The branching out of metal’s sub-genres has been a very healthy thing for this style of music. People have taken traditional sounds and stretched them as far as they can go, yet when it seems the barriers could burst, they find another way around it. That has made for some fascinating music, and it’s made what could have been a stale scene remain vibrant.

That’s also helped bands that want to keep it simple and traditional. There’s still great merit in playing things that way they’ve always been done, as it keeps that path to the roots alive and well. That leads us to Antwerp-based death unit Carnation who are beating the shit out of us on their debut full-length “Chapel of Abhorrence.” If you insist on dining at the table of death metal’s masters, the ones who forged the path for this style of music, you’ll be right at home with this 11-track,  47-minute record that doesn’t feel nearly that long. The band—vocalist Simon Duson, guitarists Bert Vervoort and Jonathan Verstrepen, bassist Yarne Heylen, and drummer Vincent Verstrepen—digs into chaos, destruction, and all the shit we’ve come to expect from death’s ever-flowing stream of infestation, and they do it well.

The record kicks off with “The Whisperer” as feedback and, of course, whispers unwind, and the song begins to unfurl. Gurgly growls and speedy playing make up the bulk of this, while eerie organs spill in later, as Duson howls, “I am the whisperer of doom!” as things come to a bludgeoning end. “Hellfire” has a vicious start, as death drills into your chest, with Duson screaming, “Your soul is broken!” Scorching soloing then goes off, jamming a blunt edge into your chest. The title track has gnarly riffs and penetrating, aggressive playing, while gruff growls and burnt guitars bring the song to a volatile end. “The Unconquerable Sun” builds up and bursts into a cloud of shreds and mind-bending playing. The tempo stomps and crunches, as the growls envelop your senses, and fiery riffs stomp you out. “Disciples of Bloodlust” is thrashing and mean, with violent intent woven into the song, and visions of bodily contortion making bones ache. The song gets into high-power gear from there, while Duson’s words sound like he’s choking on blood.

“Hatred Unleashed” is punchy and harsh, as Duson declares, “I curse you all with endless torment!” Revenge is in the air, as the track ups the ante on torn muscles and violence. “Plaguebreeder” has drums blistering your flesh, as the band chugs, and the song gets heavy as hell. There’s even a bit of a hardcore taste to what’s going on here, making it even more ferocious. “Magnum Chaos” has riffs twisting and growls pummeling, with the band applying ample pressure as the room begins to spin. The guitar work swelters later, with alien-like vocals spilling into the atmosphere before things come to a torching finish. “Sermon of the Dead” is hypnotic and wiry, with the speed picking up quickly and a pulverizing assault delivering the ritualistic hell. “Fathomless Depths” swims in death-doom swampiness, as Duson’s growls are belched out, and the terror bubbles to the surface. “It’s time to say your prayers,” Duson screams, as the song goes out on a funereal note. “Power Trip” brings the record to its end, as it stampedes ahead, the adrenaline surges, and violent transmissions deliver the final blows. The band keeps adding to the torment before things come to a sudden end.

Carnation’s path toward death is legit and ugly, and if you’re in worship to the masters, then you’ll like the shit out of  “Chapel to Abhorrence.” It’s great that death has morphed beyond it’s original form, and we support the hell out of that. But bands that keep the original spirit alive matter, and Carnation are one of the ones that makes this vile nature feel real again.

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

To buy the album (North America), go here: https://shopusa.season-of-mist.com/

Or here (International): https://shop.season-of-mist.com/

For more on the label, go here: http://www.season-of-mist.com/

War sucks, but that hasn’t really stopped the metal world from grasping onto it and wringing it for every drop of inspiration. That makes a lot of sense. Metal is a destructive, fiery place, and recounting battles or imagining oneself in the midst of hell makes for pretty good content that never seems to run out of energy. As long as it remains escapism for most of us, right?

On the tails of bands such as Bolt Thrower, Hail of Bullets, Ares Kingdom, Asphyx, and others come Maligner, a Swedish entity releasing their first full-length effort “Attraction to Annihilation,” which is quite aptly titled. This eight-track, nearly 31-minute display is heavy, thrashing, and absolutely on fire. In just their third year of existence, Maligner already possess a deadly will and an ability to make ideal use of their, and your, time, as they waste nothing in their execution of the ideas. The band—bassist/vocalist Maligno, guitarist Aztiak, and drummer Ertheb Somus-Ra—throw you right into the heart of the battle, where you have no room to run or hide and must fight for your life or die. Metaphorically, at least.

