What’s up, fooos? Your boy Waldo is here to tell you what’s good and what’s not.
The ever brooootal Wormed is back at it with the Metaportal EP on Season of Mist. For those NOT in the know, Wormed is super technical SUPER heavy sci-fi sorta death metal band. This EP contains a whole “story” within the tracks, but the music really lends to the idea of the overall concept. So, what’s with this? This is not far from what Wormed does, although there is a lot of technicality here, it’s not ALL tech, but boy howdy is this thing heavy. The overall package here ebbs and flows, much like a story does (or should). Production-wise this is crisp and clear with plenty of gnarliness, blast and even a little melody thrown in. You can kind of (kind of) imagine a WAY heavier Voivod pumped through a death metal filter. This is kick ass. That drummer, too… 8 Fucking Pecks.
The utterly pecked up Cherubs are back at it with Immaculada High on Relapse. Pigeonholing these guys is difficult as they are just, like, well… fucked up. Chilling you out is not on the agenda here, as this is an exercise in seeing what the listener can take. Calling this noise rock is accurate, but really unfair as it’s WAY more than that. Switching from pummeling heavy dirges to spastic ear-fuckery, Immaculada High does not mess with the Cherubs legacy at all. This is relentless in it is noisy as peck and meant to be played at extreme volumes. Do yourself a favor and peck this up. 8 Fucking Pecks.
Baltimore’s The Holy Circle is releasing Sick With Love on Deathbomb Arc (don’t say that name at an airport). Featuring Locrian’s Terrance Hannum, this husband and wife team is on their third release. I’d like to start out by saying that this is NOT a metal record. Harkening back to more post “punk” a la The Cure or My Bloody Valentine, Sick With Love conveys a sense of darkness, and dread. This certainly checks off a lot of boxes in the drone and shoegaze category, but this is no third-rate clone. Definitely not for every metal fan, but this is great. 7 Fucking Pecks.
Until next time… Waldo out!
