shadow kingdom records

Initial Descent: March 22 – 28, 2020

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WAKE
Wake

As we slip further into the abyss, I fully believe metal will be the savior to it all. Obviously not but it will give us all a good soundtrack to keep us occupied. Oh, by the way, GOOD JOB last Friday hitting Bandcamp in droves and helping artists, do that more. Really, a lot more. And on that note, there’s a ton of stuff to throw money at this week starting with the always razor sharp grind of Wake but on this new one they have bested all their back catalog, Angerot brings some serious death and black metal on their sophomore effort, Temple of Void show how true, heavy doom is done, and Demonic Death Judge reek havoc in the sludge / stoner arena. See? Plenty of hits already and there’s TONS more below so get to it. Stay safe and well, friends. Continue reading →

Receiving the Evcharist: Haunt and Octagon City

Vincent

Receiving the Evcharist 2018

Receiving the Evcharist is our weekly feature where we pair choice albums with our favorite libations. Drink from the cup of heresy. This week’s offering: Haunt’s Mind Freeze and Modern Times Brewing Company’s Octagon City.

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Initial Descent: January 5 – 11, 2020

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Haunt
Haunt

The ball has dropped, the headaches are gone, the messes are cleaned up, and it’s time for some new metal now that the lists will be growing in quantity. Killer week so let’s get to it.

Metal’s busiest band, Haunt, are back with another supercharged dose of heavy metal but this time we get some synth. And, it’s great. If you’re in the market for some soul crushing blackened doom that has no idea how to take it easy then Plague Weaver has you covered, and Lotus Thief are rounding out the top slots to cleanse the palate with some floating orbs of post-rock atmospherics. All that and more awaits below. Continue reading →

Initial Descent: October 20 – 26, 2019

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Cloak

Went on a ghost walk last night and even though we didn’t run into any, it did make me think about Ken Foree’s iconic line in the also iconic 1978 Dawn of the Dead film “When there’s no more room left in hell, the dead will walk the earth.” In my estimation, we’ve got to be hurtling towards max capacity down there. Soooo, food for thought and I’ll leave it at that. But before you think on that too much, dive into this new list of metal we’ve got up for grabs – that’s why we’re here so let’s burn it down…

Atlanta’s Cloak offer up their second full length and it betters their debut with larger than life rock swagger, seedier gothic undertones, deeper hooks, and blacker black metal – Cloak rules. Period. Speaking of ruling, Vastum does it again on their filthy, debauchery filled fourth death metal expedition, Texas based Cleric bring even more filthiness with their second full length of classic sounding Swe/Fin/Dutch inspired death metal, and the absolutely electrifying heavy metallers Savage Master are back with their third epic concoction. You need all of these and there’s still a ton more to follow, GET SOME. Continue reading →

Album Review: Haunt – “Burst Into Flame”

Chris2 Comments

Haunt - Burst Into Flame

I hear we’re calling this stuff the New Wave of Traditional Heavy Metal.  I’m always eager to embrace yet another nonsensical label, and await the inevitable usage of NWOTHM or whatever.  Point is, you can label Fresno, CA band Haunt whatever you want if it helps you get through the night.  Me?  The band, their sound, and their killer debut fell length Burst Into Flame is simple heavy metal, and the world is better for its honesty in simply wanting to rock you hard and sweet.   Continue reading →