The album kicks off with “Oath-bound,” a punchy helping of death that comes right for your throat with speed, menacing wails, and stomping, old-school savagery that should have even the most decrepit listener excited. The track ends in a blaze, running fittingly into “Lust for Fire” that trudges its way through the mud. Maligno howls about the stench of human flesh, while the guitar work reeks of early ’90s pain and damage, giving a wave of nostalgia as it flattens you. “Disposable” starts with crackling fires and the sound of a riot coming this way before soulful leads open and swallow you whole. “We are nothing but disposable!” Maligno cries, echoing similar sentiments as Metallica did 30-some years ago, with the track ending in fluid, razor-sharp guitar attack. “Salvation” thrashes heavily, with vicious growls, a pummeling pace, and a war-torn finish that brutalizes everything inside of you.

“Reign of Fear” has military-style drumming that rattles your head, and then the cork is ripped out, letting the assault spill all over. Maligno howls about “absolute domination” and the inevitable corruption of power, leading to a burst of calm, as rain and pianos wash everything away. “Beyond Repair” has thick bass, thrashy goodness, and then a neck-jerk shove into speed, as Maligno declares, “Whatever the cost, do what it takes!” Molten soloing takes it from there and leaves it in a pile of ash. “Mental Breakdown” sounds just like what its title promises, as it’s fast, punishing, and totally off the rails. Blinding soloing torches any chance of calm, as the track comes to a destructive end. Closer “Into Oblivion” has leads spiraling and the room spinning, as Maligno shouts, “Face the void!” as if you’re about to be dissolved into nothingness. It’s a similar story to what precedes it, as fast playing, strong soloing, and a crushing end deliver the final shots.

Maligner may only be on their first offering, but “Attraction to Annihilation” holds promise that this band could be one of death metal’s true powerhouses in the years to come. They’re never going to dry the well when it comes to subject matter, and as long as they remain this deadly, Maligner should keep getting sharper and stronger.

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

To buy the album, go here: http://shop.bloodharvest.se/

Or here: https://helterskelterproductions.bandcamp.com/

For more on the label, go here: http://www.bloodharvest.se/

And here: http://www.helterskelterproductions.se/

Holy hell, July. You were a good month. We had a ton of great music, and one of the leading contenders for album of the year came from this month. We also had Migration Fest in Pittsburgh, a place where I left a part of me. I know that sounds weird. Last time I said something like that, I was called a ton of names that are supposed to insult our fucking awesome gay friends and people who fight to ensure that social parameters are equal for all. If you’re one of those, bring your shit, coward. Those words are badges of honor for me.

OK, so all that aside, we have a mix from July. I don’t want these to be mammoths, so I left a few things off, but everything here has been in constant rotation around here. And look, Spotify is a cool tool and all, but if you like any of this, toss the bands some money and buy the real product, because the artists get nothing from these listens. There are few things that feel as good as holding someone’s hard-earned art in your hands. It means something to them, and hopefully holding a record or CD (you can’t hold a Bandcamp download, but that feels fine, too) is not replaceable at all. Thanks for listening and reading. Your support means the world to me. Keep supporting the great folks who keep us writing.

There has been a strange, dark pall over this entire week, and it’s hard to say why. Perhaps it’s just my own psyche crashing back down to earth. But I also think it has something to do with the ambiance, the humid storming, the strange-looking skies, and that feeling that something’s a little off. Whatever it is, it’s making me feel the need to sink into doom.

Sinking down into that thick, dingy darkness along with me and the rest of us come Minnesota-based maulers Void Rot and their ferocious, clubbing debut EP “Consumed By Oblivion,” a three-track, 15-minute display of true morbidity that swallows you whole and refuses to let in the sunlight. Released jointly by Sentient Ruin and Everlasting Spew, this effort unleashes its horrifying ways, wraps its tentacles around you, and takes you down a path to hell that reminds of early 1990s Peaceville doom, with their claws firmly sunk into today’s death-like terrain. The band—guitarist/vocalist John Hancock, guitarist Kent Skralow, bassist Craig Clemons, and drummer Will Bell—also manage to captivate and send you into a foggy dreamland amid their destruction, leaving you to wander about aimlessly in your mind while under certain attack.

