Month: November 2014
Musk Ox: Video Premiere Part 1
November 26, 2014 Justin Norton
What’s a Musk Ox? Is it some sort of rare delicacy that your backwoods family member serves up at Thanksgiving Dinner? According to the sages at Wikipedia a musk ox is: an Arctic mammal of the family Bovidae, noted for its thick coat and for the strong odor emitted during the seasonal rut by males,…
The Decibel Black Friday Book Buying Guide
November 26, 2014 Adem Tepedelen
For the next few weeks, the Western world will devote much of its time, energy and money to buying stuff. Mostly for other people. And all in the name of a Christian holiday. Or maybe a Jewish one. I don’t think there are any Satanic holidays this time of year and if there are, I’m…
Sucker For Punishment: Housecleaning – I Mean, Gift Guide!
November 26, 2014 Adrien Begrand
As a Canadian I can’t help but marvel at American Thanksgiving. The sheer brilliance of it: make it a Thursday holiday, which’ll in turn compel people to take Friday off, and just like that you’ve got a four-day weekend. Unless Remembrance Day or the February statutory holiday falls on a Thursday, we don’t exactly have…
From Internment to Obliteration: Jucifer’s “It Can’t Be Helped”
November 25, 2014 Jeff Treppel
Those who follow Jucifer’s twitter feed will know that they harbor some pretty strong political beliefs, but it’s taken them until now to launch a full-scale assault on the very institution of democracy. District of Dystopia contains their shortest screeds to date, the duo’s wall of amplifiers redirected towards grindcore instead of their usual filthy…
STREAMING: Dellacoma “My Kinda Woman”
November 25, 2014 Chris Dick
There are plenty of times when the Decibel staff will put down our Bolt Thrower, Watain, Paradise Lost, and Napalm Death LPs in favor of something more, well, rocking. If our EIC had his druthers—and he does—The Darkness might edge its way into the Hall of Fame one day. So, it stands to reason, Aussie-‘Merican…
The Curious Case of Quiet v. Loud: Exclusive CityCop Stream
November 25, 2014 Shawn Macomber
Ever wonder what it would sound like if a screamer from one of those early nineties post-post-hardcore bands got together for a jam session with a group of flamenco musicians? Well, wonder no more. We’ve got Loner, the latest offering from “acoustic-core” outfit CityCop streaming below, and, love it or hate it — yeah, we…
Fister Video Premiere: Not What You’re Probably Thinking…
November 25, 2014 Kevin Stewart-Panko
Lemme tell you a little story about how I offended a good number of folks in a room full of people I had just met or hardly knew. I know what you’re thinking: “You’re only going to tell us one story?” I know, right? Anyway, I was working. Seriously, a real job and everything. What…
Clobberin’ Time: Sick Of It All On The Evolution Of Mosh
November 24, 2014 Justin Norton
This is the time of the year to acknowledge the things you’re thankful for. One of the things we’re very thankful for is that we’ve been alive to experience multiple Sick Of It All shows. SOIA has long exported their brands of New York City hardcore to the world – as well as their intensely…
STREAMING: Dysangelium “Ave Obscuritas Incarna”
November 24, 2014 Chris Dick
“You can expect it to sound like us,” said the Dysangelium brotherhood to Imperiumi recently. “We do not follow any specific path in terms of music and we have never been any need to try to sound like, for example, Swedish, Finnish or German. We improvise and experiment with a variety of things designed to…
Withering Horrors: Exclusive FOSCOR stream!
November 24, 2014 Shawn Macomber
Barcelona soundscape masters FOSCOR return with a brand new full-length tomorrow, but we’ve got the stream of this roiling, multidimensional, ethereal slab of majestic dark metal today. Check out Those Horrors Wither below then click here to pre-order.
