Nekro Morphosis Promo 2010

Nekro Morphosis Promo 2010

The newest demo from Seattle black metal monsters Nekro Morphosis has arrived. It is a limited listening experience as it is only three tracks long and two of the songs came from their 2009 Split from the Clit with Drakul. Both “The Death of Morality” and “Walking With the Dead” emanated from this split and are a heaping dose of raw black metal and do not disappoint.  They both give a frigid feeling of death that will chill you directly to your bones.  There is a very raw, low-fi sound that has been created for these tracks. Blisteringly fast drums with fuzzed out guitars that sound like chainsaws ripping apart the flesh of the unworthy create the basis of this evil sound. Screaming, raspy vocals are added on top to complete the unholy sound that encapsulates these two tracks.  The newer track, and the one that kicks off the release is called “Under the Guillotine” and it comes with a much fuller sound. The production levels of this song are much clearer and denser sounding than the other two tracks. What makes this song so good is that it retains the raw feeling of the other two tracks while containing this sound that is much richer and will be better at gaining newer fans that are not into the really raw sound.  In addition, it has more of a death metal feeling than the other two tracks.  At times there are guttural growls that fit neatly into the flow of the vocals that bring an added dimension.  It shows the band’s ability to easily move between their black metal sound into that blackened death metal sound that is being heard everywhere these days.  What makes it worthy of being listened to, is that they don’t simply copy what Behemoth do, they bring those two sounds together and make it a raw noise that fans of both camps of metal can enjoy. All in all it is a very solid release that everyone should pick up. And what is great about this release is that the band has put it up for free for everyone. Download it now at http://www.megaupload.com/?f=S7FBMYC6. 

http://www.myspace.com/nekromorphosis

Grind Playlist

Dirty, filthy, sweaty, fast-paced, and pissed off. These are all way to describe the pure mayhem that is grind music. When you go to see a grind band play, it’s never in an amphitheater, or even in the larger clubs in your area. It is always in the smallest, seediest clubs or basements with no air conditioning and constantly has the smell of beer and vomit engulfing the room. When all you want is pure angry music that you can bash the walls in with, grind is going to be that choice. Not hyper-technical nor purely melodic, it is simple, fast, and always brutal. So come break a sweat to these purveyors of fury and rage.

Nasum – Wrath

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2pMFj5LNuM

Tard – Indecent Proposal

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zN2KwsA5Agc&feature=related

County Medical Examiners – Casper’s Dictum

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pGy6yj48OOQ

Trap Them – Flesh and Below

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vxEexvj7m9Y

Insect Warfare – Necessary Death

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FYvMm3AOXOA&feature=related

Agoraphobic Nosebleed – El Topo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m84Q8cXT5Zg

Phobia – Rise Up

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qspJPHgw1Ak

Repulsion – Radiation Sickness

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_xbXFaenQQs

The Berzerker – No One Wins

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MXgFRT_1zw8

Brutal Truth – Denial of Existence

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YLWYhPa2C3Q

Greatest Metal Lists

As I sit on my couch today reading the latest issue of Terrorizer and leaving the TV on in the background, I am confronted by something that has confounded me for a long time; the existence of “greatest lists.” In the magazine there is the “40 Riffs of Sickness,” a list of the greatest riffs of all time and on TV there is the list of 100 greatest artists of all time. Pretty much any weekend on VH1 there are 2 shows that will always be on, reality “stars” on dating shows and lists of the greatest something of all time. Now, I am not dumb, I know that these are not some mathematically calculated lists by panels of experts that determine what actually makes someone or something better than another, rather it is just based on a poll of whoever they can get a hold of. When VH1 creates the greatest artists of hard rock, they consult everyone from James Hetfield to Kerry King to a random comic they pull from the local night club.  Most of these people have no real insight into what makes a great artist, it is simply which one they believe is most popular.  Therein lies the real problem with these lists, the basic premise of “greatest.”  If these lists are truthful they would all be titled “The Most Popular” or “Artists That We Think Will Make Us The Most Money.”  That is why just about every list contains the same people over and over again. It gets pretty tedious to watch or read these lists because they become so monotonous that you can predict the order of them almost every time.

                However, that may be the beauty of creating these lists. Creating a debate is what these people want as a result because any conversation that leads to intelligent thoughts on differing ideas can only bring about more ideas.  Whenever someone says something like, “Megadeth creates the greatest music of all time,” someone else is bound to say, “That is ridiculous because they don’t hold a candle to Angelus Apatrida!” And the main reason for their argument is that Angelus is less known of and therefore superior, however they won’t say that outright.  Even though that is an absurd argument it does one thing that is great, it brings more bands to the forefront and allows a greater number of people to discover new and exciting bands.  Angelus Apatrida is a great band and by mentioning them in the same statement as Megadeth will only gain them more fans. 

