Pallbearer -2010 Demo released on vinyl

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20 Buck Spin

Heavy metal vinyl collectors rejoice! Pallbearer, an American doom metal band from Little Rock, Arkansas, just released their 2010 Demo on vinyl for the first time via 20 Buck Spin. It features an early rendition of “Devoid of Redemption” and “The Legend” both of which appear on their 2012 breakout Sorrow and Extinction. Alongside those tracks is a cover of the infamous “Gloomy Sunday” written by Hungarian composer Rezső Seress in 1933.

Beautifully packaged, the cover art for the demo was done by longtime collaborator, Animetalphysical, while Mike Lawrence, whose striking black and white artwork is marked by strong lines depicting death and nature themes, did the B-side etching. At first listen, the demo is more emotional and guttural than the tracks heard on Sorrow…, an invigorating change. The guitars are loud, deep and distorted. Brett Campbell’s voice is fresh and soaring. That said there are subtle differences between the demo and polished songs of Sorrow and Extinction such as the missing echo of lyrics in “Devoid of Redemption,” which detract from the song. In a great addition, there are shouting vocals on the demo. Finishing up, Pallbearer does a marvelous job of infusing even more sorrow and pain into “Gloomy Sunday,” the song also known as the “Hungarian Suicide Song.” All told, the release does doom metal aficionados justice.

By Serena Navarro

Thanks to Beatroute for providing the album to review.

Powerchord Podcast-June 14th 2014

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Powerchord Radio is rocking and silly as hell with Erik, Coleman and I!

Podcast

Playlist:

Kylesa – Insomnia for Months – Static Tensions
Mortillery – Despised in Blood – Origin of Extinction
Iron Storm – Take the Wheel – Wraithwind
Dark Forest – Winds and Waves – Aurora Borealis
Bloated Pig – Age of Slavery – Ways to an Early Grave
Bison BC – Finally Asleep – Lovelessness
Gatekrashor – Sign of the Gatekrashor – Gatekrashor
Ritual Dictates – Track 2 – demo 2
Fuck the Facts – Vent du Nord – Amer
Sepultura – Beneath The Remains – Beneath The Remains
Eyehategod – Medicine Noose – Eyehategod
Gruesome – Savage Land – demo
Skull Vultures – Reclaim – Skull Vultures
Kvelertak – Sultans of Satan – Kvelertak
Bongripper – Satan – Satan Worshipping Doom
Tombs – Thanatos – Savage Gold
Pallbearer – Gloomy Sunday – 2010 demo
Kyuss – Green Machine – Blues for the Red Sun
Immortal – Norden on Fire – All Shall Fall

Heavy Metal Helps!

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Hello world.

This is a platform for all things. Seriously. Freedom of speech and art. It will be most likely that this spot will be dedicated to all things heavy and light. What am I getting at…well, that I do not want to be limited to the spectrum of the title, heavymetalhelps – but it really does.

Individuals and society benefit from Heavy Metal. I see it everyday and within myself. Music is close to my heart and specifically, Heavy Metal. I have always been drawn to the heavy rumbling drums, fast guitars, slow guitars, effects, growls and the epic vocals. Not to mention the real, oppressive, and sometimes antithesis themes that heavy metal values.

Why am I writing this you may ask and I ask myself the same question. Well, I have realized I need an outlet. Going to shows, listening to music and creating music is one thing, but to be able to contribute to the community of heavy metal is another entirely.

That is why this blog/website is here. It is an outlet – a fanzine – a publication. Whatever one might call it, it is a step forward in a direction that came so easily and natural.

Below is the first edition of the Heavy Metal Helps radio show from the CITR studios. Songs are paired with research and quotes from fans and musicians on how this music has helped them.

Playlist:

Sanctuary – Exitium-The Year the Sun Died

Ahna – War Games-Imperial Decline split /Cetascean

Obituary – Bloodsoaked-Inked in Blood

Skull Vultures – Reclaim-Skull Vultures

Usnea – Healing Through Death-Random Cosmic Violence

Numenorean – Let Me In-Demo 2014

Pallbearer – Gloomy Sunday-Demo 2010