Swamp Witch - The Slithering Bog

Tracklist:-

1. Strange Cults

2. Marsh Of Delusion

3. Slither Into The Circle

4. Bayou Tomb

5. Dead Root

6. Lost Symbols

Metal bands have an uncanny knack of making their genre (or sub-genre) choice obvious from their name alone. I could have guessed that Oakland/Cali quintet Swamp Witch were a doom/sludge band even before I heard their music, but that's kind of the point. While it's mainly the music that paints the picture, image (no not sweeping fringes, but art or a theme) is also important to a listener. Swamp Witch began lumbering out of the undergrowth in 2009 with a digital live album called "090909". An EP called "Gnosis" followed in 2011 on tape and LP (via Gay Scientist Recordings and Anti-Matter Records respectively), prior to a four year period of silence before this EP, which was originally released digitally by the band in conjunction with Transylvanian Tapes (whom also released a tape). Now emerging US label Tribunal Of The Axe has jumped on board with an LP release. It's been out a little while and as always, I'm still catching up.

The Christmas period here in the UK has been remarkably mild but now it’s freezing. The warmth of good music helps though and the fuzz-laden/bass-heavy grooves of Swamp Witch even more so. This record’s opening song Strange Cults is full of occult melody and bleak growls. This end of the doom/sludge spectrum has really shone (if that’s the right word) in recent years, thanks to the darkening worldview and bands like Primitive Man and Meth Drinker (RIP) punching through the bullshit, dragging other towards the light. Middle/Far-Eastern melody comes through at the beginning of Marsh Of Delusion. What follows it though are towering riffs and tempos that threaten to stop or even throw themselves into reverse such is their slowness. Thankfully Swamp Witch has the wherewithal to keep their songs the right side of the ten+ minute mark, so it’s all a bit easier to digest. The addition of upbeat rhythms and much needed ambient guitar towards the end is a relief too. The lack of breathing space before Slither Into The Circle has to be applauded, as it maintains the momentum of “The Slithering Bog” with a blast of heaviness that is over all too quickly. Bayou Tomb follows in a similar vein and helps prove that Swamp Witch is equally adept at writing punchier songs as they are at writing claustrophobia-inducing ones. The noise that accompanies the doom perfectly sums up what it’s like to be buried alive, helping Bayou Tomb to be strangely life-affirming if you’ve made it this far. I have to admit that Dead Root sent me into a bit of a daze. It’s droning, down-tuned instrumentation dragging me deeper before the relative safety of some beautifully hypnotic dank and distant melody. Album closer Lost Symbols embodies the emotion felt during “The Slithering Bog”. Knowing there are individuals in the world that can craft something so heavy yet so transcendent is mind-blowing, but somehow Swamp Witch is able to reignite lost feelings through their music. Hold those dear close to you and wait for the inevitable end. This will guide you safely to the other side.

You can stream "The Slithering Bog" here:-

Tape copies from Transylvanian Tapes have sold out, but you can pick it up digitally from them here - https://transylvaniantapes.bandcamp.com/album/swamp-witch-the-slithering-bog.

LPs can be bought from Tribunal Of The Axe here - http://www.tribunaloftheaxe.com/shop/swamp-with-the-slithering-bog.

Swamp Witch Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/CosmicSludge
Transylvanian Tapes Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/TransylvanianTapes
Tribunal Of The Axe Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/tribunaloftheaxe

In Obscurity Revealed - Grim Fumes of Revelation 7"

Tracklist:-

1. Storms Conjured

2. Varcolaci

Apologies once again for the prolonged silence, I've been spending time with family and trying to work out where to take this thing next. I'm planning for the new year, but until then I've got a few things to write about. Mexican death metal quartet In Obscurity Revealed are the subject of this evening's review. Following the release of their demo "Spell Of The Seeker" last year, they've joined in infernal partnership with Blood Harvest Records and have released their debut 7". They've appeared alongside the mighty Grave Miasma and Bolzer on their homeland this past June, so that should give you some idea as to the quality they possess. 

In Obscurity Revealed presents a hellishly metallic backdrop on EP opener Storms Conjured. It spews forth in the form of classy old-school death metal that hits all the right spots. It’s loud and precise. Varcolaci is equally as ripping. The kick and snare blasts don’t miss a beat while the rasping screams compliment the guitars and bass well. This is brief but really infectious. It highlights a very different approach, one which favours a clearer sound to that of their peers. In Obscurity Revealed are a cut above many of the South  and Central American acts and will only get better.

