But I’d rather be sleeping … in my bed, crashed out …
As the House of Rytkonen struggles with a viral variant, the Worm Gimps bring the Metal and other Extremities your way regardless. This week Hades must be smiling as we bring you not one, not two, but three reviews of Hells Headbangers releases, and Marty and Zahler switch brains – ie, Marty reviews the brutal/slamming Death Metal band Devourment and Zahler reviews non-brutal/slamming Death Metal band (the excellent Asphyx/Bolt Thrower-esque) Humiliation. And best of all, we’ve got an interview with Thevetat, featuring Thomas Pioli of Ceremonium/Incantation fame! So remember to take your Vitamin C, Echinacea and/or copious amounts of whiskey (personal fave) to ward off airborne bacteria, and try not to drown in the deluge of darkness comprising this week’s post. Also, post your comments and playlists as usual. And listen to Armoured Angel!
Jim Clifton Playlist
Celestiial – Desolate North
Burzum – Fallen
D.R.I. – Dealing With It
Mayhem – De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas
Nechochwen – Oto
Panopticon – Collapse
Weapon – From the Devil’s Tomb
Agalloch – Pale Folklore / Marrow Of the Spirit
Inquisition – Ominous Doctrines of the Perpetual Mystical Macrocosm
Ceremonium – Dreams We Have Written
Marty Rytkonen Playlist
Thevetat – Disease to Divide
Sympohony X – The Odyssey
Saint Vitus – The Walking Dead/Hallow’s Victim
The Sisters of Mercy – First and Last and Always LP
Canis Dirus – Anden om Norr
Skinny Puppy Channel on Pandora
Fortid – Pagan Prophecies
Drautran – Throne of the Depths
Sacred Reich – Various releases
Deinonychus – The Silence of December
S. Craig Zahler Playlist
Bolt Thrower – Honour – Valour – Pride
Humiliation – From Strength to Strength
Dead Infection – A Chapter of Accidents
Last Days of Humanity – The Sound of Rancid Juices Sloshing Around Your Coffin
Paracoccidioidomicosisproctitissarcomucosis – Aromatica Germenexcitación En Orgías De Viscosa Y Amarga Putrefación
Yes – Fly From Here
Blue Oyster Cult – Spectres
Thin Lizzy – Black Rose
Manilla Road – Mark of the Beast
King Crimson – Red
Worm Gear 
Good call on that Drautran, it has been a frequent player for sure.
Portal – Vexovoid
Blitzkid/Cryptkeeper Five – Split Personalities
Graveyard – Hisingen Blues
Troubled Horse – Tainted Water
God Seed – I Begin
SepticFlesh – Mystic Places of Dawn Re-Release
Vattnet Viskar – S/T
Graveyard – Lights Out
Rotten Sound – Species At War – EP
Vorum – Poisoned Blood – Rabid Blood
Rotton Sound – Murderworks
Kroda – Schwarzpfad
Amiensus – Restoration
Seven Kingdoms – The Fire Is Mine
Wodensthrone – Curse – First Light
Old Man’s Child – Ill Natured Spiritual Invasion
Havok – Point of No Return
Jon Snodgrass – Visitor’s Band
Chuck Ragan – Covering Ground
Steve Earle & The Del McCoury Band
Tony Sly – 12 Song Program
Lucero – Women & Work
Svartidauði – Flesh Cathedral
Sleep – Holy Mountain –
Manilla Road – Crystal Logic
Vader – De Profundis
AH! Thursday morning – full of piss and fucking vinegar! Who wants a crack?
Vorum – Grim Death Awaits
Vorum – Poisoned Void – not near as good as the aforementioned EP. But I am still spinning it. Uninspiring riffs on this album. Its good, but not very exciting.
Konkeror – The Abysmal Horizons
Corrosive Carcass – Composition of Flesh (good Classic evil Swedish Death)
Arcturus – Everything
Chapel of Disease – Summoning Black Gods
Abyssal – Denouement
Sloth Herder – Abadon Pop Sensibility
Disfigurement – Abyss of Hatred
Hopelorn – From Withered Branches
Void Forger -Ruined Demo
Ghoul – Transmission Zero
Midnight Odyssey – Firmament
Diskork – Dystopics
Obsessor – All Demos
Thorns – Trodentun and studio album ‘Thorns’ (without this Snorre W. Ruch, Euronymous would have never totally honed the quintessential sound and style of the Norwegian Icey Black Metal Riff. Ruch is a Black Metal God. He is critical link between the missing link between the ‘Deathcrush’ style to the De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas style. Not the only link, but a big part of it.
Just something I feel like getting off my chest here. If you don’t want to read a rant, stop here. The Internet is becoming a bit too politically correct, where in which anyone that voices any form disagrement or dissension is labeled a ‘Troll’. It is a strategic ad hominem to discount one’s opinion, that is all. We all know what a Troll is. Hell I do it to one website, but only to the writers, because they suck. I think ya all know what I am talking about here.