American Heritage: Album Stream and Song-By-Song Self-Deconstruction
November 24, 2014 Kevin Stewart-Panko
I didn’t realise it, but I’ve been a fan of American Heritage for a long time. When I say I didn’t realise it, it’s because the band which is split between Chicago and Atlanta haven’t exactly been the most prolific of outfits since forming in 1997, have probably played fewer shows than they have releases…
For Those About to Squawk: Waldo’s Pecks of the Week
November 21, 2014 Jesse Chase
Well, the end of the year doldrums have started upon us. There are some re-releases (HIM, Voivod, Sinister, Samael), but for the most part, the releases are going to slow down quite a bit. SOOO, I’m just going to like pick some stuff at random, and you know, because I’m feeling punchy, I MAY OR…
Stream Barrowlands Album: Thane
November 21, 2014 Daniel Lake
Metal lover, you’ve been damn lucky this year. Your listening habits have been well served by the aural atrocities perpetrated globally throughout 2014. And it all just got sicker. Portland, OR metal collective Barrowlands is a harrowing hybrid of black metal terror, progressive twists and turns, and doomy contemplation with bold, emotive cello. Their first…
Much Better Than a Polar Vortex. Piss Vortex Interviewed
November 20, 2014 Kevin Stewart-Panko
The band is called Piss Vortex. They hail from Copenhagen. And if I didn’t feel the responsibility to inform you that they play some ferociously angry and chaotically bent grind, as you might imagine a band named Piss Vortex would, I might’ve just left things to those first two sentences and let you discover the…
Encrotchment With Eddie Gobbo From Jar’d Loose: Week 11
November 20, 2014 Eddie Gobbo
Feeling for Minnesota This week, it was confirmed that Adrian Peterson will indeed by suspended for at least the rest of the season without pay, and will not be eligible for reinstatement until training camp in April. Adrian Peterson is the Tom Brady of the NFC: a Hall of Fame-bound veteran who is synonymous with…
Enter the Iron Age: Exclusive Wayfarer Stream!
November 20, 2014 Shawn Macomber
Wayfarer’s gorgeous, lush eight track ode to epic heaviness Children of the Iron Age isn’t out until next week, but Decibel readers can check out the whole damn thing right now via the full album stream below. Pre-order the CD or Gatefold 2XLP here or hit up iTunes, Amazon, or Bandcamp. Keep up with the…
Doom With Friends: SubRosa Edition
November 20, 2014 Nick Green
Salt Lake City doom-sludge band SubRosa is a favorite at Decibel HQ, and endeared themselves to us even further when they eschewed predictable “aggro” shots for their back-cover spread in the May 2014 issue in favor of an “action” shot… in front of a Scrabble board. That was apparently all guitarist/vocalist Rebecca Vernon’s doing, so…
VIDEO: The Flight of Sleipnir’s “Beacon in Black Horizon”
November 20, 2014 Zach Smith
Back in October–on Halloween in fact–we streamed “The Casting” from V, the latest (and appropriately titled) effort from The Flight of Sleipnir. Even though the record isn’t out until the end of the month, we’re pleased to premiere the Colorado duo’s video for “Beacon in Black Horizon”, the eight minute-plus opus that closes out the…
STREAMING: Napalm Death “Cesspits”
November 19, 2014 Chris Dick
Napalm Death. Three decades of grindcore! The Birmingham-based bashers are no stranger to Decibel, having graced a covers, tours, and being uniquely positioned in the heart of hearts and mind of minds in our senior leadership. It’s with absolute delight that we’re able to premiere “Cesspits” off new album, Apex Predator – Easy Meat. “Sometimes…
Q&A and Album Stream: Boddicker
November 19, 2014 Justin Norton
If you don’t dig deep into the demos reviewed in our print edition you will miss many gems. Case in point: Boddicker‘s nasty little album Crime Upheaval, which reminded us of classics like World Downfall and Misery Index with Brujeria theatrics. Boddicker is actually the name of the villian in the original Robocop so there’s…
STREAMING: Varathron “Untrodden Corridors of Hades” + Stefan Necroabyssious interviewed
