Corey and I opened the week with Neurosis, Converge and Amenra — needless to say it was mind blowing — so be on the lookout very soon for the full rundown. For now, it’s back to reality and another big week of metal here on Initial Descent. Kicking things off is the latest full length, What Passes For Survival, from New York’s avant/extreme/improvisational Pyrrhon — a band that is absolutely untouchable and inimitable — who have crafted yet another death metal album that demands your immediate and undivided attention. Next up is the simply stated yet aptly titled Hell from Oregon’s doom masters Hell who already have a staggeringly great back catalog but with the addition of this dark and sinister effort my bet is they’ll be riding high for some time to come. Moving on, Shooting Guns returns with their signature psychedelic doom rock on Flavour Country and as usual they are incredibly entertaining. Closing out the top spots is Canada’s answer to heavy hitting and bluesy doom metal, Olde with their latest full length Temple and again, this is another highly recommended release that would fit in nicely with anything you’re about to tackle. There you have it, an already stellar line up but you know the drill — there’s so much more to keep the metal fires stoked so pull up a piece of floor and stick with us for awhile. Got a comment/gripe/anything? Leave it in the comment section. Continue reading →