Flip The Goat Podcast - 002

Playlist:

Black Vulture Conspiracy - "Psychosphere" (album: Black Vulture Conspiracy)

Yidhra - "Cult of Bathory" (album: Cult of Bthory E.P.)

Misery Ritual + Wreckage - "GLOW" (single)

The Coathangers - "Nosebleed Weekend" (album: Nosebleed Weekend)

Akem Manah - "From Hell They Ride" (single)

Witchcraft - "Nucleus" (album: Nucleus)

Flip The Goat Podcast - 001

Today's Playlist:

Muscle and Marrow - "Black Hole" (album: Love)

Muscle and Marrow - "Help Me" (album: The Human Cry)

The Body - "The Wandering" (album: No One Deserves Happiness)
The Body - "A Curse" (album: All The Waters of the Earth Turn To Blood)

Magrudergrind - "Relentless Hatred" (album: II)
Magrudergrind - "The Protocols of Anti-Sound" (album: Magrudergrind)

Nails - "You Will Never Be One of Us" (album: You Will Never Be One of Us)
Nails - "God's Cold Hands" (album: Abandon All Life)

Nothing - "Vertigo Flower" (album: Tired of Tomorrow)
Nothing - "Get Well" (album: Guilty of Everything)

Medicine Moon - "Hey Apparition" (album: Tales of an Umber Earth)
Medicine Moon - "Blue Juice" (album: Medicine Moon E.P.)

Behold! The Monolith - "Architect of the Void" (2015)

If there's one thing I like from a heavy metal album, it's a great story.  Not only are you listening to the story, but you are also in it.  When giving "Architect of the Void" a spin, that's the kind of feeling I get.  You can see it.  You can feel it.  And you can smell it.  So kick back, put on the headphones, and take a journey into "Architect of the Void".

When the first track, "Umbral Vale", comes on, I think of a young man, ready to become a warrior.  But in order to do that, he must leave his village and prove that he has what it takes.  Before he takes off, he says his farewells to his mother, his siblings, neighbors and friends.  And finally, his old man.  The one who he wants to make the most proud.  He gets his stuff and the guards open the gate for him, and he's off on his own now.  The drum beat in the beginning of  "Philosopher's Blade", I imagine him walking through the forest and mountains.  Stops to get some rest and then continues with his destiny.  One day, the young man walks by a village.  He sees a farmer and his family being harassed by a evil clan.  He rushes over there and takes them out, except for one.  Who runs back to the other clan.  On "Lord of Bones", I like to think that's where we meet the Warlord of this evil clan.  He hears what that kid from a small community, did to some of his men.  So now he wants to get some payback.  His men are putting armor on the Warlord.  The blacksmith is welding his new sword.  Making it strong and sharp, so the Warlord will be able to impale his new enemy and make him suffer.  "Between Oder and the Vistula" is where we have our big fight scene. At first the Warlord has his clan go after the young warrior.  The brave kid takes them out, one by one.  Until there was none left.  Just him and the Warlord.  Standing in a field, with the corpse of the Warlord's clan.  The Warlord gives the young lad a good beating.  Showing why he's the boss.  Not going down that easy, the our hero picks up his sword, and just goes berserk on the Warlord.  The Warlord has underestimated the young warriors' strength, and can no longer stand his ground.  Our hero was able to get the Warlord on his knees, and with one swing from his sword, he decapitates the Warlord and ends his reign of terror.  Finally, when the title track comes up, I can imagine a guard, keeping watch, early in the morning.  He gets up and pours himself a bowl of soup.  When he gets back to his post, he sees something coming towards the gate.  We see his bowl drop to the ground as he runs to the other guards and tells them to open the gate.  When they open the gate, we see the young hero return home.  Carrying the severed head of the Warlord, he has now proven that he's a warrior.  The whole village are rejoiced and give him a great homecoming.  He is greeted by his mother and siblings.  He sees his dad from across, so he walks towards him.  They stare at each other for a second, til his father gives him a big hug.  Of course he is now proud that his little boy is now a great warrior.  And now the warrior can relax and enjoy being around his loved ones, til he goes on to his next adventure.

