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Initial Descent: September 9 – 15, 2018

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Archgoat
Archgoat

What album grabbed you last week? And I mean, really grabbed hold and wouldn’t let go? One, several, all? Well, just as you thought it was safe to keep listening to that or those, here we have a whole new list of metal to sink your teeth into. It’s what we do, you’re welcome. Enough small talk, there’s much to get to. What, you ask? Keep reading…

If you ride with #ArchgoatArmy – and you should – you’re in for a treat since they’re back with The Luciferian Crown which turns over more of their hypnotic groove but never lays off the twisted black / death we’ve come to know and love. Deicide’s Satan loving might be a tad blasé but with Overtures of Blasphemy they prove that after nearly thirty years they can still make some damn good death metal. Switching gears a bit with black metal and violins (yes, you read that right) is Alma from Windfaerer and on this, their third full length, the folk aspect and black metal are a perfect marriage. One more switch up before I officially unleash you on the rest of the list: Mankind Woman from Brant Bjork is some damn sweet desert rock that recalls the early days of the genre he helped to build but combines all his talents under one roof and the album is phenomenal because of it.

NOW you are officially unleashed. Enjoy. Continue reading →

Initial Descent: September 2 – 8, 2018

Josh4 Comments
krisiun band photo
Krisiun

We’re hitting you with this one on Labor Day so hopefully all of today’s visitors have the day off and the time to actually go through this list of new releases. That also means NO MONDAY BLUES. Until tomorrow. Ugh. Nevermind that for now, keep reading.

Starting us off is everyone’s favorite Brazilians Krisiun with their eleventh full length, Scourge of the Enthroned, and honestly if it weren’t for the rest of this list, I could make a home inside their robust ass kicking death metal. But, there’s MA’s Morne up next with To the Night Unknown and I’m not sure if you’ve been following this band or not but you’ll want to now —- this band is doing truly amazing and unique things with doom and post-metal. And then there’s Pig Destroyer who cut the strings on a six year silence with the abrasive yet instantly catchy Head Cage, one thing I’ve learned over the past several years is these guys can do no wrong and whether you’re into grindcore or not GET THIS ALBUM. And on top of all that is And All Will Be Desolation from Allfather which I have tagged below as beard metal – it’s in their catch phrase, look it up – but in reality this thing is a smorgasbord of sludge, death metal and beat down hardcore that is the best work this UK band has done to date, check out “Citadels” for proof – good god man.

I told you today was good. And you haven’t sent the rest yet, much more of this to come below. If you’re off, enjoy and happy Labor Day. If you’re working…well, that sucks and happy Labor Day anyway. See you here throughout the week. Continue reading →

Initial Descent: May 13 – 19, 2018

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Amorphis
Amorphis

I won’t bore you to death with whatever sentiment I had on my mind because this is a week of new releases that deserves your full attention. Much. Good. Stuff. Leading things off are two legendary bands that combined, not counting a few bumps in the road, have 56 years of experience between them. The first of which, Amorphis, return with their melodically inclined heavy metal on Queen of Time and in my hours upon hours of listening to it since yesterday I firmly believe this is some of their best work. Yea, tall order I know, just give it a spin. Second up is At the Gates on To Drink From the Night Itself which took a little more time to really get into but the second half of this thing is a full on blast of epic proportions and “In Death They Shall Burn” is one of the best songs they’ve done in ages. Two great albums from two great legends BUT there’s more — The King Is Blind dropped an out of nowhere demo on us, The Ides of March, and their brand of grind/death/doom just gets better and more extreme as they age. (Guys, put a purchase option on the bandcamp page, PLEASE). Last up in the top slots is Seattle’s The Dark Red Seed with their debut full length Becomes Awake, dark folk hits me square in the right spot and this album has done that in spades. Killer opening with these four but there’s many more that are just as good waiting below. Enjoy and we’ll see you on the flip-side. Continue reading →

Album Review: At The Gates – “To Drink From the Night Itself”

Chris1 Comment

at the gates - to drink from the night itself

The legacy and influence of At The Gates approaches almost mythological status.  The impact of Slaughter of the Soul on the metal landscape, coupled with the band’s breakup soon after left a massive footprint dozens of bands were eager to fill.  Whether you blame or cheer ATG for the foundation and onslaught of melodic death metal (or NWOSDM or the Gothenburg sound or whatever you choose to call it) that followed in its wake, you can’t deny the spark that ignited it.  Now with the release of their second post-reunion album To Drink From the Night Itself it’s up to us to determine if they’re carrying the legacy forward or merely riding the wave they first created.   Continue reading →

Initial Descent: April 8 – 14, 2018

JoshLeave a comment
møl
Møl – photo courtesy of: Marika Hyldemar / @MarikaConcertPhoto Edit: Kim Song Sternkopf / @HeartMatter Artworks

Well, the whole iTunes debacle of ceasing their store function for new music has resurfaced. Again. Reminds me of that new Tool album; might happen / might not. Either way, glad we all know and love Bandcamp. Anyway, it’s another seam busting week here on Initial Descent with tons of new stuff to get to and leading the charge is Møl with their debut full length Jord and this is one of those unique albums that all the pieces fit perfectly; black metal and shoegaze come together in a lightning rod of AMAZING, make sure you check it out as you will definitely be hearing much more about this one. Up next is the third album, Devouring Mortality, from death metal juggernauts Skeletal Remains and after spending some quality time with it I can attest that this is another must own kind of deal. Moving along is Wrong with their ‘oh so right’ (just couldn’t help myself there) latest effort Feel Great which takes all the good parts of their self-titled album and magnifies it by 1,000 making this the noise rock album to own right now. Closing things out and just in time for a party filled, pop-a-top weekend is the heavy / power / hair infused Evil Hunter from Evil Hunter, ’tis good, very good. So, the weekend is officially here and we’ve got the tunes so stick around and find a few to support. Continue reading →