Thursday, May 29, 2008

Know Wrest [for the wicked]

I've not been able to get enough of Leviathan as of late and considering what a phenomenal opus Massive Conspiracy Against All Life is, it is small wonder that I don't yet have everything that's ever been released. But having gotten into Wrest and his various projects and splits so late in the game, would I be as impressed with his back catalog? The answer is a overwhelming and resounding, "INDEED!"

Immediately after Massive..., I scored a copy of Howl Mockery at the Cross, a collection of demo material that sounds well superior to the piles of "produced" BM out there and was a great start for me, the semi-uninitiated and comes recommended not just for fans of Leviathan, but of great one-man, USBM and to fans of Black Metal in general.

Next I was able to score a double deal via eBay of the Xasthur/Leviathan and the Leviathan/Sapthuran splits. Xasthur of course I'd been a fan of for some time, so that side of the split was a given. I must say Wrest's contribution to this split sees him trying new things a little more along the Xasthur route that frankly works quite well, so this split was a score. The Leviathan/Saphthuran split was great also...the latter offers up cold, grim, harsh BM...the former, much the same. A total score to be sure as I relish the cold, grim and harsh.

Realizing that I was far past obtaining the back catalog in any kind of order, (I usually like to move backwards through it if I've started with the latest release), I then picked up The Tenth Sub Level of Suicide, the first full-length from back in 2003. Whew! EXTREMELY bad ass for a debut! With most bands, by the time I get to the debut, I'm losing interest and will "meh" my way through a listen, but let me say...I'm was FAR from disappointed in this album and was looking forward to hearing more.

The next step in this underworld journey was to check out Wrest's other project Lurker of Chalice. Luckily, Southern Lord has just re-released this self-titled album and I was able to obtain it quite quickly. While this project maintains much of the cold, darkness of Levithan, it's but a short distance from gothic ala Fields of the Nephilim in many ways, making it a unique and interesting listen. I've still not absorbed it completely, but what I've heard so far, it's brilliant and as recommended as any Leviathan release.

I was also luckily able to get a hold of the 2xCD compilation release of Verräter.I say lucky because according to some sources, it's limited to 666 copies (Although I'm seeing it around quite a lot). This release compiles previously recorded and self-released demo material, one release called "Schadenfreude" and the other "Krankheit". Both of the discs in this collection are top notch an nothing short of brutal when you consider the great amount of material that Wrest not only comes up with, but puts out.

Incidentally, I have a copy of his previous full-length, Tentacles of Whorror on the way and now have to start thinking of how to get a hold of the harder to find stuff.

Wrest (aka
Jef Whitehead) is a renowned tattoo artist in San Fransisco and has contributed his own paintings to some the the releases. He has also stated that his preferred instrument is drums as is quite obvious with each of his releases and projects. He has collaborated with SUNN 0))) and was part of the now defunct Twilight project.

While he went through many hardships to release Massive Conspiracy Against All Life, (it was initially going to come out as a Lurker of Chalice release on Battle Kommand) he's managed to give us his strongest offering to date and make a die-hard fan out of me.

(((03)))

Thursday, May 22, 2008

Truths and Opinions (Machine Numbered Edition)

