Welcome to Napalm Flesh! This week we have a slew of reviews for you, including the new 7”s from Burning Love and DNF, a quartet of reissues from Opeth, new albums from Cancer Bats, Superchrist, Tanhi, Witchaven and Wolfbrigade, as well as the mighty new offerings from Cattle Decapitation, Ufomammut and Worm Ouroboros. We also have this week’s rundown of events so you can plan your metal intake accordingly. Stay tuned next week for an interview with Schmier of Destruction!
Event Listings
compiled by Bryer Wharton
bryer@slugmag.com
On Friday, May 11, Burt's Tiki Lounge (21+) hosts local stalwarts Thunderfist with Top Dead Celebrity and the Screaming Condors. $6 gets you in the door tunes underway around 9 p.m.
Follow up your ass kicking Friday night at Burt's Tiki Lounge (21+) on Saturday May 12 with Salt Lake's Eagle Twin and INVDRS. $5 gets you in the door, music at 9 p.m.
Also Saturday, long standing death metal crew Beyond this Flesh say goodbye with their final show at Bar Deluxe (21+) with Castleaxe and Odium Totus. $5 gets you in the door, music around 9 p.m.
If you happen to be a bit north of Salt Lake City on Saturday, Bountiful has Reveeler and Osiris playing at the Fifth (21+). $3 gets you in, music at around 9 p.m.
Monday, May 14, get your death metal fix with Origin headlining In The Venue with Cattle Decapitation, Decrepit Birth, Aborted, Rings of Saturn and Battlecross for an all ages show. Tickets are $16 in advance and $18 the day of the show, doors open at 6:30 p.m.
Thursday May 17, Koala Combat headlines at Burt's (21+) with Burn Your World and Hypernovat Holocaust. $5 gets you in the door music at 9 p.m.
Also Thursday in O-Town Artists for Local Agriculture or AFLA host a benefit at the Basement with Loom, Cedars, Gunfight Fever and Merlin’s Beard. The show is all ages. $10 gets you in with music starting at 6:30 p.m.
Exclusive Reviews
Burning Love
Black Widow 7”
High Anxiety/No Idea
Street: 05.08
Burning Love = Cursed + Black Breath + Doomriders
Unlike most of their neo-crust brethren, Burning Love delve into the waters of d-beat with a shitload of rock n’ roll swagger—and that is definitely a good thing. This two-track 7” is a teaser for the band’s upcoming LP Rotten Thing to Say, being released this summer by Southern Lord. “Karla” is a mid-tempo stomper, combining the riffage of Louisville sludgers like Coliseum with the attitude and danger of The Stooges, all topped by Chris Colohan’s trademark snarls and growls. It doesn’t hit as hard as “Miserable Sound” or “Alien vs. Creditor” from the band’s first album, but it does make me excited to hear the rest of the new album. An exclusive cover of the Laughing Hyenas’ “Love is My Only Crime” ends the 7”, and it is fucking awesome. There’s jagged weirdness and a killer drumbeat driving this one along, bringing Burning Love’s sound into new territory. Grab this one and get ready for the ear-feast that Rotten Thing to Say is sure to be. –Ricky Vigil
Cancer Bats
Dead Set On Living
Hassle Records
Street: 04.16
Cancer Bats= Gallows + The Bronx
Honestly, I’m having trouble turning this record off. Canadian hardcore punks Cancer Bats return with a deliciously well-written album, and let me tell you, this record is so fucking groovy! It’s not happy, but it’s upbeat; it’s jumpy, it’s fun. And even the fucked up apocalyptic lyrics only add to that fun. I love the versatility of Liam Cormier’s vocals, jumping from throat-slashing screams to a more monotone, deep speaking voice that, against the groove, reminds me a lot of the testosterone of Scissorfight—particularly on my favorite track, “Breathe Armageddon.” I dare say the groove is southern in nature on this record with its thumping drums and howling guitars, but it’s growing from mean punk roots; check out “Old Blood” to see this hybrid at its best. The band says they wanted a non-traditional hardcore album sound this time around. Gentlemen: success is yours, and it’s fucking sweet. –Megan Kennedy
