Rabbits - Untoward (Album Review)

Album Type: Full Length

Date Released: 12/8/2014

Label: Lamb Unlimited

‘Untoward’ DD/LP track listing:

1). Ever Mind (03:04)

2). Pack up your Shit (03:23)

3). So Fake It’s Real (02:19)

4). Reek and you shall find (06:05)

5). An Odd Coloration (02:57)

6). Like you a lot (10:33)

Bio:

Amidst a slew of EPs, splits and other independent releases the band has produced since their 2003 inception, RABBITS’s debut LP, Lower Forms, was released via Relapse in 2011, which was followed only a year later with their Bites Rites LP via Good To Die Records. The band has also since revived Portland DIY label Eolian Empire, their cohorts who released multiple early RABBITS releases, and have since inundated the planet with a variety of potent releases from only Portland-based acts, including Prizehog, Towers, Diesto, Honduran, Dead, Drunk Dad and more. Amidst sporadic Western US touring in recent years, the band will forage throughout North America and Europe in support of Untoward.

Review:

It’s a cloudy hot day here in Ohio, not much going on, so why the hell not take some time to do a little record review.

Sometimes a band name represents the band in a more meaningful way or say some form of inside meaning within the band’s member, in which they present it as some form of secret “either you get it or you don’t” type of crap i.e. Slipknot being overly mysterious. But really who cares?

There is always the way too metal band name or the Tomorrow Is Yesterday’s Tuesday type of metal core poop…

Then we have Rabbits, whose name honestly kept me from them for the longest time.  I kinda unfairly had images of bikini clad Japanese girls playing surf rock. Rabbits are in no way associated with Sanrio, so it was a pleasant surprise to find out they are a fantastic noise rock/sludge outfit from Portland, OR.

‘Untoward’ is Rabbits most recent release a 6 song record that reeks of noise rock perfection.

Opening with the track ‘Ever Mind’ I was almost immediately reminded of The Melvins so I knew I was going to enjoy it. Not only does this opening track hit those King Buzzo type points, there are also some black metal type moments with blast beats permeating through the sludge wall.

Something I feel must be mentioned and is often skipped over with music of this type, is the brilliant use of the less is more concept.  Sometimes the riff itself is cave man enough to tap into that part of your brain that just wants to nod along with no real meaning. Not to say this release isn’t full of musicality & high level playing, there are some clear spots in timing and space where it is obvious years of playing are within the blood of the band.

‘Pack Up Your Shit’ is a dirty to the point doom wall who’s lyrics are both amusing and seemingly spot on for the tone of the record. “Just like us, we drink and fuck and cuss we piss and puke and shit, we are covered in spit..pack up your shit”  There are certainly some tongue in cheek elements to the band both in theme & feel.  This to me is a welcome change from the bands who take shit way too serious to the point you start to hate the band.

‘An Odd Coloration’ also draws from some of those Buzzo roots but touches on that Kowloon Walled City vibe too, leading to an up paced spurt or two that keeps the song in a constant pulling motion.

All in all Rabbits are onto something good and with huge balls!  Yes, I am late to the game with this band and they have clearly been at it for some time, destroying all along the way.  For me, it was great to find more of their material available and ample amounts digitally and vinyl!  What else can I say but I’ve been hooked. Rabbits are no Hello Kitty bullshit, they are the real sludgy deal.

Words by: Stephen T. Barton

You can secure your copy of ‘Untoward’ on DD here and vinyl here

For more information:

http://rabbitusmaximus.com
https://www.facebook.com/RabbitusMaximus
http://rabbitusmaximus.bandcamp.com
http://lambunlimited.com
https://www.facebook.com/LambUnlimited

Live Review: Bearer Of Bad News, Local H, Helmet, Filter. Thompson House, Newport, KY, USA. 13/8/2014

Heading back in time to 1994 when I was a mere pup in the 6th grade, Nirvana was everything and all I listened to UNTIL I stumbled on this record Meantime by a band called Helmet.  This was unlike anything I had heard during my few years on the planet, it wasn’t grunge, it wasn’t punk or plain old rock n’ roll, it was all of these things at once. Needless to say I was hooked. I didn’t get to see them until 1997, and they were playing with some band called Korn, whom I had never heard of and I remember thinking at the time, how does this no name band open for Helmet!?

