Halloween Playlist Episode 2: The Reckoning

As soon as I finished my last Halloween playlist, I thought of a ton of albums I wanted to add. On top of that I received some suggestions from some of you. Welcome back to my world bitch.

This is Hell - Sundowning
Genre: Melodic Hardcore FFO: The Carrier, Killing the Dream, Comeback Kid (Old)

The album cover itself is Halloween. This is Hell's first LP features music that will imagine the sun setting on a day where your life falls apart. Full effect for me comes from jamming the album in the city at night. This is Hell is one hardcore band that is not afraid to use triumphant melodies mixed with aggressive one chorded breakdowns, which I feel is rare for bands nowadays. If the good die young, we'll fucking live forever.

Deathspell Omega - Paracletus
Genre - Avant Garde Black Metal FFO: Funeral Mist, Revenge, Emperor
  
Deathspell Omega are a more than a black metal band. In a way, its like if Revenge decided to add atmosphere to their music. Paracletus will keep you guessing up until the end. You will hear riffs that will make you wonder if its even coming from a guitar.

Mr. Bungle - Mr. Bungle
Genre: Various FFO: Faith No More, Fantômas


*WARNING: THIS BAND IS NOT FOR EVERYONE*
It took me a very long time to actually enjoy this music but no matter what I always appreciated it for what it is. Mr. Bungle is the original Mike Patton band (Faith No More, Fantomas, Dead Cross, Tomahawk, ex-The Dillinger Escape Plan). If you know Mike Patton's rep, you know he doesn't take anything seriously. Mr. Bungle's self titled album is the definition of weird. I thought it would be appropriate because of the new movie It and everyone's obsession with evil clowns. As you could probably tell, this album is very circus related. This band is a huge influence of The Dillinger Escape Plan, Slipknot, and Avenged Sevenfold, as well as many many others, also this album during recording was sight read and done in one take from what my old guitar teacher told me.

Darkest Hour - Hidden Hands of a Sadist Nation
Genre: Melodic Death Metal/Metalcore FFO: Arch Enemy, As I Lay Dying, Light this City

This album I feel is a similar vibe to Shadows are Security by AILD. Maybe its just because I'm a metalcore kid at heart but I feel the two albums go well together this season.

Deftones - Self titled + White Pony
Genre: Alternative Rock/Post-Metal FFO: Isis (the band), Quicksand, Sevendust

We've all heard Change (In the House of Flies) and know it still gives us goosebumps. Deftones' Self titled is a more chaotic with slow fillers while White Pony is slower with more chaotic fillers. both albums together make for a thrilling halloween. RIP Chi Chang

Cold Cave - Cherish the Light Years
Genre - Dark wave/Synth/Post-Punk FFO: Joy Division, The Cure, Drab Majesty


Wes Eisold (American Nightmare, Some Girls) put out this beautiful masterpiece under Cold Cave after American Nightmare disbanded. This album is perfect for a chill night sky setting but also for a night of dancing at your local Halloween party.

Chthonic - Mirror of Retribution
Genre: Symphonic Black Metal with Folk elements FFO: Cradle of Filth, Panopticon

How many bands do you know from Taiwan? Now you know one. Chthonic (pronounced Thonic) have been called the "Cradle of Filth of Taiwan". I actually disagree with this. While Cradle of Filth have more of a gothic sound, Chthonic kind of replace that with their native folk influence and also feature some Taiwanese folk instruments. Six years ago I saw them play with Arch Enemy and the folk instruments are nothing I've ever seen before. The band's main lyrical theme is ancient Taiwanese folklore and legends and paired with the music gives an incredible image. They are another band that dress up on stage.


Takaru - There can be Only None
Genre: Screamo/Chaotic Hardcore FFO: Majority Rule, Botch

Takaru are like Majority Rule x10. More chaotic Skramz coming at you that will give you a killing spree ending in suicide.

City and Colour - Sometimes...

Genre: Acoustic/indie

Another great album to enjoy a peaceful fall day. Perfect for any environment. Dallas Green showcases the emotions that he couldn't with his other band Alexisonfire in one of the most beautiful indie albums ever written. No matter what you're into, you can appreciate this album for what it is.

Haemorrhage - Hospital Carnage
Genre: Goregrind FFO: Carcass, Exhumed, Aborted

Halloween without gore is dumb. While Carcass is also a good halloween band, I think Haemorrhage needed to be brought to the world as well. Hailing from Spain, Haemorrhage I guess you could call a Carcass rip off, but kept the goregrind sound since they began. They dress up as doctors, and the album artwork is designed by one of the members who is also a comic book artist. Hospital Carnage is an endless gory mess and the vocals are disgusting, you'll love it.


Bloodbath - Nightmares Made Flesh
Genre: Death Metal FFO: Autopsy, Dsimember, Morbid Angel

If you ever thought to yourself " Mikael Akerfeldt (Opeth) should be in an actual death metal band " that's actually what Bloodbath is. Unfortunately, Mikael does not do vocals on Nightmares Made Flesh. Vocals are done by Peter Tagtgren of Hypocrisy. Tagtgren ain't no Akerfeldt but definitely showcases his gutturals well in this album. reading along will bring disturbing images to your mind.

