Author Archives: Taz

About Taz

Yo! I am Taz. I'm a millennial in the Midwest, writing album and concert reviews for the site. I enjoy lots of music, but will focus on progressive and extreme metal here. When I'm not writing about music, I am playing guitar, contemplating life, or entertaining my pet cats. Cheers!

An Interview With Chicago Domination Fest Promoter: Jesse Denton

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I once ran into a guy at a China Buffet off of I-57. The guy wore a Krisiun shirt, so I had to at least shake his hand in between trips for more General Tso’s chicken, as not many people around these parts would have any idea as to who or what Krisiun is…. So, I come to find out that this fan of Brazilian metal is not only a die-hard fanatic of brutal death metal, but also happens to be one of the guys behind Chicago’s premiere death metal festival, Chicago Domination Fest. His name was Jesse Denton, and he, along with his fellow patrons of brutality, are hosting the fourth annual Chicago Domination Fest this summer at Wire in Berwyn, IL! Jesse was gracious enough to answer some of my questions about promoting Chicago Domination Fest – he also elaborates on the brutal death metal community as a whole, and his relationship with death metal label New Standard Elite!  

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State Of The Art: Virginia – WINDHAND

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*This is part of our State Of The Art series, showcasing bands every Monday from the featured State*

This month’s State is Virginia!

Flashback to Fall 2015: I’m beginning to expand my musical horizons as a listener, discovering the real power behind Bandcamp… I stumble upon this album called, Grief’s Infernal Flower, a, then, bestseller on the website by a quintet from Richmond, Virginia dubbed Windhand. I saw Windhand’s third album sported some beautiful cover artwork, but it was the sound that I found within Grief’s Infernal Flower that made me admire this band the most. Featuring bludgeoning, thick guitar tones and soaring, ethereal vocals – Windhand has comprised some of the best elements of stoner and doom since their inception in 2008, to produce something so gracefully heavy.

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NECROPHAGIST Vinyl Reissue Of “Epitaph” Arrives Via Relapse Records

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Well, my friends… The time has come. Relapse Records has now released the long-awaited vinyl reissue of Necrophagist’s Epitaph– the monumental second album by the technical death metal titans. It’s been over a decade since this masterpiece has seen an analog release, and I know it will be a great pleasure for Necrophagist followers to spin this timeless gem on the phono. I, myself, did not preorder the LP via Relapse, as money is tight at the moment; however, I do envy those who are spinning Epitaph today. It has to be refreshing to hear an official, newly pressed release from the innovative tech death masters. Without a doubt, the announcement of the Epitaph reissue ignited a small spark of optimism within all of our pessimistic hearts – that we may someday hear new material from the beast that is Necrophagist. Continue reading →

CONDEMNED – His Divine Shadow LP Review (+Stream!)

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I’m no expert in brutality, but I do enjoy the occasional brutal death metal album. With that said – when I happen to be in the brutal mood per se, I REALLY enjoy the blast beats and guttural-infested vocals that are such distinguishing staples of the subgenre. So enough about my white belt in all things gore; let’s plunge head first into Unique Leader Records’ latest offering of death in Condemned’s third full length, His Divine Shadow. Founding member, Steve Crow, delivers some of the sickest riffs I’ve heard all year on this wooly mammoth of an album. Plus, His Divine Shadow is Condemned’s first LP to feature newer members – bassist Ryan Tyler, vocalist Sam Townsley, and drummer Tyson Jupin.  Continue reading →