Legion of the Damned- Descent into Darkness

First album of 2011? My first review in any case. I was quite glad to see these Dutch dudes get some press a while back, after I saw them overseas and enjoyed their live performance. I imagine (my memory is a little…lager-influenced) this would be a rockin’ band to see live, but Descent into Chaos didn’t…well, descend far enough.

After getting all pumped from the Lord of the Rings/Gladiator-eqsue intro, I expected the whole album to rip- one long fucking blast beat, punishingly fast and evil. It did neither of those things. Track 1, Night of the Sabbath, caught my attention with the echo-y backing vocals, which I am a shameless sucker for, but overall, not a lot caught my attention. Descent is forward moving, but it drags in places, if that makes sense. At times, the riffing and drums are not interesting enough to keep my attention, but there’s some good ideas there. Just not enough of them. Listening to Lord of the Flies, I think I have figured out why I liked them live- if you’re drunk, or under some other influence, this would be an awesome easy thing to headbang and play air guitar to.

I’d give this album a 6.5/10. Solid album. Something to have to put on shuffle/a work-out mix/a bonfire CD, or whatever else you people do, but it’s not an album to sit through. Also, needs more guitar solossss!

-The PitGoddess

Intronaut 8/12/2010 Interview

Nominon- Monumentomb [2010]

SweDeath Metallers Nominon released their newest this month on Deathgasm. My advice? Go see this band on tour with Infinite Obscure and Quinta Essentia. I love Swede metal. This album is not an exception. The whole album is dirty, filthy Swedish Death metal. THe production is great and remains true to the OSDM vibe. No clicky, no protools-y sound, just good, slightly under produced DM. Although Nominon claimed in Decibel that they didn't "pussy out and play death n roll," I can definitely hear some n'roll in Monumentomb. Certainly not enough for a genre switch, but listen, it's there. I think it's a Swede thing. Maybe they don't realize they're doing it.

The album does get off to a rather meh start with Mantra Reverse, but picks up after that. Archified picks up the pace and includes a little Shining (SWE) esque vocal line. Kevorkian's Wrath piqued my interest because it's the only (?) song on the album that takes any sort of stance (and I agree). Although, now I'm just curious about assisted suicide laws in Sweden. Damn. In any case, the album is fucking solid, but the real stand out is the last track, Wrath of Shiva. It's got a new Bloodbath sort of vibe, and it's fucking angry.

The whole album is headbang-y goodness, but it certainly didn't reinvent the wheel. It's heavy, it's dark, dirty, catchy at times. I think a live show would be awesome windmill territory.

Best tracks: Wrath of Shiva

7.5/10 LG Petrovs for Nominon's newest
-PG

Imannifest- Qliphotic

This is one of my favorite CDs in the pitgoddess' review pile. Mainman Anton Kalaj is a brilliant composer and songwriter. Dark, haunting, symphonic and fast as fuck, Immanifest could be the new Dimmu. I mean that as the biggest compliment possible. These dudes are talented, dedicated and professional. Imman had their EP mixed at MorrisSound Studios, to give you an idea. The EP sounds so big, so dark, so evil, that I completely forgot I was sitting in my living room, not a haunted castle, complete with undead orchestra. This is NOT your run of the mill Florida band that forgot what decade it is. These guys are ready to take the world by storm, and I wish them all the best in their endeavors.

Rumored lineup changes make me hope the new drummer is quality. Seriously, if you don’t give this EP a chance, you’re missing out on what could be the next big thing.

PS– I had a hard time changing the CD when I finished this review.-PG

9.5/10 Alligators for Team Florida.

Happy Memorial Day!

Black Tusk - Taste the Sin [2010]

There’s something in the water down in Savannah, GA. This is my first vinyl review for Eyehatehaggard. I’m very excited! What better than to start with Savannah Georgia’s super sludgy Black Tusk. I picked up this record when Black Tusk shared the stage with Pentagram in Orlando, FL on May 23rd. The new LP, Taste the Sin, was released by Relapse records on May 25th. Fans of Kylesa, Crowbar and ASG will eat up these ferocious southern grooves.

Disgusting guitar tones mix with the vocal diversity establish a unique spin on what is typically a more depressing genre traditionally. Elements of hardcore and thrash blend with these nasty swamp grooves, and with that Black Tusk is able to half time their riffs at certain points without sounding contrived. Swampy breakdowns and “mosh parts” for lack of better terminology. Erratic vocal patterns add a great sense of unifying immediacy. Combining their colorful, and sinful, language this record starts sprinting from the second the listener can “embrace the madness” with the debut track. The album is steady with the majority of its riffing, but will surprise the listener with a few mathy-hardcore spastic timings and patterns. This album is raw and shows a great deal of personal satisfaction with its organization.

