Saturday, June 13, 2015

Various Artists - Vánagandr Label Compilation


Artist: Various
Label: Vánagandr (V-06)
Limitation: Unknown
Country: Iceland
Genre: Black Metal
Year: 2015

I'd like to preface this review by saying that if you're a fan of modern, forward thinking black metal that is nevertheless steeped in tradition, there's no reason not to own this compilation. Vánagandr, however young, is quickly becoming THE go to label for exceptional black metal, Icelandic or otherwise. With names like Sinmara (ex-Chao), Misþyrming, Svartidauði and Naðra, this is by far the best label comp I've heard since the Worship Black Twilight CD-R back in 2009. None of these songs feel like leftovers from their album counterparts (and indeed, one or two are album tracks), and like the Crepusculo Negro collective, the artists share a unity of sound that lends well to the compilation format. I haven't included sound samples for this recording - the artists involved are easy enough to find online - but I highly recommend ordering this tape direct from the label and exploring each of these groups further. If you have any interest in black metal whatsoever, you won't be disappointed.

Highest possible recommendation.





LISTEN

Thursday, June 11, 2015

Fever Nest - The Mooneyed And Paralyzed




Artist: Fever Nest
Label: Knife Vision (KV-004)
Limitation: 100 Copies
Country: US
Genre: Black Metal/Punk
Year: 2013

For fans of recent Caligari Records signings, Human Bodies and the killer Mahtowa Death March tape, here is some absolutely evil punk-influenced black metal from my old hometown of Columbus, Ohio. This tape is seventeen minutes of pure hatred and aggression, courtesy of ex-Mouth Of The Architect guitarist, Gregory Lahm. I have to be honest, I've had this tape in my possession for a while now, but it's only been the last several days, coming home (with a more than a little whiskey in me) from a particularly stressful run of dealing with the general public that this album has begun to sink in. This is absolute and complete narcissistic bitterness and contempt for everything that goes on two legs. I'm reminded of a quote, which I'll paraphrase and I'm sure I'll butcher here due to the aforementioned whiskey - "I've never killed a man, but I have read many obituaries with a great deal of pleasure." Yeah. This music is kinda like that.

Copies still available via Knife Vision...