Remember when bands "thought" they were badass? Now they "KNOW" they are badass, take everything too seriously and wear beanies.
Giving the title "Untitled" to a song or album is not clever.
When you claim to be a "fan" of a band, try at least getting the name of their biggest album correct...Into the Pan.Thy.Monium indeed!
There is an unholy trinity and it is Thee Claw!!! Hail Patchie, SJW and The Skum!
Always, and I cannot stress this enough, ALWAYS double check whether or not an item is really "rare" or "out of print" before bidding in the triple digits on eBay.
Just because your "band" or "one man project" has the moniker "USBM" attached to it, doesn't mean I will purchase your CD.
I'm sick of Tom Warriors new "look at me, I'm sullen" pictures.
Many "Independent" record labels are ruining the concept of "numbered" limited editions by failing to release only one of each number in sequence.
Never claim (with a sense of smugness even) to have a first press, limited run or rare version of an LP when you are talking to a REAL vinyl expert.
I still listen to RATT and am listening to "Between the Eyes" right now.
The person I clash with the least when it comes to music is Russ. Hail Proscriptor!
If you're in a band, STOP FUCKING TRYING TO ADD ME ON MYSPACE!!! I DO NOT give a FUCK about your crap music that mixes TOOL with what-the-fuck-ever. Douche Bags!
If you have Arch Enemy listed anywhere on your site, myspace or blog other than to say they suck, I won't link you.
The best band I think no one has heard of is Balatonizer from Italy (let's change that shall we).
Just because your "band" or "one man project" is on a label I tend to be supportive of, Hydra Head, Southern Lord, Moribund, Etc., doesn't mean I will purchase your CD even if it's limited or comes with a shirt or "after this it will only be available by the band on tour".
Owning Until the Ink Runs Out doesn't make you EMO but anything else by 18V does.
I hate the word EMO and I can't believe I've managed to use it.
I've been on a total trip for Venom and Leviathan which shows no sign of subsiding (find Verräter!!!)
"The Wreck of the Edmond Fitzgerald" is by far one of the most KVLT songs in existence.
If you're going to give yourself a pseudonym, please put some thought into it.
If you're going to wear corpse paint, try not to make yourself look gay.
I hate seeing pics of guys from bands I was into back in the 80's looking all "over the hill" now. (Have you SEEN Cronos lately? He could be Klaus Meine's older, taller, slightly more satanic brother).
Listening to Public Enemy doesn't make you hate "whitey" any more than listening to Arch Enemy makes you Not Gay.
I hate that these posts have become architecturally verbose.
What the fuck? Machine numbered? Pull out a fucking pen.
Remember kids, Celtic Frost was GOING to have Monotheist go by the title Dark Matter Manifest. Look it up.
The only thing worse than people is more people. Hail Wrest and Xasthur!

(((03)))

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Playlist 05.20.08


















VENOM - Eine Kleine Nachtmusik
LEVIATHAN - The Tenth Sub Level of Suicide
THE POLICE - Ghost in the Machine
XASTHUR - A Gate Through Bloodstained Mirrors
YOB - The Illusion of Motion
LEVIATHAN/SAPTHURAN - Split
LEVIATHAN/XASTHUR - Split
BORIS with KEIJI HAINO - Black: Implication Flooding
DARKTHRONE - Hate Them
SARGEIST/HORNED ALMIGHTY - Split

On the way:

LURKER OF CHALICE - Lurker of Chalice
GALLHAMMER - The Dawn of...
VENOM - In League with Satan
BATHORY - The Return
GIRTH - Living in Truth
LEVIATHAN - Verrater
PAN.THY.MONIUM - Khaooos & Kon-Fu-Ion
DARKTHRONE - Frostland Tapes

In search of:

PENTEMPLE - 0))) Presents...
YOB - The Unreal Never Lived
DARKTHRONE - Plaguewielder
VENOM - Skeletons in the Closet
GRAILS - Take Refuge in Clean Living

Special thanks to Jason Burris of PROTEST for hangs Friday Night and all the kick ass music (Carnivore, Danzig, Doomriders, Taint, Saviours and BORIS!

(((03)))

Friday, May 16, 2008

deadrightthere (part V)






Last deadrightthere show: Curtain Club, summer 2004. This was by far the most inspired and prolific era of the band. I and the other 3 guys, Stumpy, Ybanez and Trip, are currently looking for rehearsal space to start playing again. I'll keep you posted. These photo's were taken by the lovely and talented Misty Raines. Thank you Misty!!! and thanks to Trip for the zip and send!!! More to follow.

(((03)))

Thursday, May 15, 2008

Truths and Opinions (Diehard Edition)