                What I am getting at in this little editorial is that while these lists have no factual basis, because they are all subjective to the creator, they are mildly entertaining and can have the ability to create some good conversation and debate.  In addition, best of lists or greatest list should be solely designated for year-end lists or suggestions for someone new to the genre. If they are created at any other time of the year, they are completely useless because they are not bringing in any new information. Year-end lists allow people to remember all the great albums of the past year, to be introduced to albums/bands they missed, and to create the debate that I mentioned as being beneficial to the existence of the genre.  The more debate created equals more interest in the music and discovering new bands.  If they are done right, these lists can be very valuable to metal.

Folk Metal Playlist

When discussing folk metal, there seems to be a couple different sounds a band can have. There are those that go for the upbeat, humppa style that can put a smile on the darkest of all metalheads, and there is the grim, earthy style that embodies one’s heritage. It can be mixed with black, power, thrash, death; just about any style of metal, and still come out sounding fresh and inspiring. Here is my new playlist featuring that new subgenre that is sweeping the metal world, folk!

Alestorm – Over The Seas

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rtxs1ymXLrY

Eluvietie – Quoth The Raven

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6fXmSvHJNQU

Hollenthon – Y Draig Goch

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YbSEGlm6jkg

Svartsot – Drekar

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=olASehl5DHk

Windir – Todeswalzer

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQ3m2CrB_54

Suidakra – The IXth Legion

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qz8EfkS4KK0

Primordial – Empire Falls

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GHvuXdhnieA

Blackguard – Allegiance

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-U5ODjG6xuE

Equilibrium – Blut Im Auge

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yom8nNqmxvQ

Falkenbach – Heathen Foray

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2UFtDA9T9gw

Portnoy's Leaving

There has been a lot of news hitting the metal world lately. First off, perhaps the biggest is Mike Portnoy leaving prog geniuses Dream Theater. This was incredibly shocking news because this band was his creation and to see someone with such immense talent walk away is simply disheartening. In addition, it makes it all the more worse when he is sitting in as drummer for metalcore poster boys Avenged Sevenfold. Does this mean that he is joining this group of youngsters that don’t deserve a drummer of such gift? I think that I am on the same level as most true metalheads in saying that it is absurd that a terrible band such as A7X does not deserve Portnoy as he has consistently been a true musician with DT for 25 years and A7X is nothing but a wannabe Guns n Roses in that they are more about looks than their music. Although Portnoy says it has nothing to do with his joining of A7X it is hard to believe it.

"I BEG of the fans to please NOT hold A7X responsible for MY decision...they are just as shocked as you guys..I had been contemplating this and desiring a 'break' (not split) as long ago as last year...everything else is fully explained in the press release...thank you all for your support and understanding...this is the hardest thing I've ever done..." (metalunderground.com)

No matter what is said by all parties involved, this is a truly said day for one of the greatest bands of our generation. Hopefully this is just a temporary split as DT will not be the same without its heart and soul.

Black Metal Playlist

Darkened caves, frozen tundras, pits of hellfire, and of course, Satan! This is all part of what the mind conjures up when thinking of black metal. Dim lit, thinking man’s metal that came about from a frame of mind that was upset over the single minded nature of the mass majority. Here is a small look at the grim, frostbitten genre that has scared thousands for decades.

Barathrum – Bride of Lucifer

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MTIVQhGyq1w

Ceremonial Castings – When Winter Spectres Come

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSbfU-_6Om4&feature=related

Negura Bunget – Dedesuptul

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWP53sDeJSE&feature=related

Dodheimsgard – Horrorizon

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8FcUcLxfFEo

Ludicra – A Larger Silence

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4BFUAOLXu-s

Archgoat – The Light Devouring Darkness

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPERi2MBN0Y

Rotting Christ – Nemecic

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81D5HfOnjqw

Peste Noire – Le Mesniee Mordrissoire

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QoJUgl-tKWM

1349 – Sculptor of Flesh

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eDSSqAF-VdU

Emperor – I Am the Black Wizards

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Ks29jnKD4o

Behemoth's Nergal comments on his illness

BEHEMOTH's Nergal answers back to the overwhelming response of those offering to set up benefits in the vocalists honor

