Shannon Rowley - The King Departs (2022)

You can always count on Svart Records for delivering something unusual, and of quality. The first album from Shannon Rowley, released in 2022 and called The King Departs could be described as an unusual take on dark americana, but it's also rocking, there's a haunted intensity and epicness that evokes heavy metal (there's a Hallowed Be Thy Name something in the first track, Says The Dead Sailor). I suppose Son House covering Birthday Party and Iron Maiden would have produced a similar vibe.  Yes, it's that good. 

The BC page.

 

Wovenhand - Silver Sash (2022)

David Eugene Edwards, mainman of Wovenhand (singer/guitarist/composer) has first been known as the leader of 16 Horsepower and their dark armericana/gothic folk feel also lives in Wovenhand (which has now released more albums than 16H I believe). But Wovenhand is also even more a rock band, and their new album Silver Sash, following the path taken by other recent albums, is rocking harder than ever. One way or another they manage to always keep the intensity at a high level and it's good.

Wovenhand website

 

Cancer Bats - You'll Never Break Us - Separation Sessions Vol. 1 (2020)

To be honest I have never been interested in Cancer Bats usual records, but I'm really happy I gave a chance to this EP called You'll Never Break Us - Separation Sessions Vol. 1 and featuring acoustic reworking of 6 of their classic songs (with banjo, guitars, organ and drums and percussion). I totally dig this EP. Less electricity, more intensity! Whether you like Cancer Bats, hardcore, metal, metalcore, folk, country, and whatever, just try it.

Highly recommended !

The BC page.

 

Scott. H. Biram - Fever Dreams (2020)

OK, cover art may not be exactly a success, but Fever Dreams, is as good as any Scott. H. Biram album, which means it's excellent, a unique mix of one man band (with a few additional musicians on some songs in this one) blues, country and garage rock, sometimes really rocking, sometimes quiet, but most of the time more raw than garage blues usually is. Include a few covers like songs by Townes Van Zandt and David Allan Coe. Scott. H. Biram consistently release enjoyable albums and this one's no exception. He's the best at doing what he does.

The BC page.

Lonnie Holley - National Freedom (2020)

I discovered Lonnie Holley two years ago with his previous album MITH that I really liked, and this new one called National Freedom is also excellent. It is some raw and weird blues, maybe we could say "free blues", at the same time sounding primitive and authentic but without following the strict formulas of traditional blues. Good melodies played on guitar and on piano, often with a somewhat repetitive ceremonial vibe, and the singing is very special.

The Bandcamp page.

 

Bambara - Stray (2020)

This new Bambara album, Stray, like their previous one, is receiving many praises. I have to agree it is indeed of the highest quality. They sound a bit like a mix of Iceage, Nick Cave and The Eighties Matchbox B-Line Disaster. Excellent vocals of course and a deep dark atmosphere, classy and rocking hard at the same time. And even if they strongly evoke some existing music they always display creativity in writing their songs. Well, they have everything good and Stray is another truly excellent album form Bambara. I can tell you in the end of the year you find this one in many "best of "lists, mine included.

The Bandcamp page.

Christian Kjellvander - Wild Hxmans (2018)

This one's quite different from what I usually review on Blasting Days, but so far it's the album that made the strongest impression on me this year. Really. Christian Kjellvander (from Sweden) already impressed me a lot, that was with his first album "Songs from a Two-Room Chapel" back in 2002, but then I was disapointed by his second album (although it's good, but after the tour de force of the first I had big expectations), and I lost track of him. Until I listened to his new album "Wild Hxmans", and whoah! it's maybe even better than "Songs from a Two-Room Chapel", excellent folk-americana with a great voice and vibrant atmospheres. But with "Wild Hxmans" it feels like the music is given another dimension with some brilliant parts that are exploring new directions that could maybe be described as embracing some post-rock/free-rock elements. The music gets heavier, trippier, stronger. (from my exploration on Bandcamp of what he released between his second and latest album those elements are starting to appear on the previous album "A Village : Natural Lights".)
Wild Hxmans is an awesome album and I can't recommend it too much.

The Bandcamp page

Dylan Carlson - Conquistador (2018)

Conquistador is a solo album from Dylan Carlson, the guitarist/composer of Earth and, guess what, it sounds like... the guitars parts from Earth! No surprise at all then, but it's ok since it is so good. The atmospheres created by these five instrumental guitar tracks have a kind of "dark western" feel that reminds earth's Hex album. One of my favourite so that's good. If you like Earth you'll enjoy this album, if you don't know Earth, well, you really should know Earth you know...

