NEW YEAR’S GREETINGS FROM 14 BANDS: PART 1

 Interviews, RANDOM FUCKING MUSIC  4 Responses »
Jan 062014
 

(Our Russian correspondent Comrade Aleks put 3 year-end questions to 14 bands, many of whom may be new names to NCS readers. In this 3-part post, he shares their answers and their music. Today, the featured bands are A Young Man’s Funeral, Decay of Reality, Ennui, Ethereal Riffian, and Evoke Thy Lords.)

This publication is the last thing I could do before I fell into drunken slumber after horrible celebration of the New Year then coming and now here. Men from a few euphonious bands of Russia, Ukraine, and Georgia were asked three similar questions, and soon, answers were given. What did I ask them to share with our readers in these gloomy winter days? Oh, I guess here they are…

1. What is the band’s latest news? And what are your plans for 2014?

2. For what events do you remember 2013? Events from the world of music, political stuff, personal stuff, or even that bad weather – that damned winter without snow?

3. And the last one – what would you like to wish for our readers and your listeners?

Here we go, to spread the Word of Doom, Death, and Damnation (as well as Goodness and Virtue). Happy New Year! Continue reading »

NEUROSIS, BL’AST, YOB, and HELEN MONEY: LIVE AT THE OBSERVATORY, DEC 28, 2013

 Concert Reviews  8 Responses »
Jan 062014
 

(Guest writer Ben, who last appeared on our site here, now returns with a year-end concert review from Orange County, CA, plus his own photos of the show.)

As I walked into the Observatory in Santa Ana on Saturday night, December 28, I didn’t really know what to expect. What do you get when a band like Neurosis decides to play an end-of-the year gig with openers like reunited punk band Bl’ast, Oregon men of doom YOB, and Los Angeles-based cellist Helen Money? Well, one thing is for sure, you get a diverse crowd. I was almost as excited to see the audience’s response to the artists as I was to see some of the artists playing, just to find out what kind of “vibe” would be produced in the venue. Anyways, enough muttering, on to the music.

HELEN MONEY

If you haven’t heard of Helen Money, I truly recommend you take a listen. Alison Chesley, or Helen Money as she is known via her stage name, is a classically trained cellist, but don’t think she came out and played Beethoven for the crowd on Saturday evening (even though I wouldn’t have been upset if she had). Here are some press quotes found on her official website to give you an idea of the experience, since I’m still at a bit of a loss for words to describe what I encountered: Continue reading »

ANAGNORISIS, ESOTERIC BURIAL, ORDER OF LEVIATHAN, SOUNDS OF LAUGHTER: LIVE AT HAYMARKET WHISKEY BAR, JANUARY 2, 2014

 Concert Reviews  6 Responses »
Jan 062014
 


Anagnorisis – photo by Nik Vechery

(In this post we present a show review by NCS contributor Austin Weber, with typically excellent photos by Nik Vechery and embedded music streams, too.)

While most of the metal community is familiar with the Louisville, KY one-man act Panopticon, many have not heard of another highly talented black metal act from here called Anagnorisis — although Austin Lunn was a big part of Anagnorisis for years before moving on to Panopticon, and even in his absence, Anagnorisis have grown and evolved into quite a formidable act. Their latest full-length, Beyond All Light, surprisingly showed up on many a year-end list, including Stereogum’s coveted metal list. So when I heard they were having a vinyl release show for that record, and that the line-up as a whole was going to be a trifecta of quality pitch-black madness along with one newcomer, I knew I had to contact Nik Vechery and cover the show.

What better way to ring in the new year than to absorb potent heaps of aural filth. Upon getting to the show way too early, the thought occurred to me that the bitter near-freezing cold was a perfect grim fit for the long night of black metal ahead. Through talking with fellow fans, Nik and I figured out we had competition, as Rhys Williams from Invisible Oranges and his photographer were covering the show as well. This is what it’s like when metal blogs collide — cue Powerman 5000! Consider as proof that Anagnorisis are a band worth following, that others besides me and my questionable taste wanted to cover the show as well. Continue reading »

ANNIVERSARY REVIEWS BY WILLIAM SMITH: THE CLASS OF 1994

 LISTMANIA 2013  2 Responses »
Jan 062014
 

EDITOR’S NOTE:  William Smith is the vocalist for a Long Island band named Artificial Brain who we’ve written about repeatedly — and who have been signed by Profound Lore for the release of their debut album Labyrinth Constellation on Feb 18 [details here]. He also writes a very entertaining blog named Vitos Squid Stop and Death Metal Museum. For the third year in a row, as part of our annual LISTMANIA series, he has given us a 2-part list of “anniversary” albums — five albums recorded 10 years and 20 years earlier, respectively. This is the first part, discussing death metal gems that appeared in 1994. Part 2 will appear tomorrow.