Flash forward to August 13 2014 on route to see the beloved Helmet for the 5th time in my life.

I bought 2 tickets and hoped one of my friends would join me but nope, so I talked my 24 year old sister into going, hoping to convert her into a fan. I don’t know if I did, but I know my love and child like excitement to see these heroes still runs strong in my heart.

We head to the famous Thompson House (formerly Southgate), the mansion turned venue whose claim to fame is that John Thompson, the inventor of the Tommy gun lived there and invented said weapon in this mansion.

The line up for this event were Ohio locals Bearer Of Bad News, Local H , Helmet & Filter. I will start by saying I didn’t stay through Filter so I won’t be touching on them much.  My loyalty was to the rest if the line up so let’s get into it.

First up we have Dayton, OH based Bearer of Bad News, who’s blistering set was a perfect match to the line up.  With the song they called ‘Got the Least’ being the strong arm of their 30 minute noise fueled set. Think Helmet meets Quicksand & you have the idea.

Next up was the surprisingly excellent Local H. This two piece rock duo frankly owned the room for 45 minutes. I was only a fan in passing in my youth, but after this show I feel like I missed one hell of a time not seeing them live more. The band played through a variety of notable songs throughout their career such as ‘Bound for the Floor’, ‘Alright, Oh Yeah’ & an aggressive noise drenched cover of Lorde’s ‘Team’. Overall a great solid set from these 90’s rockers.

And now we will move on, likely the only reason you are reading this review and the main reason I went to this show to begin with, Helmet. Who’s 45 minutes set moved through various stages of their career aside from the AmRep material. While we didn’t hear anything from ‘Strap It On’ we did get to hear a selection from Monochrome like ‘Brand New’ & ‘Swallowing Everything’, both were priceless performances but I would be a liar if I said they were anywhere near as goose bump providing as the opening few seconds of ‘Wilma’s Rainbow’, the opening track to 1994’s ‘Betty’ which the band is presently touring in support of.

As a huge fan of this record and having read that on some of the dates they are performing ‘Betty’ from beginning to end, I was ready to hear that but alas that wasn’t the case.  Instead, what we got was a selection, classics like ‘Milquetoast’ ‘Unsung’ & ‘Give It’.  For the most part a good portion of ‘Seeing Eye Dog’ filled any gaps in the set. There were a few funny moments with Page asking the lighting crew to cut the strobe lights out “That looks cool man but I can’t see anything I’m 50 years old!”  50 isn’t so bad if you are still able to throw down a performance like Helmet did in this riverfront venue.

As someone who has been a fan for years and seen the band a handful of times, I cannot say this was their best show & I am certain any old school fans might have been a tad let down by the lack of Am-Rep era material.  Still it was without question a fantastic performance that did hit most of the high points of their career.

Helmet held the crowd at bay until the last note and I even saw a fairly Eminem looking fella booty dancing with some hussy throughout some tunes, so it was an entertaining night!

Oh yeah and as mentioned previously Filter headlined this date & all the U.S dates on this tour.

While Filter was never my cup of tea per se, they did have a few songs in their career I enjoyed but they unbeknownst to them opened with what I feel is the benchmark of shitty songs in their career ‘Trip Like I do’.  The crowd had the distinct privilege of hearing the opening loop to said song for nearly 30 minutes while smoke machines and lighting were adjusted properly, this is after a 35 minute set up time between Helmet’s set to Filters. I could go on but only 2 songs in and Richard had tossed 2 wireless mics on the crowd, visibly complaining to the sound crew and frankly doing everything in his power to mimic Chino Moreno, which in my world is blasphemy.

Waffle House and beer started to sound really good at this point so I grabbed my clearly unimpressed sister and we headed out.

Moral of the story Helmet, Local H & Bearer of Bad News = Awesome night

Filter = Waffle House.

Cheers

Words by: Stephen T. Barton

Holly Hunt - Prometheus EP (Review)

Album Type: EP

Date Released: 29/4/2014

Label: Other Electricites

‘Prometheus’ DD/Vinyl track listing:

1). Meano

2). Saturn Devours Children

3). Prometheus

Bio:

Following their highly lauded full-length album Year One, Holly Hunt returns with a 3-song, 12’’ EP, Prometheus. Recorded by Jonathan Nuñez of Torche and mastered by New Alliance East, the record builds on the two-piece’s reputation for metal that’s crafted with the heaviest alloys, and a most magisterial patterning - the type that drones vehemently and drowns in the blues.