You can stream and purchase "Grim Fumes Of Revelation" digitally and on 7" below:-

Blood Harvest Records webstore - http://shop.bloodharvest.se/?product=in-obscurity-revealed-grim-fumes-of-revelation-7ep

In Obscurity Revealed Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/In-Obscurity-Revealed
Blood Harvest Records Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/Blood-Harvest-Records

Recollection: John (Sky:Lark!/Man Hands/Snob)

Here's the 3rd instalment of Recollection, featuring John from Sky:Lark!, Man Hands and Snob. It's been a while since the last one was posted. For anybody who's new to this feature, I've basically asked people in bands, labels etc to write about their ten favourite records and I post the completed responses here. Dead simple. 

Moving Targets - "Burning in Water"

Now THIS is my jam. Nothing makes me more envious/in awe like a proper SONG. With hooks and melodies and this LP is chock full of them. Three musicians and songwriters who feed off each other and make every bar of music special. Pretty sure the drummer never uses the same fill twice on the whole album. Perfection.

Spike in Vain - "Disease is Relative"

This one hit me out of the blue a few years back, flicking through a zine (the much missed Limited Readership) there was an interview with Spike in Vain and I HAD to get hold of this record. This is like "post-hardcore" but whilst hardcore was still happening.....proto emo???? Anyway its miles ahead of it's time and has so much going on but is totally coherent.

Battle of Wolf 359 - "The Death of Affect"

A proper life changer for me. Punk and hardcore became more than some music I'd heard about and became my friends and life. And this record was the soundtrack to it. Downtuned Heavy and Apocalyptic hardcore with Star Trek references galore.

Me and Goliath - "s/t" 10"

Goes hand in hand with the above. Watching this band absolute captivate a crowd who'd just had to suffer a post rock set was my introduction to them. This 10" perfectly captures them at their finest. The finest drum rolls in the game. 

Deftones - "Around the Fur"

Nu-metals finest hour. Thanks to various skateboarding games I was pretty into a couple of Deftones tracks by the time I started getting into music, but this is the first full album I bought by them - learning songs off this taught me about drop tunings which I've used ever since!

The B-52s - "s/t"

Listening to '52 Girls' makes me feel invincible, and I know it's given the same feeling to 1000s of freaks over the years. So much more than just 'Rock Lobster' (and I LOVE ROCK LOBSTER).

Good Throb - "Fuck Off"

My favourite thing about moving to London? Watching this band journey from hated "hipsters" playing in basements to no one, to become the most unbeatable force in UK punk - with whole crowds of people fist pumping along asking: "Did You Know The Queen Sucks Nazi Cock?"

Lack - "Blues Moderne:Danois Explosifs"

Their later albums are undeniably an influence on Skylark, when they became the worlds meanest sounding indie band. But every now and then when I've had a few shandy's I can't stop banging on about this, their first album, and end up moshing out by myself in my lounge before bedtime. The breakdown in "When even the most honest of emotions....." is one of the heaviest things I've ever heard.

La Quiete - "La Fine non e la Fine"

Screamo perfection. The sound of youths scrambling to play as fast as possible almost to the point of collapse but it's so together and the songs are so (here's me getting full emo, despite having been previously warned never to go full emo) FUCKING BEAUTIFUL.

Nachthexen - "s/t" 7"

The most recent entry to the list, and the bands debut record release. Witchy synth punk from Sheffield chronicling the frustrations of living in your own head, and also a world that's confusing and full of shitheads. 

Thanks to John for writing the above. You can find links to the noise he makes and the things he's involved in below:-

Sky:Lark! Bandcamp - http://skylark.bandcamp.com/

Sky:Lark! Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/SkyLark

Man Hands Bandcamp - http://horsepartyrules.bandcamp.com/

Man Hands Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/Man-Hands

Snob Bandcamp - http://snoblondon.bandcamp.com/

Kinshot (RIP) Bandcamp - http://kinshot.bandcamp.com/

Cane And Rinse (feature writing) - http://caneandrinse.com/author/johnandrews1987/

Joey's Kitchen Vegan Catering - https://www.facebook.com/joeyskitchenlondon/

Infinite Earths - Into The Void

Tracklist:-

1. Act 1: Into The Void

2. Act 2: Amalgam Of Madness

3. Act 3: Chaotic Good

4. Act 4: The Whirling Door

5. Act 5: Grave New World

The glaring and trippy artwork that adorns (Floridian progressive metal band) Infinite Earth's latest EP/Album "Into The Void" is like looking at a bizarre self-portrait. It's unsettling but in a psychedelic sort of way. Anyway, this in the second release from the band and it was self-issued in early December. Prior to this Infinite Earths released their debut EP "Spiral From Spacetime" in February 2014. They share members with fellow US extreme metal band Mindscar and formed in 2012. 

