That’s it! That’s the whole story!

Melissa Moore is a bad ass, and Prescriptor McGovern, which is the name of a grown human, is a coward and a shame and a fucking laughingstock.

OK, THAT is the whole story.

The album title “Take a Chance on Rock ‘n’ Roll” really has a sort of loose, fuck-it-all vibe to it, especially now that it’s summer, and no one can really have a lot of big adventures. But an album with that name sure sounds like one fun road companion, does it not? Music to keep you pumped and excited during the hot summer days. Then Couch Slut pull the rug out from under you, because you should know better.

Like all Couch Slut music, you’re not here to escape your troubles and have a good time. You’re getting the polar opposite of that experience because their music, especially what you hear on this, their third album, is uncomfortable to say the very least. The band delves into subject matter including mental abuse, drug use, underage prostitution, domestic violence, and plenty of other dark corners, with zero punches thrown, nothing held back, warts sliced open to ooze in front of you. The band—vocalist Megan O, guitarist/trumpet player Amy Mills, guitarist Kevin Wunderlich, bassist Kevin Hall, and drummer Theo Nobel—plaster you with noise, glass-shard riffs, strangeness, abrasiveness, and vocals that refuse to let you off the hook and ensure each ounce of pain is absorbed over and over again. And it all ends with a true story where it’s a miracle everyone lived to tell the tale. The album is available now to purchase by download and has been since May, but we’re on the verge of the physical release, hence why we’re writing about this record now.

“The Mouthwash Years” kicks off with the band’s trademark noise and trudging guitars as things get whipped into a frenzy in a hurry, and Meg’s vocals start peeling at your skin. The pace pummels as she sneers, ” Now you’re dried out, what do you want for it?” as the track ends in sludge and your ears lacerated. “Carousel of Progress” is speedier and wastes no time starting the bruising as killer guitars swelter, and Meg wails, “Yeah, it’s a gag, I know it’s on again, I didn’t want it,” as the track barrels into muscle, with drum spurts taking things to its end. “All the Way Down” charges up with the bass leading the way and the guitars sweating up a nasty swagger. The tale is horrifying, complete with blood in a sink, terrible events going on behind a bathroom door, and Meg calling out, “Pieces of flesh in the sink, I can’t take anymore,” before the song finally has mercy on you. “The Stupid Man” is a harrowing tale of a man stealing drugs, pissing in ovens, and being a threat to murder, oddly given a rather hypnotic backing at times that lets the words drive the panic. “My head wasn’t there, was not there at all, his mind wasn’t there, piece of shit addict,” Meg rails as the band hits a doomy swell that feels uncomfortable and eventually slams shut, as footsteps walk away.

“In a Pig’s Eye” already is relentless when it starts as hard shrieks pulsate, and the story is one where the woman, having been assaulted, is questioned about her motives. “They wanna know, they asked if I’m a whore,” Meg howls as the cops print her car and basically provide no help, only adding to the vitriol in the song. “I hope they’re fucking dead now,” she blasts while the band backs her with bone-stripping, noisy thrash. “Topless and Bottomless” has the guitars slamming you with a punk-fueled vibe, the vocals smothering, and Meg taunting, “You can’t even fuck a doll.” The playing drives a hole in the ground as the piss and fury continue to build, with Meg mocking, “Take it easy like a desperate fuck,” as the track boils out in noise. “I’m 14” is a tale of cocaine, secretly pierced clits, and sexual favors under the influence of drugs, all involving a teenager. The calculated vocal delivery makes sure you absorb every bit, squirming as the guitars strangely dream, and Mills’ trumpet flutter through as everything crashes down, but not before the song is twisted into the 1987 film “The Gate,” an end I did not see coming. “-” is a quick gateway track, driven by Wiley DeWeese’s piano playing that leads to closer “Someplace Cheap” that is a true story that happened to Meg and her previous bandmates when they decided to tour and ended up in Ohio. I don’t want to give away the entire thing, but let’s say it involves bikers, people being unknowingly drugged, those people waking up to realize they were jerked off over on camera, and a fucking amazing threat for the people who drugged them as to where they could find them so revenge could be had. Meg literally speaks the story over the band’s slurred guitars, pummeling drums, and humid pitch that gets heavier as the story gets scarier, only coming unhinged at the very end. Scary as hell. Glad they’re all alive.