Drummer Beatriz Monteavaro (Floor, Cavity) and guitarist Gavin Perry have demonstrated themselves as a loud and lumbering giant of the Miami music scene. The visceral impact of sound - the raising heart rate, neck chills, the warmth spreading throughout your torso - this is Holly Hunt’s raison d'être. Prometheus manages to transmit an almost perfect rendering, delivering listeners to a heightened physical (and mental and spiritual) state. The record conjures the image of an approaching behemoth, striking paranoia and fear until the final, exhilarating sweep of humanity’s total destruction.

Where Year One established the bedrock of Holly Hunt’s punishing sound, Prometheus thunders with the clarity of a crack of lighting. It establishes a supremely balanced, critical distance between amp worship and riff devotion, rising and falling with ecstatic highs and sublime lows. And while Year One represented the genesis of the band's existence; Prometheus stands as a churning, threatening hint of things to come.

Prometheus is a joint release by Other Electricities and Sonic TITAN.

The Band:

Beatriz Monteavaro | Drums

Gavin Perry | Guitars

Review:

There is something inherently beautiful about that feeling you get when you first remove a vinyl from its sleeve and place the needle on it. When listening to any album this feeling exists but when it comes to the fuzzy & sludgy stuff nothing quite hits the needle like it. The blend of crackles with the grime is perfection, and in some way the sounds from a vinyl take on a more 3D life force with each instrument almost floating in its own space.

There is little situation more fitting than putting the needle down on Holly Hunt’s Prometheus. “Utter Sludge Perfection”, is an apt description and if you aren’t familiar, let’s have a short catch up session.  Holly Hunt is a 2 piece instrumental act from Florida that features Beatriz Monteavaro (FLOOR\CAVITY) on Drums & Gavin Perry on guitar. ‘Prometheus’ is the follow up to 2012’s Year ONE which was rapturously received and also worth getting your hands on at the same time as ‘Prometheus’, at a  mere 3 songs, every minute counts on this EP.

They open with ‘Meano’, a massive wall of fuzz and girth acts as the prelude to the pummelling that ensues.  Indeed, this is the musical equivalent of an elephant charging at you in slow motion. Equally ominous is the pulsing ‘Saturn Devours His Children’ reminiscent of Jesu/Godflesh where chords create cliffhangers amongst the pulsing waves of percussion. Then we have the title track ‘Prometheus’, 9m 40s of downright sludge gold. There is a hypnotic feel about this release, I found myself nodding and wobbling back and forth throughout both sides of the vinyl EP.

In summation, ‘Prometheus’ is an absolute must have for any fan of sludge/doom.  It does what few instrumental acts can do. It keeps your attention and draws you in like a tractor beam.  It is a thudding and pulsating giant of a record!

Below you will find the links to both the digital and vinyl versions of the record. I suggest you buy the vinyl, add some drinks, a great set of speakers and a blind fold (or just close your eyes).  Sit back and soak this in properly

Words by: Stephen T. Barton

For more information:

Digital Version http://hollyhunt.bandcamp.com/

Vinyl VERSION http://other-electricities.com/album/oe037

The Band’s Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/HOLLYHUNT.LTD

Hush - Unexist (Album Review)

Album Type: Full Length

Date Released: 24/6/2014

Label: Self Released

HUSH – ‘Unexist’ CD/DD track listing:

1). Solus 07:42

2). Eater of all Things 05:53

3). We left like Birds 05:27

4). Infinite Recursion 04:48

5). Waves of Exultation 05:52

6). Rest/Nonexistence 10:28

7). Splendour 07:10

The Band:

J. Cozza |8 strings

J. Andrews | 7 Strings

C. Cure | Vocals

R. Strainer | Drums

C. Baird Buchanan | 5 Strings

Review:

Its a drab thunderstorm filled day here in Dayton,OH.  Luckily for me most of the music I review here is of the doom variety, and natures gloom is a perfect fit for todays pick, which is from upstate New York’s very own HUSH and their release ‘Unexist’

Doom and sludge is kind of in the middle of a growth spurt so to speak, with a ton of new artists immersing themselves within that grime and glow of cellars, prisons and forgotten places.  With every rebirth there is the dreaded “Multiplicity” effect, where in one copy is slightly worse than the previous.  But before you get all pissed at me, HUSH isn’t one of those copies.