Ghoul - Splatterthrash
Genre: Grind/Thrash/Crossover FFO: Carcass, Municipal Waste, S.O.D.
 
Everyday is Halloween when it comes to Ghoul. The band play a form of thrash metal that is slightly influenced by goregrind and in-your-face hardcore punk. Ghoul dress up as Executioners covered in blood and put on personas similar to GWAR but with more gore, murder, death, and zombies. Its as humorous as you would think as well.


Drab Majesty - The Demonstration
Genre: Dark Wave/Post-Punk FFO: Cold Cave, Joy Division, Depeche Mode

A dark soothing passionate album filled with electronic parts but with a very Joy Division feel. Drab Majesty could have the same thing I wrote for Cold Cave however they aren't much for a party. The demonstration is a great sound track for a night in the city.

Altar of Plagues - Teethed Glory and Injury
Genre: Post Black Metal FFO: OathBreaker, Wolves in the Throne Room, The Great Old ones
 
Not your average black metal. Altar of Plagues is full of talent. Walk through the forest listening to this album and you will see rituals happen as you search for a way out of your mind.

Bleeding Through - Portrait of the Godess
Genre - Melodic/Symphonic Metalcore FFO: Scars of Tomorrow, Cradle of Filth, Winds of Plague

My personal favorite from Bleeding Through. Anything with symphony is great this time of year. Seeing the autumn trees while playing this album will turn your vision red as you remember your lost love that you will never get back. Why'd you care? You never cared.

Inverloch - Distance|Collapsed
Genre: Death/Doom Metal FFO: Hooded Menace, Spectral Voice, Evoken

Inverloch is primarily doom metal with a death metal edge. I feel dumb for finding out about an album so fantastically written a year later. I feel doom metal is the best thing this season. Inverloch take a more atmospheric approach to death/doom metal. Great for a day with gray skies in the forest while watching a lake in the distance, your vision will be black and white.

Twitching Tongues - Disharmony
Genre: Sludge Metal/Hardcore FFO: Only Living Witness, Candlemass, Merauder

I'll admit, not my favorite album by Twitching Tongues, however Disharmony was appropriately released on Halloween in 2015. The album is probably the evilest and most Candlemass influenced album to date. I will admit I don't think I'll ever get tired of Insincerely Yours (Tears and Blood) and the video is priceless.

Fange - Pourissoir
Genre: Blackened Sludge Metal/Crust FFO: This Gift is a Curse, Young and in the Way, Cursed


Gotta give credit to Tommy from TheLookoutboston.com Fange will instantly grab your attention just with the first track. Crushing sludge metal break downs pair up with the aggression of black metal and attitude of crust punk.

Avenged Sevenfold - Sounding the Seventh Trumpet + Waking the Fallen
Genre: Progressive melodic metalcore FFO: Eighteen Visions, Bleeding Through, Atreyu

When you hear the name Avenged Sevenfold, most people get the Opeth effect where you think of the later stuff that strayed away from the original sound. Avenged Sevenfold's first two albums definitely set structure for the later albums which is still kept to this day. The band originally started as a metalcore from the same area as the bands above. Although now they went in a more hard rock direction, one thing is the same: that Transylvanian influence. Sounding the Seventh Trumpet had that classic California metalcore sound with a few slow songs like Bleeding Through would do sometimes do, while Waking the Fallen began a more progressive era to the band. Both albums have that signature Transylvanian metal sound that just makes you imagine bats and vampires that Avenged Sevenfold does so well. Regardless of what you think of the later albums, I'm willing to say these two are some of my favorite albums of the 90's/early 00's era.

The Nerve Agents - Days of the White Owl
Genre: Hardcore/"Horror Punk" FFO: AFI, American Nightmare, Misfits


The common theme of Misfits influenced bands will continue. The Nerve Agents bring a more aggressive hardcore edge into the "horror punk" sound very reminiscent of bands like American Nightmare and The Suicide File. I actually found out about this band from an old flyer where American Nightmare opened for them. This album also features a guest appearance from Davey Havok of AFI. This album will make you throw pumpkins at cops.

Celtic Frost - Morbid Tales
Genre: Blackened Thrash Metal FFO: Venom, Sodom, Bathory

Celtic Frost are very well known in the world of metal. Every album is different and as a result, the band is a huge influence on all kinds of metal. Morbid Tales was the first release by the band and features a thrash metal sound similar to Venom just as dark if not darker. The numerously covered song, Circle of Tyrants is featured on this ep. RIP Martin Ain

vein. - Terror's Realm & Split with .gif from god
Genre: Experimental Hardcore/Metalcore FFO: The Dillinger Escape Plan, Botch, Curl Up and Die


I don't know why I forgot to put vein on the last list. In this day and age, it is extremely rare to hear a band do something different with hardcore. vein not only breaks the boundaries of music, the completely obliterate them. vein write their own unique form of basically what some could call mathcore but in a way that would make you think you're listening to a soundtrack for tv static. This music is terrifying. Terror's Realm straight up sounds like an entire horror movie and their side of the split makes whatever movie you just saw come to life. Both releases have devastating riffs and vocals that will echo in your head and give you nightmares Nobody has ever done what these guys have. MVHC

Eighteen Visions - Lifeless EP
Genre: Metalcore FFO: Martyr AD, Remembering Never, Bloodlet

Eighteen Visions are one of the biggest influences of every metalcore band, at least the good ones. Lifeless was the iconic release that made other bands look inferior. Opposed to the melodic era of 18v, Lifeless was far from it. Six tracks of crushing dissonant riffs, and viscous vocals that will tear your ears off. There will be a review of Eighteen Visions on here in December, but only them.

