0026-Cavalcade-Sonic Euthanasia Vinyl Record Review

Vinyl Record in the Grass Music Review

Artist: Cavalcade                             
Album: Sonic Euthanasia
Label: Bermuda Mohawk / GTG
Release Date: May 3, 2019
Format: Vinyl Record

This is the newest release from Cavalcade, and I was lucky enough to snag a copy of it at a recent show in Traverse City. As I would expect from Cavalcade, this release is a mix of heavy and weird. The sounds themselves are slabbed onto a chunk of standard black vinyl stuffed within a full color sleeve. A reptilian eyeball covers the entire front of the album, wrapping fully around to the backside. As a bonus addition to the package, tucked inside was a CD version and the ubiquitous free download. Almost every format…but where’s the cassette guys???  I noticed an interesting detail within the album layout. On the insert, written in Braille, was a hidden message which translated to “Rather Be Dead.” I always appreciate anything that makes me stop and really look at the design or layout while I’m doing my listening. This detail took a minute to figure out, and then translate. A nice touch!

Metal Review Back Side Vinyl Record

Sonically, Calvacade fits in the realm of metal. Weird metal, noise metal, noisy metal? Who names these things anyways? They are heavy as hell with lots of sonic texture. Riffs come right alongside a plethora of other wave-forms, creating a unique soundscape, that, to me, is instantly identifiable as the one and only Cavalcade.

Delving into the opening track my ears are instantly soaked in every bit of that weirdness. Leading in with a super thick guitar riff and samples underneath, the track evolves into a noodle guitar soundscape. With the Cavalcade standby gravely vocal delivery, the song bounces from weird to stomping guitars back and forth to a satisfying effect. A great opener for those who are new, and for my ears. I found it to be a very congealed form of Cavalcade, grown up, fleshed out, and ready for business.  

The opening of the second track, “Aspirate on Aspirations,” is noisy as all get out, slowly building into a noise wall of guitars and drums and screaming. Layered guitars and effects make for a thick texture. There is so much going on, creating an almost symphonic sound.

Music Review Blog Record in the Rain

The third track, “Here and Now,” again brings the juxtaposition of thick driving guitars with haunting melodic guitars mixed beneath beside and below. The drum work on this track is great. The minimalist beats in the haunting sections that build into crashing accents to the explosions for the heavy parts. Closing out the track it sounds as if a theremin was brought into the noise wall, and this just adds to the texture!

Fourth up brings the giant riffage right out of the gate, deconstructing into a noise scape that scrapes slowly along, this time balancing the noise to thick riffage and back again. Cavalcade has once again created another great noise rock song. The vocal delivery at the close of this track is sick, one of my favorite sections of vocals on this album.

“Noose Tie” opens with a much more open guitar sound, not as heavy, and verging into an airier and more spaced out sound. The vocals stay in gravely death metal vein, but the music itself molds into a more epic sound. The vocals verging into an almost hook type of delivery, which really changes up the usual delivery for this track.

Cavalcade Record in the rain Review

“Freezing in Fire” begins inside a world of twittering and tweeting noises, mixing with chords, slowly building forward. Noisy and heavy, but not in a “metal” way. It’s more of a dark and brooding slough, slowing the album to a crawl just in time to flip to the second side and see what lies beneath.

Side B opens up with a stomper called “Dead Idles.” The drums lead the attack, mixed low, with guitars and vocals sitting just over-top. The drums carry the frenzy of the song, feedback and guitar texture are again highlighted for the Cavalcade arsenal here. Keys (or accordion?) are an addition in the wall of noise, swelling the already ridiculous wall of guitar licks. We are fully in the chaos of the Cavalcade carnival now, I’m expecting my ears to bleed soon.

Next up is “Tragedy’s Sick Sense of Timing,” bringing more of a punk feel with almost airy guitars. Drums are still frenzied and vocals stay in the death gravel realm, but there are moments of an almost chorus sing-along-style sound. So much texture floats in, and around. At one point there is a saxophone flirting around in the riffs. The drums are nailing it here, hard accents and pounding rhythms make for very tight work!

“Prospective Prospectors” begins with a vocal sample that leads into a meandering guitar riff. The riff is a huge one and slowly builds bigger and thicker, bringing the song forward. This is the Cavalcade of yore that I remember, thick riffs, solid drums heavy as all get out, meandering along with the death vocals right on top.

