NO CLEAN SINGING

BLACK GOATS AND CANDLELIGHTS: 10 Metal Record Labels on Bandcamp

Nov 112011

(We’re really pleased to feature today this guest post by MaxR, the proprietor of Metal Bandcamp, an extremely useful site that maintains a close watch on new metal being added to the Bandcamp platform. In this post Max focuses on labels who have established Bandcamp outposts and he provides a ton of great music to illustrate what’s available.)

You probably know about Bandcamp, the place where bands can release their music as free downloads or for a price (including the popular name-you-price option). You can get awesome free demos like the one from epic doomsters Pallbearer or you can buy albums from DIY bands like progressive black metallers Cormorant. What you may not be aware of is that many metal record labels have set up camp (harh harh) on Bandcamp. I will describe some of them and provide links and Bandcamp players to a great selection of metal – much of which hasn’t been covered on No Clean Singing before.

CANDLELIGHT

First up is Candlelight Records. They add five albums per week to their Bandcamp, either new releases or from their catalog. And they are pretty smart about it. New Opeth released? Hey, we got their first three albums. New Insomnium out? We have Above the Weeping World and Across the Dark for ya. And they even have Bandcamp exclusives – apparently the original mix of Quietly, Undramatically was pretty crappy, so now you can get a remix by Woe mastermind Chris Grigg. Check it out, it’s raw and melodic black metal. Continue reading »

PSYCROPTIC NEWS (AND A REMINDER ABOUT WHY YOU SHOULD CARE)

Nov 102011

Today’s e-mails brought this piece of welcome news to NCS: Australia’s Psycroptic has announced that their fifth studio album, The Inherited Repression, will hit stores on February 7 in North America and February 10 in Europe. The album, which will be the band’s second release on Nuclear Blast Records, will include nine tracks. Here’s what Psycroptic guitarist, Joe Haley, had to say about the new music:

“The Inherited Repression is far and away my favorite Psycroptic album thus far – all of us in the band think this. It’s the age-old cliché from bands when they talk about their current album as being the best of their career, blah, blah, but I have to say it because it’s true. We wouldn’t think there is a point of going on if we couldn’t outdo each album prior. We are certainly not playing music for anything else than the love of creating it and performing it.

“The Inherited Repression is quite different from anything we have done in terms of song writing and structure, and we spent a lot longer writing and demoing the songs before we recorded it, which you can tell. It’s a very dynamic album – the fast elements faster, the slow elements slower, and a lot of light and dark binding it together. It’s a very catchy album as well – you can tap your foot, bang your head or anything else you want. Basically it has a lot of groove on it from start to finish.”

This all sounds good to me, but then again, I would be in the market for this album even if Joe Haley had said, “I don’t know what went wrong, but the new album sounds like utter shit, yet we’re releasing it anyway because there ain’t no fuckin’ way we’re going to start over after all the fucking time we put into it.”

As for why I would get this album sound unheard, go past the jump and check out the official video for “Initiate”, one of the songs from Psycroptic’s last album, Ob(Servant). Awesome song, and an awesome video, too. Continue reading »

DIE

RANDOM FUCKING MUSIC 5 Responses »

Nov 102011

In the brief minutes of each vacation day that I yield to the tug of metal, the great cosmic dice-roller of chance has been serving up death metal the last couple of days. Yesterday it was Bodyfarm and My Own Grave, and today it’s a Danish band called DIE. Yes, that’s DIE with all capital letters. No exclamation point, but there might as well be.

I owe this discovery to the NCS reader, commenter, and source of useful information who calls himself Utmu. He wrote me about this band back in July and then again yesterday, when I didn’t take the hint the first time. Blessings be upon his horned head for persistence, because I am really liking what I’ve heard so far. It has gone upside my head in ways both thuggish and surgical.

The dependably brutal Unique Leader record label released DIE’s debut album, Rise Of The Rotten, in March 2010. It was mixed and mastered by Tue Madsen at his well-known Antfarm studio in Århus, Denmark, and he did one helluva slick job. The music is on the blistering, tech-heavy side of the death-metal spectrum, but this is not skittering, spider-like tech-death; the production preserves the grit and power of an avalanche in motion. (more after the jump . . .) Continue reading »

ICED EARTH: “DYSTOPIA”

Album Reviews 2 Responses »

Nov 102011

(ElvisShotJFK, a long-term member of the NCS community, provides this guest review of the new album by Iced Earth.)

