ALBUM REVIEW: Cannibal Corpse - "Red Before Black"

By: Richard Maw

Album Type: Full Length

Date Released: 03/11/2017

Label: Metal Blade Records

Once again, Cannibal Corpse have crushed all in their wake and returned as conquering anti-heroes of the death metal genre.  Cannibal Corpse remain the death metal band by which many other death metal bands are judged and remain my go-to band of choice if I want to listen to something extreme, violent, uncompromising and also oddly, inexplicably, insanely listenable.

“Red Before Black” CD//DD//LP track listing:

1. Only One Will Die
2. Red Before Black
3. Code of the Slashers
4. Shedding My Human Skin
5. Remaimed
6. Firestorm Vengeance
7. Heads Shoveled Off
8. Corpus Delicti
9. Scavenger Consuming Death
10. In the Midst of Ruin
11. Destroyed Without a Trace
12. Hideous Ichor

The Review:

Erik Rutan returns to production duties for this, Cannibal Corpse's fourteenth (!?) album. The production is thus a little more in keeping with their earlier work than the very modern sounding last outing “A Skeletal Domain”. Naturally, first things must come first: the album is brutally heavy. The production is reliably clear but also feral in just the right way- it sounds fantastic. There are plenty of catchy hooks and riffs here. Simply put, from the opening “Only One Will Die” onwards, this is a shredding whirlwind of a death metal album.

The title track comes second in the track list and is a high water mark for the album- thrashy leanings combine with the band's death metal fury (much like their earliest material) as George Corpsegriner Fisher growls with consummate authority. Cannibal Corpse has never made a bad album, to my knowledge, and they have not started here. Whilst I may be more familiar with some albums than others over the course of their career- which is now knocking on the door of thirty years in length!- when I get into their records, I really get into them.

Over the course of the last week, I have had this album on every day- all the way up until this weekend, when sadly the news of John Rossi of Pilgrim passing away caused me to revisit that excellent doom band's albums. However, I am playing “Red Before Black” on my headphones as I write this and after a weekend of sloth like doom, it is as forceful and extreme as I recalled from my listens over the last week.

There are certainly stand outs here- “Code of The Slashers” is a modern Corpse classic- whilst the slower and gnarly “Shedding My Human Skin” recalls death metal of the old school vintage. Naturally, over the course of twelve tracks it would be forgiveable for the intensity to drop- but it does not. If there is any criticism to be made, it is that the record is slightly front loaded with the best material hitting the listener sooner rather than later. That said, “Remaimed” and “Firestorm Vengeance” are as ripping as the opening two tracks and when “Heads Shovelled Off” opens what would be side two of the vinyl, it does so with a blasting intensity. Sure, “Corpus Delicti” is not as memorable as the title track, but the band has made a fine job of keeping the motor running at high revs throughout.

Alex Webster's bass makes a very welcome appearance front and centre on “Scavenger Consuming Death”, which is a late album highlight for me. The final three tracks run the gamut from the more dynamic riffing of “In The Midst of Ruin” to the frenzied “Destroyed Without a Trace” to the more atmospheric closer “Hideous Ichor”. Once again, then, Cannibal Corpse have crushed all in their wake and returned as conquering anti-heroes of the death metal genre.

There is not a bad track here, no real criticism can be levelled at the production or the playing and overall, this is an old school throwback of a death metal record. Cannibal Corpse remain the death metal band by which many other death metal bands are judged and remain my go-to band of choice if I want to listen to something extreme, violent, uncompromising and also oddly, inexplicably, insanely listenable. Long may they reign.

“Red Before Black” is available here

Band info: bandcamp || facebook

INTERVIEW: "The End of the Beginning" with Boston's Doom-laden metal maestros Second Grave

In life, it is often said that timing is every thing, indeed it is through careful consideration of other external factors than can often influence some desired outcome, a time to be born, a time to die, a time to fight, a time to love, a time for peace, a time to riff.  We all have a clock that has been set but it means something different to everyone.  Whilst timing, is used to refer to the time at which something happens or is planned to happen, or to the length of time that something takes, it is also a skill or action of knowing when to judge when is the right moment to do something.  So in the case of Boston’s, Second Grave, you could say my timing to introduce the band to our readers sucks. But first let us set the scene…. 

