Norway's Diskord have a reasonably old school sound to them, but calling them an old school death metal band would do them a disservice, I believe. Rather than be a clone of whatever classic death metal band they prefer, Diskord have infused themselves with the elements of what made death metal of that era so great. What do I mean by that? I mean that there's a little big of grit, not the immaculately polished sound that's part and parcel of modern death metal. I mean that if I saw Diskord live, I would furiously bang my head rather than stare at the guitarists hands the entire set. I mean that it's interesting and even inventive, rather than treading a path so well worn it's become a ditch. It seems that being inventive in metal music (or music period) these days means combining seemingly disparate influences to create something fresh, if that's the case, than Diskord are surely among the leaders of the pack in that regard. If there was one band to compare them to, it would be Atheist, whose proclivity for the progressive they share. On occasion they ascend to Cynic-esque levels of jazz fusion and Disharmonic Orchestra oddness. But Dystopics isn't all strange chords and timing, Diskord take their time to slog through the muck with a Mental Funeral era Autopsy vibe. Autopsy and Athiest might be on opposite ends of the death metal spectrum, but there are some totally out there moments on this record that remind me more of Iceburn than any death metal band. Yeah, let that one sink in while you're downloading this and adding it to your music library...which you should start doing right now.
Saturday, February 2, 2013
Diskord- Dystopics (2012)
Been on a pretty big death metal binge recently, so how about some more totally rad death metal from 2012?
Norway's Diskord have a reasonably old school sound to them, but calling them an old school death metal band would do them a disservice, I believe. Rather than be a clone of whatever classic death metal band they prefer, Diskord have infused themselves with the elements of what made death metal of that era so great. What do I mean by that? I mean that there's a little big of grit, not the immaculately polished sound that's part and parcel of modern death metal. I mean that if I saw Diskord live, I would furiously bang my head rather than stare at the guitarists hands the entire set. I mean that it's interesting and even inventive, rather than treading a path so well worn it's become a ditch. It seems that being inventive in metal music (or music period) these days means combining seemingly disparate influences to create something fresh, if that's the case, than Diskord are surely among the leaders of the pack in that regard. If there was one band to compare them to, it would be Atheist, whose proclivity for the progressive they share. On occasion they ascend to Cynic-esque levels of jazz fusion and Disharmonic Orchestra oddness. But Dystopics isn't all strange chords and timing, Diskord take their time to slog through the muck with a Mental Funeral era Autopsy vibe. Autopsy and Athiest might be on opposite ends of the death metal spectrum, but there are some totally out there moments on this record that remind me more of Iceburn than any death metal band. Yeah, let that one sink in while you're downloading this and adding it to your music library...which you should start doing right now.
Norway's Diskord have a reasonably old school sound to them, but calling them an old school death metal band would do them a disservice, I believe. Rather than be a clone of whatever classic death metal band they prefer, Diskord have infused themselves with the elements of what made death metal of that era so great. What do I mean by that? I mean that there's a little big of grit, not the immaculately polished sound that's part and parcel of modern death metal. I mean that if I saw Diskord live, I would furiously bang my head rather than stare at the guitarists hands the entire set. I mean that it's interesting and even inventive, rather than treading a path so well worn it's become a ditch. It seems that being inventive in metal music (or music period) these days means combining seemingly disparate influences to create something fresh, if that's the case, than Diskord are surely among the leaders of the pack in that regard. If there was one band to compare them to, it would be Atheist, whose proclivity for the progressive they share. On occasion they ascend to Cynic-esque levels of jazz fusion and Disharmonic Orchestra oddness. But Dystopics isn't all strange chords and timing, Diskord take their time to slog through the muck with a Mental Funeral era Autopsy vibe. Autopsy and Athiest might be on opposite ends of the death metal spectrum, but there are some totally out there moments on this record that remind me more of Iceburn than any death metal band. Yeah, let that one sink in while you're downloading this and adding it to your music library...which you should start doing right now.
Monday, January 28, 2013
Organ Donor- Demo (2012)
The "About" section on the Organ Donor Facebook page describes them as "Friends ripping together in the vein of Entombed, Death, Napalm Death, Atheist, Carcass..." I find that sometimes bands aren't necessarily the best at describing their sound, I can think of a few reasons for this. One is that being part of the project, they're unable to give an objective summary of their sound or draw accurate comparisons. Another is that they (falsely) believe themselves to be wholly original and refuse to acknowledge that they wear their influences on their sleeves just like everybody else. Organ Donor are obviously not one of those bands.
Organ Donor come from Richmond, VA, which is a veritable primordial soup for metal bands these days. Sometimes I wonder why I left that place. Anyway, Organ Donor will forcibly rip the organs from your body and donate them to science, because they're nice guys like that. They feature current and ex members of Battlemaster, Parasytic, Cannabis Corpse, Bastard Sapling and about a dozen other bands (and this demo was recorded by the guitarist of Windhand). You'll find that the list of bands from their Facebook page as quoted above will give you a pretty good idea of what they sound like. Though, I might add early Morbid Angel to the list. They've got all the necessary ingredients to satisfy that refined old school death metal palate of yours. Groovy riffs that beg, nay, command you to bang your head, a few ripping solos, a hammering rhythm section and one of the best vocalists and wittiest lyricists in death metal today.
Oh, and you can name your own price for it on Bandcamp, so why the hell wouldn't you get this?
