So the other day, I'm trying again to have Superjoint Ritual click with me and I'm faffing around on Metal Archives, as any self-respecting Metal fan might. Checking out the recording line-up right? Anyway, the guy who drums on the first Superjoint record not only did a stint in EyeHateGod and Hank Williams III but also had his own NOLA sludge band going on. The name is pretty cool too - Stressball. I mean, Madball had already been around by then, but still. There's enough ball in the world to go round right?
I thought the record was pretty solid. A slight Godflesh feel going on too. Hidden NOLA sludge gem.
Very nice little set - with new songs, so much so I went to the trouble of ripping it and using some Earth merch as some artwork as a bootleg. See em' live next month, excited!
Earth - Scalphunter's Blues (6:36)
Earth - California And Other Impossible Dreams (5:25)
Earth - Misunderstood (variation on a theme by J. Corabi and M. Mars) (3:59)
Earth - The Bees Made Honey In The Lion's Skull (5:23)
For the extreme metal fan, this is quite the treat. I had my eye on this as I really wanted the little booklet, which I will still do eventually, but due to cultural institutions funding this release in Brazil, it's also been released for free digitally. To make sure all is not lost, I've uploaded the PDF booklet here, so it's always available. But wow! Talk about history. The booket is also dual language, I've not had a chance to soak it all up quite yet, but it's pretty clear to me how awesome this is.
2024 Edit: Delighted to have this physically - print quality is great!
So in all fairness, I'm a miserable git on this blog - lots of bands send me awesome stuff, but if it isn't destined to be in my favourite records of the year, it pretty much gets swerved. But guess what, I got sent one of my favourite records of the year! I do try to listen to most things I'm sent, especially when it's a genre of interest. The first thing I heard when listening to Orbiter was how much the tone reminded me of one of my other favourite finnish bands, Tombstoned. I like Tombstoned a lot and their 'Searching / Let Go' 7" (if you have one to sell me, e-mail!) is quite genuinely one of my favourite Doom metal releases ever. I literally went immediately to check if they shared members actually.
Whilst there are some definite grunge and alternative rock influences here, as well as other female fronted Doom metal bands, frankly, it's negligent to even mention them. This band is doing something unique and vocalist Carolin Koss has a distinct voice, which still comes with a Albert Witchfinder twang, which makes me love them even more. Lots of half time drum beats which I also just really enjoy. The songs and execution are just great. The production on this thing is perfection, this thing sounds AMAZING.
Now just a little moment for Sabbath acquisitions:
Turn up the night Picture Disc 7" from 1982. & Hard Road Purple 7" from 1978. B-side on this is Symptom of the Universe (!!) and to my knowledge, which involved scouring discogs, this is the first colour vinyl on any Sabbath single. So a nice little collectors piece.