Spectral Voice - Eroded Corridors of Unbeing
Genre - Death/Doom Metal FFO: Inverloch, Blood Incantation, Paradise Lost (Old)

A lot of things about this band stick out to me. I love the name, the logo, the artwork, the ridiculously heavy riffs, the gutturals, and the song titles. If you read along to this band, you're gonna need a thesaurus. Eroded Corridors of Unbeing is a horrific and esoteric masterpiece that gives you vision of malicious spirits rising in a graveyard. This band was a highly anticipated release.

PsyOpus - Odd Senses
Genre: Mathcore/Technical Grindcore FFO: Car Bomb, The Dillinger Escape Plan, Botch


PsyOpus will make you question the guitarists ability. All I can think when I listen to this band is how his hand don't catch fire. The timing of the drums are just as wild. If Car Bomb decided to be more on the grindcore side, they would be PsyOpus. Odd Senses up until the bonus track will keep you on your toes and make you very uncomfortable. The bonus track was recorded when all the members did acid and messed around, and its hilarious and a good cool down to the album.

Ramlord - Crippled Minds, Sundered Wisdom
Genre - Blackened Crust Punk/"Stenchcore" FFO: Young and in The Way, Hexis, Cara Neir

An unholy trio from New Hampshire. Ramlord are an evil in your face crust influenced black metal band that will force you into self hatred. Listen with an open mind for black metal production and raw crust edge.

Kaospilot - Shadows
Genre: Screamo FFO: Orchid, Saetia, Raein

You can tell from the artwork, this is an other walk in the woods album. Kaospilot bring you to a magical land in the woods where you are free to fight your inner emotions with a Princess Mononoke atmosphere. Shadows sounds like a classic 90's skramz album but with quality production and intense riffage. Defend the forest spirit!

Full of Hell - Trumpeting Ecstasy
Genre - Noise Grind FFO: Gaza, Trap Them, Martyrdod

The most insane and terrifying thing you will hear come out this year. Full of Hell venture into further experimentation with their music. Trumpeting Ecstasy holds the classic Full of Hell mold but with more noise and distortion and repetition as well as the title track. Oh man the title track. The most horrifying thing on the album. With special guests Kurt Ballou (Converge) and Nicole Dollanganger, it proves to be the heaviest, muddiest song and Nicole's vocals make the images in the video all too real.

Zao - Liberate Te Ex Inferis
Genre: Metalcore FFO: Symphony in Peril, As I Lay Dying, Disembodied

Zao is another band that is a huge influence on metalcore. The album title translates (roughly) to Save Yourself From Hell, which is a line from the movie Event Horizon. Throughout the album, there are samples from the movie. Overall this album might be the darkest sounding album the band ever wrote, a lot of riffs are post-metal influenced and very reminiscent of Neurosis, but still malicious and heavy.

Venom - Black Metal
Genre: Blackened Thrash Metal FFO: Celtic frost, Slayer

The god fathers of black metal are here to blacken the day. The album ma be titled Black Metal, but is more 50/50 black and thrash metal. However the evil esoteric atmosphere remains. LAY DOWN YOUR SOUL TO THE GODS ROCK N ROLL!!!.

Cannibal Corpse - Butchered at Birth
Genre: Brutal Death Metal FFO: Suffocation, Deicide, Cattle Decapitation

We'll end here with the classic. Butchered at Birth is raw gory death metal. No gimmick, no tricks, just old school death. The album cover is just as gruesome as the music. If you claim to like death metal and haven't heard/don't like this album, you're lying.

Halloween Playlist

With Halloween approaching, I thought it would be cool to share some of my favorite albums to listen to that bring spooky  Images of fall and pumpkin spice into my world. With that being said, Welcome to my world bitch.

AFI - All Hallows
Genre: "Horror Punk" FFO: Misfits, The Adicts Crime in Stereo

Of course I'm gonna start with this. Three original Halloween themed songs and a Misfits cover. This album is as spooky as it is nostaglic, Carve that pumpkin and break out that Tony Hawk game.

King Diamond - Abigail + The Fatal Portrait
Genre: Heavy Metal

Get ready for some ghost stories. It's tough to pick a favorite between these two, but I think I personally lean more towards Abigail. Both albums tell haunting ghost stories that will give you chills to read along to. Fatal Portrait also features a song entitled Halloween.

