Hidden Gems

It's a pretty crappy Sunday, what with all the rain and shit going on outside. Anyway, I was just browsing through YouTube and decided to surf through some really obscure heavy metal (not necessarily just NWOBHM). Feast your ears upon these treasures!

What happened?

Maybe I was born too late.

Never Cross The Dead

You know the drill... BUY THIS!



Never Cross The Dead, the new LP from Finland's HOODED MENACE, is out today via Profound Lore Records. Seriously recommended for everyone into Autopsy, early Cathedral, early Asphyx, Candlemass, Swallow The Sun and Opeth (though, if you only heard of the last 2, you're probably new so prepare yourself for a real experience in filthy fucking death/doom). You can read the review for this record over at MetalKult.

Please note that the first link directs you to Relapse's E-Store where you can purchase the album in a package (w/ either a shirt or a hoodie). For all of you price-conscious, deal-seeking people out there...

Mandatory Suicide

Listen up, you demons: the legendary crust punk band from Finland, RIISTETYT, is playing an early show at ABC no Rio in the Lower East Side. Check out the flyer below.



The Rockstar Bar in Brooklyn will have the late show. Why not go to both?

SEPULCRO

I've been yearning for some "new" NWOBHM for a while and I think I found the answer! Portugal's SEPULCRO is a super obscure NWOBHM-style band that has all of the right qualities of the days of old: epic songs, amazing vocals, killer guitar work and, of course, excellent riffs! I think my favorite part about them is that they capture the essence of their time perfectly. They formed in '81 but they mixed the heavy rock style of the late-70's really well with the emerging heavy metal sound at the time. Good luck finding stuff from these guys. They only have 3 demos and split up in 1988. Damn...

Great ABSCESS/AUTOPSY Interview

MetalKult posted an awesome interview with Chris Reifert and Danny Corralles of fuckin' AUTOPSY and ABSCESS. I won't say any more so click here to read for yourself!

OLD

Finally! Germany's OLD finally gets a place here! As their name suggests, these dudes play a very ancient and sinister style of speed metal in the vein of early Bathory, Celtic Frost, Sodom and Destruction... you get the idea.

I was first introduced to them by my friend Anton a while back and these guys totally blew me away. If I can recall, Old were the first band in this style that I really liked. Anyway, much thanks to Anton!

Anyone know what's going on with these dudes? They've been keeping silent for months and the Metal Archives listed them as "On Hold". Interestingly enough, it appears that 2 of the guys play in Nocturnal now (!), another fine German thrash band. Great, but... we need more Old!

You can get Down With The Nails at Peaceville Records. Do it!

SWALLOWED

Yet another young death metal band in the vein of Autopsy from northern Europe, this time it's SWALLOWED from Finland. I think you know the drill by now. They have a 7" out so definitely contact them if you're interested!

It always amazes me how every band within this field sound so unique and execute the doom-laden death metal sound so well...

Only Death Is Real

Just got this beast in the mail earlier this afternoon. Only Death Is Real is the definitive history of Hellhammer and the early years of Celtic Frost, penned by Tom Warrior with contributions from Martin Eric Ain and a forward from Darkthrone's Nocturno Culto. Needless to say, this is a must-have for any true fan of extreme and underground metal.

Only Death Is Real weighs in at a ludicrous 4 pounds and is packed with awesome photos and artwork from throughout their brief 2-year tenure. I believe it's every photo that ever existed, or at least close to it.

I just started reading it and of course, in true Tom Warrior fashion, the writing is simply immaculate and the attention to detail is almost frightening. In other words... this is fucking awesome.

You can pick this tome up at many online distros, both large and small, but if you want to be guaranteed a copy, order from the publisher: Bazillion Points Publishing.

If you are serious about the underground, Hellhammer or Celtic Frost, you need this book. It is simply essential. Know your roots.

TYRANT

No, this is not the same Tyrant from Sweden (obviously?)... this is the ultra-obscure heavy metal TYRANT from Australia, formed in 1982! Since forming, they put out one EP in '84 and their first LP didn't surface until 2000. Talk about a comeback.

To be honest, I'm not too familiar with their music but their latest demo track from their upcoming album is fucking killer! I'm shocked that it's listed as a "demo" since it sounds amazing. Not polished and clean-sounding like their peers and the other songs have a real 80's arena-metal feel which is awesome. Seems like time and modern trends do not affect these Aussies - much respect to them!

Check these dudes out now - summer is creeping in slowly but surely, and what's better than partying with awesome 80's metal? I thought so.

More new stuff!

Following the previous post about the new track that Entrapment posted, Sweden's MIASMAL has a new track up, entitled "Creation of Fire" from their upcoming 7" EP, on their MySpace page! What can I say? D-Beats, punishing riffs, morbid production, punk-ish attitude... all of this makes killer death metal and Miasmal knows how to include them. Look for their 2-song 7" EP on Detest Records this month.

New ENTRAPMENT song!

The Dutch death brigade ENTRAPMENT posted a new song on their MySpace and I can't tell you how much I am waiting for them to release something! Unmixed, but just like the new Death Breath, they can release it as-is and it will be awesome nonetheless. Enjoy and die!