Blood Ceremony – Living With The Ancients
Living With The Ancients is a strong step forward for a band that is definitely on its way to making its mark.
Reviews
Jay H. Gorania’s SXSW 2011 – Part 2
“It was SXSW in Austin, so hell, we just decided to party. While hanging out on 6th Street, we were encountered by a rapper pushing his product. It’s normal for independent artists to either talk up, give away or sell their music at SXSW, but this chap obviously lacked common sense by trying to interest us in his rap project. Granted, people like all kinds of music nowadays, but did it really make sense for a rapper to approach a group full of dirty long-haired or head-shaven guys wearing metal shirts? I suppose my friend unintentionally baited him by somewhat loudly talking about Watain, the satanic Swedish black metal band. But that’s not what rap dude overheard. “Wu-Tang? Did somebody say Wu-Tang?”
Watain. Not Wu-Tang. We tried to correct him, but he interrupted us. “If y’all like Wu-Tang, you’re gonna love this!” I have his promo copy somewhere, and I’m sure it’ll make for a great coffee coaster once I find it.”
The second and final installment of Jay H. Gorania’s recap of the 2011 edition of the SXSW Music Festival in Austin, Texas
Devil – Magister Mundi Xum (Demo)
By all means, Magister Mundi Xum is hit-and-miss – when it does hit, it’s pretty damn fun. Look past the recording quality, the at-times downright-goofy lyrics, and you might dig this as much as I did. Will be interesting to see what they come up with on their upcoming full-length.
Jay H. Gorania’s SXSW 2011 – Part 1
If the cataclysmic, earthquaking rumble beneath Japan was felt stateside, it was surely through Yob’s bottom-heavy, Sabbath-via-Cathedral-and-Sleep riffs. Their music and vocals and presence were passionate and ritualistic. Because of the repetitive nature of the riff-driven madness, the songs stay with you long after they’ve finished playing, bouncing around from synapse-to-synapse in your tenderized gray matter.
Rotting Christ / Melechesh / Hate / Abigail Williams / Lecherous Nocturne @The Mod Club, Toronto ON, March 16th, 2011
“Rotting Christ’s set itself was everything I expected from the veteran black metallers: heavy as hell while never becoming mired in sludge, always scorching in its intensity. The band were also having a damn good time on stage; vocalist Sakis Tolis spent the entire set snarling and grinning.”
Natalie Zed reviews the Toronto appearance from the Greek outfit, Rotting Christ, supported by Mesopotamian metallers Melechesh, Hate and more. Live photos by Adam Wills
Norris – The Great White North
Jason Wellwood reviews the latest output from Thunder Bay’s NORRIS. An album worthy of a perfect score? He thinks so.
MAAX – Six Pack Witchcraft
“‘Six Pack Witchcraft’ is a full speed ahead, red lining, sing-a-long track that will have you pounding your fist on the bar, and possibly your pint glass as well. For ‘Go F*** Yourself’ the band moves back into a more old school black metal feel with production so thick you’d almost think the band had recorded with the microphones set up on the other side of a mattress.”
Jason Wellwood reviews the latest album from MAAX, a blackened rock and roll album reminiscent of Motorhead vs Darkthrone.
Titan’s Eve – The Divine Equal
“Titan’s Eve manage to sound like seasoned veterans, no subtle nods to the old school or blatant attempts to make ‘nouveau’ thrash are present although it’s obvious that the band has done its homework. It’s also obvious that the band is ambitious: their debut album is a concept album based on The Book of Genesis and Milton’s Paradise Lost.”
Jason Wellwood reviews the independently released debut from Titan’s Eve, entitled “The Divine Equal”.
Bloodiest – Descent
These guys (and gal) frolic in the post-metal fields ploughed by Neurosis, though they definitely do their own thing. That being said, their thing is a little too weird for me.
Black Space Riders – Black Space Riders
Black Space Riders certainly know what sound they are going for and with only one minor misstep on this album I’d say they’ve found it. The music isn’t too spacey to deter fans of more doom styled stoner rock nor is it too doomy for the rock crowd. Is the music a case of trying to please everyone? Perhaps, but in this instance it really works.