At some point in time, many of us have been fascinated by the sea and the tales it holds underneath its waves. Even from a safe vantage point, it can be perceived as giving yet cruel – when it gives, it can also take. You may be able to make a living at sea, but it can suddenly take your life with as much pomp and circumstance as it desires, leaving behind only those who will continue to remember you. Inspired by the 1915 Sandvik whaling disaster, where 14 men died driving whales ashore, Hamferð’s newest album, Men Guðs hond er sterk, deals with the ghosts that linger after a tragedy occurs ..read more

Escaping the dark shadows of reality to get lost in music and create something powerful with childhood friends is exactly how Goat Major coped with the 2020 pandemic.  Having grown up near each other in Wales resulting in a longtime friendship, this trio decided to pull their talents and love of doom to create a 2023 EP and now a debut full-length, Ritual.  Describing their style as “occult doom metal” this release combines stoner metal, classic doom, and some heavy rock with lyrics and themes focusing on the occult.  There is a rawness to it giving Ritual the feel of a live pe ..read more

When I first experienced Ponte Del Diavolo’s debut, Fire Blades From The Tomb (Fire Blades…), I was struck by the thought of metal music being seen as a vehicle of devil worship. Although this is seen as a tired yet inescapable cliché, some bands do dabble in this concept as a thematic point in their music. However, some actually commit to acting as a conduit to the dark arts, even as far down to how they present to others. The more I listened, the more I became intrigued in exploring Ponte Del Diavolo’s aesthetic and presentation, and how their music aims to be seen as part of their overall ..read more

It has been a typical midwestern winter here in Chicago with cold days in the negative degrees, blizzards, ice, and suddenly some dense fog, rain, and a heatwave of double digit temperatures.  This is about that time of year that I am very much over winter and ready for the gloom to pass along with my seasonal depression. For now, I will dream of sunshine while sipping on a bright and fruity seltzer and listening to some metal, so let us drink from the cup of heresy.  This week’s offerings:  SLOWER‘s Slower and Illuminated Brew Works’ Slushy Thing #7 (The Watergate Salad Affair ..read more

2023 was a whirlwind.  It started with an amazing trip to California where we visited Vincent and also had the immense pleasure of meeting some other 9C family members—Colin and Hera.  We then returned home to a flooded basement and a dog in need of surgery due to an aggressive cancerous tumor in her jaw.  The middle of the year was spent attending to the chaos while I also started a new job.  The highs and lows have been extreme but thankfully we were able to end the year on a high note and carry those good vibes into the new year.  Our beloved dog is still going str ..read more

Doom and the words “beautiful,” “angelic,” “euphoric” generally don’t go together but in the more than capable hands of husband and wife duo Oldest Sea, those terms take on a life of their own on their latest full length A Birdsong, A Ghost. Some of you can’t function without a RIYL but a) we don’t do those and b) just trust us here and take a chance. Obviously any music is all about perspectives but this thing, to me, is…let’s put it this way: in prep for this I curled up with an excellent coffee, my dog, a warm camp blanket, and my best headphones and was completely blown away for 40 minute ..read more

Hamish Glencross might be one of the best unsung workhorse musicians in the British doom scene, which, now that I’ve typed that sentence out, sounds like a very specific niche that only one person can fill, but you know how it is with bands.  People, especially at the highest of caliber, tend to bounce in and out of each other’s spheres quite a bit.  Hence, Glencross is best known for his tenure in My Bloody Valentine, but also for stints in Vallenfyre and Solstice.  Godthrymm, Glencross’ newest project and one he acts as the figurehead of, seeks to build upon this legacy with ..read more

The music of Soundgarden and Chris Cornell will always hold a special place for me. The first two concerts I ever attended were him with his solo band, and before Cornell’s passing my dad and I had seen him a grand total of eight times between his own band, solo acoustic performances, Soundgarden, and the Temple of the Dog reunion. My dad even has his portrait tattooed with “no one sings like you anymore” inscribed underneath. There was no other voice in rock music like his, and likewise there was no other band like Soundgarden. As much as they were a part of the Seattle grunge scene, their ..read more

The latest album from Spanish doom metal band Pylar, Límyte, represents the final album in a three-album cycle.  Preceded by Horror Cósmyco and Abysmos, Límyte truly sounds like a finale. A frequent complaint against doom metal is that for a genre with “doom” in the description, it’s not very scary. Pylar though make really solid, frightening doom metal. There’s a bit of relief listening to an album describing itself as occult doom metal that actually sounds like occult doom metal. It documents what must be an inevitable apocalypse. The listener must bear witness to the horror unleashed ..read more

Life has been a bit of a rollercoaster lately, and suitably so, I am about to tell you about two things that do not go together at all.  However, I can say that the two enjoyed together provide a nice balance of sorts.  Please enjoy this juxtaposition of heavy doom and a bright fruity ale and let us drink from the cup of heresy.  This week’s offerings:  Moor‘s Heavy Heart and Campanology Brewing’s Peach Ale. — The Tunes:  Moor — Heavy Heart Now playing:  an album enveloped in chains weighted by raw music forged in the fires of pain and serving as a memory, a tri ..read more