The record emerges with “Ancient Seed” that is foreboding and ruinous, as a thick cloud of power hangs in the air. The growls emerge and bubble, while the riffs encircle and create a tornado effect, with the band then going into deep sludging. The track then ignites suddenly, dropping heavy rains that saturate what’s below, and then things come to a clubbing, punishing end. The title track bleeds slowly to start, while the growls engorge, and the band lets loose with its assault. Muddy thrashing leads the way and sends dirt and rock flying, as things get into a sweltering tunnels, where the air is nearly too thick to breathe. As the pace gets heavier, the growls continue down the road to madness, and then a penetrating haze settles over everything as the cut bleeds away. Closer “Celestial Plague” has stinging guitars that opens up wounds, while humid rumbling pushes into the scene, and a slow-stomping pace crushes the earth. The guitars chug and later swim in filth, leading to the track being torn open from within, as the band unloads a hellish stampede that only ends once the lights go out for good.

This is but the first salvo from Void Rot, but if it’s any indication of what’s ahead for them, “Consumed By Oblivion” is something you’ll want to jump on now before people come around to it. Typically, we don’t feature a ton of EPs in the Pick of the Week slot, but this one just stood out from everything else this week when it cast its dark shadow. Void Rot is a band you’ll want to keep in the back of you head for when their full-length arrives, but until then, these three songs can take turns bruising your mentality.

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

To buy the album, go here: http://sentientruin.com/releases/void-rot-consumed-by-oblivion

Or here: https://everlastingspewrecords.bandcamp.com/album/consumed-by-oblivion

For more on the label, go here: http://sentientruin.com/

And here: https://everlastingspew.com/

I’m never going to Australia, and there’s not a thing you can do to change my mind. Nothing against that fine continent, but I’ve already seen the snakes and spiders that call that land home, and I would like to keep as much distance possible between me and them.

That’s kind of a shame, because Australia has a shit ton of great bands (just saw one over the weekend in funeral doom walkers Mournful Congregation), and so much of what comes from there is creepy and terrifying. There’s another in the form of Ill Omen, the project long helmed by IV, also of such notable bands as Temple Nightside, Funerary Torch, Nazxul, and plenty of others, who pours wicked and devastating black metal into this particular band. Over the course of the past 12 years, Ill Omen have offered up three full-length efforts (their last was 2016’s “Æ.Thy.Rift”) as well as a slew of other releases, including their hellacious new EP “The Grande Usurper.” This four-track, nearly 24-minute effort comes our way via the always-reliable Iron Bonehead and contains some of the band’s strangest, darkest material and a chance for them to push their chasm even further into damnation. It’s a quick listen as a result, but it’s one that pushes and devastates along the way.

“The Ruinous Drear” starts with dizzying chimes before a massive storm cloud arrives overhead, and coarse, hellish vocals make their way to the Earth, sickening and frightening. Terrifying moans sprawl, while the speed arrives, as chaos and eeriness are swallowed by cavernous power. “A Sentenced Suffering” has buzz saw guitars chewing flesh, as the pace blisters, and guitar squall stings your ears. The tempo stomps guts, pained growls work their way into your psyche, and the guitars go off in a blazing terror. The track slows a bit but keeps the pressure mounting, while guitars burn relentlessly, and the end bludgeons.

“An Eld Living Darkness” gets off to a smashing start, as a doomy undertow pulls you beneath the waves, and the track hits a slurry pace. Strangeness spreads its wings, while warped guitars ignite a psychedelic haze, and weird tones chill your flesh. From there, the track comes to a scary, rumbling finish. “A Thousand Yawning Graves” is burly and monstrous, and the vocals are scary as hell. Doom mixes with black metal’s blood, as the guitars speed up dangerously, and warped growls are launched. Detached wails haunt your dreams, as the guitars melts your face, chaos and noise rumble, and the track comes to a ground-crumbling final resting place.

As terrifying as, say, an inland taipan might be, perhaps the strange emanations from Ill Omen are even more toxic. This mini release is smoldering and vicious but also captivating and daring. These are four tracks that take you deep into the heart of black metal’s most horrifying caverns and leave you, with nearly no oxygen, to find your way out.

For more on the band, go here: https://illomenvoid.bandcamp.com/

To buy the album, go here: http://shop.ironbonehead.de/

For more on the label, go here: http://www.ironbonehead.de/

It’s been a long week, and luckily the metal release schedule has been kind and on the light side. We never did get to put up our Best of June playlist for you, so why don’t we do that now that … July is over? Look for the best of July coming up next week. Also, back tomorrow and Friday with more reviews, including an interesting pick of the week.