November 19, 2014 Chris Dick
** Greek black metal legends, Varathron, are readying new album, Untrodden Corridors of Hades, for the blackest of legions. We summoned our inner Hellas and ancient spirit to commanded lead Varathron sorcerer Stefan Necroabyssious to answer important questions as a preface to the streaming premiere of the entire “Untrodden Corridors of Hades” album. What was…
Sucker For Punishment: Grand and Morbid
November 19, 2014 Adrien Begrand
Anguish, Mountain (Dark Descent): What I get most out of the second full-length by the Swedish doom band, aside from the lovably goofy cover and the simple yet enjoyable music therein, is just how well vocalist J. Dee enunciates. It’s a lost art, especially in extreme metal, and even though the lyrics are your usual…
Synthtracks: Contact Playlist, Part 2: AE Paterra/Majeure
November 18, 2014 Jeff Treppel
Because synthesizers are awesome, and movie soundtracks are awesome, we asked the duo of British film composer Paul Lawler and American drummer AE Paterra (Zombi/Majeure), collectively known as Contact, to put together a playlist for us with their favorite soundtrack tunes and some words on each. This week, we have Paterra’s picks; click here to check…
Wino Issues Official Statement, Re: Norway Deporatation
November 18, 2014 Andrew Bonazelli
At this time, I feel it is necessary to release an official statement of the facts in regard to my recent deportation from the country of Norway. First, I want to apologize to all Saint Vitus fans, and to my band members and crew for my lapse in judgment that ultimately resulted in me missing…
ROAD REPORT: Kings Destroy Ride the Pentagram Express
November 18, 2014 Shawn Macomber
Brooklyn doom metallers Kings Destroy recently hit the road with Pentagram. Here, in their own words, is what transpired… Chicago, IL (Stephen Murphy, vocals) Well goddamn, it was great to head to Chicago for the first show of the tour with Pentagram, Radio Moscow and Bang, plus Iron Reagan taking the stage before us. We…
Here’s Something From…Nothing
November 17, 2014 Shawn Macomber
Today Philadelphia altered reality merchants Nothing follow up the excellent Relapse debut Guilty of Everything — pick up the scarf/beanie bundle! — with a split 12-inch on Run For Cover Records alongside Whirr. (The release also features etched b-side/full-length studio doc DVD…) We’ve got the exclusive premiere of the video for one of those tracks,…
Internal Bleeding: Carnival Of Death Recap
November 17, 2014 Justin Norton
Internal Bleeding recently finished a 30-date North American tour. Guitarist Chris Pervelis shared this funny roundup from his time on the road. You can connect with the band on Facebook and get their new album Imperium from Unique Leader. — Thirty shows — across both America and Canada. That’s quite a test of human endurance…
Top 5 Unlikely Anathema (Doom Metal Phase) Songs
November 17, 2014 Chris Dick
** Decibel’s Top 100 Doom Metal Album of All Time issue is available now (HERE). So inspired by England’s place on the map (OK, list) and equally inspired by Anathema’s early catalog inclusion, I wanted to Top 5 songs that aren’t on Last.fm lists, have been spurned by Anathema (no remake of “Suicide Veil”?), or…
Decibrity Playlist: Broughton’s Rules
November 14, 2014 Chris Dick
** Broughton’s Rules are from Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh is on the western side of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. It’s a former rustbelt city that’s experienced a rennaisance in recent memory. Its citizens are no-bullshit and its music, espeically Broughton’s Rules, follow a similar mindset. Well, Broughton’s Rules (formed out of the ashes of instrumental wonderkids Don…
Get Your Trance On: Exclusive LAE Premiere!
November 14, 2014 Shawn Macomber
Sit back, y’all. Steve Austin-affiliated psychedelic post-rockers LAE are about to take you to another plane of existence via the title track of the album Break the Clasp out next week. (Physical pre-order here; digital here.) Here’s what the band has to say about the track… In the last months of our previous band, Lae-Tseu,…