Killer threesome of eclectic rock n’ roll from Danava, Earthless, and Lecherous Gaze, each of whom show up to this party flying the freak flag for their respective brand of druggy metal. This cross-label union featuring two Tee Pee bands and one Kemado band is a melting pot of heavy music with the retro-psych rock of Danava’s “The Illusion Crawls,” the 70s stoner boogie of Earthless’ “Demon Eyes” (aka “Woman With the Devil Eye”), and the leather-biting proto-punk of Lecherous Gaze’s “Get You Some” creating one big happy weird beard culture. It’s also a treat for the simple fact that it’s the first new music from Danava and Earthless since 2008 (the Earthless track an especially surprising departure for the band in terms of length, vibe, and the fact that it contains vocals), and it introduces newcomers Lecherous Gaze to anyone unfamiliar with their 2010 Audio Testament demo in proper, esteemed fashion (more on them and their recently released self-titled EP to come later). This is a unique and worthwhile amalgamation, so get on it.
Torche/Boris Chapter Ahead Being Fake split 10″
Hydra Head
All right, so this one was really released late last year on CD in Japan by Daymare Records, but Hydra Head has just re-released it on these shores on 10″ vinyl (it comes in black, clear light pink, opaque hot pink with purple splatter, opaque light orange, and opaque purple with orange splatter), so it’s worth mentioning. Besides, it’s Torche and Boris, and I don’t really need a reason to talk about either of them, do I? Whether you snagged it last year or are just getting into it now, you’re probably doing so because new material from both of these bands is still forthcoming. Actually, it’s not gonna be too much longer now; Torche’s Songs for Singles will be out in September while Boris’ collaboration with Ian Astbury, called BXI, will be out in August. Anyway, Torche’s “King Beef” occupies side A, and frankly, it’s not one of their better songs. They’ve replaced their usual, awesome brand of sludgy melody with a post-apocalyptic clamour, and the whole thing just sounds like storm clouds gathering. You’ll be waiting for the lightning but it never comes. Side B contains Boris’ “Luna,” a 12 minute long showcase of the band’s schizophrenic approach to genre bending. The song moves from black metal trickery to ambient shoe-gazing to stoner fuzz riffola while the vocals breeze right along over top the whole thing. It’s a strange mess, but as always, Boris seem to have it all figured out.
(The Japanese cover)
Check out the video for Torche’s “King Beef” from Chapter Ahead Being Fake!
Purple Rhinestone Eagle/Northern Swords/Forsorcerers Fantasy Quest7″
Poison Apple
What the fuck is going on in Portland, Oregon? I thought my recent discovery of Purple Rhinestone Eagle was rare, but it turns out the whole town is full of secret covens in hidden lairs amassing a cohesive army of high priestess power, steadying themselves to strike like a seething force of Joan of Arcs. Joining Purple Rhinestone Eagle on this particular battlefield (Poison Apple’s split seven inch, Fantasy Quest, from November 2009) are Northern Swords and Forsorcerers, and together they rock in the name of glory, freedom, honour, and death.
Danava/Earthless/Lecherous Gaze
Torche/Boris
(The Japanese cover)