Shit Patrick, I agree with you?! That’s a first hehehe… Keep doing what you do on that certain website, it’s hilarious at times.
And now to musical matters:
Cannibal Corpse – The Bleeding, Gallery of Suicide, Bloodthirst, Kill, Torture
Morbid Angel – Everything except Illud blah blah blah. Revisiting what I always considered their lesser album (Formulas, Gateways, Heretic). I stand corrected! Although I still think Heretic contains to much instrumental fluff. And listening to them all in row I realized for the very first time that they name their albums in allfabetical order… D’oh!
Bolt Thrower – Real of Chaos, Warmaster, The IVth Crusade, …For Victory. First time I own these beauties on CD. I was surprised how many songs I still remembered from ancient compilation tapes and hearing them played in the dingy metal bar I frequented when I was 16.
Cirith Ungol – King of the Dead, One Foot in Hell. Love this. The most venomous and insane vocals 80’s heavy metal had to offer. I’ve read somewhere that Fenriz said this band had soul; I completely agree.
Death – Human. Classic.
Mercyful Fate – Melissa. Even more classic. I’ve played this one a lot lately while travelling my hometown by bike (I ride around a lot for my work). Must be a really weird sight; guy with huge headphones on bike, making weird (and scary) faces wile lipsynching and occasionally playing short bursts of air guitar while riding…
Freek – right on with Morbid Angel. The first song on Gateways has this insanely awesome guitar riff that I can never get out of my head. Those are really good albums. If there is a bar that plays Bolt Thrower, consider yourself a lucky teenager, cause the only bars we had in my hometown were ones that played radio station music, and thats it. Wow, what a treat that would have been. So you can read my other posts on other websites?
Got a CD yesterday by a band called MORBUS CHRON – ‘SLEEPERS IN THE RIFT’
AWESOME DEATH METAL!
Patrick> I know exactly which riff you mean, it’s one of those patented Azagthoth riffs with that majestic evil touch. Yes, there was a bar that played Bolt Thrower (and Slayer, and Manowar, and Death…) that served beer for 1 guilder (our pre-euro currency, about 45 eurocents which makes about 60 dollarcents) during happy hour (friday afternoon after school)… Glory days hahaha!
I was assuming you meant a certain site (I’ll just call it MS) where I assume I might have read your posts. Could be wrong of course. Just saying I find that site and all the comments on it hilarious. For other reasons than the writers intended though…
Morbus Chron. That is one silly band name. I’ll have to tell my girlfriend, she suffers from morbus chron. And hates death metal. I’ll have to order that one.
Marty> House Hendriksen (which doesn’t sound as Dune-savy as House Rytkonen), meaning me, also struggles with some viral variant but plays a lot of Armoured Angel, Hymns of Hate has arrived! Also a shitload of finnish death metal (thanks for emptying my wallet guys) has arrived; Demilich, Demigod, Convulsed, Maveth and Desolate Shrine! Spending time on the couch under a blanket won’t be such a drag this way…
Eviltails–
RIght on with that Thorns album! It has about 10% too much ambient stuff, but still, it is one of my 15 favorite albums in black metal history. Such amazing energy and riff writing— Ruch is a far, far, far better riff writer than Euronymous. I even saw Snorre Ruch’s installation in New York (where I live), and it was pretty cool as well. I wish he’d do more— years ago, I’d read that he recorded something like 30 other songs, but never heard any more about it. The demos & Emperor split are decent, but I want another real studio album.
Midnight Odyssey is cool— Marty sent it to me and I just listened for the first time yesterday. It should be a little shorter—there was one cut in the middle that was weak and they are all quite long—-but it is cool. Kind of reminds of of the Forgotten Woods finest moment (Sjel av Natten — another top favorite in BM history) and that terrific Horn of Valere collection.
Freek – No I am cool with MetalStorm. I have said a few things there but only to a few really stupid comments made. I actually like that site. I don’t really read the forums too much. My places of hate would include Invisible Oranges and MetalReview (or now LastRites which has become a CVlt Nation like Hipster metal congregation) Hope you feel better soon. Nice fucking buys and good timing on all that great stuff coming to your house. I am not a fan of Demigod’s first album, its boring, but the demo ‘Unholy Domain’ is of a very KINGLY nature.
Zahler – Right on man! I agree with you on his writing capabilities. He did a better job with the riffs he created than Euronymous did. I would too love to hear another of his albums. His guitar sound on the self titled Thorns album is just beautiful! It would be great for him to re-record the 30 songs you mentioned, or at least reformat and release the best of them. The Trondertun demo is great as well. Reherhsals are too noisy to understand shit. First GRYMYRK demo is really cool to hear.
