Ancient VVisdom – A Godlike Inferno
It’s not very often that I hear an album that grabs me by the throat with one hand and slaps me around with the other. The forthcoming release by Austin, TX’s Ancient VVisdom (yes, that is with 2 Vs) does just that. I was fortunate enough to get a promo copy of the CD from the band and have been listening to it a lot in the last couple of days.
I first heard the record a week ago riding around with their bassist and I just sat in his van tripping out a bit. Trying to describe this band’s sound is not so easy. It’s metal, but not what most would typify as metal. My first thought when hearing them was mid-era Bathory with much better vocals and a lot less drum work. Bathory’s “One Rode To Asa Bay” was the first thing that popped to mind. That’s not a bad thing as I liked some of the more melodic Bathory stuff. This album is very mellow…but heavy.
But this is still a bit different. Nice clean vocals, acoustic guitar backed by electric more in the background for enhancement. Drums are minimal, more used for percussive effect and not necessarily for just “playing the beat”. All of the songs are catchy and very memorable. Nathan Opposition’s (f. of Integrity) vocals fit perfectly. The album conjures a little early Pink Floyd as well and to a lesser extent and surely unintentionally I hear some of the atmospheric tones used on Tiamat’s Wildhoney album, which was hugely influenced by early Pink Floyd as well.
The one rub for a lot of people may be the overtly satanic content of the lyrics. You won’t miss it when listening to it as it’s right there. For me personally, I’m indifferent to lyrics by most bands. If it sounds good it sounds good…and this sounds good.
I’m attaching a song that they posted on YouTube but it will not be on the June 7, 2011 release on Shine Box Recordings. It will at least give you an idea of what’s in store. Highlights for me are the songs Alter Reality, Necessary Evil, Lost Civilization and World of Flesh, especially the 2nd half of that song. The riff is just wonderful!
All I can say from here is buy it when it comes out. It gets a 10/10 from me.
Billy White Trio – sistershootingstar
This is one of Billy’s solo albums after the Watchtower/Dokken days. It’s long out of print so I thought I’d share it with you.
Dove – S/T
Dove is a band that you only hear whispers of and really only in certain circles. I had the privilege of seeing them at a club I worked for around 2005. Sadly there were only about 20 people there. No matter, Dove was great. The lineage of this band is pretty heavy and goes something like this:
Cavity–>Dove–>Floor–>Torche
Ah, you know Floor and Torche? Yes, same ones. I saw Floor a few months ago during FunFunFunFest in Austin and they are playing here again Saturday…of course I am seeing them again. Mammoth Grinder is opening and they are quality as well.
But back to Dove. This album crushes. It’s near the best 30 or so minutes you can spend listening to music. Heavy, down-tuned, melodic, no song clocks in over 3:55. The CD has long been out of print and apparently a vinyl reissue came out a year or so ago.
1. Thank You For Your Patience 01:52
2. Goes Without Saying 02:05
3. On a Mission 04:13
4. Red King 01:45
5. Neither Today, Nor Tomorrow 01:55
6. Twenty Three Twelve 01:56
7. Somewhere Between 02:33
8. This You Can Trust 02:11
9. Without Warning 01:54
10. You and I 01:42
11. Start Running Now 02:43
12. Never a Straight Line 02:52
13. Sight and Seen 02:40
14. See You Soon, Love Always… 03:55
Here’s a vid of Floor I shot last fall.
Easter Memories
As a little kid in a house that was pretty religious and also did the non-religious stuff like hiding the Easter basket for me and my 2 older brothers to find, it was always something to look forward to on Easter Sundays. Mind you, my brothers are 6 and 8 years older than I am and I can remember their indifference to the whole thing. But being a little kid, I was into it.
I remember an Easter conversation I was having with my Dad around 95 or 96, not long before he died. I asked why it always seemed like my basket was hidden under the kitchen sink with all the cleaners and poisons and stuff. My Dad was awesome and gave me a hilarious response that I will never forget.
He said, “Aw damn, son. Your mother was the one trying to kill you, not me.” If you knew my Dad, this was a pretty fitting quote. That guy was awesome and I still miss him every day. He always loved Easter and pretty much life in general.
Happy Easter everyone. Whether you’re a believer or not, hope it’s a good day for you.
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