Free Metal Monday: Blood Curse-Angel Witch

Self-Release/Independent
2018

Blood Curse is a heavy metal band from Caneyville, Kentucky that is comprised of Aaron Franks (vocals/guitar/bass) and Olivia Franks (drums). Active since 2016, Blood Curse has one demo and two singles to it's name. The group's latest release is a name-your-own-price cover of Angle Witch's theme song. It is taken from the group's forthcoming debut album (which is due to drop this summer!) and is a must-have for fans of traditional heavy metal and N.W.O.B.H.M. Pumped up with metallic passion and some true appreciation for the classic British metal band for which it is named, Blood Curse's cover of "Angel Witch" is a bit more raw than the original version, but kick ass all the same! Hopefully come summer I will be covering this band's debut...

Free Metal Monday: Warside-Warside

Self-release/Independent
2018

Warside is a (N.W.O.B.H.M.-influenced and eighties metal inspired) heavy metal band from Brazil that is lead by Leonardo Leão. Available for fee at the following site,"Warside" looks to be the group's first demo. It is a four-track EP that could easily pass as a long-lost relic from the early eighties. Despite it's so-so artwork, "Warside" is a fun listen and a release that I would recommend to fans of old-school metal.

Free Metal Monday: Heavyskies-Heavy Demo

Self-Release/Independent
2018

Heavyskies is a California heavy/thrash metal band that is comprised of Chris Dauenhauer (guitar/vocals), Gabriel Moreira (guitar, vocals), Matt Barnhart (bass), and Josh Josten (drums). Formed in late 2016, this San Jose-based group lists it's influences as Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden, Anthrax, Slayer, and Metallica. Based on what "Heavy Demo" has to offer (and it's a solid amount of promise) I'd say that the group's biggest influence would be (post-Master Of Puppets) Metallica (up to and including the Load/Re-Load period of this once great thrash metal band). Either way this four-track EP is free to download.

Free Metal Monday: DamseL-Demos

Self-Release/Independent
2018

Based in Vancouver, British Columbia and falling somewhere between hard & heavy rock and roll and (working man's) heavy metal, DamseL (sic) is a slightly-sleazy five-piece band that knows how to write some damn catchy material! Sadly there are only two songs on the group's "Demos" ("Obscene Machine" and "Dead of Night"), but when they are both awesome(!) that helps to ease the pain!!! So far this seems to be the only release from DamseL. Hopefully that will change in the near future. In the meantime this two-track release in free to download. If you ask me (and really, more people should!*) that is a absolute-steal for hard & heavy rock and roll songs like this, but seeing as I don't set the prices for these things who am I too complain?


*It's a joke folks...

Free Metal Morning: Mournful Cries-They Horror Come

Self-Release/Independent
2018

Mournful Cries is a doom metal/heavy metal band from Santa Rosa, California. The group is lead by vocalist/guitarist Luis Olguin (Sepulchre) and includes the rhythm section of bassist Matt Lasserre (Scrape the Earth) and drummer Alex Hernandez. Preceded in life by the 2017 demo "Budlust/Evil Confessor",   "They Horror Come" is the group's latest release. It includes two song ("Hallowed Tomb" and "Witches Herbs") that are A: Heavy & hard on the doom metal side of things and B: Heavy & harsh on the (slightly-fuzzed over) heavy metal aspect of this trio. While the vocals are a bit hit or miss (you'll either like them or loathe them), "They Horror Come" is (music-wise) incredibly solid. Available to download for free by clicking here, this two-song release clocks in at nearly twenty minutes! Can you say epic doom/heavy metal!!!!

Free Metal Monday: Röttweiler-The Beast has emerged

Self-Release/Independent
2018

Röttweiler is based in Guayaquil, Ecuador and plays a (fuzzed-over) version of garage hard rock/heavy metal. Released on February 22, 2018, "The Beast has emerged" appears to be the first release from this sloppy but oddly intriguing act. Since lyrics, music and production come courtesy of Hernán Verduga Jr.
this one has the look and feel of a one man studio band. With points subtracted for the (ill-advised) spoken-word vocals, Röttweiler does have the potential to be something solid...it just needs some work. Either way the EP is free to download.

