Flannel Collective

(Cover of Flannel Volume Two, Number One)

Okay, so let's be honest.  Who of you readers outside New England can actually locate the great state of Maine on a map.  Who of you have even heard of Maine?!  My point exactly.  Any tourist that you ask will tell you about the lovely, quaint coast of Maine, all the lovely lighthouses to admire, and all the cute little rink-dink inns that you can stay at when you go there.  But, fuck all that jazz.  The publishers of Flannel Magazine are here to give you an actual glimpse into the true culture of Maine.  

The contents of the magazine are filled with work from local artists all around Maine, that spans from writings, drawings, photographs, and adds for local Maine businesses and bands, and they are currently working on putting together their fifth issue.  The magazine aims to give the reader a distinct feeling for what Maine art is really about.  If you want to get your hands on a copy of the latest issue, or are a Maine artist or band looking to get your name out there by submitting work, send an email to sean@flannelcollective.com.  Issues of Flannel have been sent around the world, including Australia.  Their fan basis continues to grow day by day, and the prices are super cheap.  If you're interested in Flannel, check out their official website, or check them out on facebook.


Unfortunately, the latest issue is sold out at this time.  But, dropping them an email now, will certainly help ensure that you get your hands on the next issue, which they are currently working on.  The more support this local magazine gets, the bigger it will become.  So if you are a supporter of the local arts at all, you should check this out, and keep local DIY art thriving.

Bongripper - Satan Worshipping Doom

Band: Bongripper

Album: Satan Worshipping Doom

Genre:Sludge/Doom Metal

In the realm of instrumental sludge and doom metal, there is one band that rules all with an iron fist.  That band, of course, is Bongripper.  Formed in 2005, the band has worked hard, creating five previous albums.  Their sixth, Satan Worshipping Doom has arguably become their best pieces of work to date, surpassing their 2008 fan-favorite, Hate Ashbury.  So you may be asking yourself, what separates their newest album from all the rest?  Here's the answer:

Having been a fan of Bongripper for about a year now, I've come to recognized and become accustom to their unique sound (Which is saying quite a bit, since originality is one of the hardest things for a sludge or doom band to possess).  Each of their albums contains a certain quality that sets the atmosphere for all the songs, as well as playing into the title of the release.  Bongripper keeps this formatting for Satan Worshipping Doom, but the concept of this album (That being satanic worship) gives the band a fresh fulfilling sound, while still staying true to the music they have produced in the past.  This aspect of the album shows signs of not only great musicianship, but of growth within the band.

While Bongripper's earlier albums such as The Great Barrier Reefer and Heroin seemed to be focused around a central theme of drugs, this four-track album stands apart from their previous work by giving you a front row seat to a roughly 54 minute satanic ritual that possesses you to do nothing more than give your soul to Satan and bang your head in sheer delight.  

Since originality doesn't come easy in any form of music, sludge and doom metal being a perfect example, bands need to know the music they are writing inside and out to ensure that the album will not only fit the genre they are aiming for, but offer the listeners something new as well.  Instead of selling out and giving listeners something more generic while calling it a fresh change of sound, Bongripper sticks to a format that has done them well for six albums now.  Playing at slow and plodding paces (With the exception to the second track, “Satan,” which opens with a very interesting black metal riff), the band focuses on their builds into climactic, heavy riffs that sound inspired and original.  The timing and pacing of this album is one of, if not, the best quality Satan Worshipping Doom has to offer. The riffs themselves sound unique and fresh, as well reminiscent of earlier doom metal acts such as Pentegram or Candlemass.  Another fresh aspect to the music on this album is the memorable, perfectly placed,  psychedelic guitar solos that are presented in the tracks “Satan” and “Worship.”  These solos play into the dark, evil tone of the album as well as flaunting the skills of axe-men Dennis Pleckham and Nick Dellacroce in their playing and writing abilities.

The last thing that makes this album particularly great, is of course, the production.  While some sludge bands, such as EYEHATEGOD or Sourvein, choose to revel in their sloppy production, Bongripper takes the clean cut approach to how this album sounded.  The mix on the album makes it so all all the instruments are audible at all times, and that the concept of the album can fully blossom.  What I'm trying to say is, the albums sound kicks ass.