As noted, you should not be fooled by the record’s breezy album title because what you find upon cracking it open are sobering, bloody, horrifying events that really happen to women and that are bluntly delivered in devastating detail. Caution always should be used when approaching a Couch Slut record (though it’s utterly vital these stories are shared), but assuming some newer folks are along for the ride, it just helps to reiterate. That all said, this is a killer record delivered by a tornadic force of a band, and it’s one of the year’s most jarring, unforgettable albums to be sure.

For more on the band, go here: https://www.facebook.com/couchslut/

To buy the album, go here: https://gileadmedia.bandcamp.com/album/take-a-chance-on-rock-n-roll

For more on the label, go here: https://gileadmedia.net/

Not everything is meant to last, even if it’s something you think is incredibly fruitful artistically because those behind the work may not necessarily agree. That was the case with Swedish/German duo The Oath, whose great 2014 debut record was accompanied not long after by the group’s permanent dissolution. Still, something good came out of that.

The band’s two leaders went on to their own projects, Johanna Sadonis founding like-minded Lucifer, and Linneá Olsson taking her darkness to filthier terrains with Maggot Heart, whose new record “Mercy Machine” is about to land in our laps. Olsson has a sneer and a swagger that stands way out front with this band that is incredibly appealing and gives the music even more fuel with which to set blazes, and they take things even further on this album, that shows a lot of growth from 2018 debut “Dusk to Dusk.” Joined by bassist Olivia Airey and drummer Uno Bruniusson, Olsson uses her voice and daggering guitar playing to whip up 10 tracks that sound like the band is in the streets and ready for a fight, even though they may be coming from another rumble a block over. It’s easy to get the feeling from listening to this record that Olsson is behind you, fist balled, just ready for you to make the wrong move so she can punch your teeth right down your throat.

“Second Class” gets things kick started as it lands scuzzy punches as Olsson’s singing leads the way, chock full of attitude. “You’re still running, but you’re so far from any kind of achievement,” she pokes as anger and spite melt right into the blood work. “Sex Breath” is a charger as the vocals prod, and the chorus is catchy as hell. Guitars darken and chime as the shadows lurk, the chorus kicks back in, and the song churns out. “Justine” has guitars slinking with Olsson pounding, “Every woman is a star, even those that go too far.” Punk heat is added to the forceful chugging while Olsson warns, “I’m not far behind,” as the track burns away. “Roses” is a strong one as a sinewy bassline crawls, and Olsson’s singing pushes into goth-scuffed guitars. She notes she’s “falling down the rabbit hole,” while the guitars charge up, and the rough playing gives the song a dangerous edge. “Gutter Feeling” has a bluesy bend with talk-like singing, as Olsson notes, “Heavenly bodies thrown out with the trash, I’ll look through the trash.” The chorus is tremendous as she stabs, “I’ve been tripping on that gutter feeling,” with the track ending with its own nose bloodied.

The title track has driving guitars and menacing vocals with yet another killer chorus that settles into your system. Noisy playing angles into a filthy pocket while the riffs charge up, and Olsson calls, “Show no mercy on me,” as the track bleeds out. “High Rise” has guitars agitating at the start before the song goes in more of a mid-tempo direction. The chorus is simple but effective as the title is called over and over while the leads take over and leave the song in a glimmering shine. “Lost Boys” delivers cool riffs while Olsson’s singing is pulled back a bit as the darkness is allowed to rain down. The guitars catch fire and take off for gritty, punishing terrain while Olsson calls, “Thank god I’ve got nothing to lose,” as the track melts away. “Senseless” trudges and feels doomy as Olsson notes, “I see the dogs of death in my garden,” as she stares menace in the eyes. The guitars thicken and sting while terror spreads, and echoes send chills down the spine. “Modern Cruelty” is the closer and starts with rock-solid riffs and things getting rougher in a hurry. Olsson practically spits out her words as the pace takes chances and causes you stomach acid to splash, while the sun sets quickly, letting dark vibes to roam. “Dawn breaks, you take your pills to get by,” Olsson calls as the track slips by, with the band firing off a final note repeatedly, as if driving the dagger deeper into your chest.

