For Those About to Squawk: Waldo’s Pecks of the Week IV

Every Friday, Waldo the African Grey Parrot, frontbird of thrash-grind immortals Hatebeak, will get you caught up on the week’s latest “extreme” releases.
What’s up peeps (get it)? Waldo here. This week’s upcoming releases contain at least two that have me a bit excited; so excited I may shit out an egg, and I’m a male parrot! Hydra Head will be releasing Cave In’s Anomalies, Vol.1, a collection of tracks that is mostly covers by the Cure, Black Sabbath, Bad Brains and a titular (TITular, hehehe) song by Codeine. This collection is pretty cool, even for people whoaren’t fans of the band; however, I think everyone could live without hearing “I Love Jah” again. Also included is a demo version of “Innuendo and Out the Other.” Available in many different colors of vinyl; pre-orders are probably a must in this case. Very cool.

Grave Ritual come at us with their first full-length, Euphoric Hymns From the Altar of Death. Guttural and visceral, this soon-to-be death metal classic will hit you where it hurts, like all good death metal should. Plus, you have to give props to a band that was formerly known as Meathole Infection. Classy. Available only on vinyl, the Dark Descent label does it right.

Volbeat, the Danish rock (sorta) band release Beyond Hell/Above Heaven. I don’t really get this—it’s “metal” in a vague form, and jumps genres from punk to thrash to rockabilly and classic rock and roll. This record is a continuation of the storyline presented in the Guitars, Gangsters and Cadillac Blood album. Features guest appearances from Barney Greenway, Mille Petrozza and Michael Denner of King Diamond/Mercyful Fate fame.