Classic Greek Black Metallers Rotting Christ Released A "Best Of" Album Last Year To Celebrate 30 Years

Classic Greek black metallers Rotting Christ released a "Best Of" album last year to celebrate 30 years as a band, and it's been finding heavy rotation in my listening of late. I've always enjoyed the band, but they've really struck a whole new cord with me over the past year or so.

I've really found them to sort of transcend black metal into a wholly spiritual realm. They do get some flak for their modern releases not keeping the classic raw black metal sound, which is a shame. The atmosphere they've learned to build and maintain is exceptional, and one of my favorite aspects of their music. And their growing experimentation with folk elements, world music, and inversions of traditional Christian music traits creates a powerful listening experience. I've never tended to feel very spiritual, but these days I'm finding more and more black metal that challenges that. And this band is at the top of that list.

Dare I call them "magical"? They certainly invoke some ethereal force within me, and I am most grateful for it.

I look forward to finally sitting down with their newest album in the coming week, once I wrap up my Master's Thesis, which has been a serious distraction. The singles I've heard are promising and I'm quite excited.

Hinayana

"The Window"

-Order Divine-

New music video from Austin, Texas based progressive melodeath band Hinayana. Got to see them play earlier in the year, they are an incredibly talented bunch and its cool to see them getting picked up by a label like Black Lion Records (who are also in charge of the fantastic symphonic black metal group Hyperion as well).

If you're a fan of bands like Insomnium, Dark Tranquility, Paradise Lost, Opeth, etc. then check these fellows out.

The Ulthar and Scorched tour will be stopping in San Antonio, TX, and support will be the amazing bands Black Jackal, Uruk, and Haunter. If you're in the area this will be a show to see.

March 28th 2019

Limelight, San Antonio TX

$10 cover

Black metal from Wisconsin.

One of the first black metal releases of 2019 I'm really digging is this little 3 track EP. The riffs are quite enjoyable, well done vocal work, groovey rythym. Good stuff.

Black Jackal- Rock N Roll Nightmare

The debut album from San Antonio black thrash n roll speeding death train Black Jackal is probably in my top 5 albums of the year. This album slays. It rocks. Its absolutely awesome. If you like Venom, Weaponizer, Bastardizer, Destroyer 666, etc., you absolutely must try this album. If you want rock n roll, you must try this album. If you love heavy metal, you must try this album.

The riffs are some of the best you will hear, from a master guitarist and his virtuoso nerdtastic rythym- man ripping the heavens asunder. The basslines roar, a groovy undertow pulling everything together, especially on Skeletonize. Top notch drumming keeps you banging your head at breakneck speeds throughout. The vocals are some of my favorite, a raspy growl tearing through the rock and roll din, gruff but discernible in a manner I tend to find rare in many metal releases, towing a perfect line between harsh and clean.

There is a somber aspect to this release, as the rock and roll nightmare himself is no longer with us. The stunning last track is a reminder of what was lost, and a beautiful way to close the album. The band continues to forge ahead, each step forward in honor of a metal maniac, and I await what the future brings with excitement.

Lay down your soul for the God's rock and roll!

You can currently pick up digital copies from Flesh Vessel Records on Bandcamp, and physical copies are coming in the near future.

German Neue Deutsche Härte godfathers Oomph! have just released their newest album Ritual.

So far every single released has been superb, and this is shaping up to possibly be one of their best albums.

You can pick it up from Napalm Records.