Christian Mistress’s debut “Agony & Opium” was one of my favorite releases from 2010 and that album was played a lot throughout the last year or so. It was an excellent piece of retro fueled metal and it’s follow up has been highly anticipated.  The promo recently came across my desk and after listening to it several times, I have to admit it’s probably better than their debut. It has a similar sound to its predecessor, but there are a few things I noticed that set it apart.

The first thing I noticed was that while that classic sound with a rough edge is still there, the album has a crisper, louder overall sound. The next thing I noticed was that the bands musical chops have improved. Their musicianship was obvious on “Agony & Opium” but here, they sound tighter, more developed and the songwriting is more dynamic. As with their debut, it’s the voice of singer Christine Davis that really brings the album to another level but even that has improved.  She seems much more comfortable here and her vocals blend with the music, almost as if it were another instrument.

This is by far, one of the better releases I’ve heard in a while. My taste in metal tends to lean towards Black Metal these days, but an album like this reminds just what traditional metal has to offer.

My wife works in the assistance department of San Bernardino County and it’s interesting to hear her talk about the services they provide as well as the people that come in for help. Now, I’ve always supported programs that help those in need and I believe it’s in the countries best interest to help those that are in need, however, it’s painfully obvious that these social programs are not managed in a way that would truly help people improve their lives, instead, they simply help people get by and in the long run, they are actually a disservice because these people fail to learn how to support themselves and it ends up becoming a perpetual cycle where generation after generation remain in poverty. I truly believe that a country is only as strong as its weakest members and thus, we need to help those in need, but we also need to provide education and incentives to encourage self reliance.

While I’m not familiar with the Social Services programs that are suppose to help children with physiological and abuse issues, I’m familiar enough with government programs to know that they probably don’t work. Austin Lunn, the mastermind behindKentucky’s premier black metal band, Panopticon obviously is very familiar with these programs and their vast failures, so much so that he dedicated his latest release, “Social Disservices,” to the issue. Being a black metal release, you can’t really understand the lyrics, but it’s still obvious based on the titles, the ambient sounds that bridge the songs, and the sheer emotional power behind them that this is a subject Austin is passionate about.

The album includes a lyrics sheet, as well as an essay regarding the failures of children’s social services, as well as discussing his involvement and provides a little hope.  The album plays out similarly. It’s a long and darkly emotional road, one that takes many difficult twists and turns but by the end, there is a feeling of hope at the end of a long dark tunnel.

I know I might say this about a lot of albums, but “Social Disservices,” is a beautiful record.  The album is harsh, distorted and full of demented, tortured vocals, yet, the varied instrumentation found throughout, particularly the strings, and the occasional angelic back-ground vocals combine to create something that is heart wrenching and full  of rage, but full of beauty as well. The music is heavily rooted in Black Metal, but it full of so many other elements, such as doom, post-rock and folk. There is a lot of instrumentation here, particularly for a one-man band and it’s all recorded perfectly.  The drums have a very lush, organic sound to them, especially in the last few minutes of closing track “Patient.” This album, to me, is a prime example of the limitless potential of Black Metal. Often times the genre gets stuck in the basics, but when a band incorporates all of its influences, Black Metal can be the most powerful of all genres.

This album came out a few months back but unfortunately, I didn’t get a chance to hear it until just recently.  Had I listened to it sooner, it would have secured a high spot on my Best of 2011 list; it would have been a strong contender for the top spot. Austinhas a new Panopticon album already done and being mastered called “Kentucky” that I am really excited about.  It’s supposed to be a tribute to his home state and is heavily infused withBluegrass. If it’s anywhere close to “Social Disservices” it’s sure to be on my Best of 2012 list.

Like most extremes genres of music, Drone does take a commitment and it’s not meant for the casual fan, but for those of willing to take the journey, the rewards are there.  Personally, it took me awhile to really embrace drone., sure, I could appreciate the musicianship of bands like Earth and Sunn 0))), but I just wasn’t willing or ready to sit back and let such slow paced music flow through my headphones, I always wanted something heavier and faster. But thankfully, due in large part to “Monoliths & Dimensions“ by Sunn 0))), I finally invested the time listen and I’m better for it.  This music, when done right, has the power to open your mind and evoke an emotional response and Earth is a band that knows how to do it right.