The past year and the promises of 2014 have proved very fortuitous for forward-thinking underground Death Metal diehards.  I have witnessed a younger generation carry the traditions and soul of the basement underground scene of the 90s into the uncertain future of today with unblinking nerve and progressive attitudes. Beyond that, old school veterans such as Malignancy, Mortal Decay, Gorguts, and Demilich have proven active and relevant in contemporary Death Metal culture and in doing so have acquired a powerfully potent respect and credibility with both newcomers and archgoats alike. All that being said, the departure of the holiday season has inspired a wistful tear for nostalgia in my eye and, as always, I am grateful to share with you my favorite gems that turn 10 and 20 years old this year.

“Immersed in reflection, memories linger and cling like dirt.” – Intronaut, “Nostalgic Echo” Continue reading »

THE BEST OF 2013: YEAR-END LISTS FROM AUSTIN WEBER

 LISTMANIA 2013  10 Responses »
Jan 052014
 

(NCS contributor Austin Weber shares with us his year-end lists of 2013 metal (and not-metal), focusing on releases that may have evaded attention.)

I’ve had a lot of fun sharing my terrible, obnoxious, and idiotic music tastes with you the sexy readers of NCS. Time is always against us, but my goal is to develop further as a writer in a manner that continues to become less grating and grammatically inaccurate while at the same time giving off a demeanor of pure irrelevancy.

Most of the bands mentioned heavily on 2013 best of metal lists will not appear here, nor will most albums that got good coverage during the year, even if they haven’t appeared on many lists. I’m trying to give you, the reader, more music to check out from 2013 that may have been overlooked and underappreciated.

To save myself from writing something new to explain why each one of these is great, I’m going to paraphrase from album reviews that I wrote here at NCS. For albums I already reviewed through my gig with LEO Weekly (a local Louisville, KY print publication with additional online content), I will paste in my reviews instead of writing a short synopsis. For a few I will say only a sentence or two because I’m running out of time to work on this behemoth. What follows isn’t anywhere near everything I loved in 2013, but I hope it will bring something new for everyone. Continue reading »

LEPERKAHN MADE A LIST

 LISTMANIA 2013  26 Responses »
Jan 052014
 

(NCS contributor Leperkahn returns to our site with his list of 2013’s best albums.)

Hello all. I want to start by apologizing for how late this list is. I’ve been planning to write this list out for at least a month now, but college applications essays (do I sound like a broken record now? I feel like I’m blaming all of my shortcomings on them) have once again hijacked my days, nights, and weekends. I honestly haven’t left my house for this entire first week of my school’s winter break, except to get the mail. But things are looking up now. I’m finally done with apps, and as I type this I’m on my way to Mammoth Lakes (a.k.a. Valdur-land) to go snowboard and impersonate a giant three-toed sloth.

Anyway, enough of my pouting. Let’s get on with this list of the objectively best music of 2013, as chosen completely subjectively by my tastes and what I had time to listen to. Though before I start, I would like to apologize to djneibarger in advance: I’m afraid I didn’t get to listen to Vexovoid enough to put it on this list. I’ve already administered 20 lashings to myself for this mistake. The same goes for the new Hail of Bullets, Man Must Die, Abyssal, Ruins of Beverast, and a couple other gems (I’m just now getting to the new Tyr and Uncle Acid & The Deadbeats albums as I type).

Also, before you start reading the actual list, drop everything that you’re doing and go listen to these two songs immediately: Continue reading »

RECOMMENDATIONS FROM A STRANGER REGARDING LIFE-ENHANCING ALBUMS OF THE PAST 365 DAYS

 LISTMANIA 2013  9 Responses »
Jan 042014
 

(Guest writer Alain Mower returns to the site with his wonderfully eclectic list of favorite releases from 2013.)