Second, over the weekend at Migration Fest, a ridiculous amount of people came up to me to compliment the site, and I can’t explain how nice that is and how much that means to me. Thank you so much. I did this site as a way to solve that “what metal albums should I be listening to?” question people would always ask me. I never intended it to be some high-traffic site with 40 posts a day, which is why this place is the way it is. Yet, I’m always amazed how many people have found us and stayed with us. The amount of friends I’ve made, amazing music I’ve gotten to hear, and bands I’ve been able to see up close has been profound, and I don’t think I’ve ever been so happy to do this site after this past weekend. Here’s to way more to come.

It’s been a long, wonderful weekend celebrating metal here in Pittsburgh with the ceremony that is Migration Fest, so excuse us if we ease back into the week a little bit. There couldn’t be a better time for a smaller, but no less demolishing, release to come down the pike so we can remember how the hell we do this again.

Blood Harvest and Helter Skelter Productions have a killer 10” of splattering black metal coming your way from two bands that have their own fingerprints for how they interpret the sound. Gloam, who hail from Santa Cruz, Calif., are first up on this release, and they’re no strangers to this site, as we discussed their massive debut record “Hex of Nine Heads” that Gilead Media reissued as a two-LP release in late 2016. Their approach is blunt and brutal, and it practically hurts your psyche to take on their music (they also released two EPs and a demo over their time together). On the flip side come Obscure Evil, a Peruvian band that actually split up last year but still deliver hellacious goods with their two tracks they offer up. The band didn’t put out a ton of content in their time together, but their hellish push toward evil and nihilism suited black metal quite well, which their work here attests.

Gloam deliver “Black Swords of Desecration” that begins in a pit of feedback before the black metal hell begins. The track also is weird and proggy in its opening section, as black howls emerge from the clouds, and savage, fiery chaos is unleashed. The track gets oddly melodic while the thrashy menace lowers, and the ferocity amplifies the destruction before things slow down, and doomy mud spills. Gruff growls slither, while guitars boil and burn, and the track comes to a blistering big finish.

Obscure Evil’s coffin lid closure begins with “Tribes of Ueth” as organs swell and thicken the humidity, and then a punk-fueled black metal assault opens its gallop. Menacing growls and raw chaos emerge and send fires racing toward the village before all life is extinguished. “Necronihilism” has riffs crunching, while growls begin to rumble. The pace is ignited, as the song has an old-school black metal stench, with the band thrashing into a cauldron of molten soloing. That path goes off the rails, with the band bringing the song, and their lives, to as neck-jerking end.

Mangling fury and destructive intent sounds like the best way to wake up from a weekend of too many beers and a whole lot of being on your feet, and this 10” split record definitely delivers. Gloam’s campaign remains as healthy as ever, punishing your senses and muscles as they blast through your chest and guts. As for Obscure Evil, these are the final shovels of dirt on their rotting carcass that’s oozing and crusted over with disease forever.

For more on Gloam, go here: https://www.facebook.com/gloamshroud/

For more on Obscure Evil, go here: https://www.facebook.com/ObscureEvilOfficial/

To buy the album, go here: http://shop.bloodharvest.se/

Or here: https://helterskelterproductions.bandcamp.com/

For more on the label, go here: http://www.bloodharvest.se/

And here: https://www.facebook.com/helterskelterproductions/

This is the weekend in Pittsburgh we have come to celebrate all realms of heavy metal. There will be so many different styles on display over three days, that it’s kind of overwhelming. But no matter the sound, it all goes back to the genre’s roots, which is another thing we’re going to talk about today.

Trevor William Church already has his DNA entrenched in heavy music and metal. His father Bill “The Electric” Church played bass in Montrose and with Sammy Hagar’s solo band, and Trevor himself already was a part of two noteworthy records made by doom warriors Beastmaker. Now, he’s struck out on his own with Haunt, a band that sounds like it arrived straight from late 1970s and early 1980s metal, where there were no sub-genres or divided scenes. Instead, people celebrated the power of all kinds of heavy metal, and Haunt delve right into the heart of that on their debut record “Burst Into Flame.” The band initially offered up a “Luminous Eyes” EP before this that hinted at what was ahead, and this nine-track, 38-minute powerhouse pays off that promise and takes you back to a time before people squabbled over dumb bullshit and just listened to the music. Church is joined in this band by fellow Beastmaker member John William Tucker (guitars), Matthew Wilhoft (bass), and Daniel “Wolfy” Williams (drums) to round out this killer unit that reminds of the majesty of metal.