The Banner - Frailty
Genre: Metalcore FFO: Pulling Teeth, Integrity, Cursed

New Jersey hard hitters The Banner come in with a dark atmosphere to metalcore. With shockingly dark riffs into heavy breakdowns and mosh riffs, I'm surprised this band never got jocked like the others. I alwasy get goosebumps hearing the lyrics: I CAN'T TAKE ANOTHER FUCKING FUNERAL!" and then leading into a hard mosh riff.

My Chemical Romance - I Brought you my Bullets, You Brought Me You're Love
Genre:Post-Hardcore/Emo FFO: Beloved, Taking Back Sunday, The Used

While later MCR introduce a more pop punk side, I Brought You My Bullets was actually more on the hardcore side. what makes me this album feel like Halloween is the two main influences: Misfits and The Smiths. MCR combine that punk aggression with sadness perfectly. Someone I met at a show once told his old band opened for them in 2000 and they were a complete Misfits rip off back then, wish I was there because he said MCR sucked back then and I still don't believe him.

Cradle of Filth - Nymphetamine
Genre: Symphonic Black Metal FFO: Dimmu Borgir, Abigail Williams(old)

Gotta give credit to Bam Margera for getting me into this album. Cradle of Filth's Nymphetamine is an orchestral masterpiece perfect for any haunted house trip. The speed of black metal mixed with symphonies and operatic female guest vocals are eerie and haunting. My personal favorite by Cradle of Filth.


Black Sabbath - Black Sabbath
Genre: Heavy/Doom Metal/Rock n Roll



No words needed. Nobody on this list would exist without this album.

Anaal Nathrakh - Hell is Empty and All the Devils are Here
Genre: Blackened Grindcore FFO: Fukpig, Mistress, 1349

Anaal Nathrakh make music that is absolutely terrifying. The Vocals are a combination of blood curdling screams that sound like someone being tortured and cleans that sound like satanic chants. Hell is Empty will bring you to the nearest church confession booth and stab the priest on the other side.

As I Lay Dying - Shadows are Security
Genre: Melodic Metalcore FFO: It Dies Today, Haste the Day, Zao

Now this album isn't very horror themed or anything I'm aware. However the artwork and atmosphere of it makes you want to listen to at night, and something about the riffs and marching drum parts just makes me think of a sleepy hollow type image. A good album year round, very appropriate for fall.

Energy - Invasions of The Mind
Genre: Melodic Hardcore/"Horror Punk" FFO: Misfits, AFI, My Chemical Romance

Hailing from Stoughton Mass, Energy are a long time favorite who have been breaking the boundaries of hardcore for years. Their sound is hard to describe but a huge influence from the Misfits is very noticeable, with very unique melodic riffs that you can't compare anything to.Invasions of the Mind will send into the forest to wallow in despair while you're haunted by ghosts of past family members.

Emma Ruth Rundle - Marked for Death
Genre: Indie/Neo Folk FFO: Chelsea Wolfe, Petal

Let's take a break for a second. If you want to enjoy the nice weather on a sunny fall day and just walk around the forest watching leaves fall, then Marked for Death is for you. This album made it high on my list for 2016. A soothing melodic indie sound with dark gothic elements sneaked in.

Hypocrisy - The Arrival
Genre: Melodic Death Metal FFO: Kataklysm, God dethroned

Hypocrisy originally started as a blackened death metal band that promoted satanism with the first two releases but later introduced a more melodic sound but still kept the aggressive death metal structure and gave the band a sci fi theme. While ghosts and goblins represent Halloween well, we can't forget about aliens. The Arrival begins with a riff that literally sounds like you are being abducted by aliens and as the album goes on you can piece together an image of alien overlords taking over the world and enslaving mankind. Need a new sci fi thriller? Here you go.

Circle takes the Square - As The Roots Undo
Genre: Progressive Screamo/Chaotic Hardcore/Indie/Emo FFO: Funeral Diner, Hot Cross, I Would Set Myself on Fire For You

Another band that breaks boundaries. Circle takes the Square take a bunch of different genres, throw them in a blender and throw it in you face with passion. The lyrics are poetic and symbolic that actually take a few listens to understand. This is more of a personal fall album for me considering i used to walk to school listening to this when I was 16 and I remember seeing all the halloween decorations and pumpkins on peoples houses and it just stuck to me.

Ho99o9 - United States of Ho99o9
Genre: Experimental/Hip Hop/Rap/Hardcore Punk FFO: Death Grips, Bad Brains

I don't remember how I discovered this album but I'm glad I did. Ho99o9 ( Pronounced Horror) are the type of rap duo that play with metal bands and are literally a combination of Death Grips and Bad Brains in terms of sound. United States of Horror is an album high on my list for 2017 that is a very abrasive rap album involving politics but still with the type of beats that would remind you of a horror movie.

Bathory - Under the Sign of the Black Mark
Genre: Black Metal FFO: Darkthrone, Mayhem, Immortal

The legendary Bathory and the iconic sound brought by 80s black metal. This album represents it well. While most of Bathory's music seems more of a winter theme, this album just has that feel that isn't cold. I see the color red a lot listening to this album (despite the "Black Mark") think of it however you want.