Conceived in early 2012, Second Grave combine elements of doom, heavy rock, and metal, with an emphasis firmly planted in riff worship. Their sound partially hearkens back to a time when red hot tubes–pushed to their limit–delivered massive tone through huge cabinets, while delivering epic tales of ancient battles, horror, human nature and the mysteries of the arcane.

By the end of 2012, Second Grave had released their debut self-titled E.P. played shows with likes of Witch Mountain, Castle, Elder, and Pilgrim.  A 2-song 10” EP “Antithesis” (released by Pariah Child on vinyl) would follow in November 2013 and the band would appear at the Stoner Hands of Doom festival in Richmond, VA. May of 2014 saw the band at the Eye of the Stoned Goat Festival in Worcester, MA.

So fast forward to August 2016, I receive an email from Second Grave to announce the release of their long-awaited full length album—3 years in the making.  Cue much excitement, a killer band, killer riffs, the timing was perfect? Well you’d think!

Please welcome Second Grave, it is “The End of the Beginning”

SL: Can you give us an insight into how you started playing music, leading up to the formation of Second Grave

Chuck Ferreira (drums):  I think, like most other musicians, as children the love of music takes hold of you and, at some point, you pick up an instrument—often not the one which you're most proficient on as an adult—and start emulating your musical heroes, and this process just grows until you develop some degree of ability.  Practice and jamming, over and over again, and you get to a point where you join a band or start a band, etc. 

As for Second Grave, we formed in 2012 when drummer, Chuck Ferreira, contacted singer/guitarist, Krista Van Guilder, about “starting something heavy”.  Initially not sure about it, it was several months before Krista reached back out to Chuck to determine if he was still interested—he was, and so the initial steps toward Second Grave forming were taken.  Krista brought along Chris Drzal (guitar) and eventually Dave Gein (Black Pyramid) was brought on board to play bass.  When Dave left a couple years back (he plays on both the “Second Grave” and “Antithesis” EP s), Maureen Murphy joined the band and we kept rolling along!

SL: What can you tell us about your upcoming record and where do you feel it sits within the context current doom scene

Chuck Ferreira: The record, “Blacken the Sky” is now officially out (currently available for a name-your-own-price on Bandcamp) and features a hugely collaborative effort where we were all of the same mind set.  We don't like to peg ourselves as being strictly a Doom band, but it's clearly a huge part of our sound.  Each member of the band has a wide array of influences, and having played together now since early 2012, we've sort of figured out a way to meld those influences into the “Doom” sound that you hear on “Blacken The Sky”.

The current Doom scene is extremely diverse, with many various off shoots—blackened Doom, Doom Metal, Stoner Doom, Sludge, etc.  “Blacken The Sky” probably has a foot in the classic Doom sound in the line of the Black Sabbath inspired sound, and one in the more Doom Metal genre, but even within that description, there are variations.  At the heart of it, though, it's extremely melodic and heavy, and we feel it doesn't purposefully try impose any particular style, rather, it incorporates all the elements we love.  

SL:  How was the mood in the camp going into the recording of the record

Chuck Ferreira: The mood was great—but also determined.  It took us four years to finally get to the point of recording a full length—we had released two very well-received EP s prior, but it was time to buckle down and get this out.  We had a lot of great new material and worked hard to hone it down.  When it came time to tracking (at Mad Oak Studios in Boston, with co-producer Benny Grotto), we were in a good place because we had these songs down really well.  There wasn't much tinkering in the studio. 

SL: What can fans look forward to from you over the next 12 months? How is your schedule shaping up?