Nearing the end brings up “We Dig Our Own Graves,” another stomper, firmly back into the metal vein here. I think this is the thickest heaviest spot on the album so far. Not soaked in weirdness, but sticking hard to the riffs and laying them down with a sneer. The guitar work is great, again, so much going on so many textures and the lead-work is sick as well.

“Lost Thoughts” is a reprieve from the heaviness of previous tracks. It has a feeling more like a Zappa track than standard Cavalcade, full of various percussion sounds and multiple voiceings. This track is absurdly hilarious, and, nearing the end of the LP it fits perfectly.

Metal Review Cavalcade Record

The closing track titled “Blackout Radius” is the longest track, coming in at over 5 minutes. Heavy, but in a more reserved way. I feel like this track captivates the weirdness, dual guitar riffage, and vocal delivery of the previous tracks all in one. The song sounds huge and feels like it just keeps opening up, bringing the album to its inevitable close.

Cavalcade rules and no one sounds like them. These dudes are always out playing shows so click the links below for the music and more info. Also check out our previous review of their 7″ here.

Cavalcade on Facebook

Cavalcade Bandcamp

Cavalcade Instagram

Cavalcade Sonic Euthanasia
Photos by Nibiinabekwe – Healy Hardwoods – Millersburg, MI

0020 – Sete Star Sept Bullshit Market Split Cassette

Sete Star Sept Bullshit Market Cassette in Woods

Artist: Bullshit Market / Sete Star SeptTrashfuck Records Cassette in Roots
Album: Split
Label: Trashfuck Records
Release Date: May 12th 2016
Format: Cassette Tape

This release is a split cassette from Detroit’s Bullshit Market and Japan’s Sete Star Sept. The tape has a unique two tone black and grey shell, with DIY style stick on labels. The tape dubbing, and overall recording, is on par with what you would expect from a grindcore or noise artist. Lo-fi; but in the right way. A little dirty, a little muddy. Sometimes things are lost with this style of recording, but I feel that this one got its own flavor from that treatment. The actual cover art is super intricate, lots to take in and look at, with chaotic line drawings and liner notes.

Sete Star Sept & Bullshit Market Liner NotesThe recording of Sete Star Sept is live from a show in Detroit, and overall the sound is a very dense wall of chaos. There are a few spots where the audio seems to have an effect of some sort, I am guessing it’s a post recording glitch effect. The sound is cool and adds to the overall feeling and transition of the track.

The Bullshit Market side of the tape has its own feel and pulse. I can’t quite put my finger on it, however I sure have enjoyed it. It has pace and movement in the chaos. Samples come in and out as the noise weaves through. I always appreciate noise when it knows how to flow appropriately. I found Bullshit Market to be masters in this art.Cassette Tape in Clear Cut Forest

This was a fun tape to digest. Capturing, and encapsulating, the raw energy that is within this music is not easy. This tape did exactly that, captured and replicated, to my ears, the chaos of these 2 groups.

Bullshit Market Bandcamp

Sete Star Sept Website

Trashfuck Records Bandcamp

Duel Color Split Cassette in Forest

 

Photos by Nibiinabekwe Scenic Rte 1 Atlanta State Forest, Atlanta Michigan.
Photos by Nibiinabekwe • Scenic Rte 1 Atlanta State Forest, Atlanta Michigan. Clear cut forest land to provide raw timber to be burnt for electricity in the village of Hillman, they mix the wood pulp with shredded used tires to provide Northern Michigan’s own form of “green” energy. I find it rather heartbreaking.

0017 – Hordes – Self Titled – Digi-Pack CD

Hordes CD on an Icy Trail

Artist: HordesHordes Cover of CD on Icy Trail
Album: Self Titled
Release Date: March 3, 2015
Format: Compact Disc

For what I have known of the Hordes history this is the departure from the Hordes that was and the more structured Hordes that exists now. The newer iterations feature more in your face riffing and less of the meandering drones and avant free formness. Recorded in the winter of 2013, and released in 2015 this disk is 3 years old now. Hordes not only have left this drummer behind but have now moved through to having Todd, from The Jackpine Snag, as their current drummer.  Here are my ramblings on this 3 year old disc.Hordes Back of CD on Ice

The CD was released in 2015 on a digipack, featuring a variety of line drawings in a grey black wash. Some look to be anatomical drawings, while others are, for sure, Guitarist Alex Hudson’s work. Recorded at Troudoudor Studios in Lansing, the sound is thick and well mixed. Right in your face from the get!Hordes Digi-Pack Inside in Snow

The first track “Cold War Echo” is the perfect example of what this album is all about – riffage and pounding drums with raspy throated screams. The thick chords stomp and build, hints of noise are always creeping out the seams and the corners. At about 2.5 minutes in the track reaches, what I feel is, classic Hordes status. The riff slows to a crawl and the bass keeps the rhythm in line while the drums plod behind. This doesn’t last long before that riffage jumps right back in, bringing the close of this track.

