In a continuing attempt to cover more music that would all-too-oft slip through the very large cracks, we slumbering scribes are making an effort to publish the little one-off reviews that were previously (and arbitrarily) deemed too short for publication. Here's a mini-review of one of Hus Kingpin's many, many 2023 releases.
Written by: The Administrator
The tree has, alas, been discarded. The strands of light coiled in storage. The stockings haphazardly--carelessly, even--crammed in a drawer. Despite a distinct lack of holiday decor 'round these parts, I'm not ready to let go of that alleged magical Christmas spirit quite yet. Hence today's spotlight on Holiday Hus 2: Cocaine Christmas. This seasonally appropriate soundtrack, courtesy of the ridiculously prolific Hus Kingpin, provides a short and sweet lingering taste of the most wonderful--scratch that--worst time of year. Featuring no features and seven tracks across a delightfully brisk eight minutes, this project shows Hus Kingpin's characteristically confident raps over some tastefully dusty, chilly, and occasionally eerie instrumentals. Hus eschews hooks and classic song structure in favor of quick coke rap snapshots, giving the whole affair a laissez-faire and airy feel that contrasts wonderfully with the subject matter. It's a fun juxtaposition, and he plays into the implicit humor of the contrast--the entertainment factor is high. Had I heard this prior to publishing my EPs of the year list, it would most certainly have made the cut. I've had this on repeat for the past few days, and it has yet to grow stale. If forced to pick, my favorite tracks herein are the debonair yet somber "Fireplace" and the calmly menacing narrative of "Snow White." With that said, every song here, including the intro and outro, are absolutely worth your while if you enjoy--casually or otherwise--the allure of underground hip hop. Despite already dropping two (!) additional projects since this EP was released, Hus has another new LP coming in just a few weeks. Before the next in a looooong line of quality releases arrives, I recommend checking out this one out. Listen below and find it here! Hus Kingpin - Holiday Hus 2: Cocaine Christmas was released Dec. 15th, 2023.
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In a continuing attempt to cover more music that would all-too-oft slip through the very large cracks, we slumbering scribes are making an effort to publish the little one-off reviews that were previously (and arbitrarily) deemed too short for publication. Here's a mini-review of a debut death metal single.
Written by: The Administrator
It is always an honor to be present at a band's genesis. Here we sit, witnessing the birth of death metal quartet Slaughtersun's very first single. Despite the debut status, "Fall of the Firmament" feels like the product of an experienced crew, which only stands to reason given the roster. Both founder Ben Karas of Windfaerer and Cody McCorry play in prog rock band Thank You Scientist, while Jason Quinones of Tombstoner and Justin Hillman of Cranial Damage provide cred of the more overtly brutal variety. Slaughtersun plays energetic and otherwise adrenalized death metal. On "Fall of the Firmament," the drums are lively and driven. The riffs are barreling in an off-kilter sense, belligerent by means of crisp ferocity if not crushing heft. The solo lends a little squirmy electric energy. The aggressive and snarling vocals hit a nice balance--they are coated in the requisite grit and rubble, but the lyrics remain largely decipherable. The urgent delivery is interrupted for a brief moment wherein a filtered spoken word piles on the old-school melodrama, which was initially a little jarring but upon revisitation fits the mood quite well. After a quick foray into more mid-paced waters, the track closes out with some borderline vertigo-inducing aggression. All told? "Fall of the Firmament" serves as a strong introduction to a band that is undoubtably worth keeping an eye on this year. Give 'ema follow! Slaughtersun - Fall of the Firmament was released Dec. 29, 2023. Find it here!
