Damn Youth-Breathing Insanity

Cospe Fogo Produções
2018

Damn Youth is a raw thrash/crossover band from Caucaia, Ceará, Brazil that has been in existence since 2013. Fronted by Elton Luiz, Damn Youth made it's debut in 2015 with the 3-track demo "Skate in Hell". In 2016 the band released a split with Lei do Cão and the 3-track EP, "No Mercy to Nazi Sympathy". Both the split and the EP came out on cassette tape. In addition they both featured cover songs. The split saw the group cover a track by Vio-Lence while "No Mercy to Nazi Sympathy" features a cover of "Nazi Punks Fuck Off" (Dead Kennedys). In a very real way both of those bands (Vio-Lence and The Dead Kennedys) show up to play on Damn Youth's latest recording. Released on January 9th, "Breathing Insanity" might not feature any cover tunes, but the influence of vintage thrash and old school punk/hardcore runs wild on this full-length album! Available as a (name your price) digital download by clicking here, "Breathing Insanity" is what you get when you take the crazier side of the thrash metal movement (Vio-Lence, Forbidden, Exodus, Toxic Holocaust, Slayer, etc.) and mix it with crossover (D.R.I., C.O.C., Suicidal Tendencies, Cro-Mags), punk/hardcore (the aforementioned Dead Kennedys, The Exploited, Discharge, etc.), street metal (Zoetrope), and rough & real garage metal. With 13 wickedly fun tracks in all, "Breathing Insanity" has a great underground vibe going for it (even if one cannot ignore the exceptional skills of these mad musicians!). At the end of the day it is an absolute steal as a name your own price download. That said, Damn Youth might be onto something by offering it for next to nothing. If it helps spread the word about this Brazilian band then it will all be worth it. For now, why not jump aboard this bandwagon while it's still within sight?

Deep Fryer-Rockin' Right Hard

Self-Release/Independent
2017

Deep Fryer is a hardcore/punk band from Fredericton, New Brunswick. The group is made up of Mike Erb (vox), JE Sheehy (guitars, vox), Jake Spencer (bass), and Kyle Clark (drums). In November of 2016 the the band put out it's self-titled debut. This EP comes almost one year after the release of "Deep Fryer". Along with the equally satisfying "Deep Fryer", "Rockin' Right Hard" is available as a name-your-own-price digital download. It features four songs and is a tremendous call-back to the (chilled) hardcore scene of the nineties. And just like the good old days, Deep Fryer writes about it's own hometown and the things that are most important to the members. The lyrics cover things like hockey and local landmarks. In a time when everyone is just so freaking serious, Deep Fryer take a laid back approach to everything. If you ask me, we sure as hell could use more bands like that now.

Free Metal Monday: White Boy Wasted-Rough Takes

Self-Release/Independent
2017

The Netherlands' White Boy Wasted play a hard & heavy version of speedrock. Members include Sid van Kastel (bass & vocals), Alex Kooy (guitar & vocals), and Ian van Kastel (drums). Released on the 17th of this month, "Rough Takes" is a two-track EP that might just be the first attempt at working in the studio for the trio. Songs include "Caught Up In Scraps" and "Wet Beard Boogie". Primary influences include Motörhead (1st and foremost) and Rose Tattoo (on the down and dirty rock and roll end). Secondary sounds actually coming from two bands that the group has already shared the stage with, Nashville Pussy and Raven. Meanwhile, Zeke and the like fill out the speedrock requirements. From what has been written, White Boy Wasted is the "future of Rock 'N' Roll music". I think I can wrap my head around that idea, but I need a little bit more than just these two choice cuts. With that all said, "Rough Takes" is more than worth the amount of time that it takes to click on the page and name your (own) price.
 

Saturday Singles-Toxic Holocaust "Max Overload" cover

Self-Release/Independent
2017

The gods be praised, Joel Grind (of Toxic Holocaust fame) has covered Acid's "Max Overload". For those of you who are not in the know, Acid was a slick Belgian speed metal band that was lead by the only and only Katrien de Lombaert. This jam comes from the group's 1983 album, "Maniac", but you can check out their complete discography by heading here. All of it is golden, but "Acid" and "Maniac" are tops. You can (and really should) snag this single. It's a name-your-price download that features guest vocals from one Marz(?) and it is a delight!