Hordes CD Cover in Pine TreeThe second song features a slow building stomper titled “Eyes Dulled Blind.” The riff leads the song, a half crawl stomp fest, with vocals distant in the mix. At 6 minutes this is the longest track on the album, revolving around a fast and a slow riff. To close the track down Hordes slowed the temp to a half crawl. This is where the real guitar work shines. I love the textures that feel so prominent here. Once the riff slows the bass and drums lock in, and this gives room for the guitar to space out. A perfect wrap for that song.

By far my favorite riff from this album is the opener from “Summer”. Again, the spaced out guitar work brings the track to an open. The drums and bass jump to life not long after, and then the song is rolling. The guitar work throughout this track is super satisfying. This is the Hordes that I love.

I know I was just writing about how my favorite riff was in the last song, but the first true head banger on this disc is “Life Chaser.” When the riff really comes who can help but give that subtle head bang? Even as I write this I caught Nibiinabekwe banging her head in just that ever slow nod, reaffirming my thoughts. This is the heaviest moments of the album.

Hordes Cover of CD on IceThe closer track, “Fall,” again brings to the forefront the anger that is so present in this iteration of Hordes. The riffs stomp, the vocals holler, it’s heavy as shit. I dig it! The end of this track, and the close of the album, again slows the tempo to a crawl and gives the guitars room to build that classic wall of Hordes texture.

It has been interesting watching the journey that Hordes has taken, and this album is just one blip on the timeline. At the time of this writing it looks like they had just released a new 7″ split on Silver Maple Kill Records, I look forward to getting a copy of that!

Hordes on FacebookHordes in a Pine Tree

Hordes on Bandcamp

 

 

 

 

 

Photos by Nibiinabekwe
Photos by Nibiinabekwe • Atlanta State Forest Area • Michigan

0014 – Charcoal Squids – Self Titled Cassette

Charcoal Squids Self Titled Cassette Tape

Artist: Charcoal SquidsCassette Tape Charcoal Squids in the snow
Album: Self Titled
Label: Levitation Recording & Tapes and Ghost Carrot Records
Release Date: April 19, 2017
Format: Cassette Tape

Previously I had never heard of Levitation Recording & Tapes or of the Charcoal Squids. One of the exciting parts of this blog is reaching out of my known territories and discovering new bands and labels. I take enjoyment exploring DIY small runs of cassettes, with bands I have yet to hear of. This cassette I picked purely off of the write-up on a web store and the cool factor of the artwork, this looked like the dirtiest nastiest of the bunch! Psychedelic surf? Sure why not!

Pink Cassette in the SnowThe cassette itself is a sweet magenta color, with paper labels in a clear case, with slick looking J-card. DIY as F in the best way, the text and fonts on the J-card give that underwater feel, preparing the eyes and ears for the oncoming sonic adventure! This tape was put out in a limited release of 100 from both Levitation Recording & Tapes and Ghost Carrot Records from Missoula, MT. Well laid out, recorded, and packaged – the trifecta for DIY tapes.

The sound these guys create is a noisy, psychedelic, surf extravaganza. Listening to this modern take on surf is really refreshing. This is what I imagine you would get if you took a standard dirty, smelly garage band and dropped them overboard to be soaked in ocean fuzz. Fuzzy hooks soaked in reverb, dragging along the ocean floor, occasionally popping out with some explosion of insanity.Charcoal Squids Cassette in Snow

The recording of the album is spot on! I could hear all the nuances in the recordings, and all instruments share the space well. I really struggled with breaking the different songs apart and picking favorites. When I listen to the album it all just flows together really well. It plays in a seamless way that makes the entire album listenable as a piece. No one hit wonders here, you must take the whole journey!

Charcoal Squids Cassette Hanging in TreeThat being said the hooks in “Peppermint Spiders” bounce and stick in my brain like a half eaten candy cane sticks to a wrapper. Simple, clean riffs full of fuzz and hazy hooks. This fully encapsulates what is the great uniqueness that is Charcoal Squids and the soundscape that they meld! So, after close examination, I can choose that as my favorite track.

I look forward to delving further into the catalog of these guys! Links below for the music and more!

