Free Music Friday: Nighttime in the Abyss- "Amongst the Dead"

This week's edition of the Free Music Friday feature touches upon an album that would've been an appropriate soundtrack to the overly hyped yet obviously unbelievable apocalypse we were supposed to experience today. Nighttime in the Abyss is a one-man project with the sole purpose of creating audio horror without simply turning all the switches up to eleven.

Rather than simply creating horrific walls of static or friendly drone dirges, Nighttime in the Abyss creates sonic templates designed to create anxiety and uncertainty with each shift in sound. This album in particular is a self-described "[o]dyssey into the world of the undead, as seen by the undead." While many poetic and evocative descriptions come to mind, this is a rather appropriate way of explaining the sounds contained in this album.  There's seldom an outright moment of overwhelming horror here, but there is a constant sense of dread and uneasiness. From the swirling voices and whispers of "After Life, Life is Pain," to the seemingly disintegrating guitar tones of "Spectral Imaginings," this album comes across as the soundtrack to one's fearful thoughts late at night, when all sources of comfort are as distant as the sunlight.

If you're into scaring yourself and imagining the horrible ambiance of the world's end, do yourself a favor and download this stellar release. Nighttime in the Abyss is gearing up to release another album in early 2013 on badGod music, so consider this free download an opportunity to prepare yourself for the next transmission from this promising artist.

Concert Review: Floridian Winter, Church Whip, and more.

Last Friday, I was fortunate enough to attend a concert with a stellar lineup at Cafe Hey in Tampa, Florida. The lineup was diverse and punishing, and the crowd turned out with high energy. Opener Hollow Skull started off the night with their challenging brand of hybridized grind and sludge. Their set was short and intense, setting a good precedent for the diversity and intensity of the bands to come. Up next was an aggressive grindcore assault, courtesy of Morphic Lapse, who had never performed live before this show. Morphic Lapse's members come from other Tampa heavyweights like Cellgraft and God Harvest, and the music they create here is exactly what you'd imagine. Their songs are short, but they leave wounds that last for hours. After Morphic Lapse's set was completed, Von Dagger set up to perform what they referred to as "the drunkest set [they] have ever played." As someone who had never seen Von Dagger before, I didn't notice a particular lack of presence in their music, as it seemed like it was the sort of punk rock that gained its energy from alcohol. The music was fast and sloppy in a deliberate way, very enjoyable and easily the most accessible band of the night.

Following the diverse batch of bands that opened the show was the mighty Church Whip. Church Whip are one of those bands who fall into a mystery category of aggressive music in my mind. There's a bit of everything from bluesy rock 'n roll riffs to abrasive hardcore punk to harsh black metal influences, and it's all blended together in a violent tornado. To call a Church Whip show chaotic would be an understatement. People were breaking tables, throwing full cans of beer, and practically tearing paintings off the walls. From experience and word of mouth, this was a toned down crowd response for a Church Whip set. The band played as intensely as one would imagine, and the fact that the venue wasn't decimated was a bit of a surprise

Closing out the night was the ferocious black punk of Jacksonville-based two-piece Floridian Winter. With most vocals being provided by the drummer, the band made up for lack of "frontman" dynamics with a fast and raw set that I found incredibly pleasing. The songs were aggressive, memorable, and the crowd responded appropriately, although with slightly less destruction and more focus than for Church Whip's set. All in all, the concert was fantastic, and each band provided a wonderful contrast from the others, yet all were complementary. I heard a rumor that there will only be one more concert in Floridian Winter's future before they call it a day, so keep an eye out--they're not to be missed. As they're the only band with merch that I'm aware of, check out their label, Primal Vomit Records, for ordering information.

Beer Review: Shmaltz' Coney Island Bourbon-Aged Human Blockhead

Well, this beer's name is a mouthful to say the least. Made by my beloved Shmaltz, this is their doppelbock, the Human Blockhead, but with a little extra kick somewhere in the process. The bourbon aging adds a smooth but noticeable bite to the drink, something I find I enjoy quite a bit. The dark and sweet caramel flavors compliment the light burn of the barrels this delicious beverage was aged within. I'd long been enticed by the comical mascot on the bottle, and I'm glad I finally made the commitment to purchasing a bottle for my own enjoyment. While I've yet to have the standard Human Blockhead, it just moved up many notches on my growing list of drinks to try. I recommend you find this delicious rarity before it vanishes again.

Free Music Friday: Mion's Hill- "Festering Curses" Cassette

This week in Free Music Friday, we examine a throwback slab of classic black metal ferocity, courtesy of Norway's own Mion's Hill. When some people talk about "old school" black metal, it's more of a reference to the sounds of Transilvanian Hunger-era Darkthrone or the majesty of Emperor's In the Nightside Eclipse. While those albums and groups are absolutely part of my personal collection and have been long-standing favorites, the true origins of black metal are often forgotten by journalists and newer fans of the genre. Mion's Hill's debut demo brings us back to the days of Celtic Frost and Bathory, when thrash was king of the metal world and death and black metal were just beginning to separate from the greater masses of the heavy metal world.

