State of the Art: Mississippi’s PARTHURNAX

*This is part of our State Of The Art series, showcasing bands every Monday from the featured state. This month’s state is Mississippi.*

Parthurnax is born out of Hattiesburg, Mississippi although it might as well be out of the snow covered forests of Finland. Much like the origin, Parthurnax is a bit of a mystery. It is unclear who is behind the project. A bit of snooping gives credence to the fact is a solo project as Facebook posts use “I” in the available few. One thing that is certain however, is the fantastic instrumental music. Classic heavy metal riffs with hints of Scandinavian prog. Fans of Dragonforce, Wintersun, Eluveitie, etc. That very Eurocentric sound that goes over so well at Wacken. Continue reading

State Of The Art: Mississippi’s BEFORE I HANG [Album Stream]

If you are under the impression that great punk only comes from New York City, Los Angeles or other major cities you couldn’t be more wrong. Hattiesburg, Mississippi punk rockers Before I Hang are the definition of old school sleazy punk rock and they stand before us and prove that even Mississippi can produce some major talent. The members of Before I Hang aren’t new to the game either, they have been grinding out punk rock hits for over 28 years. The band first played under the name Before I Hang in September of 1990 but didn’t become a complete 4 piece with committed members until March of 1991. The band has had the honor of playing along side other legendary acts like ANTiSEEN, Mondo Generator, Hookers and the infamous Murder Junkies led by Merl Allin the brother of the late great G.G. Allin. The band refers to themselves as “The longest running band in Mississippi punk history!” The band had multiple line up changes in the vocalist and drummer positions over the years but Joel Rivers (bass) and Walt Wheat (guitar) are the founding members. The current line up boasts Lee Hurst (vocals) and John Wayne Littlejohn (drums) has been solid for 10 years now and is by far the longest standing lineup.

 

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State Of The Art: Mississippi’s COSMIC ATROPHY [Album Stream]

*This is part of our State Of The Art series, showcasing bands every Monday from the featured state. This month’s state is Mississippi.*

Taking technical death metal to otherworldly and demented limits is Biloxi, Mississippi’s Cosmic Atrophy. After a ten-year hiatus since releasing their debut ‘Codex Incubo,’ they returned last November with their latest full-length album, ‘The Void Engineers.’ The nine-track offering is an homage to 1950s-1970s pulp horror soundtracks with a Lovecraftian twist. In addition to its crushing riffage, the album features creatively inventive synth work, inspired by early German synth pioneers that add to its atmosphere of horrific alien experimentation and technological terror – a theme that is captured perfectly within the album’s cover artwork. Continue reading