Yes, there are still a couple weeks left in the year, but I feel fairly confident naming this the Brutal Death Metal album of the year. Get ready.
Pyrexia – Gravitas Maximus (Unique Leader Records, 10 December 2021)
Author Archives: valleyofsteel
Mark Solotroff – Not Everybody Makes It (2021)
Happy Friday! Here’s a bit of bonus coverage for you, as the vocalist of Anatomy of Habit (whose newly-released album was discussed right here earlier today) happened to put out his own solo record over the summer, which I’ll share with you now.
Mark Solotroff – Not Everybody Makes It (self-released, 30 July 2021)
Anatomy of Habit – Even If It Takes a Lifetime (2021)
After seven years of relative radio silence following 2014’s brilliant Ciphers + Axioms, today sees the emergence of the first of two anticipated new albums by Chicagoans Anatomy of Habit…
Anatomy of Habit – Even If It Takes a Lifetime (self-released, 10 December 2021)
The Electric Mud – Black Wool; Blue Heron – Black Blood of the Earth (2021)
For your listening enjoyment, a pair of recently-released EPs. One from the coastal swamplands of Florida, the other from the New Mexican deserts, and with sounds that match each location well.
The Electric Mud – Black Wool (self-released, 25 September 2021)
Blue Heron – Black Blood of the Earth / A Sunken Place (self-released, 03 December 2021)
Red Fang – Blade to Waste Video Game (2021)
Hey folks. I won’t waste my time or yours trying to introduce you to Red Fang, because obviously you are already familiar with them — American stoner rock band for the past decade and a half, aficionados of cheap beer and good times, probably as well-known for their goofy videos as for their music itself?
Well in case you missed it, earlier this year Relapse Records put out the band’s fifth album Arrows, and as par for the course, the band also filmed a video for the title track “Arrows” (which you can check out below if you haven’t seen it yet).
Once you’ve checked out these four-plus minutes of the bandmates whacking every imaginable object in half with swords, your initial reaction is likely to be how much fun this would be, and how much you would like to try it for yourself. If that’s true, well then you’re (somewhat) in luck…
Awenden / Feminazgul – Split (2021)
As we all prepare to wrap up an eventful 2021, here’s a quick look back at a two-band/three-song split that came out earlier in the year, and recently had a vinyl pressing announced for early next year. Both participating bands and the label that put this together are all pro-feminism, anti-fascism, and highly LGBTQ+ supportive — all of which are positions we can certainly get behind. And it doesn’t hurt when the music sounds cool as well…
Awenden / Feminazgûl – Split (Tridroid Records, cassette and digital 07 May 2021, vinyl expected March 2022)
Immortal Bird – Live at Migration (2018), Thrive on Neglect (2019)
These Chicagoan blackened-death-grinders are setting out for a trip across the northeastern USA throughout the rest of this week — see more details below, as well as a brief overview of the band’s latest releases over the past couple of years!
Immortal Bird – Live at Migration (self-released, 21 August 2018)
Immortal Bird – Thrive on Neglect (20 Buck Spin, 05 July 2019)
Natalie Zina Walschots – Hench: A Novel (2020/21)
Hello out there! Time once again for a quick excursion outside the music world and into the realm of the written word.
That’s right, we’re doing another book report…
Natalie Zina Walschots – Hench: A Novel (William Morrow / Harper Collins; hardcover and digital 22 September 2020; paperback 09 November 2021)
Desalmado – Mass Mental Devolution (2021)
The weekend is practically upon us! Here’s some politically-charged Brazilian death-grind for you!
Desalmado – Mass Mental Devolution (Gruesome Records, 08 October 2021)
LLNN – Unmaker (2021)
It’s been about three and a half years since the last time we checked in on these Danes, shall we see what they’ve been up to lately?
LLNN – Unmaker (Pelagic Records, 24 September 2021)