The Bandcamp page 

The Bug - Concrete Desert (2017)

Concrete Desert is a collaboration between Kevin Martin (The Bug, Techno Animal, etc.) and Dylan Carlson (Earth) is released under the name The Bug and by the techno label Ninja Tune but actually it is closer to the most minimalistic Eath albums (like Hex), it sounds more like Dylan Carlson guitar drone / americana / ambient soundscape fearturing Kevin Martin adding some noise aelements and a few discreet beats. I would have liked more of the heavier dub / industrial elements from the Kev Martin musical world but anyway it is still a really good ambient album. I enjoy it like it is for now... but hope in the future another collaborative album, maybe this time with a different dosage.

The Bandcamp page.

Tom Carter - Long Time Underground (2015)

Minimalistic but full. Close but wide. That what comes to my mind when I try to describe Tom Carter's music on this solo album (he plays also in a psych folk band called Charalambides) called Long Time Underground released last year. This is guitar only. With a bit of distortion, bringing a bit of a psych / drone feel. Earth could be a comparison, both are excellent at creating a strong atmosphere. Quiet and very deep. Great stuff!

The Bandcamp page.

Steve Von Till - A life Unto Itself (2015)

You probably know Steve Von Till, singer / guitarist in Neurosis also releases solo accoustic albums (like Scott Kelly), last year's A Life Unto Itself is the latest one. It is a brilliant dark americana / folk album. Of course Steve Von Till is a good singer and composer and it also shows on this album, but what is also excellent is the viola parts from Eyving Kang and even more the pedal steel parts played by Jay Kardong. It really brings the songs a special feel. And no, it does not really sound "country music", but yes definitely American roots music. It's not "heavy" in the way Neurosis is heavy, but the atmosphere is as deep and strong as it is quiet.

The Bandcamp page.

Blackbird Raum - Destroying (2015)

Destroying, released last year, is the fifth album from the american folk-punk band Blackbird Raum. Like the fourth previous albums it is really good, strenghtening my opinion that Blackbird Raum is the best band in the "folk-punk scene". Entirely acoustic the main instruments are the accordion and the guitars, with also percussions and strings and dual male / female vocals that are excellent. The lyrics are really good ("All that praises heaven slanders earth", "adder", and the other songs as well actually...) and the singing sounds really heartfelt. That and the really good songwriting makes their music feel really intense and passionnate (as much as any "loud" band can).

Their Website

Their BC page.

Bask- American hollow (2014)

In a highly standardised metal scene it's good when a new band is proposing something different. And this is what Bask, from North Carolina does. Their album, called American hollow and released last summer could be described as an original mix of heavy metal in a vein not very far Baronness / Mastodon, a touch of emo hardcore, and americana rock (say Neil Young). But they don't just rely on originality, they show great songwriting qualities and their mix really works. It can be nicely quiet, with mememorable melodies, and then going into full heavy metal epicness, with a feeling of hardcore urgency. And the good vocals really helps.  A good surprising album filled with good songs. They definitely deserves more recognition.

Their Bandcamp

Earth - Primitive and deadly (2014)

Primitive and deadly is Earth's eighth full lenght and is their most accessible and catchy to date. they went closer to the rock format (but we could say this is a kind of experimentating for Earth!) and even have three songs with vocals. two with Mark Lanegan, as good as he is usually, and one with Rabia Shaheen Qazi the women singing in Rose windows, and she's doing good as well. but it's not just the singing, the music is less minimalistic, with some nice melodic guitar works. the atmosphere reminds the solemnity and subtly dark one we had in Hex : or printing in the infernal method, but sounds less desolate, with a lighter feel. I think overall it's really a success, they really managed to make their sound evolves while sticking to their strong identity and offering a subtle but very enjoyable listen.

their Bandcamp

Munly & the Lee Lewis harlots - self titled double LP (2013 reissue)

This album was first released in 2004 by Alternative tentacles and was reissued last year by Pesanta urfolk. Munly & the Lee Lewis harlots plays some finely crafted dark americana, with touches of bluegrass (banjo, strings), rockabilly and some post-punk vibes. it reminds bands like Nick Cave and the Bad seeds, 16 Horsepower (Munly played in a band with David Eugene Edwards before he formed  16 Horsepower) or the softer part of Swans. excellent songwriting, very good dual male / female vocals, and a great atmosphere. I also recommend Munly's most recent releases, "Petr and the wulf" in 2010 with The Lupercalians and in 2011"Unentitled" with the Slim cessna's auto club.

