…
Maybe I need to see a psychiatrist. I’ve always been the kind that laughs hysterically, and very inappropriately, at the most gruesome scene in a twisted horror movie. The more vile the scenario is, the stronger my reaction. Its probably rooted in a nervous laughter, but maybe I seriously need my head checked.
Similarly, I’ve always had that reaction to the live of show of theatrical death metal crew Portal. Clad in executioners masks and dressed like the pope, this crew rips through the most fiendish of Incantation-style, atonal DM without breaking character. It’s harrowing and, to me, hilarious. But mostly frightening.
Now the Aussie crew Portal is back with a new LP Vexovoid, the follow-up to their frightening Swarth. The recorded material is definitely no laughing matter; check out a pair of tracks in “Curtain” and “The Back Wards”, available at NPR.
Portal – Glumurphonel (Live at The Hifi, Sydney) – 12th January 2013
-Fred Pessaro
…
I really hope to they tour the west coast.
I’ll second that!
The clock mask is still the best.
fuck yeah
Portal’s set at MDF in 2010 was beyond suffocating. I want to see them again in a smaller venue.
That “Curtain” track – wow. Just incredible.
After listening to both of these tracks, I can only conclude that I still don’t get the appeal of this band.
you had me until “available at npr”
This is not without precedent. I’ve been shocked by the number of metal releases I’ve listened to first via streaming them at NPR over the last couple of years. I listen to NPR in the car, and, if they were to start playing metal, my head would explode (with happiness).
Anyway, as metalheads, I think we should be a little less territorial about who makes the music accessible. If NPR, Scion, etc. are helping bands make a living (or at least helping them recoup part of their investment) and reach larger audiences, that’s a good thing, right? There will always be bands that keep things more underground–by, say, releasing material only on cassettes–and that’s fine by me, but I’m not going to begrudge bands for wanting some measure of success either. Can we leave the tired art vs. commerce /popularity dichotomy to hardcore punk? It’s not like Portal is going to win Grammys or play the Superbowl halftime show (though the latter would, in my mind, be fucking awesome)
This is not to say, of course, that there aren’t problems with various kinds of patronage /sponorship (the potential for censorship being one of those problems). Still, as a fan of metal, I want the music to reach as many potential listeners as possible. Because then, uh, satan wins.
Well said, sir.
I, too, judge the music I like by factors completely irrelevant to the music itself.
that was fuckin awesome
and @ lord nekronaus-
whats wrong with NPR? nothing that i can tell. obviously Portal’s label feels the same way or NPR wouldnt have the song. obviously Portal is ok with that since theyre putting the album out on that label.
so?