Charcoal Squids Cassette Snow and Sun

 

 

Charcoal Squids Bandcamp

Charcoal Squids Facebook

Levitation Recording & Tapes

Ghost Carrot Records

 

 

Camp 8 Road Atlanta, MI Snow by Nibiinabekwe
Photos by Nibiinabekwe. Camp 8 Road • Atlanta, Michigan.

0013 – The Great Sabatini – Napoleon Sodomite 7″

Vinyl Record Straits of Mackinac North Side

The Great Sabatini 7" Vinyl SunsetArtist: The Great Sabatini
Album: Napoleon Sodomite
Label: Sludge Hummer
Release Date: April 15th, 2011
Format: 7″ Vinyl Record

I picked this 7″ up at a basement show some years back. My band opened for The Great Sabatini, who were on tour from Montreal. They put on a hell of a show, heavy, noisy, angry, tight, and unrelenting! I snagged a copy of this 7″ along with their full length LP, “Matterhorn.” The full length has made it into heavy rotation for me, but this 7″ I only listened to a handful of times. Then forgot, or lost, in my old organization system, or lack thereof. As mentioned in the previous posts I have new shelving for my vinyl hoard and these lost gems keep popping up in my collection.The Great Sabatini Vinyl Side A in Tree

Released on, what I believe is the bands own label, Sludge Hummer. The cover features artwork from Wurmzilla, who also pulls guitar duty. The artwork itself consists of line drawings and a unique “band” around the slip cover to hold the 7″ in the case. This is great design work equally using beauty and function!  I really love the illustration of the monster and girl on the back cover as well. One of my favorite parts of this project is getting to sit down, feeling 13 again, and really look at all the aspects of the art of the release. Then I put it on my Marantz, loud as F, and just soak it all in. All too often I found myself not really appreciating all the little touches that are put into these beautiful physical objects I hoard. My pretties!! My precious!!!!!!

As stated earlier, I have a previous love for these dudes already, and this release was nothing but a happy little surprise for me. The Great Sabatini are kings of noise rock riffage, with guitar tones that are tight and complex. Napoleon Sodomite is the leading track on the 7″, and the guitars and drums start right in, slamming you in the face. This track showcases that these Canadians have a mastery of all things heavy.The Great Sabatini Record in Tree

The end of the first side brings a short track titled “Helter Skeletor.” This track feels like the interlude and gives a chance for the ears to breathe in some weird. It comes in at under 2 minutes and features droning guitars alongside a banjo-stomp riff. Kind of hilarious and weird, making for an excellent transition into the second side, and closing track, “Trap Sequence.” Again, the guitars and drums hit you right in the gut. Powerful chords and pounding drums quickly lead into a meandering riff and then drop off bringing the contrast of both quiet and loud into this song.

The Great Sabatini Record in Snow Straits of Mackinac

I have yet to pick up the 2014 release “Dog Years” from these dudes. I did not know it was out until jumping on their Bandcamp for this review. Damn! Now it’s on my list! Click the links below for more info, streams and yadda yadda from these guys.

The Great Sabatini on Bandcamp

The Great Sabatini on Facebook

 

 

Nibiinabekwe Straits of Mackinac North Side
Photos by Nibiinabekwe. Straits of Mackinac • St. Ignace, Michigan.

 

0012 – Skelotonized – Defleshed Cassette Tape

Skelotonized Defleshed Cassette TapeArtist: Skelotonized
Album: Defleshed
Release Date: October 28, 2017
Format: Cassette Tape

Skelotonized are located in Pittsburgh, PA. They are a 3-piece, featuring former Triangle And Rhino members, Lexso and Rappa, along with fellow Pittsburgh noise native, Farkas. This release comes in a super vibrant blue cassette with silver printing featuring the name of the band, the album, and a simple “Side A” and “Side B.” The J Card features a mountain scene lush with greenery and floral, animals and lady swimmers hunted by Greek statues! The visuals are a perfect representation of the world, and the journey, that Skelotonized is about to immerse your ears in. Once you pop in the tape – you’ll understand. Hit play and you’re instantly dropped off into a prehistoric jungle, birds and primal animals abound,  while jazz swells just below.Blue Cassette Tape Skelotonized In Tree

This tape has a uniqueness that I can’t quite put my finger on, that I almost can’t put words to. I feel like a jungle explorer, traveling down a river in some prehistoric time. The drums, the sax, the noise extravaganza – all create a primal rhythm, that just hits me where I want to be hit.

