Best of 2013

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The year is very quickly wrapping up, and thus it is the time that everyone starts putting up their best albums of the year. I did do this last year, so thought I would keep up the tradition once more.
It has been a great year with lots of stellar releases, but these are what have stood out for me. Bare in mind that these were not all necessarily released this year, they have just been featured on the blog sometime in 2013.

Best Cassette Tape

I have been picking up a few tapes here and there again this year. A few honourable mentions include Rot in Hell's demo tape and the three tape Negromancy set, but my favourite above all is "Fonograms of Violence and Terror" by Brazil's Shade of Mankind.

The release was handled by Stirvve Recordings, so was of course top notch. The whole thing came inside a biohazard bag and came with badges, a massive poster and all kinds of other goodies. The tracks are also brutal as hell, with an incredibly wicked Integrity cover. 

These guys are on the cusp of releasing a new LP, check out the released tracks so far right here.

 

Best 7" EP

Last year this category was the toughest, because I definitely get more 7"s than anything else. There were still a lot to choose from this year, but there was one that stood out so far beyond everything else that the choice was actually quite easy. This was of course Studies in Emerald by Rot in Hell.

The tracks were actually released a while ago, on two separate CDs, but this year saw the band release them on 7" vinyl. RIH have always been known for their incredible packaging, but they really stepped up their game with this release. First of the vinyl had a transparent x-ray image of a fly which looked utterly fantastic. There was also a book, an x-ray insert (that appears to be different for every one of the 30 or so that were produced), stickers, a stencil which was all put together in a green hard slip-case. It just blew me away.
Funnily enough Studies in Emerald appeared on my list last year as well, it must show how great the tracks and the band really are.

Best split 7"

This is an other category that was relatively easy to choose as well. Of all the splits I acquired this year, I think I was most excited and pleased with the Cape of Bats and AVM split released around September. Ever since I heard the split AVM did with Integrity I have been trying to find more about this obscure band, desperately trying to find any more tracks. When I heard news of this split I was more than ecstatic and ordered it as soon as it was available.

I still listen to Devil's Last Dance much more than most other tracks in my library, I really just can't get enough. I'm hoping 2014 will see the group release even more..

Best 12" LP

Finally, we have my favourite 12" LP. This has to go to Kromosom's Nuclear Reich. For a release that went by relatively unheard of, this thing is fantastic. With this release they seemed to shake of the slightly darker tone to the music released on Holy Terror records and get back to the rawness from their original demo.

The energy captured in this recording is incredibly immense, I'm surprised the recording equipment was able to handle it all, just amazing.

That wraps up 2013. I must confess that things have slowed down here a bit in the last few months, but hopefully the new year can see it pick up a bit of steam once again. See you in 2014.

Cape of Bats / AVM split 7" - Black Mass of Jihad

It seems that there has been quite a few records that I have been super eager to get my hands on lately, and this is one that was right at the top of that list. When Integrity released their SDK 2 split with /\\//\/\ a few years ago, I became obsessed with the two tracks released by the mysterious Japanese band. Ever since I have been trying to find out if the band has had, or will have any more releases. Rumours started to surface that they would be releasing a new split with none other than Cape of Bats! It sounded just perfect to me, so as soon as I heard information about the imminent release I was sure to get my order in.

Of course it didn't disappoint. The tracks are just superb, but I will get to that in a minute and focus on the packaging for now. The record comes housed within a folded cover that unfolds to reveal artwork and lyrcis from each of the bands. /\\//\/\ features the same figure as on the front of the Integ split, which also fits with the title of the split. Cape of Bats feature a more disturbing image of a Japanese individual in studded clothing with blood dripping from his mouth.

The rear of the cover contains the split name, and band logos as well as the track titles in Japanese. In the middle bottom is the Grim Winds logo, who released the split. You can't really see it in the photo, but the whole thing has been produced with a hand-made aesthetic. It has been properly printed, but it looks like it has been hand cut and pasted together, which is a pretty cool effect.

The record is on plain black vinyl with purple labels. It is rather plain, but I do really like the purple colour that has been used. It does mean that to play a particular side you have you read the matrix etchings, but that is hardly the end of the world.

A total of 200 copies were released, 100 of which were sold during COB's recent tour with the remainder kept aside for mail order (some are still available). Mine is number 111.

Now while the packaging is pretty good, the music is really what makes this split so fantastic. Side A belongs to /\\//\/\ who I think really steal the show. Their first track is entitled "Devil's Last Dance", and is already my new favourite song. I can't even find the words to describe just how awesome it is, you'll really have to get a copy of the record yourself to hear it. Honestly, it is a shame that more people won't get to hear this track.
They also offer "Victim For Sorcery" from the split with Integrity. I was kind of hoping for two new songs from the band, but this song is so good that I don't mind getting it again. Thankfully this song is online for you to hear it( if you haven't already). As it is myspace I can't find how to embed it, but here is the link https://myspace.com/avmshinrikyo/music/song/avm-victim-for-sorcery-44836340.

Side B is all about Cape of Bats, who give two new songs. These are great black-metal punk tracks that are very obviously Cape of Bats songs. Of the two, "Days of Dark" is my favourite as the guitar work feels quite emotional and painful behind the screaming vocals. This is online as well, get your ears ready.

Integrity/AVM split 7"

This release features a split with Integrity and AVM. Integrity bring another set of delightful Septic Death covers. I'm not sure if they are the same karaoke deal as the first round, although the cover does say SDK2 which does imply this. On the flip side, we have Japanese AVM. I'm pretty sure this is their only release, I have searched the internet for more but just can't seem to find anything about these guys. I really wish I could.

As usual, the Integrity songs are great. But I'm afraid to say that /\ \/ /\/\ is what really makes this record awesome. "Victim For Sorcery" is just amazing. I have listened to this song over and over and just never grow tired of it. Take a little trip to their myspace to listen for yourself. Go on, treat yourself.

The artwork for the Integrity side pays perfect homage to Septic Death. I'm not sure if it was drawn by Pushead, but the style fits his work great. Even the Integrity logo has been Septic-Death-ised. The doll the main character is holding is what I believe is Dwid's cartoon persona. The AVM side is just a collage of things.

What is interesting about this release is that it is parallel mastered. Instead of the tracks playing one after the other, the grooves on the record run in two spirals next to each other. This means it is pretty much random what song will play when the needle drops.   

This record came in two version; black and teal. Obviously, I have the black version. These are still pretty rare though, this is hand numbered 80/250 on the dust jacket. 

The inside of the cover is entirely dedicated to AVM. It contains an inverted colour image of the Shinrikyo leader, as well as most of the lyrics for Victim For Sorcery.

 There are also two messages inscribed on the vinyl. The first is "Free Charles Manson", and the second is "Free Shoko Ashara". You should need no help guessing who wants to free who.