From Wisdom To Hate (Review)

Finally got around to writing something substantial again, in an attempt to warm-up before the essays and exams begin for the end of semester. The candidate? Gorguts' masterpiece, From Wisdom To Hate.

Also, the album has just gotten a vinyl release (finally!) and is available through various online distros. Obscura will also be getting the vinyl treatment in the near future, as a gatefold double lp. Time to get your wallets out people.


Have a read of the review over here.

Archgoat - Angelcunt (Tales of Desecration)

From the album's title and art work, would you guess this is anything but black/death of the most blasphemous variety? Archgoat sure do make it easy for the listener; there's no messing about.

A solid and filthy EP.


Angelcunt (Tales of Desecration)

Alban Berg - Wozzeck (Claudio Abbado/Vienna Philharmonic)

An absolutely essential piece of 20th century classical music, and one of the greatest operas of said period.

Based on the unfinished Woyzeck by playwright Georg Büchner, Berg's expressionist opera conveys the madness and psychological break downs of characters on stage through free atonality. Leitmotifs are also used as perhaps some kind of anchor throughout the piece, but even though music of this kind on such a large scale can be seen as quite opaque, the performances given by the vocalists really demand all attention and guide you through the whole tense affair.


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Black Renaissance - Body, Mind & Spirit

An overlooked fusion album that should really be in everyones collection.

Great modal jams, with nice grooves and some trippy vocals here and there also. Really cool sound, about as accessible as it comes for the more avant-garde stuff.


Body, Mind & Spirit

The Goslings - Grandeur of Hair

Droning, doomed-out noise rock, with a large emphasis on the noise.

Hypnotic riffs are everywhere, but the few times it goes into more melodic (though still noisy) territory it's just fantastic. Really awesome sound these guys have.


Grandeur of Hair

Blaspherian - Infernal Warriors of Death

Solid fucking slab of death metal right here.

Much like their great EP Allegiance to The Will of Damnation, Blaspherian take their Incantation influences, and emphasise the face-pummeling. If that doesn't sound appealing then you probably don't like death metal.


Infernal Warriors of Death

FaltyDL - You Stand Uncertain

The best electronic release I have heard from 2011 thus far.

Great beats from New York's Drew Lustman, aka FaltyDL. One of the coolest styles to come out of this garage/dubstep craze over the last few years. Nice production, nothing overproduced or silly sounding, just the right amount of ambience and of course, some great beats.


You Stand Uncertain

Curtis Mayfield - Curtis

So basically if you haven't heard the song "Move On Up" then you are living under a sad and lonely rock. But having heard the song and not checked out Mr Mayfield's music? Also quite sad.

While it's hard for an album to live up to the grand heights of it's most well known single, this is sure as hell a great album, and one of the greatest soul albums of all time. Essential.


Curtis

Tomasz Stanko - Music for K

Might as well post this album too, to complete the Polish double-header.

This is the album dedicated to Komeda, and certainly evokes the sadness over his sudden and untimely death. Really great stuff.


Music for K

Krzysztof Komeda - Astigmatic

Great Polish pianist who died way too young (just shy of 38).

He worked with Roman Polanski, composing many film scores, but unfortunately he didn't have many studio albums to his name. However, Astigmatic makes up for the lack of material, as it's one of the finest European jazz albums I have had the pleasure of hearing.

This recording has that European "cool" sound, which many Americans were going for in the 50's, but mixes it with some more of the avant-garde of the 60's, which sounds great. The half hour title track also features a more free type of improvisation, but again, it's more in the "cool" vein than some of the blowing sessions found in the US at the time. Also, Tomasz Stanko puts in a great performance here on trumpet.


Astigmatic

Iceland

I want to go there.


via toguko

Weekend Nachos - Black Earth

After their last EP, the slow and sludgy Bleed, Weekend Nachos have returned to stomp your fucking face in with Black Earth, which is back to their older style.

If this is an indication of the forthcoming LP's quality, then it's time to get excited.


Black Earth

Boxcutter - Oneiric

This is one of those time's where judging an album by it's cover has payed off. I thought "ooo, preeetty", then downloaded and enjoyed.

Really cool blending of different electronic styles here, with just enough beats and just enough atmosphere.


Oneiric

Ash Borer - Ash Borer

Fresh jams from Cascadian darlings Ash Borer.

Usual quality, which is great.


Ash Borer

The Nation of Ulysses - Plays Pretty For Baby

Refused obviously listened to these guys quite a bit.

Punk in suits.


Plays Pretty For Baby