Having virtually creating the Drone genre, in the early ‘90s, Earth has been one of the most prominent Drone bands around. Their early work was heavy and full of distortion. However, after returning from a 9 year hiatus with 2005’s “Hex or Printing in the Infernal Method” the band has sharply moved away from the feedback drenched drone of earlier albums such as “Earth 2” and the music has taken a moreAmericanainfluenced turn. This is still drone but with a softer, more emotional quality to it.

It was on last years “Angels of Darkness, Demons of Light I” that Earth finally hit their stride in this new direction.  It is a masterpiece and one of my favorite albums of 2011. The album was in my top ten, but looking back at the list, it easily could have been in the top five. 

Continuing where they left off, Earth returns with their much anticipated follow up, “Angels of Darkness, Demons of Light II.”  Part I was a powerful and emotional record and much of what made the record work is back on Part II, which makes sense considering both albums were recording during the same sessions.  Part I was full of thatAmericanainfused drone, but towards the end, the improvisational side of the band started to emerge and this record continues in that vein.

The songs are stark and are allowed a lot of room to breath. As usual, the drums are sparse and move at a glacial tempo. The cello is present throughout every song and it really gives the songs more depth, particularly on “Waltz (A Multiplicity of Doors)”. The bass is simple, but it provides a solid foundation for each song. The guitars have that Southern tinge to them and at times, feel very bluesy.

The music has a very emotional aspect to it and as I’ve listened over and over again for the last week, I’ve found that my mind drifts away into an almost meditative state.  The music is very relaxing and hypnotic but never boring.

Thunderous  post-instrumental outfit PELICAN  have announced the long awaited follow-up to their sprawling 2009 full length What We All Come To Need, a new four  song EP Ataraxia/Taraxis to be  released via Southern Lord on April 10. With members now residing in separate  cities, the EP represents a new chapter in the band’s evolution with a  reenergized focus on composition and the utilization of the recording studio as  a creative tool in the songwriting process, yielding one of the most diverse  efforts in the band’s prolific discography.

The four new songs  highlight the manifold sonic strengths of the band by delving into moments of  triumphant melodic rock, smokey doom, ambient soundscape, acoustic desert-folk,  and minimalist electronics. In contrast to the EP’s origin as the product of  four different recording studios, including stints with engineers Sanford Parker  (Twilight, Circle of Animals, Nachtmystium) and Aaron Harris (ISIS), the  carefully crafted track listing boasts a cohesive narrative flow, lending the  release an epic feel worthy of a full album.

Ataraxia/Taraxis Track  Listing:

1.  Ataraxia

2.  Lathe Biosas

3.  Parasite Colony

4.  Taraxis

PELICAN is supporting the  release with a two-week run of dates in Europe and the UK, including coveted  spots at Roadburn and Dunk! Festivals.

PELICAN Upcoming Tour  Dates:

4/06/2012  Dunk! Festival  – Zottegem,  BE

4/07/2012  The Garage – London, UK w/  Chelsea Wolfe

4/08/2012 Vudu  Club – Birmingham, UK w/ Chelsea  Wolfe

4/09/2012  Brudenell Social Club – Leeds, UK

4/10/2012  Stereo – Glasgow, UK

4/11/2012  The Ruby Lounge – Manchester, UK

4/12/2012  The Haunt – Brighton, UK

4/13/2012  The Cooler – Bristol, UK

4/14/2012  Roadburn Festival – Tilburg, Netherlands

4/15/2012  La Maronquinerie – Paris, France

4/16/2012  Jubez – Karlsruhe, Germany w/ Tombs

4/17/2012  Bad Bonn – Dudingen, Switzerland

4/18/2012  Magnolia – Milan, Italy

4/19/2012  Feierwerk – Munich, Germany w/ Tombs

4/20/2012  Cassiopeia – Berlin, Germany w/ Tombs

4/21/2012  Nosturi – Helsinki, Finland

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I only got into punk and hardcore within the last 8 years or so, which means I missed out on a lot of the classics.  However, I do get to discover  these “new” bands all the time and it’s refreshing to find out about some of the highly influential groups that have existed over the years.  