Infinite Earths walk the line between atypical operatic progressive metal and more extreme black metal on opener Act 1: Into The Void. The clean vocals that open the album merely throw you off the scent though, as they are replaced by harsh roars and heavier instrumentation. The chopping and changing of time-signature and the technical instrumentation shows off the skills of all involved in Infinite Earths during Act 2: Amalgam Of Madness, getting more infectious as it goes. The quieter passages of acoustic guitar lead to melodic lead-work and clean singing, which isn’t the strongest but still sounds good. Rob Weisenbarger’s drumming is one of the standout elements on “Into The Void”, especially during Act 3: Chaotic Good. it keeps the song together, which at times doesn’t quite know what it wants to be. I’m not gonna be overly critical because it takes a lot of skill to play music like this (and I have very little of my own), but there is the occasion when this record seems a bit disjointed. The sudden pause before Act 4: The Whirling Door is an example of that; however, the song itself is filled with clever vocal harmonies and jazz. Crunching guitars underpin Act 5: Grave New World. Extremity and virtuosity are familiar bedfellows in metal and they both certainly come together here. At nearly ten-minutes in length it’s not a quick-fix but it is rewarding, showing what Infinite Earths are capable of. “Into The Void” is definitely worth investing the time in and it’s very well played. It does feel as though Infinite Earths are still finding their perfect sound, but that’s not far away on this evidence. 

You can stream and download "Into The Void" via bandcamp below:-

Infinite Earths Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/InfiniteEarths/

Lorraine - Gimbal Lock b/w Pitch/Roll/Yaw 7"

Tracklist:-

1. Gimbal Lock

2. Pitch/Roll/Yaw

It seems as though the closer I'm getting to xmas, the less time I have to write. I'm off for a week on the 21st so that should balance things out, hopefully. Once again, thanks to Daniel from Time As A Color for sending me a copy. Lorraine is another new band to me, hailing from Vienna in Austria. This quartet have been jamming since 2011 and have created what they call "jazzchorus driven post-punk". This is their latest 7" and follows an LP, an earlier 7" and a four-way split EP. It was released by no less than 8 labels, in cooperation.

Everything that Daniel (Time As A Color) has sent me has been really enjoyable and this is no exception. It’s got a bizarre pop-sensibility to it at the start of opener Gimbal Lock. The guitar melody reminds me more of electro-synth pop than post-punk to begin with. Those opening bars give way to distorted guitars, vocals that flit between raw garage-punk and clean, and skillful percussion. Pitch/Roll/Yaw follows in the same vein but is a whole lot more punk than post (in my opinion). The drum beat is effortlessly danceable and with the melody still coursing through, Lorraine would be as comfortable playing in an 80s discotheque as they would at a punk show. This is just my interpretation of this 7”. I love it and I know a lot of other people who would as well. Now what are the chances of them playing little old Harrogate!

You can stream the 7" and grab it as a name-your-price download here:-

You can get physical copies from the labels involved (who still have it in stock) below:-

Time As A Color - http://timeasacolor.com/shop/product-category/time-as-a-color-releases/
My Name Is Jonas - http://mynameisjonasrecords.bigcartel.com
Laserlife Records - http://www.laserliferecords.org/
Stereo Dasein - http://stereodasein.tictail.com
Krimskramz - http://krimskramz.tictail.com/products/krimskramz-releases

Lorraine Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/lorraine.theband
Time As A Color Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/timeasacolor
My Name In Jonas Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/mynameisjonasrecords
Art For Blind Records Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/artforblindrecords
Dingleberry Records and Distribution Facebook -https://www.facebook.com/Dingleberry-records-and-distribution
Laserlife Records Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/laserliferecords
Stereo Dasein Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/StereoDasein
Desertion Records Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/desertionrecords
Krimskramz Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/krimskramzstuff

Scour - The Grey EP

Tracklist:-

1. Dispatched

2. Clot

3. Crooked

4. Codes

5. Tactics

6. Tear Gas

When a band such as Scour appears with members of prominent US bands, it's easy to try and pigeonhole them. This is not the time for that though. Formed in 2015 by John Jarvis (Fulgora, Pig Destroyer and more) on bass, Jesse Schobel (Strong Intention) on drums, Chase Fraser (Continuum ex-Animosity, ex-Decrepit Birth, others) on guitar alongside Derek Engemann (Cattle Decapitation and ex-Neuraxis, amongst others), as well as vocalist Philip H. Anselmo (I don't need to mention his past and current endeavours), Scour released their debut EP in July of this year via Housecore Records. Given the collective experience of the quintet, an EP brimming with quickfire black metal certainly shouldn't come as a surprise.