Maggot Heart have truly opened up a gruesome vein on “Mercy Machine,” an album that has the band really finding their way and developing their personality. These 10 tracks are dangerous, flooded with conviction, and confrontational, while Olsson is in total command out front, her vocals exploding with attitude. This is a fun, jarring record that shows no fear and will drive your face into the dirt just to prove its point.

For more on the band, go here: https://www.maggotheart.com/

To buy the album, go here: https://maggotheart.bandcamp.com/

For more on the label, go here: https://www.rapideyerecords.com/

Mental illness is for real. There are people who will try to argue otherwise, and if you’re one and you claim it has something to do with toughness, let me know so I can tell you to go fuck yourself. This is after five tough years of therapy and learning about social anxiety and other issues that helped me keep it bottled up and basically untreated for most of my life.

Empress’ debut record “Premonition” is based in a lot of that as the album touches deeply on mental health issues and the way they weave through our families and loved ones. This album specifically focuses on the struggles faced by vocalist/guitarist Peter Sacco and his family as well as the trauma and difficulties that can go along with that. There also is a measure of protection involved, discouraging people from pressuring those with mental health issues to come forward and instead letting them handle their life and struggles as they see fit. On this record, the band not only makes its mark with its prog-infested doom but also has a very human touch that should help those who identify with these issues feel a camaraderie and others in the dark about these matters help opening their eyes and hearts. The band is rounded out by drummer Chris Doyle, and bassist the late Brendan Gunn, who passed away in late October. This record is dedicated to his memory.

“A Pale Wanderer” has a fluid open before Sacco’s clean calls reach in, and the music heads into a proggy gaze. Doomy trudging lands punches while the soloing heats up, and a calm brings cooler air while sounds rush. Drums open up as the vocals turn to wild cries, moody melody brings cloud cover, and the track fades out. “Sepulchre” gets off to a raucous start as the chorus belts you, with the track taking on more of a rock n roll vibe. Gruff cries team up with the doomy chugging while the bass sinks in its teeth, yells punish, and the song ends abruptly. “Passage” trickles open as the guitars tread water, and Sacco’s signing hits Ozzy-style highs. The pace gallops as the guitars heat up and burn the hair on your arms, while a strong chorus gives an emotional boost. The bass rumbles as the track blasts ahead, and wild shrieks contributes to the end’s dust up.

“Trost” has strange effects on the cries, then the track cracks through the surface, and there’s a slight black metal edge to the melodies. The playing jolts your blood flow, as Sacco goes back and forth between harsh calls and clean vocals, and the playing eases into a driving bassline. Dreamy guitars come with a breeze as the singing floats in the air, wild cries explode, and an atmospheric soup leaves you coated in condensation. “Hiraeth” has a hazy start that flows in, setting the stage before the playing rages in flames. Guitars buzz while raw cries punish, and the underbelly pulsates and pounds before the tempo pulls back. The bass gets things moving again as yells echo, guitars blaze, and the track lands crucial punches before the track begins to melt back into the earth. The title track is a strong instrumental that leans in already on fire as the long intro sets the vibe, and all kinds of colors explode on the horizon. Things bubble while the drums tap away before the lid is torn off again, with the emotional surge challenging your psyche. “Lion’s Blood” is the cataclysmic closer that starts calmly, dripping in with softer vocals as the intensity ramps up. Once the awakening happens, crazed cries emerge, and the playing gets even more compelling, with Sacco’s wails reminding a bit of Bruce Lamont. The pace blends into cold, simmering there for a bit before the track trudges again, wild yells scrape the flesh, and the track burns out of time.

“Premonition” is a record that has two experiences, one musically and the other emotionally. It’s certainly possible to sink into Empress’ progressive doom and let the music wash over you as you disappear into the atmosphere. But if you connect to the lyrical content and have experienced mental illness yourself, it opens even deeper, digs into your heart, and provides an experience that every part of you can indulge and come out emotionally tested.