Dir En Grey - Dum Spiro Spero
Genre: Progressive J-Rock/Death Metal/Metalcore FFO: Deicide, D'espairsray, Eighteen Visions
  
Leave it to Japan to do some weird stuff. Dir en Grey is a metal band from Japan that are just as visual as they are musical. An anime fan such as myself can highly enjoy this band. Brutal death metal riffs are mixed well with soothing beautiful melodies that could put you to sleep and then wake you right back up with chaotic metalcore breakdowns. And the vocals are all screeching, gutteral, and calming. Be sure to watch videos of this band as well as they also wear costumes they make themselves that actually look monstrous.


Death - Scream Bloody Gore
Genre - Death Metal

Every metalhead should love this album. Personally my favorite Death album. Songs like Zombie Ritual just scream Halloween and will get you into the holiday spirit.

Atreyu - The Curse
Genre: Melodic Metalcore FFO: In Flames, Bullet For My Valentine (old), Indecision

Orange County allstars, Atreyu, come at you with the classic early 2000s metalcore album you grew up on. If you weren't around for this album, just hearing the opening to Bleeding Mascara will rope you in and keep you're attention with dark metal influenced riffs and heavy breakdowns. Break out that year book and reminisce about your ex girlfriend who sucked the life out of you (Vampire reference)

Ozzy Osbourne - Diary of a Madman
Genre: Heavy Metal/Rock n Roll

One of my favorite albums of all time. Also the first Ozzy album I bought as a kid. A mix of rock n roll and creepy eerie songs that are very festive this time of year. I remember hearing the title track as a 10 year old and I thought it was creepy and wouldn't listen to it at night. You Can't Kill Rock n Roll.

Panopticon - Autumn Eternal
Genre: Post-Black Metal/Folk FFO: Falls of Rauros, Lake of Blood, Wolves in the Throne Room

 This is another black metal album that is better when its not winter. While its primarily black metal, it also features a few folk songs. For the full effect, listen to it in an atmosphere like the album cover and the title track will blow you away.

Cursed - II
Genre: Dark/Chaotic Hardcore/ Sludge/Crust FFO: Trap Them, Baptists, Dystopia

If the cover art of the He Goat doesn't spook you enough to listen to it maybe this will. Cursed are a huge influence on the dark side of hardcore with members coming from tons of different bands in Canada. Unfortunately the broke up in 2008. Cursed II Features a good mix of Rock n Roll, Chaos, evil and sludge metal all with a hardcore punk structure.

Candlemass - Nightfall + Epicus Doomicus Metallicus
Genre: Epic Doom Metal

Candlemass are the kings of epic doom metal. These two albums are tough to pick between but both will crush your soul with destructive heavy riffs and operatic vocals will send you to the gates of the underworld filled with despair and begging for your soul.

Opeth - My Arms, Your Hearse
Genre: Progressive Blackened Death Metal FFO: Agalloch, Novembers Doom

Most fans probably think of Opeth's progressive rock era of albums like Damnation or the earlier Black Water Park when they were still metal but beginning to transition into Damnation.While Opeth is phenomenal all together, My Arms, Your Hearse was part of the era of Opeth that was way more death metal than later opeth. While still progressive, this album is as brutal as it is beatiful. Another one that could put you to sleep and wake you right up.

Amebix - Monoliths
Genre: Heavy Metal/Crust Punk FFO: Motorhead, Discharge

I will never know how this album had such sick artwork at the time it was released. Imagine if Motorhead was darker and evil, that would be Amebix. The fast Motorhead sounding riffs paired up with The Baron's hoarse vocals equal a hell ride into Halloween town.

Danzig - Danzig
Genre: Heavy/Doom Metal

You saw this coming.

Entire Discography:

Misfits

Another one you saw coming. Exclude the Jerry Only fronted trash, and you got a good soundtrack to the spooky season. We could argue for hours between Graves and Danzig but both sides have jams. My personal Favorites would be American Psycho, Walk Among Us, and Static age. Break out that record player and throw on a horror flick and have a good time.

Electric Wizard
Genre: Stoner/Doom Metal FFO: Acid King, Black Sabbath, Bongzilla


I thought I could pick one album but I just can't. Electric Wizard are the one Sabbath worship band that make it their own. Each album shares two themes: drugs and witch hunts.other than those two each have one different main theme like Time to Die being about death, or Black Masses being centered towards occultism. each album is heavy and psychedelic and will force to abandon god.

Type O Negative
Genre: Gothic Doom Metal

You can'y have Halloween with out Type O Negative. Another personal favorite band of mine with a difficult favorite album choice. Bloody kisses is a spooky anthem, October Rust fills you with despair, Life is Killing Me will kill you.Need a laugh? Origin of the Feces. Nobody's too cool for Type O. Insult this band and you're a poser. RIP Peter Steele.

Chelsea Wolfe

If You read my review of Chelsea Wolfe from a few days ago, you would expect to see her on here. This woman makes music like no other. Earlier releases were a more gothic neo folk style while each release would get more metal influenced, heavier, and eviler. Chelsea continues to blow my mind with every release and I highly recommend checking out the new album Hiss Spun. Chelsea wolfe is the Queen.