Chuck Ferreira:  In a true “doom” and despair scenario, many people will be surprised to learn that as of August 27^th we've decided to put Second Grave to rest.  Everyone is going in different directions with new projects and we're all just at different places in our lives from the time this band started in 2012.  There are the obvious musical differences and desire on the part of all four members to head down new paths, but we all remain committed to making sure everyone gets to hear “Blacken the Sky”.  In a lot of ways, this full-length is a great way to cap off what's been a great run for us, we've had the honor of sharing the stage with bands like Windhand, Witch Mountain, Castle, Elder, Jucifer, Gozu, Gospel of the Witches, Pilgrim, and many others, and we made a lot of friends along the way.  We're thankful for all of that.  Doom on. 

• Chris Drzal, guitarist, has a heavy/doomy due project called "Winterbolt" that he's getting going.

• Krista Van Guilder, vocals guitar, and Maureen Murphy, bass, are getting a new project going that will likely be unveiled later in 2016.  No name yet.

• Me (Chuck)--I'm involved with several projects in the Boston area (non-metal bands Eddie Japan and Aloud), as well as being a busy session drummer.  It's only a matter of time, though, before I get a new heavy rock/doom project going again.

“Blacken the Sky” is available here

Band info: bandcamp || facebook

Pilgrim II - Void Worship (Album Review)

Album Type : Full Length

Date Released : 1/4/2014

Label : Metal Blade Records

Pilgrim II- Void Worship, album track listing :

01. Intro 01:46
02. Master’s Chamber 10:35
03. The Paladin 04:08
04. Arcane Sanctum 04:09
05. In the Presence of Evil 03:47
06. Void Worship 08:51
07. Dwarven March 01:53
08. Away from Here 09:38

Bio :

Their first release shook the doom metal underground to its core, making a loud, in your face effort to bring doom metal back to its most minimalist and archaic roots, restoring it to its former glory. Their critical success, paired with their controversial interviews and emotionally draining live performances have lead PILGRIM to excellence, traversing the globe performing sold-out shows in multiple countries and playing festivals alongside some of the biggest names in their genre. Two years later, the fabled outfit has returned with a brand new record, the highly anticipated next installment of their aural adventure "PILGRIM II: VOID WORSHIP."

PILGRIM returns more powerful than ever, wielding eight new epic tracks laden with tales of sword and sorcery, death, doom and destruction. Recorded at Moonlight Mile Recording by audio mastermind Mike Moebius, II: VOID WORSHIP delivers an absolutely unrivaled quality of tone and heaviness that many critics felt their original effort MISERY WIZARD had lacked. The band takes a new approach to their song writing, replacing meditated, repetitive hypnosis-inducing dirges with more calculated and demented power-house riffs. They build, shape, and climb into frenzied climaxes and fade into sweet sonic releases, molding perfectly crafted rock songs into twisting spires of evil doom metal masterpieces. It is obvious that PILGRIM has matured, both musically and as individuals, in their past two years of global conquest.

Just because 2013 had seen the departure of original bassist Count Elric the Soothsayer doesn't mean PILGRIM have lost any of their determination or prowess. Drummer "Krolg, Slayer of Man" and singer, songwriter, guitarist and vocalist "The Wizard" have harnessed and immaculately balanced their chemistry as a duo, seeing The Wizard taking over on bass duties for this studio effort. On their most recent excursion to Europe, the two were joined by "Bradoc the Barbarian", drummer of Massachusetts's illustrious ICE DRAGON, filling in live for Count Elric's absence on bass guitar.

The Band :

Krolg, Slayer of Men | Drums
The Wizard | Guitar, Bass and Vocals

Review :

Rhode Island's Pilgrim have returned with Void Worship, which follows their debut release “Misery Wizard.” An ominous intro sets the tone for the rest of the record- true, plodding doom of the slowest variety. ‘Master's Chamber’ lumbers into earshot and carries on in the same vein for over ten minutes. Make no mistake, this is real doom, played by real doom obsessive’s. The band's line up is now stripped down to two (bassist Count Elric The Soothsayer- not his real name- left back in 2013).