Slaughtersun can be found:
Official website
Written by: The Administrator
Another year, another batch of outstanding EPs! I personally have a strong affinity for releases of the short, concise, and otherwise succinct persuasion, and so my weekly listening is often informed by what new EPs have dropped. The following includes those that made a significant impact and stuck around in my rotation. This list--although perhaps a term such as "loose collection" or "heap" would be a better choice--has not been trimmed or edited to meet a specific quantity. I just kept adding stuff until I hit 23 entries, which felt like an appropriate number, and so here we are. Like last year's extravaganza, this list features a bunch of different genres but is not sorted by genre. My year is defined by eclectic listening habits, and while my albums lists will be divided into hip hop and metal for sake of reading convenience, no such editorial courtesy is reflected here. And lastly, this is utterly unranked. If something appears here, please know that it comes highly, highly recommended. Without further ado, let's dive in! In a continuing attempt to cover more music that would all-too-oft slip through the very large cracks, we slumbering scribes are making an effort to publish the little one-off reviews that were previously (and arbitrarily) deemed too short for publication. Here's a doubleshot mini-review of two standalone singles. Written by: The Administrator A few years back, I reviewed a thrashin' three track EP from a band named Corruption. I was suitably impressed, and have since returned to Dead Is The Soul when the thrash itch strikes. As such, when I finally--five months late--got around to a review request from a member of said band for an entirely different band influenced by the likes of Fear Factory and Sybreed, I gave the two attached singles a listen. Despite not exactly having a solid history with industrial or cyber metal, I found said singles to be were pretty damn enjoyable. "Electric Cuts," released on March 31st, utilizes a classic clean vs. harsh vocal vibe that provides a convenient contrast by benefit of its mere existence. The track is built on a driving churn, which lends the verses an aggressive urgency. Things slow down significantly on the chorus, and then the driving riff returns with the same production line precision. While I typically avoid music with a blatantly inorganic aesthetic, the mechanized momentum on this track is quite nice and offers a headbangable bounce. "Synthetic Fields," the more recent of the singles and my favorite of the two, decidedly ups the ante on the cleans, bringing to mind the soaring ultra-polish of something like Skull Fist. It is sleek and manufactured, which serves fits to the general synthetic aesthetic pretty damn well. The chorus here is catchy and liable to run loops in my brain throughout the day. Much like the prior single, "Synthetic Fields" is overtly bouncy and thus quite fun. Bottom line? While I suspect Kaosware is a harder sell for the typical Sleeping Village readers and passers-by, I do recommend giving 'em a listen if you enjoy modern industrial metal with a cyber sheen. Kaosware - "Electric Cuts" was released March 31st, 2023. "Synthetic Fields" was released May 26th, 2023. Find Kaosware via linktree here!
Written by: The Administrator
Welcome to Sleeping Village Micro-Reviews: Volume I! The following is a collection of very short reviews written in reaction to individual tracks submitted by a delightfully eclectic assortment of artists. The only thing the musicians featured herein all have in common? They responded to our following twitter prompt: "If you reply to this tweet within the next uhhhh 60 minutes with a link to one of your songs, I'll check it out and write a lil' micro review." And so here we are. Thank you to everyone who submitted tunes, I had a lot of fun doing this and will certainly be sending out a similar prompt again in the future. To everyone reading, I hope you find something lurking below that appeals to your tastes. Please note: we had a few submissions come in after the deadline--they will not appear here, but I will collect them all in a forthcoming Volume of Sleeping Village Micro-Reviews. If you are responsible for one of those submissions, fear not and stay tuned! Enough of my blathering. Without further ado:
In a continuing attempt to cover more music that would all-too-oft slip through the very large cracks, we slumbering scribes are making an effort to publish the little one-off reviews that were previously (and arbitrarily) deemed too short for publication. Here, we discuss a redux of a very fine track from a very fine band.
