The VSS
Nervous Circuits (Reissue)
Hydra Head (2008)
Seriously, The VSS are getting the reissue treatment from Hydra Head. Not only is this a completely unexpected revelation, but it is one that will probably go mostly unnoticed by most people, which is rather unfortunate considering how excellent the original version of this record was. Then again, The VSS (featuring ex-members of the equally and criminally unappreciated Angel Hair … Read more
Torche
Healer/Across the Shields
Hydra Head (2009)
Following up their much acclaimed full-length, Meanderthal, Torche gives the Healer/Across the Shields twelve-inch EP and DVD to tide fans over until their next record. The record contains two tracks on that full-length as well as two additional songs (their last with recently departed guitarist Juan Montoya) which are new and a DVD with the videos for the two album … Read more
Torche
Meanderthal
Hydra Head (2008)
By now, most people that care enough to know that Torche's point of origination begins with the fall of Steve Brooks' former band, Floor. Torche has certainly done enough differently to explicitly set itself apart from the former group, but it seems as though now they are coming full circle with the second Torche LP, Meanderthal. Following the excellent In … Read more
Tusk
The Resisting Dreamer
Hydra Head (2007)
Tusk has long been a side project of the more and more highly esteemed band Pelican, but is much heavier and includes vocals at times. On The Resisting Dreamer, the normal members of Tusk are joined by Evan Patterson (Young Widows, Black Cross, Breather Resist, A National Acrobat) and Toby Driver (Kayo Dot). The Resisting Dreamer is meant to be … Read more
Xasthur
Defective Epitaph
Hydra Head (2007)
One-man black metal projects certainly have become overabundant in the past couple of years. I'm not exactly sure what brought on their increased presence in music, but nevertheless, their popularity has grown exponentially in recent years. Xasthur, which is the project of Malefic, has been releasing material under this moniker since 1995. Defective Epitaph is his sixth full-length release and … Read more
Xasthur
Subliminal Genocide
Hydra Head (2006)
If you ate nothing but the guts of ravens, the shells of beetles, and the wax from vinyl, your shit might slide down your pants dense and black as night. Assuming shit doesn't have the connation of something bad, this soulless turd sums up Xasthur's newest full-length, Subliminal Genocide, in how it sounds, the way it makes you feel, and … Read more
Zozobra
Bird of Prey
Hydra Head (2008)
Originally planned as a whole other project of Caleb Scofield under the moniker Heatseeker, Bird of Prey is instead the second full-length release from the Cave In/Old Man Gloom member's Zozobra. Joining Scofield this time around is Isis drummer Aaron Harris, who also engineered the album, in place of the departed Santos Montano. The decision to release this album under … Read more
Zozobra
Harmonic Tremors
Hydra Head (2007)
Zozobra is a tantalizing idea for a band. They are a two-piece outfit that is comprised of Cave In member Caleb Scofield and a member of the criminally unnoticed Forensics, Santos Montano - both members also do time in Old Man Gloom. The question then becomes, knowing how else the members otherwise occupy their time, what will this band sound … Read more
Zozobra
Harmonic Tremors
Hydra Head (2007)
Those frustrated by the fact that Old Man Gloom is nothing more than a studio project that rarely tours can get excited - at least a little bit. Caleb Scofield and Santos Montano, two of the players of Old Man Gloom, have formed a new vehicle with a similar sound, one that actually tours: Zozobra. Harmonic Tremors begins with "The … Read more
