Metal Dad - Hardcore for Life

They Escaped The Weight Of Darkness

is the first track from Agalloch's Marrow of the Spirit. It's my humble opinion that Agalloch was one of the better American Black Metal bands. They did not slavishly copy their Norwegian forebears. There is some very nice cello on the first and last tracks. Familiar black metal elements like harsh vocals are present but they also incorporate neofolk and neoclassical influences to great effect. All in all, Marrow of the Spirit is an interesting and enjoyable listen.

Into The Pandemonium

It's not a comment on my state of mind. I've been neglecting the extreme side of my music collection lately so this is one of the albums I'm blasting as I do some household chores today. I like earlier Celtic Frost but the diversity of Into The Pandemonium makes for a great listen. Whoa, dog is barking, gotta go let him in. \m/

It's Black (Metal) History Month

Restock - 02/08/13

-A TORTURED SOUL - Kiss Of The Thorn // Metal (Heavy Metal)
-AMESOEURS - Ruines Humaines (EP) // Metal (Black Metal)
-ANGANTYR - Haevn (ltd. ed. digi) // Metal (Black Metal)
-ANGANTYR - Sejr / Nordens Stolte Krigere (ltd. ed. digi) // Metal (Black Metal)
-ANGANTYR - Svig // Metal (Black Metal)
-APOSTLE OF SOLITUDE - Sincerest Misery // Metal (Doom Metal)
-ARCH ENEMY - Doomsday Machine // Metal (Melodic Death Metal)
-ARCH ENEMY - Khaos Legions // Metal (Death Metal)
-BEHEMOTH - The Apostasy // Metal (Black/Death Metal)
-BELENOS - Chemins De Souffrance // Metal (Black Metal)
-BELENOS - Errances Oniriques // Metal (Black Metal)
-BLACK TORMENT - Ten Years Of Blasphemy // Metal (Black Metal)
-BLOODBATH - Nightmares Made Flesh // Metal (Death Metal)
-BOLT THROWER - Realm Of Chaos (reissue) // Metal (Death Metal)
-BORKNAGAR - Origin // Metal (Progressive Metal)
-BROCKEN MOON - 10 Jahre Brocken Moon (2CD) // Metal (Black Metal)
-BROCKEN MOON - Das Marchen Vom Schnee // Metal (Black Metal)
-BRONX, THE - The Bronx IV (LP) // Hardcore/Punk (Post-Punk)
-CELTIC FROST - Monotheist // Metal (Dark Metal)
-CROWN, THE - Doomsday King // Metal (Death Metal)
-CRYPTOPSY - And Then You'll Beg // Metal (Death Metal)
-CRYPTOPSY - Once Was Not // Metal (Death Metal)
-CRYPTOPSY - Whisper Supremacy // Metal (Death Metal)
-DARK FOREST - Dark Forest // Metal (Heavy Metal)
-DARK TRANQUILLITY - Exposures (2CD) // Metal (Melodic Death Metal)
-DARK TRANQUILLITY - The Gallery (U.S. reissue) // Metal (Melodic Death Metal)
-DARK TRANQUILLITY - We Are The Void (ltd. ed. CD/DVD) // Metal (Melodic Death Metal)
-DECAPITATED - Nihility // Metal (Death Metal)
-DECAPITATED - The Negation // Metal (Death Metal)
-DUSK (Hungary) - Pray For Death // Metal (Black Metal)
-ELFFOR - From The Throne Of Hate (ltd. ed. digi) // Metal (Black Metal)
-ELFFOR - Unblessed Woods // Metal (Black Metal)
-ELYSIAN BLAZE - Cold Walls And Apparitions // Metal (Black Metal)
-ENABLER - Year One (digi) // Metal (Hardcore)