Black metal that follows the path laid down by the Scandinavian first wave, but redefined by a US quintet with pretty solid CV’s should see you right. Opener Dispatched contains obligatory high shrieks and deep bellows, guitars that contain that characteristic USBM tone and drums that keep the urgency up front at all times. Progressive this ain’t and it bares more resemblance to grind thanks to it’s tempo, providing a no holds barred attack on Clot.  This is precision black metal and Scour as a cohesive unit make sure you don’t forget it. Crooked takes the Satanic influence and turns up the hatred in a simple but effective way, with no synths or chants, just straight-up blasphemy. The melodies that the guitars produce may not be initially obvious but they bury themselves in your head, especially during Codes. There’s ambience present to though, as Tactics demonstrates. It’s ambient noise presenting a mere breath of relief that only prolongs what is about to come. Menacing and totally engrossing, the power of Tear Gas rips you apart. It’s the first and only time that the screaming lead guitar is aloud to run loose, showing that Scour are more than just a straightforward black metal band. In truth, this is over far too quickly but it’s memorable and that is worth it’s weight in gold. 

Stream and download "The Grey" EP here:-

Grab vinyl copies here - http://www.thehousecorestore.com/

Scour Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/scourband/
Housecore Records Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/housecorerecords

Hissing - S/T 7"

Tracklist:-

1. Cairn

2. Husk

I just want to slip away to the comfort of sleep, but I'm not yet tired. I guess finding solace in heavy music will have to do for now. This self-titled 7" was released in June via Southern Lord Recordings. Oddly enough, Hissing also calls Seattle (Washington) home so that's two in two nights now. This is their second self-titled EP (if Metal Archives is to be believed), with the first being released in 2015 via the band and Disorder Recordings. There was also a demo sandwiched in between them earlier this year. Hissing plays ungodly black/death. Live show-wise they've supported Black Breath and Theories amongst others in recent months, so they're doing something right.

This is gloriously old-school. Opener Cairn is a feast of black metal atmosphere and deathly screams, fast/slow guitar and percussion that sounds like it’s right in front of you. There’s a slight crustiness to it, which is comforting and after the initial chaos everything settles into a sludgy march. Perfect for those cold winter nights walking alone. The opening riffs of Husk spell out something menacing yet oddly melodic, before Hissing lets rip with more chaotic death metal. They’re at their best when they disregard what’s gone before and go all out, with off-kilter time signatures and swathes of noise. This is not easy listening but with an album on the way in 2017, it’s two tracks are enough for the initiation. Prepare for a rotten year ahead!

Stream and purchase Hissing's S/T EP digitally or on 7" vinyl below:-

Hissing Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/pg/hissingseattle/
Southern Lord Recordings Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/SL

Into The Storm - Where The Merfalo Roam

Tracklist:-

1. Truck Van Trailer

2. Ghostmaker

3. Seduced And Disappointed

4. I Gotta Get The Bees Outta My Teeth

5. Wellwisher

6. Maturin

7. Maths

8. Fell Of A Horse

9. Jobbernaught

10. Where The Merfalo Roam

Apologies for the radio silence over the last week. My job is taking it out of me and now I've got flu or something. I can't think of a better way to stop it taking hold than taking time to check out Into The Storm, who as it turns covered CKY's 96 Quite Bitter Beings prior to the release of their second album in November. I don't know a great deal about the band, although they released their first full-length in 2010, following it up with two EPs in 2011 and 2013 respectively. "Where The Merfalo Roam" was released via Alive And Breathing Records. 

