FRESH MEAT FRIDAY: June 17th, 2022 Feat. Void Witch, Trocar, Valley of the Sun, and Inexorum

Every Friday, 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 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--and have been--listening to today here at the Village HQ. We hope you join us in doing so! 

This Friday, Bandcamp is holding their third annual Juneteenth fundraiser, where they donate 100% of their cut of sales to the NAACP Legal Defense Fund. Win/win!

On the docket for today, June 17th, 2022:
Void Witch, Trocar, Valley of the Sun, and Inexorum

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Void Witch - Void Witch
(​Everlasting Spew Records)

Either you love Void Witch's 2021 demo, or you were, until now, unaware of Void Witch's 2021 demo. After much anticipation, said demo is reborn, having been bolstered with a new song and granted official "debut EP" status. The three tracks contained within are diagnostically bad to the bone, as engrossing as they are gruesome. "Boudoir Bloodfeast," the newest addition to the Void Witch repertoire, is a notably excellent track, with a keen sense of dynamic play between the component death-y and doom-y parts. Nothing sits or feels stagnant, and in my mind, it is that restless sense of movement that has quickly made Void Witch stand out despite their newcomer status. In good time, this EP is gonna  be considered a classic, so you should obviously check it out now and establish your legacy as a true fan of their early stuff.

Find it here!

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Trocar - Four Forfeit Digits
(Independent, released 6/14)

There's no question that "gross" and "goregrind" generally go hand-in-hand by sheer nature of the beast. That said, this debut EP from Trocar elevates the art of grossness to sincerely admirable levels. The first three tracks are blistering affairs, raging forth with a burbling putridity and a mechanized drive like unto a piece of flesh-mangling  machinery that unexpectedly kicks into high gear when you climb inside to clean out the gunk. While I particularly love "Orphaned Organs" for it's sheer absurdity, the standout track is closer "(Every Day Is) Halloween," which rolls forth with a distinctly electronic bounce, lending a new meaning to the "mechanized" descriptor. In a few short minutes Four Forfeit Digits features a dizzying array of sights and sounds, and ultimately serves to seriously whet my appetite for more. Good shit, 'nuff said.

Find it here!

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Valley of the Sun - The Chariot
(Ripple Music, Fuzzorama Records)

​In the mood for some less overtly disgusting fare?There's been a decent amount of buzz in regards to this album today, but it deserves a whole lot more. Nothing quite like some good ol' rock to send the week off into the sunset with style, and Valley of the Sun certainly deliver the goods. Check out opener "Sweet Sands" or the title track for some prime examples of what this crew has to offer: big bluesy riffs, prominent bass, hooky refrains, engaging solos, and tinges of grungy angst alongside that fuzz-loving desert vibe.  

The Chariot is a strong rock album, plain and simple. It feels rooted in a variety of aesthetics, and yet feels fresh enough in the sea of stoner-affiliated genre. Another feather in Ripple's increasingly befeathered cap.

Find it here!

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Inexorum - Equinox Vigil
(Gilead Media)

This damn cover art alone is worth the price of admission, and the contents are equally gorgeous.

This album took me by storm--I started the day by listening to it on a whim, and have since sent it through a full cycle two times and counting. Anthemic and as boisterous as it is beautiful, this is black metal at its most outwardly triumphant. There's a distinct NWOBHM sense of urgency driving the percussion, and the riffs gallop with a delightfully uplifting presence. The tone is bright and sunny. Sublime melodies and overt power leads abound--there's never a dull moment. This is regrettably my first time hearing Inexorum, but as soon as someone is able to pry this brilliant album from my tight grasp, I'll swiftly be checking out their previous work. Equinox Vigil​ is brilliant. I have nothing but praise.

Find it here!

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