Written by: The Administrator Gosh. I love when a band issues a remixed and revitalized redux of an older track, and I particularly love when this very same scenario occurs with a track that I love from a band that, indeed, I love. Mothman and The Thunderbirds is a project that this particular scribe has enjoyed greatly from inception, and I'm firmly of the mind that everything under the Mothman moniker is exceptionally well done. 2021's debut Into The Hollow embraced a willingness to explore, and everything since--the (objectively perfect) cover of "96 Quite Bitter Beings," the dynamic split with World Eaters, the trippier "Gazer" EP*--continue the trend of good music that doesn't feel particularly confined by anything other than the quality of that which came before. So, then. Into this equation enters a redux of, arguably, one of my favorite tracks from Into The Hollow, featuring the remixing and remastering chops of Egor Lappo. "The Simpsons = Real Hollow" is an anomaly in the midst of the original tracklist, as guest vocals are provided by Kirby, wife of project leader Alex Parkinson. Promo material calls said vocal performance "soaring" and "sardonic," both apt descriptors. I would add "youthful"--not unrefined or adolescent, but rather filled to the brim with the kind of jubilant enthusiasm that feels almost impossible to contain. The original featured excellent vocals, and the redux'd version truly allows Kirby's voice to shine, contrasting wonderfully with Alex's bellowed backing interjections while sitting nicely in the mix. The chorus is catchy as fuck. Otherwise, the new version feels crisp and clean across the board. Alex's new bassline pummels with significantly more oomph. The track's rockin' central riff carries itself with the same familiar momentum--an urgency that doesn't quite let up, lending the whole track an energetic edge. This is the mix/master that the track deserves, and another testament to the quality of Lappo's work. As mentioned in our review of "96 Quite Bitter Beings," this outsourced production adds a notable level of polish. It sounds great. 'Nuff said. Mothman and The Thunderbirds - "The Simpsons = Real Footage (2023 Redux) was released Sept. 22nd, 2023, and can be found here. You can also listen below! How convenient is that?
In a continuing attempt to cover more music that would all-too-oft slip through the very large cracks, we slumbering scribes are making an effort to publish the little one-off reviews that were previously (and arbitrarily) deemed too short for publication. Here's a mini-review of a crocodilian EP
Written by: The Administrator
Despite a respectable roster of dangerous critters dwelling 'round these parts, this particular scribe is fortunate to live in a place where crocodiles, um, don't. In my understanding--which is to say, quite probably in reality--these beasts frequently pluck unsuspecting adult human victims and drag them into the murky depths to drown in a scaly embrace. They represent the worst way to die, and only rank slightly below moose and hippos in the hierarchy of animals that I never want to encounter in the wild. Anyways. Listening to Edinburgh's own Cult Of Sobek is like unto the aftermath of a wrestling match with a killer croc: there's nothing left to do but succumb. Driven by a hypnotic trancelike churn and the threatening presence of bestial howls, the three tracks Cult Of Sobek deliver on debut EP Petsuchos represent the kind of damply organic and borderline psychedelic sound that I crave when it comes to crushing doom. Their sound is dredged from the mire, just the way I like it. There's a vicious aggression cleverly hidden underneath the trippier elements, and the constant sense of something lurking elevates each track in a way that I wasn't expecting. As a result, I've returned to this EP many, many times over the summer whenever the playlist requires some subtle menace. Despite feeling appropriately heavy and suffocating and bituminous, there's a sharpness that punctuates the tracks, both in terms of the cymbals throughout and sidewinding leads. In regards to the latter, look to both the title track and the tail end of "Maneater" where high-pitched leads squeal, providing excellent contrast. From a thematic perspective, the crocodilian elements shine through across the breadth of the EP. From a musical perspective, it is a very rewarding experience. Give a well-deserved listen to the mighty title track below, and check out the full EP here. Cult of Sobek - Petsuchos was released July 22nd, 2023 via Trepanation Recordings In a continuing attempt to cover more music that would all-too-oft slip through the very large cracks, we slumbering scribes are making an effort to publish the little one-off reviews that were previously (and arbitrarily) deemed too short for publication. Here's a mini-review of a top-notch hip-hop album. Written by: The Administrator Today, we slumbering scribes reject the "metal review site" tag by publishing a mini-review for a rap album. You can't stop us. One of my favorite hip hop albums of the year thusfar, Champagne For Breakfast positions the magnetic Meyhem Lauren as a paragon of New York rap. Equally luxurious and menacing, Lauren's flow is sublimely confident. It feels like he's been strutting across beats like these for decades. Boisterous aggression isn't necessary, and as a result the self-assured nature of his raps feel relaxed and refined. He's working hard but everything appears casually effortless. His delivery is calculatingly laissez-faire, yet never lacks punch or gravitas. That's a perfect combo, as far as I'm concerned. Madlib and DJ Muggs handling production in dual fashion is a real treat as well. The entire album is delightfully cohesive without eventually feeling stale or overplayed, which frankly feel decently rare in the world of Griselda-adjacent psychedelic boom-bap. Champagne for Breakfast is a smooth album that feels both understated and simultaneously larger than life. Lauren operates at a very high level, and despite absolutely bodying a braggadocious air, his showmanship and persona is never alienating. While there's not a bad track herein, if you're looking to sample, "Fresh Out The Water," "Big Money," "Dom VS Cris," "One of Them Ones," and "Szechuan Capital"--the latter complete with an excellent Action Bronson feature--are all fantastic places to start. In sum: highly recommended! Meyhem Lauren x Madlib x DJ Muggs - Champagne For Breakfast was released April 7th, 2023 via Soul Assassins
In a continuing attempt to cover more music that would all-too-oft slip through the very large cracks, we slumbering scribes are making an effort to publish the little one-off reviews that were previously (and arbitrarily) deemed too short for publication. Here's a mini-review of a delightfully slimy death metal EP.