In no way would I label this tape a thrash album, mind you, but the influence is quite apparent. Instead, this is some of the fastest, most vicious black metal I've heard in a while. The production isn't slick, but it isn't muddy either. This is the perfect documentation of a raw and aggressive band that's hellbent on tearing the listener to pieces. The vocals are howled with an evil intent somewhere between a yell and a scream and the music backing them is driving and punishing. Riffs vary from Sabbath-inspired doom to the blistering madness of some of the rawer second-wave black metal groups. If you've ever worn a vest covered in patches or spent time dissecting the musical roots that led to the current state of metal, this album is absolutely written for you. There are echoes of most classic forms of metal at various points in this demo. Rather than sounding like some of these sloppy retro-obsessive bands that just rip off the classics without carving their own style, Mion's Hill have created something unique and timeless here. It's rare that I hear a new band worshiping the old school groups that captures my attention, but they've done it. Each song is perfectly crafted for headbanging, drinking beer, and circle pits.

If you're into these descriptions, check out the Mion's Hill bandcamp for your free download. If you're dedicated to the music, buy a tape and help fund more madness from them. I also noticed they've finally got t-shirts available, so if you're really into it, grab a shirt and tape by sending them an email.

Quick Fix: Schloss Eggenberg Samichlaus Bier

Today's Quick Fix is Samichlaus, a beer that is only brewed one day a year, and that day happens to be today, December 6th.  I'm not sure what the reasoning is, but this beer has a reputation and a unique flavor to back it. Once known as the most alcoholic beer on earth (at 14% ABV), it's still known as one of the most peculiar and cherished beers. This doppelbock is surprisingly smooth and sweet for its alcohol content. When I say this beer is sweet, I don't just mean it's got a light malty presence. The malt and fruit flavors are over the top. Some complain about this beer being almost syrupy, but I find it quite enjoyable. Regardless, I would probably never drink a whole bottle without the aid of my partner, as I don't often enjoy getting tipsy after just one glass of beer. This is definitely one to get your hands on, if for no reason other than for the experience of it. Give it a shot, even if you find it's not quite your thing. I enjoy it thoroughly and hope you will as well.

Beer Review: Grimbergen Blonde Ale

Lately I've been paying favor to a lot of my beloved dark, thick beers, so here's a review of a lighter ale to keep things friendly for all of my readers. Grimbergen are a Belgian brewery that has been in operation as an abbey since 1128 and brews in a properly enjoyable fashion. Aside from having a name that evokes a lot of black metal imagery, Grimbergen's Blonde Ale is a delicious and smooth beer that sits just heavily enough to be noticeable and is just light enough to be highly drinkable.

This beer is a strong testament to the power of the Belgians in all of their brewing endeavors. While I tend to prefer stronger beers, especially Quadruppels, even this pale beer is more refreshing and enjoyable than some of its American cousins. The sweetness and color of this beer are very similar to many Hefeweizens, yet this beer is higher in alcohol (6.7%) and richer in flavor, with a clearer body. I can't say how this stands against most Belgian Blondes, because I usually drink heavier beers, but it's damn tasty and refreshing. I could see myself having a couple of these to sip on at a social gathering if I'm trying to have a drink in hand for most of the night.

As this beer is light yet not wimpy, I'm going to recommend pairing this delicious treat with In Flames' melodic death metal classic "Lunar Strain." While it's a bit outside of the genre for this blog, the two are perfectly paired for each other. Enjoy some sweet solos while you drink a smooth beer.

Quick Fix: Unibroue's "Maudite" Gift Set

Hey there readers, it's time for a quick fix, and this one's a bit unique. This is the first time I'm reviewing a gift set rather than just a beer on its own, so we'll see how this one goes for me. I've never had Maudite before purchasing it in this box set, but after seeing the snifter included and the stellar price (I paid only about ten bucks for mine), I had to have it.

The beer pours a heavy brown with a very thick, foamy head, that lingers around for quite a while. This is my first drink at home from a proper snifter, and I'm excited by this one in particular. The ominous gargoyle on this is perfect for a metal-loving beer nerd like myself, and while I'm still learning about the shape of a glass in relation to its impact on the drinking experience, I'm happy to have a new style of glass in my cabinet. In this particular beer, it really seems to fill out the nose, providing a massive experience. Much like the heavy nose, a sip of this beer provides a relatively hoppy, yet notably fruity and delicious beer. It mentions on the box that this beer can be paired successfully with spicy food, and I'm enjoying it alongside a bowl of painfully spicy homemade chili. The two are absolutely suited to each other and I'm having a great time. Given the price and the beauty of this set as a whole, I highly recommend getting this for yourself or the beer snob in your life. Cheers!