Munly website

a selection of excellent 2013 releases in various styles

here's a list of some albums I really enjoyed in 2013, which doesn't really fit in my list of best heavy / psychedelic stuff (that you can read HERE),  and won't fit either on the grind list and death / black / trash lists that will come later. I give it in no specific order. your comments are welcome.

-The Funeral and the Twilight - lust        review & interview

-Comadre - st                                         review

-Beastmilk - Climax                                review

-Lux interna - there is light in the body, there is blood in the sun

review

-Ascetic - self initiation                           review

-Coliseum - sister faith                            review & interview

-Ruined families - blank language            review & interview

-The black heart rebellion - har nevo        review

-Correction house - last city zero              review

-Circle of Ouroboros - The final egg         review

Lux interna - There is light in the body, there is blood in the sun (2013)

Lux interna is a very good californian band playing some gothic americana (think 16 horsepower or Nick cave and the Bad seeds) with maybe a slight neofolk touch. their new album, There is light in the body, there is blood in the sun, is maybe their best one. anyway it's excellent. the great male / female vocals brings emotions in additions to the the guitars (including banjo) and strings dark melodies (with also some subtle noisy drones) while the rythmic elements gives the songs an hypnotic, ritualistic and solemn vibe. each songs are deep and crafted with taste making the album a masterpiece. highly recommended.

you can check it on their Bandcamp page.

Murder by death - Bitter drink, bitter moon (2012)

Murder by death (cool band name for a cool band!) are from Bloomington, Indiana and they play a kind of gothic / dark americana rock, somewhere between Nick Cave & the bad seeds, 16 horsepower and Bruce Springsteen.
Bitter drink, bitter moon is their 6th album, released last year by the excellent Bloodshot records. the electric cello adds a nice touch, the vocals are excellent but moreover the songs are great, sounding really heartfelt and vibrant. if you like this kind of music I highly recommend you this really good album as well as the rest of Murder by death discography.

Murder by death website


and here's the interview I did with them by mail :

-the band have a few years now, can you tell us how was it formed and its evolution up to now?

13 years now! We started as kids just out of high school, and it has evolved into our entire lives. If we aren't touring, we are recording, writing, and managing all the aspects of the band. Its been a great time though and we love what we do.

-what about your new record, Bitter drink, bitter moon?
well, its been out about nine months now, and people seem to like it. We spent almost a year writing it, rehearsing in my basement. It was very nice to be able to spend more time writing and working, as usually we were on the road much too often to get a chance to really dig in and work on some intricate details.

-seems to me that your music sits just between rock and more traditionnal popular music like folk/blues, how would you describe your music?
yeah, each song is different. We try to blend elements of different styles to make our own blend. It's a fun way to write, and it opens a lot of doors creatively.

-the electric cello is an important and distinctive part of your music, how did you get to use it in Murder by death?

Sarah has always been a member- when we started the group, we basically decided to treat it like a lead guitar. She has come such a long way in getting comfortable in a rock setting that she is now doing a lot more of the song writing, which is great to have help.

-this rock / folk mix and the kind of feeling and atmosphere that your music develops reminds me a bi of bands like Nick Cave and the Bad seeds or 16 Horsepower, is it bands that you listen to? what are your main influences?

cool- yeah those are both great bands. I had never heard either band when we started the group, but as we developed people started to compare us to them, and i think it is a compliment and a pretty good comparison. We usually try to do our own thing rather than copy other music, so that is why it tends to be eclectic music. Sometimes each band member will come at a song from a very different place- sometimes it doesn't work, but sometimes it makes a song very unique.

-how did you get in touch with Bloodshot records?

met them years ago and thought they were good folks. glad to be a part of their family.

-do you especially ike the lyrics of one song in Bitter drink, bitter moon, if so, which one and why?

hmm i really like the lyrics of "My Hill". I love story songs that bring the listener in.

-which bands from your area would you recommend?

A band from our town that isn't around any more is called "The Coke Dares". Hilarous short songs, just pure garagy rock pop. A new band from nearby is called "We Are Hex". so amazing. like a female iggy pop.

-I saw you play in Barcelona, do you like touring Europe? are the shows a bit different than in the US?

