Posted on Leave a comment

A LA CARTE – Born to Entertain – REVIEW

 

I’m not a big turkey guy when it comes to Thanksgiving. Sure, I’ll savory some on the day but for me the real stars of the meal are the abundant offering of side dishes available. Among my favorites are mashed potatoes, green bean casserole and cranberry sauce (but only if it retains its traditional dog food can shape.)

If A La Carte’s new album is any indication, I will be trying a few new sides this year. “Ashtray Souffle,” “Chamber Pot Pie,” and “Maxi Pad Thai,” are just a few of the scrumptious options available on their latest release, Born to Entertain. 

A La Carte out of Lima, Ohio accurately describes itself as “Brutal gruesome food porn with a beat.” Beyond the humorous gimmick is an incredible band that has already upped their game from their debut album, Soup Dejour. Opening with the title track, A La Carte waste no time with thunderous beats, devilish dual vocals, some killer riffs.

The sound bites are the perfect palate cleanser as you move on to the next dish (or track). While the song titles and lyrics are goofy and fun don’t let that cause you to sleep on the band’s incredible musicianship as the songs are incredibly technical and savage. The dual vocals really up the game from their previous release. “Chamber Pot Pie “is one of the best offerings from this meal.

There are also plenty of good ol’ monster and caveman riffs to keep even the most jaded Death Metal fans happy. These cannibalistic cooks certainly know their way around a recording studio just as well as they know their way around a kitchen. Born to Entertain does just that and you will find yourself going back for seconds (and thirds).

Posted on

VEXING HEX – Solve Et Coagula

 

They told me it would never happen. Hell. I was firmly convinced that they were correct.

But..

My blackened little thrasher heart loved this album. I smiled as I jammed to an album with no growls, no pig squeals or corpse painted frontmen spitting blood. (There could still be time for this one though.) Sure the music is softer than my normal listening but this album is just too damn fun.

While the album cover may not look out of place in the Death Metal section, Vexing Hex play an Occult/Stoner/Groove style that stays in the ear long after the album has finished. With some awesome harmonies, catchy riffs and just the right amount of darkness, this is the perfect record to listen to as summer winds down.

“One Thousand Eyes,” is super punchy and makes great use of some added synths to make the track a little more trippy. When “Vviccaphobia,” sounds like it could have come from Ghost or an undiscovered underground 70’s occult band.

With their fuzzy tones, warm vocals and occult worship, Solve Et Coagula is worth checking out even if every T-shirt you own is black, beer stained and bears an unreadable band logo. You want lost your Kvlt points.

Well, probably not.