Poison Idea is one of those bands and until now, I had never listened to them. Our friends over there at Southern Lord, one of the best labels in extreme music these days, recently announced that they will be re-releasing several seminal titles from Poison Idea’s catalog throughout 2012.

January 31^st brings us the first of the series, “Darby Crash Rides Again – The Early Years.” The album consist of 29 tracks, including the previously unreleased “Boner’s Kitchen” demo, the complete “Darby Crash Rides Again” demo, the complete uncut live-on-the-air set from the 1983 KBOO radio benefit, and outtakes from the “Record Collectors Are Pretentious Assholes” recording session.

Much of this material has either been out-of-print or never before officially released! All the recordings have been meticulously restored and mastered by Jack Control at Enormous Door Mastering. The booklet contains liner notes, old flyers and previously unpublished photos from the band’s beginnings.

As I said, this was my first listen and initially I was a little deterred by the poor quality, but these tracks are taken from 30 year old demos, so I quickly got over that and was really impressed.  The music isn’t technically proficient, but they have a defined sound that meshes punk and early hardcore, it’s easy to see why these guys have been influential. I’m really looking forward to hearing all of these re-issues over the year.

Nails’ “Unsilent Death” was one of my favorite hardcore albums from 2010 and I’ve been waiting patiently for their follow up. With that full length due sometime in the first half on 2012 on Southern Lord, this self-released split 7” with San Francisco’s’ Skin Like Nails is a nice little piece of wax to pass the time with.

The first two tracks are excellent examples of more modern hardcore from Skin Like Nails.  Both tracks are melodic and energetic, fierce but not brutal. If you’re not familiar with this hard working band, this is a good introduction.

Personally, I prefer my Hardcore with a little more bite to it, so it’s the two tracks from Nails that I’m interested in and they don’t disappoint. Nails always bring a relentless barrage of hate-filled fury and this is brutal Hardcore at its best. “Annihilation” at 2:51 is a bit long for a Nails song, but over its duration, the band tackles all aspects of their influences from Punk, Grind to Hardcore and even a little Sludge. At just 24 seconds, closing track “Cry Wolf” is one of the most brutal half-minutes on record. You can call this stuff Crusty, Violent, Devastating, Brutal, Furious, Face-Pummeling or any one of those catchy Hardcore Buzz-words,  but most of all it’s simply  mesmerizing and it makes me long for their next full length!.

A brand New Year and a brand new Brother Ali track….a great way to start out the year. Not sure if this means a new album is on the horizon but I’ll take whatever I can get from the one of the best MC’s in the game. This time he comes at with a track produced by Jake One.  Personally, I haven’t been a big fan of Jake’s work in the past and I really love the way Ali sounds over beats by Ant, but I have to say this track works.

Here’s the Youtube video:

Check out Ali’s Facebook for a download.

Here’s an excerpt:

A New York City subway train holds 1,200 people. This blog was viewed about 5,500 times in 2011. If it were a NYC subway train, it would take about 5 trips to carry that many people.

Click here to see the complete report.

As I look at my list, I’m pretty satisfied with it. SubRosa is still my favorite album, but I did leave off Weedeater and With Mountain, both of which deserve to be in the Top Twenty. Also, I think So Hideous My Love should probably have been higher. Their album “To Clasp A Fallen Wish with Broken Fingers” was released on vinyl earlier in the year and was recently issued on CD.  This is truly a beautiful record, its mix of harsh, post-rock infused black metal, hardcore and classical makes for a powerful listen.

2012 looks like it could be a good year.  In the first quarter, we’ll see new release3s form Lamb of God, Earth, Pallbearer, Orange Goblin, Christian Mistress, Corrosion of Conformity and Saint Vitus. Ancestors have their new one scheduled for an April release and Volto has been recording.  But really, all I need is a new Tool record to make my year, so hopefully their new one will see the light of day in 2012.

As for SilasLikesMusic, I’ve some new plans and a new project in the works that will hopefully come to fruition in the early part of the year. In addition, Obscene is making some moves that could prove to be very beneficial. So 2012 could be a great year.

So have a happy and safe New Year, I’ll see you in 2012.