WSOU Picks of the Week: Immortal, Zeal & Ardor, Lizzy Borden
Seton Hall University’s WSOU radio is the only all-metal, all-the-time station currently broadcasting in the US, and has been a force in metal for DECADES. It’s also streamable online from anywhere in the world! Each week, the staff of WSOU shares their picks for the heaviest of the heavy, as well as the station’s charts for that week, right here on MetalSucks. Enjoy:
Immortal – “Northern Chaos Gods” (Aubrey F.)
Battles are certainly waging in the north yet again with Immortal’s new track “Northern Chaos Gods.” I was concerned at first that somehow the mighty Immortal wouldn’t be as mighty with the absence of long-standing Doom Occulta brother Abbath… but oh, how the mighty have risen! Now fronted by the previously wounded Demonaz (ex-Immortal guitarist and lyrical contributor), Immortal sound as grim and frostbitten as ever, especially in contrast to Abbath’s now limp-sounding solo effort. Immortal take us right back to the Battles in the North / Bllizzard Beasts era with blazing, razor-sharp guitar work, icy vocals, and the furious blasting of drumming mammoth Horgh. This song rips… Abbath who? Thank you, Demonaz and co., for bringing us back to Blashyrkh!
Zeal & Ardor – “Built on Ashes” (Danielle M.)
When my mom describes metal, her impression includes a lot of screaming and incoherent sounds. Instead, I’d like to present my mom with Zeal & Ardor’s “Built on Ashes.” What I like most about Zeal & Ardor is that the music is not afraid to slow the pace, show off vocals, and focus on lyrics. I wouldn’t expect to see a moshpit to this song at a show, but with lyrics including “We’d never said you’d come back home” sung with such raw emotion, I doubt that was the intention. If this is a mere taste for what is to come with the new album on June 8th, then I’m excited to see what Zeal & Ardor will bring to the table next. I’m in love.
Lizzy Borden – “Long May They Haunt Us” (Katie W.)
Eleven years later and Lizzy Borden hasn’t missed a beat. Striking back with “Long May They Haunt Us” from My Midnight Things, Lizzy takes us through the troubles of losing someone but knowing they’re never truly gone. The song certainly stands alone on the album and doesn’t carry the same darkness that one might expect from the shock rock chief. In lieu of the classic heaviness and lower guitar tones of the hard-hitting, self-defining fan favorite, “Me Against The World,” prepare for an upbeat vibe accompanied by playful and lighter tones. An off-the-beaten-path song worthy of every listen.