For more on the band, go here: https://www.facebook.com/empressBC

To buy the album, go here: https://thisisempress.bandcamp.com/

Photo by Void Revelations

Absolute fucking weirdness is the only way I can think to describe a band called Bedsore, which I assumed before digging in was going to deliver disgusting, gross-out death metal. Because, did you ever see a bed sore? They’re disgusting, and they apparently hurt pretty badly, though to this point I’m pretty happy I don’t actually know about it.

The Italian death metal band has their debut record “Hypnagogic Hallucinations” coming out on the mighty 20 Buck Spin, that label’s first singing from that country, and it’s a mind eraser. Yeah, it’s not a disgusting record at all and instead is one that will tap into your brain and slowly work its way into your skull’s machination. It’s kind of insane that this is their debut since it’s so sophisticated and mesmerizing in a way that hints at a band at this much longer their time together (their 2018 demo is what alerted the label to their strange ways). The band—Jacopo Gianmaria Pepe (vocals, guitars, synths), Stefano Allegretti (vocals, guitars, organ, keyboards), Giulio Rimoli (bass), Davide Itri (drums)—is compelling from the start and once the entire record unfolds, if you’re like me, you’re instantly pulled into their unreal psychosis that never, ever relents.

“The Gate, Disclosure (Intro)” opens the record with organs sweltering and the drums awakening before a synth fog hovers over the area. Things feel proggy and weird before elegant guitars unfurl, and we float into a psychedelic dream and toward “The Gate, Closure (Sarcoptes Obitus)” where guitars heat up and enter a death spiral. Wild screams erupt as the playing begins to slash, while the leads take off, meeting up with grisly howls. A trickling pool emerges as the music bleeds off into a mind-tingling aura. “Deathgazer” has riffs electrifying as the tempo stomps guts, and the playing stymies. Animalistic howls jab into your sides while the pace chews up again, leads boil and moisten your skin, and then things start to rip apart again before ending abruptly. “At The Mountains of Madness” is the longest track, running 8:57 and dripping in slowly as a thick mist develops. Suddenly, the song comes to life with chugging guitars, banshee howls, and then the playing speeding up into a hypnotic section that leaves your mind in a tailspin. The song punches back in as the vocals tunnel toward your soul as fluid soloing swims toward a mind-altering corner that eventually gives off bluesy streaks as the song disappears into the night.

“Cauliflower Growth” trudges in death as things drip into the murk, and that turns toward a sludgy path downhill. Strong soloing fills the air and gives off warm colors before the vocals become unhinged, and that keeps the fires going until the intensity levels off, clean guitars melt, and everything drains away. “Disembowelment of the Souls (Tabanidae)” aggravates blues strains again, floating your head, then guitars burn, and the screams become acidic. The playing feels like a slow-droning crash for a stretch as guitars light up again, and the ground rumbles. Hypnosis is something of a theme in Bedsore’s music, and that rears its head toward the end of the track, creating a soothing chill and a gateway to closer “Brains on the Tarmac.” Things begin reflectively as cold guitars slowly awaken into a dark noir as things gallop open, and maniacal devastation sets its trap. Insane playing shoves into shadowy darkness, throwing shrapnel before calm reaches in, flowing toward ominous nightmare terrain which pays off when the band hits muddy chaos again. The pace explodes while the howls mar brain impulses, with the track crashing landing closed.

It’s easy to get caught up in Bedsore’s strangeness and psychotic visions, but don’t let that divert you from how deadly their playing is, and how strong these dream-like death blasts are from start to finish. “Hypnagogic Hallucinations” is a mentally punishing record, an incredibly stellar debut album from these Italian beasts that’ll play over and over in your end. This is an adventurous, psychologically stimulating record that’s going to be a blast to investigate on subsequent visits.

For more on the band, go here: https://www.facebook.com/bedsoredeath

To buy the album, go here: https://www.20buckspin.com/bedsore

For more on the label, go here: https://www.20buckspin.com/

Since as far as history goes back, we’ve heard stories of the lesser fighting back against those who hoarded their wealth and power over these people, often with bloody, violent results. We haven’t changed a bit over the centuries as those power structures remain in place and likely will until well after we’ve all moved to another plane of existence.