Now to just let you know, that's not what the album is about.  But when hearing the instruments, that's what I'm seeing in my head.  I'm pretty sure that the guys in B!TM wrote up something more epic than what I just typed up above.  "Void of the Architect" is definitely their best and most epic album.  Both Jordan Nalley and Jason Casanova did a great job making this album heavy and intense.  As many reviewers have already mentioned, for Matt Price and Chase Manhattan to keep Behold! The Monolith going, after the death of vocalist/bassist Kevin McDade, is really encouraging.  In some ways, I like to think that "Void of the Architect" is the bands "Back To Black".  It's really great that B!TM was able to put out a kick arse record, that I know McDade will be very proud of.  Behold! The Monolith are a great addition to the heavy metal scene.  Their mix of Stoner/Doom with Sludge and Post-Metal is something that sets B!TM apart from other LA bands.  And of course Price's guitar playing is just awesome.  Just listen to "Philosopher's Blade" and "Lord of Bones".  If you're a fan of  High On Fire and their intensity, then you're really gonna be a fan of Behold! The Monolith.  This is a band to listen if you want some hard pounding heavy metal  Glad to see Behold! The Monolith still riding strong.  RIP, Kevin McDade.  Hope all is great in the afterlife.

You can purchase "Architect of the Void" at https://beholdthemonolith.bandcamp.com/album/architects-of-the-void

"Architect of the Void" gets a rating of "5 Hitlers Punched in the Face".

Chelsea Wolfe - "Abyss" (2015)

For quite some time, Chelsea Wolfe has been changing the game, when it comes to singer-songwriters.  Her mix of folk, doom, and electronics, have been a breathe of fresh air.  Her last 3 releases have been unique, so I was really stoked to see where she was going with Abyss.  Little that I know, that Abyss was gonna be Chelsea Wolfe's heaviest album.  But then again, the album was inspired when Chelsea was going through sleep paralysis.  I would think that would make quite the heavy and dark record.

The album starts off with "Carrion Flower", a heavy-bass, electronic track.  If you enjoyed "Feral Love" from Pain Is Beauty, then this song takes it to another level.  Pretty much this song sets up the entire album.  "Iron Moon" can be considered the best doom song that Chelsea Wolfe has composed.  And the same could be said about "Dragged Out".  That guitar tone on the chorus sounds wicked.   "Crazy Love" is a nice look back at her early sound.  And by the end of the album, we hear more electronic-based stuff..  And how can I forget about her haunting piano in songs such as "Maw", "After The Fall", and "The Abyss".

Abyss is definitely a step forward to Chelsea Wolfe's sound.  The heaviness of the music is what really made this album enjoyable.  But don't worry, she still sounds beautiful on this album.  Of course there's songs where she sings through reverb, which gives that haunting atmosphere.  And there are songs where she doesn't, and still sounds great.  Not sure if she'll ever go back to the heavy sound on her next record.  Especially since I mentioned earlier, this was all due to Chelsea's sleep paralysis.  I've always heard stories where people have said that when they go under sleep paralysis, that there are times when they feel that someone is pressing down on them.  And to me, that's how I see those heavy parts on the album.  So don't be afraid to jump into the Abyss, and just let it sink in.  It will be quite the experience

Rating: 5 Hitlers Punched in the Face

Code 415 Podcast: 9-11-15

On today's episode, we remember the people we've lost during the 9/11 attack.  We think about our loved ones and how we should never take them for granted.  And to never forget.  United we stand.  Divided we fall.

Playlist:

Attack At Dawn - "June 29th, The Day You Almost Died" (demo)

https://www.reverbnation.com/attackatdawn

King Woman - "King of Swords" (Doubt)

https://theflenser.bandcamp.com/album/doubt

Hellbeard - "Colloused" (Scarecrow)

http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/hellbeard

Neko Case - "Red Tide" (Middle Cyclone)

http://www.anti.com/artists/neko-case/

Dorthia Cottrell - "Moth" (Dorthia Cottrell)

http://dorthiacottrell.bigcartel.com/

Tom Waits - "Road To Peace" (Orphans: Brawlers, Bawlers, and Bastards)

http://www.anti.com/artists/tom-waits/

Code 415 Podcast: 9-11-15 by Code415media on Mixcloud

Code 415 Podcast: 7-31-15

Today's episode is dedicated to the Hot Rod, "Rowdy" Roddy Piper.

