Stranger Fruit

Stranger Fruit

Zeal and Ardor

The second album from Swiss-American Manuel Gagneux's extremely Avant-garde black metal project was released earlier this year.

What starts as bluesy Occult rock mixed with Deep South folk and African Spiritualism morphs into a blizzard of frigid Norwegian-styled rage, a maelstrom of voodoo, Satanism, and pure hatred. Chanting, crooning, and howling are blended into a beautiful mix of heavy rock and roll and the wailing guitar sounds of classic black metal, in an album that never ceases morphing into something more.

If you're looking for something vicious in an unexpected way, this album is brilliant. A sonic ritual statement of independence and rage, it encapsulates the violent free spirit of Black Metal while being a beautifully crafted work of musicianship.

My only caveat is I feel some of the songs could be longer, allowing Gagneux to fully capitalize on the sound he is perfecting and the catchy choruses peppered throughout. Nevertheless, this has become one of my favorite albums this year, and I eagerly await the band's future endeavors.

You can pick it up via the band's Bandcamp page, or from their website for physical copies.

Personal Favorite Track: Don't You Dare

Album Artwork: Manuel Gagneux

Black Vice

Austin, Texas traditional/ritual black metal.

Photo by blogger. Barracuda, Austin, TX. Red River Family Fest, Sept 2017.

Hope Attrition

Woe

This New York based black metal outfit were one of my favorite performances of a quality filled Red River Family Fest III.

Off the rails unstoppable train of sonic destruction is how I would describe their sound. They did not let up for a minute, and their albums are much the same, unrelenting aggression that crushes body and soul while still drawing you in for more.

Carach Angren -Pitch Black Horror over North America Tour 2018

Dutch Theatrical Symphonic Black Metallers Carach Angren will be touring North America throughout October.

Support from Mors Principium Est and Wolfheart.

While not as big a fan of their earlier work, I found their newest album more focused and streamlined, avoiding some of the unnecessary plodding and repetition I felt was common in the earlier material. If you enjoy a good stage show and black metal in the style of Cradle of Filth, take the opportunity to see them.

Panegyrist

Red River Family Fest III

Their first live performance. Beautiful avant-garde ritualistic black metal with symphonic and folk elements and clean vocals mixed in.

Photos by blogger. Barracuda, Austin, Texas, September 28, 2018, Red River Family Fest Year III.

Red River Family Fest III -2018

This weekend, Friday September 28- Saturday September 29 at The Barracuda in Austin, Texas, USA.

Some last minute lineup changes have occurred. Vilkacis and Délétère have unfortunately had to drop, however in their steads are Ulthar, Pandiscordian Necrogenesis, Malevich, and Vale.

Come and enjoy!