I can’t quite identify the how or the what all the sounds come from, but I know I hear guitars, bass, drums, keys or synths, maybe even an oscillator…or was it a Tyrannosaurus? Who knows? I do know this – it rules and I am so glad to have snagged a copy.Skelotonized Cassette Tape In Tree Snow

This tape, from beginning to end, is a nonstop jazz noise freak-out. The music has a swing and a character all its own. The songs don’t live in a freakout, but meld into pieces that have definitive ends and beginnings. This is meant to be heard in one sitting, I believe. I recommend you sit down and go on the entire journey. Sometimes, with Noise Music, the rhythm and the song become lost in the chaos, but not this. There are clear themes and riffs that carry the ears onward.

Skelotonized Facebook

Skelotonized Bandcamp

Photo by Nibiinabekwe Snow Trees
Photos by Nibiinabekwe. Atlanta State Forest Area, Michigan.

0007 – The God Eaters – Fading Horizons

Artist: The God Eaters
Album: Fading Horizons
Label: Invertebrata Records
Release Date: Feb 15th 2018
Format: Vinyl 10” Smoke Colored

I ordered this album from The God Eaters off Bandcamp, released in a limited edition 10” smoke colored vinyl. The cover is a heavy weight black stock paper  with a black screen-print of what I am guessing is Lake Superior. The back of the cover features a letter pressed foil stamped track listing. The care put into the physical production of this record is incredible. Art and design was done by Nick Erickson who also pulls drummer duty! As an added bonus for me, the band signed my liner notes. Thanks guys!

The God Eaters consists of 2 brothers, Dylan Trost on guitar and vocals and Devyn Trost playing the bass. This is along with the, as mentioned earlier, Nick on drums. There is something unique that is created when 2 brothers are in a group together, and the God Eaters are no exception. The riffs are thick, fast, with lots of intricate parts twisting together. The liquidity, with the way the riffs come across, is so well executed and cohesive, you can tell the brothers have that special connection. Nick’s drumming is just as impactful and well executed, hes all over the kit keeping the beat interesting and fun. Fast punk rock with great drums and sweaty fast guitars – whats not to love?

The longest track, and my favorite on the album, is “Carcharodon Carcharias” and at 6 minutes,  I feel this totally encapsulates all the best aspects of The God Eaters. It starts out with a jangling punk section devolving into a total jazz freak out, flowing into a punk rock dinosaur stomp fest. Fun rock and roll with a punk grunge vibe, the whole disc is incredibly tight and a blast to put on.

The recording was done at Electrical Audio in Chicago, and it sounds great as you would expect from a studio of that caliber. The mix is spot on, everything sounds like it has its own place and presence in the “room.” Coupled with a bad ass recording and the super cool layout and design of the record itself, this makes for one hell of a release. I cant wait to see what future releases will these guys will bring.

The God Eaters Bandcamp

The God Eaters Facebook

Invertebrata Records

 

 

Photos by Nibiinabekwe. Pendills Bay, Lake Superior Hiawatha National Forest.

 

0006 – Cavalcade – Swale 7″

Artist: Cavalcade
Album: Swale
Label: Bermuda Mohawk Productions
Release Date: Dec 10th 2013
Format: Vinyl 7”

I believe I got this 7” at the release show, a very long time ago. I then promptly lost it in the shuffle of life, only to be re-found when I recently got a new record shelf and organization system. Hurrah for me because this one is a gem! Swale is a 7″ with a minimal brown sleeve featuring a monster stamp as the main focal point. I really like the layout of this release, done by Craig Horky, who not only is a prolific and unique artist, but also the bassist of Cavalcade. I believe as an added aside this is Sean Peters first release with the band, replacing Zak Warren on vocals.

“Swale,” the opening track, comes in slow and weird, in typical Cavalcade fashion, building up into a crashing swaying mess of noise. “Metronome On Sleep” is the highlight track for me; it has a hard groove with lots of intricacies, eerie melodies shine through the sound-wall amid the chaos.

Cavalcade is a strange carnival of a band and the music is a perfect representation of that. Stoner metal meets punk rock meets who the hell knows what or where. The noise flows in and out while a Gollum spits and sputters vocals through the mix. The recording on this release is well mixed and presented, taking the listener under the tent with Cavalcade. I have always enjoyed catching these guys live, whether in a basement or a stinky dive bar, Brad always brings the headbanging while the other guys bring the weird. 

 

Cavalcade on Facebook

Cavalcade Bandcamp

Bermuda Mohawk Productions

 

Photos by Nibiinabekwe, Gaffney Creek, Salina Rd, Alpena County Michigan.