Marilyn Manson
Genre: Industrial Metal/"Shock Rock"


The Antichrist Superstar is hear destroy your perception of reality and end christian religion for good. You knew he was coming. Whether you like him or hate him, you can't deny Manson is a freak of nature in more ways than one, however he uses that to his advantage and makes heavy industrial music that your parents hate. Keep up with the blog because a review of his show in February at the House of blues will be here.

King Dude
Genre: Neo Folk, Bluegrass

King Dude was originally the vocalist of the satanic death metal band Book of Black Earth. Eventually he began his venture into bluegrass but keeping the theme of Satanism. The atmosphere of his music depending on the album could be rough production thats very echoey making it sound like he recorded in a cave. His music will make you see the world in black and white swear your soul to Lucifer for all eternity.

Bell Witch
Genre: Funeral Doom FFO: Ahab, Skepticism, Shape of Despair


Bell Witch's music will hit you like a shovel and knock you into you're grave and bury you alive. Every Album is filled, with loss and despair and will actually make you feel like someone close to you has died a painful death and you're just left there to mourn.

Cara Neir
Genre: Post-Black Metal/Screamo/Crust/Grindcore FFO:Deafheaven, Cursed, pg.99


In the world of metal, I feel this band is very underrated. I never would've thought all of these style would fit together so well until I heard Cara Neir. They are two piece from Texas that are a black metal force that will make you convert to nihilism and prove your band is inferior. Just when you think the black metal parts end, the crust punk begins and grinds up, then back into black, only to turn skramzy. This band is incredible and will drive your hearse.

Pig Destroyer
Genre: Grindcore FFO: Napalm Death, Brutal Truth, Agoraphobic Nosebleed

We'll end it with another favorite of mine. Pig Destroyer have lyrics that are just as terrifying as the rest of the music. Prowler in the yard features a story about a girl, Jennifer, who was playfully wrestling her girlfriend on the beach while others watched in both disgust and pleasure. Eventually Jennifer's girlfriend begins fingering her and gets swallowed into her vagina. There's also the story of Natasha, a girl who died bu the speaker sees her ghost but only to be lead to his own grave in a horrifyingly poetic way. I still remember falling asleep to Terrifyer and hearing the riff in Towering Flesh only to have the worst night terror of my life. If you want chills, read along to an entire Pig Destroyer album and bring a bucket.

Happy Halloween Witche$

All Pigs Must Die, Wormwood, Plagues @ Great Scott

Pure chaos spawned at Great Scott in Boston from the kult known as All Pigs Must Die. I've been wanting to see this band since I was sixteen but somehow never got the chance to. With support from local metal acts Wormwood and Plagues, the heavy was definitely present.

Plagues
Genre: Black Metal

Now I'll be honest for me this band was nothing special. Just thinking of a band simply named Plagues just doesn't stick out or anything. But aside from the name, everyone in the band actually looked like an average joe at any bar scene, except the vocalist who wore his hood and black mesh over his face to at least give the band some kind of cool presence. The music itself seemed like just any old black metal band with repetitive riffs and not really trying anything new or different, but they would occasionally play some cool original tremolo picked riffs that actually would stick out and I thought was actually cool, but as soon as that ended it just went back into the generic black metal sound. This is just my personal opinion, in no way am I trying to say this band sucked or anything, just not my cup of tea. If Plagues was around maybe in the late 90's when this style was more popular, they probably would be more iconic for me, but to be honest, I forgot this bands name up until I pasted the flyer. One thing I will give them praise for is that sick logo.

https://plagues1.bandcamp.com/

Wormwood
Genre: Blackened Sludge/Doom Metal FFO Coffinworm, Thou, Young and in the Way

Now this was more like it. Heavy and evil. Wormwood played heavy destructive sludge metal with a black metal twist very similar to the style of Coffinworm. I found out prior to the event that two members are also in the Massachusetts sludge metal band Doomriders and one of those members was also in Cast Iron Hike. Wormwood definitely had a few elements similar to Doomriders, but it was very subtle. While you would hear evil sludge metal riffs played very slow, occasionally the drum beat would actually change just when you think the song might be ending, but it was a very Doomriders-esque pattern. Aside from the random Doomriders drum parts, Wormwood actually played very dark sounding sludge metal that would fill you with despair just from one song. I loved it. Every song really grabs you by the balls and says "welcome to the darkness". While I can't help but compare them to Coffinworm, whenever the band would change tempo, it sometimes sped up more than you would expect and with the black metal influence, it was very reminiscent of YAITW. Plagues did prepare the crowd for a night of metal, Wormwood set the bar higher by preparing the crowd for evil. If you like heavy, Wormwood is your new favorite band.

 https://wormwoodboston.bandcamp.com/

All Pigs Must Die
Genre: Blackened Metalcore/Chaotic Hardcore/Crust/Sludge FFO: Cursed, Trap Them, Black Breath

