It has been a very busy, stressful, and agonizing past several months, but things are really looking up for me as of now, and I’m finally getting to dedicate some time to things that I love that aren’t school, like this blog. Really. I need to get out more. I mean, the cat likes the new Shining, too, but it’s good for me to talk with other bipeds on occasion.
I haven’t been completely MIA, as I have done some posts over at Burning Fist! over the past few months.
First of all, I did a (MUCH overdue) review of 1349’s Massive Cauldron of Chaos, which should have been sitting pretty near the top of my best of list last year, but wasn’t because I hadn’t heard it much yet and also I’m an idiot. I just picked up a physical copy yesterday (to get it signed. That falls under the “More!” category up there. I’ll get to that), and, in the words of the immortal Toki Wartooth, Wowee! It’s a pretty thing.
I also did a review of the Inquisition re-release of Invoking the Majestic Throne of Satan. Scary goat-priests and all.
I did a review of an underground band called Askrinn, whose new album is more proof that France is where it’s at for inventive new black metal. I like just telling Jason to pick me a band I don’t know. He knows my tastes well.
I did a review of the newest King Diamond compilation Dreams of Horror. And I didn’t go see him live because I would have had to drive 7 hours one way on a school night. Did I mention that I’m an idiot?
I feel like I surely must have shared my year-end post from over at Burning Fist, which was metal in general and not just black metal (but still mostly black metal because that’s my jam). But here it is in case I didn’t.
And also, and this makes me SUPER EXCITED, I did an email interview with Steingrim of Vried/Windir/Ulcus! So here that is.
And despite all of that, it still feels like I haven’t done a lot. This past semester, I saw Mayhem/Watain/Revenge, Behemoth, Electric Wizard, and 1349. And I think that’s it. It’s been taking more and more these days to get me out of the house for anything short of black metal. I wanted to see Napalm Death, but then I had just had my wisdom teeth out and my face exploded and that was a no.
Speaking of black metal, however, A and I are participating in what we have lovingly dubbed “Black Metal Summer Camp” this year (I guess if you retroactively count Behexen/Sargeist for last year this could be the second year). We have this summer: 1349 (last Friday); Taake (6/20); Goatwhore (6/26- I don’t care if they’re not trve enough for you or whatever, they are fun live, and Ringworm and Black Breath are playing); False record release show (6/27); Kult ov Azazel (8/5); and HELL’S HEADBASH (9/3-6)! That’s right folks, Satanic Warmaster, Sacrocurse, Acid Witch, Midnight, Archgoat, Profanatica (!!!!!!!! I seriously may be more excited about Profanatica than Satanic Warmaster. Don’t tell anyone), and SO much more. Much excite.
As far as what “More!” entails, I will be posting all about the in-store that 1349 did for Into the Void Records, I am planning a passionate defense of Dissection’s Reinkaos, and I am accumulating a whole lot of trivia from reading Dayal Patterson’s books (I got the box set of the new one. More on that as well). For instance, I bet you’ve always wondered who exactly Euronymous was complaining about when he was talking about death metal guys who wear track shoes and sneakers. Well, you’ll just have to check back here to find out (alternatively, you could just go read Black Metal: Evolution of the Cult. Which you should, because it’s brilliant. So go do that. I’ll wait).
So farewell for the moment. I will be around. In the meantime, here is a picture of my cat doing his best Portal impression.
– H
blackmetallurgy 