-EPHEL DUATH - Pain Necessary To Know // Metal (Avant-Metal)
-EPHEL DUATH - Rephormula // Metal (Avant-Metal)
-EYEHATEGOD - 10 Years Of Abuse // Metal (Sludge Metal)
-EYEHATEGOD - Dopesick (remaster) // Metal (Sludge Metal)
-FINNTROLL - Jacktens Tid // Metal (Folk Metal)
-FINNTROLL - Nattfodd // Metal (Folk Metal)
-FINNTROLL - Nifelvind // Metal (Folk Metal)
-FISTULA - Burdened By Your Existence // Metal (Sludge Metal)
-FISTULA - Goat (EP digi) // Metal (Sludge Metal)
-FLIGHT OF SLEIPNIR, THE - Essence Of Nine // Metal (Viking Doom)
-GALLOWBRAID - Ashen Eidolon (EP) // Metal (Doom/Black Metal)
-GATHERING, THE - Mandylion (2CD) // Metal (Gothic Metal)
-GODSPEED YOU BLACK EMPEROR! - Lift Your // Rock (Atmospheric Rock)
-GORGUTS - From Wisdom To Hate (digi) // Metal (Death Metal)
-GRIZZLY BEAR - Shields (vinyl) // Rock (Indie Rock)
-GYPSYHAWK - Patience And Perseverance (vinyl) // Metal (Sludge Metal)
-HAMMERFALL - Gates Of Dalhalla (2CD/DVD digi) // Metal (Power Metal)
-HAUNTED, THE - The Dead Eye Spec. Ed. (CD/DVD) // Metal (Thrash/Speed Metal)
-HAUNTED, THE - The Haunted Made Me Do It (CD/DVD) // Metal (Thrash/Speed Metal)
-HORROR OF HORRORS - Blood, Fangs, and Foulness: The Complete Cursed Chronicles // Metal (Death Metal)
-HORTUS ANIMAE - Funeral Nation MMXII // Metal (Post-Black)
-ICED EARTH - Iced Earth // Metal (Power Metal)
-IN SOLITUDE - In Solitude (reissue) // Metal (Heavy Metal)
-INCANTATION - Decimate Christendom // Metal (Death Metal)
-INSIDIOUS DISEASE - Shadowcast // Metal (Death Metal)
-JAPANDROIDS - Celebration Rock (vinyl) // Rock (Indie Rock)
-KADAVAR - Kadavar (digi) // Rock (Stoner Rock)
-LACUNA COIL - Comalies // Metal (Gothic Metal)
-LAMP OF THOTH, THE - Cauldron Of Witchery // Metal (Doom Metal)
-LEMMY - Movie (DVD) // Other (Movie)
-LOCAL NATIVES -Hummingbird (vinyl) // Rock (Indie Rock)
-MALFEITOR - Dum Morior Orior (digi) // Metal (Death Metal)
-MORKER - Hostmakter // Metal (Black Metal)
-NAGLFAR - Pariah // Metal (Death Metal)
-NIGHTWISH - Highest Hopes - The Best Of Nightwish // Metal (Gothic Metal)
-OLD MAN'S CHILD - Revelation 666 // Metal (Black Metal)
-OM - Advaitic Songs (digi) // Experimental (Drone/Soundscape)
-OM - Advaitic Songs (vinyl) // Experimental (Drone/Soundscape)
-PAGANIZER - Deadbanger / Promoting Total Death / Dead Unburied / Warlust (2CD) // Metal (Death Metal)
-PAROXSIHZEM - S/T // Metal (Black/Death Metal)
-RITUALS OF THE OAK - Come Taste The Doom (digi) // Metal (Doom Metal)
-ROTTING CHRIST - Khronos // Metal (Black Metal)
-SAMAEL - Eternal // 
-SATYRICON - Now, Diabolical // Metal (Black Metal)
-SENTENCED - Buried Alive (2CD) // Metal (Dark Metal)
-SENTENCED - Frozen // Metal (Gothic Metal)
-SLEEP - Sleep's Holy Mountain (digi) // Metal (Doom Metal)
-SOROR DOLOROSA - Blind Scenes (digi) // Metal (Post-Black)
-SUICIDE SILENCE - The Black Crown // Metal (Deathcore)
-Tame Impala - Lonerism (2XLP) // Rock (Garage Rock)

