October Tide - Tunnel of No Light

Released on Pulverized Records. "Tunnel of No Light" is the latest release from the five piece Swedish doom metal band October Tide, this is their fourth album. I had a chance to listen to this album several times now and ready to give you the results. Starting of with the production, clear, solid, well balanced. The first track "Of Wounds To Come" sets the mood. open chords and dark overtones dominate from the beginning. the bands that come to mind as I listen are old Desultory, Novembers Doom, and Paradise Lost. Our Constellation, excellent drum intro and captivating guitar riff. Emptiness Fullfilled, reminds me of the very early Anathema days, setting a mood of solice and despair. Caught in Silence, the warm guitar sound is pleasing to the ears as the drum compliment by not being to harsh or blasting, its a great arrangement. This band is what came from the Katatonia break up in 1997. Coming from a long history musically the album is the evolved elements from their previous releases. If you are into doom metal this is one to own. plus if you are a fan of Katatonia you are most likely to want to add this to your collection. For more info on the band and upcoming tour dates check out their site links below.

October Tide Official site
October Tide facebook

Phil Anselmo - new solo album!

Walk Through Exits Only is the title of Phil Anselmo's new solo album due out July 16th on Housecore Records. Really interested in what it will sound like, here is what Phil had to say about it:

"It wasn't about doing a paint-by-numbers thrash or heavy metal record," Anselmo explained about the project. "It's an angry album that only I could do. I don't see anybody else out there screaming about the same shit I'm screaming about. On this album, there isn't any wordplay, there isn't any hidden message, it's all right there in front of you."

Deals Death part ways w/ bass player.

Swedish melodic death metallers Deals Death made a public announcement that after three years together they will be parting ways with bass player Fredrik Ljung.

The band comments, "There are times when everything is great, there are times when everything is bad. And there are times when different paths are chosen and you simply drift apart. Things like these are never easily decided and we thank our friend and bandmate for three awesome years and wish you a brilliant future."

Fredrik made the following statement in response, "Dear friends and fans! As you now know, I have left the band. We saw it as the only way to go and I want to thank everyone who has gotten me and Deals Death to the point where we are at today. There are many reasons for my goodbye but I personally feel that Im not on the same wavelength as the present band. And when you play in a band such as Deals Death you have to be able to give it your all! My last contribution with Deals Death is recorded and will be heard on the new album and I'm sure you´ll like it. I will continue with my other projects and have no intention to quit making music what so ever. I would also like to thank Deals Death for this wonderful time and great memories!"

Earlier this year Deals Death completed recording of their third full length album at Studio Abyss, Sweden which is slated for a release later this year via Spinefarm Records. Full details are yet to be announced. The new record follows the highly acclaimed 'Elite' record which was released in 2012 also via Spinefarm Records.

Deals Death Facebook

Gojira - Live Seattle WA 2013 FULL concert

01 intro

02 Explosia

03 Flying Whales

04 Backbone

05 The Heaviest Matter Of The Universe

06 L'Enfant Sauvage

07 The Art Of Dying

08 interlude

09 Toxic Garbage Island

10 Wisdom Comes

11 Mario's song

12 Oroborus

13 Mario's drum solo

14 The Axe

15 Vacuity

16 encore break

17 The Gift Of Guilt

18 outro

Thanks out to MeddleEarth for taping sharing it with us in the Matrix of Bootlegs

Atra Hora - Via Combusta

A five piece band from Pyatigorsk, Russia. Atra Hora began in 2006. Album title Via Combusta (released on Daknagar records August 2012). An intriguing start to this record. The first song "Transmigrations" begins with almost tribal like drum rolls and a very nice bass composition grabs my attention immediately. Production quality is superb, this is apparent once every instrument comes in. Next up we have "Escape" guitars are doing great harmonies and remind me of early Paradise Lost but much faster paced, maybe even a dash of Catatonia in their influence. For being a young band these are extremely gifted musicians accomplishing some complex arrangements. Hronos, intriguing and captivating bass lines. This song has got to be my favorite from this album, spoken word as well as deep doom like vocalizing, there is much to be explored just in this single composition. Styx, mystical, like flying through the longest deserts of desolation. Mysterious and enchanting. Neo Aeon, is a song that has to be experience to completely understand its journey, at almost nine minutes long it is truly epic memorable piece of artistry. Stagones Tou Ematos Mou, melodic and doom influence in heavy parts of this track, later this will build into bass trading harmonies with a clean guitar that wrap it all together for yet another great song. Phobos, its amazing to hear how involved the bass is on most of this album, with so many other instruments the bass seems to implement some creative passages to compliment them all. "Enthropia", is the final track, bleeding from the last composition this a perfect way to encapsulate the progression projected by Atra Hora, I highly recommend this album for metal fans of progressive, doom, melodic and much more. I feel many will find something to like on Via Combusta.
~Artemortifica

Atra Hora Facebook
Darknagar Records

  

Ara - The Blessed Sleep

A four piece band from Milwaukee, WI. (Jerry Hauppa- guitars, James Becker- bass guitars / vocals, Adam Bujny- vocals, Erik Stenglein- drums) The Blessed Sleep is the debut E.P. by progressive tech-metal band Ara. The first track is "Entitled Ascension", a clean start then into some creative sliding type of riffs. Good production, drums are doing some involved playing which seem to be using uncommon time signatures, a complex style is evident. "Demise of Reason" the vocals remind me of old Gorefest at times but more guttural, on this track I hear some cool guitar licks taking place amidst the chaos. "The Blessed Sleep" is track three, sure does bring memories of early Meshugga, there is a bass line towards the end of this song that grabs my attention, very well composed, add in some pig squeal style vocalization and this one is a brutal track to be spinning. "Despair Personified" this song has some dual vocals happening, mid and high well executed. This band trows in many elements in each song some blues some grind some tech and others, well rounded musicians and impressive writing style. "Abyssal Banishment" is the last song in my journey in the world of Ara, straight forward DM style on this last composition, drums are brutalizing the senses with double kick assault through out. The cover to this album is simple and artistic compared to many in this genre, its simplicity makes it stand out in my eyes. An impressive debut and I very much look forward to the future to see how this band will evolve. You can visit them on FB and also purchase their EP on BandCamp with the links provided below.
My points for this album 7/10

Ara Facebook
Ara BandCamp
Publication to Wolfhound Metal radio and magazine

Morbosidad live from Cathedral Of The Black Goat 3

Live footage from COBG 3 at the LiveWire Chicago, IL March 30, 2013