Oh, and I find if I listen to Midnight Odyssey late at night with dim lights the length of the tunes really pulls me even more like a trance. Otherwise, yeah, they can be a bit too long. I strangely enjoy the breath of the songs though under certain conditions like the aforementioned. A naked chick would make it even better, especially if she like Midnight Odyssey too. Odds are she would be fat though, as most metal chicks are. haha…
Ysengrin – To Endotaton
Demonic Slaughter – Revelations of Death
Serpent Ascending – The Enigma Unsettled
After Death/Unaussprechlichen Kulten – split CD in GIANT case
Desolate Shrine – The Sanctum of Human Darkness
Maveth – Coils of The Black Earth
Binah – Hallucinating in Resurrecture
Grave – Into The Grave
Disgrace – 1990
Shit Chuck White, nice fucking playlist man! You da man!
Patrick> I was assuming you meant Metalsucks. So no more eviltails? Actually haven’t even started on the finnish stuff yet, today it’s been mostly Bolt Thrower. And some Pentacle and Thanatos. War masters and dutch heroes…
Chuck> That Binah record is immense! If you dig that one you should also dig Sulphur Aeon, see their review by Wormgear.
Agreed w/ Patrick, excellent list. Much love for Maveth/Desolate Shrine/Binah myself. The upcoming Krypts release kills as well, I’m reviewing it next week \m/
Kevin, what album would you recommend as a good intro to Steve Earle? I’ve got friends that are heavily into him & Townes Van Zandt, but I wasn’t sure where to start on either … -Jim
i just downloaded a ripped version of the Demonic Slaughter . If I likes that shiz, i’ll BUY IT! I don’t know what happened with EVILTAILS Freek? WTF? must of logged me out and has revealed the true TROLL! ah!!! Most conceal myself before someone finds out the real me. haha
Oh and I don’t think I have ever posted on MetalSucks…In fact, I have never even been on that site Freek. I am looking at it now. But I’ll gladly take the credit on funny and humorous trolling.
Im Baaaackkk. moahhahahaha!
Cliftonium> For Townes van Zandt, I consider “Live at the Old Quarter, Houston, Texas” essential. A double CD full of Townes live by himself in a cramped and sweaty bar in Houston, 1973. Priceless, even the anouncements.
Metalsucks seems to be frequented by some of the most moronic and unknowingly hilarious idiots in metal (and metalcore, and djent, and whatever bullshit crap with loud guitars passes for metal these days). Makes for a good laugh when I’m in the mood.
Speaking of mood; just about to change mine from Gorgoroth to Townes van Zandt. And I definitely need to hear Anthem to the Estranged again soon… \m/
Sounds awesome; will seek that out \m/
Oh Freek, I don’t want to even see that site then. i am angry enough as it is : )
Train a Comin’ is a great place to start with Steve Earle
Nice, yeah Freek I’ll give it a look, I’m down for anything, there is so much fucking metal out now its hurting my brain, wallet and social life, I should get government money like that dude in Scandinavia (can’t remember which country, don’t care to look it up). I am fucking glad Worm Gear is back and running, I remember Worm Gear from LONG TIME AGO, didn’t it used to be a printed zine, like on newspaper print? Didn’t METAL SUCKS used to be a printed zine as well? It had a fucking hilarious Gary Busey interview years before his craziness became reality show hip. I avoid Metal Sucks and Blabbermouth, I think looking at distros then hitting up youtube and band sites the best way to find new metal. Human interaction is still key, this site doesn’t look like its overrun with fucking morons on the comments so I will enjoy the sacred peace while it lasts.
Hahaha too much metal, too little time (and money) right? And yes, human interaction is key in finding new stuff. I’m in a bit of a social vacuum when it comes to metal (my friends don’t care about metal, I used to be in a sorta scene in high school but that’s ages ago) so sites like Wormgear and personal contact with distro guys is essential to me. What Scandinavian dude do you mean?
And what’s up with the name changing guys? Identity crisis?
BTW Clifton, good to see some love for Blessing in Disguise. I almost forgot about that one but now it’s back in heavy rotation. Such and underrated gem indeed.\m/
I live in a serious vacuum as well. Friends that enjoy this music like I do are so spread out over the country and world that the idea of getting together and listening to music just frankly seems bizarre at this point.
I checked out MetalSucks last night. Wow. You are right!
Chuck, with luck we can keep the morons at bay.
What is the Blessing In Disguise now? Never heard of it
Cliftonium – I checked out the Krypts. I didn’t find it all that interesting. Good sound, but kinda of uninspired writing and riffs. Maybe your review will sway me to check it out again.
Anyone heard the new Tribulation song streaming? Don’t like it at all. Very boring. I don’t hear any passion or fire in them.
The album Blessing in Disguise by Metal Church.
Agalloch- pale folklore
Amorphis- beginning of time
Royal Hunt- the watchers
Bonfire- fireworks & don’t touch the light
…and some unknown early 80s singles like Salem Witchcraft, White Lie, etc (hard rock stuff, not really metal)
Props to whoever posted the Dune joke; now I’m stuck with a picture of a bloated Marty floating around his decrepit throne room screaming, “he who controls the metal controls the universe!”….. hmmm, kinda sounds like a Gamma Ray album title 🙂
Otherwise all is quiet on this edge of the Metal Frontier