Greek musician Ayloss, who you also likely know from his Spectral Lore project, wanted to dig back into the ages and uncover some of these tales that remain applicable to this very second in time. His first record under the Mystras banner is  “Castles Conquered and Reclaimed,” a collection that also steps back and forth between time periods with its sound and creates something enthralling and empowering along the way. With nine tracks spread over more than 50 minutes, Ayloss divides the record between noise-glazed black metal and versions of Medieval hymns played alongside special guest musicians from groups such as Lüüp, Art of Simplicity, Neda, and Spider of Pnyx. It’s a stunning collection that celebrates the common person, those who fought back against tyranny and often didn’t live to see the end of the fight. It certainly can connect with those today waging similar battles seeking justice and equality.

The title track starts the record with glorious riffs creating an impenetrable cloud of sound before Ayloss’ shrieks rain down, though in a way where they’re part of the mix and not the driving force. Guitars circle before the leads reign, and the tempo then clobbers you with immense melodies. The yells scrape while the guitars wash over again, finally bleeding out into the night and toward first Medieval piece “The Cutty Wren” where guitar strings are plucked, and pleasant breezes wash over you. “The Murder of Wat Tyler” is the longest track, running 12:39, recounting the decapitation death of the Peasants’ Revolt leader in England in the 14th Century. The track takes on a glorious hue as it gets under way while muted roars push, and melody unfurls before speaking parts leading into wild shrieks. Regal guitar work swelters before the track takes on a tidal waving force and accompanying “woah-oh” calls. Black metal-style riffing takes over as total chaos erupts, burying the song in the dust. “Contre Dolour” is a mix of acoustic guitars and flutes, reminding of a warm day on the grass.

“Storm the Walls of Mystras” has a frantic opening that splashes colors and rage as it makes for the fortified city. A sharp guitar line pokes through the storming while vicious howls pay off the caterwauling emotion. The guitars begin to race as the tempo gains intensity, continually ramping up its rampage to reckless levels. Fiery leads blaze a path while boisterous calls and strange sounds take the track to its final mark. “O Tsakitzis” has violin scraping as the song conjures thoughts of a hot midday sun, sweat soaking one’s clothes, before we head into “The Zealots of Thessaloniki” where guitars sting, the drums rustle up dust, and an angry storm brews and spreads its wings. The playing is numbing in spots as leads break out and hustle, while the tempo gets fully charged up and has froth at its mouth. The guitars hit a pre-Dickinson Maiden-style gallop, bringing blistering punishment and bleeding out in the dirt. “Ai Vist Lo Lop” is the final interlude as acoustics trample the ground, shakers rouse, and whistles hit the wind and lead toward closer “Wrath and Glory” that opens in total pummeling mode. Strong riffs ride as the playing rumbles, bringing crazed cries and massive melodies to the table. The final minutes wreck and maul, slashing in and out of pools of blood while everything fades into the night’s fires.

The idea of the downtrodden fighting back against its oppressors is a tale as old as time, yet it’s one that remains relevant, sadly, in this day and age. Ayloss’ visions with Mystras certainly are steeped partially in an era long past on “Castles Conquered and Reclaimed,” but we see these very stories playing out now, in different parts of the world, with only our technology updated. This is a passionate, meaningful record that isn’t just a great slab of atmospheric black metal but also is a reminder that the fight lingers on, and we cannot be lulled to sleep or discouraged from clashing for what is rightfully ours.

To buy the album, go here: http://i-voidhanger.com/shop/

Or here: https://i-voidhangerrecords.bandcamp.com/album/castles-conquered-and-reclaimed

For more on the label, go here: http://i-voidhanger.com/

Photo by Matt Dayak

There’s a point toward the back end of “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” where the shit has destroyed the fan, everything is in tatters, and it’s suggested everyone leave before it gets any worse. To which Clark Griswold replies to his wife, “Look around you, Ellen! We’re at the threshold of hell!” And there it is. 2020 in a nutshell.

