Royal Thunder - "Crooked Doors" (2015)

Anyone who's heard "CVI", the debut full length by Royal Thunder, should pretty much know already how much they rock.  Their Southern sludgy/psychedelic/hard rock sound, with Miny's voice won me over and turned me into a huge fan.  And they came in a good time when a lot of Georgia bands were making some noise.  Now they have released their 2nd LP, "Crooked Doors", a perfect successor to "CVI".  A album that is just as catchy and heavy as the last one.

"Crooked Doors" starts off with one of my favorite tracks, "Time Machine".  As soon as you hear it, you know something different is gonna happen.  And it's gonna be really good.  I love that Joan Jett-esque attitude in Miny's vocals on the chorus.  It's just awesome when someone who has a blues-y and soulful voice can take it up a notch.  Also a perfect choice to make it into a music video.  If "Time Machine" didn't quite did it for you, then "Forget You" should do the job.  It may not be "Whispering World" from "CVI", but it is just as heavy.  "The Line" has a nice guitar feedback and bass line to get your attention.  "The Line is another track that displays how well they mesh the heavy and mellow parts.  And it has some good solos in this one, too.  "Forgive Me, Karma" is a great title.  And I can only imagine that a title like that will have a psychedelic feel.  And hearing "The Bear II" just makes me want to cry.  Not because it's a piano balled, but because I know it's over.  Of course I can always play it back again (along with "CVI"

"Crooked Doors" has a great flow.  Especially hearing it on vinyl.  I knew what the band was capable of after hearing "CVI.  "Crooked Doors" escapes the "sophomore jinx" and accomplishes  in becoming kick arse record for 2015.  If you've been digging the indie rock influence in Kylesa, and enjoy Baroness or Red Fang, then Royal Thunder is the band for you.  Relapse has been putting out some awesome records this year.  And "Crooked Doors" is one of them.  Just a great album with heavy riffs and sweet vocals.  If you're tired of In This Moment and Butcher Babies, then please give Royal Thunder a try, and pick up their latest album, "Crooked Doors".  I promise you'll be rocking out in no time.

I rate this album "5 Hitlers punched in the face"

You can purchase "Crooked Doors" at:

https://royalthunder.bandcamp.com/album/crooked-doors-deluxe-version

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".

Code 415 Podcast: 6/18/15

On today's episode, I'll be playing SC's sludge band, Gruzer.  Also some Melvins and new Faith No More.  Hope you guys will enjoy.  R.I.P Dream.

Playlist:

Gruzer - "Elbow Drop" (from Path of Buzzards)

https://gruzer.bandcamp.com/album/path-of-buzzards

Melvins - "A History of Bad Men" (from A Senile Animal)

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000I2K9K6/?tag=ipecacrecordi-20

Faith No More - "Motherfucker" (from Sol Invictus)

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00TZE3W2U/?tag=ipecacrecordi-20

Code 415 Podcast: 6/18/15 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

  

 

Hellbeard - "DARK/LIGHT E.P." (2014)

Hellbeard are back.  And what a fuck'n e.p. they put out.  Ever since I heard "Black Snail" on youtube, I've been waiting on some new Hellbeard.  Their first album, "Scarecrow" was a solid album.  And with Dark/Light, they take their sound to a whole other level.

Dark/Light features 3 track, which are the best and heaviest songs that Hellbeard have played.  Once the first track, "Maiden of Mercy", starts to play, you knew that this is going to be a totally different Hellbeard.  The one thing that I like about this song is during the middle, they play a really nice doom riff, which then goes to something more ambient.  "Light" is probably my favorite.  When I hear this song, there's a "Time & Grace" feel to it.  And of course I loved those tribal-esque drum beats during the end of the track.  And then we have "River's End" to finish up.  Has a nice 90's hardcore metal riff and then a sweet guitar solo.

The production was well done.  The vocals have gotten very intense from the last album.  Great guitar work and of course the rhythm section sound great.  I would have loved to hear a studio version of "Black Snail",  But after hearing the new e.p., I really don't know how it will fit.  For sure this is a whole new Hellbeard.  And this new Hellbeard makes me want to punch Hitler even harder.  A awesome e.p. if you enjoy post-metal, sludge, and doom.

To purchase Dark/Light, go to https://hellbeard.bandcamp.com/album/dark-light

Red Fang - "Whales and Leeches" (2013)

My my, Oregon.  The bands that you've been exporting lately.  You brought us Poison Idea, The Decemberist, Black Elk, Trees, Akem Manah, Agalloch.  And now Red Fang.  It looks like the entire West Coast has a music scene.

By now you're already familiar with them because their third album, "Whales and Leeches", made a huge buzz last year.  Of course you've seen their video for "Blood Like Cream" (with Portlandia's Fred Armisen.  And also saw them perform on David Letterman (in which band leader Paul Shaffer joined in on keyboards).

If you're familiar with Red Fang, then you'll hear how much they have grown with album number 3.  Aside from their production, Red Fang sound tighter than ever.  The musicianship is more perfect then the last album.  And a lot of the songs have become more catchier.  Of course Aaron and  Bryan still got the clean vocals and growls still going.  And John still kicks ass on the drums.

For those who aren't familiar with them, Red Fang is a band that has a real sound.  They don't sound like some watered-down radio-friendly band.  They're very high energy, not aggressive or "hardcore", so don't worry about soiling your slim jeans.

The opening track "Doen" has a awesome Mastodon vibe, but with a more stoner metal sound.  "Blood Like Cream has the most catchiest chorus.  "Voices of the Dead" is a song that I love turning the volume up when driving.  And "Dawn Rising" is a really sick Sludge track.

If you enjoy Mastodon or Queens of the Stone Age, then you'll really enjoy Red Fang.  They do a awesome of blending hard rock with a bit of Sludge.  They may not be a moshing band, but you can sure as hell bang your head to them.  And for you high school kids, while playing "Whales and leeches" in you're room, expect your parents to be banging on your door and telling you to put it louder.  That's why I give this album "5 Hitlers Punched in the Face.

HELLBEARD "SCARECROW" (2010)

For a couple of years, I've been a huge fan of Oakland's Hellbeard. Their take on the sludge/post-metal sound almost has a very 80's Bay Area sound. In 2010, they released their debut album, Scarecrow, which I've been playing on rotation in my car for many years. The album starts off with "Locomotive" which is a awesome opener. Very Neurosis-esqe with a lot of steam. By the end of the song, you wish the song continues because that drum part was great. The title track is a also favorite of mine's. But the one that I enjoy the most is "Colloused", which also has a great ending that you don't want it to stop. As a matter of fact, I always press the repeat button. Usually while listening to a full album, I like to keep the flow going. But can't help myself but to hear that song one more time. So in conclusion, Hellbeard's "Scarecrow" gets "5 Hitlers Punched in the Face". Believe me, after listening to this album, you just want to punch 5 Hitlers in the damn face. -Mikey O)))-

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