Category Archives: blastbeats

And My Favorite Music from 2012

Posted on 2012/12/20 by Martha

Before culling, I had something like 430 separate bands (not even just EPs or albums) in my 2012 releases list. I narrowed that down to these as my favorites of the year. I didn’t bother with a top 10 because … Continue reading →

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Metal Bookends

Posted on 2012/04/29 by Martha

Let’s face it, the work week is generally a five-stage-run of tedium. But this week, Doug and I were fortunate enough to have two concerts to keep the will to live fresh. Monday night we saw local band Villains (“Never … Continue reading →

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High Spirits — Another Night

Posted on 2012/03/18 by Martha

It’s been a long time since I’ve put an album on unending repeat, but the past two weeks have had a very consistent soundtrack. Chicago-based High Spirits delivers some of the most unapologetic 80s hard rock I’ve heard since, well, … Continue reading →

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Goatfago. The Best-Worst Black Metal Ever Recorded

Posted on 2012/03/04 by Martha

Terrible things happen when Doug and our friend Mike start in on the craft brews. Sometimes, it means ordering multiple plates of pickled eggs with jalapeno powder. Sometimes, it means that we decide elf-based erotic literature must be purchased in … Continue reading →

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Buying Music From Smaller Record Labels and Distros

Posted on 2012/03/03 by Martha

Despite the existence of the internet, buying underground metal records (I am using “records” to encompass all recording formats: CDs, LPs, 7″s, cassettes, etc) is pretty much the same now as it was in the 80s and 90s. If you … Continue reading →

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Metal, We Has It. Charon — Sulphur Seraph (The Archon Principle)

Posted on 2012/02/26 by Martha

The post office has brought me many delights since the New Year. Probably the most impressive ass-whupping, jaw-dropping awesomeness is the debut album from German black/death band Charon. I cannot say enough good things about Sulphur Seraph (The Archon Principle). … Continue reading →

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2012 Starting Off With a Crunch

Posted on 2012/01/14 by Martha

The first excellent release of 2012 has arrived: Horrendous The Chills. If you like old school death metal, especially that with some Florida and Sweden flavor, then this might appeal to you. Plus, the vocals sound like Martin Van Drunen’s, … Continue reading →

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Favorite Metal Albums of 2011

Posted on 2011/12/24 by Martha

I am never really comfortable with making “Best of” lists, because I’ve seen others’ “Best” and found them to be, frankly, full of shit. Just because your favorite band vomited out an album of recycled riffs (hello, Iced Earth) in … Continue reading →

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San Antonio — Blastbeats, aka Rites of Darkness III

Posted on 2011/12/18 by Martha

The quickest summary I can give about this festival: It totally kicked ass. Yes, I know all about the drama before, during and after the festival, and I’m just going to acknowledge it and move on to an actual rundown … Continue reading →

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Cut Your Flesh and Worship Saisons

Posted on 2011/12/13 by Martha

Back from San Antonio and the mighty Rites of Darkness III music festival. Photos from the glorious event will have to wait, as Doug still has the camera with him…at work. We were delighted to see that great-tailed grackles were, … Continue reading →

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