I'll start by saying APMD started very late and I couldn't stay for the whole thing unfortunately. All I can say about this set is, it was worth waiting 7 years to witness. APMD features Kevin Baker (Ex-The Hope Conspiracy) Ben Koller (Converge, Mutoid Man) Brian Izzi (Trap Them) and Adam Wentworth (ex-The Red Chord). With members like this coming together, the result is a hateful blend of chaos, evil, and violence. The crowd erupted into total anarchy, it was honestly the most violent thing I've seen at Great Scott since The Red Chord played there. There were literally bottles broken on the ground and six foot tall muscular dudes donkey kicking from the stage the moment a slow riff was played. I actually got a huge cut on my arm from this show. There was no crowd movement in the venue at all until they played so all that energy must have been building up. Kevin would constantly be saying All Pigs Must Die in between songs just to say, he literally only said "we're All Pigs Must Die" once. (the name is a stab at cops like Pig Destroyer). The also had a huge banner in the background that read the band name and had a picture of a gothic art piece. Overall the stage presence was basically what you would expect from a hardcore band, but once you heard those sludge riffs there was no law and you remember you're witnessing a metal/hardcore hybrid force to be reckoned with. APMD released a new album entitled Hostage Animal which is probably their most metal influenced album to date, I hope its on you're list 'cause it will be on mine.

 https://apmdsl.bandcamp.com/album/hostage-animal

Chelsea Wolfe & Youth Code @ The Sinclair

This might've been the show of the year for me. Chelsea Wolfe brought Halloween to Boston early at the best venue in the state with support from Youth Code. Both brought the Sinclair to another world and destroyed a sold out crowds hearing. Grab a seat, this will probably be the longest review I've written, I'll try to be as detailed as I can.

Youth Code
Genre: Industrial/Electronic/Hardcore FFO: KMFDM, Skinny Puppy, Earth Crisis

If you're like me, you probably found out about Youth Code from the tour they did with Code Orange. I listened to them not knowing what to expect, but as soon as I heard Consuming Guilt I knew I would want to see them (too bad they dropped the Worcester date). Luckily I got to see them play here. When Youth Code walked out, Ryan George (ex-Carry On) stood behind his soundboard in a Jesus pose and Sara Taylor stood on the edge of the stage with both her fists in the air wearing a shrt that read "EAT MY ENTIRE FUCK" and makeup that from my perspective made it look like she had a Chelsea Smile. Sara stood triumphantly and said "Lets fuck this place up" and Youth Code began, blaring their beats loud as the lighting followed with making it feel like you're at a rave but pissed off. Sara's vocals sounded like a slap to the face in audio form with how aggressive she sounded but didn't miss a single beat or note and basically sounded like a recording with all the effects. Ryan would constantly be making motions like you would expect a villain in Dragonball Z to make when they get more powerful and his vocals you could tell he was screaming as loud as he could but with the effects on his mic, he sounded like a muffled voice yelling to you on the phone. No matter what beats were being played by Ryan, Sara always had a way to move with them whether it be two stepping, bouncing, headbanging, or acting out what she was screaming, but other than that she might have been spitting straight up in the air only to either catch it in her hand or purposely let it fall in her face. One thing I do want to point out is she would be upfront with the stage presence you would expect from someone fronting a hardcore band. At one point the speaker, stage right stopped working mid-song, and when the song ended Ryan was trying to fix it while Sara watched like a disappointed mother. Ryan faced the crowd and said "Pretend I broke a guitar string" and Sara gave him the sarcastic "Oh you broke a string? Really? Wow." Sara would say stuff throughout the set about how much Youth Code supports the LGBTQ+ community and said she likes to bring her gender into her music, and stated how honored they were to open for a woman like Chelsea Wolfe. One more thing, if you haven't heard Youth Code and you looked at the genre I put down and saw the FFO Earth Crisis, and you're wondering how is this duo hardcore? Its easily heard in the recordings but seeing Sara's movements live really makes the hardcore influence stick out even more. It may have been electronic but multiple songs would have drum beats and slow parts very reminiscent of bands like Earth Crisis. If you enjoy hardcore but want something different, Youth Code is the band for you, seeing them perform was definitely a cool experience.

Chelsea Wolfe
Genre: Atmospheric/Gothic/Neo-folk/Doom/Ambient FFO: Emma Ruth Rundle, Type O Negative, SubRosa