That stupid opening is to break the ice so we can discuss the new Zombi album fittingly titled “2020,” which might suggest music that feels like it’s on the verge of destruction, where all hope is lost, and where your anxiety might as well just stop your heart in its tracks. But that’s not quite what happens with this album. Instead, we get the most ambitious Zombi has been in a while, a record that has guitars driving as much of the drama as the synth, and the music making your heart race as you weave your way through these nine tracks. The band—Steve Moore (synth, guitars, bass) and A.E. Paterra (drums)—creates darkly cinematic music again but this time delving into doom and sludge, grittier areas where they don’t always tread but make this album heftier and punchier, adding even more to its appeal.

“Breakthrough & Conquer” introduces eerie keys that turn into a tremendous melody line that feels like it could be the leading track for a movie. Strong guitar work accompanies it (they got an assist by Philip Manley from Trans Am)  that gives it a nighttime vibe, adding fluid leads to a spooky, fun track. “Earthscraper” folds synth into gritty doom guitar work, with everything grinding its way through. Sci-fi-style keys jostle as the playing bashes away before a humid haze hangs overhead, and the track disappears into a weird void. “No Damage” is the first of two consecutive tracks that gives off an early ’80s Rush vibe, which could not make me happier. Guitars churn as the synth floats, giving off a cool sheen. That melts into a sludgy pocket that has toxicity glowing beneath, ending with a rumbling fade. “XYZT” pushes keys into lush atmosphere, feeling both dreamy and punchy. Proggy playing gives off the feel of the aforementioned Canadian trio, while the music bubbles and zaps, the pace rumbles, and keys rain down into the shores,

“Fifth Point of the Pentangle” fades in as synth creates a cold front, as the bass drives into corners. That works its way toward the stars, bringing cool cosmos and star splashes that bleed into the night sky. “Family Man” is ominous when it starts, creeping into the room before the bass clobbers. The pace turns burly as it works its way further into the shadows while synth melodies entrance, and the track fades into majestic wonder. “Mountain Ranges” launches key sprawl as a calculated pace is achieved, and cool melodies chill the flesh. The pace is pretty steady throughout, treading waves and watching from the waters before it can come in and make its move. “First Flower” has drums awakening and the thick bass tunneling, while the keys create a mystical ambiance. The punches continue to land as the synth glimmers, the melody churns, and the music suddenly feels as if you have water filling your ears and slowly draining. “Thoughtforms” closes the album by introducing another great synth riff, while warm guitars wash in and change the temperature. The feel like is like early summer evening as the light starts to fade and the skies grow orange and purple. The leads begin to heat up before calm stretches, chilly breezes raise your flesh, and the track retreats into the final strains of daylight.

Two decades into their run, Zombi continue to surprise us as “2020” is one of the most jarring selections in their entire catalog. How strange it is that this music is arriving when it is, with a title that’s now incredibly ominous, though the music is imaginative, exciting, and bold. It’s a rare streak of color, a dash of energy in this motherfucking year 2020, a time period that shares a name with an pretty enthralling record from a band whose creativity doesn’t rest.

For more on the band, go here: https://www.facebook.com/ZombiBand/

To buy the album, go here: https://orcd.co/zombi2020

For more on the label, go here: https://www.facebook.com/RelapseRecords

Photo by Erica Lauren

For absolutely no good reason at all, we don’t end up doing a lot of hardcore records on this site, likely because there’s so much metal to cover that it just gets pushed to the side. And there probably are people better equipped than we are to cover it. But that doesn’t mean we’re not paying attention, so when we can highlight a killer band, we’ll do so.

Southern Lord is basically running as half doom/half hardcore and has for some time now, and they’re delivering “Detriment,” the debut record from Entry. This nine-track record is over before it hits the 15-minuite mark, but it is a barnstormer of an album and makes a devastating impression in no time at all. The California-based band—vocalist Sara Gregory, guitarist Clayton Stevens, bassist Sean Sakamoto, drummer Chris Dwyer—raises the banner for unity in music, pulling into the more positive, strength-bearing aspects of punk and hardcore, but they do so with a stormy, catchy, brutal style that also delves into death metal just a bit. It’s a really energetic listen.

