I Own Some Records

Bone Awl/Ashdautas - split (Klaxon Records 2012)

I didn’t think this record was ever going to come out.  I remember hearing about it in like 2009 when these two bands toured together.  But now it’s finally out.  And honestly it’s living up to my expectations.  And yes I know the tape version has been out for like a year. I don’t even bother trying to order anything from the label that put it out. Everything sells out instantly. 

For the most part the Black Twilight Circle bands suck.  Thats right, I said it.  They bore the shit out of me.  It seems to me that it’s like 8 dudes, and if one of them writes a song they record it.  But they all sound the same to me.  The only bands I’ve heard that call for repeat listenings are Volahn, Axeman, and Ashdautas, and Ashdautas is definitely my favorite.  I think that is mostly because Ashdautas is the longest running project out of all of them; and is a collaboration between 4 people, which really comes out in the music, making them stands apart from the rest of the BTC bands.  Also, the vocalist has the most sick sounding screeches in all of USBM, hands down.  On this split, Ashdautas offer up 2 tracks, one taking up an entire side of an LP and the other taking up the only side of the 7” (Bone Awl is only on the LP).  The first track is the epic “Vermillion Stars In Depths Familiar” which takes you on an astral journey of cold black metal.  There is so many peaks and valleys within this track it’s hard to keep track of everything.  I went to the Black Twilight Circle show during Chaos In Tejas last year.  Two of the guys from the collective (Volahn and another who’s name I don’t know) played in all seven of the bands that night.  Seven! They played seven sets in a row.  I just can’t imagine being able to remember how to play so many intricate songs.  They are out of their minds.  Anyway.  Ashdautas’s tracks on here are brilliant.  They’d be worth buying the record alone.

But you still get Bone Awl’s side to enjoy! BA deliver once again with their oompa raw black punk.  Seriously how can a band be so abrasive and distancing but at the same time be so catchy and fun?  I don’t get how they pull it off.  Every record I have by them is a gem, and this, their final release (I think) really ends their tenure as a band on a great note.  Though they are playing a 10th anniversary show in Brooklyn next week which I am gonna do everything in my power to get to, but probably won’t because going to shows in Brooklyn for me is a huge pain in the ass. 

-Log. 

Bone Awl - “Bowing Heads/Sunless Xyggos” (Iron Tyrant 2011)

I bought this in the two minutes it was available before it sold out back in July. 

Got a large stack of vinyl in the mail/were given to me today.  Check what I got yo.

Mailorder:

Dais Records: Lord Foul - Demos 1 sided LP, Ghedalia Tazartes - Diasporas LP

Nuclear War Now!: Abigail -The Lord Of Satan diehard edition 2xLP, Bone Awl - Bowing Heads/Sunless Xyggos LP, Necrofago - Brutal Mutilation LP, Winterblut - Leichenstandard LP

Third Man Records - Wanda Jackson - You Know I’m No Good 7”, The Black Belles - What Can I Do 7”, The 5.6.7.8’s - Sho-Jo-Ji 7”, Wanda Jackson - Thunder On The Mountain 7”, Stephen Colbert with The Black Belles - Charlene II (I’m Over You) 7”, The 5.6.7.8’s - Live At Thirdman Records 12”, Jeff The Brotherhood - Live At Thirdman Records 12”

A coworker gave me a box of her uncles old records he didn’t want…expecting a bunch of lame 70’s rock records, I was super stoked to find a box chock full of 80’s metal records! I’m not gonna list them all, but the gems of the bunch were an OP Venom - Black Metal and OP Metallica - Ride The Lightning. 

Some of the bands were: Venom, Saxon, Motohead, Accept, Judas Priest, Manowar, WASP, and Metallica.  Awesome record day.  

Raspberry Bulbs - “Nature Tries Again” (Hospital Productions 2011)

I’m not reviewing this records to be hip, because this band is all the rage lately in black metal circles. I reiterate, I am not trying to be hip, and I certainly don’t want any of my followers to REBLOG TO ALL OF YOUR FOLLOWERS to make myself more popular and cool. That would certainly be a bad thing. Seriously.

Raspberry Bulbs is a one man band who’s sole member happens to be “He Who Gnashes Teeth” making him one half of the super popular for some reason Bone Awl (well there is a good reason…they are fucking sick).  This record (and project in general) couldn’t be further (and closer) to Bone Awl however.  Bone Awl is a black metal band stripped to the core of what BM is making them almost a punk/hardcore band. Raspberry Bulbs strips away even more making them (him?) a straight up punk band.  I really didn’t like two of three of RB’s previous demos, but for their first foray onto vinyl, this record just clicks.  It reminds me of current scum-punk bands like Pissed Jeans, or Total Abuse without the recording budget or desire for a clean sound.  You get 8 mid-paced simple, scummy, punk songs devoid of pretension and an outro.  The only black metal I can hear on this is the overall aura and mood the songs create.  I love this.  

This brings me to the band name.  Raspberry Bulbs is both the best and worst name in the history of BM/punk whatever.  It completely gives no insight to what to expect from the band, which I absolutely love about the name, it allows the songs to speak for themselves. On the other hand, the name is RASPBERRY BULBS. Barring my previous statement, I feel like no thought was given to the name whatsoever. It’s like when me and a friend wanted to start a band called Lemonade Stand.

All that aside this is a solid record. I suggest tracking it down now while the gettings good as there are only 500 in existence. 

-Log