So Sad. Too Bad

Norwegian black metal band Dimmu Borgir has officially confirmed the departures of both Vortex (bass) and Mustis (keyboards). The group has issued the following:

"We regret to inform you that we have parted ways with both Vortex and Mustis. However, we do want to make it perfectly clear that the creative force in the band is highly intact, perhaps even more so than ever. With that being said, we're currently working on our next album and are excited to start a new chapter in the legacy that is Dimmu Borgir."

In my opinion, Dimmu Borgir is to Black Metal as Poison is to Heavy Metal. But I'm really glad to know "that the creative force in the band is highly intact, perhaps even more so than ever." I was worried.

H/T Lambgoat

Technorati Tags: Black Metal, Dimmu Borgir, Music News

Varg Vikernes Denied Parole Once Again

Count Grishnackh (real name Varg Vikernes) - the erstwhile Burzum musician who is currently serving a 21-year jail sentence for murdering Mayhem guitarist Oystein "Euronymous" Aarseth and setting fire to three churches in 1993 - has been denied parole by the Norwegian justice system for the second time.

Officials say that his escape from jail five years ago and ties with neo-Nazi groups have affected his chances of an early release.

"I haven't been in contact with them for a long time," Vikernes tells Norway's Aftenposten. "Police security services know this."

Hat Tip: Metal Underground

Technorati Tags: Black Metal, Burzum, Music News, Varg Vikernes

More Women With Guns

Now Playing: Assück - Anticapital/Blindspot+3 - Automate

Technorati Tags: Megaera, Miscellany, Pictures, Women With Guns

Behemoth Signs With Metal Blade

Metal Blade Records has officially signed Polish death metal/black metal outfit Behemoth to a North American recording contract. The group's last three releases were issued by Century Media Records in North America. Frontman Adam "Nergal" Darski comments: "I have to honestly admit that we've never been more enthusiastic about the future. For last few years things have been moving forward for us like a storm and we decided to leave some secured territories and look for a new home for us. We needed something refreshing and challenging at the same time. Metal Blade and Nuclear Blast are two of the strongest and most influential labels in today's metal scene. Persistence and determination is what we have in common with both and I'm sure our future collaboration will forge a new, inspiring chapter in Behemoth's history. I simply can't wait to start working with these companies. We are proud and honored to be partnering with such greatly forward looking people. Expect big things to happen. Now only sky is the limit."
"At the same time I'd like to show my appreciation for all the years of hard work and dedication with our past labels: Century Media and Regain Records. I'm happy that throughout all those years we were not only business partners but also friends. I wish both nothing but success in the future."

Meanwhile, Metal Blade owner Brian Slagel had the following to say:
"We are honored and very excited to work with Behemoth. The band has truly established themselves as one of the greatest bands at the forefront of the extreme metal movement and we can't wait to help continue their amazing career."

H/T Lambgoat

Technorati Tags: Behemoth,Black Metal,Death Metal,Metal Blade

Theological Thought for the Day

My music listening goes through phases. Right now I'm listening to lots of grindcore and old-school hardcore. For a time I was listening to lots of black metal, old and new, from Venom and Mayhem to blackened death metal like Behemoth and Gorgoroth.

One theme often run into is the idea of Satan ruling hell. I think this shows a profound misunderstanding of orthodox Christian theology. Satan does not rule hell. Hell is the place of punishment prepared by God for the devil and the fallen angels who followed him in rebellion. It is also the final destination for the reprobate after the judgement at the end of the world, prior to the new heavens and the new earth.

Of course, it would be unwise to look to a genre of music for sound theology, black or otherwise. As Alice Cooper said in the documentary, Heavy Metal: A Headbanger's Journey, "The Satanism imagery in heavy metal is a caricature. If you're looking for Satanism, don't look at rock'n'roll. That's just a bunch of kids playing loud guitars, that's Halloween."

Technorati Tags: Alice Cooper, Black Metal, Hell, Theology

More Current Listening

Legend - Abigail Williams

Taking their name from a woman who played a significant role in the Salem Witch Trials of 1692 and was depicted as one of the central characters in the play The Crucible by Arthur Miller, these guys crank out some solid blackened deathcore.

 

There are hardcore and classical influences in their music as well.

Technorati Tags: Black Metal, Death Metal, Hardcore, Abigail Williams, Music

Lost Souls Domain

While I'm on the web site discovery tip, here's one for all you folks who can't get enough info on Black and Death Metal bands.

Lost Souls Domain

Discographies, links, and more, this is a yeomanly effort.

Technorati Tags: Black Metal, Death Metal, Lost Souls Domain, Music

Behemoth to Tour With Job For a Cowboy

In other touring news, Behemoth will team up with Glendale, AZ extreme metal unit Job For A Cowboy for the 2007 "Radio Rebellion" tour beginning late October. The tour affords the band the opportunity to perform a longer set in more intimate settings, ultimately providing fans with "the definitive Behemoth experience". This is also a chance for the band to perform an array of songs from their highly acclaimed new offering, The Apostasy, which debuted at #149 on the Billboard Top 200 chart.

