Three things: 1) This was the plan and known outcome 2) This was part of paying for the tax breaks to the wealthy (Big Beautiful Bill) 3) They are set to do the exact same thing with Medicaid

Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuck. Progressive black/death. Somehow I missed it but it’s exactly what I love. Rivers Ablaze, from March and out of Hungary.

This really is a lovely, short bit of atmo/post black metal. Antifascist, from Spain, just over 30 min: Sotabosc, from April.

More black metal—on the symphonic/atmospheric side of things. Gonna need a bit of time with this one I think. Not overly complex but just layers and builds.

This is a raw and intense offering—black metal from Iran, that actually seems to be from there, or at the very least is not an obvious case of someone from Europe pretending so as to spew anti-Islam hatred. Worth a listen for sure.

This is fantastic alt-country with some more punkish elements in sounds and lyrics (antiwar and antifascist) and some swagger that reminds me of Justin Townes Earle. From June.

Black metal wasn’t hitting today, so moving over to the slowcore / alt-country side of things with The Pines of Rome, from June.

Reminder: this debut album is killer and is also NYP. Genres are tricky on this one: atmo proggy deathdoom? IDK. Just listen and enjoy

A debut of Polish black/death keeping me company this evening: Mansvara, Sable Odes to Nihility. From May and definitely doing the work.

Icelandic black metal that does the Icelandic black metal thing. Vafurlogi, from end of June

I’m a sucker for these blouses and dresses with the back cutouts

Never heard of her project and not sure how stumbled onto it but this is some really nice and sad indie folk—her voice creates the atmosphere and instruments are done well. Songs keep you interested. Released today, and a nice break from the metal onslaught. Cinder Well, A Blooming Body.

Add another funny one to the “every accusation is a confession” line.

Okay, here’s some politically pissed off metallic hardcore from Pittsburg. Four new songs and four remastered (but new to me). Ferocious stuff. By the Deed: The Doorway

Now onto heavy metal from Black Sites: another good one!

From last week but new to me and hitting that grungy sludge/stoner vibe I’m digging. Irata: Human

Wait, so I like Protest the Hero now?!?!?

This is so good. I was hyped and they did not disappoint. Top tier stuff. Love it when old bands do that: not just replaying the past or mimicking the present but moving things forward.

No list but good stuff today. Here’s one that should get some hype: new black metal release from Hypnotic Dirge. Niveous, debut lp.

The world really is ending, CorpseRaven666. You can now come in from the cold woods, wash the paint off your face, do a happy little dance, record some ska songs with modern, full production, and take band photos in a well-lit studio. Your black metal soul can be complete and at ease.

Yet again, listen to a new black metal track, really like it, do a quick look, label/band are sketch. I really don’t get the folks who say “the sketch bands aren’t good musically anyways.” They often are, and that’s why it sucks to find out.

How amazing is it that you can just chill and feel sad and listen to sad music?!?! One of the finer experiences in life for sure.

Shit, nobody told me that Zizek’s brother played drums for Napalm Death!

Shit, nobody told me that Zizek’s brother played drums for Napalm Death!

None of this is okay. Not Gaza. Not Sudan. Not Haiti. Not wildfires. And scorching temperatures. Not billionaires. Not millionaires. Not ICE. Not concentration camps. None of it.

First single from new Firtan dropped: and it’s a 12 min track with Ne Obliviscaris guest, so that’s a statement for sure.

Blackened screamo goodness done with acoustics and strings, AND proceeds support an immigrant rights org. You know what to do, and check out Lástima’s LP, too.

Blackened screamo goodness done with acoustics and strings, AND proceeds support an immigrant rights org. You know what to do, and check out Lástima’s LP, too.

New Wreckage is a good thing! 20 min hardcore punk album released this month. Really liked their last EP and previous LP.

Back to punk rock singer’s folk/country projects: here’s Tim Barry (Avail) with a full backing band, from June this year.

One thing about me is that I have this little rock that looks exactly like a potato

New Quicksand coming on Friday? Maybe a good time to listen to old Quicksand.

Speaking ill of the dead is morally good, required, even. Any moral system must be able to pronounce negative judgements on someone’s life (Deontological). It brings a lot of happiness to others after the evil one is dead (Utilitarian). It encourages people to live better lives (Virtue).

CW: Kids these days I think a lot of younger bands might be gravitating to “shoegaze” bands and esp vocal styles bc it’s muted and de-individualized, a presence but indescript and ethereal, not anonymous but also not putting “oneself” out there, which would make sense and also be sad

Some afternoon grunge, harder hitting but still pulling in a bit of gaze. From last year and makes me want more. Soul Blind.

Speaking ill of the dead is morally good, required, even. Any moral system must be able to pronounce negative judgements on someone’s life (Deontological). It brings a lot of happiness to others after the evil one is dead (Utilitarian). It encourages people to live better lives (Virtue).

More on that alt-country vibe, this time from a UK band bringing the sad and gritty vibes: Brown Horse, from April

Some more oppressive atmosphere on this black metal release via Vendetta records: Angest, released end of June.

If you’re gonna get compared to Jason Isbell, might as well pull in members of the 400 Unit band and just go for it. A successor to Southeastern in all the best ways. Dayton Farley

Nostalgia / sadness driving me to that alt-country sound. Listened to some of the various punk singers solo albums but settled into The Droptines. Really good stuff if you’re in the mood for it.

Found out a couple days ago an old friend died—liver failure. He was a couple years younger than me, and we weren’t super close but part of the same circles in high school and college. Feeling it at multiple levels and thinking about all these old connections and friends.

In case you’re wanting your hardcore with those crossover grooves and riffs, Soulprison delivers.

Surprised this wasn’t the Friday question version:

New music—always a good time, and more on my list than last week, some new to me and a few I’ve been waiting for!

Current tunes, no lie. And yes, by choice and with enjoyment.

🚨 NEW REVIEW No Cure have been bringing straight edge Alabama hardcore to the world since 2022 and their star has risen quickly for good reason. It Is Going to Get Dark is their first LP, and it rocks. Read my thoughts on it here: noobheavy.com/album-review...

This is some sophisticated AND pummeling sludgy blackened atmo death (or whatever). Debut album, too: definitely deserves your attention. The Blind Philosopher, Innergazer, released in June, from Texas.

I’m so pumped for the new DSBM project* from @eveale.bsky.social. Weeping Woodlands. *project is as realistic as the band photo

Starting here again bc it’s such addictively good blackened melodic crust stuff, from June out of Russia.