Into The Storm plays heavy, noisy metal tinged with sludge, which definitely takes more from the Savannah scene than it does from Seattle. Truck Van Trailer is pretty high octane and reverb on the vocals help them to match the soundstage created by the guitars and drums. Kinda like Crowbar being forced to mate with Torche. The wicked melody created by the lead guitar provide plenty of atmosphere on Ghostmaker that fights through it’s mid-paced drawl, before Into The Storm hits with off-kilter riffs that will curb stomp you harder than a chav from Birmingham that’s into beatdown! Things get more depraved and experimental with the slow burning Seduced and Disappointed. They pick up the pace with I Gotta Get The Bees Outta My Teeth, which is basically pile-driving rock with added sledgehammers. They pull out a huge number midway through the album with the six+ minute Wellwisher. It’s awesome when a band writes a longer song and then just rages through it, instead of getting too proggy or flowery. There’s no need for gimmicks here. Alexis Tahiri’s trumpet playing on Maturin adds a whole new layer to Into The Storm’s sound and seems to lift it to another place. Semi-improv intros are the best and it gives way to more heaviness. It’s this song where the screams also take on a new character all of their own, backed up by more monumental riffs and cymbal crashes. This half of the record has a more definite hardcore approach as Maths follows in the same footsteps as Maturin did, despite it’s more obvious introspective sections. Fell Off A Horse is more of a grinding frenzy at a little over a minute, while the bizarrely titled Jobbernaught is a…juggernaught (sorry). They end with the title-track and again it’s a big-un. A precise mix of everything that’s made this album great, with added violin from both Kim Pack and Sarah Pendleton. Brant, James, Matthew and Oliver have made more noise than a quartet really ought to and with it they’ve made an album worth strapping yourself in for. 

Stream "Where The Merfalo Roam" and grab it digitally or on cd/vinyl from Into The Storm's bandcamp page below:-

Into The Storm Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/rideintothestorm
Alive And Breathing Records Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/aliveandbreathingrecords

Heriot - World Collapse EP

Tracklist:-

1. Myrr

2. China Lake

3. Kleptocracy

4. World Collapse

I don't know a great deal about Swindon, apart from that they have a football team. Now I find you they have a pretty decent music scene too. It turns out that Eternal Lord came from Swindon as well as The Argent Dawn, so Heriot's got pretty big shoes to fill. This hardcore/doom trio released their debut EP exactly a month ago now and with a slot at Bloodstock already under their belts, they're looking to build momentum into 2017. The EP has been released via Slow God Records and the band themselves.

Heriot plays angry and heavy hardcore, with a slow and gloomy undercurrent. It’s good to hear a UK band taking on the more extreme end of hardcore again and EP opener Myrr is definitely.a winner in my book. There’s more to this trio’s music than just ‘core of course, with plenty of sludge-filled atmosphere. They show their more angular side on China Lake, which is filled with great riffs and deeps roars. There’s some beatdown poking through the murk as well, but it doesn’t overpower the song. Kleptocracy is the perfect way to wash those Monday blues out of your system. There’s a spacey feel to the first half of the song, while the second is just pure slow-mosh. Their ability to craft intense atmosphere is accentuated on the closing title-track. It paints a grim picture of the world in which we currently live and takes their doom-laden sound to a more than logical conclusion. Heriot ain’t messing about and I’m glad. They are the best soundtrack for the end of a year that’s left a bitter taste in the mouths of many. They should be heralded and applauded for that. Awesome indeed.

You can stream and download "World Collapse" below:-

Physical copies can be purchased from Heriot here - http://heriotuk.bigcartel.com.

Heriot Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/HERIOTUK
Slow God Records Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/slowgodrecords/

Coliseum/Doomriders - Not Of This World 7" (Reissue)

Tracklist:-

1. Coliseum - Am I Demon

2. Doomriders - Possession

Cult US record label Magic Bullet are about to celebrate their 20th anniversary and as part of those celebrations they're putting out a number of special releases. A reissue of the 2005 Danzig tribute split featuring Coliseum and Doomriders is one of those releases (it was actually officially released last week) . Featuring brand new artwork by Florian Bertmer, this 7" contains one song from each band. This series by Magic Bullet is their way of giving something back to the band and musicians that inspired them and also to the fans that have supported them along the way. 

Readers here should be familiar with both Coliseum and Doomriders. It also shouldn’t come as a surprise that both bands were influenced by Danzig. Coliseum’s version of Am I Demon is a gloriously noisy, groovy affair. Taking from their punk/stoner roots and adding horror-addled rock n roll for good measure, in a way that Danzig would appreciate. Doomriders take on Possession with off-kilter, noise-rock vibes aplenty. There’s a lot of old-school punk rock swagger in their rendition too. A beer swilling, chain smoking two-song tribute to one of punk rock’s biggest bands is reason enough to pick up a copy of this.