Free Metal Monday: Braindëth-Cock Rock & Roll

Independent/Self-Release
2018

Heavy metal/rock and roll band Braindëth hails from Massachusetts and is fronted by a guy name Count Ingteeth. The aptly-titled "Cock Rock & Roll" is the first EP from Count Ingeeth and crew. What it lacks in production quality* it more than makes up from thanks to it's love of both Motörhead** and old-school funk rock/metal! Released back on February 18th and available for free at the above link, Braindëth's four-track EP is wild & crazy like the band members themselves!! Hopefully this is just the first of many great recordings to come from this hard & heavy rock/metal band.


*"Cock Rock & Roll" sounds as if it was recorded live in in a local dive bar!

**The title cut alone is straight-up Motörhead worship!

Free Metal Monday: Priest Cop-Crucify This

Self-Release/Independent
2015

The interestingly-named Priest Cop released "Crucify This" back in March of 2015. It's a free EP from a Derby-based heavy rock/garage metal band that combined elements of classic 80's metal and N.W.O.B.H.M. into their crash and bang sound. It doesn't look as if this group is still together, but for a fee EP this isn't all that bad.

Free Metal Monday: Räzerhex-Räzerhex

Self-Release/Independent
2018

Sporting one of the coolest names out there(!), Räzerhex is a rock/metal trio that hails from Gothenburg, Sweden and is lead by guitarist/vocalist Rallylalla. Bassist T-hex and drummer Sigbang round out the line-up for this (damn cool!) band that really knows a thing or two about rocking the hell out of a joint! This self-titled EP appears to be the group's official debut and what a debut it is!! It is a five-track recording that combines elements of garage rock, punk, 70's hard rock, and 70's/early 80's heavy metal. Filled with passion, fire, and a healthy amount of spunk, this highly-recommended EP can be downloaded for free by clicking here. That's a steal of a deal for a feisty and tough as nails release like this!

Free Metal Monday: Iron Blood-At an Impasse

Brutal Future
2018

Iron Blood is a black metal/punk hardcore band from Canada. Back on January 6th the group released this four-track demo. It is a rather raw recording that mixes primitive black metal with the kind of punk rock that you'd find in the pages of Maximum Rocknroll. Available to download for free by heading here, "At an Impasse" was also released on cassette tape.

Free Metal Monday: Slave To The Metal

Divebomb Records
2017

Initially released last month, "Slave To The Metal" is a free digital sampler from the good folks over at Divebomb Records. All thirteen of the bands present on this fine sampler are signed to Divebomb Records. You have Old Wolf, Gross Reality, Ironflame, Bewitcher, Witching Altar, Lovell's Blade, and Warlock (to name just a few). All told this is a really good sampler to start your work week.You can download it for free by clicking on this link .

Free Metal Monday: Decay Within-Demo 2018

Who's Mic? Recordings
2018

Decay Within is a one-man death metal/grindcore band from Oxford, Michigan. Formed by ex-Writhing member Mike Nastasy (vocals, guitars, bass, and drum programming), the solo project is about six years old now. The self-produced "Demo 2018" looks as if it is the studio debut studio for this gnarly one-man band and it can be downloaded for free by clicking on the highlighted link above. While it is primarily a (old-school) death metal meets underground grindcore kind of release, the six-track "Demo 2018" does use a little bit of raw thrash to tease it's listeners. As a solid first attempt, Mike Nastasy's solo project shows off a world of promise and I for one cannot wait to see what's next. You can follow Decay Within by way of Facebook and if you are into uncompromising death/thrash/grind then make you you snag "Demo 2018".

Free Metal Monday: Cellar Door-Pictures Of Home

Self-Release/Independent
2013

In late March of 2013 Swedish punk/hardcore band Cellar Door put out this free EP. It could very well be the only recording that lyrically-deep outfit put out. As there is very little information about the group or "Pictures Of Home" it is hard to see where this four-track fits into the grand theme of things. I say all of this with a bit of sadness in my heart because I would love to learn more about this particular Cellar Door. Seeing as there are so many different groups that have laid claim to this moniker it's a real mess. Proper credit should be given to this Swedish act when it comes to this gem. For metal fans this one carries itself along nicely with hard-tinged guitars. Thing is it is the lyrics that other the real punch! They are largely poetic and they make "Pictures Of Home" all the more poignant. If anyone has any more information on this hardcore group please get in touch with me. .

