Jun 8, 2016
Enslaved’s Ivar and Wardruna’s Einar put their heads together to compose for 200th Anniversary of the Norwegian constitution. Now this is a full band. This is Norweigian folk: beautiful sweeping compositions that you can really melt into.
Kvervandi: Skuggsjá (Norway)(0:28-6:49)
Pawtucket is awesome, with a huge dark sludge and stoner scene. This is some great dark stuff from that little pocket of the world. Off a split with Opium Lord.
Before the Inferno: Churchburn (Pawtucket, RI)(8:08-14:49)
Messa’s female vocalist may be the best this year. This is riffy doom with an emotional vocalist that you will fall in love with.
New Horns: Messa (Italy)(15:04-21:27)
Portugal is beautiful, and somehow these dudes are playing groovey black metal from the middle of it.
III Conflict: Névoa (Portugal)(21:44-25:58)
Lord Vicar has spun off from Reverend Bizarre, one of my faves. They have come out with one of the best bluesy doom albums of the year. Great vocals.
Birth of Wine: Lord Vicar (Finland)(26:54-34:27)
Brutalizing speed and crust from Kommando. These dudes are in black metal bands – this is them cutting loose.
Old And In The Way: Kommando (Germany)(34:48-37:32)
Oh f yes. Vocalist from The Temple is amazing, one of the best this year. This is Pallbearer and Primordial, mixed.
Beyond the Stars: The Temple (Greece)(37:55-44:50)
Anthemic, speedy, retro fun thrash, yay!! Also, from Greece, one of my favorite scenes in the world.
Bullet in the Chamber: Suicide Angels (Greece)(45:53-49:07)
Punk-grindcore, young attitude for you over-the-hill people with bad attitudes.
Image of Control: Flying Murder Robots: The Vatican (Seattle)(49:34-51:29)
Aaron Turner, formerly of Isis, has pushed out Sumac’s heaviest sound in this second album. This excels when it goes towards experimental rather than hangs out in post-metal.
Image of Control: Sumac (Vancouver/WA)(52:18-END)