Tag Archives: usa

Cloak of Skies: Drug Honkey

by in Reviews and tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Imagine reaching into the dark crevices of the mind and mulling through every emotion that drives an individual into oblivion Cloak of Skies by Drug Honkey would be the soundtrack. Combining elements of Doom, Death, and Atmospheric Black Metal with darkened synth infused industrial passages the band has created a plethora of feeling proving the point that Drug Honkey is the only drug you need. 

Dabbling in various territories Drug Honkey does not give in to the typical sound you would expect with the different genres, instead they encompass each one breathing in the atmosphere of a sickening trip and this is most definitely not a bad thing. Pool of Failure fills the ears with synthesized doom ladened riffs transporting the listener into the ruins of the mind, and throws in a psychedelic brew of unforgiving vocals. This song acts as a great introduction, paving the way for the rest of the album. Apocalyptic synths give Sickening Wasteoid an almost haunting presence and opens up the door to an industrial wasteland. 

While this album stays true to the vision it does not tread lightly, there are aspects of pain and unforgiveness here. There is no safe space and Outlet of Hatred serves that purpose. The distorted vocals mingled with the swelling sounds feed into a feeling of catharsis. In a true psychedelic fashion (It’s Not) The Way seperates itself from the other songs leaning more heavily into the noise aspect while not straying too far from the curve. The title track Cloak of Skies feature impressive saxaphone work by Bruce Lamont of Yakuza which add more depth and mystery to this album. If “psychedelic doom jazz” was a real thing Drug Honkey have made it so. Normally remixed songs are something that are casually listened to in passing but Pool of Failure remixed by Justin K. Broadrick give the salutary nod to early Godflesh material which is definitely a big factor within this band. Drug Honkey transcends the genres presented making their unique sound an escapism from reality. If music is to be experienced it can be done with Cloak of Skies, but not only that it can be felt. Within the realm of metal there are plenty of bands that stand out but Drug Honkey are in a league of their own, pushing boundaries and bringing emotions forth to break barriers… highly recommended. 

CORMORANT: Decibel Premieres “Preserved In Ash” From Progressive Blackened Death Unit As Diaspora Full-Length Nears Release

by in News and tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment
CORMORANT: Decibel Premieres “Preserved In Ash” From Progressive Blackened Death Unit As Diaspora Full-Length Nears Release
 

Preorder Diaspora at THIS LOCATION.
 
Slated to drop this August, Diaspora is the imminent new full-length from progressive blackened death collective CORMORANT. Recorded and mixed by Greg Wilkinson (Vastum, Graves At Sea, Noothgrush, Brainoil) at Earhammer Studios in Oakland, California, the expansive four-track, sixty-one-minute offering features the band’s longest, most detail-oriented compositions to date – the result of two years of collaborative writing.
 
In advance of its release, today Decibel Magazine offers up first single, opening track “Preserved In Ash,” for public feasting at THIS LOCATION.
 
“‘Preserved In Ash’ is the last song we wrote for the album,” elaborates guitarist/vocalist Matt Solis, “but as it was coming together it became clear that it fit perfectly as a lead-off track. Lyrically, it’s about the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79, which buried the city of Pompeii in volcanic ash. There’s a lot of psychedelic black metal and funeral doom stuff going on in this song, and Greg Wilkinson’s crushing production allowed us to establish a good balance between those two tonalities.”
 
Diaspora will be released independently on 2xLP, CD, and digital formats on August 11th with US and European distribution through War Crime Recordings. Preorders are currently available at THIS LOCATION.
 
Musically, CORMORANT‘s Diaspora features familiar elements of black, death, prog, and folk metal, but pronounced psychedelic and funeral doom influences can be heard throughout as well, particularly on the twenty-six-minute closing epic, “Migration.” Diaspora also features dynamic performances from renowned cellist Jackie Perez Gratz (Grayceon, Giant Squid, ex-Amber Asylum). Mastered by Brad Boatright (Sleep, YOB, Gatecreeper) at Audiosiege, the album is a crushing statement from one of the Bay Area’s most consistent extreme metal bands.
 
Additionally, Utah-based visionary artist Jeff Christensen created the album’s vivid four-panel artwork. Issues Christensen, “The idea was to create four panels of artwork based on a migration theme. I thought it would be interesting to have the panels run consecutively to form an expansive, evolving image where the eyes can just roam. We wanted each painting to be able to hold its own as a standalone image but also be a link to the wider image of the migratory theme. The original artwork was done with oil paints on four 16″ x 16″ panels. The entire process was a challenge, and the finished images are really different than anything I’ve done before. I was given a lot of reign to just do my thing and I’m very happy with the way it turned out.”
 
Oakland dwellers can catch CORMORANT live this August. Future CORMORANT performances are in the plotting stages.
 
CORMORANT:
8/11/2017 Oakland Metro Operahouse – Oakland, CA w/ Inanimate Existence, Wrvth, Logistic Slaughter
 
CORMORANT is a progressive black/death metal band from Petaluma, California. Forged in 2007, the group consists of bassist/vocalist Marcus Luscombe, guitarist Nick Cohon, guitarist/vocalist Matt Solis, and drummer Brennan Kunkel. In addition to performing numerous shows throughout the Bay Area with notable acts like At The Gates, Wolves In The Throne Room, Ne Obliviscaris, and Pallbearer, CORMORANT has completed full US tours with Primordial, While Heaven Wept, YOB, Norska, and others.
 
 

Hope Attrition: Woe

by in Reviews and tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

When a band can leave you feeling voidless and empty but not in a negative fashion you know they possess something special. Woe delivers an unforgivable brew of USBM that will tug at your emotions and dig into the core. After the 2013 album Withdrawl Woe was silent for a time and now they have returned full force with Hope Attrition. They have definitely brought forth an amazing album but with more power and finesse than your typical run of the mill Black Metal. 

Continue reading →

Winter’s Wake: Up and Coming Viking Metal Band from New York

by in Reviews and tagged , , | Leave a comment

image

I first heard of Winter’s Wake through Instagram, so I decided to give them a listen. This Viking Metal group from New York manages to combine powerful vocals and beautiful melodies that are a staple in bands like Equilibrium, Moonsorrow, and others in the genre. Their new single “Awake” is now available through ITunes, Soundcloud, and Spotify, so please do yourself a favor and check this band out.

Continue reading →

Carach Angren Brings the Haunt to Los Angeles

by in Reviews and tagged , , , | Leave a comment

image

©Photo: Dave Boccuzzi©

When Carach Angren announced that they would be joining Italian Metallers Fleshgod Apocalypse on a USA tour I knew this would be a treat! This was a sold out show and the band absolutely delivered. The ominous intro track “Once Upon a Time…” set the mood for what would be an energetic “hauntingly” epic set. The crowd gave them a warm welcome and once the first notes of “There’s No Place Like Home” echoed the audience was instantly hooked. Mingled with the harsh vocals of Seregor, the beautiful yet looming presence of Ardek’s orchestrations, Namtar’s pounding drums, and Diogo’s guitar the next songs flowed into motion. “The Sighting is a Portent of Doom”, and “Lingering in an Imprint Haunting” soon followed. By this time there was already a hefty amount of moshing going on but this was not enough.

Continue reading →