Take a deep breath everyone. The cold withering death of November is officially in the air and to celebrate, we are releasing the floodgates on plenty of fucked up music today. Strap yourselves in, remember the safe word, and get to it.
WHAT TO HEAR: First up this week is Hole Below (20 Buck Spin), the third hideously disfigured full length from Bay Area death horde, Vastum. Though once considered a supergroup—featuring members of Hammers of Misfortune, Acephalix, and Apocryphon—Vastum have transcended that label in recent years, earning a deserved reputation as one of modern death metal’s most gruesome domestic acts, sans context. Hole Below, from its PTA-trolling opening track, “Sodomitic Malevolence”, to the subterranean howls of its namesake dirge, will do little to change that as well, grinding, growling, and clanging through its seven twisted tracks like a rabid hound through a tool shed in hell. Sure, that Pissgrave record still manages to make this one look catchy by comparison, but if you’re looking for the gnarliest thing on offer this week, then mission accomplished, time to head back to base.
On the influencer end of the spectrum, British proto grindcore outfit Extreme Noise Terror return to operational status today with their first LP (Willowtip Records) in over 6 years. A self-titled return to their hardcore roots, this one is being billed as something of a purification process for the band, whose impact on the likes of Napalm Death and Carcass in the mid to late 80s cannot be overstated. If you’re interested in seeing if they still have what it takes, the get over to Revolver and check it out.
Doom metal loyalists, meanwhile, should turn their attentions to Germany, where downcast brooders, Cross Vault, have readied their latest LP, The All-Consuming (Northern Silence), for the breaking of hearts today. Drag yourself through the mire and check it out. If you’re feeling that, then keep things in the Deutschland with Horn and their latest pastoral black metal opus, Feldpost (Northern Silence). As you’ve perhaps put together, given the confluence of label, location, and timing, these two outfits share a common denominator in extreme auteur, Nerrath, who must have run the creative well damn near dry with these two spectacular records. For maximum impact, I highly suggest you give them a back-to-back listen, but if that’s too much to ask, just take your genre of choice and get after it.
Of course, most of us are myopic New Yorkers, so it would be out of character if we went a week without talking about some new Gotham band and how much they kick ass. Thankfully Brooklyn hardcore heathens, Go Deep, give us the perfect opportunity to do exactly that, dropping their brand new full length, Influence (6131), like an acme anvil today. If you’re into the seething post-hardcore spit-takes from the likes of METZ and KEN Mode, then this is going to be right up your trash-strewn alley, so make sure to give it a listen.
Finally check out No Image (Profound Lore), the latest output from Danish dark rockers, Gold. If you’re into brooding bombast, incense, and just a pinch of classic Denmark post-punk, then you owe it to yourself to give this one a look.
WHAT TO SEE: It’s a HUGE for NYC metal, so make sure to get out there and see something, starting with Martyrdoom IV’s opening festivities, featuring Necrophobic, MGLA, Kommadant, and more at Saint Vitus. Not feeling that? Then hopefully Judas Priest and Mastodon at The Paramount; We Are Romans and All that Remains at the Starland Ballroom; or Flipper and La Armada at The Acheron (for early and late shows, respectively), will do the trick.
On Saturday, night two of Martyrdoom IV kicks off with Revenge, Gonkulator, and Sabbath Assembly at Vitus once again, while elsewhere in Brooklyn, Sworn Enemy hit The Grand Victory and Akka attack The Acheron. Across the river, The Delancey host Fear Report, The Studio at Webster presents the almighty YOB, and the Prudential Center welcomes the next stop of Halford and co.’s Redeemer of Souls tour, so make sure to get out there and get some, no matter what bridge or tunnel you may have to brave in order to do so.
Sunday gets started early (at 1am, to be exact) with a Martyrdoom after-party at Lucky 13 Saloon, so check that out and then sleep all day so you’re ready for MD night three at Saint Vitus—featuring Mortuary Drape, Mgla, and Black Anvil—at 8pm. Otherwise, just check out a free, all-ages Swamp matinee at The Grand Victory and start prepping for Monday, which comes correct with killer shows like Kataklysm at The Gramercy Theatre (now moved to Santos Party House) and the penultimate evening of Martyrdoom, featuring a second appearance from Mortuary Drape, as well as sets from Revenge, Omnidize, and Kill.
After all that, buckle up for the weekly run in, which boasts the conclusion of Martyrdoom on Tuesday, including an ULTRA-RARE rager from Abbath’s Motörhead cover band, Bombers; Relapse artistes Zombi and Pinkish Black at Saint Vitus (plus Dir En Grey at Gramercy Theatre) on Wednesday; and, finally, Skinny Puppy and Youth Code at The Paramount on Thursday.
WHAT THE FUCK: GUYS, OZZY FINALLY APOLOGIZED FOR PISSING ON THE ALAMO!…wait, does anyone actually care about this?