Spiculum Iratus - Summa Anti-Theologica

With so many bands spewing from the depths of the United States, no black metal bands really stick. They seem to follow the same formula that so many other bands follow and for that reason become forgotten.

Spiculum Iratus are a band that has paved their own path and demands your attention. Orations Recited From the Mouths of the Jawless bursts through your speakers after a short two minute intro chaining you down to a spiraling riff. The snare is battered consistently while being seasoned with interchanging cymbal work. Layered with howling vocals that demand raised fists and chanting along if the vocals were decipherable makes this memorable. The song changes pace with prayers in the vain of Deathspell Omega and once again picks up speed by introducing a more "depressive" chord. Dismantle of the Sensus Divinatus possesses one of the catchiest choruses in black metal. The song begins with a heavy thick atmosphere carried on by the drumming which evolves into shattered glass upon machine gun fire seizing your attention. St. Mlesna is introduced with a slower yet heavier approach, the vocals and guitars interlock with one another. As the guitars hit the higher notes, the vocals become deeper and vice versa.

Summa Anti-Theologica is definitely a leap forward from their previous split release with Bestial Incarnation. The sound is much thicker; the vocals contain effects that complement that album as a whole, blending in with the surrounding sounds. Improvements can be made in the mixing process but considering how underground this band is and the lack of funds that accompany it, the presentation of the album as a whole is amazing.

8.5/10

The dead sea does have a living creature

Black Metal Theory

Black Metal is often irrelevant to many of those in Southern California, at least in the area in which I reside. As of late, there has been a recent exposure, one that I don't quite agree with. As Euronymous has stated a number of times, what use is there to spread a message to those who are already aware of it? But then again, Wrath of Averse Sefira has said, Black Metal is an art yet it attracts many stupid individuals who fail to embrace the whole notion of it.

Until the Light Takes Us is a documentary that seems to be quite successful, I have yet to watch it. I missed the first screening, it seemed to have sold out quick! Second one is passing my radar, unfortunately. Although it doesn't seem to consist anything relatively new to those who have read up on Euronymous and Varg and their stupid conflict, but it still attracts. Primarily, those who aren't into it, flock to the event. Ironically, as soon as they delve deeper, the numbers become smaller.

Here is another interpretation of Black Metal to those which are unfamiliar.

http://blackmetaltheory.blogspot.com/

Black Metal is an art and it is unnecessary to ask what it is, one should feel the emotion not read up on it and assume the stance of devotion. It wasn't instant that I was listening to black metal religiously, nor was it instant that I began to create my own sort of ideology around the art.

One thing that has come out of this that can be positive, the vast vocabulary and intricate research may dispel those that believe it is music and nothing more.

Mastodon - Leviathan

I am giving Mastodon a number of chances to impress me. Now that I think of it, I do enjoy Crack the Skye far more than the Nu-Metal approach that Leviathan creates. Blood and Thunder opens up the album with a nu-metal like riff and nu-metal vocals. Thankfully, the nu-metal chugs and chords cease and metal takes it's rightful place. The album isn't as progress but is in fact technical. Plenty of neck-fucking here tends to steer me away and the vocals are definitely making me stir. I think I am allergic to Mastodon. Seabeast takes the music down a notch and throws some cheesy vocals on top of them. Hearts Alive may be the only song I actually did enjoy. This thirteen minute epic grabbed my attention with intricate drumming and nice long fills over a slow guitar.

The production of this album is very gritty, very low fi. A nice fuzz lies in the guitars and the drums are precise and crystal. The bass is drowned out and the vocals are at the same level as the guitars. The distance is far, the vocals are faint.

Crack The Skye was far better than this. The progressiveness of that album is prominent but Mastodon do create something catatonic. Leviathan on the other hand, is just technical, a bit of nu-metal, metal, and some hardcore blended into one. Crack the Skye got better after every listen, Leviathan gets more annoying after every listen. I read an interview and Mastodon stated that Leviathan created water, if by water they mean how fluid their fingers and arms move around their instruments then they have pinpointed that image. Blood Mountain will be the last chance they will receive until their new album.

5/10

My Bloody Valentine - Isn't Anything

I often wonder and even people at Bionics wonder, how is it that I enjoy Slowdive before My Bloody Valentine? My Bloody Valentine are definitely up there is the Shoegaze department. They remain as one of the biggest Shoegaze bands in one of the shortest lived scenes ever to exist. With the shoegaze genre beginning to grow once more with bands such as Panda Riot, Swoon, Ride, Autolux, and hell, Silversun Pickups can fall into that category, one can't forget the pioneers.

Isn't Anything is very different from their Loveless album. The first song has you thinking of everything but Shoegaze. The fuzziness isn't prominent and is instead pushed to the back. Drum are far higher in the mix and vocals actually have a chance of being heard and deciphered. The clear production disables the brightness in a sonic sea of distortion. Everything is so prominent and clear that the music is handed to you on a silver platter rather than having to analyze the song.

It isn't a bad album, but it isn't really shoegaze, there are moments in which distortion is heavily used, but as soon as it ends you may think it's a different band. Small moments of Shoegaze at times define a song but overall the album lacks what I loved in shoegaze, the necessity of critical thinking.

5.5/10

It Really Isn't Anything

Katatonia - Viva Emptiness

I am not too familiar with Katatonia but their only release besides Viva Emptiness that I have been exposed to was Brave Murder Day. Brave Murder Day was a nice blend of melody and brutality without sacrificing any emotional content.

Seven years later, the Swedish lords of Doom release Viva Emptiness in a very different setting than Brave Murder Day. Clean vocals are used throughout the album in vain of bands such as Chevelle. The guitars remain fairly metal but there are a number of times in which they stray far from the roots enabling a bit of thinness throughout the song. Keyboards are present to back up the guitars and set certain moods with a few melodies sprinkled in. Don't worry, if you hate Eyes of Rectum (Noctum) and Abigail Williams-esque keyboards that you will be fairly pleased with this. Drums remain simple, nothing exquisite, nothing off timing.

Katatonia attempt to create something different from their previous sounds, the definitely have, but in general is still remains similar to that which is outside of the metal genre.

6/10

Refreshing