It seems to me being a vegetarian requires possession of a good sense of humor. The decision to stray from the meat-and-potato traditions of my family certainly exposed me to more than my fair share of ribbing and ridicule, and I don’t think I would have handled those ordeals so well if I didn’t go […]
Michael Mannix
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Top Five (+5)
Massive Conspiracy Against All Life. Leviathan (Moribund Records). While the past year brought about several notable black metal releases (e.g. Krallice, Winterfyllah, Nachtmystium), Leviathan’s ability to both work within and expand genre conventions makes this a landmark effort. The album not only serves as a benchmark; it also further legitimizes a quickly expanding United States […]
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Live at Roadburn
Over the past three years, San Diego’s Earthless has steadily built a following based on the strength of its intense live performances and absurdly long, yet captivating, instrumental jams. Its reputation earned it an invitation to this year’s annual Roadburn Festival in Holland, where organizers unexpectedly asked Earthless to perform on the festival’s main stage, […]
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Heavy Psych
Along with the likes of Kyuss, Monster Magnet and Fu Manchu, Nebula helped shape the direction of the ’90s desert/stoner rock movement. They didn’t necessarily enjoy the high profile fanfare and commercial success of their peers, but thanks to impressively consistent recordings and Eddie Glass’ signature guitar style, Nebula quickly established themselves as one of […]
Posted inArts + Scene
True Norwegian Black Metal
When I initially learned of Vice’s plan to publish True Norwegian Black Metal, I tempered my expectations, half expecting a hatchet job on one of the most significant music genres to develop over the past 20 years. Vice, after all, is well noted for its hipster status and sardonic treatment of subject matter — both […]
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Control
Directed by Anton Corbijn. The Miriam Collection. When Anton Corbijn, best known for his work as a rock photographer and music video director, announced plans to film the story of Joy Division front man Ian Curtis, anticipation amongst Joy Division followers immediately rose, for although there has always been a great deal of familiarity with […]
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Gods of the Earth
Album by By The Sword. Kemado Records. When The Sword’s Age of Winters dropped in 2006, the album was received with a great deal of enthusiasm, especially by those heralding the band as part of the retro-metal movement that has barreled its way through the indie underground in recent years. Paying equal homage to both […]
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Dystopia
Album by Dystopia Life is Abuse Records Dystopia’s reign over the 1990s hardcore crust scene, particularly here on the West Coast, is one of legend, with its tattered remnants still clinging to the fading black denim of scenesters new and old alike. It’s not that their brand of acrid and crushing doom-ridden punk was groundbreaking […]
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Massive Conspiracy Against All Life
CD by Leviathan. Moribund Records. Leviathan, aka Wrest, is a one-man black metal project from the Bay Area that has played a crucial role in the development of American black metal, bringing a sense of legitimacy to a scene that for years was perceived to be inferior to its Scandinavian counterpart. Massive Conspiracy Against All […]
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Magnificent Fiend
CD by Howlin Rain American/Birdman As Howlin Rain prepares for an intense year of touring in support of Magnificent Fiend, one cannot help but cheer the developing story of a small-town boy who has gone out into the world and done good for himself. From his days as an English major to his years with […]
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Live 1974
CD by Harmonia. Water/Gronland. According to tales of rock lore, Brian Eno once proclaimed Harmonia to be the most important band in rock music. That’s an impressive endorsement, especially considering that Eno is widely recognized as part of the brain trust behind the careers of some of rock’s biggest names: David Bowie, Talking Heads and […]
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In the Future
CD by Black Mountain. Jagjaguwar Records. Three years ago Black Mountain’s eponymous debut crashed onto the indie scene and immediately captivated both press and fans. Their quick success secured them an opening spot for Coldplay and landed them on the soundtrack for Spider-Man 3. For any band rising to such a level from virtual obscurity, […]