Mixtape 2023 # 1

It’s #BandcampFriday and the first mixtape of the year is here! A mix of tracks that I enjoyed in the first quarter of 2023 along with a few upcoming releases. Here it is (Bancamp links below)

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Tracks played on the episode (in order)

Katatonia – Birds (Sky Void of Stars)

Latest album from melancholic metal act Katatonia, Sky Void of Stars.

Ardent Nova – Rise from the Ashes (Ardent Nova)

American blackened heavy metal act Ardent Nova. Highly recommended for fans of NITE, AMON AMARTH, and BATHORY’s viking era 

Majesties – In Yearning, Alive (Vast Reaches Unclaimed)

New act Majesties featuring members of Obsequiae and Inexorum in my opinion topped the latest In Flames release.

Blood Star – Cold Moon (First Sighting)

American heavy metal act Blood Star’s debut album, First Sighting released last month and has been a regular on my playlists. 

Daath – No Rest No End

American extreme metal act Daath are back after 12 years and they have a new single.

Kruelty – Unknown Nightmare (Untopia)

Japanese act Kruelty meld heavy beatdown hardcore and ‘90s American/Scandinavian death/doom metal.

Enforced – Hanged by My Hand (War Remains)

American band Enforced epitomize the term no-frills thrash.

The Supervoid Choral Ensemble – |​|​|​|​| (The Supervoid Choral Ensemble)

Ben Sharp aka Cloudkicker and features Vinny Roseboom from Gospel on drums. This scratches the Cloudkicker itch.

Haunt – Fight the Good Fight (Golden Arm)

Trevor William Church takes it up a notch on Golden Arm courtesy  Darren Trentacoste who produced, mixed and mastered the album.

Cattle Decapitated – We Eat Our Young (Terrasite)

American death grind act Cattle Decapitation’s 10th studio album, Terrasite is out next week. It smokes!

Chepang – Asha/Avilasa/Anumati (Swatta)

Chepang evolve their IMMIGRINDCORE sound on Swatta.

Memorrhage – Reek (Memorrhage)

Garry Brents, the busiest metal musician, is back with a new release; this time, it’s in a new avatar Memorrhage. It’s a tribute to nu metal from the 90’s.

Fistful of Metal 24

This episode was dedicated to the memory of Alexi Laiho (Bodom after Midnight, Ex-Children of Bodom)

The set features tracks from my best of 2020 list and also albums I am looking forward to in 2021

Tracklist

Children Of Bodom  – Needled 24/7

Elephant Tree – Sails

Chepang – Pahilo Bhet

Andho Manis

The Ocean – Holocene

Defeated Sanity – Conceived Through Savagery

Spirit Adrift – Stronger Than Your Pain

Colosso – Despised

Omination – Last Trisagion

Sea Sleeper – Salt

Hellfrost And Fire – Legion of Hellfrost And Fire

Vahrzaw – Waiting with the Wolves

Picks of 2020

This past year, more specifically the last 9 months have been easily the toughest for me. During the initial months of isolation, Music became my main solace along with exercise. I think I have listened to more music this year compared to past couple years. Hence it was not an easy task putting together this list.

Non metal picks (in no particular order)

 Impulsive Voices is another impressive release from the guitar prodigy from Down Under. This album is darker and is a huge step in all aspects. Just listen to the track Pan which features a saxophone is a stand out track on Impulsive Voices. 

Rock the Highway is a great throwback to the 80’s rock sound. There are a couple of progressive tracks on the album like Identity Crisis. Wonder if their future material will be like that.

The Earth below is the solo project from Deepak Raghu from Shepherd. Nothing Works Vol. 2- Hymns For Useless Gods was my soundtrack during times of melancholy. Big step ahead in terms of production. 

Bayaan is a Pop rock from Pakistan. Suno is a very catchy album that reminds me of the Pakistani Pop rock releases from the mid 2000’s 

Karakoram are another good rock band from Pakistan featuring Zain Peerzada from Takatak on guitars. Ibtida is a promising release and their upcoming album will be one to looks out for in 2021.

Metal picks

#10 On Solitude, Cloudkicker turned heavy again and was totally what I needed this year. Thank you Ben Sharp for this album.

#9 ‘When I Die, Will I Get Better?’ is a seemless meld of hardcore and black metal. The album took me on a journey through the album. I especially enjoyed the lyrics and topics it covers, things we face both in real life and online. 

#8 The World that was is a potent mix of Death and doom metal. Temple of Void keep getting better with each album like a fine wine or whiskey.

#7 Stare Into Death And Be Still is Extreme metal with a menacing atmosphere. A phenomenal release. I don’t think any other album has captured better the sound of the shitshow that this year has been. 

#6 Mortal has a mix of all my favourite elements of death metal, Low growls and crunchy guitar riffs. Alseep Forever is a track that I will be listening to for years to come. One of the best death metal albums I’ve heard this year.

#5 Habits is one of the albums I have listened to the most this year. It’s meditative riffs and doomy vocals left me in a trance.

#4 The first time I heard Chatta, I was blown away by what I heard. Each time I listen to this album, I find a new element. This album has pushed the levels of grindcore. This album is Chatta!

#3 Phanerozoic II: Mesozoic | Cenozoic is a Post metal masterpiece. This album made me trip/transcend to another level.

#2 The Sanguinary Impetus is a strange mix of Technical and brutal death metal. On their previous album, they did a split of sorts with Disposal of the Dead and Dharmata. This album is a marriage of both albums and pummels you into submission. An All A’s album. 

#1 Yes for the 2nd year in a row, my pick is Spirit Adrift. Enlightened In Eternity was my pick me up album for this year.  An album that gave me hope that there is a light at the end of this. 

Now Playing – April 2018

The album technically was released in March but I have been listened to it a lot more in April. Illusive Golden Age is a stunning release from the band after a gap of 9 years. The album combines their trademark death metal sound with scientific and esoteric lyrics.

 

This album will be remembered by many as the one where Boss keloid transitioned to a psychedelic and progressive sound compared to the sludge one on their previous albums. The 6 jams on Melted on the Inch are all in excess of 5 minutes and will leave your grooving along after multiple listens.

Chepang released one of my favourite grindcore releases from last year and last month put out a split with Test from Brazil. The Brazilians kick off the release with 2 tracks of percussion led grind attack. Chepang continue the aural assault their immigrindcore sound. Just under 10 minutes of pure grind.

There has been a lot of buzz about this album in the months leading up to it’s release, one listen of Penumbra is all that is required to believe that is is true. Møl stand out among the Deafhaven clones. Jord will definitely feature as one of my favourites at the end of the year.

The third album from the veteran Bahraini band is a skull crushing release from start to end. The only respite comes in the form of some tasty guitar solos. Easily one of the best extreme metal releases from the Middle East this year.

 

Chepang

Chepang are a US based “immigrant core” band. I first heard them last year, when they released their EP, Lathi Charge. The impressive debut release was hailed by webzines around the world. The band release their first full length album, Dadhelo last week. The album is a more complex and intense listen compared to Lathi Charge. After multiple listens, I can tell you that it is not your run of the mill grindcore release.

I spoke to guitarist Kshitiz Moktan aka Grandmaster Bhudey about Dadhelo, recording the album and their upcoming shows. Read the interview on Nine Circles.