January 8, 2023 – Lines In Wax

Neptune Towers – Caravans To Empire Algol (1994)

January 8, 2023January 18, 2023

I love Neptune Towers. Part of me wants Fenriz to resuscitate the project, but another wants it to remain dead so we just have these two perfect gems. I’ve written about the other album some time ago, so it’s time to talk about this one. I love how Tangerine Dream had this low-key influence on the black metal guys, with Mortiis doing Fata Morgana and Fenriz doing this. This is far dreamier and stretched out to oblivion than anything Mortiis did however, with true to the core Tangerine-style gazing, with overlapping walls of mesmerising synthesizers. I’ll see you on the moon base for a pint. If not, I’ll catch you when we get to Empire Algol.

black metal

Blasphemy – Blood Upon The Altar (1989)

January 8, 2023January 18, 2023

Considering how “brutal” a band like Blasphemy are, it’s surprising how clear and powerful this early demo sounds. Usually these things are covered in layers of dust and tape hiss that not even the best remaster can remove. Granted, there is some of that charm here but for the most part this is a solid professional recording. Blood Upon The Altar contains everything that there is to love about music like Blasphemy: crazy downtuned riffing, heavy drums and intense vocals, blending the extremity of both black and death metal together in perfect harmony. Accept no imitations! Also – check out that release date! This shit is ahead of its time for sure.

death metal electronic

Fear Factory – Fear Is The Mindkiller (1993)

January 8, 2023January 18, 2023

Dune-inspired remix record for the first Fear Factory album. Probably a stretch to call this an album too, it’s more of an EP. Either way, it shows the techno and / or industrial elements have been there since the start, even when the group were more in line with death metal than anything else.

grindcore

Internal Rot / Manhunt – Split 7″ (2014)

January 8, 2023January 18, 2023

Manhunt play blistering fast grindcore that will rip your face off. Perhaps it is the perfect soundtrack to playing the super controversial and violent video game of the same name, if I could be so bold. Internal Rot are shaping up to be one of the greatest grindcore bands of the recent decade(s), and this split is no different in demonstrating their intense aural outpourings.