You can stream and purchase the 7" directly from Magic Bullet Records below:-

Coliseum Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/coliseumsoundsystem
Doomriders Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/DOOMRIDERS
Magic Bullet Records Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/magicbulletrecords

Gatecreeper - Sonoran Depravation

Tracklist:-

1. Craving Flesh

2. Sterilized

3. Desperation

4. Rotting As One

5. Stronghold

6. Patriarchal Grip

7. Lost Forever

8. Flamethrower

9. Grotesque Operations

It's great to see band's that you've reviewed in the past, when they were on their first demo/EP, getting  noticed and going onto bigger things. That's what's happened to Arizona's Gatecreeper. I was lucky enough to be able to review their debut self-titled EP back in 2014 and since then they've released three split records and have been snapped up by Relapse Records, which has culminated in the release of their debut full-length. They're playing Power Of The Riff in L.A. in December, supporting the mighty Neurosis. The death metal housed within this record has been getting rave reviews too, so I'm not gonna waste any more time writing this intro...

It seems as though Gatekeeper has taken on a whole new level of heavy. Craving Flesh opens "Sonoran Depravation" with old-school blasts, crushing guitars and low-growls that come straight from the pit of the stomach (or hell depending on your persuasion). There’s a martial industrial thing going on during Sterilized, which seems kind of apt considering the title. It’s label with groove during the opening bars before giving way to pit-inducing hardcore. The mid-paced tempo doesn’t even dilute it. Thankfully though, you don’t have to wait long for something altogether faster, Desperation sees Gatecreeper taking their death/grind peers head-on and winning thanks to menacing lead riffs and a stench of Death (the band). I was bowled over when I first head Noisem’s debut album and while Gatekeeper come from a less thrashy angle, the feeling is still the same when listening to this. Rotting As One is the sort of the song that will put an evil grin on your face and a glint in your eye. Everything just gets heavier on Stronghold, though I’m not sure how that’s possible. The twin-guitar harmonies give a nice nod to heavy metal’s past as well. The Sonoran Desert is a pretty inhospitable place and that must have surely provided some inspiration for Patriarchal Grip. It’s creeping riffs and squalid feedback are all too nightmarish. The whirlwind that grows out of it is equally as horrid, with ridiculous double-bass drumming and buzzsaw-guitars. It’s hard to images being Lost Forever, but you’ll catch a glimpse of the madness that will engulf you if you do by listening to the song. It’s a modern masterpiece of heavy precision. If Metallica were to replace James Hetfield with Jeff Walker from Carcass, what’s created may sound something like Flamethrower. As cheesy as that statement may sound, it’s not too inaccurate given the thrash-like overtones of the song. Gatecreeper doesn’t take their foot off the gas on closing song Grotesque Operations either. They hammer their point home with power and aggression, as well as a whole lot of atmosphere. It’s not often that a band unleashes and debut full-length with this kind of power and impact. Gatekeeper deserves all the praise they are getting and more. No posing or posturing here, just straight-up riff worship and heavy times.

Stream "Sonoran Depravation" and grab it digitally, on cd and on vinyl below:-

Gatecreeper Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/gatecreeper/
Relapse Records Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/RelapseRecords

Light The Skies - Human EP

Tracklist:-

1. Animals

2. Distractions

3. Acclimate

4. Looking Back

5. Ourselves

6. Distance

The current crop of UK metal/hardcore bands keeps growing. Birmingham (UK) quartet Light The Skies released their second EP "Human" in October.  They cut their teeth playing alongside many of their peers on stages around the UK since they formed in 2013. By the way, don't be too worried about that "Parental Advisory" sticker, they're not bringing back nu-metal!

Light The Skies kick off with some heavy hardcore on opening track Animals, but it’s their clean vocals that set them apart from their peers. There’s an unwillingness to play by the usual blueprint and their rhythms and instrumentation stays on the right side of djent. They take cues from Mallory Knox during Distractions and will no doubt have strong crossover appeal, thanks to melody they employ. It’s certainly slickly produced, even if they rely slightly on electronic effects. Acclimate takes post-hardcore and gives it yet another modern twist. It’s really catchy. I’m a sucker for the old-school, but I realise that times change and god knows there’s been enough change in this scene in recent years. There’s a organic live vocal sound present on Looking Back, which creeps through during the initial verse, coupled with heavy riffs and some gang-style vocal harmonies make it pretty exhilarating. They lay their pop-sensibilities bare on acoustic number Ourselves, though it’s got subtle nods to Incubus within it’s time-signatures. They end “Human” with probably the best song on the EP. Distance is really well-written and it’s pop-punk edge makes it really listenable. Light The Skies are a lot more original than I was expecting them to be and the variation that’s achieved here is definitely key to that. They are destined for better things if they continue in their vein. 

