FRESH MEAT FRIDAY: June 26th, 2020

​Every Friday, a wagon arrives at the Sleeping Village’s gates, stuffed to the brim with our sustenance for the following week. oday is the day we must offload all this new music, and so, in the process, we thought it would be worthwhile to share some of our choice picks from this veritable mass of fresh meat. This is what we’ll be listening to today here at the Village HQ. We hope you join us in doing so! Note: there was a veritable horde of excellent music released today. When the wagon overflows with such wealth, it's up to the weary peasants to make sure everything gets delivered. As such, our very own Volt Thrower stepped in to help provide some extra reviews. Enjoy the bounty!

​On the docket for today, June 26th, 2020: 
​Pyrrhon, The Third Kind, Battle Born, Uprising, Green Claws, Pale Divine, Fleshvessel, and Ohhms

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Pyrrhon - Abscess Time
​(Willowtip Records)

I'll be honest: I genuinely had no clue how avant-garde metal mavericks Pyrrhon were ever going to top 2017's brilliant What Passes For Survival​. As it turns out: they don't. But that's okay, 'cuz despite not pushing boundaries when taking their own work into consideration, this crew has once again proven their prowess in the avant-garde arena. This behemoth runs a veritable gamut of genres and influences, from grind, to raw death metal, to overtly experimental noise. The complexity on display is effectively unmatched by...well, anything other than the band's own past work. In sum? While Abscess Time didn't blow my expectations out of the water, it remains a prime example of Pyrrhon's dominance in the game.

​Find it on bandcamp here!

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The Third Kind - Man vs Earth
(Independent release)

Amen! My kingdom for a 23 minute album! I love frenetically brief onslaughts,
particularly when wrapped up in crossover thrash glory. As a street thrash outfit by trade and ethos, The Third Man is scrappy and tough, albeit with a subtly modern edge. There are skinned knees and elbows a-plenty to be had herein, with an emphasis on fast-paced verve and nose-bloodying groove. Tghe entire affair, of course, oozes NYC hardcore 'tude and swagger.

These guys don't even come close to reinventing the wheel with Man vs Earth, but I sincerely doubt that was ever the point. This is dynamic and energetic music perfect for a mosh or a bare-knuckle streetfight.

Find it on bandcamp here!

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Battle Born - Battle Born
(Independent release)

The UK's own Battle Born seek to make a mark with their feel-good brand of Skyrim-inspired power metal, and, while this EP isn't the most polished or complex, I've found myself enjoying it decently often as of late. As far as power metal/NWOBHM goes, it's technically proficient and hits the prerequisite level of happy-go-lucky jubilance--this is overt victorious music. Indeed, of the five tracks herein, the battle-ready "Bring the Metal Back" is a favorite.

That said, this EP feels safe and inoffensive, and lacks a certain punch that elite outfits within the genre possess, even if the fact remains that metal worship a la Manowar is sure to result in a good time. Some heft and braggadocio will go a long way for this crew, and I'm excited to see what Battle Born can do with a lil' more grit and polish.

Find it on bandcamp here!

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Uprising - II
(Tridroid Records)

As 2020 continues its ongoing downward spiral  Tridroid Records, it one beacon in a world of shit. I swear, everything they have touched this year is solid gold, with II, the latest from "unapologetic anti-fascist, anti-capitalist, anti-religious" black metaller Uprising being the cream of the crop. This album is a distillation of pure rage, as raw and heartfelt as it is aggressive. The riffs, notably, are concise and direct, and the clear melodic underpinning never feels like an afterthought as blackened roars and vocal samples accompany frantic-yet-gloom-laden guitar. There's an obvious timeliness to II--a general feeling of (increasingly overwhelming) despair helps this one go down. The ability to tap into a collective emotional zeitgeist--in this case, fury--is an underrated mark of great art. In this sense alone, Uprising have created a genuine masterpiece, in my book. 

Find it on bandcamp here!

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Written by: Volt Thrower
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Green Claws - Hell is For Hugo Part I: Descent​ (Independent release)

​Green Claws is a one man project from Bath, UK; Hell is for Hugo is apparently a 6-part monster, to be released through a series of EP’s, fittingly ​culminating with the final release on Halloween. Part 1 is a fascinating loose interpretation of Dante’s Inferno in an upbeat, quirky rock/metal hybrid. It's an in-depth and compelling story told in only 4 quick tracks and just a smidge over 12 minutes. "Calling All Demons" is almost obnoxiously catchy, with its vocal melodies in the chorus pushing it over the top. "Hotel Lucifer" is a humorous story told from the POV of the check in desk of Hell--also catchy as all. Definitely worthy of a quick listen and a bookmark for Part 2. 

​Find it on bandcamp here!

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Fleshvessel - Bile of Man Reborn
(I, Voidhanger Records)

Fleshvessel initially released their debut EP in January of 2020, which may as well be 10 years ago. But since it is finally getting a physical release today, it felt like a good time to revisit. Bile of Man Reborn is an eerie, mournful, and progressive death metal journey spanning 25 minutes of the lone track. Broken into three movements: a chaotic, world burning intro, mellowed out by the instrumental middle passage before giving way to the final, frenetic finishing piece. A laundry list of instruments and sounds featured, combined with classic scathing death metal, makes for one seriously interesting listen. I personally can’t wait to see what is in store next for this group.

​Find it on bandcamp here!

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Pale Divine -Consequence of Time
(Cruz Del Sur Music)

Pale Divine has a history stretching back to 1995, but i'll admit this is my introduction to the band. They have two lead guitarists--who are both also vocalists--so it's an interesting start.

The music, however, is immediately heavy and hooky as hell. "Satan in Starlight" has been on constant repeat, bringing to mind a The Lord Weird Slough Feg brand of trad heavy metal. The title track is fully worthy of its double digit run time, a mountain in the midst of the ruinous battlefield surrounding it.

​Add some gorgeous mystical artwork, and this is a really solid release. One that'll have me digging backwards in time, to see what other heavy, hidden gems are in store from this veteran band.

​​Find it on bandcamp here!

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Ohhms - Close
(Holy Roar Records)

Post metallers Ohhms are back with their 5th release--if you’re not familiar with the band, definitely check out their previous release Exist. Close is a direct continuation of the band's evolution to post-rock stardom. Peaceful instrumental flourishes, accented by heavy doom/sludge pushes, create a harrowing atmosphere, perfectly represented in the opening two minutes of lead single "Alive." A perfectly balanced roller coaster of peaceful bliss and fiery anger like in the yin and yang of "Flaming Youth" and "Revenge." The slow build up of "Strange Ways" into the destruction of the final three punishing tracks ending with the blown-out "Unplugged" is an emphatic exclamation point. Ohhms deserve to be mentioned in the same breath as current legends Elephant Tree or Elder. A truly exceptional album from a band seemingly just hitting their stride.

Find it on bandcamp here!
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