Cape of Bats - Olcott Rites II Tape

Since their first 7" EP, Translyvania, Cape of Bats have been rather busy putting out new releases. They have released an awesome split 7" with AVM, appeared on the Classified Resistance compilation as well as releasing some solo tapes. Early in 2012 they released their own tape called Olcott Rites. Sadly I happened to miss out on this one, but right towards the end of last year they released the follow up, Olcott Rites II. I knew this would sell out pretty quick once again, but I did manage to secure myself a copy. And it sure doesn't disappoint.

The tape consists of four brand new COB tracks, totalling to just over 14 minutes. If you have heard anything from these guys before (and why wouldn't you have), then you should be familiar with their dirty style of punk infused black metal. What is actually a bloody treat though is the instrumental parts to the tracks Totenkrowpf // Ravyngrave and 122 Hours ov Fear (Screamers). These create an incredibly creepy atmosphere and just work perfectly with the other noisy tracks. The latter of these two is also my favourite on the release, as the instrumental blends into the rest of the track so very well.

Aside from the awesome tracks, the packaging is quite interesting with this release too. Usually tapes comes in a rather standard plastic case, but this came in a much bigger (almost like a scaled down DVD case) with the tape clipping in the bottom left. I really like this as it allows for bigger artwork and an overall more interesting package design. The tape itself is clear purple, which goes well with what lies behind it....

What is even better than the case though is the awesome poster that comes along with the tape. It is a screen printed extension of the tape artwork on purple card. The level of detail is immense, and it is almost a pity that more of these won't be printed. Only 31 copies of the release were produced, so this is really something quite special.

Unfortunately that does mean that most of you won't be able to get your hands on one of these. However the band is kind enough to put the whole tape up on their bandcamp page free of charge.

Best of 2013

Before I start I'd just like to note that this site now also has a Facebook page so you can stay up to date and all that jazz. Feel free to jump over to it with the button on the right hand side.

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.

Classified Resistance - Thee Compilation 12"

This one is jumping the gun a bit. I've been excited about this record for quite a while now, and have been eagerly awaiting its arrival when I pre-ordered it what feels like a long time ago. It only came yesterday, and has taken priority over other records that have been patiently waiting for their own post. Thee compilation marks the third release from Classified Resistance, the relatively new record label from Hope Guzzo. This is the first record released by the label, but I think a couple of exciting things are planned so keep your eyes peeled. 

So where to begin? It's a pretty big release, but the best place to start is probably with the artwork. If any of you have been following the Oede tumblr you may have noticed some artwork of similar style to this. You'd be right in thinking there was some connection, the artwork was designed by Thomas; the brain-child of the one-man black metal blues band. 

 On the back the artwork is continued and you get a glimpse of the bands contributing to the release.

 The version of the LP I purchased is clear blue, which I chose for several reasons. Firstly, I don't have any clear blue LPs yet, so it's nice to have one to look at (Blue is probably my favourite colour). There was also a clear red and plain clear version available which I don't have LPs like either, but that;s where the other points come in. This is limited to 100, while the clear red is out of 300. I know, I'm a sucker for thinking it matters but when you've got the choice you may as well. But what about the plain clear version? Well that was also limited to 100 copies, so I had to make the tough decision between blue and clear. I do like the clear vinyl, but clear blue just has that extra edge.

 

It may have been difficult to read the back of the cover, and it's probably no easier to read those centre labels. So here is who is on the LP; Thee High Priestess (Of course, right?), Oede, Strigoi, Vermapyre, VVegas, Cape of Bats, Broken Cross, Hedorah and Shane Speal. This ends up being quite a diverse compilation once you've listened to it all. The first side is almost entirely instrumental, starting with THP, who plays an eerie instrumental track. This is probably the best thing she's released to date. Oede provides a harsh black metal noise track, not dissimilar to "Stygge Faen" from One Man's Trash. Strigoi break the pattern on this side of the record and provide three and a half minutes of blasting fury. Vermapyre start out with a very harsh sounding guitar and play their signature style of black metal noise.

 On the flip side we start out with VVegas. Honestly I wasn't sure what way the band would go with this LP. Half of me was expecting something instrumental like the split with RIH or Moutheater, while the other half thought they'd bring out their unique style of metallic hardcore. Turns out the second half of me was right, the track is brilliant and sounds like the song from the recent Abraxis split. 

Next is Cape of Bats who play another classic black metal punk track. Broken Cross continue the hardcore theme of the side with 'Poison Blood'. I've said it before, but considering this is a one man band the songs are very solid. Hedorah is a band I've not heard of before, but a band that definitely offers something interesting. It's by far the heaviest track on the LP. Lastly there is Shane Speal; the 'King of the Cigar Box Guitar'. I've seen some videos of this guy on the internet and I was surprised by the track he played. It does fit in well with the rest of the compilation though.

As an extra with this release I also received a 20-page zine with artwork from each band. WOW!

 The cover is one of the pieces from Hope's Bones collection, which is really something else. I'd say the first page is part of 'Layers" but it looks like a newer photo than what's on the website.

 It'll take too long to discuss each piece of art, so you can just have a look at them for yourselves. It should be pretty obvious which piece belongs to who.

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 All in all it's a great record that was well worth the wait to get. It hasn't disappointed in the slightest. Some of the bands have even been kind enough to put their songs online. I've embedded the player just below.

Cape Of Bats - Transylvania 7"

Stemming from the infamous Holy Terror label is the debut 7" from Cape Of Bats. My first exposure to the band was on the "No Peace/War" compilation. The track they provided stood out quite well for me, and this record continues in the same black metal infused hardcore style.


This whole record is very centred on vampires, just look at the record title. To start things off the artwork features a picture from near the grave where Arbhartach is said to be buried. Francis appears to be posing as said vampire.

Two versions of this record were pressed; black and yellow. Only a piddly 200 were pressed on yellow, so I opted to purchase this version. I'm glad I did, the colour looks fantastic.

The centre labels keep with the vampire theme, and the sides are aptly named "Side Vermin" and "Side Vampire".

There are no lyrics included this time around. In keeping with the vampire theme, there is a rather hefty load of information about Abhartach. According to an interview on Cvlt Nation, this EP serves as an apology to this vampire.

What was described as a rough test press rip of the EP is available on soundcloud. People need to hear this one.

No Peace / War 7"

The idea behind this record is a great one; a bunch of Western hardcore bands covering classic Eastern hardcore bands. Apparently, this is a project that Dwid had been wanting to release for a while, but it only saw the light last year on record store day. Initially, this was pressed on red vinyl, but was later pressed on several different colours on Organized Crime Records. Several versions were available; green, blue, red and yellow each with the corresponding OBI strip. Additionally, there was a version which was called the "Grab bag" versions. This featured a black and white OBI strip, with a random colour record. This is the version I bought. As you can see the OBI strip contains the logos of all the bands as well as writing in Japanese.


On the reverse side of the strip we have a track listing as well as a hand numbered sticker on the bottom. Mine is #84/129.

It is a tad hard to see exactly what is going on in the artwork. I'll let you decide for yourself.

The inside of the cover is a lot more interesting. It gives some live photos as well as some information about the bands and recordings. The best is about Gehenna's track, who once again dedicate the track to "members of the royal bloodline". On the Rot In Hell information they claim "We are all Jack Abernathy's children", how mysterious.

Because the grab-bag version included a randomly coloured record, I had no idea what colour I would receive. Obviously, I got the blue version which does look pretty awesome.