“Intro” is a quick starter with noise hanging in the air and grungy guitars, setting the stage for “Your Best Interest” to erupt. Things just rip apart as Gregory’s raspy wails blacken eyes, and the basslines pummel. The senses are completely mashed as the playing scrapes away, and the drums decimate. “Vulnerable” bursts out of its own body as punches are thrown, and Gregory’s throaty howls slice and dice. The riffs hold everything together as the playing stampedes heavily to the end. “Secondary” has drums exploding and punk blasts tearing everything apart. “We are secondary,” Gregory shouts as the track comes to a sudden, mashing end. “Selective Empathy” delivers rad punk riffs that ignite into melody before Gregory leaps all over things. The strong pace gets the blood charging while the track ends in a slow maul.

“These Feelings” bathes in feedback before the basslines drive, and the guitars completely explode. Maniacal hell is unleashed as speedy blasts erupt, and the track ends in madness. “Not Your Decision” begins with Gregory howling a quick “1-2-3-4!” to get things racing. Her vocals scrape by while the guitars fire up, and the clobbering pace is suddenly over before you know it. “Control” gets off to the races while Gregory’s vocals rip at the flesh, and the playing has a heavy punk charge. The song is catchy and filthy as the playing comes to a fiery conclusion. “Demons” closes the album, and it’s the longest track here, running 3:32. It’s also a step toward death metal terrain as they slow it down and allow the lava to build up and spill over, with the vocals sounding molten. The track continues its mauling best, hammering like a beast toward hell’s gates.

Entry make one hell of a monstrous impression on “Detriment,” a record you can hear in full in the amount of time it takes to shower, not that we recommend doing that because you might slip and fall down while punching the walls. This record works perfectly on Southern Lord’s increasingly diverse roster, and the band’s mix of punk, hardcore, and a touch of death metal should help them find a loyal audience there. The intensity and passion here cannot be denied, and this should be the opening salvo from one of hardcore’s best new hopes for the future.

For more on the band, go here: https://www.facebook.com/Entryband

To buy the album, go here: https://southernlord.com/store/

For more on the label, go here: https://southernlord.com/

I wonder sometimes if I didn’t do this site how many bands I’d never learn about or eventually run into that end up being favorites of mine. There’s so much shit out there in every possible sub-genre that there are incredible bands bubbling beneath the surface that a lot of people never find just because the amount of content can be overwhelming.

If you haven’t run into German doom squad Eremit yet, do yourself a favor and change that right now. A strong gateway to their wares is new two-track EP “Desert of Ghouls,” an effort that still runs a healthy 21:12, which is longer by a few minutes than a full-length record we’ll discuss tomorrow. It’s their first music since 2018 debut “Carrier of Weight,” and portioned in a sense that you won’t overindulge (doom records tend to be long) and get just enough nourishment to keep you going. The band—vocalist/guitarist Moritz Fabian, guitarist Pascal Sommer, drummer Marco Backer—adds a lot of their own DNA into the catastrophic doom so that they carry the banner, but they do it in their own way. This is a band that needs more exposure because they’re bound to find a ravenous audience.

“Beheading the Innumerous” opens the record with fuzz and chugging, as the playing drubs you numbly. Fabian’s grimy growls maul with menace aforethought, as the playing drills hammers into the flesh, landing impossibly heavy blows. As the track moves on, it switches paces into doomy trauma with the playing leaving heavy bruising, Fabian wailing, “Death will reign now,” and the song swaggering closed, capping off a mashing 8:57. “City of Râsh-il-nûm” is the 12:14-long closer that starts with drums crumbling open and the music swimming through psychosis. The track slowly sinks into dark waters while the track gets thorny and the guitars burn brightly. Growls hammer through while the playing gets burlier, stampeding as Fabian howls about the “city of light, city made of stone.” The bass charges up while the track rips open at the seams, gaining intensity as raspy cries mash away. The sinister playing begins to hit its threshold while the boiling slows, the music crashes to the shores, and everything bleeds into an insect swarm of noise.

