MDF is now 115 days away!

January is a slow month for record shopping. Stores are trying to re-stock from the holiday season, and the music industry does not start rolling out new releases until the end of the month, so shopping can be hit and miss. That is not to say that I did not score some good stuff, as you can see below.

1.9.11 – Prosthetic Records
Trap Them – Darker Handcraft LP (pre-order)

Extremely excited about this release, as Trap Them are an ever-improving monster of a band! So excited that I pre-ordered the gray vinyl from Prosthetic. Pre-ordering is not something I do very often, so this one is pretty special. Please go here to check out a song that may bring you to inflict violence upon your surrounding area.

1.13.11 – Everybody’s
Obscura – Retribution cd

I found Obscura’s Cosmogenesis to be a technically solid listen, but lacking in the ferocity department. Retribution is Obscura’s first release, and while still forward-thinking in its delivery, plays more to the power and fury of death metal. Unfortunately, I cannot highly recommend Retribution, as after several spins, nothing sticks with me. More of a if-you-happen-to-come-across-it-and-cannot-find-anything-else-but-want-to-hear-something-new mood, which is where I found myself on this particular day.

1.17.11 – Hell’s Headbangers
Immortal – At the Heart of Winter LP
Deathspell Omega – Paracletus LP
Inquisition – Into the Infernal Regions of the Ancient Cult 2LP

Jer and I love us some Hell’s Headbangers, and I feel this is an outstanding trio of a purchase! Two amazing slabs of late 90’s black metal, and last year’s release by the viscerally progressive beast known as Deathspell Omega. Immortal is a favorite of mine, and although not my favorite record, I still stand in awe of At the Heart of Winter. I put this on, and air-guitared, grimaced, and headbanged all around my apartment! I am new to Inquisition, but they fall into the vein of Immortal, and this 2LP reissue has some fantastic packaging thanks to the HH horde. More headbanging ensued. I heard a couple of tracks from Deathspell Omega’s Paracletus last year, but did not get around to tracking down the vinyl until now. Not for the cold, grim and necro. This is a mind-altering take on black metal. Go here to listen to snippets of each song. You will quickly find out whether or not this is your thing.

1.19.11 – Shake It
Immortal – All Shall Fall cd (used)
Dio – Magica cd (used)

Awesome, and well… not as awesome. More Immortal in various formats is not a bad thing! Musically, Dio’s Magica is a bit flat and lumbering, but his voice is always amazing!