example that came out a decade later.

Despite their early success, DISILLUSION took a creative hiatus until suddenly returning in 2016 with the single "Alea" and a new line-up that had changed in several positions. Quite likely even to the band’s surprise, a large and loyal fan base had formed during the decade of their absence, which showed in sold out shows and a highly successful crowdfunding campaign to realise a new album, which the Germans repeated for Ayam.

When The Liberation was released in 2019, critics described the album as a logical continuation of Back to Times of Splendor. Its songs reflected 15 years of additional experience in the musical development of Andy Schmidt. "The Liberation" turbo-charged all of DISILLUSION’s best qualities: the perfect interplay of massive metal with moments of pure euphoria and quiet introspection that create a sonic rollercoaster ride of passionate emotions.

With Ayam, DISILLUSION again sail among the stars to new stellar constellations of heavy sounds. While staying true to their general course, the German avant-garde pioneers also continue dropping anchor to explore new planets sparkling in space with a multitude of radiant sounds. "Ayam" offers exciting evolution rather than radical revolution, and DISILLUSION’s new musical forms and means are most beautiful and astonishing to behold. This album is a golden ticket to join the extraordinary journey of a life-time. Please feel free to check-in anytime you like!

Watch: ‘Bellvue’ by The Bobby Lees

Posted: 9 October 2022 in Recommended Streams and Videos
Tags: 90s, alternarive rock, Bellevue, Henry Rollins, Ipecac Recordings, The Bobby Lees, video stream, Woodstock

The Bobby Lees are thrilled to share their brand new full-length, Bellevue, available via Ipecac Recordings. The band have also shared the video for title track, which you can view below.

The Bobby Lees recently wrapped up a European tour that included the Woodstock, N.Y-based band’s first stint in the UK. The four-piece band have several shows coming over the next few months including a 9th October performance at Aftershock 2022.

The Bobby Lees tour dates:

October 9 Sacramento, CA Aftershock 2022

October 25 Brooklyn, NY Baby’s All Right

October 28 Woodstock, NY Colony

November 5 Tulsa, OK Cain’s Ballroom

The 13-song album, which was recorded live in-studio, was produced by Vance Powell (Jack White, Chris Stapleton, The Raconteurs).

Iggy Pop, Debbie Harry, Henry Rollins…these are just a few of the punk icons who have shown support for Woodstock, NY based band The Bobby Lees. Sam Quartin [vocals, guitar], Macky Bowman [drums], Nick Casa [guitar], and Kendall Wind [bass] — make music that is punk in spirit and soul; unfettered and resolutely honest. To say their sound is wild and untethered is an understatement. It’s the kind of aural exorcism any listener can tap into, something that struck a chord with Henry Rollins who brought them to Ipecac Recordings where Mike Patton and Greg Werckman signed them.

Photo Credit: John Swab

Watch: ‘All Your Gods Have Gone’ by Psychonaut

Posted: 8 October 2022 in Recommended Streams and Videos
Tags: All Your Gods Have Gone, Amenra, Pelagic Records, psychedelic metal, Psychonaut, video stream, Violate Consensus Reality

The immense success of Psychonaut’s Pelagic debut album Unfold The God Man, which has been repressed 3 times throughout the pandemic and sold close to 3000 vinyl copies to date, has proven that Psychonaut are a force to be reckoned with.

The three gentlemen from Mechelen, Belgium now return with a ferocious and muchly anticipated concept album that proclaims the formation of a new world through the acceptance of a new human identity. “We’ve always been interested in religion, spirituality and philosophy,” explains vocalist/guitarist Stefan de Graef about the music of Psychonaut. “We’ve meditated together, had long discussions about the nature of life, and we share a common vision.”

Now, with the release of their sophomore album Violate Consensus Reality on 28th October (Pelagic Records), the Belgian three-piece take you on a visceral trip into our collective human consciousness. A journey marked by explosive riffs, soaring vocals and intricate yet catchy compositions.

An impressive album which cements PSYCHONAUT’s standing as aspirants to the throne of the contemporary European progressive / post metal community. On new single ‘All Your Gods Have Gone’ the band add,

"This track is one of the shortest and heaviest tracks we’ve ever written. We don’t usually allow ourselves to put too much anger into our songs because we try to focus on the positive, but this album made us realize that it can actually be a very healthy thing to give into your anger from time to time. There’s no use in ignoring it because that only makes it grow. The lyrics to this track were very cleansing and healing to write in that way.”

Watch the animated video now created by Eric Lempens:

Violate Consensus Reality engages the senses in a way that is quite rare for concept albums, it is raw and brutal, unlike the lofty concept albums of yore with their endlessly repeating motifs and needlessly complex song structures. It stands in a long tradition of activism in music, but it also deconstructs this tradition by taking its loud and admonishing tone and providing it with a thoughtful base rooted in philosophy and spirituality.

With music deeply rooted in communal meditation sessions, psychedelic metal outfit Psychonaut are a unique entity in the Belgian metal scene and beyond. The mantric title track of their upcoming second album, which they have now shared, sees the trio once more aligned in body and mind as they appeal to the listener with a 9-minute atmospheric slow burner. Their stature is once more affirmed by Amenra’s Colin H. van Eeckhout, who ushers the track to an unforgettable climax.