Free Metal Monday: Godam-Fear Is Weapon-Demo

Self-Release/Independent
2017

Godam is a (crust-ridden) power violence band from Indonesia. This five track demo looks as if it is the group's debut and it includes a cover of Mayhem's "Pure Fucking Armageddon". There are occasional moments when "Fear Is Weapon" borders on hardcore metal, but overall this free demo is ugly and extreme. Naturally those qualities make it all the more essential! 

Free Metal Monday: Metalocalypstick - Metal Queens Vol. 1

Metalocalypstick is a not for profit organization that was formed to support woman in heavy metal, punk, and hardcore. On July 1st and July 2nd the organization will present the 2nd annual Metalocalypstick Fest. It's purpose is to celebrate women in metal. Naturally that is something that I can get behind. The well-assembled  "Metal Queens Vol. 1" has been released in anticipation of the metallic festival and (genre-wise) it covers a lot of ground. It is a name your own price digital download and there are some real treats to be discovered as you make your way through the fifteen tracks. For more information of this recommend festival (and the amazing people who are responsible for it!) be sure to check out this Facebook page.

Free Metal Monday: Nomanic-Nomanic

Self-Release/Independent
2017

Nomanic is a up-and-coming heavy/thrash metal band from Orange County, California that has "Huge potential for success!" written all over it! Members include Ryan Rangel, Chris Bramlett, Eddie Chacon, Morgen Chiaravolloti, and Nick Wheatley. The group's (highly-recommended) self-titled EP, which was just released last month and is free to download, showcases a hungry and talented young band that won't be pigeonholed and isn't afraid to shake up the thrash metal scene! While the EP itself is a bit rough around the edges production-wise, "Nomanic" features strong material that is expertly performed by a group of skilled (if seemingly sincere) musicians. With one eye pointed toward perfection, Nomanic has all of the tools needed to go the distance...especially if they are as good live as they are on tape.

Free Metal Monday: Tropical Storm!-Deleted Scenes

Self-Release/Independent
2017

Tropical Storm! is a crossover/thrash metal band with a couple of releases to it's name. As the title of this 4-track EP somewhat suggests, "Deleted Scenes" is this odds and ends collection from the St. Louis-based metal band. The name-your-price digital EP serves as the follow-up to late 2016's "Surf's Up!". That two track release (which is also free!) features Snake Plissken on it's cover! There's no way in hell that you can go wrong with artwork like that on the cover and some M.O.D.-style crossover music on the inside!! The fact is I love everything about these punk metal thrashers. It's hard to find fault with any group whose debut EP was entitled "It Ain't Easy Being Cheesy"! Released in late May of 2013, Tropical Storm!'s first recording is a nice slab of rough and raw punk thrash that is free to download. How cool is that! Three free punk thrash/crossover releases to get you through your Monday morning blues! Fans of M.O.D., Cryptic Slaughter, D.R.I., Gang Green, S.O.D., Murphy's Law, Leeway, and (early) C.O.C. should check this lot out.

Free Metal Monday: GOD The Barbarian Horde-Hell & Heaven

Self-Release/Independent
2006

Available for download by clicking here, "Hell & Heaven" is a (wicked) five-track pagan/epic metal EP from the Romanian band called God The Barbarian Horde. Other than the group's 2014 EP, "Zal Mox", the aptly-titled "Hell & Heaven" is just one of the many name your own price recordings from this intriguing act that certainly lives up to the "barbarian" part of it's moniker! You can check them all out for yourself by heading over to the group's bandcamp page.

Free Metal Monday: Season of the Witch-Season of the Witch

Self-Release/Independent
2007

Season of the Witch* is a horror punk/raw thrash metal band that is based in Louisville/Cincinnati. This self-titled release was the group's first (and possibly only?) album and it came out in October of 2007. It's a name your price digital recording that should appeal to fans of Samhain and possibly even Danzig.





*Season of the Witch can be found online by clicking here.

Free Metal Monday: Pänik-Riffs Or Die (demo 2016)

Self-Release/Independent
2016

Pänik is a wild and reckless crossover/thrash metal band from Wollongong NSW, Australia that has been active since 2015. This short but exceptionally fun demo was released last summer and it featured the line up of Mitchel Gruevski (bass, vocals), Daniel Packovski (guitar, vocals), and drummer Jayden KV. As of this writing it looks as if Pänik has a new drummer, but really that's neither here nor there when we're talking about this (name your price) download...