Rule Discordia: Psychedelic

Showing posts with label Psychedelic. Show all posts

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Spirit Molecule

Formed in the summer of 2003 by former members of Terminal Doom Explosion, Zoroaster have spent the last seven years rampaging across the country with bands such as Gojira, Mastodon, and Black Tusk. Based in Atlanta, Georgia, this three-piece doom/metal outfit have developed a sound that has been described as "menacing" and "unrelenting". Comprised of Bassist/Guitarist/Vocalist Brent Anderson, Guitarist/Vocalist Will Flore, and Drummer Rod Flore, Zoroaster draw influence from legendary sludge, metal, and doom acts of yore, such as Celtic Frost, Venom, Godflesh, and Black Sabbath. Mixed in throughout their oppressively heavy sound are experimental and psychedelic elements reminiscent of Melvins and Pink Floyd, adding to the overall sonic experience that the band themselves describe as "a dinosaur taking a shit."

Download: Zoroaster - S/T (2005)

Download: Zoroaster - Dog Magic (2007)

Download: Zoroaster - Voice Of Saturn (2009)

Download: Zoroaster - Matador (2010)

Sunday, June 13, 2010

Exorcism Of The Host

Founded by lead guitarist and vocalist Mike Scheidt in 1996, Eugene, Oregon's YOB have been punishing listeners with their brand of doom for over a decade. Cited by Scheidt as being influenced by bands ranging from Soundgarden and Neurosis to Saint Vitus and Black Sabbath, YOB have developed a diverse and unique sound that sets them apart from other doom metal bands. Originally comprised of Scheidt, bassist Lowell Iles, and drummer Greg Ocon, the band has seen several line up changes throughout the years. For the recording of the band's 2001/2002 full length debut, Elaborations Of Carbon, Scheidt recruited ex-Thrombus member Isamu Sato on bass, and ex-Lightweight drummer Gabe Morley. Drawing comparisons to bands such as Sleep, Burning Witch, Electric Wizard, and High On Fire, YOB's debut full length was met with much critical praise. In 2002, the band signed Abstract Sounds and began recording their sophomore release, Catharsis. Featuring a stronger production value and three songs clocking in at 50 minutes, Catharsis saw the band taking their sound in an even darker, heavier direction. After signing with Metal Blade Records in 2004, YOB released their third full length, The Illusion Of Motion and embarked on a headlining tour of the US. Following the release of the band's fourth album in 2005, Sato and Foster left the band, and after six months of searching for replacements, Scheidt announced in January 2006 that YOB was disbanding. In 2008, the band was reformed and began recording and playing shows again, releasing their fifth full length, The Great Cessation, on Profound Lore Records in 2009. Combining thundering, potent guitar riffs with a brain jarring rhythm section, YOB have secured their place among doom metal's elite.

Download: YOB - Demo (2000)

Download: YOB - Elaborations Of Carbon (2001)

Download: YOB - Catharsis (2003)

Download: YOB - The Illusion Of Motion (2004)

Download: YOB - The Unreal Never Lived (2005)

Download: YOB - The Great Cessation (2009)

Monday, June 7, 2010

Abstract Nihilism

Originally founded by lead guitarist and vocalist Blake Judd as a side project, Chicago's Nachtmystium have been described as everything from black metal to psychedelic. Drawing their influence from bands like Darkthrone and Burzum, Nachtmystium released their debut album, Reign Of The Malicious, in 2002. Subsequent albums found the band taking their sound in a much more experimental direction, adding layers of keyboard sounds and synth to their songs. Judd describes 2004's Demise LP as the band's "last, straight forward 'raw black metal' record." The band's next two releases, 2004's Eulogy IV and 2006's Instinct:Decay, draw much more on influences from bands like The Doors, Black Sabbath, and Pink Floyd. Jason Bracelin, of Las Vegas Review-Journal, has even described their sound as, "what happens when Pink goes black." In 2008, Nachtmystium released Assassins: Black Meddle, Part 1, and embarked on a tour of the US with Opeth, Baroness, and High On Fire. Garnering critical praise from Pitchfork Media and MTV's Headbanger's Ball, Assassins has been described by Judd as the band's attempt to redefine their image within the music community. He states, " The idea of 'Assassins' is that an assassin kills, gets rid of, or destroys something. It's not directly about us. We want to assassinate all these preconceived notions about where the metal community feels we belong in music, and we want to do our own thing. And what we do is black meddle." The band's latest effort, titled Addicts: Black Meddle, Part 2, expands on their post-rock and industrial influences, at times channeling bands such as Ministry and The Killing Joke. Blending everything from black metal to jazz, Nachtmystium continue to push the boundaries of extreme music into new and interesting territory.