Iced Earth and bands like them aren’t exactly material that’s usually covered here at NCS, but when Islander made a post about the band streaming the title track from their latest album (here), it seemed to generate some interest, along with discussion over what kind of metal Iced Earth plays. To that end, I would say that they are a breed of power metal that leans more towards thrash than progressive metal, as many of the band’s peers (most of them European) tend to do. While they aren’t immune to some of the trappings of the genre (the cheese, the flash), they deliver an aggressive, tight, galloping metal that borrows from the likes of Iron Maiden and Judas Priest without being too blatant.

Over the past 20 years or so, Iced Earth have gone through many line-up changes, founder and rhythm guitarist Jon Schaffer being the sole remaining original member. However, as with most bands, it is the changing of singers that has been more notable – not to take anything away from the rest of the guys, who’ve also been in the ranks of Testament, Megadeth and Futures End, among others. Though he was the third singer (after Gene Adam and John Greely), Matt Barlow became the de facto voice of Iced Earth, a powerful singer who was as impressive (if not more so) live as in the studio.

After the terrorist attacks in September of 2001, Barlow wanted to leave the band and pursue a career in law enforcement, but was talked out of it, Horror Show and Tribute To The Gods being the last of his output before being granted his release during the recordings for The Glorious Burden; he didn’t seem to have the passion for music anymore. Continue reading »

LEPROUS: “BILATERAL”

Album Reviews 11 Responses »

Nov 102011

(NCS writer Andy Synn reviews the new album from Norway’s Leprous.)

Ok, I originally had a longer and more traditionally deconstructive review written up for this. But while re-listening to the album for about the fifth consecutive time, I realised nothing I was writing was really getting to the heart of this utterly genius, utterly addictive gem of an album.

Who/what does it sound like? Well there are elements of Porcupine Tree’s depressive progressive excursions and Devin Townsend’s ambitious mutant pop melodies, along with the bombast of Queen and the precociousness of early Dream Theatre to boot. Similarities to Ihsahn’s solo work of course abound, Leprous being the backing band he employs to give life to his beautiful and barren soundscapes in the live setting (the band also features his youngest brother-in-law, fact fans) as do comparisons with the off-kilter force of sadly departed esoteric metallers Oceans Of Sadness. Yet that’s not all.

There’s the unhinged madness of Sigh, the introverted progressive might of Into Eternity, a throwback 70’s haze that recalls Opeth’s more self-indulgent moments, a cock-sure strut that can only stem from the over-the-top 80’s output of Queensryche, the meandering and sleep-walking structures of latter-day Cynic, the unashamed, operatic excesses of Muse, the singular power of Enslaved, the madcap mentality of Arcturus… my god, it’s like an unholy amalgamation of everything vibrant and progressive from the last several decades, mixed up and spat out in this narcissistically beautiful, yet vaguely unnerving form. (more after the jump . . .) Continue reading »

THE TOP 5 VADER ALBUMS

Album Reviews 9 Responses »

Nov 102011

(In this post, TheMadIsraeli expresses his enthusiasm [which yours truly shares] for Poland’s Vader.)

There is NO ONE out there like Vader. One of my top three death metal bands, to be sure, next to Suffocation and Dying Fetus. They may even be my favorite death metal band of all time. Whether it be Piotr Wiwczarek’s mighty hoarse roar, or the fact they had one of THE best drummers in metal of all time in Doc (R.I.P), or the fact that their style of breakneck-speed death metal with a hyper-fast thrash undercurrent has been frequently copied but rarely equaled, the band is stupendous. These are my 5 favorite Vader albums of all time.

Released in 1993, this album was way ahead of its time. The Ultimate Incantation, as an initial mission statement, was (and is) a highly impressive one. Yeah, there was a lot of very good death metal being created at this time, with now-classic bands such as Deicide and Cannibal Corpse making their mark, what Vader had going for them was much better songwriting, more distinctive and memorable riffs, and overall a more mature sound that turned out to be quite forward-looking.

While the early music of some other death metal veterans sounds very much like a product of their times, the music on this album STILL sounds completely relevant, as evidenced by Vader’s XXV — a 2008 album in which Vader re-recorded a slew of fan favorites, five of which were from The Ultimate Incantation. Songs like “Dark Age” or “Vicious Circle” were death metal assaults built for the 2000’s all the way back in the early 90’s. (more after the jump . . .) Continue reading »

A FREE SAMPLER FROM INSIDEOUT

Metal News 2 Responses »

Nov 092011

I found a press release from yesterday in my in-box that I thought was worth sharing, because it’s an offer of free music and includes some very good bands (along with others whose music I don’t yet know). This is a sampler from InsideOut Music that includes songs from the label’s best 2011 releases. You can see them above. Not all of the music is metal, but with tracks from Devin Townsend, Redemption, and Leprous (whose fascinating new album will be reviewed here shortly), it’s tough to go wrong.