‘Unexist’ is a brilliant sludge opus, sure there are hints of Neurosis, Isis and even Unearthly Trance, but those influences merely play a part of their sound and not much more.  ‘Solus’ kicks open the doors and takes you right along with it for the next 47 minutes.  The vocals stand out on this release; this is fury, irritation & asperity.  You take that flame then hit it with the massive wall of guitars & you have perfection.

‘Infinite Recursion’ is a stand out track that hits an ambience that is a hint of relief in the mood of the record as a whole, only to slam back in your face with sledgehammer force.  I would equate the record to free falling from a mountain while hitting every tree and rock on your way down. Just when you think you’ve hit the bottom where solace holds you in its nest, the limb breaks and your descent continues. No worries you will climb back up and take the beating over and over again as I have for the past week.

Hush’s ‘Unexist’ is a stellar doom release and any fan of the genre is missing a choice cut if they don’t grab this!

Words by: Stephen T. Barton

You can get it here

For more information:

http://hushdoom.bandcamp.com

https://www.facebook.com/hushdoom

The Cutthroats 9 - Dissent (Album Review)

Album Type : Full Length

Date Released : 3/6/2014

Label : Lamb Unlimited / Reptilian

The Cutthroats 9 “Dissent” CD/LP) track listing :

1). Speak
2). Trouble
3). Eraser
4). Hit The Ground
5). Dissension
6). We Could
7). Induction

Bio :

Founded at the turn of the millennium by guitarist/vocalist Chris Spencer, following the hiatus of his primary band, Unsane, THE CUTTHROATS 9 took the artist’s easily-recognized guitar tone and vocal delivery into a slightly less metallic and definitely more rock direction. The band instantly began touring and releasing material, their debut single, You Should Be Dead, came out on Reptilian Records in late 1999, which was followed the following year by their self-titled debut LP via legendary cult stoner rock label, Man’s Ruin. 2001 saw the release of their Anger Management EP via Reptilian, and while the band continued touring over the following years, the EP would be their final release before disbanding in 2004. With Unsane back on the map in the later 2000s, Spencer’s involvement in Celan and more have filled his time over recent years, but mid-2013 saw the reformation of THE CUTTHROATS 9, and the recording of their newest works in thirteen years, now prepared to hit the streets as their second official LP, Dissent.

The Band :

Chris Spencer | Vocal, Guitar

Will Carroll | Drums

Tony Baumeister | Bass

Review :

There are moments in time for music lovers where you stumble upon a goldmine that changes your views on music, perhaps only fleetingly but maybe forever. That moment for me was 1998 and I was 16. A buddy of mine got this CD, called Occupational Hazard by Unsane, he hated it and I consequently ended up finding my aforementioned goldmine! This was like everything I loved about Helmet but on 10 and angrier. Needless to say cracking into this Cutthroats release, brought me back to some teenage excitement and dare I say giddy school boy grins.

The Cutthroats 9 were formed by Chris Spencer of Unsane in 2000 during a hiatus. Their self titled EP was released that same year with the subsequent release Anger Management, which took loosely from Unsane’s sound, while adding a somewhat bluesy vibe mainly due to the slide guitar’s implementation.

The band took its own break in 2003 when Unsane reformed, leading many people to believe it was a finished project, but alas Cutthroats 9 return with a heavier fury on ‘Dissent’. A few weeks back the band released “Dissension” the first single from the new release. Opening with an eerie sludged out slide line that is frankly perfect. There is no questioning who is running this ship, Spencer is front and centre with those distinctive tones both vocally and guitar wise.

I think some Unsane fans dodge theses release because they somehow get a rap for being more bluesy than sludge. Those fans are F**king missing out. 3 tracks in, we have “Eraser”, the bass tone, F**K! That combined with that high almost off putting slide guitar creates something like the musical equivalent to fly paper. You are just stuck there getting ripped apart by Spencer and Co. Don’t let the slide guitar steer you from it as Chris says on “Hit The Road” Just try to understand.