Free Music Monday: Nervous Jerk-Ditch Life

Self-Release/Independent
2016

Nervous Jerk are a New Zealand-based band with a couple of releases to it's name. The group's latest one, "Ditch Life", came out in late December of 2016 and it features 12 fucking fantastic slabs of garage-worthy punk with various sub-genres (pop punk, power pop,etc.) tossed in for good measure. Available as name-your-own-price download by clicking here, "Ditch Life" is snotty and a little bit ugly. In other words I absolutely LOVE it!

Free Metal Monday: Mist-Demo 2013

Self-Release/Independent
2013


Here's another Free Metal Monday feature that I'm hoping everyone will enjoy. This time around we have the young Slovenian occult doom metal band Mist with their 2-song debut, "Demo 2013". This very cool band was formed in July of 2012 and they take their cues from the likes Black Sabbath, Pentagram, Candlemass, Coven, and Saint Vitus. The band is lead by the remarkable Nina Spruk and so far in their brief time together they have played with band's such as Uncle Acid & The Deadbeats, Saint Vitus, Mount Salem, Avatarium, Manilla Road, Forsaken, Kadavar, Helstar, Officium Triste, Ophis and Cauchemar. Mist has also toured all over Austria, Italy, Malta, Germany Belgium and the Netherlands and their overlooked gem here has apparently been re-issued on CD three times(!) due to great interest! Thankfully you can download a copy of  it for free by clicking on the link above.

Close The Hatch-Death & Resistance

Red Moth Records
2016

A quick word or two is in order before we jump into this short review. Originally this was to be the last of our three Free Metal Monday offerings of the day for yesterday (April 11th). In typical fashion that did not happen, but instead of waiting around until next Monday I am just going to be dropping this EP off now. And because it is Tuesday and I'm crunched for time thanks to having a sick kid at home I'm just going to lick & stick yesterdays article onto this page as it was originally set to appear. There's no need to thank me...

From yesterday:

I'd like to present a heavy band that hails from my neck of the woods and sure has a heck of a swell release on it's hands with their latest recording here. Of course that would be the ever so gnarly Close The Hatch who come from Dayton of all places and were first assembled (no doubt riff by bloody fucking riff!) back in 2011. If ever there was a group whose harsh and extremely-distorted sound represented how I truly feel about my home state of Ohio then this would be it! On the name-your-price "Death & Resistance" this sludgy (and somewhat experimental) doom metal/post-metal band melts minds and destroys everything that is innocent and holy. Or to put it another way they put the bop in the bop she-bop and it all feels SO GOOD! All of this oozy & boozy fun has been gift-wrapped in the shape of a four-song EP that can be found by clicking on this link.

Free Metal Monday: Wizard Bloody Wizard-Wizard Bloody Wizard

Self-Release/Independent
2016

Wizard Bloody Wizard (who were formed in 2013 and arguably sport one of the coolest monikers out there!) is a underground stoner rock/doom metal band that hails from Dubuque, Iowa and has at least one release to it's credit thanks to this freshly-delivered EP. The name-your-price "Wizard Bloody Wizard" features three somewhat ghoulish songs that are solid-enough even if they do sound as if they were recorded in a old decaying crypt somewhere in Transylvania! Sandwiched in-between slow and thick guitar riffs and some barely-audible vocals you'll witness this EPs inspired use of samples and it's all from a band whose lyrics focus on "the occult, witchcraft, H.P. Lovecraft, horror films and cannabis". This slightly-rough around the edges EP from Wizard Bloody Wizard should appeal to anyone who is into (garage worthy) sludgy doom metal and/or doom-infused underground stoner rock. 