There are too many sub-genres of metal now.
Khanate breaking up, sucks.
You can never have too many Darkthrone albums.
Angela Gossow is NOT hot and Arch Enemy is NOT good.
You can clean your entire apartment/house during the course of one song by Corrupted.
You cannot clean your entire apartment/house during the course of one song by Sunn 0))) (because you can't clean while you sleep).
I listen to too much Sunn 0))).
I aspire to listen to more Corrupted.
Stephen O'Malley has more projects than Attila Csihar.
Blashphemer leaving Mayhem, sucks (but hopefully it means new Aura Noir).
I still listen to Lo Flux Tube by OLD on a regular basis.
I enjoy maybe 3 full minutes of Headbanger's Ball when viewed.
The CD I've owned the longest is Dreamweaver by Sabbat.
The first CD I ever bought was Leave Scars by Dark Angel.
The first LP I ever owned was Shout at the Devil by...fuck man, you know who!
The first cassette I ever owned was Eliminator by ZZ Top but the first one I ever bought was Peace Sells... by Megadeth, the second was Reign in Blood by Slayer.
I would rather watch paint dry than another video by 3 Inches of Blood.
I dig Zao.
I hate that Mike Ammot is in Arch Enemy because I REALLY don't like Arch Enemy but I fukking LOVE Carcass.
Leviathan's Massive Conspiracy Against All Life is fukking GENIUS!!!
As much as I love Boris, I do skip over or fast forward through certain songs.
My perfekt album cover would be drawn by Justin Bartlett, laid out by Stephen O'Malley with the logo by Equitant (unless I could afford Roger Dean and then sorry guys).
Did I mention that Angela Gossow isn't hot?
I have the original Earache releases of Streetcleaner, Altars of Madness and Symphonies of Sickness, all of which cost me an arm and a leg back in the late 80's before there was US distro.
After Into the Pandemonium, there were only supposed to be 2 more Celtic Frost albums. Linebacker 3 and Necronomicon then Tom was gonna shut it down. Go ahead, look it up.
The new Testament album is really good.
The new Cryptopsy, isn't.
The first metal show I ever saw was Rigor Mortis and Talon at The Tombstone Factory.
I am a HUGE fan of the UK crust punks DOOM but do not know a lot about crust punk.
I don't get Kiss but I do get Venom.
Owning a Metallica album and a Grateful Dead album does NOT make you a musically varied and open-minded person...if anything it just makes you gay.
I saw Equimanthorn's only live show back in '92 and 15 years later did guest vocals on the song "Refulgent Splendour - Part I Three Fathers and Their Generations - Part III Twelve Bounds of Their Universe" from the album Exalted are the 7 throne bearers of Ninnkigal.
I got to meet Piggy before he passed away.
Piggy passing away SUCKS.

(((03)))

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Sent to defile from Belial






















(((03)))

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

8,100 with a bullet


TorqueZine passed 8,000 hits a few days ago, averaging about 500 hits a month or more and growing. Thank you to R. Randel Givens (Fockin' Schweet-ikus), Patchie and Thee Claw (UKvlt), Justin Bartlett (you are the robots, congrats on the knot-tying), Scott Slimm and Archive Recordings, Jenk (we're overdue for beers, huh?), to Ybanez, Stumpy and Trip (acta est fabula plaudite!!!) and to everyone who has linked to us, has written or posted about us or just has stopped by...this BT classic(k) is for you! Thank you...good night! (Photo by Misty Raines. Very last deadrightthere show: summer '04)
(((03)))

Monday, May 12, 2008

LHP vs. Bootsy Kronos


Left Hand Path has a great interview with low-end maestro G. Stuart Dahlquist. If you don't know who that is, chances are you don't often check in with TorqueZine anyway.

Dahlquist appearances of note:

BURNING WITCH - Crippled Lucifer (Ten Psalms for Our Lord of Light)
SUNN 0))) - The Grimmrobe Demos, ØØ Void and Flight of the Behemoth on the track "F.W.T.B.T (I Dream of Lars Ulrich Being Thrown Through the Bus Window Instead of My Mystikal Master Kliff Burton)"
GOATSNAKE - Flower of Disease and check out his current band ASVA - Futurists Against the Ocean

(((03)))

Thursday, May 08, 2008

Where are they now...


The first bass player for deadrightthere and one of the founding brothers, Tyler Berry (far right) is now the vocalist for the band My Son My Executioner. Check them out...real "death metal now" type stuff.

(((03)))

Wednesday, May 07, 2008

I rov metaruh

You saw Metal: A Headbanger's Journey and you fucking loved it...here's what he's done next. Thank you Russ!

(((03)))

Monday, May 05, 2008

君は傘をさしていた


Listening to the track "[Untitled]" on US version of Smile and wondering... In Japan, the untitled track is called "You Put Up Your Umbrella 2" which kind of makes it not "untitled" but, is this also the unofficial "title" of the untitled track on the US version..? What I wouldn't give for a collector's guide to Boris albums...I've been scratching my head since I got both the Japanese and the Brazilian versions of Mabuta no Ura about the subtle differences in them as well...

(((03)))

Friday, May 02, 2008

Playlist 05.02.08 [Goat Worship Weekend]

LEVIATHAN - Howl Mockery at the Cross
TEETH OF LIONS RULE THE DIVINE - Rampton
DOOM - Monarchy Zoo
VENOM - Black Metal [Remastered]
CORRUPTED - Llenandose de Gusanos
BORIS & KEIJI HAINO - Black:Implication Flooding
HEATWAVE - The Best of...
ISIS - Holy Tears [Single]
LEVIATHAN - Massive Conspiracy Against All Life

Literature: "Bloodsucking Fiends" by Christopher Moore

(((03)))

Thursday, May 01, 2008

Respekt






















(((03)))