Wallachian Cobwebs "Hearken to the Moon Whisper"

    Imagine walking into a crypt and seeing a coffin slowly opening with mist swirling around the lid as you begin to become hysterical from fright. If there was a soundtrack for that experience, Wallachian Cobwebs would be the perfect artist to compose some terrifying music.

    The artist’s debut release, “Hearken to the Moon Whisper,” is a dungeon synth release which explores the vampiric themes known to spawn nightmares and inspire frightening legends. Dungeon synth is all about establishing strong ambience and also requires the ability to create a world driven by sound instead of lyrics. This artist I find offers a unique approach by creating a truly malevolent cinematic sounding environment. The overall mood is extremely ominous with sounds of wolves howling in the background and of coffins creaking as if the undead are slowly coming out of the shadows.

    Similar to a horror film, the album flows seamlessly through different pieces to create a sinister tale. The opening audio clip begins the journey into a dark misty world of frightening howls accompanied by grim sounding synth arrangements. When listening to the album one will take notice right away to how the synth is the main driving force leading the listener deeper into the catacombs of despair. The song, “An Abandoned Room Full of Dust,” really captured my attention with a solemn melody that eventually evolves into a fascinating cinematic like composition.

    One of my favorite songs off the album, “Uprising of the Green Skeletons,” features more malignant sounding elements, yet the haunting atmosphere is extremely welcoming. You become lost in the musical world of eerie sounding horror and can see yourself walking in a trance like state through a Transylvanian graveyard under a full moon. Also, the song does a great job leading into the final track, “The Stars Touched Midnight,” which is a captivating arrangement where the synth conjures up some vivid sounding notes until the music disappears into the windy and cold Wallachian night.

    Wallachian Cobwebs did a brilliant job with this release, especially in terms of how the album was composed and recorded. It is unique dungeon synth album that breaks away from the pack by exploring and experimenting with a creative concept that I found to be very interesting and engaging. Dungeon synth fans should really check this release out, along with anyone who is a fan of cinematic sounding horror music. Similar to a black and white horror film, the music pulls you out of reality and into a realm of sheer fright to become engrossed in a forbidden tale of terror. 



Check out the entire album below:

Wallachian Cobwebs Bandcamp:

https://wallachiancobwebs.bandcamp.com/releases

Top Ten Albums of 2019 / Rob "The Metal Guy" Awards

I remember at the start of 2019 saying that this would be a great year for metal. Actually, I think that this year even took me by surprise with how many quality releases came out. Looking at a lot of the albums I considered to be the year's best, a majority of them are debut albums, so that tells you the talent right now amongst your younger rock and metal acts is extremely impressive. Due to the strong year we had here in 2019, I am already predicting that 2020 is going to bring us even more killer albums full of headbanging glory. So, read and enjoy this top ten list along with the Rob "The Metal Guy" Awards. Maybe leave a comment at the bottom if there are albums you thought stood out this year, or nominate people for an award you think should be given



10. Decoherence “Ekpyrosis”

If you want some high quality extreme music, then a band that is on Sentient Ruin is always a prime choice. Decoherence proved that they know how to construct abysmal sounding landscapes filled with terrifying blackened sounding compositions. The entire release is a nonstop ride into dark dimensions where malevolent forces lurk with sinister ambitions. Overall, a blistering album recorded in such an unapologetic fashion that I can’t speak enough about.

Complete Album Review: https://rockandmetaltemple.blogspot.com/2019/11/decoherence-ekpyrosis.html


9. Malfet “The Way to Avalon”

Taking the Arthurian legend and constructing a soundtrack to lead listeners through a world of epic fantasy, Malfet proved to show tremendous talent on this debut release. Dungeon synth is a style of music I find to be extremely cathartic and this release is a vibrant sounding offering that can put your mind at ease as you drift into the magnificent musical world created by this one-man band.

Complete Album Review: https://rockandmetaltemple.blogspot.com/2019/06/malfet-way-to-avalon.html


8. Pale Cremation “Grimoire”

Sometimes it only takes one man to make a killer doom album, and sure enough Matt from Pale Cremation did just that on his debut release. I really dig the riffs and overall songwriting style, because this is the type of doom metal that kicks you right in the balls with a blast of reverb and a smack of heavy grooving rhythms. A total psychedelic doom avalanche of reverb to drown your mind and blow out your speakers.

Complete Album Review: https://rockandmetaltemple.blogspot.com/2019/11/pale-cremation-grimoire.html


7. Nucleus “Entity”

All these people who are tripping over Blood Incantation’s new album need to understand that Nucleus had the technical science fiction death metal style down earlier this year. I found Nucleus “Entity” to be an amazing release where the technically came across so crisp and perfectly complimented the overall songwriting approach. These guys knew how to write an album that flowed with brutality, yet also offered these magnificent progressive elements to create an atmosphere of galactic death metal splendor.

