PANTY RAID! MR. AUGUST IS…RIB SUPERFAN SAM C.

So what’s up ladies & gentlemen of RIB? This is Sam. The guy that’s notorious for disagreeing with what’s considered good metal on this blog. (Just kidding) Anyway, I asked the lovely ladies of RIB if I could have the month of August to discuss some up & coming bands that I like and bands that I believe people here would enjoy. They kindly obliged and I’m very grateful for that. I’m keeping this short and to the point because the majority of bands that are up & coming in today’s world are shit anyway. Sad but true. The bands that I’ll be showcasing will of course be under the genre of Extreme Metal. I’ll try to fit everything within the Thrash, Death, Black, Doom categories. Anyway, without further ado…..

Band: Dark Castle
Album: Spirited Migration
Label: At A Loss Recording
Genre: Doom Metal/Experimental
I’m sure some of you guys here have heard of this band. They’ve been featured in Decibel Magazine and various others. They’ve only released this album as well as a demo called Flight of Pegasus. They’re a two-piece band from St. Augustine, FL. which consist of Stevie Floyd (guitars, keyboards,vocals) and Rob Shaeffer (Drums, Vocals, Synths). Now, when I’m referring to Stevie here, I don’t mean Stevie as a guy, I mean Stevie as a girl who will give any guttural vocal male in metal a run for their money. This chick can belt them out and it’s pretty damn evident in this album. I know Elise is pretty critical of female-fronted bands but this is definitely worth the listen. So far as the music is concerned, it’s balls-out Doom Metal with an Experimental vibe to it. This duo is carrying on the tradition of what Sunn O))) & Khanate were/are doing. They might be just starting out but it’s a solid debut & I expect big things from this band. www.myspace.com/darkcastlemetal



Band: Thou
Album: Summit
Label: Southern Lord
Genre: Doom/Drone Metal
Here’s some more Doom & Gloom for you. To be honest, I haven’t even listened to this album yet but will as soon as it becomes available on iTunes. I’ve been a fan of this band for a while now since I’ve listened to Peasant which is their second album. I think I’ve read Jayson mention this band on his blog but I can’t be certain. Anyway, when they categorize this as Drone, it pretty much reigns true. Don’t listen to it when drowsy or tired because you’ll consider it boring and might fall asleep. Their music is far from boring though. The down-tempo pace & heavier than heavy riffage creates beautiful soundscapes that will put you in a daze. Enough of me being pretentious, just check it out. www.myspace.com/thouband



Band: Slime in the Current
Album: Pissed on Ressurectine
Label: Unsigned
Genre: Black/Death Metal/Experimental
This album is really good. This band reminds me of the early first wave Black Metal with the guttural vocals and all but way more progressive I guess? That’s why I consider it Blackened Death. It has the atmosphere of Von, Blasphemy, Mystifier & Sarcofago but the song structure of Averse Sefira and God Dethroned. It adds a fresh feel to Black Metal and a much needed kick in the ass. With song titles such as “In the End, Torn by Dogs”, “Blastered Salvation” and “Creator of Ruin”, it has to kick ass. www.myspace.com/slimeinthecurrent



Band: Coroner
Album: RIP, Punishment for Decadence, No More Color (2010 TBA?)
Label: Noise Records
Genre: Technical Thrash Metal
I know, I know, this band isn’t anything new but c’mon, this band deserves all the respect and admiration it didn’t get back in the late 80’s, early 90’s. Coroner, a Swiss band were rumored to be roadies for the infamous Celtic Frost and decided to venture off and do their own thing. They released 5 albums (3 classics, 2 ehhss….), a compilation, & three demos. Sadly, they were never hailed as the greatest Technical Thrash band when they should’ve been. Their dexterity and great songwriting ability matched anything Slayer or Metallica put out in my personal opinion. They toured extensively and consistently put out albums but never gained a big audience. They pretty much received the Anvil treatment. Jump 15, 20 years later and you hear people on different blogs and sites saying how they were Coroner diehards back in the day but pffff……..I mean they could’ve been but who knows? Anyway, I’m rambling now. Just check out those three albums (preferably No More Color; that album will have you bouncing off the wall) and be on the lookout for a new album and reunion tour. When they were around back in the day, I was sucking my thumb and playing little league baseball so now I can’t miss out on a reunion show by these guys and you shouldn’t either. www.myspace.com/coronermetal



Band: Atheist
Album: Whole catalogue is good (2010 Jupiter}
Label: Relapse/Seasons of Mist/EMG
Genre: Old-School Technical Thrash/Death Metal/Jazz Fusion
Here’s another oldie but goodie. Don’t get me wrong, this band is widely popular but they’re so great, and with a new album coming out, I just have to acknowledge this. Straight out of the sunshine state comes Atheist, the Tech-Death band that pushed music forward with the likes of Death, Cynic (sorry folks but they’re good too) and the other entire great Florida bands. Atheist officially broke up ’93 with 3 albums under their belt but decided to re-unite back in 2006. I’ve read somewhere that Kelly Shaeffer who was the lead guitarist had to resort to doing only vocals because of carpal tunnel & so now that’s why they’re a five piece. Don’t quote me on it but that’s what I’ve heard. Either way, it’s going to be fuckin’ amazing. www.myspace.com/kellysatheistwebsite



Band: Bestow
Album: Born to Bear the Cross
Label: Unsigned
Genre: Experimental/Noise Rock/Heavy Metal?????
Yeah, this is my project. I’ve been working on this project for about 6, 7 months now. It’s hard to categorize exactly but the feedback I’ve been getting from people is that it’s like an amalgamation of all kinds of styles. All in all, I’m not really good with genre labeling as obvious with me labeling all the other bands that I’ve recommended. I’d much rather you as a listener decide. Also, feel free to add me as a friend if you have a Myspace page and I have a good amount of songs for people to check out so please leave comments there or here on RIB and let me know what you think. www.myspace.com/bestowedupon


I appreciate the time you’ve taken to check out my post.

Peace

-Sam C.