Prolegomenon-Prolegomenon: 02.18.07

Agents Of Satan - the old testament

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Here's a sizeable 43-track discography CD from this spastic west coast act, running barely more than a minute per song. Included is the band's demo, split 7"s with Burn the Priest, No Less, and Noothgrush, the "s/t" EP, live tracks recorded on KFJC 89.7 FM in 1995, and the Radioactive Lunch "s/t" 7" (pre-Agents of Satan), as well as some unreleased tracks. Expect a mix of thick and nasty slow riffs (which are awesome) with some quirky, plunky distorted basslines, manic screaming and low growls, some grinding blasts, a few noisy and sort of improvisational elements, etc.

Age Of Ruin - tides of tragedy

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Often compared to At the Gates and In Flames, Age of Ruin has frequently been described as a "melodic death metal band." Age of Ruin was formed in Fairfax, VA (a Washington, D.C., suburb) in 1998; the band's original lineup consisted of Derrick Kozerka on lead vocals, Daniel Fleming (formerly of the bands Jonas and Days Lost) on guitar, Chris Fleming on bass, and Patrick Owens on drums. After The Longest Winter Woes, drummer Owens left the band and was replaced by Colin Kercz (formerly of the Maryland bands Haddonfield and Longshot). When Chris Fleming took off in 2003, he was replaced by bassist Joe Scheibel. And when singer Kozerka left in January 2004, he was replaced by Ben Swan (who had been a member of the band Samadhi). With Kozerka's departure, Daniel Fleming was the only person remaining from Age of Ruin's original 1998 lineup. Early 2004 found Age of Ruin signed to Eulogy Recordings (a small label based in Ft. Lauderdale, FL) and recorded a full-length album titled The Tides of Tragedy.

Lifetime - Lifetime [2007]

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Venetian Snares - Cavalcade Of Glee And Dadaist Happy Hardcore Pom Poms

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Despite the fact he's only been around for a little over seven years, Aaron Funk's alter-ego Venetian Snares has been firmly established as a stalwart of both the electronic scene and it's splintered subdivisions in the realm of breakcore - with the improbably titled 'Cavalcade of Glee and Dadaist Happy Hardcore Pom Poms' the latest chapter. Closer to the melodious work exhibited on 'Chrome Cylinder Box Unfolding', Winnipeg-based Funk nonetheless keeps his foot to the floor - as wave after wave of marauding beat patterns set about attacking your cochlea and sending the senses into a tailspin.

The Minus Tide - anakuklosis

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The Minus Tide, the digitally apocalyptic cousin to Mastodon's organic, earthy stoner-metal, tells terrifying tales of space horror, offering a fresh update of traditional Maiden-ish metal, gaining rave reviews from Heartattack, Metal Maniacs and Revolver magazines.

Kylesa - to walk a middle course

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From the ashes of seminal underground legends Damand, rise punk/ metal gods Kylesa. Brutal, atmospheric and masochistic, Kylesa hypnotizes with an aural metal beating for a stagnant scene gasping for a breath of fresh air.

The Locust - safety second body last

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The Locust's "Safety Second, Body Last" came as a follow up to 2003's highly acclaimed "Plague Soundscapes". These brand new recordings may be the bands most (GASP) acessible yet in their long slew of releases in the last ten years. "Safety Second, Body Last" flows like a classical symphony, flying through five movements at lightening speed. Produced by Alex Newport (At The Drive In, Melvins, Panthers and many more), the tension, anxiety and release presented in this piece is enough to last you a lifetime.