Complete Album Review: https://rockandmetaltemple.blogspot.com/2019/04/nucleus-entity.html


6. Mournful Cries “Bad Taste”

This doom metal trio from Santa Rosa, CA did not miss the mark when they released their debut full-length album. After releasing a few demos to get people acquainted with their brand of heavy grooving bone chilling doom, the band put out an album that was bad ass from top to bottom. Solid songs that contain monumental sounding riffs and instrumental compositions for you to just float into a smoke filled land of epic doom.

Complete Album Review: https://rockandmetaltemple.blogspot.com/2019/07/mournful-cries-bad-taste.html


5. Saint Vitus “Self-Titled”

The doom metal icons really did a great job on their 2019 self-titled release. Also, this was the first Saint Vitus release to feature original singer Scott Reagers since “Die Healing” which came out in 1995. I felt like the band sounded tight and the overall production was another high point. Dave lays down some wicked sounding riffs and solos, while Scott narrates these haunting tales of terror.

Complete Album Review: https://rockandmetaltemple.blogspot.com/2019/05/review-saint-vitus-self-titled-2019.html


4. Nocturnus AD “Paradox”

Mike Browning told me when I interviewed him a few years back that he wanted to continue where the, “The Key,” left often by bringing together some extremely talented musicians and keeping the Nocturnus legacy alive. I believe Nocturnus AD did an excellent job pulling all those elements together that made, “The Key,” one of death metal’s most ambitious releases and then writing some wicked new material. I really enjoy the guitar compositions on this album along with how the keyboard creates these unconventional sounding noises to make a truly malevolent science fiction death metal themed release.

Complete Album Review: https://rockandmetaltemple.blogspot.com/2019/06/nocturnus-ad-paradox.html

3. Pathetic “Rat King”

Sometimes I don’t want a band to baffle me with technical structures and claim to be the future of death metal. Personally, I just want some straightforward vicious brutality that hits you like hammer to the face. Pathetic is a trio that does not mess around by writing some thunderous death metal tracks that also convey some doom and speed elements to give you one HEAVY release. “Rat King,” is an entire package full of great headbanging moments, so you need to check it out if you have not.

Complete Album Review: https://rockandmetaltemple.blogspot.com/2019/06/pathetic-rat-king.html


2. Venom Prison “Samsara”

I think Venom Prison redeemed themselves after I listened to their debut album, which was not horrible, but did not do much for me when I listened to it. Most bands that do not impress me with their debut release tend to fade away, however, Venom Prison “Samsara” was an unbelievable album. The guitar riffs, vocal delivery and musicianship all around was dialed upon to an insane level of unforgiving energy. From start to finish I can’t find one issue

Complete Album Review: https://rockandmetaltemple.blogspot.com/2019/03/venom-prison-samsara.html

1. Iron Griffin “Curse of the Sky”

Iron Griffin’s sophomore release, “Curse of the Sky,” is a classic metal sounding tale of glorious vintage sounding riffs and captivating vocals. Arguably one of the best vocal performances I heard on an album in a long time, singer Maija Tiljander is able to inject such raw emotion into the triumphant sounding instrumentals. Unlike those classic metal acts who end up sounding gimmicky and write the same damn song over and over again, Iron Griffin displayed a bold confidence throughout this album. I cannot think of one dull moment when listening to this album, because the songwriting is simply majestic sounding. Definitely a group that needs to keep the ball rolling and forging more epic sounding releases down the road here.

Complete Album Review: https://rockandmetaltemple.blogspot.com/2019/02/iron-griffin-curse-of-sky.html

Rob “The Metal Guy” Awards 

Best EP/Demo Release of the Year: Chthonic Deity “Reassembled in Pain”

Best Split of the Year: Black Fucking Cancer / Gloam “Boundless Arcane Invokations”

Best Hardcore Punk Release: Jackal (Self-titled 7”)

Best Live Performance: Unlucky Theta at the Lister Bar in SF

Label of the Year: Sentient Ruin

Up and Coming Artist of the Year: Enshrouded

Most Ridiculous Announcement: Mötley Crüe coming out and saying they will tour again after promising all of us they were done…

Album Recommendation: Geddy Lee "My Favorite Headache"

    If you were to ask me who is my favorite band on this planet and in the history of music, I would answer Rush without any hesitation. For many years I have been a devout fan of Rush and even did my high school senior project on the importance of their music.

    Now for this recommendation I decided to actually go outside the Rush catalog and will be recommending Geddy Lee’s solo release, “My Favorite Headache.” Recorded in 2000, “My Favorite Headache,” was released when Rush was on hiatus due to Neil having gone through some personal tragedies in his life with the loss of his wife and daughter. During the break Geddy decided to continue to write music and collaborated with different musicians in the making of this album. Since 1974 Geddy had been playing with Neil and Alex, actually Alex and Geddy had know each other since teenagers, so stepping out and doing a solo album was a bit of a shock.

