Monday, February 19, 2018

Heavy Temple - Chassit

   

     Heavy Temple have been somewhat of a staple within the Philadelphia metal scene since 2012. It's current incarnation consists of three insanely talented women who seem to be on the road more than they are at home. This is a good thing for us, since the best way to experience these songs is in a live setting. These ladies fucking rip. If you see them scheduled to play in your area, grab a couple of beers and bang your head right off.
     Although the most satisfying way to hear Heavy Temple is in a smoky bar, that's not to say that the message isn't clearly conveyed on record as well. Chassit contains 4 tracks clocking in at just under 28 minutes, but holy shit, Does this record smoke!
     This psychedelic, fuzzed out doom masterpiece starts out with Key and Bone, a song that sounds familiar in style but very fresh due to the energy that bassist/vocalist High Priestess Nighthawk brings to the table. You'll be bobbing your head by the three minute mark of this beast, and you won't stop till the record ends. 
     Next up is Ursa Machina, my favorite track on the record. The soulful, blues drenched vocals on this cut are perfectly accented by thick fuzzed out guitar and drums that just carry you through the 8 minute ride. 
     Picking up a bit of speed, Pink Glass and In the Court of the Bastard King round out this record with pounding riffs that never let up. Although Ursa Machina is my favorite tune on this EP, it's only by a small margin, as all four tracks completely slay. 
     Chassit is currently available for digital download on Heavy Temple's bandcamp site. Even though this album was released back in January of 2017, it still sees heavy rotation on my playlist to this day. You'd be doing yourself a solid by picking this up for a mere $6.66.

-Rybo



Friday, February 9, 2018

Quick Pick!! DVNE - Asheran

     

     Holy Shit! This album has left me completely speechless, but I'll try my best to give y'all a review of it anyway. Let's start off with the band itself. DVNE (pronounced Dune, if you didn't already know) is comprised of four Scottish metal heads with a serious pension for Prog Rock, Riff-laden Doom Metal and Post Metal. To say that these guys have expertly honed their craft would be a gross understatement and a disservice to these four musicians. One listen through of this 60 minute opus to themes that are more than closely tied to Hayao Miyazaki's "Princess Mononoke" and you'll understand what I mean.
     Asheran starts off with The Crimson Path and right out of the gate, you already know what you're getting yourself into. Swirling progressive metal riffs, ethereal soundscapes, alternating epic clean vocals and harsh growls carry you through this 8 minute journey. Then you realize, this is just the beginning.
     A sci-fi tale of the rise and fall of civilizations spreads over 8 tracks that just keep getting better with each listen. Grab yourself some good headphones and blast this record. Standout tracks include The Crimson Path, Thirst, Sunsets Grace and album closer, Scion.
     Asheran is currently available for digital download on bandcamp as well as vinyl. If either of those options aren't your thing, it will be released on compact disc next month! Do yourself a favor and pick this beast up sooner rather than later.

-Rybo



Friday, February 2, 2018

Quick Pick!! Forming the Void - Relic

   

     Thick riffs? Check. Soaring vocals? Check. Fuzzed out bass and tight grooves? Double check! On their sophomore effort, Forming the Void hit every point that makes a solid metal release. The production on this bad boy is seriously top-notch as well. Oh did I mention the 11 minute epic Led Zeppelin cover? I didn't? Well, it's on here and dank as ever.
     Relic starts off strong and literally does not relent until the dust settles. This has quickly become one of my favorite releases of 2017, and with good reason. Standout tracks include "After Earth", "Relic" and "Unto the Smoke", but in all honesty the entire record kicks ass.
     Check out Relic on the bandcamp link below and if you dig it, buy the CD or even better, buy the vinyl. These guys have gotten better with each release so far and I can't even imagine what to expect from them at this rate... but I'm excited to find out.

-Rybo