Sh*t That Comes Out Today: April 23, 2021
I said this last week, but: get vaccinated so I can go to shows again.
Big | Brave
Vital (Southern Lord)
I’m sure the members of Big|Brave aren’t entirely gloomy gusses, but that sure is a video below of a man getting dirt shoveled on him for eight minutes. I guess nobody throws on post-metal at a party for a reason. This Montral trio bring an artsy vibe to their particular party more on the Subrosa side of things than the Neurosis side (Robin Wattie’s singing weirdly reminds me of Bjork), and it’s very effective at creating a deeply unsettling atmosphere. To the surprise of no one, their next album is supposed to be a collaboration with The Body.
Bodom After Midnight
Paint The Sky With Blood EP (Napalm)
RIP Alexi Laiho. The late Finnish guitar god’s final three recordings feel like a woefully inadequate epitaph for someone whose hyperspeed shredding pushed melodic death metal to the next level. These songs are top-shelf Bodom, don’t get me wrong — even the Dissection cover takes on new life with his frantic fretwork. It just sucks we had to say goodbye to him so early.
Bongzilla
Weedsconsin (Heavy Psych Sounds)
You will be zero percent surprised that the first album in 16 years from Bongzilla actually came out on 4/20. Weed still hasn’t been legalized in their home state, but I’m guessing that doesn’t stop these kush kaiju from partaking. Hard not to love that cover art, but if you’re hoping they’ve matured some in their time away from the sludge circuit, song titles like “Sundae Driver” and “Free the Weed” indicate otherwise. As for the music? Depends how you feel about production and vocals. Otherwise, the sweet leaf still inspires them to crank out some sweet riffs.
Capra
In Transmission (Blacklight Media/Metal Blade)
I’m guessing this isn’t the Capra with the dude from the Disney XD show? This kind of metallic hardcore isn’t my usual bag, but these Louisianians bring a level of passion I can appreciate. Someone got their goat, that’s for sure. A lot of Every Time I Die to the music, a little bit of Otep to the vocals, enough actual songwriting under the rage to keep things moving nicely. Are punny song titles like “Samuraiah Carey” required for this stuff? Ah well. It’s the kind of music best enjoyed with blood running down your face.
Paysage D’Hiver
Geister (Kunsthall)
My wife tells me Paysage D’Hiver means “Winter Landscape” so the lyrics are probably chock full of fodder for the Black Metal Cats twitter account. Apparently this is the one-man black metal band’s second album in twenty years of existence, the first one came out last year, and the ten previous non-split releases were all demos? I’m not sure what the difference between demo and finished product is, to be honest — it’s not the the production quality for damn sure. Sometimes sole dude Wintherr (yup) locks into a groove I can get behind, but boy is this not for me. Other people flip their shit over this band though so if it’s for you it’s WAY for you.
OTHER SHIT THAT COMES OUT TODAY
Black Wail – Born on Fire (Rhyme & Reason) Listen
Body Void – Bury Me Beneath This Rotting Earth (Prosthetic) Listen
Bongzilla/Tons – Doom Sessions Vol. 4 (Heavy Psych) Listen
Firewing – Resurrection (Massacre) Listen
Howling Giant – Alteration EP (Self-released) Listen
Motorhead – Louder Than Noise…Live In Berlin (Silver Lining) Listen
Neptunian Maximalism – Solar Drone Ceremony (I, Voidhanger) Listen
Nordgeist – Frostwinter (Kunsthall) Listen
Spectral Lore – Ετερόφωτος (I, Voidhanger) Listen
Void Vator – Great Fear Rising (Ripple) Listen
