Mind over Metal

Review : MONSTRO – “Monstro”

Sep 212011

Rating: 3.5/5
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MonstrO stand on the edge of the stoner rock curve, and should they venture to the skies or more deeply explore the earth, you’re wise to keep a squinty, bloodshot eye on their path.

Review : ROOT – “Heritage of Satan”

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Sep 202011

Rating: 3.5/5
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From the Czech Republic, Root was one one of the first black metal bands before the second wave hit. Devout Satanists, they grew different directions than Venom and mid-’90s Norwegian bands. Root is still alive today with their ninth offering, “Heritage Of Satan”. Let’s dig deep for this one.

Review : PREMONITION 13 – “13″

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Sep 202011

Rating: 3/5
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Wino only appeared in passing as I grew up—limited to Bullring Brummies, really—though I’ve thoroughly loved his late-career TKO of “Punctuated Equilibrium”, “Adrift”, and the superb Shrinebuilder debut. The man hits 50 this year, and still has the chutzpah to churn out quality music. Itself an achievement, yes, but I felt something would not fully resonate with me, and that something is Premonition 13.

Live : WOLVES IN THE THRONE ROOM with THOU, FALLS OF RAUROS, and GRISTMILL in the Middle of Buttfuck Nowhere

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Sep 192011

Live : WOLVES IN THE THRONE ROOM with THOU, FALLS OF RAUROS, and GRISTMILL in the Middle of Buttfuck Nowhere

In many ways, Vermont seems like it would be a breeding ground for pagan black metal; the green mountains, ice cold winters, and expansive forests are prime territory. Though native spirits are rare, it made so much sense for Wolves in the Throne Room to play here on their current tour.

Review : TYR – “The Lay of Thrym”

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Sep 182011

Rating: 4.5/5
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“The Lay of Thrym” further solidifies the consistency of Týr, whose unique sound may throw off first-time listeners until they start humming the tunes later and come back for more. Týr again prove to be a distinct voice in the realms of folk metal, rewarding on every return.

102 Rules of Black Metal, Revised for 2011

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Sep 172011

I first read the original list of rules back in 2004, and as far as I can tell, the Google searches date it back as early as February 2002. Before that, it most likely circulated the internet via email chains (remember that shit?). So it’s probable that the original 101 Rules of Black Metal is nearing its 10-year anniversary (or perhaps recently passed it). What better way to commemorate it than debunking the whole thing and re-writing it for today’s black metal fanatics? As contradictory as it seems to “remaster” a work in the name of black metal, here it is:

Interview with Heri Joensen of TYR

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Sep 162011

This is a written, slightly abbreviated phone interview I had with Heri Joensen of Týr on May 15th 2011 to speak about the band and more specifically their upcoming album “The Lay of Thrym”. He was super polite, intelligent, and interesting to interview, and I feel privileged that I got the opportunity to speak with him.

Review : CANNABIS CORPSE – “Beneath Grow Lights Thou Shalt Rise”

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Sep 122011

Review : CANNABIS CORPSE - "Beneath Grow Lights Thou Shalt Rise"

Rating: 4/5
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It seems the best way to describe an album like this is “a breath of fresh air”, but considering their name and leitmotif, “a rip of milky smoke” feels more appropriate.