Author: Matt Hinch
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Northumbria – Bring Down the Sky
There’s something special about Northumbria and their latest, Bring Down the Sky. The ambient metal drone duo of guitarist Jim Field and bassist Dorian Williamson sound like the heavens conversing with subterranean realms resulting in the ying/yang earthly experience we know. Structurally independent and devoid of solid forms, the listener’s mind is thrown open to…
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Dune – Aurora Majesty
There’s some mighty good shit coming out of Scotland. At least in so far as this review is concerned. The shit (with horns up of course) of note is Aurora Majesty, the two-song EP by Edinburgh’s Dune on newly minted Scottish label Sea of Corruption. Dune’s previous effort, Progenitor sounded to this writer like aggressive…
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Northumbria ‘Bring Down the Sky’ to hold release show – Dec 11 @ the Garrison in Toronto
A couple of weeks ago Toronto based drone duo Northumbria released their second full length titled Bring Down the Sky. To celebrate they’re bringing their live improvisations to the Garrison (1197 Dundas St W, Toronto, Ontario) for a CD release show on December 11, 2104 at 9pm. Joining them will be fellow experimentalists Gates and…
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THRASH INVASION TOUR: Onslaught, Artillery and Vx36 at the Mansion, Kingston, ON November 11, 2014
THRASH INVASION TOUR: Onslaught, Artillery and Vx36 at the Mansion, Kingston, ON November 11, 2014 Photo above by Artillery I don’t get out to shows very much anymore. Especially if I don’t have much experience with the bands on hand. But when I get an event invite titled THRASH INVASION how could I pass it…
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Northumbria and Famine – Blood Orchid
Blood Orchid is a nearly 16-minute live collaboration between Northumbria and Famine. The ambient drone unfolds over an expanse of time that feels much longer than it actually is because of how deeply you can get lost in it and lose your sense of reality. It feels futuristic and ancient at the same time as…
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Phobocosm – Deprived
If your idea of death metal begins and ends with Cannibal Corpse then Phobocosm is probably not for you. But if you can allow yourself to wallow in pure darkness and depravity, then the Montreal quartet’s aptly title Deprived could be more up your alley. It’s the darkness that consumes the entire album that is…
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Death Penalty – Death Penalty
It didn’t take long for Gaz Jennings to pick up a new project following the unfortunate demise of Cathedral. Recruiting former SerpentCult vocalist Michelle Nocon, Jennings formed Death Penalty. Filling out the lineup is SerpentCult drummer Fredrick “Cozy” Cosemans and Belgian bassist Raf Meukens. I wonder if Jennings likes waffles and beer in addition to…
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John Garcia – John Garcia
John Garcia. John fuckin’ Garcia. There is no voice more synonymous with stoner rock or desert rock than that of John Garcia. Best known as the singer for genre progenitors Kyuss, he’s been a part of a number of projects since that band’s dissolution almost 20 years ago. While Kyuss may always cast a shadow…
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Bastard Sapling – Instinct is Forever
I’d heard a lot of good things about Bastard Sapling’s debut album, Dragged From Our Restless Trance, but their newest offering, Instinct is Forever, serves as my introduction to the band. And what an introduction it is! The Richmond, VA quintet displays remarkable vision and execution on this sophomore effort. Working off a base of…
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Full Metal Parenting #6: Mike Scheidt Interview
When Craig had the crazy idea that we start a column about heavy metal parenting and that we include interviews with “heavy metal parents,” my first thought was of Mike Scheidt. As the leader of YOB (and member of Lumbar and VHOL) he has been a musical inspiration to myself and many others. I wondered…