Bloody Cross-Attack of the Evil Wizard

Diamond Shed Records
2014

The self-proclaimed inventors of Shed Metal*, Bloody Cross are a brand-spanking new act from Dingwall. Not too be confused with the Chilean black metal band of the same name (or for that matter the long-defunct German Christian thrash metal outfit act whose one and done album, "Coming Again", has a unintentionally funny title going on!) this recently-resurrected group was formed from the remains of the zombie/punk outfit The Terrible Bastards. Based in the Highlands, which (according to band member Ryan Sealey who was kind enough to zip this EP our way for review) is a place where there is "not much of a metal scene...in fact not much of anything", this particular Bloody Cross plays a lo-fi  version of heavy metal that retains the band's punk rock roots while distinctly leaning on the hallmarks of many a great, sloppy garage metal band of yesteryear. Not for the faint of heart or even your everyday stuck-up metal purist, "Attack of the Evil Wizard" is indeed ugly, but in a lovable kind of way! Whether you choose to call it punk metal or trash metal it's all Shed Metal to these ears and in this day and age where everything is so over the top this band's mentality that "less is more" is somewhat refreshing even if it surely won't be of every one's tastes. You can listen to and download this one for free at the link below and for more information on Bloody Cross be sure to head right here:https://www.facebook.com/pages/Bloody-Cross/1503840196568213?ref=ts&fref=ts


*Shed Metal is a "controversial cross between traditional heavy metal and low musical proficiency.".




https://bloodycross.bandcamp.com/releases

Metal News: England's Stiletto Farm release "January Sales" preview track "Adrenaline TV"

"Adrenaline TV" is the latest single from English rockers Stiletto Farm. Taken from the group's upcoming full-length debut album, "January Sales", "Adrenaline TV" might have a short run-time (1:25), but it packs a serious punch with it's fast & fun take on punk rockin' heavy metal! Now, I simply loved the group's 2013 single, "Bad Reception"/"Strawberry Sundae Red", (review below) as well as their 2012 debut offering "Decimation Baby" (no review, but damn it's a cool banger anyway!), but both of those singles sort of pale in comparison to this new cut! Offered free at the link below (as are the other singles incidentally), "Adrenaline TV" finds this über-talented trio speeding through a three-way stop where Black Flag, Green Day and The Ramones meet to hang out and swap tales of glory and yes, it is more than a little awesome! If their long-overdue full-length debut is anywhere near as good as this single suggests then we could be looking at a sure-fire hit for Stiletto Farm! And Lord knows these three fine gentlemen* are desiring of such success! You can find the "Adrenaline TV" single here:https://stilettofarm.bandcamp.com/

 Review of "Bad Reception"/"Strawberry Sundae Red":
http://metalmark.blogspot.com/2013/12/stiletto-farm-bad-receptionstrawberry.html

*Stel - Bass/Vocals
  Davyd - Guitar
  Newt - Drums

Holy Grove-Live at Jooniors

Self-Release/Independent
2014

Don't know the name? No worries my friends. Soon enough Portland, Oregon's Holy Grove will be on everyone's lips! And yes, it will be well-deserved chatter and then some! Formed via Craigslist in January of 2012, Holy Grove is a female-fronted doom metal act with the (Name Your Price) "Live at Jooniors" offering two samples of the group's live prowess. Recorded this past summer, "Live at Jooniors" features the tracks "Holy Grove" and "Nix" and with both numbers running past the six-minute mark there is more then enough material on hand to allow listeners to fall heavily in love with this four-piece act! Lead effortlessly by vocalist Andrea Vidal (with guitarist Trent Jacobs, bassist Gregg Emley and drummer Craig Bradford rounding out the fold), Holy Grove has become one of Portland fastest up-and-coming metal bands and after listening to this live EP it's no wonder why! By fusing vintage doom metal with classic rock riffs, 70's hard rock and the rhythmic aspects of blues-rock this four-piece brings down the house! With their honest and sincere approach to music and the way in which it all sounds so natural and free-form Oregon's Holy Grove easily captivates the audience and holds it's attention tight. Skilled beyond belief, guitarist Trent Jacobs and bassist Gregg Emley lay down thick cover (read: hearty riffs and fantastic fuzz!) over which Andrea can work her magic. Meanwhile drummer Craig Bradford keeps everything wrapped together nice and warm making Holy Grove's sound all the more alluring! With a full-length album supposedly due sometime before the end of 2014 Oregon's Holy Grove should be a household name soon enough!


 http://holygrove.bandcamp.com/album/live-at-jooniors