We open with the title track, as killer riffs well up, and Church vows, “No one can take me off my throne.” Guitars continue to chug and rumble, with the power of the song pushing right to the end, when Church reveals, “I can feel no pain!” “Crystal Ball” has riffs encircling, as the singing is pulled back a bit, with Church noting, “Omen appears, prophecy’s coming.” The soloing scorches, and there’s a damn solid chorus before coming to a crunchy end. “Reflectors” has a charging throwback riff, as the song tumbles with the idea of one’s inner thoughts and feelings being on constant display. “My Mirage” has a killer Thin Lizzy feel, with strong verses that get the blood pumping, and another round of sweltering riffs, ending with Church calling, “I can’t survive.”

“Wanderlust” hits the gas pedal and rips into speedier territory, feeling like an old Ozzy song in the best possible way. “Navigate the stars to find my love,” Church wails, as crushing soloing burns toward the song’s end. “Frozen in Time” is a really good one, as moody guitars send the song into the stratosphere, as the words examine trying to find your way back to who you used to be. The chorus is devastating, while the rest of the track boils in energy. “Heroes” pays homage to those who put their lives on the line to protect others and pay the ultimate price. “Victim of a wound that never heals,” Church sings, as the emotion and power of the song are front and center. “Can’t Get Back” pumps adrenaline, as Church vows his time will not be forgotten, with the insistence of, “My story’s not been told.” It’s a killer cut that revels in 1980s fireworks. “Looking Glass” is your closer, as the guitars darken the mood, the soloing takes off, and the pace charges heavily, with a big finish causing the lava to overflow and bring the record to a thunderous end.

We’re spoiled with all the different ways people have interpreted and played heavy metal over the past decades, but let’s remember it all comes back to the roots. Haunt still feed from that area on “Burst Into Flame,” a record that should help you break loose and bask in the power of their energy. This is a fun, glorious album that bridges the years from metal’s start to our overflowing riches we enjoy today.

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

To buy the album, go here: https://shadowkingdomrecords.bandcamp.com/album/burst-into-flame

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

Everyone still thinks there are steel mills in Pittsburgh. And the rivers are brown. And you can’t breathe the air. Not even close, friends. This is a city on the rise and has been for a few years, and there is a lot of fun things to do around here in your hours where you’re not being devastated by metal.

We put a few features together about what you might want to do while you’re here for Migration Fest. Two things: First, I didn’t add lodging. You should have done that by now. Second, don’t go to fucking Primanti’s. Every asshole in town will be like, “You gotta go dahn Primanti’s,” but that’s because most of these people haven’t traveled past Sea World. Primanti’s is shit. I’m embarrassed we are known for that place. Fuck it. But we have a lot of cool things going on, and this city is great, so here are a few things. Also, this is not a comprehensive list of everything. Just some stuff I think you might find fun. I’m also going to keep this concentrated on the area near the festival (Millvale, Lawrenceville, Bloomfield) and not throughout the entire city. We’d be here all day.

Also, quick note about transportation: If you’re driving, you should be able to find parking in Millvale. It might be tight, though. Your best bet is to use Lyft or Uber. Local taxi service is a joke, and the light rail doesn’t reach out to this end of town.

Finally, while you’re reading this, totally listen to this Migration Fest mix made up by Josh Thieler of Slaves BC, who will melt your faces off Thursday night at the pre-show: https://open.spotify.com/user/127110886/playlist/2y7ePxzeRB8aIGxQDREYGk?si=gU_0KImrTQ2pBPrqKIIXpQ#_=_

RECORD SHOPS:

Attic Record Store: This is a few-minute walk from Mr. Smalls, and you could spend all day in there. There are a ton of new vinyl loaded in the front and a practical library in the back of new and used vinyl. There’s a decent metal section on the display shelf in the back. Just ask. Someone in their ridiculously friendly staff will help you find it.

Location: https://goo.gl/maps/3k9XheBJBsq

Juke Records: This store evolved out of Soundcat Records (RIP Karl Hendricks) and is located in the Bloomfield section of Pittsburgh. Lots of indie rock, jazz, and classic rock, though you can find some metal, punk, and hardcore records amid their collection. They also have a really healthy used vinyl section.

Location: https://goo.gl/maps/fSyCbAixfcw

Eide’s Entertainment: Located in the Strip District right next to downtown Pittsburgh, this four-story shop is another you could be in all day. Comics and toys on the basement and ground level floors; used records and DVDs on the second floor; new vinyl and CDs on the top level. Pretty much every time I’m there, they’re playing fucking bad blues rock, but the selection makes the torture worth it.

Location: https://goo.gl/maps/qHs5DGoovao

Cruel Noise: Located in Polish Hill section of Pittsburgh, Cruel Noise has a slew of used metal, hardcore, punk, and indie rock records, as well as a decent section of new vinyl, cassettes, T-shirts, and whatnot. Almost every time I go, I find something awesome I never thought I’d find. Also, sometimes the owner’s cool dog is there. Definitely scratch the pup on the ears.

