On this historic day of February 22, 2019, the day after the
21st and the day before the 23rd of the year 2019, the Bandcamp gods gave upon
to thee a plethora of heavy albums. Not since the birth of the baby jesusChrist
have we had the joy and thrill of such a treat. I’ve got just a few of the
albums listed below that I’ve had the pleasure of hearing, and a few that I
have not, but I trust my fellow Bandcampers in their judgement. Utterly
astounding day of release in the heavy music underground and may go down in
history as a monumental moment.
Birdstone - SEER
The artwork had me before even listening. I am a sucker for
those bronze colors and style of artistry. There is something truly special
going on here. The bluesy licks have a golden sheen shadowed with vintage psych
and etched in occult. SEER would make an excellent vinyl package. I want
inserts, posters, and actual snakes to go with the annihilating aura of proggy
fuzz.
Palace in Thunderland – The King of the Empty Aeon
The King of the Empty Aeon carries the torch of progressive
doom through a saturated wasteland of stoner and grunge with an apocalyptic
output of electrifying groove. The riffs are catchy, the vocals are savage yet
melodic, and the groove bangs with crushing atmosphere. Today will go down as a
historic day of heavy music releases and this is at the top of the heap in
terms of quality. (2-22-19) Favorite track: The King Of The Empty Aeon.
Gypsy Chief Goliath – Masters of Space and Time
If you’re not convinced by the sheer force tingling your
spine upon the conclusion of song one City of Ghosts then you’re in luck. The entire album
is a massive progression from earlier GCG works delving into much more of the
classic rock side of the spectrum while still maintaining that brute Canadian
grizzle. Dual guitar harmonies, organ driven melody, production that hits you
like a ton of bricks, and AL’s
refined vocals proving the Yeti can sing with the best of them. Mark your
yearend lists, Masters of Space and Time is here to stake its claim. Favorite
track: City Of Ghosts.
Witchers Creed – Awakened From The Tomb
Witchers Creed have awakened from the tomb, steeped in the
stench traditional doom, ringing with proto-metallic harmony, caked in beefy
rhythm and crying with bluesy solos that'll eat your heart out. Favorite track:
Salem
(Resurrection).
Sanhedrin – The Poisoner
The Poisoner is stricken with another round of immaculate
heavy metal. Like their predecessor ‘A Funeral For the World’ the follow up takes
influences from classic metal and doom with a modern-stamp and burly female
vocal tone. It’s exciting, fresh and timeless without sounding derivative. This
could have came out in 79 or 84 and we’d have been blown away then.
The Traveler – The Traveler
I’ve only scanned a few songs of this new release by
Traveler, whom to be honest, I only just heard about today on release day as a
bunch of folks in the scene were discussing how big this day is for releases
and this one was on some lists. I did select it as a choice due to the scan I
conducted resulted in big juicy metallic riffs galore and not too unlike
Sanhedrin above the classic metal flavor was on point. The NWOBHM influence
runs deep on Traveler’s debut self-titled album. I will be digging deeper into
this soon.
Demon Head – Hellfire
Ocean Void
I’ll be honest here, I have never been able to totally get
into Demon Head. I don’t know what it is. I am sharing it here in the spirit of
the big day being Friday the 22, 2019. This band has a cult following and I
think with some time I could find myself appreciating what they are doing a
little more. You be the judge, but most my counterparts rave about them
regularly and I’m sure this will be turning some ears throughout the year.
Red Eye – Tales From The Days Of Yore
This one is thick folks. The progressive doom tones fuzz
along at crushing volume and heavy enough to sink the titanic. Hell, this is so
heavy it could sink the iceburg that took down the Titanic. The cover art gives
you an idea of what to think. Its hazy, its desolate, its quite sharp and
intricate at the same time. Check out Red Eye.
Red Beard Wall – The Fight Needs Us All
This new album by Red Beard Wall is pretty fucking killer.
Its not like most anything you’d expect to hear. It’s noisy, progressive, and
grungy all the same. Its chaotic without being obnoxious and has an accessible
element to it that keeps me engaged.
Dead Witches – The Final Exorcism
The latest album by Dead Witches proves that a band can
improve and catch your ear even if prior material did not really do a whole lot
for you. Although I still need to give this some more time, I did find that
right off the bat I was intrigued and surprised at how much I enjoyed it
compared to its predecessor. I don’t know if it’s the new singer or what, but
they seemed to have grown into an actual interesting band with this release.
Check it out.
Sons of Morpheus – The Wooden House Session
Sons of Morpheus ride out on the dusty trail on a steel
horse slinging soulful boogy rock drenched in blues andoozing with fuzz.
Everything they’ve released has been top notch. The Wooden House Session adds a
little twang to their signature distorted blues rock.
Wolf Counsel – Destination Void
Wolf Counsel are on the epic side of traditional doom while
maintaining that signature accessibility that Doom has over other styles of
heavy in the genre. The melodic aspect has the power to retain the casual
listener with a cleanish vocal and catchy groove. Even if it is slowed down to
half speed, its enjoyable and doesn’t wear out its welcome that easily.
Candlemass – The Door To Doom
Candlemass need no introduction. The purveyors of traditional
doom are back with their first material in a long time with their original
singer Johan Langquist. Well, I haven’t heard the entire album, and really
wasn’t all that much anticipating it, I will find the time to hear it out as
they are an influential band who has left their impression on the generation of
Doom troubadours out there today. Tony Iommi makes a guest appearance on the
track Astorolus.
Ordos – The End
Ordos is on the rise at becoming one of todays hottest heavy
underground bands. There is something so sinister and captivating about the
riffs on display combined with their occult vibes and vintage fuzz tones.
Cocaine Wolves – Second Scorching
I just found this one while searching my friends feeds to
see which albums I forgot about. Look at that album cover and try and tell me
these dudes from Indy aren’t out to have a good time. Reminds me of the movie
RAD from back in the 80’s. The music sounds as if it could have been released
in that same era. Straight up rock and roll, anthem ringing chorus’s dualing
guitars harmonizing over fist pumping riffs and pile driving bass. I can dig
it, can you? It’s a little corny but man this is fun. Look at those vinyl
patterns. Why have I just discovered this stuff?
Jerky Dirt - Kaleidotropic
Jerky Dirt brings us some salty licks of psych, rock and
stoner groove. The fuzz is eclectic, vocals are kind of post-punky or
something. This is a cool sound and one that I am sure will grow even more with
time.
Straytones – Beware, Dark Lord! Here Comes Bell-Man!
Intensely psychedelic garage rock here. The tones are
trippy, the fuzz is thick,and the reverb secures the fact that they nailed
their band name. How many more albums can I list?
As I mentioned this is just scratching the surface on how
many quality albums were released today and available on bandcamp. I could keep
going but I’d be stealing from your listening time. If there was a day to pick
for releases today was the day. You know what else? There are a thousand more
killer releases yet to hit the shelves. It’s never ending. We are all doomed to
die doing what we love being listening to new music until the end of time.
-The Huntsman
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