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)
Tag Archives: USA
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)
Wolven Daughter / Molten Dagger – Split; Vinterdracul – Necrotethical Prelude (2021)
Good afternoon and Happy Monday, readers. Just one quick question: do you — in the words of Ol’ Dirty Bastard on his groundbreaking 1995 album Return to the 36 Chambers — “like it raw“?
If so, I’ve got two brand-new releases that just may be right up your alley, both of which came out on Bandcamp just a few days ago, and both of which represent black metal of the RAW variety…
Wolven Daughter / Molten Dagger – Split (self-released, 05 November 2021)
Vinterdracul – Necrotethical Prelude (self-released, 05 November 2021)
Creeping Death – The Edge of Existence (2021)
Death metal week (unofficial) continues here at Valley of Steel HQ with this EP that dropped last month from a band out of DFW, Texas, that’s been garnering some attention lately…
Creeping Death – The Edge of Existence (MNRK Heavy, 08 October 2021)
Erin Palmer – Skeletal Prayer (2020)
Erin Palmer – Skeletal Prayer (16 April 2020)
Hey folks, what’s up? It’s been a little while since we’ve done this! Around four months since the last time I wrote about anything on this website, and almost four YEARS since I shared a book recommendation with you all.
If you’re thinking that this is chiefly a place to talk about music, you are correct. Usually my purpose here is to let you know about something I’ve heard that I thought was worth sharing. And yeah, I do have a to-do list of hundreds of albums dating back nearly the entire lifetime of this site — not to mention the dozens of new emails coming in every single day.
But sometimes it’s tough to fit in some quality listening time throughout the day, especially critical listening and then writing about what I’m listening to. There are conference call meetings at work, tv shows and movies to watch after work, just so many different things vying for attention…
Ok, yeah, you’ve caught me. These are all just lame excuses. The truth is, a few months back my company hooked us all up with free access to an online learning service, and I have become absolutely addicted. So far, I think I’ve watched about 400 hours worth of productivity and time management videos. Things haven’t really improved much yet, but I’ll keep watching them until I find one that helps!
But having said that, one of my goals for myself in 2021 has been to spend more time reading. And while much of that has been some pretty weighty material — about scientific studies and social theories and various other subjects relevant to my interests — occasionally it’s also nice to break things up with some less-serious stuff…
Valley of Steel 