Here are the dates from Job For a Cowboy's web site:

Oct 18 2007 @ Rams Head Live Baltimore, Maryland
Oct 19 2007 @ The Norva Norfolk, Virginia
Oct 20 2007 @ The Masquerade Atlanta, Georgia
Oct 21 2007 @ The Club @ Firestone Lake Buena Vista, Florida
Oct 22 2007 @ HOB New Orleans New Orleans, Louisiana
Oct 23 2007 @ Meridian Houston, Texas
Oct 24 2007 @ White Rabbit San Antonio, Texas
Oct 26 2007 @ Marquee Theatre Tempe, Arizona
Oct 27 2007 @ Soma San Diego, California
Oct 28 2007 @ House Of Blues Los Angeles, California
Oct 29 2007 @ Slim’s San Francisco, California
Oct 30 2007 @ Hawthorne Theatre Portland, Oregon
Oct 31 2007 @ El Corazon Seattle, Washington
Nov 2 2007 @ Gothic Theatre Englewood, Colorado
Nov 3 2007 @ Granada Lawrence, Kansas
Nov 4 2007 @ Pop’s Sauget, Illinois
Nov 6 2007 @ Station 4 St. Paul, Minnesota
Nov 7 2007 @ House Of Blues Chicago, Illinois
Nov 8 2007 @ St. Andrews Hall Detroit, Michigan
Nov 9 2007 @ Mr. Smalls Millvale, Pennsylvania
Nov 11 2007 @ Club Infinity Buffalo, New York
Nov 11 2007 @ House Of Blues Cleveland, Ohio
Nov 12 2007 @ Opera House Toronto, Ontario
Nov 13 2007 @ Club Soda Montreal, Quebec
Nov 15 2007 @ The Chance Poughkeepsie, New York
Nov 16 2007 @ The Palladium Downstairs Worcester, Massachusetts
Nov 17 2007 @ Trocadero Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Nov 18 2007 @ The Fillmore NY @ Irving Plaza New York, New York

H/T Loudside

Technorati Tags: Blackened Death Metal, Death Metal, Behemoth, Job For a Cowboy, Tours

Metal Blade 25th Anniversary Tour

Goatwhore has been added to the Metal Blade 25th Anniversary Tour, featuring headliners Cannibal Corpse alongside The Black Dahlia Murder, The Red Chord and The Absence. Confirmed dates are as follows:
Sep. 06 - New Orleans, LA - House Of Blues
Sep. 07 - Houston, TX - The Meridian
Sep. 08 - San Antonio, TX - White Rabbit
Sep. 09 - Ft. Worth, TX - The Rockyard
Sep. 11 - Albuquerque, NM - Sunshine Theatre
Sep. 12 - Tempe, AZ - Marquee Theatre
Sep. 13 - Santa Ana, CA - Galaxy Concert Theatre
Sep. 14 - Hollywood, CA - House Of Blues
Sep. 15 - San Diego, CA - House Of Blues
Sep. 16 - San Francisco, CA - Slims
Sep. 17 - San Francisco, CA - Slims
Sep. 18 - Portland, OR - Roseland Theatre
Sep. 19 - Seattle, WA - El Corazon
Sep. 20 - Vancouver, BC - Croatian Cultural Centre
Sep. 22 - Edmonton, AB - Dinwoodie Lounge
Sep. 23 - Calgary, AB - MacEwan Hall Ballroom
Sep. 24 - Regina, SK - The Distrikt
Sep. 25 - Winnipeg, MB - The Garrick Centre
Sep. 26 - Saint Paul, MN - Station 4
Sep. 28 - Chicago, IL - House Of Blues
Sep. 29 - Detroit, MI - Majestic Theatre
Sep. 30 - Cleveland, OH - House Of Blues
Oct. 04 - Philadelphia, PA - The Trocadero
Oct. 05 - Sayreville, NJ - Starland Ballroom
Oct. 06 - Providence, RI - Lupo's Heartbreak Hotel
Oct. 07 - Clifton Park, NY - Northern Lights
Oct. 09 - Charlotte, NC - Tremont Music Hall
Oct. 10 - Atlanta, GA - The Masquerade
Oct. 11 - Orlando, FL - House Of Blues

H/T Loudside

Technorati Tags: Metal Blade, Tours, Black Metal, Death Metal, Cannibal Corpse, Goatwhore

Current Listening

Live Cannibalism - Cannibal Corpse: Censored and banned in Germany, the death metal masters out of Buffalo, NY helped define and refine the genre; brutal and uncompromising. I hear a new album is in the works for later in 2007.

 

Apocalyptic Raids 1990 A.D. - Hellhammer: One of the progenitors of black metal, they went on to form the widely influential Celtic Frost. This is a reissue of the 1984 EP with the tracks " Revelations of Doom" and "Messiah" from the 1984 Death Metal compilation with Helloween, Running Wild, and Dark Avenger.

 

Sounds of the Animal Kingdom - Brutal Truth: NY pioneers of Deathgrind. "It's still not loud enough, it's still not fast enough."

 

 

Technorati Tags: Cannibal Corpse, Hellhammer, Brutal Truth, Black Metal, Death Metal, Grindcore, Music