druid lord - grotesque offerings

Druid Lord: Grotesque Offerings (2018) – for 9C

Over at Nine Circles I love the cover but bemoan the lack of spark in the doom sections of Druid Lord’s new full length Grotesque Offerings.  There is a lot that works, but there’s also a lot that feels hashed together: all frayed edges and rough ideas. Comes together in the faster moments, though.  You mileage may vary. You can check out the full review … Continue reading Druid Lord: Grotesque Offerings (2018) – for 9C

pillars - abandoned

Pillärs: Abandoned (2018) – for 9C

Over at Nine Circles I fall hard for the crust-punk hardcore doom charge of Cleveland, Ohio trio Pillärs.  Debut full-length Abandoned is a righteous voice rising above the tumultuous thrum of 2018, with lyrics that touch on everything from loss to spiritualism and faith, but never loses sight of the fact it has to first and foremost be a kickass rocking record.  As such it’s … Continue reading Pillärs: Abandoned (2018) – for 9C

djinn and miskatonic even gods must die

Djinn and Miskatonic: Even Gods Must Die (2018) – for 9C

Over at Nine Circles I dove dark into the Lovecraftian murk of Even Gods Must Die, the new album from Djinn and Miskatonic.  Crushingly heavy but willing to let a wink slide into their stoner/sludge blend of doom, the band takes the best parts of prime Electric Wizard and marries it to the rock stomp of bands like The Obsessed and, yes, Black Sabbath. You … Continue reading Djinn and Miskatonic: Even Gods Must Die (2018) – for 9C

Tag Poster Sion Sono

The Glory of Sion Sono’s Tag (2015)

Sometimes a director’s vision strikes you in such a way you’ll follow them even if the direction they’re moving in feels a little, well…off.  Such is the case with Sion Sono, whose Love Exposure was a giddy, surreal ride with a central conceit so insane I was instantly hooked.  Working in the same absurdist realm as Takashi Miike (and almost as prolific), when I saw … Continue reading The Glory of Sion Sono’s Tag (2015)