    Although this is not a “Rush” album I think one can hear some similarities, especially in how the instrumental compositions are written. I find Geddy’s writing style to reflect his keen sense for writing melodies, which can definitely be heard in Rush’s entire discography. Lyrically Geddy does a tremendous job as well on this album by writing some very catchy and thoughtful lyrics. I would say that this album mirrors Rush’s, “Test for Echo,” which happens to be the last Rush studio album before the band’s hiatus.

    The album begins with the title track and features Geddy’s unmistakable bass playing that provides a burst of fast grooving energy as the drumming picks up pace and the guitar parts come booming into the picture. This is definitely one of the more heavy sounding songs off the album and one that could have easily appeared on a Rush album. Now the second song, “The Present Tense,” opens with a strong chord punching riff and then transitions into one of Geddy’s uplifting verse sections containing these sweet sounding bass melodies.

    Looking at the middle of the album you see quite a few well written tracks that all convey a unique and pleasant sounding identity. “Runaway Train,” is one of my favorite tracks off of the album. The full guitar chords used in the beginning create this massive sounding explosion as the bass tracks in the background pull you along this ever evolving musical landscape. Geddy’s vocal delivery is exceptional when pertaining to how his voice compliments the instrumental structures. Another song worth mentioning is, “The Angel’s Share,” which is an acoustic piece that is perfectly layered. I think the production value on this album is a major reason as to why the music comes across so profound.

    The final part of the album is just as interesting with more well crafted and impressively recorded songs. I believe, “Still,” is one of the most powerful cuts off this album along with, “Grace to Grace.” There are both unique songs with dynamic compositions, however, they harmoniously compliment the album’s overall identity.

    As a fan of Rush you would like Geddy to be playing with Alex and Neil, but I do believe that this solo album released during the band’s hiatus before they made, “Vapor Trails,” allowed Geddy to offer fans a great glimpse into his musical mind. After listening to this album you find a new found respect for what Geddy has done in Rush by realizing his sharp ear for writing such phenomenal music. If you have not listened to, “My Favorite Headache,” you are really missing a gem right here. The music still holds up today, because any music written with substance and integrity can withstand the test of time.

I do know that there is a special Record Store Day vinyl version of "My Favorite Headache" that came out recently. Hopefully they see the demand for this album and decided to press more vinyl copies, but if you somehow find it at your local record store...get it! I know I am going to be searching! 

Dismembered Carnage "Blasphemed Betrayal"

    No remorse and no salvation shall be delivered upon those who think about questioning Dismembered Carnage’s blasphemous death metal skills. The band’s new album, “Blasphemed Betrayal,” is a savage onslaught of behemoth brutality featuring ten tracks of unholy devastation.

    The Concord, CA based band captures the essence of old school death metal by writing songs that waste little time getting straight to the gory point. I felt as though the production and overall recording quality on this release helped achieve that bold and abrasive old school death metal sound. There are a lot of bands who can write blasphemous sounding material, but unfortunately most of them end up repeating themselves by writing the same damn song over and over again. I do believe Dismembered Carnage took their time with this release and each composition is executed with tremendous confidence and aggression.

    The opening track, “As Jesus Burns,” is a wicked cut of intense blast beats and sinister riffs that show no mercy. On the next track, “Denial of Christ,” the band crafts such monstrous sounding riffs to compliment the singer’s gruesome sounding demonic death growls. I thought the opening two tracks did a great job establishing the band’s brand of iniquitous songwriting skills, along with showing their ability to create bone crushing instrumental compositions.

    The middle of this album is also very strong and songs like “Pastor of Disease”, “Devour in the Tomb” and “Fester in the Grave,” continue to fuel the band’s ravenous death metal approach. Although the band is not shredding their balls off and trying to overload listeners with technical compositions, they keep the music tight by writing very menacing tracks with riffs that just get the job done.

    I believe the album’s final three songs “Rape the Priest,” “Morbid Molestation” and “Into the Eternal Underworld,” are extremely damaging pieces of corpse carving debauchery. “Rape the Priest,” is a vile song with a venomous chorus section and I find it to be a great example of artistic freedom. Some individuals might take offense to the lyrical content, but I think that the song is a perfect example of how heavy metal music is used to challenge social norms and breakdown the barriers of censorship. Dismembered Carnage is not the first band to write blasphemous lyrics, however, they are keeping that malevolent spirit alive, which is much needed in our current society.

    In the end, if you are a fan of ruthless death metal that will strike terror into the hearts of religious zealots, then you might want to give Dismembered Carnage’s, “Blasphemed Betrayal,” a listen. I’ve seen the band live a couple years back and I can honestly say that the hard work and dedication paid off, because I think they “nailed it” with this release.



Listen to the song "Your Lord Dismembered" below:

Dismembered Carnage bandcamp:
https://dismemberedcarnage666.bandcamp.com/album/blasphemed-betrayal