Heavy Metal Textbooks

STUFF I'M EXCITED ABOUT

Here's some stuff that's relatively new, as well as some sneak-peeks of things to come, all of which really have my attention:

HAMMADA: ATMOS

Released on June 26, this album is best described as grandiose.  The scale and scope of what this band has accomplished are jaw-dropping.  A blend of Causa Sui and Weedpecker is the best I can come up with for  describing them, but there is so much more at work here than that.  Hear for yourself; this is the closing track on the album, entitled "Domizil":

Hammada is from Freiberg, Germany.  They are:

Kristian Schulze: Vocals, Organ

Christian Döring: Guitars, Synthesizers
Lenz Fiedler: Bass Guitar
Sönke Tautorus: Drums

ABAKAS: MARAUDERS

You know I'm a big fan of bands like Pentagram, Witchcraft, Brimstone Coven, Troubled Horse and the like.  Here's a debut album that's right up my alley.  Reminiscent of Witcher's Creed, as well.  Marauders was released on May 22, and I'm really enjoying the entire album.  Here's the opening track, called "Runaway":

Abakas are from Drammen, Norway, and are:

Thomas Heien: Bass, Vocals
René Gunnerud Vandli: Guitar, Vocals
Christopher Haugan: Drums, Vocals

TURTLE SKULL: MONOLITHS

Turtle Skull's self-titled debut album was #11 on my top 20 albums of 2018 list, and Monoliths, which is due to be released on August 28, promises to be just as good.  These guys are really introspective and very earthy crunchy, and most importantly: they really know good rock.  Trippy, heavy psychedelic rock that's full of variety and great ideas.  Here's "Why Do You Ask", one of two pre-released tracks.  This particular song reminds me of a cross between two old Meteor City greats: Snail and Farfung.

Turtle Skull are from Sydeney, Australia, and are:

Dean - guitar, vocals
Charlie - drums, vocals
Dan - synth drone
Julian - bass, vocals
Tobia - tambourine, percussion

BRIMSTONE COVEN:

THE WOES OF A MORTAL EARTH

I've already mentioned in this post that I'm a fan of Brimstone Coven, and they've got a new album coming out on August 21st.  This one pre-released track raises my expectations really high, and I can't wait to hear the rest of the album.  Brimstone Coven will be enjoyed by fans of Pentagram, Witchcraft and Dunbarrow.  This is called "The Inferno", and will be the album's lead track.  Score another one for Ripple Music:

Brimstone Coven are from Wheeling, West Virginia.  They are:

Corey Roth - Guitar/Vocals
Andrew D'Cagna - Bass/Vocals
Dave Trik - Drums

THE ABSURD: THE SUN STILL RISES

The Absurd has released two tracks from an album to be named "The Sun Still Rises", release date unknown.  The Absurd are self-described as "Anti-Authoritarian Rebel Music for the Youths of Amerika".

Musically, I liken them to The Clash: not in terms of their sound, but in terms of the raw energy and the catchy songwriting.  Any band can play Clash tunes, but no other band can play them like The Clash.  The Absurd have some of that going on.  Their 2018 album "Build The Wall" is one of my favorites from that year, and I am really looking forward to this new one.  Here is "Whiskey & Razorwire (Get Over It)":

The Absurd are from Los Angeles, California, and are:

Ben Foerg - Guitar/Vocals

Josh Loney - Bass 
Colin Jensen - Drums

So this is what's been keeping me up at night, to continue the theme from the beginning of this post. 

I wish you heavy grooves, and safe travels.

-ULTRA