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We’re doing more server work this weekend, with potentially spectacular results (good or bad). Some downtime may result, in which case I recommend checking out three metal-related blogs that I’ve been digging lately.
The Palpable Obscure’s URL is heavymetalfashion.blogspot.com, which is potentially misleading. The site is not about metal, though it clearly shows the taste of a metalhead. “Taste” is the operative word. I couldn’t care less about fashion, but I know good taste when I see it, and this blog is Good Taste with capital letters. It’s sort of a dark version of The Sartorialist: 99% images, mostly of people, but sometimes of other things like nature or films. The images will brighten (or darken) your day in haunting ways.
Hammer Smashed Sound shares some of the same aesthetics. But unlike The Palpable Obscure, it’s about music, and the proprietor is male. The site is a testament to the visual richness of the metal underground. I couldn’t care less about physical music formats now, but I know good packaging when I see it, and this site is wallpapered with it. Cool shirts, cassette tapes, vinyl pressings, band logos: half the fun of metal is looking at it.
Demolish Fanzine is evidence of that. The blog is the online resurrection of an ’80s metal print ‘zine. It presents content from the original ‘zine, complete with present tense text to give the impression that the time is indeed the ’80s. The shtick is goofy but charming, and the proprietor knows his stuff. Recent posts have been about Sacred Reich (an extremely complete history), ’80s metal ‘zines (both pro and amateur), and Hit Parader’s attempt at an underground metal magazine. You can get lost for hours here. You will emerge happy, educated, and perhaps sporting a mullet.
Related posts:
FYI, Beau with HSS just opened his own label: http://deathsmilerecords.blogspot.com
He's a rad dude and has got a few spots left on his Legions list — members will exclusive access to some gnarly tape, CD and (eventually) vinyl releases. Some of the artists associated with DS are Amort, Ash Borer, Locrian, Skagos and Vault Dweller, plus others.
Demolish is a Metal retro ride worth taking on a consistent basis. Many of the bands covered on Demolish Fanzine have me scurrying to my bins of reliable cassettes… then I blow the Metal dust off of 'em and get reacquainted with the 80's Metal greats once again.
Very credible writing at Demolish… the proof is in the posts over there. I recommend Demolish to all Metal fans as well!
Stone.
I agree and have been hooked on the DEMOLISH Metal blog since last December!
It's great to see all of those hard to find (now) underground bands and the cool interviews they are posting there.
Pat M.
physical formats are so last century. It disgusts me to even think about listening to a record, cd, or cassette. that shit is so archaic, caveman technology