it's about time

First off apologies are in order. I'm sorry I haven't been posting lately but hopefully that will change soon. In other news, I made the grueling drive from Fargo, ND to Austin, TX for SXSW in march and had a killer time. Salome and Coffinworm were easily the best bands I had the chance to see. Here is a video of Salome from the Profound Lore/20 Buck Spin showcase at Headhunters. If you look to the left you might catch a glimpse of my bearded glory.

Salome at Headhunters on 3/19/10 during SXSW
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Something I missed in 09

Teitanblood - Seven Chalices

Here's a little gem that I downloaded a while back but didn't get into until now. Teitanblood are a band from Spain who play brutally fast and filthy death/black metal. I think the main reason I put off listening to this record has to do with the lo-fi production, but now that I've given it multiple spins I am totally in love with it. The dirty sound is quite fitting and really enhances the overall atmosphere of the album.

As far as comparable sounding bands are concerned I would place Teitanblood somewhere between Celtic Frost and Entombed. The riffing on Seven Chalices sounds like a rock slide of old school death metal technique, while the drums pummel away in the background at inhuman speed. The vocal performance by NSK is absolutely menacing and ads a thrashy old school swedish death metal vibe to the album.

I am more impressed every time I listen to Seven Chalices. For a two man band to produce an album this suffocating and desolate in an age where crystal clear production is the norm is a breath of fresh air. This album isn't for everyone, but those seeking something that pushes the boundaries of black/death metal while still sounding strangely familiar should give Teitanblood some attention.

LINK

xoxo
beardo

Best of the Decade

First off, Happy New Year! I thought it would be fitting to enter this new decade by offering my personal favorites from the last 10 years. Making this list was especially fun for me because it gave me the opportunity to see how my tastes have evolved and which albums from my youth still fuck shit up today. Without further ado...

Beardo's Top 20 (metal) Albums of the Decade

1. Hammers of Misfortune - The Locust Years
2. Electric Wizard - Dopethrone
3. Deathspell Omega - Fas - Ite, Maledicti, In Ignem Aeternum
4. Agalloch -Ashes Against The Grain
5. Yob - The Unreal Never Lived
6. Arcturus - The Sham Mirrors
7. Pig Destroyer - Terrifyer
8. Primordial - The Gathering Wilderness
9. Tragedy - Tragedy
10. Converge - Jane Doe
11. Nasum - Helvete
12. Immortal - Sons of Northern Darkness
13. Ahab - The Call of the Wretched Sea
14. Reverend Bizarre - In the Rectory of the Bizarre Reverend
15. Enslaved - Below the Lights
16. Dismember - Dismember
17. Sunn O))) - Black One
18. Leviathan - Massive Conspiracy Against All Life
19. Blut Aus Nord - The Work Which Transforms God
20. Opeth - Blackwater Park

There you have it. I am super excited for 2010. Expect to see a lot more content and download links for all of the albums I review. Spread the word and keep it metal.


xoxo
Beardo