Playlist:

Behold! The Monolith - "Redeemist" (Defender/Redeemist)

https://beholdthemonolith.bandcamp.com/album/defender-redeemist

La Sera - "Loosing To The Dark" (Hour of the Dawn)

http://www.hardlyart.com/shop/lasera.html

The Body - "I Would For You" (The Tears of Job)

*This album was a IndieGoGo exclusive

Code 415 Podcast: 7-31-15 by Code415media on Mixcloud

BAND SPOTLIGHT: KANE KORSO

Left: Sean (Night Terrors),  Right: Nina (Lows), Not Pictured: Kristy (Time)

Holy shit, dudes and dudettes.  Hellbeard's skinsman, Sean Boyles, has got himself another project.  For anyone who follows him, you already know that he has joined Insolence.  And now he's got another one (and also a acoustic project he'll be working soon), in Kane Korso.  A project that Sean started with some friends in the Bay Area.

Wanting to know more about this new band, I messaged Sean to tell me how this all started.  How long he's know his new band mates.  His move from playing drums to doing guitar and vocals.  And when will the World hear some Kane Korso.

On how Kane Korso started:  Kristy and Nina are in a band called Harriot.  It's a nice band.  All girl band.  The estrogen flows in like the river Nile.  Nina has recently joined Harriot, and Kristy and her became fast friends.  They are cut from the same cloth, so to speak.  Both into heavier music.  Old hardcore and the like.  They had been talking about doing another band to get some aggression out, but hadn't really found an outlet for it.

I became friends with Kristy within the last couple of years after I started giving her drum lessons.  We go to shows together, hang out, we're good.  We were at a show, watching Noothgrush.  And she leans over and says "That's what I want to do.  That's the kind of stuff I want to play."  I said "Okay.  You, Nina, and I are gonna start a band."

How he ended up doing guitar and vocals: (after Sean told Kristy about starting a band) She's excited at first, but then immediately confused.  She said "Wait.  What am I gonna play?"  I said "You're gonna play drums.  I'm gonna try and play guitar and sing."  She then gets excited again and said "Oh my God.  I feel like I just got proposed to!"  It was rad.  She runs it by Nina, she is stoked, so there it is.

Finding time to focus on Kane Korso: Kristy is a high school teacher; very dedicated to her students.  Nina is a mother of two with a very good career.  And I'm in 3 other bands.  So finding the time to do it is when ever we can squeeze it in.  And we all know it's gonna be a slow road.  Basically, I have material that are left over Hellbeard riffs.  Stuff that got shot down by James (Miller, Hellbeard guitarist and apparent quality control).  I think the parts are cool, so to use em for tis project is gonna be rad for me.

Will he be anal about Kristy's drumming: Kristy has already expressed that she is willing to have me tell her what to play, cuz she feels it'll be better for her playing anyways.  Saying this will be better than drum lessons (laughs).  For me, when I'm coming up with guitar parts, I kinda hear the drums already.  It's a second nature thing.  I started playing guitar a long time ago.  But I never really got serious about it til a few years ago, writing parts for Hellbeard.  Then when my father passed away, I started writing a bunch of acoustic material that will make my 5th band, with my cousins, that are more or less honoring my father.  But for the most part, I want Kane Korso to be a band where we all contribute.  I'm not gonna be to big of a Nazi on drum parts (laughs).

Who came up with the band's name: The only other name we threw around, and as a goof was Hellbush.  But Kristy decided that would be the all girl Hellbeard tribute band.  I came up with the name.  A few years back, James Miller and I , who I've known for close 20 years now, had an idea of a two piece thing.  We had a few names we threw around, and Kane Korso was one of em.  We decided on TramaBond.  It's in the vain of Death From Above 1979, but not as spastic.  It never really got off the ground, but it's not a dead project either.  So I remembered the name from that.  I just like the way it sounded, and it's a little unassuming.  Most people don't know what cane corso even is, so that's good.  And their is nothing with that name.  You know how fucking hard it is to come up with band names?  FUCK!

