by rudyards | October 20th, 2013
Tonight, we bring you gut busting comedy followed by skull crushing Metal.
First we have
Level Up with Michael Priest (doors 7pm)
Michael Priest (Austin, TX)
https://killbrocktoon.tumblr.com/
Followed by
Widower * Destroyer of Light * Funeral Horse (After Level Up)
Widower (Austin, TX)
https://www.facebook.com/Widoweratx
“Widower is made up of Jimmy Byam on guitar/vox, Chris Brake on drums, John Bowley on bass/vox, and Danny Wrath also on guitar/vox. I just got this CD in the mail and saw them open a show at Dirty Dog.
This band and album are straight black thrash metal. The easiest comparison is to Skeletonwitch. I love the tempo-the guitar licks truly shred. As the songs progress you feel a driving momentum which I feel is due to the impressive rhythm component. The bass is played like another guitar part and the drums are pummeling. “Fractured Mind” is just driven by that punishing drum beat.
With “Ascension” you can really hear what this band is about. The beginning allows the vocals to stand alone before they go balls-to-the-wall with tempo/guitar.
I confess that I enjoy my evil tone and this band is dripping in it. The style of layering multiple vocals to give an eerie style is great. I don’t hear Cradle of Filth in the music style but the singing is on that kind of level. Evil. Love it!
The biggest problem with this album is that it’s over just as you’re settling in. Some bands thrive on each song bringing something a little different to take you through an album. Not these guys. From the first note of “Serpent’s Glare” you know what you’re in for. This album is powerful, heavy, and in-your-face. Widower’s “Goat Throne” may be straightforward in its style but that is a strength. If you want a kick-ass thrash band with a touch of evil (well maybe more of a punch in the face). Get your hands on “Goat Throne.” That itch will be satisfied. As an aside, I love the CD art and the font they use for the band’s name is perfect. As always, Party On! And Keep Austin Doomed.” - Austin Heavy Music
Destroyer of Light (Austin, TX)
https://www.facebook.com/destroyeroflight
Austin-based doom band, Destroyer of Light, formed in the beginning of 2012. Each member coming from different bands wanted create slow, heavy, riff-induced music and bring it to the masses. Gathering influences from a variety of different styles, each member brings their flavor to the table, and the music speaks for itself. Destroyer of Light is a 4-piece band consisting of Steve Colca on guitars/vocals, Keegan Kjeldsen on lead guitar, Mark Mars on bass, and Kelly “Penny” Turner on drums. As of now, a Self-Titled EP has been released for distribution digitally and soon vinyl providing 6 songs. With this release, they plan to tour, share, and promote the music in anyway possible. May the power of the riff compel you!
“These are officially some awesome riffs. There’s a bit of formula to them:
- start each song with EYEHATEGOD style feedback
- follow into a Sleep/Electric Wizard-style riff
- turn that into a swamp soaked, then desert dried mix of St. Vitus and Candlemass
- finally, end with a big heap of Crowbar and Autopsy
- for extra flavour: sprinkle liberally with growls and more feedback
That, by the way, is a compliment, and so is this: most of 5th track, ‘The Swamp’ sounds like what I imagine Mercyful Fate would be if King Diamond dropped from so much countertenor and did more baritone. ” - Doom-metal.com
Funeral Horse (Houston, TX)
https://funeralhorse.bandcamp.com/
“…what you mostly need to know about Funeral Horse and this album is that on the very first song they create an opus which could outdo a number of full length albums by other bands claiming to rock.” - Joshua Macala – Raised by Gypsies
“… the band I’m most interested to check out is newcomers Funeral Horse, which formed out of the ashes of the gone-too-soon Art Institute; they’re heavy and sludgy and slow as hell, dwelling somewhere in the realm of High on Fire or Sleep, and that’s no bad place to be.” - Jeremy Hart – Space City Rock
““We’re heavy and slow… so is our music”, this sayeth their facebook page. I can’t comment on the guys themselves, but their music certainly does live up to the claim. Funeral Horse currently have a new EP available for free download with tape copies (Tapes! Love it!) available shortly. They certainly live up to the hype. In fact, the first two words that spring to my mind listening to it are, indeed, “heavy” and “slow” – but not ponderously so. I can almost picture swathes of people with hair over their eyes, wearing black/tie-dyed clothes and nodding slowly to the beat like a crowd of metal zombies. With beer in their hands.” - Iain Purdie – Moshville Times
“There’s a cassette version of Savage Audio Demon available, which I would like to get his clammy paws on. This type of angling shows what kind of band Houston’s Funeral Horse is – vintage, loving those 70’s, and in bed with thick, rocked-up riffs, and vocals with plenty of ominous echo. The bluesy “Scatter My Ashes Over the Mississippi” is the pick of the bunch here (nice dynamics), but don’t leave “Invisible Hand of Revenge” out in the cold either. Rocking stuff.” - David E. Gehlke – Dead Rhetoric