Organ Donor come from Richmond, VA, which is a veritable primordial soup for metal bands these days. Sometimes I wonder why I left that place. Anyway, Organ Donor will forcibly rip the organs from your body and donate them to science, because they're nice guys like that. They feature current and ex members of Battlemaster, Parasytic, Cannabis Corpse, Bastard Sapling and about a dozen other bands (and this demo was recorded by the guitarist of Windhand). You'll find that the list of bands from their Facebook page as quoted above will give you a pretty good idea of what they sound like. Though, I might add early Morbid Angel to the list. They've got all the necessary ingredients to satisfy that refined old school death metal palate of yours. Groovy riffs that beg, nay, command you to bang your head, a few ripping solos, a hammering rhythm section and one of the best vocalists and wittiest lyricists in death metal today.
Oh, and you can name your own price for it on Bandcamp, so why the hell wouldn't you get this?
Monday, December 17, 2012
Year End Lists Are For Suckers! 2012 Edition
It happens every year, the dreaded year end lists sprout their ugly little heads in every corner of media. Just waiting to spark heated comments and douchebaggery by those Cheetos caked and Red Bull jacked internet phleebs. They are inescapable. Everyone clamors to let you know how cool, enlightened, or kvlt they are and just how stupid the author is for their choices and omissions. It may sound as if i'm being bitter, not so much. More empathetic than anything. On one hand I give it to the authors. "This is one of, if not the best record I've heard all year, but John Q public probably won't like it, so I wont include it on my list." Said no one ever. It's their choice not yours, get over it. On the other hand it goes to the commenters. They just want their voice to be heard too. Albeit in a rather rude and inarticulate manner. Never the less, they should most certainly have the ability to share their likes and dislikes with others. Where the fuck am I going with all this...I have no idea. I see both sides of the coin here. I'm ranting for the sake of ranting i guess. Bottom line is that I still find it fascinating and strange that matter of opinion, no matter how insignificant the topic may be, sparks such emotions.
So I have been going back and forth with the idea of doing my own top whatever for weeks now and finally decided to suck it up and write it up for you. Before I do that, I want to take a minute to mention a few of the outstanding records that won't be appearing on this list. Torche - Harmonicraft, another slam dunk by Brooke's and company. Neurosis-Honor Through Decay, as always these masters of endtyme music crush the soul. Deftones-Koi No Yokan, easily the best sounding album these lads have ever recorded. I have omitted these fine showings simply for the fact that they dominate year end lists every time they put out a record.(rightfully so!) I felt I wanted to showcase some material that may have not received the same level accolades and deserves too. I have listed my top 15 albums of 2012 below they are not "ranked" so to speak.
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So I have been going back and forth with the idea of doing my own top whatever for weeks now and finally decided to suck it up and write it up for you. Before I do that, I want to take a minute to mention a few of the outstanding records that won't be appearing on this list. Torche - Harmonicraft, another slam dunk by Brooke's and company. Neurosis-Honor Through Decay, as always these masters of endtyme music crush the soul. Deftones-Koi No Yokan, easily the best sounding album these lads have ever recorded. I have omitted these fine showings simply for the fact that they dominate year end lists every time they put out a record.(rightfully so!) I felt I wanted to showcase some material that may have not received the same level accolades and deserves too. I have listed my top 15 albums of 2012 below they are not "ranked" so to speak.
Ajuna-Death in The Shape of Winter
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Dodecahedron-S/T
Stoneburner-Sickness Will Pass
Irata-Vultures
Hell-III
Death Grips-No Love Deep Web
False/Barghest-Split
Royal Thunder-CVI
Deathspell Omega-Drought
Blut Aus Nord- Liber II
Planks-Funeral Mouth
Kowloon Walled City-Container Ships
Chelsea Wolfe-Apokalypsis
No Sir-Holy Land
Cursive-I Am Gemini
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Hell- III (2012)
I spent a bunch of time doing a write up for this record, but then I realized that not only did I not like what I had written, but I was doing III a disservice. III is the closing chapter of the Hell trilogy. This is one of the best bands on the planet right now and their evolution over the course of their three full lengths is something to behold. Get it.
The cassette is already sold out. Vinyl is coming soon from Pesanta.
Monday, December 3, 2012
This Gift Is A Curse - I The Guiltbearer
Having completely shit the bed last month due to the phenomena know as retail hell, posting new music for this sight has become a priority. And since it's December, consider them little electronic presents for your ear holes.
First up is the Swedish outfit This Gift Is A Curse (see what I did there). I've wanted to post these guys for awhile, but for one reason or another they fell through the cracks. Unleashing an amalgam of noise that could best be described as Botch and Knut hangin' with some Norwegian church burners, This Gift Is A Curse is no joke. Bitter, intense, oppressive, and impossibly heavy is the name of the game here. Their interplay between straight up blackened hardcore rage and their more Swans/Godflesh-y moments is really pretty stellar. While all bludgeoning, it's that shift that makes all the dynamics and mood on I The Guiltbearer so compelling. I can see this band making some serious waves on this side of the Atlantic. Get familiar. Do it.
Buy It:
Saturday, December 1, 2012
We're the worst.
It's true, we are. Personally, I started a new job and the added responsibility I've taken on has left me with less free time to listen to new tunes and write blog posts...that and I've been getting far too drunk every opportunity I have. Oops. Not sure what Rob's deal is (other than the fact that he's a butt). Right before our recent break we were actually talking about redoubling our efforts here. We fucked up. Anyway, we'll do our best to get back on it and at least crank out a handful of posts every month.
-1/2 of the NSMYR! Crew
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