I do like touring europe- i wish we were a little more popular, it would make things easier. We can't do everything we do in the usa over there, but we still get to enjoy the travel, the food, and the folks we meet. Spain has always been really fun for us.

-what is planned for Murder by death in the coming months?

we have a big USA/CANADA tour coming up this fall and we are hoping to get back to europe early next year.

-a final "full of wisdom sentence" to end the interview?

hmm. enjoy what you do!

The black heart rebellion - Har nevo (2013)

The black heart rebellion are from Ghent (Belgium) and just released their second record called Har nevo. Har nevo is what happens when a post-hardcore band reinvent itself by venturing into dark folk americana territory, creating the kind of atmosphere and feel that you can find in records by The Bad seeds or 16 Horsepower.  but they did it without losing their own personnality,  and the result is very strong and full of emotions. they songs have very good vocals and combines some epic moments with some others more atmospheric and bordering psychedelia. they really succeeded in bringing something new to their sound and managed to push their music on a higher level. Har nevo is one of the records I listened the most in 2013 up to now. I really recommend it.

you can stream it on Bandcamp

here's their website

The tunnel-Sultry daggers (2012)

Last month I reviewed Fathoms deep, a record released by a band from San Fransisco called The tunnel. it's a really good record (read my review HERE). So I was very pleased to find in my malbox the other day a mail from their singer/guitarist Jeff Wagner informing me that that were releasing their new record called Sultry daggers! and what's cool also is that I was not at all disapointed when I listened to it. the quality and character of their music is still here.
their sound is made of clean but tortured vocals, sharp post-punk guitars and their rythmic section are now more on the front, stressing the noise rock feel and dirty groove of the band. And it works really well. But what the band's doing the best is creating a dark and mysterious atmosphere that evoques something like an haunted, old and smoky cabaret noir.

listen to it on their Bandcamp
check their website

and read this interview with Jeff and Sam from The tunnel :

-tell us about the beginnings of The tunnel?

Pat and I met at a deathrock club. We started a 2-man band, a metal
drummer and a goth/theatrical singer/guitarist playing a dark
stripped-down blues. Then Josh Layton played guitar with us for awhile
and brought the rocknroll, and for the past 2 years Sam Black's bass
and electronics have added the low-frequency lushness.

-you just released a new record called Sultry Daggers, a few words about it?

vivid, electric, strange...Sam says: glossy, viscid...

-I read that the time between Fathoms deep and Sultry daggers were
hard times for you, how does this affected the written of Sultry
daggers?

 Yes, I broke lots of bones in an accident, and wrote many songs
during my recovery. Isolation lends itself to weirdness.

-what about your lyrics?

I like to tell cinematic stories that entertain and challenge myself,
at the very least. Sam says they are cinematic visions, characters
communicating through the songs.

-seems to me that on Sultry daggers the bass and drums are more
formward in the mix, pushing more your sound in a noise rock
direction, do you agree?

Yes, I think we tried to downplay that direction in our past records,
and strove instead to create fragile organic textures. This time we
let the noise come, restraint be damned. Also Sam did the tracking and
Chris Crawford who did the mix is a drummer, so the rhythm section got
some special attention.

-which is your favourite song on the record and Why?

Right now probably "Confessor". The undignified last rants of a
murdered man, in all their mood-swinging glory.

-a few words about the video you did for "Shed the skin"?

We filmed all night. It originally featured multiple Film Noir
stories. We kept removing subplots until there was no plot, only
images. Sam says: inky black and white textures, intensity realized.

-are you touring to present Sultry daggers, what else is planned for
the end of 2012 and 2013?

Yes, we are finally working on a new live set. We're looking forward
to performing it live in January in San Francisco.

-which little known band form the San Fransisco area would you recommend?

Faun Fables, or Hammers of Misfortune, or the Slow Poisoner. Or the
late, great, Pleasure Forever.

-your favourite records for 2012 so far?

hm, probably "Journey to the Far Side of the Room" by Kingdom of Not,
still due to be officially released, any day now. I cannot even begin
to describe their madness. Sam says "Wreck" by Unsane.

-a few words about your solo project?

more theatrical than the Tunnel..1970s exploitation films, 1950s
rockabilly, Beefheart, gothic noise, etc.

-any final "full of wisdom" sentence to close the interview?

I'll quote the murdered guy: "Life is so precious and vicious..."