Records like these don’t come around often enough and it’s a shame, because it’s such a short release. Nonetheless records like these are why players have repeat functions, CT9 deliver in a way that most bands attempt to and fall on their asses.

Oddly the slide in my opinion creates a soulful vibe at times amidst the chaos. Of course this is the internet so feel free to disagree. All in All this record is a must have for any noise rock/sludge lovers. The album has no lull points.

I could go on and on about each track but I am unable to pick a favourite here, it’s a short record that deserves to be heard as a whole and honestly it is most likely amazing live! I will say “Induction” stands out, as the album’s closer a slow moving grinder and the only song on the record I noticed had a low tuning but it fits perfect. It pushes and pulls you, like a drunk starting a fight. No worries though, you will survive and be a better person for it. If you like Unsane you will love this record, it is full of head nodding doomers!

Get the record over at http://lambunlimited.bandcamp.com/album/dissent

Be sure to catch them on tour with Black Cobra if you are in the US on the west coast.

Until Next Time!

Words by : Stephen T. Barton

For more information :

https://www.facebook.com/TheCutthroats9
http://lambunlimited.com
http://www.reptilianrecords.com

Stoneburner - Life Drawing (Album Review)

Album Type : Full Length

Date Released : 15/4/2014

Label : Neurot Recordings

Life Drawing, track listing :

1). Some Can 05:38

2). Caged Bird 10:20

3). Drift 01:29

4). An Apology to a Friend in Need 08:04

5). Pales New Eyes 10:36

6). Giver of Birth 01:08

7). Done 07:36

8). You Are the Worst 03:47

9). The Phoenix 17:53

Bio :

STONEBURNER is one of the mainstays of the Portland, Oregon underground scene. Formed in early 2008, the bands’ familial roots reach back twenty years. Drummer Jesse McKinnon (ex-Buried Blood) and guitarist Jason Depew (Buried At Sea) have rocked together in many incarnations. Their other bands had similarly earth-choked names (a stone burner is a subterranean weapon from the novel Dune), but it gets even more incestuous — Jesse went to school with bassist Damon (Heathen Shrine) Kelly’s step-mother. Years later, Jesse’s father would be Damon’s high school government teacher. Today most of the band shares a house and a musical outlet for their worldly frustrations.

To describe Stoneburner’s music one need only look to the list of bands with whom they’ve shared the stage: Yob, Sleep, EYEHATEGOD, Neurosis, Buzzov-en, Weedeater, Saint Vitus, Watain, Tragedy, Noothgrush, Graves At Sea, Lord Dying, Drop Dead, Whitehorse, Wind Hand, Bastard Noise and etc. It’s all about domination through amplification and soul-cleansing catharsis. Stoneburner does not put on airs for anyone. The shows are not "rituals". According to guitarist Eli Boland, playing in Stoneburner “…takes care of the thing inside us that would otherwise lead to serial murder. It cleanses my soul, eases my demons, and fills my heart in a way that keeps me high for a good long while.”

Life Drawing is the band’s second album and third overall release following closely in the tradition of 2012’s Sickness Will Pass (Seventh Rule). All players are the same and Damon has now had ample time to gel with the band. Once again the tracking was done at Haywire under producer Fester “the fifth Burner’s” watchful ear and red-rimmed eyes. The same mastering engineer and cover artist were similarly re-employed. What’s new is the Neurot logo on the spine and a handful of close friends on guest vocals including: Benjamin Caragol (Burials/Hang the Old Year), Joshua Greene (Bastard Feast, Ephemeros), and Krysta Martinez (Transient/Landmine Marathon).

Two difficult years have passed. A basement provided the outlet. The band considers it therapy. The fruition is Life Drawing

The Band :

Elijah Boland | Guitar
Jason Depew | Guitar
Damon Kelly | Bass/Vox
Jesse McKinnon | Drums/Vox

Review :

It’s a sunny and warm day here in Dayton, OH.  The type of day that one might dig into classic rock vibes or something upbeat and funky, but not this fella.  Today I have the privilege of giving you a break down on Portland, Oregon’s Stoneburner and their follow up to the 2012 release “Sickness Will Pass”. aptly titled “Life Drawing”.

While as of late Portland is more associated with Fred Armisen & Carrie Brownstein, don’t be fooled into thinking that there aren’t some fantastic doom jams there to destroy, ‘the hipster at Starbucks day.’

