Nagelfar
Virus West
Ván (2006)
In Norse Mythology, the Naglfar is a ship built, naturally, from the fingernails and toenails of the dead. Black metal always has been, and I suspect always will be, an odd one for me. Whilst I'd really rather have as little association as possible with the corpse paint, witch hats, and general chastising of Christianity, the dripping black atmosphere is something that does carry its own enigmatic appeal. Hearing Emperor for the first time came close to shifting the paradigm; never before had music forged such evocative, storylike imagery in my mind. Then I found post-rock. It's a rare occasion then, when a black metal act does manage to grab my attention. Usually, it needs a hefty recommendation or an appeal all of its own. The mechanical horror of The Axis of Perdition caught my ear, sounding like a cross between Silent Hill, a washing machine, and nightmares that make my own look like Monty Python sketches, yet most else seems to be thrown under that same black and white banner of incomprehensible logos. This reissue of the now-defunct and widely celebrated Nagelfar's Virus West (2001) I can just about tolerate. Perhaps it's the production, completely devoid of the muckiness … Read more
Asbestosdeath
Dejection, Unclean
Southern Lord (2007)
If you are at all familiar with doom metal you should no doubt be aware of who Bay Area legends … Read more
Ben Weasel and His Iron String Quartet
These Ones are Bitter
Mendota (2007)
Growing up, Ben Weasel was the total embodiment of punk rock to me. Sure, NOFX was the band that hooked … Read more