Location: https://goo.gl/maps/3jVB78tCzZo

Others: Get Hip Inc. (North Side), Jerry’s Records (Squirrel Hill), Dave’s Music Mine (South Side), Skull Records (Allentown)

 

BREWERIES:

Like every city, we’ve got a lot. These are some good ones.

Grist House: One of two breweries in easy walking distance from Mr. Smalls, they have a menu of beers that are very drinkable and range between 4 and 8% ABV typically. Laid-back and cool hangout spot.

Location: https://goo.gl/maps/QD3qqQdAEMU2

Strange Roots Experimental Ales: Formerly known as Drai Laag, this brewery changed their path very recently, concentrating on mostly on sour ales and interesting brewing techniques to come up with brews that are pretty different. Also, they have a nice dining menu. Short walk from Mr. Smalls.

Location: https://goo.gl/maps/vREmsHMdXyN2

Roundabout Brewery: Located in Lawrenceville, right across the river from Millvale, this small brewery is owned by a husband-wife team and always come up with new concoctions throughout the year. You can get a 12 oz or 16 oz pour in their taproom, and they have a limited food menu. Fun place run by people who love beermaking.

Location: https://goo.gl/maps/FrC5wZD1Krt

East End Brewing Taproom: East End was up and making their craft brews long before the trend became such a huge thing. They have two locations, but this one is the closest to Mr. Smalls. You can get a pint, a growler filled, or a fleet of beers that have become local favorites.

Location: https://goo.gl/maps/6D1A9v184PU2

Full Pint Wild Side Pub: Full Pint’s actual brewery is in North Versailles Twp., but this brew pub features their tremendous beers in a dark, ambient bar setting. They have some of the better beers in Pittsburgh, and if they have it on tap, definitely get the Rye Rebellion. It’s dark, tasty, and potent.

Location: https://goo.gl/maps/5qdjZSpyvsm

Others: Southern Tier (North Shore), Dancing Gnome (O’Hara Twp.), Arsenal Cider House and Wine Cellar (Lawrenceville), Penn Brewery (North Side), Threadbare Cider House (Troy Hill), Allegheny Wine Mixer (Lawrenceville)

 

RESTAURANTS:

I’ll keep these to the names and location, broken down by style of food. We like these places a lot, and maybe you will too. These are a little more spread out over the city, but Pittsburgh’s not too big of a place. Also, many of these places have bars and serve alcohol. A quick Google search will help.

 

Traditional American:

Nova Café (hoagies, hot dogs, deli sandwiches)

Location: https://goo.gl/maps/meLyygq659T2

Millvale Diner (name says it all, and it’s right down the street from the venue)

Location: https://goo.gl/maps/kntRFkMjGHG2

Franktuary (all kinds of hot dogs, veggies options, and beware one of the potential toppings is tarantula!)

Location: https://goo.gl/maps/RCmdoLNGd852

Industry Public House (great beer selection, American-style food)

Location: https://goo.gl/maps/DaW9CbTygnE2

 

Pizza:

DeMore’s Pizzeria

Location: https://goo.gl/maps/UDDHu4kjjxs

Caliente (excellent beer menu)

Location: https://goo.gl/maps/zQv6RDSHLAw

Driftwood Oven

Location: https://goo.gl/maps/HjcSs2HnAC72

Alida’s Woodfire Cucina

Location: https://goo.gl/maps/A939FamijY22

Spak Brothers Pizza (also contains a nice selection of vegetarian and vegan options)

Location: https://goo.gl/maps/xEHRQA95q5C2

 

Asian:

China House

Location: https://goo.gl/maps/5wtVDEBUwgn

Zen Asian Diner

Location: https://goo.gl/maps/x1TCoEpUoTM2

China Lin

Location: https://goo.gl/maps/gigbbB1VH312

Umami (specializes in Japanese street foods)

Location: https://goo.gl/maps/mhtWTQYE91B2

Feng Japanese Steakhouse

Location: https://goo.gl/maps/UdwWKeSH1Py

Ginza Japan

Location: https://goo.gl/maps/LgJjYsVoYCw

Pusadee’s Garden (Thai)

Location: https://goo.gl/maps/oRJSznWhw2p

Hug Thai Restaurant

Location: https://goo.gl/maps/GPvBemU1yQw

Thai Gourmet

Location: https://goo.gl/maps/67Q5RP1VK8r

Pad Thai

Location: https://goo.gl/maps/47DkAmVi6Ut

Tram’s Kitchen (Vietnamese)

