post-metal

by Casey Boland Let’s face it: hype affects our initial opinions. Positive or negative, we bring assumptions and preconceived notions to the stereo, or more accurately for the times, the computer. Such is certainly the case with Shrinebuilder. When four musical titans group together, expectations will soar. Solar Benediction (excerpt) In Shrinebuilder’s case, the sum […]

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H238Rm0ZUy0]by Casey Boland Those familiar with A Storm of Light‘s pedigree won’t be surprised by Forgive Us Our Trespasses (Neurot, 2009). Vocalist/guitarist Josh Graham’s involvement with Neurosis and Red Sparowes rubbed off on his musical inclinations. As on ASOL’s debut And We Wept the Black Ocean Within, the band erects massive songs of epic ambition […]

by Casey Boland I’ve never been entirely convinced by most “drone metal.” Perhaps I’m reluctant to explore genres not couched in standard rock forms. But give me memorable riffs and passionate performances, and I’m satisfied. So to be wowed by the decidedly non-rock Pyramids with Nadja (Hydra Head, 2009) indicates either its superior quality or […]

Photo by Scott IrvineText by Cosmo Lee If Isis had pursued their early industrial leanings instead of their later atmospheric ones, Inswarm might have resulted. I miss that dirty, Godflesh-inspired sound, and thought it was extinct (with the exception of Hyatari) until I heard Inswarm. This Moment The band has connections to many others. Along […]

Photo by learydotmarkReview by Casey Boland Can ass-kicking rock be intelligent? By its very nature, rock (and its subsets from punk to metal) is decidedly crude and visceral. Its primal instincts arguably preclude the need or desire to give it a brain. Let’s face it: few fans consume albums or go to shows to be […]

Pictured: Let the Night Roar In metal, fast is glamorous, while slow is often overlooked. I get sent a lot of great slow stuff, so I’m starting this column to feature some of it. Doom, sludge, stoner, and post-metal are all fair game. Get off the lead foot, and get on those lead boots. Let […]

For many, Pelican have much to answer for. Their career thus far has been haphazard. For every great doom-laden slab like the self-titled EP or Australasia, there are messy, wankish post-rock releases like City of Echoes and the Pink Mammoth EP. A label switch to Southern Lord didn’t raise hopes for a change in direction. […]

Photo by Carmelo Española An elegant mountain of metal meat, the Pelican Burger was yet another off-the-wall creation from Kuma’s Corner, as it brought elegant staples out of fine dining and integrated them with a burger geared more towards PBR-swilling hessians. The Pelican Burger had several layers of flavor that swirled in the palate. The […]

Unlike most guitar-centric bands dispensing with vocals, Russian Circles‘ output has always felt complete. Their previous releases (Enter and Station) succeeded thanks to their songwriting capabilities. Flash and technique account for only so much; this band is onto something beyond rote tech moves. Malko Geneva (Suicide Squeeze, 2009) breaks with Russian Circles’ past. The songs […]