I could've watched this set forever. The day before the show I saw Jesse Leach from Killswitch Engage post on instagram about how incredible she was in New York. He said she put on a powerful performance even when she's not moving, and also stated he's seen her before but that night was "next level". As soon as I read this I could not wait to see her. One word I need to steal from Jesse is powerful. Powerful is the most accurate thing you could possibly say about this woman. Her set began in complete darkness with one light shining behind a giant circle hanging over the stage imitating what looked like a lunar eclipse with a slight fog effect as well. Chelsea and her band walked out and the crowd was literally howling, like actually howling like wolves. Chelsea walked out wearing a gothic black dress that would drag across the floor, and wore black make up around her eyes. She was the most beautiful demonic entity I have ever seen in my life. Visuals are everything to this woman. There was one straight line of lighting going across the stage that would change color rotate accordingly to the songs as well as the stage lights. The regular lights would even be blinding occasionally no matter where in the venue you stood. Chelsea's movements were so fragile but said so much, it was as if she was a statue carved out of a tree possessed by a dark and evil spirit. The backing band would move with the music occasionally, but Chelsea clearly had her own way of showing her aura. If her movements weren't powerful enough, then her voice was. That soothing, beautiful, haunted voice. I felt like she was two inches away from me, singing me to sleep and softly caressing my face, only to put a curse swearing my devotion to her for all eternity. If you listen to Chelsea Wolfe, you know the song Carrion Flowers. I have never heard anything heavier than this. Just hearing the bass drop in the beginning of the song could make your ears bleed. One thing that would grab my attention was the drums. The drums could go from being a steady mellow beat but then progressive turn into thunder and with the lighting and constant visual of that foggy lunar eclipse, you wouldn't know the difference. The crowd howled after every song as if they really were hounds and Chelsea was the moon. When she played her new song Vex, Sara from Youth Code came back out and did a guest spot. She even did two encore songs that I missed apparently. This show was one of the most incredible performances and way more than just music. Chelsea Wolfe's music is something I've never heard anyone else come close to making, and is definitely a personal favorite. Seeing her live really was as Jesse Leach said, next level. The crowd was a cast of characters whether they were dressed up in ritualistic clothes and wearing face paint or not, it was a huge variety of people. On top of that there was a warning at the merch table that read "Merch is limited, buy now or suffer" and surely enough it sold out just as fast as the show did. Give Chelsea a listen, go see her live. Chelsea Wolfe will rule the world one day.
 

Wear Your Wounds, Chrome Over Brass, Rob Noyes at ONCE Somerville

An incredible show by three equally talented projects. Jacob Bannon brings his solo project Wear Your Wounds to its first stop on the first official American tour with the help of Chrome Over Brass and Rob Noyes. Any fans of unique and talented music would enjoy every band on the lineup.

Rob Noyes
Genre: Acoustic/Bluegrass/Folk
Before this tour was announced, I had no idea who Rob Noyes was and expected a simple acoustic act. I could not be more wrong. Equipped with nothing but his guitar, Rob played riffs I could never begin to imagine hearing acoustic. You could definitely hear the Bluegrass but the way he played made it sound like there were two maybe even three guitars all being played at the same time. I tried really hard to follow both his hands as he played but both were just a blurr. Rob played a twelve string guitar and would both strum and finger pick and would even use techniques that would normally be used to play a banjo, but was so well coordinated that he could easily out riff some of the best. Don't believe me? Guess you'll have to see for yourself.

https://poonvillage.bandcamp.com/album/the-feudal-spirit


Chrome Over Brass
Genre: Experimental/Noise Rock/Punk/Fuzz/Rock n Roll FFO: Unsane, Buckethead
Now this was a performance I didn't want to miss. Chrome Over Brass is the solo project of Alex Garcia-Rivera (American Nightmare, Ascend/Descend, Saves the Day, etc.). Unlike most of the bands he's been part of, Chrome Over Brass is a much different sound that is very difficult to put a label on. On stage, Alex only had his see through drum kit and had the guitar parts sampled with lighting effects coming from directly below him. While seeing the lights flash through the drum kit was an amazing effect to his performance, I started thinking how hard it must be to perform the way he does. Of course the drumming has a lot of effort put into it and with the guitar parts being played as a sample, I couldn't help but wonder if he was keeping time by hearing the guitar and bass. I tried my best not to overthink too much but overall I can't say I've seen a performance like the one put on by Chrome Over Brass, more than happy to catch the set.

https://chromeoverbrass.bandcamp.com/

Wear Your Wounds
Genre: Experimental/Ambient/Atmospheric/Noise/Post-Rock/Metal FFO: Ulver, God is An Astronaut, Planning for Burial

Wear Your Wounds is a solo project started by Jacob Bannon of Converge and live he plays bass and sings, joining him on stage was an allstar lineup consisting of: Adam Mcgrath (Cave In, Zozobra) on guitar, Sean Martin (Twitching Tongues, ex-Hatebreed) on Guitar, Mike McKenzie (The Red Chord, Stomach Earth), and Chris Maggio (Trap Them, Sleigh Bells, ex-Coliseum) on drums. With a live lineup like this, you're in for a phenomenal performance. Wear Your Wounds is another project with a very unique sound that is difficult o describe and compare to. The sound quality was perfect and loud and left my ears ringing with the beautiful melody the next morning. during certain songs, Jake would put down his bass and begin using what I'll call a "sound box" because I don't know what its actually called but it would emit different noises with switches and dials, basically a mini soundboard. as Jake would sing, he would constantly raise his arms and look to the sky, taking on the presence of an angelic being amongst the ballroom. The rest of the band definitely showcased their talent as well. With three guitarist, I tried to pinpoint the musician that was playing different parts of the melodies which was very difficult but then I started to hear/watch two of them and forgot there was a heard third and I actually noticed a hidden third melody that I was not aware of. Jacob Bannon, being the mastermind behind Wear Your Wounds, is a man of many talents when it comes to art and definitely showcased it well in Somerville. WYW is high on my list for top albums of the year, a huge favorite of mine, especially considering how much I enjoy all of Bannon's work.

https://wearyourwounds.bandcamp.com/