Watch: ‘Speak of Sin (Jim Davies Remix)’ by PIG

Posted: 6 October 2022 in Recommended Streams and Videos
Tags: KMFDM, Metropolis Records, PIG, Pitchshifter, Raymond Watts, Speak of Sin, The Merciless Light, The Prodigy, video stream

What does worldwide quarantine do to our favourite porcine libertine? Raymond Watts holed up in his sty and created The Merciless Light, the new album by PIG. Ably aided and abetted by long time accomplices En Esch and Steve White, Watts also welcomes a new swine to the trough as Jim Davies(Pitchshifter/The Prodigy) adds another new level of impeccable (in)credibility and talent.

The Merciless Light seethes, swings, seduces and snarls. Extraordinary electronics and a glut of glitz, glam, guitars and grooves create a masterful mélange of mirth from our very own venerable Vicar of Vice.

Today, PIG shine the spotlight on the seven deadly’s with Ed Finkler’s stunning new video for the album song ‘Speak Of Sin’. For when too much isn’t enough, this visual treat will burn your eyeballs and beat your ears as the latest of the bounteous delights to be lifted from The Merciless Light.

Watch the video here:

PIG photography by E Gabriel Edvy

Listen: ‘It’s The Hope That Kills You’ EP by KRATE

Posted: 4 October 2022 in Recommended Streams and Videos
Tags: bleak, dark, Dead Voices On Air, electro-industrial, EP stream, hoplessness, It's The Hope That Kills You, Krate, The Joy Thieves

Electro-industrial band KRATE is back and once again teams up with a number of incredible talents on their fourth endeavor, It’s The Hope That Kills You.

The general theme of this release is hopelessness. No matter how hard you try, in the end nothing else matters as all matter is destined to die. Your prayers will be lost while you watch the horizon sink. There is no one to blame but us. We reach for the needle and ask ourselves one last time, "Where do we go from here?" Absolutely nowhere.

Songs like the hard-hitting title track featuring Anatoly Grinberg (Dead Voices On Air) & drummer Dan Milligan (The Joy Thieves). Other tracks feature members of Bow Ever Down, Slighter, Liquid Black Goo and Numbered Men.

Five tracks of electro – industrial spanning the full spectrum of what this subgenre encompasses; from nightmarish beat-driven to heavy orchestral/industrial. The Hope That Kills You is available now on all digital platforms including Bandcamp. Listen to it in full here:

KRATE was born in late 2017 when Chris Shortt (VERIN) and Roland Zwaga (Acidrodent, Construct) began discussing a collaboration.

The initial concept was to compose a dark ambient project between the two. After the first stems were exchanged, however, they both quickly agreed that a rhythmic element would be required to augment the sounds thus far created, leading to the abandonment of the original ambient goal.

Dark electro/industrial beats were submerged in deep cavernous, rumbling structures that were later complemented by an ever growing roster of collaborators.

As the songs originate from the input of such a varied group of artists, the music virtually spreads itself across the entire spectrum of electronic music, all the while managing to craft a cohesive and singularly focused sound.

Listen: ‘Fiesta’ by Leatherette

Posted: 2 October 2022 in Recommended Streams and Videos
Tags: alternative, angular, Bronson Recordings, Fiesta, Hemingway, Jazz, Leatherette, Post-Punk, single stream, smoky, The Sun Also Rises

Italian post-punk band Leatherette have just released ‘Fiesta’, the title track from their debut album out on 14th October via Bronson Recordings.

One of the darkest, smokiest tunes of the record, ‘Fiesta’ is a minimalist, abstract love tune about absence and distance. The band explain: "We wrote the theme thinking of jazz standards, while the title and the atmosphere were inspired by Hemingway’s homonymous book. And there’s brushes and 7th chords and a sax solo in the end".

Listen to ‘Fiesta’ here:

The latest single from the album, Fiesta follows previously released tracks ‘So Long’, an extravagant and catchy slice of modern post-punk, full of rugged noise and crushing melodies and ‘Sunbathing’, an irresistible punk-shoegaze anthem.

Leatherette are, by their own description, “five shy guys who sometimes get off the stage and punch people,” a quintet whose car-crash of jagged noise, twisted love and dark, anguished melody has delivered a remarkable – and eminently combustible – debut album.

The group are based in Bologna, but all hail from different towns in Italy. These five young men – singer/guitarist Michele, bassist Marco, drummer Francesco, guitarist Andrea and saxophonist Jacopo – are united by a profound need to make music, to express themselves naturally and honestly.

The group bonded over wildly differing influences – everything from midwestern emo gods American Football, to Berlin-era Bowie, to James Chance & The Contortions, to rap and electronic music – to create a dense, passionate, articulate sound of their own.

You can file them near fiery post-punk kindreds like Shame and Squid, or unhinged 90s noisers like Unwound or Hoover, or squalling No Wavers like James Chance, but the truth is there are few bands like Leatherette that walk this Earth.

Their first full-length, Fiesta follows an EP, Mixed Waste, recorded during lockdown. The songs on Fiesta precede the Covid era, though the group spent the pandemic rewriting and overhauling their maiden batch of songs at leisure.

The result is an astonishing and remarkable debut: poetic, caterwauling, broken and beautiful. The album title is “a reference to the bullfights in Pamplona,” the group say. It’s no empty metaphor. “Bullfight is a strange ritual,” they elaborate. “And we’re against bullfights, but they’re fascinating in an iconographic way. And also metaphorically, violence flows on both sides, but in a feastful way. It’s similar to a concert, really – you’re expressing violent things, in a physical way. And people react to that, which is wonderful, which is fantastic.”

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