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GHOST - Impera (Review)

3/15/2022

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Written by: Blackie Skulless

The infamous band that manages to pull a slew of opinions every three or so years has come back to continue their evolution. Every Ghost record seems to follow a bit of a theme, or at least weave itself together with a vibe that separates itself from the prior, but stays consistent standing alone. Ahead of releasing Impera, we were given several tracks that sound pretty different, which was an accurate depiction of what was to come. While the mixing of ballads and heavy hitters always went together smoothly, that somewhat changes here.

Despite no signs of ditching the catchy or upbeat chorus’s and memorable radio tunage, Ghost took their biggest step towards more progressive writing. That’s not to say you should expect a Dream Theater record, but there are extra theatrics, extra shifts in tonal delivery, and all sorts of fun instrumentation that gives some serious Styx vibes gone dark. Unfortunately, this causes an awkward flow, and a little bit of placement that feels off at times. For the most part, I can overlook that, save for a few moments of going too long, or the unnecessary use of several “interludes.”


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FRESH MEAT FRIDAY - Feb. 4th, 2022, Feat. Golgothan, Titanosaur, Iōhannēs, and Krystal Swords

2/3/2022

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On (occasional) Fridays, a wagon arrives at the Sleeping Village’s crumbling gates, stuffed to the brim with our sustenance. Today is the day we must offload all this week's new and noteworthy 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 at the Village HQ. We hope you join us in doing so! 

​On the docket for today, Feb. 4th, 2022: Golgothan, Titanosaur, Iōhannēs, and Krystal Swords

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Golgothan - Leech
(Lacerated Enemy Records)

If the promo utters the phrase "brutal death metal" and evokes the name of the almighty Aborted, there's an excellent chance I will enjoy what lurks inside. Case in point. This is a blaring and putrid affair, coated in gore and slime, yet gloriously boisterous in its presentation. The grooves are pythonian, the percussion is like unto a jackhammer, the belligerent attitude is present without feeling cringy, and the vocals are delightfully maniacal in their range. This is some seriously competent stuff--check out "Lard is My Shepard," "Gravy Train," or "Parent Organism" for particularly prime examples of what this crew can muster. I haven't heard many people hyping 'em up, which is an absolute shame--Leech is my go-to gym playlist these days, and I doubt it will leave rotation anytime soon. This is a killer album, and deserves a little time in the bandcamp day limelight.

Find it on bandcamp
here!

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Titanosaur - Absence of Universe
(
The Swamp Records)

Here's a fact: NY's one-man outfit Titanosaur keeps getting better and better. Absence of Universe is a culmination of potential, and here, a mighty formula hath been struck with stellar results. The Titanosaur approach overtly draws from the gruffly hard-rockin' appeal of Monster Magnet, Red Fang, and Motorhead, and yet this project delivers a sense of individuality through wry self awareness, notably pounding riffage, and thick application of late cretaceous groove. Axemanship aside, the rough 'n' ready vocals are a strong suit, and if you enjoy the gravelly aesthetic, there's a whole lot to love. Absence of Universe constitutes some really impressive stuff, delivering heft and earworms in equal measure. Titanosaur will inevitably gain some new fans off the back of the mighty beast. There's nothin' subtle about it, and that's what makes it so damn enjoyable.


Find it on bandcamp here!


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TANTIVY - Worthy Foe (Mini-Review)

1/28/2022

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This year, in an attempt to cover more music that would all-too-oft slip through the very large cracks, we're trying something new and novel around these parts. Namely, we're gonna actually publish the little one-off reviews that were previously (and arbitrarily) deemed too short for publication. In that spirit, here's a mini-review of a very metal-y single I've been spinning all day. Dig in!

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Written by: The Administrator

It's a Friday evening here at the Sleeping Village, which means that this particular scribe is ready to cut loose with some loud music, an irresponsibly massive pile of cheap pizza, and some beer(s). Whether or not the night pans out in that exact fashion is yet to be determined, but at least I have the soundtrack sorted. Time, methinks, for some capital-M Metül.  

On their latest
thrash/hard rock/speed metal single, fresh off the press today, TANTIVY delivers no-nonsense abrasivity and enough leather-and-bullet-belted swagger to adequately satisfy any acolyte of the gritty Motörhead ethos and aesthetic. Built on the back of rolling drums and galloping riffs, "Worthy Foe" is a track that is invested in its own forward momentum. It's a rhythmic and boot-stomping affair, with a sense of urgency permeating the whole. The vocals, which notably feel like they were tied to the back of a truck and dragged through the gravel for a good long while, lend the track an intrinsic gruffness and toughness.

Despite the deliberate rough-n-tumble approach, "Worthy Foe" feels like a refinement on the template they established on 2021's Eyes if the Night, and points in a very promising direction for anyone invested in hard rockin' heavy metal. It's a single that practically demands a larger project to call home. I'm excited to hear what this crew cooks up next.


TANTIVY can be found:
Facebook   
Instagram  
Bandcamp
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BLACK SABBATH - Born Again (Retrospective Review)

1/23/2022

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Written by: The Administrator 

On this fine Sabbath Sunday, we inksplattered inhabitants of the Sleeping Village have been dipping our toes in the dangerous and troubled waters of 80’s era Black Sabbath. As one does.

In the grand scheme, the general sentiment is that if it ain't Ozzy or Dio, it ain't Sabbath. While I personally tend to find the albums featuring said vocalists the most appealing, we are talking about Iommi, the Rifflord Most High, and as such, there are certainly some diamonds in the rough. Case in point: 1983's Born Again--perhaps the most maligned of the black sabbathian sheep.

Is it fair to say I'm disappointed that Born Again was Ian Gillian's only foray with the boys from  Birmingham? My rational is that this one-off album, despite repeatedly getting the short end of the stick--often deservedly so-- demonstrates a whole lot of unactualized promise.
​


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  • REVIEWS & PREMIERES
  • ARCHIVES
    • OLDE REVIEWS
    • OLDE INTERVIEWS
    • OLDE FEATURES
    • OLDE PREMIERES
  • SUBMIT FOR REVIEW!