Eremit’s thick doom here feels close to what they accomplished on their 2018 debut record “Carrier of Weight,” but with an eye toward their future and what that holds. “Desert of Ghouls” is an ideal introduction to anyone who has yet to familiarize themselves with this band so they can get a quick taste of what they do. This is monstrous doom metal that seeks to punish and leaves you basking in the midst of one of the sub-genre’s brighter new celestial bodies.

For more on the band, go here: https://www.facebook.com/EremitDoom

To buy the album, go here (U.S.): https://transcendingobscurity.aisamerch.com/

Or here (international): https://transcendingobscurity.aisamerch.de/shop-en

For more on the label, go here: https://tometal.com/

Obviously, this is also a pro wrestling site, and with the global pandemic and matches taking place with mostly no fans, there haven’t been a lot of great battles and huge moments to embrace and etch into 2020’s history. Luckily, this also happens to be a metal site, and we haven’t had that issue as there have been plenty of great records in the first half of the year to distract us.

Finnish death metal squadron Lantern has been building their resume for the past 12 years and their first two full-lengths, and they’ve left us with some devastating shit. But all of that has led to their thunderous third record “Dimensions” that’s coming our way physically next Friday (you can hear it digitally today, and that link’s below), and it’s their crowning achievement so far. I say so far because I’m not capping their potential whatsoever, but this album is the measuring stick at the moment for them, and this record is a rushing, strange, pulverizing document that’s one of the best death metal records of the year so far. The band—vocalist Necrophilos, guitarist St. Belial, guitarist/bassist Cruciatus, drummer J. Poussu—unearths all they have on this six-track, nearly 39-minute album that’s ideally portioned and never stops being utterly compelling.

“Strange Nebula” begins trucking right away, piling into crunchy, thrashy playing while Necrophilos’ trademark throaty growls begins to pool blood. “Unleashed from the source, the origin of chaos and death!” he howls while the chorus swoops in where he warns,” Beware the sky!” Finger-tapped guitars usher in a new darkness as the soloing explodes, bones are turned to dust, and the back-end trudges right into the mouth of hell. “Beings” has guitars hanging like a storm as gruff shouts and wrenching guitars team up. A humid heaviness makes its presence felt while  Necrophilos declares, “You are one with them!” as the track drains into hellish waters and right into “Portraits” where the tone grows eerier, and  Necrophilos gruffly sings, “Three candles light the way down these damp and stone-clad stairs.” Beyond are portraits that rob you of your sanity as you try to deny what you’ve seen as your trip succumbs to noise.

“Cauldron of Souls” lights up and goes into a furious pace right away while growls are spat out, and the riffs entangle you. A flurry of playing turns the room in a million directions while the growls pelt down on your flesh, and the track ends in decimation. “Shrine of Revelation” starts in a destructive manner while vicious howls lash at you, and the pace continually adds more fire to its repertoire. Solid soloing emerges and rides through the dark, bringing with it violence and melody that continue unloading until finally subsides. Closer “Monolith Abyssal Dimensions” is a beast at 14:17, yet it doesn’t feel half that long. Dark tunneling gets us into the body of the track where ungodly growls and carving playing brings you deeper into the abyss, while a thrashy assault leads to a blast of weirdness. That works with the wilting temperatures as things slowly work back into punishing order, as warm guitars add a level of steaminess. Drums blast and rattle the walls while delirious playing and Necrophilos’ warning that, “Kingdoms, mountains, and times succumb to the dark,” ushers this into a psychedelic, mind-warping finish.

Lantern still feel like an unheralded band in modern death metal, and that should change with “Dimensions,” a record that takes the logical steps forward and never relents on the punishment. At the same time, there is imagination and risk taking combined, making their sound even fresher than before and one that necessitates repeat listens just to absorb it all. This should go down as one of the year’s best-remembered death metal records in a field of strong contenders.

For more on the band, go here: https://www.facebook.com/lantern666

To buy the album, go here: http://www.darkdescentrecords.com/store/

To hear the album, go here: https://darkdescentrecords.bandcamp.com/album/dimensions

For more on the label, go here: https://www.darkdescentrecords.com/