Recommendations from a stranger regarding life-enhancing albums of the past 365 days…

…but first, some reflections on this year. I tend to have a more ‘grab-bag’ taste in music, with a little bit of everything finding its way onto my list of best music, but man was this a great year for metal – and really, music in general.

One representative sign of this has been just how diverse the music lists have been this year, even among people with similar tastes in music. For me, any of my Top 15 could have been the number one album of the year, and any of them could have competed for that slot in past years – reflecting a depth of quality that I never could have previously conceived. The only thing that kept me from having an entirely metal list of top albums is my natural indifference toward most death and blackened death metal.

There will always be regrets – for example, I still haven’t yet bought a copy of Fen’s Dustwalker or Oranssi Pazuzu’s Valonielu — and that Austin Lunn of Panopticon didn’t share his list with us until recently – that Obsidian Tongue album right?! – but, without further ado, here are albums that have been populating my sonic sphere of existence without end and will continue to better my existence through their existence. Continue reading »

VONLUGHLIO’S TOP 40 METAL ALBUMS OF 2013

 LISTMANIA 2013  14 Responses »
Jan 042014
 

(In this post we welcome back our good friend from the Dominican Republic and stalwart NCS supporter, Vonlughlio, who provides the following list of his favorite 2013 releases.)

So the time as arrived again for the year-end year, and for the second time I have been privileged to be able to post mine here at No Clean Singing. I would like to take the opportunity to thank Islander for letting me share the albums I have grown to love in 2013. Thanks also to all the other guest writers for their year-end contributions, through which I have found some great music.

Last year, when I did my top 25, I knew what albums would be on the list from the get-go and did not have any second thoughts about it. This year, with all the great releases, I had a tough time to be honest. I had to make several drafts and still was not satisfied with the end result. So I decided to make a top 40, and after three attempts finally made a list that I feel comfortable with.  When I showed it to friends, some were shocked that certain well-known bands (whose albums I liked) did not make the final draft. In fact, some of the readers here will be puzzled as well.

Another thing I decided to do this year was to include some of my favorite EP’s.  To be honest, I’m more into full-lengths, but decided to pay more attention since there is some quality music in this type of release. With all that being said, here is my top 40. Hope you like my choices and if not, that is ok too. Continue reading »

THE UNSUNG HEROES OF 2013, PART 1

 Album Reviews  18 Responses »
Jan 032014
 

(In this post Andy Synn begins a series of short reviews of selected 2013 albums that we failed to review before the year ended.)

2013 was a fantastic year for metal, if I do say so myself. The sheer wealth of stellar material produced – from old favourites to new discoveries – was absolutely astounding. As a result there was always going to be a lot of stuff that simply fell below the radar, or which was missed out due to being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Obviously we try to cover as wide a spread of stuff as possible here at NCS, but even the combination of the five of us, plus our many guest contributors,  can’t give our full attention to absolutely everything that comes out during the year.

It’s an unavaoidable consequence of a year in which there was simpy too much to deal with all at once. An enviable position in many ways, but an unfortunate one in others.

As such, there’s a host of albums that I listened to – and loved – last year that I never got the chance to write about. So I’m going to dedicate the next week or two to briefly covering some of those records that I/we didn’t manage to write about last year, and try and give them their due. Continue reading »

BANDS YOU NEED TO HEAR: COGNIZANCE

 Album Reviews, SHORT BUT SWEET  11 Responses »
Jan 032014
 

(In this post TheMadIsraeli brings us another recent discovery — a brand new two-song demo by an English band named Cognizance.)

It would appear there is a quality death metal overflow from 2013 left over; first Warforged (featured here yesterday), now these dudes.  Cognizance play an extremely violent brand of tech death that calls to mind Cryptopsy, Aeon, a lot of Polish and Italian influences, and just overall kick assery.

This is really turbulent stuff and completely brings the brutality in spades.  Looking forward to seeing what these guys pull out later this year.  Enjoy the two-song demo they just released, which is a “pay what you want” download at Bandcamp. Continue reading »

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