Written by: The Administrator
The roster of underground death metal bands that deserve more attention is nigh-infinite, and while underappreciation is inevitable, everyone needs to stop sleeping on Cork's own Bodydrinkers. In an attempt to remedy this scenario, we slumbering scribes try our hand at rousing the masses. Wake up! Plug this into your earholes! A mere three tracks, Swamp Hammer is nonetheless a beast. The titular track kicks things off with glorious belligerence, a churning muscular barrage accompanied by an engaging range of vocal delivery. The riffage roils with pythonian strength, and while delivering an effective bludgeoning, the track does not overstay its welcome. My personal favorite track, the follow-up "Byzantine Blinding," opts for a slower yet no less pugilistic angle. The vocals here are truly monstrous, and play inordinately well off the massive surge of instrumentation. Closer "Bio Terroristic Occult Sermon" threads the needle between the two extremes, delivering a slightly more grindy and unhinged take on Bodydrinkers' apparent trademark aggression. The variety presented herein is quite enjoyable, and the short runtime simply isn't enough. I crave more. Given the EP title and slimy descriptor, I was admittedly expecting a little more sludgy lumbering and dripping riffage, but as a fan of the mire, that's on me. What we get instead is top-notch stuff, no bones about it. Swamp Hammer is delightfully aggressive and takes no prisoners in the sonic bombardment department. I highly recommend checking this one out! Listen here and snag a tape from (the illustrative) Fiadh Productionshere. Bodydrinkers - Swamp Hammer was released January 20th, 2023 (Digital) and June 2nd, 2023 (Cassette) via Fiadh Productions In a continuing attempt to cover more music that would all-too-oft slip through the very large cracks, we slumbering scribes are making an effort to publish the little one-off reviews that were previously (and arbitrarily) deemed too short for publication. Here's a mini-review of a rockin' and rollin' track. Written by: The Administrator Back in the throes of lockdown, we slumbering scribes ran an interview with Holy Death Trio, a (then) new act with only several singles to their name. A few years later, I come to the realization that in the slew of new music I completely missed the promo cycle of their debut LP, 2021's appropriately monikered Introducing..., which featured those early singles, and, in sum, turned out pretty damn well. In any case, I was excited to see a new track from the Holy Death Trio camp hit the ol' inbox, as a little vintage rock 'n' roll can go a long way in the heat of the summer. "Death Rider" is a short lil' tune but it does not disappoint. Riding in with the dusty air of a tune destined to land on a well-used cassette, "Death Rider" moves at foot-tapping trot. It feels delightfully vintage--the channels are just wonky enough, and the vocals carry a raw and rough undertone. There's little complexity in the composition, but the guitar truly shines, with an extensive and borderline jubilant solo carrying the majority of the back half. Perhaps most importantly, the track doesn't feel overworked nor overbaked. Sitting at a tight 2:28 runtime, there's no fat to be trimmed. It's a wonderfully unpolished affair, and feels nostalgic without falling too far down the emulation road. Most importantly, it's a damn fun listen. I'm excited to see Holy Death Trio continue down this road. If you're a fall of the old school rock 'n' roll sound and ethos, this one is definitely worth a listen. Check it out below! Holy Death Trio - "Death Rider" was released August 8th, 2023. |
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