Location: https://goo.gl/maps/KtqSt1cybfu

Pho Minh

Location: https://goo.gl/maps/4vGrkLob6K42

 

Italian:

Piccolo Forno

Location: https://goo.gl/maps/9CXsQxeeQAB2

Senti Restaurant

Location: https://goo.gl/maps/fPh7ew4Nujv

Alida’s Woodfire Cucina

Location: https://goo.gl/maps/A939FamijY22

Sausalido

Location: https://goo.gl/maps/Ab4w97Zqyq62

 

Indian:

Taste of India

Location: https://goo.gl/maps/KcEkNSGzzi52

People’s Indian Restaurant

Location: https://goo.gl/maps/45XLcGZxbQz

 

Mexican/Tex-Mex:

El Burro

Location: https://goo.gl/maps/9pi7xt98y3k

Baby Loves Tacos

Location: https://goo.gl/maps/3kJUzRjAhsR2

Round Corner Cantina

Location: https://goo.gl/maps/qKEcWbj6J712

Smoke BBQ Taqueria

Location: https://goo.gl/maps/MULJP2KGogu

Los Cabos Mexican Restaurant

Location: https://goo.gl/maps/8MDpY2ZX4wp

 

Mediterranean:

B52 Café (mix of American and Mediterranean with vegetarian options)

Location: https://goo.gl/maps/gKtHmSKc42P2

Cure (Mediterranean with local ingredients)

Location: https://goo.gl/maps/csALhSXsLjQ2

Pastitsio (Greek)

Location: https://goo.gl/maps/EkoTv5ZbA5B2

 

Middle Eastern:

Salim’s Middle Eastern Food

Location: https://goo.gl/maps/zGvYRVmqg6n

Khalil’s

Location: https://goo.gl/maps/5RaX43KwYc42

 

Vegetarian/Vegan:

Almost all places have vegetarian options, but here are some better vegetarian/vegan stops.

Onion Maiden

Location: https://goo.gl/maps/DBhWxfiwW1U2

APTEKA

Location: https://goo.gl/maps/WPAoE1meHks

Milky Way

Location: https://goo.gl/maps/6bPf2PtqeiH2

The Zenith

Location: https://goo.gl/maps/MpgNwz1kpBk

Brillobox

Location: https://goo.gl/maps/MT5JydEbtLx

Kaibur Coffee: (bottom floor in same building as Cruel Noise)

Location: https://goo.gl/maps/Wzae9pETKEx

 

Gluten-Free:

Gluten-Free Goat Bakery and Cafe

Location: https://goo.gl/maps/A3brxWrsmK12

 

Breakfast:

Midtown Tavern

Location: https://goo.gl/maps/vnUSW3ngXxt

Pamela’s (local chain … I think it’s really overrated, but tons of people disagree with me)

Location: https://goo.gl/maps/56D4TY7FCQG2

Coca Café (known for breakfasts but also serve lunch and small-plate dinners)

Location: https://goo.gl/maps/FkKJwsX3oDq

Geppetto Café

Location: https://goo.gl/maps/QKXkja2RsnQ2

Barb’s Corner Kitchen

Location: https://goo.gl/maps/PLE9cRDfvFR2

 

Dessert:

Crazy Cones of Millvale

Location: https://goo.gl/maps/e7tSjuR7qZo

Jean-Marc Chatellier’s French Bakery

Location: https://goo.gl/maps/tavaB1282to

Yetter’s Candy

Location: https://goo.gl/maps/2eqM48QpJsx

The Butterwood Bake Consortium

Location: https://goo.gl/maps/cLiDYuc9FGM2

La Gourmandine (French pastries and other baked goods)

Location: https://goo.gl/maps/ss5Cpes17Tx

Twisters Ice Cream

Location: https://goo.gl/maps/PCaQGm3dV2y

Bella Christie and Lil Z’s Sweet Boutique

Location: https://goo.gl/maps/PCaQGm3dV2y

NatuRoll Creamery (ice cream made with Thai technique of rolling batter)

Location: https://goo.gl/maps/L9aWdGikr4x

 

COFFEE SHOPS:

Black Forge (it’s a little out of the way from the venue, but it is THE metal coffee shop of Pittsburgh)

Location: https://goo.gl/maps/5FocNpHbBLF2

The Abbey (also good beer selection and is open for all meals)