Doom often can be categorised into two camps: fantasy based and reality based. Pilgrim firmly fall into the former category, so how much you engage with the material may be informed, somewhat, by your feelings towards, say, Lord of The Rings or Game of Thrones or what have you. While the lyrical themes may not be everyone's cup of tea, the music should appeal to anyone who has an interest in the neanderthal, the powerful, the slow, the crushing and all other words you can apply to any one of Electric Wizard's releases.

‘The Paladin’ follows up with a swinging groove (thus hitting warp speed for the genre) and the production comes through as bright and weighty, the bass underpinning the guitars with a satisfying rumble. The vocals are much improved over “Misery Wizard”- more melancholic in their delivery, but still mixed back in the overall sound. The pile driving groove continues in an unrelenting manner- double kicks are introduced!- and a very downtuned solo bursts forth- magical stuff.

‘Arcane Sanctum’ starts in a much more restrained manner- foreboding clean guitar and s-l-o-w drums set the scene for a perfectly pitched instrumental of creeping dread.

‘In The Presence of Evil’ has a kind of momentum driven groove, while working at a still admirably slow pace- it is clear that the band have been working on their song-writing and musicianship as the album boasts more memorable sections and riffs in one track than the whole of Misery Wizard combined, in my humble opinion. No vocals again, here, as the album's middle section closes. It seems that the focus is on the riff and the musicality that can be wrought therein, rather than hypnotic grooves per se, this time around.

‘Void Worship’ enters the fray to stake its claim as the album's definitive statement. Again, it is slow, well thought out and epic in length. Vocals feature here as the groove just creeps onwards with impressive pacing.  ‘Dwarven March’ continues the leaden sound that dominates the record, and sounds exactly like its title- no mean feat! The brief length makes for a perfect primer/bridge to the album's closing statement.

‘Away From Here’ spreads its wings close to the ten minute mark and allows the band to play to their strengths- good pacing, strong melancholic vibes and no rushing- the song develops organically and introduces new elements as and when needed. The sense of drama is upped on this track and the album is thus closed in impressive style.

For those of you looking for true doom, look no further. A massive improvement over their debut and a record that will stand up to anything else in the genre this year.

Words by : Richard Maw

You can get it here

For more information :

http://www.facebook.com/hailthepilgrim

http://hailthepilgrim.bandcamp.com/



The Sludgelord News : PILGRIM: Rhode Island Doom Bringers To Release Sophomore Full-Length; New Track Streaming + Live Takeovers Confirmed

Wizards and warriors, rejoice, for the chosen ones have returned! Since the early 2012 unveiling of their debut sonic behemoth, Misery Wizard, fans and critics alike have patiently yet anxiously awaited the second chapter from Rhode Island doom bringers, PILGRIM. Welcome II: Void Worship.

Wielding eight new epic tracks laden with tales of swords and sorcery, death, doom and destruction,II: Void Worship was recorded at Moonlight Mile Recording by audio architect Mike Moebius and supplies an extraordinary quality of tone and heaviness. With II: Void Worship, PILGRIM takes a new approach to their songwriting, replacing meditated, repetitive hypnosis-inducing dirges with more calculated and demented power-house riffs. They build, shape, and climb into frenzied climaxes and fade into sweet sonic releases, molding perfectly crafted rock songs into twisting spires of evil doom metal masterpieces. It is obvious that PILGRIM has matured, both musically and as individuals, in their past two years of global conquest.

Feel the gargantuan crush of third hymn, "The Paladin," now streaming athttp://www.metalblade.com/pilgrim.

