Earth - Angels of Darkness, Demons of Light Part 1

Earth's newest album is much akin to their 'The Bees Made Honey in the Lions Skull' album with an expanded emphasis on that western-tinged vibe. This really feels like the long-lost soundtrack to some Clint Eastwood movie about the realities of death and suffering in the west or something to that effect. It feels simultaneously very dark and very...bright. I guess the name does it some good. The guys from Earth have once again made an album that can stand as a proud milestone in the Earth canon.

VIIIIIIBES

Growing Discography

Growing is a band that has been able to whittle something very unique in drone. With a mixture of beautifully soothing textures and foreboding ambiance this band can dance around the 'dark/light' aesthetic with the champs. As for their material; some songs are short, some songs are long. They're not the type to drag things out for the sake of being a drone band but for the sake of the song (as we know a lot of younger acts are guilty of).

Above_Below Sea Level

All The Way

Color Wheel

Dry Drunk on Woman

Five Patterns

His Return

Lateral

The Sky's Run Into The Sea

The Social Club Nº 8

The Soul of the Rainbow and the Harmony of Light

Vision Swim

Earth announces new album

Long-time Drone-juggernauts Earth are planning to release another piece of amazing music sometime next year. 'Angels of Darkness, Demons of Light' will be released in two seperate parts and I can tell you from the cover art alone that this. will. be. epic.

Eagle Twin - The Unkindess of Crows

Once again Southern Lord manages to put out another great release, this time in the form of Eagle Twin's debut (YES this record is a tad bit on the old side. BUUUT after seeing these guys with Sunn I kind of...slacked on checking them out until recently). The Unkindness of Crows is a sonic journey through a very, very dark plane of existence were the only thing you can hear is the cruel jesting of crows and a low rumble constantly off in the distance. This record is as expansive as the guitar-tone herein. The baritone guitar work meanders from droning horror to elegantly executed sludginess. The drums are simultaneously spares and completely overwhelming in every sense. The vocals are very, VERY good with their blend of meditative throat-singing and seemingly ritualistic manner of storytelling. For a two piece these guys make one hell of racket.

For fans of: Halo, Sunn, Earth and Black Cobra (to some extent)


This record is for the birds

Conan - Horseback Battle Hammer

I just popped this ABSOLUTE MOTHER FUCKER of an album in and I swear on all that is doomy and crushing, that this IS the best Drone Doom record of ALL time or better yet the best doom record PERIOD. Absolutely insane across every spectrum. Massive guitar tone combined with some of the heaviest riffs I have ever heard all wrapped in mastodon fur and smilodon-tooth necklaces. The caveman subject matter along with the vocal delivery make this a unique and amazing experience. I've literally been unable to pry myself away from it and it's all-consuming sonic gravity. My headphones feel like their made of lead when these guys are blaring. Listen to this; seriously, turn off whatever you've got on and put on this record.

START HUNTIN' AND GATHERIN'

Horseback - The Invisible Mountain

Horseback is a band that paints with a multi-faceted pallet. They blend the stylings of My Bloody Valentine, Sunn, Isis, Earth and Godspeed You! Black Emperor into one bleak monstrosity. This album shambles along with fiery vigor but spares not the blissful interludes of some of their larger influences. The instruments drone and whine with otherworldly tone. This is an album that must be experienced on a huge sound system.



STEAL

Céleste Boursier-Mougenot at Barbican Centre, London

Conceptual artist Céleste Boursier creates a live soundcape by furnishing a walkthrough aviary with guitars and amplifiers. As the zebra finches flock to and from each instrument, music is created to the rhythms of every day life. Hell...a bird with a stick riffs out better than most guitarists I've worked with.