My only miniscule complaint with this album is that there are a lack of vocals on this release.  I have a preference for high screams in the type of music that Bongripper plays, but in all honesty, I wouldn't have this album any other way.  It's damn near flawless as is.  So, if you are someone like me, who enjoys screaming with your sludge, don't let the absence of vocals scare you away from this album.  The subtexts buried deep within the riffs and drum beats give this album the missing personality that is usually gained from a vocalist.

If you are at all a fan of groovy, slow paced music, I would highly recommend this album.  It's not only one of Bongripper's best, but it is also very accessible for first time listeners to get into the band.  Regardless of how deep into sludge or doom metal you get, this release will not disappoint.  Bongripper displays the necessary talent to be one of the driving forces in todays sludge scene.  They will not be silenced.

Score: 9.5/10

Terrible Old Man - Self Titled Demo

Band: Terrible Old Man

Album: Terrible Old Man (Three song demo)

Genre: Progressive Death/Thrash Metal 

In a stagnant and cold wasteland of recycled music that is known as the Maine Metal scene, one band sticks out from almost all the rest.  Terrible Old Man, hailing from Waterville, ME choose to destroy your senses with screeching vocals, fast, sweeping guitar solos and intense blast beats in exchange for the slow, chugging breakdowns everyone has come to expect from a local metal band.  Their first release (a three song, self titled demo) is a display of true musicianship and understanding of the music they aim to make.

Most new-aged thrash bands fall victim to the, now boring, standard format of thrash metal writing.  Said bands just try to play fast and have an aggressive attitude that comes out in their live shows.  Though Terrible Old Man does both of these things, their music is not stale.  Their heightened understanding of music allows them to take the death/thrash format and expand it in a way that makes their music completely their own.  While Between The Buried and Me are said to sound like Dream Theater, and The County Medical Examiners are a straight Carcass rip-off, Terrible Old Man's sound is completely their own.  

In this demo, you are getting an array of different musical dynamics that make this release great.  Frontman, Ryan Fairfield's, vocals give this little demo an evil tone as he screams the dark incantations of each track on the release.  The lyrics are written in the reminiscent style of the old H.P. Lovecraft short stories (Which is quite fitting since their name comes from the title of one of his stories).

Both James Violette and Brad Bolduc display their shredding abilities to ultimate extremes.  For a band recording their first release, the guitar work is top-notch.  Each song on the demo includes at least two solos that not only sound great while complimenting the music, but also flaunt a certain sophistication of their skills as guitarists.

Eddie Tardiff also makes a name for himself as one of the few metal bassists to still use his fingers instead of a pick.  Tardiff has the necessary chops to keep up with the shredding guitar, as well as compliment the riffs by giving them an audible heaviness that really flows with the music.  That's right folks!  You can actually hear the bass on this release, and it's quite fantastic!

To wrap it all up, Coby Violette's precision drumming on the demo seals the deal.  From straight blast beats to gravity blast, he does it all, and it works in a refreshing way.  All of his beats are completely his own.  His writing ability mixed with his speed and endurance work to create the cohesive flow that this album possesses.  

The last aspect of this release that was incredibly impressive is the production on this demo.  When the words "metal" and "demo" are said in the same sentence, the average listener would expect a lacking sound production, and quite frankly, a shitty mix.  Everything on this album sounds crisp and audible without just melding into some unintelligible wall of sound.  Every instrument does its own thing while still working in unison to create one of the best listening experience I've had in years.

Unfortunately, as of right now, the only way to get ahold of this release is to go to one of their live shows.  If you are capable of doing so, make the trip.  Not only is this demo completely worth it, but their live show is a brute force assault of straight, pissed off metal that will leave your jaws hanging down below your knees.  But, lucky for those unfortunate souls who aren't close enough to check out a Terrible Old Man set, they have all three songs from the demo up on their MySpace and Facebook pages.  Keep an eye out for these guys by adding/becoming a fan of them.  Terrible Old Man is one band that is destined for big things.  They will not be ignored.

Score: 9/10

A Brief Introduction

Hello,

My name is Alex Davenport.  I created this blog to represent bands in my local metal and hardcore scene, as well as for writing reviews and getting the word about about bands that I find rather awesome.  If you are a band that would like me to write a post representing your music send me an email at:

alexander.davenport@maine.edu