What he wants to accomplish with Kane Korso: I've been playing in bands since I was 14.  I played in a club for the first time in the 90's.  I'm gonna be 41 in a couple of weeks.  To do this kinda thing now seems fun and challenging for me.  It's just been a natural progression for me personally as a musician.  I've been playing guitar more, doing more vocals in the Beard, why not try to crawl from out behind the kit and front a band.  It's gonna be fun.  We are all stoked on the project and looking forward to contributing to the already amazing heavy music scene that is Oakland.

Right now, Kane Korso haven't recorded anything yet.  The band is jamming and hopefully they'll put something out soon.  All we can do now is just let them have their space, and let things grow.  If you want to follow Kane Korso on their development, "Like" them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/search/str/Kane%20Korso/keywords_top

  

 

Code 415 Podcast: 1/23/15

NAMM show this week, so there's nothing much going on.  I'll be attending the Kantation post-NAMM show at Malone's in Santa Ana, Ca.  Hope you guys will enjoy today's playlist.

PLAYLIST

PxBxS - "Closing In"

http://www.reverbnation.com/pipebombsuppository

Sunn O))) - "It Took The Night To Believe

http://southernlord.com/store/view/black-one

Chelsea Wolfe - "Pale On Pale"

http://hellomerch.com/products/cd

Code 415 Podcast: 1/23/15 by Code415media on Mixcloud

Muscle and Marrow - "The Human Cry" (2014)

While going through my facebook timeline, I noticed that BillyGoat from Doomed & Stoned posted a link to a band called Muscle and Marrow.  I believe he described it as   "Like Hydra Head employed Rose Kemp to write for Chelsea Wolfe.  The results are rather wonderful."  Of course being a fan of Chelsea Wolfe and bands from Portland, Oregon, I clicked on the link and was just amazed.  It was very dark and moody and just a good atmosphere surrounding it..  This was something that I can get behind, so I purchased the vinyl at their bandcamp page.

"Surround The Fire" is probably my favorite track.  I believe this song describes what Muscle and Marrow are all about.  And if you heard my "Top 5 Song of 2014" in my podcast, then you know why this song was #1.  "Childhood" is one heavy tune.  And after hearing "Spirit", I just had to push that play button again.

Now a lot of people have compared Kira Clark to Chelsea Wolfe.  But I have to admit that I hear more PJ Harvey in her voice.  Then again, I have to say that Kira does have a sound of her own.  And with McGraw's skin pounding, these two make Muscle and Marrow the unique band that they are.  If you're looking for something new, then I highly recommend grabbing "The Human Cry".  It's definitely a great experience.  This crushing album deserves a good "5 Hitler Punched in the Face" rating.  Not sure if the vinyl are still available, but you can download the album at https://muscleandmarrow.bandcamp.com/

AKEM MANAH "THE DEVIL IS IN ALL OF YOU" (2010)

I figured until the new release comes out, I'll review Akem Manah's debut album, "The Devil is in All of You".  Hailing from the Northwest, Akem Manah is a death/doom band started by Dead Nedry.  "The Devil is in All of You" is a brutal and crushing album.  Has a very dark atmosphere surrounding it.  You can totally hear the Ramsesses and Electric Wizard influence (which Nedry has been very open about).  But I do have to say, I hear a little bit of Nile on opener "The Black Flame".  At least that's the first impression I got when hearing it.  All seven tracks are very punishing.  Other favorite tracks are "Apocalypse" and "The Haunting of Saint Luciferi".  Akem Manah seem like a band that can put on a very crushing show.  But until then, Akem Manah is only a studio band.  Highly recommend it if you're into doom or would like to support DIY doom.  And of coures, this album gets "5 Hitlers punched in the Face".  It's that intense.

Akem Manah CD Baby store

Akem Manah website

Akem Manah fb page