To get the sampler for free, go to this location (you’ll need to supply an e-mail address for the download code).

MEMFIS

RANDOM FUCKING MUSIC 7 Responses »

Nov 092011

Memfis is a Swedish band formed in 2003. In 2006, they released their debut album, The Wind-Up. It entered the Swedish album chart at #20, and garnered some gushy reviews in mags such as Kerrang (”These Swedes could develop into one of the most important metal bands of the decade”) and Metal Hammer (“Visionary”). Swedish public metal radio gave the band an award for “Newcomer of the Year”.

In 2007, Memfis played at a series of well-known Swedish festivals, as well as Bloodstock Open Air in the UK, a Nordic tour with Satyricon, and shows with The Haunted, Entombed, and Wolf. Pretty good start for a new band, huh?

Brimming with enthusiasm, they recorded their second album in 2008 — and then their record label sued them. Two years of litigation followed before the label called it quits, and in the meantime the album was in limbo. Now, Memfis has decided to self-release the album digitally. It’s available on Amazon, iTunes, and the band’s own web site (where it’s available for a “name your price” option). It’s called Vertigo.

Thanks to an e-mail recommendation from Vince Neilstein (who has now written about this release at MetalSucks), I’ve been listening to the album this morning, and it’s definitely worth checking out. (more after the jump . . .) Continue reading »

METAL O’ DEATH

RANDOM FUCKING MUSIC 3 Responses »

Nov 092011

I have a brain that seeks simplicity (because actual life is frustratingly complex), and therefore symmetry is appealing. We began the day with a Box O’ Poops, and so I believe we need a bookend. I thought about titling the post Ducking Meth Fetal, but I think we used that once upon a time. Plus, it would be asymmetrical. And therefore, we have Metal O’ Death.

As I noted yesterday, because I’m on vacation I’m not devoting the time I usually spend each day scouring the interhole for new music and news items of potential interest to our readers. However, in the space of about 30 minutes of snooping yesterday, I magically came across two new videos that waked me from my vacation-induced coma, like being bitch-slapped by an evil doctor that wants to make sure you’re alert and full able to appreciate the physical invasion about to come. Prepare for bitch-slapping by Bodyfarm (The Netherlands) and My Own Grave (Sweden).

BODYFARM

Bodyfarm is a new name to me. In 2010, they released a self-titled EP, and that induced Abyss Records to pick them up. The band are now working on a full-length album called Malevolence that Abyss will release in 2012. What I saw yesterday was a brand new official video for a track from the EP called “Slaves of War”. It’s one of those songs constructed to punch all sorts of buttons in people like me who like a good thrashing of thrash-paced death metal, with irresistible riffs and canyon-sized grooves. It ain’t fancy, but it does the job quite nicely. Continue reading »

POLSKIEGO EKSPORTU

RANDOM FUCKING MUSIC 9 Responses »

Nov 092011

(Today’s first guest post was contributed by UK-based grind wizard Alex Layzell, who shines the spotlight on Polish grind.)

Good day No Clean Singing Collective. Now, Grind isn’t a genre many are fond of, but hopefully this short expose may do something to kindle that flame and spark your interest in what truly is a glorious genre, and for those of you wanting to feast further on such glory, feel free to benefit from my own useless attempt to explore this art form over at Grind to Death.

Today I will be taking you through an informative journey of exploration, with the subject being Poland’s ever so wondrous Grind export. As a country, Poland isn’t really one that immediately conjures up significant Grind prestige. Even amongst devout fans of the genre, naming good Polish Grind bands might press them somewhat. However, there are treasures to be found. Now hold hands and journey with me through the rough and tumble badllands of Poland’s Grind scene. Those with weak heart conditions may wish to abstain, an admonition that goes double for any who don’t like the idea of the musical equivalent of a nail bomb subjecting you to aural punishment.

SQUASH BOWELS

First up are Poland’s woefully underrated purveyors of Gore, Squash Bowels (whose logo is pictured above). Their 2009 Willowtip Records debut Grindvirus is mandatory listening for all — and this is coming from someone who 99% of the time has a deep-rooted loathing for Goregrind. Rather than offer anything explosively truculent, they opt for a slick offering of superior songwriting, bringing the groove to grind, a formula sadly neglected though successfully achieved here through exceptional stylistic hardships — a testament to the band’s punk-driven superiority. It’s contagious and addictive — you have been warned! Continue reading »

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