Location: https://goo.gl/maps/rMJcoWF9siz

Constellation Coffee

Location: https://goo.gl/maps/obfi76DmtYr

The Commonplace Coffee House

Location: https://goo.gl/maps/obfi76DmtYr

Tupelo Honey (tea)

Location: https://goo.gl/maps/T9kUCD7xNhr

Espresso a Mano

Location: https://goo.gl/maps/7Xz8yFE1GSR2

Zeke’s Coffee

Location: https://goo.gl/maps/QWTEF3nQDry

Coffee Tree Roasters

Location: https://goo.gl/maps/xTbBbHpMrUH2

Nicholas’ Coffee

Location: https://goo.gl/maps/PqP5PEHru8y

 

ASSORTED FUN SHIT:

Millvale Riverfront Park (hiking and biking trails)

Location: https://goo.gl/maps/UBnUbyiz6b32

Bloomfield Park

Location: https://goo.gl/maps/MbxtruPTvmL2

Arsenal Bowling Lanes

Location: https://goo.gl/maps/jHvKDP4UFq32

Millvale Bowling Lanes

Location: https://goo.gl/maps/3Kw7JNTXbc52

Lumberjaxes Axe Throwing

Location: https://goo.gl/maps/bJnp4xsruJG2

Lest we forget that this is a pro wrestling site disguised as a heavy metal blog, I was thinking about tag teams from the metal world we could add to this Smackdown tournament going on to find opponents for the Bludgeon Brothers. Metal has plenty of burly and scary dudes, so there’s plenty from which to pick. My selection would come from the blistering split record we’re going to discuss today, so let’s get on with it.

Putting together metallic hardcore legends Integrity with black metal veterans Krieg seems like a perfect idea. Their sounds are not that much alike, but they kind of make sense together. Also, Integrity’s Dwid Hellion and Krieg’s Neill Jameson easily could form a mentally scarred Authors of Pain-style team to go and fuck up some people in this Smackdown tournament. Yes, I know the shit is predetermined. Stop it. Anyway, the two bands have aligned for a seven-track split EP that’s coming out on Relapse that wastes no time getting to work and gives you just enough of a serving to leave you satisfied. I’m not going to dig into each bands’ histories because you should know this stuff by now. If not, Google. Integrity offer up four new tracks, while Krieg delivers their first new song written since 2014’s “Transient,” an older track unearthed, and a live clip. It’s a pretty nice mix.

Integrity get started with “Scorched Earth,” as noise rings viciously, and then we’re onto a hardcore-style rumble forward. Guitars ignite, adding to the blistering stomp, while the back end of the track sizzles out in acid. “Flames of the Immortal” also has a heavy hardcore feel to it, as Hellion wails with might, the guitars catch fire, and intensity bleeds all over. A nice bit of soloing colors in the edges of what’s an otherwise putrid pile of madness. “Sons of Satan” has a more rock n roll feel, kind of like something Motorhead would crank out, as Hellion’s raw shouts are wrapped in bluesy barbed wire riffs. The tempo blazes and burns, the simple chorus is prime for shout back at shows, and we come to a blasting end. A cover of G.I.S.M.’s “Document One” rounds out Integrity’s side with a more metallic show of force, as the pace is speedy, the words are spat out, and danger seems near. A classic dose of riffs helps close up shop amid the sound of everything crashing to the ground.

Krieg get started with aptly titled “Circle of Guilt,” which erupts into raw growls and guitars that hang in the air with menace. The pace is clobbering, as the drums dent in your head, and the final minutes slow down the torture and bleed into unconsciousness. “This Time I’ll Leave You to Drown” is not exactly a pick-me-up, is it? The savage growls and molten melody rub insult into your veins, as the guitars are set to a boil and almost fade out until a thick bassline kicks the thing back into gear. From there, it’s an all-out emotional toll that you pay right alongside Jameson. A live version of “The Sick Winds Stir the Cold Dawn” puts a grimy, heavy haze over everything, as the track delivers a neck-wrenching burst, with the band’s true power on full display. It’s dark, thorny, and foreboding, which is all we’ve ever asked of Krieg in the first place.

I have no idea what team is going to go over in that Smackdown tournament, but none will be as potent and dangerous as a Hellion/Jameson duo. Instead, we settle on this split EP that gives a nice dose of what each band does best and leaves you with bruises and welts on your already damaged psyche. If that’s not enough to get these two bands tag team gold, I don’t know what is.

For more on Integrity, go here: https://www.facebook.com/INTEGRITY.HT/

For more on Krieg, go here: https://www.facebook.com/officialkrieg/

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

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