You can find out more about Light The Skies, as well as watch their videos and pick up merch via their website - http://www.lighttheskiesuk.com.

Light The Skies Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/LightTheSkiesUk/

Junior Bruce - Endless Descent

Tracklist:-

1. Lapis Philosophorum

2. Lion's Teeth

3. Thirteen Zeros

4. Of The Deep

5. Of The Earth

6. The Worthless Ones

7. Interlude

8. Night Hag

9. Lesser Key

10. Endless Descent

The cold is taking hold here and I'm full of food and beer, to keep myself warm of course! Talking of keeping warm, Floridian heavy band Junior Bruce has a new record out. I say warm because staring at the cover art is like staring into hell itself. "Endless Descent" is currently available digitally via the band but it's due out shortly on vinyl via A389 Recordings. Enjoy!

Instantly this album makes me think about all of the awesome gigs I’ve been too. Opener Lapis Philosophorum seems like it’s borrowing from the likes of Crowbar and Down but it’s oh so much more than that. Junior Bruce is one of those bands that can pull this sound off without it sounding cliche. There are swathes of psychedelia and heavy metal flowing through it and that’s fine with me. There’s blasts aplenty on Lion’s Teeth, but not the sort that will turn you off. They keep the pace high and the groove flowing. It’s also the song in which their lead work shines. Musically they’re on a higher plane than the aforementioned bands though. Thirteen Zeros is full of heavy metal flourishes and nods to the old-school. They do atmosphere too, like at the beginning of Of The Deep. What follows is heavy as hell and so much fun. The war fuzziness you feel when listening to Of The Earth is matched it’s guitar sound. The off-time nature of The Worthless Ones is subtle yet as the song progresses, it takes over and buries itself in your head. Musically, there’s not a huge amount of melody going on in the verses but who cares really. If you can’t head-bang and groove along to it then there’s something wrong with you. The feedback that closes it out flows into Interlude, with it’s strangely mystical guitar melodies. Night Hag is a slow-burn that paints a picture. The concept of this record is about a person trying to rescue somebody they love from an abyss full of demons that ends up consuming them (or something along those lines anyway) and this song seems to drag you into said abyss. After that Lesser Key seems almost uplifting with it’s more up-tempo pace. Junior Bruce calls time with the restrained yet extremely bass-heavy title-track, feedback and all. it takes their doom-influence and turns it up x100. It’s a huge ending to the record and well worth waiting for. It seems as though it’s all been leading up to this point for Junior Bruce and with “Endless Descent”, their time has come. You will not be disappointed with this. 

You can steam and purchase "Endless Descent" as a digital download here:-

Keep you eyes peeled for new of the vinyl release via both JB's and A389's Facebook pages below:-

Junior Bruce Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/juniorbrucerocks
A389 Recordings Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/a389recordings

Hamferd - Evst

Tracklist:-

1. Evst

2. Deydir Vardar

3. Vid Teimum Kvirru Grau

4. At Jarda Tey Elskadu

5. Sinnisloysi

6. Ytst

With so many bands releasing new music, with PR companies that have global reach and people that are better connected that ever thanks to the Internet and social media, it's not easy for bands from less populous countries to get their music out to new listeners. That's certainly the case for Faroese doom/death band Hamferd. Their album "Evst" was released in 2013 and their label TUTL Records is still on a mission to get it out there, hence this review. Hamferd started life in 2008. They released their debut EP "Vilst Er Siesta Fet" in 2010 and performed at Wacken Open Air two years later, due to winning the Wacken Metal Battle competition that year. They are currently in the process of writing a new record. 