Singer's main goal is to raise awareness and get people involved by registering to be a bone marrow donor

Since news on Nergal's recent health issues has been released, the band, management, and label has received an overwhelming response from fans and bands all over the world asking how they can directly help Nergal. In response to everyone offering his or her help in terms of setting up benefits and shows to raise money for the frontman of the Polish blackened death metal band BEHEMOTH, Nergal has issued the following statement:

"I haven't intended to manifest myself in any way and, especially at this stage, to share my feelings or any other news with the world for obvious reasons. It is simply too early for it. But it was YOU who provoked me to say a few words. Regarding my personal low opinion of humankind, I'm shocked by the reaction to my illness. I actually expected NOTHING yet received feedback which surpassed all expectations. I want to ensure you I read EACH mail I receive, although I'm unable to reply to all of them. The power of your words is pure magic and I thank you all for it. You are a gigantic indestructible army that truly inspires me in this difficult time. The fact is that a fight with this illness is going to last for many months. Most of this time I will spend in hospital and I will go through various psychophysical states. If you know the history of Behemoth you also know we achieved everything by hard work and a steely determination. The same goes for my private life. I happen to be a strong son of a bitch. I have no faith but rely on a 100% victory and I am sure I will get out of it stronger than ever. Sun Tzu in his 'Art of War' said that if you know your enemy and yourself the result of a thousand battles will not surprise you… I enter the ring with this Nietzschean attitude and I will leave it as a winner, as usual. Just watch and see!

So I want to emphasize that Behemoth will by no means goes through any hibernation state. Obviously all concert plans must be postponed until some unknown point in the future, but things are happening! Lately our newest video for '…Alas, Lord is Upon Me' has premiered and stirred up quite a storm in mass media, which fills us with utter pride. Plus we've just finished the project of our new DVD; Evangelia Heretika is a three disc release, a real encyclopedia of Behemoth with nearly 5 hours of material and a bonus audio CD that will be out in November (Metal Blade US - Nuclear Blast Europe). Expect an experience of visual madness as we went to hell and back to make it! Our official Webstore has been functional for a couple of days and official merchandise and some very exclusive stuff can be bought there. At the beginning of 2011, Peaceville in Europe and Metal Blade in US will reissue the EPs with new artwork, bonuses, liner notes, and more. As you can see, despite a complicated situation and difficult circumstances we're remaining active wherever we can.

Nergal's official view on benefit concerts, fund raisers, etc. is focused on marrow donations as a whole issue, not his specific situation. If you want to help Nergal the best thing you can do is set up a marrow drive or register to be a bone marrow donor. Every person that registers to be a donor increases the chances of survival for Nergal and every other person out there suffering from the same illness.

To learn more about how you can register to donate marrow check out:

http://www.marrow.org/

(From Metal Blade)

Exodus Concert

In lew of writing up a lengthy review of the recent Exodus show I attended, I have decided to simply show you all the greatness of such an event. Through the pictures that I took of the concert, you will be able to see the pure power, fury, and intensity that only a metal show can deliver. Death, thrash, and speed metal all made an appearance that surely left everyone happy. So here it is, the grandiose nature that is METAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Bonded By Blood

Holy Grail

Malevolent Creation

Exodus

Power Metal and Progressive Metal Playlist

I have combined Power metal and Progressive metal into the same playlist for a couple reasons. 1. There are many, many bands that intertwine the two subgenres together and 2. I am not an expert by any means on either genre. However, one cannot deny the enthusiasm and grandiose nature of these impressive genres. The technical abilities of the two are incontestable and should be expressed to those who put them on the back burner because they are not br0000tal enough. So here we are; this week’s playlist is the one with melody and ‘power’ (I love puns) and is sure to please even those that are trve and kvlt.

Angra – The Course of Nature
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CKL6ID_Dato&feature=fvst

Cynic – Integral Birth
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNGCJzPzAp0

Amaseffer – Zipporah
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=raogFWirP4k&feature=related

Jeff Loomis – Miles of Machines
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7nY-XDF_Ask

Thy Majestie – The Chosen
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qr-wa9IZvwc

Into Eternity – Spiraling Into Depression
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YnISJvoCBbI

Blind Guardian – The Bard’s Song
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_tORtmKIjE

Fairyland – A Soldier’s Letter
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qqNBXjXA6gk

Sonata Arctica – The Cage
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-4DnwPjuPM

Pagan’s Mind – God’s Equation
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSoV1t5sSnE

A little something fun