II: Void Worship Track Listing:

1. Intro

2. Master's Chamber

3. The Paladin

4. Arcane Sanctum

5. In The Process of Evil

6. Void of Worship

7. Dwarven March

8. Away From Here

In related PILGRIM news, the band will bring their epic earth-rumblings to the stage next month supporting reunited stoner rock icons, Spirit Caravan. Slated to commence on March 7th in Baltimore, Maryland, the trek will rupture nearly two dozen cities and include a performance at this year's edition of SXSW. See confirmed dates below.

  

PILGRIM w/ Spirit Caravan:

3/07/2014 Metro Gallery - Baltimore, MD

3/08/2014 Strange Matter - Richmond, VA

3/09/2014 Chop Shop - Charlotte, NC

3/10/2014 Drunken Unicorn - Atlanta, GA           

3/15/2014 SXSW - Austin, TX

3/17/2014 Launchpad - Albuquerque, NM

3/18/2014 Cheyenne Saloon - Las Vegas, NV

3/19/2014 Thee Parkside - San Francisco, CA

3/21/2014 Rotture - Portland, OR

3/22/2014 El Corazon - Seattle, WA

3/24/2014 The Shredder - Boise, ID

3/25/2014 Burt's Tiki Lounge - Salt Lake City, UT

3/27/2014 Marquis Theater - Denver, CO

3/29/2014 Reggie's - Chicago, IL

3/30/2014 Cactus Club - Milwaukee, WI

3/31/2014 The Fifth Quarter - Indianapolis, IN

4/01/2014 Outland Ballroom - Springfield, MO

4/02/2014 Rock Island Brewing - Rock Island, IL

4/03/2014 Fubar - St. Louis, MO

4/04/2014 Hi Tone - Memphis, TN

4/05/2014 V Club - Huntington, WV

4/06/2014 Hideaway - Johnson City, TN

4/08/2014 Pyramid Scheme - Grand Rapids, MI

4/09/2014 Skully's - Columbus ,OH

4/12/2014 31st St Pub - Pittsburgh, PA

4/13/2014 Empire - Springfield, VA

4/14/2014 AS220 - Providence, RI

4/15/2014 Saint Vitus Bar - Brooklyn NY

.

II: Void Worship is scheduled for release on April 1, 2014 in North America, and on March 28/31 in Europe/UK via Metal Blade Records. Special preorder packages, including vinyl, are currently available at THIS LOCATION.

http://www.facebook.com/hailthepilgrim

http://www.metalblade.com

Source : Earsplit PR

Live Review : Pilgrim, The Star & Garter, Manchester, UK, 5/11/2013

When Windhand played Manchester, their second ever UK show earlier in the month, things didn't go quite as smoothly as everyone involved would have liked. With guitarist Asechiah Bogdan hospitalized in Chester, the band were late arriving, tour managers were running around chaotically and set times were pushed further and further back.

For Rhode Island’s retro sounding doom act Pilgrim, the main support band that have been traversing the UK and Europe with Windhand, the chaos inflicted upon them too. However, their late starting set saw them play in front of a packed crowd who were yearning for some live music. The band's 'tune low and play slow' policy, one which is shared by Windhand, is well received with each song climaxing to the sound of cheers and applause from front to back.

Despite battling with sound issues and the fact that the Star & Garter doesn't have the kindest of acoustic aesthetics, they produce a barrage of sludgy noise and screeching feedback. This is a band whose live shows convey a true taste of what a gig this size should be like; warts n’ all. They have yet to iron the creases out of their sets, yet to polish off rusty mistakes and yet to really master any real sense of stage presence, but those imperfections only make for better viewing. We are seeing a Frankenstinian beast in the making; slowly bits and pieces, the best of all their influences and loves join together in a cohesive manner. I have a feeling however, that on a thundering night in the future this beast will truly come alive. 

Words by : Phil Weller

You can read Phil’s live review of Windhand here, whom Pilgrim were the main support for at this gig

For more information

http://hailthepilgrim.bandcamp.com/

https://www.facebook.com/hailthepilgrim
http://hailthepilgrim.bigcartel.com/