The dramatic atmosphere of album opener Evst is clearly influenced by the landscape around Hamferd. The song’s mixture of low-growls, melodic leads and majestic clean vocals certainly makes you pay attention. It’s not just a run-of-the-mill doom/death record, that’s for sure. The lyrics are also in their native tongue, which further adds to their mystique and charm. Deydir Vardar has elements of the solitary doom of bands like Sentenced and Moonspell, mixed with more traditional layers. It’s quieter verses make the clean vocals stand out even more and at times they seem more operatic during the chorus. It would have been a special moment seeing Hamferd live at Wacken and when listening to their doom/death, you can almost picture it. Vid Teimum Kvirru Grau’s lengthy instrumental intro gives way to song with great ceremony and bombast. I am taken a back by this record. I wasn’t sure what to expect at first but even only three songs in, I’m in awe of what Hamferd has created. As the album progresses it becomes more mournful and even peaceful at times. At Jarda Tey Elskadu is semi-acoustic and is incredibly haunting as a result. It seamlessly flows into penultimate song Sinnisloysi, which is resplendent with orchestral strings. The percussion and guitars that sit above them are super heavy, as are the deathly growls and tortured screams. The female vocals that adorn the song sound like a kind of scary siren, beckoning seamen and their boats closer to the rocks! Album closer Ytst promises to justify it’s ten+ minute length. It starts off in a measured way, but there’s a sense of anticipation flowing through it. When the full band kicks in that anticipation finally overflows. Piano is heard for the first time here and all of Hamferd’s many elements come together to create something truly special. I guess “special” is quite a pertinent word for this record because it’ll blow you away. Its crazy to think that there are hidden gems like Hamferd all over the globe, but somehow many of them get missed. This isn’t one of those occasions though and this band is worthy of much greater things. 

You can view the video for Deydir Vardar and hear more from Hamferd via their website - http://www.hamferd.com

Hamferd Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/Hamferd/

TUTL Records Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/tutlrecords

Recollection: Alex (Miss The Stars Blog/Records/Fest)

I'm so happy to be able to bring you the second instalment of "Recollection" so soon after the first. I've been blown a way by how positively it's been received and am already sorting a third. I really want to keep this going. Today's instalment comes from Alex, who's behind the (We Built The World And) Miss The Stars blog as well as Miss The Stars Records and Miss The Stars Fest in Berlin. He's written about his ten favourite records below:-

Danse Macabre - 'die Kritik ist keine Leidenschaft des Kopfes"

A record that changed my life and it's still my favourite screamo record of all time. DM killed it in every single way.

Antitainment – "Nach der Kippe Pogo?!"

11 songs of weird, fast, well-written and arranged Nintendo-hardcore-Casio-metal-punk. A hybrid that will leave you speechless.

The Get Up Kids - "Four Minute Mile"

Second wave screamo at its best – every damn song is a hit. What more could you want, what more could you ask for?“

Captain Planet – "Wasser kommt. Wasser geht."

Probably the record I've listened the most. Moving and intense punk rock from Germany.

Fall of Efrafa – "Inle"

Everything FOE related (Light Bearer, Archivist…) sounds amazing. “Inle” is my personal quintessence of post-metal. Republic Of Heaven , Woundwort are such crushing songs – just stunning.

Infest - "No Man's Slave"

I love Totalitär, Dropdead, Charles Bronson, Spazz and so on from the bottom of my heart but nothing beats this record - It's absolute flawless. Fast, raw and heavy as hell.

Jet Black – "The Dead End"

The reason why I've named my blog/records/fest “We built the world and miss the stars” - it's a quote from a song called 48h. This record is full of screamo-classics. Forever in my heart.

Converge – "Jane Doe"

Classic hardcore record that probably everyone knows haha. It's a hit-record from front to back – with highly emotional lyrics and pissed off tunes/vocals. Legendary.

Protest The Hero – "Kezia"

"Kezia" is somehow special to me – got a kinda indescribable love for this record. It's super catchy, highly melodic and all in all a great concept record.

A Fire Inside - "The Art of Drowning"

The Lost Souls, Ever and a Day, Morningstar - it's just a perfect punk record and AFI in general will always have a place in my heart.

I just want to say thanks to Alex for taking the time to write about his favourite albums. I've put links below so you can check out his blog, label and the festival he's involved with (which, looks amazing!):-

Miss The Stars Blog - http://www.missthestars.com

Miss The Stars Records - http://www.missthestars-records.com

Miss The Stars Bandcamp - https://missthestars.bandcamp.com

Miss The Stars Fest - http://www.missthestars-fest.com

Miss The Stars Blog Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/missthestarsblog

Miss The Stars Records Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/missthestarsrecords

Miss The Stars Fest Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/missthestarsfest