Gruesome "Dimensions of Horror"

GRUESOME

Dimensions Of Horror

Relapse Records

Released: May 20, 2016

Gruesome plays it straight. Gruesome takes the late 1980s, early 1990s band Death as an influence and play the hell out of it. And it is spectacular death metal. Classic. Check out the video for the title track on youtube:

I love it.

Death's first three LPs; "Scream Bloody Gore", "Leprosy" and "Spiritual Healing" are among my favorite death metal records. They set a standard in my book and many other's books as well. 

Obviously the members of Gruesome feel the same way. It was evident from the first time I heard their debut LP "Savage Land" last year. "Dimensions of Horror" picks right up and serves up another bloody six pack. Drink it up.

GRUESOME is:
Daniel Gonzalez – guitar
Matt Harvey – guitar, vocals
Robin Mazen – bass
Gus Rios – drums

While the influence is obvious, the results come off strong. Gruesome is not a generic local tribute band from the warehouse practice space down the road. Members of Gruesome are current and former members of Exhumed, Possessed, Malevolent Creation, and Derketa. So there is a lot of skill, commitment and passion to this. "Dimensions of Horror" and last year's "Savage Land" add to the legend of death metal.  

Cheers,
Frank FOE

http://www.facebook.com/gruesomedeathmetal
http://www.gruesomedeathmetal.bandcamp.com
http://www.instagram.com/gruesome_death_metal
http://www.relapse.com

Snow Burial "Victory in Ruin"

SNOW BURIAL

"Victory in Ruin"

Released: February 1, 2016

Snow Burial is a post-metal, post-Am-Rep band from Chicago. Think Tar meets doom metal meets Floor. 

The three piece has created a distinctive sound that incorporates a crosswalk of styles that they have made into their own sound. The meshing of the various styles is mature  and evolved, not sounding forced, rather it feels completely natural. 

"Zombie Antropod Overlords" is dark and apocalyptic, yet beautiful, providing evidence of the creative and technical level Snow Burial possesses. Snow Burial can get expansive with tracks in the 5 plus minute range, but unlike most bands that go beyond the 3 minute mark, the songs keep you entranced.

Snow Burial is: 

Ben Bowman 

Brandon Seef 

Andrew Thiermann

Snow Burial's songs on "Victory in Ruin" are a melting pot of influences, musical skill and precision that takes the listener on a bleak sounding yet attractive journey.  Very easy to take this seductive ride.

Cheers,

Frank FOE

http://www.snowburial.com

http://www.facebook.com/snowburial

http://www.twitter.com/snowburialband

http://www.youtube.com/SnowBurial

Adult Books "Running from the Blows"

ADULT BOOKS

"Running from the Blows"

Lolipop / Burger Records

Released: March 4, 2016

I have listened to "Running from the Blows" dozens of times already this year.

I was trying to figure it out. Really enjoying myself while listening. But I wasn't successful in figuring out this band. I don't know how to convey to you how much I love this record or why. I've got a ton of references in my head and none of them truly convey my thoughts.

I loved it from the first moment I heard it, but unlike most music I love right off the bat, I didn't know why I loved this record so much.

Give "Suburban Girlfriend" a listen via soundcloud or watch the video on youtube. If you like this, get this album.

Adult Books are from Orange County. So first off, I figure there is an X influence with the name of the band being one of my favorite X songs.

"Suburban Girlfriend" might point toward the Descendents.


Adult Books could also just be a straightforward porn reference.

Orange County surf punk snot influence. "I Don't Think I Can Stay" is a simplistic perfect punk song. Think early Red Cross (Posh Boy).

Sometimes I think Jay Reatard might have been haunting the studio when they recorded some of these tracks.

There is a darkness, kinda moodiness. There is a rudimentary early New Order sound. There is a pop sound. Some of the melodies, harmonies, keys, chord changes are just damn brilliant.

Most of all, I know of no band that sounds like this, or has put together an album like this. 

"Silverlake Goths" could have been on any one of those early 1980s punk compilations that always included bands associated with punk but weren't stereo-typically punk.

As I listen, I want to say the music appears dark, but oddly enough I can't help but smile a wonderful grim while listening. 

Some of these songs could be on the soundtrack of one of those coming of age teen movies.

I actually have the feeling that if I played this record for some people they might look at me like I am nuts and wonder what the hell I am thinking. And you know what, that IS punk. And there isn't enough of that around in 2016.

To summarize, "Running From The Blows" is one of my favorite albums of 2016, one of my most listened to albums of 2016, and I'm not sure why, nor at this point do I care. I'm just going with I love this band and love this album.

Cheers,
Frank FOE

http://lolipoprecords.com/
https://www.facebook.com/lolipoprecords/?fref=nf
https://www.facebook.com/burgerrecords/
http://www.burgerrecords.org/

Classhole "Classhole"

CLASSHOLE

"Classhole"

The Compound/Terror Cult

Released: January 01, 2016

CLASSHOLE borrows from fellow New Orleans hardcore, punk and metal influences. CLASSHOLE is: 

Matt Muscle – Vocals

Gary Mader – Guitar

Grant Tom – Bass

Paul Webb – Drums

Raw hardcore, punk that reminds me of everything from Objects of Hate to EYEHATEGOD to Crucifix to the Crucifucks. Originally released towards the end of 2014 in a limited vinyl run, 500 Pressed (300 Black / 200 Blood Splatter Red on Clear Vinyl), the fifteen tracks thrash with a grimy energy that brings the chaos. This is unadulterated, vintage-hardcore, that is a filthy and thoroughly enjoyable mess. 

CLASSHOLE TOUR DATES:

6/23/2016 The Blind Mule – Mobile, AL
6/24/2016 Ground Zero – Spartanburg, SC
6/25/2016 The Pinch – Washington, DC
6/26/2016 The Depot – Baltimore, MD
6/27/2016 Acheron – Brooklyn, NY
6/28/2016 Kung Fu Necktie – Philadelphia, PA
6/29/2016 Now That’s Class – Cleveland, OH
6/30/2016 Hi Tone – Memphis, TN

Cheers,
Frank FOE


https://www.facebook.com/Classhole-256472867750283/
http://www.facebook.com/TheCompoundRecs
http://www.thecompoundrecs.com
http://www.thecompound.bandcamp.com

http://www.earsplitdistro.com

Paul Douglas "Down In The Lehigh Valley"

PAUL DOUGLAS

"Down in the Lehigh Valley"

Majestic

1946

If you know me, you know I love Lehigh Valley Pennsylvania related music. I recently scored the Paul Douglas 78 RPM "Down In The Lehigh Valley/The Face on the Barroom Floor". Looks like it was released in 1946.

Also appears to be more commonly found as part of a four track record from the Jimmie Durante Show http://www.45cat.com/record/ep269

All tracks are from 1946.

"G'wan Home Your Mudder's Callin" and "There's Two Sides To Ev'ry Girl" were originally released on Majestic 1059, credited to Jimmy Durante with Eddie Jackson.

"The Face On The Barroom Floor" & "Down In The Lehigh Valley" were originally released on Majestic 5004, credited to Paul Douglas.

Cheers,
Frank FOE