Album Review:  Zelenaya — “Folk Songs”


Combining powerful harmonies of Eastern European polyphonic folk vocals with sludge, doom, and death metal, Zelenaya brings a unique and compelling debut album, Folk Songs. Songs are derived from Ukrainian village polyphony, southern Poland, the general Pale of Settlement, further east in the Balkans like Serbia, and even the Caucasus region. Not only are the songs diverse and impressive, but so are the musicians in the band. The bio of each person is inspiring and it is no surprise that this collection of individuals have found their way to each other and joined forces to create this magical album. Having roots in the arts, education, mysticism, non-profits, and more, these four individuals are making the world a better place with everything they do including sharing their gifts together as Zelenaya.

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Receiving the Evcharist: Elk Witch and The Botanist

Receiving the Evcharist 2018


Happy April 20th to those who celebrate. In honor of this day, I thought it would be fun to do a different take on Receiving the Evcharist, which if you’re new to the column, is where we pair an album with a beer/libation of some sort. Today I am pairing a stoner/heavy rock album with a garden gummy, so let us… smoke from the bong of heresy. This week’s offerings: Elk Witch’s Azimuth and The Botanist’s Mandarin Orange Gummies.

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Album Review: Witch Vomit — “Funeral Sanctum”

Creating what is perhaps their most dynamic and interesting release to date, wizards of ferocity Witch Vomit have returned after five years with their third album, Funeral Sanctum.  Having already mastered their craft of blackened death metal, this album adds extra spice by way of catchy melodies, an instrumental intro and interlude, some doom influenced riffs, and other treats making this album memorable and creating a more expansive sound.  All of this is packaged in striking album art by Matt Stikker, immediately giving a sense of the music and capturing as much detail visually as what awaits within. 

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Receiving the Evcharist:  Sylvaine and Passionately Numb

Receiving the Evcharist 2018

We are officially into Spring and I cannot think of a better way to celebrate the equinox than with Sylvaine, a glass of mead, and surrounding myself in nature.  Listening to the wind rustle through the trees and birds chirping as dusk falls is the right setting for this review, so let us drink from the cup of heresy.  This week’s offerings:  Sylvaine‘s Eg Er Framand and Second City Meadery’s Passionately Numb.

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Album Review: Goat Major — “Ritual”

Escaping the dark shadows of reality to get lost in music and create something powerful with childhood friends is exactly how Goat Major coped with the 2020 pandemic.  Having grown up near each other in Wales resulting in a longtime friendship, this trio decided to pull their talents and love of doom to create a 2023 EP and now a debut full-length, Ritual.  Describing their style as “occult doom metal” this release combines stoner metal, classic doom, and some heavy rock with lyrics and themes focusing on the occult.  There is a rawness to it giving Ritual the feel of a live performance.  It is a solid debut making Goat Major a band to keep an Evil Eye on.

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