The conclusion to the record is a four part epic called “Double Clutcin”. This song is definitely meant to be enjoyed atop of a motorcycle. Complete the package with artwork by John. Dyer Baizley and you’re all set!

9/10 decaying pigs for Black Tusk.

I can’t stress this enough. SEE THEM LIVE. Their live performance is phenomenally tight and entertaining.

Feel free to purchase their new record here (some of the vinyls are pink!): http://shop.relapse.com/store/product.aspx?ProductID=38219

Favorite track: Way of Horse and Bow

Catch them on tour with Zoroaster and Dark Castle!
6/15 Birmingham, AL @ The Nick
6/16 Memphis, TN @ Hi Tone Café
6/17 Oklahoma City, OK @ The Conservatory
6/18 Dallas, TX @ The Lounge On Elm
6/19 Austin, TX @ Emo's
6/21 Albuquerque, NM @ Burt's Tiki Lounge
6/23 Ramona, CA @ Ramona Mainstage
6/24 Hollywood, CA @ Viper Room
6/25 Oakland, CA @ Oakland Metro
6/26 San Francisco, CA @ Thee Parkside
6/28 Portland, OR @ Satyricon
6/29 Seattle, WA @ Funhouse
7/1 Salt Lake City, UT @ Club Vegas
7/2 Denver, CO @ Larimer Lounge
7/3 Kansas City, MO @ Riot Room
7/4 St. Paul, MN @ Turf Club
7/6 Chicago, IL @ Empty Bottle
7/7 Newport, KY @ Southgate House
7/8 Pittsburg, PA @ 31st Street Pub
7/9 New York, NY @ Webster Hall
7/10 Philadelphia, PA @ Khyber

Rosetta - A Determinism of Morality [2010]

This is a band that needs no introduction. Mellow sound scapes, suffocating depth, and passionate wails seem to echo on for eternity. That’s the Rosetta we all know, and they’ve once again further complicated their classification. With all this criticism I hear about post-metal being self-limiting, Rosetta further contributes their unique sound once again. Fans of Red Sparowes, Isis, and The Atlas Moth will be drooling beneath these giant waves of modern post-metal. Their new record titled, A Determinism of Morality, hit shelves today courtesy of Translation Loss Records.

Prominent shoe-gazey elements are included throughout, and most of which are completely entrancing. Hypnotic, even. The abstract cover art, with what seems to be a hint of theological commentary, was pleasing to my eyes as well.

Distantly mixed wails are an awesome quality that grabbed me within minutes of starting the record. Their frantic and oppressed sound gives a powerful juxtaposition existing alongside massive delayed guitar work. I found myself frequently getting lost in this album during the review writing process. The layered tones really sit so diversified and appropriately explode into climactic textural beauty. This record is astounding. The integration of delayed ambient clean singing adds a serene dynamic prior to climactic heaviness which follows.

9/10 monolithic riff awards for Rosetta.

The new record is available here: http://translationloss.com/store/

Favorite track(s): Release/Revolve/Renew

Check them out on tour:

ROSETTA + CITY OF SHIPS
July 5th Columbus, OH
July 6th Chicago, Ill w/ BATTLEFIELDS
July 7th Minneapolis, MN w/ BATTLEFIELDS
July 8th Fargo, ND @ The Aquarium w/ BATTLEFIELDS
July 9th TBA w/ BATTLEFIELDS
July 10th Sioux Falls, SD w/ BATTLEFIELDS
July 11th Omaha, NE
July 12th Denver, CO
July 13th Salt Lake City, UT
July 14th Boise, ID
July 15th Spokane, WA
July 16th Seattle, WA
July 17th Portland, OR
July 18th Arcata, CA
July 19th Bay Area, CA
July 20th San Francisco, CA
July 21st Sacramento / Chico, CA
July 22nd Santa Cruz, CA
July 23rd Los Angeles, CA
July 24th Mesa, AZ
July 25th Tucson, AZ
July 26th Albuquerque, NM
July 27th Amarillo, TX
July 28th Austin, TX
July 29th Oklahoma City, OK
July 30th Wichita, KS @ ICT FEST
July 31st Lawrence, KS
Aug 1st Columbia, MO
Aug 2nd Louisville, KY
Aug 3rd Cincinnati, OH
Aug 4th Pittsburgh, PA