Feedback rips open the record into the opening track “Some Can” before smashing you in the face with a wall of fuzz and grime. There is no shortage of gloomy riffs on display here and whilst not typical for the genre, some excellent licks too.  The release has moments of pure psychedelia, doom & sludge.  Influences such as Eyehategod, Neurosis, Mastodon & Yob all have a place here, whilst still retaining something unique for the genre itself.

The bass guitar certainly has much more presence in my opinion than most doom/sludge bands these days and there is vibe of Geezer Butler present on the record, which you can’t be mad about?    The track “Caged Bird” is a prime example of this.

“Pale New Eyes” is a standout track and presents every layer of how this record sounds,

Heavy, slow, brooding and at times beautifully creepy.   With tracks varying in time length from 5-17 minutes on average, you have to immerse yourself in this record to truly get the feel of it but do yourself the favour, sit down and really take this release in.  

If you’re fan of sludge/doom, then you will definitely find something appealing on this record.  With repeated listens, like I have this past week, there is always something new to enjoy.

Words by : Stephen T. Barton

You can get it here

For more information :

https://www.facebook.com/Stoneburner.PDX/timeline

http://stoneburner.bandcamp.com/album/life-drawing

Coffinworm - IV.I.VIII (Album Review)

Album Type : Full Length

Date Released : 18/3/2014

Label : Profound Lore

IV.I.VIII, album track listing :

1). Sympathectomy 07:12

2). Instant Death Syndrome 05:00

3). Black Tears 07:27

4). Lust vs. Vengeance 05:49

5). Of Eating Disorders and Restraining Orders 07:44

6). A Death Sentence Called Life 06:28

Bio :

Indianapolis, Indiana's most notorious blackened doom metal abomination COFFINWORM made quite a reputation upon their emergence in the underground in 2009 with their Great Bringer Of Night demo. The ensuing unleashing of their 2010 debut LP When All Became None made a huge impression amongst blackened doom circles and coincided with a burst of the band’s devastating live shows (which included a run at SXSW upon the album’s release) as the band kept quite active on the live circuit (which also included an appearance at The Power Of The Riff’s East Coast event) consistently during the course of When All Became None’s discourse.
 

Now, come March 18, 2014, Profound Lore Records will unleash COFFINWORM's greatest transgression yet: IV.I.VIII.
 

Four years after the release of When All Became None, COFFINWORM return with an album that not only levels its predecessor, but a vicious statement of intent which producer/engineer Sanford Parker (Corrections House, Twilight, Yakuza, Wovenhand, Lord Mantis etc.) claims as one of the most insane and craziest albums he’s ever been a part of

Review :

Another week is upon us and with that being said another review to coincide with it.  On the speakers today (and a good part of the past week) is Indianapolis, IN based COFFINWORM with their most recent release “IV.I.VIII”(Profound Lore).

Forbes rates Indianapolis IN as one of the best cities in the U.S. Clearly Forbes didn’t walk into a venue Coffinworm was playing during that assessment; the filth would have sent them back to NYC with their tails tucked firmly between their sissy legs.  To describe this record as anything less that pure grime & doom would be an atrocious mistake.

It’s a filthy display of aggression from the opening track “Sympathectomy” forward.  The album has a massive amount more clarity than the proceeding releases such as “When All Became None” which sounds very lo-fi and dirty in its own right.  IV.I.VIII takes that concept and puts it on 10.

With the single release “Black Tears” you get a taste of just how much the band has grown.  A slow doom gallop into a wall of noise and driving momentum.  The vocal work touches on elements of brutal lows met by almost black metal highs.

This is an unforgiving and relentless effort any fan of doom/death should plant firmly in their ear holes! Noise FILTH DOOM & DIRT what more can you ask for?  Coffinworm delivered on this release don’t sleep on it!

Words by :  Stephen T. Barton

You can get it here

For more information :

http://coffinworm.net

https://www.facebook.com/coffinworm

http://coffinworm.bigcartel.com

http://twitter.com/coffinworm

http://www.youtube.com/coffinwormofficial

http://www.profoundlorerecords.com/

https://www.facebook.com/profoundlorerecords

http://www.twitter.com/profound_lore